Checkup

Posted on Wed Jan 15th, 2020 @ 11:41am by Lieutenant Commander S'hib & Ensign Lunara Hol

Mission: Casperia Prime - A lesson in relaxation
Location: Security office
Timeline: Sometime before he gets kidnapped
1277 words - 2.6 OF Standard Post Measure

Lunara walked down the hallway, the maze of corridors finally starting to make sense to her. If she turned right here, she should arrive at... the security office? No, she just ended up at a plasma shunt. Sighing, she checked her map. Seemed she made a wrong turn a few turns back. A few minutes later, she arrived at her destination and rang the buzzer. "S'hib?" She called through the intercom, "are you in there?"

S'hib looked up from his locker, he wasn't expecting visitors to the security office, at least not specifically after him. "You can come in," he called, glad he had managed to at least get the lower half of his uniform attached to his body. "I'm just getting dressed." He added as he sat down on the bench that lined the centre of the changing room.

Lunara chuckled. "S'hib, I know your people aren't too big on modesty, but mine are. Let me know when you're done, okay?"

"I'm decent! I can assure you." S'hib neighed as he began wrapping a white fabric tightly around his ankle.

"Your idea of decent is a lot different from mine!" She slowly peeked her head in, glad to see he was at least wearing more than a towel. "Baby steps, I guess."

"I did grow up on earth you know..." S'hib replied, bringing the white wrap up to the first joint in his lower leg, the tight brace mimicking those worn by earth horses.

"Thank God for that, who knows what you'd be wearing otherwise?" She chuckled. "Anyway, how have you been?"

"I've been good," He smiled, beginning to wrap his other leg. "I've actually had fewer attacks since our last talk, I think... just having the hypospray on me is enough at times to calm my nerves." He added, looking back at what he was doing with the wrap.

Lunara smiled. "I'm glad to hear that. It's always nice to hear when my patients are doing better. When was your last one?"

"The other day... It wasn't a long attack, And I didn't up using the medication... just holding it was enough to focus my thoughts." He added, finally standing up and moving to his locker. "What about yourself?" He added as he picked up a large flat headed brush. "Is everything ok..." S'hib finished, sliding his hand into the strap of the brush before running it over his chest in circular motions.

"Oh, I can't really complain." Lunara leaned against a wall. "Aside from a couple cases, counseling hasn't been too busy lately, and I got to know the other joined Trill onboard..."

"Others?" S'hib snorted in surprise, stopping his brushing for a moment as he considered what she had said. "That must be... oddly comforting to have someone else aboard that can understand what it's like to be joined." He replied, moving the brush up to his neck, tilting his head slightly as he looked at Lunara.

"It is nice." She sighed. "Last time around, you'd be lucky to find any non humans." She knew how lonely it could be, being the only one of your kind on the ship, so she changed the subject. "Do you always do all this to get ready?"

"Of course," S'hib replied as though it was obvious. "Grooming is incredibly important for a Sequus... especially one who has to do it all by himself." He finished, placing the brush back into his locker. "Just one more thing I've had to get used to doing." He smiled, trying to hide the small hint of sadness in his voice.

"Get use to it? What do you mean?" What was with that inflection? Loneliness for others of his kind, perhaps?

"My people are rather... affectionate to one another," S'hib replied, starting to slowly braid his mane. "We groom each other often." He added, glancing over to the long mirror on the wall, ducking slightly so as to see the top of his head.

So much for changing the subject. "It's not easy being the only one of your kind, is it?"

“No,” S’hib replied, continuing to braid his mane. “But... being the only Sequus aboard isn't what gets me down.” He sighed, realising this was a conversation neither of them had wanted to fall into.

"Hey, talk to me. What's eating you?"

S’hib simply stopped what he was doing, unsure how to respond to what should have been a relatively simple question. “I uh... I’m just lonely.” he finally replied, though it was a half truth at best. “But... its,” He added, struggling to explain how he felt. “Have you ever missed anyone so much it hurts? ... and all you can think about is holding them in your arms, just being close again...” S’hib whined, finally looking over at Lunara

“I feel like that all the damn time... and I'm not even in love.” He finished before looking back at the mirror, unsure if he wanted to finish braiding his mane or just go back to his quarters.

Lunara exhaled and stood up, making her way over to him. "Sounds like you need people to talk to." She nodded. "When was the last time you went out with somebody? Doesn't have to be romantic, just... hanging out for an evening."

“I don’t know if you’ve noticed... but I'm a bit of an acquired taste.” S’hib replied, with a half smirk. “Now don't get me wrong I've met some very curious people... but they aren't after hugs or interested in falling asleep beside me.”

"Ahh." She understood him now. "You need the intimacy your people often show each other." She hoped that wasn't too direct.

“Pretty much...” S’hib replied, looking back at Lunara. “Not much I can do about it though.” he added, the mask slipping for a moment to show how miserable he felt.

She nodded sympathetically. "I know how that goes. It's never easy. I'd give you advice, but I'm... afraid I'm not particularly good at that sort of thing."

Sitting up straight S'hib breathed in slowly, continuing to stare at himself in the mirror. "Well... not so good advice is better than none," He said with a slight chuckle, looking back over at Lunara. "Besides, I'm not completely hopeless... there is someone I like..." He added, trailing off as he went back to the braids in his mane.

"Oh? Well, who's the lucky one?" She smiled and leaned forward.

Feeling a bit sheepish for once S'hib almost didn't answer. "It's ughh... Major Naxea," He admitted. "But I don't know if she likes me yet."

Lunara grinned. "Ooh, really? Good for you! I'll see what I can do to help." She winked.

"I thought you said you weren't good at this sort of thing." S'hib squirmed, worrying about Lunara's idea of helping.

"Hey, I'm a counselor. I might not have the best advice for this particular situation, but I do know how to keep my ears open."

S'hib simply laughed, feeling like a kid who'd be found out he had a crush. "Just don't make it obvious..." He pleaded through an awkward smile.

"Of course not! Discreet is my middle name!" She smiled. "Don't worry, your secret's safe with me."

Smiling awkwardly S’hib wondered if he shouldn't have said anything, he knew she meant well... but things always seemed to go wrong in the strangest of ways. “Thank you Luna.” He replied softly.

Her expression softened a bit. "Hey, good luck, really. I'll be rooting for you. You're a good guy, I know you can do this."

OFF:

Lieutenant JG Lunara Hol
Counselor

Lieutenant JG S'hib
Security Officer