Your movie is about to begin. Please take note of the emergency exits at the front and back of the theatre, and mind the following rules:
Please note that this is a 21+ theatreâplease show your ID at the door to verify your age (that is to say, have your age visible on your blog somewhere!)
ăă €ă
Movies at the multiplex may feature sex, violence, or be otherwise transgressive in nature. Mind the warnings at the beginning of the films, and feel free to quietly leave the theatre at any time (i.e. graphic content will have frontloaded content warnings, but feel free to unfollow or block as needed!)
Setting: Anchors Aweigh!
Where: Luxury Buffet
When: Day 122, Lunch
Who: Minkyu Han, Zeta Santiago
During an impromptu interview with a stranger on his sixth course at the buffet, Minkyu decides to push the envelope of conventional conversation. Begins here!
"Well, you heard him! Guess I'll have to catch you guys later," Minkyu says cheerfully to his phone camera and then promptly puts it awayâno wait.
"Also, if today's video felt like looking in a mirror, be sure to check this out, yeah?" he adds, pointing downwards to where the floating text would be.
Now he puts it away.
Then, he boldly sits in the seat across from the hungry stranger, folding his hands on the table in parody of business negotiations. "This should be fine then, right?" he says.
Now, does he actually care about filming this stranger eating? Of course not! Not his market, not his thing (though he knows more than a handful of people who'd be more than interested).
What he is interested in though is interesting conversation andâmore than thatâinteresting people, and this stranger with his appetite, bloodshot eyes, and cheeky winks seems just eccentric enough to feel promising.
The insistance this man had on taking up his time was begining to veer into comical. He had to be bluffing, right? Or did he want something else? A churlish part of himself wondered if he'd be able to expose enough nerve to call it out.
"Oh, really?" Zeta asks, idly twirling the remaining half of his pasta â a truly unreasonable portion â onto his fork. Almost effortlessly, the mound of noodles is gone in two bites. Not the most difficult food to be swallowing without chewing, but a feat nonetheless. He hated the idea of letting it get any colder.
"Since you're so curious, tell me then. What would you want to see?" He placed the stained dish onto the infamous stack with the others: at the corner of table away from himself, but directly in front of where the self-proclaimed 'professional' sat. He made careful his eyes never broke contact with Minkyu's own.
After that, he leans forward on the table of his own accord. Almost in mimmicry. He gives his own toothless smile.
"And ah, pardon my lack of saviness in these spaces, what kind of viewership are we talking here? I'm sure it doesnt come as a surprise to you, but I'm not exactly interested in sanitizing my image."
Minkyu eyes the growing stack of plates with a reserved sort of awe and a veiled sort of something bordering on disgust, though it doesn't quite make it there. Big eaters aren't his thing, but he has to give this stranger his flowers for polishing off a pasta in two bites. He wonders if this guy's ever won an eating contest.
"And ah, pardon my lack of saviness in these spaces, what kind of viewership are we talking here? I'm sure it doesnt come as a surprise to you, but I'm not exactly interested in sanitizing my image."
Weird response. If it weren't obvious just looking at him, it's the fact that this stranger's meeting Minkyu's off-kilter approach head-on that would have sent warning bells ringing in the distanceâthis guy's trouble.
Minkyu smiles a salesman's smile. "Who said anything about sanitizing?" he says, then waves his hand dismissively. "Viewership comes laterâyou figure out the marketing after you figure out your brand, blah blah, all that boring stuff.
"But, you mentioned rates! I was curious what you were thinking."
Minkyu interviews Lavender for his vlog. Starter posts here!
Oh? For once a worthwhile response! Minkyu's grateful for it, because it means he has valid reason to keep the conversation going while he tries to figure out what on earth is going on with this girl.
He brandishes his phone, smiling warmly, every inch the upbeat vlogger, and when he blinks the magic into his eyes, there's no glow or telltale signâthe only thing his eyes are bright with is attention.
"Thank you! And wow~ you really know your stuff," he says, marveling indulgently. It's played up a little, sure, but he means it. "Have the whole date course planned out, huh? That's admirable, really!"
She's not a supernatural, not innately. She's not cursed, at least not typically. But then what's this unsettling vibe he's getting from her? Something intrinsically offâŠ
"Say, what's your name?" he asks, because his viewers would want to know, (and if it rings bells for him, that's a bonus).
