And a Hug for You Too!

Posted on Fri Jan 26th, 2024 @ 12:36am by Lieutenant Bela Swain & Commander Joren Tal

2,229 words; about a 11 minute read

Mission: Broken Mirror
Location: Mess Hall

Having finished with the Commodore, Bela had gone back to her office to start working on something. She felt the need to be productive. There was nothing that she could do about the meeting but she darn well could do something about keeping up crew morale.

She sat herself behind her desk and flipped on her PADD. That was when she noticed an alert. Excitedly, she looked at it and discovered that there was a new crew member, presumably a new XO on board. The Risian knew that it would be impolite for her not to immediately introduce herself.

"Computer," she called out melodiously, "Tell me the location of Commander Joren Tal."

"Commander Joren Tal is currently in turbolift alpha-13. Turbolift destination is the mess hall."

Joren had spent most of the day walking around. Meeting people. Talking to people. Which, being the XO, was his job. But when his stomach started rumbling, he knew he had forgotten something. "Mess hall" he told the turbolift, eager to get his hands on some replicated food.

"Oooh!" Bela excitedly told the computer. "Food and greetings is a great way to initially meet! Computer, show me Commander Tal's holoimage and send his dossier to my PADD, please." The computer obliged and the rugged image of Tal showed in front of her. "I bet he was involved in some military engagements," she told nobody. "Well, time to go and meet him." With that, she headed over to the mess hall, a skip in her step, anxious to meet her new Commander.

Meanwhile, Joren had an unintended argument with the replicator.
"Setlik Salad."
"Setlik Salad is not available in the standard replicator database."
"Oh for f..." Joren sighed. "Add Setlik Salad to the database. A bowl with fresh Boran fruit slices, Rilka berries, Teral grains, extra virgin olive oil, Setlik honey, Setlik sage, Rilka rosemary, Teral thyme, Boran basil and Citrus zest." Joren paused for a brief second, before adding "... please."
"Thank you. Receipe has been added. Ingredient amounts have been estimated, please adjust if not to desired taste."
Joren waited, ever so slightly longer than he'd wanted to admit, then when nothing happened again told the replicator "Setlik salad." and thankfully for all machines involved, this time the dish got replicated instantly without issue.

Bela, the diminutive, Risian counselor walked up to Joren, her smile beaming. She looked upwards at him with her cool, blue eyes and asked more happily than curiously, "What is that you have there? Anything good?"

"Lieutenant," Joren nodded at the young woman before her. Frustratingly, while he knew he'd seen the face in the files, he couldn't immediately place a name with it. Shifting the bowl to his other hand, he extended his. "Commander Joren Tal. Nice t'meecha."

A perky voice responded, "Nice to meet you Commander. I'm the Chief Counselor, Lieuteant Bela Swain. However, you still did not answer my question about the food," she reminded him with a small giggle.

"Oh, the bowl? It's just a simple salad." As if to prove a point, Joren put a piece of Boran fruit in his mouth and ate it before adding "Hm, I'd personally used slightly less herbs, but it ain't bad."

"There does not seem to be anything simple about that," she replied looking up brightly. "Do you mind if I join you during your meal? I could get something to eat, as well...." She let the last statement drawl on, to encourage Joren to give her permission to eat with him."

"This is the mess hall. You don't need my permission to eat." Joren softly sighed. "But you're welcome to join me - provided you'll also let me eat." Joren had his experiences with Counselors, and they tended to talk a lot - and worse, let him talk - well - more than average.

Without warning, Bela went up to Joren's side and gave him a warm hug, careful to make certain that he did not spill his salad. "That sounds absolutely wonderful. Let me just go get something and I shall be right back." The Risian counselor released the XO before heading to a replicator to order something for herself.

"Lieutenant." Joren said before she could, in his eyes, run off. "Are you aware of the meaning of consent?"

"Of course, Commander," she answered as she whirled around from the replicator.

"Did you have my consent for you to hug me?" While his words and tone of voice was stern, Joren wasn't angry - not really. Admittedly, he could've used a hug. But, principles are important to him. His face softened slightly. "Listen, I've been on Risa. I understand you were raised differently. But we're not on a beach sipping Pina colada. And I expect professionalism, especially from a chief councilor. And that includes asking for consent before you hug someone."

Bela's eyes widened and became somewhat glassy. "I've not known many people who would not want a hug," she replied wistfully. "My counseling specialty is tactile in nature. Touch is extremely healing." Her mood started to improve the moment she started to mention that fact. "Neurophysiology is a long and respected way of assisting people."

She then paused and put her hands on her hips. She mustered what little sternness she could, which made her face look quite comical with her lips pressed inwards and her nose scrunched down. She said, "You knew who I was all along, didn't you?"

"I've read your file," Joren admitted. "Now, didn't you want to eat?" Nodding towards the replicator, then turning to sit down at one of the tables.

"I did." Like magic, the Risian's slightly perturbed mood vanished, replaced by her normal cheery demeanor. She decided to replicate herself a Ktarian chocolate puff. Sweets always helped her mood and psychologically the chocolate released endorphins, so win-win in her mind.

After obtaining her food and some milk, she sat back across Joren. "All that is mine is yours." She gave a slight nod to Joren and waited.

"Lieutenant Swain. Chief Counselor. Praised for her work, although some reports suggest her approach can be... distracting." Joren was well aware that she was likely referring to the food, but he wasn't about to waste the taste of a perfectly good salad with chocolate. "Also a hugger and not used to taking critique." A slight smile curled around his lips as he ate a spoonful of salad.

