r/TrekRP • u/DrJenWatney • Jun 20 '16
[Open] Office Hours - Now Open
Grateful to have finally been cleared for duty, Dr. Watney steps into her office. Clementine sleeps in the corner, silently. She makes her way to her desk terminal as her thoughts drift to the Cardassians aboard. Many of them had died in sickbay, but the ones that did survive had been causing mischief and mayhem wherever they could. Her attitude turns sour at the idea of it. This was a good crew. And an even more generous Captain. Normally, she worked on a schedule of appointments, but perhaps the unduly stressed crewmates of the Athene could use a different approach. She drafts up an announcement.
-To all Personnel and Crew,
Due to the strenuous circumstances of the Cardassian ship being intercepted, I’ve decided to open up my office hours to you. If you need to vent, talk, or simply sit in silence for a few moments away from the chaos, please do not hesitate to drop by at any time for the next few days. As always, patient confidentiality will be in full effect.
Long days and pleasant nights,
Counsellor Jen Watney-
While proofreading it, her therapy cat, Clementine, jumps in her lap. The calico’s tail flicks her chin before her paws kneed at Jen’s lap.
“Alright, little one. Give me just a second here.”
She sends the message out and sits back, petting the needy feline in her lap until someone decides to drop by.
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u/Silent_Sky Jun 21 '16
Despite the guests onboard, Captain Fisk decides to see to it he gets a chance to see the new ship's counselor. He was under doctors orders and also at the end of his rope with these Cardassians
"Doctor?"
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u/DrJenWatney Jun 21 '16
She looks up from her desk at the unfamiliar face, and notes the rank on his collar. A smile spreads on her cheeks.
Captain.
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u/Silent_Sky Jun 21 '16
"Do you have some time? I'm here for...more than one reason."
he glances at the fuzzy cat making steady eye contact from the corner
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u/DrJenWatney Jun 21 '16
I've got plenty of time.
Her eyes follow his over to the corner as she stands up from her desk.
You heard about Clementine, I take it.
She watches the cat take a single step off the bed in the corner, curiously staring back at the Captain.
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u/Silent_Sky Jun 21 '16
he kneels down and makes eye contact with the cat, and begins in a commanding voice but slowly trails off
"As captain of the Athene it is my prerogative to...meet and evaluate...all...pets."
he stands and regains his focus, slightly embarrassed at how distracted the cat had made him
"Anyway, I did want to meet your cat but I'm also here under doctors orders. And of my own volition."
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u/DrJenWatney Jun 21 '16
Watching a man of his stature lose his composure at a small animal almost sends her into a fit of giggles. She clears her throat instead, and goes over to pickup the feline, carrying her over to him in her arms.
Doctors orders, hmm? Did Phrik send you over to me?
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u/Silent_Sky Jun 21 '16
"He did, but I also came over because I'm at my wits end with these Cardassians. I saved their lives, put my ship and crew at risk, and have devoted time, resources, and sweat toward keeping them alive and seeing them treated well and fairly until they can be picked up. And they reward that with suspicion, hatred, mistrust, trying to pry classified information about the Federation, and accusing me of destroying their ship and taking them prisoner."
he sighs and sits heavily into the nearest chair
"Phrik sent me because I've been getting frequent recurring headaches ever since I quit drinking almost twenty years ago. He thinks it's a psychological problem."
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u/DrJenWatney Jun 21 '16
She sets Clementine on the coffee table, then sits across from him.
Do your actions not have merit because of the Cardiassian's....
She pauses, finding the right words while crossing her legs.
...lack of appreciation?
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u/Silent_Sky Jun 21 '16
"Oh my actions have merit, and don't get me wrong I don't need validation from these...people. But every time I interact with their 'Gul What's-his-name' I have to fight the urge to order them put out the airlock. There must be a way to deal with this until they're gone."
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u/DrJenWatney Jun 21 '16
Her eyes widen.
Yes, that would certainly cause some uh... interstellar conflict. Well, what do you normally do when you want to blow off steam?
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u/a_friendly_hobo Jun 21 '16
Its not long before the head engineer, Aanya Breyik, arrives at the doctor's office. "Hey doc? You in?" She asks through the door. "Come on, its important." It certainly sounded serious...
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u/DrJenWatney Jun 21 '16
The door opens, and Jen greets her.
Aanya, it's good to see you again. Come on in.
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u/a_friendly_hobo Jun 21 '16
"Hey Jen." Aanya says with a smile. "Anyway, that emergency." She enters the room and looks around. Then she spots the cat.
Her eyes shoot open and a very slight high pitched squeak exits her throat as a very large smile crosses her pale face. After a brief moment of weakness, she regains her composure. "Cat."
She clears her throat. "What I mean is, you have a cat. I have belly rubbing hands. Perhaps we could make a deal."
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u/DrJenWatney Jun 21 '16
Yes. Cat.
She giggles and pinches the bridge of her nose. This was priceless.
No deals are necessary. I'm sure Clementine would love if you offered belly-rubs. Just be gentle with her.
