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Lauren looked over towards Josephine giving her a slight nod, the dreams have been pretty bothersome ever since she had gotten to Cairo, though she always did end up sleeping through the entire night. "I would actually prefer just a dreamless night for once and not wake up in some kind of sweat." Lauren said softly as she watched the Lord Major taking a seat down with them, asking about the dreams that everyone has been having. She was taking a sip of the Builders Tea when Reginald started to ask if anyone did have the dream that he had, Lauren froze for a moment before setting the cup down onto the table. Closing her eyes for a moment remembering the images from the dream, before turning her attention back over towards the Lord Major and raised her hand slightly. Lauren watched Aziza and Harry over at the buffet as the two of them started to get their food onto their plates, smiling ever so slightly at them they did look like a really happy couple.

"I actually did have that dream myself. You were in it, Peter as well as the other guy, William if I remember the name correctly, the dream felt really weird and everything about it felt like it was real." Lauren answered him just as one of the guards, she eyed him for a moment assuming that he was some sort of officer. Lauren looked over her shoulder ever so slightly seeing Peter as well as Vera just coming through the door, she noticed that the Vera was starting to look ill. Lauren stood up for a moment and made her way over towards both Peter and Vera giving them both a friendly smile and nod towards the two of them. "I hope the two of you slept well." Lauren said looking over towards Vera giving her a concerned look. "Are you okay Vera?" Lauren asked Vera wondering what was wrong with her friend.

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If they wanted to bury the hatchet, that was just fine with her. After all, if she was going to spend a considerable amount of time with these people, it was best to be on one's best behavior. Even if it killed her. So she put on a sickly sweet smile "Your hospitality knows no bounds, darling." Haakon returned by then and she made a point to stand with him should the others still consider him a nuisance. Even if the man was, surely he could be handled easily. So what point was it to be rude to the poor man?

"Those dreams are getting more and more exhausting with each night. I can't help but feel there is a deeper meaning involved in these dreams. One really should sit down and explore them further." She had done her own examining of the dreams, but perhaps the others had their own theories on their meaning. Not to mention she had Haakon and that other woman in her dream. Was she in theirs too? This was getting tiring. She looked up as Lauren stepped away and noticed Peter returning with the museum lady, Vera, next to him. She didn't look quite right. It seemed she had an interesting night once they left the museum.

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While Haakon took another sip of his tea, his was unable to miss the look the Lord-Major gave him as he stated his hopes for a finalization of certain matters. His choice of words reinforced the message from the older gentleman, there was no doubt about it. Haakon silently drank down more tea than he had planned, though manned through the hot liqued pouring down his throat as he gave an innocent look back to the Lord-Major. "Quite indeed"

The journalist quietly continued drink his tea and eat his slice of bread as the conversation continued into the topic of their dreams. Especially the Lord-Major's description of the dream was most dramatic, colourful and grotesque, and surely simply a dream. The trouble arose when Haakon thought back to his own dream, followed by Miss Ridgeway's confirmation of her having had the same dream as the Lord-Major. As she said that, Haakon couldn't help but look at Josephine with a mixed look, both curious yet worried. He remebered that she had been in the dream, but did she do the same? "Except the visual and contexual similarity to the Book of Genesis and the end of the world, not much; Ancient Egyptian is sadly not my strongest side, though..."

Haakon's gaze once again turned to Josephine, giving her a quick look of the same quality as earlier, before turning back to Lord-Major Keystone and Miss Ridgeway. "...while I did not dream something like that, it was of the same scale; a river of blood, a sensation of drowning, and a pyramid. And one of the sides was gone, broken. Now this is pure speculation, just a thought; does it mean, hypothetically, that something broke out of the pyramid?"

Before Haakon could continue with his line of thought and talk of the dreams, he was interrupted by two events; Firstly the soldier adressing the Lord-Major and handing him a slip of paper, sadly unreadable for Haakon this angle. Secondly, Miss Ridgeway left the table and walked off. Peter and Vera, they had returned, but together? The ill look on her face also peaked his interest, though a sense of worry too; Not that he believed in such nonsense - at least so far as he was starting to worry about the reality of the recent unexplainable events, - but a fleeting thought wondered if she would become the next victim of the Pharaoh's Curse. "Might it be best not to burden Lady Munn with these questions just now?"

