COMMENCE VOYAGE

[bathymetric]

Fun Fact: Did you know the Atlantic Ocean has a surface area of 41.1 million square miles? No reason.

...

There's something uneasy in the air as you come to.

Well, "come to" is an interesting word in this case. It implies waking up, which is not exactly what happens. None of you are in beds, nor are you really asleep in the traditional sense. One moment you're somewhere else, doing something else with your time, and the next? You're somewhere on board a massive cruise ship - maybe lounging on a deck chair by the pool, maybe getting some Gains in the exercise room, maybe enjoying the tasteful décor in the buffet - and you have no idea how you got here or how you might get back. This is not your beautiful house. If you have a beautiful wife, she isn't here.

What you do have, apart from 25 other unlucky souls, is a small smartphone-like device in your pocket with only a handful of things on it: a clock reading 11PM, a pdf of a ticket in your name on a special Atlantic Liners New Year's Eve Cruise, an app labeled Passenger Profiles with some basic information on your traveling companions, and a message:

Welcome aboard, passenger! Please feel free to partake of any of the facilities while you wait for the big event! Remember: when midnight comes, you better make your way to the theatre at the back of Level 1 for the main event! The Captain and the First Mate will be there to take care of you all personally, and to help you ring in the new year in style!

Well, that's a start. But what you do until then, it seems, is up to you!

Comments

[hypnowhip]

Someone who likes showing off their blatant secrets, apparently!

[--aaand there goes Constantine kicking at the lock, hoo boy. Is he really that motivated by alcohol? Sylvando was mostly joking...!]

Please don't hurt yourself, dear. Why don't we see if we can find a key instead? Maybe it's just as out in the open as its lock.

[scouserer]

[Listen, if he's going to attend a stupid meeting at midnight by this mystery captain, he's certainly not going to be sober. At least, that's his hope that's soon to be crushed underfoot by the Captain's restrictions.

He glances between the lock and Sylvando, then shrugs and crosses his arms.]

I doubt he'd leave things lying around like that, but.... [He gestures towards the grate.] ...he obviously means to come back here.

[Besides, he needs to explore the rest of the ship sometime.]

Where to, then?

[hypnowhip]

You’d be surprised! I’ve found plenty of secret goodies right out in the open, keys included!

[But the Captain isn’t likely to operate on JRPG logic. Still, it can’t hurt to look!]

Why don’t we start by trying to find the cabins? There are sure to be clues there.

But before we get going, how about some introductions? [Since he hasn’t gotten to the profiles yet. He offers a small bow before finishing with a flourish.] I am Sylvando, entertainer extraordinaire!

[So naturally, he had to be extra about a simple intro.]

[scouserer]

I think they call that being lucky, my friend.

[Alas, Constantine can't just use his magic to cheat his way towards finding the key. Constantine gives Sylvando a quizzical look when he bows.]

John Constantine. Wouldn't really call myself an extraordinaire of anything, but petty dabbler in the occult is probably close enough. [A pause.] You know, people are usually fine with just a handshake when it comes to introductions.

[Nevertheless! Constantine gestures for Sylvando to lead the way.]

After you, then.

[hypnowhip]

But handshakes are so boring! Why not make the mundane a little more exciting when we can, eh?

[In other words, Sylvando is absolutely going to be extra if he has an opportunity to. Sorry, Constantine.

With a skip in his step, he takes the lead!]

So what's this about dabbling in the occult? Do you go around looking into myths and superstitions?

[scouserer]

In all honesty, I'd take the mundane over anything else.

[Especially since he's lived through fifty years of exciting things happening to him! Constantine follows after Sylvando, his hands shoved into his pockets.]

Something like that. 'cept most of the time, they end up coming to me. [A wry grin makes its way onto his face.] You spend a few years making messes and getting your hands dirty, and soon, every demon in all the nine Hells want a piece of you.

How 'bout you, then? How'd you end up becoming an entertainer?

[hypnowhip]

[While Sylvando obviously doesn't agree, the moment Constantine goes into detail about his work, he can definitely see why he'd want some downtime.]

Well no wonder, then! Sounds like you got up to too much excitement, and not exactly the pleasant sort! Still, that's a handy little niche to be part of.

[Even if dealing with demons doesn't sound like his kind of a good time in the slightest. He's had enough of that, thanks.]

As for me, it was nothing quite so complicated. One day, the circus came to my hometown. I attended and was absolutely captivated by what I saw, and the rest is history! I knew then and there that I wanted to be part of that world.

[scouserer]

You could say that. Someone's gotta go 'round cleaning up the cobwebs in dark corners, anyways.

[Like a janitor, except without a union or any sort of benefits, and also your loved ones always keep getting targeted by demons and dying?????

He raises an eyebrow, tilting his head to the side.]

Guess fate just decided that it'd deliver your future right into your lap, huh? You happen to be performin' before you got whisked onto this ship?

[hypnowhip]

[Yikes. Now that's taking it a bit too far, demons!!]

You can say that again! It's a choice I wouldn't change for anything.

[Even if it caused some problems at first...but eh, it worked out. As for Constantine's question...]

Actually, I was just about to head back out on the road with my troupe. We were finalizing our tour dates and destinations when all of the sudden, here I was.

[scouserer]

Suppose the tour'll just have to wait, then, eh?

[He shoves his hands into his pockets.]

Chin up, though--the show must go on, and all that. I'm sure your troupe'll be fine without you for now. This ship can't contain us forever, anyways.

[He's saying that to be...vaguely encouraging, because Sylvando doesn't need Constantine's pessimism right now.]

[hypnowhip]

[It's certainly encouraging enough for Sylvando! He nods and puts an extra pep in his step as he leads Constantine onward.]

Thank you, darling. You're absolutely right- they can handle themselves just fine. It'll be our captors who have a hard time handling us!

[scouserer]

That's the spirit, mate.

[As he continues to follow Sylvando, he takes a moment to take in the other decorations set up around the ship. Half of the props look like something straight out of an Oriental Trading magazine from the early 90's.

In a word--it looks tacky.]

The people who decorated this ship certainly seem dedicated to a certain.... [Constantine grimaces.] ...aesthetic.

[hypnowhip]

Isn't it grand? I love it!

[Of course he loves it. This sort of aesthetic definitely aligns with his jester image.]

I've heard from some of the others here that this type of ship is used for entertainment, and it's easy to imagine some very colorful performances going on here.

[scouserer]

I...guess you could say that, yes.

[Constantine frowns.]

I mean, most cruise ships are just an excuse for rich bastards to indulge in hedonism in the form of bottomless drinks, buffets, and fine dining. Also, y'know, touring poor island communities and taking in how exotic it all is.

[hypnowhip]

[Well that's immediately going to take the wind of his sails.]

Oh... I had no idea. This sort of thing should be fun for everyone!

[His disappointment is beyond measure and his day is ruined.]