Posted by Lieutenant Séan Iven (Counselor) in Checking on Friends but also (im)Patients

Posted by Civilian Thyr Th’arialat (Resident) in Checking on Friends but also (im)Patients

Posted by Lieutenant Séan Iven (Counselor) in Checking on Friends but also (im)Patients
Posted by… suppressed (86) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Séan once again found himself at Thyr’s shop/home. He went around and up to the rear entrance before he gave it a solid knock.

Counselor Iven

It took several moments for Thyr to come open the door. He looked awful. Not because his wound, because he looked like he’d been out at his usual Bad-Choice places, bars and such, picking fights. Probably within the last day. “Come in.”

~ Thyr

Séan’s eyes narrowed as he observed Thyr’s worse condition. He held his piece for the moment as he entered and shut the door behind him. In his hand he was carrying a large paper bag. He moved to the fridge and started putting away its contents, various foods he’d picked up and a simple dish he’d made, before he asked over his shoulder. “You want something to drink from the fridge?”

Counselor Iven

“No, I’m good,” he replied, sitting on the sofa. In the fridge was food from Jezem but it wasn’t neat and organised like usual. It didn’t look like he’d eaten that much lately.

~ Thyr

Séan grabbed a can of something with unrecognizable writing on it for himself then joined Thyr on the couch. He popped the top open and took, then his face kind of scrunched up a bit. “Mmm.” He vocalized with a bit of surliness before he took another sip.

Counselor Iven

“Not a fan of,” Shivan looked at the can, “Andorian soda?” he asked. He turned his Orion soap back on and turned his attention towards the TV. “I’m doing fine, you don’t have to keep checking on me.”

~ Thyr

Séan took another sip and made another face. “It’s wet and it’s cold. My first time drinking sake was worse.”

Counselor Iven

Shivan nodded. “That’s… Andorian drinks for you. Sake is… Its own brand of awful.”

~ Thyr

“I was not ready for alcohol then but my mentor felt it prudent to introduce it to me in a controlled environment.” Séan said with a chuckle before he took another sip then grimaced. “This really is… something. Hmm… so, what’s up with the additional injuries?”

Counselor Iven

“Nothing. Do you want something else? There’s plenty in there.” Shivan replied. The answer to the question would only earn him another lecture.

~ Thyr

Séan was mid sip when Thyr gave an obvious non-answer. He turned to look at Thyr with can still pressed to his lips. He slowly pulled the can away before he sighed. “Way to try and sidestep the question.”

Counselor Iven

“I answered it, nothing. They’re nothing. It’s nothing. Nothing to worry about.” If he had to say the word nothing again, he might punch something.

~ Thyr

“Uh huh.” Séan said with a look that implied he totally didn’t believe Thyr.

Counselor Iven

“Glad we’ve cleared that up,” Shivan said, ignoring the disbelief in Séan’s tone.

~ Thyr

Séan cracked a wry grin. “You sure seem to have a funny way of wanting to avoid something but putting zero effort into the attempt. But seriously, what’s up with the injuries? I doubt you’ve even left your place.”

Counselor Iven

Shivan shrugged. “So how could I get looking like this in my own apartment? You tell me.”

~ Thyr

Séan looked at Thyr for a moment as he contemplated whether he should actually answer that. That was the difficulty of having two unconventional patients that knew each other; it was difficult to know what was common knowledge to both of them and not accidentally break their confidence or patient privacy privilege. He suspected Jezem had ‘tuned up’ Thyr for what was likely perceived as a foolish and risky venture. “I’m not exactly sure Thyr. How does anyone have a beating delivered to their doorstep?”

Counselor Iven

In reality, Jezem had done no such thing. Jezem’s actual reaction was what had sent Thyr to his old haunts… the bars. And that was where he received his likely more than one beating. “A lot of ways, actually, but that’s not what happened.”

~ Thyr

“Well you keep your secrets then.” Séan said in a nonchalant manner as he turned his attention back to the Orion soap opera. He didn’t have any linguistic skills so he had no idea what was being said but there were plenty of scantily clad males and females.

Counselor Iven

Shivan turned back to the soap. If Séan was expecting Shivan to speak up to fill the silence, it didn’t happen. He focused on the TV and kept his mouth shut.

