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Post by Rose DeWitt Bukater on Apr 29, 2009 0:47:45 GMT -5
The ambience of the airy cafe was the same she always heard... soft, polite, meaningless chatter, the clink of glasses, and the rustling of expensive fabrics. It may as well have been a siren that refused to turn off, Rose thought. It was about the same to her.
Cal and her mother were involved in a discussion about the accomodations provided for the 3rd class passengers, and Rose wasn't really paying attention. She was watching a little girl a few tables over. It seemed everywhere she went, she saw this girl, and she wondered if she wasn't just imagining the entire thing. But she looked so bored with it all.
They were sitting in a small group. The tables in the cafe were much more intimate than the ones in the dining hall, though already, several people had come over and said their polite hellos. She thought she had seen Mrs. Ashley, who, aside from Molly, was probably the only other woman she could stand.
It wasn't until the topic turned to 'something Rose read in a book somewhere' that she tore her eyes away, and forced herself into conversation again. She wasn't worried. Cal probably liked her better quiet anyway.
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Post by Sarah Ashley on Apr 29, 2009 15:22:49 GMT -5
Sarah walked into the cafe with much grace, her hips swayed to an unknown rhythm and her heels clicked in a sort of pattern. She let a sigh escape her lips when she saw her daughter fighting with her father (her husband). Good Lord, she thought when she saw her kicking daughter and her husband had the most ridiculous look on it was as if he was trying to make her misbehave. She walked over with a serious look on and picked up a cup of tea from their table.
They were getting ready to leave, well her husband and daughter at least Sarah had social plans with a few other 1st class ladies. When she finally reached the two she sighed angrily and calmly looked down at her brat. "Do drink your tea Andromeda." She handed the cup to her daughter who took it and sat down immediately she hushed.
Sarah turned her back and saw Rose She took a seat not wanting to interrupt and let out a rather exaggerated sigh. |
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Post by Rose DeWitt Bukater on Apr 29, 2009 15:56:38 GMT -5
The commotion and the next table over seemed to catch only Rose's attention, but she knew better. Everyone noticed, and as soon as the Ashleys were gone, disapproving looks and chatter would erupt. But for now, everyone seemed to ignore it.
Rose, however, was drawn away from the conversation again, and was almost fascinated by the way the little girl responded to Sarah. It was an instant change. Granted, Sarah was a woman who easily commanded respect. Rose could admire her for that, but there was something about the whole scene that terrified her as well. Would that be her one day? She glanced at Cal, and the thought of children almost suffocated her.
She waited until the woman's husband and daughter finally left, and then painted a smile on her face. "Mrs. Ashley, please join us."
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Post by Sarah Ashley on Apr 29, 2009 16:04:57 GMT -5
Sarah smiled at the rather younger woman. Rose was strong minded and free a bit like herself. She sighed again. "Children are an absolute pain do not have the." Her British accent enveloped the words perfectly. She got the attention of one of the waiters and asked for a cup of tea. She smiled at everyone realizing she hadn't made herself 'known' yet.
"Hello everyone sorry I'm a bit late." She said politely she wanted to sound like her normal self even though her daughter's commotion would spark up gossip.
"So how are you today Ms Bukater?" She asked taking a sip of her tea. She looked up and smiled. |
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Post by Rose DeWitt Bukater on Apr 29, 2009 16:17:55 GMT -5
"Your daughter is a treasure, Sarah," Ruth said, cutting off her own daughter. She saw that look in Rose's eye, the one that said she was about to say something she shouldn't. "I personally find great rewards in children."
Rose could have rolled her eyes. "Andromeda is a darling girl," she agreed with her mother, and the smile was a little less fake when she added, "But I will certainly keep in might what you've said about not having them." She could see her mother's grimace and wanted to laugh.
The others at the table, men and women included, began to fill in the resulting silence, welcoming Mrs. Ashley, and Rose didn't get the chance to tell her how she was doing. It was just as well; no one cared to hear the real answer anyway. It was finally Ruth who returned the question to Sarah, asking how she was and how she liked the Titanic.
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Post by Caledon Hockley on Apr 29, 2009 22:20:08 GMT -5
Cal was paying very little attention to the arrival of Mrs. Ashley. He was engaged in quite an interesting conversation with Mr. Ismay and Mr. Astor about the ship.
"The only thing I fail to understand, Mr. Ismay, is why bother having third class quarters at all on board the Titanic? With all the talk of how large and luxurious the ship is, doesn't the third class bring it down a few notches? Of course, I do appreciate that there are few chances for the third class to mix with first class, but really... Is that a chance you think we should take?"
He glanced at Rose. He shuddered at the thought of some third class gutter rat getting too close to his Rose.
Mr. Ismay had gone on to explain the thinking of the White Star line and how the company philosophy was to allow opportunity for everyone who could afford a ticket. After all, third class workers had built the ship and quite a few of them were passengers on its maiden voyage.
Taking a sip of his drink, Cal shrugged. "I suppose that's true," he said. "Still, I might need to arrange an escort for Rose, for her protection, of course. She does like to explore."
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Post by Rose DeWitt Bukater on Apr 29, 2009 22:45:12 GMT -5
Since her mother was engaged in conversation with Mrs. Ashley, or trying to be, at least, Rose turned her attention back to Cal and the other men. Mr. Andrews gave her a gentle smile as she met his eyes, and she returned it, then lifted her chin slightly and spoke to Cal.
