☤ seventy-four

[as_damaged]

With all the confusion last month, I didn't even notice I'd passed the three year mark in the City. I wish I could say experience has given me an edge on getting by through curses and semi-natural disasters, but it's never that easy; most of the advice I could give is just common knowledge here.

I'd say the most important thing is not to put too much trust in patterns. Patterns in curses, in schedules, in what is or isn't possible. Repetition allows for prediction, and adaptation; keeping things inconsistent makes it more difficult for us to get used to it, to take the City in stride. No matter what you believe the purpose of this place to be, that does seem to be one of the few constants: keeping us all unsettled.

I'd also recommend, if you find yourself cursed, putting your device somewhere out of reach to minimize the amount of trouble it can cause... but of course, depending on your circumstances, you don't always have that option.



[ooc; will be butting into your business if she knows you well enough to do so; may deliver generic advice otherwise.]

Comments

[punchedhitler]

Is that something that people should congratulate you for?

[It's a genuine question!]

[as_damaged]

I'm not sure it's a cause for celebration, really.

[punchedhitler]

Well...then I'm sorry, miss.

[as_damaged]

It's all right, but thank you. I wouldn't mention it at all, if it weren't relevant to the topic at hand.

[punchedhitler]

Does this kind of thing happen often?

[as_damaged]

What kind of thing?

[punchedhitler]

The desert and glass City sort of thing.

[as_damaged]

I've never seen anything exactly like it, but that sort of protracted, unusual event does happen. Once, maybe twice a year? They don't fall on a predictable schedule, it's difficult to keep track.

[punchedhitler]

That's good to know.

[as_damaged]

Asking around might get you some more details-- I know some people have been here longer than I have, even-- but it won't help you predict when the next one will hit.

It's not a bad idea to have some emergency supplies laid in, just in case. Sometimes it doesn't help-- if they all turn to glass, for example-- but it can't really hurt.

Brushing up on self-defense wouldn't hurt, either.

[punchedhitler]

That...isn't a problem.

[as_damaged]

Then that's one less thing to worry about.

[superbeast]

Three years? That's... discouraging.

[as_damaged]

It's impossible to predict how long someone will stay here. I wouldn't say my case is typical.

[superbeast]

Still, it means it's a possibility. Is it bad to say I'm a little impressed?

[as_damaged]

Well, I can't take any credit for sticking around. But I won't take offense, either.

[superbeast]

Fair enough. I'll take your word on patterns, thanks. I think with everything I've seen go on around here so far, it'd be pretty easy to forget.

[as_damaged]

Try to stay optimistic. It isn't easy, but it will help you and everyone around you.

[born_nameless]

What exactly do you mean by the device causing trouble?

[as_damaged]

Since so many curses are accompanied by a compulsion to speak-- whether it's to tell secrets, or ask questions, or say... any sort of thing you shouldn't-- it's better not to risk it, if you have the choice.

[born_nameless]

Figures that would happen. I plan to be careful.

[as_damaged]

Most people do intend to be careful. It's not always easy.

If you have roommates, it would be a good idea to talk about ways to keep each other out of trouble.

[born_nameless]

I'm not really a people person. Guess I have to figure out how to keep myself out of trouble. To be honest...it's not always easy, that's for sure.

[as_damaged]

I understand how you feel, but you should reconsider-- living alone here is asking for trouble.

[Pot, kettle, kettle, pot.]

[born_nameless]

If I had someone I could trust, maybe.

[This is logically equivalent to "never gonna happen."]

[as_damaged]

[In three years Cameron's never had more than a half-time roommate. She can sympathize.]

Just don't close yourself off to the possibility.

[born_nameless]

I guess. It seems like a roommate could potentially be trouble depending on the "curse," but at least that'd take care of the ticktock.

[as_damaged]

Absolutely. At the very least, spend as much time out of the house as you can.

[born_nameless]

Now that the City seems to have settled down into one thing, that's what I plan to do. Any suggestions?

[as_damaged]

The easiest way to find a roommate might be to keep an eye out for new arrivals; finding someone you trust, I can't help with.

[born_nameless]

I didn't really expect otherwise. Okay, an easier question: where would you suggest for spending time out of the house?

[as_damaged]

Well, the City's full of restaurants and cafes.

[born_nameless]

I'm sure I'll find something interesting out there. I was stuck in the sand for a while.

[as_damaged]

The City definitely has more to offer than that, yes.

[entangles]

And no one has tried to find answer, to why these curses occur, these atypical events? Why they're even keeping us here in the first place?

[as_damaged]

There's speculation, of course-- the most popular theory is that somehow our reactions to the curses benefit the Deities, though it's not clear how.

Have you been sleeping any better lately?

[vicodincrutch]

How is it that you're trying to sound as though you know better when the message is that you don't?

[as_damaged]

Just because I don't have all the answers doesn't mean I don't have any.

You've been here longer than me, I'm sure you could make suggestions I've missed.

[vicodincrutch]

Challenge accepted.

[Wait for it.]

Sorry you couldn't come to the party.

[as_damaged]

I'll try to make the next one.

Did you give Wilson a say in how long you were staying?

[vicodincrutch]

We'll have a pinata. How about that?

Of course. I told him when to breathe and where and what to eat too.

[as_damaged]

You should listen to him more often. He's likelier to have your best interests in mind.