Long time, no see. Guess I'm back to my old habits. I just finished the first season of "The Alienist" and am absolutely hooked.
Chapter 1
New York, April 1897
Pandora grasped Lucina's hand firmly as they carefully disembarked from the Aurora. The sun was rising steadily in the east, illuminating a pier teeming with people in the process of disembarking from the ship, unloading luggage from the hold or reuniting with loved ones. The unmistakable smell of brine, motor oil and rusted metal assaulted them as they moved down the gangway. Pandora watched as Lucy, dressed in a sensible dove-grey travelling dress and coat, took in the bustling crowd on the dock, her mouth pinched in distaste. After weeks at sea, the little girl had been overjoyed at the sight of Lady Liberty rising proudly from the waves in the bay. However, it was clear that this noisy, dirtier side of New York left much to be desired. She smothered her amusement and guided Lucy towards the shore. As Pandora went to step down, a red-haired man wearing a smart white cap offered her his hand. She shook her head politely but firmly.
"No, thank you, however-" She began but stopped as she witnessed Lucy gaily launch herself off the gangway. There was a flash of starched white pantalons before she landed squarely on muddy stones. Lucy turned looked up at Pandora with a triumphant expression.
"Hm, why not just aim for a puddle next time?" Pandora admonished half-heartedly, flicking small specks of mud from her skirts. Turning back to the young porter, Pandora caught his bemused expression.
"Sir, we have three valises under the name of Dr P Mitchell. Could you arrange for them to be brought to us?" She asked sternly and the freckled youth's grin quickly dropped.
"Of course, ma'am." He replied and stepped away to give some instructions to a burly dock worker who moved off in search of their luggage. Lucy tried and failed to hide a yawn behind her small fingers. Pandora sympathised. It had been an early start to the day and the poor child had barely slept a wink during their crossing from Southhampton. Pandora was eager to get them settled at the hotel as soon as possible. A spot of breakfast and a change of clothes would do them the world of good.
"Sir," The young man perked up at the sound of her voice.
"We will be staying at the Paragon Hotel, is it far from here?" She enquired and he pondered for a moment.
"It's about a twenty minute ride from here. A short walk from Central Park." He informed them and Pandora sent Lucy a smile.
"Did you hear that, Lucy? We could go for a walk once we've been to the institute." She said and the little girl's bright eyes lit up.
Horses? She signed excitedly and Pandora leant down conspiratorily.
"It is a possibility." Lucy was practically vibrating with delight by the time the dock worker returned with their luggage. Pandora checked the trunks over carefully then, seeing no damage, nodded to the porter who ordered them to be lifted onto an awaiting trolley. She reached into her reticule and handed the red-haired lad some crisp dollar notes. The young man took the bills discretely.
"For yourself and this obliging gentleman." She said kindly and the young man grinned while handing some of the notes to the dock worker. He turned back to Pandora and doffed his cap.
"I'll arrange a cab to take you straight to the Paragon now, ma'am." Pandora nodded gratefully.
"We appreciate your assistance, sir."
She and Lucina followed the young man through the dense throng of people moving on the dock to a line of cabs waiting to take prospective customers to their various destinations. Their porter walked up to the first cab and spoke quietly with the driver, who jumped down to help him load the luggage securely to the rear of the cabin. Pandora sent the porter off with a word of thanks and watched as the driver helped Lucy into the cab. She waved off the driver's attempts to assist her and settled into the padded seats of the cabin. The little girl was staring at her as they moved off away from the docks.
Why don't you ever let them help you? She signed, flicking a golden curl out of her eyes to stare at Pandora pointedly. Pandora sighed.
"I have arms, legs and wit enough to use them. I do not need anyone's help to get into a cab." She quipped and Lucy rolled her blue eyes.
One day, Dora, you're going to meet someone who you won't mind giving you a hand. Lucina signed determinedly and Pandora shook her head.
"That ship has long since sailed for me, Lucy. And besides…" She leaned back into her seat and pulled a black leather notebook from her reticule.
"We have too many places to see before we get tied down in the humdrum of normal life."
Well, it's good manners. Lucy rebuked stubbornly and Pandora raised her eyebrows in amusement.
"Oh, and I presume it is also good manners to jump off gangways and muddy peoples' skirts?" Lucy's cheeks flushed.
Sorry. She signed reluctantly.
"It's alright, little mouse." Pandora soothed and Lucy sighed dejectedly.
"Come now, we're in New York! Imagine what adventures we shall have." Pandora pointed out the windows of the carriage and Lucy couldn't resist gazing out into the busy streets. Her face brightened and Pandora took the chance to look over the itinerary she had made for their time in New York, her gloved finger pausing at a particular address.
The Kreizler Institute for Wayward & Abandoned Children.
