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

by **Cartoonia** » Wed Jun 09, 2021 6:40 pm

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Music for the age

Port of Long Beach, California, United States of America. Thursday, June 11, 1925. 10:00 AM

The smell of the salty air of the harbor of Long Beach. It was combined with the smell of oil and liquor as the ocean liner SS Fascination was being fueled and loaded up for a voyage from California to the Cartune Isles (present-day Cartoonia). This wasn’t any normal transpacific voyage. This was also a booze cruise. It is the Roaring Twenties after all.

Prohibition was in full swing. Speakeasies were popping up left, right, and center. American composer George Gershwin premiered his work “Rhapsody in Blue” a year ago. Author F. Scott Fitzgerald published “The Great Gatsby”. The Scopes Trial was challenging traditionalism with modernity, and it seems the world was becoming more degenerate and decadent with each passing year. It was truly an age of progress, and a somewhat return to normalcy after the Great War to end all wars and the devastating Spanish Flu.

The Cartune Isles was no different. Being a colony of the United States, they were allowed to practice self-governance and they ruled against prohibition. It seems that the Cartune Isles was becoming a popular destination for vacationing Americans looking to get a fix for alcohol. In this great age with money and credit becoming more accessible to the common folk, the second class has more or less become an economic tourist class for those who want to vacation on a budget. The great immigration wave was slowly decreasing each year. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t immigrants trying to come to the Cartune Isles for work opportunities.

The Pacific-Oriental Steam Navigation Company was accommodating this new class by offering cruises to the Cartune Isles during the summer months. From California and across the sea in seven days, stopping by other ports of call for one day. The passengers would be sailing on the fastest and luxurious ship on the transpacific route. The SS Fascination, the former liner RMS Empress of Russia, had a wonderful reputation of being one of the luxurious liners with many amenities. This came about after the POSN gutted and redesigned her interior to a more Art Deco style featuring new amenities like a Turkish bath and this new-fangled Japanese hot springs (what is now known as an Onsen), a theater that is able to display new moving pictures, a pool for both first-class and second class passengers, and of course what everyone has been getting on board for, bars for different classes with a wide variety of alcoholic drinks, drinks not available to Americans on land.

All of this is fueled by oil, as many steamships were being converted to this new and efficient fuel source. Much cleaner, easier to manage, and can be stored anywhere. Oil was the new standard in this age of progress. The ship was being fueled by oil, and so were the heating elements of the ship, which might not be needed in this voyage as it is summer. Of course, the third class would still have to contend with having to use coal-powered stoves for heat. Nevertheless, all the cabins on this liner were more luxurious than the luxurious Aquitania or the Olympic. It was the specialty of the Pacific-Oriental Steam Navigation Company. Providing luxury and comfort to all of its passengers.

The crew was the most experienced of all of the POSN. And with the end of the Great War, former naval sailors have signed up to sail with different steamship companies to continue to work on the seas. One of the most senior officers was of course Captain Naofumi Iwatani, an experienced seaman who after leaving the naval service in the 1880s, served aboard various steamships all over the Cartune Isles and other ocean liners of the day. He was a chief officer onboard the RMS Cedric and the SS Larentic during the early 1900s. When America entered the Great War, he returned to naval service as captain of the USS Olympia (he was signed up for the officer’s naval reserve). He is now captain of the SS Fascination and the unofficial commodore of the POSN.

He stands on the bridge of the ship, looking over the bow of the ship. The seas are dead calm at the moment, but the voyage has seen some rough seas on the Pacific. It may not be the Atlantic with threatening icebergs, but the seas of the Pacific were just as dangerous. He likes to eat his breakfast up on the bridge looking over the calm seas of the port. His breakfast was rather simple, consisting of toast and marmalade and a cup of tea. It is not much, but he is a man that is not one for extravagance. He was here for his job as the captain of the ship and takes his job very seriously. He was truly experienced, and his physical appearance shows. He was aging but still had his short black (turning grey a small bit) hair that spikes in all directions and his sharp green eyes stare beyond the glass that stands between the bridge and the outside.

He checked his pocket watch for the time. 10:00 AM, another hour until the ship embarks on its crossing. Just as Captain Naofumi was in his thoughts, Chief Officer Abraham Simpson approached him with a message from other steamers at sea.

“Sir, storm warnings from other ships at sea, including the United States Coast Guard. Warning flags have also been hoisted”. Naofumi uses his binoculars to look out at the lighthouse where a red and black square flag is spotted, indicating storm conditions.

“Thank you Mr. Simpson. We should be able to reroute our ship to avoid the storms, and we will be conducting our lifeboat drills once we get underway today. You may return to your duties”.

“Thank you, sir”.

A young celebrity of the theater was returning home after a theatrical tour in the United States. She is as one would describe as a flapper girl of the day. She acts in different theatrical companies all over on the Cartune Isles, particularly in a city in the heart of Acme Island where theatres were popping up all over the place. Beatrice Boopford was her name, often going by the name of Betty Boop, and right now she is wearing a white long dress and a white hat. She would usually wear a short skirt flapper dress which of course leaves little to the imagination. Having been on Broadway for nearly half a year, she is eager to return home after the longest string of performances she has had. She has a nice apartment room down in New New York, and it is probably one of the few places where she can find a bit of quiet from the hectic work.

After going through the newly formed customs, which were becoming more rigorous because of both the effects of Prohibition and The Great War, she walks up the ramp, boarding the ship. She is greeted by Mr. Kyoya Ootori, the chief steward of the ship.

“Good morning Ms. Boopford. Back from Broadway so soon?”

“Oh yes, darling!” Betty replies in a cute and decadent manner. “It’s been a while since I have been at home. I’m returning for a short while Mr. Ootori”.

“We are glad you have chosen us for your travels. Please allow our staff to take your belongings and show you to your suite”. The stewards and stewardesses take her luggage and take it to her cabin.

“Thank you very much, Mr. Ootori”.

“Anything for our returning customers”.

“Say, is the bar open yet?”

“We are still in an American port, so we won’t be having the bar open until we leave, but if you are thirsty, we have the restaurant open for breakfast. You can enjoy our selections of coffee and tea”.

“Thank you Mr. Ootori”.

The winds blow from all directions. For the wind carries a breath of change. This is the philosophy of a young girl, that has traveled from Finland to all over America. Her light brown hair waves through the crisp air on the stern deck of the ship. It was a little chilly in the early morning, but that is to be expected. It will probably be sunny and windy later in the day when the ship enters international waters.

Her name is Mika Shimada. Formerly a member of the Finnish aristocracy, the Finnish Civil War ended with the death of her family, but she doesn’t mind. She moved on, to Great Britain, to France, and then to the United States, and now to the Cartune Isles. She thinks she might be able to find work in railroad construction, as she read that a new trans-island railroad was under construction.

She looks over the stern into a state of mind. Her fingers playing a kantele she had from her homeland. She plays a slow, but familiar folk song. Her friends join her on top, a light blondie named Aki and a reddish brunette named Mikko. Both have been friends with Mika when she migrated to America.

“Hey Mika!” Mikko shouts, “We’re going down to have breakfast. Want to join us?”

“Later perhaps. I’m not feeling hungry at the moment”.

“Again!” Mikko protests, “You can't just skip breakfast everytime”. Mika usually skips meals, mostly to save money as she lived with not a lot of money on her. It was a habit for her, even on a ship with a common meal service, she tends to skip it.

“Oh don’t worry about me” she says, “I’ll eat something later. I’ll meet you down in the public area when I’m done up here”.

“When will that be?” Aki asks Mika softly.

“When the wind changes fate. The wind decides what we do, who lives and dies”.

“What does that suppose to mean?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Mikko says to Aki, “Let’s head down. Well meet you down there too Mika”.

