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Reginald nodded to George as he spoke his piece and left. So he wouldn't accept compensation for services rendered, would he? It was a noble gesture, considering all that had gone on and indeed, all that would be going on. The disfigured soldier might not be of a frame of mind to accept solid salary for his efforts, but Reginald resolved to make his time worth it. Or at least break even.

Giving the younger man ample time to vacate the barracks (mostly so as to not make him feel that he was being rushed away), the Lord Major gave a slow but determined walk through the door to the Officers' Club. He took in a deep breath of Cairo air and, trying like hell to shake away the awfulness and death of the past several hours, began to make his way toward his tiny oasis near the river, the smallish section of trees surrounding a very cordial section of outdoor furnishings, the very same place where the Fellowship spent a good portion of their evening that first night. It was but two evenings prior, but it seemed like so much longer, what with the events recently. A great expedition planned, even prepared in record time, yet no movement upon it had been made. It was even held up - they should have already departed, or so went the plan.

Maybe it was for the best. With all of the death and mishap, perhaps running away on an adventure as soon as possible was not the best route to take. So upon the morning, then, for whatever good that would do. For now, as his Quartermastering had been accomplished and their ranks bolstered by George's presence, it was ample time for him to take a quiet moment for himself within view of the Nile and have something biscuitish. Perhaps even a bit more of that lovely date bread, if it was still in good keeping.

When Reginald was very nearly to his intended destination, he heard a voice, nay, a call of dutiful alarm that was quite possibly designed by fate or by Providence with the strict assignment of making his life difficult. It might be heard for miles if the wind blew just right, and most certainly through the confines of this barracks.

"Lord MAJOR!"

One might have actually, fully observed the older man's crest fall. He simply stood there, attempting to draw his outwardly showing confidence back up, and braced for whatever tepid water the Corporal was about to toss upon his spirits.

"Lord MAJOR, the Corporal reports a request from the Cairo Museum, sir! Request permission to rely the request, Lord Major, sir!"

Trying very, very hard not to facepalm or swat the lithe man with his hat, Reginald grit his teeth and grunted out, "Permission granted."

"The Corporal wishes to extend full gratitude for swift permissions to relay the request of the Museum, Lord Major Keystone, sir! Upon relaying the particulars of said-"

"God's bloody sake, Corporal!" Reginald had experienced quite enough for the day. "Unless you desire the unfortunate distinction of digging a field latrine and, upon its retirement, swimming the span of it from end to end as a Private, you shall make this message brief! Now! Report!"

Undaunted, the Corporal shortened his report significantly. "Sir, Lady Munn requests admittance and medical assistance for her assistant. Lad needs our doctors before he bleeds out, sir."

"Yes. Yes, indeed! Come along then, let us make haste! Go, go, Corporal!" The old man moved as quickly as his bones would allow him. He made his way toward the front gate, calling upon any with connection to the infirmary to make it ready to receive guests. When at the gates, Reginald could clearly be heard stating, "Yes, immediately! Let them in and give them access to the infirmary! The injured ones, of course! Am I suddenly surrounded by incompetents? We are here representing Crown and Kingdom, blast it all!"

"Oh I say," he continued, smelling the air and interrupting his own authoritative rant, "is someone broiling a haunch out of doors?"

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Lauren looked towards Mahendra she felt so bad for the man seeing all of the injuries he had and the glass sticking out of his skin and neck made her shudder seeing the sight of it. "I don't know.. I was getting food for the cat and then I heard some screaming and Neema was on fire.." Lauren answered as she looked towards Akhmed and nodded towards him, as she was about to catch up with the other women of the group, Lauren paused when she watched Mosi turn and puke all over her friend Nora. Then Nora puked all over Mosi which made her look away once more one thing Lauren hated was cleaning up or even seeing vomit.

"C'mon lets go." Lauren said as she started to follow the others over towards the Barracks looking over towards Mahendra once more once they were allowed to enter the gates. Lauren rubbed her eyes, there was so much death going on lately within the last few days she wasn't even sure what was going on in the first place either. Brandings, dreams, and Neema the only one who seemed to have any answers was now dead. "I'm going to get some drinks." Lauren said, but them stopped over towards Vera and sat down next to her, she felt bad for what happened. "It wasn't your fault, for what happened to Mahendra." Lauren said towards Vera as she gave her a slight smile trying to comfort the woman.

