Shrinking a shrink

Posted on 31 Jul 2013 @ 8:46pm by Commander Scarlet Blake & Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim
Edited on on 02 Aug 2013 @ 9:31am

1,541 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Episode 03 - Frontier
Location: USS Galileo - Counselor's Office Deck 3
Timeline: MD12 - 1300hrs

ON:

Allyndra looked at her PADD. It was a deck listing and though she had been on the Galileo before, it was not quite as she remembered everything. She was pretty confident that she had gotten to the Counselor's office.

She made an inquiry with a Yeoman at the desk and found she had indeed made it to the right spot and five minutes early for the appointment. The Yeoman said, "I will let the Counselor know you are here," while waving her to one of the seats in the small waiting room.

A few moments later, Blake moved out of her office, giving a small smile as she motioned with her hand. "Lieutenant Allyndra illm Warraquim? I'm Counsellor Scarlet Blake. Please, come on it," she motioned for her to follow her into her office.

Allyndra had as with the Executive Officer preferred to remain standing. High backed chairs and long wings did not make for the most comfortable arrangement. After a few moments a woman with dark brown hair, blue eyes and about Allyndra's height appeared. Allyndra noted the Lieutenant Commander rank. "Thank you...sir," Allyndra always had trouble with that sir to another female. It was leftover cultural thing she reasoned.

Scarlet motioned for her to take a seat in the sofa area, but moved to get to the replicator herself. "Can I get you anything?" she asked with a smile, looking over to her as she poured herself coffee from the pot she already had.

Allyndra thought it best not to. "No thank you...sir," again that pause which even she noted. She tried to decide on the chair or the sofa and finally took the sofa. She could lay on her side without trying to get wings arranged. "My apologies," as Allyndra laid on her side. "These do tend to get in the way," she said raising left side pair of the long translucent wings.

"Yes, I fear that our furniture isn't really designed with wings in mind," Scarlet agreed with a soft chuckle, moving to sit in the chair opposite, sipping her coffee gently. "It must be tricky. Adapting to the Fleet."

Allyndra made an odd shrug. "Yes and no. I must admit that many times I find myself a stranger in a strange land. I will admit to missing my home terribly. It was one reason I left Obsidian Colony. I thought to enjoy water dancing, the feel of real air underneath my wings, but instead it only brought back that it was close but not home. I always was looking to see the Twins, to see the Ring Rise, so close and yet so different. Yet, I find so many new things, people and places to learn about as powerful. Did I make any sense?"

"Yes," Scarlet assured with a small smile, crossing her legs as she wrapped her hands tightly around the coffee cup, enjoying the warmth. "Too much to remind you. Sometimes a 'clean' break is easier. Have you had the chance to visit your home at all since leaving?"

"A couple of times. However, let us just say that there are reasons the stays are always short." Allyndra looked at the Counselor, her gaze intent. "Visits back remind me that while I miss home, it also reminds me of my losses. I lost my husband and children." It was the simple thing and true enough but there were things she did not wish to expound upon.

"My condolences," Scarlet nodded somberly, having read it in her file. It was a traumatic experience of note, something that formed a person and their outlook on life. "Does it help having a career to focus yourself on?" sometimes, it helped a person to have a new life, but others didn't always take to it.

Allyndra was not really career minded. She had bounced from ship to ship and position to position. That is not what pushed her on really. It was curiosity in way but it was also wanting her people to embrace the past.

"No," she said and realized how harsh that seemed to be. "If you look at my record it is anything but career driven." She knitted her brows for a moment. "I did not mean to be so harsh, please forgive me."

Scarlet waved her hand dismissively as she smiled, shaking her head. "Nothing to forgive. I want you to put me right when I've got the wrong end of the stick."

"I have tried to move beyond that incident and...," Allyndra paused again looking at the Counselor with that intent gaze. "What I tell you now is in the strictest confidence."

"Of course," Scarlet gave a slight nod in her direction. "Doctor/patient confidentiality applies to this room as much as Sickbay."

"I have thought long and hard and suffice to say it involves...politics but I can not help but wonder if some might have been politically motivated. There are things that I can not nor feel comfortable revealing to a non-Akkadian. Suffice to say that while devastating to me personally I think instituted a sort of wind of change on my planet."

"Does that make it easier or harder for you," Scarlet asked quietly, watching her steadily. That would effect different people differently, depending on the person and the change it had. And for Scarlet, her concern, at the end of the day, was how it all effected Allyndra.

"For the best. If eventually things change and I think they will, then any and all sacrifice will have been worth it." Allyndra nodded but then had a small smile on her lips. "And if it has not, well then I will accept fate and move on. My Guild Mother, the head Mistress of the entire house of Warraquim, had a saying: 'When one's curiosity is as wide as the ocean, be prepared to ride many currents.' I always have had curiosity and every current no matter which way it has taken me is always an adventure and reveals something new."

"Sounds like a very wise person indeed," Scarlet tilted her head at it, turning the words over in her head. There were parallels in all cultures for the meaning. "Working against currents also makes you stronger."

"So good enough to be allowed to duty?" Allyndra asked.

"Not - quite yet," Scarlet chuckled, shaking her head lightly as she slid her cup onto the table. "How do you feel about the move to Galileo?"

Allyndra blinked slowly. She had outlined all her reasons for why she jumped from place to place. The question was odd but in a way she wondered how she really felt. "If you forgive the obvious pun, I have stretched my wings all the way from being in your shoes, to being an Executive Officer. I think it is time to let them rest. Mind you, I will do my duty and I always am curious to what lies over the next mountain, across the wide sea, but I think letting someone else be in charge is in order. Right now the move feels good and right."

She knitted her brows, "Maybe it is time to make a little time for me." Allyndra took a deep breath, "Hope that makes sense."

"It does," Scarlet gave a small smile and a slow nod as she took a breath, thinking it all over. It seemed the right time for her, to take more time for herself. "Do you feel able to relax and take time for yourself while amongst so many from other races?"

"Because all those others will have their own curiosity." Allyndra smiled. "I am used to it and long learned to accept others. As for me personally, perhaps there will be a bit more time for water dancing in addition to the personal research I am hoping to pursue."

Scarlet smiled warmly at that. "I like the way you see things," she said softly. Accepting, but not naive. "And everything is good in general? Your health, sleep, eating," she doubled checked. They could all be indicators of problems but most often thought of as physical rather than mental.

"In general yes. Every time that I change ships I get dreams of things past. I have gotten used to them and actually find them refreshing, cathartic I would say."

Scarlet nodded, making a quick note in her file, but not with worry. It was the mind's natural out let for sorting things out. "Well, Allyndra, I have no concerns about you working, you're clear for duty," she assured, looking back to her with a smile. "If you ever want to talk about things though, anything, from before or now, please feel free to come and find me."

"I certainly will," Allyndra said and shifted off the couch. There were things she would and some things she would not talk about. Those were in her private logs and not for non-Akkadian eyes and ears except for some very close friends.

"Thank you, Counselor," Allyndra got to her feet and made a small nod of the head and dip of the knees.

[OFF]

---

Lt. Commander Scarlet Blake
Chief Counsellor/2XO
USS Galileo

&

Lt Allyndra illm Warraquim
ACMO
USS Galileo

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