Work Text:
Sometimes Deanna went to Ten Forward for no other reason than she wanted to people watch. She didn't want to talk to anyone or have a real conversation, she wanted to see what different members of the crew were up to without having to hear their personal thoughts and act as their counselor. It didn't mean Deanna didn't love what she did, just needed some time to see people being people.
Guinan always seemed to know when she was in one of those moods and would point her to a table that was secluded but had a great view of the whole room. Where Deanna would then go sit and watch for hours. Sometimes trying new drink or food recipes that Guinan was trying out for the menu. Others she would have one of her favorite things. But always in that mood she would sit alone.
When she was at that table others knew that she was not in the mood to talk. Which was nice.
She liked seeing how the changes in dynamics happened. Who was dating who and who had broken up. Which others had found new friends to spend time with and who was working overtime even though they were off the clock and really shouldn't be. It helped Deanna feel closer to the crew in a way that talking didn't. Even with the fact that she couldn't get clear readings on their emotions. In fact that was one of the reasons it was so appealing to her. She could see things so differently when there were too many people to easily pinpoint what feelings belonged to who. It was the closest she was able to get to seeing others the way the fully human crew did. That was important to her in ways she barely understood.