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Post by FREYA ERSHOVA on Dec 21, 2011 2:25:09 GMT 9.5
(OOC: Takes place in the past. Also, Zdravstvuj is a informal Russian 'hello' and is pronounced: zdrah-stvooy)
Freya had just finished a video-chat with Pierce and her daughter Sarah when an automated memo popped up, telling her that today was the day she had been scheduled for her mandatory therapy session with Dr.Shutt. The dragon girl audibly groaned as she stood from her chair and headed into the hallway.
She never was a big fan of this "therapy" thing that she had been forced to do with the in-House shrink ever since she arrived five years ago. In her society, feelings weren't readily discussed. But, over the years she had slowly gotten better at opening up, though she still didn't like it.
What would today's session bring out? She wondered to herself as she walked down the hallway leading to Shutt's office. Perhaps how she was feeling about being so far away from Sarah and Pierce, or how the stress from having to modify a majority of her weapons since they're were facing new Abnormals from this Hollow Earth place. The list went on and on and the thought was making her scales slightly itchy. Her long tail swayed back and forth in anticipation.
Finally she arrived at Shutt's room/office, the door open. Freya knocked on the frame before stick her hands into the pockets of her leather pants.
"Zdravstvuj?" she said in thick Russian.
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Post by DR AARON SHUTT on Dec 21, 2011 3:30:41 GMT 9.5
“And hello to you too.” Aaron grinned cheerfully, looking up from his desk. “Come in. Sit down. Make yourself comfortable.” Thankfully, his bed was covered in books and was therefore not an option. Aaron had many a patient falling asleep on him thanks to that bed. Usually, they got more use out of it than he did.
Aaron was thankful for the paperwork he was still in the middle of completing. It was unethical to ignore a patient, but there was something about Ms Ershova that made him uncomfortable. He usually tried to cover it up with a friendly smile and often some awkward laughter. It was hard work, and one glance at the dragon woman told him that it wasn’t going to be any easier today.
“You know the drill by now. This is simply a chance for you to talk about things that may be troubling you, and together we can work to see how to overcome or cope with the issues.” Doctor Shutt explained, wincing slightly at the silence. “This may include cognitive therapy, helping with the way you view things. Or behavioral therapy, which tackles any actions that you deem concerning. There’s also interpersonal therapy which helps…” social relationships. Aaron wasn’t sure he was ready to tackle such a difficult subject today. He would though, if Freya was willing.
The clock ticked loudly.
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Post by FREYA ERSHOVA on Dec 21, 2011 3:48:40 GMT 9.5
Freya blinked at Dr.Shutt as he rambled off the things that they would possibly attempt. Inwardly she growled, not too happy about the situation. She sat down in the chair at the end of the bed, bringing her tail around so that it rested in her lap.
"Same as before, Doc," she said, looking at him intently with her light blue eyes. "I don't get to see my kid nearly enough and Pierce's mother hate me. Woe is I." She leaned back slightly, propping her feet on the foot board of the bed and crossing her arms over her chest.
Maybe there was a chance this would be over quickly. Though Freya doubted that very much.
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Post by DR AARON SHUTT on Dec 21, 2011 10:03:44 GMT 9.5
Aaron was aware of Freya’s body language. She was closed off and reluctant to talk. He expected that. That’s why he compensated for it by being as open as possible.
“That’s understandable.” Aaron nodded, with a sympathetic smile. The seconds ticked by as Aaron watched her, patiently waiting for her to continue. She clearly wasn’t going to volunteer any more information.
He understood where she was coming from. Telling someone your innermost feelings was always difficult. But Freya had somebody who would listen, who wouldn’t judge, who only wanted to help. All he needed was for her to see that. Preferably within his lifetime.
“So, how is…” Aaron looked down at his sheet of paper, even though they were another set of files, nothing pertinent to Freya. It helped Aaron believe he maintained a professional distance, when he actually cared a lot more than he should. “Sarah… doing nowadays?"
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Post by FREYA ERSHOVA on Dec 24, 2011 3:41:34 GMT 9.5
Freya shifted slightly in her chair. While she really didn't want to discuss anything concerning her daughter or just dragon related things in general, she knew that things would go a lot easier and quicker if she did say something.
