[elyx]

elyx // bandit // squid // 233 words

it was just her luck wasn’t it? of course this had to happen on her first vacation since everything happened - of course. though it probably is karma or something. she came on this trip to avoid reconnecting with people - her family- from before. it must be a sign that the ship broke down. that figures. though she is thankful to be back on dry land, there’s a reason she joined a motorcycle gang and not a sailing club, but that was gone now.

there are times when she thinks of her old friends. she knew everything about them, some of them would have loved to be on this cruise with her, even though the sea isn’t exactly her favourite thing she would’ve enjoyed it more with the gang. she misses them. she misses everyone, she’s so alone now. she really needs to reconnect with her family, but what if they don’t want to see her? what if they hate her for running away? she’s had so much go wrong in life and the ship breaking down is just another nail in the coffin.

she knows it’s absurd, but after everything could it be that negativity just follows her? what if it’s her fault the ship malfunctioned? what other things were going to happen to her here?

don’t spiral, do not. not now.
for now, just enjoy the island.
you deserve it.

[fangsnfluff]

How does your kalon feel about their cruise breaking down?

Pip had seen a lot of interesting things, been in a lot of weird situations. He'd met more absolutely bizarre kalons than he could count. But this... This was new, even for him. He came on this cruise to finally get a break from all the hustle and bustle, to just take a few weeks to himself. Maybe he'd make some friends, try some good food, and, worst case scenario, go home with a sunburn. But when he heard the rumble of the engines and felt the explosion shake the floor beneath him, all he wanted was to make it home at all, sunburn or not. The cruise ship swayed beneath Pip's feet as he scrambled for the nearest lifeboat. The next few seconds were a blur of yelling, smoke, and other shouting passengers. Or... had all that shouting been Pip? No. Surely not. As he focused back in, he heard a voice on the intercom. "Please, everyone! Remain calm. We're approaching an island where we'll be docking for the time, there is no need to panic!" Feeling his legs start to go out beneath him, Pip took a seat in one of chairs on the deck and gazed out towards the horizon. As he did, he was surprised by just how normal things seemed. The waves carried the boat slowly in to shore, gently rocking from side to side enough to be noticeable without making him sick. The sun was just beginning to dip into the sea, casting a rosy glow over the water around him and the soft sand of the beach, now probably no more than a hundred or so feet away. As they gently came to rest at the dock, he could hear birds in the trees and feel a gentle breeze, carrying with it the sound of laughter and the scent of the ocean. Maybe, just maybe, this whole ordeal was exactly what he'd needed to really get a break in the end.

[sicknasty]

How does your kalon feel about their cruise breaking down?
sicknasty - levi - octopi - 248 words

"honestly? i'm just glad it wasn't my fault."
hey, it wouldn't be the first time that levi's accidentally caused major damage to a form of public transport. but not this time! or at least, they're pretty sure they have an alibi. despite fully intending to get their sea legs immediately and explore the boat, levi found themself struck by seasickness as soon as they embarked, and spent most of the morning lurking in the bar, having once been told that cocktails are an infallible cure for the mal de mer. the cocktails were nice, but the bar was a little loud for their nauseous head, and once a particularly fiery-tempered orange kalon started a fight with one of the other bar-goers, levi decided it was best to beat a retreat.
they'd tried to relax by the pool, which had been nice until a large group of noisy kits had decided to start practicing their cannonballs in the deep end. soaked to the skin and with their head spinning, levi had slunk off to find a darkened corner to sleep in. they had just curled up in a secluded cupboard under a pile of life jackets when a mighty impact shook the whole ship and they were suddenly surrounded by panicked kruisers grabbing for life jackets.
they're quite happy to be back on dry land, really - a land lubber at heart, their seasickness has gone, though they're mourning the loss of a napping opportunity.
"so, uh, karkar - know where a kal can take a snooze around here?"

[sapphirelion]

username: sapphirelion || kruise member: Antaeus || squid member
How does your kalon feel about their cruise breaking down?