Well, she will give him that - it makes sense he'd take on a more exaggerated and fun air, especially if he's filming people. One would need to be an animator to a certain degree to spread the energy to the other person and make it fun to view later. If it's how he makes a living, performing is basically part of the job description, and he seems to be aware of it at least. All that considered, she should probably give him the benefit of doubt.
"Makes sense." she says out loud too.
... but how fast he switched to a more casual tone is noteworthy, isn't it...
She closes her eyes at herself for a moment. Don't be so suspicious, she thinks. Not everybody I meet has to be a serial killer or terrorist or manmade horror. That's not even statistically possible.
Minkyu Han is clearly an extrovert, probably just dramatic. Not really her type of person, but they only just met - maybe he'll surprise her.
She continues: "Being a gigglemug must make filming a lot easier, I imagine. But since we're off-camera - we are off-camera, right? - I think you can relax."
A change of topic to something lighthearted would be ideal, but she can't think of any decent questions right now. Honestly, the only thing she'd like to ask is if she's seen it right that he has company with him, but that would be inappropriate. Perhaps she does need to swerve back to the previous talking point. Who knows, maybe his answer will be full of depth and love, proving her initial reaction wrong?
"So why do you consider the spa the most romantic spot?"
"Gigglemug" is a new one to himâeasy enough to understand, but still, odd! He'd think it's British, but he's grown pretty familiar over the years. It's too particular to be a literal translation of something else. Dated? he thinks, but files it away to look up later.
Instead, he does a last-minute edit of his answer from before, keeping the tone more lowkey.
"So why do you consider the spa the most romantic spot?"
Of course there's the obvious answers like couple spa packages, but Minkyu hadn't spent the first month ferreting out the cruise's secret menus to be conventional.
"Becauseâand this is a well-kept secret," he says, "they rent out materials. Aromatherapy oils, facial packs, foot soaks, pre-heated stones, even manicures and stuff like that. They have a few rooms for private bookings, and if you want to get pampered by your partner, sure you could do it in the cabin, but there's only so much you can do there, right?"
When he smiles, it's not as sunny as before, still more mellow. "And the ambience is nice. Dim, candle-lit. I don't think you're supposed to but you can sneak in a cheese platter, some wine. Though, like you said, not exactly a first date."
Funny thing about biases, he thinks. Turns out, he'd been dating Dima so long that he'd automatically been thinking from someone who'd been dating for a long whileâa long while?
Huh. Someone who'd been around a while would use dated language. (If he googles this later and it turned out to be Australian slang, he's going to feel real stupid though.)
[CSH] Hey Minkyu! Have you stumbled across any of your fans while on the cruise? Any particularly good or bad experiences with your followers?
On screen, Minkyu is posted up at what appears to be the desk of his first-class cabin, the bland but tasteful wall decor framed perfectly behind him. He's in a cruise ship robe, his hair still damp from either swimming or bathing, as though he's squeezed filming into the middle of his schedule.
Yeah, it's been great! I know I'm not the biggest account around, and I don't go to like⊠cons, so when I get to meet my followers, it's really special.
Someone told me they were following since my 'Korean Version' fashion series. Man, how long ago was that? Honestly it's a little embarrassingâI had no idea what I was doing back then. But I was really touched. Hey, Sarah, if you're watching out there thank you again.
He sighs then, sitting back in his chair a moment as he crosses his arms in thought.
Bad experience though, huh⊠Well, I won't say whether this happened on the cruise or not, but in general? Some people can get a little handsy when they ask for photos, or trying to sneak a kiss. Semi-public figure, so that means different rights, right?
Ah, that's sarcasm by the wayâlegally that's sexual harassment. For your own sake, don't do that, okay?
He perks up then and seems to peer off to the side at something, behind the camera, and briefly touches one of his earlobes. He leans forward, suddenly animated as he acts out his story as he speaks.
Oh but the worst experience: Not on the cruise, but once, someone tried to sneak up on me and steal my earring. You know the ones, I always wear, the red one? They're custom, no one else has them, or if they do they're knock-offs.
(If you look carefully, it might look for a moment like the piercing hole isn't there at all. But can you be sure? It's a quick moment, and it's just a video after all.)
Anyway, he came up behind me while I was eating and tried to pull it from my ear! Not like, rip it out, but try to pull the hook from itâstill hurt! I thought it was like, a baby that had grabbed it by accident, but it was apparently a fan who just really wanted it as a keepsake.
