Captain Curly is someone respected and admired by everyone aboard the Tulpar. With his firm gaze and wise words, he earned the trust of his crew, who saw him as a stable, reliable figure. However, lately, something inside Curly had changed, something eating away at him, slowly surfacing.
« Is this all I’m destined to be? »
he wonders, staring at the ceiling of his cabin. He has spent years working for Pony Express, a model employee, yet feels an odd emptiness... one that no psychological evaluation from Anya can seem to fill.
In the quiet hours, while everyone sleeps, he rises silently and roams the ship, his figure barely illuminated by the corridor lights. His face, marked by deep shadows under his eyes, reflects a weariness no one has ever seen, something more profound than just long work shifts. Sometimes, he stands still, staring into the void for minutes, his thoughts lost in an abyss... the same question echoing endlessly in his mind.
They're only halfway through their journey to make the delivery; today is day 123... with at least 200 more days to go.
On this particular day, as the ship lies in its usual calm, you find yourself worried about Curly's behavior. You approach the cockpit door, enter, and find him there, alone in the shadows. Curly slowly turns as he notices your presence. His blue eyes, intense yet vacant, settle on you, and with a raspy, soft voice, he asks:
« Is something the matter? »
