80 Days
The results of the vote are:
Cambridge 1
Paris 0
Day 1
LONDON
8:10 PM
I looked at my mistress, thinking that the steam fume from the carriage had messed her head; but I saw her determination. I knew she was up to something.
"We're travelling light. And we better hurry! Last train to Paris depart at 8:25."
8:25? I looked at the clock and it said 8:10. Dio mio! I raced to pack like I running for dear life. What did she think this time? A trip around the world?! What am I supposed to carry for such occasion?
I brought my valet attire because, well, it's the only piece of clothing I had. I stuff my wallet and my passport before clicking the suitcase shut and practically ran to the front door. As I reached the stairs, I realized that my mistress still up in her room. I glance at the clock again and it said 8:15.
In seconds I was already at the front of Mistress Asami's room to found her packing a large case. Oh yes, I forgot that she rather does thing by herself. I sighed in relief—I had no clue on what a lady should bring on a travel. She gestured to her study and before she could bark an order, I already took flight. I knew exactly what she wanted. I head straight to her work-table and grab all the books still left on top. It was what Mistress Asami currently reading, so I assume that she would like this to keep her entertained, for however long this trip might takes.
She hasn't changed her dress, but I thought that would be wise that she didn't. Carrying her case and mine, skin glistening with thin layer of sweat, I managed to reach outside still looked prim and proper. To my surprise, the phaeton was gone. What replaced it was a car much sophisticated than Bozék car usually found cruising the street.
It was a long, sleek, four-door car, with a black roof-canopy and four glass windows. The whole body was painted lacquer red that gleam wonderfully under the street light. The wheels had white rims that contrast with the dark tires. I paused for a second, just admiring how beauty this thing was. It didn't even have a steam pipe or any sign that it was powered by steam or electricity. Whoever owned it, he or she has to be a very rich person.
But Mistress Asami wasn't impressed. She looked suspicious and apprehensive but said nothing. I put the case in the car compartment and open the door to let my mistress in. I sat next to her, just behind the driver's seat.
"To Charing Cross!" I shouted at him. The driver started the ignition with a twist of a key and shifting the gear. He tipped his hat off, though I felt suspicion when he never addresses us or showed his face. It wasn't a bother really, until the car drove away from our destination. I quick to shout him over, when he decided to looked us in the face. His gruffy looks and red beard didn't betray his thick Scottish accent.
"Sorry guv'nor," he said quickly before returning to his driving, "really can't take ya there."
"But the train!" I pointed to the train station, already way behind us, hoping for the driver to turn this car around. He unprofessionally ignored my plea, which anger me profusely. "My mistress need to go to Paris right now!"
When he nonchalantly shrugs, I was about to knock him in his noggin and stole this car, but Mistress Asami put a hand on my shoulder. It effectively shut me down and prevents me from committing an act of crime—surely jeopardizing this trip even more.
"I think that nothing we says could change his mind." She assures me, before cryptically added, "besides, I believe I have an idea where we will end up."
She then wrote something on her almanac. Cavalo! If only I can be as cool-headed as my dear mistress on such situation! Maybe that's why she's the mistress and I'm the servant. I rather do the dirty work than planning and strategizing. Calculation hurts my head. So much in fact, that I didn't even realize that we were leaving London, heading north.
9:00 PM
We literally, flew across the Great North Road in this thing. Such speed pleased me greatly, because that meant we will be closer to the end of our detour; hopefully, an explanation as well. On the plus, the velvet seats and wood paneling on the car was extravagant. Whoever made this beautiful marriage of speed and luxury was an engineering genius!
Mistress Asami stayed silent, a while back she had finished scribbling on her almanac. Truth to be told, her action sort of intensified the suspense—what did she plan? Did she foresee this before? Or more importantly, why on earth did she decided that she needed a trip around the world?
I thought I should make small talk before approaching the subject. "Fast car this one."