Pandora fought down a surging wave of nausea. For almost two years they had travelled the world, meeting with doctors and specialists from every discipline, yet no-one had been able to bring Lucy's voice back. Dr Kreizler's name had been provided as a measure of last resort by their previous doctor in London, Dr Levy.
"He is considered something of an expert with children, but he is an unorthodox practitioner." She had been warned by at the end of Lucy's last session. Well, she had tried all the orthodox methods, so perhaps it is time to try others.
Pandora rubbed a hand over her temple, where a dull ache was growing. She truly hoped that they hadn't come all this way for nothing.
A light knock made her look up.
Are you alright? Lucy asked and Pandora tried to smile over her anxiousness.
"Yes, I'm just a bit tired from the voyage." She lied, bringing her hand away from her head and smiling at Lucy. Lucy frowned, clearly not believing her. Continuing to act as if nothing was wrong, Pandora reached into her reticule and closed her fingers around the glass vial inside.
How long will we be here for? Lucy signed impatiently and Pandora shrugged.
"I'm not certain, but if this trip goes better than the last, hopefully not too long." She replied and Lucy frowned.
What if Dr Kreizler cannot help me? Pandora felt her chest ache as she watched Lucy's face crumple. She leaned forward and gently clasped the girl's small hands in her own.
"He is said to be the best, little mouse." She assured Lucy but the girl ripped her hands from Pandora's grasp and shook her head angrily.
What if it doesn't work? Lucy demanded and Pandora inhaled deeply.
"Then we put all of this behind us and we strike out together on all those adventures Papa and Mumma used to tell us about. No more doctors, and no more alienists." She stated earnestly and, after a long moment, Lucy smiled weakly.
Promise? She asked and Pandora nodded.
"I promise. Just us. Sisters, forever." Lucy's blue eyes watered ever so slightly.
"Ah, now don't you cry. You will get me going and then where will we be?" Pandora joked weakly, drawing an embroidered silk handkerchief from her sleeve. Lucy took the handkerchief and used it to dry her face. To give her some privacy, Pandora gazed out the window.
Not long after, the carriage pulled to a stop outside a handsome brownstone building with two porters standing at attention beside its polished double-doors. The driver opened the door and Pandora stepped down. She reached once again into her reticule and proffered him a whole five dollars.
"Why, thank you Mrs…?" He stuttered and Pandora smiled.
"It's doctor, actually. Dr Pandora Mitchell." The man's bushy eyebrows shot skyward.
"A lady doctor, I've never heard of such a thing." He murmured and Pandora rolled her eyes.
"Yes, well, there is neither a physiological or neurological reason preventing women from being doctors." She replied firmly and the man ducked his head apologetically.
"Ah, of course. Begging your pardon, ma'am- uh, doctor." He said awkwardly and Lucy hid her giggle in her hand. Pandora shot her a hard glare.
"I will need you to call by again in about an hour." She said and the driver touched his cap obligingly.
"For this amount, Dr Mitchell, you have me for the day." He said politely and Pandora nodded gratefully.
"Thank you, Mr…?"
"Keenan."
Pandora handed him his money and turned back towards Lucy who was tugging impatiently on her skirt.
"Yes?" She asked and Lucy pointed down the street. In the distance, Pandora could make out the unmistakable sight of thick green foliage.
"That must be Central Park." She said and Keenan nodded.
"Indeed, Dr Mitchell. There are also a bunch of lovely cafes and bistrots across the Upper East Side, in that direction." He advised and Pandora mentally noted this for later.
"But the opera house and theatre are on the other side of the Park, on the Upper West Side." Keenan continued and Pandora thought longingly of a night at the opera. It has been years since she had last seen one. Perhaps, depending on how things went with Dr Kreizler, she and Lucy could make a night of it.
"Thank you, Mr Keenan. That is most helpful." Keenan nodded and stepped up onto his cab to assist the two porters with the luggage.
"I'll see you in an hour, Dr Mitchell."
Pandora and Lucy climbed the neat steps into the Paragon and stepped into the lobby, which was decorated with a large red carpet, gilded mirrors and an enormous chandelier that glittered in the centre of the wide space. A marble welcome desk lined the back wall and a round faced man with an oiled mustache and comb-over spotted them as they made their way towards him.
"May I help you ladies?" He enquired as they came to stand before the desk.
"Yes, I have a reservation for Dr P Mitchell and Miss Lucina Mitchell?" Pandora replied and the man peered down at the ledger. He looked back at them quizzically.
"Will Dr Mitchell be joining us shortly?" He enquired and Pandora smirked.
"You're looking at her. I am Dr Pandora Mitchell, neurologist. I believe that I arranged our stay through my solicitor, Mr Samuel Roberts of Locke & Co, last week." The man's eyes widened.
"Oh, I do beg your pardon, Dr Mitchell. I did not realise-" He spluttered and Pandora nodded.
