(JP) Lt. Cmdr. Skyfire & (pnpc) Selamderen(alt) - Mental Challenges Part One

[Mark Swift]

(( Skyfire’s Quarters -- USS Gorkon))

::Selamderen flexed the arm. It was good as new. The doctor certainly knew his craft. He spent some time in mental preparation which wasn’t easy on a ship overloaded with crewmembers, but one could always find a quiet space if one looked hard enough. It had taken a bit of time on the new ship but he wasn’t noticed too much. He had found the officer in his quarters.::

Selamderen: Solitude is a luxury aboard any vessel.::Looking around and taking in the surroundings.::

::Chythar nodded faintly, as though he knew what was about to happen.::

Skyfire: You can find it, if you look hard enough. ::He had a seat on the couch and motioned for the Vulcan to join him.::

::Selamderen sat down. Still a bit rigid on the couch.::

Selamderen: I spent 5 years alone on a deserted  planet, now this ship crawling with people. A good trade off however.

:: As he sat down, CD managed a half-lotus position and attempted to relax. His muscles were tense, his mind still racing.::

Skyfire: I have had a little training in the past, so you’re aware.

Selamderen: Good. Do you have any questions before we get started? ::Started to breath a bit deeper and slowly letting out it out slowly. Closing and then opening his eyes, relaxing his body and his spirit.::

Skyfire: Just one. When we first met, what was it about me that caused you to notice my abilities?

Selamderen:When I bumped into you. It must of been the physical contact. It was a strong mental image that was transferred. A bit undisciplined or unfocused.::Nodding in the word ‘unfocused’:: Yes... unfocused. I have found the more focused one is, the more it will help in the long run.

::That wasn’t a surprise. The fact that Chythar still had trouble with his abilities was a daily challenge. When they went through the fissure, he was fortunate to have not received a concussion. It did still give him a headache, but then again pain medication was something he never wanted to rely on daily ever again. He took a breath and inhaled slowly, then let it out again.::

Skyfire: Okay. Guide me, oh wise sensei.

::He nodded. They drew in a another deep breath of air and let it out again.::

Selamderen: First is to clear your mind and relax a much as possible. Then with your permission I will do a mind meld. It will be a sharing of thoughts and my discipline with will aid you. Time isn’t a concern. So I will reach out to touch you in a few minutes or an hour when you are ready I will do it.

::Mind meld. Those words made his ears burn. He hated the fact that a single meld with Azin all those years ago was what started this. Every attempt he’d made subsequently to mind meld had always been either traumatic or necessary. The first time with Saveron, it nearly caused him to enter cardiac arrest. The second time, it was more controlled but was still a meld that necessitated shielding so he could reform his own.::

(( Flashback -- BioSciences Seminar Room, USS Invicta -- SD 239206.23 ))

::Raissa frowned slightly as she looked at CD. Now that her mind was quieter and calmer, it was easier to focus.::

Moonsong: CD… what are you trying to do?

Skyfire: Seeing how much I can pick up and rebuild shields, which suck.

Moonsong: I think you are trying to do things all at once. You need to practice patience too. Are you still feeling me? I mean beyond the general awareness?

Skyfire: Not at the same level I could before, no.

Moonsong: Then that is what you should feel. The carrier wave. The awareness of other minds without reading them. Nor am I reading you. I am aware of you, but I’m not reading your thoughts. ::Pause:: Are you picking up anything other than that?

Skyfire: You mean besides Saveron’s practiced calm and the fact you’ve finally calmed down? ::He took a breath.:: Nope.

Moonsong: You need to look at that as… ::She frowned slightly looking for the right term.:: Background noise. ::She paused again.:: But with your telepathy level still unstable, you will need to learn a different kind of shielding than what I tried to teach you. I think Saveron’s method might work for you.

Saveron: It is possible, however as with Raissa it would be a temporary solution only.

Skyfire: I don’t know, doc. Last time we tried that...it was a bit rough on both of us, remember?

Saveron: I have not forgotten. ::How could he forget?:: The choice is yours. I can only offer possible treatments. However your current state is not optimal.

