2nd Lt. Jacen Xaivis “A Symptom Of Being Novan”
Jacen Xaivis
“A Symptom Of Being Novan”
((Counsellor’s Office, Deck Five, USS Octavia E. Butler))
Xaivis: Exactly, so it’s not exactly a thriving world…a lot of people work the land or are involved in the reclamation.
The counsellor poured out two cups of coffee and set hers to one side.
Stendhal: Sugar? Milk? I should add that milk would nullify the beneficial effects of coffee's antioxidants and also make it a bit indigestible, but many people like it with milk, right? After all, tastes are tastes.
Xaivis: Indeed, they are…it’s one of the things I’ve come to appreciate most again is my palate. I’ll take mine without, get the full flavour…although I don’t really think I need antioxidants.
She returned to her seat and handed him the cup; he took a long smell as he held it under his nose before taking a small sip. The bitterness mixed with some like chocolate notes and…was that…a hint of citrus lurking underneath? He’d have to get the blend number from her.
Stendhal: Do you miss your home planet, even if it’s mostly uninhabitable?
Xaivis: It’s been a long time since I was there…a little over fifteen years…ever since…
He waved his hand towards his obvious remaining ocular implants.
Xaivis: …this.
Stendhal: Are you okay with that? Would you like to discuss what happened?
He looked at her slightly quizzically.
Xaivis: ‘Like’ might be a strong word…but I’ve been encouraged to do so – it certainly helped during my rehabilitation at Gheryzan…although many don’t wish to hear what I have to say.
Stendhal: Response
Xaivis: It’s like waking up from a lucid dream…it took a long time to tell what was real…what was me…
Stendhal: Response
Xaivis: Well, it turns out you don’t need all the implants and the black leather look :: He looked at his own duty jacket:: although I’ve come to embrace that…
He paused.
Xaivis: But the forever tainted by nanites and plagued by visions and nightmares from the collective…that’s all true…but those aren’t the worst parts counsellor.
Stendhal: Response
Xaivis: The first is the silence…you share a collective consciousness. That’s why I was treated on Trill, they have specialists in these kinds of things…but you don’t even notice it until it’s gone.
Stendhal: Response
TBC
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2nd Lt. Jacen V. Xaivis
SFMC Officer