#but Iʻm having fun and I hope people like it
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whumpty-dumpty-doo · 5 months ago
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Experiencing that happy feeling when you get into the groove and start to feel like the thing youʻre writing is beginning to work out and fall into place
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saylors-universe · 4 years ago
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All Hands on Deck, five
Rowaelin Cruise Vacation AU
masterlist here
word count: 5234
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[This is an interactive story! I will include Authorʻs Notes throughout the chapters to inform you when to start a particular song that you can find here in the All Hands on Deck playlist (Also can be found on the masterlist). For the best experience, listen with headphones, AND FOLLOW ALONG WITH THE STORY. Please try to use your imagination when listening and reading - live through the words. Have fun :) - Saylor]
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This week has been HELL. Sorry for the late upload :( Anyways, enjoy the chapter, thanks for reading <3
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Day 4 - AT SEA - “Todays Cruise Activity: SCAVENGER HUNT from 1-3, Find an activities staff for more info!”
-    Aelin wakes in a soft, ivory, long-sleeve undershirt, light blue dress with a matching white apron. Confused by her attire, she finds two large books in her embrace, like she had cuddled with them in her sleep.      -
[A.N.] Play “Beauty and the Beast Medley” by BYU Vocal Point feat. Lexi Walker now, follow along, and let your imagination put on a show. Find playlist here.
-    Recognizing that sheʻs alone in her dark cabin, she leaves her room and notices no one in the dim, candle-lit hallway. She searches for any sign of life throughout the corridors, navigating through the different levels until she appears in front of the bakery, responsible for divulging her deep cravings of chocolates and treats.     -
Aelin:      LITTLE TOWN, ITʻS A QUIET VILLAGE
               EVERYDAY LIKE THE ONE BEFORE
               LITTLE TOWN, FULL OF LITTLE PEOPLE
               WAKING UP TO SAY
-    Suddenly, as if on cue, a parade of crew and staff appear in a flash mob.  -
Cruise Staff:          BON JOUR,  BON JOUR
-     A baker stands behind the counter, kneading dough.   -
                         BON JOUR, BON JOUR, BON JOUR
Aelin:     THERE GOES THE BAKER WITH HIS TRAY LIKE ALWAYS
               THE SAME OLD BREAD AND ROLLS TO SELL
               EVERY MORNING JUST THE SAME
               SINCE THE MORNING THAT WE CAME 
               TO THIS POOR PROVINCIAL TOWN
Baker:      “Good Morning, Belle”
-     Aelin, puzzled by what is happening and perplexed by why she is compelled to sing, magically transports to The Antica. She is ushered by Emrys and Luca in their cooking attire, along with the rest of the ensemble, who seemed to have rehearsed a big musical number.     -
Emrys:     BE OUR GUEST, BE OUR GUEST
               PUT OUR SERVICE TO THE TEST
               TIE YOUR NAPKIN ROUND YOUR NECK, CHERIE
               AND WE PROVIDE THE REST
               SOUP DE JOUR, HOT HORS DʻOEUVERS
              WHY, WE ONLY LIVE TO SERVE
              TRY THE GREY STUFF, ITʻS DELICIOUS
               DONʻT BELIEVE IT? ASK THE DISHES
              THEY CAN SING, THEY CAN DANCE
               AFTER ALL, MISS, THIS IS FRANCE
               AND A DINNER HERE IS NEVER SECOND BEST
               GO ON UNFOLD YOUR MENU
               TAKE A GLANCE AND THEN YOUʻLL
               BE OUR GUEST, OUI, OUR GUEST, BE OUR GUEST
Ensemble:  BE OUR GUEST, BE OUR GUEST
                   OUR COMMAND IS YOUR REQUEST
                   ITʻS TEN YEARS SINCE WE HAD ANYBODY HERE
                   WEʻRE OBSESSED
                   WITH YOUR MEAL, WITH YOUR EASE
                   YES, INDEED, WE AIM TO PLEASE
                   WHILE THE CANDLESTICKʻS STILL GLOWING
                   LET US HELP YOU, WEʻLL KEEP GOING
-    They all line up and begin a grand kick line.   -
                   COURSE BY COURSE, ONE BY ONE
                  TILL YOU SHOUT, “ENOUGH, IʻM DONE”
                  THEN WEʻLL SEND YOU OFF TO SLEEP AS YOU DIGEST
                  TONIGHT YOUʻLL PROP YOUR FEET UP
                  BUT FOR NOW, LETʻS EAT UP
                  BE OUR GUEST, BE OUR GUEST, BE OUR GUEST
                  PLEASE, BE OUR GUEST
-      Aelin is completely taken aback by the magnificent performance put on by the crew. In awe, she is transported once more to the elegant ballroom, but now she is fitted with a dazzling, gold ballroom gown. A dashingly, groomed Rowan approaches Aelin, wearing a charming black tux. He offers his hand, in silent question for a dance. She places her hand in his and he guides them to the center of the floor where they begin to waltz.       -
Aelin:   TALE AS OLD AS TIME
            TRUE AS IT CAN BE
            BARELY EVEN FRIENDS
            THEN SOMEBODY BENDS, UNEXPECTEDLY
-   Lorcan/Elide, Aedion/Lysandra, Dorian/Manon join them on the dance floor, following along in the waltz as Fenrys and Connal stand by beatboxing.    -
            JUST A LITTLE CHANGE
            SMALL TO SAY THE LEAST
            BOTH A LITTLE SCARED
            NEITHER ONE PREPARED
            BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
            EVER JUST THE SAME
            EVER A SURPRISE
            EVER AS BEFORE
            EVER JUST AS SURE
            AS THE SUN WILL RISE
            CERTAIN AS THE SUN
            TALE AS OLD AS TIME
            SONG AS OLD AS RHYME
            BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
            TALE AS OLD AS TIME
            SONG AS OLD AS RHYME
            BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
            WHOA-OH
“WAKE UP YOU FREAK”
Aelin lurches awake, back in the comfort of her own bed, Manonʻs long, sharp nails digging into her skin.