The port was certainly busy. Customs officers made sure that the passengers had their boarding pass and other documentation to allow them through onto the ship. As first and second-class passengers were rubbered stamped into the ship, a health inspector checked third-class passengers to make sure they were healthy enough to board. Bootleggers secretly resupplied the ship with booze to keep bars operating. The band leaders for first and second class played pianos in their respective classes’ dining saloons for the breakfast services. Cargo and mail heading towards the Cartune Isles, as well as parts of a new fangled, newly invented aeroplanes, were being loaded. And speaking of, Douglas DTs can be heard and seen in the air from the Army Aerodome closeby, going on test flights.

This world was becoming smaller and smaller. But for now, the passengers leave the modern dry world and to a world of elegance, fashion, and (of course…) booze.

by **The Selkie** » Thu Jun 10, 2021 12:42 am

Port of Long Beach, California.
Princess Aurelia bint-Tarek.
For any normal girl, it would be an impressive sight - for me, it was an impressive sight, but one, which I was used to by now. For two years, I travelled the world, send home travelling reports for publishing in major newspapers, together with the odd photograph.
My brother was already telling me of how I was known as the Travelling Princess back home. A number of his friends were eagerly awaiting my next stories of faraway places.
Next stop on the list: The Cartune Islands.
At the same time, it was not only for the amusement of myself or the common masses that I did these travels. For two years now, Kyrenaian troops were fighting the Muetad-Uprising (I did not know it, but this colonial mess would be the start of the Decolonization Wars, which would, by their end in fourty years, see the collapse of the Kyrenaian Colonial Empire). My reports were the much-needed breath of fresh air on the front pages, not to mention a huge boon for the glories of the House of the Khan of Susa, my father.
We, that means myself and my loyal Handmaiden Fara Murtaha, were boarding the SS Fascination - we did not know, that she was a speakeasy. We knew, what those were, the Prohibition had been a topic of discussion between the two of us and we even had been to a few, but in our opinion, it was a wrong policy aimed at the right problem. Well, it was my opinion, which Fara had adopted as her own.
In general, however, the United States, Home of Freedom and whatnot, had been our least favourite stopover. Sure, the landscapes were beautiful, but maybe we had come at a difficult time? Prohibition, gang wars, corruption, racism... it was a weird thing for a Kyrenaian Princess to be looked at crossly because her skin was not white.
Sure, I was not black either (and black being one of the more polite terms used to describe African-Americans), but... yes, I was not white. I knew the concept of racism well enough, but being on the receiving end was a new experience. One, which I had written about and one, which I had not liked, but which had been enlightening.
But the Cartune Islands were now on our minds.
An aircraft rattled overhead. My younger brother was training to be a pilot with the Armies of the Five Deserts and I had flown once or twice during my travels, but it was still one of these new-fangled things, which had come into fashion.
The car with which we had arrived was far more usual by now, but thinking that I did my first trip to the Al-Khansa Girls' Academy first via train and then via horse... times sure were changing.
A steward took care of our lugguage and both my Handmaiden and I, the former of which had her own cabin next to mine. I had chosen the SS Fascination both because of her luxury and because she had been a good choice to get to the Cartune Islands, her Captain and crew with a good reputation.
Wearing a light, but decent dress, one with a waistline and not one of the new shift dresses (I had one in a chest, though). My hat was not very radical, and not a cloche either, and my blue hair was long and open, not bob-cut. Not exactly the most popular choices, but I was proud of my hair.
I approached the customs officer, corresponding documents for both myself and Fara in hand. My Handmaiden did speak English, but mine was decidedly better.
"Good morning, Sir.", I greeted and handed him the papers, "I believe, that you'll find everything in order."

by **Polish Prussian Commonwealth** » Fri Jun 11, 2021 9:00 pm

Port of Long Beach, California

"Twenty-Three Skidoo." Stefan recited, before cocking his head, turning to his older patron. "Is this a...what do you call it, Admiral? A shibolleeth?"
"It's pronunced 'shibboleth'." Edwyn replied, with a smile, before shaking his head in confusion. "I haven't the faintest idea either. It's odd, isn't it? Right before something, anything, major happens, they always make you say the strangest things. Anyway. Twenty-Three Skidoo. Sergeant MacDuff?"
The Royal Marine scoffed and rolled his eyes, but complied anyways. "Twenty-three Skidoo, sir...that said, couldn't we have just taken the steamer straight from London?"

Edwyn snorted. "We'd be early by a year, Sergeant. No point in you gambling away all your savings in that time. Might as well take the scenic route too. Yanks might be uptight bastards but the country's a beautiful place. I can see why they wanted to get over here 200 years ago. And besides-" he smiled. "Unlike London, there's weather besides just 'rain'."

Macduff shrugged. "Fair enough, Admiral...Stefan, you have your luggage?"

The naval architect nodded and patted his coat-pocket. Within lay a good deal of important information regarding ship designs. "Yep!" He affirmed.

Edywn frowned. "You know, you really ought to keep your notes in a proper case."

"And let them get searched?"

"...They can check your pockets too, if they want, you realize that?"

"...ah. Well, too late for that."

MacDuff sighed and shook his head.

With that, the three men approached Customs, and began to hand over their papers, identifying themselves as British naval personnel. Edwyn and MacDuff certainly looked the part, in their crisp uniforms. Stefan's wrinkled and faded suit, however, seemed to clash somewhat with his status as a well-paid and somewhat highly-regarded naval architect.

The Cartune Isles, of course, were not their final stop; ultimately, all three were travelling for business. They were reaching the end of their journey; from the Isles they would divert immediately to a steamer to Singapore, and then on to Hong Kong, where all three had positions to take up; Edwyn as commander of the China Station, MacDuff as his aide and adjuntant, and Stefan as one of the employees at the maintence and repair shops at the Royal Navy's base there.

by **Katase** » Fri Jun 11, 2021 9:44 pm

Port of Long Beach

Bumps, bumps bumps, dips dips dips, rises rises rises, dear me, this place is dreadful. What place is that? The back of a strange truck moving down the coast to take me to my ship. Well not MY ship, not like I own it or even work on it for that matter. No I'm having to climb my way aboard like a little rat scurrying up the ropes but it's my only chance. Who am I you ask? To be honest, I'm nobody special. But since you asked, I'm Momiji. I'm a pitiful girl, sob story after sob story to tell you. It began in 1922, my home country of Katase. Nadeshiko was shaken to the core in a terrible earthquake, which cost my dear parents my life. Only survivor of our family was myself and my older sister, Hitomi. We were bounced orphanage to orphanage before being taken in by a man from Fujisawa. A wealthy, respected man in the community, a titan of business and industry! Everyone said, oh how kind of the man, to take two young sisters in but he was not a nice man. He had a dark side to him, a man with a lot of friends who do terrible things. He did things I'd rather not mention to my sister but for me, he just decided I was best used as a punching bag for him. Canes, shoes, or simply his own two hands. It all came to blows one cold rainy night as Hitomi with all her might slammed down the fire poker straight through him. Her last words to me were RUN, so I ran, never to see her again, at least not likely.

I still feel guilty for running off, I should have stayed and faced what was coming to us with big sister but knowing her she'd never let me take any blame for it. She told me to run, so I ran. Sis, I hope you'll forgive me in death! So here I am, I'm in America, I had to leave Katase or face certain death but America wasn't my final destination, the far off Cartune Islands. As my memory serves, I have an aunt there, one of my mother's sisters. Of course as many have pointed out, what if she won't take me in? I suppose I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. So months jumping from Katase ship to katase ship, months of hitting ports, months of stormy seas and calm seas too, here I am, having arrived in America's Northwest and hitching rides all the way down to California. Such a pretty place, I must admit but I'm 13, there's no way I can survive here on my own. Only reason I've made it this far is the kindness of strangers, even then I've had to use up all my money to make it here. Not enough for a ticket so that means, I gotta get aboard. Now mind you, I thought about going about this honestly, trying to work for the money for a ticket to get aboard a ship that'd go its way to the island eventually but again being as young as I am, there's just no way. Though I've been able to work some of the orchards that dot this place, it's usually a few dollars at most if I'm lucky, often it was just for a meal. I am sorry good people of this ship, but I am desperate and this is my last chance.

