Post by janedoe on Jun 21, 2014 1:34:35 GMT -5
Sometimes the flurry of activity on the base keeps Deanna in her room, or walking on a beach in a holo-suite. She is easily acclimated wherever she is but sometimes she just wants the quiet place to study or read. But she's been in her quarters for hours and feels a need to get out a little. Ever since Alexander was taking off the station for further treatments on Earth, she has not been quite herself. Even with her daughter on the base now she feels out of sorts. Today she makes herself get out. This is not like her and isolation- well she usually treats people for it.
She gives herself a bit of her own medicine and orders herself to leave her quarters. She passes the Den on the promenade and a few others where people are enjoying themselves. Too loud. Too much. But there is a little corner of the station she's been wanting to go to in the civilian sector, a lounge called Blue. She heard they have nice soft jazz there and some great food.
As she steps inside of Blue , she is taken at once with its feeling of warmth. Decorated in earth tones , the chairs and sofas are soft and comfortable, most tables small, only room for 2 or 3 comfortably, one long community table near the front for groups. The sound of an acoustic guitar greets her and she smiles. This is nice. She is dressed in civilian attire, a simple blue dress, and her hair is swept up in a loose knot. She is seated at a table.
"Red wine please, you choose." The server smiles and walks off with her order.
............
He had found a quiet place to sit by himself. The main floor of the promenade had been his first choice, but the constant flow of people made it difficult to concentrate on one thing at a time. Now he sat inside a lounge, with only some quiet acoustic music and the low murmur of conversations to distract him. It was much better for what he had in mind. In his hands were a PADD and he looked to be lost in reading the words that scrolled over the screen.
In truth, he didn't see a single word that passed before his eyes, and the glass of water that stood on the table was untouched, the ice cubes long melted. He looked up from the PADD and saw the flash of blue out of the corner of his eye. The woman had managed to break his concentration only by sliding into a seat. He sighed and put the PADD down. This was not going to be easy. Hormones made it so much harder than it had to be. He took a sip of the water and put the glass back on the table, picking up the PADD and making his way over to the table where the woman sat.
She had a flair of Betazed over her, and that meant that she might have what he needed. That dress wasn't painted on her, but for a moment he had been in doubt. Even if she didn't have what he needed, finding out was going to be interesting.
"Excuse me, Miss. Mind if I join you?"
........
Deanna sits back comfortably in the expansive chair, the soft upholstered seat and back making it easy to want to burrow into a little, the muic like a soothing blanket, coating everything. She taps a nail softly against the glass to the slow rhythm and crosses her legs, her foot swaying slowly. She exhales. The last three months on the base have been excruciating. She is always working. The one benefit to that is she doesn't have time to sit and mope or moan about what is past, and who is gone. She never knew if she would have had a relationship with her friend, the captain, but she didn't really have the chance. It was over before it began. She has no problem with being alone here on the base, it's kind of a relief really not to have to keep up with a relationship. But the work is grueling, the new personnel flowing in every day. She really isn't doing the work she was trained for. Whenever she gets started on really getting to know someone, they are gone again.
But she sets that aside now, as thoughts flow in and enjoys the relaxing atmosphere. She smiles, looking over a couple nearby. Almost everyone in here is paired off. She senses a lot of affection, and not a little bit of sexual tension. She smiles to herself, takes a sip of her wine. This was a good idea.
She let herself enjoy the quiet moments, not really noticing as quickly as she usually would that someone was intent on reaching her table. She looks up and sees a young man, a young man saying, can he sit here. SHe says nothing at first, other than a diminutive, 'hello,' just looking at him. Brash, young, they are so brave at this age. She can't think of a good reason to say no so she nods.
"I don't mind."
...........
The blue dress did a lot to hint at what was underneath without showing much. Quite the perfect honey to attract a curious fly like himself. He sat down across from her, his simple clothes doing little to enhance his appearance the way her dress did for her. "My name is Jannick. I am sorry to intrude upon you in this manner, but I couldn't help but notice you as you entered." He smiled. It was a boyish, slightly shy smile, but there was nothing shy or boyish in what her empathy told her about him. He was determined in what he was doing, and had a certainty to his thinking, that he was on the right track.
