"--The following transcript was a live chat roleplay--"
<Every> She sighed quietly as she shifted in the chair, ignoring the stares that were gathered in her direction when it creaked. The pen in hand beginning to write once more as she filled out the forms required for new patients before she finished. It had been Nix's idea that she go see a shrink and after learning of Kirill's death and Nishaa shooting her in the head, she'd decided that avoiding didn't work any more. Even if she had to dance around certain details, she supposed Nix's suggestion wouldn't kill her.The gunshot had gotten rid of the depression, the constant and overbearing sense of anger that triggered her stepfather's voice harassing her, pushing her over the edge of overloading. Standing up, she signed her biological name - Every Leighton - at the bottom and made her way over to the desk to set the forms down before returning to her seat. Hazel eyes moved around the room quiet, her lips pressed into a thin line as she questioned her sanity and crossed one leg over the other in wait.
"Arrive early, wait twenty minutes. Arrive late, wait five minutes." She murmured under her breath, bouncing her foot. Every was always one to arrive early, regardless. She didn't like making others wait, she didn't find the point of it. "I really hope this isn't going to be a waste of my time." She muttered at nothing in particular. At least it wasn't at the hospital, but at an office. Those she hated something serious. Not to mention, she knew Emilee was there and she really didn't want to run into that woman.
Doc: Jane, the receptionist, called Doc to let him know his next appointment had arrived. He glanced at his watch, noted the time and murmured, “Surprisingly prompt.” He closed his book and put it away. He cleared his desk of the excess of the files, records and papers. Jane said he was paranoid about people trying to steal information, but the truth of the matter was, he liked to present a certain look when meeting someone for the first time. He wanted to things to be in order and neat. First impressions could work for you or against you. An orderly office could be read as someone with nothing to do, or as someone who like organization and paid attention to detail, or paranoid, if you were to take Jane’s opinion. However he really wasn’t concerned with Jane’s opinion.
Judging by the promptness of the appointment, Doc presumed it was a business call. He let Jane handle all his appointments, and she had a habit of mixing business appointments with client appointments. Normally had he been arranging his own schedule, he would have grouped them together, in a logical manner, clients with clients and business with business. However Jane’s haphazard way of organizing his appointments made for a more refreshing day. He never knew what to expect. It kept his mind open to the realization that anything can happen at any time. He would never tell Jane this, she had a big enough ego as it was, the last thing he needed was her rubbing it in. Giving the office one last look to assure himself that everything was in order, he headed out to reception.
Stopping by Jane’s desk, she silently handed him the clipboard with the documentation and information on it. He scanned it briefly, before keying in on the name. He immediately looked out into the waiting area. It was her. “Thank you Jane.” He uttered quietly, as he stepped back toward his office, “Ms. Leighton, please come on through.” His face showed no outward emotion apart from passivity. Inwardly he was intrigued. All his previous interactions with Every, were coolly polite as her eyes would promise an extremely painful evisceration should he step one foot out of line. What did she have on her mind?
<Every> She supposed there were many reasons that she didn't entirely like resorting to her last resort. The last Psychologist she had seen had been a woman named Maria, who considered her dislike of loss to be a large part of why she stayed distant. Every had told her that anyone could have said as much, and their sessions hadn't gotten very far. Losing her father had been damaging and the woman hadn't been very prompt when it came to well, much. It was probably contributed to the alcohol that B.J. had mentioned was stored in the woman's desk one evening. Watching the receptionist, Every leaned back slightly and set her cheek against her palm after her elbow pressed into the arm of the chair.
The door to the office opened and her hazel eyes drifted to it, disbelief registering momentarily across her features before it slipped back to its normal expression. Of course she would end up as his patient. When her name was called, her jaw tightened just enough and she debated once more about canceling her appointment as she stood. Every considered her thoughts about Doc, she usually just shot looks at him, but she didn't particularly mind the man over all. But, she'd never actually spoken to him. "Hello Doc." She tucked her hands into the pockets of her jeans, black as usual to avoid blood stains. The greeting polite, but quiet as she walked. "Never thought you would be one to have a day job." The teasing note was added as a matter to hide her discomfort.
Not many people knew about her, nor did they know about her past - Lia and Micah were probably the two that knew the most, and she didn't speak to either much any more. Lia had grown distant, but the two would always be considered sisters due to their connection. Micah... well, that one was tricky. Simply put, Every didn't remember why they were fighting. She remembered being slammed against a wall and the fury, but the reasons had escaped her. But, she didn't think Doc would be one to spill and gossip, and so, she seemed to relax just a bit as her arms folded in front of her chest. "I didn't realize you were here. Otherwise I would have gone elsewhere with my referral."