“OW!,” Aelin massages the crescent indents in her arm.
“You were singing in your sleep ... really loudly. Lys came over to make sure you werenʻt dying, and took a few embarrassing videos of you,”
   Aelin murmurs a defensive sigh and seeks refuge under her comforter, reflecting on her dream, What the fuck? Why did I dream of Rowan? She convinces herself that her subconscious was just playing tricks on her and decided to leave their past in the past. Given the new circumstances, they were merely co-workers, sort of, and nothing would happen between them, well not again. Sheʻs learned what happens when you fall for a Whitethorn, you get your heart broken. 
   She will never forget that afternoon. Rowan had received a large envelope package from Orynth University, his dream school. Aelin, her parents, Maeve, Rowansʻ aunt and legal guardian since the passing of his parents when he was young, his whole family, all gathered in her small living room while he read out his acceptance letter. He was so excited. Not wanting to ruin his news with the sad announcement of her rejection letter, she plastered on a bright smile and consumed the happy energy of the night.
   Once the party turned down, he led her outside on her porch. He knew her better than anyone and could tell that something had been off. She confessed in sobs, excusing that she did not want to take the attention away from his amazing opportunity. He immediately offered to apply to the local college, or other universities in the area, or get a job, anything to stay near her. She forbade him, he had just been accepted to his dream college, where he had been talking about going all his life. She refused to hold him back from his dream so she brought up the option of splitting up, which caused his turn to cry. 
   After hours of tears, talks, and “i love you, to whatever end,” they both agreed to end things, which broke her heart even more. She knew it was mainly her decision, he would have done anything he could to be with her, done long distance, found a different school, anything, but she couldn't let him pass up this opportunity. She wouldn't have been able to live with herself if she had trapped him in their relationship, no matter how much they loved each other, sometimes the best thing you could do for the ones you love, is let them go. 
   The most painful part was watching him leave. Waving him goodbye as he went up the escalator to security of the airport, praying that he didn't look back. He was her first love, she gave her heart to him. They both had decided to end things, but a part of her hated him for leaving, even though she made him. He left. He left her. He left their dreams. He left their plans. He left their future. He left for his dream, his future. She made him leave. She hated herself most of all.
   Now here they are, eight years later, stuck on the same boat and brought together again by Lorcan Salvaterre nonetheless. In spite of the years with other lovers, the years of not keeping in touch, they were in love once, completely in love. Once youʻve had that kind of love, you never stop loving them, they will always carry a piece of your heart. And damn him if he has more than just a piece, Aelin vowed.
   Her mind wandered to the song he played in the ballroom just the other day. “Do you remember when, midnight drives when youʻd sing, Iʻd play you songs you were in...Do you remember when, with Rome below us that day, you said ʻI wish we could stayʻ?” She didn't want to read too much into it, but the song had to be about her. Right? How many people could he have serenaded on a late night drive? How many girls confessed their love for him under the stars and moonlight by the Trevi fountain? “Do you remember when?” Does she remember? How could she ever forget?
   Before she could over-analyze the situation any further, Manon pulled the comforter from her bed. Aelinʻs body went in shock from the sudden lack of warmth protection, the brisk midday cool kissing her skin, and groans a very unladylike curse. 
“Time to get up sleeping beauty, oh Iʻm sorry, Belle I mean,” Manon heaves into cackles. Aelin swears that in another life, Manon was a witch, wicked and ruthless. 
