The Permanent Vacation

[Constantinou]

The Permanent Vacation

The OOC

Olivia gazed out at the water, resting her head in a bangled hand. She was already tired of her costume jewelry, and she had only been aboard the ship for two days. She had never been one to wear a lot of makeup or jewelry offstage, though. It was just something she would have to get used to. The sky was already a striking blue at eight in the morning, only a few shades lighter than the blue expanse through which the ship glided. Olivia had an hour before work began, but she felt as if she could win some brownie points with the witch of a cruise director were she roaming in costume. She, of course, had no such luck.

"Olivia!" The woman barked, regardless of the fact that they were on the lido deck among guests. "What're you doing up here?" Olivia spun around to see Amy racing toward her, her round face reddening from the effort. "Are you trying to ruin your costume? You only wear it up here when directed! The salt will ruin it. Now get downstairs before your shift starts!" She turned, huffing away in the direction that she had come before Olivia could speak. How had someone like that gotten a job on a Disney cruise in the first place? She was absolutely horrible!

"Mommy, look!" Olivia heard a young voice from nearby shout. She spun around. A young girl, probably four or five, was pointing at her. She smiled, tugging at her curls. "Mommy, it's Edsmereldadalda!" Olivia knelt to the girl's level, smiling. Few children that age recognized who Olivia was, and the botching of the name made it that much sweeter.

"What's your name, cutie?" Olivia cooed. The girl beamed, blushing and hiding behind her mother's leg. She muttered something, but Olivia couldn't understand.

"Tell her your name, sweetie," the woman encouraged.

"Isabella," the girl repeated, this time with more diction. She began to come out from behind her mom's leg. After more coaxing, she let Olivia hug her, and they got a picture together. The mother mouthed a thank you, and they continued on to where they had been going. Olivia smiled, remembering why she knew she was going to be able to put up with Amy for the next six months. She stood, and made her way downstairs to the formal dining area for Breakfast with the Characters.

__________________________________________________ _______________________

Amy woke on Monday in a fantastic mood. She knew, of course, that someone would soon find a way to sour it, but for that moment, she basked in the feeling of ease that she was experiencing in her room alone. The mood ruiner popped up before Amy could even make her rounds for the morning. In her wonderful mood, she had gotten ready for the day and headed to the Lido deck for a little sunshine. There, she found a new hire, Olivia, completely dressed in her costume! Were people really that stupid? Obviously! Immediately, she took the leadership initiative. Olivia seemed offended, but there wasn't anything Amy could do about that. She shouldn't have been so stupid in the first place. She had to learn one way or another.

For the most part, the people working menial jobs aboard the cruise, like the entertainment staff, were all resemblant of the apes from which they descended. They ate sloppily and quickly, they had no respect for authority, and they were all dumb as could be. She simply couldn't understand how anyone got along with them in the outside world. Perhaps, she had thought once, that was why they had all ended up here. This was like the circus, attracting all of the freaks. She knew she was superior, however, and six months out of the year, she didn't have to think about them. She thought about this, imagining her vacation, while she did her rounds, snapping the apes into place.

[Christiefries]

Susan awakened to the sound of her alarm beeping obnoxiously until she immediately slammed her fist onto the off button. The sunlight shone through her green curtains, reflecting a gentle emerald hue throughout the room. Groaning, she slowly rose out of bed and made her way to the bathroom. Still groggy, due to the lack of sleep the night before, she splashed cold water onto her face. The waves had made the ship rock too much last night, and the nauseous feeling was still inside of her. Ignoring it the best she could, she carried on with her morning ritual, brushing her pearly whites and applying make-up. Susan didn't think very highly about her natural appearance, and was more than glad to hide the flaws.

Exiting the bathroom, she made her way to the closet and retrieved her Tinkerbell costume. A smile drew itself across her face, always happy whenever she got to be her favorite Disney character. Putting it on, she inspected herself in her full-length mirror. The dress was form-fitting, hugging her small frame and revealing her womanly curves. Sliding her hands down her waist to her hips and then out in front of her, she frowned. When had her hips become so large? Angling herself to the mirror, she observed the size of her breasts, which she was thankfully blessed with despite her being underweight. Satisfied and grateful, she retreated to her desk.

