Little Talks {NON/DISNEY AU}

the daily grind [03]

little talks
CHAPTER 03
the daily grind

"Tell me about it." Jack replied, completely deadpan and unaware of any subjects in the conversation. He leaned against the reception desk, taking in his break and enjoying it while he could. He would have a final appointment after this, then he'd finally be able to return to his cozy home after a quick stop at the café, perhaps?

He had been listening to the not-so-receptionist-suited, receptionist, E. Aster Bunnymund ramble on about how he'd probably dealt with the most annoying customer and it that it didn't help that it was a Monday and Mondays were the absolute worst. Then he'd probably chatter on about how North, their high and mighty business lord and boss, had either denied him his raise or delayed it. 'Ah, but Bunny-' he'd say in his Russian accent, 'not everyday is Christmas, I can't give raises and paychecks as if I were handing out charity gifts.'

"-And yet he donates around 25,000 buggers to St. Jude's what- every weekend? Crikey, probably more often!" Aster snorted, burying his chin into the palm of his hand that was supported by his elbow on the reception desk. The central reception room was empty, the maroon couches and recliners surrounding an electronic fireplace barren of any activity. The cherry-wood colored (because it wasn't actually cherry-woodー North would rather have something more expensive that would be worthy for the children) kids' structure in the corner, empty and silent, not crawling with the children who either had autism or high-anxiety, who had found their safe haven.

Jack took a long sip of his iced tea, as freshly brewed by Toothiana who was in the separate reception office right now- Talking to a family of two, a mother and her daughter, behind the glass walls. It was odd, that office. It was the most hated and beloved one in the entire clinic. Parents finally got the answers, they got the prescriptions and the medication in there. . Yet they never would think of their child the same way again afterwards. Jack usually held down the fort in that unit. He usually ran that office and broke the news to the parents, but now it was Tooth's turn. She somehow took it better than he did, even though ironically, he was the specialist. Maybe after all her years in the psychological field, she just learned to live with the memories as if they could be encased and put away.

The weirdest thing about the office was that it had glass walls, and anyone in the main reception room could look in and see the reaction to the parents being told that their child had a 'disease', or a 'mental condition', that there was something 'wrong with them'. There were blinds of course, in case anything became dramatic or messy. That rarely happened since Jack was hired, though and he was noticed for it... Praised by a few of the vitals nurses, even.

'I hate this room...' Jack blankly thought as his mind began to drift. He began to float, as he usually did when he was off his, well... He thought about random topics a lot more now, and he actually pondered them. 'I hate this deceiving, warm and comforting living room. It's as if we're gonna take you in- Y'know, give you a temporary home and you'll be out of here in no time. This room is a freaking lie. Behind those two wooden doors is a void, kids, welcome to the ride- we have no height limits here. You're in for an emotional rollercoaster: Where we pressure you into remembering your darkest memories, make you face your greatest fears and label you. We brand you as if you're livestock and we need to give you a name.

You there, depression, come forth.
Bipolar child, go back to your room.
No, no amnesia it's not time for snacks. Here, take a pill, it'll help you remember. MPD, for the last time, get your hands out of the cookie jar!'

He glanced over at the office, where Toothiana was sat at the desk. The woman, the mother, with brunette hair tied back sat with her daughter in her lap now. The little girl's blonde locks were draped over the mother's shoulder, she was still in her pajamas and yet she wore a pair of fairy wings.