Chapter 6
So, I am updating with chapter 6. I am working currently on Chapter 7. I am currently at 13,595 words
Again, remember a rough draft, this is not edited or cleaned up. I will edit, rewrite and clean up next month.
Chapter 6: In which We Meet the Damnable Yankee
Christian insisted on stopping at the Haberdashery on the way to the dock, replacing his poor brothers hat. He also purchased a nice grey cabby hat which he pulled on his own head and a top hat, to replace the one which he lost while battling the land shark. Then he took his brother with his fresh new hat to the docks. Daniel had not forgiven him for Miss Agatha Lynn, though he had been surprised when Christian had given her his card and said to go to a certain bank and they would help her rebuild. She refused to take it at first but practicality had won out over pride.
Christian sighed as he moved, it was so unusual for him to not see his brother carrying a cane which Daniel now knew had always concealed a sword. Daniel shook his own head picking his bowler up and pushing his mess of hair back under it and pulled down the hat so as to keep his hair out of his face as they moved to the docks. The pair covered in blood, suit and mud just failed to carry the nobility of there blood but Daniel did his best to keep his chin up. Christian though whistled and moved like a chimney sweep. No regard or sense to be embaressed by his appearance as he walked onto the docks with Daniel at his side. Not even, when he saw the perfectly dressed lady that was Stephania, in the latest fashion with a large parrasal over her shoulder. A handful of cases by her, and the man Jules and the lady Cecilia waiting with her. All three watched Christian and Daniel approach. Each of there reactions slightly varied, Stephania looked with disdain, which made Daniel shrink abit more, Cecilia seemed amused and Jules seemed unconcerned.
Christian walked over and bowed full length before the trio “Well, then ladies and gentleman, I presume arrangements have been made?”
Cecilia bowed her head “Of course Sir Craymore, three rooms have been procured aboard the Damnable Yankees” She bowed to Daniel “Mister Craymore, a handful of clothing has been procured and packed for you as well.”
Daniel turned to Christian “How?”
Christian smiles “I left a note for Cecilia, which informed her that we would be heading to your residence and in case there were problems you may need a full wardrobe for the sea voyage.”
Daniel eyed Christian “How did you know I would be going? I didn’t even know I was going until just a bit ago.”
Christian smiled “Sheer optimism” He bowed to his brother who fumed “My dear Stephania you look quite lovely. I am sure Jules treated you well.”
Stephania curtsied lightly “He was an utter ass. Though I have made it here now.”
Daniel sighed watching the trio and his brother feeling completely like the odd man out. As Christian took the documents for the three of them, and they headed farther onto the docks, towards a large Steal Vessel floating in the harbor, massive smoke stacks and a large paddle wheel jutted out the back as it floated in the harbor like a hugely oversized River Boat, with massive bronze and steal cables and tubes crisscrossing the massive vessel an American Flag flapped from the top, as well as one painted on the side of the vessel with the words “Them Damnable Yankees” painted along the side. Passengers were being ushered aboard along a massive metal gangplank bridge, which unfolded from the ship itself. A gentleman in an American naval uniform stood on the top greeting passengers as they moved onto the ship.
Daniel looked at the over sized metal construct floating in the harbor and to Christian who found the bussling vessel quite amusing. Stephania, looked at there bags to Jules and coughed slightly as she expected him to make arrangements. Christian on the other hand walked over to a man in the American Naval Uniform near the ship and after a quick conversation and some pressed paper into his palm there luggage was retrieved to be brought aboard. Christian smiled at his two companions, then took a new cane from Cecilia and headed up the gangplank. Daniel found himself offering his hand to Stephania, who seemed glad to take it as the trio moved up the thick metal gang plank. At the top the crew men greeting the crowds smiled at Christian “Mr. Craymore, isn’t it, the Chief of Engineering will be pleased to hear your on board.”
Christian smiled at the man in the crisp suit “Thank you XO Daniels, please give Joey my greetings when you get a chance. What is me and my companions cabin situation?”
Daniel’s smiled waving over a young man on the deck dressed in whites “Please bring Mister Craymore, and his Companion’s to there rooms.”
