An Evening of music

Posted on Thursday 23 September 2021 @ 16:39 by Captain Melody Jones & Civilian Sansa Draxx-Jones

Mission: First Contact
Location: The Round Table
Timeline: MD1 2100
2207 words - 4.4 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

It was Melody's night off and she liked to unwind by playing the piano in the Round table. The crew always seemed to enjoy it and it added to the ambience. The babies also seemed to enjoy Melody's playing, at least she hoped they did. She had read that babies could hear sounds even in the womb and she hoped it might make them interested in music when they grew up.

Playing here reminded her of her days at the academy when she would play some nights in an on-campus restaurant and bar. Amelia Fox used to come in some nights and listen and they would always end up having a drink together and chatting about their day, how the classes had been, if Melody had frightened any more flight instructors that day...

The Round Table was fairly busy that evening as she entered, wearing a casual dress and she headed over to the piano which was located in the far corner of the room near the front windows and began to set up. One of the staff spotted her and came over as he usually did.

"Good evening Captain. May I say you're looking maternally radiant this evening. What can I get you?"

"A large glass of carrot juice, please and a bowl of breadsticks with some dip."

He smiled and nodded "Coming right up. Are you taking requests this evening?"

"Perhaps...." she replied with an enigmatic smile as she sat down, setting up a large PADD to display her music.

While he was sent to get her order, Melody started playing Debussy's Claire De Lune. Most people carried on talking between themselves as they were doing before but some stopped to listen. The overall noise level in the room dropped slightly. Melody didn't mind, she was happy to provide background music.

The waiter came back with her carrot juice and breadsticks and placed them on a small table next to the piano stool.

"Thank you" Melody said, without missing a beat.

She continued to play getting lost in the music like she normally did, switching styles effortlessly from romantic to classical to more modern. The twins, who had been moving around a lot earlier also seem placated by the music.

A voice suddenly came from over her shoulder. "Hey Mom, sounds good as always." It was Sansa who had entered. She had first gone to the bar and got a drink before coming over to Melody's side.

"Hey Sweetie, you fancy singing some songs this evening?"

Sansa put her drink down on the table next to Melody's. "Sure why not. Why don't we start with.... This." Sansa found a song on the PADD and handed it to Melody.

Melody raised an eyebrow. "Good choice." Melody said as she started with the introduction of Moonlight Becomes You.

Over the next hour or so, Melody and Sansa went through a wide variety of songs and styles. From "Where air you walk, to American Pie."

Sansa's singing went down really well and the crew in the Round Table showed their appreciation after each song.

Hamish came walking inside to get a pint of something to drink. He felt he needed something, his mental state just all scattered about. That, experience with the whales on the Santa Maria just.. oh he wasn't certain just what it was but it shattered misconceptions on several matters and well just being able to have cuddled against the great blue whale's back which had saved him. It felt like his heart was starting to heal. A woman's voice in an area he was seeing just yet caught his attention and he walked inside further and froze. That sweet sublime voice was coming from none other than Sansa. All he could do was stare at her and at Captain Jones. The music coming from the piano was amazing too. He found a table and slipped into a chair just to listen and be caught up in the performance.

Sansa had just finished one song and got a drink while Melody took a quick break and had a sip of her carrot juice. During this, a young crewman nervously approached. "Good evening Captain. Hi Sansa."

Sansa smiled "Hi Freddy."

Melody looked at him and smiled. "Ah Crewman Frericks, good evening. Here for a request are you?"

He blushed slightly from the fact that Melody knew who he was. "If you wouldn't mind. My grandfather used to like this song and he got me listening to it." Somewhat embarrassed he whispered it in Sansa's ear.

After a moment Sansa nodded. "Ah yes, I've heard of this one. Sure I'll give it a go."

He grinned, still blushing "Thank you." and returned to his seat.

Sansa picked up Melody's music PADD and after entering the song she put it back on the piano.

Melody nodded. "Interesting choice." and started playing the introduction.

Sansa took a breath and started....

She can kill with a smile, she can wound with her eyes
And she can ruin your faith with her casual lies
And she only reveals what she wants you to see
She hides like a child but she's always a woman to me

She can lead you to love, she can take you or leave you
She can ask for the truth but she'll never believe you
And she'll take what you give her as long as it's free
Yeah she steals like a thief but she's always a woman to me


Sansa had not sung this song before but she was enjoying it.

Oh, she takes care of herself, she can wait if she wants
She's ahead of her time
Oh, and she never gives out and she never gives in
She just changes her mind

And she'll promise you more than the garden of Eden
Then she'll carelessly cut you and laugh while you're bleeding
But she brings out the best and the worst you can be
Blame it all on yourself 'cause she's always a woman to me

Oh, she takes care of herself, she can wait if she wants
She's ahead of her time
Oh, and she never gives out and she never gives in
She just changes her mind

She is frequently kind and she's suddenly cruel
But she can do as she pleases, she's nobody's fool
And she can't be convicted, she's earned her degree
And the most she will do is throw shadows at you
But she's always a woman to me

Hamish was enraptured by her singing, Sansa was really good. He wondered what it would be like to sing with her but, quickly put that out of his mind. He just settled back and listened and unconsciously started to hum along with her singing, his voice quiet.


