Open

[what_he_needs]

Who: Michael (Michael Brodric) and you
Where: The theater, his office, outside his home, the diner, the asylum, and maybe some other places
When: The duration of the event October 24-28
Rating: PG, will update if necessary
Summary: Michael's new background, and patient list can be found here, plotting post, and the town registry for those that need it. This is an open post for the event.


Option One: Office Hours

[Michael's office is attached to his home, a newly added on section to the house, and after knocking on the door, you'll enter to find one a single room. It's not overly decorated, and the furnishings are simple, and unobtrusive; which allows him to focus, and keep the patient's focus on themselves. His licenses are hung in frames on the wall, and he'll greet you at the door, lead you inside, and gesture towards the couch. If you are new, or a recurring patient, it won't matter. He'll greet you the same.

Then you'll talk.]

Option Two: Weekly Group Meetings

[Once a week, Michael holds a group therapy session at Regan Run's theater. It's a simple setup, much like his office, and the open space lets everyone feel more at ease and less confined. If you come to his group session, anyone at the meeting is allowed to talk, and can share their opinions with the other people in the room.]

[ooc: For this one, it's a bit looser in form, and any comments that are posted can be responded to by any one else that would be at that meeting. Michael will respond to them all, and try to make sure none of the group harrass or make the other members uncomfortable. Basically, this one will be an anyone can jump in and comment, kind of thread.]

Option Three: Day by Day

Day One:
[Michael's life was easy, simple, and he had everything functioning in a well, organized fashion. There's just one problem. His brother. They aren't on bad terms, not necessarily fighting or not getting along, but Michael can't wrap his head around the fact that someone with so much talent, had squandered it all.

It upsets him, and his once typical, and happy, life has met with one kink after another.

If you stumble across Michael today, he may be just coming out of his home, and walking towards his car, or getting out of the car and going into the diner. And his demeanor is that of someone less than pleased, though he'll still be polite.]

Day Two - Three:
[He's feeling better now, strangely and out of the blue, but he welcomes it with a sigh of relief. Michael is starting to think that maybe everything is going to work out, that Gabriel will find a way to be happy, and maybe someday, they'll both be living the lives that Michael hopes for them.

He usually volunteers at the asylum, and he can be going in or coming out when you see him. If you ask, he'll explain why he helps here. Why it's important to him.]

Day Three - Four:
[Michael was walking, just about to reach his house when he felt it. He couldn't explain it if he tried, what it felt like, or even what time it was when it happened, only that he was suddenly two people.

He remembered two separate lives, and each were so bright and vivid that he couldn't tell them apart. Was he Michael Brodric, therapist and resident of Storybrooke, or was he the Archangel Michael. He knew which one sounded less believable, but the memories flashing in front of his eyes were entirely too bold to just brush aside as some sort of mental break.

Michael leans forward and rests his palms on the fence in front of his house, trying to regain control of himself. He needed to find his brother. He needed to find anyone.]

[ooc: I've posted generic starter comments, so that I can keep track of everything. If anyone wants a starter for something specific, or if they have one in mind, let me know.]

Comments

Office Hours

[what_he_needs]

[New or recurring patients are welcome. Just knock, and he'll let you in.]

[vampdetective]

[He doesn't want to be here. There are no words for how much he doesn't want to be here, but after getting thrown in the drunk tank after his third bar brawl this month, anger management has been mandated. He knows he's not the only one who's had the cuffs slapped on him when it comes to this kind of crap -- Liam is pretty damn sure his usual drinking buddy is required to go through this as well, but like hell he's talking to him about it.

He sighs, paperwork in hand, and knocks. Better to get this over with as quickly as possible. Put in the time, have the shrink sign the sheet, stay out of jail for another week.

Or, knowing him, until he picks his next fight.]

[what_he_needs]

[Michael stands at the knock, puts on his professional face, and opens the door.]

Hello.

[He sees the familiar paperwork, it's not his first time with court referred patients, and he nods in understanding. Michael reaches out for the papers with one hand, extending the other to be shaken.]

I'm Michael. Why don't I take those, and you come inside?

[vampdetective]

Liam.

[It comes out sharp, curt, but he relaxes a tiny bit as he hands the papers over, glad to be free of them before he reaches to take the offered hand, giving it a firm shake.]

