Station: A Bit of Fun/R&R

Posted on Mon Aug 4th, 2025 @ 4:27pm by Captain Taavis {SF/Meji Intel} {Meji} & Captain Rogue "Ro" Green {Meji Master} {Flt. Cpt.} & Lieutenant Ainkara "Kara" {Meji}
Edited on on Mon Aug 4th, 2025 @ 5:14pm

Mission: Stellar Problems
Location: M-69
Timeline: Current

ON:

Ro and Kara made their way into the station, their fighters on lockdown even as people stood around and gawked at the X-wings. They chose to ignore it and waved off anyone trying to question them about the ships. Kara simply followed Ro's lead on this. Going to the office for civilian quarters Green made all the arrangements to provide them a two room suite with all the trimmings. Kara could tell that those behind the front desk knew who Green was but chose not to question why a Starfleet captain needed a civilian VIP suite. When that chore was done the two ladies made their way to their stateroom.

Upon entry, the door closing behind them, Ro looked to the room on the right side of the cabin as one entered. "I'll take that one." She paused to observe Kara.

For her part Kara entered the cabin and her eyes scanned the entire main room. When Green said she would take the room on the right she simply nodded. Removing the shawl and tossing it over the back of a chair, Kara went towards the room on the left, not saying a word as she sent the Force out in a wave to sense every square inch of this place even as all her mundane senses were taking in information. Getting to the door for the bedroom she tapped the key to open it, with it sliding open with a quiet hiss. The door closed behind her.

Having watched Kara move around, Ro could tell her senses were on high alert. She felt for Kara, knowing that entering new places could trigger an episode. The Voran did appear wary, as if to make sure no one else was here. Deciding to leave he be for now, Ro turned to her own room and walked down the short hall to the door, wanting very much to soak in a nice hot bubble bath.

Within Kara's room, the queen-size bed was in the center of the room, the headboard against the wall opposite the door. To the right of the bed, on the headboard wall was the doorway to the bathroom, which even from here Kara could tell was quite sizeable. Below the viewport on the wall to the right was a small table and chairs. A place for two people to sit and chat while they drank or ate. The chairs were turned in slightly towards the table allowing for an easier time to see the guest across the table from them, but providing room to stretch out their legs while lounging. There were various candles placed around the room strategically and for aesthetics. Stepping in to the edge of the bed, enough that it barely touched her legs, Kara reached both hands down and pulled the dark blue comforter off and then tossed it on the bed in a heap.

Turning to the chairs and table, Kara moved them over to the corner opposite the bathroom door, putting the chairs far enough apart she could fit between them on the floor easily. The small, round table she placed the base of in one of the chairs, so it stood at an angle as she leaned it back into the corner of the back of the chair, providing a higher structure for a covering. Making sure it was as stable as possible, Kara took up the comforter and fluffed it out and over the chairs and table, creating a hut-like structure made from furniture and a soft material. There was enough material evenly distributed on each side of the chairs that the comforter would not slide off in either direction. Seeing that her makeshift lean-to was going to work Kara went and gathered a few candles and went back to drop to her knees and place them within the confines of the structure. Standing, she went to the replicator and created a box of candle matches, which were also secreted away within her fort. The candles were in candle bowls, the wax having been added to make the candles within. They easily slid under the chairs to not be seen as the bowls were four inches across and only four inches tall. One candle was put under a chair next to the matches. Finished with her buiding and stowing, Kara got to her feet and went to the main room. There was a provided note PADD for guests so she left a note for Green: Went for a walk. She placed the PADD on the coffee table where it would easily be seen and then left the cabin.

Wandering the station, Kara used the Force to practice her ability to sense things. She also pulled it inward, to control her own body and stave off any exhaustion that may be trying to build. Through the use of the Force she already knew she could enhance her stamina, her strength, and her hardiness. Casually, with no hurry in her steps, the Voran woman made her way through many different corridors and hallways, eventually winding up on the Promenade. She was in the section known as 'Shadow Way', so named by the business owners there because of the dim, soft lighting throught the area. The Klingon restaurant 'gaH' was here, as was Club Bliss. Having not been to the club for a while, and knowing Taavis was an owner, Kara turned that way and went inside, feeling the vibrations through the floor due to the music playing loud and the sonic dampening field being active right at the door.

