"The Ship of Dreams, they called it. And it was. It really was…" Over five days, the lives of Kai Wen and Jinora Gyatso became irreversibly entwined. But their adventure was not the typical love story, for the ship they met on was the RMS Titanic. From the moment the ship set sail from the Earth Kingdom in 177 AG, it was destined for disaster. [Kai/Jinora] Titanic!AU.
Disclaimer: I do not own The Legend of Korra, or any of its trademarked characters. I also do not own the plot of the movie Titanic: that belongs to James Cameron and his associates. I only own the story that you see written, and hope that you enjoy my spin on things.
Those in Peril on the Sea by boasamishipper
Chapter Six
177 AG
According to the detailed advice that Korra had given him in her room, there was some kind of unstated law that the first class diners had to wander around on B deck for a half hour or so before dinner, and then would go to the D deck dining room as one enormous influx as the time drew closer to seven o'clock. On the dot, they would enter the room with their dates on their left arms and make their way to their seats to enjoy a well-made dinner interspersed with condescending conversation. After dinner, the men would go drink brandy and smoke cigars while the women would make small talk with each other, mostly with the undertone of 'whatever you've done, I've done better'. Then at nine o'clock, the party would be over and everyone would go back to their quarters, eager to start the cycle again the next evening.
Kai didn't understand the first class etiquette that well, but he supposed that when he saw Jinora he would ask her to clarify, just to be sure that Korra wasn't messing with him. It didn't seem likely, but after years on the streets it took him a long time to really trust anyone. (Jinora was the only exception to his rule, even with Skoochy and maybe Tahno on the list.)
Skoochy, as expected, had nearly coughed up a lung from laughing at Kai's fancy suit—once he'd recovered from the initial shock. Jaya, who'd been sitting nearby, had actually mistaken him for a first class businessman and had curtsied when he'd passed. Tahno had put down his beer and asked the man next to him in an undertone if they'd slipped him a hallucinogen. Qin had shied away from him for the first time since they'd met. Kai wasn't sure whether to laugh at his friends' reactions or cringe at himself—he still didn't know what had possessed him to accept LingShi's offer in the first place.
But then he'd remembered his long conversation with Jinora and how easy it was to talk to her (and her beautiful smile, much better than Xiong's had ever been), and knew that he'd made the right decision. He'd explain things to his friends, and besides, even if the dinner was a disaster, at least he would have Jinora on his side.
"Good evening, sir."
Kai nearly leapt out of his skin to see one of the gentlemen holding the door of the first class dining hall open for him. The man's smile was oily, just like LingShi and the Master-at-Arms's had been, but Kai recognized the smile—it was the same kind that he and Skoochy would see rich people give to other rich people when they saw each other in the street. This guy actually thinks I'm like LingShi and those guys. Hot damn.
Channeling his inner pompous windbag, Kai nodded with just the right hint of disdain in his own smile, and stepped into the hall. His breath was immediately taken away by the splendor before him, much more incredible than anything he'd ever seen. Above him was an enormous glass dome, bigger than his own quarters with Skoochy, and a crystal chandelier hung majestically from its center. Sweeping down six stories was the grand staircase, where couples chatted and made their way down.
The people amazed him—the woman wore floor-length gowns, elaborate hairstyles that probably took hours to create, abundant jewelry with diamond rings and the like, while the gentlemen stood erect with one hand at the small of the back, talking quietly in suits like his. Thank the Spirits for Korra Lieng—if it weren't for her, I'd have gone down here looking like an idiot.
As he slowly descended, taking in everything around him (his fingers ached to draw this masterpiece of architecture so he could show it to his friends), several gentlemen nodded in a perfunctory greeting. Kai nodded in return, keeping it simple. He didn't want to risk anything, lest they kick him out before he saw Jinora. Or Korra—he hadn't seen her since they got separated on the way to the elevators.
LingShi came down the stairs with Jinora's mother holding onto his left arm—both of whom wearing clothes that probably cost more than half of the third class would make in their lifetimes. Kai extended his hand, ready to make a good second impression, but they glided right past him, LingShi greeting him with a quiet 'hello' and a nod: gentleman to gentleman.
He felt the urge to snicker in mischievous delight. I feel like a spy. They don't even recognize me!