She looked like she was perfect for his purposes. A Betazoid, skilled, experienced, knowledgeable. The things she could teach him... A flash of hormonal lust burst through his thinking and he felt his cheeks warm. He had been trying his best to not think of anything of that sort, but she was making it difficult. "I was hoping... Ah... That you could help me... Perhaps?" He spoke quietly in a hushed tone, as if he was embarrassed that he had to ask her for help, or because of the subject he needed help with.
.......
The way Jannick is projecting could knock her off her chair. She smiles in a friendly way but her eyebrows knit slightly as she tries to get at his intentions here. She is not unused to male attention, but wasn't really expecting it tonight. Perhaps there is something on her face that lets men know she's not really got herself on the market so to speak. She has plenty of friends, but doesn't get much in the way of...well the sort of lustful propositions that Jannick is carrying around him like an aura without actually speaking them. At least not lately.
Ah youth is sweet, those quick bursts of libido that leave as quickly as they come. She takes them with the weight they deserve and doesn't shoo him off, but she can tell he is intent on some purpose.
If she was annoyed or bothered and wanted to be left alone, she could fell that youthful enthusiasm with a word, or a look. But she is neither. If he were also a Betazoid he'd read pretty much curiosity coming from her right now.
"Deanna Troi." There is nothing visible on her clothing to indicate her rank or what position she holds there.
"How about you tell me what you need help with, and then I will answer your question." She smiles. Maybe she looks a little amused as well. He really is cute. Young, but cute.
...........
His eyebrows rose as she introduced herself. "Of the Fifth House of Betazed, and heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed?" He placed the PADD on the table between them. "I am honored. Truly." This was like striking gold. This woman he had expected to know a little was likely to be a unending wellspring of knowledge.
He tried to get his eyebrows under control again, realising as well that his eyes had been wandering to where they probably shouldn't have gone. He bit his lip to keep from cursing the hormones that coursed through him and cleared his throat again. "I am trying to figure something out, and I think you can help me... You see... I... " He faltered and grasped for words, trying to think of a way to say it without sounding pretentious.
When the words came, they were quieter than before, but still clearly heard since he was now leaned in over the table towards her. "I think I can hear thoughts, but only sometimes."
..........
"That's what it says on my service record." She smiles and glances down at the padd, then back up. She looks into his eyes.
"It could be a few different things." She watches him and listens. He is a hot mess of genuine request for help and libido intruding. Perhaps she is not off duty after all. But she looks at him kindly. "I will try to assist if I can. Do you remember when this started?" She tries to grasp from him if the hearing of thoughts scares him, or if it is exciting to him.
.................
A hot mess was a good description of how he felt. His initial reaction to the whole telepathy thing had scared him at first, but after the initial reaction, his thoughts on the matter had been all over the place. The thing that bothered him about it now was that he couldn't seem to control it at all. So one minute, he was faced with a flood of thoughts and sounds and images in a jumble he couldn't filter through, and the next all he heard was his own thoughts, and barely those as he struggled to recover from the deluge.
"It started... The first time was two weeks ago. I thought I was imagining things. I touched this girl's hand, and..." He looked down at the table between them. "It was rather embarrassing, but... Nothing happened for a few days, and then I started hearing the voices..."
.............
Deanna looks around. The way the decor is set up, one could have a conversation with another well muffled by the insulating upholstery on the furniture and the curved booths that surround the tables. The music also covers much, keeping conversation close. Voices carry,and so do thoughts. She considers suggesting a walk to her office, or even to a viewing window on an upper level. But for now she feels like they are in relative privacy. This is so personal, and although she was not expecting to be 'working' tonight per se, she doesn't mind really. She feels kindly toward him, trying to deal with this new part of his life. She knows a server is coming over to them and she waits, before speaking, looking up when the young man arrives with her wine.
"What would you like to drink? Are you hungry?" Deanna looks to Jannick, then relaxes when the server leaves and thinks over what he said.
"You skipped over some detail Jannick. What happened when you touched the girl's hand? Did you hear something? See something?"
...........
