Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie - In Search of Solitude
Addison MacKenzie
Not usually one to spend any kind of free time in a place where other members of the crew might interact - or feel compelled - to interact with her, the commanding officer of the Artemis nonetheless found herself occupying a quiet corner of the ship's library. She'd no sooner opened the cover of the book in her hand when the soundscape subtly changed - the quiet footfall of someone or something else entering the stacks. Then, when the woman appeared, a silent "Oh" formed on her mouth at the side of the captain.
MacKenzie offered a gentle smile..
MacKenzie: ::nodding slightly:: Lieutenant Storm.
Storm: Captain.
There was a brief hesitation. MacKenzie wondered if the conversation would continue, or if the woman would retreat into the stacks from which she came, in desperate search for her own solitude. In a way, the commanding officer hoped for the latter, but knew that the personality of the woman in front of her wasn't the kind of person to simply up and leave a scenario if it was the slightest bit uncomfortable.
Storm: What do you have there? I wouldn’t expect to find the next issue of … Epigenitics Monthly to be quite so thick.
Alex inclined her head toward the open leaves of the book.
MacKenzie: ::holding up the book:: Oh, this? I just thought I'd engage in some indulgent reading. Most of what I end up getting my hands on these days is so dense... Medical journals and the like.
Alex’s palm flattened against the end of the bookshelf, her fingers pressing against the polished grain.
Storm: I’m, well … honestly a little surprised to find you here instead of in your quarters or your ready room, where you could be alone.
Addison closed her eyes briefly and leaned her head slightly to one side before opening them again.
MacKenzie: Sometimes you don't want to sit in your quarters, but you also don't want to be in a place that will draw too much attention, does that make sense at all?
Storm: Because you need an unexpected, quiet, out-of-the-way place that welcomes you in and offers some reprieve from the day’s cares?
The redheaded commanding officer nodded slightly, the gaze of her blue eyes softening slightly.
MacKenzie: You could say that.
Between them, the resonant hum of the ship vibrated.
Storm: I can understand that. ::A grin slipped across her lips.:: and I don’t carry the weight of the ship on my shoulders.
MacKenzie: Well, I don't know about all that, but we all have... things that burden us in similar ways, I'm sure.
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: Response
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.
Storm: Response
MacKenzie pointed to the book in Storm's hand, not being able to see the label on the spine clearly from her position.
MacKenzie: What struck your fancy today?
Storm: Response
Tag, and TBC!
Commanding Officer
USS Artemis-A