The Muse - Part III

Posted on Thu Aug 7th, 2025 @ 6:09am 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 @ 6:29am

1,581 words; about a 8 minute read

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

[PREVIOUSLY]

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?"

[CONTINUED]

Vanya smirked. "No. I like my instruments to sing and for that, you need a master's touch."

"Ahh," Cade said agreeably. "And therein lies the rub. To be a master, one must practice, practice, practice. And the instrument must wait for their time to shine and bear the brunt of the journey between novice and master." Drinking more cider, his smile touched his eyes at a memory, "Or so said my old music teacher. She'd have had me do nothing but eat, drink and live the Quidlain."

"I agree with both sentiments, actually," Vanya replied. "You do need to practice if you wish to master anything. But life is too short to just practice."

"Now, if you two will stop bandying words, Vanya, do you want to go up and play one more time before I put away my keyboard?" Rynn asked.

Vanya stood. "Yes. Classic or rock?"

"Rock. Definitely rock. Something for Cade." Rynna smiled at the counselor.

“If we’re playing Rock, count me in” Laural said, putting her guitar case on the ground and opening it up.

"The more the merrier," Rynna said. "Come on."

Rose was listening to all that was going on, her eyes growing wider and wider, stifling some laughter.

"Perhaps the two of you can get a room" Rose giving a wink and chuckle. " as for me I think I am going to go get a cold shower. Good heavens it's getting a little warm here." Rose drinking the rest of her beer. " I play the piano, just give me some of that old time a rock and roll." She rose from the seat, grabbed a piece of ice dropping it down the back of Cade's shirt as she passed by. Giving a chuckle as she went on her way.

Yelping, Cade startled and turned as Rose walked off and he said, "A Rose by any other name my dear? There is no mention of ice and torture by Shakespear? Such a cold cruel intent. I am wounded!!"

"No more be griev’d at that which thou hast done:
Roses have thorns, and silver fountains mud;
Clouds and eclipses stain both moon and sun,
And loathsome canker lives in sweetest bud."

Rose pausing to look over her shoulder towards Cade with a slight smile.

Considering, Cade took another drink and said, "Rose...Rose. All men make faults. I DO have your clothing, after all."

"I shall have to see proof, puddin'" her voice sounding like Harley Quinn, from Batman, continuing to walk away.

Ghosting a wink toward Rose, Cade said, "They're being dry cleaned now. Or should be. I thought to deliver them."

"If that is true, then bring them by." Rose giving a silvery laugh, continuing on her way.

"Rynn, you're welcome, too. I'd love to do more improv with you," Vanya added.

The ops officer nodded. "Definitely. I'm a little out of practice, and this sounds like fun."

Lily smiled, "Yes, I have missed talking to you. You and I need to go do something, Tara. Don't quite know what yet but definitely something fun."

Lily also looked toward Laural, "and it's been a while since we've done something together as well."

“Let’s have some fun then shall we?” Laural replied to Lily as she got her guitar ready.

Rose stopped before she completely left the Arcana "For those who can play or like to listen, We definitely need to do a Jam session later. TTFN, Ta ta for now." heading towards the door.

Tara answered Lily, "I'm up for almost anything."

"I'd love to listen, my talents I'm afraid, are elsewhere." JK.

"Let's make a plan then, Tara." Lily responded.

“I claim lead guitar” Laural called.

Rynna set up her keyboard while the other two women tuned. "Heartbreaker by Pat Benatar," she said quietly. "Are you good with that? I'll take lead vocals."

When Vanya and Laural were ready, she looked out at the audience. "This is for our favorite counselor. With love." Then she began to play the intro. They didn't have drums, but the three of them would improvise. "Your love is like a tidal wave, spinning over my head..."

Rose heard the name of the song spun around and ran to the stage, joining in the singing. She loved this song! " computer cue in drums" as the drum beats began to accompany the impromptu band. She providing the harmony.