Still, most of my followers are great. Love you guys, and as long as I'm not busy with something, feel free to come up and chat if you see me around.
Setting: Anchors Aweigh!
Where: Luxury Buffet
When: Day 122, Lunch
Who: Minkyu Han, Zeta Santiago
During an impromptu interview with a stranger on his sixth course at the buffet, Minkyu decides to push the envelope of conventional conversation. Begins here!
"Well, you heard him! Guess I'll have to catch you guys later," Minkyu says cheerfully to his phone camera and then promptly puts it awayâno wait.
"Also, if today's video felt like looking in a mirror, be sure to check this out, yeah?" he adds, pointing downwards to where the floating text would be.
Now he puts it away.
Then, he boldly sits in the seat across from the hungry stranger, folding his hands on the table in parody of business negotiations. "This should be fine then, right?" he says.
Now, does he actually care about filming this stranger eating? Of course not! Not his market, not his thing (though he knows more than a handful of people who'd be more than interested).
What he is interested in though is interesting conversation andâmore than thatâinteresting people, and this stranger with his appetite, bloodshot eyes, and cheeky winks seems just eccentric enough to feel promising.
Check out what? Zeta couldnt help but wonder. From the standpoint of pure surveilence, if this guy was as popular as he acted, it'd be worth nabbing a device off of someone and finding the videos.
On the matter of devices, did feel a sense of relief watching the Minkyu tuck his own away. At least he finally got the hint.
He was more than happy to get back to his food in peace, but the vlogger doesn't walk off to accost another passenger as anticipated. More rather, sits directly across from him, hands folded like he's ready to really talk. Zeta's grin stiffens as he clenches his jaw.
"Don't tell me you're actually looking for a quote," He says skeptically, his tone amused to cloak his waning patience.
"You don't seem like the type who'd be eager to divert an audience to someone else."
"Call it a professional curiosity," Minkyu says, flashing a trademark smile, and then breaks his rigid, upright posture to lean on the table, relaxed as though in the company of a friend and not a stranger. Personable!
"Besides, you don't know meâfor all you know, maybe I am the type!"
Boy, he sure hopes this little detour is worth it, because he's delaying his own lunch for this.
Minkyu interviews Lavender for his vlog. Starter posts here!
Oh? For once a worthwhile response! Minkyu's grateful for it, because it means he has valid reason to keep the conversation going while he tries to figure out what on earth is going on with this girl.
He brandishes his phone, smiling warmly, every inch the upbeat vlogger, and when he blinks the magic into his eyes, there's no glow or telltale signâthe only thing his eyes are bright with is attention.
"Thank you! And wow~ you really know your stuff," he says, marveling indulgently. It's played up a little, sure, but he means it. "Have the whole date course planned out, huh? That's admirable, really!"
She's not a supernatural, not innately. She's not cursed, at least not typically. But then what's this unsettling vibe he's getting from her? Something intrinsically offâŠ
"Say, what's your name?" he asks, because his viewers would want to know, (and if it rings bells for him, that's a bonus).
It's her turn to hum. "I see, I see", she says, slowly, dragging it out to give her a moment to process his answer. She really did not like any part of that.
Why did he sound so rehearsed? Is he sponsored? Is he an official hire by the ship? But he doesn't wear anything indicating employment to the ship. So is that even legal? Or is he just so influencer-brained that he naturally speaks like an advertisement? That would be quite annoying... if he speaks so glowingly of the casino, that must mean he's pro-gambling? Or, if he isn't, he must be selling out his values for a sponsorship? She can't decide which is the worse option. The spa?! What a male choice, truly, trying to get their date undressed right away. Why not stop pretending and just pick the pool?
Despite it all, she tries to not show the pin pricked into her enthusiasm for the conversation. It would hardly be polite.
"That is also an option, yes. Though it would not be my choice for a first date I'll say."
She takes a beat to deliberate her next question. It is a swerve in conversation - but it's not like it'd be weird for her to ask.
"So... I'm curious, do you take all these interviews for yourself or are they for official promotion?"
âThat is also an option, yes. Though it would not be my choice for a first date Iâll say.â
"Ah, but first date wasn't the question!" he points out in good humor, but it's easy to see that he's losing herânot that Minkyu cares all too much about salvaging his character in her eyes. Still, it's a good practice to try and puzzle these sort of things out.
