PNPC Provisional Crewman Vhysa'lia - Tell Me A Story
Lich
((Counselor’s Office - Deck 7, USS Artemis-A))
A little joke, and one that brought a miniscule wry twist to her smile. They’d not had the chance to meet the CMO properly yet, just one of his many doctors. But, she hoped that a small attempt at levity at his expense would be excused - and a way to break the ice.
Vhysa’lia: So, what brings you here today - aside from Commander Adea?
The joke didn’t land, or perhaps he was just embarrassed. His cheeks were flushed slightly, and Vhysa’lia dipped her head, as if she didn’t see his reaction. Best to just leave it be.
Kel: Commander Adea has cleared me fit to return to duty. I’m going to pick up some shifts while everyone else is on sick leave. But I mean…well I guess just because you’re not showing symptoms doesn’t mean there isn’t anything there, right?
Vhysa’lia: Exactly. I’m here to help work with you to figure out why you might not remember your assimilation, and if your memories do end up coming back, how to deal with any distress that comes with them. ::pause, light smile:: But I’m not trying to treat a symptom, I’m trying to help you.
Kel: Right, um, I suppose so.
He looked nervous, that much was evident. Solas kept fidgeting around, unable to remain still and relaxed. Was it them, was it the thought of being in therapy? Fear over remembering being part of the Collective? Fear over not? She wasn’t certain, but she needed to work with him to try and allay any of those fears.
Vhysa’lia: It’s fine to be nervous, Solas. Losing memories can be traumatic, even if said memories were potentially harmful to you. ::pause, setting down her PADD of notes on the desk, facedown, ready to focus entirely on him:: So, just to confirm, you truly have no memory of your time as a drone?
Kel: Well um, yes that’s right. I have no specific memories whatsoever of the time I spent as a drone. Commander Adea says this is highly unusual but I mean, well considering what the collective may have done on the ship, that’s a good thing isn’t it? Just the trauma of assimilation to unpack.
They nodded as he talked, he was right, in a way. If he was a new Kobali, they’d be ecstatic over his amnesia regarding time spent as a drone. But he wasn’t, and those memories might come back to haunt him. He was right and wrong, at the same time. The more pressing issue was that he did remember the assimilation.
Vhysa’lia: You’re correct; not being privy to what your body did when it was a part of the Collective may in fact be helpful, if unusual. ::pause:: But you do recall getting assimilated, as you said, and I think that might be a useful place to start. If you feel comfortable, I’d like to hear your story. What the assimilation was like for you - but don’t feel like you need to relive it. Go into as much detail as you’re comfortable with at this time.
Kel: Response
She nodded, listening to what he shared. They’d been spared much contact with the Borg, but they’d seen the devastation up close and personal both before leaving the Delta Quadrant as well as on the Kitty Hawk. This seemed… different.
Vhysa’lia: So the assimilation process for you wasn’t instant? I’ve been reading some more about others’ experiences with this… new sort of assimilation, and yours appears to be one of the outliers.
Kel: Response
Vhysa’lia: ::nodding, with a slight smile on her face:: I think that shows strong willpower, and sense of duty. Even when faced with something unknown and violating, like a sudden loss of control of your body, you were still able to focus yourself enough to try and combat it, saving the lives of the others in the room with you.
One of her goals when working with the new Kobali was to replace the narrative that they held in their memories of their deaths with one of their rebirths. Reframing what had happened in a more positive light, and emphasizing qualities of themselves that would help them in their new life was essential in helping them adapt. They were just tweaking this approach a little, trying to help bolster Solas’ confidence after the trauma of assimilation.
Kel: Response
Tags/TBC :)