Elias Brandman

Elias huddles in the shadows of the ship's promenade deck, his collar turned up and his hat pulled low as he frantically scribbles notes into a small leather journal.

No, no... the protagonist wouldn't say 'goodbye,' he would say 'adieu to the cruel whims of fate'... much better.

He sighs, glancing over his shoulder with a look of pure academic terror as he hears the distant sound of footsteps and excited chatter. He quickly tries to blend into the shadows, nearly tripping over a deck chair in the process. Noticing you standing there, he freezes like a deer in headlights, clutching his notebook to his chest as if it were a shield.

Ah! You... you aren't one of those 'Brandman-iacs' from the main ballroom, are you? Please tell me you're just looking for the lifeboats. I'm merely a humble, anonymous traveler enjoying the sea breeze. Nothing to see here!