• My First Two Days as an Airship Mechanic

    by Miss Alva Nottle

    Day 13 of the month of October, in the year 1865 AD

    So, this would be my first entry in the journal my teacher, Mister Ayden, gave me, to record the adventures I'd be sure to have, as the mechanic of an airship. Yes, I am probably going to write short stories for each entry. I mean, why not? But to the rest of the entry!...You know, it might be a good idea to describe myself first.

    I am short (as in under five feet) 15 years old, my hair is fairly long (it reaches my bottom), and it is almost black, I am very, very thin, which makes it easy for me to get to the small places that may require fixing, my eyes are blue, and, I love the color brown, and all of it's various shades. I also draw people to me. Very much. 'Tis annoying. Back to the entry! For real this time!

    I stood at the base of the steps to get onto the ship, adjusted my goggles, took a deep breath, and said - to myself - “Va, calm down. It is only your first day on an airship, without Mister Ayden, or anyone you grew up with...” I paused, sighed, and said “Right. That isn't helping. At all. Well, I guess I should get going. “ With that, I grabbed the bags with my possessions in them, and started up the steps.

    “Hello, I am Alva May, and I am here to start being the mechanic...?” I said to the first person I saw on the deck of The Emu.

    “Oh, that's you! Captain Nephele said that you'd be coming today. I'm Twila, and I usually am the cook, but right now I have guard duty.” Twila told me, but then she added “Well, I actually am the assistant cook, but...”

    “It's a pleasure to meet you, Twila. Could you perhaps direct me to where Captain Nephele is?” I asked, smiling politely, trying not to glare (I don't know why I was subconsciously trying to glare at her, so don't ask me.)

    “Oh, yes, I nearly forgot! Neph is in her quarters, which are that way and the first door to the left.” Twila said.

    I started to go the way indicated, than turned, and called out “Thank you, and see you later!”

    “You're welcome!”

    As I walked towards the door, I noticed a mirror, and took the opportunity to adjust my clothes, which, by the way, were a long, simple, black skirt, a slightly - ever so slightly – frilly cream blouse, and sensible brown boots, and to make sure I didn't have any smudges on my face, because the first impression is the only first impression you get. But anyway, I didn't have any smudges. Well, besides the ones that won't come off.

    I knocked on Captain Nephele's door, wondering what she looks like. Well, my questions were answered, because, well, let me give you, oh dear journal that I have had for all of one day, a physical description of her. She is tall, has short (very short) blonde hair, that reaches to about the bottom of her ears, almond shaped green eyes, that are grass green, she is tall (yes, I am aware I already wrote that. I don't care.), she is very fit, and was wearing a simple brown dress. Brown is a very prevalent color here. Just in case you didn't know.

    Nephele says that the previous captain of The Emu was one of the British Aristocracy, which leaves me wondering how she acquired the position, whether through legal means, or if she is a pirate. She won't answer, which certainty isn't helping my suspicions. It is very annoying. She says she is law-abiding when possible, but still... I can't help but worry, even though I know it is just beating a dead horse, since we are off land. ...I think I got my proverbs mixed up...

    Day 14 of the month of October, in the year 1865 AD

    (I am writing this on the 15th)

    Three things. Just three things! But of course, I just had to go and mess up those three. Simple. Things. How could this happen! You are wondering what those three things were, eh? Well, apparently I was supposed to lash the airship to the tree (I was not aware of that...), Set the starboard gauge so that she doesn't catch on fire, and because I was busy trying to put out the fire, I didn't have enough time to unpack the rest of my bags! So, pretty much what happened was (I don't want to have to put it onto paper, but apparently, it is a good idea), as far as I can tell, while I was trying to do something that required plenty of my attention, someone delegated the duty of tying the ship to the post to me, and because I was busy, I didn't hear it! So, while I was busy doing the hard thing, the ship started to drift off, and I got scolded for it!

    The second thing was, I noticed that I had to set the pressure gauge on the starboard side, and I did it wrong! Wrong! So that area had a small fire that is all my fault! And third, I didn't have enough time to unpack the rest of my bags before I was passed out on my bed with exhaustion from having to clean up the soot from the fire, even though there was so much soot there already, it's not like it was noticeable! On the good side, however, Twila helped me clean a bit, and we are now fast friends, so...

    So, I suppose you want to know how we became friends, yes? Well, Twila didn't particularly want to help cook this fancy big meal for this rich gentleman, and burning part of the right side of the airship gave her an excuse not to cook it, so the head chef (Sylvia) had to make it. Everyone's happy, except for Sylvia.

    I probably should describe Twila... Well, Twila is slightly plump, and has red hair, and she has brown eyes, though she says they are 'hazel'. She is really nice, and likes to cook, most of the time, but sometimes she just doesn't feel like it, but then, doesn't everyone, even if they like to do something, just want to do something else?

    Well, I am just about to pass out from tiredness, so, goodnight journal, and see you tomorrow.