Keyed Up
Posted on Sat Jun 21st, 2025 @ 5:38pm by Ensign Millicent Ambrose & Sergeant Tyrigus Fry
Edited on on Sun Jun 22nd, 2025 @ 1:42am
2,730 words; about a 14 minute read
Mission:
Episode 16 - Silent Cries
Location: After 11 - Deck 11 - USS Pioneer
Timeline: MD010 0130 hrs
Tyr sat on a stool in a corner section of After Eleven's upper area, playing his acoustic guitar quietly to a small of crowd. The night before the Cure's drop and he should be in the rack. His eyes were burned slightly and sleep was lurking, but he was keyed up and wasn't quite ready to take a sleep aid.
Yet.
He hadn't been playing much of anything, really. People weren't into music it seemed and he really didn't blame them. Tyr was playing more for himself than for them and right now he didn't want to be in his quarters or even in the Snake Pit. So he'd come to After Eleven to be by himself in public. A drink rested on the stool next to him, though he'd barely touched it. He'd pulled on jeans and an old, threadbare Avadacal Rhyz T-shirt.
He'd idled his way through a few folk tunes and kept away (on purpose) form darker themed songs, trying to keep the mood light. His grandfather's hat was on the back of his head and he was shod in his oldest pair of kicks. He'd should have thrown them away years ago, but they were too comfortable.
He was seeking that in his music. Something comfortable.
Millie heard the talk, the conversations as to where the Pioneer was now. She had glimpsed the planet, oh lets be honest she had stared at that planet. The forbidden one named Wren. They were going against orders from Starfleet and she had that conversation with Audie talking and yet not talking about what was coming up. Audie... she was a marine and--so was Tyr. She could feel the tension rising up even more. Millie was at least trying to get some sleep but it was fitful. Too many things rolled around in her head. She had kept herself busy with engineering projects, it wasn't enough. Drawing in a breath, she signed out and left engineering. She needed to unwind.
Feeling the need for interaction away from work, and away from her quarters, hoping that Tyr was getting some sleep. She didn't want to disturb him. Millie headed for After 11. She caught the sound of live music playing, when someone had exited. Curious she stepped inside to locate the source of the music. Not seeing anyone on the lower level, Millie followed the music, going upstairs, note beckoning her like a sirens call. When she came to the top of the stairs of the second level, her eyes drifted to the one playing the music. She froze in one spot, seeing who it was, it was- "Tyr" Millie said softly not wanting to interrupt his playing. Though her voice might have carried over to him. Tyr seeming to be lost in the music he was playing. She drifted along the edge of those listening to Tyr, to be somewhat close to him.
As he drew out the last chords, Tyr opened his eyes and glanced around, surprised to see people watching.
And Millie was there.
Smiling, he knew she'd want them to be casual so he started another song.
Out of breath, he laughed silently at himself and settled his guitar down against the wall and picked up his drink, smiling at Millie. "Track me down?"
Millie felt her heart leap when she heard the song and the lyrics, She chuckled at his question, "Maybe my subconscious did. I-I thought you were asleep, so I came here to unwind." Millie gently smiling in return at Tyr. "Care to buy a girl a drink? I could use one."
She could go for being wrapped in Tyr's arms right now. Just this wasn't the place, in her opinion.
"Sure," he said, then handed his own drink over to her and said, "Valdivaen iced sweet fruit tea. Probably a little watered down since it's been sitting." Gesturing to a stool, he glanced around and then stretched out his heels and leaned against the chair rail, Wren IX filling the view panes. "So, what's a nice girl like you doing in a place like this," he asked, a tired smile on his face.
"It doesn't bother me if watered down." Millie accepting the tea then taking a sip letting the cool nature of the beverage soothe her parched throat. "Oh this is good, thank you" sliding onto the stool next to Tyr. Millie could feel herself already relaxing when she sat next to him, smiling. She purposely sat with her back towards the Viewscreen blocking her view of Wren IX. She didn't want to look at it yet and didn't mind looking at the wall. Millie leaned slightly towards Tyr, her shoulder touching his. "And what is a nice boy like you, doing in a place like this." deciding to reverse the question to Tyr.
Smiling and leaning into her shoulder as subtly as he could Tyr said, "Chilling out playing and trying to quiet my mind. Busy day tomorrow."
