[JP] Lt. JG D'Cyra Varati /Lt. Layla Nevark - Everything is fine
D'Cyra Varati
((Lt. Nevark’s counselling office, CCC, Medical Center, Amity Outpost))
Today she hadn't dressed unusually. No tight black dress and no semi-transparent tights with designer patterns. Just ordinary, in fact. She didn't want to make or reinforce any unusual impression.
And don't turn chairs upside down and then sit on them the wrong way around.
D’Cyra actually had to laugh at herself when she thought about the first counselling appointment and her behavior.
Varati: ::to herself:: Cyri, you silly goose!
Instinctively, she turned around and only now noticed that Lt. Nevark had already entered the office.
Varati: Oh! … Hello! Sorry, I didn’t recognize that you had entered the room. And no, I don't usually talk to myself.
Nevark: ::Smiling:: You’re fine. What brings you here today?
D’Cyra grinned exaggeratedly, so as not to give the wrong impression again.
Varati: I thought I'd drop by again. Just a quick update. Our last conversation was indeed very enlightening.
Nevark: Well I am glad to hear that. Has it made a difference coming to see me?
It had taken a considerable amount of effort for her to even go to a counselling session again. D’Cyra had difficulty hiding her feelings, but talking about them with a stranger was a completely different matter.
Varati: Thanks for asking. Yes, I've been doing well so far.
Nevark: That's good, it can be tough to make progress but it's so good when it happens. With everything we spoke about last time is there anything you found particularly helpful?
The task she had been given had actually made her realize that she focused far too often on things over which she had no influence and, above all, for which she was not responsible.
Varati: I have indeed thought a lot about the circle of responsibility. - I had to remind myself of that several times, especially during our last mission. It's not so easy to break a habit like that.
Nevark: ::gesturing to the seating options:: Do you want to take a seat and talk about that?
She stood around in the office like a lost and found item. That must have looked just as ridiculous as contorting herself in some sort of way on the chair.
Varati: Oh, thank you... Yes, that's ultimately thanks to you.
D’Cyra carefully pulled out one of the chairs and sat down with deliberate care and order.
Varati: Well, during a mission, many situations arise where you would ideally like to act in three places at once. - Well, at least I do. - Well, I did that once too, again...But I also immediately realized that it really wasn't my job to steer the ship in an extreme situation when we have excellent people on board for that. I hope this "I have to help" feeling will gradually subside over time.
Layla nodded as she listened.
Nevark: I think the first thing to remember with anything like this is that it takes time and practice. Some people will find this easier than others and others will need to actively think about it for the rest of their lives. Struggling to start doing this isn’t a concern.
D’Cyra fervently hoped it wouldn't last a lifetime. She didn't want to be responsible for everything and everyone...
Varati: It's not easy, but I'm learning. You have to start somewhere… I have to start somewhere.
D’Cyra forced a smile, but it was hardly convincing.
Nevark: The start is often the hardest part. But once you start it's so important to keep going. Sometimes there are reasons behind our behaviour. Things we have learnt that lead to them. Relearning those can be hard, especially when strong emotions are attached to them.
So D’Cyra started fidgeting restlessly again. At boarding school, she had always been reprimanded for this, because it was somehow seen as a sign of weakness and lack of concentration.
Varati: Could... so could it be that... that there's another trigger for this? I think you have the necessary training and knowledge to be able to assess something like this?
Layla paused before she answered, clearly unintentionally, she had hit on something here for D’Cyra, she gave her the space to process the questions she had asked before she answered.
Nevark: I have worked to try and help people. Be that understanding and finding their triggers, be that working on managing them or working on challenging why they are triggers. It’s not always an easy process because we don’t always know what our triggers are or why they are triggers to begin with.
Varati: When you reflect on yourself and your actions, you somehow come up with such thoughts…
And she skillfully avoided Layla's gaze, she realized herself. Her eyes darted hastily around the counselor's office, searching for a point of contact.
Layla noticed the avoidance of eye contact and reduced her focus on D’Cyra’s face to try and ease the atmosphere for her.
Varati: You have a nice "craft corner" there. Do people use it often?
Avoidance Layla noted. Whatever they had just touched on was raw and D’Cyra wasn’t ready to talk about and she really wasn’t sure they had time to talk about it right now either. Layla internally cursed but kept her tone light.
Nevark: Yes, a few people. Some adults, some children. Different people find it easier to express themselves through different ways. I want people to explore what works for them so we can have a productive counsellor - client relationship.
D’Cyra heard footsteps and voices outside and took this as a good reason to flee for the moment.
Varati: Oh, I think our time is already up? I only asked for a short feedback session, not a whole meeting.
Layla nodded and offered D’Cyra a soft smile.
Nevark: Well I am glad that things are going well for you. But yes it looks like that is our time for right now.
Layla wished it wasn’t. Clearly they had just hit the tip of an iceberg but Layla knew she would have to wait for D’Cyra to feel comfortable about opening up about it all.
One careless remark and she felt hot and cold all at once. No further thought was needed. D’Cyra immediately felt the heat on her cheeks, arms, torso, and down to her toes. This surge of heat was instantly replaced by an icy shiver that spread down her spine.
Varati: Yes... yes... everything is fine. It's probably like you said: everything takes time. ::pause:: And I think I've already taken up more than enough of your time today.
Nevark: I’m here whenever you need me ok?
This sentence was more than a normal statement or question. But it was meant sincerely, she had no doubt about that.
She just wanted to give feedback and thank Lt Nevark for the effort she had made. And not bring up another topic from the past.
D’Cyra wanted to be honest because there was no reason for secrecy. Or so she thought. But she needed time for this too.
Varati: Some time, yes... It's good to know that someone is there. Someone who listens and can sort things out from a neutral perspective. Oh dear, I'm just talking about time... I think for the moment I should put my thoughts aside and make a new appointment.
Layla smiled again.
Nevark: Well we will see each other soon be it here or around the outpost I am sure.
Varati: I think so too. Thank you very much. ::smiles:: Until next time.
End of Scene
Lt Layla Nevark
Counselling
Amity Outpost
V239604CV0