2. Leo
Leo
Striding across the bridge of the Celestial Odyssey, my tired eyes sweep over the array of state-of-the-art instruments and the bustling crew preparing for our inaugural voyage. The anticipation in the air is palpable, a current of excitement running through every member of my hand-picked team.
A flicker of movement catches my attention, and I turn to see the cruise line's public relations representative, Ivan, approaching with a young woman in tow."Captain Maxwell, I'd like to introduce you to Cecilia Monroe from Voyage Vibes, an online travel magazine. She's here to interview you about the Celestial Odyssey."
It takes a massive amount of my very limited energy to school my features into a welcoming smile."A pleasure to meet you, Ms. Monroe. Welcome aboard the Celestial Odyssey."
She returns my smile."Thank you, Captain Maxwell. I'm thrilled to be here and to learn more about this magnificent vessel."
Wish I could say the same, I think to myself. Does Ivan not know how busy I am? Another mind-numbing interview?
I gesture for her to follow and lead the way to the expansive windows overlooking the sun-drenched deck below."The Celestial Odyssey is a marvel of modern engineering and luxury. We've spared no expense in creating an unparalleled experience for our guests."
The reporter nods, her eyes sweeping over the gleaming white exterior and the inviting pools."It's stunning, Captain. Can you tell me more about the amenities onboard?"
Literally, she could google this.
I am proud of this ship. There's no question about that. I would just rather be doing my job and ensuring said amenities are ready for our 7,000 passengers rather than wasting my time describing them to yet another reporter.
"We have a wide range of accommodations to suit every taste and budget, from cozy interior cabins to opulent suites with butler service. Our dining options are equally diverse, with a formal dining room, specialty restaurants, and casual eateries to satisfy any craving."
She scribbles notes in her pad."And what about entertainment and activities?"
"There's never a dull moment on the Celestial Odyssey,"I assure her. Unlike this interview."We have a state-of-the-art fitness center, a luxurious spa, and a sprawling casino. For families, there are dedicated play areas and clubs for children and teens. And of course, we have live entertainment, from intimate piano bars to dazzling stage shows."
Cecilia nods and flips through her notes."Captain Maxwell, I've noticed a theme among the names of the restaurants, decks, and other areas on the ship. For example, the 'Stardust Deck,' 'Pisces Pizza,' and 'Gemini Gems.' Tell me more about the theme of the ship."
"Well, Ms. Monroe, you're quite observant,"I say with a chuckle that masks my sarcasm."Odyssey Cruise Line is a Greek company, and all our ships have a touch of ancient Greek flair to them with the major source of theming coming from 'The Odyssey' written by Homer. The Celestial Odyssey also draws inspiration from Greek astronomy and lore."
I lead her to a large map of the ship displayed on the bridge wall."Let me show you some more examples. Here, we have the Nova Nightclub, named after the astronomical term for a star that suddenly becomes brighter. It's the perfect spot for guests to dance the night away under dazzling lights."
Pointing to another section of the map, I continue,"Over here is the Nebula Nexus Casino. In astronomy, a nebula is a vast cloud of gas and dust in space. We wanted to create a space where guests could congregate for thrilling games and social interaction, much like a crossroads of chance and fortune."
Cecilia's pen glides across her notepad as she takes notes.
"The Orion Theater is named after one of the most recognizable constellations in the night sky,"I explain, gesturing to the ship's entertainment hub."Here, guests can enjoy Broadway-style productions and live performances under a starry ceiling."
Moving my finger to another area, I highlight the Andromeda Art Gallery."Andromeda, in Greek mythology, was a princess chained to a rock as a sacrifice to a sea monster. Our art gallery, thankfully, offers a more tranquil experience, showcasing works that often feature seascapes or maritime themes."
Finally, I point out the Solar Eclipse Bar."A solar eclipse occurs, as you know, when the moon passes between the Earth and the sun, casting a shadow on our planet. Our bar aims to capture that sense of celestial magic, with the lighting and design and offers guests a chic setting to enjoy handcrafted cocktails and intimate conversations."
