JDL | SciO & Couns | Ens Kharg & Lt Shakkar | "Friends"

Posted on 241711.11 @ 4:33pm by Lieutenant Shakkar Jontar & Ensign Ayissa Kharg

Mission: Reconstruction and Refocus
Location: Counseling Offices
Timeline: slight backlog; between "On the same page" and "Not dead yet".

Riding high on the bravery it had taken to present her case before the commanding officers, Ayissa found her way down to the Counseling offices. Despite already having met and finding the Counselor a pleasant sort, that she was here for something more official still stirred up a bit of discomfort. She had never even heard of such a thing, before coming to Terra and the Academy. A person who was tasked with literally listening and offering advice. Many of the elders did that as a matter of course. Though, truth be told, it was far more heavily weighed towards the dispensing of advice side of things; and even then, not always welcome or pertinent.

Approaching the receptionist's desk, the hybrid's emerald gaze drifted towards the office doors just behind. As if she might be able to bypass the protocol and just slip on by. No luck. The face she had not quite realized she was hoping to spot was not immediately within her range. Donning a wide, if fairly forced, smile, attention was turned to the small woman behind the desk. "Does Counselor Shakkar have any appointments today?"

She checked her desk console. "No, Ensign." The petty officer replied with a smile. PO Sharp looked up at Ayissa. "Is he expecting you? He is in at the moment." Just then Shakkar exited his office and handed Sharp a padd.

He smiled when he saw Ayissa.

"Hey, Counselor." Kharg smiled back, without having to try so hard this time. "Got a couple minutes to chat?"

"Sure." He replied. He accompanied Ayissa to his office and encouraged her to take a seat. "Can I get you anything?"

"Water would be wonderful." Was admitted as she settled into a chair, crossing her legs beneath her.

"Sure." Shakkar got Ayissa a water and a tea for himself. He handed over her water.

Accepting the cup gratefully, Ayissa took a long sip before nestling it down in her lap. "This might be a strange question, but I could not think of anyone better to ask," she began, speaking fairly quickly as if trying to get the words out before thinking better of it. "How does one make friends?"

Clearing her throat slightly, the Ensign directed her eyes towards one of the bookshelves, trying to ignore the heat of embarrassment that crept up her neck. "I mean, in this particular setting. Academy was easy, everyone was more or less in the same boat. Instructors were their own level, but the rest of us were all there for the same thing. Back home, we were to largely stay out of the way unless we were being productive. And as I mentioned before, there weren't many of us to begin with. I feel like it should not be so strange, that I should have been prepared for this. The dynamic of being on this vessel is... strange for me, for whatever reason."

Shakkar nodded, taking in the information. He felt where she was coming from instantly, having been there himself. "Umm hmm." He said, taking a sip of tea. " Good question." He said finally. " There are many ways. Find a colleague at work, eventually finding things that you have in common." He said.

"Social events. Striking up the nerve to say hi."

"I don't have much of a problem initiating, I suppose," Ayissa hedged slightly, a small frown turning her lips. "I guess it is more that I am finding my intuition a bit off? Or that I am so used to everyone being, more or less, at the same level."

"I would like to think that Lieutenant Lionza and I have become friends. We work together, it only makes sense. But now she had been placed as the department head, and I suppose I worry a little about keeping in line with that. Even though she has assured me that things will largely remain as they are, there is no denying the extra pip on her collar, you know?"

Lifting her glass for another sip while she tried to gather up her wild thoughts, the Ensign finally found the courage to look at the Counselor straight on. "And everyone was so afraid of the Captain. But he seemed a good sort to me. Then I find out this morning that he has been keeping important information from us. Information that might have caused a good deal of issue, had we not learned of it now. Certainly, it is his prerogative to dispense knowledge as he sees fit; especially if were a matter of it being classified. But some part of me is now leery. I know I tend to take others at face value, and honestly expect the same in turn."

"Sorry, I guess I am rambling a bit." Kharg concluded after a moment, realizing that perhaps she should not have mentioned the meeting. Looking down at her lap, she turned her water glass between her fingers slowly. "This is my first assignment, and to the fleet's flagship none the less. It's all quite overwhelming."

"I get what you're coming from." Shakkar said. "I prefer straight shooting myself. I remember back home on Bajor. No one told me anything but held me liable for any mishaps." He took a sip of his drink. He could forgive a little bit of rambling

"Never expected to get the Enterprise myself." He had to admit.

"Guess it helps to get it off my mind, for the time being. Not that it really solves much." Ayissa mused, some of the anxiety leaving her posture, being replaced with a slightly tired slump. "Thanks. Even if it is pretty much the definition of your job."

"True, it is my job." Shakkar said. "And I'm glad that I can be helpful." He took a sip of tea. "Sometimes it is a good idea to get things off your chest once in a while. That's where good friends come in handy." He smiled.

Peering at the Counselor, the hybrid woman seemed to struggle with conflicting thoughts for a moment. "Doesn't that get very difficult? Surely you cannot be friends with the entire ship. Or if you are, that must be incredibly exhausting."

"Well, as counselor I tend to try a working rapport with everyone." He said, sensing confusion. "Didn't mean to confuse you or anything. What I meant was friends can be a good sounding board as well, and that I consider you a friend."

Clouds of discomfort and doubt that had been hovering over her features parted as a bright, genuine smile took over the Ensign's face. "Really?" was inquired, then a small chuckle and shake of her head dismissed the silliness of the question. "I mean, thank you. I am glad that we can be compatriots as well as crewmates."

Shakkar chuckled a little as he beamed himself. "Glad to hear it!"

Downing the rest of her water, Ayissa stood with seemingly renewed vigor. "I should get back to work. And make sure I did not actually poison my one other friend on this ship. At least I think we are friends? I do not really know..."

Trailing off, the hybrid gave a small shrug, and brought her gaze to meet Jontar's. "I appreciate your listening. Maybe sometime I can return the favor. Probably in a less...formal setting?"

"I'd like that. Always up for anything." He smiled.

Snickering slightly, she gave the Counselor a devious grin. "You might want to rethink the wording. I'm sure I could drag you into unknown amounts of things that you may not expect."

"Fair enough." He laughed.

"See you soon, Jontar." Ayissa nodded, giving a small wave as she headed for the door, her stride full of confident energy she had been sorely lacking upon entering the room. Pausing briefly in the doorway as it slid open, she glanced over her shoulder one last time. "Thanks again!"

"Anytime!"

=/\=

Lieutenant Shakkar Jontar
Chief Counselor
USS Enterprise

Ensign Ayissa Kharg
Science Officer
USS Enterprise