A Crew Who Sings Together, Stays Together

Posted on Wed Oct 14th, 2026 @ 12:33am by Captain Akeno Misaki & Lieutenant JG Runa Suruga & Lieutenant JG Hime Wazumi & Commander Mashiro Munetani "Shiro" & Lieutenant Commander Raelyn Mckenzie & Lieutenant Luna Eclipse of the House of Martok & Lieutenant Haaktor Zelaia & Lieutenant Charlotte Averis

6,650 words; about a 33 minute read

Mission: Hunted
Location: Mess Hall - Deck 2

As per usual, Tuesday evening at 1900 hours was the well known 'Karaoke night' on the Wayfarer. It had become a tradition onboard the ship and was popular amongst the crew. However, it had the same rules that Akeno had set from day one.

- No uniforns, ranks or positions.
- No ships business.
- Fun only!

The Karaoke machine sat in the corner of the mess hall, raised up on a semi circular stage that had now been permanently built into the room. Some of the crew had already gathered, and not a single uniform or rank pip in sight. The only item related to Starfleet that they were allowed to wear was their comm badges. (And even Akeno had originally objected against them!)

Luna and Eclipse were super excited about the Karaoke Night! Eclipse had come a long way since Luna had saved her from her slavery on the mirror Wayfarer and, while she still jumped and got nervous around new people, she was coming into her own and Luna couldn't be prouder. Both girls sported light silver tee-shirts, black pantaloons, and diamond flats...a tad flashy, but Luna wanted Eclipse to feel like a princess...and perhaps catch someone special's eye. NOT that Luna knew if Eclipse had anyone...but, meh.

Mashiro, evidently, had her own reasons for attending, though they were more so out of obligation than they were of any personal desire to participate; if not for the fact that Captain Misaki hadn't taken her aside and begged her to attend, she wouldn't have given it so much as a second thought. In her mind's eye, it seemed wildly inappropriate to be holding a casual function such as Tuesday night karaoke while an auditor was present, as it drove home the message that this crew was not, in fact, serious about their jobs. Of course, that logic went right out the window when Akeno revealed that said auditor and his partner would be in attendance, so that ultimately wound up leaving Mashiro with no excuse not to be present, and so she reluctantly conceded to go along with this, if only so as not to be singled out as a lone wolf.

Seeing as uniforms were a no-go, Mashiro was forced to dig into the very limited wardrobe that she kept on hand for shore leave excursions and source something that at least looked casual enough to be wearing to a social function. Much to even her surprise, she had managed to dig up a sleeveless, ivory-colored turtleneck sweater that she had no memory of ever buying, but decided to roll with it anyways and subsequently paired it up with a set of skinny jeans that she also happened to have lying around. Unfortunately, she couldn't seem to find any footwear in her possession that really complimented the look, so she had to cheat a little bit and replicate herself a pair of chic-looking sandals.

Hindsight being 20-20, perhaps she'd given a bit too much thought as to how much attention was going to be paid to her feet...

"Miss Eclipse," she greeted the two Klingons as she entered the Mess Hall. "I take it we're early?"

"Hello, Miss Mashiro Ma'am. Maybe? I'm not sure." Eclipse greeted, smiling happily as she grabbed a sparkling water. Luna had told Eclipse if she wanted to sing she had to be careful what she drank so that her vocal cords wouldn't get coated and mess with her voice.

"Mashiro is just fine," the brunette insisted as she drew up a chair at the table just across from them. "Say, if you don't mind my asking, you know where I could get myself one of those? I'm thinking a little carbonation would help to steel my nerves for this..."

Not that she was planning on singing, of course, but if she was going to be expected to socialize with Captain McEntyre, she was going to need a quick and easy solution to take some of the edge off...

"Ok M...Mashiro. Someone set up a refreshment table over to the left of the stage. There's some...what did you call it, Luna, finger eaters?" Eclipse asked.

"Pffff! Nno...it's finger FOOD nnot eaters!" Luna sputtered, thankful she'd just finished swallowing.

"Oh, right, those things. I'm gonna wait until after I sing to grab some." Eclipse blushed a little, but smiled as she thought about the song she'd been practicing.

