Pencil Portraits

Posted on Tue Jan 23rd, 2024 @ 12:40am by Captain Mikoto Misaka & Lieutenant Harper Matthews

1,171 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: The Search
Location: Ten Forward Lounge, Deck 10

Harper took some downtime when she could to do something that she found quite helpful to escape. Drawing.

Sitting by the windows of the lounge she looked down at the different people on the ship going around their business, eating, drinking and socialising. Even though the ship had recently been attacked by the Maquis and the Bismarck was heavily sought after, the crew were still in pretty decent spirits.

Harper had a cup of tea on the table next to her, steam still rising from the hot liquid, a pad and a pencil as she drew one of the bar staff behind the bar.

The large doors of ten forward opened as several personnel made their way into the room, chatting and talking as they did. Only a few steps behind them followed Captain Misaka. She stopped just inside the large social space allowing the doors to close behind her as she looked around.

It only took her a few brief seconds to spot who she was looking for. In one hand she held a PADD. She lifted it up and looked at it, checking its contents before moving over to where Harper was sat.

Harper felt a presence move into her personal space. Looking up from her drawing pad and saw the Captain. Quickly she placed her pad and pencil down and went to stand. "Captain!" she said with a touch of alarm. "Sorry ma'am, I didn't see you!"

Misaka couldn't help but allow a small smile emerge on her face. "That's ok Lieutenant. I've been told I can be quite light-footed when I need to be." she said. She pointed to the chair opposite the counsellor. "May I?"

"Yes, of course." Harper went to move her drawing pad but it ended up opening up onto what she had been drawing. The scene depicted the bar, all the intricate bottles, the design, the layout and then the Andorian that was tending the bar in exceptional detail. "I'll just get that out of your way captain."

"You're good," Misaka said as she caught a look at the drawing as she sat down. She placed the PADD on the table face up. It showed Harper's personnel file. "So then Lieutenant, any idea why I might be here?"

"Oh, thank you. It's just a little hobby of mine." Harper replied with a soft smile as the Captain got a little more comfortable and placed the PADD down. "I have an idea, but am I too optimistic to think you are just here for a portrait request for your ready room?" she asked rhetorically.

Misaka smirked. "Well, thats something I might have to consider..." she replied. "I understand that Counsellor Maxwell was killed in the Maquis attack..."

"He was ma'am." Harper said with remorse. "I didn't really get to know him, but a loss of anyone is hard to bear. I've been trying my best to pick up what he was doing. Speaking to his patients, organising new sessions with new counsellors we have on board."

"From what I've heard, you've done more than just 'try'" Misaka responded before a brief silence fell between them. "I've been looking at your file, you've got plenty of experience in counselling. Have you ever considered going for something higher?"

"Well, I am pretty new here ma'am." Harper didn't like stepping on toes. "I have ambitions to rise through ranks and positions, and I did fill the Chief Counsellors role on the Dumbarton whilst Commander McCabe went on maternity, but I like to earn my positions." she felt like she was talking herself out of something that hadn't been offered yet. "And I've still got a lot to learn."

"Hmm." Misaka said as she rubbed her chin in thought. "I appreciate your honesty." she told her as she seemed to ponder through several thoughts. "If you were offered the role as Chief Counsellor, until we can find a replacement. Would that be something you might be interested in?" Misaka asked.

"Of course." Harper replied instantly, maybe a little too eagerly. "I mean, I'd do what I can to help the ship and the crew, and truthfully there's little difference in being the Assistant Chief, than being a department head... except more paperwork." she mused.

"You should try being a Captain..." Misaka replied with a smirk. "Then, how about you take on that role here?" she suggested. "I'll be honest with you, the amount of candidates that want to serve on a Galaxy Class would stretch from here to Earth. Not only is it a lot of work for me to find the right person, but its getting them here and then they come here not knowing anyone."

"However... You're already here. More than qualified and already know the crew. What do you say?" Misaka asked.

"Of course Captain." Harper said feeling a swell in her chest. Granted it wasn't ideal circumstances that had led to it, and it was a lot sooner than she'd planned for, but she didn't want to let the Captain down. "I'll do my best."

"Ok. Well, from now on you'll be the chief counsellor of this ship." Misaka said simply giving her a nod of the head. "I'll get everything sorted with the exec."

"All hail the chief..." was something that invaded Harper's mind at the most inopportune moment.

She shook it away in her mind and smiled at the Captain. "No problem ma'am, and thank you, for trusting me with this." Being in charge of over 1000 people's mental health was no easy undertaking.

Misaka gave her a small nod of the head. "We'll be counting on you from now on," she said before she pushed back on her chair and rose to her feet. She picked up the counsellor's drawing pad and looked at it once more. She handed it gently back. "You really are good..."

"Thank you ma'am." Harper accepted the drawing pad back and held it a little closer to her chest. She was almost going to say that she should see her paintings but this wasn't the time to be boastful. "I'll try and keep the crew as sane as I can." she said also rising to see the Captain off.

Misaka smiled as she looked back at the counsellor. "Staff briefings are every Monday 08:00 in the Observation Lounge on Deck One. You should also check out the Chief Counsellors Office and suite. They're yours now." With that said Misaka began to walk away towards the doors of Ten Forward.

"Yes ma'am. I'll set a reminder in my diary." Harper replied. The thought of using Maxwell's office made her feel itchy, uncomfortable. Not long ago he had been sitting in there himself and now she was taking his place... no he could not be replaced. She was simply trying to fill his shoes as best she could. He would want her to succeed, and she would do her best not to let him down.

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Posting by

Captain Mikoto Misaka
Commanding Officer

Lieutenant Harper Matthews
Chief Counsellor

 

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