The Gravity of the Situation

Posted on 11 Nov 2015 @ 5:58am by Jynn

4,361 words; about a 22 minute read

Mission: Episode 09 - Empires
Location: USS Galileo, Deck 2, Jynn/Malachy Quarters
Timeline: MD5 - 1800 Hours

ON:

Maintenance remained a tricky thing, but so did study. Wintrow knew how to take the shuttle he was flying apart, and put it back together again, but there were always bits and pieces that needed more explaining. Additionally, given his earlier experience with zero gravity, and even extra-vehicular travel, Wintrow knew he just needed more training on this part. And who better to ask than his department head?

The young pilot frowned as the computer told him Jynn was in his quarters, rather than on duty on the bridge. "Now why would our pilot be in his quarters?" he murmured as he found his way up to the DH's home. PADD in hand, he pressed the chime then took a step back and waited, somewhat anxiously, to be let in.

Jynn was beginning to feel the strain of all the other people knowing about his terrible transgression against his people. No doubt it wouldn't be long before everyone aboard found out and the judging eyes of over a hundred people would be leveled upon him. It was only a matter of time. He had already shooed Rheneas away, telling him he had needed some space in what little space he now had being confined to his quarters. Perhaps the tenacious human had come back for another attempt at prying open Jynn's mind. “Who is it,” he questioned with somewhat of a grumble. He wasn't sure any answer would be a good one.

"It's Wintrow sir," the teenage pilot replied, hearing the grumble in the senior pilot's voice. "May I come in? I've a few questions sir, about last uhm...away mission."

Wintrow! Damn. He was such a good-hearted lad, but he was an empath. It wouldn't take much for him to sense if anything was wrong with Jynn. Even suppressing his emotions would be a red flag. Jynn would just have to calm himself if he was going to allow the young cadet into his quarters, which even that he was still unsure of. Was anyone even allowed to visit him in his confinement? “Could you ask the coordinator? Or maybe Tinaro?” He was reluctant to send Wintrow off. He was mostly just buying himself time to compose himself, but a small part of him still wanted to see him head off to question someone else. There was a moment of silence as he awaited his response.

Biting his lower lip, Wintrow considered the question then - unseen to Jynn - shook his head. "No sir," he replied quietly. He had no desire to spend time with another telepath right now, especially not one who would know instantly how embarrassed and stupid he felt right now. "May I come in? Please?" It felt even more silly to be stood talking to a closed door.

He was relentless, though Jynn hadn't really put up much of a fight. There wasn't really anything wrong with Wintrow, and being an empath himself Jynn couldn't really fault him for picking up on others' feelings. He'd just have to let him in. He wasn't at his best, but he certainly did not want to be thought of as rude. “Come on in, Win,” Jynn said with a quiet sigh.

Uttering a sigh of relief when the door opened, Wintrow stepped inside. "I'm sorry to disturb you sir, I'd thought you were on duty..." He paused, recollecting himself. "Here's my report on the away mission I was part of with Lieutenant Cyi." The younger man offered the PADD. "I ah...need more EV training sir, I really felt uncomfortable."

Jynn quickly snatched the PADD from Wintrow's hand and focused his attention on it and the request that followed. If he poured his thoughts into the subject perhaps the part Betazoid would not sense the troubled emotions within his mind. “I see. Odd that someone so fond of boats and flying, not to mention swimming, has not honed his extra-vehicular skills to an impressive edge.” He gave a small but genuine smile as he remembered Wintrow's promise to teach his superior how to swim of all things. “Of course I will help you. Though,” he started before lingering in a long, drawn out pause, “it may be difficult for me to find the time to do so.”

Disappointment crossed the younger man's face. "Why?" he asked carefully. He was aware now that something was going on, but he couldn't narrow the feeling down to what was going on. "Are you ill sir?"