If anyone wondered where Antaeus was on day two of the cruise, they wouldn’t have to search long.
On the first day he was having a great time, hanging around new people and playing games. But then he went to sleep and when he woke up, he remembered things. Things like, he was on a cruise, which meant he was on a boat...oh and that he really doesn’t like being on boats. He loves the ocean and being on it, but being on a boat on the ocean makes him feel like he has no control and it makes him anxious.

‘Why oh why did my girlfriend insist that I get on this boat even when she had to cancel her ticket for the trip? I don’t like boats and she’s knows that and I know that!’ These thoughts kept running through his head while he huddled under his blankets in his room. But they stopped when he heard an announcement:

“Good afternoon passengers, we have had an unexpected incident and must dock immediately. We apologize for this inconvenience but encourage you to take advantage of it. Explore the island, lounge on the beach, and just have fun while we take care of it!”

Antaeus peeked his head out of the covers a little and peered outside his porthole to the water.
‘Maybe this trip won’t be so bad after all. Maybe we’ll have to go back to port rather than finish the trip! It is another 2 days of travel, but in the end I’ll be home! For now I can actually relax and enjoy the sea life around this island we’ll be docked at.’

[ArcticWaterDrake]

A ᴘʀᴇᴛᴛʏ ᴄʀᴀᴢʏ ᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴅᴇʀᴀɪʟᴇᴅ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴠᴀᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ.

How does your kalon feel about their cruise breaking down?

Pip is... disappointed, but can't say he's not surprised, with a price that low, he knew soemthing like this was bound to happen.

[VoidRinkusu]

Prompt 1 - VoidRinkusu - Wylan and Hawking - Registration

The deep boom was loudest on the deck. I guess it would have been easy to walk over to the other side where kalons had already started to gather and see it for myself, but I know the sound of an explosion when I hear one. I took a few seconds to finish the last of my drink before I left the railing and started towards the dining hall. I wasn’t too worried about my safety, unlike a lot of the panicking kruise-goers I passed, but I still needed to find Hawking. I got to the dining hall with relative ease, trying my best not to bump into any strangers. After a quick look around, it was obvious that Hawk wasn’t there, so I took to the halls and went deeper. I checked his room, the bar, and even the casino. Hawking shouldn’t be in a casino.
He wasn’t. I picked up my pace out of irritation, jostling a few kalons as I went, growing a little more anxious. Someone I could only assume to be an employee called out after me.
“Sir! Everyone is to evacuate to the deck!” But I ignored it. There were fewer kalons around but I still struggled against the maddening tide.
Gods, where was he?!
“Hey!” I heard as my shoulder was grabbed. I didn’t have time for this so I tried to shake them off and keep going.
“Wylan!” They barked. I stopped and looked at the man.
“Oh.” I said.
“Hello!” Said Hawking, smiling.
“Come then, let’s get out of here.” He let go of me and we followed the evacuating passengers.

Thankfully, there was an island nearby.
The crew successfully steered the boat to the nearest shore and helped everyone get to land. We were promised that our belongings would be safe, they just needed a sturdy place to get the boat before anyone would be allowed back on. Standing on the beach, I looked around with furrowed brows. It was a gorgeous island, but this was not at all what I had planned to do today. I glanced over at Hawking who was grinning ear to ear, clearly thrilled by the promise of adventure. I sighed and shook my head, a smile growing on me.

[Marsh]

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Prompt One - How does your kalon feel about their cruise breaking down?

Kalon - Oxford xxxxxx Team - Octopi xxxxxx Word Count - 532 xxxxxx Sign Up - x

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Oxford had gone all out for this cruise. The day before he left he’d bought all of these horrendous hawaiian shirts that he knew he’d never wear again, but he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to dress like a typical tourist on this occasion. Still, he did keep a bit of himself in his holiday dress sense by pairing them with black shorts and shades regardless of the weather he was faced with that day. This was his chance to take a break and let loose for a while.

It had been a bit of a pain to have to disembark on the nearest island - which a chipped painted sign made of driftwood informed him was called Kalokairi, Greek for summer - when the cruise ship broke down, but he knew the cheap cruise getaway had been too good to be true. And, the cherry on top was that his hat had blown off somewhere as soon as he stepped foot on the island so he would probably end up cooked alive, but at least he still had his favourite shades so he wouldn’t be completely blinded.