Raelyn entered the room a few minutes later sporting an dark green tank-top with black pants and boots, her usual off-duty gear when it came to informal outings like this one. She gave a quick nod to everyone there and casually made her way over to the refreshments table to grab a bite to eat- or two.

Haaktor was new to the ship, and the idea of not wearing his Starfleet uniform felt almost heretical. He'd hardly worn anything else since leaving his homeworld and receiving his commission. In fact, the issue of the 'no uniforms' order meant that he had to replicate an entirely new outfit, as the only other clothing he had was his (now ill-fitting) Elasian naval armor. Instead, he had to replicate something like attire from his home. Less ostentatious than the armor, his outfit was a light bronze-colored shirt with red stripes along the arms. He did keep his uniform pants and shoes, but assumed they would go unremarked. Entering the Mess Hall, he glanced around with an expression bordering on haughtiness or arrogance. Everyone was out of uniform, and he wondered what would happen to the ship if they were suddenly attacked. People of the Federation grew up in too much peace and too little fear. Even after a war, they were happy to focus on entertainment, rather than defense. It unnerved him slightly, and yet kept the Ops man thoroughly intrigued as he stayed near the replicators, observing rather than immediately interacting.

Tag all - Mingle, chill and we'll sing some songs


The doors of the mess hall opened and in walked Akeno, holding the hand of Xander. Her casual light blue blouse and grey skirt suited her well as she walked beside him. Compared to her, he was much taller. Dressed in a simple button down shirt and jeans, he smiled as he accompanied the petite captain into the mess hall.

"Evening people!" she greeted cheerily. "Who's up for some music?"

"You want my honest answer, or the sugar-coated one?" Mashiro sighed.

"Ohhh...." Akeno said as she let go of Xander. She started to relentlessly poke-tickle Mashiro in her side. "Is there something you want to say eh... Do you admit to still being a silly stick in the mud... Huh Shiro Chan?" she asked as she continued poking at her XO's side.

Mashiro drew a deep breath. "Please stop poking me, Akeno," she requested calmly, politely, and remembering all the while to drop ranks while this function was ongoing.

Akeno withdrew and simply grinned at Mashiro. "You should lighten up a little Shiro-Chan. Sing a few songs, let your hair down once in a while."

"She's pretty." Eclipse whispered to Luna as she shyly waved at Akeno.

"You're pretty as well, Eclipse. Remember that." Luna ruffled Eclipse's hair affectionately. Eclipse smiled shyly.

Akeno broke away from Mashiro and Xander and skipped happily up to the karaoke machine. She grabbed the microphone and tapped on it with a single finger. "Well, shall I open us up?" she asked with a smile. She didn't wait for a response as she turned and began to select a song from the huge database of music in the Wayfarer's database. "Lets open with a classic!"

Her words were followed by an upbeat and bouncy beat. As the words showed "Opening instrumental" on the screen, she did a slight bouncey side step as if warming up. Then, once the lyrics began to appear, Akeno began to sing.

"When the world leaves you feeling blue
You can count on me, I will be there for you
When it seems all your hopes and dreams
Are a million miles away, I will reassure you"

She began to swish a little, moving side to side with the rhythm.

"We've got to all stick together
Good friends are there for eachother
Never, ever forget that I got you
And you've got me, so"

The music took a drastic change to be even more bouncy, and Akeno's grip seemed to tighthen on the microphone as she put more happy and upbeat emotion into her singing. She pointed towards the crew, then to her as she sang about having each other. Throwing an arm into the air, she hit up the chorus.

"Reach for the stars
Climb every mountain higher
Reach for the stars
Follow your heart's desire
Reach for the stars
And when that rainbow's shining over you
That's when your dreams will all come true"

She eased her excitement and smoothly opened into the next verse, a more lower tone allowing the words to run smoother and more gentle.

"There's a place waiting just for you (waiting just for you)
It's a special place where your dreams all come true
Fly away (fly away)
Swim the ocean blue (swim the ocean blue)
Drive that open road, leave the past behind you"

After a few moments, and a few choruses later, she reached the final verses of the song.

