The Trans-Kyne Crossing Of Olympic [OPEN]

[Beatrice]

IMS Olympic at sea as she heads to Arendelle, Kingdom of Dartfordia.

Although the voyage was still in its early phases the Empress couldn't of hoped for a more smooth day than the one before her. Every system on the Olympic was performing as expected, from her refurbished oil-powered power plant to the new systems which aided in navigation and communications performing as well as they had during sea trials. Recognizing the prestige of the voyage as well as the presence of high-profile guests two Rorqual Class SSNs lurked beneath the surface, whilst two Kashiwa Class Destroyers provided a surface presence as they escorted Olympic across the Sea of Kyne.

While it was at one time the First Class Smoking Room today it is repurposed as a parlor with signs clearly indicating the attitude toward smoking had greatly changed.

In what had once been the First Class Smoking Room, now called Port Rosa Parlor in honour of the port in which Olympic was constructed nearly 114 years ago, the Empress was joined by Emperor Emeritus Alexander, her cousin Grand Duchess Sophia and, publicly as a guest of the Empress merely accepting a ride home in considerable style, though privately as a member of the Imperial Family, the Princess of Ashinxao, Kikyo. As they neared a cruising speed of 23 knots the Empress tapped her champagne flute, in this instance filled with a bubbly apple cider made with apples from Kavania Prefecture, to draw the attention of her guests. As the Empress did so passengers who had bought tickets, and as such were isolated from the high-profile guests, were settled into their respective lodgings in first and second class by the crew and instructed as to what to expect along their voyage.

The Empress addresses her guests in period appropriate attire.

"May I begin by saying that it is my pleasure to be sharing this time with you all," she said as she looked over those assembled in the parlor perhaps stopping for a moment longer as she noted Thomas has clearly understood the assignment in his choice of garb for the occasion, "for today we sail on the last operational vessel of the Blue Star Line constructed prior to the Great Patriotic War. Awaiting us in the distance is Arendelle which, prior to the Great Patriotic War, saw great cooperation between the Rokkenjiman Blue Star Line and the Dartfordian White Star Line, to the point where our respective Lines were building sister ships for each other. The pinnacle of that cooperation, the Olympic Class, saw a trio of vessels borne of that cooperation; with Dartfordia we saw the RMS Titanic which, as we all can recall, met a most disastrous fate and her sister, lost on equally tragic grounds. On the Rokkenjiman side of that equation we saw the construction of IMS Olympic, inaugural ship of the Class as well as the last surviving example which, I might add, is possible only due to the impounding of the Olympic by the Fusanese and their efforts which subsequently saw her preservation and, ultimately, her return to Rokkenjiman hands. I thank you all for joining me today for this historic voyage and with the perquisite pleasantries out of the way, let us party like it's the Edwardian Era again."

As the Empress took a seat next to Thomas she sighed, "first day is well underway and, so far so good. And if I may add you do look quite dapper." While her eyes were focused on those the RBC had announced as being present for the voyage she also scanned the field for those not included in the RBC's report; it would, if nothing else, present opportunities for informal discussions as well as discussions which could lead to something more fruitful if desired.
OOC: As stated on Discord you can have dignitaries present, leaders of companies or, should you desire, some of the more "regular folk" who are basically on a 1910s-themed Trans-Kyne crossing because they're either history buffs or Titanic fanatics. Either way, I look forward to what's presented regardless of the approach others take to this.

