Suddenly, the door to the small kitchen swung open revealing the morning’s dawn shining through the tall door. A shadow cast over Venus as she ignored the burning sun against her pale porcelain skin. She shrugged it off as her cravings for the salty water pushing The Anastasia along grew stronger with every ray burning through her. A hefty voice sogged into the room with the light morning breeze, “aye, Scotty. Did you think I wouldn’t be awake for yer famous Citrine Omelets?” He hacked out the lump in his throat and gave a haughty grin.

Plopping himself down he slumped over and yawned, “the name’s Kenny. I help hoist the anchor and organize the forecastle after the men lug the crates in. Scotty!” He turned to his crewmate washing dishes, having a supply of sighs every time his name is called, “ya know when cap’n will be up? There’s a leak down ‘er he should know about.” He wrung out his shirt, spilling seawater everywhere making Venus twitch in her seat.

She scooted away trying to fight the urge to jump out the tiniest drop of home and swallowed, “Venus. I’m sure there’s no need for introductions though.” She looked at Scotty once more and breathed, “I’ll be going back after seeing the king anyways.”

Kenny burst out laughing and even had to wipe away a few tears before confessing, “sorry love but seeing the king ain’t no walk in the meadow. He’s a busy man over there.”

“Even if he doesn’t have the time nor wants to see me, he will. Whether he wills it or not, it is his destiny after all.” She sat solemnly having made up her mind on everything. “It is my duty to get what I need from him.”

“And what might that be sweetheart?”

The one word made the whole boat they sat in languidly shift as if the Kraken itself threw a single punch at it out of nowhere. The sunny rays from the rising sun drowned in the swarming clouds as Venus took in the doubting words from the lard of a sailor in front of her. She stood up and opened her mouth but was cut off by the only mediator there, “that’s going too far, Kenny. She’s a guest on our Captain’s ship and should be treated as such.”

Kenny looked him up and down, a d for the first time saw him as more than just the captain’s lap dog. “I get it, Scott,” he scoffed and ruffled his mate's hair. “Can I still get that omelet though?”

“Possibly,” his gaze shifted to the boiling over pot then to Venus then back to him and nudged him along.

“I apologize, little-lady. I know yous a guest, should’ve taken better care to remember.” He gave a mock bow then turned back to a physically disgusted Scotty. “What about now?”

He gave another sigh to his oblivious mate then cracked more eggs into the warm pan, “you’re lucky I somewhat like you.” He flipped the gas back on and struck a match as the door swung open again.

More men shuffled in and greeted Scotty asking for their share too. The sun had just taken over for the moon but the crew couldn’t wait another minute to start their day. Echoes of laughter and jeering echoed from the room as Venus stood up and swiftly headed for the door. As she left, another crewmate took her stool making it as if she hadn’t been there since before them all the whole time.

Looking back through the doorway, the scene of Scotty and his friends laughing together shifted to a scene she’d seen once before any of them had been born. The wooden walls melted into salty seawater with the men’s clothing slipping away to reveal scales. Where Scotty once stood frying eggs for his comrades was now Vulcan vigorously laughing himself senseless with his own friends. The two moments blended together in Venus’ mind making her smile warmly without a word goodbye. As she walked onto the deck thinking of her past, she scratched the back of her neck while looking far off across the sea waiting for the next day to come.