Malcolm smiled happily when Katherine listened to his concerns about Laura and told him that she would check on it. The warm glow from that alone would have gotten him through the rest of the day and he still had another few hours to be in her company before he had to go about his won rounds and duties. It was truly wonderful. He walked around Katherine an watched the groups. Dr. Ashton had put some problematic couples together this time. He wasn't sure that putting Evan and Daniel together had been very smart, nor had putting Alice together with Ryan. However, he was sure that the Dr. had some sort of plan he just wasn't too clear right now on what that could be.. Maybe it was something to do with opposites and a different viewpoint being helpful to figure out their own issue. Yes, that must be it. It must be a new technique to help stabilize and self-diagnose. If that was not it then Fenris was just being sadistic and cruel and that was something that he just could not believe of the man. Any doctor would want to help these poor kids above all else so there was just no way it could be something like that. He let out a little huff of laughter at the turn of his thoughts. He was really being silly today. It must be a part of his high from Katherine's praise that made him think such odd things. He glanced at Evan and Daniel and saw that so far nothing bad had happened. He then went over near Chess and Chris and saw them actually working together. It was nice to see them making some progress today. He had been a bit worried since Chris seemed to be in one of his states but it seemed he was just being paranoid.. [I] I wish that his medicine would fix that so he could stabilize. [/i] He shivered when Chess laughed at something Chris said. Chess was one kid that he just did not know how to take. He always seemed ok for the most part but after having read his file Malcolm knew better. The boy had done some truly disturbing things and to be this happy an show no remorse was scary. It was almost like he was a sociopath. While that was treatable it was still not something that a teenage boy should have to deal with and with hormones and all made Malcolm cringe. He heard a noise from across the room and saw that Ryan was glaring at Alice. He did not know what she had said that made the boy upset. From what he could tell of the girl she seemed sweet enough so there was nothing really that she could have done that would have made him angry. But knowing Ryan she could have just breathed too hard and he would flip. [I] That is not a nice thing to think. He can't help it that he has anger issues. With his childhood it is completely understandable and that is why he is here after all. I just wish he was a bit less temperamental at times. [/i] Walking past Liv and Winter he smiled at the girls. They seemed to really be embracing the spirit of the exercise and were writing down notes and exchanging ideas. “Good job, girls.” he said and smiled at Katherine. He could tell that her influence was spreading to them and that must be why they were so on task. Everything and everyone was just a bit better when she was around. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Winter looked at Liv and smiled. “That sounds like a good idea. We can make something out of that. Now all we have to decide is how to present it. Do we use signs or are we going to act it out? If we act it out then which of us should play the abandoned person? I mean I don't think that either of us really has much experience with that issue so either way would work I guess. I wish Summer could have come to group today since she was....is always the creative one. She would make us something brilliant I am sure.” Winter sighed sadly and shook her head. She knew why Summer could not come to group but it was so silly. She looked at the clock on the wall and saw that they only had 15 minutes left to finish the exercise and then another 45 left of group before they could leave. It seemed like an awfully long time. She drummed her nails against the desk as her mind drifted off. She remembered when she and Summer were children barely 6 years old they had wanted to do a play for their parents. They had spent all afternoon working it out and picking costumes and making pictures for backgrounds and finally that evening they had told their parents about it and asked them if they could perform. Dinner was just finished and the table had been cleared by the maid. Her parents were talking about some charity function and at first did not hear the girls. When Winter had tugged at her father's sleeve to get his attention the adults had looked at them. “What do you want, Winter? Daddy and Mummy have a gathering to go to.” “Me and Summer made a play for you. Can we how you, Daddy?” “Not now. We are running late and can't keep everyone waiting. We will watch it tomorrow we promise.” Winter had nodded her head but Summer had started to scream at her parents since this was not the first time that they had done something like this. The end result had been that the twins had been sent to bed early and had been banished from eating with their parents for a week. They were to take their meals in the kitchen and then go to bed each night directly afterwards without dessert or television. A loud bang from across the room brought her out of her reverie and she was glad. It had not been a good memory after all. However, the play that they had made had been wonderfully creative and inspired even if they never for to perform it. In fact it gave her several ideas for something that she and Liv could do now. She gathered the necessary things in front of her and started to fill Liv in on her idea. Their skit