Checking In with the Counselor

Posted on Wed May 5th, 2021 @ 12:00pm by Lieutenant Sky Jansen-Carey & Commander Marisa Sandoval

Mission: The Mentarin Effect
Location: Counseling
Timeline: Current

{ON}

Now that they were back on board, Marisa set an appointment to get her evaluation and have a chat with the other woman. Three minutes before her appointment, she arrived at the counselor's office. As a counselor herself, she was curious to see how counseling was set up on the Rsolution.

Answering the door Sky offered a warm smile as she greeted Marisa. “Commander Sandoval, please come on in and make yourself at home.” She stepped aside to allow Marisa to enter. “Please feel free to use the replicator if you’d like anything.”

"Thank you," the half-Vulcan said, walking into the office. She took a moment to look around. "Very nice." Then, choosing to bypass the replicator, she sat down in one of the chairs. "How long have you been on the ship?"

“Not long at all actually” Sky smiled. “I’m one of the new crew, seems the ship has had a fair few of us.”

"Yes. I've only had a quick look at the crew list," Marisa said. "In some ways, it'll be good for the Captain moving forward."

Sky nodded. “That’s true, fresh faces for a newly promoted Captain. I’ve no doubt he’ll do a wonderful job. I haven’t met many people as yet.”

"Neither have I," Marisa replied. "I was going to ask you what you think of the crew, but I'm not sure how many of them you've managed to meet yet. Counselors often have a good feel for how the crew is doing as a whole."

“If I had to go by my senses there’s a fair amount of uncertainty at present, but that’s nothing new for a crew with a lot of new people. We’re all getting to know one another so I’ve no doubt that’ll change.”

"I'm sure there's a good deal of uncertainty after the attack, too," Marisa said. "But I do agree that things should settle down in no time."

Sky offered a smile. “Given what happened to the Captain, the previous Captain that is, I’m not surprised at the level of emotion onboard ship.”

Marisa shook her head, agreeing with the sentiment. Changing the subject, she asked. "What made you decide to be a counselor?"

“I developed my abilities earlier than I should have, as a result I spent a lot of time in and out of hospitals and clinics.” Sky paused. “I guess I became a Counsellor because I wanted to help others, those like me, and others who need help.”

"It's a good reason, and it gives you a unique perspective that will help others with your condition," the first officer said.

“That’s true” Sky smiled warmly. “Now I believe I’m supposed to be conducting your evaluation.” She picked up a PADD and kept it handy for notes.

"You are." Marisa smiled. "How do you wish to begin?"

Sky gazed at Marisa, “I believe this is your first assignment as Executive Officer, how are you feeling about being responsible for the lives of the crew aboard the ship?”

"That's an interesting first question," she replied, chuckling. "I'm a psychologist. Part of that job, as you know, is helping people survive mentally. I've been the head of a science department where I was responsible for every scientist on the ship. So, to a lesser extent, I've already taken steps in this direction. But to answer your question, I've always felt a certain sense of responsibility for those I work with. Now, instead of one person or one department, it's one ship. I can't do everything, and I can't be everywhere, but as long as I do my job to the best I know how, and continue to learn, I won't intentionally put anyone at risk. I can live with that."

“Good answer” Sky grinned. “I don’t usually go straight for the jugular with my questions, but that was the first one that came to mind. So you’re a psychologist? I guess you’ve done your fair share of evaluations, and dealing with patients. Do you feel that it helps to have that background?”

"The question was fine," Marisa assured her. She paused for a moment. "I think understanding the psychology behind how people might behave in certain situations helps not only in comprehension, but in how I react to a situation. I'm less likely to jump to conclusions because I look at the psychological factors--although I'm far from perfect and am still prone to misjudge from time to time, much to my mother's chagrin."

“Now that I understand!” Sky grinned. “Parents can be a big part of why we become who we are. I always try to prove myself, not that I really need to. It’s just that you want your parents to be proud of you, at least for me that’s how it feels.”

"Indeed. Except when your parents want different things for you." Marisa smiled wryly. "My mother wanted me to be a proper Vulcan. For the first years of my live, we lived in Shi'Kahr. I was a good student, but I was a bit too human for the other kids. When we moved to Earth, I was more comfortable, but I was a bit too serious for most kids. Both my parents accept who I am, but sometimes it was hard trying to please both of them and knowing I never could."

Sky nodded understandingly. “It must be difficult. To be honest I don’t know anything about my father, or how my mother came to have a child with a Romulan. I’ve never asked mainly because I don’t know how to ask.”

"That could be an awkward conversation, depending on the circumstances under which you were conceived," Marisa replied. "Has your mother ever mentioned him?"

Sky shook her head. “No she hasn’t, I tried asking when I was little but once I realised how much it hurt her I stopped asking.” She offered a brief smile. “I’m not sure whether it’s worth the risk to try searching.”

"Perhaps not while she's alive, and not unless you want to know where your other half comes from," Marissa said. "It's not always necessary to know everything."

“Exactly” Sky nodded. “Besides my father might not even know that I exist. He may not even be alive.”

"No. There are any number of reasons your mother won't talk about him and he hasn't tried to contact you," Marisa said. "But that will be up to you, eventually. I'm inately curious--one of the reasons I went into science--so my advice comes from a desire for knowledge. It's not always the best course of action."

Sky nodded. “That I can understand, for now I’m happy not knowing, but who knows what might happen in the future. I’ll deal with that when the time comes.”

"Indeed," Marisa replied. "Now that I've once again derailed the evaluation, what is your next question?"

Sky grinned “To be honest I’m not sure I have another question in mind. There are those I could role off a whole list of questions to, and those I feel don’t need it. You are definitely one of those I feel don’t need it. Do you have anything you’d like to talk about?”

"I appreciate the complement," Marisa said. "I think I'm good, too. I don't have any questions, or anything I fell I need to talk about."

Sky nodded. “In that case I’m happy to keep this evaluation short and sweet.” She smiled warmly. “It’s been nice talking to you.”

"Igualmente," Marisa replied, standing. "I look forward to working with you." She smiled again. "Thank you again for the conversation."

{OFF}

Commander Marisa Sandoval
Executive Officer
USS Resolution

Lieutenant Sky Jansen
Chief Counsellor
USS Resolution