a mingling of the masses, open to ALL classes!

April 14th 1912
9:45am

It was an amazing sight; the church service was about to start, or at least within the next quarter of an hour or so, and the room that had previously been used as the first class dining hall was now being used as a church sanctuary. All the tables had been moved, the chairs rearranged to seat not only the first class passengers but any of the passengers in second class or third as well. It was a chance for those on the lower decks to catch a glimpse of the extravagance of first class. Lilianna wasn’t sure why – in all likelihood, none of them would be able to afford such accommodations, even far into the future.

She glanced around, wondering where William had gone. She’d been walking next to him just a moment ago... maybe it had been she who had wandered away from him. It was hard to say really, her thoughts had been rather overwhelming and she was surprised that she hadn’t gotten herself completely lost. Yes, it was shocking that she had even managed to get here.

But why was she here, anyway? It was a church service, after all. Lilianna most definitely wasn’t the churchy sort. She wasn’t the slightest bit religious – though she knew that she had broken a good deal of the church’s commandments. She certainly hadn’t been honouring her husband and she’d had an affair. She sighed, retreating from the crowd. There were too many people with just all the first gathered so far. Church was a social requirement, she’d learned. It was a big problem if you didn’t go and she had no intention of making her reputation worse.

The second class passengers who wished to attend the service were filing in. Lilianna was amused by the awed expressions on their faces as they chattered excited among themselves. They looked a lot more impressed than Lilianna had been when she first boarded... and Lilianna was not used to being impressed. But the looks that amused her the most were those of the third class passengers. They looked so completely blown away... Lilianna thought back to when she had wandered down to third. Yes, the accommodations were really very different.

A realization hit Lilianna and she froze, wishing all the more that she could hide or run or blend into the crowd of people. All the classes were welcome which meant that if she was as unlucky as she seemed to be, Toby would show up and cause some sort of trouble for her. It seemed to her, based on the fact that he’d managed to get up to the first class decks the day before, to talk to her, that he wasn’t eager to let her go just yet. She could relate – she knew it was wrong but she couldn’t bring herself to willingly part ways with him either. Granted, she was also a whole lot more weary of him too after their less than pleasant encounter the other evening.

The first, last, and only encounter between William and Toby hadn’t ended well and while she hoped they’d both be decent enough to refrain from fighting in the midst of a church service... she couldn’t know for sure. At the very least, if Toby did show up, she hoped she might be able to keep William from seeing him. Because who knew what her husband might assume? Lilianna wasn’t really in the mood for more arguing, or more threats of being left on her own. And she most definitely didn’t need the fighting or added stress it would bring on.

But perhaps she was worrying for nothing. Perhaps he wouldn’t come, perhaps she could allow herself to enjoy the service and go about her day without the added anxiety.

Noelle had never been to a real church service before and neither had she been allowed up in first class either. She was in awe as she looked around, her small form and her shoes were actually nicer than normal. She had convinced Margie to let her wear her only nice ones and a better dress to be able to attend the service. She was actually quite excited, not sure that it was going to be simply a formal service and nothing that a child should be excited at all. Noelle smiled a little in excitement as she made her way to first class.

She watched in awe, sure that there couldn't be anything bigger or more beautiful than what was around her now. She skipped along the much lighter decks up here, looking all around her. She couldn't get enough of the beauty there and wondered why the third class didn't have the same as it was there. Strange really..but she supposed it could be worse. She couldn't wait to see one of the rooms or the place where she would be sitting and listening to whatever the service was going to entail. Noelle hoped there would be singing. She did like singing even though she wasn't as good at it as he would like to be.

Noelle wandered towards the large room where she knew the service was going on. She hoped Margie was coming soon. IT wasn't as if she didn't mind going places alone. She just hoped that Margie would enjoy something like this. Already she was blown away by the beauty of the decks let alone the fascination of the chandeliers and the great arches of a room. It was glorious...truly the most beautiful thing she had ever seen before. And she couldn't get enough of it.

