Arrival Part II
Posted on Sun Dec 24th, 2023 @ 4:35pm by Lieutenant Vura & Ensign Millicent Ambrose
Edited on on Sun Dec 24th, 2023 @ 10:01pm
0 words; about a 1 minute read
Mission:
Episode 15 - The Evil That Lies Beneath
Location: Chief Counselor's Office - Deck 5 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD001 0800 hrs
"When I woke up, I wasn't at the academy anymore. There was Alaric Thorton, my ex, seated upon a chair near the bed I was in. I was fully clothed, still in the same clothing I had on, when I had blacked out. He claimed that I had fainted and that someone had let him know I was ill. Out of the goodness of his heart, and since he cared for me, Alaric took it upon himself to help me get to feeling better. I did feel ill, a little bit dizzy. So, at that moment, I was grateful for his help." She sipped her water. "This probably sounds a little bit far-fetched doesn't it."
"Why do you say that?" Vura asked softly, curiously, and intensely.
"It's been said to me before, that couldn't have happened. Nothing like that could ever happen. Especially anywhere near Star Fleet Academy campus. I was told that I was just making up a good story to get attention." Milly replied. "I can understand someone thinking that. It is almost like something out of a book or even a movie. Just the fact that I told you this I can scarcely believe it myself. It happened though. It happened." Milly went silent to take a sip of her water.
"If it did not happen, you would not still be in Starfleet. Nobody stays here long when they lie or are delusional." She paused putting on the most stoic face she could manage and said, "A Vulcan might say, the deduction is logical."
Lowering her glass, Milly took a good long look at Vura, a corner of her mouth starting to rise. "What you say is logical in and of itself." The anxious look in her eyes started to fade away just a touch, then finished off the rest of her water and set the glass down. "It is something that I am trying not to dwell upon though. I am no longer his prisoner. He is no longer in my life. I did go through counseling, and the counselor did tell me when I go to my first assignment, to seek out the counselor. I did and I have a meltdown, and I feel so embarrassed by it."
"There is no reason to be embarrassed. It was a traumatic experience. The fact that you were cleared for service again is quite an accomplishment," Vura informed her definitively. "May I ask you some questions?" Without waiting, Vura cautiously probed, "How long ago was this? Have you been in a relationship since this incident?"
"Almost two years ago and no, I've not been in any relationship since then. I have tried and I tend to freeze up. Can't seem to go beyond the second or third date." She gave a wry chuckle. "It's progress, I used to not be able to go on a first date. I just well... made excuses and went on my way."
"The fact that you have gotten to a second or third date is rather impressive. Many people in your position would not even be there. May I ask, are these men that you are going on dates with or are there women as well?" Vura asked softly, as she leaned in more closely towards Milly.
"I went out with a couple of women, my counselor had suggested that I do so, but I found that I like men better. The dates turned out to be just two girls going out shopping, having dinner, and seeing a movie, that is all. Nothing romantic, I had no feelings, no attraction to the same gender as me. Granted the ladies were lovely, but I just am not attracted to them." Milly responded honestly. I think they were attracted to me, but I was honest with them letting them know I just was not interested in them in that capacity."
"That's good to know about yourself, though. Because attraction is a very individual thing. Can you tell me what it is about the second or third date that is causing your breakdown?"
"I just can't seem to go any further than that, I do not know why. Afraid to get more invested with anyone further than that, maybe? Would they become fixated with me? Would they try to control me?" Milly slumped back in her chair. I even have trouble in getting close to anyone, to be friends. I've been feeling like that as well.." her voice faded away and gave a scrutinizing look at Vura. "Why am I telling you all this? Most times the counselor seems to have to dig this out of me."
"I can't answer why you're telling me this as opposed to others. That's something that only you can answer for yourself," Vura replied with an apologetic shrug and sweet smile. "What I can tell you is that you're not alone and that building trust takes time, not only on your part, but on the person who you wish to have your trust. If you perservere, it is worth it. What I propose, Milly, is that I act as your objective conscience. Right now, it is very obvious that you do not trust yourself to make decisions, especially where interpersonal relationships are concerned. So, what I would like you to do, is start going about your normal routines and whenever you want to try and become friends or something more with a person, or you think someone wants to do it with you, run it by me. We'll talk about it and then we will decide whether your thoughts and feelings are matching. How does that sound?"