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Oh how much Mahendra wished that this, any of this would soon start to make sense. But none of it did! Going out to get food for a cat, and then Neema suddenly appearing in smouldering flames? Why? The smell continuned to intertwine the questions, now mixing in with the sound and smell of someone throwing up. Mahendra managed to catch the sight of first Mosi, then Nora emptying the contents of their stomachs. Poor women, this was probably not an easy time for them, fragile creatures they were.

Then again Mahendra had shards of glass sticking out of his face and throat, so he wasn't feeling great either.

Akhmed urged Mahendra across the street and towards the barracks, and he put up no opposition to him leading him. While the pain was still hurting like a snake's bite, Mahendra didn't want to appear totally helpless, and kept his left eye open so he wasn't totally blind. He still needed the helping hand of Akhmed though, due to the blood loss. Everything was hazy, spinning around like a tiger chasing a ribbon tied around its tail, but he managed he hear Akhmed tell him where he was going, and an authoritative voice ordering soldiers around. It had to be Lord Major Keystone, his light-headed mind thought, making him lift his right hand up in an attempt to salute, but ending up looking sloppy than anything. Right now he didn't manage to say anything coherent, he tried his best to follow the soldiers helping him.

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“Ughh... this is a first...” Priscilla was trying to make sense of what just happened when a stream of puke hit her in return! This was awkward. She used her hand to clean herself of as much as she can directly swiping it of herself as the others were heading off towards the barracks of some kind. Well this was another first thing she'd do. Entering a military barracks was not on her to do list, but might as well do it. If nothing else for some cleaning of that damnable brand. Maybe a bandage... at worst. Actually with this puke she'd need that cleaning and bandage for sure.

“Look... I'm sorry for that, miss.” She quickly moved over with the rest to catch up to Nora.” I want to apologize for what happened... Usually I have that bodily reflex under better control.” She quickly said to the woman, but to be fair she did get puked on in return so on that front they were rather even for now. That said Mosi was already thinking of what to get changed into. Or maybe she could just use a bathroom to wash the clothes and walk around in wet clothing for a while. Given it's bloody EGYPT she figured she'd dry away fast enough.

“Excuse me, but is it me or there's a lot of strange things going on around this museum?” She asked Nora who looked rather in thought. The others looked way too occupied with the problems of life too, but she figured she'd talk to Nora for whatever reason.” I mean, deaths... thefts and now someone whom you knew getting the inquisition treatment? It's just too coincidental to be a coincidence.”

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Jo continued to help Vera inside as the others helped Mahendra and dealt with any other unpleasant bodily issues that Jo would rather not talk about. No, she would much rather console the poor woman who seemed to have misfortune follow her. Or perhaps misfortune was following all of them? She didn't want to think about the poor woman dying outside the museum. However, circumstances were now growing concerning given the fact that they seemed to be dropping off like flies.

Was it another accident? Mahendra's injuries surely were. Then again, perhaps there was more to that too. Jo shivered a bit. She didn't want to think some supernatural entity was targeting them, but if one could brand her finger, then surely it could cause chaos such as a box falling or being burned in an accident.

She waited for the Lord Major to come and take care of Vera. Jo really was at a loss for words. A rare occasion, to be sure. The blonde woman, Lauren (huh, she remembered her name finally), tried to console Vera as best she could, but truthfully, it WAS Vera's fault. Of course, it was an accident. Josephine knew that. It still made her uneasy, just how easy it was for these accidents to happen.

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George was gone, getting his things from over at the University and making sure the people that hired him knew what was going on. It was just something he had to do before catching back up with this new group he was joining on this new mission. It would take some explaining but he hoped they would understand. Yes, he was doing this for Peter but since Peter wasn't alive anymore, it shouldn't be a problem for him to take some time and go along with this group. They could use someone, if only a gun for the group.

