Lieutenant Is’Kah Xiron - Headache's Are Evil

[Is'Kah Xiron]

((Valhalla Lounge, Deck 4, USS Valkyrie))

After a few questions between each other, the conversation between Reine’X and Is’Kah turned to the hybrid’s past missions and pain. The pain had overwhelmed the Trican, causing zhen to revert to zhen Vulcan training to complete the stories.

Is'Kah: Following a brief visit to the medical facility, I resumed my duties in Engineering. At some point, I am not aware of the exact time, we rescued President Chekov. After his announcement to the Federation, the fleet turned against us. We were losing, so I implemented a deadman's switch in the computer to maximize the ship's chances of survival in the event that Engineering was compromised. Ghee’looth and I bid farewell to one another in the most professional manner, which honestly took me by surprise, when Admiral Picard ended the threat somehow.

Throughout the conversation, since speaking of the death zha witnessed, Is’Kah continued speaking in a monotone. It was as if zha were simply giving a report rather than therapy. The way the hybrid put in zhen Vulcan mask was to mentally switch to zhen native tongue. Doing it that way was like switching operating systems within zhen mind.

Thinking in that language was enough at this point in zhen life to activate it, two years after zhen chaotic bonding with zhen's partner had broken zhen emotional control. That had caused many moments that zha wished zha could take back, but you can’t exactly change the past. Not for something so trivial.

Is’Kah also knew that shifting to it to hide from the pain was not good for zhen emotional development. Calm detachment had its benefits, but this wasn’t one of those times. Yet, the petite officer didn’t know how else to deal with the pain besides shove it in a box and store it somewhere.

Reine’X: Thank you, Is’Kah… ::she smiled warmly, placing her hands on the table::…for opening up to me, for trusting me.

There was a slight pause, causing a slight head tilt from Is’Kah.

Is’Kah: The Goddess knows that I need help as I am struggling to hold it together after all this time.

Reine’X: I’d like to show you a quick grounding exercise that might help you in the future, whenever you feel overwhelmed. It’s called sensory re-orientation. Have you heard of it, perhaps from your Counselor?

Is'Kah: I have used body scans for re-orientation. What is the method you are referring to?

Reine'X : Right, so it’s simply noticing physical sensations. So anytime you feel overwhelmed, you quickly identify five sensory inputs. By naming things you can see, hear, smell,  feel or touch, and taste  ::she pointed at her eyes, ears ,nose , hand, and tongue respectively:: in the room, you send a signal to your brain that you are safe in the “here and now,” which helps calm your nervous system.

While Reine’X spoke, Is’Kah briefly thought of things zha could detect when she named them. Just that brief moment, the turmoil that had developed seemed to wane ever so slightly.

Is'Kah: I will keep that in mind for the future.

Reine’X: How do you feel now? We covered a lot today. I also want to make sure that we don’t rush through it.

The Trican was emotionally spent, thus the suggestion was appreciated. Even though zha was hiding behind Vulcan detachment, zha still felt some of the emotions and it was draining to fight.

Is’Kah: I am… calmer than I was a moment before. We can discuss this further during an official appointment. Thankfully, the other missions were barely a blip on the trauma meter, even if I almost died twice more.

A faint smile appeared at the corners of zhen mouth. Yet, zhen head was tingling as if someone had shoved a crown onto Is’Kah’s head. Zhen neck felt tight, as did zhen shoulders. A soak in the bath would hopefully help.

Reine’X: Response

Is’Kah: I am developing a ring headache from messing with the emotions that caused my PTSD. I wish to meditate and sort out what happened today.

Reine’X: Response

The petite hybrid rose, smiling at Reine’X.

Is’Kah: Thank you for our conversation. It was enlightening. We shall finish the security interview at a later time.

Reine’X: Response

Is’Kah nodded before departing the lounge. The scents were starting to overwhelm zhen as the lights on the various displays in the corridor began to form a ring around them. Thankfully, it wasn't that far to the zhen quarters, and that bath with an eyemask was closer with each step. 

((End Scene for Is’Kah))

Lieutenant Is’Kah Xiron

Chief of Tactical and Security

USS Valkyrie, NCC-76418-A

R240101I14

Pronouns:

She/Her (Player and Character)

Zha/Zhen (Character)