Fit As A... Part II
Posted on Sat Dec 30th, 2023 @ 9:09pm by Lieutenant Vura & Lieutenant Junior Grade Sheldon Leonard PhD
Edited on on Tue Jan 2nd, 2024 @ 8:22pm
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 1330 hrs
Vura had to laugh at Sheldon's last statement. Rumors about her were far from uncommon. She was Deltan. She was used to being the center of attention. Between so few leaving Delta IV and pheromones, there was a complete recipe for gossip. She was far from surprised. "So, for you, love is just a matter of chemical attractions plus knowing someone? So what is to say that you cannot get to know someone on a first meeting and have love at first sight?" Vura seemed particularly amused by this conversation.
"You misunderstand. I'm saying that love at first sight is just pheromones," he replied, slightly irked that she failed to understand what he meant. "Real love takes time to develop and mature." She was also mildly amusing, in an academic way--and irritating in another. "Do all Deltans crave attention?" It was a legitimate question. He knew there was another Deltan on the ship, but he hadn't met her and so Vura was the only one he could honestly say he knew.
"Just pheromones.... Interesting. I would have to disagree with you. Were I to touch you, Sheldon, you would crave me like nothing else. Intercourse would risk your sanity. But my touch would be more like your premise - something causing lust. Love at first sight is different. It is a genuine feeling. Sure, lust can be confused for it, but just as often, it is true love."
She paused at the question regarding Deltans. "Do you think I crave attention?" She laughed sweetly, amused by Sheldon. "Is that why you're asking that question?"
"You flirt with half the people you meet. Of course you think love at first sight is common and lasting: you've been on board for two weeks and claim you have deep lasting friendships--and now you make a comment about touching me." He cocked his head to one side and asked. "You're the doctor. How would you diagnose someone who acted that way"?"
He was honestly curious. He saw her as someone who rushed into relationships because she was lonely or she was trying to make up for something, but he wasn't a counselor. He studied astrophysics and made conclusions based on his observations and the data from the computer and sensors. People were far more complex. In this, she was the specialist and he wanted to know what her objective opinion was.
"Now just wait a moment, Sheldon. You are misunderstanding or conflating things that I have told you. I did not say love at first sight was common or lasting. I said that it occurs and can be confused with lust or mere pheromones. As to my flirting, as you call it, this is nothing more than traditional Deltan niceties, and quite frankly, they're quite tame compared to what we would do back home. Sex is a common greeting. So, you're experiencing a lack of understanding or knowledge about my particular species, which is not unexpected, given how few Deltans ever leave home. As to deep friendships, why do you think that they cannot develop quickly? I suspect that it has a similar opinion to your lack of belief in love at first sight, that it takes a great deal of time. Why is that? And how much time do you believe is sufficient to meet your litmus tests? A week? A month? 6 months? A year? Something else?" The Deltan counselor bemusedly smirked at Sheldon.
"No, I am not familiar with Deltans. I do know they take an oath of celibacy and those who join Starfleet are supposed to abide by its rules like everyone else." He shrugged. "But, as I never expected to meet one. I never gave it much thought. No offense intended." He could only go off what she said, so she couldn't blame him if he didn't get what she intended. But then, people didn't always get what he meant, either. "A week is far too short a time to really know someone. A month, perhaps, if you spend a great deal of time together. But you should know that better than I do as you're the one who knows how people behave."
"I have met people who have met, instantly fall in love, and get married within a few months and live, as Terrans would say, happily ever after. I've met others who have lived together for seven years, professed to love each other, marry, and then divorce in a few months. Emotions and feelings just cannot be quantified, Sheldon. They're something else."
"It's work. Like anything, relationships take work. And time. The question is if you think the relationship is worth that time and effort or if you should expend it on something you consider more worthwhile."