   In a very unusual, chipper mood, Manon getʻs Aelin up to speed on their plans for the day. She had gotten word of a scavenger hunt Dorian was putting on and eagerly volunteered their friend group to participate. 
   The two got ready for the rest of the day and gathered their friends to grab some brunch before their fun activity. While settling into Emrysʻ section of the bar, a few fans tracked them down, asking for pictures and autographs. Meeting their fans had always been Aelinʻs favorite part of what they do, seeing people enjoy their music and support them. Luca treats them to some bacon and eggs, and they snag some fresh chocolate croissants from the nearby bakery. They stay and share many stories and laughs between the court and the chefs, until it is time to find Dorian and begin the scavenger hunt. 
   Aelin wasn't surprised when Manon had been the one to locate him. She couldn't tell if this would be just another chase for Manon. In the past, sheʻs had a difficult time making attachments with people, everyone but Elide it seems. A part of her hopes that Manon would pursue an actually relationship with him, from what she could tell so far, he had a dark, wild spirit about him, one that would challenge her antics quite well. 
“Good afternoon everyone, weʻre just waiting on one more group,” Dorian flashed a wicked grin and a flirty wink in Manonʻs direction. Aelin watched her friendʻs complexion redden and blush as the Cadre arrived, looking as daunting and intimidating as ever.
“Okay letʻs get started shall we? You guys have signed up for the adult scavenger hunt,” he passes out a list of items, “so how this works is you guys will be split up into...,” he counts the nine of them, “two groups. Each groupʻs goal is to take a picture of someone in the group with an item on the list, different items vary on points given based on difficulty or creativity. Without a member of your team in the photo, it will not get points. You guys have two hours and then we will meet back here to go over the photos and assign a winning group. Winners get free drinks at our private island port,” they cheer at the prospect of free alcoholic beverages.
   Dorian splits them up into teams. Team one being Elide, Lorcan, Rowan, Connal, and Lysandra. Team two: Aelin, Manon, Fenrys, Aedion, and Dorian adds himself to even out their numbers. Dorian looks at his timer, “Two hours starting...Now!”
Both teams, consisting of extremely competitive adults, disperse to huddle up with their groups and assess the list of items to find and capture. 
   TAKE A PICTURE WITH....
-  The shipʻs steering wheel  (10 points)
-  A ship staff member AND team member with a chef hat on  (5 points)
-  Someone playing the piano  (3 points, 5+ bonus for video)
-  A King and a Queen  (5 points)
-  Spa brochure signed by spa employee  (5 points)
-  A staff member (the higher rank, the more points)
-  Someone on your team kissing a stranger  (10 points)
-  Yellow Duck  (5 points)
-  Poker chips  (3 points)
-  Someone on your team posing on a stripper pole  (5 points)
-  Drink umbrella  (3 points)
-  Towel animal  (3 points)
-  Someone wearing a sea sickness patch  (3 points)
-  A Conga line   (5 points)
-  A member of your team in the pool   (5 points)
-  Each member of your team with a different drink   (10 points)
-  Someone on your team playing mini golf  (5 points)
-  Someone on your team using exercise equipment   (5 points)
-  The room numbers for the following rooms: 829, 318, 560   (3 points)
-  Ice Cream cone  (3 points)
-  Someone with a bad sunburn  (5 points)
-   Someone dancing inappropriately  (3 points, +5 bonus for video)
-  3 different food menus  (3 points)
-   A performer in full costume with a mask on   (3 points)
-   Someone in a bikini with the life preserver ring   (5 points)
   Aedion takes charge as group leader. They collectively decide to find the rooms 829, 318, and 560 first since it seemed like the most straightforward, and easiest task. The five of them find the room 318 first, take a group selfie in front of the room number, then proceed to do the same with the remaining rooms, ending with 829. 
   They discuss going to their rooms quickly to change into swimsuits, thinking forward to a few of the scavenger hunt items that require either a change of attire, or the possibility of getting wet. Aelin and Manon retreat to their room and change into flattering bikinis, Fenrys and Dorian to their respective rooms to change into swim trunks, and Aedion to his, right across the hall. 
   Fenrys and Dorian, both shirtless and in all their glory, meet the girls in front of their door. “Wow, you look amazing,” Aelin overhears Dorian compliment Manon. The two go off into their own little world, leaving Aelin and Fenrys to get to know each other better. The two immediately click. Fenrys was the perfect balance of funny and flirty, and that kept a beaming smile and standby laugh on Aelinʻs demeanor. They shared a common sense of humor and both were very quick and witty, so they got along very well. 