"Really, Cal, I don't think that's necessary. We're not sharing the Titanic with criminals, afterall. Quite honestly, Mr. Ismay, I wonder why there should be a class distinction at all."
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Post by Caledon Hockley on Apr 29, 2009 22:53:43 GMT -5
There she went again, saying things she knew would shock people. Cal was convinced that she did it on purpose. No class distinctions... simply preposterous!
"You don't know that, Rose," Cal pointed out. "It's not like background checks were performed for every passenger. Perhaps I should have Lovejoy take a look at the passenger list. Perhaps he might recognize a few names from his work as a Pinkerton."
He cast a superior look around the table. "I know I speak for most of our companions when I say that we have a lot of precious commodities on board this ship, and we need to make sure they are protected."
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Post by Rose DeWitt Bukater on Apr 29, 2009 23:21:16 GMT -5
Sometimes, Rose did do it on purpose. Granted, they were her thoughts, and usually she just said them without thinking, but other times, she wanted to get a rise out of Cal or her mother.
"Maybe I should have an escort then, darling. Afterall, you can't file an insurance claim if you lost me." She smiled sweetly and tried to give him no time to respond. Turning back to the other men, she mentioned the Mauritania, and how many were saying that the Titanic surpassed it in every way.
"Except speed," Mr. Ismay said, to which Mr. Andrews replied quickly.
"Titantic wasn't built for speed. She's not supposed to be the fastest, but you know the newspapers. They'll put any description on her that will sell papers."
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Post by Sarah Ashley on Apr 30, 2009 15:56:51 GMT -5
"Thank you."she said to Ruth with a smile. "She is lovely when she wants to be but is very stubborn." She added.
She turned her attention to the others who were discussing the significance of a third class. Sarah didn't want to feel odd one out but at one time she was indeed third class but she didn't want to make that known.
"Mr. Hockley I see where you are coming from." She said his name with a higher pitch voice. "But." She continued. "I have to firmly disagree." She added. "I think Ms Bukater is completely competent of traveling around herself, there is nothing wrong with third class people." she knew she would be in serious trouble if her husband were here.
She sat back happy with her retort as she sipped her tea trying her best to look innocent. |
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Post by Caledon Hockley on May 2, 2009 1:12:25 GMT -5
Cal turned for the first time to look at the exquisite woman sitting a few seats away. She was lucky that she was dressed so grandly or his response might have been a little more harsh. As it was, however, Cal didn't want to insult the wrong people. Her husband, Mr. Ashley, was not someone that even Cal wanted to trifle with.
So instead, he chuckled lightly. "Ah, yes, Mrs. Ashley. I see you and Rose will be as thick as thieves. You both have the same sharp tongue and unorthodox ways of thinking."
He reached over and patted Rose's hand. "Darling, I am sure you know that I think only of your well-being. I'm sure Mrs. Ashley's husband would agree with me, if he were here."
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Post by Sarah Ashley on May 2, 2009 6:47:11 GMT -5
She raised her brow. "And she should be proud of it." she said not holding a smile. She looked at Cal he was so arrogant sometimes that it made her sick. "She won't be brought down by the wealth of you, she'll be strong." That might have gone too far.
She looked at Rose a small smile. She soon turned when she heard her husband's name. "You would be surprised." She said truthfully. She took another sip of tea. She stopped there she figured any more disrupt would be completely unnecessary.
Sarah sighed and looked around the table. |
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Post by Caledon Hockley on May 3, 2009 0:31:04 GMT -5
Cal was becoming annoyed, but for the sake of propriety, he tried not to let it show. It wouldn't do to make a scene. Against his enemies, or those that crossed him, he wouldn't hesitate to take them to task in private. But at a dining table, among other people whom he wished to impress, such behavior would be inappropriate. And who was Mrs. Ashley, anyway? She was just a woman, and not really of any consequence in Cal's eyes.
"Yes, well," Cal said in a cool tone. "Where did you say your husband was again? And what brings you on board the Titanic?"
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Post by Rose DeWitt Bukater on May 3, 2009 1:02:01 GMT -5
Rose's eyes met the other woman's, and she smiled briefly. Yes, she could see getting along with Mrs. Ashley very well, and there was an added advantage that it would bother Cal to no end.
Her eyes flashed a silent thank you before she turned back to Cal. "Darling, you saw her husband, remember? He was just here with the adorable little girl." She put her hand on top of his and smiled, glad that she knew how to speak to Cal without really getting herself in trouble. "He just left with her." It didn't really answer his question of where he man was, but it was good enough. She left the second question for Mrs. Ashley, however.
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Post by Sarah Ashley on May 3, 2009 18:48:59 GMT -5
"My husband is probably off with my daughter exploring the ship." She said with a n annoyed tone. She put her tea down and sat back, almost knowing exactly what was going through his mind.
"My mother is sick." She said with no emotion, it saddened her that her mother was indeed ill but she hated showing emotions. "Mr.Hockley." She paused. "You probably think I belong in some Ladies Club or Church Phase, but I'll have you know I'm quite capable just like any of you men." She said with a raised brow. |
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