STF

Pre-Sim - Who Counsels the Counselors? - XO's Office

Posted Sept. 26, 2020, 6:15 p.m. by Lieutenant Commander Renveer (Executive Officer) (Ben Z)

Posted by Lieutenant Bethany Kovra Gadi (Counselor) in Pre-Sim - Who Counsels the Counselors? - XO’s Office

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Renveer (Executive Officer) in Pre-Sim - Who Counsels the Counselors? - XO’s Office

Posted by Lieutenant Bethany Kovra Gadi (Counselor) in Pre-Sim - Who Counsels the Counselors? - XO’s Office
Posted by… suppressed (1) by the Post Ghost! 👻
(snip)
Bethany to snorted in disgust. “Of course the Federation does. And it has Always been the Dresden that faces these things. She has a strong battle weary past. She needs a strong crew. Those that serve deserve the best we can give them when they, not us, decide they are done. The government is there for the will of the people. If it can’t do that then it is up to the people to make the change. Neither,” Bethany looked him in the eye, “the individual. It doesn’t matter if that person was an officer, enlisted, marine, or civilian. They ALL come first. The person behind the uniform comes first.”
Lt. Hadi, CNS

Renveer breathed out slowly in relief. Some common ground that he could work with, that was good. “Alright,” he said with an energy that was quickly deflating from his challenging stance a moment before, “I’m glad to hear that we are on the same page about that. Whatever our disagreements or differences in perspectives, if we can keep in mind our commitment to that principle, I think we will compliment each other, rather than cause confusion among the crew if we were to approach our roles from opposite angles.”

Bethany nodded, “I would hope that would be the case, Cmdr. I’m a counselor first and foremost. I would hope our differences in approach would compliment each other. Allow us to collaborate and consult, not make divisions. It is important to me that we can work seamlessly, or attempt. The crew won’t benefit if they don’t know if they can trust us because we can’t trust each other.” For Bethany, that would be a tragedy to great to contemplate.

Renveer gave a nervous chuckle as he returned to his typical temperament. “I apologize, Lieutenant. I didn’t intend to ambush you like that. But handing over the reigns to someone I’ve never met and haven’t personally vetted is… unsettling. If you would like to share anything about yourself to help sooth my nerves, it would be appreciated.” He said the last bit with a bashful, apologetic smile.

(Lt. Cmdr. Renveer, XO)

“Feel free to vet me, Cmdr. It’s a moot point, command sent me here, but if it would make you feel better.” It was said more because she wanted Renveer to know she understood. She’d feel the same about her own patients if someone unknown came in to take over their care. “I understand and would feel the same in your position.” She considered his question. Something to soothe his nerves. She was pretty sure nothing in her service record would do that. Not that there was anything horrible in it, but it would reiterate that she was not just a counselor. And he probably meant something a little more personal. “I got my very first pet before I left to come on board. Being only half Betazoid, I don’t have quite as much trouble as a full Betazoid dealing with the instincts of animals. I got a Mini Rex, a dwarf rabbit. It’s a light grayish brown, called lilac. And only about this big.” She holds up her hands showing a size that is about a palm and half in length. She smiles, looking much more relaxed a bit younger than she had a few moments ago in all the seriousness. “I named her Luna. She’s quite personable, as far as small delicate animals go. She likes to get in my lap.” She decided she might want to stop. She was a bit taken with her new pet and had drove Jake batty talking about her non stop while she had visited. It had been his idea though, so he deserved it. “I also love old movies. What else would you like to know?”
Lt. Gadi, CNS

Renveer smiled thankfully as his heart melted at the mention of the rabbit. “She sounds wonderful,” he said in a sincere tone. He was in fact starting to light back up, but in a good way this time. “I actually also adopted a pet while we were docked at Starbase 1! A Schnauzer dog named Wilson. He’s been adapting well to the ship, but he gets lonely some days so occasionally I’ll bring him with me to the office. Not sure he quite counts as a therapy dog, but he has a calming presence I’d say. Also a lap dog.”

