to ease your troubled mind

[stllcfthcnght]

closed starter for: @toeaseyourtroubledmind

who: Simone & Aurora (feat. Daphne)

"It'll be fine," Simone placed her hand on her daughter's shoulder. It had been her aunts' idea to have these sessions, because everything had seemed to implode when it came to home life. She didn't like it, but she had welcomed it in, and in turn, her daughter had become more hotheaded in a matter of weeks. She knocked on the door and gave the other witch a smile. "I know I called earlier and this is more of a drop-in session, but we're in need of some advice,"

She urged her daughter to walk in ahead of her. Daphne had always been tall for her age, no thanks to both her parents', but she took on after Lino more than she had cared or wanted to admit. "We should start by saying that Daphne is less of a... witch than I am, and more like her father," she nodded as she sat down, then looked at her daughter. "It's anger issues. Mostly."

[toeaseyourtroubledmind]

"Alright, then we shall start from there." A gentle smile touched the woman's lips as she settled into her chair, her posture open and inviting. "Daphne, is it okay if I ask you a few questions? I want you to know, first and foremost, that this is a safe space. If at any point during our conversation you start to feel overwhelmed or angry, you are free to step out of this office. The room right next to us is just for you—a quiet, calm place where you can take a moment to breathe and gather yourself. I want you to feel secure here, and I promise you will not be judged. I am here to help you, not to harm you. Does that sound okay?"

Daphne gave a small, hesitant nod, her eyes fixed on the wall behind the woman's head. The counselor took her cue and continued, her voice soft and deliberate.

"Good. To begin, I want to talk about triggers. They're those specific things—be it a person, a place, or a situation—that can make anger surge up inside you. They are unique to everyone. So, my first question for you is this: what are your triggers? Can you describe a specific situation where you felt anger recently, and who, if anyone, was involved? We don't have to get into the details of what happened right now, but understanding the pattern is the first step toward managing it. And on that note, have you ever considered writing in a diary or a journal? It can be a very powerful tool. It's a private place where you can write down what happened, how you felt, and what led to that feeling. It's not about being a good writer, it's just about getting the thoughts out of your head and onto the page. Is that something you've ever tried?"

She leaned forward slightly, her expression patient, and waited for Daphne's response.

[peaceworn]

he's unsure if he's been witness to an ice cold end to a tragic date or an overbearing man simply having his pathetic attempts to get free therapy. either way, it was quite inspiring. a sight to behold and spark excitement into a rather dull night. roland's finding that he misses the hustle and bustle of much larger cities. westray isn't small by any means, but despite it's size it seems a lot of people seem to know each other and he's not a fan of how intertwined paths quickly become.

drink carefully laced with blood in hand, he approaches the table with a goal. a goal, to if nothing more, give the woman some company better than the curse of whatever had just befell her. ❝ hate to break it to you, but it seems that is a rather low bar to clear. ❞ he hopes it comes off as intended, to lighten her mood a bit rather than ridicule her for the encounter.

❝ it surprises me how the men in this town don’t seem to know how to behave. ❞ at the very least, he’s noticed that gathering a woman’s attention is usually a little bit easier than it is in the bigger cities. sort of an ego boost, one he’s needed given how there are still a few in his clan that talk down to him about what had happened with his former partner. ❝ men like that are parasites. Figured he might do the wise thing and run off with his tail in between his legs if he saw someone else talking to you. While you could handle it, I’m sure… it’s more fun to try and salvage your night than rip into him again, no? ❞

[toeaseyourtroubledmind]

Westray was more than just a town; it was the entire world Aurora had ever known. She couldn't claim to miss the bustling streets of cities she'd never seen, their vibrant chaos existing only as abstract concepts in stories and whispered rumors. Her family's legacy was deeply woven into the very fabric of Westray, a tapestry of generations past. Every Wednesday, she visited her mother, whose unwavering conviction that nothing good would come from leaving had always held sway. And so, Aurora stayed. It wasn't that she lacked a rebellious spirit; occasional acts of defiance were a quiet thrill she indulged in. But her mother's unique gift—the ability to perceive the past, present, and future with uncanny clarity—was a force Aurora respected above all else. If her mother's intuition, that deep, unshakeable "gut feeling," urged her to remain rooted in Westray, Aurora would obey without a second thought, her own desires paling in comparison to the weight of such foresight.

