I know you're upset, Lisa. A lot of us are. Try not to think of it as losing a friend. He's still your friend. He still cares. There is just stuff that has to be taken care of. That doesn't make the friendship that you shared void
I don't think she meant anything by posting this thread. We're going to have to deal with Mike leaving IC and OOC both. For those of us that had a relationship with him in character as well as out of character, it is going to be twice as difficult.
Part of everyone is their PC. I don't care what race or personality your character has or how often you have to deny that they are in any way shape or form like you, I personally think it is impossible to write as a character without putting some of yourself into it. But that's not the point.
The Characters that Mike played were Mike as well. He even wrote a scrap about how each one tied to him personally. Rista's question is valid, this being a writing website that is prided on it's consistency and logical timelines, if a little too soon. The subject obviously tore at you a little bit, Lisa, and you can't be blamed for that either.
But the fact remains that those of us that were involved with Mike IC and OOC need to deal with both losses. Losing Mike the person is much harder than Mike the PC's, and I will miss him more than I can put into words... but both Mikes had to leave us for a time, neither of which can be ignored forever.
And this might be me with my fingers crossed that he will be back, but I am going to do what I always do in situations like this and try not to touch on the subject IC. Don't write off his PC's in a way that will screw him over if he does come back.
Maybe Rista doesn't see Kovac anymore because Kovac got really really busy and Rista also got apprenticed to another master and she had to make the hard decision between them.
I know for Addy, Kovac and her are going to get into a big fight and avoid each other. Problem solved. If Mike comes back, the PC's can make up. Until then, there is no question as to why they aren't interacting.
It was Mike's choice not to write his PC's off or kill them. So neither do we. If you want me to help you come up with more ideas, Rista, as to how to make this happen smoothly so that you can move on easier IC, then just send me a PM