Station: Japanese Performance for A Birthday

Posted on Fri Aug 15th, 2025 @ 4:12am by Captain Taavis {SF/Meji Intel} {Meji} & Captain Rogue "Ro" Green {Meji Master} {Flt. Cpt.} & Lieutenant Griffon Resch & Lieutenant JG Ken Kudo {Meji} & Ainkara "Kara" Ski'a {SIS} {SoB}

Mission: Stellar Problems
Location: Club Bliss
Timeline: current/somewhere in between

OOC: This is the birthday bash for Lt. Kudo. Posted early if the timeline doesn't coincide with a night later after the last few posts.

ON:

Ken Kudo and Griffon Resch entered Club Bliss. There, along the bar in reserved seats were Taavis, Jynxza, Kara, and Ro Green. Not only those seats for now, but the Buddy Bar directly ahead of center stage along the dance floor was also reserved for the party members. Loewen had been invited along with Len, but Sean chose to remain on the ship to get some work done and to spend time with Len. The two men approached the four women, their friends and fellow officers, with Green and Kara standing to hug their incoming beau's. They all had drinks which Taavis and Jynx were moving over to the buddy bar for the birthday bash, which Ken knew nothing about. As far as he knew he had just been invited out for drinks among friends by his fiance and Griffon. They all got seated. Ken was on the far right stool facing the stage, Green next to him on the left, then Kara next to her left, and finally Griffon on the far left stool. Taavis and Jynxza chose to sit facing the table, their backs to thee stage and dance floor.

"Good to see everyone," said Ken with a smile. It had been a while since he had gone out, spending so much time in engineering with Ejo to get the Capernum humming like a well-oiled machine. That, and seeing to Jynxza's X-wing was his task.

"So glad to see you out, Ken." Taavis said, returning the smile. "As a friend it's good to see you. As a captain, I don't want my people burned out. Take a load off."

Ro picked up her pint glass full of a ice and a drink with a color near to cherry but not quite, and sipped through her straw. "Happy birthday, baby." She leaned in and kissed his cheek. "That's why we wanted you to come out. Have a drink and relax for your birthday. I know, it's two days from now, but just in case, we wanted to celebrate it early."

"I'm all for it, Ro," Kudo said, smiling that they all wanted to entertain him for his birthday. He could not have asked for a better group of friends. "What are you drinking?" His curiosity was piqued.

"Cranberry juice," Ro stated, matter-of-fact, her eyes doing the innocent look even as she shared a sidelong glance with Kara who simply grinned and looked over at Resch. Taavis and Jynxza knew nothing about the pregnancy, and neither did Resch because Kara kept her word.

"Cranberry juice," Jynx Asked, giggling. "You have a UTI?"

The whole table chuckled at that as Green answered. "No. I just like cranberry juice. Drinking doesn't do much for me."

Jynxza then looked at Kudo. "Ken, she's boring, run while you can." She smiled at her joke and giggled.

Taavis had to be cheeky at that. "Not everyone gets drunk in the lounge and gets carried home by the CO, Jynx. My home, even. Mind your manners." She had a subtle grin for the tease which everyone saw and understood, which elicited laughter.

"Speaking of UTI, I need to pee," Green said, getting up.

Kara got up with her and began to follow. Resch chuckled at her. "I think she can handle it alone, Kay."

"Don't you know anything about girls, Griff," Kara asked with sass. "We never pee alone in public places. Be back soon." The two women smooched their respective men and off they went through the crowd, which was building up with the dinner hours having passed. The others sat around talking about everything under the sun as they waited, and still, after several minutes the two had not returned. Just when Resch went to comment on the missing duo the lights in the entire club went out, followed quickly by the illumination of dark blue concert lights so people could barely see. Even the lighting behind the bar had dimmed way down, something Manny was used to when a show was going to happen.

