[BACK POST] “Ready to Begin Again?” Part I

Posted on 09 Apr 2020 @ 8:42am by
Edited on on 13 May 2020 @ 2:39am

1,532 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: General Sim Postings
Location: Chief Counselor’s Office
Timeline: A few days after “Ceremonies of Light” posts

[ON]

Iria had done a session with Serina Donovan and Lamia, now it was Aldana’s turn. She sent a summons and waited in her office. She wasn’t completely certain what all Aldana had gone through as she had been separated from the group Iria was in, so she prepared herself for what might be a very disturbing account, and ready to help Aldana get started on the path to recovery.

The doctor was in a turbolift one hir with hir guyzos on their way to one of the umbilical pylons that joined their ship to Starbase 51. They were headed there with a few things to enjoy some R&R when Aldana received the summons. “Computer, halt. Reroute turbolift to approximately Councilor Walon’s location.”

Aldana looked down to hir companions. ~Sorry loves, just a little diversion, we’ll see what she wants, and get to our game in due time.~

Luuna and Sombra were sitting, relaxed at Alpha’s feet enjoying the ride. Luuna just gave a lite “woof” in acknowledgement but otherwise, neither of them reacted.

It wasn’t long before the turbolift arrived at its new destination, and the door slide aside. The trio departed and made their way to the councilor's office. Aldana activated the chime.

Iria looked up at the doorway as she set down her PADD, “Come in,” she offered up a gentle smile seeing Aldana and companions, “Make yourself comfortable and if you think your companions need a small snack while we talk feel free to get something from the replicator.” Iria said lightly as she nodded towards the chairs or couch to allow Aldana the choice of where they were most comfortable.

Aldana’s two furry companions knew what ‘sn-ack’ meant, and they both immediately comically circled in front of Alpha and peered up at hir with pleading eyes.

Aldana snickered but looked at them sternly, ~you both know it’s not snack time, besides you’ll just need to go for a walk soon after, and we might be here for a bit. Settle down.~ S/he looked at the councillor with a smile. “Thank you for your generous offer, maybe later.”

The hybrid doctor crossed over to the offered couch and took a seat. Sombra dutifully stayed on the floor, but Luuna wanted attention so she started to climb up with Alpha. “Uh! Ask first.”

Luuna went over to the woman in the room, she understood to be called ‘couh-solar wha-lon’ and sat in front of her pleading. Aldana smiled. “Is it alright if Luuna joins me on the couch. Her feet are pretty clean, and I can clean the fur up after.”

Iria smiled softly, “They’re both welcome to join you on the couch if that is what makes you more comfortable, Aldana.” She wasn’t worried about fur it wasn’t hard to clear up.

At the slightest of beckoning from Alpha, Luuna joined hir up on the couch and snuggled into hir lap. Sombra, however, was content to stay where he was.

Amiri smiled, “is this a social invitation councillor?”

Iria shook her head gently, “I’m afraid not, you were among those of us that the Orion’s took and experimented upon, we all need to get some counselling sessions in to be sure we are healing in mind as well as body.”

Aldana nodded, “alright, how do we begin?”

Iria was surprised at Aldana’s question, she was supposed to be a counsellor herself and if she had no idea of what she was expected to do if someone needed counselling it put into question what they were teaching at the academy.

Iria frowned slightly, speaking gently, “We might start with, how do you feel right now as opposed to a few days ago?”

Aldana knew there were different counselling styles, and different counsellors liked to start their first session with a client in different ways. S/he hadn’t encountered the ginger-haired, lovely Lieutenant in a situation quite like this before, so s/he’d figured s/he’d allow Walon to drive things the way she was used to, rather than assert hir own methods or opinions. Besides she was the head of this section of the department and didn’t want to step on her toes.

“We’re excited to be getting to some R&R over the next few days. It’s been some time since the three of us have gotten to enjoy a good bit of role-playing together.”

