Posted by Lieutenant Junior Grade Umbri Zayne (Tactical Chief) in Mess Hall - Midnight Stew (ENG/Anyone Interested)

Posted by Ensign Kastarak (Doctor) in Mess Hall - Midnight Stew (ENG/Anyone Interested)

Posted by Lieutenant Commander T’Aria (XO / Navigation Officer) in Mess Hall - Midnight Stew (ENG/Anyone Interested)
Posted by… suppressed (2) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Snip

Umbri eagerly nodded. “How could I refuse a performance for my bunkmate? Let’s do it,” they said. They turned the piano, decided on a jazz tune, and began to play.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FA21fpKsVEs&list=PLbwUoBeqEqhzCiHZLMRWDRnoyhdxs32aN&index=28

Ensign Umbri Zayne, Security

Resting his foot atop the bench, Sega’a heaved Henrietta to his mouth and flashed Kastarak a charming smile. He closed his eyes and awaited Fitzgerald’s melody to grace his ears before easing into harmony with Umbri. The song carried a sentimental tune that transported him back 2255 and his close friend, Commander Byrd. Every stroke and breath reminded him of the man’s baritone… how it captured the hearts of all who gathered to listen if even for a note. Melancholy struck Sega’a’s heart at the thought of his dear companion, but he refused to let it taint his performance. A spirited cast and tap-tap-tapping foot returned Sega’a to the present where he manifested Byrd not as a memory, but as an esteemed member of their audience.

Kastarak was mesmerized. He recognized that state of mind, and decided to explore it. Mesmerization was, according to him, not an emotional state, but a state of heightened awareness, of focus in the given moment. As such, it would not be illogical to pursue that state of mind. He followed it, looking at singer Sega’a moving his body in tune with the music, its beat, its melodious ups and downs, and in tune with Umbri’s accompaniment. He noticed what he judged as sadness or grief on Sega’a’s face. Even though Kastarak understood that such emotion is usually distressful and unwanted, in this moment, however, it was as if Sega’a actively pursued that emotion. It intrigued Kastarak. Why would anyone willingly pursue a distressful emotion? Surely there could be nothing intoxicating about it. Sadness could not be a drug. Surely?

Kastarak was confused, yet he recognised the music – not necessarily the music itself but rather the work, the handicraft, in producing it here live with him as audience – as aesthetically pleasing. Could an emotion be coloured aesthetically?

Kastarak took the chair that Sega’a invited him to sit on, and then heard how Umbri joined Sega’a in creating that jazz version of that melody. He recognised it. He pondered where he had heard it – it must have been on Earth – the melody appeared very much Earth-like, even if one hypothetically removed the jazz aspects of it. This was an Earth-like harmony – even if jazz seemed to be the kind of genre that plays on harmony. If words can be turned into puns, would that be an apt metaphor for jazz? He decided to leave that question aside, he knew that Umbri might be able to help him explore all those musical questions at some other time.

Then he heard a passer-by from outside the mess hall sing along to the melody:

Blue skies
Smiling at me
Nothing but blue skies
Do I see

That reminded Kastarak of Earth, the blue skies there, and how different he had found them from the skies back on Vulcan. On a clear day, the sun would rise and turn the black sky red before moving to blue, and being blue all over the day, until moving to red at night. On Vulcan, it was the other way around. A clear mid-day would have a red hue on the sky, but when the sun was rising or setting, the sky would turn ever so slightly blue.

– Dr Kastarak (ensign)

Sega’a peered through slitted eyes at the unusual but not-at-all-unpleasant sound emanating from the corridor. Did his mind deceive him? Or had someone happened upon their midnight melodies?

