The tales of SS Antoinette - IC

[MarieGourmont]

Cain Lenore Huges

Cain hadn't really heard the young man talking to them, but she had seen something that completely caught her eye. As the sunset was dying, she saw a cream uniform move out of the sundeck and into the passenger's deck. She recognized the walking style and her cheeks flushed as she touched the small corsage in her bouquet.

"Fleaur, do you think you could please take care of sending people into the dinning hall so the ball and banquet can begin?" she asked giving the Frenchwoman a fleeting smile and making her way quickly with her staccato of steps towards said place.

As she entered the dinning hall, she grabbed the speaker and said in her silver voice:

"Attention our dearest and honourable passengers. As off now, you are welcome to come into the dinning hall to enjoy the delicious banquet we have prepared for you and the beautiful music our orchestra has prepared as well. In behalf of the crew of the SS Antoinette we welcome you to what will very well be the best voyage of your life!" she said with distinctive and justified pride in her voice. As the people walked past her, praising the decorations and the delicious smalls from the carts and kitchen, Cain walked around fixing small details here and there, welcoming more guests, and being altogether her charming self, but her eyes wandered around looking for the cream uniform... till she saw her.

Celestine had seen her boss walk around almost in a daze and smiled, nudging Angelique. The latter smiled and nodded.

"I'm sure mum will be 'appy!" she whispered and hurried to get more clean linen napkins, as several of the kids on board would be needing them.

Cain stopped on her tracks and checked herself in one of the long mirrors that covered one of the columns of the hall to give the impression it was even bigger. She checked her small bouffant, retouched her lip's coralin colour, and then breathing deeply in, she made her way with dainty steps towards the bar.

She stood behind the Senior Specialist, and clearing her throat, she said gently, though nervously:

"M-Madame Ulrike..." she started her voice a bit tiny, yet she tried to make it a bit more sonorous and succeeded only partially, her cheeks even redder. "I... I am ever so glad that you could come... I-I have a present for you, if you-if.. if... I mean..." she bit her lower lip and cast her eyes down, but she boldly took the corsage from her bouquet and offered it to her with an elegant curtsy. "I hope their fragrance will not bother you, and that you might allow me to place it in your buttoniere," she said shyly, but her lips gifted Ulrike with a small smile that lighted up her blue eyes.

[Kenny1]

Fleaur snapped out of her trance, having been fixated by the sunset. "OFcourse Caine" She said. Then suddenly she realized a guest had addressed her. She turned to face the man, a very handsome man who stood so tall she was staring at this collar bone.

Fleaur gave a grand curtsie and said "I thank you for the recognition,sir. The sunsets in England's industrial areas are always beautiful, it is the sulfer and other chemicals in the air... Oh dear I forgot my manners. My name is Fleaur Beauregard, head engineer of this ship." Remembering she had to do Caine a favour she said "Please excuse me I have to do my friend a favour."

With that she curtsied again and began doing as Caine had instructed. Atleast Caine trusted her still, otherwise she would not have asked Fleaur to help any more. This made Fleaur happy, she only hoped everything would go smoothly and that tonight would be memorable for everyone.

[wXw]

Ulrike Woltmann

Of all voices one sounded closest to Ulrike, and dearest to her too. Her fingers mechanically snapped open, leaving the wine glass untouched against the bar. How quickly she turned! How gladly her eyes blinked in the welcoming smile of someone who had long been away from their sweetest thought! Yet, a force without hands held Ulrike and, whilst she wanted to jump and hold her dear Cain, a powerful feeling kept her nailed to her place, shy, powerless in the sight of the only one she wished to meet.

Ulrike glimpsed in silence, not without a motion of relieved surprise. She nodded and let their hands fly and almost touch in mid air, while the expert fingers of the Steward Chief reached for the creamy boutonniere. Ulrike finally reached for Cain's right and pressed it against her lips.

Soft it was, and gentle. Covered in elegant perfume, Cain's hand rested among Ulrike's firm fingers protected and safe. -You flatter me most, Ms.Hughes.- whispered the Senior Specialist.
She then raised her eyes of steel to meet the blue sky floating in Cain's own -Unless you already have other arrangements...- continued Ulrike -...may I have the honor to be your chevalier tonight?-

[MarieGourmont]

Cain

Cain blushed a shade or two of pink, but her eyes were bright with anticipation and she smiled ever so happily at the Senior Specialist's request, her shyness having had no justification now fading away. She wanted to answer just as courteous, but she couldn't, her girlish heart dancing in her throat as her nerves tried to take control again. After one second, though, she nodded and carefully unpinned her cameo brooch off the low neck of her dress.

