"You are being childish," Rose scolds Karkat when she returns to their cabin on A-Deck. She moves over and sits on their bed next to Karkat and rubs his shoulders. Just by the way he's breathing she can tell that he is perfectly awake and aware of her. "Karkat, you have to realize that this is the year 1912. Humans didn't have what we would call advanced technology, but this ship is well ahead of her time. She is not only the most luxurious, but the largest on Earth."
"You think I'm upset about that?" The irritated troll sits up and stares Rose in the eyes. "I'm pissed because everyone is making fun of me!"
"No one is making fun of you. Roxy was just saying that it would be nice if you for once weren't ranting about anything. Humans never achieved the technology that trolls had. We simply hadn't enough time in the life of our planet, or our universe. You complained because the toilet seat was cold, you complained because there wasn't even a television in the room, you even complained that you couldn't even get on the Internet. Televisions wont be invented for another fifteen years, and it won't be out for commercial use for almost twenty more after that. The Internet won't be out for commercial use for another eighty-one. When we say luxury, we mean simple yet elegant. Titanic was just that on the inside. It is simple compared to more modern—our time—ships, but back here in 1912, it was the most extravagant thing built by humanity, and knew nearly no limit to elegance. Even at the time when we entered Sburb, she was still considered to be the most elegant ship to ever exist." Rose pauses to let this all sink in to Karkat's mind. "We grew up too dependent on technology. If you ask anyone on board this ship what technology is, they'll probably tell you something along the lines of, 'A telegraph," or 'A movie projector. All would be relatively primitive compared to our technology." She watches as the troll buries his face in the soft pillow and almost dreads having to share a bed with him. She would much rather have stayed with Kanaya, but alas, homosexuality was frowned upon during this time, and the Titanic had no known lesbians on board. "Now, I'm going to take a shower. Try not to destroy anything out of spite. I'm quite positive the temporary inhabitants of this cabin on the next voyage are going to want it to be as perfect as it was when we came aboard." With that said, Rose gets up and leaves. Karkat watches the last ruffle of her dress exit the doorway and turn in the direction of the shower. He feels nothing more after that aside from an ever so slight brush against his arm as the other climbs into bed.
.
April 11, 1912
"Mr. Strauss, I thought we discussed this, you must unsew your mouth and speak at least once on this voyage. That was the deal." John scolds Kurloz at the breakfast table in the First Class Dining Room. "How are you even going to eat?" Kurloz just shrugs his shoulders and waves him off. He then turns his head and smiles at Meulin over a joke that they share frequently. Meulin repeats this action. "Something tells me you starved to death," John grumbles when he realizes that they have ignored him for the past thirty seconds. Once again, Kurloz waves him off.
Just then a waiter arrives at the table to take orders. When he gets to Kurloz, the latter just signs his order. This confuses the waiter. "I'm sorry?" he says.
"He's mute," Gamzee comes to Kurloz's rescue. Gamzee's voice has become surprisingly smooth, unlike anything any of the kids have heard before. And it's absolutely beautiful to listen to. Gamzee orders for Kurloz, much to the latter's dismay. After all, he can't eat; his mouth is sewn shut, but the other passengers and crewmembers on the ship can't see that. They have all just assumed he was a silent person. When the waiter leaves to put the orders in, Kurloz gives Gamzee an unamused glare, his chin slightly resting on the thumb of his fist with his index finger covering his lips.
"Kurloz," Rose says across the table, "back in this time, it was customary for the wealthy to have several meals a day: breakfast, brunch, lunch, a midday snack, a several-course dinner, an afternoon snack. You would seem out of place if you didn't at least pretend to eat."
"Does he have to eat?" Meulin shows a little worry in her voice.
"Yes, for a couple reasons. One, for what I've already said. Two, if he doesn't he'll just die again. I'm quite positive a death on the Titanic's maiden voyage would stir up some controversy."
"Yeah, because it sank," Dave interrupts.
"Not in this timeline, remember," Rose corrects him. "Never shout 'founder' on a sailing ship. We don't want to stir up some panic for the future."
"Besides," John involves himself, "it is unsinkable." He gives a wide smile at the word "unsinkable" as if it has some sort of supernatural meaning.
"John, it is claimed to be practically unsinkable. There is a difference. The 'practically' was dropped a few decades after the sinking in the successful timeline for dramatic effect." Kurloz throws up his arms in the "I'm done" manner and takes his claw and slides it seamlessly between his lips, cutting cleanly through the thick thread holding them together. He pulls the thread out of his lips and wipes the indigo blood forming around his mouth on a napkin.
"What. The. Fuck," Dave says in disbelief at what just happened. How could anybody do that without feeling even a little bit of pain? Kurloz stares at everyone with annoyance in his eyes. "I'm fine," He whispers silently into Meulin's ear when she looks at him worriedly. The sudden voice takes her somewhat by surprise. After all, she hasn't heard a voice as deep and smooth as his in millions of sweeps. She had grown used to the silence, the guilt buried deep inside her for him doing what he did.
.
Around 11:30 a.m. they arrive at Queenstown. The group splits up to go explore the ship more. Even Meenah is impressed by the awful décor. Trolls never had anything like this. All of their ships, even on Beforus, were either slave, cargo, or gamblignant. There was no passenger service, and certainly no luxury to any of them. They were built to the highest standards to get the job done. And not one ever foundered. Ever.
