Discussing the community around them, both the physical and that of the 'intranet', would be a must-needed distraction. There was a long, reflective pause after Luke described his observations and Alana finally shared her own.
"I suppose, this is what happens when you give people an outlet. The old internet was just a place for everyone to have a say, regardless of how ignorant or intelligent they were. Everyone had an opinion and the internet gave them a place to share it." Well, she thought with the slightest hint of humor, opinion and porn. "That wasn't real socialization, though. When I was a kid, social networks were getting big when I was in college. Between the internet and text messages, I think people had forgotten the necessity of face-to-face communication."
This was the most speaking Alana had done in the last few days and to be quiet honest, it felt a little nice, and so she continued after a brief pause. "The people here... I haven't seen this many people since the Outbreak started. I was with a group of people, sure, but... Not everyone was lucky to have others. There has to be a good number of people that have been alone for a long time and really just..." Her voice trailed off again as she stared down at the respective fish pond of cards.
"Maybe some of these people just don't remember what it was like to be, you know, people, and actually talk to one another." Alana considered a moment how serious her tone may have become and immediately lightened her expression. "At least George still has a sense of humor."
How she wished it would be easier for her to share what was happening but even Alana did not know what details of grief and the process. Sometimes she felt her face was a dam and to allow even the smallest leak may bring it all down. What would Luke think of that? No, she could not make him feel any greater responsibility for her. Feelings, it seemed, were a tricky business for the pair.