Session Bonus: Frontier Psychiatrist

[2014-02-22 21:27:59] <Emerald_Blitz> After supper, Emerald again takes a seat in the atrium to chat with her little griffon companion, though rousing her from her food coma seems a chore in and of itself. She nudges the sleepy griffon. "I think you had too much pie," she says with a smirk.
[2014-02-22 21:29:38] * Tallie rolls onto her back. "Neeeeeeeeeeeeeever too much pie." she mutters, rubbing her belly. "Gooood pie. MMmmmmmm."
[2014-02-22 21:31:34] * Emerald_Blitz nudges the griffon's head. "Well, there's such a thing as 'too much of a good thing.' But now that we've had our meal and the others dispersed, where did you leave off? Parents were displeased with you being underfoot, if I recall."
[2014-02-22 21:33:41] * Tallie blinks and sighs, her smile melting from her face. "Yeah... they really weren't pleased. Always yelling at me when I left my room... well, closet."
[2014-02-22 21:35:07] <Emerald_Blitz> "Mhmm. Verbal abuse in addition to neglect. You're a survivor, Tallie," Emerald says. "What came after, and how did you end up leaving?" She strokes the feathers on the griffon's head, amused at the feather 'pony-tail'
[2014-02-22 21:36:26] * Tallie takes a deep breath. "I managed to burrow through the wall and out. I was so young when I started sneaking out behind the walls. I used to eat what I could find behind there, and whatever I could steal when my parents were asleep."
[2014-02-22 21:39:25] * Emerald_Blitz nods gently. "Explains your affinity for small spaces and gluttony," she says. "Doesn't explain why you choose not to fly, and are afraid of actively trying. Not that it stops you when you're not paying attention. You have a mental block against it, and I'd like to know why, for your sake."
[2014-02-22 21:44:19] * Tallie sighs. "I didn't want to fly because my parents would have cut my wings off if I tried. They thought I'd try and fly away." She looks away and gulps. "When I got older, I built a den in the junk-yard inside the town's wall. I spent as long as I could there, only coming out for supplies. My parents didn't even notice."
[2014-02-22 21:46:31] <Emerald_Blitz> "If your parents didn't notice, why didn't you leave?" Emerald asks. "I mean, I suppose you did eventually..."
[2014-02-22 21:48:34] <Tallie> "The guards were ordered to shoot on site when it comes to people leaving without permission. Me included." She takes another deep breath. "When my dad did see me, he demanded I'd do something to someone. When I refused... well..." she pulls her torso armour off and exposes her back to Emerald_Blitz. There are deep, thick scars all across her back and around the base of her wings.
[2014-02-22 21:50:07] * Emerald_Blitz can't help but suck in a sharp breath, and her face twists into a mask of repressed anger. "What was he trying to get you to do, that was worth this?" she asks quietly. "I almost dread the answer."
[2014-02-22 21:51:26] * Emerald_Blitz finally finishes scalding herself, turns off the water and begins making herself presentable. It's time to go see Overmare Dotted Line, or whoever is in charge of this mystery project. She looks at herself in the mirror, away from the other two mares. It's still like looking at a stranger.
[2014-02-22 21:51:32] <Emerald_Blitz> god wrong room
[2014-02-22 21:51:34] <Emerald_Blitz> >.>
[2014-02-22 21:53:47] <Tallie> "Torture slaves, other unscrupulous stuff, you know. That stuff." She gulps again. "One time it was an excecution. They were trying to condition me. I wouldn't let them." She looks at her claws, looking back. "My parents weren't parents. They were devils. I had to teach myself everything. Reading, writing, speech... even potty-training for fuck's self."
[2014-02-22 21:56:04] * Emerald_Blitz curls a wing around Tallie. "Then you're stronger than I gave you credit for. They still conditioned you though. Just not into what they wanted," Emerald says. "I think they burned all trace of empathy and the ability to show fear out of you. Because that was what you had to be to survive them. And you did." She hugs the tiny griffon. "And here you are, with us. How did you manage it?"
[2014-02-22 21:57:56] * Tallie growls. "They did NOT condition me." she says, boldly. "And I got out because someone came and booted down the door. Law bringers. In the carnage and chaos, I snuk past. I got out."
