Posted by Lieutenant Commander Gravel Mardusk (Chief of Security) in Lost City of Atlantis or Saoghal eile

(snip)

Mardusk took a bite and shook his head. “Just me and her. My dad died when I was still a baby. Made the relationship between me and my mom… hard… at times. We didn’t really get along till I was in my late teens. No cousins, no aunts or uncles or anything. Didn’t know my grandparents on either side, and mom never talked about them. So… pretty sure my family tree is some kind of bush… maybe moss.” and he laughed.

Mardusk

“I can’t stand the taste of coffee but love the smell. I will order coffee just to enjoy the aroma and never drink it. Who is the most interesting person you have ever met?”
O’Farrell

Mardusk looked at her for a second and said, wholly seriously, “Honestly I’d have to say you. Cheesy? Sure. Corny? Absolutely.” He leaned back and really looked at her for a moment.

“You are insightful in a way I have never known anyone to be. Its kinda cool and kinda creepy at the same time. I dig it. As in if I am doing an interrogation, I want you watching so you can tell me what I’m missing. You make these close, personal observations about people that… at least so far… have seemed almost error-free; and you do it quickly. You are direct, but playful. Tantalizing, but keep your own space. Teasing, but without innuendo. Beautiful, but without trying or relying on it. You are obviously very observant, retain what you hear and process it on the fly. You approach people with almost zero preconceptions… and that is extraordinarily rare in people of any species.” He took a drink. “I’ve met celebrities, politicians, high ranking officers, Klingon warriors, musicians, mass murderers, war heroes, prostitutes, and career criminals. I’ve wanted to know about them. But you? I actually want to know you. Not just ‘about’ you.” and he grinned.

“How’s that for justifying a cheesy pick-up line?” and he laughed.

Mardusk

Cara’s cheeks were almost as red as her hair. “Cheesy, but ‘onest. That suite me just fine.”

“I wish when new cadets join the counseling track at Academy they would tell us how lonely it is. I love ta socialize, be around people. I like ta help people, it’s why I’m a counselor. But it’s lonely. Ya get a few that show up for evals and don’t give no hassel about it. Ya get a lot that need ta be chased down. My favorite is the ones that make stuff up so they donna look like they’re hiddin’ somethin’.” She looked around and nodded toward a group playing a board game. “I could go over there, make small talk and they’ll all be super polite and friendly. Eventually they’ll ask me what my position is. The conversation will stop and then they’ll begin ta leave. That one will go ta get a drink, across from him will loose on purpose and call it a night, the blonde will remember she has ta get up early for an experiment and the last one - he won’t say a thing but will evaluate me ta make sure I’m not evaluatin’ the others. Then when they are gone, he’ll finish his drink, nod and leave without a word.” Cara scooped another bite of the cake. “I wouldna change what I do, but knowin’ that’s how it is might ‘ave prepared me for it. Genuine invitations, not work wrapped up all pretty as an invitation, are few and precious.”

“If you could ‘ave any pet ya wanted what would it be?”

O’Farrell