Iria blinked surprised by Aldana’s reply, “The relaxation I can understand but how exactly would you role play with your canine companions?” She was baffled by the concept with what to her appeared as intelligent animal helpers to Aldana but not that she could see how they would be able to fully immerse into a role-playing situation.

Aldana smiled. “We get creative. There are a few scenarios where Luuna and Sombra’s particular skill sets can come in handy. One of the easiest ones we can do is as familiar to a nature-based character such as a druid. Granted dice rolls are a little bit hard to perform, but sometimes we leave that up to the computer… or pick a game with a rule-set that doesn’t use dice for its randomization mechanic.”

Iria frowned softly, as she listened to the explanation but it still didn’t make much sense to her, but she figured if Aldana had fun and her canines seemed to enjoy the outing there was little real reason to object to the activity. “As long as you have fun, Aldana.” Iria regarded Aldana a moment before adding softly, “Are you feeling alright after having to be treated for wounds and possible other aftereffects from the Orion Doctors?”

Amiri sat quietly for a long moment while s/he contemplated hir answer. S/he shifted nervously in hir seat. Afraid of the possible consequences if s/he said the wrong thing at the wrong time to the wrong person. S/he enjoyed hir position and those s/he worked with and around. S/he looked forward to one day possibly inheriting the department from hir Cahill.

Sombra noticed something, and he came up onto the couch to check on his Alpha.

Amiri pulled him close and traded some minor wordless communication of comfort. S/he nuzzled hir face into the soft, reassuring fur of the back of his neck. Breathing deeply the soothing scent of hir ‘good boy’.

Sombra pressed himself into his Alpha. He too had been through his ordeal, but slowly through the comfort of knowing he could help another, and he was loved, he was recovering silently.

“No. I sometimes wake up in the middle of the night and feel anxious… restless.”

Iria nodded softly, “I think that is normal for the situation, do you need help finding ways to relax after the nightmares or is that part of what your companions help you with?” She did understand nightmares, she had them too, anyone who had been through what they all had would.

Amiri was confused for a moment, but then realized the mistake s/he’d made. “I’m sorry, I wasn’t clear; I’ve been experiencing a different set of symptoms; something a little more… physical… more personal. I’m not sure what the Orion pirates did to me; I’m not having nightmares…” Aldana hemmed and hawed. S/he reached down and fidgeted with Sombra’s ears. S/he opened hir mouth just to close it again; struggling with how and what to say. Finally, s/he swallowed hard as s/he decided just to say it. “I think I’ve been experiencing hormonal and pheromone imbalances.”

Iria frowned softly, “You haven’t been treated to have their experiments undone yet? Everyone was supposed to have been treated and some have ongoing treatments to help with hormonal and pheromone changes returned to their normal levels.”

Aldana frowned. “Maybe I fell through the cracks?” S/he looked innocent and half-clueless. “No one has approached me about it yet. Perhaps Doctor Cahill has been busy with the others?” s/he paused then added, “I’ve been more focused on spending time with these guys during the R&R on the station.” Aldana reached out to each of the two canids in turn and ruffled their head fur and ears. “It’s not very often the three of us get to come together as a family. (Besides, maybe I’ll get to meet someone on Starbase 51.)”

Iria shook her head concerned, “Then you should tell her and get those treatments started immediately, the longer you wait for the more likely it will be more difficult to cure you. I am all for relaxation, but you have to see that you’re not going to ultimately put yourself or others in a dangerous situation.”

TBC

[OFF]

Lt. j.g. Iria Walon
Chief Counselor, Chief of Intelligence

Lt. Jg Amiri Aldana 365 D.V.M., M.D
Assistant Chief Medical Officer

CWO Sombra C.G.CA/U, PSA,C.ESA [P: Aldana]
Counsellors aide/Morale Officer

CWO Luuna (Luna) C.G.CA/U [P: Aldana]
Security Officer

 

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