   Aedion walks out of his cabin in the silliest blue and yellow duck swimming trousers. “Forgot I brought these,” he fibs, his face plastering a bright ruby shade. The four stay silent for a few seconds, really trying to hold in their laughter. Aelin was the first to break and the rest followed. 
“Ha-ha, laugh all you want, but I just got us 5 points,” he pulls out his phone and takes a selfie of him in his swim trucks, pointing out the yellow duck. “I also snapped a pic with the towel animal in our room, so thatʻs checked off.”
Whenever room service came by to turn in their room, theyʻd leave towels intricately folded into cute animals, todayʻs was a small elephant. 
“Okay whatʻs next boss?” Fenrys says once calmed down. 
Aedion reviews the list once again and the his head darts up, “Hey Ace, youʻre using those sea sickness patches right?”
“Everyday,” she nods and then he whips his phone around to get a selfie with her, folding her ear to show the small, circular patch behind.
“Okay weʻve got the rooms, the towel animal, the yellow duck, and the seasickness patch. Good start guys. Fen you know where the gym is?”
“Yes, sir,” he answers, flexing his biceps. Manon rolls her eyes and falls in line when Fenrys guides the team to the gym onboard. It was a large, well equipped workout room, only a few people occupying different machines. Treadmills lined the mirror wall, cycle bikes adjacent to those. There were squat racks, dumbbells, bench presses, pull up bars, lat pulldown machines, leg press machines, pretty much everything Aelin used in her normal, rigorous routine. 
   Aelin adjusts the squat rack to her height, leveling it at around her chest height, and loads 250 lbs. to the bar. The mens eyesʻ widen, in disbelief that this quaint creature could support that much weight. Aedion knew however, that she had been training all her life. Physical fitness had always been important to her so she made sure she worked out regularly and vigorously. She turns back to Fenrys, “Spot me?”
“My pleasure,” he purrs expecting to rescue this damsel in distress who is in way over her head. He takes position right behind her. With Aelin in just her bikini and Fenrys his trunks, his bare, sculpted chest was flush behind her bare back, her exposed legs guarded by his. 
   Manon opens her phone, prepared to capture the task on video, also hoping to capture Fenrys and Dorianʻs expression. Aelin balances the bar across her shoulders, lifts the bar and steps back from the rack. She manages about eight reps of correctly formed squats with ease, Fenrys following down with her in every one. 
   She hears the gym door open, Rowan and his team had the same idea and came to use some exercise equipment to check it off their list. Their glances met once in the mirror, then quickly, deliberately broke. She canʻt quite explain why she suddenly felt guilty, as if she had been caught doing something wrong, being in the position she was with Fenrys. So she returns to the rack and sets the bar down, finally starting to feel some burn in her glutes. 
“Damn Aelin, thatʻs impressive,” Dorian praises.
“Thanks, letʻs get out of here and go find more of our items.” They leave the gym, letting the other team to make use of the space. 
   They were near the casino and club so Dorian suggested they find what items they could there. Finding and snapping a photo with poker chips were a breeze. They ran across a stripper pole in the dance club and Fenrys stopped to model a sexy, scandalous pose on the pole and Aelin held the photoshoot, both of them giggling endlessly. 
   The team found the show girl performers walking around the club in their full outfit and masquerade mask. Aelin snapped a photo with two of them wrapped around Fenrys shoulders. 
   Drawing from the same chaotic, wild energy, Aelin and Fenrys started a conga line in the club to which Manon, Dorian, Aedion and many strangers added onto. Aelin at the front of the line, selfie recorded a crazy, upbeat video of the dance. 
   The team takes a breather at the bar, trusting the bar tender with the choice of drink for each person as long as she made each drink different. They also requests that one came with an umbrella. Fenrys, being friendly and personable as always, makes conversation with the bartender Ansel, sliding a few flirty remarks in here and there. She takes note of his group and promises to take good care of them, she says with a wink. 
   Ansel prepares their drinks based on what she felt from each person, giving Aedion a Sazerac, Dorian the AMF (Adios Motherfucker), Manon the Aunt Roberta, Fenrys a jungle juice with an umbrella, and Aelin a Tequila Blue Blazer that she lit on fire. They took a group selfie with their drinks, the umbrella and Ansel, then downed their drinks. 
   After another strong drink, Aelin starts to feel a little buzzed. She grabs Manon and they take stage on one of the clubʻs platforms, matching the rhythm of the loud music. They dance with each other, on each other, skin on skin, lips nearly touching, earning the attention of most of the men in the room. Itʻs Fenrys turn to be behind the camera, recording the show, and he enjoys every second of it. 
Their team leader does his duty and puts the pin in their fun, “We better go look for the last few things on the list, Dorian how much time do we have?”