She still had thirty minutes before she was to report to duty. Sitting, she retrieved a pen and a book from the drawer, placing them onto the surface. Opening the book, she flipped to a blank page and put pen to paper.

Dear Diary,

We've been through a lot together, you and I. I've told you of my late-night adventures into the woods, my first time on a roller coaster and how I was so scared but told no one, my secret almost-pornography incident, how I sometimes still cry myself to sleep at night... Like I did last night... Oh, Diary, how I wish I had someone to talk to. Not that you're not helpful, but sometimes I just wish you were in a more human-like form so I could have a hug once in a while, you know? I know it's not your fault you're in the form you are now... But anyway, the reason I cried last night was because I'm so nervous. I don't know anyone on the ship, I have a poor sense of direction and am bound to get lost, and I'm afraid no one will like me. I know, I know, I should stop being such a worry-wart. I should just focus on my job. The show must go on. The act must go on... The role, of Tinkerbell, must go on... I have to be her. Happy, social, outgoing, perfect... Unlike this blob of a mess I am. I think my hips bones themselves are growing. I'm becoming deformed. Seriously, I'm going to like, become some strange new species overnight. Well, anyway, nice chatting with you. I have to do my hair really quick and then begin my job! Woohoo, so excited! Not nervous! TOTALLY NOT NERVOUS!!!
Love, Susan
P.S. Keep your binding shut, or else. If anyone finds out how I truly am, what I've been through, they'd think I'm SUCH a freak.

Putting the book and pen back into the drawer, she removed a brush from another drawer, quickly brushing out the tangles in her hair before putting it up in a messy bun. Replacing the brush to it's original location, she got up, gave one final glance in the mirror, and touched up a bit of pink lipgloss onto her plump lips. Then she headed out the door, hoping she would find her way to wherever they were having "Breakfasts with Guests."

[Kagura]

Elijah technically wasn't on duty until later that evening, which is why Mondays are his second favorite day on the ship. But just because he wasn't working didn't mean he was just going to chillax in his cabin all day. Elijah was up and dressed and ready to go hit the gym at a peachy 5am. That put his grand total of sleep hours at a whopping six. He surprised even himself, there.

But after working up a sweat for a few hours, the ship really started to come to life. Breakfast must be on soon and the last thing Elijah wanted to do was walk through crowded decks smelling like stale sweat. He grabbed his personal towel (can't take any of the guest towels set out, can we!) and headed back to his room before it was too late. As much of a good job as those lovely maids do, he would never step foot in a public shower. The things people DO in there.

Being a veteran on this damn ship, Elijah knew there was a very sweet window of time between the early birds and the on-timers to pretty much every event. It could be used for a lot of things, like going to take a leak or downing a shot in secret or going from gym to room without taking a shower and without getting disgusted looks from passengers.

But his time was running out. The elevator was taking its time today. When it did open it was (thankfully) empty, but that didn't mean he was out of the woods. If he hadn't run himself so dry working out, he probably could have taken the stairs. Damn it. Slowly the decks passed by and the elevator didn't stop. Lucky break. Elijah hated when people saw him during or after a workout, it's gross.

Didn't stop him from nearly mowing over Tinkerbell. Oops.

“'scuse me,” he muttered. At least he didn't knock the poor girl down, she looked like she would break. But no time to dwell on it. She had just seen him all sweaty with stains all over his shirt. How is that professional or polite in any way? He continued down the staff hall until he made it to his room, which he unceremoniously locked and chained. Elijah wouldn't come out until he was presentable.

[Constantinou]

Breakfast was setting to start, but when Amy entered the formal dining room, many characters were not in their stations. Where was Belle? Amy spotted her mingling with Tiana across the room. Mulan was sharing coffee with Prince Charming. Pluto was walking around without his dog head on. What was wrong with these brutes? Didn't they understand how perfect this had to be? Didn't they know that they had to please these guests in order to keep their lousy jobs? She bit her lip, trying not to get angry, but was unable to contain herself.

