It was with a strange mix of excitement and foreboding that they left the ship.
They had docked midday and Erik couldn't decide wether that was a blessing or a curse. His only comfort was the fact that the cool breeze of the ocean gave him reason to wear his wide brimmed hat and cloak.
Christine, for her part, seemed strangely optimistic. So much so that her jovial mood had managed to alleviate a bit of his own anxiety - at least until her excitement had caused her to release his sleeve and point in the ever-thickening crowd on the docks.
They were only separated for a moment, but even a moment was enough for Erik to realize how easy it would be to lose her in the crowd. She hadn't been too hard to spot again - as luck would have it he had the sense to advise her to wear her brightest dress - and though he had to worm his way through bodies that were far to close for comfort he found a sense of peace as he grasped her elbow firmly.
"Please don't do that Christine," he said as he tugged her along beside him. "Unless you are trying to give your poor Erik a heart attack."
She huffed at him but the soft smile on her face was enough to reassure him that he hadn't upset her - truth be told she probably had no idea that he had lost sight of her.
"Stay close, at least until we make it out of this crowd," he murmured. And at her disapproving look he added on an exasperated "Please."
She giggled at that and it at least brightened his spirits somewhat. And with an indignant huff he shook his head and continued on through the crowd.
"You are small and easy to lose track of," he said as way of explanation, keeping his firm grasp on her arm as he was finding himself incapable of trusting her judgement.
"I'm sorry," she said. "I've just never seen such a thing!"
He paused and looked at her. "What thing?"
And she smiled at him, using the arm that he didn't have in a vice-like grip to point off into the distance.
There a pier jutted out into the water, a dock of sorts he would have assumed had it not been for the buildings crowding the wooden structure and the sheer amount of people that he could make out in the distance.
He paused in his step, looking at the strange structure. "Hm," he said. "That is rather odd."
And he began to walk again, tugging her through the crowd once again as he made note of the strange area.
"Where are we going?" She called over the low hum of voices that surrounded them.
He shrugged one shoulder and continued to pull her forward. "Away from this," he said, indicating the crowd of bodies. "And then I suppose we will find some shops or a park to entertain you while I secure lodgings for us."
She was silent at that and it made him nervous but when he dared to glance back at her she gave him a soft smile.
When they finally reached the outskirts of the crowd Erik loosened his grip on her arm and let out a sigh of relief. Though they were far from being alone he found that the ability to breathe without pushing against some strangers body was one that he had taken for granted.
Christine remained quiet, seeming content to allow him to find his bearings. But the look in her eye was one that caused him to question that.
"What are you thinking Christine?" He finally dared to ask as he caught his breath and pulled her into the shade offered by a nearby building.
"I want to come with you," she said quietly.
He looked at her in surprise. "To find a room?"
She nodded in answer to his question.
"It's a rather boring business," he warned.
She shrugged both shoulders. "I don't care - I want to come with you."
"Very well," he said. "But I suppose there is something we need to discuss."
She blinked at him, waiting for him to breach the subject.
"You want to be married properly, yes?" He asked, tucking one of her curls that had come loose behind her ear. She nodded at that and he returned it with a sad smile. "Then I regret to inform you, mademoiselle, we will have to book two separate rooms."
She bit her lip and shifted her feet slightly. "For how long?"
He shrugged a shoulder. "For no longer than is absolutely necessary - just until we are able to sign a certificate. Which I should hope would take no longer than a week, two weeks at the most."
"Alright," she was saying. "But you'll still be close by, yes?" Her words were quiet, nervous.
"Of course," he said, pressing his lips to her forehead gently. "Of course I will be close by Christine - I will see you every morning and I will walk you to your room every evening. But we have a chance to start over Christine - we have a chance to build a life here. And I will not begin it by ruining your reputation."
She nodded slowly. "I understand Erik."
Even as she said it she picked nervously at her dress sleeve and fidgeted slightly.
"It's only temporary," he said softly. "Only until we can be properly married."
She nodded. "You promise I will see you every morning?"
"Every single one," he murmured with a smile, tugging yet another loose curl into place for her.
"And you'll be very close?"
"As close as I possibly can be - directly across the hallway if possible."
And she nodded her head at that. "I suppose it wouldn't be too terrible, so long as it isn't for too long."
He was pressing his lips against her forehead again, a gentle, chaste kiss. "Thank you for being reasonable," he murmured. "And for not arguing with me."
She pulled herself against him in a quick hug. "Just get us married," she retorted miserably.