Kai turned away, practicing his posture and preparing his speech in his head, thinking of small talk. As his gaze wandered up to the large grandfather clock on the landing, taking a mental picture of it, his mouth dropped open. Just behind LingShi and Jinora's mother on the stairs was Jinora, an angel clad in a yellow and orange low-cut dress showing off her neck and shoulders. She wore white satin gloves that ended well above her elbows, her hair had been styled into soft, chocolate-colored tendrils, her brown eyes were lined with mascara, and he couldn't help but wonder for a split second if Raava herself had graced Jinora that evening.
Their eyes met again, and as she gave him a small, soft smile, Kai felt a hot rush run up and down his body. She made him feel breathless, like he'd run from one end of the Lower Ring to another on a hot day. He couldn't pinpoint what it was about her that made him feel that way, but he didn't care.
Jinora Gyatso was, without a doubt, the most beautiful woman that he'd ever laid eyes on.
Once she got closer to him, she extended her hand to him, which he took, raised it to his lips and kissed the back of her fingers. A pretty flush settled on Jinora's cheeks, and Kai's stomach did a somersault as he released her hand.
"Good evening." He stood up straighter, cleared his throat, and licked his lips nervously. His arms went straight at his sides, and he nodded once, bracing himself. "May I accompany you to dinner, Ms. Gyatso?"
Jinora giggled softly, and it sounded sweeter to him than the voices of angels. "Yes, you may, Mr. Wen," she said, adjusting her necklace to make sure it wasn't crooked. "You know, I wasn't sure if you were actually going to come."
"Are you kidding? I have the reputation of all the people in third class to uphold." Kai chuckled nervously, unsure of what to do next. He didn't want to go downstairs yet and ruin the moment. What was he supposed to do, talk about the weather? He didn't have his sketchbook on him, so they couldn't discuss his drawings. Spirits, what do I do now?
Thankfully, Jinora spared him from coming up with fatally awkward conversation by saying, "Where did you get your suit? Is it yours?"
"Spirits, no." This time Kai's laugh was genuine as he pictured himself owning a suit like this. The price would be enough to feed him and Skoochy for a week. "Uh, Korra Lieng lent it to me. When we were on deck—well, after you left with your mother, she took me to her quarters and polished me up like a new penny."
"Korra Lieng? Really?" Jinora gave him a cursory onceover. "Well, she certainly has good taste. I was...I was going to help you find a suit, I really was, but my mother—she took me away before I could say anything." She paused. "Wait, is this one Mako's? I think I've seen him wear it before."
"If Mako's her husband, then yeah," Kai answered, shrugging one shoulder. "She told me she always buys three different sizes of suits because she doesn't know how much weight he's going to gain while he's away on business." It felt strange to be gossiping with someone he barely knew about this, but her smile was worth it.
She looped her arm through Kai's and he felt a shiver go up his spine. This was it, he thought. He hoped his palms weren't too sweaty. "I think this will be more of me accompanying you," Jinora explained. "Did Korra tell you where the dining room is?"
"Yeah, she told me. If she hadn't, I would've made things up and we probably would've ended up having dinner on deck." He hesitated. "All the same, Ms. Gyatso," he said, channeling his inner gentleman again, "I'm very glad for your company this evening."
"So am I, Mr. Wen, so am I."
The two of them ambled down the stairs, Jinora's dress trailing behind her, and made their way to where LingShi and Jinora's mother were standing and talking with one another—probably about Jinora's wedding, if Kai had to guess. "Darling?" Jinora tapped LingShi on the shoulder, and he turned around, Jinora's mother half a second behind him. "Surely you remember Mr. Wen."
LingShi did a double-take of surprise, his oily smile fading to reveal a grin that reminded Kai of a shark-squid. "I must say, Mr. Wen, I didn't think you would tidy up as well as you have. Why, you could almost pass for a gentleman!"
"Thanks," Kai replied, unsure of what else to say. "That's real nice of you."
A moment of awkward silence passed, and LingShi's eyes bored into Jinora's with a shocking amount of ferocity. It was obvious that LingShi did not want Kai to be here, and Jinora would probably be punished for inviting him to a function he wasn't supposed to be at. Kai subtly tightened his grip on Jinora's hand, and she sent him a quick smile of thanks.
