after the event

[hoponpop]

[ Hopper looks kind of desperate when he appears on the network mirrors. ]

Someone tell me someone has some cigarettes. I need one. Or a dozen.

Comments

[wheyoftheadept]

[Saturday waves a pack in his general direction]

I got about half left. You got a light?

[hoponpop]

Oh, thank god. The rest of mine fell out of my pocket and into a creek.

I still have my lighter, it stayed dry.

[wheyoftheadept]

Well, let's not waste 'em. I brought some tobacco at the faire, but I think I lost the pouch in all this shit.

[she pours them out, and divide them equally. Five for her, and five for him]

[hoponpop]

[ He locates her among the camp after a few moments of looking around. ]

Thanks so much. That's really generous of you.

[unsealthecatbox]

[Mildly annoyed:]

Consider smoking some random leaf.

[That was absolutely unhelpful, Ange. You could just have said no...or said nothing at all. Anything better than chiming in with that -- truthfully, she just got annoyed at the possibility someone was thinking of things like cigarettes after what just happened.

Clearly she has never experienced this sort of habit ever before]

[hoponpop]

What? Are you saying there's no reason I'd be craving a cigarette after all that?

[unsealthecatbox]

I dunno, but is it really something to worry about at a time like this? After all that I'd worry more about what's to come than in indulging your cravings.

[Unnecessarily judgmental and perhaps even unfair, that was. Still, at least she seems to back down somewhat, because she adds:]

I suppose if I come across any I'll get them to you. It's not like I want to take smoking anytime soon.

[She's not sure she will find cigarettes but at least she will pick them up to pass them to him if by chance she finds any]

[hoponpop]

I think you don't know what it's like to be a smoker.

[myagents]

Nicotine addiction can lead to severe health problems. While the process of stopping has to be gradual, I feel compelled to recommend you to focus on your breathing or stimulate endorphins through physical exercise to reduce your stress. Finding more constructive outlets will contribute to diminishing the compulsion of this self destructive gesture.
Kind regards.

[hoponpop]

Are you seriously giving me the health talk? We just had to run from soul-stealing monsters!

[myagents]

You experienced something traumatic. Your concerns are understandable, as is your need for relief. What I am trying to say is that this unhealthy coping mechanism might harm you in the long run, especially since we currently do not have a guarantee that we will find a way to be safe in this environment.

[hoponpop]

Listen, I've given up other things that were worse for my health. I just want a cigarette to relax with.

Thankfully, someone helped me with that already.

[hallelujahjunction]

[Dan shows up with a lit cigarette actually in his mouth.]

I got two packs. [Dan's not looking forward to parting with them, but he's not about to let anyone else flounder in nicotine addiction while he can help.] I'm willing to divide them up equal among all us smokers. Come find me, I'll give you some.

I also got some sort of pipeweed at the festival, but I don't got a clue if that'll hit the same spot.

[hoponpop]

Come find me then, I'm with a gal called Saturday who gave me a couple.

[hallelujahjunction]

Saturday? Oh, good, I know her. [Dan gives a little salute to the mirror.] See you around.

[millenyal_pink]

If you have to smoke please do it very far away from me, that shit fucks up my senses and gives me a bad headache. Not trying to be judgmental or anything, but it's been a bad day for all of us and I am going to reach my limit of what I can deal with at some point.

[hoponpop]

Understood. I don't do it to be a prick.

[millenyal_pink]

I appreciate it. I'll try not to get close enough that it becomes a problem, that way it's not only on you. This situation sucks for literally everyone.

[hoponpop]

I have already had two people just outright say I should stop looking and quit. That's really not very helpful. At least you're willing to compromise.

[wisdomreceiver]

[Alright, Henry. This is a network, where people speak to each other. Everyone is in the same boat, everyone is supporting one another, no one thinks you are a weirdo yet, and you need people to acknowledge your existence in case, say, you get locked up by a serial killer again. You can do it.]

Sorry, I don't have any.

[hoponpop]

[ Hopper's been satiated by now, at least. He gazes through the mirror at Henry. ]

Well, thanks anyway.

[wisdomreceiver]

Yeah. Uh...You're welcome.

[He stays in awkward silence for a moment.]

If...If you need someone to draw you a map to bring along, hit me up. I'm good with these things.

[hoponpop]

[ Hopper doesn't quite understand why this guy responded in the first place, but with that it almost sounds like he's lonely or something. Hopper nods. ]

That would be nice. Thanks.

[kingofneworleans]

Désolé, mon ami. Gave up a few years back. Kept a pack for a while, but handed dem to someone dat needed 'em more dan me long time 'go.

[Just...ignore the eyes, Hopper. It's probably better that way.]

[hoponpop]

That's probably a good thing.

[ For the other man, anyway. ]