Posted by Lieutenant Siennadye Nox (Counselor) in Holodeck 2- Cooking with the CNS

Posted by Civilian Jerrin Yeceb (Student) in Holodeck 2- Cooking with the CNS

Posted by Lieutenant Siennadye Nox (Counselor) in Holodeck 2- Cooking with the CNS
Posted by… suppressed (6) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

Sienna had been rambling without much direction, about the particular recipe and her choices, when she noticed the change in the feel of Jerrin. She watched him as she talked for a minute, gauging what he was feeling as she kept her conversation light and meaningless. She noted his heart rate and the way he was breathing. She turned from him and opened the refrigerator, grabbing a bottle. By the time she returned to him, the bottle top was off. She set the glass in front of him, pushing the casserole dish aside.

She poured the contents of the bottle into the glass. Immediately carbonation began, adding tiny fizzing bubbles to the clear liquid. A faint sound accompanied the tiny bubbles popping at the top of the glass. “You are safe here, Jerrin. I would like for you to take a minute and focus on the bubbles in the glass. Breathe. 4 counts in, 4 counts out until all the bubbles are gone.”

His eyes snapped to her, wide and confused. Bubbles? He looked down at the drink and watched as the molecules of gas floated to the surface of the liquid and dispersed.

This process could take several minutes, but it was often a technique used to calm someone in a panic. It might not work for him, but then again, if he had never done it before, he might do as she asked. Some people required touch to relax during a panic attack, but she didn’t want to start there. She kept her voice neutral, almost light. No pressure, just a request.

Nox, CNS

Breathing? She had said something about breathing. He drew in a shaky breath and let it out slowly. Even as he breathed though, he found his fingers curling inward into a fist and he muttered under his breath. “I don’t know…”

~Jerrin

“First breath is always the hardest.” She said, watching him. He wasn’t averse to trying it seemed, but was feeling something very intense and whatever it was made this hard. “Try again. First, we breathe, then we breathe and relax.... So, watch the bubbles and breathe with me.”

He realized that he had answered an unspoken question and one posed in his own head. What was he upset about? He answer was true though. He had no idea. But he forced his quick mind to stop working on that problem and focus on what the counsellor was telling him.

Sienna looked down at the glass of fizzy liquid and breathed in slowly for 4 counts and then breathed out for 4 counts. She didn’t think about what might have triggered this intense feeling, just on the process. Her focus would be his guide. She repeated the process, being loud enough that he could hear her without needing to see her. In through the nose, out through the mouth.

Nox, CNS

Jerrin tried to follow her lead and it felt almost painful to breathe. But each subsequent breath became easier until he was, if not okay, at least no longer panicking. His fist still remained tightly closed.

~Jerrin

She gave him a small smile. He did well and she was glad he had been open to trying this technique. “You know,” she said in a soft voice, “Painters often carry a great deal of tension in their hands. I have a good trick to use for that too, if you let me have your hand?” Sienna held out her own hand, offering to take his. IF he did not wish to, he didn’t have to. Her question was gently made without any kind of demand to it.

Nox, CNS

Though only an adolescent, Jerri rather towered over Nox. He glanced at her hand quizzically for a moment as he considered what to do. So far she had not done anything but help and it was a significant sign of trust that he reached out and rested his large hand in hers. After all, what was the worse that could happen?

~Jerrin

She took the hand in both of her own. She had soft fingers, the fingers of a woman who did not seem to get her hands dirty in the traditional sense. She splayed out his fingers palm up and placed her own fingers through them. On the back of his hand, her fingers would gently hold him steady as her thumbs worked through the grooves and knots of the tension he had worked up throughout his palm. There seemed to be a sort of pattern her thumbs danced across his skin, creating a warm sensation and just the right amount of pressure to alleviate tension and relax the tendons there.

“So what do you do for exercise on this ship? Physical fitness is an excellent way to relieve stress.”

Nox, CNS

Jerrin was fixated on the sensation of her thumb as it moved across his palm. Much like his mother, touch was rather powerful. He heard her question, but it took a moment to actually process it and answer. “I don’t really do any. I did a little bit of sparring with the former security chief before he had to leave the ship.” He turned to Nox suddenly, completely forgetting the thing that has caused his panic attack. “Hey! Do you think Cass would let me train with her?” he said with some excitement and no small amount of eagerness. He wasn’t aware how obvious his feelings for Abrams were, but they swooshed through his body rather suddenly.

~Jerrin

She blinked, trying to take in the rush of emotion he felt towards Cass and the question he posed. It was obvious to her of course, being Betazed and empathic. Like most young men and women with crushes, it is not likely that Jerrin had been discreet in his interactions with Cass. She didn’t want to outrightly encourage his affection for Cassidy Abrams so she circled a bit. “I don’t know. I would have to see if perhaps Cass has the time to train others given that she is now the chief of security, but more important is if she has the desire or ability to teach. Not everyone who can do something can teach it or is willing to take on a student. I could see if she would be willing. Or maybe she can set up a class. I know I wouldn’t mind brushing up on some martial arts and shooting. It’s been a while.”

Nox, CNS

“That could be fun,” Jerrin said with an emphatic nod. “Hey, did you know Cassidy has the sharp shooting record on the ship? I always thought that that was kind of amazing,” he said, before turning back to their meal in progress.

“So what’s next?”

~Jerrin