The truck came to a halt, I had gotten lost in my thoughts for a while to keep my mind and stomach a bit settled, though being at sea for so long, I'd rather gotten used to rough rides. The back of the truck opened up letting in the sunlight and blinding me for a few moments. The driver came around and told me, "Here you are, dear. Palm Beach." He told me. An older gentleman who had a fruit orchard a ways north. In exchange for a days work, he drove me down here. No cash, but at least food and a place to rest for the night prior.

"Ah thank you." I thanked best I could, not sure if he could understand me but I think I was able to communicate well enough. I still felt I should offer up, I had what they call uuuh two bits on me, but he refused "Keep it. Good luck to you." He closed up the back of his truck and headed on his way. There she was, my ticket to freedom, I hoped, it could also be a ticket to my early demise. SS Fascination, I had to get aboard somehow. I was pretty small, maybe I could hide in some luggage and make my way out to the third class. I mean really, nobody would take me for a first class passenger. Maybe if my kimono was a bit more fancy but at this point it was patched together and certainly a little dirty, though I did my best to clean it whenever I had a place to stay. The docks were busy with many passengers gathering, getting ready to board and parting their loved ones goodbye. Talking with the ships crew as they made rounds to make sure they'd be ready to set off. I suppose I could just walk aboard like I own the place and if they question me, pretend I dropped my ticket and hastily get back on land to look for it. There was a strong odor in the air, I'd been around plenty of ships so I was used to the smell of burning coal by this point but this was different? Not sure what, I'm not really mechanical.

"Hitomi," I whispered to myself, starting to feel overwhelmed by it all, "I'm scared." tears at this point began to stream down my cheeks "This is my last chance." It was now or never, I gotta get aboard somehow some way so I walked around the docks some more, as I got away from where all the passengers were gathered, it was a bit more deserted over here, it seemed to be where they loaded on supplies and cargo. If there was a gangway, even a loading platform that would be my chance.

by **Northern Amerique** » Sat Jun 12, 2021 9:28 am

Port of Long Beach, United States of America.
June 11th | 10:12 AM

Dubon sat on a bench near the water, watching the ships bob gently in the steadily worsening water. He pulled a small notebook and a pencil from his overcoat pocket and began sketching the SS Fascination. It was a lovely ship, and he thought no better to take him, his drawing was crude but acceptable, nervous hands he thought to himself. His wife had only begun to teach him the wonders of drawing when she and his only child had passed from Spanish Flu. He pushed the booklet back in his pocket and stood up, adjusting his homburg, and picking up his luggage.

He walked the piers heading to customs control, his mind was still not at ease despite most of the dangers behind him. It was a new experience to him, this fear that had gripped the last few years of his life, not that anyone could tell, his proud swagger and upright posture belying a more confident man.

He approached customs and presented his luggage, it was simple, some clothes, a spare hat, and a few personal effects. But much like his outward appearance his suitcase hid it's own secret, 750,000 ₣ worth of Bearer Bonds, the last remaining vestiges of his once impressive wealth, sewn in behind the liner.

by **Abetton** » Sat Jun 12, 2021 1:30 pm

The Duvet Family

How exciting, a round the world cruise from Abetton all the way to the Cartune Islands and everywhere else in-between! The two young girls of the Duvet family daughter of Captain Duvet, a respected ship captain, decorated naval officer, granddaughters to J.R. Duvet, a captain of industry within Abetton's manufacturing industry. Though Abetton often looked like it was still a few decades behind the rapidly developing world of the 20th century it still was holding its own for a while. The Duvet girls, Histoire and her little sister Victorique along with their Au pair, Beatrice, on their way to reunite with their father whom just made the voyage to the island aboard the S.S. Journeyman, an old coal steamer that left Abetton six months ago. As much as they would have liked to be aboard their father's ship, it just wasn't in the cards as their school holiday wouldn't start until the second week their father set out. Beatrice was good but there just was no substitution for a good education with the best teachers. Good old, Bea was more about keeping them sharp and cared for during those breaks. Rather than go to their country villa, a voyage was so much more exciting and fun. They arrived a week ago in California of America, were able to enjoy the state for a while now it was time to get aboard their next ship the SS Fascination. Histoire looked up at the mighty ship in awe and wonder. She might not look it, but she as just as interested in ships, sailing and the like as her father. Sure she was expected to be a refined young lady but her innert desire was to navigate the great ocean liners like her father. Nothing about the sea phased her, huge waves? Kids' stuff! Sea sickness? Not with her, no way.

By contrast her dear little sister wasn't as excited about getting on another boat already. "Uuuuuh Histy, can't we take a dira-dira-uuuh those big things that look like silver cigars?"

"Vicky, you hush up? Those things threaten to unseat papa! Certainly not." As if Histoire really had authority in the matter, really this was arranged by their father every step of the way. "Come on, it's going to be a lot of fun. We had fun all the way here did we not?"

"Maybe you, but I was cligning to the bed the whole time!"

"Oh silly, that was only three days of rough seas we went through, hardly the WHOLE time"

"oooh fine whatever, either way I'm tired of boats and the ocean and the waves everything else! I wanna go home now!"

"Now now, Young Miss." Beatrice's soothing voice calmed down Victorique. "Your father is eagerly awaiting you girls to meet him in Cartune. You don't want to upset him by not coming?"

"Eer, well no I wouldn't want that...."

"I know it's been tough some days but like your sister said, other days have been joyful. And we'll make it through this and you'll remember this forever as your favorite days of summer! Or winter? ooor uuh well whatever it is currently." She laughed a little.

"Yeah, and hey, I know we'll play dolls all day if we have bad seas. Promise you!"

"Dolls and House?"

"Whatever you want!"

"Oookay!" She grinned her toothy grin

The Barnes Family

Well it come to this, a need to leave Abetton for good. Too many things wrong in the last few years, bad crops, loss of her husband, a crippling drought, Abetton now was filled with too much heartache for poor Sara Barnes. The thing that kept her going, her daughter, pride and joy, Cordelia, what a cute little girl as she looked at her reflection in the water. Sara smiled at her as she continued to fill out the last papers she needed to sign and hand over pretty much the last of their savings, they were on wing and prayer now. Honestly Cartune Islands had good prospects, most of America seemed like it would but America wasn't really a great place, well from what they saw. Sara hated to dismiss a large land but so far she hadn't been welcome with open arms. She herself was mixed race, her skin was darker. Having been with a white man in the past, almost as bad as just being who she was. Surely not all Americans were like this but the ones here that she'd come across were. People are people.

Cordelia was her daughter, make no mistake but she wasn't her daughter by blood. Cordelia's mother who gave birth to her, tragically passed afterward. Thank you, dear Amanda Barnes, for giving birth to dear Cordelia. Blood or not, she loved Cordelia dearly, she was her daughter no matter what. As for the father, Marion, well he passed just a year ago from typhoid. Tragic. Well it was time for new beginnings. Their trip to California had been uneventful, held up in the steerage class of the SS Leigh, another old coal steamer. While some ships that departed Abetton for America or other places encountered storms or other conditions, they did not so hopefully things were looking up. The seas can be treacherous, Sara knew that, she was from Abetton's Islands Colony, her whole life was about the sea until she moved to the mainland. She prayed and hoped things would be good this trip but if they weren't she knew how to brace herself and her little one if it came to it.

"Cordelia, my dear!" She called for her daughter.

Cordelia adjusted her bonnet picked the hem of her pink dress and ran over to her mother. "We're just about to board. Are you ready?"

