=/\= Begin Log =/\= Athena looked around her quarters and just couldn't stand to continue to stare at the same walls. She began to pace restlessly. She briskly walked out the door barely giving the marine outside a glance. "Let's go," she said hurriedly as she continued on her way. "Change of Scenery," was the only explanation she gave to the curious look she was given as they continued upon the path she led them on. Petrel was in a strange mood. His superior Ens. Orianna was too unpredictable even for a Vulcan. Sometimes she resembled him to a light breeze wind. In one moment she almost seemed to pick up with his 'unformal' speech and get the point of him interested in her, in the next she seems to be cold and distant and all she knows about is work.. Even now, she came down to Astrometrics talking something about the XO and CO assigned her to a task of creating false energy signals through the deflector dish and direct them towards an unused portion of the station. He could not stand the work pace and the coldness she was radiating and though about getting some more pleasant company in the mess hall ... being it even only the half deaf barman there. Athena and her escort finally made it to the mess hall. With a cool glass of water, She sat down as the marine shook his head and leaned against the wall. Petrel disliked the whole escorting thing quite a deal. He understood that the 'nervous' XO called the order, but he expected the Colonel to cancel that order 5 minutes after his return to the ship ... but obviously ... he hasn't. The marine that escorted him to the mess hall was a silent one, obviously less then happy baby-sitting him. Petrel entered the almost empty room and looked around in surprise. The mess hall was always full of people ... busyness and noise. But not today ... He has a slight feeling that the mess hall was a restricted area for now, but seeing the three more officers in the room he was glad that it was not only him to break orders. One of the present was the ship's counselor. The woman which was the object of a good third ship's rumours. It was interesting that besides evaluation sessions, Petrel had hardly talked more then few words with her. Athena took a sip of her drink and looked around the room as her gaze fell to the door she gaze the officer there a small smile. She sat quietly as she enjoyed the feeling of freedom that seemed to be coming from the others that were there. Petrel was quite surprised that the counselor noticed him, he was quite used to the 'almost' ignorance of Orianna ... this was a positive change. Shortly considering the other two officers ... a female and a male apparently enjoying themselves, he persuaded himself to try the counselor. {After all she wont bite me} he thought as he neared the table. Not really an officer, Petrel asked formally: "Excuse me Lieutenant, would you mind taking me the opportunity to speak with you?" Looking at her face he thought that she was not in her best phase of the day and asked himself if he wouldn't end in the brig for offending an officer. Athena looked up and smiled and motioned to the chair across from her. "It would be a pleasure," she replied. She sensed the hesitation in him and asked, "Have you been terribly busy in science?" It wasn't so much that she really cared but figured it would make him feel more comfortable. {Gee, if he was wound any tighter ... well, I'd be afraid.} Petrel gave the counselor a small smile and replied: "Thank you" as he sat himself down in the comfortable chair. One thing that was unquestionable about the ship's counselor was the fact that she was (almost) very polite and always ready to listen to the crew. Petrel asked sometimes wondered if it was her nature or just the job she was doing ... He smiled again, positively surprised that she was interested in their work. After all ... on a SSF ship like this were only several people interested in pure scientific work. "Well," he started and leaned a small bit back in the chair, "science is quite busy with all the alien stuff. transwarp portals, out and in phasing of alien life forms and now all the things that were invented against the aliens ..." Feeling the tension ease in her new companion, she listened attentively so that she could ask questions to keep him at ease. She took a healthy swallow of the cool clear liquid and relaxed in her chair as she listened to a few facts that she was sure she wouldn't remember. "That's very interesting," she replied noncommittally. Petrel was in his realm. Talking about science theories, tachyon particles and some unique aspects of object phasing out and in of the universe with a listener like the counselor was a pleasure to him. Used to conversations to the 'average' crew on the Chimera that were interested only on "Will it work or no?" he felt a sympathy to the counselor for her attention. She watched as the baby-sitter in green shifted his position against the wall. For all the things Petrel had been talking about he never once mentioned his superior officer. "Do you get along well with Orianna," Athena asked. Petrel jerked slightly when she asked him. He gave the counselor a sideway look and tried to guess if she sensed something or even know. But thinking about Orianna's nature and the chances that she would notice or even say something he thought that he was safe. His face changed a bit towards neutrality as he started to describe his work relationship with his boss. She was aware that the man before her only answered in generalities. She gave him a warm comforting smile and asked, "What's really on your mind, Warrant Officer? After all I am here for people to confide in if they find a need for that." Athena asked politely, but Petrel could feel the iron will of the teal clad woman in front of him. Suddenly he 'knew' that there was very little this woman would not manage to achieve. He shivered slightly. In a certain aspect ... she was similar to Orianna. But still ... he was really in need of some help and there was virtually no one else he could ask. In a weak moment he tried his luck. "You see ..." he started shyly, "I could need erm ..." he paused. After all it was a woman he was talking to, "some ..." he looked sideways and back again, "advice in a certain thing with Ens. Orianna" he gulped nervously: "I ... erm ... find her ..." he paused again searching for a 'suitable' word. "interesting" he managed to say finally with some relief. He hasn't revealed his true feelings towards her but still pointed vaguely in that way ... Athena gave him a warm expression, but said nothing for a moment or two. {Interesting ..... logic ..... emotion .....hmmm..