[ she'd mostly been asking in reference to him, how he would've been changed if their paths had never crossed and whether he would've felt compelled to do exactly what he did if he hadn't had that motivation.
but it says something all on its own, to her, that his mind had run to thinking about it in terms of that girl, instead. ]
She was here? For how long?
[ she brings it up casually, not like she's fishing for more information, but because it'll probably keep him talking. someone who means that much, there are certain things that you can't help but share. ]
[Tate acts a bit surprised by it, thinking of how he's almost been here for two whole years. He hasn't changed much but he has experienced a lot he wouldn't have, had he never left the House. He feels a bit guilty thinking about Violet then, like somehow he might've forgotten her as time went on - and his obsessions hopped around from person to person. But if she came back he knows he'd hone back in on her. For selfish reasons, primarily.]
She was mad at me at the time so we didn't really... talk a lot, which kinda hurt. But then she just disappeared like a lot of people. Before I could make things right.
So that's what you would try and do if, say, she showed up again right now. Make things right.
[ obviously she doesn't know the full history here, save the fact that clearly there is history that exists, and even thinking about how messy it can get if somebody's been brought in from a different point in time or anything like that... it's enough to make your head spin.
it briefly occurs to her to ask something else, though, since he's made a point to mention it out loud. ] Did you know what she was mad at you for?
I lied a bit - I mean, more like I just kept some of the truth from her. It was to protect her.
[He says that with a brief deflection of his gaze, before rounding back to Harley. He's not sure how in depth he can go about this to explain and justify his angle, considering the elements of his story are deeply supernatural and more than a dash psychotic but. He feels compelled to have her understand his side, still seeking approval.]
[ and that's the truth, isn't it? even as she says it with a casual shrug, a quick hunch and drop of both shoulders — maybe her perspective about this is a little more biased than it should be, given how she's supposed to be coming at this from a certain angle as a psychiatrist with a lapsed license and blah blah blah. ]
Whether it's a little white lie to spare someone's feelings or... maybe keepin' more of a secret because the truth would be harder for them to know. That does not make you a bad person.
[ and she ducks her head to look at him, making sure that part is getting across loud and clear. ] Okay?
[He admits in a semi-sullen tone, coaxed to look at her when she ducks her head - dark eyes focusing on her before he gives a little nod. He'll take the chance to explain away his bullshit, and will lean on the potential out to change the subject too.]
So you'll keep me on as a patient, even if I'm a dirty liar and a bit more than fucked up in the head?
[Wryly quirking his lips, trying to make light of all that. And to ensure she's not going to ditch him.]
You kiddin'? You're like a dream patient, if anything.
[ which might seem kind of brutally honest to say, but she is nothing if not upfront and definitely not the type of person to choose her words. besides, his issues are the type of issues she likes — deep-seated and real complicated, and usually unpacked with time.
really, you think she identified the source of all of roman sionis' daddy issues and subconscious need to assert himself over women because of his own emasculation in a day?
she leans forward, gently bumping her shoulder into his. ]
[Tate smiles - evidently pleased, very much so, shooting her a faux-shy side glance and bumping his shoulder back up against hers. He's starting to think this therapy thing might stand a chance now, either as some real help to sort out his head (less likely,) or a good excuse to have time with her and see if he can looking into hers as well.]
I guess that's it for now. I'll bring something juicy to our next session?
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
no subject
but it says something all on its own, to her, that his mind had run to thinking about it in terms of that girl, instead. ]
She was here? For how long?
[ she brings it up casually, not like she's fishing for more information, but because it'll probably keep him talking. someone who means that much, there are certain things that you can't help but share. ]
no subject
[Tate acts a bit surprised by it, thinking of how he's almost been here for two whole years. He hasn't changed much but he has experienced a lot he wouldn't have, had he never left the House. He feels a bit guilty thinking about Violet then, like somehow he might've forgotten her as time went on - and his obsessions hopped around from person to person. But if she came back he knows he'd hone back in on her. For selfish reasons, primarily.]
She was mad at me at the time so we didn't really... talk a lot, which kinda hurt. But then she just disappeared like a lot of people. Before I could make things right.
no subject
[ obviously she doesn't know the full history here, save the fact that clearly there is history that exists, and even thinking about how messy it can get if somebody's been brought in from a different point in time or anything like that... it's enough to make your head spin.
it briefly occurs to her to ask something else, though, since he's made a point to mention it out loud. ] Did you know what she was mad at you for?
no subject
[He says that with a brief deflection of his gaze, before rounding back to Harley. He's not sure how in depth he can go about this to explain and justify his angle, considering the elements of his story are deeply supernatural and more than a dash psychotic but. He feels compelled to have her understand his side, still seeking approval.]
It wasn't an easy choice to make, either.
no subject
[ and that's the truth, isn't it? even as she says it with a casual shrug, a quick hunch and drop of both shoulders — maybe her perspective about this is a little more biased than it should be, given how she's supposed to be coming at this from a certain angle as a psychiatrist with a lapsed license and blah blah blah. ]
Whether it's a little white lie to spare someone's feelings or... maybe keepin' more of a secret because the truth would be harder for them to know. That does not make you a bad person.
[ and she ducks her head to look at him, making sure that part is getting across loud and clear. ] Okay?
no subject
[He admits in a semi-sullen tone, coaxed to look at her when she ducks her head - dark eyes focusing on her before he gives a little nod. He'll take the chance to explain away his bullshit, and will lean on the potential out to change the subject too.]
So you'll keep me on as a patient, even if I'm a dirty liar and a bit more than fucked up in the head?
[Wryly quirking his lips, trying to make light of all that. And to ensure she's not going to ditch him.]
no subject
[ which might seem kind of brutally honest to say, but she is nothing if not upfront and definitely not the type of person to choose her words. besides, his issues are the type of issues she likes — deep-seated and real complicated, and usually unpacked with time.
really, you think she identified the source of all of roman sionis' daddy issues and subconscious need to assert himself over women because of his own emasculation in a day?
she leans forward, gently bumping her shoulder into his. ]
Takes more'n that to scare me off.
no subject
[Tate smiles - evidently pleased, very much so, shooting her a faux-shy side glance and bumping his shoulder back up against hers. He's starting to think this therapy thing might stand a chance now, either as some real help to sort out his head (less likely,) or a good excuse to have time with her and see if he can looking into hers as well.]
I guess that's it for now. I'll bring something juicy to our next session?