selfhelp | [Written | Voice

[As terrified as he is to do this - and as reluctant as he is to bring up the topic just as people are starting to move past it - he's pretty certain that a lot of people need the sort of prodding he's here to suggest. Even if it's just to plant the idea in the heads of those who've been trying to ignore... well, everything. He's seen it already, with his friends- the silence, the dodging, the unease. He's felt it every day, from the moment he wakes up from the nightmares to the moment he falls asleep, with sporadic moments of peace in between. Talking to Teddy... helped. Undeniably, it helped. It didn't make everything perfect - it never does - but the difference has been noticable, and he wants to share that. Thus...

This is both audible and written (sans the excessive pauses) for full accessibility.]

So... that draft. Was horrible. I'm sure we'd all rather just forget about it... I know I would. But my own stupid head's pretty intent on remembering it all so far, and I'll bet anything that I'm not the only one. You can't just... ignore this, or pretend it'll go away eventually. Same applies to a lot of the stuff that's happened to all of us here.

This's got me thinking. Remember when the Malnosso offered that... kid therapist for sessions with us? And they thought we might actually go for it? Well... what if we did it ourselves? I mean, that's become kind of a lost cause now, especially with her missing now, and... I don't know. The idea of doing therapy with a little kid seems... [Well, he's young too, and he managed, so he can't really point fingers. But still. Hrngh.] ...The stuff I'd need it for isn't really kid-friendly. I know plenty who'd say the same if they admitted it.

But we need it, don't we? I know so many people who just... need to talk about what's happened to them, here or at home or wherever else that bad things have happened. Even if they don't want to. No, especially then. And I don't think we have anyone qualified, unless you're hiding under a rock for lack of clientele. ...That's possible, I guess. If that's true, protip: you're needed.

If not... I'd never claim that I'm qualified, but I grew up with this- my mom's a psychologist. My whole life I've had the value of therapy drilled into me. I've been reading up for about a year now, learning all I can for... basically this reason. And I know how much it can help.

So I guess this is basically a PSA: Talk to someone. Find someone trustworthy, someone who'll listen. Make yourself talk. And encourage your friends to let it out if they're having trouble with something, too. And... sorry if this might sound egotistical... while I'm not a therapist, I'm a good listener. So if you don't know who to talk to, here's an open invitation. Even if nothing comes of this, I think it's really important that somebody do this. So... there it is. And if anyone else wants to make the same offer, I can... I don't know, make a list or something. Whatever people need. Suggestions are totally welcome.

I told a friend once who'd needed this... who was helped by it, too... I think it still applies. People don't go to therapy because they want to. They go because they need it.

That's all. Thanks for hearing me out.

[Today Billy's mostly going to hang around in case he gets any responses, but at some point in the near future he's going to seek out a select few whom he knows are going to do their best to ignore his advice. Brace yourselves.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Or perhaps it gives us even less excuse.

[Hard work and study are survival tactics. Goals. Goals are important.] Best to have something to focus upon, yes? [Instead of pernicious problems that they've yet to solve.]

Yeah, I'm good with the idea of making progress from now on. Letting stuff like this derail our whole lives is... not ideal. At all.

[Oh good. They're on the same page.]

Still just once a week?

[He hesitates, then adds:]

I haven't anything else I can really do right now. Rogue doesn't want me to ride alone.

[Which he could understand, if Vakri were an ordinary horse. But he's not.]

Hah... are you indulging her with that? I mean, yeah, you're blind, but you're not an invalid. I can't see your space horse letting you walk him into a tree, either.

[Seems unnecessarily overprotective, really. And Vakri is probably the smartest animal that Billy's ever met.]

I might have snuck out a time or two.

Hah.

She finds it upsetting, though. I'd rather not argue.

If you ever feel the urge to get out and need an extra chaperone, we could do lessons on the go.

I thought you did not like riding at all.

[Which means he really appreciates this offer all the more. He smiles wryly.]

I hate this. Being limited. Effectively helpless.

[Billy shrugs.]

I don't dislike it, I'm just kind of terrible at it. And at least it's only for, what, a couple of months? Small comfort, I know, but it isn't permanent.

Ah. Well. The only way to be less terrible is more practice, you know.

Yes. But much can happen in that sort of time, as well. [His entire life as he'd known it had ended in the space of less than a week. For all he is long-lived, he also knows that the universe can turn on a single instant. It makes him nervous.]

Sadly, you can't do much more than deal with it. But you know we'll help as much as we can, right?

[He figures Loki does know - by now he ought to, with all of Rogue's hovering - but sometimes you just have to hear it from more than one person.]

I know.

[He sighs.] You'll have to forgive that I hate needing help at all.

[Because it just reminds him that he is, in many ways, helpless.]

I will. But only if you forgive me for trying too hard.

[He's pretty sure he'll get annoying about it eventually.]

[He laughs.] For that, I shall always forgive you, little brother.

Even if I might nip you for it first.

[Because it means he's trying. And that he hasn't given up on Loki.]

I guess it's kind of an unspoken rule that little brothers have to do stuff that annoy the older ones. I'm just fulfilling a role.

I'd offer some pointers, if I didn't know it would backfire horribly. [He's had centuries of practice annoying Thor.]

Don't worry, I've got brothers on both sides, now. I've got inspiration aplenty.

[God, how did he end up with so many brothers?]

And now I've brothers on both sides as well.

I think I might like the younger sort better.

[Psh.]

Please. Little brothers are nothing but trouble.

[But that's nice, even if it does feel wrong to usurp Thor like that.]

[Grin.] 'tis a good thing I rather like trouble.

"A good thing", he says. I wonder how many would agree with that.

[But it is kind of a good thing, yeah. He likes being liked, generally.]

That's because they aren't chaos gods.

[Silly humans.]

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