Fumbling Toward Ecstasy

Chapter 17 - I Thee Wed

When Brynne stepped out of the link, she in a lavatory on the Titanic. It had taken longer for her to pass through this time than it normally did, but she attributed it to the experimental nature of this type of link. She was lucky to have come through in such a discreet location. Having passengers see someone suddenly appear out of thin air on the Promenade deck certainly wouldn't have made her job any easier.

She stood in front of the mirror, looking herself over. Her attire looked flawless; Payton and the COSI wardrobe department had seen to that, though for whom or for what she looked flawless, she had no idea. She didn't know if she, or her double, rather, had changed anything or if the other woman was still here, even. Upon this small revelation, experienced a short moment of silent panic as the reality of her situation bore down upon her, and she ruminated on just how precarious her situation really was. She was here. Alone. Without a clue about what she would find when she stepped out into the corridor.

Brynne closed her eyes, and took a series of slow, deep breaths to calm her climbing heartrate.

"Are you well, ma'am?"

Brynne's eyes popped open and fell upon the image of a young stewardess standing behind her in the mirror. Brynne quickly composed herself. Whatever doubts and fears she had, she couldn't give in to them now. Her mission was at hand, ready or not.

She sighed. "I'm fine," she said. "I just got a little lightheaded for a moment."

The stewardess's concerned expression quickly brightened. "It's likely all the excitement surrounding the voyage," she said. "You and Mr. Andrews have worked yourselves ragged." She took a few more steps so that she was standing directly beside Brynne. "So, you decided to change for dinner after all."

Brynne tilted her head slightly, glad to finally be learning something about her new situation. That one sentence had told her plenty. It was dinner time, and this stewardess had apparently seen her double before now, as the other Brynne had been wearing a different outfit. But where was this other woman, now? That was the critical question. "Yes," Brynne said, responding to the stewardess's observation. "It's been such a long day, you know."

"Oh, of course, ma'am," the stewardess said with a nod and a smile. "Shall I accompany you to the dining saloon?"

Brynne nodded. "I'd appreciate that very much, thank you."

They stepped out of the lavatory and into the corridor.

"It must be grand eating in such fancy surroundings with important men like Mr. Ismay and Mr. Andrews," the stewardess gushed as they stepped around the corner and approached the elevators.

"It has its moments," Brynne conceded. It certainly wasn't all it was cracked up to be, though, she thought, stepping into the waiting lift car ahead of the stewardess.

"I suppose a lady such as yourself has grown used to it by now," the stewardess said.

The car began to descend. "I don't think I could ever get used to all of it," Brynne said. "Sometimes, its nice to be able to let your guard down and just be natural." Brynne paused when she heard the other woman chuckle. "What is it?"

"Mr. Andrews said the very same thing just this morning," the stewardess said. "You two do complement each other quite well."

Brynne, a bit surprised, looked at the other woman. "Why, thank you," Brynne replied. "I appreciate the compliment. I'll be sure to pass it along to Mr. Andrews when I see him." The stewardess's statement had caught Brynne off-guard for some reason. Something about it didn't sound right.

The lift came to a gentle stop, and the attendant announced, "D-deck." He promptly slid the doors open for his passengers.

"Here we are," the stewardess said. She hung back, and Brynne stepped out first. "Now, you should be getting along, ma'am. Mr. Andrews will be waiting for you."