The young boy nodded “Yessir, this way please” he had a bit of a southern American drawl to him. The boy led them into the ship, where they found a rather large internal connected four rooms. It entered into a sitting room, with three doors off of it, one a bathing room, and two bedrooms. Christian smiled as he entered “This is magnificent, thank you, young man.” He tossed the boy a silver American coin. Christian turned to his brother and Stephania who were both blown away and confused by the large estate on the ship “I am afraid, this was originally booked for two, so I shall of course take the sitting room as I would hate to offend the delicate sensibilities of my two companions.”
Daniel did not hesitate he simply bowed “Thank you brother, now if you will excuse me I feel a need to freshen up before we go much farther. It has been quite a chaotic day.”
Stephania watched as Daniel left and eyed Christian for a bit, as he flopped down into a chair putting his feet up. “You have not told him of our past?”
Christian stretched and sighed “What good would it do him to know what kind of woman he is traveling with. It would just hurt his delicate sensibilities as I said.”
Stephania raised her self up “And what kind of woman is that? A strong woman, who does what she must to survive in this world with out the help of your delicate kind?”
Christian felt a grin crossing his lips “No my dear, a woman with the wits and cunning to keep up in the same world in which I live, a world of dishonesty, violence, subtlty and backstabbing. Speaking of which, whom is the great Stephania working for now? Who wants the journal enough to pay your price?”
Stephania leaned down placing her hand on Christian her face moving closer to his. Her leg and cleavage flashing slightly as she moved in closer “Who says I came for the journal perhaps I simply missed you? After Paris, I must admit would that really surprise you?”
Christian was simple as could be with his answer as he leaned into her “Yes, my sweet Stephania, that would completely surprise me.” He smiled as he slid his uncovered hand along her Check “As long as the journal is safe, and you leave my brother alone I am happy to have your beauty along. It should be a pleasant distraction from the greater mystery of what is actually going on.”
Stephania smiles sliding away from Christian pulling herself upright “I see, and if I don’t. If I choose to use every resource at my power, what will you do?”
Christian was on his feet quickly a fire glared in his eyes as he spun Stephania to face him holding her wrist in his “I will make sure it is one of the last things you ever do.” Now, most dramatic stories would have the hero kiss the girl or have a fight of some form break out at this point, but this is not most stories in fact she simply pulled her hand out of his raised her head up high flashed him a quick knowing smile and headed into the other bedroom. Leaving Christian to fume by him self.
Christian checked his watch some thirty minutes had passed, neither Stephania nor Daniel had come out of there rooms and the ship would be launching shortly. He was going to wait till they were well away before dropping in on the true Captain of this vessel. Not the one who all the pretty tourists see and think is the Captain. No, the foul tongued mad genius who haunted below decks and designed and built this ship himself. Who funded it with his sweat and bones, and whose brilliance was seen by those in the know as one of the greater inventors of his age. First though, he would nock and get his brother and Stephania, and see if they wished to say a fair well to London. He knocked first on Daniels door. The door slid open after a minute “Christian? I must have fallen asleep.” Christian smiled at him “I am going to grab a change of clothing and wash up then I am heading to watch the Vessel launch. Would you care to join me?”
Daniel nodded “I will be along shortly. I need to get cleaned up and changed myself.” and he disappeared back into his room. Stephania, slid out smiling at Christian like a cat who had ate the canary. She slid her hand along Christian’s face “My dear Christian, are we over our previous disagreement?”
Christian shook his head “Stephania, how could I ever keep a grudge involving such a lovely creature as yourself.” Christian leaned in close, and kissed her gently on the lips, as he pulled away he tossed a Stilleto into the air he had removed hidden from the bustle of her dress. “My dear, thank you for the blade.” He spins her slightly from him as he catches the stilleto and slides it into his coat pocket. She follows threw with the spin and crosses her arms watching Christian holding herself tall and proud as Daniel came out of his room offering his arm to Stephania he smiles “Shall we?”
Stephania smiled back curtseying before taking his arm. The two left the room, Christian sighed pulling the Stilleto from his pocket and slid it into a drawer in the sitting he had claimed for himself.
The trio stood on the deck of the ship, watching the peer float away in the distance Christian glanced over watching the Pirates air ship. He had no doubt they would be preparing for launch shortly, his only hope was that they did not know where he was going, and neither did the Mechanicals or any other genetic freaks but he knew it was too much to ask for. Stephania, surely managed to slip some one a note, or tip of some one. Or perhaps a leak with in his own organization. There were always so many options which could cause the young man problems. As he watched London and eventually fade away he could not help but smile. This was why he did it, out of loyalty to that wonderful land and city. He was lost in thought when the gruff voice came from behind “So, if it isn’t the sorriest excuse for a proper british gentleman that I have had the rottin luck to know. You know, if I didn know any better, I would say you could have been born in Manhattan.”
