* // &. ░ — POWER.

“unfortunately i’m not very good in directions, so would you mind if i lead you the way there?”

“ oh my god, i love this song! dirty dancing is the best, i swear. ” she sloppily pointed to (i’ve had) the time of my life in the song catalogue. “ ah, i forgot it’s a duet! ” turning to the person beside her, “ will you sing it with me? ”

calysta was only at the karaoke bar to watch the people there, not to actually sing -- so when the female offered to sing the song with her, calysta couldn’t say that she wasn’t surprised. “uh -- no, i won’t sing it with you,” calysta didn’t bother to give a reason. “but i bet you you can sing the song all by yourself.”

“most picturesque, i’d say,” calysta nodded slightly, offering a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. she wasn’t really in the mood to talk -- hell, she didn’t know how to act around other people -- but she didn’t want to come off as rude. calysta leaned against the railing, her eyes taking in the beauty of the world she was not used to -- when she saw him slip from the corner of her eye. “whoops,” calysta’s eyes widened. “are you alright? wouldn’t get too close if i were you.”

he could say he’s learned a lot about cruises ( & ships, in general ) from the books he’s read. he could say that, though moby dick was a slog & he almost gave up at various points, he knows how to hoist a sail, work a ship — & harpoon a whale. he could – but he won’t ( that’s bragging ). what the books didn’t tell gray, however, was how long the orientation reception goes on for. it’s a slew of people : guests & crew alike, & all have milled about in awkward circles, some standing alone, some grouped together, no one looking particularly like they’re reading to start breaking the ice ( no - a lie ; he can see some exuberant few beginning to flit around, complementary drink in hand, trying to ease that well-known nervous tension that falls whenever people are forced into confined spaces with strangers ). figures now’s a good a time as any to try & start doing the same. grayson turns to the girl next to him, whispering conspiratorially : ❛     is it just me, or does the captain look like she’d rather be dangling over a pool of hungry sharks right now than be here for the meet & greet?    ❜   // ❰❰     ・♢ ♦ ⋰♢ ♦ ・━ @calystaknight     ❱❱

calysta’s dark brown eyes skimmed the crowd of people, wondering if she should strike up a conversation with someone or not. she was bored && lonely, no doubt. with a drink in hand, the brunette longed to be in her suite or to have a nice swim in the pool. as she took another sip of her drink, she barely noticed a male voice talking to her. calysta turned to face him when she realised the question was directed at her. “you talking to me?” calysta raised her eyebrows in surprise, looking flustered -- most unusual for her. “oh, i, uh -- i wouldn’t know. maybe that’s just the way she looks,” the brunette shrugged, “or... maybe not. i’d rather be dangling over a pool of hungry sharks too, actually. if the alternative was being forced to talk to people i have never seen or heard of,” all her life calysta’s only been around her father, after all. “no offense to you, by the way. but the thought of my warm, nice bed in my suite is better than the thought of being amongst strangers.”

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