Think Tank of Passion

Posted on 09/18/2020 @ 10:33am by Lieutenant JG Larissa Syndel & Lieutenant JG Siobhan Richards PhD
Edited on on 09/18/2020 @ 12:25pm

Mission: S2E2: The Auction House
Location: Counselor's Office
Timeline: Day 38 at 1500

The complicated art of being a joined Trill. To Lieutenant Joral, there was perhaps no better way to explain it. He used to love painting a certain way, painting certain things, and he was drawn to particular colour palettes; however, there was a monumental shift at a fundamental level. Things he used to do and enjoy were sometimes the furthest away from his desires. He was not even sure if the color he had always stated unapologetically as his favorite since childhood was even among his top five anymore. His parents had always cautioned him with their own propaganda of the adverse effects of the joining process. Generations of his family had shown no interest in the ‘sacred’ process of joining and Jodon had been following in those footsteps, but the scientist in him was taught to preserve life. The Joral symbiont needed a host and in the moment, he was the best suited.

Even the professional of Trill told Jodon that there would be sudden changes, his mood would be different, he very well may start enjoying cuisines that he did not previously enjoy. So, they had given him warning after the joining was completed. He also took an appropriate amount of time off to begin counselling sessions to help him adjust to these changes. Sometimes, these changes were awkward for him. He had shared one of those awkward situations with Crazy Horse’s Dr. Richards when they were on the moon base together; however, their discussion about Lieutenant Cash had also brought up some revelations that J.J. had not taken into consideration; romance.

To say that J.J. was experienced in that particular area of socialization would be an exaggeration. He had dated casually before as a teenager. What he lacked experience with was relationships. For him they were short-lived and fizzled out quicker than the life span of a fly, and they were indeed few and far between. Like any good scientist would, he examined the evidence. He evaluated himself and the situation. There were some things that had become different since being joined. The symbiont’s previous host was a woman of immense command experience, but also had an insatiable ‘appetite’ for attention.

J.J. sought out to get what he considered to be expert opinions and advice from trusted sources. He called a meeting of minds, a think tank of passion as it were: Dr. O’Hamlin, Dr. Richards, and Lieutenant Syndel. He asked them to meet him in Dr. Richard’s Counselling office. He chose each of them for a reason and he awaited their arrival.

A request to meet the Xo in the counsellors office wasn't what Larissa had expected to get after her shift had finished. Her mind raced, thinking she was about to get chewed out about her and Siobhan's antics of a few nights ago though how someone might have found out about it she didn't know. She paused for a moment outside the door before stepping inside. "Good afternoon Lieutenant." She said smiling at the Trill.

The First Officer flashed a small smile at the green skinned Ops officer. "Good Afternoon, Lieutenant," he said greeting her. "Doctors O'Hamlin and Richards should be here shortly. Not really my office or anything but, help yourself to the replicator" J.J. said with a chuckle. "I'm hoping for a more relaxed environment for this meeting."

Why the ship’s XO wanted him to come to the counselor’s office he didn’t know, but Chet wasn’t one to question authority, unless of course authority was being very, very stupid. This, however, didn’t seem terribly stupid, so he opted to just go and find out what was happening. That was the best way to get information, anyway. “H’lo,” he greeted Syndel and Joral as he entered the office.

Siobhan was last to join. Actually coming round the corner, she saw Chet's back as he was entering. Soon after, the door opened again and she stepped inside, finding that everyone invited by the XO were already there. The request was somewhat unexpected and it certainly brushed her curiosity. Walking toward the office, Siobhan had a suspicion what it might be about but at the same time, she wasn't sure if she would approach a problem in similarly open matter.
"Hello, everyone." She said in greeting, her eyes slipping over each of the officers. "Isn't that a nice meeting? Please help yourself with the replicator if you haven't so far."

Seeing Siobhan arrive Larissa gave her a playful wink and a quick smile, with Chet being there too she had doubts that this had anything to do with their activities, unless she was going to get an earful from the CMO too.

Siobhan responded to Larissa with a similarly playful bit of her lower lip. She was looking forward to have some more fun with the Orion. One of her early suspicions were that perhaps they were too loud or something, and the XO would want to talk to them about it, but she quickly brushed that aside. Moving past everyone, Siobhan approached the replicator.
"Coffee, black, one sugar." She requested and picked the mug when it materialized.

Lieutenant Joral followed Siobhan over to the replicator and waited his turn. "Raktajino, three sugar, whipped cream topping, caramel drizzle...hot" he said ordering his beverage of choice for the evening. It was a bit over the top in more ways than one. The liquid remained within the mug, but the mountain of whipped cream peaked over the mug's rim and J.J. took a sip before making his way back over to resume his seat.

"First, I just want to say I really do appreciate the three of you coming here to meet with me," he began. "Lieutenant Syndel, I asked you hear because of your peoples' society is founded in the extraordinary and the carnal" the Trill said of the Orion people. "Dr. Richards, you are the ship's foremost expert on sexuality and your knowledge of Deltans is evident. Dr. O'Hamlin, your logic and professionalism offers grounding in all matters. You always look before you leap."

"My upbringing wasn't exactly that of a typical Orion," Larissa remarked. "I'll help however I can though."

"Nor was mine typical of a Trill," he replied with a nod. "Nevertheless, you all bring a different perspective and that is what I need right now. I need different perspectives and ways of looking at something in particular: romance" he said without much of a preamble or prelude. "I am finding myself...lost and uncertain. I am not even sure how I should begin."

