Posted by Lieutenant Commander Harrison Callahan (Chief Intelligence Officer) in Side Sim: Open Mic Night (Open To All)

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Talia Ren (Doctor) in Side Sim: Open Mic Night (Open To All)

Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade James Rowe (Scientist) in Side Sim: Open Mic Night (Open To All)
Posted by… suppressed (7) by the Post Ghost! 👻
OOC: There are so many new faces on the ship, including mine that I was looking for an IC way to meet some new folks. Please feel free to drop in! - Justin

In the aft section of the Athena’s saucer, located on Deck 20, sits ‘General Purpose Area 1’. The official designation for this space is a flexible area designed to accommodate the crew’s needs while in flight. It has been used for everything under the sun… VIP offices, overflow storage, even mission specific laboratories… but on not quite random Friday nights, the space is converted into The Agora Pub.

No one can say for sure when The Agora started popping up. Some say the original Chief Engineer was an Irish lad who loved two things… his hometown pub back on Earth… and a nurse of Greek descent who saved his life after a work accident. Others say there was a Counselor who had a passion for spoken word poetry. Ultimately, no one cared… When The Agora Pub appeared, those in the know… knew it was going to be a good night.

James Rowe entered the makeshift space and marveled at the ingenuity of his shipmates. It wasn’t perfect, but the Agora was a serviceable facsimile of an old pub right down to the appearance of wood paneling and the scent of questionable decisions. This was his third venture to the Agora and he was excited to see what his fellow crewman would perform tonight. He’d seen talents both great and small take the replicated stage in this venue, but it was the courage and vulnerability to put themselves out there that James was most impressed by.

Rowe made his way up to the bar and ordered an Old Fashioned. A NE Engineer with a red beard and boisterous personality mixed the cocktail. When he returned he said “Is this the night we get you on stage Mr. Rowe?” James blushed slightly because he didn’t know the man’s name, but it was clear the NE had never met a stranger. James replied, “I’m sorry but I don’t know your name.”

The Engineer laughed and said, “I’m Larry Ledbetter. Don’t apologize, you’re still relatively new here… but you have failed to answer my question.”

Larry’s laugh was infectious and James found himself half chuckling as he replied, “Nice to meet you Larry. It might be the night, but it’ll probably take a couple of these first.” James tipped his glass to the man in thanks and made his way to what was becoming his usual spot near the wall, but with a clear view of the stage.

• Rowe

OOC Obviously, no one warned you about offering an open mic night on a ship that I’m part of. Well … it is dangerous. :)

IC Michael heard noises on the ship on his exploration of the lower decks, and because he was a curious sort, he followed them until he found the ‘Agora Pub’.

He sat back and watched for a bit. Then, when there was a break in performers, he finished his dark and stormy, and went to the mic. He saw Larry from Engineering still behind the bar, and he cued up the holographic music to support him as he prepared to perform a well known tune. Through the years it had many a name, depending on the singer and the audience, but in here, Michael was calling it “The Starfleet Pub”.

The music began, a lively beat, a jig that some in the audience recognised almost immediately. Michael wouldn’t win Beta Quadrant’s Got Talent, Fleet Factor or Andorian Idol, but he could hold a tune.

“You were walkin’ down a corridor, It could’ve been deck two,
And you hear a distant callin’ and you know it’s meant for you,
So you drop what you were doin’ and you join the merry mob
And before you know just where you are, you’re in a Starfleet pub!”

CHORUS
“They’ve got one out there on Vulcan, there’s one on Quo’noS too,
There are ten of them on Tellar, and a couple on Rigel II,
If you’re lost in the Badlands, or perhaps the Galactic core
You’ll find a Starfleet pub if you follow the drunken roar!”

“Wherever you go around the galaxy
Wherever you warp, there’s a place to be,
Have yourself a bloodwine, a Romulan ale or two
The ‘tender at the Starfleet Pub knows just what to do “

“Well, we’re tunin’ up the warp core, calibratin’ the drive,
Makin’ sure the plasma conduits are keepin’ us alive,
But when the shift is over and the chief says we are done,
We’ll be racin’ down the Jeffries tubes to have a bit o’ fun”

“There’s one on ol’ Andoria, where the ale is served up cold,
A dodgy one on Ferenginar, where drinks are bought with gold,
A quiet one on Betazed, where all all your thoughts are read,
Best find yourself a Starfleet pub ‘fore a red shirt turns up dead.”

“You can drink it out glasses, you can drink it from a bowl,
It might be green and bubbly, or as dark as a black hole,
But as long as you’ve got crewmates and a yarn ya want ta tell
You can raise a glass to Starfleet and the ship you love so well!”

