Eugene: Hello there, welcome to my story of the ship Titanic. *bows* I'm writing this in the memory of RMS Titanic, possibly the finest ocean liner in the world. Maybe even the biggest. Ok, so this is a Hetalia story here and I've seen people writing AmericaXEngland with the Titanic together (I'm not sure why), but to make mine different from others, it will be ReaderXEngland and it's different from the Hetalia retellings of James Cameron's movie. But don't worry, you'll meet some of the other countries along the way. The chappies started on the day Titanic sailed, while still ongoing during the 100 year streak (since she's about 100 years old now as I'm writing this). Anyway, while most of my writing's fiction, some of the stuff here will be non-fiction. Other than that, please enjoy. ONWARD WITH MY TITANIC READER-INSERT! RMS TITANIC: LOVE FOUND AND LOST AT SEA!

Monday. April. 8, 1912

London, England

The skies were starting to get a tad bit dark and it started to get cold as a spray of seawater was splashed in the docks. It looked dreary at a distance but nothing was dreary compared to what just happened.

"WHAT! WHAT DO YOU MEAN THE SHIP IS FULL?" You almost screamed at the top of your lungs.

"I'm sorry, lassie, but there's just too many passengers here waitin' to go to America." The short, crusty-looking captain tried to calm you down. "We ain't having enough room to ship one more- DARN IT, I MUST GO!" The funnels of the small ship shot out gray clouds of steam once more as the crew called out to their captain, saying that they must take off quickly. The ship sailed off quickly away from the Thames River and disappeared into the now-rising fog.

You just stood there in the dock, feeling quite upset. The now-expired boat ticket crumbled in your hand as you curled your right fist tightly. You see, your parents were not there with you here in London because they moved to The United States of America (or America for short), since they both got new jobs there. They had enough for two tickets to America on another ship, but unfortunately, they could not save enough money to take you.

So there they were, on another country at the other side of the Atlantic, while you had to stay at different places around London for quite a while. Even if you ended up all alone after that, for about a year now, your parents promised that once they saved enough money for your own ticket, you will be reunited with them. You stayed with your grandparents, sometimes you stayed with your aunts, uncles, and cousins, while other times, you would stay with one of your friends or schoolmates. Even with that sort of generosity, you cannot help but still sensing the loneliness.

While your parents were gone and you were staying with other members in your family, you would help out in whatever jobs needed employers, even if it required something like child labour (although it may have be abolished by now). You would also baby-sit or tutor younger children whenever time was spared. Heck, you even had to stop going to school (you will go again soon, once you return, that is) because of those things! The reason for doing so was because you had to save some money to buy a boat ticket so that you would go to America. The pay you received all those months were a little less than what you expected, but nevertheless, you managed to save enough for your own pass so that you can join your family there in New York City, the capital of the American state called New York. But now here you were, still in London (capital city of England) because the ship itself was now full!

To you, it seemed that the departure of the boat was the price of too many passengers and tardiness, but at this rate, it felt more like you're losing hope. Wondering where to go now, your eyes were distracted by a motorcar (a black Ford Model T) passing by. Inside, a stiff-looking man was driving someone to- wherever that person was heading. Somehow, you noticed that the person seemed quite familiar and felt as if he possessed something… quite inhuman. Without thinking rationally, you ran off after the automobile.

"HEY! HOLD IT RIGHT THERE! PLEASE DO STOP THIS MOTOR CAR!" You yelled after the driver, who in turn looked scared and tried to drive faster away from you.

"S-SLOW DOWN, THERE'S SOMEONE HERE THAT I WANT TO SEE-" You tried to pant out, but then grew tired from running so vigorously. After a few deep breaths, you took off your button-boots and your stockings so that they will not be so dirty before running off again.

It was trickier to run, of course, due to you running barefoot and all that. You had also tripped a few times, a habit of yours. But it became no use though, as it grew dark in the streets and you could not see the motor car anymore. Finding it difficult to see, you didn't realize that you fell down nearby a hotel somewhere and that you passed out from sudden exhaustion.

