22 Loose Ends (1/2)
Transference. It was the phenomenon when a patient receiving treatment developed feelings towards the caregiver. Being a male nurse, Sebastian experienced difficult and awkward situations when patients expressed romantic feelings for him. His face wasn't bad - it was above average at most - the contributing factor was the fact that when patients were sick or critically ill, they were at their lowest point. Being a male nurse and having spent a lot of time with them in their worst state, a slight misunderstanding tends to grow fast. They imagined him staying with them in their hour of need simply because he cared for them and he had feelings for them. When such thoughts began to surface in the patient's consciousness, such thoughts persisted until they were sure it was a reality.
Reading over his handwritten notes regarding such matters, Sebastian reviewed what he needed to do and what he actually did before. He remembered that he needed to a.s.sign specific roles and discuss the feelings of Mel and his own. It seemed hard and awkward, but in his experience, it helped resolve this misunderstanding before it could spiral out of control. With a sigh, he fixed his usual clothes before donning his small sling bag which contained his notebooks and study materials.
It was still morning when he came down the stairs to the dining hall. The dwarven owner, Urhill, was polis.h.i.+ng the floors when he pa.s.sed by. With a grunt, he greeted Sebastian before resuming his serious task of mopping the floors. Chiza, his beastkin a.s.sistant came out of the kitchen to serve his breakfast which came included in his payment.
”Here's your breakfast Sebastian. Still the usual porridge and fruit juice as you requested.”
”Thanks, Chiza. I'll bring the plates to the kitchen when I'm finished.”
”You know you don't need to do that. You're probably the only customer who does that in like, ever.”
”I've been under your and Urhill's care for quite some time, I'd like to think that I'm helping you in some ways as well.”
”Coin has always been a great help you know. You paid in advance and you don't make any ruckus whatsoever. That's the best customer material right there.”
”Chiza, please don't bother Sebastian. Tend to the kitchen now.” Urhill peeked his head into the small dining room as he gave instructions. Simple and concise as always.
”She wasn't bothering me Urhill. Thanks for the food.”
”Aye.” Urhill turned away as he went back to his cleaning task. He moved on to the fixtures in the hallway now. With his dedication to cleaning and maintenance, the inn always appeared in immaculate condition.
”I think he means thank you as well, and he hopes you will enjoy the food. I'm off to the kitchen now. I really don't mind if you leave the tableware here ya know.” With a quick turn, Chiza went back to the kitchen for her tasks as well.
'Even if I'm renting in this place, this homely feeling doesn't feel bad.' Sebastian found his breakfast tastier than usual as he wolfed it down.
***
”Mel, I'm not going to sugarcoat it or make it sound complex. From my point of view, I feel that there's been a misunderstanding between us. I'd like to hear your side as to why you were upset yesterday.” Sebastian sat on Mel's armchair as they started their talk therapy for the day. Although the topic was different and difficult, Sebastian decided that it was still related to Mel's recovery.
With a sigh, Mel got into position as she laid down on her couch facing away Sebastian. ”I felt happy when we were doing our talk therapy comfortably. However, when you mentioned Rivie's name I started to feel that gnawing frustration in my stomach grow.”
”Why do you think that is? What do you think of me aside from your party member?” Sebastian used his open-ended questions again. It was only the third day of his therapy, but he was getting used to using these questions to get Mel to talking.
”I'm not too sure myself. Ever since you rushed to save me in the mutated wolf quest, you've been on my mind then. Which was why I sought you out using the adventurer guild's messaging system.”
”When you were at death's door, you thought that I saved you from the brink. However, I merely stayed by your side because I didn't want another adventurer to die in front of me like when I came here.” Sebastian paused as he waited for Mel to respond, even if it was non-verbal.
”Yes, I understand that part. You told me that as well during our previous sessions. So what does that have to do with this situation now and yesterday?”
”Like I said Mel, you were at a life-and-death situation so you turned to me. It might have caused misunderstandings of some sort which progressed until yesterday. In your words, you were frustrated when you heard me talk about Rivie. Why would you get angry when I talk about another woman?”
”You think I'm jealous? Well -” Mel cut herself off as she switched to her inner voice.
”Sorry, you were saying something Mel?”
”Nevermind. If I was, I'm not now. I'll be okay and it won't happen again.” Mel started playing with her hair, indicating she was fl.u.s.tered.
”I'm not saying that it was a bad thing. I simply don't want that to happen when we're in the middle of a quest or a fight and you suddenly get distracted because of it.”
”I understand what you're trying to say - that I misunderstood your intentions and got jealous when I didn't have the right to.”
”I wasn't trying to say that it was a bad thing. Let's air out your concerns. This might not be related to the mutated wolf trauma, but it will affect our adventuring abilities.”
”Sebastian. I think that this might not be the right time for it. I'll sort these feelings out myself and I'll let you know when the time comes.”
”I'm here to listen when you do. No rush or anything, take it one step at a time.”
”Comments like these make it easier to misunderstand you. Let's have a meal before we start sparring, shall we? Physical activity might get our mind of this.”
Sebastian found himself in deep thought as he watched Mel prepare their meal. He definitely had his fair share of relations.h.i.+ps before, he wasn't naive or innocent regarding matters like this. He even went through the same route as most of his male friends when they were in their younger years - playing around, thinking that they were untouchables.