Values

[workthroughit]

The desk is back in the Nexus again. And the owner of it is once more behind it, hands folded primly in front of him. Set off to the side is a fountain pen and a pad of paper. The banker's light and the metronome rest on the desk as well, though both are turned off. The snow is cleared in a neat three foot circumference around his seat, and though he's in just a dress shirt and sweater vest, the cold doesn't seem to bother the doctor one bit.

"I wonder," Dr. Hill begins in his usual northern European accent, "What do you, as a person, value more? Honesty? Or loyalty?"

A simple question, really.

Comments

[badpsychiatrist]

Well, that was a neat trick. Troy doesn't question the sudden appearance, just grabs the saucer and takes a sip from the teacup. His eyebrows raise in approval as the tea proves to be hot, and as he places the cup back down on the saucer, he smiles- something warmer and more sincere. It's been awhile.

"Oh, this is the Nexus. I thought so- it's been awhile, for me. Yes, I bet you get all the fun cases around here. And the place always could've used a therapist." Not that Troy ever stepped up for such a thing, except on very rare occasions. He wonders how Lisa Trevor's faring while he sips at his tea.

"So, if you don't mind me asking questions, what is it that makes you uniquely qualified for this...location? I'm curious." He does look genuinely so, the smarmy attitude he generally carries around faded for the moment.

[workthroughit]

"Are you a previous traveller of the Nexus, doctor? It seems sometimes people come and go for lengths of time, either on this side or theirs." This piques his curiosity in turn, before the following questions have him coach a smile on his face. One that seems friendly but doesn't quite reach his eyes.

"I have a background with a very...particular patient. That proved to be quite the strange handful. I also have a distinct ability to suspend disbelief when it comes to matters metaphysical. Beasts, monsters, things from beyond the veil."

[badpsychiatrist]

Troy is very familiar with smiles that don't quite reach the eyes. It's how one gets by in this profession, especially since they'd both been through somewhat similar circumstances. "Ah," he says, nodding. "That does explain it. I'm sure there are at least a few that appreciate your expertise. I'd help out, but I'm sort of a 'monster beyond the veil', myself, and people don't tend to trust those." It was understandable, really. "But if you ever get something you don't want to deal with, and I'm still around? Let me know. I wouldn't mind giving it a shot. My specialty's PTSD, but I've dealt with a large variety of cases."

He isn't sure how well that'll go over, but he sips his tea and continues, anyway. "I was here for quite awhile. Oh, but it was years ago. I'm not sure how much time passed here- it looks somewhat different, but I'm sure you've been here long enough to know that doesn't mean anything."

[workthroughit]

Dr. Hill raises his eyebrows and tilts his head to one side at Troy's admission of what he precisely is. "You certainly are up front about that. People tend to not trust what doesn't line up with their understanding of the world. Sometimes it's better to simply be mysterious." Not that he knows anything about that.

"But I would be more than happy to look into a joint practice with you!" An interesting admission of his own, after the confession of being some manner of monster. "Or at least give you a good idea of where to set up one for yourself, should you no longer have one. Rent is quite reasonable here."

[badpsychiatrist]

Dr. Hill's reaction brought a smirk from Troy. He could go into so much more detail! "I do go the mysterious route sometimes. But how many times have I wanted my patients to be upfront with me? I figured I'd give you the courtesy, at least, since I seem to be on this side of the desk." Plus, it was nice to see that Dr. Hill had been truthful about being 'uniquely able' to handle these sorts of things.

After that admission, however, he was fairly surprised that Dr. Hill brought up a joint practice. Dr. Abernathy smiles with surprise. "I might actually like that, if I can make sure I'm stable enough here. I thought I was fine last time, when that little-" Hmmm, best not to curse anywhere near as much as he'd like to right now. He catches himself and rephrases. "My current patient from home, she caught up with me."

Boy, he wished this tea was some booze. He wouldn't mind a couple opioids as well. Even dead, he couldn't seem to kick his old habits. "How about this? If I'm still around in a week, we can set that up. If you truly don't mind, of course. It'd be good to have a real job again." And he'd get something of a vacation in the meantime.

[workthroughit]

"I'd be more than happy to! My practice is something easily expanded in terms of office space. I'm sure you'll be more than pleased of the accommodations. And I understand the urgency of key patients arising after a time. My own seems to have found his way to the Nexus. We'll see what that spells out for myself and him, in terms of his treatment.

"I'm sure I could find cases to refer to you, if the patient would consider a view other than my own more useful." He stands, extending a hand to shake.

[badpsychiatrist]

Well, well! Troy definitely seems pleased about this development. He hadn't been expecting to be anything but a lone wanderer in this place again- and yet he's already found a colleague. It would be interesting to see how this would all work out.

He shakes Dr. Hill's hand with an actual smile, and nods. "That would be great, Doctor. I'll be sure to do the same. And if there's anything I can do to help with that 'key patient' of yours, just let me know." If it was Christabella they were talking about, dismemberment would be high on the priority list. But considering that Hill hadn't been pulled out of the Nexus already, Troy figures this one's probably not quite so serious.

In fact, that might be a good thing to look into. If this kid's psyche is interesting enough, maybe Troy could escape for good. "I look forward to working with you, Doctor."

[workthroughit]

"And I yours. I have...limited influence at times. But should she also travel to the Nexus, well. Perhaps she and I can have a session and see what develops, hm?"

Poor Josh Washington.