Really she wasn't paying attention to anything else but the scenery and had completely missed the other far richer ladies and gentlemen around her. She found herself quite distracted in trying to find a place to sit but only managing to sit many times where someone else already was. Finally, she found a place towards the back where she probably couldn't see half of what was going on anyway and settled down. This was going to be quite lovely..she could feel it.

Daphne slipped quietly into the Dining Hall with her husband, the infamous Gabriel Bostwick, linked at her arm. The pair looked distant, at best, with his eyes wandering at the women around the room and her head canted slightly away from him as if it was her only means of shying away. Charlotte, her daughter of eight years of age, clung close to her side. Daphne was relieved when they finally took their seats, folding her hands over the lush silk that bedecked the outer layer of the maroon dress that adorned that lightly tanned skin. She looked so straight-laced, uptight even, with her straight shoulders and back, her legs crossed at the ankles, and her eyes glued to the front of the make-shift sanctuary, her daughter following suit, though her feet didn't quite reach the ground. Daphne managed a small smile at her, than directed her attention elsewhere.

It was amazing how the lush dining hall was transformed just by the movement of tables and chairs to create a more "churchy" atmosphere. Rich and poor alike filed into the doors, filling the seats, as they filled their cabins, according to class. Honeyed eyes watched the throng of people, proper Catholics, English protestants, for once it didn't seem to matter, and found herself guessing about what new beginnings the people on board this magnificent ship were searching for. Were they looking for the American Dream? Did they wish to strike it big? Or were they well-off Westerners looking for adventures, or maybe just a change of scenery? She wondered, if she had been raised by a poorer family, would she feel more connection to those people filing into the back rows, with faded suits and tattered dresses?

Quieting her mind, she bit back the corner of her lip for only a second before directing her attention back to the front of the room. She'd learned well enough that what ifs generally got you nothing but daydreams, and life just never seemed to be that simple, even if money wasn't an issue. The days of princes and princesses, of honor and trust, were dwindling, it seemed, into a fame game that no one could really win.

William was not much of a church person either. He spent much of his time in it when he was a child not paying attention, staring at the floor or off else where. His mother often scolded him for such behavior and then would later laugh for it, while his father on the other hand would give him a stern warning and then appropriately punish him later for it. William never understood the mechanics of church. If one was to worship a god, why were there people in the world that were not as fortunate as him? He remembered questioning his father of it and then having the claim immediately dismissed- he was born to privilege because god willed it. That should have been enough for him.

William had pondered why he was even going, or even why the ship was letting those of the lower classes come into first. He tried to quell the nerves in his stomach. If Josephine were to come up here she could. Most of second seemed amazed at what was going on entirely. He had wandered away from Lilianna for a second to catch his nerves. It was true for the past day or so things had been civil between them and he has gone as far as to not question the distinct smell of alcohol on his wife's breath the night before when she had said she had a bad dream. William had the feeling she was hiding something else from him. He stood in entryway in front of the dining room, pertaining to catch his nerves.

Josephine had been right however to refuse him away to send him off and her oaf a sister was rude, but they had been right. Against his own better judgment he had gone to her cabin and then wandered back into first and had requested and empty cabin to sleep in for the night, which was given to him. The past night or two he had slept in his own cabin again with his wife and now he knew he couldn't go off gallivanting around after Josephine. He still loved her and perhaps would, the feelings of a first love would perhaps never fade but the fact was he was married to Lilianna. That meant he should only be thinking of one woman only, Lilianna. He blinked and then fixed his sleeves upon his shirt. He had to forget everything and move on and do what had to be done.

Pausing in the doorway, he watched a few of the third class families wander in for the church service. He in that moment felt a prang of jealousy- they were happy. He looked over in the direction of his wife already carrying a child, and then to this third class woman with her own husband and children. Had she ever had an affair? Was their marriage arranged? In all likelihood it probably had not been. The poor had usually always married for love and it meant they were happy. The chose who they married while he had not been given the choice. Could he have been happy? Perhaps, if he had tried but Lilianna had made mistakes before. Was he willing to forgive her? He didn't know...and his already inkling suspicions that she was hiding something else made him even more suspicious.