“I've been rather busy since I arrived.” It was true and it was precisely because of that that Jynn had found himself in all the trouble now threatening his career. “And it seems the situation of the last couple of days has placed quite the burden on me,” he said vaguely. His 'situation' was certainly quite different from the rest of the crew's. Before Wintrow could question the matter any further Jynn quickly added “What sort of assistance do you need in regards to EV activities? I'm very experienced and I'm sure I can answer any questions you have even without the need of donning any suits.”

"I had to go out on an EV mission to help with the asteroid drills," Wintrow explained, "but I didn't even know how to get a suit on, I had never done this before. When I was in the suit, I was feeling very faint very quick and I think I would've fainted if not for Ensign Marika. It was very embarrassing, and then I didn't get the drill to work either despite following the entire protocol line by line."

“What use would a pilot have with a drill! Wintrow, I barely know how to use a toothpick without bleeding, much less mining equipment!” Jynn couldn't help but chuckle. It seemed the poor cadet was simply learning too much too fast. He tried his best to shake off his own worries as he tended to his duties of guiding his subordinates. They hadn't spoken much, but Wintrow seemed like quite the nice fellow and he didn't want to overload the untrained empath again. No, for now he would focus on someone else's emotions. “I'm not sure I can help you much with poorly worded heavy equipment instructions, but I can probably help you with your EV woes. Maybe we can try it right here!”

"Right here?" Wintrow's eyes widened in surprise. "I was told to help with the mining while Lieutenant Cyi piloted the shuttle. I had indicated I had no experience sir, and that I'd never gone EV before. How would we do this here?"

Jynn looked around a bit as he pondered. The room was small, for sure, but there were obstacles, there were varied surfaces, and most importantly they were on a ship with artificial gravity. Gravity which could be tweaked to suit the needs of everyone and anyone aboard. “Well, it's not the best place for it, but neither is getting caught off guard out in the endless expanse of space itself.” Before Wintrow could even question what Jynn was talking about he continued with a rather surprising request to the ship's computer. “Computer, please shut off gravity in these quarters.”

A moment later and nothing changed in the room. Everything seemed still. Unnaturally so. Everything remained the same save for the fact that the two people in the room now found themselves suddenly free from the grasp of gravity. Before moving from his spot on the floor Jynn reached over and nudged something off of the small table next to him. Instead of falling it slowly floated in Wintrow's direction. “There. Don't you think this will do nicely? A beginners course of sorts?”

The youth squealed and flailed his arms, as he was suddenly weightless and floating in the middle somewhere between the floor and the ceiling. "How is it that we float, but your furniture doesn't?" Wintrow asked as he did his best not to feel sick on the spot.

Jynn shook his head at the cadet who was no doubt ready to learn with his near instant questioning. “Because there's nothing disturbing anything, silly. Well, yet.” As he waited he flicked the toes of one of his feet on the floor and gave himself a slight twist, sending him on a slow course that would end with his feet on the ceiling. A second later and the almost nonexistent draft of the ship's air circulation kicked in. Objects started to slowly move from their places in the room. It was quickly becoming apparent the room would be very difficult to navigate in no time at all. “Care for a swim,” Jynn asked with a smile.

"Oh I do like swimming," Wintrow smiled, though he still looked a little pale. He really didn't like the feeling of being in zero gravity, being afloat like this. He yelped as he went with the soft flow and banged into the now floating coffee table. "How do I move when theres not gravity, and I got nothing to push myself off on?"

“Well, fortunately when you've found you have lost gravity you are always at a source of it. You can push off of the floor and get yourself in just about any direction or if for some reason you've unknowingly floated away, say off of your bed, then you can just wait ever so patiently to reach a surface. Aside from that, you can squirm like a worm!”

This was Jynn's favorite part. Not only was he having fun but he was also giving a lesson. “Watch.” He gently tapped his foot on the floor to float a few inches away before pressing away some errant object that had already found itself slightly above him, bringing himself to a near-stop in midair. Then, with a somewhat goofy look on his face he twisted his body with successive sudden movements, rotating his body as he did so. “That's how you change position. Lets you get a better orientation if need be.”