Vura laughed pleasantly, realizing that Sheldon was not going to budge on his stubborn beliefs at this time. He would be a tough nut to crack and giving him a greater appreciation for emotions and social interactions was going to be a challenge, taking a great deal of time. She would just have to work with him where he was, which she thought might be quite the enjoyable experience. "I think we are quite off topic, regardless of how enjoyable the subject has been. Let's get back to you, Sheldon.... Have you met anyone that you would like to develop a more intense friendship with?"
"No. I'm quite happy with my life as it is, thank you very much." He had no idea why she was so focused on his relationships. That had nothing to do with his ability to do his job.
“I see,” Vura answered unsurprised. “There’s nothing that you wish to improve? Nothing you wish was better…? Just operating on inertia, then?”
Sheldon laughed. "You clearly don't know scientists very well. We're all learning. I'm a theoretical physicist. That means I work on theories and theories always need proving. Once you prove or disprove one, you move on to a new theory or to rethink your original premise."
"Interesting you say that, Sheldon, because that is exactly what I am working towards with you: reconsidering your premises."
He looked at her, confused. "I just said that I work with theories and premises."
"Indeed you did," Vura agreed. "You have several theories and premises regarding friendships, do you not? Perhaps we should test them?"
"I don't think that is within the parameters of a standard psychological assessment. That's why I'm here, not to find a girlfriend."
"I never asked you to find a girlfriend or to try and find one. However, what I am hearing is that you, as a scientist, are unwilling to test your theories. I wonder what Starfleet would think of a scientist that was so set in his mindset that he could not open his mind to finding new possibilities. If such a scientist could not discover new things because of his limited viewpoint, would Starfleet have much use for such a person?" Vura raised her eyebrows in Sheldon's direction with an amused smile.
"You're running off a false premise, counselor. In fact, you seem to have one particular tangent you follow over all others. Just because I don't happen to want to prove your particular thesis does not mean I am closed to considering others. I know you're Deltan, but not everyone is as hyper-focused on relationships as you are. I'm perfectly content to have good working relationships and look for ways to improve my performance at my job. If my department head is satisfied with me, why is that not enough for you?"
"I am not working off a false premise, Sheldon," she said leaning forward with a Cheshire grin. "I am merely responding to the words that you have chosen to use." She then shifted at an angle, continuing, "I am not your department head. My job is different than hers. My job is not only evaluating and assessing your work progress but your personal progress, as well."
"You, along with the doctor, are to ensure that I am fit for duty," he replied. "Not that I live up to your social standards." He was concerned that HER social standards were questionable at best. Was she truly fit to be a counselor? He would have to bring that up to his department head.
Vura laughed melodiously. "You have no idea what my social standards are, Sheldon. Quite frankly, I doubt you could handle a standard Deltan greeting." She shook her head. "Your avoidance is noted. I cannot force you to test your theories. For purposes of being on the ship, as long as you are not a threat to yourself or others or the ship, you are eligible to return to your duties. However, increasing your social aptitude would carry a great deal of benefits for your career, but I see that you do not wish to explore that potential." She shrugged apologetically.
"You're right. I don't want to explore that particular potential." He was glad she wasn't going to try and push the issue. Nor did he want to know what a Deltan greeting might entail. He was fairly certain he wouldn't like it. "Does this mean my evaluation is over?"
"It is," Vura admitted. "You're fit for duty. However, that is all that I can say," she replied solemnly. "If you wish to advance in your career, however.... To become a leader.... To do more than you are.... Well, that would likely require a good deal of work on your part that you have made clear that you are not willing to do. However, that is alright. Starfleet has a need for many lower level scientists to do rudimentary work." She exhaled with an apologetic sigh. Mentally, however, she hoped that Sheldon would take the bait. Whether he did was even odds at best.
"I'm perfectly happy where I am," he said, giving her a brief smile. He had no desire to be a leader. "Thank you, ma'am." And with that, he made a hasty retreat.
A Joint Post By
Lieutenant Vura
Chief Counselor, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant JG Sheldon Leonard
Theoretical Physicist, USS Pioneer
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