He pulled those thoughts out of his head and then finally trudged forwards, making his direction towards Lilianna. He hoped that man....wasn't going to show up again. William had already made his feelings apparent on that matter. He finally pushed the thoughts out of his mind entirely, moving forward as to focus on what was to come. With that he spotted Lilianna and came behind her, wrapping his arms around her waist and affectionately kissing her cheek. “There you are, I am sorry to have gotten away from you.” He murmured into her ear. It was strange how this new found affection seemed to come from him, and still strange that he was oddly enough comfortable with it. “Shall we sit?” He questioned, still standing behind her.

There were so many people to watch. People filing in, people staring at everything in awe. Lilianna couldn’t understand it, she’d grown up surrounded by all this sort of splendour. She supposed, however, that they were to her what she was to them – strange, different, a novelty, of sorts. She caught all too many looks, too many stares, and she took a couple of steps back as the stream of them trailed past her. She felt so unsure of herself standing there; there were too many people staring. Maybe she was just paranoid, maybe they remembered the little fight on deck a few days ago. She hoped it was the latter, she couldn’t bear the whispers or the judging looks. So she hadn’t made all the best decisions since boarding. And she was very much at a crossroads, at a sticking point. But if she left if all long enough, maybe someone else would make her decisions for her. Or maybe the problem would go away. Who knew? She should just forget about everything. She should just let whatever was going to happen, just happen.

Lilianna felt arms around her waist and she very nearly jumped, but the affectionate kiss to her cheek eased her enough that she could figure out who it was. William was there, apologizing for having gotten away from her. She smiled faintly, still uncertain about this strange easiness between them. They weren’t fighting, though the peace couldn’t last, and they weren’t hating each other either. They were being nice, or civil, and he was seemingly warming up to her. Why? When? She didn’t understand it. She should have made an effort earlier.

But that didn’t erase Toby from the picture. She wasn’t sure she wanted to remove him completely from the picture. Actually, Lilianna wasn’t sure what exactly she wanted. But that wasn’t anything new. She was sure it was driving everyone around her crazy too. With a sigh, she turned and tried to give him a bright smile. “It’s alright,” she said, “I shouldn’t have wandered away.” She looked around, eager to get this over and done with. She wanted to be done with the service, she wanted to be away from the crowds and the staring eyes. She wanted to be away from the people who didn’t know anything about having money, who didn’t know that while all of this was fantastic, it didn’t mean that life was good. Her life wasn’t that great, and she had a good deal more money than they’d ever hope to see.

That didn’t mean she wanted to be poor. Her life would be miserable then too.

“Yes, let’s sit I suppose,” she said slowly. “There’s no reason to stand here, watching them come in, I suspect. They’ll leave us alone, and we’ll leave them alone, and we’ll keep where we ought to be and everything will work out fine enough.” She was astounded that White Star would even allow all the classes to mingle so blatantly. It seemed strange, it seemed... it seemed so very out of line. She didn’t have so much of a problem with the idea really... at least, she wouldn’t have, if it wasn’t for all that drama in her life. She was a drama magnet. She hated her life.

“Let’s sit quickly,” she said, unnerved by the looks and the thought that Toby could walk in at any moment. She wished she could hide. “Before we draw any unwanted attention. I’d prefer to keep to myself today. I feel a little off.” It was mostly just nerves, but she wasn’t going to say that.

Alastair hadn't been to church in over a year,ever since he had run away. And there was a reason for that. he abhorred church, hated it with every fiber of his being. it wasn't that he hated religion, oh no. He hated the rich people who ended up inhabiting those religions and then sticking them on other people. Bible bashing, if you will. he hated how snooty church services had always been when he went, how annoying they were and how much he had just wanted them to end. to him, church had only just been another excuse for people to prove that they were better than everyone else and it just wasn't his style.

