Deeper Than The Sands
Date: October 5th, 1924
By this point Cairo is behind you far in the distance as the boat heads northwest up the Nile. The decks are starting to clear out as people are moving to get ready for dinner. Now dinner on each deck is very different because during this day and age class systems are still very strong, even if they are only defined by the price of your ticket right now.
In the lower level of the ship where even the staff take their meals things are very relaxed. There are not individual tables or even small ones for groups to get together and talk quietly. There are long bench tables that span one end of the room to the other with bench seating. Like cafeteria tables one might see in larger schools or even prison. They are decently nice however. There is no seat assignments and things are relaxed. Food is served buffet style, which means grab your plate and serve yourself before being seated. All foods are local street fare foods popular in Egypt. Ales and Beers and Water are there to drink. Hard liquors are not unless you brought your own. People are loud and rambunctious. Talking drowns out most noises and what it doesn't music played by staff or even other passengers does. This is a good since you are right near the engine.
The Main deck has two lounges. One open air and one enclosed. Both are just your general bar type areas with tables scattered about. People don't really eat there unless it is some soft of small finger food or appetizer that has been placed out. Can't order more unless it is drinks. Anything hard or upscale costs a pretty penny and isn't covered in the cost of travel unless you have an Elite Level Ticket. Though no many of those are caught there. Most people mulling around here are from the lower level who just want some peace and quiet while still being social. That or have a major gambling habit and just want to play poker.
The Second Deck has more formal seating but the seats are not reserved. Tablecloths and the basics. You are waited on here and most of the people on this level are middle class or servants of the Elite who are taking a meal before they have to get to their employers above. You will have an option of several different meat choices before being served. Meals are served in 2 courses. Bread/Sides/Meat and then a small dessert. Wine, Beer, Ale, and water are free of charge, anything more does cost extra out of pocket and it not included in the cost of ticket.
The Elite Deck is a full seven course meal that is served slowly and with grandeur. All drinks are part of the fare of the ticket. Seating is assigned and it is the least crowded area. Light music is provided but nothing that would drown out polite conversation. Since the weather is nice currently and the air is cooling, dinner is served on the Sun Deck above and not in the Meeting Room of this deck. The Lounge will serve anything an Elite Ticket wishes as they play Poker, shoot Craps, talk, etc.
Character Proceeding Forward: George kept his eyes on Vera for a time before looking back over to his sister. Time was never on his side. Nodding he followed her up the stairs after showing his ticket. He couldn't help but chuckle just a bit at her want.
"Yes, mmm pudding would be nice," he mused as they walked down the hallway to Gene's room. Part of him wanted to stay out in the hallway and wait for Vera, escort her to her room, and make sure she was safe but Gene had said she needed to tell him something important. She wouldn't have come all this way if it wasn't something that could wait too long. Taking a deep breath he followed her into the room and shut the door behind him.
Vera looked over towards Nora and smiled that she felt the same way.
"Oh how wonderful, Should we meet back at the stairs when we are ready?" she asked as they made their way passed each check point. Catching a glimpse of George going into a room with his sister as they moved. She kept her hand on the rail each flight of steps they took, she didn't want to trip over her own two feet. Thankfully since she didn't have her nose buried in a book and wasn't babbling on about history she was able to keep her focus on getting to her room.
"See you shortly then," she said kindly to Nora before breaking off from her to go to her personal quarters.
George had seated himself in a chair and was staring blankly at the ground. The news hit him hard. Harder than perhaps he had expected. The woman hadn't been his mother but she was like a mother to him in many ways even if they had not been especially close. They had a special bond, or had had a special bond. Nodding as the news was delivered. Reaching up he took off his mask and revealed
what he kept so closely hidden. He knew it wouldn't shock Gene, she had seen it before and right then he just couldn't keep the thing on. The news weighed too heavily on him.
Finishing at quick light grooming and checking of her personal things Vera grabbed her ticket and slipped it into the pocket of her skirt before heading back out of her room. Closing and locking the door behind her she began to make her way back to the stairs leading down to the second deck. She waited for Nora to arrive but did not wait idly. In her hand she held a small note book she had put together and was scribbling down in it things that she hadn't gotten a chance to as of yet. They had been busy and this was the first chance she had gotten to update her notes. Granted it wasn't what someone might call a normal notebook, it was a more of a journal she was using as such.
Standing up George put his mask back on and took his sister into his arms and hugged her tightly.
"I'm mmm glad you came," was all he said before letting her go and heading towards the door.
"I should check on Lady Munn," he said changing the subject. It wasn't so much as he wanted to get away from his sister but between Peter dying and now this news he wanted to make sure, now more than ever, that he finished the job here and kept Vera safe. Opening the door he checked his weapons quickly before getting to the stairs and showing his ticket.
A curl of hair fell over her features as she kept writing, not even noticing people as they came up and went down the stairs. Her bottom lip curling as she wrote. She was in a world of her own that she didn't notice the man coming towards her that ran right into her. She nearly lost her footing and took a tumble down the stairs. She would have if an arm hadn't come along her waist and caught her. Looking up she found herself staring at the blank gaze of George's mask.
"MMmmm are you alright?" he asked as he righted her before leaning down and picking up the pencil she had dropped.
Taking it gingerly in her finger she nodded quickly and nervously.
"Oh um, yes. Thank you Mr... I mean George, thank you George," she said correcting herself. He had insisted that she call him by his first name, as had Nora. Swallowing lightly.
"What...what are you doing up here?" she asked as he slowly stepped away from her.
"Making sure mmm you are safe," he said as he eyed the man rushing down the stairs without even a second glance back at the woman he had nearly caused grievous injury to because of his haste.
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