Don't believe in all that you've been told
The sky's the limit, you can reach your goal
No one knows just what the future holds
There ain't nothing you can't beat
There's a whole world at your feet
I said reach!

Climb every mountain (reach)
Reach for the moon (reach)
Follow that rainbow
And your dreams will all come true
Reach for the stars

Climb every mountain higher
Reach for the stars
Follow your heart's desire
Reach for the stars
And when that rainbow's shining over you
That's when your dreams will all come true!"

'Reach' by S Club 7 Full Version Here

As the song ended, Akeno breathed heavily. All her jumping around on the stage and getting the crew 'pumped up' was taxing on her. But she held up a hand as she finished the song, followed by a bow.

"WHISTLE! HUZZAH! BRAVO!" Eclipse was WAY pumped up! Luna giggled as she clapped for Akeno.

Charlotte applauded for Akeno, but shook her head slightly as she slipped a ring on her index finger and stood up to be the next one to take a turn. Singing was one thing she loved to do and indeed had an entire repertoire, but she'd narrowed her choices down for this.

As she sauntered her way up, she grinned and tossed her blonde mane behind her. She was wearing what could only be considered tavern wench garb, a green and white-frilled and green corset over a white frilled top that went most of the way down her biceps. Black stockings that went up over her knees and calf high boots finished the look. "So I think we need to make things a bit faster." She made a selection and stepped up to the microphone, eyes almost glowing with excitement.

As the words "Opening instrumental" Showed, it was clear that fast-paced was an understatement as drums and percussion started up quickly, followed by the addition of a fiddle and Charlotte flexed her fingers in anticipation.

"I spin a glowing ember for a copper in a cup" She rubbed her fingers together, a holographic flame shooting up from her palm
"I make the tavern shadows dance to cheer the drunkards up
They clap for little parlor tricks and ask me for a song
I smile and play the happy fool where simple folks belong
The ale is flowing heavy as the patrons end the day
I laugh to hide the monumental gifts I threw away"

There was a bit of fiddle and Charlotte took the mic halfway across the stage as if to talk to another part of the crowd,

"The masters at the ivory tower carved my name in stone
A prodigy of woven spells they claimed as all their own"

She held her hand out, palm up as something seemingly in it began to glow.

"I held the cosmos in my hand when I was very young
And choked upon the golden praises everybody sung
I ran from expectations and I left my robes behind
To save my breaking body from the furnace of my mind
I trade the arcane secrets for a barrel and a stool!
The greatest mind of Waterdeep is playing as a fool!"

She stomped the floor as she centered herself between the two points,

"But damn! We pour the cider and we stomp upon the floor!
I’ll never read a grimoire or a spellbook anymore!
I’m hiding from the heavens in the corner of a bar!
I’d rather be a nobody than be a burning star!
We drink and dance the night away and sing without a care!
While I pretend the wasted magic isn't choking air!"

Another short fiddle interlude and she used the time to move past the centerpoint and to the other side of the small stage, clearly into the song fully,

"The mornings here are quiet and I do not have to bleed
To memorize the incantations that I used to read
I sweep the dusty wooden planks and wash the dirty plates
And hide my face from anyone who passes through the gates
I told myself the simple life would finally bring me peace
But now the quiet moments are a plague that won't decrease"

"I blamed the ancient scholars and the tutors for the weight
I swore their expectations were the architects of fate
But as I watch the firelight I finally realize
The cruelest of the masters is the one behind my eyes
I have the power to unmake the mountains and the sea
And I am pouring whiskey for a sailor on my knee!"

As Charlotte said 'power', she'd created and 'cast' a ball of light across the stage where it vanished before she continued,

"The spark is turning into ash, my destiny is gone!
I’m terrified to find out what I really threw it on!"

"But damn! We pour the cider and we stomp upon the floor!
I’ll never read a grimoire or a spellbook anymore!
I’m hiding from the heavens in the corner of a bar!
I’d rather be a nobody than be a burning star!
We drink and dance the night away and sing without a care!
While I pretend the wasted magic isn't choking air!"

