Posted by Lieutenant Luca Vilyan (Chief Counseling Officer) in Lets get down to business - CNS

“I am just trying to save you the trouble of having to decipher my mind in one session sir, its the same everywhere I go with almost every counsellor they want to find out how I even managed to join Starfleet, pass the academy and find myself in a ship.” She gave him a sad knowing smile, “I can already guess that perhaps you’ve downloaded everything the Federation has on my people and can’t wait to spend hours if not days lost in those observation.” Ella paused wondering how far to take her little speech, one she’d given to plenty of counsellors before him.

“My people are barbaric uncivilised savages, who enslave their men, among some other choice words but that’s the first reports Starfleet made and if I am to be honest and open Starfleet has changed my people, have not.” Ella sighed, “I apologies for my abruptness, my room mate once said “You can take the Elasian out of Elas but not Elas out of the Elasian, I don’t entirely get the meaning yet people seem to understand. Sir.” Ella hadn’t unpacked her bags yet, she knew how often someone would take offence and request she be transferred, luckily her professional record spoke for itself as much as her social record hindered it. She truly tried, it just wasn’t always easy when starting somewhere new.

• Lt JG Ella Lokaa, Science

The counsellor listened intently as she spoke, first with a kind of petulance … no, a sardonic weariness that said that she had indeed been sat in front of many of his peers as they marvelled at the savage who had picked up a tricorder and who had probably looked at her and thought ‘publishable study subject’. Though her assumptions irked him, Luca was a counsellor as much as he was a psychologist and realised that this was a game she had had to play with many a Ship’s Counsellor, the same who insisted on asking the same questions during every psych evaluation.

The Lumerian set the PADD he held aside and sighed. “It seems the physical similarities between myself and a human male have clouded your view, as does my holding the role of ship’s counsellor.” He gave a slight eye-roll. “Yes, I am aware that most of my colleagues will have asked you many times about your journey to the uniform, but the thing is,” he leant forward slightly. “I really don’t care.” He spread his hands as he did, a gesture of openness. “You are in Starfleet; people much more qualaified than I decided there was a place for you in the ranks and so you are here. What more could I possibly need to know? The Academy does its job well enough that I am not going to waste time asking questions that will mean nothing in terms of your evaluation today. I’m not here to ask why you are in Starfleet, or why you chose to be a scientist; I am here to decide if I believe you are able, from a psychological perspective, to do your job. That you will be safe, and that your crewmates will be safe.” He sat back and now he gave a smile. “Either you think yourself so fascinating that I would be at all interested in what you were like as a cadet or, and I suspect it is this and not the former, you have been incredibly unlucky to have met some exceptionally dull counsellors who have regarded you more a curiosity than a person, hmm?”

Ella considered the words and then the question, it would be unfair for her to say her recent counsellor was anything like the ones she first encountered. She had undergone extensive sessions when applying for the Academy to see if she could even fit into a society that was very much the other end of the scale to her own people, in some ways. In more ways they’d acre to admit Human society was far less favourable they’d care to admit. “Not all, but most” She admitted with no real tone of anger or displeasure, “I have had some counsellors who see me less of a challenge and more of a… person” She went onto to explain, “And those who only see me as an rare exhibit, not a Starfleet Officer.” Ella added.

Luca passed no comment at this; he could well recall the Senior Counsellor he had had the midfortune to spend 6 months watching delivery truly awful therapy almost jump up and down in delight when he had discovered a new crew member was a Ullian, and Luca had had to spend a very painful two hours listening to the man he should have been emulating him all but embarrass himself and offend the Ullian woman with his questions. To him, it was not a young Starfleet officer who was sat in front of him, but a Ullian; as if she represented her entire people and he was going to take the chance he had and ask her invasive and unhelpful questions.

It was one of the exceptionally rare moments where Luca had reached out, using his empathic abilities to radiate his silent apology for his superior’s behaviour. The Ullian, being from a people of powerful telepaths had flicked her eyes momentarily to him, and he at least had been able to rest that night knowing she did not hold him up his senior’s idiocy.

“I am Lumerian; I believe we two share the commonality of being a rarity in Starfleet.” He explained, realising (and even feeling a tad guilty for not having cleared it up earlier) that he had not cleared that up. “Lumerians don’t join Starfleet; Elasians don’t join Starfleet!” He shrugged. “And yet here we sit. Though I rather think I have had an easier time of it than you, considering your penchant for second guessing me, assuming I would treat you differently because of your race, and because you seem well aware of your own psycho-social needs … biweekly appointments?” He swiped the PADD and tapped at it. “Done … congratulations.” But then he stopped tapping. “That is; if I decide to declare you fit for duty. I mean; I will because not doing so would make me petty and bad at my job, and I am only one of those things.”