He was caught up in the retelling, even if he was skipping over a lot of parts. A hand was raised to wave off the offer of food or drink. His eyes closed tightly as another rush of sound and mental imagery washed over him. The woman in front of him seemed to be the only calmness in the storm that raged in his mind. After a few moments, he took a deep breath. Blushing a little at her question, he smiled shyly. "I saw these images. Of me and her. I thought it was just me imagining things, like a daydream, but it only lasted while we touched. It wasn't something that was coming from me, I'm sure. And all the other incidents have not been from me. Something is... Something is different."
.........
Deanna listens. She doesn't sense that he is making any of this up. What she thought was a young man discovering his psychic abilities seems to be someone invading his mind with their own. There is a flash of anger at the thought. But then sometimes it is not deliberate. She considers what happened to her before. There are times when undisciplined people with a lot of power affect others with it. Then there are times when someone uses others for their own gain. She takes a chance and reaches out, her hand hovering over his.
"Do you trust me?" She moves to put her hand on his and hold it there, to see what he feels. She needs to know if it is coming from him, and he is wrong. She empties her mind of anything but calm images, cool waters. And with his permission, sets her hand down on his own, closing her eyes to not confuse him.
...........
He nodded at the question. He did trust her. He wouldn't have opened up to her if he hadn't. However, the touch of her hands on his didn't do much to calm him, regardless of the images she tried to project. Hormones interfered with any chance of a calm thought from him, and the mental imagery it produced in him was rapid and explicit. So rapid only glimpses of it even managed to register with him, which was fortunate. He let out a quiet gasp and tried to calm himself. "I... I am sorry, that was... Uh..." He was starting to wonder if it was possible to spontaneously combust from blushing too hotly, and if it was, if he would catch fire soon. His hand was trembling in hers and he closed his eyes as she did, trying to focus himself. The thoughts solidified into an image of a still underground lake. He exhaled slowly. "I think that helped."
................
Deanna's trained expression does not change, even when Jannick's mind veers off with some erotic images. Those are normal and she doesn't give it more weight than it deserves. What she expected to read perhaps was some kind of psychic vibrations from him, some sign that thes images before, and the voices, came from somewhere inside of him. But she feels nothing. When she opens her eyes, she smiles kindly. She doesn't laugh or look too worried about what just happened. Her body did react for a moment, and she hid it. A younger, less trained Deanna might have blushed, or even considered taking advantage of a fun time in the sack with someone projecting such energy. But she just removes her hand from its grasp on his, patting his hand lightly before pulling it back. She sips her wine.
"You don't have to apologize. I'd sooner have you apologize for sneezing. It's normal." She doesn't sense that it is more than normal lust, and he did not come over here just to seduce her. She felt him trying to bring his feelings under control.
"Do you get these images, these voices everywhere, or only certain places?" She doesn't want to overreact , but she considers that there is someone on the station projecting to him, or even in orbit, if it is someone very strong. She smiles. Her eyes are warm. Oh it was fun when she was younger. She could have explored this with him. But she knows better.
..............
He found her reaction puzzling, but also calming. The rational part of his mind knew that it was what he needed, but the hormone-fuelled basic instincts had another reaction to it. He pushed that part aside as best he could. "It has happened in several places now. Here, but also at home, and by the shuttleport." There was no signature of outside intervention to speak of. He was completely convinced that it all came from within, but whether it was wishful thinking or something he had a reason to believe was uncertain.
"I have heard that sometimes, these things happen when... Uh... Biochemical changes set in." He was a little old for that, but perhaps he was a late bloomer in that regard. He certainly didn't know anything about it, but the images and sounds he heard were his only clue about what was happening.
..........
"I'm sorry if I seem cold. I'm flattered by your reactions to me. I'm sure you make a lot of girls smile, or maybe just one special girl..." It was partly a statement, partly a question. How about if we just enjoy some dinner and talk. Maybe take a walk after? I'm guessing that it happens when you least expect it. I'd like to be near you when that happens. I'd be more of a help that way."
She takes a sip of her wine. She looks at his face. Nice face. Nice boy. Okay a man. But a very young man. Down Deanna. He came to you with a problem, not a proposition.
