[IC] 🦄 Deeper Than The Sands - Merged With T.S.

[ONL]

Haakon J. Elvsgaard

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Location:Bank of the river Nile ---> Egyptian Museum

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"Then I'd rather go now, this is certainly not nor..."

Haakon had felt pain before in his life, both the kind of pain one just sucks up and keeps quiet about, and the kind where you swear worse than a Norwegian sailor from the north and just want to die. The latter he'd experienced at first hand working in the factory after having nearly had his arm crushed under a large roll of paper, which was also the last time he'd silently prayed to God for help. The first he'd experienced in München, Germany after having been punched right in the face by a national socialist hooligan who found Haakon's presence and questioning rather annoying. Oh yes, Haakon had felt pain.

But he had never felt like a cow being branded by a glowingly hot iron rod, at least that's what he thought this would feel like.

Swallowing his words, he tightly grabbed his finger as the pain suddenly reemerged where the branding was. Or had he simply been too shocked by the Ring in the river and had his mind set on the lady also seeing it to have noticed it? Odd, for he thought that he would surely have felt it since he was now biting his teeth together and feeling tears drop down his cheeks.

"Ouh...what in the name of God is this?" he managed to mutter before he found himself silently gasping in pain, looking down at the finger. He now noticed the small drops of blood on the ground, which he realized came from his finger and the branding. If he had been frightened before, he was now seriously questioning his health and sanity, this going well beyond any logical explaination that he could think of. Not that he managed to think all that much, the pain was reeling through him now more than before.

The lady, Miss Kingston she called herself, was already well on her way down the Nile once Haakon realized it. Giving Josephine a quick glance, he did his outmust to not think about the pain - a silly thought taking the sheer pain into account - and push himself into walking after her. And before he knew it, he was following Miss Kingston through the door and into the museum's reception as she was asking someone - anyone - for assistance.

"...Miss Munn, she might be qualified enough for that, I think. And please, I'm starting to fear that I will tear my finger right off if this continues!"

[FantasyChic]

Josephine Clark

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Location: Bank of the River Nile -> Egyptian Museum

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It was a curious thing. However one looked at it, it was bizarre how the three of them all saw the ring in the water. What was even more bizarre was the now burning sensation on her finger where a ring is normally placed. She, too, felt the pain and looked at Haakon for recognition. She saw on his face, as much as he tried to muster through it (men are such weak characters, aren't they?) she could see through it.

The woman they met seemed to be in a similar conundrum and she was on her way to the museum to find out answers. Answers were much needed in this instance, so she ventured forth, not waiting for Haakon to voice his opinion on the matter. Luckily for her, he seemed to have the same idea and the two followed.

Upon arriving at the museum, she followed the woman in the same room, "I demand to know just what the hell is going on? Get this Munn woman here on the double." She clapped her hands and didn't bother with pleasantries. She was in no mood to waste time, the pain was horrible and she needed it taken care of now.

[Pundii]

Harry Walsh

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Location: Alf Leyla Salah at Opera Square

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Harry watched Aziza closely as Lauren cleaned her up, keeping an eye on her the whole time as she took the stone from his fingers. He expected it to be something bad, from the look on his face as he knew that his assumption was correct. He moved closer to her then as she shook somewhat, a frown clear on his face as he reached over, gently setting a reassuring hand on his shoulder. He'd seen fear like this a hundred times, though it was usually far more than words which conjured it. He sighed as he knelt down closer to her height as she sat, trying to give her a reassuring look.

"Things are going to okay, don't worry." He said quietly, he wasn't sure how much it would help but it was something. "I'll stick with you if it'll make you feel safer, and we can talk to the police, if they won't help I have friends in the British Garrison." He assured her as she moved to try and stand, moving with her as he kept his hand on her shoulder gently in a caring manner. "You should be careful, maybe you should stay somewhere other than your home, tonight."

