the poppies blow;

[notachickenhawk]

Sender: Anonymous
To: Everyone
Subject: War

I know this is a difficult subject for some so please move along if it is for you. But for those of you who have been in wars or battles (formal or not) - how do you deal with it after?

At least from my perspective it's not over yet, but... I don't have to fight here. I don't have to be afraid for the lives of myself or those around me. But the blood is still on my hands. The battles I fought still took their toll. Nothing seems to help. I've heard 'time will help' but that doesn't do anything for me now, when I need help.

I don't normally ask for help, but I'm at a loss here.

Comments

Sender: Yato

[intertwinedfates]

If it's that you're still on alert for danger, for yourself and others, then breathing exercises to aid in relaxation may help. And if you're troubled by the lives you took, try to remind yourself that it was self-preservation and to protect those you care about.

What others have said about distracting yourself is true, but you can't just ignore the cause forever. You need to address it head-on eventually.

[notachickenhawk]

It's kind of both. It's also the fact that I've gotten numb to the killing. Innocents have gotten hurt in the process and while we try to avoid it, it's sort of chalked up to 'acceptable losses'.

[He also can't stop being alert because he's a hawk, but that's harder to explain.]

It's not like we've got any therapists around here.

[intertwinedfates]

It sounds like you want to get back in touch with your humanity, in that case. I'd recommend going out and volunteering your time helping people in whatever way you find comfortable. Helping the living is a way to make up for the undeserved deaths.

And while there may not be any trained therapists, there's plenty of kind people who are more than willing to listen and give advice, as the responses prove. I'm sure if you wanted to meet in person then someone would be more than happy to.

[notachickenhawk]

[He takes a minute to laugh before responding. His 'humanity'. Right. The birdboy.]

I don't think there's an animal shelter or something here but I guess that's not helping people. I'm glad no one really seems to want for much here, but it makes volunteering a little harder.

My situation's a little weird. I mean it's all weird since we're in a dream world but I feel like mine's particularly weird.

[intertwinedfates]

[Well, it's a figure of speech, given Yato's not sure who he's talking to. Technically it wouldn't apply to him, either.]

Yeah, you're right about everything being provided for the most part. Though there's actually a café that houses rescued and stray animals if they're more your thing. It doesn't have to be people you help.

For what it's worth, I'm used to dealing with weirdness, if you want to go into detail.

[notachickenhawk]

I don't really know how to relate to people that well anymore for a variety of reasons.

... Well I mean we're talking aliens as part of the least weird things you have to accept for things to make sense for where I'm from.