Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Vanessa Slade (CNS) in Side Sim - David’s psyche evaluation

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Vanessa Slade (CNS) in Side Sim - David’s psyche evaluation

Posted by Ensign David Michaels (Science Officer) in Side Sim - David’s psyche evaluation
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Shortly after his arrival back on the Genesis, David found himself heading to the Counselor’s office. It was a space he knew well, having been occupied previously by the man he had fell in love with. But things were different now, and he was expecting a much different outcome with this Counselor.

Standing in front of the door to the office he rang the chime.

-Ensign David Michaels

“Ensign David Michaels,” a woman said walking up the hall to the man standing at the counselor’s door. There was no reason Micheals would know or recognize the woman. She was not dressed in the standard uniform of the ship but looked more like a security officer in a pair of what used to be camo-colored cargo pants and a matching shirt. Instead of the dark olives and greens, the material was covered in bright splotches of pinks, blues, and yellows. Her hair was pulled up into a high ponytail that swayed slightly as she walked. “Oh my god, I am so sorry I am late. Lt. Vanessa Slade,” she extended her hand before realizing it was not just covered in paint splotches but also holding some sort of long weapon.

David looked up at the sound of his name. He gave the pair approaching him a glance over. So this must be the new counselor. Interesting. He raised an eyebrow at the woman as she reached out the paint covered hand and what David remembered to be a paint ball gun from his travels through time. It was once a very popular game but had lost some of its luster as holographic technology became more readily available.

“Um Slade,” the man next to her let out a chuckle holding out a small rag. “How about we switch? You give me that and I will give you this.”

“Good plan,” she traded off and began wiping her hands for any bit of residual paint that had not already dried. “Okay, next week I need a lighter gun. That thing weighed so much it threw off my aim.”

“Sure it did,” the man walking beside her covered in far less paint smirked. “Same time,” Lt. Hicks hoised her weapon over his shoulder with a smirk.

David observed the interaction with mild amusement. It was mildly refreshing for once to not be the most interesting thing in the room. The Counselor had spunk, he could tell. Under normal circumstances, she would be someone David would get along with quite well. But the lingering thoughts of the previous occupant of this particular office clouded over his every thought at the moment.

“Of course,” she let out a laugh tucking a chuck on hair behind her ear. “See you, Hicks.” As Lt Hicks left Vanessa and Michaels at the door, she turned her attention to the science officer. “So you are here for your check-in,” she casually remarked as if nothing was out of the ordinary as she palmed the controls to her office opening the door.

As the door swung open, the room inside was decorated in blues and whites with numerous ferns dotting the room’s corners. A foosball table was sitting at the entrance along with a huge tapestry of Fenway park. There were also several areas to sit including two chairs by her desk, a couch, two armchairs, and a large white bean bag chair shaped like a baseball.

Vanessa Slade CNS

David stepped hesitantly in the doorway as it opened. Being back here was very strange and it was making his skin crawl. “I see you were expecting me.” He said, and as soon as the words left his lips he felt like a complete idiot. No doubt everyone on the ship was expecting him. There was no reason for any of the crew to believe that his departure was anything out of the ordinary. However the former Chief Science Officer returning, demoted and much a different man was definitely something noticeable.

Taking a deep breath, David took another step into the office. “Lieutenant Slade was it?”

-Ensign David Michaels

Vanessa wasn’t sure what was up with Michaels but the deep breath normally indicated they were either nervous or annoyed. The man did not seem angry so that left her with the former option. “If Lt. Slade is what makes you most comfortable we can use that. I go by pretty much whatever you want to call me just don’t call me late for dinner. I may look like a buck twenty-five wet but I can so eat half my body weight in pizza.” She started off with a joke hoping it would relax him some if he was nervous.

Looking down at her clothes she could not blame him on some level if he was nervous about walking into her office. Maybe she should explain a bit. “I know it is probably not normal for someone to show up to a counseling appointment where they find the counselor armed and looking like a walking- talking Sydney Pollak painting. I am sorry I was not able to change before our appointment. I find that some of my clients aren’t they sit on the couch and start talking type. So I get them out of the office.” Gesturing down at her paint-splattered outfit, “Today was paintball however in my notes I shall term it art therapy. If you want we can reschedule?” Nothing in her tone suggested she was anything but sincere with her request to reschedule if that would make Ensign Michaels more comfortable. “If you want to stay can I get you something to drink,” she asked moving to the replicator.

Vanessa Slade CNS

Bump

David flashed a smile. “No, no, you’re perfectly fine. I think creative therapy is a wonderful idea.” He paused. “I would love an iced tea with lemon, thank you.” He moved over to take a seat on one of the chairs. He wasn’t sure how much of his file she would be familiar with and he didn’t want to start talking about his past just yet, so he sat quietly waiting for her to come over with his drink.

-Ensign David Michaels