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Charlotte shook her head, her voice soft. “Sometimes, people need to take some time to process their emotions in order to heal.”

“What good is it if a patient won’t tell the medics their problems? How am I supposed to treat them?”

“Listen to them. Look for non-verbal cues,” Charlotte advised.

“This is regarding the body language we were talking about the other day, isn’t it?” Maklr groaned.

“Exactly.”

“I still think it’s easier to have the patients tell me what’s ailing them. Otherwise, isn’t that where you come in? You’re the medic that talks to their patients as a healing practice.” Maklr scrunched his eyebrows. “The warriors seem to like it.”

“Sometimes it is easier to share the problem directly. Other times, people want to be heard.”

“I listen to my patients,” Maklr growled. “They need to be direct.”

“You listen, but do you hear them?” Charlotte’s eyes twinkled with mirth.

“Are you asking if I am unable to understand even the most basic speech?”

“No, that’s not what I’m implying. Listening and hearing are two different things.”

Maklr shook his head. “I’m going to assume this is not a translation error, but rather more confusing human speech.”

Charlotte sighed. “How do I explain this?” She tapped her fingers against her thigh. “When you ask your patients’ questions, and they answer, you’re listening to their words in order to search for a treatment protocol.” She paused before continuing. “One of the major differences with Klagan medicsand psychiatrists is that the humans not only listen to their patients, they hear them. We read body language as well as absorb their words. Humans tend to use more non-verbal communication than Klagans.”

Maklr scratched his chin while he absorbed Charlotte’s words. “So what you’re saying is I’m failing at my job.”

“Not at all!” Charlotte said. “We’re different species. You’re using Klagan methods on humans, and I’m not sure that’s the best way to handle a case like Nell’s.”

“What do you suggest I do?” Maklr asked, his purple eyes locked on Charlotte.

“Talk to her. Ask her questions, but not only listen to her. Hear her.”

“She doesn’t speak. Besides, I am not her primary medic. She’s your patient. You should talk to her.” Maklr’s eyes flashed.

“True,” Charlotte nodded, her blond curls bounced against her back. “But I think you’re missing the point about what psychiatrists do.”

Maklr shook his head. “I don’t think so. You talk to people and listen to their problems. Then, people think they feel better, so they leave.”

“They do feel better,” Charlotte said, stressing each word. “They don’t think they feel better; they do.” She pursed her lips. “Well, at least after a few sessions.”

“Seems an odd thing to do,” Maklr grumbled. “I don’t understand how talking about pain makes it go away.”

“A mental health therapist sometimes deals with physical manifestations of trauma. Talking things through can help. When your mental health is in better condition, the physical will follow.” Charlotte crossed her legs at the ankles against the lowest rung on the stool.

Maklr nodded. “I would concur with that statement.” His dark claws rubbed against the fuzz on the side of his head.

“Yet, from what I’ve learned about Klagan society in the time I’ve been here, it’s a minor miracle you’re as accepting of humans as you are. The medics I’ve met and have daily dealings with are more dismissive of human emotions.” Charlotte smiled. “And that says a lot about your character.”

Maklr groaned. “Not with the character comments.”

Charlotte reached out to pat Maklr’s hand. “You’re adorable.”

Maklr pursed his lips. “I fail to see how taking an interest in my patients makes me adorable.” He pointed a jet-black claw at the tablet. “This is my job. I need to know what’s wrong with her and how to fix her.”

Charlotte’s curls bounced as she shook with laughter. “One day you’ll understand human expressions.”

A rough scoff rumbled in Maklr’s chest. “Not likely. In fact, I’d hazard a guess it’ll be around the same time as I perfect the interpretation of human body language.”