[hr][hr][center][h1][i][b][color=b8860b]Reginald Keystone[/color][/b][/i][/h1]
[img]http://33.media.tumblr.com/76ca11af5771405a055ca9291e9e4b2b/tumblr_nvhilyU39J1qcxymno4_500.gif[/img][/center]
[hr][center][color=b8860b][b]Location:[/b][/color] Egyptian Museum
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	The Lord Major looked to William incredulously, hearing what he had to say on the matter of equipment for an archaeological dig. He was no expert in the subject, but being in Vera's presence for the past few years had exposed him to the more subtle actions of one pursuing artifacts from ancient civilizations, particularly this one, buried beneath shifting sands and alluvial soils. There was no way that this man, a professional in the subject, knew less than the Lord Major. This had to be an attempt at humor. 

	[color=b8860b]"Now Mr. Drake, I do believe the Lady Munn suggested that you lend your expertise outfitting a [i]proper[/i] dig, sir. Proper. I've suspicion that we shall require sundries more delicate than "picks and shovels". Nonetheless, I'm certain this jocularity is birthed of the stresses of an overwhelmingly unusual evening; as events prior prevent me from [i]giving[/i] you my pardon outright, I might at least [i]lend[/i] it to you on this occasion. With your leave, sir."[/color] 

	Reginald turned to exit the room, hopefully pulling the others in tow (except for the two Vera had requested stay to assist). He paused for a half moment to address Aziza's concern of escort. [color=b8860b]"Positively, madame. The good Sergeant is more than welcome to attend. In fact, I insist."[/color] His voice grew louder, as if expanding his audience to include the whole room, [color=b8860b]"Point of order, I should insist that we [i]all[/i] give the Lady and her entourage of intellectual and technical expertise room to operate. As I said, I shall be hosting the Afters, of sorts, in the courtyard. Lovely view of the Nile, under guard by proper soldiery. If you have a competing offer elsewhere, then by all means..."[/color]

	The Lord Major stopped, seemingly stunned. Vera had moved toward the door for the purposes of asking the Curator something pertinent to the topic at hand, only to be stopped by yet another newcomer to the party. A younger man, that obviously knew Vera with more than passing familiarity. His actions, his words; these were things that would make Reginald threaten violence and admonish later on, whether or not it came to blows. Instead, he took a moment and stood transfixed, staring at the man with his mouth still open, mid-sentence. 

	His brain endeavored to process what he was seeing, even as his mouth tried to continue the thought that was now utterly lost on him. [color=b8860b]"...by all means... I, ah... No. No, I've finally gone and pickled myself then, haven't I?"[/color] The old man looked lost, even senile as he spoke nonsense in a quiet voice. [color=b8860b]"You positively cannot be you. I saw you..."[/color]

	It took the Lord Major a good moment to understand that he was not crazy, nor was he dead, nor was this a vengeful spirit, come to torture him in his waking world for transgressions past. It was confirmed when he heard his adoptive niece breathe the man's name aloud: Peter. Reginald snapped back into reality, taking in the scene with as much objectivity as he could muster. A smile slowly formed upon his face as he allowed the facts unfolding in front of him. Abruptly, and without explanation, he exploded into joyous laughter. [color=b8860b]"Ha HAAA!!! By Jove, old boy. You're a ghost! Come along there lad! It's HUGGIE TIME!"[/color] 

	Quite possibly ruining whatever moment Peter and Vera might have been experiencing just then, Reginald rushed forward, grabbing the both of them up into a great, sweeping hug. They lifted from the ground, in ground zero of the blast of the Lord Major's continued, unabated guffawing. He almost seemed to dance, the old man twirling the both of them around once, a bear-like grasp holding them to himself. The action inferred that the Lord Major was still fairly burly, despite other evidence hidden underneath the bulk of age. 

	He set them both back down in more or less the same spot they were prior to his attack, pure joy beaming from the man. [color=b8860b]"Quite apologetic, Lady Munn. But you!"[/color] he redirected his attention at the newcomer, [color=b8860b]"You are [i]dead[/i], sir. Quite dead. Monumentally dead. We had a memorial, you see. There were fistfights. Your father, the old codger, and I went round for round in the gardens, more than half inebriated from "In Memoriam" toasts. We were not the only ones, either. You are dead, Peter."[/color]

	[color=b8860b]"Whatever is a dead man doing in Cairo?"[/color]