Autumn 31st, 4371; Morning, 14:05

Fifthday, Autumn 25th, 3–…4,371; Morning, 14:05 [3279462064]

"So, Ms. Ainsley, are you ready? To tell me your story?"

"W-well..." she hesitated, unsure of how to answer.

Although her resolve had been tempered earlier that day, she found the words sticking to her throat. It wasn't the first time, nor the second, or the third. In fact, this was her twentieth meeting with the man since starting high school at Tona Academy.

It was amazing she even made it this far. Only a month ago, she was despondent, refusing to leave her room for any reason, barely moving to eat the food her mother left just outside the door. Those traces had yet to fade away -- her blanched skin, her gaunt pallor, not to mention her rather undeveloped body, unlikely to grow any further. Her friend at least helped to keep her sane, but even then, Ruya wouldn't have considered opening up about her past. Opening up about that... thing.

At least, not until he showed up.

"Your name is Ruya Ainsley, correct? It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Damien Noxford, Tona Academy's guidance councilor, but feel free to call me Mr. Nox." She could still remember how he introduced himself. His voice was kind and relaxing, different from her mother's worried tone, or her friend's boisterous one. Compared to the other therapists who stopped by, it was completely unusual. But to her, they were always like this: introducing themselves, saying they were here to help. And then next, he'll ask me to open the--

"You don't have to open the door." he spoke as if reading her mind, freezing her in place. "*I've heard from your mother Lulu what you've gone through. You're probably thinking something like, 'He's gonna be just like all the rest, telling me I need to take the first step for anything to change.' Am I wrong?"

No he's... right. She had tried many times before, attempting to follow their advice. But each step felt like its own wall -- the top obscured by the clouds above. She already knew something had to change, but she didn't know where to start. Whenever she asked her prior therapists, they always answered evasively, saying 'You need to find that out for yourself.' However, this man, Mr. Nox...

"I already know that you understand what's going on in your mind. Nothing I say at the moment will change that. So, I'll just tell you a story. Just take a seat somewhere and listen. And hopefully, one day, you'll be willing to tell me yours." His words were intoxicating; she could practically smell the roses seeping through the door. He hadn't really said anything different compared to the others, and yet, each word put her at ease. The impossibly high walls had fallen somewhat, the top visible beneath the clouds.

True to his word, he visited almost every day, telling her mundane stories -- the ones about everyday life. A coworker going through her eventful dating life. The latest gossip spreading amongst the students. A boistorous lunch filled with chatter. He told them in such detail, it was easy to imagine exactly what happened.

None of those tales related to her. None of them helped her move forward in any way. But through each, she could tell how much he listened, how much he was willing to listen. An pleasant warmth spread throughout her body, one so foreign yet familiar, a dormant feeling locked away in the depths of her heart. She wasn't sure what to call that emotion; it was something she'd long forgotten, yet never wanted to lose again.

And because of that, she didn't even realize as her hand gripped the doorknob expectantly for the first time in seven years.

"...so, my boss couldn't help but laugh, saying--"

Creeeaaakkkk...

"...well, hello there," he said in that same causal tone. "It's a pleasure to finally see you, Ms. Ainsley. Let me reintroduce myself. My name is Damien Noxford, and I'm Tona Academy's guidance councilor." Sitting there, lying against the opposite wall, was a rather young man, clearly no older than thirty, maybe even twenty-five. He looked like a storybook protagonist, with looks more beautiful than handsome, and a stylish clothing sense appropriate for his role, at least from the white doctor's coat draped atop his shoulders. His hair was black, perfectly aligned with those clear, hazel eyes. However, none of that mattered compared to his bewitching smile -- one that seemed to draw her in, making her forget everything for a brief moment.

"I--" she tried to speak, but her voice was hoarse, unable to string together a single sentence.

"*Take it slow. You don't have to tell me anything right now. Just go at your own pace. There's still plenty of time. And hopefully, one day, you'll be able to get that weight off your chest you held for so long."

"Ah..." Her knees buckled as she collapsed onto the floor, tears streaming down her cheeks. Although her mother did her best to help, her worrying always felt like a double-edged sword, trying yet unable to hear Ruya's cries. As for her friend, while she kept her company through those dark times, all she did was wait, unable to help Ruya push onward. But now, she found someone willing to listen, willing to understand what she was struggling with. Her pain was something impossible to describe or emphasize without experiencing it, but somehow, she knew he would. He would always.

After all, seeing him for the first time, hidden behind that smile of an angel, there was the same anguish and trauma smoldering deep within.

"...no, I'm ready," she responded, coming out of her thoughts, facing towards Mr. Nox once again. The sliver of light peaking through the blinds of her bedroom passed between them, a line she wanted to cross.

"Are you sure?" he asked once more, grasping her hands in his. Although it helped settle her turbulent thoughts, her heart still skipped a beat.

"Y-yes, I am," she stammered out, taking a deep breath. Of course she was nervous, but that did nothing to dissuade her determination. "I know it might sound strange, but... I want you to listen to what I'm about to tell you. I want you to... believe in what I'm about to say." Her voice cracked, but that didn't matter. She knew he would understand. He was like her, after all. He has to.

"I promise I will," he answered without hesitation.

"...thanks." She couldn't help but let out a small giggle.

"So, close your eyes and [Rewind]," he began, his expression scrunched. "I want you to go back to that day. The day where it all started. Where everything went awry.

"Now, tell me what happened."