Posted by Ensign Marcus Lavent (Security Officer) in Onboarding - Psych Eval - CNS Office

Posted by Lieutenant Todd Nyman (Chief Counselor) in Onboarding - Psych Eval - CNS Office

Posted by Ensign Marcus Lavent (Security Officer) in Onboarding - Psych Eval - CNS Office
Posted by… suppressed (22) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Marcus squared his posture and rang the bell to the CNS office. He never really had a problem meeting with a counslor from time to time. It had helped him manage his stress during the last few years at the academy. He had been in the field the past 15 weeks cross training with a team of Marines. They had rubbed off on him significantly. He was far more diciplined than he had been when he first connected with them. The extra twenty pounds of muscle he had put on during the time caused his uniform to strech some, he would have to remember to replicate an new uniform one that fit him better.

Ensign March Lavent
Security

Nyman answered the door rather quickly. As usual taking a moment while standing in the doorway to look over the newcomer. There was a contrast between the Ensign’s rather tight uniform and Nyman’s, who often chose a much more relaxed and looser fit (as that way, he didn’t get as tangled up in it switching forms).

But to Marcus, all he would appear to be was a 6ft human male in his late twenties, who was doing something unique with his hair. It wasn’t too obnoxious, but a very intricate pattern of braiding that may have brought to mind traditional Scandinavian patterns.

“Ah, Ensign,” he greeted with a warm smile, “Welcome aboard, please find somewhere comfortable…”

He indicated a seating area with a variety of chairs and stool types, at this point reaching the maximum amount of pillows on can sensibly fit into said area.

|Lt. Nyman,
Chief Counselor|

Marcus smiled at the counselor, “Thank you sir, ” he said taking a seat in the closest chair. He sat down in the chair and maintained his posture as best as he could. He was not entirely sure how this was going to go as it seem to differ between Counselors

-Ensign Marcus Lavent
Security

Nyman had noticed the Ensign’s posture and overall rigidness in his movements. The Vendorian principle of Sen’ra immediately came to mind, the ability to have complete control over one’s being through strength, discipline, and mental focus. At one point in his life, he might’ve even been jealous seeing a human embody the principle so well. But considering the Ensign’s background and training, it did not surprise the counselor that he had developed such traits.

“You can relax, make yourself comfortable,” he said, making his way over to the replicator toward the back of the office.

As he walked back, one couldn’t help but notice his extensive pottery and ceramics collection lining the back wall. All from different eras and cultures, mixed in with a few of his own hand-made pieces. At his command, a glass of water materialized,

“Can I get you anything?” he asked with a smile.

|Lt. Nyman,
Chief Counselor|

“Water please” he responded relaxing into the chair, making himself comfortable. It was nice to relax indoors on something other than a bench, metal chair or log. He was not looking forward to his bed however sleeping on the ground for the past 15 weeks was going to make a soft bed unbearable. His eyes followed the Lieutenants over to the collection of various pots displayed for all to see. “Nice collections, hobby of yours?” he asked

-Ensign Marcus Lavent
Security

“You could say that,” Nyman said.

He brought over both glasses of water and chose a seat across from Marcus, setting down the glasses on an end table positioned between the two seats.

“It keeps me productive in my downtime. Though I usually just stick to traditional pottery, a little sculpture, most of the ceramics are gifts.”

The counselor relaxed into his chair,

“If you’re interested, I was considering starting a workshop. I want to gauge interest before I bring it up to the captain, though.”

|Lt. Nyman,
Chief Counselor|

Marcus thought for a moment as he took his glass and sipped his water before setting it back down . ” I might be interested in that, it might be nice to do something other that work out and shoot things ” he said with a chuckle. “I tend to do more outdoors type things, fishing hiking that sort of thing” He noted. “Having an indoor hobby might be a nice change of pace. “

-Ensign Marcus Lavent
Security

“I’m glad you’re open to the idea.” Nyman responded, “You know I can somewhat relate, growing up I spent a lot more time outdoors. I really only stopped when I…”

There was a pause, his demeanor shifted slightly as he sat up straight in his seat,

“When I started working. Anyway, I know it’s not exactly the same experience, but the holodeck some good programs. I personally like this one Appalachian River Trail program, it is very good.”

|Lt. Nyman,
Chief Counselor|

Marcus took note of the mans pause around something in his past but certainly did not know him well enough to acknowledge it. Instead he smiled warmly “Appalachian River trail sounds fun” he responded. “Sounds like a backpack and fishing rod is in order. Love to check it out some time maybe we can grab a few other people and make a day of it” he finalized.

He paused briefly “I was raised by my grandfather, we did a lot of hunting and fishing. More simple times I’m afraid” His thoughts drifted momentarily to his parents and the short time he had known them. His expression briefly shifted to a man contemplating something.

-Ensign Marcus Lavent
Security

Nyman noticed something different in the Ensign’s expression and made note of it. As usual he was going to try and address it indirectly and not force something out of Marcus he didn’t want to talk about. But it seemed like he did,

“So, what’s on your mind? Anything you’d like to talk about, that’s usually how I do evaluations.”

|Lt. Nyman,
Chief Counselor|

Marcus’s face twisted into a odd combination of deep thought and a smile. He shifted slightly in his seat his face returning back to normal. “Not that I can think of, I’m pretty happy to finally be on a ship. ” he paused for a moment. “I am mostly excited to be here”.

