Lt JG Taj'el - Soft Words
Taj'el
(Lumina Coves Ecological Retreat, Lolagi IV))
Shortrith: Anything specific you'd like me to do?
Taj’el: Just contact—nothing complicated.
As the Klingon reached out, Taj’el instinctively withdrew their hand slightly. The reaction was immediate and unintentional, an automatic response rather than a deliberate refusal. Taj’el paused, recognizing the movement, and offered an apologetic look.
Re-centering themselves, they extended their hand once more, holding it steady and open, consciously maintaining a neutral posture as they resumed their intent to establish simple contact.
Taj’el: Forgive me.
Shortrith: No need to apologise, take your time.
Slowly, Taj’el reached out again and, with the Klingon’s encouragement, made contact, taking their hand. There was nothing unusual or immediate, only the natural warmth of another’s skin against their own. No surge of unfamiliar sensation, no intrusion of thought; only a simple, physical connection.
For a brief moment, Taj’el remained still, as though verifying the absence of any secondary effect. Their grip was measured and non-restrictive, maintaining the same controlled neutrality they had intended from the outset.
Taj’el released a breath they had not realized they had been holding, the tension in their posture easing as the anticipated response did not occur. A subtle shift followed, barely perceptible, but present in the slight lowering of their shoulders and the steadier cadence of their breathing.
Taj’el: Fascinating…
Shortrith: Is this the result you wanted?
Taj’el: Yes, I suppose it is.
Shortrith: Hold on, let me try something.
They tensed a bit as their hand was gripped, they were unsure. What if something went wrong.
Shortrith: ~~It's okay, you're safe here. I won't hurt you.~~
Then the rush of worry had faded, as the Klingon’s soft, kind words had filled their head. They released a breath they had not realized they had been holding. It had been fine… it had been okay.
Taj’el: …okay…
They noticed their smile as they closed their eyes softly.
Shortrith: Did you hear that?
Taj’el: I did… It was calm and uninvasive.
They slowly moved their hand to intertwine with the other doctor’s. This had felt different—better. They considered whether it had been due to the calm environment, or whether it had been some form of “brain buddy” phenomenon, as Saa had described.
Shortrith: response
Taj’el: Thank you… this has meant a great deal to me. I did not want to be a burden to others. It was also jarring for me.
Shortrith: response
Taj’el: Doctor Saa, thinks it has something to do with the emotional state of other’s and me not being used to filtering them out.
Shortrith: response
[[TAGS/TBC]]
