I Do have to say, nothing is more unsettling than waking up and going to eat breakfast and having almost every person in the dining hall staring at you. I expected everyone to still be asleep, but my wishes were not reality as everyone and there brother was awake and already eating. Whispers were quite prevalent amongst the elders today though, each whisper either sad or rushed.
two things struck me as odd, the first being Alice Treecreeper, the tiny woman nestled into a corner of the room. She was scribbling in a what looked to be new journal also, but she was consistently being interrupted by others, either hugging her, or speaking with her. Alice was typically Incredibly shy and reserved. When we first met she was hiding in our closet because she was nervous to meet me as I was her new roommate. She sat in that closet for nearly an hour just watching me unpack my things. I do have to admit though was a lovely roommate for those brief 2 months until she graduated.
the other, more peculiar thing had to be the elder Finch. She was sitting next to her niece as a human in the shadiest corner of the kitchen, holding her tightly. Evalynn looked rather angry, I'm unsure if It was at her auntie or not "I have some medicine for you." we're the only words I could hear from my seat before everyone's attention was gathered with a final clap from miss Wren.
"It's 5:40. We must be off now. Please if you would, say your goodbyes" I have no clue how she managed to retain that erie smile from last night, but it definetly wasn't better in the the newborn dawn.
I stood up, but surprisingly so did Alice without much fuss as she stepped out and pushed in her chair. Evalynn, however gritted her teeth audibly as she stood up beside her aunt.
We all seemed to have the same look upon our faces as we exited the slightly overcrowded dining hall.
confusion.
"Are we all going-" Alice asked but was cut off by a nod.
"All three of you will be surveying America." Miss Wren smiled warmly. "let's get going. the carriage is outside." she opened the front door. Eve looked ready to snap and hurt someone, maybe she would pick me on the way to the dock. Can't go in a crowded ship if you have a broken femur.
I didn't get lucky. the ride to the dock was rather silent, Alice was reading and Eve was biting her nails down to nothing. Miss Wren looked out the window, not bothering to keep her smile up any longer.
"Alright ladies!" Miss Wren hopped out as soon as we reached the docks which were packed to the brim with children and adults alike, all huddled in little groups. many of the young girls were wearing brighter colors these days, it was actually quite charming to see rather than the drab muted colors of the past fashions we were introduced too.
Alice was the most brightly dressed of us all in her light sage Green and white dress with flared sleeves. it complimented her brown hair that she left down, bold choice sense she knows we are going to be shoved on a steamboat, but to each their own I guess. Evalynn was on the complete other side of the color scale with a light lavender and grey dress that definetly would not have passed dress code when we were girls. her hair was pulled tightly up on her head In a simple but elegant bun. I kept it simple with my favorite white day dress that was dotted with little light blue flowers, a light blue shawl to tie it off. my hair was pulled up into a low knot also, as I feared it getting yanked or caught.
we were all hugged by Miss W as if we were her son's going off to war, and then we were handed out tickets and pointed to a boarding station where a miniscule number of thousands of people were standing around
The employees did seem to actually know what they were doing and were pulling people through quickly, we only waited maybe 15 minutes, but that was enough time for one of the most annoying man I have ever had the displeasure of my presence being graced with to try to chat up a storm with me until Alice finally took the hint from me stepping on her foot to get her to finally drag me away. you can only say "Wow, that's intriguing" so many times before it becomes mind numbingly dull.
As soon as we got on the ship it was basically a fight to get a decent seat Evalynn being our leader as she gently shoved a few men blocking the aisle to their own respective seats. She got us a decent spot on the top deck, the open air making being crammed with around 3000 other passengers just slightly more tolerable.
as soon as the boat started moving, so did Evalynn. with every wave the sea tossed at us she shifted with it, becoming quite ill instantly.
Are you alright?" Alice asked Eve who remained silent and she bought her head down to her knees. It wasn't long before she lost her breakfast into a bag, making a rather well dressed woman with a very complicated updo too her right scoff.
"You shouldn't be on the boat if you Ill, it's common courtesy!" this snobby woman jeered at Evalynn. I think Alice would have stepped in, but Evalynn took it into her own hands much quicker than Alice could even comprehend.
".It's called Sea sickness you bloody fucking twat." eve snapped. "Say anything to those workers about it and I'll make sure to beat the hell out of you when we get off." she growled.
