[[BACKSIM]] JP: Ensigns Nemes, T’Fearne, Syrex & Evinrude: Banding Together [Part 1]
Teayl Thorn
Evinrude: “Nebraska and chill?”
...
Nemes: “Meet me in Nebraska.”
…
T’Fearne: “Mnemonic Nebraskan Nights”
…
Syrex: “Can you make that Nebraskan-style?”
…
Their code word was inane, but surprisingly effective. Tess had to admit, it was fun to keep a small, harmless secret. Each time one of the girls ran into him in a turbolift, elbowed him in the hallway, or - once - crept up and kicked the back of his knee out, he would pass their code word and message of planning on to the others in the same manner.
This time, it was only fair that night-shift Tess met the others on their normal schedule, so he woke up early to prepare for a night on the town. He even stopped by the Continuum for a few coffees to-go.
Or “toogo”, Tess thought with a smile, hearing the way T’Fearne would say it in his head.
Naturally, this did not feel like a typical morning, and Tess felt some pity for the others when he thought about the first time they drank together in the Nebraska dive bar simulation. Having this type of fun so early in the day made for a bizarre experience. Breakfast came in the form of something the bar called “appeteasers”, and was ordered “family-style” for the table. Most of them were breaded and fried, but there were some finger-size sticks of carrot, celery, and some kind of dipping paste made out of garbanzo beans.
Tess thought the fried spears of pickled cucumber were especially good dipped in that hummus and had passionately defended this position.
Mercifully, there were no replicator errors.
Sybil was holding a piece of celery in her hand. She had already taken a bite with a little of the dip, but now she forced herself to chew it, trying not to make a face.
Nemes: Okay. I really don’t like that one. ::putting the rest of the celery on her small plate before her as she noticed the looks from the others:: I grew up on Betazed and our family never really ate much food from earth.
Syrex: Personally I didn’t start until I got to the academy. Still, even then it was all a bit bitter.
T’Fearne: I’ll try it, as long as it isn’t blue.
Evinrude’s cheeks were a little flushed from both synthehol and song. A programmed patron was belting out an off-key rendition of “Wind Beneath My Batleth” in Klingon, clutching the mic like he was trying to strangle it. Alyndra’s immersion-breaking but hilarious idea, of course. Tess stood with the group, leaning back against the bar. He felt so relaxed, so at ease in this environment, that the man was practically radiating that sentiment. There was something infectious about the camaraderie “tonight”. The hum of connection buzzed like a plasma conduit between them.
Evinrude: You know, we could try another venue, maybe in the ‘47 next time? But I’m not ready for this day to end. I still have probing personal questions to ask, ::he teased, waggling his fingers at T’Fearne. :: Plus, you promised to sing that ballad of throttling. :: He said, turning to T’Fearne. ::
T’Fearne: :: blinking calmly :: I never promised. I said perhaps I would perform the Ballad of Tholtren. It is an instrumental journey about seeing one's true self, each performance is unique as the musician is guided by the emotional responses of the audience. It is... an introspective piece. There is no throttling. :: squinting at Tess speculatively:: Yet.
Sybil turned to Tess and looked at him with a mixture of surprise and disbelief.
Nemes: Oh, wait … the ‘47? Are you serious? I mean, … ::she paused trying to find the right words:: there are real people there listening.
She was now much more relaxed when it came to karaoke here on the holodeck with her colleagues and friends. But in front of a real audience? That was something completely different.
Evinrude: ::He turned to T’Fearne earnestly, remembering her remark that she could ‘make up something’ while picking a song..:: That reminds me. I seriously, seriously want to hear your Betazoid songwriting at work. And did you say you played drums?
T’Fearne: Not songwriting in the Human sense. I just meant that in Betazoid culture, there is value placed on an artist's original expression and style of lyrical or instrumental performance. :: She tried to explain the difference :: I believe the Human phrase is... 'winging it. Vocals may not be my strength… :: remembering the winces of the holodeck characters when she sang :: …but give me a geo harp or something I can hit with a stick and I can carry a rhythm.