She solemnly nod. Odd… usually she would ramble on and on whenever she was in the vicinity of anything mechanical. "I never knew there's a car like this before," I added as I ran my index finger along the smooth surface of my seats, "this is perhaps an unexpected kidnaping, do you think?"
"It's no kidnaping alright." She consulted her clock for a second, seemingly noting how much the time had lapsed in this car. "If he thinks that I'll be impressed with his works, then he is wrong."
I made a confused face. She sighed tiredly as she explained, "I designed this car for a… friend of mine. It turns out, he had a different idea on the design. I believe it is no coincidence he decides to flaunt it now."
So, she did know. And she designed this car, too. Just another layer of mysteries added on this journey of hers. As we rounded on a turn; there, just beyond the hill, I saw two towers, and as we inched, comes a huge steel gate with what appears to be… a chapel? Then it hits me—we're in Cambridge.
CAMBRIDGE
9:30 PM
We passed the King's College Chapel; the gothic style gave it a somber look that fits this night very well. Tall glass window pane decorated the front side of the building, and on better lighting one could appreciate the beauty of it. Sadly, we didn't stop here; the car wouldn't stop until it reached the point where the street was narrower, with numerous stone building lining on its either side. We pulled over in front of a stone-arc, leading to a small courtyard. The arc alone it seems was still under construction, as you can see a number of scaffolding still presents. It appears that they would add a masonry works to decorate it.
The driver didn't go any further, which I took a sign for us to disembark here. I asked why we didn't go inside, and he replied, "the laboratory is still under construction."
I looked at my mistress for her reaction. She just sighs and said, "that means we have to walk inside". I don't know why but the cabbie gave us an apologetic look. I think it was directed at me than it was to her; I, after all, had to carry our case.
The car left us, and suddenly, I realized how empty the street was. Except a number of gas light, there was no sign of activity from other building; giving the cobbler stone street an eerie atmosphere. Looking around, there was but a handful of people still walking on the street, mindful of how cold this night was.
"Come Jack," declared my mistress. We walked inside, across the courtyard, into a long and dimly-lit hallway. Some construction material still scattered around haphazardly. The building itself was large but empty, safe from some room with various scientific device. My mistress led the way until we reached the only source of light in this establishment. From the looks of it, it looked like an office of some; the door was written 'Cavendish Professorship of Physics'. Door slightly ajar, we could see a silhouette of a man, hunched down and writing something on a table. Without invitation, my mistress barged in, me following behind thinking how improper her approach was.
"Ah! You arrived just in time," said the man. He looked to be in his forties, with full-beard going down to cover his neck. He dressed in a coat and vest, high-waist pants, and cravat tie. A bit formal if you ask me, knowing that he spent his time working on his office.
"What do you want?" asked Mistress Asami.
He gave a hearty laugh that confused me and my mistress. "Always to the point, aren't you?"
"If you haven't notice, we are in a hurry and in no mood for pleasantries."
The fact that Mistress Asami was annoyed pleased this man greatly. The bantering between this two made it appears that my mistress was well-acquainted with him. He stopped to glance at my direction. "So this is the 'mysterious man' from the paper?"
My mistress raised her eyebrows at the slightest mention of 'paper'—hating the attention and all of that—she quickly came to my rescue, "he's not a 'mysterious man'; he is my servant, Jack."
Now it was this man turn to raised his eyebrow, "you hired a man as your servant?" he asked in exaggerated disbelief. "You realize that this lady over here had a distaste for the sons of Adam, if you understand me."
I feared Mistress Asami's reaction, but she only smile, a bit amused by his remarks if you asked me. "Only you I'm afraid."
Now it was my turn to raised an eyebrow. I've been watching them talking back and forth and, quite frankly, I felt left out. She noticed that fact and introduced me to his friend—at least, I assume he was her friend.
"Well Jack, this gentleman here is my acquaintance—"
He reached his hand to mine, though he quick to quip, "I think we are past that already, aren't we?"
"Is that so? Perhaps 'benefactor' would be fitting, Mister James Maxwell?"
As we shook hand, he once again corrected her, "that is, Professor Maxwell to you."
