action;
[ she's surprised at his move and for a moment, it shows. fascinating. her will would have submitted in a different way, but somehow this seems like a better alternative. it's certainly getting through to her. the reaction isn't instantaneous, but as she glances away for a few seconds, some of that ice around her begins to melt and by the time he's finished, she gives in and takes a seat, crossing one leg over the other as she turns to face him. when she does, she decides to give him a little more from her, lips that purse into a tight smile, eyes that seem to carry the weight of the world. she still appears to hold herself upright, folding her hands in her lap and not hesitating to face him despite perhaps feeling a touch cowed by his response. she doesn't mean to offend him; she's simply not in the frame of mind for a personal conversation. now that it seems she was mistaken about his intentions, she's more willing to hear him out. ]
Jean-Luc said you were a wonderful First Officer. I see now what he meant.
[ it's as much of an apology as he'll get from her at the moment, at least without a deeper explanation for the losses she has suffered. she's lost three best friends, two of whom are from her world and one of whom is dead in her timeline, and now a romantic interest, someone she had come to love. two of these losses occurred on the eve of her daughter's birthday, a day she spends in mourning for the life cut away far too soon. the last few days have not been kind to her, not that she's been very vocal about it all. ]
What can I do for you? [ she sounds entirely sincere, her victorian propriety finally winning out now that she's been successfully shoved back down. she needed that jolt, much as she doesn't want to admit it. ]