Housecall

Posted on Mon Feb 6th, 2023 @ 11:58am by Senior Chief Petty Officer Thral Skrit & Lieutenant Commander Savin

Mission: Character Development
Location: Sickbay
Timeline: A day or so after rescue
1498 words - 3 OF Standard Post Measure

The Andorian patient he was looking for was fairly easy to find, give that there weren't a whole many male Andorians aboard the Athena, and even fewer admitted to sickbay on life threatening injuries. Carefully, the counselor approached the bed, hoping to find the patient conscious and at least with some form of lucidity.

"Chief Skrit?" He queried gently as though not to startle the man yet still draw his attention. "I am Counselor Savin," he introduced himself, "and I am here to help you." The counselor paused, giving the Andorian time to process the introduction and offer a response.

His antennae moving to greet the sound before he lazily lolled his head to look, Thral sighed inwardly. He was well on the road to recovery, it seemed, though he had been informed that neither of his colleagues had survived the Avalon. The rest of the crew, of course, was a loss in itself though the deaths of Thea and Win played on him fare more so; they had spent days trapped together and though friction was certainly a characteristic of the relationship it was impossible not to bond with people in such circumstances.

As he eyed the man stood beside him, he replaced his melancholy with his usual persona; "reet guv?" he asked; "what are you then? Vulcan? Romulan? Bit o' bofe?" he grinned and winked, hoping this wasn't the start of some somber discussion where he was about to be informed of his impending death.

Savin had trouble making anything of the first thing that was said, though at least he could get the gist of the second part. "I suppose a little of both, in a way," he answered, "I am Romulan by birth but Vulcan by upbringing. "What about you? I can barely make out what you say, I have not encountered this issue with Andorians before. I can only go on what I can see you say, I cannot hear it."

Thral's antennae dropped in dismay; " 'kinell not another one...." he muttered. He pondered for a moment, how best to ask the officer how he was doing; in his typically though unintentionally exaggerated gestures he pointed at the Commander and made a big grin and a thumbs up, then a thumbs down with a deeply sad face, and then shrugged broadly.

The crude attempt at signing was greatly appreciated and Savin nodded. "I have no doubt you will make a full recovery," he answered, "there is no need for you to sign, if you speak clearly then I will be able to understand you. Another option is a telepathic conversation but in your weakened condition I would not recommend that, as it can be very exhausting. I am here for you to talk to, about anything you wish to. I understand you lost two close friends, would you like to tell me about them, so they will not be forgotten?"

Thral took in what the Counsellor was saying, though he couldn't understand what he meant by speaking clearly; he was speaking as plainly and clearly as he always did. "Aint gunna forget 'em in an 'urry Couns-luh" he replied, with a slightly less than sincere reassuring smile. "China plate though? Nah. Colleagues guv".

"Will you tell me about them?" Savin pressed gently, not at all sure what was meant with 'china plate'. What did china have to do with remembering friends? "You worked with them closely, did you not? How long did you work with them, on the Avalon?"

With something of a simultaneously morbid grin, Thral's antenna twitched a little; "Ah. 'fraid I can't really tella ya that me ol' mucka..." he sighed, in truth it really hadn't been all that long - but the final few days had bonded the three to a dynamic which would be hard to forget. Breathing back in a plastering a false smile across his face, he propped himself up on the bio bed and swung his legs out noticing they were covered in a medical pajamas. " 'ere, someone's got me dressed aint they?" he winked at the Counsellor, hopeful of diverting the conversation; "you don't reckon they seen my bits n pieces do ya?".

Savin moved swiftly to catch the man if necessary, but keeping a slight distance regardless. Moving too close would hinder his already difficult means of communication. This was the first time in his recollection, that he actually had difficulty understanding someone and right now he wished Jerant was present to assist. "Seen your what?" he queried, genuine confusion crossing your features. "Do you feel well enough to sit up?" he added, still ready to catch him just in case. He could see the smile was false and it was easy enough to sense. "There is no need for false pretenses," he continued, "I can sense it when your emotions are false. I would prefer it, if you are honest with me, there is no reason to lie. I am here to help, not hinder your progress."

Thral exhaled deeply, pondering his next move almost, as if it were a game of Kal-Toh; "Nah I'm all tickety-boo an' Robin 'ood guv...." he said truthfully. At least, partially truthfully; he was referring to his physical health and hoped the Counsellor would mistake the half honesty as a genuine remark on his overall mental condition as well.

"I have no idea what you just said," Savin admitted as he continued to be ready to catch him just in case. He did however sense a truth in whatever was said. "Can you stand?" he asked quietly, offering his arm for support.

Something which transcended a snort and a chuckle escaped Thral as he placed his feet on the floor whilst listening to the confusion of the Counsellor. "I'm reet guv" he replied, gingerly finding his balance and realising he was more or less stable on his feet. A cautionary hand did however remain on the biobed for support. "'ere er....Mister Savin, was it? 'wight if I ask you sumfin?".

"Savin yes," the counselor confirmed, "and you may ask me anything. It is somewhat what I am here for too. It is my duty to see to someone's mental support, and perhaps moral support as well."

"Ta" he replied, acknowledging the Counsellor's invitation. "Do ya rekcon I'd look 'alf decent in them new style Bolian kimonos?" he asked, typically using his cheeky nature to limit the emotional penetration of his companion.

"A kimono?" Savin just stared at him for a moment. "Why would you want to wear a kimono?" The importance of the question was somewhat lost on him. "Would you not know however, until you wear one and see your reflection in a mirror? I am not much of a fashion judge I fear... Vulcan fashion is somewhat...boring."

Thral loudly chuckled out loud. Vulcans - or Romulans - whatever; it didn't make much of a difference in all honesty; neither had much of a sense of humour and both were as easy to wind up in his highly refined experience on the matter. "Nah awight..." he relented, "I s'pose I wanted to ask...I dunno. Sumfin like...is it normal like, I mean...I've 'eard of survivor guilt..."

"Which is quite acceptable for someone in your position," Savin answered patiently, "and it is what I am here for to help you give it a place. Survivor's guilt is not cured overnight however, acceptance will take time. Did your friends wear kimonos? Is that why you wish to try to wear one?" He offered a kind smile. "If it will help you, then I do encourage you to do it. What you wear on your free time, is after all for you to decide."

Smiling as his colleague had completely missed the deflection in his Kimono comment, the Andorian just nodded at the Counsellor and replied "I will do that" warmly. "This err...this survivor guilt fing though..." he awkwardly probed, "...it'll all Scapa Flow eventually right?"

"It is all what?" Savin studied him for a moment, not quite certain what had been said.

Thral chuckled; "Oh er... y'know guv...Scapa Flow...go....?". He looked at Counsellor Savin's still confused face; "These feelin's like - they'll go away right?".

"Eventually, yes," the counselor supplied, "but it will take time and possibly hard work. Some traumatic events will take longer to process and from what I understand, your ordeal had been very traumatic. However, we will talk on your terms, when and where you feel like it. I do not force people to talk but I do strongly recommend it. In the meantime I recommend you get some rest."

Thral nodded thoughtfully. "Good idea guv..." he conceded, whilst mentally translating 'rest' as 'booze'. The paid nodded once again to eachother, a sort of 'we will speak again soon' look passed between them before the Counsellor left and Thral remained to find some clothes and, ideally, a gorgeous nurse to go through his sickbay discharge with.