~ Thyr

If Shivan was expecting Séan to keep pushing out of some need to know then he would be disappointed, or elated, when he let the topic drop and focused on the soap. He chuckled a couple times as he finished off the Andorian soda.

Counselor Iven

Most certainly elated. Shivan just let them sit in silence. He didn’t want to talk. He wanted to stew in a self destructive pool of despair.

~ Thyr

Séan couldn’t very well do or say nothing the entire time or otherwise why was he here? So he casually started a conversation from the fringes of what he wanted to talk about. “So how’s the stab wound? Are you still weeping and feverish?”

Counselor Iven

“Fine.” Shivan turned slightly so Séan could see it. It didn’t look great, definitely going to scar. It was healing, but his less than great choice of pass times was slowing it. It looked irritated and swollen, though he hadn’t managed to re open it. The auto suture had done a good job.

~ Thyr

Séan frowned as he reached a hand over to lightly palpate the wound. “You really should be resting more and not…” He motioned at all of the new bruises. “Aggravating things further.” He sighed as he took his hand back. “I shouldn’t harp on you too much since you did get stabbed helping me out, but by the same token your well-being is important to me to somewhat disregard the gratitude.”

Counselor Iven

Shivan tensed and held his breath while Séan touched it gently. When he stopped, Thyr turned back and sat back against the back of the sofa. “Don’t worry about it. I’ve been stabbed plenty. I’m happy knowing you owe me one and leave it at that. No gratitude necessary.”

~ Thyr

Séan shook his head and a hint of exasperation was heard in his voice. “That’s not what I meant and I’m pretty sure you know that.”

Counselor Iven

Shivan glanced at him, clearly confused. “What did you mean, then?”

~ Thyr

“I mean that as much as your help a few days again has me not wanting to pry into why you’re all banged up, the flipside of that is I can’t leave it alone because your wellbeing is important enough to me to set the gratitude aside.” Séan explained patiently.

Counselor Iven

Shivan nodded and then shrugged. “Pry all you like.” He said. “I wouldn’t expect you to not do that because I helped you.”

~ Thyr

“I’m glad we’re on the same page then.” Séan said with a grin. “So who roughed you up?”

Counselor Iven

“No one,” Thyr replied, glad things felt back to normal. “Now shut up and watch the show.”

~ Thyr

The show continued on for about ten minutes before Séan interjected. “That’s a load of shit. That no one roughed you up I mean.”

Counselor Iven

“Sure, it is. Doesn’t mean I’m gonna change my answer.” Thyr said, hiding a small grin.

~ Thyr

Séan shook his head. “At least you’re not denying it this time.” He sighed before shifting in his seat to face Thyr. “So I’m not going to make any progress on getting you to fess up so we can work on that?”

Counselor Iven

“Work on what? Going to bars? That needs worked on?” Thyr challenged.

~ Thyr

“Maybe?” Séan met the challenge head-on. “If the majority of the times you’re getting roughed up are at the bar then you really need to rethink your choices.”

Counselor Iven

“What if I’m doing exactly what I want to do?” Thyr replied. “I’m fine.”

~ Thyr

“You’re fine getting beat up by other people? Really?” Séan asked with a bit of skepticism.

Counselor Iven

“Yep.” Thyr answered. “If I weren’t, you’d think I’d stop doing it.”

~ Thyr

“I don’t think that at all.” Séan said evenly. He knew, or at least was fairly certain, what it was that drew Thyr to getting into conflict. “I think you have a misplaced sense of self-worth that leads you to self destructive actions when someone, or even yourself, tells you that you screwed up. I’ve not known you before your ‘exile’ here but you clearly think you’re not worth the ‘effort’ people are putting in on your behalf. Jezem’s looking out for you and my trying to help in the best way I can come to mind.”

Counselor Iven

Séan was spot on correct, of course. “If that’s self destructive then it isn’t self destructive enough.” He commented. “Besides, that won’t be a problem anymore. Jezem’s finally done with me. Can’t tie my self worth to someone who’s tired of dealing with me.”

~ Thyr

Séan narrowed his eyes. He hadn’t seen Jezem since their cooking lesson and impromptu shopping/bargaining stroll through the market so he wasn’t current on how he was doing. “He said that? Explicitly?”

Counselor Iven

“Yep.” Thyr said flatly. “Wanna go ask him? Then maybe you’ll leave me alone about it.”