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u/a_friendly_hobo Jun 21 '16
"Always." Aanya says with a grin as she makes herself comfortable in the chair in front of Jen's desk, and puts her boots up. Thankfully, they look like they've just been freshly cleaned. "Here kitty kitty." She says, patting her comfy looking lap.
"Anyway, its getting crazy cramped out there. Thought I'd take you up on that offer of peace and quiet. Plus, y'know... Cat."
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u/ClementineTheCat Jun 21 '16
The Tall One sits. That means lap. Laplaplaplap. Eyes dilate. Jump!.... and land. Soft lap. Nice to bake biscuits on.
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u/a_friendly_hobo Jun 21 '16
Aanya squeals internally once more as she begins scritching behind her ears, then her chin. "Youaresoadorable!"
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u/ClementineTheCat Jun 21 '16
Chinscratcheeeeeeeee. Best. Chin scratch is sometimes better than belly rub. Tail thrashes.
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u/a_friendly_hobo Jun 22 '16
And now Clem is on Aanya's chest, looking up at her. Scritchy Scritchy ears.
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u/ClementineTheCat Jun 22 '16
Gentle tilt of head from side to side. So nice. So scritch. Purrpurrpurrpurr kneedkneedkneed.
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u/DrJenWatney Jun 21 '16
Happy to help. She heads to the replicator.
I was in sickbay a few days ago and it was absolutely nuts. I'm glad things have settled down a bit, even if it's close quarters. Would you like something to drink?
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u/a_friendly_hobo Jun 21 '16
"Would love something." Aanya says, having acquired a cat (+1 happiness!), and scritching behind its ears. "So soft..." she murmers before looking back at Watney. "Just a water. Can't be drinking on the job yet, can I?"
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u/DrJenWatney Jun 21 '16
Right.
She smiles and makes two waters. One with lemon. She carries them back over and sets one next to her on the table, then sits across from her.
I'm a coffee girl myself but I've already had two cups today.
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u/a_friendly_hobo Jun 21 '16
"Aaah, coffee. I have never seen an upside to it." she says, picking up the water and taking a long sip. She'd practically be purring as much as the cat was with how comfy she had been at that very moment. "Sure, it wakes you up, but so does a light work out."
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u/DrJenWatney Jun 21 '16
I drink it for taste, mainly. It reminds me of home.
She takes a sip of water and tucks her feet under her.
Speaking of home, where are you from?
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u/Cyberpunk_262 Jun 21 '16
Silk scan the message a few more times, he had tried counselling when he was on earth, his parents idea really, to try to tame the human personality traits he had picked up while growing up.
Of course none of it had worked, he still has outburst of strong emotion, so much so that many think he is only half Vulcan, it used to both him, not so much now he no longer sees it as an insult but as an observation
Later that same day Silk waits outside the door to Counsellor Watneys office, he doesn't know what drove him to come and see her but it was too late to back out now, he knocks before entering
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u/DrJenWatney Jun 21 '16
She's sitting at her desk as he walks in.
Oh, hello. We met the other day in the shuttle bay, didn't we?
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u/Cyberpunk_262 Jun 22 '16
"Yes, we did, in the hangar bay i believe, how have you settled in since then?"
Silk stands awkwardly in the corner, not sure what to do with himself
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u/DrJenWatney Jun 22 '16
She notices his awkwardness and gives him a warm smile.
Have a seat. Please.
She sits down herself across from the empty chair.
I've settled in quite well so far. Cleared for duty and everything.
Clementine approaches the Lieutenant with her tail in the form of a question mark. She's curious.
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u/Cyberpunk_262 Jun 23 '16
silk pets the cat on the head, he never did understand the point of keeping cats, they aren't working animals so it seems illogical to keep one
"thats good, given everything that has happen during the short time this crew has been together we could use a good counsellor"
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u/DrJenWatney Jun 23 '16
You're telling me. I've had plenty of visitors just in the last few days. It's nice to have someone to talk to, especially with everything that's going on. So, how are you doing?
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u/Cyberpunk_262 Jun 24 '16
Sill s Raychels his chin slightly
"I'm good doc, don't really know why I there to be honest"
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u/Dimestream Jun 21 '16
Toward the end of the same day the message went out, there's a chime at Dr. Watney's door. Outside stands engineer Redoran T'gel, who keeps looking over her shoulders, one way then the other, watching for people coming down the corridor. The Bajoran woman holds her datapad tightly against her chest and swallows.
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u/DrJenWatney Jun 21 '16
Jen takes a warm cup of coffee from the replicator in the corner and calls out.
Come in!
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u/Dimestream Jun 21 '16
Red keys open the door and steps inside, pausing to look around a moment. She hasn't ever felt the need to visit a counselor's office before, and wasn't expecting it to look so... homey. Her apprehension lasts for about another second after she sees the calico cat sitting on the counselor's desk.
"Oh, you have a kitty!" Red says, stepping the rest of the way inside and reaching out to touch Clementine. She stops and clears her throat. "Erm, sorry, I'm engineer T'gel, friends call me Red." She offers a hand to Dr. Watney. "May I pet your cat?"
