"Sail on, sail on, great ship Titanic" I sing softly as I pack my things. I'm actually not sailing on the Titanic, but I'm sailing on her sister ship the Olympic. It reminds me a great deal of the original, though after being with Thomas Andrews and stealing his notebook behind his back, I've come to notice all the slight changes. They are not very noticeable to regular people, but I know.
It has been 2 years since I sailed on that big ship, and 2 years since I last saw my friends and family from my own time period. I have to remind myself every so often that I'm not actually from 1914, I'm from 2012! I tend to forget sometimes, being so used to life in the past. Sometimes I wish I could tell someone the truth. If I told anyone my secret they wouldn't believe me though, of course it is understandable. The only man who really knew the truth is dead, he went down with the ship he created. I've been trying my hardest to get on my way in this new time period without him, but it's very hard!
My etiquette is just terrible! At least, by Edwardian standards it is! Mr. Andrews, the man who brought me back in time, tried to help me fit in, him and his wife teaching me how to be a proper girl. But after his ship sank and I arrived in New York with absolutely nothing, I decided it really didn't matter anymore. Though I have tried because I promised him I would, and for the most part I think I pass as a slightly quirky second class girl. That's all about to change though!
I heard about the war in the paper, back in my little town. Even though I knew it wouldn't look the same 100 years in the past, I still went to my hometown and stayed. It was nice, but boring. As I was reading that paper telling of the war in France, I knew at once that I must go fight in it! I needed to have some excitement in my life, especially now that I've come to realize this is the dullest period of history ever! However I knew from history class that the United States would not jump into the war right away. That's not a problem though, I'll just join the British army!
We're pulling into Liverpool now. I know exactly what I'm going to do! I've already started my plan. When I left my little town, I gave some schoolboys my old horse that I had been given as a 'gift' by some farmers. In exchange for the horse, I took their wardrobes. I haven't started wearing the clothing just yet though, after all clothing isn't quite enough! I need a haircut, and as soon as I get into Liverpool I'm going to get one!
The ship blows it's horn as we pull into port and I pick up my now packed bag and head for the nearest exit. As soon as the ship docks I take one last look around before stepping off onto the ramp and heading down towards the solid ground. Nobody seems to notice me, which is a blessing! Now, I'm starting all over for the, I count in my head, either 4th or 5th time depending on what counts or not. I did a bit of traveling without settling when I first arrived in 1912 America, I don't know if that counts as starting over. In a way I suppose it does!
Alright, first thing to do is to find a barber shop. That shouldn't be too hard, and what do you know? It isn't! As I walk towards the door I suddenly begin to have second thoughts. I take a moment to stand and run my fingers through my shoulder length brown locks. I've hated these fluffy curls for so long, they were also so hard to maintain! Now I'm scared to part with them, what the hell though? Who cares! I'm sure it will grow back!
I enter the barber shop and a portly man in a mustache greets me "Ah, what can I do for ye miss?" he asks. I reach into my dress pocket and pull out all my money "I want you to cut my hair" I swallow "All of it". He raises an eyebrow before gesturing to an empty chair. I sit down and he approaches me "You want to, sell it?" he asks. I nod "Sure. Yes I'll sell it" I say. I watch as he picks up a pair of scissors "How much do you want off?" he asks slowly.
Staring into the mirror in front of me, I try to picture myself without my unruly hair. Finally I say "Cut it like a man's haircut" I tell him. He looks stunned "Miss, I don't mean to be nosy. But what's makin ye do this?" he asks me, getting ready to do the deed. I don't particularly enjoy lying, because I'm not very good at it, so I decide to tell him my plans of joining the cavalry.
He listens, and finally says "Miss, I shouldn't help you do this. But ye seem bound and determined. So I'll cut it for you, make ye look like a strapping young lad. I'll even let ye change in the back if you'd like to. Spare ye the humiliation of walking out of here in a dress with a boy's haircut" he tells me. I smile at him "Thank you sir" I say, before falling silent, watching him take my brown curls and hack them off.
After what seems like an eternity, I hardly recognize myself. My hair is short, so short it almost doesn't feel like I have any! But I do, and it's combed to the side neatly like all gentlemen of this time wear it! I stand and the kind man directs me to a room where I can change. Before I go though he hands me a bundle of gauze "Miss, You're going to need to, um, bind yer chest there" he tells me. He and I both blush and I thank him before going to change.
It feels so good to wear pants again! Back in 2012, I used to wear jeans every day of my life! Ever since coming back in time, I've worn a dress and corset every day like a proper girl is supposed to! I finally feel free, free as a bird! I bind my chest pretty easily, and I consider myself lucky for once that I don't have much there to bind up in the first place. Finally I put on my shirt and vest and look like a regular boy! I'm very happy! I wonder what my friends would say if they could see me now?
When I step out the man smiles and extends his hand, which I take and shake "Thank you sir!" I tell him. He nods "Good luck out there miss. Watch yourself" he says. With that I take my bag and head out into the street! Now to find those recruiting officers, can't be too hard can it?