Christian’s smile widened as he turned to look at the fireplug shaped gentleman. He stood no more then five five, but he could probably with those arms and legs, not to mention chest bear hug a man to death “Well if it isn’t the worst gambler on all the seven seas. How much is it you owe me? One hundred, no One hundred and fifty?”
Joey walked up and put his arms around Christian hugging the life out of him “Twenty five, and what about the bottle of whiskey you promised me for nearly getting my ear shot off?”
Christian smiled “Well, we are in luck on that one, for back in my room I have a fine bottle of Scotch, with our name on it. Of course I presume we will be drinking it below decks?” Christian pulled out a deck of cards with a smile growing over his lips.
Joey grinned “Sounds like a date, so what room did the Uniforms check you into?” he looked to Christian to lead the way, which he did was a gracious lead.
Stephania moved gracefully threw the room, pouring a pair of drinks for Daniel and herself. She handed him a brandy before sliding down with a vodka for herself. She flashed him a some what demure smile which she felt might catch his attention. “Oh, thank you. I truly appreciate how kind you have been to me. Unlike my brother, you have been making me feel so welcome.”
She ran her finger along the edge of the crystal listening to it hum “Daniel, I would be lying if I did not admit that your company was quite pleasant. In fact I would say it makes much of this trip bearable unlike your brother.”
Daniel sighed as he took a sip of his drink “I can not apologize enough for my brother. I have no idea what his issue is. I swear our mother raised us better then this.”
Stephania leaned forward half smiling, as she placed her hand on his knee, giving just a flash of her cleavage “I am then very lucky that your mother’s lessons took with one of you otherwise this would be a miserable trip to be one with out you.”
Daniel blushed slightly “Thank you Stephania.” Was all he could manage to get out as he forced himself to advert his eyes from her beauty.
Stephania smiled as she leaned back she was not ready to push it much farther yet, but when she was it would all fall into her plan and Christian’s brother would reveal where Christian is hiding the journal. Of course she did not realize that Daniel had this, and perhaps this was one of the things that kept her from taking advantadge of him.
The door slammed open to the sound of two men entering the room Christian was speaking loudly with Joey. Stephania pulled back rising up right as he moved into the room. “So then she said ‘Oh, but what a impressive screwdriver and I was like and wait till you get this belt off” He stopped when he noticed Stephania and Daniel staring at him Christian was laughing to what ever boisterous story Joey was telling.
Christian smiled “Joey, allow me to introduce my companions, my brother Daniel and you remember Stephania from Paris? Daniel allow me to introduce the finest mechanic in America and the owner and true capt of this fine ship Joseph Hack.”
Joey reached out and grabbed Daniel’s hand “Joey to my friend, and any brother of Daniel is a friend of mine.” Joey turned to Stephania “So, nice to see you with out a double barreled steam powered dynamite cannon pointed at you.”
Stephania smiled “Perhaps, we shall have more of a chance to make each others equatince” she offered her hand to Joey. Joey bowed it and kissed it in a kind of mockery of European standards, a little too over the top and showy.
Joey grinned “Well if you two want to join me and Christy here were about to go play a few hands in cards and wet our whistle. I am sure, Christian wouldn’t mind a couple more suckers…I mean gentleman and ladies joining us.”
Christian went to his bag and pulled out a bottle of Scotch and grinned “Of course not, though I am afraid I would have to put up a stake for them which they would get to make up to me later if they lost.”
Joey grinned “Ah, you are such a generous sport.” Slapped Christian on the back
Daniel bowed and picked up his hat “I would be honored, a evening of light amusement with some cards might do the spirits wonders and past the time on a long trip such as this”
Stephania smiled at Daniel and Joey “I would also think a nice game of spades would do wonders for the spirits.”
Christian shook his head as he picked up a roll of dollars “No, we are going to play a few hands of poker.”
Stephania smiled “Even more wonderful, how very American western penny dreadful.” She paused waiting for some one to offer there arm, which both Daniel and Joey did so she took them both by the arm as they headed down the stairs into the steel and bronze bowels of the ship.