“The breeder I got her from had dogs. Luna’s used to them. The breeder’s Labrador would get in the pens with them and lie down and let the rabbits jump all over him. Maybe Wilson wouldn’t mind a tiny rabbit for a friend.” Bethany thought the idea of a dog and rabbit playing together was comical, but she’d seen it for herself so she knew it happened. “Of course Wilson might want her for supper,” she grinned at her own joke.

The executive officer shook his head at her question. “I find that people describe themselves best when they have no prompts or direct questions. I would have never thought to ask you about if you had any pets, for example. So anything else you would like to share is appreciated. Otherwise, I’m sure all I need to know is in your fill or I will come to know about you in time. Like you said, command sent you, so it’s not as if I’m concerned about something in specific.”

(Lt. Cmdr. Renveer, XO)

“Well then, as well as introducing myself to you, I’m also here for my psych on boarding eval.” Bethany sat back looking thoughtful. “I grew up on the stories of those who came to rescue us from the Dominion. I as 7 in 2374. There was quite a bit of hero worship in my mind for those Star Fleet officers who snuck planet side and helped us over throw them. I idolized the older children and adults who infiltrated our villages and helped other escape. I wanted to do that when I grew up. Go in and rescue those who weren’t able to do it on their own. It was all very fanciful in my head.” Her smile is soft, obviously remembering something very childlike in her memory. “I wanted to work as an intel officer on a ship. But I got to the Academy and found out that Intelligence is not a fairy tale. But I wanted to help people, and I have a knack for observing and understanding people, so I went into psychiatry.” There is a look to her face that tells she isn’t happy with what she found when she graduated.
Lt. Gadi, CNS

Renveer raised an eyebrow slightly in amusement. “I appreciate the diligence with adhering to protocol, counselor. But I would like to believe that Intelligence has kept a close eye on your mental health, and I didn’t have any reason to be concerned that you had a psychotic break in transit to the Dresden.” More of his humorous teasing, which he hoped was a little more clear this time. “But thank you for giving me some insight into your values. And I’m thankful that Starfleet was able to help you and your people in your time of need.”

Gadi had mentioned psychiatry again. Renveer was a psychologist by trade, and psychiatrists and psychologists had some fundamental differences, in his experience. Both were important, of course. But he did want to ask for clarification. “You mentioned that your education is primarily in psychiatry. Do you plan on working closely with Lieutenant Janvier when medication is necessary?”

(Lt. Cmdr. Renveer, XO)

Bethany nodded, “It is, though originally I went in just for psychology. But I choose my electives to supplement and support that degree and by the end I took the extra classes to get both, psychology and psychiatry. And that would be my goal. I prefer to write a prescription for the type of medication needed, and then let the doctor decide what the best fit is for the patient’s,” she stops and smiles softly, “crewman’s?” she asks trying to find a happy medium of what term to use to make Renveer comfortable. “Each person’s individual medical needs. I could look it up and make my own choice, but I’m not a medical doctor and medicines have side effects. But medicine is my last choice for treatment, so hopefully there won’t be too much of that. If it came down to it, I could make that decision, but I would rather not.”
Lt. Gadi, CNS

Renveer nodded and gazed off at one of the colorful abstract paintings on the wall behind Bethany. “Perhaps I judged you too quickly, Counselor. It sounds as if you have your head on straight about a lot of things, and that we share many of the same ethical principles. So, now that I am done interrogating you, you are welcome to do the same. That would be only fair, after all.” Renveer’s mouth crept into a small smile. His body language was not as open as his words, but he had relaxed considerably from when they began talking, at least.

