who: chris & velma
setting: restaurant

( everything is fine! )

If I buy the drinks on Saturday do you have time to chat?

Who: Velma and Ethan
Setting: Ethan's apartment, before they dock

Ethan used the contact information that Tris had given him for Velma then wrote and rewrote the message to her about five times before settling on just inviting her over to his room to discuss some work he had. It sounded kind of like a booty call if he was honest, but it was the best he could do and he really hoped she didn’t assume otherwise.

He actually forced himself to get dressed, really dressed, in dark jeans and a long-sleeved v-neck that teased at the tattoo on his chest. He’d even cleaned up a little, though he was starting to gather that living with Tris, Chris, and Blake had led to his place being much cleaner than it ever had been before.

With nothing else to do, he paced, considered a cigarette, then pushed that thought away. He was trying to be good. So back to pacing, and checking the time on his phone.

( calling in the cheerleader )

who: Velma, Chris & Tris
setting: 88 Keys and poolside

( let's all be awesome )

Hey sweetheart. Someone from our law team should be contacting you shortly regarding the fraternization policy situation. I was hoping you could work with them, since you're a little more level headed regarding the whole thing than I am. Let me know if you have any questions.

Also, we should do drinks. Or coffee. Or both? Something. Anything to distract from this damn ice.

As the sun sets on New Year’s Eve, the party starts at the cabin in the woods, reserved for Alex’s close friends and family. There’s food spread throughout the kitchen, horderves enough to make a meal for anyone that wants to, and more to drink than they can possibly ever go through-- Champagne, of course, but also wine, beer, and liquor for anyone that wants to make their own cocktail. There’s also sodas and sparkling cider, for those that choose not to partake.

On the tables are hats, crowns, noisemakers, and glasses; all the wild embellishments needed to welcome in the new year. Music plays throughout the house, including the lower level where the hot tub steams beneath the covered porch. There’s games on the tables for anyone that’s interested.

Alex bounces around the party in jeans and a half-buttoned dress shirt, a sparkly gold hat on his head. He’s made sure there’s a bed for each of his guests, even if that means he sleeps on the couch himself. Come morning, there’s coffee and a continental breakfast before everyone heads back to the ship.

Who: Ky, Alex, Velma
Setting: on the ship, just before they reach port

Ky tried hard not to wince as the board went through his infractions, relieved at least that they made a note of the fact that the note he’d submitted, pointing out that he and Alex had split up. He had to wonder if it didn’t help that Alex was standing not far behind him. It was great that Alex was there, but Ky still couldn’t look at him. He wasn’t sure he could handle that. They’d docked not a few hours before, which meant Ky understood the timing of everything. Dock, fire him, leave him in a frozen tundra of a country with nothing but his backpack. He really didn’t need to think about that or he’d start crying. So he bit his lip and nodded as they spoke, unable to deny anything.
( Read more... )

[Text sent to Theo, Velma, Christian, Sierra, Olivia, and Ethan]

Hey guys! I'm looking at putting together something for New Year's Eve. I have one vote for something involving a hot tub, so I was thinking about renting out one of those log cabins for the night. Let me know if you're interested and if you're bringing friends. I'll try to get enough rooms that people can crash there if they want to. Are you in?

who: nic & velma
setting: on the way to a club on the ship - before the event

( Read more... )

The knighting ceremony for Sebastian Ellison takes place not long after the boat leaves for open waters. The ceremony itself is done on a raised stage in the middle of the Atrium of the ship. It's a formal sort of thing, Prince Andrew presides, done up in his military dress blues, with a small crown tucked into his red locks. His brother and sister are with him, seated on the stage.

There are seats for those invited facing the stage, but anyone who wishes to attend can, and people lean against the railings of the open foyer of the boat to watch the process.

There's a reception afterwards in celebration of the newly minted Sir Ellison, but it's invite only and at the Royal Club. The list is limited to close family friends and guests of political or financial note. Drinks and food will be provided.

To Alex
Hey! Got a boatload of stuff for us to go over! See you soon?

To Nic
Heeeeeey sexyface! Sup?

To Theo
What up? I haven't seen you!