Drinks? Drinks sounded good to Vera, perhaps a bit too good. The woman wasn't exactly known for holding her liquor very well, in fact she had made a fool of herself just what? The night before? Or was it the night before that? The fact she couldn't exactly remember if it was this morning or the morning before she had woken up with a headache and a hangover probably spoke volumes against her getting a drink. That and her clumsiness. Yet, a drink sounded really really damn good. Even a cigarette sounded good right then and she didn't smoke. Oh but she knew someone that did.

"Yes, a drink Lauren, sound just the thing to settle the nerves," she said but her eyes wandered to Josephine. "Can I pinch a fag?" she asked innocently. While where she came from had long been referring to cigarettes as fags, over in the colonies, it had come in the last two decades to mean someone of homosexual tendencies. Not that that little linguistical difference crossed her mind when she asked Josephine. It didn't help that the men were running around under the Lord Majors orders and there were several clerks that looked as if their hips swished even more than a models on the cat walk.

Mahendra was lead into the infirmary and the barracks doctor was there on call to see what all the fuss was about. "Good god man, did you lose a fight with pane of glass?" he asked as he motioned towards the table. Taking a long and close look before he did anything, he huffed slightly. "Some of this is deep, but the shards are solid. You will have some scarring but it will fade with time. Do you want some medication to dull the pain?" he asked. In a civilian hospital he wouldn't have even asked and just administered it but this was the Barracks of the Kings Army. Most men refused unless they were screaming too much to have time to refuse.

Vera sat down in the officers club at the bar and looked around. There was no one tending bar just then. A lot going on, and it was still early in the day. They wouldn't start serving drinks proper until afternoon tea. Glancing over at Lauren, Vera was shaking and pulling at her fingers. "I won't tell if you won't," she said looking behind the bar. The woman had mentioned she worked as a bar tender a bit ago hadn't she? Well maybe not today, perhaps it was yesterday. Or was it while she was looking over Vera while she was intoxicated? Oh she couldn't remember but she was sure she was a bar tender. If she was the actress and Josephine was the bar tender, she was really messed up.

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"A few drinks it shall be then." Lauren said towards Vera, while looking over towards Josephine and then the others. "Going to be in the Officer's Club, if anyone wants to join us." Lauren said as she turned around and started to follow shortly behind Vera until they were there once again. She really did need a drink to calm down, looking down at the bag of meat she still carried with her Lauren did make a note to drop it back in Vera's office for the cat. Lauren then looked around noticing that the bar was completely empty while looking over towards Vera raising an eyebrow slightly towards her. She didn't really think the woman had a bad streak in her, but then again the day had been really bad so far.

"They cant court martial us for stealing a few rounds." Lauren said jokingly as she started to sneak her way over towards the bar, she started to search around before finding a few glasses and stuck her head up slightly from behind the bar. "So i'll make sure you don't end up getting drunk this time." Lauren said towards Vera before finding just a random bottle and then started to make her way over towards the table Vera sat at.

Lauren then sat the glasses down on the table, and opened up the bottle to pour in some glasses for them and sat down next to Vera. Lauren slid over the glass to Vera and then grabbed her own and quickly started to drink. Lauren then started to think of the very odd marking that the cat had she brought with her. "So you know the cat that I brought in? It sort of had a weird looking symbol on it similar to the brandings some of you had." Lauren finally said.

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One of the benefits of being the commanding officer of a military base in a foreign country with which they were not engaged in hostilities was that, unless a specific incident occurred, paperwork was minimal. Point of fact, his own dailies were handled in a matter of minutes. Everything else was a matter of being on standby for whatever of the Crown's interests required their attention. As one might expect, this gave most personnel a remarkable amount of free time, officers especially. It also meant that the possibility for a little action, and almost any kind would do, was taken as a celebratory occasion for which volunteers stood in the many.

Such it was with Vera's new assistant and his horrifying facial wounds. It got to the point that, relaxed by the recent influx of guests and indigenous personnel, certain security procedures had cut corners. Nothing that could not be fixed (at least on the temporary) by a judicious amount of well placed bellowing. Between yelling at his subordinates and the morning's paperwork, this concluded all of his standard Commanding Officer-ing for the day. What luck, it wasn't even time for tea.

