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"It's completely alright, I had a nice dinner with the Lord Major." Lauren said, towards Nora as she gave her friend a slight smile, as she took a moment to smell around the room. It started to clear out a bit as well, she couldn't smell as much of it now as Lauren thought for a moment towards Nora's question. "My room isn't that far from Vera's so if whoever broke into Vera's they could have stayed in my room while we were all at dinner eating." Lauren said, thinking that it was probably the most logical way she really did not like the idea of some stranger using her room.

Lauren then paused as she heard a splashing sound, and quickly turned around to try and look through the window what it was but she couldn't see anything. Then Lauren heard someone yell man overboard which wasn't a good thing to hear at all, as she looked over towards Nora. "Lets see if theres anything we can do." Lauren said, as she started to head out, and made her way out towards the main deck of the ferry. She stopped at the stairs and made sure that she had her ticket on her, which she did sighing a bit in relief at least she was able to get to the main deck now.

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For a moment the world was dark. Unable to pierce through the heavy veil of darkness as he struggled for breath, Mahendra wondered for a short few seconds if this was it. Was this how it was going to end? Not in a heroic battle against the enemies of the Empire, India, his family or the Fellowship, but in a titanic struggle against the very forces of Mother Nature? If what the Lady with No Name had been prophetic, then it would perhaps be a fitting end; a man trying to discover the secrets of the Earth through scientific and thorough methods, being swallowed by the very plane in a matter anything but disciplined. Mahendra gatherd the last of the air in his lungs, attempting one last breach of the veils of Death.

Mahendra gasped loudly as he finally reached the surface again. A current had dragged him down for just a moment, but he felt the presence of Death clining tightly around his mortal body. But he was afloat again. In the growing distance he could see the steamboat sail away from him, but also the shouting onboard notifying his dire situation. Lights were turned on him, and somewhere in front of him he saw what had to be a series of life rings thrown to him. But they were too far to reach for him now. "আমাকে দিন দিন বিশ্রাম দিন, বিষ্ণু!"* Mahendra prayed between gasping for air and spitting out water, before making a break for it. He swam as hard as he could, channeling his last strength into getting closer to one of the life rings. He felt it first, then saw. His hand touched the solid shape of one of the rings, and with a last gasp he pulled himself through the ring and latched onto it like a cat in water.

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Richard didn't say a word to Franklin's wise-cracking, nor to his condecending chuckling and calmly walking way, just staring at the man with a look that could kill. He was fuming, and the temptation to rise up and give the man a good knuckle sandwich was very much present. But instead, breathing heavily as he slowly got up from the floor, still feeling the new ventilation duct in his pants, Richard looked at Franklin. Hard and thorough, like a hawk eyeing its prey. He was going to remember each and every detail of the smartass of a man who had been toying with him for the past half-an-hour or so. If he had just gotten licked by Franklin, he was sure as Hell going to find him later and get the ball rolling into the right hole.

Once he had gotten up on his feet and Frankling was out of sight, he figured he could remember the most important details. Too bad he was getting too much attention that he comfortable with, and this was a man who got looks just for his nose in a normal day. Right then he'd want a good drink of scotch and a long, calm drive down a good American road, but the ventilation was making all of those things difficult. Embarrasingly so. Richard looked for Faye for a moment, seeing her still talking to that one guy who'd been drinking for far too long he figured, and just gestured to her that he was going downstairs. There wasn't much point in sticking around there, unless he really was changing careers into entertainment.

Richard walked awkwardly to the stairs leading to the Lower Decks, trying to keep his back as much to the wall as he went. His ticket was still with him, thankfully neither burned nor wet from the night's escapeds, and he was let down the stairscase. That was even more awkward, with his boxers easily showing through that massive rip in his pants. To anyone who gave him that amused look, he gave them a look of "Fuck off you prick." and proceeded towards his room.

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Mosi looked at the crewman with calm and completely serious eyes as he suddenly sprung into action checking her claim and calling out for a man overboard. The woman then nodded, checked her ticket had it, showed it though they were probably preoccupied.” Out of my way, got things to see.” She mused as she ran down the stairs to the main deck and looked out the railing trying to locate where it was that the person who fell was. It took a little, but people started tossing life saving gear over at the water.

She followed the direction of the people tossing things and then the lights shining at that and quickly saw the person there. Frankly she was rather curious as of why and rather how someone had ended down in the water. Were they pushed? Was this an attempt at taking their life? Well they were still moving so they were still in the land of the living. Maybe they had fell by mistake? Trying to impress a potential partner maybe? God only knows how many times she did stupid things back in the states to impress and gain the attention of a girls she fancied.

Mosi found herself really curious about whom that might be, but well he was getting away from the ship at night... even with the lights seeing whom it was was rather troublesome to do. She just looked from there, wondering if they would be able to pull the person back on the ship in time before he gets drowned or eaten or something. Did they have killer animals in this river? She wasn't really sure. She rubbed her chin in thinking manner as she started walking even further towards the back of the Main Deck, not minding at the slightest that she was in her pajamas.

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Josephine continued to sip her whiskey as Reddish prattled on. It may have been the liquor working its way through her body, but she was feeling very warm. Her cheeks felt heated as she watched the man's mouth move over and over and over again. She was half listening really, because in actuality her thoughts were racing to and fro. Filled with images she shouldn't otherwise think until her mind was returned to the matter at hand.

"We may be big, but I find other countries to be more...exotic. Filled with wonder and adventure. I guess it is a matter of opinion though. I am sure those in other countries might see America as I see Egypt or France or England. You should go, one of these days. Especially to New York. I could show you around to all my favorite places. Where to find a good drink. Where to dance until your feet fall off. Where the best view of the city is."

She felt flushed again and waved it off, polishing her drink off. "Well, come now darling. We have the Lord Major to see." She linked arms with him and made her way to see the Lord Major. The quicker they did so, the quicker the evening could continue.

