Posted by Captain Eela Dasca (Lt. Governor) in Facing Similar Traumas

Posted by Lieutenant Séan Iven (Counselor) in Facing Similar Traumas

Posted by Lieutenant Tandra Mika (Chief Mental Health Officer) in Facing Similar Traumas
Posted by… suppressed (54) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Séan sat at his desk at his office and was pondering an idea. Mika had been released from the hospital and was supposed to be resting but her stubborn self insisted on coming into the office even if she couldn’t see patients yet. He had an appointment in about an hour with Eela, and while Mika seemed to be doing great on surface with the support of the rest of the staff, he was hesitant to leave her. Perhaps it was his overprotectiveness rearing up but he didn’t want to let her out of his sight until he was sure she was fine. So it was either reschedule the appointment or take her with him.

With a sigh he rose from his desk and walked to her office. He knocked lightly on the door frame. “Hey do you have a minute?”

Counselor Iven

Mika had been released. She was healing well physically, but the psychological scars were readily evident - even now as she looked up, startled, at the knock on the door frame.

Coming to the office, even though she wasn’t yet cleared to see patients, offered a sense of normalcy. Normalcy she’d craved since… Well, since she woke up in the hospital. She went over charts, notes from the fill-in therapists that had treated her patients, did paperwork, caught up on departmental things. Anything she could find that needed doing.

People kept asking if she was okay, should she be working, she wished they’d stop. She just didn’t want to think about it. She wanted things to be like they were.

She smiled up at Séan. “Of course,” she said, with all her normal cheeriness she could muster. “What do you need?”

~ Mika, CMHO

Séan smiled back at Mika as he entered her office and took a seat in front of her desk. “So I’ve got an appointment in about an hour but it’s one where I’m going to have to do a house call. I was contemplating on whether to reschedule it on the possibility that you needed me for something but then I had a thought. Would you like to go with me?”

Counselor Iven

“Oh. Uhm.... I’ll be okay.” Mika replied uncertainly. “You can go. I don’t want to keep you from your patients.” She was noticeably nervous. “Sharah… She’ll be here. Or Hannah.”

~ Mika, CMHO

Séan shook his head. “No, it’s an either or thing Tandra. Either I go and you can go with me or I reschedule and stay with you.” He wasn’t forceful with his words but he made it clear that he was firm on this. “You had me promise that I won’t leave you alone and for the things that I can control I plan on keeping that promise.”

Counselor Iven

Mika locked eyes with him a moment - that defiant look of hers. But then she broke away and began grabbing her things. “Okay, let’s go.”

~ Mika, CMHO

“Hold on a second.” Séan said with a wry grin while he held up a hand to to indicate Mika should stop. “I was checking with you first before I was going to check with the patient. No sense having to call her twice if she approved but you didn’t and I’d have to cancel. And with it being in an hour we don’t need to leave right away. So I’ll go call her then pop my head back in if it’s cool with her and when we should leave.”

Counselor Iven

“Okay, go call her, and I’ll finish getting ready to leave.” Mika said. “Then I’ll be ready when it’s time.” She said and smiled and shrugged.

~ Mika, CMHO

Séan nodded then got up and went back to his office. After getting sat back down he let out a deep breath before putting in a call to Eela.

Counselor Iven

Eela was at home, as she had been the last few days. Being off work was still rather strange, but there had been visitors, and she had been doing specific things for herself, including the anti-grav therapy. Was she doing well? No. Was she better than better? By most definitions, yes. Still, she had gotten word from Jeanette that the memorial had been scheduled. Apparently, Dash’s family was going to be there over subspace. The question now became, did Eela speak? She wasn’t sure she could.

The chime on her comms drew her attention and she knew it was important and it wasn’t going to be work-related. She touched a small screen she had installed (there was one in many places throughout the apartment now so she didn’t have to go too far if her physical state wasn’t up for it. Activating the screen, she gave Iven a small smile. “Hello Séan. Are we still on for today?”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Séan nodded his head but a bit hesitantly. “That is still my intention but I have a request. Our head of Mental Health recently was released from the hospital after a very traumatic experience and I wanted to ask if it was alright if she came with me. She seems to be doing alright but I don’t feel comfortable leaving her to her own devices. I understand if that’s a big ask though.”

Counselor Iven

Tandra was in hospital? Then again, Captain McBride had intentionally been keeping as little from hitting her messages as possible and she was sure she would have been filled in as necessary later.

Mika was familiar with Eela’s place at least, and it was a comfortable setting. Eela drew in a deep breath and nodded slowly. “I’m alright with it in principle, but I am curious how you see this working? If she just needs a safe place to be, there is no place safer right now. She’s more than welcome in my home.” An understatement if ever there was one. And there were spaces Tandra could be alone and still be close to her and Séan.