Without anything else left to say, the party descended to the dining hall. LingShi took Jinora's mother's hand and went ahead of Kai and Jinora, leaving them to walk in on their own. On their way in they ran into Korra, who wore a beaded dress, and a man wearing a red scarf around his neck. Kai presumed him to be Mako, Korra's husband. Spirits, I hope he doesn't recognize that I'm wearing his suit.
"City Boy," Korra said playfully, "I think you remember Jinora, and that's my protégé and her date, Mr. Kai Wen."
Kai extended his hand to Mako, which the older man shook with a strong grip, albeit slightly sweaty. "Nice to meet you," he said.
"You too, Kai," Mako greeted, sounding dismissive as he turned back to Korra. "Korra, I'm going to go get us our seats." He placed a chaste kiss on her cheek, and she did the same to him. He whispered something that Kai couldn't make out in her ear. Korra laughed in response, and Mako said, "I'll see you in abit." He walked ahead with his hands in the pockets of his pants, looking more awkward than Kai felt.
"What did he say to you?" Jinora inquired, tilting her head to the side in curiosity. "Was it about Kai?"
Korra snickered. "Yeah," she said. "He wanted to know why Kai's suit looked so familiar. I didn't want to tell him." Jinora disguised her chuckles as dainty coughs, and Kai had to stifle his explosive bark of laughter in his wrist. Once they stopped, Korra leaned in close to Kai and said (loud enough for Jinora to hear), "You remember what I told you, right?"
"Yeah," Kai said, "just dress like a pallbearer and keep your nose up."
"Atta boy," Korra replied, patting him on the shoulder. Jinora laughed again. "Remember, the only thing these guys respect is money, so just act like you've got a lot of it and you're in the club." And with that advice hanging in the air between them, Korra ambled off to catch up with her husband.
As they entered the swirling throng of people, Kai licked his lips nervously and coughed. "So, is there anyone I should definitely be aware of here?"
Jinora nodded fervently. "You already know Mako and Korra. See those two over there?" She pointed out a pretty woman with long, raven-colored hair standing next to a green-eyed man in a military uniform. "That's Mako's younger brother, Bolin—he's a doctor in the United Forces—and his wife Asami, the heir apparent to Future Industries. The older guy next to them is Asami's dad, Hiroshi Sato. He's the current CEO of Future Industries, and my family's been doing business with his family since before I can remember. Next to them is Bulusi Simei, the chairman of the White Star line. He's been pushing for the ship to go faster and arrive in Republic City earlier than it should. The captain doesn't like that too much."
Kai pretended to write it down on his hand. "Asami Lieng, Dr. Bolin Lieng, Hiroshi Sato and Bulusi Simei. Alright. Who else?"
"That's Sir Iknik Blackstone Varrick, the richest man on the ship. He also put his blood, sweat and tears into building the Titanic too. He's crazy, I think, and a bit naïve, but really nice. He and his assistant, Zhu Li Moon—that's her right there with the glasses—just eloped and she's in a delicate condition. See how she's trying to hide it?" Jinora tapped her pointer finger against her bottom lip as Kai noticed the way Zhu Li was wearing a puffy sort of dress to hide her swollen stomach. "Quite the scandal."
"What about those two?"
"Oh, that's Mr. Raiko and his wife, Buttercup. He's in the running for the United Republic presidential election next year, and Buttercup designs naughty lingerie. That's among her many talents." She waved to them. "Very popular with the royals."
"Who's the scarred woman over there that looks ready to jump ship?"
Jinora laughed at the description. "Oh, that's Lin Beifong. She's in charge of the Republic City Company, that's they make guns and other things for the police departments there. Her sister Suyin—the one with the blue dress—is being groomed to take over the company in Zaofu, the family estate. Their family is one of the richest ones in the Four Nations—they could buy this ship and it wouldn't even be a drop in the ocean of their wealth. They've been one of my family's business partners for years."
Before Jinora could continue, Sir Varrick and Zhu Li came over to exchange pleasantries with them. "Sir Varrick, Zhu Li, I'd like you to meet Kai Wen."
Varrick snorted, shaking his head slightly. "Jinora, please, it's just Varrick. How many times have I told her that, Zhu Li?"
"I'd say twenty-four times, sir," Zhu Li responded, her voice slightly monotone. "Not counting the first time you two were introduced."