"….wake up. Wake up." You heard a man's voice now, somehow it sounded quite soothing until-

"BLOODY HELL! WAKE UP, YOU SILLY GIRL!" Now frightened, you instantly opened your eyes and you ended up flipping over, landing back-first on the floor.. from the bed? Funny, you do not remember being in a bed so.. fancy yet comfortable.

Confused, you now found yourself staring at a man, about his early twenties (actually, about twenty-three). He had sandy-blond hair that shimmered like wheat-gold in the light, fair pale skin, and bright green eyes that seemed to be like emeralds. You also noticed that his eyebrows looked quite thick at a distance, although it looked normal in your eyes. Right now, he seemed to look at you in what seemed to be in disbelief.

"What in bloody hell were you doing here, chasing after me?" The young man demanded, making you frightened again. You eeped and curled into a red-faced ball.

"P-Please do not y-y-yell at me, Mr.-" Realizing that you do not know this man in the first place, you peeked a little and squinted a bit hard. If he was the man who you were chasing after, then didn't he look… familiar? You took the time to try to remember who he was before finding the voice to speak again.

"Do you happen to be Mr. Arthur Kirkland?" You asked him curiously.

"Well, er… yes, but-"

"Or should I say, England?" You then cut him off with the next words, stopping him of his actions. He turned pale at this.

"How- How dare you, recognizing me as a country." He hissed, confirming that you were right. His hands looked as if he wanted to strangle you to death.

"My, uh-" You were not sure how to tell him, that you know that he's a mere country. Then it hit you. "I believe my parents had worked for you?"

The man, Arthur, or in your defence, England, froze again, his face now replaced by confusion, shocked at your words.

"My mother and my father-" You swallowed a bit of saliva before continuing. "they had to take your place at a few of your meetings with other countries when you would be too busy.. or sick. Clearly, they were the first and only, um, mortals that you allowed to take your place at such situations? They were Mr. [last name] and Mrs. [last name]. I am their daughter, [full name (first and last name)]. It is nice to meet you." England seemed surprised at your words but still, he continued to listen.

"My parents had told me about you and some of your, um.. acquaintances with other countries in this planet." You explained. Waiting for a reaction of some sort, England's face now changed from confused to a somewhat relieved look.

"So you do not mean harm to me?" He asked you. Embarrassed at that thought, you just shook your head.

"No, sir." Was all you could say. Then you heard a light chuckle from him.

"Well, then. I guess I do not have anything to worry about then.." That made you relax; he seemed safe enough. "But pray tell, what were you doing out there in the streets of London?"

"I-" Now that question made you quite a bit sad. You sniffled quietly, making England look at you in concern with his confused face again.

"My parents are in America and I was going to move there with them, but there was a problem with transportation." You tried to explain, hoping to not choke on your sudden tears. "I used to have a ticket to another ship to get there- but alas, the ship was too full to carry more passengers. However, I do think that it was just a excuse to not let me in alone… I must get there to America for yet another reason; I have a childhood friend of mine from across the sea." Everything you said was true, even the latter.

"And who that might be?" England raised his eyebrow.

"Alfred. Alfred F. Jones. He is an American; but he is actually the country of America, in case you were wondering. Alfred had also told me a bit about you." England's emerald-green eyes widened and his body looked stiff, not realizing that you know him as well (you knew more people than he would think). "He also has a brother… I believe his name is Matthew Williams, also known as the country of Canada. I knew them ever since I was a young child, before my parents started to work for you. Despite his personality, he was a dear friend to me. So not only my mother and my father are in America by now, but also Alfred as well; he has been helping them settle in New York City, which I will live in."

A minute of silence happened and you found out that talking about America made you realize that you missed him again as well as your parents. It went on like that until England spoke.

"So you knew them.. even before your parents worked for me?" He asked and you nodded. In England's breath, he said something that sounded like 'America, you bloody wanker.'

"….Yes, well.. but now I cannot reach any of them anymore! And I am the only one left!" You let out a wail as you ended up sobbing into your father's navy blue wool coat, the one with many functional pockets. It was not very loud, but certainly not the kind you would expect from a bratty child. It went on for a while, until to your surprise, England held you close for a bit and even stroked your hair in comfort.