"Don't be frightened everyone." Kara's voice was coming through the speakers and sound equipment, but she was nowhere to be seen. "We have a performance coming in honor of Lieutenant Ken Kudo, for his birthday. Sit tight and enjoy the quiet moment. It could not have been another two minutes before the sound system exploded with a mighty, shrill roar, one that Kudo recognized immediately and had made everyone jump in their seats it was so unexpected. Music followed that roar. It was the Godzilla theme, and the music was the orchestral version form the old film Godzilla: King of the Monsters.

This was when he knew all this was coming from Ro, honoring his culture and ancestry. She knew his love for Godzilla since his quarters had several statues and small holo-versions of the King on shelves. He was, after all, a staple of Japanese culture. It played for about fifty seconds and then the light began to flash and change, lighting up the stage.

Viewing the stage from left to right were musicians, but anyone who knew Green knew that the four they could see were all holo versions of the Captain. From left to right it was guitarist, six string bassist, drummer in center, then another guitarist on the right. All of them were decked out in old style white Japanese robes over top of what was beneath, and all had white face paint. The holo-Ro bassist even had a bald head and the whole head was stark white due to makeup. They began to play, with the left guitarist position doing the first opening solo, then to the guitarist on the right, then the bassist, and finally the drummer did a solo. Just as the drummer faded from solo to actual song was when Green came out, three versions of her. They were wearing thin, sleeveless Japanese leather tops over frilly red lace knee-high dresses, black thigh high socks, and black ankle boots, their hands covered in black lace fingerless gloves. No face paint.

The center Ro was wearing her hair in a ponytail, the other two wearing matching pigtails in their hair. As they came out they were all hopping to the beat of the song that was now playing, pumping their fists in the air and saying "Hai, hai, hai" in unison to get the crowd hands moving. Like the band Babymetal that Kudo knew so well, all three of the 'girls' moved in perfect unison, perfect synchronicity, pantomiming to the crowd and singing their parts. It was not lost on Ken which one was the real Ro. Center with single ponytail. When the song truly began to play and hit hard like the Japanese metal band they were, the girls all began to dance non-stop and play act throughout the performance. And, to Kudo's amazement, Ro sang the whole thing in Japanese.

***

"Catch me if you can"

{OA: Babymetal}

[Romaji:]

Wan tsuu, wan tsuu surii foo

Ooi moo iikai? Moo iikai?
Maada da yo
Ooi moo iikai? Moo iikai?
Maada da yo

Atchi kana? Kotchi kana?
Sate oni-san doko deshoo?
Zettai ni mituskara-nai
totteoki no basho o hakken

Ooi moo iikai? Moo iikai?
Maada da yo
Ooi moo iikai? Moo iikai?
Maada da yo

Migi hidari kyoro kyorori
Yada doki doki toman-nai
Ii yo. Mitsukerareru monnara
mitsukete minasai! Minasai na!

Ooi moo iikai? Moo iikai?
Maada da yo
Ooi moo iikai? Moo iikai?
Maada da yo

Oni-san kochira
Oni-san kochira
Te no naru hoo e
Te no naru hoo e
Oni-san kochira

Moo ii yo

Wow, wow… Guru guru kakurenbo
Mawatte-masu. voi
Mawatte-masu. voi!
Ashimoto gochuui! Hora tsukamaete!

Wow, wow… Guru guru kakurenbo
Akai kutsu hai
haicha dame. Non
Denjarasu-da mon

Voi Naku go wa ine ga?
Voi Warui go ine ga?

Oni-san kochira
Oni-san kochira
Te no naru hoo e
Te no naru hoo e
Oni-san kochira

Miitsuketa

Wow, wow… Guru guru kakurenbo
Aka-oni-san voi! ao-oni-san voi!
suteppu suteppu! wan tsuu, wan tsuu

Wow, wow… Guru guru kakurenbo
Korondemo hai
Naicha dame. Non
tsuyoi-ko-san-damon

Mada mada iku yo

Wow, wow… Guru guru kakurenbo

Wow, wow… Guru guru kakurenbo
Akai kutsu haicha dame
Denjarasu-da mon

Maada da yo
Maada da yo

[English:]

One, two, one, two, three, four

Hey! Are you ready? Are you ready?
No, not yet
Hey! Are you ready? Are you ready?
No, not yet

That way? This way?
Hey, tagger, where do you think I am?
Never to be found
I’ve found such a special place to hide

Hey! Are you ready? Are you ready?
No, not yet
Hey! Are you ready? Are you ready?
No, not yet

To right and to left, I look around
Oh, no. My heart can’t stop beating fast
Alright. If you think you can find me
go ahead and try it! Try it!

