BrutalBx

Vanguard: Calder City

Makes senses. Just wanted to clarify for when I reference his former employers. Needed to decide if it’s MI6, an offshoot of Vanguard or something completely original

Vanguard: Calder City

I have a question, if Vanguard is a SHIELD equivalent, is it a global org, or is specifically American?

I ask because a lot of Bret’s story hinges on his spy roots. Don’t want to step on any toes.

Vanguard: Calder City

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N A M E
Bret Lowther

^{"The system is broken, I’m not sure if it can be fixed. Yet just because something is broken, doesn’t mean it’s not worth fighting for."}

C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T (FC: Jack O’Connell; Dialogue: C8E39A) _________________________________________________________ S U M M A R Y S U M M A R Y _________________________________________________________ Bret Thomson Lowther _________________________________________________________ July 16th | 28 _________________________________________________________ Single | Male | Heterosexual S T A T S S T A T S _________________________________________________________ Height | 6’0 _________________________________________________________ Hair Color | Reddish Brown _________________________________________________________ Eye Color | Blue _________________________________________________________ Hometown | Kendal, Cumbria, England -

H I S T O R Y H I S T O R Y ___________________________________________________________________________________ Bret Thomson Lowther was born in Kendal, Cumbria, England to a devout Catholic mother named Bridget Lowther and a father he barely knew — a former Calder City hero known as The Wayfarer aka Brian Fleming, who vanished back across the Atlantic when Bret was still a baby and was never seen again. Raised largely alone, Bret struggled to connect with others and found comfort instead in the landscape of his home in northern England. He spent much of his youth wandering the fells, climbing ridgelines, and swimming the freezing lakes of Cumbria, unknowingly nurturing his inherent superhuman ability which was an instinctive awareness of pathways, danger, and movement that rendered him unnaturally difficult to track, trap, or surprise. Though deeply shaped by his faith, Bret drifted from active religious practice as he grew older, eventually enlisting in the Royal Marines. His aptitude for navigation, reconnaissance, and situational awareness later drew the attention of British intelligence, where he served in a limited operational capacity attached to covert field work and surveillance. His career ended abruptly following a morally compromising mission overseas that left him deeply disillusioned with institutions and authority. Returning home to care for his terminally ill mother, Bret gradually rediscovered his faith not through doctrine, but through service — tending to her during her final months while reconnecting with his local parish community. After her death, he accepted a position through a church outreach program in Calder City, hoping both to rebuild his life and uncover whatever he could about the father who abandoned him. Now working as a parish outreach coordinator among Calder’s forgotten communities, Bret is known as a calm and dependable presence — quiet, compassionate, and intensely observant. He does not see himself as a hero, nor does he seek violence. But when corruption, exploitation, or cruelty threaten those under his care, Bret cannot abide it. When the traditional justice system fails, he walks the hidden paths others cannot see and unleashes his alter ego, The Pilgrim. Violent, quiet and wrathful. A B I L I T I E S A B I L I T I E S __________________________________________________________________________________ Bret has an anomalous perceptual and physical gift, giving him an instinctive awareness of pathways, danger, and environmental flow. Rather than true precognition, it lets him sense the safest, most dangerous, or most important routes through terrain and unfolding events, often detecting ambushes, escape paths, or threats moments before they occur. This grants Bret an uncanny talent for tracking, infiltration, pursuit, and survival. This ability also enhances Bret physically beyond normal human limits without making him overtly superhuman. He has heightened senses, faster reactions, exceptional agility and endurance, and resistance to fatigue, pain, and harsh environments. Combined with military and intelligence training, these traits allow him to move through cities and wilderness with remarkable efficiency. His abilities are most effective in unstable or transitional spaces such as alleyways, stairwells, crowded streets, storms, wilderness trails, and collapsing structures. Witnesses often describe him as extremely difficult to follow, corner, or even notice. Unlike many enhanced individuals in Calder City, Bret’s abilities are subtle and instinctive. His powers do not grant certainty or invulnerability; it only reveals paths others fail to see. P E R S O N A L I T Y P E R S O N A L I T Y __________________________________________________________________________________ Bret Lowther is a quiet, thoughtful, and deeply compassionate man who often comes across as reserved rather than intimidating. Raised in rural Cumbria and shaped by years of military and intelligence work, Bret possesses a calm, observant nature and an instinctive ability to make people feel heard and safe. He is deeply guided by faith, though his beliefs are personal and flexible rather than dogmatic; Bret values kindness, service, and human dignity above doctrine, and is known within his parish for his openness toward people of all backgrounds, identities, and beliefs. Though not naturally sociable, he listens carefully, remembers details others miss, and quietly builds trust through reliability and sincerity rather than charisma. This has adhered him to friends and lovers. Beneath his gentle demeanor, however, lies a capacity for extraordinary focus and controlled violence. Bret is highly disciplined, emotionally guarded, and more comfortable with danger than he wishes to admit. Years spent suppressing trauma and prioritizing duty over himself have left him prone to isolation and self-erasure, often believing his value lies only in protecting others. When confronted with cruelty or exploitation that cannot be ignored, Bret becomes cold, relentless, and unnervingly composed — a man capable of walking paths most people would never dare take. M O T I V A T I O N S & G O A L S M O T I V A T I O N S & G O A L S __________________________________________________________________________________ Bret’s main goal is to simply do the right thing whenever and wherever he can. He wants to take care of the people in his adoptive home city and protect them in ways that the systems of the world fail to do. He doesn’t just want to take out bad guys, he’s there for support, to offer advice and counsel, recommend resources and help secure a community. He also wishes to find out more about himself and his family but this is by no means a priority. The longer he spends in Calder, the more Bret realises that many from his old spy network also have business there and not all of it is good. Having left intelligence for the very concept of moral decay? Seeing it happen again in his new home might just become something he can’t abide. All in all, Bret just wants to find his version of peace but heroes, villains and old spy contacts seem intent on dragging him into back into the fight.

Vanguard: Calder City

<Snipped quote by BrutalBx>

All right, but how good of a lawyer is he?

@Hillan

Depends on the day.

<Snipped quote by BrutalBx>

Shout-out to Kendal. Nice place.

@Colonel Sep

Beautiful place.

Vanguard: Calder City

The name’s Lowther, Bret Lowther

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_________________________________________________________

N A M E
Bret Lowther

^{"The system is broken, I’m not sure if it can be fixed. Yet just because something is broken, doesn’t mean it’s not worth fighting for."}

C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T C H A R A C T E R P O R T R A I T (FC: Jack O’Connell; Dialogue: C8E39A) _________________________________________________________ S U M M A R Y S U M M A R Y _________________________________________________________ Bret Thomson Lowther _________________________________________________________ July 16th | 28 _________________________________________________________ Single | Male | Heterosexual S T A T S S T A T S _________________________________________________________ Height | 6’0 _________________________________________________________ Hair Color | Reddish Brown _________________________________________________________ Eye Color | Blue _________________________________________________________ Hometown | Kendal, Cumbria, England -

H I S T O R Y H I S T O R Y ___________________________________________________________________________________ Bret Thomson Lowther was born in Kendal, Cumbria, England to a devout Catholic mother named Bridget Lowther and a father he barely knew — a former Calder City hero known as The Wayfarer aka Brian Fleming, who vanished back across the Atlantic when Bret was still a baby and was never seen again. Raised largely alone, Bret struggled to connect with others and found comfort instead in the landscape of his home in northern England. He spent much of his youth wandering the fells, climbing ridgelines, and swimming the freezing lakes of Cumbria, unknowingly nurturing his inherent superhuman ability which was an instinctive awareness of pathways, danger, and movement that rendered him unnaturally difficult to track, trap, or surprise. Though deeply shaped by his faith, Bret drifted from active religious practice as he grew older, eventually enlisting in the Royal Marines. His aptitude for navigation, reconnaissance, and situational awareness later drew the attention of British intelligence, where he served in a limited operational capacity attached to covert field work and surveillance. His career ended abruptly following a morally compromising mission overseas that left him deeply disillusioned with institutions and authority. Returning home to care for his terminally ill mother, Bret gradually rediscovered his faith not through doctrine, but through service — tending to her during her final months while reconnecting with his local parish community. After her death, he accepted a position through a church outreach program in Calder City, hoping both to rebuild his life and uncover whatever he could about the father who abandoned him. Now working as a parish outreach coordinator among Calder’s forgotten communities, Bret is known as a calm and dependable presence — quiet, compassionate, and intensely observant. He does not see himself as a hero, nor does he seek violence. But when corruption, exploitation, or cruelty threaten those under his care, Bret cannot abide it. When the traditional justice system fails, he walks the hidden paths others cannot see and unleashes his alter ego, The Pilgrim. Violent, quiet and wrathful. A B I L I T I E S A B I L I T I E S __________________________________________________________________________________ Bret has an anomalous perceptual and physical gift, giving him an instinctive awareness of pathways, danger, and environmental flow. Rather than true precognition, it lets him sense the safest, most dangerous, or most important routes through terrain and unfolding events, often detecting ambushes, escape paths, or threats moments before they occur. This grants Bret an uncanny talent for tracking, infiltration, pursuit, and survival. This ability also enhances Bret physically beyond normal human limits without making him overtly superhuman. He has heightened senses, faster reactions, exceptional agility and endurance, and resistance to fatigue, pain, and harsh environments. Combined with military and intelligence training, these traits allow him to move through cities and wilderness with remarkable efficiency. His abilities are most effective in unstable or transitional spaces such as alleyways, stairwells, crowded streets, storms, wilderness trails, and collapsing structures. Witnesses often describe him as extremely difficult to follow, corner, or even notice. Unlike many enhanced individuals in Calder City, Bret’s abilities are subtle and instinctive. His powers do not grant certainty or invulnerability; it only reveals paths others fail to see. P E R S O N A L I T Y P E R S O N A L I T Y __________________________________________________________________________________ Bret Lowther is a quiet, thoughtful, and deeply compassionate man who often comes across as reserved rather than intimidating. Raised in rural Cumbria and shaped by years of military and intelligence work, Bret possesses a calm, observant nature and an instinctive ability to make people feel heard and safe. He is deeply guided by faith, though his beliefs are personal and flexible rather than dogmatic; Bret values kindness, service, and human dignity above doctrine, and is known within his parish for his openness toward people of all backgrounds, identities, and beliefs. Though not naturally sociable, he listens carefully, remembers details others miss, and quietly builds trust through reliability and sincerity rather than charisma. This has adhered him to friends and lovers. Beneath his gentle demeanor, however, lies a capacity for extraordinary focus and controlled violence. Bret is highly disciplined, emotionally guarded, and more comfortable with danger than he wishes to admit. Years spent suppressing trauma and prioritizing duty over himself have left him prone to isolation and self-erasure, often believing his value lies only in protecting others. When confronted with cruelty or exploitation that cannot be ignored, Bret becomes cold, relentless, and unnervingly composed — a man capable of walking paths most people would never dare take. M O T I V A T I O N S & G O A L S M O T I V A T I O N S & G O A L S __________________________________________________________________________________ Bret’s main goal is to simply do the right thing whenever and wherever he can. He wants to take care of the people in his adoptive home city and protect them in ways that the systems of the world fail to do. He doesn’t just want to take out bad guys, he’s there for support, to offer advice and counsel, recommend resources and help secure a community. He also wishes to find out more about himself and his family but this is by no means a priority. The longer he spends in Calder, the more Bret realises that many from his old spy network also have business there and not all of it is good. Having left intelligence for the very concept of moral decay? Seeing it happen again in his new home might just become something he can’t abide. All in all, Bret just wants to find his version of peace but heroes, villains and old spy contacts seem intent on dragging him into back into the fight.

