MacKenzie sat behind the desk in her ready room trying to get a read on the newest Artemis recruit. The young engineer proved to be a man of few words, seemingly disinterested in revealing anything personal or anything more deep than only the most superficial answers. This tactic was likely not only intentional, but to the engineer's benefit. For a moment, she wondered if K'Wara had tipped off the new officer, but she brushed the thought aside just the same. Her honesty about wanting to airlock one of her former first officers after the destruction of her ready room and the prized contents it contained was a bit too personal of a revelation for a first meeting between a new officer and their captain, but it was too late for the auburn-haired MacKenzie to take it back now.
Tarsan: It uh, sounds like he wasn't your favourite.
Talos Dakora wasn't entirely a disaster - he did have several redeeming qualities, in MacKenzie's opinion - but his overall dereliction of duty left his former CO with a bitter taste in her mouth. For what was not the first time in this conversation, MacKenzie let the long silence hang over the room until finally she rested her arms on the desk, clasped her hands, and leaned forward slightly.
MacKenzie: Has anyone ever told you you're a man of few words, Mr. Tarsan?
Tarsan: ::wryly:: Often... I was a pretty quiet kid.
MacKenzie: A trait you apparently didn't outgrow...
She paused for a moment, watching the young engineer chew on the words until finally he offered a shrug.
Tarsan: ::pausing:: I uh... I was pretty late into my telepathy. So I didn't... socialise well. It kinda sucks when everyone can talk at you and you can't talk back.
MacKenzie sat back in her chair, letting her clasped hands fall into her lap. She wasn't sure what kind of information he might be interested in revealing, but she was sure she hadn't prepared herself for that.
MacKenzie: That must have been quite frustrating for you...
Tarsan: ::nodding:: Yeah, it's pretty obvious, huh? Sorry, Captain.
MacKenzie: Tell me more about that - it was obviously quite a challenge for you, so how did you work to overcome it?
And when, exactly, did she become a counselor?
Tarsan: Response
MacKenzie: How did that feel? Is that something you still think about often?
Tarsan: Response
She tried offering a reassuring smile.
MacKenzie: I'm sure that wasn't easy... (beat) So, what made you think Starfleet was the right choice for you?
Tarsan: Response