"Characters! Drop the coffees and get in place! Breakfast is going to be opening in twenty minutes! Your costumes need to be ready and perfect. Mickey!" she stormed over to Mickey, snatching his head from his hands. "Does this belong in your hands or on your head?" He said nothing. She shoved it back to him with a groan. She headed toward Belle, who scurried back to her station. "I need perfect makeup and giant smiles and big bodies! If I don't get that from you today, you will be off this boat on Saturday! Are we clear?" There were some grudging mumbles. Everyone knew how serious she was. A Jasmine impersonater had been fired for forgetting her eye makeup. Once everyone was where they should have been, Amy did makeup checks. Thankfully, she had drilled at least that much into their thick skulls. Everyone's makeup was perfect. Everyone's costume was ironed and clean. She reached Tinker Bell.

"What's this?" she asked, mocking patience. She pointed to the messy bun in the girl's hair. Before the new girl could respond, Amy reached out and pulled the hairband out, watching the girl's hair cascade down around her shoulders. "Do it like the picture or I'll cut off that hair and give you a wig." She spun on her heels and left the room.

Olivia grimaced as the employee door slammed behind Amy. Soft mutters rose in the room. Tink was stationed only three tabled away from her. How had she gotten so unlucky? Olivia felt bad for the girl. She smiled at her, waving a little. She knew Susan from practice, but had never really talked to her. When she noticed that other actors were breaking character, she sighed, approaching Susan.

"Hey," she said unsurely. "Want help with your hair?"

[Christiefries]

"Squeak!"

Susan jumped, an embarrassingly audible, yet adorable noise escaping from her vocals as the man almost ran into her. He was quite a bit taller than her, as were most people, and was drenched in sweat. Thank goodness he hadn't made physical contact with her. The smell would have made her unpleasant to work with, and the guests would have no doubt questioned her authenticity as a professional entertainer. Refraining from scrunching up her nose in disgust, she smiled politely to his pardoning and made her way around him and down the stairs. She had a slight fear of elevators, being stuck inside such a claustrophobic room if the power just so happened to go out did not sound like a fun time. So down the stairs she went, breathing slowly as she tried to calm herself.

She arrived at the destination five minutes late due to taking frequent wrong turns and entering the completely wrong room. Sighing with gratitude, Amy was too busy fussing with the actors to notice her late arrival. She made her way over to her seat, only to have Amy spin around and march towards her, ripping the band out of her hair. As the blonde locks waved down, it took everything in her not to cry. How could she have been so stupid? Tink didn't wear a messy bun. Accepting the band back, she looked down in shame as Amy stormed off, startled at the sound of a door slamming.

Biting her lip, she held back her nervous tears, fiddling with her hair as she attempted to make a smoother bun without the help of a mirror. She had not seen the girl wave at her, too busy attending to her obvious flaw. When she spoke, however, Susan looked up, noticing a girl dressed as Esmeralda. She was beautiful, and was so kind in offering her assistance. Susan nodded, handing her the band.

"Yes, please. Thank you so much. I guess I was just so nervous this morning I couldn't do it correctly." She sighed, clasping her hands together as she waited patiently for the kind woman to fix her hair. She looked familiar, but Susan couldn't remember her name. "My name's Susan." She smiled, feeling a little bit better now that she had someone to talk to.

[Constantinou]

"I know," Olivia giggled. "You're new, too. I've been keeping tabs on all the new people. You know, so I can learn from everyone else's mistakes. I heard that Amy is the wicked witch of the west's evil stepsister. I don't ever want to cross her." She smiled at the other girl. "I'm sure you can get why." A final bobby pin from her skirt pocket was slid into Susan's hair before Olivia stepped away.