"Shh.. it's ok, love. I know it must be hard…" He said to you softly in your ear. Then, as if you have some sort of magical senses, you felt that he had an idea.

"Well, I am about to be heading to visit America as well. For business, rather, as I will have a meeting with all of the other countries in about a week or so. Although, it may be also for pleasure, since I want him to be jealous and show off in the flashest way possible… anyway, one of the other countries, France,.." You felt him cringe at the mention of the country. "did gave me an extra ticket to a ship heading off from Southampton, but that frog must've been impatient, for he left to America's land early, leaving me behind with two tickets!" England then stood up and pouted a bit as he thought of that very day. You saw his cheeks puffed up with air. "But since I still have the tickets, it would be a shame for me to use one of them and waste the other one away…"

Then he turned to you and knelt down in front of your curled-up form. He said in a hopeful tone, "Miss [last name], how would you like to go to America with me?"

You absolutely cannot believe it; you, with England, the country of your birth and the young man you have only just met, heading off to America (excuse me, the land) together, and pretty soon, you'll get to see your family again. As well as America and maybe even Canada. This could be a great opportunity, possibly the only one in your life (at least that was what you thought).

You wanted nothing more! "I shall be delighted to!" Feeling a burst of happiness replacing your former emotions, you rose up to give him a heartfelt hug. From what England had received, you could've sworn that he blushed into a dark red colour.

"A-Ah, yes, of course." He then straightened himself up and you finally let go of him. "Then you shall meet me at Waterloo Station from the Underground tomorrow morning. Make sure you remember to pack your things and wear proper attire. But if you do not have that sort of clothing, well… I shall have to figure out something."

England then left the hotel (you later learned that he was currently staying at Claridge's) with you, as he offered to walk you back to where you had last stayed while your parents were gone. As he dropped you off to the house of one of your schoolmates (you were currently staying there at time) and you saw him leaving, the only things that went on in your mind were the fear of leaving London, your friends, and your family members behind and the excitement of seeing your parents and America again in a new land. It felt as if your feelings were hopping mad like a rabbit, changing every time.

Next stop, New York City!

Tuesday. April. 9, 1912

Waterloo Station, Onward from London to Southampton

After saying goodbye to your schoolmate (and promising to write along the way), you were on your way to your journey.

Fortunately for you, your schoolmate's house was close to the station, allowing you to walk there in only a couple minutes. You were carrying a carpetbag consisting of a few pieces of clothing, which were underclothes, stockings, a simple blouse, your favourite lilac-coloured dress, a gray skirt, a few sweaters, your navy blue coat, and a favourite book of yours. It was not much as people would've expected though, but since your parents had to take most of your other clothing and possessions with them to New York City, that was all you had left.

As you arrived to Waterloo Station, you searched around for England, wondering where could he be. You had to rush back and forth, finding your way around the place. It felt like a labyrinth.

You finally found him, wearing a crisp white button-down shirt (the one with long sleeves and buttoned-up cuffs), a black vest, an emerald-green tie, dark gray trousers, and polished black shoes. He was watching his luggage (He carried how many trunks? Three? Four?) being stowed away with the others when he saw you.

"Ah, Miss [last name], you're here." He greeted to you pleasantly, although you heard him sigh a little as he saw your current travelling outfit (you were wearing a blue long-sleeved dress, a smaller plaid coat [that one used to be your mother's] a pair of stockings, and your dependable button-boots while your hair was tied up into a simply elaborate bun and a pocket watch insude your pocket, the chain hanging loose). You were not sure why, but perhaps that in your eyes, a country like him must be in first-class, while someone like him may see you in second or third-class quite easily (the both being true).

Shrugging those kinds of thoughts in your mind, you asked him, "Is this train heading to Southampton?"

"It is. By next morning, we will take what is called 'the Boat Train' to our ship that will be heading to America." England explained.

"Really? I thought that there would be a large crowd of passengers here, since I have heard that the station can be busy in the morning until the late afternoon." You gestured to the people in the railroad station.

"Well, no; most of my citizens would also be taking the Boat Train the next day as well."

