ghostlytherapist

[ghostlytherapist]

"Ah, well. The question then becomes not simply what you think of me, but why you think I am here right now. That determined, the question changes again. It becomes what limited amount I know about you, and what information about yourself you broadcast in a place where I might be able to see." There's a hint of darkness to that. John stands up and slips back on his jacket. His head is tilted down in a smirk. "Thinking of that provides a little more insight into exactly the sort of person I am. I wonder. How would you treat such a person, were you to figure it out?"

John heads towards the door. He seemed comfortable at the table talking, so why leave? "I'm far worse than an overachieving college kid, but I think you might find it better. I could tell you the basics, if you can't guess."

> John: Taunt?

#((The cards are taken bill split as agreed on.)) #((don't worry bro got to pay half)) #wickedautoaddict

[ghostlytherapist]

John makes eye contact with sunglasses and listens with rapt attention, a smirk widening more and more as Bro explains himself. It finally grows to a sly, easy smile. "Ah." The cards are taken, bill split as agreed on. John doesn't pay it any mind, doing the end of the meal dance without missing any beats. His focus is elsewhere. "I think that we have more in common than you might think, Mr. Strider." He speaks with confidence. "I can't say I'm precisely a zen master, but many of our philosophies in life have some overlap. There are also many contradictions in both, contradictions that require a fluid mind to navigate and accept. I do not doubt you have such a mind, since you're able to describe your philosophies with such exacting precision." John's teeth flash at that into a pleasant grin. (While big, they're even, a little too even. His mother's insistence, of course, to get rid of the overbite he had as a child.) "I confess I had no imagine in my mind of you or how you'd be. I didn't know you very well. I'm glad that's changed." It's time for the tip. John snags at least that. "But I have to wonder. What sort of image did you have of me, and has it changed?"

> John: Contexualize.

It’s a bit of a pity, Bro thinks, that he doesn’t stop to examine his own life as often as he used to years ago. Too busy living in the present and juggling interests and responsibilities and work things and other random bullshit. But he will try to give John a little bit of insight into how his crowded brain works.

“Easy way of saying it’s that I operate on this mix of existentialism and old bushido warrior code. Like the idea of being free to do whatever I want, and don’t give much of a shit what other people think. Keep my body and my brain sharp. Lot of focus on physical and mental prowess—not so much the spiritual. Religion and I don’t get along. Take all that, toss in a shot of hedonism, shake it up, and top it all off with a little ironic pink umbrella. ‘S about it.”

That’s a pretty good summary of how he lives, come to think of it. Irony should be higher up on that list of priorities than he implied it to be, but saying ‘I live life ironically’ might make him sound like a suicidal hipster. Doesn’t want to fuck up and give off that impression.

Bro’s not used to operating on plastic money anywhere except online. Prefers using cash whenever he can. Much easier, much safer (Bro had been the target of muggings once or twice in the past, to hilarious results and hospital visits for everyone else but himself), and he was used to being paid in it. But if that’s what John is doing, he’ll follow suit and hand over his card. Had several of them anyway to get around the monthly limit thing.

#wickedautoaddict

[ghostlytherapist]

Yes, precisely. People will crumble to their knees from the onyx aura emanating from me due to how goth I will in fact be. Then they will turn into bats.

> John: Try and make more friends.

#It all depends on the panties my dear. #affablematriarch

[ghostlytherapist]

An outfit? For a goth club? Me?

You clearly do not know who you're dealing with. I will be so morbid your heart will stop for a moment.

> John: Try and make more friends.

#affablematriarch #I will be more than ready. #Arguably I am ready right now and I'm just dressed normal.

[ghostlytherapist]

Oh that is perfectly fine. You know how to get ahold of me when you are free, I'm certain! My ask box is always open, hehe.

> John: Try and make more friends.

affablematriarch: local??

Yes, I’m actually in Texas, the Houston area. I’ve been looking for friends on tumblr to hang around with.

#affablematriarch

[ghostlytherapist]

> John: Try and make more friends.

affablematriarch: local??

Yes, I'm actually in Texas, the Houston area. I've been looking for friends on tumblr to hang around with.

#affablematriarch

[ghostlytherapist]

#Pictures please. #In fact I'm local for you right now. #We could find a goth club.

