Hydrangea, please go tend to C-0011 and C-0012. It's about time for their bottle feeding. And while you're at it, groom them. They'll need an adenectomy before much longer.
[woofgirl pauses, nods, puts away the herbs and equipment, scurries off and around a corner]
There. Now we have the privacy needed for this matter to proceed confidentially.
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
[GUY EXPLAIN aka have an infodump from his perspective.
- The phobia is of women, regardless of age or appearance. - It is not of women in general (a mention that he's still aesthetically and sexually attracted to them, for instance), but the idea or action of physical contact with them, as well as loud noises, unpredictable movements, or close quarters. - Main symptoms are tension, avoidance, cold sweat, tremors, nausea, rapid heart rate, hyperventilation, and panic attacks. He will also explain there are times, it seems, that his body retreats on its own - a reaction that isn't always intentional. - It hasn't been lifelong, as he remembers being fine with his sister as a small boy. - He can muscle through it in some odd situations or emergencies, but it's hardly consistent. - He does not know what triggered it exactly, but he can make a hesitant guess on when based on a recent memory. - Certain instances have had him "spacing out", in his own words. Not quite a blackout, more an instantaneous loss of where he is and what state he's in. He sees things, hears things, tastes and smells things that are there but aren't there, almost always regaining awareness of Kyriakos after having fallen to the ground - an event he never remembers completely. It's impossible to snap out of it on his own, and it's recently gotten worse.]
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
The memory, he says, was of his home being attacked by an army when he was a young boy. Many people were killed, including his family, though he does not remember witnessing their deaths. He then apologizes, as he also does not remember how or why he was spared - only that he was rescued later by a fellow survivor. But he remembers, at least, being very frightened by the whole situation.]
As for the 'episodes', could you clarify what kind of details you're requiring?
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
What triggered them, in as specific a manner as you can recall. Such as, if it was a touch, where was the contact made on your person and under what circumstances.
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
I don't remember much of the first time. It was a while back, when we first went into other player's hearts. A woman struck up conversation with me and was shot with magic from behind as we were speaking... [His speech tightens, halts, hands curling into tight fists at his sides.] The next thing I knew, I was somewhere else with people hovering over me. Ah... I was facing her at the time, and I know I tried to turn, but...
...
Anyway. Other times outside of that were... mmm.
Someone fell on me, from behind. We were handcuffed together. Echo prank of sorts, I guess. I barely saw her before it happened.
And the most recent time was right after the memory I described to you. There wasn't any touch or anything I could recall like that. But I still blanked. Came to on the floor later. It's why I... I have my suspicion that the cause may lie there somewhere.
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
[A thoughtful pause, gathering her words together.]
Your phobia is rooted in a extremely severe case of post-traumatic stress disorder. Your mind has formed an association that links the idea or action of physical contact with women with the certainty that you will come to harm. This association born of the mind is so strong that the body reacts outside of your control and contrary to your desires. It's no different than the "fight or flight" response any creature would have when in a situation that's been deemed to be precarious or perilous. That primal response was formed, after all, in order to keep oneself alive.
[This reply is three-fold: explanation, a conveyance of understanding, and a way to communicate with the certainty of logic and science (rather than sentiment, blithe or otherwise) that Technic isn't weak or stupid or somehow lesser as a result of being unable to just throw off his fear.]
I posit that the instances you spoke of, where you experienced false sensory input and dissociation from reality, are flashbacks to the traumatic event which birthed your phobia. Not the memory itself, clear and lucid, so much as the emotions tagged to it.....a species of total recall brought on by particularly severe triggerings of your phobia.
[She steeples gloved fingers and goes on in a calm, professional voice.]
Phobias as strong as yours are far from uncommon. That it co-exists — however uneasily, and with imbalance — alongside your original and unchanged attraction to women isn't unusual either. Fortunately, phobias can be managed and even cured. An excellent track record exists for it.
I believe that I will be able to help you, if you allow it.