Hey! Are you ready? Are you ready?
No, not yet
Hey! Are you ready? Are you ready?
No, not yet

Hey, tagger, here I am
Hey, tagger, here I am
Come toward my clapping!
Come toward my clapping!
Hey, tagger, here I am

Now I’m ready

Wow, wow… Round and round, hide-and-seek
I run around. voi!
I run around. voi!
Please mind your footing! Hey, catch me!

Wow, wow… Round and round, hide-and-seek
“Red shoes, Yes!
you shouldn’t wear. Non!”
Because they are dangerous

?voi? Aren’t here any crybabies?
?voi? Aren’t here any naughty kids?

Hey, tagger, here I am
Hey, tagger, here I am
Come toward my clapping!
Come toward my clapping!
Hey, tagger, here I am

I’ve found you

Wow, wow… Round and round, hide-and-seek
Hey, red ogre, voi! hey, blue ogre, voi!
take your steps! one, two, one, two

Wow, wow… Round and round, hide-and-seek
Even if you fall over, Yes!
you shouldn’t cry. Non!
Because you are strong kids

We are going still more

Wow, wow… Round and round, hide-and-seek

Wow, wow… Round and round, hide-and-seek
Red shoes, you shouldn’t wear
Because they are dangerous

No, not yet
No, not yet

***

When the song ended with the music just cutting off and fading, the crowd that had been cheering the whole time really got loud. None of them, not one, had ever seen anything like it. Kudo had seen old Babymetal videos, but to see a live performance done the way the original band did it, was simply outstanding. He cupped his hands over his mouth and gave a loud roaring cheer, making Jynx sitting across from him jump in spite of herself.

"Thank you, thank you," said the real Ro, the single ponytail girl in the center. "That was a bit of Japanese for ya. Ken, love of my life, I have three more to choose from. you get one more performance for your birthday. Gimme Chocolate, Headbanger, or Karate, babe?"

"Karate!" He shouted. The crowd had cheered when they heard it was a birthday, and servers began to deliver drinks for the birthday table.

Tp please her fiance, Ro went to Karate and the synchronized moves were done again, but this time with karate katas mixed in, and more vocals from Green.

***

"KARATE"

{OA: babymetal}

[Romanized:]

Seiya sessesse seiya.
Seiya sessesse seiya.
Soiya sossosso soiya.
Soiya sossosso soiya.

(Ossu.) Namida koborete mo
(Ossu.) tachimukatte yukooze!

Hitasura seiya soiya tatakau-nda
kobushi o motto kokoro o motto
zenbu zenbu togisumashite.
(Wo'oo wo'oo wo'oo.)

Mada mada seiya soiya tatakau-nda
kanashiku natte tachiagare-naku natte mo.
(Aa ossu ossu.)

Seiya sessesse seiya.
Seiya sessesse seiya.
Soiya sossosso soiya.
Soiya soso soiya.

(Ossu.) Kokoro orarete mo
(Ossu.) tachimukatte yukooze!

Hitasura seiya soiya tatakau-nda
kobushi o motto kokoro o motto
zenbu zenbu togisumashite.
(Wo'oo wo'oo wo'oo.)

Mada mada seiya soiya tatakau-nda
kanashiku natte tachiagare-naku natte mo.

(Wo'oo wo'oo wo'oo.)
(Wo'oo wo'oo wo'oo.)

Seiya soiya tatakau-nda
(Wo'oo wo'oo wo'oo.)
zenbu zenbu togisumashite.
(Wo'oo wo'oo wo'oo.)

