(no subject)

[selfhelp]

Who: Billy Kaplan / OTA
Broadcast: Yes
Action: On the Iskaulit
When: After all the chaos is settled!


So… all of that was horrible? I think that goes without saying. The less we have of that kind of thing going forward, the better.

Tangentially, but the personnel augment is kind of useless, isn't it? We get an office but not much in the way of marketable skills, we can't do anything with the ships in the middle of a crisis, we're not here for any big damn hero moments. It’s great if we’ve got other skills for that, but we can’t fix stuff, we can’t pilot people out of danger, we can’t arm those who don’t have powers...

...okay, sorry, I'm rambling. Getting to the point! Truth is, personnel - counselling - is meant for the aftermath. Therapy, in other words. If it doesn't exist where you're from, it pretty much means someone whose job it is to listen to you, no judgments, and offer advice if they can. Sometimes it's enough to just have somebody hear you out.

Anyway, I wanted to say that I'm tired of, like… not contributing much. So I'm gonna have an open door policy. Doesn't matter if you're not on my ship, doesn't matter if I don't even know you. You can even use the comm anonymously if you don't like the idea of coming in person. You make the rules.

If you're wondering about my qualifications… well, I've got ears. That's the most important part. But I did also grow up with this stuff- Mom’s a psychologist, I've seen her work, I’ve read some of her books. And I’ve gone to therapy. Kind of a lot. It's not a substitute for the real thing, but it's what I can offer.

Oh, and for the record, this isn't meant to call out anyone with the personnel augment, or steal your shipmates, or anything! This is more of a call to action. If you want in on this we can set up some kind of network.

I’m setting up shop on the Iskaulit and I’m gonna post active hours there. Stop by if you want to talk more one-on-one about it.

[True to his word, Billy’s in a spare room in the Iskaulit - sign on the door - and is decorating the place, though it’s kind of barebones for the moment. He can magic it pretty, but the last few months have been exhausting, so he’s taking it slow.]

Comments

video;

[axi]

[A young woman appears on the comm looking intrigued at his proposition. Qualifications or not, it sounds like a decent amount of exposure compared to what most probably have. Or don't.]

That's not a bad idea, I could see some benefitting from it. [She looks at him curiously. Her next questions is just that: a question.] If you don't mind me asking, how old are you?

[selfhelp]

[oof. he wondered if this would factor in, but he was kinda hoping for it to be a non-issue for a while.]

Um, eighteen. Like I said, my qualifications aren't stellar.

video

[passingthrough]

I see you're throwing yourself into your assigned role, so I don't mean to trample on that, but just in case you didn't know, you can reassign yourself if you want. It means giving them extra permission to mess with your head more, but since when do they need permission? [The thought of it actually bothers her a lot and it took being at a rather low point after losing Winn to get her to switch her own and don't even get her started on adding to it.]

[selfhelp]

Yeah, I heard. No offense, but I'm not about to get in line for something like that. It's fine for other people, but I don't... um, I don't want anybody messing with my head. Ever. So if they're gonna do it and I can't stop them, then fine, but I'm sure as hell not going to volunteer.

action »

[ladybro]

[ she doesn't say anything over the network. kate suspects billy doesn't need her to chime in to know she's proud of him -- stepping up, taking action, offering whatever he can in the wake of something so horrid and draining.

and it's a tricky topic, too. she never told the other young avengers (during or after) about the therapist she saw or the why of it all. telling jessica jones had been exhausting enough! but there's something so brave and admirable in how billy owns his own experiences that she knows she can't let it slip by unmarked.

so she turns up on the iskaulit with a metal can she's emptied out, cleaned, and painted with green stripes. it's an office warming gift -- and she trusts him to get get the reference when she comes a-striding in: ]

Cute place you've got here, Lucy.

[ she offers the can with both hands. ]

[selfhelp]

[he does get the reference, and he accepts her can with a wry grin. honestly, it's a huge relief to see her. he's been worried for a while.]

I think you might be exaggerating, since it's basically four walls and a desk, but I appreciate the thought anyway.

[well, there is a rug. he'd just finished magicking that. let him work his way up to the couch idea.]

I'm glad you're up. You okay?

[heroofcocoon]

[It's been a few days since his transformation and the subsequent events that cause him to be returned to the Fleet. He's not even sure what happened after all the pain and he's a little worried. He didn't even wake up on the Blue Fish like he expected. So, Billy's message is like a huge punch in the face from Lightning. Stings and is probably what he deserves.

He hasn't wanted to admit it, but he knows he's a fucking mess. Has known it for a while now. And better to talk to someone he doesn't have centuries worth of baggage over about why he's that way. Someone who's already offered to help.

And he thinks that Billy was also down on the planet, so he might be able to tell him what the hell happened..

As such, he doesn't respond to the message. He just takes a shuttle from the Red Fish over to the Iskaulit and walks around before he spots a familiar face. (Not that he knows many people even after a few months.)]

So, you're taking this pretty seriously.

[selfhelp]

[It's a surprise to see Snow, but Billy would be lying if he said he didn't hope this would happen. Not that he has high expectations for this - there'd been a lot of resistance, when they talked about it - but given what happened before, maybe things have changed.

He'll just take this one step at a time.]

Sorry if I didn't give that impression before. I've always taken it seriously.

Video

[whatisright]

[Guess who has no idea what the heck a therapist is supposed to be.]

So your job is to act as an adviser after battles? [So... like do you critique their fighting style, or...?] Do you mean that you are a physical trainer? Or someone who assists in long-term physical recovery?

[Justice barely understands intense feelings at the best of times. It doesn't even occur to him that there might be professionals around that help mortals sort through psychological injuries.]

[selfhelp]

[yeah he figures he's gonna get this question a lot.]