“A little less than an hour”
“Come on guys,” Aedion gathers his team members like a chaperoning parent.
   Aelin has a light bulb moment and shares, “Oh I know where we can find a piano,” she leads them to the ballroom, the grand piano vacant and begging to be played. She sits at the keys, closes her eyes and plays.
[A.N.] Play “Symphony (feat. Zara Larsson) - Acoustic Version” by Clean Bandit now, follow along and let your imagination do itʻs job. Find playlist here.
-  Aedion starts recording.   -
Aelin:    IʻVE BEEN HEARING SYMPHONIES
             BEFORE ALL I HEARD WAS SILENCE
             A RHAPSODY FOR YOU AND ME
             AND EVERY MELODY IS TIMELESS
             LIFE WAS STRINGINʻ ME ALONG
             THEN YOU CAME AND YOU CUT ME LOOSE
             WAS SOLO, SINGINʻ ON MY OWN
             NOW I CANʻT FIND THE KEY WITHOUT YOU
             AND NOW YOUR SONG IS ON REPEAT
             AND IʻM DANCINʻ ONTO YOUR HEARTBEAT
             AND WHEN YOUʻRE GONE I FEEL INCOMPLETE
             SO, IF YOU WANT THE TRUTH
             I JUST WANNA BE PART OF YOUR SYMPHONY
             WILL YOU HOLD ME TIGHT AND NOT LET GO?
             SYMPHONY
             LIKE A LOVE SONG ON THE RADIO
             WILL YOU HOLD ME TIGHT AND NOT LET GO?
             IʻM SORRY IF ITʻS ALL TOO MUCH
             BUT EVERY DAY YOUʻRE HERE, IʻM HEALINʻ
             AND I WAS RUNNINʻ OUTTA LUCK
             I NEVER THOUGHT IʻD FIND THIS FEELING
             ʻCAUSE IʻVE BEEN HEARINʻ SYMPHONIES
              BEFORE ALL I HEARD WAS SILENCE
             A RHAPSODY FOR YOU AND ME
             AND EVERY MELODY IS TIMELESS
-    Manon moves to sit beside Aelin on the piano bench.    -
Aelin and Manon:     AND NOW YOUR SONG IS ON REPEAT
                                 AND IʻM DANCING ONTO YOUR HEARTBEAT
                                AND WHEN YOUʻRE GONE I FEEL INCOMPLETE
                                SO, IF YOU WANT THE TRUTH
Aelin:    I JUST WANNA BE PART OF YOUR SYMPHONY
            WILL YOU HOLD ME TIGHT AND NOT LET GO?
            SYMPHONY
            LIKE A LOVE SONG ON THE RADIO
            WILL YOU HOLD ME TIGHT AND NOT LET GO?
-     The women lean into each other.    -
Aelin and Manon:     Ah-Ah-Ah-Aah-Ah-Ah-Ah
                                 Ah-Ah-Ah-Aah-Ah-Ah-Ah
                    AND NOW YOUR SONG IS ON REPEAT
                    AND IʻM DANCING ONTO YOUR HEARTBEAT
                    AND WHEN YOUʻRE GONE I FEEL INCOMPLETE
                    SO, IF YOU WANT THE TRUTH
Aelin:      OH
           I JUST WANNA BE PART OF YOUR SYMPHONY
           WILL YOU HOLD ME TIGHT AND NOT LET GO?
           SYMPHONY
           LIKE A LOVE SONG ON THE RADIO
          OH, SYMPHONY
           WILL YOU HOLD ME TIGHT AND NOT LET GO?
           SYMPHONY
           LIKE A LOVE SONG ON THE RADIO
           WILL YOU HOLD ME TIGHT AND NOT LET GO?
   The ballroom fills with applause and the boastful cheers from the men. The girls sarcastically get up and bow, like after a recital performance. Realizing that they donʻt have much time, they rush to the Lido deck and seek out Emrys and Luca. 
   They track the two down and ask for a picture, Aelin stands in between the them and as Aedion counts down, “Say cheese, one...two..” Aelin swipes Lucaʻs chef hat and put itʻs on quickly as the picture snaps. They look over the photo and laugh at a mischievous grin on Aelinʻs face and a confused, grumpy Luca not looking at the camera but instead at Aelin.
   Having another bright idea, Aelin runs to the large chess board game on the deck and catches a selfie with the giant King and Queen chess pieces. When she returns to Emrysʻ station, a familiar back is seated in the stool she was just accompanying, and she had another brilliant idea.
“Sam? Hi,” he turns and realizes who she was.
“Oh hi!,” he responds kindly, “Iʻm sorry, I donʻt think I got your name.”
“Aelin,” she gives her hand out for a handshake, he returns with a firm, grip.