"There. Perfect. We can't afford to have anyone losing their job on the first day. Especially such a cute Tinkerbell." She sighed, biting her lip and trying to think of the next thing to say. The girl was really cute. Olivia always got nervous around pretty girls. She felt as if she wasn't quite as good as them. If this girl was already getting in trouble with Amy, it was only a matter of time for Olivia. She tried not to think about that. "Anyway, I'm Olivia. Where are you from?" she asked finally.

[owlyunderwear]

Khloe Lester

Khloe was wiping down the bar, as usual, making eye contact with a group of guys across the room from her. One in particular, with a tangerine-orange vest and shaggy blonde hair, had caught her liking. She bit her lip playfully and looked down as if she was shy; she wasn't of course, she was anything but, but she'd learnt all the tricks over the years, and sometimes she just couldn't help herself.

When she looked back up, Khloe noticed the boy - or rather, man - was approaching her. She messed with her hair a little and smiled.

"What can I get ya, pet?"

"What would you like?" he smiled, resting his hand on hers.

"I can't drink on shift, I'm afraid, pet. I'd be happy to join you for a drink when I'm off though."

"Well that sounds fantastic. I guess I'll see you then, then?"

"Of course, pet. So make an order before I get bored." Khloe winked and giggled a little, subtly sticking out her chest. She was the master of flirting, the queen, the goddess. She was the best of the best, but it hadn't come easy. She'd worked hard to be that good, tested the skills many-a-time, she'd worked at it and it finally payed off in life.

"I'll have," he turned around to his friends, mouthing words and then turning back around. "Just five beers, please."

Khloe finished making the drinks and helped carry them over to the table on the other side of the room. And as she placed the on the table, she bent right forward, just for good measure. She was a tease, but who cared?

As she walked back to the bar, she realised that she wasn't going to be drinking with any of them, because she really didn't want to sleep with any of them all that much. Force of habit, really, flirting. For her, anyway.

[Constantinou]

The day passed all too quickly, and before she knew it, Olivia was rushing down to the atrium to pose for pre-dinner character photos. It was a quick costume change between the stage show and the photo op, since she wouldn't be playing Esmeralda in the next show. She didn't think it would take her as long as it did, though, and hoped that Amy wouldn't notice when she was missing right before photos began. It wasn't as if Esmeralda was a wildly popular character, anyway. Really, how many kids would be so eager to get pictures with her when Cinderella was all dressed up for a ball only feet away from her? When she finally did arrive, late, she got her answer.

"Where's Emeralda?" one little girl asked Amy, who was standing, conveniently, right where Olivia should have been.

"Well, sweetie," Amy said in a sickening sugar sweet voice, "she just ran quickly to send a magic dove to deliver her letters to Notre Dame. She has to tell her friends how much fun she's having with all of you!" Olivia smiled, hoping that Amy would be just as sweet backstage, but knowing she would have no such luck.

"Here I am!" Olivia shouted, dancing into place and opening her arms for a hug. The little girl threw herself into Olivia's arms, and the photo mayhem began. The children were crazy for the gypsy character. The wait to see her was almost as long as the line to see the spunky fairy, Tinkerbell. Olivia smiled and winked at her when their eyes met. Finally, the chaos ended. The children ran off to dinner, and her work was done. Exhausted, Olivia took a seat at the bar.

"Oh not so fast, gypsy!" she heard a wretched voice exclaim from behind her. Amy. She spun around. "You're coming with me," she grumbled, motioning for Olivia to follow her. She left reluctantly. When they were away from passenger eyes and ears, Amy lost it. "What the hell were you doing? Do you even take this job seriously? You know I can have you off this boat tomorrow! Do you want that?"

Olivia blushed, mumbling something. "Don't disrespect me, you little wench! You have one more chance, new girl. One more little trick like that, and you're gone." She spun to leave, but turned back. "Oh, and I won't be seeing you at the staff party on Tuesday, understood?" Olivia wanted to protest, but knew it was futile. Amy left, and Olivia wanted to cry. She knew her luck with the woman couldn't last, but that was far worse than she could have thought! She ran to her room, slamming the door behind her. There wasn't much time until karaoke, but she needed to be alone. It wasn't fair!