AT/D04 - Officer's Lounge

[Aeryn Miller]

Hallowette quickly joined in with the lyrics and melody, and Aeryn had to admit that she was impressed with the pilot's voice, particularly the unique rasp to it, and how it complemented hers. Singing for Aeryn was something that she didn't want to think too much about, preferring to enjoy it for what it was, rather than putting any unnecessary demands on herself. So, as Hally became more confident and looped her arm around Aeryn's, the DH smiled and let the music carry her away, allowing her to forget certain things, things she still had to deal with emotionally. Now wasn't the time for that, and with the impending mission, Aeryn could force herself to push them away, to unpack when she was ready to face it all.

Maybe it wasn't healthy to do that, but it worked for her, as other things needed her attention more, and she wasn't about to break down, not when she had been in denial for the majority of the evening and even before they had arrived at the Nebula. No one knew yet, and she preferred to keep it that way, as she allowed herself to keep riding the music train. Devereaux added to the lyrics, while a glance at Mara showed that her friend seemed to be enjoying the performance.

Robin added her voice to the others as the song reached the final chorus, and Aeryn couldn't remember the last time she had this much fun. Well, she could, but she wasn't going to go into that, as her thoughts moved on to what they should sing next.

" That was a lot of fun," she said a little breathlessly once the lyrics on the screen disappeared. " What next?".


== Tags ==

[Hallowette Maxas-Darl]

As the song came to a close, the befreckled, slightly built hybrid, filled the space with loud musical laughter, the kind that flushes ones skin as it rolls forth. The newly cherry skin on the usually pale woman caused the trill spots that lines the contours of her face and neck seemed more pronounced, contrasting against the fresh palate on her skin.

Hallowette loved to sing, and often did so as she idled away at this or that task. She knew it was a human trope for someone to sing in the shower, and she was just as guilty of that as anyone. Singing in public had been something she had dabbled in during her life. Her grandmother on Trill had been particularly proud of her voice, even as she was rather unenthused about the rest of her. Over the years she had sung in everything from local pageant competitions, to the Youth Diplomatic Ensemble, to even the Academy choir. Despite all of that, she hadn't ever really considered herself worthy of pushing to see where it might take her, even though she did date a musician once as a junior who she collaborated with a few times, though he had turned out to be quite the asshole, so she left both him, and their projects.

So it was that at this moment, she could barely remember a time she had enjoyed just singing for the sake of it. Her new companions all sounded WONDERFUL together, and it inspired a part of her that she had neglected since joining the Academy - the side that enjoyed making and creating, and just putting joy out into the world.

"Sashuin (sas-shoo-een)..." she said, defaulting to the Bajoran word saved for close friends or siblings, "That was amazing!" She hopped up and down excitedly. Her arm was still placed through Aeryn's, though she barely moved the woman with her gleeful movements.

"Let's do another!"

She looked to Mara and gave her a playful pleading look, though she stopped herself short from asking her up on the stage to join them again - but the look on her face, and the silly scrunching of her ridged nose got the point across. She wanted the security chief to join the sisterhood on stage.

==tags!==

[Mara Calleja]

Mara had emptied her glass as the song came to an end, and she could hear the conversation from the stage.

"That was a lot of fun," Aeryn said, a little breathless. "What next?"

"Let's do another!" Halowette was straight in, before breaking out the puppy dog eyes at the Security Chief.

Calleja laughed, the unfamiliar bark just that bit too loud. Ever the pragmatist though, she’d thought about it in the last few minutes and she couldn’t think of a song that she knew that the rest of the group would know as well.

“I can’t come up and join you,” she said, her voice carrying easily. “I don’t know any of the songs you’ll know, and I’m pretty sure you won’t know any of mine either. You want me to sing, let’s swap, I’ll come up. I think I know a couple that might work. Maybe we get a bit of back and forth on solo numbers. But after this, we’ll work on some together. You got my word on that.” She shrugged, broad shoulders rising and falling. “Offer’s there. Or you guys can just carry on. I’m fine with bein’ a willin’ audience.”

Mara was used to being the outsider and not having the same frames of reference as those around her. That’s how it tended to go. She hadn’t grown up on a Federation world. She hadn’t really been educated properly until well into her teens. And whilst she was catching up rapidly on things her friends would have been exposed to, there were still gaps to bridge.

Expecting the group to pick another song and carry on, the Bandaran shifted her weight in her chair. She meant what she’d said - she was just fine with watching on.

