Skipped

[Vesper Bae]

All it was was a once a week session. They were supposed to sit down for an hour and talk. Well, Ellen was supposed to talk, and Vesper was designed purely to guide her to a place of better understanding. Last time they met, things took an unexpected turn and left the good Doctor completely confused. Perplexed. She was curious as to the nature of this girl and her father's relationship, because Ellen had practically looked fearful at the thought of ever questioning him.

But on that day, a session was missed. It was enough to, oddly enough, concern Vesper.

The good thing was - for herself at least - was the patient information was always available. House calls weren't exactly foreign in her line of work, but they weren't her first choice. However, she was willing to make an exception for this.

It was a bold chance, she supposed. As she walked to the front door she didn't really consider what she'd do if no one answered. Or if someone else answered. Raising a hand, she knocked on the door; three times in perfect succession. 

If she failed? At least she could say she tried.

[Ellen Banks]

Clearly nothing got past Vesper now did it? She was indeed correct, Ellen had decided not to attend her “Appointment” this morning, why? Well first off it wasn’t anyone’s business to ask Ellen “Why?” She had never attempted to explain herself before and she had no intention on starting now. But if she had to give a reason, it was because she honestly didn’t see a single reason to continue on. She never needed therapy, it was everyone else that had issues, not her. She was the most stable person in town, therefore it was pointless to continue on and waste her valuable time.



If she needed someone to talk to someone about her problems she’d buy a cat, but unlike some people she didn’t needed on anyone. She was perfectly fine on her own.



So you could imagine her surprise when she opened that door -Having just did her hair and picked out her most impressive clothes. There was always time to make herself presentable- to behold Vesper standing in her doorway. Her face remained passive throughout but a stab of irritation went through her. “God damn it, what was with this woman?! Couldn’t she just leave Ellen alone? Surely she had other paitents



“....Can I help you with something?”

[Vesper Bae]

From beneath a set of darker shaded glasses, Vesper looked at the individual who opened the door. The hidden vertical nature of her attention had been curious, because she genuinely wondered what this girl looked like when remotely caught off guard. Surely she couldn't have expected a visit to her home.

"You nearly missed your session." Vesper pointed out, raising sunglasses and settling them on the top of her head. "I thought to give you the benefit of the doubt and assume something was wrong."

[Ellen Banks]

….Really?


God, has it really come down to this, She needed an overbearing shrink to make sure she wasn’t curled up in a ball having turned into a nervous mess too afraid to step outside of the door. Ohhhhhh save me doctor, the world is far too scary to step outside.


How fragile did this woman think Ellen was? She hasn’t seen Ellen for an hour and she assumed that she had some kind of nervous breakdown. Honestly, Ellen was somewhat insulted….and VERY annoyed.


Ellen stared up and down at Vesper, almost in bemusement, not quite believingshe was put in this position as strange as it was “....Oh...Well how nice” Ellen said whith a sarcastic tone “But..I’m fine, I was going to go to the next session...but then I decided to continue on living my life. I’m sure you have other patients. I’m sure they’d be delighted for you to waste their time”

[Vesper Bae]

For Vesper, she saw nothing strange in her own actions. The simple fact that she stood where she was had to be proof of that. She glossed over the concept entirely, because there was something more important at stake.

She nodded her head once to the information given, taking it in in her usual fashion. It didn't seem to bother her, like she wasn't struck by what she deemed to be the usual sarcastic tone of voice. To continue living her life and all that. There was a perfectly reasonable explanation for most things, but there wasn't one here. In silence she allowed the blonde to stew before she broke it.

"Your father seemed perplexed at the notion that you would skip a session." Vesper pointed out, far too factually to be pulling the information out of thin air. After all, all it took was a short phone call, and things set themselves in motion.

[Ellen Banks]

Yes, It was very odd in Ellen’s considerable estimation. How did she even get Ellen’s….Oh, It was HER, wasn’t it? She was to blame for this, wasn’t she? Ellen’s new mother in law -Even now that was a ridiculous concept to think out loud- Of course she would give her shrink her home address. Of course, she did. Because personal space was overrated wasn’t there? There weren't any bonds that couldn’t be crossed? What part of leave me alone didn’t that woman understand? Ellen didn’t show up for a session so she gives her shrink her home address?





Honestly….





Fortunately, from what Ellen knew about the good doctor, she was nothing if not logical. So she had no issue explaining the situation and most likely leaving once it was made clear that Ellen had no intention in talking.





Now that Ellen explained her feelings she was about ready to shut the door in Vesper’s face….





….When Vesper said the magic words stopping Ellen in her tracks…





The look of worry and concern on Ellen’s face was palpable to say the very least “My Father...You spoke to my father?” Ellen said keeping her voice even

[Vesper Bae]

Worry and concern etched themselves onto the blonde's face with a single mention of the man who was arguably responsible for her therapy sessions in the first place. Of course, Vesper knew they were a product of a step-mother's intention, but all that power and money came from somewhere far greater.

"Does that truly bother you?" Vesper asked, but she shook her head a second later. This wasn't the session they were supposed to have. She wasn't going to launch into practice as she stood at her doorstep. She continued on before there was a real chance to respond.

"I was concerned. To an extent." There was an almost awkward pause between the two. She could easily pick herself up where she left off. She cleared her throat in the belief that a better explanation could hit the air between them; "As you refused to leave your contact information, I had no other choice. There was only one available number."

[Ellen Banks]

Yes, this did bother her, there was several things involving the last few minutes, but first and foremost, she wanted to scream at her to shut up about these damn questions and tell her everything about the conversation with her and her father. What was said? What did SHE tell him?



