[hr][hr][center][img]http://fontmeme.com/embed.php?text=Deeper%20Than%20The%20Sands:%20Chapter%20One&name=prinp___.ttf&size=30&style_color=f7976a[/img][hr][img]http://www.egy.com/P/palaces/kasrelnil-1.jpg[/img][hr][@Pundii] [@Morose] [@FantasyChic] [@Nallore] [@Sigil] [@ONL][hr][/center][hr]

	Aziza sat there with Harry, her hands resting in her lap as she crossed her legs and listened to what the man had to say. She had heard Reginald speak of his lost nephew before during their talks. It was one of the things they had in a way bonded over during their years of friendship. Reginald was the only one in the city she had opened up to about her son and the loss she felt not having him at her side. Reginald had obviously missed, in his words, favorite nephew. She could start to understand why. The man reminded her a lot of Reginald; the way he carried himself, the fact he was a pilot (obviously following in his uncles footsteps), even the way he looked made her believe that Peter was probably very close to how the Lord Major looked when he was much younger. It was clear the two had been very close. 

	Sitting up slightly in his seat Peter looked around for a moment, taking note that the man that had tried to drill him earlier was jotting something down. Josephine's words rang in his mind; [i]he's a journalist[/i]. Great, that was all he needed was some pencil pushing pansy (say that three times fast) sticking his nose into his past. It wasn't that Peter felt he had anything to hide but the government had made it clear that there were certain things that were not to be discussed to people outside of certain ranks. There was also the fact that he had survived hell in a sense and he had the scars to prove it. It was not something he wanted to speak about, especially to strangers only wanting to cash in on his misfortune. It was just... [i]rude.[/i]

	Hearing the mention of medals made Peter's stomach turn. When he returned to London, there had been medals; awards, titles granted, and more. Each one left a bad taste in his mouth, as did his promotion. It was as if they were giving him accolades just because he took fire and managed to get out with his ass in one piece. (More or less) He never wanted any of it, he just wanted to now pursue the things he truly loved in life, not to be forever reminded of the worst years of his life. He had thought his previous title of the realm was a mouth full enough - Lord Peter Reginald Keystone, Second Son of the Earl Of Sussex. One joining the Kings forces for the war his title grew... Lord Peter Reginald Keystone, Second Son of the Earl Of Sussex, Lieutenant of His Majesties Royal Air Force. Now, it was just laughable... Lord Peter Reginald Keystone, Second Son of the Earl of Sussex, Captain of His Majesties Royal Air Force; DFC (Distinguished Flying Cross), MC (Military Cross), DSO (Distinguished Service Order), VC (Victorian Cross).... It was a mouthful and then some and Peter loathed it. All he ever wanted to be was Peter Keystone, Husband and Architect. Was that too much to want? 

	Seeing his uncle nearly blurt out his words Peter turned his attention back to Reginald and shook his head. [color=82ca9d]"Don't be preposterous my good uncle. There was nothing to do. Your assumptions about my demise were well and logical and you could not have risked the lives of the rest of the squadron even if you had thought I still drew breath. It is in the past now and that is where I wish to keep it,"[/color] he said in a rather firm tone but there was a look of reassurance in his features as he looked at his uncle. Aziza's lips thinned as her vision turned to Harry, she knew he had fought in the war and was there to listen if he wished to speak but he rarely spoke of it. It seemed to be the way of things for those that had served. Reaching out she rested her hand over Sgt. Walsh's and gave him a gentle squeeze. She wasn't sure how he would feel being in the barracks like this, people training off in the distance, every so often the sound of a rifle firing as someone honed their skills. 

	Looking over at Lauren, Peter smiled some what and nodded towards her. [color=82ca9d]"I do hope she was elated as I was to see her again. I have missed her dearly,"[/color] he said before resting the tip of his cane into the dirt below his feet and pushing himself into a standing position. Taking a breath he rested both his hands on the top of his cane and looked at his uncle as he prepared drinks for the group. [color=82ca9d]"And I am most elated to hear it dear uncle. I have one simple request,"[/color] Peter said as he stood there and tightened his grip on his cane. He had come to Egypt for some very specific reasons. The foremost was reconnecting with his uncle, the man he looked up to and admired above all. 

	He had seen his mother and father, the rest of his family while in London. Spent time with them and learned what his Uncle had been up to over the past years. One tid bit had struck his interest more than others; the fact that now because of the deaths of Vera's parents and her uncle that his Uncle Reginald was now her Guardian. It had fallen to his father but he did not want to be associated with what the man called a half breed and passed the responsibility down to Reginald. 

