The freezing reason's colder part, and like a man in wrath the heart/stood up and answer'd, 'I have felt.'

Posted on Wed Dec 1st, 2021 @ 5:43am by Lieutenant Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen [Taylor]

Mission: Season 5: Episode 3: CAPETOWN
Location: Mess Hall
Timeline: MD?? 1700
2553 words - 5.1 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

"Good evening," came a voice from above Savar; a lightly-accented Standard-though the accent remained unfamiliar. Not nearly Shi'kahri enough to pass muster. It belonged to the Elysium's newest counseling officer, an enigmatic forensic psychologist named Rael and a fellow Vulcan-and one who had specialized in mental health, no less. It would seem they were two peas in a pod, which explained his forwardness in approaching the commander.

As he was off-duty, the younger man wore a cable-knit sweater and slacks, his style a lot more casual than ordinarily attributed to their race. His arms were rolled up to the sleeves, revealing two tattoos on his right forearm, one of which curled up near his wrist-and a smattering of others, amongst a few white-porous burned-in seals nestled between nicks, slashes and other inordinary odds and ends.

"May I join you?" he held a tray in hand, filled with a variety of spice dishes and a bubbling hot pot that didn't look to be of standard Vulcan fare. "Dr. Rael," he introduced himself, balancing the tray in one hand to hold the other up in the ta'al. "Sochya eh dif," he greeted in Golic.

Savar's cool eyes drifted up from his salad and tea to take the newcomer in Vulcan He instantly recognized not that it was hard from the physical appearance. Though the brandings were a little odd but not totally uncommon. As was his taste in clothes. He remembered a Human phrase, to each their own. This was a perfect example. He raised his hand and gave the Vulcan salute. "I would be honored." As he gestured for the newcomer to join him.

The other man lowered himself into the opposite seat, unconsciously offering a quirk of his lips upward in what could only be described as a welcoming smile. "Commander Savar, is that correct?" he addressed him by rank, starting off professional-as was typical between Vulcans. Rael wasn't typical by any means, but he didn't relish intruding on other people's boundaries. "It is refreshing to encounter another Vulcan mental health professional. If I had a credit for every inquiry into my capacity to deliver effective therapy, I'd have 150 credits." It was dry. A joke. He was joking.

"Correct Doctor, I am Savar." Came the calm, unruffled reply. He gave a short nod of his head. "Indeed, it is both welcome and refreshing to have another Vulcan in the department." His eyebrow arched at Rael's joke. "Ah, a joke. I am familiar with the concept just not the layers and sub contents of a joke. Human humor is most complex and illogical. However Alicia, my wife encourages me to expand my acceptance and familiarity with humor." He gave a soft sigh, "I confess it is a most trying endeavor."

"Humor often relies on inborn contextual understandings-cultural, interpersonal, introspective," Rael agreed softly. "It can be challenging to master if you aren't accustomed to it, but I've found there is logic in utilizing humor to maximize prosocial facilitation between those who value a more casual conversational approach."

"Your words have logic to them." Savar admitted. "I have found through my own experiments and Alicia's help that getting a patient to relax is much more therapeutic in getting the patient to talk over whatever the issue is that brought them to seek out a counselor. It is a much more preferred approach then 'pulling teeth'. Which is tedious and time consuming." Savar finished as he took a sip of his tea.

"It is," Rael replied, pressing his lips together. "Pulling teeth is not something I have found to be effective in any circumstance. People-especially those who struggle with difficult emotions-seek out counseling for a variety of reasons. I've found allowing them to approach it on their own terms is ordinarily the most rational course of action."

Savar nodded. "A most astute observation. I believe the human adage is, you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar. So it is with counseling. An understanding approach and manner is far more conductive to finding, dealing and overcoming a difficult situation."

"How long have you been a therapist?" Rael asked, pressing his fork down into his steamed ehvfa-an Orion winged bird slathered in exceptional hot sauce, whose bones were required to be broken before biting into the soft meat inside.

"I have been a counselor for eight plus years." Savar answered and then took a bite of his salad and then a sip of his tea. Putting his glass he looked at Rael, "Why do you ask?"