"Yes, mama!" She looked up at her mother with her bright eyes, it seemed nothing could get her down. "Good, my dear, very good. Hold my hand as we walk up the gangway okay? Don't want you falling into the sea!"

"Okay!"

by **Cartoonia** » Sat Jun 12, 2021 3:35 pm

It should be noted that while mainland America is extremely unkind to peoples of other races, the Cartune Isles is the opposite. It doesn’t matter the color of the skin, the religious view, or the wealth of one person. All people are welcome to the Cartune Isles. It was one of the reasons for the growing Cartune independence movements going around. But that is neither here nor there.

The Federal Customs officer, a rude southern man, looked at the documentation of the princess and her handmaiden. Seeing how he is judgemental to anyone besides white Americans (it really was a different time

), he wouldn’t believe that a princess was boarding a ship. He would treat them rudely.

“We will pat down both of you for any weapons, drugs, and booze you may be carrying. And once we are done, show your boarding pass to a ship officer to let you aboard”. The federal officer of course was not aware that the Cartune Isles allowed the sale and distribution of alcohol, but he didn’t know that, nor bothered to learn the colony’s laws. After being patted down by other officers for any illegal possessions and found nothing, they let them go to ship officers to present their boarding passes. The ships’ officers, hailing from the Cartune Isles were much more pleasant and polite than the American customs officers. The ship officer in charge of greeting first-class passengers was a blue-haired lad, Second Officer Jellal Fernandes, who has been in service to the POSN since 1919, after serving in the navy in the Great War. He inspects the boarding passes of the princess and her handmaiden.

“Oh! Your royal highness. We are honored that you have chosen our finest ship. I hope you enjoy your voyage”.

The Federal Customs officer stopped them, looking through the documentation of these… seemingly military men. They were identified as Royal Naval personnel. The officer, being the rude man, just scoffed.

“Heh. Three Tommies. Can’t hold the Krauts against the line without us”. He refers to the Great War that ended back in 1918. Being an American whose country brought an end to this war to end all wars just cocked up his patriotic (leaning nationalist) ego.

“After we pat you down for weapons, drugs, and booze, please show your boarding passes to one of the ship’s officers”.

The customs officers patted them down and seeing how they were clear of anything illegal, they let them through. Well, one customs officer was being nosy and felt a scrap of paper in one of the men’s pockets.

“Hey! Brit! What the Hell is this scrap of paper?” He said as he slowly unfolds it.

Cargo, mail, beer barrels, and airplane parts were scattered all over the dock. As sailors were loading the cargo through the gangway, the crates of airplane parts were on a loading platform that will soon be lifted into the ship’s cargo compartment. Fortunately for any stowaways, there was a secretive gap in the middle of the platform covered by the crates. If it was a time to sneak onto the ship, the chance as now as the officer in charge of the cargo, Chief Officer Simpson was busy speaking with the mafia boss about a load of alcohol for the ship, negotiating the price.

The officer went through his documentation, and the others patted him down for any illegals. He also had a quick glance at his luggage, noting the clothing and belongings. He saw a piece of paper that had to do with money and bonds but didn’t press forward with it. Seeing how this man was white, he had no issues with him whatsoever. And seeing that he was from a country where communists were taking over, he was sympathetic.

“Your good to go sir, please be careful. I hear the reds are trying to take over. We clearly should have stopped them in Russia, but I am sure it will never happen here”.

The customs officer had no troubles with Duvet family. Once they were searched for anything illegal, they were shown to a ship’s officer who greeted them and let them through on to a gangway to board upon the first-class entrance, which was also a grand foyer, not as elaborate as the Olympic class, but it was sleek modern and art deco to reflect the times. It should also be pointed out that the smell of the port is extremely different for the nose of a frequent traveler, especially one that has sailed on coal-powered ships in the past. Chief Steward Kyoya Ootori was at the entrance to greet guests. And while the first-class passengers entered, a string and piano quintet (under the leadership of Miho Nishiuzmi) were playing a lively tune for the morning breakfast service, The Maple Leaf Rag by Scott Joplin

“Ah! Welcome aboard the SS Fascination. The Pacific-Oriental’s most prestigious ship of our fleet. We’ll have our stewards bring you and your luggage to your staterooms immediately”.

The Barnes family had a little bit of trouble with the customs officer, who had returned to his rude attitude upon seeing Cordelia’s skin tone. As with everyone else, they were patted down for anything illegal and were allowed to board the ship after going to the health inspector and showing the boarding pass to a ship officer. They make their way onto the gangway into the third-class hallway and were greeted by a third-class steward.

“Welcome aboard miss! Please allow me to take you to your cabin”.

by **Polish Prussian Commonwealth** » Sat Jun 12, 2021 4:10 pm

Admiral Edwyn
"Yeah, well." Edwyn snorted, already used to bandying with arrogant Americans. "I didn't see you lot at Galliopli or Jutland. Sat out for the first...four years too? Too scared of the water, Yank? Afraid your wife'll, shall we say, walk the streets, while you're away?"
Macduff sniggered under his breath, while Stefan sighed.

“Hey! Brit! What the Hell is this scrap of paper?”

Stefan's eyes shot wide in terror when the American reached into his pocket, while Edwyn resisted the urge to groan.
"Sergeant." he sighed.
"Understood." Macduff replied.

The customs officer would suddenly find his arm twisted in a painful fashion by Macduff, who then plucked the papers out of his hand. He handed them over to Edwyn, who then calmly placed them in an envelope marked 'DIPLOMATIC POUCH'.

"Should've done this earlier." Edwyn grumbled to himself. If the custom's officer had even one day of training, he would know that diplomatic pouches could not, legally, be searched.
"By the way." Stefan spoke up, glaring at the American. "I'm Polish."

by **KindaFreeXP** » Sat Jun 12, 2021 4:28 pm

Chief Engineer Edoard de La Puy
Engineering Department, S.S. Fascination

"We only have a short time before we depart," Edoard tells his subordinates. "We must check all the hatches, pumps, and electrics before then."

There was a moment of pause.

"...well? Get to it! Vite! Vite! Allez!"

With that, the ship's engineers began to scramble, rushing to ensure the ship was ready for its departure. Edoard sighed, sitting down in his chair and rubbing his temples.

"Oh, Edoard! You love the sea! Get yourself a job on a ship!" he mockingly said to himself in a purposefully whiny voice. "We didn't have these kinds of problems in Montpellier. Everyone knew their job and did it! Damn lazy Americans, Cartoonians, and whatever other types of fat rats they stocked this ship with. I don't know if they're planning on killing me by blowing up the ship or giving me a heart attack! The sooner we complete this voyage, the better."

Reaching across his desk, Edoard grabs the receiver for his radio.

"Allo, Captain?" he says. "This is Edoard. We are finishing checking the ship now. Maybe another thirty minutes. Maybe forty. Then we will be good to go."

Leontiy Bogdanov
Long Beach, California

Taking a moment to straighten out his crudely patched White Army infantry uniform that had been graciously "donated" by a brave solider who gave his life fighting the bitter cold of Siberia, Leontiy went over everything in his head a fifth and sixth time. He was Leontiy Bogdanov, a former private in the Russian White Army, who fought under Admiral Kolchak and alongside the Czechoslovak Legions in the Eastern front. He fled the advancing Soviets aboard a Japanese vessel and made his way to America working whatever jobs he could find.

Leontiy took a deep breath as he entered the customs office. Not that there was any reason (he could think of) that the customs officer would stop him, but it did start the process of boarding, and Leontiy's ticket was...less then legitimate. A couple of strategically placed bends, wrinkles, and tears helped hide the ticket's lack of authenticity, yet Leontiy still worried. But the call of booze was strong, and the chance to sell his sob story was too alluring. There was no way he could convince himself to turn back now.