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Faye listened as the man opened up a bit more, eager to see if she could make further headway with him until she heard a thump behind her. She turned to look at Richard, wondering what could possibly have happened this time. The detective was on the floor now with a bruised ego. She felt another urge to ensure he was all right, but he got up quickly and Faye noticed that Richard had a hole in the seat of his pants. Faye fought off a case of the giggles. First two arm fires, and now this.

He waved at her and proceeded out of the room. She assumed he was making his way back to his room less he cause further damage to himself or possibly the ship. She returned her attention to the man. "Not boring, this ship is. Always something going on. Now, pray tell me good sir, what do you mean? I agree with your point of view and I am a young person. The grass is not always greener. I've found that out the hard way."

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Nora nodded. She supposed that Lauren's theory had some sense to it - perhaps they had gone into her room before or after entering Lady Munn's. "They might have been looking for something in your room then as well," Nora pointed out. Yet given that their strategy to cover up a theft in Lady Munn's had been to turn the place upside down, she doubted that they had taken anything from Lauren's room. It was too tidy for the same sort of stunt.

She heard the shouts as well and Nora bit her lip. "...Do you think they were aware of the hippos?" she asked, referencing their earlier conversation. She then nodded, following Lauren and she still had her ticket on her as they switched decks. Nora glanced around, hoping to see Lady Munn or Gene there, but she didn't see them. What if the person had been shoved overboard? Or was it the thief of Lady Munn's journal that was currently in the Nile? "I hope Lady Munn is alright..." Nora whispered. "And Ms. Benaszewski..."

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Gene raised an eyebrow, noticing the Lord Major inside speaking with the Captain. She doubted he would come to talk to him now if it wasn't completely needed. So, in her mind, the logical assumption was they weren't the only ones dealing with theft or pilfered items. "Something else might have been hit," Gene told Lady Munn. She was thinking it'd either be the cargo or Lord Major's room itself - the later seemed more likely to her. He would have probably stopped by his room after dinner, noticed it was ransacked like Lady Munn's, and then have gone off to report it. Time wise, it worked out.

However, then there was the alarm and the information that someone had gone overboard. The instant Lady Munn moved to be behind the Captain, Gene positioned herself protectively to the side of Lady Munn, prepared to grab her and keep her away from the edge. Lady Munn seemed to be a huge danger to herself and she did not want to see her go over the edge. There were a few people she had met in life that she would love to see fall overboard, but none of them were currently present - and none of them were back home, either, she realized with a slight smile.

"Careful, Lady Munn, don't want ya going over too," Gene cautioned.

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There was a sense of urgency regarding the matter of, as the Lord Major had put it, Theft and Vandalism aboard his ship. However, upon careful consideration of the fact that there was indeed someone who, for whatever reason, could not stay upon the solid planking of the vessel's flooring despite an ongoing desire to do just that, his business was understandably more urgent. Between the crocodiles and hippopotami, ugly undercurrents in the shipping channels, and just plain drowning, whichever unlucky soul was whisked away into the watery arms of the Nile had more pressing business with the resources that the Captain could bring to bear.

Reginald had no desire to keep the Captain away from his appointed duties to the guests aboard his ship, or in this case the guest presently not aboard, and stepped back easily to one side as the man gave his understandably curt statement to postpone their conversation.

A new conversation might be struck with Vera and this latest addition to their group. "Ah! Lady Munn, Miss Benaszewski. I was just reporting our misfortune to the Captain. In addition to your quarters, as that fellow George had detailed to me earlier, our things in Cargo have been thoroughly searched. Nothing missing as of yet, mind you..."

His voice started to trail as the general alarm sounded and lights hit water. Despite his advancing years, the Lord Major's eyesight was still fairly sharp, at least reliable enough at distance. He was a pilot, after all. In a fiarly distanr voice, Reginald agreed with Gene concerning Vera's nearness to the side. "Yes, yes indeed Lady Munn, the railing is nobody's comarade today. I say, isn't that your assistant?"

Oddly, in that moment he thought he heard something familiar nearby.

"Corporal?"

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Haring was having a wonderful time so far that evening; being Off Duty was somwthing that he was a little rusty at, and he tended to ramble at times when protocol gave no clear stopping points to his sentences. Lacking in certain social experiences, it just seemed easier to assume that the person he was with should be treated as either a VIP outside of his chain, or as a superior. In that way, he could maintain a level of respect while not blithering on about whatever crossed his mind. The problem was, he kept rambling on anyway. As an item of mercy, Josephine seemed not to mind too much. He would have to find something nice to do for her later.

As ideas attempted to present themselves, he was pleased to note that Josephine had taken it upon herself to thread an arm through his. He accepted it with a slight blush and stepped out from the lounge the same direction they entered, hoping to check in with Reginald quickly at his stateroom and return to his now epic level Off Duty-ness.

General Alarm. The bastards.

Reddish had been through several General Alarms in his time with the army. This one sounded different than the ones to which he was accustomed, but it was unmistakable as anything else. His body stiffened, tense as a compressed spring might be, waiting to release energy at notice. The Corporal looked across the water at where the spotlights were pointed. "Oh, by Jane Austen's beflowered and bestarched knickers... is that Mr. Zalil?"

"Corporal?" called a voice nearby and above.

Reddish recognized it immediately, seeing as he had been saluting its owner for a good, long while now. Reflexively, the slender man straightened fully and took in a lungful of air, so as to better prepare for the vocal abruptness which was to follow. "Yes, _{(cover your ears, dear)} Lord MAJOR!!!" Thankfully, he turned his head slightly away from Josephine. On the plus side, they had located Reginald mere steps from the lounge. On the minus side, drama was unfolding that very well might take precedence over his evening. Still, he was a man of obligation, one of which was to his group. And a member of that group was bobbing upon a flotation device in the middle of the Nile like a waterlogged hoagie. "Sir! The Corporal humbly requests a status update, and awaits orders, Sir!"

