April 10, 1912 12:45pm

Helen left the library after a long fruitless search and she took a deep breath of fresh air. She had just crossed to the enclosed promenade when a pair of children ran past. Helen smiled wistfully and had just turned to watch them when someone walked headlong into her. Helen gasped and stumbled, but regained her balance and looked to the person who ran into her.
"So sorry miss; really I am," a man in a chefs coat said apologetically. "Terribly sorry. I…I wasn't watching where I was going and I…I didn't - I didn't mean anything by it miss. I hope I didn't ruin your dress."
"No, its fine," Helen smiled and dusted off her emerald traveling dress.
"I'm terribly sorry. There was a great shudder and all my cakes fell. I'm the head baker here on Titanic. Charles Joulin. I came up to see what happened. After putting my kitchen back in order… We aren't moving yet and we should have been off an hour ago."
"Dr. Helen Magnus. We nearly had a run in with another ship. But everything seems to be under control now. I was just wondering when we would be on our way, myself."
The baker shook her hand enthusiastically. "I do hope I didn't ruin your dress?"
Helen looked down at herself and shook her head. "No I think its fine. Does it look bad?" she asked uncertainly. Joulin smiled and shook his head.
"No. You look fine. I could eat you up."
"I daresay you could, being a Wendigo," Helen smiled
The pale being gaped in surprise "Oh please Miss... you can't tell anyone, I can't have people knowing. They get the wrong idea. I swear to you Miss, I've not eaten anyone. Not ever. I'm not dangerous, I promise. Here look" he reached into a pocket and showed her a flask of alcohol. "Whenever I take a draw on this, I don't feel hungry. It lowers my body temperature and curbs my appetite," he continued "I swear Miss I've not eaten a soul, not a soul"
"It's alright. I've made it my life's work to protect Abnormals. Your secret is safe with me."
"Oh you're THAT doctor Magnus" The Wendigo brightened considerably. "I beg your pardon miss…Doctor I mean. I wasn't expecting a lady. No offense, you understand. But to run an entire sanctuary, it'd be a lot for one person and you look like one of them dainty little things as what drink tea with one pinky in the air, and scream when they see a mouse," Joulin said with a little flounce.
Helen laughed. "No, not at all. I think I have some vampire medication in my belongings, if you that it might help? I have never tested it on anyone other than an old friend of mine. But if you would like to try it, I'm open to investigation. "
"No thanks Doc. I got what I need here." Joulin grinned and held up his flask. Helen nodded.
"Alright but don't drink too much or you'll be as cold as the Labrador Sea." Magnus cautioned.
The man-eater nodded "Doctors orders eh?"
Helen smiled and nodded. "Indeed. I'm off to find the captain, to find out when we'll be on our way again."
"Captains probably out checking the ship after a near collision; you should find Commander Lightoller in the wheelhouse."
Helen nodded. "Alright I'll look there. Thank you. It was great meeting you."
Joulin nodded and gave a light bow. "Likewise, I guarantee." He smiled and toddled off. Helen knew it wasn't from the drinking; Wendigos had trouble when moving at human speed.
Magnus made her way to the wheelhouse. There she met a tall man with sloping shoulders and a somber face talking with another man. He had a large walrus moustache and a receding hairline.
"...Inspection results are in. We don't have a single case of Lice bedbugs or fleas, Sir." the second man handed a bundle of papers over. The first man nodded.
"Excellent. But the captain wishes to keep the gates locked just in case." The commander answered. "No reason to contaminate second and first class."
"Gates?" the second man frowned.
"Yes, the gates bar the third class passengers from the other passengers. The gates are a regulatory measure to prevent the "less cleanly" third class passengers from transmitting diseases and infections to the others. It will save time when the ship arrived in New York, as only the third class passengers would need a health inspection. "
"You have them locked in like animals?" Helen cut in indignantly. "Caged like beasts? These are human beings you're talking about." Both men turned in surprise. The tall man blushed.
"I assure you Madame. It is just as much for the convenience of them as it is for anyone else. It would be easy for a small child to slip out and get to first deck and then if he doesn't speak English, how will we get him back to his parents?"
Helen stared back stony faced. "A cage is a cage."
"They won't be locked all the time," the shorter man said.
"They aren't locked in the lower deck" the taller man said diplomatically. "They are secured within their section of the ship. But we appreciate your concern, miss…"
"Magnus. Doctor Helen Magnus."
The shorter man looked at her curiously. "Doctor you say? I don't suppose that means Medical doctor?" He asked.
Helen nodded feeling the old annoyance peeping in. "It is. I studied at Oxford."
"Ah an excellent school. I'm William O'Loughlin. Ships Doctor," he smiled. "I thought of the 2,200 people aboard 2,199 didn't have medical training. I could certainly use a hand Miss, if you don't mind me pulling you from your vacation."
"I would be delighted to help." Helen smiled sincerely. Idleness had never suited her. The sooner she could assist with patients, the happier she would be. "Just tell me where and when."
Dr O'Loughlin nodded. "Tomorrow morning? 11 am. I'll meet you on the prow. That's when I start my rounds. A deck first and then work down the 8 other decks."
The doctor smiled and tipped his hat before leaving. The crewman looked at Helen curiously. "My name is Charles Lightoller, Dr Magnus. What can I do for you?"
"I was wondering if you knew what time we would be on our way again?" She asked.
"It shouldn't be too long now. We'll be in France around 4 o'clock. We will probably stay there until tomorrow. Just in case."