Treatment Plan [For Samael]

[workthroughit]

The office is on a quiet side street of the otherwise bustling Commercial District, tucked between a pharmacy and a glassware shop. It's easy to miss; in fact, it's not uncommon that someone looking for the practice wouldn't even see it until they walked past it once or twice. And good luck noticing it at all if you aren't seeking the good Dr. Hill.

There is no waiting room; the front door opens right into his office. Floor to ceiling bookshelves, an old fashioned victrola softly playing Bach, stained wood filing cabinets, paintings of a distinctly religious (possibly demonic) baroque nature, a desk identical to the one that had been in the Nexus upon their first meeting. There's the banker's light, the metronome, along with an embossed silver nameplate and a handsome little stone statue of a black panther.

Regardless of how quick she may have travelled or the fact she did not see him in passing, the doctor is standing at the broad and bright window on northern wall. A window that should be facing nothing but a brick wall, had she paid attention to the orientation of the street and building before entering. But soft, yellow sunlight filters through and there is the distant sound of traffic. He appears to be watching it with mild interest by the time he hears the door open.

"Ah! So glad you could make it. Please, have a seat, and we can begin."

Comments

[workthroughit]

"What does a god have if not time? You'll outlive us all, won't you? Or are you afraid of your mortal body failing you before you reach your goal?"

[reedyserpents]

"I told you, didn't I, that I fear nothing?"

Or so she'll say.

"I just have better things that could be done with my time."

[workthroughit]

He laughs softly, still smiling as he replies, "Better things? Better than being restored to your former glory? Unless you're resigned to keeping in your human shell. There's a great deal that mortals experience that gods never can, after all."

He crosses the room once more to take his seat near Samael again, sighing. "But keep in mind that humans are still finite."

[reedyserpents]

She sighs deeply and rubs her forehead. Sameal was always easily frustrated, and her current situation wasn't helping any with that. She stared out the window.

"I guess I'm at a loss for what I want, or need, or what would be best."

After all this mortal form could hardly contain her previous power, let alone her knowledge. She felt like a watered down version of herself.

[workthroughit]

The window's view is nice. Soft sunlight filtering through glowing clouds, overlooking a park and a busy thoroughfare. Cars go back and forth steadily, sometimes beeping at one another, the low, distant drone of their engines always a faint background noise.

"Perhaps you need time. You could very well be struggling with shock right now. Because what a shock it is to go to sleep as one thing and wake up another! Very Kafkaesque."

[reedyserpents]

She lets herself be lost in the drum of the outside life for a moment. She found herself adsorbed in watching the people. These beings that normally would be nothing more than ants to her on a normal day.

"Perhaps I am in shock? I wouldn't know."

[workthroughit]

"Perhaps talking about your past self will help get a clearer look on things." He picks up his paper and pen again, ready to take notes on anything he considers relevant. "What sort of god were you? What manner of worship? What sort of offerings? What was your divine scope? Please. Tell me anything and everything."

[reedyserpents]

"Do you really think that will help?"

"I was powerful, and well respected among my followers. I was strict, as I should be. Offerings depended on the sect, and individuals involved. It's hard to remember who did what now..."

A heavy sigh.

[workthroughit]

"Of course it will. Establishing your history, while unchanging, is very important to establishing a profile on you. And that will inform how to go forward."

He listens patiently but frowns slightly when that's the only information he gets out of the redhead. "That could be said of any god, though, couldn't it? Power. Respect. Stringent rules. Varied practices. What made you unique as a being of worship? Where did you come from? What did you rule?"

[reedyserpents]

She leans back in her seat and stares at the doctor with a piercing darkness.

"There are no others, just me. I am the Sun, The Raven, I am all."

She motioned her hands outwards, stretching her palms to face the ceiling, as an accent to her statement.

"Man needed me, and so I was born from their prays and wishes. To end their suffering and give them peace."

Or so the story goes.

[workthroughit]

"Hm hm. It's usually the religious followers who are monotheistic." Dr. Hill looks down at his pad of paper, scratching down a single word with his fountain pen before looking at it in consideration. Mulling over his next point before glancing back up at the woman.