::The doctor did have a point, and Chythar wasn’t really in a mental state to argue with him. Or Ris. Lest she smack him again for being stubborn like one of her brothers. With a rather weak nod, he extended his hand and let Saveron do what he needed to, and attempted to keep his memories to himself ::

Saveron: Do not anticipate trauma. ::He advised.::

::The contact was much shallower than the mind meld which they had used so that Chythar might show Saveron the source of his change and resulting trauma. This time the link was lighter, and briefer. Having already schooled his thoughts for the necessary transfer with Raissa, and knowing CD’s mind, it was a relatively quick process for Saveron to build the telepathic walls that he used, and then break the contact.::

::This time, the effects seemed fleeting. Like before, there was a brief flash in which Saveron saw the Romulan Embassy and the flash of Raissa’s question asking where everyone was. In that moment, she had managed to punch through his shields. This time, he was prepared for it and managed to take in a single breath.::

(( End Flashback ))

:: As the memory faded, the doctor gave a nod. He focused on Saveron’s words: “Do not anticipate trauma.” He began to breathe slowly as his new mentor had done, and did his best to try and relax. ::

::The old Vulcan put the location of quarters out of his mind and started to focus inwardly letting everything else fade away. Years of practice had been a good teacher.::

(( Mindscape -- Chythar’s Center ))

::The quiet hum of the ship fell away. There was nothing on this Terran jetti except a wooden table with a single white pillar candle and an incense burner with a stick of jasmine beside it. Alongside both objects was a single Bic lighter. Beneath them, the water lapped gently at the bottom of the cliff. The sky was a mixture of orange and purple, like a Terran sunset in Los Angeles. CD walked to the table and lit both, blowing on the incense to extinguish the flame but the stick continued to burn. For once, he was alone -- there was no sign of his alter-ego Stripey. That is, apart from the Vulcan, he was alone.::

Skyfire: ~This is my sanctuary. The air around us represents the shields I have built. My telepathy is shot, and my empathy continues to function.~

Selamderen ~It is not over. It just needs to be gathered it up from from the corners and put the pieces back  together. Help me gather them up. ~

::Chythar’s eyes closed and began to do as instructed, gathering his thoughts and from one corner of the jetty into the other.::

::WIth that he reached out his hand and put his hand to Chythar’s forehead, making the bond stronger. Suddenly the Vulcan had a window into his mind and the doc into his. The focus within Selamderen’s mind eased CD’s own tension, the walls of multi-lingual lettering strengthening as though the Vulcan was adding his own building blocks to the already-existing castle within. The images of the initial accident aboard the Excalibur which nearly killed him. The images of the shared meld with Saveron. The subsequent meld with the same Vulcan to gain temporary shielding. The disaster with Akee that shot his telepathy. Subsequent temporary shielding provided by Ambassador MacLaren. ::

::Selamderen sensed the tension, but with their joint capabilities they started to shore up the mind meld, making it stronger and giving strength to both of them, in which thoughts and memories intertwine together. He wasn’t there to change his thoughts but let him take and use his guidance to reinforce what the human had learned. He could sense important events, people, places and experiences that made and shaped this individual. The sense of time was transient and at some point he sensed that it was time to end it. Almost without thought he withdrew his hand and the deep connection was lost, but now they were each stronger in their own right because of it..::

::Selamderan opened his eyes and the hum of the ship was still there, but he felt at peace and looked over the the young officer. He nodded to him.::

::Chythar opened his eyes slowly and exhaled slowly, as though he just came off an adrenaline high. The castle walls within his mind were strengthened now, his mind seemed clearer. He didn’t know if his telepathy was restored or not, but something about what just happened made sense at a whole new level.::

Selamderan: You should rest....as should I. :: It had been a  long time since his last mind meld. He needed some private time to reflect as he was sure that CD could  benefit as well.::

Skyfire: We both should… ~Has this helped?~

Selamderan: ~It has. Interesting.~::He didn’t smile, but gave a wry look and raised an eye lid to give a vote of approval.::

TBC

JP

Lieutenant Commander Chythar Skyfire

Mission Specialist (OOC only)

USS Gorkon, NCC-82293

History Team Co-Facilitator

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