"Looks like you're really at home with zero gravity sir," Wintrow replied, somewhat timidly. He really wasn't feeling happy like this. "It looks like swimming in mid air sir, is it something similar to that?" He tried to copy his superior's movements but all he got was into an endless tumble.

It hadn't really occurred to Jynn to think of a proper analogy for maneuvering in microgravity. It certainly seemed like swimming at first, but there was more to it, or possibly less to it, than that. “Swimming? Not really, though I suppose there is a very small interaction with the surrounding oxygen. One could possibly swim through that. Or you could use your breath for propulsion, but that's a lot of hot air if you ask me! It's probably more like, uh,” the proper analogy still wasn't there. He thought of activities, sports, and random events. Maybe something would connect with the lad. Anything.

“I got nothing,” he concluded with a chuckle. In truth his mind was still a bit scattered and analogies weren't coming as quick as knowledge. “Lets just say that you have to pre-think your movements. Once they're set in motion they continue on without interruption or change in course. Only outside influence, like a wall or other object, will allow you to change direction.” It sounded like himself, though maybe he wouldn't admit it. Unstoppable thoughts unless acted upon by outside forces. He shook his head of the realization. “Just have some fun! You'll catch on.” He grabbed a book somewhat close to a table that was in an orientation to no particular plain, opened it, and put it into a slow spin. He then pushed the table away gently, spinning himself in the same rotation as the book in the process.

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness...”

"That sounds very familiar sir," Wintrow commented as he tried desperately to righten himself again by using anything in his path. Finally, he seemed to get an idea of how to move without bashing into items too badly. But, by that time he was already reasonably bruised. "What is it from?"

“Uh, hold on.” Damn it all if Jynn hadn't actually read the book he was reciting. He probably looked like a fool, and not just because he was reading in rotation. He closed the book and then with a small flick of the finger attempted to keep the cover spinning with his line of sight, but it started to drift away. “ A Sale of Two... No, wait. A Tale of Two Cities,” he finished with a chuckle. “Sounds like a Dickens of a novel!”

"Charles Dickens?" Wintrow shook his head. "I read some of him but not all." He reached to catch the book, but missed. "I don't really like being weightless sir...it makes me feel weird. I do love flying but I still have a sense of gravity in whatever I fly. With fighters I'm strapped in...and with shuttles there's gravity...."

Who? Not matter. The lesson had to continue. He could sense his student's unease and it was probably going to take a lot to put him at ease. He'd just have to try his best and worse case he could always summon the gravity back, though there would be quite the mess to clean now.

“Let me give you a little motivation. Come and get to me and you get a free hug,” he said with a warming smile. Unknown to Jynn that this was probably not the most effective means of teaching he nonetheless was giving it a try. He certainly was not the pushiest of instructors, especially compared to Wintrow's other recent teachers. In fact, it probably would have seemed he was barely an instructor at all, barely able to accomplish the duties he had as a department head. “Come on now,” he continued encouragingly. “Baby steps.”

"Hug?" Wintrow didn't know what to think of that, given his general aversion to being touched. However...knowing he was going to be touched and permitting it, and spontaneous unannounced touches were two things. "Alright," he consented after a moment of visible hesitation, sensing that the offer was a genuine one without ulterior motives. With effort, he managed to 'swim' his way towards his instructor and supervisor, then as his foot caught something he was suddenly propelled forward and with outstretched arms, crashed into Jynn...

Jynn instinctively wrapped his arms around Wintrow to try and steady the both of them as they were sent floating away. His grasp was tighter than the cadet would have probably expected but it wouldn't take much for him to feel why. The instant they made contact Jynn had realized just how much he needed it. His grasp was a hug of want. The desire for any source of comfort.

Sensing the desire as if it were second nature for him to do so - which it really wasn't - Wintrow returned the hug in reflex. It fell contrary to his usual flinching away from touch and it showed that he too, had been in terrible need of comfort. "What's wrong?" he whispered after letting the feeling linger, feeling somehow, that more was to the hug than the simple want of it.