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Reginald accepted the note from his subordinate, giving it a once-over before folding it in half and slipping it into a shirt pocket. He looked down at his glorious repast and sighed. This was a breakfast that he had been looking forward to sitting down and enjoying, and indeed it was one worthy of a man of his social stature and noble bearing. He was a Keystone, after all. Back in Sussex, that meant grand, sweeping homes and estates within Brighton and in the country surrounding; balls held in his honor (or the honor of whomever he chose that hour), and, if he so desired, a life of quiet study and reflection, dotted by hunts and parties and forays into the upper crust of Great Britain's social scene. Even with the tarnish upon his reputation, which was quite arbitrary, as everyone knew.

But here, in this place, he had respect; a thing that was earned through a lifetime of service and combat. Such a thing could not be given to him by the aristocracy, it had to be earned. He had respect, and a crapton of ordinance, plus the manpower at his disposal to make damned good use of said ordinance. Most of all, this earned him a decent, uninterrupted breakfast when he called for it, except for today, apparently. When military business came into the equation, it took all of the joy out of the experience.

But no! Reginald was bound and determined to have his relaxing bit of morning indulgence, despite the presence of the messenger from the prison and his less-than-cheerful note. "Yes, quite." he stated flatly, then looked to said messenger with a touch of cheer on is face that he most assuredly did not feel, and spoke to him in near flawless Egyptian Arabic. "Nem bialtabe ya saydi. wa'awad 'an 'akun saeidaan lilghayat lilaimtithal. Wayurjaa 'iikhbar siidikum bi'ana alshakhsayn almaeniiyn qayd alaihtijaz ladaa aljaysh almalakii litakid amr la silat lah bialmawdue." He took a fitful sip of his tea, and continued glibly, "Sayatimu altaeamul mae hadhih almas'alat bidhaka' baed saeat al'iiftari, wa'ana 'atawaqae alsalim aldiyafat 'azharat 'athna' wujudahum fi hadanat alkhasi bika. La tazal ladayna qadaya lm tuhal mae hadhin... I trust this is adequate for your Master, sir?"

Reginald gave a nod to William, standing just nearby. "Ah, Mr. Drake! I was hoping you might find your way to us this morning. Do join us for a spot of morning repast, if you would."

It was at this moment that the Lord Major noticed the entrance of Peter and Vera. His dear nephew looked joyed, but Vera... An odd feeling crept over him, as if something was off, somehow. Like there was a signal he missed or overlooked in the shuffle of the past day or so, but couldn't quite place. It was vexing. Instead of addressing it, he waved the two of them over. His bubbly joy was, to all, still present, though it was curtailed slightly. "Well then, the Fellowship is nearly all here! How capital. Now then, let get a bit of shop talk in, now that we have the honor of Lady Munn's presence." He wasn't sure what was bothering her, but figured that an intellectual project to focus on would get her mind off of whatever was making her feel amiss. Then a discreet question later. It was frightfully British of him.

But Reginald did suddenly feel an unintended touch of compassion. But just a touch. "Miss Clark, Mr. Elvsgaard? I insist that the two of take your absolute fill this morning. The day promises to be long, and possibly quite arduous. You may feel thankful for a full belly later." There was a genuine look of concern, or at least something resembling it. The look was fleeting however, dashed away by a tiny pleasure as he procured the most lovely brace of scones and a dish of blackberry jam.

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Garden City: "The Bastet will make itself known, look for the inscription," Neema said as she set her cup of tea down and stood up. Walking over to the window she looked out over the city. Her fingers lacing together as she let them hang in front of her. "There are tales, so many. Some spun to pass over the fires as they burned in the Sahara, keeping those gathered around warm during the blistering cold that bites. Funny how that is. We avoid the sun as it blisters our skin and come the night we wish for its warmth." Her voice was calm but in a sage like state as she watched the city coming awake.

"There is no stopping it my child. Once you are chosen it is there. Like your blood, your heart beat, your dreams," she finally said after a long moment of silence before turning and looking over her shoulder back towards the young woman. "You are stronger than you believe, I know it sounds like a fairy tale. A slight of hand that some magician would use on the streets to con a wandering pedestrian. Yet it is true."

Stepping over to her she knelt down and took Nora's hands in her own, looking up to her like a grandmother would. "They have chosen you little one, for reasons we may never be able to fathom but worry not. No matter how dark the road becomes, trust in the unknowable. Faith is your greatest weapon, even if it is only faith in yourself. The stars know the way, follow it." Reaching up she pushed a free strand of hair back from Nora's brow. "I will walk the path with you if you wish, at least for a time."

Shepheard's Hotel: "Of course Miss. It is my pleasure and if you wish a map of the city there are plenty of street vendors out front or I can hail you a cab and they can take you wherever you wish." He said kindly as he finished up and held up a finger for her to wait a moment. Hailing a bellman he instructed the young man to stow her belongings ad mark them with her room number. Once that was finished he stepped over to her and motioned for her to follow him.

