If it weren't for bad luck have no luck at all

Posted on 25 Feb 2015 @ 7:40pm by Commander Allyndra illm Warraquim & Lieutenant Prudence Devin Ph.D.

2,128 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Episode 07 - Sojourn
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 3 Allyndra's quarters
Timeline: MD 44: 1600

ON:

Allyndra was glad to get out of that formal dress uniform and into something that was more comfortable. The dress was not much different than a flight dress but was cut longer coming below the knees with more flare.

Well the inspection was over and she was grateful for that. She liked all the people in her department, organic or not but trying to keep all the personality clashes down was an effort. The EMH though in a different form still seemed to have a problem with being way too touchy over the slightest thing.

That was just one of a bunch of things that seemed to be on her mind. There was something else and she wanted to talk to someone about it and why not the new Counselor. They had barely met and this might be a good way to see what she had to say.

=^=Lieutenant Devin, this is Allyndra illm Warraquim, the Chief Medical Officer. If I might could you swing by my quarters on Deck 3. There is a personal issue I would like to talk to about.=^=

=^=I am on my way, 'Commander=^= Prudence's reply was gentle. It wasn't like she had that much to do at the moment either. She took a moment to make sure she looked presentable; she had changed into her standard skirt uniform the moment that the Inspection had finished.

Prudence found her way easily to the Lieutenant Commander's quarters and rang the chime, waiting patiently. She was glad to do housecalls. While she enjoyed setting up a space in her office, to make it calm and comforting for the sessions, she was not one of those counsellors who got unsure the moment they were out of their office. Sometimes, the patient worked best in their own space. That was life.

"Please enter," Allyndra said and stood. She was still had ingrained from her culture that formality especially when dealing with others that were not close. As the door opened to reveal the woman she made a slight curtsey. "Thank you for coming. I hope that it was not inconvenient for you."

"Not at all," Prudence said with a small smile, giving a gentle and encouraging nod to the other woman. "How can I help you, 'Commander?" she asked, remaining standing as she watched her.

"Please Allyndra. I really avoid rank and surnames when at all possible." Allyndra said, "especially since so many mistake Warraquim for a surname. It is my Guild House affiliation. Is there anything I can get you?"

"No...thank you though," Prudence said and nodded, watching the woman with fascination at her words. It was an interesting concept within Starfleet. She herself tended to use her first name in sessions anyway, but official things she preferred her rank and surname.

Allyndra waited until the Counselor got settled. "First off again thank you. I have not had a real chance to meet you and secondly yes I need to talk to someone about a personal problem. Where shall we start? Perhaps to get to know each other first before delving into my problem or?"

"I do not mind, whatever you would be most comfortable with," Prudence said with a small nod, holding the woman's eyes. Whatever it was, it was important enough for Allyndra to ask her here.

Allyndra nodded. "Well then first off let me tell a little about me. I was gathered into Guildhouse Warraquim one of five of the entire K'tareth to have made our first year." Anlya figured that most did not know about Akkadian reproduction and explained quickly. "Our mothers lay eggs in the sea and the hatchlings which we call K'tareth develop there for a year. Many are lost. Anyway, Warraquim is one of if not the most powerful House of all the Houses. It means Gathers of Knowledge. I always seemed to have a knack for learning and was always first in my classes. Eventually as I grew into my wings I met a man at one of the formal gatherings we have. Marriages are arranged in my culture but there is some lee way to see if there is companionship between the two. I found him to be outgoing to my reserve. He was an artist and my House thought that he would be a good balance to my science and gave blessing. His name was Gerrin and we fell in love even more so after we married. On my first matron flight he had to go on a trip and there was an accident in which he died. A year later I went to gather our children, our K'tareth from the sea but none returned. My Guild House thought it best for me to leave reminders of my loss but also as a token of being an allied planet and sent me to the Academy.
I have been a medical officer, a counselor myself, and even briefly an executive officer. Brief but my background."

Prudence gave a small nod to acknowledge she had taken it all in. "Well, at least we can cut to the chase, you being a counsellor as well," she simply said.

Allyndra shrugged. She had hoped to hear a bit about Prudence but perhaps another time. Some were reluctant to be that informal about private lives.
"Very well. I am lonely. I feel like ever since I left home I am living the life of a nun practically. I have tried to make relationships but they seem to drift or fizzle. I thought I had one here developing but it seems to have gone away as well. Perhaps I always wonder am I too different? I know that many find our mating practice to be something difficult as well even though I try to accommodate that. Why am I so unlucky in love? It seems as if the Twins themselves had laid a curse on me since they day they kissed."

Prudence raised an eyebrow before chuckling, shaking her head slowly. "There is no such thing as curses or bad luck. If you have not found someone, it is more them than you. I can't answer those questions...you know it as well as I do. All I can advice is that seeking out friends...it will help your loneliness."

