Therapy Session Take #1

[perfecttune]

WHO: Mari and you (OTA, characters are free to interact with others as well)
WHAT: Mari is hosting a therapy session! Come if you would like, or if you want to argue against it feel free to show up as well! This is more informal than it seems although she did invite some guest speakers.
WHERE: One of the large buildings that was most likely a common area for everyone, or just a super large bedroom.
WHEN: After First Crossing
WARNINGS Talk about death and violence, specific CWs will be in the text.

A message goes out on the server from Mari: Sorry for the delay everyone! I thought it best to wait a bit till after the meeting Kel thoughtfully put together for all of us! If you would like to come for the Therapy Session, please come to building X. If you would like to bring anyone or anything along please do! Special guest speakers/appearances include Makoto Naegi, Daniil Dankovsky, and Soo Won.

Mari put her tablet down and went back to straightening the chairs she was able to gather in a circle. Surely this would be welcoming? This way they could all see each other and seek comfort if needed... but just in case, she had set up private areas using curtains as a makeshift divider in case others felt the need for a one on one talk...

It still felt strange to her to not have refreshments so she had cups filled with water just in case, surely even if they didn't need to drink it still helped to make the session feel welcoming?

As people filtered in she would call out a greeting. "Welcome and thank you for coming! If you feel comfortable taking a seat please do so! There are also refreshments over there."

Comments

[toilet_bound]

Hanako lingers near the back - or, if Yashiro shows up, he’s always persistently near her. He isn’t here for therapy (after all, why should he divulge his personal secrets to mostly strangers?), but there was merit to be had in this gathering too.

What he could learn, in further detail, of what the others had gone through during the last Crossing. What sorts of behaviors from them he might have to be wary of (less for himself and more for a certain personal assistant’s safety).

And… maybe more importantly for him… there really wasn’t much to do around here. Hanako really just wanted to see how everyone was going to react to this.

“So, this is therapy~?”

(OOC: general TL for Hanako, he’ll be not quite floating around here or near Yashiro, feel free to approach! Otherwise he will probably comment on what happens when it does~)

[perfecttune]

"Ah! Toilet-san! You made it!"

[While she hadn't actually met the boy before- he looked to be around Sunny's age... well his age before coming here that is...- there wasn't many people that she didn't know so a new face was certainly welcome. She went towards him, offering a hand.]

"I'm Mari, just in case you hadn't figured that out."

[She figured teasing him wasn't a bad idea, given his behavior over the Network. It was a shame though... that someone that young had already passed...

There seems to be a lot of young people though...]

[protectorofkouka]

Soo Won hadn't met Hanako before and he greeted him with a friendly smile.

"That is the intent of this gathering, although it's also a good opportunity to get to know everyone and meet knew people as well."

The therapy part wasn't required, otherwise Soo Won wouldn't be here, and he wanted to encourage the people lingering by the wall not to stay stuck to it the entire time. He offered Hanako a small bow as he introduced himself.

"I don't believe we've met. My name is Soo Won."

[daikonheroine]

Have you ever been to therapy Hanako-kun?

[She found herself asking the question before she could stop herself. She hadn't been to a session herself although if she was honest she should probably start going between all the weird stuff she encountered back home...]

[solitarynote]

Maybe to the shock of no one, Sunny is at another meeting he would rather not be attending.

Why? His sister pulled the ‘don’t you want to spend time with me’ card and he felt bad about it.

He wasn’t here for therapy. That hadn’t worked in the past. He’s simply taking attendance and writing down what he can. But… is that breaking some sort of law, considering what they might talk about is private?

He looks up as people start filtering in, a slight pout on his face despite his assigned duty keeping him (mostly) free from having to talk about himself.

“H-hi… Take… a seat…” Sunny definitely isn’t as effortlessly charismatic as his sister is.

((OOC: General TL, but feel free to respond when coming in or otherwise!))

[perfecttune]

[Mari was glad Sunny was here, for a multitude of reasons. Him coming was a sign of growth after all. If he truly hadn't wanted to do it he would have told her no, or that he couldn't make it. But here he was. Plus she really did appreciate the support. Maybe by coming here he would become more comfortable around everyone.]

Thanks for coming.

[She made sure to not startle him as she approached. He had his classic notebook and pen out already.]

Don't stress about taking too many notes or attendance. Just do what feels right for you.

[After all, that was what this session was about, helping everyone get through this.]

