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Post by Kari Muffin on Oct 2, 2010 20:24:09 GMT -5
"Your sister is quite right," Rosewood commented as she gave the boy a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "It's going to be hard to get out of your cycle, but that's why I'm here. The first step you need to take is learn how to stand up straight and not waver from your opinion."
That was far easier said than done. Especially when you looked small and weak. This poor boy looked like a underweight doormat, and he could only imagine the abuse that people gave him. Of course bullies were easy to deal with when it came down to it. "And yes, you only have a few problems. Trust me, I've seen people with lots of problems."
The swan slowly got up to pour himself a glass of water. He continued to conversation as he did so. "Do you know what bullies hate the most?"
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Post by Vyn on Oct 2, 2010 21:03:39 GMT -5
"Bullies hate confrontation. They abuse because they themselves are cowards and so they attack people smaller and weaker than themselves in order to regain a sense of control." Ophelia had taught him all of this a long time ago when Rindal had been bullying him in an effort to help him overcome the trouble. She never knew it was Rindal he'd been crying about, though maybe she did now... He never asked.
Regardless... "Rindal... said sorry, though... and I don't... know if the others counts as Bullies?" How did he say the rest? How did he explain the things he let people do to him, the cycle he was caught in... the people he let control and abuse him? What would Rosewood do if he knew everything? Would he look at him differently? Of course he would.
...But, when he looked into Rosewood's eyes he knew he could trust him and he did say he knew people with lots of problems...
"This is all... confidential, right? Dad doesn't ever hear this stuff?" He fidgeted awkwardly, staring at his feet. "I'm sick, Mr. Rosewood, really disgusting. I haven't been able to look at myself since that... incident... in T-The Wood... and every time I look at my family I see their disappointment in me, like they know how disgusting I am... I just... I need them to not know but I... I need to tell someone."
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Post by Kari Muffin on Oct 2, 2010 21:22:12 GMT -5
At least his parents had taught him well. Rosewood took a sip of his water as he debated what methods he should take. Non conventional would probably work far better. "They also hate getting kicked in the nuts," he added as he resumed his seat. "I think you should try to learn a bit of magic to defend yourself against your abusers. Most bullies--and as a general rule most people--don't like pain. Sometimes it's required to re-enforce your bold statement of no. I normally don't endorse violence, but sometimes brutes need a bit extra to understand things."
The swan still had his normal reassuring expression on his face. "Yes, everything you say in this room is confidential. None of the facts will be revealed to your family. You can say whatever you like to me."
Did Seki really know how sick he was? Rosewood couldn't help but wonder.
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Post by Vyn on Oct 2, 2010 23:21:49 GMT -5
Even with tears in his eyes, Seki couldn't help the little outburst of laughter that followed Rosewood's comment. "No. No they don't." He bit his lip. But fighting back usually just made people angrier... Seki's mind flooded with a thousand different examples before he shoved the jumble of thoughts and questions and concerns aside.
Maybe learning some defensive magic would be a good idea... Father could always take care of herself and, really, the reason they could overpower him was quite obvious - Seki had no means of self defense.
"Okay. Good..." He fidgeted in his seat before slowly curling up into his little ball once more. His tail curled around his ankles and he gnawed on his lip a bit. "Shortly after I turned 18, I got chased into The Wood." For most people, that was where the story ended. He went into The Wood one month and some time later he reappeared out of Avington. He was certain Dad had told Mr. Rosewood all of this, so he didn't bother going into that. "In the time when I was missing, I was captured by a Tulgey Wolf and locked in this... horrible... dungeon? full of other prisoners. The Wolf was the one who made me eat, said he'd rip my limbs off if I didn't, and the others... They all had stories... So I just did what I was told, I figured it was the only way I'd get out alive. And when I was fat enough for him, he raped me.
It went on like that for weeks. Day after day in that cell and just... him. And then he just... got sick of me." The feline's tone dropped from one of a detached recounting to something more... personal, emotional. "He just gave me away to this Highland woman, as if I was nothing at all. And, I think the worst part of it all... was I was actually hurt by it... by the fact that this monster didn't want me anymore." Seki laughed even though tears had risen more ardently in his eyes. "I'm such a sick fuck."
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Post by Kari Muffin on Oct 2, 2010 23:49:31 GMT -5
Rosewood was happy that he was able to get the boy to crack a smile. He at least looked comfortable for a few moments. The swan set down his drink and listened to the feline speak.