Stepping through into the club was quite the change from a quieter Promenade, her ears now being assaulted with loud music and the sounds of the patrons; the crowd. She recognized some of the faces as crew who were on Nazgul when she had been there, and now served aboard Capernum. Weaving and squeezing her way through the crowd Kara finally made it to the bar, seeing Taavis and Manny behind it slinging drinks. She bellied up and crossed her arms on the bar top, looking over it at Taavis since she was right in front of her. Kara watched Taavis and her skill as a mixologist, creating colorful drinks and filling glasses with straight liquor.

Taavis got her drink order completed and looked up as she placed them on the servers tray. Her eyes lit up when she saw the Voran. "Kara! Welcome!" Out of politeness Taavis moved the tray of drinks a bit further down the bar to provide Kara a more clear spot to lounge. "You going to sit or just stopping by to say hello?"

"I have not decided," Kara admitted, casting glances over her shoulders as she was jostled by passersby. "Perhaps not. Too many bodies touching me."

"If I provide safety from the crowd, will you stay a while?" Taavis asked this, then gave Kara pseudo-puppy dog eyes.

Kara, reading and sensing the expression, gave a grin. "Since you asked so nicely, I will stay. Where do I go to get away from the jostling."

Taavis waved her to follow from her side of the bar, and the Vulcan led her to the edge of the stage, pointing out the steps to ascend the stage, and the steps to ascend to the bar top to sing, and descend either back to the stage or behind the bar. "Use the steps. Come on over. This," Taavis grabbed the stool that was behind the bar and gave it a shake. "Is for management while they do the books. All yours, babe." She patted the seat and then went back to help Manny.

Seeing as she was invited, Kara stepped up onto the stage. The moment she was on the stage floor proper someone noticed her and began to shout that a show was about to start. Remembering an expression Resch liked to use, Kara spoke under her breath. "Oh shit." Everyone, and she could see everyone, was looking her way. She looked to Taavis behind the bar with a deer in the headlights look.

Smiling and laughing, Taavis came back over. "Ah-oh. You got them excited. Can you sing at all?"

Kara quirked an eyebrow as she found that an odd question. "I can, yes. I have never sang in a mic or to a crowd. I do not think it would be a goo..."

"Awesome!" Taavis interrupted on purpose. It was high time to get this girl to break that shell of uncertainty and find herself again. Trauma was tough to deal with, and she figured that Kara had some PTSD going on. Maybe seeing people howling and cheering her on would aid in overcoming some of that. Music had a way of doing that. Taavis came up over the steps to stand with her, to talk in her ear so only Kara could hear it. "Just let go, Kara. Sing as best you can, laugh, and enjoy. You want a hand mic or a headset?" Kara opened her mouth to respond and Taavis cut her off. "Headset, got it."

"You ever going to let me get a word in edgewise?" Kara asked.

"Nope," Taavis replied with a shitty grin. "If I let you talk too much you'll talk yourself out of this. Now, sing on the bar or on the stage?"

Giving a sigh of surrender, and grinning at how intense Taavis could be, and fun, Kara answered. "For the first song, the stage. We will see after that. I need a darkened room, and stage, with a cone of white, soft light down over me. Otherwise, I walk."

"Neener-neener, geez." Taavis said with a laugh. "I see Dark Harbor has taught you about nightlife and lingo." She caught the look of surprise. "Yes, dear, I've been there many times, off the record. My sister is a regular in the Harbor. Okay," she went on, motioning to the computer interface over in a back area of the stage. "Song selections there. But, no karaoke, so if you don't know the lyrics, don't sing it. You can add a holographic AI band to back you, or sing alone." Before Kara could say anything else Taavis gave her a quick hug and went back behind the bar.

Setting up her song, Kara was sure she could pull this off even though the original vocal was male. The singer had a higher tone to his voice and she could manipulate her vocals to match it fairly close. But, being a song she felt in her heart, she was going to sing it whether the crowd liked it or not. Taking in a breath to motivate herself to do this, Kara ended up at stage front wearing her headset. It was designed to not fly off should she headbang, which was not an issue with this first choice. The room went quiet as she got to stage front and the lights went down to a low dim and a cone of soft white light came down over her.