"Yet, if I may? The maps will only show you what they think you want to see. Tell me, why you are here and I can point you in a much better direction. There is much to see in the city, things so many pass over because they are not glittering with pharaohs gold on the outside. Such treasures do my country hold, you seem adventurous. Please, let me be at your service. It is my aim that each guest should find the Cairo of their dreams, not the one on the brochure."

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Smiling softly as he helped Aziza gather her breakfast, the earlier spat began to shift away from his mind as he relaxed once again. That was until he heard her bring up the dream again. Images from it came back to him, broken, split up, but keeping the major details clear as day. He sighed softly as she spoke up, he nodded slowly as she whispered softly, nodding. "I uh... Had the same dream." He sighed, it still felt strange, sharing dreams as if they'd all been sitting in the same theatre. Reaching up, he gently took her hand and offered it a soft, comforting squeeze as he stood with her.

"We can talk about it later, you should have something to eat." He smiled softly, eyes locked with hers for a moment or two as he stood with his fingers laced with hers, turning his gaze back toward the table as he looked over those present. He could see that William seemed to have arrived, and Peter and Vera had both come back in now. Glancing back to Aziza, he gave her another gentle smile. "Cmon, you should eat." He said, heading back toward the table, trying to save any discussion of the dream for later, he preferred to just savour what was for now, a comfortable morning.

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Moving into the mess hall, William glanced around before he set eyes upon the Lord Major and all the others, it seemed that it hadn't just been Vera who had come to the barracks that night, rather unexpectedly, everyone was there. William couldn't help but assume there must have been something he had clearly missed the night before. Sighing, he moved over toward the table and cleared his throat, giving everyone present a nod. "Morning, I wasn't expecting quite the get-together." He chuckled softly as he moved to take a seat, trying to hide his own distaste.

His anger at that point had more or less faded, it was shifting now into a general discomfort, soon enough as he sat there, and even more so when Vera and Peter came into the room, he looked just as ill as Vera did. He didn't want to feel this way, part of William wanted to be happy for her, Vera was a marvelous women, completely deserving of someone as wonderful and proper as Peter, even if William had to stop himself from shuddering at the thought. He sighed again, just trying to ignore it all as well as he could, though William just could not help but feel sick.

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As Neema instructed Nora to look for the inscription, Nora's eyes widened slightly. She knew very little of Egyptian mythology, her knowledge consisting almost entirely of what Lady Munn and Neema had taught her in the past twenty four hours. But yet, her mind flickered back to the inscription burned onto Lady Munn's necklace, the inscription burned onto others' pieces of jewelry. Could the Bastet be a group of people, rather than a single individual? Was she supposed to protect Lady Munn and the others?

A silence fell in the room as Nora took her first sip of her tea. The heat of it scorched her tongue slightly, but at least it was a pain she understood. She could see and observe for herself the cause and its effect. Her eyes locked with Neema and a slight shudder came over her body. The prospect that she, Nora, had such hidden strength...never before had any other individual considered it.

Looking at Neema as the woman knelt before her and took her hands, Nora slowly gripped Neema's hands in turn. She never had put faith in faith before, believing in things that she herself could understand and explain. A certain sadness descended on herself, feeling for a moment as if Neema had discovered Nora's biggest secret. It wasn't that she didn't care for society and its customs, it was that she never put any faith in them. Her entire life, she had only put faith in herself, as no one else would.

"I would quite like that, Neema," Nora replied, her voice sounding a bit hoarse. "But only if it is something you yourself would want to do."

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“That is indeed true...” She agreed as he gestured to follow him. Mosi made a pondering expression as she did so.” Well the map was not so much to find my targets as to just navigate the city afterwards.” She eventually did say with a smile and once more nodded at his words.” That is a very nice proposition from you, Hakeem. I will have to take you up on that, but the map is still something I'd need to navigate around when I have to return and want to do it by foot.” She added and looked about.

“I have a few different destinations that would be visited one by one in the upcoming few days actually.” She stated, adjusting her hat.” First of all I do want to visit the museum. I want to see a few of the objects displayed there. That one I can find on my own one way or another, but the thing I'd also need is... a smithy.” She suddenly said with completely serious face.” I'm a little bit of a smith myself so I'd love to see local craftsmen at work. I've seen the crafts of Egypt and I'm very impressed.” She smiled and narrowed her eyes, raising a small medallion from her neck.” Also I'd love to learn if there are any occul...” She suddenly fell silent.” Let's just leave that one for another day.” She finally said with a sigh, and put the medallion away.

