Author's Note: Firstly I would like to issue a formal apology to my readers and followers for my actions. I'm sure you guys know what I'm talking about. It was totally unnecessary and I hope you all will accept these words. I appreciate each and every last one you all who has been reading my work over the years and that will never change.
Welcome to my latest multi-chaptered fic...Unsinkable. True Blood meets Titanic. I hope you all are as excited about this as I am. This story has been in the works for nearly two years now and at last, I am sharing it with you all. This is a Human!AU, Pam/Tara fic featuring several of our favorite (and not so favorite) characters from the series. The premise of the story has been outlined and several chapters already written and will probably (let's cross our fingers) be at least 20 chapters long, so you guys are in for a ride...or should I say sail lol. Updates will happen on a weekly schedule (one or two chapters a week). I do hope you all enjoy this as much I am enjoying writing it and any feedback would be much appreciated. Happy Reading ^_^
Disclaimer: I do not own True Blood. This story, though will be as historical accurate in regards to R.M.S Titanic as possible, will feature some AU themes in regards to race and sexuality. If this is something that may bother you, here's your opportunity to stop reading now.
Unsinkable
April 10th, 1912 - Southampton, England
"Oh my goodness! Have you ever seen anything so grand? It's the biggest ship I've ever seen!" Ten year Willa Northman gasped, her dark eyes widened theatrically as she took in the sight of the ocean liner. A floating palace seemed more of a better term. And the child was not the only one stunned. There must have been thousands of people milling around the docks, their facial expressions varying between shock and awestruck wonder as the R.M.S. Titanic commanded total attention.
Twenty year old Pamela too was impressed, but she masked it rather well. Her cerulean eyes were almost reproachful as they roved over the ship's exterior - its gleaming black hull that seemed to stretch for miles, its four huge funnels that puffed clouds of white smoke. It certainly was the largest ship she had ever laid eyes on but there was no way she was going to admit that aloud.
"It's too big," she muttered, with a quirk of her brow, "And all of this fanfare is unnecessary." It was just a ship. A ship that would take her back to America. To be the wife of a man she could never love. A ship that was taking her away from the one she did love. The woman she did love.
"Oh come now Pamela," a smooth voice chided from behind her and she turned to see her father, "You've known nothing but luxury your whole life, but even you can admit this is exquisite. Traveling home on the maiden voyage of the grandest ship in the world, I'd have thought you'd be thrilled."
Eric Northman was the picture of dapper excellence and wealth with his tall build, smooth blond hair, and chiseled features. Though he had been a widower for nearly a decade, he still attracted the eye of the fairer sex and it could almost be considered scandalous that he had not remarried if not for his reputation as a prominent business owner in New York. On his arm, his dark haired sister Nora stood, appearing poised and graceful in her traveling suit, save for the pinched expression on her face as she eyed her nieces with a critical gaze.
"You spoil them brother, that's the issue, as it has always been," Nora remarked loftily, her English lilt more pronounced than usual. The comment was fanned off with a chuckle from Eric as Pamela rolled her eyes in annoyance. Why her aunt was accompanying them home was beyond her. The woman constantly complained about the states in comparison to England, had a particularly vexing habit of mentioning her beloved son – whom Pam could argue was far more spoiled than she and Willa would ever be – every opportunity she could, and would undoubtedly make the already undesired trip even more undesirable with her severe disposition and her unconcealed disapproval of her brother's parenting of his daughters. Had Pam been a little younger she might have said something insolent in response, but she held her tongue even though it took quite a bit of effort on her part.
As the four walked up the port side gangway to board the ship at B deck, Pam tried to drown out the cacaphonous noise around her – the cheers, the gaiety, the peals of excited laughter from her sister. It would be better if she just ignored it all for it did not matter to her that she was sailing on the finest ship afloat. A tiny part of her wondered if she pitched a fit and caused a scene would it make a difference or would her father drag her aboard kicking and screaming, the scandal be damned? Not that she even cared much for England with its horrid weather and even more horrid countrymen, but she would gladly stay if it meant that she did not have to marry Collin Swynford. She had never cared for the banker who had asked her father for her hand, she certainly never would, and first class passage on the Titanic would not change that. She would not allow it to. Furthermore, it seemed almost cruel that her father, who had denied her nothing from the day she was born would be so adamant and unyielding about the union. Even if he claimed to have her best interests at heart and that she would take well to married life, she vowed to never forgive him from the moment she said 'I do'.
The first view of the ship's interior drew more shocked gasps from Willa and even Nora. The sight of the grand staircase with its intricate oak carved panelling and the overhead wrought iron and glass dome very nearly drew a noise of appreciation from Pam but she kept her teeth clenched lest she give herself away. Verily it was like something from a fine hotel rather than a ship and even if she wanted to, she could not draw her eyes away from the carpeted floors, the designs on the wall paper, crystal light fixtures, and décor they passed as they made their way to their private suite.
Adorned in Louis XVI style furniture, Pam's eyes did widen at the luxurious amenities the suite boasted. With two bedrooms, two wardrobe rooms, and a private bathroom, she felt correct in her comparing the vessel to a hotel. She had been on more than a few ships in her lifetime and Titanic certainly was the best. And to think this was the maiden voyage. They would be the first to sleep in the sheets, the first to sit at the tables and stroll the decks. It was almost as if the ship had been crafted for their use alone.
"Absolutely charming," Nora mused as she trailed a hand over the finished wood of a table. Her voice succeeded in drawing Pam back to the present and she quirked a brow of disdain in response.
"Still ostentatious for just a ship."
The comment went either unheard or ignored as Willa squeezed one of the pillows of a chaise longue and Eric and Nora chattered amongst themselves. Scowling, Pam managed to catch the tail end of their conversation.
"When did you say the girl would be here?"
"She's boarding in Cherbourg, so some time before dinner I should think."
"I don't see the need to spend extra money on a private cabin for a servant. Most of their sort I hear are sailing second or third class."
"She will be nearer to Willa and Pamela this way."
As if to add insult to injury, Pam realized they were discussing the governess they had hired to accompany them on the trip. At twenty years old she was well passed the age for a governess and then some. She had no idea why her father would group she and her sister in the same category in such a way.
"What on earth would a governess have anything to do with me?" she said sharply, uncaring that her interruption was rude.
Her father smirked at her, in that indolent way of his that for some reason could send a party of society ladies blushing behind their fans. For Pamela it was merely an expression that evoked indignation.
"Most ladies your age keep a maid in their employ, do they not?"
"And," Nora chimed in, "After the disastrous circumstances surrounding your last ladies maid, I would assume you're in need of another."
Pam did blush then and she averted her gaze as she exhaled harshly through her nose. Of course her beastly aunt would find a way to insert one of her snide remarks. But she was not ashamed of her feelings for the young Irish girl who had appealed to her so. She could not think on it then because it would only serve as a painful reminder to the ending destination of the ship. No, she wasn't going to dwell on such things nor give her aunt the satisfaction of seeing her bested. So she squared her shoulders and lifted her chin, her expression taking on an icy facade that she had managed over the years to perfect.
"Come Willa. I'm sure you want to see the ship leave the dock."
Her sister gave a squeal of delight at the thought of standing on the deck, waving goodbye to all those in Southampton. It was fitting, Pam decided, as she too would be saying goodbyes of her own though her farewells had nothing to do with the nameless smiling faces standing on the pier.