[daikonheroine]

[Yashiro started a little and then smiled as she realized who was talking.]

Ah! Thanks!

[She glanced to see him having a notebook out and lightly tapped his shoulder.]

Are you drawing?

[callsignhornet]

Allynbee arrives punctually and gives the girl running the meeting a quick, nodded greeting before taking a spot on the wall. She's not quite hovering by the 'refreshments', mostly keeping an eye on who's filtering into the therapy meeting.

When approached, she simply nods her head towards the circle of chairs. "Just want to keep an eye on things."

[toilet_bound]

“Serious as always, aren’t you Captain~?” That question, by way of a greeting. The position she picked up was also prime for ‘keeping an eye’ on everything. Allynbee really can’t get a break even in death, can she?

[perfecttune]

[Mari wanders over to greet the woman, extending a hand.]

Thanks for coming! I don't believe we've met. I'm Mari, Sunny's older sister.

[It seemed if she introduced herself in this way, that most people knew her brother before they knew her, that there was some connection.]

[daikonheroine]

Yashiro had yet to meet this woman, but that didn't stop her from heading over towards the refreshments table and grabbing a drink.

"You think there's going to be trouble? Here?" She asked and glanced around curiously. She hadn't been here for long but it seemed as if everyone got along rather well from what she could see...

OTA

[blindluck]

Nagito is here because he was asked to be. And because Makoto is speaking. And maybe a little bit out of curiosity when it comes to what other people might say. But he doesn't really have plans to participate, exactly. The water refreshment table is noted with some amusement--it's too bad they don't have any food here, even if they don't really need it anymore--but he ignores the circle of chairs in favor of sticking near the walls. He picks a place nearish to Sunny where he still thinks he can best watch Makoto speak. Nagito leans up against the wall, much as he did during the last information-sharing meeting.

Of course, being here also means he'll have to listen to the other guest speakers, and he's not thrilled about some of them... But anything is worth it to hear anything Makoto might have to say.

[toilet_bound]

“Ah! Shounen~!” Hanako definitely perks up when he notices Nagito by the wall. The other’s presence instantly means this meeting should be more interesting! “What does everyone seem to have against chairs~?”

Never mind the fact that Hanako himself clearly isn’t sitting in one either.

[solitarynote]

Eventually, when Sunny feels like he can get away from attendance duty, he makes his way over to Nagito. A bit shy, as always, though his gaze seems to light up.

“Makoto… is going… to speak…” There is less of a gap between each sentence fragment, like he’s in a hurry to get the words out and trying to not stumble over them. Sunny is excited for the other, but also nervous. Was Makoto nervous? Sunny would be.

Re: OTA

[perfecttune]

Looking forward to hearing the speakers?

[Mari asked, walking in Nagito's general direction. She wasn't overly surprised that he wasn't sitting. It seemed like most people were more comfortable with standing, and that was fine by her standards. After all, the more comfortable people were, the better. She notes him looking at the refreshments table.]

It's a shame but I have yet to be able to find any ingredients or food here... not that we necessarily need it...

Re: OTA

[daikonheroine]

"Ah! Komaeda-senpai! You're here too?"

Yashiro instantly noticed the man, going over to start a conversation. She was still embarrassed by the whole hamster incident... but she never let her embarrassment stop her before! She had been rather hesitant about coming, after all she wasn't quite sure she needed therapy (and none of the stuff from her life she felt comfortable talking about with strangers yet and she was pretty sure that's not what this session was about...) but clearly if Komaeda was here then it was the right place to be!

[ourlastadventure]

Arche picks her way into the meeting...not late, but she's far from the first to arrive. Sunny she favors with a smile when she sees him; Hanako likewise, though she seems a little more embarrassed. Komaeda gets a little wave when she spots him on her way through towards the chairs, along with a little raised eyebrow of 'why are you all the way over there'...

She takes her seat, and, realizing Sunny is here, opens up her messaging book and leaves it open on her lap, so her friend can speak freely.

[solitarynote]

[Sunny definitely appreciates the gesture - blinking a little in happy surprise as she left her book out. The teen writes something in his own (on a separate page from the list of attendees).]

Hi

[Simple as usual, but he’s checking in. Is he supposed to ask questions? Has she settled in? Would that be overwhelming when she’s here for the session Mari was putting on? He worries about it a little too much.]