~ Thyr

“Hmm… perhaps he’s trying a drastic approach to snapping you out of the cycle.” Séan put on a thoughtful expression. He shook his head a moment later. “I don’t particularly want to get in the middle of you and him, no. Though I’m sure it will come up the next time we have a session. This is about you though. So I’m guessing you didn’t take that news well, went to the bar, and used other people and alcohol to punish yourself?”

Counselor Iven

Thyr rolled his eyes. “Whatever you want to think.” He commented with a shrug.

~ Thyr

Séan just looked at Thyr for a couple heartbeats before he sighed then shrugged. “Alright. I will think what I want if you’re not interested in correcting it. I just think it’s a bit sad that people will come to conclusions, whether it’s right or wrong, but your voice isn’t heard.”

Counselor Iven

“The only person who thinks that is you, because you’re the only one that bothers to care,” Thyr replied, waving him off. “So, no one else thinks that.”

~ Thyr

“Well of course I’m the only one who cares, if Jezem is truly done.” Séan laughed. “After coming here have you even attempted to befriend anyone? I’m guessing not since you are technically in hiding. How can you have anyone else care about you if they don’t even know you?”

Counselor Iven

“Revna knows me. Eryn.” Thyr replied defensively. “M’rajah too.”

~ Thyr

“Know you and friends with you are two very different things.” Séan rebutted. “Hell, I’m not sure if we’re even friends though I’d like to think we are. Our closeness came about because I forced my way in. Will you let Revna, Eryn, and M’rajah have the opportunity to get closer?”

Counselor Iven

“I don’t think I know what that means or how to do that.” Thyr said and shrugged. “What am I supposed to do? Be all vulnerable and sh…tuff?” He uttered an Orion curse word. “No thanks.”

~ Thyr

“Unless you’re open to someone to allow them to get to know you then you’ll merely be a stranger.” Séan shrugged in turn. “Only the kind hearted or those with an agenda would care about strangers and I have a feeling you wouldn’t trust either types.”

Counselor Iven

“Everyone has an agenda. Every ‘kind hearted’ person wants something and it’s only a matter of time till you find out what.” Thyr said with conviction. “So no, I can’t trust either.”

~ Thyr

“What is my agenda then?” Séan asked in turn.

Counselor Iven

“Don’t know yet. Illusion of power over someone? Need for control, maybe.” Thyr answered.

~ Thyr

“Please, if I needed that sort of power trip I would’ve gone into Intelligence or Security instead of counseling.” Séan lightly mocked. “There are much easier ways and more worthwhile people to try and control. But that aside, you admitted to my caring about you. While people who care can likewise have an agenda, the duality of people can be fascinating, I don’t want anything except getting to know you.”

Counselor Iven

“But why?” Thyr questioned. “To you I’m nobody. There’s no reason to get to know me unless you want something or have a motive.”

~ Thyr

“Curiosity.” Séan answered simply. “In a bar full of rough people you stood out like a sore thumb.”

Counselor Iven

“Please, please tell me how so I can make sure I don’t in the future.” Thyr replied. “I am a ‘rough person’.”

~ Thyr

Séan grinned for a moment. “Yeah but that’s the thing, While you may be a rough person you didn’t seem to believe you were a part of that crowd.”

Counselor Iven

“No? So our whole.... Whatever this is, is based on your mistakes?” Thyr asked, looking at him.

~ Thyr

“Mistakes? What do you mean?” Séan asked with some confusion.

Counselor Iven

“Well, if you thought I didn’t believe I was a part of that crowd, then you were wrong. Mistaken.” Thyr said. “I’m sure it happens.”

~ Thyr

“Oh, I see what you mean.” Séan said with realization after the explanation. He shook his head and chuckled. “But no, I’m not mistaken. Perhaps I wasn’t clear enough and that’s not your fault. I’m sure you do feel some sort of belonging with the people that were in the bar but I mean more like the caliber of them pale in comparison to who you used to associate with. Those folks may be criminals and thugs but not operatives for syndicates or intelligence units. It seemed to me you were there to escape the tedium that has become your life and while that’s the closest environment to where you thrived before it’s still not close enough.”