[Aeryn Miller]

In her excitement, Hally reverted to her native Bajoran before she agreed with Aeryn's sentiment and started to hop up and down. All the while managing not to shake her fellow redhead about. A feat in itself, but it was something that Aeryn appreciated all the same, although she couldn't help but get caught up in it. Hally then suggested that they do another song, while casting puppy dog eyes toward Mara, in the hope that the Security Chief would finally relent in joining them.

Mara's initial reaction was to laugh, a little loudly, before she explained why she couldn't come up and join them, which was understandable considering that everyone had different musical tastes. That's until she came up with a counteroffer, whereby she swapped with the group, allowing Mara to sing solo, as well as giving the others the same opportunity, and then work on something together once that was done. Which, to Aery, seemed perfectly reasonable, and considering this was about them having fun, she didn't have an issue with Mara's offer, and it was only fair that they all get a turn.

As much as Mara was a willing audience member, she deserved to showcase her voice as much as anyone else, so Aeryn knew what her answer would be. " I'm good with that, come on girls, let Mara have her turn, and then we can have a go at singing solos".

She didn't expect anyone else to disagree, as she let go of Hally and returned to her seat at the table, eager to hear Mara and maybe order another drink.

== Tags ==

[Lucy Devereaux]

Lucy was buzzing. That rush of belting out something with an inspiring tune and really good lyrics. She had heard a theory about karaoke. Something to do with the expression of a person's heart. It was a good way to make friends. There was also the opportunity to let go of whatever was coiled around your heart and mind. It could be a slightly more melodic approach to primal screaming.

Hally was ready for another song, which Lucy was definitely open to. It was Mara's laugh that made her aware that Hally had been trying non-verbally to encourage Mara to join in. Mara made a counter offer. Aeryn was inclined to accept Mara's suggestion. It'd be educational to hear what the Chief Security Officer chose. It was interesting to consider what music had made it to Bandar.

Lucy knew a lot of songs, bands, and singers. It was either a blessing or a curse. Some earworms could put a Ceti eel to shame. Choosing a track could be tricky, but she had a couple of bangers in mind. Growing up at home  combined with the international experience of Starfleet Academy meant she knew a lot that she really liked.

“Challenge accepted.” Lucy said with a grin.

An opportunity for fun  or additional infamy. What Lucy had in mind was hopefully on the right side of fun. With the right intention you could make a song your own. Each expression of a song was always open to interpretation. She  was in the mood for another pitcher of swirling cosmos.

== tag ==

[Robin Mayfair]

“I can’t come up and join you,” Mara said. “I don’t know any of the songs you’ll know, and I’m pretty sure you won’t know any of mine either. You want me to sing, let’s swap, I’ll come up. I think I know a couple that might work. Maybe we get a bit of back and forth on solo numbers. But after this, we’ll work on some together. You got my word on that. Offer’s there. Or you guys can just carry on. I’m fine with bein’ a willin’ audience.”

Lucy and Aeryn both wanted Mara to sing, and the nurse agreed.

"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." Robin stood up and stepped back over to her seat, snagging a taco along the way. She wasn't sure if Mara would be comfortable playing; she'd mentioned it when she'd showed up at her quarters after Robin's unfortunate encounter with the Breen spy on Mars, but that didn't imply wanting to play in public.

In the meantime Robin considered as she destroyed the poor, unfortunate taco. If they were all going to do solos then what should she perform? Her guitar and mandolin were back in her quarters and she didn't feel like retrieving them. She didn't want to just stick with old classic rock, despite knowing quite a bit. It would come to her.

== Tags ==

[Hallowette Maxas-Darl]

Mara's offer to switch was unexpected, but not off-putting. More than anything Hallowette just wanted the group of ladies to enjoy the evening, no pressure or manipulation, and if that meant making way so that the amazononian security officer would feel more comfortable, then she was all for it.

Hally continued to beam as she glanced quickly at the others on the stage, a quick check-in to see if all agreed with the notion to give Mara the stage, and once satisfied she bounced off the edge and rushed to the table, following as Aeryn led the way.

"I can't wait to hear what you have for us Chief!"

She sat at the side of the table, kicking back in the chair, her lanky legs extended out before her. Suddenly she sat up as if she just realized they were sans drinks, "I'll get us a pitcher ladies, what would everyone like? I'm thinking maybe some Tranya?" She realized when she offered, that some might want something with alcohol in it, and if so, she was happy to retrieve that also.

==Tags!==

[Mara Calleja]

"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! ==