“Well itʻs nice to officially meet you, Aelin,” her cheeks warm.
“This may seem like a forward request, but is there anyway my friends and I could see the shipʻs steering wheel? Iʻm told youʻre the captain,” she smirks.
He chuckles, “One of them yes, and totally, let me take you guys.”
   She gets Manon, Aedion, Dorian, and Fenrys and introduces them to Sam and vice versa, mentioning that heʻs the captain and heʻll be showing them the ships steering wheel. He leads them to the command bridge, on the way Manon pulls her aside.
“Ace we can knock out three birds with one stone,”
“What are you talking about?” Aelin says, not quite understanding.
“Kiss him in front of the steering wheel.”
“What?”
“In the photo weʻll have the steering wheel, check, a team member kissing a stranger, check, and a staff member (the higher rank, the more points) aka, CAPTAIN! 3 items, one picture, plus we donʻt have much time left, come on.”
Pressured by the time constraint, Aelin caves. “Fine. Have your phone ready.”
   Aelin hurries back to the front near Fenrys and Sam, staying close to both. They make it to the command bridge and Sam gives them a tour of the different controls, putting on his captainʻs cap, a look that suited him, Aelin thought. 
They stood in front of the steering wheel and Aelin quietly asked Sam, “I apologize, another forward request,”
“Iʻm getting the feeling that thatʻs your thing,” he whispers back. She softly snickers.
“Could I kiss you?”
   Obviously taken off guard, Sam blushes, then cups Aelinʻs face in his hands and brushes a soft, sensual kiss to her lips. Manon takes the photo. Aelin melts in his touch, returning the kiss with more fervor. Aedionʻs forced cough ruins the moment, the two disconnecting, both with warm, rosy complexions.
“Um, thank you for the tour, we have to go now,” Aedion says plainly. Manon and Dorian quietly laugh and the group make their leave, Aelin joins once out of earshot. 
   They return to the Lido deck and split up to try and get the last few items on the list. Aedion assigns himself to find the ice cream and the 3 food menus, Manon and Dorian volunteer for the spa brochure and mini golf game, and they go their separate ways. 
   Aelin and Fenrys stand at the edge of the pool when he turns his back to the pool and faces her.
“You know, I must confess, I find you extremely attractive,” he professes.
“Is that so, pretty boy?” She moves her palms to lay flat on his chest, looking up to him. She starts to tippy-toe, and he leans forward in for a kiss. When their faces get an inch apart she pushes him forward, he flails into the pool, and she laughs her guts out.
   She whips out her phone and takes a photo of an unamused, cock-blocked Fenrys in the pool. She looks around the pool, looking for a life preserver ring nearby. She catches sight of one hooked up to the deck railing. She releases it and returns to the pool, Fenrys just getting out, dripping water everywhere. 
   She hands him the phone and he snaps a few photos of her posing in her bikini with the life preserver ring, satisfied and proud of his work, he whistles back up at his model.
   Dorian and Manon return warning them that it is time to meet back with the other team. Aedion returns shortly after with a mustache of ice cream. Aelin cleans him up and they travel back to their meeting place to determine a winning team. 
   Team one shows their photos and videos first. They had mainly the same idea as Aelinʻs group. For their King and Queen item, they took a photo of the King and Queen from a standard deck of cards. For their yellow duck, Lysandra took a picture of Aedionʻs matching boxer briefs to his trunks, the whole group found that humorous, but made sure he didn't feel embarrassed of his attire choices. One of the photos that Aelin picked out was their kissing stranger photo. In the frame was Rowan kissing a pale blonde woman with bright, cerulean eyes. 
“Ro, is that Remelle?” Fenrys asks, also pointing out the photo. 
“Yeah, Benson and Essar are here too,” Rowan responds, the first thing sheʻs heard him say all day. 
“Whoʻs Remelle?” Aelin asks, trying not to seem too eager to know.
“Remelle, Benson, and Essar are our regular groupies, they follow us literally everywhere we go, theyʻre at every show, every concert. Pretty much our biggest fans,” Fenrys informs her.
“Biggest stalkers,” Lorcan corrects.
“Still strangers though, they know everything about us, we know nothing about them really,” Connal defends, making the record clear that the photo is still valid. 
   Team two takes their turn showing their photos and videos. Fenrys emphasizing Aelinʻs squat video, her and Manonʻs dancing pictures, their song, and the photos he just took of her and the life preserver ring. The other team, especially Elide and Lysandra, hype her and Manon up, calling them “hotties” and a “baddies” every so often.
   Manon shows the photo of Aelin and Sam. Elide and Lys gasp, “Is that THE Sam?” Aelin laughs and nods. “Good work Ace.”
   Dorian calculates the final points and calls for attention.