[ghostlytherapist]

Though the opening statement is highly debatable, this is a very good song…

#music

[ghostlytherapist]

#As the kids say-- same.

[ghostlytherapist]

John glares enviously at Bro's Scotch. He likes wine at fancy dinners but, unlike most of his friends, he's partial to hard liquor. It just doesn't seem right at this sort of venue and he's reluctant to mix different kinds of drinks. Maybe later, he promises himself. Maybe even with this fellow. He seems like an alright guy to get drunk with. He turns his eyes from the glass to Bro. "And what, if I may ask, is your reason for living?" He's contented from the meal and not terribly drunk, yet just tipsy enough to let the words out smoothly and sport a rakish smirk. "Whatever it is, or isn't, I'm sure it's something worth hearing. You seem like a very interesting person, and quite easy to talk to." He's about to take another sip of his glass by reflex, but he's out. The bill comes. He reluctantly slips in his credit card, knowing Bro will do the same.

> Bro: Do more thinking.

Bro feels only slightly bad for making a correct assumption, but he rolls with it. “Like I said, best people are. Michelangelo. Tesla. Nietzsche.” Okay, maybe that last one’s not the best example. “That was the syphilis, but you get the point.”

“Keep it quiet, but yeah, got music on most times. Listening to it ‘stead of feeling the bass in my bones.” Which is exhilarating, no doubt about it. But when the rhythm’s the focus, lyrics have to take a back seat. Bro didn’t like having too much of one or the other.

He’d rather polish off the rest of dessert fast and take time instead with his Scotch. Unlike John and his wine, Bro was partial to hard liquor. Less concerned about taste and more about alcohol content, but this was good stuff, he had to admit. “Gotta come up with your own reasons for living, I guess. You want to pick apart peoples’ brains, then knock yourself out.”

#wickedautoaddict

[ghostlytherapist]

we should hang out again when you get back to florida

Palo Alto, California, you goofball. I am laughing, Dave. I am chortling, even, at your concept of geography. How did you even get here before?

[ghostlytherapist]

good to know!!! sorry i couldnt help out in any way B/

...

Yes, I'm sorry as well.

[ghostlytherapist]

and john itty bitty black heart shrunk three sizes that day B:(!!!!!!!!!

I'm recovering. In Houston of all places. A nice little vacation before I have to go mad for the GREs. My black heart will soon be its self I'm sure.

[ghostlytherapist]

hahahaha i dont even know what youre talking about but okay i hope you had fun, i sure did

Absolutely no fun was had.

[ghostlytherapist]

Not a problem. I'll talk to you then, Dave.

I’m not busy. I am entirely free and will be happy to meet you in person. Remember, if anything changes, do not worry. It isn’t you being stupid. Not at all.

#getbackonthedancefloor

[ghostlytherapist]

John smiles, soft and gentle. "I'm afraid I can't abide that. I'm already insane. I just might like to take advantage of the fact. May as well, I should say." He muses, "I'm like a programmer who goes home and takes a break from programming to code something for himself, or an artist who takes breaks by drawing. If you hear music, you'll think about it, I'm positive. You'll think differently than most people, because it's become you. Well. This is me. And if I didn't do what I did, I would honestly be a lousy student to boot." He looks over his shoulder for a moment and asks for the check, but encourages Bro to take his time with his dessert.

> John: Politely decline.

“Hey, whatever works. Judging peoples’ character is what you’ve gotta do as a therapist, right, but taking your work home with you all the time can’t be healthy. I’ve gotta give my ears a break from music or I’m gonna go deaf. ‘Cept you—you’ve gotta watch it or you’ll go insane.” Bro might be speaking on personal terms, but he more of means in the objective sense. Like how doctors aren’t exempt from illness.

The man stabs into his meringue with a bit more force than necessary. Read into that what you will, John, but Bro’s just doing it because he’s distracted by the conversation. Amused. Certainly amused. “But hell, all the best people are.”

#wickedautoaddict

[ghostlytherapist]

what does uh mean

Uh means that in the time you were off adventuring I acquired and lost a girlfriend. Both circumstances were terrible and traumatic, and you would think that the first would have made me run quicker than I did.