Posted by Lieutenant Commander Hilo (Outgoing Counselor) in Counselor’s office - Cadet Blakely’s evaluation

Posted by Cadet William A. Blakely (Scientist) in Counselor’s office - Cadet Blakely’s evaluation

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Hilo (Counselor) in Counselor’s office - Cadet Blakely’s evaluation

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Hilo narrowed his eyes at the readings and nodded along, as if pretending to understand how Blakely came to his conclusion. “Well.... I have no idea how you figured all that out, but I’ll make the changes and get back to you once he’s feeling better!” As Hilo rose back to standing, he clapped Blakely on the shoulder in a friendly gesture. “Thanks for your help! Look at that, barely stepped foot aboard and you’ve already used your science-filled brain for good.” He grinned and headed for the high-backed chair, motioning over his shoulder for Blakely to follow.

The counselor settled into his chair and held a hand out to welcome Blakely to sit in the loveseat across from him. “But I know you didn’t come here for my benefit. This is your evaluation, but don’t worry too much about that. I consider myself more of a guidance counselor than a psychologist counselor. I’m here to help in any way you may need with making the transition from academy student to real Starfleet officer. I assume that unless you had a psychotic break in transit, making it this far is a stamp of approval for your sanity.” He gave a playful questioning look as if daring Blakely to object. “So, lets hop into it then! The Challenger is a ship with a lot of moving parts, and most of those moving parts are people. We have members of dozens of Federation species aboard. Where you grew up, did you have a lot of exposure to different cultures during your childhood?”

(Lt. Cmdr. Hilo, Counselor)

“It was my pleasure to help. It’s my job, as a scientist, to use my knowledge for good.”

Blakely smiled and moved to the loveseat.

“Terra is home to individuals of many different cultures, especially so around Starfleet institutions and their affiliates. The University of London, where my parents work, teaches many future colonists how to survive and thrive on the final frontier. While most of the students, almost all of them in fact, are quite local, we have a rather diverse team of professors. Many of them are my parents’ friends. One man in particular, a Saurian named Annek, was a frequent guest at our house. He loves Terran literature, and my parents always loved to hear more about his time as an architect. He is a known expert on structural integrity on high pressure planets. He also appreciated my mother’s medical assistance, Saurian nasal canals are very prone to frequent infections on Terra, and my mother was always more than happy to help.”

-Cadet William Blakely - Science

Hilo smiled, nodding along with an amused look as Blakely told the story of the scholarly, sickly Saurian. “You mother sounds like an amazing woman. Is she-” The PaDD stuck between the arm of the chair and the cushion beeped loudly. “Sorry,” Hilo said as he drew it from the crack and glanced at it. He did a double take as his tanned forehead creased. “I apologize, Cadet,” he said as he stood. “I have just received some rather dire personal news…” he trailed off, obviously distracted by the PaDD. “Um, you’ll have to excuse me, I have to make a call.” As he headed for the door, he turned back with a forced smile. “Luckily, Counselor Lofton has just come aboard. I’ll send her in and she can guide you through the rest of the eval. Forgive me, Mr. Blakely.” And with that, the risian turned and left the room leaving Blakely alone with the plants for a moment.

(Lt. Cmdr. Hilo, Counselor)

OOC: Hi Emil! The Challenger just got a new counselor, so I’m going to let them take over this thread so you two can get acquainted before the next main sim starts up! You’re doing great and I’m so glad to have you in the club! I hope we get to write together again in the future! If you have any questions, please feel free to message me on Disocrd at Zenbe10, or email me through the site! So sorry to pull the rug out from under you, but Nathan is great and you two will have a lot of fun, I know it! Cheers!

Ben Z

The doors opened only a few moments later. Through them could be seen Hilo and a small dark-haired woman in medical blue, her face etched with concern as she spoke to him. She placed a hand gently on Hilo’s shoulder and said something William couldn’t hear, then entered the room as Hilo walked away.

“Hi, Cadet Blakely,” she greeted on entering. She paused to take in the plants taking up most of the room. “Wow,” she allowed to escape, then refocused on the cadet and smiled widely. “I’m Counselor Lofton,” she continued, crossing the room and extending her hand. “I’m really sorry about this, but Counselor Hilo has some personal business he must take care of.”

She raised her PADD. “Thankfully, we record these sessions, and he was able to give me a brief overview of his discussion with you so far.” She leaned over and whispered, with a gleam in her eye, “And these first sessions are really more a ‘getting-to-know-you’ than anything else.” She stood back upright and glanced at the PADD as she approached the food dispenser. “Hot chocolate, please,” she murmured.

“Your mother is an amazing woman,” she said, continuing where Hilo had left off. “Saurian physiology is quite complex, from a medical standpoint. I’ve read some articles about your mother’s work - fascinating what she does in such spartan conditions. How much impact do you think that had on your interest in science?”

She lifted the hot chocolate to her mouth and paused. “Oh, I’m dreadfully sorry,” she said, blushing. “Would you like something to drink? Some tea, perhaps?”

OOC: Hi Emil! Sorry we’re having to switch up on you like this, but we do finally get to write together! Like Ben said, you are doing really well, and I look forward to exploring your character with you.

Lt. Cmdr. Lofton - CNS