Looking past the end of the wooden pier they had docked on for repairs and the hordes of fellow tourists milling around looking dazed, angry or bored, Oxford spotted the edge of a tropical forest almost beckoning him through the crowds. He found himself filled with the primal urge to run, just like a child, right up to the treeline and have a peek at what might be waiting there for him. So he did. Oxford started rushing towards the sea of green, initially politely pushing past the crowds of people and apologising whenever he bumped shoulders but eventually Oxford ended up losing his manners and elbowing his way through the last few metres.

Breathlessly, Oxford sprinted the last stretch of now clear sand until he was standing by the nearest palm tree, holding himself up by its trunk. While he attempted to catch his breath, his eyes greedily took in the beauty of all the tropical flora with the occasional bird flying across his vision. The background music of unusual bird calls and other creatures was music to his ears, ironically considering he was so used to the music he would play in his record shop, and Oxford was absolutely mesmerised. It was only when his rear hit warm sand that he realised he had slid down the trunk to sit on the ground. Letting out a content sigh he glanced over again at the crowds of tourists still anxiously wandering around near the dock, but again his breath caught in his throat as he was once again entranced by the blush of pink across the sky as the sun began to set. Oxford could definitely get used to this.

A detour had not been what Oxford had been expecting at all but still, he was determined to try and make the most of the situation by meeting some new people and exploring the island! Oxford was excited for this to be one of the most fun holidays of his life and he knew there would be plenty more surprises along the way.

[76heart]

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76heart ● arianne ● octopus ● day one ● 735 words
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❝ How does your kalon feel about their cruise breaking down? ❞
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Truthfully, she didn't mind it. She so wanted to say that she did, that she hated the feeling of sand between the toes of her paws, and the beautiful crisp freshness of the air, but she couldn't, she just couldn't. It was all too beautiful for her to ever hate, and it reminded her of the story books that had been read to her when she was but a small child.

The plants, and all the nature were too wonderful for her to be upset about the cruise breaking down, too. Where she came from, in her world, plants were a scarcity, a rare survivor peaking through the cracks of grand buildings once tall and proud, now laying in a ruined rubble on the side of the street that no one cared enough to pick up. The plants she saw in her home were all small, barely breathing and there, nothing but small, hardy survivors clinging to the little dirt and water they could, and begging for the day their sun's light managed to creep through the smog of a world always shrouded in night, lit up by horrendous neon lights and signs, and warning lights from flying ships and cars on their air streets. It wasn't a pretty world, not even the cities where care and upkeep were actually present could be called pretty, nor could the circus she lived in. It used to be pretty in her eyes, with a myriad of beautiful decorations, with lights and pearls and soft silky fabrics, but now that she was older, and had become used to it, it's beauty had faded in her eyes. The circus was nothing but a trick, an illusion meant to fool the world and hide the darkness there truly was, but this place, this island was real, and it was beautiful, and unlike anything she had ever seen before. She couldn't be angry at it crashing when it showed her something beautiful, and new.

She had even been a little scared to step foot onto the green tendrils of grass she had never once seen outside of faded books and pictures of times long since gone and forgotten, but it had been a mix of heart racing excitement, and nerves that made her heart race even more, so she had been able to hide it well, and even if she hadn't been able to, she could just say the crashing of the cruise had left her more than a little shaken, which in truth, had not, but no one else needed to know that. Showing fear was a weakness, and she wasn't about to do that in a world unfamiliar to her own in a land where she knew no one.
It had felt nice, though, the grass, when she had finally found the courage to set a paw upon it. It had been so soft, the slim tendrils kissing and tickling the pads of her feet with each step, and making her want to stand in them forever. She wasn't sure if it was like that everywhere, but here on the island it felt so luscious and vibrant and bright verdant and soft, and she couldn't wait until she found out what the moss felt like, because if this was soft, the moss had to feel as soft as clouds.

The animals were something she was familiar with, but in her world they were captive, trapped in terrible attempts to keep their species alive, and it was much nicer to see them here, free. Each one she spotted just looked so, so happy, and she wished the ones in her home could feel that someday too, and be free again. Only the ones that were native to her homeland, and had changed to adapt to the mess her world was in now were free, and even they looked miserable. She hoped they'd feel this freeness someday too, just far away from her, because they were very mighty and terrifying beasts that were dangerous, except for the few in her circus, they had come to see her as a safe and trusted friend, not food. Those ones could stay with her, and she wished she could have brought them along.

