Ensign Ragh and Cmdr. Katsim Peri- Health, Wellness, and Other Such Things

[Ryan Augustyn]

((Sickbay, USS OEB))

Every year, Peri had to go in for a checkup. This was nothing new. Even if she was in good health, Starfleet required it, and unlike most, she actually attended her required appointments. That was why the morning found her in the middle of sickbay. Upon arriving, she was escorted to a biobed and a privacy screen initiated by the computer. There she sat, her feet dangling over the side of the bed as she waited for the assigned doctor to come visit her. 

With nothing to do, Peri engaged her brain in thoughts. This, too, was nothing new. Most knew she was quiet, but her mind was far from it. If she wasn’t thinking about one thing, she was thinking about another. If she wasn’t pondering over the unique chemical makeup of a nebula they had just scanned, she was considering the latest results of the most recent spectral analysis data she had perused right before coming. Only the arrival of the doctor pulled her away from her thoughts, and her dark eyes lifted to fall upon the man who was also the newest of the medical team. 

Ragh: Commander Katsim Peri. ::Looking at his PADD:: For your annual physical? 

Nodding politely, Peri smiled, though only a little, a paltry thing, though it was polite in nature.  

Katsim: Yes sir. 

She confirmed who she was, even though he probably already knew. However, that was standard procedure in the medical field, even if they knew exactly who you were. 

She was one of Ragh's first ‘checkups’ since joining the crew. Thus far his services as doctor have been more of an emergent nature. It would be nice to do his job in a relaxed setting. He was also keen on meeting more of his crewmates. oO Remember your bedside manners. Oo

Ragh: If you’ll lay back for a moment, I am going to initiate the scan.

The biobed had a monitor at the foot of the bed which could provide a wealth of information on the patient. Data began to fill the screen. Ragh had read up on her file before her appointment and was surprised to learn she was, genetically speaking, mostly Bajoran. He mentally filed this away. 

Ragh: Preliminary scans look good. Blood pressure is slightly elevated but doesn’t seem to be a trend. ::types on his PADD:: You can sit up now.

The ridges upon Peri’s forehead deepened with confusion as she pushed herself up to a seated position. In the past, her check-ups had all been flawless, without any concerns what so ever. He was correct when he mentioned it wasn’t a trend.  

For all intents and purposes, for her gender, age, and genetic makeup she was healthy as could be. Ragh was satisfied with the information the biobed could provide him, but he had a few ‘hands on tests' he wanted to introduce. There are some things a computer simply couldn't do.

Ragh: If you don’t mind standing, I would like to assess your focus and balance. 

He could detect a hint of confusion on his patient’s face. This wasn’t part of the typical physical experience he knew, but he felt it could be of great benefit. She cast a glance at him, her hands hooked over the side of the biobed as she tried to ascertain the purpose of such tests. As if reading her mind, he answered her unspoken question.  

Ragh: Ah, this is something new I am trying. A bit of Klingon flair. Our bodies are more than just the physical shell we inhabit. We must also test the mind and spirit. It is simple really. I will do a short demonstration of the Klingon practice of Mok’bara. I simply ask that you return the demonstration. 

He hoped this approach wasn’t too new, but if he wished to serve all those aboard the Butler he must be confident in his abilities and knowledge.

Peri was familiar with Mok’bara although she had never participated in the art herself. During the Academy, she’d been far more focused on what she needed to do rather than extra curricular activities. Ayna had been the one to drag her away now and again.  

Katsim: Okay.

Ragh: Okay. Just a few movements.

Slipping off the bed, Peri stood, her back straight, her posture perfect. Her eyes settled upon Ragh, dark, unfathomable, and patient. He was her doctor, and if he wanted to perform some tests, she would comply - within reason. But she didn’t see that he had any reason not to be reasonable. 

Mostly the reason for this was to assess the patient for balance and any potential gait issues, but he also felt it was a fine way to introduce others to a practice he found to be of great benefit to his life.

Katsim: Okay.

Ragh: Follow along as best as you can.

With his feet planted, Ragh, with open hands, moved his arms in a slow, but deliberate arc-like manner. He gave time for her to repeat the movement. She did so, glad that Echo wasn’t there to dislodge from her shoulder. Since she didn’t expect to remain very long, Peri had left her back in the Science department in care of some of her officers, though Echo might have found some interest in the strange movements her Pet was doing.  

Ragh: Very good.

He made sure to pay close attention to her movements. He looked for unsteadiness, shaking, and even watched her breathing. 

He was staring at her, but not in a licentious way, but rather that steely, sharp gaze reserved for seeking out anything and everything that might indicate something wasn’t quite right.  

He moved into the next movement, his right foot stepping back, and his arms moving in opposite directions, before meeting in front himself. Satisfied, he stood back at attention, and gave a nod.

Ragh: That will be enough. Very well done, Commander. ::smiling, clearly very excited about the topic:: If you are interested, I hope to start a daily class.

She blinked at that, then realised that what he’d had her do was indeed very much like the practice of Mok’bara, which, she also noted, was similar to another type of practise from Earth - Tai chi.  

Katsim: A class? 

Ragh: Yes, call it a health initiative. ::Pause:: Unless you have any questions, I am finished with my assessment. I will update your chart today. 

Quickly, Peri shook her head. Unless there was something actually wrong, she didn’t have any questions. Except, as soon as she did the gesture, she paused and realised she did have one.  

Katsim: You said my blood pressure was elevated? 

Ragh: Only slightly. Nothing I would be particularly concerned about. 

Katsim: Do you know why?

