Another update! I think from now on though, I might do faster updates but shorter chapters. I can't seem to write long chapters anymore. Sorry!

February, 10, 1939

Isabelle couldn't quite put a finger to it but it seemed like Hugo was growing distant towards her. If he wasn't growing distant, he was at least grieving at something. He was fiddling with his watch more often than he usually does. Which she learned that he does when he is nervous or stress. She didn't know why he was doing it though. He even looked defeated and lonely at times. She would ask what he was feeling down about, but he would always wave it off and block her out. It always frustrated her to no ends. Raymond would try to comfort her when Hugo was feeling really down though. Surprisingly, she and Raymond had gotten pretty close in a matter of a week. They had the same love for literature and quite similar taste as well. They even called each other by first names, which Isabelle was grateful for. She never liked it when people called her Madame. But still she would still get frustrated over Hugo's reasonless (at least she believed it was reasonless) moping.

Sometimes she wondered if she was overthinking things, because for good portion of the time Hugo was still the normal Hugo that she was used to. Even if he had his grief moments a lot more often than he used to. Her thoughts were interrupted from the sound of the door opening.

"Good afternoon Monsieur Cabret and Isabelle!"

Isabelle initially smiled as Raymond walked into the room, but it quickly changed into slight frown as she notice Hugo's scowl deepen. She noticed it before, but Hugo seemed to dislike Raymond for an odd reason. She was going to need to talk him about this, before Raymond started to notice his attitude towards him.

"Surely is fine day," Raymond said cheerfully as he took a seat at one of chairs in the room.

Isabelle nodded in agreement. Despite her foul mood, she couldn't help but notice how the weather was beautiful.

"I gotten my hands on this excellent book from one of the English passenger on board. I hope you are able to read English," Raymond put down a worn hardcover book down the table for Isabelle to see. "It isn't in the best quality, but it is readable and I must say it was truly a marvelous adventure."

"Is it?" Isabelle asked with interest as she pick up the book.

"It is quite a book, I must say it is one my favorites now," Raymond replied with eagerness.

Isabelle smiled at his gleeful mood and read the title out load. "The Hobbit, There and Back Again. By-"

"J.R.R Tolkien," Hugo said suddenly. "I already read that one and I must agree with Raymond. It is a dazzling adventure."

Isabelle raised an eyebrow at Hugo's sudden interest. He wasn't the one to interrupt people while talking.

"I met someone who had met JRR Tolkien and had a signed copy of book. He let me borrow the book for a bit. Which would explain why you didn't know about it, in case you were wondering," Hugo slowly got up from his chair and formed a soft smile. "I'm sure my father would've loved it too." Hugo added solemnly as he walked towards the door.

"Where you going?" Isabelle quickly preceded to getting up from her chair, but was stopped by Raymond.

"I think he needs some time alone. I've experienced this before. Beth had these occasional grief periods" Raymond said as he put his hand on her shoulder to prevent her from chasing after him. Isabelle sent him quite a glare, but he stood his ground. "If he left the room he probably doesn't want to be with you as of now. Don't worry though I'll try to talk to him," Raymond told her as he got up from his chair. "You should read the book, it will get your mind off things for a while," Raymond added before leaving the room.

Isabelle let out a defeated sigh as she opened up the book. She was going to have a long talk with Hugo once he comes back.

The fleeting winter breeze greeted Hugo as he walked out onto the deck. He was relieved to see that there was few people out on deck. On the first few days people would come out and enjoy the ocean scenery, but as the week passed, the amount of people on deck started to dwindle. But still quite a lot of people before supper and after supper. Something about being romantic, but there wasn't a lot of people here at the moment, much to Hugo's relief.

Hugo leaned onto the railings of the ship and pulled shoved his hands into his jacket pocket. He frowned when he felt something shuffle his pocket. His frown turned into a sad smile in realization as he pulled a packet out of his pocket. It was his father's last cigarette packet. It still had some cigarettes inside. He never threw it away. It was one his father's last remaining possessions (besides the automaton of course). Some would think that it was little weird to keep a packet of cigarette for over 9 years. But he never had the courage to throw it away. He kept it close to him for comfort. But after Papa George had taken him in, he forgot about the packet. At least for the most part.

"What are you moping about for?"

Hugo frowned as he noticed Beth looking at him in irritation. "I do not wish to grace that question with an answer."

Beth rolled her eyes at Hugo's response. "Whatever you say thief."

Hugo raised an eyebrow. "You're still going on about that?"

"Of course I am. You stole my necklace right before my eyes, with your magic trick of yours."

"That's the point of the trick," Hugo defended.

"Yes, but that was an important necklace!"

"Is it that expensive?"

"It's not about being expensive!" Beth shouted in frustration.

Hugo raised his hands in defeat at her sudden outburst. "Alright, alright. I sincerely apologize," Hugo didn't think of necklace too much before. It looked like it was sapphire, but he didn't think to much of it, especially with the cross scratch at the near the bottom of it.

"Good. Now that's-Oh wait, Mondie's coming catch you later," Beth said hurriedly and quickly turned around to leave.

Hugo nodded and looked at Raymond quizzically as he made his way towards him. With the way he left, he was pretty sure that Isabelle was going to chase after him, but instead Raymond was coming towards him. Which was relief and a bit of a disappointing. Because deep down inside he wanted her to chase after him and comfort him. It was selfish of him of course, but it was still a little disappointing.

"Monsieur Cabret. May we talk for a moment?"

So that's that. Let me know what you think! I will try to upload another chapter fast as possible. Also it is quite possible that I might do some pointless short fluffs or series one shotish stories that go on the ship from now to maybe until 5-7 chapters. Then they will be in Canada. Or I might finish this story until they arrive in Canada and then have a part two for it.

Thanks for all the support!

Flamestone