[blindluck]

Nagito waves back when Arche waves at him, a little surprised but undeniably pleased. After a few moments, he leaves his spot against the wall to stand a little closer for the moment. He'll go back to his personally-assigned-wall before everything gets started, but for now, there's nothing wrong with talking, right?

"I don't know if you've met him yet, since you've only just arrived, but Naegi-sama will be speaking! Naegi Makoto-sama. He's amazing, you'll definitely want to listen to what he has to say!"

OTA

[knockingatthedoor]

Did he want to come? Not really. There's something lingering in the back of his head, a voice telling him 'it's useless' but Kel doesn't really remember why he thinks so (Because that's what his parents said when Hero got all depressed, but now that memory is gone, so...)- but it's an initiative from Mari, so he's actually stepping in.

The teen smiles widely in her direction, waving the hand a bit. "great job over here, truly. Feels super comfy!" He'd tell to her before looking around to see who also decided to come.

As for his looks- the massacred orange shirt has been (momentarily) replaced by a frilly, pink princess shirt and- he's accepting his fate. It was the only thing his size kel could find. He also looks... calm? Very much so.

"Hey, everyone! How are you all doing?"

He will approach people to greet them, of course. Even strangers. So don't be surpised when a random teen hops in your field of view with a big smile.

For the rest? He's... there mostly to listen.

[toilet_bound]

It takes Hanako a minute to place where the teen looked familiar from…

“Ah! You put on the other meeting, didn’t you~?”

Kel had been wearing a bright orange shirt last time, so the change in attire had thrown Hanako. The former ghost was used to everyone wearing the same thing (school uniforms were great that way), so it was something to get used to for sure!

OTA

[protectorofkouka]

[Well, to be fair Soo Won did say he would help but when did that turn to him being a quest speaker? He was notoriously bad at dealing with his feelings so he was hardly the best choice for this. It was also more attention than he wanted to bring to himself. This was Mari's idea after all. He had offered his support though so he hid his reservations behind a polite smile as he greeted everyone.

He took a seat at the circle of chairs, offering a warm smile to anyone who looked a bit hesitant. Trust me he's not sure about being here either. Nevertheless he saw the potential therapy could provide for their group so here he was. When he was his turn to speak he kept it short.]

I didn't realize I was speaking today. [He opened with a small chuckle to lighten the nervous atmosphere.] I'm just here to provide a listening ear to those who want it. It doesn't have to be related to anything serious. We can just get to know each other. We're on this journey together after all and I for one look forward to getting to know everyone.

[It wasn't the most eloquent speech he had given but he was just a humble merchant here to offer Mari his support, not a king inspiring his people.]

[solitarynote]

[Sunny listened patiently as Soo Won gave his speech. He wrote down a few notes. OK, job done…

Wait, Soo Won wasn’t expecting to give a speech?

How many people did Mari con into coming to therapy?

Sunny doesn’t say anything, but he does make a face accordingly.]

[urtitan]

[Frieda arrives on time, beams at Mari and exchanges a few words with her, thanking her for the invitation, before taking a seat in the front (half the attendees so far seem to be plastered against the walls... that kind of body language speaks volumes!).

After listening to the guest speakers, giving each her full attention, she can't help but feel like most people are still struggling to open themselves up to the ostensible purpose of the gathering, so she pushes herself to speak, standing up and facing the group, letting her eyes wander over her fellow souls' faces.]

I... I'd like to thank all of you who have shown me support before, during, and after the Crossing. We're all from different worlds, and my world...

[For a moment, she falters.]

My world wasn't easy to live in. But I know that many of your worlds weren't, either. Seeing how we've been supporting each other thus far has meant a lot to me, truly. So I thank you.

[She sits back down, feeling acutely self-conscious... but whether anyone addresses her message in front of the group or later on in (semi-)private, she'll engage with them!]

[toilet_bound]

[There are times when Hanako will gladly call people out in front of a group, even when the result might be embarrassing said speaker. This wasn’t one of those times. Call it intuition or just a moment of kindness, but he waits to approach Frieda until the meeting seems to be wrapping up.]

Didn’t realize you would be giving a speech either~! [He says it by way of greeting, a friendly jab announced with the same cadence as his bright smile.] Hardship does tend to either push people apart or together. You’re right: seems like it’s the latter this time.

[marblenest]

Dankovsky shows up late and takes a stand in the middle of the chairs. He takes out a notebook that he's prepared with some notes on a lecture that he's made just for the occasion. Aren't you all so lucky.