"Ah… I see."

At the railroad station, England paid for your ticket as well as his. As the two of you found seats, the train pulled out of the station and you took a last look at what was left of London as the train itself sped up. This would possibly be the last time that you would ever be in the city of your birth.

The train headed out from London to nearby towns and was now at the British countryside somewhere, speeding past bright green fields, colourful spring flowers, and every once in a while, you would see a quaint cottage or a slightly sprawling mansion tucked into the grass. It was truly beautiful, the countryside. You have never been out to the country very often, to tell you the truth, as most of your entire family lived from small towns to big cities such as London. A bit of fresh air wafted from the gap of the slightly sooty windows and it felt refreshing in your lungs.

Then as the trip went on halfway, you heard voices from the other passengers of the train. Most in whispers, but your hearing was strong enough to hear even the quietest voice.

"Which ship we're headin' to again?"

"The Titan- hold on, what was the ship called again?"

"Just agree that it's the finest ocean liner in the world, you git!"

"It is?"

"Yes. Apparently, I heard that it is also the largest. Maybe even the fastest."

"Well, it better be more comfortable than my own house…"

All those words had got you curious; what was the ship that they mentioned? Was it the one that you and England would be taking tomorrow? You tugged on the sleeve of England's shirt as he was looking at the scenery outside as well (but he was using the window on the other side).

"England- I mean, Arthur." You had to correct yourself quickly, realizing that if you call him by his country name, things would go quite badly. "You do know that you have not told me which ship that we will take. What is the name of the ship exactly?"

"The ship?" England asked you. As you nodded, he said. "Ah yes, the one that we will be taking, Miss [last name], is the RMS Titanic. The finest and the largest ocean liner in the world." He turned his view to the window again, not saying another word.

"So that must be the name… Titanic. Are we really taking that ship?" You cannot help but to wonder. Your thinking got cut short, however, as the conductor shouted out the name of the next hamlet.

Wednesday. April. 10, 1912

Southampton, The South Western Hotel, RMS Titanic

From what you could remember from the rest of yesterday, the trip went alright, as you found the chugs and whistles a little startling yet exhilarating as it moved. England fell asleep halfway though, making you think that he must've not slept much after he dropped you off from Claridge's last night and that he needs to catch some more sleep even after he just came here. Fortunately, he woke up in time as the train made it to Southampton and people began to get out of the train.

For most of the afternoon and the evening, you two had been staying at the South Western Hotel. The hotel itself was quite nice, although you remembered that Claridge's was probably fancier than this. You can smell the seawater there but you can scarcely see the quays, let alone the ships in the harbour beyond. This may be because the room that you and England were sharing a room that was low by elevation. Nevertheless, Southampton looked quite nice and you enjoyed watching the ships either leaving, arriving, or just passing by.

After you woke up, you heard the sound of running water from the bathroom. The door was slightly ajar and you peeked to find England washing up. Drying his face with a fluffy towel, he paused at his present action to find you standing at the door.

"Good morning, Miss [last name]. Did you sleep well?" He greeted.

"Well, not much at first. But I slept fine. I'm just about to wash up as well-" Your eyes then strayed to where your carpetbag used to be; it used to be by your bed, but now it was missing. "Pray tell, where is my carpetbag? It was here last night but-"

He held up a hand as a signal of silence. "Relax, I only put it inside one of my trunks for security." He pointed to one of the few trunks leaning on the wall. "The small one shall have to be yours, though, by the time we reach the Titanic."

"Why?" You just said. What England said had got you confused; why would he make you carry such a bigger object such as a trunk while your carpetbag was stowed away?

"Because," He hung the towel that he was using and kept his eyes on you as he explained. "the tickets that France bought are for first-class, as in rich and famous individuals. Since I am a country myself and that I have enough money as much as a first-class person, therefore, I have to be travelling in first-class. But since you are in- pardon me, but what class do you belong in?"

"Um.. second-class, I think?" You were unsure because to be honest, it was a tad bit hard for you to notice the second-class or the third-class. The first-class people were all easily noticeable though. After making that confirmation, you were definitely sure that you were in second-class.

