31 - Video - Backdated to 4th

[fireincarnate]

[It's amazing, what playing with life and death will take out of you.

She's not sure what she did, exactly - just that she fixed something that was broken, and it took near everything she had. And it came on top of everything else - a month of being helpless, the chaos of the collision, the loss of everyone on Mirror Barge, their own people still missing.

(If she thinks about it took hard - about where Anya might be, if she's even alive - she thinks she might break.)

So she's just been resting. Recovering her strength, regaining her equilibrium. Talking to Morgana helped and hurt in equal measure, but it gave her the push she needed.

She knows how to put on a good face - to look calm and assured, even when she's twisted up inside. Her smile is warm and open, lit by the fire dancing round her fingers.]

I know we're all recovering right now. For those who don't know - I'm something of a therapist. If anyone wants to talk, I'm here.

[Current Patients]

How are you doing? Do you need anything?

[Wichita]

[Her smile turns rueful.] I'm sorry it took me this long to check in. Did you come through everything okay?

[Emperor]

[This is the first time she hesitates. She's not sure how she feels, now, about the choices she made on Mirror Barge. About how she's changed and what that means. About what his goal really was, in guiding her.

But ignoring it would be cowardly - and whatever his reasons, he helped her. He made her feel strong, secure, in ways she didn't think possible.]

I wanted to thank you. [Yes, that's true enough.] I know you had a bigger agenda, there, but I - I think I would have been a lot worse, without you there.

Comments

[fireincarnate]

[Her smile turns a bit sheepish.] That's the official term, yeah.

I've got my undergraduate degree in clinical psychology, but not my doctorate.

[chaotica]

Better than nothing, and the people here can use all they can get. I assume you're more the 'sympathetic ear' type?

[fireincarnate]

That was my thinking. [She won't claim she's as good as an experienced practitioner.] And yes - I'm hear to listen, offer some coping methods.

[An instinctual hesitation, and then - ] The telepathy helps too, if they're okay with that.

[chaotica]

[ He's had plenty of experience with telepaths, and he doesn't bat an eye. ]

Course it does, if you know how to use it.

Take care not to influence or entangle your minds, of course. [ It's more of a question than a warning: she does know how to be safe with it, doesn't she? ]

[fireincarnate]

[Her lips curl, just slightly - of course she does - but she stops herself from snapping. He doesn't know her, and it's a sensible thing to ask.

So she only nods.] I've been using it for about five years, and I had a very good teacher.

[chaotica]

Good.

On the specifics of psychology and medical science, you are free to use me as a resource.

[fireincarnate]

Oh? What are your credentials? [The words are light, and her smile is playful. She's happy for the help - but she does want to know.]

[chaotica]

[ His response is dry, but efficient. ] Anthropology, medicine, psychology, xenoanthropology and Starfleet Academy. Since then, I've held counseling positions on several starships and had more than a decade of experience in counseling and anthropological research at Starfleet Medical.

Happy to forward a copy of my service record for your perusal.

[fireincarnate]

...Starfleet? [Okay, she's really grinning now.] You're centuries ahead of me, then.

How many species have you studied?

[chaotica]

Hundreds.

[ 'Studied' is such a broad term. ]

[fireincarnate]

Could you teach me? If you have time, I mean.

I'm trying to - when I get home, I want to help as many people as I can. Especially the ones who don't - fit the paradigm. [Mutants, yes, but also mutates, and aliens, and robots, and everything else under the stars.]

I think it'd be helpful to see such a broad range.

[chaotica]

I can if you'll have anything interesting to say. The lecture style of teaching bores me.

[fireincarnate]

[That gets a smirk.] I'm extremely interesting, thank you.

[chaotica]

We'll see.

[fireincarnate]

What time is good for you?

[chaotica]

Oh, I don't have too many patients yet. I'm sure we'll end up in the Infirmary simultaneously.

[fireincarnate]

Probably. I'm getting better at the physical healing, too.

[chaotica]

Physical healing?

[fireincarnate]

Yes. I've got telekinesis, too - if I'm careful, I can use it to put people back together. Mend broken bones and punctured organs.

[chaotica]

And if you're not careful?

[fireincarnate]

I could fuse things the wrong way, or... [A slight grimace.]

I'm very powerful. [But there's a hint of giddiness, amidst the caution. She has it back. She's whole again.] If I don't keep a tight reign on it...

[chaotica]

Goodness. We'll begin with education, then, shall we, and some work with the protoplaser.

[fireincarnate]

...Protoplaser?

[chaotica]

Reconstructs fibrous tissue such as muscles and tendons.

[fireincarnate]

Huh.

...I wonder what would happen if I brought that kind of thing back with me.