New Kids on the Block

Posted on 08 Aug 2023 @ 7:05pm by Commander Elleese Elloyia & Petty Officer 2nd Class Alizabeth Omari

2,261 words; about a 11 minute read

There was a shuttle getting ready to depart from the USS Zenobia, en route to the USS Odin. Why not just beam over? One might ask that, but apparently, the transporter systems on the Odin were not entirely "trustworthy again" yet, though the ship's new chief counselor had not been given a full brief about what that meant. All she knew for sure was that if it was the case, she was happy for a shuttle.

Thus she found herself with a short line of personnel being transferred over to the Nebula-vessel. Ell worked to tune out the buzzing of so many minds for the background noise it was. The battle was constant for her, after all. She did notice someone standing just ahead of her who looked familiar and she caught the other woman's eye with a friendly smile. "You are being transferred to the Odin as well?"

Alizabeth looked to the other woman as she spoke, the chocolate skinned woman had been in her own head preparing for this assignment. Her head tipped and she looked puzzled, “That cantina a few nights ago.”

She stated the question then left it open as she smiled at at here, “Yes. First time on a ship like this, a bit unsettled. You? How many of these have you been on? Did we even talk about things like this after the drinks began?” Good humor lit the new Yoeman’s eyes making them glow almost as much as the tattoo on her cheeks, bottom eyelid and neck. Honeyed amber one love had called them, which she found silly as there was nothing wrong with the word gold.

Ell laughed softly. She'd not had much to drink that night, as it wasn't wise for someone like her, but the effect of it on others had still gotten to her a bit. "A little," she replied. Now, her uniform collar showed her commander rank. "This will be my third ship posting. My fifth post overall in the past eighteen years."

Alizabeth let the people between them go ahead until she was just ahead of the new commander. “I am so glad this is not a merchant vessel. I asked for any assignments other than that.” There was a warmth to the woman that seemed to envelop anyone near but she was not overly pushy. “Will be nice knowing someone on the ship, even if we only met for an hour or so the other night.”

"Not many merchant ships in Starfleet," Elleese commented thoughtfully, sensing a certain vehemence to the other woman's statement regarding such. She would learn about the reason from the woman's files once Elleese took over as the chief counselor, so she chose to not ask now. "It is always good to have at least one person you already know the name of," she agreed with a kind expression. The sort that made her so good at her job because it was sincere. "The ship sounds to have an...interesting history so far."

“I have heard many rumors, but maybe that will make it an adventure for us.” Alizabeth looked at Ell, “Maybe after the first few days on board we should meet up and have a meal?” She shrugged lightly, “Knowing each other and all, though we will know many more by then I am sure.” The dark skinned woman smiled, “Still would be nice to get to know you better if you do not mind?”

"I do not mind at all," Elleese replied easily. "We will see each other in other capacities as well, given that I am coming aboard as the ship's chief counselor. It sounds like I may be the only counselor at the moment."

Alizabeth kept smiling, “Yes, I would imagine we will see more of each other. Definitely will not complain about having a possible friend on board already.”

Elleese nodded in agreement as the embarkation line to the shuttle moved ahead by a couple more people. They were being thorough in their checks for who was going aboard, but given what she'd heard--so far--of the Odin's troubles lately, perhaps that was understandable. "That is certainly not anything I complain about either," she agreed. "I imagine it will at least be an interesting experience. You will, I would think, get a chance to see a fair bit of it as a command yeoman."

The dark skinned woman’s smile became a wicked grin. “I am one of six children born of two merchants, my organization and, uhm, guidance of those to take care of themselves are high on my list of capabilities to be a Yeoman that can handle the unique needs of the position. I just hope that the current commander is agreeable to my assistance.”

"I feel like there is a certain number of similarities between our roles," the Betazoid woman said thoughtfully as she handed a PADD with her credentials and transfer orders to the security personnel at the boarding ramp. "It usually depends on the receptivity of the person we are working with, and it also depends on our own capabilities to organize and manage everything we are tasked to deal with. Often of sensitive natures, both the tasks, the topics, and the people."

The Yeoman took a moment with the security personnel, shaking a couple hands and introducing herself in a genuinely friendly manner. Once she was finished she turned back to Elle, continuing the conversation like the break had never happened. “We will have to see what the ship has in store for us. We will find out own pathways and the steps to dance along them soon enough.”

Elleese stopped just ahead, waiting for Alizabeth to pass through security next, and then they walked together onto the shuttle. Once they'd found their seats and settled in to wait for departure, Elleese smiled at her traveling companion for this journey to their new post. "As with all things," she agreed. "It is my experience that ships, stations, and even colonies rarely take too long to show themselves."

Careful of the subject yet still teasing, “I am sure you will know it faster than I will.” There was a sidelong smirk, “Sorry, that was not very mindful of me. Sometimes my mouth moves faster than my brain. Luckily it is not often anymore.” A friendly shrug was offered, the apology was sincere but the easy going attitude remained.

