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Indeed. While the journey for me was short I did truly enjoy experiencing a difference system and appreciate your honesty and in letting us know what is happening. I hope everything turns around for you, and that you get to a place where DMing and playing can go back to a leisure / hobby rather than an escape. Thank you for the opportunity to play and learn and I wish you and your daughter well for the future.
Eliza clutched her side. A quick peek under her shirt revealed the dark purple and blue bruise that spread from her hip half way up her side. Could be worse. I hope it isn't as bad as it feels Grunting and hissing through clenched teeth, she tired to process the new information. "We... we need to do inventory. See if anything is missing that could be used for more damage. We also need to do equipment and cargo checks. Best in teams of 3 or 4. You say the saboteur is dead, but if they had allies then we need to unfortunately watch each other, with each member double, even triple checking their team members searched area." She hissed again, clinging to the wall next to where she sat. "I'll take you up on that first aid now, if that's still alright. We need to tell the captain. Call a meeting. I know parts of this vessel need to be manned, but if we can't get everyone in one room at once it leaves too many variables uncertain. I'd pitch my own innocence, but even new comers aren't in the clear. Not now. We can't afford it. Anyone here know anything about chemistry? Something that can let us have a idea of how long that acid would've needed to eat through the ropes? That would at least give us a time frame to work with." Eliza takes a look herself, despite just telling Nurse Barrett she was ready for first aid.
She clearly should've waited, as her injuries made it impossible for her to analyze anything.
Eliza could feel the pain throughout her body, but she had seen accidents on the farm and in the factory before, and this could've been much worse. What concerned her most was the kerosene. Without any, they might as well turn back. She wanted to try and think of something to help with the massive damage but her injuries compiled with her sea sickness made her wish she could just sleep for the rest of their ocean journey.
Eliza has no hesitation in heading to help with the second engine. Not as fortunate the second time around, she tries to dodge the massive engine as it crashes towards her. Things take a turn for the worse, as she and Alphonso fail to dodge the oncoming mechanical boulder.
Eliza was sliding overboard, sure that she wasn't going to make it. Then, a firm grip wrapped around her hand, and relief replaced dread as Louis pulled her back from the edge. Whether it was luck or divine intervention, Eliza then managed to grab hold of Phoebe and the three of them to make it below deck. What she saw was horrifying, both as a mechanic, air craft enthusiast, crew member, and squishy human being. She and the others acted as quickly and as unified as was possible. Eliza seemed to be getting luck on her side at last, as the engine tumbled away from her allowing her more time to access the situation. With the help of Louis and Alphonse, the three of them manage to grab hold of the one of the massive engines. Now they only needed someone to tie it down...
As the mammoth waves crash into the boat and the ice claws away at her face and steals her breath, Eliza starts to think that maybe she's bitten of more than she can chew. Overcome by her nausea, weakened by the constant sickness, it isn't long begore she is thrown to the ground.
Eliza can hear people running around, sounding far more energetic than usual. It isn't until she hears a few passers-by rushing and telling about the planes needing repairs that she struggles to make her way to the cargo hold. She dry heaves, her stomach's been empty for hours now. But she's determined and damned if she'll just wallow around while there's work to be done. She clutches her stomach and the wall. Maybe working on something familiar will be enough to stop this damn sea sickness She had never wished for anything to be true more in her entire life.
Eliza is not enjoying the journey. While her wanderlust is keeping her excitement somewhat alive it is buried deep, deep down. It flares again as the Gabrielle passes their first iceberg. She had never seen anything like it. The crispness of the blues and whites of the surroundings were beautiful and a welcome change to the heaving of the ocean and the crews stomachs. She hadn't been able to help at all in the journey so far. Well, not in a way that she would classify as helping. The break in the weather didn't last, and no sooner was the storm upon them that Eliza was upon the nearest basin or bucket. Part of her was glad that it was too tumultuous for any cooking to be done; just the thought of food made her wretch.
Eliza had tuned out from as much as she could. It was impossible to distract herself from her nausea and disorientation, and so that was all that existed in her dark, wet, heaving and jolting world.
Eliza had never been on the open ocean before, though ferries were common enough on the harbor. As the boat rock and groan, her emotions would peak at thrilling excitement to complete dread, mirroring the rise and fall of the waves. She could only hope that those barrel rolls in her father's plane had strengthened her stomach enough for what was ahead.
