Just Another Member of the Crew

Posted on 19 Feb 2015 @ 2:40am by Lieutenant Prudence Devin Ph.D. & Commander Scarlet Blake

1,011 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Episode 07 - Sojourn
Location: USS Galileo: Deck 2 - First Officer's Office
Timeline: MD 38 - 16:30 hours

ON:

Lt. Prudence Devin took a brief moment to make sure her uniform was in order and that her hair, currently put up, had no wisps escaping. It was always serious meeting the Command Staff. She had not yet had the pleasure of hearing from the CO, but she had been told to report to the XO. Which worked just as well for Prudence; you did not always want the CO to notice you first. That way, you would avoid any unpleasant surprises until a later point, when you already had settled in.

She rang the chime, fully aware that it was the first day back for the Senior Officers of the USS Galileo. Naturally, Prudence had been on the starbase for the entirety of the ship's shoreleave, well aware that she had already had her own shoreleave with her own ship beforehand. It wasn't unusual. And perhaps most would have taken a bit more advantage of it. Prudence, however, could only handle that much free time before she ran out of reading material.

"Come in," Scarlet called out lightly, standing in front of her chair instead of sitting. She had a PADD in her hand that she had started to read, and it had distracted her to the point where she was still standing at her desk rather than sitting at it.

Prudence watched the woman with surprise at finding her standing, but gave her a smile in greeting. "Commander Blake. I am Lt. Prudence Devin, the new Chief Counsellor. I thought I should pop my head in and report in," she said, her voice professional but also gentle. There was humour in it as well, in how she spoke. She knew she was taking precious time away from an XO days before launch.

"Lieutenant Devin, yes, come in," Scarlet motioned her further into the room with the PADD as she brought her mind back to the here and now. "Take a seat," she dropped the PADD on the table before finally taking her own seat with her. "And you can tell me about yourself better than your file can."

Prudence took a seat, holding the woman's eyes for a long moment. "I was born and raised in England, I have a brother. I come from a civilian psychiatry background, having worked with PTSD. I am divorced. I joined Starfleet late..." she held her eyes, a small smile curling her lips. "I'm professional and compassionate in my work. However, I have no space for liars, including in my sessions. If I see a lie, I will call people out on it. I am a very controlled person, although like most I get told to...let my hair down more frequently."

"And do you?" Blake asked as she watched her, but there was a small smile pulling at the corner of her lips with the question.

"Not as much as I should," Prudence admitted openly, giving Blake a warm smile. "I have some physical activities I enjoy, but for the most part I am happiest with a book and a glass of something."

Scarlet chuckled at that, shaking her head lightly as she motioned to her. "Well, I am pleased that you have boundaries in your work. I used to hold your position so, well, it is something I like to see."

"Really?" Prudence watched with surprise, pleasant surprise. It was rare to see an XO as a counsellor, even now. "It is a fascinating crew. I have had the pleasure to meet some of them already and they are...well, fascinating, as odd as the word seems. It seems like a very tight knit crew, within the various departments."

"Tight knit, wide variety," Scarlet nodded in agreement with a soft laugh. "Many will try and give you the run around, but then, you know that, that's hardly unusual."

"I tend to set things straight quickly," Prudence admitted as she gave a weak shrug. "If they want to waste their time, it's fine. Wasting mine is unacceptable. Perhaps it is difficult for me to be the...cuddly kind. I prefer working on a problem than drying tears."

"No, I respect that," Scarlet nodded gently before giving a small, wry smile. "I can't exactly talk."

She smiled gently as she watched Scarlet, studying the other woman for a long moment before looking down. "Well, I do expect to see you in my office at some time," Prudence met her eyes once more, merely holding them before raising an eyebrow. "Your psych is due soon."

"Hm...." Scarlet chuckled softly, sitting back as she shook her head with a gentle sigh. "I rather had that coming, didn't I. Fair enough. I have to set a good example, after all..."

Prudence nodded, watching her for a long moment. "Perhaps in a couple of days time, just to have it over and done?" she suggested lightly, with a small smile. "A pot of tea to help it along and such?"

Scarlet nodded with a gentle sigh. "Book it in, or I'll end up letting it drift," she replied honestly, waving a hand dismissively. "If it doesn't get booked it doesn't get done these days."

"I shall do it," Prudence said with a firm nod, a small smile curling her lips. "I look forward to it. A chance to talk properly. Although, I suspect you must be busy. If that is all, I can leave you to you work?"

Scarlet nodded as she sat back, letting out a long, rolling a shoulder gently. "You'll need to check in for a medical examine if you haven't already," she reminded, already leaning to clear her on the computer.

"I haven't yet," she said and nodded, watching her before standing. "Thank you, Commander Blake. I look forward to working with you and under you."

Scarlet stood and offered her hand across. "Welcome aboard, Doctor."

Prudence took the hand as she smiled, giving a nod. "Thank you, Commander. Happy to be here."

OFF:

CMDR Scarlet Blake
First Officer
USS Galileo

LT Prudence Devin
Chief Counsellor
USS Galileo

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