"You are not the first." She assured him, bemused at his rapidly reddening cheeks.
"Well, I bid you both welcome to the Paragon. I am Hamish, the manager, and we have your reservation here." He confirmed, bending to pull an ivory envelope from a compartment under the desk.
"Your suite is ready, so we can head straight up now." He continued and Pandora sighed with relief. Her head was pounding.
"Excellent, please lead the way." She said and Mr Hamish bowed slightly before sliding out from behind the desk.
"I took the liberty of asking the maids to lay out some breakfast in your rooms, as I imagine you must both be tired from your journey." He said and Lucy nodded excitedly. Mr Hamish chuckled.
"Ah, I hope it is not too much to assume that are Miss Lucina Mitchell?" He asked politely and Lucy grinned, holding out her hand to him. He looked askance at Pandora who indicated for him to shake it.
"Enchanté." He said, taking Lucy's hand.
"If you will both follow me." He said before leading them towards a gilded elevator. After settling them comfortably inside, Mr Hamish pressed the 10th floor button and pulled the door closed. The elevator rose slowly.
"The Paragon was founded in 1865 and has a reputation as one of the finest private hotels in New York." Hamish explained as they rose.
"We have hosted mayors, congressmen, presidents and even the odd royal." He continued proudly and Pandora nodded absentmidnedly.
"And their mistresses." She whispered under her breath.
"I beg your pardon?" Hamish asked and Pandora shook her head.
"I said what fine furnishes, the chandelier in particular is quite a sight." She lied smoothly and Hamish smiled delightedly.
"Ah yes, it's just splendid. It was a gift from a French ambassador who stayed with us in 1885." He said proudly.
"Now, Doctor Mitchell, I understand that the full duration of your stay with us has not been confirmed." Pandora nodded.
"Lucina and I are here on business, so it is uncertain how long we will need to remain in New York. If we are to stay longer than the two weeks I have already paid for, would that be a problem?" She asked and Mr Hamish shook his head.
"Absolutely not. The rooms are yours until you wish to leave us. We do tend to get busy once the season starts, however, that is a good month or so from now, and since you are already here, you would have priority on the rooms." He assured her and Pandora smiled down at Lucy who was watching them quizzically.
What season? Lucy signed in confusion and Pandora smirked.
"The social season, Lucy. Over the summer months, wealthy young ladies across the city will get dressed up and attend parties night after night in the misguided hope that a wealthy man chooses to wed them." She explained and the little girl laughed.
Did you have a season? She asked and Pandora nodded.
"Oh yes, back when I was young and silly." She joked and noticed Mr Hamish's puzzled expression.
"Oh, Lucina communciates via sign language, Mr Hamish. She may also leave instructions via notes. Will that pose a problem for your staff?" She asked pointedly and the mustached manager shook his head hurriedly.
"Not at all, Dr Mitchell." He replied and made sure to avoid staring at the two as they continued to converse.
The elevator reached the 10th floor and Mr Hamish guided them down a short hallway to a room marked 1016. He took out two sets of keys, unlocked the door and handed a set to Pandora and Lucina. Pandora's eyes widened as they stepped into the breezy apartment. The wide, french-style windows were open, allowing sunlight and fresh air to flood the main salon which contained a fireplace, two armchairs, a couch and pianoforte beside the large windows that opened out onto a balcony. The walls beside the fireplace were lined with bookshelves, holding an assortment of leather bound tomes and interesting knick-knacks. The other walls were covered in still-lifes and a large gilded mirror that seemed to extend the room even further. Potted palms sat in two corners, providing splashes of greenery to the space.
"Breakfast is on the balcony. A wash room and toilette are to the left. We've recently had new gas works completed, so there is hot water straight to the taps. Your rooms are to the right. There is an interconnecting door between them." Mr Hamish instructed and Pandora went with him to inspect the rooms while Lucy made a bee-line for the balcony. Pandora peered into the bedroom, noting the neat king-sized bed, large armoire and sensible writing desk beside another wide window. While it was much too large for her, she noted that her two valises were already in the room.
"I'll have one of the maids come and unpack your things shortly." Mr Hamish stated matter of factly.
"Thank you. One is filled with my books and journals, so please instruct them to leave those as is." She ordered and Hamish nodded.
"We will also be stepping out in about an hour, so we should be out of their way for the rest of the clothing."
"Of course. I will leave you both to your breakfast. Please call if you have any further need of my assistance." He bowed his head and disappeared out the door. Pandora let out a breath she hadn't realised she was holding and carefully removed her hat. She then walked slowly to the salon's balcony where Lucy was already seated on a wicker chair and munching determinedly on a jam-filled croissant.
"Good?" Pandora asked and the blonde nodded enthusiastically. Pandora sat down on the other seat and, after carefully removing her gloves, poured herself a generous cup of tea. Adding a small dash of milk, she took a sip and sighed delightly at the soothing taste of bergamot.