Stepping up to the customs officer, Leontiy submitted himself for inspection. He had almost committed to smuggling in some booze, but instead opted to keep some "sentimental" trinkets on him, which he planned to sell to anyone who would be gullible enough to buy his stories. Feeling his heart pound in his chest, he submitted himself to be patted down.

by **AHSCA** » Sat Jun 12, 2021 4:56 pm

"Ooof" Ms. Asagiri thought to herself, how did she get into this? Well running out of money and trying to stow away back home was probably how....Now she was the Chaplain of this fine ship. She was a Priestess back home in the Aurora Empire, specifically Animalpolis which was a colony of Aurora off to the west. It was that or be tossed off shore and left to figure the rest out. The Cartune Islands were practically a hop-skip away from Aurora so getting home from there was easier. Hopefully all this time on the seas she's been spending, she's picked up some nautical skils to take back with her but for now she was the ship's Chaplin, having to accommodate many faiths, beliefs, people all with their own answers or questions. To her, it wasn't her place to say where "truth" was. Some religions asserted themselves to be true, others say they are but one of many in a vast mysterious universe as this. Well she'd do her best to be open to anyone who came to her, Christian, Jew, Muslim, Madokami, Atheist, Agnostic, Buddhist, Shinto, on and on, she'll welcome all with open arms because well they were all people who just needed someone and something to believe in, just as she did when she became a Priestess. Still, so much to read and study on, different rituals, rites, prayers, blessings, customs, it was so overwhelming. Sitting alone in the ship's chapel

The tapping rattle against the door of her cabin caught her fox ears by surprise. "Ohh it's you, Officer." It was Officer Azura Lindgrin, a sort of fellow countryman if you will, she was actually from The nearby Stillestando Kingdom, effectively named Truce for common speak. Actually it was her who caught Shino as a stowaway but it was also thanks to her, that Shino was getting this ride home in exchange for a little work. "Morning," Azura said to Shino. "I hope I'm not disturbing you, I just felt the need to have a quick word with you."

"Oh, of course of course. But I figured you'd be so busy getting things ready and all."

"It's quite busy. I just came from the Radio room, ships are reporting stormy seas. I haven't spoken with the Captain about it yet, I'm sure he's been informed and all but just thought..."

"Wondering if I could tap the Goddess for information?" Shino gave a bit of a haughty laugh "Sorry, I know as much as anyone else does about the weather."

"You were pretty apt at predicting the last storm we sailed through."

"That was luck, and my animalistic intuition. Besides you're a seasoned officer, you're used to it."

"I know, I just would like to be ready when I talk to the Captain about our route. If there's weather, he'll probably want to divert the ship, which eats up time and fuel and the company gets antsy."

"Safety first though, as well as comfort. I'll do my best to pray for the Goddesses to keep the squabbling down or to keep the Dark Lady from doing what she does but she does what she does because the Seas are her Domain. But there still may be other deities out there to watch over us so let's hold faith."

"Right. Anyway, I'll leave you and I best get back to work."

"Good luck!"

With Azura leaving, Shino leaned back a moment, "Well perhaps a little deep meditation wouldn't hurt..." Can't be too careful with sea travel but modern ships like these were so equipped to handle these things. Azura's duties were to make sure things were ship shape but also consider the routes if weather was to be a factor. The captain had ultimate say on course corrections and that but she had her input. Looking at her watch, still good amount of time to go before they'd be setting off so best get with the Captain and see what else needed to be done. With her arm filled with rolled up maps she made her way up to the bridge. "Good morning, Captain." She said setting her maps down "I trust Officer Simpsons has been by this morning? Anything you wish to discuss with me or duties you wish me to perform before we assemble for castoff?"

by **Cartoonia** » Sat Jun 12, 2021 8:47 pm

The officer screams in pain and agony as his hand is twisted, causing a commotion at the port entrance. The scrap of paper has long since been forgotten about by the other officers, and the main customs officer went and grabbed Macduff by the collar of his shirt.

“Well, well, well. You have obstructed the work of a federal customs officer. Tommy, Polock, I don’t care! I’ll see to it that all three of you are detained for the next month!”. He was about to slap the sergeant before a figure came out onto the scene.

“Excuse me! But what the devil is going on!” A young teenager with grayish blue-black hair and rich peacock-blue eyes (with a black eyepatch over the left eye) came out with his personal butler, a tall, handsome adult with black hair, red eyes, pale skin, and black fingernails. The teenager was none other than Mr. Ceil Phantomhive, an English gentleman and Earl of Phantomhive, as well as the owner of Pacific-Oriental Steam Navigation Company. From the voice, he was most upset.

“These Tommy punks were picking a fight with one of my men. Nothing that a little American detainment wouldn’t fix!”.

“Apparently young master” Sebastian interrupts, “the inspector’s men were going through sensitive papers, and it seems that the inspector is now threatening all three”.

“It would seem so”. Ciel confronts the customs officer.

“Now see here. I do not appreciate you harassing my guests. Now please unhand them”.

“Ah yeah! Who’ll make me!?”

“I have a friend in Washington, and I will make sure that not only you get sacked for harassing my guests, but you will also be arrested for almost inciting an international incident. Is that clear?”. The customs officer lets the sergeant go begrudgingly. Ciel goes up to the three men.

“I hope American customs haven’t caused you too much trouble gentlemen”.

The officer inspected his luggage, and his cronies patted the man down. He noted that the man was a soldier in the Russian white army, the ones that tried to fight off the evils of dirty communism.

“Gosh dang Communism! Truly a wrench in the world. Be careful sir. Don’t let them radicals take control of this ship ya here!”.

In the map room, Captain Naofumi Iwatani tries to rework a route that would avoid the heavy storms in the middle of the Pacific. It seems that it might be unavoidable. He leaves the map room and back to the open bridge and gets a call from the engine room, the Chief Engineer Edoard de La Puy was on the line.

“Chief Engineer Edoard… Good! Good. passengers are still boarding on the ship, so we should be able to set sail in an hour or so. I’ll give you the call when we are ready to set sail”. He finishes the call and once he is finished, First Officer Lindgrin came up onto the bridge, both of them salute at each other.

“Officer Lindgrin. To answer your question, yes. Officer Simpson warned me about storms in the Pacific”. He continues to use the binoculars, looking at the lighthouse still flying a red and black square flag is spotted, indicating storm conditions.

“I am currently trying to figure out how we could avoid storm conditions while trying to maintain our voyage time. And we will be having our lifeboat drills once we get underway, so I’ll call all the officers once we leave port and assign you all to your lifeboat loading stations. Praying for good weather right now. Anyway, Officer Simpson is currently speaking with our… “suppliers” for some amenities that Americans here can’t purchase in public. In the meantime, would you check on the rest of the cargo and see if everything is in order. We are carrying flying machine parts that are en route to the Gallagher Army Base. And Mr. Phantomhive has a Bentley 3 Litre and a Rolls-Royce Phantom I, fresh off the factory mind you. All of that and other cargos, supplies, and mailbags should be all in order. Oh, and please keep a watch out for stowaways”.

by **Laka Strolistandiler** » Sun Jun 13, 2021 1:13 am

Not the biggest ship I’ve seen in my service...- Manfred thought, upon looking at the vessel. Immediately, he started to compare it to the ships he had seen during the war... The Magnificent SMS Großer Kurfurst, the gigantic HMS Hercules he saw bring the allied representatives to the peace conference... Truly these beasts of war were in some form as beautiful as this ship. While making his way from the taxi to the pier, carrying the few luggage he had with himself, Manfred wondered: what kind of people he will meet aboard this ship? During his travel from Laka over the US, he was usually met with anger or disdain from the lower classes- the fact that Laka was the only Central Powers-supporting nation in North America, and his general “fame” as “The Lakan Richthofen” did not help to ease the matter. Still, he got along with the upper class generally well, especially with those that did not participate in the war as soldiers, but rather as war profiteers. For some reason most of them not disliked or hated him, but rather somewhat romanticized the air war and the men who participated in it, to the point of absurd in some cases. He, neither the less somewhat enjoyed it,- after all it feels good not to be hated wherever you go from time to time...