“They’ve got one on Oed V, open each and every day,
There’s one on DS9, where the wormhole lights the way,
The one on Old Earth Station floats right above the bay,
But the best one’s the Agora, no matter what they say!”

Once the music ended, Michael sat down quickly so he didn’t get asked to go again.

==================/\===================
Michael Easter - Engineer - USS Athena
There’s always a solution … it just takes some
creative thinking (and a roll of duct tape).
==================/\===================

Brenna entered the pub with her three constant companions. She noticed Easter up on the stage singing. She grinned. This was great. Geri, Fekri, and Fenris padded along beside her, noses twitching and ears up. Fenris grumbled once, “No. You don’t need to sing with him. It’s his turn, not yours Fenris.” She swore Geri rolled his eyes at the younger dog. She moved toward an empty table and sat down. Her boys settled under the table and her chair, out of the way, but ever watchful.

Her own eyes scanned the area, looking for any of the few faces she might know. This was always her most favorite part of a new posting. The excitement of meeting new people and the surprise of it all.

Lt. Cmdr. Atoded, Counsellor

Though James had yet to grace the stage in his previous visits to the Agora, he had started his own ‘tradition’ by having a standing order with whoever the barkeep happened to be each time that when a performer finished, they were to receive a round of whatever they typically drank to show his appreciation. Seeing an empty handed waitress make her way over to Easter’s table led Rowe to believe the bar didn’t know what the Engineer drank.

Rowe found his attention drawn to the newest crewmember to join them in the Agora and her three dogs. He’d heard of service animals, and even some pets being permitted on ships… but he’d never seen it first hand. As the dogs curled up beneath Brenna’s chair, he couldn’t help but watch them.

Sensing attention on her, Breena’s gaze scanned the room even as Fekri’s nose booped her calf. He was alerting her to focused attention in their direction. She set a hand down on his head and looked at him and followed his gaze. She met Rowe’s gaze and gave a friendly smile. She didn’t know him, but judging on his posture and the way he was watching the room, he was a regular to this event.

The next performer to grace the Agora Pub’s stage was a Vulcan civilian in her mid sixties. James didn’t know her, but overheard the couple at the next table say something about her being their son’s teacher.

She approaches the microphone carrying a small PADD, and waits patiently until the room settles. She makes no attempt to smile.

“Good evening.” She consults the PADD.” For those of you I have not yet met, I am T’Vara. I oversee Nursery One on Deck Fifteen.”

She pauses for a moment.

“I have recently completed another month of observations.” There’s a smattering of chuckles from those who know what to expect.

“Despite the confidence with which many of you entrust your offspring to our care, I regret to report that they continue to behave as children.” A few laughs. “This was… anticipated.”

Another pause “I have reached several conclusions.”

“First. There is no statistically significant relationship between volume and correctness.”

“Human children remain convinced that speaking louder substantially increases the likelihood that an incorrect answer will become correct.”

A pause as the audience laughs.

“I have tested this. It does not.”

“Second. I have observed that Andorian children negotiate every request.”

“‘Please put your toys away.’”

“‘How many?’”

“‘All of them.’”

“‘Counterproposal.’”

A longer pause. “I respect this.”

“Third. Tellarite children argue with instructions they already intended to follow.”

“‘Please wash your hands.’”

“‘I WAS GOING TO.’”

“This appears to be culturally reinforced.”

A glance at the PADD.

“Ferengi children attempt commerce.”

“‘May I have another dessert?’”

“‘No.’”

“‘What if I cleaned the classroom?’”

“I considered the proposal.”

“It was… surprisingly competitive.”

“I have also discovered that there exists a universal constant among children of every Federation species.”

“They believe I do not notice when they are being quiet. They are incorrect. The quiet ones concern me the most.”

“I recently asked a class to draw their families. One Human child drew six people. One Bolian child drew fourteen. One Klingon child attempted to draw an honorable death. As a result, we discussed alternative assignments.”

“My greatest challenge remains explaining Vulcan humor. The children insist that I do not possess one. I remind them that humor requires timing to which they reply…’Exactly.’”

The audience laughs harder.

“I continue to evaluate this criticism.”

“I leave you with one final observation.”

“Children spend every day attempting to become adults. Adults spend an astonishing amount of time attempting to remember how to become children again.”

For the first time, the faintest hint of warmth enters her voice.

“I have not yet determined which group is more successful. Thank you.”

T’Vara gives the slightest inclination of her head, retrieves her PADD, and walks offstage to warm applause, still apparently unconvinced she has said anything particularly amusing.

Brenna’s shoulders shook with quiet laughter. The woman was very amusing and probably knew it. Her delivery was wonderful and painted a very vivid picture of her daily duties.