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Barracks: Aziza looked at Harry quizzically as he informed her that he had had the same dream. He had dreamt of her as well? What was going on? Nodding she agreed with him that it could wait. The prospect of getting something in her stomach was welcome. And she was unsure of just what to discuss about her dream. She remembered it clearly but he was in it. Sure there was another. Lady Munn, whom had come in with the younger Keystone. She looked about as off as Aziza felt right then.

Stepping over to the table with Sgt. Walsh she retook her seat and smile pleasantly enough at the new arrivals. "Morning," she said as she sat her plate down on the table. Her eyes going over to the man with the guards that had come in with Mr. Drake. She had seen him before but she couldn't quite place where. Perhaps he had come into the club once or twice. Enough to be noticed, not enough to be remembered. It happened.

The man nodded to Lord Major Keystone, saying some words in his native tongue to the head man in charge before excusing himself in English and going to grab something to eat himself. Aziza knew the language, her brow rising at the exchange between the two. Her eyes darted over towards Josephine and Haakon for a moment before looking back at her plate and swallowing slightly. As Vera was lead over by Peter she plastered an entertainers smile on her lips and welcomed them over.

"Good morning you two," she said as Vera was shown a seat across the table from Mr. Drake and Peter sat down beside her. "Lady Munn, are you feeling alright?" she asked, concern in her voice. Vera looked up quickly and seemed a bit nervous as her eyes went over to William and then looked away.

"Yes, I am sorry. I had too much drink last evening. I fear it is still swimming in my head some," she said making a quick excuse before turning her attention to her uncle. "Of course Uncle Regi, I am hoping to hear from Lady Kingston soon. I wish to meet with her at the museum to go over some things we discovered last night with the help of," she said as her words paused and she glanced back to William. "Will... I mean Mr. Drake," she said before looking away nervously.

Tossing her napkin onto the table she rose quickly. "Excuse me, I should get something to eat," she added before making her way over to the buffet. Peter's eyes followed her and he smiled before leaning over to his uncle.

"Such a splendid day dear uncle, she has accepted my proposal of courtship." He was beaming at the idea. "Oh please excuse me, I must go retrieve a few things from my room. I shant be but a moment," he added as he rose. Leaning on his cane he nodded to the rest of the group before going over to Vera and letting her know he would return shortly. She nodded and then froze a bit as he leaned in and kissed her cheek softly.

Peter couldn't help but smile as he left the room and headed back to his personal quarters. Vera placed her hand on the buffet table and took a few very deep breaths once he left. She looked as if she might faint at this point. This was all too much. She was now being formally courted. It wasn't an engagement, yet. But things tended to move quickly at this point. No, it was fine. It was for the best. She couldn't hope for better. Yet her eyes went to William for a moment. What was wrong with her? Was she coming down with a fever? She felt dizzy, the room spinning. "Oh bollocks," she said a bit louder than she intended before everything started to go black and she fainted right there on the spot. Vera was not one who fainted, ever.

Garden City: "Pshh, of course it is dear. I wouldn't have offered if it wasn't," Neema said with a wave of her hand. Standing up she smiled down at the woman before pointing to the tray. "Now you finish up and deal with your correspondence there," she said pointing to the letter. "I will be back once I finish with my morning duties and clear a few things on my schedule. We can talk or perhaps head out to the city and see what we can find," she added before turning and exiting the room.

Stopping at the door she gave Nora a bit of a wink. "Have faith dear, as I said even if it is only in yourself," she repeated her earlier words before closing the door behind her and leaving Nora to her morning routine. Neema would need to take care of somethings before she was able to do anything and she knew when she spoke with her son that things were going to get heated. He had heard the stories of her life before she had settled down but he never enjoyed them. He didn't find it fitting for a woman. Such a pity, she tried to raise him better but in this world it was difficult to crack that mentality. The idea of an adventure, any, made Neema feel younger than she had in ages.

Shepheard's Hotel: "Yes yes, of course Miss," he said as he walked with her and eventually exited the front of the hotel. He asked her to wait a moment as he went to deal with one of the vendors and within two shakes of a lambs tail he had returned with a map for her. Opening it he pulled a pen from his front pocket and started to make a few markings down on it and scribbling down specific addresses in both his own native language and in English.

