Conversation with the Counselor

Posted on Wed Jan 14th, 2026 @ 1:06pm by Lieutenant Amber Laurell & Lieutenant Commander Kuzos

1,618 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: 7. Guile
Location: Counselor's Office
Timeline: Current

Kuzos approached the counselor's office as he remembered his promise to her. She wanted to learn about the Vorta and he said he would gladly give her the information she sought. Arriving at her door, he jabbed a finger at the chime to let her know she had a visitor. he hoped he wasn't interrupting a session but he was free and didn't want to put this off. Plus he liked the counselor, not romantically (she had a boyfriend) but as a friend. She was warm and witty and seemed to take an interest in those she was dealing with. She was also the first member of the crew outside the commodore and the ice cold commander zh'Roothi he had met and after a brief moment of uncertainty on her part, she warmed up and let her cheerful personality take over and as the humans say, the rest was history.

Amber was just about to see a patient out when the door chime rang, opening the door she bid the crewman farewell and turned her attention to Kuzos. “Hello Commander, is everything alright? I never know whether surprise arrivals at my door are good or bad.”

Kuzos smiled. "Hello Counselor. Everything is fine. I did not know if this was a good time to for you to begin to learn more about Vortas. If not I can return at another time of your choosing."

“Now is a perfect time Kuzos” Amber smiled warmly. “I have some free time so please make yourself at home. Would you like anything to drink, or a snack?”

"Wonderful!" His smile even brighter than before. "Would it be possible to have a bowl of peanuts? I discovered them when I was in the lounge and have developed an affinity for them. That is if it is not too much trouble."

“By all means!” Amber grinned and went to the replicator returning a few moments later with a small tray containing bowls of peanuts. “I wasn’t sure which you’d prefer so I ordered a mixed tray for you.” Putting the tray down she took a seat.

Kuzos smiled brilliantly at her, "Thank you Counselor. Your consideration is greatly appreciated." he looked at the bowl, "Would you care for some?" he asked offering the bowl to her.

“Thank you” Amber smiled politely taking a few. “So how do you think the Vorta we rescued will do now? They seem quite resilient so I’m imagining they’ll thrive in their new colony?”

"An astute observation." Kuzos replied. "I believe after the shock of them being removed from their previous home, they will after a period of adjustment thrive in their new colony. They are a hardy stock."

Amber nodded. “It’s a shame we got off on the wrong foot with them to start, I’d like to avoid that in the future if we encounter any more Vorta that is.”

Kuzos nodded. "Yes but you have nothing to feel bad about. You did all you could to help them. You are to be commended for your actions and willingness to help."

“Thank you Kuzos” Amber smiled warmly. “I try to help in any way I can, though using my telepathic gifts so much like that was pretty hard. I tend to rely more on my empathic senses.”

"You are quite skilled with both of your gifts Counselor as well as your use of them. I think the crew is most fortunate to have you onboard and available for them to talk to and get the help they need if that is required. A personal observation if you please, you have a very calming nature. It puts others at ease and it makes it easy to talk to you."

“I like to put people at ease, there’s nothing worse than being confronted with a stern therapist.” Amber grinned. “I prefer to gain the trust of my patients instead of going off of what’s in their file. Plus I like to be a part of the family aboard a starship.”

"I would say that approach works very well for you and you should be very proud of your achievements." Kuzos replied as he took a few more peanuts.

“Being new to the crew I wanted to get settled by getting to know everyone well, the last mission definitely gave me a chance to get integrated that’s for sure!” Amber smiled before eating a few of the peanuts as well. “So tell me more about your people Kuzos.”

Kuzos nodded at her words. I can relate to being new to the crew and I confess I still find it awkward to be on the bridge of the Federation flagship but I am getting better with it." He paused as he considered her question. "The Vorta serve the Founders. We serve as their administrators, our duties are varied they can range from being military commanders to planetary governors to diplomats and scientists to being aides directly to the Founders as Weyoun is to Founder Odo. To serve the Founders is a great honor."

