Day 20: Dr. Crane's Office [Doctor's Office 1]

[damned_doctors]

At least Crane felt he was more prepared for the second group. Files could only tell you so much, after all, and he hadn't expected the attitudes that some of them had had. But people were people, all different and firm in the belief that they weren't insane. Crane figured he just needed to get used to doing therapy again. Anything fairly recent

Comments

[blacksustenance]

Brock wasn't too sure what to make of Nu Zhi - and he certainly didn't know what to make of Kasady now. First the youngling symbiote and its host were irresponsible, out of control, and practically asking to be killed - and now they were trying to be responsible. His Other thought perhaps they were wising up, but Brock wasn't too sure.

He also wasn't sure about this therapy business. He'd tried going to therapy during and after his divorce, but nothing had come of it - just a paid professional leeching his hard-earned cash away to tell him that it was all his and his anger-management's fault, all with a smile that meant nothing. Besides, he didn't need therapy. After Brock had his second chance and met the symbiote, he'd felt better than ever, more stable than ever.

Brock walked into the office, wondered briefly why the name on the door was Crane's, and then found out why. He started in surprise.

What is he doing here? the symbiote hissed. It came to the conclusion before its host. Has he betrayed us?They almost ejected the claws

[damned_doctors]

Crane, on the other hand, just sat there when Brock entered, watching with a faintly amused expression. There was generally some sort of reaction, whether it be surprise or simple acceptance, to meeting your doctor for the first time, but this was by far the most amusing yet.

The man seemed to have some deep anger problems that he'd have to settle, but he seemed...familiar with Crane? That could have been conjecture, since he'd really just stated the man's name and his current position; perhaps the other man's delusions had incorporated Crane into it. Besides, there were many people with the last name of "Crane", so the doctor supposed he had been mistaken for another one.

"Not been having a good day, Mr. Lancaster?" he asked. "Really, there's no need to yell. I just got here, started work today."

[blacksustenance]

"I was having a good day until I found out you went and backstabbed us," Brock said, looming over the desk. The Other flickered in the back of his mind, ready to kill. "So what did they offer you to 'work' for them? You weren't at breakfast and I only saw you the last nightshift. I was actually worried about you, you pathetic bag of flesh!"

He refrained from shouting, but his voice went deadly quiet, the blond glaring daggers at the traitor. And here he'd thought they had an understanding; help each other and they would eventually be free to pursue their own individual obsessions. Crane and his Bat, Brock and his Spider.

To see Crane give it all up was just pathetic and disgusting. Brock was starting to like the idea of cold-blooded murder. He hadn't approved of it before, unless it was to feed, but this was entirely different. The symbiote would have shaken its head if it had one: Crane's betrayal just cemented in the fact that humans as a species were utterly worthless and couldn't be depended on without a symbiote to guide them.

[damned_doctors]

Had Crane known what was going on inside the other man's head, he would have been very confused. Of course, he was confused enough as it was, so maybe it was for the best that it didn't get any worse. He's probably have a large headache later, but that's what aspirin was for. He had enough of it at home to make a drug addict drool. Still, the doctor met Brock's glare simply with a raised eyebrow, feeling safe with the knowledge that if he had to, his briefcase was within arm's length

[brilliant_azel]

Azel felt a little better after having had some lunch. His appetite had returned as he started eating; he hadn't wanted to, preferring to brood over his burger. But he couldn't think like that for long, it just wasn't in his nature. He would just try hard to aid the friends that he could and try not to worry about the rest. He would do his utmost to see that those who wanted his help would receive it. But he couldn't dwell on the past or the future too much. He needed to stay rooted firmly in the now.

The swordsman entered the door his nurse indicated, smiling at the doctor behind the desk. "Hello." His other doctor had been that woman -- he hadn't liked her at all. She treated him as if he were nothing but a number, a file to be filled out.

He hoped this one wasn't going to be a repeat of her.

[damned_doctors]

So there were a few more pleasant patients, still. Overall, it really didn't matter, but these ones were a nice reprieve from the others that he had. It relieved Crane, but he didn't let it show. He simply smiled back and nodded. "Good afternoon, Mr. Steward. Or would you prefer Aaron? I'm Dr. Crane, your therapist, as I'm sure you're aware. Before we get started, if there's ever anything you wish to talk about outside of our sessions, then let the nurse know, and I'll come to you if I'm available."