The Betazoid took no offense however, because she could already tell that none was intended. She laughed quietly and nodded once. "You are likely right, however. Counselors--and telepaths--tend to learn such things very quickly, whether we want to or not. But for the job, it is useful."

“Just like being born into a family of merchants helps me to get used to different personalities and organization. My mother would scold me if my records were not in proper order or if people around me did not feel my entire attentions when they speak to me.” Alizabeth offered a little shrug for her own skills, “Knowing what each person wants, or finding out is important above all. Then you figure out how to get it if you don’t have it.”

"Makes sense," Ell agreed with a nod. "It sounds like those are skills that transfer very well into being a yeoman, especially to a command team."

Smiling that bright smile of hers that was highlighted by her darker skin tone. “I suppose it is best for the Odin that we are both suited to what we have been assigned to do. They will be lucky to have us,” she settled that warm expression on those around them as well, inviting them all into an easy comfortable space she set.

The counselor laughed quietly at that. When one spent enough time around Elleese, they would realize that her expressions of emotion were always...economic. She was not a "loud" person in any way--except the way that only she was aware of, so long as she maintained her empathic shields. "I am sure we will be of use. The ships seems to attract a bit of...trouble. We best be prepared for a bit of odd events, as I have heard."

“Well trouble has its place, life would be boring without at least a little” clearly she was a woman that could cause some when needed. “But I have heard some of things, yes, but their trouble always sounds so fascinating. Maybe once it is experienced it will feel different though. Being new likely puts us at a bit of a disadvantage in building the rapport with those that have gone through so much together.”

"It can, yes," Ell agreed, the voice of experience as one who sometimes had to work extra hard to build rapport. Many people we immediately defensive around counselors. "Sometimes, though, it can make it easier. People like those who do not know all the stories already."

Alizabeth thought on that for a moment, not shooting off a response or a quip as she had been. “I would much rather not judge what occurred before. Having details doesn’t mean we know the truth of the matter, that only comes from the experience. I know people make up their minds quickly, but only you can really tell how people feel.”

Ell nodded a little. "Although even then, it remains only part of the story. One still needs to learn things from talking to people and hearing what they have to say."

“Maybe our socializing can be used to do a little learning of others to. People sometimes loosen up a little over drink and it might help us to get to know people more on the ship. We don’t really need to drink all that much.” She said reasonably, working out a way that nights out together would work to their advantage as well.

"That sounds like a reasonable thought," the counselor agreed affably. "I do always enjoy getting to know the crew on each new post. People are so unique unto themselves, and the process of understanding someone is one I find enjoyable. That is part of the reason I chose to become a counselor in the first place.”

"And with us being open and friendly together while others are around might help them in starting to accept the newcomers.” Alizabeth had her mother’s sense of wanting people to warm to her, for her mother it was to sell them items, or get a better price in trade, for the yeoman it was so she could be more effective in her job. “In fact, we may not need to drink at all, but offering the others to is usually a good way to gain companionship. And to think we don’t even have to pay for the drinks.”

Elleese chuckled at that. "That does help," she said. She tilted her head, blue-silver hair spilling over one shoulder as her eyes of the same color held her conversational companion's gaze. "You know, I might have guessed you for a counselor as well."

A vibrant laugh sounded at that. “I do not think I would have the patience for that. Plus I can be pretty bossy, mother’s daughter after all. It is why I organize information and take care of people actively, I can throw my weight around a little.” Alizabeth shook her beard slightly, “Sure I am good with listening while sharing a drink with people, but then I tell them to stop complaining after round two or three.”

"It is something of a common misconception that counselors do not, at times, do just that," Elleese said with amusement. "We use different words, certainly, but sometimes a firmer tactic is what some people need. We can be even...a little bossy, it could be said. It all matters on the needs of the patient, which I imagine is similar to your work in that the needs of those you work with differ from each other. The captain of one ship has different needs, in the details, than those of another."

“Ah but I only have to learn how to help one person each ship, or if leadership changes, and smooth ruffled feathers of some other people, but I am limited in scope.” Alizabeth said, “But knowing the other people on the ship do help a lot. That is why getting to know some over drinks helps a great deal, and building blocks of good working relationships.”

The counselor nodded affably. "Aye, this entirely makes sense," she agreed. "We will be at it for a little while here, though. Nebula-class vessels hold an average of over seven hundred crew members."

The smile on the dark woman’s face split into a very wicked grin. “Just means we have to go meet for drinks way more often.” Alizabeth said it like it was the simplest solution in the world, and maybe for her, and her outgoing nature, it was.

Elleese chuckled at that. "As they say, it is good to have a plan." Her plan was a little different, of course, but to each their own.

Before her next response, she felt the telltale signs of the runabout preparing to depart for the Odin. "Looks like we're on our way."

“Time to put all our work to work, so it seems.” Alizabeth straightened her back, a hint of being at attention without even needing formal stance in the moment. “I will reach out to invite you to dinner soon.”

"I look forward to that," the counselor said with a smile.

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