re_alignment_logs | Doctor, Doctor, gimme the news~

Entry tags:

Doctor, Doctor, gimme the news~

WHO: Rung and whoever wants to stop in!
WHERE: The good doctor's office
WHEN: It's an all day affair at Rung's office~ A few days after he discovered his new abilities.
WHAT: Therapy sessions and go!
WARNINGS: Dark pasts, etc?

Yep, it was that time again.

Now that things were somewhat back to normal for the resident therapist, Rung had put out the word that he would be taking patients again. He had missed it, helping others, and it was time to get his mind off everything that had happened to him over the past few weeks.

His office had been cleaned up and rearranged a bit, the therapist just wanting to change the atmosphere a bit.

Make it more personable than it had been before.

Satisfied with what he'd done, the front door had been propped open and he was settled at his desk, going over some files as he absently toyed with a ball of light.

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"You wouldn't be wasting my time," Rung says, waving a hand a bit to dismiss the notion before motioning for the larger mech to come back into the office itself.

It was rearranged a bit--again--because the therapist just couldn't seem to get things set the way he wanted it.

But at least it was still usable.

"So how have things been since we last spoke?" he asked as he motioned towards a chair for the other to sit in, taking a seat behind his desk.

So Rung says...

Following Rung's lead, Fort Max pauses just for a moment upon noticing the change in positioning - then silently dismisses it. Though how Rung's able to move that stuff around with how small he is...

"Same as it ever is," he admits, taking the seat slowly. "You know. Another day, another go at target practice."

It's not easy and took quite some time to get stuff moved properly. But hey, it wasn't like he had anything else to do at the moment.

"Everyone needs some way to just let loose. I'd rather you be shooting targets than other beings here in Haven," he replies, shrugging slightly as his mind briefly thinks on some of the things he'd heard others say before. (coughwhirlcough)

"What exactly does 'same as it ever is' mean though?"

Well, that earns a crooked smile. He'd have made a comment about shooting only at those who deserved it, but, well-

He has a history.

Folding his hands in front of him, Max unconsciously start to work at the joints of one. "It means I get by. "It means...I get by. Haven't shot anyone lately, at least." Is that a hint of defensiveness?

"I didn't think you had, Max. I merely meant what you do outside of going to the shooting range. That..can't be the only place you spend time," Rung said softly, an apologetic note there because he didn't want the other getting the wrong idea.

Despite their ups and downs, the therapist did trust Max quite a bit and had faith that he wouldn't actually shoot others just for fun.

"Do you interact with anyone else?"

The unspoken apology seems to sooth him; whatever tension had formed seems to bleed away. "Couple've the soldiers. I don't really feel like going to the - whatever the call it. Hub, or-" he makes a vague hand gesture. That place.

It's better for him not to be around people, he thinks. Or at least only around those who can take care of themselves.

Rung nods some, making a mental note about the Hub and Max's avoiding it. He had a feeling he knew why and it was understandable but social interaction was a good step forward and he wanted to encourage the other to do just that.

With time though.

"And do you spend any time in your Firstforged's temple?"

That earns a shake of the head.

"While back, after..." Another gesture. "...Magnus had me move in to Prima's quadrant. Didn't bother protesting." What's left unspoken is that he hasn't bothered moving back, either. Even after he destroyed his own shelter in a drunken tantrum.

He has a new one, now.

"Haven't been there since the whole monster bug thing, and he took us all out to hunt them."

"...So you stay in Prima's temple or...?"

There's a note of worry there, because he isn't sure he likes what he's hearing.

"And, you know there are plenty of things you could do in Haven. I mean, outside of the shooting range and the Hub. If you were willing to offer help to those attempting to establish things I mean."

He just doesn't like the idea of Max being alone in any way and it shows on his face.

"Got a place near the junk. Nice and close for scavenging." Things like weapons, power cells, other useful items...

Really, Rung, he's fine taking care of himself. Nothing wrong with being a hermit, right? Nothing wrong whatsoever. He shifts a bit, aware of that concern and looking down at his not-quite-fidgeting hands.

"I guess. Everyone trying to build and all that. Just...I'm better at breaking, if you get what I'm saying."

"...The junk pile...Max, you--aren't you lonely?"

Because that, first and foremost, is Rung's biggest worry. That the other is lonely and downplaying it which makes him distance himself even more. The other is so convinced that he'll hurt whoever he gets near that he's resorted to this.

"There are plenty of things that could use breaking before building has to occur, Max. And there's always the police force."

You were a warden after all, big guy.

Lonely?

"..."

The hesitation may be enough of an answer, but- how can he be lonely? He's able to determine his own life, his own hours, whether or not he interacts with others, it's all in his control, and so long as he makes sure he keeps control it'll be...just...