At that moment the Captain came sauntering in singing in a A Cappella voice,

Bluebirds
Singing a song
Nothing but bluebirds
All day long

Never saw the sun shining so bright
Never saw things going so right
Noticing the days hurrying by
When you’re in love, my how they fly

Blue days
All of them gone
Nothing but blue skies
From now on

I never saw the sun shining so bright
Never saw things going oh-so right
Noticing the days hurrying by
When you’re in love, my how they fly

Blue days
All of them gone
Nothing but blue skies
From now on”

He then spun around and bowed deeply in front of everyone. “Great job you two! And a great job to Sega’a! For cooking my favorite stew! I have come for a couple bowlfuls my good sir.”

Captain Chris Taggart CO

OOC: Sorry! My original post in this thread didn’t transfer correctly!

IC: Umbri’s jaw dropped to the floor as soon as the Captain finished singing. They were too much in shock to even stand up at attention. “C-Captain, I didn’t know you had such a great voice. I’m at a loss for words, forgive me,” they said.

Lt. (j.g.) Umbri Zayne, Tactical Chief

“Oh,” Sega’a lowered Henrietta to his lap as a sheepish smile emerged across his lips. “I’m afraid there’s no stew, Captain. We’re short of a few ingredients that the darn synthesiser refused to deliver.” His gut writhed at the thought of disappointing his friends, so Sega’a pondered a moment and thought up an alternative. “I don’t know how you all feel about Vulcan spice tea, but I’ve got leftover spice tea cake in the galley fridge and plenty of ice cream—non-dairy for our plant-based friends—to go around.”

— Sega’a, chef

OOC: Alison - feel free to join in either flavour of chaos, interact with an unsuspecting NE (we have many!), or spectate!
IC:

Chris acted like he was appalled by what the Orion just told him. “What?! This damn machines. No matter my friend. I’ll be happy to have some tea with you…” Then gestured to the whole room. ....”with all of you. But I will be the one to make the tea. You all go about your business and continue to play. It was marvelous to hear. Thank you all for that. I’ll be in the kitchen making the tea and some snacks.”

“Sir, remember to–” Sega’a attempted his infamous spiel about scrubbing the kettles at approximately 100*C to prevent mold, using the blue soap not the pink, and ensuring everything was dry before storing, but… it seemed Taggart was all-too familiar with his manner.

With that Chris left and without turning around yelled back. “And yes. Sega’a. I’ll clean up and put everything back in their correct spots and refill anything if I empty it. Your just like my mother!” Walking past Kastarak Chris saw him come to his feet.

Sega’a fought the urge to rub his neck in sheepish exposure, but instead managed a proud grin. Had he turned Chris to the dark (but spic-n-span) side? The thought sparked an impishness in his crinkled eyes. If he could ‘mother’ Taggart into cleanliness, there was no telling what he could do about that pair of redshirts that destroyed his kitchen like clockwork with their underbaked, underflavoured cookies.

The captain had entered, Kastarak rose to attention.

Chris put up a hand to signify that he appreciated the gesture. ” Thank you but please go about your business. It’s not often that that the crew can share a moment as precious as this on a Battlecruiser.” Then he went behind the kitchen door.

Now this was his chance to grab Sega’a’s attention. Perhaps he would find some answers now to all his musings. Once the captain had left Sega’a alone a little bit, a while, Kastarak interjected,

“Crewman Sega’a, forgive me for interjecting” (Kastarak thought that some non-Vulcan courteousness might help him persuade the Orion to acquiesce to his coming request, “but would you like to join me for some spice tea? I should very much like to discuss the production of music you just now displayed.”

– Dr Kastarak (ensign)

“Please,” Sega’a waved a calloused hand, “call me ‘Sega’a’. Rank seems a little rigid for friends, don’t you think?” He knew decidedly little about Kastarak’s take on friendship. Did he believe in the whole comrade thing, or was he a member of the ‘Mx. Solitude’ gang? Sega’a could never tell for sure, but he hoped it was the former. “I believe the skipper’s scampered off to put on a kettle,” he followed Chris’ retreating figure, “and I doubt he needs spectators. So, why don’t you join me until he returns?”

Indicating a chair, Sega’a settled into the opposite and opened his arms in an encompassing gesture. “What would you like to know, Kastarak?”