This was the trouble Rael always had, since the moment he stepped foot in Shi'kahr city. His natural instincts, trained and conditioned, warred with Vulcan propriety on a daily basis. "I suppose I'm merely curious," he replied honestly. "I enjoy getting to know people, learning about them, that kind of thing."

"I see. I take nor find no offense in your inquiring Doctor. One grows and broadens their horizons by asking questions and gathering knowledge. Though curiosity can lead to dangerous occurrences and have unintended outcomes if one is not careful." Savar replied with Vulcan calm.

"That's certainly true, but I don't anticipate there being much of a risk in this conversation, unless there is something you're not telling me." Rael's eyes crinkle, amused. "Can I ask why you sought out the mental health profession? Particularly in Starfleet-Federation clinical practices are quite distinct to Vulcan ones. You didn't prefer to practice on Vulcan?"

"I am not withholding any information from you Doctor. The fact of the matter is am considered a rarity among our native home world. I have rebelled against the traditional venlinahr and therefore I am considered an outcast. Not to mention I wish to expand my knowledge in the counseling field and can only do that through the Federation. More precisely being onboard a starship," Savar replied evenly.

"Rebelled against velinahr?" Rael's eyebrows arched, and he blinked. "That must have been very difficult. I have a somewhat similar, though distinct, experience. Did something in particular lead you to that decision?"

"Not per se," Savar replied. "Rather, while I use and rely on logic in both my professional and personal. I do not see it as most of our countrymen do. With a single minded determination and drive that controls their lives. I believe and feel there is more to life and I do not let it control me. I too am curious, in I wish to explore and learn and ask questions rather than just accepting what I have been told."

"I've come to view many of the cultural precepts that permeate Shi'kahri society as a rudimentary form of emotional regulation, rather than a real attempt at understanding the universe as a logical, cohesive whole," Rael just said it. As much as it often precluded him from having Vulcan friends. "Denying one's subjective experiences is nonsensical, yet plenty of people will tell me to my face that they're incapable of having a favorite food or loving their children. That's not rational."

"I quite agree Doctor." Savar replied. "Those people are lazy in their thinking. They make no effort to broaden their thinking or to a greater extent to be held accountable for any choices they may make. Whether is from being afraid to offend others or some other reason, I do not no but they are no more than tall grass that bends in whatever direction the wind blows."

"I expect it's for the same reason as most who behave illogically: fear. They're scared of losing control. They're afraid to operate in a way they've been told their whole life is deranged. I have compassion for it-emotional instability is not foreign to me, but it does tend to alienate me from my Vulcan peers." He can't help but smile, bittersweet. "It's gratifying to meet an individual like yourself."

"Suspect it is more of never having control of their lives. They have become conditioned to behave a certain way, to accept certain precepts as correct. They allow others to think for them." Savar replied and then continued. "It is an honor to make your acquaintance."

"Likewise," Rael returned gently. "Did you grow up on Vulcan?" He was curious where such an attitude had originated, because it really wasn't ordinary to question the status quo in that manner at random. After a moment he added, "and feel free to tell me to fuck off, if I am being too nosy," the Standard curse rolled off his tongue easily. "I'd prefer not to make you uncomfortable."

"I did. My parents are Salik and T'Nara. I was educated on Vulcan as well as the Starfleet Academy. I can remember being a child and questioning my mother on certain things. If she were human I would say she often became quite exasperated with my questions. The same was true with my father, along with my teachers and later my professors. My parents accepted my questions and my inquisitiveness, however my teachers were often annoyed and my professors insulted that I would ask questions."

"I've heard similar stories from a lot of people," Rael nodded, pressing his lips together in an enigmatic expression. "It sounds exceptionally oppressive. Critical examination, skepticism and questioning are the cornerstones of forming a coherent logical thesis. But," he clicks his tongue against the roof of his mouth. "It is a culture that is alien to me. I have to operate under the assumption that I understand logic to the best of my ability, but being torn between two worlds in this way-it forces you to consider how much of what you understand is purely relative to your environment. Perhaps Vulcan logic is logical, to Vulcans. But then I meet people like you, who throw that right out the window."

