Posted by Ensign M’Nalie Eshenti (Engineer) in Obligatory mental examination. Or M’Nalie vists the head shrinker.

Posted by Lieutenant Anastasia Darren (Psychiatrist) in Obligatory mental examination. Or M’Nalie vists the head shrinker.

Posted by Ensign M’Nalie Eshenti (Engineer) in Obligatory mental examination. Or M’Nalie vists the head shrinker.

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Ana jumped approximately six inches at the seemingly explosive sound of M’Nalie’s knuckle crack. Her face flushing as she settled back into her desk chair, she picked up a nearby PADD and made several notes on it before returning her attention to the officer. “How are you finding Starfleet so far?” she queried, slowly beginning to find her rhythm with her questions.

Lt Darren, Psychiatrist

M’Nalie flicked a ear when the councilor startled she opened her mouth to comment then shut it again. Finally as the woman played with her padd she spoke.
“Appologies. It was not my intent to cause you distress. I retain some bad habits. I was a bully as a youth. But I try not to be so anymore. “, she said her deep rumble a bit softer. “It is not my place to say this but I do not think you achieve your full potential in this job. Councilors are to my experiance better at hiding their emotions than you seem to be. Even before you saw me you sounded unsure, hesitant. If meeting normal humanoids causes you distress a job where you will meet with many a day can only cause you unhappiness. But you are best equiped to know the path you choose for yourself. I understand that I am not in any way normal for you. I will not harm you. I will refrain from loud noises in future. If you need time to compose yourself I can return at a later date. I need to be cleared for duty now but will abide by any determination you make at our future meeting.” And the big tiger striped feline looked genuinely concerned for the woman behind the desk. “I exercise daily. If you care to join me it may help if you are more familiar with me. You would be welcome.”

Ensign M’Nalie Eshenti. Engineering.

Ana just gaped at the ensign in front of her, sincerely hoping that her mouth wasn’t actually hanging open as she stared at the engineer. Shifting uncomfortably in her seat, she closed her eyes briefly to steady herself and chose to ignore the commentary, again repeating her question with a bit more firmness this time, “how are you finding Starfleet so far?”

Lt Darren, Psychiatrist

“Starfleet is a woderful concept. Perhaps the best idea in all the known Universe. It in theory allows all of it’s citizens a equal opportunity to excel. My expectation is that Starfleet will learn and improve. So I find Starfleet adequate. But I think you meant to ask me how I am enjoying my time in Starfleet not my opinion of Starfleet. So I will answer the implied question as well. My time in Starfleet has been to my satisfaction.”, rumbled M’Nalie. Flicking an ear. She of cours thought and spoke in Caitan. And occaisonally had trouble with humans indirect way of phrasing things. Her Federation Standard was passable. It was just easier to let the UT deal do it’s job.

Ensign M’Nalie Eshenti. Engineer.

Ana listened quietly to Eshenti’s response and remained quiet for a few moments after the feline had finished her speech. “Is there anything else you would like to share with me?” she finally questioned, wondering if this would be the shortest evaluation she’d conducted so far.

Lt Darren, Psychiatrist

“I am from a species that has lived knowing that we are dying. For ten generations we have known that our mortality rates are higher than our birth rates. I mean my race. Not Caitan’s as you call them. To me we are the Caitan’s. The other clans were ashamed of our violent past. Ashamed of our history. The name Caitan is a word like many Chinese words. It has many meanings depending on tone inflection. So when I call the other clans //housecats// you might see it as a insult. But it is just the way the universal translator chooses to interpret the inflection that is proper when discussing them by a true Caitan. , so to them I am //Kzin// same word different inflection. But my people are more like //housecats// then //Kzin// now. We are dying, the //housecats// can indirectly be blamed. But my people accept fate. When the last of us dies we expect the //housecats// will willingly forget us. And that councilor is also who I am. It way be important for my evaluation.” And M’Nalie stood before dropping to all fours to exit.

Ensign M’Nalie Eshenti. Engineer. Daughter of the Matriarch of the southern Isles.

Ana’s head tilted to the side as Eshenti gave her speech and then began to leave the office. Her eyebrows furrowed as she studied the engineer and she barked in a surprisingly firm tone of voice, “I did not note that our evaluation was complete yet, Ensign. You are not dismissed.” Without waiting for Eshenti to settle herself back in, she launched into a follow up question that the speech had provided her with, “it seems to be an odd choice to choose to serve in Starfleet if your race is dying off, Ensign. While it is not a risky profession, it is also not without risk. How do you rationalize that decision?” Her tone had adopted a slight edge to it, although her words were still precise and scientific.

Lt Darren, Psychiatrist