[Paradise-IV] 961221.01 JL - Two Counselors (Cmdr T. Blake, XO; aLtJG Jobel Lox, counselor)

[Paradise-IV Logs]

[Medical Facility]

 

The door to the room shut behind Justin and Toby helped himself to a stool, “I will understand if you’d rather someone else to counsel you and help you with all that’s happened, but I suspect you will find those willing to believe it really happened to be quite hard to find. I have, amid my duties as a First Officer on the Vimy Ridge, kept up on my education so I am still a qualified therapist, though I usually only help friends.” He paused for a moment and watched the trill, “On the other hand, I really do need to hear your side of the story of what happened.”

 

"What do you wish to know?  Simply, I failed as a counsellor to believe in my patient." Jobel winced as he adjusted himself.  His body still hurt.  "I ... this other reality does confuse things."

 

It was evident that the Trill's head was swimming in memories, both of this reality and the other.  He was desperately trying to sort them out, and if it wasn't for his own training in Counselling he probably would have drowned by now.

 

Before asking the questions, Toby used a bit of water to wet his fingers then drew them across Jobel’s brow, slowly. Then he leaned in to blow across the water. Just enough to give Jobel something else to anchor to, to focus on. “Gently, take it easy, focus on what you know. Focus on the core of yourself, that which you know is you and draw upon its strength to help you sort through the memories, and it can help you with the Lox symbiote, so that he does not consume you.” Toby’s voice was soft and hypnotic, to help with the relaxation/meditation technique, and to help guide his fellow counselor to a more stable bit of sanity. He watched for a moment and then nodded, “That should help. I’d like to know whether Vincent was showing any signs of having episodes again before your attempts at hypnotic regression. I also need to know exactly what happened prior to his attacking you and after. As for failing your patient… At least you never locked him up, others might have.”

 

"I tried to, Starfleet administration ignored me.  I am only a Lieutenant Junior Grade that has mainly worked at Trill or Earth facilities, he is a decorated Captain.  I didn't stand much of a chance of having him locked up." There was still anger and bitterness over this matter in Jobel but at the same time it was tempered by the sorrow for not believing... when it comes to counselling, it doesn't matter if it is real or not... what matters is that it is real to them.

 

The was a pause, a reconciliation occurred between Jobel and the Lox symbiote, the combination of the two could occur on some level and that was the anger, the darker side of Jobel.  But the combination of the two was not complete, the two would have to become one whole.  An understanding though was beginning.

 

During this time Jobel was still thinking, on everything Toby had said, and working out his answers for it.  The former Counsellor now Executive Officer of Paradise would have to be patient. "When it comes to episodes, no... not that I could really tell.  I didn't see the original episodes to know in the first place.  But Vincent was at a calm point in his life, nearing the calmest I have seen him since I was treating him. He was moving on with his life and ... well I didn't really need to push."

 

Again frustration, anger... more emotions that the symbiont could connect with.  But an amazing thing was happening that now the symbiont was worried about.  It appeared the stronger personality here was Jobel, and he was now threatening to overwhelm him, the Lox.  The one who had been in Keles and fought to protect the Trill symbionts, the entire race to survive... the one who had been in Sain and collaborated with the humans to ensure the Trill race for survival.  Survival, that was the common theme with this Lox.  Do what was necessary to survive.  If it meant allowing to combine with Jobel, then it had to be... it's just that this Jobel is so different from the other.  Stronger, more resolute, and too used to working as an individual.  But survival... yes.

 

Jobel paused, he noticed the shift inside himself.  For him to emerge as new, he realised that he had to embrace his darker nature.  But he was now coming to realise that he still had control.  If he had to be darker, then so be it... but be darker for the right reasons.  Be that type of person who would do anything to right the wrongs... anything that was necessary.  He could feel himself grow stronger, more confident than ever before.

 

"Commander, I do recall something though, somewhere between the metronome and being seemingly in the dream myself.  A spatial variance, some sort of shift.  I think could have passed unnoticed by most, but us joined Trills would have noticed...

 

This confused Jobel, did this mean that Lox joined him at the start of the dream?... possibly.  The shift was felt only by the symbiont.. not any of its hosts....

 

Reaching up to pet the lizard wrapped around his neck, Toby listened to Jobel, and let him take his time noticing the way the two were starting to join as well. “A spatial variance?” He nodded, and didn’t even bother to ask why Justin hadn’t sensed it, “Alright I’ll let sciences know. That could do it, and for the record counselor, if our places had been reversed I’m sure I would have tried to do the same. Then I had my own run in with alternate realities, slightly different, but it changes the perspective. I am also happy to sense that you and Lox are blending.”

 

He paused for a moment, “If you… don’t need me to be an understanding and confidential ear, I will go let the others know what you… Lox, sensed.” He nodded at something murmured gave the counselor a reassuring smile and then hurried off with a promise to return once he notified sciences of the spatial variance.

 

____________________________________________

 

Cmdr Tobias “Toby” Blake

XO

 

aLtJG Jobel Lox

Counselor