Walking through the streets of Liverpool as a boy is interesting, I keep my free hand shoved in my pocket and my eyes trained to the ground as I walk. After walking a long while, I decide it's probably best to ask someone. I look around and see a gentleman standing on the corner, I approach him "Excuse me sir" I say, trying to keep my voice low "Would you know where to sign up for the war?" I ask. He looks me over critically before giving me directions. I thank him before continuing on my way.
Finally I find them, and suddenly I'm pracitcally bursting with excitement. It's just like War Horse, only I'm standing here watching it, participating in it! I see a line of boys waiting to sign up and I hop right in line after them. I don't even have to wait long, suddenly I'm at the table. They tell me first name, middle name, last name as they push the sheet in front of me. Oh, well I can't use my real name! Luckily for me, my name has a boy alternative, and I plan on using it!
'Gabriel Thomas Phillips' I sign, I fill out the rest of the form and they give me the ok. Really? That's it? I'm in? That was easy! I'm especially grateful they didn't make me go through a health inspection or something. Now what? I guess I'll just hang around the other guys until, uh, we go. They talk amongst themselves, and I try my very hardest not to draw any attention to myself. I have mastered this art, or at least I mastered it in 2012 when I didn't want anyone at school to notice me. Here? I'm not sure. So far things seem to be working though.
After a little while we march out of the town. People stand and cheer for us as we walk out. Most of these men won't make it, I remember my global teacher drilling that into our heads. The cavalry was useless, oh but War Horse made it look so grand! And besides, what does it matter if I get myself killed out in the field anyway? I'm not going back to the future that's for sure, and I'm not going to just sit around all the time and do nothing here!
As we walk I suddenly realize that I've rebelled in many ways. I'm rebelling in 1914 because women aren't supposed to dress as boys and join the military, and even though my mother can't see me now being in 2012, I'm rebelling against her too! She hated the military, even though my great grandfather was a navy captain, and all my grandfathers before him were in the military. One of them was even in world war 1! In the trenches! I wonder if I'll get to meet him? Probably not, because he was in the trenches and I don't know his name. But meeting him would be cool, I'd finally get to read those diaries my mother's friend lost when his house was swept away by the flood!
When we reach camp we are lined up in order of our last names to be given uniforms. When they get to me they measure me, and the man chuckles "Bit small eh?" he asks. I don't answer and he merely shrugs and writes down my measurements before another man shoves a uniform into my chest "That'll work for now. Alright move along!" he orders. I quickly scamper off to the next set of people, who give me a tent and tell me where to pitch it. Oh boy, I get to sleep in a tent! Last time I slept in one I was camping with my friend at a campsite with a pond. We went to parties and swam and threw water balloons at people from the back of a pick-up truck. That was a fun time, I'm realizing now that this is not going to be a fun time!
Reaching the spot where I'm supposed to pitch my tent, I drop all my things and merely stare at the canvas and poles. No directions? They just expect me to be able to pitch this thing? Well alright, if that's what they think! I start with the canvas, lying it on the ground. Ok, now I just put the poles under it and I'll be good to go! Or maybe not! Ok this is not going well at all! Sighing in defeat, I sit in the center of my flat tent and try to think things over.
"You alright there?" a voice asks. I look up sharply to see a guy standing at the edge of my fail tent, looking kindly at me. I shake my head "No, I can't figure out how to pitch this tent. I've never done it before" I admit to him. He smiles sympathetically before stepping over "It's alright, I was the same as you when I started. Here, let me help you" he says. I smile "Thanks. I'm Private Phillips" I tell him, he smiles brightly back at me "I'm Lieutenant Waverly. You can just call me Charlie though" he tells me. I laugh slightly, I like this guy! "Only if you'll call me Gabby" I reply and he nods "Alright then. Now, let me show you how to do this right!".
He quickly shows me how to set up the tent and I thank him. He is such a nice guy, and pretty cute I might add! But no, I can't think about having any romantic relationships with any of these officers! Not because I'm not supposed to be here, but because I promised, I look down at my engagement ring, yes I promised not to love anyone else as long as I was in this time period. I want to keep that promise! But sometimes I'm terrible about keeping them.
Charlie gets my attention back "Have you gotten assigned a horse yet?" he asks. I shake my head and he looks towards the stables "They'll probably be doing it soon. We took so long to pitch this tent. Here, change quickly, and then I'll bring you back to the stables with the others. Worse comes to worse they'll assign you your horse last. But at least you won't get in trouble, I'll say you were with me" he explains to me. I crawl into my tent, quickly changing into the cavalry uniform. I wish there was mirror of some kind so I could see myself, I bet I look good! All men look good in a uniform, usually.
When I crawl back out and stand, I take a minute to straighten out my uniform before putting my cap on and following Charlie. On the way there we talk casually about where we're from. I tell him I was actually American, but moved to Britain from there. It's not technically a lie! When we reach the stables, I am just in time. They call my name just as I walk up with Charlie "Here!" I call, walking forward. A groom thrusts a pair of reins into my hands, which are connected to the biggest and most beautiful white stallion I've ever seen! This horse dwarfs my pony back home! But he's not absurdly large, he's certainly not a draft horse. He looks like a warmblood of some kind. I lead him off and away from the others. I look up at him "Hm, you're a pretty boy aren't you?" I ask. He merely blinks at me.