	[color=82ca9d]"I have come to seek your approval,"[/color] he said as he looked towards his uncle. [color=82ca9d]"I wish to begin the courtship anew for Vera's hand in marriage."[/color]

	Aziza lowered the drink she had been sipping on, her eyes widening a bit. That was a hell of a reason to come trasping all the way to Cairo from London. She recalled Reginald vaguely mentioning that his nephew had found a woman he wished to wed right before he left for the war and wondering what would have happened if he had survived the war. It seemed that Peter was there to pick up right where he left off. Thinking back to the museum, Vera had seemed a bit off but Aziza had taken that because she thought she was talking to a dead man. Was this the promise Peter had referred in Lady Munn's office? The one that had made the woman whisper [i]oh dear...[/i]? Looking away from the Keystone family her eyes traveled to Harry, taking a breath as she worried to how he was holding up in these conditions. 

	[color=a187be]"Perhaps it would be a good time to turn in for the evening? We can always eat at the hotel,"[/color] Aziza said quietly towards Lauren and Harry. 

[hr][center][img]http://fontmeme.com/embed.php?text=Vera%20Munn&name=DXTA_TRIAL.ttf&size=100&style_color=f7976a[/img]
[img]http://66.media.tumblr.com/36b454a70b42f8c56d8b01bbcf6fce04/tumblr_inline_nafl8dVUtg1rpd5fo.gif[/img][hr][b][i][color=f7976a]Location: [/color][/i][/b]Egyptian Museum[/center][hr]	

	Vera let out a noticeable breath as everyone departed the room. She was glad that William had not mentioned the kiss that Peter had placed on her hand or the mention of a promise. It was not exactly something she wanted to speak about right then, especially not to Mr. Drake. Not with the tension between them. They could be at each others throats constantly and then every so often it seemed like the world stopped between them and there would be something. A hint of concern, of caring. Granted it was always gone as quickly as it had come but it had left Vera wondering just why more than one night. Was there more between them or was just they were tired of fighting for a time? Either way, discussing her non-existent private life with Mr. Drake was not on her "looking forward" to list. Especially not concerning Peter.

	Peter sought her out when she was younger. Yet she felt he was only doing it because of duty, honor, pity, and the fact he was going off to war. He wouldn't be the first man to chase a woman because he thought there was nothing past that day. Shortly before he shipped off to the war he told her that he intended to enter into negotiations for her hand with her father. Vera stopped him. She told him that if he still wished to seek her hand when he returned from war that she would promise to consider it; as long as he promised to return. When the notice of his death came she felt torn apart, wishing she had told him yet if only so he had that when he died. Yet these years later, she never expected him to return and more so hold her to it. 

	Especially now. He was a war hero, returning from the dead. He needn't settle on the [i]on the shelf[/i] Spinster Librarian Half Breed now... It was obvious that Peter could still turn a head if Josephine was any indication. Granted that woman fluttered about the place as if she owned nearly every man in the place. She had come in with Mr. Elvsgaard, then beelined it right for Mr. Drake, back to Haakon, then to Peter (while he had Vera in his arms no less!), then back to Mr. Elvsgaard once again. Three men in the bat of an eye. It was a rather tartish attitude and she even seem happy to be thought of as a prostitute. [i]Americans[/i]...

	Hearing Williams voice creep in about how he thought they would never leave once the room was cleared Vera let out a rather loud scoff. [color=f7976a]"And here I thought a rake like yourself was welcoming to the harlots advances,"[/color] Vera let slip before she realized what she had said. Her lips thinning she was glad that Lady Kingston was now speaking of more logical things, like magical lights, brandings, and mathematics. Turning on her heels, her skirt flaring out a bit she stepped back over to Nora and cocked a brow. 

	[color=f7976a]"Lord Peter is well earned of his reputation in the world of mathematics but the man has been through so much I would assume and I could not bring myself to bother him in such times,"[/color] Vera said, not mentioning that it would mean spending a lot of time alone with the man and she doubted he wanted to talk mathematics with her unless it was about [i]multiplication[/i]. Clearing her throat she forced her chin to lift. [color=f7976a]"Besides, to be a woman in any field outside of the home tells me that you are just as capable if not more so than the Lord Captain. It would be a honor to have you assist me in this. Bluestockings must stick together,"[/color] she added as she looked down and started to rummage through her uncles papers. 

	[color=f7976a]"Oh yes, here it is. I had translated it from the hieroglyphics to Kings English but it still has made no sense to me. This is a rubbing of the original walls my late uncle found. Perhaps there is something in it that you can make sense of for I have had no luck now has any I have sought council from. Each saying it is beyond them to decode because of the unknown mathematical equations. Egyptians in ancient times, especially architects, were notoriously secretive of their equations. These are by the High Pharohs most trusted, Imotep,"[/color] Vera said as she handed over the original rubbings. Sadly they were not as detailed as one would like but there was something to them. 

	[color=f7976a]"The museum has some of the tiles from the original dig site but they are in deep storage, if you will give me a moment I will see if I can retrieve them. Mr. Drake, could you assist me or shall I fetch another?"[/color] she asked as she looked over to him.