"Lost and uncertain... in regards to what?" Siobhan asked.

"It's our conversation on the base that hot me thing," he replied to Siobhan. "If I were to start dating someone, how do I know they are interested in me for me, not just what's left of Jodan or Joral?"

Siobhan smiled.
"That is a perennial question... is he dating me because of my brains or looks? Is she dating me because of who I am or the wealth I have?" She pointed out.

"I'm afraid I'm not any good at this," replied Chet. "I'm asexual and almost entirely aromantic. Last time someone was interested in me, I turned him off in five seconds flat." He grinned. "And I'm not sure it would be any different with girls."

"I would do you... in five seconds flat." Siobhan turned her eyes on Chet keeping straight face. "Just say the word." She kept the straight face a moment longer before she giggled and turned to Joral and went back to the subject of the meeting. "Is it important what a potential interest is after? Jodan or Joral? They are both you now, right?"

Jodon nodded and he contemplated what was presented with. "I feel it is more appropriate to say that I am neither yet both" countered the Trill and smiled. "Dr O'Hamlin, I can respect your asexuality and in a way I envy it. Though if I am to start seeing someone and it evolves, I will need you to give me the medical authorization to engage in interspecies relations."

"There's typically not any problems with that," Chet offered. "Unless you're thinking about a JemHadar; we don't know enough about them for me to make a valid assessment." There was no hint that he was kidding, but of course he was. Wasn't he?

Larissa listened to the comments before adding something of her own. "I have an idea of what you mean, I've had people try and seduce me because they want to brag they've had sex with an Orion," She couldn't help but glance over at Siobhan. "Rather than legitimate attraction. Sometimes you can tell straight away, other times it's very hard to tell which. You need to figure out which it is."

Lieutenant Joral let a small sigh. "Unfortunately, neither of the individuals I see myself remotely interested in getting to know better do not appear to acknowledge me in that aspect" noted Jodon. "Both have been nothing but strictly professional around me. I'm not getting so much as trace indication that they may have interest. So, do I just drop it and give up?"

Siobhan noticed Larissa's glance but it were Joral's words that made her smile.
"Have you attempted flirting? That usually is a good start to indicate you are interested. As an XO, you are above in the chain of command. Professional officer might choose to hide any attraction until you indicate you are interested." She slightly shifted her position to give the Orion better look on her body.

"I agree there." Larissa remarked. "You might have to make the first moves, anyone would be somewhat hesistant to tell their superior they are attracted to them but if you expressed an interest first they would be more open about the issue."

"Alright, I can understand that. I can see why someone would be hesitant to make the first move especially if I am their superior officer" noted Jodon. "But here's where things get a little more... complicated, and this does not leave this room," he said swiftly.

Jodon looked specifically at Chet and Siobhan. "Doctor - Patient privacy and such," he added crisply. "What if I'm not their superior. What if I'm subordinate to them?"

Chet's eyebrows shot upwards almost imperceptibly. "That can get sticky," he said slowly. "They might not want to get involved with any subordinates. A lot of officers are like that. Getting involved with anybody directly below or above you can be dangerous."

Siobhan nodded in agreement.
“The higher you progress in positions, the higher is also the degree of loneliness. On one side because of regulations and on the other because of the need to maintain respect and professionalism.” She added.

"Wait...." Larissa said finally analysing what Jodon had said, there was only one person higher than him. "You're in love with the Captain?"

Siobhan looked at Larissa with a shadow of a playful grin in corner of her mouth. It wasn't exactly what Joral said but there seemed to be attraction from the XO.

J.J. looked at the Orion Chief Operations Officer "Okay, for starters let's not throw around the 'L word' so liberally. I may not fully understand myself right now or what I am struggling with, but I know I'm too grounded in science and facts to make a quick leap to that" he said swiftly. "I did not say the Captain. It could be some Admiral...maybe I have a thing for silver foxes" teased the Trill. "Yes, I meant the Captain. I am just...intruiged. He's interesting and intelligent. He's also not Cash."

Chet gave the group a rare grin. "You're definitely right about that," he agreed. "And he's easy on the eyes."

"Right," replied Jodon with a nervous chuckle and a small sigh. "You've each been helpful in one way or another. It has definitely left me with some thinking to do" said J.J. as he stood from his seat. "I think I'll head back to my quarters and reflect a bit. Thank you again for coming together on such short notice" added the First Officer politely.

"Lieutenant... the most important thing is to let it run. Keep it professional, but don't be afraid to show your interest." Siobhan said softly. "Dating the captain requires simply defter touch." She paused and then said a little cautionary. "Be also aware that relationship with the captain will require transferring either out of the ship or out of the Starfleet, to avoid impropriety."

"I know," replied Jodon who took a deep breath. He knew and he was well aware that any move he made could potentially cost either of their careers. He also know how much the starship meant to the Captain. His career was everything, and J.J. was not about to risk it.

A Mission Post By

Lieutenant Jodon Joral
Executive Officer
USS Crazy Horse

Lieutenant JG Siobhan Richards PhD
Counselor
USS Crazy Horse

Lieutenant JG Chet O'Hamlin MD
Chief Medical Officer
USS Crazy Horse

Lieutenant Larissa Syndel
Chief Operations Officer
USS Crazy Horse