Posted by Ensign Viyara Nazeen (Scientist) in Holodeck 2- Therapy in Unusual Places Day 1, Part 2

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Janna Kingston (CNS) in Holodeck 2- Therapy in Unusual Places Day 1, Part 2

Posted by Ensign Viyara Nazeen (Scientist) in Holodeck 2- Therapy in Unusual Places Day 1, Part 2
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

“Thank you,” Viyara smiled and disappeared into the bathroom. When she returned about ten minutes later, she was dressed in a pair of short grey pyjama bottoms and and purple tank top. Before taking a seat, though, she made a short detour to the kitchen. Now with a large glass of water in one and a plate with a sandwich in the other, she carefully flopped down into an armchair, trying not to spill the water. After a few moments and a couple of sips of water, she asked, “What are you reading?”

~Viyara Nazeen

Janna grinned. “Jane Eyre. An old Terran novel by a woman called Charlotte Brontë. It’s just one of those novels I keep coming back to over the years even though I know the story inside and out. I like to read all sorts of stuff, but this story is just one I love.”

“What is the novel about?” Viyara asked curiously as she began to nibble on her sandwich.

“The basic premise is that Jane Eyre, our protagonist, made it through a terrible childhood, and a mixed education and went off into the world and became a Governess. And at her first place of employment, odd things begin to happen and Jane begins to fall for the Master of the house, Mr. Rochester. I won’t ruin the story for you, but it’s deep and moving and well, I do love a good mystery… and a good romance,” she said with a laugh.

At the mention of ‘terrible childhood’ Viyara looked up in surprise. It somehow had never occured to her that the main character in a story could have had a really difficult childhood as well. But instead of voicing those thoughts, she asked, “What is a Governess?”

“Do you have anything like that that you keep coming back to?” Janna asked, her tone more on the friendly side than professional. This wasn’t ‘work’ after all.

~Janna Kingston, CNS

Viyara thought for a moment and then shook her head. “No, I don’t. To be frank, I haven’t read all that many novels or stories. I’m not even sure when I last read a novel or which one that might have been. There are a few papers and journals, though, I have read more than once, if that counts. Either because an article or something intrigued me or to check facts and references,” Viyara chuckled softly.

~Viyara Nazeen

She grinned. “Those count, but maybe not in the same way. It doesn’t have to be reading you know. Sometimes it’s a piece of music that resonates with a person and compels them to return to it over and over again. For others it’s painting or something. Art in all its forms has a way of helping us see ourselves in different lights. And imagine things we might not let ourselves in our more rational moments.”

~Janna Kingston, CNS

Viyara took a bite of her sandwich, giving herself time to think about that. “I’ve never spend any significant amount of time with any type of art. I mean, I do sketch and doodle a little, but … I don’t know … I never really felt like the arts are my thing,” she mused. Tilting her head to the left, she added after a moment, “Maybe I should give it a try.” She then took another bite of her sandwich and let her thoughts wander for a bit.

~Viyara Nazeen

Considering Viyara, Janna almost commented, but no, right now it wasn’t necessary. As much as there could be teaching moments in their time together, she wanted in part, to demonstrate what healthy self-care looked like, and being able to separate downtime from work was an important part of it. Even if hers bled together quite often, it was important that some boundaries not be crossed.

It’s been a long day. I’m probably going to read a bit more but I’ll probably turn in soon. Don’t feel you have to go to sleep then too, but do make sure you’re giving yourself a good night’s rest. Tomorrow we have more work to do,” Janna said finally.

~Janna Kingston, CNS