"Good evening, I am Kara and I am going to try this singing thing. Bare with me it could go really well or horribly bad," she gave a nervous giggle at that, the crowd urging her to go on. "Thank you for the encouragement. This song is close to my heart so I hope you find something in the lyrics that appeals to you." She tapped the start button on the headset and she was off.

Green had come in while Taavis had been conferring with Kara, grinning at seeing them together. She made her way to a spot along the bar in front of where Taavis poured drinks and when her friend returned she gave a smile. "Did you instigate this?"

"I did. Let's see how she does. Bliss could always use more talent to draw in customers."

The two friends watched as Kara began her performance, playing to the crowd with somatic gestures to match the lyrics she was on, and loosening up with every moment that passed.

***

"This Is War"

{OA: Thirty Seconds to Mars}

A warning to the people,
The good and the evil,
This is war.

To the soldier, the civilian,
The martyr, the victim,
This is war.

It's the moment of truth, and the moment to lie,
The moment to live and the moment to die,
The moment to fight, the moment to fight
To fight, to fight, to fight!

To the right, To the left
We will fight to the death!
To the edge of the earth
It's a brave new world
From the last to the first

To the right, To the left
We will fight to the death!
To the edge of the earth
It's a brave new world
It's a brave new world!

A warning to the prophet,
The liar, the honest,
This is war.

To the leader, the pariah,
The victor, the messiah,
This is war.

It's the moment of truth, and the moment to lie,
The moment to live and the moment to die,
The moment to fight, the moment to fight,
To fight, to fight, to fight!

To the right, To the left
We will fight to the death!
To the edge of the earth
It's a brave new world
From the last to the first

To the right, To the left
We will fight to the death!
To the edge of the earth
It's a brave new world
It's a brave new world
It's a brave new world!

I do believe in the light
Raise your hands into the sky
The fight is done, the war is won
Lift your hands toward the sun
Toward the sun
Toward the sun
Toward the sun
The war is won

To the right, To the left
We will fight to the death!
To the edge of the earth
It's a brave new world
From the last to the first

To the right, To the left
We will fight to the death!
To the edge of the earth
It's a brave new world
It's a brave new world
It's a brave new world!

A brave new world
The war is won
The war is won
A brave new world

***

The crowd blew up, cheering loudly for a song about hope and overcoming adversity. Kara placed her right hand on her sternum and gave bows several times, saying thank you to the crowd at each angle. "You are all too kind." Going over to the prompter, Kara put it back into standby mode, removed the headset and returned to her spot behind the bar.

Taavis and Green could see that the crowd was disappointed by just one song, but the stalwart CO of Capernum adjusted the house music and gave a round on the house which seemed to lift their spirits again. "You can slip around to this side, Ro. Sit with Kara over in the manager corner."

"I think I'll do that," said Ro, feeling a slight jostle now and then as patrons moved about. With Capernum having docked recently and her crew on shore leave, Club Bliss had a full house. After a couple minutes of weaving through the crowd, Ro went up and over the steps to behind the bar. Kara had watched her come over the bar to join her, grinning warmly. "Hi, Kara. And, before you ask. No, I am not following you around. I just like to come here for down time."

"I could be followed by far worse, Ro." Stated Kara, still grinning. "It's a club, a place for frivolity. You and Taavis are fast friends. A logical place for you to relax."

Green grinned in return, not sure if she was being baited and teased along with understanding. Either way, she was glad to have not upset Kara. That, and, she had noticed the speech contractions becoming more prevalent with Kara. Not that she did not enjoy how she already spoke, finding it to her liking. Taavis, at one time, despite recognizing her emotions and allowing them, had been the same way. No contractions, then a few here and there, and now she just spoke however she wanted. "I appreciate the discernment. Drink?"

"I do not drink alcohol, Ro." Kara said. "Voluntarily ingesting a toxin has always perplexed me about some species."