Now, what could it have been? Where had he lost her? Safe bet (wordplay intended) would be the gamblingâlike liquor or cheating, everyone either had a bad experience with it or knew someone who did. Still, the timing of her pushback, it was more likely to be the spa, wasn't it? That one's harder to wrap his head around.
Cultural difference, maybe? he wonders idly, but mentally washes his hands of the topic. He can boast about his knowledge of the cruise spa's secret rentals and packages another day.
Instead, he lets the conversation lapse, giving the girl time to form her next question, which does come as he expects:
âSo⊠Iâm curious, do you take all these interviews for yourself or are they for official promotion?â
Though, the question itself is a surprise. Ahhh, he thinks he gets it now. He smiles. "No promos here! Just for me," he says, in that same enthused tone. "It's one of the ways I have fun when I'm somewhere new~"
And then, just as abruptly, he dials it down, letting his tension drop and his assertive cheer take a step back. "But you know, you're the authentic type, huh?" he says, breezier less performatively casual. "Most people find the⊠What is it in English, 'mood-maker'? Most people find it fun."
Of course, throughout this, he's not forgetting what caught his eye about the girl in the first placeâit's been a while since he's seen a life force so ensnarled.
He had gone against his nature and, intentionally, not kept track of employee shifts on the cruise. It was a game of sorts, an invented frivolity to keep him amused three weeks in, where every foray into a venue was as exciting as the roll of a die to see when his whims and a certain schedule would align.
To rewind, briefly: Tonight, it's the club. After a half hour on the dance floor, Minkyu spots them behind the counter and smiles.
He spills into his seat, yes.
He asks his question, yes:
"If someone was out there spiking drinks, what would you do?"
"Well, thatâs a way to break the ice," the Bartender says with smile that only humors him, and there it is, there it isâthat clueless act. Not a single crack in that mask, it's almost enough to give him chills.
He lets their greeting hang, his reply tempered by drink, and takes advantage of the lag to admire the Bartender's finely sculpted features: a dash of judgment, a lime garnish of disdain. When he cocks his head, the long tassel of his earring tickles his neck.
(And maybe, just maybe, his hair falls too artfully, silken even in the thick swamp of body heat and perfume.)
Setting: Anchors Aweigh!
Where: Nightclub, the bar
When: Day 21, 10PM
Who: Minkyu Han, The Bartender (Flamel Shi)
When youâre meeting a âstrangerâ for the âfirst time,â a hypothetical about date-rape sure is a way to break the ice. Starter posts here!
INT. NIGHTCLUB â BAR â NIGHT
THE BARTENDER:
Well, thatâs a way to break the ice. Good evening.
A lull; MINKYU HAN doesnât reply. As THE BARTENDER fills the silence by tidying up their station, he studies them. They stay casual, mobileâhands fluid and steady: Theyâre used to roving eyes. They store a clean glass upside-down on a clean shelf, reorganise bottles of liquor, pour-spouts pristine.
Eventually, the blondâs smile is full of teethâ
MINKYU HAN:
You donât seem too concerned.
âyet THE BARTENDER only laughs, light and airy.
THE BARTENDER:
Well, itâs not the weirdest opener Iâve heard. Cruise ship nightclub gets a lot of characters.
ă € [ a smile, hands palm-down on the countertop ]
Would you like me to get something started while we stew on your hypothetical?
Well, itâs not the weirdest opener Iâve heard. Cruise ship nightclub gets a lot of characters.
"<What>, what do you mean opener? I'm seriously concerned here!" Minkyu says, though his lack of tension seems at odds with his words. He laughs.
Would you like me to get something started while we stew on your hypothetical?
Why, yes he would! The question is what. Minkyu's drink preferences range from the mild to the fruity side, so often fulfilled by the simple delight of soju or the associated mixes. If he ordered a poktanju, wouldâhe glances for a nametagâ"Flamel" know what that is?
Not that a nightclub is any place for a bomb shot, or that a nightclub bar probably would have soju to begin with. Next time, next timeâŠ
Instead, Minkyu lifts a hand languidly, pointing towards a bottle of rum he recognizes behind the Bar. "Get me a mojito? Pineapple," he says, halfway asking. He's been leaning into the 'tropical vacation' vibe, lately.