"...I'm fine. And - Prowl's on it."

That should say enough.

"...Yes, that is a good point," Rung says with a bit of a dark look that's gone rather quickly.

Yeah, he's not a fan of Prowl either. At all.

"But no one should be alone all the time, Max. Social interaction is a very important thing for everyone. I need it, you need it--there's no reason to distance yourself."

"I get social interaction." No, really. He does. Honest! "Just because I don't go out much doesn't mean I'm not - you know. Talking with anyone."

Besides.

"There's always the comm chatter."

"Not just comm chatter, though. Real interaction with others that isn't through a screen or radio."

You need to be near others, touch others, really interact with them and build relationships.

He can't bring himself to say that outloud because he doesn't want to pressure the other and make him uncomfortable. But Primus it's on his mind and lingering there.

"...What's the real reason behind you distancing yourself, Max?"

It's clear Max is already getting a little uncomfortable. With the way he's working his hand and looking down at it, it's also clear that he'd rather be anywhere but here.

But here he is. Silent, but here.

"..."

How does he answer that? No, really? It's- "Safer," he says quietly after some time. Safer for them, for- him as well. To keep things to a minimal.

Rung's gaze softens.

"Max, you aren't a danger to anyone. You are just as good a being as anyone else here, I know you are. I've seen it and so have others," he replies gently, resisting the urge to do something rash.

"I, for one, enjoy your company. Despite what may have happened in the past, I like your company."

"Yeah, well, we've already established you're a cartridge short of a clip."

It comes out a bit harsher than he meant it to, but other than a grimace - what's the use of apologizing? Fort Max lets go of his hands to place them on the arms of the seat, pushing himself up much like he had last time.

"Still easily possible - hell, probable - someone's gonna say something that'll set me off at some point, and if I'm around the kind of person who can't take care of themselves - well, you already know what happens."

He's not quite pacing, but something close to it.

And Rung just takes it in stride. It's not the first time he's been insulted like that and it won't be the last, he's sure.

His gaze follows Max as the other begins to pace, Rung leaning back in his chair as his vents cycle softly.

"Which is why it's important for you to interact with others. So that if it does happen, you can learn how to control it better. The more time you spend away from others, the more time you spend keeping everything inside, the harder it's going to get for you to control the outbursts when they do happen," he said gently, gaze never leaving Max. "And that's when someone's going to get hurt. The thing you're so desperate to avoid happening has the biggest possibility of happening with you acting the way you are."

"No. It's not. The more I keep away, the more time I have to try and get a handle on this, alright?"

By now, his voice has taken on a - frustrated, sullen, angry? - more defensive tone.

"Because the next time I do have an 'outburst', I'll be damned if I do hurt someone, or worse. Again."

"But how can you handle it if you won't let it out? You bottle it all inside, Max, and it's just festering!" Rung countered, standing and moving around the desk, not approaching the other yet but holding out a hand as both a calming gesture and to try and get the other to come over to him.

"You won't hurt anyone as long as you have the determination and the willpower not to, Max. You just have to trust yourself."

There was something to be said about hitting the nail on the head. Snarling, shouting, spinning around-

"I don't!"

With fists clenched, Maximus spun around, looking for a moment as though he was going to outburst more than just words-

-but for whatever credit it was, for whatever use it was, he didn't. He visibly struggled, clenching his denta-

"I don't...trust. Myself."

And there. There it was. He looked down, optics dimming to near-black.

Edited 2013-05-26 01:13 (UTC)

To Rung's credit, the outburst didn't cause him to freak out or anything of that nature. He actually kept himself collected, flinching only the slightest bit when Fort Max first turned on him during his little outburst--

But otherwise his gaze was steady and understanding, studying the other as Max visibly got himself under control.

It was a start and a good sign. (On the inside, though, was a whole other story because Rung's spark was fluttering in a panic, his vents cycling quickly as he eased the minor panic creeping in. But as long as it stayed on the inside, he was fine.)

"Max.." the therapist said softly after a moment, his hand outstretched once more to the other. "It's something to build, that you will have to work on, but I trust you. And I want to help you trust yourself if you'll let me. Considering what you just did, you should trust yourself. Because you've come a long way."

The gaze may have been understanding, the hand may have been offered...but Max's optics were dim and lowered, and after a moment, he turned completely. His treads rattled as he cycled, hard, moving to put a hand on the chair he'd been resting on earlier.

"Doesn't matter," he mumbled. "One time- doesn't mean anything. 'Mgoing to do it again. And hurt someone. Or...worse."

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1/2 for icons

2/2 done

;-; Max bb

weh