[2014-02-22 22:00:53] <Emerald_Blitz> "Call it what you will," Emerald replies calmly. "They still had a lasting detrimental impact on you. That wrathful streak that makes you erupt even at friends is proof enough of it." She sighs and lays back on the couch. "But I've seen the good you're capable of, and you are, despite the veneer of sarcasm and the trenches of deep-seated anger. I'm sure now that you have good influences...
[2014-02-22 22:00:55] <Emerald_Blitz> ...around and solid friends, you'll be able to shake every last trace of those... hmm... I used to know a Zebra word for 'person who takes it in the ass from a rhinoceros,' but I seem to have forgotten it."
[2014-02-22 22:05:01] * Tallie frowns. "That's... wrong." she says. "Who'd do a rhino?" She shakes her head. "anyway... I trudged through the snow for three solid days. Barely and food. Melted snow for water. I came across town and broke into the mechanics shop. My boss found me the next morning with damn near everything in there fixed. Gave me a job on the spot. I'd been there for almost a year without
[2014-02-22 22:05:02] * Tallie talking much. The only person to get through to me was one of the trader's sons. They came to town once every month and I really like liked him."
[2014-02-22 22:06:07] <Tallie> "I really did like him. Slept with him twice. But then he just didn't show up again. That was almos a year ago now..."
[2014-02-22 22:08:11] * Emerald_Blitz listens intently, nodding occasionally. "You can only hope for the best. Maybe they just haven't made it over here in a while. But things happen in the wastes, or so I'm told. It's not exactly safe for anyone," she says. "So, you want my professional diagnosis, or shall I just make some snarky comments?"
[2014-02-22 22:09:50] * Tallie shrugs. "Well... I've kinda gotten over him since then. I was upset, but I got over it." she looks up at Emerald. "Both is fine."
[2014-02-22 22:13:07] <Emerald_Blitz> "You're nuts," Emerald says with a smile. "You're loco in the coconut. I haven't seen such a neurotic bundle of feathers since my aunt treated a chicken that had been used as a pillow by a manticore." She hugs Tallie again. "But professionally, I think you have deep-seated trust issues, a shallow emotional response to most things, a pathological fear of being hurt again, and a ball of...
[2014-02-22 22:13:08] <Emerald_Blitz> ...resentment that you'll carry for the rest of your life. All entirely reasonable responses, given what you've said. Reasonable, but not healthy." The alicorn curls up and tucks her tail behind her. "My prescription is good friends, and physical therapy, followed... by flight lessons."
[2014-02-22 22:14:43] * Tallie sighs. "Whaddya mean shallow responses? And I only get angry 'cause people piss me off."
[2014-02-22 22:16:35] * Emerald_Blitz gives Tallie a wry glance. "It doesn't take very much to piss you off, Tallie. It's a hair trigger anger response, and that has underlying causes. As for shallow responses, anytime someone seems to be trying to explain something deep, or having a quiet moment or explain something important, you reliably perform some antic or half-witticism or bodily function to distract from emotional depth."
[2014-02-22 22:17:55] * Tallie "Is this about the apple? I didn't mean to do that... and I try not to listen to other people's discussions. Oh, and as for bodily functions, better out than in, right?"
[2014-02-22 22:19:54] * Emerald_Blitz shakes her head. "You do listen to other people's conversations, Tallie. You're curious by nature. But you break them up at the most inconvenient times, and it's hard not to see a pattern. Even if you don't feel like you're doing it on purpose, that reaction is there, on some level."
[2014-02-22 22:20:40] * Tallie seems silent for a few moments. "Whoops..."
[2014-02-22 22:22:13] * Emerald_Blitz shrugs. "Well, you're conscious of it now, so you'll know to nip it in the bud when you feel the urge to do it again. And if you like, I'll call you on it when I see you do it," Emerald says, and nudges the griffon's chest. "Sound fair?"
[2014-02-22 22:23:03] * Tallie leans against Emerald. "I would probably not take it well..."
[2014-02-22 22:23:03] |<-- Emerald_Blitz has left irc.canternet.org (Connection closed)
[2014-02-22 22:23:43] -->| Emerald_Blitz ([email protected]) has joined #FrontierPsychiatry
[2014-02-22 22:24:29] * Tallie leans against Emerald. "I would probably not take it well..."
[2014-02-22 22:28:52] <Emerald_Blitz> "Then you'll have to watch that too," Emerald says. "I'm here for you as a friend and a doctor, and I want you to be able to function at one hundred percent, no matter whether you're irked, angry, scared, tired, or even hunting down boys in the Stallions' showers." She nuzzles the griffon. "If you'll work with me on it, the odds of your recovery are ones I'd put money on."
