Posted by Lieutenant Sage Brennan (CMO) in Office: CMO

Posted by Ensign T’Lora (Doctor) in Office: CMO

Posted by Lieutenant Sage Brennan (CMO) in Office: CMO
Posted by… suppressed (26) by the Post Ghost! 👻
T’Lora stepped into the turbolift, carefully examining her thoughts for any sign of illogic. There was a slight apprehension which she could not explain away, but she was otherwise collected. She took a moment to check her appearance, and stepped out into sickbay. She observed the room, her eyes finally resting on a human woman who, logically, was the CMO. She approached the woman, speaking calmly.

“Live long and prosper Lieutenant. Ensign T’Lora reporting for duty.”

Her mission had begun. She felt a brief flash of pride that she had finally made it. She hoped her father would be proud.

OOC: I already responded to your post in the cargo bay, saying Sage didn’t know you, so let’s either have this happen after their meeting in the bay with the Pallasians, or just skip it for now.

D…
OOC No problem. Let’s say you’ve been too busy because of the Pallasian, and someone else sent me up.
-Leonora
OOC: So now that the Pallasian stable should we do this?
-Leonora

OOC: Sure. We can say they are returning to sickbay after leaving the cargo bay and wanted to get T’Lora checked in so she could help out.

D…
OOC: Great! (I think I’m messing up the formatting but I’m not sure how) I’ll copy and paste back down here so we can start at the beginning.
IC: T’Lora stepped into the turbolift, carefully examining her thoughts for any sign of illogic. There was a slight apprehension which she could not explain away, but she was otherwise collected. She took a moment to check her appearance and stepped out into sickbay. She observed the room, her eyes finally resting on a human woman who, logically, was the CMO. She approached the woman, speaking calmly.

“Live long and prosper Lieutenant. Ensign T’Lora reporting for duty.”

Her mission had begun. She felt a brief flash of pride that she had finally made it. She hoped her father would be proud.
-T’Lora

Sage looked up from the monitor she’d been studying. She recognized the woman from their first, unfortunate meeting in the cargo bay where the Pallasians were being held. “Ensign T’Lora, let me officially welcome you to the Genesis. It was bad luck the way we first met, so why don’t we start over? I’ve now had a chance to read your file and I think you’ll fit in nicely. If you’d step over to one of the beds, I’ll get a scan to make sure you are as healthy as you should be.” She held out a hand gesturing for the Ensign to take her pick from the empty bio beds.

—Sage
T’Lora walked to the nearest biobed and sat down. “Thank you. It is very kind of you to welcome me. Although our first meeting was hardly ideal, it was my mistake. I had not realized your presence beforehand.” She hesitated “If I may ask, would you prefer the title of Doctor or Lieutenant?”
-T’Lora

OOC: you need to space twice after my posts so the program picks up your post as NEW. That’s how it will appear in white letters instead of the yellow of an older post. :)

IC:
Aware that she was now speaking to a Vulcan, Sage adjusted her answer. “Either is fine–they are both accurate. Don’t worry about the cargo bay, it was an unusual situation and there was quite a bit of chaos happening.” She pulled a tricorder from the pocket of the short, medical jacket she wore and began scanning the female. “Has anything medical occurred since your last physical that I should know about?”

—Sage

OOC: Thank you!
IC:
T’Lora nodded. “Very well Doctor. Nothing significant has occurred. My medical history has very likely barely changed from age 9.”
She shifted a bit. “I would like to express my gratitude at your willingness to forgive the events in the cargo bay. I believe working with you will be far more engaging than with my previous colleagues.” Her face showed the barest hints of a smile.
-T’Lora

Sage nodded. Vulcans were usually very healthy and could go years and years without a major injury or disease. It wasn’t difficult to believe the female on the table about her own health. When she’d gone through T’Lora’s medical records they were fairly boring with the lack of changes over the years.

“Really? What were your previous colleagues like and where were they?”

—Sage

The smile, slight as it had been, disappeared from her face. “I was referring to my colleagues on Earth before my application to Starfleet. They were… displeased at the concept of an inhuman doctor treating human patients. They often avoided seeking me out for anything less than an emergency.” T’Lora paused as she remembered the patients who were unhappy being treated by a Vulcan.
“I have never developed close ties with colleagues, but I believe that may well change on this ship.” Her face was carefully emotionless again.

