Counseling Doesn't End in Disaster...This Time

Posted on 17 Jun 2016 @ 12:29am by Lieutenant JG Rael Psy.D. & Lieutenant Oren Idris Ph.D.

1,338 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 11 - Divinum Mundi
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 2, 02-0203 SO
Timeline: MD -15 - 1300hrs

[ON]

Mind still spinning slightly after his meeting with Rear Admiral, Oren was sitting at the small desk in his quarters and staring down at the small box holding his new pips. He sat there, contemplating what this meant. Before this promotion he'd just assumed his provisional rank was an honorary thing, not something that could be improved upon. In short, he hadn't taken it very seriously; had, in fact, made a point of not taking it seriously.

Now that he was promoted, he wasn't sure how he felt. This new development left him confused and a bit worried. A rank of Lieutenant wasn't a low rank by any means and definitely held a new weight of responsibility which was now put on Oren's shoulders.

The chime to his quarters rang, pulling him gently from his contemplations.

"Come in," he said absentmindedly, assuming it was Ellsworth or perhaps even Pieter.

It was a Vulcan wearing science blues. "Good afternoon, Lieutenant Idris," he bowed his head but did not yet enter. "I am Dr. Rael."

"Uhh....." Oren said dumbly, wondering if he'd suddenly been assigned a roommate. As far as he knew, as a Department head, his room was his own. "Come in," he allowed, though the end of the sentence was higher than the rest, making it sound like a question.

Before Rael could get very far, Landi abandoned her spot in the corner and came over to sniff him out. Knowing the Wolfhound could look quite intimidating now that she was all grown up, Oren stood. "Don't worry, she won't bite," he told the Vulcan, watching Landi cautiously sniff at the Vulcan's hand.

Rael lifted his hand up and allowed the creature to sniff him, a slight smile curving his lips. "What is her name?" easily, carefully, he drew his fingers over her head, just under her ears. Scritchy scritchy scritch.

"Landi," Oren replied, smiling at the Vulcan. He was happy both that he didn't seem afraid of her, despite her size, and that Landi was behaving herself. She had a habit of jumping on people but, luckily, after getting her ears scratched, she wagged her tail at the new man, labeling him as a friend before retreating back to her corner.

"It's short for Yolandi," Oren added. "Come in, sit down." He motioned to the couch only to realise there were several PADDs and old books piled on it. Piling them into his arms, Oren indicated the couch with his chin as he carried the books away.

Sitting down cross-legged and back-straight in his wake, Rael knitted his fingers in his lap. "I'm uncertain if you have been advised--however, Dr. McCarthy has assigned me as your interim attending counselor whilst she is dealing with her current pregnancy," he introduced himself mildly. "I wished to check in on you and let you know that I am available, should you ever require anything."

At the word counselor, Oren almost stumbled over the carpet at the entrance to his bedroom. Saying nothing as he tossed the books on the bed and went back into the living room, Oren's bright demeanor seemed to dim. "Oh..." he began, smoothing down the sides of his uniform. "That's kind of you." He spoke diplomatically, not knowing what more to say. He'd been avoiding Drusilla since their last session together, considering it had ended badly.

"I did not intend to startle you," Rael murmured gently, catching the man's near-tripping over himself with thoughtful eyes. "I have heard that your prior counseling session did not go particularly according to plan--and I regret if that has made you wary. Please know that my door shall always be open to you."

"You know that's what every counselor says," Oren pointed out, going to the replicator to get himself something to hold onto and focus on.

"As I am a counselor, then, the statement is only apt."

"Would you like anything?" As he ordered something for himself, Oren glanced over his shoulder.

"Green tea, if it is no trouble."

"Dr. McCarthy and I didn't get along. She had the subtly of a warp core explosion. While I do appreciate that approach occasionally, I wasn't in the mental state at the time to appreciate it."

"I understand. It's unfortunate that sometimes a counselor and their patient simply fail to connect. Whether it is a difference of values, or a matter of compatibility."

"I think it was a matter of me telling her I didn't want to talk about something and her insisting that I did," Oren explained, walking over and handing Rael his tea before sitting down on the couch next to him. He'd replicated a large green smoothie for himself and sipped it carefully.

Rael took the tea and blew on it, cradling it between his fingers.

"I was going through a difficult time back then."

"Indeed. You need not fear a similar response from me," he advised the El-Aurian sincerely. "I prefer to view counseling more organically. Should you require someone to act as a sounding board--should you wish to sit in silence, or take a walk in the arboretum--I shall be happy to accommodate."

"That's very sweet of you," Oren said with a smile, the glanced over at the pips on the table. "I got promoted," he revealed after a few moments of silence. "I didn't know I could get promoted and I'm not sure how I feel about it, to be honest."

"Indeed. I expect your billet carries with it a rather large responsibility, both for the work at hand and the officers under you. I'm not surprised that Admiral Saalm sought to make your position more apparent. Do you think the promotion will change the way you carry out departmental operations?"

"No, " Oren said, shaking his head lightly. "I'm not an officer, or a soldier. I used to be an enlisted officer years ago but I left after it ended because I knew the life of a soldier wasn't for me. Being made into a provisional officer seemed like something honorary, for appearances, you know? Getting promoted makes it look serious."

"I suppose," Rael agreed. "Will it change the way you interact with your subordinates?"

"No, of course not," Oren said, resting his hands in his lap. "Everything is just moving so fast and when you have more responsibility, you come under scrutiny so much more than when you're just a scientist."

"You prefer to remain just about the science," Rael summarized. "However, your promotion carries with it the additional element of being once again tethered to Starfleet--subject to Starfleet standards."

"Exactly!" Oren said, happy that someone understood it. "I did get an assistant though, so he should help if he can pretend he's not better than me long enough." He rolled his eyes.

"I somehow do not have any doubts that you will be able to preserve your ethical standards while continuing to oversee the Research division with exceeding competency," the counselor murmured, eyes crinkling.

"What makes you say that?" Oren asked.

"You strike me as an individual with a well-defined ethical and philosophical code," Rael answered honestly. "To deviate from such a code would go against your nature, and I cannot see that a change in rank would alter this in any way."

Oren smiled gently. "You're sweet," he told the Vulcan. "Thank you. I'm just feeling overwhelmed lately."

"It is certainly understandable."

Nodding, Oren stood there awkwardly for a moment. "So...is there anything else you wished to discuss with me? I have a lunch date soon, so I need to get ready."

Rael stood up and bowed his head. "Not at this time, Oren. I thank you for seeing me."

"Thank you for not being a pain," Oren returned with a laugh.

He touched his fingers to his chest, dry. "I endeavor to please. Have an excellent day, and thank you very much for seeing me."

"Anytime."

[OFF]

Lieutenant Oren Idris
Chief Research Officer
USS Galileo

LTJG Rael
Counselor
USS Galileo

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