when lies turn into truth Who: Linnea, Kajsa and Satu (NPCs) Where: Psychiatric ward at UofM When: Early afternoon
Linnea was having a lot of trouble coping with everything that was going on in her life. It started with the high school and ended with what happened while she had been in the high school. Linnea still did not understand why none of the others had been watching her. Everyone in the Niemi family knew how... delicate Satu could be. Linnea said delicate where everyone else just called it as it was: Satu Niemi was troubled. Possibly dangerous. But to Linnea she was her baby girl and all the things she did were nothing more than little quirks out oddities. However, it was hard even for Linnea to dismiss this latest misadventure that her daughter had had. The one that had ended with her under psychological evaluation. And that was the better alternative since the police had been involved. If someone had not been able to convince them that Satu was experiencing a mental break and needed professional help...
No, Linnea was not considering that her youngest probably actually needed that help. Satu had just been stressed by the disappearance of her mother and brother. That was all.
That she was sitting in a hospital room now, yearning to reach out to the pitcher of water beading condensation on the night stand, but restraining because she was supposed to be listening to the serious-faced man behind her vacant-faced daughter. "Did you need to put her on drugs?" Linnea knew she was interrupting, but it popped out regardless. Satu had not said a single word since she had arrived and that was completely unlike her. Screaming and threatening? That was more Satu's style.
"It was necessary. Her behavior was erratic, unpredictable and dangerous," he said. "Both to herself and others. I don't know if you know this, Mrs. Niemi, but your daughter has several scars that indicate self-harm."
Oh no. Panic showed in the way that Linnea reached out to grasp Kajsa's hand, suddenly glad that her eldest daughter had agreed to come with her. She needed that extra emotional support and Kajsa was the best suited out of all her children to give it. Linnea did not think Satu was hurting herself, she would have honestly preferred that to what her mind told her scars meant in any of Jokull's children. What they had meant on Leif and what they must mean now on Satu. Blood magic. "How many?" Her voice was weak and Kajsa squeezed her hand reassuringly, likely knowing what had gone through her head.
"Only a few, and none were terribly deep. It is enough to-"
"My daughter isn't self-harming, doctor," Linnea's voice was sharp.
"Parents sometimes have issues accepting-"
"She's a blood witch." Had one of them not been enough? Leif had brought her enough heartache by following in his father's footsteps, she did not need for Satu to do the same. "Now. When will she be released?"
"I'd like to keep her for another week for observation purposes."
Linnea snorted. "That will not be happening. No one was harmed, then or since. You have had her for long enough and I will be taking her home today."
"Mrs. Niemi..."
"Mom." Kajsa's voice reached her while the doctor's earned nothing more than an irritated wave of her hand. "Maybe we should let them keep her... it can't hurt?"
"Another week like that?" Linnea shook her head. "I won't leave her here." No matter what they said she had done or said she would do. She had not actually hurt anyone...
"She was a little scary, mom, you didn't see her." Kajsa had lowered her voice to keep the doctor from hearing, turning a little to hide her face. Niemi's were very good at that. Living with Jokull was the reason why. "Maybe she... maybe she could use some help."
Linnea blinked, surprised that Kajsa had actually said that. "No." Denial was her life's blood and she was too old to change even if she was a water elemental. "She is not staying here." Her eyes flicked at the doctor. "She is coming home."
The man sighed. "I could release her to you, under certain circumstances."
A pale eyebrow arched. "Which are?"
"Weekly counseling with a specialized therapist. And whatever medication she is prescribed, she has to take. The sessions would begin on Monday at five." All stated in such a matter-of-fact way that Linnea suspected he had had them prepared.
Kajsa looked at Linnea hopefully. "That sounds reasonable." She squeezed her hand once before moving to sit next to the listless Satu. Linnea pretended not to notice how hesitantly she moved to actually touch her sister. It's like she's actually afraid of her...
"We can manage that," Linnea agreed, thinking that pills could always be gotten around. She had not yet moved, sensing that something else had yet to be said. Sure enough, the man was watching her. "Yes?"
He tapped his pen on the pad of paper. Why did doctors always have pads? All of the ones at the rehabilitation center had had them, too. Linnea rather disliked them. "I would like for you to attend sessions as well."
"Excuse me?" Kajsa's head snapped up and even Satu looked a little jarred.
"Yes, Mrs. Niemi, I want you to go as well. Considering your daughter's behavior... it would be beneficial for all of you."
Linnea sat very still. "I agree to this and Satu comes home? Today?"
"Absolutely."
Kajsa was pale, but Linnea figured that she could handle a few hours of chattering at a doctor with a pad if it meant her daughter's immediate freedom. It was like admitting that Satu did indeed have something wrong with her. Did it mean that she had done something extra wrong? "I can agree to that."
An hour later and two scheduled appointments later, Linnea and Kajsa walked out with Satu. Satu may not have been moving very fast, but she was walking on her own and that was enough to make Linnea smile.