When he was struck by a sudden, unknown idea, a broad grin spread across the operations ensign’s face.
Evinrude: Waitwaitwait…Sybil, I know you don’t believe us, but you’re good.
Nemes: ::interrupting him before he went on:: Well, actually I think you might be right. ::pausing, smirking at Tess:: I don’t believe you.
Tess gave Sybil a patient, if cheeky little smile before continuing, turning to their Trill friend.
Evinrude: And Alyndra, I believe you’ve got stable dilithium in your veins, because you have more energy than anyone else I have ever met. ::He looked into the eyes of each member of the group in turn.:: We’re forming a band.
Sybil looked at Tess for a moment, then reached for his drink and jokingly pulled it a little away from him.
Nemes: I think you’ve had enough of that.
Syrex: Nah, Nah, Nah. There’s talent in this group! Let’s do it!! Even if not for everyone else. Let’s do it for us!!
T’Fearne: The carry okey was…a surprisingly enjoyable experience :: glancing at Alyndra, then Sybil, and finally back to Tess:: I would be open to musical collaboration. We may create dissonance, but it could be interesting. Where shall we do this?
The operations ensign couldn’t hide his surprise; they were into it! All except Sybil who seemed…concerned.
Evinrude: Here? I mean, there is a built-in audience…
He pushed away from the bar.
Evinrude: Computer, pause simulation. Remove the karaoke setup and replace it with a few instruments and live music sound system…with a simple mixing board able to accommodate Earth instruments suitable for a period-appropriate rock band. ::He turned back to his comrades.:: Go wild!
The holodeck shimmered as the stage transformed. The moodlighting brightened slightly to garage glam. The karaoke machine vanished, replaced by a proper sound system, amps humming faintly, cables coiled like snakes, and a half-moon of instruments waiting to be claimed.
Nemes: I don’t know…
She looked at Alyndra, then at T`Fearne, still hoping that one of them might side with her and declare that this was perhaps indeed a bit weird and end the idea of forming a band.
T’Fearne: You don’t need to do anything you don’t want to, Sybil. We are just having fun for now.
The Vulcazoid tried to assuage her friend's concerns.
Evinrude: ::Trying to put Sybil at ease, Tess opted for a joking approach.:: Hey, you can absolutely just hang back and laugh at us…but it could be fun to join in?
Syrex: Computer, please replace the microphone with a mic-pack.
Stepping up to the stage, the tall Vulcazoid scrutinised the drum set like a warrior sizing up a worthy foe. Alyndra strapped the microphone pack onto her person, sticking the mouthpiece to her cheek.
T’Fearne: Computer—raise drum throne 6.4cm. Delete the second crash cymbal and create a Vulcan gong—hexagonal, elongate drumsticks by 2.6 centimetres and use aged wood the frequency of at least ten Earth years.
She slipped onto the throne behind the drums, spun the sticks experimentally, and tested the snares, interspersing the drum beats with a few high hats. Finally, she worked the bass pedal rhythmically. Sending a “DUN, dun, DUUUN” booming into the holodeck with a satisfied hair toss.
Evinrude: For me…
Tess thought of the Telecaster in his quarters, and everyone else’s instrument choices.
oO I’ve never actually played lead in a band… Oo
He smiled and shrugged, and directed the computer to make something familiar.
Evinrude: Earth-style electric guitar, six strings, single-coil pickup in the neck and a humbucker in the bridge. ::The computer complied, materializing a bright red, rakish guitar.:: Paint it…black. ::The instrument, which looked nothing like the one Tess owned but would function similarly, took on a shining black finish.::
Hesitantly, Sybil also climbed up the stairs to the stage, still unsure if that was a good idea. But she also did not want to be the killjoy.
Nemes: So, what exactly should I do in a rock band? ::unsure:: You know, I had to learn the cello as a kid, but that does not really fit, does it?