When they got threw the engine room to a wooden table with a handful of crates and a couple chairs around it. Bread cheese, meat and some mustard was on the table, as well as a cake and a couple of buckets filled with beers and Carbinated fruit drinks. Joey grinned “Take a seat, there is some one I have to introduce you to Christian.” Every one settled down Christian taking a chair and motioned for the rest to join him.
Joey ducked out of sight and came back with a short red headed girl, dressed in a jump suit with a fancy twin pistol belt with a pair of silver revolvers that she wore around her waste. Her pail freckled skin was smudged and dirty covered in coal and grease, her red hair was pulled back neatly and worn beneath a leather cap with a pair of massive goggles on top. She was built like a tom boy, with a slight curve to her. “Christian, Stephania, Daniel this is my niece on my sisters side Rose. Rose, this is my good buddy Christian, his brother Daniel and the Russian woman is Stephania.”
Christian, and Daniel both rose from there chair “Rose it is a pleasure to meet you.” Christian sayed with a slight bow, the words mimicked and sentiment mimicked by Daniel.
Joey grinned “So, shall we play some cards?”
The Friendly card game turned much more vicious as the night went on. Christian played cards like he played threw life quick and over the top. Stephania, flirted and played. Joey was just in it for the company it was obvious. Rose, though Rose didn’t speak much, a smile here, a taunt there subtle and smooth Rose played like a professional.
She spoke from time to time, about her time with her miner father and saloon girl mother, both of which felt that there uncle could show her some more culture. The four were sharks swimming with a bloody seal in the water, and quickly, all played with him but it became clear before long that Daniel was out of his league in this poker game, so he retired to the deck for a moonlight drink and perhaps some night air.
From there the game grew more tense, more intense. The sharks swam around each other, at one point Stephania, got in a bidding war with Joey, where she actually bet the dress on her back when Christian refused to giver her any more money. The dress was lost, but Joey returned a part of the stake allowing her to continue gambling. As she drank more, she became more brazen, sitting on Joey’s lap and even kissing him a few times. Christian encouraged this, but never took advantadge of it, instead he found himself locked in a contest with the young poker player from Nevada. The pair played well together, the cards flashing and the game continued, till Stephania and Joey excused them selved, Joey picking up Stephania’s dress, the remenants of the bottle of Scotch, and Stephania thrown over his shoulder. He grinned at the pair “Well you two be good, now if you excuse us, I think we both need to be heading into bed.”
Christian watched amused sipping his second glass of Scotch, while Rose sipped on a beer. “Uncle, now don’t strain yourself.” She turned towards Christian “I hope you are not expecting anything like that?”
Christian put his hands up “Not I, I am simply looking for another hand or two.”
Rose smiled as she picked up a cigar chomping on the end “Good, then another hand it is.”
Stephania pulled her self up out of the bed. Her bare flesh shivering as she stood up in the large metal room, filled with cable, pipes and tubes. She stretched feeling the cold prickle as she slid upwards pulling the small amount of wax from her pocket, taking and pressing several keys in it, she slid the keys back in his pants. She looked around the room, her bare flesh bristling in the cold as she slid back in next to Joseph, the large man’s warmth felt good when compared to the cold in the rest of the room. She found herself fading back to sleep.
The card game continued on for a while, the two bantering back and forth. Their laughing filled the room they played in. She was his equal at the game, but more importantly he found her a joy to be around. She told him, of her father and his ranch, how she had been raised to be an equal. She told him of her first kiss, with one of the local boys and he told her the tale of how he earned his knight hood, and a bit of his child hood.
As the night went on, he found himself not wanting it to end when she looked up and sighed “I am afraid, I have to call it here. You get to walk away with my ten dollars, though I will make it back.”
Christian shrugged “Well we have a long voyage ahead, I will have to give you a chance to earn it back.”
She smiled pulling her self up “Or you could take me to dinner one night, I think we might call it even.”
Christian nodded “I would be honored if you would accompany to dinner tomorrow night.” He offered his hand, she by passed it leaned in and hugged him kissing him gently on his cheek leaving a bit of a grease smudge.
“It’s a date.”
Christian found himself smiling as he moved back towards his rooms, he had a bit of a skip to his step, and he felt a touch warmer then usual as he slipped in the room was dark, he figured Stephania was busy getting the keys to the weapon’s locker or some such thing so he slipped down into a chair and sighed. Tomorrow evening he thought, he was surprisingly nervous about it. What he didn’t know was that his first “date” with Rose, would indeed be a night none of them would forget.