As the song ended there was rather a good round of applause, Crewman Fredricks clapping very enthusiastically. Another science officer came over. "Good evening Captain, Miss Draxx-Jones I was wondering if you'd sing a song for my wife? It's our wedding anniversary.

Melody nodded "Of course Lieutenant and congratulations.

He handed a PADD to Sansa with the words on. "Thank you and congratulations to you too. How long before your baby is due?"

"Another 4 months and its babies... There's two in there." Melody replied.

During this exchange, Sansa was reading the PADD and her face fell slightly "This is a lovely song but oh... It's a duet." Her eyes locked on Hamish, and she smiled again. "But I know the perfect person to sing it with. Hang on.."

Sansa came over to Hamish. "Come on, you're needed for a duet." And held out her hand, leaving little room for refusal.

Hamish clapped along with the rest of those that were there. Then his eyes widened, when she came up to him. "Wait.. what? Sansa.. then she held out her hand, and he remembered what Mathias had told him, besides even if he's not shown it at all, Hamish was also a gentleman. After all his mum taught him better. He took her hand and stood up following her to the piano. "Okay... what is it you need me for?" blushing slightly.

She showed him the PADD "It's a request from Lieutenant Simmons for his wife. You'll like it, it's right up your street. It's called 'Love lift us up where we belong'."

Hamish gulped and ran one finger along the collar of his uniform. "O-okay, will do this for you, and you." looking over towards Captain Jones, feeling his heart pounding. He was scared, in truth, scared to sing in front of others . His eyes locked onto Sansa's, there being some fright in them but also a determined expression in them as well.


Sansa smiled "I'll start, follow my lead." she siad quietly then nodded to Melody who started playing the introduction.

Who knows what tomorrow brings
In a world few hearts survive
All I know is the way I feel
When it's real, I keep it alive
The road is long
There are mountains in our way
But we climb a step every day...

Hamish's eyebrows rose, hearing the song joining in, his voice harmonizing with Sansa's on the chorus.

Love lift us up where we belong
Where the eagles cry
On a mountain high
Love lift us up where we belong
Far from the world below
Up where the clear winds blow

Then he took over the next part of the duet the male part.

Some hang on to “used to be”
Live their lives looking behind

His skin prickled up as he sang that part, hearing the message he felt was meant for him and maybe Sansa as well. Hamish looked towards Sansa as she sang the next part. He was feeling like he was in a dream.

Hamish slipped into the next part, reaching out towards Sansa and taking her hand in his, turning towards her.

The road is long
There are mountains in our way
But we climb them a step every day

When the duet part came up, Hamish would take Sansa's other hand, to where they were both facing each other, him looking deeply into her eyes.

Both
Love lift us up where we belong
Where the eagles cry, on a mountain high
Love lift us up where we belong
Far from the world below, up where the clear winds blow

Sansa was losing herself in the melody and the words. She found herself actually singing this to Hamish and when he took her hand, she didn't resist. His voice and hers blended perfectly as they sang the final chorus together. As she looked into his eyes, she felt something stirring inside her. Wait a minute, this was Hamish... She looked at his eyes, searching for.... something.... trying to pick up on what he was feeling. Her pulse quickened, her pupils dilated.

He was very much into the song and there was something more, he did like her, it was evident in his eyes. At the end of the song, he gently pulled Sansa close and kissed her. His lips were warm and tender, and his heart rate picked up, losing himself in this kiss...

Sansa closed her eyes, melting into his embrace and kiss. The music stopped. The kiss did not.

The assembled crowd broke into applause but Sansa did not hear. What she did hear was Melody clearing her throat. "Ah-hem...."

Sansa's eye's snapped open and she realised where she was and who she was kissing. Also that her Mom was watching her with an amused expression. She stepped back, blushing. "That.... That was great. You're a natural." Was she referring to the singing, or the kissing? She looked at him for a moment and all the bad things he had done previously seemed to fade away. Oh Boy!... She thought to herself.

Melody was looking at them both now. "Hmmmm. A very...... Spirited performance, Lieutenant."

Hamish's eyes popped open and looked around sort of confused at the applause then realized that he had been kissing Sansa, in front of her mother and others. "I well er... I see yes, um. Lovely singing with you Sansa." his cheek and the rest of his face turning a rather bright red. "and great playing Captain." actually wishing the floor would just open up and swallow him. He was feeling mortified but a small smile crossed his lips, as he shyly stole a glance towards Sansa. What was going on here? He then took a bow, thinking about an exit stage left. "I will see you later, Sansa, Captain." and Hamish made a hasty retreat out of the Round Table. He didn't know what else to do at this point.

Sansa was left watching the fleeting figure of Hamish and sighed. "He's..... Complicated... that one." She muttered.

Melody shook her head and smiled to herslef as she thought "Here we go again...."

OFF:

●●●● Captain Melody Jones
Commanding Officer
USS Merlin



Sansa Draxx-Jones
Civilian / Marine biologist
USS Merlin

●● Lieutenant Hamish Teague
Chief Science Officer
USS Merlin