Cautiously.

"These steps aren't very slippery" 

m stated as Lottie acknowledged, giving one step a sweep to test

"Saltwater" 

Cuthbert answered matter of factly 

~ 

The entrance abruptly swung open above them, causing all three to stop in their tracks. 

From the opening, sprung a figure, that of a very tall, thin, bespectacled, dark skinned wearing what appeared to be a hat? Upon closer inspection, it appeared that this was perhaps his hair, an unnatural dark blue with a purple hue, or vice versa, with a texture that could possibly be described as metal coils meets seaweed? 

"Good day" 

he enthusiastically yelled in a hard to place accent, cotney twang maybe?

~

Entering this boat, lay ahead a sight to behold.

Decor that cold easily be described as, bold.

Bright yellow walls of anaglipta featuring bananas, lemons and smiley faced suns. A thick green fluffy carpet throughout, visible through all the open doors that would clearly have trouble shutting, and a large group imagine framed above the furthest wall, hanging above what looked like a royal throne.

The room they were rushed into proved consistency, identical to the hallway, only with the addition of seating,  deckchairs.

Lottie frowned, just slightly.

" I apologise for the... lack of comfort"

the host said as he approached from behind, fluffing a flat cushion, creating a dust cloud in the process which Lottie waved away

"I wasn't quite expecting female company, and certainly not one so glamours"

he added, earning a slight chuckle out of Lottie 

"and where are my manners, my name is..."

the host trailed off as he winced a little, visible through his exceptional thick large lenses that appeared to magnify his eyes dramatically, erasing any white

"Louve, Louve Hertz"

he managed as he extended a gentle hand to the lady

"Charlotte.. preferably Lottie, it is a pleasure to meet you"

she responded as she gently grasped his finger tips

Louve turned his attention to Derek next,  slipping away from Lottie 

"Louve" 

he greeted 

"Derek Porter"

he responded in a firm handshake, firm on his side anyway, as ....  gasped the moment he squeezed, he had certainly crushed Louve's hand

He made frightened eye contact with the host, looking into those enlarged, deep blue corneas way too long.

'does he even have pupils?' 

... though

'and wait a minute...' 

he added to his inner monologue as he gazed at the hosts face some more, not quite pin pointing the additional oddity 

Reluctantly, he slowly panned down to the hand he held and sure enough, it was crushed, or squished rather, resembling a rubber glove that had been pumped half way with of air some time ago. 

Perhaps strangest of all was the lack of reaction, no apparent pain at all?

"That's some handshake you have"

Louve finally replied with a slight laugh, as he slipped his flexible hand away easily

~

Louve finally turned to the captain, extending his hand, but just as his lips parted, the man before him abruptly spoke.

"May I have a word in private?" 

he sort of asked?

"Um... certainly"

Louve responded with uncertainty, hand still hanging as Cuthbert walked past him and out into the hallway

To his side, Lottie glanced uncomfortably towards Derek, who offered a scowl at the scene before him. 

Lottie then glanced back towards the host, who had turned towards the two.

"Still, this vessel is far from refined, I must make changes to it"

he frantically began, addressing Lottie in a conversation, continuing their chat from earlier perhaps as he gestured for her to sit at the built in bench as the window, barely visible as this way wallpapered too, with matching cushions.

Lottie accepted the offer, it appeared more comfortable than that single cushioned deckchair that was offered to Derek.

"I shall return"

~

"Let's get straight to the point boy!"

Cuthbert demanded as Louve entered into the chosen room, a control room.  Cuthbert dragged the door closed, a fair share of effort went into this feat

"It's 1928, I know this year is important to your lot"

The host walked towards a bookshelf, a pleasant break in the design scheme, before turning to look to Cuthbert.

 His friendly face had dropped already to that of a somewhat sarcastic expression of a slight smirk and subtle raised brow. He crossed his arms.