Thanks.

[He steps through at Michael's request, quickly appraising the place as he heads over to help himself to a seat.]

Nice office.

day 3, before memories are completely returned

[strategisch]

[Surprisingly, this is the first time Arthur has ever been to a therapist. He could certainly use one, his life is, frankly, one long depressing stretch of bullying, paranoia and loneliness-- which is why his school counselor finally referred him here.

He really doesn't know what to expect. He's not well versed in psychology; it's not a subject that's ever interested him. But it's still a type of science, so he trusts it to a degree.

He shyly opens the door.]

[what_he_needs]

[The meeting was scheduled beforehand, and Michael was anticipating his arrival. The paperwork gave him the basics, so he could be prepared, and, while he knew his name, he wouldn't take away the opportunity for them to greet each other.

It was important, and would set the tone for their relationship.]

Hello.

[He stands, turning when the door is softly pushed open, and he smiles kindly.]

I am Michael.

[strategisch]

H-hi.

[He shuts the door behind him. Okay. First impressions mean a lot, so... He takes a deep breath.]

I'm Arthur Arlert.

[He lifts his hand to shake. However, he doesn't make eye contact; he looks at the floor. He doesn't even realize he's doing it.]

[gadjos]

Technically speaking, Andrew's a "graduate" of anger management therapy- as much as anyone is ever really finished with therapy. He's only human, of course, and he still has the occasional slip up, but it's generally agreed upon that he's leaps and bounds ahead of where he used to be. He's practically a functioning adult, and as such, it's a little out of the ordinary that he schedules an appointment with one of his most influential mentors. At least, most influential since he was a kid.

He shows up on time, head ducked, posture withdrawn, and tap-tap-taps on the door with a knuckle.

[what_he_needs]

[He was concerned when Andrew scheduled an appointment, as it had been so long since he'd needed to see Michael in such a formal setting. But, any concern he feels he keeps hidden. Pulling the door open, he smiles kindly, gesturing with his arm.]

Andrew. Come in.

[His office is well lit, and he steps aside to let the younger man past.]

I'm glad to see you.

[Even if it meant something had happened, or that something might be wrong.]

[gadjos]

[He slides into the office passed Michael, eyes glancing around uncomfortably. Not because he isn't used to it, not because he doesn't like Michael, but he's accepted it as a fact that weird clinical settings definitely aren't for him. Jails, interviews, doctor's offices, they bring forth something skeeved out and unpleasant in him. He's able to mostly dismiss it here, though- a few months of regular visits and reinforced positivity will do that. It's been a while, though.

And not much has changed, it looks like, not that he was expecting it to. Stability was always one of the guy's best qualities.

After a beat, he pushes down his discomfort and plasters on an unphased smile, masking the whole situation with dry humor.]

Bet you say that to everyone who pays to rent your couch.

[Totally just a joke, but it's easier than jumping straight to the point.]

Weekly Group Meeting

[what_he_needs]

[This is a free for all, and can be lots of fun. Remember, this is therapy, and Michael will ask you to leave if you are unkind to the other group members.]

[ooc: comment away.]

[markedbyfate]

[ Eli prefers his one on one sessions to Michael's groups, but attends them anyway because Michael insists. It's his turn in the "share circle," so he talks, bare arms crossed in frustration. ]

I don't know. Sometimes I wonder if there's more out there, but... And then I see somebody I went to high school with, talking about their life and their family and their job, and they ask me, "So what have you done lately?" I mean, I'm only fixing their damn car. Isn't that enough!?

[what_he_needs]

[Michael is silent, keeping his face void of any emotions other than attentiveness. Eli is upset, and he understands that, which is why he likes him to come to these meetings.

Every once in a while, it's good for the young man to express himself to people he doesn't know as well as Michael. It's practice for future confrontations with others.]

What do you say to those people, Eli?

[He's not probing him, just merely trying to get him to continue.]

[oversight]

[ Blake Thomas isn't generally a group meeting kind of guy, not since he was a kid and it was a normal thing around the orphanage. Since the downturn of his career with the police force, he's receded upon himself as efficiently as possible. Nevertheless, he hears of free snacks and refreshments — juice, cookies, coffee — and he can't pass it up.

