Pride 2019 All Aboard!

(Time to take on this year's Pride Month Cruise at ChatSphere's premium influencer.)

(Best job ever.)

With the number of people here, I'm sure to get more than enough footage.

(ChatSphere gave out a handful of free tickets to people all around the world.)

(It's a great way to promote the app, since no one will want to miss it.)

I check the reflection in my phone screen, giving my hair and makeup one last look over before pressing start.

Dahlia: "Good morning, ChatSphere! This is CrashingWaves coming to you live from our Annual Pride Month Cruise!"

Dahlia: "Let's meet some guests before they board."

Panning the area, I capture a red hot sports car parked in view.

Dahlia: "Uh oh. Could itbe the infamous hustler, Aurora James?"

I step closer to the parking lot, catching a conversation between two women.

One is clad in sequens while the other frowns, sleek black hair falling over her crossed arms.

Aurora?: "C'mon, Serena, lighten up! It's a cruise!"

Serena: "It's a deathtrap."

Serena: "You're not getting me to board one of those, not after-!"

She shudders.

Serena: "That incident."

The brunette catches my phone in her line of vision.

Her smile is more dazzling than the sun as she claims her ticket, winking at the camera.

(Definitely Aurora James.)

Aurora: "You'll be fine! Let's go!"

I keep filming while I board, getting the perfect shot as the pride flags come into view.

Dahlia: "Beautiful! Let's get to meeting some of these fabulous guests."

One woman starts to walk across the deck, her softly curled pigtails cascading over a pink floral look.

Dahlia: "Excuse me, would you mind stopping to film a quick interview?"

She faintly nods, eyes going wide as she stares at my phone.

(You'd think she'd never seen one before. It's really cute.)

Dahlia: "How does it feel to be on the cruise today?"

Precious Pigtails: "Bittersweet, to say the least."

Precious Pigtails: "My brother and his best friend left on a voyage for quite some time, so I've had conflicting feelings with the sea."

Precious Pigtails: "But now that I've been reunited with them, I have no troubles with the water."

Precious Pigtails: "I've actually never felt happier."

(Awww.)

I press the stop button, my heart stirring.

(Now I need to keep filming. This job never stops.)

In filming the deck, two beautiful, formally dressed women appear on my screen.

Zoe and Vivienne from Queen of Thieves appear.

They keep to themselves, exchanging quiet words over the railing.

(I can't quite make out what they're saying.)

(Something about a hack... and a mark...)

Then their eyes meet mine in the camera, stunned silent.

Dapper Dream (Zoe): "Great. Only took us ten minutes to get compromised."

The one with dark, red lips speaks, her words crystal clear.

Tall Dark and Gorgeous (Vivienne): "I'll handle this."

Long fingers gesture inward, motioning for me to come over.

(It feels difficult to say no to her.)

With all other thoughts fading out, I go over.

Tall Dark and Gorgeous: "Are you making a movie?"

A. Of sorts.

B. I'm here with ChatSphere!

C. I hope you don't mind.

---

A. Of sorts.

Dahlia: "You could say that. I'm just getting footage to post online for work."

I think I see the hint of a frown on both of them, but it passes quickly.

---

B. I'm here with ChatSphere!

(This could be a good chance to promote.)

Dahlia: "I'm actually filming for ChatSphere, the app hosting the cruise?"

Tall Dark and Gorgeous: "Ah, yes. I'm familiar."

---

C. I hope you don't mind.

Dahlia: "I hope you don't mind me filming."

Dahlia: "It's just getting posted to promote ChatSphere."

Tall Dark and Gorgeous: "Oh, I see. You're an influencer.

---

Tall Dark and Gorgeous: "Social media is a difficult business."

Tall Dark and Gorgeous: "Things have to look pristine on camera, no matter how they are in real life."

Tall Dark and Gorgeous: "You must work tirelessly."

Tall Dark and Gorgeous: "But you live for the excitement of it all, don't you darling?"

Dahlia: "I..."

Tall Dark and Gorgeous: "I like a little excitement myself."

She glances down at my phone.

Tall Dark and Gorgeous: "We could chat more about it sometime."

Tall Dark and Gorgeous: "Let me give you my phone number."

(Is this real?)

Dazed, I hand my phone over.

