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The following is a fan-based
FICTION
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Chapter 20: Therapy Chatting (and no, Doctor Phil isn't involved)
Medusa looked quite cute when she was nervous and so fidgety.
Then again, the reason that drove her into that behavior was particularly unpleasant. Yet, right now, that wasn't the point on why it was just me and her in the flat while Eli and Setanta were off to do some chores outside. No, it was something a bit more complex than that. The girl would have definitely loved to bail from this confrontation, but I had all reasons to drag her into this and get some discussion born from this interaction.
Normally I wouldn't have a reason to do that. I knew the Servants all held a degree of issues that would need some fixing. But it wasn't as bad for everyone as it was for a few. The two dummies I had before Medusa have their own things to solve, but nothing that genuinely 'hurt them' in the long-run. It was all about memories that made them grimace, and not actively flinch and panic as poor Medusa. And with that in mind, I had to do something to help her about this entire situation. I just had to.
"So, how about we start with a few simple questions?" I hummed as I took a sip from my coffee, loving the fact that today was my free day and I could enjoy it in peace. Or 'relative' peace. "How are you right now?"
Her gaze was aimed at the table, Medusa looking less willing to stare at me and preferring the piece of furniture.
"Good."
Only 'good'. Which can mean so many things in the mindframe of someone in her situation. That wasn't helpful. I was no therapist, and I doubted I could contact one for this situation, but I knew this girl could be reached out in solving the issues she had. It was just a matter of patience and listening.
"I'm glad to hear that."
She fidgeted at my response. While I may not be good with physical cues, I had a feeling this was a sign of distrust. Did she think I was lying? That was actually something tedious to deal with if I am trying to literally gain her trust.
"Medusa. Can you please look at me?"
The request was initially ignored, but slowly the girl lifted her gaze and matched mine.
"Sorry."
"Don't be," I remarked. "And I really mean it. How are you?"
...
"I'm better."
That's different than just 'good'.
"Then, if I may, I would like to talk with you about what is upsetting you."
"...Is this an order?" The girl asked back, her hands wrapped together as she stared at her thumbs. "Do I have to?"
"I want to say no. But I have a feeling that letting you go with that much frustration will hurt you."
...
"Okay."
That was a relieving response.
"Now, I understand this is a bit odd to ask but... how is your current form holding?"
She froze up at this, a bit of a big question considering I knew this through Quartz and I hadn't mentioned this to anyone else. Medusa's form compared to the others was unique due to a singular situation. Differently from my other two Servants, lil' Medusa had two forms. The one I was looking at was her 'Rider/Lancer' version and her 'Natural Form' which was supposedly inspired by the Gorgon-esque part in her Saint Graph.
"I have full control. It's just me and... instincts."
"Anything that I can help you with?"
Medusa held back from answering that, and from the embarrassed blush on her face, I had a distinct clue on what it could be.
"Is it blood?"
After gulping nervously, the lil' Servant nodded and I could tell she felt ashamed for this.
"Are you afraid that asking for it would yield you some punishment?"
"It should," She answered readily and I nodded. "So, am I in trouble?"
"For something that is not for you to decide? No, I will not blame you for that. In fact..." I leaned forward and slowly pulled the now-empty glass in front of her.
Medusa's eyes were aimed at the action as she saw me pull a knife and carefully cut part of my palm over it. Some blood spilled down before I calmly wrapped the wounded hand on some handkerchief.
"Quartz."
"Yes sir?"
"Can you please multiply the blood in this glass until it is more than half filled?"
"On it."
Medusa's jaw dropped when she realized what was up, even more when she saw the process happening with her own eyes. When she was presented the refill, she just stared at it with shock and... hunger.
"I-I shouldn't."
"I'm offering, Medusa. I understand you think this is pushing it, but I prefer for you to be able to control any issues that may hurt you first and others next."
She nodded with a bemused look plastered on her face, but 'happily' drank from the glass. A few quiet moments passed and I saw her sip tentatively before giving up to the urge. She had a little smile once she was done, but that faltered when the girl realized I was staring at her. Cue a cute blush returning to her cheeks.
"So?"
"It... works."
"I'm glad to hear that."
"But... Can I ask you an important question?"
That's a bit sudden considering I was the one asking questions up to this point but...
"Sure."
"Why are you putting so much effort in helping me?" Medusa asked. "I mean, don't you hate me? That's what you made clear during that fight. That you think so lowly of me and-"
"That was a taunt, Medusa. And something I knew if exaggerated from one to ten would have miffed you to no end," I interjected. "But I suppose you could also sense some truth in it, did you?"
Medusa nodded and I sighed.
"I will be honest and say that you are correct on feeling guilty due to what happened, both with your siblings and what happened with Sakura," I admitted with a cautious tone, noticing the girl squirming on her seat. "However, I am also someone that prefers to address a problem and understand it rather than just noticing it and giving it such a simplistic response. No, I will not hate you for what you did in these matters, but I will keep a watchful eye on you while you try to redeem yourself."
"But... why?"
