Monday March 23rd
Who: Frankie and Spencer What: Introductory session Where: Spencer's office When: Evening Rating: PG 13 Note: Aimscene [for being dialogue heavy]
Spencer Sitting in one of the two leather armchairs, Spencer was flipping through the sprite's file when Frankie peeked in through his open door, looking a bit nervous. Smiling warmly, Spencer got to his feet, offering her his hand. "Come in, have a seat," he said gently, indicating the chair opposite his. "I was just reading over your file, seeing what there was to see. A fire sprite, hm? Very interesting."
Frankie Frankie was slightly terrified. She'd never been to see a shrink before. She probably should have long ago, given all her issues, but they scared her. She didn't want to be picked apart emotionally. She chewed on her bottom lip as she walked cautiously into Spencer's office, hesitantly shaking the offered hand. "Hey," she said softly, and then took a seat. It was comfortable, but Frankie wasn't. "Yeah.. fire sprite. We don't have any others at school."
Spencer Nodding, Spencer placed her file on his desk (which sat behind their chairs), then held a small notepad in his right hand and a pen in his left. "I did notice that you have that distinction," he noted, his dark eyes looking her over. Her posture, her face, the way she fidgeted- he was taking it all in. "Did you come to the school in the hopes of finding another like you?"
Frankie Frankie shook her head as she put her hands under her thighs to sit on them. Her feet were tapping lightly, but they didn't make much sound since she was wearing sneakers. "No. My papa wanted me to come so I could learn more about my abilities. He sent my brother, Vinnie, too. And when Sal is old enough, he'll come."
Spencer Spencer smiled a little, and shook his head. "I didn't ask what brought you here. I asked if you hoped to find another sprite. From what I saw, you're the only one in your family... surely the thought crossed your mind that you'd see another in a place like this?"
Frankie Frankie shrugged. "My sister was here." She didn't elaborate. Frankie was nervous about just how much information was in her file.
Spencer "Mm, I read that." Files were only basic information, relatives and abilities and past records (arrest and other). Just notes on things a student had done, what they were. It mentioned very little as to how they functioned. That was Spencer's job. "Do you and Vinnie get along well?"
Frankie "Yeah.. most of the time. He's sorta overprotective." Same with her father. "But I love him. He's my best friend."
Spencer Spencer offered her a smile. "My brothers are the same way. Less so now, but when we were growing up they were very protective of me. I'm the youngest." Jotting down a few things on his notepad, he continued. "So, Frankie. Tell me about yourself."
Frankie "Yeah, but you're not really young… are you? I mean, you're a vampire." She hadn't actually noticed his fangs right away, but when she touched his hand, it was all too obvious. She hoped to put off talking about herself more than she already had.
Spencer Laughing a little, and therefore really exposing the fangs, Spencer shook his head. "No. I'm forty-five. But that doesn't necessarily mean that the people who used to protect you are just going to stop. Age has little to do with it." He was willing to talk about himself a bit, if it made Franie less uncomfortable. "For instance, I imagine you and Vinnie still get into childish fights, even though you're both adults now?"
Frankie Frankie nodded. "All the time. He's been pretty sore with me for awhile now." And it was hard on Frankie. She couldn't talk to him about the stuff she was going through, because he didn't like hearing about all her relationship struggles. "Do you fight with your brothers?"
Spencer "Of course I do. Michael put me in a headlock last week." She didn't like staying on the topic of herself. She wasn't as obvious to switch as many other people Spencer had spoken to, but it became apparent that he was answering mroe questions than she was.
Frankie Frankie wasn't so much trying to dodge his questions, but she'd been hurt a lot lately, and opening up to someone else, only to be crushed later, wasn't high on her list of priorities. "Vinnie and I throw fireballs at each other all the time when we're mad. Or burn each others' stuff."
Spencer "Sounds angry." He said with affectionately, though. Being fire users, burning one another's things was probably on par with other children throwing things out windows or flushing them down toilets. "Why aren't you two on good terms right now?"
Frankie Dammit. She didn't know how to get around that question. "'Cause.. he doesn't like a lot of the choices I make."