Again, remember a rough draft, this is not edited or cleaned up. I will edit, rewrite and clean up next month.
Chapter 6: In which We Meet the Damnable Yankee
Christian insisted on stopping at the Haberdashery on the way to the dock, replacing his poor brothers hat. He also purchased a nice grey cabby hat which he pulled on his own head and a top hat, to replace the one which he lost while battling the land shark. Then he took his brother with his fresh new hat to the docks. Daniel had not forgiven him for Miss Agatha Lynn, though he had been surprised when Christian had given her his card and said to go to a certain bank and they would help her rebuild. She refused to take it at first but practicality had won out over pride.
Christian sighed as he moved, it was so unusual for him to not see his brother carrying a cane which Daniel now knew had always concealed a sword. Daniel shook his own head picking his bowler up and pushing his mess of hair back under it and pulled down the hat so as to keep his hair out of his face as they moved to the docks. The pair covered in blood, suit and mud just failed to carry the nobility of there blood but Daniel did his best to keep his chin up. Christian though whistled and moved like a chimney sweep. No regard or sense to be embaressed by his appearance as he walked onto the docks with Daniel at his side. Not even, when he saw the perfectly dressed lady that was Stephania, in the latest fashion with a large parrasal over her shoulder. A handful of cases by her, and the man Jules and the lady Cecilia waiting with her. All three watched Christian and Daniel approach. Each of there reactions slightly varied, Stephania looked with disdain, which made Daniel shrink abit more, Cecilia seemed amused and Jules seemed unconcerned.
Christian walked over and bowed full length before the trio “Well, then ladies and gentleman, I presume arrangements have been made?”
Cecilia bowed her head “Of course Sir Craymore, three rooms have been procured aboard the Damnable Yankees” She bowed to Daniel “Mister Craymore, a handful of clothing has been procured and packed for you as well.”
Daniel turned to Christian “How?”
Christian smiles “I left a note for Cecilia, which informed her that we would be heading to your residence and in case there were problems you may need a full wardrobe for the sea voyage.”
Daniel eyed Christian “How did you know I would be going? I didn’t even know I was going until just a bit ago.”
Christian smiled “Sheer optimism” He bowed to his brother who fumed “My dear Stephania you look quite lovely. I am sure Jules treated you well.”
Stephania curtsied lightly “He was an utter ass. Though I have made it here now.”
Daniel sighed watching the trio and his brother feeling completely like the odd man out. As Christian took the documents for the three of them, and they headed farther onto the docks, towards a large Steal Vessel floating in the harbor, massive smoke stacks and a large paddle wheel jutted out the back as it floated in the harbor like a hugely oversized River Boat, with massive bronze and steal cables and tubes crisscrossing the massive vessel an American Flag flapped from the top, as well as one painted on the side of the vessel with the words “Them Damnable Yankees” painted along the side. Passengers were being ushered aboard along a massive metal gangplank bridge, which unfolded from the ship itself. A gentleman in an American naval uniform stood on the top greeting passengers as they moved onto the ship.
Daniel looked at the over sized metal construct floating in the harbor and to Christian who found the bussling vessel quite amusing. Stephania, looked at there bags to Jules and coughed slightly as she expected him to make arrangements. Christian on the other hand walked over to a man in the American Naval Uniform near the ship and after a quick conversation and some pressed paper into his palm there luggage was retrieved to be brought aboard. Christian smiled at his two companions, then took a new cane from Cecilia and headed up the gangplank. Daniel found himself offering his hand to Stephania, who seemed glad to take it as the trio moved up the thick metal gang plank. At the top the crew men greeting the crowds smiled at Christian “Mr. Craymore, isn’t it, the Chief of Engineering will be pleased to hear your on board.”
Christian smiled at the man in the crisp suit “Thank you XO Daniels, please give Joey my greetings when you get a chance. What is me and my companions cabin situation?”
Daniel’s smiled waving over a young man on the deck dressed in whites “Please bring Mister Craymore, and his Companion’s to there rooms.”
The young boy nodded “Yessir, this way please” he had a bit of a southern American drawl to him. The boy led them into the ship, where they found a rather large internal connected four rooms. It entered into a sitting room, with three doors off of it, one a bathing room, and two bedrooms. Christian smiled as he entered “This is magnificent, thank you, young man.” He tossed the boy a silver American coin. Christian turned to his brother and Stephania who were both blown away and confused by the large estate on the ship “I am afraid, this was originally booked for two, so I shall of course take the sitting room as I would hate to offend the delicate sensibilities of my two companions.”
