ST:UNI201 | "Feeling Logical"

Stardate 100187.9

Keelah brings Rianni in as a guest speaker to her cadets. Mariel grows concerned for Kayleigh when she sees the Vulcan acting out of sorts...

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Rianni@crystyl | Life has progressed at a quiet pace in the Heart since the dust settled from the VF's return. T'Pia quickly settled back into her routine and classes, while Keelah soon adapted to teaching

Rianni@crystyl | Another midday class begins for the 2nd year cadets as they file into her classroom and soon settle

Rianni@crystyl | Keelah smiles, "Good morning everyone, I trust we are all having an adequate day?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | The class nod to Keelah in response as they take out PADDs and prepare for class

Rianni@crystyl | Keelah chuckles, "And here I thought I was supposed to be the stoic one"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Shavi: "It's been pretty quiet since the rifts stopped opening up!"

Rianni@crystyl | Keelah: "That it has, but as we have been discussed over the last few sessions things can change at a moments notice"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Kerafar nods, "I for one am glad the biggest event I have to worry about is my next deadline..."

Rianni@crystyl | Keelah smiles, "I too am enjoying a more relaxed pace at present. But as much as we may desire a prolonged status quo, the very nature of the universe negates this possibility. Sooner or later, -

Rianni@crystyl - something happens to force a change on that balance of routine. It may not be a negative impact, but equally so it may very well be just that. Routine breeds complacency, and complacency invites-

Rianni@crystyl - err. Do you all understand this concept?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris nods, "I think so, Professor. We should be prepared for when things do happen, because sooner or later something probably will."

Rianni@crystyl | Keelah nods, "In essence" noting that the usually talkative Vulcan next to Mari is unusually quiet, "Further to this, we have the concept of preparedness. Knowing that something will eventually-

Rianni@crystyl - occur is one thing, but knowing how to react and respond in extreme circumstances can be quite another. Tell me, have any of you conducted emergency simulations in the holodecks yet?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Kerafar: "As in the bridge simulations, or?"

Rianni@crystyl | Keelah: "There could be some in a bridge setting, but I am referring more to evacuation drills - that kind of thing"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Shavi: "No, I don't think we've done an evacuation in the holodeck yet, but we've done live drills here in the Annex."

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris adds, "To prepare us for evacuating the Annex in an emergency, not a ship or anything though."

Rianni@crystyl | Keelah: "I see, well then we are going to start focusing more on that concept of preparedness for a while as part of your command training programme. I know not all you will have aspirations to -

Rianni@crystyl - command roles, or even starship based roles. But you will still one day be officers, and any officer is a potential leader which makes them someone expected to know how to handle a -

Rianni@crystyl - crisis situation" she pauses, "Now in that vein, and hopefully to alleviate your having to listen to me for once, I have arranged for a guest speaker to join us on this topic. Some of you may -

Rianni@crystyl - already know her, but for those who don't I would like to introduce you to my - I suppose now former - Chief Tactical Officer from the Valley Forge, LT Rianni Tierno" she taps her combadge

Rianni@crystyl appears a moment later at the door and moves around the room to join Keelah

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris watches Rianni enter before looking to the unusually quiet Vulcan beside her, "Hey, it's the CTO from the Valley Forge! She's a bit of a legend for you Tactical cadets, isn't she?"

Rianni@crystyl | Kayleigh looks up, "Yes, we met when you and I went to the Valley Forge"

Rianni@crystyl | Kayleigh obviously wasn't paying attention

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"She's definitely a guest speaker you'll be interested in Kay!"

Rianni@crystyl meanwhile, stands there looking around nervously, muttering, "So this is what it feels like at this side of the classroom..."

Rianni@crystyl | Keelah smiles, patting her on the back, "They're all yours!" and steps away

Rianni@crystyl doubletakes and reaches out to grab her but Keelah's too fast and has already retreated to a lurk spot behind her

Rianni@crystyl grumbles, red faced, and looks to the class rubbing the back of her neck, "Alright... so, yeah..." clears her throat, "The Captain asked me to come and share some of my experiences with you. Does -

Rianni@crystyl - anyone here know why she might have picked on me for this?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"You...have a lot of experience?"

Rianni@crystyl:"So they keep telling me. But given that this is your command training class and I'm still getting used to my LT pip that doesn't exactly add up next to her experience does it?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris looks to Kayleigh again, "I'm sure there's a logical explanation..."

Rianni@crystyl | Kayleigh: "Hm? Well logically, it would be to do with what the Professor was talking about before she brought her in"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Evacuations...?"

Rianni@crystyl:"In a sense" she nods, "I believe the overall theme was along the lines of survival; about handling those situations not just knowing the motions to go through when they are all neat and orderly -

Rianni@crystyl:- like your drills"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | T'Pia chimes in, "You've been in plenty of dangerous situations, Rianni! ...Lieutenant Tierno! And you have some proper command experience with the Aethon and all too."

Rianni@crystyl:"Yes, and my experience with the Aethon does come into this category in fact. But you have experienced the chaos of a true emergency situation first hand T'Pia, unlike most - if not all - of your -

Rianni@crystyl:- classmates. You've been on board the Forge when we have faced some dire situations, including that last battle before we returned here which hurt the ship so bad it is still recovering in drydock"

Rianni@crystyl looks to Mariel with that, knowing that she has seen more than her fair share of it during that incident on the Forge too

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris nods, thinking for a moment before saying, "I guess the rest of the class hasn't seen that, so maybe the Professor wants you to share your life experience with all of them."

Rianni@crystyl:"Exactly. This year as part of your command training you will start seeing exposure to drills of various emergency situations in the holodeck. As useful as these are for familiarizing you with the -

Rianni@crystyl:- routine, they do not - in my opinion - truly prepare you to face traumatizing situations. I'm not sure anything really can, and I think that is probably why the Capta- Professor wanted me to share-

Rianni@crystyl:- some of my experiences with you. Most notably of which would be what happened when /I/ was a second year cadet just like all of you. Anyone care to hazard a guess as to what that was? And no -

Rianni@crystyl:- T'Pia, you are not allowed to answer!" she smiles

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | T'Pia gives a slight pout and keeps silent

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Miklos: "You didn't get to take command of a ship as a cadet, did you? I've heard that happened before in emergency situations. With the...Defiant, right?"

Rianni@crystyl:"There was a famed ship during the Dominion war which became entirely crewed by its cadet trainees. And whilst I did get some generous command experience as a cadet, that came later on. No, what -

Rianni@crystyl:- happened when I was a second year cadet... I died" she pauses to get a sip of water from behind, enjoying a smirk to herself and Keelah

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Shavi: "You died? But you're here now..."

Rianni@crystyl chuckles, "I got better"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"It must've been one of those temporal situations."

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | T'Pia giggles, "No, she actually got better!"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris looks between the two, wondering if they're playing a joke on the class now

Rianni@crystyl:"A good guess cadet, but not this time. T'Pia is right, I recovered. But not without considerable help. Allow me to explain..."

