Blackbird Singing In the Dead of Night

Posted on Mon Jun 22nd, 2020 @ 6:03am by Emilie Temple & Raven Mattel
Edited on on Fri Jul 10th, 2020 @ 4:55pm

Mission: Divided We Fall
Location: Deck 5 - Holodeck

A Mission Post by Emilie Temple & Raven Mattel
Mission: Divided We Fall
Location: Deck 5 - Holodeck
Timeline:
Wed Jun 6th, 2018 @ 6:00am

Standing in the darkened holodeck - the power still not available to run programs - Raven Mattel had rigged up a couple of light beacons, a microphone stand, and an acoustic guitar borrowed from Tisar Zemel. Surrounding her was a small bunch of off-duty officers and passengers, with very little else to do during their down time escape wait for news or any new developments.

Raven had decided to put on an impromptu show for them all, as she was often want to do, and now stood in the blackened holodeck wearing her shimmery gown and bare feet. Her makeup and hair restrained and simplistic. This was an acoustic performance, without her usual theatrics and pyrotechnics. Raven thumbed a little on the guitar, getting herself warmed up, speaking warmly to those sitting cross-legged on the floor around her.

As Raven began a gentle rendition of an old Beatles' song, Emilie Temple happened to be walking past with Katrine by her side. She was still at a loss for something to do, her husband once again missing and likely in danger. She was the epitome of "putting on a brave face". She didn't want to rail against the Starfleet operations that once again had disrupted her family, or against Nyx for once again having to make the choice to put the ship first. From what she had heard so far, it was clear the entire Bridge crew had sacrificed their own safety to keep the ship from being totally swamped by the wave. But that didn't give Emilie any solace.

So she and Katrine had been wondering around. Emilie had been spoiling her daughter unnecessarily; anything she could do to take the four year old's mind off her missing father. She had tried small lies at first, telling Katrine that daddy was still on duty, or he had to go to a meeting. But those lies were wearing thin. Emilie could only prompt them along with promises of ice-cream and extra long trips to the Daycare centre. And a special toy when daddy finally did return - so long as Katrine behaved of course. It was a house of cards, really, and the longer Nyx and the Bridge crew were gone, the longer both Emilie and Katrine's stability was being tested.

As the pair walked past the holodeck, noticing the door was opened slightly, Emilie was taken by the sound of the acoustic guitar and gentle voice. She steered Katrine and herself into the room, standing just by the doorway as they watched this impromptu show.

"Blackbird singing in the dead of night." Raven began softly, her hand dancing up and down the neck of the guitar. "Take these broken wings and learn to fly."

The crowd of people watching began to nod their heads or sway gently, clearly feeling the song and the moment they were experiencing. Emilie leaned against the door a little, as Katrine wandered forward and sat down like the others were doing. There was something simple and pure about this moment, something Emilie had never considered she would see on a technology-filled, flashy Starfleet vessel. It was just a singer with a guitar, singing a song that resonated with the Pandora's current situation.

"Blackbird flyyyy. Blaaaackbird fly." Raven crooned soulfully. "Into the night of the dark black night."

Katrine looked back at Emilie, a smile broadly on the young one's face. For however long it would last, the rambunctious child was entertained and content. Emilie herself let out a deep sigh, feeling the ability to relax for just a while. She had the brief, sad thought, that it would be nice if Nyx came up beside her at this time; held her hand, leaned his head against her shoulder, so they could watch together. Emilie wrapped an arm around her own stomach as she watched instead.

Raven took a moment to look at the crowd, noticing it had grown since she had begun. She closed her eyes again as she sang the next few lines, feeling the song and event deeply within her. It was the first time since arriving - except for when she got drunk with Lieutenant Mindo and Ignatius - that she felt at home on the Pandora. She began to realise she could have a place here on the ship, and that people could actually appreciate her for who she was. She was like the blackbird in so many ways.

"You were only waiting for this moment to arise." She sung. "You were only waiting for this moment to arise."

As she closed out the song and strummed the last few notes of her guitar, Raven dipped her down in a silent bow. The crowd began to applaud appreciatively to the performer, some shouting out pleasantries and warm congratulations. Raven looked up again and shook her head. "I do this for you all. Thank you for everything you do on this ship."

A few songs later, Raven decided to take a break, something the crowd was all too happy to oblige with. Though many of them decided to stay seated together, and someone had began to pass around snacks and serve up drinks. It had become a small community picnic, in the shallow lights of the holodeck. Katrine had begged her mother to go speak to Raven, having never seen such a tall and shimmery woman before. Emilie smiled and the two walked up to Ms. Mattel together.

"Excuse me lady!" Katrine called out, tugging gently on Raven's dress.

Raven looked down with a raised eyebrow to see who was pulling on her gown but smiled when she saw Katrine. "Well hello little Miss. What can I do for you?"

Katrine noticed that Raven's speaking voice was a lower than most women she had met before, and paused for a moment before replying. "I like your singing."

"Well thank you, darling." Raven replied, giving a laugh. "Thank you for stopping by."

"It was very beautiful." Emilie chimed in, reaching out her hand to shake. "I think the crew really needed this."

"As did we all." Raven returned the shake while nodding. "Who might you be? Are you an officer, little miss?"

Katrine giggled, putting her fingers to her mouth. "Nooo! I'm just a kid."

"Her name is Katrine, and I'm Emilie." Emilie replied warmly.

"Raven Mattel." The queen replied, never forgetting to strike a pose whenever she said her own name, as she flicked her head back and stood proudly. "Performer, dancer, entertainer, and soon to be house bartender for Mindo's Arcade, whenever that gets back up and running."

"Oh Mindo's?" Emilie nodded, "That place was great. I'm sure many people can't wait to have it back."

"Until then." Raven shrugged, lifting up her guitar again and pulling the strap over her shoulder. "They'll just have to put up with me."

"You're doing a great job." Emilie replied. "I'm sure Nyx, uh the Captain, will appreciate what you're doing."

"If you see him, tell 'em that will you?" Raven laughed as she headed back to the microphone.

Emilie looked down for a moment, and Katrine stared back up at her. She pulled on her mummy's dress. "Can we go to daycare?" Katrine asked.

"Of course, honey." Emilie smiled, leaning down to pick her daughter up.

"Good." Katrine nodded. "Because I want to make a picture for when daddy gets home."

The two departed out of the holodeck again as Raven started into her next set. More crowds began to appear and enjoy the small concert. For Emilie and Katrine, it had taken their minds off the situation for a little while, but the only thing that would make them truly happy would be having Nyx and the rest of the crew back. That was the moment Emilie was always waiting to arrive.

OFF