Peri hadn’t shown any signs of that issue before, so why was it right then? Before coming, she hadn’t been doing anything strenuous, just engaged in her standard daily tasks in the science department. There were no disagreements, no disgruntled scientists. Perhaps that might change depending on the day and temper of those involved, but it had been rather calm and quiet lately.

Ragh: Could be any variety of reasons. I only have your records to go off, and this seemed to be an outlier. Maybe it was the presence of the new Klingon doctor, I heard he can be a bit scary. ::He laughs at his poor attempt at a joke.:: It isn’t unusual to have the occasional elevated reading, it is more when we see a trend that we start to see if there is an underlying cause. If you’d like, you can stop by at a later date and check up on things. In the meantime, I can do a deep dive on the data and see if there is anything worth following up on. But I wouldn’t be concerned, truly.

Ragh wondered if he maybe should have said less. It was one of his first casual patient experiences and he hadn’t quite got the hang of how to have a doctorly approach yet. He also didn’t fully know the crew yet. In fact, he remembered shamefully that he initially had a negative reaction when he met Commander Peri for the first time. Old, ingrained prejudices towards ‘Cardassians’.. It was a short-lived feeling, but even so, as a member of Starfleet and a doctor, he was working hard to be a more open minded Klingon. 

As for Peri herself, she didn’t find Ragh scary, though she was never inclined to launch into conversations with people without reason. It was thanks to people like Ayna, Alieth, and Wes who had taken that initiative and folded them into their lives that she managed to have the close friendships she’d had. One had turned into something more, something she was grateful for. But beyond that, she was still Peri, still quiet, and very much the minimalist when it came to dealing with people.  

Katsim: If you are not concerned, then I am not. 

Ragh: Of course. I didn’t mean to alarm you!

She wasn’t sure if ‘alarm was the right word, but Peri merely nodded at the doctor. Her appointment had come, she had arrived, and everything else was fine, so she would take that all at face value.  

Katsim: Am I dismissed? 

Ragh: Yes, that is it for today. Thank you for giving this new doctor a chance. Everyone has been very welcoming so far. 

Ragh hesitated for a moment, not sure if there was a time and place to for socializing when in ‘doctor mode,’ but asked anyways:

Ragh: Speaking as your shipmate, and not your doctor, perhaps one day we could talk together outside of the medbay. I admit it is taking me longer than I’d have liked to get to know more of the crew on a more personal basis.

That was exactly how she’d managed to actually have friends. Not one to take the initiative, it was others who had stepped forward and decided to try and do something more than a brief, passing conversation. Even so, Peri glanced around, as if she wasn’t sure if the doctor was speaking to her, or someone else. Thus far, they were the only ones in that section of sickbay, save for the devices which did little more than blink their lights and give off their soft whirls and trills. 

Katsim: Um. Sure. 

Ragh: Oh, good.

Katsim: Where? 

His invitation was a bit spur of the moment, so he wasn't quite prepared to elaborate the plan. Where indeed? 

There were all the usual haunts, though Peri didn’t normally go there except maybe for the lounge from time to time. Generally, she stuck to her quarters, though it was not unheard of for her to participate in events when invited - even if she wasn’t necessarily the life of the party. 

Ragh: Well, I will admit I hadn't thought that far ahead.. perhaps just a walk around the promenade of DS14. I've not really gotten off the ship much.

Katsim: When?

Those two questions sought to get information to determine a time that would work for both of them. If his matched hers, so be it. If not…well…that meant more conversation, didn’t it?

Again, he thought that he should probably have this figured out before asking.

Ragh: The day after tomorrow I am off duty.

She paused a moment and let her thoughts run through her schedule. That was not a time she had lessons with Wes, or anything else planned with him, and she wasn’t really known for making plans with anyone else. Except, there she was, in Sickbay, currently discussing a time to go walk around the promenade of Deep Space 14. She had a feeling Ayna and Rox would both be proud. Maybe Wes, too. 

Katsim: Okay. 

She paused again, then realised they still needed more details. 

Katsim: What time? 

Ragh: The afternoon, we could meet at 1400? If you're available. 

He was a Klingon and a doctor, so why was making a simple plan such a nerve-wracking ordeal for him? He had a friend or two amongst the crew, but otherwise he spent most of his time alone. This was not what he was typically accustomed to.

Briefly, Peri wondered what in the world they were going to talk about. He seemed nice, and generally she’d managed to collect friends because they were the ones who took the initiative. Still, she found herself feeling rather awkward, but maybe it would be good for her. Ayna would have said it was.  

Katsim: Okay.  

Ragh: Alright! Well then that's that.

Katsim: Right.  

Since they were docked at Deep Space 14, they didn’t need to take a shuttle, but could just transport over. What they would do after that…well, Peri was a little familiar with the space station, she could give a partial tour.  

Ragh: So I will see you tomorrow then? 

Katsim: Sure. See you soon. 

With that, Peri hopped down off the biobed and made her way out of sickbay. Going to Sickbay, she had merely expected a simple checkup as required by Starfleet at least once a year. Somehow, she had come out of that with a request to hang out with someone. She didn’t really receive that often. Peri had a feeling Wes was going to get a kick out of that.  

Ragh: (to himself) Better figure out what we're gonna talk about..

Though he had to admit to himself, he was putting himself out there and meeting his fellow crew and that was more than enough.

********

Ensign Ragh

Medical Officer 

USS Octavia E. Butler 

O240212R13

&

Commander Katsim Peri

Chief Science Officer

USS Octavia E. Butler

M239008AD0