Getting Profiled

Posted on Mon Oct 23rd, 2023 @ 3:22am by Cadet Junior Grade Noxi Harrison & Cadet Senior Grade René Rouen

1,693 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: 1 - Cruising through the galaxy
Location: Counseling Offices
Timeline: TBD

René, with PADD in hand, entered the Counseling offices. He gave a nod and smiled at the young woman in Starfleet Medical blue. "Hey there. Is one of the counselors in?" He waggled the PADD in his hand. "Delivering my psych records for my in processing in accordance with ship standard operating procedures."

The Able Hospital Corpsman glanced up from her screen and pointed to a chair. "If you will have a seat. I will see who's available."

René sat in the small waiting area as the enlisted woman had alerted a Counselor to his presence.

Noxi came out of the office, where she had been carefully reviewing files with the instructor. She smiled. Rene Rouen?" She asked aloud. "Are you ready?" She asked. "Follow me." She led him in a different direction, to a private room where they could have a session without interruption. "I am Cadet Counselor Noxi Harrison. It's nice to meet you. What brings you here today?" She said.

René stood up and followed Noxi. He took note of the diamond engagement ring and promptly reminded himself to behave. He gestured to Noxi to enter the counseling office first. "Ladies first."

She went ahead. "Thank you," she said. "Make yourself comfortable," she said, as she settled into a large chair across from a sofa. "You can sit wherever," she said. "You don't have to sit, even." She smiled again. "This isn't meant to be too stressful. What can I help you with today?"

René shrugged as he handed over his PADD. "Just getting all the in processing checks ticked off the checklist."

Noxi nodded. "I understand. As the departmental head of Counseling, these first few days have been a lot," she said.

René’s psych profile and attached service record were interesting to say the least. He was quite adept with practical exercises, such as marksmanship, combat simulations (both ground and space borne. Though his penchant for being impulsive was of some concern by his instructors. There were also notes regarding several demerits in his psychological file. Twice during his freshman year he was caught with a female cadet after hours in one or the others quarters, with one subsequent and similar curfew violations in his sophomore and junior year.

Noxi settled back. "Your file is interesting, but today, I want to know WHY you came in. Was it just to get it out of the way? Did you have a particular thing to discuss?" She liked to let the patient lead sessions. In her opinion, it worked better than her directing everything. It made her have to think harder, and come up with individual solutions instead of just saying "Don't worry, be happy."

René was quiet for a moment. Something was bothering him, but he really couldn't figure out what it was. "I...really don't know."

Noxi just nodded. "That's fair. Why don't we just start with...how are you today? In general. Are you finding this posting to be to your liking?" She found that when a patient was stuck, it was best to hep them identify their feelings about other things. It could, oftentimes, open up resentments or other feelings that were bottled up.

René smiled as he gave a nod. "I do like the assignment. It is my first time leaving the Sol system. My first chance to put to use my training the last three years."

Noxi smiled. "Mine, too, as an adult," she said. "I was born in the Fleet-both of my parents are officers," she explained. "What is your family like?" She asked. "Where are you from?" It was a good place to start, getting to know your patient.

René expression became more animated. "I was born in Paris. France. I spent summer holiday in Rouen at the family estate. Father taught me fencing from a young age and my mother taught me music and cooking. My older brother works in the Palais de Concordia and my younger sister just finished secondary school. We are all very close and I travel back to France as often as my studies allow." A slight tremor crept into his voice. "This cruise is going to be the longest I've ever been away from my family. I...am going to miss being able to see or even call my family."

Noxi simply listened. She felt for him. "I understand. It's very difficult to leave your family behind. There will be opportunities for us to see and contact them, though...being on the brink of a war, if it does break out, it will be harder. What I can suggest is that you continue to write, send subspace relays, and holograms home. Knowing that they will see it, even after a bit of time, can help. Did you bring anything from home along with you? A photograph? A stuffed animal?" She asked. "Homesickness is normal. It's to be expected, especially if you're unused to the lifestyle. I was born in the Fleet, and I still deal with it a little bit!" She said. "I'd like to call my brother right now, just to get the assurance that I am doing it right, but...I can't. I just have to rely on my training," she said.

