[Gift] [Rome]: Session 1

Rome turns the calling card in his hand, reading the words on it over and over again. “Psyche Cura” the card reads in a sleek silver lettering with the words “Book an appointment today” and a phone number directly below it. Rome had scheduled this meeting weeks in advance as he had mustered much effort to even just pick up the phone and talk into the receiver. He had only been a resident in Burrowgatory for a few months now, and everything was still so new.

Firstly, he was no longer surrounded by his antlered brethren but by a large variety of different horned citizens. Everyone just looked so… beautiful. It really was unfair, how everyone was just so charismatic and confident and more or less just so effortless. Meanwhile here Rome was, a stranger person in a stranger city, trying his best to fit in and belong. It was tough, especially for someone like Rome.

The bus stops and the door opens as the driver calls out the next stop and Rome gathers his things and hops off the bus, trying to move as quietly as possible, not wanting to be seen, not wanting to be perceived at all. The clinic was a bit of a ways away, not that Rome minded, it’s just that he thought such a big name clinic would be somewhere in the middle of the Metropolis rather than a little bit in the outskirts of the city. It was nice, actually. Being quite away from all the stimulation. He walks a few blocks towards the building and pockets the calling card. The building looked cozy enough, giving it a homey looking appearance made of bricks and stone with a large sign that read “Psyche Cura” in elegant cursive. He walks over to the front door and wipes his hand on his sleeve slightly before holding the knob. Rome quietly mutters a small spiel in his head, practicing what to say, and how to introduce himself. He gives a quick nod once he finishes before turning the handle.

The receptionist behind the counter is clicking away at a keyboard, but looks up and smiles pleasantly as Rome enters. “Hello!” she greets, holding her hands together pleasantly. “Can I help you?”

“Yes-” Rome stutters out, nodding slightly. “Uhm. Yes. I’m here for an…. A-....” The receptionist reaches over and puts a clipboard unto the desk. “An appointment! Yes, please go ahead and sign your name here. Then go ahead and take a seat.” Rome walks over shyly and signs his name unto the sheet before he turns around and sits on a vacant seat. There is one other person in the clinic casually seated, on their phone and Rome makes sure to sit as far away from them as possible. If he engaged in small talk now, he was pretty sure he’d explode.

A few minutes later, a pretty man with curled horns and a patch over one eye walks out, wearing a white coat. The flames on his tail and atop his head flicker and glow gently. He looks up pleasantly. “Rome.” he calls out, and with that their eyes lock for a brief moment before Rome quickly peels them away, standing up suddenly. “Oh. Yes. That’s me.” He walks over, his legs feeling heavy, his heart beating nervously as a sense of dread fills him. He was never really the best at social interactions.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Amour-” he says with an endearing smile, putting his hand out for Rome to shake. Rome reaches a shaky hand up and shakes the other’s gently. “Yes. Hi.” he greets awkwardly, looking up and deciding to stare at the taller man’s nose so at least he could fake the eye contact. After all, people did say it was rude, not to look at people when talking to them. 

Amour’s face softens slightly as he puts a hand on Rome’s shoulder and give it a friendly squeeze. “I’ll be your psychiatrist today. Come, let’s stay over here-” he says, motioning for Rome to follow. He follows along but stops for a moment, realizing something…

“Amour.” he repeats, blinking in surprise. Wasn’t that… the founder’s name. The medical director of Psyche Cura?! Rome swallows, a small panic arising in him. The director?! He was going to be seen by the director?!

The other turns slightly and laughs, a soft and cheerful sound. “Yes. That’s me.” he says, tilting his head slightly. “I do work here too, you know. And I just so happened to have my afternoon free so… I thought it wouldn’t hurt to do a few assessments.” Rome nods again silently, willing himself forward. “I promise I don’t bite.” the other says reassuringly. “Unless you want me to, of course.” he lets out a soft laugh and Rome looks up slightly, obviously flustered. What he would give to joke around like that. Laugh like that too. What he would give to just be that man in front of him.

Amour steps to the side and gestures to Rome into the office. “After you-” he says, holding the door open.

Rome mouths a “thank you”, but nothing seems to come out.

He steps in.