Posted by Lieutenant Commander Janusz Korczak (Counselor) in Counsellor’s office - Cadet McMorran reporting for check in

Posted by Cadet Aili McMorran (Scientist) in Counsellor’s office - Cadet McMorran reporting for check in

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Janusz Korczak (Counselor) in Counsellor’s office - Cadet McMorran reporting for check in
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

Aili listened to Korczak’s response with great interest, visibly more engaged in the conversation than she had been up to that point. “Of course”, she responded to the question which punctuated his answer, her words accompanied by a slow nod. “Starfleet has an image of professionalism and an… air of careerism that I’ve never felt totally comfortable with. It’s actually very reassuring to hear of the diverse career you’ve had. Ending up working my way up the chain of command in postings I’m not passionate about has been something I’m keen to avoid falling into.” She sat back slightly, as if to indicate she had finished speaking, only to quickly stiffen up again. “I don’t want you to think I’m lazy! I work hard, at least I like to think I put in good work, but I’m also someone who’s keen to live, I suppose, in the moment.” Aili relaxed her shoulders and raised her glass to her lips.

While she was here, she reckoned might as well be honest and up-front. Being unclear as to the exact purpose of this meeting, however, fear of the councilor taking character concerns regarding her to the captain she had not yet come to know, or even to Starfleet itself, rose within her. Such discomfort was typical of the cadet although it being short lived was just as typical. Calm down, she told herself. He’s a professional. Your words won’t leave these walls. You told the councilor at the academy the same thing anyway! A sip of chilled water washed down McMorran’s rush of emotion and rationalisation as she outwardly appeared to calmly await the councilor’s response.

Cadet McMorran - Science

Korczak watched her and let her exists in her thoughts for a few moments before he said “You are not comfortable here, are you? That is not a criticism, just an observational inquiry. And I can assure you… you are not the first.” and he smiled.

Korczak, CNS

Aili puffed a single breath, somewhere between a laugh and a sigh. “On this ship?”. She shook her head as if to dissipate her words. “No, in your office, of course. I…”, she paused as she pondered her choice of phrasing. “There are places I would rather be right now.” Her eyes lit up with newfound interest. “Did you enjoy your counselor’s appointments, in your day? Do you still have them?! Who counsels the counselor?” With that she returned his smile, which then gradually slipped into a wider grin.

Cadet McMorran - Science

Korczak set his hands on the arms of his chair and smiled slightly. “I actually feel much more relaxed after I have my regular review. And Counselors, just so you know, have to do this every three months. Cant have the one determining mental health on a ship hallucinating and talking to imaginary people, now can we?” and he chuckled. “As far as the ‘who counsels the Counselor’? Other Counselors, of course. Ones who specialize in that sort of work. Outside of my wheel house, I’m afraid. So why do you think you are uncomfortable here?”

Korczak, CNS

The cadet smiles and nodded appreciatively as Korczak responded to her increasingly tangential set of questions. The rapport between herself and the counsellor chipped away at Aili’s uneasiness. Discussing that very discomfort, therefore, was relatively easy for her in that moment. “I suppose I dislike not knowing what you’re really seeing in me. My words, my body language, what I don’t say. I don’t think I have a fear of anything more fundamanta although I do suppose I have a keen sense of who I am. Maybe I am scared of not knowing my own weaknesses as well as I think I do.”

Cadet McMorran - Science