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
[There's something calming about the logic in her tone, enough to make the unsettling nature of the wave of information a little less hard to swallow. He's still backed himself against a wall, his body posture tight, hand against his chin as he thinks over it.]
It's what I'm here for. Though, if I could, I'd like to hear what your ideas are.
I don't wish to sell you short in return. I suppose you could say I just... don't want to be ignorant about what this will entail.
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
What I mentioned before about reducing the severity of your symptoms should ideally be a simple matter. I'll need bloodwork and other medical information from you first, however. Some tests will have to be run, the nature of which I'll explain before asking for consent to perform them.
Outside of that, self-help is a worthwhile avenue for you to explore. I highly reccommend it, actually, as it should prove invaluable in equipping you with the tools needed to overcome your phobia on your own over time. I will be able to assist in this manner as well.
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
Good to hear. If your phobia should extend even to me [with her....total lack of female physicality besides her voice] a workaround should be easy enough.
And yes, in so many words. I would also recommend a professional therapist, but such a resource might not exist in Kyriakos.
[and she won't be volunteering for the job, she'd be no good at it]
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
...It's the first time I've heard the term, at least. But I guess I'll just have to keep it in mind.
[He knows what physical therapy is. Doesn't take a genius to figure out she means the mental equivalent. Or something like that. But it's strange enough to dwell on, so he's more than willing to put it aside for now.]
Anyway. There's also the matter of what you'd like me to do in return, correct?
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
[nodding, but not giving the impression of being especially fussed]
Yes, but it'll be a paltry matter for you. Consenting to give blood and other samples will already cover some of the debt.
[YOU GET TO PEE IN A CUP]
Participating in the tests should be be enough to account for the rest. If not, I'll task you with taking care of one of my experimental subjects for a day or so.
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
Though, he frankly looks kind of surprised. It doesn't seem like much from him... well, unless the tests end up being something completely off the wall. But...
...]
...Sounds fair enough. I suppose we'll figure that out as we go, right?
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
[There's an immediate tension despite his nod of acknowledgement, his gaze flickering hesitantly back to Hydra. He loves her, he really does. But...]
Whatever help you can offer will be appreciated.
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
Hydrangea, please go tend to C-0011 and C-0012. It's about time for their bottle feeding. And while you're at it, groom them. They'll need an adenectomy before much longer.
[woofgirl pauses, nods, puts away the herbs and equipment, scurries off and around a corner]
There. Now we have the privacy needed for this matter to proceed confidentially.
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
Thank you.
[Clearing his throat.]
Where would you like me to start?
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
Wherever you feel is best. I'll need to know as much as you do, in the end, so it does not matter.
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
- The phobia is of women, regardless of age or appearance.
- It is not of women in general (a mention that he's still aesthetically and sexually attracted to them, for instance), but the idea or action of physical contact with them, as well as loud noises, unpredictable movements, or close quarters.
- Main symptoms are tension, avoidance, cold sweat, tremors, nausea, rapid heart rate, hyperventilation, and panic attacks. He will also explain there are times, it seems, that his body retreats on its own - a reaction that isn't always intentional.
- It hasn't been lifelong, as he remembers being fine with his sister as a small boy.
- He can muscle through it in some odd situations or emergencies, but it's hardly consistent.
- He does not know what triggered it exactly, but he can make a hesitant guess on when based on a recent memory.
- Certain instances have had him "spacing out", in his own words. Not quite a blackout, more an instantaneous loss of where he is and what state he's in. He sees things, hears things, tastes and smells things that are there but aren't there, almost always regaining awareness of Kyriakos after having fallen to the ground - an event he never remembers completely. It's impossible to snap out of it on his own, and it's recently gotten worse.]
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
She's going to ask him for clearer details about said recent memory and the certain instances.]
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
The memory, he says, was of his home being attacked by an army when he was a young boy. Many people were killed, including his family, though he does not remember witnessing their deaths. He then apologizes, as he also does not remember how or why he was spared - only that he was rescued later by a fellow survivor. But he remembers, at least, being very frightened by the whole situation.]
As for the 'episodes', could you clarify what kind of details you're requiring?