Unfortunately, fate seemed to put off the beginnings of the initial trip yet again; more death and injury, the adding of a new fellow to the Fellowship, and all that. He really should catch Vera up on these happenings. People pointed Reginald back to the Officers' Club. Curious, he had just come from there. Well, if these fates directed him back to the place where they kept some of his favorite whisky, then who was he to argue? With a shrug, the Lord Major toddled himself to the doors of his Second Office here in the Qasr El Nil Barracks.

"Ah, I see we have a fair to middling amount of our Fellowship back. Lady Munn, it is a pleasure to receive you as always. Though you do look a bit frazzled, my dear girl. From the incident with your assistant, I'm sure. I've got an enlisted fellow who will keep us appraised of the situation with Mr. Zalil and the others' medical adventures." Reginald strode back to his favorite booth toward the back of the club. He had left a bottle and pair of tumblers there, not to mention a box of personal effects that he was very foolish to have left unattended. "Apologies for my manners, of course. It has been a trying day all about, I'm sure. Now then, welcome back Lady Kingston, Miss Ridgeway, Miss Clark. By all means help yourself; we are at your service. But to business: Peter's final arrangements have been handled. Mr. Benaszewski has volunteered his services as protector in the interim. And to older matters - We are fully provisioned as of last evening. Luxury items and lists of personal comforts arrived this morning, and all that is left is to select an appropriate mode of transportation. We are, from the end of my responsibilities, wrapped up with string (as they say)."

Despite the hour, Reginald poured himself one more dram of whisky, and stood holding it for a moment. Uncertain as to the wisdom of the question, he was nonetheless obligated by propriety to ask anyway: "So, what are the particulars of your morning, ladies?"

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Nora glanced over at Mosi, still aiding her slightly to walk. Despite the vomiting, her own brand was still concealed by the glove. She decided to keep the glove covering it, at least for now. She didn't want to know what sort of infection could set in if it was exposed to the vomit - which she wondered if Mosi would spring another round of it from her stomach. Even if it was just bile, it couldn't be good. "...It's quite alright," Nora said softly. As irritating as it was, it wasn't the worst thing that had happened to her in life and it certainly would not be the last time someone emptied the contents of their stomach onto her. It would happen again, she was sure of it.

As Mosi brought up Neema with the callous remark that she had gotten the inquisition treatment, Nora's blood boiled slightly. It was such a rude and inconsiderate way to speak about a woman who had only just died! She clenched her hand slightly. It was sadly typical of Americans - there was really no respect for the dead. "I would hope that someone is not so cold and unfeeling when they speak of your recent death one day," Nora said simply, as they finally made it to the infirmary. Mahendra was being tended to at the moment and Nora judged that they could wait. Hopefully there would be a change of clothing. Clothing that didn't involve trousers - she hated those things.

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Despite the continuing loss of blood running down his wounds, Mahendra was still awake once he was lead into the barrack's infirmary. He only imagined how the army infirmaries looked like back during the War, filled to the brim with dead or dying soldiers with various wounds, him included with the long gash. He was lucky to reach medical personell in time and for the wound not getting infected. Hopefully the infirmary was more modern than it had been the previous decade.

"Not exactly, Sir. Glass. Very long story..." Mahendra managed to say in a coherent sentence to the army doctor, following him to the table where he presumed he was to be seated. In his dizzy state of blood-loss, Mahendra felt the world turn to a darker shade of black once in a while, before it turning bright and clear again. But now he was somewhere they could treat him - hopefully -, and the fear of death could only remain that; a fear. "No...no...that's quite all right, Sir Doctor. I...I'll be fine...I think." Mahendra continued, opening and closing his eyes as the doctor examined his injures. The possible scars he'd be left with wasn't that much of a concern to him; scars were signs of fight and survival, and that much he had. But the still-burning brand on his belly worried him, though what would the doctor say of that if he showed him?

For now Mahendra just wanted the shards out, his wounds bandaged and a good rest. His eyes were difficult to hold open by now.

