Manditory Talk

Posted on Saturday, 11 February 2023 - 12:36pm by Lieutenant T'Lanna Vali & Commander Soral

Mission: Shore Leave
Location: Counseling Dept.
Timeline: Current

ON:

Soral sighed as he stopped in front of the door. Starfleet had been clear on his counseling. He was lucky he'd kept his merging with the alter self away from them. Now it was time to talk and it was not something he was looking forward to but it was a duty.

He straightened his uniform and rang the chime.

T’Lanna was sitting waiting for Soral’s arrival, she had been looking forward to his return, but now she was suddenly nervous about it. It wasn’t as though they hadn’t spoken prior to now, she’d cleared the air about her feelings for him and there was nothing but friendship between them. Maybe it was because she was going to be talking to a mix of both Soral’s. Whatever it was she took a deep breath and called Soral to enter.

“Come on in Soral” She smiled as the door opened.

Soral entered. "Hello Lieutenant. Is this time still alright?"

T’Lanna nodded. “It’s perfectly alright Soral, and please call me T’Lanna.” She offered a warm smile.

"Indeed, but I believe that this is a mandated meeting...perhaps a more professional approach may be in order."

“Very true, you are correct” T’Lanna nodded. “In that case, please sit and we’ll begin.”

He sighed and walked over to the seat. He slowly lowered himself. "So where do we start?"

T’Lanna sat down and picked up a PADD she had resting on the coffee table. “Why don’t you start by telling me how you feel about being back?”

A complex question. He had not even stopped to register things. Work was thrust right into him and he put his own thoughts aside. "I do not think that's relevant. I am back. Is that not enough? Why must there be a feeling associated with it?"

“Stop avoiding the question Soral” T’Lanna gave him a knowing look. “You may not have had feelings about things before, but since the discovery of your Romulan genetics, and your recent ... joining with alternate Soral it’s a very relevant question. How do you feel?”

"That is a complicated answer. I feel...nothing. I am myself yet I am not. I am better and stronger yet weaker. I am …" He thought a moment. "Balancing."

T’Lanna nodded. “Thank you Soral, so tell me more about your ... blend with your other self. How has it affected you? And how has it effected your relationship with Alex?”

"In all honesty. I am unsure. I am myself and yet not." He shrugged. "As for Alex...that is hers to determine. I am...considering options though."

T’Lanna gave Soral a curious look. “Exactly what does...considering options mean Soral?”

"It means that there is much to think about. My relationship with Alex is not the same."

T’Lanna nodded. “Of course, that is something for the two of you to discuss, but if you need to talk about that at a later date please let me know.” She paused. “So, are you feeling able to resume your duties as First Officer?”

"Indeed, I am, above all else, a Vulcan. Duty is something that we are able to do no matter the storms of life."

“Indeed” T’Lanna nodded. “But you are not just Vulcan, you are Romulan as well. That adds an emotional side that wasn’t there before.”

Soral stood walking over to the little port hole looking out at the stars. "Yes. There is that."

T’Lanna watched as Soral stood looking out at the stars. “So, tell me Soral, how does it feel knowing the truth about your Romulan heritage? Have you managed to reconcile your two sides?”

"Indeed. I am comfortable with it. Starfleet...that is not something I am very comfortable with."

That came as something of a surprise. “Ohh? What is it about Starfleet that you’re not comfortable with Soral?”

"The fact that they turned their backs on Romulus. But," he said turning. "That is all in the past. Romulus will rise again."

T’Lanna frowned. “A Starfleet Officer, especially the First Officer of a starship cannot have divided loyalties.” She paused. “You are not the Soral I know anymore, are you? You feel different, you talk different, and for the first time since I’ve known you, I don’t know what to think.”

"Indeed, I am not who I once was. I am a combination of both Sorals." He turned to face her. "My loyalties are not divided. I simply state what is true. Starfleet did nothing to help Romulus, it is a blight on everything that the founders of Starfleet stood for. So, if I am different so is the Starfleet that I once knew, thus we all must adapt, you all to me and I to this." He waived his hand around.

T’Lanna nodded. “You are correct, as you always are.” She offered a smile. “To be honest I found the other half of you, as it now stands, interesting. I could sense something was different yet I still trusted him. We all need time to adapt to these changes, I understand your... feelings, regarding Romulus it is part of who you are. All I ask is that you speak to me if you ‘feel’ the need.” T’Lanna offered a wry smile. “It’s so odd talking to you about feelings, speaking of which will you still be my mentor in all things Vulcan? I still have much to learn.”

"Indeed. I shall continue the task. With the addition of the second consciousness, I have learned much of the Vulcan culture, things not known before."

“Interesting” T’Lanna nodded. “In that case I’ll look forward to our next meeting in that regard. To be honest while you’ve been... away, I’ve had to not just be a Foreign Area Officer, and Psychologist, but a First Officer as well. I’m looking forward to letting you resume your duties as First Officer.”

"Yes, the paperwork is always perhaps the most difficult part. I did however hear that you performed admirably. I can foresee a ship of your own one day," he said turning.

“Perhaps, but not for a long time yet.” T’Lanna smiled warmly. “Is there anything you’d like to ask me before we wrap up?”

He studied her. "Not at this time."

“Very well” T’Lanna nodded. “I will want to see you again Soral, but for now you’re cleared to resume your duties. Oh and welcome back Commander.”

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