Lieutenant JG Renaie Shortrith - An Invitation
Renaie Shortrith
((Counselling Suites, Deck 10, USS Ronin))
Taj’el: Elaboration… I see.
Renaie watched the Vulcan exhale before speaking again.
Taj’el: Then… may I ask you to elaborate about yourself? Ah, more specific questions. ::pause:: Perhaps, why did you choose to become a doctor, more specifically, a counselor?
Renaie took a second to process the question, surprised at being asked.
Shortrith: When I was growing up, I found myself getting injured often - broken bones, sprained ankles, you name it. I'd always had positive experiences with the doctors who treated me so I followed the same path to pay it forward to someone else.
Taj’el: Understood. I have observed that the question of why one joins Starfleet is often considered surprisingly personal. Please forgive me if this inquiry was similarly… intrusive.
Shortrith: No, no, no, it's fine, it's a fair question. May I ask what brought you into medicine?
Taj’el: Reciprocation… I see. I have a background in the sciences and chose to evaluate whether medicine would be a more suitable path. Upon joining Starfleet, I transitioned into medical studies after several years at the Vulcan Science Academy.
Shortrith: ::genuinely:: Interesting.
Looking around, Taj’el assessed that the interaction had begun to resemble a counseling session. If the objective was general communication rather than formal evaluation, it might be more appropriate to conduct the discussion in a different setting. Recent interactions with Doctor Saa may have influenced this perception, yet the conclusion remained that remaining seated in the current room for this type of exchange did not appear optimal.
Renaie noticed Taj’el glance around, and wondered what they were going to say.
Taj’el: Should we perhaps walk? It may help prevent this from feeling clinical… or overly formal, like work.
Shortrith: That sounds like a good idea. I've been meaning to go down to Lumina Coves at some point, would that interest you?
Taj’el: Lumina Coves? Yes, I did have some interest in visiting that site.
Shortrith: Shall we go?
Taj’el: Very well. Let us proceed.
((Short Timeskip - Lumina Coves Ecological Retreat, Lolagi IV))
After travel down to the planet, Renaie turned back to Taj’el to make sure they were okay. They offered a gentle smile.
Sunlight filtered through the leaves, weaving shadows on the ground through the glassy ceiling.
Shortrith: What do you think? Is this better for the conversation?
Taj’el: It is aesthetically pleasing here. This environment appears more suitable for amicable conversation.
Renaie noticed the fellow doctor's gloved hands and gave a curious head tilt, but continued with the previous topic.
Shortrith: What's on your mind?
Taj’el: You were tall, attentive, and agreeable in your presence. It was logical that you would be a source of comfort to many.
Renaie smiled at those words. oO I'm doing something right, then. Oo
Shortrith: Thank you! I try my best to come off supportive for others, especially in vulnerable moments.
They carefully balanced between stepping stones, glancing between trees as a wave of teenage nostalgia of previously being outdoors in foliage like this.
Taj’el: I admit, I tended to keep most individuals at arm’s length. However, you made conversation comparatively easy. I concluded that my hesitation stemmed from a desire not to ‘err.’
Shortrith: I understand, conversing with strangers is almost always a jarring experience. I applaud your bravery in coming to talk to me.
oO Coming to speak to someone who's a walking contradiction is a challenge in and of itself. Oo
They paused moving around as Taj’el stepped closer and leant forward a little.
Taj’el: May I pose a personal inquiry? What course of action do you take when experiencing emotional states?
Shortrith: Typically, if it's a negative emotion, specifically something like sadness, I try to sit and acknowledge my feelings, give them time, and let them settle. If I'm feeling a strong negative emotion like anger, I typically go to a holodeck and work through something intense to get my anger out. I hope that's what you were referring to, why do you ask?
Taj’el: I was seeking guidance, and to determine whether you currently experienced emotional responses. If not, would you permit me to attempt an experiment?
Shortrith: What kind of experiment?
Taj’el: Response
Shortrith: I see… If I may ask, why me? Why not someone else?
Taj’el: Response
Shortrith: Oh no, I didn't mean that as a way of deflecting responsibility, I was just curious.
Taj’el: Response
Nodding, Renaie smiled invitingly.
Shortrith: Sure! I'm happy to help however you'd like me to.
Taj’el: Response
[Tags/TBC]Lieutenant JG Renaie Shortrith, MD
Counsellor/Medical Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
They/Them (Player and character)
A240204RS3