location; the faceless ship, 4th level balcony
this is the first time donovan’s ever been on a ship, and despite its size he feels oddly like an animal trapped within a cage. perhaps it’s because ultimately, there is no where to go; if things go south at any point, where should the dog run to? it has already been confined and accepted such a fate when it agreed to board the boat itself. that’s why he spends so much time on the decks, overlooking the ocean waves only illuminated by the light of the ship itself, crashing against the steel titan in an endless battle, as if to topple it. at least if something bad does happen, he dies outside amongst the stars, and not trapped in a sardine tin. It might not do, everything might go swimmingly, donnie might not even murder someone this time around, exhaling a slow cloud of smoke from the cigarette that hangs within his mouth. despite it being full of people in masks who seem to be thrilled at the sudden anonymity, donnie cannot help but feel oddly isolated amongst them all.
it's a strange feeling for the man who surrounds himself with others, who always has someone to chat to whether that be person or canine. for once, the cup is truly half empty, rather than being half full. not even drink, nor the rush of nicotine can quell such an odd feeling that’s been building the moment he arrived onboard. he feels stuck out, unable to find a familiar face, someone to relate to, a friend. he cannot stay with aranya all evening, there are so many that command her attention, and, after all, he is just the pet.
“you know what the worst thing about all this is?” donovan asks a woman nearby with a shock of red hair. “i can’t swim. one odd rock of the boat and i’m a goner,”