Titanic Grand2 Wednesday July 11, 2001
Titanic Grand
By Hippoclymae_66

Here's the next chapter. 'Within' will also be updated, if possible. Enjoy!

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Chapter 2 - Launch of The Great Ship




J. Bruce Ismay looked down from the stern of his ship. It was more then he ever could have imagined. Over 35 feet in length, weighing in at over 26,000 tons, she was the most impressive of the fleet so far. Her sister ship, the Olympic, was in port behind her, and that one, too, was a beauty. Take THAT, Cunard Line, Bruce Ismay gloated. They'd just had their Lusitania and Mauritania created, but Ismay was sure the Titanic would top them all. As he stood on the deck, his pride swelled beyond measure: his dream had finally come true.
Sakura, Tomoyo, and Ms. Kinomoto were lead to the top promenade deck with other first class passengers, and watched as the ship was launched into Belfast Harbour. They felt the movement of its lurching, but after that everything was smooth. Suddenly, a rumbling hush fell over the crowd. As they were sailing out, there arose a panic from those near the stern of the ship. Another ship, was being pulled towards the hull by the wake! In quiet concern, Sakura held her breath as she watched the ship closing in on the side of their luxury liner. Suddenly, they felt another lurch as the helmsman pushed full reverse.
Captain Smith watched in cool apprehension as the liner hurriedly backed away from the incoming vessel. Luckily, their timing was good and the people watched with breaths held as The New York's bow swung lazily around with momentum, until it was perfectly perpendicular to the Titanic's hull, a near miss. Bruce Ismay rushed to the bridge, mumbling little grievances as he passed.

" What has happened? Why are we stopping?"
" We have just avoided a near collision, with The New York." Captain Smith sighed.
" Well, why aren't we moving if we're not hit?"
" The New York is currently in our path. We'll have to wait until the tugs come out to pull it to safety."
" But, we can't delay! There must be some way to..."
" Mr. Ismay," The Captain said in his calmest voice," Kindly leave my job to me. You have other things you should attend to. Reassure the passengers that we will be on our way by 4."

Bruce paused, as if ready to protest, but then decided against he. He hurried towards the first class promenade deck. Everyone aboard began to swarm him, drowning him with questions.

" There is no cause for concern. The Captain assures me that we will be departing within the hour. Now, why don't you all find your rooms, and make yourselves comfortable. I'm sure he will be informing us when we are ready to leave."

The crowds disappated towards their rooms, some murmurring proudly of the manueverability of the Titanic, others trying to ease their fears of what this near-accident foretold...

*****

" Here we are on the 'B' Deck. Now, where is Suite 81/83?" Ms. Kinomoto was puzzled by all the numbers.
" Do you think anyone has ever gotten lost and died on this ship?" Tomoyo whispered.
" Let's hope not." Sakura whispered back.
" Oh, excuse me."

Ms. Kinomoto walked up to a passing attendant in white garb. He turned politely.

" Which way to Suite 81/83?"
" Turn to your left, and the 3rd room from the Grand Staircase will be room 81. 83 is next door."
" All...right."

They continued all the way down, and finally stopped in front of an ornate white door with gold plaque - B81. Carrie reached into her purse to get her key, and as the lock clicked, turned the handle. The door opened without a squeak, and they were breath taken. It was huge! As they entered, to their right was the bathroom. Sakura rushed around, and found another door to the main hall - B83. The two rooms were connected! She pointed this out to Ms. Kinomoto.

" Yes. I know. All the better. Oh, I should lock the door between us and the other passengers though." She walked over to the door connecting them to Suite B77 and closed it, locking her side.
" Now, you girls will have B83, since it has two beds. I'll take B81, but leave our connecting door open so you can use the bathroom if you need it, okay? For now, I need a little pick-me-up. It's almost 5, and the opening dinner is at quarter past 7. Tomoyo, the fabrics should already be in your room, can you fashion a couple of dress gowns for you and Sakura in 3 hours and be ready when I get here?"
" Three hours? Plenty of time." Tomoyo grinned.
" Good. I'll drop by at 7."

******

" 3 hours!" Sakura was pacing the room.
" Relax," Tomoyo smiled," So its a little shorter then what I expected? I can do it..."
" Tomoyo, I trust you, but 3 hours!"
" Sakura, that's plenty of time."
" It usually takes you twice that time."
" Don't worry. I figured this would happen. I packed a couple of dresses I started a couple weeks back. They're finished, but they do need a couple of tucks here and there. We'll be ready, and I can start on the dresses for tomorrow. And if I don't finish those, there's a back-up set I have in my other case. Don't worry, when I put my mind to it, I can do anything."

Tomoyo opened her trunk and pulled out one dress of a light periwinkle sparkle material. The sleeves puffed out a little, and around the hanger was a even lighter periwinkle boa.