"The air is thick with what is coming up tomorrow, and I have been staring out at that planet at times, it capturing my attention when I come to a view port. I would rather have my attention be captured by something else." Shifting the glass to her left hand, Millie allowed her right forearm to brush down Tyr's side, her hand coming to rest just above her knee. Her upper arm and her shoulder were in contact with his side. "Do you want to hang out here a bit more or-do you want to go someplace else?"
Smiling, Tyr said "I probably should try and get some rack time. You'll come distract my brain?" He stood, stretching and picked up his guitar, slinging it around to hang on his back.
Millie shifted around when Tyr moved, standing up as well. The panorama of Wren IX was in full view, Millie staring at it once more before turning her attention to Tyr. "Sure, I am up for that." a smile dancing on her lips, and a twinkle in her eyes. She drank the rest of the Valdivaen iced sweet fruit tea placing the empty glass to where it could be gathered by the serving staff.
As they headed down to the main floor, towards the exit, Millie could see evidence that there were others feeling the same weariness that has been plaguing the ship, ever since they had left Empok Nor. The normal energy that would be there in After 11 was muted, subdued. There were looks of worry, being exchanged with each other. "Oof the ship is going to be needing some serious shore leave after this is done."
"Skuttle but is everyone should feel more relief than that. These aliens are supposed to be the cause of all the sleeplessness," Tyr said as they exited the bar and wandered. "The Cure is deploying tomorrow to try and help them out. All of this has been some call for help I guess."
"And since you are part of the Cure, you'll be going." it was just a factual statement from Millie, she took in a breath. "Say Tyr, lets head to your quarters shall we? " looping her arm though his and leaning in close.
Grinning, he said "Tyr, let's head to your quarters shall we." He nudged her with his hip as they walked and said, "What if the mad counselor catches sight?"
Millie gave a laugh. "The cat is sort of out of the bag. If she does, not much I can say about that right? I know I wanted to keep things quiet. I though have a rather smart roomie. She tracked me down via my combadge. Unless you want to continue this-- cloak and dagger routine. hmm?"
"If you want to dress up in a cloak and dagger...well sure, Millie", Tyr said, trying to be half clever with his brain kinda feeling like mush. "Under the covers stuff does sound exciting though."
"Vura isn't mad, she's just complex, and she is a friend." Millie responded, nudging Tyr in return."Undercover you say? A secret rendezvous? They won't discover that its me and its you..."
"I dunno," said as they stepped into the lift. "I've seen the book. Captain Merrick. The Mad Nymphs that say Ni...one that looks a lot like the chief counselor, the CMO and someone else. Someone may think she's a tad mad, but I won't pick on your friend." Deciding his mouth was running away from him, he might as well continue with the going boldly schtick and he moved his fingers around to hold her hand as they walked. "How's things with you? We haven't talked for a minute."
"What book? And who is this Captain Merrick? I found a tee shirt that said Merrick's Merry Maids on it and is this Captain Merrick a captain of a cleaning crew?" Millie not moving her hand from his. It felt lovely, that connection. "I'm doing pretty good, I've been getting to know the crew a bit more. Been making the connections as I come in contact with them. There's quite a few amazing people."
Chuckling, Tyr said "Captain Merrick is CO of the Cure. He's our fearsome leader. I think it says so in the comic I saw."
Millie closed her eyes with a self deprecating chuckle, shaking her head ruefully. "I had no idea he was the CO of the Cure. And there is a comic book about him? I've got to see this." Millie opening her eyes, and grinning at Tyr. "Its funny how I've been thinking all this time, that he was running a cleaning service. Guess that shows you I am not really connected to the grapevine." Their steps stopped momentarily at Tyr's door. "You've asked me how I have been doing. How about you? How have you been doing?"
Tyr's hatch opened as they paused before it and he ushered Millie inside. "I'm probably the same as most of the crew. Slightly sleep deprived and kinda bouncy, given the drop in the morning. He attached his guitar next to Black Betty, tossed his grand dad's hat onto a hook and gestured. "Make yourself at home."
Millie kicked her shoes off, nudging them into a neat line near the door against the wall. "A bit bouncy, can't blame you there." walking towards Tyr her bare feet not making a sound. When she neared him, Millie wrapped her arms around and pulled him close to her. Not saying anything for the moment, just letting the quietness in his quarters surround them both.
