[hr][hr][center][h1][i][b][color=b8860b]Reginald Keystone[/color][/b][/i][/h1]
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[hr][center][color=b8860b][b]Location:[/b][/color] Qasr El Nil Barracks (Courtyard)
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	Perhaps there was fault in Reginald's decision to discuss family affairs in front of people with whom he had little involvement. But such was his excitement over the return of his favorite nephew and the mysteries of the past hour or so motivated him to speak in a manner plainer than he was accustomed around people who were basically strangers. It was quite possible that, in his mind, the shared experience they all had concerning dreams, markings, and strange bits of jewelry had a bonding, trust inspiring effect. But his more recent experience with the Scandinavian from the Fourth Estate, scribbling down notes about their conversation of a somewhat personal nature, put his brain back to thoughts of preserving family dignity from the periodicals of Northern Europe and parts beyond. To reflect this, upon noticing the man's shorthand, he spared his voice until Haakon excused himself from the gathering, taking unemotional note of the timing of his exit speech. 

	The concept of Peter requesting permission to resume courting Vera was staggering, to say the least. Reginald stuttered for a moment, but composed himself rightly enough to respond in a thoughtful manner. [color=b8860b]"My dear, sweet nephew. I'm honored that you would take the inclination to follow established and ancient protocol in our part of the world. I had not expected such formality; not when, as I suspect, you have already spoken with your father concerning your promise, years ago. I daresay, lad... this is the only time in recollection my less combative duties as chaperone have been brought to the forefront."[/color]

	This [i]was[/i] perhaps the first time someone had actually called him out on his role as "Uncle Reggie", so far as his relationship with Vera Munn was concerned. It was rather odd, when he thought of it earnestly. Vera was of higher social status than himself, for all of his blustering, and not directly a blood relative. This was a thing that, while not unheard of, was a little unusual. Guardianship in these instances would have to be agreed upon by the living relatives of the family; the caveat here being that they were all dead. There was no one, to the Lord Major's recollection, that could serve in that capacity. Except for his brother, owing to his family's closeness with hers. 

	As last he heard, the reigning Earl of Sussex didn't care for the responsibility, finding the Lady Munn to have qualities of birth unacceptable enough to not be worth his time. So it fell to Reginald, by his older brother's decree. Having the first genuine task of this appointment thrust into his hands by his dearest nephew, over an issue originating well before the issue of Guardianship was even a glimmer of possibility, had a very serious way of cementing his official responsibility. 

	[color=b8860b]"Well dash it all, Nephew. The Lady Munn deserves better than myself as chaperone, I'll warrant you this, but I'm the one she's got. She also deserves a fat lot better treatment from the rest of the Peerage, than the shoving about they've given her. I [i]am[/i] her guardian, for whatever good or ill it brings either of us. And my answer to you..."[/color] 

	Reginald cleared his throat and sat up straight in his chair. [color=b8860b]"My answer to you, Peter Reginald Keystone, is that I shall not attempt to block your courtship. Vera is her own woman, and I shall not promise anything on her behalf, but if my permission to pursue her is that which you ask, then bless you both. And jolly good luck to you in the endeavor!"[/color] 

	The Lord Major raised his glass of sweetened pomegranate gin, thought the better of it, and set it back down. [color=b8860b]"This is not the fitting drink for this type of celebration. Come come! Those of us that remain, let us abscond to the Officer's Club, where we may find a proper bottle or five of proper, bubbly Champagne; brut or sweet. Holdover from a retirement gathering that turned into quite the row. Come come! Someone shall see to all of this presently."[/color] 

	A quick snap of the fingers brought an attendant over. Not a military man, but a local who spoke English well and tended to domestic work of this nature. [color=b8860b]"Yrja alattilae ealaa hadha, wayakun taeamuna taqdimuhum 'iilaa Nadi Alddabit. Shukra."[/color] And a glance over to Aziza, [color=b8860b]"Your ah, friend, Harry? If you would please, let him know that the sound is quite, quite muffled behind the doors."[/color] He spoke in quiet, understanding tones. [color=b8860b]"And we definitely allow smoking; hookah, pipe, or otherwise. He may likely gather himself better in those environs."[/color] 

	Reginald gave his nephew a hearty pat on his back, and began leading him toward a structure toward the other end of the Courtyard, where behind heavy wooden doors, solace and joy might be found in the company of family, new friends, and fizzy beverages.