They have those here too huh? Interesting... He thinks, putting another forkful of pasta in his mouth. Though, his attention was more devoted to the similarities between his world and this one than the prospect of actually becoming a web entertainer.
He took his sweet time finishing the bite, as he thought the question itself was confounding. As if he wanted to talk about that with a guy using him for clicks in the middle of his lunch. This was also neglecting the rapid realization that he had no idea what working wages even looked like in this world to begin with. But ultimately he remains placid, looks between the vlogger's face and the phone in hand with amusement and manages a chuckle.
"Well... I'm sure you of all people would know, it's rather poor form to share my rates unegotiated on camera like this. I mean, I could be serious! If you really want to hear, you'll hypothetically have to see me after your little show." He says with a wink.
Setting: Anchors Aweigh!
Where: Luxury Buffet
When: Day 122, Lunch
Who: Minkyu Han, Zeta Santiago
During an impromptu interview with a stranger on his sixth course at the buffet, Minkyu decides to push the envelope of conventional conversation. Begins here!
"Well, you heard him! Guess I'll have to catch you guys later," Minkyu says cheerfully to his phone camera and then promptly puts it awayâno wait.
"Also, if today's video felt like looking in a mirror, be sure to check this out, yeah?" he adds, pointing downwards to where the floating text would be.
Now he puts it away.
Then, he boldly sits in the seat across from the hungry stranger, folding his hands on the table in parody of business negotiations. "This should be fine then, right?" he says.
Now, does he actually care about filming this stranger eating? Of course not! Not his market, not his thing (though he knows more than a handful of people who'd be more than interested).
What he is interested in though is interesting conversation andâmore than thatâinteresting people, and this stranger with his appetite, bloodshot eyes, and cheeky winks seems just eccentric enough to feel promising.
Did you do any research on staff or fellow guests before you came aboard? Just so you would be prepared if there were any... unsavory characters?
"<Yeah I did research, who do you take me for?>"
Minkyu's by the poolside, over-decorated watermelon juice in hand. He's dressed for the sunâopen linen shirt, swim shortsâbut posted in the shade of one of the large umbrellas on the deck. He tilts his head as though holding his phone with his shoulder, when it's actually magic helping it along.
He's on the phone with a friend. Who? Well, in the course of this narrative, it doesn't matter. He's speaking Korean. "<But you know, perfunctory. I'm not here to make more work for myself.>"
Whatever the person on the other end says makes him laugh out loud, sitting up in his chair. "ìŒ, <if I wanted to avoid trouble, I wouldn't have done any research at all!>" he retorts, pleasantly offended, then slowly sinks back into a recline. "<Only reason I looked into anything at all was to know what'll get them going in the first place.>"
(And he's certainly armed himself in that regardâhis favorite hobby is getting cornered dogs to bite.)
"<But you know>," he adds between sips of his iced beverage, "<the ones that seem 'unsavory' are often pretty bland. It's the ones that are pristine you gotta watch out for>
"<Anyway, quit nagging, what's going on with you?>"
"Mind you, Mister Han, I'm plenty hydrated! You gotta be to make this bottomless drink voucher worth it, right? Sleep is eh, could be better. But trust me, its not a lack that's making 'em look like this." [However, he never quite elaborates on what is...]
"As for the courses," He glances at the buffet line thoughtfully before answering.
"Hmm⊠Six. Three more before I get to the desserts, but I don't let people take clips of that for free. "
For those watching Minkyu's content from the other side of the screen, as the voracious stranger comments on his eyes, these numbers pop up at the bottom of the video:
USA: +1-844-289-0879
Korea: 1342
Live and in person though, Minkyu plays his role as both host and audience reaction. "Wow! You're really getting your money's worth," he says, tone sufficiently impressed.
"You know, in Korea there's a thing called mukbangâhypothetically, what would be your price?"
Does Minkyu actually intend on filming someone else eat? Not reallyâbut he's curious what this guy will say to put him off.
Minkyu interviews Lavender for his vlog. Starter posts here!
Oh? For once a worthwhile response! Minkyu's grateful for it, because it means he has valid reason to keep the conversation going while he tries to figure out what on earth is going on with this girl.
He brandishes his phone, smiling warmly, every inch the upbeat vlogger, and when he blinks the magic into his eyes, there's no glow or telltale signâthe only thing his eyes are bright with is attention.
