The maniacs had actually gone and done it. The newspapers were full of breathless reports about the general war that now seemed to be raging across the Albian Channel. For now it seemed to be a slugging match between Gallian and Dyske armies who were duelling across the frontier, at least according to the maps with lots of vague arrows that signified little, but were certainly good at grabbing attention. Otrusia was bogged down shooting at Kyburgians across mountain valleys, while Hesperia was still trying to mobilize.
Of course, that seemed to be the same for both Varnmark and Caspia, who hated each other as much as the enemy, and both of whom had significant problems with their own logistics when it came to mobilization, according to reports. Caspia's sheer size and relative lack of modern railways was hurting them, while Varnmark was still recovering from its disastrous civil conflict of only a few years earlier. It was hard to tell thanks to the government statements but the war wasn't popular in the personal union, if you read between the lines.
Still, it was early days yet and the experts all seemed quite sure the war would end quickly, one way or another. The newspapers seemed convinced that eventually the Gallian armies, bolstered by the Hesperians, would pin down the advance and there'd be a proper battle, and that'd be that, one way or another. Well, they were all very convinced which way it would go, but you were skeptical. You remembered the horror of mud and gunfire that the relatively small conflict between Caspia and Akitsukuni and wondered if anyone in Europa had actually paid any attention.
When you had quizzed Aiko about what she wanted to do with the rest of your holiday, you had expected her answer to be "touring the Albian countryside" or a "romantic river trip" and were a little surprised when she looked at you as if you had grown another arm.
"Haruna, we need to figure out how to get home. There's a war on."
"...Yes? But Albia isn't in and neither is Akitsukuni. We still have time left on the holiday, we should use it while we have the chance., don't you think? We'll just spend a month or two here in Albia and catch a ship home, right?"
"This is serious! What if Albia or Akitsukuni does get involved?"
"It's not likely. Albia isn't eager to get tangled up in this stuff and as long as Albia stays out, there's really no reason for Akitsukuni to get involved. Besides, I don't think the idea of another round with the Caspians is terribly popular right now." You could understand her concerns, but the emotion didn't really land for you, for some reason. Maybe you were just too used to the idea of mortal danger? Not that you expected to be in mortal danger. It wasn't like people went around sinking passenger ships without warning or anything like that.
"Even so, I think I'd feel better if we could get back home soon," Aiko replied, frowning. She seemed uneasy with the thought of being trapped in a foreign country and you really couldn't blame her overly much.
"Well, if you feel that strongly about it," you said, "I'll have Sakai start looking for tickets on the next passenger liner we can find and we'll get ourselves home just as quickly as possible, alright?" You reached over to squeeze her hand. "Don't worry. It'll be fine."
As the search for a way home began the next, you received a letter, postmarked from somewhere within the city. It was written in neat handwriting and addressed to 'Lieutenette Haruna Arisukawa, the Savoy Hotel, Iseldon.' The return address was 112C Cooper Street. Unsure of what to expect, you opened the envelope and pursued the letter inside.
Dear Lieutenette,
It has not escaped my attention that you have arrived here in the city of Iseldon, as it was in the papers that a noteworthy member of an Oriental royal house had arrived from Gallia. There has been of course the usual rumor-mongering about the purposes of your visit, but I rather suspect it has more to do with the sudden outbreak of hostilities on the continent rather than any secret diplomatic mission or hidden romantic escapades.
With that being said, Mister Waters and I would like to extend to you a humble invitation for you and your friend Miss Aiko Kishimoto to join us at our humble lodgings at 112C Cooper Street tomorrow afternoon, if it is not too much trouble. Your company onboard ship was very welcome and will be even more welcome in our own sitting room. Please let us know if you will attend at your convenience.
Sincerely,
Doctor Bertrand Hollins.
You read over the letter once or twice more, then waved it at Aiko where she was sitting next to the window, nose in a book.
"We have an invitation," you said.
"...Do we know anyone here?" she asked with an incredulous glance up from her reading.
"We do, actually. Remember that nice couple from the ship? They live in Iseldon and they'd like us to come for tea tomorrow afternoon. Why not go? It would get us out of the hotel for a little while, wouldn't it?"
"Yes! I remember. They were very nice," Aiko agreed. "I don't see why not."
---
Your mode of travel that afternoon was the "Electric", the terrifying network of subterranean trains running under the city. At least one station you'd passed through looked like it had simply been dug out and built in an old ruin of some kind that they hadn't bothered to clear away, the smooth concrete tube blending with rough-hewn stone and still other sections of neatly laid bricks. Somehow you survived and emerged on the other end just down the road from your destination, Aiko having somehow deciphered the map despite not speaking the language. She compared its many overlapping lines and strange squiggly symbols to a circuit diagram, whatever that was.
112C Cooper Street was located in a terrace house in an appropriately upscale part of town, and apparently visitors were common enough that the landlady had set out a small waiting area in the hall. After a few minutes of staring at the incredibly vibrant green wallpaper, the door swung open and Mister Simon Waters emerged, still glancing distractedly into the room.
"
My apologies for the wait, are you a patient or a client? Either way, I do hope you have something particularly vexing, he's in one of his moods… oh! Princess, ah…"
"
Arisukawa, and Miss Kishimoto," you offered, and he sighed in relief.
"
Yes, thank you, sorry. Memory like a sieve these days, my guesses weren't even close. I had no idea you were in the country. What brings you here?"
"
They're stranded here by the war, Simon. Do come in," a voice called from inside, and you stepped into a cozy little sitting-room arranged around a large fireplace. "
And do stick to Gallian, Miss Kishimoto's grasp of Albian is somewhat weak. We invited them, by the way."
"
You mean you invited them, and failed to tell me a thing!" Waters sighed and settled into one of the large armchairs, and unsure what else to do the two of you took a seat on the small couch. While the room was tidy enough, it was also utterly crowded with what you could only imagine were souvenirs from a long history of strange cases both medical and criminal. There was a bent fire poker crossed with an air gun hanging over the fireplace, the shed skin of a speckled snake of some type in a picture frame, and a bust of would-be Emperor of the Gallians Niculaiu Benenascita stood on a bookshelf, looking as if someone had reassembled it with glue and a great deal of patience. Placed alone on a small side table was a simple, if old, portrait of a beautiful young woman in a round frame.
The clutter felt more charming than oppressive and you politely sank down onto the offered couch, Aiko at your side. After a few seconds and what sounded like somebody tripping over something in the adjoining room, the door swung open and Doctor Hollins emerged. Compared to his appearance on the cruise, the man looked utterly dishevelled. If you'd had to guess on the spot you'd more likely identify him as a criminal breaking and entering than a respected doctor in his home.
"
Welcome, welcome, lovely to see you," Hollins said, pacing around the room anxiously. "
Mrs. Forrest will be bringing our tea up later. For now, though, I hope you are finding this city of ours a hospitable host in this hour of your need. I imagine the continent became a little too exciting for a holiday, hm?"
"
We're lucky we got here in one piece," Aiko said. "
We were at the closing ceremonies when all that shooting happened!"
Hollins' entire demeanour changed in an instant at that. He shot to the side of the chair, a pad and pen seeming to materialize in his hands.
"
Capital! Do you remember the location of the exit wounds? I must know!"
"
Bertrand! You're terrifying the poor girl!" Waters protested, "
And we are retired, you do remember?"
"
It's a working retirement," he responded briskly. "
Do you think you could remember the delay between the impact and the sound of the shots?"
"
Doctor, I can respect your curiosity-" you began, then Aiko cut you off.
"
No. I don't. I did my best not to look at them to tell the truth. Please don't ask me any more about it."
Doctor Hollins, utterly crestfallen, flipped the notebook shut.
"
I suppose we will never know then," he said sadly, making a great dramatic flop onto the nearby armchair and then quite nearly sliding out of it as he sunk down. "
That's fine. Perfectly fine. Now what was the issue?"
"
You invited us over for tea?" you ventured.
"
...Oh yes, I did. That's quite right. I hadn't been aware that your plans on the continent involved a trip to our fair island," he said, leaning back into his seat with a languorous smile. "
Though I deduce that the outbreak of war has more than a little to do with such a decision…"
"
We weren't eager to get caught up in the middle of a mobilization," you admitted and looked to Aiko, who nodded.
"
We're really just planning on getting home as soon as possible at this point," Aiko confirmed. "
As nice is it would be to take in the sights and play tourist, that whole incident in Otrusia put a sour taste in my mouth."
"
Completely understandable," Waters said as he emerged from the entryway, laden with the tea service that had no doubt been delivered by Hollins' long suffering landlady. He looked nonplussed for a moment as he realized the table was covered in rubbish. "
Bertram, would you please move your things so we can actually have the tea you invited them over for?"
"
Hm? Oh, of course--" Hollins leapt to his feet to begin clearing things away with an alacrity that surprised you for a man of his years. "
I do my best to keep things tidy, but I am inferior to dear Sy in that respect. My mind wanders too much."
"
I adore your mind, even if it can't clean up after itself." You smiled as Waters set the tray down. The more time you spent with the pair, the more they reminded you of many other couples you'd known. To think that Europans could find this in any way objectionable! It baffled the mind, really. As the tea began to be poured, Simon smiled at Aiko. "
I know you must be having a rough time of it. Bertie just gets… excited about his work and doesn't think about how it might feel to others," he said warmly. "
Sugar? Cream?"
"
It's alright, really," Aiko said with a weak smile. "
I know you didn't mean anything rude by it. And cream, please." Everyone began to settle with tea and small sandwiches with cucumbers and you felt at least a little of the tension that had been hanging onto you since Otrusia begin to ease. Thank all the spirits.
"
If you're overly tense," Hollins said with a smile, "
Perhaps getting out of your hotel room might help. I myself am not, ah, a social creature but I understand it does wonders for the nerves for others. There are social clubs meant for women that might suit." He sipped his tea delicately. "
But there are other things that we could discuss, I am quite certain. As I understand it your team took away the bronze medal in your event. Brava, Miss Kishimoto. Brava for yourself and for Aikitsukuni, truly."
"
Yes! Good show," Waters agreed. "
We read about it in the paper, it sounded like quite the race."
"
It was! I was worried we'd lose, but we managed it somehow," Aiko said, brightening as the two showed interest in her victory. That was better, you thought. Talk about something happy. Hollins leaned forward, starting to ask some questions about athletics and muscles or something and all you could do was smile.
Perhaps the detour wasn't as terrible as you'd thought.
---
Unfortunately, Sakai hadn't had much luck finding you passage home in the time you'd spent at Cooper Street. Schedules were a mess, with service suspended or delayed on major routes as uncertain operators stood by to learn what passages would be open, what cargos would be subject to seizure, and what flags would be safe to fly. Sakai said there was a great deal of concern that the government might press liners into service if Albia was drawn into the war.
With Aiko looking rather rattled by the lack of results, you decided you ought to take Hollins' advice and find her a calming social space for the evening. You knew Aiko well enough to know that left to her own devices, her anxiety would devour her. As you'd long learned in the Navy, the universal cure for nerves was giving yourself something to do.
After securing directions from the hotel receptionist, you headed back out to the streets and flagged down a rickety-looking little motor-taxi. It rolled to a tenuous stop on squeaking brakes at the curb, the entire machine teetering on its suspension, and despite your misgivings you gave the address and climbed in.
The trip reminded you distinctly of the truck which had carried you to the torpedo boat base what felt like a lifetime ago, the same lurching motion in every turn and stop. Just when you thought it couldn't get worse, the car turned off the fresh asphalt and onto old cobbled streets. The horrible suspension and thin wheels combined for a suitably bone-rattling experience.
At least the company was far, far better this time around.
The car somehow came to a complete stop outside what looked like it might be an upscale shop of some kind. A rather non-illustrative sign above the door read "The Twelve Muses". You took a moment to ensure the near-death experience hadn't mussed your dress too badly, then stepped inside. The layout was nothing like a shop or a restaurant, instead consisting of a lot of comfy looking seating and tables spread out haphazardly, with plentiful potted plants, paintings, and curtains adding to the space. There was a piano in the corner, though nobody was playing.
You forked over the entry fee without comment to the attendant at the door and made your way to one of the small tables. Aiko, for her part, looked utterly lost.
"Haruna, are we in somebody's house?" she asked.
"No. It's like… one of those clubs for women back home. Didn't you ever go to one?"
"We were dating. And besides that, I was always busy with school and work, and those places are expensive!"
You noticed a few people glancing over, some staring, judgemental eyes from the other patrons.
"
Aiko, we should stick to Gallian here, I think. No point standing out more than we have to," you said. "
That said, it's just a social club. A place for women to relax without men."
"
I do like that idea," Aiko said with an amused smile. "
But why are we here? How are we getting home?"
"
I've done some thinking on that, I have a few ideas," you started. "
But in all honesty, we can probably just wait it out. The liners will sort themselves out soon, disruption can't last more than a few weeks at most. We'll be okay-"
"
A lot can happen in a few weeks, Haruna," Aiko said glumly. "
You're right though. I'm just nervous. I've never been this far from home."
"
I don't think you can get much farther from home, to be fair," you pointed out. "
But if you really want to get out of here quickly, I can probably charter a ship myself. It'd cost a decent amount of money, probably be a bit uncomfortable, and would probably take longer than one of the liners, but if we sail under the Akitsukuni flag there's really nothing safer."
"
Can we afford that?" she asked.
"
Well…" you trailed off, not particularly liking the answer. "
My family can, that's for certain."
Aiko winced.
"
What about your mother? She's already mad, do you want to make it worse?" she asked.
"
I can honestly say I don't give a damn what she thinks," you lied. "
Besides, she'd rather me home safe than stuck in some foreign country in the middle of a war, even if she never lets me hear the end of it."
"
If we can, I'd rather avoid that…" Aiko said. "
Don't want to trade me being scared for you being miserable. What about the embassy, isn't that what you're supposed to do in situations like this?"
"
Well, yes, but…" You paused, trying to gather your thoughts on the matter. "
We could almost certainly get transport home that way, given who we are-"
"
Who you are."
"
Who we are, you just won a medal for our country," you reminded her. "
My only worry is that somebody will talk to the press about it. About the Navy princess irresponsibly getting lost in the middle of a war and having to be saved with taxpayer money."
"
... that would be bad," Aiko agreed.
---
[ ] Wait for a liner.
[ ] Charter a boat.
[ ] Go to the embassy.