There are therapists who specialize with the physical issues, but it's not the same. What I had in mind is emotional, psychological issues- dealing with trauma, anxiety, grief, that sort of thing. Think more about your heart or your mind healing, rather than the body.

video

[bryces_pup]

[Ah, this is why she hasn't seen Billy the past day or so.]

You're very kind to do this for others, Billy. I'll admit, the concept of having a designated, neutral person to talk to is rather foreign to me, but... I might take you up on that sometime.

[A pause, and then a wry laugh.] And I can think of several people who should as well, but I doubt most of them will without a lot of prodding, if even that. [Namely every damn person from Thedas.]

[selfhelp]

Feel free, I don't mind if you'd like to come down. I don't promise to make things instantly better, but... I dunno. I think everyone could benefit from a therapist even if they don't think they need it.

From my experience, the hardest part is getting someone to admit they could use some help.

voice

[monolike]

That's really nice of you; it can be hard just listening to people, especially when their problems are sometimes so huge. Don't overtax yourself, okay?

[selfhelp]

Hah, yeah. I'll try not to bury myself too deep in this. But hey, every little bit helps, and it looks like more people are interested in it, so...

voice.

[paraclete]

I've heard a little about that. A lucrative career, potentially.

[He sounds to be around Billy's age; he sounds pleasant in a way that's almost strange for its earnest pool; he sounds mild, preternaturally mild, like weather that makes one wonder if the worst of winter is coming late this year. Basically, warmer than one would expect at this time, and gentler than once might anticipate.

Then he says,] Seems nice. [They're really little words, could be trite, but he sounds like he means that, ringing a bit brighter.]

[selfhelp]

[man he sure does sound friendly.]

Ah, thanks. I hope it ends up nice. I'm not looking into it as a career or anything, but... I dunno. Doing my part?

voice

[crowkiller]

[Sadly, they don't have therapy in Thedas. Or at least the assassin group he use to work with didn't offer it. Probably should have though. Maker knows it would have done wonders.]

So, what is the point of this? We talk and that is all? Is this for people who do not have others to speak with?

[selfhelp]

[assassins could totally benefit from therapy, or they'll end up like Zevran!!]

It's more for people who can't talk to those they already know. Have you ever confided in a stranger about stuff you'd never tell a close friend? Like a bartender or something?

video

[wingedman]

I don't have a personnel augment, but as someone who is otherwise qualified, I'd like to throw my hat into the ring.

[Honestly, he should have thought of this himself - although Sam's got an entire ship full of PTSD patients on his own already. The fact that it takes a teenager to point this out is a little embarrassing for him, but he's goddamn impressed by this post anyway.]

Not to take anything away from you, I mean. Having people willing to listen is the important part, and lord knows not everyone wants to talk to an actual therapist.

[selfhelp]

Don't worry about encroaching territory, seriously. I think if we get some kind of support network set up, multiple people who can offer this kind of help, a central office... I like the idea.

[oh hey buddy you're kind of familiar for some reason.]

So... otherwise qualified? Did you do this sort of thing back home?

[padadin]

[The thing is, the people that need therapy the most can be the last ones to ask for it. Case in point: here's Shiro, going back to his daily exercise routine, because concentrating on a routine helps him not to think about all the shit that just happened.

He sees the broadcast when he checks his communicator after leaving the gym and since he's already there in the Iskaulit, he decides to pay a visit. Knock knock the door goes before he peeks inside, the usual friendly smile ready on his face.]

Congratulations on your little project, Billy.

[selfhelp]

[Quite literally a project at this point- Billy's actually in the middle of painting the room a soothing, pastel blue. He could just magic them different colours, but it feels more legit, doing it this way.

Said "way" is in fact floating himself and his painting supplies to the upper corners, though, hovering cross-legged and slathering it on the walls.]

Hey, Shiro. Saying it like that makes it sound like I'm doing crochet or something, doesn't it?

video;

[collegedropout]

That's really awesome of you. To offer that kind of service.

I mean, I know we're usually kind of dumped into roles here, but... that's a good one to have.

[selfhelp]

I feel like the whole thing's sort of backfired, with everyone heaping praise on me for basically just saying that I'm gonna do my job several months after arriving here. ...But thanks.

video. also probably cw for future abuse talk probs lbh

[throwsdown]

[Takeshi raises his hand up, as if he's in a school setting. As if he's ever been at school, pfft.]

You'd really do something like that? That's pretty cool...!

[Oh, but he should get a better read on this.]

Aftermath for what kinda things? Like for fighting and scary times in your life, right?

[selfhelp]

Sure, stuff like that. It doesn't even have to be that big. Just being here, away from friends and family, or things that might've happened in your life that hurt you in some way... or if you're worried about something and don't know what to do. People go to counselling for tons of reasons.

text - private

[expellerhead]

If you need money for materials or supplies, I can help.

Do you have any experience with child psychology, or mostly just adolescents/adults?

[selfhelp]

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. I'll start with the personnel upgrade and go from there.

I've got experience by way of BEING a child/adolescent in therapy, for what it's worth. But otherwise, I'm pretty new to this.

video

[ecclesiophobic]

[Interesting.

Kurt debates whether to weigh in on the subject, concerned with how much he might reveal by accident, but a quick scan of the public replies shows a fair amount of other Fleet prisoners offering much more personal (and incriminating) information than he plans to.

So he makes himself comfortable on the ceiling and starts a video reply.] One of the systems we stopped in--I think about a year ago--had some sort of psychiatric place on one of the moons. It seemed benign enough from what I saw of it, [said as though he didn't spend most of their time in that system there] but we were only there a month or so.

[selfhelp]

...That sounds like a really nice place. I'm sorry I missed it.

Maybe we could recreate it here, or something. On the Iskaulit.