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“Hmmm?” Mosi made a questioning sound as she looked over at Nora as the woman spoke to her. She seemed quite dissatisfied with something which baffled the American for a moment until she finally heard everything that Nora told her.” Ohhh...” She added another sound of surprise and started chuckling at it. It was a rather mild chuckle, nothing too loud or bombastic, but enough to notice her amusement of the topic.

“My death...” She started, forcing herself to stop chuckling.” My death will probably be painful, grotesque and more likely than not at a place or situation where the news of it will take time to spread if at all. People speaking coldly of my death? I'd be rather fine with it, I simply don't care. I'm also not afraid of death. In manner of fact, once I die, I will have an answer to the question of what's after death, is that not a good thing? Death should be celebrated, not lamented and feared!” Mosi snickered.

She looked at the doctor treating Mahendra and then about the place.” Don't worry Mehendra! Scars will make people think twice before messing with ya, it's a good thing!” She called to cheer up the man!” We can also get some tattoos later for additional encouragement! SOLDIER ON!”

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Josephine had her thoughts rattling around in her mind as Vera spoke to her. She caught the words, but her mind was occupied as she heard the words. She turned to face the woman, "Darling, you can do whatever you want to them if it helps, but do you think this is the best time for that? Are there any around, even?" she asked with a questioning glance in Lauren's direction. Then she put two and two together to mean that Vera wasn't asking about...that. Rather, she wanted a cigarette. Jo blushed slightly. "Oh golly, I misinterpreted that. No, of course, you can have one." She reached into her bag and handed a cigarette over to Vera, as well as offering a light.

The Lord Major came quickly enough and spouted off his report of their trek. It was truly good to hear, but perhaps this was not the best time or place to mention Peter's death again after all things considered. "Well let's see. Mahendra was injured and is now being treated, Neema is now dead apparently, having been burned outside, as I am sure you could smell, and now we are here. So, so far, the morning is not looking to be too keen."

She looked back at Lauren. "I'd like a drink too, darling. Something strong. Serve Lady Munn first, of course. Lord knows she needs it."

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Vera listened to what her uncle was saying. Peter was being taken care of and his friend was going to be joining them. That seemed interesting. The mention of provisions and such helped to drown out the reminder of what she had seen in the streets. It shouldn't have but the woman had always been a bit of a blue stocking and it was one of those traits she could use to bury the ramblings of her mind. If she could focus on work then perhaps, just perhaps, she get get the vision of Neema out of her mind and the thoughts of poor Peter being sent back to England for burial.

Taking the cigarette from Josephine, she thanked her profusely. Lighting it and taking a deep inhalation was huge mistake because she had never smoked before. The coughing fit was one for the ages but she eventually stopped tripping around the room. Grabbing the side of the bar and waving anyone off that was trying to tend to her. "Oh my, that does have a kick to it," she said before attempting again, this time being much more careful. She still coughed but it was manageable. Picking up a drink, she sipped it just enough to take care of the dryness in her throat before she went off on a bit of a rattle.

"On to business. Thank you for collecting everything in which we will need. Where we are going there are roads but with the winds they are easily covered by sand. Yet we are lucky in the fact that Bubastis lays close to one of the delta tributaries of the Nile. Ferry will be the best move of transportation, then horses and camels the rest of the way. I propose we secure passage for this evening and sail on the evening tides. I do believe because of circumstance as each member leaves to collect their personal items they should go in pair protected by a member of the Kings Army if that would be possible uncle. At least until we are on board and have the protection of Mr. Benaszewski. Yes, yes, once Lady Kingston and Mr. Zalil are tended to, we should leave. Post hast this evening."

Downing the drink she looked at her watch and her eyes widened. "Oh my the time, the time, we must hurry and proceed. It would be three more days for a ferry north to the site and our permit it limited. Yes, we must hurry." Everything she said was true but she also wanted to get the hell out of Cairo - now. She probably wasn't the only one. Three had died, or was it more? No, there was five? More? Oh the number was growing. It was time to go.

