The needs of the one

Posted on Tue Nov 10th, 2020 @ 8:27pm by Commander Taeler Santu M.D. & Lieutenant Commander Savin

Mission: The Shadow of Arachne
Location: XO's office
Timeline: Backpost: Prior to "Lift The Veil And Give A Kiss"
1446 words - 2.9 OF Standard Post Measure

Savin had waited until such time he knew Taeler would be in her office, rather than her private quarters. Somehow, it just didn't feel right to visit her there with official business. Giving himself a quick once over to ensure he was presentable, he then reached to press the chime. Just to be safe, he took a small step back so not to be in the woman's face should she choose to open the door in person.

Santu looked up from the damage and casualty reports that had been littering her desk, and occupying her mind. She wondered who would have time in a time like this to visit her in her office, "Stay." She told her dog who sat up at the chime, "Enter." She then called out to the doors.

Savin stopped just beyond the doorway, allowing the door to slide shut behind him. "I see your pets have been returned to you?" he asked, somewhat unnecessarily as the canine was obviously at her side. He carefully approached her desk and sat down. "It must make you feel better to have them with you again, correct?"

"Well, life on a starship is not ideal for them, I know, and Falor is a bit skittish, that's for sure," Santu pushed a stray hair behind her ear, "What can I do for you, lieutenant?" She wasn't really in the mood for small talk, or probing by the counsellor.

"I was hoping to see if there was anything I could do for you commander," Savin answered formally, "it has been a few days since we last spoke. Have you experienced any improvement since our last conversation?"

Santu looked up at the counsellor, and while she appreciated the man's efforts and dedication to his job she wasn't really ready for a conversation like this, "Yes. Though I'm sure it's because I'm running on nothing but adrenalin," he voice trailed off a bit as her gaze shifted towards Falor in the corner, "and it's good to be able to cuddle."

He followed her gaze towards the canine. "He seems to be of support to you," he observed, "is he a service canine?" He looked back up at the first officer. "How come you run on nothing but adrenaline? Have you not observed meal and rest times?"

"He's supportive. He's a rescue." Santu couldn't imagine why the counsellor would think she needed a service dog, "well, I don't know if you've noticed, but there's infiltrators, there's explosions, we're being chased. I don't have the luxury of meal and rest times, Lieutenant."

"I may be deaf commander, but I am not insensitive," Savin answered calmly, "I am well aware of the explosions and other things going on. However my concern at the moment is for you, and you do need to rest and eat." He stood, resisting the urge to reach and grab her hand. "You are coming with me."

"I really don't have time for this, Lieutenant," Santu appreciated the gesture and the investment that the man was trying to make in her mental wellbeing but that was a luxury she simply didn't have right now. She wanted to get this administration done, then get back to the bridge and be ready for when they were going to kick things into gear and getting out of the clutches of the Breen.

"Make time," the counselor insisted, "you need food, and you need a break even if it is only ten minutes."

It was probably going to take more time arguing it with him than it was to cave. She sighed, knowing he couldn't hear it anyway. Grabbed three PADDs from her desk and headed for the exit with him, "ten minutes." She told him as she passed and headed for the turbolift.

"Ten minutes, from the moment we sit down to eat," he countered, pleased with his momentary victory. He led them to the mess once they left the turbo-lift and ordered a few simple sandwiches a pot of tea and two cups for them both, clearly not giving her much choice. "When did your pets arrive?" He asked by way of conversation, fully intent on not discussing work on a break.

Santu finished one of the things on her to-do list on the way here, signed the PADD and sent out the communique as she did so, "We had a resupply after Paratus, they cleared quarantine and were brought on board." She had the decency to look up from her PADD as she answered his question, but it was only to grab a sandwich and continue reading the damage reports and repair estimates, "Gunny doesn't like new places, so he's sticking to my quarters."

"Please do not make me take your work," Savin said, covering the device with his hand. "The idea is that you have a break, not to continue working while we eat." He gave her a small smile. "Would Gunny be interested in meeting Sheba?"

Santu sighed a bit and placed the PADD face down on the table. She took a sip of her tea, "I'm not sure Gunny is social enough, to be honest. There'll probably be a lot of hissing and screeching. He can barely accept Falor's presence." She was anxious about the reports she still needed to do and had the feeling she might be missing important updates just sitting here, discussing her cat with the counsellor.

"Sheba is still very young," Savin answered, "and probably unimpressed with a lot of hissing as she is as deaf as I am. Why does he not accept Falor, was Gunny your first pet? How did you acquire him?" He was well aware of her anxiety and he did keep an eye on the time. Ten minutes was ten minutes and he had no intention of keeping her longer than that. But he did want her to not think of work, for those ten minutes.

"Falor was first, but Gunny is the boss, and they're both from other planets. Under normal circumstances, they would've never encountered each other." Santu shook her head a bit and couldn't suppress a smile thinking of Gunny, "I got both of them from a rescue centre. Gunny on Earth when I was going through Command Acad, Falor was from before that back on Bajor."

Savin noticed the smile which to him felt like a good sign. "Cats do seem to think they own a place," he mused, "so you had them for quite some time? How do they fare with being left alone if you are on duty?"

"Normally they do fine, Falor was a bit spooked by the rocking of the ship and the explosions, so I thought it would be best for me to take him into my office," Santu then shrugged a bit, "Gunny doesn't seem to care." She sipped her tea some more, and grabbed another sandwich to enjoy, "How long have you had Sheba?"

Savin thought for a moment. "About eight months," he finally answered, "that makes her about ten months old. She does not seem to care if I am home or not but she is full of mischief. Perhaps she needs a friend to play with? I will admit I do not know much about felines, beyond understanding they are extremely independent." He sipped his tea thoughtfully. "Should I get her a friend, or should I allow her to associate with other felines on board?"

"I've got no idea, all I know is that Gunny is a big old meanie, and a grump..." Santu didn't pretend to have any understanding of the cat's motivations, "seems to tolerate Falor, but only because I told him so. If Sheba is that young I don't think Gunny is a good playmate, but at that age, socialisation might help."

Savin chuckled. "You misunderstand. Though I agree Gunny might be good to teach her about social behaviour among felines I was actually referring to getting a second cat. Perhaps she gets a little less possessive of me? You saw her the other day...."

Santu shook her head a bit, "I don't think it would help, but I'm no expert." She finished her tea and looked at the time, more than ten minutes had passed since they sat down, "I appreciate your personal attention, counsellor, but I'll be taking my leave and return to my duties." She gathered the PADDs she had taken with her and got up from the seat.

Savin nodded. Despite having kept an eye on the time, and having been fully intent on it just being ten minutes, somehow he managed to lose track. "Of course commander," he acknowledged, "I will remain here a little longer."