"Shhh..." He pleaded of me. But the smile that accompanied that "Shhh" wasn't pleading at all. Before I knew it, he placed a purple gloved finger to his lips.
My body froze where I was. It wasn't long before the blush spread throughout my body.
The man I was meeting with was sitting on the floor, his previous appointment had wrapped himself around him and was currently sobbing. Why was this making him smile? Perhaps I chose the wrong therapist.
"Now, now, Amaimon. Your fifteen minutes of crying are up." The purple haired man patted his back until the green haired patient withdrew his tear and snot covered face from his chest.
Sniffle. "Sorry Mr. Pheles." He pulled himself up and took a few tissues. "Oh!" The aqua eyes widened when he noticed me in the doorway. "Have I intruded on your time? I'm sorry."
"N-no! You're alright. Sometimes you gotta let that stuff out, ha ha." I laughed nervously, rubbing the back of my neck.
"I want you back in a week." Now that the psychiatrist was standing, his appearance was even more intimidating. His height was about six foot four inches (though he was also wearing boots), green eyes (the same as the previous patients hair), circles under those eyes that made it look like he hadn't slept in a century, and clothes that well (depending on your taste) might remind you of a clown.
The green guy was the same height as me, but he was hunched over bit, "Some advice," Then he leaned into my ear, "Never let him see you cry." Then he was gone and the doors closed behind me.
"You are Mr. Okumura?
"Y-yes, sir."
"Please, have a seat. The floor is not as comfortable as we made it seem." His low chuckle was halfway between seductive and terrifying.
"Heh heh." The couch was maroon tinted leather as soft as a baby's skin. "You can call me Rin."
"It's a pleasure." The doctor stretched out his hand once he had finally found his spot opposite me. We shook. "Tell me, what brings you to therapy, Rin?" The gloved fingers intertwined with themselves in his lap.
"My dad thinks my anger is out of control." I frowned, recalling the fight we had had a few days earlier.
"What would make him say that?"
"I end up in a lot of fights with kids from my school. He's probably tired of getting calls from the principal."
"Or your messes."
"What?"
He leaned forward, "It takes a lot more than an 'I'm sorry' for an argument to be dropped. Your father must think you're awfully irritating. He'd have to get the call, confront you about it, go to the school, convince them to have you back, smooth things other with the other kids' families, go home, and make you dinner. Did you ever consider that?"
"N-no, I guess, not fully-"
"Exactly, because you are an impulsive, stubborn, hormonal, teenage boy, Rin."
"Hey!" My feet propelled me up, my hands clenched at my side.
Dr. Pheles chuckled again, "Come now, I was simply offering you perspective."
"By insulting me?!"
"I didn't mean it, dear boy, now sit."
Everything told me to be childish and continue standing, but that would only fuel the clowns previous statement.
"Tell me about your father. Are you close?" Just like that it was on to the next subject.
"Yeah, I suppose. He's a priest at a monastery where we live. My brother Yukio and I were adopted by him as infants. We fight a lot, but I'd say we're much closer than he is with Yukio."
"You're twins, correct?"
"Yes. Most people think Yuki is the older one."
"Why is that?"
"He acts like an adult...excels in school, is super smart, and wants to be a doctor."
"Do you envy him?"
I couldn't help but sputter and pout, "Oh, please. You think I want to be like that dorky, mole-faced, nerd? I'm much happier having friends." My eyes watched him write something down. "Hey! What are you writing?!"
"Nevermind that-"
"Wait a second, that's not fair. I'm opening up to you and you aren't to me."
"You want to hear about me? HAHAHAHAH!" The man bellowed, "That's not what your father is paying me for, son. Now stop stalling and I'll let you ask me five questions at the end of the session."
"That's fair, I guess." I shrugged.
It didn't feel like long before time was just about up. We talked about school (and Yukio some more) then my interests and goals in life. I was a little disappointed in letting myself get so excited around him. There was something about this guy I just didn't trust. Whenever we broached what could have been a sensitive subject he pushed it to no end, like he was trying to make me upset! The thing that the green boy had said to me while leaving kept throbbing in my brain.
"A deal is a deal. Ask me your first question." Dr. Pheles sighed.
"Hm, okay...Why do you dress like that?"
"This is the height of fashion, my boy. It's your fault if you aren't hip enough to understand that." He turned his nose to the air.
"Do you ever sleep?"
"Oh an hour a night is good enough for me." He bragged airily.
"Do you get off on people's misery?"
The tea he was drinking was spewed out, "That is an awfully forward thing to ask, Mr. Okumura!"
"And that isn't a 'no.'" I reminded him. Score 1 to 10. "How many people have you actually helped? That you have proof of helping?"
"Well, I've been working as a psychiatrist for the last two hours..."
"Wha-"
He stood, towering over me, and gestured his arm to the doors which locked; the key floating back into his hand.
"What are you?!" My heart was beating so fast I feared it would soon stop.
"I'm just like you, Rin." He parked his butt next to mine. "I'm a demon." I watched as his ears grew pointed and a tail which was purple and furry at the end wrapped around my calf. "Do you believe me?"He was so close I could feel his breath on my cheeks.
Though I tried to put my fearless face on, it was nowhere near convincing since I was trembling and shaking my head.
"One moment." Pheles got up and reached behind his desk, lifting a sheath. "Do you know what this does?"
Again, I shook my head.
"When I open this, your true nature will be revealed and I will enroll you at True Cross Academy. Are you ready?"
"What? No!" There was a slide of metal and all I saw was blue flames. Blue flames that didn't burn.
