PSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION - DELING
 

*CDR Deling has come to Talt's temporary quarters at the drydock facility.*

[Deling]  ~~I hope this woman is going to be reasonable about this; I'm in NO mood for this ridiculous nonsense!~~

[Deling]  "Dr. Talt, I'm Commander Deling; I'll be First Officer on the Chronos.  I'm here for my psychological evaluation... though I've a lot to do getting the ship ready and I really can't spare the time.  All my psychological profiles are already archived, anyway; why don't we save ourselves the trouble, and you can write your report based on what's already there, hmm?"

[Talt] Lieutenant Talt looks up, a momentary look of distraction clouding her grey eyes.  With a quick shake of her head, she focuses on the tall man before her.  A smile warms her face.

[Talt]"Commander, just the man I was hoping to see.  I have a few questions concerning my office aboard the Chronos, but I haven't been allowed to board her. Can I bounce them off you?"

Lt. Talt turns away before Deling can respond and starts rooting around on her makeshift desk.

[Deling]  ~~So she wants to play cat-n'-mouse, eh?  Just WHAT is she after?~~

[Deling]  "But of course, Lieutenant; ask away.  You're not the only one not allowed to board yet, by the way; NO one is!  There are still some delicate adjustments being made to the warp core, and the radiation levels won't be safe until the technicians are done.  It's strictly a safety measure."

*Talt's Betazoid senses are practically knocked over by what a HUGE lie that was.*

A quick survey of her office paints an appalling picture for the former Security officer.  There are a number of various sized packing crates stacked up in the corner of the office.  Some of them are half-open and spilling out a wide variety of items.  Datapads, antiques, holo-cubes and a large number of brightly colored fabric somethings drape over the crates.

Lt. Talt's desk is likewise cluttered and jumbled with things teetering dangerously near the desk edge.  Among the datapads and scarfs on her desk, Commander Deling can spot a Klingon D'K Tahg, a small metal flute, a stuffed doll, a miniture of an Excalibur class starship, two silver enameled plates, a copper and silver necklace with a large tear-dropped shaped pendant, a small fern in clay pot, three small books, and a small statue of a wooden horse.  There are a number of other items too obscured by the general clutter to make out.

*Talt's Betazoid senses register total shock and revulsion emanating from Deling.*

[Deling]  ~~What... a... MESS!  How can this woman call herself a Starfleet officer?  This is positively dis - GRACE - ful! ~~

[Talt]"Where are they?  Where are they?"

Lieutenant Talt mutters to herself as she searches through the clutter.  Her actions disturb the clutter and several items drop off her desk onto the grey carpeted floor.  Mirifice glances briefly at the fallen junk, shrugs, and continues with her search.
 
After a few seconds, she finds what she's looking for and turns back to Commander Deling.  Proudly displayed in her hands, is a medium sized blue plate holding 6 large cookies.

[Talt]"Would you like a cookie, Commander?  I replicated them from my own recipe."

Lieutenant Talt smiles up at the Commander cheerfully.

::Deling smiles tightly as he selects a cookie without the slightest hesitation.::

[Deling]  "Thank you, Lieutenant, I would."

[Deling]  ~~I'd rather eat live WORMS!  GOD, what a waste of TIME this is!~~

[Deling]  "Come to think of it, I haven't had dinner yet and I was planning on checking out this place's Officers' Club as soon as you and I were finished here.  Why don't you and I just go together now, instead?"

[Talt] "Why, Commander, what a gallant offer.  But I'm afraid I'll have take a rain check.  I've got a lot of work  to do here."

[Deling]  ~~Nothing a bulldozer couldn't fix...~~

::Mirifice smiles and gives an airy wave to the mess around her.::

[Talt]"Listen, if the clutter is making you nervous.  I can clean it up while we talk.  But I really do need your input about my office on the Chronos.  And I would be glad to whip you up something from the replicator if you're feeling peckish.  It's a hobby of mine, you know."

::Mirifice walks over to the replicator and removes a large and ruffled dress of black and silver lamee from the port.  She drapes the dress over a nearby crate - this time, dislodging nothing.::

::Deling smiles his tight, fleeting smile once again.::

[Deling]  "I'm sure, and as much as I'd love to sample some of your wares..."  ~~Just as much as I'd love to permanently shape-change into manure~~  "...I was planning on having a solitary, working dinner.  Lots to do."

