"Ashayam, vu t'nash veh," Mac'hla sang under their breath as they strummed their ka'athyra, "ek yel–" ("My darling, you are all of the stars–")
Mac'hla's door chimed and she placed her hand over the strings to silence them.
"Enter." they said calmly, crossing their legs.
Spock strode into their room, arms folded behind their back.
"I was walking by and I heard a ka'athyra. I was unaware that you played."
"I struggle," Mac'hla admitted, "But yes, I do."
"Learning it can be nearly impossible." Spock agreed.
Mac'hla tilted her head, "I know how, but my dyspraxia affects my ability to correctly place my fingers."
Mac'hla played two cords perfectly, but upon reaching a third cord their fingers missed. They frowned and put their hands in their lap.
"I cannot manage to make my hands move that way." they said, frustration sneaking into their voice, "The transition from the chord before is impossible."
"Put your hands back to the second chord." Spock said, walking over.
Mac'hla did and looked up at him.
He gently reached down and shifted her fingers to the next, "Like this. Flex your first and second while retracting your third and forth."
Mac'hla tried to mimic what he had explained but to no avail, "My hands do not work that way. I cannot control my fingers like that."
"You can," Spock assured her, "But it will take practice."
"Spock, I cannot even tie shoelaces. I have practiced but I still am unable to. I have come to accept that I simply cannot do certain things."
"Have you tried switching hands?" he asked, sitting down in Mac'hla's desk chair across from her bed.
"Switching hands?" Mac'hla inquired.
"Play those two chords once more." Spock said, holding onto her hands, "And I will direct."
Mac'hla played the two chords and before they reached the third Spock moved their hands. Their right hand that was on the neck was moved to the body, the one on the body moved to the neck.
She strummed the third chord.
"Vulcans are ambidextrous by nature," Spock explained, "but many do not realize this as they have never tried. Play the two chords but switch hands as you reach the third."
"But that is not the correct way to play it..." Mac'hla muttered, quite disturbed at doing it incorrectly.
"It is not about how the music is played that matters." Spock said, "It is the music itself."
Mac'hla bit their lip in concentration and strummed the lyre, hands switching before they reached the third chord. They strummed it and moved their hand back to complete the measure.
A small smile crept onto her lips.
"You do realize that if I played like this in front of any other Vulcan they would only notice the unorthodox method."
"Then they do not understand music." Spock said, "As I said, what matters is the music itself."
Mac'hla nodded, examining the strings.
"Continue to play." Spock said, "I find the music of the ka'athyra soothing."
"And if I cannot finger a chord?" Mac'hla asked.
"Switch hands... and continue to sing, Lieutenant. Your voice accompanies the music well."
Mac'hla's cheeks flushed, "Yes, sir."
They played the first chord and sang quietly, "Ashayam, vu t'nash veh, ek yel igen, vu min-tor ka las'hark..." ("My darling, you are all of the stars in the sky, you shine bright like the sun...")
Spock folded his hands in his lap, watching her hands move. The way her hands switched looked more artistic than the traditional way of playing. It seemed more... her.
They sang quietly, a little too shy to sing at the proper volume.
"You do not have to be afraid to sing." Spock said, "I do not judge."
Mac'hla paused and looked up, "I cannot sing well."
"I have heard you singing when you work in your lab and I am inclined to disagree."
Mac'hla huffed, "I... I was unaware that you had heard that."
"Please, continue." Spock urged.
Mac'hla inhaled and restarted, singing louder.
Spock listened, enjoying the music. Mac'hla's voice was not exactly what was considered modern.
It was something older... ancient even.
A sound that struck him deeply. Each note being held out long and deep, voice warbling and fluttering.
It sounded almost like the recreations of ancient Egyptian music from earth.
As she finished strumming she looked up, eyes glassy.
"I have never heard that piece before," Spock admitted, "What was it?"
"An old Netrekan love song written just after the time of Surak called 'Astral Bodies'."
"Is that what Netrekan music sounds like?" Spock inquired.
"Yes. The music is designed to echo throughout the canyon and caves, hence the long notes. It is not traditionally played on a ka'athyra, however I have transposed the notes to fit it."
"Perhaps this music should be introduced to the more modern Vulcan culture."
Mac'hla scoffed quietly, "Vocal music is not widely accepted in any other setting besides ritual."
"Again, perhaps it should be introduced... this piece elicits feelings."
"Precisely why it would not be accepted. Netrekan music is an emotional release. The only time we indulge."
"I see. Is that why you never sing to others?"
"Yes. I have found myself to become... emotionally fragile when doing so." they explained quietly.
"Emotionally fragile?" he repeated.
"Indeed. I felt as if I might cry while I was singing just now." she admitted.
"I apologize if I forced you to do something you were not comfortable with."
"You did not," Mac'hla assured him quickly, "If I were not comfortable with you I would not have done it."
She handed Spock the ka'athyra, "I would like to hear you play."
Spock gently took the stringed instrument, never one to pass up on an opportunity to play.
He gently strummed a solemn melody and Mac'hla watched his fingers with interest.
Spock looked up and smirked at Mac'hla's curiosity. They appeared utterly entranced by his playing. He watched as their pupils dilated and followed his every move.
As the melody ended she smiled slightly, "That was lovely, Mr. Spock."
"Thank you, Lieutenant." he said, handing back the harp, "My father composed it."
"I see." she whispered, "I envy your ability to play so smoothly."
"As you have said, your dyspraxia affects your ability to do so." he reminded them.
Mac'hla ran their long fingers over the strings and hummed.
"Are you familiar with any other pieces?" Spock asked.
She looked up, "Yes, I am familiar with multiple pieces of Netrekan classics."
Spock leaned back into the chair, "I would like to hear them."
Mac'hla positioned their fingers above the strings, "I would be delighted to show you."