James watches the Vulcan woman leave the stage, unsure of what he just saw… but somehow feeling thoroughly entertained. He watches as a Tellarite man takes the stage to perform his version of a folk song. Rowe finishes his first Old Fashioned and holds the glass up to Larry to indicate he’s ready for another round.

-Rowe

Brenna had no intention of joining in the performances that night. Maybe next time. Right now she was just enjoying being in the crowd and participating in a more passive capacity. A passing waitress stopped to take her order, but it was busy and Brenna wasn’t expecting it to come quickly.

It was later in the evening when Talia entered the crew made club. She kept herself from looking around at those who were present. She didn’t want to get nervous by thinking about performing in front of them. It would be better to think it was a room of strangers. She signed up to sing and made sure the sound system had queued up the version of the song she was going to sing. Dressed in a dark lavender sequined dress that bared her shoulders and legs, she awaited her turn at a table while she drank a dirty martini for courage.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Talia Ren
Doctor USS Athena

After two more performances, her name was called. The Athena’s usual hum of conversation had given way to something warmer. Tables had been rearranged around a small raised platform at one end of the room, soft amber lights replacing the clinical brightness of the ship’s standard illumination. A vintage microphone stood alone beneath a single spotlight, while an ensign with an acoustic guitar quietly tuned the last strings before yielding the stage to the next performer.

The weekly open mic night had become one of the crew’s favorite traditions. Poetry, music, stand-up comedy—anything was welcome. The lights dimmed again.

“Our next performer…” the host smiled at the padd in his hand. “Junior Lieutenant Talia Ren.”

Talia stepped onto the stage looking far more nervous than she ever did in Sickbay. Her hair was neatly braided back, though a few loose curls had escaped around her temples. She wore civilian clothes instead of her teal uniform—a simple lavender sequin dress that caught the light without demanding attention. She gave an awkward little laugh into the microphone.

“I, um…” She looked around the room. “If this goes terribly, please pretend it never happened tomorrow.” The room answered with warm laughter. She smiled. “Thanks.”

The guitarist nodded to her and called up the track she was going to sing to. The first quiet chords drifted through the lounge. The melody was gentle. Melancholy.
Hopeful. Talia closed her eyes for the opening line. The room disappeared. Her voice wasn’t flashy. It didn’t have the polished perfection of a professional performer.
It was honest. Soft enough that everyone instinctively leaned forward.

Every note carried vulnerability she never allowed anyone to see during duty hours. The confident young medical officer who joked with patients and moved decisively through emergencies seemed to melt away, revealing someone quieter…someone who felt everything deeply. She wasn’t performing. She was telling a story.

As the song unfolded, the lounge grew impossibly still. Conversations ceased. Even the bartender slowed his movements, careful not to interrupt the moment. To anyone watching closely, there were tiny tells. The way she drew a breath just before an emotional phrase. The unconscious tightening of her fingers around the microphone stand. The faint smile that appeared during the hopeful passages before fading again. It wasn’t sadness she was singing. It was longing. The kind that lived quietly beneath optimism.

By the final chorus, several members of the audience had forgotten to applaud between verses. They simply listened. When the last note faded, Talia remained perfectly still for a heartbeat before opening her eyes. The silence lingered. Then the lounge erupted. Applause echoed off the curved ceiling. Someone whistled.
Another shouted, “Encore!”

Talia laughed, cheeks flushing crimson. “No,” she said into the microphone, laughing harder. “One near-death experience per evening.” More laughter. She offered a small, almost embarrassed bow before stepping off the stage.

Then she finally looked across the room and spotted James. Her eyes found his. For a fraction of a second she froze. “…James?” Her expression shifted rapidly from surprise......to horror.

“Oh no.”

She covered her face with both hands. “You saw that. I didn’t know you were coming.”

Lieutenant Junior Grade Talia Ren
Doctor USS Athena

OOC: Sorry, forgot to post the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFGiMLvEZL0&list=RDgbNBCZslS_M&index=5

Lieutenant Junior Grade Talia Ren
Doctor USS Athena

It was a wonderful performance and Brenna clapped along with the rest of the crowd. Geri wuffled and chuffed his appreciation and then settled his head on his paws again. The waitress returned with her purplish/pink drink and three bowls filled with whipped cream. Brenna set the bowls on the floor and the three dogs eagerly lapped up their treat.

James watched as Talia poured out her heart on the stage and felt a profound desire to wrap her in an embrace. As she stepped off the stage and made eye contact, he got the impression that she felt exposed. He stood up to go to her, and Larry misinterpreted the moment. “Next up will be James Rowe…” He looked at Talia with an apologetic look in his eye before looking at Larry with a look that said ‘c’mon man’. Larry realizing that his slip up offered an apologetic shrug.

