Coming to Terms

Posted on 20 Jan 2016 @ 9:12pm by Lieutenant JG Lenaris Marika

1,346 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 10 - Symposium
Location: Starbase 84, Counselling offices
Timeline: MD10, 0930 hours

He had made arrangements over subspace, when the Galileo was still on approach for the starbase, but now that they were docked, Naois wasn't so sure anymore. He cradled his maimed arm close to his body as if he was ashamed of his injury. It made him feel less than whole, and a little unbalanced. The only fortunate part was that he lost his right hand, and not his dominant left, but still the loss made him feel ashamed.

With bowed head, and consciously trying to hide the stump, the half-Vulcan approached the office, mainly thanks to the computer's directions, and pressed the chime.

“Enter.” The Grazerite observed his door with interest as he uttered his response to the chime. Raising from his desk, he walked past the couch and chair set he had for his visitors and stopped short of opening the door himself. Stepping aside as to leave the entrance open, he waited for his fellow counselor to take the step in.

Naois entered much like his patients always entered his office. He felt uncertain and insecure and it showed in how he carried himself. "Thank you for seeing me...I am Naois Mercy. I thought seeing someone neutral was better. For me..."

"Of course.." The Grazerite smile warmly at the young man and motioned towards the seating arrangements. "Feel free to choose wherever makes you more comfortable." Looking Naois over, the counselor took note of the missing limb and nodded to himself.

The half-Vulcan settled himself on what looked to be a comfortable chair and caught the brief look at his missing hand. Instinctively he covered it with his remaining hand, not wanting anyone to stare. "I am not quite certain where to start," he admitted uncomfortably. It wasn't that he was uncomfortable talking to counselors, he just felt uncomfortable in his current situation.

Following suit, the older man sat down nearby and offered a compassionate smile. "That is all up to you. The obvious, or what others cannot see. Whichever you feel you need to talk the most about." Shifting slightly in his chair the Grazerite found his comfort zone and nodded reassuringly.

Naois shifted his hand which covered the stump. "I do not know how to deal with this," he started, "I was tortured, and injured quite badly." He swallowed as he worked up the nerve to lift his right arm. "I lost my hand. I know they will fit me with a replacement, but I feel...less than a man. I do not know how much more loss I can deal with."

Nodding knowingly the counselor took a moment before he spoke. "The loss of a limb, is a very intimate loss. Much like the loss of a loved one, it can leave us feeling quite .. lost. Add to that the frustration of a new limitation, it can be a very daring task."

His low voice was meant to be reassuring as he continued. "You should treat it as such. Take the time to mourn the loss, and make peace with your new situation. After that, you can start looking at options. Starfleet medical's cybernetics division does wonders with prosthetics these days."

That seemed like a good suggestion, though Naois had some reservations. "It took me three years to get over my wife's death," he revealed, "I do not know how long this will take but I do not want this to take as long. I took time off from Starfleet, the Galileo is my first assignment since coming back to active duty. I started as medic but I have opted to return to counselling, which is what I did before my medical leave."

Nodding once more at the young man's words, the counselor cocked his head to the right before speaking. " I can empathize with your concern. It is well founded. But one must remember that how we have dealt with obstacles in the past, does not define how we are to respond to them now, or in the future. Give yourself some time to breath. Take some time off if need be." Leaning closer to Naois, the Grazerite smiled warmly. "What helped you out of the fog last time?

"Going to medical school to get my medical degree," Naois replied, "and my children. But counselling is what I do best, better than being a doctor." He looked thoughtful for a second. "Perhaps I should take up another study?"

Nodding once more, as he seemed prone to do, the Grazerite look Naois over. "I agree. Studies can help with a focus, give a routine that will ensure a balanced day to day." Smiling warmly at the man he continued. " Children can also be a source of great comfort. They offer a security and warmth nothing else can offer in my experience. They'll also help keep you honest." A small twinkle appeared in his eye as he said so.

"Especially if one of them is telepathic," Naois grumbled, though it wasn't a bad grumble. "One of my boys is Betazoid, he is also the oldest of my three children. My other son is Romulan, my daughter Human. My late wife...she was half Betazoid and I remarried a Human. She is currently pregnant..." He heaved in a deep breath. "Do you think she would approve me going back to Starfleet medical? I think...a new study may help come to terms with this.." He held up what remained of his right arm.

"If it's something you really believe can help .." The older man shifted in his seat and nodded to accentuate his words. ".. then it's definitely
a subject that should be approached. Maintaining family cohesion in such instances can be a little tricky, but with a little bit of work, I'm sure you'll both come to a sensible arrangement."

"I hope so." He cast the Grazerite a hopeful look, something somewhat unusual for a Vulcan to display. "What about my duties....there were so many injured and so much happened, we are short on counselors. Is it advisable in my current condition, to see patients at all?"

"I'm certain the personnel aboard the station can take up the lax. Right now you should focus on taking care of yourself. Then, you'll be able to help others." Looking at the young man with a gentle paternal gaze, the older counselor smiled. It was good that he thought of others. It was a good sign.

"What about just listening if they do come to me? No prescriptions, no formal advice?" Naois was desperate to at least be able to do something The Galileo was severely understaffed when it came to counselling personnel and while he was able to go to someone he'd never met before, simply because he had made himself to, that didn't mean others were of the same mind. He knew he needed help, to be able to move on.

A soft chuckle escaped the Grazerite, as he nodded yet again at the younger man's question. "Of course. I wouldn't dream of preventing you from helping someone who needs it. All I'm saying is that you need to focus a little more on yourself for a short while."

Taking a good long look at Naois, the older man nodded once more in an affirmative manner. "I think you know what you need, more than you give yourself credit for. You are a trained counselor after all. Just give yourself some time to adjust. Focus on the important things. Your family, your training, whatever makes it worth getting back up and making the next day a better one than the previous..." Letting his sentace trail off he smiled warmly.

"I will..." Naois relaxed a little, knowing that this was just the push he had needed. Someone to tell him what he already knew, and make him act on his need. "Thank you sir...and thank you for making time for me."

The older counselor simply smiled and nodded.

OFF

Lieutenant j.g. Naois Mercy
Counsellor
USS Galileo
pnpc Tyrion

Grazerite Counselor
Starbase 84
(npc Lenaris Marika)

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