Considering her earlier doubts she found that the counsellor sitting in front of her was seemingly surprising her at every turn, “I didn’t know.” She said almost a little reserved and embarrassed that she’d assumed he would like so many before him treat her as different, if anything her own actions and caused it. Ella considered her entry, her words and realised despite the advancements she had made it was in her own nature to be aggressive which in turn was her go to social defence that forced his own actions. Again she could hear the words of her previous mentor ‘Nobody can force anyone to do anything by words but you must make your own choices, right or wrong you must own them.’ He through was cut short when Luca spoke again.

“‘Barbaric uncivilised savages’,” he echoed the description she had given of her fellow Elasians. There was no mockery to his tone, however, perhaps a sad curiosity, perhaps? “Are those your words? Or the words of others describing your people which you now echo? Afterall, it stands to reason that if one Elasian breaks with tradition and becomes a scientist with Starfleet, wouldn’t there be others? Is there anything you might offer up in description that could be at all positive?”

Once again Ella was left shortly speechless to his line of questioning, “I…” She stopped as everytime she went to answer she was unsure of herself, uncharacteristically so. In the end it made her look like she was blowing him kisses or pouting like a fish. The fact she couldn’t think of an answer only frustrated Ella causing her cheeks to go pink with embarrassment. She attempted once more and still found no words. She clsoed her eyes and breathed.

Luca was interested in the answer he would get. He was not interested in making her proud of her heritage; that was not his to give if she really found nothing to be proud of. What concerned him was that, regardless of the uniform, the training, the record; she was an Elasian; she didn’t shy away from letting him know. It was his job now to find out if she had internalised that disdain for her own people, and if she had not only managed to busy that self-loathing behind the cool gaze and coiled self-control.

Lt. Vilyan
CNS

“I suppose.” Ella finally started again slowly. “That, they, are words, echo’d by other people. Words that I have adopted and in some way understand the point of view.” Ella looked to the counsellor and when she figured he deserved more context as a result of her rudeness she carried on, “From an outsider perspective I think any civilisation can be described in a number of ways including savage, the Klingons, Ferengi, Romulan and even Humans at many points in history, from the inside however my people are misunderstood. It’s how we are, and its not an excuse we haven’t changed in hundreds of years where as others have become enlightened, I know that one day it’ll either change or our people will self destruct. But our culture is beautiful our art is magnificent, I hoped leaving my duty and becoming exiled would cause people to think that perhaps there was more to us, we have so much to other if we’d just… look.”

Ella gave a small smile and blinked her tears away, Elasian woman were emotional and found crying came almost as natural as breathing but unlike breathing crying came with the risk of infection to anyone who touched them and she was NOT doing that on her first day. She hated how this counsellor made her feel and yet revelled in the fact that he’d made her feel anything other than anger and duty, (Yes ‘duty’ to Ella was an emotion) “I apologies for my initial behaviour counsellor, it is easy for me to become defensive and thus aggressive in nature especially in new surroundings. I am. Working on it.”

Luca raised a brow, noticing the shine of her eyes and reaching for one of the starchy napkins he kept close by, holding one out to her. He felt a little bad that he had brought the woman to tears (he had not quite gotten to the part about how Elasians expressed their emotions), but he also noted how there was no shame to this on her part. She was not hiding the tears that shimmered in her eyes, nor did apologise with sound ashamed when she offered her apology. She sounded sincere. That was a truly important thing to note.

Ella was careful to ensure the hand she used to take the napkin was dry. “Thankyou” She said reaching to take the napkin. She made sure still that there was skin contact as she plucked it from his serving hand. The last thing she needed was to risk contaminating a species she had no idea about nor the effects her tears would have on him, though she suspected he would be fine.

“I should be thanking you,” he pointed out as he gave her the napkin, wondering a little at how she plucked it as though she wanted to avoid any contact (he was not to know just how potent tears could be; not yet). “You could have quite easily doubled down and carried on saying terrible things about your own people, but what I want you to remember is that it is entirely understandable that you would take this stance. I would take the same stance! Not letting people get a chance to call your own people those things because you,” he motioned at her with the PADD in his hand. “Have said them first. It takes the power back, and it is smart.” He had looked at her a moment and then down at her record. The list of former appointments with therapists and coaches was endless!

Once again he took another brick from the wall which was very quickly becoming less and less fortified. It was clear he was different perhaps more refined in his methods or he just understood what it was like to be different and was applying his own experiences to her. “I hadn’t realised thats what I’d been doing.” And truthfully and consciously she didn’t but as she recalled the many times she had, the image seemed to become less foggy.