(Lt. Cmdr. Renveer, XO)

Bethany was sure it would be rude to not return the ‘favor’ for interrogating the XO, as he put it. But she really had no desire to do so. And though his words were open, his body language did not reflect that same degree of relaxation his words attempted. “That’s alright, Cmdr. I already know what I need to from our conversation. You have an ethical standard that you hold yourself and others to. You are particularly protective of the crew, the captain specifically. That’s a positive in my book. Even off of what little I know of her, and what I know from my own work with Intel, that’s a good stance for you to have. I hate the necessity of it, but I understand it. I hope that as we work more together, you’ll find I’m not like other intel counselors.” In fact her little ‘team’ had made too many waves and pushed back on policies and made a name as trouble makers for themselves. But that hadn’t stopped them from doing it. “I do have one question and then some clarifications on my role here on Dresden. And it’s totally personal, and you don’t have to answer it, but you spent a lot of time studying and being a counselor. Why did you switch to command?”
Lt. Gadi, CNS

Renveer’s expression did not betray his thoughts about Gadi’s assessment of him, but her reference to his relationship with the captain sent a flash of suspicion across Renveer’s mind. It seemed that she was right about his protective feelings toward Molly. But it sounded like that wouldn’t be a problem. For now.

Gadi’s last question caught Renveer a bit off-guard. It was a decision he was still reconciling. And perhaps the Lieutenant could see more plainly than anyone else aboard how difficult it was for Renveer to make that transition. He stiffened slightly and took a deep breath in through his nose as he formulated his answer. “I didn’t seek out the position, but it was offered to me and I believed that I had the capacity to be of even greater assistance to the captain in this new role. I suppose… I hope that I will be the sort of supportive executive officer that a captain like Holloway needs. There are many captains like her. Smart, capable, and direct. But I believe there’s value to a gentler touch in many of the missions Starfleet assigns to us. I did my best to have that soothing influence as a counselor. But as an executive officer, I can make sure that there’s a balance to decisions being made. We compliment each other well.”

(Lt. Cmdr. Renveer, XO)

Bethany nodded thoughtfully. “Thank you. For answering my question. My mentor was a ship’s counselor and took the position as XO. When I asked her she told me it was thrust upon her and she had never wanted it.” Bethany smiled sadly thinking about the day she asked T’Jal about it. They had thought that Jake had been sucked out into space with a hull breech and dead. Being the ranking senior staff the captain had forced her take the position. Jake had actually been POW. “She even tried to step down.” Bethany realizes how that sounds, “I’m sorry Cmdr. I didn’t mean that there weren’t other reasons. She even ended up becoming a captain and then an admiral. I guess command suited her. Your situation was just similar to hers, and I was overly nosey.” He had no idea though, how similar their situations. T’Jal had been CNS on Dresden and then XO. And now Bethany was serving the same position on the same ship as her mentor. “And my situation is very similar to hers as well.” Bethany’s voice is not as confident as it had been earlier, she’s obviously contemplating something, and from the conversation it’s probably her position and her future on the ship. Bethany knew all about confidentiality and clearance levels, but when orders allowed her to be able, she was honest. There seemed to be some disappointment to her body language, subtley and not quite sure it’s there, unless you knew what to look for.

“Just one more question, Cmdr. I asked the Captain as well. I know my duty to the crew, and I am eager to get to work. But ship’s counselor also serves to advise the CO and XO of the ship. I know you’ve served in this capacity and as XO you’ll continue to be that support for the captain. You both obviously trust each other, and you seem to compliment each other, from what I’ve seen today. How can I support you in that capacity as advisor to you?” Just like with the captain, Bethany wanted a clear line of what was expected and not expected of her.
Lt. Gadi, CNS

Renveer paused. He had the same question. They would both likely be approaching missions from a similar professional lens… even if they had their own personal viewpoints. “I…” he stopped and started his thought over. “I consider myself to be a pretty level-headed man, Lieutenant. I would like to think that I will be able to handle myself expertly in any given situation… but I know that won’t always be the case. And I do trust Mol- Captain Holloway immensely. I’m almost worried that I trust her too much. If you witness me neglecting my duties to challenge her decisions when it is necessary to do so, I would like your support with voicing those concerns, if we both share them. I am used to supporting the Captain… it will be a shift to needing to dissent to her actions sometimes.” Renveer was being honest. He had no idea how his dynamic with Molly would play out in a high-stakes mission scenario. And his personal feelings about wanting Holloway to feel accomplished and competent in her rank and command made him hesitant to be anything other than approving of her methods. That was a liability that he was hoping the counselor could catch and prevent.

(Lt. Cmdr. Renveer, XO)


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