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

“I was thinking that since she was previously your counselor, and with your permission, we wouldn’t be breaching any privacy concerns.” Séan said with an earnest look as he was still kind of working all of this out. “Anything you wouldn’t be comfortable talking about could be postponed until a later date if need be. She could very well have a perspective that you and I are lacking but I’ll be sure to affirm that I’m your primary and she’s there in an informal capacity. She hasn’t been cleared to see patients yet anyhow.”

Counselor Iven

She nodded and gave him a soft smile. “I’m not worried about privacy in this case. Like you said, she knows everything, anyway. Except about the Kuskaaritz, but we can fill her in if it comes up. And maybe I can help her in return.” Eela broke into a throaty chuckle. “Two therapists doing therapy as patients. Sounds like a recipe for an interesting session. You sure you’re up for it?” she asked, a teasing smirk on her face.

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Séan chuckled at the idea. It was certainly a very daunting prospect facing him. “I guess we’ll find out. It shouldn’t be as bad as having to do emergency evals and treatments on a crew just returned from another dimension. My staff and I got little sleep for weeks.”

Counselor Iven

“Hey, don’t tempt us to take it more interesting.” Eela blew out a breath. “I’ll see you at the scheduled time. Security is the same and still tight. Apologize to Tandra for me, as it can’t be helped. My guards will let you in when you get to my floor. I’ll probably be out on the patio, so if I don’t hear you, come find me there.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

“Alright we’ll find you.” Séan nodded in easy agreement. Before he ended the call though, he added. “Thank you Eela.”

He let out another big breath as that went better than he expected. Not that he thought Eela was going to lambast him or anything but she certainly could have chosen not to humor his request. He chuckled again for a moment for what would likely a very interesting therapy session. He got up from his desk and headed back to Mika’s office but didn’t knock this time to hopefully not spook her.

“Hey.” Séan said softly while standing in the doorway. “She agreed to see the both of us though mentioned that getting through the security there will be a pain. With that being the case we probably should go early. Oh and I need to remind you that she’s my patient so I’ll be leading the therapy but you are welcome to provide perspectives I may not have.”

Counselor Iven

“I’m just there to not be alone, not to provide therapy,” Mika replied, grabbing her things again. Really, her ‘things’ was just her PaDD. “Let’s go. ....yeah. Let’s go.”

~ Mika, CMHO

Séan snorted in humor but then put on a serious face. “Oh of course. I did not doubt it for a second. I just had to get the formalities out of the way.” He cracked a grin at the end to show he was just teasing her.

Counselor Iven

Mika smiled, but her look covered nervousness. “I won’t butt in. Promise.”

~ Mika, CMHO

“I wouldn’t bring you with me if I thought you would.” Séan reassured Mika as he led the way out of her office and towards Eela’s apartment. “I really was just getting the formality out of the way.”

Counselor Iven

Mika went with him, holding his hand. It wasn’t long before she recognized the route. “Your patient today.... It’s Eela Dasca, isn’t it?” She said, looking up at Séan. “If it is, Security should remember me. I made several visits before I had to hand her case off.”

~ Mika, CMHO

“It is yes.” Séan nodded in agreement. “Eela said that they’re especially stringent right now, though I’m not sure if something else happened in addition to the murder. Though that would certainly be enough reason to tighten it.”

Counselor Iven

Mika nodded. “That’s fine. I brought my Fleet ID.” She said. “Let’s just… Hurry up and get there.”

~ Mika, CMHO

It was a few more minutes before they arrived at Eela’s and then something like ten minutes before security cleared them to go in. It was a good thing they left early. They were let in after reaching her floor and Séan called out. “Eela? Lieutenant Mika and I are here.” With no response he looked at Mika. “She said be on the patio if we didn’t get any immediate response.”

Counselor Iven

Mika stepped in, she remembered the layout. She peeked her head out onto the patio. “Eela?”

~ Mika, CMHO

The patio was essentially a large L-shaped space that Eela had divided into rooms of sorts. The doors opened out onto a dining area and cooking area. To the left was a large pergola with a sectional and large coffee table. To the right was a pair of lounge chairs, and beyond that disappeared out of sight. The sides of the patio were protected by an almost imperceivable glass like structure that served to protect Eela from any attempts to intrude on her space or threaten her safety. A necessary precaution. Amongst all of it were raised beds set at a different heights, with many such that Eela wouldn’t have to bend too far. Everything was lush, in bloom, or producing fruits or vegetables. It was a riot of colour, with no specific theme. Eela just grew what she wanted and loved.

