AN: noticed a misplaced line divider -_-
She sat nervously, worrying. Fingers drumming the armrest, the other hand near her mouth. Nervously biting her index finger, eyes focusing on nothing, body non-reactive to surroundings. Renko's hand on her own forced Maribel out of her worries and was reassured with a smile. Which Maribel returned, although somewhat solemnly. Renko knew it was pointless telling the blonde that everything is going to be alright, that only belonged in non-fiction tales that have a happy ending. This is real life, where you don't have the choice of having a clear cut future. She knew something was wrong with her friend, and she knew the difficulties of a life Maribel could possibly face. She's seen it enough times that it doesn't faze her much, so when Maribel told her of the blackouts and random violent acts she has, Renko responded with support.
"Miss Hearn? Maribel Hearn?"
The two girls turned to see one of the doctors calling out her name. Renko squeezed Maribel's hand before letting go for Maribel to stand.
"Are you sure you don't want me to go with you?"
"I'll be fine Renko. I'll be in capable hands if I do blackout."
Although confident in her reply, when Maribel turned, her face dropped slightly. She desperately needed Renko with her, but because of the problems she is keeping from Renko, it's best she doesn't know for now.
"Please take a seat Miss Hearn."
Merry withheld all notion to completely collapse onto the chair, slightly exhausted from the trip here and of her worries. The doctor took his own seat before turning to Maribel.
"Now, Miss Hearn. Is there anything you would like to discuss about since your last visit, which was...four months ago?"
"Yes, I do."
The doctor turned to his notes and started flipping through them, quickly reminding him of Merry's last visit.
"How are you sleeping?"
"Not well, unfortunately. What you prescribed for me did help, but now it feels like the effects are starting to wear off, or stop working. They help numb my insomnia, but I still wake up a number of times during the night."
The doctor noted down on his paper. Merry could barely make out words that said 'pills no longer effective. Possible need to prescribe stronger dosage.'
"How are your dreams? Are you still dreaming, or not?"
"Yeah, it's the same dream over and over again."
He paused his writing to look at Merry, who has a distant look on her face, which had drained of any colour it had.
"Night terrors again?"
She nodded, causing the doctor to sigh and continue to write. 'Still has night terrors, nothing to prescribe her with to help. Refer to Psychologist?'
"Ok, what about your blackouts?"
"They've become more frequent lately. Erm, prior to this appointment, I ended up breaking a mirror in my dorm during my blackout."
"Hmm, you're worried about self harming during your blackout?"
"Not just that, I'm worried about hurting others. Hurting them to a point that they'll go to desperate measures to defend themselves."
"So, you're implying you have extreme mood swings during your blackout, regardless of not remembering anything during it?"
"Yes, not because I believe so. My friend and a few others have witnessed myself during them, they tell me I do not act like myself."
The doctor noted more down, continuing to question Merry further.
"How do they describe you in your blackouts?"
"They tell me it's like I suddenly switch. One moment I'm myself, the next I'm threatening them. I'm told I become violent in an instant, then become unresponsive and collapse."
"How long do your blackout occur?"
"They vary from two minutes to around ten. Like I say, they vary every time I have one."
The doctor scribbles more notes into his book before shutting it, turning to face Maribel with a stoic look.
"Judging since your last visit, I say your condition has somewhat worsened. For now, I'll prescribe you with stronger sleeping pills to help you sleep. I suggest listening to soothing music while you sleep, it helps by calming the brain and hopefully stop your night terrors. I'll also prescribe you something for your blackouts, this may not be affective, so I'm also going to give you a MRI appointment."
"How would that help, Doctor?"
"Due to the increasing frequency of them, I fear there might be damage in the brain. Did you have some sort of accident prior to them?"
"No, I don't think so."
He hums in response as he writes a note on a separate piece of paper before giving it to Maribel.
"Give this to the receptionist. They will hand you your prescription form."
Maribel rises from her seat and gave the doctor a farewell before heading to the door. Her hand was outstretched, ready to grasp the doorknob before he spoke.
"Before you leave Miss Hearn, I have to ask, do you have someone living with you? Like a partner or a roommate?"
Maribel turned, a little confused at the question, but answered regardless.
"Erm, no. I live alone. Can I ask why?"
"That girl in the waiting room, she is your friend?"
Maribel nodded.
"I suggest that you keep her close to you. With your blackouts, you're a danger to yourself. It becomes more threatening when you're alone."
He motions to Maribel's bandaged hand, out of habit she places her other hand over it. She nods before exiting.
"Are you sure you want to go Merry? You do seem awfully tired."
"Renko, I told you I'm fine. Besides, I need the fresh air anyway."
Maribel suggested after leaving the clinic that both herself and Renko should walk around some of the scenery that Kyoto has to offer. Renko immediately wanted to say no due to Maribel's condition, but she knew that Maribel would pester her until she gave up, so instead questioned if her blonde friend was ready to take such a walk.
"I'm only asking. I don't want you to collapse and hit your head on anything."
"Aw, you care for me that much? I'm charmed, but I'll be fine. So, please stop worrying. Besides, if something like that does happen, you'll be by my side."
Renko gave a slight smile. Maribel was right, Renko does need to stop worrying so much, and with Renko by her side nothing could go wrong. But she couldn't blame Renko for worrying.
'I guess anyone would worry about me.'
It wasn't just her mental health that worried Renko, but of her physical health too. Maribel hardly ventured out of her dorm room, apart from the exceptions of attending classes. Before, herself and Renko would many places for their club activities on more than one occasion per week full of energy and wit. However, because of Maribel's condition that has gotten worse, it slowly robbed her of her sprit full energy. Even just a full day of attending classes will cause the blonde to pass out on her bed once she enters her room. Because of this, her tutor advised her to shorten her hours to help with her condition. She would be fine with this if it didn't entail that she wouldn't be able to pass any exams to pass the course.
With her not getting enough sleep, there were bags under her eyes, not obvious unless you looked closely, but obvious enough for Renko to notice.
"You know, you should try to get some sleep. Or at least try sleeping like a normal person."
Maribel chuckled at Renko's statement.
"That's ironic coming from you, who stays up a night to cram for a test the very next day."
"Hey! I only do that on very rare occasions!"
"Hm, those 'rare' occasions being the times you didn't study?"
"I forgot!"
Maribel chuckled at Renko's pout, only causing her to start laughing as Renko gave her an annoyed look. Renko looked away in annoyance as Maribel's laugh died down. But she couldn't be angry at Maribel for long, how can she when her friend is in such a good mood? As if it was back to the good days.