They didn't tell me he had a name, that means I get to pick! What kind of name does he deserve though? Something good, something that would suit a big white horse, like the ones the princes always ride in Disney movies. My thoughts drift back to Titanic, to my fiance's nickname. Sparks! Yes, that's it! I'll call him Sparks! I pat my horse's neck "Your name is Sparks. Okie Dokie?" I ask him in my regular voice. He shoves me with his nose and nearly knocks me over, as though he's telling me I am not cut out for the military at all "Hey easy!" I tell him. It's clear we're just being assigned the horses today, and that we aren't actually going to do any training with them. I'd still like to ride though, to at least get to know Sparks. I see Charlie beginning to head to some buildings and I call to him.
He looks over at me before coming my way "Charlie, are there any fields where I can ride my horse? I'd like to see how he goes" I tell him. He nods "Sure. The training field is down that path, through the woods. It's nice and big, you should be able to try everything you want with him there. Or you can take him into the school which is" he turns around and points "That way!". I decide to go for the field "Thanks Charlie" I say. He smiles at me before turning and heading back towards the buildings he was originally heading towards.
I tack up and mount my big white stallion and he shifts under me, I've never ridden a horse like this. I've certainly never ridden a horse with double reins before. Well, I rode a horse, but it wasn't a real horse! I try to think as I turn him and head him towards the trail leading to the field. How do I hold the reins for that again? How do I apply pressure for each rein? Does it even matter?
When I reach the field I'm still thinking about it. I don't want to go faster on this horse if I don't know how to properly stop him! I decide it probably doesn't matter too much and ask him into a trot. He moves smoothly, and it takes me a moment to get used to him. My welsh pony back home was so small compared to Sparks! I've ridden big horses before of course, but not in several years! Let's see, it'd been about 3 or 4 years in my own time period since I'd ridden a big horse, plus the years I've spent in the 1900's, I'd say it's been at least 6-7 years since I've ridden a big horse! What a change, I like it!
Of course, I miss my pony. He was my best friend in every way a pony could be and more! I'm sure Sparks and I will bond just the same, I just hope I don't fall off him. It's quite a long way down from up here! I begin to canter him and then turn him, heading towards one end of the field. I'm going to try something new today, I'm going to gallop on my big horse! I've never galloped a big horse before, I bet it's much faster than my pony could have ever dreamed of running! I stop Sparks at the end of the field, grabbing a hold of his long white mane and leaning forward, as though I'm a jockey waiting in the gate.
With a swift kick Sparks shoots ahead, charging forward at a full gallop. I hang on tightly, this is definitely faster than my pony! But I don't care! This is fun! I urge him faster and faster, the wind nearly taking my cap right off! As we near the end of the field I pull on the reins and Sparks slows down immediately. I pat him and tell him that it was a job well done. With no one out here besides us, I don't try to lower my voice or disguise it. If we're going to bond, if he's going to trust me, he should know what my real voice sounds like.
As we head back towards camp, I consider what I've gotten myself into. It's going to be a lot of hard physical work, but I'm sure I'll be able to do it! Especially since I've already made a friend, and I have the most beautiful horse I've ever seen! Yes, for sure things will be alright! I wonder what Thomas Andrews would think of me now?
Hellooooo War Horse peoples! I have finally started my big War Horse fic! However I'm not quite ready to update it regularly. I'm just getting the first chapter up because, well I've had it typed for a few weeks now and I'm kinda tired of looking at it. So here it is!
Ok, backstory backstory backstory! This fanfiction is actually a spinoff from one of my Titanic fanfictions called 'The grand misadventures of Thomas Andrews'. If you think you can read through that, then I highly suggest you do as this story will make a bit more sense to you then. If you don't feel like it, here's a main gist of it. The designer of the Titanic went back in time by accident when the ship sank. He fell into the hotel room of a girl named Gabby (Who is the main character of this story). The two of them decide to get Thomas (the designer) back in time, but when they do Gabby ends up going back in time with him. They end up back before the Titanic's voyage, and they decide that they aren't going to change history any. So the two of them go on the ship, with the plan that Gabby will stay with Thomas until the ship sinks, then she'll go down with the ship and end up in her own time period, like what happened with Thomas. However, Gabby falls in love with one of the Marconi operators and gets engaged, and when the time comes for the ship to sink, she gets off the ship to be with him. However, the operator dies before they are rescued, and Gabby ends up stuck in the 1900s. The rest of her story is pretty much explained in the first part of this story. But that's mainly what you need to know.
This story is especially interesting because throughout the entire Titanic story, Gabby didn't have 1 POV. However this entire story is going to be from her POV, so it should be pretty interesting getting inside her head. Anyway, please feel free to review! And THANKS FOR READING!
P.S. Am I the only one who thinks Charlie is absolutely adorable? I mean, come on!