Meeting the Diplomat -- again (part 2)

Posted on Sat Oct 29th, 2011 @ 11:55pm by Lieutenant Commander Jonathon Bastin PhD & Lieutenant Mignon Melia
Edited on on Thu Dec 22nd, 2011 @ 9:31am

Mission: The Pak'Leth Problem
Location: CDO's Office

ON

[OLD]

"I don't recall looking for you in the first place. You showed up at my front door. Either you're confused about the timeline or you were the one with ulterior motives. Regardless," the diplomat said as he leaned back in his chair, "I really don't think anyone is overly qualified to tell me whether I'm nuts or not. No offense."

[NEW]

"I do have ulterior motives. It's my job to see to the mental health of the crew. So, I'm making a point of visiting the senior staff. I figure if I show up here, talk to you, get to know you a bit, it'll make it easier for you to come to my office and take care of your evaluation." She shrugged. "Besides, I like to know the people I work with. So this visit serves two purposes."

Cmdr. Bastin chuckled, "You would think that, and under most circumstances you'd be right. I, however, don't much care for people scrutinizing my bad luck with women or my workaholic disposition or my inability to commit to a relationship beyond friendship and the occasional physical relationship because I was an orphan and I don't put much stock in lasting bonds since I didn't have any growing up. Trust me when I say I know what my issues are, Counselor, I simply lack any real motivation to eliminate them since they don't for a second make me a less able diplomat or lawyer. In fact, I think it just adds to the success I have that I've been so screwed up in the head. I'm sure if I'd have been normal, I might not have lived through the Qualan incident... and even if I had, I doubt very seriously a sane person would have ever been able to come to terms with not being killed by an orbital bombardment."

He had no idea how much information he gave away in his tirade. And not just with the words he said, but the meaning behind it. It gave her a great deal of insight into the man himself. She found herself feeling sorry for him. Not because of his physical limitations, but because of his mental ones. "You know, I don't really care about your bad luck with women -- which is likely because of your attitude and I don't care about the fact that you were an orphan. I only care about your ability to perform your job. And, for the record, NO ONE is truly normal. Everyone has baggage and everyone can be considered a little crazy in one capacity or another so, you're far more normal than you think you are." She'd come here with a favorable impression of the diplomat, but it was quickly changing.

"Damn... and here I was thinking I was special," the diplomat pouted a bit, "But hey, all good delusions have to end someday. I suppose I'll just try and find something else that will make me stand out. I hear heroism is popular these days. Maybe I'll try that..."

Jon took a minute to ponder the subject silently before shrugging, "Can't think of anything heroic about pushing paper and talking someone to death..."

"Neither can I," Mignon agreed, softening slightly. "But you don't have to be a hero. You just have to be yourself. That's usually enough for most people."

"You don't seem overly pleased by me being myself," Jon observed, having taken notice of her shift in tone as the conversation carried on, "But maybe that's just because you've only just met me and you really don't have a good understanding of who I really am yet. Tell me, is it frustrating not knowing what I'm thinking? The only blank slate in a room full of open books?"

"I make a habit of not prying into people's thoughts. If they're shouting, it's a little hard to ignore, but for the most part it's all background noise. So, I don't much care if I can't read you. At least, not telepathically. I can read you in other ways. Body language and attitude speak volumes." She cocked her head to one side. "So why do you dislike Betazoids?"

"I don't," Jon said bluntly, "The most important thing I've learned in my years of being a diplomat is how to fake every little nuance of body language. A purposeful curl of the mouth here, a stiffening of muscles there, and you end up misleading the people watching you. It comes in handy when people are scrutinizing you, as I'm sure you are trying to do right now. Don't worry, I'm not offended by it in the least, it's just as much a part of your own duties as it is mine to be observant of people. Just thought I'd have a bit of fun with you, hope you don't mind."

"Why should I mind?" she asked. "I've only just met you." It took a lot more than this to upset her. "I came here to get to know you," she shrugged. "And I'm doing that."

"Yes, I suppose so... except this isn't the real me. I'm actually not that easy to get to know. I am a very adept actor, truth be told. I pretend to be this charming and wonderful to throw people off," the man chuckled, "I'm not nearly as great as I would lead you to believe. But keep that between us, I would hate for people to find out just how human I really am."

That brought on a genuine smile from Mignon. "I saw the charming the first time we met. This time, I think I've met the real you. But that's okay. You haven't chased me off yet."

Cmdr. Bastin smirked at hearing that, "I suppose I'll just have to try harder then."

"Yes, but now that I've got your number, you may not get the reaction you're looking for," she replied, her smile turning into a grin. "So, when can I schedule your written evaluation?"

It was Jon's turn to grin, "How about we play that by ear?"

"I'll agree to that as long as doesn't take more than a week. Otherwise I might just show up on your doorstep." Mignon didn't like stalking crew members, but she also didn't like to get in trouble for NOT having all her files in order -- and that included keeping up on the crew's evaluations.

"I'll try to fit it into my schedule, but do feel free to stalk if you must," Jon said with a shrug, "I've been known to forget."

"I'll hold you to that," Mignon said, grinning impishly. "See you later, then."