Upon coming up to the customs officer, he handed over his passport and tickets and prepared to be ridiculed or mistreated in one form or another,- that was the price for his side losing the war...

by **Lux Pulchrae** » Sun Jun 13, 2021 1:27 am

The Two Stooges(Vittorio and Massimo)

Long Beach Port
“Psssst. Wake up. Max!”

The aforementioned woke up with a startled expression. Running his hand down his face, he could smell the sea, then remembered where he was, and why. It was his cousin Vttorio, or Vic. Max had begrudgingly agreed to take on a job. And hopefully they’d make some money instead of wasting time like the last job. Although beggars couldn’t be choosers. He could hardly speak English so he almost HAS to go on jobs with Vic. They weren’t all bad, but ever since prohibition started, Vic’s been wanting to do these alcohol schemes for the mob.

Now what better scheme than hitching off a high class cruise ship headed to the non-prohibited colony?

“Come on get up. Don’t wanna be late for this.” Max said, hurriedly putting his clothes on. Thank goodness they packed the night before.

Max got up with a big yawn “Va bene. Let’s go. Andiamo.

The two were soon off to their new “job”, laborers on the SS Fascination. The closer they got to the sea, the more salty it smelled. And the ship, well, you could never miss it. Not even if you were blind. There were all kinds of people trying to get on old, young, poor, rich. Of course, a literal booze cruise would catch most people’s attention in this era. While everyone was getting through customs, the two were also trying to find a way in. Hopefully there was a shorter employee line.

They settled for whichever official they could find. Presenting their papers necessary to get in.

The Count(Cristofero d’Umbra)

Likewise elsewhere, headed for first class was a man of relatively noble status, back home at least. After the war he had heard of some of his fellow officers moving to the states. A couple were in New York, one was in Chicago, and the other one made his way all the way to California. Quite the cross country trip it was.

However it was rather a bore with prohibition, although he was sometimes able to find a compatriot priest to share a spare bottle of sacramental wine. He would go to the speakeasies but he hated the mafia. Whether it was here or in Lux Pulchrae, so much so that when not at war, d’Umbra had often participated in anti-mafia raids. But that was hopefully behind him on this trip. Before a long journey back hone, a nice trip with legal alcohol felt nice.

While he waited he could already see some...ethnic related trouble up ahead with customs. He had his fair share across the country, especially as a man of little English. This might not be an easy trip.

by **The Selkie** » Sun Jun 13, 2021 2:00 am

Port of Long Beach, California.
Princess Aurelia bint-Tarek.
With our papers, everything seemed to be in order, as the rude customs officer noted, but that did not mean, that we were out of troubles. We were to be patted down for contraband, which the officers did dutifully...
...although I could not shake the feeling, that the one responsible for me showed quite a bit of enthusiam when checking certain areas. I endured it without complaint - what use would it be to make a fuss?
Once that was done, Fara and I boarded, very soon meeting with the Second Officer, a blue-haired young man, who made a far better impression then his gruff colleagues from Customs.
“Oh! Your royal highness. We are honored that you have chosen our finest ship. I hope you enjoy your voyage.", he greeted us.
I gave him a small smile and a slight bow of my head. "Thank you. I hope, that it will be a calm voyage.", I replied to him, "If you don't mind, however, I will now retreat to my suite, Sir..." I showed him my ticket. "...though much like this ship needs help navigating, I need yours to find said suite."
Fara, who had endured the same process at the lower end of the gangplank, smiled slightly.

by **Northern Amerique** » Sun Jun 13, 2021 10:33 am

Dubon smiled politely, men had said the same in his country when the undercurrents began, he knew if it could happen there it could happen anywhere, and denying that only hurt chances to stop it. But he said nothing, what happened to this place was none of his concern, he was off to the Cartunes.

He climbed the gangplank and showed his ticket to the officer, denying any attempts to show him to his cabin, it was not where he want to go. He held his luggage in his hands as he left to find the smoking lounge or anywhere he could light up.

He wandered the hall, as much as the desire keep him looking perhaps he should have asked for some help navigating the ship. After perhaps 20 minutes of roaming the elegant hall he breaks down and asks the first crew he sees to direct him to the smoking lounge.

by **AHSCA** » Sun Jun 13, 2021 11:13 am

Cartoonia wrote:“Officer Lindgrin. To answer your question, yes. Officer Simpson warned me about storms in the Pacific”. He continues to use the binoculars, looking at the lighthouse still flying a red and black square flag is spotted, indicating storm conditions.

“I am currently trying to figure out how we could avoid storm conditions while trying to maintain our voyage time. And we will be having our lifeboat drills once we get underway, so I’ll call all the officers once we leave port and assign you all to your lifeboat loading stations. Praying for good weather right now. Anyway, Officer Simpson is currently speaking with our… “suppliers” for some amenities that Americans here can’t purchase in public. In the meantime, would you check on the rest of the cargo and see if everything is in order. We are carrying flying machine parts that are en route to the Gallagher Army Base. And Mr. Phantomhive has a Bentley 3 Litre and a Rolls-Royce Phantom I, fresh off the factory mind you. All of that and other cargos, supplies, and mailbags should be all in order. Oh, and please keep a watch out for stowaways”.

"Aye, Captain!" She saluted and went along her duties heading down a crew access gangway to the docks below. Simpsons was down there talking with a few gentlemen. By now she'd gotten it, there were a few shady people who did business with this line and given alcohol was prohibited in this part of the world, it meant there were plenty of people to fulfill a market demand. She had a cargo manifest list on her to double check everything, well except the ahem - special cargo- well no question asked. "Impressive machines." She remarked at the automobiles, truly a luxury item taking off in the world right now. Movement caught her eyes, she thought she saw someone skulking around but her attention was needed on the cargo. "Let's see, mail bags are in order."

by **Abetton** » Sun Jun 13, 2021 12:44 pm

The Duvet Family

"Thank you, my good man." Beatriced thanked, counting out a few bills for a tip. "Please see that they do, meantime, could you direct us to dining? I think these two girls here need a little something before we get started." Given Victorique's mood, maybe a nice morning pastry would calm her down. Once told where to find the dining, Beatrice took it upon herself to guide the ladies there, "We shall find it, thank you so kindly." She handed over the cash for the tip, it was a little extra for the information. "Thank you, sir." Histoire gave a curtsy to the steward. As their papa said, all crew on ships work hard and should be respected, even if it's showing just a little common courtesy. They could very well find it on their own with direction. Ships are built differently but the layouts are often common between them so finding it wasn't hard at all.

Arriving in the dining hall, lively music was already playing to get passengers in a happy mood for their departure. "Do do do do" Young Victorique was getting into the music too humming along. "It seems like the little Miss is starting to cheer up a little." Beatrice said with joy.

"That's good. I'd hate it if she was moody the whole time."

"Now Young Miss, your little sister is still adjusting, give her time, again I'm sure our voyage here will go great."

"All right all right. Victorique, how bout some blueberry muffins and some tea?"

"Yeah that sounds yummy!"

The Barnes Family

The whispers from some imagine a white daughter with a N*** woman. What kind of mongrel... they stung. The words did sting but it seemed like they faded away when they met the steward. He was friendly at least, unlike the customs officer who inspected them like they were common criminals. Ugh, the sooner they got underway the better she'd feel. "Oh thank you so much. Yes please if you will, show us. I'd hate to get lost all day aboard this ship." She chuckled Cordelia was quiet and a bit nervous still as she held tightly and firmly to her mother's hand. Surely she'll settle in when she gets used to it, she was nervous when they boarded the Leigh. But the Leigh was also considerably crowded this seemed a little nicer.

by **Cartoonia** » Sun Jun 13, 2021 4:28 pm

Second Officer Fernandes smiled back.

