A Calming Presence

Posted on Thu Jul 8th, 2021 @ 5:25pm by PA For Arcade Clinic Grace Solmarr P.A. & Chief Counselor Serephima Anilon
Edited on on Thu Jul 8th, 2021 @ 5:27pm

Mission: What Lies In The Darkness
Location: Arcade Clinic
Timeline: 248001.01 13:15

It had been recently decided there would be a walk-in clinic at a central location within the Arcade of FarVoyager. This health care facility would provide minimal care, while any significant case would be sent over to the main medical center. It would be open during normal Arcade business hours, including when the ship was on high alert.

PA (Physician Assistant) Grace Solmarr was directing some supplies that had just arrived when the alert to close the Arcade was announced. Thinking about what that could mean, she blew out a breath and then shouted out orders to the few members of her small staff that were there, and right before heading over to unlock the front doors.

The clinic wasn't due to open until the next day, but Grace knew there would be pedestrians too panicked or frightened to go straight home. It wasn't long before the first grouping started to arrive.

Having been directed by the Commander to proceed to the Arcade to help keep the civilians calm, Serephima arrived just as the first group entered the small medical center. She moved to Grace, saying, “I am named Serephima Anilon. I am the Councillor. If I can be of help?”

Grace gave her a look of relief. "Oh yes. I am so glad you're here, counselor. I'm PA Grace Solmarr. Please, feel free to call me Grace."

Serephima smiled, saying, “I am pleased to meet you—Grace—I would have wished the circumstances to be different…and please call me Serephima.”

Grace smiled in return and replied, "Seraphima, it's nice to meet you." She then took a look around the room and at the couple handfuls of people inside, a trail of them extending from the entryway to the waiting area. "I think it would be best if we got everyone into the waiting area. Perhaps you could say something to them as a group to help calm them down." She looked back to her, making sure to keep her voice low, "If we come across anyone that may need a more private area to be counseled, they can be relocated to a private room. The same with anyone that may need any medical help in order to ease their anxiety. How does that sound to you?"

As she listened to Grace, she nodded in agreement and approval. “I think those ideas are very good, Grace. We must do all we can to keep everyone calm…”

Grace nodded, still smiling, "Alright, then let's do this...and any suggestions, I am very opened to them."

Serephima smiled in return, saying, “Above all else, we must offer reassurance that this is only precautionary, which, in truth, it is.” She paused for a moment, then continued, “It has also been my experience on my home world that soft sounds can be calming….”

"Okay, I'll make that happen. Lyta," she continued, while looking away, "please play some soft calm meditation music, approximately...40 decibels." A moment later the soothing music began and Grace's eyes returned to Seraphima. "How's that?" She was asking to be sure.

Serephima smiled, saying, “That is perfect. Hopefully, it will help with the anxiety.” She gestured towards the group, continuing, “Shall we begin?”

Suiting action to words, Serephima moved to the group of people standing nervously in the waiting area and began to speak, her voice projecting over the anxious murmurs but soothing at the same time.

“Calm yourselves, my friends. This is just a precaution, for your safety at this point in our current mission. You have nothing to worry about.”

She heard low voices questioning her identity and she smiled, saying, "I am named Serephima Anilon, the ship's Councillor.” Her wings opened and began to thrum softly.

Grace started directing others, who were standing over near the front desk, towards the waiting room to join the others, stopping as she saw Seraphima open her wings. It was amazing the effect counselor seemed to have over the room. And Grace could see the anxiety etched on some of their faces and in their body movements lessen.

Serephima also noted the changes in the people she faced. She smiled gently, her empathic sense telling her that her suggestions were working…

“The Commander wants above all to keep you safe,” she told them her voice taking on a soothing tone. “He will do all in his power to assure that.”

She noticed Grace watching her and smiled…

Grace warmly smiled in return, appreciative of the counselor, and, once again, of the decision to place the clinic there.


~End