Posted by Lieutenant Commander Vanessa Lofton (Counselor) in Counselor’s Office - Cadet Ko Check-In

Posted by Cadet M’rahja Ko (Security Officer) in Counselor’s Office - Cadet Ko Check-In

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Vanessa Lofton (Counselor) in Counselor’s Office - Cadet Ko Check-In
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻
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Vanessa nodded. “It’s good to make sure that an issue is being roundly considered,” she replied, shifting to tuck her feet under her on the couch. “Just make sure you’re not being too argumentative,” she added with a laugh. “Have you found that this sometimes interferes with your relationships with fellow cadets?”

She watched the young Caitian as she responded. She was a bright young woman from her records; she had already proven herself ready for Starfleet. Now it was the Challenger’s opportunity to mold her.

Lt. Cmdr. Lofton - CNS

“Someone’s gotta be contrary, and I feel that I don’t cross the line of too much,” Though that was always the tricky part. One person’s hero is another’s villain. She’s yet to encounter that moment where she thought to herself ‘I went too far’, but life is not always kind and one day she may find herself in that position. “It’s soiled a few acquaintances.” M’rahja confessed, “My fellow cadets who liked me outside of class and simulations didn’t like me so much in those tense simulations. I can’t say I miss them, nor do I regret standing by my ideals.”

Cadet Ko (Security)

Vanessa’s expression softened. “It can be hard,” she spoke softly. “But you seem to be doing well. Did you make many friends at the Academy?”

Lt. Cmdr. Lofton - CNS

“Oh sure,” M’rahja said easily, even though it wasn’t an honest answer. Not that it was lie, M’rahja made many acquaintances through her class cohorts and clubs. She was familiar with many people and got along with most of them. But she did not know them, was not friends with them by human standards. If pressed M’rahja could give names, their general career aspirations and maybe a hobby but never any intimate details of their lives. Nor has she given those details in return. It suited her fine, and she’d tell herself that she was a private person at heart.

“It’s exciting, though,” She added, “Being so close to graduation.”

Cadet Ko

Something about the answer did not feel right, but Vanessa had always found Caitians hard to read. The slitted pupils and fur-covered skin reduced some of the signs she would normally look for; M’rahja’s other body language seemed forthright, save the quick change of subject. She decided she would not press today.

“It is!” she responded instead, smiling. “I’m glad you’re so excited about it. We need that kind of passion. So let’s talk a little about how we can help you here. What’s one thing you want to improve while you’re here on the Challenger?”

Lt. Cmdr. Lofton - CNS

“One thing. . .” M’rahja repeated, rolling the syllables thoughtfully. She wanted to prove herself, to show that she had absorbed her classes and was more than grades on a datapad. But what could she improve? “I want to improve my understanding of day-to-day ship procedures. We talked about it so much in class, but rarely experienced all of it in simulations.” Though it sounded obvious, life on a ship was different from life in the Academy, and was disorienting to experience at first. M’rahja wouldn’t say it was because she was uncomfortable, but rather aware of her role and purpose on a ship and the small part she played to a greater whole.

Cadet Ko (Security)

“You’ll certainly get your share of that,” she laughed. “Patrols, tactical shifts, guard duty, weapons certifications, inspections - you may even see an away team.”

Vanessa finished off the hot chocolate and set aside the mug. “Before we call it a day, I want to touch on one topic.” She paused, looking into M’rahja’s eyes. “Your upbringing was a little different than normal,” she continued. “Do you want to talk about that today, or perhaps another session would be better?”

Lt. Cmdr. Lofton - CNS

“I hope so, but even if I do not the experience I gain just by being here is enough,” Her tea was steadily cooling, and M’rahja took a deep drink before it got too cool. It did not take a genius to guess what subject the counselor would bring up. M’rahja supposed she counted herself lucky that Vanessa waited until the end to broach it. Still, the way it was phrased grated against her. The slits of her eyes thinned for a moment as she returned the counselor’s gaze, “I suppose you could call it that.” The cadet decided then she would discuss it.

“Let’s get it out of the way. Which part of my upbringing did you wish to discuss?” Between her many Starfleet profiles and files her life story was there for anyone to discover.

Cadet Ko (Security)