The Counselor and The Yoeman

Posted on Monday, 10 August 2020 - 5:03pm by Lieutenant T'Lanna Vali

Mission: Operation: Jabberwocky
Location: USS Stading Bear | Counseling Office
Timeline: 2393 - MD 12 Afternoon

{ON:}

Grol sat in Vali's office. He'd returned to find that the summon was...non negotiable. Soral hadn't been of help either. He'd encouraged Grol to go so here he was.

T’Lanna walked into her office smiling happily as she saw Grol waiting for her. “Tilion thank you for coming, how was your shoreleave? Good I hope?”

"It was alright." He paused. "And yours?"

“Mostly restful” T’Lanna smiled. “Thank you for asking. I was hoping we could catch up on how you’ve been coping since our last session? Have you managed to make yourself any new friends?”

"After a fashion I guess."

T’Lanna resisted the urge to sigh, getting a straight answer out of Grol was a nightmare. “What fashion would that be? Tell me about it.”

"I met Chief Eyelaya. She seems pleasant. Very clean and neat." He paused. "I also met an acquaintance on Risa."

“An acquaintance” T’Lanna nodded. “Would I be prying too much to ask about this acquaintance?”

"He was one of the hotel owners who lived at the hotel. He shared my passion for history. We went to the Opera and museum and theater. He had a fall. I saved his life. We had lunch."

“You saved his life! That’s amazing Tilian.” T’Lanna smiled warmly. “The fact that you’ve surpassed my expectations is brilliant but saving a man’s life tops it all.”

"I am a Starfleet officer. It would be unthinkable not to."

T'Lanna nodded “Of course, but you actually made a friend and by the sounds of it you enjoyed yourself. Now all we have to do is translate that experience to here aboard ship. You can be as diligent about work as you like but a personal life is just as important.

He paused, "Why?" It was a genuine question. "It can be a distraction so why is it important?"

T’Lanna offered a warm smile. “We all need friends Tilian. Someone to talk to when times are bad, to share precious moments with when they happen. If you don’t try how are you going to know what it’s like? Friends are something to treasure don’t deprive yourself of the experience.”

"I have tried friends, they have proved fickle and false. I confide in my journal. I write to the man I most admire and he does not respond but he does not judge either."

T’Lanna nodded. “Some friendships can be less than wonderful but you have to learn from that. Finding true friends is a whole new experience, one that is rewarding in so many ways.”

"I see." There was a pause. "How does one know the difference?"

“Experience” T’Lanna smiled. “You learn the difference, trust me it’ll be well worth it.”

He sighed. "I do not know how." He simply said. "With Dallas...he seemed to be everywhere. He was annoying..then he was not." He paused.

“That’s how it starts sometimes” T’Lanna smiled as she relaxed back in her seat. “All I’m saying is to give it a chance. People you find annoying may very well turn out to be your best friends in the future. Aboard a starship you become part of a family, we look out for each other and care for one another.”

He gave a slow nod. "I will attempt it but I make no promises."

“So you’re a fan of Captain Pike?” She looked at Tilian curiously.

He was surprised at how she knew that. "Indeed. He was the greatest captain in the fleet."

“So he’s a hero in your eyes, what qualities made him that hero for you?” T’Lanna studied Tilian curiously.

Grol studied her. "Well everything. He was brave, and strong, and intelligent. He was open to hearing others' advice "

T’Lanna nodded. “A good hero to have then. So what did you like about Dallas?”

"Well he was persistent...and we had things in common." He paused. "I guess he reminded me a little of Captain Pike."

T’Lanna nodded. “Okay, so now you have an idea what kind of people to look for. You know the qualities you like so look for them in the people you meet. Better than nothing.”

"Yeah didn't workout quite that well with Dallas," he said cryptically

T’Lanna resisted the urge to want to sigh. “You were friends in the end though right? It may take some refinement. What’s important is that you’d have some friends instead of being alone.”

"I actually don't know how to classify Dallas." He said honestly.

“I’ll tell you what” T’Lanna made a note on a PADD. “Have a think on it and tell me next time you see me. I want to know how you classify him and why.”

"Are you giving me homework?" He asked a little off guard.

“Most definitely!” T’Lanna grinned and handed over the PADD. “It doesn’t have to be a novel, it’s just for your own thoughts and notes.”

He accepted the PaDD. "I guess." He sighed. "Might get a bit Freudian."

“That’s fine” She grinned. “Just bring it back with you because I will want to know your thoughts.”

"You, my dear counselor, are lucky I loved school and homework. And I have OCD so it will get done."

“I know” T’Lanna smiled. “That’s why I asked.”

"Taking advantage of an obsession. I must agree with your methodology." He smiled for the first time.

T’Lanna smiled back. “I’m glad you agree Tilian.”

{OFF:}