Posted by Civilian Revna Freya McKenzie (Resident) in Truancy isn’t Allowed

Posted by Lieutenant Tandra Mika (Chief Mental Health Officer) in Truancy isn’t Allowed

Posted by Civilian Revna Freya McKenzie (Resident) in Truancy isn’t Allowed
Posted by… suppressed (44) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Revna was used to people avoiding their appointments. It was a part of the healing and coping process with trauma. She let it go for a little over a week hoping that Tandra would reach out and tell Revna whatever the problem was. She hadn’t, so it was time for Revna to take things into her own hands. A quick check told her that Tandra was on light duty, no case load and spent the day in her office. So, Revna made her way towards Tandra’s office and asked the receptionist to tell Tandra that she was there to see her.

Revna, Lady McKenzie

Tandra showed up at the front desk shortly and smiled shyly. “Revna, hey…” She said awkwardly, trying to force a smile. She shouldn’t be missing appointments, she should be settin the example for others to follow. That was her job.

~ Mika, CMHO

“I had to come to the hospital today, so I thought I would come say hello,” Revna smiled. She could see the self doubt all over Tandra, but she would wait until they were alone to say anything. “Do you have time for a chat? I don’t want to interrupt.”

Revna, Lady McKenzie

Mika nodded. “Come to my office. I’m just working on some medical records and Fleet reports.” She said, and led Revna to her office. It was still set up for therapy, but no one had been in there since Mika’s attack. There were a few plush chairs in the middle of the room, the desk pushed back into the corner with a desk chair. Mika sat in one, then gestured for Revna to pick one.

~ Mika, CMHO

Revna sat down, leaning back relaxed. “I just wanted to see how you were doing. I know going back to work can be consuming and overwhelming.”

Revna, Lady McKenzie

“If I tried to take on more than my share, everyone in my department would have something to say about it,” Mika laughed. “I’m doing a lot of twiddling my thumbs, honestly.”

~ Mika, CMHO

Revna nodded, “It’s frustrating. I remember during my own recovery. I wanted to do more, just return to normal, and I couldn’t. How are you filling your time?”

Revna, Lady McKenzie

“Oh entertainment mostly, you know, reading, TV, movies. And my garden, of course. At home.” Mika shrugged.

~ Mika, CMHO

“A garden?” she asked and then her face lit up a bit, “You know, my brother-in-law is the conservation director. He’s got two huge bio domes set up where he is growing local Oedian flora and seeing how they interact with alien species. He’s always looking for volunteers to help. Maybe you could add that to your free time?”

Revna, Lady McKenzie

That really did sound like fun, but Mika smiled sadly. “I don’t know…” She was trying to think of an excuse, and absolutely nothing came to mind, so she just trailed off awkwardly.

~ Mika, CMHO

Revna saw the flash of interest and then how it disappeared. “What are you thinking?”

Revna, Lady McKenzie

“I- well, Sharah invited me to karaoke night, and I want to do that too, but… I’m not really going anywhere by myself yet. And I don’t want to put that responsibility of not leaving me on someone else.” She said.

~ Mika, CMHO

Revna nodded, “I understand that. I do. If you ever want, I’ll tell you about it.”

“Well, let’s look at the karaoke night. This is probably a public setting, lots of unknown people. Probably a bar of some sort. That’s a potentially uncomfortable setting without adding the rest?”

Revna, Lady McKenzie

Mika nodded. “Normally it wouldn’t be a problem to me.” She said softly.

~ Mika, CMHO

Revna nodded acknowledging that, “But would you go to something like this alone? Or would you, knowing it was safer, go with a group of friends? Especially to an unknown place for the first time?”

Revna, Lady McKenzie

“With a group of friends, of course,” Mika replied. “Or at least one other person.”

~ Mika, CMHO

“So that’s what is happening here? Correct.” It was a statement. “Sharah invited you to go. She’s going and would prefer to go with friends. In this case you all are looking out for each other. There is no need to ask for someone to go with you because they already are going, as a group, to be safe.”

Revna, Lady McKenzie

“But that’s different,” Mika protested. “There’s a difference between going with a friend and… not leaving my side not even to pee.”

~ Mika, CMHO

“True, but if it’s anything like me and my sisters, we even go to the bathroom in a pack. We always got picked on for it.” Revna smiled. “I’m sure things can be worked out to make you comfortable. What would you need to make it so you could go?”

Revna, Lady McKenzie

“I don’t know,” Mika said softly. “Nothing makes me feel safe.”

~ Mika, CMHO

Revna decided to change topics, “How are things in your quarters?”

Revna, Lady McKenzie

“They’re, umm…” She said it quietly, “I’m not sleeping there anymore.”

~ Mika, CMHO

Revna had expected that. Actually she thought different quarters would be best over all, but she wanted Tandra to make that request herself. “Where are you staying?”

Revna, Lady McKenzie

“With Séan.” Mika replied. “He… Well he does everything, really. He goes with me places, lets me stay at his place, takes me to and from here, for work.”