Rianni@crystyl:"My class and I were on our first training cruise aboard the USS Gainsborough. The ship was traveling within the border of Federation space as part of a larger task force so there was never any -

Rianni@crystyl:- real fear of unexpected danger. However, as I believe the point was made earlier, things do not always go the way we expect and sometimes the universe will go to extraordinary lengths to beat the -

Rianni@crystyl:- odds. Though we were not privy to the details at the time, apparently the convoy had diverted from it's patrol to investigate an anomalous reading which proved to be a first contact situation. -

Rianni@crystyl:- Unfortunately, this was one where Federation diplomacy did not even get a look in. This was a superior and aggressive enemy who immediately attacked the convoy with weapons we had no defense -

Rianni@crystyl:- against. The smaller support vessels with us fell almost instantly and while the Gainsborough was a formidable Odyssey class flagship, it suffered heavy damage from the aggressors weapon which -

Rianni@crystyl:- bypassed its shields. I see some yellow strips in here, so could one of our engineering cadets tell us the impact of a gravitational weapon akin to, say... a Nuhars main beam, on an unshielded -

Rianni@crystyl:- starship?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Kerafar: "That would be very bad. It would be too much energy all at once for any ablative plating to redistribute, so it would definitely breach the hull and hit whatever's beyond. Something -

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - the power of a Nuhar beam...well, that'd probably puncture the hull on the other side and go all the way through the ship."

Rianni@crystyl nods, "Exactly right, thank you cadet! Now tell me, if there was an emergency declared right here - right now - what would you all do?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Get to the nearest designated evacuation zone and look for an escape craft?"

Rianni@crystyl:"I'll take your word for it" she chuckles at the questioning tone, "And that is exactly what we did on the Gainsborough. Now for my classmates and I the evacuation point was the forward lounge. I -

Rianni@crystyl:- had been delayed in reaching it due to damage from the opening attack causing blocks to the primary route. In hindsight however, this would be what you might call a blessing in disguise. Were it -

Rianni@crystyl:- not for that initial delay, I would have made it to the evac zone along with the rest of my class. And... I would have been there when that beam we just discussed struck the forward most section of -

Rianni@crystyl:- the saucer section and tore the nose of the ship clean off..."

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Kerafar: "That's definitely some serious damage..."

Rianni@crystyl:"And that's the moment that I became the sole survivor of my class" she adds morosely. "Not that I knew this at the time, of course. I was not in the area which was lost, but I was close enough that-

Rianni@crystyl:- the initial decompression impacted the corridor I was running down. Of course the emergency forcefields come into play almost instantly but you would not believe how much that fraction of a second-

Rianni@crystyl:- of exposure can turn a room on it's head. So of course, I was thrown and left disorientated on the floor. Now let me ask; if any of you were alone and hurrying to your evac point and you just got -

Rianni@crystyl:- stopped in your tracks, spun around 500 times in a zero-G simulator, had all the air sucked out of your lungs and then launched 100ft down the corridor. What do you do?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Shavi: "Umm...try to get to the next evac point?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Kerafar: "Or find others to follow, if you don't know where that is."

Rianni@crystyl:"All nice ideas for what you /should/ do. But regardless of what answer you give me, if your answer in your heart is anything more than throw up, you're being optimistic. Honestly, even being able -

Rianni@crystyl:- to throw up right after that would be an achievement. That level of disorientation is what the simulations you will run here can never prepare you for"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Miklos: "But what did you do /after/ that?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Shavi nods, "You must've done something. Unless this was where you died...?"

Rianni@crystyl:"That's a good question, and I honestly don't know exactly" she closes her eyes trying to recall, "I remember... darkness. Not pitch black, a faint pulsing from the alert lighting still lingered in -

Rianni@crystyl:- background. But everything around me was just a blur. My ears were ringing, but there was noise beyond like a distant echo without a source. And then..." she slams her hand on the table

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"And that's when you...died?"

Rianni@crystyl:"No! That's what it took to snap me back to reality. It's called 'shell-shock', a term derived from 20th century warfare describing the disorientation that occurs when ordnance goes off in close -

Rianni@crystyl:- proximity to unbalance your natural senses. A passing officer found me and slapped my face hard like that to jolt me back to awareness. /Then/ with his help, I got back to my feet and we did as -

Rianni@crystyl:- was first suggested in trying to find an alternate escape route. Now at this point, you are sharper and stronger than you ever realized yourself capable of; the adrenalin rush, as they say. You -

Rianni@crystyl:- might think you experienced it through all manner of things, but in a situation like that it's a whole other level. We ran, ducked and dodged like a pair of augments. We even helped some others -

Rianni@crystyl:- who were trapped or struggling to get into pods. Then we reached a free one and were about to enter it when an EPS overload caused a plasma relay to explode above us. We were thrown and I /think/ -

Rianni@crystyl:- I broke an arm, or a leg... definitely a few ribs. But he shielded me from the brunt of the blast, that much I know. However now he was unresponsive and I was still fueled by adrenaline, and that -

Rianni@crystyl:- gave me the strength of body and mind to drag him into our pod and launch it. The enemy struck the ship again as this happened and there was another decompressive explosion in that section, and it -

Rianni@crystyl:- hit our pod while the door was still closing. I was thrown into the console and dropped to the floor of the pod as it launched. Neither of us were strapped in, and with all the debris out there we-

Rianni@crystyl:- were like a pair of tribbles bouncing around. We got clear though by some miracle and I saw that the officer did not survive the plasma fire he protected me from. I won't go into any description -

Rianni@crystyl:- on how I could see that, but I'm sure you all get the idea. He was clearly dead from that, and I was immobilized. The sight of him through vision blurred by blood was the last thing I remember -

Rianni@crystyl:- before falling unconscious. I only learned much later that in addition to the injuries I was acutely aware of, that final blast broke my back in several places and that was ultimately the cause of -

Rianni@crystyl:- my death"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Shavi: "That sounds very bad..."

Rianni@crystyl | Keelah rejoins Rianni with a hand on her shoulder and a caring smile, "It was. Obviously what Rianni went through there was something extreme that many officers will go their whole career without-

Rianni@crystyl:- ever even coming close to. And whilst the simulations we run will educate you on the protocol for these types of situation, as Rianni rightly said; they won't be able to prepare you for the -

Rianni@crystyl:- emotional trauma that comes with the reality of it. That is why I asked her to share these experiences with you all, in the hopes that it will at least provide you some insight. Then should the -

Rianni@crystyl:- unthinkable ever happen, you might just be a little better prepared to handle the emotions of yourself and those around you"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Shavi nods, "Thank you, Professor."

Rianni@crystyl | Keelah: "These particular events set Rianni here down a path that is very unique to her alone, but it ultimately led her to being one of the most highly decorated academy graduates in Starfleet -

Rianni@crystyl:- history even graduating early and stepping into a more senior commission. I can tell you first hand that she has since made a habit of being extraordinary, and by her very nature she has been able-

Rianni@crystyl:- to take these atrocities of her past and conquer them in herself to form invaluable resolve and experience which is what makes her such a capable senior officer at such a young age. That also led -

Rianni@crystyl:- to the aforementioned command experience on the Aethon"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Thanks for sharing your story with us, Lieutenant!"