"Earl grey… perfect." She murmured and picked up a juicy looking orange. Taking a paring knife, she sliced it into pieces and chewed on the sweet flesh thoughtfully. Lucy was humming idly to herself, peering out over the balcony at the street below.
"Little mouse, when you're finished, go wash your face and hands. Your trunk should already be in your room, so go pick out something more comfortable for our meeting at the institute." She said and Lucy nodded, linking her sticky fingers.
When do we have to go? Pandora checked a silver fob-watch dangling from her lapel.
"I'd say we have about thirty minutes until we must leave. I'm not sure how long it will take us to get to the Institute, but our appointment is scheduled for 10am, so it would be better to be a little early than late."
Lucy nodded and eyed another croissant hungrily. Pandora chuckled.
"Go on." She chided fondly and Lucy wasted no time in slathering the warm pastry in thick red-berry jam. Pandora took another sip of her tea and plucked a slice of toast from the tray. For a moment, she relaxed, allowing the sun to gently warm her as the sounds of the street drifted lazily up to them from below. Her mind floated back to another time and place when she had enjoyed another lazy breakfast in the sunshine. Back in Australia. Back when her parents had still been alive. Back before the fire. Back before Matthew.
Pandora lurched out of her daydream. Shaking, she quickly finished her tea and stood.
"I'll meet you in the salon in twenty minutes." She told Lucy, who nodded and went back to her people-watching.
Staggering to her feet, Pandora made her way quickly to her room, closing the door quickly behind herself. She moved to the bed, where she had left her hat and reticule. Scrambling, she quickly found the vial containing her laudanum. Twisting the top open, she carefully squeezed a small amount into the pipette and splashed two drops onto her tongue. She winced at the bitter taste. She replaced the top and squirrelled the vial away. Taking deep, practiced breaths, she tried to quell her racing heart. When she was certain that her panic was subsiding, she moved to her trunk and opened it. She reached for the first dress she saw, a ivy-green day dress with leg-o-mutton sleeves and fine black brocade. She fought with the buttons of her travelling gown, before successfully peeling it off. Stepping out of the dress she caught sight of herself in the full length mirror in the corner. Auburn hair piled into a strict bun atop her head and tired blue eyes - so similar to Lucy's - peering back above faint dark circles.
"You've looked worse." She muttered and carefully pulled on the dress. Using the mirror, she worked the buttons closed. Her Papa had always said green was her colour, a true contrast to her fiery hair. Maybe it would bring her and Lucy luck today. Digging into her trunk, she found a matching green hat with a ribbon of black satin. Pinning it to her bun, she inspected herself.
"That will do." She murmured and took a moment to pinch her cheeks. Stepping back out into the salon, she made her way to the salon. As she entered, Lucy bounded in.
"All finished? Go find something to wear." She instructed and Lucy nodded begrudgingly.
Turning back into the salon, Pandora purused the bookshelves until she found a copy of Frederik Ruysch's anatomical observations, which - by the look of the dust on its pages - hadn't been read in some time. She sat in one of the armchairs and flipped lazily through his cases, remembering her days as a pupil.
"Ahem." She looked up to see Lucy, half-dressed in a charming blue dress with puff sleeves. She stood up and went to help her with the final few buttons.
"Shall we?" She asked and Lucy inhaled deeply, clearly resolving herself to another failure. Pandora knelt down in front of her and carefully tied her straw boater securely to her head.
"No matter what happens, I'm very proud of you, little mouse. You have been exceedingly brave." She said and Lucy threw her arms around Pandora. Pandora froze for a moment, then wrapped her arms around the girl's shoulders. When Lucy drew away, Pandora smiled.
"Come on, let's get this over with." She said and Lucy nodded.
They made their way back downstairs. As they walked out into the crisp morning sunshine, Pandora looked around for Mr Keenan. In a flash, they spotted his cab, which started forward at the sight of them.
"Dr Mitchell!" He called and Pandora raised a hand in welcome. Pulling to a stop, he swung down and opened the door for them.
"Where to?" He asked and Pandora handed him the address. He nodded and tucked it into his breast pocket.
"It's about a 10 minute trip." He said and they stepped up into the carriage. The trip passed quietly, the air thick with tension.
"We're here, Dr Mitchell." Keenan called as the carriage came to a stop. Peering out, Pandora was surprised to see a stately building enclosed by high-ivy covered walls. It was only the plaque on the gate reading "The Kreizler Institute" that confirmed they were in the right place. Over the wall, she could hear children laughing and playing.
"It doesn't look so bad." She said to Lucy who peered curiously at the Institute. The door opened and they stepped out.
"I'll wait around the corner, Dr Mitchell. However long you need." He said and Pandora was touched.