[Daitō]

   "She's lucky, y'know." Etsuji said as he leaned against the railing, watching the waves as they rolled across the water. From where he stood, their crests looked like snow-capped mountains, and a warm wind blew, carrying with it the salty scent of the sea. It was frankly a miracle that Olympic was even around, let alone that it was still seaworthy after all these years. Had it not been for the Great War ending when it did, it was likely that she, like many Fusanese liners of the age, would've been converted into a troopship and either sunk or scrapped. And of course, had it not been impounded in Tsukishima, but rather in a harbor on the mainland, then it most certainly would've been lost in '45. That being said, it was hardly a surprise, at least to those "in the know", that she had been at least somewhat preserved. The leadup to the war had led to many shipyards being built on the island, and in the interest of providing jobs to her residents, ships like Olympic were frequently scrapped or, when possible, preserved. Even so, the difference between when he first saw it and now was like night and day. "Tsukishima's a nice place, don't get me wrong, but it's not right for a ship to be stuck in a drydock for the rest of her days."
   "I suppose so... Though at least I wouldn't have to wear this ridiculous outfit." Minako, his daughter, said in passing. It was one thing to wear traditional clothing, but as far as she was concerned, the dress she had to wear was... outdated, to say the very least. "And the lodgings aren't much better, truth be told."
   "Well, not every ship can be the Ōyakuni." Etsuji retorted as he lit a cigarette. That was the real reason they were out there, since smoking was forbidden in the old smoking room and he had, for better or for worse, picked up the habit from his time in the Army. "Y'know, I actually got to stay aboard her for her maiden voyage, back when she was still the Sanuki Maru. We hit some bad weather, and I thought for certain that she'd sink, but we wound up perfectly fine. Suffice to say, that's why I never joined the navy like your cousin, I suppose."
   "He should be on his way to Tsukishima around now, right? Y'know, for the thing?"
   "Should be, yeah. I'll never understand why the IHM agreed to it, but at least NASDA's gonna be happy."
   "I'd imagine so. Think about the kind of funding they can get if they manage to make spaceflight seem more accessible than ever before?" Minako said. "And besides, we gotta best the Lodjans after that 'ball' of theirs, right?"
   "Right..." Etsuji responded after taking a puff off the cigarette. "But that's enough about His Majesty, how about you? How's it going with..."
   "Akiya? Oh, we're fine. We went on a vacation a few weeks ago to a little town near the Onogawa river, up in the Tanzawa mountains. I'm telling you, the views from the top of Mount Ushiro are absolutely stunning." She sighed, thinking back on what she saw. "He's really far too kind to me... It's kinda embarrassing, actually."
   "I see... Well, it was sorta the same way when I first met your mother, so I'd wager you've got a good thing. Take care not to waste it, will you?" Etsuji said with a smile, to which he received a nod in return before extinguishing his cigarette. "In any case, I believe we should see about meeting some of our other passengers, shall we?" He asked, and soon enough, they were off. First on the list, of course, was their host. But whether she was too busy at the time or not, that remained to be seen.

[Beatrice]

As she finished up on the touches to the release from the Imperial Office of the Press in regards to Espiria the Empress looked to an approaching Prince Etsuji. "Do forgive me," she said as she put her phone aside, "even on a day such as this duty calls. Do allow me this opportunity to thank your Empire for its role in making this day possible," the Empress continued as she looked about herself, "it's as though we have a portal to an era long past all around us, and whilst I've already heard the groans from those who don't have satellite capable phones, perhaps they will find themselves on the path of a digital detox over the next few days. I know that Olympic doesn't boast the attractions of the floating hotels some lines prance about," she said looking toward Minako, "however I have it on good authority that there will be some entertainment in the next few hours, and with the ship's organ being restored to operational capacity I've a performance of my own to make shortly. Please convey my personal thanks to the Emperor and your government for looking after the old girl all these years, I've invested much personally in her restoration and it's my hopes to see her become a regular appearance at the Festival of Sail in the years to come."

The Empress looked to her side, and began to speak,  "And forgive me, this is my si..." she paused before recovering, "significant invitee, Kikyo Hase. Although still navigating the many challenging avenues of secondary education she found herself and her delegation in Rokkenjima for the Youth Diet session, one I would add should be an educational experience for sitting lawmakers in the course of compromise. When the matter of returning her to Dartfordian shores arose it was perhaps only natural that she should return home in style to complete her education." Kikyo offered a brief bow to the guests of the Empress before casting their gaze off from her, "Do forgive her, she is somewhat out of her element here and I've put her in the spotlight so to say. That being said there are festivities transpiring soon and I can ensure you some of the best seats for the coming performance if you should desire them?"

