Dorn nodded as R'Tena replied and explained the direction she wished to go with her study of biology. There would no doubt be ample opportunity within Starfleet to pursue. The only barriers to scientific exploration in Starfleet seemed to be ethical ones. He believed he had the crabshell de-fleshed and discarded the shell into a separate plate for that purpose. Dorn took a spoon and lifted some of the broth and shellfish to his mouth and tasted it. The flavour was novel and very different from what he was accustomed to, but it was not entirely disagreeable.<br/><br/>"Ah." Dorn said with a flourish as T'Rena offered herself as a confidant. "I was simply bored by my life within the 13th Order, T'Rena. The reforms currently taking place on Cardassia Prime made my prospects for advancement quite unattractive and so I find myself here. You see, for all of their differences, Starfleet and the Central Command have always valued skilled individuals and allowed them the leeway to seize greatness if only they had the skill and the will do it." The Cardassian raised his open right hand as he spoke, and to underline his point curled his fingers and thumb to form a fist as he reached the word 'seize.' There was a certain level of performance and affectation as he spoke that came from what he knew was expected of a Cardassian that he did not truly feel. There were shades of the pomp and grandeur of the late Gul Dukat in Dorn's feigned rhetoric.<br/><br/>He settled back into his seat and smiled broadly. The male clasped the handle of the mug of Root Beer and raised the vessel to his lips, taking a sip of the effervescent liquid. He resisted the grimace he wanted to make at how vile the liquid was before he returned the mug to his hand. He took a napkin and wiped his lips before placing an elbow on the table and leaning in closely to her, their faces separated by centimeters.<br/><br/>"But let it not be said I am ungrateful for your offer." The male said quietly with unvarnished magnanimity. "However . . . you see, among Cardassians, it is expected that confidants use any information shared to strike at common enemies. And I think I would feel a certain squeamishness at placing that sort of obligation upon you. That would be poor recompense for the first kindness shown to me, I think." Dorn tilted his head just so and gave her an apologetic smile. Then he leaned back and ate some stew.