"Hey, you paid for it." Kennan teased, his brown eyes twinkling merrily. Pandora snorted and walked towards the gates. They swung open on well-oiled hinges and the pair stepped into a bright court-yard, where a bunch of children in plain grey suits run to and fro. Lucy strained her neck to watch them, her eyes wide with surprise.
This is not like any of the other places. She signed and Pandora nodded, watching three little girls around Lucy's age playing jump rope.
"Maybe that's a good thing." She said and Lucy nodded, her round face showing no signs of her previous distress. A stern-faced matron stood at the door of the Institute, watching the children play. Pandora waved to her.
"Good morning. I'm Dr Pandora Mitchell, we're here to see Dr Kreizler." She said by way of an introduction and the woman nodded, her stern face splitting unexpectedly into a wide smile as she gazed down at Lucy.
"Welcome child." She said kindly and looked back up to Pandora.
"Dr Kreizler is currently with another client, however, if you wish to wait inside, I will bring you some forms to fill out." She said and Pandora nodded.
"Come with me. Nora! Watch the others for a moment, please." The woman shouted at an older girl, who Pandora took to be around twelve years old.
"Yes, Matron Gratton." The girl replied and turned around to watch the little ones.
Matron Gratton guided Pandora and Lucy into the Institute. It was just as inviting on the inside as it was outside. Children were scattered about the entrance hall, laughing and talking with one another. Matron Gratton guided them to a pair of chairs beside an arched doorway. The door was just slightly ajar and Pandora could just make out a library beyond. Her fingers itched to explore the tomes. She was certain Dr Kreizler would have an extensive collection of medical journals and treaties.
"I'll bring the forms shortly." Matron Gratton said, breaking through Pandora's thoughts. She indicated for them to sit and Pandora did so, but Lucina couldn't seem to sit still.
Can I go play with the others? She asked and Pandora sighed.
"Yes, but come back in about ten minutes. We don't want to miss our appointment." She said and Lucy grinned. She ran off through the doors. Pandora waited patiently, accepting the bundle of forms that Matron Gratton brought to her. She filled them out carefully, providing an overview of Lucy's situation and the advice of the previous specialists. She heard a giggle and looked up to see a young boy, no more than five, smiling down at her from a staircase.
"Hello." She said curiously but the boy simply giggled again and ran off. Laughing to herself, Pandora stood and stretched. Curiosity got the better of her and she hesitated at the door to the library. Throwing caution to the wind, she opened the door wider and stepped inside. Her mouth fell open at the scale of the room. The central table was piled high with a mess of documents and books, and there was at least two floors of shelves on either side. At the end, a set of glass doors led to what appeared to be a laboratory. It was heavenly. She quietly browsed the bottom rows, pausing occasionally to read titles, before wandering back to the table. She flicked over the scattered documents curiously. Her brow furrowed as she came across a rather disturbing sketch of what appeared to be a child with bloodied eyes and twisted limbs. Some kind of art therapy perhaps? Exactly how disturbed were some of the patients here?
Pandora nearly jumped out of her skin as a door opened to her left and a young boy came flying out of a room she hadn't realised was there. He paused mid-step as he saw her.
"Oh, are you here to see Dr Kreizler too?" He asked, but before Pandora could answer a man stepped into view behind him.
"It's alright Timothy, please head on out." The man said gently, with just the faintest hint of a German accent. Timothy nodded and ran to the door. The man stepped into the library and Pandora felt her breath catch in her throat as she came face to face with the man she had heard so much about.
—
Laszlo felt a flash of irritation as he caught sight of the intruder, which faded as he noticed how beautiful she was. Annoyed at himself for relaxing, he strode forward towards the woman. She was petite, perhaps a half-head shorter than himself, with russet hair that almost glowed in the sunlight. She had large blue eyes, which peered up at him curiously as he approached.
"You're not supposed-"
"I'm sorry for-"
They both stopped, and the woman chuckled awkwardly.
"I must apologise, Dr Kreizler. I noticed your beautiful library from the entrance hall and simply couldn't resist." She said and Laszlo cocked his head clinically. Her voice held a strange accent, not quite British, but distinctly English based.
"Did Matron Gratton permit you inside?" He asked and the woman shook her head, her cheeks reddening.
"No, I should have waited outside." She admitted and he nodded, his eyes flicking to the drawings by her hand. Alarmed, he rushed over and quickly put them away. The woman moved out of his way immediately and began to twist her fingers into knots. A common self-soothing gesture.
"Why are you here, Miss..?" He asked and the woman smiled lightly.
"It's doctor, actually. Dr Pandora Mitchell." She replied and Laszlo's interest was piqued. He recalled seeing her name somewhere in his diary. Was that today?
"I see, you have come on a professional matter?" He asked and Dr Mitchell shook her head, looking back towards the arched doorway that Timothy had just passed through.