Seiya soiya tatakau-nda
(Wo'oo wo'oo wo'oo.)
zenbu zenbu togisumashite.
(Wo'oo wo'oo wo'oo.)

Hitasura seiya soiya tatakau-nda
kobushi o motto kokoro o motto
zenbu zenbu togisumashite.
(Wo'oo wo'oo wo'oo.)

Mada mada seiya soiya tatakau-nda
kanashiku natte tachiagare-naku natte mo.

Hashire!
(Seiya soiya tatakau-nda)
(zenbu zenbu togisumashite.)
(Wo'oo wo'oo wo'oo.)

Hashire!
(Seiya soiya tatakau-nda)
(zenbu zenbu togisumashite.)

(Wo'oo wo'oo wo'oo.)
(Wo'oo wo'oo wo'oo.)
(Wo'oo wo'oo wo'oo.)
(Wo'oo wo'oo wo'oo.)

[English Translation:]

Seiya sessesse seiya.
Seiya sessesse seiya.
Soiya sossosso soiya.
Soiya sossosso soiya.

(Ossu.) Even if tears spill from our eyes,
(Ossu.) let's confront it!

Single-mindedly, seiya soiya, let's fight on
with our fists more... with our spirits more...
with making all sharper.
(Wo'oh wo'oh wo'oh.)

Still more, seiya soiya, let's fight on
even if we get sad and unable to stand up.
(Ah ossu ossu.)

Seiya sessesse seiya.
Seiya sessesse seiya.
Soiya sossosso soiya.
Soiya soso soiya.

(Ossu.) Even if our spirits are broken,
(Ossu.) let's confront it!

Single-mindedly, seiya soiya, let's fight on
with our fists more... with our spirits more...
with making all sharper.
(Wo'oh wo'oh wo'oh.)

Still more, seiya soiya, let's fight on
even if we get sad and unable to stand up.

(Wo'oh wo'oh wo'oh.)
(Wo'oh wo'oh wo'oh.)

Seiya soiya, let's fight on
(Wo'oh wo'oh wo'oh.)
with making all sharper.
(Wo'oh wo'oh wo'oh.)

Seiya soiya, let's fight on
(Wo'oh wo'oh wo'oh.)
with making all sharper.
(Wo'oh wo'oh wo'oh.)

Single-mindedly, seiya soiya, let's fight on
with our fists more... with our spirits more...
with making all sharper.
(Wo'oh wo'oh wo'oh.)

Still more, seiya soiya, let's fight on
even if we get sad and unable to stand up.

Run!
(Seiya soiya, let's fight on)
(with making all sharper.)
(Wo'oh wo'oh wo'oh.)

Run!
(Seiya soiya, let's fight on)
(with making all sharper.)

(Wo'oh wo'oh wo'oh.)
(Wo'oh wo'oh wo'oh.)
(Wo'oh wo'oh wo'oh.)
(Wo'oh wo'oh wo'oh.)

***

Another explosion of cheers, applause, and whistles. Even Ken, normally pretty stoic, was all into it. This was his best birthday ever since joining Starfleet.

Ro, finished singing and the holo-bodies and instruments fading away behind her, stayed at the mic. Manny did as she had requested earlier, kept the room dim but gave a soft white spotlight in her. "Again, thank you, everyone. Just wanted to give my fiance a birthday surprise." She looked right at him smiling. "With something from his homeland. Oh, and Ken, Yui says hi."

With the room quiter as they were watching the exchange, Kudo could be heard just fine. He knew that Yui was a member of Babymetal, but he saw no rendition of her anywhere. "Yui?" He asked.

Green made her right hand into a fist and laid it on her belly, her index finger popping out to tap her abdomen. "She says hi, daddy."

Resch said nothing even when his eyes bugged out. However, almost in unison, Ken, Taavis and Jynxza all said, "What?" And, all three got to their feet. Ken led the charge to the stage, hopping up and grabbing Ro in a warm, loving hug to the cheers and applause of the crowd. Even Manny was clapping at the happy news. Griffon remained in his seat to await the return of everyone

Ro was now surrounded by her entourage of friends, holding onto Ken even as he kissed her cheeks and kept hugging her.