Taking the microphone from the stand, Charlotte let herself fall to her knees, leaning closer to the audience as if sharing a secret of her life,

"I wonder if the torture was the only way to live
If greatness takes exactly everything you have to give
My mind is going crazy in the safety of the dark
A dragon being treated like a pigeon in the park
I cannot stand the happy faces drinking in the hall
I need the brutal pressure or I'm nothing here at all!
The quiet life is suffocating everything I am!
A river of a goddess being broken by a dam!
I miss the painful bleeding and the studying of lore!
I'm dying as a tavern maid upon a sticky floor!
The smile upon my face is just a magical disguise!
I’m drowning in the ocean of my own pathetic lies!"

In one swift movement, she leapt off her knees and back to her feet, landing with perfect timing for the start of the last chorus,

"But damn! We pour the cider and we stomp upon the floor!
I’ll never read a grimoire or a spellbook anymore!
I’m hiding from the heavens in the corner of a bar!
I’d rather be a nobody than be a burning star!
We drink and dance the night away and sing without a care!
While I pretend the wasted magic isn't choking air!
Isn't choking air...!"

'True Magnitide' by Lyra Vesperi Full Version Here

With the end of the song, Charlotte breathed heavily, this song was the more serious of hers and it always took a fair bit out of her. It was also a good warmup for her and her eyes blazed with excitement for the opportunity to get it out for others once more.

"DANG!" Luna and Eclipse were completely enthralled!

"I'll take a crack at it." Eclipse shook her hair loose from it's braid and strode up onto the stage without asking permission, exacting a smug, proud smile from Luna. Eclipse adjusted the mike as the lights dimmed.

"Hey oh, here comes the danger up in this club

When we get started and we ain't go stop
We gonna turn it out till it gets too hot
Everybody sing, hey oh
Tell 'em turn it up till they can't no more
Let's get this thing shaking like a disco ball
This is your last warning, a courtesy call

Hey oh, here comes the danger up in this club
When we get started and we ain't go stop
We gonna turn it out till it gets too hot
Everybody sing, hey oh
Tell 'em turn it up till they can't no more
Let's get this thing shaking like a disco ball
This is your last warning, a courtesy call"

Eclipse started swaying back and forth and pumping her hand like she wanted the volume to be jacked up.

"I am not afraid of the storm that comes my way
When it hits it shakes me to the core
And makes me stronger than before
It's not a question about trust
But will you stand with us?
Can you feel it? Make it real

I think it might wash away tonight
Awaken from this never ending fight
It takes more than meets the eye
This war we're fighting is not just rotting"

Eclipse was completely in sync with the music, swaying, stomping, banging her head, pumping her fist, and just having the time of her life!

"Hey oh, here comes the danger up in this club
When we get started and we ain't go stop
We gonna turn it out till it gets too hot
Everybody sing, hey oh
Tell 'em turn it up till they can't no more
Let's get this thing shaking like a disco ball
This is your last warning, a courtesy call

There's a rumble in the floor
So get prepared for war
When it hits it'll knock you to the ground
When it shakes up everything around
But survival is a must
So will you stand with us?
Can you feel it? Make it real
Make me feel it

I think it might wash away tonight
Awaken from this never ending fight
It takes more than meets the eye
This war we're fighting is not just rotting"

Luna smiled as she watched Eclipse shine onstage.

"Hey oh, here comes the danger up in this club
When we get started and we ain't go stop
We gonna turn it out till it gets too hot
Everybody sing, hey oh
Tell 'em turn it up till they can't no more
Let's get this thing shaking like a disco ball
This is your last warning, a courtesy call

Hey oh, here comes the danger up in this club
When we get started and we ain't go stop
We're gonna turn it up till it gets too hot
Everybody sing, hey oh
Tell 'em turn it out till they can't no more
Let's get this thing shaking like a disco ball

This is your last warning, a courtesy call"

Eclipse slid across the stage and shot her fist into the air in triumph.

[She's definitely come into her own] Luna thought as she clapped and cheered for Eclipse.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GHIyI3Jout4

Eclipse waltz off the stage and attracting a few stares/whistles as she sashayed back to her table.

