Closed for business

Posted on 28 Sep 2016 @ 12:39am by Ensign Splendora Nightingale & Petty Officer 1st Class T'Lin

1,700 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 12 - Recluse
Location: USS Galileo Deck 3 Counselors Office
Timeline: MD-02 1400 hours

[ON]

As was routine for boarding a new ship, T'Lin knew was the appointment with the counselor. She did not find the experience pleasant or not, it simply was.

She found the office without effort and simply walked in when the doors parted and looked at the woman that was there, "Petty Officer T'Lin for required counseling check-in." A spare modicum of words. A memory surfaced of one of the priestesses saying, 'Why waste the moisture with ten words when one or two will do."

Splendora just finished reading over the file from her last appointment. She smiled at the woman who walked in. "Ahhh Ms. T'Lin! Right on time. Please come in." She gave the woman what would be considered a Vulcan greeting and even spoke it in Vulcan, Live long, and Prosper. She had been to Vulcan a few times and dearly loved the planet even though her Romulan side told her she shouldn't.

T'Lin returned the greeting and then said, "You have the appearance of those that marched under the banner of the Raptor." The statement was flat as a plain Ceti five.

She studied the woman. "Well yes. I am half Betazoid and Half Romulan. I was lucky to be born with no outward Romulan signs except for the ears and I had those ...done." She showed off her Betazoid looking ears. "Ms. T'Lin can I get you some tea or water or coffee or juice or something else to drink?"

"I am sufficiently hydrated, thank you." T'Lin replied. The woman might have had some cosmetic surgery done but there were other things that were not so easily masked. Copper and heme mixed parentage made for interesting biochemical problems her mind worked on that.

Splendora smiled. "Okay well have a seat then and we'll get started. I haven't read your file so that I don't taint the first impression. This session will be just us getting to know one another and me clearing you for duty. Now let's start with something basic. Tell me about yourself. I'm assuming you were a Priestess at some point?"

"I was on that path but never finished it. On Vulcan, one such as I, a white one, an albino it is considered the traditional path. However, I my father knew that I did not find that other then what was required of me." The idea of not pleasant was a feeling that was not something one should let get to them.

Splendora smiled. "Yes the IDIC, Infinite Diversity and Infinite Combinations. A wonderful principal and Surak was a genius yet Vulcans .... seem to use the IDIC as more of a suggestion then something they take to heart. We have Wan-ker-veh on Romulus too. They are called Iesiy-num, ones of light. Highly regarded. In fact my brother is like you." She smiled.

"Indeed, considering the background of the two races, there would be some of the cultural similarities. I am not familiar with Romulans, however, by 'honouring' such as I on Vulcan and sending them to become priests and priestess basically removed such from the genetic pool." T'Lin did not show a hint of emotion over the observation.

She then added, "If there is anything I might add from my own view is that Vulcan went a bit too far. We are somewhat like the old Terran Japanese culture: 'The tallest blade of grass gets cut'. As you suggested, though diversity is supposedly celebrated, internally it is not."

"Don't I know it. On Romulus we don't do the whole priesthood thing. I mean the Wan-ker-veh are asked to serve in a temple but only for three years. In fact the birth of such a child is celebrated. I'm a big Surak booster so IDIC is awesome but people need to take it more seriously." She smiled. "So! T'Lin why Starfleet and why science?" She asked.

"My father simply understood that the life of the Temple was not for me. Even there the head priestess would say: 'Your head turns toward the stars with every breath of the wind child'. I was curious about so many other things in the universe. When my mother passed away, my father arranged for me to attend her memorial off world on Earth and then presented me with the chance to enter the Academy. I chose that path rather then the one chosen for me. It seemed most logical that one would excel more at something that caught one's interest rather then a task that did not. As to science, it seemed the field I had most aptitude for. Again, a logical response." T'Lin intoned.

Splendora smiled. There was less logic in that then the call of the heard. "Yes logic but if, as you say, your head was to the starts, it was also a choice of the heart." She paused a moment. "Are you happy with your choice? That is do you believe you made the right one? Your satisfied with the choice?"