would be the best out of all the group she was just sure of it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Fenris smiled as the groups dispersed throughout the room. He could tell right away that several of them would probably not have anything to show for their time together except harsh words and possibly injuries. [I] I wish that I could make even more tension in the room. Just how can I go about it without it seeming I am doing it on purpose? Maybe I can use Laura a the catalyst. She is supposed to go around and help the groups with anything they need. I just need to nudge her to the proper group at the auspicious moment and then... Yes that could work. [/i] He stood up and walked over to where Laura sat still in her seat and said, “C'mon dear. It is time to help out your friends. Please go over to Chess and Chris now and see if there is anything that they need.” He watched as she slowly stood up and walked towards the two boys. He knew about Chess and his little fixation on Laura and with her actually semi-coherent still, he knew the boy would flirt with her and that would probably set Liv off. That n turn would set Ryan off and then possibly Chess as well. Winter would drift off into whatever spacey world she usually did and there would not be any reason to mess with Evan and Daniel since those two would set each other off nicely as it was. He sat back in his chair and made like he was writing notes on his notepad when in reality he was just doodling. He did not want to make too much eye contact with anyone yer. He would know when to look up by the noise level increase and the sound of furniture moving. Holding back a laugh he out on his professional mask and waited. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ryan sat down in his chair. He was not thrilled with life right now. Sure he had some eye candy across from him but she actually seemed to think he was going to participate in this bullshit exercise. She had even asked him if he had any thoughts. Sure he did. Tons of them and all of them were telling the good doctor where to shove his fucking little group and his fucking stupid ass projects. He glanced over at Liv and saw that her and Winter were actually working on the thing and almost smiled. His sister was so predictable. She would play the game and do the work. He knew though that in her heart she knew it was all bullshit too. He let his eyes wander again and saw Chris and Chess laughing about something or other. Morons. He saw Chris looking over at Liv for just an instant and then looking away. [I] What the hell? Don't tell me that he is into her or something. Oh no son that just won't do. I might need to watch him a bit more carefully from now on. Can't let him get too close to her. [/i] He accidentally nudged the table and heard Alice gasp as it hit her in the stomach. For the first time he made eye contact with her and stated, “Sorry. I know that you are new here and all so probably buy into this therapy crap but this is a waste of time. Do you really want to do this bullshit? Putting on a skit about some issue won't help treat it. All it do is make us think we are accomplishing something when nothing is getting done but pretending. Then again I guess that is something that this place is good at, pretending that things wil get better when they won't. What a joke.” He looked away from Alice so that he could not see the innocence and goodness in her eyes. It burned his soul like fire. He could hear her start to say something and knew that she was probably going to try and convince him to work on the skit but was not in the mood He wished he had his mp3 player or something so that he could listen to music and tune everyone else out. If he couldn't be with Liv then there was n point in dealing with reality. He spared a look over at Dr. Ashton and saw the man writing something on his tablet. [I] Fucker. I bet he is writing down every little thing we do so that he can analyze it late. He thinks that just because one of us breathes oddly that we are coming down with a new psychosis that he will get to treat. I just don't understand doctors. They poke and prod when nothing is wrong but when something actually is, they don't do anything about it. I know that Ashton tries which I guess is something but Laura is the perfect example. For all the meds and shit they change up and give her she is still fucked up. So much for modern medicine. [/i] A loud bang startled him and he looked over to see that Daniel was standing up and had slammed his hands down on the table while glaring at Evan. “For fucks sake Daniel, would you either man up and hit her or shut the fuck up and sit down. You are starting to damage my calm.” He smiled at the looks he got before turning back to the piece of paper in front of him and starting to draw. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chess smiled at Chris and replied, “If I was ever depressed I suppose extracurricular activities are as good a way as any to deal with it. I personally like to play pranks and get into mischief that is my cup of tea.” He looked away from Chris a minute when he saw someone start walking his way and said, “It looks like we will be having company. Should we be on our best behavior or should we play a little? I think I feel myself getting depressed so I think I will play a bit to snap out of it.” He winked at Chris. [I] Oh Dr. Ashton just what do you think you are doing sending such a sweet little flower over to us too weeds. Do you think that we won't strangle it or corrupt it but instead let it live and flourish? My good man you must be joking. I have been waiting forever to get this little flower alone when she was actually