Doc: Doc nodded briefly in reaction to her words. The word ‘referral’ told him this was a patient or client versus a business opportunity. “I dabble in quite few fields of business.” He gestured to the chairs. “Please, have a seat..” His mind was still running through the iterations of the different reasons she may be here to see him. Every and Phoenix were close, but once she said ‘referral’, he knew she was not here at Phoenix request. One down. He glanced again at the clipboard. It didn’t tell him much. Name, date of birth etc, all things that may or may not be true. Theirs was a world filled with deception, especially when you the help of a professional outside their ‘kind’. He noted the name of the referring Doctor. He wasn’t personally acquainted with them. He would have to research them later.
There were two chairs facing each other. She could have her choice. There was one chair facing the office door, and one chair with it’s back to the door. The choice of chair would be telling in itself; it was one of the reasons he let the client choose. He shut the office door, and waited for her to get settled, then he sat in the opposite chair. He relaxed back in the seat, completely at ease, linking his hands together and resting them in his lap. He decided to proceed as if they were not known to one another, because for the most part, they were not. Yes they shared the occasional hunt and kill, but until today, he had not known her last name was Leighton, or that she even had one. But then again, that too could be a lie, merely for the purpose of fitting into the human world.
“I am Dr. Charles Nilson. I am not a Psychiatrist or a Psychologist. I am a surgeon with a minor in counseling. I do consulting work with other surgeons and I also counsel patients. The majority of the counseling I do, is in regard to the aftermath of their surgery. I am called in, as a surgeon, on trauma cases. In such cases, the trauma to the body also leads to trauma to the psyche, and patients find it helpful to speak with someone who knows what they have gone through. I do counsel others, if they have a specific issue that they desire to be worked through. Anything, said here, stays here. Confidentiality is paramount for the success of the client.” He paused, “That being said, how can I help you Ms. Leighton?”
<Every> It was from habit that she almost corrected him, to use the name Andras rather than Leighton as she had changed her name the year previously to match the facade that she was Micah's adopted daughter. Her records down in California did not reflect the change, just yet. Her lips remained together as she took in each detail. As he mentioned taking a seat, she glanced at him and then at the chairs before selecting the one that would put her back facing the wall, her front facing the door. "Thank you." Every sat down, pulling her hair over one shoulder as she did so before leaning back and crossing one leg over the other. Despite being in company with a faction mate, her hand moved automatically where it would be able to access the knife kept up her sleeve from habit.
Her files were her real files, she had nothing to hide even as a vampire. She had every intention to return to school and continue her education in Criminology at some point. She did have forged documents for other activities, but for all sense of purposes until she looked too young for her age, it was easier to be herself. After all, the fact she hadn't been herself as of late was the reason she was there. Every listened to Doc speaking, considering what the other had directed her here for. There had been quite a bit of trauma done, but of course, her other doctor didn't know even an eighth of it. "Are the limits of confidentiality still in play here although we both know that yes, in the nearby future I am going to want to harm someone?" She lifted an eyebrow, knowing that in the regular sessions, that the knowledge of belief was something that healthcare professionals were obligated to report.
Leaning forward, Every debated on what to say. "A friend of mine suggested that I seek professional counseling as I have been different personality wise. More reclusive." She thought about Nishaa, Kirill, and Reanna. Then Micah. "It has lead to tension between myself and others, and while I am not entirely aware of why because I recently received a gunshot to my head that has left certain things unknown." She didn't sit still for too long, always anxious and once again, Every leaned back. She uncrossed one leg and recrossed the other. "I have also had severe abdominal surgery last year and a man broke into my apartment and stabbed me through the heart." She thought about Pratt in anger, "As well as have had a recurring amount of anxiety caused by a fight with a man I trusted above all else when he grabbed my throat as my stepfather," She motioned at the old reports where she knew there were notes on former physical abuse and how she was a suspect in the murder of her family, "used to. To the point I am continuously hearing the man harassing me when he is six feet underground. So, that would depend on what you think you can help with, Dr. Nilson."
