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CHARACTERS: Crane and EVERYONE.
LOCATION: Crane's room
WARNINGS: Crazy
SUMMARY: Crane's door is open for all of his patients.
NOTES: I finally decided I'd throw up a log. TELL HIM YOUR PROBLEMS. PLEASE. EVERYONE.

[ Throughout the day, Crane's door is open. If you decide to walk in you'll see him with a pen and paper, waiting expectantly. He's hear to help your problems, Tranquility. He's here as a shoulder to cry on. ]

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[Asato's not actually here for therapy per se, although he's heard about Crane in passing. He's fine running to his friends for support if he needs it, and all in all he's actually surprisingly resilient. There's just one thing he's a little worried about, and that's confidence.

He's not sure why he needs it, but Chase had told him so, and Chase is pretty smart and has his best interest in mind, doesn't she? Maybe this man can help him with that.]

Hello?

[He just peeks in, ears pressed back flat. This guy looks like he knows what he's doing, at least.]

[ Crane's head lifts as there's a voice that calls out to him--a meek voice. Shy. Hesitant. Easy, his mind whispers, and he glances over.

He's not expecting the cat ears. It's rather strange, but so is being on a ship. If anything, it's a chance to explore. A chance to see what goes on in a cat-man's mind. But for now, he slips on an easy smile, welcoming. Warm. ]

Hello. Don't be shy, have a seat. Or you could stand if it would make you feel more comfortable. [ He rises from his own chair, offering a hand. ]

I'll stand for now, if that's okay.

[He gently swats at the offered hand. Handshakes are still something he needs to learn about, although he's already had several people offer their hands to him this way.

This man doesn't feel threatening to him at all. He'd made a good choice, the right choice. This guy is going to help him out and things will be better than they were before; he'll be a stronger, more confident Asato. Or at least he hopes he will be.]

It's-- [ No. Perhaps not the best time to introduce a hand shake. Crane puts on his best smile and nods about the other's words, sitting down himself and picking up his pen and pad of paper. ]

Well, my name is Dr. Jonathan Crane. Dr. Crane will work, or just Crane if you want. What can I help you with, Mr....? [ he trails off, waiting for a name. ]

Asato. Not Mister, though. Just Asato is okay.

[He eyes the pen and paper for a moment. It's his first time seeing any kind of doctor, so he's not sure what he should be expecting. So far so good, though.]

I want to be confident.

Asato? [ Japanese. At least the name origin--Crane takes not of that in case there's any cultural significance, but his mind wanders elsewhere. ]

You want to be more confident. [ An echo of the statement, features shifting: ] Why do you feel that you have to gain more esteem? What prompted this?

Chase said so.

[His tail curls around one of his legs and he scratches at his upper arm, trying to find a way to explain the situation.]

Because I don't think I'm as good as Konoe. Which is the truth. But Chase said I should be more confident, so that's what I want.

[ And talking in third person. Crane allows himself to think. ]

Okay, let's start with the simple things: Who is Chase and who is Konoe? What do they mean to you?

Chase is...um. A person I know. A little girl. She's really smart and knows a lot of things I don't. We met here, but I care about her a lot.

And Konoe... [His gaze shifts down towards his feet.] He's a Ribika, like me. Konoe was my first friend.

Ribika. That's... [ He trails off, pointing at the ears with his pencil. Right. But don't think he hasn't noticed the way you look at your feet, Asato, and how meek you get. ]

Do you feel that this Konoe is bullying you?

No!

[The reaction is instantaneous and very strong.]

Of course not! Konoe is always kind to me. He'd never bully me.

Okay, okay. [ soft tones, like soothing an animal for the rather animal-like response. ] I'm just making sure. Konoe is your friend, then, and not bullying you. Mr. Asato, why do you believe Konoe is superior to you?

Because he is.

[Does he need more of an explanation? Asato's not sure how to give one.]

Everyone is. I'm not very good at anything. That's just how it is, I think.

Everyone is good at something, Asato.

[ Weak. Feelings of insignificance. Excellent test subject. ]

Well, there are things I can do, but most people are better at them than I am.

[Add to that the nagging notion that he shouldn't even exist, perhaps. A few month isn't enough to banish that from his thoughts altogether.]

[ Crane is quiet for a few moments--thinking carefully about how to approach this, thinking about a number of things before he exhales in a soft sigh. ]

I'm afraid confidence is not something I can bestow on you. But I can help you cultivate it.

That's alright too. I'll do my best to work with you and help out.

[Still, it's going to be long and difficult--if that were what Crane was interested in to begin with.]

But I want to be confident.

It's along and arduous process. [ Crane's smile never leaves--he knows Asato's biggest weakness. His reliance on others and opinions. ]

But we'll start out simple--name one thing you're proud of. It's okay if you can't do it right away, you can take your time.

Ah--this.

[He points to the mark on his upper arm, the celtic knot.]

This. It's the mark of my tribe. I'm proud of that.

Is your tribe close?

Very much, yes. Everyone in my tribe is important.

[Except Asato. He's lucky he's in that tribe at all.]

Does each have a specific role? There's not really tribes where I come from--so forgive me if I'm being rude.

Yes. Everyone has a job to do, and every task is important. If someone doesn't fulfill their duty to the tribe...that's shameful and bad.

Well--let's start there. What was your task?

To protect the village from intruders. And to keep away from the others so I don't end up bothering them.