Dreams of an Absolution

August 12th, 2001

Patient Name: Blossom Utonium

This is Dr. Irena Elise once again reporting on patient Blossom Utonium. In the several sessions we've had, I've noticed something very interesting about Blossom. The patient seems to be struggling to reconcile the child she is with the adult she wants to be. It seems that the child in Blossom is angry about the way things have turned out...perhaps feeling betrayed by her captor for vanishing so suddenly. She is aggressive and hostile; it is very hard to work with her in this state. It seems to work better to simply let her vent, rather than offer anything in the way of advice.

Then there are other times...she comes into my office like a ghost. She barely speaks, she seems on the verge of tears the entire time. The adult in Blossom, the part that appeared to have fallen in love with Aku, feels betrayed and abandoned. This Blossom is more receptive...though I'll admit it is still unnerving helping a child deal with such adult issues...

"Good afternoon Blossom! How was your week?"

"...It was alright, I guess."

"Come here, sit down...what's wrong, Sweetie?"

"Nothing...I'm just tired."

"Really? That's strange, you've had a slow week haven't you?"

"...Yeah I guess so."

"I thought you'd be more excited, you're starting first grade tomorrow aren't you?"

"Yeah...yeah I am."

"You aren't excited? I thought you loved school...oh! I remember that spelling bee last year. You were so proud when you won...what was the word you had to spell?"

"Aphonia."

"That's right, that's right! Remembering that makes me wonder why you aren't more excited about school."

"I just...I don't know..."

"Why not? I'm sure it will be fun, perhaps you may even be challenged a little?"

"I don't know...I don't think I want to go..."

"Why not? Blossom, here, come here. There we go. Now why don't you want to go to school?"

"Well...it's nothing...I just...nevermind,"

"You sound nervous."

"I'm sorry..."

"No! No, it's nothing to be sorry about. I think I know what's wrong...Blossom, you'll be just fine. I know, some people are angry with you, but you've only done good since then."

"...I don't care about that...I d...Boomer will be there...I'll have someone to be my friend. I just-it's not, I don't know. I'm sorry."

"You don't have to apologize so much, I really do understand how you feel."

"No you don't."

"I do, maybe not for the same reasons-and I'm by no way saying my situation was worse than yours, but I did deal with being ostracized in school. High school was just terrible."

"...Really? What happened?"

"Well...you see my older sister was always the smart one. So I think my teachers expected me to be like her, and if I can be honest with you...well I wasn't really that excited about school when I was younger. Then of course there are always the kids that just love to pick on everyone, I was always the butt of a lot of jokes."

"I'm sorry..."

"Why? You weren't even thought of when I was in high school! Don't be silly, Sweetie; I just want you to know that you'll be fine. You're a lot like I was back then, a lot stronger, a lot smarter, but there are a lot of similarities."

"Really? You think...you think so?"

"I do! Now, I want to hear about your week, will you tell me?"

"I guess...I slept a lot...especially after Sunday,"

"You fought that criminal, what was her name?"

"Sedusa...she got Chemical X somehow and now she's a lot stronger..."

"Oh my, what happened?"

"She...she transformed into something...we chased her and I guess we split up..."

"Why in the world did you split up? That sounds dangerous and a bit reckless,"

"That's what I thought...but Buttercup...we got into a fight and I just wanted to get away from her...but I found Sedusa and sh-she attacked me and I couldn't fight back..."

"Because of this?"

"...Yeah. I'm completely useless against supervillains now..."

"No you're not, without you, I know your sisters would have been a lot worse off! You're a bit more observant than they are, I think."

"Well...well I did save them one time I guess..."

"See? You're not useless, you just can't fight as directly anymore."

"Yeah...I guess so..."

"Did you get hurt?"

"I, well, a little bit. It's okay though, I'm fine..."

"That's good to hear, I always worry when I see you on the news rushing off to save the day! Oh it's as terrifying as it is thrilling...but I know you'll always come out on top. Isn't that right?"

"W-Well...I um...I try..."

"Oh, someone's blushing...don't be modest, you're a very good superheroine. Even with your powers weakened, you're still the brightest hero in the whole city."

"I...w-...uh..."

"That's better! Now, see if you can handle a supervillain, I know you can handle something as mundane and easy as school! Everything is going to be alright."

"...You're right...th-thank you Dr. Elise...thank you..."

"Oh! Well, that's what I'm here for. Now we're running out of time...why don't you tell me, how are you sleeping? Have you had any dreams lately?"

"I...I don't remember..."

"You're not a very good liar, Blossom...don't worry, you know I won't tell anyone."

"I...I dreamed about him again..."

"You did? Tell me about it...oh don't be so bashful. It's alright! I promise you won't tell me anything I haven't heard before."

"...I was...it...well...I...I was with him..."

"Go on."

"I was...I was a goddess again...and we won...we won! He was so proud of me...he said...said that he knew I was special...he believed in me...and...and then...we...um...we k..."

"You kissed him?"

"..."

"There's nothing to be ashamed of..."

"...Sometimes...sometimes I sleep just so I can see him again..."

"Maybe that's not the most productive way to spend your time, you should find a new hobby. Try something to just take your mind off everything."

"...I can try..."

"That's good...remember, you can spend all your time in bed dreaming, or you can wake up and really live a little."

"..."

"I'm sorry, that was terrible. I never said I was a brilliant speaker, did I?"

"I guess not,"

"That's better. You know you're a lot prettier when you smile,"

"...Thank you..."

"You're welcome...well it looks like we're out of time. I hope you have a great first day of school. Blossom?"

"Y-Yes Dr. Elise?"

"Remember...everything is going to be alright."

"I...I will...thank you,"

"Goodbye, Blossom."

"Goodbye Doctor..."