-T’Lora

“Ahhhhh, I see.” Sage looked over the results of the scans and found the Vulcan to be in excellent health. “Well, for starters, don’t refer to yourself as ‘inhuman’. Although it’s technically correct, humans believe there’s more to it than that. They also attribute cruelty and some barbaric behaviors to the word. Instead, it would serve you well to use ‘non human’ as an alternative.” She grinned and closed the tricorder. “Sometimes we humans are difficult to figure out, but I’d be happy to help you if you run into a situation that might need explaining.”

In truth, Sage had never understood it when a Vulcan chose medicine since compassion and sympathy were almost a prerequisite for the job. However, she DID understand passion and calling. Once she’d gotten a taste of medicine, nothing could have changed her mind—it still hadn’t. She loved what she did and didn’t have any plans to make any changes. It was that understanding that helped her accept T’Lora as a doctor who would work beside her. “The medical department is actually a really good bunch of officers. I don’t think you’ll have a problem with any of them, but if you do, please let me know.”

—Sage

T’Lora was silent for a moment, both contemplating and surprised. “I will be the first to admit I have never considered the intricacies of the language.” She leaned back a bit. “I have never held their actions against them. They had little exposure to any… non-humans and I was likely not the best introduction. I was not seen as an ideal doctor on Earth, and I would never be an ideal doctor on Vulcan. I hope that Starfleet will see me as a doctor before they see me as a Vulcan or anything else for that matter. My father always said-” She stopped suddenly and awkwardly attempted to compose herself. That had been far too passionate for a Vulcan.
She frowned and settled herself back into her seat. She hesitated, “I apologize. That was… improper of me.” She cleared her throat. “I will come to you if I come across any obstacles.”
-T’Lora

“Don’t be silly, Ensign. I realize you are Vulcan, but you are welcome to talk about your family anytime you like. Also, it isn’t just me or Star Fleet that will be looking to see how you do. I have no doubt that your knowledge is what it should be, but your patients will be looking for compassion where it is warranted. I don’t know how you will handle that, but we’ll see.” Sage smiled to give encouragement. “For now, you’re cleared for duty. I’ll add you to the roster this afternoon. Take the rest of the day to get settled in and I’ll see you here tomorrow.”

—Sage

T’Lora nodded. “I am afraid impassioned speeches are inexcusable on Vulcan. My family is also a sensitive matter there.” She stood up. “On that note, I believe you are also the ship’s counselor, are you not? If it is not too much trouble, it would efficient to complete that evaluation as soon as possible. Would you mind?” She was not looking forward too it, but it was paramount to Starfleet, and thus had to be completed. She clasped her hands behind her back, not sure what she wanted the Doctor to say.

-T’Lora

The counselor comment surprised Sage, but the Ensign was correct. Since Riley’s departure, she was the obvious one to stand in for him until another body could be placed in the position. “Alright, let’s go to my office so we have some privacy.” She led the Vulcan across the bay to her private domain and gestured toward a seat while she rounded the desk and sat. “You have alluded to difficulties with your family on Vulcan. What kind of issues are there?”

—Sage

T’Lora sat down hesitantly. “This will take a slight history lesson. My mother was similar to human royalty on Vulcan. Her family was related to Surak, so they had a seat on the council, and many attempted to gain favor through her. She had her choice of bondmates, but fell in love with my father, who is the nearest one can come to being a traitor on Vulcan. He and his family cast aside logic in favor of embracing emotion and living as our ancestors did.” She frowned as she remembered the insults her classmates had invented. “My mother’s family tried to shield us, but they were unable to stop other’s beliefs. Many adults passed their thoughts on traitors, and their children, on to their own offspring, chief among them being that traitors deserved to die.” T’Lora gestured to the large scar on her face. “As you can see, some took it to heart.”
She studied the Doctor’s face for any signs of surprise and decided to stop there and allow for questions.
-T’Lora

Unaware of the movement, Sage shook her head in response to T’Lora’s story. “I’m always amazed how parents choose to influence their children in negative ways. Its a shame you had to deal with their prejudice, but I’ve no doubt it made you stronger. Adversity does that—its sad but true. So, the people of Vulcan don’t care for your father and aren’t happy with your mother’s choices, but how is your relationship with your parents?”