"Here you are Miss, this is the Museum and this is a craft market that is not usually found by the tourist but they are the best gathered in the city. Drop my name with any of them when you arrive to let them know to take you seriously," he said before handing the map over to her. "The Museum is not far, a brisk walk and half an hour and you should be there. Or you can have one of the doormen hail a cab for you," he said before smiling and excusing himself. "I must get back to my duties. If you need anything you know where to find me," he smiled and gave her a curt bow before rushing back into the hotel.

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It seems the old man was feeling generous this morning. She wasn't about to say no to food being offered and it was quite a delicious spread. She happily ate and drank along with the others. Soon Aziza and her soldier escort returned and the group was together again. She wanted desperately to poke for information to not only their dreams from last night, but also to what their adventure entailed today. She was insanely curious and couldn't help but feel that those dreams were important somehow. After all, who has the same dreams while in the same country? It didn't happen very often. Or at all for that matter. It was something out of a movie!

Before she could though, Peter and Vera both had come in. She hadn't seen Vera for a while and in that time it seemed Vera had gotten almost gravely ill. What else could explain that look on her face? They came over and she explained she had too much to drink. That would explain the ill look, but Josephine had other ideas. "Ah, I know it well, darling. Drink some coffee and fill up on food and you'll be all right. Happens to the best of us." She knew hangovers well and dealing with them regularly.

Peter mentioned that he proposed to Vera and she accepted. Josephine nearly spit out her drink at his words. She stared at him in disbelief. As far as she saw it, Vera had feelings for Mr. Drake. Granted, that didn't mean she couldn't marry Peter, but the look on Vera's face, hangover aside, didn't scream "happy bride-to-be". There was something else going on behind the scenes, and Josephine planned to find out what.

"Congratulations Peter! I wish you both the absolute best." Not if she had anything to do with it. Peter walked off and she eyed Vera who had stopped at the buffet table. She still appeared to be sick. Before she could turn back to her food, Vera collapsed right then and there. Josephine stood up immediately, "Vera just collapsed!" She ran over to the woman to check if she was all right.

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Haakon let his facial expression remain the same as he proceeded to take another sip of his tea - still quite the good taste -, while he question himself why he had bothered talking in the first place. It would seem that no one of his surrounding aqiuentances had registered him as he thought out aloud in regards to the dreams, they all seemed very much more important in messangers and others of more value; were he that distasteful? The curious state of which Miss Munn was however, was by now more interesting.

Especially when Peter dropped the bomb, figurativly; he had asked her for her courtship, and she accepted. Haakon couldn't help but notice Josephine's non-verbal reaction, yet his was far from in dissagreement. While Peter looked like he was going to a wedding, Vera looked like she was heading for a funeral. Her explaination containing large quantities of alcohol seemed logical, but the other possibility didn't seem far-fetched either.

But hey, who was he to ask? He probably wasn't going to be given an answer regardless.

Haakon was about to turn his attention to Mr. Drake, exchanging the usual pleasantries in hopes of less of a rejection, when he first heard Miss Munn's voice exclaiming something, a loud thud and Josephine declaring that she had fainted. Haakon looked at where Miss Munn had stood mere moments earlier, only to see her lying there. Josephine made her way to Vera first, and Haakon followed after. He knelt down beside her, putting his hand on her forehead to check if she was unormally warm. "Someone get a doctor here! Is she breathing? Miss Munn, can you hear me?"

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Lauren looked over towards Haakon for a moment as he mentioned his own dream, though it was completely different then her own, Peter, Reginald and William's dream was. Drowning in a river of blood did make her feel a little uneasy, but at least she wasn't in that dream, as Lauren walked back over and sat back down at her table after she had greeted Vera and Peter. "That is a very weird dream." Lauren said towards Haakon, as she looked towards Reginald and one of the captains sadly Lauren didn't know any Egyptian Arabic. Lauren smiled softly between Aziza and Harry, they did look really cute together.

Lauren would turn her attention towards Peter and Vera once more, hearing that Vera had accepted Peter's proposal seeing the look on her friend's face, seeing that uncomfortable look on her face. "I am very happy for the two of you." Lauren said with a friendly smile, but she did want to say something else. However it wasn't her place to actually say anything. Lauren continued to just simply enjoy the company that was around her, they all seemed to be good people, she leaned back in her seat.

Lauren listened to Vera for a moment mentioning that she had to much to drink the night before, to her it wasn't that much but then again Lauren did have a better tolerance to drinking. "I made sure that Lady Munn got back to her room and stayed with her until Peter and the rest of you all got here." As Peter left and Vera went to go to his own quarters to get something of his, Lauren quickly stood up hearing a thud on the ground Lauren saw Vera on the ground unconscious. Instantly feeling concerned for her friend Lauren quickly got up to join Haakon she wasn't a doctor, but Lauren did deal with drunken patrons before that did end up passing out right on the floor. Lauren started to lightly tap her friend's cheek to see if she would respond to that. "Vera, can you hear me?" Lauren asked trying to wake her up.