"It's very common for the psycic abilities to present themselves later, often during puberty. Obviously you are....well past puberty. So I can't really put my finger on it, but I wouldn't rule anything out either."
..........
He shook his head at her apology. "I understand. It's... I can't seem to control it, and it's frankly getting on my nerves." He smiled a little shyly again. "Well, there was the one that started it all, but... I think it freaked her out." He nodded. "Dinner and a walk sounds like a good idea. Socializing a bit, relaxing me. It seems to not happen as often when I am stressed and busy."
He listened intently to her explanation. "I understand. And... You're right."
...........
She smiles back, looking away to avoid embarrassing him further. "People are afraid of what they don't understand."
She pulls up the screen for ordering to avoid dealing with the waitress. She puts in her order then turns the screen to face Jannick.
"Relaxation can help. Eventually though it will take some work, if you really want to get to the bottom of it. Just out of curiosity, did you approach me because I am a betazoid or because I am the chief counselor here?"
...................
He looked at the menu as she turned it towards him, considering the options. "It is a combination of things. You looked safe... Pretty and safe... And betazoid." This time he kept the blushing under control.
He tapped the screen a few times, marking his selection down. A thought pressed on about a bottom he would like to get to, but he pushed it away with a frown. He couldn't go around having thoughts like that around a betazoid, or a counselor. It just wasn't right.
.........
"Betazoid and human, but you know that since you checked me out." She smiles. "I'm not sure how I feel about 'safe'. " But she laughs lightly, so he knows she kidding around. She relaxes with her wine and listens to the music, waiting for him to order. Something makes her turn her head, an impression. She thinks to say to him, 'are you sure you're even trying here?' but just smiles and keeps it to herself.
"Lets's just suppose that you have latent abilities that are coming to the surface, now, like you say with some..chemical changes. Where I come from we celebrate such occurances. Don't look so glum. This could be really great for you." She smiles, taps her glass with a fingernail for emphasis.
..................
He chuckled at the laughter. "I understand what you mean. Looks can be deceiving, but... You feel safe, even with the dangers that lurk under the surface."
He raised a brow as she explained about the latent abilities. "Celebrate it? So far, it has only caused me stress and confusion." He frowned, shifting forward in his seat as he sat up straighter. "Every time it has happened, except for the one time here in front of you, it's been like a whirlwind of... Everything." His breath caught in his throat as he tensed. A faint whisper had been growing in the back of his mind, unnoticed with her so close to him. Now it had grown past the point where he could ignore it. He closed his eyes and tried to picture the calm still waters that had helped him before, but the waters would not be still. All that came to his mind was rolling waves and howling winds.
The turmoil inside him was palpable to the half-betazoid across the table from him. It was clear that he was struggling with it, trying to keep something inside under control.
.......
He was not ready to hear what a blessing psychic ability is, or how amazing it is to sense everyone around you. She shouldn't be diagnosing anything she is not sure about. And he feels like he is about to explode. She stands and takes his arm, half yanking, her eyes to his eyes to say, 'come, we're going' and that there would be no arguing about it.
She walks with him out of the restaurant and down a maze of corridors. She remains silent, holding onto his arm, to not make a scene, helping him to her office. When they are away from the chaos of the promenade, she speaks.
"Tell me about the whirlwind. Talk about what you mean by 'everything'."
...............
When she touched him, everything changed. He followed her in a daze, the constant myriad of images and sounds overwhelming his senses. Everything she saw and sensed passed through him, but without the benefit of her mental guards. "It's... Sounds... Pictures... Everywhere... I can't... Can't stop it." His eyes closed as she guided him away from the promenade. Getting some distance to the crowds helped a little and he caught his breath. "It's... Overwhelming. So much... Information. I can't filter it, can't focus."
He clung to her as they walked. "It's... Calming, but there is still.. So much."
...........
In her office, Deanna guides Jannick to the couch to lie down. She puts a cold pack under his neck and grabs a medical tricorder. She debated taking him to medical. She hopes she won't regret not doing so but she was trying to spare him the extra scrutiny. She takes his vitals and sits down in a chair near the couch. She looks into his eyes and grabs his wrist, feeling for his pulse.
