Posted by Lieutenant Commander Avik (XO) in Avik’s Office

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Cassidy Abrams (Chief of Security) in Avik’s Office

(snip)

Cassidy nodded slowly as she carried the items over to Avik’s desk. For a moment though she just gazed off to the side, pondering if she was crossing a line here, but ultimately knew that her and Vora’s friendship was strong. This would be okay… or so she hoped. “Vora won’t say so to you, but she’s very embarrassed about what happened. For her, it’s that situation on that planet where you were all captured all over again. She’s had a pretty hard life Commander, and so sometimes she gets triggered. She has a lot of her own trauma that she’s worked through, but it doesn’t mean it can’t surface now and again. It’s not the first time she’s broken an arm, but then to also be stuck in a small space was overwhelming for her. I think… perhaps, she’s worried you will think even less of her than she believes you already do, even if you haven’t said so to her. Despite how amazing she is as an officer, and how far she’s come, she still carries these threads of self-doubt.”

Abrams, COS

Avik paused and weighed the words. A moment passed before she broke the silence, relating to the subject at hand.

“I know she’s a remarkable individual. Her mental health was my primary concern after the ship incident. I don’t want to dismiss her, but rather seek out other solutions. Even if it meant avoiding the triggers by excluding her on away missions.” It was the same feelings that Avik held when she first approached the Captain over the officer’s fate on Europa.

“Trauma is something I’m familiar with on both a personal level and during my medical career. I hold myself to the same standards. If I think less of anyone, it is myself. I failed to keep her emotions separated from mine and instead, lost control. Something a Vulcan is taught never to allow happen.” Avik, with a sober expression, placed a picture of her mate and her standing next to each other.

“I can understand that,” Abrams said softly.

Despite the indifferent expressions, she vividly recalled the event and its emotions fondly. A happiness flooded between them as they held hands. It was a blissful time before his loss. While she had moved on, she had to face the fact she still missed that depth of connection with other male dearly. He would’ve known what to do or at least how to deal with this pit of emotions within her.

“Sadly, I don’t believe anything I will say will hush her self-doubt. If anything happens, I expect us to have heightened wariness toward each other or avoid one another.” From her words, Avik turned to the replicator.

“I think it’s time for a break. Would you like something to drink?”

–XO, Avik, Lt. Cmdr

“I’d love a coffee,” Cassidy said, taking a seat in front of the desk. “Milk, no sugar.”

For a moment as Avik went to gather the order, Cassidy pondered and decided that yes, she’d speak up. “I think your conclusion is wrong, Commander. About your words having no affect on Vora. I think it would be good here to remember that silence has its own meaning and that can lead to misinterpretation of your beliefs. I am Vora’s best friend, and I’m not breaking any confidences here in saying that some reassurance on your part might actually help her a great deal and thus your interactions with her would improve.”

Abrams, COS