SD 05/29/04 - "Lynxl of Arabia and the Talking Tiger" At least the atmosphere was relaxing, with some noteable exceptions.
Lera still wanted a counseling session, sooner rather than later even though it meant having Lynx as the counselor despite their differences. At other times she could have had Cosmos Ennin heading it, but he's had his hands full with not only Demian under medical leave but also injuries related to the once again high number of malfunctions. So we headed to the holodeck. She clearly wanted the session, but didn't trust Lynx completely, thinking she might pull something such as a play on me. I reminded her of her engagement to Dammers, but she wasn't convinced.
We got to the holodeck, and as always Lynx took us by surprise. The scene was that of an Arabian tent, with appropriate wear for each of us. Lynx was certainly dressed for the part. Tarra was dressed more like a scimtar-armed palace guard, Lynx hinting she was to make sure we'd stay the hour. I thought I saw her eyes a bit moist as if crying, but she seemed pleased with herself. Maybe Lynx told her the funniest joke she heard in a while.
After Lynx had me do some prayers, which were a little botched judging by Lynx's rolling of eyes and Tarra trying not to laugh, she asked us what the problem was. Lera complained about me running away from her under the pretext of stress when "you're not the Captain right now ... and there's other people to take care of the stuff." I responded that my position as XO is just temporary, and I'm supposed to act like a professional instead of a cadet high on hormones. Lynx then suggested a simple massage tenchinque for relaxing Lera without any lewdness, but her wording of "straddle" Lera made me hesitate. I still think she should have used some other method of getting her point across other that a whip.
Lera seemed more or less satisfied with the massage, but joked about if this was the first time I touched a naked woman. I told her despite my amnesia of pre-Starfleet days I probably had, though most of my memories of the time were blocked. I ended up mentioning that time my Uncle took it upon himself to drag me to the seedy part of town to a streetcorner to a "lady of the evening" with an uncanny resemblance to Lera. After Uncle handed over the cash, she proceeded to drag me to the alley, then flashed a badge and placed me under arrest! Two of her friends came out from a door, I stumbled, then they accused me of resisting arrest and fired a taser at me, right where it "hurts the worst" too.
That seemed to get Lera to understand my problem, somewhat. That and vauge memories of a woman I was in love with, then heartbreak as it came to a bad end.
There was one other thing, one I was hesitant to say as some guys would consider it being less of a man. I suppose some things age faster in some guys than others. I've seen centurians whom while needing a cane are still sharp as a tack. Others can run a 1000 meter race, but either lost their hair or gotten transplants. Some guys can father kids into their 80's ... Me, as I put it, while I used to occasionally sneak a peak at riskee pictures in the mail and databanks, I haven't in a long time. Maybe it's just the result of all the stress I've had to deal with on the ship. I've heard of trainees who have lost interest in those matters after about a week of boot camp. Then again, I'm no longer the spry young guy I once was.
Lynx thought she could offer a perscription that would help. She also told me she had a supply of the telepathic drug some Kzin take and offered a scan. I raised the question if it was safe, as geneticaly she's half Kzin and raised as a Caitian. After this point, Lynx left, saying she had another apointment. I'm not 100% sure on the details, but while passing the other usable holodeck not long afterwards, I thought I heard a cracking whip followed by male screams and feminine laughter. Was that Droolin's and Lynx's voices I heard in there? No, couldn't be.
On another note, I got a buliten from the EMH that Kura shifted from his "taur" from to that of a tiger, though still able to speak and more-or-less having his wits, considering he'd gotten into some catnip. Posible cause, the bite of some "furby" that he and Lott found. The EMH commented the furby itself may soon need an apointment as it was smoking a cigar! Weird.
*Addition* T'Kee hasn't been seen since that darn supply freighter beamed off our supplies. She must have been beamed off by accident. Inquires into both the supplies and T'Kee have resulted only in arguments about the supplies and denials about the Skorr. Odds are, she simply got lost in the paperwork, but something tells me the "Freedom weirdness" has claimed another fine crewman.