"No, well, I suppose in a way, yes." She said and, taking a deep breath, regarded him frankly, her eyes clearly measuring him up. Laszlo felt slightly naked under her gaze. Was this how he made other people feel?
"It's my sister, Lucina, she's currently outside playing with some of your other patients." Dr Mitchell answered and Laszlo nodded.
"I have come to see if you may be the solution to our problems." She said flippantly before moving towards his study without so much as a by-your-leave. Amused, Laszlo followed her and walked to sit down behind his desk.
"Please." He said indicating towards a chair. Dr Mitchell sat primly, cocking her head to stare at him.
"You are an alienist, correct?" She asked and he nodded.
"And your specialty is in children?" He nodded again and pressed his fingertips together as he considered her.
"I find that the earlier the intervention, the better the prognosis. As a doctor yourself, you would know this is as true for medicine of the body as it is for the mind." He said and Dr Mitchell smiled warmly.
"Yes. Unfortunately, my practice can only do so much for Lucina. While I am a neurologist, her condition appears to have no physiological cause." She replied and Lazslo nodded thoughtfully.
"What are her symptoms?" He asked and Dr Mitchell sighed heavily. While she was clearly quite young, there was a clear strain in her face. She handed him the admittance forms and Laszlo ran his gaze over her neat cursive.
"Selective mutism appears to be her primary condition. However, she also experiences periodic outbursts of anger, occasioning violence both to herself and others." Startled, Lazslo tried not avoid thinking of another woman who had shared these exact symptoms… and where that had led her.
"From your notes, it appears that this all started approximately 2 years ago. Is that correct?" He asked and Dr Mitchell nodded.
"Yes, Lucy stopped speaking not long after the deaths of our parents and I lost-." She cut herself off and Laszlo clicked his tongue. Well, there was something else it seemed.
"Yes, Dr Mitchell?" He prodded and the woman's brow furrowed. She shook her head.
"Lucina has suffered so much, and for a child of only eight years. I became her guardian on the death of my parents and I have done everything I can to help her, however, I can only do so much." She explained and her gloves hands recommenced their unconscious twisting.
"Grief, especially in children, can manifest in a variety of ways, Dr Mitchell." Laszlo said and momentarily lost his thoughts as she gazed at him with her deep blue eyes. She really was beautiful. He cleared his throat.
"Typically, maladaptive behaviour passes as children come to terms with the death of loved ones. However, the loss of both parents, at such a young age, can lead to more serious conditions, where they are not addressed appropriately." He continued and Dr Mitchell sighed, bringing a hand to her furrowed brow.
"I was advised by a colleague of yours, Dr Isaac Levy, that you are something of an expert in these more extreme conditions." She said pointedly and Laszlo smirked.
"I am surprised to hear any praise came from Dr Levy. If I recall correctly, he called my work "an exploitative and unpolished excuse for science"." He was startled when Dr Mitchell started to laugh, her heart-shaped face the very picture of merth. He felt that it suited her exceedingly.
As she collected herself, Dr Mitchell held his gaze.
"Dr Kreizler, I have been told that your methods are unorthodox, experimental and, at times, antagonistic to your fellow practitioners." She stood and moved towards the window of his study, looking out towards the courtyard where the children played. She smiled, but it didn't touch her eyes.
"I do not wish to see my sister harmed any further by false promises." Laszlo could hear the anguish in her voice.
"I understand, but I have dedicated my life to helping children overcome their difficulties. I do not enjoy seeing any of my children in pain and could not in good conscious allow Lucina to suffer if there was something I could do to assist her." He assured her and Dr Mitchell's face softened.
"However, I sense that I am not the first alienist you have spoken with." He surmised and she nodded.
"In truth, we have travelled across Europe and Great Britain in search of answers. Before that we exhausted all our options in Australia and the East. None of the so-called "orthodox methods" have worked for Lucy." She murmured and Laszlo chuckled drily. Dr Mitchell narrowed her eyes at him and he help up his good hand plaintively.
"I was wondering about your accent. Am I right in assuming you are from the Antipodes?" He mused and the red-haired woman relaxed and nodded.
"And so, after your many adventures, you have come to my humble institute." He concluded and she murmured affirmation.
"I worry for her. I worry about a future in which she cannot advocate for herself." Her gaze turned back to the courtyard, no doubt pinned to her little sister's form.
"Do you have some reason to fear she will not have you to help her? Or do you fear for her in the general sense of her having to live in a world that exerts undue pressure on young women to conform to its expectations." He asked probingly and Dr Mitchell tossed her head idly.
"Both. We are women alone in a world where we must fight not to be talked over, bullied and made to mistrust our own thoughts and desires." She glanced at him and saw that he was not mocking her.