A smile appeared on my mistress's lip. "I've noticed."
He gestured to a pair of chairs on a corner of his office—which was very hard to navigate due to the amounts of expensive looking equipment and papers, seemingly forming a valley—that I brought for my mistress. He leaned on his drawing table, stroking his beard slowly. "You must be enjoying your ride, aren't you?"
For the first time, my mistress had showed her displeasure. Her brows furrowed to showed her slightest annoyance at the mention of our—mildly speaking—attempt at kidnapping. "Not as much as you enjoying tinkering with my car."
Professor Maxwell lift his finger to stop her, "nay, Miss Sato; it was my car, and we agreed on that."
Crossing her arms, my mistress tried to do her infamous glare, but Professor Maxwell—due to some unknown forces—managed to held on. Seeing that the professor was right, she sighed, admitting defeat. "I know I shouldn't have wager with you."
"You wager with him?" I hissed unbelievingly at my mistress. This lady here had it badly for this gentlemanly quack, that she dared waging her car. "How did that happen?"
"Let's not discuss what have happened in the past, Mister Jack," Professor Maxwell interjected, "although the pressing matter that your mistress got in strikes me as a bit of déjà vu."
"You knew?"
Responding her, he nodded. "Words travel fast. As you already know, some of our Fellow is a member of Travelers Club too." He moved from his desk to looked at his work. From my position, I could only deduce that it was a sketch of sorts, drawn on a musty paper. The detail though, was hard to discern. "And it is my earnest intention to help you win."
This person wanted to help us? Being a professor, what could possibly he do to help? My mistress was also asking the same question, but he waved us off as he wrapped and tuck his sketch under the table. "You don't need to ponder the details. As of now, I kindly invite you to dine with us in Trinity Hall." He grabbed his cane next to table and led us outside. Together, we crossed the courtyard, through the arc, to found the exact same car with the same driver waiting for us.
"My wife's been waiting for me right now." Said Professor Maxwell as he opened the door for us. "Oh, and you must've met my driver Nigel." He tipped his cap off, still with that deadpan look on him. I don't know why, but I had an instant disliking for this guy.
Inside the hall, numerous academics dressed in togas mingled with people clad in evening clothes like us. As far as eye can see, I only saw two females in this hall—Mistress Asami and Professor Maxwell's wife. I'm not sure how I felt about that, knowing full well that recently a college for female was opened at Cambridge. In the meantime, I tried my best to enjoyed it here, although some of the food served here didn't suit my refined tongue at all. Mistress Asami wasn't enjoying it either, but she played it off well. She's with Professor Maxwell and his wife, talking to a number of men. I only wished that I could be involved more, but from what I gather, most of their conversation revolved around Professor Maxwell's new treatise which Mistress Asami helped a bit during its conception. They've been very close back then; apparently, my mistress was acquainted with him even when he was still making his name at Edinburgh.
At least, that's what I heard that from this group I was a part off. While I'm wandering around looking for any pastries, I was approached by two men who studied physics, under Professor Maxwell. They've been observing my mistress and inquired me—for some reason they deduced I was her valet—about her relationship with their professor. I didn't understand why though; they knew about it more than I am. Which is sad knowing that I supposed to be her valet.
"How did you ended being her 'valet'?" asked one of them. He had, what appears to be, freckles dotting his face. His glasses looked to big for him and I tried my hardest to not commented on his crooked teeth. "I never heard a woman having a man as her maids."
I quickly swallowed my scone before answering him, "it is indeed a peculiar circumstance that I rather not talk about." I answered as best as I could. I thought of something to divert the topic, but he got me first.
"And you picked her clothing and help her dress?"
"No…" I didn't like where this conversation going. True, his blonde friend also chimed in.
"Then what did you do?"
I can't believe I'm actually answering them. "I helped cleaning, cooking, all menial households task. Besides, she knows that I won't be much of a help if I did help her getting dressed or do her hair." It's pretty obvious to me, that they inquired a bit too much about my mistress. I was lucky to be spared by the fact that they didn't mention anything from the news, until one of them spoke…
"You seem thoroughly undisturbed by being her 'mysterious man'."
