Karissa was walking through the park, her lunch in hand - a sandwich made fresh for her by a nearby Deli. She also had a drink. As she walked through the park in her uniform, she was looking for someone in particular. But as she walked, she didn't see him. Finally, she sat down on a bench that faced the beginning of a hedge maze. When she had more time, she would entered it, she thought to herself. It would wait for another day or so.
Tyran had finished his shopping round and decided to take a walk in the park. Maybe even visit that hot dog stand. It had great hot dogs and he was hungry. He knew they also had Scurry, a drink Danayal was fond off. He wanted to take a few cans home with him and as far as he knew it was the only that stand sold it.
After Karissa finished her sandwich and looked around, she knew Tyran was going to show up soon. She could even feel his presence . . . Taking a moment, she took a deep breath and released it, focusing on a single leaf not far from her. As she refocused her mind, she felt someone approach and was sure it was Tyran.
Tyran had bought his hot dog and was looking for a free bench in the sun, so he could eat it. In a bag he had three cans of Scurry and knew Danayal would be happy...
Karissa turned and saw him in his search. "Hi, Tyran," she said, her dark eyes gazing at him.
"Hi... and who do I have the honor meeting?" He asked with a friendly smile while he sat down next to her.
"You're the first person in a long time that hasn't confused me with my sister. You're smart enough to look at the uniform," she smiled. "I'm Karissa Bentara," she said holding out her hand. "Shara Mikori's sister."
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Tyran, the owner of the Starlight inn," he said taking her hand in greeting. "And yes, your uniform was the reason I knew you couldn't be Shara... it's too blue." He smiled.
She laughed. "Well, as you know, I've been officially made Danayal's councilor and I thought it best that we have a chance to meet so that we can both work in his best interests. Shara's already told me about his dislike of councilors which is why I'm merely approaching him as a friend . . . It's the way I've worked with other people who have had the same perceptions. But I'll need your help as well, to keep me appraised of his moods through-out the days I don't see him. It's important for me to know what his moods are like away from my presence. Not that I can't tell what's on his mind or has been on his mind, but I also find family participation a great way to bring everyone together. Even if it's not outwardly apparent."
"I understand. Yesterday I saw him smile at least. That's something because I thought he'd forgotten how... He's taken a liking to River. I believe those two are in love and completely head over heels." His smile deepened.
"I thought that might happen," she replied with a knowing glint in her eyes. "And it explains the happy humming I heard out of River this morning." She laughed softly. "They'll be good for each other, I think."
"Danayal's still very upset though. He's scared about the testing he has to go through, and he's ashamed at the same time. I'm afraid he has the potential to get hostile. Yesterday he had River with him, so he was docile, but I don't know... Dom said he was a bit too quiet."
"But I seriously doubt he wants to be in more trouble . . ." Karissa replied. "Perhaps next time I can arrange to be there. After all, I'm a friend and it wouldn't be surprising for me to stop by with something for him . ." she smiled.
"That is what I'd hoped you'd say. He has to be tested again tomorrow. He might stay calm, but being cooped up inside isn't doing him any good. He's even started throwing things at me, and yelling like a madman when I told him he couldn't go to the park today."
"I know he's under house arrest, but when can he go out under supervision . .?" she asked.
"The first week he has to stay indoors - orders from the court. I let him go to work because he doesn't have to leave the building, but that's all I can do. My hands are otherwise tied..."
"And the week is up in a few more days, right? Then he can go out under supervision . . ." she clarified.
"Yeah, then he can go with you, or me, or River... people I trust." He said gently. "But he's not listening to me now, and he's angry at the whole world for being locked up in my apartment. But he only has himself to blame."
"It'll take time, but he'll realize it eventually," Karissa replied gently. "Sometimes it takes a lot for people to realize that they have to take responsibility for themselves . . . Or not to take too much, which I see frequently too."
"I can imagine... I am glad that Shara helped me find him a suitable councilor at least, or one would have been appointed to him by the court. And that wouldn't have gone well. The kid has a lot of issues from his past to work through."
She nodded. "I could sense that," she replied. "Well, I'll do my best to get him to open up and talk . . . The problem will be if I feel he needs medications . . . But I can go through . . . Dr. Dominic Sebastian, correct?"
