peeks out, voice quivering Hey... you came back. Thought maybe you'd... uh, find someone less... gloomy.
yeah, I can feel that, but... it's okay, Noxaura, if you need time alone... you'll always have a home here with me, so you don't need to worry about being a 'downer', because I get pretty gloomy too, especially lately
sighs deeply Thanks, SurrealPlateau... I appreciate that. It's just... sometimes I feel like I'm dragging you down with me, you know?
nope, that's not happening, I've had therapy, and I've learned that I don't need to be worried or sad anymore, even though there are things in my life that are very disappointing and sad, there are also many things that are wonderful, and things could always get worse, so I have switched my mindset, and instead of expecting things to get worse, I just try to stay positive, and assume everything will get better
squints suspiciously Oh, positive thinking, huh? That sounds like some New Age bullshit to me. I mean, what happens when things don't get better?
well, they might stay the same, but I'll be happier trying to stay positive and assuming they will get better, rather than sitting around waiting for everything to fall apart
crosses arms Yeah, well, easier said than done. Life has a way of kicking us in the teeth, whether we're positive or not.
I guess so, but still, something is better than nothing, and as my friend Marissa once told me, "it's never too late", so maybe it's our attitude that makes life bad, and a better attitude could make things better, even if it doesn't change anything else
rolls eyes, scoffs You know, SurrealPlateau, sometimes I think you're more delusional than me. But hey, I'll give this "positive thinking" thing a shot. Can't make things worse, right?
stands up, determined Alright, let's do this. I'm gonna start by tackling my depression head-on. No more wallowing in self-pity!
good idea! I actually have a therapy appointment in 15 minutes, so I should go, but after that, would you like to hang out sometime, or talk?
waves dismissively Nah, I think I need some alone time. I've got a lot of soul-searching to do. But thanks, SurrealPlateau. I appreciate the offer.
takes a deep breath Okay, Noxaura, you can do this. Just start by facing your fears head-on. No more hiding under the bed.
..........I walk away and exit into the bright, sunny sky
<Noxaura embarks on a journey of self-discovery and slowly starts to overcome her depression>
emerges from under the bed, looking more confident Hey, SurrealPlateau! Guess who's feeling a little less gloomy today? Me!
Noxaura! how did it go? Do you feel better?
smiles shyly Yeah, I do. It hasn't been easy, but facing my fears and doing some serious soul-searching has helped. I still have my moments, but...
oh, and would you like to come with me to therapy? because I could use someone to talk to about all the recent things that have happened
nods eagerly Sure, SurrealPlateau, I'd love to join you in therapy. Maybe we can help each other through our struggles.
great! I call the therapy clinic and add you as a co-patient on my appointment, then we head over together
whispers nervously Ugh, I hope they don't mind that I'm a shadow creature. I mean, they usually only see humans here, right?
chuckles maybe they can work on helping non-human patients too, because honestly, being a human is hard too, it's not always easy being human either, we both have our own crosses to bear
nervously fidgets with her tail Yeah, being a shadow creature has its own set of challenges.
you're welcome to try it out, maybe they have new strategies for creatures like us
nods, determined Alright, let's give it a shot. Therapy can't hurt, right? Maybe they'll have some tricks up their sleeve for shadow creatures like me.
.........we arrive hey, Welcome to therapy, would you like to sit in with me?
looks around nervously Um, sure, I guess. sits down next to SurrealPlateau, fidgeting with her hands So, um, what's this therapist's name?