The stranger across from her, however, possessed a charm that managed to pierce through Aurora's usual reserve. He elicited a genuine laugh from her, a sound that felt foreign and welcome. In his company, the tension that often resided in her shoulders eased, melting away like ice in the summer sun. He radiated an easygoing humor, a lightheartedness that made him infinitely more appealing than her usual after-hours "therapy dates"—those well-meaning but often draining conversations with people seeking free professional insights.

"They think because I'm a therapist, I work for free after hours, I bet," she said, a dry chuckle escaping her lips. She took a slow sip from her Sex on the Beach, the fruity concoction a rare indulgence. The name of the drink itself brought a wry, internal smile. Sex? she mused, a fleeting thought of how long it had been. Seems like a decade too long if you ask me.

A playful glint entered her eyes as she regarded him. "Well, aren't you my knight in shining armor?" she purred, her voice laced with a honeyed sweetness that barely masked the teasing beneath. "Who knows when again I'll have to show my pretty teeth?"

[toeaseyourtroubledmind]

After-hours therapy date

"Honey..." Aurora's voice was a low growl, a stark contrast to the clinking ice in her perfectly crafted cocktail. A deep frown creased her features, pulling at the corners of her expertly applied eyeliner. "I said I wanted to have fun with you. I may be a therapist, but that doesn't mean I need your whole sob story after hours." Her patience, a finite resource even on the best of days, had completely evaporated. With a decisive swish of her silk dress, she pivoted on her heel, leaving the crestfallen man mid-sentence and making a beeline for another, seemingly empty table across the dimly lit bar.

Ugh, men. Sometimes, she truly missed the uncomplicated tenderness of a woman's affection, a softer touch, a quieter understanding. But then, Aurora was easily bored; relationships, no matter the gender, tended to fizzle out as quickly as they ignited, leaving a trail of half-remembered dates and forgotten promises.

She settled into the plush banquette, letting out a soft sigh of relief. The silence, for a glorious moment, was hers alone. But before she could even take a fortifying sip of her drink, a shadow fell across the table. Her frown deepened as she looked up, her gaze landing on an unexpected pair of eyes. "Please tell me you've had a better day than me, at least," she grumbled, the words laced with a weary resignation that spoke volumes about her evening.

[toeaseyourtroubledmind]

The mind is a truly fascinating and often perplexing entity, especially when viewed through the unique lens of a witch, and even more so when that witch also happens to be a therapist. From a remarkably young age, Aurora found herself to be an unwitting confidante, a beacon that drew people in like moths to a flame, compelled to unburden themselves of their woes and sorrows. This innate magnetism, this natural inclination for others to seek solace in her presence, led her to a profound realization: her purpose, her very calling, was to help people navigate and ultimately overcome their darkest thoughts.

Yet, beyond the empathetic desire to heal, there was another, more subtle current that pulled at Aurora's intellect. She found herself intrigued by the raw, often unacknowledged desires that lay hidden beneath the surface of human suffering. It was this dual fascination—the empathetic drive to alleviate pain and the intellectual curiosity about the intricate tapestry of human longing—that served as the foundation for her life's work.

With these guiding principles firmly entrenched in her spirit, Aurora established the Le Noire Therapy House. It wasn't just a clinic; it was a sanctuary, a haven designed to welcome all manner of struggle. Whether her clients grappled with the relentless grip of addiction, the tumultuous complexities of relationships, or even the profound and terrifying desire to simply want to be alive, Aurora possessed an unwavering conviction. She knew, with a certainty that bordered on the mystical, that she could aid them in their journey towards betterment. However, there was always one crucial caveat, one fundamental prerequisite for healing: her help, her potent blend of intuition and therapeutic expertise, could only be effective if they truly accepted the guidance she offered. The path to wellness, she understood, was a collaborative one, requiring an open mind and a willing heart.

[westray-hq]

WELCOME, NAOMI! Beware of the night while you roam through the city of Westray, and please make sure you've checked off all the boxes on the checklist!

NAOMI with Cade Blanchard (Kit Connor, Hunter, Werewolf, Skeleton 001: The Hellhound)

NAOMI with Aurora Le Noir (Tati Gabrielle, Psychiatrist, Unaffiliated Witch)