Rianni@crystyl bows her head sheepishly at all the praise, "I am happy to do so"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Shavi: "You didn't tell us how you got better from that. Were you just rescued in the nick of time?"

Rianni@crystyl:"In a sense. It was in fact Captain Keelah and the Valley Forge which responded to the scene first. However the enemy had already begun to flee at that point through artificial wormholes. -

Rianni@crystyl:- Unfortunately, my escape pod was one of several which were drawn into the aperture as the enemy ship departed. I couldn't tell you where we ended up, only that I later came to understand that my -

Rianni@crystyl:- pod was found by another species native to that region of unexplored space. Though I was apparently dead at that point, they used their considerable genetic technology to heal me. Possibly because-

Rianni@crystyl:- they needed me to be in peak condition to spend the next year in stasis serving as the template for their cultural observer who took my place for that period"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"So it wasn't weird temporal anomalies, but it was something you ran into out there!"

Rianni@crystyl:"Yes, exactly. You may even be familiar with those saviors of mine now; they are the Junayd"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Kerafar: "Oh of course, they're the ones with the wormhole technology!"

Rianni@crystyl:"Yes they are! But not to be confused with the ones who attacked the Gainsborough's convoy; those were a common enemy called the Azedi who stole that technology from the Junayd"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"So that's why they both have the technology. That makes sense!"

Rianni@crystyl:"And the history between those two is why you know of the Junayd from seeing their ships around, but you don't see them interacting with anyone else. They are the intergalactic equivalent of extreme-

Rianni@crystyl:- introverts"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris | Shavi: "And I was just about to ask how come I've never seen any Junayd in the flesh..."

Rianni@crystyl | Keelah smiles, "Perhaps thats a topic for a different class. For now, I think - at least hope - that Rianni's given you all a lot to consider. So we will leave it at that for today now, take the -

Rianni@crystyl:- rest of this time to reflect on what has been discussed here today. We will continue more in this vein next time. Class dismissed"

—

Kayleigh@crystyl | After Keelah dismisses the class, everyone starts packing up to head out. Mari turns to Kay to see if she's ready to leave like they always do, only to find that she has already gone

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris also heads out upon realizing that Kay is no longer in the room, heading down the hall at a faster than usual walk to see if she can catch up

Kayleigh@crystyl | She doesn't find Kay straight away but turns a corner not too far to see her walking ahead, just in time in fact to see Kay bump into someone and drop her PADD. They excuse themselves and -

Kayleigh@crystyl - continue on their way. Kay however, simply stands there...

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris walks up behind her, "Hey Kay."

Kayleigh@crystyl:"hello" she answers absently, continuing on her way without a thought for the dropped PADD

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris picks up the dropped PADD, following behind, "Are you alright, Kay?"

Kayleigh@crystyl:"Hm? Oh hello Mariel"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris steps in front of Kayleigh, "Kay? You're acting very strange today...is everything alright?"

Kayleigh@crystyl:"Strange? No, that would not be logical. Strange does not work, therefore logically everything must be fine" she moves to keep walking

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris continues following, "I'm not sure I follow. What do you mean, strange does not work?"

Kayleigh@crystyl:"It is not logical. If there is nothing strange then everything must be fine, so it is illogical to feel..." she holds her tongue

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Feel? Okay, now you're /definitely/ being strange. What happened, Kay?"

Kayleigh@crystyl stops, head hanging low, "Nothing... that's what they said. But then why...?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris stops as Kay does, stepping in front of her again, "Why what? What's going on?"

Kayleigh@crystyl:"I don't... know..." her voice trembles slightly with frustration and she actually lashes out at the wall beside her. Takes a deep breath, "My mother tried to contact my father on the Guan Yu, but -

Kayleigh@crystyl:- couldn't raise them. When she tried asking at Command they just said it was no cause for concern"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris glances at the poor wall with concern before looking back to Kayleigh, "When was this? When she tried to contact your father."

Kayleigh@crystyl:"Presumably"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"No, I mean, when she tried to contact your father- how long ago did that happen?"

Kayleigh@crystyl:"A few days. Maybe... I am uncertain. I must meditate, excuse me" she walks off not giving Mari a chance to stop her

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris watches as Kay rushes off, "That's...not good..."

—

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris heads into the dining hall, looking to see if Shavi is having her lunch here

Kayleigh@crystyl | She finds Shavi sat with Miklos and a couple of their classmates all discussing Keelah's lecture

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris makes her way over, listening to the discussion first before barging in

Kayleigh@crystyl | Miklos: "Yeah I just don't see what all the fuss it about still! If that happened to me, I'd just jump right up and keep on running!"

Kayleigh@crystyl | Shavi scoffs, "Yeah, keep telling yourself that!"

Kayleigh@crystyl | Miklos: "What, you think you'd do any better?"

Kayleigh@crystyl | Shavi: "Than her? Not a chance. Than you?" she smirks, "Absolute- oh hey Mari!"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Hey Shavi. Talking about the guest speaker, I see."

Kayleigh@crystyl | Shavi nods, scooching up on the bench to let Mari sit, "Of course! It was just so intense, you know?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris takes a seat, "Yeah...it was definitely a scary tale."

Kayleigh@crystyl | Miklos: "Pfft. I bet the Prof just got her to come and tell us a scary fairy tale to try and weed out the weak ones or something. Not me though!"

Kayleigh@crystyl | Shave eyerolls

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"I...highly doubt that's why she brought the guest in. But anyways!" she looks to Shavi, "I wanted to ask you about something."

Kayleigh@crystyl | Shavi looks to Mari, "Whats up? Need to borrow some notes or something, because... well don't you normally lean on Kayleigh for stuff like that?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Oh no, it's not like that. I might be wrong, but...communication outside the Heart is still mostly being done through the buoys dropped by ships as they go, right?"

Kayleigh@crystyl | Shavi nods, "Pretty much, yeah. The only established direct subspace link is through the Valley, but even that is still just a chain of buoys dropped by the Valley Forge"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"I'm guessing they haven't had any time to set up redundancies or anything, so if a buoy goes down, that means communications are out, yeah?"

Kayleigh@crystyl | Shavi: "In theory, yes. But it honestly depends how far out a ship goes. For most of the more active regions - those surrounding the Heart, or the reclamation zones - there are more networks -

Kayleigh@crystyl:- going up now which means things become less reliant on single buoy chains. What's with the sudden interest, if you don't mind my asking?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"It's...well, it might be private, I'm not sure if I should share but...it should be easy to check if there's a buoy problem by just sending a message or something as a test, I assume?"

Kayleigh@crystyl | Shavi starts to show more concern, "Well I mean... yeah, you can always send a test signal..."

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"You or me? I assume it doesn't take special comms training to pull it off. It sounds fairly simple."

Kayleigh@crystyl | Shavi smiles, "It's straightforward enough, but I'm happy to help out. I mean, it's just sending a test signal so it can't be anything like your usual antics right!" she chuckles

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris smiles back, "Thanks Shavi! You can finish your lunch first, it's nothing urgent!"

