Posted by Captain Jonathan McBride (CO, USS Centurion) in Plaza Exchange- Shenanigans

Posted by Lieutenant Séan Iven (Counselor) in Plaza Exchange- Shenanigans

Posted by Captain Jonathan McBride (CO, USS Centurion) in Plaza Exchange- Shenanigans
Posted by… suppressed (7) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

“How so?” Séan asked as he asked with interest. He’d never been in command before though he had held a DH role, but the responsibilities and expectations must have been vastly different.

Counselor Iven

McBride took a sip and set the glass back on the coaster, tapping a finger against the side. “Well, commanding a starship is no picnic, but there’s a certain number of predictable variables, depending on the type of ship and mission profiles. The D’hjty was a battleship, with a moderate sized crew, and sometimes higher stakes. We did a lot of patrol work, all told.” Jon smirked. “But here? I went from a crew of one hundred and fifty people to fifteen to twenty thousand and a separate ship to run as well. Then there’s the split duties with Dasca. That takes some getting used to, even though we get along surprisingly well. In general, and I’m hardly the only one, but I find Oed overwhelming. And that’s not even factoring the risk the upcoming diplomatic stuff is tossing our way.”

Captain McBride, Starfleet CO

Séan nodded in understanding. “It’s definitely a shift in dynamics, from the close-knit environment of a starship to the sprawling complexities of a posting like Oed V. The responsibilities and expectations can feel quite overwhelming, especially when you’re managing so many moving parts and different departments. And it sounds like the diplomatic challenges add another layer of complexity.”

He took a thoughtful sip from his glass before continuing. “Working with Captain Dasca can certainly provide unique dynamics. Effective cooperation between command teams is crucial for the smooth functioning of a station, but it can also be a source of strain if not managed well. It’s impressive that the two of you get along, considering the pressures you face.”

McBride shrugged. “I don’t know. It might have been difficult with someone else, but Dasca actually likes working with others, so that does help. Besides, she has a crapload of experience, and it’s clear she knows what she’s talking about.”

Séan leaned back slightly. “When dealing with such challenges, it’s important to find ways to decompress and maintain your own well-being. Whether that’s through hobbies, socializing, or finding quiet moments of solitude. And, of course, seeking support when needed, whether from your crew or even a counselor.”

Counselor Iven

Jon grinned and lifted his drink. “Then I suppose it counts if you take your counsellor out for a drink?” He sipped his cider. “Though, you’re not on the clock, Séan, so you better be relaxing too.” He wasn’t oblivious to what was going on, and he honestly didn’t mind. Besides, who else besides Eela could he vent to?

Captain McBride, Starfleet CO

Séan chuckled and raised his glass in a casual toast. “You’ve got it, Captain. This is purely off-duty relaxation time. No counseling sessions here.” He took a sip of his drink and leaned back, his expression more at ease. It was a rare chance for him to enjoy the company of colleagues in a more informal setting, and he intended to make the most of it.

Counselor Iven

“Good, just what I want to hear,” McBride said.

Dionne returned with their plates and set the burger in front of Séan and the fish and chips in front of Jon. She also set a dish of mayo next to his plate with a wink.
“Thanks, Dionne.”
She smiled. “How are you both ding with your drinks?”
“I’m good for now,” Jon said. “But I’ll take another after this one.”
“And for you?” she asked Séan.

Captain McBride, Starfleet CO

Séan smiled appreciatively at Dionne as she set the plate in front of him. “Everything looks fantastic. I’ll stick with my current drink for now, but I might join the Captain for another round after this one.” He glanced at Jon and nodded in agreement.

Counselor Iven

“Aright then,” she said with a smile. “Enjoy your meals. I’ll check on you in a bit.”

Jon took a bit of his battered fish and it was as good as the last time. “So, what do you like to do when you’re not working, Séan?” he asked as he dipped a fry into his mayo.

Captain McBride, Starfleet CO

Séan took a big bite of his burger and so was unable to answer Jon at first. He chewed his food and savored the flavor a bit before he took a sip of his drink to clear his throat. “I like to go for jogs. Mostly to familiarize myself with the new environment but also to keep active. Counseling tends to be a rather sedentary profession and I’d likely weigh four hundred pounds if I didn’t stay active.”

Counselor Iven

Jon grinned. “It’s fortunate that Starfleet requires us to maintain a certain fitness level, though I definitely have to force myself to get out of the office more. I could go for walkabouts more when I was on the D’hjty but now the sheer size of the contingent under my command makes morning rounds a little prohibitive.”

Captain McBride, Starfleet CO

Séan nodded in acknowledgement. “I was once new to a ship that had just been through a traumatic dimensional event and their return to our dimension had most if not all of the crew requiring counseling. I barely had time for sleep but everyone needed help. Luckily we were at a starbase and additional counselors were eventually provided to help, but it reminded me of an adage my mentor used to tell me. ‘The body is vital for your well-being. The mind follows the lead of the body. If the body is in disarray so then is the mind. Take the time to make sure the body is in order and it will benefit every aspect of your being.’ Even when I was running on fumes I would take an hour to workout before bed and I would sleep better and be more rested to start the next day more or less fresh. Coffee really helped too though.”

Counselor Iven