I would have laughed at that if I knew it wasn't the truth.
the woman quickly arranged to switch seats with an unknowing passenger a few rows over, a feeble but very kind old man named Jonas. He even offered to hold Evalynn's hair back while she was vomiting into a bag. Very sweet man.
the food so far on our trip was far from excellent. soggy biscuits that somehow were still hard as a rock, some thickened carrot cream and beef stew which wasn't terrible, some half cooked baked potatoes, and plum pudding that in my opinion was rancid plus some watered down coffee and burned tea was was served for all 3 meals for everyday of the trip. I kind of Envy Eve in a sense. Of course I wouldn't want to be as horribly ill from the motion of the rocking boat as her, but she doesn't have the stomach right now to eat anything, so she doesn't have to starve or be forced to eat this wretched muck like Alice or I.
ah, and yes, that annoying man just so happen to find me in the dinner line unfournatley. he even somehow managed to get a spot near me even though there was about 20 people behind me, just my luck!
"Good evening my little flower" He lightly caressed my shoulder as soon as he managed to get close to me, I could smell the foul scent of cherry mixed with honey whiskey in his putrid breath just from him being behind me, this dining hall did not give nearly enough room to not be packed in like a can of sardines.i swiped his hand off quickly with a glare, he didn't get the idea.
"good evening. please don't touch me." I was polite at first, just hoping something would drag his attention away from me. there are so many other women who were much more easy on the eyes than I on this vessel, I still as of writing this have no idea why he chose to flirt senselessly with me. He was dressed elegantly, most likely a businessman traveling to the new world. such a shame someone spilled stew all over his cream colored suit around 5 minutes later and he haf to go change, but not before making a cryptic "I'll be back for you my darling" comment and blowing me a kiss. I did not have a hand in it, but whoever did spill it on him, I pray they sleep well tonight.
Oh my, I've never wanted to throw myself overboard at anytime in my life except now. the past week of our voyage were pretty uneventful. food wasn't the best, Alice was tending to a few of the crew mates who got burned badly in the kitchen for the last two days, and Evalynn was either heaving or sleeping. She got to have had the worst luck these past few days. She leaned on a pole that happened to be made out of a few metals in which she was allergic too, making her arms break out into blisters and rashes. She has Litterally been hiding from the doctors on Board so they don't assume she has Typhoid or something and force her into isolation upon arrival.
it just so happened when we went up from our stuffy, one bed room to get some fresh air so we didn't die, That bloody man from the dock and first night's dinner sat down right beside me at the last second, knowing there was now where for me to move.
"Hello darling. This dreary weather is definetly off putting." He smirked in an oddly punchable way. "It's going to storm soon. Would you like to come share some whiskey in my room with me to calm our nerves? My bed has enough room for both of us if you take your puffy skirt off..." He shook a little flask he had in his suit pocket in a way that disturbed me beyond words.
"what is your name?" I asked him. This got him excited.
"Alexander Stonewettle! The best lawyer in all of Delaware!" he threw his hands up in some extravagant show. "and yours-"
"Alex, my friend, would you like to know something?" I reached for my dagger I had nestled in my boot. A gift from my dearest sister Roisin.
"Yes love?" He ran his rather large fingers across my knuckles.
"If you keep talking with me and touching me without consent..." I shown him my dagger, slightly unsheathed. He snapped his hand back, scoffing as if he has the right. The audacity of some men I swear. Anyhow, he quickly got up after he realized I wasn't giving in and moved to another young woman who gladly gave in to his wishes. Good luck to them both, I guess.
"did...did you threaten him?"
Looks like Evalynn is awake again. Whatever medicine she's been taking has been making her sleep quite a bit. We only have until tonight to make it till and that's good news for all
"Bloody Hell this place is huge!" Alice exclaimed as she stepped off the boat. she carried our 2 shared suitcases of clothing, while I carried our three small sacks of personal belongings along with Evalynn on my back. She was too weak to keep herself upright from the starvation and dehydration brought on by the consistent vomiting, poor thing practically fainted this morning when she got out of bed.
Our boat was delayed a day in the harbor, terrible news for Evalynn and I who were planning to exit last night. Alice seemed just fine though, as she had made good friends with the Captain and crew through playing nurse to the single doctor on board.
"New York." I repeated to myself. carriages and horse's bustled about the busy streets. I have to say this place seems quite a bit more cheerful than Britain. Young boys and girls of different classes and backgrounds happily chased eachother amongst the crowds, where young women were gathering in gossip circles outside of little main street shops. men who weren't being chivalrous and assisting women were sitting outside discussing business deals and "The New York Stock Exchange" while they puffed happily at there cigars.
"We are looking for a place called the Blue Bonnett Inn, on 67857 Rockcrest avenue." Alice said gently, pulling me out of the way of an incoming carriage.
