#ever actually

You were never really planning on ending up on the Tulpar, you just thought you were going to finish your pre-med college courses and go to some boring fancy college and marry a girl and have a kid and become the basic Nuclear family that everyone expected you to become. You didn't plan for a future any different than that, even if it wasn't exactly what made you the happiest. There's people all around the world who don't like their life but it's living, isn't it?

That was until about a week or so before graduation. One of your professors (of which you had become very close to) pulled you aside one day, discussing a year long internship that you could apply for, and it would give you a chance to have some better references under your belt. And even though it was unexpected, you decided it was better to just apply and see what happens.

You never expected that you would end up sitting in a meeting room with 4 other people, being told the general consensus of what you're going to be doing for over a year. You'd be riding upon the Tulpar, a manned freighter, delivering something, and then returning home.

The meeting itself was the typical boring thing, just a person in the front of a room talking at you for hours, but the people inside of the room were the most interesting. The first person you laid eyes on was the Captain, who's name was Curly (he introduced himself almost the second the meeting began), with his bright blond hair and blue eyes. He seemed confident and capable, and was also a seasoned veteran of working with this company, bringing you at least a small semblance of hope that this won't go completely wrong.

Oddly, you noticed both the mechanic and co-pilot at the same time, even though neither of them were introduced yet. Maybe it was because they both had a scowl on their faces, or maybe it's because they both look like they have aged more intensely than the others in the room, but something about both of them just stood out the most, like a faint glow in a pitch-black room.

Finally, you notice the head nurse, an exhausted look on her face. You can't really tell if it's from working here for so long or going through medical school (most likely both), but it adds to a sadder look in her face, something almost indiscernible. A part of you is excited to work alongside her. 'At least she might be able to offer something new' you think to yourself, trying to keep a somewhat positive outlook on things.

Suddenly, your internal thoughts are interrupted by an opening of the doors, which just so happened to be right behind you. Standing in the doorway was a man, with semi-long hair and a very obnoxious outfit. "Sorry for being late, I-" he starts, before realizing that all eyes are currently on him Instead of trying to offer an excuse, he just nervously rubs the back of his neck, closing the door behind him and taking a seat about 3 chairs to the left of you.

You would've paid less attention to him, after all it was what you were taught to do. People who were incapable of being at places on time or doing their jobs right were barely even worth your time. But something about this boy was almost magnetic. Maybe it was his bright outfit that almost made your head hurt just by looking at it, or maybe it was just his demeanor. Most people who would arrive at meetings this later would be sheepish, maybe even fearful, but he seems almost completely fine. Almost as though this was something that barely bothers him.

Either way, when the meeting started to get boring (as meetings always do), you seemed to find your eyes drawn to him. Sometimes he would catch you staring, and you would turn your head around as fast as you could, hoping he just thought it was by accident or whatever excuse would be the best to use.

Shortly after the meeting ends, you sigh, staying in your seat. It's partially just so you can try and mentally prepare yourself for what you know you're going to have to handle. The isolation, the anxiety, the stress, the people, everything was going to take a toll on it. But you knew you were going to get through it, even if it kills you.

Day 1

You honestly thought that you would be more nervous being on the Tulpar for the first time. The general look of it in and of itself is enough to give anyone some kind of fear. The way it's built and looks makes it seem as though if it's going to implode any second. Especially the way that it creaks when you walk.

The hardest part was probably deciding what to bring. Most of the things you really thought of bringing were either considered contraband or already provided by the company. So when you got to your room and we're expected to 'unpack' you more so took two or three small items out of a bag and placed them in random areas, and left the small amount of personal clothing in the bag.

After everyone was finished unpacking, or at least capable of taking a break, you were expected to meet in the common room. As you walked into it, it was somehow both exactly what you expected it to be, yet not at the same time. It included almost everything that you would expect like a kitchen, a dining table, a lounging area, and things along those sorts. The biggest thing that surprises you is the large screen that currently showed a sun shining up in a bright blue sky.

As you're taking in the large and new surroundings, Curly, the captain starts giving a speech that sounds like it was rehearsed at least 5 times before. He mentions things like being excited to have new members on the ship and just generally hoping for an enjoyable experience on the Tulpar.

You would've likely been paying more attention, if he wasn't there. But he is, he's standing there looking at the captain as he gives his speech the same way you just were doing, and it almost surprises you how much will power it truly takes to pull away from staring at him, but you eventually do it, trying your best to focus on Curly's speech.

You can't place it, but you know that something is gonna change on this trip. Something inside of you is going to change and once you step off this ship, you will never be the same. You would be lying if you said you weren't eager to meet the person you will become after this trip.

This was oddly fun to write and I'm excited to continue writing this, I might get the second part out tonight as well, but I guess we'll just have to see!

Make sure to drink water and eat food