Encouragement

Posted on Wed Sep 25, 2013 @ 11:55pm by

855 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: A Whole New World: Part 1 - Precipice
Location: USS Victory - Counselor's Office
Timeline: 62503.771 [22 Nov 2384 17:00]

Ensign Danielle Daystrom took a deep breath as she stood outside the door to the USS Victory's Counselor's Office. Despite being a friendly and outgoing young woman, the 25 year-old Operations officer still found meeting new people a bit unnerving. Danielle resisted the urge to bite her bottom lip as she passed a hand across her gold-accented Starfleet uniform. Dani loved the garment's super-snug fit, especially because of the way she looked in it. It made her feel sexy and confident, and confidence was what she desperately needed for what she planned on accomplishing today. But first, Dani had decided, she would need to ask for a bit of guidance ... and Lieutenant Aliyani Kalikona'i was the best person Dani could think of to provide it. Pressing a manicured thumb against the biometric plate on the doorframe, Ensign Daystrom waited for the Ship's Counselor to respond.

Aliyani looked at time and arched a brow. She was finally looking forward to going back to her quarters, taking a shower and curling up alone with a book like she always did. Moaning, she put down her little bag, her padd with the novel she'd been trying to read since being on earth and took one more look at her salvation slipping away. Inhaling, she squared her shoulders, ensured her hair was in good shape for business then sat in her office chair. "Enter."

"Hello," said Dani with a friendly smile as she entered the Counselor's office. "Sorry to drop by unannounced like this. I don't think we've met yet." Dani stepped forward and held out her hand in greeting. "I'm Ensign Danielle Daystrom, Operations. Nice to meet you."

For a moment, Aliyani arched a brow then shook her hand. "Aliyani Kalikona'i. I was finished for the day but its nice to meet you. Please, have a seat."

Dani nodded and took a seat across from Counselor Kalikona'i, crossing her legs and folding her hands around her knee once seated. "I wanted to stop by really quickly because I need a little encouragement, and maybe even a little advice, in handling something. I've asked to meet with Captain Kennit in a few minutes to ask to be promoted to Chief of Operations. I don't know if you know this, but we've been using the three Shift Leaders as Assistant Operations Chiefs. I'm currently the Shift Leader for the crew working overnights on Gamma. It's probably why we've never run into each other before," added Danielle with a good-natured shrug. "Anyway, I know I'm ready to take on this new position. I'm confident I can do the job and everything. My problem is: how do I convince Captain Kennit of that? Do you think she would appreciate a 'tough, take charge' type of approach ... or do you think I risk putting her off if I come on too strong?" Danielle sighed, her frustration evident in her expressive dark-brown eyes. "I'm normally not this flustered," apologized the pretty brown-skinned goldshirt. "It's just that this is really important to me, and I don't want to screw it up. What do you think?"

Aliyani eyed her after the the long what seemed to be dragged out sentence. She shook her head. "To be quite honest. I haven't had much chance to interact with the captain outside of duty and sessions. She's not an impossible person to deal with. I can tell you the Captain would like you to be yourself. You are competent. If you weren't you would not be on board this vessel or as a team leader. So have faith in your abilities. Let me ask you this. You know you can do this job, right?"

Dani nodded, and she leaned forward in her chair, intent on receiving whatever guidance she could glean from Counselor Kalikona'i. "Yes," Ensign Daystrom answered, hoping her voice conveyed what she believe was an honest answer. "I do know I can do this job."

"Then there's nothing to fear," Aliyani explained. "If you can't believe in yourself, believe in your abilities. Does that makes sense?" She knew sometimes she talk around issues to make sense and this could be one of those times she was making perfect sense in her own head and not in the other person's.

"Yeah," said Danielle after a pause, brightening as Aliyani's words sank in. "I'll just let my abilities and accomplishments do the talking. That's all I need to make my case, right?" she asked, trying her best to convince herself. "You're right, counselor!" Dani stood up from her seat with an expression of determined confidence on her face. "I think I'm ready to do this!" Danielle held her hand out toward the Counselor. "Thank you so much, Lieutenant Kalikona'i. Wish me luck!"

Aliyani grinned at her. "Good luck. Be sure to let me know what happens, would you?"

"Sure thing," Dani grinned, and with a final nod to the beautiful counselor, Lieutenant Daystrom walked out of Aliyani's office. Her case of nerves hadn't gone away, but thanks to her chat with Lieutenant Kalikona'i, at least Dani had regained the confidence to carry through.

 

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