England let out a small 'ah' before continuing. "Yet since you are accompanying me with me and you now have the other ticket, you must travel to first-class. However, the first-class are quite… well, extravagant, to put it that way. They tend to dress the best and therefore, you must do so as well. I have to put some clothing there that might be appropriate for first-class, yet they might also work well with your taste."

Keeping that piece of advice in mind, you went back into the room to check.

As you rushed over to a bigger trunk and opening it, you noticed that your carpetbag was there (thank god, you thought to yourself). Inside the small were other clothing that you have not seen before, except in some clothing stores from Savile Row. There was a pair of shiny black shoes with a small heel, petticoats, stockings, two high-necked blouses, two pairs of gloves (one pair was made of white lace), two hats (one was decorated with many ribbons and flowers while the other just had a ribbon band on it, the ends tied into a bow), a few coloured skirts, a white wool coat with black lining, a lacy nightgown with embroidered flowers, and three dresses inside. One dress was bright, blushing pink, another one in a paisley pattern, and the final one was, even though you cannot fully see it, made of silk in violet with silver lace at the trim, which you assumed that it was the fanciest of them all, as it will be used for special occasions on the ship. You thanked England as you made your way to the bathroom.

After washing up yourself and changing into the pink dress, one of the fancy petticoats, button-boots (the dress was long enough to hide them, anyway), the hat with the ribbon band, and the lace gloves (well, the first-class people would not want to see 'hideous convent discards' among themselves), you joined up with him for breakfast. As the two of you ate, you asked him many questions about Titanic herself. From what you heard from him (as well as the other people in the hotel who also appeared to be Titanic passengers), you have learned that 1. RMS means for 'Royal Mail Steamer' or 'Royal Mail Ship', which can also carry all sorts of mail and cargo, 2. Titanic, along with her sister ships, Olympic and Gigantic, were owned by the White Star Line and they were built in Belfast, Ireland (which England later stated that Ireland's one of his older brothers), and 3. Titanic was actually a new ship, recently built. Today will be her maiden voyage and many people were quite excited in all this commotion, something that you would notice from other people.

There would've been a lot more questions about the ship that you want answers for, but England politely informed you that once you get inside, they will all be answered. Well, most of them, anyway.

You and England then took the Boat Train, the two of you watching curiously as the train crossed Canute Road and approaching the quay. As the train stopped, it became more difficult to make your way through the crowd, as more people tried to get inside the ship (wherever it was at the moment). Trunks, bags, and overstuffed boxes were piled everywhere, making you wonder how would anyone in the world organize all this. By the time England had managed to find a less busy space to get into the ship, it cleared long enough to see her. The ship of dreams.

This was Titanic herself.

She was, well, there were many words to describe her really. But the best you could sum it up was that it was the biggest you had ever seen. From one end, you could see a great black hull and on the other end… it looked as if it stretched great enough that you cannot see the other end. It seemed to tower most of the buildings and it smelled a bit of fresh paint leftover from the last few days. Titanic looked mighty yet regal, just standing there. You would've thought that was impossible until now. Realizing that England was calling you over, you snapped out of your thoughts and headed right into the ship.

Luckily for you and England, the two of you were not late; in fact the ship was just about to leave for her maiden voyage. The luggage and the cabins (you assumed that was what sailors would call the rooms of the ship) would have to dealt later though. Everyone in the boat deck, the first, second, and third-class people were all packed together like a tin of Norwegian sardines. Finally finding more access in the B Deck, you saw people waving to the passengers below. Some threw flowers (either single or even full bouquets), some waved their hats or hankerchiefs, while others called out goodbyes. England just watched below while you waved with the others.

As soon as all of Southampton was gone, it occurred to you that you were now aboard the RMS Titanic, the finest ocean liner in the world, on your way to America!

Eugene: This may be the longest yet but it will get a bit shorter later on. Besides, this is only the beginning.

[Edit: I made a few edits here in case of... well, flamers and haters (more info later on).]

[Edit 2: Did more edits… and a few changes, including rewriting my previous notes. Hope you don't mind.]