Posted by Lieutenant Zoi Haven (Chief of Security) in Starbase 157 Awards and Promotions - Mariah/Zoi

Posted by Ensign Dr. Mariah Lee Grayson (Psychiatrist) in Starbase 157 Awards and Promotions - Mariah/Zoi

Posted by Lieutenant Zoi Haven (Chief of Security) in Starbase 157 Awards and Promotions - Mariah/Zoi
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Mariah knew everyone was likely anxious to get back to their own tasks following the promotion ceremony, but Mariah felt funny about leaving without saying another word to Commander Haven. The Chief of Security had made a point to speak to her before the ceremony began and Grayson appreciated it. She wanted to say goodbye at the very least, to repay Haven’s friendliness.

Approaching Haven, she offered, “I’m happy for all those who were promoted, but I was sorry we didn’t get to chat more. I don’t wish to hold you up, but I didn’t want to be rude about saying goodbye.”

~Dr. Mariah Grayson, Psychiatrist

Mariah’s timing was perfect as Zoi had just placed a rather large bite of cake in her mouth. She was left with a painful decision to either, chew on it and wait, or spit it out in as graceful a manner as she could do. Deciding the latter would never do, she did the former. Zoi turned and covered her mouth nodding as she endeavored to chew quickly. “Oh, yes.... Well,” More chewing. “Sorry....” More chewing and swallowing. “I did not think you rude.” Said behind her hand and obviously with her mouth still somewhat occupied. She lifted her hand and displayed a single finger to indicate she needed a moment. She finished chewing the cake and getting it down and sipped champagne before she turned her attention back on the psychiatrist.

“So sorry!” She said with a smile. “I figured once we all got food, we were chowing down too much to talk anyway. Plus with so many people to mingle with, its easy to get pulled away from a conversation. Did you enjoy getting to know more of the crew?”

Haven, CoS

Mariahwatched Haven work to accommodate the food she had just ingested so as not to be rude to Mariah, and Grayson was suddenly embarrassed. She hadn’t meant to contribute to any awkwardness the chief of security might’ve felt. “There’s no need to apologize,” Grayson assured. “If anything, I’m sorry for disturbing your enjoyment of this nice buffet,” she added with a chuckle.

“It was very good. I work out a great deal and eat a lot of calories to make up for it.”

Thinking on Haven’s question, Grayson offered, “To be honest, the ceremony hasn’t given me much of an opportunity to get to know the crew, but I’m doing what I can to get to know people now under these more relaxed conditions. Psychiatrists, perhaps like security officers, are not exactly people others make a point to interact with, if they can help it.” Mariah’s smile and the sparkle in her eyes indicated her good humor on the subject.

~Doctor Mariah Grayson, Psychiatrist

She laughed. “True enough. I suppose it comes with the territory. People fear judgement I suppose. Even without knowing it, I do look for signs of something being off. I swear I am not judging people intentionally. ”

Haven, CoS

Mariah smiled. “I can relate. I do work hard to turn off my work mode when I’m not working, if only for my own sanity, but when you live and work in the same place, it can be difficult not to care about other people’s safety and well-being all the time.”

~Dr. Mariah Grayson, Psychiatrist

She nodded, knowing exactly what Mariah was talking about. Living and working on the ship meant it was an insular community. Everyone would eventually know everyone. On bigger ships, there was some distance. On smaller ships, it was harder to maintain that distance. Zoi had been assigned to many different ships with many different missions. “The more you know people and are living around them, the more you care. That is pretty normal and probably why Star Fleet switches people’s assignments every 10 years or so.

Haven, CoS

Grayson nodded and almost looked wistful as she said, ” i’ve done a lot of wonderful things in my Starfleet career, experienced a lot of postings, but I’ve yet to find a post where Starfleet saw fit to keep me there for as long as 10 years. I would like that opportunity aboard the Ogawa. I can think of no other most coveted posting for a healer than medical ship.” Considering her words, the psychiatrist added, “I’m curious, how do you like being a security chief aboard a medical ship? I could see where from a security perspective, it would be the most sought after assignment.”

~Dr. MariahGrayson, Psychiatrist