So why was he there now?Still sporting nasty bruises and many a cut on his lips and face?Why was he here dressed in his first tuxedo that he hadn't worn in years?Why was he here getting looks from the other passengers who were appalled by his deteriorating physical state?Because his sister wanted him to, that was why. He had protested but she had annoyed him and pushed and wanted it and as always, Alastair eventually took to her demans. he supposed that she deserved it since he had run away and left her with Fred..and then off to be married of all things.

He still couldn't believe that fact. it was strange really.He never would have thought she of all people would settle down with anyone. but he figured it was funny enough thinking that she had married a man after his own heart, who had no intention of settling down even WHEN married. Awkward. But he supposed it worked out for her anyway and at least she would have a way out from Fred's wrath. Al, however, was still recovering from his last attack which had been worse than the others. He supposed fred had been holding it all in for a year and was just waiting to let it out on him for all he knew.

Alastair finally found his sister and ignored the looks he was still getting. He simply gave them the same look right back and made a point of messing up his once gelled back hair into a worse greasy mess just to annoy them. Satisfied by the looks of disgust and sneers, Alastair finally moved over to a seat next to his sister and sighed long and hard. She'd better be happy about this or else he wouldn't know how to please her again.

"Well..I'm here...I itch, i look ridiculous and people keep staring. but i'm here. Are you happy?"He sighed again, sitting back in his chair and putting his feet up against the chair in front of him. of course he hadn't even noticed that there might be someone sitting there who would appreciate it if his at least nicer shoes weren't against their nice dress or coat . He just wanted to get comfortable because he figured that he would just be bored anyway and might as well get comfortable for a nice long nap.

A frown settled across her lips as her eyes grazed across the cuts and bruises on her brothers face, she said nothing, as she already knew exactly what had happened. Fred found him. Charlotte was itching with glee, practically climbing over her mother to hug her Uncle Al, the little girl's personal favorite, even after she hadn't seen him in at least a year. Odd, considering the little girls' interest in certain things or people was usually short-lived, but she'd always loved Alastair. "She's been talking about seeing you again for the past hour and a half." She grumbled almost irritably, glancing over at Gabe who didn't really seem to care what was going on -- not that she'd expected him to be the least bit interested in.. well, anything. "How bad is it?"

She sighed, wondering if he'd been caught on the way up to the church service she'd insisted he attend, tracing her fingers over one of the bruises. "Jesus, he really meant it this time, didn't he?" She looked down momentarily, fidgeting with her wedding ring a bit. That was how she'd escaped, marrying Gabe, though she never got it nearly as bad as Henry and Alastair got it.. Well, she actually only seemed to get it, period, when she was standing up for them. Which was more often than one would think. "You should visit the ship infirmary after the service, make sure he didn't break anything.."

She really just felt terrible, and at the same time she was seriously considering hunting Fred down and smacking him over the head with one of those heavy, ornate lamps that came in the first class suites. "Hey.. everything will be better once we get to New York. None of use will ever have to see him again."

Church. Ha, the last time Jessie came to church was before she boarded the ship. To tell the truth, she hated it. All these people comming to listen to a man speak who, by any means, probablly didn't know half of what he was saying! It wasn't that she hated religion, oh no. It was just that she never really found any intrest to listen to a man preach about Jesus and God. Yes, she respected it by all means, it's just that it seemed boring.

You'd think that, 'oh, a young girl like her should belive in God's ways!' and she does, the thing is she's had Jesus Christ so much in her life as a young child, she doesn't really pay attention to it as much anymore. It's kind of like a break from religion, but she's positive she'll be right back to the strict sunday-school services once she arrives in New York. Ugh, fantasic, eh? So she thought, hey, why not start catching up? It'll probablly be worth it, after all. And if she refuses to attend this, she'll have to face her eldest sister's wrath of nagging about how she's a horrible christian. We don't want that, now do we?

