A New Approach

Posted on 26 Aug 2021 @ 4:42pm by Commander Calliope Zahn & Jeestroyet Atraix - Spa & Wellbeing Center

Mission: M2 - Sanctuary
Location: Well Being Center, Promenade, OC
Timeline: MD07 ~1600Hrs
1769 words - 3.5 OF Standard Post Measure

Coming into the health spa was a very noticeable change in atmosphere. For one thing, the color of the lighting shifted, away from the warmish glow of the Promenade general lighting, into a more day-light blue. It made the air seem cooler, Calliope thought. But perhaps it really was cooler, too. There were sounds, although she wouldn't quite term them to be music. More like soft, mellow tones. Calliope felt familiar with those sounds since Walker had employed something similar when demonstrating to Calliope how to meditate. The reception area was presently empty, attended only by full, tasteful flower arrangements that lent a sweet hint to the cool air, amending the music with notes of nectar. They seemed all the more friendly in the pristine, newly furnished room with the glossy reception desk.

Calliope leaned into her cane, soaking the peaceful moment alone into her pores and trying to manage her nerves. After her unplanned adventure and about twenty hours of sleep— during which she inadvertently skipped her appointment time for her regular check up— she'd received a royal dressing down from Mazur. Rank or not, it didn't matter when it came to a doctor whose report could break you; there was little choice but to take it with a murmur. Calliope wasn't sure there was anything left of her to break in her body or her career or her relationships. So the words and sentiments had just washed over her— all of Mazur's disapproval about her patient being allowed off station, about the set back to the treatment caused by Corduke's suppressor trick. Calliope didn't regret any of it. She'd brought a major security matter to the light of day and she'd been given just enough dignity to discuss it. To her mind, the cost was what it was for what had to be done. To Mazur's thinking however, she was being irresponsible with her own health again. When Mazur set back the date for Calliope's release from sickbay, Calliope didn't raise any argument out loud. Instead she decided she needed to find another option than sitting around waiting to get better. Waiting to heal.

She needed to buy back her health and her time, and generally there was always a way to trade something for time. In this case money. There was plenty of money in her account. In the past she'd never had a qualm spending it on finding a way to get a hold of her old prescription. Today she needed to use it to find someone who would work with her intensively, to put her back on her feet faster than Medical could.

In spite of how pleasant as it was, Calliope stood in the waiting room, being sick and tired of waiting.

Jeestroyet came out of one of the holorooms and stopped as she saw someone waiting in the waiting area. She had not been expecting anyone and the computer had not informed her that someone was waiting in the reception area. A quick glance over the woman made her recognise the woman but she would leave that decision on whether she let her know that she was the Executive Officer in her hand.

“Hello.. I am sorry. I was not expecting anyone and the computer did not alert me. I am Jeestroyet.” She introduced herself holding out her hand in a human gesture that seemed universal.

Calliope shook the woman’s hand. “Oh, that’s alright. I just had some questions if you’re not too busy at the moment.”

“Let’s talk then? Water? Tea? Coffee?” The young Betazoid gently shook the woman’s hand before indicating the plush looking sofa. She did not imply that it was before Calliope fell down but she was pretty sure that she might if a seat of some type was not offered.

She had gotten used to how to lower herself into a seat so as not to appear to flop over, but it involved some positioning herself with the cane and gripping the sofa so the way down was more of a controlled fall. Calliope shifted upright even though leaning back into the cushions was tempting. She’d slept nearly an entire night and day! And still she was sure this sofa was comfortable enough to curl into a ball and give it a trial stretch of a nap.

“Water. Water is fine, thank you.”

“I prefer water myself at this time of day.” The small brunette said, making conversation to fill the compartment up. It was nice to have someone in the space even if it was not quite finished yet and looking a little barren. Jeestroyet nodded and moved to the replicator ordering a jug of water with ice and lemons and glasses. She poured them both a glass before sitting next to the woman. “So you have questions Co… what would you like to be called by myself?”

Giving a thought, Calliope accepted the water. The human looking woman had the classically dark Betazoid eyes. Maybe she’d been sensing her name. “Calliope. I'm not really sure where to begin, Ms....”