"And, none of us live forever, Dr Kreizler. I worry for her if something were to happen to me." She replied vaguely. Her tone was light but there was a clear tension in her shoulders. He decided to park that particular avenue of enquiry for a later date. If the child felt some reason to believe that her sister might not be around to help, it would likely increase her general anxieties about interacting with the world.
"It is perfectly natural to fear for our loved ones." He soothed but the young woman shook her head. Her voice hardened.
"I know, but that does not seem to stop me worrying about her being alone and unprepared for the realities of navigating this world."
"Like you were?" He interjected and Dr Mitchell looked at him in shock. Her eyes narrowed and Laszlo could practically see the walls building back up. Changing tack, he stood up and moved around the desk towards her, gazing out towards the children playing below.
"Dr Mitchell, I would be more than happy to assist Lucina. I believe that some time here in the Institute would be good for her." He said and cast a glance to guage her reaction. He could tell that Dr Mitchell was contemplating whether or not to trust him.
"However, before we make any decisions, I feel I should speak with Lucina myself." He concluded and Dr Mitchell nodded thoughtfully.
"Do you have some knowledge of sign language, Dr Kreizler?" She enquired and he nodded.
"Some." He murmured and she moved past him towards the doorway. As she moved, he caught a whiff of her perfume, a delicious scent of jasmine and something else, something he had never smelt before. Unconsciously, he breathed it deeply, committing it to memory, then shook himself. That was highly inappropriate.
"Shall we?" He asked and Dr Mitchell nodded, her blue eyes unreadable. He indicated forward with his good arm and followed her out of his office. As they passed several of his children, he stopped to speak with them. Little Stella was progressing well with her stutter. Young Nicholas' melancholy seemed to be improving with distance from his overbearing parents. He felt Dr Mitchell's eyes on him as he worked.
Finally, they walked down the steps into the courtyard and he spotted a young girl in a pale blue gown approaching the Clairmont sisters and little Ruby Kingston, who were playing jump rope by the wall. Dr Mitchell went to join them but Laszlo caught her arm. She stiffened, almost imperceptibly, glancing down at his hand and then back to his face.
"Wait." He whispered, jutting his chin towards the group of girls, who had stopped their play and were engaging with Lucina. Dr Mitchell heeded him, her face openly worried. He noted that she did not remove her arm from his grip.
"Trust her." He encouraged and she inhaled deeply. Ruby, the designated leader of the group, seemed to be speaking with Lucina, who pointed at herself and then the rope. The Clairemont sisters, Grace and Matilde, shrugged obligingly, clearly open to the idea, but Ruby considered Lucina for a moment. There was a tense pause. Finally, she smiled and beckoned Lucina to join them. Lucina's face was a picture of happiness. She and Ruby both stepped into the centre of the skipping rope and began to jump together.
"Well, what do you know." He murmured with pride and Dr Mitchell exhaled with relief.
"Does she sing to herself?" Laszlo asked, watching as the girls sang a classic jumping tune toegtehr. Lucy seemed to mouth the words unconsciously, but they were too far to know if she was actually singing. Dr Mitchell pondered the question.
"I know that she can hum, so I surmise that she can sing. And she was speaking as well as a six year old can up until the mutism started." Laszlo made a mental note of this.
"Shall I go and introduce myself?" He asked and Dr Mitchell nodded. Together, they walked over to the group of girls, who paused their play and looked towards them.
"Good morning girls." Laszlo said cheerily.
"Good morning, Dr Kreizler." They chimed back.
"I see you've made a new friend." He observed and Ruby nodded.
"Her name is Lucy." She said proudly and Laszlo nodded, hiding his surprise.
"Hello there, I'm Dr Laszlo Kreizler." He stuck out his hand and the little girl took it instantly.
"Girls, could you give Lucina and I a moment please?" He asked politely and Ruby nodded, indicating for the Clairmonts to follow her.
"We'll see you soon Lucy." Ruby called and Lucy waved after them, a faint smile on her face. "Now, Lucina, is it alright if I call you Lucy?" Lazslo asked and she looked up at Dr Mitchell, who smiled encouragingly. She looked at him and nodded, some escaped blond curls bouncing.
"Your sister has given me a little introduction to your travels over the past two years, however, I thought it was important for us to have a discussion." He said and Lucy considered him gravely. Her eyes flicked between them, falling on his hand still holding Dr Mitchell's elbow. Her hands moved quickly and defiantly, in a series of motions cutting across her mouth and body. He didn't quite catch it, but he felt Dr Mitchell step away from his grasp. Her absence made his fingers twitch.
"I'm sorry, I missed that." He said and Dr Mitchell blushed.
"Inside joke." She replied and Laszlo left it alone.
Lucy motioned again, this time he recognsied some of her gestures from Mary.
"You're wondering how we can talk, since you don't talk?" He translated and Lucy's eyes widened in shock.
