12-06-2024, 02:35 AM
"Y'know, by long Artemis tradition that I just made up wallflowers aren't permitted in 8-Starboard. Since this is apparently turning into a bit of a get-together to welcome new arrivals feel free to join us, Ensign...?"
Sipping her tea quietly, Louise had watched as the party of women at the table grew, and as Commander Mayfair rose, presumably to get another drink. She was surprised, therefore, to look up from her beverage to see the purple-haired Augment standing before her. For a brief second, Louise thought she'd offended someone by staring, but quickly reminded herself that not all cultures were as closed-minded as the one she had been raised in on New Kanto.
"Y'know, by long Artemis tradition that I just made up wallflowers aren't permitted in 8-Starboard. Since this is apparently turning into a bit of a get-together to welcome new arrivals feel free to join us, Ensign...?"
Louise suddenly felt the desire to sink into her chair, through the deck plating, and into the between-deck spaces where she could hide. Her face flushed red and the desire to run far, run fast flooded her system. Placing her tea down, Louise ran through a quick mindfulness exercise in her head that Alex had taught her when she had first moved to Earth. While she had hoped to avoid the attentions of the senior staff for a few rotations, maybe her entire tour on the Artemis, she had known deep down that this wasn't entirely feasible.
At least she didn't start with "Do I know you? You look familiar..."
Looking back up at Mayfair, Louise couldn't help but smile back despite her embarassed blush. Whether it was natural or a product of genetic engineering, Mayfair possessed a smile that was both warm and adorable at the same time. Almost like a pixy, but taller and sans-wings.
"Liu. Louise Liu. I joined the counselling staff while the Artemis was docked at Deep Space Nine."
Briefly, Louise considered rejecting the Commander's invitation. Remaining isolated from the crew would ensure she was left alone, but as Alex had said, a closed therapist wasn't an effective therapist; how could she expect people to open up to her when she was a closed book? Some of these people would probably need her services someday, either as a therapist or a field medic, and they needed to have faith that she had their best interests at heart.
"I'd be delighted to join you. I admit my social life has been...nonexistent..."
Sipping her tea quietly, Louise had watched as the party of women at the table grew, and as Commander Mayfair rose, presumably to get another drink. She was surprised, therefore, to look up from her beverage to see the purple-haired Augment standing before her. For a brief second, Louise thought she'd offended someone by staring, but quickly reminded herself that not all cultures were as closed-minded as the one she had been raised in on New Kanto.
"Y'know, by long Artemis tradition that I just made up wallflowers aren't permitted in 8-Starboard. Since this is apparently turning into a bit of a get-together to welcome new arrivals feel free to join us, Ensign...?"
Louise suddenly felt the desire to sink into her chair, through the deck plating, and into the between-deck spaces where she could hide. Her face flushed red and the desire to run far, run fast flooded her system. Placing her tea down, Louise ran through a quick mindfulness exercise in her head that Alex had taught her when she had first moved to Earth. While she had hoped to avoid the attentions of the senior staff for a few rotations, maybe her entire tour on the Artemis, she had known deep down that this wasn't entirely feasible.
At least she didn't start with "Do I know you? You look familiar..."
Looking back up at Mayfair, Louise couldn't help but smile back despite her embarassed blush. Whether it was natural or a product of genetic engineering, Mayfair possessed a smile that was both warm and adorable at the same time. Almost like a pixy, but taller and sans-wings.
"Liu. Louise Liu. I joined the counselling staff while the Artemis was docked at Deep Space Nine."
Briefly, Louise considered rejecting the Commander's invitation. Remaining isolated from the crew would ensure she was left alone, but as Alex had said, a closed therapist wasn't an effective therapist; how could she expect people to open up to her when she was a closed book? Some of these people would probably need her services someday, either as a therapist or a field medic, and they needed to have faith that she had their best interests at heart.
"I'd be delighted to join you. I admit my social life has been...nonexistent..."