S'hib's Dilemma, Part 2

Posted on Sun Jul 19th, 2020 @ 7:35am by Lieutenant Tate Sullivan Ph.D. & Lieutenant Commander S'hib

Mission: Season 3: Episode 4: Cause and Effect
Location: Dr. Tate Sullivan's Office, USS Elysium
Timeline: Immediately following Part 1
807 words - 1.6 OF Standard Post Measure

"My people, my species... we live in herds, we have a strong social bond with those around us... even the children, they're considered children of the herd and as such we are all their parents... I myself was raised by many, not just my own mother." S'hib explained, hoping Tate could understand how vastly different his world was from Earth.

"But here, on this ship... I have no herd and the things considered normal behaviour within a Sequus herd, are things you would consider private between couples... it would have been fine, I was managing... I was willing to put so much of what is me to one side." He stopped abruptly, a stream of tears down one cheek. "But now I'm terrified when I'm alone..."

Tate leaned in closer toward S'hib, tempted to place a comforting hand on him, but not wanting to touch him without permission. Instead, she offered, "I'm not going to pretend I completely understand everything about your culture or everything you feel, but I can tell you what you describe, your fear and your need to be with people after what you've been through, many people feel exactly as you described, especially humans. I'm not suggesting it would be easy or even the same, but humans are social creatures too. Perhaps you just need some help and some time to see the crew as an additional herd?"

"I would like that, it's just... very difficult for me to make friends, as my kind are a very forward and expressive people. My... uh, I often get mistaken for flirting... And, it wasn't exactly an issue at the Academy... but here, now that I am with Naxea..." He trailed off, deep in thought as his eyes glossed over.

"Well, the fact you have her tells me you've overcome at least some of your social difficulties before, so perhaps you can see some hope in that? I do hear what you're saying, however, and I'm wondering if you think it would be a good idea for the two of you to meet here with me so I can help facilitate a conversation about your concerns? I think there are some very specific things you and I can do to address the traumas you've been through, but it sounds like we need to increase your social support and that starts with having a conversation, an honest conversation, with Naxea."

"I don't know if that would be a good idea..." S'hib said as he looked at the floor, his fingers rubbing nervously over his legs. "She went through a lot as well at the hands of the Orions, I don't want her to feel like it's all about me." He said looking back up, concerned creases in his white coat marring his features.

"I can respect that," Tate replied with a nod. "Perhaps we can invite her to share how she's been feeling after you talk honestly about your concerns? Right now, we are operating on a lot of assumptions about how we think she feels and how we think she will react, but the thing about assumptions is they often are a product of our worst fears, and the only way to face those is to address them directly. In this case, what would that look like for you?"

“Being rejected... but, I don't like talking about because it makes me feel guilty that I'm assuming the worst of her... I worry a lot, its something that's gotten worse since the Academy...” S’hib replied before letting out a deep sigh, shaking his head slightly as if to dismiss everything he had just said.

“I’ll talk to her, tonight.” He added stubbornly with a slight snort.

Tate allowed her lips to form into a small smile. "I think that is a good next step. I realize this is not an easy proposition for you to consider, S'hib, and I know I am not one of your people, but I hope you know and believe that I care about you and would like to support you and listen to your concerns for as long as you need."

"If I didn't think you did I wouldn't be here," S'hib smiled before moving his mane from out of his face. "I might not be good at a lot, but I'm a good judge of character..." He added, amused at his own statement.

Sullivan smiled in return. "And to think you were trying to avoid me," Tate teased.

"Well, maybe I should try harder." He smirked before holding out his hand.

Acting on impulse because she wasn't entirely sure how to respond as S'hib held out his hand, she grasped it in hers warmly, letting the gesture of gentle support speak for her.

***

Lieutenant S'hib
Security Officer
USS Elysium

Lieutenant Tate Sullivan, Ph.D.
Assistant Chief Counselor
USS Elysium