[2014-02-22 22:31:34] * Tallie frowns. "Hey. I didn't know it was the stallion's locker room." she says. "It was just a happy accident."
[2014-02-22 22:33:27] * Emerald_Blitz floofs a wing over Tallie. "I was joking and you know it," she says with a chuckle. "I'm serious about your recovery, doubly so for your ability to fly. The scar tissue looks fairly deep, but with some physical therapy and stretching, you should be able to regain full range of motion. You're still young; you'll be able to bounce back from that too."
[2014-02-22 22:36:45] * Tallie snuggles up to Emerald. "Thanks, Emerald." she whispers. "Don't let anyone know though. This is between us."
[2014-02-22 22:38:09] * Emerald_Blitz curls her wings around Tallie and nods. "I promised you doctor-patient confidentiality, didn't I?" she says with a smile. "Besides, I wouldn't dream of telling anyone else. When you're ready to open up to your other friends, I'm sure you will."
[2014-02-22 22:38:41] * Tallie sighs. "Goddesses help whichever boy I end up chasing..."
[2014-02-22 22:40:12] * Emerald_Blitz chuckles. "I'm sure once you get him properly accustomed to you, he'll love you to pieces in all your snarky glory."
[2014-02-22 22:40:37] * Tallie chuckles. "Maybe... can I have more pie? I think I'll be all better with more pie."
[2014-02-22 22:42:03] <Emerald_Blitz> "I think if you eat more pie you'll explode," Emerald says, poking Tallie in the belly with a hoof. "Besides, the cook gave you a look after that fourth piece that I swear could have hard-boiled an egg."
[2014-02-22 22:46:09] * Tallie shakes her head. "Not my problem he doesn't want to share." she grumbles. "And I wouldn't explode." She snuggles further into Emerald_Blitz's embrace, trying to disapear. "Hey... when you said that thing about shallow feelings... did you mean that 'cause I had sex early in life? My boss said that too..."
[2014-02-22 22:48:06] <Emerald_Blitz> "I think you were young and hurting and looking for a place or person to find solace in," Emerald says. "I don't think it was necessarily the right thing to have done, but I can't blame you for it. In your situation I might have done the same. It isn't much related to your tendency to make light of difficult or emotionally intense scenarios. When they're your own scenarios, your reactions...
[2014-02-22 22:48:08] <Emerald_Blitz> ...are quite different."
[2014-02-22 22:52:21] * Tallie nods slowly. "I see... well... dicks are still great..." she mutters. "Just keep me in check, okay?"
[2014-02-22 22:53:06] <Emerald_Blitz> "As long as you promise to try not to bite my hooves off when I do, all right?" Emerald says, resting her head on the cushions of the couch and lying down.
[2014-02-22 22:53:55] * Tallie noms her hoof. "Neva!"
[2014-02-22 22:55:27] * Emerald_Blitz boops Tallie with her free hoof and folds her wings around the two of them. "Then I shall not be responsible for my actions in return. You have been warned." She chuckles and lets out a long, happy sigh, a smile on the corner of her mouth, and closes her eyes. "I think I've had enough excitement for one day."
[2014-02-22 22:56:19] * Tallie curls up next to Emerald_Blitz. "...I kinda like this..."
[2014-02-22 22:57:39] * Emerald_Blitz opens one eye and looks down at Tallie. "Well, you're welcome to stay if you like," she says softly, and closes her eye again. "Just try not to wiggle too much."
[2014-02-22 22:58:24] * Tallie wiggles a little. "Try and stop me."
[2014-02-22 22:59:49] <Emerald_Blitz> "Don't make me push you off this couch," Emerald warns. "I intend to go to sleep, not wrestle. If you've other things to do, go do them and burn off that sugar rush. Just... try not to get in trouble for once, please."
[2014-02-22 23:00:48] * Tallie sighs and lays down. "Nah... foodcoma's coming back..."
[2014-02-22 23:01:44] * Emerald_Blitz wraps Tallie in her wings again and nestles into the cushions. "Sounds about right. Good night, little one. Sweet dreams."
[2014-02-22 23:03:11] * Tallie starts to snore.
[2014-02-22 23:06:29] * Emerald_Blitz muffles her with a wing and then drifts off to sleep herself.