Another day, another cup of coffee to save me from being tired as hell. Seriously, I need to start going to bed at an earlier time. I made a mental note for it as I entered my establishment, coffee in hand.
I went over to my desk like usual. After taking a seat, I also took a sip of caffeinated heaven. I felt a jolt of energy pulse through me as I burned my tongue with the delicious beverage.
“Much better,” I thought as I set the drink down. I reached down and pulled out a filing cabinet. Reaching into it, I pulled out some papers on the clients I’ve had so far.
“Let’s see,” I began, muttering. “Mr.Smith shouldn’t need checking on. Fluttershy is one I definitely should check on, then maybe Dittzy if I have the chance.” I wrote everything on a note, then hung it up to remind myself to do so later.
As I was hanging the note, I heard the door open. “Hold on, just a moment,” I called. “And…….there,” I said as I finished hanging the note. “Alright, let’s see who it is this time,” I muttered to no one specifically. Looking over the counter, I saw a purple mare that was quite iconic around here. “Good morning, Princess,” I greeted. “How may I help you?” She blushed sheepishly.
“I’ve already told you Anon, just call me Twilight.” Twilight reminded me.
“Sorry, just trying to remain professional,” I informed her.
“Mmm…. something tells me that that’s a lie.” she correctly guessed.
“It’s been a while, but you still know me a little too well sometimes. How have things been going for you?” I asked as Twilight approached the counter.
“Not so well, actually. I came here because a friend told me you can help.” Twilight informed me.
“I can help you help yourself, but in the end, it’s the client that finds their way,” I told her.
“Uh, what’s that supposed to mean?” she asked, scrunching her forehead.
“You’ll see. I’m guessing you want an appointment?” I asked.
“Geez Anon, you never pass up an opportunity to tease me,” Twilight complained. “But you’re right.” Twilight breathed. I clapped my hands together.
“Alright, before we begin, I’m obligated to let you know that I’m required to keep any and all information about you and what you say to me secret. Unless it's for safety reasons of course.” I informed her. “Now, if you would kindly follow me, we will begin your session.”
Twilight joined me as I lead her to the back room. As we entered, the room took the form of a huge Library. There were shelves so high, they had ladders attached to them. The floor and walls were made of a sky-blue crystal of some kind. There were also windows that stretched from the floor all the way to the roof. Overall, pretty fancy. In the middle of the room was a table set made of oak.
“I was wondering what this room had in store for me,” commented Twilight.
By now you are probably wondering how Twilight and I know each other or why she already knows about the room. To make a long story short, when I came to Ponyville, or near it to be a little more exact, Twilight found me. After my crazy fit, she taught me about pony history and society. Twilight gave me a home, what is now my office, and I am still grateful for it till this day. All of that happened before she became a princess. She is also the one who enchanted the back room.
“Yeh, I’m always looking forward to seeing what form the room’s going to take. Speaking of which, mind telling me where we are?” I asked, going over to the table and taking a seat. Twilight joined me.
“This is the library I lived in when I was a filly back in Canterlot,” Twilight answered, blushing a little.
“You lived here? Must have been pretty nice.” I commented.
“It was fun, but I was blind to what it was like to have friends back then. I always shut myself in. All I had was Spike and Celestia.” Twilight added. I hummed my acknowledgment.
“Well, things are different now, for better or for worse is something that only you can decide. Enough about that though, let’s discuss why you are here today. What seems to be the problem?” I asked.
“Oh, right.” she sighed. “I’m sure I’m just over thinking it, but I’ve I’ve been questioning myself lately,” she muttered.
“In what sense?” I asked.
“My capabilities as a princess,” she answered, sounding more depressed.
“I see now.” I began. This isn’t the first time I've dealt with this sort of matter. “Twilight, are you questioning your ability to lead?” I asked, needing at least a little more detail before I say anything.
“Well, that, but also I’m wondering why Princess Celestia chose to make me a princess,” she explained.
“Yes, I imagine that that question would leave quite a serious weight on you. I can’t speak from experience, but I can tell you what I think.” I offered, pausing for a moment to let her think on it.
“Um, sure. Go ahead,” Twilight accepted. I smiled, happy to help.
“I believe that giving power is a serious matter. I believe that power should only be given to those who you trust. At the same time, you don’t want to chance it being abused. When that’s the case, what do you do?” I asked.
“I don’t know,” she admitted.
“Well, I’m not one hundred percent sure about how to go about it, but I am certain about one thing. Can you guess what that is?” I asked
“N-No,” she admitted again.