Eliza perks up a bit. She can't contribute to this discussion but she loves planes and is glad to hear that they are ok. Even more surprised that they even have them!
Eliza stopped with a start, looking a bit dumb founded, before letting out a laugh. "Oh dear, I'm such a gallah. Of course you don't have our currency. Thats actually pretty convenient, I wanted to drop by the bank early tomorrow morning to send off my savings to Mum and Dad, and to give some to Marie to replace the food we eat. So no worries, I can do that and we can either exchange it there or get the rates and I'll trade with you. It'll be like my first keepsake! I've got you all, so don't worry, I won't leave you hanging. That'd be a poor start to our journey together. I doubt there's any place to shop where we're going, so let's pull all the stops and have a great farewell meal! Marie's place is pretty big. We can thank George for that. Oh, George is her husband by the way. Only reason I'm bringing wine and not beer. This is getting pretty exciting!" Marie's going to have a field day. This is probably the most people I've ever bought over! I'll get her some chocolate as a thank you.
Eliza grins mischievously. "Well then, guess we have a little shopping to do before we arrive. If it's my last meal in Melbourne, no better place than Marie's. She might not be expecting so many people though, so best buy some extra food on the way. Marie was always the best cook in the family, and I don't suppose you've had a nice, home cooked, family style meal since you left your homes. I'd also like to get a telegram to Mum and Dad, and the rest of the family. I can't just up and leave without saying goodbye or saying where I'm going. Marie'll better be able to comfort mum if she knows who I'm traveling with." Eliza begins rocking again. "There might be a wee, tiny bit of drama at the start, but I can guarantee the food and atmosphere will be worth it, as will the assurance it'll give my family, and myself. Downside of being the youngest is that you are never old enough to be an adult." Eliza laughed. She was in her 20s and everyone still babyed her, even the ones that had babies! But she loved her family dearly and was deeply saddened that her parents lived too far out for her to say goodbye in person. She'd write to them all, and have Marie telegram them as well. It'd be too much to send all she wanted to say in a telegram, so writing a letter to everyone as well would hopefully help with her departure. I'm... really leaving. She thought, blinking back tears. She was the baby, the youngest, everyone in her family had been there since she was born. She had no memory of when they hadn't. Now, she was going far away with a group of strangers to an uncharted place. Shaking her head, refusing to get homesick before they'd even left, she smiled at the group and perked up. "Follow me, shipmates. Let me show you how it's done in the land of the Southern Cross!" On their way to her eldest sisters place, Eliza bought some bread, eggs, chicken, veggies, and some flowers with a bottle of wine. She hoped there were no surprise costs, as that had eaten up a lot of her budget. "If anyone else wants to bring something, can't go wrong with wine or flowers. A dessert would probably go down a treat, if you wanted to pick up a Pavlova from the cake shop near here. Or if you have a souvenir from where you're from, she'd love that too. Don't worry too much though. She won't mind such ventured guests." She always did like having something to gossip or brag about. This is both! Just hope she's prepared for more people.
"All new equipment needs to be maintained, and while I'm sure you've got plenty of skilled mechanics and engineers on board, it differs from country to country. I can provide help with everything Peasley and cam also assist with other jobs on board. Everyone's been traveling for so long that they probably know the ship back to front, but a fresh set of eyes and ears, that aren't affected by past happenings, could be useful to have. I'm skilled in mechanical and electrical repair, a bit of chemistry, mathematics and physics, and should it ever be helpful, operating heavy machinery, small air craft, and automobiles. I'm a hard worker. If you didn't work on the farm, you didn't eat, and I expect to be treated no different here. I'm driven, passionate, and eager to start. New energy on board might be just what the Gabrielle needs, feel free to dump me at the next port if you feel otherwise. I'm also a good mediation option, since I haven't been on board the whole time so not involved in what's been happening or going to be on one side more than another, if that's something worth considering. " Eliza beamed. She couldn't help it. Just being considered for the crew of the Gabrielle was unbelievable. She hoped they took her on, even if only for a little while.
