Posted by Lieutenant Naomi Locke (Sci) in Defining Decisions-Crew Recreational Facilities

Posted by Lieutenant Naomi Locke (Sci) in Defining Decisions-Crew Recreational Facilities

Posted by Lieutenant Naomi Locke (Sci) in Defining Decisions-Crew Recreational Facilities
Posted by… suppressed (8) by the Post Ghost! 👻
[snip]
Baumann was balanced on his palms, his arms full extended down and his legs in a V ninety degrees out from his hips and his back bent forward slightly. Exhaling deeply, he rolled his hips back and went up into a handstand and then fell lightly to his feet. Looking at the two and catching the look Tay, he nodded once and said “It is important to focus your mind when striking. Many people, especially those with little to know experience, always have too many thoughts going through their head.” he said flatly, his German accent making his words clipped and sharp. But his tone, while not exactly friendly, was warm enough. “If I may?” he asked Naomi. Taking her place in front of Tay, he fell into a kind of split stance and bounced slightly on the balls of his feet. Raising his left hand to the front and his right behind, he looked at Tay but said to Naomi “Just focus. Fist… target…” and his left fist shot out and struck the pad with a loud SMACK. “Only those things. If you are in a combat situation, nothing else matters at that moment. Simply… do.” and his left shot out again.

Baumann, XO

Tay braced herself for the XO’s hits. The fist hit in the dead center causing her palm to sting, despite the padding protecting it. She bit her lip and shook it off. Meanwhile, another punch came and ignited another stinging sensation in her other hand. Instinctively her eyes fell on Naomi. Her friend was uncharacteristically alert, fixed on the action and silent. Something felt off causing Tay to look closer. Naomi’s breathing was shallow but faster than normal.

“Naomi, are you all right?”

Naomi didn’t answer. Instead, she seemed locked in place and stared straight ahead. Tay gave Baumann a signal to pause any additional punches. Her mouth undid the pad and slipped it from her hand using her armpit. She let it drop to the floor as she gently touched Naomi. Naomi jerked away from her touch and stepped back, startled by it.

“Naomi, did you hear what I said?”

“Yeah, I’m just not feeling well. Can we do this another day?” Naomi said, her arms wrapped about her in a defensive posture.

Tay wasn’t sure what caused the sudden shift in gears and it delayed her reply.

–ENS Naomi D. Locke, Sci.

Baumann’s face creased in concern and he said “Ensign Locke, kindly go to sickbay, if you would. It might help to have the medical staff examine you.”

Baumann, AC

“Yeah, that might be a good idea. I’ll see you later for mealtime, Tay.” Naomi inhaled then turned on her heel and walked out the door. It was obvious she struggled not to fly out of there in order to escape the situation.

Tay sighed then began to finish taking off the other pad. She leaned over to pick up the equipment and store it back in the secured locker. She glanced back to where Naomi had departed, worried about the reaction. After a moment, she finally spoke what was on her mind.

“I don’t think the medical staff will find anything wrong with her. I don’t think it’s something physical.” She turned to the XO to gauge his reaction to her words.

–ENS Naomi D. Locke, Sci.

Baumann’s face remained passive, but he said “Do you care to explain that, Ensign?”

Baumann, XO

Tay fought her impulse to sigh and the guilt which came with the subject. She opened this can of worms after all. In the end, she couldn’t back down. Time to see it through for the benefit of her friend. Her figure settled against the locker while she continued.

“The way she reacted… it was like a deer in headlights. It reminded me of my younger brother, who suffered from trauma. He would avoid the triggers, taking any exit available to him. Even if it wasn’t logical.” She hoped the XO noted that Naomi agreed far too easy to leave the room.

“I wasn’t sure how bad it was until now. I just don’t know the cause, not without investigating it. She refuses to talk in detail about her home life and she walked away from her family because of ‘issues’. She doesn’t like talking about her father, even getting tense when the subject is brought up.”

She let her thoughts trail off to get the XO’s thoughts over what she just said.

–ENS Naomi D. Locke, Sci.

Baumann looked back at where Naomi had left and said “She needs to speak to someone. A professional. Issues such as whatmay be troubling her are not safe to hold onto in this environment. For her… or anyone around her.” Looking back at Tay, he said “If I made such arrangements, confidentially of course, would she take the opportunity, Ensign?”

Baumann, XO

“My honest opinion? I’m not sure. I want to give Noami the benefit of the doubt, but I can’t. I worry she might play it off as nothing or ignore it like now. She might be afraid she won’t be fit for duty and will be removed. So… I’m not sure how she will handle this.” Tay admitted as she adjusted her foot, the tingling indicting it was falling asleep.

“The main issue is getting her to open up. I don’t know how to help her and a complete stranger might not help with that factor.”

A thought crossed her mind. She added with a worried look, “Is Naomi still going to be on the ship or will she be reassigned to Earth?”

–ENS Naomi D. Locke, Sci.

OOC: Last Poke, next I move on.

-Janice B.

OOC: Sorry for the lengthy absence.

IC: The big German shrugged. “I do not know. I can tell you that I know of no discussions that would indicate anything one way or the other.” and he looked at Locke intently for a moment. “If I may ask, why are you so concerned about her? I know you are friends… but it seems to be… more ingrained… than simple shipmates.”

Baumann, XO