He'd need to remember to tell his previous patients that at another time, though it might be a bit more difficult to get the others to cooperate, but even so, he thought it was a nice courtesy. "How has your day been thus far?"

[brilliant_azel]

"Actually, all my friends call me Azel." He said, seating himself in the chair that looked the most comfy. "It's kind of a nickname. And since we're probably going to be friends, you can call me that, too. It's nice to meet you, Mr. Crane."

A nod at the other's offer. "I'll keep that in mind, I might end up taking advantage of it sooner or later. It's really kind of you to allow us to use your time like that. I have a good feeling about you. I think we'll get along really well." His smile turned into a grin.

"It's been all right, so far today. I talked with my friends in the Arts and Crafts room and then had lunch. Pretty uneventful, but that's okay."

[damned_doctors]

"Azel, hm?" A bit odd for a nickname, but Crane wasn't really one to judge. His had been after a farm prop, after all. "Very well. It's nice to meet you, too." He pulled out his notepad and a pen. "Just as a personal note, it's spelled like it sounds, correct? Hazel without the h?"

At least this session was turning out to be the best one so far. "I hope we'll get along well, Azel," Crane replied, nodding. "I'm here to help, so I like to try to keep my schedule as open as possible."

He supposed that they had to get down to business at some point, though. It was just a matter of bringing the conversation back to it. Crane kept his features schooled into a smile, but inside he was ecstatic that this one seemed to be so...optimistic. It boded well for the therapy sessions and getting results. "Already making friends here? I'm pleased to hear that; some of the other patients don't seem to be progressing along as well. Could you tell me what the last thing you remember before arriving here was?"

[soulofdiscord]

Therapy at last. The Scholar was academically interested as to what sort of things would be done to her, and what sort of person was entrusted with trying to probe the minds of madness... and sanity. Interesting question, that.

She walked in and sat down with calm confidence, black eyes regarding the doctor with some interest. Physically weak, academic, weak eyes, pouty lips... this was going to be an ordeal. Hopefully his mind would be strong to make up for that weakness.

[damned_doctors]

Quiet, calm, and a confidant air. It was tough to guess how this one would go. And were those black eyes? Curious thing...he'd never seen anyone like that before. By now, though, Crane found himself having a bit of trouble concentrating on the task at hand, but in that part of his mind where he tried not to venture now, he somehow found it in him to try to be pleasant.

"Hello, Ms...Nu Zhi," he said, glancing down at the woman's file. "I'm Dr. Crane. You are a scholar, correct? I know this place is probably different from you're used to, but there is a library. I believe you're going there tomorrow, actually. Also, if there's ever anything you'd like to talk about outside of our sessions, let the nurse know, and I'll come if I can."

[soulofdiscord]

"I have been called a scholar, yes," the woman answered with an enigmatic smile; it was part of her name, but names in the Jade Empire were also titles. She got hers because everything was an object of scrutiny.

Including this doctor and his offer. Either he was weak, or he was trying to ensnare her. But which one? "You are far too kind, Doctor Crane."

[damned_doctors]

"Such a pity for a scholar to have come here. But we'll have you well in no time, I'm sure." It was almost nice to have another intelligent person in the room, but she was a bit too quiet. He wanted her to be the one doing the talking, not him.

Too kind? It was amusing that she'd say that, the truth was far from it. He just wasn't willing to risk anything yet. Crane chuckled slightly before responding to the statement. "I'm just doing my job, to help you. Now, Ms. Zhi, what is the last thing that you remember?"

[secret_memory]

Kuronue was rather befuddled at being led over to a doctor’s room, both eyebrows rising as the nurse gave him a gentle shove into the room. He looked around for a moment, not seeing anything of particular interest until his eyes fell upon the doctor himself.

A shrink? I don’t need a stinkin’ shrink!

Keeping such comments to himself, he placed his hands behind his back and took a few more steps into the room, keeping a wary gaze on this… doctor and observing him.

