A Series of Unfortunate Events, pt. 2

Posted on Sun Nov 26th, 2023 @ 3:12pm by Commander Lorut Vila & Lieutenant Rowena "Rena" Campbell

1,503 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: Short Treks
Location: Counselor's Office
Timeline: MD-04

Vila knocked on the door. She never used the chimes-she hated the sound they made, and she assumed that a lot of other people did, too, but didn't have the way to say so. She waited for Rena to allow her in, and then she entered the room.

Rena heard the knock. There was only ONE person on this ship who refused to use the chimes. "Come in, Commander," she called out.

Vila came in, and looked around. She sat.

"Hello," she said.

Rena smiled. "Hello," she said. "Would you like to hold onto Pork again?" She asked. The Bajoran nodded. Rena went and retrieved the cat from his carrier, and placed him in the other woman's arms. "There you go," she said, before sitting back down.

Vila took the cat, and brought him close to her face. She listened to his purrs.

"You can start when you'd like, Commander, or I can lead." Vila nodded. Rena smiled.

"Alright, let's talk about the nightmares. Can you tell me about them?"

Vila sighed, and moved the cat to her lap. "Yes. They are almost always the same. Most of it is from times in the labor camps," she paused. "Usually around the time I was...separated from my family for a time. I was, even back then, a bit of a...tempestuous child, and the Cardassians couldn't handle it. I was often punished, but when Dr. Crell Moset came to Bajor...well. We all know that he told the Cardassians he was doing medicine. They had to know...they learned...they took those of us who posed a threat. I was taken, and..." She started to cry.

Rena watched the Bajoran, carefully. Rena knew of the horrors that many of the Bajorans had faced, but she'd never heard a first-hand account. Silently, she handed the woman a tissue, and sat back. It was quiet, and just as Rena was about to speak, Vila beat her.

"They did experiments on us...all kinds of things. Gave us diseases we didn't have before. I caught Orkett's disease. They made it so...I can't have children. Removed an ovary," she said, with a sigh. "I guess I was one of the lucky ones because I survived." She pulled herself together quickly.

"That's what I dream about."

Rena nodded. She thought carefully about her words, what she would say. Everything she could think of sounded trite or small, in comparison.

"Thank you for sharing that with me. I am sorry that I don't have the words to express how sorry I am that that happened to you, and your people. No one should have to experience that, but most especially a child." She was actually horrified, and took a moment to fight the anger that rose in her throat. "I also understand how your subconscious can dwell on that. Not the physical pain, even, but the abject fear and humiliation you must've felt."

Vila simply nodded. "Yes. When I was allowed to return to my camp, I wasn't supposed to tell my parents. And I didn't, for a long time. Because they-the Cardassians-threatened to kill my family. It wasn't long after that that I joined the Resistance."

Rena nodded. "How old were you then?"

"Thirteen." she said. "I was liberated two years later," she said. "I chose to go with my family, with the Federation. I wish I had stayed," she said. "The guilt of that stays with me more than the rest. That I left the fighters out there alone. Because I was scared."

Rena smiled, finally. "Please don't beat yourself up about that," she said. "It is always OK to take care of yourself first." Rena nodded lightly. "But I do sort of understand...I can't say that I would've stayed, either. However, you must realize now that it was fighting best left for older folks, though I know that several teenagers were involved."

Vila smiled a little. "Yes. Kira Nerys was the youngest of us. And fierce as hell. She was actually in a different cell than I was, but...my brother and I fought together. Our mother was so mad at us. She was SURE we would be hurt or killed. My brother nearly was. My oldest brother never joined. He never had the stomach for it," she said. "That's not a judgement, just a fact. He was the one who soothed Mama's worry about us two," she said.

Rena smiled. "I have two older brothers," she said. "And my middle brother was like that. The peacekeeper. I am glad that your mother had that-mine says it was the only thing that kept her sane when we were kids."

Vila nodded. "My mother doesn't share that sentiment, but I am kind of glad to hear that it's a universal thing," she said. "After we were liberated, I spent some time on a Federation hospital ship. That's when I told my parents what had happened at the Cardassian hospital," she said. "I had to. The Fleet doctor was going to, otherwise." She still was mad about that.

Rena sighed. "That seems reasonable from where I sit NOW but I imagine that, as a child who'd already had so much trauma, it was another adult that betrayed you." She looked at Vila-the older woman seemed to be listening. They were making good progress.

Vila nodded. "You know, that's exactly right. I'd never been able to quite place it, but that's exactly what it felt like." She nodded again, quietly. "Thank you."

It was quiet for a few moments. Rena spoke next.

"Let's talk about some ways you can handle the thoughts and nightmares when they come," she said. "The first thing I want you to do is called "box breathing." It's very simple. Listen, I know it sounds corny, but controlling your breathing really canhelp, and it will show others that you're taking it seriously. What you do is make sure you're standing up or sitting up straight. Then, you will inhale for a four count, while picturing yourself pushing the breath around a square shape. On the exhale, you should let yourself fully relax. Do it as many times as you need to. Let's try it now."

Vila made a face, but she did sit up a bit straighter. Porkchop jumped down, but remained nearby, watching carefully as his caretaker and the needy woman (in his view) did the breathing exercise.
"I do feel a little more clear headed," Vila admitted. "Thank you," she said. She was skeptical that simply breathing was going to be much of a help, but in this moment, she was glad for it. "I am not sure this will help me in the middle of an...attack," she said.

Rena smiled. "You did well. I know. So to counter that, let's try some more things. The first thing we can do that is fast and easy is to try tapping or eye movement desensitization." She paused. "Basically, I want you to try to focus on something else when the memories or flashbacks come. Tapping your fingers against the wall, or squeezing your eyes shut tightly and reopening them quickly. Some kind of thing like that. You might have to try a few different things at once," she said. "Unfortunately, I can't tell you which will work best for you. It's a trial by error thing, but through our sessions, we can work on exploring which one works best. I want you to call me when you have the next attack. I don't care what time of day or night it is. I want to witness it, if you don't mind," Rena said. It would help her to be able to assist the woman further. She looked at her chronometer casually.

Vila nodded while she spoke. She hadn't considered moving through the memories before-she was naturally a kinetic person, but it hadn't occurred to her that movement might help. She smiled.
"Alright. I remember when I was going through insomnia when my marriage was ending-walking helped a bit, so perhaps it can help again."

Rena nodded, and smiled. "Same sort of idea, yes. Distract your brain! We are at the end of our session for the day. You shared some pretty terrible things with me. If you're needing someone else to talk to, let me know. I can set you up with one of the Doctors or other counseling staff," Rena said. "I also want you to think about if medications will help. You can let me know at your next appointment," she said. "I think you might benefit."

Vila thought for a moment. "No one has suggested that before," she said. "I might be interested," she said. "I will think about it," she said. "Thank you, Counselor." She sighed deeply. It was hard to discuss the things that had happened to her. She stood up to leave.

"Thank you. I'll see you the same time, next week."

Rena nodded. "I look forward to it, Lorut," she said.

 

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