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William Drake

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Location: Egyptian Museum

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William smirked as he watched Vera closely, hearing her immediately hiss back toward him again. He kept his triumphant look until he felt a heel slam into his foot, letting out a long and pained groan as he clenched his fists. "Why you lit-" He bit his tongue so he didn't go off on a tirade of curses, forcing himself to deal with the sudden aching in his foot as well as he was able to as he listened to her go on. He knew some of what she discussed, others were new to him. He did notice her gaze as it shifted over to him though, smirking as he saw the pink tinge to her cheeks before she looked away.

The look only further bolstered his confidence, as always the Scoundrel was convinced he knew of her feelings, she only continued to show it to him. If it weren't for the relative importance of their discussion and company, he would have pointed it out or said something, but for now he bit his tongue, simply listening again until she asked her question. Turning his gaze to Reginald as he spoke, William nodded and considered his own answer before he spoke up. "It wasn't long ago for me either, I thought it was mostly the drinking after I arrived, though." He chuckled in a self-amused manner.

[Lady Absinthia]

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@Pundii @Morose @FantasyChic @Nallore @Sigil @ONL

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Location: Egyptian Museum

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I too have been vexed by these dreams, more so as of late. Last three evenings I have tried to avoid sleep because they are plaguing me so," Vera said as she looked between the man she considered her uncle and the man that grated on her nerves like hot acid; in a weirdly good way. "What the hell is wrong with me," she wondered to herself before shaking it off. The man was a cad and a scoundrel and she knew in the back of her mind she would be nothing but another in a long line of conquests for him. It might not be the 18th century anymore but she would not be caught up in some scandal that would reach back to the ton in England. She was determined that if she would ever return to England and be in court again there would be nothing salacious in her past.

Stopping for a moment she held up a finger as she started rummaging through the drawers in her desk with the other. "There were some notes in my uncles study that he had me review from a dig he did down in Thebes not too long before the Tutankhamen discovery. It seemed like nothing at the time but..." she started before cutting herself off as her fingers wrapped around the journal she was searching for and she held it up triumphantly. "Ah-ha-ha-ha, here it is," she said in a rather Mary Poppins-esque manner, a smile on her lips as she looked up. Hearing quite the commotion ring through the stone walls of the Museum she cocked a brow upon hearing her name. "What in the name of Cleopatra is going on out there," she mused and then froze as several were brought into her office by the museums clerk. Two of which she didn't know but one she did.

Slowly lowering her hand and resting the journal on her desk she rose from behind it and rested her hands on the edge of the cherrywood finish. "Mr. Elvsgaard, what is going on?" she asked before stepping out from behind the desk and walking over to the three. The one woman's words just made her rolls her eyes a bit. "I am Lady Vera Munn and you would do well to hold yourself with a bit more decorum in the museum if you would. One does not go around simply demanding things here." While her voice was terse she was polite enough with the current circumstances. Shaking her head she looked back over towards Haakon and her brows furrowed as she spotted his finger. Grabbing his hand rather unceremoniously.

Vera was not one to consider things when her mind started clicking, standing closer to Haakon as she examined the branding mark on his finger. Turing his hand over slowly as her fingers traced along the skin but making sure she had not touched the brand itself. Pulling her glasses out she rested them on the tip of her nose and went back to looking. "Bastet.." she mumbled under her breath. Looking up slowly her brows lifted. "Have you been having dreams?"

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Location: Alf Leyla Salah at Opera Square

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"Thank you," Aziza said as she swallowed a lump in her throat. This entire situation was not sitting well with her and she was nervous. Very nervous. "I should change..." she added before placing the stone back into Henry's palm before stepping behind the changing screen. Closing her eyes she took a deep breath. It seemed her past was coming back to haunt her. The dreams that had been plaguing her were bad enough but now this? What in the world was she supposed to do? She wanted to tell her friends what was going on but what was she supposed to say? Oh by the way, on top of a guy throwing stones at me, I am having this weird dream. Oh why is he throwing stones at me? Well Let me tell you.... Shaking her head she changed out into a simple silk skirt and blouse, slipping on her her shoes and gathering her costume up under her arm.

