Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Janna Kingston (Counsellor) in Ens Donivas CNS Checkin (Deck 11 Counseling Suites)

Posted by Ensign Khiryn Donivas (Scientist) in Ens Donivas CNS Checkin (Deck 11 Counseling Suites)

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Janna Kingston (Counsellor) in Ens Donivas CNS Checkin (Deck 11 Counseling Suites)
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Khiryn was unpacking and settling into his new quarters when an alert flashed in the corner of his glasses’ holo display. He’d been so absorbed in organizing his possessions that he didn’t realize so much time has passed.

Time to meet with Counselor Kingston… Khiryn mused. Which will officially conclude my check in requirements.

Ensign Donivas took a deep breath and headed toward the nearest turbolift. He was well aware that his career aspirations hinged on a successful tour on the Athena. Ensigns did not have the clout to lead their own research teams, even if they had an otherwise sterling reputation.

While he wouldn’t trade the last four years away for anything… he now felt like he had a lot of ground to make up for.

Khiryn was the type of scientist that like having a clear goal and worked well in stressful situations. However, unrelenting stress could wear down anyone… especially if it was a self imposed burden.

Ensign Donivan exited the turbolift and walked through the corridors. He arrived outside the Counselor’s office, took a moment to straighten his uniform and compose himself, then pressed the button to announce his arrival.

Ensign Khiryn Donivas - Science Officer - U.S.S. Athena

OOC: You were so close! You noted the Counselling Suite, but missed the setup in the spec. It’s a group of 6 offices with a reception desk.
IC:
As he reached the door, it opened automatically to reveal a large half moon space. In the centre was a curved desk where a blond Risian sat behind a computer terminal. Behind her along the curve of the room were six doors, each with a different colour. The wall with the door to the corridor had a few chairs for people to wait if needed.

The Risian in a med blue uniform tilted her head and spied the latest newcomer. “Come on in. We don’t bite,” Cherry said with a friendly grin.

~Janna Kingston, CNS

OOC: No worries, though it don’t see any mention of a reception area on the Mythology spec. Is there another reference I should be using?

IC: Khiryn smiled despite himself at the warm welcome. He entered the reception area as he replied. “Well, thank you. I’m here for my check in evaluation. I’m Ensign Donivas.”

“I’m Cherry. I help run the counselling department,” the Risian said, before she pulled up the ensign’s file.

“Okay, let’s see here. you were scheduled with Counsellor Bevan, but they are stuck elsewhere at the moment,” she said, skimming the schedule. “But I can get you in with Doctor Kingston. She’s just finishing up a session.”

Khiryn had the thin build of an academic, which somehow seemed to make the Science blue Starfleet uniform seem too large. He had a medium skin tone and a set of anterior crests… one ridge located on either side of his forehead. A mop of dark brown hair topped his head and a prominent nose was his most striking feature.

“Should I take a seat?”

Ensign Khiryn Donivas - Science Officer - U.S.S. Athena

OOC: The spec doesn’t list reception. The design is something we came up with and counselling staff describes when people enter. There is an assumption of one because there are six different counsellor’s offices and it’s a department, rather than a solo office. We used to have more than one counsellor on the roster, so it made more sense to do it that way and it just stuck. :)
IC:
“Yes, it’ll be a few minutes or so.”

Almost ten minutes later, the red door opened and a young Human appearing male stepped out, followed by a petite woman with blond curls to her chin. She leaned in and said something softly to the man and he nodded before moving over to the front of the reception desk. The woman followed, but came to stand beside Cherry. “Let’s schedule Ensign Keaton for a week from today,” she said, her voice calm, soothing.

Cherry looked at the man. “Same day, 1000 hours work for you?”

He nodded. “Yeah, should be fine. I’ll ask Commander Hammor to schedule me later that day.”

“Okay, we’ll see you then Harris,” the blond woman said.

“You have another appointment, waiting in chairs. Hope that’s okay. Ruttish is on an emergency call,” Cherry said, handing Janna a PADD.