"Of course, Madame Ulrike, though the honour will be mine" she said and pined the brooch infront of the buttoniere, giving it a very elegant touch. "But, in view of our current arrangement, please do drop the Miss and call me by my name only, dear," she said in a soft coquettish whisper as she tiptoed to pin the brooch and then a warm gentle finger caressed the Senior Specialist's left cheek ever so softly..

The young girl looked up at the beautiful woman from under her dark lashes and then she turned, tossing her locks to one side, her creamy shoulders glowing in the light, her sky blue silk and petticoats rustling as she moved.

"I hope you like our decorations, my best friend Fleaur helped around with it. I must say she did a good job with my staff, I hope she has as great a time as you and I will..." she added confidently yet modestly, turning to look at Ulrike with her blue eyes bright with anticipation and ardour. Ulrike's face was beautiful to Cain, she didn't really notice the scars nor the patch, she only noticed the gaze with which the Senior Specialist of the Bliztod graced her. It felt warm and gentle, yet there was something firey in it that made Cain's heart stop a beat or two when she looked at her.


As the people who wanted to eat were comfortably settled and eating from the wide variety of food from the carts, the orchestra began to play a waltz.

Cain jumped as if electrified and clapped her gloveless hands. "Oh dear!" she said as she remembered her shoes. "O-one second, dear!" she said to Ulrike and hurried behind the bar.

As quick as she could, she rid herself from her walking slippers and pulled on her dancing shoes which were french slippers in sky blue silk with white flowers embroidered in silk and silver threads. They had been her grandmother's, and though they were a bit out of fashion Cain wore them nevertheless, she felt she had more spring in them.
Quickly, she shoved her slippers in the lowest rack of the bar, and walked around it, smiling at Ulrike and pushing a lock of her hair off her eyes.

"Now, I am ready, let us waltz your way, dear," she said in another gentle whisper and pulling her gloves on she waited for Ulrike to offer her hand to her.




The people smiled or bowed their heads at Fleaur, some kids pulled on her hand a bit to ask her to play or give them sweets, but her path was uninterrupted as people foudn their places in the tables and the food in the carts.

Caroline, though, stopped Fleaur on her tracks and proceeded, with a worried voice, to say:
"Miss Fleaur, please, the linen napkins are all gone and we don't want to bother Miss Cain right now..." she said and let out a little giggle, then regained composure and said, "What'd we do now? Could you please tell us? We're not gonna have enough time to wash and dry them as they come in!!"


Louise
Louise blinked at the young woman's reponse and her sudden walking away. He shook his head, regianed his wits and walked as fast as he could behind her, leaving his glass of wine on the tray of a maid. He tried to call the young maiden, but thought it would have been quite rude, so he settled to following her till he could catch up.

She had said she was engineer. To think he would've met the engineer of this legendary ship without asking for an invitation!! What a wonderful suprise!!

As Lousie was at arm's length from Fleaur, a little kid ran out of nowhere and slammed himself accidentally into the tall man's legs, knocking him cleanly off his feet and onto the carpeted floor face first.

"OUFF!" he exclaimed as the air was kocked out of him by the crash on the floor. He had flailed a hand to regain his balance, while the other tried to cover the kid. As he tried to get up, the kid unscathed to his left though quite frightened, he looked up to see a sea of concerned faces. He smiled reassuringly and tried to get up, but then he noticed he had caught something on his fall as he had fruitlessly flailed his hand... and it was Fleaur's ankle. Colouring up, he instantly let go of the thin ankle and cleared his throat, getting up and suting his black suit.

"I-I must apologize for this blatant disrespect for your self, madmoiselle," he said in his elegant voice, putting his hair back in order with a few swipes of his hand. "If there is something I could do to compensate my- ah- idioticy, please do let me know, I would be more than willing to do so," he said, bowing deeply at the young woman, noticing how her hair caught the light of the hall so beautifully, but shaking himself mentally and giving her a gracious smile.

