Lieutenant JG Charlotte Brexis - I Want My New Mommy to Like Me
Samantha Richards
((The corridor outside the Brew Continuum, Deck 3-USS Artemis))
On her way to grab her usual over-caffeinated drink, Charlotte spotted the Captain she was set to meet with soon. The idea to intercept and try to move the meeting somewhere outside of an office was just too good to pass up.
Brexis: Captain MacKenzie?
MacKenzie: …The pips gave me away, didn’t they?
Charlotte held her hand out, steady and unwavering.
Brexis: Lieutenant Junior Grade Charlotte Brexis.
After only a brief moment, that also felt inherently long, Captain MacKenzie finally reached out to reciprocate the hand shake.
MacKenzie: The new strategic operations officer.
Brexis: ::nodding:: Yes sir. We are set to meet this afternoon. ::relaxing her posture a bit:: I was going to see if you were interested in getting some coffee? Maybe move our meeting here? I'm sure you spend plenty of time in your office. A change of scenery might be nice, no?
With her head tilted towards the cafe and her eyebrow raised she waited for the captain to respond.
MacKenzie: After you.
The two made their way into the Brew Continuum, Charlotte still holding her polite posture as MacKenzie nodded and pointed to a nearby seating area.
MacKenzie: Would you mind grabbing me a raktajino? I just have to finish looking over something.
Before she could reply, the captain retreated to a secluded area of the cafe near a large observation window. Charlotte headed toward the counter to place the orders. It didn’t take long as the cafe was fairly empty, most of the crew probably still enjoying their time on Ferenginar.
Charlotte held both drinks with precision and glided towards the table, holding out the mug of raktajino to the woman who took it and pointed to the chair opposite of her.
MacKenzie: Have a seat, Lieutenant. I see you grew up on Betazed?
Brexis: ::Nodding as she took a polite sip of her Espresso:: Yes. I’m from the Melfi Islands. Basically like everywhere else on Betazed but more water.
Her want to let down her barriers and peek into MacKenzie’s mind was strong, but she didn’t. Keeping a professional mental boundary with her new Commanding Officer was important to her. She had to let the relationship build naturally, not on her ability to find out quickly if she was making a fool of herself or not.
MacKenzie: What brought you to Starfleet?
Finally Charlotte allowed herself to relax a small fraction as she leaned back into her chair and crossed one leg over the other.
Brexis: Same thing that brings a lot of others. Childhood trauma, the need for something different, the want to help people. ::Chuckling:: That part of me is not an enigma.
MacKenzie: Do I see it correctly that your last posting was the Academy?
The woman's eyebrow rose. Charlotte already knew what the concern and question was there.
Brexis: Let’s just say I spent enough time there after Frontier Day that they felt compelled to give me some kind of credit for my help. It was never an official posting. ::shrugging:: I’ll be transparent with you. Anyone that faced the Borg that day had to take some time to recoup. I knew the best therapists and counselors were at the Academy. I needed them and they were already familiar with my history. I stayed longer than I intended.
MacKenzie: Response
Charlotte reached for her cup and paused for a moment, letting the warmth in her hand become a source of quick grounding. Talking about Frontier Day was easier than in the past, but the sting would never fully go away.
Brexis: I helped conduct drills, filled in for simulated scenarios and occasionally taught the Cadets martial arts. Anything to fill my time with something that gave me a purpose.
MacKenzie: Response
The intensity of the Espresso started to hit, her body feeling the surge of energy she fully expected.
Brexis: I am new to Strat Ops. It would be helpful if you could tell me exactly what your expectations are for me. I take my place on the crew seriously and I don’t want any confusion on my specific duties.
MacKenzie: Response
TAG/TBC!
Lieutenant JG Charlotte Brexis
Strategic Operations