The more Faye revealed, the more progress she made. Zef knew that and wanted her to continue in a positive direction, but time was running out to get her prepared for the face to face that was coming. She noted the protein shake was only half gone. “You should try to finish that. It will help you think more clearly.”

With a reluctant nod, Faye picked up the glass and downed the rest of the contents. It wasn’t that it tasted bad or anything, but anything in her stomach was potentially problematic while she was under intense stress.

Returning to the chair she’d abandoned, Zef chewed at the inside of her lip. “I don’t have a lot of wiggle room in what I can provide you with to increase your confidence, but there are a couple of things that might help. First off, we can get you something more professional looking to wear. I can’t give you your uniform back, but I can replicate something close to it. Do you want cosmetics? It’s possible one of the telepaths on the ship could relieve some of your stress and calm your biology and mind if you’re willing to try.”

Faye immediately shook her head. “While I appreciate the suggestion, I have worked really hard to make sure that the rest of the crew wouldn’t be harmed in all this chaos. And while it could work, there are so many bits of restricted information in my head at the moment. Not only could I not protect a telepath from the darker chaos in this brain of mine, but I don’t have the energy to divide my mind, to keep them out of things they shouldn’t have access to.” In fact there was a fear there she wasn’t sure how to explain, or if there was time to.

She leaned forward and placed her hand over one of Faye’s. “Remember, you aren’t the only one who has to believe you are sure of yourself. The Captain and this Blue person, also need to feel it. The things I’m suggesting are mostly cosmetic, but appearances can be very important in certain situations. Also…I believe you, Faye—for whatever that’s worth.”

—Rollo, CNS

And just like that, Faye’s stormy grey-green eyes welled with tears. She nodded. “It’s worth a lot,” she whispered. “Some people have been willing to give me the benefit of the doubt, and they don’t know any of what I just told you. But others? Oh Zef, they have looked at me like I was something detestable they had to scrape off the bottom of their boots. And I can’t blame them for that, either. But…” She forced herself to take a deep breath. “It hurts. More than I thought it would and the longer I have sat in this cell, the more I realize it’s because I don’t want to lose my home and my family, and I am worried that even if I do everything right and things go my way, that afterwards, I will have lost it anyway and have to start from scratch yet again. And I don’t know if I’m strong enough to do that, to pick up the pieces. I mean it just feels like one too many hits right now.” She didn’t right now, but probably later when she replayed this conversation she’ll have realized she used the woman’s first name. Whether that was good or bad or okay in this case, she didn’t yet know.

She gave Faye’s hand a squeeze. “I know from my own experience how being shunned can hurt.” There was no more explanation, just that statement. But it was heartfelt and honest.

Later, if she made it out of this, Faye would have to see how much more disclosure she was allowed to give and what was hers to give on her own. But the fact was that she knew what Rollo hinted at, but she wasn’t about to let that slip.

Sitting upright and closing her eyes for a moment, Calloway mentally gathered herself. “Black trousers and a black shirt. It’s what I often wear off-duty.” She opened her eyes and gazed at Rollo. “And if I can’t wear my uniform, maybe I can have at least my boots back?” She wiggled her socked feet. “The deck is on the cold side. And I sort of want to face my fate with something amounting dignity.”

~Faye Calloway, Prisoner

The counselor sat upright now, breaking the physical bond with Faye. “I can arrange that. In fact, I’ll take care of it as soon as we’re done here. Is there anything else I can do for you? Anything?” She gave Calloway a few moments to think it over. “Any messages you’d like me to pass on?”

—Rollo, CNS

Faye almost shook her head, but as she gazed at Rollo, she knew that later there would be a lot of untangling that would need to be done. If there was a later. Faye was trying to be hopeful, but it was actually easier if she expected to have to fight tooth and nail at the moment. If she simply expected everything to work out she understood that she might not be compelled to fight as hard. And right now that could mean the difference between life and death.

Taking a deep and steading breath, Faye gave a smile, weak thought it was. “If things don’t go well for me today, do me a favour and tell my mom… thanks.” There was too much to say and not enough time. It had to be enough.

~Faye Calloway, Prisoner

Zef understood the simple request held much more meaning than it sounded like it did. “I’ll do that.” She stood and looked down at Faye. “I’m going to get the clothes you requested and your boots. While I’m gone, try to finish that protein shake. I shouldn’t be more than ten minutes.” The counselor walked over to the doorway where the active field was and signaled Oberon she was ready to leave.

“I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

OOC: Is Commander Calloway still in the corridor or did she go somewhere else?

—Rollo, CNS

OOC: She’s gone down to Faye’s lab. While the door is locked, Shara can be paged/called: https://www.star-fleet.com/core/stf1/manhattan/posts/107670/. Feel free to post to that thread. It’s more or less concurrent.
IC:
Something small shifted in her during the last moment of her conversation and Faye knew it. She sat just a little bit taller and could feel the anticipation floating through her as she awaited something amounting proper clothing. And her boots. It was a small thing, but her boots were hers, broken in and fitting her feet perfectly. There were that precious connection to the life she was desperately clinging to and maybe if she wore them during this ‘meeting’ with Blue, she could fully claim that life back. Maybe

There were so many unknown variables right now and the hard part was knowing that she could do nothing but wait for things to unfold. Events were happening beyond her cell and she had zero clue about any of it. Conversations occurring, decisions made. All of it would ultimately affect her, but she had no say in any of it. She had to trust.

Trust . It was that terribly difficult thing she had learned. Some might assume that she still didn’t trust anyone and that any ground made on that front had happened here on the Manhattan. They would be wrong. There had been a whole swath of time where Faye had learned to give up a huge measure of control over her life and trust in others to have her back, to keep her life intact and safe. They didn’t understand that the man who was coming to see her (if it even was truly him) had been the first person she had ever given the entirety of her trust to.. And willingly. And very soon she was about to find out if he had broken it.

~Faye Calloway, Prisoner Awaiting Her Fate

It didn’t take long for Zef to return with the promised items. She’d had the quartermaster replicate a garment for Faye, cut like a uniform, that was entirely black with no identifying markings for rank or specialty, then stopped by her quarters to pick up the boots. While there, the counselor stepped into the bathroom to look over the countertop. She saw a few personal items that Faye might like, so she grabbed them too. It was while she was there that she contacted Cmdr Calloway.

=/\=Cmdr Rollo to Cmdr Calloway. Private conversation to follow. Once you have found a secluded space, please contact me back.=/\= OOC: Since she’s in the lab, there should be an immediate response. Zef just didn’t want anyone listening in.

—Rollo, CNS