She pases it immediately to the woman in the bowtie, whose fingers work in a calculated blur before she thrusts the phone back into my hands.

Dapper Dream: "Better luck next time. Catch."

Dahlia: "Wait-!"

(Too late.)

(But there is a new contact in here.)

She left no name, just two emoticons.

A poppy and a kiss mark.

(And all the footage I took was erased.)

(Dammit.)

(I could use a drink.)

I find the bar, but it's completely crowded, no empty seat in sight.

???: "Looking to sit down?"

I follow the voice, meeting a pair of mysterious, gray eyes.

Medusa from Astoria: Fate's Kiss and Astoria: Lost Kisses appears.

(Hi.)

The woman is sporting a pink polka-dot bikini and an enchanting smile, framed by wavy red hair.

Radiant Redhead (Medusa): "I was just about to leave. You can have my seat if you like."

Dahlia: "Perfect. Thank you."

I order a drink as I take her seat. Beside me is a group of sparkling individuals, all eating off a happy chef's plate.

Content Chef: "You said you all work in a cafe?"

Emeril from Sweet Enchantments appears.

Iridescent Individual (Emeril): "Yes, we do!"

Liora, also from Sweet Enchantments, appears.

Ethereal Elegance (Liora): Though what we serve is nothing quite like this...

Runa, from Sweet Enchantments as well, appears.

Spunky Spirit (Runa): "Putting it on a plate doesn't make it edible."

(Well, I think it all looks picture perfect.)

Dahlia: "Could I actually take a photo of this?"

The chef smiles, displaying the tray as I snap it.

Content Chef: "Would you like to try anything?"

A. A mini rainbow bagel.

B. A jello pride flag.

C. Colorful spam musubi.

---

A. A mini rainbow bagel.

Iridescent Individual: "I actually quite like that one."

Iridescent Individual: "The filling is delicious!"

(Does she mean the cream cheese?)

---

B. A jello pride flag.

Ethereal Elegance: "That one I can't wrap my head around."

Ethereal Elegance: "I could never consume anything that moves in such a way."

(More jello for me, then.)

---

C. Colorful spam musubi.

The fiery, magenta-haired girl points as I pick up the food.

Spunky Spirit: "That one should be illegal based on texture alone."

Spunky Spirit: "Seriously. Don't you have laws here?"

---

Spunky Spirit: "I'll never understand human food."

My eyebrow raises in question.

(They seem as human as it gets.)

(Maybe they're in some kind of roleplay.)

Just then, shots of lasers from the TV catch my attention.

Nova and Zhora from Starship Promise appear.

A tall, stunning space warrior faces off against an equally gorgeous outlaw, guns pointed.

The protagonist of Starship Promise appears.

Quicky Heroine (protagonist): "Come on! We gotta get out of here!"

A girl in a sea colored ruffe bikini squeals next to me.

Fervent Fangirl: "Finally they're giving the badass arms dealer the screen time she deserves!"

Fervent Fangirl: "Not that I mind living vicariously through my fanfiction, but now there's a chance she and the heroine will actually get together!"

At that moment, the two warriors facing off for battle are replaced-!

By two 1920's ladies tearing up a dance floor with hearts in their eyes.

Sofia and the protagonist from Speakeasy Tonight appear.

Brooklyn Babe: "Hey! I was watching that!"

Hot Menace (JD): "So was I. Got bored."

(I can't complain. Not when it's a historical piece involving two evidently queer women.)

Sultry Songstress (Sofia): "There's no exhausting you, is there bonita?"

Fiery Flapper Girl (MC): "You can certainly try it."

Madison and the protagonist from To Protect & Serve appear.

Suddenly the channel flips to an image of The White House, a woman in a suit standing inches apart from a wide-eyed brunette.

Agent in Love (Madison): "You're the President's daughter. Of course I would do anything to protect you."

Agent in Love: "But... that's not the only reason why."

President's Daughter (MC): "Madison..."

As the two lean in to kiss, the channel changes again.

Brooklyn Babe: "Come on!"

Lights dance on the screen with bright, vivid colors galore.

A performer with tousled hair and a smirk in her eyes passes in a flash.

This performer being Esperanza from Sin with Me.

Announcer (Esperanza): "Calling all sinners! Let Las Vegas steal your heart away."