~ Mika, CMHO

“Are you happy with that arrangement? Do you feel safe with him?” Revna asked.

Revna, Lady McKenzie

“He’s the one who found me, Revna. He’s the one I feel most safe with.” Mika said. “I um.... He tried to pick me up and I… I freaked out. But he was so patient and forgiving. Even though I might’ve accidentally punched him a little.”

~ Mika, CMHO

“There is nothing wrong with that. I’m glad you have someone that makes you feel safe. Have you considered moving to different quarters? Maybe not now, right now you are somewhere you feel safe, but later,” Revna asked.

Revna, Lady McKenzie

“No, why would I do that?” Mika asked. This was why even therapists, needed therapists. It was the outside view that helped.

~ Mika, CMHO

“It can be symbolic of starting over, moving on, rising above what you’ve been through. It can also relieve you from having to walk and breathe in the space of your trauma every moment. A clean slate.”

Revna, Lady McKenzie

Mika nodded slowly. “I’ll think about it.” She said. “I feel like I was just barely settled in these quarters.”

~ Mika, CMHO

“You certainly can stay there, but don’t feel like you have to do so.” Revna considered her a moment. “How would you feel about going with me to my brother-in-laws dome for a session?”

Revna thought an outing would be good for Tandra, as long as it was controlled and safe. “I would come get you. We could take a shuttle or transporter. Me, you, him, and my sister? The dome is locked so no one can get in without permission. My brother-in-law, Seamus, is physically intimidating, but would keep you safe. He is our clan Marshall, and takes his duty seriously. Or, I can ask that it just be us.”

Revna, Lady McKenzie

Mika’s first thought was, without Séan? But the idea of being so hopelessly dependent on someone else repulsed her. She’d always been independent. She nodded. “Yes, I want to try that.”

~ Mika, CMHO

“Good. Is there anyone you would want to bring with you?” Revna was glad Tandra said yes. And she absolutely would guarantee her safety.

Revna, Lady McKenzie

Her will broke faster than a glass house in an earth quake. “Séan. Oooh, or Sharah.”

~ Mika, CMHO

Revna watched her carefully. “How about, Sharah. You told me once before that she helped with your garden?” Revna had no problem with Séan, but Tandra seemed upset with relying on him. Revna wanted to extend Tandra’s support circle. She also wanted Tandra to see she could go on an outing with Sharah and be safe.

Revna, Lady McKenzie

Mika nodded. “She did. Does. I’ll ask her.” She trusted Sarah, and she knew Sharah may not be as physically imposing as Séan but with her ability she’d never let anyone approach with ill intent.

~ Mika, CMHO

“Good. Let’s plan for next week. Now ” Revna leaned forward slightly, “tell me why you haven’t been coming to see me.”

Revna, Lady McKenzie

Mika looked immediately uncomfortable. “I… What? I mean, uhm....” Then she sighed and shook her head. “I wasn’t able to make it there.”

~ Mika, CMHO

Revna nodded, “That happens. Tell me why so we can make sure you will be able to.”

Revna, Lady McKenzie

“I couldn’t leave my quarters alone,” Mika said, voice soft like she had to force the words out. “I didn’t want to ask anyone to go with me.”

~ Mika, CMHO

Revna didn’t ask why. She understood. “Well for now, either we can meet here at your office, or I can make house calls. Will that work?”

Revna, Lady McKenzie

Mika nodded. She felt bad, making Revna go somewhere, even though it was illogical. After all, she’d done house calls for Eela. It wasn’t that unusual. “Yeah.”

~ Mika, CMHO

“Good.” Revna sat back, relaxed, “What have you been struggling most with? Is there anything you want to talk about right now?”

Revna, Lady McKenzie

“I want my independence back, my life. I’ve always been proudly able to take care of myself. It’s not that I never ask for help, but that I didn’t have to depend on other people. Now I can’t be alone or I get so scared, my stomach hurts, my hands shake, and I can’t focus.”

~ Mika, CMHO

Revna nodded, “Alright, then I want you to say yes to Sharah. Say yes, and go out. I assume we have time to talk about how to make that safe for you. You have brought this up many times, so I think it is time for you to take some of it back.”

“Do you leave your office by yourself, at all?”

Revna, Lady McKenzie

Mika nodded, “But only in the psychiatry wing, for short times.”

~ Mika, CMHO

“This week I want you to go to the cafeteria to eat lunch. Meet someone there. Let’s say Sharah. Comm her and tell her you are leaving, so she can meet you outside. But I want you to make the walk down on your own. If it is too much have her or Séan walk back with you. I want you to do this just one time and see what happens. You can call me any time for any reason.”

Revna, Lady McKenzie

Mika nodded. “Okay.” She would have to try. She just wasn’t sure if she could make herself do it. But she couldn’t stay with what made her comfortable, she knew, or she would never get better.

~ Mika, CMHO