Athrym made her way to the counsellors office with a sort of pent up nervousness. Why had she agreed to this stupid stuff? It wasn't like she needed counseling anymore. She was better right? Her thoughts drifted back to the morning of the 21st, in Nauls dorm...to the night of the 20th. Perhaps she wasn't.

Reaching the office, she lifted her hand and knocked.

"Um...It's Athrym Bruthgrave. Are you there?" She was on time, the blonde knew that. But still..maybe she should just go...

Connie smiled when she heard the knock; Athrym was just on time. That was a good sign. If she was late, it meant her interest in counselling was waning, or wavering. If she was early it wasn't necesarily good either; it could hint toward compulsion, or a kind of overzeal that denoted impatience. Being ontime suggested the ackowledgement of the time needed to invest in her mental health, suggested stability and a level head. She hoped it would stay that way.

Connie walked up to the door and opened it herself, fully. She could easily have just spoken up and let Athrym do it herself, but it was important early on to establish what sort of relationship it was.



"Good evening Athrym. You're right on time. Please, come in. Would you like a drink?"

Athrym entered the office slowly, offering a sort of shy smile to the woman. It was just as cosy as last time. She clutched her satchel, sort of hiding behind it and shook her head.

"No, no thankyou. I'm fine." Walking towards the couch, the blonde felt more self conscious than ever. This was silly. Looking at Connie, she tried to be polite.

"I think I'm fine. I don't really need to do this. I should go, I'm sure you have better things to do."

Dr Grehaym noticed a degree of tension in her posture. There was only so much a soft room could do. She'd considered changing the fragrance frequently - smell associations with intense experiences could easily put off patients, particularly new ones. Recounting trauma certainly fell into that category.



Connie let out a little sigh, but kept it tight, trying not to sound disapproving.

"Athrym, our last session was a big step for you. For the first time in years you've been able to properly address your traumatic experience. But the path to recovery is made of many steps, and with what you've gained, it would be a great shame to turn away now. Please, come in, sit down. This is your time."

She didn't want to mention just yet that the therapy was a compulsory condition of Athrym's trial outcome. It would make her feel powerless and could easily turn her hostile, making things more difficult.

Biting her lip, the blonde stood still for a moment, contemplating what she should do. Finally, she made a heavy sigh and walked over to the couch, perching on the edge and resting her satchel beside her.

"Okay, sitting." She said with an attempt at a smile. It wasn't that bad in here, not really. It was just...awkward.

Connie smiled a little. This was going to be quite the project. Still, nothing that was worth doing was ever easy.

"Alright, why don't we start small. Tell me, how was your week, what has happened since we last talked?"

The girl shrugged with a sort of huff. Okay, so small talk then, that she could do.

"My week..uh..well. I won my trial, that kind of made my week." Her face broke into a grin all of a sudden.

"Um...I went shopping, I attended the ball. Oh right, and I am destined to be engaged." The last bit was sort of said as casually as possible, as though it was no big deal. Even though it totally clocking was.

Connie had been greatly disappointed with the decision of the trial board - not that Athrym had been allowed to stay, but the reasons that were given for it. No mention of her trauma had been made whatsoever, and it was merely on the strength of her adacemic performance she was allowed to stay. The idea that the school would banish a rape victim because they were late with some homework, or got an average grade on an assignment was preposterous. She held her tongue on the matter - Athrym was happy and relieved, she didn't need to worry about the sorry state of Brunnhold's judgement.



Her eyebrows raised and formed a questioning shape. Clearly there was more the girl wanted to say about it.

"Oh? Do tell."

Athrym smiled a little, shrugging and looking at her hands.

"It was unexpected, and brilliant. He's such a wonderful person...the way he's helped me has been..amazing." Taking a breath, she chuckled.

"Some people might not like him, but they don't know him like I do. And on the night of the Ball, he asked for my permission to speak to my father about his..intentions." Her sudden grin was indication of how much this meant to her. Glancing up at the woman, she sighed.

"He was the boy at my trial. Nauleth Siordanti."