Daniel did not hesitate he simply bowed “Thank you brother, now if you will excuse me I feel a need to freshen up before we go much farther. It has been quite a chaotic day.”
Stephania watched as Daniel left and eyed Christian for a bit, as he flopped down into a chair putting his feet up. “You have not told him of our past?”
Christian stretched and sighed “What good would it do him to know what kind of woman he is traveling with. It would just hurt his delicate sensibilities as I said.”
Stephania raised her self up “And what kind of woman is that? A strong woman, who does what she must to survive in this world with out the help of your delicate kind?”
Christian felt a grin crossing his lips “No my dear, a woman with the wits and cunning to keep up in the same world in which I live, a world of dishonesty, violence, subtlty and backstabbing. Speaking of which, whom is the great Stephania working for now? Who wants the journal enough to pay your price?”
Stephania leaned down placing her hand on Christian her face moving closer to his. Her leg and cleavage flashing slightly as she moved in closer “Who says I came for the journal perhaps I simply missed you? After Paris, I must admit would that really surprise you?”
Christian was simple as could be with his answer as he leaned into her “Yes, my sweet Stephania, that would completely surprise me.” He smiled as he slid his uncovered hand along her Check “As long as the journal is safe, and you leave my brother alone I am happy to have your beauty along. It should be a pleasant distraction from the greater mystery of what is actually going on.”
Stephania smiles sliding away from Christian pulling herself upright “I see, and if I don’t. If I choose to use every resource at my power, what will you do?”
Christian was on his feet quickly a fire glared in his eyes as he spun Stephania to face him holding her wrist in his “I will make sure it is one of the last things you ever do.” Now, most dramatic stories would have the hero kiss the girl or have a fight of some form break out at this point, but this is not most stories in fact she simply pulled her hand out of his raised her head up high flashed him a quick knowing smile and headed into the other bedroom. Leaving Christian to fume by him self.
Christian checked his watch some thirty minutes had passed, neither Stephania nor Daniel had come out of there rooms and the ship would be launching shortly. He was going to wait till they were well away before dropping in on the true Captain of this vessel. Not the one who all the pretty tourists see and think is the Captain. No, the foul tongued mad genius who haunted below decks and designed and built this ship himself. Who funded it with his sweat and bones, and whose brilliance was seen by those in the know as one of the greater inventors of his age. First though, he would nock and get his brother and Stephania, and see if they wished to say a fair well to London. He knocked first on Daniels door. The door slid open after a minute “Christian? I must have fallen asleep.” Christian smiled at him “I am going to grab a change of clothing and wash up then I am heading to watch the Vessel launch. Would you care to join me?”
Daniel nodded “I will be along shortly. I need to get cleaned up and changed myself.” and he disappeared back into his room. Stephania, slid out smiling at Christian like a cat who had ate the canary. She slid her hand along Christian’s face “My dear Christian, are we over our previous disagreement?”
Christian shook his head “Stephania, how could I ever keep a grudge involving such a lovely creature as yourself.” Christian leaned in close, and kissed her gently on the lips, as he pulled away he tossed a Stilleto into the air he had removed hidden from the bustle of her dress. “My dear, thank you for the blade.” He spins her slightly from him as he catches the stilleto and slides it into his coat pocket. She follows threw with the spin and crosses her arms watching Christian holding herself tall and proud as Daniel came out of his room offering his arm to Stephania he smiles “Shall we?”
Stephania smiled back curtseying before taking his arm. The two left the room, Christian sighed pulling the Stilleto from his pocket and slid it into a drawer in the sitting he had claimed for himself.
The trio stood on the deck of the ship, watching the peer float away in the distance Christian glanced over watching the Pirates air ship. He had no doubt they would be preparing for launch shortly, his only hope was that they did not know where he was going, and neither did the Mechanicals or any other genetic freaks but he knew it was too much to ask for. Stephania, surely managed to slip some one a note, or tip of some one. Or perhaps a leak with in his own organization. There were always so many options which could cause the young man problems. As he watched London and eventually fade away he could not help but smile. This was why he did it, out of loyalty to that wonderful land and city. He was lost in thought when the gruff voice came from behind “So, if it isn’t the sorriest excuse for a proper british gentleman that I have had the rottin luck to know. You know, if I didn know any better, I would say you could have been born in Manhattan.”
