Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Aasrel Izei (Chief Medical Officer) in Rest and Relaxation?

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Bethany Kovra Gadi (Chief of Security) in Rest and Relaxation?

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Aasrel Izei (Chief Medical Officer) in Rest and Relaxation?
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)
He hadn’t been focused on it. He hadn’t even realized. Aasrel smiled. I’m glad you like it. You look stunning. He smiled, but there was hesitation. If you’re ready, we can go.

~ Izei, CMO

Bethany was hesitant as well. She wanted to be outrageous and ask him if he didn’t just want to keep her all to himself. But he needed this. They both did. The longer they put it off the worse it would get. That would make their trip to Betazed even harder. I’m ready, but I swear if I fall in this crazy things passing as shoes, you better not laugh. She checked the latch on Luna’s cage and then they left. They only had to wait a few minutes for a table when they arrived.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

You won’t fall, Aasrel assured her. And if you do, I’ll be helping you up, not laughing. He went with her. They were seated within a few minutes and brought waters and menus. For Aasrel, it was as bad as always. Illogically, he felt like everybody was staring at him. Every whispered conversation, his mind told him was about him, about his prosthetics or his eye, or the not as bald anymore patch that in reality, was barely noticeable now. No matter how much he tried to reason beyond it, he couldn’t. He tried to focus on Bethany. Looks like Earth cuisine mostly. What will you get?

~ Izei, CMO

Bethany on the other hand knew no one was really paying attention to them. People had glanced up as they passed but other than that no one was giving them a second thought. Not only could she tell by observing, but she could hear their thoughts. She couldn’t block them, not well, not yet. She was getting better though. She looked at the menu, I think I’ll get the marinated grilled chicken. You?
*
She could tell he was uncomfortable, Can I ask you something?

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Maybe one of the pasta dishes? Aasrel shrugged. He looked up at her when she asked, Of course. What?

~ Izei, CMO

The pasta does look good, too. Bethany didn’t want him to think she was being snarky, but she was genuinely curious and concerned for him. You’re uncomfortable, I can tell, but… well… can’t you tell? That they aren’t talking about us, or even noticed us as more than just more people? I can, it’s uncomfortable to hear all their thoughts for me. I guess… I thought having your telepathy back would… I don’t know, help some?

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS

Aasrel sighed a long sigh. There were a lot of emotions there and none of them were positive. It did help, Bethany. It had been worse without his telepathy. My mind won’t listen to reason. I can’t stop thinking this way, believe me I’ve tried. He looked close to tears. I can hear them, I… I know logically they’re not but… He shook his head and shrugged.

~ Izei, CMO

Bethany knew she had stuck her foot in it, even before she asked, but she’d asked anyway. Hey, it’s okay. I’m not judging, I was just curious. She reached over and took his hand and squeezed it. I know what they are thinking, and it’s not helping me. All of it triggers my paranoia. Even though the news about Elias is emotionally reduced, I still suffer from paranoia. It probably won’t make sense to you, but it helps me to know Telepathy isn’t the magic cure for everything. She squeezed his hand again. She really was sorry she’d upset him. I didn’t mean to upset you. I’m sorry, I won’t ask about it again. Bethany took a breath, This is why T’Jal wanted us to get out, so she can help us better. If you’d rather just leave, we can.

Lt. Cmdr. Gadi, COS