"it's supposedly 3 blocks ahead on our left from the docks."
I nodded, shifting Evalynn on my back. she was still knocked out from out travel, not evening having made a single sound the whole walk up to now. I fear if we don't get some food or water into her soon she might be facing a much more dire conclusion.
as we wandered around the delightfully cheerful streets, I couldn't help but notice a group of like 4 children who kept pace with us across the street, eyes glued to us like hot wax on a sunny windowsill. We turned down the 3rd street in, noticing the inn quite quickly as it was one of the few places not entirely packed. it was also the only blue building on this street.
"Hello how can I help you?" a young girl stood at the counter, her blonde hair flowing behind her as she swiftly moved around the counter, making sure everything was in perfect order.
"I have a reservation... under the name of Wren." I said, having to be a little louder than usual as an adorable newborn crying just beside us in the icecream parlor, the young woman with him trying to calm him down.
"ahh... yes, room 314." she tossed me a set of keys. "leave your luggage down on that racks it will be left up in your rooms. if you need anything, please don't hesitate to come grab me or the owner!" she exclaimed. "Feel free to come back and join us for dinner at 7. it's included in your suite"
"Thank you!" Alice smiled and handed the young girl 50 cents. she smiled, and thanked Alice profusely. Alice nodded with a smile, the young girl out the money in her pocket and then turned to help another customer.
"why did you give her money?" I asked as we set our stuff down in the carts.
"tipping is customary here." she smiled and helped get the bags out of my hands without dropping Eve.
"First things first, let's get Evalynn some sustenance before she ends up in the hospital." Alice stepped back out the doors, me and Evalynn behind her. She stretched her arms, blocking my view of most of the road, but not the two kids watching us from the side walk I made eye contact with the taller boy, we remained eyes locked for a few moments.
"Rosa!" Alice clapped in my face, breaking my impromptu staring contest with the boy who dissapeared amongst the crowds.
"your blocking the entrance." she said with a smile. I froze, but then stepped aside for two elderly women who simply glared and gossiped about how we were "such a terrible rude generation of young adults."
"how about we start tomorrow with our first loop, today we just rest and get some food." Alice said as we made it down the scent of fresh food made every restaurant Alice suggest sound amazing.
she finally picked for us and headed down to a small little tavern up the road that had a young boy down at the corner handing out flyers. during our trek down there, I couldn't help but notice I couldn't find the children again. they slipped my mind for the most part, until my arm was gripped with force and before so even knew it I was shoved into the alley way behind a huge building against the wall with Alice and Eva. Thankfully they shoved me face first instead of back first so I didn't crush Evalynn.
A young boy maybe 11 with dark blonde hair and dark green eyes watched from on top of the dumpster, a small pocket knife in hand. The other two, a young girl and boy most likely around the same age stayed firmly planted with there...sticks? I guess I should call them bats maybe? I dont know but they had them in hand and were ready to beat us up with them.
"You turn around!" he commanded. neither of us did, looking at eachother
"me?" Alice mouthed. I shrugged just as confused as her.
"Turn around!"
"maybe we could just both turn around same time?" Alice mouth again. I nodded
"but what if he hurts the one that's not supposed to turn-
"I SAID FOR YOU TO TURN AROUND!"
"Then maybe specify who your talking to idiot!" Eva Snapped angerily. "You can't just command someone to do something without saying who is supposed to follow it!" she's awake again, Lovely.
the young boy instantly crumbled like a biscuit back into what he was. A nine year old, losing every shred of confidence he has saved up.
"s-sorry. I mean you " he pointed weakly at me. I did as he told,
"Oh no!" Eva shouted. "turn back around until he says please!" she said. I could still hear the weakness in her voice, her arms trembled around my neck.
"we are being held at knife and bat point-" Alice started, but Eva was having none of it.
"Their like 9, get back around!" She told me. I rolled my eyes and did as she said. "Now say please and ma'am if you would like her to answer you like a polite young boy." Eva said with the tone an elder uses when disciplining the younger generation.
"Pl-please turn around...Thank you Ma'am." he squeaked his voice cracking. I could see his lip quivering, as could Alice and Eva.
"Thank You. now stop crying and tell us why you three have decided to trap us today.." Evalynn said in a much more calm and mothering tone.
"We need help. there's a rumour that some...special people were on that ship and coming to help. we assumed it was you three as you all seem slightly out of place with this current time period." the young girl spoke up. her cream colored dress was torn at the edges and she looked quite dirty.
"We are those special people. I said softly. "please, lead the way."