@everyone

[restingstitchface]

Aurelius once wrote, "If you are distressed by anything external, the pain is not due to the thing itself, but to your estimate of it; and this you have the power to revoke at any moment."

My fundamental concern about this wisdom is that it fails to spot the physical root of trauma. People who cannot snap out of their distress also deserve compassion and treatment.

My apologies for the intrusion. Locals informed me about the recent chaos and I found myself concerned and a little hesitant about reaching out. Back home I treat those who approach me for support with their mental health. I had excellent resources there but here I can offer nothing but a listening ear.

I understand some of you might be feeling exposed, stressed and intimidated. To you I offer my own wisdom. If you worry about what lies ahead, you will be the only one who suffers in the end.

To all else, kind regards for listening.

Oh. Reading, isn’t it? This system is entirely new to me. What a brave new world this place is.

Comments

[catholica]

A therapist and a lawyer.

You and I are the beginning of a terrible joke. You're new?

[restingstitchface]

Oh, absolutely. I plummeted out of the sky some days ago onto a cold stone floor.

It was quite the experience.

[Yes, he's noted that little tidbit about layers.]

[catholica]

I'd say welcome but I don't know if anyone really feels all that good to be here.

Sometimes, it's nice. I'm Matt. I'm in the Free Cities.

Pretty sure this place could probably use a therapist.

[restingstitchface]

Ah. Another fellow from the Cities? Hopefully you're not one who could use my help.

Call me Jonathan, by the way.

[catholica]

( oh, he could but he wouldn't admit that. )

I'm sure everyone could use a therapist for one thing or another but no, I'm good.

But yeah, I'm in the Free Cities. I spend a lot of time near the inn or what equates to city hall in this place.

[restingstitchface]

The Sarstina? I was in there yesterday. Seems like a rough crowd.

[catholica]

Not too many places here that aren't rough.

[restingstitchface]

Wonderful. I'm sure I'll fit right in.

[This skinny nerd? Haaaaa. No.]

[catholica]

You intend on setting up a practice or just kind of offering on a mobile basis?

[restingstitchface]

Perhaps both? I am considering basing myself in the Horizon. I suppose that would make it operate on a mobile basis. Occasionally.

[catholica]

That's not a bad idea, basing it in the Horizon. It would allow other people to reach you that might not unless you were in Nocwich.

I hadn't thought of that.

[restingstitchface]

Well, we all miss the mark occasionally. Don't beat yourself up over it.

[Don't worry. He's here to think on everyone's behalf.]

[catholica]

( he's a king of self flagellating, you might find. )

Pretty confident, aren't you?

[restingstitchface]

One must be in my line of work. What else can I say?

[catholica]

Could come off as cocky.

( said the man who could be pretty full of himself as well. )

[restingstitchface]

Assertiveness is arrogance to some. Educated men learn how to tell the difference.

[catholica]

( heh. )

And if they can't or won't, they're not educated?

[restingstitchface]

Not in emotional maturity. I estimate that you know as well as I that education is a multi-faceted thing.

[catholica]

You're right, I do.

It's just one part of what can make a person intelligent.

[restingstitchface]

Which begs the question: what do you believe makes one intelligent?

[catholica]

( a good question. )

I think there's a different answer for everyone. I don't think you and I are going to be intelligent in the same way. I know little about therapy but I'm sure you know little about law.

[restingstitchface]

True. I know little about anything other than mental health law, I'm afraid.

[Which, if this man is intelligent as he thinks, means Crane works in a setting where he needs that knowledge. Hmm.]

[catholica]

And I wouldn't say I know anything about that. I've worked with mental health professionals and questioned them.

But I'm definitely not one.

[restingstitchface]

Would you like to tell me what area of law you study, then?

[catholica]

Criminal.

I do a lot of pro bono work.