Transatlantic Voyage (closed with Asobininryochan)

[Cherrybomb400]

Date: April 5th, 1867, two years after the Civil War ended
Location: New Orleans, Louisiana
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Leda had returned home from finishing school a month ago, and right away her father made plans of marrying her off. It upset her that she didn't really have a choice in the matter, but that was to be expected. Her mother couldn't be happier at the thought of a grand Southern wedding to get their minds off of the devastation of the war. However her father's plan had squashed her mother's merriment when he told them of their plan to secure the family's status or even possibly elevate it.

Other families had been finding their daughters or sons suitors up in the North, which wasn't a bad plan, but their father decided to take it a step further.... or rather an ocean further. He had planned for his son to take their daughter to Europe, in hopes of finding a suitable match from a wealthy family (or even nobility). This part Leda didn't mind so much, she had always wanted to travel, and it meant now that she and her brother would get to spend time together, as they did when they were children.

The carriage was already packed, and Leda was dressed in her traveling dress. It was grey with a high collar and lace trimming with small bits of white. Upon her head was a matching hat on top of her brown hair that was done up. Her green eyes glimmered with excitement as she and her brother big farewell to their parents, friends and family who appeared to see them off. Carefully she entered the carriage first.

 

[Asobininryochan]

Fernando thought it imprudent for Leda to travel; given her youth and delicate constitution (though only he expressed this opinion regarding the state of her health). However, their father impressed the importance of a match that may elevate them to the peerage. While his younger sibling received instructions to accept the hand of an affluent aristocrat capable of restoring their family’s future prospects, he quietly accepted similar encouragements to discover an heiress willing to transplant herself to the New World.

As brother and sister seated themselves within the carriage, Negro servants made final preparations as they secured their luggage to the conveyance. Sentiments for a safe voyage burst forth from the crowd of family and friends as the horses obeyed the command to proceed with their journey. With their home receding in the background, Ferdinand turned to his younger sister and asked, “Are you sanguine about this trip, sister?”

 

[Cherrybomb400]

The horses had started to pull the carriage forward, and Leda could not hide the smile on her face even if she tried. At school it was stressed that a woman should never let her emotions be so apparent, but seeing as she was with her brother and not a suitor, she saw no reason to hold herself back.

"Very much so," She replied. Looking at her brothers face, she thought that he looked so different from before she had left for school. Maybe it was just her imagination from being away from home for so long. "Mother wrote to me before that you had done some traveling before. Is this your first time leaving the country as well?" It felt strange talking to family in a way that felt like she was getting to know him all over again.

 

[Asobininryochan]

Fernando thought about his service in the Ninth Louisiana and prudently answered his sister’s question in the following manner: “I have, on one occasion, went as far as Pennsylvania. Though I mostly spent my time in Delaware.”

After surviving Gettysburg, he found his capture by Union forces rather embarrassing; an urgent appointment with an outhouse preoccupied his attention and subsequently caused him to delay his retreat. While the other members of his battalion effected their escape, when a relieved Fernando opened the outhouse door, he suddenly found himself admiring the pointed barrels of a Yankee patrol. (Thus, he remained as a guest of Uncle Sam at Fort Delaware for the duration of the War of Northern Aggression.)

As to her query about traveling outside the country, he added: “So, I suppose, I have traveled outside the Confederacy.”

 

[Cherrybomb400]

Leda listened to him as he spoke, and remembered that his travels were not of lesure but of duty. She and her family were glad of his safe return, not everyone was so lucky during the war.

The carriage ride had taken longer than she expected, but once they stopped, Leda peered out the window and looked at the large vessel they would be traveling in and she saw the mass of people who would be traveling with them. Soon the door to the carriage was opened and one of the footmen held their hand out for Leda to take as she picked up the front of her skirt and stepped out into the cobble stone ground. The wind lightly picked up and blew a her tendrils of hair that framed her face and the ribbons of her silk hat.

"Oh my..." This was it, her first adventure. She felt like one of the main characters from the books she would read, but this was real. It was really happening.

 

[Asobininryochan]

Her obvious buoyancy surprisingly affected Fernando’s spirits. His erstwhile foul humor seemed lifted as he admired Leda throughout their journey to New Orleans. Now, as they boarded their vessel, he turned to his giddy sibling and asked: “Should you not have brought a maid for this voyage, dear sister?”

 

[Cherrybomb400]

Leda paused for a moment at the question. "Are there not maids on the ship?" Her mother assumed that as they traveled the ship would accommodate their needs and then once they settled in Europe they would find temporary help... If there wasn't, that meant she would have to dress herself, which would be difficult with the under garments and many layers.

Soon they were taken to their cabin that they would be staying in, there luggage already placed in the room. There was one large room for sitting, and two rooms for sleeping which Leda thought they were smaller than expected but still lovely. The rooms were fully furnished and they even had a fireplace. She wondered if the fireplace actually worked or if it was only for show.

