09-01-2025, 12:21 AM
"I'm good with that, come on girls, let Mara have her turn, and then we can have a go at singing solos."
Aeryn’s words were the first indicator that this was not going to go how Mara had thought it was going to go. She’d figured they’d carry on, chide her gently for not joining them, and then there would be more drinks.
“Challenge accepted,” replied Devereaux.
"I think I'd like to hear it. I'm more than happy to be an audience. Piano's all yours if you want it. And if not the monitor has a complete karaoke suite. Whatever you like, I think we're all cool with it." Mayfair was next.
"I can't wait to hear what you have for us Chief!" Hallowette said.
“Aight. Guess after that I better go deliver, huh,” Mara answered. She chuckled quietly to herself and then stood up, making her way over to the stage.
What am I doin’... Last time I did this I made such an arsehole of it. And here I go again?
The Security Chief stopped, her back to the lounge and one boot on the stage. Her heart thundered in her chest as she stared at the mic. Broad shoulders rose and fell.
Come on. I’ve faced down gangs back home. Orions, Klingons, Cardassians out here. And none of them gave me a second’s pause. I fuckin’ hate fightin’ but I do it anyway. Music? I love music. Adore it. And this is what makes me afraid?
Calleja took the step up and bypassed the mic for the piano. After pulling the stool back and adjusting it for the height difference between herself and Robin, she settled herself down, her hands by her sides.
For a moment it looked like she still hadn’t overcome her stage fright, dark eyes fixed on the middle distance.
I think I know what this block is. It’s that self-repression that counsellor kept bangin’ on about. Not wantin’ to be seen as vulnerable. Not wantin’ anyone to see past the front I put up. It’s been like that my whole life. But now, it’s really gettin’ in the way. Nobody is ever goin’ to relate to me if all they see is the terrifyin’ killer they think I am. We blew a drill ‘cause some of the team were more scared of me than the enemy.
I’ve got to pull that wall down. It’s OK to show some vulnerability now and then. That’s what I’m here for, what I’ve started doin’. Gotta keep it up. I don’t spend my whole time down the gym or trainin’. I spend hours a day at a keyboard or with a guitar in my hand or just singin’, and it’s OK to show them that.
Last time, I got in my own way. I’m not doin’ that again. This time, I’m gonna show ‘em all what I can do. And I’m gonna show me what I can do.
Finally, Mara smiled to herself, and started to play.
The song choice was a bit left-field. It was originally a metal classic but Fabi, her favourite teacher back on Earth, had taught her this stripped-back version and now it was one of Mara’s favourites. There was no accompaniment and the monitors were off - it was just the Bandaran and the piano.
“Mortal, spawn on the altar,
Caught in the heart of the blaze…
The primal fear of disappearing,
Becoming… a ghost in the void…”
Her voice rang out, at once fragile and powerful, but always confident. There was no hint of the nerves that had stopped her earlier.
“Give a price, put a name,
None of it real in this matter.
Wandering, distracting,
Wishing the life of another self…”
Calleja hit the long, high notes with a practiced ease. She clearly had talent but it had been harnessed and honed by vocal coaches and teachers over the years.
“We were born for one thing.
Tame the greatest fear of all…
We were born for one thing,
Born to face the greatest fear of all.”
Her hands never stopped moving as she sang, dancing up and down the keyboard as she worked the pedals.
“We're all drawn into ourselves,
In a collective coma.
Remember gazing up for answers,
But now we're staring down…”
There was a massive smile on Mara’s lips as she powered through the rest of the song. By the time she finished, the last chords dying away, she patted the side of the piano affectionately and rose. She felt like she’d done Fabi’s work justice, and not just let her mask slip but taken it off at last.
Sitting back down at the table, she picked up her empty mug.
“Who’s next up?” Calleja asked, still smiling as a warm glow rushed through her veins. “And everyone OK for drinks? I could use a refill.”