Kayleigh@crystyl | Shavi shakes her head, "Please, you'd be doing /me/ a favour by getting me away from this flexing!" she pats Miklos on the head and then kisses him on the cheek as she stands

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris chuckles and stands as well, "Come on, then! Wherever we're going for this..."

Kayleigh@crystyl | Shavi: "It's not far actually, there's a station not far from here" she leads the way

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris follows along

Kayleigh@crystyl | Shavi looks to Mari as they walk, "So feel free to tell me it's none of my business, but this isn't like you girl. Everything alright?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"It's not me, that's why I'm not sure if it's something I should share or not..."

Kayleigh@crystyl | Shavi: "Hey, like I said there's no pressure or anything. It's not like I'm going turn around and not help or anything! You just got me worried is all. Anyway, it's just up here"

Kayleigh@crystyl | Shavi leads the way into the comm station.

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Someone else has me worried too. I just want to see if there's any reason to worry."

Kayleigh@crystyl | Shavi smiles as they enter, "And as usual, nobody is here. Why would they be, there's a whole comms facility at central command!" she looks to Mari, "You're worried about someone?" she looks -

Kayleigh@crystyl:- around noting who is not with Mari for once, "I see... well, we can use this console. I hope you know where you want to send the test signal because it's a big network to do a full diagnostic on"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"It's umm...I should've done this /before/ I got here," she chuckles. "Hang on, let me check..."

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris steps over to another console to check ship postings and see if she can locate where the Guan Yu should be at

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris taps the console for a bit, then her PADD before returning to Shavi and showing her the PADD, "This region here. See if a message can get through to there."

Kayleigh@crystyl | Shavi takes the PADD and starts working, "So... this is about Kayleigh right?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris nods, "I guess that wasn't hard to figure out..."

Kayleigh@crystyl | Shavi smiles softly, "Yeah, well... whenever anything's going down you two are always in it up to your combadges together. So you digging into something outside your training without her... it -

Kayleigh@crystyl - doesn't exactly take Section 31 to figure that out"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris chuckles, "Yeah. This has gotten her worried, and knowing her, she's probably already looked into it on her own. But I just want to cover all my bases, just in case."

Kayleigh@crystyl | Shavi smiles, "It's good to see you've got her back like this, especially given how she used to be when she first arrived here"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"What did she used to be like?"

Kayleigh@crystyl | Shavi chuckles, "Come on, you know how she can be so you can probably guess! That OCD standoff-ish introvert routine? It didn't take her long to push everyone away to arms length being like that!"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Oh yeah, but you mean she was a lot worse with it before?"

Kayleigh@crystyl | Shavi nods, "Yeah, she used it like a tractor repulsor to keep everyone away. And when a new girl to a class is like that, it doesn't take long for everyone to just let her be that way, you know.-

Kayleigh@crystyl - Ok here we go, test successful! Buoys are intact and there's no signal degredation either"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"I thought that probably was the case...well, thanks for checking Shavi! I appreciate the help," she smiles

Kayleigh@crystyl:| Shavi smiles, "Happy to help! So what's your next move, if there's anything else I can do…”

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris considers for a moment, "I'm not sure what else there is we can check from here...it's not like the Heart's sensors can scan all the way out there..."

Kayleigh@crystyl | Shavi: "Probably not... What exactly is going on with her that makes this distant region so important?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"That's the part I'm not sure I should share. I mean, she didn't say it was a secret, but I guess it's kind of personal. And you know how Vulcans can be!"

Kayleigh@crystyl | Shavi raises a hand, "Hey don't sweat it, I get it. But I'm afraid I don't know how else to help... only think I can say from what you've told me is that if it's Vulcan problems, you need a -

Kayleigh@crystyl:- Vulcan perspective"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Good thinking...that's it, I should look for T'Pia!"

Kayleigh@crystyl | Shavi smiles, "Sounds like a plan!"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Thanks again, Shavi!"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris heads off to look for Pia

Kayleigh@crystyl | Shavi waves, "Any time!"

—

T'Pia@crystyl | A little digging with the computer, and a transporter trip later, Mariel arrives at the promenade where T'Pia currently is

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris steps up to her, looking to see what Pia is up to

T'Pia@crystyl sits at a table inside one of the coffee shops, talking with Rianni

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris approaches the pair's table, "Hey Pia! Lieutenant. I'm not interrupting, I hope?"

T'Pia@crystyl turns and smiles, "Mariel! Fancy seeing you here of all places!"

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni smiles, "Hello again cadet. And no of course you are not interrupting, pleas join us"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris smiles back, pulling up a chair, "I came here looking for Pia, actually! But I don't mean to pull you away from your reunion or anything!"

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni: "Oh! Do you two need some privacy then?"

T'Pia@crystyl smiles, "I'm sure it's nothing like that. I don't mind if Mariel doesn't!"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris shakes her head, "I think you should probably learn the private details on your own since it's not mine to share. I was just hoping for some insight!"

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni smiles, "I understand. I'll go get us some more drinks while you two talk" she stands and heads off

T'Pia@crystyl gives Mari a concerned look, "This... suddenly sounds kind of serious..."

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"I...think it might be. I'm not sure yet, but it's definitely affecting Kayleigh..."

T'Pia@crystyl looks around, "Oh yeah, she's not with you! What's wrong, did something happen to her? We were in class not that long ago..."

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"She's okay, but she's worried about someone. I did a little digging and I couldn't disprove that they weren't in trouble. It doesn't necessarily mean that they are, but Kay's a little...worked up -

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:- about it. Shavi suggested some Vulcan insight might be good so I thought I'd come find you."

T'Pia@crystyl hrms, "She's 'worked up'? How so?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"She was very quiet and unfocused during class. And after too. And generally just acting not herself."

T'Pia@crystyl:"Well I mean... being quiet and seemingly unfocused may not be such a bad thing! Perhaps she is just deep in thought about something?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"She's deep in thought, but definitely worried. I talked to her after class and she told me about it, and then quickly ran off..."

T'Pia@crystyl:"She's worried? Are you certain? I know she's part Human, but she has always professed to walking the path of pure logic"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Yup, I'm sure she's worried. I'm...not sure how personal the details are and whether she'd want me to share them, but it's personal."

T'Pia@crystyl:"At this point you've got me concerned for her too. If you don't mind, I think it would help to understand what's going on with her if I have all the details"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Apparently her mother hasn't been able to get in contact with her father for a few days. And she's worried something might've happened to him. Don't tell her you know, in case she wants it to be -

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:- private!"

T'Pia@crystyl:"She's worried something happened to her father? He serves on a ship, right? I assume this has come about because they can't contact the ship"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris nods, "Yeah. They're telling her it's nothing to worry about. I thought maybe a buoy might've gone out but I asked Shavi to do a check, and messages are getting through to that region..."