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"Yes, yes." he responded to the messenger from the prison. "Help yourself, of cour..."

The Lady Munn hit the floor. It was preceded by her very ladylike utterance of "Oh bollocks", which very definitely caught the attention of the Lord Major. In his experience, Vera was not prone to the more womanly fits of lapsing into unconscious at the drop of a hat, at the very least, significantly less than she used the word "Bollocks". On the other hand, they all had been under unusual stresses recently, not to mention the dreams, the branding, and that frightful business with the escaped convict making their lives interesting. More interesting for some than others, or at least it would be here before long. But all that aside, if she had indeed fainted, the more aggressive of the group that morning were doing their damnedest to make the situation more difficult.

For starters, there was an amazing amount of attention being paid to her, crowded around like a cricket squad arguing over tactics of a losing game in the last innings. Reginald stood from the table to get a slightly better vantage on the situation without contributing to the clusterboink unfolding in front of him, and was not an amazingly huge fan of what he saw. He drew himself up to his full height and quickly stepped to around the side of the table, so as to be within full view of the people around Vera and the soldiers on duty in the room. He held up two fingers, getting the attention of said soldiers before speaking in a clear, commanding voice.

"Take your hands from my niece immediately!" he admonished, "Anyone who is not a staff medical professional will remove themselves from Lady Munn, else I shall have you flogged! Is that clear? Back up, the lot of you!"

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Moving back over toward the table with Aziza, Harry smiled toward the newcomers, giving them a nod as he moved to sit down with Aziza. He raised an eyebrow as he watched the man approach the major and speak up. He could only catch a word here and there, enough to get the jist, at the very least, but he said nothing of it. For now, Harry kept his silence overall, sitting politely as he ate and occasionally glanced over to Aziza and then to Vera as the attention was brought toward her. Harry was not the most astute in the romantic field, but even he could tell there was clearly a bit more to the situation with Miss Munn, the Lord-Captain, and the American.

Watching as she moved off toward the buffet, he turned his gaze back toward the Lord-Captain, idly listening to the man as Harry continued to eat, he certainly did seem considerably more excited by the fact she had accepted his offer, so excited that it seemed the man was oblivious to what everyone else at that table seemed to have noticed - just how offput, or even ill Vera seemed. To Harry, that was what was most interesting of all. Harry was facing away from Vera when she fell, not noticing when she fell, only having his attention brought to it as the others at the table stood and hurried over. Turning in his chair, he raised an eyebrow and moved over, but only moved to stand alongside the Lord Major, who seemed particularly miffed at the people crowding his niece, who clearly was in need of some air.

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As he sat at the table, William found his ill feeling return the second his eyes lay upon Vera and Peter again, seeing as they both sat across form him, he leaned against the table somewhat and forced himself not to be sick with every movement Peter made. Although William had previously held no particular distaste towards Peter, aside from the fact that he was the kind of Brit who had clearly been born with an ornate piece of silverware embedded where the sun doesn't shine, but he expected that from most Brits he met. No, up until that point he had only had something of a slight sort of distrust towards Peter. Now, for reasons that were still unknown to William, that had developed to full-blown loathing.

He still didn't get why, why should he care that Vera was now supposedly welcoming the advances of another? He wasn't competing, he didn't even have any particular feelings for her, or so he insisted. No, he was sure if he wished he could steal her away from Peter in an instant. After all, what did he have? Only money, manners, a good family, a decent position, he was a war hero, had known her considerably longer, had the backing of her uncle, reasonable good looks (though not as good as William's, of course), and, of course, a rocking cane. However, surely none of that would have stood up to William's immeasurable charm, which, if he so desired, which he definitely did not, he could easily use to woo Vera back into his arms, and away from the wretched Brit.

As these thoughts went through his mind, and as he heard Peter brag to the Lord-Major, William had not quite noticed the white-knuckled grip he'd developed on the fork in his hand, pressure threatening to snap the metal of it at any moment. That of course came when he watched Peter move off, and his lips touched Vera's cheek. It still didn't make sense to William, and if anything that only served to make him more angry as the pressure in his grip intensified and the head of the fork snapped off, the metal leaving something of a scratch in his hand and snapping him out of the seething rage he was developing.

