I Was On Fire For You

as soon as octopus was mentioned, silas would be lying if he didn’t SLIGHTLY lose his appetite. though her discouraged expression and tone made even a man like silas begin to slightly sympathize. he liked everything else she’d mentioned, being ESPECIALLY partial to the use of capers. so his fork dove right in, stabbing a good bunch of ingredients, including the dreaded octopus, and stuffing it in his mouth without hesitation. and— wait. it’s GOOD. with an unexpectedly pleased hum, he chews the bite and swallows. “that’s not bad.” he speaks up, actually going in for another bite. “i have to say, i had my doubts, but this is really good.”

Malia did not wish to force him, yet she was hopeful that he would try her dish and that he would like it as well! She had not been able to hide her dashed hopes when he poked at the plate and ruining the presentation she had tried to work on. Then he must have changed his mind or perhaps decided to go ahead. He took a big bite and Malia awaited his decision. It was much better than she had expected! Malia had thought for sure he would not like it given how he poked and prodded earlier. Yet, he liked it! Malia beamed in such a fresh wave of excitement. “Really? That’s great!” As he expressed his doubts, Malia knew just what he meant. “it’s the octopus, right? I’ve never had it either and I could never imagine eating it before. The tentacles just get to me.” Malia shivered and laughed. “But, someone here in the kitchen forced me to try them last week. I knew I wanted to learn how to cook it myself and create my own dish.” 

Hayden did love his life on board the SS Nereid. Initally, it had been a bit problematic, what with his drug habit, and his partiality for seasickness, his fear of heights, oh, and the fact he couldn’t swim… But, they were all minor setbacks in the sealife. Now, years later, he didn’t really get seasick anymore, he’d fallen into a decent enough routine to manage his habits, the pool and his quaters were on the lower decks, and… Well, who needs to know how to swim anyway? It wasn’t like he needed that skill to be a poolboy, or live on a ship. Greece was always a favourite stop for both the customers, and the staff. It had been a few years since they’d last docked here too, so he was excited for his next day off to go and run around and pretend he was Hercules. He was just clocking out for the night when Malia called out. “Oh, hey Malia,” he smiled at the new cook. “New dish? Yeah, of course, you know I’m always hungry– I can eat. Whatcha got?” 

This dish was perhaps a bit of a passion project for her. She knew they were going to offer some Greek inspired dishes while they were docked here for the customers. Living in the mountains of Pennsylvania most of her life, Malia had not experienced a lot of different food. Her time at Drexel in the culinary program was such an eye-opening experience. There was so much food she had never experienced or could have dreamed of! While they were on their way to Greece, Malia had been researching Greek dishes and she had wished to try the challenge of cooking octopus. It was one of the first stops she had gone to when they docked to run to the market. The fresh vegetables and octopus had been inspired by her research and their surroundings. Malia was slowly learning the staff and was quite glad she remembered him. “Hayden, right?” Malia questioned to double check her memory. “Good! I hope you are hungry for octopus and vegetables. It’s a fresh chilled octopus salad I made.” She informed him and slid the plate with a chilled fork to him. 

Going from being an events planner on the mainland to working on a cruise ship wasn’t something she ever thought she’d experience; And yet, here she is- and goodness, was it the best thing that could’ve happened for her. After experiencing a rather tough breakup, Sol quickly set sail and began to explore the world. Nothing could describe the places that she’s seen. The Brit was so inspired, she felt as if her work has gotten even better now than it was initially. Roaming the ship while looking for her roommate, she had a gut feeling to come on down to the kitchens to check. Hearing her voice caused her to smile brightly. “I would love to!” she spoke excitedly. “I was actually on my way to find you! There’s a club some of us were looking on going to and we wanted to see if you’d be interested in joining us.” Having only been a few days, Marisol already liked Malia. She was sweet yet quiet. Plus, Confetti automatically adored her. It was adorable seeing how much the pug liked her already. “It smells so good, Mal! I just know it’s gonna be delicious.”