"Attempt to narrow down your vision. Not with your eyes, but with your other senses, what you are hearing and seeing. Try and focus on one thing. It takes some practice, but you can do it. You're strong. If you have to, close your eyes so that you can't see me or my office."
......................
She gives herself a bit of her own medicine and orders herself to leave her quarters. She passes the Den on the promenade and a few others where people are enjoying themselves. Too loud. Too much. But there is a little corner of the station she's been wanting to go to in the civilian sector, a lounge called Blue. She heard they have nice soft jazz there and some great food.
As she steps inside of Blue , she is taken at once with its feeling of warmth. Decorated in earth tones , the chairs and sofas are soft and comfortable, most tables small, only room for 2 or 3 comfortably, one long community table near the front for groups. The sound of an acoustic guitar greets her and she smiles. This is nice. She is dressed in civilian attire, a simple blue dress, and her hair is swept up in a loose knot. She is seated at a table.
"Red wine please, you choose." The server smiles and walks off with her order.
............
He had found a quiet place to sit by himself. The main floor of the promenade had been his first choice, but the constant flow of people made it difficult to concentrate on one thing at a time. Now he sat inside a lounge, with only some quiet acoustic music and the low murmur of conversations to distract him. It was much better for what he had in mind. In his hands were a PADD and he looked to be lost in reading the words that scrolled over the screen.
In truth, he didn't see a single word that passed before his eyes, and the glass of water that stood on the table was untouched, the ice cubes long melted. He looked up from the PADD and saw the flash of blue out of the corner of his eye. The woman had managed to break his concentration only by sliding into a seat. He sighed and put the PADD down. This was not going to be easy. Hormones made it so much harder than it had to be. He took a sip of the water and put the glass back on the table, picking up the PADD and making his way over to the table where the woman sat.
She had a flair of Betazed over her, and that meant that she might have what he needed. That dress wasn't painted on her, but for a moment he had been in doubt. Even if she didn't have what he needed, finding out was going to be interesting.
"Excuse me, Miss. Mind if I join you?"
........
Deanna sits back comfortably in the expansive chair, the soft upholstered seat and back making it easy to want to burrow into a little, the muic like a soothing blanket, coating everything. She taps a nail softly against the glass to the slow rhythm and crosses her legs, her foot swaying slowly. She exhales. The last three months on the base have been excruciating. She is always working. The one benefit to that is she doesn't have time to sit and mope or moan about what is past, and who is gone. She never knew if she would have had a relationship with her friend, the captain, but she didn't really have the chance. It was over before it began. She has no problem with being alone here on the base, it's kind of a relief really not to have to keep up with a relationship. But the work is grueling, the new personnel flowing in every day. She really isn't doing the work she was trained for. Whenever she gets started on really getting to know someone, they are gone again.
But she sets that aside now, as thoughts flow in and enjoys the relaxing atmosphere. She smiles, looking over a couple nearby. Almost everyone in here is paired off. She senses a lot of affection, and not a little bit of sexual tension. She smiles to herself, takes a sip of her wine. This was a good idea.
She let herself enjoy the quiet moments, not really noticing as quickly as she usually would that someone was intent on reaching her table. She looks up and sees a young man, a young man saying, can he sit here. SHe says nothing at first, other than a diminutive, 'hello,' just looking at him. Brash, young, they are so brave at this age. She can't think of a good reason to say no so she nods.
"I don't mind."
...........
The blue dress did a lot to hint at what was underneath without showing much. Quite the perfect honey to attract a curious fly like himself. He sat down across from her, his simple clothes doing little to enhance his appearance the way her dress did for her. "My name is Jannick. I am sorry to intrude upon you in this manner, but I couldn't help but notice you as you entered." He smiled. It was a boyish, slightly shy smile, but there was nothing shy or boyish in what her empathy told her about him. He was determined in what he was doing, and had a certainty to his thinking, that he was on the right track.
