The Sweet Aroma of Counseling

Posted on Sun Apr 27th, 2025 @ 8:13pm by Lieutenant Crisanto Venchi & Lieutenant Bela Swain

1,207 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Broken Mirror
Location: USS Calypso | Deck 12| Counselling Center - Ship's Counselor's Office

Lieutenant Crisanto Venchi stood just outside the door to the Calypso’s counselor’s office on Deck 12, one hand thoughtfully resting against the frame. The soft hum of the ship’s systems thrummed beneath his boots, a quiet rhythm he had already begun to attune himself to. He was early and intentionally so. His scheduled meeting with Lieutenant Bela Swain, the ship’s Counselor, was something that he had been looking forward to since receiving his transfer orders and coming aboard the Calypso.

Crisanto had always held deep respect for the work that counselors did aboard starships. In the vacuum of deep space, where emotions could quietly unravel beneath the weight of duty and isolation, it was the counselor who often kept the crew grounded. He knew this personally—empathy wasn’t just a Napean trait for him; it was a calling and although he did not go into counselling himself, he used techniques and strategies that he learned from the occasional psych course in his everyday life.

He admired Counselor Swain by reputation: a Risian known not only for her warmth and skill, but for her ability to connect across cultures. That resonated deeply with Crisanto, whose own identity was woven from the threads of multiple worlds.

The moment that the chime rang, the door slid open and a petite woman with her long black hair slung back in a ponytail and sparkling blue eyes walked right up to him and engulfed him in a hug. "So wondeful to meet you, Lieutenant Venchi. I'm Bela Swain, Chief Counselor of the Calypso. All that is ours is yours."

Inside, Venchi could see that Bela's office had low ambient light gave the office a welcoming glow. Inside, a plush, curved seating area dominates one side of the room, featuring a crescent-shaped couch and a few oversized, form-fitting chairs designed for maximum comfort. A low, glassy black table sits in the center, adorned with a small bowl of exotic Risian fruit and a decorative sand garden with smooth, sea-worn stones. A soft, textured area rug lies beneath, adding a further touch of homeliness.

Scattered throughout the room were subtle nods to her homeworld: a delicate Risian tapestry hanging along one wall, a small sculpted statue of the famed Galartha, and a faintly glowing orb that emits a soft chime when touched—a traditional Risian meditation aid. A potted flowering plant from Risa rested on a shelf, its vibrant purple petals shifting subtly in the light.

Crisanto had entered and immediately was drawn to the decor. The tapestries, the chime, the plants, and furniture pieces. It was immaculate and tranquil, inviting. He looked at Bela and a warm smile presented itself.

"You've created your own little Risa in here, Bela. It's marvelous," he said complimenting her. He had taken her embrace of a hug and held onto it internally. The warmth of emotions he felt, the interconnecting, intertwining, and weaving - her emotions and his own. It was intoxicatingly pleasurable.

"It's wonderful to be met by you," he added with a boyish chuckle. "With your aboard, I'm sure there's no concern regarding ship morale."

'Not often," Bela admitted with a small chuckle. "But, we have our problems here, just like any other ship. I just try to make certain that we work through them as non-confrontationally as possible." She smiled warmly and asked, "So, please tell me how I may be of assistance to you."

He smiled and found his way to the soft textured rug, gently taking himself downward towards the floor and resting chest down, legs bent, feet up and arms creating an A-frame support for his chin. "I just came to see you. I learned early in my career to seek out the most important person on the starship - save for the Captain and First Officer, and establish something with them."

Crisanto's dark almond shaped eyes with the slightest shade of an indigo sheen locked onto Bela's blues. "That would be you my dear, Counselor. You hold the heart of this crew in your gentle ivory palms."

Bela sat beside Crisanto and put her hand lightly on his knee and then giggled lightly. "I do not know how you form that basis of opinion when you are new here but I can assure you that I'm just one small person that tries to assist the crew as much as I can. After all, is that not a Risian's purpose? To share all that is ours?"

"It certainly is not a Ferengi one that is certain" Crisanto snorted a little, "Nor Tellarite" he added. The Napean smiled broadly. He liked the rapport that was beginning to form between the two of them.

He looked at Bela. "Yeah, I'm new here, but I feel things. Your hug, this office, your posture, and tone. All of that tells me that this crew matters to you, Counselor. Maybe because you are from Risa but perhaps not. It might be you."

"Everyone matters to me," Bela responded simply and honestly. "What is that old Terran song?" She started humming and then sang, "I'd like to teach the world to sing, in perfect harmony. I'd like to hold it in my arms and keep it company."

After a moment Bela stopped and shrugged. "I know there are more words but that's the gist of it and I agree. Just exchange world for universe and that's me."

"And I believe in kapwa," replied Crisanto drawing from his Filipino heritage. He reached out to hold Bela's hand. "An Earth philosophy about sharing oneself with others, to always do good for community. I hold a deep respect for the interconnectivity."

Bela warmly smiled at Crisanto, thrilled that someone understood. "You will have to tell me more about this philosophy. It sounds similar to mine."

"I suspect it is given how Risa is," commented Crisanto. He nodded. "I'll be happy to share everything with you about my culture or rather cultures."

"I suppose that I should mentally clear you for duty at some point, but I do want to hear more about your cultures." She leaned closer towards Crisanto. "Learning is the best way to understanding."

Crisanto met her action by leaning closer inward towards her. "You know just because you clear me doesn't mean you won't see me...often. I could use regular sessions."

Oblivious to any innuendo, Bela answered, "Whatever you need, I will be happy to assist you, however and whenever you require it."

"Another hug before I go explore the ship a bit more?" he asked. She may have been oblivious to any innuendo but Crisanto made a mental note of her hospitality.

"But of course!" Bela replied enthusiastically. She pulled on Crisanto's hand upwards as she rose to her full five feet in height. Bringing him towards her, she nestled herself comfortable into his arms, wrapping her arms around him, and pressing against him warmly.

I could get used to this thought Crisanto as he embraced Bela. She was his kind of counselor. When the embrace ended he smiled. "I'll see you around, Counselor."

"Whenever you want," Bela answered smiling jubilantly.

Lieutenant Bela Swain
Chief Counselor
USS Calypso

Lieutenant Crisanto Venchi
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Calypso

 

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