Eliza thought for a second, before nodding at Phoebe. "Ever since Dad and my brothers returned from the war, I've had a bit of a wanderlust but with how everything went, I had to stay and help out. I love my job, and home, but I can feel that pressure, you know? Where going home everyday Mum and Dad are waiting for the boyfriend or the fiancee. I need to do this, so I can have no regrets. So I can settle down content." She paused to reflect on her situation a little, shaking herself out of whatever thoughts were forming. "How about you, Miss? Mrs? Gah the fellas sure get it easier with names. Mr for everyone. Anyway, if you don't mind me asking, why did you join the expedition? We seem to be a rarity in the whole thing. Not that I'm complaining. At home all the farm hands are blokes, at the factory pretty much the same thing. It'll be nice to have another woman to turn to. " Eliza smiled, though she had made herself nervous. She realised she'd never really had any female friends, her sisters being all older and married and her mother being, well, her mum.
Would you be willing to go Eliza was shocked. Her mind ran what her boss had just said over and over again. She snapped toom after realising she was taking a long time to answer. "YES!' she cried, much more forcefully than was really necessary. She drew back quickly, in mild horror that she'd blow a chance she never thought would come to her so easily. 'I mean, I'd love to Sir. So long as my wages still go to my parents, I'd be glad to represent Peasley Power on this expedition and make sure our equipment functions at top capacity." This is nuts. I must be nuts. This is so sudden. But I can't think about it. It's never going to happen again, this is the adventure I've been waiting for and I'll be damned if anyone is taking it away from me
So being an Australian is actually making this harder because I have to consciously stop myself using 2017 Aussie slang and sayings XD
Eliza takes the list and scans through it. "No need for the Miss, though I appreciate the courtesy, Mr. Wolf.' she says off hand, focusing on what was written in front of her. "My boss would most likely want to meet with you, and since I'll need to ask him about a few of these scarcer parts, mind if we head over there now? Get all the paper work and financials out of the way?" She looks over the list once again, her excitement growing despite herself. "But wow, real explorers. The Gabrielle has been in every newspaper for at least a fortnight. Reading that an expedition to Antarctica was stopping at our port, that was enough to draw me in." Eliza couldn't stop her smile from widening and her eyes shone with awe for a moment before she caught herself. Blushing slightly, she shrunk back in mild embarrassment. Ah but... yeah, parts, work, boss. Right-e-o...' she gestured with the list and nodded in the direction of her boss, rocking slightly, a trait she had when she got embarrassed or felt awkward. "Follow me gents, we'll get you sorted lickety-split." Eliza turned to lead the way, collecting herself by going over the list in her head. Aaaagh. Way to go Eliza. Act like a child in front of a group of seasoned adventurers. You've got to show them that you can be useful on the expedition. Right now, you've got Buckley's chance of that happening. "I'm sorry, about what happened and your loss. Read about that too. Not my place, but I hope you all get closure for it. Enough people have died." she added softly. Seemed to her she had grown up on war stories. Her brothers and father had gone and served. They watered it down for her. But what she had read and what she heard when they thought she wasn't there. Truly enough people had died.
He did say I was staying to help out with customers... more or less Eliza wiped as much grease from her hands as she could using a rag. Trying to look professional in her mechanics overalls, she walked over to greet the group of adventurers. "Welcome to Peasley Power Equipment. I'm Eliza, a mechanic here and today, according to my boss, I'm also in customer service, so how can I help you fine folks?" She smiled, the enthusiasm obvious. "I'd shake your hands but,' she waves a still slightly smudged hand at them sheepishly, 'Comes with the job I'm afraid, I beg your pardon on that account"
The buzz of tools and machinery could be heard from almost every area of the factory. The smell of motor oil, metal, and cigarette smoke lingered in the air, and on most of the workers. Spring was only just starting, so mornings were still crisp, though Eliza and many of the other mechanics had been working since sun rise. Eliza's hands and clothing were already smudged with oil, and no doubt her face probably was too. She tried to stop her mind drifting to the new ship that had just docked that morning instead focusing on the broken machine piece in front of her, a newer hybrid of electrical and mechanical parts. It'll still be there after we close. I can't risk losing my job over it, not with things the way they are. She convinced herself to stay, though her heart was hardly in it. Sure wondered what was so important that her boss would keep her all day, not that she could complain about the extra money that would get her. Pausing for a quick break, she took a swig of her morning coffee; hot, black and strong. With the hours they normally got in the factory, it was no surprise that coffee was readily available in the break room. She gazed into the black liquid, her mind once again on the ship heading towards Antarctica, the controversy surrounding it, and how she was going to secure a place on board. |
