-This is not a wise idea for a treatment.

  -''You should have heard the Doctor's suggestion then.'' Kal'tsit replied.

  It was a simple room with casual furnishings. A phycologist's office, except for the single life monitoring device that sat between the two beds. A concession that doctor Kal'tsit demanded for this procedure.

  I laid on one of them while on the second sat a richly decorated feline of short stature.

  -''I usually treat children. But it's not seldom that I also treat those of age that are in need.'' Iris spoke at ease, confident.

  She was a mystic character on Rhodes, with an even more mysterious background. But then again I was an enigma to most myself. And the things thought impossible but proven otherwise long ceased to amaze me in this world.

  -I will soon cast my arts, you will fall into a peaceful sleep. And within I shall cast a dreamland the likes of which you have never seen before.'' Iris spoke before continuing.

  -I shall find your younger self, for that part of a spirit never dies. And then, I shall mend you.

  -''... Be careful.'' I spoke simply, warningly.

  I had accepted Kal'tsit's offer of help and her proposition for the method. My affliction ran deeper than most knew, and it was a spread root that dug deep into me. To which I wished removed. For myself, and for her. For the thought of being deprived of Provence because of it felt as if my soul was being eaten. Faster than ever.

  By what some would ask. By fear, by hate, by darkness and apathy, perhaps... something even worse. To which not even I wished to contemplate ever deeper upon.

  I revealed little to them except that the wounds of the heart and the mind were great, and ran deep. This ''medical'' procedure would remain confidential. No one outside this room knew of this session, and I preferred it so.

  The gentile feline had cast her arts, my eye-lids already felt weary and myself desiring of rest. I had closed them, and I felt my chest relieved almost instantly as I lost consciousness.

  A great castle in the sky glided above a desolate landscape, following its master, its feline custodian. The castle was lush with coloured roofs and flying banners. Pristine white walls adorned with sigils and coloured glass windows. A wonderful, verdant and lush garden surrounded it among the clouds in contrast to the desolation below it. A desert, with patches of dead buildings and long passed forests.

  Iris was there, among the sand and the ruins. Yet, where her feet stepped upon the dry earth became lush again. Alive with green grass and fresh flowers following in her wake. She was searching in this wasteland for something. For someone.

  The soul wearisome bleakness of this place didn't affect her, despite reminding her of the darker aspects of the rich Victorian folklore. She would stride onward, bringing out the hope that was once lost. The life that each child once began with. She had done it many times already, for children and grown people alike. She would do so again for this troubled soul as well, for he saved many lives while his burdened heart struggled to still draw breath. She believed he deserved to be saved in turn.

  She finally saw the silhouette of a small figure, sitting upon a piece of rubble in what seemed to be a more peaceful corner. It was in a dead and levelled courtyard, surrounded by ruins. The young boy that was adorned in a torn jacket looked back at the magical feline approaching him.

  -''Hello there little one.'' Iris spoke, approaching with a genuine smile that could warm the coldest of hearts.

  -''... Wow.'' The child spoke as he looked up at her then at the castle in the sky.

  As Iris halted so did her great realm. And then, the roots grew. It touched the dried dirt of this blighted land and turned it lush once again. Spreading all around Iris and the small child. The wasteland was turning into a Garden of Eden before their eyes. Even the blighted buildings seemed to change their colour. Almost seemingly shedding their air of haunted decrepitness.

  -This is amazing! Are you the queen of the castle miss cat lady!?

  -I guess I am. Would you like to visit my home?

  -Yes! It looks awesome!

  -There are also many friends there to play with.

  -I think I would like that... I think. It looks fun and big to explore!

  -You can explore its corridors and the many rooms filled with wonders as much as you want. Wouldn't you like to leave this place with me?

  -Yes! Can we go now?!

  -Of course. Though there is something you must offer, for you to be granted passage into my wonderful realm.

  -''Oh... I have nothing.''

  -You do, even if it is just a memory. Lend me your most precious possession that you ever had. Imagine it giving it to me and my realm shall be yours. And your greatest prize will be taken care of in my castle. For you and anyone to see and take joy in it.

  -That sounds nice, so you aren't taking it from me?