Over in the infirmary the doctor worked to get Mahendra patched and stitched up quickly. It didn't take long but it would have been quicker if the ladies were not going at each other. "It is easy to say that until you are facing death," the doctor quipped as he finished up Mahendra. "Keep the wounds clean, the stitches can be cut out in ten days. If you tend to them well there should be minimal scarring within the next year," he added as he went to wash his hands.

Going to the cabinet, he pulled out several small bottles. "This will help with nausea," he said as he handed one to each of them. "Three drops in your tea or wine three times a day. No more." Handing two more containers over to the ladies. "Smear this under the nostrils to keep the smell away if something is rancid. Oil of Eucalyptus has a strong order and not the most pleasant but it has it's uses. Though I do suggest you bath and change quickly. There is a wash room there and while the clothing within is basic trousers and button downs of the men of the barracks, I feel it would be preferable to what is on. You may use the loo over there to change sir," he said as he walked over and set a set of clothing down for him as well. "I will go inform the Lord Major how you are fairing, please join us as soon as you are changed."

Stepping out of the room he shut the door and left them to their own as he made his way across the compound. There was a guard left there on the outside of the door with instructions to lead them over once they had changed. Finding the Lord Major was simple enough, people kept tabs on the man in the barracks. He was the Lord Major after all. Walking in he leaned into the Lord Major and gave a quick update of what was going on quietly before taking a seat himself. He needed a bit of a breather, the air in the infirmary would take some time to air out.

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Lauren turned her attention towards the door when she saw the Lord Major coming in, for a moment she was scared that raiding their stores of booze would get her punished. But he seemed fine with it, and gave him a friendly nod, as she started to serve Josephine a glass as well, then she poured herself her own glass. "Here you go." Lauren said as she sat down, as Josephine handed Vera a cigarette she tried to hold back a laugh and shook her head slightly. Then Lauren watched as Vera took her first smoke, feeling a bit concerned and went to help her, only to be pushed away once she was fully recovered.

Then the topic at hand quickly went ahead to the trip that they would be taking which she had almost forgotten about with all the chaos that happened during the day. "I'll have to swing back by the museum and give the cat that I found me earlier the food, and then head back to my hotel to gather my things if we plan on leaving this evening." Lauren said as she stood up and quickly finished up the rest of her drink and looked towards the others.

"Leaving in pairs is a good idea and an escort if you are willing to provide some men that is given what has happened recently." Lauren said softly as she shifted slightly still trying to get the images of Neema being burnt to death out of her head, and given what had happened just the day before with Haakon as well made her shudder as well. "If anyone wants to come with me, we can go now." Lauren wanted to make sure she had all her personal belongings and a change of clothes as well.

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Reginald opened his mouth to say something to Vera, perhaps a question as to the wisdom in continuing with life's little vices when she was quite clearly unaccustomed to them, but thought the better of it immediately. No one had ever died from choking on a single cigarette, nor taking a single drink. Or two. Or... or maybe this was just a topic best left alone. Vera had quite enough on her plate today, and the Lord Major would not begrudge her the standard means of gathering one's calm, even if she was a novice at the practice. Instead, the only thing for which his slightly agape mouth was used was as a portal by which whisky could enter his stomach.

Josephine was rather forthcoming with the horrible inconveniences of the day. Not the least of which was news of Neema. Reginald removed his officers' cap and placed it over his heart. His eyes drifted downward and he sighed audibly. Setting his glass down, he remembered back to that smell of roasted meat he caught much earlier from toward the front of his courtyard. He felt a little ill, having made the sum of two and two, but spoke with quiet dignity, "I am dearly saddened to hear of this. It is said that when a person of veneration passes away, it is as if a library burns to the ground. Such was dear Neema; I am sure of it." He gave a moment of silence at the news, then continued to business.

"A ferry? By this evening? By Jove, my Lady, this is cause for an immediate course of action, you see. Securing passage upon one of those ships is one matter, but securing storage for our goods and sundries can be another matter altogether." He paced a little bit, considering the options available to him. "Hmm... the travel season is not quite upon us, but I worry. I shall send a man ahead with funds to secure our passage immediately, and upon word of reservation send our larger parcels ahead. Best accommodations possible, of course. We Brits must make a stately showing of ourselves. And I must pack my personals. Yes, much to do."