T'Pia@crystyl:"If Starfleet can't reach them, I can't imagine there's much we can do then... But why would she be so affected as to lose control of her emotions though?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"I'm not sure she's quite lost control, just...distracted. I mean, if your mom was still out on a ship and Starfleet lost contact with it, you'd be worried too, wouldn't you?"

T'Pia@crystyl:"Well sure, I'm always worried about her when she's away. Don't misunderstand though, when I say losing control I do not mean in the sense that you might consider it with her being an emotional -

T'Pia@crystyl:- wreck! But for her, even displaying a small amount of emotion - let alone enough to create concern in those around her - is losing control. Not lost, but losing. And if she isn't accustomed to -

T'Pia@crystyl:- that sensation, it runs the risk of snowballing"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris nods, "She's displaying more emotion than she usually does. Is there something we can do to stop it from snowballing? I was hoping to find out that a buoy was just down and tell her it's -

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - probably just that, but I figured it wasn't that simple otherwise she'd have learned it for herself..."

T'Pia@crystyl thinks for a moment, "I expect there is, but to determine that we would need to better understand her mindset..."

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"She's much quieter than usual. She didn't talk much in class, which you might have noticed. And she's very distracted. She ran into someone in the hall and didn't even realize it was me talking to -

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:- her at first when I said hi. When we were talking, I think she was trying to logically justify something...something about being illogical to feel. That's when I realized something was very off. -

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:- Then she told me what I told you about her father and quickly ran off to meditate."

T'Pia@crystyl:"Oh dear. But still, that might be the facts of it, but what is about these facts that make them so impactful to her? Does she have a special relationship with her father or anything?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"I'm not sure. I've never seen her with either of her parents. I know they're both in Starfleet, and her father's the Vulcan one. Since she follows logic and all, maybe she's closer to him?"

T'Pia@crystyl hrms, "Doubtful. If it were the other way around, then perhaps. But the very nature of the path of logic negates such irrational emotional ties"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Good point. Could her mother be distressed and it's affecting her, then?"

T'Pia@crystyl:"That is certainly a possibility"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"I wonder if there's some way we can learn more...without intruding on her privacy or anything of course!"

T'Pia@crystyl:"Certain information is available on public record; details of personnel postings, that kind of thing. Perhaps learning a little more about her history and that of her parents since she was born -

T'Pia@crystyl:- might help to better understand the dynamic between them"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Oooh, good idea. I should do some research, then! Do you want to come with, or?"

T'Pia@crystyl nods, "I could not in good conscience leave you without support in this. And though I will leave it to your discretion, I think it might be worth asking Rianni to help us too"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"I think it could be helpful to have an officer along! Let's go fill her in, then."

T'Pia@crystyl looks over and waves to Rianni

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni rejoins them with a smile, and some refreshments for the pair, "I trust you two are all caught up on whatever mischief you're planning today?" she smiles

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Yup! Well, not really mischief, but..." she looks to Pia, "Should I fill her in, or do you want to?"

T'Pia@crystyl shakes her head, taking her new drink, "Please, I would not want to dilute the situation or say more than you're comfortable with"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"So, we're trying to help our friend Cadet Kayleigh. She's very worried that she can't get in contact with her father who serves on a ship."

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni: "She's your pink haired friend, right?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris nods, "That's right. She normally follows Vulcan logic and all, so this is a bit concerning."

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni; "Yeah, I was about say! So you girls got a plan or are you looking for ideas?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"We're not exactly sure about the relationship between Kay and her father, since we've never seen them together. So we're thinking to start by seeing what we can find in the database and devising a -

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:- way to help Kay from there."

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni smiles, "That sounds like officer thinking to me! Do you have access to a library database here? I assume so, but if not we can use the Forge's computer"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"I don't think there's one here in the Promenade...if there is, it's probably in the security offices and we don't have T'Mer with us, so the Forge is a good idea!"

T'Pia@crystyl smiles, It's either that or back to the annex, but I'll take any excuse to go back to the ship!"

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni smiles, "Then you two finish your drinks and I'll make some arrangements for us. Excuse me" she steps away, tapping her combadge

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris smiles back, "Thanks Lieutenant!"

T'Pia@crystyl:"You saw earlier how much she's dealt with since joining Starfleet, whether she knows Kayleigh personally or not doesn't matter, she'll do anything to stop anyone hurting if she can!"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris nods, "I'm glad we've got her help!"

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni returns a moment later, "Alright, I've got one of the Nuhar shuttle coming. Let's go!"

—

T'Pia@crystyl | A brief shuttle ride later and the gang arrives at the VF where they make their way to a spare lab

T'Pia@crystyl looks around, "Seems weird seeing it so empty like this"

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni: "I know what you mean, still can't get used to it myself"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Must be different settling in the Heart after all your adventures and everything."

T'Pia@crystyl:"It's definitely a change of pace!"

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni: "Not less as such, just more constant. Out there it was all or nothing; something keeping everyone working around the clock for a few days, then weeks of cruising at warp through deep -

T'Pia@crystyl:- space"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Right, it's not always exciting new discoveries is it," she chuckles. "Reading through historical mission logs sometimes makes it feel like it is."

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni chuckles, "Yeah, there tends not to be much to log about during all those bits in between the highlights, that's why we have things like holodecks!"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Downtime is good! You can't work at your best /all/ the time. And I'm sure no one would have any time to even file these mission logs and reports for others to read if you were just making first -

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:- contact and fighting Borg every day!"

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni smiles, "You're not wrong! But that's why it's a different pace here, there aren't really any big peaks like that. It's just a constant steady pace, you know?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris nods, "Yeah. Maybe you'll make a big discovery someday though, like that underground biome no one knew about until recently! Or another rift opening, though it's been a while and I think things -

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - are prooobably going to be quiet on that front."

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni smirks: "Ok if there's one thing mama-Pia still has to teach you all; it's that you don't say things like that unless you /really/ want something crazy to happen!" she chuckles, "Anyway, -

T'Pia@crystyl:- here we are! We can use this lab area"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris looks around, "Oooh, nice lab. No wonder the Valley Forge is serving as a science ship now, you've certainly got the facilities for it!"

T'Pia@crystyl:"Guess there's not much to do with the astrometric systems right now..."

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni: "Of all the things there are in the Heart for scientists to fight over studying; the stars are not one of them"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris chuckles, "Only one star here, and it doesn't need cataloging!"

T'Pia@crystyl giggles, "Good point! Alright Mariel, let's see what we can find out"

T'Pia@crystyl heads to a console, "So, um... do you know what we are searching for?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris follows over to a console, "I don't actually know what Kayleigh's father is called...but we can find it from her own records."

T'Pia@crystyl:"Alright, I'll start there then" she calls up Kay's file

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"I don't imagine there'll be much, but let's read through the whole thing just to check for anything that might shed light into her relationship with her father while we're here."

T'Pia@crystyl:"There we go" she brings it up on the screen

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris starts reading through the file, "Let's see..."

T'Pia@crystyl | https://www.crystylcloud.com/post/kayleigh

T'Pia@crystyl:"I did not know she's received a Preantares commendation already..."