"Well done, Eclipse! I'm very proud of you!" Luna praised, standing to give Eclipse a hug.

"Thank you, Luna." Eclipse beamed, then blushed as a young man set a glass beside her with a number on a napkin. Luna sputtered and coughed, enjoying watching Eclipse get flustered and try to talk with several young admirers.

"Alright, my turn." Luna said after a few songs.

"It's gonna get a little spooky in here, so better pull your braveer half close." Luna's smile sent shivers through the room as her Klingon fangs caught the light.

"You-ooh-ooh-ooh-I
You-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooah
You-ooh-ooh-ooh-I
You-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooah"

Smoke started curling across the stage.

"It's the dark of night
And I'm at the end of the line
Alone in my head
And waiting for something divine
To answer me
Drowning to silence
The internal violence I pray
To make it through
The storm winds are growing
As my dreams are blowing away
Just like you"

The lights started slowly strobing.

"You-ooh-ooh-ooh-I
You-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooah
You-ooh-ooh-ooh-I
You-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooah

Out at the edge
The moonlight reflecting for me
The collapse of the waves
Echoing internally
As I cry out
If I'm living my life
Then why does it feel like my heart
Will break in two?
Failure is calling
As my dreams are falling apart
Just like you

You-ooh-ooh-ooh-I
You-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooah
You-ooh-ooh-ooh-I
You-ooh-ooh-ooh-ooah (Just like you!)
You-ooh-ooh-ooh-I
You-ooh-ooh-ooh-
I feel just like you

I feel just like you"

https://genius.com/Celldweller-just-like-you-lyrics

The smoke shot into the air in geysers, then vanished completely.

"Do I wanna know where we got a smoke machine?" Mashiro whispered to Akeno.

Akeno looked away, whistling innocently as if to indicate that it totally wasn't her that replicated and installed it earlier that afternoon.

"Christ, do I need to follow you around all day?" Mashiro grumbled.

"Well obviously, Shiro-Chan!" Luna, having just stepped off the stage, caught the comment, and in a completely uncharacteristicly sassy voice said, winking dramatically.

"Please don't feed her ego, she's already got enough of one as it is," Mashiro sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.

Eclipse had overheard, and was trying desperately not to spit out her 'finger eaters'.

Charlotte saw the hesitation for the next person and jumped up again, "I hope you all don't mind that I've got two I wanna do?" She asked, but it was a rhetorical question. Luna and Eclipse nodded, eager to hear more of Charlotte's beautiful voice.

The music started with a skirl of a flute-like instrument and Charlotte began to sing lightly,

"I stumble on words, I trip on the stair...
But mess with my friends, and OOPS! I'm a BEAR! (Yeah!)
OOPS! I'm a BEAR! (Hey!)
OOPS! I'm a BEAR! (Yeah!)"

Her voice ended the proclamation with a growl and more of the flute-instrument came through with a jaunty upbeat tone.

"She spilled all her ale on the floor of the inn
Apologized twice to a goblin's left shin! (Yeah!)
She stutters and blushes, she hides in her cloak,
The worst of our party at telling a joke
The rogue rolled his eyes, the paladin sighed
We thought she'd be first of the heroes who DIED!

But then came the ambush, the flashing of steel!
The moment of panic, the danger is REAL!
She drops her wood staff, looks up at the moon..."

Charlotte's voice went childish for just a few words,

"'Um... excuse me...'
BOOM!"

Her voice came back roaring in full,

"OOPS! I'm a BEAR! (Yeah!)
I’m a BEAR! I’m a BEAR! (Yeah!)
Claws in the night and a roar in my hair!
I might be a klutz, I might be a fool...
But NEVER cross wands with the Moon Circle school! (Yeah!)
I’m tearing up armor, I’m breaking the line!
Oh gosh, am I bleeding? No wait, I am FINE!
Overpowered? Who cares! (Yeah!)
Sorry folks... OOPS! I'm a BEAR!
OOPS! I'm a BEAR! (ROAR!)
Bear on the beat, and the beat goes BOOM!