Spencer "Anything specific?"
Frankie Frankie sighed and slumped in her chair. "Choices in guys."
Spencer "I see. He thinks you've made some bad decisions?"
Frankie "Well, yeah.. because I have."
Spencer "Tell me what was bad about them."
Frankie Frankie shrugged but didn't offer a reply.
Spencer "You don't like talking about them, hm?"
Frankie Frankie shook her head. "I've talked about them enough. Doesn't fix anything."
Spencer "Did you think it might? Talking about them, I mean."
Frankie "No. No one wants to hear about it anyway. They just roll their eyes or tell me I'm crazy."
Spencer "Your friends do that?"
Frankie "Well, I guess not all of them.. but my closest friends have bigger things to worry about. And I can't really talk to Vinnie about it. No guy wants to hear about his sister's sex life."
Spencer "So these relationships, they're only sexual?"
Frankie Frankie didn't know how to respond to that. "Apparently I have.. issues. With.. expecting too much. I'm supposed to be learning how to be casual." Frankie didn't like that word. She didn't understand how sex could really be casual. Even with Jay, it wasn't casual, because they were friends. There was still a strong emotional connection, she just didn't want more than a good friendship with sex involved.
Spencer The distaste for the word was obvious in Frankie's mouth. "You don't like casual," he said, not a question at all. "What are your expectations for a relationship?"
Frankie Frankie frowned and looked down at her knees. She shrugged. "It's stupid."
Spencer "You feel your own expectations are stupid? I really doubt that, or else you wouldn't want them."
Frankie "But they are. I expect too much."
Spencer "What does that mean?"
Frankie "I don't wanna talk about this anymore," she said suddenly, sitting up and then standing up. Frankie walked over to a bookcase and started to look at the titles.
Spencer Spencer shrugged. "Okay." This wasn't an analysis session, after all, it was an introduction. If Frankie didn't want to talk about something, they wouldn't. But he certainly made a note of her reaction, and the topic, on his notepad.
"How good at you at flying?"
Frankie "Not very good," she said as she continued to scan his collection. She expected the books to all be about his profession, but there was a nice variety.
Spencer "How long have you been practicing?"
Frankie "Well, I kinda flew a bit in the house when I was little.. but really flying, like.. with enough space.. only a few years. I don't really like it all that much."
Spencer "Why not?"
Frankie "Because.. it's weird." She was the only one in her family (outside of Kindle) who had wings. They made her a freak. Sometimes she liked them, but usually she didn't.
Spencer "Weird?" Spencer's eyebrow lifted as he regarded her. "Does it feel weird while you're doing it?"
Frankie "No.. but it is. I don't want to have wings." She pulled out a book that sounded interesting and flipped through it, keeping her back to Spencer.
Spencer "Ah." He had had a feeling, but her admission told Spencer all he needed to know, and he made a note of it, underlining.
Frankie Frankie looked over her shoulder as she heard him scribbling. "What are you writing about me?"
Spencer "I am writing what I think," he said as his pen moved. "What I am finding out about you. What you reveal in your words an actions."
Frankie "Well… don't." Frankie frowned.
Spencer Looking up, Spencer paused. "Does it bother you?"
Frankie "Yeah." What was he writing that he couldn't just say to her?
Spencer "Tell me why."
Frankie "Because you're probably writing about how you think I'm nuts."
Spencer "And if I am?"
Frankie "Then you should just say it like everyone else does."
Spencer Setting his pen down, Spencer turned in his seat enough to face Frankie directly. "That would make you stop talking, wouldn't it?"
Frankie Frankie shrugged. "Doesn't matter. I know I am."
Spencer "You seem incredibly self aware."
Frankie "I know that I'm insecure. I know that I have abandonment issues. I know that I'm clingy. I know that I get jealous easily. I'm plenty self-aware, Doctor." She flopped back down in the chair, looking defeated.
Spencer "And you feel that all these traits make you crazy."
Frankie "They make me impossible to be around."
Spencer "Impossible?"
Frankie "I annoy everyone."
Spencer "Do you?"
Frankie "If I didn't, then I wouldn't continue to chase guys away."
Spencer "I see." Nodding, Spencer made another note in his book, then leaned back in his chair. "What is it you want from a relationship?"
Frankie "Too much, apparently." She sunk lower into her seat, slouching terribly.
Spencer "What do you think is too much?"
Frankie "A commitment, love, possible future.. all sorts of impossible things, apparently." She didn't used to think those things were too much to ask of a man, but it seemed as though it was.
Spencer Resting his chin on his hand, Spencer smiled a little. "Those don't sound so impossible to me."
Frankie "They are." At least they were with anyone other than Nathaniel.
Spencer "I see." It seemed that Frankie had made up her mind, and she wasn't going to be swayed. She was probably frustrated with dating lately, and therefore she didn't want to hear about patience and waiting and finding the right one. Spencer could appreciate that.
Frankie "You're probably all married and happy, aren't you? Probably to a man too." It seemed that all the hot guys on campus were going gay lately.
Spencer The last comment made Spencer laugh out loud, looking at Frankie as though she might be a little crazy. "Why would I be married to a man?" he asked through chuckles.
Frankie Frankie shrugged. "Seems to be a fad right now."
Spencer "A fad? Marrying men is a fad?" Well... things were a lot different than where he came from. "That's... incredibly unusual."
Frankie "That.. and flirting with guys even when you aren't into guys."
Spencer Both eyebrows were raised for this one. "Hm," he replied, puzzled. "Well... I am not married to a man, nor do I have intention to be. Actually, I'm not married at all."
Frankie "Why not? You're good looking and successful.. I'm guessing."
Spencer With a bemused smile, Spencer shrugged. "I used to be married, but it didn't work out. We're divorced. Amicably, though."
Frankie "I was engaged," Frankie admitted. It seemed fair given that he was sharing something that was personal.
Spencer "Oh?"
Frankie "I broke it off nearly a year ago." It was scary to think about how much had happened since then. How many other things had started and stopped.
Spencer "Tell me about him. Why didn't it work out?"
Frankie "Nathaniel. He's a vampire like you. And a doctor, too." Frankie sighed and looked out the window. "He's great. Almost perfect." Without realizing it, Frankie fiddled with the chain around her neck. She did that when she thought about Nathaniel. She had the engagement ring still, and it was strung onto the necklace Lyle had given her.
Spencer Her sudden quiet gave Spencer pause, and he hesitated in pressing for more information. But she didn't seem to be inclined to talk more on her own. "Why didn't it work out?" he repeated, softer.
Frankie "'I'm not gonna live forever." That was the major problem. The biggest one. Yeah, her father didn't like Nathaniel. And not being able to have kids with her future husband upset her, but it mostly boiled down to the idea that she'd grow old while Nathaniel stayed young and handsome forever.
Spencer Nodding, understanding, Spencer steepled his fingers. "I'm sure you took into consideration that he won't either," he said casually. "Vampires do live a very long time, yes, but not forever. Some don't even live as long as most humans." He paused, though, then added "Though it is still more likely his lifetime would surpass yours. Still... was that really worth ending something with someone you thought was perfect?"
Frankie "He deserved someone who didn't have so many doubts. Someone better." Frankie sometimes regretted her decision, but she felt like she'd made the right one. Nathaniel was too good for her.
Spencer "I see. You don't think he should have been left to make that decision?"
Frankie "He would have eventually. Everyone does."
Spencer "You've based this conclusion on what, exactly?"
Frankie "I don't wanna talk about it." Again.
Spencer "I see." Pursing his lips, Spencer jotted down another notation.
Frankie "Can I go?" Frankie asked. She didn't like how she felt right now.
Spencer "Frankie, of course you can." Setting his notepad onto the desk, he leaned forward, clasping his hands. "I'm not trying to keep you here against your will. I simply wanted to meet you, and I have. And I am very glad I did."
Frankie Frankie got up fussed with her hair a little. "Do I have to come back?"
Spencer "Certainly not. You may, if you ever wished, even if only to ask one question. But I'm not here to treat you against you will. I'm only here to help and to listen."