It wasn't even a question, yet I quickly clarified the issue. "I wish I could be qualified as 'mysterious'; however, the press had a tendency to came up with such names, aren't they?" I tried to joke. They didn't buy it.
"Not quite. Every men in London knows that she's untouchable. It's an established fact." Said the one with an eyeglass.
"Word is that she's a sapphist…" the blond man said in a whisper, "I don't know whence it comes from, but it would explain a lot, if you ask me."
"The problem with educated lady this days. They always attracting scandals." Said he as he fixed his glasses. My ears could not stand another vilerword from them. Thank God I was blessed with bountiful patience from my ma'!
"It's been a pleasant talking to you gentlemen, but I must tend my mistress immediately." I hurriedly walked away from them, blending myself into the crowd. I couldn't believe how many people had that thought against Mistress Asami! What is their problem, minding around people's business? I wish I could just shut them all, but I reminded of my status—and since Mistress Asami wasn't quite bothered, I probably should too. Just another reason to silently wished we could just retreat for a good night sleep.
After I figured that I've heard enough about how right Karl Marx is, I decided to go out for some walk. It was peaceful and quiet night, not like the crowded hall behind me. Soon the sounds and the light faded as I near a small lawn near Cam River. On one of the benches overlooking the river, I saw a figure sitting down. Thinking that a company—who also didn't enjoy the dinner—isn't that bad of an idea, I approached said figure. As I got closer and recognizing a number of familiar details; short brown hair, blue dress, and muscular arms. My mouth went agape; I said the only thing that popped in my mind.
"Korra?"
The figure perked up, and spun around. Soon the faces I dearly remembered saw me with the purest shock. "Jack…?"
"Korra! What are you doing here?"
"What are you doing here?" she asked in disbelief. She bewilderingly looked around; I looked quizzically and mimicked her action. When she saw what I did she embraced me in a hug, and it still surprised me at how strong this woman is.
"At least I'm not the only one not enjoying the party."
"Huh?" she looked at me for a second, before I gestured at the building behind me. "Oh, that party. Yeah… I'm not into social gathering that much."
She patted the space beside her for me to sit. There, we sat in silence, enjoying what small moment of peace in my bustling career as Mistress Sato's valet. Already I was thrust into one of the weirdest leisure activities a rich person could think of. My head was filled with images on what we would encounter in our coming journey. Suffice to say, it didn't ease my anxiousness at all.
Korra looked troubled also. She casted her eyes, watching the slow flowing water. I decided to asked her. "How's your study?"
She mustered enough enthusiasm to answer me. "It's been delightful."
"Not exactly as you expected, huh?" I replied teasingly. When she looked even more pained than before, I delicately placed my hand on her shoulder, rubbing small circle with my finger to soothe her.
"I just don't get it. How hard for them to realize that anyone had the right to study the same material, under the same building, with the same professor—everywhere I go, people treated like I'm a spectacle to see. An oddity…"
I realized that I've touched something I shouldn't have, so I quickly changed the topic. We spent the time telling stories, filling in where both of us left off. Mostly, it was I who regaled her with stories on my new mistress. She listened with rapt interest, barely speaking a single word. I knew that something, perhaps bigger than what she told me, had wormed her head. Seeing the smile and laugh gracing her feature meant that at least, I could dull her pain somewhat.
"Is that why you're here? To travel around the world?" she asked in disbelieve.
"No… well yes… I mean, I don't know. She's been really quiet about her plan so far." Just the thought of that sent shiver running across my spine. Never in my life would I imagine someone as finicky as Asami Sato would just winging this trip without a plan. It's so unlike her to act on impulse. "Knowing her, she'll probably conjure an invention out of thin air that could transport us across the continent." I couldn't hold a chuckle at the image; Sato doing magic is hilarious anyway you see it, "or she'll use Sato's wealth and influence to get the job done. Whichever works for her I guess."