[Beatrice]

After awaiting the reply of the Prince and responding accordingly the Empress sneaked away with Thomas, to the sigh of Emerson who begrudgingly took up her duties as host whilst texting her, "you have fifteen minutes," to which she replied with a wink emoji. As the two stood under the glass dome above them, the ever present tick-tock of the clock could be heard as no others had been granted broader access to the ship yet. "Look," she paused as she drew his attention to the view just above them, "just think of how many people enjoyed this view before us today, people who lived over a hundred years ago in many cases, just how impossible that is in a way. I'm sorry for the pain and uncertainty you endured, and know that if I could have ended that a moment sooner I would have but I couldn't; I had responsibilities beyond either you or I had to tend to. But if this impossible moment is indeed possible, then anything is, isn't it? We haven't had a proper reconciliation since all of that turmoil, so as I inadvertently placed you in a situation you didn't ask for I wish the tables to be equal so," she inhaled sharply as she looked to him before speaking again.

"I'll be walking to the right, to return to my duties as hostess, and as a much irritated Emerson has said I'm on a time limit so," she shrugged. "You may either join me in that walk, or you may move to your left where I've seen that a motor boat awaits you for your departure, with special arrangements being made for the King, if you should choose that path. You do hold my heart but," she sighed, "willingly or not I violated our shared trust and it's not upon me to declare that things are fine or even alright in light of that, the call is yours to make here and I'll respect the choice you make either way. While you would be leaving me without a dinner partner for the duration of the voyage, the choice should be yours nonetheless. If that violation isn't enough to shatter your faith in me, you'll let me know," she said as she planted a gentle kiss on his cheek before checking her watch. "Seven minutes before Emerson most likely calls for Olympic to return to port, whatever you should choose I'll respect your decision but," she paused to peck his lips, "I'd like to think this isn't our last voyage together. I thus offer myself to your mercy," she concluded as she turned and began to walk away slowly, looking back to Thomas and hoping his eyes would be there to meet hers in return.

[Achkaerin]

Voyages of this type might have had a certain dreamy quality but as far as Kayleigh Pryde was concerned this was quite close to her worst nightmare, if it wasn't already her worst nightmare. As the head of security for the Rokkenjiman Royal Family situations like this where there was a large group of them together along with other high profile individuals and civilians in what she viewed as a less than secure and vulnerable location was the sort of situation that kept her up during long nights of planning the logistics and trying to mitigate the risk as much as possible. Such was the challenge that she'd had to strengthen the numbers she had available to her, which was good in this instance as the extra numbers meant she had a little more freedom to be able to patrol the area that she needed to focus on. She also wasn't the biggest fan of dressing up but having won the security argument she hadn't been in the mood to push her luck on that one, she had however ensured that her team were still all equipped to do their job.
"Ok where are we?" Kayleigh asked over her earpiece
"Asuna and Thomas have 'given us the slip'" came the voice of Gemma Sanders in response
"By which of course you mean they haven't." Kayleigh said
"Of course they haven't." Gemma said "We're letting them have their moment, I'm around one corner and Joe's around the other."
"And the third musketeer?" Kayleigh said
"Right here with me." Gemma said, there was a moments silence before the sound of a happy Akira came over the earpiece "I think he's looking forward to his dinner."
"He's seen the specially marked boxes of steak in the hold hasn't he?" Kayleigh said
"Possibly." Gemma said
"Ok." Kayleigh said with a slight giggle "Let them have their moment but I'm looking at a Viceregent who really needs to be getting on with work."
"I don't think there's any rushing this." Gemma said
"Sarah where's Kikyo?" Kayleigh asked