"Thank you! And wow~ you really know your stuff," he says, marveling indulgently. It's played up a little, sure, but he means it. "Have the whole date course planned out, huh? That's admirable, really!"
She's not a supernatural, not innately. She's not cursed, at least not typically. But then what's this unsettling vibe he's getting from her? Something intrinsically offâŠ
"Say, what's your name?" he asks, because his viewers would want to know, (and if it rings bells for him, that's a bonus).
With the knowledge that camera performance time is over, her body relaxes just a little. After all, holding posture in front of a camera is simply required, and who knows how many people will see her.
Lavender herself doesn't really know about a Minkyu Han, but that's not surprising, she isn't particularly knowledgeable when it comes to people with online fame. Maybe he has a thousand followers, maybe 10 million? Given that he seems quite experienced with camera behaviour, it might be appropriate to estimate it near the upper end - either way she's happy with her performance, so she smiles.
She tilts her head slightly and continues, her voice playful, "Listen, I think it shouldn't stay a one-sided question, so why don't you tell me what you would consider the most romantic spot on this ship?"
She feels like she can vaguely recall seeing Minkyu Han with somebody else on the ship (he's hard to mistake for somebody else after all), aside from all the people he'd been interviewing - but she isn't sure, and she certainly won't ask. Still, it's a fun little question, something that might be relevant to him as well anyway, and it is a good icebreaker.
...Yeah, he has to be closer to 10 million followers than 1000.
She tilts her head slightly and continues, her voice playful, "Listen, I think it shouldn't stay a one-sided question, so why don't you tell me what you would consider the most romantic spot on this ship?"
He hums in thought, drawing it out as he alters the magic in his eyes to check her vitality. "Well, if were talking ëĄë§-tic, it would have to be the casino," he says. "Dramatic twists, rags to richesâit's a place where dreams come true!"
(A/N: This is a stupid bilingual pun with too much cultural context that I wish he didn't say. In Korea, the loan word ëĄë§, i.e. romang from the French word roman, comes from the same root as "romantic" but means something differentâcloser to "romanesque," meaning "novelistic," or romantic in the sense of romanticism in literature; in other words, Korea uses ëĄë§ to mean idealistic dreams in phrases like "a man's romance/dream is [blank].")
"But if we're talking romanticâŠ" He glances at the girl, his smile taking on a dramatic quality, like that of an emcee or a friend with a ghost story. "I agree with all your answers too, but! It's actually the spa," he says.
Checking her vitality was the right call it seemed. He hides his surprise well, even as the main thought in his head translated to: What on earth??
Minkyu walks up to the bar and perches himself closest to the Bartender, elbows on the counter. He's flushed in the face, a few drinks in, but the keen glint in his eyes suggests that he may not be as drunk as his loose movements imply. "So hypothetically," he says, raising his voice to be heard over the music. He blocks one ear with a finger, and he speaks as though Flamel were not busy or as though they'd been conversing all along. "If someone was out there spiking drinks, what would you do?"
Setting: Anchors Aweigh!
Where: Nightclub, the bar
When: Day 21, 10PM
Who: Minkyu Han, The Bartender (Flamel Shi)
INT. NIGHTCLUB â BAR â NIGHT
The dim space is a kaleidoscope of strobe lights and dancing bodies, alive with the pulse of a hardstyle dance track. Even with the air conditioner on full blast, the partygoers are slick with sweatâhair plastered to skin, shirts drenched. The bottles at the bar vibrate with the music, a backdrop to the clinking of ice and glasses.
Interlocking anti-fatigue rubber floormats squish under slip-resistant shoes as THE BARTENDERâone of fiveâshuffles behind the counter. Liquid is wiped clean with a rag.
Theyâre in the middle of blending a frozen margarita when MINKYU HAN spills onto one of the empty barstools, rosy with drink. They flash him a customer-service smile and nod as he speaks, canting their head towards the sound of his voice.
MINKYU HAN:
ă € [ raising his voice over the music, conversational ]
So, hypotheticallyâŠ
If someone was out there spiking drinks, what would you do?
THE BARTENDER, expecting an order, is caught off-guardâa laugh, a furrow of browsâbut not put off. They hand the completed margarita to another customer and wipe their hands on their apron-rag.
THE BARTENDER:
Well, thatâs a way to break the ice.