Blinking, Tyr froze for a minute. This wasn't what he expected from Millie. Then he folded his arms around her, and asked, "What's up? Millie's tend to be like Tiggers, but you seem to have lost your own bounce."
Millie gave out a quiet laugh. "Sometimes the bouncing Millie just has to take a moment or two to just enjoy some stillness. Plus not much sleep maybe a brief couple of hours then off I go to do work . The past couple of days were busy. Got so tired couldn't shut things off, plus I didn't want to disturb you. From the looks of things maybe I should have just invited myself in."
"So, tell me about your busy days and what's got your brain running on overtime?" he asked quietly. He knew she kept he shields up a lot and having all that bottled up wasn't good. Plus it would distract him from his own overthinking.
"Aww you want me to get serious, before you head down there? You don't need me to clutter up your mind." Millie giving Tyr a teasing smile, there also was concern in her eyes. She released him from her embrace taking him by the hand pulling him towards the bed. She wanted to be where they would be more comfortable.
"If you want to hear, its more of finding out that there are those who--aren't sure as to my transformation as it were. This though, I probably should unpack it even further with Vura. But I am going to say, yesterday was sort of an emotional roller coaster" Millie giving a shrug. "Its just part of opening myself up to making connections with others. Can't hide away, afraid of sunshine or even the storms of life in general. Maybe afraid of allowing myself to truly get close to someone, worried I'd be too much for them."
He followed amicably. All four steps. Then half tackled her, rolling so they both landed on the bed side by side. He made a grab for the pillow and said, "Oops." With a lop sided grin. "Think those people just don't like the fact that they had you button holed and they weren't part of the change so they're questioning your steps?" He wriggled slightly as he kicked off his shoes, then half turned into Millie, his head propped onto his hand, elbow crooked to more or less align his spine.
Millie gave out a squeal of surprise when Tyr half tackled her onto the bed, then she laughed. "You make me feel good and want to smile, a lot." Millie adjusting herself to look at Tyr."Can't control what people think." reaching out to run her hand along Tyr's cheek.
"I like your smile. I'm glad you like smiling when I'm around," Tyr told her as he rested his free hand on her hip.
"I don't think you're too much for me, you know. And storms can be fun. Most of the time it's just rain. Or snow. I've heard of hail though."
Then he winked. "And my DI through basic called any number of us drahk storms."
Millie wriggled a bit closer, her fingers running through Tyr's hair, finding it pleasingly soft to her touch.
"If there's hail, that is something that can hurt." a soft chuckle from Millie. "I've been caught in a hailstorm, kinda painful, well a lot painful. I wouldn't want to be a hailstorm in your life, unless its Lizzy Hale of Halestorm" she allowed her words to drift in the air. "So... a human cannonball?" referring to the song Tyr sang when she arrived.
"Yeah," Tyr said, "I think they're talking about how the right arms and lips can make you feel like you've been hit by one. And be sweet like a cherry cola. I actually had to look up what that was. A carbonated beverage..."
Millie momentarily wondered if he felt like that with her, he certainly felt like that to her. He did sing the song to her though. "You are my human cannon ball." her lips moving closer to his. "You woke me up inside..."
Tyr saw her intent and with a combat drop ahead of him, hoped he read it right. He leaned closer and kissed her, tentatively at first, his eyes closing.
Her kiss was tender at first, then it took a life of its own, and it burned hot. Gone was the hesitation, the control she'd placed upon herself. She only pulled back momentarily to catch her breath, gazing deeply in Tyr's eyes, smiling. Her answer was there, no brakes applied, no holding back.
Gazing into Millie's eyes after their kiss, his chest heaving slightly he said, "Wow." He traced her chin with two fingers, cupping the back of her neck to pull her into a kiss, first smiling "Well. We could start with that shower we didn't get to..."
"Yes we could" Millie smiling, giving another kiss, then moved off the bed, leaving a trail of clothing to the shower. She disappeared from view, except for a hand giving a come hither motion then she peered around the edge to watch Tyr, smiling
Mesmerized as he watched her peel out of her uniform on her way to the shower, Tyr snapped back to reality and began unbuttoning and shucking his clothes as he followed her into the cube.
Who needed sleep?
A Joint Post By
Sergeant Tyrigus Fry;
Rifleman, Team 1, The Cure;
USS Pioneer;
Ensign Millicent Ambrose
Engineering Officer, USS Pioneer
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