“It will be my pleasure to show you to your suite”. He looks to his colleague, Fifth Officer Stuart McCormick. “Mr. McCormick!” he shouts, getting his attention.

“Yes sir?”

“I will be showing her highness and her handmaiden to their state room. Please take charge of looking at first-class boarding passes”.

“Of course sir”. Officer Fernandes shows them up the gangway and into the grand foyer, and once they are in the ship, stewards and stewardesses grab their extra luggage and walked down the hall to their stateroom. A spacious stateroom too, with its own living room with a dining table, its own separate bathroom, which was advertised for all first and second class, and a balcony deck, open outdoor space for one to look out into the ocean.

“Here you are your highness. Breakfast is being served in the dining saloon at the moment. And we will be having lifeboat drills once we get underway. If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to ask”.

“The smoking lounge?” One of the stewards asked. “Once you reach the main staircase and foyer, head downstairs and it will be on your left. If you’d like, I can take you there”.

Kyoya told them where the dining room was, and after that was given a nice tip. “You are quite welcome. Before you go, I must tell you all that we will be having lifeboat drills as soon as we are out at sea”. They then left to the dining saloon where first-class passengers have begun to have breakfast, and the ship’s small orchestra has begun playing a different tune, another rag by Scott Joplin, “Elite Syncopations”.

They sat down at a table, just as everyone else had. Gone were the days of large heavy breakfasts of the Edwardian era, the new standard was small light breakfasts which included the newly invented breakfast cereals (like John Harvey Kellogg’s toasted corn flakes). One of the waiter greeted them.

“Good morning ladies. I’ll be your waiter this morning. Have you all decided what you would like for breakfast. Any coffee, tea, juice to start?”

“It will be my pleasure”. The steward led the mother and the child to their cabin. It was far back at the stern of the ship, as single women and families were placed there to separate from the single men. They reached the cabin door. “I’m sure you are both aware, you will be sharing the cabin with another family. And as a reminder, there will be a lifeboat drill once we get underway. One more thing, breakfast is being served in the dining hall. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to ask”.

“$200. Final offer”.

“Oh, very well. I’ll have the purser take some cash out”. Officer Simpson finishes his negotiations with the mafia boss. The barrels of liquor have been secured and are now ready to load onto the ships supply hold. Officer Simpson gives the okay to load the cargo on to the ship’s hold. He noticed some movement on the cargo platform that was about to be picked up by a crane, but decided to ignore it. It was just probably the strong winds. His attention was at the first officer.

“Officer Lindgrin!” he shouts to get her attention. Both salute each other. “I assume that the captain has sent you to check on the cargo. Is everything in order?”

The customs officer took a look at the man’s last name, overlooking the nation of origin, and immediately was repulsed. The war has been over for a while, but this man is still less accepting of peoples who he sees as Central Powers supporters. He silently searched through his luggage thoroughly, and the other officers patted him down just as thoroughly.

“No bombs, notes, booze, nor any other sabotuging devices. I guess you damn Krauts have learned your lesson not to mess with us Yanks. And besides, it would have failed miserably. No wonder you Jerries lost the war, all your plans failed”.

Fifth Officer McCormick, right now in charge of ushering First-Class passengers into the ship, was usually in charge of overseeing crew’s duties. He sees the men’s work papers.

“The new stewards. Please head over to the employee gangway and report these papers to the captain. He is in charge of the employment of personnel”.

The men did so and on the bridge, reported to Captain Naofumi presenting their papers.

“Welcome aboard gentlemen. You are to report to Chief Steward Kyoya Ootori, and he will give you your assignments”.

It was the Count’s turn to be inspected. The customs officer was again being cocky.

“Another solider that couldn’t beat the Jerries in the trenches without us Yanks. What a poor lot you Europeans are”. He inspected the papers and luggage, and the others patted him down like the others.

“Please show your boarding passes to one of the ship’s officers”.

by **Northern Amerique** » Sun Jun 13, 2021 4:45 pm

He shook his head. "No I think i have it now" he said, quickly making his way back, he was sure he had been there before, but when he arrived it was a the man had said. He shook his head.

He sat in a soft chair, placed his suitcase down like and ottoman and kicked his feet up, looking around to see if anyone caught his eye, he could use some light conversation and surely someone else must have needed an early morning strike up. As he did he pulled a pipe from his breast pockets and packed it with tobacco.

by **Laka Strolistandiler** » Sun Jun 13, 2021 5:13 pm

Cartoonia wrote:
The customs officer took a look at the man’s last name, overlooking the nation of origin, and immediately was repulsed. The war has been over for a while, but this man is still less accepting of peoples who he sees as Central Powers supporters. He silently searched through his luggage thoroughly, and the other officers patted him down just as thoroughly.

“No bombs, notes, booze, nor any other sabotuging devices. I guess you damn Krauts have learned your lesson not to mess with us Yanks. And besides, it would have failed miserably. No wonder you Jerries lost the war, all your plans failed”.

-But I’m no Krau...- Manfred cut himself off at the middle of the sentence,- if he’d get a dime for every time he explained that Lakans were not in fact Germans, neither did they technically loose the war (other than a few border conflicts with Canada Laka remained technically neutral during the war and in fact didn’t even loose it), and yet no matter how many time he tried explaining this, nobody listened. Taking into consideration the fact that he was talking to a figure suprerior to him in power, it was quite logical to avoid confrontation.
-Gentlemen, the war is long over. I did my duty to my fatherland and came to you as but a friendly guest, came in peace, and that’s the way you greet me?- he said in a saddened voice...
Afterwards he would present the documents to the official, trying not to attract too much attention to the blue Pour Le Mérite that he was wearing even in civilian clothes, for this order was a reminder of his fallen comrades, especially Richthofen, who he remembered to commend for the award...

Why do they fixate on the war this much? I mean, most of them didn’t even saw the frontlines, didn’t felt the wheeze of a bullet streaming past your head, never saw their comrades fall, and yet still they have the audacity to put their hatred on me as if I’m not just a pilot but Hindenburg or Ludendorff... Truly these Americans are such a magnificently different people from us...

by **Katase** » Sun Jun 13, 2021 6:18 pm

Cartoonia wrote:Cargo, mail, beer barrels, and airplane parts were scattered all over the dock. As sailors were loading the cargo through the gangway, the crates of airplane parts were on a loading platform that will soon be lifted into the ship’s cargo compartment. Fortunately for any stowaways, there was a secretive gap in the middle of the platform covered by the crates. If it was a time to sneak onto the ship, the chance as now as the officer in charge of the cargo, Chief Officer Simpson was busy speaking with the mafia boss about a load of alcohol for the ship, negotiating the price.

I could see there were some shady looking characters talking with what looked like a ship officer. These men looked pretty bad and scary, folks I sure wouldn't want to bump into. Give I'd escape from someone with lots of dealings with the underground, it made all my scars and marks hurt badly just thinking back to what I escaped from. Adults, they're all alike it seems. Well with them deep into conversation I quietly slithered my way around. There was lots of things that seemed like good hiding spots for me, I just had to hope they wouldn't poke around too much in them for inspections. Gee. It's not as though I could ride my whole trip around in a box, at some point I'm gonna need to do things like eat, sleep and of course well you know...As I slinked and slithered about, I could see from the corner of my eye someone else walking down the gangway...Wait there's a gangway! "Ah no time," I thought, I had to duck out of sight ASAP or I'd be chased away. This place was probably my easiest way aboard. The front were being manned by inspectors for health and other illegal goods, there was no way I could just walk aboard trying to blend in, so through cargo was my best bet.