  -No little child, I would never do that. You are lending it to me. It will be yours again in the future, when you desire so.

  -Ah! Well, that's nice!

  -So tell your big sister, what is your most cherished possession?

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  -I, uh...

  -''There's no rush. Think deeply until you are sure.'' The soft voice beckoned with seemingly all the patience in the world. Understanding like a mother would be with her child.

  (''-No...'' My thoughts echoed, somewhere far away at what was about to happen.)

  -''Do you know what it is?'' Iris had asked the little child.

  (''-Stop...'' My thoughts echoed again. Though if Iris heard them they were left unbeckoned.)

  -''Mmmmmm...'' The small child struggled to remember before his demeanour changed to one of loss, and emptiness.

  For the first time in a long, long time Iris felt unease. Taken aback as she saw the child silently crying full tear flows... of blood.

  -Grandpa...

  The Garden of Eden was now dying, and with it a deathly rot spread upwards from the earth to the roots coming out of the grand castle. Poisoning its own garden.

  The child was now lost in his own world, as if shell shocked. Iris grabbed his shoulders. Imbuing him with her power, yet it seemed to have little effect. She hugged him closely, basking him in the might on her cleansing aura. Miraculously the child was revived, free of blood and of taint. He was alive, but even so his thoughts dwelt with the devastation he once experienced. That thought itself inimical to what Iris represented.

  Close as she could ever be in order to save the soul of his innocence, she couldn't stop the experience of past events that flowed onto her. His most prised possession... lay dead. Bloodied, and tore gruesomely open to the deathly cold. A dark, beastly figure standing on its fours above him. The loss he felt... it was tearing her apart.

  It would not be the last experience she would witness.

  A familiar figure, not too dissimilar from the first looked back in evident disappointment. Forever disappearing soon after in a fog of war and screams.

  The wasteland became grotesquely rich with the faces of the deceased. People of all kinds and all ages.

  She saw hands that once rose to protect, and which later befell death in judgement, and then in pure hate.

  She held the mangled and half-eaten body of what was once a beautiful blond woman. The single blue eye left seemingly attesting to the rich soul she once possessed.

  She coughed something as the scenery instantly changed. And Iris spat out an object. A ring, golden and adorned with the emblem of an oak tree. Iris had instantly recognised it from his memories. Lifting her gaze she saw the one guilty of this abominable deed. The one who had any semblance of warmth in his past life that still drew breath at that one point in time. And he broke her for the treachery made upon his humanity. For the inhumanity of having fed him the very one who brought him to life.

  Iris fell onto the lifeless dirt, throwing up while more memories assailed her.

  After that point all failed into darkness and despair. Death now reigned in his actions, indiscriminate... And she saw too many little ones robbed of their life.

  Cracks appeared in her great castle in the sky. And soon, the last deed came. Great fires blazed upon the doomed earth. And great originum shards struck down among the flames. Her great castle, engulfed in this flame was struck as well. It's garden ashened, its walls crumbled violently. Unnaturally dark shards pierced it apart as if by a malevolent will.

  .

  .

  .

  Iris had fallen onto the floor besides her bed. Puking out the contents of her stomach with no semblance that she would be able to stop. Her eyes were widened with horror. Profoundly affected at what she just beheld.

  My own stomach felt heavy, yet I willed its contents to remain inside. Forcing my darkest thoughts that just resurfaced back behind a brick wall. I had barely made a step towards Iris, which was helped by Kal'tsit before she recoiled in both utter abhorrence and fear. I ceased my approach and then Doctor Kal'tsit studied me curiously. Unsure at what had happened while she stabilized Iris.

  -''I'm sorry you had to see all that.'' I spoke simply, sincerely. And I left the room.

  The procedure was a disaster. I was hard-pressed trying to retain my sanity after that tumultuous experience. Having arrived back in the comfort of my apartment I could feel at least a modicum at ease. But my breathing was heavy and deep, and I was ill. My hands were shaking, and I clenched them on the rail of my open balcony. I felt like throwing myself off the landship. To end what I couldn't do in past nights with the trigger of my weapon.

  But I couldn't. I had to regain myself... I just had to.