Eela herself was sitting under the pergola that was covered in a flowering vine. She was on one end of the L-shaped sectional and was holding a mug of coffee. On the coffee table before her was a tray with a coffee press will coffee, a pot of hot water, cups, a selection of teas, plus a water jug and glasses. “Over here,” she called out, her gazed fixed on the mixed view of the colony that her 12th floor penthouse apartment offered. She was dressed casually in workout bottoms and a cropped sports top that ended just at her brace. A long fine-knit cardigan was open.

Overall her vibe was vastly different than people were used to at work, or in the immediate aftermath after Cory’s ‘visit’. Sombre wasn’t quite the right word, not was it entirely heavy. But either way, this Eela was a bit different.

She looked over and gave a small smile. “Sinna, my housekeeper, helped me get some stuff together. We have snacks too if anyone gets hungry.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Mika stepped out onto the patio and moved over near Eela. It was really quite a tranquil place to be. She smiled at Eela, but it seemed different before. More reserved, less joyful. There were visible wounds, cuts, still healing along her face and hands. She wore her Starfleet uniform.

“I know Lieutenant Iven mentioned I’m not here as a counselor today.” She smiled a little, but it was an awkward look. “I um.. I can sit somewhere else if need be. I don’t want to intrude on your privacy, Eela.”

~ Mika, CMHO

She shook her head. “No, it’s okay, truly. You can join us here, or sit where you like. You’re welcome in my home, Tandra,” Eela said.

Looking over at Séan, Eela gave a sad smile. “So, one of our points for another session were met, and another one will come up soon. Ambassador Mathis called to let me know that the memorial for Dash will be on Saturday, so I have a few days to prepare myself.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Séan followed behind Mika and gave Eela a soft smile. “Tell me how it went.” He moved to the table of refreshments, pointed at it, then looked at Mika in inquiry.

Counselor Iven

Mika just nodded. She didn’t care what, Séan could pick. He knew what she liked.

~ Mika, CMHO

He wasn’t talking about the conversation with Mathis, and since Batarael hadn’t happened yet, it meant that that the only other situation was her talking to Caridee. Hands wrapped around her mug, she took a generous swallow of coffee. “Well, we established that it was going to be a discussion we need to have later, because there is a lot to unpack wrapped up in it all. But Caridee acknowledged that she feels protective of me and especially in recent years, I hadn’t had as many people around to help. She sees that I have a great support network and that it would be in both our interests to try and reframe our relationship as mother and daughter.” Eela sighed. “But there’s a lot there still from my accident and the coma. Things I am not aware of or don’t know the whole story on.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Séan listened attentively as he made tea for himself and Mika. “I’m glad the opening conversation went well. Realigning your expectations and roles for each other is going to take time and effort. Just remember to have some patience as there will be boundary breaking until it becomes the new routine.” He set the teas down on the table and took a set.

Counselor Iven

Mika took her tea and took a seat. She let Eela and Séan converse. She looked at Eela’s garden. All the plants she’d grown… It really was a lovely little terrace. How serene of a place she’d managed to make. It was… sort of relaxing.

~ Mika, CMHO

“Of course,” Eela said idly, letting her gaze sweep over her lush garden. She could feel Mika’s slight ease in the space and was glad for it.

“I’m still having that dream of Dash when I don’t take the muscle relaxant to help me sleep. I know it will fade, but everything from the Kuskaaritz is still so vivid that even just a dream of him feels so tangible in my body.” Eela turned to Mika. “Just so you know, and it’s okay that you know, but I was telepathically connected to Dash when he died. So even at a distance, I felt what he felt. It caused… some trauma and created a dangerous medical situation, but it’s been resolved. Now I’m just trying to work through everything, on top of Jones beign murdered.” She let out an indignant snort. “If my back wasn’t so up and down, I’d go to the Starfleet Complex and hit the shooting range. Better to let out the rage there than on unsuspecting people.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Mika smiled sympathetically. “That must have been tough. I’m glad the medical side has resolved itself. You know, I’m still a licensed doctor, if you ever want to ask me anything.” Then she grinned, “Whenever you’re feeling up to it, hit me up. It’s been a while since I hit the shooting range.”

Eela gave a lopsided grin. “Only if you promise not to tell people how bad I’ve gotten. Or I assume I’ve gotten. It’s been a few years.”

Séan took a sip of his tea as Eela explained the particulars to Mika. “Hmm…” He vocalized his mind latching onto a thought. “I’m not sure how much bearing it may have but with two people murdered and…” He looked over at Mika to try and gauge how much he should divulge and decided to stick with what was in the filed report. “A little less than a week ago Tandra was abducted for just shy of fourteen hours before being rescued. I mention it just in case it’s in any way related.”

