Disclaimer: I do not own Treasure Planet

Disembarking

Two weeks later...

For Ghille Dhu

Diana was trying not to cry. Cassandra could tell that much from the expression on her face and her body language. She glanced in her friends direction every now and then but turned away quickly when Selina caught her eye. She still hadn't forgiven her even though two weeks had passed by since Diana had received news that she was going to be getting married soon. Cassandra was getting a little tired of this considering that she had done nothing wrong and wasn't the cause for her friends distress. Also Diana had insisted that Cassandra was not to blame for her troubles, but still Selina persisted in giving Cassandra the cold shoulder. Partly it was because she knew she had already gone to see her solicitor with concerns about her inheritance and with what she was going to do after she had officially left the Academy. Cassandra had made the visit a week ago on a cold afternoon and found Mr Wick a gentle, sensitive man and felt that he did have some paternal concern towards her. He nodded sympathetically and gave her sad smiles when she told him of her father's death and of her time from that day onwards. She found that Mr Wick was another from the older generation who accepted the changes in women's rights and saw that there was no point in swimming against the currents.

"I'm surprised that in this day and age your brother feels that had he had to send you to a finishing school if I'm perfectly honest." He remarked at some point in their meeting.

Cassandra gave him a polite smile and answered, "As you can imagine, Mr Wick, I completely agree with you however my brother is unfortunately one of those traditionalists who thinks they can still uphold the old ways and even bring them back perhaps."

"No point swimming against the tide." Mr Wick grumbled.

She laughed at this remark and nodded in agreement. "Quite, Mr Wick."

He frowned and inquired, "What do you plan on doing, Miss Richardson?"

"I had the intention of following in my father's footsteps for some years, Mr Wick. In fact a number of years before his death. I intend to pursue that occupation."

"It will not be easy, Miss Richardson. They require experience and usually if this proves to be difficult for you to attend a college which they have available for a couple of years. Then of course the seven years at the Interstellar Academy. Unfortunately you may not have enough money to fund all that. At least not enough to pay for the last couple of years at the Academy."

"I shouldn't worry about that, Mr Wick. I intended on getting a job anyway for the summers."

This went on for a while until Mr Wick was convinced that the young woman had thought these matters through quite thoroughly and was determined to make sure that she got through her studies without any problems. He told her that he intended on putting a recommendation forward to the college since he deemed it unlikely that she would be able to get into the Interstellar Academy without sufficient education in the subjects she would be studying. Once he had explained why he thought so she came to understand why he saw things from that perspective and was no longer offended when at first she thought he was thinking her a mere woman and inferior to knowledge of such things. He also assured her that he would search for sufficient lodgings and jobs for her since it was perfectly clear that her elder brother wouldn't approve of her actions therefore living under his roof would be out of the question of course. She thanked him before she left and even braved a hug to show her appreciation. He almost jumped back if Cassandra hadn't hugged him so tightly and chuckled out of embarrassment. He stared at her for a moment unsure of how to interpret this or deal with such a situation. It was something he found more surprising than untoward.

"So how did the meeting so with Mr Wick?" Selina asked, almost spitting at the mention of his name while she wrapped an arm around Diana's shoulders.

Cassandra sighed and shrugged her shoulders trying to seem as if she wasn't bothered by her friends acidity.

"He's a lawyer." She replied. "Kinder than most."

Selina grinned, almost maliciously. "I can see how he seemed kinder than most." She muttered.

Cassandra shook her head and turned away. "I don't know why you asked if the topic angers you so."

"Who said I was angry?" Selina asked in an innocent voice.

Cassandra gripped on the sides of her seat and shook with confined, blazing fury and cast her eyes onto the view. The world seemed to falling down from where she sat in the transporter with birds flying across the open air. The sky was so open and wide she almost mistook it for the sea. They were embarking on their journey from Montressor Space port. She remembered being there only twice in her life. The first she was too gloomy to appreciate her visit. The second she was embarking on her first, short-lived adventure and then there was now. It seemed to her that from all the occasions she was there it was more associated with sadness and loss rather than anything else.

"Where are we meeting your Grandmother again, Diana?" Selina asked through gritted teeth.

"She said she would already be on the boat." She answered.

"Of course she would." Cassandra muttered.

"Sorry, Cassandra did you say something?" Selina asked sweetly. Cassandra rolled her eyes, shaking her head.

"Please...Selina could you stop being angry at Cassandra?" Diana begged. "She did nothing wrong."