"To a large extent we are a by product of our surroundings. The difference is I use logic, I believe in logic. It does not define me. I am more than just logic. It does not control me and I do not use it as a crutch or an excuse when people disagree with my opinion. This is what separates you, I and countless others from the majority of people. They wish to be told, when to get up, when to go to sleep, what to eat, drink or think. They have given up their control of their lives to an outsider." Savar answered with a hint of a smile.

"There's no denying the requirement for systemic dialectics," Rael did grant. "I've seen Vulcans who fail to incorporate any type of emotional regulation skills and I can see why that fear exists. In an Orion, it's disordered. In a Vulcan, it's the baseline. Psionics play a role, the limbic system intersects, and managing the affective responses of multiple individuals simultaneously-can create fractures." It's an unusual understanding of Vulcan psychology, that is clearly based on the perspective of an outsider. "It becomes incredibly easy to-" his lips pressed together and he gestured. "Over-attach, dissolve boundaries, possess, demand. It fosters toxicity, abuse. It can be harmful. I'm just not convinced that it's incompatible with being an individual person. Emotions are a form of information. They can be logical, or illlogical."

"There are Vulcans like Sybok who was a revolutionary, who sought experience and knowledge that were forbidden by Vulcan beliefs and who fully embraced emotion," Savar answered "However they are few." He looked at Rael, "Vulcans are seen as cold and arrogant. To a large extent that is a correct surface observation to the casual observer. However if one was to look deeper, they would see that Vulcans are quite passionate. Unfortunately most people believe the stereotypes that they have heard about all species and not just Vulcans." Savar replied taking a sip of his tea.

"A stereotype I've been a victim of many times," Rael nodded. "Stereotypical representations help us break down the universe into more manageable pieces. But it can be incredibly frustrating to never have the opportunity to move beyond them, nor exist on our own, as individual and sentient beings. I'll admit I've been prone to stereotype in the past. I was firmly unconvinced that a Vulcan could ever understand me. That-turned out to be false." His eyes crinkled, fondly recalling something or another.

"It is easy to fall victim of a stereotype when one uses a broad brush," Savar answered. "It for that reason we must strive to move past preconceived ideas if we are going to truly understand one another. As both individuals and a race. Sincere efforts must be made from all parties and not just token ones of lip service."

"Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations is easier said than applied," Rael translated. "That much is for certain. We, all of us, have a long way forward to go yet."

Savar inclined his head slightly, "A most profound and logical statement Doctor. Also true. The journey has just begun."

"So, you've been practicing about eight years, was all that time aboard the Elysium?"

"No. I previously served on the Athena, Serenity and the Cherokee before coming to the Elysium. I have been aboard the Elysium just over four years."

"It sounds like this crew has been through a great deal, it seems like a very close-knit community as a result. I'm hopeful I can integrate well," Rael revealed quietly. "This is my first shipboard posting, but I'm not estranged from the concept." He'd grown up on a starship, after all. "I don't suppose you have any advice?" It was wry, gentle.

"Correct on both statements." Savar replied with a hint of pride in his voice. "The crew has gone through a great deal not the least was the loss of both Captain, Phoenix Lalor and Captain Yasmine Carrington. We are extremely close knit. I believe it is that closeness that has allowed us continue on as a solid unit."

"That's undeniable," the other Vulcan said softly.

Savar looked at Rael, "As for advice, be yourself, be accessible not just as Rael the counselor but as Rael the person. The crew is quite well attuned to spotting insincere people. So by all means be yourself and you will be accepted."

"I'm not always the most sincere, but I do sincerely try," was Rael's polished answer-but his tone was revealing; humor, not dissent. He understood. "At the very least it was truly a pleasure to meet you, and I look forward to getting to know you further-and working with you."

"That you try and are sincere in your efforts will impress the crew." Savar replied sincerely. "The honor was mine Doctor. It was a pleasure to meet you as well. I too look forward to us working together." He raised his hand in the traditional Vulcan salute. "Live long and prosper Dr. Rael."

"Dif-tor heh smusma, Commander." Rael returned the ta'al easily as he rose to his feet.

OFF:

Commander Savar
Counselor
USS Elysium

Lieutenant JG Rael
Counselor
USS Elysium