Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie - Cat Found Its Tongue

[Addison MacKenzie]

(( Captain's Ready Room - Deck 1, USS Artemis-A ))

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.

The ensign started shifting from one foot to the other, though MacKenzie couldn't figure out if it was out of nervousness, or something else. She appeared to be onto something, so she decided to lean into the line of inquiry.

MacKenzie: Tell me more about that - it was obviously quite a challenge for you, so how did you work to overcome it?

Tarsan: Not particularly well, Captain. I ended up with machines more than people? Easier to work with something that doesn't talk back.

MacKenzie: How did that feel? Is that something you still think about often?

Tarsan: It kind of... made me feel pretty cruddy? It's not unheard of for Betazoids to be uh.. late bloomers ::he grimaced at the expression:: but it's not fun when you're the one on the receiving end of the pitying looks. Don't need to be an empath to know how people feel about you like that. I uh.. try not to think about it too much? ::he was trying and failing not to sound as bitter about it as he did::

For someone accustomed to not talking very much, he certainly seemed to have found his voice - at least where this subject was concerned. 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: I wanted to find out who I was, to be honest, Captain. Never really felt like a full Betazoid, even though I am. But I don't think I'd ever have been happy there. So Starfleet seemed like a good way of... being part of something bigger. And learning who I can be along the way.

While she'd appreciated his honesty, it wasn't a great answer. In her experience, she'd known that those who used Starfleet as a place to find purpose had a far more difficult time acclimating to the rigors of the job than those who felt driven or compelled to join up out of a pre-established sense of purpose. Still, there were those who fell into the former category who had managed to find success through their chosen pursuit, so all was not totally lost... 

MacKenzie: So? Have you found your purpose here?

Tarsan: That I think I'm still working out, Captain. I've got time. I hope.

She offered a small, conciliatory smile.

MacKenzie: Some. Starfleet isn't exactly a place known for its forgiveness or opportunities for on-the-job self-discovery.

Tarsan: Response

She smiled, slightly wider this time, while tipping her head.

MacKenzie: In that case, then the Artemis may be a better place for you, after all.

Tarsan: Response

MacKenzie nodded definitively.

MacKenzie: Well, if you don't have any more questions for me, you're dismissed, Ensign. And welcome aboard the Artemis.

Tarsan: Response (if desired)

Tag, and End Scene for MacKenzie!

---

Fleet Captain Addison MacKenzie, M.D., Ph.D., FASFS
Commanding Officer
USS Artemis-A

Executive Council Member

V239601AM0