She looked like she was perfect for his purposes. A Betazoid, skilled, experienced, knowledgeable. The things she could teach him... A flash of hormonal lust burst through his thinking and he felt his cheeks warm. He had been trying his best to not think of anything of that sort, but she was making it difficult. "I was hoping... Ah... That you could help me... Perhaps?" He spoke quietly in a hushed tone, as if he was embarrassed that he had to ask her for help, or because of the subject he needed help with.
.......
The way Jannick is projecting could knock her off her chair. She smiles in a friendly way but her eyebrows knit slightly as she tries to get at his intentions here. She is not unused to male attention, but wasn't really expecting it tonight. Perhaps there is something on her face that lets men know she's not really got herself on the market so to speak. She has plenty of friends, but doesn't get much in the way of...well the sort of lustful propositions that Jannick is carrying around him like an aura without actually speaking them. At least not lately.
Ah youth is sweet, those quick bursts of libido that leave as quickly as they come. She takes them with the weight they deserve and doesn't shoo him off, but she can tell he is intent on some purpose.
If she was annoyed or bothered and wanted to be left alone, she could fell that youthful enthusiasm with a word, or a look. But she is neither. If he were also a Betazoid he'd read pretty much curiosity coming from her right now.
"Deanna Troi." There is nothing visible on her clothing to indicate her rank or what position she holds there.
"How about you tell me what you need help with, and then I will answer your question." She smiles. Maybe she looks a little amused as well. He really is cute. Young, but cute.
...........
His eyebrows rose as she introduced herself. "Of the Fifth House of Betazed, and heir to the Holy Rings of Betazed?" He placed the PADD on the table between them. "I am honored. Truly." This was like striking gold. This woman he had expected to know a little was likely to be a unending wellspring of knowledge.
He tried to get his eyebrows under control again, realising as well that his eyes had been wandering to where they probably shouldn't have gone. He bit his lip to keep from cursing the hormones that coursed through him and cleared his throat again. "I am trying to figure something out, and I think you can help me... You see... I... " He faltered and grasped for words, trying to think of a way to say it without sounding pretentious.
When the words came, they were quieter than before, but still clearly heard since he was now leaned in over the table towards her. "I think I can hear thoughts, but only sometimes."
..........
"That's what it says on my service record." She smiles and glances down at the padd, then back up. She looks into his eyes.
"It could be a few different things." She watches him and listens. He is a hot mess of genuine request for help and libido intruding. Perhaps she is not off duty after all. But she looks at him kindly. "I will try to assist if I can. Do you remember when this started?" She tries to grasp from him if the hearing of thoughts scares him, or if it is exciting to him.
.................
A hot mess was a good description of how he felt. His initial reaction to the whole telepathy thing had scared him at first, but after the initial reaction, his thoughts on the matter had been all over the place. The thing that bothered him about it now was that he couldn't seem to control it at all. So one minute, he was faced with a flood of thoughts and sounds and images in a jumble he couldn't filter through, and the next all he heard was his own thoughts, and barely those as he struggled to recover from the deluge.
"It started... The first time was two weeks ago. I thought I was imagining things. I touched this girl's hand, and..." He looked down at the table between them. "It was rather embarrassing, but... Nothing happened for a few days, and then I started hearing the voices..."
.............
Deanna looks around. The way the decor is set up, one could have a conversation with another well muffled by the insulating upholstery on the furniture and the curved booths that surround the tables. The music also covers much, keeping conversation close. Voices carry,and so do thoughts. She considers suggesting a walk to her office, or even to a viewing window on an upper level. But for now she feels like they are in relative privacy. This is so personal, and although she was not expecting to be 'working' tonight per se, she doesn't mind really. She feels kindly toward him, trying to deal with this new part of his life. She knows a server is coming over to them and she waits, before speaking, looking up when the young man arrives with her wine.
"What would you like to drink? Are you hungry?" Deanna looks to Jannick, then relaxes when the server leaves and thinks over what he said.
"You skipped over some detail Jannick. What happened when you touched the girl's hand? Did you hear something? See something?"
...........