" Tomoyo, really..." Sakura tried to imagine herself in it...
" That's not yours, Sakura. This is..."

Sakura seemed slightly disappointed, until she saw her dress. It was an off-white silk gown that when worn would drape all the way down to her feet, tapering at the waist. The sleeves were short and ringed with delicate lace. The neck was squared in the front, and curved around into a backless 'V'. Hanging around the hanger, was a pearl enbroidered ribbon of ivory for her hair. Along with it there were a pair of gloves, long, meant to go all the way up to a little past her elbows, as the style allowed. Sakura looked it up and down. But how would she keep warm?

" It's very warm in this ship, they make sure of that." Tomoyo said, as if reading her friend's thoughts.
" It's beautiful..." Sakura breathed.

From mid thigh to the hem, there was a beautiful crystal sequin pattern of a flower. It glittered as it caught the light. The skirt of the dress didn't cling, so it would billow a little, giving her leg room when dancing.

" Come on. Let's start with your hair."
" Tomoyo, you don't have to..."
" Sakura..." Tomoyo said sternly," Are you trying to deprive me the satisfaction of dolling you up...after all I've done.."
" No.." Sakura protested.
" Sit down then, Sakura. I'll get the comb."

*****

Ms. Kinomoto knocked on their outside door at exactly 7. Tomoyo was the one to answer. She had already donned her periwinkle gown, wearing a tint of very light rouge for color. She wore the silver necklace, and Carrie smiled proudly. Tomoyo grinned even bigger. The ravishing light sea green gown Ms. Kinomoto wore contrasted her hair nicely, which was pulled up in an intricate style of curls glistening with health. Suddenly, she frowned, spotting a sewing needle still in Tomoyo's hand.

" You didn't finish, Sakura's gown?"
" Don't be silly. This is tomorrow's gown." Tomoyo smiled and called Sakura calmly out.

Ms. Kinomoto found her breath taken away. Sakura really was tres jolie. The ivory gown fit her perfectly, just touching the floor. Her short brown hair was circled by a ribbon of pearls, off-set slightly so that they glistened in opposite to the pearls embroidered on her gown. She twisted her gloved hands nervously. Ms. Kinomoto smiled.

" You look wonderful, Sakura. Just as I'd imagine my daughter to be. Tomoyo, you are a miracle worker. My compliments on your magnificent work."

Tomoyo blushed, but she was obviously proud and flattered. Yes, Sakura really had been one of her greatest.

" Now, why don't we leave, so we can get to the dinner on time?"

*****

" You know, we're probably the only bachelors on board." Eriol commented.
" Yeah." Syaoran muttered.

They were both in dress tuxedos, not unlike every other gentleman in the room, but they still stood out like sore thumbs. Every young man was escorting a lovely young woman, and the only one's with their hands free were the old married gents, who were merely here for business. Syaoran sighed, and Eriol watched his friend. Who knew they'd end up on the same ship? They hadn't seen each other since school, but what a surprise it had been when they did see each other. Syaoran's eyes had lit up immediately. Now, they were dull again, sadness in his heart.

" Don't worry, Syaoran. You'll find someone, just be patient."
" Yeah, right. If that's your philosophy, it would explain why you're still single."
" I'm very choosy." Eriol looked up, and found his breath taken away," But, my standards were quite worth it."

Syaoran looked up, and saw a girl no older then himself. She had light black hair, much like Eriol's, and was walking down the stairs slowly. Eriol stood in front of the Grand Staircase, and one hand behind his back, held the other out for the girl to take. He could just hear Eriol's voice as they walked towards the dining area.

" An angel on heaven never hath been born."

Syaoran sighed. He'd spoken too soon. As he stood sullenly watching the couple descending the staircase to the third floor dining room, he felt a polite tap on his shoulder. He turned around, and for the first time knew clarity. Nothing was clearer in his mind, then the beautiful angel before him.

" Excuse me, have you seen a friend of mine? Her name is Tomoyo, and she was wearing..."
" Beautiful..." Syaoran murmurred...

******

" Pardon?" Sakura blinked.
" Beautiful....night, isn't it?" Syaoran saved himself.
" Yes, it is." Sakura raised an eyebrow.
" Beg your pardon, are you in need of assistance?" Syaoran managed, as idiotic a save as it sounded.
" Yes, I was wondering if you've seen my friend. She's wearing a light blue gown...black hair."
" Oh, yes.." Syaoran was thrown out of his reverie," She's already been escorted to the dining room."
" Oh, I see." Sakura frowned.
" May, I have to pleasure of conducting you there as well, miss?"

Sakura was taken by surprise. A blush appeared, and she stumbled over her next words.

" Of course, thank you, sir."

Syaoran only smiled, and Sakura found herself taken away by his golden brown eyes.

******

I just couldn't resist! I had to have them run into each other real early in the story! This'll be so much fun!!! Until next chapter, this is Hippoclymae...