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"That happened after you were gone, in the underground biome I mentioned earlier!"

T'Pia@crystyl:"Good for her! Well let's see now, it doesn't exactly tell us much... just that she joined the academy and then transferred to the Heart a year later"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris nods, "It says here her father did a lot of long distance exploration. Probably why he's the one out on a ship, but if anything that should mean she should be closer to her mother since they -

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - would've spent more time together..."

T'Pia@crystyl:"Perhaps it is as you surmised then and it is her connection to her human mother which is making her share the anxiety"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"That would make sense. Here, we have a name for her father, Sebek. We should be able to find his file easily enough from the information here."

T'Pia@crystyl nods, "We can't just jump to conclusions after all! Let's see... so he's the CSO of the Guan Yu, that should make it simple!"

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni looks up from the back of the room, "Guan Yu? That's Vrolmacht's ship"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Who?"

T'Pia@crystyl:"W'Chel Vrolmacht. He's a Klingon Captain who's in command of that ship. But before that he was the CTO on this ship!"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Oooh," she looks to Rianni, "So he was CTO before you? Or was there someone else in between?"

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni smiles, "I was under his wing from the day I arrived and was lucky enough to take over when he got the promotion"

T'Pia@crystyl:"So Kayleigh's father is Vrolmacht's Chief Science Officer. Huh, small galaxy!"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Yeah, I had no idea!" She looks back to the console, "So, anything on him?"

T'Pia@crystyl:"Let's see... well, he's got a very... Vulcan record"

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni snickers

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"What does that mean? Very...spotless?"

T'Pia@crystyl:"You know what I mean! Lot's of duty, lot's of postings... a smattering of academic accomplishments and a nice steady rise through the ranks"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Oh that! Nothing on his relationship with Kay?"

T'Pia@crystyl shakes her head, "Not really..."

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni joins them and takes a look, "Are you sure now?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris looks to Rianni, "You see something?"

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni: "You need to look at what it doesn't say as much as what it does"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"What it...doesn't say?"

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni points out on the screen, "Put it up next to Kayleigh's"

T'Pia@crystyl nods and does so

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris takes a closer look

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni looks at the two side by side for a second and nods, "Alright, I think I'm starting to see a picture here... look-" she points, "Kayleigh's birthday, her father was on assignment at ESD -

T'Pia@crystyl:- presumably when they met, and was there for a few years. But when she was just 4 or 5 years old, he got reassigned. Now look at her mother's history-" she taps, adding that one to the mix, "-she's-

T'Pia@crystyl:- very rarely moved around, always staying quite local and these match records from Kay's school life so her mother raised her alone for all intents and purposes. See her father's postings; they -

T'Pia@crystyl:- never overlap until a year ago"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris nods, "Kayleigh's record does say they moved here to be together as a family..."

T'Pia@crystyl:"It's not really uncommon for Vulcan families to operate more independently of one another for longer periods of time like that"

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni: "Yes, but both you and Kayleigh are half Human. And when was the last time you saw your Human father prior to this recent trip you and your mother took?"

T'Pia@crystyl thinks, "It... had been a while. Before the Valley Forge first left on it's rimward journey"

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni smiles: "Exactly!"

T'Pia@crystyl looks confused, "But... that just reinforces my own point..."

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni: "You have had a small taste of that separation, but perhaps it is enough for you to appreciate her position more. So tell me Pia, if you and your mother disappeared back when you were -

T'Pia@crystyl:- born, she raised you with tales of your father who she still loved of course, and then a good 20 years later you are reunited and able to see him every day - even when he goes out on a tour, you -

T'Pia@crystyl:- can still speak via subspace because he's local. Then that suddenly gets cut off without explanation. How would you feel?"

T'Pia@crystyl thinks long and hard about it, "I... would likely grow very anxious..." she lowers her head, almost ashamed to admit it

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"That makes a lot of sense. Thanks Lieutenant!" she smiles. "I'm glad we have you along!"

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni smiles, "I'm happy to help"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris looks back to Pia, "So now we have an idea what's bugging Kay...how do we help her?"

T'Pia@crystyl:"On that, I remain uncertain..."

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni: "Not that I mean to assume you girls or your friend..."

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris turns to Rianni, "You've got a good suggestion?"

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni chuckles, "Well I don't know if it's a good one or not, but..." she looks to TP, "Do you remember when we met the Regulators for the first time?"

T'Pia@crystyl turns and ponders, "Um, yeah..."

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni: "Maybe you weren't involved, but something happened back then - when we got a reprise to drop a comms buoy and collect messages from home"

T'Pia@crystyl 's eyes widened, "Your mother..."

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"What happened then? I definitely wasn't there..."

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni nods, looking to Mari, "We had been cut off from our comms for some time while we travelled through Regulator space. When they gave us a reprieve to collect messages I received news that my-

T'Pia@crystyl:- mother had died in an accident. There was a flood of messages from my dad and my little sister..."

T'Pia@crystyl:"I'm sorry Rianni, you shouldn't have to dig up more painful past. You've done enough of that today already!"

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni smiles gently, "It's alright Pia. Anyway, when I found out I kind of... lost it a bit... I couldn't process things at all and withdrew into myself"

T'Pia@crystyl:"Into yourself, outside the ship as I recall..."

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Wait, you went /outside/ the ship? How do you keep surviving these impossible situations?"

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni chuckles, "Yeah... well I just couldn't think straight and felt like I was suffocating. So I threw on an EV suit and just... hid. From everything. It felt like the only thing I could do"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Oh, you had an EV suit. I should've assumed that part...anyways, how did you deal with it all in the end?"

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni laughs, "Yes, even I'm not crazy enough to do a spacewalk without a suit! Anyways, I gave everyone quite the scare and there was a bit of a hunt to find me. When they finally did, -

T'Pia@crystyl:- they did so by going into those mails and learned what I learned. Just like you two are doing for Kayleigh now, they got to understand my frame of mind and then they found me. Pia's mum actually -

T'Pia@crystyl:- did the EVA herself with Commander Keliaya to come and get me. They could have just beamed me inside, but you see - they came to me. The Captain walked out on to the hull and sat next to me. I -

T'Pia@crystyl:- don't think we even spoke, she just sat there with an arm around me until I was ready to go back inside"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris nods, "So you're saying we should just be with Kay and comfort her?"

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni: "Whatever's going on with the Guan Yu; none of us can do anything about it right now, any more than she can. So if you can't resolve the cause of her anxiety, just... be there for her; -

T'Pia@crystyl:- make sure she knows that she's not alone"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"True...I think we should go find Kay then!"

T'Pia@crystyl smiles, "Yes, and just give her a great big hug!"

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni smiles, "Sounds you ladies have your mission prep all taken care of!"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris smiles as well, "Thank you so much for your help, Lieutenant!"

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni: "Any friend of Pia's is a friend of mine! You just let me know if I can ever be of help"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"I'll be sure to keep that in mind! So, Kayleigh said she was going off to meditate, so we should probably check the dorms first. Though she could've gone anywhere, really."

