A Companion notices that the ship's human's livesuit is picking up on wild, unusual fluctuations in hormones related to emotions and high stress. On questioning, the human informs them that, due to a somewhat negligent upbringing and poor socialization as a child and adolescent, they suffer from underdeveloped emotional maturity... that will never fully develop. That ship has sailed, and they were NOT on board.
The explanation is delivered in a calm, somewhat bored tone, with a bland facial expression. The livesuit readout indicates a massive accompanying adrenal response, along with a host of other unpleasant chemical releases associated with fear and anxiety. -- Anon Guest
Human Mar had volunteered for Companion Live-monitoring. Most Ships' Humans preferred not to do that until they were in deep distress. They viewed it as an invasion of privacy. Human Mar must have had their reasons and Companion Fu decided not to pry. That was for a special bonding moment or something. When Human Mar was feeling more comfortable.
According to the Med records, Human Mar's adrenal levels were at baseline or normal. According to the Human Companion Manual, they were at fifteen percent above the average Human baselines. There were so many pings at hazard spike levels that Fu had to breach her personal protocols and ask an invasive question.
"Human Mar, have we missed a set of comfort requirements? I have noted that your anxiety indicators are well above normal. You are not at peace. Is there something that can be done?"
The response was a bored, well-rehearsed monotone. A recitation well-worn through practice. "I have an anxiety disorder from both being a Deregger rescue and a literal lifetime of bad parenting. There's no such thing as parenting licenses on GD Lower South-East. I was well damaged and this is the best that literal years of therapy has been able to accomplish. I am taking my meds regularly and I'll never be cured. Just always approach where I can see you and I'll be fine."
"Ah. I see." Some things were difficult to understand in depth. Humanity was considered, as a species, insane. They were Deathworlders. It went with the territory. The entire plethora of problems caused by the lack of proper parenting protocols was one of the more baffling corners of some Terran deep-time colonies[1]. Nevertheless, it helped to be supportive. "If you need anything, I am here to provide comfort and support."
"Just... stop me buying plushies the size of any given cogniscent and I'll be fine. I promise," a wan smile. Showing appreciation without genuine happiness. "The bonus to this is that I'm hyper-away for any threat."
Companion Fu was compelled to say, "That is not necessarily a good thing."
"Well aware. Therapy's on Threesdays[2] if you want to join the afternoon sesh."
Any invitation to a bonding activity was a good one. "I shall clear my calendar at my earliest convenience. Thank you."
[1] Earth once had an abundance of one-way wormholes, which would fling travelers and their supplies across space at FTL speeds, and therefore backwards in time, according to the laws of relativity. Once there, there was no way to get back alive. As you might imagine, the opportunity to make a world in your own image was too great to resist for a great many of the lunatic fringe.
[2] The Galactic Standard Calendar has a ten-day week, a four-week month, a ten-month year, and an astonishing lack of imagination when it comes to naming things. Only Humans find this at all confusing.
[Image (c) Can Stock Photo / Eraxion]
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