Anyway, she was almost happy that it had crashed, and that the infernal rocking and swaying on that god forsaken boat was no longer all she could feel and focus on.

[cozymutt]

A ᴘʀᴇᴛᴛʏ ᴄʀᴀᴢʏ ᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴅᴇʀᴀɪʟᴇᴅ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴠᴀᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ.
How does your kalon feel about their cruise breaking down?

Trevor slowly opened one of his eyes and let out a sleepy groan as his muscles rolled him over into a more comfortable position on his bed without thought. The thick fog in his head began to pull him gently back into the comforting darkness of sleep when suddenly a skull-splitting shriek rang out. It was the grating voice of his sister. His ears pushed back and he let out another groan as the fog gave way to clarity and irritation.

Giving up on sleep, he sat up and slid his legs over the side of the bed, straining to understand what she was yelling about through the walls. He didn't make out what she was saying, but he did start to hear more more troubling sounds of panicked footsteps and something felt off in the air. He stood up, pulled a shirt on and headed toward the door of his room when it burst open, causing him to flinch.

"We broke down." His brother, Grimsly said flatly, looking more than done with the situation. Trevor relaxed but rolled his eyes, "Ah, so that's what she was screeching about." he replied grimly. Grimsly nodded, "I'm gonna go see what this islands all about. Don't forget your water-wings." he grinned snidely as he turned to walk away. Trevor was unfazed, having come to terms with the fact if he acted upset it would only goad Grimsly further. His brother thought it was hilarious that his parents forced even Trevor to go on a cruise when he was terribly hydrophobic.

Trevor realized as he walked toward the exit behind his brother that, all-in-all, he was relieved they broke down near an island. He didn't even want to picture an alternative.

[288 words]

[Cheeb]

Prompt One
Helena - Team Squid - 390 words

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A ᴘʀᴇᴛᴛʏ ᴄʀᴀᴢʏ ᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴊᴜsᴛ ᴅᴇʀᴀɪʟᴇᴅ ʏᴏᴜʀ ᴠᴀᴄᴀᴛɪᴏɴ.
How does your Kalon feel about their cruise breaking down?


xxxxxHelena didn't get on the cruise ship with high expectations. She was hopeful that things would be fun and exciting, sure, but she was mostly on board for her passion for photography. Any sort of water-based travel was sure to provide some beautiful scenery, from the deep blue waves that kissed the side of the vessel from the islands that loomed in the distance. The people-watching would be delightful, too. All sorts of Kalons gathered aboard the cruise ship, from suburban families with hyper kits to those who just wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of their normal lives. Perhaps she'd gather up the courage to ask a few strangers if they'd be willing to let her take candids of them, if she was feeling bold. Either way, Helena wasn't looking for very much from the cruise: she just wanted an opportunity to take some nice pictures.
xxxxxThe trip was a last-minute decision in the first place; mason jars full of change and previously forgotten dollar bills were Lena's best friends as she scavenged for the money to go on the cruise. Was it a waste of money? For many others, probably not. For Helena...? Maybe, but all she cared about was that it would be cheap and hopefully fun -- and, of course, that it would provide her with great photo opportunities.
xxxxxBefore the little 'accident' that caused the ship to dock at Kalokairi, Helena was already having a blast. She was the crazy passenger that leaned off the side of the boat in able to take pictures of the water; the idiot who was laying on the deck to get a shot of the vessel itself at the 'perfect angle'. As the chaos began and ship broke down, Lena found herself more curious than frustrated. She typically drifted through life without a plan, and this was sure a departure from what she considered normal.
xxxxxWhen Kalokairi came into view, excitement began to course through her veins. This island was gorgeous: the quaint little boardwalk and town, the sun-filled beach, and whatever lurked beyond in the lush forest... it was all unexpected yet enticing. All in all, while things weren't exactly as advertised, Helena figured that she would make the most of it. After all, why be gloomy or nervous when there's a beautiful island to explore?