"As most of you know, my name is Daniil Dankovsky. I am a Bachelor of Medicine. My major area of study is in Thanatology and I have also worked as a physician. I have no experience in the emerging study of psychology or psychotherapy, but as the only person here with any sort of professional knowledge in the field, I have been asked here by Mari to give an educational speech of sorts."

He goes on to give an incredibly dry speech about the works of Sigmund Freud and the diagnostic process as it applies to disorders such as neurosis, schizophrenia, shell shock, and hysteria. He stresses that he himself cannot diagnose any of these disorders, nor can anyone here, though if anyone here suspects that they have one of these disorders they still shouldn't hesitate to reach out to him. Dankovsky stresses that it's better to talk about it rather than keep it a secret.

That's probably the best and most valuable thing he says during his entire speech.

For the rest of the therapy session he won't offer any personal antedotes but he will be around to answer any questions if need be.

[blindluck]

"Frued's contributions to psychology are considered of more historical than practical relevance, nowadays," Nagito says immediately upon Dankovsky finishing. His face is impressively blank. "Neurosis is an outdated term, the way you're using it. So is shell shock. Hysteria is, well, just plain sexist!"

He seems to get his feet under himself as he speaks, and so he smiles cheerfully as he says, very loudly, "Do you still think you aren't dead, by the way?"

OTA

[cloversandcranes]

[Makoto walks into the room and smiles in approval at Mari-san's work. It looked great. Cozy and not too serious. Hopefully it will encourage people to talk, even a little. When he sees Mari, he offers her warm smile and nod before he takes a deep breath as he waits for people to notice him. When it's quiet enough, Makoto begins.]

Thank you Mari-san for setting things up. And thank you all for coming. I know it can be hard to talk about things, let alone to a room full of people, but it is really helpful. For you and others. I know that from personal experience. I didn't want to to talk about what happened to me, especially to a stranger but after talking to my therapist, I've found myself handling things, both from the past and the present, better.

It doesn't have to start big. Or even personal. Just talk to people and they will help you heal from all kinds of stuff. Despite how you might feel, there are a lot of good people here and they can help you. And if not, they can be your friends or even just your chat mates. You don't have to do anything you might be uncomfortable with. Let's just chat together and get to know each other. Everything else will fall into place. And perhaps, we'll find some peace together. I truly hope for that.

That's all. Thank you for entertaining my rambles. And thank you for coming.

[With that, he bows and goes to sit on on the chairs, ready to begin.]

when you gotta use the servant icons because nothing else fits

[blindluck]

[Nagito can think of a thousand fawning things to say. They are all bouncing around his head at once, though, and so nothing comes out except a weird high whining noise. Somewhere in those thoughts he's really glad he reminded Sunny to take notes on this.

He is still making that weird noise, sorry.]

[hasapoint]

Need feels that an issue with being so visibly older than everyone else, and being visibly confident and self-assured, is that someone might look to her as a leader. She doesn't want that. The injunction against the dead ruling the living might not apply at this point but it still weighs too heavy on her to ignore. She's not a leader, and if she tried she'd trample someone. So it's an impulse decision for her to come at all.

A ways into the gathering, probably after some have already left, Need enters and strides unsmiling to stand behind one of the empty chairs in the circle, surveying whoever's there, and clears her throat. Her low gravelly voice is brusque and sure.

"These aren't circumstances any of you thought you'd face, but we're all going through it together. Try to remember that, when you're suffering alone. Some things are halved when shared. Now, I've been dead for longer than any of you, even if it hasn't all quite been like this. And I know sometimes it's easier to unburden yourself to a stranger than to someone closer who can be hurt by it. I'm no kestra'chern, but I'm hard to hurt and I don't spread certain things around. You children can confess to me on your own time, if you're ever called to do so, and I'll withhold judgement."

She looks into any eyes directed at hers, nods curtly, and... turns to leave? without giving a name or explaining what a 'kestra'chern' is? Need!

[toilet_bound]

Hanako had opted to give Yashiro some breathing space once the therapy session had started, taking his own seat… except the boy had flipped his chair around backwards and was leaning his arms rather comfortably against the back of the chair (now facing forwards).

He perked up when Need turned around to leave…

“What’s a ‘kestra-chern’?” Probably the question that might be on everyone’s mind.

His legs kick back and forth merrily as he smiles, but there’s a deeper layer to it. One that Need could probably deduce - she wasn’t getting away that easily if he could help it.