Counselor Iven

Thyr raised a brow. “So you picked the worst criminal in the joint and struck up a conversation because it would interest you? Are you sure we’re that different?”

~ Thyr

“I can be a bit adventurous and it was my first day on Oed so I was doing some exploring.” Séan said with a shrug. “Since you stood out from the rest you did pique my curiosity. When it became obvious that you were here using a cover identity that made me want to dig deeper. You’re not exactly an enigma of a person but you were far more interesting than most of my patients.”

Counselor Iven

“So we aren’t all that different,” Thyr repeated. “You did something stupidly dangerous because it was more interesting.”

~ Thyr

“Eh… the danger is debatable.” Séan joked with a big grin. “Besides I doubt you would have attacked me in a bar. Stalked me on my way home perhaps.”

Counselor Iven

“If I’d stalked you home, it would be to know where to case so I could kill you in your sleep.” Thyr stated, shrugging. “Which is really what I should’ve done. Lucky for you I didn’t.”

~ Thyr

“Oh by that point I would’ve been certain what your intentions were.” Séan nodded in agreement. “I did take a very roundabout way home and even used the Centurion’s transporter.”

Counselor Iven

“That just means you’re not an idiot.” Thyr said. “Blackmailing criminals isn’t the smartest thing to do.”

~ Thyr

“Neither is hanging out at a bar where the most likely people to recognize you would be there.” Séan pointed out with a grin.

Counselor Iven

“I was being self destructive.” Thyr replied as though it were obvious.

~ Thyr

“Well duh.” Séan said while maintaining his grin. “I said that almost ten minutes ago. I’m glad you’re admitting it now though.”

Counselor Iven

“You and talking people in circles!” Thyr hissed irritatedly. “Why do you do this?”

~ Thyr

Séan blinked at the sudden(though not really) irritation. “It’s like an interrogation without the use of force. I do it because you put up so many layers of half truths or deflections that the conversation has to circle around to get to the truth or at least how you feel things to be.”

Counselor Iven

Thyr scowled. “The layers are there for a reason. So what’s your point about why I might do certain things? Or are you going to lead me in more circles?”

~ Thyr

“I’m trying to help you introspect in a productive way.” Séan replied earnestly. “Any circles we go in are because you come back to points that are counter to recognizing what’s an issue.”

Counselor Iven

“Okay,” Thyr sighed, “Then what’s the issue this time?” He asked.

~ Thyr

“That throwing yourself into harm’s way is not an appropriate response to self-loathing.” Séan said softly. “You’ve got to learn a new coping method then going to get yourself beat on.”

Counselor Iven

“I don’t need a coping method.” Thyr replied. He didn’t believe he’d be around long enough for it to matter. With his ties to Jezem broken, it was best he turn himself over now. To avoid bringing harm to those who didn’t deserve it.

~ Thyr

Séan sat in silence for a few seconds as he thought about Thyr’s response. It was certainly on point as the other man’s behavior typically shunned reflection, self-correction, or help of any kind… but there was something more to it. “Why?” He asked simply.

Counselor Iven

“What do you mean, why? It’s pointless,” Thyr replied, shrugging, unwilling to give up his plans. If he told Séan, Séan would no doubt make it considerably harder to do. He would tell no one.

~ Thyr

“Don’t even give me that.” Séan retorted with an unimpressed look. “I certainly don’t have you all figured out but I’d like to think that I know you well enough to be aware of when you’re lying or withholding. This time you’re definitely holding something back.”

Counselor Iven

“What if it’s something I can’t tell you?” Thyr replied. “What if it risks your safety or your job?”

~ Thyr

“My knowledge of it or what I might do if I know?” Séan asked in a follow-up.

Counselor Iven

Thyr pondered for a moment. “Both,” he said. “But more the second.”

~ Thyr

Séan sighed. “My safety has already been at risk knowing you and having helped you. My career likewise since I asked you to help me find Lieutenant Mika. Luckily Starfleet has been busy with finding assassins of diplomats and hasn’t had the chance to probe deeply into what we did. So what’s a little more risk? I’m likely already in danger.”

Counselor Iven

“Nah, they won’t know anything.” Thyr said with a shrug. “A little more risk for the first reason? You’re right, no biggie, not much worse you can get at this point. But the second reason? No, I’m pretty sure I need to keep my mouth shut on this one.”

~ Thyr