Corsair Adventures (Invite Only)

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The Previous Evening - Calico Jack’s

When you know that tomorrow is going to be a broken day no matter what you do sleepwise, it tends to give you a cavalier attitude towards what happens in the evening hours. You risk the payment for your crimes the next day in order to enjoy the sweet rewards of whatever the night brings. It was part of that perpetual excitement, of not really knowing what would happen after the next sunrise broke that drove the bleach-blonde girl on the stage. It was part of why she was so willing to indulge in Calico Jack’s notorious vodka crans, the ones that lean so much more on the Russian Prince than the Ocean Spray, but did exactly what the veterans and recruits of the Corsair crew desired from them. It’s why she was willing to embrace her new role as one of the elder stateswomen of the ensemble that was gathered in the Fort Lauderdale institution. And it’s why even though the usually laid-back woman was known for more relaxed songs during her forays into Jack’s karaoke shenanigans, she dialed it up on this effort, fueled by the alcohol and the wish to set a tone for this season, and was polishing off an East of Eden classic with vocals that would have made Eve Harding take notice on what she was able to do.

So you made your bed, and you lie in it, with thoughts killing your sleep
But you know no help will come for you, cause I own all the sheep
Should have left me as a figment in your dark misguided dream
But you couldn’t help it, and you found out I’m nothing like I seem
Now as we go on our separate ways, I’m fine leaving you in pain
I thought you might be something different, but you’re fucking plain as Jane
So keep on crying in that pillowcase, hope you’re reading while you weep
Cause I’m not losing any rest on you, so I’m winning when we sleep

The perpetually-tanned woman finally opened her stone-blue eyes to deliver the punchline to the song that had stuck in her head since she heard the Crosby/Harding-penned ballad about the man who fucked around and found out. While she hadn’t had an experience like the one that probably inspired the vicious lyrics she sang, it still spoke to her in a way that a lot of harder rock songs weren’t able to do, allowing her to drip a little bit of venom into that final line.

When Iiiiiiii sleeeeeep….

As the rest of the bar clapped, Callista Emery returned to almost her default state, the calm, collected woman who served as something of a steadying presence in her previous two campaigns with the Corsairs.

“Yoooooo, thank you Jack’s! There probably won’t be an encore…” Callie wasn’t kidding, she needed something less burning to let her throat heal from going as hard as she did on When We Sleep. Ambling off the stage, she headed to the bar and gave a notion to Jack behind the bar.“Water, please.”

”I got you.” The dashing bartender drawled as he grabbed a glass for the blonde. The owner and proprietor of Fort Lauderdale's home for wayward travellers was a man out of time. With his low buttoned shirt and deep resonate tone, Jack looked like he’d just stepped out of a Golden Era adventure film. A swashbuckler, a cowboy, a pirate and an explorer all rolled into a slightly unkempt bartender's package.

It was well documented, on the few documents that his name appeared on, that Calico Jack almost had a sixth sense to know what people wanted or needed to drink. It was like he could smell it on the sea breeze. After running the cold tap over the freshly iced glass, he handed it to Callie, a smile hidden beneath his moustache. ”She one of yours? You might want to check in on that.” He motioned to a girl sitting at the end of the bar before disappearing into the back to grab some more bottles for the fridge.

Viktoriya Illyana Belova was unbelievably unsure as to why she was even there and in some ways, she wasn’t even sure where she really was. For the first portion of her life, Viki had spent most of it in a silent, seemingly everlasting winter. Passed from pillar to post in the frozen tundras and around the borders of Moscow. No home. No family. Just the gentle kiss of a Russian nightwind caressing her cheek to soothe her feelings. Now, she found herself surrounded on all sides by suntanned supermen, glamorous models of the highest calibre, sandy beaches and a vast ocean of the bluest blue even her dreams couldn’t conjure up.

Applying for the CAP was not Viki’s idea. Her roommate at the Culinary Institute was applying and decided that Vik should too, essentially filling out her application for her without much say in the matter from Viktoriya herself. To colour her shocked when she was accepted would be so much more than an understatement. The last few days had been a whirlwind for Viki. The turnaround from flying from school in New York up to see her folks in Vancouver and then straight outta there and down to Florida to join the Corsairs left her dizzy with excitement and nervous energy. Arriving in Fort Lauderdale and being told to go to a bar didn’t seem professional, it seemed like the start of spring break but who was she to question?

Looking around at the people dancing and having fun around her, all of them standing out and dressed for success in their own different ways, Viki couldn’t help but think that she didn’t belong. When Calico Jack (what kind of name was that?) emerged from the back room, the culinary whiz signed to him for another drink. Although she didn’t understand the man’s name, she was happy to see that he at least knew ASL; Vik had opted to turn her hearing implant down after that Jonas fellow started singing.

Once pointed out to her by the proprietor of the bar, Callie finally took notice of the brunette at the end of the bar who seemed rather reluctant to join in the festivities. She had to be one of theirs. The Corsairs basically shut the place down for the night with the invasion of young 20-somethings taking over for one last night before the hard work of the upcoming tourist season began. If not, she probably needed an apology for what had happened and a warning for what was about to happen. As she took a long sip of the cooling water, she nodded at Jack. “I’ll check on her.”

What Viktoriya would see coming towards her was the natural state of one of the designated beach babes on the roster of Corsair Adventures. Her bronze skin was shown off as much as possible, starting with the Jivanas sandals that were only just starting to show the wear and tear of multiple trips around the world, accompanied by the silvery anklet with the stars on it that replaced the surfboard cuff whenever she was on land. The legs that were usually in perfect balance on said board were given a lot of real estate with the short denim cutoffs riding very high on the thigh, to the point where the pockets could be seen with clarity poking out of the bottom. A thin strip of skin separated the bottoms from the white tank top, a generic touristy one picked up during one of her trips to Tamalindo in the offseason. The sweat from the stage was starting to make it see-through, revealing more of the star-patterned blue bikini top that was underneath. Piercings broke up the pure tan on her face, the septum most prominent with the nostril providing backup, although the melange of pieces in her ears were hidden by the sheer cascade of hair that flowed freely from the top of her head like a golden waterfall. As Callie pulled up to the stool next to Viki, she decided it was time to put her silver-pierced tongue to work breaking this particular ice.

“So, if you’re just passing through, I’m sorry you picked a night when Jack’s gotta deal with, like, all off us blowing off steam,” she offered in apology as the nepo baby started screeching out Sweet Caroline on the stage. “And if you’re a part of this group blowing off steam… then I’m sorry you have to deal with that. Like, hopefully it won’t be long. Dudes like him don’t last long. I hope.”

All of a sudden, Viki’s mouth was dry. Who was this absolute Goddess that was talking to her? Wait, was she talking to her? Did she finally snap from the pressure and create a construct of desirable traits that has manifested as the blonde spirit before her? The Russian’s piercing blue eyes opened aghast as she inhaled this girl's pure beauty. She stood out, my god she stood out. Vik sat there, in her Mom jeans, white tank top and green blazer and felt like the nerd at a high school party; who was she kidding, she was the nerd at a high school party. After a moment further of disbelief, Viktoriya’s substantial intellect finally kicked in and she began to read the other woman’s lips.

“Sorry, one second.” Viki lifted her finger to her ears and turned her implants back up to full volume so she could hear the dulcet tones of her fellow bar stool warrior. “Sorry.” She apologised once more. “As soon as I heard Chef Lance try and sing Bon Jovi I turned my ears off…”

Not really sure what the best thing to do was, Vik looked towards the bartender, who slid a large of glass of something disgustingly brown across the bar, straight past the two women and into the waiting hand of a handsome young man. “Dougie.” Jack began. “Get that asshole off the mic and your next drinks are free.”

“No drama pal.” Doug nodded knowingly at Callie, having known each other the previous season before downing the substance that Jack had given him in less than three seconds. Hell of a party trick. The quick chug got a knowing nod from the Hawaiian. “Go get ‘im.” He saluted to the women before heading off to the stage and simply grabbing the one called Jonas by both legs and hoisting him over his shoulder to carry him out of the front door of Calico Jack’s.

Viki’s mouth widened at the sight for only a brief second before her attention returned to the bronzed statuesque vision that had graced her with her presence. ”It’s…wow. Pretty wild here…is it usually like this?” That felt like a stupid question to ask. Of course it was always like this. That’s why her friend wanted to sign up. In a way, Viktoriya felt guilty that she got picked and her roommate didn’t. She did everything she could to shake off the nerves and awkwardness as she conversed with the golden goddess but felt like it just wasn’t working. “Hi.” She waved.

What a geek.

Callie demured a little bit when she realized that everything she had said to this girl before was blocked out, but after the brunette got her ears on, she smiled. “Damn, wish I had the ability to do that sometimes. Probably good that you missed me up there then. I don’t think I did East of Eden justice, but I just love that dynamic they got with the two female lead singers. Hope they were on when I did Pink Pony Club though, I think I do that one well. But like, it’s all subjective, right? That’s the point of karaoke, to like, let go and just embrace the music anyway.”

She finished the liquid portion of her ice water while waiting for the cubes to melt. “But yeah, like, it’s not usually like this. This is just the big blow off party before we all get serious and get to work, you know? Plus, it’s like, a good way for the returning people to assess the newbies and see who is actually gonna be, like, worth knowing. That dude Dougie just escorted out? Nah. No way he makes the first trip. I’m guessing, if you’re, like, a part of this, you’re gonna do a lot better than him.”

Viktoriya sat quiet for a moment. This all seemed very tough. The fact that people seemed to be judged based on this first meeting alone? She never made a good first impression. That Jonas character was a fool but from the little she gathered he was a fool with means. She was most certainly not that. Her parents, the ones that she considered real despite lacking any actual blood ties, they were simple folk. They lived in a small house, in a decent part of town, they had unexciting jobs and right now they were probably having the same dinner they always had whilst they watched their soaps; store bought steak, egg and fries.