Finally, she sighed and uncrossed her arms, letting them rest on her upper legs. She appreciated that Aaron was at least trying to look like he cared. But it still didn't make her feel anymore at ease with the whole situation.
"She's fine, mostly. Her horns are starting to come in so she's been moody most days." She said, followed by a simple shrug.
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Post by DR AARON SHUTT on Dec 24, 2011 12:26:52 GMT 9.5
“That’s good. Fine is…” Fine wasn’t really good, but it was better than nothing. Aaron winced at the thought Sarah being in pain, but that was a part of growing up. It still must be difficult for Freya though, knowing her daughter was in pain and not being able to comfort her to the extent she wished. Aaron didn’t bother patronizing Freya by voicing that. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
Aaron could hear the clock tick, emphasizing the silence.
“We’ve still got fifty minutes before the session ends.” Aaron announced, wincing slightly, apologetically. Sometimes, Aaron missed his days as a neurosurgeon. Aaron never was your typical surgeon though, too cautious, too caring. Without Gina there to push him, he was… this. Aaron repressed all negative thoughts about his life. This wasn’t about him. “We can talk about whatever you want. Or what you least want to talk about. In my experience, what people want to talk about least is what is impacting their mental state the most.”
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Post by FREYA ERSHOVA on Jan 13, 2012 10:45:34 GMT 9.5
Freya shifted again, visibly uncomfortable. Her kind weren't known to be very vocal about their problems, especially to outsiders. But, it was something she was trying to shed from her nature. A hard thing to shed, but she was slowly getting there.
She looked down at her hands as she clasped them together, thumbs rubbing against one another slowly.
"Doctor," She finally spoke, looking back up at Aaron. "Do you remember when I took that trip last month to Scotland to see Sarah? Well, my mother happened to just magically show up as well."
While Freya loved her mother, the woman had gone slightly 'round the bend since Sarah's birth and Freya's decision not to rejoin her clan. And it was only made worse when Freya allowed Sarah to be raised by Pierce's clan.
"She thought it would be best if Sarah was raised by my clan...the Fire clan. Said she couldn't stand it any longer that Sarah was being brought up as a Water Dragon. Needless to say, I have a lot on my mind."
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Post by DR AARON SHUTT on Jan 14, 2012 0:26:53 GMT 9.5
((ooc: sorry if this is a little gruesome. The curse for Aaron is that, being a Doctor (and a pessimist), his mind always goes to the worst place.))
“Needless to say.” Aaron repeated thoughtfully. “But perhaps you do need to tell me.”
He was worried about Sarah, but took great care not to show it. Any child born of two cultures but forced to only celebrate one could potentially develop identity or behavioral problems. Aaron saw that a lot back at Chicago Hope, how people reacted when not given the freedom they needed: the seventeen year old anorexic because her mother was still buying her clothes for her; the woman who self-harmed whenever her over-bearing father wasn’t looking; the gay teenage boy who had been disowned by his Jewish father. Aaron had been able to counsel all those cases, helping child and parent understand each other. He couldn’t do that here. Sarah wasn’t his patient, nor was Freya’s mother.
Freya was his patient, but Aaron was unsure how to proceed. She must be as worried about her daughter as Aaron was, but getting her to express those concerns may do more damage than good. That’s not what he was taught though. Although talking may be painful at first, it allows patients to deal with issues they have been repressing.
Aaron briefly thought back to Gina, and the child he never had with her. He crushed those thoughts though. They weren’t helpful. He needed to help Freya.
“You’ve told me the situation, and I’m honored that you trusted me enough to tell me that.” He truly was. “You still haven’t told me what’s going on inside your head, your thoughts and feelings.” Aaron felt guilty asking, even though he wasn’t directly. He wouldn’t be surprised if she just walked out, but this was his job. He could probably hazard a guess as to how she was feeling, but he needed her to acknowledge it too.
Acknowledgement was the first step to control, and you needed to be in control in order to be fit for duty. Aaron never had a clue how he felt, but he could help others express themselves. He knew how difficult it was for Freya, but she was more capable than him. He hoped.
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