I must admit, I enjoy writing for more obscure characters, (no offense, my dear Lowe!) since it leaves more room for interpretation for the personality. Please Review and let me know what you think of Lowe in this one!
Note: Any historical indiscrepencies or inconsistincies with the film are either necessary or unintended.
"You know somebody?" a man with a heavy foreign accent asked his blonde travelling companion.
"Of course not! That's not the point! Goodbye, I'll miss you!" the second man, an American, shouted back over the cheering of the crowd. Like just about everyone on board, the two were leaning over the port railing, waving enthusiastically to the mass of people gathered for Titanic's send off. Just about everyone, that is, except for the second-class girl facing completely in the opposite direction.
Aria stood, legs shoulder-width apart, arms hanging limply at her sides, mouth gaping open, eyes wide and transfixed, staring at the smokestacks. She knew that her mother would disapprove of every aspect of the way she was holding herself, but she didn't care.
She had left her mother twenty minutes ago in their second class stateroom, after much begging and pleading to be allowed up on deck for the big moment. The whole affair was supposedly "unladylike," and no self-respecting mother would allow her daughter, now a young adult, to be seen acting in such a childish way. Aria then proceeded to give her mother an in-depth explanation on how the fourth smokestack served no essential purpose in the running of the ship, and was just there for show. Mrs. Chamberlain had a sudden change of heart and decided that yes, Aria should go up and take part in the festivities.
Then came the moment that Aria had been waiting for. Her heart rate doubled, her ears throbbed, and tears of happiness sprang into her eyes. Titanic had sounded her horn.
In spite of himself, the young officer's face split into a wide ear-to-ear grin. He had always wanted to do that.
Captain Smith observed him with silent amusement, remembering his first time sounding the horn. "I take it you enjoyed that, Mr. Lowe."
With a little jump, Fifth Officer Harold Godfrey Lowe composed himself. "Very much, sir," he replied in his thick Welsh accent.
"Very good. You are excused, Mr. Lowe."
Lowe, with a little salute, turned on his heel and exited the bridge, joining his friends and fellow officers in the sunlight on the adjoining deck.
"Was that fun, or what?" Second Officer Lightoller teased, nudging Lowe with his elbow. All Lowe could do was smile, which caused the others to do the same; aside from the fact that the joy was contagious, they had always found Lowe's smile a little dopey-looking.
"Hey, Lowe, it looks like you weren't the only one who enjoyed that," Fourth Officer Boxhall said, muffling a laugh. He was motioning to the deck below, where most of the passengers were gathered for the send off.
The other officers crossed to him and laid eyes upon the spectacle in question. There was a girl, who looked to be about eighteen and in second class, staring up in wonder in their general direction. She stood with her legs apart, arms hanging limply at her sides, mouth agape and eyes completely transfixed. It looked as if she was about to collapse in delight.
"Well, isn't she quite the prize?" Sixth Officer Moody commented, igniting guffaws and hoots of laughter in his peers.
Lowe smiled and chuckled half-heartedly, but didn't look away. Everything about her seemed so…sincere. She was performing for no one, and hiding nothing.
Although the physical distance between them was great, he saw her come out of her daze, and he could have sworn that she looked right at him. He felt a slight flutter in his chest.
The girl shook her head, and looked around her, then quickly whipped her head back to look at them as if hitting a realization. As if embarrassed, she quickly hurried out of sight.
She slowly came out of her euphoria, and her vision cleared as she blinked the tears away. She had been on board Titanic for barely half an hour, and yet she already loved every inch of her. Moving her eyes over the majestic shapes of her upper decks, Aria's eyes came to rest on the deck near the bridge.
Gathered there was a handful of officers, all laughing and stealing glances in her direction. Looking around, she tried to discern the source of their amusement…until she realized it was her. She looked at them quickly, shocked, and saw that one of them was staring unabashed at her, not even attempting to hide his scrutiny.
Although Aria was not as worried about appearances as most, it was not as if she had no shame. Quite flustered and mortified that she had embarrassed herself in front of the officers, the people who, in her mind, were the most important people on board besides the captain, she hurried out of sight as quickly as her skirt would allow.