nyota_uhura24 | Recent Entries

Fat snowflakes were still drifting slowly to the ground, meaning that the crowd at Uhura's was perfectly content to keep sipping spiced apple cider and chatting with Nyota and her sisters. Since it was Tuesday there was no musician, but at least the regulars seemed to think the snowy day called for music and kept feeding coins into the jukebox. She dropped off a burger and fries at one of the tables and commiserated with the elderly man about the weather before staring back to the kitchen. A man sitting at the counter caught her eye, and she paused to look at him. It wasn't unheard of for whites to eat here, since her father had made it clear that he didn't care what color people were, but it was still unusual, and something about the set of his shoulders and the look on his face prompted a swell of sympathy. Walking over and smiling gently, she asked, "Can I get you anything?"

( You're about to view content that the journal owner has marked as possibly inappropriate for anyone under the age of 18. )

( The night she'd spent with Jim felt like a dream. )

Nyota couldn't wait to get out of the house. The atmosphere had been tense ever since Kamau had come home bruised and bloody on Saturday night. She'd heard him arguing with their father the day before, but went into the room she shared with Sadiki and closed the door, not really wanting to hear anymore. They seemed to have reached a tentative truce, and she wanted to believe that the matter was over, but some part of her knew that even if they could let go of this particular incident this wasn't really the end. It wasn't the first time Kamau's choices had caused tension, and it certainly wouldn't be the last.

In any event, she was more than happy to bid farewell to her family for the evening. It wasn't even a lie to say she was going to meet a friend, even if there was no reason to inform her family that she was going to see Jim and he was going to teach her to dance. She shook off the feelings of guilt and focused on the fact that she was finally going to do something she'd been dreaming about since she was a little girl. Dancing with him in the diner was more fun than she'd ever imagined it could be. It simply felt right to move that way to the music, to be held in his arms. She wanted to feel that way again, slightly breathless but completely comfortable. In the process, she knew she'd have the opportunity to learn more about the man whose music spoke to her before they'd even introduced themselves. There was no denying that Jim was unlike anyone she'd known before; she looked forward to him constantly surprising her, and to how much she smiled when he was around. Seeing him always made her day a little brighter.

She tried to ignore the little fluttering in her chest as she got off the 2 subway at the stop closest to his house. She didn't go to the Bronx often, so she couldn't help looking around curiously as she walked to his apartment building, high heels clicking softly on the pavement. They seemed like the right shoes for dancing. When she got to the top floor she took a deep breath, feeling suddenly slightly nervous, and knocked.

It was Jim's third weekend as the diner's regular musician. There hadn't been any real trouble since that first night, though Nyota's father had insisted that if anyone harassed Jim again that she come get him immediately. Nyota just hoped it never became an issue. She and her father were both thrilled to have a musician whose music really meant something, and Jim had kept his promise to be on time. He certainly caused a bit of a stir at first, but even Mr. Maathai was basically used to Jim by now, though his temperament was as sour as ever. The regular patrons obviously liked him, though Nyota didn't think it was possible to dislike someone who played such wonderful music. Every night he was there she found her movements matching the rhythms falling from his fingertips, and if she occasionally thought about the time they danced in the kitchen, then it was only because she loved moving to music. Especially his music.

She didn't entirely know what to make of it, but she found herself missing him on days he wasn't around. It was perfectly normal for her to miss the music, but she found herself missing him, missing the way he smiled and teased, even though it sometimes embarrassed or annoyed her. She supposed they really were growing to be friends, which was a strange thought but still a happy one. The fact that her breath still caught when their eyes met had absolutely nothing to do with it, nor did the fact that when he looked at her with a challenge in his eyes she wanted to answer that challenge with her whole being. He was enjoyable company; that was all.

The last set ended and she said goodbye to Sadiki and Chiedza, who were walking home with their father. Kamau would be by soon to walk her home, but first she had cleaning and tomorrow's preparations to do. As she worked she sung one of Jim's songs.

Uhura was in a good mood. The memory of yesterday's assignment, of all the fear in the Debulans' eyes, was enough to make her nearly giddy. It had been far too long since she'd had the opportunity to slowly create a blinding, debilitating fear, just as her father had taught her to.

There was only one thing that could ruin her excitement. Scotty. The moment she saw him, she had to fight the urge to clench her hands into fists, or to reach for her knife. Not the knife I want... She would get it back, of course, but it would take careful planning. The fail safe was most certainly a problem. She was certain that given enough time, killing him wouldn't even be necessary, even if it was the safest course of action. But thanks to the fail safe, murder was out of the question.

Instead she monitored the times at which he entered the code, laying down preparations and waiting for a day he entered it early in the morning, and then all would be well. Soon, she promised herself. He really ought to just give the knife back, and then all this could be avoided... Though she was too angry now to let the matter go, even if he did.