—Sage

T’Lora closed her eyes and smiled softly. “My parents did their best. My mother often stopped my father from storming over to other children’s houses, although I believe she allowed him to go when I was five. I remember him coming to visit me, and saying that I wouldn’t have to worry anymore. My mother died two years later, attempting to deliver my sibling. Neither survived.” She murmured a Vulcan prayer. “We moved as soon as I was able. Came to Earth. It was not welcoming, but no one tried to attack us, and therefore, it was better than Vulcan.” She paused. “He wanted me to join Starfleet. To prove even one of the V’tosh Ka’tur could serve on a Starship. I was stubborn. I did not apply until after his death.” She looked down, ashamed. “I believe my refusal always disappointed him. He truly believed it was the best path for me.”
-T’Lora

T’Lora’s childhood had been so different from hers that Sage almost felt guilty. Her formative years had been filled with the love and companionship of family and friends, and there had always been enough money, food and shelter that she hadn’t had to worry about anything but being a kid. She’d also had several older brothers who’d looked after her and been playmates when no one else was around. All in all, her life had been everything a parent hopes for their children.

“I’m sorry for the loss you’ve experienced. I can’t imagine how difficult it must have been, especially when you were just a child and your mother passed. Do you have anyone else who fills the role of family—whether they are related to you or not?”

—Sage

T’Lora acknowledged the condolences with a nod of her head. “There was an old human man back home who I suppose could be family. I called him grandfather as a child, and he would mind me while my father worked. He was a doctor once, and I was learned from him more than any teacher I’ve ever had. More than just medicine too. He taught me that there was a middle ground between Vulcan’s rigidity and my father’s wild abandon.” She tilted her head back with a smile and closed her eyes. “Without him, I never would have gotten into Starfleet. I was accepted because of his recommendation. Moving to Earth was likely the best thing to have ever happened to me.”

She paused to think. “Some of the local boys I could have called brothers. I was too much of an alien for many of the girls, but as long as I could keep up, I was welcome with the boys.” She let out something that could almost be a laugh. “They were ridiculously protective too. Kicked a xenophobic tourist family out of the city once.” T’Lora leaned forward. “My life is not marked by the ease many Human children experience growing up, but it was also free from the detachment Vulcan children experience. Many will never understand, but I truly believe I have found the best of both worlds.” She stopped speaking contentedly, remembering the city she had left behind on Earth.
-T’Lora

One corner of Sage’s mouth turned up in a smile. “It sounds like you have.” She was glad that her new Vulcan doctor had been exposed to emotions during her formative years. “My experiences with Vulcans have always left me with the feeling that they’re disappointed in the fact that I’m an emotional human—I guess. I think what I’m trying to tell you is that you aren’t the only one who has felt the negative outcomes of inter species relationships. Its just part of life in the 24th century.” She leaned back in her chair and relaxed.

“I think everything will be just fine, T’Lora. I think you’ll like it here.”

—Sage

T’Lora leaned back and smiled. “Maybe I will.” She closed her eyes and repeated it softly. “Maybe I will.”

She sat forward again. “Is there anything else or…”
-T’Lora

The change of mood in the woman was gratifying to see and hear. Not everyone would have picked up on the subtle changes, but all her training allowed her to see a slight relaxation in her shoulders and hear a hopefulness in her voice. “No, there isn’t anything else. We don’t have to be quite so thorough with the psych exam because you’ll be working right here with me. Plenty of time for observation…” Sage laughed then, letting T’Lora know it was a joke. “I’ll get you on the schedule starting tomorrow.”

—Sage

T’Lora nodded. “Very well. Any tips or tricks?” She was glad for the chance to work closely with another in her own field. She hoped the use of human idioms would put the woman at ease. “I was told new doctors are often put through the grinder.”
-T’Lora

Sage shook her head. “Not really. This team has been together for a while now so they are very comfortable with each other. I guess the best advice I could give you would be to be yourself. Be honest. If you don’t know something, admit it. If you would like help, ask for it. Offer to help the others if you get a chance. Don’t isolate yourself because you’re new to the group. Let them see you want to be a part of the team and everyone’s adjustment time to someone new will be shorter–including yours.”

—Sage

T’Lora felt a little apprehensive. “Very well. Thank you Doctor. I will take my leave then. Live long and prosper.” She held up the Ta’al before leaving, somewhat unsure of what she ought to do.
-T’Lora

Sensing an uncertainty and maybe a hesitance to leave the med bay, Sage tried to give T’Lora some options. “You can take the rest of the day to get settled in your quarters, check in with the counselor—oops, that’s me and you just did, or feel free to roam around sickbay and get acquainted with the staff and placement of materials. You can also tour the ship, check out where the holodecks are and 10 Forward. Its up to you.” She gave the officer an encouraging smile.

—Sage

T’Lora smiled back. “Thank you Doctor. I believe I will stay here.” She was hopeful, maybe for the first time in a while.
-T’Lora