His expression stayed the same throughout the entire story. He was more than a little surprised to hear what the boy was saying. Not many people were able to walk out of the Wood alive, just because of the residents there. And the fact that he was captured, tortured, and then let go was amazingly lucky.
"You're not a sick fuck," Rosewood said after the cat's statement. "Quite frankly you're amazingly well put together for someone who captured and tortured in the Wood. And research has shown that after a period of time people can form attachments with their abusers or captives. With what you went through I think it's a natural defense mechanism."
Rosewood placed a hand on Seki's shoulder. "Do you at least feel a little better now that you've told someone?"
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Post by Vyn on Oct 3, 2010 0:35:13 GMT -5
Roseword's words were wonderfully reassuring after the mental torment Seki had subjected himself to. For so long he'd thought it was just him, that he was somehow wired wrong and that was why - even now - he felt a strange heartbreak when he thought of that man passing him off so casually. He sniffled, wiped his ears, and offered Rosewood a fragile little smile.
"A little." He let out a heavy sigh, releasing some of his tension with it. "It doesn't really get better there, y'know? I came home and just... found someone to fill that spot that my old captor left. And, the funny thing is... he did the same thing. Eventually everyone just gets bored of me and I get thrown out or passed on to the next guy or 'picked up' by someone on the street. It doesn't matter what I want, if I say no then they just take advantage of me anyway.
I'm not even worthwhile as a toy."
He'd 'skimmed' on the details but, really, even Rosewood didn't need to know all the terrible things he'd done to know that he was a disgusting individual. "I just wish I knew how to break this cycle. Even when I've tried to get away from it all, I just seem to have a big invitation over my head that I'm available... even if I say No."
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Post by Kari Muffin on Oct 3, 2010 0:56:28 GMT -5
Rosewood continued to listen to the boy with the same expression. The more he spoke the more he revealed and the easier the problem would be to "solve." Of course this was far from a simple knot in his life. Most of his clients didn't have as many complications in their life as Seki did.
"For one thing you need to take yourself away from all the situations involving controlling people." He said as he leaned on his hand to look at cat with a thoughtful expression. "That might mean not having contact with certain family members for a while. And that means you have to change the habits of places you go. And I do honestly recommend learning some magic to defend yourself."
The swan closed his eyes for a moment as he pulled back. He took a sip of his water before looking at the cat with a serious expression. "The most important thing you need to do is not sell yourself short, Seki. You need to realize that there's someone out there who wants to give you the world on a silver plater. It might be a while before you find her or him."
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Post by Vyn on Oct 3, 2010 9:55:28 GMT -5
That all made sense, it really did, but a part of Seki wasn't sure if it was even possible. He'd tried to just walk away before and yet he always wound up where he was now. He was addicted to this lifestyle that he hated. The feline fidgeted slightly and gnawed gently on his lip. Telling Rosewood it was hard was just stating the obvious.
"I... can do that. I figure I'll move back in with Dad for a bit -- get away from the City and its temptations while I try to figure out some self defense." Seki had always been a little awkward with magic, but he was willing to try if Rosewood thought it would help save his ass -- more than literally. He was still trembling ever so slightly, nervous and tense but considerably more hopeful than he'd been in a long time.
It was nice to air out all his dirty secrets even if he was still shy about mentioning the extremes of these fetishes which seemed to dictate him.
Rosewood's final comment brought a smile to his little muzzle and his eyes burned with tears. "Thank you, Mr. Rosewood..." This so far was the hardest to believe, but Seki appreciated it a great deal. "I was really close to just giving up..." Maybe he already had? His last few nights (...weeks?) had been an utter blur and his head was already starting to pound from the withdraw of whatever he'd been killing himself with. The feline struggled with his words before just blushing and rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly. "So yeah, just... thanks."
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Post by Kari Muffin on Oct 3, 2010 18:31:25 GMT -5
The swan watched the boy carefully. It was nice to hear that a client was actually willing to take the steps to change. And he already had a decent plan to get away from the bad influences. It was refreshing to have someone who paid him to listen and solve their problems, and actually follow the advice that he dished out.
He smiled at the gratitude. "No need to thank me quite yet, the battle has just begun and it's a long road to recovery." Rosewood patted Seki lightly on the shoulder. "And congratulations, you've made it through your first session. We can work out a schedule that's good for you... and I can actually make house calls if you don't want to subject yourself to the stresses of the city."
It would probably be better if the swan did come to see the cat. That way Seki wouldn't have the chance to run into the darker parts of the city.
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