Many lives of Ilian

Posted on Sunday, 20 December 2020 - 5:53pm by Lieutenant T'Lanna Vali & Petty Officer 1st Class Siana Ilian

Mission: Operation: Ouroboros
Location: T’Lanna’s Quarters
Timeline: MD4

{ON}

Peering around the corner to ensure the coast was clear, Petty Officer Ilian hurried towards the nearest door and pressed the door chime and waited. In her wake was a trail of wet footprints which had followed her from the holodeck and she huddled into the warmth of the robe around her. Soaked to the skin there were perhaps many other places she should be and somewhere else she was supposed to be, but this was where she needed to be. And so, after a moment with no response, she pressed the door chime again.

T’Lanna had gotten to the door as fast as she could, opening the door she was surprised to see Siana standing outside the door soaked to the skin in a now wet robe. “Siana ... heavens come on in!” T’Lanna stepped aside. “What happened?”

"I couldn't get back in the water," Siana announced as she entered the room, immediately beginning to pace. "I just stood there, on the edge of the pool and ... nothing. My feet wouldn't move!"

“Come with me” T’Lanna motioned towards the bedroom. “I’ll get you a warm towel to dry off and a new robe.”

“Oh...” glancing down she realised how she must look and trailed after the Lieutenant. In silence she stripped down, fried off and pulled on the new robe. Still drying her hair she emerged from the bathroom.

With Siana now warmer T’Lanna headed back to the living room motioning for Siana to sit. “Now, tell me what happened. Why couldn’t you go back in the pool?”

With a sigh, Siana sank into the chair. “I just couldn’t do it. I couldn’t breathe just at the thought of it. But I love the water. Unfortunately, one of Ilian’s previous hosts? She drowned. But in the sea! Not in the symbiont pools.”

T’Lanna nodded. “That would explain your fear, drowning would cause a fear of water regardless of where she drowned. Now that you’re joined you’re experiencing the fears and emotions of your previous hosts. You have to learn not to let them affect you or those fears will overwhelm you.”

"I know," she sighed, "but... how? Every other host came into this prepared. Most of them Ilian personally chose. I can't even decide on a flavour of ice cream and do not even start me on what tea I like.... I'm also pretty sure the replicators hate me by now too."

T’Lanna nodded understandingly. “I’m no expert in Trill joining I’m afraid, from what I understand the Trill pools would help you blend with your previous hosts. Though I’m pretty sure it would be better if you actually went to Trill, to the real pools. In the meantime perhaps meditation would help? Give you a chance to get to know ... we’ll, yourself!” T’Lanna smiled warmly.

Ilian wrinkled her nose, “yes, the holodeck is no substitute for the real thing. The smells, the feel of it were all wrong...” Meditation. “Perhaps it will work. Jayandre enjoyed meditation, others not so much.”

“Well it’s worth a try to start with.” T’Lanna smiled. “If it doesn’t work we’ll try something else. Is that okay with you?”

“Yes,” she nodded. “When can we start? Clearly you are off duty...”

“It’s okay” T’Lanna smiled. “How’s about we start now? You look like you could use the relaxation.”

“Ah,” she smiled as she stood, wandering towards the viewport to stare out at Jupiter, smiling ruefully. “Maybe because I am not supposed to be out of Sickbay. I find I’m not very good at sitting still lately.”

“Ahh I see” T’Lanna nodded and tapped her comm badge. “Vali to Sickbay, you can call off any searches for Petty Officer Ilian, She’s safe and sound with me in my quarters. She’ll be back in a little while.” T’Lanna tapped her badge again and smiled at Siana. “There, now you have a little breathing space but we do need to get you back to Sickbay, perhaps we can arrange for you to be released to your Quarters.”

"I'd like that. I've had my fill of hospitals. Most people have enough with one lifetime's worth, I'm on number eleven. At least the humans don't love leeches so much anymore. I've also had my fair share of pregnancies, congratulations," she added.

“Thank you” T’Lanna smiled warmly. “This pregnancy is anything but conventional. Considering a few days ago I was only four months pregnant and now I’m seven!” She shook her head. “So trust me, anything that takes my mind off feeling like a baby space whale is good in my book.”

“In that case, happy to be a distraction,” she smiled.

T’Lanna nodded. “Okay then, first of all I want you to close your eyes and relax. Let yourself fully relax before even attempting to start your meditation.

Retreating from the window she returned to her seat. Getting comfortable she took a deep breath and then closed her eyes. She continued taking deep breaths and then exhaling slowly, the tension in her body visibly easing off.

T’Lanna nodded. “That’s it. Let yourself totally relax, once you’re relaxed let your mind open to a state of meditation.”

“That sounds... easy,” Ilian notes, raising an eyebrow as she sat with her eyes closed.

“Don’t talk” T’Lanna smiled even though Ilian couldn’t see her. “Just let your mind and body relax."

"Easy to say, difficult to do," Ilian quipped, eyes opening. "How do you propose I make the many facets of my mind relax? Simply willing it so, does not make it so."

“I guess you have a point there” T’Lanna smiled. “Trill’s do give multiple personality disorder a whole new meaning! How’s about you focus on your fear of the water, before you were joined you weren’t afraid and now you are. Try focusing on that, you need to let that fear flow over you, not let it control you.”

Ilian arched an eyebrow in a manner which would make any Vulcan proud, "the memory of drowning... you suggest focusing on it?" Her stomach then growled, and she sighed. "Perhaps I should try this again, after a good meal."

“That’s probably a good idea” T’Lanna nodded. “And for reference it’s not the bad memory I wanted you to concentrate on it was your own memory of fun times in water. To remember the fun not the fear.” She smiled warmly.

Ilian nodded once, “sensible. And I will try. I should return to Sickbay I suppose.”

“I would say so, yes” T’Lanna smiled warmly. “It’s the best place for you to be right now.”

She pulled a face, as she stood. “perhaps... apologies again for disturbing your off duty time.”

“It’s no bother” T’Lanna smiled. “I’m always available.”

“Thank you. I will get out of your hair. Have a good day, counsellor,” Ilian nodded, pausing at the door, “I’ll be sure to return your clothes as soon as they’re cleaned.”

T’Lanna smiled. “No rush, I’ll be here if you need me.”

{OFF}

 

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