WeepingWisteria

“In order for us to aid you on your journey, we must know what holds you back.” Emily set her pen down with an almost silent tap. “Can you turn ...

Alex snorted. “Yeah, you can’t expect us to have good mental health when society is crumbling around us.” “In these trials, we are unlocking the end to humanity’s spiral. Let ...

Alex shook their head, chewing on xer thumb nail. Emily seemed to cross something out on her paper, before turning the page. “How often do you experience strong feelings of ...

Alex smiled softly, knowing they weren't alone in their terrible parent struggles. Emily looked at Meyer, staring at him with no evidence of what she wanted.

Emily pulled out a stack of papers from a drawer in the table, handing half of the pile to Meyer. "First question. What was your relationship with your parents like?" ...

The room was completely bare save for one table with four folding chairs. Emily occupied on, leaving one beside her and two across her. The walls and floors were a ...

Alex nodded as they reached Emily. She stood by a door, which she promptly opened and entered. It had almost slammed shut before Alex had caught it. They held it ...

Alex shuffled along, their posture still absolutely atrocious. "So, Meyer, just how personal are these questions?"

"We do it together, Meyer. Rules are rules. One caseworker for each subject. We alternate." She kept going, seeming not to care if she left the others behind. "We should ...

"We'll ask questions; you'll answer." She walked away, no warning. Alex lurched forward, turning to Meyer. "Do we follow her or...?"

"Your character, Sadie Lovett. Your flaws are found in your character. So, do you want to be partners, or do you want to be separated?" Alex's eyes fleeted between the ...

Alex tensed, expecting some anger, at the very least annoyance. Neither came, Emily only looked at Meyer with the same half-smile, posture still just as rigid before. “It’s good practice ...

"Uh, dude is okay. It's pretty gender-neutral, usually." Emily cleared her throat louder. "Meyer. Character discussion is after debrief."

Alex hesitantly returned it. “Yeah, Alex. They/xe pronouns.” Their voice slightly cracked at the end. Years of coming out still wasn’t enough to eliminate the worry. Emily cleared her throat.

Emily and Alex were already waiting inside the building; Alex hunched over themself, looking around what must have been the lobby. Emily was waiting for Meyer, standing perfectly straight and ...