[Road to Najmi]

[mr_gaeta]

Once they're out on a road not pockmarked with stones and potholes -- or, at least, dotted with fewer of them -- the constant jostle of the cart settles into an easy, rolling rock from side to side.

Given his usual lack of sleep the night before, it isn't terribly surprising that that's enough for Gaeta to slip into a light doze, leaning against the back wall with his bag bunched up like a pillow.

Comments

[road2najmi_npcs]

The sound of a wood flute may be soothing enough to encourage the doze.

Or it may wake him up.

[mr_gaeta]

Better than reveille blasting over the wireless at 0600, either way.

Gaeta makes a soft noise, shifts a little, and blinks awake, if still a touch muzzy. He squints toward the source of the music.

[road2najmi_npcs]

Azimar's sitting on the other side of the cart, long legs folded under him, flute held lightly to his lips.

His gaze is distant, abstracted, focused on the music.

[mr_gaeta]

It's a look he's seen often enough, first at Fleet Academy and then on the CIC floor, to know that it's not one you interrupt. Gaeta digs the heel of his palm first into one eye, then the other, to clear out the sleep haze and focus a little better.

Then, as quietly as he can, he tucks his hand behind his head and listens.

[no_thief]

He's not the only one.

Curled up small among the bags, Kaya's watching silently as the bard plays.

[mr_gaeta]

Gaeta catches her eye and smiles faintly.

He tips his head toward Azimar as if to ask, How long has that been going on?

[no_thief]

She shrugs, and smiles.

A complicated little run of notes in the middle of the song, and Azimar stops, makes a faintly irritated noise, and starts over from a few bars back.

[mr_gaeta]

-- That didn't sound too bad to him.

(Then again, Gaeta is not the musician of their ragtag bunch.)

He cants his head a bit, absently lifting his other hand to his mouth. A thoughtful crease forms between his eyebrows.

[road2najmi_npcs]

That same run of notes again, slower this time, and then again at the prior speed, and Azimar nods to himself.

And glances up to see Gaeta watching.

There's a momentary pause, and then a faintly self-deprecating smile. "I find myself unaccountably out of practice."

[mr_gaeta]

Gaeta readjusts his position against the wall, striving to get a bit more comfortable. "I thought it sounded all right," he admits.

[road2najmi_npcs]

Kaya nods, silently.

"Do you know this song?" Azimar asks with interest, almost hopefully.

[mr_gaeta]

"I don't, no." Apologetic now.

And then a little rueful, "Which...probably negates my opinion a little."

[road2najmi_npcs]

"Ah well." A faintly theatrical sigh. "Most of the folk who hear it won't know it either. But I'll always know if I play it wrong, and then I shan't sleep until I've played it right."

His fingers move on the flute's stops, absently.

[mr_gaeta]

A soft exhalation, almost resolving into soundless, wry laughter. "Now that, I know," says Gaeta.

He shifts position again as his right knee twinges, otherwise ignoring it.

[road2najmi_npcs]

"Oh?" He shifts position slightly, leaning on his pack, propped up on one elbow.

[mr_gaeta]

He shakes his head.

"It's a long story," he says. "I, ah, did a lot of detail work when I served in the military."

Among other things.

[road2najmi_npcs]

"Ahh," he says, with a nod. "And as with music, so with the soldier's work?"

Struck by a thought, not waiting for an answer, he leans forward. "Did you by chance learn any soldiers' songs, when you served? I've never been able to collect more than a few."

[mr_gaeta]

Gaeta lifts his eyebrows, slanting a swift glance in Kaya's direction.

"Nothing that's appropriate for mixed company," he says with a hint of a smirk. "Or that I think you'd understand without context."

Like the one about Starbuck that no one ever, ever sang to her face unless they wanted to be picking their teeth out of the grates.

[no_thief]

Kaya looks faintly put out by this, but doesn't protest.

[road2najmi_npcs]

Azimar heaves another sigh, and brushes back his hair with one hand.

"It's been some time since I've been able to collect any new songs," he explains sadly.

[mr_gaeta]

Gaeta's mouth quirks in apology in response to Kaya. It shifts, quite easily, to Azimar a moment later.

"I'm not much of a musician anyway. Not -- like you, I mean," he amends.

[road2najmi_npcs]

"Well." His mouth widens in an irrepressible grin. "Few are. -- But do you sing at all? Your speaking voice sounds as though you might."

[mr_gaeta]

He hesitates, the smile fading.

"Sometimes, but it's not..." He trails off, trying to pick the best words, as he settles a hand on his right knee to quiet another twinge. "Really something I do publicly."

[no_thief]

"You do sometimes," Kaya points out, sounding a little uncertain -- not of the facts, but of how he'll take her saying it.

[mr_gaeta]

He glances her way. The cart strikes a rock, jostling his hand against his leg.

"Not that often."

No annoyance; no anger. It just...is what it is, the simple fact of the matter.