Lt Jg Karen Stendhal - The Open Mind

[K4RN3 ST3NDHL4]

((Counsellor’s Office, Deck Five, USS Octavia E. Butler))

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…

Karen noticed his hand gesture towards the remnants of his Borg implants. A jolt of shock ran through her. She hadn't realized. oO Fifteen years... he must have been a Borg for most of his life! Oo
 
Xaivis: …this.

Stendhal: Are you okay with that? Would you like to discuss what happened?

He gave her a look that said, 'Really?'

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: Stay strong and don't worry, I'm confident I can deliver the speech.
You're going to do great! I believe in you!

Xaivis: It’s like waking up from a lucid dream…it took a long time to tell what was real…what was me…

Stendhal: I don't know if I can truly grasp what it's like to be in the hive. One of thousands, yet part of a coordinated dance with hundreds of others. But I can imagine...

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…

Karen paused, her gaze drawn to his dark green uniform, her curiosity piqued. Taking a sip of coffee, she grimaced. She decidedly preferred tea.

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: And how does one escape? How does one break free from this existence?
 
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: Yes, that makes perfect sense. Trill hosts share their consciousness with the symbiont, and the symbiont shares it with its previous hosts! It must be quite a lively experience!

Xaivis: ?

Stendhal: I imagine the joining Trill process must be fascinating. Do they share those milky baths with all the symbionts with you?

Xaivis: ?

Stendhal: Did that…spa treatment help you integrate with yourself? Sharing meditations with all the past personalities sounds…intense.
She smiled a bit thinking about a hypothetical Trill beauty spa.

Xaivis: ?

Stendhal: Being three-quarters Betazoid, telepathy is ingrained in our culture. Back home, we can share thoughts, but it's a far cry from what you might imagine. We retain our individuality, our own sense of self. Deep connections, however, are formed with a chosen few, often family, but especially with your Imzadi, your soulmate. In those bonds, a oneness forms, a unique understanding that transcends words.

Xaivis: ?

Stendhal: It varies a lot. With some people, it's effortless, like reading an open book. With others, it's like trying to break through a mental wall. You, for example, seem quite closed off to me telepathically.

Xaivis: ?

TBC

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Lt Jg Karen Trisha Stendhal
Counselor  
USS Octavia E Butler

ID: C239604KS0
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https://wiki.starbase118.net/wiki/index.php?title=Karen_Stendhal