Chapter 236: Day 522 – Viewpoints 19

Chapter 236: Day 522 – Viewpoints 19

Naran

“Clarissa,” I greeted her as I entered her office and closed the door behind me.

“Naran, a surprise to see you. I thought you were off enjoying the city,” Clarissa replied. I sat in the chair across from her.

“I could use your advice,” I said. Clarissa moved the papers she was looking at to the side and then stared right at me, giving me her full attention.

“What is it?” Clarissa asked.

“I was thinking about retiring, or taking an extended break,” Naran said.

“Are you asking me if you should do that, or what Michael will think?” Clarissa asked.

“Both,” I replied.

“Well, why do you want to stop going out there in the first place?” Clarissa asked.

“I...lots of reasons. Michael talks about how this is forever, but I don’t want to fight for forever, you know. It is exhausting and the risks. After the issues with the void affecting my mental state, I am not sure,” Naran said.

“Well you came to me for honesty not for hugs. Is that right?” Clarissa asked.

“Yes,” I said after a moment of hesitation.

“Good. Then listen well Naran. Suck it up. If you want to retire that is your choice. We both know Michael would bend over backwards to let that happen. But you are one of the few anchors he has. If he dies or wanders off, then this, all of this will go up in flames,” Clarissa bluntly replied.

“That isn’t fair. I put in my time. I just, everything is exhausting,” Naran said.

“Exhausting. You stuck with Michael for strength. If you stop now, you will never catch back up. Like I said, suck it up buttercup. I tell myself that every single day. You think I get vacations or breaks?” Clarissa asked. I shook my head.

“Good, you realize the answer to that question. You just want to vent, fine. But don’t expect me to be a shoulder you can cry on. We have mental health people for that,” Clarissa replied.

“I guess, I just wanted to talk a bit. You really are a bitch, you know that?” I told Clarissa.

“Good. This city is held together by careful administration and the threat of Michael. I don’t have time for the capacity to worry about your feelings,” Clarissa said.

“You worry about Michael’s opinion,” I countered. She gave me a look like I was stupid.

“Yes, since my life is on the line every single day in this job. You are probably the only one he would let off scott free if you did something to really piss him off. You aren’t special Naran, just in the right place, at the right time, and made the right decisions. I can count at least six people who would seriously take your position in a heartbeat as Michael’s right hand,” Clarissa said.

“I don’t want that position, they can have it,” I muttered.

“Tough. Do whatever you want. But stop being stupid and complaining. Now was there anything else?” Clarissa asked. I wanted advice and I got it. Even if it was advice I didn’t like.

“No,” I got up and left the room.

Clarissa

“If wanting to quit and not fight anymore is a sign of poor mental health, then you clearly got your degree at clown college,” Naran said. I internally winced. I needed to get this man to keep fighting, which was unreasonable, and we both knew it.

“Why do you want to stop? Trouble out there in the wilderness?” I asked, hoping to get more information to work with.

“Just tiring and there is little to no progress. Michael thinks we are moving forward, but even he acknowledges the reality of the situation. This is going to go on forever. I don’t want to fight forever. I was forced to in Truth, and now I was forced to with Michael to get strength. At this point, there is only an endless grind left, with my probable death,” Naran replied.

“I take it you have given this a lot of thought?” I asked.

“Yes. I can easily retire after one or two days of grinding. Enough points to live on for a long time. But to get stronger, I will have to grind for years. Years. Michael might be okay with that, but I am not.”

“If you aren’t grinding as you call it, what do you want to do?” I asked.

“No idea. Just not fighting. So, Doctor, is this where you tell me that I need to go out for Michael and his mental health?”

“I am not going to lie and say that isn’t a concern. But grinding doesn’t have to be the focus. Have you thought about hobbies?” I asked.

“Poetry, but I can’t remember it all. Nothing else to do,” Naran said.

“What did you like to do before coming here?” I asked.

“Some video games. Lots of TV. None of that here. The plays are meh, and the board games people are making are bland,” Naran answered.

“Well, you just need to keep looking. The complaints you have are valid. A lot of people have them about work. You just need to set boundaries and get some hobbies.”

“Hah! Set boundaries. Grinding means killing monsters for 16 hours straight. And exploring is a risk every second. I saw a level 4 zone. We are screwed. Totally and utterly screwed. It is fine. Just go. I appreciate the advice, but it is nothing I haven’t thought of already,” Naran said.

“Very well. Just one last thing. Please don’t hesitate to come and speak with me. Everyone can use someone to talk to. Even if it isn’t me, don’t hesitate to find someone. But not Clarissa, she can be a bit...much,” I said.

“Hah, you got that right. Thanks for the advice doc.”

“Your welcome Naran.” I left the room. Hopefully that had helped, but there was no guarantee. That was the tricky part about mental health. People had to come to their own realizations. You could guide and suggest, but without medication, everything was in their hands.

“Oh, excuse me,” I said as I bumped into a guard.

“No problem miss. Why don’t I escort you to your destination,” the guard said.

“I am just leaving,” I replied.

“Oh, well I can escort you to the entrance. What do you think of the public plays being done?” The guy was just a bit friendly, and there was no need to be rude. So, I didn’t say anything as he walked with me to the entrance.

“I haven’t had the time unfortunately. Mental health is quite a problem around here and there are non-stop emergencies.” It was exhausting being the only trained mental health professional in this city.

“Ah, I can understand that. You must hear quite a bit.”

“Nothing as interesting as you are imagining. Most people are just sad about losing their lives from Earth,” I replied.

“Indeed. Well, this is the exit. Take care Doctor.”

“Thank you, I didn’t get your name?” I asked. But the man had already turned and left. How rude. I shook my head at that behavior. I would have thought he was interested in more, but apparently not. Since I didn’t want to break doctor patient confidentiality, he was probably annoyed. Well no need to worry about such a person.