Blues Night in 10 Forward, part 2

Posted on Wed May 19th, 2010 @ 3:16am by Commodore Samantha York & Lieutenant JG Ronnie Wolfe & Commander John Sheridan & Colonel Damon Raine & Lieutenant Kaj Mikkola & Major Leroy Mangalia & Lieutenant JG Erin Tal & Lieutenant JG Nava & Lieutenant JG Randall "Iceheart" McGraw

1,235 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: What Lies Beneath?
Location: Orion Lounge
Timeline: Current

ON

[OLD]

Finally done with tuning his bass, Leroy smiled as he started playing "Rock Me Baby" and smiled. He missed playing like this. It helped keep him calm during the rough times. Singing softly to the song, he made sure he couldn't be heard. He played by slapping the bass, something his uncle had taught him. He wasn't bad, but he could have been better.

[NEW]

Sam picked up her drink and took a sip, looking around. She was pleased to see how many senior officers were involved in this night. She put a hand over Damon's and smiled.

Damon had to admit, her smile along with the enthusiasm of the officers around them was starting to take affect on him. He could almost feel the day's stress bleed off. He winked at Sam before taking her hand and mouthing the words 'thank you' to her.

"Any time," she mouthed back, grinning.

Looking to Kaj, Leroy motioned for the man to step over and talk to him as he started another song. He didn't know the name of this one, but that's only because he hadn't written lyrics or anything else to it.

Nava listened as they tuned and started the songs "Kaj, let me know when you want the vocals to join in." She said as she listened and lost herself in the music. Nava began singing the song with Leroy. It was one of her favorite songs. She grabbed Erin and pulled her onto the stage with her.

Erin had started humming along to the music being played, warming up her vocal chords as well. It was hard to remember the tempo and lyrics she had only just learned.

Ted had been playing blues music for a short while, but he found he already liked it. He was nervous. What would it be like to be in front of those people, playing the guitar? What would it be like to be in the spotlight. He had to choke back his lunch. He never liked being in the spotlight. What the hell was he thinking?

Ronnie walked into the lounge, dressed in a pair of dark gold jeans and a dark green blouse. She ordered a tall glass of spiced cider and found a seat near the back where she could enjoy the music.

Erin turned and saw Ted and had to grin. ''It doesn't take a councilor to see that you're ready to run for the hills.'' She said, walking over to him.
''First gig jitters, huh?''

[A short time later]

Kaj looked around at the band devilishly. The time had come. Without any sort of announcement he launched into the first song:
"Hey hey hey hey mama, look at little sister...."

The band didn't roar so much as heave to life with the force of a tune from earth's 1980s originally done by Stevie Ray Vaughn but in particular channeling a live version performed by not only the titular artist but with a guest appearance by equally renowned bluesman Jeff Healey.

And with that blues night had started. Now all that was left was to see if the lounge would react with a similar force.

Nava listened as the band started playing. She looked around the lounge as people turned their attention to the stage.

Sheridan had heard the music as he shuffled in. He had been listening to blues for years and was excited that others might also appreciated it. He pulled up a seat at the bar. Looking around he could see there was a pretty good crowd.

Ted wiggled his fingers on the strings, making the notes almost sing. Tapping one foot in time to the beat, he sang along under his breath when he could to get into his groove

Erin grinned and paid full attention to the stage, fully enjoying the music and occasionally glancing around to see what other people thought of it. It had to be said, Kaj was going to be a pretty hard act to follow.

Randy glanced around and looked to see what the general atmosphere of the lounge was. He was relieved to see that the idea was catching and he looked around until there was a lull in the music. He took the opportunity to walk up to the stage, and see about getting up there to perform.

Leroy looked up from playing bass and opened his eyes. He had let the music sooth him, something that was hard to do. Noticing Randy, he smiled, and flung his head back, motioning for the man to get up by him if he needed something.

Samantha found herself tapping her foot to the rhythm. She didn't usually hang out in the lounge, but this was fun. It was good to see the crew enjoying themselves.

Randy leaned over, and under his breath asked if they knew anything by Benny Goodman. "I have my saxophone here and think that a little swing would fit in perfectly."

Ted grinned. "I think 'Sing Sing Sing' would be good." He stood up and stood next to the bass as Randy went to grab his saxophone.

Randy stood, put it together, and walked back to the stage with new reed in his mouth. He pulled it out for a moment, "You guys mind if I announce the change, that way people can get up and dance if they would like to?", he then popped the reed back into his mouth while he waited for an answer.

Kaj nodded during a rhythm break, shouting over the music.
"Sure, jump on in as soon as we're done with this song!"

Nava found herself tapping to the music. She enjoyed both jazz and swing. She glanced around and saw that it seemed that this had gone over well.

Randy popped the reed in, and then started up the opening notes of 'Sing, Sing, Sing'. The band members joined in, and before Randy knew it, they had a few people getting up to dance. He smiled as he got into it, and realized that they really did have a good sound. Tonight was a fantastic night.

Sam leaned over to Damon and whispered. "Do you mind if I dance this one with Phil?" Phil was one of the junior officers in the science department. She and Phil shared a love of swing and had danced together once on the holodeck. Sam had a hard time passing up a chance to get on the dance floor. But, if Damon preferred, she would be content to sit this one out with him.

He smiled and nodded. "Of course. Go have some fun." He was really quite content to just sit with his drink and watch.

Sam looked at Phil and nodded towards the dance floor. With a grin he stood and came to their table. "Let's show 'em how it's done," he said.

(To be continued...)

Lieutenant JG Kaj Mikkola
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Orion

Ted Turner
Lounge Manager
USS Orion

Ensign Nava
Chief Diplomat
USS Orion

1st Lieutenant Leroy Mangalia
Marine XO
USS Orion

Ensign Erin Tal
Chief Counselor
USS Orion

Private Trent Kushner (NPC)
Marine
USS Orion

Lieutenant JG Ronnie Lancaster (NPC)
Assistant Chief Science Officer
USS Orion

Commander Samantha York
Commanding Officer
USS Orion

Captain Damon Raine
Marine CO
USS Orion

Ensign Randall McGraw
Wing Commander
USS Orion

Lieutenant Commander John Sheridan
Executive Oficer
USS Orion

 

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