Exposing Ones Emotions
Posted on 19 Jun 2023 @ 7:15pm by Lieutenant Cassandra Higgins-Stevens & Civilian Iola Hawkins
Mission:
R&R - Styx Outpost 2
Location: Holodeck three
1228 words - 2.5 OF Standard Post Measure
ON
It had taken only a few moments to set the program up, a further endeavour to expose Iola to her new situation by making her face one part of her recent past, giving her the opportunity to speak her mind, bare her soul and finally have her say. Cassie had shut down the main focus of the program for the time being leaving a projection of Iola Hawkins quarters running as the backdrop for what she had planned. Iola had already been informed of the change of location for the next session and she had been given no real warning about what Cassie had planned.
Uncertain of what to expect, Iola walked into the holodeck, only to be faced with an exact replica of her own quarters. "What is this?" She demanded out loud, "why create my home? Why?"
"This is session two of your therapy and I thought a more familiar location would be easier for what we need to cover!"
Cassie heard the anger in Iola's tone of voice and it gave the Counselor some hope that perhaps the young Orion wasn't a lost cause after all.
"This might be a tad uncomfortable, hence the surroundings!"
"That is unacceptable," she said, tears streaming down her cheeks, "why would you do that, what is the point of recreation when we could be in the real place. This is not real ."
At that point in time, 'Michael' came walking out from where the bathroom was, dressed in his uniform of engineering pausing in his tracks when he sees Iola. "What's the matter, why are you crying? " what appeared to be a genuine expression of concern crossing over his features.
"This is a chance for you to get things of your chest. Say to him what you didn't get the chance to say... I can wait outside if you like but this is the first step on the road to your healing and finding your own place in life" Cassies tone was soft, genuinely hoping Iola would take this for what it was. She needed the emotional release and the man that she needed to accept the brunt of what Iola was feeling was now stood infront of her. "I know how you must feel, and you can hate me all you want but I am trying to help you!"
Iola whirled around at.the sound of Michael's voice, which was rendered so accurately, for a moment she believed he was really here. "How do you know how I feel," she all but whispered as she stared at the holographic rendition of the man she had loved. She took a step closer to the hologram. "I'm hurting," she whispered, raising a hand to touch him, but faltering halfway. "You're gone, and I'm alone now."
Michael looked at Iola, reaching out to take her hand, linking his fingers with hers, "You are not alone, I maybe gone but you are not truly alone." There was a warmth in his eyes, "Iola, you need to remember you've got a strength inside, you have always been strong. Look at what you've done before I came along. You have been the emissary between those on the Andromeda and Agora Crossing. If you didn't have that strength inside you, would your Father, the Don have sent you out to be his representitive? I think not. Its something I have spoken to you time and time again. Have you forgotten the hours of studying you've done so far?"
It was so easy to forget this wasn't real, so perfect was the program. But the hologram was right, she had worked hard but it wasn't just her effort, it had been his too. His endless support... She shook her head, tears flowing freely. "I will never forget," she promised, "because I couldn't have come this far without your support and your love....and now I need to discover how to continue without it ... and what do I tell your family? Do they even know of me?"
Cassie gently and quietly retreated across the room, finding a spot in the dinning area. It was darker, shrouded in darkness, or at least just enough that she could melt into the background and let this play out.
"I sent them a message and told them about you, they were surprised but were not angry either. They know about us having gotten married, so you do not need to worry about explaining anything to them." Michael wiping away Iola's tears. "You will succeed, you will be able to be more than what you ever thought you could be. Keep doing your studying, learn more of life and learn to be truly free. That is all I have ever wanted for you. And that you could become more than what you feel you are. A lot of the learning process of things is self education, you are intelligent and will be able to catch onto what you need to learn and explore life there is a great amount of wonder out there to be experienced." Michael giving a soft smile.
Michael looked towards where the mostly hidden Cassandra was sitting, then leaned in and placed a kiss upon Iola's head. "Anything else you'd like to say before my time is up?" he whispered as he gave Iola a warm embrace. "I do want to say, I am sorry for the mistakes that had been made, just try to find happiness, it will come about. It may take some time, but it will come."
Iola nodded slowly. "I will reach out to your family," she promised, "and I will continue to study. I want you to be proud of me, like I was proud to have you for a husband. You were one of the first to treat me properly." She wrapped her arms around the holographic, seemingly sentient, version of her first love. "I will never forget you and what you have done for me," she vowed.
To Cassandra he called out, "I hope you will find happiness as well, Cassie, as you certainly deserve it too. And I am sorry, I am sorry I hadn't had the chance to have gotten to know you better."
The Counselor remained silent, she would have her moment but it wasn't going to happen or at least not today.
Iola stepped back, creating a small distance. "I'll be alright, eventually," she whispered, "I just wish we would've had more time."
Michael gave a nod with a saddened expression in his eyes. "Sadly things just happen when you least expect them to. He looked around the holographic facsimile of hte quarters. "Well, I think my time is up. Be well Iola, and the same for you Cassandra. Both of you do what you can to heal." Michael stepping back, the image fluctuated shrinking to that of a firefly, its small glow permeating a small warmth in this room, flying to the ceiling of the holoroom then disappearing.
Still in the daker corner of the room Cassie finally made her presence known again, asking softly "Would you like some time here alone?"
Iola shook her head. "No I think I'll go clean up my home...right some wrongs....thank you counselor."
Hologram Michael Hawkins
Ghost or Holo-person or both
USS Andromeda
Iola Hawkins
Crossroads liaison
pnpc Aidan
Lieutenant Cassandra higgins
Ships Counsellor
USS Andromeda