Reginald looked from Reddish to Josephine, and back again. He was due for an update, and seemed to be missing for everything that had unfolded so far. "In brief, Corporal, as the situation is fluid, you see: Our goods in Cargo have been searched by parties unknown, and the Lady Munn's stateroom has been burgled. I might recommend doubling rooms this evening, until it is sorted. Further, Mr. Zalil seems to be going on an impromptu moonlight swim, though the particulars of it are beyond me. Oh, and good evening, Miss Clarke. I apologize for disturbing your... ah, your walk, madame."

"Scandalous, Sir! Scandalous! Is anyone hurt? And how may the Corporal be of service, sir?"

"The Captain is in charge of this vessel, Corporal. If he has use for you in this emergency, you are allowed to lend him your service. Otherwise, I would check your rooms to see if any mischief was afoot and report. No one is damaged either, as of yet." He shifted attention to the shipmaster and asked politely, "Have you use for my Corporal, my good man? What might we do to assist our soggy compatriot back onto the boat?"

Reddish looked to the Captain expectantly. He was more than willing to assist in any way that he was able, but his knowledge of civilian shipboard protocol was limited at best. A big part of him wanted to launch a lifeboat and start paddling out to Mahendra immediately. Another part wanted to check his and Josephine's rooms to make sure they weren't gotten into. The briefest horror crossed his mind - what if these horrible ne'er-do-wells had pilfered his Aeroplane Cards? He hadn't even gotten a clear opportunity for The Lord Major to autograph his yet. It was a flattering picture, too.

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Reminders: Same reminders but hey, we all forget shit - If you are changing decks at anytime while we are on the boat - roll in chat before you post. If you roll a 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 - drop me a line because your ticket is missing. If you roll a 6 though 20, you have your ticket and can proceed without issue.

Same goes with leaving and returning to your characters room. If you enter your room, drop a roll in chat. 1, 2, or 3 drop me a line before posting. If you roll a 4-20 everything is fine and you can proceed without issue.

Please remember to do this every time you change decks and every time you enter your rooms.

Also remember - If you are Elite you can do to any deck. If you are Secondary you can go anywhere but Elite unless you are on record as working for someone with an Elite ticket. If you are Lower Deck, you can only enter Lower or Main deck.

Man Overboard, Part 2: What an evening it had been thus far. What a week. The group had dealt with their fair share of shenanigans. From slips and trips to burnings and death. At least the part of the group that was with the museum that was. The others had not really gotten their feet wet as it were yet. Okay, that wasn't entirely true. Richard had had more than his fair share of adventure since he boarded the boat. (Makes me wonder just how bad his trip from the United States to Egypt was.)

Anywho, let's get back to the tale at hand that is unfolding. Where did we leave off? Oh yes, man overboard. Now a general alarm had been sounded and it can be heard most everywhere save within rooms with closed portholes and in the lower levels where the engine is loudest. (Even then with a good hearing roll one could still be made aware of it.) Mosi had done her due diligence in alerting the crew and made her way back to her room. She was getting some odd looks from those that were poking their heads out to see what was going on. Now not that she cared what anyone thought but it was probably a good idea to get back to her quarters. If only to change if she saw fit and be of more use in slacks than in a skirt.

J.C. looked over towards Faye and was about to answer when the general alarm went off. "What in the blazes," he asked more to himself than Faye. Downing the last of his drink he stood up and started walking. Following the small crowd to the edge of the deck. Looking up and then down, his eyes followed the lights that were on the water. Back behind the ship now was a man at a life ring but he hadn't spotted it yet. J.C. kept moving further and further back on the ship. His steps increasing in pace until he was at the back of the ship. J.C. just kept moving back as his eyes scanned what little could be seen.

Vera took a step back from the railing and nodded towards Gene. "Oh bother, quite right," she said as she bit her bottom lip. With her ability to trip over her own two feet it was a miracle in and of itself that she hadn't yet plummeted to the waters below. She wasn't sure who was in the water as she couldn't see the man anymore. She had only seen a figure in the water and briefly at that. It was dark, they were at least three decks up from the water. The ship was still moving. Now that she was stepped back from the edge it would be impossible for her to see who it was. "I don't know, I hope not."

"Hey you, stop!" someone yelled out towards the back of the boat but Vera didn't hear it. It was a deck below at the back of the ship and she was at the front. Yet off the back of the boat, only two boots were left rocking and then there was a splash as something else hit the water.

Nothing could be seen on the surface until a blonde head full of hair broke the surface and blue eyes looked around as he took a breath. "Hey there," J.C. said to Mahendra. "Nice night for a swim," he chuckled before grabbing the ring and starting to swim back towards the boat, one hand on the ring as she other cut through the dark waters of the night Nile.

A man came running up to the captain, spouting off about how some ninny jumped into the Nile after the man that had fallen over board and was now swimming back this way with him. "Seems, someone already has," he said to the Lord Major before turning to the crew man and continuing, "lower the nettings down the side of the boat on port side rear."

Vera looked over towards Gene and the Lord Major. "Whomever it was had to be crazy or insanely brave," she said as she stood there.

"Probably American," the Captain said with a bit of an eye roll.

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Lauren looked over her shoulder towards Nora at her suggestion which she didn't really like the idea of at all, although she really didn't have anything of use or interest. Just some clothing, that was lend to her by the military barracks thanks to the Lord Major as well as her own clothing and a small bit of money but nothing large as well as some of her family's brew. "I don't think they would have found anything of use in my room honestly." Lauren said shrugging a little bit as she made it to the main deck as her eyes scanned around a little bit until she found Lady Munn, The Lord Major, the very loud and annoying corporal as well as Josephine as well. "They should get back onto the ship quickly before the hippos or the crocodiles then." Lauren said softly she didn't think that they would come close to the boat or not but she didn't know.