A brief interruption came from the base's medical officer, a case of whispered conversation with happy conclusion. "A modicum of pleasant news, at least. All of our friends and associates are quite outpatient at this time. They shall be along shortly, I pray. And Lady Munn? I most wholeheartedly agree as to escort. It shall be arranged. Though disheartened and quite saddened by the events of the recent days, I find that I am anxious to begin our operations in earnest. This evening, then. I suggest that we all meet up in this exact spot just before we embark, and travel to the ferry with the protection of the Crown's good fighting men. What say you?"

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Was he hearing correctly, or was it the bloodloss that was playing tricks on his auditory organs? He had learned quickly of Mosi's, well so to say 'eccentric' behaviour the moment he met her, but was she saying what he thought she said. In between the glass being pulled out and the good doctor stitching up the wounds, he could swear on his grandmother's grave that Mosi was seemingly joking about the concept of death. It would be shocking to anyone to hear such talk, especially Mahendra from his own ideological stand-point, his fear of signs leading to it, and the very fact that people of their fellowship had recently died. Violently too.

No, Mahendra thought it must have been his weakened disposition. He'd been wounded in combat before, and he knew what it did to even the strongest of men. Mahendra looked at the doctor with a grateful look, soldiering on as best he could through the whole ordeal. "Yes Sir, I will...do my best. Is there anywhere we can...wash our clothes here?" He asked the doctor as coherently as he could, but in the process of structuring his words the doctor already left, leaving Mahendra with Nora and Mosi. And when he thought about it, his clothes were actually quite bloody from the bleeding. Go figure.

Mahendra got off the table VERY carefully, trying to get stable on his feet before he picked up the clothes and slowly made his way over to the "Loo". ""Tattoos? No, I am not that kind of man. Not part of our culture, but suitable for the soldiers I have met from New Zealand and Australia..." He began to say, before feeling his focus drift away from what was important. "Miss King...Kingston, are you feeling better now?"

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"...I cannot say that I am feeling better, not while she shows such disrespect for the recently departed," Nora answered Mahendra softly. Nora took in a sharp inhale, seeing red as Mosi continued to mock the recently deceased Neema. She never was one for violence or irrational thought, priding herself on being calm and levelheaded, but this was just too much. She doubted any words she said would get through to the American (all the more reason for her to dislike that country) and she raised her hand, determined to smack Mosi as reprimand. Yet inexperienced with such a method, Nora slipped on the vomit at her feet that had dripped off of her and Mosi.

Sliding, she crashed into Mosi and Mahendra, knocking all three of them over the table and then onto the floor in a gruesome pile. From the sudden motion, the clothing set out for Mahendra slid off and fell on top of them, the crowning jewel of the human pile, and the metal dish with removed glass clattered onto the floor. It spun round and round, like a top, slowing before it settled next to them all.

Was this what Vera's life was like?

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Josephine had to hold in a chuckle at seeing Vera try to smoke, clearly for the first time. She had managed it better than most others though. Jo had seen some vomit before or cough so much they passed out. "There you go, darling. Nice and easy. You'll get used to it, though I may suggest another habit to pick up." Jo took the glass offered by Lauren and took a hearty sip. "Oh thank you, darling. Just what I needed after all of this."

Jo then listened intently as the Lord Major spoke about their plans with Vera. It seemed as if things were now set and all that left was final preparations and for them to be on their way. Jo couldn't help but still feel excited, despite the fact so much has happened and, more than likely with certain parties who shall remain unnamed, more is likely to come.

It seemed like all was agreed to at the very least, though Jo was a bit unsure if the Lord Major's men would be up to snuff for protection, but perhaps that one fellow could scream at their enemies and frighten them? "Marvelous. Is there time to make a quick visit back to my room? I'd like to make sure I have everything I need."