The dragon swooped down with a breath full of flame
She panicked and suddenly FORGOT her own name! (Yeah!)
We needed a shield, or a spell, or a ward...
She turned to a MAMMOTH and flattened the horde!
She trampled the cultists, she smashed up the gate
Then shifted back down just to say, "Is it late?"

She misses the cues, she fails her Charisma,
But hits like a magical nature ballista!
When hope runs thin and the villains loom...
Make way for the Circle of the Moon!

OOPS! I'm a BEAR! (Yeah!)
I’m a BEAR! I’m a BEAR! (Yeah!)
Claws in the night and a roar in my hair!
I might be a klutz, I might be a fool...
But NEVER cross wands with the Moon Circle school! (Yeah!)
I’m tearing up armor, I’m breaking the line!
Oh gosh, am I bleeding? No wait, I am FINE!
Overpowered? Who cares! (Yeah!)
Sorry folks... OOPS! I'm a BEAR!
OOPS! I'm a BEAR! (ROAR!)
Bear on the beat, and the beat goes BOOM!"

The tune slowed down and Charlotte became more contemplative in how she stood,

"And when the dust settles, the monsters are dead...
She shrinks back to human, her face burning RED.
She fixes her robes, she straightens her dress...
"I'm sorry," she whispers, "I made such a MESS!""

Her tone picked up again,

"But we raise up our tankards and give her a CHEER!
The deadliest dork that you ever will FEAR! (Yeah!)

OOPS! I'm a BEAR! (Yeah!)
I’m a BEAR! I’m a BEAR! (Yeah!)
Claws in the night and a roar in my hair!
I might be a klutz, I might be a fool...
But NEVER cross wands with the Moon Circle school! (Yeah!)
I’m tearing up armor, I’m breaking the line!
Oh gosh, am I bleeding? No wait, I am FINE!
Overpowered? Who cares! (Yeah!)
Sorry folks... OOPS! I'm a BEAR!
OOPS! I'm a BEAR! (ROAR!)
Bear on the beat, and the beat goes BOOM!

She tripped on a root, but she SAVED us all...
OOPS! I'm a BEAR! (Yeah!)
OOPS! I'm a BEAR! (ROAR!)
OOPS! I'm a BEAR! (Yeah!)
Bear on the beat, and the beat goes BOOM!"

'Oops, I'm A Bear' by Elowen Starfell

The antics that she made as she sang were designed to make the crowd, the background voices adding emphasis to it all. She laughed at herself

Eclipse and Luna could barely stay in their chairs as the song progressed, each thinking of their own past klutz moments and for some reason actually imagining Charlotte as a bear!

(tag any responses)

"But I said one more, this one is dedicated to everyone we lost in the War." Her face grew somber as the music started for the next song, the tune much more jovial than she's intimated,

"Bartender, line the tankards up
Five places at the wood
I'm spending all the bounty gold
Just like I said I would
Don't look at me with pity, sir
Don't ask me where they went
Tonight we count the blessings
Not the silver that we spent
The shield is broke, the sword is dull
The story has an end
But I have got a coin or two
For every missing friend

The shadows try to pull me down
But I will drown them in the sound

But oh, I’m dancing on the floor
I live the life they live no more
My heart is beating loud and fast
To make the heavy memory last
One drink for sorrow, two for pain
And three to never cry again
So play the fiddle, stomp the ground
I'll live for those who aren't around!

We walked into the dark abyss
Six heroes bold and bright
But I am all that walked away
Into the morning light
I stood upon the jagged cliff
The wind was calling me
To step into the empty air
And join them in the sea
I looked down at the crashing waves
I almost took the leap
To close my eyes one final time
And join them in their sleep

But then I heard their spirit say
You have to see another day

But oh, I’m dancing on the floor
I live the life they live no more
My heart is beating loud and fast
To make the heavy memory last
One drink for sorrow, two for pain
And three to never cry again
So play the fiddle, stomp the ground
I'll live for those who aren't around!