 

[Asobininryochan]

“Indeed,” Fernando reflected. As he did not purchase steerage for their voyage, the staff aboard the ship shall hopefully see to his sister’s needs. However, the issue of hiring on help must be addressed once they arrived in Europe.

After the porters transported their trunks; Fernando took the liberty of assessing his cabin. Then producing some required essentials from his luggage, he arranged them accordingly within the confines of his sleeping chamber. The task completed, he next crossed the room which he and Leda shared to reach the closed door of her sleeping quarters. Knocking on shut portal, he then addressed his younger sibling: “Leda, may I come in?”

 

[Cherrybomb400]

To Leda's relief, there were indeed maids to not only help her dress but assisted in unloading her luggage into her room. Once in her room, they changed her out of her traveling clothes and into day wear attire. She was now wearing a blue cotton dress with thin black stripes going down the dress that gave the illusion of an even slimmer waist (though that was mostly due to the corset). Once she was fully dressed, she heard her brother knock on her door.

"Just a moment!" Quickly the maid collected the clothing that she changed out of and put them away, then opened the door for him.

 

[Asobininryochan]

Speaking past the servant just finishing with dressing Leda, Fernando addressed his sister: “I hope you’re decent.” Indeed, he observed that the dress she wore complimented her figure as he entered her room.

Fernando thought himself possessed of a strange peculiarity as he admired his sister. Her body greatly differed from the girl that saw his regiment depart for Virginia. Indeed, the narrowness of her waist accentuated her generous bosom and he chastised himself for appraising Leda in such a manner as he spoke in order to focus on other matters: “What would you like to do before dinner?”

 

[Cherrybomb400]

A smile spread across her face as she replied to his question. "I would like to walk on deck and see the water." She looked forward to seeing the land getting further from them. She pulled on a pair of shirt lace gloves, wrapped her shawl around herself and picked up a parasol.

Once she was ready to go out for their stroll on deck, she waited in case Fernando wanted to collect his hat (though it wasn't required). Leda wondered if when she was married if she and her husband would travel a lot together. She hoped so. She hoped that she liked him and was handsome as her brother. Was it strange to acknowledge ones sibling as handsome? She didn't think so.

 

[Asobininryochan]

“Excuse me, while I make myself ready for our excursion.” Fernando spoke as he withdrew to his cabin. Retrieving his swordstick and straw hat (a gift which Leda presented to him shortly before their departure from home) Fernando collected his sister in time to wave those ashore farewell.

Remarkably, those on deck mistook him and Leda as a married couple. While he desired to correct their error, the pleased expression on her countenance persuaded him to keep his peace. With arms intertwined, they took their constitutional as their vessel sailed into the Gulf of Mexico. When Leda leaned into his shoulder, the opportunity to tease his younger sibling caused him to whisper the following into her left ear: “I do believe that many onboard think we’re newlyweds.”

 

[Cherrybomb400]

All the while Leda kept smiling as they strolled along the deck with other passengers. They were able to see that abourd the ship there were other forms of entertainment such as shuffle board, a game area where one could play chess and cards. Leda also took note of some of the looks people were giving them. Nothing offensive, but when her brother spoke, it made sense.

She turned her head to him and smiled, "Then I am lucky to have such a handsome assumed husband." She meant it as a tease back, but she wondered if they really could play off a couple with no one the wiser.

 

[Asobininryochan]

Daring to go father with their deception, Fernando kissed his supposed spouse in the cheek. He next returned his lips to her ear; lightly biting her earlobe while tightly hugging Leda as he submitted the following scheme: “Perhaps we should carry on the ruse for the duration of the voyage and pretend to be husband and wife?”

 

[Cherrybomb400]

Leda giggled softly at the feeling of Fernando nipping at her ear. She brought her open parasol lower to conceal them as they conspired. "How deceptive of you Mr. Delcamp." The gleam in her eyes showed that the idea seemed amusing. "However, I supposed one could say it will be good practice until I meet my future husband." Her head tilted to the side, low enough to rest on his shoulders.

"It reminds me of when we were children and we would play. It's a shame things always change. I should like to be that same care free child with flowers in her hair again." Leda sighed softly. "Yet duty calls..."

 

[Asobininryochan]

Concealed within the relative privacy of Miss Delcamp’s parasol, Fernando took greater license with his sister. “Then you wouldn’t mind giving your husband a kiss,” he softly spoke as his lips met Leda’s mouth. The thrilling sensation left him quite ecstatic and he visibly blushed when he elected to end their osculation.

 

[Cherrybomb400]

Leda had not expected her brother to kiss her. She blushed intensely, happy that no one could really see her face. Was her brother always so bold? Did he not realize that man had ever touched her lips with theirs before? It wasn't what she expected her first kiss to be... But it was nice. Still, Leda was at a loss for words.

 

[Asobininryochan]

Suddenly bashful of his decision kiss his little sister, Fernando cheeks flushed as brightly as Leda’s countenance. (Indeed, whilst courting the young ladies of New Orleans, he never presumed to kiss any of them in public.) However, his familiarity with Leda allowed him to act in a most unseemly fashion; and he broached the following query in order to ascertain her state of mind: “Did you enjoy that, Mrs. Delcamp?”