This was a question addressed to Sarah Evans, recently brought into the team to be Kayleigh's deputy but in the absence of an assigned person for Kikyo, which was understandable on the short notice of the voyage and why Kikyo's identity as a Royal was still being kept secret.
"She's in the ballroom section." Sarah said quietly, she had a difficult job of keeping watch over Kikyo without attracting attention to what she was doing.
"Safe as houses then." Kayleigh said
"I'd say so." Sarah said

What Sarah and Kayleigh were referring to was what else was going on in that section of the ship. The timing of the Olympic's voyage was coinciding with the opening nights of the 2024 Edelweiss Festival something that hadn't gone unnoticed in Valtheim so they'd taken the opportunity to have the first nights of this years festival feature performances from the high seas aboard the Olympic, though if you asked the conductor of the Achkaerin Youth Orchestra Becky Leighton this was something that presently had sounded like a good idea at the time but was starting to seem less and less so, mainly because her pianist had come down with quite a severe bout of seasickness within hours of leaving port, the good news was that replacements were on hand in the form of Peter Azurewind and Nettie Taylor, Peter was joined by his wife Renee and the pair were also expected to do the vocals when needed. It was still a couple of nights away from showtime but rehearsing that inbetween entertaining the passengers was a challenge, Becky was just happy that the camera's weren't broadcasting them yet.

"It'll be fine." Becky's girlfriend Sakura said "They're good."
"I know." Becky said "It's just never having done this on a ship before."
"You'll rise to the occasion." Sakura said as Nettie's daughter Telsia ran past them taking pictures for a school project.
"Tels watch where you're going." Nettie called as she handed the piano over to Peter so she could keep a closer eye on her daughter.
"I will." Telsia said

"Spotted her?" Renee asked quietly looking at Peter
"Yep." Peter said "It's weird I never planned on being the patriarchal figure in two royal families, I never thought we'd get to a point where society would change its attitude enough to be able to say it."
"The one good thing out of Charles's machination, the truth came out." Renee said "Does make your birthdays more fun though, now you've got seven grandchildren."
"Also means I have to buy more presents." Peter said
"You buy presents for all of them anyway." Renee said
"I know." Peter said

Emerson was resisting the urge to look at his watch as he waited for Asuna to get back so that he could get on with the work he needed to do. It was a bit of an outing for him as well as he not only had his adopted daughter Amy with him but Sophia was there and of course so was Evanthe, it was about as close to a family outing as he got.
"Ok." Amy said "Yuriko's in the stateroom that you asked to be set aside, I've got the appointments for the rest of them lined up, pending the inevitable and I have managed to get you a phone appointment with Sugano."
"Good." Emerson said "As soon as Asuna gets back we can go to work, maybe Sophia might get to see her parents in action."
"You realise her boyfriend is over there right?" Amy said "No offence Dad but you don't win that contest in a million years."
"And if I happened to borrow the TARDIS under Pyrena and therefore had more than that?" Emerson joked
"Still not enough." Amy said
"Nothing's going to happen to Sophia." Lassie Willows said from the other side of Evanthe, she'd been assigned as the primary on Sophia. "Go do what you've got to do. You built the rock, now go and build the house on it."
"I want to know if..." Emerson said
"You know I can't discuss my protectee in that regard." Lassie said "And you're being way too overprotective she's a twenty two year old woman."
"I know, I know." Emerson said as he glanced at his watch again, that was fifteen minutes and five seconds and still no Asuna.

[Tytor]

Thomas had, in fact, been holding himself a little stiffly for the past few hours, and he realized now that Asuna must have noticed.  With a conscious effort, he forced himself to relax.  Intellectually, he knew that his emotional roller coaster wasn't her fault - others were to blame, and actions had been taken to deal with them.  But he wasn't sure if his heart was willing to risk further hurt in case he was wrong.

And then he realized that it didn't matter.

