Roden took another shot of his drink before placing the glass in the sink and throwing himself down on one of the couches while holding his left cheek which still burned, although the pain was fading out as he began to pull his focus away from the photograph and towards his phone which began buzzing. When the pain subsided, Roden sat up straight while shaking his head. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his smartphone, seeing that he had a few unread messages from some unknown numbers.

'Must be people asking about the therapy sessions.' He thought to himself as he unlocked the phone by creating the most complicated lock pattern anyone had ever seen, although doing it had become second nature to him over the time he had the phone.

As he thought, it was a few of the CHS students looking for session bookings.

"Oh dear, this is a lot. I'll have to get a new schedule ready. Good thing I hired that nice girl as my secretary." Swiping past the messages Roden pulled up his contacts and speed dialed his new assistant. After a few tines someone picked up.

"Hello Dr. Godswell, what can I do for you?" The sweet voice asked on the other end.

"Hello Coco, I was just calling to inform you that we will be getting a new influx of patients from now on."

"Oh, that's great news Doctor, I guess that means I'll be able to work more hours instead of part-time?" Coco Pommel asked hopefully.

"It appears that way Coco, I'll sort through the new applications and forward the names and info to you later this week. Also, I was thinking of expanding our building with the extra funds we'll be receiving as well as bringing in some new employees to help speed things along."

"W-Well I think that's a great idea Doctor." Coco sad with slight worry causing Roden to roll his eyes and chuckle.

"Don't you worry Coco, you're still my right hand woman in all this, I couldn't get half of what I have to do done if it weren't for you. Consider a raise coming in soon." He reassured with a smile on his face.

"O-Oh, thank you Dr. Godswell. Thank you so much."

"No need to thank me Coco, I'm just giving you what you deserve. Alright, I'll see you later Coco, have a good weekend." With that he hung up and leaned back in his seat.

"She's a sweet girl isn't she?"

"She is, sometimes too sweet. Although it's good to have someone like that in the workplace, helps keep my spirits up and the patients seem to love her so far."

"Oh! Why not ask her out?! She's cute and friendly! C'mon bro get out there!"

"No Zerlinda, Coco is my friend and coworker, I'm keeping things professional. She's sweet and beautiful, but she's not really what I'm looking for in a woman." Roden dismissed the voice in his head with a wave of his hand.

"Well what kind of woman do you like then?"

"I can woo any of the girls or women we find in CHS or in the streets of Maretropolis with the skills my mother passed down to me, I want someone who could be a challenge. Someone that can't be won over by simple flattery and encouragement."

"So you're looking for a tsundere?"

"That's one way of summarising it I suppose."

"Ummm...who are you talking to?" Roden turned his head to see Sapphire looking at him strangely.

"Oh, no one. I'm just so used to living alone that I have grown to have conversations with my own thoughts to think about things more deeply." Roden explained as he turned his body around.

"Nice save.'

Sapphire looked at him with a raised eyebrow before shrugging. "Meh, I've got weirder people on my family."

Roden rolled his eyes and got to his feet before placing hai phone in his pocket. "So, you want a lift to your parents place?" He asked while walking over to one of the fine black counters to get the keys to his car.

"I can walk, I was just-"

"I know you live in Canterlot City Sapphire, I'm driving you over there whether you like it or not." Roden stated simply before pulling the keys out of one of the cabinets which had a small changeling keychain on it. Don't ask how he even got it I don't know either.

Before Sapphire could protest Roden placed a finger to her lips and stared her in the eye.

"I insist." He stated simply in a soft voice.

After a few silent moments Sapphire pushed his hand away and groaned. "Fine, since you seem so dead set on doing it."

Roden smiled softly and nodded before walking towards the two large front doors, holding the open for the blue haired girl.

Meanwhile Zanny and Zerlinda his their voices from Roden deep in his mind. "You see it too right?"

"I do, but we should not interfere nor should we inform Roden about any advances or hints. It could damage their chances, he'll notice it in time."

"Awww, but my shipping!"

"Oh please, you ship everybody together. EVERYBODY. I think you can wait a while longer for this one to actually take affect."

"But muh ships!"

"Go to sleep Zeri, you're drunk...he shouldn't have drank that whiskey. Is he even OK to drive?"

He'll be fine I'm sure, he didn't have too much and he's got a better sense of reality than most, plus he can really hold his alcohol. He'll be alright. At least, I think he will be.

Outside the building in the main parking lot, Roden unlocked his green hummer and hopped into the drivers seat while tucking his scarf behind him to avoid it being caught on the wheel. Sapphire jumped in the passenger seat of the huge vehicle and they drove off onto the main route out of Maretropolis towards Canterlot City.