//------------------------------// // Gibbous ponies play, Part 4, Interlude 2 // Story: Twilight Gets a Puppy, Season 3 // by TDR //------------------------------// Twilight Gets a Puppy Season 3 By TDR Gibbous ponies play, Part 4, Interlude 2 [ Canterlot ] A brown furred stallion sat back in a chair, his horn glowing lightly as he held up a clipboard before him in his magic. A quill scratching lightly on the paper as he took notes. His blue eyes looked over the top of his glasses at the patient laying on the light gray couch to his left, the entire room done in warm and neutral colors, the combinations of colors having a number of studies done. His cutie mark reflected this showing a soft gray outline of a pony head with a puzzle piece seemingly missing from the silhouette. They had had a number of sessions and while things had not started out well, patience and understanding had won out, though the patient had yet to open up fully, they at least were talking most sessions. This ones issues ran deep, trust issues, anger issues, a bit of megalomania, though the latter was slowly being repressed, he retained the 'better than thou' attitude. Dr. Katts had learned to speak with a respectful tone when conversing with him, as such he had yet to have any sort of violent confrontation with his patient, particularly since he required the stallions Guards to remain outside. “And how are you doing today sir?” Dr. Katts offered to start with. “Hmmmph..” was the reply. It wasn't much of a surprise in truth, getting this one to say much of anything had been tricky. But it had been a wealth of information. Initially he almost diagnosed him with Palomino Pan syndrome, though it turned out not to be the case. He had no desire to remain a child, despite the speed in which he had professed to have grown up and his lack of a cutie mark, usually those were signs of such syndrome. “ Have you been allowed to see the gardens yet? I always find them rather nice this time of year. I never knew so many flowers still bloomed in the winter.” Dr. Katts continued wondering if this was another day where he would be doing all the talking. “I have. Quite a number of them I am familiar with from my home, but botany was never something that interested me.” This was good. “I see. You said before you were interested in enchanting and creation magic. Have any of the restraints been lifted on that yet?” “No.” “I'll see if I can't speak with some pony in allowing you at least the time to design something even if they won't allow you to implement it. It's good to do something you enjoy every once and a while. I've been told you've spent a lot of time in the library, though your reading selection seems a little odd to me.” “It is mostly for the information. Much of the modern slang and manners of speech can be found in the short stories and modern books as well as the proper ways to use them. Given the one who was to teach me these things is both incompetent and far too easily intimidated. I found myself needing to learn on my own.” “And you are doing quite well with it as well.” “Do not patronize me.” “I am not. In such a short time you have a better grasp of the modern language than... 'She' does and that is after classes for the last few years..... is that why you put in the effort. To be better than 'her'?” “Hmmph.” Dr. Katts smiled, though he knew not to press further. She was one of this patients hot issues. Really he had never seen a case quite like this, but many of the issues were ones he had worked with before, though not on this scale. “I forgot to ask last time, but did everything arrive like it should?” “Surprisingly yes. I expected something to be destroyed, or taken as some sort of trophy by the winners, but no. that was everything I recall.” “Princess Celestia was quiet insistent. While I'm sure they made sure to check everything it is good nothings missing.” Dr. Katts offered.” Would you like to discuss why you asked for these items?” The patient was silent a moment though he spoke before Dr. Katts could. “There was one point in my life where I was optimistic, where I thought I was cared for and everything was going to go well. A calm time before everything went down hill at an alarming rate. That room... everything in it was the only place I felt any sort of security , any control of my life. Fleeting as it was. I spent far too much time in there trying to recall that feeling as my empire was torn down around me. It's where I was when the trap was sprung. I woke up confused and disoriented with only the pull of a source of power I knew to guide me and when I saw it I remembered and well..... you know the rest. I'm sure my aunt told you...” “You consider her your aunt now?” The stallion on the couch tensed. “.... She.... has been insistent. Logically I cannot blame her for what she did. Not like I can the other two... Emotionally however.” He trailed off. “We often do not have any say on what we feel, no matter how hardened we make ourselves. It is good you are making some connections though. This is a strange new world for you. It may be hard to find your place but there are those looking to help you.” “Hmmph.” “Was there anything else you would like to share?” “No, no doctor. I do not think there is today. I have things to think about however.” “Shall I see you again next week then?” “Yes. We can't have you missing your paycheck.” “I'm on salary sir. I get paid whether I see any one in a week or not, but I do take my job seriously and I do wish to help those who I can.” “Hmmph.” “Until next week then. If you wish to talk at any time before that I can most certainly make the time to do so.” Dr. Katts offered. The stallion rose and stared at him a moment before nodding. “Thank you for your time then doctor.” Sombra offered back heading out the door to the waiting guards.