maskormenace | 02

As a professor, whenever a holiday comes, it's always an opportunity for learning, and today happens to not be an exception, despite the personal nature of the holiday.

I suspect there are not many who celebrate such things, but perhaps it is a nice time to speak of them, considering it's father's day. I'm reflecting on fathers of myth, of course, not real ones -- but, ah, if you need someone to listen, I am, of course, here to listen.

There are, unfortunately, not a terribly high amount of good fathers in mythology, at least from my world. Sometimes, if you think of yourself as a poor parent, you can at least remember that you are no Zeus, or Hiranyakashipu. One was merely...devoted to sowing his progeny around Greece, as we all know, but Hiranyakashipu attempted multiple times to murder his son, because he worshipped a god he hated. [ A soft chuckle, and a shake of his head. ] I worried about moving too much, with mine! I suppose things could be worse. Then again, there is also Cronus, the god who ate his sons, [ he starts ticking on his fingers, ] Tantalus, Izanagi, Abraham...

Well, we're not short on those, are we? [ A soft chuckle, and a shake of his head. ]

I suppose there's something to be said, when we consider ourselves bad parents, yes? Not that we should ever excuse ourselves. [ A beat. ] I suppose I'm just...thoughtful, today. Moreso than I thought I would be. [ Another pause. ]

Are there others out there, who are thinking of things like this today?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Oh precisely. I think Jon would handle it better, too. Less panic attacks, more strategy.

Have you really had those? Panic attacks?

I showed up in an alternate universe where my life's work means nothing and I've been given superpowers.

[ he says, flatly.]

You didn't?

I've had fits of melancholy. I'm not one for panic.

You're quite lucky, then. They come rather suddenly, and they...are not pleasant.

Fits of melancholy aren't a walk in the park either, mate.

[Especially since he's using it as a euphemism for fits of depression, oops.]

A word of advice, mate; if Dr. Crane or Dr. Chilton offer their services to you, you don't wanna take them.

Ah, I believe I have met both.

Neither has tried to analyze me, however. I think it's because I'm a touch too...mild for them. A few panic attacks are little to worry about, you see.

Lucky for you and bully for them, then; they're odd sorts, the both of them. Now, they're funny, don't get me wrong; I have a hell of a time imagining how they must act in a professional setting. But very odd.

Oh, quite so. Did you know Doctor Chilton decided to insult my degree right out the bat.

Honestly! What kind of person does that?

What did he call it, dull? Useless?

Certainly not worthy of an advanced degree. Of course, seeing what I have seen of the field here, I can see why...

Mine is much more historical.

Mm. I ask because "dull" and "useless" perfectly describes my own opinions of psychiatry.

[ A soft laugh. ]

Well! That's fairly accurate, I must say. You would not be wrong.

Have you had a bad experience with them, or is it simply personal opinion for you as well?

Bad experience, how so? I haven't been analyzed by either of them, if that's what you're asking.

I do, however, find Doctor Chilton a bit odious, although he's intelligent enough to provide for good conversation. The same for Doctor Crane.

No, with psychiatry in general. Psychology, though - that's a different matter. I like psychology.

Oh, I suppose I've had few bad experiences. The only difference is the Medical School, yes?

I've done both, and found that they... end in the same result, either way.

To my mind, psychology's a straightforward look at behavior and thought. But psychiatry - that gets into therapy, psychoanalysis, unconscious thought, and all that. Seems a waste of time to me.

Mm, I suppose it is, in its own way.

[ David disagrees, it's clear in his voice, but, he doesn't elaborate. ]

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