She smiles, her pen poised above her notepad."It's a beautiful concept. And what inspired this celestial theme?"
I pause for a moment. The truth is, the theme was a marketing decision made by the higher-ups, a way to differentiate the Celestial Odyssey from other cruise ships. But I can't very well say that to a reporter.
"The inspiration comes from the innate human desire to explore, to reach beyond our earthly bounds and grasp at the stars,"I say instead, the words flowing smoothly from the hours of practice I've had with Ivan from PR who was tasked at prepping me for the onslaught of media attention."We wanted to create an environment that captures that sense of wonder, that feeling of being a part of something greater than ourselves."
Cecilia's eyes are alight with understanding."It's a powerful message, Captain. And it seems to resonate with your guests, given the buzz surrounding the Celestial Odyssey's inaugural voyage."
I grit my teeth and force a smile as Ivan interrupts, his voice carrying across the bridge."And all that buzz means I'm doing my job right!"He turns to me, a glint in his eye."Excuse us, Captain. It's time for the pictures now."
Over Ivan's shoulder, I catch sight of a photographer and several models. Their body con dresses a stark contrast to the professional attire of my crew. My stomach sinks as I realize what's in store—another photoshoot to promote my"Captain Dreamy"image.
After years of hard work and dedication, I'm honored to captain this ship. But being reduced to a marketing ploy isn't what I was expecting.
With a tight nod, I excuse myself from the reporter and follow Ivan, my steps heavy with reluctance. As I take my place among the models, their smiles bright and artificial, a wave of discomfort washes over me.
The makeup artist fusses over my hair and pats powder on my face. The photographer’s assistant unbuttons the top three buttons of my shirt.
"Now the pants,"Ivan calls out to the assistant.
My eyebrows are rising to the ceiling. Surely he's not asking to unbutton my pants, too. The assistant looks at me with apologetic eyes, mouths the word"Sorry"and then circles to stand behind me.
"Uh, what the f-"my words are cut off by a sharp tug at my backside and a clip nipping the fabric into a much tighter position.
"Tighter…and the left side is puckering,"Ivan instructs."Tighter! Pull harder and pin it for crying out loud."
His eyes are laser-focused on my package as my pants are pulled and clipped until they are impossibly tight and you can practically see the outline of my dick. I guess that's the look Ivan is after.
I plaster on a practiced smile as the photographer directs me to pose with the models. One drapes herself over my shoulder, her blonde hair tickling my neck as she leans in close. Another presses against my side, her hand resting on my chest. I place my arm around her waist, the gesture mechanical and forced.
"That's it, Captain! Give us that smolder,"the photographer calls out, his camera clicking rapidly.
I tilt my head, my jaw clenched as I try to channel the charisma they're looking for. The models giggle and bat their eyelashes, their fingers toying with the buttons of my shirt.
With each pose, each artificial smile, I grow more irritated. I have shit to do. This ship doesn't run itself. Likes and follows aren't going to matter if the pool bars aren't stocked and the plumbing issue on deck nine isn't fixed.
I swallow hard, pushing down the bitterness that threatens to rise in my throat. This is part of the job, I remind myself. A necessary evil in the world of luxury cruises. But deep down there's a sickening feeling that this is all I'll ever be seen as from now on - a pretty face, a charming smile, a fantasy for horny passengers to project their desires onto.
The photographer calls for a break, and I step away from the models, my shoulders sagging with relief. Ivan claps me on the back, his grin wide and satisfied.
"Great work, Captain. You're a natural in front of the camera."
"That's my job,"I reply with a sigh and a defeated shrug that Ivan misses as he scrolls frantically on his phone. His eyes light up, having found what he's looking for, and he turns the screen towards me.
"Next up is learning that new Tik Tok dance!"
My fists tighten at my sides and my jaw clenches, threatening to turn my molars to dust . I search his face for any minuscule sign that he's joking. He's not.
Fuck my life.