Through the Looking Glass

Posted on 13 Sep 2014 @ 7:40pm by Crewman Corealina Vipsania & Lieutenant JG Dorian West

1,276 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 06 - Legend of Souls
Location: USS Galileo: Deck 3 - Counselling Office
Timeline: MD07 - 12:50

ON:

Lina smiled gently as she ran her hand over her long sleeves for a moment. She was not in uniform. She had not travelled wearing it and after getting her daughter settled in the quarters she had headed off. Counselling was standard and she had learned that at the Academy. Medical too. And meeting the senior staff, either the CO or XO. Even so. Even so, she had decided that if she was going to have counselling, she was going to be comfortable. So she wore a long white dress, hooded, with a grey belt.

She rang the chime before entering, bowing her head in greeting. "Lieutenant West? I am Nurse Vipsania...I am here for my counselling session?"

"Of course," Dorian nodded with a small smile to her, shutting his computer down as he stood behind the desk. "Come in, take a seat," he motioned to the small sofa, heading for the replicator. "Can I get you anything?"

She smiled gently, moving to take a seat before bowing her head. "Some of that...wonderful assam tea that humans have would be...lovely," she said, her pale eyes watching him. He was a handsome man. Human. And an officer. She would have to make sure she balanced what she said and how she acted well.

"It'll have to be replicated," he admitted with a weak smile, moving to get them both the same thing. He carried the replicated pot over on a tray with cups though, so she could make it as she liked it. "How are you settling in on the Galileo?"

"I have just arrived. But I have quarters," she said as she folded her hands, her smile growing as she spoke. "And they are lovely. The tribbles were an unexpected surprise. I worry that Nia will wish to keep them as pets, they are vermin after all."

Dorian nodded with understanding. "Trust me, I've had about all I can take of them too," he gave a gruff laugh, taking a seat with her. "How is Nia finding it here?"

She smiled at the mention of her daughter, her eyes warming up as she laughed. "Oh, she is happy to be here. She did not like Deep Space Nine. No, she is much happier. She is already decorating her room..."

"Children often adapt much faster than we do," he laughed, shaking his head as he glanced down. "How have you been?"

Lina met his eyes, searching them for a long moment before looking down, to consider it. She finally met his eyes when she had a good answer. "I am adjusting slowly to the ways of the Federation. I find it difficult to adjust to the social standards, but I am working on it. Nia...has adjusted easily."

"What parts have you struggled with?" he asked quietly as he shifted in his seat to get more comfortable.

"That I can do things for myself without having to manipulate a man of my household into...suggesting it," she said openly, with a small smile. "I can just go and claim it. Go and...take charge. It is...unseemly for women from my homeworld to do such a thing. To want. To claim."

"Women have just the same rights as men here," Dorian confirmed with a grin, shaking his head. "Does it feel overwhelming?"

"Yes," Lina nodded, touching her own hair for a moment, lowering her eyes as she considered what he was saying. "Yes, it does. It means...I have to readjust..." she met his eyes and the smile was warm and greeting. "To how I approach men."

"Does it make you feel awkward, talking to me?" he asked with concern, frowning.

She met his eyes, giving it the consideration it deserved before shaking her head. "This...is a conversation. You want nothing from me. In fact, if I lied or tried to manipulate you, I would cause myself harm. So no, I am not awkward. Straight...talk is a fascinating thing. Pure honesty is fascinating too."

Dorian shook his head with a slight chuckle, watching her honestly for a long moment. "People still lie here. Don't think you're safe in the fact we're all honest here. We're not. People are people are people. Most of us in the Fleet? We're good people. But caution is never a wasted thing."

"For some more than others..." she said and smiled, the smile genuine as she gave a nod. "Yes. I understand what you are saying."

He nodded gently with a small smile, seeing it easily enough in her. Yes, she knew how to behave submissively to stay out of trouble, but there was fire in her, and she wasn't nave. "How have you been feeling? In body as well, I mean."

The smile faded at that, her eyes gentle. "Tired. I suspect it is anticipation," she said, her voice gentle as she held his eyes. "Tense too. I have not arrived at a good time with all the tribbles."

"No, that is definitely true," he agreed with a soft laugh, looking around, still not able to figure out where the cooing was coming from. He'd find the little bastard though, if it was the last thing he did. "Make sure you check into Sickbay for your checkup, just in case there's something behind the tiredness. How have you been sleeping?"

"Not much," she said and smiled weakly, shaking her head. "Nia...my daughter, she has been having nightmares. I do sleep, and luckily my species can function reasonably well on little sleep, but...yes. She has been having nightmares so I stay with her."

He frowned with concern at the words, turning slightly as he tapped a fingertip against his PADD. "What is she dreaming about? Perhaps you could bring her in?"

"She doesn't tell me," Lina said with a frown, taking a breath. "I think she needs someone to talk to. I really do. She...is starting to become an age where she cares about what other people say. People who are not...me."

"Bring her in to me, I'd be happy to talk to her," he assured firmly, shaking his head with a frown. "It's just as hard to adjust for the young ones as us, we just think they take it easily because they make less of a fuss," he chuckled, shaking his head.

"When in reality, they need the support more than anyone," Lina said softly, with gentle eyes. "I would be grateful if you could see her. She...is my everything."

"Of course," he said quietly, frowning at her concern before nodding to her. "Besides, if it makes you sleep better, we will be hitting two birds with one stone."

"And that makes your life easier," Lina said, before smiling playfully. "And mine too."

He nodded with a grin, tapping the PADD lightly with a sigh. "Well I have no worries about you being on active duty," he assured. "I'm clearing you."

"Good...or else I would have to...deal with you," she said playfully, standing as she smiled, her hands folded in front of her before she bowed. "Thank you..."

"No problem," Dorian waved the words away with a casual hand. "Just my job. Bring your daughter over whenever it's good for you. We'll see if we can get to the bottom of this."

"Thank you," she said and met his eyes, searching them. "I will talk to her, see if she wishes to see you. She...might enjoy it. Someone else to talk to."

OFF:

CN Corealina Vipsania
Nurse
USS Galileo
[PNPC Rice]

&

LT JG Dorian West
Counsellor
USS Galileo
[PNPC Blake]

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