I Got the Music in Me

Posted on Sat Jun 13th, 2026 @ 1:35am by Lieutenant Katya Davi & Commander Daynah Ral

2,403 words; about a 12 minute read

Kat went in search of Daynah to say hi and to tell her about the vaudeville troupe. She knew it wasn't Dayna's type of music--or type of performance--but she still might be interested in helping out in some way. And they could always use a pianist.

Daynah sat in her quarters at her desk. The luxury of being the XO on this boat was that she did not have to share quarters, as her quarters doubled as her office. At the moment she leaned on her desk and rubbed her temples. She was in fact near tears. This was not what she signed up for, this was not even what Alaryc had signed up for decades earlier. She was a scientist; she wanted to study and maybe discover something unknown. Now, she was relegated to making sure no one died, and wars did not get started. It was times like this where she truly relied on the wisdom of age from Ral. In fact, at the moment that was what transpired. An internal conversation between the part of her that was still just Daynah, and the part of her that was Ral.

The sound of the door chime brought Daynah's attention to the here and now. She wiped the small amount of tears that were in her eyes. "Come on in."

As the Ops Chief walked in, Daynah's emotions were impossible to ignore. Kat wasn't sure why as she that would require a serious breach of Betazoid etiquette, but it did concern her. "Is everything okay?" she asked softly.

Daynah nodded and waved Katya in. "Yeah, everything is fine. Just a little known fact about Trill. We sometimes have a hard time with emotions. Comes from all those personalities running around in our head. But, please sit, what brings you to this neck of the woods."

Kat's heart went out to Daynah as she walked in. She didn't know the details, but she knew one thing. "First this." She gave the first officer a hug. "Do you want to talk before we get to my question?"

Daynah knew that the Ops Chief was Betazoid and knew exactly what Daynah was feeling at this point. So, for once she decided to go against her normal thinking. She thought the best way to say it was to simply say it. "You know none of this should exist. This ship, this mission none of it. It is not what we are here for. Starfleet are explorers, not a strike force. At least that is what Starfleet was supposed to be. I did not sign up for this, Alaryc did not sign up for this."

Nodding, Kat sat down next to her. "No, we didn't. But we don't always find what we set out to." She'd been told about Zannia and her heart hurt for the Klingon she tried to save.

"You are right. But, that is not entirely what I am talking about. Secrets, intelligence, covert operations all of it. It serves one point and one alone. To sow discontent among everyone. Well, that and get everyone killed. It doesn't matter if it is the Romulans, Cardassians, or us. I mean think about it. When you went into the Academy, did you really want to be here running assumed identities, on dummy ships. I mean you are Betazoid. It was Starfleet Intelligence that dropped the ball at the battle of Betazed. I was there." Daynah had begun to get off on a rant, and she didn't really care. She had spoken her peace to Rhupert, she had decided to remain on the ship. But, sometimes the weight of keeping everyone honest was just too heavy.

"I'm sorry you have those memories. Betazed..." Kat shook her head. "I had family there. But I don't see intel the way you do. I don't disagree that it happens, but I see it as a way to protect people. We can weed out those who are trying to harm the Federation and its members. I think of it as sometimes having to go into the dark to chase out the monsters before they do more harm to innocent people." She shrugged. "But I'm not a scientist. I didn't come here to seek out new worlds and new civilizations. I came here to keep things running smoothly, so I don't have a much of a contrast. I think that makes a difference."

Daynah glanced at the d'k tagh that laid on her desk. She had sealed it into a clear case with the blood still on it. Over the centuries that Ral had lived they had come to know that an oath to a Klingon superseded most other oaths. Daynah would make sure that this blade found its way home. She realized that she stared for tad too long and turned back to Katya. "True, we each play to our strengths. But, what happens when we forget what is not in the dark. When we spend so much time going into the dark places and making chase that we forget what it is like to live in the light." Daynah sighed heavily, her posture relaxed. It was as if she had released something that had been there for too long. "Thank you. Perhaps I needed that, and will most likely need that again. Being the conscience around here gets to be damned hard. But at last we are our self again. Tell me. What brings you here?" Daynah tapped her stomach lightly, something she did when she wanted to feel that physical connection to Ral within her.

Kat's thoughts went to the d'k tagh in the case for a moment. Then she refocused on the Trill. "Actually, it falls under the category of things to do to not get inundated. Sort of." She took a breath. "I'm putting together a vaudeville team. With the captain's permission, of course. It'll be to have fun and make use of our talents, and we can put on shows at different ports and stations as a cover for...whatever. It's based on mid 20th century earth entertainment. We'll have songs and dances. I think we'll also have knife throwing and a mime." She paused again. "I'd like you to be part of it in whatever capacity you wish."

When Kat began to speak about a performance there was a moment where Daynah's spirits perked. Rodan was a musician, this would be an opportunity to tap into that part of herself. But then she mentioned how the show would be a cover. Of course Rhu would be happy with this idea, it gives something else to cover the ill deeds that he has to do. She covered her feelings well with a smile. But she knew the Betazoid could sense otherwise. Despite that politeness won out. "That sounds like it would be a lot of fun. But I am afraid there is not much that I could do to help."