Kastarak tried to assess what was going on with his fascination for Sega’a. It was bordering on the illogical, but he was intruiged nonetheless, and thought that if he could get Sega’a to discuss music, it would be enriching for Kastarak. He remembered reading that music could, for some species, help recovery following surgery or treatment, and therefore, it would, Kastarak finally surmised, be logical to pursue this. That realization gave him some extra energy.

Kastarak seated himself in front of Sega’a. Sega’a didn’t look as imposing when sitting down. On the contrary, he looked much more approachable.

“I do not know where to even begin,” said Kastarak, “except to thank you for taking the time to talk to me.”

Sega’a leaned against his elbows and unfolded emerald-toned fingers, “anytime!” He would be a fool to refuse good company… or any at all. Sega’a knew his imposing stature and grim visage unnerved folks, but he struggled to quell the hurt that pierced his heart when someone shrivelled at his thunderous laughter or flinched when his grin faltered. There was nothing more disheartening than to be feared… especially that fear stemmed from roots beyond his control. Sega’a took in an inaudible breath and flicked the thought from his mind, choosing to appreciate Kastarak’s company than dwell on insecurities.

Kastarak paused.

“Forgive me for being impertinent, and be free to decline to answer my question should it be too sensitive or private for you.”

Kastarak paused again, trying to figure out how to pose his question. He noticed his heartbeat going faster again, and he micromeditated while shutting his eyes for a second, bringing his heart rate down to a normal resting rate. The flushness in the face subsided too.

Sega’a watched Kastarak grapple with the curiosity that darted like a pinball across his playfield mind. He wondered if he should intervene, but he knew Vulcans approached questions like puzzles. They processed them, testing them against levels of logic and decency until they emerged prompt and well-worded or fizzled to some seedy nook of their minds. Sega’a rolled his shoulders, resolving to wait for Kastarak to find his words.

“I could not help but notice that while you were playing the song, you looked sad. I am not very good with recognizing emotions, I must confess, so I might be wrong. Though the sadness did seem apparent, yet, you chose to continue, indulge in that feeling while continuing the play. It was to me as if you were actively seeking to go deeper in that emotion. Would you be able to help me understand?”

Kastarak understood he was treading on dangerous territory now: if anyone had asked him questions like that, he would have deemed it too private to answer. But somehow, Kastarak sensed that Sega’a was more open. Emotions for Sega’a seemed to be a language, something that had a communicative purpose. Perhaps then Sega’a would be willing to talk about them. If Sega’a would talka bout emotions, perhaps Kastarak could learn a bit about how to describe emotions in a logical, rational way, or failing that, with language. When he sometimes has flashbacks from the destruction of Vulcan, his brain shuts off, he cannot think, and he is not sure of what emotions run though him at that point. Of course there are emotions, there must be, but he had no language for them. So perhaps, he thought, Sega’a, by opening up, might help him.

However, it could not ever be a musician–chef’s job to help Kastarak psychologically. There were people on board employed for that task. But maybe, just maybe, was this the start of a budding friendship.

– Dr Kastarak (Ensign)

“I would not call it ‘sadness’,” Sega’a pursed his lips, “nostalgia contains a kind of nuance that simple markers like ‘sad’ and ‘happy’ cannot quite capture. Emotions do not exist in a vacuum; they occur together in a near-perfect union. What you interpreted as ‘sadness’ was only the surface of a more profound feeling.” He hesitated in search of a concise way to define emotion without bombarding Kastarak with flowery analogies that might deepen his confusion. “I’m sure you’re well-acquainted with how sights, sounds and sensations can provoke repressed memories? When I heard the first chord of ‘Blue Skies’, it reminded me of my old friend Andreas Byrd. He loved that song dearly and sang it with a beauty that words cannot express.”

He wavered to allow Kastarak a moment to absorb his words.