The mahogany interiors of the lounge and smoke room were incredible, and Kurloz shared a box of cigars with Gamzee, Horuss and Equius in luxury, and they had even gotten the chance to speak with J. Bruce Ismay. Ismay told them everything they wanted to know about the ship. He told them about White Star Line's dream of a three-ship shuttle service between Southampton and New York, how Titanic is the largest and most luxurious ship on Earth, and how she is nearly unsinkable. Rose left out a lot of details.
Calliope joined Rose, Roxy, Kanaya, Jade, and Meulin in the First Class Reading and Writing room. Kurloz wasn't allowed back. No one was quite sure why until Margaret Brown approached them and started a lively conversation. She explained to them that rooms like this one are reserved for women only, whereas rooms like the Smoke Rooms are reserved strictly for men.
.
The Bridge, 1:30 p.m., April 11, 1912
First Officer William Murdoch approaches Captain Smith, who is overlooking the well bow. "Sir, we are ready to set sail for America." Captain Smith looks back and gives a soft smile. This isn't the start of his final voyage before retirement, but it feels as though it's just beginning. He feels honored to serve on the finest ship on Earth. "Alright," he replies quickly. "Take her to sea, Mr. Murdoch."
"Aye, sir," Murdoch replies before heading back into the wheelhouse to turn the engine telegraph, telling the workers in the engine room to once again start the engines and get Titanic sailing. All that lies ahead of them now is the open ocean, blue as blue can get, and the ship slicing through water like a hot knife in butter. Nothing stands in their way but time. Within minutes she has built up amazing speed, and Murdoch gives them the order to set the engines to Full Speed Ahead.
On the stern, Kankri, Cronus, and Mituna watch as Ireland fades slowly into the horizon. The three trolls don't yet realize that this will be the last land they see for almost a week. Apparently, none of them have ever been on a ship before. That, or they just don't know what an ocean is.
Later that evening, Dirk, Roxy, John, Kurloz and Meulin sit at a table in the port side A-deck verandah café while they wait for everyone else to get ready for dinner. Dirk and John both sip of cups of coffee while the other three enjoy glasses of iced tea. "Well, I have to admit, this ship is amazing for being in such an early time," Dirk says as he sets his cup back on the table, careful not to spill any of the hot liquid out onto the white tablecloth. "I had my doubts, but I find it rather difficult to be bored on this ship, despite the lack of our advanced technology."
"I know," John responds. "I knew it was nice from the movie, but had no idea that it was this amazing in real life." He flashes his teeth in an overly-bright smile.
"There you are," a voice behind Dirk, who sits with his back to the revolving doors, says with a tone of triumph. "I've been looking all over this ship for you." The five people sitting at the table look up just as Margaret Brown joins them at the table. "So, how has your time on this ship been so far?" Margaret looks at Dirk with a kind face, determined to get an answer out of him.
"I'm sorry, but who are you," Dirk asks. The others at the table hold the same look of confusion as he does.
"John, don't tell me you forgot what I look like already! We may be on the largest ship in the world, but I'm quite certain that your memory holds better than that!" Margaret gives him a friendly smack on the arm.
"Uh, I'm sorry, ma'am," Kurloz interrupts, confusing John, Roxy and Dirk, thinking that the voice came from elsewhere in the room, "but what he means to say is 'who the fuck are you?'" Margaret gives him a look of discontent.
"Perhaps someone should teach you table manners," she replies. "It is discourteous to swear in the presence of a lady, especially at a casual gathering such as this. But if you must know, I'm sure Mr. Astor here can fill you in on the details. Right, John?" She turns to look at Dirk, who seems deep in thought. "I'm terribly sorry, but if I may, I would require to be excuse from this conversation for a couple minutes. I have some business to attend elsewhere on the ship," he excuses himself.
"It couldn't wait?" Margaret seems to know what he's up to. He knows that he must come up with an excuse, but he must be polite about it.
"It is kind of important business. I'm afraid that it might not be able to wait. I will return shortly." With that said he gets up and leaves the table to hunt down Rose. Rose is found in the Reading and Writing room, carrying on a polite, gossip-filled conversation with another passenger. She notices him standing impatiently at the door and excuses herself from her conversation. "Dirk, this better be important," she complains when she meets him in the corridor.
"I is. A woman sat down with us and claims to know me, but I have never seen the broad before."
"Dirk, it is indecent to call a woman a broad. Especially in these days. Keep in mind that we are filling the places of historical figures. She sees you as a person who she actually knows. Please describe her."
.
Just as he said, Dirk returns to chat with the other five within minutes. "I'm terribly sorry for that," he says as he sits back in his chair, "I hope Mr. Strauss was kind to you in my absence?"
"Ida kept him in check. Now, you were going to explain." Margaret gives Dirk a knowing look, though in reality she has no idea he isn't her good friend.
"Yes. Everybody, this is Margaret Brown. She has been touring with Madeleine and me for the past several months."
"We know," Meulin says. "She told us while you were gone." The five give off small laughs at Dirk's embarrassment.
"Now, now, Ida," John interrupts the giggles, "He wasn't supposed to know that part." The rest of the conversation goes smoothly, and the five kids invite Margaret to join them at dinner when they receive the call.
During the dinner, Margaret spreads gossip about her husband and is attentive as the rest of the kids share stories of their own—made up, of course, but according to the time period nonetheless.
After dinner, everyone retires to their cabins. The day, though calm, was tiring. Perhaps they just need time to adjust to the luxury.
Thus was the end of the second day of the voyage.