Kat did pick up on the emotional spike, but wasn't sure why. "Is it because the performances will be for a cover, or because there will be performances at all? I plan on putting on real shows. Multiple shows. An instrumental piece would fit in. Or you could help out in other ways." Then, realizing she was probably being too pushy, she raised a hand. "I'm not saying you have to. I want you to take the opportunity as a serious one. Even if you want to help with sets and costumes, or stage managing, you'd be welcome. You could even tell us when we stink--politely, of course, because some of us are still working out our routines."

"Our first host Rodan was a musician. Arguably one of the best in the history of Trill, so performances would not be an issue..." Daynah laughed to herself. "I used to have stage fright. But, since the joining that has all gone. I guess that is thanks to Rodan. In fact, it has been centuries since we performed his music live." The idea appealed to Daynah, but the morally gray area of this performance did not. If she were to get involved this would become another item on her plate that she would have to make sure stayed above board. There were two questions: Could she handle something like this on her plate? Would she want Rodan's music being used in such a way? She would have to think long and hard about it. "For the moment the best I can tell you is that I will think about it. Something to keep everyone's spirits up in this dismal place is and admirable goal, and a great idea. So, even if I do not join your endeavor thank you for doing this for the crew."

"I understand. And thank you for considering it. I may have to look to see if there are any recordings of your first host's performances. They sound amazing." Kat also understood the first officer's reluctance. "If you need to be the person who stays on the ship while those of us who are performing go on the station. I don't want you to feel like you have to participate."

"Why view a recording. When there is time we will give you a listen." Daynah rose with a smile. There was a peaceful look about her, almost ethereal. She opened a closet and produced a small harp. It resembled a lyre from Earth. "We still play, especially when we need to relax and clear our thoughts." From the tone of her voice, one could tell that Daynah shared something intimate with Katya. Due to the past events Daynah felt a kinship with the young woman.

"Yes, please. We've talked music, but I've never heard you play," Kat replied.

Daynah sat down with the instrument in silence. The outward silence was in fact met with an abundance of noise within her head. This was the life of a joined Trill in constant conversation with the other being that lived within them. Why wait? An impromptu concert is what we need. It will soothe the turmoil within. the voice of Rodan spoke up. It was a voice that Daynah had not heard in some time. This is not the time or the place. Daynah replied but that thought was overruled by the thought of why not now.

Without any other remarks Daynah allowed Rodan to take over, and release the emotions. She started to play. Her fingers moved across the harp strings like they were searching for something lost and finding it at the same time. Every note carried two lives inside it the joy that both Daynah and Rodan experience, and the sadness that they too experience together. One moment the music rang bright and golden, full of laughter remembered and loves had, and the next it collapsed into aching, trembling chords that sounded like grief refusing to stay buried.

She played with her whole body. Her shoulders rose and fell with the rhythm, her eyes shined with tears she never wiped away. It was hard to tell if the tears were for joy or sadness. Sometimes a smile broke across her face — sudden, radiant, ethereal, almost disbelieving — as though the melody had reminded her that joy once existed and might still. Then her expression would tighten again, her brow folding inward as the harp answered with darker tones, deep and hollow like a voice echoing through the emptiness of space.

The instrument seemed less like wood and strings and more like an extension of her nervous system. Each pluck sent emotion surging outward in visible waves. Quick arpeggios fluttered like exhilaration, almost dancing, while slower notes lingered in the air with unbearable tenderness. The room felt suspended between celebration and mourning.

Listening to this piece of music was like watching someone stand at the edge of heartbreak and beauty simultaneously — unable to choose between crying and laughing, so they surrendered to both.

When the piece was complete Daynah sat in silence again, she sniffled and smiled. The smile broke free to laughter. It was joy incarnate. The weights had been lifted from her shoulders. "Thank you for that. We needed it." She said to Kat, but the thank you was also directed to the part of her that was Rodan.

For a long moment, she said nothing. Could say nothing. "No," Kat whispered. "Thank you. That was incredible." It was a magical experience. She'd been to concerts, but just the intimacy of this one gave it something special. Rodan was incredible, and she felt like he and Dayhan were playing together. Thank you was insufficient to express how deeply that affected her.

The soft and genuine smile that Daynah was known for came back to her face. "I am not sure if I can do anything of note for your performance. However, I will help when or where I can. Lord knows that the brightest of lights will shine in the darkest of places. This place is as dark as it can be, and music is always as bright as it can be."

"Yes. There's nothing like music." Kat let the comfortable silence linger for a moment. "What I'm planning won't be nearly as good as what you just did, but I hope it'll be fun. And if you don't want to participate, I'll take any help you'd like to give. You could even been our stage manager."

"I will tell you what. You let me know when you are starting and I will be there. I cannot make any promises but I will try to help where I can." Daynah said with a soft smile as she set the harp down. She meant what she said, but if this performance turned into another cover, she would remove herself with great haste.

"That's all I ask." And it was more than she hoped, but Kat was pleased Daynah would at least consider it. "Thank you." She paused. "I should let you get back to your work. But first, I again want to thank you both for the music. It was incredible."

"My pleasure and thank you." Daynah replied with a smile. She would have to play more in general, but for the crew especially.

A post by

Commander Daynah Ral
Executive Officer/Chief Science Officer
USS Valiant

Lieutenant Katya Davi
Chief Operations Officer
USS Valiant

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