Posted by Cadet Benem d’Qorvos (Security Officer) in Counsellors office - Cadet d’Qorvos check in

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Vanessa Lofton (Counselor) in Counsellors office - Cadet d’Qorvos check in

Posted by Cadet Benem d’Qorvos (Security Officer) in Counsellors office - Cadet d’Qorvos check in
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Benem eyed the device the woman seemed to be fiddling with, raising an amused brow as it’s purpose was revealed and the room was filled with the scent of lavender. A smile greeted hers, “Nice to meet you, Lieutenant Commander… Sorry, Vanessa. Most people call me Ben. Hot chocolate would be awesome, actually.”

The couch seemed rather comfortable, but the cadet’s eyes were drawn towards the painting hanging above. “Did you paint this?” Ben asked after a moment. Setting his bag down at his feet (he didn’t really see anywhere else to put it) the Cadet sat down in the center of the couch. His eyes continued to explore the room from this new angle. She was a counselor, right? That meant that everything in this office had a purpose.

[ Cadet Benem d’Qorvos, Security ]

Vanessa’s smile grew wider, if that were possible, when he requested hot chocolate. “Coming right up! Two hot chocolates please,” she ordered from the food slot, then carried both mugs and saucers to the couch, handing one to Ben before she seated herself and sipped. “Mmmm,” she hummed to herself, then looked at the painting.

“Oh, no,” she said with a laugh. “No, this is a print of a work from the late 20th century. It’s been my favorite for some time.” She watched his eyes sweep the room and chuckled. “It’s just an office, Ben, so you can relax and turn off some of those security instincts in here. This is a very informal session, for me to get to know you; this isn’t a ‘pass or fail’ evaluation. You’re here because Starfleet believes you’re ready to to be an officer.”

She paused, studying him. “What about you, Ben? Do you feel like you’re ready?”

Lt. Cmdr. Lofton - CNS

Grateful, he accepted the warm mug from the counselor and held it between his hands, enjoying the warmed that chocolatey liquid emitted. Trills had notoriously cold hands. If he’d been drawn to the sciences, he probably would’ve gotten to the bottom of that particular mystery. “Thanks!” he said, before finally taking a sip of the drink. He had to admit, it was pretty good, for a replicated drink!

Had it seemed that obvious that he was scanning the room? Ben felt almost caught by surprised–he hadn’t realized that that was what he’d been doing. To him… he’d been looking. Maybe all those security drills were finally starting to sink in. Luckily the subject segued into something he was more prepared for. It was the one question he had come in expecting to encounter, in some form or another.

“Of course,” Benem answered with a cocky grin, confidence in his eyes. “This is the first step towards where I’m meant to be.”

-Cadet d’Qorvos [Security]

She grinned at his response. “Good!” That had been a given. Confidence was necessary in space; a lack of it could spell doom.

“What do you hope to get out of your stay here on the Challenger?”

Lt. Cmdr. Lofton - CNS