97 - Couches

“Thank you all for gathering here today.” Maria was addressing the gathered crowd of students. Everyone from the first year of all four Colleges were gathered in the park, sitting in the grass and amongst the trees as she addressed them all.

Next to her stood Grant, and who Theo vaguely remembered as the receptionist for the College of Prayers, and who he assumed was the receptionist for the College of Spells. The priest had their blindfold on, while the wizard was the one who rushed over to administer first aid on Jenny on her first backfire.

“In light of what happened over the weekend, class will be cancelled for this week.” There was a pause as an audible cheer went through the crowd, and some got up and dusted themselves off, preparing to leave already. Maria paused, lips drawn thin. “However, we have arranged something, so don’t run off just yet.”

“The Guild of Magic has given us time with their therapists to make sure everyone is doing alright. You will all be assigned a time to meet them. That aside, your time is yours. Do what you wish, but please take it easy on yourselves. Talk with friends, relax, and get your mind off what happened.”

And with that, they were dismissed.

---

“So therapists talk to people?” Theo learned that his idea for how to help was a well-established profession. Which was a good thing, but part of him couldn’t help but feel robbed.

“Yes, they help with processing trauma and feelings. My Father has used them occasionally and speaks highly of what they can do.” Rowena laid on the grass, head in Finn’s lap, somehow looking incredibly graceful as he ran his fingers through her hair.

The one good thing that emerged from the Ball was Rowena and Finn becoming an item. Or at least, becoming one to their friends. Theo always had a feeling that there was something more to their teasing.

He was slightly worried that their dynamic would change (in a way that made him rather sheepish about how he and Jenny had acted), but the slowly thawing ends of Finn’s hair made it clear that, relationship or not, some things would stay the same as they always had.

“How were they, Jenny?” Theo asked Jenny, who was likewise laying in his lap, half-asleep. They had triaged the priority of who was to attend therapy, so while everyone was given a timeslot, those who were in the thick of it (and especially those who had been paralysed) were scheduled first.

“Nice.” Her head lolled around, shifting as she tried to get comfortable while still holding his hand. He patted her head, and smiled as her face relaxed.

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“Well, that’s two for two, so I’m hoping for good things.” He popped a grape in his mouth, and leaned back onto the tree as they all chatted and enjoyed a much-needed break.

---

It was odd being in the Guild of Magic at noon, on a weekday no less. The place was a lot emptier, but it wasn’t devoid of life. There were the usual mercenaries, and some were perusing the job’s board. A few students were also gathered here, either early for their sessions or having finished and stayed for some (admittedly) good food. Askavel was curled up, reading a book, being careful to not damage its cover with his claws, or set it on fire with the wisps of flame that occasionally left his nostrils.

He’d started wondering what a therapist would look like on the walk here. What kind of person would they be? Images of a kind, bespectacled man with a white, well-kept beard entered his head. He could imagine all sorts of priests becoming therapists. Maybe it was even someone from the College of Prayer?

Theo shook his head. If they were related to the Colleges, then they wouldn’t be sent here. Would he enter the room and find Eva sitting there? Or maybe that’s why Askavel is always hanging around here.

Theo greeted Eva as he entered, and waved to the table of warrior students playing cards.

“Therapy?” She slid a mug of frothy beer his way, and he took it gratefully. The students waved back.

“Yeah.” Theo took a sip, and reminded himself of all the reasons that he liked The Pub (the food and drinks on offer was clearly not one).

“Meeting Room 1 upstairs.” Theo nodded, and headed to the stairs.

As he walked past, she whispered so only he could hear. “You are welcome in the clearing any time.”

He smiled a little brighter.

---

Theo had never been up these stairs before. Or to the second level. The rest of the building could be passed off as carved, but these stairs were clearly grown out of a series of thin roots, almost feeling like he was stepping up an oddly-shaped thatch roof.

Thankfully, the meeting rooms were clearly labelled, and he didn’t get lost on the way.

Even so, when opened the door, he paused, wondering if he had somehow misread things.

A quick peek outside confirmed that no, this was where he was supposed to be.

The inhabitant of the room let out a throaty chuckle.

“Well, hey there Theo.” Of all the people he imagined to be a therapist, Sean was not even close to being on his list. Greying and covered in scars, he looked a lot more like the Pub regular that he was than anyone capable of giving advice sober.

Then again, his advice had been pretty good when he was drunk.

“I didn’t realise you were a therapist.” He tried to keep the surprise out of his voice.

“It’s pretty common for older warriors when they hang up their swords. Experience, wisdom, and hopefully some empathy means that the ones that don’t drink themselves to death end up here.” There were stories behind the bitterness that crept into his voice.

A question percolated in Theo’s head about why specifically warriors, but before he could ask Sean cleared his throat. “Anyway, you’re not here to listen to an old fart complain. Ask me when we’re at The Pub. Why don’t you take a seat over there?”

Theo stopped himself from asking the question out loud. Sean was right. He could ask Sean later.

He sat down…on the couch.

At least he’d gotten one thing right.