For a moment Jynn was surprised that he didn't already know. Then again, rumors didn't travel as fast during times of unease and especially not when the higher-ups in the chain of command had put the lockdown on the situation. Was Wintrow even privy to such knowledge? How much or how little could he say? He certainly didn't have to go into particulars but he could perhaps speak of his general emotional state. Wintrow was part Betazoid, after all. He probably already felt most of it anyway. “I OOF!”

He had no idea that they were careening towards one of the walls. Now it was beyond obvious. With the combined surge of colliding with the wall followed by Wintrow's impact on his own body Jynn let go of him. The look of aching surprise quickly changed to a bit of a smile as he spoke. “That was quite the hug. I guess your aim is quite good when comfort is on the line. But I couldn't help but notice some pent up emotions. The reason you wanted that hug so much.” he continued as his tone turned serious once more. It was the perfect opportunity for him to change subjects. One sorrowful soul to another.

Drifting back. Wintrow said nothing for several long seconds. "I've never had a whole many hugs in my life," he murmured, "and you needed it more than I do...." He licked his lips, suddenly seeming withdrawn. "Can we get gravity back please?"

“Computer, restore gravity to normal over the course of ten seconds.” Jynn was nothing if not thorough when it came to gravity play. No need to have everything come crashing down. As the gravity was restored everything in the room, including its two current occupants, slowly drifted to the floor. The room had become quite the mess, but at least nothing was broken.

“Better? I suppose if you need more of those hugs they'll be easier to maneuver on our feet. Now, about your troubles.” It was time for Jynn to turn his sights towards helping his subordinates, he thought. Perhaps it would help him with his own in the process. “Anything you'd like to discuss?”

Wintrow continued his descent towards the deck until he sat crosslegged on the floor. "I don't know where to start," he whispered, looking up at the Deltan. "Do I want to discuss it? No, because that'll just give me nightmares, and I still have nightmares. But do I need to? Yes, I just don't want to see a counsellor. I've seen so many by now and really only one ever did help me. And he's not here....nor will he be, he's got his own duties, elsewhere on another ship."

“Sometimes a good pair of ears, or more, to talk into is all you need. I'm no counselor but perhaps I can be of help. That or you don't have to say anything. I won't push. Sometimes just being in the presence of someone who cares can be of great help.” These were knowledges reaffirmed to Jynn over the last few days. The advice was still fresh as he himself had gone through such motions over the last few days. “Anything you need, Wintrow.”

"I don't know what I need," the boy confessed, "I don't know what I want. But..keeping it all pent up...that's not right either. I made a big mistake on the bridge sir...because of it. But I don't now where to start...I don't want pity or special treatment.."

“Those are perfectly natural feelings that would come from a friend. I would say it is natural for someone who has gotten to know you to feel sorrow for your misfortunes and want to try and help in any way they could. No doubt I would help anyone if I were able to, but getting to know you gives you a better treatment. It only makes sense that way. Don't worry about pity or special treatment. Just worry about getting better. Start wherever you like, so long as it's in the right direction for you.”

"But I don't know. So much has happened....The most recent being the mishap on the bridge, and Rigel..." He tensed as he thought about the big Orion who had tried to woe him and upon his refusal had abducted, and sold him into slavery. AS he remembered, he told Jynn how he'd been sold, humiliated and hurt in great detail. His voice was a bare whisper as he spoke and finally, he shrugged out of his jacket and lifted his undershirt. "He branded me," he finished, showing the ornate letter 'P' that was branded over his heart.

The sudden outpour had certainly come to a surprise to Jynn. He was not expecting quite so much of an outpouring of emotion. It was almost overwhelming, feeling everything as it was told, but there was a sense of satisfaction in Jynn. He was happy that someone trusted him enough to tell him their problems and he was happy that he was probably helping him in some way even just by listening. It took his mind off of his own problems as he thought of the ways to hopefully comfort Wintrow. It was difficult but he was going to do his best to sooth the poor lad's tumultuous soul. He moved close to examine the letter, but not enough to touch. How saddening that his past had left such an overt and permanent mark on him in such a negative way.