To her extreme annoyance, she realized that she and Scotty were headed for the same turbolift, but there was no way in hell she was going to turn tail and run, even if the sight of him did infuriate her. "Scotty," she drawled. "How lovely it is to see you, though I must say you were far more dashing with a scar on your cheek."

( You're about to view content that the journal owner has marked as possibly inappropriate for anyone under the age of 18. )

Now that she slept beside Leo every night, Nyota slept better than she had ever slept in her life. It was such a comfort to drift off to sleep in his arms, to know that he'd be there beside her when she woke up. When he was there, she felt... safe. He had even rearranged his schedule so they could spend more nights together, and though she'd told him he didn't need to she was incredibly grateful that he had.

Tonight, however, Doctor M'Benga was sick, so she was left alone in her room for the first time in a long time. She lay in bed for about half an hour before she decided it was useless. Tired as she was, she simply couldn't sleep without him. Memories she didn't want to remember were flitting about the edge of her mind, and she couldn't chase them away alone. Nyota, this is ridiculous, she told herself, but it was no use.

Deciding a walk might help settle her mind, she wandered out into the hallway, still wearing sweat pants and pulling a hoodie over her tank top. She walked without any particular destination in mind but her feet took her straight to Leo's quarters. He wasn't there, but she typed in the code and walked inside anyway. The sight of his room made her smile. When did I get to be like this, so completely unable to live without him? She wasn't sure, but it didn't matter: she wouldn't have it any other way. She walked around the room, glanced at the picture of his adorable daughter, let her eyes wander to the bed they'd spent so many nights in together. I'm exhausted, she realized. Maybe I'll just... lie down for a little while.

One of his shirts was draped over the desk chair. She looked at it for a moment, shook her head and walked towards the bed, then paused and walked back. If I'm going to be ridiculous... She pulled off her hoodie and tank top and put on his shirt instead. It smells like him. She hugged her arms to her chest, feeling instantly a little better wrapped up in his shirt, and then lay down in the bed. It was warm and familiar. She could almost convince herself that he was there beside her... I'll just lie here for a little while... Her eyes drifted shut, and in minutes she was asleep.

[ooc: The Too Cool Verse is not part of tbg cannon! I will label all posts with the verse name so that no one gets confused. In this verse, McHura never break up. :)]

( How things might have gone... )

This message should have gone out sooner, but it took me quite a while to get a hold of a PADD.

I want to say thank you to all of you for your incredible actions during this crisis. I would never have believed that I could admire you more than I always have, but the events of the last few days proved me wrong. I have never seen nor imagined such bravery, dedication, and pure talent. I cannot say it was unexpected to see my fellow crew members disregard their own safety to protect the Enterprise and to protect each other, but I am impressed nonetheless.

We lost many wonderful and talented people to this attack. To those of you who lost dear friends, I am so very sorry. To all of you, my condolences, because this is a tragic loss for us all.

I am not yet able to return to active duty due to minor injuries, but I will be back on the bridge by the end of next week. I apologize for not being there sooner.

( [Personal Log] )

The past few weeks have been kind of terrifying. So many people's behavior was abnormal that I was starting to think I'd gone crazy, but I'm glad the mystery has been solved. I don't think I was acting strangely, but maybe it's hard for me to identify abnormalities in my own behavior. In any event, I'm glad that things are getting back to normal, although I feel like it's going to take a little time for all of the craziness to calm down. To everyone who wasn't quite themselves: it's wonderful to have you all back!

[Locked to Christine Chapel]

I AM SO GLAD TO HAVE YOU BACK! I MISSED YOU SO VERY MUCH! And CONGRATS AGAIN! ~~You made me so excited I actually used caps lock.~~

[Locked to Elizabeth Dehner]

Thank you so much for listening to me rant the other day. I really am sorry for freaking out on you, and I hope you know that what you told me doesn't change the way I think about you.

[Locked to Gaila]

I'm so glad we finally had a chance to catch up, and I can't wait for Saturday!

This week has been completely insane. Almost half the Communications department was out with the flu, meaning double shifts for everyone, but you all did an amazing job. I hope everyone who was sick is feeling better.

In other news, my younger sister just got into Starfleet, and she couldn't be more excited! I'm so incredibly proud of her.

[Locked to Leonard McCoy]

I hope you're keeping your promise and actually getting some rest. ~~I would hate to have to punish you.~~ As soon as you have an evening free, let's go do something in the holodeck. Something that doesn't involve the beach. ~~Even though I really, really want to.... but let's face it, that's just tempting fate.~~ I can't wait to see you.

[Locked to Christine Chapel]

I'm really glad to hear you're not sick anymore... but is everything all right? You seem a little down lately. Is something going on?

[Locked to John Kyle]

For some reason, the science department is keeping at least 10 parrots on board. ~~We need to steal them.~~ Clearly this requires further investigation.

[Locked to Montgomery Scott and Elizabeth Dehner]

CONGRATULATIONS! I am so happy for both of you!

[ooc: I JUST DISCOVERED that log entries exist... I swear, sometimes I'm really slow...]