Hot Menace: "Oooh, this was made for a filthy sinner like me."

Mackenzie from Havenfall Is for Lovers appears.

Beautiful Butch (Mackenzie): "Okay, enough."

A woman in cozy flannel snatches the remote away.

Beautiful Butch: "What is with you? You're more annoying than usual today."

Hot Menace: "Ugh... it's Rahim's boyfriend."

The man next to them frowns.

Studded Stunner (Rahim): "What about him? He's been nothing but nice to you."

Hot Menace: "Exactly!"

Hot Menace: "The more time I spend with him, the more I want to be a better person. It's disgusting."

Beautiful Butch: "JD. You might be a pain, but you shouldn't get so frustrated comparing yourself to someone else."

Beautiful Butch: "You're perfectly good the way you are."

JD: "Stop it, you're making my eyes all sweaty."

I see one of the roleplayers has turned her attention to a girl in black lace sitting in the corner.

We see Emeril again, along with Vanessa from Havenfall Is for Lovers.

Iridescent Individual: "Everyone here seems so incredible."

Iridescent Individual: "How exciting is it that such an event exists? And we get to attend!"

Soft Goth Girl (Vanessa): "I've never gone out for pride before."

Soft Goth Girl: "I'm glad this year I actually have friends to go places with."

Soft Goth Girl: "Actually, we heard there's going to be a karaoke session later on the deck. You should come by!"

The other girl gasps softly, eyes glistening.

Iridescent Individual: "I've never been to karaoke!"

(Everyone seems to be getting along fast.)

Once I finish my drink, I wander back onto the decks with a sense of emptiness.

(All the guests here came with their friends.)

(Or, at least, they got to make friends on board.)

(My social media job comes with an inability to be social here, funny enough.)

(I kind of wish I had friends here.)

Next thing I know, I've smacked right into someone and fallen to the ground.

Dahlia: "Oof-!"

Dahlia: "Sorry, I wasn't looking where I was-!"

I look up to meet the icy, blue gaze of a woman towering over me.

It's Helena from Love and Legends.

(Oh. My God.)

Dahlia: "You're Helen! From The Helen Show!"

She blinks, frozen still.

(Calm down, Dahlia. Don't freak out.)

(Even if you'll remember this moment for the rest of your life!)

Dahlia: "I'm sorry. I've just been a fan of yours ever since I was little."

'''Not Helen? (Helena):''' "That's very kind, but I'm afraid you have the wrong woman. Helen is my sister."

(Oh. That's embarrassing.)

Dahlia: "Sorry about that."

Not Helen: "It's quite alright."

She helps me up, looking me up and down as she smiles gently.

Not Helen: "I may not be a talk show host, but I know potential when I see it."

Not Helen: "You have a bright future ahead. I'm sure of it."

Leaving my mouth agape, she struts off.

(That was...)

(I might need to lie down.)

I travel down beneath the deck, knowing my room has to be somewhere nearby.

Then comes the sound of screeching metal.

???: "Come on now, work with me."

I peer around the corner, finding someone in a soot covered jumpsuit crouched under some pipes.

(Something must be broken. They're really struggling.)

Handsome and Handy: "Dang Flabbit!"

The tinkerer sticks their head out as best they can.

Handsome and Handy: "Is someone there? Could I just have you get something from my toolbox?"

Dahlia: "Um, sure. Where is it?"

???: "Here."

A stranger with sweeping black hair finds the rusty toolbox in the corner.

Alex from Astoria: Fate's Kiss and Astoria: Lost Kisses appears.

Divine and Dashing (Alex): "What do you need?"

Handsome and Handy: "The small wrench, should be at the bottom there."

They gracefully slide the tool over, giving me a kind smile.

Divine and Dashing: "I have this covered. Go enjoy your cruise."

Dahlia: "Thanks."

(That was really nice of them.)

FInally, I find my room number and unlock the door...

...Finding that the room is totally full.

(Who are all these people?)

Everyone seems to be as confused as I am, flipping through their travel documents.

The main characters from various stories appear as they speak.

Bun Bi (Astoria): "There must be a mistake. My reservtion clearly reads Suite 317."

Would Look Cute in a Butterfly Mask (Villainous Nights): "So does mine..."

