Counseling for one and all..... if you prefer Claude that is.

[spinningtheweb]

WHO: Claude Faustus & OPEN
LOCATION: Counseling Office
WEEK: 65
TIME: After the Inferi invasion and subsequent defeat.
WHAT: After speaking with Miss Meioh, Claude adopts her policy for OPEN HOURS..... JUST THIS ONCE. Once things return to normal, expect the strict times to be adhered to again, and you'll have to sign up for sessions again.
RATING: PG-

Comments

[bolt_of_love]

Picking up and pieces and putting everything back together was proving to be interesting, as well as a little bothersome. Little by little, that usual swing would peer around the corner. Students and staff would relax and resume their normal schedules. At least. . .they sort of would, anyway.

However, Endrance felt unattached to the events. So it left an awkward feeling in his guts when someone had suggested a session for something trivial. And really. . .it wasn't being considered because of how "unhealthy" the pointless subject apparently was, but more. . .out of curiosity.

The opinions of others didn't matter, and yet as they shared, the more interested he'd become. Then, a professional word would be desired, so to feed this new-found curiousness, despite the discomfort felt toward sharing something so personal. He was somewhat willing to leave his room for this, however, and used it as a burst of motivation.

Besides, Mia needed fresh air for a while -- and so did Endrance, according to her.

However, would this be worth it, in the end? Possibly not. Not to mention: curiosity killed the cat.

A few visible book labels were scanned before red eyes fell on the entrance to the superior's office. Half of him wanted to drop this moment and return to his quarters. But, he was still knocking softly on the frame, and mentally kicking himself all the while.

[spinningtheweb]

A few of the visible titles included but were not limited to:

* God is dead by the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche
* The Twelve Gates by the renowned English Alchemist George Ripley
* Der Tragödie erster Teil by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
* The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allen Poe

If not for his keen senses, the counselor may have missed the soft sound of knocking at his chamber door. Putting aside the paperwork he'd been looking over he crossed the room in only a few strides. Gently opening the door he stood to the side, politely inviting the other to enter. Leveling his gaze on Endrance, it was soon apparent that this was not someone Claude had met previously. "Salutations, Mr--". He paused, allowing Endrance to convenietly fill in the blank for him.

"Please come in and make yourself comfortable". This open door policy was unusual. At least only one person had taken him up on it thus far.

[bolt_of_love]

Not a bad collection. He could have smiled. Maybe he'd ask what else the other had to offer -- but possibly not. The quicker this was over with, the better -- and the quicker he could return to his personal quarters.

"Endrance, please. . ." The office was entered and marvelled at. It was so neat and tidy, clean and fresh, perhaps the cleanest room in the whole school, maybe even cleaner than his own. Endrance saw it to be refreshing.

Given the word, he'd somewhat relax, taking his seat and passing his company a glance before settling it to his interlocked hands. A breath, followed by, "I'm. . .not here because of the recent incident -- at least. . .not exactly. . . It is something more personal, different. . ."

Really, only one piece was even related to what had happened. The rest was completely detached.

"Are you familiar with. . .dream interpretation. . . ?"

Endrance wanted to used that term as loosely as possible, despite having failed at that mission.

[spinningtheweb]

"Endrance then," Claude repeated to acknowledge that he'd heard the response, and to commit the name to memory. Somehow he'd missed it when he reviewed the student roster last time. Personally the counselor was relieved to see that someone appeared to have good taste. Although Endrance didn't comment about it he seemed to appreciate the fastidious work that had gone into the room. The last student who ventured here.. kept trying to rearrange everything.

Once the student was seated, Claude moved to an unoccupied chair and took his own seat. Employing a swift summoning spell he drew a note book and a pen towards him, snatching them out of the air when they were close enough. So this was not about the Inferi after all. He waited for Endrance to elaborate before answering.

"Dream interpretation is another method used for exploring the unconscious. Primarily focusing on the associations of the dreamer related to the manifest content. Dating back to biblical times, perhaps even before," The counselor answered glancing up from his notebook to look towards Endrance. "I am familiar with it, yes".

"Is it safe to assume that you've been having some variety of dreams related to this personal matter?".

[bolt_of_love]

And that would be because he was listed as Kaoru Ichinose. However, going by such a title here. . . He didn't want that. That was his old self, who he was at home. School wasn't home; school was better, more comfortable, and it made him and Mia happy.

Then, a small smile would actually crawl upon his lips. It was very, very pleasing to hear this other had his head on straight. He was even a little intimidating. That was admired. At least they were getting down to business quickly.

He relaxed a little more upon knowing this.

"That's correct, sir. . . I was hoping I could ask for your insight. . ."

[spinningtheweb]

Yes, Kaoru Ichinose would have been recognized, perhaps later when cross-referencing images to go along with the names the parallels might be drawn. The oversight was secretly nagging the counselor, not that it showed in his outward demeanor.

That was something that apparently the two had in common, a desire to take care of business swiftly. Noting the subtle cues in Endrance's mannerisms, the counselor felt certain this session was going smoothly.

"That is what a counselor is essentially for," Claude assured the student, urging him to go on.

[bolt_of_love]

In the beginning, he didn't mind being addressed as Kaoru. But as a new chapter was presented, it was a time for change. Skin would be shed, revealing something slick and glossy and new, and that meant his old name. . .had to leave. That's when his study habits went deep.

It was just a few seconds before Endrance continued, he shifting a little and tightening his interlaced grasp.

"Recently. . .I've been seeing someone dear to me in my dreams. . . In the beginning it. . . They were the happiest, most beautiful. . . I'd see her smiling, and she'd come into my arms. . . But. . ."

Due to school studies, his personal time was, of course, cut short. This never was a problem at all. Managing time wasn't hard. It was even mastered in later weeks. In fact, the blue-haired male began to reach the peak just recently. He could begin experimenting now.

"It has only. . .been a few nights, but. . . She. . .has taken a turn in my dreams, and it has been the same since. . . I will be before a staircase and hear scurrying feet, as well as her beautiful voice. . She's singing, and it's so. . .sad and. . .

"When I reach the top, I'll be in a dark room, with a light pointing at a stage, and. . . And. . .she'll be there. It's as if she is. . .calling for me. . . Upon joining her, her face is suddenly. . .rotting and becoming so hideous, and her song is replaced with. . .painful screaming. I normally wake when her hands grab mine and she pulls me in close and her cries grow."

[spinningtheweb]

When Endrance began relaying what the dream was, Claude set his pen into motion, jotting down any points of interest. This record may serve invaluable in the course of their sessions, if it indeed lead to further sessions.

"Is this someone, currently in your life? Or had you lost contact with them prior to the dreams?". The difference could definitely alter how the dream was interpreted. He would have assumed the latter, or why would dreaming of them have been so significant in the first place? Ah but the contents of the following dreams seemed more pressing and dire.

He calmly held his tongue, only glancing up from his notepad occasionally while Endrance continued. Refraining from mentioning his initial thoughts, that girl is going to die, or is in grave danger..., since it would not be conducive to the session and dreams were not always so literal. "The fact that it's a reoccurring dream means your subconscious is desperately trying to send you a message. These dreams tend to take on nightmare-like qualities to force the psyche into paying attention".

"A few points of interest.... staircases are often associated with change or transformation, just as your dream changed, things may be changing in reality. Sorrowful music is linked to unhappiness, discord and disharmony. Hearing another scream can indicate that someone you know is in danger.... Darkness.. is self explanatory..." Claude listed the common meanings for various elements found in Endrance's dream almost robotically. "More importantly is how you see the dream?".

"What do you think it's trying to tell you.....? How does it make you feel?".