Saudade | Titanic (Tommy Ryan)

IV

As Rose and Lucy made their descent below the decks, a certain nervousness started pooling within both of them.

Hearing the chatter from the general room, they knew they were getting closer, and the passers-by stared inquisitively at the intruders.

Rose latched onto Lucy's sleeve, and the sisters tried their best to smile at everyone through all of the eyes on them.

Lucy spotted Tommy, he had his back to her, and she saw Fabrizio smile from where he was sat next to a young lady.

"Tommy, turn around," Fabrizio urged his friend quietly, and Tommy turned his head, his mouth agape when he saw her.

Rose stopped before Jack, who looked just as in awe at her presence.

"Not intruding, am I?" Lucy asked Tommy, who shook his head. She chuckled lightly. "Aren't you going to say anything?"

Tommy chuckled, feeling stupid for a moment. "Uh, what are you doing down here?"

Lucy pursed her lips together, and Tommy shook his head again, standing up. "Sorry. You caught me by surprise."

"It's all right," Lucy smiled, holding out her hand for him to shake. "It's a pleasure to see you again, Tommy."

"Likewise," he replied, simpering. He found himself getting lost in her eyes, her smile, and he gestured for her to sit down. "Won't you stay a while?"

"I'd love to," she replied, sitting on the bench closest to the chair he was perched on. Their knees slightly touched, and she joined her hands on her lap to hide that she'd started shaking.

Jack and Rose had wandered off together, leaving Lucy to socialise with the group in the general room. She got to know all of Tommy's friends.

He couldn't help but watch in admiration as she made everyone feel so special with her words. The stigma of wealth draining a person's soul didn't apply to her, and Tommy had to battle the smile off his face.

"So, tell us," Tommy began after everyone laughed at one of his stories. "How is it that you find it more appealing to pass time down here with us rather than up there?"

Lucy shrugged. "I suppose it's because when I speak to charming people such as yourselves, it doesn't feel like your every response is read off of a script."

"They teach you full... conversations in your school?" Fabrizio asked, and Lucy tilted her head to the side.

"Basically," she said. "They make sure we know how to address the generic comments others will give us. How the weather is, whether our investors are competent. It's a lot of 'Oh, I see!' and 'Never mind, my husband has already done that!"

"You've got the accent down at least," Tommy joked, and Lucy hit him on the shoulder playfully.

"I do not!" Lucy denied. "At least, not all of the time."

Lucy saw Helga, a young Swedish woman whisper something to Fabrizio with a smile, and Fabrizio turned back towards her. Lucy smiled, picking up a certain chemistry between the two.

"She says you are... beautiful," Fabrizio said, and Helga nodded. 

Lucy grinned, reaching over to squeeze Helga's hand. "You are just stunning, too, Helga."

Tommy's eyes widened, and he couldn't hide the look on his face anymore when he glanced at Lucy. Fabrizio started laughing at his friend, and Tommy lowered his head as he blushed.

Lucy wasn't sure how to address it, so she did the same, chuckling lightly.

Fabrizio stood up, holding his hand out to Helga. "Come, we leave them."