Giggling, Ro gave her response. "My body is highly resistant to toxins and alcohol has no affect on me. My augmented biology immediately attacks and destroys it. However, I used to get shit faced drunk at times, and there are some drinks I like simply for flavor." To give an example, Ro stepped to the third drink prep station, grabbing a pint glass and filling it with ice. She went through the motions and flipped bottles around, creating a mixed beverage that was brown in color, adding a lemon slice to it as the flourish. She picked it up and came back over to Kara, sipping from the straw. "Try it?" She offered the glass to Kara.

"Again, no." Kara insisted. "Thank you for the offer, though. What is that drink called? I know Human drinks tend to have colorful names."

"This," asked Ro as she lifted the glass and gave it a glance. "This is a Long Island iced tea, although there is actually no tea in it. The color is how it got its name. A mix of various flavored alcohols to mask the amount of alcohol actually in it. I've seen many people drink these down like candy and end up sloppy drunk on the floor."

That mental image made Kara giggle. "Okay," she said as she stood up and got in face to face with Green, holding her hand out. "I shall try it. For flavor."

Ro tilted her head and quirked her face in a humorous fashion. "I will not be responsible for your alcoholism, Kara. Are you sure?"

"As a Voran, Ro, my biology is almost exactly like a Vulcan." Kara explained. "As a Vulcanoid, alcohol has very little affect on us. Please, I am merely assuaging my curiosity." Ro's face showed she was relenting and handed the pint over. Kara, at first, gave the drink a sniff, her olfactory senses detecting the alcohol amidst the other odors. With a casual aire she then wrapped her lips around the straw and gave a pull, filling her mouth with the liquid. Her tongue came alive with all the flavors, tasting the hint of a tea flavor even with there not actually being any in the drink. It was sweet and flavorful. After doing the wine-tester swishing she swallowed and handed the glass back. "It's good. Not something I would ingest regularly but I can taste the appeal for others."

Taking her drink back, Ro smiled. "I swear, if Taavis had another lost sister, you could be it. She is half Romulan so there is no telling where her 'father' dipped his wick." She saw the quizzical expression on Kara's face, giggling. "No offense, Kara. You just remind me of her from years ago. She, too, tested herself once she accepted the fact that she did have emotions. Now look at her. A far cry from the woman I met over 20 years ago."

Kara matched Ro as they both turned their heads slightly to gaze at Taavis. Feeling the scrutiny from her special guests, Taavis then looked over at the two of them while making drinks, giving them both an askance expression and a shrug like; what gives? Ro waved it off, to show Taavis they were just talking. Kara went back to looking at Green. "I take no offense at the comparison. I can only aspire to match her convictions and fulfill my own life."

Ro set her drink aside and opened her mouth to respond. Just as she did so someone came up behind her from the other side of the bar and tapped her shoulder. She half turned and looked at a Human male she did not recognize. "Can I help you?"

"You're Captain Green, right?"

Feeling nothing malevolent from the gentleman, Ro gave a friendly nod. "I am."

"Cool. My friends," he gave a casual thumb over a shoulder towards the crowded main area and dance floor. "Sent me over. Could you sing something for us? Anything? We have dates this evening and would like to show that we have an inside edge over other patrons."

Smiling with tongue-in-cheek, Ro knew where this was going. If she did as they asked then their prospects for ending the night with someone else in their beds would greatly increase. Who was she to deny someone a bit of fun and intimacy. "Sure. Gimme a minute to come up with something. In trade, your buddy bar will be the loudest cheers, whistles, whatever so I know which table made the request. I have my reasons."

The man gave a laugh and gave a wide smile, turning long enough to give his comrades a thumbs up. Ro's eyes caught the location of a buddy bar with several men and women hanging out together. The whole table lit up with smiles when he gave the positive signal. "You got it. Thanks, Captain."

"Ro," said green, seeing his expression change to confusion over the reference. "Just Ro. No need to call me Captain." She smiled to show it was a friendly offer, not an order or demand.

"Oh, right. Thanks, Ro." He walked away.

