A Guide to Navigation. (D.Gray-man, Bookman, Bookman Jr.)

[countlessuntruths]

Title: A Guide to Navigation.
Fandom: D.Gray-man.
Warnings: Nothing.
Characters/couples: Bookman, Lavi.
Summary: Five places Bookman and his apprentice were before they joined the order.
Rating: PG.
Notes: Written for cliche_bingo: Journeys and Quests.

A Guide to Navigation.
History is a guide to navigation in perilous times. History is who we are and why we are the way we are.
David C. McCullough

Whitechapel, England, 1888

Adrian does his best not to gag, but it's not easy. Even after five years with with Bookman, there are times when some things that still make an impact in his still too-human sensibilities.

Looking at a woman cut open, lacking some internal organs? Fall into that category.

But not for Bookman, no. He looks at her, even using his needles to poke at the prostitute's body. His frown is even deeper than usual.

"What is it, Bookman?"

Bookman shakes his head. "This woman was not cut open."

"... huh? Then how...?"

Bookman's face is grim. "Something went through her."


Constantinople, Ottoman Empire, 1890.

Sufjan and Bookman skim over the news, only pausing on what might be important, and then Bookman pauses, reads aloud: "A typhon sunk Ertuğrul, an Ottoman frigate," quiets again, his eyes moving lightning fast over the lines before he sighs: "Japan is lost."

Bookman finishes reading, though, before he looks up at him. "Change of plans. We're going to China. We need to find out as much information about this as possible, even though the Black Order will make it difficult."

Sufjan shrugs: "I'll get the tickets."

It's a shame, though. He had been looking forward to going to Japan.


New York, United States of America, 1893.

"But Russia?" Jeremiah groans, adjusting his scarf as he and Bookman take to the docks. "Gramps! Can't we go for once somewhere warm? What about Mexico? Or Brazil? I hate winters in Russia! We'll freeze!"

"The Tsar is sick," Bookman grunts, still walking ahead. "It's quite possible he won't last the year, boy."

While royal succesions are always interesting, Jeremiah is much more horrified about the other possibility.

"Please tell me we're not going to wait a whole year in Russia."

"Besides," Bookman smirks. "There is nothing interesting in economic depression as they happen. The best parts always come after."


St. Petersburg, Russia, 1894.

The Tsar has the audacity of living until _November_. Thankfully, they don't spend the whole ten months stranded in Russia, but they don't go much further than the German Empire: that with Chlodwig becoming the chauncellor even though he has one foot at the grave.

There is a war brewing, a not-so-quiet discomfort that runs deep through Europe, and it's very much there as Nicholas II becomes the Tsar.

"We're going to have a lot of work," Bookman says, drinking the last of his vodka.

Karl raises his own glass, and toasts. "For a long and prosper reign."


Naples, Italy, 1896.

"Awwwww, gramps! C'mon!" Deak begs. "It's something important as well! The first Games of the Modern Age! We could go to Greece, see the Games, catch up on some rumors, and then go to England as if nothing had happened!"

Bookman huffs. "Yes, because it's always so easy to make you get away from Greece."

Deak sighs. It's not really his fault Greece is his favorite place.

"It's time to go to the Order. We're leaving tomorrow."

Deak pouts. "You're not fun, Panda."

Well, the Black Order is supposed to have a huge library. That'll be entertaining, at least.



Notes:

1. Jack the Ripper and why yes, I'm implying that a Noah was Jack the Ripper.
2. As far as I remember, it hasn't been said how long has Japan been controlled by akumas, so I randomly decided that it happened in 1890. (If I'm mistaken and it has been said, please do tell)