Stepping out from behind the screen she looked at Lauren and Harry, trying to force a bit of a smile. "Perhaps we should duck out the back. I really don't feel safe here right now. Lauren, I don't want you caught up in this... I can get a hotel room for the night," she said sheepishly, trying to spare her friend from getting caught up in the middle of everything. Setting down her costume on the vanity she rubbed her temples, her head still aching from the hit earlier. She wanted to tell Harry the same, that he should just turn around and head out but she was scared. Biting her bottom lip nervously she tried to take a deep breath to steady her nerves, winging her fingers slightly as she stood there.

[Nallore]

Location: Alf Leyla Salah at Opera Square

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Lauren stood there for a moment as she looked between both Aziza and Harry listening to Harry mentioning the cops, of course she naturally also hated law enforcement mainly do to what had happened back home but she didn't say anything about it, it was something she kept to herself. She watched as her friend got up and went to get changed Lauren then turned her attention towards Harry and leaned herself up against the wall. "Happen to have a gun on ya or something? I've seen this kind of stuff happen before back home." Lauren said as she waited for Aziza to get changed and smiled at her friend and shook her head. "I'm not letting a friend of mine to fend herself from the wolves out there, so you aren't getting rid of me that easily." Lauren truly didn't want to see her friend get jumped and attacked by the same guy that had thrown the stone at Aziza.

"I'll be right back and tell the owner i'm taking off i'll be right back." Lauren said as she gave Aziza a soft smile as she headed towards the front seeing everyone still drinking. Lauren eventually found the owner and approached him tapping him on the shoulder. "I'm going to help Aziza get home, so i'll be taking the rest of the night off." Lauren told him as she quickly made her way back towards the back of the bar where Aziza and Harry were and gave them both a quick nod. "I'm ready to leave when you two are."

[Sigil]

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Reginald Keystone

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Location: Egyptian Museum

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Dreams, dreams, dreams... Everyone in the room now, having nocturnal visions of that ring, emblazoned with the Bastet Eyeball. This had to mean something far greater than a simple case of alcohol overindulgence (of which he was guilty from time to time) or indigestion (which occurs in a man of his age without warning). But far from being hesitant or concerned with the situation, the Lord Major chose to stride headfirst into this little mystery, regardless of where it may take him. Why, if he was very lucky, he would be shuffled off from this mortal realm in a method most agreeable to his sensibilities. That is to say, in the manner of glorious heroics. Or at least in a period of vigor and action.

"My word, this is intellectually salacious, Lady Munn, if you'll pardon my liberties. It looks to be quite the mystery! Where shall we go from here?"

The conversation was broken short by the sudden appearance of three more non-natives, each strangers to Reginald. He absolutely detested the manner in which the tall, blonde one spoke to Vera - completely without respect to one above her station. He was very much ready to say something scathing on the matter, but Vera had already handled the situation, even so far as to direct the conversation in a different, more interesting discourse before hostilities had good time to develop. He had to give credit, she had a way about her that was partly disarming, partly authoritative. Sometimes, it was enough.

The situation still rankled him. The brazen affrontery of it all, barging in there and making demands. "By Jove, they must be more Colonials." he breathed. In a clearer, more solid voice, he added to the conversation. "My, my. It seems we've all acquired a bit of mayhem thanks to this "Udjat" business. As it seems we're hip-deep in this intrigue, I must confess I haven't the foggiest idea as to how we proceed."

"Oh, but wherever are my manners? One of us should demonstrate those, you know. I am the Lord Major Reginald I. Keystone, Commanding Officer of His Majesty's Royal Air Corps here in Cairo and parts around. To whom do I have the pleasure of speaking?"

[Morose]

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Nora Kingston

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Location: Egyptian Museum

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Flustered.

That was the word Nora would use to describe her mental state. After her brother married that wretched American woman, Frances Tate, Nora had described herself as unsettled. The chaos of words and feelings, of magic and realism, that was at foot on this particular evening was like a swift punch to the jaw. Raised on decorum and its questionable merits, Nora scrambled to find purchase, to regain her footing, amongst competing pressures.

