((I think the Artiste is going to ground me or something.))
Kevin waves.
"Don't worry, these guys are really friendly! They gave me this cool party ring!"
"It's a strange thing to ask, really, but are you drunk, Kevin?""We all are! Party rings, you know.""Want a ring to help you with that as well?" Stephen asks in an innocuous manner.
"No need. I can get perfectly drunk the conventional way, really. I did so yesterday, in fact.""Good for you! Feeling okay now?""I'm good, thank you.""Because, barring work circumstances, I've found it unquestionably better to be drunk for two days straight than just one.""Once again, I'm good. Really."At this moment, the group becomes aware of Erin, who seems to have approached suddenly along with Evelyn.
"I heard something about party rings.""We've got a bunch.""Can I have one?""Sure!" Stephen says and hands her one of his rings.
"Feel free to keep it for as long as you like. I keep a steady supply around. These things can be a mite insensitive, you know, so make sure to turn the dial as far as possible!""I've always wondered how these work!" Erin excitedly says and turns the dial almost three-quarters of its entire range. She then stumbles backward, supporting herself against a barrel. Her eyes spontaneously become glazed, and she seems pretty unsteady.
"Whoa. Whoa, y'guys. What just happened? Why's the floor... swaying like that?" As she tries to get her bearings, Stephen and Lizzie both start to laugh.
"Hahahah! That never gets old!""Look at her, she looks like a first-year student on her first night out!""Very funny."After a moment spent laughing, Lizzie turns back to the Artiste.
"By the way, that's a cool duck you have there," she mentions, pointing at Evelyn.
"She's not actually a duck, to be honest. I think our skeletal doctor got to her.""That's great!" Lizzie says, turning to Kevin.
"So, there a place we can sit? I don't want to slum it on a barrel like the others here that aren't ghosts.""What's wrong with sitting on a barrel? This guy right here loves it," Stephen says, indicating the Artiste.
"We probably should get chairs out here someday, though.""It's so undignified, you know. And I like open air settings as much as the next-""No, you don't. You don't even breathe!""Well, neither do you.""Correction! I do! I don't have to, but I do! I'll have you know it feels great.""I suppose you can stay out here, then.""I'd love to!" Stephen says half-spitefully, half-jokingly.
"Right, buddy?" he continues, nudging the Artiste with his elbow. The Artiste sighs again.
"We love it on deck. In touch with nature, the sea spray hitting out faces... besides, there's the other reason, you know?" he says. Lizzie just chuckles and nods.
"Yes, of course. Want to go below decks, Kevin? I'd like to see the inside of the ship, you know."