“What I know is that there is no chance of power being abused when it’s given to one who doesn’t want it. Like yourself. So even if you don’t fully trust Celestia’s decision, and I’m not saying you don’t, you can trust that you won’t abuse your authority,” I explained.
“How are you so sure?” Twilight questioned.
“Because I remember how much you were against having that power.” I reminded her. She paused, tapped a hoof on her chin a few times and just sat there thinking. That went on for a few minutes before she spoke again.
“That’s….a lot to think about. Thank you, Anon.” Twilight said, getting u[. I got up as well.
“Here to help. Now, let’s get out. The last time I spent too long in this room, it caused some disorientation,” I explained.
“Yeah, best avoid that,” she agreed. I lead her out of the room and back into the lobby. “So, how much do I
Owe you?” she asked.
“Mmm?” I hummed.
“For your service?” she clarified.
“For you, it’s free,” I answered.
“Anon, just because I’m a princess doesn’t mean I get free service,” she said.
“You're right. Not because you’re a princess, but because you’re a friend.” I countered, but she still shook her head.
“Persistent,” I thought.
“How much?” she demanded.
“Fine, five bits,” I answered.
“Don’t lie to me,” she demanded again, stomping a hoof. I forgot how much she hated being treated ‘special’. I sighed, giving in.
“Ten bits,” I answered. She retrieved the bits out of a small bit bag she had stored under a wing.
Anon having answers ready for everyone's problems doesn't seem right. This is becoming more like an in-person Dear Abby than anything else.
9688528
no, but in this case, he is speaking from his own experiences and opinions. It's better than doing nothing.
9688528
he is an anon, life is sh*t for them and when it's not they are dead, so yeah having answers for almost every kind of depressing and awful thing you could think of that would require a therapist, yeah that makes sense
9688929
Do you honestly believe that if I was a dick as you put it, that I would actually offer any valid or useful criticism of your story instead of simply calling it a POS as most trolls and actual dickheads would?
Sure, you never asked for this story which has some interesting points and makes it a little bit different from your standard Anon in Equestria, but I think that, just like with everything, it is open to be criticised in a constructive manner.
And to be honest, I don’t think that you know what I am doing since you just stated that you see what I am doing yet you doubt if I am either a troll, an ass or simply someone who offers criticism.
TLDR
You, just like every single other author that I have written a critique (per se) of their stories never asked for one, and yet I am doing this using my own free time despite me being in university and having a lot of health related problems that are being nothing more than a pain in the ass most of the time. If you don’t want my help in order to help you improve, just say the word and I will refrain from doing as such.
9689010
sorry man, people have gone that far before on one of my stories with the intention of doing so while trying to hide it. my bad, it's just really fucking late and I just got done with a REALLY stressful recording session.
This is nice, I hope to see more.
Not sure what to think about this story so far. Therapists don't really just dictate what others should think or feel about a situation, and some of the advice Anon gives is just... Bad.
9846232
I noticed. I wrote that more for the benefit of those who read this in the future. Most people that I've spoken to seem to think that a therapist is a healing-Jesus of the mind and if they then go to see one they're furious when the therapist explains that no, they aren't and that actual change needs to come from a patient that's wiling to make the effort to change, unless it's biologically-caused depression and can be corrected by medication.
9847101
At least someone understands. I'm guessing that means you've read my comments then.
9847809
At the time that I wrote that? No. I just did my research before I went to see my therapist. I've found over the years that more often than not, general consensus on just about every subject is at least partially wrong. Any time you're going to be doing anything that involves money, or something that will affect you (or a client) in any mental fashion should be researched first.
How I noticed that was in how you wrote Anon doing his job. He never tries to pretend that he's anything more than what he is. So far his clients have had more or less very simple issues. The advice he's offered so far with exception to John Smith have been what you might expect to hear from a friend or helpful neighbor who has been around the block more than once and wants to be helpful. Most of them really just needed someone to vent to and receive a little support from a neutral party. The fact that his job entails keeping their secret struggles secret is its own weight off their shoulders.
I have to wonder how he's going to react if say, Luna comes knocking on his door one evening. That's a 3D puzzle forged in hell and turned into a rubix cube. She's betrayed her sister and nation, was in complete isolation save for an evil demon whispering in her ear and keeping her jealous fury stoked for a thousand years, then the guilt of knowing that she's done that weighing down along with likely an extreme loneliness with everyone she knew back then dead (or missing in Star-Swirl's case) dead and gone and NEVER being able to apologize to them, not to mention the belief that no apology would ever be enough- Egad, I don't envy him, or Luna. That kind of guilt on my shoulders would make me want to kill myself.