'I find myself 'satisfied'. As indciated, it has proven to be the logical choice." T'Lin did not consider a want which was an emotion to be something that one should let oneself fall into. That was the teachings, longings, emotions had proven to be disastrous in the Vulcan's past.

Splendora studied her. "T'Lin, Vulcans are known for their logic, but they have feelings, they don't show them but have them. How have things been for you crew wise? Have you been making friends?"

"I have been aboard for such a short time that I have not had a chance as you say to make 'friends'. We shall see how that goes though I must admit that I find such emotions as many others display somewhat 'annoying'"

"I can understand that. It's not the norm for Vulcans. Did you make many friends on your previous postings?" She asked giving her the chance to think about how to further explore the last comment about emotions.

"There are a few I continue to maintain a contact with. As for someone who is not quite a lover but closer then an acquaintance which if I understand the concept of what others term friend then no."

"Hm.. well that's not good. Everyone should have close friends. Why do you think that you haven't been able to form those friendships?" She asked.

"Almost everyone is not Vulcan, and most do not seem to share the serenity of what that means. I in turn find that the emotions of others is difficult to handle. The other Vulcans that I have served with.....well being as such as I am is difficult to get past the cultural indoctrination that I should still be on Vulcan in a Temple," T'Lin replied and then added, "I believe that to be the most logical conclusion given the data at hand."

Splendora smiled. "I see. Perhaps it's time to let go of that thought that you should still be there. I mean you were there out of not your choice but a cultural choice. If I was to present you with two options, Go to the temple or stay here in Starfleet, which would you choose?"

T'Lin cocked her head, "It would depend of course on the circumstances. Though as of right now, given the current conditions, I shall endeavor to remain in Starfleet."

Splendora smiled. "Well then you've made the right choice for you." She looked at T'Lin. "Okay so I have some homework for you and we'll meet again in a couple of weeks. I'm clearing you for duty but I do want to see you back in a few weeks to a month depending on when you think you're ready. Homework is I want you to socialize and the next time you see me I want you to tell me about two friendships that you made or efforts that you've made to socialize more with the crew. Sound like a plan?"

"I shall endeavor to do as you order Counselor." T'Lin could not see the value but the Counselor was an officer and she took it as a sort of veiled order.

Splendora sensed that T'Lin felt compelled to do it. "T'Lin this wasn't an order but we all need friends. I know for a fact Vulcans have friends that they would give their lives for. So they do make emotional bonds. Sometimes friendships will give us strength. I'm not making this an order but a suggestion."

"The Nordic doctor in sickbay wanted to 'jam' which I gather is a vernacular for wanting to make a spontaneous composition of music. I shall work with that as my first 'friend' then."

Splendora smiled. "Excellent! Let me know how it goes!" She looked at the woman. "So anything you would like to discuss at this point or any questions you have?"

"At the moment, I can not think of anything in the Counseling nature."

Splendora smiled. "Well in case you do I'm available 24/7."

T'Lin cocked her head and blinked. "I was unaware that you were an android Ensign. I will admit to a curiosity about that though I am not a cybernetic engineer."

She laughed. "Not an android but I try to be available all the time to those who might need to talk."

"Ah, I understand, the twenty four seven was what some races call a vernacular. It is a concept that I am still adjusting to. My father has so much more experience dealing with those. I will strive to accept such statements in a less literal value."

Splendora smiled. "It is difficult. It took me a while to get used to it." She thought a bit. "Well I guess that's it for now. I'll sign off that you are cleared for duty."

T'Lin stood with a smooth grace. "Thank you Counselor," she said and then turned and left. She could not see a reason to stay any longer.

Splendora spent some time thinking about T'Lin. She genuinely liked the young woman and hoped that she would make fast friends.

[OFF]

---
PO2 T'Lin
Biochemistry specialist
(NPC Allyndra illm Warraquim)
USS Galileo

&

Ensign Splendora Nightingale (PNPC)
Counselor
UCC Galileo
(PNPC Played by Braxton MacKenzie)

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