Still, she didn’t want to give up. She made it all this way and damn it all she was going to try and make it further. “I am. I am a part of this! I’m going to be the Sous Chef for the program. I study at the CIA!” Vik took room for a pause for a second before editing herself. “Not that CIA. I mean I don’t think I can even do that, I’m not an American. CIA, Culinary Institute of America.” The Russian born Canadian’s mouth ran a mile a minute. “Sorry you must think me some awful kind of rude. I’m Viki! Viktoriya Illyana Belova.” When stating her full name to her new acquaintance, Vik’s natural Russian accent peeked its way out from behind the cheery frozen north one she hid behind. “It’s nice to meet you!”

The blonde gave a slight salute at the formal introduction. “Cool, Viki! Nice to meet you… and I apologize, you’ll probably have to give me like the full name again tomorrow, I… don’t know how much I’m going to remember tonight, you know? Those vodka crans punch here.”

While Jack had already topped off the empty water glass with a bit more liquid to help mitigate tomorrow’s potential disaster, Callie had a chance to take in Viki’s presence while she sipped. She was not ready for Floridian weather with that getup. Jeans and blazer combos only work in the dead of night with the heat here, and if she was… Russian? She probably was going to melt if she kept that up. Plus she was clearly nervous, the way she was stammering. Rookies were gonna do that, but still. Poor girl just probably needed some help getting out from under her shell and into the world. Maybe Callie could do that. That would be a fun project for the term. The way Lia was trying to shepherd Eun-jin last year to help that girl out. She hadn’t seen the Korean in the party group, so it’s possible she didn’t return, but still. Lia had a definite influence on Callie before the Swiss Miss graduated out of the program… although Callie didn't know if she could say the same for Lia… There hadn't been a lot of communication this spring…

“So you’re gonna be part of the new chefing crew? That’s awesome! I swear, part of why I come back is for the food. I know this is Adi’s last year so it’s the last I get of that good French stuff, but I’d be happy to be a taste tester for what you got cooking this year! Also, sorry, Viki. Should give you my name. I’m Callie. I’m the like, main water guide on the roster. Like surfing, kitesurfing, snorkeling, beaching all that kinda ocean stuff, I’m the person they call for that. So yeah, I’ll like trade you surfing lessons for food.” She giggled a little bit. Maybe the vodka was still hitting her more than she thought.

Half of what Callie had said did not even enter Viktoriya’s ears. Instead she was just too enamoured by her new acquaintances' aura and vibe. Everything about the girl screamed Corsair, a definition here which means free spirit, adventurer and explorer. ”I’d be happy to let you, taste…” The sudden stop in her words came at just the right time, Viki did not want to put her foot in anything she didn’t need to. ”Water guide.” She reiterated with flush cheeks. “That’s awesome. I don’t usually see much water where I come from. Everything is frozen.”

To the untrained, that could mean any number of things. Viktoriya, first and foremost identified as a Canuck, a sweet maple syrup-filled Canadian who dressed for the cold blood that ran through her veins. However she was also a child born behind the Iron Curtain; rescued from the gulag she called her childhood.

The Hawaiian was aware that she was… flustering the newbie a little bit. She had a habit of doing that. She knew she was moderately attractive, and then was blatantly informed how “smokin’ hot” she was by Jonas about 30 minutes ago during his seventh gin and tonic. Apparently nine is what gets the rich boy to sing. She wasn’t exactly shy about showing affection either. Her preferences swayed back and forth on the gender spectrum like gentle waves, and Viki… she definitely moved the needle, so to speak. There was a sense of innocence in those eyes that could sparkle with a little more polish, like sea glass.

Maybe that was enough of the vodka crans. Callie was thinking in metaphors way too much.

“Frozen?” Callie said, a little incredulously. “You poor girl. Like, I mean, I haven’t seen a lot of freezing temperatures since I started working here, that trip to Norway was a total eye-opener… and foot freezer… but if you’re on this tour, you have to soak in all the non-frozen water you can!” Callie could only imagine the frozen tundras this girl survived growing up, the polar opposite of her warm beaches and sparkling waters.

As the two girls conversed, Viki’s eyes were drawn to the stage once more. Instead of some horrible drunken screaming, the voice that echoed throughout the single room that was Calico Jack’s was some kind of wonderful. She leaned into a balled up first on the bar as she watched the one Jack called Dougie empty his heart in a haunting, soul snatching tune. Absent-mindedly, Vik let her hand fall into the bartop, grazing Callie’s warm skin as she did. She leaned back, placing both hands back in her lap, just in time for Jack to slide a white wine in front of her. “Everyone here seems really, full on and fun. I must come across like a damp squib.”

When she felt that brush of fingertip on her arm, Callie shivered a little. While it was true she was receptive to the attentions of most people, she had discovered there was a definite female preference. It became more pronounced last year when Lia revealed that while Eun-jin was the project, Callie was the prize she wanted, and the fact that they shared a room together made it easier to indulge when they weren’t gallivanting around the world. However, while Lia seemed to think that it was nothing more than a summer fling, Callie had hopes of something more. They would be in separate halves of the world this summer, and long distance relationships never worked out well, but the Hawaiian was so entranced by what Lia did with her and to her that summer… there had to be more there, right? They brunette's absence did mean Callie potentially had a space open in her room, barring her new roommare showing up, but that was a problem for tomorrow’s orientation. Maybe tonight… maybe she did need one more vodka cran.

Callie made the motion to Jack for one more drink. “Hey, hey, hey…” The blonde scanned for an arm to offer a reassuring touch, but with both the Russian’s hands on the lap, it would be way too forward to make that kind of move. “You don’t come across as… whatever that is… damp… squid? All squid are damp. Like, unless you’re cooking them!” Maybe she didn’t need any more alcohol. “Anyway, whatever, Viki, it’s totally natural to be apprehensive when joining a new group of people, especially when you don’t know anyone. But, take it from me, it’s going to be very easy to make friends in this crew.” As the new glass of red cocktail was placed by Callie, she took a long pull. “Trust, OK? Tell you what, if you want to get an inside look at the place, you can totally sleep in my room tonight.” Without looking, Callie assumed that would continue to fluster the newbie. “There are two beds in there, and I don’t know who my new roommate is yet, so until I know, you can crash there, get better acquainted with Corsair. How’zat?”

“Oh.” Viki couldn’t help but stutter. “Ooh.” She repeated, taken aback by her new found friends statement before suddenly the implication set in. “Oooooh.” The chef was extremely unsure how to proceed. Social cues and societal norms were not Viktoriya’s areas of expertise. How to bake a perfectly puff pastry? Easy. The science and the subtlety of seasoning a tomahawk steak? Child’s play. Accepting either a friendly or freaky offer from the living embodiment of the sea herself? Absolutely and utterly spine tinglingly terrifying.

Viktoriya had been out and proud as a gay woman since she was young. Her parents were completely and totally accepting and every day she felt blessed to have been chosen by them to join their family. They were not a family of means, taking stock more in their personal relationships than their professions or salaries. Whenever Vik brought a girl home, they were inquisitive, cordial and inviting. Still, that didn’t stop any one of them from dropping the poor Russian like a bad habit.

She thought for a moment; impulse was telling Viktoriya to follow this girl to her room and join her in the throes of sapphic glory. Logic was telling her to take the offer, go to bed fully dressed and think about the stars going out, the way she was taught to sleep at the orphanage. Callie was just being friendly, that’s all it could’ve been, surely or maybe taking pity? There was no way that the blonde would even consider Viki for anything other than friendship when there were so many better options available. Kori with her curls, Morgan with her vibe, Adi for just being sexy and French. Like hello? Still, she had to make a call. She hadn’t gotten the notification on the app to say her room assignment and staying with Callie, even platonically would be better than sleeping on the beach.

“Sure I’ll stay but just until I get my room assignment!” Viki tried to hide behind her glass of Sauvignon until she realised it was double the measure she ordered. “How is this even legal?”

The smile plastered over the Hawaiian’s face hearing the newbie sputter at the implications couldn’t be dimmed. Callie knew it would happen. She spent too many summers being that object of affection on the beaches of the North Shore. Usually it was some hotshot mainlander who wanted to find a local girl with which to have a mystical fling while he learned the intricacies of surfing. This was relatively rare, but the blonde still enjoyed it more. The time spent with Lia made Callie sure of that, so this kind of interaction was something she could get behind.

Of course, it was too soon to tell if anything would happen. Callie did prefer her partners to show a lot more confidence and it was clear it was not here on Viki. There was no chance these waves would be crashing into each other any time soon, but a calm sea was its own reward on the return to Corsair life.

“Honestly? I don’t know,” she answered Viki’s likely rhetorical question. “I mean, like, I’m not a lawyer or anything, so I don’t question that. So if it is illegal, I’m just gonna ride it until it breaks and try and have as much fun while doing it!” The rest of the vodka cran found its way past Callie’s lips as she slammed the glass down on the table. “C’mon, I’ll show you where my room is, you can drop your stuff off there, or wherever.”

Earlier Today

The alarm on the Samsung S23 blared with those familiar default chimes that no one ever seemed to switch off for one of the more pleasant options. Callie groggily rose from her bed, still on Pacific time, or worse, which meant she was practically waking up in the middle of the night. Still, it was worth it. She rolled out of bed and over to the small sink that was in the corner of the room. The blonde was essentially wearing a bikini, having merely shed her bar outfit before crawling under the light sheets. As she gave herself a once over in the mirror, she resolved to try and make sure that the cream she used to soothe the bags under eyes was not in short supply. Especially if evenings like that were going to be the norm.

Moving back over to her bag to gather her work uniform and various toiletries for the shower, she spotted a loose spool of brown hair in the other bed. Lia? Is she… no, she’s not here. She can’t be here. Who is that then? Did I meet someone last night? …… Ohhhhhh I did! The Russian girl! What was her name… Valerie? Vendredi? Vodka? Why am I thinking V? Vvvvv… vrrrr… viiiiiKI! Viki! There it is! Viki! So… she actually did come along… Bold.

Looking around the room, Callie wondered if the alarm just didn’t trigger for the sleeping girl or what was going on. Given her problems remembering the name, it might be forgiven that she forgot about the girl’s hearing faculties, but she tried to find a suitable alarm clock regardless. After a few fruitless seconds, she gave up and decided to go for the direct approach.

“HEY! WAKE UP SLEEPY HEAD!” Callie planted a hand on Viki’s shoulder, giving her a shake to make sure she was roused from sleep.