T'Pia@crystyl:"The dorms are a safe bet. A Vulcan's meditation is a very personal thing, and whilst she may be able to mediate anywhere there will be nowhere that centers her more than her own space"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris nods, "Let's head to the dorms, then!"

T'Pia@crystyl waves to Rianni, "Thanks again Rianni! See you later!"

T'Pia@crystyl | Rianni smiles, waving the pair off

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris waves as well, heading off with T'Pia

—

T'Pia@crystyl | Upon returning to the annex, the pair confirm with the computer that Kayleigh is in her dorm room and make their way there

T'Pia@crystyl:"Alright Mariel, you remember what Rianni said now. Just get in there and give her a big hug!"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"We should probably ring the doorbell first, right? I mean she probably has it locked for meditation..."

T'Pia@crystyl:"I hope it's not locked..."

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Let's see..."

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris walks up to the door to see if it's locked

T'Pia@crystyl | It doesn't exactly open up for her...

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"I think it might be locked."

T'Pia@crystyl:"Then I think we might have a problem. Unless you know anyone who knows their way around these old Iconian security systems!" she laughs at the absurdity

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Well, T'Mer was Coalition Security...and Iconian..."

T'Pia@crystyl:"Ooh that's the first year Iconian right? You think she'd come and help?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Yeah, she's friends with Kayleigh and I! We should probably try the doorbell /before/ breaking in, but I have a feeling Kay is just going to ignore it..."

T'Pia@crystyl:"I believe you are right on both counts"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris rings the doorbell just to check

T'Pia@crystyl | As expected, there is no response

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"I thought as much. Let's go find T'Mer, then!"

T'Pia@crystyl:"Alright then!"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris taps her combadge, "Tanglao to T'Mer."

T'Pia@crystyl | T'Mer answers: "T'Mer here, hello Mariel!"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Hey T'Mer! Are you busy with anything right now?"

T'Pia@crystyl | T'Mer: "I am not. Is there something you require?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"We could use your help here. We're just outside Kayleigh's quarters, if you can join us."

T'Pia@crystyl | T'Mer: "Very well, I will be there momentarily"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Thanks T'Mer!"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris looks to Pia, "Have you had a chance to meet T'Mer yet?"

T'Pia@crystyl shakes her head, "I've heard about her of course, and seen her around the annex but nothing more"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris smiles, "Well, now you'll get a chance to meet her properly!"

T'Pia@crystyl | And with that T'Mer appears around the corner and approaches the pair, "Hello Cadet Tanglao, Cadet Ka- no... you are a different Vulcan"

T'Pia@crystyl giggles, "Yes, I'm T'Pia, not Kayleigh!"

T'Pia@crystyl | T'Mer; "Ah yes, the one who got kidnapped. I am pleased to see you back and well Cadet T'Pia'' she looks to Mari, "So what do you need?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"We, uhh...need you to help us override the lock to Kayleigh's quarters. I should probably explain the situation, shouldn't I..."

T'Pia@crystyl | T'Mer's many eyes narrow, "Is there a fault with the door or something?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"No, she just won't open it. We think she might be in...emotional distress. And we're trying to get in to help her."

T'Pia@crystyl | T'Mer, "I don't know... are you certain this is not unethical? If she requires aid, is it not process to call a medical emergency?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"It's not really a medical emergency, more like...a counseling emergency? I guess we could wait here until she decides to come out, but that kind of beats the point of not wanting her to be alone. -

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:- And we're not breaking in to steal her stuff or anything like that! We just want to give her a hug!"

T'Pia@crystyl | T'Mer looks at Mari a moment, "So you are breaking in... to give her this 'hug'?"

T'Pia@crystyl smiles, "Yes T'Mer. It's not the sort of thing that doctors or counselors can deal with. It's something that only we can do as her friends!"

T'Pia@crystyl | T'Mer looks between the two, "Very well then, if that is what you desire" and moves to override the door

T'Pia@crystyl | T'Mer turns back to Mari a moment later, "There, the door seal has been overwritten"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris smiles, "Thanks T'Mer!" She looks to T'Pia, "So...who should go in first?"

T'Pia@crystyl smiles, "I think we both know that should be you"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris nods, "Alright, here goes..."

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris heads towards the door to see if it opens this time

T'Pia@crystyl | It does, revealing a dark room beyond

T'Pia@crystyl | T'Mer moves to follow her, but TP scrambles and grabs her

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris looks around to see where Kayleigh is

T'Pia@crystyl | Through the dim light, Mari can see Kay kneeling on a mat in the middle room. There are a few candles burning which fill the air with a smell of incense, but it is clear that Kay has her back to -

T'Pia@crystyl - the door

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris walks up to give Kayleigh a big hug!

T'Pia@crystyl | As Mari kneels and wraps her arm around Kay she realizes that the Vulcan is trembling

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris continues to hug Kayleigh

T'Pia@crystyl | Kay struggles weakly against it, "What are you doing..."

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Giving you a hug!"

T'Pia@crystyl | Kay: "B- but why... this is not... logical" she sniffles

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Actually I think it is. We reached the conclusion that the only thing we can do right now is be here for you. So it's the logical thing to do, isn't it?"

T'Pia@crystyl | Kay sniffles more as tears start to stream down her cheeks, "I don't... understand..." she sobs

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris doesn't break the hug, "Well, we can't go out to look for your father, so we're here to let you know that you're not alone in this." She pats Kayleigh gently. "We can't help you directly...but -

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - we're here to support you."

T'Pia@crystyl | Kay sobs more, letting it all out

T'Pia@crystyl heads in and quietly knees with the others, hugging Kay as well

T'Pia@crystyl | T'Mer follows and joins in, followed by Shavi, Miklos, Kerafar and the rest of their close friends

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris glances back, surprised that they brought everyone but continues quietly hugging Kay

T'Pia@crystyl | Kay soon finds herself bawling her eyes out on Mari's shoulder while all her friends huddle around her. It is soon out of her system and she simply sits there, still and silent, and grateful

T'Pia@crystyl | Shavi whispers to Mari, "You're not the only one who cares about her. So when we saw T'Mer heading to these dorms and she said she was meeting you, we all had to come!"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris whispers back, "Thanks Shavi! I'm sure it means a lot to Kay for us all to be here for her!"

T'Pia@crystyl | Mari notices Kay slightly tighten her grip on the hug, as much of a thank you as she knows how to give

T'Pia@crystyl | The group linger in silence for what feels like a longer few moments than it really is once Kay has the emotional outburst out of her system.

T'Pia@crystyl | Kay eventually breaks the silence, with a very softly spoken, “If any of you breath a word of this again, I will destroy you”.

T'Pia@crystyl | There is some soft chuckling, and with that reassurance that she is alright Shavi starts ushering the others out leaving Mari & TP behind to care for their friend a while longer.

—

T'Pia@crystyl | After things are settled with Kay, Mari and T'Pia go to the annex lounge to reflect

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris takes a seat opposite T'Pia, "I think Lieutenant Tierno's advice worked well!"