aware enough to have some fun. Maybe I will pluck a few of her petals before let her leave our garden and why the hell am I thinking in flower metaphors anyways? Am I some old fucker that has no life and must disguise their intentions? Maybe I am a bit crazy after all. Who knows? But hopefully I will at least get to make Laura blush even if I can't get a grope in. Or if I am really lucky I can get her alone much later and teach her all about how great our bodies can be. Once she is used up then I will set her aflame and watch the fire dance on her bones. That would be delicious to see her beauty consumed like that. [/i] Chess shivered and adjusted himself surreptitiously as just the thought was enough to make his body react and he did not want to scare the girl away. He pasted a smile on his face and when she close enough smoothly said, “Are you coming over to help us out? We sure could use it since this whole depression topic is not one that I and Chris here are too familiar with. Maybe you could suggest some ideas for us?” He stood up and guided her into an empty chair, letting his head rest just barely above her ass before letting go and sitting back down also. He looked at Chris and batted his eyes at him. He was starting to feel playful indeed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nodding her head at Dr Ashton, Laura started towards the table where Chess and Chris were sitting. She was starting to battle the voices in her head for control. She could hear them getting louder an knew that they wouldn't be relegated to mere whispers in her mind soon. She could feel herself getting tied again. [I] I am getting very tired of always being tired and sleepy. Just for one day would I like to be like everyone else an not have to deal with this. [/i] When she got near the group and Chess welcomed her so cheerily she smile back shyly. The hand on her back was nice if a touch odd but she relished any kind of human contact. Liv was really the only one that touched her in kindness around here. “I don't know what all I can do to help but I will do what I can. If you are depressed then you want to be happy I guess so what would make you happy would be where to start?” she said quietly. She as starting to get a headache too and the lights were awfully bright. She felt her mind wander for a minute and unconsciously looked over to where Liv say. It grounded her for some reason and she felt herself relax and regain some control. She felt Chess's hand on hers and looked at him startled He just patted it a few times and then let it go before handling her a piece of paper and a pencil and saying, “Would you mind writing down a few things that make you happy too for reference. That way we can compare and see if there are any similarities between the three of us.” It sounded good to her so she began to write slowly about the few things that truly made her happy an hoped that this would help the group out. She did not know if she was going to be sent to another one soon anyways and wanted to contribute if she could. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The color left his face when Evan called him out on his threat to her. He hadn't realized he had spoken out loud. Then when she threw a piece of paper at him he felt the color return as he started to get annoyed. When she followed that by the pencil and the pokes to his side, not to mention the comments about his ears, he felt himself start to gt angry. He had been going to just bide his time and try and get through this exercise with as little interaction with her as he could manage but it seemed that was not going to happen. She seemed bound and determined to get a reaction from him and with his nerves as frayed as they were she was going to get her wish. He took a few deep breaths to try and control his temper before replying to her question. Their presence of Absolom nearby was also calming. With the man there Evan wouldn't get too out of hand or she would end up with a needle in her arm of the happy juice that made all your troubles fly away. “First off, if you mess with my ears not even God himself could save you. Second, yes I do intend to deal with you someday because you have been nothing but a complete and utter twat to me sine you got here. Third, my anger issues are my fucking problem and don't involve you so how and if I deal with it are none of your damn business.” He paused for a second before trying to get back to the the project at hand If he let his temper continue to rule then there would be trouble. “Why don't you just draw something about anger and I will write something out and then we can add them together at the en. The less we have to do with each other the better in my opinion.” He rolled his shoulders that ha gotten tight with tension from talking to her this long and got a piece of paper. He started to write then was distracted by her feet on the table. She kept shaking the leg and it was driving him crazy. Standing up so abruptly that his chair almost fell over , he reached over and pushed her feet to the floor before all but yelling, “Can you please keep your damn feet off the table?” He slammed his hands down on the wood to emphasize his point. “For fucks sake Daniel would you either man up an hit her or shut the fuck up an sit down. You are starting to damage my calm.” he heard Ryan yell from across the room. He whipped his head towards Ryan an blurted, “No, you short-tempered douche. Fuck off.” About half a second later it hit him just who he had yelled at and what he had said. He sat back down with a thud and his hand over his mouth. His eyes were huge and he thumped his head on the table with a groan. Today had just majorly sucked.