Musical interlude

Posted on Wednesday July 18th, 2018 @ 12:10am by Lieutenant JG Niklas Blom M.D. Ph.D & Lieutenant Neera Pine

1,275 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Season 2: Mission 1: Day after Day
Location: Lounge
Timeline: Oct 13, 4566. early evening

Niklas was off duty. He'd retrieved Carmela from his quarters and felt like unwinding a bit. Ordering a random drink, he sat down at the Piano, Carmela lying down nearby, attentive but quiet. He sipped the odd green whiskey, a color between lime juice and lime itself. Proclaiming it tasty, he started some random jazz. Something that people could talk over and yet would not put anyone to sleep. Carmela crooned along in harmony. Something she taught herself after he gave her some simple musical parameters.(edited)
His mind wandered and he let the music take him where is would. A nice advantage of the android/human mix was that his knowledge was not programmed and the artificial body wasn't failing like his human body was in the process of.
 
Neera sat in a corner booth with a glass orange juice and gin. She was tired from the constant drills, her father busy with Sera working up possible solutions for the bugs. Sarah was with Seleni, and Kessler was off being sneaky Kessler. She found the sudden jazz music relaxing, letting it put her in a state of bliss. She loved music, jazz not being one of the kinds of music found back home, she listened to any she could find with a hunger.
 
Niklas played a few requests. Mostly contemporary hits Wasn't his thing, but it got him free drinks and he made friends. Once that petered out, he went back to the jazz.
 
Neera would clap at the end of most of his songs. She ordered a drink for him, the same she was drinking herself.

When the waiter gave him cocktail, as usual he wanted to thank his patron. When he saw who it was, he motioned for her to come over.

Neera got up from her seat, dressed her S6 duty uniform, and walked over to the stage.

He bade her to sit next to him and made room on the bench. Carmela came over and tentatively started to assess Neera by seeing and then sniffing.

Neera stepped up onto the small corner stage, giving the robot Dragon a gentle petting before taking a seat in the bench, making sure not to sit on her tail as she kept the hem of her skirt down. "I can't say I know how to play the piano."

"Most everyone can be taught to play a simple tune or two. The dexterity needed for classical piano I was blessed with. Something I've enjoyed over the decades." He played a few more licks. "Would you like to try, or just listen to me?" Nik asked.

"I think I'll just listen, I'm more for enjoying the music then playing it.", She said with a smile

Niklas nodded. "In that case, what would the lady like to listen to?" he asked.

"I was really enjoying the jazz you were playing before, we don't have music like that back home.", Neera explained.(edited)

"Well...I wonder why...." Nik said as he launched into a set just for Neera.

Neera sat quietly with a smile and listened intently, a little sway of the foot and tail to the music. It was strange being so close to the source of the music for once.

After a few minutes, he commented, "perhaps guitar. Given your natural proclivity to the type of nails on your hands, that might be something to think about. "

Neera was surprised by the statement, "My father has offered to give lessons before. He plays electric and acoustic."

"If you let them grow just a bit, you probably wouldn't need a guitar pick." He stood up and a picked up an acoustic over to one side. "Carmela, assist mode." The dragon stood upright and and front paws changed to something resembling normal five fingers hands. He handed Carmela one of the guitars and slung the other over his head. "Carmela, playing for time, backup guitar please." The Dragon nodded and adjusted to the instrument. "Yes Dada." He strummed the first few notes and the dragon played the harmony and rhythm to his lead.


"Wow that sounds amazing, where did you to play like this?", Neera asked with a light in her. It was best song yet, and certainly one she'd have to try getting a recording of later.

"I downloaded the ability. I could have learned the hard way, but since I already know how to play classical piano, it was a simple addition to my skillset." NIk offered.

"I could do similar, but not at the same speed, far from it. One of the perks of having a implant connected to your brain that lets you connect with the technology around you. Sorry I'm need babbling," She finished slightly red under the snowwhite of her fur from her burst of nerdyness.(edited)

"It's okay. I speak fluent nerd. " He offered. "Though I should have expected blushing. " Nik paused deep in thought. "Tell you what. Let me glean what I can about your form of implant learning. Between that and some simple old school chemical learning, we should be able to leapfrog you into a semblance of talent."
"Do you have a VX implant?

"Just the Geist, it has all the same functions plus a few more."
 
"Is visual overlay one of them? So you could see the chords come up on the frets of the guitar?" Nik asked.
 
"Yes a HUD function is one feature." Neera commented
 
"I will can make you a custom program. What instrument would you like to be proficient with?" Niklas asked.
 
"I guess guitar since there is one at home to practice with," Neera said thoughtfully after a moment.
 
"Furry lady play with us Dada? " Carmela asked, her eyes wider than normal.
 
"If you don't mind having a newbie cramp your style."
 
"No cramps, I'm artifishull." Carmela offered, clearly pleased with her pun. Niklas offered. Next time I am in Med bay, I will create the needed components. Your anatomy is human luckily, I just don't want any surprises. Which reminds me, how is your headache? Staying away I hope."
 
"Yes thank you, I look forward to trying the program."
 
"I do as well. More band members are always a good idea. Plus there are compact guitars and keyboards now if you find yourself on an away mission with nothing to do." He paused and wanted to say something, there seemed to be an internal struggle within the artificial man. He reached out and touched her hand, 'if you find yourself in need of something.....not just medical.... Perhaps I could be of use." Even he winced at that one. "You'd think for someone that had 60 years political experience wouldn't be tongue-tied around a woman."
 
"If it makes you feel better, My last boyfriend was an android. Don't worry your in good company. Don't worry I'll come to you if I need anything, but you've already done more than you know. Most people don't want to talk to the wolf girl, but you did and that means a lot to me. Thank you," Neera said with a deep sense of appreciation, giving him a quick kiss on the cheek as thanks.
 
Absentmindedly he touched the place the kiss landed with a free hand. He waited until she left, and uttered a low growl. "Enchanting." was all he said, Carmella cocking her head in confusion.

 

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