Lt JG Taj'el - Mishear them?
Taj'el
((USS Thor, Deck 20, Main Engineering))
They were not typically inclined to divert from more pressing matters, but they had been making a conscious effort to open themselves up to such moments. Curiosity also played a role; on second thought, they were fairly certain they had heard his name before.
Given their ongoing desire to better understand others, particularly how emotions influenced them, this seemed like a logical opportunity to inquire further. Particularly Betazoids, given their own recent experiences. Taj’el hoped that pursuing this line of inquiry might offer some insight into their ongoing struggles with telepathy.
Taj’el: Do you know what a “brain buddy” is?
Ral: A brain buddy? I don’t believe I’m familiar with the term.
Perhaps they had been mistaken about hearing his name before, or the term was not as common as they had initially assumed.
Taj’el: Ah,perhaps I misheard. I was under the impression it referred to someone one forms a comfortable telepathic connection with.
Ral: I guess on Betazed we’re all technically brain buddies.
They paused to consider the explanation, concluding that further elaboration might clarify the intended meaning.
Taj’el: Well, I believe it is more than that. It is more of a stable telepathic connection with an individual you connect with.
Ral: A stable telepathic connection? It’s not something I’ve ever thought about in great detail. My telepathy is just another sense. It’s like being able to see. You don’t consciously think about it. It ::beat:: just happens.
That made sense to them. When they had been in Saa’s body, the experience had not required effort, there had been no deliberate attempt to perceive or interpret. The sensations had simply been… constant. Continuous, unfiltered, and ever-present.
Taj’el: That makes sense. I may not be explaining it correctly.
The man leaned back and looked at them with some expression on his face.
Ral: And you’re asking because?
Taj’el: I had thought Doctor Saa referred to you as a “brain buddy” when we were discussing telepathic connections. She mentioned that trusted crewmembers can help quiet one’s thoughts. Perhaps I misheard, or did not fully understand the meaning.
They wondered if they had gotten too personal. His demeanor seemed normal, and he had a nice even voice that Taj’el seemed to find comforting but they didn’t know the most about him. They also got very confused with people pretty fast.
Taj’el: We spoke of it during the last away mission. I am unsure if you have reviewed the reports, but… our team encountered some difficulties.
Ral: Response
Taj’el: In the moment, the difficulties were more emotional in nature than telepathic. However, I have also been speaking with her regarding general telepathic ability. Starfleet has been my first experience interacting extensively with other species.
They adjusted their gloves, tugging them a little tighter as they looked down at their hands. The gesture was small, but deliberate, an attempt to regain a sense of control. Admitting limitations did not come easily to them, and the acknowledgment left them feeling slightly exposed.
Ral: Response
Taj’el: Since those experiences, I have become quite interested in how Betazoids perceive and interact with the world.
Ral: Response
[[TAGS/TBC]]