"Vera your things are in my room now." Lauren said towards Vera as she looked at the rest of the group that was there, she wasn't sure who fell and she couldn't see in the dark either. "Anyone know who fell off the ledge?" Lauren asked she made sure that she didnt stay to close to the ledge as she could continue to hear the alarm going off, and raised an eyebrow when she heard the captain's response but Lauren didnt really say anything. Sure some Americans had done some stupid things, but Lauren wouldn't jump overboard to try and save a person really.

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Josephine was expecting a quick, easy visit to the Lord Major and then an end to the evening (and whatever that entailed of). However, it seems the fates or whoever was involved in this whole thing had other plans, for their visit to the Bridge was anything but easy. Not only was there an alarm, but a crowd had quickly gathered. She spotted the Lord Major and Lady Munn. Reddish had as well and the two of them quickly made their way over. As duly warned, she covered her ears to avoid having her eardrums shattered beyond repair. It seems someone had fallen overboard and it was none other than Mr. Zalil. "Good evening as well Lord Major. Nothing to be sorry for. I just hope the dear man is all right. Are the waters cold at night? Could he freeze? Is anyone helping him?"

And then there was the news of the break=in. Her mind ran to her own room being pilfered and she would have none of that. "Was anything valuable taken or was it just rummaged through? And what of all our rooms? Whatever they were looking for, they would be desperate if they did so openly on a ship with people and crew walking about. Once this matter is addressed, I'd like to go check on my own room. I have some things in there a thief would love to get their hands on."

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Faye finally flet herself getting somewhere with the man, but an alarm began sounding and he was off. She sat in a bit of a huff. What was the cause for the alarm? She gave chase shortly after, because she was dead curious. She didn't know if she should grab Richard or not, but the man had enough damage. Letting him on the deck may be dangerous. He might fall off.

And wouldn't that be ironic, because it seemed someone had gone overboard. She joined the croud, hearing bits of chatter here and there from some people. She was worried about the person in the water. Was anyone taking action? "Excuse me? Is anyong helping them or are we all just standing here? They need help!" She assumed the crew was taking charge, but she didn't know much about ship travel. Richard was smart to be down below.

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As far as Mahendra knew, he was out of mortal danger. He was far from being safely on the ship or on solid ground, he was soaking wet and out of breath, not to mention if he had lost any items or clothing in the ancient river that was the Nile. BUT he was alive. As he held on for dear life onto the life preserver, he couldn't help but think about the lady that he had spoken with. And to his current situation more relevant, ran after. Was his meeting in the Nile one of her making, or had the Gods looked unfavourably upon him for his actions and punished him? Or was he just that clumsy? He didn't know.

What he did know was that out of the blue, a wet scalp of hair had appeared in front of the Bengali cat-in-deep-water. A scalp of blonde had that belonged to the man greeting Mahendra and grabbing onto the life preserver to swim. What in the name of...Was Mahendra dreaming? Mahendra blinked a few times, trying to see if it was the water in his eyes that caused him these visions, but the more he blinked the clearer the man was. And he was attempting to help him back to the ship. "...thank you, Sir!" Mahendra managed to say between his breathing, starting to swim with the man back towards the ship. It was getting harder to breath, but with the help he managed to keep on swimming forward. He really didn't have any plans to die that night, not that like.

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Richard really didn't know what to think. Either he didn't know, or he was incapable of doing any productive forms of mental leg-work down on the Lower Deck after a long evening with what Richard would call "good ol' shit-heaping in a junkyard". He didn't know about any alarm or the like, or perhaps he just didn't give two shits then and there. What he did care about were his pants and just what the whole business with Franklin had been about. And he meant to find out, eventually at least. Not that he had much to go on, as he made his way from the stairs, through darkened corridor and towards his little plot of land that was his cabin.

Was it really worth investigating? The journal that wasn't Franklin's, that was. Richard questioned himself quietly as he unlocked the cabin door, and entered before closing the door behind him. He hadn't been payed and/or told to investigate the theft of a journal to God-knows-who of a lady, and neither did it have an impact on his and Faye's own case. Their priority was still the Gould-case. Then again, Richard thought to himself while tossing his fedora on the bed and taking off his shoes, the guy was clearly a crook. A crook that was lucky enough to avoid Private Detective Barker's tough questions and tougher attitude, at least for that night. And Richard didn't like his smug smile.

As Richard pulled off his pants and threw them carelessly at the bed alongside his fedora, his search for the still hole-less pair of pants commenced. His suitcase was a unorganized mess of chaotic pieces of clothing and miscellaneous items that mattered to him, and somewhere deep inside a pair of still good pants. Next time he had time, he'd have to find an affordable tailor to fix the hole. 'Cause far as he knew, Faye wouldn't, and he didn't blame her for that. He did however blame himself as he pulled up the other pair of pants from his suitcase. He really needed a smoke...

"...out of all the poor pieces of moth-infested cotton scraps I dragged along with me, I had to take the pants of ex-wife bought me? Richard, you really got some blind spots, Pal."

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A quiet chortle could be head in the vicinity of the Lord Major. It wasn't just because of the "American" joke, because there was a little truth to that statement in his experience (and considering his own past actions he really couldn't judge), but also because he felt a wave of relief to hear that the waterlogged fellow was getting the help he needed. There was nothing like removing a bit of worry to help one express mirth. In the event that the statement was taken as insult, or his own reaction to it, Reginald turned to the nearby lady from Philadelphia, "Apologies, Miss Benaszewski. The brazen fortitude and near insanity of your country's fighting men was crucial in the struggle against the Kaiser during the Great War, quite. I am only too happy to be in Fellowship with your people from the former Colonies, you see." He cleared his throat, unsure as to his conclusion, "Though one must admit the impulsive nature of the culture, while progressive as a people, makes for a myriad of cautionary tales. Blaze of glory, and whatnot..." The last sentence was spoken with a certain wistfulness that was notably absent elsewhere, as if something to be aspired toward.