} "Sometimes it is hard to get to know someone when they are always so logical," she finally replied. "If I could ask; what are some of the things you do together," she queried. It was hard to ask enough questions to make the person across from you open to be able to give good advice without embracing them. Athena also tried not to rely solely on her abilities but only to let them guide her. Many people find it unsettling to find out that if she tried hard enough she could tell them what they were thinking. Petrel nodded no more looking at the counselor but on the table where he found an interesting cup to observe: "We work together, often have the same shifts, do things on the same research. I know she is a Vulcan and ... " he paused feeling suddenly very foolish for talking about this with the counselor. She might be a good friend to Orianna and maybe the two woman will have some good laugh about him later ... He looked up at her and tried to see in her face if she is playing with him only as well. Athena worried a bit that perhaps her question was a bit forward when Petrel looked up at her from the spot he seemed to research on the table. She took in a slow breath and let it out slowly as she felt the man before her studying her. "You do know that anything you say to me will go no further unless you want it to or unless I think your a danger," she said. She paused for dramatic effect before adding, "And I don't think your a danger at all." Petrel sighed a bit. He felt that he could trust the woman in front of him and her words of reassurance only tightened his decision to trust her. She was just the opposite to Orianna ... Petrel thought how unlikely it would be that both woman would have a 'cup of tea with a good chat' afterwards. Her last words of him being a danger made him even smile a bit. {Aye, i *could* trust her ...} "Thanks for the compliment counselor" he replied softly. She leaned forward and took another sip of water and then rested her elbows on the table and her chin on her fold hands. She grinned at the young man and said, "Out of my own interest, have you and Orianna spent any R and R time together?" She asked the question and hoped it wouldn't send the warrant officer into shock by its abruptness. To soften it a bit and let him know she was only looking for the simplest of answers she continued, "You know like sharing a cup of coffee or maybe a meal like lunch or something like that?" {Huh!} he thought and his eyes opened more wide for a moment. He was a science man, used to slow systematic work and this question was just the opposite. Sudden and from a 'clear sky'. Petrel breathed out as Athena specified her question more clearly. To be honest he was never virtually 'out' with Orianna ... he only tried his luck ... besides : "Well, we had a lunch together here yesterday. It was a nice lunch but I don't think she erm ... noticed anything ..." he looked up at Athena and beamed a smile of apology on her: "She's a Vulcan, you know ..." "Yes, I know," she replied lightly. She sat in thought as he continued to explain further. Half of her mind concentrating on what was being said and yet another part contemplating which advice to give or question to ask next. Petrel shrugged slightly: "Honest ... I don't know. Mostly the fact that she is my superior officer and that her mind in light years away from simple things like " he looked up at Athena once again and added after a moment: "out of duty time ..." He hoped she would get what he almost said ... cause he was still not ready to say it openly in the presence of her. Athena continued to look at Petrel but said nothing for a few minutes as she continued to process the information she did know and adding it a bit to some theory. "I know this question is going to seem a bit odd," she started, "but do you consider yourself a confident man?" There was a moments paused before she specified more clearly, "And I don't mean just with your duties because I can tell your confident there." What she was really asking was if he felt he was confident with women but didn't want to be as bold as she might since he seemed to be skirt an issue or two or wasn't comfortable enough with her to be blunt. Now was Petrel's turn to remain silent for a minute. In the moment she asked ... he wanted to nod swiftly and say {Of cousre I am} ... but he bit his tongue and thought a bit more before speaking. If he should be honest to himself ... he was never a playboy ... even back at the NCO training camp ... he was among the majority which havent managed to get a girl there. Well, it was not that bad with him ... he had two or three gfs by now, but it was never serious or long lasting. His mind always occupied with some science theories never spend too much time considering himself ... but now he began to see that the counselor might be right ... he wasnt confident in dealing with woman ... He looked up from the table and shrugged slightly: "Well counselor, I am no playboy if you mean this. I know I am not Mr. Olympia and even onboard is a handfull of better officers then me ... but I never had too much trouble there" he added to save his honor. "I see," she answered noncommittally. "Perhaps you could ask Orianna to help you meditate to relieve stress....... from the jobs you've been doing." She smiled brightly and explained, "Orianna being Vulcan should be very familiar with meditating and its something that's not work related the you c an do together if she agrees. Plus maybe you will both learn more about each other." She watched the young man before her to see what he was thinking about her suggestion. His words were faster then his mind as he said: "Sounds good!" Only then the possible problems connected with such activities sprung in his mind. She might disagree and make him to a fool, they had to be in a room alone for a long time, she might not want him to intrude into such a personal sphere like meditating. His eager smile slowly faded as he said: "I ... just am not sure if she will like the idea as well." He shook his head very slightly and added: "I don't know if anyone from the crew has ever been in her quarters before ..." Athena almost smirked but quickly removed it. "Well, I think Orianna is the type of person who would take your request and think that it would be beneficial. After all relaxed people working for your is always a plus. Besides you don't have anything to loose. You'll just understand where she is coming from better." Petrel nodded. "You are right counselor. Maybe I am behaving like a teenager now. I should go and ask her directly ... her answer can be just 'yes' or 'no' and after all she won't bite me ... will she," he asked half seriously. "As far as I know she doesn't bite," she replied. She winked at Petrel and said, "Only I do according to popular belief." She watched as the small stunned look passed over his face. "Just relax and be yourself. You're a nice guy," she finished. The warrant officer stood up and gave Athena a nod before going on his way. Athena sat back and finished her glass of water while she watched the marine fidget against the wall at her intense scrutiny. =/\= End Log =/\= Lt. Athena Wellington Counselor USS Chimera & Warrant Officer Petrel science NPC apb: Shane Guzman