His frosty facade melted in an instant, and then he was kissing her like he'd never kissed a girl before.  It was a long, blissful moment - or perhaps several years - before they broke apart.  He was blushing fit to burst, made all the more noticeable thanks to his stark white dress uniform, but he forced himself not to look away.

"Asuna," he said quietly, cognizant of the bodyguards sure to be lurking just out of sight, "I owe you an apology.  I've been aloof, and it's not fair to you.  I've been so scared of getting hurt that I don't think I've realized what my thoughtlessness must have been doing to you.  I want this to work - heck, Asuna, I love you.  Can you forgive me?"


A few hours earlier
On deck, just prior to departure

"A beautiful day, isn't it, Thomas?" King Michael said, "Lovely day for sailing."

"Yes, sir," Thomas agreed heartily, "And Olympic's nothing like Agility.  Should be smooth sailing all the way."

The king laughed.  "You sound like your grandfather," he said, "He's always talking my ear off about his navy days.  It was only two years, but from the way he talks about it you'd think he was a lifelong sailor."

"In his head, I'd guess he thinks he is," Thomas said.

"I'll just bet you're right," the king said, poking his great nephew in the stomach.

The two carried on good-naturedly for a few more minutes until the empress made her appearance.

"Ah, good," the king said, catching sight of Asuna.  He bowed melodramatically, as far as his wheelchair-bound form would allow.  "Your Majesty.  Thank you for providing Thomas and me with the pleasure of accompanying you on this marvelous voyage.  Thomas, you're staring."

Thomas, who had indeed been gazing rapturously at the empress, gave a start and bowed perfunctorily on impulse.  "My apologies," he said, grinning sheepishly for a moment before composing himself, "You look positively radiant today, Asuna."

"Oh, and while I'm remembering," the king said, cutting cleanly across the younger man's mild embarrassment, "I don't believe you've had the pleasure of meeting my new body man.  This is Hector.  He's been with the Palace for a couple of months now."

The indicated aide bowed deeply, but did not speak.

"He's rather a quiet young man," the king continued, "Lives by the creed that 'servants should be seen and not heard.'  He reminds me of it almost every time I try to engage him in conversation.  Isn't that right, Hector?"

"Yes, Your Majesty," Hector replied.

[Beatrice]

Whilst Asuna found herself at the Grand Staircase Sopphia and Sauske found their place at the bow, Sophia pointing out the dolphins making their presence known as Olympic made her way through the waters. "Oh look at that one," she said as she pointed, "and his friend not long behind," she continued, enjoying the moments after her episode in Kalasin. "I must wonder what they think looking up at us," she paused, "traversing waters they do in our metal hull. I must also wonder if their grandparents saw this same hull in their lives."
"And I," she paused to kiss him again, "love you, of course I can forgive you. You had before you many picks I'm sure, and you found yourself with one of the most attacked persons on Mundus, it was almost inevitable that we'd find ourselves in such a situation and here we are," she paused after their walk found them outside to point to a seagull flying off the bow, "enjoying these simple yet beautiful moments Mundus has to offer."

Once Asuna found herself met with the King she first offered a smile, at his bow she lowered herself before him and looked up with a smile, "For anyone else I'm demanded by code to bow my head not further but for you, it is my personal honour. Thank you for joining us for this," she paused again, "and thank you for helping me to navigate all that's going on. I do hope that, once this is all over, we may be friends publicly, though I doubt Thomas would see it any other way. And you," she paused as she faced Hector, "you're well spoken just as you are mannered, I'm certain the King has in you something that no fortune can but," she paused with effect, "if you're lacking in your duties I'm sure I will know, so take good care of the King yes?"
Asuna would then return to Emerson and offer apologies for her moments over before continuing. "Thank you for excusing me," she said with a grin, "may we continue?"