Viktoriya swung her arm around, stopping short of Callie’s head, her pale blue eyes wide with a fierce look that screamed of a feral energy. With her pause, the chef quickly flipped herself over and leaned back onto her palms. She had often been awoken by the force of a hand on her, days gone she chose not to remember in their entirety. Gazing upon the golden goddess that stood over her bed, Viki’s mind was flooded with the fractured winds of memories re-entering her consciousness.

“Callie!” She exclaimed. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to.” Slightly flustered, she fumbled at her ear to turn her implant back on. The sea of sounds would be intense to start with, they always were. She needed to focus on one sound, something clear and present that would help her weed out the excess vibrations and find the frequency of the day.

Viktoriya closed her eyes and listened and listened hard. It took her a few seconds but soon she found something to settle on: a rhythm. Less than a second apart, steady but slightly quick, a heartbeat, Callie’s heartbeat. It was soothing, gentle yet fierce. Viki opened her eyes again to see the surfer girl staring at her and no doubt thinking her a freak. Yet she couldn’t mask her own look, seeing the blonde in her early morning glory, a more beautiful horizon didn’t await anywhere out there. It was only then that Viktoriya realised that she too was only wearing her underwear and that in all her fuss, the cover had fallen off the bed, somehow, she didn’t mind. “I don’t usually sleep in. Must’ve been the wine.”

Any response to that was going to delayed by the replay of Callie’s life slowly fading from her eyes. When Viktoriya nearly landed that full-fledged slap to her money maker, there was a flashback to the last moment when Callie felt her board come out from under her on a wave. That moment where one knows the hit is coming and one just has to brace for it. Luckily, Viki's hand never delivered the expected blow.

It made Callie wonder just what had happened to this girl that would make her go from zero to smack in a blink. Did Russian boarding schools really go that hard? Did she let an assassin in the bunk house? Who would want to assassinate anyone in here? Besides that rich kid from last night? Questions that didn't have answers. As Viki adjusted her cochlear implant, Callie did feel bad for yelling, especially if the girl wasn't able to hear without the thing. But the brunette was talking again, which was good.

“No, no, its fine,” she lied. “I just… wasn't ready for that. I… I know I'm totally feeling the time shift at the moment. Didn't know if you were feeling the same thing, or… when you got in from, like Moscow? I never did ask where exactly you were from… Anyway, I figured you would want up since the opening meeting is gonna be in, like an hour or so and I know I need a shower so I don't smell like cranberries.”

“I like the smell of cranberries.” Viki uttered before reaching down and grabbing the covers off the floor to protect her modesty. She looked up at Callie once more and a little half smirk appeared across her face. The time shift from Moscow; either Callie was wasted the previous night or her memory was like an elephant. Either way, Vik found it endearing. Maybe she needed to dig out her natural accent once more? Being an exotic Russian empress might endear her more to the crew than just a nice girl from Canada. “Not sure about the time difference in Russia but the flight from Vancouver was murder.” Somewhere in her dreams, Viktoriya had found some confidence or maybe it was just being around the blonde for longer than a minute. Something about Callie was infectious.

“Thanks for waking me.” Vik said with a look of sincerity. ”I need silence to sleep so I turn off my implant. Usually my body block is good at waking me up.” She reached over to her phone, which sat on the bedside table and admired her notifications briefly. Messages from Mom and Dad. Friends from
School and notification from the CAP APP about room assignments. “Huh.” Turning her phone screen to face her new friend, Viki’s half smile turned into a full one. “Looks like I’ll be staying here smelling like cranberries for a little while longer. We’re roommates.” She felt relieved. Viktoriya had connected with Cal, even if just on a surface level that made things easier and lessened her anxiety even more.

Meanwhile, Callie had a little spike of anxiety hearing the correction. Vancouver?!? I don't know any Russian cities named Vancouver! But that means she… doesn't have an accent right now. Why did I think she was Russian? I mean, clearly Canadian right? They are both frozen tundras so I guess that makes sense? OK Emery, get it together. It's OK. She doesn't care. She… totally brought up murder unannounced. Maybe she means on the dance floor…

The anxiety melted away as Viki spoke more. “Nah, like I said, no problem, and if you need help after the meeting like moving stuff or anything, I…” Callie trailed off as Viki turned her phone around to share the good news. “Or you know, not have to move you at all! Wow, what a lucky turn that is, eh? Life is like, pretty funny sometimes!” Callie put on the big smile she had planned for her new roommate whenever she found out who that was. But… it already felt like it was earned by the Rus-Canadian. “Well then Viki, let me officially welcome you to the best room in the bunkhouse, and congratulations in totally having the best roommate already, cause that's me!” Callie did lean in for a hug, briefly forgetting their current state of dress before pulling back. “And we can totally get one of those cranberry-scented candles or something. I think they are allowed. Anyway, yay! Cool! So I will go grab that shower, we can go to the meeting and get totally set up after!”

“Sounds like a plan!” The hug was unexpected but far from unwelcome. The warmth of Callie’s skin on Viktoriya’s brought a kind of excitement that had best be kept in check. She could already tell that this wasn’t found to be an interesting few months. When her new roomie departed for the bathroom, Viktoriya bundled herself up once more with the blanket and looked towards the open window.

There was lots to do, so much to see, people that she had yet to meet. If she was honest with herself, which she often was and brutally so, Viki wasn’t sure what actually faced her once she dressed herself in her uniform and wandered out of that door. It was a complete and utter unknown to her, that was frightening to say the least. The brunette was a creature of logic, a slave to thought, dedicated to the patterns of her own mind. She didn’t like surprises, she didn’t like the unexpected but that’s all that awaited her on the other side of that clear glass window pane.

There was that anxiety again. Viktoriya needed to get into a kitchen and fast.

–

That kitchen wasn't available immediately. Between the two of them they had enough time to get dressed and look presentable enough for Bones’ speech… and for the official dismissal of the rich boy prick from last night. Callie couldn't help but stifle some laughter at the temper tantrum the kid threw on the way out the door. Mister Rico Suave trying to look cool and aloof, but instantly turning into the kind of rich brat who demanded they have their feet nailed to the board or something. Mouth of the Rat indeed. She was pleased she wouldn't have to deal with that asshole for the season.

She liked Bones a lot. He reminded her of her own dad. Flexible, but not broken, willing to lay down the law if needed. A big fan of brimmed hats. He was a good boss. Plus seeing Gray as the leader of the crew made her giggle. That boy was getting some shimmer at some point. He just didn't know it yet.

As the two girls and newly crowned roommates returned to their sanctum, Callie let out a little sigh. “So I swear it's not usually that eventful. The past couple of years, it's been a pretty chill first meeting before we learn about the clients. But, hey, when you got a silver spoon lodged in your brain, like, I guess that makes you do stupid things.”

“I don’t know how anyone can behave like that.” Viktoriya was absolutely appalled and shocked by Jonas’ behaviour. Then again, Callie had hit the nail on the head or at least she seemed like she had. Privilege was a word here that meant doing what you wanted, taking what you wanted, saying what you wanted and not giving a single damn about how one was perceived or the consequences that you’re owed. “Well I can unequivocally say that the only silver spoon I have is the one I use to stir batter in the kitchen.”

Viki had no airs or graces; in both her worlds, privilege was a dirty word. She had lived in cardboard boxes in heat-less rooms and watched her parents struggle to make ends meet. She knew the value of hardwork and dedication, hell she was probably obsessed with it; she had been called a perfectionist too many times. Viktoriya knew the satisfaction and the gratification that came after a hard day's work, she knew the rewarding feeling and she craved it. People like Jonas, they could never know that, they could never feel just how intoxicating it could be.

“I’m sorry about last night and this morning.” The chef smiled, having finally found some semblance of confidence. “It takes me a minute to get used to change. My life is…pretty regimented. I’m not always myself until I get comfortable, thanks for making me comfortable, Callie.”

The apology earned a dismissive hand wave from the intended recipient. “Hey, it’s no worries, Viki,” Callie replied. “Part of the job here is to make sure everyone is comfortable. Guests and co-workers alike. And like, I was totally in your shoes before, so I can definitely relate, so I’m happy to help you be more comfortable here and like, be the best chef you can be!”

That last line was meant to be punctuated with a little more certainty, but it did feel a little flat. It was true that Callie was going to be taking on more of a leadership role as one of the older guides on the circuit, but she wasn’t certain she was the type to be a manager. Last year, she was quite content to let Lia call a lot of the shots and just follow her lead since the brunette was the older member of the crew. But Lia wasn’t walking through that door. Now Callie had to not only try and fly on her own, she now had a new girl to take under her wing. Did she learn enough from Lia? Did she want to be Lia? Callie didn’t know. She certainly didn’t get any answers from Lia when trying to contact her over the winter. Maybe Lia ditched Snapchat or something.

“So like, we have a little bit of time before the briefing. Is there anything else I can do to help you, like, get more comfortable? Doesn’t have to be anything major, just, like, I dunno, planning some decorations or something, you know?”

Viki couldn’t and didn’t want to, hide the smile that began to cross her lips the moment they left the orientation meeting. There was no point in trying to deny it any more, after a few hours together in the evening and now in the harsh and clear light of day, she knew that she was crushing on Callie and she was doing so thick and fast.

Physically, Viktoriya could not see any reason for anyone not to be physically attracted to the surfer babe. Indeed, she herself was very much entranced by the blonde's beauty. Yet it was in these moments, the quiet ones where it was just them and Callista’s personality shined that she realised that the more of the girl, the her that was underneath the bronzed, glistening skin, that was what was drawing her in.

“Kitchen should be open now.” The aspiring chef spoke relatively matter of factly. “As much as I’m enjoying our time together, I need a kitchen. I need to feel the heat on my skin and smell something slightly burning. Can you point me towards Eden’s Eatery please?”

Callie hadn't thought about breakfast yet, figuring the residual vodka wouldn't be interested in having company just yet, but food was starting to sound good. “I mean, I can probably guide you there. I am like, starting to get hungry and you know, I think someone totally promised to cook for me and show off some of those breakfast skills? Like I could go for a skillet right now, like eggs, peppers, some other stuff, soak up the last of last night, you know?”

The blonde didn't really know what she was doing. Was she already flirting? Did she mean to be flirting so much? She already complained to Piper nine times up and down the internet about Lia up and leaving her high and dry. Could she really already be taking her place and putting the moves on this new girl? What if Lia did end up returning her messages? It was too early for these kind of problems to be cropping up. Maybe she should try and take it slow?

“But yeah, I can guide the way and get myself a nibble at the same time,” Callie said, before realizing she should have used a different word. Oh well. Surely Viki knew she meant food.