“Unfortunately Wintrow there sometimes is no greater reason as to why things happen to us. They don't need to be thought of as a test or some proper course of action from a higher power. Things aren't always 'meant to be.' Sometimes events, no matter how much it would seem done by the cruel hand of fate, just simply happen. But it's what we do after those events that matter. How we let them shape us. Are you going to let it all consume you or are you going to rebuild and make yourself a better person from it?”

"I'm trying," the younger man whispered as he readjusted his shirt and pulled his jacket back on, "I'm really trying sir, but it's hard to find who I am, or who I'm supposed to be after all of this. It isn't the first time sir....all my life I've had the short straw. My stepmother, my halfbrother.... It started when I was about seven years old, at least that's the earliest I remember...by the time I was fifteen, I had been in and out of hospital several times a month. I don't know how to make myself a better person sir, I don't know how to be myself....but I'm trying. And everytime I think I get myself back together just a little, something else happens..."

It all did sound rather defeating to Jynn. It felt it, too. He could feel Wintrow's feelings of near-surrender to fate. But he was still young. They both were. And if there was anything the young could do it was to push through any situation, foolheartedly or otherwise, and make the best of it. He didn't know what to say about the boy's past, but perhaps he could help with his future. “Well the way I see it is you have two rather simple options: You can either lie down and give up; or you can show your past you're stronger than it and build a better future for yourself. I'm not sure what kind of a lifechoice architect you are but I'm sure you can do it, even if you need a little nudge from time to time. Besides, you don't strike me as the 'lie down and give up' type. You've made it this far.”

"I'm not," Wintrow admitted, "I just need to...learn how to cope, give it all a place. I haven't figured out yet, I'll get there, in time. But that's just it, it'll take time and I'll need help. I can't do this alone sir, but I am alone. Other than a hidden away half sister, I have no family. My grandfather is very old and I met him only once and I doubt I'll ever get to Betazed again to visit." He sighed softly. "At least," he mused, "I have a few friends, right?" He cast the Deltan a hopeful look.

Jynn nodded in agreement, hoping to assure Wintrow that he was right. “You have everything you need here. You are the architect of your own family. It's not your blood or your duty or the people you find around you. It's the people who make a meaningful impact on your life. Keep the people who make you a better person close and it won't be long at all before you conquer what ails you.” With as much assurance as he could muster Jynn finished with a soft smile, hoping perhaps his words were helping the boy in some way. It certainly seemed he needed quite a bit at the moment.

Leaning over, Wintrow gave the man a fierce hug. "Thank you," he murmured, shuffling back to create some distance again, suddenly feeling shy all over. "That means a lot to me sir, your words mean a lot. I should probably head back to my own quarters, my new ones...I've a new roommate..." He looked around, noticing that Jynn didn't seem to live alone either. "You've one too?" he asked in surprise.

“For now,” Jynn spoke in an uncertain tone. He was actually quite surprised Rheneas had not already been removed from Jynn's presence. “But we'll see by the end of all this if that lasts. Once our compliment of quarters is back to full that may change.” It sounded like a good deflection and there was a truth to it, too. It just wasn't going to be the real reason why Jynn would be confined to solitude. “So go back to your quarters and enjoy your new company. After all, quarters assignments can be quite fickle.”

"Fickle sir?" Wintrow smiled just a little. "I'm glad you have someone to keep you company too, I hope you get along with him." From the few scattered possessions, Wintrow gathered the roommate had to be male. "Thank you sir...for listening...."

“Anytime, Wintrow. Us empaths have to look out for each other. All that input and no output could rightly blow us up! So come by whenever you'd like to get a load off your shoulders or it could get quite heavy.”

OFF

Cadet SO Wintrow Paragon
Support Craft Pilot
USS Galileo
[pnpc Tyrion]

Lieutenant JG Jynn
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Galileo

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