Lt Jg Karen Stendhal - Wait... Why he's running away from me now? Ohww...

[K4RN3 ST3NDHL4]

 

((Writer’s Room, Deck 8, USS Octavia E Butler))

Karen briefly reconsidered the USS Oumuamua, initially believing that was her new destination.

That ship with the name she couldn't pronounce had somehow been a stroke of luck; Octavia was much easier to say, even Butler was. But mamamauaua? Oh no, no way! That would have been a disaster!

In the meantime, Karen took another sip of her orzata. The areas where the ice cubes were melting were changing the flavor, but only slightly, making it milder in some parts.

Stendhal: (breaking the silence) May I ask who Caden Voss is? I randomly catched that name, sorry, but he must be important to you.

Herrick: He… oO It's still so hard to talk about him. Why can't I just move on?Oo"

Karen's lips trembled, for a moment it was as if she had slipped on ice and landed on her bottom with a resounding thud. She had made a faux pas, naively invading her new friend's privacy. Sometimes she forgot. On Betazed, it was perfectly normal to share thoughts with those around you, and so often she didn't think about it. It was helpful to her in her work, in the psychological counseling she did, or in the ambassadorial field, but socially it was a bit of a potential disaster!

Herrick: (starting again, somberly) He was… a good officer. He gave his life to protect me and my sister Em, and I owe him everything.

Some of her colleagues were very closed off and impenetrable, like a pane of glass. She recalled her experience with Alora, for instance. Alora had remained empathetically shielded, making it practically impossible to discern her thoughts.

With others, however, it was very easy to share thoughts. She felt that Josh was one of these people, but she didn't want to make him uncomfortable, especially there at the bar while they were having a drink to relax together after a difficult mission.

Stendhal: I'm sorry, I didn't mean to invade your privacy. Sometimes for us Betazoids, it's like having a normal conversation. It seemed to me that you wanted to talk about it  oO or think about it Oo together.

Herrick: (softening his tone) Don’t get me wrong counsellor, I don’t have any issues with Betazoids or telepaths. It’s just ::pointing to his head:: there’s always a lot going on in there and… sometimes I find it better to just leave it there than trying to unpack it.

Stendhal: Hey, if this stuff is bothering you, maybe we can chat about it? I might be able to help you ditch those thoughts for good?

She smiled at him.

Herrick: Perhaps, but all the same, I think this conversation is better suited for another venue and time. ::taking a final sip from his glass:: I did appreciate the company though; I’ll see you around.

oO Well done, Karen! You scared him off with your telepathic powers.

Well done, Karen! You made him run away with his tail between his legs, as usual! Just like usual! Oo

Karen waved at Josh with a sheepish grin. A bead of sweat trickled down her forehead, and she felt a bit embarrassed as she stared at her now almost empty glass. Even the orzata had deserted her in that crowded bar.

 

[ End Scene for Karen ]

((OOC I really enjoyed this SIM too Mark, thank you so much! You got a bit of the hidden Rachel Green out of Karen ;-) ))

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Lt Jg Karen Trisha Stendhal
Counselor  
USS Octavia E Butler

ID: C239604KS0
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