A nibble. A NIBBLE. Something about the way that word escaped Callie’s lips transformed Viki’s blood into a river of fire. The heat flushed into her cheeks and her knees felt weak. She had to ignore those twirly feelings dancing around her gut, it was time for work. The play or at least the hope for play, would have to come later.

“Well, I don’t think I’ll be able to…erm…well…So I need to introduce myself to the team and stuff in the kitchen, so breakfast made by me would have to take a rain check but I would absolutely one hundred and seventy five perfect be down bad…for that.” Viktoriya soon realised the Freudian slip up she had made and quickly pushed down any and all feelings that were brewing. It was time for her logical brain to step in, it had to or she was going to continue making a fool of herself.

“Actually, you know what?” Viki rested a hand on Callie’s shoulder and smiled. “I’ll just find my own way. I need to get my bearings anyway and you should probably check out the water toy situation. Who knows what these guests will actually want to do?!” Removing her hand swiftly, the Russian coughed a little. “But I super appreciate you and everything you’ve done so far for me. Honestly Callie, you are amazing and we’re totally five by five.” She straightened the hem of her chef jacket and began to take a few loose steps backwards. “Definite rain check on the breakfast though!”

Viktoriya scrambled out of the area, trying not to look like she was running away. She didn’t want to, she was enjoying Callie’s company so much, the problem was it was probably too much. After all, there was still work to do.

Corsair Adventures (Invite Only)

^{Timestamp: Last night, the party
Location: Calico Jack’s
Featuring: Korinna Runnels and Grayson Kaplan
@BrutalBx and @Aces Away}

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Kori loved summer nights like this.

Her dark chocolate eyes lifted to the heavens to stare at a clear black ocean with white glowing speckles of a million stars drifting across it. There was a gentle gust in the air, low enough not to care but strong enough that her black curls and thigh slit floral skirt danced on its breeze. Korinna’s back was against the wall, in more ways than one, at least in her mind, with one hand she adjusted her knitted bralet and with the other she took a drag from her joint.

Kori’s gaze drifted down to her suitably toned and tanned leg which she had bent back to lean against the wall. It was an unwritten rule of CAP that one had to be in decent shape. Some of the Adventures that guests wanted, often required physical participation and those who lacked the fortitude to withstand it frequently did not last the season. In her many years as part of the crew, Korinna had seen it all, done it all, bought the t-shirt and then sold it on Vinted. She was pretty confident in her ability to weed out the weak and support the strong. The new crop of recruits that she could hear on the other side of the wall, were easily one of the rowdiest she had ever seen. Yet more often than not, the loudest crew were the hardest workers.

She pondered, her mind unable to really see an answer; what was going to happen when this season was over? Even Grayson was being asked to prepare a successor during the course of the next few charters. Korinna had never really considered that might happen when the time that she had dreaded since she was a little girl came. The program was all she had ever known but she would soon turn twenty five and her father made it clear that Kori was not an exception to the rule; she would age out and her time would be served and done.

The problem was she didn’t want it to be.

What came next?

Breathing the mellow fire from her lungs, Kori leaned her head back, listening to the music through the stained yellow wall of Calico Jack me with a smile draped across her face. She loved summer nights like this.

Grayson had a love/hate relationship with the tradition of drinking at Jack’s the night before Bones addresses the program members. It was easy to enjoy so long as you yourself were also inebriated, but when you took on the roles that Gray did, it felt more like trying to herd a bunch of caffeinated squirrels. He got a chance to see everyone’s barest personality on full display, and he got to see everyone’s barest personality on full display. With this being his last season as a CAPper, he wanted to enjoy his final entry night, but fate seemed to have other plans.

After Jonas Valmont asked him what it was like to be such a peasant because he just liked a basic beer every now and then, and then the other man doubling down that it was a sign of lack of class… then going on a rant about how, ‘my parents got me this job, what did your parents ever get you?’ Gray had simply deadpanned ’I’ve got my dad’s ashes from him, that count?’ and walked away while the mouthy brat gaped like a fish. Now, now he wanted to relax for a moment in private because he needed at least enough patience to tell the bastard one more time that he should head to the house and sleep it off, not drink more. Only one more time.

Stepping out of Calico Jack’s and smelling the air told him he wasn’t getting his moment of absolute solitude, but spending time with the woman around the corner from the entrance was an even better way to recharge his batteries.

“You feelin’ particularly benevolent at the moment?” He asked while knocking on the side of the building like it was an office door and eyeing the smouldering patience between her fingers. “I just had a wonderful conversation with one of the greenies.”

“Let me guess, Valmont?” Kori didn’t really need her long time friend to confirm the fact, she already knew. Jonas Valmont had been making trouble and rubbing people the wrong way from the moment he got off of his family's helicopter, which he made sure landed near enough to Oceana House that it would draw all of the attention unto himself. He wasn’t the first and probably wouldn’t be the last CAP recruit hired due to his connections.

Bones, for all his faults, put a lot of stock and merit in his relationships. If you were bonded with Korinna’s father, you were bonded for life, no matter the time or the distance. He valued loyalty above all, it was a trait he had inherited from his father, her grandfather, Wade. He was a red state bleeding, old school cowboy. Hard work mattered, a man’s word meant something and he’d sooner put a bullet in his own skull than neglect anyone he cares for. She loved her Grandpa.

When Hiram Valmont, an old service buddy and current internet millionaire, called the Captain’s direct line a few weeks ago, a number very few people had, Kori knew he was either looking for a charter or looking for a job for his kid. Of course it was the latter and of course, her dad being her dad, he said yes and made sure there was space on the program for the price of crypto, despite the fact it was usually Kori and the admin team that chose the applicants.

“It’s a loud group this year.” Holding the roll up vertically, in the tips of her fingers, Korinna watched its embers flicker for a moment, staring into the eye of the sun before she gently blew the top of it, stoking the tiniest of flames. “You and I are going out with a bang, it looks like.” She offered up a coy smile as well as the joint itself. “Want it?”

“Desperately,” Gray admitted, accepting the joint held his way and taking a fortifying drag. Leaning against the wall in a mirror of Korinna, he tilted his head back and released the smoke in a slow wispy trail drifting from his lips. No matter what nepobaby fuckhead he had to deal with in this program, Kori made it all bearable. She’d become part of the program a year after him, but he’d known her since a little after Bones had picked him up from the Brightmoor PD cells and told him it was time to get his ass in gear. Granted, while he’d been grateful in the beginning, he’d also been scared and angry and felt trapped since this was his only choice aside from prison, but Bones and Kori treated him well, and his brother even came to visit when he was able to get his leave approved.

Once he’d grown and trained more and mellowed out, a lot of the cloudiness caused by his anger dissipated, and with that came the clear realization that Kori Runnels was not just another friend like the girls in his booster crew back home. He found his eyes lingering on her smile or her teasing smirk, his own forest brown eyes wandering until they would get lost in her espresso-dark gaze and he’d suddenly be left blinking, dumbfounded and unable to find his words to respond to whatever she’d teased him about. He and Kori had blazed trails through this program together, and Grayson’s plan was to follow the amazing and determined woman all the way to the top, in whatever capacity he could.

He loved her, after all, not that he’d ever told her that in the way that truly mattered.

“I’ll have you know, I’m already missing last year when Zen was the loudest rich kid in the house,” He only half joked, mind returning to the subject of Jonas. “That new kid is gonna get us in trouble, Kor.”

“You and I both know, he won’t last.” Kori tried to reassure her oldest friend as she absentmindedly or possibly subconsciously reached down and took his hand into hers. “We’ve had worse. Remember two years ago? That K-Pop bitch who wanted to try her hand at playing explorer?” A smirk, evil with its intent appeared across the stewardesses lips. “First three days of her, were absolute hell, then she went out with Ashante on a wildlife trip, fell into some bear shit and we never saw her again.” Kori took the joint back from Gray and pursed it between her plump lips. “She literally complained from the moment she got her, tried to sue my dad and wanted to bring a film crew with her. We should’ve let the bear eat her.”

She laughed. Gray always made her laugh, even if he didn’t try. He was an idiot, a worrier and he had this sad little puppy dog energy that just made her want to squeeze him and tell him that everything was ok. He was also the only one she trusted to see who she was behind the epaulette on her uniform shoulders. Kori grew up with Gray in more ways than one, for the lack of any better term they were entwined together. Everyone had an idea of who the captain's daughter was but not many could truly say they had seen her true self. Grayson could.

She breathed in the smoke of creation once more. Her head still leaned back against the old outer walls, she turned to face Gray once again. “If he causes us any real deep problems, we’ll just get Dougie to beat the shit out of him. I’m sure he’d enjoy that.”

Grayson laughed along with her, fingers flexing from where they were intertwined with hers and shoulders finally relaxing. Compared to that girl, it was hard to be uncomfortable around much. Even Piper’s occasional tiktoks were only posted with the express permission of any CAPper in them, that film crew would not have had the same courtesy. “Honestly, the more I think of some of our washouts, the more I appreciate Zenith,” He said with a look of horrified realization washing over his face. He’d complained to Kori constantly about the other man last year when they were roomed together, and she’d often roll her eyes and let him kvetch and then tell him to get over it because Zen was an amazing guide. Genuinely, Gray did like the little brat, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t a little brat. Appreciating that he wasn’t as bad as he could be was one thing, but appreciating his mere existence was sending Gray for a loop.

He’d missed the prankster in the off season, when he was helping bubbe Roseman wrangle the wayward youth she was housing, thinking of how the Air Activities guide would have done some wild trick or flip that would have had the youngest kids stopping to stare in awe and the older kids desperate to learn it. He’d wondered how the old woman would treat the younger man and even texted him once or twice when he’d received skydiving pictures at 1am because it was already a new day in New Zealand. The realization that he was more fond of Zen’s pranks and bullshit than annoyed had settled over the off season, but saying it out loud was a different matter entirely. “Oh god, ew, I actually really like that kid,” Gray admitted, face pained. “Like, might kidnap him and take him home next off season so I can get a break from the kids at Bubbe’s house. Kori, help,” He pleaded with only mostly-false desperation. “I’m gonna turn into bubbe and start informally adopting people left and right.”

Kori smiled as she listened to Gray waffle on. She was so glad that throughout this journey it was him by her side through it all. “You’re turning into such a Dad now Gray, maybe there’s a job in a school waiting for you after this.” She adjusted her top once again, pushing up her chest ever so slightly, “You know, you can be that inspiring English teacher who chomps on cigars and has a jaded past.” Her words were playful and teasing, a sure sign that the usually put together Korinna was letting loose.

She finished off the joint before stubbing out what little ember remained on the wall and tossing it into the trash. “Come on, it’s your turn to buy me a drink.” Kori tightened her laced fingers around Grayson’s hand as she led him back into the lively arena that was Calico Jack’s.