ă € [ smilesâwry, lopsided ]
Good evening.
@mihlen-rp
đđđ âžș Prose was not working out for me so Iâve resorted to responding to RPs in screenplay format⊠Iâm sorry⊠NOTE: This thread takes place three months in the past (using day 120 as ref)! }}
He had gone against his nature and, intentionally, not kept track of employee shifts on the cruise. It was a game of sorts, an invented frivolity to keep him amused three weeks in, where every foray into a venue was as exciting as the roll of a die to see when his whims and a certain schedule would align.
To rewind, briefly: Tonight, it's the club. After a half hour on the dance floor, Minkyu spots them behind the counter and smiles.
He spills into his seat, yes.
He asks his question, yes:
"If someone was out there spiking drinks, what would you do?"
"Well, thatâs a way to break the ice," the Bartender says with smile that only humors him, and there it is, there it isâthat clueless act. Not a single crack in that mask, it's almost enough to give him chills.
He lets their greeting hang, his reply tempered by drink, and takes advantage of the lag to admire the Bartender's finely sculpted features: a dash of judgment, a lime garnish of disdain. When he cocks his head, the long tassel of his earring tickles his neck.
(And maybe, just maybe, his hair falls too artfully, silken even in the thick swamp of body heat and perfume.)
[csh] Is being on the cruise conductive to info broking, or are you on a break from that as well?
The question is asked in person, one day, in the corridors of the ship. There is no one else around as Minkyu Han looks over his shoulder.
"Huh? Info broking? Is that what they're calling gossip these days?" he asks, offering a clueless smile and a raised brow.
When he lifts his hand, however, there's a folded fan that wasn't there before. He snaps it open before his face, unfurling the pleated rice paper, and when he shuts it just as quick, the light in his eyes has changed.
"Ah, but if you meant ââ~" he says, voice newly honeyed and smile keener, with teeth. What frivolous air loosens his posture has vanished, leaving him uncharacteristically steady for the so-called influencer, every motion meted out with care as he reaches out with his fanâslowly, slowlyâand taps you on the shoulder with it. Tak!âŠ
âŠ
âŠ
"⊠He's on break as well!"
Minkyu pulls back brightly with a flourish of the wrists. "Ah but of course, for VIPs it's a different story~" he adds, turning with an almost musical movement. "Or~ if you have something worth the overtime. But otherwise, find the shop in a few months, okay?"
He waves with fan in hand as he walks away and, between blinks, disappears.
Do I ever get bored? Absolutelyâyou know, for all the stuff the Sapphire of the Seas has to offer, nine months is a long time! But considering everything, the ship does a pretty good job keeping things interesting. New food and events after every port, new peopleâŠ
Though, sometimes it seems like new people show up in between ports. Wonder what that's about, hm? Almost as if people are popping on board out of thin air!
But, well, that's not possible~ right~?
So I guess what I mean is, things are most boring right before a new port, and things are most exciting right after.
But, you guys have been pretty great at keeping things interesting 24/7, so thanks everyone! I hope you keep watching my videos, and keep those questions coming!
Minkyu interviews Lavender for his vlog. Starter posts here!
Oh? For once a worthwhile response! Minkyu's grateful for it, because it means he has valid reason to keep the conversation going while he tries to figure out what on earth is going on with this girl.
He brandishes his phone, smiling warmly, every inch the upbeat vlogger, and when he blinks the magic into his eyes, there's no glow or telltale signâthe only thing his eyes are bright with is attention.
"Thank you! And wow~ you really know your stuff," he says, marveling indulgently. It's played up a little, sure, but he means it. "Have the whole date course planned out, huh? That's admirable, really!"
She's not a supernatural, not innately. She's not cursed, at least not typically. But then what's this unsettling vibe he's getting from her? Something intrinsically offâŠ
"Say, what's your name?" he asks, because his viewers would want to know, (and if it rings bells for him, that's a bonus).
She laughs "It's Lavender, pleasure. And yeah, of course! The ship is beautiful, and with so many spots available it would be a downright shame to not take advantage of it. I actually-"
Finally, she takes a breath. She's not always this chatty, and she's already starting to feel a bit too much like an advertisement. But the ship is indeed nicer than she expected, and she's having fun properly talking to somebody besides the staff. Even if it is through a camera lense right now.
