It was cloudy today. 

The usual colors of the capital city of the Inhuman Realm were washed over with shades of blue as Conri peered out the office window. The therapist's office matched the city's tone with its washed out grey walls and large faded brown desk that sat in front of matching cabinets. He sat across the desk in an arm chair that he moved closer to the window while his therapist sat at the desk scribbling away. The pen was off beat with the music he always listened to during his sessions; he had been allowed one ear bud given the agreement that it wouldn't completely distract him. It never did, in fact, it was one of the few reasons why he managed to focus at all. He had a playlist for nearly every sort of occasion in his life, including therapy, which he shared during one of his first sessions with Dr. Bromley. 

Conri's therapist had finished and finally turned his attention back to his patient. 

"Now then," he had learned that despite Conri's music, he didn't need to raise his voice too much. "what did you and the academic counselor talk about?"

"I explained what happened during the dinner, or at least what I could remember." Conri continued to stare out the window. "He wasn't phased as his job is basically educating those who want to study magic, but said that it was something that could be further studied if I applied to the academy. He then offered me a book from his personal library and that was it."

He could hear Dr. Bromley's pen again. 

"That sounds promising. What kind of book was it?"

"It was an introduction text to the arcane language. Its not that easy to read." 

The therapist's blacked out sclera's widened with glee. 

"The ancient language really isn't easy, but understanding it does make studying the arcane arts much easier. All magic is connected in some way, but interpreted in so many ways, its fluidity and living essense it what makes it so unique. The history behind it all is simply fascinating if you are considering moving forward with it."

Conri considered the elf's words and simply nodded trying to avoid a history lesson as it was one of Dr. Bromley's hobbies. The arcane comes easier to specific races and elves are probably one of the lucky ones next to vampires, dragonborn, eladrin, devils, giants and the like. Everyone else in between would require dedication to studying the 'language' or rely on tools like artifacts or even drugs to amplify what little understanding they possess. Conri could guess that the academic counselor had to spend years studying and apprenticing just to get where he was today. Especially as a human mortal. The thought of applying himself to study, with a 50/50 chance of succeeding, to understand what was happening to him didn't feel too promising. Shifters like him didn't always have to rely on magic.  

He'd like to better understand his capabilities, but considering he'd just got out of a year long relationship, struggling to heal from the trauma of an abusive ex, and navigating a changing world that wanted focus on segregation as a form of safety. His potential could wait until he had the rest of his life sorted out. He had friends he could rely on, but his family had distance themselves after he moved to the city because of their differentiating ideas for his future. They're on speaking terms which he was thankful for. 

"How has your sleep patterns been? Have the nightmares stopped?" Dr. Bromley interjected. 

Conri thought back through the previous week. "I guess they've mostly ceased. Besides the occasional one. Those are few and far between thankfully." He turned his attention away from the window to look at Dr. Bromley, Conri's eyes went to the elf's pointed ears that stuck out from the neatly combed nest of brown hair. Their bare presence made his own ears feel heavy with the weight of his piercings. "Though there are still moments where everything feels off when I'm awake. I'm seeing everything as if its being projected from a broken TV." His jaw tightened. "Colors and sounds come and go as they please. It's like I'm being phased out of my own life. Forgotten."

Dr. Bromley took his final notes and checked the clock on the wall noticing their time was soon to be up. Conri's comment was curious and earned him a sympathetic look from his therapist. As Dr. Bromley dated today's session, Conri took his cue to collect his own things and readjust the chair back to its original position away from the window. 

"Is that one new by chance?" Dr. Bromley's hand gestured to Conri's right ear. 

Conri paused before placing the second earbud into his right ear to address the question. His middle finger reached up and touched what he assumed Dr. Bromley was referring to: on his front helix brandished a burnt crimson stone. It stood out amongst the other silver hoops and studs. 

"Sort of, guess its usually hidden behind my hair." His hand traveled to his shaggy windstricken mop of green hair. It had been dyed so much that he jokes its now fused with his real hair, leaving it a basil green.  "It was a gift actually from someone special."

"How...thoughtful of them." 

"It was this time." Conri's gaze drifted to his phone to change the playlist. "Same time next week?"