Of course, it wasn't that Nora thought women should be quiet. No, that wasn't it. She felt indifferent to the question of women's rights, her life of privilege blinding her from their necessity. Regardless, with two outspoken ladies in the room, she couldn't help but shrink away slightly, despite the burning sensation on her finger. Haakon had failed to impress her with his conduct, practically wailing and sliding into the female role that the starlet had left vacant.

If only the museum clerk had refused to let them in... Nora thought wistfully. Lady Munn, as she introduced herself, wasn't nearly as awful as the starlet. The curly haired woman seemed rather manly in her dress, and Nora found her to be an oddity, almost a curio. At the inquiry about dreams, Nora felt her unease increase. Flustered wasn't even the proper term now--she was flabbergasted.

At the Lord Major's request, Nora smiled faintly, the same forced contortion of the face her parents and etiquette had drilled into her. Had she been more properly acquainted with Haakon and the starlet, perhaps she would have apologized upon their behalf. Instead, she decided to set herself apart, curtsying as she introduced herself to the Lord Major and the Lady Munn.

"My name is Eleanor Kingston, the daughter of Dr. Richard Kingston, a professor of anthropology at Victoria University," Nora introduced, her tone soft and delicate. "I must apologize for my intrusion, I had taken it upon myself to come to the museum and make certain inquiries to an Egyptologist. I must explain that I have never had the good fortune to meet Mr. Elvsgard and his associate prior to this very hour."

She folded her hands neatly, concealing the burn from sight. She was not prepared to simply show it--not yet, at least. There were social customs, Nora felt certain, to asking a female Egyptologist to examine a brand that appeared out of nowhere. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Lord Major and Lady Munn," Nora added, having not heard the last individual in the room introduce himself. "I am dreadfully sorry that I did not catch your name, otherwise I should greet you properly with all respect due." she said, looking at William.

[ONL]

Haakon J. Elvsgaard

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Location:Egyptian Museum

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Bastet...Bastet...No, the word Bastet was as far from Haakon's recollection as he was away from home. And yet he tried again and again to dig deeper, trying to unlock any hidden chambers of knowledge in his mind in search of that word. Bastet. Was it Arabic? Egyptian? Was the word have any reasonable meaning behind it, or was it even a word? But from the look on Miss Munn's face, Haakon was getting the gnawing feeling that it nothing good.

"Dre...dreams? Yes of course I've had dreams. We both know it's perfectly normal to have dreams, Miss Munn." Haakon was tempted to pull his finger back and reply in a rude manner to Vera. It was ridiculous to assume that the dreams had anything to do with this! Or so he would have shot back at her, had it not been for the pain and the actuall branding on his finger, so he didn't move his finger an inch while looking at her. "...altough I am inclined to believe in the ridiculous for once."

Miss Kingston and one of the two gentlemen had by now introduced themselves, each in their own respective - and frankly brow-raising - manner. And as a matter of fact, all these formalities was starting to annoy him. But biting his pain and pride inside him, he thought it best to remain calm amongst the storm. "Elvsgaard, Haakon J. Elvsgaard. Journalist, and no I am not an American if that's what your assuming. Now can we please attend to the matter at hand? Miss Munn, before this...mark appeared on my finger, all our fingers as a matter of fact, including Miss Kingston..." Haakon nodded in the direction of Nora, noticing her attempt in hiding her own branding. "...just after we arrived at the shore of the Nile, followed by the sight of a ring floating in the river itself. But...this sounds mad, I know, but the ring we all saw vanished into this air! The ring...I have seen it in my dreams, That's the same ring!"

[FantasyChic]

Josephine Clark

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Location: Bank of the River Nile -> Egyptian Museum

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Josephine looked over the woman they were all clamoring to meet. She eyed the woman up and down and gave her a simple glance as if to say "That's what you're wearing?". However, fashion sense aside, she also noted the woman's role in this museum. She seemed to be a higher-up and, in what is arguably called a "man's world", she had to give credit where credit was due (though she wanted to pluck out the woman's eyes after that little roll they did). So she resumed her more peaceful nature.