“So I understand” Amber nodded. “I’ve never had the honour of meeting Odo, but I’ve obviously heard of him.”

"A truly great individual." Kuzos's voice took on a tone of deep respect. "I hope someday you get the opportunity to make his acquaintance and see for yourself."

“I would very much like that” Amber smiled. “Right now though I want to hear all about your homeworld, I’m curious what it must be like.”

"I too would like that very much. It was Founder Odo who selected me for this assignment. But I am off topic, forgive me. You asked about Kurill Prime. It is a beautiful world. Lush and vibrant Green with beauty, with dense forests with hearty vegetation and towering trees. It has several bodies of water, oceans I believe you would call them which border pristine shorelines. There are also smaller lakes and ponds that dot the landscape." His eyes taking a faraway look as he spoke of his homeworld.

“It sounds lovely” Amber smiled warmly. “Perhaps you could show me on the holodeck one day? I’m very much a lover of nature and beauty.”

"It is. My words do not adequately describe it's beauty and nothing would please me for than to show it to you even if we use the holodeck." Kuzos replied, happy Amber was as excited as he was.

“I’ll return the favour and show you my favourite places on Betazed.” Amber offered. “There are some truly beautiful places. Have you ever been to Betazed?”

Kuzos bowed his head, "I have not." He admitted and hearing you describe it. I wish I had visited. However, I would like to see it even on the holodeck."

“Then we should book a holodeck sometime, we can share our favourite places.” Amber smiled.

Kuzos's smiled grew brighter and more brilliant, "What a truly marvelous idea! I look forward to our sharing. I am sure it will be a most pleasurable endeavor."

Amber nodded. “I’ll book us some time and let you know when, in the meantime tell me about the types of cuisine you have on your world.”

"That would be wonderful!" Kuzos answered and thought on Amber's question. "I can tell you it is not as diverse as the cuisine humans have," He said with a smile. "We like Kava nuts and rippleberries along with other nuts and berries. Also we like vegetables. I have found the cuisine here to be delightful especially these salted peanuts."

“So I see” Amber grinned motioning to the peanuts. “We have uttaberries on Betazed, they're quite strong in flavour and are one of my favourite berries. They can be used for just about anything, but the wine tends to be more of an aphrodisiac so it’s best drunk in moderation.”

"I shall have to try them as well as the wine. I do not believe it would have any effect on me." Kuzos replied as he took some more peanuts. "Though I cannot be sure until I try it."

“Are your people immune to the effects of alcohol?” Amber asked curiously.

Kuzos smiled, "My people are immune to most poisons and as for alcohol. it has no affect on us Counselor." He smiled, "Were you planning on getting me drunk?" He inquired with his trademark smile.

“Not at all” Amber grinned. “Believe it or not Betazoids don't hold their liquor very well, too many and we get well and truly drunk!”

"I believe you Counselor. You have no reason to mislead me and i certainly don't want you getting drunk." Kuzos admitted with a smile.

“Trust me I’ve done it once and truly regretted it!” Amber grinned. “I know my limits so I stick to them.”

"Yes, sometimes the lessons we learn in our youth that produce the not expected results are the best learned and remembered." Kuzos answered taking some more peanuts.

“I wish everyone saw things the way you do Kuzos, you’d be surprised how many people don't. Not everyone learns their lesson even as an adult.”

Kuzos nodded, "Thank you Counselor. May I also say that you are also very clear minded. Think of the pain we could have spared ourselves and others if we had learned those lessons."

“I always talk about lessons and what we learn with my patients.” Amber smiled. “It’s an important area of development.”

"I quite agree Counselor. These lessons we learn can prevent trouble and hardship later on." Kuzos added.

Amber nodded ignoring a sudden dizzy spell. She was starting to like Kuzos, perhaps Vorta weren’t so bad after all.

RSS Feed