The Impressionist Mask

and the Therapist's Task

Jul 28, 2026

The Impressionist Mask has long suffered from the shame of wearing the faces of who wore it in the past and even memory loss from the tragedies of being removed from those thieves at last. It forgets its own name, its relation to the other talking masks on the wall where it hangs, or that they’re immortality granting masks, even forgetting its fame.

Often, The Impressionist Mask will go into a fit of impersonations without realizing it. Visitors at the Mask Menagerie assume it’s just part of the exhibit.

The Mascari could feel The Impressionist’s pain and confusion vibrating out of its hollow cheeks. He found a suitable therapist in hopes to help the mask find truth it could speak.

(Note; Below are Mask Menagerie report sheets that must be protected in confidentiality.)

Therapy Session Report Log #3
Impressionist Mask
Therapist; Circe Soliel
/Confidential/

Moon Cycle; Waxing Gibbous
Therapist Notes; We went through some of its favourite impersonations right at the start. The Impressionist Mask seems to genuinely enjoy impersonating and shouldn’t be ashamed of it. Breaks my heart. We talked it out to the understanding that the feeling of shame is related to not feeling in control of the impersonations, and further that the lack of control is reminiscent of all the times the mask had been stolen and worn by thieves seeking its immortality or remarkable impersonation abilities… That was all for today’s session. The topic of being stolen and worn caused the Impressionist Mask to withdraw significantly. I will approach the subject next time gently and cautiously, of course reiterating that it was not the Impressionist Mask’s fault whatsoever.

Therapy Session Report Log #16
Impressionist Mask
Therapist; Circe Soliel
/Confidential/

Moon Cycle; Full Moon
Therapist Notes; The Impressionist Mask has made great progress and along this whole journey in discovery of self truth. It came to a new understanding of how it is actually the observer behind all the impressions and how to speak more to that in its relations with the other masks on the wall. It managed to recall a few hard memories without impersonating others. We ended the session outlining the Impressionist Mask’s goals of performing original expressions that did not come from anybody else and seeing how it feels. It is looking to try some facial mask exercises like holding new expressions in hopes to change the imprint left behind from the last wearer, though I am not sure it works like that. I told it to ask the Mascari if there’s something he can do.

Therapy Session Report Log #22
Impressionist Mask
Therapist; Circe Soliel
/Confidential/

Moon Cycle; Waxing Gibbous
Therapist Notes; The Impressionist Mask was feeling light hearted today at the beginning. Its impersonations were jovial and seemingly under control. We discovered the Impressionist Mask thinks it may have invited the thieves to steal and wear it, causing the mayhem that ensues when an immortal mask is worn by the living. It thinks so because it knows it secretly desires to live, and not just be a mask that’s immortality-giving. The Impressionist Mask seemed sincere… not suicidal… that it was genuinely desiring just the feeling of mortality, and naive to even the meaning of tragedy. I reminded the Impressionist Mask it is allowed to have those feelings, and that it could not have forced anyone to steal it and put it on. The Impressionist Mask was unconvinced and began impersonating me mockingly in sing song. I ended the session early and will reorient the discussion next time.

Therapy Session Report Log #27
Impressionist Mask
Therapist; Circe Soliel
/Confidential/

Moon Cycle; Full Moon
Therapist Notes; We uncovered the impression of feeling powerful in the belief it managed to convince the mask thieves of putting it on. We went over how innately, even super naturally powerful it is by default and that even such powerful things can be victims sometimes.
This session had me thinking more. I would never steal a mask from the Mask Menagerie… but I can admit to myself that I have had thoughts of what it would be like, while getting to know the Impressionist Mask, to have that power… of being able to believably be anyone to anybody. I have had intrusive thoughts about how it wouldn’t really be bad if I wasn’t trying to steal it, and wasn’t looking for the immortality in the result, but just a quick try-on, to see what it’s like… like a consult… It could improve my abilities to understand what the Impressionist Mask is going through… I have spoken to my therapist about this.

Therapy Session Report Log #33
Impressionist Mask
Therapist; Circe Soliel
/Confidential/

Moon Cycle; New Moon
Therapist Notes; I am deeply saddened that I have had to dismiss myself today. In order to preserve my good integrity in the field and with the Mascari, I can no longer provide therapy for the Impressionist Mask. I thought I was definitely capable of the task, but I am overcome with thoughts of trying it on, and can no longer provide the confidential safe environment necessary to do this work. We had our last session today. It was odd… that I found myself crying saying goodbye and all the Impressionist Mask did was smirk. I am haunted now by it when I am alone. That final smirk really looked like my own.

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