"Dreadfully sorry, darling, but as I am sure you can imagine, having this sensation on my finger doesn't necessarily call for pleasantries, as my colleagues here are so quick to offer. However, I am Josephine Clark, though I am sure you knew that already, darling. Now that we have all been acquainted, I would like to know just what the hell is going on? I was just talking with Haakon here about my dreams and it seems we are not the only ones to experience such. Not to mention us three also saw the ring in the river over there. Now, I haven't been in this country long, but if this is a normal occurrence for the population, I would like to be made aware of it next time I plan my vacation here." She huffed a bit, but still offered her silver screen smile.

[Pundii]

Harry Walsh

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Location: Alf Leyla Salah at Opera Square

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Taking the stone back from Aziza and gently curling his fingers around it, Harry's eyes remained on Aziza up until the moment she disappeared around the screen, before they fell back to the stone in his hand. He ran his thumb over it for a moment, deep in thought over what exactly he was getting himself into with all this. A part of his better judgement insisted he should just return home, not to get involved in whatever was going on, finish his book and return to England. However, another part of him felt as if he needed this, as if he had been missing something, some sort of great excitement in his life since the war, which this might bring back.

Looking over to Lauren as she spoke, he nodded and tucked the rock into his pocket, reaching into his jacket to pull out his handgun as he tapped the side of it with his index finger. "Pretty hard to get it off me nowadays." He chuckled halfheartedly before turning back to Aziza as she came back, he nodded toward her as she made her suggestion, eyes shifting over to Lauren, as part of him assumed the girl wouldn't leave her friend so easy. Of course that was the case, Lauren would be coming with them as he tucked his weapon back into his jacket where he could easily get it, nodding toward them both and moving toward the back door, ready to go as well.

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William Drake

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Location: Egyptian Museum

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William, as was rather odd for him, remained relatively quiet as he stood and listened to Vera speak and move about her office, genuinely curious to pay attention to whatever information he could gather regarding the topic at hand. That was until it was rather suddenly broken by the commotion elsewhere in the museum. Turning his gaze toward the door, he raised an eyebrow slightly at the sight of the man who moved in, but then raised it much more at the sight of the two women. If there was one thing the treasure hunter appreciated more, or at least as much as the glitter of gold, it was a beautiful woman.

Approaching the woman who spoke toward him, he gave her a classic, winning smile and reached out to gently take her hand. "William Drake, explorer extraordinaire, it's an absolute pleasure, Miss Kingston." He'd lean down to press the slightest peck to the back of her hand, winking up at her as he'd let go of her hand. Standing up straight again, he glanced between the others, and as he came out of his kind of trance of infatuation, he realized that these people had themselves been experiencing the same sort of dreams, suddenly slipping out of his determined charming, he returned to focus on the matter at hand, his interest piqued, at the very least.

[Lady Absinthia]

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@Pundii @Morose @FantasyChic @Nallore @Sigil @ONL

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Location: Egyptian Museum

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Vera eyed the movie starlet as if she had just introduced herself as the Queen of Mars, in other words it was rather obvious that she still didn't have a clue to who the woman was. Looking around for a moment to each person before shaking it off she placed her glasses back on the end of her nose. "Pleasure to meet the both of you. Please do not let this lecher fool you. Mr. Drake is... an experience," she said rolling her eyes a bit. Taking a breath she stepped back to the other side of her desk, pulling her chair back into place and seating herself as she laced her fingers before her and rested them on the surface.

"It seems that something is going on with the Goddess Bastet. At least that is what we have been able to deduce thus far. Myself and others have been plagued with dreams as of late with the same symbol that you three now have branded upon your fingers," she stated frankly before proceeding on filling in the three new comers with the same information she had been able to provide William and Reginald before they were interrupted.

"I dare say that things are escalating if some are now experiencing truly paradoxical effects. If you three would care to have a seat, please fill me in on everything you can. Dreams? How often? How intense are they? Actually if I could also get that information from you Mr. Drake and you Uncle Regi, it would be most helpful," she said as she leaned back and reached into her desk drawer, pulling out paper and pen for each of them and handing them out.