“Jeestroyet… but most people call me Jees. Easier on the tongue.” Jeestroyet answered her question simple. “It is easy to know who you are, Calliope. Anyone can see who the Command Staff of the Obsidian Command are but I prefer to ask and to start professional or personal relationships off with knowing correct names or pronouns.”

Calliope rubbed the back of her neck and took a slow drought of the lemon water, collecting herself to respond. “Ah well, I’m… not on the Command Staff any longer. Probably I was listed as such when you came aboard so, no fault of yours.” She performed that pained surface smile that people gave when a subject was sore. “All that aside,” she moved on quickly. “I’ve been undergoing some medical treatments for some weeks now, and the recovery has been laying me really low. When I try to do anything I end up paying for it in muscle aches, exhaustion, nausea and puking. Everyone wants me to lay still until it’s over, but it’s too frustrating just *waiting*. I need to have a better approach than that. I was wondering if you contracted as a health coach.”

When someone was ill people instantly went to the old age approach of rest but That approach was not always the best for everyone. Jeestroyet cocked her head to the side at the word health coach. She had been contracted several times as that but each time it had been for a different focus or need. “And what would you require as a health coach?” She wondered, hoping her phrasing was gentle enough.

“Essentially, what I would like to do is convince my doctor of an outpatient plan, in place of the current mixed inpatient overnight situation. A plan in which she could feel reasonably confident I was making progress. I know I’ll recover better at home.”

Jeestroyet nodded at the woman. Ironically, the majority of people tended to be concerned about their health after something major has occurred and looking for something more to go alongside the more modern. The truth that Jeestroyet had found is if people consistently take good care of their health there would be less need for emergency care. “Well I am certainly glad you are approaching this alongside more traditional medicine I would not be interested at all as we both have our places in healing mind, body and soul.” Jeestroyet shifted her long braid over her shoulder and looked at Calliope carefully. “My approach is that I care for all parts of a patient and I recognise that sometimes we are not always going to be winning cause everyone is different. What worked for someone in the past might not work for you so it will be a lot of discussing and trying stuff out.” Jeestroyet was not afraid of hard work but she wanted the woman to know that she would not have all the answers straight away.

“I’m willing to try. You should also probably know I’m not exactly spiritual, but I’ve seen enough to know there’s more going on than science and medicine can test in a lab. I’ll try to be open minded and I try to give anything sensible a fair shake.”

“I do not do anything that is not sensible or has been used in some cases for thousands of years somewhere in the universe.” Jeestroyet assured holding out a PADD. “This is the menu of things that I offer here. It ranges from yoga and massage to Andorian tai chi.” It was one of her favourite tai chi variants.

Resting her cane across her lap, Calliope accepted the Padd and glanced through it. “I’m not sure where to start,” she admitted. “I’m having a lot of trouble with balance and strength and joints and just fatigue overall. I suppose something very simple for stretching and movement? And something treatment-wise for muscles and joints? I’ve… never wanted to do any spas or massage. I guess you might say I’m a little self conscious. But maybe I should try.” She smiled as she played it down, even while in truth she was really terrified of being under dressed in a robe with strangers touching her. But at the same time she wanted to heal and get back to life and business. Massage was a good candidate for her pains.

Jeestroyet nodded. She knew what it was to be self conscious, she had not always been self assured and composed. “We can go as fast or slow as you need here, Calliope. Yoga, tai chi, and pilates are all great for a person who is building back to strength and fitness. We can go for them, get comfortable with each other before a massage,” Jeestroyet offered. She knew she was professional and had fantastic references from civilian and Starfleet alike but sometimes trying was believing.

“Can I begin this evening, by any chance?”

Jeestroyet was taken back for a moment but nodded. She had not been sure the woman would even go for it but it seemed that Jeestroyet was wrong and the woman wanted to proceed and proceed quickly. “I have an hour if you have an hour.” She assured the officer quickly.

Calliope knocked back the rest of the water and returned the glass with the padd. “I’m ready when you are.” She set her cane into the floor. “Just point me in the right direction.”