[PCA] REMEDY HOUR

[skinstealer]

[id: maes artag handing over a folder, with a slight smile on their face. the colors are warm, and inviting]

MAES: H..here we go...
 

The karacel takes a long exhale as they finish pushing the cart inside, giving a wave to the attendant acting as sight guide on their way over.

MAES: All of the rehab documents. Judgment would have come with me, but there was an emergency with some sort of rec room incident down below…
PAPAYA: Should I be worried?
PAPAYA: Emergency with his occupation makes me feel like I should...
MAES: From what I can tell, it's the result of people getting into watching boxing on the TVs we have down there...just some roughhousing gone a bit too far.
PAPAYA: Ah, that's pretty typical then.
PAPAYA: Mind if I take a look at some of these documents?
MAES: By all means- I tried to write down notes of particular importance when I thought it'd be necessary.
 

Maes can hear Papaya picking up and taking a look through a folder- mostly skimming from the speed of which papers are being flipped- but getting a good gauge of what they had to work with.

PAPAYA: You keep a good paper trail here.
MAES: We try to.
MAES: We really want all of our residents to have a good life...
MAES: While many of them don't particularly want to interact with me specifically, I ask a lot of questions and require all staff involved to take down as much information as possible.
PAPAYA: I should have plenty to work with.
MAES: ...I included another file, as well.

They sift through the top box, letting their hands trace the touch script tabs before handing over a particularly thick one.

Papaya’s silent, presumably running their own fingers along the front.

It’s titled simply: "MAES ARTAG".

PAPAYA: You really want to continue with sessions?
MAES: Mm, as I promised last time...
MAES: This is a translation of a combination of the notes my mother took, along with the ones I followed up with once I started to feel benefits from therapy.
MAES: ...some of my own are somewhat crass, I didn't exactly expect to be handing them over...
MAES: But if we're to continue, I figure you should have some further understanding of what worked and what didn't, and the overall effects.
PAPAYA: Of course, I'm glad to keep doing this with you.
MAES: Your main priority should, of course, be the residents.
MAES: They need this more than I do...
MAES: But I'd be lying if I said this didn't also help me significantly.
MAES: There were some points after sessions where I considered quitting, to be frank...where the whiplash from the session made me feel sick.
MAES: But once I got through it, I felt...maybe not better per se, but like I had made a step forward.
PAPAYA: You'll all be receiving the best I can give treatment-wise, no exceptions.
 

They can't help but smile, albeit softly.

MAES: I'm glad I took this chance.
MAES: It's strange, but…
PAPAYA: But?
 

I...finally feel like I can let go.

MAES: ...it's nothing.
 

They shake their head, their look softening further.

MAES: I know that you'll take good care of them.
PAPAYA: Mm.. I imagine plenty will be reluctant to do this at first.
MAES: Don't expect them to be as easy.
PAPAYA: I don't ever expect an easy job.
MAES: That's what I want to hear.
 

They pull their cane out of their coat pocket, extending it out to full length.

MAES: Is there anything else you need from me?
PAPAYA: Just a question or two.
MAES: Oh?
PAPAYA: It might be redundant to ask considering you hired me... do you think I'll fit well with the people of this lab?
MAES: I think so. I know that Synna's been dying to have a proper conversation with you, though she's said she'd rather keep things casual.
PAPAYA: I suppose that's overdue after getting to know you and Judgment these past months.
MAES: If it helps at all...I can introduce you to the rehab's faculty soon.
PAPAYA: Could you?
PAPAYA: I've met some but it feels important to know them properly.
MAES: I could probably arrange a lunch meeting, if you like.
PAPAYA: That'd be good.
MAES: I'll see what I can do, then.
MAES: You said possibly two questions, what's the other?
PAPAYA: Did your night with Judgment and Synna go well?
MAES: ...admittedly, I had to stop early.
 

Even so, their smile doesn't fade- their expression simply turning bittersweet.

MAES: The emotional impact of the session caught up with me.
MAES: But...both of them were accommodating.
MAES: We decided to read together in the same room, just so that I wouldn't be alone.
PAPAYA: You're lucky to have people like that in your life.
MAES: I think that's finally sinking in...
MAES: ...I'm a lot more fortunate than I've given myself credit for.
MAES: Even with everything…
PAPAYA: Keep that with you.
MAES: Going forward...
MAES: I don't think I could let it go if I tried.