Minkyu laughs, light enough to suit the mood, but with enough body to be authentic. "Maybe! Though given the chance, I'm more of a wolf guy."
Now what was that about a dream? She glosses over it so quickly that maybe it's nothing, but that kind of mix-up of autobiographical memory is actually rarer than one might expect. But, again, could be nothing.
"In any case, thanks so much for answering. It was great to meet you! Hopefully I'll see you around," he says, just to wrap things up, accepting any silence or pleasantries Lavender may send his way in response, but when he stops rolling and lowers his phone, he gives no signs of leaving.
"Sorry, that's for the viewersâgot sick of holding up my phone. So, you said they have birds? I actually didn't know that!"
He speaks quickly and smoothly, quickly paving over what might have been a jar in the flow of their conversation. He did know there were birds at Cafe Meadow, but that doesn't mean he's seen them, so he's willing to feign ignorance to hand Lavender the reins of their conversation while he runs his magical diagnostics.
(CSH) Hey, Minkyu, aren't you worried you'll get hurt if you keep bothering people?
Back in their cabin, Minkyu pauses at this specific comment on one of his videos. He's in his loungewear, sprawled across the bedcover, phone in a precarious grip high above his face.
"<Hey, Dima>," he calls in Korean, and when he hears his boyfriend look up, he cranes his neck and stretches out his arm so Dimitri can read his phone.
Dimitri's expressions can be subtle, but Minkyu can read the mild curiosity in his features. It's less subtle, however, when Dimitri lights up like a Christmas tree and barks a laugh.
He expected the response, but Minkyu lets himself feel offended anyway. "What!" he protests, fighting the corners of his mouth.
"<Oh, nothing>," Dimitri replies in his native Russian, tone as facetious as it is fluid. Minkyu can hear the breadth of Dimitri's grin in his words. "<It's good you have caring fans that put your priorities first>!"
"Hey, nowâthat makes it sound like I want to get hurt," Minkyu says, drawing back his phone to type a response (and hide his own smile behind his screen).
"<No, no! It would be fucking fucked up if you got hurt, wouldn't it>," he adds, and Minkyu doesn't think he's seen Dimitri laugh this hard in weeks. Minkyu gets why, of course. He imagines anyone who really knew him would have a similar reaction. Isn't he worried he'll get hurt, ha!âit's uproariously funny.
Still, he tries to force his own grin into a scowl (fails), and scoffs, "Keep laughing like that and I'll say I'm used to it because my boyfriend already does." Hurt him, that is. He could imagine the hashtags now.
Minkyu hears the scrape of Dimitri's chair. "<You should throw in that I'm an alcoholic criminal, too, then>," he says, coming closer. "<Really play into stereotypes>."
"Oh, good idea, ëĄí~" Minkyu says, singsong, then twists away as his boyfriend's hand comes into view, reaching for his phone. When Dimitri makes another grab, Minkyu slaps the hand away. "<Hey!>"
It's a tussle then, Minkyu twisting on the bed to defend his phone, only succeeding because Dimitri's going easy on him, until Minkyu sits up and Dimitri shoves him down, pinning his phone hand down to the bed.
"Tsk. <Shame the camera's finally off this time. Could have proved the allegations>," he says in easy, preordained triumph, and Minkyu grins up at him, face slightly flushed from the exertion.
"<Hey, it's not too late>," he offers in accented but adequate Russian as Dimitri finally pries his phone from his hand. Minkyu lets him, because Dimitri vying for his attention is to be savored. "<We could still turn it on>."
âââ
He decides to make his reply a video instead:
'Aren't I worried I'll get hurt if I keep bothering people?' I really, really appreciate the concern! So first, thank you for that.
To answer though, I'm not too worried about it. I know I can seem pushy in some of my videos, but the last thing I want to do is actually bother someone, so when they want me to back off, I back off, and I don't approach them again. That tends to cool things down pretty well.
And I've said this a few times over the years, but I'm a really good judge of character -wink- I don't really want to get hurt either, and I know how to stay clear, so rest easy and just have fun with my videos! Worry not required.
[CSH] To Senna & Finney: "Hi there. Minkyu HanâI'm interviewing people for my vlog. So, I'm supposed to ask some people how they know each other, and you two seemed more interesting than the usual pairs we see on these kind of trips. How are you two related?" â @mihlen-rp