René heard what Noxi had to say. He had always wanted to be a noble warrior. To serve King and Country like D'Artagnon in The Three Musketeers. Now that war was on the horizon, he wasn't so sure he could. "I have pictures on my PADD. I was planning on getting them reproduced for my quarters anyway."

Noxi smiled lightly. "That's perfect," she said. "My mom packed me off with my stuffed rabbit from when I was a kid. I've kept her all through the Academy, and even now, she's in my quarters. It helps a bit. My father got her for me from the Promenade at Khitomer when he was there for a training," she said. "The other thing you can try is visualizations. Try to picture a really good day with your family-say, a family outing, and try to revisit it in your mind. Really take the time to picture all of the details-the sights, and smells, and what you ate, what people were saying, everything. It can really ground you," she said.

Rene smiled and gave a nod. "I appreciate your advice. I am hoping that making friends aboard will also help. I am somewhat familiar with a few people, but I haven't had a lot of time to develop any real connections."

Noxi nodded. "Of course, it can be very daunting. I am glad you've met a few people. I have, too. There will be time! I like to do group activities-it takes the pressure off of ME to do all of the talking and stuff, plus, you learn who meshes best with who. So have a guy's night, or a co-ed meal in the Lounge!" She needed to take her own advice. Noxi was a bit of a loner. "You could also watch a sporting even in the Holodeck. I like Bajoran baseball myself," she said. "The Morale Officer is planning some fun things! Keep an eye out." She shared. "Do you do anything like use the gym before your shifts?" She asked. "You could also talk and chat with people there!"

René smiled. "I do have quite a few hobbies and interests. I fence, French style dueling. I am a pretty good amateur chef, French cuisine obviously. I am a decent gymnist. That and the fencing gives me an edge in swashbuckling adventures on the holodecks. I also make wine, provided I have a supply of good grapes. One of my biggest weaknesses though is I cannot refuse a beautiful woman's reasonable request."

Noxi laughed. "Wine?! Interesting!! Is that even allowed?" She asked. "I tend to have that, but for the bad boys," she commented. "So that is good! You have things you can use to start conversations and friendships. Invite a pretty girl over to taste some of your wine! Or do a tasting in the Lounge area!" She suggested. "Fencing is very French. Interestingly, I know a little," she said. "One of my older brothers went through a phase of learning about ancient Earth combat, and did a holo-course on Fencing and sword fighting," she said. "From the Renaissance days."

René nodded appreciatively. "I've been on the lookout for a fencing partner and if you would like to learn some more, I was an instructor for two years before coming to the Academy."

Noxi smiled. "I might be interested!! We can talk about that some more, thank you," she said. "Oh, instructor? Nice. You must be really good then!" She said. "So what do you think? Do you think that you might have a bit of a plan to help you now?" She asked.

René gave a small smile and nodded. "More or less." He had a thoughtful pause for a moment. "One hobby I did forget was music. I play the guitar and can sing, not professional level, but good enough to annoy people's eardrums."

Noxi chuckled again. "I see!! Well, it might be fun for you to play for people, anyway. Other people play instruments and sing," she said. "I know because I've read it in personnel files," she said. "I will also send a recommendation to our Morale Officer," she said. "A concert would be fun!"

René rose to his feet and extended his right hand to Noxi. "Well, I guess that about does it for today. Contact me if you know the other musicians and I will talk to the Morale Officer about organizing activities. Perhaps an open mic night at Club Whisper."

René turned to leave, pausing briefly at the door. He turned back to Noxi. "Oh, and let me know if you're interested in fencing lessons. Au revoir Counselor and merci." He continued out the door, leaving Noxi to consider the results of this initial counseling session.

She smiled. "I will! Thank you. It was nice to meet you."

She watched him leave and then went to make her notes. What a nice man.

 

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