"Friends are nice but they do not L'umi mokida 'elkuli..." Allyndra replied and then knowing the Counselor would not know the Akkadian, "Make one's bed active...what is the Terran phrase?"

"Shag," Prudence said, finding it the one that summed it up the best. Sex. This was really about sex?

"Warm ones bed, that is it." Allyndra nodded. "However there is more. My boyfriend said he had an affair. He seemed disappointed that I did not seem to mind that much. I tried to explain that in my culture that until we are formally bound having a relationship with others is not considered something odd. Virtually all females in their first wings visit the Irsemia houses."

"And you are no longer together?" she asked Allyndra, sitting back as she tried to make sure she was understanding it right.

"We have not talked since. Of course between shore leave and coming back there seems to have been little time. It is just the way he reacted. I have been practicing haute cusine and made a wonderful meal and all but came out and asked he stay the night before leave but he did not. Perhaps there is something about culture or behaviour that I have missed? For all that we think, we think alike, that is not the case, there are many things with interspecies relationships that I do not understand. Perhaps I made some misstep? "

"No, I doubt you did," Prudence said, shaking her head at the words. "Maybe...and this is just my personal opinion...maybe you are worrying too much about adapting yourself, while your partner isn't doing the same?" she suggested, unsure what else to say. She was not an expert of the heart. In fact, at times she found herself as confused as everyone else. "Relationships are a dance, not a solo performance."

"I suppose you are right. The Twins dance their dance and await always the time when the Lock and Key align so they might kiss. I will try to do the same and perhaps the time will come for me as well. Thank you." Allyndra nodded. She then switched the subject, "Now enough of me, how are you finding this posting so far?"

"It is fine," Prudence said and raised her eyebrows with surprise at the change of conversation. "You shouldn't have to change to please others, Allyndra. You should only do what you can to be...your best. For you."

Allyndra made a brief nod of the head. "I will try, but in my culture we are all molded to fit the role the Guild House thinks is most suited for us. Choice is allowed but it is secondary to the needs of the House." Allyndra did not add and for those who are suspected of still being tainted with the lineage of the A'ksu even more so.

"The ground is a harsh mistress but if you are afraid of falling then never try your wings," Allyndra said in Standard the saying of her world. She made that odd rolling shrug, "Basically do not give into failure but keep trying."

"Well...you seem to have broken a little away from your culture in general. Not too much...but a little. Perhaps enough to embrace a little selfishness?" Prudence said with a warm smile, her eyes playful now. "Do not worry, it is part of staying alive. Just...do not compromise yourself for others. You will be more miserable in the long run."

Allyndra thought about the words. She so wanted to 'fit in' but perhaps the Counselor was correct, why should she change overly much who she was. "There is a ring of truth to your words. I guess I shall fly the currents of air a bit longer and see where they will take me. Perhaps one day another like my Gerrin will come along." She nodded with her chin toward the painting on one wall. "He painted that of me and yet he never made one of himself. However, every time I look at it I can still see him there on the grass with his paints telling me to hold still trying to finish before the fading of Ring Light. Sometimes life seems cruel but ever through the sorrows we must look for light."

"I see," Prudence nodded, smiling respectfully as she let out a breath. Allyndra had a very poetic way of speaking. Even so. "It is a beautiful painting."

"Thank you," Allyndra made a small smile. "He was of the Artist Guild and specialized in an old technique using pigments that were soluble in water. Not dissimilar to water colouring painting on Earth. Very difficult to execute without the colours all running together." Allyndra looked at the painting for a bit longer and then said, "You have helped me. Thank you. I still am curious though about your background."

"Mine?" she met her eyes before smiling. "It is not that interesting..." she admitted as she held the other woman's eyes. "I came up from the civilian background and joined Starfleet late."

"And?" Allyndra prompted. Her curiosity piqued as the Counselor seemed to not want to elucidate much about herself. It brought up flags in her own days from Counseling.

"And here I am," Prudence said with an almost playful smile. "It was a new start, away from Earth and a change that I enjoy. I relish my work."

Allyndra wondered at the near lack of background but it was obvious that the Counselor did not want to talk about things or she was just that kind of person to not reveal much about herself. Allyndra decided she would not push the subject and nodded. "I see, well again welcome aboard and thank you for stopping by."

"Thank you," Prudence said and smiled gently. "I shall see you around, Allyndra," she promised before leaving her quarters. Truth was, she wasn't comfortable talking about herself in such a setting. Her own fault, her own insecurities and boundaries. Allyndra had tried to be helpful and had been...her concern was touching. But Prudence didn't want to talk about herself. It just wasn't done.

Allyndra stood as was polite in her society and wished the Counselor good night. An interesting woman and there was something that itched at her about the new Counselor but perhaps in time she might learn more.

----

LCmdr Allyndra illm Warraquim
Chief Medical Officer
USS Galileo

&

Lt. Prudence Devin
Chief Counsellor
USS Galileo

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