“That’s fine,” she said, skimming the PADD before lifting her gaze. Her grass green eyes took in the ensign and she smiled. Stepping around the desk, she approached. Though much short than him, her presence took up space unapologetically, though she also radiated calmness. “Ensign Donivas? I’m Janna Kingston, head of the department. You’re here for a boarding eval, yes?”

~Janna Kingston, CNS

Khiryn immediately liked the efficiency with which Cherry seemed to run the department. He was especially impressed that she managed to be both talented and personable at the same time.

“Okay, let’s see here. you were scheduled with Counsellor Bevan, but they are stuck elsewhere at the moment,” she said, skimming the schedule. “But I can get you in with Doctor Kingston. She’s just finishing up a session.”

Ensign Donivas gave a polite smile. “That works, thank you for fitting me in.” He wish he’d been notified that his original appointment had been cancelled, but reminded himself that it could have been a recent change. Plus, Cherry already has a fix in place… so don’t let yourself worry about it Khiryn.

He sat down and checked his daily schedule via the holo-display in his glasses, making a few notes as he waited for his appointment.

A brief time later the doctor appeared… a shorter woman with medium length blond hair. Despite her small stature, she her presence was felt as soon as she entered the room. Khiryn quirked an eyebrow at that. He’d had professor’s and project leads that radiated authority like that… but theirs were normally built on anger or superiority. Hers is almost… soothing?

“Ensign Donivas? I’m Janna Kingston, head of the department. You’re here for a boarding eval, yes?”

Khiryn blinked and then stood. I’m easily distracted today… probably because I’m juggling all my check ins. “Yes Ma’am. I prefer Khiryn, if you don’t mind. And thank you for flexing your schedule to accommodate me.”

Ensign Khiryn Donivas - Science Officer - U.S.S. Athena

She flashed him a grin. “You were in luck that my schedule was flexible today. But we’ve had to keep things that way lately with all the crew transitions in progress currently. I’m a fan of being on a first name basis too. So, call me Janna.”

Kingston gestured with her head. “Follow me.”

Stepping through the red door, Janna’s office was a modest space rather fitting the petite woman. She didn’t go to great lengths to decorate, but it was definitely more than the standard grey furniture and carpet. On the wall above the couch was an image of an ocean scene that could be almost anywhere and the standard grey slim arm chairs had been replaced with softer larger armchairs in a dark blue that looked inviting to curl up into. On top of the standard carpet, the sitting area was covered in a plush rug in different shades of blues that matched the ocean in the photo. On the other side of the room where she mostly worked, there was a tall leafy plant near her desk and a single silver photo frame on the corner of the desk where she could easily see it when she worked at the computer terminal. Overall, the place was warm but practical and uncluttered- much like Janna.

Khiryn followed Janna into the office and took in the décor. Some counselors seemed to go out of their way to make their offices seem homey and welcoming, but it always felt like they were trying to hard to set the tone that it felt artificial.

That wasn’t the case with Janna’s almost spartan furnishings. Understated, but not impersonal. That suited the young Science Officer just fine. He was not a fan of clutter, neither the physical nor mental varieties.

“Can I get you anything to eat or drink? I could use a coffee myself,” Janna asked, gesturing to the sitting area for him to sit.

~Janna Kingston, CNS

“I’ll take a Janaran tea, thank you.” Khiryn glanced around and and selected one end of the couch to sit on. The armchairs looked comfortable… almost too comfortable. Years of collaborating with stuffy academics had ingrained the habit of not wanting to lounge while working. He acknowledged the counseling sessions were supposed to be somewhat informal, but this was a mandatory requirement. That made it feel a bit more formal than the average session.

“Have you been onboard the Athena long, Janna?” Khiryn asked. It was both to fill the silence and perhaps learn a bit more about his new ship and crewmates.

Ensign Khiryn Donivas - Science Officer - U.S.S. Athena