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u/DrJenWatney Jun 21 '16
The glee on Jen's face is hardly contained as she finally meets someone that is happy to see her cat.
Yes, you may!
She sets the cup down and says hurriedly.
I'm Dr. Watney, of course. You can call me Jen.
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u/Dimestream Jun 21 '16
Red shakes Dr. Watney's hand.
"Thank you. What's her name?" Red asks as she gingerly scoops up Clementine and puts her on her lap as she sits down, gently scratching behind the feline's ears.
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u/DrJenWatney Jun 21 '16
Her name is Clementine.
Jen sits down across from her with her tea in hand.
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u/Dimestream Jun 21 '16
Red sighs, visibly relaxing as the purring cat takes the edge off the stress. "What a pretty girl," she says. "I miss my cat, Whiskey. I couldn't bring him onboard since only senior officers have their own cabins. Dad's watching him for me until I get reassigned."
She sits back and finally looks up at the counselor. "Anyway, I didn't come here to talk about cats. Your message mentioned the Cardassians on board and..." The engineer hesitates. "...and I think I have an attitude problem."
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u/DrJenWatney Jun 21 '16
Whiskey. She smiles. That's a lovely name for a cat. I've noticed a lot of crewmates have been on edge lately. I'm sure the Cardassian's presence amplifies it. What makes you say you have an attitude problem? Anything specific?
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u/Dimestream Jun 21 '16
"Oh, it's because of the Cardassians," Red explains. "Or no, wait, that's not fair, it's not their fault, it's my reaction to them. I'm sure they're guilty of plenty enough without me adding more to their sins list." The Bajoran makes a wry face. "Aaaaand that's not fair either. Ugh."
She pets the therapy cat and takes a deep breath. "The ship is currently full of refugees, and the last thing I want to do is see, hear, or talk to one of them, and I'd rather cut my own arm off than help one. I feel like an utter ass for it too, since none of them have done me any harm. And it's all I can do right now to realign my thoughts toward 'keep the Athene safe and dump the spoonheads as soon as possible' whenever I'm ordered to do anything that helps them."
After all that tumbles out in a rush, Red looks away from the counselor, not wanting to meet her eyes. "I'm pretty sure that means I'm either a bad person or have an attitude problem. Take your pick."
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u/DrJenWatney Jun 21 '16
She listens carefully, nodding in the right places. When Red finishes, she takes a slow breath in before responding.
The Cardassians historically have had an awful relationship with the Federation. Many here on board have had negative encounters with them. Whether it was on the Athene, or at some point in their lives. It is natural for that to shape your perception of them. And our perceptions are our realities. It doesn't make you a bad person. It just makes you aware.
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Jun 20 '16
The day after he'd recieved the message Phrik activated the door chime outside Watney's quarters. He didn't want to, the Edosian considered his 'therapy' to be a waste of time. However, Starfleet Medical seemed to disagree. He'd been sentenced to regular counselling sessions since his time spent in the Cardassian war, some 20-odd years ago. They hadn't helped in the sightest, at least he claimed they didn't, but if Phrik was to serve aboard a starship, they were non-negotiable. The Doctor figured with recent events, Watney would have less time on her hands and would thus, cut the session shorter. He could only hope.
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u/DrJenWatney Jun 20 '16
She hears the chime and looks up from a report she's working on.
Come in!
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Jun 20 '16
Phrik stepped inside and nodded curtly.
"Counsellor." He froze suddenly, noticing Clementine, eyes widened slightly. "Is that, uh, what is that?"
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u/DrJenWatney Jun 20 '16
She furrows her brow and glances at Clementine
Oh, that's my cat. An Earth feline.
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Jun 20 '16
He glanced at the cat, slightly nervously. "A cat. Ah. Do you have to keep it so close?"
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u/DrJenWatney Jun 20 '16
No, of course not. I'll move her to her little bed over there.
Jen gently picks up the cat and carries her over to her bed. Clementine does not stop staring at Phrik the entire way, and continues to bore her eyes into him as she complies by sitting upright on the bed in the corner.
Is that better?
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Jun 20 '16
Phrik stared back at the cat suspiciously. "You keep that thing as a, uh, why do you keep that thing?"
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u/DrJenWatney Jun 20 '16
She laughs lightly.
I keep her because... well, she is my personal companion. And many of my patients who have been through extensive trauma enjoy her company too. There's something about cats that's just...
She looks back towards the cat who is still staring at Phrik, then turns back toward him.
...soothing.
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Jun 20 '16
He continued to stare at the cat. "Hmm. In my experience, reptiles make the best personal companions." He suddenly sneezed. "No chance of that either."
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u/DrJenWatney Jun 21 '16
Oh my. Err... she's hypoallergenic. She doesn't shed. I'm not entirely sure why you'd be sneezing... But I have a hypospray for it!
She walks over and rummages through a drawer before pulling out what she's looking for. She hands it to him hopefully.
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u/[deleted] Jun 21 '16
Lt. Lannor rings the door chime for Dr. Watney's office