The Muse - Part II

Posted on Thu Aug 7th, 2025 @ 5:52am by Lieutenant Rynna Csira & Lieutenant JG Vanya Karolyi & Lieutenant Cadence Tyree & Chief Petty Officer Jemimah Weatherly & Lieutenant Junior Grade Tara Marsh & Lieutenant Lily Marlow & Lieutenant Laural Hawke & Lieutenant JG Camelia Zamfir & Ensign Rose MacGregor
Edited on on Thu Aug 7th, 2025 @ 6:30am

1,631 words; about a 8 minute read

Mission: A Day In The Life
Location: Arcana Lounge
Timeline: MD 003 Noon

[PREVIOUSLY]

"I'm neither flowery nor lyrical," Tara replied with a short awkward laugh. Guess my parents could not stand for that. I'm just named for a fictional plantation."

[CONTINUED]

"I'm partial to Parsley, Sage, Rosemary, and Thyme," Rynn added.

"Those are good ones. I know of another, Wildflowers and Wild Horses. It's got quite the good beat, and music." Lily commented with a smile.

"I'm not sure I've heard that one." JK said. "Is a country song?"

"I like a little-known one called Crazy Horses," Rynn continued with a grin.

"I've heard that one," Vanya said. "Isn't there also a song called Crazy Train? I came across it once when I was looking for some old Earth music."

Rose glanced over towards where Cade was sitting all by himself, with a bucket of ice and beer. She walked over and grabbed a beer twisted the top off and sat down next to him. "Hello fellow rapscallion." giving a wink. "What did you think about the scavenger hunt yesterday? Can't believe someone stole our clothing." she took a drink from the bottle, feeling the icy cold nature of the beverage and the droplets of water running down its side.

Sipping at his cider, Cade kept his face straight as he said, "I can't believe I had to pay four strips of latinum to get someone to steal our clothes. That really made the scavenger hunt interesting, I think." In a time honored fashion, Cade shifted deeper into his seat and began peeling the label on the bottle.

Rose's eyes widened, just as she was taking her next sip, barely keeping herself from spewing out her mouthful. In her effort not to spray him or the others, she managed to swallow it but some of it went down the wrong tube. She coughed and gasped, her eyes watering. When the coughing fit subsided ."Don't do that when a girl is trying to drink." she squeaked out.

Rynn wondered why someone would steal their clothes, but she never suspected Cade actually hired someone to do it. She was pretty sure Rose would have agreed to a moonlight swim if he asked. She'd done it a time or two herself. But on second thought...she kinda had to admit it had been a good idea.

However, Vanya had no qualms about commenting. She turned to Cade, a wicked twinkle in her eyes. "I'm surprised a man with your looks had to pay someone to remove a woman's clothes."

Ghosting a wink toward Rose, Cade stood and turned to Vanya. "Oh, I'm more than capable of removing a person's clothing, though there is certainly something to be said when and how they chose to disrobe. Having the clothing stolen gave us an excuse to give the authorities if they took offense to our antics." Smiling he took another sip of his cider and said, "Besides. Did you hear Rose squeak? There is enjoyment to be had in surprises." Extending a hand, he said, "I’m Cadence Tyree by the way, counselor and apparent rabble rouser."

She took his hand and smirked. "Orchestrated theft is hardly rabble rousing, but I do appreciate surprises. I'm Vanya. Vanya Karolyi. Data analyst and archivist."

At the brief hand touch, Cade could feel a familiar buzzing against his mind and he regarded her thoughtfully, "There's a touch of Betazoid in you, I think. If you don't mind me asking, Vanya."

Rose was just lifting her bottle to her lips when she heard the comments, shooting a glance towards Cade and Vanya both of them seemed to have such timing as if trying to get her to do another spit take. She did give Vanya a musing look, this lady she would be working with. Fascinating, who else will she be meeting who worked in intelligence. Wait there was another. Laural Hawke. interesting... Rose looking towards the other woman.

"My mother," Vanya replied to Cade. She normally kept her thoughts well-shielded, but it wasn't as easy to keep that part of her heritage hidden with physical touch.

Feeling Vanya's shields snap tight, Cade smiled, kissing her hand before letting it go and said, "Well, you are lovely. It seems this ship is set to break my heart a hundred times over. Care to join us?" With the innuendo having been delivered, Cade slipped back into his seat and picked up his bottle again. "Now Rose," he said turning back. "Are you alright? I thought I heard a choking noise?"

