Lt Commander Ava Munro - More To Me
Luxa Lorana
((Maintenance Observation Lounge - Deck 372 - DS224))
Ava took a deep breath and released it slowly, giving herself time to think and consider the question. She had been prepared for the standard review of her service record type meeting but this was definitely going in a different direction and she was not prepared. So she took a gamble.
Munro: :: nods :: I say it because I am Starfleet, so if you want to know who I am, that is me. I was even before I knew what the word was. I believe in exploration, in understanding, in building something better than what we had before. People working together, all those different voices, different worlds, united by something greater than ourselves is our greatest strength. But mostly I’m hopeful. That annoyingly persistent kind of hope. That no matter how dark things get, there’s always a way forward and I won’t stop until I find it. Before I was even a wife, a mother, an officer. That’s who I am. That’s who I’ve always been at my core.
She didn't usually begin every relationship with a monologue but if the Captain wanted to know who she was, she had a better idea now. She just hoped that she wouldn’t have to make the trip back to the Alpha Isles.
MacKenzie blinked, aggressively biting the inside of her lip.
oO okay this wasn't going well Oo
In her mind she began to organise the route back via StarBase 118 to return home. At least Adrian would be happy, and she'd finally have to deal with whatever it was that they had to deal with.
MacKenzie: Commander, ::pointing to the pips on her own collar:: you don’t have to sell me on Starfleet. ::pointing to the pips on Munro’s collar:: I think you’ve gotten far enough along in your service to know that this is the right place for you, for all of the reasons you mentioned above.
Ava nodded in agreement.
Munro: I apologise for being so blunt, but I’d very much like to be your first officer, Captain. With that I promise I will serve you and the crew with truth, passion, dedication … always. If you’ll have me?
The captain tucked the PADD with Munro’s orders on it under her arm and gestured away from the observation lounge’s windows.
MacKenzie: Walk with me, Commander.
The two started to slowly amble away from the view of the Artemis. Ava wondered where this was going and began to compose herself, she wasn't sure what it was exactly about MacKenzie that had her rattled so much.
MacKenzie: I assume – rightfully, I think – that you are a well-rounded person. Someone whose service in Starfleet has helped shape their view of the galaxy. Yes?
Munro: I'd like to think so, sir.
MacKenzie: I’m glad to hear that. So, when I ask you about yourself, I’m not interested in your service record or what drove you to ::gestures into the air:: this, I want to know about you.
Munro: I guess I've just been so focused on this lately. It's been an interesting few months.
She began to relax more as the captain nodded slowly and smirked.
oO a good sign? Oo
MacKenzie: You’ve got a lot to learn, Commander. Your entire life can’t be about this job, otherwise this job will consume your life – and that’s no way to live.
Ava nodded, the Captain had a point.
Munro: I'll definitely take that on going forward. I may have come on a little strong, Captain. You see, until recently, I was the opposite. I had my life, it was the whole reason I was stationed on Earth. You've seen my service record but what isn't on there is the why. My daughter and then later my husband. Harper's now in Starfleet Academy and about to live her own life, make her own stories. That scares me to death but it means that I can be here now.
Ava continued to follow the Captain.
MacKenzie: Response
Munro: I didn't stop being me but there were certain parts of myself I had to put on ice :: beat :: so to speak. I think I've overcompensated in some ways but if you get to know me better :: smiles :: and I'm sure you will. You'll find that there's a lot more to me than a Starfleet delta. Some have even said I'm a lot of fun.
MacKenzie: Response
Munro: Captain, can I ask how you balance duty and personal life? If you don't mind?
They'd almost done a lap of the maintenance lounge, nervous junior officers glanced at them as they passed and scuttled off to resume a task.
MacKenzie: Response
Tags/TBC
First Officer
USS Artemis-A
A240004LL2