“I am not going to evaluate the accommodations,” Grayson assured. “I only wish to help.” She hesitated then, the momentary flicker of something in the other woman’s eyes coming to mind. She wasn’t sure what it was and couldn’t say for certain whether she needed to be concerned, but it was enough to remind her that she couldn’t just go off on her own, no matter how much she wanted to help or how much she believed she was acting in accordance with her duties and ethical obligations. Being in Starfleet meant following orders, and that meant seeking permission. “I must inform my superiors what I’d like to do and make sure I am free to join you. No matter what, I will make sure we do all we can to help you.”

OOC Lori: it occurs to me Grayson might not be free to leave. Would it make sense for me to indicate getting permission?

~Dr. Maria Grayson, Psychiatrist

OOC: Was this directed at me? I mean I am all for doing what makes sense for your character and the story. You want to leave you go for it!

Zoi stood outside the Psyche area for just such a purpose. She and several security officers had taken up residence outside in order to facilitate home visits as necessary.

Haven, CoS

After making sure her downtrodden patient wouldn’t flee, Grayson approached the chief of security in askance. “Ma’am, could you spare one of your detachment to go with me to this woman’s home? Her husband is struggling with alcoholism and possible other medical concerns, but he’s unable to come here. I don’t wish to turn her away, but I recognize you may not wish for me to go alone.”

~Doctor Mariah Grayson, Psychiatrist

GM Wombat

OOC Lori: I wasn’t sure who to direct the question to, but our chief of security was nice enough to help give Grayson a way forward. I was just going to see if Haven would reply, but if not I can press forward.

Zoi looked at Dr Grayson and listened to her question. She smiled and nodded. “I am currently available for just such a task Dr. Grayson. IF you wish to leave immediately, then lead the way.”

Haven, CoS

Mariah met the security chief’s smile with one of her own. “Thank you, ma’am. I promise not to keep you any longer than necessary. I’m not entirely sure what I am walking into. I will just go get her now. Her name is Nohun.”

It didn’t take long for Mariah long to lead the way back to where she had left one of her would be patients. “Nohun, this is my shipmate. She is in charge of security aboard the ship and she has agreed to come with us, as I am not supposed to leave on my own. Would you mind leading the way?” It was not exactly a lie, but Mariah didn’t like the idea of going by herself. It was just a gut feeling. She decided to let Haven introduce herself, not wanting to presume what she would offer.

~Dr. Mariah Grayson, Psychiatrist

“My name is Lt Haven. Shall we?”

The woman nodded and then smiled at Haven before mumbling something of an apology. The trip wasn’t far, as she promised, less than half a mile as the crow flies, but the ramshackle way the city was set up meant that there was a lot of wandering and at least two incidents where they just walked through someone’s house. There was a brief exchange of pleasantries, suspicious glances at Grayson and Haven and then on they went.

Zoi gave the woman a soft and reassuring smile and then turned to follow the two women. As they went, she kept her eyes and ears open. Such behavior was second nature to the long lived security officer. She did try to keep her facial expression and body movements open and relaxed.

Generally people tried hard not to look directly at either of the star-fleet officers, either crossing to the other side of the narrow dirt walk ways that served as paths, or just looking straight ahead so as not to accidentally make eye contact.

Eventually they arrived. It was a shack really, some of the nicer ones that were set up with the previous limited supplies, as contrasted with some of the tents and scrap metal that was previously seen. When they got there and older man sat in a chair, eyes hooded as he stared at the door. “You’re late,” he grumbled with slurred speech when Nohun returned with help. “Did you bring food. I heard they are giving out free food. Chumps.”

GM Wombat

Zoi stepped in and out of the way to allow the doctor as much space as she might need in the shack to administer to the patient. She noted his attitude and slurred speech but seemed unaware and relaxed.

Haven, CoS

On the way over, Mariah offered reassuring smiles to those she passed even though most of them ignored her. She didn’t blame them, but resolved to offer kindness as much as possible. Grayson understood how much these sorts of missions lived and died by a sense of trust, and she wasn’t about to give them a reason to distrust her.

Still, she was grateful to have Haven with her in case there was any trouble. At the back of her mind, she still wasn’t quite sure her patient was being upfront with her, and Grayson wasn’t sure if it was just understandable shame or something else.

As she entered the home, she kept her eyes on its two primary occupants, searching for any concerns that might be underlying. So far, it seemed everything was just as Nohun had said, though it didn’t take a physician to realize she was dealing with a clearly intoxicated older man.

Mariah approached him, but stayed just out of striking distance. No sense invading the man’s privacy without permission. Pretending not to hear the chump remark, Mariah offered, “my name is Doctor Mariah Grayson. I’d be happy to bring you some food, but for now, your wife asked if I might help you with some sleeping issues. She must care for you a lot to come all this way.”

~Doctor Mariah Grayson, Psychiatrist

“Doctor, eh?” He grumbled suspicious as he reached for a bottle sitting next to him. “Out to fleece us for more money? Or are you just going to sterilize us and decrease the surplus population?” He then proceeded to ramble for the next few minutes about various conspiracy theories from the mundane to the extreme, including by not limited to how the Federation was in league with the Romulan dry cleaning industry, because introducing ketchup increased the need for clothing to be professionally cleaned, though by his appearance he had nothing professionally cleaned for some time.

Nohun ignored the paranoid ramblings and addressed Mariah directly. “He will be in this loop for a good twenty minutes if we let him. He doesn’t mean it,” she said as her eyes drifted downward to smooth her tunic. “He really is a good man but… Things and stress. Never was quite the same after his brother died on Romulus. Now he rambles into the night until he passes out then wakes up again with demands for food and the like.” She glanced back to him, “I can snap him out of it, if you’d like.”

GM Wombat