::With an expression that speaks of overwork, Deling holds up a PADD.::

[Deling]  ~~What SHE doesn't know is that this is only a letter to my parents...~~

::An expression of amused surprise crosses Deling's rugged features.::

[Deling]  "As for your quarters, Lieutenant, why in the stars would you think they would make me nervous_?" ~~This disaster zone would make Lewis and Clark nervous!~~
"Founders and Romulans make me nervous; your quarters are your affair." ~~Until this facility's sanitation department condemns them!~~ "In any event, don't clear up on my account; I won't be here that long." ~~I hope.~~ "So, since we both have so much to do, why don't you ask me what you need to know about your office on the Chronos so we can get back to it?"

[Talt] “Of course, Commander.  I can certainly appreciate that you have a lot of duties occupying your attention.”

[Deling]  "...and I appreciate your consideration of that, Lieutenant."  ~~So LET ME LEAVE awreddy!!!~~

::Deling is in a textbook 'parade rest' stance:  his feet spread shoulder-width apart and his hands clasped tightly behind his back.  He looks for all the world like a sentry guarding a room inside which the last drop of water on a desert world is kept.  His expression is neutral, but his posture indicates that he's on duty, on his guard and can't wait to leave. His 'parade rest' stance looks to be none too restful.::

:: Mirifice walks back to her desk and leans back against the edge, again upsetting nothing.  She looks up at Cmdr. Deling with a clear direct gaze.  Without looking away from Deling, she rests her hands on the cluttered desk behind her, and comes up with a PADD in her right hand.::

[Talt] “According to the ship’s specs, my office on the Chronos is set off of the sick bay.  Now, I know that the Chronos is a small ship.  And I certainly don’t expect you to do anything about this now.  But I would appreciate it if you could keep your eyes open for a different place for my office.”

[Deling]  "All right, Lieutenant, if you feel that's what you need..."  ~~Just what is she playing at, anyway?  There's more to this...~~

:: Talt stands up and walks slowly toward Deling, stopping very near him, gazing steadily up into his eyes.::

[Talt] “You see, some people - even some Starfleet officers - equate Counselors with mental illness or scientific study.  I think having my office so close to sick bay would only reinforce that misperception.  And I wouldn’t want anyone to think of me that way? Does that make sense to you, Commander?”

[Deling]  "The mentally ill do need to see counselors, and counselors do conduct studies --you've made a couple of excellent ones yourself, I understand--but leaving that aside, your office ended up where it was for three reasons: first, simple space and logistical considerations.  Second, trauma resulting from battle or serious illness is a frequent reason for counseling; if you're right next to Sickbay, you don't have to walk as far and patients don't have to try to figure out how to get to you in their body casts.  It also makes for shorter trips for you to visit Dr. Solart in order to coordinate the medical and psychiatric needs of his patients.  Last, you have an M.D., as well; if you're ever needed in Sickbay in a hurry, especially if lifts or artificial gravity are out, it's better to have you close by. If you still feel that the crew's perceptions are more important than these practical ones, I'll run your request by the Captain and look into it right away if she agrees with your rationale."

:: Talt turns away, smiling to herself and returns to leaning against her desk. ::

[Talt] “Why, Commander, I’m flattered that you think so highly of my medical and scientific abilities.  And I would, of course, be more than willing to help to the best of those abilities in any sort of emergency or trauma situation.  But as the Chronos' Counselor, I was hoping that I could be of some assistance to the Captain and the crew and yourself on a more daily basis.  For instance, I have a great deal of experience in personnel dynamics, organizational theory and recreation coordination.  Not that I’m planning on starting the all Chronos volley ball team or anything.  At least not right away.”

* Talt laughs at herself quietly, inviting Deling to join in.  Then she looks up at Deling’s eyes from where she’s leaning, and says with great conviction, though she’s still smiling. *

[Talt] “Really, Commander.  I could be a great resource.  And if that includes making your life easier by staying near sick bay - I’m certainly willing to do that.”
 
 

AT THIS POINT THE PLAYER OF COMMANDER DELING LEFT THE GAME AND NO MORE WAS DONE. :(