James hadn’t planned to perform and as such didn’t have a song prepared. He cursed under his breath… ‘Shit… what am I going to do up there?’ As his mind thought through what to do, he found himself thinking about his parents and how he missed them…

Rowe moved to the stage and spoke in hushed tones with the guitarist. James moved to take a seat on the stage’s stool and came in as the music started. His voice wasn’t polished but there was a distinct sincerity to it.

~Home state, old paint…
Used to shine, now it don’t look the same…
Slow pace, with a red face…
It’s 25 outside, don’t feel a thing…~

As James reached the chorus, he lifted his glass to the crowd.

~I take a drink and I let it burn…
‘Cause there’s a part of me that likes the way it stings, the way it hurts…
I don’t talk to God, don’t think it works…
‘Cause I know better people than myself still end up in the dirt…~

In the midst of his decreased inhibitions, James’s thought back to the accident… the procedure… and the guilt of surviving when the donor’s life had been cut short…

~Wasted all my lies on the four walls that I’d known…
And I’m scared of what’s to come more than I fear being alone…
‘Cause every time it’s going right I’m left here on my own…
So paint a face, cut the brakes ‘til your blood starts running cold…~

Raising his glass once again, a few members of the audience took the cue and joined him on the chorus.

~I take a drink and I let it burn…
‘Cause there’s a part of me that likes the way it stings, the way it hurts…
I don’t talk to God, don’t think it works…
‘Cause I know better people than myself still end up in the dirt…~

A small smile played across Rowe’s lips.

~Riding on these yellow lines…
Speeding up to catch a high…
Burning off the rubber on these tires…
Looking for a warning sign…
That I know damn well I won’t find…
Tell me, are we living just to die?~

Taking a breath and raising the glass one final time it seemed the entire crowd joined in and Larry drummed the bar top.

~I take a drink, I let it burn…
‘Cause there’s a part of me that likes the way it stings, the way it hurts…
It don’t talk to God, don’t think it works…
‘Cause I know better people than myself still end up in the dirt…~

~I don’t talk to God, when’s it my turn?
‘Cause I know better people than myself still end up in the dirt…~

James leave the stage without ado… his eyes scanning the crowd to see where Talia ended up. As the crowd applauded, James raised his glass to in appreciation for their support but his mind had already moved on.

• Rowe

It was well done, and surprisingly heartfelt. Brenna clapped again as Rowe left the stage and she turned her attention to the next performance.

What were the odds they both would perform on the same night, one right after the other? She’d allowed herself to be vulnerable–no reason not to be, but now that she knew James had watched her performance, was that still true? He’d seen a side of her now that she hadn’t really shared. How would it change the way he perceived her?

When he took the stage, Talia was excited to see what he would do. The song was kind of sad, wistful…melancholy. She was overcome by a feeling of sadness for him. Who was he missing right now?

She waited for him to step down and then reached for his hand. “Are you alright? That sounded a little more emotional than you might have meant for it to.”

Lieutenant Junior Grade Talia Ren
Doctor USS Athena

The Intel chief had quietly snuck into the Agora just before Talia had performed, guitar case in hand. He had been quietly sitting at the bar, enjoying the talent of his crewmates, when Larry the Engineer spoke up.

“I see you brought something to play, Commander. you got the stones to get up there or . . . .?”

Harrison chuckled slightly. “Give me a quick shot of tequila and I’ll show.”

Larry poured it and Harrison slammed it “It makes the voice sound more eotional,” he added.

He picked up the case and made his way to the stage and pulled out the guitar.

“Ladies and gentlemen, next up is Lt. Cmdr. Callahan. As you can see, he’s got a guitar, so let’s see what he can do with it. . . .”

The crowd applauded as Harrison sat on the stool near the microphone. He tuned up and then spoke.

“This song is for someone that was very, very special to me. I loved her with everything that I am and everything I had. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough. . . . “

Brenna’s brow went up at that. A very personal and significant admission to the crowd. It was interesting what people spoke of in different situations. She’d met Callahan briefly on the bridge when she first arrived.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64Elf45rT1c

There was utter silence when he finshed. The pure, raw emotion he sang with was so overwhelming that it brought tears to the eyes of some in the audience. As the cheers and applause began to erupt, he simply said “Thank you, thank you very much,” and left the stage. . . .

Lt. Cmdr. Harrison Callahan
CIO-USS Athena

That was quite skilled, as far as Brenna could tell. She’d never played an instrument, but she was always impressed by those that could play and sing at the same time. She applauded and gave the CIO a slight nod. He was probably the only person in the room she actually recognized right now. Fekri nosed at his empty bowl and huffed. Brenna laughed softly. “One is enough for tonight,” she said quietly to the red and white Husky.

Lt. Cmdr. Atoded, Counsellor