(Untitled)

[brthrs_watchdog]

Who: Machi, Dr. Peckers [closed]
What: Therapy
When: May 23rd, 2010, daytime
Where: Royal Base, Machi's room

Comments

[dive_npc]

As it turned out, he was indeed escorted.

The Peckmon knocked at the door with his legs. "Hello? Um, this is Dr. Peckers... I'm here for your first appointment..."

[brthrs_watchdog]

Tentomon opened the door. "Girl's in here."

Of course, Machi didn't know what to expect, but she should have thought it would be a Digimon. So after the initial shock, she sighed, rubbed her temples, and said, "I'm the patient."

Candid and casual.

[dive_npc]

Dr. Peckers nodded, and sat down on the floor, like a bird would in its nest

"I'm Dr. Peckers. You're Machi, correct? It's a pleasure to meet you."

[brthrs_watchdog]

"Yoko Machi." She felt almost like she had to introduce herself with her full name. She hadn't done that in a long while (because she wanted to be Machi instead of Yoko).

At this point, Tentomon looked between them and said, "Should I go or some shit? All confidential-like?" He didn't know how these things worked.

[dive_npc]

"You can stay if you like," replied Dr. Peckers. "A digimon can have a very profound effect on a Tamer's psyche, especially when you take into account the sharing of emotions..."

He smiled. "Now, why don't you both tell me about yourselves?"

[brthrs_watchdog]

"Both?" Tentomon cut in immediately. "I didn't sign up for...for hand-holding and all that shit--"

"Tentomon." Machi was looking at him now. Please.

And well, this was the first time she'd actually tried to get herself help. So he sat down against the wall. "Kid, you're going first."

Machi nodded. "How far back do I need to go?" Because she couldn't remember all of it.

[dive_npc]

"As however long you're comfortable with," said the avian digimon. "This is an introductory session."

[brthrs_watchdog]

"...I should tell you, I only remember bits and pieces of my childhood. Most of my memories before the age of eight are missing."

Machi's shoulders were slumped.

[dive_npc]

"... I see. Well, I was briefed to expect certain things by commander Norstein..."

He smiled warmly. "Just tell me what you can remember, or whatever you're comfortable telling me about."

[brthrs_watchdog]

Machi swallowed. "...I grew up in Shinagawa, Japan. It's one of the wards in Tokyo. I remember...my brother. Shirou Machi. He was horrible to me at every chance he got, but I still loved him. I couldn't remember much about him until only a few weeks ago..."

She thought she should skip ahead to what really mattered. "My-- my world had something happen to it. Something awful. We had to take part in a...Game."

She paused, trying to figure out how she would explain the next part.

[dive_npc]

Dr. Peckers nodded, quietly.

"I can imagine that this next part might have the potential to be... fantastic, or seem unbelievable. But I assure you, I am familiar with such matters..."

[brthrs_watchdog]

"You're contracted to pilot a giant robot and told it's a Game. You fight real giant robots to protect your world. And then, win or lose...the pilot dies. Every time. Without fail."

Instead of looking at Dr. Peckers, Machi was staring at a point on the wall.

[dive_npc]

Peckers' eyes widened dramatically.

"You... you were thrown into such a thing? At such a young age...? My word..."

[brthrs_watchdog]

She nodded. "I was twelve." Her hands fidgeted in her lap. "That's not...all to it. The enemy robots are the same as us. They're... The enemy robots are filled with people. Fighting as well."

Tentomon stayed utterly silent. He knew all of this by now.

"The battle ends...when one group of pilots kills another. And then, in the end, the losing team--

"Their world dies."

[dive_npc]

Dr. Peckers was silent for several long moments. Her words had unsettled him greatly.

But nevertheless...

"I see. And you had to make such a choice... there were never any alternatives..."

That was not so much a question as it was a statement.

[brthrs_watchdog]

Machi confirmed, "The contract is binding. There's no way out of it once you're in. I haven't known of anyone that could cheat it, or get out, except..."

For some reason, it looked like she was smiling, but her eyes seemed blank.

"Except for me."