If he's drunk, he's good at hiding it. He remains as silent as possible, taking up a chair during the meeting and dispassionately listening to the stories being shared around him. He doesn't quite notice Michael unless he's really good at hiding that, too. But he's been cleaned up recently — by his own hand or someone else's remains unclear — and Blake's presence certainly isn't as offensive as it could be. ]

[what_he_needs]

[Michael is adept at handling these group meetings, which suits him just fine. He can listen attentively, respectfully, and respond appropriately when necessary, while still letting his gaze move around the room.

He sees Blake, knows who he is, and like most participants, he probably doesn't want to be here. But, Michael decides to try and get him to be active. Even if it's an angry outburst, or nothing at all, it'll help Michael get a read on him.]

How about you. Maybe you can go next.

[The last person had finished, and all eyes land on Blake when Michael addresses him.]

[hybrida]

[ He's got his arms folded over his chest, and an irritated look on his face.

Being forced to attend these ridiculous meetings just makes him want to rebel even more - the threat of arrest, and the promise that his brother wouldn't bail him out next time has him reluctantly attending.

Not speaking, though, which is unusual enough as it is. Nick loves to hear himself talk, but in environments he can control. Instead, he's silent and fuming. ]

[what_he_needs]

[Michael's sitting a few seats over, leaned forward, elbows on his knees, and head propped up on his hands, surveying the room. He's giving off the air of someone who is pointedly listening to the woman speaking across from him, but he's getting a lay of the land, so to speak.

He's not unaccustomed to people not wanting to be here, nor is he a stranger to people who are here by court mandate. Michael nods to the young woman when she's done, cheeks flushed from her rant about Storybrooke's public transportation system. Why that angered her, he's still trying to work out, but it is what it is.

Taking her silence as a cue to move on, he singles out Nick.]

You've been unusually silent tonight, something on your mind?

Day One

[what_he_needs]

[October 24]

[onsilksheets]

[It was around seven in the evening when Abigail called on Michael at his home. She probably should have given him notice beforehand but she needed to talk to him. After leaving Emily with the babysitter she left her apartment and headed to his home, knocking a few times on the door. Abigail pulled her coat tight around her shoulders while she waited, trying to keep the cold out. Hopefully Michael was in.]

Michael? It's Abigail. Are you there?

[what_he_needs]

[Michael had settled in early, which he didn't normally do, and was sitting in his pajama pants when he heard a knock at the door. He clicked the remote to shut off the TV, and wrapped the blanket sitting nearby around his shoulders.

As he moved towards the front of his house, he heard her voice, familiar to him, and when he pulled open the door, his expression was concerned and curious.]

Abigail. Come in.

[He stepped aside, gesturing for her to come in out of the cold. The chilled air rippled his blanket, and he regretted not having dressed a little warmer. Pulling it tighter around his shoulders, out of being cold rather than modesty, he shut the door behind her.]

Is everything alright?

Day Two - Three

[what_he_needs]

[October 25-26]

[first_demon]

[The day is more idealic than the previous and Lily is at least glad for how easy things have been feeling. True, there are certain acquaintances that she isn't glad to see, but overall, she is happy. Her life is on the way of becoming perfect, at least now that she knows what to do.

Which why she doesn't hesitate on approaching Michael. They knew each other through his brother, she being one of Gabe's former flings, not that she is bitter in the least. She still manages a friendly smile. ]

On your way home?

[what_he_needs]

Oh, hello.

[He'd seen her in passing, knew her to be one of the women his brother had been with, but he didn't know her personally. Michael didn't judge her for relationship with his twin, as he knew Gabriel was charming and smooth when he wanted to be. Which made it difficult for some to turn him away.]

Yes, I just finished here, and am headed home.

[Michael wasn't fond of the asylum in general, but he liked to volunteer there. He'd met troubled individuals, those that he yearned to understand and help, so it suited him.]

And yourself?

Day Three - Four

[what_he_needs]

[October 27-28]

Aftermath

[what_he_needs]

[October 29]

[Michael remembers everything now, who he really is, but he's not sure how he feels about it. Wonderland is back to normal again, and he's found himself dealing with the consequences of what has happened.

And, there's a part of him that misses that old life, when he was normal and human. A small part, but it's there.]