The place was bouncing and lively; the CAP crew of the season were up and dancing, some were downing drinks, others were swept up in the kind of deep conversations that would be doubt reverberate across the summer and have far reaching consequences that no doubt Kori and Gray would have to deal with. She parked herself at the end of the bar top, draping the hand and arm of her best friend over her shoulder and using it to rest her cheek. “Jack, baby.” She offered the dashing bartender a bright smile. “Kraken and Ginger Beer for me and the usual for my dog here.” Giggling, Korinna kissed his knuckle.

“Woof,” Gray deadpanned with a fond eye roll, accepting the bottle of local craft beer that Jack slid to him and squeezing Kori a bit into his side. The easy interaction and contact with Kori always recharged his batteries, and her warmth against his side was one of his favorite things, so he’s happy to have it in any capacity. He turned his head to get a good glance at the room, and his gaze narrowed in on Dougie flirting with a new girl that Gray already knew Kori had concerns about, and then Piper goading Zenith and a couple new CAPpers into a drinking contest that would leave them all under the table. He shook his head firmly at Zenith from across the room while Piper gazed over her shoulder to smirk at him and Kori. Zen, in response, flipped him off and then blew him a kiss before throwing back the first shot. Gray just shook his head; the younger man would have to learn on his own eventually.

“Anyway, I don’t think English teacher is for me, maybe in another life,” He added to their previous conversation, taking a sip of his beer. “But hey, crazier things have happened. I’ve stuck around here all these years, haven’t I? Jack bet on me being gone my first season, I’ll never forget it. True betrayal when Jack bets against you,” He glared playfully at the man. “I’ll never forgive you.”

Jack didn’t utter a word as he handed Kori her mixed drink, shooting a glare at Grayson as he did so. Kori rested her chin in her hand before wrapping her lips around the straw that sat in her rum. She knew this would likely be her last one. Jack’s beverages were illegal at the best of times but with it being the night before the start of the season and with her fathers cheeky musings that the first guest of the year was a big one, Korinna didn’t want to push the boat out too much.

As she drank in the revelry around her, the Captain’s daughter felt that same pang in her heart that she had felt when she was outside. This was the end of it all, one last trip, one last adventure. Kori was unsure of what the future held for her, she had options, sure; but she had no idea which fork in the road was the right one to take. In that moment of quiet contemplation, she wondered what her mother would do?

At least she had Gray by her side, well, for one last season…

•:•.•:•.•:•:•:•:•:•:•:•☾☼CAP☼☽•:•.•:•.•:•:•:•:•:•:•:•

^{Timestamp: Next day, after speech, 9:30am}

“fuckFuckFUCK!” Kori had all but forgotten about that asshat Valmont as she hissed into her chai latte. “Jack, I’m gonna need another please baby!” Parked on the bar at Calico’s, she poured over all the files on the computer for the umpteenth time.

With her fathers dismissal of Jonas at the opening ceremony, the CAP crew were now down a Culture guide and Korinna had an hour to try and find a replacement before the first guest of the season arrived. This was certainly not the easiest position to fill for a myriad of reasons. First and foremost, whoever the Culture guide needed to have a great knowledge of the world and its civilisations, they needed a mastery of language and custom and most importantly, they needed to be available. The season was already underway and getting someone in this swiftly would be tight.

“Perusing applications,” Gray observed from the entrance of Jack’s, Kori’s back to him as he glanced around warily and stuffed his hands in his pockets. “Is this an active minefield or am I safe to enter?” Kori usually didn’t mind Gray’s company when she was stressed, but that didn’t make it any less like a tornado blowing through if she was wound up enough to snap. Judging by the way her nails were tapping away against the mug of her chai latte, she was pretty damn close.

Gray had finished his conversation with Zenith a few minutes ago and after a brief struggle to remove the sticker placed between his shoulder blades, Gray went with his first actual thought and sought out Kori. Knowing she could probably use a shoulder to lean on or punch at as much as he could use her presence and easy access to the sticker, it was a simple choice to head out to Jack’s on the next block and find her stressing at the bar. Her shoulders were hunched and she looked harried even from the back, her usual composure already cracked, and he’d do whatever she needed to help her rebalance, be it being by her or leaving her alone.

“Active. Very very active but you’re fine, there’s a path for you.”

Kori leaned back in her bar stool, lifting her hands behind her curly head and locking her fingers together. She anxiously looked at the old nautical compass themed clock on the wall and pursed her lips. She didn’t have a lot of time before the announcement came out about the first guest of the year. She knew nothing about who it was other than that it was a celebrity. Her dad liked to play certain cards close to his chest, he enjoyed making the crew sweat a bit. Just like he enjoyed the taste of carrots, the absolute sadist.

With a click of her tongue, Korinna glanced briefly over to her closest confidant and then back to the screen in front of her. “I honestly don’t think we can get anyone in time, Gray.” She leaned forward onto her elbows just in time for Jack to settle down her drink. “Thanks boo.” She smiled at the moustachioed heartthrob. “Anyone even remotely local to Florida is way under qualified and anyone further away is…too far away.”

“Hmm,” Gray hummed while making his way over to where Kori was sitting now that he’d been given the all clear. Leaning over her shoulder and staring at the screens she had opened, all with different applications scrolled to various points of the page, Gray found the words swimming in front of him and huffed out a laugh. “Okay, how about I spend a minute scanning these with fresh eyes and you get whatever monstrosity Zen slapped on my back off, yeah?”

The offer was in good faith, as she well knew, and it wouldn’t be the first time that he’d helped Kori run through resumes. The first thing he was going to do was reorganize the open tabs because jesus, how the hell did someone as organized as Kori when it came to the business read properly with eight different windows of pure text open?

“Fine, but don’t move anything. I know where all my shit is.” Kori got up from her seat to allow Gray to sit. Once she did, she proceeded to remove Zen’s sticker with a little smirk from her face before tossing it onto the table next to her laptop. “Little Zee got you with a school prank like that? You disappoint me once again.” She placed her hands on either side of his shoulders and rested them there as she began to speed read over Gray’s head. “This is where my Dad’s rules backfire on him. We should’ve just dealt with Jonas and got rid of him later in the program. Now we’re less than twenty minutes from our first guest and we’re fucked like a cheerleader on prom night, just not as well.”

“I live to disappoint,” It was said in a monotone, like he was barely registering his own response. “And I don’t know, I enjoyed my part in it,” Grayson grumbled as he focused in on the screen with a glare, annoyed but heeding her warning not to move anything around, instead, he minimized half the screens so he could focus on the resumes, but the sticker Kori placed beside the laptop caught his attention and made him scoff at the design. “That kid is such a dick.” He noticeably did not destroy the sticker, however, choosing instead to slap it on the back of his phonecase so it wouldn't wrinkle in his pocket, the fuzz from his shirt covering the worst of the adhesive. Zen drew those himself, he’d never toss them out, not that the other knew it.

“You said it last night, we knew Jonas wasn’t going to make it, I guess we should have had an understudy ready.” He leaned back into Kori and spent the next couple minutes flipping through the open applications before pulling up the final few she either hadn’t gotten to or thought weren’t worth opening. He was about to go right back to the start with ten minutes left to the guest arrival when the final window he’d opened and let Kori drag to the side caught his eye.

“Wait wait, what about this one? Traveled the world, polyglot, has some previous experience in high demand customer service roles? Currently living a half hour away from Oceana House. Why were they shoved to the bottom of your folder?”

“Check the declarations, genius.” Kori rolled her eyes for a moment before pressing her body against his back, pushing Gray forward and leaning against him as she pointed out something on the screen. “Much like you dickface, they have a criminal record but we’re not talking minor. Assault and battery. No way we’re having someone like that with us….” Her words trailed off of a cliff as she tilted her head, her brain beginning to do some mental maths.

All of a sudden, a lightbulb went off in Korinna’s mind. She leapt backward and slapped both her hands down on Gray’s shoulders once again and squeezed tight. “I think I’ve got it.” She clapped her palms down again repeatedly. “I think we can solve our culture problem and gain a little bit extra here too. Gray, does Piper still owe you a favour?”

“Yessss,” Gray said slowly, a tinge of fear in his voice as Kori’s excited pats all but rocked him back and forth. He hadn’t even had a chance to bring up the fact that street racing was a misdemeanor, but grand theft auto and running what boiled down to an illegal chop shop were definitely felonies, before she cut herself off in her excitement. Concerning. “She was going to buy me a drink next time we were here,” He offered, not even bothering to ask how she already knew about Piper’s promise when he hasn’t had a chance to talk to Kori since. “Why…?”

“Cos I’m gonna need you to call it in and for more than just a drink.” Kori reached over him and grabbed her chai. With a deep breath she inhaled her spiced drink and gulped the entirety of the mug down in one swig before slamming it back down. “We can’t get anyone here now, it’s just not feasible but with a bit of luck we can get someone to St Kitts that can meet us there. Or should I say someone’s?”

With an evil grin on her face, Korinna pulled out her cellphone and began to furiously type away. “Get Piper to use her ass or something to get a flight to Jamaica. I’ll cover the cost..or at least my dad will when he finds out what we’re doing.” She began to walk away towards the exit of the famed Calico Jack’s as she typed before stopping and spinning to look at Gray once more. She knew that look of confusion on his face, he was a simple boy. That was why he had her to do all the thinking for them. “The twins, Gray. We’re gonna send Piper to go get the twins…if I can convince them to come back that is.”

She smiled at him for a moment before shrugging her shoulders. “Why are you still here? Hop to it pup!”

Gray stood up despite the way his face had drained of color at Kori’s declaration. The twins were…a lot to say the least, but they were amazing at their respective jobs when they were here. Convincing Piper to hop on a plane and head to Jamaica to grab them would be easier if he framed it as a way to get content for her tiktok page, less easy when she realizes she’ll be alone for the flight out, aside from the pilot. Plus, that was a lot bigger favor than a little drink.

So much for an easy going final season at CAP.

Corsair Adventures (Invite Only)

^{Timestamp: 9:00am
Location: Oceana House Front Lawn, Florida
Introducing: Captain Bones Runnels @BrutalBx and Grayson Kaplan @Aces Away}

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“Adventure. By definition, to experience something daring, unusual or exciting.”

Captain Arthur Runnels stood at the forefront of the amassed faces of a brand new crew. He had been doing this for a long time now and he still hadn’t gotten used to the changing visages of those about to set sail with him. Even his own daughter, who stood out amongst the masses with her large curly dark hair which she had inherited from his late beloved, Tia. She had grown so much, yet somehow she had also stayed the same. In her face, he still could see the little chubby cheeked kid who would do handstands on every flat surface she could find. Still, when he gazed upon how beautiful she had grown, he saw her mother, he saw a girl who was ready to inherit the world and make it her own.

