The Impromptu Sing-Along

Posted on Wed Aug 31st, 2022 @ 6:29am by Lieutenant JG Rachael "Ripcord" Yamaguchi-Cullen & Saki Yamaguchi-Cullen

Mission: Mission 116: All Along the Watchtowers - Part One
Location: Various Locations - USS Heart of the Tiger
Timeline: 1700Hrs - November 26th, 2393

Saki Yamaguchi-Cullen was sitting at the table, her homework was finished but she was feeling bored and restless. Mom she knew wasn't due home for a few minutes, Sarah was in her room, probably changing her clothing and Dad was looking after the twins. Saki smiled as she picked up a PADD that was empty and after calling up the file she wanted to read. She began to hum softly before she broke into song. "The world was young, the mountains green. No stain yet on the Moon was seen. No words were laid on stream or stone. When Durin woke and walked alone." she went through her rendition slowly as this song was meant to be sung slowly.

"He named the nameless hills and dells. He drank from yet untasted wells. He stooped and looked in Mirrormere. And saw a crown of stars appear." Saki continued unabated.

The doors to their quarters opened and in walked Lieutenant Rachael Yamaguchi-Cullen, she regarded her daughter with a smile as she began to join Saki while her child sang her song. The two of them singing a duet which was something neither had done in a very very long time and thus. Rachael would see this through to the end as she was glad she had caught Saki in song. "As gems upon a silver thread. Above the shadow of his head." Rachael sang at the same time and pace as Saki.

"The world was fair, the mountains tall. In Elder Days before the fall. Of mighty Kings in Nargothrond. And Gondolin, who now beyond." The two women began to switch between lines as Saki sang the first chorus. "The Western Seas have passed away. The world was fair in Durin's Day."

Rachael's grin only widened as their song continued. "A king he was on carven throne. In many-pillared halls of stone. With golden roof and silver floor. And runes of power upon the door. The light of sun and star and moon. In shining lamps of crystal hewn. Undimmed by cloud or shade of night. There shown forever far and bright."

Saki breathed out and then back in again. "There hammer on the anvil smote. There chisel clove, and graver wrote. There forged was bladed and bound was hilt. The delver mined, the mason built." Rachael then took over from where Saki had left off. "There beryl, pearl, and opal pale. And metel wrought like fishes' mail." Saki then rejoined her mother for the duet. "Buckler and corslet, axe and sword. And shining spears were laid in horde."

Sarah had emerged from the bedroom, now wearing a pair of shorts and a shirt before she had gone to fetch her father who joined her a moment later. Ennis had never known that his wife and child had such capable singing voices. He made himself comfortable on the sofa, enthralled with both women's efforts.

"Unwearied then were Durin's folk. Beneath the mountains music woke." Rachael started but then Saki took over. "The harpers harped, the minstrels sang. And at the gates, the trumpets rang."

Rachael and Saki's notes then slowly took on a more sober note. "The world is grey, the mountains old. The forge's fire is ashen-cold. No harp is wrung, no hammer falls. The darkness dwells in Durin's halls."

Saki started this one off as Rachael fell silent. "The shadow lies upon his tomb. In Moria, in Khazad-dûm." Rachael then rejoined her daughter who now fell silent in turn. "But still the sunken stars appear. In dark and windless Mirrormere."

Now both mother and daughter finished their duet together. "There lies his crown in water deep. 'Till Durin wakes again from sleep." Saki finished as she gently dragged out the last line ever so softly.

Ennis smiled. "Wow... That was truly amazing ladies." as he gently gave his wife a kiss and Saki, a hug.

"Thanks Dad..." Saki answered with a gentle smile. "The Lord of the Rings has some really amazing song in it." she explained.

"It does?" Ennis asked of his spouse who nodded. "Oh yes... You should hear Saki when she's out for a long walk, she will sing to herself... Saki you know the song?" Rachael inquired of her eldesst.

"The roads go over on and on." Saki answered with a gentle grin. "Oh yes mom, I've not sung that one... In way too long..." she added.

Sarah regarded her smaller sibling. "I had... No idea... That you were not only able to sing... But you could sing so well." she admitted. "I... I almost envy you."

"You shouldn't Sarah..." Saki answered softly as she l;ooked up at her sibling who she had no DNA in common with whatsoever. "You have skills that I will never be able to have... The ability to debate and reason... You do it so well that its like watching you make verbal artwork... "I..." Saki paused. "I do understand though... I had plenty of time growing up perfect my signing... I was often the evenings entertainment. Singing drinking songs... Like the Green Dragon on many evenings.." she then shrugged. "Of course I'd help with cooking and cleaning... First order of busness... is making garbage pits and the like."

"Ahh Yes." Rachael suddenly grinned. "A drinking song sung by Saki at age seven, was a right hit... As I recall..."

"Uncle Kameron taught me that one..." Saki grinned. "I've never toughed a drop of booze in my life and I'm singing about drinking..."

Ennis chuckled. "Sounds like a singalong around a campfire."

"Every night for my first eight years of life dad." Saki answered with a soft smile. "My hair was always tied back in a ponytail and then over time it had to be wound around and around until Tom Lasky was able to cut it for me... I will admit, that the event was terrifying."

"That's understandable Saki..." Ennis smiled down at the daughter who looked nothing like him. "Getting your hair cut for the first time is always one of those major life-altering moments... It was the same with Sarah and Daniel and I suspect it'll be the same with the twins as well."

Sarah paused. "Umm... Saki... Would you mind?"

Saki regarded Sarah in silence, waiting for the request she knew was coming.

"Could you sing us the Green Dragon song over dinner?" Sarah asked. "I'd like to hear it... Maybe you can teach me it?"

"Sure." Saki smiled. "The lyrics are really easy..." she commented with a smile.