Doctor A. Auburn

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You needn't worry, mon ami.
I'll be right by your side, whatever it is you need.
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[Doctor A. Auburn @ofauburnite]

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Though we move forward, we carry the past with us.
The joy, the sorrow, the anger, the melancholy.

All we once were, makes us into who we will become.

⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ #RWBYRP
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[Doctor A. Auburn @ofauburnite]

Ah, it's Pride... I don't thin we're going to get a parade this year. I'm going to miss it.

( He WILL be in the club though. Gotta celebrate it however you can at the end of the world. )

[Doctor A. Auburn @ofauburnite]

Today is finally easing up.

[Doctor A. Auburn @ofauburnite]

> Guy who is just getting caught up in stuff.

[Doctor A. Auburn @ofauburnite]

I have worked with children in the past... some who survived attacks from Grimm and lost loved ones. I can offer my services if you'd like. Flattered, though, I am that you'd trust me with this.

[𝕮𝖑𝖎𝖕𝖕𝖊𝖉 𝖂𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖘 @RedLik3Roses]

"Yeah, I hope you enjoy the meal, doc. Get something nice. I'm off to go talk to Amara. See you later. Maybe I'll have her tag along... oh! Hey, real quick, uh... do you offer therapy for children, or know anyone who does? Cause... I think Lilith is gonna need it."

[Doctor A. Auburn @ofauburnite]

( A small laugh but he's taking her word on that. No sense in arguing. )

Thank you, Ruby. I'll be sure to put it to good use... maybe on some tea or for getting something to eat later. Still, I'll wish you luck on everything with your partner.

[𝕮𝖑𝖎𝖕𝖕𝖊𝖉 𝖂𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖘 @RedLik3Roses]

"Look, doc, just take the money. It might "just" be giving advice, but it's good advice, and I needed it. So take the money. If you don't, I'll just slip it in your pocket and then run before you can give it back."

And she can run pretty fast! Speed Semblance and all.

[Doctor A. Auburn @ofauburnite]

I wouldn't exactly call this a session worthy of payment. I listened, I offered advice to someone who needed it. It's just how we, as people, should be.

Consider it an investment.

( And he is going right ahead and refusing the lien... the fool. )

[𝕮𝖑𝖎𝖕𝖕𝖊𝖉 𝖂𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖘 @RedLik3Roses]

"Well, I feel bad for letting you do this for free, so..."

She reaches around in a hidden pocket that she painstakingly sewed into her outfit before pulling out a few hundred lien.

"Here, for helping out both me and my wife. And don't bother refusing, you deserve to get paid."

[Doctor A. Auburn @ofauburnite]

I do my best to say what needs to be said. It's the least I can do for what you and your friends have done for us all. I'll keep doing my very best as well.

[𝕮𝖑𝖎𝖕𝖕𝖊𝖉 𝖂𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖘 @RedLik3Roses]

"... yeah, you're right. I compromise too much without expecting compromise in return... talking with you has been pretty helpful, Dr. Auburn. You're good at your job!"

[Doctor A. Auburn @ofauburnite]

I don't doubt your words. Far from it, actually so I'll do the best thing I can and believe in you and all you can do, right? Just don't back down... compromise should be on both sides.

[𝕮𝖑𝖎𝖕𝖕𝖊𝖉 𝖂𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖘 @RedLik3Roses]

"I think it's meant to be. We've survived too much together for it to be anything but that, in my opinion. This is just a rough patch... a /really/ rough patch, but... I think we can make it through."

[Doctor A. Auburn @ofauburnite]

/ # gulp

[Doctor A. Auburn @ofauburnite]

( He hesitates for a moment before bringing a hand up to rest it over hers. )

Love is quite a powerful thing, isn't it? If it is meant to be... then it is meant to be but don't try to force a square into a circle hole.

[Doctor A. Auburn @ofauburnite]

I truly think that is the best way to handle the situation. When it comes to the one's we love... you can't hold back for fear of hurting them. You must be honest, bare yourself fully before them.

After all, a relationship is give and take in that manner.

›

[𝕮𝖑𝖎𝖕𝖕𝖊𝖉 𝖂𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖘 @RedLik3Roses]

-- I've about hit that limit, you know?"

She leans forward, resting her forearms on her legs.

