Posted July 19, 2021, 11:26 a.m. by Lieutenant Cara Esmé O’Farrell (Counselor / Education Specialist) (Jennifer Ward)
Posted by Lieutenant Commander Gravel Mardusk (Chief of Security) in Lost City of Atlantis or Saoghal eile
Posted by Lieutenant Cara Esmé O’Farrell (Counselor / Education Specialist) in Lost City of Atlantis or Saoghal eile
Posted by Lieutenant Commander Gravel Mardusk (Chief of Security) in Lost City of Atlantis or Saoghal eile
(snip)
Mardusk took a bite and shook his head. “Just me and her. My dad died when I was still a baby. Made the relationship between me and my mom… hard… at times. We didn’t really get along till I was in my late teens. No cousins, no aunts or uncles or anything. Didn’t know my grandparents on either side, and mom never talked about them. So… pretty sure my family tree is some kind of bush… maybe moss.” and he laughed.
Mardusk
“I can’t stand the taste of coffee but love the smell. I will order coffee just to enjoy the aroma and never drink it. Who is the most interesting person you have ever met?”
O’FarrellMardusk looked at her for a second and said, wholly seriously, “Honestly I’d have to say you. Cheesy? Sure. Corny? Absolutely.” He leaned back and really looked at her for a moment.
“You are insightful in a way I have never known anyone to be. Its kinda cool and kinda creepy at the same time. I dig it. As in if I am doing an interrogation, I want you watching so you can tell me what I’m missing. You make these close, personal observations about people that… at least so far… have seemed almost error-free; and you do it quickly. You are direct, but playful. Tantalizing, but keep your own space. Teasing, but without innuendo. Beautiful, but without trying or relying on it. You are obviously very observant, retain what you hear and process it on the fly. You approach people with almost zero preconceptions… and that is extraordinarily rare in people of any species.” He took a drink. “I’ve met celebrities, politicians, high ranking officers, Klingon warriors, musicians, mass murderers, war heroes, prostitutes, and career criminals. I’ve wanted to know about them. But you? I actually want to know you. Not just ‘about’ you.” and he grinned.
“How’s that for justifying a cheesy pick-up line?” and he laughed.
Mardusk
Cara’s cheeks were almost as red as her hair. “Cheesy, but ‘onest. That suite me just fine.”
“I always try ta be.” he said and took a drink.
“I wish when new cadets join the counseling track at Academy they would tell us how lonely it is. I love ta socialize, be around people. I like ta help people, it’s why I’m a counselor. But it’s lonely. Ya get a few that show up for evals and don’t give no hassel about it. Ya get a lot that need ta be chased down. My favorite is the ones that make stuff up so they donna look like they’re hiddin’ somethin’.” She looked around and nodded toward a group playing a board game. “I could go over there, make small talk and they’ll all be super polite and friendly. Eventually they’ll ask me what my position is. The conversation will stop and then they’ll begin ta leave. That one will go ta get a drink, across from him will loose on purpose and call it a night, the blonde will remember she has ta get up early for an experiment and the last one - he won’t say a thing but will evaluate me ta make sure I’m not evaluatin’ the others. Then when they are gone, he’ll finish his drink, nod and leave without a word.” Cara scooped another bite of the cake. “I wouldna change what I do, but knowin’ that’s how it is might ‘ave prepared me for it. Genuine invitations, not work wrapped up all pretty as an invitation, are few and precious.”
“If you could ‘ave any pet ya wanted what would it be?”
O’Farrell
Mardusk listened and said “I can see how that would be a good point of warning for new Counselors, yeah… You know, I have never really thought of that before. BUt I can sympathize. Same goes for Security officers… at least, higher ranking ones. Higher up the ladder you go, the less people want to deal with you. When I was a JO? Oh man.. poker nights, holodeck dates, leave with friends… had a great time. When I became a team leader? Poker still happened, but it was less… animated. Now? S#!+… I don’t think anyone has asked me to just ‘hang out’ in months. At least, not any other officer. Me and the last two counselors were pretty tight…” and he smiled and said somewhat more quietly “… and I hope that trend continues.”
“I can see that. The higher up the ladder the more others see you as an ‘authority’ over them. I imagine in security people worry you are judging the legalities of their actions, as they worry I judge the appropriateness of their emotions. They see the job and not the person.” She nodded. Cara had met Revna Edman once, and the experience had always stayed with her. “I would like that. To continue that trend.” Cara smiled, leaning back, with her drink. “Well then, it’s a good thing I play cards. Maybe we should start a game for all of us poor higher ranked officers.”
“As far as a pet? Hmmm… I dunno. Something… Oh! A big cat, that’s be cool. I could be down with a big cat. What about you?”
Mardusk
“Back home I have a Connemara pony. They aren’t exactly a pet though. I ‘ave always wanted an Irish Wolfhound. Huge dogs, intelligent, loyal, and excellent swimmers. They are super gentle and very perceptive of emotions and moods, humanoid and animal. I had a friend at the Academy, his family had a Savannah cat. His parents brought it with them when they came to visit him once. Walked around with a leash and harness. On all fours it came past my knees. Apparently, Lavarra was the runt of her litter.”
O’Farrell
© 1991-2024 STF. Terms of Service
Version 1.15.11
RSS Feed