Can we talk?

Posted on Wed Jul 10th, 2019 @ 10:44am by

Mission: The Fool's Odyssey
Location: Counselor's office
Timeline: A few days after retrieval
767 words - 1.5 OF Standard Post Measure

"Daddy where are we going?" The little boy swung his father's hand as they walked down the corridor. He seemed happy, yet also a little disturbed by his father's melancholial mood. "Are you alright daddy?"

Stef smiled down at the boy, but wouldn't outright lie to him. "No, I am not alright." He ruffled the child's hair with his free hand. "Do not worry Alecx, it has nothing to do with you." If anything the boys presence made him feel better, even if he reminded him of what he had lost.

They stopped in front of a door and the young Vulcan pressed the chime. He had no appointment but he did hope the newly arrived counselor would have time for him.

Kelris was looking over some files when the chime rang, "getting the lay of the land" which was a phrase that humans used. Being as much at home in water as on land, she suspected she never quite understood it the way humans did. It was, however, useful nonetheless.

"Come!" she chirped, then tugged on her uniform to straighten it. It was an unconscious attempt to be at her best. New ship, new crew... she knew she needed to inspire confidence quickly. At some point, it was likely that someone's life would truly count on it.

Stef walked in, still clutching the boy's hand. "Good morning counselor. I apologize for not making an appointment, but do you have time now? It is... important."

"Of course, please come in and sit down. Is this about you, or this little one?" While it seemed likely they were related, she was careful with her phrasing, as she didn't want to make assumptions.

The young Vulcan nodded as he coaxed the boy further inside, allowing the door to close behind them. "Mostly me, and some both of us ma'am." He sat down but didn't offer his hand. "My name is Stef, this is my son Alecx. He was born during the time I was stranded on Mardra III." He frowned. "While only a few days passed for those here on the ship, five years passed for me. I am having difficulty readjusting."

"Ah... very good" she said, choosing her words carefully. She thought for a moment, then went on, "I've noticed that our human companions have a tendency to say 'I understand' when what they mean is 'I sympathize'. I, however, have had an incident happen to me of a somewhat similar nature. As such, I may have some degree of actual understanding. I also like to mention before we begin, I am an empath, so I do pick up on what patients are feeling."

"As a Vulcan I am expected to control all my feelings. If I had followed that path you would not have sensed anything from me." Stef paused. "However i have abandoned the path of Surak as I felt it was not for me. After the death of my twin sister, my touch-telepathic, and empathic abilities were suddenly unlocked as I had been designated as having no such abilities until her death. My twin had no telepathic or empathic ability either, we only had with each other but that was it. I am not yet certain what abilities my son will have."

It was a flood of words which tumbled out at high speed and without pause. The boy shifted uncomfortably. "I only have my daddy," he finally said, his voice soft and uncertain, "Daddy says my mommy is with the angels now, and my sister too."

"Daddy's are generally right" she told Alecx, smiling softly, before diverting her attention back to the father.
"Can you summarize your time on the planet? Oh, and while in session, you may feel free to refer to me as Lieutenant or Counselor or just Kelris, whatever you are most comfortable with. Rank has little meaning during counseling sessions."

"In short, after I gave up on getting retrieved, I tried to become part of the community. Eventually, I got married and had children. My wife died in childbirth, my daughter died a few weeks later. She became very ill and was too weak to recover. Had she been able to be treated on the Majestic, I am certain both my wife and child would have survived." He pulled the boy onto his lap. "Alecx is obviously not a full blooded Vulcan, as his mother was Mardran. Since we cannot go back, I am not certain how to keep her culture alive for him."


::Truncated due to counselor's inactivity::


Crewman Apprentice Stef
Yeoman/Animal caretaker
pnpc Lhaes

Alecx
Stef's son