What they were talking about I really couldn't understand, the woman had a strange accent that was different from all the men. I thought again to the open gangway but based on where the other guys were standing, I'd probably be spotted by someone if I tried to go up it, there wasn't much cover unless I intended to crab walk my way up which I don't know, might make me more visible than I'd like or make more noise. Kind of funny how that works, sometimes trying to be quiet makes you less quiet! Oh problems were growing, the woman officer was taking time to look through everything. I rolled away, I don't think she spotted me even though she flinched like she did, but surely if she had, she would have surely chased me off. Well I went for broke, I quietly crept along and up the gangway and well sure enough, it was a success, I was free and saved. Where was I now? It must the cargo hold of a ship, I figured I'd best hold up here for now, stewards would be all over escorting people up and down the decks and I wanted to really keep a low profile and not draw any attention to myself, if I could help it. If asked, I'd say my parents are here or there. My poor heart was pounding, I honestly felt like it was going to explode. I took a few deep breaths to calm me down. Ugh this hold was pretty scary already, with a lot of strange noises in here from all the ship's machinery, and I'm still worried I might be spotted in here so maybe I would be better if I did try to blend in with passengers. So with that, I found my way up onto the deck. The sunshine beaming down, the salty sea air spraying my face. A smile did creep along my face, I started to calm down and feel better as I leaned across the railing to watch the sea. With luck, I might just make it.

by **KindaFreeXP** » Sun Jun 13, 2021 6:49 pm

Chief Engineer Edoard de La Puy
Engineering Department, S.S. Fascination

An hour? Perfect. Edoard felt his body and mind relax slightly knowing there was still time to do thing properly. And yet, Edoard still did not trust the American and Cartoonian crew to ensure the ship was in proper shape. With a sigh he left his chair, walking about the ship and testing doors and systems that had been supposedly "fixed". Four of the watertight doors had their locks set too tight, making sealing the doors extremely difficult, and at least one of the engines was low on oil. Wherever he found a problem Edoard would grab the attention of whatever crewmember was nearby, give them an earful about laziness and shortcutting, and then would proceed to put them to work fixing said problem. After 45 minutes of preparation, Edoard was confident the Fascination would, at the very least, not sink.

Still frustrated by the crew's ineptitude, the Chief Engineer returned to the radio.

"Allo, Captain? This is Edoard. Everything has been checked twice over. We are good to go whenever you are ready."

Edoard took a deep breath and sighed. In a series of automatic motions, he procured a cigar from his pocket, lit it, and took a long draw. At least this was a pleasure cruise, not something like one of those awful British submersible ships he had heard far too many horror stories about. So long as there were no complications, Edoard was sure he could balance out an incompetent crew.

Leontiy Bogdanov
Long Beach, California

"If there are any Reds aboard I'll make sure to toss them out to sea!" Leontiy said with a laugh. Then, saluting the officer so as to make him feel important, Leontiy turned over his convincingly forged ticket, crossed the gangplank, and boarded the S.S. Fascination.

Leontiy couldn't help but sport a big ear-to-ear grin as he stood aboard the ship. The only two ships he had been aboard previously were definitely not quite as nice. The first was a Japanese oyster trawler that helped him flee from Vladivostok to Tsushima. The second was a mail ship, but Leontiy enjoyed particularly cramped quarters, seeing as how he stowed away aboard the ship.

But now he could enjoy the luxuries of a journey he was assumed to have paid for. Not only that, but there was almost certainly a couple of moronic fat-cats and aristocrats who would buy his worthless junk for a small fortune! Pleasure and riches? How could Leontiy say no to that?

by **Lux Pulchrae** » Mon Jun 14, 2021 12:18 am

Vic and Max
The younger Vic smiled and thanked the captain, now on their way to the chief steward.

“What a bother eh?” Max started with his grumbling “Go here to meet this person, then go here to meet that person. What’s next? They bounce us around the whole ship?”

“Calm down ya idiot,” Vic sighed, mostly because he trying to understand his cousin, he knew Italian enough to understand when spoken, but not enough to be fluent or literate. That’s why Max is more of the quiet type most of the time, no one understood him. “We do what we gotta do here, then when the time comes, we do what we gotta do. We’re golden. Hell if it don’t work then we just might make an honest dollar outta this.”

“pfff, ‘honest dollar’.” He mocked “No dollar is ever honest. They always end up in the hands of slavers or stronzi like us. And I don’t think stealing some of these barrels is a good idea, if the alcohol is being supplied here we might have some mutual friends with this ship.”

“Oh well. Return to sender I guess. Maybe even try to get one of those high society WASPs to buy.”

The two quiet down until they met this Kyoya Ootori, “Hello? We’re, uh, looking for the chief steward? We’re the new guys.”

D’Umbra
“Jerry?” d’Umbra questioned “Like de German? Lux Pulchrae don’t fight German. We fight Austriaci. Austrian.” To tell the truth Lux Pulchrae was officially neutral. But that didn’t stop many from volunteering themselves to the war. Some assisted with the French on their front, while others were sent to fight with Italy against the Austrians.

He thought he’d forget it anyways and smiled at the officer “Grazie Officer stronzo.” thanking him, he took his luggage and went to the officer he was directed to, showing his papers, finally to be among first class. Although he came from a noble family back home, they weren’t grossly rich like these new oil baron folk that were making their names. They were of rather medium nobility, but were wealthy enough to comfortably travel America and board first class cruises like Cristofero is doing right now.

by **Polish Prussian Commonwealth** » Mon Jun 14, 2021 8:06 am

OOC: It should be noted that as of last night, Prussia-Poland's canon has changed considerably, with Britain and the HRE facing off against America and France. The Britain I am playing may not be the Britain you are playing; I can fudge things for now, but we should work things out soon.

Admiral Byrnes resisted the urge to facepalm, while MacDuff spat in the customs-officer's face. "Let me go, ya wanker!" he snarled. "I'll chew you up and kick you in the-"
The timely intervention of Ciel saved MacDuff from having to pull rank. He turned to Ciel, and smiled. "I've faced worse." he replied. "You needn't have intervened; I know a few people in the War Department and Department of State. But thank you in any case. To who do I owe the pleasure?"
Stefan bobbed his head and bowed slightly, while MacDuff glared at the retreating customs-officers.

by **Dyrrhonian Isles** » Mon Jun 14, 2021 3:21 pm

Cartoonia wrote:The port was certainly busy. Customs officers made sure that the passengers had their boarding pass and other documentation to allow them through onto the ship. As first and second-class passengers were rubbered stamped into the ship, a health inspector checked third-class passengers to make sure they were healthy enough to board. Bootleggers secretly resupplied the ship with booze to keep bars operating. The band leaders for first and second class played pianos in their respective classes’ dining saloons for the breakfast services. Cargo and mail heading towards the Cartune Isles, as well as parts of a new fangled, newly invented aeroplanes, were being loaded. And speaking of, Douglas DTs can be heard and seen in the air from the Army Aerodome closeby, going on test flights.

This world was becoming smaller and smaller. But for now, the passengers leave the modern dry world and to a world of elegance, fashion, and (of course…) booze.

A brand new, incredibly polished taximeter cabriolet stopped near the pier.

Murmuring to herself, Lia enjoyed the view of the SS Fascination. Maybe she could have had a little too much, she thought. Or maybe, she was just boring.

"Do you think you can handle it on your own from here?" the driver said.

Lia Stephanid turned to face the man, dressed in black, and gave him a friendly wave. "Yes, thank you." She grabbed her trunk and step out of the cab.

The SS Fascination loomed large before her. It was larger than she'd been led to believe, and as she gazed upon its outline, she could see the crowds milling around to the entrance. It was a massive ship, designed to carry hundreds of people.

Lia walked to the customs officials and patiently waited for her turn to present her documents and second-class ticket.

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