They gave their breath so I could breathe
They fell so I could stand
So I will drink the finest wine
In all this broken land
If I sit down the silence comes
And grabs me by the throat
So I will sing until I choke
On every happy note"

The song began to slow and become quiet,

"I promised him, the one I loved
Before he lost his head
That I would live a double life
For all the ones who bled"

It came back with full force,

"So fill the cup and raise it high
Beneath the vast and empty sky

But oh, I’m dancing on the floor
I live the life they live no more
My heart is beating loud and fast
To make the heavy memory last
One drink for sorrow, two for pain
And three to never cry again
So play the fiddle, stomp the ground
I'll live for those who aren't around!"

The song slowed one more time,

"I’m sorry that I’m here alone
I’m sorry that I made it home"

There was a brief interlude before the fiddle came back once more,

"But oh, I’m dancing on the floor
I live the life they live no more
My heart is beating loud and fast
To make the heavy memory last
One drink for sorrow, two for pain
And three to never cry again
So play the fiddle, stomp the ground
I'll live for those who aren't around!

For those who aren't around!
For those who aren't around!"

Last One Dancing by Lyra Vesperi

Charlotte hopped down and grabbed a cup from the bar that was adjacent to the stage and raised it, announcing above the applause, "Absent companions, everyone!"

"To absent companions!" Luna and Eclipse echoed, each raising a glass, Luna's strong cider and Eclipse's a sparkling strawberry water.

Akeno raised her own drink "To absent companions," she repeated with a small but sincere smile.

"To absent companions," Mashiro adjoined, lifting her sparkling water.

Akeno turned to Mashiro and nudged her with her elbow. "Come one... You know you wanna..."

"N-No, I..." Mashiro's voice trailed off as she felt Captain McEntyre's watchful gaze bearing down on her from across the room, and realized it would be somewhat of a poor showing for her to sit there and not even participate, so she quickly did an about face.

"...would be delighted, Akeno," She stated as she calmly got up and made her way over to the karaoke machine.

"Alright, let's see here..." she muttered as she flipped through the track listing for a song that wouldn't humiliate her in front of the entire crew.

Akeno sat there, mouth wide open in pure shock. She turned to the crewmember next to her. "Whats... going... on?"

The crew member shrugged.

Akeno shook it off and walked sheepishly up to Mashiro. "Shiro chan... You actually want to sing? Like... Willingly?"

"Not really, I'm trying to make a good impression here for Elias," Mashiro whispered.

That didn't need any explanation. Akeno simply smirked at her. "Oh then, lets get our song on!"

"Our song? Akeno, with all due respect, I-!"

Akeno pushed her aside and then tapped several times on the karaoke machine's screen. She held out a microphone to Mashiro as a catchy beat began to play. She even set it up in duet mode.

Then, Akeno began to sing an old classic song from an old classic Earth movie.

I got chills, they're multiplying
And I'm losing control
'Cause the power you're supplying
It's electrifying...

"Damn it!" Mashiro cursed as she realized she'd been roped into yet another duet with Akeno, and really had no choice now but to play along.

You better shape up
Because I need someone
and my heart is set on you
You better shape up
you better understand
to my heart I must be true
Nothing left, nothing left for me to do...

Both of them then entered the chorus together. Akeno starting to circle around Mashiro as she sang together (A sense of enthusiasm that, evidently, did not carry over to her XO, but she tried to keep up nonetheless):

You're the one that I want,
Ooh, ooh, ooh, honey
The one that I want,
Ooh, ooh, ooh, honey
The one that I want,
Ooh, ooh, ooh
The one I need
Oh, yes, indeed, yes, indeed

By this point, the embarrassment was beginning to become evident with the not-so-subtle pinkish hue in Mashiro's cheeks, but she'd already committed to this now, so she pushed onwards:

If you're filled with affection
You're too shy to convey
Meditate in my direction
Feel my way

Akeno then picked up from her lead into the next verse:

I better shape up
'Cause you need a captain


I need a man
Who can keep me satisfied


In perfect timing Akeno continued:

I better shape up
If I'm gonna prove...


You'd better prove
That my faith is justified!


Are you sure?


Yes I'm sure deep down inside!