"...yes, blaze of glory..." He suddenly focused upon the people around him, as if snapped out of a deep and satisfying thought. The one member of his staff in particular, Corporal Reddish. "Corporal, if you would please? As the Captain's men and one brave yet foolhardy American (for whom I shall likely purchase a whisky later) have the situation under control, do take the time to inspect both your and Miss Clarke's staterooms. Report back if anything is amiss, that I may make a full report on the matter with the Captain. Provided nothing else untoward occurs this eve, you may consider your obligations met, Corporal. Dismissed."

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Several bits of new information flooded into the recesses of Haring's mind. While he was off having a pleasant, evwn spectacular night out, the rest of hus party was experiencing various hardships and irregularities. Oddly, a part of him wondered if they were cursed in some way. They were, after all, chosen somehow. Or at least that is what they reported in the form of shared dreams and spontaneous physical branding. Possibly he was spared because he didn't really belong to the group, having basically conned his way into it? It was something to consider.

Something not to consider, however, were the Lord Major's orders. He was given a task commensurate with his rank and standing, and that cooresponded with the company he kept presently. Doubling up was a good idea anyway for purposes of safety, particularly if armed. Safety in numbers. Well, relatively speaking. In the manner of Unyielding British Propriety, the unrelenting Corporal Reddish addressed the various members of his group (plus guest) in a manner of shorthand etiquette as a means of temporary farewell. Rapidly.

Starting with Gene, "Miss Benaszewski," he chirped, with a nod of his head.

Turning the nod into a full bow at the waist, Reddish swiveled the few degrees necessary to properly face Vera. The action resembled a clockwork dancer. "M'lady!" he continued.

Continuing his arc of pleasantries, Reddish stood straight and tall, quickly facing the Shipmaster, "Captain!" he called. The intensity of each title increasing as he went on. It was building to something.

"And..." He cast a sideways glance at Josephine, even as he turned to face Reginald. As if he was signalling. Or warning. He snapped his hand into a proper military salute, taking in a lungful of air to propel a final auditory blast that might one day be embellished in the annals of comic book history as a legitimate superpower, "...Lord MAJOR!!!"

Then seamlessly turned to Josephine. He placed a hand upon her lower back, motioned down the length of the ship with his other, and suggested, "Shall we inspect your stateroom first, Miss Clarke?" He wore a helpful look and a warm, accommodating smile.

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Gene raised an eyebrow for a moment. At the mention of George, she noticed that he wasn't nearby. "And where is my brother, Lord Major?" Gene asked, crossing her arms slightly. She didn't relax too much however, still worried that she would need to pull Lady Munn away from the edge. It wouldn't do for her brother's love interest to be eaten by a bunch of hungry hungry hippos!

Gene couldn't help but laugh as the Captain said it was probably an American that jumped overboard. It also amused her to no end how much the Lord Major attempted to smooth the situation over. Truthfully, even though she was strictly speaking American, she didn't really think of herself that way. She just thought of herself as Gene Benaszewski. However, she couldn't help but be tempted to mess with the Lord Major, even just a little bit. "At least we Americans have balls - something that it seems the British are lacking," Gene quipped.

Oh, she so was going to have to record her thoughts on these conversations later in a diary and tell them to some people back home. They'd eat it all up.

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Nora nodded slightly, thinking over Lauren's words. There had been nothing of use in Lauren's room, causing whoever entered it to just leave a lingering smell and otherwise no trace of their entrance. Yet for Lady Munn's quarters - containing the valuable information pertaining to this mission - it had been the opposite case: the room had been thoroughly tossed and cluttered. Whoever did this potentially had gone into Nora's own room, she realized with a grimace. She was not terribly fond of the invasion of privacy.

Thankfully, the Captain and his crew had things under control - a fact that was comforting to Nora. She enjoyed knowing that the crew and commander of the ship were indeed capable and confident people. Boat travel on the Nile would have been an anxious experience otherwise. It similarly did not surprise her greatly that it had been an American apparently that had done something idiotic yet brave - it was typical of that country. She still was a bit hurt that her favorite brother had married an American and moved to that country.

"Perhaps we ought to check my rooms as well," Nora said softly to Lauren.

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Reminders: Same reminders but hey, we all forget shit - If you are changing decks at anytime while we are on the boat - roll in chat before you post. If you roll a 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 - drop me a line because your ticket is missing. If you roll a 6 though 20, you have your ticket and can proceed without issue.

Same goes with leaving and returning to your characters room. If you enter your room, drop a roll in chat. 1, 2, or 3 drop me a line before posting. If you roll a 4-20 everything is fine and you can proceed without issue.

Please remember to do this every time you change decks and every time you enter your rooms.

Also remember - If you are Elite you can do to any deck. If you are Secondary you can go anywhere but Elite unless you are on record as working for someone with an Elite ticket. If you are Lower Deck, you can only enter Lower or Main deck.

Man Overboard, Part 3: Oh lord what do I address here. The fact that we have one person over board with another pulling him back in? Or the fact we have another going over board right now. Let's dive in head first shall we? Or more like butt first as that is how this other person hits the water. Who hit the water? Let's rewind a bit. You see, as J.C. is swimming back with Mahendra and giving the man a "sure thing bloke, getting eaten by hippos fucking suck. Or so I am told," speech with a bit of a chuckle others are watching above.