"Yes, I have a little experience with signing. Although, you may need to go slowly, I only know American sign language." He said and Lucy chuckled. She motioned again.
"Do I think I can help you? Well, that remains to be seen, it depends on what you think you need help with." He probed and Lucy's gaze became puzzled. She tapped her mouth.
"Oh, the selective mutism is just a symptom child." He stated matter-of-factly and took a moment to crouch down until he was at her eye level.
"I think there's something else bothering you. Something so frightening that it keeps you bottled up. That's what I'd like to help you with." He said and Lucy glanced at Dr Mitchell. Her sister stared back blankly, keeping her thoughts well hidden.
"The choice is yours." He declared.
"I can help you understand how you're feeling and, in time, why you feel that way. Once we know that, we can start to tackle other problems. However, I cannot do all the work. If we are to do this together, I need your full commitment." He continued and Lucy's face twisted in concern.
"I cannot make any guarantees, but I do think I can help you. Are you prepared to try?" He asked, reaching out his good hand to her, palm facing upwards. She regarded it for a few moments. Finally, her mouth moved.
There was no sound, not even a whisper, but it was clear that Lucy had said yes. She took his hand gently and smiled into his face.
"Alright then. We begin tomorrow." He said and stood, keeping Lucy's hand tucked within his own.
"Why don't you go and join the others, and your sister and I will discuss a few details." He offered and Lucy took off like a rabbit, darting quickly to the security of her new friends.
"She seems so happy." Dr Mitchell murmured, her eyes pinned to her little sister.
"All she needs is some stability and a sense of security, the rest will follow in time." Laszlo said confidently.
"So, you will take her on?" Dr Mitchell asked and he nodded.
"Yes, I think I can help her. But she will need to move into the Institute full-time. I think it will be good for her to be amongst children her own age and form connections and a regular routine away from you." Dr Mitchell scoffed but Laszlo was firm.
"You have acted remarkably, Dr Mitchell." He said, taking a liberty and clasping her gloved hands in his good one. They stood so close, he could see the light freckles scattered under her eyes. She seemed to be studying him as well. He inwardly cheered when she didn't pull away.
"You took her on as if she were your own, in the midst of your grief for your parents, and put your own life and career on hold while searching for a way to help her. It was an incredibly selfless act and not one that I can say I have seen other parents generally do. However, Lucy cannot be expected to change or thrive, if she does not see you doing so." Dr Mitchell opened her mouth to respond, but a familiar voice cut through the courtyard.
"Laszlo, old friend, how are you?" He turned to see John Moore walking through the gate of the Institute, his sketch pad tucked under his arm. He watched as the man made his way over to them. He looked at Dr Mitchell and flashed a debonair smile.
"Laszlo, you didn't say you had company, and such beautiful company too." He admonished and Laszlo fumbled over his words.
"John, this is Dr Pandora Mitchell, a neurologist visiting us from the Antipodes." Dr Mitchell regarded John quizzically.
"And, Dr Mitchell, this is-"
"John Schuyler Moore, of the New York Times." John finished brightly, offering his hand. Dr Mitchell simply inclining her head towards him.
"Forgive me, I do not seem to have seen your name in the paper, Mr Moore." John chuckled.
"You must not read the society pages then." He teased and Dr Mitchell snorted.
"No, I have no time for idle gossip. Nor do I intend to stay long enough to become intrigued by New York's socialites." She replied flippantly, much to John's delight.
"Perhaps my crime columns would be of more interest." He said with a smirk and Laszlo felt his ire raise as Dr Mitchell flashed a true smile at him.
"Well, that would certainly be more interesting than the latest fashions." Laszlo cleared his throat. Dr Mitchell turned back to him, her smile still in place.
"I believe this brings an end to our session, Dr Mitchell." He said and she nodded.
"I cannot thank you enough, Dr Kreizler. Shall I organise for Lucy's things to be brought tomorrow?"
"Yes, by all means, I will have someone on standby to collect them." He promised and Dr Mitchell squeezed his hand faintly.
"Very well, until tomorrow." She said and nodded to John.
"A pleasure, Mr Moore. I shall look for your articles in the Times." She said and departed, walking towards Lucy.
Laszlo started after her. He watched the sunshine dance on her auburn hair, in stark contrast with the vibrant green gown she wore. His favourite colour, he realised.
"Well, well, the great Laszlo Kreizler rendered speechless by a woman, I did not think I would live to see it." John's voice cut through his reverie. He rolled his eyes irritably.
"Oh please, I'm simply intrigued by her. It's not every day you meet someone from Australia." He lied and John snickered.
"Oh sure, that's exactly what that was." His friend teased and Laszlo tried his best to ignore the captivating doctor and her young ward as they walked out the gate and into the sunlight street beyond.
All recognisable characters are the property of Caleb Carr. Original characters are my own.
