Posted by Lieutenant Kiama Naim (Chief Science Officer) in Holodeck - Music Is The Soundtrack Of Your Life

Posted by Captain Alexander Cochrane (Commanding Officer) in Holodeck - Music Is The Soundtrack Of Your Life

Posted by Lieutenant Kiama Naim (Chief Science Officer) in Holodeck - Music Is The Soundtrack Of Your Life
Posted by… suppressed (6) by the Post Ghost! 👻

(snip)

“Thank you,” Kiama replied sincerely and gave Alex a warm smile. Leaning slightly forwards, she unzipped the bag she had brought with her. At first she pulled out a black hockey helmet (without the face guard) and placed it on the ground next to her. She then took out a pair of white figure skating skates with pink skate guards. After taking off her shoes in silence she, she slipped into her skates and quickly tied them securely before putting on the helmet. Rising to her feet she stood a bit wobbly for a moment, but quickly found her balance and managed to walk to the end of the deck with relative ease.

Alex started playing, and the music began to drift across the ice, even as the sun hung high in the sky.

Once there Kiama stepped onto the ice while still holding onto deck with one hand before taking of the guards. Taking a deep breath, she started to glide on the ice. At first everything seemed to go fine. Sure, she was a little wobbly and not skating fast by any means. But she always managed to keep her balance. Well, till she didn’t. Several minutes in, she was getting a little more confident as she remembered some of the things her roommate at the Academy had told her when she took her ice skating and thus started to feel more stable on the skates. Suddenly she hit the ice wrong with one blade and started to loose her balance. But this time she didn’t manage to regain it. Instead fell backwards and landed with gasp and slight wince on her behind.

~Lt. Naim, CSO

A voice came across the ice, carried along with the music. “Everybody falls. Its what we do once we are down that matters.”

Cochrane, CO

“That’s true,” Kiama called back, a soft tinkle of laughter in her voice, as she managed to somehow get back onto her feet. Once she was standing again, she brushed the ice of herself and then began skating again. She could have become more cautious again, but she was determined not to let that small mishap stop her. So she continued where she had left off, so to speak and with very passing moment she continued to feel more confident. And she began to remember a few of the basic exercises her friend had taught her. But first she needed to remember how to stop. Sure, being all alone on the ice meant that it wasn’t as important as on a crowded rink. After all, she could just stop moving her feet and eventually she’d stop. But even alone on the ice that wasn’t the most efficient way. So she tried, very cautious at first and with no real effect because of that. Yet she kept trying and more than once landed on the ice again. But eventually she got the knack of it. With a broad smile on her dark face, she skated back towards the deck.

Stopping neatly close to where she had left her skate guards, Kiama reached for them and put them back on before clambering back onto the deck. Once she was standing next to Alex again, she sat carefully back down on her chair and mused with a twinkle in her eyes, “I think I like this.” She then bent forwards to untie her skates again.

~Lt. Naim, CSO

Cochrane chuckled and slowly stopped playing. “There is a lot to unpack in that statement. What is it you are referring to, exactly?” he asked as he set the cello on it’s stand and then reopened the guitar case.

Cochrane, CO

“Hmm,” Kiama pondered as she took off her skates and started to carefully and methodically dry the blades after taking off the skate guards. “I think I like that it’s something physical. Something that is more about my body then my head. I actually felt like it helped me get out of my head. Which is definitely a good thing,” she laughed softly. “I know it’s a physically demanding sport. At least if you do more than skate in circles. But it’s also so graceful. I like that too. And I like the thought that, with enough practice, I might even be able to do spins on the ice. Or at least stop falling down as often.” She then put the skates and the small cloth back into her bag and it was only then that she realised that she was still wearing her helmet. So she quickly took that off as well and put it with the skates before closing the zipper.

~Lt. Naim, CSO

“Not falling down does help. And spins are actually pretty easy. It’s just momentum and inertia. I can show you how if you want.” and he plucked a few strings and made some adjustments on the tuning pegs.

Cochrane, CO

“What can’t you do, Alex?” Kiama asked while laughing softly. “Once I’m a bit steadier, I’ll take you up on that. Thank you.” Not in her wildest dreams had she thought that she’d have this kind of conversation with him or that he would offer to teach her how to play an instrument or how to do spins while ice skating. Tilting her head slightly, she looked at Alex for a moment and then asked, “What can I do for you in return?”

~Lt. Naim, CSO

In response to her first question he said “I can do everything. Thats what they teach during the second week of Command School.” and he gave her a wink and a grin. He began picking on the guitar strings, a sound much different than before. This was fast… convoluted and complex, but simple at the same time… and it was fun.

“Good to know,” Kiama grinned.

“Well, I haven’t done anything yet, so don’t think you owe me anything. I’m happy to help. But if you really want to do something for me? Then don’t stop trying to find what brings you happiness. And once you find it… don’t let the expectations or demands of others take it away from you. Even when you are the Betazoid equivalent of the Klingon High Chancellor or whatever the future holds for you… keep being happy. Deal?” and he began really playing as he looked at her and smiled.

https://youtu.be/PbkfPQKyJcA

Cochrane, CO

“Deal,” Kiama replied without hesitation and then leaned slightly back and closed her eyes as she listened to Alex. This new piece brought a wide smile to her face and even made her chuckle a little. She had enjoyed everything he had played so far, but there was something about this one in particular that resonated with her just now.

When Alex finished playing that song, Kiama leaned impulsively towards him and gave him a brief hug. Pulling back, she looked a little sheepish and apologised, “I’m sorry. I didn’t think. I’m too impulsive at times.”

~Lt. Naim, CSO

Alex laughed and said “Hugs are great. Impulsive ones are even better.” and he gave her a friendly hug in return. “Besides… we are all family here. If you can’t hug your family, who can you hug?”

Cochrane, CO