"Why didn't you tell us," Taavis asked. Jynxza asked the same thing.

Kudo took her face in his hands and kissed her, which got lengthy, so Green brought a hand up, with finger up, to say wait a moment to the girls. When the kiss broke and she caught her breath she said, "I just did. Let me go change back and I'll explain at the table. Go on, I won't disappear for long." She then headed backstage.

The others came back, with Griffon shaking Ken's hand. "Congrats, man. Good stuff."

Kara came in, as she had been gone the whole performance running the lights for it. "Quite a show, eh, Ken?"

"Hell yeah!" Kudo said, smiling from ear to ear, not only over the show but over the more important thing; he was going to be a father. "Did you know about the baby?"

Taavis and Jynxza both looked at her, wanting to know too. "Yeah," said Jynx. "Did you know?"

"I might have heard a rumor," was all Kara said.

Resch, watching her facial expressions despite the changes to it, saw the truth. Kara was many things but not a liar. She was not the best at it. "She knew." He said.

"Hey," Kara playfully backhanded his right upper arm. "You're supposed to be on my side."

"I am...on your left side." Griff feigned leaning away from another blow headed his way, which never came.

"You'll get your comeuppance tonight, Mister." Kara mock threatened, giving him those sexy eyes he had seen after their first real kiss. They were full of promise in regards to being with him all night.

Taavis laughed at the playfulness. "You horny, Kara?"

Just as she had asked that Green appeared through the crowd and sat down next to Kudo again, leaning into his arm. "Who's horny?" She asked.

"The blonde." Jynxza answered.

Ro went right along with that, but decided to be cheeky. "Which one?" She asked this because Jynx was blonde too. The table got a laugh at that.

"Okay, story time," said Taavis. "How long have you been pregnant, and why didn't you say anything?"

Green sat up straight as she gave a glance to Ken, who merely remained quiet since she was the one they asked. He could ask her questions in a far more intimate setting. He motioned with his hand at Taavis as he looked at Ro, suggesting that she needs to answer the question for the one who asked. If nothing else, Japanese were polite.

Taking in a breath, Green let it out. "I didn't know I was pregnant until yesterday, I felt it in the kitchen at breakfast. So, to confirm and make it official I went to Doc Williams. To get the pregnancy on record." She suddenly stopped talking to Taavis and looked at Ken. "You okay with the name Yui? I should have asked."

Ken gave a slow nod and a grin. "It's beautiful. Yui Kudo has a nice ring to it." She gave him a nod to that backed by a smile that came from knowing she had pleased him.

Ro's attention went back to Taavis. "Anyway. He gave me the scans and checks, but what he told me came as a surprise. According to the medical scans I am three months along but, Ken and I have only been having moofti-wooftie for about three weeks, maybe a little more. Dr. Williams says it is probably due to my augmented body. This means she will grow at an accelerated rate, too. I didn't have this issue with the twins. That aside, Yui will be born in three to four months, according to the data."

"Awesome," said Ken. "I get to see my daughter that much faster, hold her, and make silly baby noises at her. I am beyond happy, Ro." He leaned in and kissed her on the side of her head.

"Wow," Jynx said. "Talk about quick delivery. Well, no matter what, Ro, I wish you a happy and healthy child. I can't have any since this bus is already full."

Kara did not know that was how it worked for Trill. "None at all? I'm sorry, Jynxza."

"Don't be," Jynx said. "I made my choice the day I decided to join. It's not that we absolutely can't have children, it's just really dangerous for a variety of reasons. I don't want to risk myself or Dahl, so I have a surgical implant for birth control. My choice so, don't be sad Kara. Thank you for your sympathy, too."

The birthday group talked on for over an hour, but then they began to break up. Saying their good nights to each other they went on divergent paths to where they were staying the night.

OFF: