Bewitching Monsters

Illithid

Chapter Contains: swearing, hypnosis kink (some with mild objectification)
Pairing: f/x
A/N: While this chapter has themes revolving around therapy for toxic relationships, it does not contain a detailed/realistic depiction of said therapy, nor elaborations about the relationship—while this series is story heavy, there's a different focus for this arc. Also, I know not all binaural audio files have droning tones.

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You know you're too absorbed in work when scheduling time for therapy makes you stress over all the things you'll have to catch up on. I was already living comfortably; I didn't need to work this diligently! Though I guess all that was one of the reasons I needed therapy.

I arrived early. A whole hour early. Waiting there in the office was less anxiety-inducing than waiting at home. I fidgeted with my charm necklace as I studied the decor. The environment was nice, professional. The waiting area had bright landscape paintings, a softly burbling fountain, an assortment of magazines and papers I wasn't interested in. One wall had named portraits of all the doctors.

I was seeing Dr. Ekor'ghar today. Today was just a consultation. I'd answer some questions to see what I wanted and which therapist would work best for me. No firm decisions were being made yet. It made today easier.

"Witch?" I turned towards the assistant who called me. "Right this way, please."

Dr. Ekor'ghar's office was more like a flower shop than an office. The pastel flowers stood in contrast to the goth academia vibes of the doctor themself. But there was something stranger. There was no scent in the room. Well, not the overwhelming floral scent you'd expect anyways—just the feint scent of old paper, leather, and maybe bergamot. I wondered what sort of magic it was.

"Please, have a seat," they said. I was not prepared for the depth of their voice and the haunting echo beneath it. Nor for them to speak telepathically.

Of course they spoke telepathically; they're an illithid. Should I respond telepathically then too? It seemed the politest to do. But... I didn't have much experience with telepathy. How did I separate my private thoughts from those I wanted to communicate? Shit, were they hearing all this right now?

"Witch," they spoke aloud.

"Y-yes?"

"Relax. Sit down."

Off to a great start... I reined myself in and settled down on the couch.

"Are you simply nervous, or do you always have overactive thoughts?"

"Bit of both," I answered. "I do take some meds to help."

"Is thought management part of your reason to seek therapy here?"

I shrugged. "No? I mean there might be some aspect of that that I'll need. But I'm mostly here to deal with some toxic ex trauma."

They hummed in acknowledgment as they picked up a folder from the table beside them, thumbed through the papers, then handed a couple to me. Emboldened across the top of one was Psychodynamic Therapy. Skimming it over, it explained what the title meant and how it differed from other therapy styles—I chuckled a little when I read cognitive behavioral therapy; I was more familiar with a different CBT. The other went on to a seemingly exhaustive list of therapy methods, from journaling to hypnosis and so much more.

"All the listed methods are ones we can provide. We can discuss any you have strong interest in now. Others, I can provide some resources for you to research on your own. Overall, the psychodynamic frame tends to be a popular choice for problems such as yours."

"Getting straight to business," I lightly teased.

"This is just a consultation," they said like they heard that line a lot. "Though when clients seek us out of their own volition, it's rare there are hesitations or stigmas to get through. But of course, we can discuss anything you'd like." They uncrossed then recrossed their legs in the opposite direction.