Titanic (Asmodeus X Fizzarolli)

Chapter Eight: The Day After

The next morning, Asmodeus was having breakfast with Sarah who was looking very unhappy with him. Asmodeus just sipped his tea in silence until Sarah spoke up.

"I had hoped you would come to me last night," Sarah said to him

"I was tired," Asmodeus said

"Your exertions below decks were no doubt exhausting."

Asmodeus knew where this was going 

"I see you had that undertaker of manservant follow me," Asmodeus said, "How typical."

"You will never behave like that again, Asmodeus," Sarah told him, "Do you understand?"

"I'm not a foreman in one of your mills that you can command. I'm your fiancee."

"My fiancee? My fiancee?! Yes, you are, and my husband!" Sarah flipped the table and trapped Asmodeus in his chair, "My husband in practice if not yet by law, so you will honor me. You will honor me the way a husband is required to honor a wife. Because I will not be made out a fool, Asmodeus. Is this in any way unclear?"

Asmodeus shook his head, scared, "No."

"Good. Excuse me."

Sarah left and Asmodeus started to take in what had just happened. He started to hyperventilate as a maid came over to clean up the mess. Asmodeus tried to help the maid clean up as he started to cry. The maid assured him that it was alright and that she would handle it. Asmodeus just sat on the floor and took in what had just happened with the maid comforting him.

Once Asmodeus had calmed down, he and the maid went to his room to get ready for the day. The maid was buttoning up Asmodeus' waistcoat when Agrat walked in telling the maid to make them some tea. The maid curtsied and left, leaving the two alone. Agrat started to button the waistcoat herself while she talked with Asmodeus.

"You're not to see that boy again, do you understand me?" Agrat told him, "Asmodeus, I forbid it."

"Oh, stop it, Mother. You'll give yourself a nosebleed," Asmodeus said

Agrat made Asmodeua look to her, "This is not a game. Our situation is precarious. You know the money's gone."

"Of course, I know it's gone. You remind me every day."

"Your father left us nothing but a legacy of bad debts hidden by a good name. That name is the only card we have to play. I don't understand you. It is a fine match with Sarah. It will ensure our survival."

"How can you put this on my shoulders?"

"Why are you being so selfish?"

"I'm being selfish?"

"Do you want to see me working as a seamstress? Is that what you want? To see our fine things sold at auction? Our memories scattered to the winds?"

Agrat turned away, fighting back tears. She pulled herself together as Asmodeus sighed

"It's so unfair," Asmodeus said

"Of course, it's unfair," Agrat said, "We're royalty. Our choices are never easy."

Agrat kissed Asmodeus' cheek before continuing to button the waistcoat. Asmodeus hated that his mother continued to guilt trip him into this marriage. He knew he was just being used to fix his father's mistakes but he didn't want that weight on his shoulders. Once dressed, he, his mother, and Sarah went to the dining room to sing hymns and listen to the priest talk. Fizzarolli went down to First Class to meet up with Asmodeus, passing Mr. Andrews on the way there who greeted him.

Fizzarolli noticed him in the dining room and tried to get in a member of staff refused to let him in, not recognising him from last night. Striker noticed and walked out to talk with Fizzarolli. Striker told Fizzarolli that both Asmodeus and Sarah were appreciative of his assistance the night Asmodeus tried to kill himself and was asked to give him some money as a thank you. Fizzarolli told Striker that he didn't want their money and just wanted to see Asmodeus.

But Striker interrupted, saying that they wanted him to remember that his presence in First Class was no longer appropriate as he was in Third Class, not First Class. Fizzarolli continued to beg to see Asmodeus but Striker told the member of staff to take Fizzarolli back to Third Class and ensure he stayed there. They took Fizzarolli away. Later, Asmodeus, his mother, and Sarah were shown around by Mr. Andrews.

They were in a crew-only area, talking about why they had two steering wheels when a crew member brought an ice warning to the Captain. The Captain assured them not to worry as it was normal for that time of year and that he had just ordered the last boilers to be lit so that they could get to America before the estimated date. Fizzarolli, meanwhile, was climbing up to the First Class deck to try and catch Asmodeus and talk with him.

Fizzarolli got up safely and went unnoticed by two men who were watching a boy play with a spinning top. Fizzarolli spotted a coat and bowler hat on one of the deck chairs and took it, trying to blend in with the First Class. As Asmodeus walked with Mr. Andrews, he spoke up about something he realised about the lifeboats. Doing the sum in his head, he discovered that there wasn't enough for everyone on board the ship.

Mr. Andrews told him that there were only enough lifeboats for half the people on the ship. Titanic was built with enough space for more boats but the company denied him more, saying it would make everything look cluttered. But he didn't want Asmodeus to worry as he had built him a good ship with all the lifeboats he needed. Before Asmodeus could follow more, Fizzarolli caught him and took him into a room next to them to talk.

"Fizzarolli, this is impossible. I can't see you," Asmodeus told him trying to leave

"I need to talk to you," Fizzarolli said stopping him

"No, Fizzarolli, no. Fizzarolli, I'm engaged. I'm marrying Sarah. I have no choice."

"Ozzie, you're no picnic. All right, you're a spoiled little brat, even but under that, you're the most amazingly astounding wonderful guy... demon that I've ever known and..."

"Fizzy, I..."

"No, let me try and get this out. You're, you're ama... I'm not an idiot. I know how the world works. I've got ten bucks in my pocket. I have nothing to offer you and I know that. I understand. But I'm too involved now. You jump, I jump, remember? I can't turn away without knowing you'll be all right. That's all that I want."

"Sarah and Mother have given me no choice but to go through with this. But I'll be fine, really."

"Really? I don't think so. They've got you trapped, Asmodeus and you're going to die if you don't break free. Maybe not right away because you're strong, but... sooner or later that fire that I love about you, Ozzie... that fire is going to burn out."

"It's not up to you to save me, Fizzarolli."

"You're right. Only you can do that."

"I have to go back. I have no choice."

Asmodeus escaped Fizzarolli and went back with the group. Asmodeus didn't want to marry Sarah but both she and his mother gave him no choice. If he could, he would go with Fizzarolli but he didn't know how. But maybe Fizzarolli could help him.