Cade's voice brought Rose from her musings, "Your timing was... well you almost got covered with my beer. I barely held it in, I am alright though." Rose directed her attention to Vanya. "I'm looking forward to working with you, Vanya."

That brought a soft laugh from Vanya. Cade was smooth and charming--and he knew it.

She then turned her attention to Rose. "I look forward to working with you as well."

"Wouldn't be the first time I was covered in beer," Cade said. "In fact, I've had a couple thrown in my face before. Such alcohol abuse," he said amusedly.

Alcohol abuse, Rose gave out a bit of a laugh.

Walking into the lounge with a guitar bag sling over her shoulder, Laural was wearing a pair of destressed jeans, a black leather belt covered with silver studs, a tight fitting black t-shirt and faded brown leather boots. She’d heard that the lounge had a stage for people to play on if they so wished, so Laural figured she’d give playing in front of people a go rather than just performing on the holodeck.

Spotting the group, Laural walked over to them, giving them a nod, “Hey there ladies and germs.”

Tara walked up to Laural and said, "I don't believe we've met. I'm Tara, Assistant Chief of Security. May I ask who you are?"

“Laural, intelligence, encryption specialists” Laural replied, offering Tara a handshake.

Tara took Laural's hand with her own. "There seems to be a lot of talent on this ship. Unfortunately, musically, I have none."

“None? Really? Surely you can keep a beat at least” Laural asked, giving Tara a smile.

"No," Tara replied with a helpless shrug. "1...2...5, right?"

Lily listened to the interaction between the two groups, her eyes drifting towards the man who seemed to be in the center of this whole impromptu gathering. Her eyes though went over to Camelia, a frown appearing, could this woman have the answers that she's looking for? Lily wasn't going to confront her yet. Or should she leave that for Hadir to get information out of Camelia?

Lily shook her head and turned to where Laural and Tara were talking, "Laural, I didn't know you played an instrument. We've got to do some playing together." She looked at Tara, "Good to see you, it's been a while."

Camelia noticed Lily's rather piercing look towards her, wondering just what was what. She'll probably find out soon enough. However, there is the new person who was the new chief of operations. Rynn.

Tara beamed a grin at Lily, "Yes, it has been a moment. Hopefully you didn't miss me too much."

While the others were talking, Rynna turned to Cade. "So, do you play any instruments?"

Vanya turned her attention to Cade and Rynna, curious to hear the answer. It would always be nice to have more musicians on board.

Blinking as he was taking a sip from his bottle, Cade raised an eyebrow toward Vanya. Swallowing, he considered before replying. "Well. Mother did insist on lessons on the Quidlain. I haven't touched it for a year or more though. Just haven't had the right muse, I think."

"We have a weekly jam session here. Anyone is welcome to play with us," she said. "I'd love to see what you've got."

Cade nearly went for that opening, but kept a poker face and looked at his bottle as he peeled more of the label and said, "I think that would be a grand time. I'd enjoy playing with you all and showing you my instrument. It's been with me a long time and I am proud of it."

"I think a man should be proud of his instrument," Vanya said blandly.

"It is a healthy thing to do," Cade agreed with Vanya, keeping the same bland tone. "But fine music should be shared, not danced to alone. And of course, my music teacher did insist that sharing one's instrument, especially the really fine ones, was a duty. And mine is exceptional, though I may sound like I'm tooting my own horn to say so." Sighing dramatically, keeping the grin from his lips he said, "And tooting one's own horn isn't nearly as much fun as a jam sessions sounds."

So, does that mean you're a horn player?" Vanya couldn't help asking the question. "Or does your instrument require a more delicate touch? I do like playing together, as long as the instruments mesh well."

Pursing his lips thoughtfully, Cade said, "No, the Quidlain is a stringed instrument. A cross between a guitar and harp, of sorts. And all instruments require a delicate touch though, from what I've been told." Blowing across the mouth of his bottle, causing it to sound, he smiled, "I think most instruments can mesh, just like people. You're not rough on instruments, are you Vanya?"

(To be continued...)

Lieutenant Junior Grade Tara Marsh
Assistant Chief of Tactical Operations

Lieutenant Rynna Csira
Chief Operations Officer

Lieutenant Lily Marlow
Medical Officer

Chief Petty Officer Jemimah Weatherly
Chief of the Boat

Lieutenant JG Vanya Karolyi
Data Systems Analyst

Ensign Rose MacGregor
Code Breaker

Cadence Tyree
Counselor

Lieutenant Laural Hawke
Encryption Specialist

Lieutenant JG Camelia Zamfir
Operations Officer

 

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