JK sang along, hoping she wasn't hurting everyone's ears.

Cade watched the performance and admired it. There was definite talent and beauty there. Sipping more at his cider, he idly wondered if that made him a Muse.

Lily laughed as she watched the antics of the new ladies of the crew and their reaction to Cade, it wasn't lost on her that they seemed to be rather focused on him.

"Tara, let’s get together and go do something, like hiking, swimming, something active wise. What do you say?"

"Anytime, anywhere!" Tara answered, enthused by the prospect of stretching her legs.

"I look forward to doing so." Lily giving a bright smile.

Camelia watched the performance, drinking the last of her beverage. She looked towards Cade, seeming to ponder on something, having a half smile. There was a beep from her PADD she looked down and gave a slight frown. It was time to go, she had a few things to check on. Without another word, she left the Arcana.

"Never knew we had so much talent on the ship." Lily nudging Tara a little bit with her shoulder. "also, what do you think about Cade, that the ladies seem to take notice of?"

"Cade? Think of him? Say what?" Tara asked. "There's someone I haven't met? That could compromise the security of the ship."

"Apparently he has just arrived." Lily responded giving a nod towards Cade. Then she looked back towards the music being played.

When the song came to an end, Vanya suggested they play another Pat Benatar song, so they moved into Love Is A Battlefield with Vanya playing the solo part on her violin and Laural keeping up with both of them. Then, they finished off the set with Time After Time, a softer song from the same era by another female artist.

Rynna and Vanya both thanked Laural and walked off the small stage, letting the other woman continue if she wished. Vanya went back to the crypt. Her break was over and she had work she wanted to finish.

Rynna paused as she passed Cade. She'd heard what he said to Rose earlier and whispered, "I still want my clothes back." Then she flashed him a grin and left to put her keyboard in her quarters.

Grabbing a stool from just off stage, Laural set herself up in front of the mic and switched her guitar to acoustic. Fate a moment and a deep breath, she started playing the opening notes to Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen, her soft soprano voice flowing out through the room.

Enjoying the music, Cade didn't turn to watch Rynna but smiled and drank more of his cider, debating on creating a scavenger hunt all his own so the ladies could find their clothing in a memorable way.

When Laural started singing Lily paid attention, loving the sound of Laural's voice. She had a wonderful voice.

Finishing up her song, Laural took a moment before standing up, pulling her hair out of its ponytail and leaning back into the mic, “Alright boys and girls, how about we get this place pumping” she said as she changed her guitar to electric, did a slide and went straight into ‘Sk8er Boy’ by Avril Lavigne.

Lily got up and danced a little bit during Laural's song. Once the song came to its end. She cheered clapping her hands.

She was interrupted by the barkeep.

"Alright alright, sorry folks need to close things down, we've got something to take care of, we'll be open later in the evening. You all enjoy the rest of the day."

Lily gave a nod and headed out of the Arcana Lounge.

JK got up downed what was left of her drink and headed for the exit.

Watching the crew filter out, Cade finished his bottle, shoved it neck down into the bucket of ice and slid to his feet. He'd enjoyed the impromptu show and thought the ship was brimming with lovely talent. Running fingers through his unkempt hair, he entered the flow of personnel exiting the lounge.

As a joke, Laural remained on the stage as the other officers and crew started to file out and started to play 'Closing Time' by Semisonic with grin on her face.

A post by

Cadence Tyree
Counselor

Lieutenant JG Vanya Karolyi
Data Systems Analyst

Lieutenant Rynna Csira
Chief Operations Officer

Lieutenant Laural Hawke
Encryption Specialist

Ensign Rose MacGregor
Code Breaker

Lieutenant Lily Marlow
Medical Officer

Chief Petty Officer Jemimah Weatherly
Chief of the Boat

Lieutenant Junior Grade Tara Marsh
Assistant Chief of Tactical Operations

Lieutenant JG Camelia Zamfir
Operations Officer

 

RSS Feed