Counselor Iven

Mika tensed and shrugged. “I… I don’t think it’s related. It was… Something to do with a patient of mine.” She seemed intensely uncomfortable and began playing with the hem of her shirt in her hands. “To be honest, I haven’t kept up on the Jones case, but… I really don’t think there’s a connection.”

~ Mika, CMHO

Eela drew in a deep, steadying breath. “I’m sure the joint agencies will be looking at any possible connection. If there is one, it hasn’t come to my attention, but I’m trying to stay blissful unaware of what is happening out there. If there is a major breakthrough, I’ll be informed, but for now it’s best I remain unaware while I’m off work.”

She looked over at her garden and breathed in, her shoulders relaxing. “And Tandra, if you are ever needing a refuge, you are always welcome here. I’ve done my best to make it one for myself. If others enjoy it as well, then I am happy ot have them here.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Tandra smiled politely. “Thank you, Eela. I really am sorry to intrude on you. Normally I would never, but…” She glanced at Séan, “I’m not quite ready to be alone.”

~ Mika, CMHO

Séan noticed the glance in his direction and gave a sheepish smile. “I may have insisted that Tandra not be alone despite likely getting casework managed even if she isn’t cleared for patients yet.”

She nodded. “The irony is that I want to hide away from everything, and people are smart enough not to let me. Though I am getting the needed… space right now. I’m not sure I can handle too much more fussing over me, though it’s inevitable, and natural. And you’re not intruding. I wouldn’t have agreed if you were.” It might sound like a contradiction, but Eela was too well versed in her own behaviour and knew that sometimes your first instinct wasn’t always the best one. In this case, she could hide away, sure, but it wouldn’t help her. A mix of alone-time and social interaction was helping greatly.

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

“I feel your management of social interactions and downtime has been well done.” Séan affirmed Eela’s efforts to strike a balance. “As things get better physically and mentally then you’ll naturally be able to take on more. I’m just here to make sure you’re not ruined as a person. Your obligations otherwise will just have to take a back seat as is allowable.”

Counselor Iven

She wasn’t sure which which part of his comments struck her hradest, but something did. Eela gripped her coffee mug tighter, her knuckle paling. “You say that like it’s a simple thing,” she said softly. “That everything will truly just be there waiting for me. And maybe it all will, but there’s always the chance it won’t.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

“I know it’s not a simple thing. Healing and trying to keep up with obligations never is.” Séan said softly. “But you can’t take on this whole diplomatic mission as one woman. The burden is not yours alone and until you’re ready to pick your part up the others must do so in the meantime.”

Counselor Iven

Mika glanced towards them, then back towards Eela’s garden. She felt like a little kid, hanging around while the adults talked. Except sometimes she overheard something that meant something to her too, and in this context, meaning something to her wasn’t always comfortable. She had her own obligations, patients there weren’t enough therapists to take on, paperwork, the medical volunteering and things she liked to do. All of that had to wait. Right now, she couldn’t even feel safe in her own office or home alone.

~ Mika, CMHO

Eela let out a shuddering breath and shook her head. “It’s not about Dash or the Vren. I trust everyone to handle things in my absence. This isn’t about me being some super being.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

“No. I wouldn’t think that you thought that. At least not to the extent of being a super person.” Séan said softly. “But you’ve said yourself that your team has never had to shoulder this much of your responsibilities. They’re performing well but you’ve noticed they’re tired, everyone probably is honestly, but do you feel it’s your fault that they’re in this situation?”

Counselor Iven

She snorted. “What? My personal life wrecking havoc on my professional life? No, can’t be that.” Eela sipped her coffee, letting the sarcasm float off into the patio.

A sigh slipped from her lips. “These situations are not my fault, but they are my situations, and they have created a lot of work and drama for others. If I was anyone else, it wouldn’t even be a discussion point, but I am co-leader of this colony. I am scrutinized, and criticized, and held to a different standard. As a Starfleet Captain I’m well used to this, but here? Letting your personal life affect the functioning of the colony can be seen as a negative, and can be used against you.”