“Hey doctor four-eyes! What’s happening?” he asked at last, seeming to loosen up once a rather carefree and large grin tugged at his lips. He could always make the best of an extremely annoying predicament by being extremely annoying himself. It was at least good for a few laughs, right?

[damned_doctors]

...What? What had he been called? He hadn't heard that nickname since high school, and Crane found himself bristling at being called it. Oh joy, one who appeared, at least at the outset, to thrive on being simply annoying. And who looked quite effeminate with that ponytail.

"It's Dr. Crane, Mr. Watson," he corrected in a matter-of-fact tone. "And I believe I'm supposed to be asking that question. How has your morning been?"

[secret_memory]

That was all that the bat needed-the very look upon the poor doctor’s face to know that he had won round one of his little game, “Crane…? Nah-four-eyes does suit you better…”the bat demon chuckled, plopping down into one of the chairs with the same ridiculous smirk on his face.

“Or maybe you would you prefer Doctor Four-eyes? Sound a little more official?” he inquired, lifting a hand up to his chin and averting his gaze to the ceiling as though in deep thought, “How about Poindexter? Genius? Smarty-tarty? Smarty-marty?” he mused to himself, seeming to take great enjoyment in having successfully ignored the doctors question to enter an annoying realm of his own.

“Take your pick four-eyes. I certainly wouldn’t want to annoy you by calling you anything less than what you want to be called,” the bat demon said, sarcasm heavily coated on each and every word. “Aside from Crane, that is. Everyone should have a nickname,” he added, saying the man’s true name with feigned distaste.

[damned_doctors]

Crane watched for a moment as the man put on that ridiculous display of thinking about what to call him. "I already have a nickname," he said in a low tone through gritted teeth when Kuronue was finally finished. "I have many nicknames, and rest assured I've been called almost all of those already throughout my childhood by those who had no tact whatsoever. If you must call me something other than Crane, though, then just call me Doctor." Simple and still slightly respectable. "You may consider this a joke, but I don't."

[explosives_r_us]

Karasu was hardly ready to go to this so-called therapy. One on one with some slap-happy human being to match the nurses had not precisely been his entire idea of a fun way to spend his afternoon. However, he wasn’t about to make a big deal over it; it was pointless, was it not? He couldn’t even do anything to prevent it, or even prevent the nurses that escorted him from living any longer. If only…

The demon stopped right in the doorway, listening to it close behind him as he felt it press up against his back. He breathed a sigh under his breath, reaching up to adjust his mask while cold eyes scanned the room. They stopped suddenly-stopped on a rather familiar man.

“A Scarecrow seldom travels, yet I see that you have moved away from your quaint field amongst the wandering crows to be amidst the source of this confusion…”he spoke smoothly, uncaring of the other’s reaction and allowing his statement to hang be not speaking another word until he received said response. This was his doctor?

[damned_doctors]

Crane was hoping after the last one that there would be no more 'surprises' to deal with of any sort in his patients. It seemed, however, that some higher power decided to frown on him today, or else took this as a joke. Yet another mention of him, his other nickname. He hadn't seen many of them, but he supposed shared delusions were possible, but this...he hadn't said anything yet, least of all anything that the other man would interpret to mean a scarecrow.

"I'm Dr. Crane, Mr. Burton," he corrected, "and I'm no scarecrow." Not for the moment, at least. One never knew what would happen in the immediate future. "See?" he pulled at his cuff. "No straw. Would you like a seat?"

[explosives_r_us]

Mr. Burton? There it is again...

“You needn’t lie,” the crow demon smirked, moving to slowly take a seat as directed, “Your lying is about as effective as your ability to scare those around you…” he added, rather amused as he watched this… doctor-or more or less the very same man that he had met the day before.

[damned_doctors]

"What's the lie if that's my real name?" he asked, watching the other man carefully. "Perhaps...perhaps I went by Scarecrow, long ago," or maybe a few weeks, but who was counting? "However, my name is Dr. Johnathan Crane. And just because they don't seem to be externally fearsome, scarecrows do have their own quirks that make them frightening." He would do well to remember that, and maybe it would make all their lives easier.

"Would it be too much to ask, Mr. Burton, if you could remove your mask? I'm aware of your...condition, but I like not to have anything physically between me and the patient, if that makes sense."