Who all do we have above? Let's see we have Lauren, who has been kind enough to move Vera's things to her quarters. We have Josephine, who has been spending the evening with another and seems to have been enjoying herself. There are others as well and a lot of people have questions. Who fell in, who dove in, who broke in. It is a lot to take in and a lot to answer. The captain seems concerned about the break in's and states that he will look into it as soon as as this is taken care of. Vera seems grateful to Lauren and turns around to say so but here is where things get turned a bit around, and upside down.

Who else is there? Oh yes... the LORD MAJOR! and my god, how do we know this. Because the Corporal let us know as he bellowed it out. When he did, it made the skittish Lady Munn jump and poor Lady Munn, despite people watching out for her, despite people ready to grab her, hit the uber cluzt movement and her bum hit the railing and she fell back and everything kind of went into slow motion as the Lady Of Gracelessness plummeted down to the water and was swallowed up by it. Thanks a lot Corporal!

Thankfully Lady Munn does have a skill that pays right now, the woman does know how to swim. Her soaking wet curls broke the surface as she splashed around, looking this way and that. "Oh fuddle," the woman muttered as she looked around over the surface of the water.

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Lauren stood there as she took in all the people who were all up on deck as she looked over at the woman who was saying if there was someone who was going out there to help. She bit her bottom lip as she started to think about what to do, or if there was something that she could also do to help. "I think someone jumped into the river to help out whoever it was that fell overboard." Lauren said, she didn't know what to do to help, as she thought about it for a moment, as she ran a hand through her hair, Lauren looked over towards Nora and gave her friend a slight nod. "I think we should have everyone else check their rooms to so that no one else has had their things stolen." Lauren suggested, still the smoke smell in her room was a bit worrying as well, she looked towards Gene and chuckled slightly at her comment.

Lauren then was about to turn around and make her way back down towards the Elite Deck, when she could easily hear the extremely loud and extremely annoying voice of Corporal Reddish, and his signature use for Reginald's rank. She turned around, when she noticed that Vera had jumped a bit after he did that, her eyes went wide as Lauren watched Vera fall overboard. She quickly ran over towards the railing and looked down seeing Vera barely in the water as well. "Vera! Are you okay?" Lauren yelled out towards her, making sure that she didn't end up joining her as well as she held tightly onto the railing.

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Josephine would have been happy to have it end there. Mahendra seemed to be getting help from someone who also jumped overboard (why everyone felt the need to go into the water was beyond her). What worried her more was the break-ins. If Vera was burgled, then she must have been as well. She had valuable things in her cabin! Stuff she didn't want others to see before it was ready. She was eager to come along, but she did not want to go alone. It wasn't so much out of fear (she was not some damsel in distress, after all), but she was also eager to continue her evening with Mr. Reddish.

What she hadn't accounted for was the piercing cry of the man (though she did block her ears again due to his warning). In the next few moments, it was as if time slowed down and she saw Vera stumble back and clip the railing and fall over. She was not the speedy type (plus, heels), but she unblocked her ears and ran over to the edge of the ship. "Vera! Oh my goodness! Help! We have a woman overboard. Women and children first and all that! Quickly, someone save her!"

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No one had addressed her personally, but she overheard that someone was tending to the man who fell and she felt relief. She didn't want to imagine what it was like. The water was probably so cold or uncomfortable. Who knew what was in those waters also. She was content to go back to her own room and forget this evening. Tomorrow would be a new day and she could get to work on researching for their destination.

And then she heard that scream. That same scream she heard before. What man could possess vocal chords that strong to unleash such hell was beyond her, but then she heard more cries. And this time, it was from the other end. Someone else had fallen over? And a woman no less! She quickly walked over to where she heard the shout and the screams. "We have another one overboard? IS she ok? Can she swim? She addressed no one in particular, but she was getting more worried now. Three people in the water over the span of a few minutes? This did not bode well.

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Mahendra could do nothing except give the kind man a smile of tired appriciation and keep on swimming. The man had with no concern for himself thrown himself off the perfectly working ship in order to help Mahendra in his time of need. Had he been British or a Subject of His Majesty King the 5th, it would probably have made a very fine tale of Imperial comradery, akin to that of the Great War against the Empire's enemies. Mahendra however did not know as of yet if the man was British or not, but he didn't care right then and there. He just smiled at the man, breathing heavily as he kept swimming. "Yes...yes that would be very unfortunate. But...but so far, so good, as they say."

With every stroke forward, plowing forth through the heavy waters of the Nile, Mahendra felt the previous tight grip of Death loosen from his back. He had been saved a bit earlier, but the thought of hippos or some other unforseen divine act was not lost on him. So it was best to keep swimming, even with safety coming ever closer to the duo. But then another person fell from the ship. Could it be...Dear Gods! "Lady Munn! By the fate of bad fortunes, Lady Munn has fallen over too!" Mahendra exclaimed through his breaths and strokes, having watched Vera fall overboard and into the dark Nile alongside the two others. What kind of night was this? Was there some Ancient Curse that lay upon the Nile that specific night, or the ship itself? Mahendra wondered..."...There aren't any mummies...on the ship tonight, is there, my good man?"

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All right, he hated those pants. Absolutely dreaded them, and he wasn't sure whether it was because they reminded him of the scag of an ex-wife Beatrice, or if he just didn't like the pants themselves. They were striped black with light grey fillings in-between, perhaps okay in themselves but not looking overly fitting with the rest of his beige clothing. Now one could argue that Richard shouldn't care, he wasn't one of those young dilletantes he inherited their father's billions of oil-money just to throw lavish parties with more booze, drugs and flapping skirts than any illegal gangster meeting in Havana. And he didn't. No, it had to be the first.

