Watering and Withering (Part 2)

Posted on 11 Jan 2013 @ 1:51pm by Lieutenant Dawn Meridian

1,336 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 02 - Resupply
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 3, Counsellor's Office
Timeline: MD 16 1707

[ON]

She let out a breath, watching the steam rising from Stone's tea. She wasn't asking questions again. When had she decided to call him just Stone in her mind? She liked the name. "Sorry," she said. "I'm talking again. I know it's hard to focus when I do that." Dawn smiled at him. It wouldn't be hard to see him as scary, given the right conditions. No wonder there'd been something of an incident in medical. "What kinds of problems does it cause you? Specifically, I mean." She knew the effects of disassociative memory disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, social anxiety disorder... but was a bit more interested in the problems they were causing Stone personally.

He continued to stare at the tea. "I don't connect with people. I can't remember things unless I write notes. I have to have a schedule or things may not happen. I am told that I'm very literal and do not have a sense of humor. People tend not to like me, which only bothers me because they don't know me so they don't like my condition. I want to remember if I like things or not. I have to keep a database of important numbers, like my uniform size or shoe size because I don't know what they are. Because of that, people tend to think I'm stupid or retarded."

He frowned and whispered. "I make my mother cry by being alive."

Glancing up. "I tend to get frustrated easily and have to try to control myself all the time otherwise there might be an outburst. I often don't understand why it is I have to apologize to people I've made angry. People say things about me, like I'm crazy or unstable or psychotic. I've been committed to evaluations more times than I should and have to get the courts involved more often than I should." He frowned as he looked at his chrono. "How long a list do you want? This could take some time."

Dawn closed her eyes. She saw a shimmering mass of colour in the form of Stone in front of her, surrounded by a pulsing boundary of darkness. Slowly, she opened her eyes. She'd thought she understood Stone a bit, but now she knew she was wrong. His day-to-day experience was so removed from what she knew that saying she sympathised with him would be an insult. There was a sadness to him that seeped into her and filled her completely.

"Stone," she said, her voice quiet. "I..." There was no point in saying she was sorry. The only way she could do anything was to help him. "When you get angry... when people don't understand... how do you keep control? Is there anything in particular you call to mind to try to help? A scene, or a melody?"

He blinked several times while he turned to look at the photos. "I... I don't know."

It was worth a shot, at any rate. "I have an idea," she said quietly. "And if it works, it might help you if people start to stress you out." She pulled a PADD over from the side of the desk and scrolled through it with her index finger. After a while, she looked up. "Music."

She took a small breath before continuing. She really wanted this to work. "I'll forward you a selection of music - different genres, that kind of thing. I'd like you to take some time, lie down, and listen. Try to figure out if you like any of it." Dawn folded her hands together. "If you like any songs, give them a few listens. Try to hum along with the melody, let it carry you. Then, if someone's bothering you, try to call the music into your mind."

"I know it's a lot to remember. I'll forward it all to your PADD, so you won't forget about it. If it doesn't work, there are other things we can try. Just try to make a note of which songs you like as you're listening to them, so you don't forget. That way you can go back and listen to them later." It was a bit of a gamble. Dates, numbers, and specifics could be hard to remember, but music often was not. If music turned out to be a building block he could use, there was a lot they could do with it.

"Does that sound all right?" she asked. She wasn't sure how he'd take the suggestion. After all, he had said he didn't relax... and what she was asking him to do was just that.

He watched her as she spoke, his face going neutral, scowling a bit at the idea of just lying around. "I like music," he said several moments after she stopped speaking. "Classical, opera. Some other stuff," he scowled while he tried to think of what he liked. He had a wide selection on his PADD. But it wasn't something he used for anger management. He didn't see how it would help. It didn't remove the provocations, it didn't change the situation. "Is this an order from counseling?" he asked.

"I suppose," Dawn said. If you have to see it as an order to even give it a shot, then it's an order. She tilted her head, not sure how to gauge his reaction. It hadn't been as bad as she might have thought, but... "All I ask is that you give it a try. It won't magically solve anything, but it may be a good start."

"If it doesn't work, then we can rule it out. If it does, we can build on it next time. I think there are far worse orders." She smiled slightly. "If anything happens in the meantime, you know how to reach me. I think talking things out with someone who isn't in the middle of everything can help a lot." She stood up slowly. "You're free to go, Mr. Stone, unless there's anything else."

Jeremy blinked as he stared directly at her. He checked the chrono again, starting to get more used to the flicking action using his new PADD. He also noticed a new file transferred, which he deduced would be the file she said she'd be sending. She was...vague in her answer. I suppose? That was not a definitive answer. Fortunately, Lt. Coleman's guidelines covered this. He was to accept this as an order given even though the ambiguity of it allowed the giver of the order wiggle room if it goes 'south' - which he understood was a euphemism for going wrong.

This appointment had been scheduled for an hour and he had been here less than fifteen minutes. Which was fortunate for him as he had other matters that required his attention and it was squeezing his schedule.

He blinked several times before turning on his heel to put the tea mug into the reclamator before leaving the room.

Dawn let out a heavy breath and collapsed onto the couch. She probably should have guessed that he'd leave that easily. It would have been too easy for him to suddenly pour everything out just like that. She hoped - desperately hoped - that she had what it took to help Stone. He... troubled her, she decided. He was a likable person bound by a condition that made him hard to understand.

She could only hope that she'd guessed right about music. She'd needed something that wouldn't be too much of a chore for him, that he wouldn't feel restrained him and kept him from his duty. At the same time, it had to be able to distract him from other people. She wasn't sure if she was more excited or scared to find out.

"Computer," she mumbled. "Dim the lights. I think my mind is melting."

[OFF]

Lieutenant (JG) Dawn Meridian
Counsellor
USS Galileo

LTjg Jeremy Stone
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Galileo

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