Changes

Posted on Fri Jul 10th, 2020 @ 9:06am by Lieutenant Commander S'hib & Lieutenant Commander Alicia Kelea-Salik

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: S’hib’s Quarters
Timeline: In the void.
1320 words - 2.6 OF Standard Post Measure

{ON}

With Lunara reassigned Alicia had been going over her appointment schedule and records, it was obvious that she had been doing a lot of work with S’hib not surprising after what he’d been through. She doubted S’hib knew that Lunara had been reassigned so she decided to call in, in person to tell him the news. Arriving at his Quarters she pressed the chime and waited for an answer.

S'hib was sat cross legged on a large circular rug at in between his bed and his kitchen, lights dimmed while he meditated, watching the dewdrops running down his windows. "Come in..." He called out softly without turning to face the door, his ears turning in his stead while he stretched his back and moved a nearby towel over his nude lower half.

Walking into S’hib’s Quarters Alicia walked across to S’hib. “Forgive me for intruding Lieutenant, I came to give you some news about Lunara Hol.”

"No intrusion," S'hib smiled as he finally turned to look up at Alicia. "Is everything alright? you said it's about Luna?" He questioned curiously, his tail sweeping across the floor behind him.

“I’m afraid so” Alicia nodded. “I’m afraid Lunara has been reassigned. I’m here to offer you the chance to choose a new Counsellor, I’d be more than happy to take over if that is suitable?”

"Oh..." Was all he said, turning his head back to his quarters windows, the stars twinkling against the condensation that had steamed them up entirely. "Well, you probably should... otherwise it would have been a bit of a wasted trip for you." He said as he got to his hooves, careful to quickly wrap the towel around his waist as he did so before coming to his full height, ears flicking as the brushed against the vines over his ceiling.

Alicia smiled. “I’m sorry I know this comes as a surprise, I didn’t have any prior knowledge of Lunara’s reassignment or I could have sorted a better transition for you. I don’t like to change counsellors on people. I hope I’m able to fill her shoes so-to-speak.”

"No no, it's fine... can't be helped." He said, seemingly half asleep. "Thank you for, telling me..." S'hib added before moving a hand up to his face, rubbing one of his eyes with his palm.

Alicia noticed the response, it was obvious S’hib wasn’t getting much sleep. “How long has it been since you slept?” She looked at S’hib curiously. “I don’t mean napped I mean really slept, a good eight hours or more?”

S’hib smiled quietly for a moment as he thought how best to reply. “My... people don't sleep how you humanoids do, we prefer the little and often approach as we evolved from prey, unlike yourself and its the reason my shifts are broken up into more segments, so I can sleep.” He finished, his smile finally fading. “However, you are right... I do need to get more sleep, it's just... difficult.” He sighed deeply.

“Difficult as in ... nightmares? Waking up in a cold sweat, screaming kind of nightmares.” Alicia studied S’hib. “I haven’t been through what you’ve been through but I understand the kind of fear you must have felt and are no doubt still feeling.”

"They um, they had an empath with them... the Orions I mean," S'hib said before clearing his throat. "She..." He said pausing, holding his breath out of reflex before finally letting the air out of his lungs. "She made it difficult to tell what was real... as such, I um..." S'hib stuttered, before hiding his shaking hands behind his back. "I've had nightmares." He snorted quickly, attempting to end the cascade of memories now flooding his mind.

Alicia frowned. “An empath ...” she nodded understandingly. “She got inside your head and twisted your sense of time and reality.” She shook her head. “That adds a whole new level of cruelty to what they did to you. We’ll take as much time as you need to work through this, when you need to talk my door will always be open. Just promise me one thing ...” She held up her wrists to show him her scars. “I let myself get so desperate that I tried to end my life, don’t ever let yourself get that desperate.”

S'hib stared at her wrists, his eyes glazing over with sadness. "If it wasn't for Naxea... well, best not think about it." He said, lowering his head out of respect for Alicia.

“I take it the two of you are a couple?” Alicia looked at S’hib curiously, she didn’t like to pry but having someone he loved was a plus point. “Hold onto that love S’hib it’s surprising how powerful love is when it comes to recovering from trauma.”

"We are," He said enthusiastically, his demeanour changing in almost an instant. "She has been very patient with me... I'm lucky to know her."

Alicia smiled warmly. “Now that’s what I like to see, the way your face lit up says it all. Don’t be afraid to talk to her about what happened to you.”

"That's what I'm afraid of doing." S'hib said with an awkward laugh leaving his lips.

“Oh? Do you feel up to telling me why?” She guessed he was afraid of losing Naxea if she learned what he went through.

"She must have been through similar, she was their prisoner too after all... It just doesn't feel right, leaning on her for support when I know she is struggling too." His expression soured, as though thinking for the first time about what had happened to him being done to her.

“You’d be surprised how beneficial it is to share your experiences and be able to lean on one another” Alicia offered a reassuring smile. “But if you’re not comfortable with it then that’s okay too, I’ll tell you what, keep me a diary handwritten or verbal I don’t mind, just about your thoughts, feelings, dreams, it’ll save you having to go over it again when you see me. Plus it helps you to get it all out. That way if you’re not feeling up to a counselling session I can just review your diary and go from there. How does that sound?”

"I think that would be a good idea, it might help me separate my dreams from reality." He said, sounding unsure about which was which.

“Then a diary it is” Alicia nodded. “I’ll look through it with you when you come to see me next and we’ll go over it. Is there anything you need to ask me or anything you want to know?”

S'hib fell silent again for a short moment, repeating the question in his head before finally looking back up at Alicia. "When should I see you next?" He inclined, tilting his head heavily to one side.

“How’s about we give it three or four days? Give you time to get some entries in your diary and then we can see how it’s working for you?” Alicia offered a warm smile. “If you need me before then I’ll be available anytime just call or drop in.”

"Sounds good, thank you again for coming round." He smiled back, glad that she had not just sent him a message through the usual channels.

“My pleasure” Alicia smiled warmly. “It was only fair I come and see you to explain in person. I’ll leave you to it, if you need anything just call.”

"Thank you, I will keep in touch." He nodded deeply before Alicia left, leaving him standing alone with his thoughts.

OFF:

Lieutenant Alicia Kelea-Salik
Chief Counselor
USS Elysium

Lieutenant S'hib
Security Officer
USS Elysium