Milly slowly nodded, "and maybe I can repair my friendship with those I left behind? I am twisted all in knots, and you are right I don't trust myself on certain matters. What you are suggesting doesn't sound too bad, and maybe it will work. I hope so." She gave the counselor a nervous smile.
"You won't know if you don't try," Vura answered sweetly. "And what do you have to lose? Besides, I think that starting with your estranged friends might even be the best place to start. They're probably wondering what happened just as much as you are concerned with talking to them. If you can rebuild those friendships, then you're more likely to succeed with new people in the future."
"It will be awkward, as they were partly instrumental in my getting away from him. Just..." she drew in a deep breath then let it out slowly, I got mad with one of them said, "I told you so one too many times. I already acknowledged that." Milly looked around the sterile room, then back to Vura. "I should be going, since it is probably time for your next appointment. Thank you for listening to me."
"Don't concern yourself about my other clients. I'm here for you. And, we still will have to do your fitness exam before you are permanently assigned to duty shifts. So, this is what we are going to do. We're going to set another appointment for you tomorrow. We will have extra time in the appointment so I can do your psychological evaluation. I also will take down my painting that triggered you during your appointment. Do you have any idea of what your duty schedule is or will be?"
"Well...I've not reported in with the department head as of yet. And sure, tomorrow sounds good. I probably should report in to the department head very soon. You are the first person I came to see. Once I report in, I'll find out what my shifts are," she replied, rubbing the palms of her hands over her pant legs, feeling some moisture there.
Vura noted the gesture but said nothing, smiling all the while. "Well, I'm very glad that you came to see me. I look forward to hearing from you as soon as you report into your department head. And what department was that again? Did you tell me?" Vura asked concerned that she forgot something.
Milly looked up sharply. She hadn't mentioned where she was going to serve. "Oh! I forgot to say where I was going to be working at. I will be in engineering, oh gosh I am sorry for that." She stopped rubbing the palms of her hands against her pants. "Yes, engineering personnel, where machinery can at times be easier to understand than people," she quipped.
"Engineering?" Vura smiled hard, biting her tongue to stop from laughing. Her and Ensign Connor Turner were definitely going to be quite the pair. One who could not look at women and Milly who could barely trust anyone to talk to them or build any relationship whatsoever. Vura made a mental note to check on those two at some point, if for no other reason that the experience of seeing such discomfort. She did not relish anyone suffering but at a professional level, this was high level humor.
"I have heard more than one engineer say the same thing about machinery or computers being easier to understand than people." That's a great way to skirt patient-counselor confidentiality. You know you're referring to Connor Turner, Vura, she humored herself. "That does remind me that I have not met yet with your Chief, Lieutenant Diari. I shall have to do that at some point. Just remember, that nothing you tell me will be told to her, in case you are concerned. Everything you tell me here is confidential and stays that way unless you're a threat to yourself, someone else, or the ship."
Milly's eyes turned as large as saucers, "Wait, can I be termed a threat?" Her eyebrows raised upwards to where they almost disappeared beneath her strands of magenta colored hair.
"If your other counselors thought you were a threat, you would not be here," Vura reassured her. "But there are people who become suicidal or may threaten other crew members or the like. Why do you think that doctors and counselors have the ability to remove a captain? It is permitted when they become a threat to themselves, the crew, or the ship. It happens extremely rarely and you should not concern yourself with any worries about that."
Milly gave a nod. "Okay, that is true." She closed her eyes for a moment as if to center herself. "I get worried nowadays. I wonder where my devil may care attitude went. Ready to take on the world, the universe, someone out to have a bit of fun. I shouldn't let what happened to me, affect me. I am stronger than that. I know I am." Her eyes flashed open. "So, tomorrow, we have an appointment?"
"At a time before or after your shift," Vura confirmed. "Just send me or Nina a message or call over the comm so I can make certain to tell you when we will meet."
"Okay thank you, I'll make certain to do so." Milly getting ready to leave the office. "Thank you again, Lieutenant Vura, you have been most kind. I do appreciate that." Milly replied.
"Vura, just Vura, please. And, you're most welcome. I am here to help." Kindly reiterating Milly's need to contact her, Vura continued. "I will be looking forward to your call when you have your duty schedule sorted."
"Okay, Vura, I will see you sometime tomorrow then" Milly responded.
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant Vura
Chief Counselor, USS Pioneer
Ensign Millicent Ambrose
Engineering Officer, USS Pioneer
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