T'Pia@crystyl smiles, "With everything Rianni's suffered since I've known her, I know it makes her happy when she can actually help someone else with it. I think that's why she agreed to do that lecture too"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris smiles back, "Be sure to let her know she was helpful the next time you talk to her, Pia!"

T'Pia@crystyl:"I bet it's the first thing she mentions when I see her! But of course I will make sure she knows how much we appreciate her help"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Thanks. And thanks for all your help, too!"

T'Pia@crystyl shakes her head, "Please, we may not act it most of the time - and... she will probably deny it - but Kayleigh is my friend too!"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris chuckles, "Probably, but I'm sure she really appreciates you being there for her too!"

T'Pia@crystyl:"I was a little uncertain when Shavi and the others showed up following T'Mer. But I think it just got the point across even more in the end. Not going to lie, even brought a tear to my own eye"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris smiles, "Same! One thing I'm still thinking about though..."

T'Pia@crystyl:"Hm?" she tilts her head a little

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Well, I know even Vulcans who follow logic aren't totally devoid of emotion or anything, but...Kay's usually very in control. I can understand why losing contact with her father would be a cause -

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:- for concern. I just...didn't expect her to break down like that, you know?"

T'Pia@crystyl nods, "Not exactly a common sight now, is it"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Definitely not. I've seen humans break down, never thought I'd see it happen with a Vulcan. Even if she is half-human, she usually acts pretty Vulcan..."

T'Pia@crystyl:"As you pointed out, even the most stoic of us isn't actually devoid of emotion. They're just /very/ good at hiding it really. And, well, here's the thing..." she leans in a little

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris leans in as well to listen

T'Pia@crystyl whispers, "We aren't born with emotional control and a philosophy of logic!" she giggles

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris smiles, "You just put up a good public image most of the time?"

T'Pia@crystyl:"Well... yes. But it's more than that" she smiles, "My point is, that it's not something that comes naturally from birth, you know? Kayleigh and I are still but children, even by Human standards let-

T'Pia@crystyl:- alone Vulcan ones. There's a reason most who are raised on Vulcan don't leave until they're even older than my mother is now; because they are training themselves to walk the path of logic. Many -

T'Pia@crystyl:- will even undergo the Kholinar first too and that can be several years of training alone to completely purge emotional presence. But Kayleigh never had that, she was raised alone by her Human -

T'Pia@crystyl:- mother on - most likely - a predominantly Human Starfleet facility. Yet she has still trained herself to exert all the control you see because it is what she feels is right for her. But -

T'Pia@crystyl:- regardless, she lacks the discipline of someone our age who was born and raised on Vulcan. And as you know, our emotions tend to run deep anyway which is why our ancestors chose to control them -

T'Pia@crystyl:- so rigidly. So when things got too much for her, she lacked both the control to suppress it and the emotional maturity to properly process it"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris nods, "So normally, she's very controlled. But because she's spent all that time controlling it, when something does get through, it affects her even more than it would most people, because she -

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris - doesn't know how to deal with it?"

T'Pia@crystyl:"Kind of, yeah. Think of it like when you experience your visions; the feelings are... amplified in a way, right?"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Yeah! And Kay's experiencing something similar, just in her own life?"

T'Pia@crystyl:"I would expect that her natural emotional 'resting state' as such is kind of like that actually! But yes, the sensation would be amplified further when it is an exceptional circumstance like this -

T'Pia@crystyl:- that she just doesn't know how to handle. As for why it hit her so hard... well, I have a theory after Rianni got us looking at their family history"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"A theory beyond what Rianni speculated about being here to be in contact with her father?"

T'Pia@crystyl:"Not beyond it, just as to what it might actually mean to Kayleigh"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"What're you thinking, Pia?"

T'Pia@crystyl:"Kayleigh grew up without her father, but they clearly remained a close family - must have for them to relocate here to be together right? So for the first time in her life her father is a part of -

T'Pia@crystyl:- it, she's suddenly got that Vulcan father figure she likely always desired. Then she was suddenly facing the prospect of having that taken away like pulling a rug out from under someone' foot"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris nods, "Yeah, I can see why that would affect her so much..."

T'Pia@crystyl:"Like I said though, it's just a theory. But it feels close to the mark at least to me"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"It makes a lot of sense to me, too! And combined with not being used to dealing with these emotions, it explains why she broke down like that.

T'Pia@crystyl:"There's nothing we can do about being able to contact her father, but I think after today she will realize that she has a way through her emotions in this"

T'Pia@crystyl | Kay enters the lounge - unseen to the pair - and appears behind T'Pia, "I beilieve you are correct"

T'Pia@crystyl jumps out of her skin, "Kay! I-..."

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris glances back, "Wait...when did you come in here?"

T'Pia@crystyl | Kayleigh: "I believe I was quite clear about what would happen if anyone spoke of that"

T'Pia@crystyl gulps, "Sorry Kayleigh, we were just-"

T'Pia@crystyl | Kay gives TP a noogie, grinding the top of her head playfully, "Fortunately that warning does not come into play until tomorrow"

T'Pia@crystyl smiles, "Welcome back Kay!"

T'Pia@crystyl | Kay turns to Mari, "I just got here in fact" she continues to stand and loom over TP

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris smiles as well, "Don't worry, we'll be sure not to speak of it after tomorrow!"

T'Pia@crystyl | Kay: "All things said and done, I am grateful for your efforts" she continues to stand next to TP expectantly

T'Pia@crystyl looks to her confused, "You are our friend after all! So... were you planning to sit and join us, or...?"

T'Pia@crystyl | Kay stares back

T'Pia@crystyl looks to Mari and back to Kay

T'Pia@crystyl | Kay stares back

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"I think you took her seat...

T'Pia@crystyl:"Oh!" she hops to the next seat over and giggles, "How could I forget!"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris laughs

T'Pia@crystyl | Kay sits, smug and gratified. Order has now been restored

T'Pia@crystyl mutters, "They should really put a sign up..."

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris grins, "Luckily, I have a good memory!"

T'Pia@crystyl | Kay: "And for those of us without good memory-" she turns one eye to TP, "-perhaps they should attend here when I am present to maintain a constant reminder" she takes a smug sip of her drink

T'Pia@crystyl smiles, "Kayleigh... are you saying you want me to have lunch with you more often now?"

T'Pia@crystyl | Kay: "I am simply pointing out what may be an optimum means of remedying the situation. So yes" she flushes a little

T'Pia@crystyl giggles, leaning across and giving her a little hug, "Then I will make every effort to do so! For my own good of course"

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris smiles, "Let us know if you ever need company, Kay!"

T'Pia@crystyl | Kay: "I will do so Mari, thank you. Now I just need to figure out when those times are..."

Mariel Tanglao@anncaris:"Well, if you ever have conundrums that logic can't solve..."

T'Pia@crystyl nods, "That would be a good initial sign that it is one such occasion"

T'Pia@crystyl | Kay looks between the two, "Duly noted"