( #003 )

[brainiest]

Who: Hermione Granger and you!
Broadcast: Fleetwide
Action: On the Vanquish
When: 30/11 onwards

I think it might be time for me to ask for a little bit of advice.

I've been here a while, now, and I'm normally very good at not missing people. I used to give people tips on how to feel better about it, and it used to work for me, too, back when I was in the Drabwurld and there was a war to focus on. I would go and look in the library, but I can't imagine there's much of a help section there - dreadful, honestly - so.

If anyone has any suggestions on how to cheer yourself up, I'd be glad to hear it.

(Also: I have potions for all the ships on the fleet, now. If you'd like a set for your Lab, please let me know and I can bring them over!)

Comments

[exothermia]

What kind of writing?

[He had suggested something similar to Charles not long ago.]

[brainiest]

Anything, really. I was considering doing my best to transcribe a book from home, since I practically had it memorised.

[exothermia]

That would occupy you for a while. [Whole books are not the quickest things to write.] Nothing original?

[brainiest]

At least if I had it written once I could just duplicate it. [ She pauses, though, considering. ] ... I'm not sure what I could write about, really.

[exothermia]

Sometimes it's the act that's important, not the content.

[He's done a bit of writing himself, here and there. Mostly his efforts have been focused on his letter to Charles, and some notes on the Fleet, but at times it's enough just to put pen to the paper and write anything at all.]

Someone I knew here for a little while spoke about art therapy. She said it helped her to deal with problems she was having. [He feels a touch wistful about Alex, a girl he both had known and hadn't known, thanks to the intricacies of universes.] It's not the worst idea in the world.

[brainiest]

... No, I can imagine that would work. I had a few friends in the Drabwurld that enjoyed art and making things.

[ It was the same for them as it was for her and her potions; having something to put her hands to do, having something to think about that wasn't the world around her. Shaking her head, she glances up. ]

I'm awful at drawing, though.

[exothermia]

I'm not any good at it either. The only artistic thing I was ever good at was metalwork... and I have an advantage in that area.

[brainiest]

You do have a unique ability. [ Hermione just smiles, idly stroking her cup of tea. ] I never had much time to do anything like that, either at home or in the Drabwurld. There was always a lesson to go to or a battle to fight.

[exothermia]

Having free time is a difficult adjustment. I find it helps... to have a routine.

[brainiest]

I suppose spending most of my time brewing doesn't count as a routine.

[exothermia]

That sounds like more of a chore.

[brainiest]

I like brewing. It's how I made a living in the Drabwurld.

[exothermia]

I never assumed you didn't. But if it's the only thing you're doing... [Then it ceases to be just enjoyment. It becomes something else. A crutch.]

[brainiest]

[ She sees where he's coming from and ends up huffing a quiet noise. ]

Then it ends up not being as healthy.

[exothermia]

It could, yes. So try something else for a while.

[brainiest]

Drawing. Or writing. [ She hums quietly. ] It can't hurt.

[exothermia]

No. [He picks up his mug, looking at her over the rim.] It can't.

But what you said to me remains true for you as well. It's fine to not be all right, even for a little while.

[brainiest]

[ Hermione opens her mouth to reply but then stops, pausing before she bows her head. ]

You're not supposed to use my words against me.

[exothermia]

I'm afraid I don't play by the rules very often.

[He reaches over and pats her hand.]

[brainiest]

I've begun to get that impression.