 

[Cherrybomb400]

It seemed like her brother wanted to continue playing, even though it was clear on both of their faces that the Kiss may have been going over board. Still, they couldn't go back to acting like siblings now. What if someone saw them?

"Yes, husband. Perhaps next time, maybe we shouldn't be so imprudent in front of the other guest and save that for private moments." She kept hold of his arm as continued to stroll.

After walking along the deck, Leda suggested they play games. Her brother had shown her how to play chess, which she was bad at first but quickly took to the strategic game. There was also activities set up for guests. For a brief time, Leda and her brother did separate as she joined other female passengers for activities designed for the fairer sex and then the men had their own as well. Leda learned that she was not the only newly wed there (well, not really but they didn't know that) and the ladies started to talk about the wedding night. Leda blushed. She was raised believing that women did not speak of such things in open company, but no one else seemed bashful... She listened as she learned a lot more than what she had known before coming in.

Every night on the ship there was diner with dancing. Leda had changed into an evening gown. It was another blue dress, this time it was light blue with flowers and frills and white long gloves. The top of her dress exposed her shoulders and neck, which had a small white choker around it. Again her hair was done up with accessories. The maid had even applied a touch of rouge to her cheeks and bosom. Her lips were painted with a hint of red.

 

[Asobininryochan]

A mixture of emotions warred within Fernando’s heart. While aroused by the application of rogue to her complexion, the idea of his sister presenting herself as some Turkish odalisque almost made him chastise Leda for her licentiousness. However, the portion of his person that desired to feast upon the visage of her exposed upper bust censured the other half into silence. (Indeed, he wondered, if the maid who attended Leda also colored her nipples with the rogue that now graced her lips.)

As he extended his arm toward his youthful sibling, dressed in appropriate evening attire and ready to escort Leda for a night of dining and dancing; Fernando asked his pretend spouse: “Shall we first have supper or inaugurate this night with a visit to the ballroom?”

 

[Cherrybomb400]

Leda took her 'husband's' arm and as they left their cabin, she replied that she wanted to see the ball room first. And that is exactly where they headed.

Leda felt exactly like a princess from a fairy tale. Everyone was dressed impeccably and the room was gorgeousness. There were lavish Crystals every where that the lights hit and shattered around the room. There was also a small band that was playing music. A procession of dancing had already started. The movements were rather fast and festive. Partners were being traded and returned, and Leda wanted to join in.

 

[Asobininryochan]

Perceiving his sister’s desire to participate in the festive activity that pervaded the ballroom, Fernando faced Leda and once more extended his hand to his sibling. As he bowed before the woman whom everyone knew as Mrs. Delcamp; Mr. Delcamp asked, “Would you do me honor of dancing with me, Mrs. Delcamp?”

 

[Cherrybomb400]

Leda beamed brightly when her brother asked her to dance. The two joined the festivities and danced a few dances. Leda was enjoying herself being Mrs. Delcamp, and smiled even more every time her brother addressed her as such. Everyone really thought they were a couple. Just without the wedding. Would she enjoy being really married as much as she enjoyed pretending?

Soon the music changed to a waltz, and her brother took her in his arms. Her hand rested on his strong shoulder as the other was held in his hand. Leda could smell the hint of cologne he was wearing. Her heart felt as thought it was fluttering. The dance was very intimate and if she hadn't already been wearing blush, it would have been appearing on her cheeks.

 

[Asobininryochan]

Waltzing across the dance floor with Leda in her arms, and her bosom pressed snugly against his chest, produced an unwanted effect upon Fernando’s manhood. Imperceptibly, his penis transformed from a flaccid organ to a tumescent erection that surely his sister felt through the fabrics of her dress. Furthermore, to add to the excruciating experience, her perfume compelled Mr. Delcamp to incline his head and inhale her luxurious aroma. Fortunately, he donned a pair of gloves for the occasion, which hid his perspiring palms from his sister.

Of course, another involuntary result of Leda’s inadvertent seduction lay in the way he held onto the ingenuous Mrs. Delcamp. Initially, Mr. Delcamp placed his hand on her back, but gradually, he began caressing her backside. The ardor of his fondling became quite evident when he unconsciously grabbed one of her cheeks with enough force to elicit a response from his dancing partner. Ashamed by his behavior, Fernando pressed his lips to one of Leda’s ears and said: “I do hope that you’ll accept my apology, Mrs. Delcamp.”

 

[Cherrybomb400]

Leda had gasped when she felt his hand upon her derriere, which was feat given all the layers. She blushed tremendously, and she could see the embarrassment on his face which included her to forgive him easily. "Of course, Mr. Delcamp... What sort of wife wouldn't forgive her husband's... masculine nature?" Leda had never flirted before, and she wasn't sure if she was even doing it right. After the words left her lips, she had thought about what the women had been speaking about earlier... And then for a moment she wondered what would happen once they were alone...

Probably nothing. They were after all sleeping in separate rooms after all.