Doc: He listened patiently and attentively as she laid out her issues as she saw them. He found it interesting that a friend suggested she seek counseling because she was different. What usually led a person a counseling was their own belief that they needed help. So the question became, did she feel she needed help and prefered to lay the idea on that of a friend, to assuage some inner turmoil? Or did she agree to come merely to humor the friend. And if it was only because the friend suggested it, would this friend be human or vampire? And if human, was it merely a perfunctory visit to say ‘yes I have complied with your wishes’? Or if the friend is vampire, was the change in personality that obvious and could there be really wrong, or was the friend over reacting to the normal reactions a person can go through when they have had traumatic instances? Needless to say, Doc was curious.
“First things first. In your specific case, things will remain confidential. You and I both know, that regardless of whom you may or may not harm, human authority will be not allowed to know of your ‘existence’. Therefore any conversation we have regarding harming, killing, sacrificing another person and or being will remain confidential.” He paused, “However because we do move in the same circles, I would prefer, if you are speaking about a faction mate, give them a code name. I will not break your confidence, but for my benefit, ignorance can be bliss. If this is a deal breaker, I understand. If you do wish to move forward with counseling, are there any specific taboos, that you do not wish to discuss or entertain?”
<Every> She listened and gave a nod of understanding. Every didn't plan on giving names, anyway, as she didn't want it to conflict relationships and after a specific incident with one previous individual opening their mouth, she really didn't particularly trust when it came to certain things. "I figured as much, but it didn't hurt to ask." She removed an elastic band from around her wrist and pulled her hair back into its usual low ponytail, then. The question didn't catch her off guard and she was quiet for a few moments as she considered it. Jesse was an individual that she had told quite a bit about her past during a rant without realizing it and it had made her feel a bit better, but, she wasn't one to talk about what bothered her. The 'abdominal surgery' had been the result of Micah tearing out a fadebeast at her request, but was it that or her former relationship bothering her?
"No." She finally spoke, unsure, but deciding that Doc hadn't done anything to receive her distrust. If something did get out, she didn't particularly care, but it was that matter of trust that had her not walking out the door. "If I get uncomfortable, you'll know and I will ask for a few moments to calm or ask for us to move on, but at the second I cannot think of anything that will bother me." She tapped her foot, the soft chime of a silver charm connecting with other on a hidden ankle bracelet being heard. Sitting up slightly, she removed her jacket and put it on the back of her chair, pulling the sleeves of a dark blue blouse lower over her arms and exhaled. "I do have to say this is a last resort as I..." Her lips pressed into a thin line, clearly uncomfortable with her words, "I've asked for help elsewhere and it didn't get me anywhere. And while I'm aware of the fact there are others that I can talk to and that I'm close to, I am overwhelmed and the urge to escape to another location is stronger than I prefer to admit."
Doc: He watched her as she spoke, in the time he had known her, she had never really exhibited a wide range of emotions. She seemed subdued at best, and grim at worst. She wasn’t someone he would say had an easy smile. Quite the opposite in fact. She seemed, a very serious person, introverted person. However her words now, made him rethink those judgements. It was true, he didn’t ‘know’ her, rather it was more fair to say he knew ‘of her’. In this instance, it would actually work out better for both of them. There were no preconceived notions based on innuendo or rumors that he had need to forget, thereby allowing him to focus on what ‘she said’ versus what ‘he knew’.
“You say this is your last resort, that you have asked for help elsewhere. Earlier you mentioned that a friend suggested this. I am getting mixed signals.” He unlinked his hands and gestured lightly. “Do not take this as a criticism, because it is not. We will use that as a starting point for our plan of action. First we will ascertain why you are here, what you hope to gain by being here, and lastly we will work to make your hopes reality.
“So with those three things in mind, let me tell you what I see. If what I see is erroneous, it is better that we discover this sooner rather than later. I believe on the one hand, you want to understand something that has happened in your life, something that refuses to go away. You want to move on, but are at a loss as to how because you feel that event or thing is holding you back. On the other hand, a friend is concerned about you and your your change of personality. I don’t believe you feel that you have changed so much that it warrants being addressed professionally, you want help in the other issue, so are obliging your friend in a roundabout way. Am I correct?”
<Every> She listened, replaying things through her mind quietly as she tried to pinpoint what could be her issue before looking at Doc. Her expression remained fairly blank, calm as she mentally charted out what she had said. At the mention of not taking his words as criticism, her eyebrow lifted to show she wouldn't have any way. "Dana suggested I seek someone to talk to a while back because I do not like dealing with things that get under my skin. I avoid and wait for them to away." Dana, of course, was Phoenix, who had gotten to witness one of her less finer moments. "But its not just her who has mentioned a change in me, as Holden had previously." Her eyebrows furrowed. She tried to think back to her fight with Micah, but was unable to as it just seemed like a blank spot.
