Speakeasy at Sea (PT/IC)(SIGN UP FIRST)

[Seleucid Pergamon]

Seeing how this was another white man with no signs of Germanic nor Austrain roots, he had absolutely no problem with him. After inspecting him for anything illegal, he was able to go and be greeted by an officer, who let him through first class.

“Good morning sir, welcome aboard the SS Fascination. Max, Vic. Please show this man to his cabin if you will, and please take his luggage with him”.

Vic and Max
Vic was standing idly while Max was looking around, for anything really. He found this ship rather boring despite its purpose. Carrying fat rich slobs on a booze cruise. Although a drop didn’t sound bad, maybe some rich girl here wouldn’t be bad either. His thoughts were stabbed by the calling of his name, it was that damned chief steward. More bags to carry. There were plenty more passengers so it didn’t really surprise him.

The two went to where they were called over and assisted the passenger with his bags. “Good morning sir, welcome to the Fascination.” Vic greeted the man as the two began carrying his bags “My name’s Vic, or Victor if you want. The other mule over here’s Max.” he chuckled a bit “Ya know, if you ever need anything just let us know and all that. Mind if I ask where ya from?”

Grigorios observed the two approaching men, and smiled once they greeted him and motioned to carry his bags.

"Nice to meet you both, and I will surely do," Grigorios greeted them back before turning to Vic, "I am from Pergamon, and I am returning there after a short vacation. An indubitably beautiful country; much like here, though more captivating. And since you both are serving on this ship, you'll get to see it for yourself."

[AHSCA]

“Oh, for the special cargo. Certainly”. The purser brings out the cash safe, turned the crank for the combinations, and grabbed two hundred dollars out of it. “Here you go officer” he states. Once the money was handed, she goes to find two sailors, one a spanish man with brown stylized hair, and the other a Scottish man with brown hair and blue eyes. Being handed the heavy duty rope, she tells her experience on another liner.

“Och. That soonds absolutely tedious. Wouldn't ye say sae Esteban?”
(“Oh. That sounds absolutely tedious. Wouldn’t you say so Estaban?”)

“Si, sounds totally… what you English types say… crazy”.

“Ah coudnae gree wi' ye mair. 'n' dinna fash yirsel boaby. We wull hae th' cargo a' secured in th' haud, as secure as th' pacific is wide”.
(“I couldn't agree with you more. And don't worry officer. We will have the cargo all secured in the hold, as secure as the Pacific is wide”.)

As the sailors were tying up the cargo, the mafia man beside the dock was waiting for his payment, looking at his watch waiting for his payment.

"Crazy indeed. Men, I'll be back in a few to keep helping you, there's a deposit the purser has asked me to make." She did realize she hadn't gone there first like maybe she should but it was good to get this going. There was the man awaiting her "god morgon" {Good morning} she bid him but keeping up with English "I believe you've been waiting for me, sorry for the delay." She pulled out the leather pouch given to her with all the money inside. "The purser counted it himself so it should be all there but feel free to count it to be sure, any discrepancies I'll get the rest."

[Lux Pulchrae]

"Nice to meet you both, and I will surely do," Grigorios greeted them back before turning to Vic, "I am from Pergamon, and I am returning there after a short vacation. An indubitably beautiful country; much like here, though more captivating. And since you both are serving on this ship, you'll get to see it for yourself."

Indubitably, Vic thought to himself. Geez, what an ass. Are these the type of people I'm gonna be kissing up to? "I don't know, sir. I've been out in the mountains back over in Upstate. And seen a lot of the country traveling all the way over here. I'd say it's hard to beat. Max says it's beautiful, but alright. Says Bellaluce is prettier. Talk about a bias."

"You are a donkey." Max responded.

Vic smiled, brushing him off "So, we'll get to see this Pergamon of yours? Sounds nice. What kinda place is it?"

"It is-a Greco. Greek. No? I might 'ear about it. Ercule." Max laughed a bit.

[Cartoonia]

... "Too bad about your friend not being able to make it. Hope she'll meet you in the Cartune Islands so you can have fun!"