Focusing into reality again, he set down the broken fork and rubbed at his sore hand, glancing back up just as he heard Vera speak again, and he saw her fall. Hurrying over, his trance had meant that he was certainly not the first one there. He'd been about to descend to her side and brush the others away when the Lord-Major approached and ordered them to step away. Forcing himself not to do as the others had done, he stood up beside Vera, peering down at her with unmistakable worry on his face.

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“Thank you, Hakeem.” Mosi said to the man with sincere voice as she took the map from him, it being now marked with where her destinations were. It was very kind of him and she wasn't going to forget his nice attitude and way of acting, be it even his job to do so. Good manners and attitude should be rewarded with such.” I wish you a pleasant day.” She finally called as he was moving away. Thus she was left alone with the map, her hat and good mood. Her heavy luggage secured away, all she had to do now was just head to the museum now and generally just utilize her time until late afternoon when she planned to return and get to her room with her luggage.

Looking for a moment slightly up towards the skies, she smiled once more and quickly started walking down the walkways towards the direction where the museum was. It was naturally her first goal to visit because of the events that transpired due the newspaper titles' grace of informing her. That and there was also the case that she really wished to see all the art there first. Afterwards her goal would be that craft market. She wanted to see the forges they had there, maybe find herself one that would allow her to make use of their facilities on occasion. She suspected there would be negative opinions of her asking about that, but hey, she was going to make them recognize her as a craftsman in that case. For now though towards the museum!

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Nora nodded at Neema's instructions, feeling as if she had been adopted by the woman as a granddaughter or daughter. She already felt she had more kinship with Neema than she ever could with her own parents. Her father wouldn't be cross, after all, that she had not shown up to assist him, as long as he could imagine that she had met some young member of British upper society that she may one day marry. She was the damaged goods in the family, after all. Finding a match for Nora, as her father was fond of proclaiming, would be a nearly impossible task.

She reread the letter from Lady Munn, before taking a piece of paper and a writing instrument. She hesitated for a moment with how to word the letter, noting the use from Lady Munn of her courtesy title. It was a courtesy she wanted very little to do with. Nora had not done anything to merit it, and for her to be honest, she found no use in it. It held no meaning to it that she found to be important. For a moment she chuckled to herself, imagining what it would be like to disappear in Egypt and never return to England, to use a false name and finally avoid that moniker of Lady once and for all.

Dear Lady Munn,

I would be honored to meet with you in your office at noon. I must confess, I have found some theories and information that may shed some light on these curious happenings, yet they are most unusual. I have made the acquaintance of a former archaeological assistant, a kind and trustworthy woman who journeyed to several digs. I look forward to continuing our work.

Sincerely,

Nora paused. Truthfully, she wanted to sign her name as Miss Kingston, yet it was not the most proper of practices. Signing with the courtesy title was the expected behavior, but Neema's words came back to Nora. It was perhaps not the intended circumstance for Neema's advice, but Nora finished the letter, signing her name as

Miss Nora Kingston

She smiled down at the letter, before folding it neatly and addressing it. She had already dressed for the day, so it was no great bother for her to head down the stairs and ask for the clerk to have the letter sent to the Lady Munn.

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Barracks: Aziza stood up, gathering the fabric of her shawl as she watched Vera sway and hit the ground. She gasped softly as she pushed her chair back and craned her neck to get a better look before stepping around the table. She stayed back and out of the way, walking up and standing beside Harry as everyone else seemed bent on crowding the woman.

Vera just lay there. There was no fever, she was breathing fine. Her color was a little off but no more than it had been when she had come into the room. In fact it looked a little better. Thinking to herself as one of the soldiers nodded to the Lord Major and rushed off to get a medic she stepped over to the bar and spoke in Egyptian Arabic, requesting a bottle of the strongest smelling spirits they had. Aziza had no medical training but she had seen enough people pass out at the local tavern she worked at and had seen many pass out drunk.

Walking over to the Lord Major she held up the bottle. "Lord Major, if you wouldn't mind. Perhaps this would work?" she said as she opened the bottle and immediately jerked her head away from the smell that came from it. Corking it again she held it out to Lauren. "This would raise a pharaoh from his tomb," she said still wrinkling her nose from the sting caused by the whiff she had gotten from the bottle when she opened it. Thankfully it was now corked again but it wouldn't be for long. She hoped this would bring the Lady Munn around.

Garden City: Neema made her way down to the kitchen to start tending to the rest of her morning duties and make sure things she was supposed to do in the afternoon were taken care of; then of course she would need to inform her son. That could wait for now. He was out for a bit and she wasn't going to wait on the discussion with him to start getting things in order. He would try to forbid it, she would remind him she is his mother. That would be that in her mind. If it left him frothing at the mouth so be it. Adventure awaited and she was too old to wait for the next.

