Twisted Asylum

Shimmering Water

"Doctor, I have a question for you." Elijah pipes up as we walk together. His brows are knitting together slightly, as if he's confused.

"Oh, feel free to ask me anything." I say with a smile, hoping I looked welcoming. "I know how confusing this job can be at first."

He chuckles softly, pressing a fist to his lips for a moment. "Hm." His brows knit back together. "Well, Director Crowley informed you you only had six patients. It seems like..." He gestures to my files. "It seems like you have much more."

My smile drops slightly in frustration. Of course the crow didn't even remember changing my patients.

"Yes, unfortunately I no longer have only six patients. My work was switched with someone else's, and now I have 21 of them."

Elijah's eyes widen in shock, letting out a disbelieving scoff. "Seriously? That's... Quite the change."

I laugh softly at his comment. "Tell me about it."

The Octavinelle ward is oddly quiet today.

At the doorway of the wing, a note was pinned on the wall haphazardly. Elijah pulls it down and hands it to me.

"Addressed to the doctor of Azul, Jade, and Floyd. There is a large tank/pool in the common room, they are there today, and will be there for your interview. (The whole wing has seperate days to soak in the pool, if you didn't know)."

I hum in understanding, gently plucking the note from the wall. I didn't even know there was a pool in this wing, but I suppose that makes sense. There are a lot of fishmen and merfolk here.

Apparently Fern used to be here, but it was too dangerous for him to be in his merform, so he was moved.

The sound of lapping water and light chatter fills the hallways as we make our way through. A few guards nod to me as I pass.

As I reach the pool, I do a double take at the sight. Sevens, they look exactly like those 'Poolroom' pictures the kids I used to look after here liked.

Elijah makes his way to a place to observe, pulling out his notebook.

"Shrimpyyy!~" An excited call breaks me out of my awkward nostalgia.

I look over to the voice, only to see Jade and Floyd, side by side in the pool, now much more eel than man. Floyd giggled excitedly, waving me over. Jade smiled calmly, leaning on the edge of the pool.

As I make my way over, I notice I can't see Azul with them.

"Good morning Doctor." Jade says with a smile, as Floyd practically wiggles with excitement.

"We've been waiting for so long! What's Shrimpy been doing all morning?" Floyd asks with a playful head tilt.

I chuckle softly, sitting cross legged a bit away from the pool to keep from getting wet. "Well, I have other patients in different wards. It takes me a bit to get through them all."

"... Speaking of patients, where's Azul?" I ask in confusion, looking around the pool.

"He's hiding. Apparently he isn't too keen to let people, especially you, see him in his merform." Jade explains casually.

My brow furrows. I didn't realise he was that uncomfortable around me.

Floyd frowns a pout at Jade. "Why'd ya say that like that? Ya make it sound like Azul doesn't like Shrimpy.." He grumbles. Yet, Jade chuckles, amused.

"My apologies. He's merely, how would you say... Insecure? About himself as a mer."

I hum in understanding. I felt for him, as someone who also wasn't that secure about themselves. "Well, if he's uncomfortable, I want force him to show himself."

The two eels are silent for a moment, before Floyd chuckles. "You're so strange, Shrimpy..~"

Jade smiles, his eyes barely crinkling. "Indeed so."

The rest of the talk goes fine, with only one or two moments where Floyd tries to pull me into the pool. Thank the Seven for the guards, or I'd have to utilise one of the scratchiest spare uniforms ever.

"Alright, I just have one more question for you two. And if you could ask Azul when you see him?" I say with a smile, tucking my clipboard under my arm with a smile.

Floyd nods, as Jade leans his chin on his palm.

"There's been reports of missing equipment, like scalpels and other medical stuff. Have you two seen anything like that around?"

They shake their heads. Floyd is first to speak. "Nah, I haven't seen anything."

Jade replies with a tilt of his head. "Mhm, as Floyd says. After all, we hardly leave this ward."

I nod, before standing back up with a groan.

"Alright, thankyou. I'll see you guys tomorrow then?" The two nod, Floyd waving goodbye as I turn and walk away, Elijah moving to trail behind me.

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Azul peeks out over the edge of the pool as Yuu walks out of the room, brow furrowed. "... They're gone."

Floyd groans petulantly. "They're gonna see ya eventually, why hide from them?" Azul bristles as his words.

"Now now, there's no need for banter. Yuu themself said they didn't mind you hiding yourself until you're ready." Jade speaks smoothly, smirking.

"... So they did." Azul murmurs, his pale lilac skin flushing as his tentacles curl in embarrassment.