Posted by Lieutenant Casela Synthi-er (Counsellor / RTF) in Counselor’s Office - Nakuto drops by

Posted by Civilian Kara Nakuto (Engineer (Consultant Researcher - Yellow)) in Counselor’s Office - Nakuto drops by
She knew the drill. Fifteen years as a Starfleet officer had done nothing to temper her unease around counselors. Her tour as the captain of the USS Viking had done everything to prove to her how much she relied on their wisdom and their sense of calm. Her last counselor on the Viking, prior to her own disappearance, had been not only her closest confidant but also her most cherished friend. Gods, she missed Tal’ahali Beveres so much.

But this was a new beginning, or so the ARU had attempted to convince her when ordering her into this assignment. A chance to “get back onto the horse”, Admiral Roebuck had insisted, not that Nakuto had any hint of prior equestrian experience, nor a desire to acquire any in the near future. But still, perhaps there was some truth in their threats masquerading as friendly advice. If nothing else, the transfer to the USS Leviathan had allowed the half-Klingon to escape the clutches of the Viking once and for all.

Or so she prayed it would be true.

It was late in the day when she arrived at the office of Lt Casela Synthi-er, but the computer had assured her that the Betazoid counselor had not yet signed off on her shift. So Nakuto pressed the chime and waited…hoping to once again find a friend amongst the ever-present chaos that had become the very hallmark of her existence.

• Kara Nakuto (Consultant Researcher)

Casela had been working on compiling a special file. It was depressing work, what she was doing now, but one that was necessary. And though depressing it was fascinating at the same time. A project that should have, normally, been engaging enough to keep her attention. But she found her self, much to her derision, falling asleep at her desk. She’d gotten up and paced the room, stretched, even done some Mok’bara to try and wake herself up. Something was very very wrong with her.

She felt the presence outside her door before the chime was pressed. She got up, stretched, rolled her shoulders, and took a sip of coffee, that she never used to drink, and walked over to open the door. “Good afternoon, please come in. I’m Casela Synthi-er. Ship’s counselor.” Casela held out her hand, and briefly wondered if this part Klingon woman would spend the session making passes at her just as Crewman Jessie had. That was absurd of course because that was not a .... by the four gods she was tired.

Casela’s hand was quickly enveloped in the strong, enthusiastic grip of a Klingon greeting. “Kara Nakuto. Consultant Researcher,” the woman replied efficiently. Her hesitant entrance into Synthi-er’s office, however, could not have offered greater contrast.

Her office had no pictures. Her educational credentials went up on the wall. She may lack rank, but not the training, and not the experience. There was a small shelf next to her desk, that was away from prying fingers. Several small items went onto that shelf that had significant meaning to her, but the wise would never ask her about them. Next were her weapons. So. Many. Weapons. Unless you knew what you were looking for, you’d never see them, but Casela was Never comfortable unless she had a weapon within hands reach. There were however, several chairs or couches to choose from.
Lt. Synthi-er, CNS

Battle-trained eyes were immediately drawn to the weapons, Kara nodding appreciatively at the number and diversity on display. Clearly she was in the company of an esteemed fighter and would maintain the appropriate level of respect.

By contrast, Nakuto’s outward appearance could only whisper of her warrior soul. Impossible to mistake her Klingon genetics in the subtly-ridged forehead and muscular frame, or her Japanese ancestry in the raven-black hair and delicate, golden-brown eyes. But the cloak of exhaustion and trauma woven from her time on the Viking did much to diminish her presence, so that her head drooped a little lower, her shoulders hung a fraction more rounded, than one who carried themselves with rightful confidence and pride.

She had long since eschewed her Starfleet uniform, choosing instead to dress in an homage to her oldest lost friend - the black tank top, utility trousers and heavy black boots the very hallmark of Commander Majandra Guerin. Her long hair was piled on top of her head in the manner of one who styled, and dressed, with no knowledge of mirrors. Overall, her appearance was more suited to a bar than to an officer’s station on duty. But if her nightmares had taught her anything , it was how agonisingly irrelevant cosmetic trivialities could be when compared with this world’s true horrors.

Coming to a halt in the centre of the room, Nakuto took a moment to study her surroundings and appreciate the minimalist arrangements. No ornaments or cushions to complicate matters, the room was as functional and reassuring as the woman it belonged to. To that end, Kara also allowed herself a fraction of time to study the counselor herself, drawing as much reassurance as she could from Synthi-er’s calm and grace.

Still, it was with a great deal more anxiety than she would have chosen to display, that her next words shuddered to life. “I…hope I am not disturbing you? I wondered, perhaps, if we could talk a little? I have a requirement to obtain my boarding clearance and…a desire for friendly conversation.”

• Kara Nakuto (Consultant Researcher)