First Session: Sprinkles

Valli was not particularly fond of mandatory therapy. It was necessary, in many cases, but it wasn't easy. You had to want to get better to get better in so many cases.

Whether Sprinkle wanted to get better remained to be seen.

Valli smiled pleasantly at Sprinkles as he settled into one of the armchairs across from them.

"It's nice to meet you," Valli said. "I'll cover the basics in order - everything you say in here is absolutely confidential. I can only break that confidentiality in the event that someone is in danger. Your sessions are mandatory, so that does mean I'll be reporting back, but the only thing I can report on is whether or not you're showing up." He wasn't allowed to say how good or bad they were doing.

"If I see you in public, I won't acknowledge you, because I understand some people dislike the idea of others knowing they are in therapy. The third thing to tell you is that I have an aura which makes me appear more presentable than I am. It doesn't change your perception any more than brushing my hair a bit extra would."

Those were all the basics, and Valli spun his pen in his fingers before settling back.

"Any questions about any of those before we begin?"

Well, that pretty firmly answered if Sprinkles was going to be receptive. The answer, as they said, was a big fat no.

Valli made a point of double checking, getting up and sliding over to his desk to double check before returning to his seat.

"For the time being, none. We only have weekly sessions, and if you're unable to make it, you do need to give a substantial reason. Just skipping it because you don't want to isn't an option, I'm afraid. There's also no exact limit for how many times you'll have sessions. Once you've been cleared as being mentally well, the sessions will no longer be mandatory, although I'll still encourage you to attend."

They seemed more normal than what Valli had expected. Most of the other NEK0s were... dysfunctional at best.

"We can start with the basics," Valli said. "Have you started class? How are you finding the school?"

"A big part of school," Valli said with a small, natural smile, "is learning to learn properly. To develop proper study habits so you can tackle more difficult concepts. Things that work for simple stuff won't always work for more difficult stuff, but the school does an excellent job of accommodating. One of my patients has been allowed to test out of more than half their classes and replace them with classes they can't skip past. I'm sure the school will find ways to accommodate your advanced rate of learning."

Valli could have just ended it there. No, she'd never go back. He wasn't privy to what exactly had happened to her 'father', but he knew there would be no happy reunion.

"There are," Valli agreed, "but there are still certain skills which are important to know. It's easy--comfortable even--to rely on others to do things for you. But knowing the math to do things like file your taxes are something that everyone needs to know."