Posted March 26, 2021, 10:32 a.m. by Lieutenant Commander Vanessa Lofton (Counselor) (Nathan Miller)
Posted by Cadet Noah Parata (Engineer) in Counsellor’s Office: Cadet Noah Parata checking in
Posted by Lieutenant Commander Vanessa Lofton (Counselor) in Counsellor’s Office: Cadet Noah Parata checking in
<snip>“I’m sorry,” he said, his eyes cast down to the coffee that he sipped slightly. “It just…joining Star Fleet means a lot to me. I didn’t want to do anything that’d screw that up. Plus, if I’m honest, I don’t understand what counsellors do. “
He perked up at the mention of his grandfather, a warm smile spreading onto his face. “I joined because Grandad convinced me to. He didn’t force me to or anything, but he saw how stuck I was in life. I grew up in the same town, never travelling far, living a very boring childhood. I was frustrated at home and kept arguing with my parents and the only thing that sounded good was getting out. He told me that with star fleet I’d travel the galaxy and learn to appreciate everything. Home and afar.”
Noah took a sip of the coffee, closing his eyes. It still wasn’t quite right, not quite like the coffee he made at home, but he figured he’d get used to it. “Did you know New Zealand was one of the last countries on earth to be settled by humans? In around 1200 AD. That’s so late! They travelled across huge oceans to do it, in these special rowing boats. Hundreds of miles like that. I feel closer to my history, doing this. Travelling into the unknown.”
He looked at the coffee again, a little uncertainty on his face. “I think.....I think home is important to us, culturally. Having the earth under your feet, we have a very outdoor oriented life in New Zealand. Leaving that all behind was harder than I thought it might be.”
-Cadet Noah Parata
Vanessa chuckled. “Well, counselors don’t bite,” she replied with a smile. “We are psychologists or psychiatrists, trained in techniques to help members of Starfleet grapple with the weight of actions and decisions they make every day. We help people come to terms with trauma and emotions; with handling stress and anxiety.”
She mulled the rest of his response, nodding. “That makes sense. Were you able to make friends at the Academy to help alleviate that sense of loss in any way?”
Lt. Cmdr. Lofton - CNS
Noah shifted slightly in his seat, feeling awkward. “I’m not the most…outgoing person. I joined up with a friend, Benem, so to be honest I didn’t feel the need. I should probably try a little harder.”
He took a sip of his drink, “We could have done with a counsellor back home. They should hire more of you.”
-Cadet Noah Parata
Vanessa chuckled. “We’re all over the place in Starfleet - most ships have one assigned. On-world, we can go by lots of different titles: counselor, therapist, psychologist.”
“I’ve met Benem,” she continued. “I like him. I’m glad you had him as a foundation to help you through the Academy.” She shifted a little, getting more comfortable. “So tell me a little about yourself - what do you like to do in your free time? Any hobbies?”
Lt. Cmdr. Lofton - CNS
“I like sports. I’m not really competitive, I prefer team games. But I like the feeling of getting the best out of yourself, working together with people on a narrow focus. It’s freeing in a way.”
Noah placed the coffee cup down delicately, imitating Vanessa’s comfort and settling properly into the chair. “I like reading to, lots of books. Fantasy epics, historical biographies, pretty broad really. Honestly I like them more than I do the I holodeck.” He tapped his head, “I prefer when it’s all up here.”
-Cadet Noah Parata
Vanessa’s face brightened and she laughed. “Same,” she replied. “The moment you see something, it’s locked in place, it… loses some of its strength, some of its power.”
She sipped the cocoa again before continuing. “Team work is vital on a starship, so I’m glad you seem good in that situation. Is there a particular role you tend to take when working in a group?”
Lt. Cmdr. Lofton - CNS
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