She looked around the area, and it was nice. Well, of course it would be nice, it was first class! But she still liked the second class area much better. It wasn't too draggy or too fancy. It was perfect-- for her, at least. It wasn't as bad from the third classes' dining hall. But hey, it was sunday school, so it didn't really matter what it looked like, right? Right.

Jessie looked nice in her light green dress. Most wouldn't belive she was part of the second class. If she snuck out to the first class area, no one would know. She looked like she was one of them, which gave her an easy feeling. But she pondered for a moment, why dress up for church? Oh yeah, to respect the lord. Definatly that. But still, enjoy it while it lasts, is her modo. So, she decided to stick with that modo, for now, at least.

She ignored all the other's stares and awe's at the display, it wasn't that great, really. To her, at least. She looked around for a spot to sit where it wasn't too crowded, or too empty. She looked to her left, and saw a random spot that wasn't over-crowded, so that was perfect. It was near a man, maybe around her age, a much younger girl and a woman. Who were they? Well, time to find out. She picked up her skirts and walced over to them, sitting down next to the boy, pretending not to notice him. She'll attract his attention sooner or later.

Alastair had been frowning before and then found himself grinning as soon as he noticed who else was there. Charlotte! Bless her. He did adore that girl and wanted to spend as much as time as he could with her. He had only gotten to know her a little bit before he had run away and did feel guilty that he hadn't seen her grow up for that whole year. But now he would now he would make it up to her even though he did feel immensely uncomfortable.

His face brightened when he recognized his favorite and only niece and opened his arms for her to run jumping into them. He felt amazingly better when he felt her in his arms now and giddy when he saw her reaction to him and her rush to get to his side. He buried his face in her hair and blew into it, swinging her back and forth in his arms and didn't exactly care what the others thought about him or the strange fact that he had the gall to play with a child in a service. Screw them all if he cared less.

He held onto the small girl as his sister ran a finger across his beautiful new black eye. He winced as she did and tried to look brave for the little girl now sitting in his lap. Alastair held onto her for support and looked straight at Daphne again, frowning. "It was always like this, Daphne..>I'm sorry I left and I always will be..but I had to escape him. I wanted to take you with me but I didn't know how.."

"New York..yeah..once we get there everything will be better. Isn't that right, Charlie?"He grinned and held onto the small child and noticed that a familiar girl had decided to sit next to himself, Daphne and Charlie. He looked up curiously but hid his face once he recognized her. Uh oh..this wasn't good. HE had said he was third class which was the truth of his ticket of course. but now he was clearly in first class clothes with a first class sister and would look very much the fraud at the moment.

"Erm..hello.."He said, trying to deepen his voice a little to confuse her because at the moment she didn't seem to notice who he was. Or the fact that they had been playing cards before and had been looking well..healthier before this moment. Hopefully, the bruises would at least turn her off for the moment or else he would have to lie to cover his ass still further.

Jessica's head turned to a slightly deep voice. It was the boy. Wow, he looked banged up. Bruises and cuts all over his face, poor thing. She flashed him a smile and nodded, "Hello." she said, before looking down at the child and waving a bit. She was cute, and very adorable. That raised the quiestion, why was she in the boy's arms? Maybe he was a relative, for all she knew.

She glanced back up at the boy, and almost gasped, thinking she reconized him, but no. It couldn't be, right? It couldn't be Camden Dawson, no, not at all. They were just together, last night, playing cards and gambling. He looked fine then... But no, it wasn't him. Probablly just some man attending the services with his family, maybe. But she had to admit, he looked an awful lot like Cam...

"Say... do... I know you?" she asked, without thinking about it. Guess she was just speaking what was on her mind. Kind of too late to take it back, now. She squinted her eyes slightly, but decided to drop it. She didn't know him. That was it.

"Oh, by the way, I'm Jessica Bryant." she said, flashing him a kind smile. He looked like he needed a smile, anyways. Really, he did. He looked like he slammed into something, hard. But that won't cause as much damage as he had. Maybe he got beat, but someone would know and report the man who had done this, right? Well.. maybe, but who knew? Defiantly not Jessie.

