Omega19x: Dr. Stephanie Roth looked up from her appointment book. "Good afternoon Malik. Good afternoon Ryou. How are you two doing today?"
ph33r my rod: "We're okay. It's been a busy day... we've had to call in and check on a whole bunch of wedding details, but we're otherwise pretty good."
Omega19x: "... yeah. The wedding will be here before you know it!"
Omega19x: "I can understand. It's going to be a very busy month for the both of you, and I want you to know if you need help with anything, I'm available. And I might know some people that can help with things I'm not familar with too."
ph33r my rod: Malik grinned and nodded. "Thanks, we appreciate it."
Omega19x: Ryou nodded energetically.
Omega19x: in fact, he had a few questions for the psychologist, but they could wait till after their session.
Omega19x: "Let's see... in our past few sessions, we've been working on openly communicating various issues that couples face, from family issues to lifestyle issues. And this week, we're going to talk about another source of possible strife - spiritual values and religious background. Spirituality is a deeply personal trait, and it can be difficult to share those ideas with a partner, especially if you know they do not believe as you do."
Omega19x: "But like all other values and ideas, we have to communicate about them openly, before committing to marriage."
ph33r my rod: Malik nodded. This section had been kind of hard for him.
Omega19x: "Why don't we begin with you, Ryou. What did you answer for question 1?"
Omega19x: "... um... for religious background? Well... I kind of grew up... athiest or agnostic. I mean, I was taught about all kinds of religions, some from cultures that don't exist anymore. But we never really believed in any gods... I... I believe in gods now, though." he gulped a little. "Don't think that's really religion."
Omega19x: "Do you attend any sort of church or temple now?"
Omega19x: Ryou shook his head. "I don't."
Omega19x: Dr. Roth then turned to Malik. "What did you answer to the first question?"
ph33r my rod: "I grew up following the same 'religion', if you could call it that, as the ancient Egyptians. Like... y'know, Ra, Osiris, and those gods."
ph33r my rod: (( Aaaaaand I'll be back in a while XD Parents randomly decided we were going to get ice cream~ ))
Omega19x is away at 8:29:51 PM.
Omega19x returned at 8:29:54 PM.
ph33r my rod: (( *back* ))
Omega19x: (wb)
Omega19x: "Do you attend a temple now?"
ph33r my rod: "Nope."
Omega19x: "An interesting combination of belief systems. Given that they are radically different, how have you taken steps to resolve those differences so far in your relationship?"
ph33r my rod: "Well..." Malik scratched his head. "We've had a few experiences that have helped us have a better... understanding, I guess. It's never really been a big issue between us. When it comes to the belief itself, anyway."
Omega19x: "... yeah... it's... kind of not all that important... unless really.. um... crazy things... start to happen." Ryou looked over at Malik. "I... I have no doubt that his gods um... exist..."
Omega19x: "A lot of crazy things do happen here in Domino." Dr. Roth nodded. "Many people turn to their spiritual beliefs to help them cope with unusual occurances."
ph33r my rod: "We usually just turn to each other in those situations."
Omega19x: "... um... I think we'd be better off running... FROM um... spirits and spiritual beliefs... right, Malik?" Ryou looked at his fiance, a little frightened.
ph33r my rod: Malik nodded and shuddered, reaching over to squeeze his hand.
Omega19x: "It's good to turn to each other. That shows a high level of mutual trust. But I'm a little bit confused on your comment, Ryou."
Omega19x: "Has there been an experience that you would like to share with me, and with Malik?"
ph33r my rod: Malik's grip on Ryou's hand tightened. "It's... kind of a bad memory."
Omega19x: "... several bad memories... Malik knows them all. He... he was there..."
Omega19x: "It's allright if you don't wish to share. I respect that."
Omega19x: "Let's resume talking about spiritual values as a whole. For instance, question number 3. If you ahve children, wich viewpoints, if any, will be taught?"
ph33r my rod: "They'll probably need to be educated about the Egyptian gods... even if we're not really religious, they do seem to come into play from time to time."
ph33r my rod: (( *shot for pun* ))
Omega19x: (I summon shining colander knight in defense mode.)
Omega19x: "... yeah... And some of the other gods too..."
Omega19x: "What about the displaying of religious items and symbols in the home? Are you comfortable with that?"
ph33r my rod: "Well, we have a couple of ankhs here and there, but nothing overt..."
Omega19x: "It's a part of Malik's history... and... and of some of the things we've been through. They're important... you know? I... I think sometimes we need a heart scarab or three around the house... just to be safe." Ryou nodded.
ph33r my rod: (( D'awww, heart scarab. ))
Omega19x: (teehee)
Omega19x: "It is good to see that you are both very accepting of the other's spiritual views. There are many couples that come see me that are unable to reconcile those differences. Have you two discussed spiritual issues together?"
ph33r my rod: "...I'm not really sure what kind of 'issues' you're referring to, but uh, we've definitely talked about it."
Omega19x: "It can cover many things - your views on metaphysics, on ethics, on what may happen in the afterlife. Just as you have points of view on how to raise a child or who may visit your home, you have points of view on these topics as well. And those beliefs run very deep for many people."
Omega19x: "Like why are we all here type questions?"
Omega19x: "That could be part of it too, yes."
Omega19x: "... It's been a long time since we've talked about... that kind of stuff..." Ryou shrugged.
ph33r my rod: "Yeah... or even had to, really. I think it's good enough that we're actually here, so why spend our lives trying to figure out why we are?"
Omega19x: "... I don't think I want to know the answers sometimes. The answers I've heard so far... especially where a god was concerned, I didn't really like at all..."
Omega19x: And that was putting it mildly
ph33r my rod: "...yeaaah."
Omega19x: "Okay, then." Dr. Roth tapped her fingers together, looking between the couple. She knew religion could be a sensitive topic, but this was certainly not the type of reaction she usually got from her younger couples.
Omega19x: "Do either of you have any questions regarding spiritual issues?"
ph33r my rod: "I don't." Malik really wasn't sure why it wqas such a big deal.
Omega19x: "... um... I actually have one. Um... when we get married, do we need a minister to actually say we're married, or how do we go about getting someone to officiate the little ceremony?"
Omega19x: "Ah, well, many couples have a minister to officiate their marriage ceremony, but you don't have to. There are city officials here in Domino that have the legal right to preside over a ceremony. My assistant has several directories that might help you find someone. Just ask her to make you a photocopy."
ph33r my rod: "Okay, thanks. That'll help."
Omega19x: "Yeah, that was on our list of things to do... and I didn't really know where to even start."
Omega19x: "Well, having a religious officiant is entirely up to you. I don't think I know of any that practice ancient Egyptian religious ceremonies, but I will try and research it if you want me to."
ph33r my rod: "I think we'll be able to manage... I don't think there'll be any around here, either."
Omega19x: "Allright."
Omega19x: "Next week, I think we should focus on something more practical. There's a section in your packet titled 'Matters of financial concern.' Please answer those questions for next week's session."
ph33r my rod: "Okay." Hopefully that section would be easier.
Omega19x: "Finances are an important thing to consider when entering into a marriage." she insisted. "But we can talk more about that next time."
ph33r my rod: Malik nodded. "See you then."
Omega19x: Ryou nodded too.
Omega19x: "Have a good week!"
ph33r my rod: "You too." And they left, making sure to pick up copies of officiant directories on the way out.
Omega19x: (there we go)
Omega19x: (another log)
Omega19x: (which didn't have much in it, I know... but I guess that topic just isn't a good one in Domino)
ph33r my rod: (( Not really, no @_@ ))