open post.

[higginbottom]

Esther has, well, only sort of gotten used to the Mansion and its ways. She's still frustrated by being stuck there - after all, she survived almost dying. Doesn't she deserve something better than a small room with a small window?

Still, she's thankful to be alive. One morning, when she opens her window and looks out over the Mansion grounds, the air comes in, shockingly cold, and Esther remembers - she's here, alive and awake and ready for anything. She breathes in and out, and sighs with a sort of strange contentment that probably won't last long, but hey. She'll take it.

She gets dressed, wearing slacks for once (she decided to try it out, as she is in fact, a very modern woman, thank you very much) and a pretty floral blouse. She makes her way downstairs, her saddle shoes tap-tap-tapping against the stairs.

"I feel very much in a good mood today," Esther announces, to no one in particular. "Is that strange? Should I be worried?"

Comments

[higginbottom]

"I mean, I did say I was trying..."

Sigh.

"I, um...can I tell you something?"

Prepare for mental health trauma dump, Susan!

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Yes, certainly."

[higginbottom]

"I...I get sad sometimes. Really sad. And then I can't do anything. I'm like a slug, just lying about. And I got treatment for being so sad, but sometimes...it comes back."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Ah. Psychoanalysis for depression, then?"

[higginbottom]

"...Yes. And electroshock therapy." She grimaces.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Goodness! How dreadful. Was it terribly painful?"

[higginbottom]

"It was pretty awful," she says. "The nurses weren't very nice at the hospital I was at. When I went home I arrived here."

She counts herself lucky, in that regard.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Goodness! What a time to make the transition from Earth to here."

[higginbottom]

"Yes," she says. "Tell me about it. It was pretty rough."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"At least you aren't there any more," says Susan, firmly, though there is an air of a question about her words, as well.

[higginbottom]

"Yes," she agrees, nodding. "I feel a lot safer here."

Still, Esther does worry about having another breakdown.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Good," more firmly. "It mightn't work for you, but I find it tremendously helpful to have a strong routine with regular tasks."

[higginbottom]

"I think you might be right," Esther admits. "I should try making a daily schedule for myself."

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"I'd be happy to talk through one with you, if you should need it."

[higginbottom]

"I...would appreciate that, actually," she replies.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Now? Or later?"

[higginbottom]

"Whenever you feel like it - maybe tomorrow?"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Tomorrow would be lovely," says Susan. "Perhaps we might meet in the cafe? You're welcome to join Lancelot and I for lunch, if you'd like, but either way my afternoon is open."

[higginbottom]

"Oh! I would love to join you both for lunch, that's so nice of you," Esther replies, grinning.

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Wonderful!" Lancelot would likely also have thoughts about keeping to a schedule, but Susan shan't offer them up on his behalf - she'll apprise him of the plan and invite him to speak (or not) as he sees fit when she tells him of their guest.

[higginbottom]

"Thanks - you're really swell, you know!"

[quote_gentle_unquote]

"Oh! Thank you," says Susan, with a warm smile.