I huffed. "Because while I may not be acquainted with your sisters, I am an older sibling myself."
My comment shook her up. "Wait... really?"
"Yep, I may not seem the part, but I have a little pest of a sister myself and, if I have to be honest, I can see why your sisters hard-pressed you when you were a child."
She bowed her head in shame.
"And I think it has to do with that. How you think so lowly of yourself."
...
"B-Beg your pardon?"
"Medusa, while it is true that you were unlucky in how things turned with your birth, do you really believe that they hated you for what you were?" I pressed back. "Beyond the jabs at you, beyond the insults, the mockery, the ridiculing- can you find a moment where they legitimately behaved so cruelly that you hated them?"
"I-I would have never done that! They were my sisters-"
"And they thought of you as their sister too," I remarked flatly. "Did they fight back when you were aiming to kill them? Did they try to kill you back?"
...
"No."
"Why?"
"...They were... Scared," Medusa tried to justify, yet I could tell she was just guessing at this point. "Or- Or they were caught off-guard."
She was trembling. "I-I don't know- but it happened. So much blood, their screams-"
I saw her body shift a little as she put her hands on her head's sides, trying to shake off the trauma. Wings made by dull-yellow feathers sprouted from her upper back, while a couple of locks of her hair morphed as snake-like heads formed around the edges of those. She was turning into a mini-Gorgon. In my house. And with the potential chance of blasting things up with her Noble Phantasm.
That was... bad.
"Sir-" Quartz called, trying to get me to snap at this and... I did.
I bolted off my chair and paced around the table. The snakes tensed up, but did nothing to stop me as I went to pick up Medusa and lift her up. The girl's panic attack stopped, her eyes still wide open and her face so pale at the experience but... but she stared at me. And I stared back at her. Then, calmly, I brought her close for a hug and I held her tightly.
"Medusa. That's enough."
"I-I'm sorry," She half-sobbed, trembling against my chest, planting her face as deeply as she could onto my shirt. "I'm a monster-"
"You are an oddity, not a monster," I muttered back, caressing the back of her head and letting her cry a bit. "You are not a monster."
"I-I am."
"You are not."
Peace returned shortly after, but the mood was now poisoned by what had happened. I could go any further with our conversation without triggering another episode, and I knew better than push it. Right now Medusa was in no mental shape for any discussion about these topics so I decided to put an end to this for today.
"I believe we're done with the questions. How about we get you distracted and back to a good mood?"
She didn't say anything back to this, merely nuzzling against me... together with the snakes. It was quite odd to feel small hissing heads trying to be caring, but I ignored the weirdness of the situation to sit down and enjoy some quality time with Medusa... by the PC!
Yes, TV was too weak to help me with the much-needed distraction and I had a few sites for her to see to get her spirits up. Medusa didn't do or say anything as I let her rest her butt on my lap, shifting her a bit so her face could at least partially see the rig I had set up ever since I got there. It was the early 2000s, I couldn't expect something worthy of gaming-tier builts, but I could get something good for normal navigation.
I opened youtube, I loaded the first unseen cute dog's videos and-
"Oh," A quiet hum came from Medusa as her gaze was soon captured by the compilation of pups doing silly stuff.
From a quiet humming, giggles emerged and soon I felt her melting in my hold, easing down with the stress and... the Gorgon-like form persisted for the time being, with the snakes eyeing the screen of the PC with delight, clearly as amused as their 'master'. Eventually I broached other sillier topics, such as cats, or even showing 'snake funny moments'. That one seemed to unnerve her a bit at first, but she instantly chuckled when she saw the first corn snake with a hat on its head.
And eventually, I brought up a tidbit which showed how deeply interested she was on this wild search through the world wide web.
"Oh, did you know that your mythological face is used by my home-state as its flag?"
It was a bit of a sudden question, but it sure sprung a lovely squeak from Medusa.
"Really?"
I smiled, and she was quick to storm me with questions about other things she was shown in. Some were awkward, some were amusing by the notion that she was represented as a 'plain woman' compared to her real self and also... set her to wonder how deflated her legend was for the main story being that she became a monster by Athena's orders due to Poseidon's ill actions.
I knew why that was silly because I was aware of the true nature of the Olympians, but it definitely put things in perspective when trying to understand how some humans justified that myth with that odd story. And thus the rest of my free day was burned focusing on Medusa.
But that's also where I also got the chance to finally know who was the bastard behind my current awkward job. White hair, robes, he spoke arrogantly and was getting quite pissed at my work to 'save humanity'.
Yep, there was no doubt in my eye, I was dealing with some interdimensional pet demon that needed some ass-whooping once I got within reach to handle that sort of punishment.
Goetia, you are up for a nightmare once I put my hands on you, you self-centered prick!
AN
Medusa needs to work on her self-esteem, against her self-loathing, and also appreciate the pure and simple nature of getting head-patted and hugged from time to time. Also, if I had a penny for everytime a Fate-related story of mine is half-screwed by Goetia, I would have two pennies. Which is little, but it sure is odd that it happened twice.