✧⁠*~ Chap 1- Fine Dining ~*✧⁠

The mechanical thrum of the Tulpar's engines echoed through the ship's metal corridors, the familiar buzz accompanied by the hum of LED lights and the wheeze of the airconditioning. Not too far from the common area, clanging and chatter could be heard emanating from the kitchen upon the freight ship.

Sage - a woman with chestnut locks and steel grey eyes - was busy in front of the heated stove, frying 'pony-nuggets' in recycled cooking oil while baking Mac 'n cheese in the cheap oven. Robyn later popped into the kitchen, hanging by her muscular arm on the door frame.

"Sage! Is dinner ready? Everyone's already seated."

The young janitor with fiery hair and turquoise eyes chirped, smiling cheerfully. Sage turned her gaze to meet hers, returning the muscular woman's smile.

"Dinner will be in a minute or two! Mind helping set the table? It'll make dishing up faster."

"Sure!"

The two besties worked side by side in the narrow kitchen - something akin to a well-oiled machine.

A few minutes later, the pair carried six full plates of food out of the kitchen and towards the dining table. Setting the dishes down along with accompanying cutlery for everyone.

Daisuke - a young Japanese-American man with brown and blonde hair - almost immediately dug into his food, sparing no time in stuffing his face with mouthfuls of pony-nuggets, much to the middle-aged Swansea's annoyance...

Curly - the respectable and caring captain with blonde waves and sapphire eyes - rose from his seat and cleared his throat, garnering the attention of the crew. Sage and Robyn sat down next to each other, swiftly lifting their gazes. Paying attention to what the captain had to say.

"Good evening, everyone. I'm overjoyed that we're all here. That we're able to share our first meal on the Tulpar together."

Curly announced, a pleasant, merry expression gracing his kind features.

"Thank you all for being a part of my astounding crew. I can't wait to work, make friends and bond with you all! It's truly affirming knowing the skills and knowledge present on this fine ship. The Tulpar."

Anya - the acting medic and therapist - and Daisuke both smiled warmly, nodding along to the captain's words. Swansea managed an acknowledging grunt, his chubby arms crossed over his beer belly. Curly continued, his voice kind yet firm. Sage couldn't help but perk up.

"Right then. As we obviously know, we all have our responsibilities upon this freighter. I'm going to run through everyone's assigned jobs and tasks, just as a refresher. And to make sure we're all on the same page. We wouldn't want anyone feeling lost or uncertain."

Everyone nodded together, hums and whispers of agreement rising up around the dinner table. All three Sage, Anya and Robyn were slowly taking bites of their dinner, too hungry not to savour their meals - remaining respectful towards their captain, of course.

Curly took a deep breath in and out before speaking once more, organising his thoughts. His voice - warm and pleasant to listen to - filled the mess hall when he continued. Swansea was simply waiting for Curly to finish with his rambling, arms still crossed and bushy brows creased in an impatient yet restrained frown. The wrinkles in the old mechanic's forehead indicating that seeing him smile was like finding a shamrock - rare.

"Anya, you will be taking care of any medical needs required by the crew, as well as hosting psychoanalysis every month to check in on everyone and provide therapy or counseling if needed. Daisuke and Swansea will be taking care of everything electrical and maintenance work on the ship. You two are gonna be calling the engine home, haha!"

Daisuke snickered, Swansea simply grunted. Curly moved on to the next person.

"Sage is our chef. By the way, the food tastes great. The Mac n Cheese is perfectly creamy."

He added appreciatively, glancing towards Sage with a polite, heartfelt smile. Sage smiled sheepishly, but managed to dip her head in gratitude. Robyn offering the woman a hard pat - more like a slap - on the back.

"Robyn is our dedicated janitor. You'll also alert Daisuke and Swansea of any maintenance that's due or anything that needs checking-out. Finally, I'll be manning the Tulpar, taking care of navigation and ensuring we're on course."

Curly's speech naturally slowed, the toned man smiling at his crew, thinking of what to say last when finally he chirped.

"With all that being said, everyone - enjoy your meal and your first day on the Tulpar! Tomorrow is when the real work begins."

Anya and Sage clapped their hands a few times in appreciation, later joined by Robyn and Daisuke. Curly dipped his head in a humble yet shy gesture, lowering back into his seat before finally continuing his meal. Swansea finally dug in, purposefully stabbing pony nuggets with his fork, bringing them to his lips and scoffing them down. The crew maintained idle chatter while savouring the simple yet comforting meal for their first day on the Tulpar. The first of many to come, with many shenanigans.

꒰⁠⑅꒱⁠˖⁠♡--------------------⁠♡˖⁠꒰⁠⑅꒱⁠Feel Free To Point Out Grammar Mistakes And Inconsistencies In The Comments