Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Vanessa Slade (CNS) in Holodeck -I can just throw myself off the side of the cliff - MacGregor counseling thread

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Thomas McGregor (COS) in Holodeck -I can just throw myself off the side of the cliff - MacGregor counseling thread
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“So we don’t just climb and pray we don’t fall to our deaths,” she asked only half joking. “Cause there are safety controls on right?” The question was rhetorical. Safeties or not holodeck were designed for a completely real experience and the mind easily accepted the facade. That was why holodecks worked so well for the participants. It might just be smoke and mirrors but the mind registered it as real as a five-alarm fire.

“Yes, the safeties are on,” Thomas reminded her.

He gestured to a series of ropes running along the face of the cliff. “We’ll be using these to support us on the way up and give a little extra protection from falling. I’ll even stay on belay for most of the climb, if you’d like the extra security.”

COS

“I’d like a hover pack if we are being honest but in for a penny in for a pound.” The saying was all she needed in reply as she walked over to the ropes he indicated. “Two questions,” Vanessa stated holding up her first finger. “The first question is is there a manual to how to hook up to the ropes? The second it what the hell is a belay?”

Vanessa Slade CNS

“There should be…” Thomas started to answer, looking at the base of cliff for a moment before finding what he was looking for “Aha! Harnesses. You slip one of these on, like a vest and a belt, and then a succession of carabiners and d-links as we move up. A belay means I’ll be below you, anchoring the rope so I can arrest your descent if you slip.”

COS

Vanessa let out another full-bodied laugh. “You are very eloquent Mr. MacGregor,” she said full of mirth. “Arrest my descent.” She repeated his words as she buckled into her harness and then spread her arms showing Thomas her work and making sure it was correct.

“Part and parcel of my security training, I’m afraid,” he said as he double checked that she was hooked up correctly, then gave her a thumbs up as he put on his own harness. “I just love arresting things,” he joked with a grin.

“Okay so I am just going to head on up,” she looked up an clapped her hands once before reaching up and pulling herself up the first step. It was not like the first step was hard. It was basically a flat rock with crevices as obvious as the rungs on the ladder. Vanessa had zero doubts it would get harder. Everyone always thought they could climb a rock for the first five feet.

“So tell me if you were a piece of furniture what piece would you be and why?” The question was light and there was no rule against talking as they climbed.

Vanessa Slade CNS

Thomas went silent and cocked his head to the side as he contemplated the question. It was certainly something he’d never been asked before, or contemplated.

Just before he joined her on the cliff face, he replied “A desk. Because I’m big and sturdy and spend most of my life in the office.”

OOC: Also because that’s what a buzzfeed quiz told me I am lol

COS

” I can see that,” Vanessa replied. “Me…I would be a waterbed. Floating along life and going with the current. ” She climbed another arm length before stopping and taking a deep breath. She needed to be distracted if she was going to make it more than five feet up the cliff face.

Thomas didn’t think that was quite how waterbeds worked, but didn’t say anything.

“So tell me something about yourself that is not work-related like a secret talent.”

“I won four blue ribbons at the county fair one year, all for things unrelated to animal husbandry,” Thomas said.

Vanessa Slade CNS

COS

“So you are talking pies and muffins? Damn chief you absolutely know the way to a woman’s harrrrrrr,”. Vanessa’s voice warbled as she suddenly forgot to focus on climbing and more on her stomach. They had been making decent time scaling the mountain and just hit the point where one would go splat like an egg on the rocks below.

Regaining her balance, Vanessa dug her nails into the small rock ledge and placed her forehead against the smooth granite. “Pah’s and muhfins,” she stated a bit breathy trying to get the conversation going again and not concentrate on the fifty feet of empty air under her feet. “Tell me,” she worked on the breathing techniques she touted as helpful in session realizing it was doing diddly squat.

Vanessa Slade CNS

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