Lt. JG August Winslett - It Definitely Smells Better In Here
August Winslett
((Counsellor's Office - Sickbay Complex - Deck 10 - USS Ronin))
Winslett: Before we continue, do you mind if I record our conversation? It’ll be kept in strict confidence. It just helps me refresh my memory before we talk next, but it’s completely up to you.
T’Fearne: With respect, Lieutenant, :: PADD creaking under the strain of her grip :: I’ve had enough of my counselling sessions being recorded throughout my life. I understand your intent, but I’d prefer this remain a simple conversation, for now at least. As fellow crewmates, getting acquainted.
August made sure to make a mental note of the response for her file. Having the sessions recorded was clearly a source of discomfort for T’Fearne and he wanted to be certain he didn’t bring it up again.
Winslett: ::nodding:: Understood. And don’t let me forget about the security recertification before you leave! Sometimes I can get to talking and completely forget why I walked into a room. Now ::shifting in his seat:: let’s start with your time on the Ronin. How are you enjoying a post with security?
T’Fearne: I won’t let you forget. :: tapping a long finger against the PADD :: But before I answer that, I have a request. Would you mind if we walked while we talked? Through the ship, I mean. I find I speak my mind more naturally in motion or when I’m occupied with a task. Perhaps I could give you a tour of an area you haven’t seen yet?
Winslett: ::gesturing to the door:: Lead the way.
((Arboretum, Deck 4, USS Ronin))
August had never seen such beauty contained in a Starship. He didn’t even know ships could contain this kind of diverse life. He recognized several plants and a few insects, but many were foreign to him. It may have been his imagination, but did the air in the room feel…more fresh? He supposed the oxygen in the room could be increased by the plantlife but, either way, just stepping into the room lifted some part of his heart he didn’t know had been weighing heavy. T’Fearne picked a great spot to start the tour, that was certain.
T’Fearne: Circling back to your earlier question about enjoying my Security post…I am, but it’s not quite what I was expecting. :: Beat :: I thought it would be PADDwork, safety drills, data reviews, keeping everyone safe. And it is, for the most part. It's the missions that I was not expecting. :: waving a hand to forestall the expected cliché :: Yes, yes, the Academy instructors told us to expect the unexpected. But somehow, I thought we’d be doing more... exploring. Starfleet things, diplomatic first contacts, stellar phenomena, boldly going. The missions so far have been… Unexpected and bloody. I’ve found myself reacting in ways I'd have never expected of myself.
Winslett: ::tugging his cardigan up around his neck:: So you think you might have set some expectations for yourself or your surroundings and not prepared yourself for this reality?
T’Fearne: It’s just more than I thought it would be. Your public file says you’ve recently transferred from the Austaeus. Can you relate?
Winslett: ::nodding:: I can. I think we all set those expectations for ourselves to avoid being caught be surprise. I think the only true way we can avoid surprise is to relinquish our expectations in their entirety and to accept the surprise as inevitable. ::shrugging:: But I could also be wrong. It’s been known to happen.
T’Fearne: Can I ask you an odd question? :: turning to look at August, analytical but curious :: Who do you talk to when you’ve soaked up the fears and trauma of the crew? What do you do with the feelings you come in contact with?
oO Wow, what a shift. Oo
T’Fearne was quick, that wasn’t hard to see. She probably made an excellent Security Officer with her natural curiosity and ability to cut to the heart of something with a well-timed question.
Winslett: ::smiling and looking around the room:: The arboretum is breathtaking. It must be one of the most beautiful places on the ship. On almost any ship in the fleet, honestly. Do you come here when you’re trying to find yourself or understand something that’s been vexing you?
T’Fearne: Response
Winslett: ::smiling:: Well, I have my own arboretum: a place I go to when my burdens are too heavy or I don’t understand my own thoughts and feelings. I give my fears and traumas to my “arboretum.” I don’t keep them for myself. My job is to assist you in sorting through your thoughts; not take them on for you. I’m here to show you you’re strong enough to carry them for yourself and to give you tools for the really heavy lifting.
T’Fearne: Response
Winslett: ::laughing:: Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t. And, frankly, counseling or therapy isn’t for everyone. ::leaning in close and whispering in a joking manner:: Don’t tell anyone at Starfleet medical I said that. They’d have me booted out in a heartbeat.
T’Fearne: Response
Winslett: Unless there’s some kind of medical emergency, I’m just here as a resource. I don’t go hunting anyone down. At least, I haven’t in a long time. ::chuckling good naturedly:: Now, how about those security questions?
T’Fearne: Response
[Tags / TBC]