Daphne smiled mildly at Charlotte and Al. He was always good with her, and Daphne knew the eight year old had missed him rather dearly. Lord, she was already eight! She could hardly believe how fast those years of marriage had passed. "I couldn't have gone with you, Al, you know that." She sighed a little. She had been married long before Al left, but that hadn't stopped her from getting the boys out of her old house and away from Fred as often as she possibly could, Henry and Alastair had spent many nights at the Bostwick manor, which no one but Gabriel seemed to mind, too much. Though it wasn't generally talked about, everyone sort of knew about Fred's.. temper problems. Reaching over and smoothing down her brother's hair, she blinked at the woman who had just taken a seat next to Alastair.

She chuckled softly when Alastair tried to make his voice sound deeper, raising an eyebrow towards the girl than looking back at him with a mild grin. "Ohh, Alastair Camden Llewelyn, you have a girllfrrriend." She whispered this, but it was obvious that she didn't mind if the woman sitting next to him heard. Little did she know, she was completely blowing her little brother's third class cover out of the water. The name "Llewelyn" was infamous, but then again they were also an incredibly wealthy little family, with two children already in America, and the other three headed over on the most luxurious boat in the world. Daphne wondered slightly to herself if America would be ready for the entire Llewelyn family. They were.. different, if nothing else. She looked at Charlotte, who was practically crawling all over her Uncle at this point. "Lord, Charlotte, ten minutes with your Uncle and you completely forget all of your manners."

She sighed, scooping the girl up into her arms and settling her back in her seat between herself and Gabriel. It seemed they needed the buffer, anyway, considering he hadn't made an effort to scoot over into the empty seat since Charlotte had went on the attack after her Uncle. When the girl began to protest, she stopped her with a quick shush. "You can see as much of your Uncle as you want after the church service is only. Now sit up straight and cross your ankles." She smiled when her daughter obliged without another word and smoothed her hair carefully, crossing her own feet at the ankles and looking over to her brother. "If you want, you can join us for dinner tonight."

William had wondered why he was still even questioning the civility with his wife. It was something he could continue to question. They had never had a properly happy marriage. Of course who would have if you had been forced into an arrangement. William wondered if he was ever going to be able to fully love his wife. Maybe, but they had been acting civil lately. He questioned it still. Was she faking to go along with it to keep pretenses? He didn't really want to think about it too much but it still crossed his mind. Why were they being civil? William wondered it himself. For so long they had been bitter what had changed.

He released his grip around her waist after he had kissed her. William wasn't sure why he was doing so, but the civility between them was still strange to him. He certainly found Lilianna attractive- but it wasn't as if he was going to share this information with her right away. It actually surprised him why he found her attractive. Certainly he was not unlucky when he had been married to her, but he still wondered himself. He still pertained some kind of love for his first love, but that was quickly going away and being replaced with something else. William wondered about this new found civility and yet affection. Why was it settling in? It rather unnerved him. He had spent to long hating his marriage that now that it was tolerable he sometimes wished he could go back to the bickering, but now..now...

He could only smile at Lilianna and kiss her cheek once more. “It is quite alright. I am here now, you weren't too difficult to spot.” He responded and looked down at her. He looked up and saw the rest of the people scuttle in. William wondered why the white star line was even allowing them to mingle with them. A slight prang of anger settled in him. He was a wealthy passenger, why should he have to deal with these people? He had paid good money to be away from them. William still did inherit some of his father's snobbish attitude. He liked the poor, for his paint subjects but otherwise he didn't want to be around them all the time. Especially if that man was going to show up again.