He was caught up in the retelling, even if he was skipping over a lot of parts. A hand was raised to wave off the offer of food or drink. His eyes closed tightly as another rush of sound and mental imagery washed over him. The woman in front of him seemed to be the only calmness in the storm that raged in his mind. After a few moments, he took a deep breath. Blushing a little at her question, he smiled shyly. "I saw these images. Of me and her. I thought it was just me imagining things, like a daydream, but it only lasted while we touched. It wasn't something that was coming from me, I'm sure. And all the other incidents have not been from me. Something is... Something is different."
.........
Deanna listens. She doesn't sense that he is making any of this up. What she thought was a young man discovering his psychic abilities seems to be someone invading his mind with their own. There is a flash of anger at the thought. But then sometimes it is not deliberate. She considers what happened to her before. There are times when undisciplined people with a lot of power affect others with it. Then there are times when someone uses others for their own gain. She takes a chance and reaches out, her hand hovering over his.
"Do you trust me?" She moves to put her hand on his and hold it there, to see what he feels. She needs to know if it is coming from him, and he is wrong. She empties her mind of anything but calm images, cool waters. And with his permission, sets her hand down on his own, closing her eyes to not confuse him.
...........
He nodded at the question. He did trust her. He wouldn't have opened up to her if he hadn't. However, the touch of her hands on his didn't do much to calm him, regardless of the images she tried to project. Hormones interfered with any chance of a calm thought from him, and the mental imagery it produced in him was rapid and explicit. So rapid only glimpses of it even managed to register with him, which was fortunate. He let out a quiet gasp and tried to calm himself. "I... I am sorry, that was... Uh..." He was starting to wonder if it was possible to spontaneously combust from blushing too hotly, and if it was, if he would catch fire soon. His hand was trembling in hers and he closed his eyes as she did, trying to focus himself. The thoughts solidified into an image of a still underground lake. He exhaled slowly. "I think that helped."
................
Deanna's trained expression does not change, even when Jannick's mind veers off with some erotic images. Those are normal and she doesn't give it more weight than it deserves. What she expected to read perhaps was some kind of psychic vibrations from him, some sign that thes images before, and the voices, came from somewhere inside of him. But she feels nothing. When she opens her eyes, she smiles kindly. She doesn't laugh or look too worried about what just happened. Her body did react for a moment, and she hid it. A younger, less trained Deanna might have blushed, or even considered taking advantage of a fun time in the sack with someone projecting such energy. But she just removes her hand from its grasp on his, patting his hand lightly before pulling it back. She sips her wine.
"You don't have to apologize. I'd sooner have you apologize for sneezing. It's normal." She doesn't sense that it is more than normal lust, and he did not come over here just to seduce her. She felt him trying to bring his feelings under control.
"Do you get these images, these voices everywhere, or only certain places?" She doesn't want to overreact , but she considers that there is someone on the station projecting to him, or even in orbit, if it is someone very strong. She smiles. Her eyes are warm. Oh it was fun when she was younger. She could have explored this with him. But she knows better.
..............
He found her reaction puzzling, but also calming. The rational part of his mind knew that it was what he needed, but the hormone-fuelled basic instincts had another reaction to it. He pushed that part aside as best he could. "It has happened in several places now. Here, but also at home, and by the shuttleport." There was no signature of outside intervention to speak of. He was completely convinced that it all came from within, but whether it was wishful thinking or something he had a reason to believe was uncertain.
"I have heard that sometimes, these things happen when... Uh... Biochemical changes set in." He was a little old for that, but perhaps he was a late bloomer in that regard. He certainly didn't know anything about it, but the images and sounds he heard were his only clue about what was happening.
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"I'm sorry if I seem cold. I'm flattered by your reactions to me. I'm sure you make a lot of girls smile, or maybe just one special girl..." It was partly a statement, partly a question. How about if we just enjoy some dinner and talk. Maybe take a walk after? I'm guessing that it happens when you least expect it. I'd like to be near you when that happens. I'd be more of a help that way."
She takes a sip of her wine. She looks at his face. Nice face. Nice boy. Okay a man. But a very young man. Down Deanna. He came to you with a problem, not a proposition.
"It's very common for the psycic abilities to present themselves later, often during puberty. Obviously you are....well past puberty. So I can't really put my finger on it, but I wouldn't rule anything out either."