“When I think of his voice,” Sega’a resumed, “it takes me through all of our memories together. I experience the delight of his offer to stay aboard the Avenir with him and the frustration of my bunkmate’s chronic snoring. I recall the sheepishness of my first meeting with Captain Skahlem when he stood behind her with fingers propped in a ‘thumbs up’, or so he called it. There’s the resolution to repay his kindness with food and the slow evolution of my love for him. Everything I ever felt for or I associate with the man returned when I heard that song.”

Sega’a lips curved in a fond smile. “I miss Andreas dreadfully, but sorrow works like an anaesthetic, helping to navigate pain in healthy doses and paralysing in others. So, I needed to step back and think about him. What would he want? Andreas loathed the idea of ‘his’ song being sung without ‘oomph’. That shift you saw? It was me leaning into every other sentiment I felt for him. Delight. Mischief. Frustration. Dread. Envy. Pride. Love. Where you work to control your emotions, I let them run free because I know suppressing them will allow them to fester until I explode. Performance helps me do that. I can mould my turmoil into an art that I can share with others.” He stole a glance at the officers gathered in the mess hall, warmth filling his chest. “And that’s enough for me.”

“I’m sure I haven’t made a lick of sense,” he laughed, “but I hope that helps. I’m not an expert on emotion, I’m just one of the souls doomed to a life commanded by sentiment, but I’m happy to try and answer your questions.”

-----‐--------------------------------------------------------
In the kitchen.

Chris knew where Sega’a kept the coffee but not tea and he hoped it would be in or near the same place since Sega’a kept similar items together. “Ha! Found you you sneaky devils!” He said to the tea as he pulled the container down and opened it. He took a sniff Then his wires got wide! “Dang! So this is what it smells line before its brewed. It’s even worse.” Having the coffee out to make him some he quickly opened it and to a sniff. “Ahh! That’s more like it.”

After pouring water into the coffee maker and started the pot, Chris grabbed the kettle and filled it and put it on the stove to heat up. Then he just had a realization! A bad one. He’s never made Vulcan tea before and he crew is expecting well made tea like Sega’a’s. “Hmm. Well nobody can make anything like Sega’a, but I need to come close.” Looking around he found what he was looking for and went to the door and called out. “Everything is fine in here and the tea is on. I’ll be out in awhile with it. Please continue with what you all are doing.”

Sega’a, engrossed in his discussion, waved an absent hand that neglected the Captain’s suspicion-raising comment.

He then smiled and closed the door again and quickly went over to Comm station and flicked the switch. [O] Room to room communication with Executive Officer T’Aria.”.....

[Quarters, XO]

T’Aria peered at the comm panel mocking her from across the room. Why was Taggart calling at this hour? And why was he whispering? She untangled her limbs and pulled herself to her feet. Wasn’t NLt. Konrad handling the bridge tonight? T’Aria could speculate for hours, but it wouldn’t help Taggart’s emergency… if this was an emergency at not some midnight escapade with a tragic resolution. [O]T’Aria, here. What do you need sir… and does it necessitate secrecy?[O]

Surely he wouldn’t be using an open channel for a ‘top secret’ communique. They had protocol for that. Then again, he was Chris Taggart.

one she answered. Chris whispered. “T’Aria. This is Chris. How do I make Vulcan tea. I’m also whispering so I don’t look like an idiot in front of the crew. Please help me.[O]

Captain Chris Taggart CO

— Sega’a, chef / musician

Tea. He comm’d in the early hours of the morning to learn the art of Vulcan steeping. And, judging by the urgency in his tone, she suspected it was a time-sensitive matter. T’Aria took in a shallow, sobering breath and pressed a finger to the comm.

[O] What ingredients have you gathered? [O]

That was a better response than a deadpan ‘it’s no different than any other tea’, wasn’t it? Besides, if he wanted to impress his guests, he couldn’t make standard spice tea. He must, as humans often said, ‘step up his game’. And she knew just the recipe.

— T’Aria, XO / Tea-meister?

— Sega’a