Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Joseph Rainns (Incoming Chief of Security) in Side Sim- A private stroll

Posted by Cadet Sharah Fayth (Doctor) in Side Sim- A private stroll

(snip)

The inner critic in Rainns felt compelled to inform Fayth that the mixer had been in the holodeck, but that was not her point and he knew that. “I try to avoid every and any illusion in my life.” Joseph said, “ that’s one of the ways I’ve gotten to the point where my head is as clear as it is. I block out the fantasies.” He turned to Sharah. “And I’m very grateful that you did, and I almost left before you came in, that would have been regretful.”

LT JG Joseph Rainns- COS

She laughed, “I know it was in the holodeck, but the people were real, except for that bartender. The programming on that guy was awful.” She began walking again, “I guess illusion isn’t the right word. Example: I told you that first night we went to dinner that going somewhere less crowded didn’t really make it easier, but the illusion helped. Because the number of people in a room, in the end, doesn’t matter unless I determine it will. I decide, or try to decide when I’m strong enough, that the fewer people physically present lessons the strain, simply because they aren’t there to be seen. I’m not sure that makes sense.”
“I’m glad I did too. I stood outside forever trying to decide if I should or not. I guess I decided at just the right time.”
Cadet Fayth, Doctor

Joseph nodded, “Fair enough.” He lingered at the window even after Sharah began walking away. The nebula was amazing to look at, and Rainns soaked every second of sight in. He then pursued Fayth and caught back up with her. “I mean when you can hear everybody, you could just stay out in the hallway, listen for a few minutes, and then leave.” He posited with a smile. “I would probably do that from time to time if I had that ability.”

Lt. JG. Joseph Rainns- COS

She leaned in and “whispered” conspiritorially, “I’ve done that on many occasions, too afraid of what I might do, when I was too tired to face people and their minds. But I was ordered to go, so unless I wanted to get in trouble with the CNS and Cmdr Ballaris, at the Academy, I had to at least go inside. I guess, for once, the stuffy old man was right.” She squeezed Joseph’s hand and stopped at another window around the corner, facing the same nebula. “It amazes me how a change of vantage point changes the way it looks.”
Cadet Fayth, Doctor

“You are quite right Sharah,” Rainns said, looking at the nebula. A sudden and unexpected wave of emotion overcame him, he looked back at Fayth. “You know, as beautiful as that nebula is, it doesn’t hold a candle to you.” As soon as he said this his eyes widened. “Wow where did that come from?” he verbally expressed his shock. “Not sure why I said that, I’m not really good at the whole smooth talking thing, I don’t normally try.”

Lt. JG. Joseph Rainns- COS

He was making her blush again, she thought it was lovely that he said that. “No, I don’t think I would say you are ‘smooth talker.’ That carries a certain connotation of being able to flatter people when you don’t mean it. I like that you say exactly what you are thinking. I would rather that than you be ‘smooth.’ I would hope it would come from what you really think.” She leaned against his side looking out at the nebula.
Cadet Fayth, Doctor