Journal entry date:
April 7th 2011
Author(s):
Algorithmix
Patient(s):
Valiona (female twilight dragon)
Theralion (male twilight dragon)
Issue:
Sibling rivalry.
While therapy sessions with dragons are becoming more frequent, they are still quite rare. For that reason, when summoned to this particular pair of siblings, we decided that a 10 man team would be best suited. As is standard procedure when dealing with dragons, the therapists met with the patients at their own home.
The severity of the problems these two dragons are having was clearly evident withing a few moments after our arrival. As we neared their dwelling, the two were asked to find some place for us. Valiona and Theralion immediately started arguing over who should do it, and this soon degenerated into name calling. Theralion even went so far as to claim that he was their mothers favorite. Clearly we had much work to do.
Before we approached the patients it was decided that one of us (Laradan) would spearhead the initial contact, while the rest of the team would provide various kinds of support. When we first entered their room Valiona seemed most interested in dealing with us. Her brother, Theralion, immediately took off. Literally, as it were. This was to some extend expected: it is not uncommon for females to be more open for these kinds of talks. So we started to converse with Valiona. Slowly at first, but within a very short time both sides were freely exchanging thoughts and feelings. The patient responded well, though she had a tendency to target one of the therapists, forcing us to draw close to that person (Zahrah was tasked with providing primary support for this person). We also noticed that Theralion, while not directly part of the session, had not gone far, and quickly started sniping at us from a distance. This was encouraging, as it indicated that the siblings would defend each others against a third party.
After a few minutes of very encouraging progress Theralion had evidently warmed to the idea of dealing with us, and returned to the ground. Valiona took this opportunity to distance herself. Handling Theralion turned out to be very different from dealing with his sister, as instead of forming a supporting circle around her, we decided to group closer together so that we would not form such a threatening posture. This seemed to work very well, though as her brother, Valiona had not gone far, and we had to content with jabs, some of them hurtful, from her throughout the entire session. After a few more minutes of progress Theralion evidently grew frustrated, and again took to the air.
His sister evidently now thought it safe to return to our earlier engagement, having had some time to clear her mind. She was now much more calm, it it didn’t take long before we managed to calm her completely. Theralion, seeing how his sister was no longer a threat, also relaxed and came quickly to the ground. We consider this a tremendous success, and we look forward to our next session. In appreciation of our efforts, Valiona gifted us with one of her favorite trinkets, and Theralion gave us a necklace (his use of such a necklace may however be indicative of repressed feminine tendencies. This may explain his hatred for his sister, who is free to express such urges; we will have to consider this next time). We accepted both gifts with thanks, and departed the dragons dwelling.
