workthroughit | Walk-Ins Welcome [For Viatorus]

An address can be a tricky thing in a place like the Nexus, with the commotion of doors coming and going (quite literally) and physical landmarks not always where you saw them last. The commercial district at least seems to keep a little more concrete than other regions, and that's where the business card said to go. Though it might still take some doing to locate this particular practice. Viatorus likely may find himself walking past a pharmacy and a glassware shop twice or thrice before the next pass reveals the office to be between the two, plain as day but somehow overlooked until this very moment. Almost as if this location didn't care to reveal itself until it chose to.

Inside, there is no foyer or waiting room. It opens immediately into a handsomely furnished office. A record player next to a wall of floor-to-ceiling bookshelves softly emits classical piano music. Other features include high-back leather chairs, dark-stained wooden filing cabinets and the faint smell of vanilla tea. The place is warmly lit by large picture windows opposite of the entrance door allowing in afternoon sunlight. Regardless of what time it was when Viatorus decided to drop by, and disregarding the fact the windows from the outside should face a brick wall.

To Viatorus' right, there is a polished oak desk. Along with a green banker's light, a selection of fountain pens, framed photos and a small black stone statue of a panther, there is a name plate set in embossed silver: DR A.J. HILL.

There is a chair waiting in front of this desk. It looks comfortable enough.

Though the doctor himself does not seem to be present at this moment, maybe taking a seat while one waits for his return isn't so bad. Going on the state of the place, he must not be far.

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Viatorus turns back to his tea sharply at that. The cup is nice... and that's a thought for distraction. His hesitation isn't particularly selfless and he knows that. "He's close to people I care about. Whatever happens... I can't let them get hurt. By him or his past."

With a sigh, he sets the tea down on the desk. "If I tell him... There must be something I can do to control the outcome a little bit. To reduce the risk of a... a volatile reaction."

"Perhaps there are contingencies to plan. Ensure there are failsafes should something violent arise. The very nature of the Nexus facilitates that, doesn't it? The anti-violence measures that are always in place would prevent any acting out. Keep the patient here and the issue should at least be partially contained."

Dr. Hill moves to lean against his desk, arms crossed.

"Or perhaps you should consider another consultation with these dream entities?"

"I was thinking of talking to them again," he admits quietly, though he's not sure how well that might go. "I don't know what answers I'd be looking for. Or what they wouldn't say to get what they wanted. I'm worried... I'm worried I'll say something wrong. To the dreamer. To the entities."

"Life is fraught with possibilities, Mr. Durant. And risks. Every step forward presents more doors, more choices. But you must act, one way or another. To be paralyzed by these choices by simply staying in one place, worrying over what could go wrong with every action; it's not good for you. It's not good for anyone."

The doctor reaches to take up his own teacup again.

"I will gladly help you consider each of your options, to help you decide which is the one you would care to pursue. But every step cannot be agonized over and have every bad outcome imagined. Well, that is to say, it certainly can be done, but it robs you of valuable time. You must learn to be decisive, Mr. Durant."

He's quiet as he listens, brow knotted in concern. As is the trend, the doctor speaks sense, but... "What happens if I make the wrong decision? If my mistakes are irreparable?"

Dr. Hill chuckles lightly before taking another sip of tea.

"What else is there to do but continue forward? You can't change the past. But you also cannot live in fear of making it. Few things are beyond repair entirely. Why, again, you have the whole of the Nexus at your disposal! So many people, wonders, places and things beyond imagination! The entire place is constructed to seek help in new ways and with new people.

"Now. What do you think you should do?"

Viatorus goes quiet once more, eyes flickering along with his thoughts. When he does speak, he's slow, thoughtful. "Try to talk to the entities again. Make sure my friends are safe. Tell the dreamer what I saw and... wait, watch. Try to adapt to whatever happens. I... I don't know what else I should do."

"I think!" He claps a hand onto Viatorus' shoulder. "This sounds like like the perfect plan." This is followed by an encouraging smile.

"I believe disclosing the situation to your dreamer is very important as well. Because one way or another, he has a right to know. It would be like keeping a diagnosis secret simply because you think the patient will become violent or upset. It is not about you. The only part that is is finding your resolve."

He's not so sure, but the encouragement helps, getting a small smile from him. The scholar ducks his head and nods, staring at his fidgety hands. "You're right, of course. About all of it. Whatever is going on, I need to tell him what I know."

Viatorus looks up at the doctor again. "Thank you, doctor Hill. You've been very helpful."

"Thank you, Mr. Durant! I'm more than happy to help. And you know where my office is. Should you need any insight or advice in the future, I'll be right here."

A grandfather clock against the southern wall chimes once, prompting the doctor to look in its direction. "Perfect timing as well. I have another patient due to arrive. But please. Any time you need a little clarity or advice, I'm happy to have you drop by. Maybe even refer some friends who you think could use the same? Getting a practice up and running in the Nexus relies heavily on word of mouth, I've found."

Between the chiming clock and the mention of another patient, there's plenty of prompt for Viatorus to stand. He offers his hand to shake and nods. "Of course I will. Whatever I can do to help. Do you need the address of my office to send a bill to?"

He takes the hand and shakes it readily. His palm is warm and dry. "Oh, no charge, Mr. Durant. I'm happy to do consultations without a fee. And I feel this was more a meeting of two professionals than anything. Perhaps there will be a time I will call on you in return for matters pertaining to dreams? Haha."

"I'd be happy to return the favour." Viatorus' hands are a touch on the clammy side, but his grasp is weak and the shake kept short. "Good luck, doctor Hill."

And with that he'll take his leave.

Walk-Ins Welcome [For Viatorus]

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