Pride, a word here that could not do his love for his little Korinna justice.

“Do not be mistaken, you all are about to embark on a wild and great adventure and you’re going to do it together.” In spite of his years abroad and living all over the world, Captain Bones never lost his thick southern drawl. “These people that you stand with, for this next season, these people are your friends, they’re your family. You have to rely on one another, trust one another. This ain’t no rodeo, this ain’t no stroll in a park. This is hard work, this is graft but the reward is so worth it. Part of that reward is sharing it with people you are bonded with for life.”

For his sins, as he stood addressing the troops, the Captain looked anything but like a General dictating to his army. His Bermuda shorts were bright pink and his white short sleeve shirt was unbuttoned to show a physique that should not look as at home as it did on a fifty five year old man. Bones’ hair was shaggy and his beard unkempt but both were hidden quite well by the brim of his cowboy hat. To any outsider, Arthur would look simply like a tourist, fresh off the beach and going on a bar crawl. Still, those offcomers didn’t know the truth of the matter. They didn’t know that he had served with distinction, they didn’t know the pain and the sacrifice that he had gone through. They didn’t know that deserved his R&R and time in the sun.

“Now the official housekeeping.” By Bones’ side sat a stunning English Bull Terrier, happily smiling as he scratched the top of her head. “For those of you who have forgotten after our interviews, My name is Captain Arthur Runnels. I served with the Coast Guard as an ATC Rescue Swimmer for years and no I will not tell you stories. Most people call me Bones but you can call me Captain. This is Sunny.” He motioned to the happy pooch. “She is my second in command and yes she is your boss.” He could hear the little polite chuckles from the group but neglected to tell them that he was being one hundred percent serious.

Taking off his hat, Arthur continued. “I’m a simple man. I don’t have that many rules and the ones I do have aren’t difficult to follow. Don’t embarrass the program. Don’t embarrass me. Don’t embarrass yourselves.” He ran his free hand through his hair. “When you're on charter, the guest is the priority, leave your personal shit at Oceana House…” He motioned to the building behind him. “…and you can deal with it when you get back and when you’re on your days off. Now I can tell, based on the bar tab you guys racked up last night at Calico’s that you like to party. I’m cool with that, that’s fine, we all like a good time but if your shit impacts the guest or the experience in any way, at the end of that charter you’ll get your pay, your tip and a plane ticket home. We don’t suffer fools here.”

After placing his hat back upon his head, Captain Bones clapped his hands together widely. “Now onto the good stuff!” With a grin from ear to ear, the cowboy descended from the picnic table he was using as a soapbox to continue his ra-ra speech. “You all look very fetching in your uniforms, which must be worn at all times on charter and when working around the compound. You can wear your civvies on your days off.” Slipping his hand into his breast pocket, the Captain fumbled for a moment before taking out his cell phone and presenting it to the gathered crew. “Room assignments have been posted in the CAP-app which you should’ve already downloaded by now. Your stuff has already been dutifully moved by some of our staff. You can have the next hour to settle in, get to know each other, if you didn’t get a chance last night that is, and when we…”

Before he could continue further, the nails on a chalkboard screeching of a breaking performance engine disrupted the calm Florida cool. From around the corner of Oceana house, a young man emerged with a grin akin to a rattlesnake. He, unlike the others congregated in the yard, was not dressed in the green and khaki CAP uniform. Instead he looked like he had just gotten back from a party.

“Yo!” He called out. “Sorry I’m late. I met these mad honeys last night at Clicky Joe’s or wherever the fuck we were and I got so turnt. Woke up in Boca Raton.” He stumbled into the crowd and mockingly saluted towards the Captain.

Tipping his hat slightly backwards, Bones let silence hang in the air whilst he glared with his deep blue gaze at the newcomer. His was not a look of understanding but of indifference. Despite his face never moving or giving away a feeling, his eyes told a different story. They stole a story of pure anger. “Mister Jonas Valmont, I’m assuming?” He didn’t need to assume. The Captain had taken roll call and knew exactly who was missing. Jonas had turned up the day before for orientation and had also gone out with the rest of the crew to Calico Jack’s; obviously since then his path had diverged. Bones didn’t wait for the boy to answer. He turned his gaze to another boy, standing in the front row of CAP enlistees and smiled. “You know what to do Mister Kaplan.”

“Yes sir,” The dark haired man answered, the irritated glare he’d been sending Jonas morphing into an expectant grin as he broke from his position and made his way toward the late comer. He’d already noticed the boy’s absence when he went around Oceana House this morning doing wake up calls, and he hadn’t liked him since he showed up yesterday, so this was a bit of a treat for Gray himself, as well. The negligent boy didn’t seem to notice anything wrong despite the silence and suddenly tense atmosphere, and once Grayson got close enough he dropped a heavy hand onto Jonas’ shoulder and angled him right back toward the corner he came around. “Right back out you go, trainwreck, thanks for stopping by-”

“Do you know who my father is? Get off me you cretin!” Jonas shrugged off Gray’s hand and pushed forward towards the Captain. “I don’t know who you think you are treating me like that but I’ll have your ass for even thinking about touching me.” The nepo baby in waiting exasperatedly lifted his hands up in the air. “What is this? I’m a little late so you’re gonna give me a plane ticket?”

“Yup.” Captain Bones motioned towards the exit. “You come in here, acting the fool, hours late, stinking of booze and now with attitude. Yeah your ass is grass, son. I’ll have a driver take you to the airport. I’m sure your parents will be thrilled that you’ll be joining them in the Hamptons.”

The grip on the scruff of Jonas’ collar was far less forgiving than the one that had previously landed on his shoulder, and Gray’s smile had completely disappeared the moment the arrogant kid made his way toward Bones. Not giving him another chance to shake him off or complain, Gray yanked just enough to send Jonas off balance and then started beelining right to the car around the corner, the rich boy trying desperately not to trip backward over his own suddenly stumbling feet or get choked by his own collar.

“Honestly, man, you got in here on privilege and you couldn’t even hold it together through the ceremony,” Everyone could hear Gray’s heavy, disappointed sigh as they hit the corner and disappeared, the open air doing little to muffle the conversation. “That’s damn sad.”

Jonas squirmed for a few moments longer before he fully realised the inevitability of his situation. He had spent the better part of twenty years, his entire life essentially, using his family name to get out of a jam. Yet he could tell that it wouldn’t be enough, at least in this instance but whatever happened, this wasn’t over. The Corsair’s were not going to get the better of Jonas Valmont. “You think I care what you fucking say, little doggy?” The heir spat. “Kick me out? Kick ME out? Oh I’ll watch this place burn. Mark my fucking works and take them to the bank.”

“Doggy? Jesus, you’ve got absolutely zero chill,” Gray frowned, not surprised but also far from amused. He'd been called worse when acting as the Captain's security man. Jonas wouldn’t be the first rich kid to threaten the program with mommy and daddy’s money, and he certainly wouldn’t be the last, but this is the fastest someone had managed to get on both Bones and Gray’s bad side. “Also, the bank doesn’t accept worthless things, so take your word and trash it along with your attitude. If you wanna be all pissy about it, put some fucking work into yourself and try again next year. Walk in respectfully and prove us all wrong,” He opened the back door of the waiting car and nodded to the regular driver behind the wheel before putting his hand on Jonas’ head and shoving him in like he had just been detained. Pulling out his phone now that his hands were free, he used his body to block the boy’s chance at escape and then commented, “We’ll make sure your bags get to the airport before you take off, safe flights and thank you for attempting the Corsair Adventure Program!”

He slammed the door shut, never happier for the child lock feature than he was right now. Once the information needed had been dealt with, Gray slid his phone back into his pocket and made his way back around the corner as the car drove off behind him. Slipping back in quietly, he made his way back to his spot in the front row and retook his position with a nod to Captain Bones.

With a tip of the hat to appreciate the Bosun's hard work, Arthur looked to his daughter in the crowd. “When we’re done here, remind me to comb through the applications and find another Culture Guide, ok PeaPod?” Returning his attention to the crowd, which had remained all but silent during the Jonas debacle, the Captain continued. “Now that that’s over with. You can see my tolerance for stupid… I don’t have any. Now, relax, enjoy yourselves. In an hour we’re going to do a preference meeting for our first guests of the season. And wouldn’t you know it, we got a celebrity in our midst.”

Arthur jumped down from his soapbox and gestured towards the sea, which sat shimmering in the morning sunlight just off to the side of Oceana House. “We here are the black flag raisers, the rebels, the outlaws and we’re on the run. Our destination, our goal, the glory and the booty in which we seek, it’s out there, just waiting for us, waiting for you. Let’s go find the magic beyond the horizon. Dismissed.”

Corsair Adventures (Invite Only)

Kori Runnels

KORINNA CALYPSO RUNNELS

FC: Aurora Perrineau



^{Color: FFCDD2}

___________________________________________________________________

AKA:
Kori, Calamity Kori, Goddess of the Sea

Age:
23

Position:
First Mate, Administrator, Chief Stewardess

Nationality:
Dual American/British

Home:
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands

Education:
Graduated from EHL - Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne, Switzerland.

Returning Crew Member:
Yay - 6 Years

Experience:
As the daughter of Captain Bones, Kori has spent her entire life involved in the travel and tourism industry. She signed up for her first Corsair Tour at 18 after being around several of her fathers previous crews. She has also spent time working at her grandfather's holiday resorts and graduated college with a Masters in Hotel and Leisure Management with a undergraduate degree in Logistics

Personal Statement:
“I may be the Captain’s daughter but I work for absolutely everything that I have, hell, I probably work harder than anyone else. I’ve been told that maybe I’m wound a little too high strung when working but it’s really not the case. I'm just focused. When I’m off duty I’m a bit of a hippy, I just like to chill and swim, which is why in the off season I go and live with grandparents in the BVI’s. I love my Dad but the program is his life and my goal is to merge it with their resorts one day.”

Extra:

• Font: Island Mamina
• Kori is quite far removed from her cowboy roots and although she enjoys her visits to her fathers family ranch, she is not a country girl by any means.
• Like her father, she is an accomplished swimmer.
• Kori is an avid activist for various causes and will often attend rallies across the country. The Captain will usually send Gray to watch over her during these times, whether she likes it or not.
• She is the heir to the Avalon Resort chain empire that her grandfather built in the Islands.
• Kori had her mothers last words tattooed on her forearm. “There’s magic beyond that horizon.”