“I’m not here to stroke your brain, Lieutenant,” he looked at her, candidly. There was no unkindness, only a professionalism and perhaps maybe the hint of his own facade cracking as her sudden shift to allowing herself to be honest and vulnerable had nearly blind-sided him! He really would have to do his homework. “I know by now that half the counsellors in Starfleet would be sat beside you, assuring you of how their door is always open, and how you can vent and …” he waved his hand dismissively. “All that Craintrae dung you have probably heard a thousand times. And those things are true! But they are not special to you, Ella; those conditions are set to every member of this crew who I serve as their counsellor. But with you …” he looked down again at the endless lines of entries. “What I want is for it to be unnecessary that you need so much intervention. So that you need not live your life with half of your backside in front of some nodding, smiling person who is not making sure you are safe, and well, and will … who knows?! One day you may rule us all as Admirable of the Fleet - you won’t be doing that if so much time is spent wasted.”

Ella let out a nervous laugh, “An admiral” The idea sent a shock through her which made her consider the idea, she liked it. Bouncing back to the rest of his words she wondered just what he meant, did this mean she wasn’t going to do so many session? She’d grown so accustomed to it that she felt that it was just a way of life, her daily routine to remember to fit in her sessions and while she’d grown to the idea she wondered what her life would be like with out them. She couldn’t deny they’d shaped her to who she was today.

He was tapping notes as he spoke. “But there is work to be done,” he looked up at her. “And you aren’t going to like me very much during some of it; maybe even more so than when you first walked in.” He allowed himself the smallest of smiled. “Because you looked at me like I was either going to be a bother or a bore.” He inclined his head. “I hope I was the first … actually,” he cocked his head as he looked at the PADD. “It says here you have been given the entire day to settle in to your quarters and meet me - you can hold the applause - and yet I feel this would be the perfect opportunity to find out just what I am letting loose on the ship.” He got to his feet. “We’re going to go for a walk around the ship; I hear the Security Offices are in bloom this time of year.” He was already moving to his office door.

Ella didn’t move at first, his sudden expression and decision to go for a walk took her ultimately by surprise. Rooted to the spot she suddenly flashed a mixture of emotions, no body had really bothered to see what it was like for her to walk through the ship. He’d observe everything at its most raw moment, it took time of a crew to get used to her presence and often the first week or so was particularly awkward, but her first real exploration of the ship… it was going to be a disaster. She finally stood and walked toward Luca, she hoped he would lead and she could simply follow though she was about to find out it wasn’t the case.

When he looked back at her, there was something in his eyes that showed that yes, he was putting her on the ropes but that ‘no’, this was no mockery, or ‘putting her in her place’ (though time would tell), he was quite serious. “Lead on, Lieutenant Lokaa. You’ll be thrilled to know I have hours free for this.”

Lt. Vilyan
CNS

Almost objecting Ella was again left for the second time today speechless, hours? she though, was he really going to follow her for hours? would be the first time she thought to herself again. Deciding that she would face the challenge head on she forced a smile, which on her face didn’t appear forced but graceful and nodded, “Well I guess I haven’t had the chance to explore the ship yet.” She wasn’t sure if her exaggerated confidence was showing as false but she wanted to give him a chance, after all he’d already accomplished much in their short exchange.

Stepping out of the office she only gave a cursory check to see if he was following, which he was given that he had suggested the activity. She wasn’t sure if she should make conversation or just simply make her way through the ship. She chose the former for now unsure what to say and already her effect? Presence? Powers? Were showing as they passed two crew member who had been talking. The one facing them tilted his head in their direction and the other not trying to hide his action looked over his shoulder. Jaw dropping wasn’t exactly their expression but they had a expression in their face of curiosity and a deeper desire, primal almost. Ella smiled at them and they uttered a sultry “Lieutenants” In their direction, she was thankful they at least acknowledged Luca’s presence.

As they passed and moved away their conversation started again, she could hear that they were talking about her now, and oddly Luca too. “I’m sure its against policy for the counsellor to be interested in their work” One of them said in a whisper loud enough for them to hear. Ella ignored the comment, from what she’d seen of the counsellor he was professional and refreshingly immune to her Elasian traits and initial meetings tend to bring out either loathing or jealousy in human men. “I don’t blame him.” Was the last thing she could hear before they continued down the corridor towards the turbo lift. She didn’t have any particular destination, she figured they would just walk.

• Lt JG Ella Lokaa, Science Officer.