Impromptu

Posted on Mon 31st Jan, 2022 @ 3:39pm by Makila i'Hartelhai & Lieutenant JG Kellian Michaels

1,113 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: A Good Day to Hunt
Location: Kellian Michaels' Quarters
Timeline: MD-4, 1710 hours

ON:
Kellian Michaels entered his quarters after a long workday, flopped down on his sofa, and let out a deep sigh. It felt good to be away from the office, at last. He'd had to spend most of the day analyzing and testing evidence samples and then writing reports on his findings. Tomorrow, he had to appear in court to testify as an expert witness on bloodstains found on a dagger of Andorian make.

It never ceased to amaze him that, in this day and age of energy beam weapons, if you wanted to deliver serious hurt and get your anger across in no uncertain terms, bladed weapons were still the first choice.

Charming, he thought. I can't come up with any cheerier thoughts than this?

Well, he could, Kellian mused. He could always think of Makila--and often did during the course of the day. Not today, though. Today had been all about work.

He stifled another yawn. "Computer--Order one personal pizza from Pub 10-42, hand-tossed crust, topped with ground beef, green olives, caramelized onions, and pineapple chunks. I'd like a Caesar side salad with it--no anchovies."

Order submitted. Your credit account has been debited in the amount of FCR17.5. A pause. You have incoming email from Michaels, Edward and i'Hartelhai, Makila, MD. Do you wish to listen to your messages now?

Kellian's drooping eyelids flicked open. "Yes. Play the email from Makila, please."

'I came across this and it made me think of something you told me a while back about playing your cello, I hope you enjoy the challenge. ~Makila' The computer bleeped and a small sheaf of papers appeared in a protective sheet materializing there when the mail was played.

"Delivery complete," intoned the computer.

"Actual paper? What is this?" Kellian said aloud as the sheets materialized. He got up from the sofa and went to look.

"Ooh!" Kellian's eyes widened when he saw that the stack of papers was sheet music for cello. He removed it from the build tray and began studying it.

The composer's name didn't ring a bell, but hey, it was a large galaxy. The longer Kellian studied the score, the more intrigued he became. Some of the left-hand chord jumps were enough to make him wince, but he could hear the music in his head as he read the notes.

"Computer, call i'Hartelhai, Makila MD, please."

The chime rang in her living room and Makila couldn't help but smile at the sound. Someone wanted to speak to her, and there was a light flickering from the padd on the table. 'Call incoming from Lt. Kellian Michaels'

"Answer call please." she paused a beat for the call to connect and there was a soft pleasure in her voice "What a pleasant surprise."

"You're not the only one pleasantly surprised," Kellian said. "I like this cello music you sent me. Thank you! Where in the world did you find it?"

"Did you know that the Kirk has music sales, not just concerts?" There was a smile in her voice as she spoke, leaning back into the embrace of her couch. "I wandered by the other day over my lunch hour."

"I had no idea," Kellian replied, smiling. "See? There's a reason why I'm a lab specialist and not a detective." He paused. "So if you compose music you can sell your work there? That has possibilities."

"Possibilities for what?" she asked, rising to switch on her teapot. She preferred to make her own tea, rather than replicate it. Pouring the water that was immediately perfect temperature, the young woman smiled and threw out an idea "Don't tell me you compose too."

"It beats decomposing," Kellian said. "But yes, I do compose. String quartets are about as complicated as I've written; I'm not interested in writing symphonies. So I've written quartets, trios, duets for cello and a variety of instruments, some cello sonatas. I once performed an original duet for two cellos with a former Security Chief who was an Andorian cellist."

"You, Mr. Michaels, are one surprise after another." Her voice was absolutely complimentary and there was a hint of warmth to it that defied explanation.

"I try," Kellian said with a light laugh. "Once I learn this piece you gave me, would you be interested in dinner out and then a live performance?"

Her thoughts had been answered in word form and she blushed despite herself. "I was indeed hoping to get a personal concert when I found the piece."

"I don't think I've ever played the cello for you, have I?" Kellian said. "I'm pretty sure I haven't. Let's consider it a date, then." He flipped through the score and hummed bits of it under his breath. "Shall we say Saturday, three weeks from now? It shouldn't take me that long to learn it, but I'm allowing extra time in case work suddenly gets crazy."

"I think that it sounds like an ideal date," she answered, a pleased tone to her voice. Her violet eyes glowed with triumph. That date also sounded like a long time from now, which was disappointing. Perhaps..."Perhaps you would like to join me for some dessert?"

The tiny part of Kellian's brain that still functioned like someone living under witness protection screeched an all-points bulletin priority interrupt. What exactly did 'dessert' mean? Just food or--something more? If he allowed it to become something more, could he keep her safe?

Probably not. That was the baldly honest answer. He wasn't sure anymore if that answer came from facts, fears, or force of habit. Most likely the latter two, Kellian admitted to himself. His grandfather and Great-Uncle Mick hadn't been seen or heard from in two decades. Maybe it was safe after so long; there was no way of telling.

Are you willing to live like this forever? he asked himself. The answer to that was a resounding no. It was past time to crawl out from under his pile of rocks and live. That meant taking risks, just as his father had.

Kellian grimaced. Yes, and look at the cost of THAT. Inwardly, he sighed. I can't decide for her, any more than Dad could decide for Mum. I can only tell her the risks, and then we move forward--or break apart--from there.

"I would like to join you at any time, for any reason," Kellian replied to Makila's question. "If I can see you now, I'll be right over."

The connection closed and Makila couldn't help but sigh happily. That held so much promise.

 

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