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[restingstitchface]

[The image flashes to life with Jonathan sitting down in his university office. Behind him are multiple rows of well-thumbed academic books mixed in with fat, expensive textbooks. Those with an eye for detail might notice framed photographs of Bruce Wayne, Jacob Taylor, Iris West and more meaningful individuals hooked on the wall. His voice is soft and calm and gives an impression of frailty.]

Greetings. I am Doctor Jonathan Crane. After the terrorist attacks against Aegis's robustly defended "space slam" gathering, I appreciate that individuals might well be feeling exposed, stressed and intimidated. If this is how you feel, I am willing to listen and offer expert psychological support free of charge.

I will make the time for you. Even if it's just to hear your worries I will ensure I'm there for you.

Nobody should feel scared.

Comments

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[am_i_a_monster]

[Abigail's playing with her hair and her scarf, constantly checking that they're in place over her scars.]

How does it work? Like do people make appointments or do you have drop in hours?

[restingstitchface]

[He tilts his head back, looking down through his glasses.]

Appointments. I don't always facilitate group discussion. Better privacy for all concerned than none, don't you think?

[am_i_a_monster]

Yeah. Group sessions never worked for me.

[She clasps her hands together to keep herself from fidgeting.]

Privacy, that's guaranteed right? You have to keep things confidential.

[restingstitchface]

Yes, that's the entire point of a therapeutic relationship. Did somebody breach that trust with you?

[am_i_a_monster]

Sort of.   I was in a hospital, the doctors shared things with each other and others.  My other therapist betrayed my trust in an entirely different way.

[restingstitchface]

Goodness. That must have been hard.

[am_i_a_monster]

[Abigail looks at him for a moment, trying to determine if he was sarcastic or sincere.  She decides she's being paranoid.]

It was, but I didn't mean to sound like it was all bad.  He helped me too.  He said I was getting my power back.  That's kind of like what you're trying to do.  You want to help people get back that sense of safety that the terrorists took from them, right? 

It must be a lot of work.  And for free.  Are you just that nice?

[restingstitchface]

You seem wise enough to comprehend that niceness is a falsehood. I'll say I'm humane in my methods and leave it there.

[His voice trails off. It's a subject that's up for further discussion, and by the calm look on his face he's willing to have that talk.]

[am_i_a_monster]

That sounds like something a hunter would say.  Or a butcher.

You might have something in common with my last therapist. 

[restingstitchface]

Oh? You make that sound like a compliment.

[am_i_a_monster]

I suppose it could be taken as one.  He was unconventional. Do you just listen and offer support?   Or are you unconventional too?

[restingstitchface]

Unconventional? Yes, though I imagine some would say heretical. Depends on your perspective, really.

[am_i_a_monster]

[She gives a small, almost amused smirk.]  That makes you sound even more like him.  [The smirk disappears.]   So much depends on perspective.   One person's nightmare could be someone else's safe, healing place.  Or someone could be a monster or genius depending on someone looks at it.

[restingstitchface]

[He takes a thoughtful pause.]

Couldn't they be both?

[am_i_a_monster]

[Abigail nods and smirk reappears.]

Maybe they'd have to be both.  Otherwise the cops, or one of the heroic types, would stop them before they'd do anything too monstrous.

[restingstitchface]

[He laughs awkwardly.]

They'd finally have to do their jobs, you mean.

[The police back home aren't exactly paragons of virtue.]

[am_i_a_monster]

That's a good point. We can't really trust the authorities.  And I think we've lost the really good imports.

[Abigail frowns, suddenly reminded of her losses and the fear she's been feeling without her friends.]

I got off track.  I was going to ask you if I could make an appointment.   Can I do that?

[restingstitchface]

Absolutely! You can even schedule it later in the week at your leisure, if you want to think things through. Would you like that?

[am_i_a_monster]

Yeah, time to think things through and not have them so jumbled would be good.

[restingstitchface]

I can imagine. Call me privately and we can arrange things at your leisure.