Posted by Lieutenant Faye Calloway (Mission Specialist) in Calloway’s Quarters- Always Time for Dinner

Posted by Lieutenant Kiama Naim (Chief Science Officer) in Calloway’s Quarters- Always Time for Dinner

Posted by Lieutenant Faye Calloway (Mission Specialist) in Calloway’s Quarters- Always Time for Dinner
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

Inhaling deeply, Faye gave Kiama a smile and moved over to the open space of her quarters and settled cross-legged on the floor.

Following Faye, Kiama settled down on the floor as well, but not right next to Faye. Instead she sat, with her legs tugged underneath her, a little to the left and slightly behind Faye. An attempt to be close and supportive, but also giving her space. Not to mention that she didn’t want to confuse the kitten.

Shara gestured to her friend. “This is Bethany Davin. She’s a veterinarian who has been breeding therapy animals for years.”

Bethany moved in and sat about a metre from Faye on the floor, with the carrier in front of her. “I work with different mental health professionals to make sure we’re doing the right kind of training and that we make good matches based on a person’s needs. And out of the cats that we had that suited your needs Faye, this is the one you picked.”

Faye looked at Kiama. “Tess is six months old and is a cross between a Terran rag-doll and a Betazoid emzui cat. She’s empathic and been trained to be able to summon help under particular conditions.” Her dissociation was the most pressing one because despite all the work she had been doing, and the ways she could trigger herself to stay present it was still happening and she wasn’t sure why. She was anxious about having Tess in her life but she was more terrified of not being present in her life.

Bethany tilted her head to meet Faye’s gaze. “It’s okay, Faye. We’re going to take this really slow. Tess naturally will bond with you but it will take time for her to get to know all the nuances. Give yourselves both time.” It was clear that Bethany was at least empathic herself.

Kiama smiled at Bethany before turning her attention back towards Faye.

Shara also sat on the floor to be less intrusive but she kept her space knowing that Faye needed to navigate this in her own way.

Faye nodded. “Okay. I’m ready.” Or as ready as she could be under the circumstances.

Bethany opened the door to the carrier and simply scooted back a little to give Tess space. The feline that emerged was petite with a long haired off-white coat with a pale grey face, tail and legs. Tess shook herself out and looked about curiously. Faye sat very still with her hands resting on her knees.

Later Faye would swear her emotions had been a beacon and Tess knew exactly who she was here for, because the cat sauntered over and rubbed her head on Faye’s hand. Slowly, Faye moved her hand and petted the Tess’ head. “Hi,” she whispered, tears suddenly slipping down her face. Tess began to purr.

~Faye Calloway

A soft and gentle smile played across Kiama’s face as she watched Faye and Tess. As always she was sensing all the emotions in the room (and beyond), but she focused especially on Faye.

After several moments of silence and Faye and Tess getting to know each other a little, Kiama whispered, “She is a beauty and such a sweet and docile little one.”

~Kiama Naim

Faye shifted her gaze to Kiama and beamed. “Yeah, she is,” she said, stroking that small cat from the top of her head, down her back and up the tip of of her slightly fluffy tail. As Tess’ tail slipped though Faye’s hand, the feline rubbed her body against Faye’s leg before moving over to Kiama, nudging her head against Naim’s knee. Faye laughed.

“So Tess will start to quickly figure who is who in your life, Faye. And it’s important that she know who you are close with and who you feel safe with. That will help her figure out who can help if you’re in distress,” Bethany said. She shifted her attention to Naim. “And Kiama, it’s okay to interact with Tess here. I think she’s got a pretty rad read on the situation,” she said , smiling widely.

Meanwhile, Shara was watching quietly, but also with a soft smile on her face.

~Faye, Shara & Tess

“Hey Tess,” Kiama said softly as she slowly and even a little hesitantly reached out for the little cat. She had never had a pet of any kind and wasn’t entirely sure what was and wasn’t okay. Other than the obvious things. “IT’s nice to meet you,” she continued. The moment her hand touched her fur, Kiama gasped softly and looked very surprised. “Oh wow. She looks soft, but I didn’t think her fur would be that soft,” she laughed softly and a little self-consciously.

~Kiama Naim

Tess nuzzled against Kiama, her whiskers skimming the CSO’s hand.

Faye grinned. “It’s so awesome,” she breathed. “Feel free to come on over to pet Tess anytime you need to.” She looked at Bethany. “Looks like Tess’ help will be larger than just me,” she said with a small laugh.

“I will! Thank you Faye,” Kiama replied, still smiling softly. She had wanted a pet as a young girl, but wasn’t allowed to. And then she never thought about it again. Yet here she was finding that she really liked having that little creature around her.

“It happens,” Bethany replied with a grin. “Do you have the list of supplies?”

Faye nodded. “In my bedroom. I’ll bring it all out in a bit.” Right now she was happy for them to just get to know each other.

Meanwhile, Tess, had moved on over to Shara and sat back on her haunches, gazing up at the often formidable woman. Shara snorted. “Yeah, you know the score, right?” she said, reaching out to scratch Tess’ cheek. She had been a small girl the one and only time she had had a pet, so this was a rather surreal experience. Tess let out a little chirp in reply.

“Ohhh, maybe you need a therapy pet too,” Faye said with a gleam, watching as Shara seemed to relax ever so slightly as she scratched Tess’ chin. The cat stretched her head upwards., exposing her neck.

“Hush you,” Shara said, though there was a tiny smile on her face.

Bethany shook her head. “Well, just let me know. But in the meantime, we should let you two get to know each other. If you have any questions, let me know, but we’ll do a bit of training over the next couple days. I just want you two to have a chance to bond. But don’t let that stop you from having friends around. Tess won’t get confused,” she said as she watched Tess return back to Faye and snuggle up against her leg. “Okay?”

Faye nodded and smiled. “Yeah. Thank you. I really appreciate it.

Shara rose to her feet. “Let me know how you get on in the morning.” She turned to Kiama. “It was nice to see you again.”

“Yes, it was nice seeing you again as well, Commander,” Kiama replied warmly. “I hope we’ll see each other again some time.”

The two older women bid their farewells and left Faye and Kiama with Tess, who had rather suddenly fallen sleep with her head resting on Faye’s socked foot. “I think ‘m stuck,” she deadpanned.

~Faye Calloway

“I hope you don’t need to relieve yourself anytime soon,” Kiama grinned and winked at Faye, before adding more seriously, “If you ever need someone to look after her, like during your vacation on the station, let me know. I’d be happy to take care of her while you’re gone. Unless you want to take her with you, of course.”

~Kiama Naim