The [i]Allure[/i] was a [i]Flynter[/i] class airship. Formally used as an air vessel during the Great War it had since been retired and retrofitted for merchant use. It was one hundred and fourteen meters long with a beam of of twelve meters. As a military vessel it held a complement of about three hundred and twenty-nine but after the modification it only required a crew of about sixty-two. Though not the speediest vessel, the [i]Allure[/i] could cross the Atlantic in about seven days, ten if the weather was bad. Whenever it came into port, there usually was a bit of trouble. Thus the reason why the dock foreman liked to have a good security presence around.

Roger stood arms crossed next to another security guard as they watched the [i]Allure[/i] get tied down. It came in at a bad timing. Big Ben had just stuck quarter to the hour and he had promised he would meet Bea for lunch. Horus, the other security guard, shook his head as the ropes were secure. "Hope you don't have plans tonight," he said. 

Roger didn't reply. He knew as well as Horus that they both would working late.

The dock foreman came over. He crossed his big beefy arms. "Ah, the [i]Allure[/i]." He shook his head. "Let's hope they take their festivals off the dock this time." His turned and spat. Secure, the crew started to unload the cargo. The foreman looked at the two. "The unloading will take awhile and we know the captain won't release the crew until the cargo is unloaded." He glanced in the direction of Big Ben. "You both go to lunch. It's going to be a long afternoon."

Horus didn't wait to be told twice. He took off. Roger looked at the foreman. "You sure?" Though soft spoken he spoke confidently and clearly. 

The foreman nodded. "Yeah, Thomas and Erik just got back. The three of us can keep an eye on them." He smirked and slapped Roger on the back. "Go. Don't want to keep your girl waiting."

Roger didn't bother correcting him. The more he protested that they were friends the more they hassled him about it. He nodded. "Thank you, Sir. I'll keep it brief."

He walked away briskly. There was a small restaurant near Oxford University that he usually met Bea at. He reached it just as Big Ben chimed the hour. Looking around he felt a bit of relief knowing he hadn't kept her waiting. He headed to a corner table and set his hat aside. 

He smiled when he saw her and quickly stood. "Bae." He pulled out her chair. Sitting down he looked across at her. His eyes narrowed slightly at her countenance. Something was bothering her. The waitress deposited their usual food down. Roger nodded his thanks and poured the tea. After a quick blessing he looked across at Bae. He knew this had to be a hard time for. The anniversary of her father's death had just occurred and it didn't help she had her final examinations next week. However, he didn't press. He knew she would talk about it when she was ready. He picked up a sandwich. 
~~~~~~
Estella kept her face impassive as she listened to her dismissal, mixed in with a few racial slurs and curse words. She wasn't disappointed. In fact, she was a bit relieved. She had learned early on in the trip that this wasn't going to work. If they hadn't beaten her to it, she would have resigned anyway. As it was though, she had been lucky they waited until they were back in London before they dumped her. It would have been very difficult to find passage back from the States. 

As the first mate finished, she accepted her pay and picked up her bag. Escorted off the ship she didn't even look back, ignoring the rest of the crew and the remarks they made she left the [i]Allure[/i] behind. She did not immediately leave the docks but instead walked among the airships, admiring the range and working her way to the small shop at the end. As she walked in through the door, she tapped the rusty sign proclaiming [i]Parts & Repairs[/i], making it swing as she entered.

A short man wearing googles and worn overalls looked up from a piece of scrap. A smile crossed his wrinkled face, showing a mouth missing a few teeth. "Estella!" He said upon seeing her.

Estella gave a smile. "Rufus." She looked around the shop. "Anything troublesome you needed help on?" 

"Always." The old man waved her over toward the back room. "I can always use your help on a few things." He stood by the door taping his fingers together, watching her closely. "I kept most everything the same." He watched as Estella pulled down the bunk and then put it back. She turned and looked at him. "How long can you stay?" he asked.

Estella chuckled at his eagerness. "I have no current prospects at the second. So I guess I can stay a couple days." She laughed at his look of pleasure. Setting her bag down she looked at the pile of junk he had stacked for her. "Let's see what toys you have for me."