Posted by Lieutenant Laural Corynn Witley, Ph.D., M.D. (Counselor) in Alt-Timeline: Counseling Department Meeting [Tag Dr. Witley]

Posted by Lieutenant Todd Nyman (Chief Counselor) in Alt-Timeline: Counseling Department Meeting [Tag Dr. Witley]

Posted by Lieutenant Laural Corynn Witley, Ph.D., M.D. (Counselor) in Alt-Timeline: Counseling Department Meeting [Tag Dr. Witley]
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻
The Chief Counselor’s Office, now free of boxes and packaging, now resemble a sort of museum of sculpture and pottery. Shelves were lined with pieces from all over the quadrant, along with some pieces made by Nyman himself. A small fountain took up on corner of the desk. One could hear it’s gentle splashing along with the bubbling filter of the turtle tank.

Lieutenant Nyman, satisfied with the arrangement of his new office (at least, for the time being) could now move on to more important matters. There was one Dr. Witley, from what he could tell a very knowledgeable person. She had been on the ship longer, had several sessions with the higher-ranking officers, and had experience as a chief counselor before. On his previous ship, Nyman was more or less the designated “moral officer”, handling both planning for recreational events and regular counseling duties. Being recommended the position of Chief Counselor for the Leviathan was a surprise, and he had a lot to learn about his new responsibilities. This is where he hoped Dr.Witley could help him.

=^= Dr. Witley, =^= he called =^= This is Lieutenant Nyman, would you please meet me in the Chief Counselor’s Office?=^=

~~~ Lieutenant Nyman

“On my way, Lieutenant,” Laural replied pleasantly, tapping her own badge. She was surprised but not disappointed by Nyman’s assignment. Starfleet Command worked in mysterious ways and she learned long ago not to obsess over what their decisions meant for her. She knew how to bloom where she was planted. Making her way to the office easily enough, she pressed the chime , the hum of her chair ever present.

~Dr. Laural Witley, Counselor

Lieutentant Nyman opened the door, ready to meet Dr. Whitley. His appearance was that of a blond, green-eyed human male of average build. Today, he had opted to put his shoulder-length hair in two, Nordic style braids. At first, expecting to meet someone… taller…his gaze was not quite in the right place. He did eventually catch sight of Dr.Whitley. Oh, he thought to himself, That’s what a grav-chair is.

“Thank you for coming doctor,” Lieutenant Nyman greeted her with a smile. Afterwards, stepping out of the way to let her through the door.

“Please, come it. I’m going to get some water, do you need anything?”

~~~ Lieutenant Nyman

Smiling good-naturedly, Laural allowed the moment to pass with ease. Her younger self would’ve not only felt awkwardness wash over her at a time like this, but she would have also felt resignation. Just because she was accustomed to others not knowing what to expect of her because of her disability, it didn’t mean she stopped hoping she would stop sticking out like a sore thumb.

“No, but thank you,” she replied, entering the office easily enough but always ever mindful of other people’s toes. “Welcome aboard.”

~Dr. Laural Witley, Counselor

As soon as the door closed behind her, Nyman began pacing over to his desk. He stopped in front of it, tensed up like a rabbit caught in the open. Then, after taking a deep breath, he turned around to face Dr. Witley with a more somber expression,

“I am going to tell you something in confidence.” he stated, “I would like to think, given our profession, that you can keep this information between us.”

He continued, “This is the first time I have been trusted with a responsibility like this. I hope you don’t think less of me for being… a little nervous. But, it’s my responsibility to be a productive member of this department and support this crew. That all being said, do you have any advice you’d be willing to pass on?”

~~~ Lieutenant Nyman

Laural took a beat before responding. His admission was unexpected and brought with it a variety of emotions. Wit was a professional and she would support Nyman because it was what was best for the crew, but it was concerning to her that someone apparently inexperienced as a leader was given this position. It wasn’t Laural’s ego driving that particular emotional train - she was pragmatic. The potential for awkwardness was vast in a scenario where she had more knowledge and experience but was expected to offer deference. If he was inclined to make her do all the hard work and then take all the credit, she knew there would be little she could do about it. In fact, she had been there before, and while she had no reason to think she was about to be there again, she didn’t really know him yet, and the not knowing was hard.

Wit the professional knew how to compartmentalize and to see the being before her, the one who risked being vulnerable with her when he didn’t have to be. “Perhaps you could share what concerns you most and we can start there? I’d say ‘don’t be a jerk and trust your people to know their jobs’ but that sounds a bit too much like a slogan than hands on help to me.”

~Dr. Laural Witley, Counselor

Nyman smirked. “Yeah, a little.” he said, referring her last comment.

“I guess it’s just… I’m used to being the one taking orders, not giving them. In my previous position I was given a certain amount of responsibility, sure, but I’ve always had someone I could defer to. Someone everyone else already believed in. I mean what if no one… ”

His thought trailed off for a bit. He thought for a moment, pacing over to the window near the back of the office. Looking outward for a moment before turning back toward Laural.

“How can I show the crew that they can depend me?”

~~~ Lieutenant Nyman