“Great job today everyone, you all did amazing. Results are in, team one got 112 points,” everyone applauses in congratulations, “and team two got 124, congratulations team two!” 
   Everyone cheers and congratulates each other, very maturely and sportsman-like. They spend the rest of the afternoon splashing each other and playing in the pool.
Night 4 - AT SEA - “No band performance tonight, Live Crew Performances during Dinner!
   The two bands stayed in the water for hours, playing throughout the glorious sunset. They had definitely gotten closer, more comfortable with each other. Throughout the play fighting they discussed possibly teaming up on shows and performing together. Itʻs an idea. It would probably be really fun, adding a different dynamic to both groups.
   Aelin notices Rowan laying on a pool deck chair, staring into the sky. She exits the pool, dries off a little and joins him, laying down on the deck chair next to him, star gazing into the extraordinary abyss of light. Heʻs the first one to break the silence.
“Lyria was really into astronomy,” he chocked a little, not enough to pick up unless you knew him, “she knew all the constellations by name, all the galaxies,” his gaze never leaving the cosmos. “Sometimes I like to think that sheʻs one of these stars now, burning bright, watching over me every night.”
“She soundʻs incredible. I wish I could have met her”
He smiles, “I think you would have liked her.”
She turns her head, adjusting her arm to rest her head on her forearm, facing him. “Tell me more about her?”
   He obliges. He tells the story of how he and Lyria first met, running into each other on their way to class, dropping all her books and supplies and bumping heads when they both reached down to pick them up. He shares of their first date, their first kiss. 
   She couldn't remember being tired but something about Rowanʻs voice soothed her into submission, her eyelids dropping with weight. Before she knew it she passed out, falling asleep right there on a deck chair, listening to her ex talk about his dead fiance. 
   When she finally awoke in the middle of the night, she was back in her bed, her comforter tucked into her sides. How did I make it back here? She didnʻt have the energy to investigate her questions, the night claimed her once again and she drifted off one last time. 
----------------------
All Hands on Deck taglist:   bolded tags aren't taggable, lmk what I can do
@smalltddygothgf 
@booksbqueen
@underworldboxers
@live-the-fangirl-life
@islabyrnex
@kathi2599​
@booknerdproblems​ 
@rowaelinismyotp​ 
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xcherry-popx · 4 years ago
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[teddy] me looking at the list of characters: that's a lot of lancelots.... how about ♡ + the three lancelots? or carmilla + meret!
hereʻs the secret: the lancelots share a body so thatʻs why thereʻs so many of them.
austin
   austin views beatrice as a protective figure! whenever austin is out, beatrice is quick to switch. he doesnt like being forced to hide, but percy and beatrice insist itʻs too risky otherwise. he trusts their judgement, reluctantly.
   austin has conflicted feelings on percy. he knows percy is more ‘mature’ than him, but can tell heʻs not as. reliable? put together? as beatrice is. so he is mistrustful of what percy says, in a ‘you cant boss me around >:0’ way!
percy
   percy has. conflicted feelings on the others. heʻs the closest to a ʻmainʻ, in that the others try to mimic his personality when theyre out, so heʻs the ʻpublic faceʻ of sorts. as a result, he feels resentful of them, sorta. thats not the full extent of it, but my headache wonʻt let me describe the dynamic completely.
   percy feels comradeship towards beatrice, but also dislikes when she tries to direct him. ʻim the one in charge’ he thinks ʻso dont tell me i shouldnt do this or thatʻ. even when he knows she has their best interests in mind, he thinks his way is better. its an unintentional stuck-upness, and one that changes in time. still, he respects her.
   percy. has mixed feelings towards austin. on one hand, austin is just a kid, so he tries not to be /too/ harsh on him. on the other hand, he gets frustrated with austin’s behavior, and wishes he wouldnʻt front. again, some things that will hopefully be worked on.
beatrice
   beatrice sees austin as a little brother! they get along well, and despite her occasional frustration she doesnʻt think badly of him. because. yknow. heʻs just a kid.
   as for percy, she has mixed feelings. on one hand, she accepted that heʻs ‘the closest to what his parents expect their child to beʻ so she doesnʻt keep him from fronting. but also, percy has some issues that havenʻt been worked out, and beatrice gets frustrated when percy insists on fronting even when heʻs about to break down. she thinks that they shouldnʻt be seen as ʻweakʻ like that, so she yells from the inside. these events usually end with austin taking over unintentionally, which both beatrice and percy donʻt want. beatrice blames percy for this, percy blames austin, and austin is just trying to not get found out by the people around him.
   beatrice definitely has some issues of her own to settle, pretty much.
