Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie - Literary Critics
Addison MacKenzie
Storm: Everyone has something that weighs on them from time to time. I’m surprised more people don’t seek solace in here.
MacKenzie cocked her head slightly.
MacKenzie: Not everyone's cup of tea, I suppose. And certainly not for de-stressing. I know many more people who would much prefer something dangerous or exhilarating to blow off some steam. Honestly, I'm not sure I would have pegged you as the kind of person to spend free time in the library.
Storm: Normally, I’d rather be free-climbing Betazed’s Janaran Falls on the holodeck. But … ::Alex dropped her hand from the end of the mahogany shelf. Her shoulders rose an inch or so before falling to their original places:: Here I am. Besides, it wouldn’t have surprised me to see you choosing a more death-defying activity with minimal safeties engaged yourself.
Addison smiled and held up her arms in defense.
MacKenzie: People are complicated, like layers of an onion. There's certainly room for multiple seemingly conflicted interests to exist.
Alex’s eyes softened—not with agreement, but with recognition.
Storm: Indeed, there are.
A healthy silence fell between the two women as Storm's attention seemed to drift back toward the stacks as though she was searching for something that lay just beyond her grasp. Finally, MacKenzie decided it would be her turn to break the silence, choosing to do so by pointing to the book in her counterpart's hand and inquiring about its contents.
MacKenzie: What struck your fancy today?
Storm: Oh!
The woman looked either unsure or surprised by the question, taking a moment to look down at her hand, and then back to her. She lifted up her fuschia heels to display the shoes - not quite what MacKenzie had in mind, but she'd roll with it.
Storm: These?
MacKenzie: Sure, we can start there. Not exactly standard fare to go all-out just to head to the library...
Alex’s eyebrows briefly drew together.
Storm: I had felt like dressing up tonight, but I don’t know about you. Wearing heels pinches my toes after a while, and my feet scream for liberation.
MacKenzie: An uncomfortable but often necessary aspect of femininity. Hell, even the standard issue Starfleet boots hurt my feet after a while...
Storm: But if I had chosen a book it would have been a high stakes search for a missing person, but with a happy ending. Maybe something like, The Rescue. It’s an old fiction book from Earth, but it hits home.
Addison's brow furrowed slightly as she tried to recall whether or not she'd ever encountered the novel. Finally, she shook her head.
MacKenzie: Sounds like a thrill without needing to be a physical thrill... I don't think I know it. Is it any good?
Storm: Response
MacKenzie rocked her head back and forth thoughtfully.
MacKenzie: Truthfully, I don't get a chance to read much for leisure. It's usually reports from Starfleet, or the occasional medical journal if there's something really interesting that catches my eye. Reading for fun is a bit of a luxury these days, so I'm happy to take any recommendations if you have favorites you like to come back to.
Storm: Response
MacKenzie: Sounds exhilarating!
Storm: Response
Tag, and TBC!
Commanding Officer
USS Artemis-A