Checking in

Posted on 01 Sep 2023 @ 12:50pm by Commander Elleese Elloyia & Commander Kristiana Petrova

1,468 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Deus ex Machina
Location: Counselor's Office
Timeline: Post 'New Kids on the Block'

Next item on the docket, the new counselor. Kris hadn't had a chance to read her file, assuming it was a her. Petrova wasn't too familiar with Betazoid naming conventions, but Elleese sounded female enough. Assuming Betazoid naming convention was given name first, family name second. Once at the appropriate door she rang the chime.

"Enter," called a light voice from the other side. It wasn't quite musical, but there was a cultured, cultivated quality to it that most people recognized without conscious awareness of doing so. Elleese looked up from the PADD she had been reading beside the window her office was afforded, recognizing the first officer. She had been planning to report in once she had settled a couple things here, but this apparently spared the trip.

"Commander Petrova," she greeted with a respectful bow of her head and polite smile. "I was going to come see you shortly. I hope I did not keep you waiting too long."

Naturally, if Petrova was familiar with certain near-constant traits for Betazoids then this woman's coloring--the blue-silver hair and eyes--would be a surprise, but she was used to that.

"Nah, just - checking in, making sure you have everything you need," Kris replied. She didn't quite register consciously how Elleese was unusual for a Betazoid, though subconsciously she noted that the officer seemed unusual. The executive officer looked tired, slight bags under her eyes, though still a keen look to them. "And to introduce myself, get an idea of what I'm working with. It's about time we got a new chief counselor onboard, you've got your work cut out for you."

"New chief counselors always do," Elleese replied affably. She took in everything, both visually and empathically, though without clear outward sign that she noticed. That tended to unnerve people, she had learned, so while there was an air to her that suggested she missed nothing, it wasn't outwardly obvious. "Can I offer you a seat and something to drink?"

"Most ships aren't the Odin, Commander," Kris replied immediately and without any hint of a sense of humor in her tone. One might even be forgiven to think she narrowed her eyes ever so slightly as she spoke. Just for that moment though, the "Yes please, just some orange juice, thank you," that followed was considerably more friendly, even as she took a seat.

Elleese did not reply immediately, moving to the replicator for a glass of Earth orange juice and a cup of her preferred tea. There was a slight edge to that first response that had the counselor curious, though she was not going to broach it just yet. She brought the glass to the commander, handed it to her, and then she and her tea took their own seat. "Of that, I am sure," she finally replied evenly. "Each ship and crew has its own unique history and challenges. I have read about the Odin's recent missions and circumstances."

"Good," Kris began, followed by a more kindly "thank you," when offered her drink. She contemplated it for a moment, trying to think of how to phrase her thoughts, before continuing. "Then you'll have read that in the past year or so we've had several encounters with hostile entities that have taken over the minds of some of our crew. When you're settled in I want you to make those crew a priority. Schedule sessions, assess their mental state, make sure they're not only - clean, for lack of a better term, but still fit for duty." That list included herself, she knew. Part of her was too proud to ask for help directly, though she figured this was a clever workaround for that problem.

"Of course," Elleese agreed reasonably, keeping her mentality under careful control in the face of a certain strong sense coming from the other commander. "Meetings with the command staff and department heads will also be among some of my first priorities, since the crew is all best served by leaders who are feeling their best."

"Yeah, that's probably a good idea," Kris began, her hard, focused exterior cracking and wavering a bit. "Something about music and facing it, I suppose," she added under her breath, quickly drowning her words - and the thoughts that spawned them - with a long swig of the orange juice. "So, commander. Tell me about yourself. What made you join Starfleet. Why counseling. And what brought you to the Odin."

Ell's pale brows rose very slightly with a hint of amusement. "I came to the Odin because this is where I was assigned," she said with a small smile, "but I am happy to go where Starfleet sends me. I see psychology and counseling as my calling, and I like to help people using my abilities and knowledge. I am a Betazoid, but as you will see in my medical profile, I am...something of a genetic aberration among my people. To compensate, I was trained extensively throughout my youth in relation to the mind, emotions, and my telepathy and empathy. As such, this profession was a natural extension of that and Starfleet affords the chance to reach more people, and more diverse people."

Kris took another sip of her orange juice as she watched and listened to Ell. She filed away every word said, though a few stood out, and those she wanted to know more about. "Genetic abberation?"

"Yes," Ell said, inclining her head slightly. "One of those best known for my neurological difference was a man named Tam Elbrun, who gained some...infamy, one might say, in the 2350s and 60s. Are you familiar with his history?"

"Can't say that I am, sorry," Kris offered, crossing her legs and sitting back, relaxing in the seat. "I don't know much about your people beyond the most common knowledge."

Elleese nodded. "Betazoids do not develop their telepathic abilities until adolescence, when we are able to learn how to control and filter the input from others. On very rare occasions, a Betazoid is born with this ability already active at birth, and it is problematic to say the least. I am one of those children, however they had better ideas to help us than in Elbrun's days. I grew up in mostly seclusion with highly mentally controlled individuals who taught me the same, which is why I say it felt natural to continue to pursue this career path. I have spent almost my whole life studying and understanding all matters of the mind."

"I see," offered Kris, trying to take in what the other commander had explained. "That can't have been easy, growing up," she added, tilting her head slightly, taking another drink. "Mostly seclusion, you say. Like, a space with more people like you? How did you integrate into normal society after an upbringing like that? I apologize if these are insensitive questions. Just - curious minds want to know."

"You are not the first to ask," the counselor replied with a smile, "and you will not be the last. I was not raised with others like me, no, because there were no others at that time. It is a very rare aberration. It was comparable to what they call a monastery on Earth and in Earth's history. A group of Betazoids who were very regimented and controlled and helped me learn the necessary skills far earlier than others must. I returned to my parents in adolescence." She paused. "As for integrating into normal society... It was not particularly difficult. Those who raised and rained me had taught me of the world as well, and then my parents helped. The ability to sense others can also help one learn how to function around them, coupled with an intense study of Betazoid and xeno psychology from the time I could read."

"I'm glad to hear," Krisriana smiled. "Sounds like we're in good hands then," and she meant it. "Now, is there anything you want to know? Any questions about the ship or its crew?"

Elleese considered for a few moments. "Not yet," she said. "I like to get a general feeling for things to start with and build my understanding from there, and I imagine some questions will follow." She inclined her head slightly. "I will want to arrange more official meetings with you and the captain soonest, as I believe it sets a good example for the crew to follow to not mind seeing me. I hope that will be alright with you, Commander?"

"Sounds good to me," Kris offered, rising to her feet again. Scheduling a counseling session was easier when it was the counselor doing the scheduling. "I should return to my duties, then," she added.

"Of course, sir," Ell said, also rising to her feet. "I look forward to working with you."

 

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