[Snip]

Riari frowned a little at the offer for help but after a few moments, she let out a little sigh and nodded. “I guess I would be a hypocrite if I did not practice what I preach about going to the doctor when you need help and not putting it off.” She waved her hand vaguely before adding, “Though I say that and hope you will allow me to put off such shrink sessions until at least our next meeting. ” The Trill looked over her shoulder at Bethany and chuckled a little before focusing her attention once more on the soft-looking rabbit.

Bethany nodded, “Today, Ensign is about seeing if you are fit for duty. Anything more we can delve into later. Today I need to know that you are mentally fit for duty. That doesn’t mean you don’t have things to work through. Think of it this way. Someone with a broken arm, might be injured, but they can still perform their duties. So, tell me Ensign, what are you most looking forward to while on Dresden?”

Her smile was warm as she saw the little wave, impressed by the creature who bounded towards her, and tentatively stuck her fingers through the fencing and did as she was instructed, smoothing the fur gently between the ears of the animal. She was as soft as Riari imagined and her smile widened as she murmured soft nothings at the little rabbit about how precious she was. Without looking back at Lt. Gadi Riari spoke again, “Forgive me if this is a question off the mark, but I presume you to be a Betazoid given your physical traits and well, your chosen profession. And If I was correct in my assumption, wouldnt growing up on Earth have been a very overwhelming time for you? Humans are not particularly known for having ‘quiet’ emotions.” Riari mused, finally looking back at Bethany with a little apologetic smile for what might have been an offbase assumption, or a mildly invasive question otherwise.

-Ensign Riari Vaais

Luna was thoroughly enjoying the attention and her ears flopped over contentedly and her nose twitched. Bethany quietly handed Riari a bag. It had small pieces of food in it, like treats, for Luna. Bethany listened to her question. “Half correct, Riari. I’m half Betazoid. I’m empathic, and talented in that way. My father taught me how to control it when my talents turned on at 13. And I have no telepathic ability to speak of. Earth, where I grew up anyway, was peaceful and the people of my town were very…simple…in their feelings. They loved a simple life and worked towards that end. They were actually much less chaotic than life on Betazoid would have been. But living on Earth taught me not to rely on my Betazoid gifts, and so they didn’t really influence me much. Oh, I have them, and I’m skilled, but I don’t default to them.” Bethany joined Riari and Luna and sat on the floor. Bethany opened a little gate in the pen and Luna eagerly hopped out and over to Riari who held the bag of her treats.

Lt. Gadi, CNS

“Of course, I think I am more than capable of doing my job without a full course of therapy to relieve an ache that might be my mind playing a potent trick to produce.” Riari replied with a smile, taking the bag and fishing out one of the treats as the rabbit bounded towards her. The creature now freed from her pen was easier to pet, and the Trill took advantage, giving the small animal careful scritches between the ears as she held out the snack in an open palm to avoid the buck teeth from catching a fingertip.

When the snack was gone, Riari moved her hand away to drape over one knee, the bag now resting against her shoe as she trailed her free hand’s fingers over the small skill. “What am I most looking forward to? Getting back to work I suppose. One of the main purposes of a host is to bring new knowledge and experiences to our Symbiont. Getting pawed at and kept from my career wasn’t an enjoyable experience, and I am looking forward to getting back to life in space. Things are rarely stagnant and uneventful on a star fleet ship, and I am excited to work through the challenges it can present and reap the rewards of experience it offers.” She reached into the bag for one more of the small morsels and held it out for Luna as her gaze turned to the side to settle on Bethany. “I like helping people counselor, a feeling you likely are not unfamiliar with. Being aboard the Dresden will give me the opportunity to do that, that’s honestly what I am looking forward to the most.”

“Yes I am quite familiar with that desire. What do you think is your biggest obstacle for completing your duties?”

Seeing the Lt. sit, Riari shifted from her crouched position to settle onto the tasteful carpeting beside her, in a more casual seating arrangement that was amusing given the official capacity of this visit. “Sometimes I envy a simple existence, but at the same time, I think I might grow a little bored.”

-Ensign Riari

“A simple life is peaceful and soothing, but yes I would imagine it would be very boring.”
Lt. Gadi, CNS

Riari canted her head at the question, “Well since I am newly assigned I suppose I don’t know what obstacles I will run into. At this time nothing really. Unless something changes, I imagine I will be able to check in for my duty shifts, help those who come in, and be on call when emergencies happen. Perhaps it is the nature of doctors, but there has not been much that stands in the way of those in the profession unless the methods of their treatment are against starfleet regulation or the Hippocratic Oath.”

“But if you need an answer other than ‘nothing’, Not getting a good cup of Raktijino before going on shift.” Her smile was cheeky as she regarded the counselour.

Her hand dropped to pet absently at the rabbit while she waited for more questions.

-Ensign Riari Vaais