Bela was more than thrilled to see Joren smile. It lightened up his tough exterior and humanized him a great deal more. She took a forkful of her cake and smiled warmly back. After she downed the piece, she pointed her fork towards Joren and replied, "My counseling techniques have a long history and a great deal of study proving their efficacy. If they did not, I certainly would not be permitted to do this." She then stabbed another piece of the cake, as she said, "Those who bristle at touch, usually are the individuals that need it most. There is a trauma there."

"I ain't an expert in these matters, so I'll believe you. I'll say hugging hasn't been part of my job description..." Trailing off, Joren thought of his sister. Not specifically because they hugged a lot, but she was family. He shook off the thought. She was fine on the USS Helianthus and definitely didn't need her older brother clinging on to her. "So, anything I should know about you which I couldn't read in the files? Any hidden.. botany skills?"

"Botany?" Bela asked curiously. "Why botany?" The counselor tried to analyze the question and came up empty. "Do you like plants?" she asked slightly titing her head, indicating her curiosity and interest. "My parents had a resort on Risa, so I took care of the plants, but I would not call what I did botany. I would water them and weed and put them in the sun if required."

"It was an example. My mother was a botanist, I have some plants in my quarters as well." Joren absentmindedly stirred the bowl of salad. "What are your interests, other than...hugging people?"

Bela laughed prettily at that. "Do you have a problem with hugs, Commander?" she asked teasingly. "But I like to dance. I'm a pretty good masseuse. I do love cuddling though. I'm a pretty simple girl. I am Risian. I live to serve."

"Should a foe challenge us to a dancing contest, I'll keep that in mind," Joren quipped. "But, I'll mainly rely on your experience as a counselor - A happy crew is an effective crew." Of course, it's not just rose buds and moonshine - Joren knew that better than most. But, one should face adversity from a place of mental strength, if at all possible.

"And I aim to keep the entire crew happy and effective by whatever means necessary," Bela replied with a genuine yet innocent smile. It became more devilish as she stuck her fork back into the cake to get another bite into her mouth.

"Well, other than taking care of plants," Joren offered, "I enjoy cooking, reading, and I often take some time to practice some Bajoran meditation techniques." He took another bite from his salad, before adding, "So if someone threatens you with a cook-off, you know who to find."

Bela laughed prettily, "Always threats with you? Why is that? Do you just not want to cook for me?"

Joren put his fork down and put on a more serious face. "What d'ya know about the Dominion War?"

"The Dominion War? Pretty much what everyone knows about it. Federation Alliance versus Breen-Dominion Alliance. Cardassians switched sides. Changelings were impersonating Federation officials. Antwerp Conference was bombed causing more war. Things looked bad as the Dominion pushed almost to Vulcan. Captain Sisko took back DS9 and things started to turn. Betazed was captured and things started to look bleak again. Romulans, for some reason joined the Federation Alliance but ultimately a bio engineered virus won the war. Quite brutal."

Joren was impressed. For all the outer exterior of being a naïve girl, he hadn't expected her to give such a detailed account. "I was in there. I was born on Setlik III. My whole youth I been fightin' the bast'rds." Joren's speech became grittier as he talked about his past. "So yea, I'm rather familiar with threats."

Now Bela truly understood why Joren was the way he was. He had lived from one trauma to the next. She reached her hand across the table and touched Joren's hand lightly and comfortingly. "I hope that I can help you understand that the universe is not full of threats. There is a lot more out there and I would hate for you to shorten your lifespan by always being on edge. If you want, I can help." Her eyes widened like a puppy dog and stared deeply into Joren's eyes.

For a brief moment, there was doubt in Joren's eyes. Was she... hitting on him? Then he remembered who he had in front of him, and what he'd read about her methods, and shrugged the thought. "I know the universe is not just full of threats," He said, "I found common ground in Starfleet. Realized I'm not the only one ready to die for my ideals. That said, I appreciate the offer, counselor."

Bela nodded slightly, her hand withdrawing slightly. "I would like to believe that none of us are going to die until a very old age and that we are furthering Starfleet's mission of peace and exploration. I understand that sometimes violence is part of that but it should be a very last solution. Violence often comes because we are unwilling to listen or acknowledge others' perspectives."

"I've been OK with dying the moment I took up arms against the Cardassians to fight what I believed in. If I die to protect the ideals of Starfleet... I'm OK with that, too. I will use violence if I'm convinced it's the only way to protect my ideals, my loved ones, or my crew." Joren paused for a second. "We all have our strengths. I'll never be a diplomat. Or a counselor, for that matter. But if I need to make a decision which saves your life and everyone on this ship, I will not hesitate to do so."

"You would make a wonderful Klingon," Bela replied with a pleasant laugh. "And yes, we have our strengths. However, we should not ignore our weaknesses and we should encourage developing both our strengths and improving upon our weaknesses. I am forever grateful that you will be here to protect me, though."

"I don't have the complexion to pull off a Klingon." Although Joren's face stayed serious, his eyes were smiling. "I should finish my lunch." He stated matter of fact, as he picked up his fork and started picking off some grain.

Pleased to see the twinkle in Joren's eyes, Bela asked, "Are you objecting to me staying with you while we eat?" She removed her hand and grabbed her fork with it, stabbing her cake with it. Oddly, Bela was unable to even make that look forceful as she dug in.

"Not at all." Joren nodded as both of them enjoyed their lunch.

::OFF::

Commander Joren Tal
Executive Officer
USS Calypso

Lieutenant Bela Swain
Chief Councillor
USS Calypso

 

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