okay i was rereading this because i wrote it over the span of like a week+ and. they just all have issues huh. i said it after every character. lancelot is one of the characters i need to do a lot of research before writing, but iʻm hoping their story can be one of recovery! like many of my characters llol
   and also!! camilla and meret! or carmilla! honestly i canʻt decide which spelling i prefer so iʻve been switching between them. will i switch within the game itself? ( o ̄ ▽  ̄)o thats for me to know and yʻall to find out ehe
since pretty early on iʻve planned for them to be best friends post-game!
  as for in-game, while they might not interact depending on the route, i know one of the routes ive planned involves them moving through rooms together for at least a couple turns! thats later in the game though, so itʻd be fun to build upon their relationship early on! theyʻd likely interact with each other in the group chats, bantering a bit! itʻd be fun to see how meretʻs healthier beliefs influence carmillaʻs.
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kataibusaibiin · 4 years ago
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First, lemme say, as malihini (foreigner, guest) in Hawai'i nei, to learn ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi is our kuleana (both privilege+responsibility). Given the history and ongoing illegal occupation, learning even just a little ʻōlelo and doing our part to renormalize its day-to-day use is the least - and I do mean the bare minimum - I or anyone else visiting as tourist or living on this 'āina can do. And it should be done with respect for nā kānaka oiwi, their culture, and their ʻāina as language is not separate of these things.
I am no expert and clearly I still have a lot to learn and need all the help I can get, but if anyone else is eager to learn too, I'm happy to share some of the resources others have shared with me to supplement my online classes. Many are free and available online! 
Now, having said that, e kala mai! Please don't take this as an invitation to roast me but if you're kānaka and/or nā po'e ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, please do feel free to offer feedback! I am always eager to learn and practice with others!! I am truly humbled by the opportunity to do so. 
For context, some friends and I were hoping to meet up via zoom last night to study and practice ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi together. We are trying to meet up regularly to practice and encourage each other. Our goal for this week was to polish our ho'olauna (introductions). Unfortunately, we had to cancel/reschedule. But I've challenged myself to practice speaking every day (and not just practice my reading/writing comprehension), even if itʻs just for a few minutes. So.....
I recorded myself practicing and ya'll get to be my accountability buddies this time.
I've been learning 'Ōlelo Hawaiʻi online since this summer. One challenge I face no matter what language I speak (even English) is overcoming my social anxieties. I often freeze and/or nervously fumble over my words, particularly in group settings. Of course, this increases the less familiar I am with the language and/or culture. What fun! Aaaand Zoom classes tend to bump the dial up several notches and send my anxiety soaring through the roof. The emotional landscape of the state of the world certainly doesnʻt help either! So, Iʻm trying to make concerted efforts outside of class to help me lean into the challenges of learning online and my own discomfort. So, here we are...
Please note, this isn't my formal or more traditional ho'olauna but this is my effort to stretch and try to finds ways to speak to some of the many questions that often come up whenever I have to introduce myself, particularly when it comes to where I am "from"... Spoiler alert: I am a multi-ethnic Shimanchu, born on the island of Uchinaa but raised in the diaspora. You can call me Okinawan /  Uchinaanchu or Ryukyuan / LooChooan but please know that I am NOT Japanese. Being given Japanese citizenship at birth does not erase the violent overthrow of our Kingdom and ongoing illegal occupation of the Loo Choo islands.  No matter how much the Japanese government has tried to kill and/or beat or erase Shimanchu and the rich history and culture of the Loo Choo Kingdom, they cannot take away the blood that runs through my veins and the pride I hold in my heart for all of the gifts and lessons my ancestors have passed down to me.
Also, much like trying to learn my own heritage languages like Uchinaaguchi or Chahta Anumpa, it can be challenging to find folks who are both willing and able to practice indigenous languages, thanks to colonialism and the intergenerational trauma and institutional erasure or other barriers it creates/created. But I have been truly inspired by innovative and empowering ways indigenous brothers/sisters/siblings across the globe are leveraging technology to heal, connect, and overcome these hurdles, especially during these times of social distancing. (I mean, have yʻall been on TikTok??) So, here's my attempt to use technology to break down some of these barriers while also confronting some of my fears. Who knows...maybe itʻll inspire someone else to tackle some of your own fears, transform the way you think about technology, ....or perhaps (hopefully!) it'll make you pause to think about our individual and collective responsibility to decolonize ourselves and our communities and to honor the lands we call home - and the indigenous / aboriginal / First Nations peoples of the lands where we live - wherever in the world we find ourselves. (OK, gonna stop there for now before I start ranting about Asian Settler Colonialism, but consider this me lovingly calling in all Shimanchu here in Hawaiʻi to join me...)
OK. One minute challenge. Here we go!! *deep breaths*
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