Text; UN: rapidlyblack

[somaru]

[It took him about forty minutes to decide on a username and then try and post to the network. Of course, it was probably better to just be anonymous, but that felt like being too much of a coward. Still, he couldn't really avoid it anymore, he had already secluded himself away for a month. Without work to force him out, it was all getting too difficult.]

I'm sorry to intrude on any discussions. I was wondering if there are different ways to generate an income here other than through physical contact. Are there ways to pay for things without needing to touch another person?

It seems that those methods are very important to the people here, but, there must be alternatives, right?

Thank you.

Comments

😭 babey boye she's sorry

[cadeuces]

It's quite all right; it's fairly common, unfortunately. They throw an awful lot at us when we've only just recovered from wandering the moonscape. I try to accompany their regular patrols to mitigate that, but I can't always leave. I've tried to address it with them but they're just... excited, is all. The scientists, I mean.

I'm sorry to hear you've not had much chance to speak with others. Is there no one you knew from home, here?

As for the crystallization... I'm afraid it's different for everyone. Some people burn through chroma quicker than others. Sometimes it depends on the lunar cycles we're inherently tied into. The second, blue moon, seems to take the most. I'd say on average, perhaps around two months.

There is a monitor on the device we're given that will start to alert you when you're in the red, and chime when it's getting to concerning levels before the crystallization starts. It's a bit of a slow process, maybe a couple of days? I've never seen it get much worse than a bit of faceting on someone's shoulder and their fingertips, in two extreme cases around the same time. We assisted in the growth of another species' young and it drained us fairly quickly.

Are there any methods or approaches where you have felt more comfortable in touching others...? Maybe if you're the only one to instigate, and they don't reciprocate? Or just after bathing, or through massage...

( His reply seems to make it clear enough to her that he's touch-averse, as she suspected, though she doesn't know to what extent or why. )

[somaru]

[He could feel the sick feeling rising just imagining those scenarios. The one he could probably attempt at this point was trying to touch someone, their hand maybe. If anything the entire situation made him feel like regressing the little progress he had made.]

It's that obvious? I had some guidance before, but, without that person it's a bit difficult.

[cadeuces]

( Nooooooooo no no no, they were only ideas!! It's ok!! She's sorry!! )

Well, like I said; I'm a doctor and I've already been helping someone with similar worries. I just happen to have an eye for it and it's fresh in my mind right now.
I apologize if that's overstepping my bounds. I don't want to see anyone suffering in this place.

You were mostly just comfortable with one person?
May I ask what steps were taken to get to that point, then, or what you enjoyed about them that made it easier to relax?
Did they take any precautions on your behalf, such as being within your line of sight when moving to reach for you or anything?

[somaru]

We used a list of ten things in order of what I found difficult to most difficult.

[He could not share that he felt he had been trained in some way over time, or that opening up was really more a matter of many other things beyond practice.]

He was a therapist, though, he wasn't mine.

[He thought about saying they were friends, but somehow couldn't do it.]

[cadeuces]

And that worked for you? Were you making progress?
I wonder if something similar won't help you again, in this place. It's familiar and would hearken back to something that has worked for you before, which may be enough to get you on the right foot for yourself.

I've only had the same schooling any doctor has when it comes to psychology in general, so I'm nothing like an official therapist, but I can always listen and try to provide another perspective if you'd ever find it helpful.
Most of what I know is from dealing with patients who developed or already suffered from PTSD as a combat medic and the various forms of fallout. I'm a trauma surgeon that had been volunteering in warzones.
Just know that there are people present who are more than willing to help you in this place. All we can do is support one another when we're all brought here the same, hmm?
And if you'd ever like to come visit for a good cup of tea and a clean environment, I appreciate company. My days are always quite slow.

( He'll know where to find her, and he has her information to contact her now. )