But with no other options, Richard lit himself a cigarette and pulled in the smoke while pulling up the new pants. He couldn't argue with the fact that they weren't sweaty from being out in the sun for too long, so that was something. Pulled up, buttoned in and held up by the same belt he was once again properly dressed like God intended to. But while he did that, his mind went back upstairs; how was Faye? When he had left her, she had seemed okay enough around the drunkard she had talked to. But what now? She was a good girl, clever, but naive after all. And he was the older, hardened detective. Geeze, that sounded more and more like a really bad pulp-novel that kids read those days. "Back to baby-sitting then."

Richard got exited his room, locked it and made his way upstairs again, showing his ticket to the guy at the stairs and casually walking upstairs. It wasn't until he poked his head above the Main-Deck that he heard the commotion around him. An alarm, loads of people talking or shouting about something having happened. What exactly? Richard had no idea, but turned to the nearest staff of the ship and decided to ask in his New York Arabic. "ماذا يحدث هنا؟ ما هو التنبيه؟"*

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These had been some weird messed up few days, Mosi mused to herself as she laid down om her bed and stretched her arms out. A lot more action packed than what she imagined too! She wondered if that was because it was Egypt where the world differed a lot than the a lot more prude Europe and fun States of America. She didn't feel as comfortable in Europe as she did here despite all the crazy going on. She didn't mind the weirdness, she actually enjoyed it!

Running a hand across her stomach, wincing at the pain from the brand, she vaguely thought as of what she would say to her family if they ever ask about it. An artistic expression maybe? Well she was planning on getting some tattoos eventually and the brand would go well with those. Life was short and she was beginning to think that she should hurry that up! Maybe when they arrive, she was going to search for someone to put the tattoos on her. For now though it appeared sleeping wasn't going to be quite possible with all this noise, thus she decided to for an enthusiastic nightly walk around the ship!

In a relaxed manner she stood up from the bed, took off the night gown and put on her pants and shirt combo for better walking around at somewhat chilly night combo. Once that was on, she pulled her ticket and keys and the like and walked out the door of her room.

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Gene's sudden assertion of the testicular fortitude of his fellows of the Isle of Angles & Saxons was met by the sudden, instinctive puffing up of the Lord Major. In truth, he was totally taken by surprise at the words of the otherwise unassuming Miss Benaszewski, otherwise he might not have spent the next moment looking positively confusticated and befuddled, struggling for the proper words at the moment. The honor of his native Britons had to he upheld, possibly with a series of examples of English Courage (no, not gin). Acting in any manner that was likewise of an intentionally insulting manner would be a damned unchivalrous state of affairs, as well. He was a man descended of old world knights, and as such was not at all replete of chivalry, as outdated as it was becoming in recent years. At the end of his likely humorous and sudden crisis of ethic, Reginald merely gave an understanding smile and responded with a dry, low toned, "Cheeky..." followed by an answer to her question, "Your brother is below decks. Cargo, young Miss." He was ever the gentleman, regardless.

Perhaps it was this lapse of concentration that kept Reginald from responding to the sudden aftermath of a vigorous Lord Majoring issuing from Corporal Reddish, taking on the form of Vera plummeting from the side of the boat. Over the rail and far below, the Nile had accepted another unintended visitor into her watery arms. Immediately, Reginald snapped into emergency mode, contemplating any and every possible way that he could repair the situation and save his adoptive niece from the great river. Aged but still sharp eyes took in the details of the boat around him, noting what he had at his disposal. There were various bits of deck furniture, structurally attached cable or some such similar cordage that he really couldn't use, possibly something involving a makeshift rope ladder involving articles of clothing... Lifeboats! Lowering one would take a long time and possibly hit Vera, but if he were to commandeer one of the lines about the pulley system. Yes! It might work. Looking to the closest person that he had authority over, Reginald began to roll up his sleeves and enlist Reddish's aid in the rescue to come. "Corporal! The lines attached to the lifeboat - I require your assistance to -"

In a highly uncharacteristic turn of events, the Corporal interrupted Reginald mid-sentence. It began with him barking out an honorific, but it was an interruption nonetheless. "SIR!" Reginald was stunned. "Begging the Lord Major's forgiveness for the brazen affrontery with which the Corporal has arrested your highly regarded and impressive verbiage, Sir! The Corporal shall file a report for insubordination immediately upon return to the Qasr El Nil Barracks or the next available outpost of the King's Royal Military, if it please the Lord Major! But if Sir might allow some latitude before issuing an Official Order that the Corporal will be bound to follow regardless of following consequence? The Shipmaster has staff equal to the task of saving Lady Munn with the preexisting knowledge to do so, Sir! It would be the bloody same as a group of them commandeering something from our Motor Pool whilst we were drilling inspections, and cause an incident as we no longer have authority to appropriate civilian property without established tactical necessity! And we'd be forefront in their way. They have this. We officially cannot, Sir!" Such a mouthful was spat out with continuous speed, flowing from one syllable to the next rapid-fire yet still uncannily understandable, and all with one lungful of air. It was actually quite impressive, if a touch annoying.

Reginald was beginning to turn red. First Gene, now his own batman speaking to him in a manner that was significantly more common and casual than he had expected from either of them. What was worse, in the instance of Corporal Reddish, was that he was right. That fact probably aggravated him more than anything else. He was absolutely correct and probably saved Reginald from some social or diplomatic fallout, even if that meant that he was powerless to do anything to assist a young lady he viewed as close as any family. Closer than most of his own by blood, point of fact. Helplessness did not suit him well. He leaned just a bit outward to peer at the water below, exclaiming, "Hold fast, Vera my dear! Assistance is forthcoming!"

Turning back to Reddish, the Lord Major composed himself as best he could, considering that someone he cared a great deal for was overboard and the Corporal was annoying the living piss out of him. He pointed in the direction of the staterooms, and reminded tersely, "It is best that you're not around when Lady Munn gets back onto the boat. You have your orders, Corporal. See to them. Dismissed."