T’Fearne: I don’t see why not. It would add a unique sound.
Sybil slowly nodded as she thought about it. It had been years since she had played the cello. Her parents had insisted that she learn it.
Syrex: Express the you in the music, Sybil! If cello ain’t your thing, we can find something else for you! But I do agree with T’Fearne. It’s unique and could add a depth
Evinrude: We do need something in the lower register to fill out our sound, so I think cello could work!
Nemes: Okay. Well, I can try…
((A short time later))
The holodeck lights dimmed, casting long shadows over the simulated Nebraskan dive bar. The crowd, still holographic but now subtly reprogrammed to emulate a real, responsive audience, let out murmured cheers as the group assembled on stage.
The holodeck had served up an announcer, the annoying bartender from before, with a corded mic in one hand, wearing a slightly nicer suit and the same grizzled smirk.
Bartender: :: Grizzled presenter voice :: Ladies, gents, non-binar and beings of alternative descriptors. Tonight, for the mere price of a smile, I give you The Ensigns.
The program extrapolated the scene details for them, making the show seem real and vibrant.
Bartender: Have I got a treat for y’all. In the back, we have drums and percussion with a hint of interstellar rage, T’Fearne, aka The Vulcan Ice-Mistress. On the mic, we have the phonic powerhouse, fueled by stable dilithium, Alyndra Syrex aka The Spotted Pulsewave. And to her side, we have the reluctant pulsar with the clarion cello tones, Sybil Nemes aka Vox Obscura. And finally, I give ya a lead guitarist with both fingers of the devil and voice of an angel, Tess Evinrude aka Commander Resonance! Give them a round of applause.
As each Ensign was announced to the world (or Virtual Nebraska), a bright spotlight shone down onto them.
Syrex: ::Quietly to T’Fearne:: Ice-Mistress?
T’Fearne: :: shrug :: I don’t mind it.
T’Fearne tapped out a fast pattern, high energy and rhythmic. Then, with a twist of her wrist, she struck the hexagonal Vulcan gong, releasing a note that felt like it rippled through the bones of the holodeck itself.
Evinrude: ::His voice was sarcastic, but Tess was beaming.:: Promoted to commander already, lucky me.
Nemes: ::to herself as she got ready to play her cello:: Gee!
The atmosphere started to hum with energy and amplifiers, like something incredible was about to happen. But just at that moment, the simulation was interrupted by a comm call.
Bridge officer: =/\= All officers of Alpha shift, please report to your duty stations for a quick debriefing. Apologies for the inconvenience. Bridge, out. =/\=
To be honest, Sybil was relieved that the comms ended the jam session so abruptly, but she could see that the others were disappointed. She looked at them and shrugged. Perhaps she should just give it a try - another time though.
T’Fearne: I have to go see what that's about! I’ll see you later.
Sybil also got up from her chair and leant the cello carefully against the chair, even though it was only holographic.
Nemes: Me, too. See you.
Syrex: Well… I don’t have to be back for a while because I was on-call last night. How about it Tess?
Their guitarist waved goodbye, but was clearly feeling dejected. He looked down at the holographic instrument he was “holding”, then over to his friend.
Evinrude: I guess we could work on a little songwriting? ::He unplugged his guitar, paced over to the edge of the stage, and took a seat next to Alyndra.::
Those on alpha shift swiftly departed the holodeck, leaving the others alone.
[TBC in Part 2 - JP: Lt. JG Syrex; Ensigns Nemes, T’Fearne, & Evinrude: In the Mood?]
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Ensign Alyndra Syrex (OOC: Lieutenant JG)
Medical Officer
USS Ronin (NCC-34523)
R240107AS3
&
*Ensign Sybil Nemes*
Science Officer
USS Ronin
D239009VD0
&
Security Officer
USS Ronin - NCC-34523
R240107T14
&
Ensign Tess Evinrude
Operations Officer
USS Ronin
R240111TE1