"Perhaps twenty-five times will be the charm," Varrick mused, shaking Kai's hand. "Good to meet you, Kai. Say, are you of the Omashu Wens?"
Kai was taken aback by the question. "No, um, the Ba Sing Se Wens, actually."
"Yes, of course." Varrick nodded as if he knew exactly what Kai was talking about, then looked puzzled. Zhu Li said hello politely to Kai as well before whispering to Jinora, "Isn't it a pity we're both spoken for?"
The tips of Kai's ears turned pink, as did Jinora's cheeks. "We should find our seats," Jinora said, like she was steeling herself for an unwinnable battle. Varrick nodded and escorted Zhu Li to the table, pulling out her chair for her. Once she'd sat down, Varrick plopped himself down in the chair next to her.
As though she had been summoned by the Spirits themselves, Korra suddenly reappeared on Kai's other side and said, "Kai, just the man I was looking for. I've pulled a few strings and had a place card for you put next to me."
By that point there was really no point in continuing, because Korra had already sat down, patting the chair next to her for Kai to sit in. After saying goodbye to him, Jinora headed around the table and LingShi pulled out her chair for her like a true gentleman, placing a kiss on her cheek once she was sitting.
Kai took a deep breath and placed the cloth napkin across his lap, imitating Korra, Jinora, LingShi and the others. This is it, he thought, fighting the urge to bite his nails as the first course of their meal arrived—the caviar.
I was prepared that night to defend Kai's honor if anyone made fun of him being there with us, but no one spoke up. I didn't know why, but I was proud of him. He didn't talk about stocks or racehorses like the men, he wasn't condescending like the women. He was nervous, of course, but he never faltered, and he answered everyone's questions with ease. He put up such a good impersonation of a millionaire that they assumed he was one of them: a young captain of industry, perhaps, or even the heir to an oil company. New money, obviously, but still a member of the club.
Even LingShi didn't say anything at first—I suspected that he was preparing to speak wrongly of Kai to the men who would all run off to the smoking room for cigars and brandy. He was a spider of a man still, but that night he was silent, and I was grateful.
My mother, of course, could always be counted upon to say something that no one wanted to hear.
"Tell us about the accommodations in third class, Mr. Wen," Mother said calmly, although the phrase sounded like an order. She took a dainty sip of her ice water. "I hear they're quite good on this ship."
"They're the best I've seen so far, Mrs. Gyatso," was Kai's prompt response. "The food is good, the rooms are nice, and there are hardly any ratroaches."
The women (and some of the men) grimaced almost all at once, but Jinora fought the urge to laugh at Kai's flippancy. She was a lot more relaxed than she'd imagined herself being this evening—she'd even regained enough of an appetite to eat most of the sea prune stew on her plate.
"And where exactly do you live, Mr. Wen?" Mother asked, firing her questions at Kai like a salvos of bullets. "In Ba Sing Se, I presume?"
"I used to live there, in the Lower Ring." Thankfully, Kai's discomfort wasn't visible. "And right now my address is the RMS Titanic. After that, I'm on Raava's good humor. My folks died when I was young, so I've been living a sort of rootless life ever since."
The waiters came by with the salad, depositing small portions onto the patrons' plates. Kai reached for the fish fork, and Jinora gave him a desperate look, shaking her head slightly. She picked up the salad fork and nibbled at a lettuce leaf, prompting him with her eyes. Catching her drift, he changed forks. No one appeared to notice.
Mother reclined in her seat, probably thinking of something else to say. LingShi took this as his cue to step up to the base. "Tell me, Mr. Wen, since you've been living such a rootless existence, how exactly did you manage to scavenge a third-class ticket for yourself?"
"I won it in a hand of poker," Kai explained, and Jinora perked up in interest. This was something that she hadn't heard before. "My friend Skoochy and I—we've been going around the Earth Kingdom using tramp steamers and hitching rides on the back of paddleboats. Then a few days ago we got dropped off at the harbor where the Titanic was docked and got into a heated game of poker with these two guys, Ming and Shaozu. Played fair and we won, and now here we are on the biggest ship in the world." He took a sip of his champagne. "I've always believed that life is a game of luck."
"Yes," LingShi replied haughtily. "But I believe that a real man makes his own luck."