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
I don't remember much of the first time. It was a while back, when we first went into other player's hearts. A woman struck up conversation with me and was shot with magic from behind as we were speaking... [His speech tightens, halts, hands curling into tight fists at his sides.] The next thing I knew, I was somewhere else with people hovering over me. Ah... I was facing her at the time, and I know I tried to turn, but...
...
Anyway. Other times outside of that were... mmm.
Someone fell on me, from behind. We were handcuffed together. Echo prank of sorts, I guess. I barely saw her before it happened.
And the most recent time was right after the memory I described to you. There wasn't any touch or anything I could recall like that. But I still blanked. Came to on the floor later. It's why I... I have my suspicion that the cause may lie there somewhere.
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
[A thoughtful pause, gathering her words together.]
Your phobia is rooted in a extremely severe case of post-traumatic stress disorder. Your mind has formed an association that links the idea or action of physical contact with women with the certainty that you will come to harm. This association born of the mind is so strong that the body reacts outside of your control and contrary to your desires. It's no different than the "fight or flight" response any creature would have when in a situation that's been deemed to be precarious or perilous. That primal response was formed, after all, in order to keep oneself alive.
[This reply is three-fold: explanation, a conveyance of understanding, and a way to communicate with the certainty of logic and science (rather than sentiment, blithe or otherwise) that Technic isn't weak or stupid or somehow lesser as a result of being unable to just throw off his fear.]
I posit that the instances you spoke of, where you experienced false sensory input and dissociation from reality, are flashbacks to the traumatic event which birthed your phobia. Not the memory itself, clear and lucid, so much as the emotions tagged to it.....a species of total recall brought on by particularly severe triggerings of your phobia.
[She steeples gloved fingers and goes on in a calm, professional voice.]
Phobias as strong as yours are far from uncommon. That it co-exists — however uneasily, and with imbalance — alongside your original and unchanged attraction to women isn't unusual either. Fortunately, phobias can be managed and even cured. An excellent track record exists for it.
I believe that I will be able to help you, if you allow it.
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
It's what I'm here for. Though, if I could, I'd like to hear what your ideas are.
I don't wish to sell you short in return. I suppose you could say I just... don't want to be ignorant about what this will entail.
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
Outside of that, self-help is a worthwhile avenue for you to explore. I highly reccommend it, actually, as it should prove invaluable in equipping you with the tools needed to overcome your phobia on your own over time. I will be able to assist in this manner as well.
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
[And then a dry chuckle.]
You're talking about self-improvement, right?
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
And yes, in so many words. I would also recommend a professional therapist, but such a resource might not exist in Kyriakos.
[and she won't be volunteering for the job, she'd be no good at it]
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
[He knows what physical therapy is. Doesn't take a genius to figure out she means the mental equivalent. Or something like that. But it's strange enough to dwell on, so he's more than willing to put it aside for now.]
Anyway. There's also the matter of what you'd like me to do in return, correct?
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
Yes, but it'll be a paltry matter for you. Consenting to give blood and other samples will already cover some of the debt.
[YOU GET TO PEE IN A CUP]
Participating in the tests should be be enough to account for the rest. If not, I'll task you with taking care of one of my experimental subjects for a day or so.
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
Though, he frankly looks kind of surprised. It doesn't seem like much from him... well, unless the tests end up being something completely off the wall. But...
...]
...Sounds fair enough. I suppose we'll figure that out as we go, right?
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
"I, ________, consent to submit the following samples to Lilith, Echo of Kyriakos.
- Blood.
- Saliva.
- Urine.
- Sperm.
________ (signature required)" ]
Indeed. Quests aren't an exact science.
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
did he get a pen or does he have to sign it with his blood]Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
yes he gets a pen]
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
A pause, before he signs both with his full name, Gailardia Galan Gardios, rather than his nickname.]
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
[taking that back now]
Would you like to begin the sample collection now, or make an appointment for a later date?
[since hydra is still here and all]
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game
[Moving off further into the lab.]
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Re: Day 127 morning while everyone's off at the game