Pepper's POV.
The couch. Where it all takes place.
The storytelling of stories from around the galaxy. They could be ordinary or they could just be that last piece to that puzzle. But who else will know-except the therapist and the story-teller?
No one, after all I've signed an NDA. I am not paying hundreds just because I couldn't keep a secret.
My first patient of the day is Guacamole. I have to feed him, take him out for a walk. I have to do all of that before the clock strikes 8:00 AM. As soon as it does-to the office I go. My couch awaits, ready for all the new stories.
My assistant, Laura is waiting for me with the patient list. The patient list shows who will be arriving today. First up is... drum roll please... Jeremia, a Murmurax. How very fun-starting off my day with a person who prefers asking me questions instead of just answering the questions himself. At least, he allows Guacamole to sit in the room. Sometimes, even therapists need an emotional support pet.
"Thank you Laura, like usual direct all the patients to the room."
"Yes, Miss Thompson but I have a half day today. My boyfriends coming to pick me up."
"Oh yes, don't worry, the patients I have after you leave are all regulars so they know where to go."
"Ok, Miss Thompson."
Without Laura, so many things could happen. The patients could've already forgotten where to go or maybe they'll file a complaint to HR that theres no one here. Then they might fire Laura or worse... fire me, just because I gave her a half day.
"Woof! Woof! Woof! (Calm down, human)"
Yeah, I should calm down. People call me pessimistic but I call myself a realist. Though... my realist side does tend to take over sometimes.
I should get ready for Jeremia.
Knock, knock
"Come in!" The door opens, revealing Jeremia.
"Hello, Jeremia, come sit. So, this is your first session with any therapist isn't it?"
"Yes! This is so exciting. I've heard so many things about you. Everyone says you have the most patients. Isn't it hard keeping all of that to yourself?"
"I guess it can be. But Jeremia, aren't you here because you've sometimes caused fights by not keeping secrets?"
"No... ok maybe, but it's just my nature! I don't know why so many people told me that I should come here to 'fix it'."
"Well, Jeremia-"
"Call me Jer."
"Ok Jer, the reason those people told you to come here to solve it is because you can stop those urges. It's very simple but sometimes, it can hard to find a trusted confidant. All you have to do is tell me those secrets instead. My couch of confidentiality can be trusted in keeping secrets. And so am I. Okay?"
The whole hour session proceeded in Jeremi-sorry, Jer-telling me the juiciest gossip he knew. Honestly? I understand his urge to tell people all this gossip. This stuff is entertaining. Like, who needs a tv when you've got a Murmurax?
The rest of my day went similarly. Fairly quickly. After my last patient left, I was getting ready to go when-
Knock, knock.
"Yes, who is-"
Before I could finish asking, the door was open.