When Malia had first arrived on the ship she had been such a nervous wreck until they left the port. She continued to look over her shoulder expecting Adam to come walking down the halls. He would take her by the arm, make such polite excuses to explain her behavior and with a firm squeeze would lead her out. Yet, they set sail without any issues and Malia was free. She had met her roommate Marisol then before they left when she had still been scared of being caught in the act. Despite the perhaps rough and fearful introduction, Malia and Marisol had hit it off. Malia loved her roommate and it had only been such a short time. Truth be told, she was not paying attention when she stopped her, but she was delighted that it was her roommate who would try. “Thanks! I got almost all of these ingredients when I went to the market earlier today.” Malia explained as she grabbed two forks and handed one over. She wanted Marisol to have the first taste. “It’s fresh chilled octopus salad with vegetables and feta.” She explained. The invitation was still something Malia had to grow used to. For so long, Adam had slowly cut her off from almost all others. Before she came here the last time she had been to a bar or a club or in any other social setting was far too long. She was having to get used to having connections again once more. But it was so exciting and freeing! Malia craved all that she had been denied for so long. “I’d really like that. Thank you for inviting me!” 

cherry and sunset had been scraping by since sneaking onto the boat. they didn’t have much when they boarded. some clothes, a few dollars, and a couple joints were all the two had between them. it certainly wasn’t enough to sustain them the rest of the trip. so cherry did what cherry was taught to do to survive, steal. she had pickpocketed a few guests for some extra cash, snuck into unlocked rooms to get the two of them more clothes and the necessities they didn’t have. for food—cherry either picked the kitchen lock at night or stole from the stores around them when the docked. tonight she was circling around the kitchen, waiting for it to close down for the night when someone called to her. cherry maintained a cool demeanor, she had never been caught and today wouldn’t be the day she ruined that streak. “oh—“ well, that’s not what she expected, but it was a lucky turn of events. “of course! i’d love to!”

Malia had been so terribly wrapped up in her cooking, that she did not notice the other until she was searching for a taste tester. She was entirely too far down her own rabbit hole to have caught sight of the other lurking around the kitchen. Perhaps then she would have questioned what she was doing here. Instead, Malia was so grateful for someone to try her dish as she was terribly excited about it and had no one to share it with until a moment ago. “Great!” Malia was terribly excited as she led her to the counter and gave the passenger the plate and fork. “I suppose I’m not supposed to have you back here, but I’m really grateful you will try this. It’s a new recipe I worked with.” 

“you didn’t scare me.” he says as a cover up, in a SLIGHTLY defensive yet under his breath type of tone. silas followed just behind malia into the kitchen, closing the door behind him and placing his hands onto the counter top. when she slides over a… salad?… he gives her a bit of a confused look. “is this… some sort of APPETIZER before it or is— is this it?” silas asked with a cocked brow and a fork now brushing around the salad as a way to INSPECT it. when he was told he’d be testing out new food, he thought more along the lines of a meal type of food, not a salad. “what’s in it?” 

Malia did not argue or correct him, yet she clearly remembered how he threw his hand against his chest when she had startled him. He could certainly deny it, but Malia knew she did surprise him at least when she scared him. The excitement and anticipation was quite clearly written on her features. She was so terribly excited about someone tasting something she had put her own spin on and created this recipe. Yet, she felt a little dash of defeat when he started to pick at the salad with a fork instead of eating it. “It’s a fresh chilled octopus salad.” Malia explained, disappointment creeping into her voice. “It is what I wanted you to taste. It has octopus, cucumber, some fresh vegetables like bell peppers, onions, tomatoes, there’s some crushed feta I marinated with lemon juice and oil. Some capers and fresh herbs and spices.” Malia ticked off in a nervous manner. “I wanted to put my own take on a classic recipe.” She explained and hoped he would take a bite soon. 

after everything forest went through with the family, he needed an escape. his whole life revolved around a world that he eventually realized wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. and after running away from them, he heard about the ss nereid and it just seemed like the perfect idea. see the world, experience things he could never even imagine, cause a little mischief along the way. the past three months had been life changing. when the docked in greece, forest couldn’t be more excited. walking around town, he recognized another passenger from the cruise and decided to share his plans for the day. “i’m going to go get drunk in the woods and see if zeus will come down and fuck me. do you wanna join?”