"That's a fine purpose and goal. The granter of peace. That sounds so pleasant, doesn't it? Hardly a startling god to be. At least to mortals. That may be something to keep in mind moving forward. Always present a benign case."

[reedyserpents]

"Hmm, yes, but some do not like what it takes to create their paradise."

She waves her hand in the air dismissively.

"But there are those who are deserving, and I reward them greatly. I cannot just promise rewards willy nilly. My love must be earned."

[workthroughit]

"And what does it take to fall into your good graces? What would you ask of the Nexus citizens to gain favour? Things that would feed into your strength, I'd imagine."

He taps the end of his pen against his chin now, thinking before adding, "I apologize if it seems I'm going in circles. But I feel it's important to set for yourself a goal. A plan."

[reedyserpents]

"Complete devotion. To turn to no other, and to listen to my every command. Obedience, and to seek out the old ways"

[workthroughit]

"That might be a tall order in a place like the Nexus," he replies with a small chuckle. "This is a place where gods come and go as they please. It would be hard to ask such absolutes when the proof of other divine beings walk among us."

He leans his elbows on his knees, setting aside the paper and pen before he does so so he can press his palms together. "Here's an important question: what will you give people who swear to believe in and follow you? Sometimes the lure of a reward is what gets the flock inside the fence, as it were."

[reedyserpents]

She looks at him as if surprised he'd even ask. Then she leans forward to speak.

"Why power, and paradise of course! I reward those who stand by my side greatly!"

[workthroughit]

He sit up straight again, a wide smile on his face. "Ah, there we go. Power. Offer the allure of abilities, of magic or talents, and you'll gather people to your cause readily. Assuming, of course, you can still grant these things? Or are you human through and through now?"

[reedyserpents]

A deep heavy sigh.

"Unfortunately I can do not till I regain my former self."

She glances out the window for a moment, then back at the doctor. A frown is fixed upon her face.

"I suppose that means, in this form at least, I can give nothing. Aside from promises."

A worthless gesture if she finds she cannot become whole again.

[workthroughit]

"The catch 22. You need followers to restore your former glory. You can't restore your former glory without followers."

Dr. Hill purses his lips, thinking for a moment to himself. He glances towards the window as a pair of birds flit past, twittering loudly to one another. Both come to a landing on the window sill.

"...Do you have living arrangements? Are you aware of what it means to be human and how to care for yourself? I suppose we should approach this from the bottom of Maslow's hierarchy, shouldn't we."

[reedyserpents]

"Indeed, perhaps I need to approach this in a more creative way then?"

The birds startle her out of her deep thought. She smoothes her hair out and looks away from the doctor. Letting her eyes take in more of the decor.

"I know a little, and have found a place to stay for now. Although I'm guessing I'll have a lot of learning to do yet."

[workthroughit]

"Learning is always an ongoing process, isn't it? Especially when we're learning to navigate a new part of ourselves. Well, I ask because perhaps that is enough for today. I feel I understand you a little better now, Lady Samael. And you are always welcome back here when you feel the need for advice. In fact, I would suggest we schedule another appointment in the coming weeks."

Dr. Hill smiles pleasantly. "Do you have any questions for me? Any at all?"

[reedyserpents]

"It seems to be that way."

Sameal stops for a moment in deep thought.

"Why are you helping me, truly. What do you gain from assisting me?"

Perhaps if the man helps her enough, she'd grant him some sort of reward...

[workthroughit]

"I get to see an interesting patient! And see some equally interesting events unfold in the Nexus if things go well. Simple as that, really." And there doesn't seem to be any guile in his expression or tone in saying as much. Maybe it's an benign as it sounds? Although 'benign' might not be the word, considering he's enabling something potentially demonic.

Dr. Hill stands from his chair and offers Samael a hand up from her own. "Shall we set and appointment for next time? Or will you come and see me when you have a moment?"

[reedyserpents]

"Is that really all?"

She takes his hand and rises from her seat.

"An appointment would be best."

[workthroughit]

"It is. I'm sorry the answer isn't more exciting than that."

When she accepts the offer for a return visit, he brightens. "What time works best for you? It's usually best to set another appointment for every other week."