Messy Hair Don't Care (Havenfall Is for Lovers): "There has to be a mistake. Not all of us got the same room number."

Cute and Casual (Love and Legends): "I mean, we could always share."

One girl chuckles.

Pretty in Pink (Gangsters in Love): "Wouldn't be my first time sharing a room with strangers."

Cute and Casual: "Oof. TMI."

Pretty in Pink: "N-Not like that!"

Pretty in Pink: "There were some... special circumstances."

Cute and Casual: "It's cool, I'm just messing with you. I've been in a similar situation."

Vision in Blue (Sweet Enchantments): "I have too, actually. That's how I met my partner."

All girls turn their heads.

Pretty in Pink: "Really? That's how I met mine."

Adventurous Artist (Queen of Thieves): "Me too!"

Floral Beauty (Castaway): "Same here! Well, kind of."

A million questions arise as they all continue conversing.

(Maybe this is an opportunity. I wonder what else they could tell me...)

I hold up my phone.

Dahlia: "Would any of you be willing to expand on your stories as footage for the cruise?"

Pretty in Pink: "Sure!"

Messy Hair Don't Care: "I don't see why not."

Cute and Casual: "Film away."

(This could make some great material...)

A. Get the scoop on these girls' love lives!

B. It's too crowded.

---

B. It's too crowded.

Dahlia: "Actually, I'm getting a little claustrophobic in here."

Dahlia: "Maybe I'll run into some of you later."

(Right now, I'm too drained to stand in a tiny bedroom with eight other girls at once.)

While the girls begin to bond and exchange stories, I slip out and into the hall.

---

After getting a few more videos and photos, I head back up to the deck.

Music from the speakers vibrate the whole ship, shaking the floor below me as drunken cheers ring out in the distance.

(The job's only just begun. No one here is settling down until at least one in the morning.)

Suddenly I hear high pitched, giddy voices ring out from around the corner.

(One of them sounds very familiar.)

???: "Purple's my signature color, but I've always debated making my hair that kind of pastel pink you have."

???: "Oh but this suits you perfectly! And to think such a hue was contrived artificially..."

We see Altea from Love and Legends, then Andi from Villainous Nights.

Standing there is a short, pink-haired girl chatting it up with...

Dahlia: "Andi?"

Andi: "Wavy!"

She rushes forward, squishing me into a hug.

Andi: "Have you met Altea yet? You gotta get a picture of our hair next to each other."

(...I'm still confused, but it would make a great photo.)

Altea's blush goes deeper than their hair color as they pose back to back.

Altea: "I do have to run now, but it was wonderful meeting you!"

As Altea heads off, I notice everyone that Andi brought along with her.

Dahlia: "What are you doing here? I thought you weren't coming."

Andi: "Yeah, like I would miss this. Duke Vale offered some of those sweet, complimentary tickets from ChatSphere."

Definitely Throws Knives: "Then Andi recruited us into coming with her."

Coffee Connoisseur: "Even though I made it clear I had too much work to do."

Andi: "Too bad! It's Pride. This is required fun."

She grins, playfully poking me in the side.

Andi: "I wanted to bring a group along to support our favorite social media star!"

Andi: "Well, second favorite."

Dahlia: "Thanks for that."

Dahlia: "Regardless, I'm here on the job."

Dahlia: "I can't exactly put the camera down to run off with friends."

Andi: "Sure you can! Knowing you, you've got a lot of footage already."

Memes for a Living: "C'mooon. We're already here. And the cruise is almost over!"

Nice Hair Sweep: ""

I hesitate, considering their words.

(I do have quite a bit of footage.)

(And I've talked to pretty much everyone on this cruise.)

Andi: "Come on, it's a special day. I wanna spend it partying with my best rival."

Her smile is contagious.

(This is what I wanted. To celebrate Pride with friends.)

(I'm really glad to have familiar company here.)

I slide my phone into my back pocket, feeling strange with my hands now empty.

(But in a good way.)

Dahlia: "All right. I'm all yours for the night."

Andi: "That's what I'm talking about! Now let's boogie!"

She drags me onto the dance floor, spinning me into the beat of the music.

(She's right. I've worked hard enough today.)

(Time to let loose for Pride.)

And I do, jumping with Andi in a flood of rainbow lights, prepared to dance the night away.