What did he say? Was he...angry?



God damn it why did she have to throw that little tidbit into proceedings, it’s totally thrown Ellen off of her game. But still regardless Ellen tried to put up something of a brave face in the wake of this revelation “What? No I’m fine, why would I be bothered?” Ellen said trying to be dismissive



“Oh, we;; I’m touched really I am” Ellen said already starting to back away “But as you can see I’m totally fine, so you can rest easy…..if you want my number just ask...Just...just don’t ring my father”

[Vesper Bae]

Truly was an apt choice of words for Vesper given the response she knew she was going to get. As nonchalant as Ellen could be, she would be. Questions concerning her father always struck her in a way she couldn't really help. His involvement was a drastic move, of course, but sometimes drastic moves were necessary.

"You'll have to understand if I find that simplicity hard to believe." She replied, taking less like a therapist despite how robotic her choice of words could have seemed. On some level - in some way - this issue was more personal. She tried her best not to give an inch of that thought. "There's little to no courtesy from you. And that's your choice. It has always been your choice, just as it has always been your choice to take out your aggression over these sessions on me."

That was no secret either, surely. They both knew it. Usually, Vesper could handle it just fine. Fine enough, anyway; "I won't lie for you when you decide to skip sessions. If you'd like to leave therapy, I suggest you talk to the person who actually has the power to make that choice instead of treating everyone involved like they owe you any courtesy."

[Ellen Banks]

Well, If Ellen particularly truthful answers didn’t please the good doctor there was a rather easy fix for that little problem. Simply don’t bring up Ellen’s father. Now that was simple enough now wasn’t it? You don’t ask questions Ellen took rather personally offense to. Because rest assured if Vesper thought brute force was going to work and shatter Ellen’s walls into little pieces then she is in for quite a rude awakening indeed.



Ellen was half way through shutting the door inVespers face and just go about her day, but the words that followed next gave her pause blinking rapidly at Vesper’s trademark blunt manner, “I don’t care of you believe me or not-She started but never got to finish as Vesper just kept plowing over her and honestly Ellen was expecting a lot from Vesper but….That?! Maybe not so much, Vesper might have been blunt before but never so much so that she’d actually challenge her like this,



To be honest… She was somewhat taken aback from this as she leaned against the door frame “....What do you want from me?” “ She sighed somewhat exasperated

[Vesper Bae]

At least she didn't get a door slammed in her face. Or closed. The move might have forced a change that couldn't be broken. There she stood instead, still able to catch a glimpse of the blonde who found herself so troubled.

"I don't want anything from you." Vesper admitted honestly. It wasn't the point. There was barely a change in her tone, but what did filter through was a less aggressive shift. For Vesper, that wording from Ellen had been everything.

"But you need help." She continued then, speaking as if it was an offer, not a read. "Falling to pieces at the mere mention of a person isn't a healthy way to live. You know that. That fear is exhausting."

Still, she had no real power here. Therapy might have seemed mandatory, but it was still a real choice. "I won't schedule any more sessions for you." She admitted then with a small shrug of her shoulders, "if you'd like an assist, you'll have to ask for it."

And as she stepped back from the door, she was incredibly positive she'd never see Ellen Banks again.

[Ellen Banks]

Ellen didn’t say anything considering how volatile the situation was…-Which was quite a first, it was a rare moment where Ellen didn’t speak her opinion nor had any fear whatsoever in expressing it- Ellen didn’t believe that, everyone wanted something from someone. That’s why they did the things that they did. They speak and play nice with everyone because they feel they have something to gain from it. There was an endgoal there was always an end goal with people. Something they’re attempting to get their grubby little hands on. That was simply human nature, but for whatever reason Ellen decided keep that point of view mum for the moment.



But while Vesper spoke Ellen remained totally quiet, her facial expressions almost seems like they were carved out of stone, her poker face staring the good doctor down while her words attempted to cut right to the core of Ellen, The only expression Ellen was willing to give was a mild bite of her lip when Vesper told her as straight and clinically as possible that Ellen needed help.



A bitter pill to swallow for her.



Vesper most likely couldn’t see it beyond Ellen’s facade but in her head a internal battle was being fought between two great armies fighting for control of Ellen’s next actions, an inner conflict between Ellen’s desire for her help and her stubborn damn pride that so often hindered her…



Eventually Ellen had to speak up, but right now she couldn’t bring herself to answer in the negative or otherwise so it could be argued that she was stalling for time “Why would you want to help me….at all? All I’ve done since we stated is tell you it’s pointless and by extension you….I know I wouldn’t”

[Vesper Bae]

A series of steps were dragging Vesper away, and she had done her best to convince herself this was a situation worth walking away from. There was only so much a person could do to help another if they didn't want or feel like they needed the assist. Vesper had heard worse before - she'd lived worse before, too - but this felt different. How, she couldn't say. She had no point of reference for the fact that it almost seemed she was letting the bonde down by leaving her to her own devices.

She stalled when she was spoken to, and while she expected a volatile response, she didn't get it. Rather, she got what almost sounded genuine. But she had no way of knowing that either, given the rollercoaster that was a session with Ellen Banks in the first place.

She was a beautiful liar. That was certain.

Turning on a heel, Vesper looked to her again. Dark eyes did their best to study a wall of stone. No avail.

"People are different." She replied then, and it was genuine from the good Doctor. Perhaps it was enough, as those little words carried the first stint of desperation the otherwise robotic professional was willing to give. Or unable to control; "We are different."