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He shook his head at her apology. "I understand. It's... I can't seem to control it, and it's frankly getting on my nerves." He smiled a little shyly again. "Well, there was the one that started it all, but... I think it freaked her out." He nodded. "Dinner and a walk sounds like a good idea. Socializing a bit, relaxing me. It seems to not happen as often when I am stressed and busy."
He listened intently to her explanation. "I understand. And... You're right."
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She smiles back, looking away to avoid embarrassing him further. "People are afraid of what they don't understand."
She pulls up the screen for ordering to avoid dealing with the waitress. She puts in her order then turns the screen to face Jannick.
"Relaxation can help. Eventually though it will take some work, if you really want to get to the bottom of it. Just out of curiosity, did you approach me because I am a betazoid or because I am the chief counselor here?"
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He looked at the menu as she turned it towards him, considering the options. "It is a combination of things. You looked safe... Pretty and safe... And betazoid." This time he kept the blushing under control.
He tapped the screen a few times, marking his selection down. A thought pressed on about a bottom he would like to get to, but he pushed it away with a frown. He couldn't go around having thoughts like that around a betazoid, or a counselor. It just wasn't right.
.........
"Betazoid and human, but you know that since you checked me out." She smiles. "I'm not sure how I feel about 'safe'. " But she laughs lightly, so he knows she kidding around. She relaxes with her wine and listens to the music, waiting for him to order. Something makes her turn her head, an impression. She thinks to say to him, 'are you sure you're even trying here?' but just smiles and keeps it to herself.
"Lets's just suppose that you have latent abilities that are coming to the surface, now, like you say with some..chemical changes. Where I come from we celebrate such occurances. Don't look so glum. This could be really great for you." She smiles, taps her glass with a fingernail for emphasis.
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He chuckled at the laughter. "I understand what you mean. Looks can be deceiving, but... You feel safe, even with the dangers that lurk under the surface."
He raised a brow as she explained about the latent abilities. "Celebrate it? So far, it has only caused me stress and confusion." He frowned, shifting forward in his seat as he sat up straighter. "Every time it has happened, except for the one time here in front of you, it's been like a whirlwind of... Everything." His breath caught in his throat as he tensed. A faint whisper had been growing in the back of his mind, unnoticed with her so close to him. Now it had grown past the point where he could ignore it. He closed his eyes and tried to picture the calm still waters that had helped him before, but the waters would not be still. All that came to his mind was rolling waves and howling winds.
The turmoil inside him was palpable to the half-betazoid across the table from him. It was clear that he was struggling with it, trying to keep something inside under control.
.......
He was not ready to hear what a blessing psychic ability is, or how amazing it is to sense everyone around you. She shouldn't be diagnosing anything she is not sure about. And he feels like he is about to explode. She stands and takes his arm, half yanking, her eyes to his eyes to say, 'come, we're going' and that there would be no arguing about it.
She walks with him out of the restaurant and down a maze of corridors. She remains silent, holding onto his arm, to not make a scene, helping him to her office. When they are away from the chaos of the promenade, she speaks.
"Tell me about the whirlwind. Talk about what you mean by 'everything'."
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When she touched him, everything changed. He followed her in a daze, the constant myriad of images and sounds overwhelming his senses. Everything she saw and sensed passed through him, but without the benefit of her mental guards. "It's... Sounds... Pictures... Everywhere... I can't... Can't stop it." His eyes closed as she guided him away from the promenade. Getting some distance to the crowds helped a little and he caught his breath. "It's... Overwhelming. So much... Information. I can't filter it, can't focus."
He clung to her as they walked. "It's... Calming, but there is still.. So much."
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In her office, Deanna guides Jannick to the couch to lie down. She puts a cold pack under his neck and grabs a medical tricorder. She debated taking him to medical. She hopes she won't regret not doing so but she was trying to spare him the extra scrutiny. She takes his vitals and sits down in a chair near the couch. She looks into his eyes and grabs his wrist, feeling for his pulse.
"Attempt to narrow down your vision. Not with your eyes, but with your other senses, what you are hearing and seeing. Try and focus on one thing. It takes some practice, but you can do it. You're strong. If you have to, close your eyes so that you can't see me or my office."
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