"Of course she didn't. Because Cassandra never does anything wrong. Do you Cassandra? No there's nothing wrong with her not being there for you when you needed a friend. There's nothing wrong with her being more concerned with her own future than yours, considering that hers will be happier and more prosperous."

"We have arrived at Monstressor Space Port!" The overhead speaker announced.

Cassandra muttered a prayer of thanks and got up from her seat. She left Selina to help Diana up since she knew it she assisted in any way Selina would not be best pleased. She had enough of her malice and frustrations. She had decided that this conflict will only be ended once she decides to end it not Cassandra. She stepped out the carriage ignoring the hand held out for her from the driver. She was too desperate to escape from the carriage to notice it and if she was honest she had no need of a hand to climb out of the carriage. She turned to him sharply and gave him a thankful smile for the outstretched hand all the same. The driver nodded to her and when she was satisfied that she had caused him no offence she cast her eyes to her surrounding and stared in wonder. She smiled warmly as the old feelings of awe and affection flooded back from the place her heart was set and where she felt she truly belonged.

She took in a deep breath of the pure, clear sky air. She suddenly felt calm and at peace after she had done this. The anger towards Selina and Diana's grandmother seemed to dissolve if only for a few moments. The breeze blew gently in her hair and brushed against her neck and cheeks. She went around the carriage to tell the porters the name of the ship they were travelling on since she had noticed that no one had informed them of this information. Perhaps it was the fact that Selina was so preoccupied by comforting Diana and tormenting Cassandra that she was beginning to neglect the duties she had announced to take on since she deemed Cassandra not worthy enough to do so. All the same, Cassandra at least swallowed her pride in picking up the pieces Selina left in case it spelled for disaster which Selina would take out on her anyway.

Diana looped her arm in hers and smiled. "Cassandra I really am glad you're here."

Cassandra replied with a sad smile. "I know. But you could've asked Sophia to come. She will know of the things to come and would've been more of a comfort and...useful than I."

Diana shook her head. "No more than you are a comfort to me." She assured her. "Besides she's married. Her duty is to her husband, not to her friends."

Cassandra quickly grabbed her arm and stared into her eyes. "You don't think that's the life you're bound to is it?"

Diana blinked with surprise. "Well...Isn't that what you've always thought of marriage?"

Selina who had been slyly paying attention to some of this conversation raised an eyebrow and leaned closer however turned the other way to seem like she wasn't listening in on the conversation.

"I suppose...I've changed my mind. I don't know anything about the man you're about to marry but I hope that you can find some way where you can be happy. I mean that. Truly." She implored.

Diana blinked again, not knowing whether her friend was truly being honest or whether she was just saying something to give Diana at least a little comfort in her situation. This was something Cassandra did often, even more so since she had found out she was engaged to a man she had never seen or met. Perhaps Cassandra pitied her and was trying to find some way where Diana could see the silver lining of her situation. However Cassandra was the sort of person to go down fighting in such a situation, never one to make the most that she could in a situation. Then again Diana knew she wasn't Cassandra and so did she. She turned away and quickly and briefly exchanged a glance with Selina. The look on her face told Diana that she too was at a crossroads when it concerned on how to interpret Cassandra's little speech. She looked a little sceptical but at the same time she also looked worried, as if she preferred her being a cynic when it came to marriage. After witnessing this sudden, public change in her opinion in marriage Diana and Selina seemed more frightened of their friend rather than doubtful. What did this mean for Cassandra's future? Did this mean that she was going to throw her freedom away?

"Lady Firestone?"

All three girls looked and Cassandra's eyes widened more than any of them when she saw the owner of the voice.

"George?"

Cassandra's fair brother walked down the plank and frowned at Diana. "Are you on the voyage set sail for a marriage to the Duke of Orion?"

While she hesitated George glanced at Cassandra who glared at him. "Yes." She answered finally. "I did not know you would be the Captain of the voyage, sir."

"Er- No. I am the first mate, actually. I'm in my last year. Finally." He added with a weak smile. He then remembered his manner and moved out of the way for the young ladies to pass but took Diana's hand and led her up the plank.

"I have been told you have been engaged to him for a number of years." He observed.

Diana laughed a little. "Two years at most, sir."

"Still enough time to be suspicious of the man you're marrying ma'am." He replied as they stepped onto the deck.

"Why should I be suspicious of him, Mr Richardson?"

George tilted his head. "Who would want to wait so long to be in the arms of such a beautiful woman."