[wXw]

Ulrike Woltmann

On Cain's reply, Ulrike stood up, slowly, like a huge powerful wave rising above the horizon, covering all that was left to see. It had been a long time she had felt that strong and that beautiful. Her hand closed on Cain's finger, with a firm yet tender grip. There stood a young woman for whom the second most feared officer of the sunken Blitztod was just about to lose her head.

-Cain...- she whispered.

When Cain turned to show the decors and to check on the other passengers, a faint blushing raising about Ulrike's cheeks from the tumult stirring her soul. Cain's look was just about as gentle and candid as her way, and that porcelain neck, candidly posed in between the sweetest shoulders, just asked and lusted for the most tender of hugs.

The music had started long since, but no couple had yet covered the floor with their stomping feet. A well-known ternary rhythm with chirping notes high above the basso, like a lark singing above the slowest summer winds. It was going to be a long journey until full recovery of her leg, Ulrike knew that, yet, that particular music was just perfect. It was as if the gods of music had crafted a song to fit Ulrike's irregular walking rhythm. In that moment, aboard the SS Antoinette, destiny seemed to speak to her, strongest than ever.

-Cain, if your friend Mme.Fleur does not oppose to starting the dances, it shall be my utmost pleasure to offer my hand as chevalier of the one beautiful lady who already took much of my soul.- Ulrike was a bold woman, the boldest of all. She was bold even by the standards of men. She raised her hand and gave a slight bow. Unflinching, she had just declared herself openly, widely, without fear or hesitation. She might not know what she truly wanted, yet she knew she was not going to retreat before finding it out.

[Kenny1]

At first Fleaur had not noticed her ankle had been grabbed, the maid having distracted her with yet another crisis, however she son realized it was there. Thankfully it was let go of and, as she turned around to lecture whgat she had assumed was a child, she ended up facing the young man she had just left.

Teh young man, obviously embaressed beyond all belief, quickly made remedy. Fleaur just simply shook her head laughing and just said "Well sir unless you happen to know a nearby store for napkins I am afraid you shall just have to enjoy the ball." She said in her light voice. Suddenly she was struck by insparation, the engineers had mountains of paper napkins in the bowels to clean off the oil and grease before leaving. She quickly turned her head to the maid and said "Go ask Antonio where the paper napkins are, then give them to the second and third class passengers. I know it is not ideal but I have never even tried to barter in pounds, and I doubt they will accept my Francs." With that she turned back to the man and said "Since the problem had been remedied you are more than welcome to accompany me to the ball room."

It took Fleaur a moment to realize what had just left her lips. She had just broken English curtisy, sure in France a woman could ask to be escorted but this was England. Silently she cursed in her head at her stupidity. She was rarely so stupid, but somethign about this man was diffrent. She could not place her finger on it but he was not the usual lot of man that she met.

[MarieGourmont]

Cain

Cain looked up at Ulrike and sublte blush covered her face, she then lowered her lashes to look at her dancing shoes and rested her head on Ulrike's chest gently. Her lips were smiling shyly as she tenderly took the lapels of Ulrike's jacket in her fair hands and gently pulled the woman to herself.

"The honour and pleasure are mine, Ulrike, dearest..." she said softly and took her gloves off, tucking them neatly in her pouch.

Such a daring move!! No gloves on the dance floor!! But Cain didn't care, as they proceeded to the edge of the dance floor, she took Ulrike's left hand and placed it on her waist while she intertwined her own left fingers into Ulrike's right ones.

"And Fleaur has no authority to not let us start the ball... I am the Chief Steward after all, dearest," she whispered and waited for Ulrike to guide her around the dance floor as the almost military music filled the air and her own soul.

She knew people were talking, but right now she could care less. She had nothing to fear, the service she provided was a great 24/7 service that left everyone till now happy. She deserved some happiness of her own... and Ulrike too.


Lousie.

Angelique nodded at Fleaur's suggestion and smiled.

"Right on, miss!! what a GREAt idea!!" she said as she ran to the bowels.

Louise beamed down at the beautiful girl before him and nodded. She had an accent to her voice, but it was very melodic and sweet... something he knew...