Eela set her coffee mug down and pushed herself to her feet, her brace whirring quietly as it eased her transition. She moved passed Tandra to the other side of the pergola, hands braced on her hips and looked over the colony. “Getting back to work is about not letting those that are trying to take me, and those I care about, down in any way. About me needing to feel like I am not giving anyone the chance to show that I am not up to the task of being Lieutenant Governor. That and I can’t stand being in this apartment for such long stretches after someone, whom we haven’t identified, breached the security of this apartment with a bug. This was before Dash died and I don’t even know where things are at in that investigation. So this apartment once again doesn’t feel entirely a safe place to be, but after Dash being murdered it sure is a lot safer than other places I might be.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

“At least you’ve got the motivation for getting better and out of here.” Séan said with some humor in his voice. “I’ve got nothing against your leaving the apartment, though this view is incredible.” He stood and moved to join her though with an appropriate amount of space. “I do have a concern of overexposure and overstimulation however. You’ve managed that well thus far and I am happy with that.” He turned and faced Eela. “So what are three things you would do if you had the energy and cooperating body to see it through? Perhaps we can modify your goals in a way that’s achievable with less of a investment from you.”

Counselor Iven

Eela drew in a deep and measured breath, steadying the flurry of emotions under the surface. She turned her head and met his gaze, unable to hide the sorrow in her eyes. “I met with the volunteer coordinator for the NICU at Sacred Heart. There are some steps to go through, but he was very supportive of my volunteering with the premature babies. Whatever training needs to happen, I’d like to do that now while I have the extra time. I was warned that I would need to commit significant time to whichever baby I was assigned to, but I’m okay with that. I’m sure there are plenty of people around here who think I could do with a bit more life-work balance. And… my son has been on my mind a lot lately. I think being with the babies will help me reprocess our rough start together.” She didn’t talk about that time with people, and certainly not in any great detail, but those weeks and months had been on her mind a lot lately.

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

“That sounds fantastic.” Séan agreed enthusiastically. He smiled broadly at the great idea. “I don’t see any reason why we couldn’t make that happen. You will need to coordinate with your doctor to make sure you’re ready for that physically, as well as be aware that babies tend to affect people in sometimes baffling ways emotionally, but this should be very doable. Though… I am slightly concerned about your first visit and not knowing how it will go. Would you be opposed to Tandra tagging along for that one? I don’t know that I could clear my schedule for that.”

Counselor Iven

Eela turned towards Tandra. “I’ve got no problem with that. What do you say, you up for babysitting duty while I cuddle premies?” she said with a tiny smirk. She knew she would have a lot of feelings about the whole thing and Eela wasn’t always able to contain her feelings the way she used to before the accident, but she could make sure they wouldn’t affect the baby she was charged with. There was a symbiotic thing that happened as a touch telepath where she could focus on the baby in her arms and push the rest away because her mind would be focused on the input she was getting.

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Mika nodded. “Yeah, I can come with you.” She shifted a little and glanced at Séan, “I can’t go in any kind of mental health capacity though. Just as your friend.” She rubbed her hands together, “It might be a while before I can return to work.”

~ Mika, CMHO

“As a friend is perfectly fine. But you do know me well enough I think to help if I needed it,” Eela said.

Eela moved back to the couches and took her seat again with a sigh. “As for two more things I would do, well, for one, I want to go to the farmer’s market and take my granddaughter with me. Partly to spend time with her on my own and show her the colony, but also to give her parents a bit of time for themselves.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Mika smiled and nodded. “I’m okay with that. It might be good for me, too.” Though she had no plans to touch any babies, seeing Eela having a good time would help. “Sharah is helping me get my garden going again.” She commented.

~ Mika, CMHO

Eela beamed. “Gardening is so therapeutic. There is something special about spending time tending to living things, especially those that don’t talk back,” she said with a light laugh. “Sharah helped me set up the infrastructure for this garden. It made it possible for me to putter out here without hurting my back.”

Séan smiled encouragingly at Mika as he sat back on the couch as well. He turned his attention back to Eela. “I’m no expert on security so I’ll defer to whoever runs your personal detail. Would the farmers market be a bit overwhelming with the number of people? I was there just the other day with a friend and it was packed.”

Counselor Iven

She snorted. “No different than any other time I go in public or do events. It’s just that everyone is on high alert.” Eela shrugged. “I don’t know if it would be too much. But I do have to step out into public again and when I go to the memorial service I won’t have a choice. At least this way I can meander, and many of the vendors at the market have gotten to know me. They don’t treat me differently and I think would be nothing but kind, and even help guard my space and privacy. I’ve come to love my farmer’s market tradition. I don’t want to lose that too because I’m afraid of how people will react around me.”

~Eela Dasca, Lt. Gov.

Séan nodded thoughtfully. “I don’t see an issue as long as you’re aware of your energy levels and emotional tolerances. I would suggest having a keyphrase set up with your detail that can clue them in to when you need a hasty but graceful departure. That way you’re not in a panic to leave or convey why you need to on the spot as well not freaking them out unduly.”

Counselor Iven