Lieutenant JG Renaie Shortrith - Communication Of A Different Kind
Renaie Shortrith
((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: I wished to attempt physical contact with you.
Noting their gloves, Renaie knew this wasn't a light experiment.
Shortrith: I see… If I may ask, why me? Why not someone else?
Taj’el: You appeared to be a calm individual who had taken the time to assist me. I found this… comforting. I wished to determine whether a telepathic connection would occur, under controlled and neutral conditions. Would you object to this?
Shortrith: Oh no, I didn't mean that as a way of deflecting responsibility, I was just curious.
Taj’el: That is logical. It will not cause you harm. At most, I might perceive your surface thoughts momentarily.
oO This is important to them, don't mess this up. Oo
Nodding, Renaie smiled invitingly.
Shortrith: Sure! I'm happy to help however you'd like me to.
Taj’el: I had not attempted to establish a connection since the prior incident. As such, I had not evaluated how it would proceed. It appeared to manifest only under conditions of elevated stress or heightened emotional states. Here, the environment was calm and controlled, so there should have been no effect
Renaie watched the vulcan take their gloves off, offering their left hand to hold the gloves.
The Counsellor took slow, deep breaths, calming themself to be a suitable control subject for the experiment. oO Stay calm for them. Oo
They stayed silent and still for a moment as Taj’el extended their hand towards them.
Shortrith: Anything specific you'd like me to do?
Taj’el: Just contact—nothing complicated.
Nodding, Renaie reached out to gently hold the outstretched hand, but their hand remained hovered as Taj’el pulled away.
They smiled encouragingly as the Vulcan put their hand back out.
Taj’el: Forgive me.
Shortrith: No need to apologise, take your time.
After Renaie's encouragement, Taj’el's hand made contact with their own. It felt strange, to them, making contact with a touch telepath and not feeling weird about it.
Some thoughts skimmed through the surface, but Renaie didn't feel any in particular spring to the front of their mind.
Taj’el: Fascinating…
Shortrith: Is this the result you wanted?
Taj’el: Response
Shortrith: Hold on, let me try something.
Renaie firmed on Taj’el's grip a little, willing a certain thought to mind for them to hear.
Shortrith: ~~It's okay, you're safe here. I won't hurt you.~~
Taj’el: Response
The Klingon exhaled, a small smile crossing their face.
Shortrith: Did you hear that?
Taj’el: Response
[Tags/TBC]Lieutenant JG Renaie Shortrith, MD
Counsellor/Medical Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
They/Them (Player and character)
A240204RS3