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

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

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

(snip)

“Bullshit,” Janna said flatly. She let the word hang between them, taking a slow, deliberate breath.

Viyara flinched slightly, her jaw clenched, as she stared silently at Janna.

“You are here because of dedication over a period of time. Yes, skill matters, but being a Starfleet officer is not about grades. This isn’t the Academy, Viyara. No one is going to grade you and make a determination. Sure, there are evaluations, but they help you see where you can grow, so that you can contribute in the way that you are meant to. We benefit from you being the best version of yourself you can be. I don’t want to work with perfect people, and I’m pretty sure others would say the same thing. We want to work with people who are competent, yes, but are people we connect with and enjoy working with. How do you think this crew had endured so much? Can you name the qualities of these people?”

~Janna Kingston, CNS

Her eyebrows knitted together, her lips tightly pursed, Viyara thought about those questions. Her gaze slightly averted from Janna. She wasn’t sure how to answer any of them. Least of all because she still barely knew this crew. Finally she asked, “Because they are able to work together?”

~Viyara Nazeen

Janna nodded. “Yes, that’s the outcome. But the qualities and behaviours that lead to people being able to work together are, namely, trust, respect, openness. This isn’t true of everyone, of course, but for the most part, people on this ship are open to the unexpected, whether it be from events or other people themselves. We get swept up in sometimes overwhelming situations, but because we trust the person next to us to have our back in times of trouble, we feel connected to them. Those who can’t have even a modicum of trust? They end up on the outskirts, hovering, waiting.” Kingston leaned forward. “You trusted me to do right by you in this process of discovery we’re engaged in. So guess what, Viyara, that automatically means you’re no longer on the outskirts. You’re inside, you’re a part of this crew, whether you like it or not. You do have a choice about whether you want to be here or not, but you and I both know you already made that choice, and you’ll keep making it each day you get up and put on your uniform.”

~Janna Kingston, CNS

At first the frown on her face deepened slightly as Viyara listened to Janna. But with each word the other woman said her expression begann to relax bit by bit. As did the rest of her body. Her whole body was still clearly fully of tension and energy, teetering back and forth on the brink of all four stress/trauma responses: Fight, flight, freeze and fawn. But she was still present. Still listening. And actually taking in everything Janna was saying. Despite still feeling overwhelmed and feeling like she was being flooded with emotions, unable to identify and name them. In a surprisingly soft and gently voice, she asked almost shyly, “Am I?”

~Viyara Nazeen

Janna smiled. “Look me deep in the eyes and you tell me,” Kingston said, her gaze full of certainty, of warmth and kind regard. Regardless of what happened with Viyara in the coming days, Janna was glad they had set upon this journey together. It was bound to be a beautiful and meaningful one for both of them.

~Janna Kingston, CNS