Welcome to the Guardian

[Meera Alam]

Meera’s face was a perfect mask of happiness. She had been up most of the night, toiling over one of her experiments… Things with that one were not going too well. Oh, the subject had yielded plenty of materials with which she could create more paintings; at least something good had come from the night… And with a new buyer, she had no choice but to create another piece of art. That would have to wait another night, however, for her test subject had gotten rather unruly. Meera would have to stamp that out after her shift at the Guardian today.

                Eiji was waiting for her when she wheeled into the dingy building. They had an appointment, of course, she did not accept random visits from any patient. After the rabble of the night, however, she had completely forgotten about the pup. Tramping down the surprise, Meera greeted him warmly, offering up a pleasant smile and speaking in melodious tones.

                “Looking for me?”

                The pup pocketed the pill bottle she had prescribed, but not before she took note of its emptiness.

                Stressed, little wolf? Meera mused in her mind.

                Meera led the stray into her office. The sterile surroundings here were much more aesthetically pleasing to her. To think that the Atharim had forced her into working in this sham of a hospital… Oh, there were benefits, but to be surrounded by such discord and filth…

                Once seated behind her desk, Meera pulled her pad out and scribbled out a few lines. She tore the page off and slid it towards the puppy, who was now seated across from her.

                “I couldn’t help but notice you are almost out of your medication. Here is a prescription for another bottle, but I must caution you, Eiji-chan, I think it better that you slow down in consuming those pills… If you are taking so many, we may have to look at other forms of treatment.”

                Meera’s hand darted for her letter opener, snatching it up from its place on the desk. She smiled deeply at Eiji, reminiscing upon their last visit. Such a productive visit. She could still taste the copper and moss on her palette.

                “How goes your reading, Eiji-chan? I find it benefits the patient to have a small understanding of the art of psychology. Freud was one of the greatest, in my own humble opinion.”

                She raised the letter opener and grabbed an envelope from the desk with her other hand, tearing into the delicate white paper with the sharpened edge. Another bill.

                “How are your dreams? Do the wolves still come or perhaps the man with the snake tattoo?”

                There would be time enough for his treatment later, but not before pleasantries.