this is how we get better

Art & Code © Skelle 2023

"Speech!"
Avantika seemed a great deal better than she was before; confidence exuding in her features, eyes bright, and even a smile upon her lips as she padded through the doorway. The door that was shut was well-insulated, heavy; barely a word spoken in the room could be heard outside, no matter how quiet it was. Most of the third floor residents didn’t stay up here during the day time, either out on patrols or sparring. Lae kept her services here, moreso for privacy as well as taking care for her flare-ups of arthritis.

The young woman turned down a request for food and drink, and Laeta nodded in acknowledgement, watching her sit down. She did the same on her own seat, joints clicking and snapping as she sat back on her haunches. It was then that Tika inquired if anything she said would be kept within the room. Lae explained without skipping a beat, in a warm and reassuring tone, "Of course not, Tika. I am bound to confidentiality. Nothing you say leaves this room; it is my duty as a Specialist to ensure that each and every wolf I speak to has the utmost privacy to share whatever is on their mind."

It was then the young woman proceeded to speak. She mentioned children, weddings, a future she felt she couldn’t quite get because the one she loved before her had broken her heart. Left her hurt. Lae had no intentioj of asking her who this oman she referred to was; as a therapist, she maintained professionalism - that meant not egging anyone for names of other wolves that weren’t mentiojed by name. She was focused on Avantika’s business as what bothered her and what she struggled with, not on who might’ve taken away her confidence. She wanted a special someone, someone else who’d cherish her. To be safe and be loved. Laeta listened wholeheartedly, her ruby gaze unwavering and her smile soft and comforting. She let the Commander speak as much as she needed to, and then heard, "Does that make sense?"

Her mind’s cogs turned. The machine in her soul worked to find the words she needed, and after a few moments of soothing silence, Laeta nodded. "It makes perfect sense, my dear." She paused, her smile unwavering as she added, "I’m sorry the woman you mentioned hurt you so. You did not deserve that. You deserve the safety you seek, the solace you wish for, and all the happiness you desire." Another pause. Peaceful, but open. "It is by no means an easy road you have traveled, Tika. You have endured much more than you needed to, and I know your fears have made it much more difficult to look forward when there’s so much trying to hold you back. But you can have what you want most, Tika - you can still have that wedding, those children. It’s like you said - she hurt you, and it’s painful to have to bear those memories seeing her around. But you will encounter that one person who makes your heart spark again, who makes your soul feel whole. That might not be today, or tomorrow, or next week..but there is still much ahead of you. Life is full of uncertainties, you understand that well - anxiety tends to makes us feel like that uncertainty will always lead to the worst scenario. But perhaps that can change..one day at a time. Take a day to meet someone new, get to know them a bit. Take a break here and there from your duties to let someone do the protecting, just for a bit, while you try slmething new, explore a new land..the possibilities are endless, it’s up to you what you might wish to do. It would be easy for me to say that you should just move on and find someone else — but you and I both understand that that is not a feasible or reasonable expectation in life. Nor should you be expected to just move on right away from those who hurt you so. You have so much courage, dear Tika, and much strength too - I see that in your eyes clear as day." She smiles, hoping her words bring some comfort, some merit. "Life ebbs and flows, like a rolling stream. There will be times where you will struggle to find what makes you happy, wishing you were safe and that you could keep others safe, too, as you mentioned. But as rivers can calm into babbling brooks and the hot sun fades into a cool night, there can always be that shift where you can see how far you’ve come, and what still lies ahead in your journey. I hope that makes sense, as well. Even if you do not believe so in the moment, I am proud of you. You’re courageous, thoughtful and kind. These are attributes that can certainly appeal to many a wolf, perhaps one that can help you heal what the other woman left behind." She finishes, gently leaning down to lap at a bit of tea Mel set out for her earlier on. Her neck trembles slightly as she bends over to take a sip, rising up again to face Avantika and see what she thought about her words.