William wondered if he would even bother to come. That man, whoever he had been that had slept with his wife didn't seem like the sort to want to go to church. Then again he was going to church himself, so did that make him a hypocrite? He nodded at Lilanna's words. “I do not know why they are even in here at all.” He spoke softly, but he figured if they stayed away from them he wouldn't have to deal with them. There was some logic in that. He wouldn't have to see them and especially that...William just hoped if he knew what was good for him he wouldn't even be in here.

Lilianna's last words caused a look of worry to come over his face. “Are you not feeling well? We can go back to the cabin if you wish to rest.” He didn't want her health to be jeopardized, or even that of their unborn child. William was worried that something was going to happen ever since the news from the doctor. He just wanted to make sure she was alright and if this had made her uncomfortable or in the slightest bit stressed. He grasped for her hand and took it in his own. He led her up a few rows before finally finding seats that were a little ways away from people. “We can sit here, unless you wish to go back to the cabin.” He asked, looking at her. He wasn't quite going to go anywhere just yet, but he did wish to go to the church service, for some reason beyond his reckoning. He just hoped it wouldn't turn out badly.

Alastair could have died right then and there. He had been hoping not to meet her again in this ridiculous get up but as his luck seemed to be slowly disappearing by the minute so was his charm. He sank low into the seat, his cheeks reddening like flame as he looked straight at his sister who must have had a death wish. Girlfriend?What?No way. Alastair had never even considered having one as he was always running around from one girl to the next. So why would he want one to tie hm down completely? He was a free spirit and wanted to stay that way as long as he possibly could.

What was even worse was that Daphne had used his obvious real first and well..his entire damnable name.His ears were turning just as red now as he was trying to contain himself. He knew he already looked ridiculous, a complete and absolute mess with cuts and bruises all over his face and in a fancy tux no less. With a girl he had only just met the day before...meeting his sister and his neice. And he was sure so far the girl had no knowledge of who he really was. There was that spark of recognition in her eyes at least. But he couldn't contain himself.

He really could have throttled Daphne right then and there. Of course his last name was recognizeable...Of course the girl would know it from somewhere and here she was, probably hearing every word since Daphne was being so obnoxiously loud that even the people in the front row might as well heard her. For once, he actually prayed that the sermon would begin. Maybe that would get him out of this ridiculous mess.

He laughed nervously, swatting his sister none too gently before giving a side ways glance at the blond whose name he obviously already knew. Hopefully she hadn't heard his entire time or else he was really doomed. She was bound to recognize the name Camden in there and the fact that he had been lying all along. And that he was really first class of all things but had been running from it from over a year. She would think him a coward if she knew the truth and probably would never want to see him again.

"I do NOT.."Alastair muttered and quickly whispered hoarsely in her ear."She thinks I'm someone else."Then he continued, trying hard not to look the other girl straight in the eye for fear his lies would get him caught further down in the net he had already spun for himself. "Oh hello..Jessica..nice name. Nice to meet you. Uh, this is my sister Daphne. And my niece Charlie."He wished the kid was back in his lap. At least then he could use her for some kind of shield if either woman exploded at him for his charades.

Emilia had always been an obedient girl, but actions do not always speak for one’s religious tendencies. Her parents were the typical rich “Christian” going to church if only for the sake of appearances. Emilia, though, had always been fascinated by the stories of the bible, but could never manage to grasp that they actually happened. To her, it was a story, just like the fairytale books she loved to hear someone read her. Still, she had always believed in the existence of God, always felt that there was some higher being. There had to be otherwise, her whole life was a waste…otherwise, she was merely wandering around life in a rather aimless fashion. And Emilia didn’t like that. She needed purpose; she needed a goal to set her eyes on. Her aunt managed to take her to church on occasion, but she had not stepped foot in any church in months. It wasn’t planed…it sort of happened.