Down at the front desk was a younger man, younger than Neema's son but far too old to be the next generation down the line. Neema was older but it was hard to tell at times if she was in her sixties or in her eighties. Her son however was was easily in his fifties. That or life had just not been kind to his aging appearance. He was rather gruff at times, though hospitable to the guests and residents. Just always seemed to be sucking on a lemon. This man at the desk however was more likely in his late thirties or early forties and very handsome. Dark eyes but unlike Neema's son, whose were beady, this man's was kind. Yet he had not been around the building before and looked a little lost behind the counter. Muttering something under his breath before looking up at Nora and giving her a smile.

"What can I do for you Miss?" he asked in a kind voice.

The Road To The Museum: The city was awake fully not and it was bustling. The streets were crowded with vendors and tourists and locals. Some rushing back and forth, others taking their sweet times as they admired the surroundings or stood trying to barter a few coins down on the price of various items for sale along the sidewalks. The air was thick with the smells of Egypt, incense burning on the sides of carts. There was no silence, cars moving through the streets, people chatting, vendors yelling, music playing. It was all the hustle and bustle of any large city and yet still seemed very mysterious. Was the world of Cairo, a world all to its own and very different from others.

It was going to be a warmer day, that could be told by the way the temperature was already rising but even with the Nile so close the air was dry. Mosi would make good time to the museum if she did not dally. About half way there at this point if she didn't stop and look around but hey, there is just so much to see and do. And every vendor she is passing is wanting her attention and the attention of everyone else that doesn't look like a local. Offering her good prices on jewelry, silks, dates, even some claiming they had rare artifacts from digs that they had procured.

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Josephine typically didn't enjoy being told what to do, but in this instance, she decided to let the professionals handle it. After all, she liked Vera. Though she could have done without the chubby old man nearly blowing a gasket. Really, you would expect someone so full to be jolly. She backed off to let the others do their work. Aziza handed something to Lauren. A smelling salt perhaps?

She did glance at William, if for no other reason that to see his reaction to the scene. The look on his face didn't scream "I don't care for this woman". He looked worried. Peter wasn't there and Josephine couldn't help but be thankful. She still didn't like him. Hopefully, during their adventure, it would become obvious that Peter wasn't meant for Vera and that, truthfully, William was. It's just like a movie for two people to be put in this kind of situation. She really should be writing all this down.

Josephine felt a bit helpless, "Is there anything I can do? Help prepare a bed for her to lay in? Get a doctor? Something?"

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Lauren took a step back as Reginald went over towards his niece, it was something understandable that you were protective over people that you care for deeply. Though Lauren wasn't sure what she could do, she wasn't really a medical doctor so she couldn't do anything that could help her out. And the idea of possibly being flogged wasn't an interesting idea for her, but it was most likely for the soldiers that were surrounding the woman. Lauren watched as Aziza made her way over towards the bar speaking to one of the bartenders there in Egyptian Arabic, though Lauren didn't know what it was she asked for. That was until one of the bartenders handed her a large bottle, Lauren listened to Aziza as she spoke to the Lord Major.

Lauren walked over and took the bottle as Aziza handed it over towards her, she uncorked it to take a wift of it and winced slightly as her eyes started to water. "That should work well." Lauren said, knowing that idea would most likely work and wake up someone from being passed out. She did have to use it on some people who did pass out drunk at her father's bar or to help her father wake up after a long night of drinking.

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As soon as Haakon and knelt down to see if Vera was indeed alive after her collapse, he was back on his feet and taking a fair step away from her. Of course the honourable Lord-Major wanted nobody but the most qualified in the barrack to watch over Vera. And the others? They were to stand back and simply watch as she lay there, the poor thing that she was. Do this and do that, say this but not this, don't do that or else you'll get flogged or whatever the heck that meant! Haakon was once again starting to feel his temperament rise up inside him as it was clear that he wasn't allowed to do anything.

But even for the anger bulding up inside him, some rational thoughts still came to him; Vera didn't feel unusually warm when he touched her, and she looked frankly better than when she had entered the room. So why had she fainted? The only explaination that came to Haakon - beside the obvious and unthinkable answer of her suffering from the Pharaoe's Curse - was what had befallen her and Peter Keystone. The memories from yesterday flashed before his eyes; Peter announcing his return to the public world, just before making it known his wish to marry Vera, and now this.

Haakon was starting to believe it more and more; Vera really didn't want to be with Peter.