== Song is here for reference: https://youtu.be/SYxbekfK34Y?si=JK_xsWGS8rat9nFC
Mara’s version is a faithful reproduction! ==
Aeryn’s words were the first indicator that this was not going to go how Mara had thought it was going to go. She’d figured they’d carry on, chide her gently for not joining them, and then there would be more drinks.
“Challenge accepted,” replied Devereaux.
"I think I'd like to hear it. I'm more than happy to be an audience. Piano's all yours if you want it. And if not the monitor has a complete karaoke suite. Whatever you like, I think we're all cool with it." Mayfair was next.
"I can't wait to hear what you have for us Chief!" Hallowette said.
“Aight. Guess after that I better go deliver, huh,” Mara answered. She chuckled quietly to herself and then stood up, making her way over to the stage.
What am I doin’... Last time I did this I made such an arsehole of it. And here I go again?
The Security Chief stopped, her back to the lounge and one boot on the stage. Her heart thundered in her chest as she stared at the mic. Broad shoulders rose and fell.
Come on. I’ve faced down gangs back home. Orions, Klingons, Cardassians out here. And none of them gave me a second’s pause. I fuckin’ hate fightin’ but I do it anyway. Music? I love music. Adore it. And this is what makes me afraid?
Calleja took the step up and bypassed the mic for the piano. After pulling the stool back and adjusting it for the height difference between herself and Robin, she settled herself down, her hands by her sides.
For a moment it looked like she still hadn’t overcome her stage fright, dark eyes fixed on the middle distance.
I think I know what this block is. It’s that self-repression that counsellor kept bangin’ on about. Not wantin’ to be seen as vulnerable. Not wantin’ anyone to see past the front I put up. It’s been like that my whole life. But now, it’s really gettin’ in the way. Nobody is ever goin’ to relate to me if all they see is the terrifyin’ killer they think I am. We blew a drill ‘cause some of the team were more scared of me than the enemy.
I’ve got to pull that wall down. It’s OK to show some vulnerability now and then. That’s what I’m here for, what I’ve started doin’. Gotta keep it up. I don’t spend my whole time down the gym or trainin’. I spend hours a day at a keyboard or with a guitar in my hand or just singin’, and it’s OK to show them that.
Last time, I got in my own way. I’m not doin’ that again. This time, I’m gonna show ‘em all what I can do. And I’m gonna show me what I can do.
Finally, Mara smiled to herself, and started to play.
The song choice was a bit left-field. It was originally a metal classic but Fabi, her favourite teacher back on Earth, had taught her this stripped-back version and now it was one of Mara’s favourites. There was no accompaniment and the monitors were off - it was just the Bandaran and the piano.
“Mortal, spawn on the altar,
Caught in the heart of the blaze…
The primal fear of disappearing,
Becoming… a ghost in the void…”
Her voice rang out, at once fragile and powerful, but always confident. There was no hint of the nerves that had stopped her earlier.
“Give a price, put a name,
None of it real in this matter.
Wandering, distracting,
Wishing the life of another self…”
Calleja hit the long, high notes with a practiced ease. She clearly had talent but it had been harnessed and honed by vocal coaches and teachers over the years.
“We were born for one thing.
Tame the greatest fear of all…
We were born for one thing,
Born to face the greatest fear of all.”
Her hands never stopped moving as she sang, dancing up and down the keyboard as she worked the pedals.
“We're all drawn into ourselves,
In a collective coma.
Remember gazing up for answers,
But now we're staring down…”
There was a massive smile on Mara’s lips as she powered through the rest of the song. By the time she finished, the last chords dying away, she patted the side of the piano affectionately and rose. She felt like she’d done Fabi’s work justice, and not just let her mask slip but taken it off at last.
Sitting back down at the table, she picked up her empty mug.
“Who’s next up?” Calleja asked, still smiling as a warm glow rushed through her veins. “And everyone OK for drinks? I could use a refill.”
== Song is here for reference: https://youtu.be/SYxbekfK34Y?si=JK_xsWGS8rat9nFC
Mara’s version is a faithful reproduction! ==