Ensign Lyara Alroyo - Ripping Off the Band-Aid
Lyara Alroyo
((Counselor’s Office - Deck 7, USS Artemis-A))
A shoreleave at Risa, and the first thing Alroyo did was schedule a counseling appointment. There were other ways of undwinding she’d rather partake in on the pleasure planet, but a stable mind came with a stable heart. And after everything in her first few missions, Prophets knew she needed a stable mind at that moment.
It wasn’t like she avoided therapy like many officers unhealthily did. If anything, she has had her fair share of therapy. She’d been in and out of therapy for a while during her transition, and another plethora of feelings she navigated during her teenage and early adult years.
But, her recent mission had left her shaken enough she thought about going to see a counselor for the first time in a few years. After a recommendation from the good doctor Gila, she scheduled an appointment with the first counselor available. Sadly, Risa had to wait.
She took a deep breath and rang the counselor’s door.
Vhysa’lia: Enter!
The door slid open revealing the Kobali counselor that stood to greet her. Alroyo entered the office and offered a friendly smile.
Lyara: Hiya! I hope I'm not too late, it’s great to see ya’.
Vhysa’lia motioned to the open seat with a nod.
Vhysa’lia: I don’t believe we’ve had the chance to meet yet, ensign. My name is Vhysa’lia. I’ll respond to that, or Counselor, whichever you prefer. ::glancing at her PADD to ensure that she was recalling the name correctly:: Lyara Alroyo, correct? If I recall ::slight pause:: your species’ naming convention has your personal name following your family name?
Alroyo made herself comfortable in the chair as she looked at the counselor and gave her a bright smile. Not many officers had confirmed with her about her name, and usually just allowed themselves to make the mistake and correct it.
Lyara: Well it’s very nice to meet you Vhysa’lia. Thank you for checkin’ wirth me on my name.
Vhysa’lia: ::nodding, before sitting down across from her:: Thank you, I’ve worked with another Bajoran aboard this ship, but I wanted to make sure… What would you prefer I address you as?
And she asked which name she preferred? This counselor was starting to look like the whole luxury package. It helped her put aside any reservations she had about attending a session.
Lyara: You can call me Alroyo since we’ll be gettin’ familiar.
oO Nothing more familiar then talking about my emotions Oo
The counselor jotted down a note then placed her PADD face down on the table. Strangely, that felt as if a way to signal that she would give Alroyo her full attention and nothing but.
Vhysa’lia: So, you noted that you wanted to talk with someone in counseling about your recent mission… I’d like to hear more from you about your experience, and what exactly’s been troubling you regarding your encounter with the Suliban?
There was a human expression her stepfather would use for this. Ripping off the band-aid, metaphorically speaking of course. Alroyo shockingly hadn’t obtained any wounds during the mission minus a hurt pride from faking a fall.
She took a deep breath and allowed herself to dredge up the leftover shame that still stung within her.
Lyara: Well, as you know, on the mission we encountered some Suliban and they had taken us hostage. Of course that was a little terrifyin’ but we can touch back on that later honestly if that’s ok with you?
Vhysa’lia: Response
Alroyo nodded in confirmation then resumed her ramble.
Lyara: After bein’ transported to the Bird-of-Prey and a brief firefight we found out they were surrenderin’. Of course, I was eager to storm the bridge and take it back, but then Maular sounded out over the Comms. It was revealed to us that they were actin’ out in desperation, they did it to secure their own future, and I played a part in stoppin’ that. And I feel like crap doin’ that to them.
She stared forward for a moment, that feeling of shame flared up inside her again. When she thought about it, the shame felt almost unbearable, but now that she had vocalized it felt worse than anything the Pah-Wraiths could inflict on her.
Vhysa’lia: Response
Lyara: To be completely honest, I found myself agreein’ with his actions. I saw it the same way I saw the things resistance members did way back when. They did it because they had nothin’ else they could. And as a Bajoran, it felt wrong goin' against them when they needed help.
Vhysa’lia: Response
Tags/Tbc
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Ensign Lyara Alroyo
Helm/Operations Officer
USS Artemis-A
D240108LA4