Both of them sang then in unison for the next three chorus's.


You're the one that I want,
Ooh, ooh, ooh, honey
The one that I want,
Ooh, ooh, ooh, honey
The one that I want,
Ooh, ooh, ooh
The one I need
Oh, yes, indeed, yes, indeed

You're the one that I want by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John

When the song finished, Akeno gave the room a bow.

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Luna couldn't hold it in and began laughing so hard her eyes blurred with tears! Had she been less stunned, she'd have recorded the duo! Eclipse wasn't sure what to make of the duo, but the fact that Lunawas full-on belly laughing drew her into a fit of giggles herself.

"Now I'll never be a bride..." Mashiro grumbled, burying her face in her hands.

Akeno smirked. "Oh thats not true. If things go south with Xander, you could always be my bride," she teased.

"That better not be a serious offer," Mashiro hissed.

Akeno giggled in response. "Who knows..." she said. "Anyways..." she looked over at Xander. With the microphone in her hand she bounced off the stage straight at him. She grabbed his hand and then pulled him up onto the stage. "Your turn!" she told him.

"Of course," he laughed with a shrug. He held out his hand to Mashiro. "If you wouldn't mind commander?" he asked indicating for her to pass him the microphone she was still holding.

Mashiro nodded and handed Xander the microphone.

The music began, yet it was Xander that opened up the song. It was a classic melody of soft country.

Baby, when I met you there was peace unknown
I set out to get you, with a finetooth comb
I was soft inside
There was something going on

As he sang he turned to face Akeno as if he was singing to her directly. Akeno blushed and smiled as she raised her own microphone to her mouth and they began the second verse together.

You do something to me that I can't explain
Hold me closer and I feel no pain
Every beat of my heart
We got something going on

Xander took Akeno's free hand and they began to sway together in unison, their eyes locked on each others.

Xander began the pre-verse bridge.

Tender love is blind
It requires a dedication

Akeno then joined him in perfect sync.

All this love we feel needs no conversation
We ride it together, ah-ah
Making love with each other, ah-ah

And then they immediately broke into the chorus together. However, Xander pulled Akeno in, wrapping his arm around her waist and slowly moving from side to side with her close up to his body.

slands in the stream
That is what we are
No one in between
How can we be wrong?
Sail away with me
To another world
And we rely on each other, ah-ah
From one lover to another, ah-ah

In the few seconds of instrumental, he twirled Akeno away from him whilst holding her hand tightly. He then kept her at full arms length as she began the next verse.

I can't live without you if the love was gone
Everything is nothing if you got no one
And you just walk in the night
Slowly losing sight of the real thing

Then they began to sing together in perfect unison again.

But that won't happen to us and we got no doubt
Too deep in love and we got no way out
And the message is clear
This could be the year for the real thing...

Akeno took a step closer, and placed a hand on Xander's cheek. They side stepped left and right together as she took up the next section of her verse.

No more will you cry
Baby, I will hurt you never

And Xander then joined in.

We start and end as one
In love forever

Both of them began to shoulder shimmy as they leant back and forward together still singing in perfect unison.

We can ride it together, ah-ah
Making love with each other, ah-ah

The instruments began to play through the instrumental, as they grew close again. Xander wrapping his free arm around Akeno again and pulling her in close. Together they danced slowly as they began the final chorus.

Islands in the stream
That is what we are
No one in between
How can we be wrong?
Sail away with me
To another world
And we rely on each other, ah-ah
From one lover to another, ah-ah

Islands in the stream by Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton

They repeated the last chorus twice together, and slowly the music began to fade out. Lowering his microphone,m Xander wrapped both arms around Akeno, and pulled her in close. Leaning over her and bending her back slightly his lips met his as he passionately kissed her right there and then in front of everyone.

"Um... alright, then?" Mashiro muttered as she incited a somewhat awkward round of applause that saw the other crew members maladroitly following suit.

Luna sat slack-jawed until Mashiro started the clapping, effectively snapping her out of her trance and joining in.

"Those two were crazy good." Eclipse breathed, goosebumps appearing on her arms.

"No kidding." Luna whispered back.

 

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