-Ensign Marcus Lavent
Security

The counselor nodded, “It’s always exciting to start a new assignment. Especially this being your first ship, it’s something special. I take it you were really looking forward to this assignment?”

|Lt. Nyman,
Chief Counselor|

Marcus smiled. “That’s an understatement, I feel like I was basicly bread for this day.” he said with a little bit of ego. he suddly became a little uneasy. “Getting stationed on a star ship has been a dream of mine for a long time “

-Ensign Marcus Lavent
Security

“What about being on a star ship appeals to you most?” the counselor asked. Of course he felt exactly the same excitement when he came aboard the Levi, but felt he could learn a lot from the Ensign’s answer.

|Lt. Nyman,
Chief Counselor|
Bump

Marcus chewed through his thoughts on the matter. Nothing specific came to mind other than the usual items. “Well , I would say the usual things seeing new places and people. Interacting with new cultures that sort of thing”.

Marcus shifted in his seat a little to make himself more comfortable .

-Ensign Marcus Lavent
Security

The counselor noted the rather unremarkable answer. He mirrored the ensign’s shift in his chair and settled more comfortably into his own.

“So, then, what made you choose the Leviathan of all ships? Did something appeal to you about our specific mission? Was it a recommendation? Or something else perhaps?”

|Lt. Nyman,
Chief Counselor|

Marcus smiled. “Honestly I did not choose it, it chose me I guess,” he said with a slight hesitation, “An unknown party recommended I put my name in, and I was accepted.”

Marcus started off into space for a long moment, his expression changing to one of loss and concern. He maintained a star at nothing and continued. “I guess part of me hopes that one day I’ll understand how people can go missing out here in space with little to no information as to how or why?”. He paused again and looked at the man.

“I’m assuming you know some of my background and the loss of my parents?”

-Ensign Marcus Lavent
Security

“It was listed in your records, yes.”

His response was unusually cold given the situation. A slight over-correction in an attempt to control his own feelings. Being unable to contact those you grew up with and took care of you was something a bit too relatable. With a softer expression and gentler tone, he continued,

“I understand that they disappeared under unusual circumstances. I can only imagine how difficult that must be for you.”

|Lt. Nyman,
Chief Counselor|

Marcus snapped out of it a little he knew it was something that he would have to talk about, it’s an unresolved issue without any closure to speak of. He shifted his attention back to Nyman, “Sorry doc, yeah it is somedays.” he said and took a deep breath. “I honestly don’t think about it most days, only when something crops up that reminds me they are gone. ” he thought a little more on the subject

“I’ll have my team here on the Leviathan” he finished.

-Ensign Marcus Lavent
Security

Nyman nodded, acknowledging his statement,

“Yes, having a team, being part of a community. It sounds to me like it will offer you some comfort. You know, many people find that changing assignments, or changes in general, often bring up thoughts and feelings that we’ve been- or as you put it, we don’t think about most days.”

He let the thought hang in the air, waiting for the ensign to respond as he saw fit.

|Lt. Nyman,
Chief Counselor|

Marcus shifted back into his seat a little more his body visibly relaxing. ” I suppose that’s true, ” he acknowledged. “Change has been a big part of my life, my adoptive parents we moved around a lot” he noted with a smile “I got to meet a lot of different people and learn about their customers and cultures growing up.”

-Ensign Marcus Lavent
Security

The counselor continued to nod along as Marcus continued about his past. It seemed that was the topic on Ensign’s mind at the moment. So rather than steering away from the topic, Nyman continued along those lines.

“How do you feel looking back on that time? You mentioned how you got to meet so many people and learn about their cultures. Did you find that experience valuable, even with the difficulties of change?”

|Lt. Nyman,
Chief Counselor|

He smiled at the thought of his many adventures, he had made and left many friends in the wake of his adoptive parents moving around. “It met a a lot of great people and learned many things about many peoples. My longest stay was on Bajor I learned Mok’bara from one of my parents friends. Their daughter and I trained daily in the art it was amazing ” he said thinking back on is relationship with her wishing that there paths had been the same.

-Ensign Marcus Lavent
Security

As Marcus recalled his experiences, Nyman noted his tone. Despite what some might consider difficult circumstances, Marcus seemed quite content while reflecting on his past. Perhaps even a bit nostalgic. This was a relatively good thing.

“It sounds like that stay on Bajor made quite the impression on you.” Nyman remarked, as a way of showing he was still attentive, “Do you still keep in contact with some of the people you have met?”

|Lt. Nyman,
Chief Counselor|

Marcus smiled inwardly , “I do, Chala and I still correspond a couple times a month” he responded. They had not been lovers in years but they had remained very good friends. ” She or I travel once in a while to catch up in person” he said.
-Ensign Marcus Lavent
Security

“That’s excellent, Ensign. Having strong friendships, and maintaining them through regular contact, is very beneficial. It can be difficult, so it’s good that you are putting in the effort.”

That was yet another thing in the Ensign’s favor, ability to maintain positive long-term relationships. At this point, Marcus was doing better on his initial psychological evaluation than Nyman had. It was making him a bit jealous. But he continued to maintain his friendly, yet professional demeanor.

“Do you also still keep contact with your adoptive parents?”

|Lt. Nyman,
Chief Counselor|