[Achkaerin]

"Think you're going to want to allow a little more than seventeen minutes Luci." Serenity said, leaning against one of the many doorframes in Pyrena having just overheard the pair of them she hung two dress carriers on the door "Two sets of era appropriate dresses and your helicopter touches down in the gardens in half an hour that'll get you to the Valiant and from there it's a quick hop over to the Olympic." she then handed over an envelope "Bill for seven years worth of legal expenses." she stuck her tongue out playfully at Beatrice "And see Hazel before you go so you can get that tag off your ankle, kind of ruins the heels."

"They probably think 'what is this silliness?' I mean let's be honest how we do it is highly inefficient compared to how they do it." Sasuke said "And this is their house as well shame better care isn't taken of it." he paused as one of the dolphins jumped out of the water and proceeded to re enter causing enough of a splash that both he and Sophia felt it "And that's their way of telling us we're the visitors here I guess." he giggled as he held Sophia close.

Emerson gave Asuna's hair a bit of a ruffle, it was his way of showing affection and he was probably one of only three men who could get away with anything like that. "Just focus on having fun." Emerson said "Just because you're the Empress of Rokkenjima doesn't mean that the nineteen year old girl takes a backseat all the time." he gave her a nudge in the direction of the nearest group of guests before he headed off.

Emerson's destination was actually what had once upon a time been the Captain's quarters, he was using them for this voyage because although he may have been on the Olympic he did still have the ship of state that Rokkenjima was to steer, the Captain's quarters were far enough removed from the general hubbub of the voyage that he could work when he needed to and work he definitely needed to, his job in this instance was to sound out an Imperial Council as far as it was possible to do so, to that end most of the potential candidates were aboard. Job number one however was different to that, stood waiting for him was Yuriko Faust - the former Premier and current Imperial Councillor for Foreign Affairs but Emerson had plans in that regard.

"It definitely looks like a war room doesn't it?" Emerson said as he closed the door and smiled "One of the fun things about my job is that I get to ask people to serve. Just never thought I'd be asking this." he half smiled as he poured himself and Yuriko a drink "You know Sugano's running around wanting an election, I want you back in the Diet, I want you to go and either reclaim the Centre Party or burn it down and create something new untainted by Charles that embodies what that Party is. You won't get a majority if there's an election tomorrow but a hung Diet? We get at least that and then we can start to change things."

[Beatrice]

"Splendid," Beatrice said with a smile, "though has it truly been seven years? It's good to see that business finally behind us, and while I've loved my time back at Pyrena it'll be nice to walk freely once again. Thank you for everything," she said with a quick embrace.
"On the same note," she took pause, "they could be looking up thinking "they're not supposed to be here, but here they are having figured out how to be." As the splash of water struck them both she drew closer, "I don't know if it's so much a warm reception or them playing at us, but I'll take it nonetheless."

After speaking with Emerson Asuna would find herself in the First Class dining room with preparations being made for luncheon services to be held for her and the dignitaries joining her, with "first class" passengers holding similar services in the Café Parisien. Asuna would look over to Thomas and Emerson equally, "so, what are the "safest" options presented because I'd be happy with an udon bowl but," she pointed to the menu, "here we arrive to the first challenge of the Cunard-Blue Star Line partnership; traditionally geared toward Dartfordian tastes. Though, perhaps, lamb and mint sauce sounds not bad at all."

It would be quite a surprise to Alex and Asuna to see Beatrice walking into the dining room with Lucinda, though it would be Asuna who noticed first, instantly ensuring they could join them at her table. "Get the Hors d'oeuvre, Spring Chicken and Bacon, and the lamb and mint sauce," Beatrice said knowing the challenges before Asuna in the moment. "And the huckleberry tart," Alex added, "you're a Dartfordian too,you'll enjoy it, I promise." As orders were made and conversations of various threads filled the room Asuna looked over to the adjoining table which saw Etsuji and Minako sat next to them. "Here we are aboard a Rokkenjiman liner with Dartfordian dishes on the menu, I may have to write a letter to the Blue Star Line to include more Onishi options on Olympic moving forward," she said with a chuckle.