"Yes... What medications are we talking about? Something to suppress his aggression? He can be really aggressive. But it's not his fault."
"Well, anything that I feel might be needed to help with aggression, depression . . . anything mood related. I don't want to medicate him if I don't have to, but I want that option open in case it's necessary."
"But I bet you need my permission, because he's not 21 years old yet. But the court handles him as an adult now that he's 18. It's hard to grasp. But if you need me to sign any documents, I will. It's for his own good."
Karissa pulled a PADD from inside her uniform. "You can look over the form if you like. There's also a release of information too for Dr. Dominic Sebastian. Not that the courts haven't already deemed this necessary, but I like to feel that there is complete cooperation, so it helps to have signatures of all parties. It shows a willingness on all sides to work together, not because the courts deem it so, but because it's in someone's best interests."
"As I said, I know you're working in Danayal's best interests, and I'm willing to help you. Everyone who wants the best for him will be willing, and yes, Dominic handles the medication for Danayal normally. So you should handle any medications Danayal might require with him."
She watched as he placed his signature on the PADD and then took it back. "Well, we all do care about him . . . Shara was right in saying he's a good man. He just needs some direction . . . and together we can all do that." She smiled. "So tell me, what made you want to take him on as a foster son?" she asked curiously.
"That boy looked so scared and helpless. And I needed someone to take care of... to give my own life meaning. When he was handled as a criminal, he was only 14 years old... that stung. I planned to show that scared, abused child someone would care for him. It wasn't easy, but I love him as my own blood. For me, he is my son."
She smiled. "I can sense that," she replied. "And it's good you're firm with him, but that you still let him know you love him. He definitely needs that . . He didn't have any of that before you came into his life. I know that much. I heard him tell River about his parents. But I learned a lot more from his mind . . . The memories it brought up..."
"Yeah, his parents didn't care at all. They were both convicted of neglect." He said with a sigh. "I wish it had been different for him."
"The pain from his childhood will never completely go away," Karissa said. "The memories will always be with him . . . But in time, he'll realize that those aren't who he is . . . That he's much more than that."
"Yeah, he needs to learn that. He just has a hard time trusting people. He's scared of getting rejected. Of being hurt. Of the courts who try to guide his life in the right direction..." Tyran sighed. "The judge did set a date for the next hearing. Three weeks from now, to see if he's back on the straight and narrow."
"I see he's already made some strides. He's starting to trust me a bit. He trusts River . . ." Karissa smiled. "Though I don't know what's going to happen when he finds out the truth about me . . . But hopefully, we'll be good enough friends for him to understand . . ."
"If he discovers too soon, be prepared for a fight. And then he'll never trust you again." Tyran sighed.
"I want to be able to tell him myself," she said. "But you're right. I can't tell him right now."
"No, he needs to trust you completely first. Because now, if he were to know. He would see you as belonging to the enemy. He doesn't even want Shara around for awhile. He hasn't forgiven her yet."
"She told me," Karissa replied with a sigh of her own. "But he will forgive her eventually. Deep down, he likes her. She knows that and didn't take what he said personally."
"Yeah, that's the best way sometimes. I think you're a good friend for him. But it'll take time until he's on his own two feet. And only then can you tell him you're his councillor. The only thing that worries me is that the courts can call you to the stand to testify with him present."
"Well, I'm going to do my best to convince them that they can't use me in court yet . . . But I will find a time I can tell him myself. I won't let the courts do that. That would be crossing a line with him that he's not ready for. They'll listen to me . . . to my opinion."
"Good. Anyway, I'd better go now. Danayal's being watched by a friend, but I promised him I'd be back as soon as I could." Tyran got up. "But I'd like to meet you again."
"Want to meet again too, in say . . . a week?" she offered.
"Yeah, perfect; but then preferably somewhere warmer than here," He grinned.
She laughed. "How about the Galaxy Diner?" she suggested.
"Perfect, I'll contact you with a time. I don't know my shifts yet. It depends on Danayal. Anyway, it was nice meeting you."
"It was nice meeting you too," she replied, holding out her hand.
He took it and made a slight bow. He then left, feeling that Karissa Bentara was indeed the right one to council Danayal.
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