"It will be my honour to accompany you to the ballroom, Madoiselle?" he said. "And, if it is not much indiscretion of mine, ne vous venez de France, Madmoiselle? Your voice reminds me of it's beautiful and delicious scenery. I come from Nancy you see," he added hoping he wasn't making the girl uncomfortable.


Meanwhile, in the dock, a group of people was gathering around to listen to the music and the party. Some of them were drunk and ended up there who knows how, others were just there to enjoy. There were gypsy children, off duty soldiers and all sorts of people. But amongst them, a figure clad in black robe from under which it's bare feet could be seen was looking intently at the ship. It approached the entrance plank and looked up at it. A butler noticed the figure and smiled gently asking if they had a pass. The figure merely shook it's head and walked away from the plank, looking around the other side of the ship. Something shiny peeked from under the place it was grabbing the robe closed.

[wXw]

Ulrike Woltmann

Every dance starts with a step. Then another step follows, and a third one, all of them in a precise orderly rhythm. In the same way, two souls had danced their courting until the bare fingers of their hands intertwined with passion before their eyes. With her hand firmly against the bust she longed to feel against her own, Ulrike gave the initial push along the wooden dance floor.

Ulrike knew the steps, she knew how the chevalier guides the lady across the hall, safely in the firm grip of the waist, holding with the shoulder and unflinching to the turns of the music. And in doing this, there was nothing else, but the two of them, in a natural continuous flow of movements. Cain's dress was wind, and air, whispers and caresses and promises that time was to demand them both to keep.

Alone they danced across the hall with hundred eyes following them. Solitary like swans floating on a summer lake they moved, guided by the rushing beats of the heart. Until everything stopped in the never ending pause of a bliss. -Cain...- whispered Ulrike while swirling in front of the musicians, but she could not complete her sentence. She danced instead with Cain, as if they were just one, one like that one tear that slowly paced its slow waltz across Ulrike's cheek.

[Kenny1]

Fleaur smiled and took the man's hand, the second their hands touched the music bagan. Fleaur giggled at Caine's impatience, blushing at th eman beside her. In French she said "I am from southern France, Bordeaux province. I would tell you the city but you will have never heard of it."

Fleaur then smiled and awaited to be escorted to the ballroom, the man was such a charmer. Fleaur could not help but think this would be an interesting cruise.

[MarieGourmont]

Cain

Cain was smiling and dancing ot her hearts content, light and soft on her dainty feet as she let Ulrike guide her safely across the dance floor. She gently squeezed Ulrike's hand with her own and smiled up at the taller woman her face flushed from the dance. As they stepped infront of the musician's flat, she cocked her head to the side as Ulrike said her name so gently.

Troubled, the young girl extended the hand that had been on Ulrike's shoulder and placed a silky finger on the tear that shone on the soft cheek. She wiped it away slowly, as she looked into Ulrike's gaze. Then she placed her full hand on the warm kind face and, stopping the dance, she went up on the tips of her toes like in ballet.

There was a soft gasp, in the fashion of a gentle sigh from the people who were dinning and now admiring the Senior Specialist and Cheif Steward's dance. It was both in awe and surprise, for as she tiptoed Cain had pulled Ulrike down a bit her lips connected with that of the Senior Specialist's in a soft innocent kiss.

It had been an impulse, but she had felt way too sue about it to let the opportunity pass, and thus the petite British girl, the Chief Steward of te SS Antoinette had decided to kiss the Senior Specilist of the Blitztod, a soldier of the Queen's Army, one o the natural enemies to the cause she pursued...


Lousie

The tall young man smiled down at the short young woman and nodded. He took Fleaur's hand and placed it on his arm as he guided her from the hall to the ballroom adn then to the edge of the dance floor.

"Would Madmoiselle Bordeaux be so kind as to allow me to dance with her? In the mean time she could also tell me that city of hers, " he whispered winking at her and offering her his hand.

"By the way, my name is Louise Bellmont, if Madmoiselle care for it. I am a mechanical engineer back in France. If I may ask, by chance wuld you not know the engineer of this ship? I heard a few hours before boarding from a person in the port that this ship is very safe. That intruiged me a lot, and would like to know who built the system," he said with a boyish smile on his face, desguising the compliment. He wasn't sure if SHE had built the system, but if she did she deserved every compliment out there.