"And we're all entitled to our own beliefs, Mr. Zhang," Kai responded, giving LingShi a wide, genuine smile. LingShi looked ready to vomit. Jinora felt elated that Kai had scored a point against her fiance.
Jinora, wanting to bring the heat off Kai for the time being, turned to Varrick, who for the entire dinner had been scribbling in a little notebook. "Varrick, may I see what you're writing?"
"You can, but I'm afraid that it isn't particularly interesting," Varrick said, chuckling slightly as he handed her the book.
"'Increase number of screws in hat hooks from two to three'," Jinora read aloud. She turned to him again, giving him the book. "You built the biggest ship in the world and this menial thing preoccupies you?"
Varrick smiled sheepishly. "Guilty as charged."
"His blood and soul are in the ship," remarked Mr. Simei, toasting to Varrick. "She may belong to me on paper, but in the eyes of Raava and Vaatu she belongs to Sir Iknik Blackstone Varrick."
"Your ship is a wonder, Sir Varrick," Jinora said with a smile. "Truly."
"Thank you, Jinora," he replied, a twinkle in his eye. "Zhu Li and I tried our best to satisfy." He placed his hand on Zhu Li's and grasped it. She looked up at him with a secret smile, her other hand resting on her stomach surreptitiously. "It pleases me to see that we did."
After the dessert had arrived, the Master-at-Arms stood up. "It's been a lovely meal," he said with a nod at everyone at the table, "and now will the gentlemen join me for cigars and brandy in the smoking room?"
Jinora leaned as close as she could to Kai. "Now they will dissipate into the smoke and congratulate themselves on being the masters of the universe."
Kai snorted into his plate of treacle tart. Korra elbowed him, and Jinora fought the urge to giggle again, something that she'd been doing a lot more lately. Ever since Kai had swept into her life, she'd felt happier than she had in years. Now if only she could put her finger on why…
"Join us, Mr. Wen?" Hiroshi asked. "Or would you like to stay here with the women?" He and a few others laughed at his wit as though it were the pinnacle of jocularity.
Kai looked uncomfortable as he stood up and stretched, placing his napkin over his unfinished dessert. "No thanks," he said. "I think it's time for me to head back."
"Probably best," LingShi said, patting Kai on the back with a condescending smile. "It'll be all business and politics, that sort of thing. Nothing that you'd be able to contribute to." He paused. "Good of you to come."
Jinora sighed as he came to say goodbye to her, a frown settling on her lips for the first time all evening. "Do you have to go, Kai?"
"I think that I've outstayed my welcome," Kai said. He took Jinora's hand and kissed the back of it gently. She hoped he didn't notice her blushing. "I'm just going to take another look around the landing and then I'll go back to my quarters. Have a nice evening." With one last smile at the women, he strolled off in the direction of the Grand Staircase, whistling a happy tune.
Jinora stared after him, wishing that he didn't have to leave. The dinner was actually bearable with him around-now with him gone the conversation would shift right back to her wedding plans and menial things like who wore what to what event, and LingShi would be expecting her in his quarters tonight…
Someone tapped her on the shoulder and she turned to face the current Beifong matriarch. "You know," Lin said in an undertone, "he isn't going to wait for you forever."
She furrowed her eyebrows together in confusion. "What are you talking about, Ms. Beifong?"
Korra rolled her eyes at Jinora, leaning close to the young girl. "I don't think he could've been more obvious if he tried, Jinora. Did you really not catch what he said?"
"Look, will one of you please tell me what you're trying to insinuate about Mr. Wen?" she snapped. "I'm in no mood for jokes."
At this point, Lin's expression was one of utter exasperation as she pinched the bridge of her nose. "He was giving you a hint, Jinora. Spirits. He basically told you to meet him at the landing."
All Jinora could think of to say was, "Why would he do that?"
"Because he likes you, Jinora." Korra smirked, waggling her eyebrows up and down. "And he wants to show you a good time."
Jinora opened her mouth and closed it several times without saying anything, like a koi fish. "I…"
"Go already!" Lin exclaimed sharply, but the harsh words were softened by the smile in her eyes. "Spirits, kid, go before he thinks you're not going to meet him."
Jinora couldn't get out of her chair fast enough.
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