Christian’s smile widened as he turned to look at the fireplug shaped gentleman. He stood no more then five five, but he could probably with those arms and legs, not to mention chest bear hug a man to death “Well if it isn’t the worst gambler on all the seven seas. How much is it you owe me? One hundred, no One hundred and fifty?”
Joey walked up and put his arms around Christian hugging the life out of him “Twenty five, and what about the bottle of whiskey you promised me for nearly getting my ear shot off?”
Christian smiled “Well, we are in luck on that one, for back in my room I have a fine bottle of Scotch, with our name on it. Of course I presume we will be drinking it below decks?” Christian pulled out a deck of cards with a smile growing over his lips.
Joey grinned “Sounds like a date, so what room did the Uniforms check you into?” he looked to Christian to lead the way, which he did was a gracious lead.
Stephania moved gracefully threw the room, pouring a pair of drinks for Daniel and herself. She handed him a brandy before sliding down with a vodka for herself. She flashed him a some what demure smile which she felt might catch his attention. “Oh, thank you. I truly appreciate how kind you have been to me. Unlike my brother, you have been making me feel so welcome.”
She ran her finger along the edge of the crystal listening to it hum “Daniel, I would be lying if I did not admit that your company was quite pleasant. In fact I would say it makes much of this trip bearable unlike your brother.”
Daniel sighed as he took a sip of his drink “I can not apologize enough for my brother. I have no idea what his issue is. I swear our mother raised us better then this.”
Stephania leaned forward half smiling, as she placed her hand on his knee, giving just a flash of her cleavage “I am then very lucky that your mother’s lessons took with one of you otherwise this would be a miserable trip to be one with out you.”
Daniel blushed slightly “Thank you Stephania.” Was all he could manage to get out as he forced himself to advert his eyes from her beauty.
Stephania smiled as she leaned back she was not ready to push it much farther yet, but when she was it would all fall into her plan and Christian’s brother would reveal where Christian is hiding the journal. Of course she did not realize that Daniel had this, and perhaps this was one of the things that kept her from taking advantadge of him.
The door slammed open to the sound of two men entering the room Christian was speaking loudly with Joey. Stephania pulled back rising up right as he moved into the room. “So then she said ‘Oh, but what a impressive screwdriver and I was like and wait till you get this belt off” He stopped when he noticed Stephania and Daniel staring at him Christian was laughing to what ever boisterous story Joey was telling.
Christian smiled “Joey, allow me to introduce my companions, my brother Daniel and you remember Stephania from Paris? Daniel allow me to introduce the finest mechanic in America and the owner and true capt of this fine ship Joseph Hack.”
Joey reached out and grabbed Daniel’s hand “Joey to my friend, and any brother of Daniel is a friend of mine.” Joey turned to Stephania “So, nice to see you with out a double barreled steam powered dynamite cannon pointed at you.”
Stephania smiled “Perhaps, we shall have more of a chance to make each others equatince” she offered her hand to Joey. Joey bowed it and kissed it in a kind of mockery of European standards, a little too over the top and showy.
Joey grinned “Well if you two want to join me and Christy here were about to go play a few hands in cards and wet our whistle. I am sure, Christian wouldn’t mind a couple more suckers…I mean gentleman and ladies joining us.”
Christian went to his bag and pulled out a bottle of Scotch and grinned “Of course not, though I am afraid I would have to put up a stake for them which they would get to make up to me later if they lost.”
Joey grinned “Ah, you are such a generous sport.” Slapped Christian on the back
Daniel bowed and picked up his hat “I would be honored, a evening of light amusement with some cards might do the spirits wonders and past the time on a long trip such as this”
Stephania smiled at Daniel and Joey “I would also think a nice game of spades would do wonders for the spirits.”
Christian shook his head as he picked up a roll of dollars “No, we are going to play a few hands of poker.”
Stephania smiled “Even more wonderful, how very American western penny dreadful.” She paused waiting for some one to offer there arm, which both Daniel and Joey did so she took them both by the arm as they headed down the stairs into the steel and bronze bowels of the ship.