“Oh yeah, she plans on coming over later in the month, we’re moving down into a small seaside hamlet called Jaksakota” Aki says, “We hopefully can get a job there in the newly built fisheries, and we also hope to secure a job for her as well”.

“Though, it is a shame that this ticket is wasted. Anyway, I assume you will be joining your folks once you arrive in the Cartune Isles… … … Oh!” Mikko exclaims in surprise. “Sorry, I don’t think we ever got your name?”

---

... Victorique whom taken a rather big bite of her muffin could only nod a hello.

---

… "So, Trisha, are you and your boys also migrating to the Cartune Islands as we are?"

“Oh, thank you very much. I do say that it might as well taken ages to find a good table to sit with my boys here. It is a pleasure to meet you, Beatrice. My name is Arthur Kirkland, and these are my boys Alfred and Matthew”. The boys waved hello at both Beatrice and the two girls.

“You have such wonderful and respectable children here. I assume that you are both of their caretakers for the time being, traveling to the Cartune Isles like we are?”

---

“That must sound horrible. Being separated from your daughter because of the color of your skin. You shouldn’t fret. I’m not a judgmental person, and from what I hear, The Cartune Isles isn’t judgemental either”. Trisha then answers Sara’s other question.

“Yes, we are migrating to the Cartune Isles. We used to live in Germany a while back. My boys were born in 1916 and ‘17 during the Great War”. Trisha begins looking down melancholically. “My husband was called to serve, he never did come back to us though. We were hit with inflation after the war, we could barely afford bread. So I figured we moved out to the states before it gets worse. There were more opportunities for a single mother like me to raise my boys in the Cartune Isles. I was lucky to make enough money in Philadelphia. I guess we all have our sad stories don’t we?”

---

... "The purser counted it himself so it should be all there but feel free to count it to be sure, any discrepancies I'll get the rest."

“Ah, yes” The mob boss counted the money to double-check. “Very good. Everything is in order”. He pulls out some money from his own pocket, about $15 and gave it to the officer.

“For you ma’am, a little something of generosity from me. And…” he goes back into his pocket for $25. “Give the captain my regards”. He hands the money to her. She leaves for the bridge at once to tell the captain everything is in order.

“Very good. Thank you Officer Lindgrin” Captain Iwatani states. He checks his pocket watch. It was about time to leave the port to the Cartune Isles.

“We will be leaving soon. Officer Simpson, get all the officers up onto the bridge, and tell the stewards that we will be leaving. Make sure the cargo hold gets closed tight and the gangway door”.

“Aye sir” and he does so. Naofumi turns to Officer Lindgrin.

“Officer Lindgrin, can you get the Chaplin up on board too. We will be doing a little prayer service for the officers. You know, for good fortunes at sea”.

---

... How close are we to my room?"

“Not that far ma’am, nearly there”. They arrived to the cabin. Not as luxurious as first-class staterooms, but not too small like third-class cabins. It was a nice cabin nonetheless.

“Of you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call for a steward. And I would like to mention that we will be conducting lifeboat drills once we get under way”.

[Dyrrhonian Isles]

... How close are we to my room?"

“Not that far ma’am, nearly there”. They arrived to the cabin. Not as luxurious as first-class staterooms, but not too small like third-class cabins. It was a nice cabin nonetheless.

“Of you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call for a steward. And I would like to mention that we will be conducting lifeboat drills once we get under way”.

"Certainly, sir. Good luck to you and your fellows, and I look forward to the drills later. Life is short."

That was all the steward said to comfort her.

Lia did not need to be reminded that the room was larger and cozier than what she was accustomed to. She could see a painting of a few ships, and a book about the American Civil War: a selection of its highlights, at least. She skimmed through and found a page that caught her eye; it said, "The Rebel is awakening. The tide is turning. The North has been thrown into a confusion of war and confusion. Loyalists, Federal and otherwise, are being exterminated one by one until only a few remain-a scene not seen since the War began. The Union is at war with itself, and the only thing that is certain is that the war will be long and bloody-perhaps eternal."

She removed the book from her lap, put it back on her night stand, and hung her outer coat.

"Well, then, I suppose I'll get settled."

[AHSCA]

“Ah, yes” The mob boss counted the money to double-check. “Very good. Everything is in order”. He pulls out some money from his own pocket, about $15 and gave it to the officer.

