Posted by Lieutenant Commander Janusz Korczak (Counselor) in Sanity Check - Forgrave’s Check-in with the ship’s Counselor

Posted by Lieutenant Issac Forgrave (Chief of Security) in Sanity Check - Forgrave’s Check-in with the ship’s Counselor

Posted by Lieutenant Commander Janusz Korczak (Counselor) in Sanity Check - Forgrave’s Check-in with the ship’s Counselor
Posted by… suppressed (3) by the Post Ghost! 👻
As Issac made his way through the halls of the Viking, he tried to keep track of the various signs and labels that he passed, starting to build a map in his head. It would be a while before he would be confident about making his way around, but in the meantime the schematic downloaded to his PaDD would do well enough. Map in hand, it wasn’t long before he found himself in front of the Ships’ Counselor office, and he knocked firmly, awaiting a response.

-Forgrave, CoS

The door slid open silently to a room much different than most of the ship. It seemed the new Counselor was efficient at making the space less ‘clinical.

The office was obviously different from the rest of the ship. It had the feel more of an old fashioned den or study than an office. It was lit in a more subdued manner than the rest of the ship by wall mounted lights; and bookcases now lined one wall, filled with copies and originals of many texts on many different subjects and in more than a few languages. The desk was moved, set against the opposite wall facing away from the corner, window to the left of a person seated at the desk and allowing for a large open space in the middle. Here there was a couch and a few chairs, one chair which sat in front of and facing away from the desk. A low table graced the middle of the area, and on it was a small bowl filled with softly glowing crystals. Pictures hung on the walls, some were even old photographs.

The man seated at the desk was wholly plain looking. So plain looking in fact that he may have been overlooked entirely except for the fact that he wore actual glasses on his face.

Korczak rose and said “Lt. Forgrave, a pleasure. I am Lieutenant Commander Korczak.” and he held out his hands to the new arrival. “Please, have a seat. Would you care for anything to drink?” he asked politely. The man’s voice was clear and easy to understand, but his accent was certainly unique… as if two wholly unrelated accents were vying for supremacy, but neither one was dominant.

Korczak, CNS

Issac found himself glancing around the office as he entered; trying to get a feel for the person behind the desk from how they’d made this place their ‘home’. It was remarkably cozy; in stark contrast to the generally sterile environment of a starship. Not wanting to be rude, he tore his attention away from the office to its occupant; shaking the offered hand with a firm, steady grip. “Lt. Commander Korczak; Pleased to meet you.” The Lieutenant’s voice was deep and smooth; rounded tones betraying his Appalachian-American origins. His own mental ears twitched; trying to recognize the odd accent, before quickly shelving the oddity for later thought.

“Ah, thanks - coffee please; black.” Issac was not one to turn down coffee; regardless of time or occasion. Moving somewhat stiffly and carefully in the unfamiliar space, he took a seat on the couch across from the desk; not quite settling in, leaving his back upright and clear of the padded upright.

-Forgrave, CoS

Korczak smiled and went to the replicator, getting the coffee and cup of blackberry currant tea for himself. Setting the drinks on the low table, he took a seat in the lone chair facing away from the desk and said “Please relax, Lieutenant. I know new people and new assessments can be stressful; but I assure you from reviewing your record I have no preconceived misgivings. So we will just talk for a bit, yes?” he asked as he pushed the glasses slightly up his nose and smiled a friendly smile. Another thing became apparent at that moment, a difference between the man and any other Counselor… he had no means of taking notes. He simply sat, hands in his lap and legs together. “So… how has your arrival gone so far? A substantial change from the Dresden, isn’t it?” he asked in the odd accented voice.

Korczak, CNS

Issac nodded in acknowledgement of his stiffness; and grabbing the steaming mug of coffee, leaned back in the sofa. He grinned as he took a tentative sip of the dark brew; remembering the Ops Officer that worked his magic on the Dresden to create the best coffee to ever come out of a replicator. Stores really did spoil us…

“Talking works just fine ‘fer me, Sir.” He noted the absence of note-taking equipment, and wondered if there was a recording device tucked away somewhere - unlikely, considering the confidentiality associated with the role of counselor, but it was impossible to say without a more thorough search than his darting eyes could perform. Temporarily pushing the suspicious part of his mind aside, he considered the events of the past week. “Yea; it’s quite a change comin’ here. Can’t say it was expected; but then it seems like Star-Fleet ain’t opposed ta keeping its people in the dark at times.” Issac shrugged.

Korczak smiled and said “No… I don’t suppose that is something they give too much thought to at all. But I am do not think that way. If you see something you want to look at, Lieutenant, please do so. Just because we are talking doesn’t mean you can’t look around. I wouldn’t have these things out if I wanted people not to look at them.”

“Or maybe everythin’ was unexpected on their end too - just as likely, I suppose. But ain’t much sense in dwellin’ on the past - I’m here now, and I reckon I intend ta make the most of it. Haven’t had much of a chance ta really get settled in as of yet, but I ain’t seen anything that concerns me as of yet. More just… I reckon yer typical ‘new ship’ acclimatization - all the little things; deck layout, cultural differences, and the like. Viking’s only my second posting, so I reckon I ain’t got the hang of swapping ships yet. But I like what I seen so far. The focus on research an’ exploration versus combat is a change as well; but I certainly ain’t opposed to it. Reckon that was one of the reasons I joined up, after all - ta see more of the universe than I’d ‘a been able to otherwise.”

Forgrave, CoS

“Two postings and already a Security Chief? Well done. And yes, it can take some getting used to… changing ships that is. But I’m sure you will manage. So why do you want to see more of the universe?”

Korczak, CNS

Issac flushed at the complement; he’d never been quite sure how to accept them. “Uh, thank’ya; I appreciate it.” The mumbled thanks was genuine, if hard to make out around the sip of coffee that served as a feeble attempt to disguise his embarrassment. He shifted uncomfortably, not sure of what to say. “I can’t say it was wholly of my own doing; I reckon I lucked out, so to speak, with personnel changes and I simply tried to do the best I could.” He shrugged noncommittally. “Seems I done well enough; at least, ain’t been busted down as of yet. Hell, I admit I try an’ work damn hard at my job - I don’t always feel I earned it, but I damn sure try to make sure no-one’s trust has been misplaced.” Issac fell silent; not sure where to go from there.

Taking another long sip of coffee, he considered Korczak’s question, appreciating the change of subject. “I suppose the simple answer… well, by nature, I’m damned curious. I was raised in a… lets say somewhat isolated environment - my da was effectively a Luddite, if you’re familiar with the term. But fer all that, it weren’t like I was limited in what I could do; went ta university and all that. But for most of my life, I stayed in a small town in North Carolina; and never had much of a reason to leave. Least, not until I did.” He fell silent for a moment, contemplating memories; pleasant and otherwise. “Joined up with Star Fleet fer a few reasons; one of which was ta get away and see more of uh, what was out there. Weren’t really running from anything; well, nothing but myself I suppose.” Issac’s mug was drained, and he held the empty ceramic as he contemplated what all had brought him to this point.

-Forgrave, CoS