Reddish cocked his head to the side, eyes widening in anticipation of what horrors Reginald might bestow upon him. Surprisingly, they never came. Or they didn't look to arrive yet. He snapped his hand into a vigorous salute, almost jubilant in his application of one of his favorite phrases, apparently of all time: "Yes, Lord MAJOR!!!"

Too soon. Reginald lost a bit of his composure, retorting, "Damn it, man! Off with you!"

Again laying a hand upon Josephine's back, Reddish again motioned down the length of the ship with his other, suggesting, "Shall we inspect your stateroom first, Miss Clarke?" He wore a helpful look and a warm, accommodating smile.

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Gene couldn't help but face palm. Of course Vera had fallen into the Nile, even with her right there to steady her and warning her to stay away from the ledge. She made a mental note to let her practical sister know to never do business with Lady Munn or any member of her family. They had the coordination of a drunken toddler on a trampoline. Perhaps that was a bit too generous of a description.

However, Gene wasn't one to pass up a good quip. "See? No balls," Gene told Reginald with a smirk, practically daring him to come up with a better come back than cheeky. If that was the very best the British had to offer, then this entire mission was in trouble as far as Gene was concerned. No wonder her American brother had been enlisted to help. He was probably the only one in this party that actually had what it took to get the job done.

She peered over the edge slightly. Gene wasn't going to jump down there herself. She didn't have a skill in swimming, after all, and she didn't want to get eaten by the hippos infesting the Nile.

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Nora's eyes widened with panic as Lady Munn toppled overboard. She had not known her for a long time, but she felt indebted to the librarian and scholar. Had it not been for Lady Munn, she would be letting life pass her by and amusing herself with trivial little things. Lady Munn and Miss Clarke had inspired her to actually try living her life. Sure, there seemed to be a decent chance that the life she had would not last very long - death was following this exhibition - but at least... at least it would be a life worth living.

Had she not overheard the points of the Corporal, Nora might have been tempted to jump in after Lady Munn. Yet then they would merely have two people in need of rescue and from what she could tell, Vera knew how to swim. "She will be fine, Lauren," Nora whispered, attempting to reassure her dear friend. And perhaps, she said it partially in order to reassure herself as well. The crew would be able to rescue Lady Munn before anything else happened - provided she didn't slip and fall back in again once she was retrieved.

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Reminders: Same reminders but hey, we all forget shit - If you are changing decks at anytime while we are on the boat - roll in chat before you post. If you roll a 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 - drop me a line because your ticket is missing. If you roll a 6 though 20, you have your ticket and can proceed without issue.

Same goes with leaving and returning to your characters room. If you enter your room, drop a roll in chat. 1, 2, or 3 drop me a line before posting. If you roll a 4-20 everything is fine and you can proceed without issue.

Please remember to do this every time you change decks and every time you enter your rooms.

Edit - 1/31/2019 - And Suddenly the Hands of the GM Reached Down and inserted a bitch out fest for people to correct their fucking headers!

Keystone - Sun Deck (Sigil, serious man, you have been yelling over a railing for rounds - fucking no!)
Reddish - Elite Deck
Gene - Sun Deck
Nora - Sun Deck
Lauren - Sun Deck to Elite Deck
Josephine - Elite Deck
Faye - Main Deck (Not near the bridge, she would have had to go up two decks and clear tickets which she doesn't have.)

LOOK AT THE MAP PEOPLE! NO TALKING TO ANYONE NOT ON YOUR DECK ANYMORE - IF YOU TALK TO SOMEONE NOT NEAR YOU, YOU WILL BE IGNORED. IF YOU ANSWER SOMEONE NOT NEAR YOU I WILL SMITE YOU! USE THE FREAKING MAP! (Not totally pissed but I have found if I don't snap and yell and be a bitch people don't listen.)

The Captain is on the Sun Deck, mid boat, port side. What I have listed above is the decks you need to edit to in all last posts. Future posts, I don't care how, make it right.

Also remember - If you are Elite you can do to any deck. If you are Secondary you can go anywhere but Elite unless you are on record as working for someone with an Elite ticket. If you are Lower Deck, you can only enter Lower or Main deck.

Man Overboard, Part 4: Well you know that old adage where they tell you - at least it can't get any worse? Well it can, it can always get worse. In fact as soon as you say it can't get any worse - it does. How did it get worse? Well the men above, that work on the ship, that the Corporal said could handle the situation tried, life boat this time. One person over board, let's throw a ring and pull them up. Two, let's throw a rope ladder down. Three, let's just get a life boat and try lowering that. Especially when one of those poor fragile women is involved. A soaking wet woman of course couldn't haul herself up the rope ladder. (Though, don't ever mention it is because that ten petticoats can easily hold up to fifty pounds of water when soaking.)

So here we. Those lovely, well meaning, dumb as fucking rocks men to to lower the boat. One rope snaps and sends the boat swinging on one rope. Second one holds but the added stress on the wench sends the metal snapping and down goes the boat. Thankfully for both J.C. and Mahendra they are still a bit further back but hey that boat looks to take Vera out. Maybe there was a mummy on board the ship. Maybe it is just the fate of people to get squished. At least this time it wasn't a leg lamp. And we all know Vera is about as graceful as a new born baby calf on ice. That is on land. The woman actually does know how to swim and thankfully so because she is able to swim out of the way and over to J.C. and Mahendra, grabbing onto the ring and sputtering water out of her mouth. She seems okay, shaken but not stirred.

"Oh my, good evening," she said with all the propriety as she could muster before turning and waving back up to those above. "I'm alright, quite alright," she yelled before failing to blow some of the curls out of her face as they were soaking wet and plastered to her head.

"Mmm, over here," George's voice said in his gravelly way and about a deck up from the water a steel door that was used by the crew for loading and unloading cargo was swung open.