Posted by Lieutenant Dr. Mariah Lee Grayson (Chief of Psychiatry) in Meeting Cori

Posted by Lieutenant Corinne Dalton (Scientist) in Meeting Cori

Posted by Lieutenant Dr. Mariah Lee Grayson (Chief of Psychiatry) in Meeting Cori
Mariah waited for her next arrival with a heightened sense of anticipation. She was used to dealing with all sorts of complex people and problems, but Cori was certainly going to be one of the most unique people she had ever met. At the same time, just knowing what she had been through, Mariah felt a strong desire to protect her, give her a safe place to process all that she had been through, and to ensure she never felt like an oddity in Mariah’s presence. Grayson understood she couldn’t control what anyone else felt, but that didn’t mean she didn’t tried to channel the best of her intentions into her efforts.

~Doctor Mariah Grayson, CoP

After checking in at reception, Cori waited a few minutes before she was told she could go on in. Down the hall a little, she stopped in front of the door she had been directed to and pressed the chime, inhaling a steadying breath.

When bidden to enter, Cori stepped in, her lean body still not entirely strong but improving every day. Her raven hair was loose, hanging past her shoulders. “Hi, I’m Corinne Dalton, your next patient? I mean, of course you know that,” she said shaking her head. “I just..” She flushed slightly. “Sorry, I don’t know why I’m so nervous. It’s not like I’m not used to talking to a therapist.” But Royal was different and their situation, their history was different. Grayson was a stranger to her. A well-regarded one, but a stranger nonetheless.

~Corinne Dalton

Mariah offered what she hoped would be a reassuring smile. “No worries. To me, it’s perfectly understandable. I may do something you’re familiar with, but that doesn’t mean another stranger to you right now. With time, I hope that will change for both of us.” She gestured toward her seating area. “Would you like to sit down and make yourself comfortable? I’d also be happy to get you anything from the replicator.”

~Doctor Mariah Grayson, CoP

Cori moved over and took a seat in one of the armchairs. “I’m okay, thanks,” she said as she leaned on one of the arms. She studied her hands and the floor for a moment before she lifted her vivid blue eyes to Mariah. “So… how do we want to do this? My last experience with a therapist was an evaluation where we did in fact establish I was a sentient person and all that jazz. But a lot has happened since then. It’s like being an entirely different person, and… not at the same time.”

~Corinne Dalton