Looking to Kara, Ro gave a nonchalant shrug. "The people call," she said with a smile. "I'll be back in a bit." Having said that she turned and went up and over the steps to get to the stage. As she went, being in her Meji garb minus the cloak, she pulled her palm PADD from its belt pouch and tied it in with the Bliss system, setting up a song for playing and creating a holographic Steinway piano in the middle of the stage. Sliding the PADD back into place she was met with applause by the crowd as she walked towards the piano. And, as per request, the designated buddy bar gave the more exuberant applause and whistled as she sat down behind the piano and adjusted the mic to the right height and distance.

After sitting and adjusting, Ro purposefully pointed at the buddy bar in question. "You, lads, better grab a partner and dance to this." Once said she cleared her htroat and spoke into the mic in deference to the song she chose. "This one goes out to my family, the children and lover I lost years ago and, who are still in my thoughts every day." She began to play and sing, her own performance exacting to that of the original artist, backing the lyrics with the same emotions; love, anger, frustration, and a deep longing.

***

"Against All Odds (Take A Look At Me Now)"

{OA: Phil Collins}

How can I just let you walk away?
Just let you leave without a trace
When I stand here taking every breath
With you? Ooh, ooh

You're the only one who really knew me at all

How can you just walk away from me
When all I can do is watch you leave?
'Cause we've shared the laughter and the pain
And even shared the tears

You're the only one who really knew me at all

So, take a look at me now
Well, there's just an empty space
And there's nothing left here to remind me
Just the memory of your face
Ooh, take a look at me now
Well, there's just an empty space
And you coming back to me is against the odds
And that's what I've got to face

I wish I could just make you turn around
Turn around and see me cry
There's so much I need to say to you
So many reasons why

You're the only one who really knew me at all

So, take a look at me now
Well, there's just an empty space
And there's nothing left here to remind me
Just the memory of your face
Now, take a look at me now
'Cause there's just an empty space
But to wait for you is all I can do
And that's what I've got to face
Take a good look at me now
'Cause I'll still be standing here
And you coming back to me is against all odds
It's the chance I've gotta take

Take a look at me now

***

As directed, the one table had grabbed their dates and danced to the song, and as the performance had gone on others joined in who appreciated Earth music. Green had to maintain her control since singing about, and to, her family caused a well of sorrow in her spirit. But, by the time she had finished that song she was ready to bring the room back to an upbeat so, she grabbed the hand mic from the piano and stood up, the piano fading out as she stood to give a more mobile performance to the crowd and get them bouncing in their seats and on their feet again. "Let's get back to the party, eh?" The crowd applauded and cheered their agreement.

***

"This is it"

{OA: Oh the Larceny}

[Verse 1]
This day is gonna be the greatest memory
Making history, let's go
You don't need no luck with that golden touch
Time to light it up, let's go

[Pre-Chorus]
Get ready for it
Get ready for it
Get ready for it
Yeah, this is it

[Chorus]
Go, go, go
Yeah, this is it
Go, let 'em know, let's go
(This is it) Yeah, this is it

[Verse 2]
Yeah, it's about to break, got what it's gonna take Go
Ahead and own that stage, let's go
When you're made for this, yeah, it's obvious
Top another list, let's go

[Pre-Chorus]
Get ready for it
Get ready for it
Get ready for it
Yeah, this is it


[Chorus]
Go, go, go
Yeah, this is it
Go, let 'em know, let's go
(This is it) Yeah, this is it

[Bridge]
It's now or it's never, no playing with forever
It's now or it's never, yeah
It's down to the wire, who gon' take the empire?
It's down to the wire, this is it

[Pre-Chorus]
Get ready for it
Get ready for it
Get ready for it
Yeah, this is it

[Chorus]
Go, go, go
Yeah, this is it
Go, let 'em know, let's go
(This is it) Yeah, this is it
Go, go, go
(This is it) Yeah, this is it
Go, let 'em know, let's go
(This is it) Yeah, this is it

***

When the song was over Ro gave a bow and set the mic aside, applauding along with the crowd as she motioned towards them, then gave the swirling hand over the head like a helicopter blade to tell them to keep having a good time. Exiting the stage she went back behind the bar to her friends.

OFF: