May 12, 2015
hughjodonnell
Free Fiction, The Voyage
140 Characters, Charley, Drabble, The Voyage
Charley stared out at the loaders moving the last of the cargo, watching them argue and gesticulate, although at this distance their words didn’t carry. He double-checked the gauges on the bulky contraption strapped to his wrist. Everything was green, but nobody ever bothered to explain what they meant. He’d sussed out a bit, though. The cables were fed through the gauntlets housing, and could be released manually, or automatically at a signal. It was a much safer and more reliable than old fashioned ropes, but he wondered why they needed him at all. At least there was tea.
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May 11, 2015
hughjodonnell
Free Fiction, The Voyage
140 Characters, Drabble, Florence, The Voyage
The tea service glinted in the morning sunlight. Of course, it was only aluminum, not silver or anything fancy. But Florence thought it looked pretty enough as she struggled with the trolly. The ground was flat, but muddy, and the little round wheels had a strong urge to dig themselves into the muck and pitch the whole thing forward.
“Molly, the cart!” she shouted at the girl in front. The ragamuffin snapped out of her revelry just in time to catch it before the whole thing tipped over. She’d been staring up at the airship again. The girl was useless.
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May 10, 2015
hughjodonnell
Free Fiction, The Voyage
140 Characters, Drabble, Philip, The Voyage
It took some time for the women to settle into their rooms. They had their own head, as Nathaniel called it, and two bedrooms and a little sitting room. It was palatial compared to the rest of the accommodations, but Lady Wilhelmina complained about everything. Nothing was right, from the size of the mattresses to the color of the draperies covering the porthole. Philip knocked on the open door and entered.
He could see the panic on his fellow steward’s face as the old woman tore about.
“The captain wishes to inform you that The Indomitable will be launching shortly. “
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May 9, 2015
hughjodonnell
Free Fiction, The Voyage
140 Characters, Drabble, Rosemary, The Voyage
It took two more sets of hands to manage the safe up the gangway and into the cabin. Rosemary followed behind, keeping a watchful eye, under the pretense of preparing the rooms for her mistresses. They were richly appointed, but small for staterooms, and Lady Wilhelmina would likely be cross the whole trip. The safe cluttered the space further, but there was no helping it. The Wendigo Diamond was to be a gift for the queen, and nothing could be allowed to happen to it during the journey. There had been so much tragedy surrounding the stone already, after all.
May 8, 2015
hughjodonnell
Free Fiction, The Voyage
140 Characters, Drabble, Nathaniel, The Voyage
A better dressed man met the two ladies and their maid while the porter and Henry gathered the bags. Nathaniel bowed and introduced himself as their personal steward for the journey. Wilhelmina took an instant dislike to him. This whole contraption was seemed less appealing the more she looked at it. But still, her granddaughter must go to London, and she begged to travel by air. At least, she hoped it would be smoother than a sea voyage. Behind her, the steward yelped.
“Is that a SAFE?” The boy had no sense of decorum. It would be a long trip.
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May 7, 2015
hughjodonnell
Free Fiction, The Voyage
140 Characters, Drabble, The Voyage, Wilhelmina
A disreputable-looking man in an ill-fitting coat opened the carriage door and Lady Wilhelmina exited the cab, resting heavily on her cane, which she didn’t really need, but the doctors were always fussing over her use. She scowled up at the massive white and gold (or was it blue and black?) craft, and the huge, sun-blocking gasbag that it hung from. Massive propellers turned lazily from the sides, flashing in the few scan rays of sunlight that reached them. “It doesn’t look like much, does it?” But behind her, Penelope gasped. She was entranced by the behemoth.
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May 6, 2015
hughjodonnell
Free Fiction, The Voyage
140 Characters, Declan, Drabble, The Voyage
Declan adjusted his gloves and waited for the carriage to come to a stop. He felt conspicuously uncomfortable in his new uniform, complete with top hat, coat, and gloves. He was glad for the morning’s chill, and the shadow of the massive envelope, because otherwise he would sweat wright through them, and not be able to lift a thing at all. He was just a dock rat from Welland. He had no business hobnobbing with ladies and gentlemen. But portering was a sight better than dock work, and they needed the money with Eliza pregnant again. He opened the door.
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May 5, 2015
hughjodonnell
Free Fiction, The Voyage
140 Characters, Drabble, Penelope, The Voyage
“Grandmother, please do sit,” Penelope Hamilton said, trying to hide her own excitement as best as she could. She was nearly eighteen, and ever so excited to travel, much less by airship. Her mother seemed less pleased with the prospect, but the Lady Wilhelmina was not about to let her youngest granddaughter travel abroad unsupervised. The old woman scowled and settled back into her seat. “It is not as though the ship can leave without us.” Her grandmother said nothing but her baleful gaze swept the compartment and made their maid, Rosemary squeak. Finally the carriage began rolling once again.
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May 4, 2015
hughjodonnell
Free Fiction, The Voyage
140 Characters, Drabble, The Voyage
The handsome made its way through the muddy streets of York, Canada to the Royal Airfield on a chilly but bright March morning. Henry pulled his furs a bit tighter against the wind and reigned in the team as they approached the gate. A cane rapping sharply against the roof and he suppressed a grimace.
“Henry are we finally arrived?’ He took a breath and contrived to keep his tone light, and subservient.
“Nearly there, Mum. But there is a queue at the gate, I’m afraid.”
“Well just go through them, that’s a good lad.” The driver sighed, and waited.
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