When they got threw the engine room to a wooden table with a handful of crates and a couple chairs around it. Bread cheese, meat and some mustard was on the table, as well as a cake and a couple of buckets filled with beers and Carbinated fruit drinks. Joey grinned “Take a seat, there is some one I have to introduce you to Christian.” Every one settled down Christian taking a chair and motioned for the rest to join him.
Joey ducked out of sight and came back with a short red headed girl, dressed in a jump suit with a fancy twin pistol belt with a pair of silver revolvers that she wore around her waste. Her pail freckled skin was smudged and dirty covered in coal and grease, her red hair was pulled back neatly and worn beneath a leather cap with a pair of massive goggles on top. She was built like a tom boy, with a slight curve to her. “Christian, Stephania, Daniel this is my niece on my sisters side Rose. Rose, this is my good buddy Christian, his brother Daniel and the Russian woman is Stephania.”
Christian, and Daniel both rose from there chair “Rose it is a pleasure to meet you.” Christian sayed with a slight bow, the words mimicked and sentiment mimicked by Daniel.
Joey grinned “So, shall we play some cards?”
The Friendly card game turned much more vicious as the night went on. Christian played cards like he played threw life quick and over the top. Stephania, flirted and played. Joey was just in it for the company it was obvious. Rose, though Rose didn’t speak much, a smile here, a taunt there subtle and smooth Rose played like a professional.
She spoke from time to time, about her time with her miner father and saloon girl mother, both of which felt that there uncle could show her some more culture. The four were sharks swimming with a bloody seal in the water, and quickly, all played with him but it became clear before long that Daniel was out of his league in this poker game, so he retired to the deck for a moonlight drink and perhaps some night air.
From there the game grew more tense, more intense. The sharks swam around each other, at one point Stephania, got in a bidding war with Joey, where she actually bet the dress on her back when Christian refused to giver her any more money. The dress was lost, but Joey returned a part of the stake allowing her to continue gambling. As she drank more, she became more brazen, sitting on Joey’s lap and even kissing him a few times. Christian encouraged this, but never took advantadge of it, instead he found himself locked in a contest with the young poker player from Nevada. The pair played well together, the cards flashing and the game continued, till Stephania and Joey excused them selved, Joey picking up Stephania’s dress, the remenants of the bottle of Scotch, and Stephania thrown over his shoulder. He grinned at the pair “Well you two be good, now if you excuse us, I think we both need to be heading into bed.”
Christian watched amused sipping his second glass of Scotch, while Rose sipped on a beer. “Uncle, now don’t strain yourself.” She turned towards Christian “I hope you are not expecting anything like that?”
Christian put his hands up “Not I, I am simply looking for another hand or two.”
Rose smiled as she picked up a cigar chomping on the end “Good, then another hand it is.”
Stephania pulled her self up out of the bed. Her bare flesh shivering as she stood up in the large metal room, filled with cable, pipes and tubes. She stretched feeling the cold prickle as she slid upwards pulling the small amount of wax from her pocket, taking and pressing several keys in it, she slid the keys back in his pants. She looked around the room, her bare flesh bristling in the cold as she slid back in next to Joseph, the large man’s warmth felt good when compared to the cold in the rest of the room. She found herself fading back to sleep.
The card game continued on for a while, the two bantering back and forth. Their laughing filled the room they played in. She was his equal at the game, but more importantly he found her a joy to be around. She told him, of her father and his ranch, how she had been raised to be an equal. She told him of her first kiss, with one of the local boys and he told her the tale of how he earned his knight hood, and a bit of his child hood.
As the night went on, he found himself not wanting it to end when she looked up and sighed “I am afraid, I have to call it here. You get to walk away with my ten dollars, though I will make it back.”
Christian shrugged “Well we have a long voyage ahead, I will have to give you a chance to earn it back.”
She smiled pulling her self up “Or you could take me to dinner one night, I think we might call it even.”
Christian nodded “I would be honored if you would accompany to dinner tomorrow night.” He offered his hand, she by passed it leaned in and hugged him kissing him gently on his cheek leaving a bit of a grease smudge.
“It’s a date.”
Christian found himself smiling as he moved back towards his rooms, he had a bit of a skip to his step, and he felt a touch warmer then usual as he slipped in the room was dark, he figured Stephania was busy getting the keys to the weapon’s locker or some such thing so he slipped down into a chair and sighed. Tomorrow evening he thought, he was surprisingly nervous about it. What he didn’t know was that his first “date” with Rose, would indeed be a night none of them would forget.