  I lost the count of time as I sat on the comforter on the same open air balcony. My trauma having withdrawn, at least somewhat. But I felt drained of life and of will. The look that Iris gave me... it was expected given the truths she had seen of me. But I could trust doctor Kal'tsit to hold her to the non-disclosure agreement.

  It was to my surprise that soon after Kal'tsit herself was at my door. Requesting some of my time. I gathered my strength and let her in, preparing for whatever she might have possibly said.

  However, I hadn't expected her to have brought a thermos full of tea and a small cake. All while carrying a gaze that was less stern than her usual. We sat, and it soon became clear that she was not here on the intent I imagined she would be.

  She poured us tea as I cut a slice for each of us.

  -Interesting flavour, are there any drugs in it?

  -No. Though the plant is a rare one meant for therapeutic purposes. Used as tea it has a calming effect.

  -It has a nice flavour. You should give me the details of the supplier.

  -''It would be expensive even with your salary.'' Replied Kal'tsit. Giving a moment of thoughtful pause before continuing.

  -She regrets the reaction she had towards you. I gather she will approach you in the following days to convey her sincere remorse regarding it.

  -I don't hold it against her.

  -I must also express my sincere apology. The procedure ended up not only failing, but causing both you and Iris a great deal of mental anguish. I also want you to know that if there is anything you wish or have need of, you can always call me. It is the least I can do.

  -Kal'tsit...

  -Yes?

  -You wouldn't treat me half as good as the Doctor if you knew what Iris saw.

  -Tacet...

  -You wouldn't, doctor. As genuine as your feeling is, it is the truth.

  -Operator Iris has not told me of what she saw. Nor will she divulge that information to anyone. You can rest assured of it.

  -I basically divulged it to you even though I haven't told you of it. If her reaction wasn't enough of a hint. So why do you come at me with treats and understanding?

  -Tacet, I have not come here to judge you if that is what you expected. I am responsible to stabilize and take care of my patients of the suffering from the mistakes I have wrought...

  -There is enough misery in this world, I don't need to remind you of your own. I wish to simply bring a measure of ease after what happened.

  -So there is some warmth in you under that mask of cold efficiency.

  -It is something I rarely share with others.

  -I am grateful for it Kal. The Doctor would be more so if you'd share some of that warmth with him.

  -It is my decision with whom to share it with, don't overstep your bounds, operator Tacet.

  -It was not my intention. I simply believe it would bring a great relief for both of you. It is just the truth of what I see.

  She was silent at this, contemplating my words with a genuine expression I have never seen her wear before. In this time I took my first taste of the cake she had brought with her.

  -This cake... I haven't tasted this heavenly recipe since... how did you come up with it?

  -Iris had caught glimpses of the things that brought you comfort. She revealed this one to me. I hoped it was to your liking.

  -It is. Like a rush of joy from better times.

  The coconut-chocolate cake was indeed a rarity I had not had the pleasure to taste since my childhood, before everything went to Hell. Before bakeries and ingredients became a scarce memory of the past.

  -Kal, you have gone a bit of length to try to ''remedy the situation'' as you put it. You didn't have to do all this.

  -''I had to after what ensued. I hope our meeting brought you a measure of solace.'' Kal'tsit spoke before continuing.

  -You have the week off if you need it. I wish you to have the time you need to recuperate.

  -I'll continue my duties to the Doctor, he needs a reliable assistant. Besides, it helps to be busy.

  -Please do not strain yourself. I value you having a clear mind for your own good.

  -I will be alright. Thank you for your care doctor.

  -Operator Tacet.

  -Yes, doctor Kal'tsit?

  -I am well accustomed to speech patterns to such a level that I know the surety of those words, as total as they seem, are void beneath.

  I remained speechless at that. I guess she saw through my words, she then sighed.

  -I know I have done more than enough and have failed at it. This moment of solace is all I could do right in the end. Nevertheless, I reiterate my intent, my door is always open to you. If you have need of anything do not hesitate to contact me.

  -And if there is any way I can ease your pain, I am open to suggestions.

  I was genuinely impressed with the sincerity and care Kal'tsit was displaying. It was a rare side of her that even I did not see much of before.

  -Thank you, Kal'tsit. I apreciate it, really. Be sure I will take you up on your offer if I ever shall have need of it.