"... I'm going to try talking with her. And I'm not gonna walk on eggshells this time, I'm being brutally honest. Even if she doesn't /want/ to hear it, she needs to hear it."

[Doctor A. Auburn @ofauburnite]

I'm no expert in relationships but... perhaps time is all you need. To show her that you're safe... and normally, if someone told me they were threatened in such a manner, I'd tell them to leave but I think you know where it is you stand here.

Just don't let love blind you.

[Doctor A. Auburn @ofauburnite]

That... can be difficult. When someone so firmly believes they're in the right because this is how they've lived for so long, it can be rather terrifying. I'm not sure how she's lived but it's clear she's lived a life of fear.

( His hands join together, thumbs twiddling. )

›

[𝕮𝖑𝖎𝖕𝖕𝖊𝖉 𝖂𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖘 @RedLik3Roses]

-- talk about this, or vent to anyone.

"I just... I want to talk this through, to help her, but she's unwilling to work with me."

[Doctor A. Auburn @ofauburnite]

( Listening, nodding in turn. )

Besides, you're a skilled Huntress. Carrying the weight on your shoulders, right?

( A gesture of his thumb to the large painted mural. )

If anyone can keep them safe, it would be you but perhaps you need to talk with her about this.

[𝕮𝖑𝖎𝖕𝖕𝖊𝖉 𝖂𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖘 @RedLik3Roses]

"She says that, and I believe that she believes that, but no one has come after us so far. But that's, part of why I sent Lilith to her grandmother's place. It's one of the safest places in the world."

[Doctor A. Auburn @ofauburnite]

( Standing up, cracking his back and letting out a sigh of relief. )

I think it's time for some stretches... lest I end up falling apart at the wrong time.

[Doctor A. Auburn @ofauburnite]

I did mention that to her. She tends to avoid taking responsibility or fault in these matters, it seems. I did hear you were... getting chased or so? By someone, I'm not sure who or what and I'd prefer to keep it that.

[𝕮𝖑𝖎𝖕𝖕𝖊𝖉 𝖂𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖘 @RedLik3Roses]

"... of course she did. I love Amara, I really do, but she does that a lot and it's really upsetting. She tends to ignore her faults in things like this."

[Doctor A. Auburn @ofauburnite]

...

( Oh, that's ... concerning. )

She left that part out of our conversation, truth be told. This world is already in so much chaos... I just hope the girl will be fine. Though, you truly are the heart to her brain it seems.

[𝕮𝖑𝖎𝖕𝖕𝖊𝖉 𝖂𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖘 @RedLik3Roses]

She sits next to the doctor, placing her head in her hands before sitting up.

"I only sent her away because Amara threatened to kill all three of us if anyone came after us, and the poor girl started crying out of fear for her life..."

[Doctor A. Auburn @ofauburnite]

I understand, it must be hard for you both.

( He's taking a seat, upon the stone steps and letting out a huff. )

I don't know the full story but you had the best interests of your child at heart. I don't think you can be faulted for that.

[𝕮𝖑𝖎𝖕𝖕𝖊𝖉 𝖂𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖘 @RedLik3Roses]

"She didn't leave me a choice. And I left Lilith with /her/ mother, not my father or older sister. Besides, this is awful for me, too. I haven't seen Lilith since I sent her away either, and I miss her."

[Doctor A. Auburn @ofauburnite]

Mm. I see...

( Finally, they reach the mural. The large memorial of all those lost in the war that no one truly asked for. )

And I take it Amara didn't like that very much, that you planned on taking her child away from her?

[𝕮𝖑𝖎𝖕𝖕𝖊𝖉 𝖂𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖘 @RedLik3Roses]

"She's with Amara's mother, Lilith's grandmother. I figured that would be a safe place for her, both physically and mentally. As for the empathic abilities? Yeah, she has them. Got them from Amara, I think."

[Doctor A. Auburn @ofauburnite]

Is Lilith the name of your daughter? I've heard she's very strongly connected to emotions... a, quite literal, empath.

( Hands join together behind his back as they walk, passing groups of people. )

Do you mind if I ask where she is now?

[𝕮𝖑𝖎𝖕𝖕𝖊𝖉 𝖂𝖎𝖓𝖌𝖘 @RedLik3Roses]

She takes the canteen back, attaching it to her belt.

"Well, that's a loooong story. Especially where Lilith is concerned."