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Priscilla was amused while watching at the doctor until he came to them and handed them bottles of medical stuff. She didn't like medicine stuff, it was bitter, foul smelling and most of the time annoying to do, but she supposed a few drops in the tea or whatever she was drinking she could do. There was also the thing about rancid smells. Now that could have other uses as well!” Mmmhh yeah might be good to take that bath.” She nodded, knowing her condition of clothing and cleanness right now could use a lot of improvement.

She snickered in amusement when Mahendra denied tattoos, well she was thinking of getting some now that it sprung in her mind. She already had a brand on her stomach, what's a few more scribbles around it right?! Thus the American woman was all smiles and sunshine right now. Feeling weirdly pleased about something she had yet to do and having forgotten the matter of being dumped by her new friend just earlier today for the very moment. She was sure there was a reason for it, but Rosheen better have a good excuse and counter plans for a good time when she returns!

“Hm? Ohh...” Mosi made a slightly adorable little sound of surprise when Nora raised a hand to seemingly smack her. That wasn't what she was expecting. Then the hell broke loose again. The feisty miss whom Mosi just thought looked rather cool trying to slap her, slipped! Then they tumbled over a table or whatever and with Mahendra also on the pile the three of them were all on a nice little pile on the ground! The clothes for their dear scarred friend fell on them and then the dish where the glass shards were spun around for a while and fell by them.”Pff... hahahahahhaaha!!” Mosi burst into laughter through a cough of her breath having been taken out by the fall. She took a few breaths and started laughing again. Her body hurt again, but the very fact this happened was absurdly amusing.” Miss Nora, I've had people fall for me before, but to fall on me, this is a first! Hahhahahahaa.” Mosi couldn't stop laughing.” What's with this place, so much weird stuff happening all the time...” She managed to say trying to move a limb or two, wondering where in the pile of bodies they ended up at!" You guys okey? Also if I grope something, please note it's not on purpose... pffhahahahahaa ouch!" She was still snickering like mad before she winced from a tinge of pain in her stomach from the stretching.

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It seemed that things were starting to get ready to move. Vera was trying to remain focused and not think about what all that had happened outside of the academic aspect of it. Letting her mind wander to anything else was not a good idea right then. Snuffing out the cigarette she took a steadying breath. Leave the barracks, retrieve her things from the museum and the hotel, return here, load up, go to docks, board ship, leave Cairo. Simple right? Yes, make a plan, one foot in front of the other, just follow the steps. It was simple procedure. Nothing more.

"I am sure you are more than up to the task Uncle. I shall return in," she said looking at her watch and them grimacing. She had a lot to do and take care of having to ensure she cleared out two full locations. She would need her books, her notes, clothing might also be a good idea. "Oh dear, this might take longer than I anticipated."

"Mmm, can I help?" George asked as he walked back into the room. "Lord Major, mmmm trunk in courtyard," he said before looking back over at Vera.

"Oh um, yes. Please, that would be wonderful," she said and George nodded. After a few moments discussion between them things were worked out. They would go in pairs. George was adamant about going with Vera. He knew it would have been what Peter had wanted and it was why he had said he would remain here to help. For Peter.

The two left the barracks, a single guard going with them. George hoped he wouldn't be needed, the guard, but it was better to have a second set of eyes with him, especially considering George didn't have a full set himself. The two would go to Hotel first and then the museum. Vera let Lauren know she would make sure the cat was tended to since she had to go there anyways. No reason for her to have to make a second trip. Instructions were left for Nora, Mosi, and Mahendra about getting their things and returning back to the barracks post haste.

"Miss Clark, could you take this too them? While the soldiers here are good at guarding, I wouldn't trust anyone but you to be able to persuade them to hurry things along and convey the importance of such a taste with a guard at their side. If anyone can get their attention, I believe it would be you. I would just fumble and break something," Vera said handing over a slip of paper she had written things down on. Not that she believed a script of any sort would be needed. Josephine had demonstrated a knack of remembering things others would forget. Yet sometimes having a signature of someone else helped, or at least she hoped it would.

Vera and George left quickly, with a guard in tow. The three hailing a taxi outside of the barracks and climbing in, the driver instructed to head to the hotel for Vera to retrieve her things.

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*Refer to OOC notes for further information.

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