The battle of the wills begins

Posted on Sun Jun 9th, 2019 @ 3:41pm by

1,248 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: What Stalks The Night
Location: Sickbay

After spending the morning sorting out her new office, Amélie waited until around lunch time to make her way the small distance to sickbay, a few PaDD's in hand as she went in search of the CMO. There was a few questions she had that she was hoping that he might have been able to answer. It seems the ship had been devoid of a counselor for quite some time, what happened to the last one was completely uncertain and most of the crew were long overdue for evaluations.

She'd only been in sickbay for a few minutes when she had been told that the CMO would be back shortly. Offering to wait, Amélie wandered around sickbay, acquainting herself with the area while she waited. It was as she approached the isolation rooms toward the back of sickbay that Amélie's attention was drawn to the single Orion occupant who was, well, quite simply, incredibly unhappy.

She knocked on the door lightly as she opened it. "Everyone seems to be pretty busy at the moment, did you need something? Maybe I can help?" Amélie asked gently.

The Orion woman that few knew the full truth about looked up from a PADD she had been composing yet another message on. She allowed her cybernetic eye to check the intruder's pulse and respiration, then decided she was just a bored busybody. She wore a purple jumpsuit now that did nothing to hide her curves and her red hair was pulled up in a messy bun. "No, thanks," she said and turned her attention back to the PADD.

Taking a few more steps into the room, Amélie smiled. "Are you sure? I don't mind," she offered again. "I'm Amélie, I'm the new counselor. I was waiting for the CMO to get back, but I'm happy to help if you want something while everyone else is busy."

Counselor. Vash frowned and turned her green eyed gaze on the woman and arched a finely sculpted eyebrow. "Fine. I'll have a fresh cob'lat and bacon sandwich with Orion fitchorel on the side and a Icoberry Smoothie. That's all."

"Okay, sure, I can do that for you," Amélie paused momentarily. "Sorry, I didn't catch your name?" she said with a smile. "Is there anywhere specific you wanted it from or is the replicator sufficient?"

"Qo'nos will be fine," the Orion said and turned her attention back to the PADD.

"Well, I can place the order for you, but by the time it arrives I doubt the cob'lat will be very fresh," Amélie said, still smiling. "While you wait though, will replicated be alright? Otherwise I can get something from down on the promenade for you?"

"If you don't know what stasis units are for, you aren't fit to pick up an order, let alone replicate one," Vash said without looking up. "No, thanks, but thanks for the offer."

"Well then I guess it's a good thing that my primary role isn't food delivery isn't it?" Amélie replied, still smiling as she walked toward the end of the bed and picked up the PaDD in the holder. "Vashkele?" she asked curiously. "Did I pronounce that right? It's a pretty name."

"Which I don't recall saying you could use," Vash said as she looked over at the woman with more than a little annoyance. "Come any closer, and I will bite you."

"You wouldn't be the first and I doubt you'll be the last," Amélie said gently. "It's okay, I'm up to date with all my shots." She set the PaDD back down in the holder. "Have you been on the ship long? Your record says your the owner of the lounge? That must be interesting I'm sure."

"Your information is out of date. The Pink Kitty was on the other ship that they decided to mothball or scrap or whatever they did with it. Get out." The Orion woman stated flatly.

"Well I'm sure you can take over a new lounge here, I imagine on a ship this size there's plenty of opportunity for someone with your people skills." Amélie smiled sweetly as she glanced around the room. "You need some colour in here, do you like flowers? I saw a lovely florist when I was down on the promenade yesterday, I could bring some back next time I come visit you."

"No, I'm allergic to flowers. I'd die," Vash said. "Then there wouldn't be anyone to reopen my strip club. Go. Away."

"Well I'm glad to see you're already thinking toward the future," Amélie said warmly. "It's always good to have things to keep your mind busy, don't you think? Maybe I can bring you something else to keep you busy while you're recovering?" Even though she had no idea what Vash had been through, it was clearly she was recovering from something, and given her open hostility it wasn't a walk in the park.

"Orion's balls!" Vash shouted and sat up. "Are you stupid or just dense as neutronium? What part of get out and get away do you not understand? The out or away? You want something to do? Go talk to Hood. He can fill you in so you can come back and invite me to fucking tea time!"

"I'd rather you tell me yourself," Amélie replied quietly. "But it doesn't have to be today." She paused momentarily and offered a smile. "You know, Vashkele, anger can be a good thing, as long as you're angry at the right people. Do you want me to refill your water before I go? I saw a replicator just outside."

"Just get out and don't try to get in my head anymore," Vash said. "It's not a pleasant place, but I'd be happy to introduce you to some of it another day. Let's say a thousand years from now in the morning."

"Oh, I'm not trying to get into your head," Amélie said warmly as she moved to the side of the bed and picked up the near empty water jug, carrying it back out into main sickbay and recycling it before replicating a new jug of iced water and a clean glass and an Ichoberry smoothie. Carrying them back into the room, setting them back on the side table. "There you go, it's only replicated, but hopefully it's better than nothing, at least for now. I'll see if I can find someone on the promenade to make the real thing for you next time. Do you want me to bring anything else back for you? A brush? a change of clothes? A book? A list of empty commercial venues on the promenade?" the counselor asked as she backed toward the door.

"A phaser and a portable force field generator would be nice," the Orion woman said. "And Security who know how to do their jobs and keep stray Targs out of my room!"

Amélie smiled, letting the insult bounce off her. "Enjoy your afternoon Vashkele, but if you need anything, feel free to give me a call. I'm always available." With a slight wave, she headed toward the door, closing it quietly behind her before she walked out.

It was only once Amélie had cleared sickbay and was well into the corridor that she pausd, leaning back against the bulkhead, taking a few deep breaths before fixing a smile on her face and heading toward the promenade.

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