Rapport

Rapport is the opposite of Intimidation, it is the ability to talk with people in a friendly and more “soft” manner - make a good impression. Both Rapport and Intimidation are the active interpersonal skills, while Presence is the passive. Rapport is the fallback skill in a social environment (like Athletics during physical), with Intimidation, Empathy, and Deceit each serving a more specific application.

A character skilled in Rapport is a master of small talk and through friendly, casual conversation can get information from folks without them realizing it. In a social environment you may roll Rapport to execute maneuvers and “attacks” with this goal in mind. You can use this to creatively get someone's attention and hold it.

Rapport controls the face that you put forward to the world - it determines what you show to others. When someone is using Empathy to get a read on you, Rapport is the skill used in defense. If you wish to reveal nothing, “Closing Down”, then you may get a +2 bonus, effectively using the full defense. This is a obvious strategy and your opponent will know it immediately. This requires that you are aware someone is trying to read you, if you do not know someone is actively trying to read you, then you cannot take the full defense.

A more subtle approach it to open up a part of your persona, while keeping your other secrets guarded. When your opponent attempts a read you use Rapport as your defense - as per usual. If the attacker gains at least 1 shift then they learn something from you; however if they fail then you tell then an aspect of your choice related to the persona you are projecting. Using this you can effectively stonewall someone without the obvious effect of Closing Down.

Control of outward reactions and general ease at conversation are both in the realm of social conflict and thus suitable for mounting a social defense.