@nereidhqstarters​

Before today, Malia’s biggest adventure had been going to Philadelphia and the one day she got to travel to the beach. Sea Isle City had been exciting, she had seen the ocean for the first time! When she left that day, Malia was sure she had reached the highest moment of her life. Yet, here she stood in Greece. It was utterly exciting for a woman who thought she would die in the exact town she was born in. Her nose was in the tourist book, trying to see if she could join a tour to one of the historic sites before she had to return to the kitchen for the dinner shift. Glancing at her watch, she checked the schedule to see what would work. Malia did not respond at first as she had not thought the question was directed at her. Yet, the awkward pause after told her he was indeed waiting for her. Malia looked up, processed his question and smiled. “How likely do you really think it is to see Zeus?” She let out a small giggle.

it’d hit the back end of his shift for the day, and silas had found himself going through the cabin halls and decks to do one last double check that everything is, and no intentional pun, ship shape. just as he was about to call it a night, he hears a sudden voice pierce the once quiet hallway, making his head whip around. “JESUS malia.” the tall male breathed out with had a hand over his chest. at her offer, silas looked down at his watch. though he was a bit more of a picky eater, more so for his diet, he instead shrugged, walking toward her. “SURE, i don’t see why not.”  

One thing that she was trying to grow used to was that almost all of the crew already knew her name while she was still struggling to remember most others. Of course it was probably because they all had one name to remember while she had an entire crew’s worth. Yet, she was trying to learn them as quickly as possible. Malia gave him a sheepish smile, though perhaps there was a fleeting look of fear and anticipation with his sudden reaction. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” She remembered meeting him during her first few days in the whirlwind of introductions and remembered he worked for security. Simon? Silas? Skylar? It was one of those, yet she was too embarrassed at the moment to ask for a refresher. “Great!” He agreed and Malia quickly led him into the empty kitchen and slid the plate across the counter with a fork. How easily she grinned excitedly in anticipation of him trying her take on a fresh chilled octopus salad. “I picked up almost all the ingredients at the market nearby today.” 

“Isn’t it just beautiful?” God, it had been years since she was last in Greece. Overlooking the city, eyes scanning the modern mixed with ancient, she felt small and insignificant but also large and infinite all at once. Being at one of the greatest temples from the Ancient Greece world can do that to a person. Her father having been an expert with temples and ancient architecture, Abigail had grown a love for them as well. Taking a sip of lemon Fanta, she looked over and smiled warmly. “I lived here for half a year when I was twelve. It feels so good to be back here again.”

OPEN STARTER: located at the parthenon on the acropolis; athens, greece // @nereidhqstarters

When Malia lived in Philadelphia for a few years, she thought that was the apex of her traveling. It was a big city and much bigger than she had ever gone to! It was so entirely different from small and sleepy St. Marys. She had seen the ocean one time during a trip to Sea Isle City and that had been a life changing moment for her. Now, here she stood overlooking a great Ancient Greek temple. How wrong she had been when she thought she had reached the amazing peak of the big city and a fleeting glance at the ocean! “It is.” Malia agreed with such an awed sigh. She clutched the tourist guide in her hands and beamed at the passenger. “You’ve lived here? Wow! I can’t even imagine something so fantastic!”

There was something nice about sitting in one of the lounge areas of the ship, what with Mars lying on her chest while she sat back in a reclined chair and read to him. There’d been a couple of other children with their parents who’d stop and beg to listen, causing them to stay for awhile to hear her read out loud Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief from her Kindle. For awhile, she’d just been reading to her son, stopping to kiss the top of his head, a mop of medium brown curls on top, when she came to a complete stop. Noticing someone, she waved to them and smiled warmly. “Is he asleep?” Avery’s voice was soft, careful not to wake the sleeping two year old. “Took me awhile but here we finally are.”

OPEN STARTER: located in a lounge area on nereid // @nereidhqstarters

All of this still continued to feel like a dream to Malia. She had managed to gain not only passage, but a job! The freedom was exhilarating and now that they were in Greece and very far away from her husband she felt safe for the first time ever. Malia was still entirely new at only being here for a week. While passengers were settling in quite quickly, Malia still felt like she had much to learn for her job. However, she was going to use her afternoon off to explore the ship instead. Many in the kitchen took their time off to go explore Greece, and she would in good time, but she still had much to explore of her new home. While she was on her personal tour, she stopped to observe the heartwarming scene of a mother reading to her son. It touched something deep in her and Malia watched while the corners of her lips curled up. However, she was caught in the act. “He is.” Malia matched her quiet voice. “He’s sleeping peacefully.” 

did you see [Malia Calloway] working last night? the [chef] that looks like [Demet Özdemir] but a little more [endearing]. i think [she/her] is [twenty eight] and have been working for [one week]. look out though, i hear they like [food & binge drinking] and might be thrown overboard! (Gigi, she/her, 25, CST)

tw: abuse, domestic abuse