Titanic

[Red Raven Witch]

Oliver stood on the deck, looking up at the tall smoke stacks of the Titanic- the largest ship afloat. Gazing upon it Oliver was surprised by how grand it was, not that he hadn't been on grand ships before. No, Oliver had been on many ships, all sizes and from many different eras of time, all around the world with his father and mother. Maybe it was just that this time he was to be traveling alone, and that's what made it seem so grand- he was finally on his own for once.

Not to say Oliver didn't enjoy his trips with his family, but for a young man it was different to be out on one's own, experiencing life as a man who didn't have to escort his mother to dinners or tea parties where old women would comment on how handsome he was- with his lean but muscular structure, his height about 6"2' and his thin face with striking blue eyes and hair as dark as night- and how he should meet their daughters.
No, not on this journey would he have to do such things, he was able to do what he wished and that was just fine with him.

Smiling to himself he made his way though the crowds of people, breathing in the sea air as the gulls and many people brought sound to this excited atmosphere. Yes, the atmosphere alone helped his excitement build, and as he boarded the boat he was almost sick with joy. Looking down at all the people on the deck he watched as people- rich and poor- gathered on the ship.

[Jannah]

All the days of waiting and finally Julianna could depart to America, and hopefully to a better life. With the death of her mother just months before life had been particularly tough. Even just scraping up a ticket to board the ship known as 'Titanic' had taken extra hours of work, but she knew it would likely be all worth it. Others had spoken of the prosperity that awaited her in America. It was wealth she couldn't even imagine and now she knew it would just be within arm's length. Of course, however, being from a family of immigrants she knew she would be faced with extra challenges.

Julianna remembered very little of the old land except for the stories her mother had presented to her. They had been poor and left in search of better opportunities for their two daughters. This eventually led them to jolly old England where her father landed a factory job. It was hell, but it had been an improvement from their old lives working the fields. That was, of course, until the accident that took Julianna's father's life. From then on her mother had to resort to illicit activities to make ends meet.

Now being seventeen and considered a grown woman Julianna was left on her own. She also struggled, but still managed to scrape up the funds for a ticket to America. Upon hearing about it for the first time she knew that is where she had to be. She even tried to imagine all the things she would want to do upon arriving.

"Is this where steerage passengers board, sir?" Julianna asked a steward in an accented voice as she approached the docks. She couldn't believe her eyes as soon as she saw the ship in front of her. It was certainly the largest she had seen and she would be riding it! She brushed back her light brunette hair with her hands in order to get a better glimpse at the ship before boarding. She had been told the voyage to America would take a few days at most so immediately she knew she would never get a chance to explore the whole thing.

"Yes, ma'am. Ticket please." The steward responded, holding out his hand. Julianna picked up her rucksack containing her few belongings and handed over the ticket.

"Grand ship you have here. I'm impressed." Julianna uttered as she walked on board.

"Thank you. It's the largest in the world they say." The steward seemed to take kindly to Julianna's words as she walked away in search of her room.

As soon as Julianna found her room she was slightly disappointed to discover she was to be bunking with a mother and two young children. "Well I won't be spending much time in here." She uttered under her breath, setting down her rucksack on her bed. She would return later for proper introductions later. In the meantime she wanted to explore the ship a bit and perhaps go up on deck before it departed.

Julianna began to realize just how large the ship was as she climbed up many staircases in order to get to the lowest outdoor deck. She had been informed on the way that it was the one mostly reserved for third class passengers although technically others could venture down there too. It offered a decent view, but certainly nothing like those up above had. It was refreshing to just let the wind blow over her face.