Doug Gillespie

DOUGLAS GERARD GILLESPIE

FC: Sam Fender



^{Color: C2BD65}

___________________________________________________________________

AKA:
Doug, Dougie, Duckie

Age:
22

Position:
Hiking and Mountaineering Guide

Nationality:
British

Home:
Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, England

Education:
Current Agriculture Student at the University of Aberdeen

Returning Crew Member:
Yay - 1 Year Experience

Experience:
Doug has spent the last few years gaining several touring qualifications such as Mountain Leader, Rock Climbing, Camping and First Aid and Emergency Response. He also grew up walking the Highlands and Mountains of Scotland, the Lake District and Northumbria, meaning he is truly well versed in many perilous paths and terrains.

Personal Statement:
“I hate doing stuff like this, talking about me’self. I grew up in the woods, me and me Da’ would go out all the time before he died, it was canny. Ya know to me the wilderness is just a peaceful kind of place and I dunno, I think I wanna be able to show other people that there’s more to life than the little black mirrors we carry in our pockets. The program lets me do that in far off places with a weirdo crew of wanderers like me. Why wouldn’t I want to do that? Sounds like a grand ol’ time.”

Extra:

• Font - Adventure Magazine
• Doug is Scottish on his fathers side and considers Edinburgh to be his second home.
• An avid guitar player and musician, Doug has considered trying to make a career out of music several times. Back home he has a band called, No Future.
• A proud Geordie, Doug sometimes has to clean up his thick accent for clients and crew, though it truly comes out when he’s had a few pints.
• He is very anti authority and has an intense dislike for the police for reasons all his own.

Viktoriya Belova

VIKTORIYA ILLYANA BELOVA

FC: Isa Briones



^{Color:
A7A8C2}

___________________________________________________________________

AKA:
Viki, Vik, V, Riya

Age:
22

Position:
Sous Chef, Culinary Guide

Nationality:
Dual Canadian/Russian

Home:
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Education:
Current Student at the Culinary Institute of America

Returning Crew Member:
Nay

Experience:
Viki is a current undergraduate at CIA (Culinary Institute of America) and has worked as both a Commis Chef and Chef de Partie in several restaurants ranging from greasy spoons to fine dining.

Personal Statement:
“I have been told in so many uncertain terms that I am wound too tight. I disagree, of course. Nobody got anywhere in life without working hard. It was actually my roommate that applied to the program for me, thinking I needed to see the world and have some fun. I’m looking at this as an opportunity to learn from amazing chefs all over the world, experience new cuisines and maybe make some connections that will benefit my career in the long run.”

Extra:

• Font - Restaurant
• Viktoriya was born in Moscow, Russia and lived in a series of foster and group homes until she was adopted by a Canadian family at 8 years old.
• Viki is hard of hearing. She wears a Cochlear implant to enhance it. Although never deaf, she is fluent in sign language.
• Despite her prim and proper appearance, Viktoriya is a big Motocross fan and owns her own dirt bike.

Corsair Adventures (Invite Only)

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What is CAP?
CAP is the nom de plume of the Corsair Adventure Program. Corsair is a multi-service tour-guide firm that focuses on creating experiences and adventures for its guests. Ranging from the sun kissed beaches of the Caribbean to the Alaskan mountains and wilderness or even the bright city lights of a casino city, CAP will go anywhere. With a fleet of stunning vehicles at its fingertips and working relationships with several high end resorts, Corsair is a unique way for young people to experience a little bit more out of life before the inevitable sirens call of adulthood.
Our focus is on the recent crop of crew mates set to embark on a new adventure season. We will follow their exhilaration and of course the turmoil that comes with a fast paced, high stress, service environment. This story follows the young program members and both their varied interactions with their customers of the day, their interpersonal relationships and their nightly shenanigans and chaos.

Setting:
International - Home Base in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Style:
Sandbox, the story evolves with your choices

Start Date:
TBD

Themes:
Exploration, Travelling, Coming of Age, Mortality, Sexuality, Mental Health, Comedy, Spirituality, 18+

The Captain’s Rules:
Rule One. Don’t sleep with the guests.
Rule Two. Don’t sleep with the guests for money.
Rule Three. If I don’t see it, if I don’t hear it, I don’t give a shit.
Rule Four. Everyone is entitled to their tip but embarrassing the company or yourself will result in being given a tip and a plane ticket home.

Occupation Examples:
Wilderness guide, social/nightlife guide, gambling/casino guide, food guide, boating/water guide, everyday guide, personal chef, etc.
If one is unsure about a discipline they would like to pursue, they can apply as a general guide which allows them to experience all aspects before settling on a speciality.
Each specialty can have two people, as there is likely an old hat aging out of the program that shows the greenhorn the ropes.

The Owner:
Captain Arthur “Bones” Runnels is a caring if not shady older man with good intentions for the crew. Members of the Corsair crew must maintain a strict adherence to the rules, code of conduct and contracts given to them by the company. One may be rewarded or fired depending on your actions. This leaves room for characters to leave and enter the scene without need for extreme measures. Many former alumni who have stayed in the travel and tourism sector now work in conjunction with the Captain to expand the Corsair operation.

The Crew:
Coming from all around the world, be they college students, tradies, dropouts, etc anyone can be accepted into the Corsair Program. So long as they have skills beneficial to the company and/or their position for that company, they can be a part of the crew. Captain Bones recruits from all walks of life and often travels the globe himself to find the best, the brightest or the most desperate. Each character may have their own range of experience such as a newbie greenhorn, someone returning for another year, or even an old hat or two that is looking for one last adventure before they inevitably have to grow up.
Aging out is a thing and when a crew member hits the age of twenty five, they will no longer be allowed to enroll in the program.

Housing:
Relatively uniform wherever they go, where the crew stay is pretty much the same everywhere thanks to the buildings being an individual development by the company in order to give the employees a bit of familiarity in their frantically moving lives. When a new business deal is struck with a resort, an “Ambassador” team made up of the guides who specialize in the local entertainments are sent ahead to foster relations and to get the Crew Housing completed, ready for the first adventure. This limits the amount of character slots to how many people could live in this complex. Chores are rotated, communal spaces like kitchen, living room, and laundry room are clean-as-you-go and have basic cohabitation rules.

Home Base:
Home for the Corsairs is in a fictionalised version of Fort Lauderdale, Florida and is larger than the other compounds in order to accommodate as many of the crew as is needed. During the adventure seasons, the crew are based here until called upon to go on tour.

Pay:
Standard pay is just above state minimum wage but due to their clients more often being from the top one percent, the tips can sometimes be ridiculous, either in crazy generosity ranging in the thousands or abysmally stingy from the most difficult customers which could end up being a couple of hundred dollars. Tips are given out at the end of an adventure by Bones.

Uniforms:
The basic uniform is a classic polo and khaki set (green and brown/tan, trousers, shorts, skirts or skorts) for odd jobs around the compound or in the resorts, specialized gear for their expertise shifts, and a set of dress clothes in the colors of the company logo so they are even uniform at parties (although the crew can customise them within reason to add a personal flair). Free time is free for a reason, and anything can be worn during this time.

Example

On top is an example of the Casual/Everyday uniform, while below can be taken as example of Formal Wear uniforms.

About the Captain

Arthur “Bones” Runnels (Matthew McConaughey) was born somewhere he’d rather not remember in backwater Texas. The Runnels clan consisting of Arthur, his father Wade (Sam Elliott), mother Martha (Jessica Lange) and brothers Bill and Harry (Cole Houser and Glen Powell), owned one of the larger cattle ranches in the area. Although Arthur loved the farming life and as the oldest child was assumed to take over the ranch, he knew there was more out there for him. He truly believed, with all of his cowboy heart, that his destiny lay elsewhere beyond the horizon.

Even as a youngster, people were always drawn to Arthur. He just had a natural charisma and charm that sucked in those around him like a maelstrom. He was a natural athlete and found a sport he loved and was extremely talented at as a competitive swimmer. Due to his lithe frame, Arthur earned the nickname “Bones” which had stuck through with him his entire life. So true was it that he was that talented, that as early as his junior year of high school, Arthur was being touted as a potential Olympic prospect. He defied everyone’s expectations however when upon graduating high school, he opted to join the Coast Guard.

Bones progressed to the position of an Aviation Survival Technician and was nationally known for holding the record number of rescues in the country. He was fearless, reckless but a safe haven to those that needed it. During a brief vacation in the British Virgin Islands, Arthur was staying at a resort when he met Tia Babos (Tracee Ellis Ross). Tia was the resort owner's only child and was working there for the summer. Smitten immediately, the pair enjoyed a holiday romance, with the wild and free Tia offering Bones a taste of a different kind of adventure.

After returning to the states, his rescue swimmer career ended after a faulty harness caused Bones to plummet from a helicopter and break his back. Receiving a large payout post litigation, Arthur was at a loss of what to do with himself. Chartering a yacht with some buddies to the Caribbean, he was surprised to meet Tia once again, this time working at another of her fathers resorts. The two continued where they left off, eventually deciding to marry then and there. After working the islands for a few years more, the couple moved to Florida, now with a young daughter Korinna, in tow.

Peace did not last for the family as Tia was diagnosed with Ovarian cancer. Choosing not to undergo treatment, the Runnels spent the next few years exploring the world together and seeking uncharted adventure wherever they could find it. Tia eventually succumbed to her illness and Bones set about creating something in her honor.

The Corsair Adventure Program was her dream, a way of delivering exciting and fun filled experiences to nomadic souls wandering the world in the same way she and Arthur did whilst also giving young people the opportunity to grow and explore. With a now grown up Kori (Aurora Perrineau) as his partner, Bones has built from the ground up a unique experience for all the wanderers. From sun kissed, scuba diving beach holidays to brisk, winter mountain climbs or high rolling casino city party tours, the Corsairs would provide and oblige.

Application

[center][h2][color=]FULL NAME[/color][/h2]
[b]FC:[/b] (Facecast)

[img]PICTURE HERE[/img]

[sup]Color: [color=]00674F[/color][/sup]

[b]___________________________________________________________________[/b][/center]

[indent][indent][indent][color=#3f5a36][b]AKA:[/b][/color] (Nicknames)

[color=#bead86][b]Age:[/b][/color] (DOB)

[color=#3f5a36][b]Position:[/b][/color] (What position are they applying for)

[color=#bead86][b]Nationality:[/b][/color] (Country)

[color=#3f5a36][b]Home:[/b][/color] (Current Residence, City and State)

[color=#bead86][b]Education:[/b][/color] (Up to what level)

[color=#3f5a36][b]Returning Crew Member:[/b][/color] (Yay/Nay if Y, how many tours)

[color=#bead86][b]Experience:[/b][/color] (Things to back up the application)

[color=#3f5a36][b]Personal Statement:[/b][/color] (General brief bio)

[color=#bead86][b]Extra:[/b][/color] [list]
[*](Stuff)[/list]

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