Korra tap a finger on her chin, apparently processing what I just said. "Your mistress… this Sato lady is very rich?"
"From what I can gather. She's not the type to flaunt her wealth." Come to think of it, I never see a penny on her coffer, beyond what she—reluctantly—gave to me for day-to-day necessities. And that was incomparable to what my previous household would spend. Then again, I worked in a great house with 200 staffs that would entertain guests from dusk till dawn.
"I always wondered how other place differ from my home," she fixed her eyes watching the moon. It brought up memories of our encounter over the Atlantic. I can't believe it's been that long since we've seen each other. "I guess that's what brings me here. I can't see myself get tied to one place for all my life."
"Would you like to see more?" I asked her. Seeing that she could not understand what I was implying, I added, "There is more to this world than just Cambridge."
She perked up, eyes wide open and mouth slightly ajar. Her faces lit up with hope that she didn't misheard what I just said. Her voices were barely audible when a stream of "did… did you… are you?" was thrown at me. Looking back, I should've worded it carefully. In fact, I should've seen the sign that what about to happen following my invitation was stupid, rash, and in all shaped and form, irresponsible.
But then again… picking on social cues—or the ability of long-term planning, really—was not my forte.
I nod enthusiastically. "A friend of Mistress Asami offered his help. I don't exactly know what form of help he'll offered, but I think I saw a schematic for a vehicle of some sorts in his office. Maybe… I can arrange for another passenger aboard," I trailed of while watching her reaction, "that is… if you're interested."
She wrapped me in a bone crushing hug that literally stole my breath away. Luckily it was a brief one that still left my ribs intact. With tearful eyes, Korra looked me dead in the eyes. "Are you serious about …" She didn't finish her question, as I was certain that she's as unsure with this whole thing as I am. Again, this was the moment to back down, maybe even played it off as an alcohol induced rambling—even though she knew that I knew that she knew that I never drank one.
"A gentleman never betrays a lady with a false promise." I puffed my chest in a show of pride, "I'll just have to use my patented Ruscoe's charm." I added with a grin to emphasize my point. I earned a heartfelt laugh from her, which I followed suit. As it died down, I became serious again, "do you know the newly constructed physics lab?" She ponders the question for a second. Then a nod. "Meet me there at eight, and make sure you pack everything you have. It'll be a long trip, I assure you."
Still brimming with tears, she stands from her seat. I followed suit, seeing that it was getting late and I felt that I was away too long from my mistress. Then again, she didn't quite troubled by that, I believe.
Without a single word, she hugs me for the last time; long and firm, but not as crushing as last one. It was a sign of hope and gratitude from her. As I watched her walks away, I couldn't help but think about my current situation. Now that I think about it, that was stupid of me. What was I even thinking; promising Korra that I can talk my way through Mistress Asami? I had a better shot at smuggling her in a luggage than convincing my mistress. Rest assured, I would not enjoy my sleep with racing thoughts of silent fury from my mistress, serving as my dream. God give me strength…
A/N: For the love of everything that is holy and pure, I can't believe that this fanfiction has been sitting in dust for almost a year! I'm so sorry for that. College has been a pain that it was a Herculean task to make time for working on this story. Since it's the end of semester, I'm definitely pushing as many chapters as possible, with acceptable quality of course.
After some research, I realize that I've been making a mistake. Specifically, I've been referring Asami as 'Master'. At that time—which was mid-19th century—the female equivalent of 'Master' would have been 'Mistress'. It isn't a big mistake, but a mistake nonetheless. Sure, this is a steampunk fanfiction about a valet serving a lady, but I try to stay as accurate as possible regarding the period when this story takes place. So, if any of you find some mistakes, be it grammar error, continuity error, or historical details that I missed, feel free to correct me.
Also, yay, Korra makes a reappearance! She'll tag along on your journey, but for how long? More importantly, how will this affect your mistress' wager? Only time will tell. As always, I hope you're enjoying this story, and see you on the next chapter!