“For you ma’am, a little something of generosity from me. And…” he goes back into his pocket for $25. “Give the captain my regards”. He hands the money to her. She leaves for the bridge at once to tell the captain everything is in order.

“Very good. Thank you Officer Lindgrin” Captain Iwatani states. He checks his pocket watch. It was about time to leave the port to the Cartune Isles.

“We will be leaving soon. Officer Simpson, get all the officers up onto the bridge, and tell the stewards that we will be leaving. Make sure the cargo hold gets closed tight and the gangway door”.

“Aye sir” and he does so. Naofumi turns to Officer Lindgrin.

“Officer Lindgrin, can you get the Chaplin up on board too. We will be doing a little prayer service for the officers. You know, for good fortunes at sea”.

"Aye Captain!" She went off to fetch Chaplin Asagiri to conduct morning service with the officers, a bit of a custom. Hey all needed good fortunes and prayers for good voyages ahead. Given both Azura and Shino were from the same region, they shared knowledge of each other's customs of their islands, even before they'd unify as the state it was today. "Ah right, getting about time to set off, Captain? Then I shall begin." Shino agreed with enthusiasm.

"Ahem, to all the Gods, Goddesses, Spirits of the Heavens, Earths and Universes before us. God, Yahweh, Jehovah, Christ, Madokami, Homukami all divinity who will listen and watch over your progeny...We begin to set sail for new lands and familiar lands. We know your domains are your own but our realms connect as we gather together to pay homage to you all. When the seas grow high to remind us of your mighty powers before us we are reminded how small we often are. We pray to you all for good journeys ahead, should you decide your souls are yours to take we hope you will take mercy upon us." Grim? Perhaps but anyone who went to sea knew they could be perilous and certainly ships of faithful had gone down.

"We wish a prosperous journey ahead, we as crew and stewards of your faithful pray for the strength and ability to carry all safely across the seas. Your tests come and go but our faith remains."

[Abetton]

“Oh, thank you very much. I do say that it might as well taken ages to find a good table to sit with my boys here. It is a pleasure to meet you, Beatrice. My name is Arthur Kirkland, and these are my boys Alfred and Matthew”. The boys waved hello at both Beatrice and the two girls.

“You have such wonderful and respectable children here. I assume that you are both of their caretakers for the time being, traveling to the Cartune Isles like we are?”



“That must sound horrible. Being separated from your daughter because of the color of your skin. You shouldn’t fret. I’m not a judgmental person, and from what I hear, The Cartune Isles isn’t judgemental either”. Trisha then answers Sara’s other question.

“Yes, we are migrating to the Cartune Isles. We used to live in Germany a while back. My boys were born in 1916 and ‘17 during the Great War”. Trisha begins looking down melancholically. “My husband was called to serve, he never did come back to us though. We were hit with inflation after the war, we could barely afford bread. So I figured we moved out to the states before it gets worse. There were more opportunities for a single mother like me to raise my boys in the Cartune Isles. I was lucky to make enough money in Philadelphia. I guess we all have our sad stories don’t we?”

"My, that's appreciated though I only deserve partial credit, it's also the rigidness and high class of their father The Captain who deserves just as much credit. I've just acted as their maternal figure and teacher in his long times at sea. We are indeed heading to Cartune, that's where their father is currently, waiting to have a lovely holiday with his girls. By the heaven's willing that this hunk of metal gets a move on." she looked at her watch, getting close to departure.

---

"Oh my" Sara muttered something of a prayer in her native language of her islands "So much suffering, I can only hope it truly will be the end of all wars as they say it is. We'll wait and see I imagine. Sadness is with life but happiness too. So let's be happy, we lost some things but we still have much to hold onto. Your boys and my dear daughter. This new land will bring us great opportunities as women in the face of our adversity! Tis glorious."

Cordelia nodded in agreement with her mother and finally spoke in a rather soft voice "I was sad to be away from mama. But there was a nice old lady named Mrs. Fisch. She took care of me on the Leigh. Made sure I got to eat and made sure I could use the toilets. But I forget what ship she said she was going on after we arrived in America."