Ensign Reine'X - Lunch is over

[Reine'X]

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

The conversation between the Medical Officer and the Chief of Tactical and Security turned to discussing trauma rather than conducting a security interview. However, it was time to give Is'Kah a break.  

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

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.

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

It seemed that Is'Kah genuinely took her advice. Reine'X was pleased to see that.

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.

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.

It seemed Is'Kah was tense, although she gave Reine'X a faint smile. The Orion sincerely hoped that this chat would be helpful for Is'Kah in the long run and not exhausting. (But, of course, such trauma requires far more counseling sessions than just one lunch.)

Reine’X: A good idea. 

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: Indeed, meditation is a splendid idea.

A headache was a somewhat typical reaction in this case, and Reine'X was sure that Is'Kah knew how to handle it best herself. 

Zha stood up, ready to depart. Reine'X followed her by standing up too. She had finished her food long ago anyway and thought it would be a good idea to hit the gym instead. She felt like she had not been active at all since coming aboard the ship. Besides, exercise helped her relax. It had been a long day, and she definitely needed the work out.

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

Reine’X: I thank you for opening up to me and for your time. ::beat:: And as for the security interview, I’m happy to do it anytime.

Both nodded to each other as a farewell gesture, and Reine'X went her separate way. 

oONow, where was that gym?Oo 

((End Scene for Reine'X))

Ensign Reine'X
Medical Officer
USS Valkyrie-A
V240302R14