Who: Alex and Velma
Where: The Keighley House, pre-Halloween party

Normally Alex would’ve had Velma over to his apartment, set up something at the dining room table and ordered them room service. Instead, he was in a luxurious house that would’ve been huge, was it not currently housing the entirely Keighley clan, including Olivia and Jacob. It made privacy a bit more of a commodity and their meeting a bit more cozy. He’d still ordered food ahead though, sandwiches and sodas, since wine at lunch seemed a bit much. It was practically the opposite of their last meeting, with Alex in jeans and a t-shirt, not even realizing he was barefoot until he was answering the door. “Hey,” he smiled, “Thanks for coming.”

( Read more... )

As promised, the night of Halloween the party at Ethan's house begins. There's food catered from the local village, drinks with official bartenders as well. The lower floor of the house he's been giving on the island has been decorated, each room with a slightly different them. The great room has pumpkins and orange everywhere, the back room that was probably a dining room before he had furniture moved out is a dancefloor done up in blacklights with a DJ dressed as a skeleton glowing under it.

Anyone who has heard about it is invited, and needless to say, just about everyone has heard about it. Ethan's easy to find in the center of it, bouncing from guest to guest.

The party goes on well into the early hours of the morning and for those who stick around, there's a breakfast buffet that gets rolled out somewhere around sunrise as the party finally starts to wrap.

Who: Nic and Velma
Where: Salem
NSFW

Nic had been looking forward to the trip to Salem since meeting Velma. It was a chance to get off the boat, to see some place new, and to have a good time with a girl that seemed like a lot of fun. They’d met up late afternoon, early enough to wander the shops for a bit, then grabbed a light meal before looking for some place to party. The real key was making sure they caught the last shuttle back to Boston. Nic had never been a fan of sleeping at the bus station.

“The hat looks good on you,” Nic said, grinning at Velma as he walked backwards for a moment. “A proper witch for the night.” It was perfect as they neared Halloween, the brisk night air ruffling his hair. He loved this time of year.

( swept away )

Text to Ky
Sorry about the other night. Hope your date went well.

Text to Velma
Are we still on for Salem before this ship takes off?

Delivered to Velma the day after this scene

( a handwritten note + a gift )

Who: Alex, Theo, and Bonus Velma!
Setting: The Royal Club, early evening

Theo spent too long in the shower, then too long on his clothes, eventually finding the right look, all dark colors, but flattering nonetheless. He headed for the Royal Club after texting Alex to meet him there early, mostly so he could get a drink in him to settle the shake in his hands and get his mind on the right thing and not what Dustin had said about filling the space of the therapist that Theo needed. Like whatever they’d had didn’t actually mean anything. It was upsetting.

He spotted Alex waiting outside the club and grinned. “Hey you,” he said, nudging his friend with his elbow. He wasn’t really feeling the smile, but being around Alex always brightened his mood.

( building up the dream team )

So! About that whole job thing we talked about and I don't remember if it was serious or not - I totally want in. PLEASE get me working with that ginger Prince of Fabulousness.

Also, hey! How's it goin? 💋

Who: Nic and Velma
Where: 88 Keys Piano Bar

Nic had been working in a bar since before he was even legal to serve, but he’d never worked in a bar as nice as 88 Keys. It was better stocked than he had imagined, the top shelf liquor truly worth the price, with different glasses to match all the different drinks. Some he’d been familiar with, but others he’d had to study up on. There were even some drinks he’d had to learn and he’d thought he knew them all. That was the fun part, though, experimenting with the menu a little. Early enough in the evening he could pour himself just one glass, but after that it would be water for hours. With that in mind, it was hard to decide.

( Read more... )

The lights are bright, and it's a party that Gatsby would be proud of. The drinks flow all day and night, there are rotating bands, jazz, and there are vendors selling costume pieces. It's a party that Charleston and the Odyssey are sharing, with shows and entertainment both on and off the ship.



Along with flowing fountains of champagne and enough liquor to stock several bars, the party also showcases staff and guests alike a true taste of Charleston. Tables around the party are covered in low country boil offers and encourage guests to get their hands dirty and enjoy like locals would.



The venue belongs to some of Charleston's oldest money, and transports those in attendance to a magical, lush garden party bathed in the soft, ambient glow of thousands of string lights.