Even with her aunt, there were people who saw her as not fit to attend a service. Just because she made one mistake, that made her disgusting to everyone around her? It was unfair, unjust, and perhaps why Emilia had not been too eager to come back. The lesson of God’s forgiveness obviously didn’t settle with the others who attended service every week. Otherwise, they would focus on their own transgressions rather than hers. But, she had not power to control the feelings of others, and was forced to bear it all with a smile. Now, though, with the large gathering, she wasn’t to focus of everyone’s attention. Of course, her situation wasn’t as scandalous now that she was married. Yes…married. It was hard to comprehend that fact even after spending two nights with Caspian. It was…well, awkward to say the least, and Emilia had not been truly ready to give herself that easily to him. She married him, but both had their reasons, both knew this was out of convenience, so Emilia had to be careful with her emotions.

So where was Caspian anyway? He hadn’t said if he was attending or not, and so Emilia made the decision that she’d go with or without him. Part of her would have liked to stay behind though, ignore it all. She realized, upon seeing the crowd, who could be here: Claire’s father. The man, whether he realized it or not, was the only person who really made her doubt everything she was doing. And she hated that. Just because he was right about some things, didn’t mean he was right to have left her. Shaking her head in frustration, Emilia tried to forget about him. If he showed himself, she’d simply give him the cold shoulder. He would probably do the same to her, since he had no desire to speak or se her again. He made that perfectly clear in the last two times they met. Perhaps Constantine wouldn’t even come to this service…but it’d be just like him too, the hypocrite. He believed he was changed, but as far as Emilia was concerned, he wasn’t.

Claire’s eager pulling brought Emilia to look at the crowd around her. It was only the second time she was on the first class deck, but it was still just as beautiful, if not more. She was denied such luxury because of Claire, but all that didn’t matter anymore. Letting out a small sigh, she turned to smile at a few people she passed by, some who merely stared at her in slight disbelief. Looking around, she tried to see if Caspian was anywhere around here. He had left without her knowing, ad she was left with Claire who was now getting quite impatient to sit down. Sitting close to the back, Emilia let Claire sit in her lap while more people filed in. Claire kept giggling, though, much to Emilia’s disappointment, and there were some who stared at her with a look of disappointment on their faces. Who said being a mother was easy, though.

Figuring it was best to ignore the others around her, she tried to calm her daughter down. My, the girl could be fidgety. “Where are we?” she asked. Emilia smiled. “We’re at church....now shh....service is about to start.” Claire gave a rather confused look before turning her attention to the other people around her. Emilia prayed her daughter would manage to keep quiet while the service was in session…otherwise, she’d be forced to leave.

Jessica raised an eyebrow at the boy. He was sinking lower into his seat, with his cheeks and ear a bright red. Why was he acting all so strange? But then it hit her. The name his sister used. Alastair...Camden! Camden from last night! But it couldn't be, could it? She was just with him, and how could he be hurt just after she went to her cabin? This was all starting to be put together. He was Camden Dawson. Or, supppousedly he was. He lied to her! How dare he? And he certianly had the nerve to lie, too! But Jessie decided to calm herself and contain her anger and do more investigating. There were certinaly much more people with the name Camden, and she could easily mistaken him.

But the suspence was seriously making her go mad! And, he did look an awful lot like Camden, or whoever he was. It was just that odd voice and his bruises and cuts. Other than that, he'd be who she thought he was! Now, this was starting to get fuzzy. He definatly was Camden. Camden Dawson. If he wanted her attention from the other day, why not use his real name? Oh, maybe to fool her, make her think that she'd tie him down and make him propose to her. Oh, no. She wouldn't want that. She liked being single, and if she was ever looking for a man, it would be one from New York! Not someone who was from England, definatily not.

She turned back to...Alastair, and squinted, studying his features. His hair, it was exactly like... Camden's, and his eyes, the one's that are so peircing, absoultly Camden's. "Nice to meet you both, Daphne, Charlie." she said, turning to them for a split second, waving again at the small girl. But went straight back to the boy, "Say...Alastair, " she said, adding his real name just for the heck of it, "Do you by any chance know a Camden Dawson? I could be mistaken, but you look exactly like him!" she said, not squinting anymore, but rather letting her eyes study him carelessly. Yes, he definatly was who she thought he was.