video;

[traceofeffort]

Ow, my head hurts trying to keep the damn timeline straight... I might have to figure out how to work a program or something, I'm gonna go nuts keeping things in order. Hi, everyone, I got a bunch more memories and the other Roselia cannot function without help. [Lisa's dressed casually and, for once, apparently feeling the heat; just a plain white T-shirt visible from here as she sits at her desk, hair in a ponytail, and the low drone of at least one fan somewhere. She pauses a moment to gather her thoughts and will her headache away; after a second, she starts again.]

Okay, so. I've got a few more songs, which is good! My other self was stuck wrangling a bunch of girls that are alternately divas and well-intentioned idiots, which is bad. They care a lot about each other, which is good! Occasionally they care so much they drive wedges between themselves and damn near broke up, which is bad. We were good enough - we had enough fans - that we sold merch at our shows! That's super cool! We also pushed ourselves hard enough that our juniors found us literally passed out in our dressing room before a show. That's pretty terrible. I could keep going, but we were morons, and also we were best friends and sisters-in-arms. And I... have complicated feelings, about it. I don't have that. Forget bandmates, I don't have anyone I'm that close to, not like that. [She can already hear a couple people objecting, but they're gonna have to wait.] Like... am I ever gonna be like that? Big enough to fill a real, honest-to-God live house that I booked and paid for and sold tickets to? I know I'm getting better, but that feels like a lot. I feel like they had everything figured out - well, Yukina did, the rest of us were just kinda in her wake for a while - and here I am just. Bumbling along. I know what I want to do, just... it's daunting, seeing what the next step on that road could look like. I'll figure things out, I know I will. I refuse to do anything less, y'know? I just need some time to get my head screwed on straight. Again.

Oh, and they decided I'd make a good healer, in the MMO we played for a bit. Also one of them called me mom when she didn't think I could hear her? Their day-to-day lives are hilarious. Not that I can talk, I'm pretty sure my life is a comedy from the outside. [Snorting, she shakes her head, before clicking off the camera.]

Comments

[not_as_i_do]

Oh, you're welcome. Not much of a doctor if I don't share what I know with people who'd need it, am I?

[he smiles, then frowns more out of concentration than disapproval at her definition]

I've never had the experience, I'm afraid, but I've heard of them. That's one of those things where you ... pretend you're other people, right? Dungeons and Dragons?

[traceofeffort]

Mm! I'm glad we haven't needed doctors as much as I thought we would, on that note. I was expecting we'd get in a lot more trouble.

Ah, yeah, that's one of the more well-known ones. Now take that, move it online, and instead of someone running the adventure directly, there are thousands of players running through a constructed world with things that tell the story. That part went over my head, but the fighting got my blood pumping.

[not_as_i_do]

That does sound like a good way to spend some time with friends.

... You know, I wonder if I should put together some sort of emergency field kit. I was originally trained as an Army doctor, you know. Could come in handy if we have any more developments like this...

[traceofeffort]

[Lisa opens her mouth to answer him, but pauses a moment. When she does go on, it's more measured.]

I think we'd benefit a lot from that. But don't push yourself on our account - as much as I'd like the reassurance, I also don't want to make you feel obligated to step in. Nothing stops us from going to the hospital like normal people. Are you sure?

[not_as_i_do]

My dear girl, if I didn't step in, I'd be violating my Hippocratic Oath. Especially if something happened and we were too far from a hospital to do any good. Some injuries require immediate attention, even if it's a minor fix to hold the patient over until they can be brought to a proper facility. If someone died, and I was able to do something, but was ill-prepared ... I'd think of it as a close cousin to accessory of murder.

[traceofeffort]

Mm, I get you. Sorry, I didn't mean to insult your commitment or anything - I just didn't want to throw you into the dangerous stuff headfirst. I think I'm in the same place, really - I don't want anyone to get hurt if there's anything I can do about it. I don't think there is anything, not right now, but that's something I can fix, given time.

[not_as_i_do]

Oh, no offense taken, don't worry. If anything, I appreciate your concern for my safety.

[he wonders what a fledgeling musician can do to keep people from harm, but has enough tact to not ask. maybe it has something to do with the memories she's gathering.]

[traceofeffort]

[She can learn to punch things! Modern Lisa is already more dangerous than the one she's getting memories from, she's pretty sure. One could argue this is how she got herself into trouble on the other side of the portal.]

I've gotta worry about someone. And if it's not going to be me... [Her lips curl into a wry smile, even if it doesn't quite reach her eyes.]

[not_as_i_do]

We'll just be a concerned house of cards, holding one another all up, is that it? All we dubiously happy few?

[traceofeffort]

Exactly, just like that. I'll bring a couple matchsticks and some glue, it'll be fine! And my guitar, eventually I can probably cheer someone up a little bit.

[not_as_i_do]

From here, you look like you're doing a fairly decent job already. I wouldn't worry about it too much, my girl, you'll be fine.

[traceofeffort]

I hope so. No... I'm sure I will. I just need to keep telling myself that, right?

[not_as_i_do]

Precisely. And you know how to find me if you need to talk, mm?

[traceofeffort]

I do. You're one message away, yeah? Like everyone else I need to learn to lean on a little more. Thanks for talking to me - I think it's helping to get my head on straight.

[not_as_i_do]

You're welcome. I feel the same way about talking to all of you. ... Let me know when you've got that new song ready, I'd love to hear it.