"The more information you can provide, the better I can hopefully assist you though I will admit that such a situation is not something I have dealt with before but Bastet and Ancient Egypt are in my line of expertise," she added before turning and getting back to the shelves to pull out more books that she could reference.

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Location: Alf Leyla Salah at Opera Square -> Heading out the Back

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"Thank you both," Aziza said nervously as she took a deep breath and reached for her bag, placing the strap nervously on her shoulder before letting out a deep breath. She looked around as she moved to the back door and pushed it open, peering outside like a cat that had been scared one too many times; her eyes darting left and right rapidly as she waited for Lauren and Henry to join her. Slipping her arm through Laurens, she leaned against her friend lightly as she kept turning her head left and right, biting her bottom lip tightly between her pearly teeth. Down in the alleyway a box fell over for one reason or another and she jumped, her fingers curling lightly into Laurens arm before she let out a shaky laugh; trying to hide the fer that was so evident in her eyes.

"Sorry," she whispered as she cast her eyes down towards the ground and kept moving, faster now than she had been before. It didn't matter that once they made it to the main road and she started heading down the busy street, it didn't help her nerves. Swallowing, she just kept walking and walking, eventually making her way towards the Grand Continental Hotel and ducking inside as quickly as she could. Making her way up to the front desk she gritted her teeth as she was informed by the front desk clerk that the only room they had for the evening was the master suite. She wasn't expecting to spend that much for a single night but she wasn't going back to her place this evening if Allah himself had asked her too.

"Okay," she finally said and paid the man for a night. Looking over at Henry and Lauren she tried to force a smile. "Have two bedrooms and a lounge area. Want to stay this evening with me?" she asked, biting down on her bottom lip once again. It seemed like a friendly gesture but it was obvious that the woman did not want to be alone for the evening.

[Sigil]

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Reginald Keystone

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Location: Egyptian Museum

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A sparkle of recognition could be seen within Reginald's eyes. Not that he actually knew any of these people, but he could recognize when someone was using the King's English in the proper manner of a person of education. The experience of hearing another decorous citizen of the Empire did blunt somewhat the sharp and blatant utterances of their group's first speaker. "Yes, quite. Pleasure to make your acquaintance, of course. But do tell me, is that Lady Kingston, or is your family simply of the respectable, mannered gentry? Not that such statuses are of great importance to me at this moment, I simply should prefer to handle your formal address properly when the situation calls for it."

He tilted a small, polite smile in the direction of the other lady in the room. Manners dictated that he give a showing of presence, and indeed the woman did seem familiar somehow, but he felt no need to press the issue enough to ask, even after she gave her name. The same smile and offer of his hand went out to the gentleman accompanying the two women. "Scandinavian fellow, eh? Well by all means, visiting dignitaries should have the privilege of describing the lay of their dreamscape first. Come along then, sir. Lady Munn has pen and paper at the ready, and I must admit a growing curiosity, myself."

The Lord Major stuck his thumbs into his belt and leaned back a bit. It was like the older man's version of Parade Rest mixed with the military tradition of "voluntelling" someone for a task or activity. Not that he meant it rudely, it was merely a product of his upbringing and experience.

[Nallore]

Location: Alf Leyla Salah at Opera Square -> Out the back -> Grand Continental Hotel

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Lauren smiled towards Harry she was right and glad that he had a weapon on him to defend them if it did come to that, she followed closely to Aziza as she gently wrapped an arm over her friend's shoulder. She walked alongside her friend and Harry Lauren knew she was sticking her head out to much and she was probably getting into something deeper. Lauren started to think about her daughter back at home with her husband, she suddenly jumped when she heard something crash having the same reaction that Aziza had. Lauren closed her eyes and sighed in relief that it wasn't the man from earlier that threw the stone. Though she could defend herself, she really only used fighting as a last resort nowadays she didn't want to be put in jail. "Your fine Aziza." Lauren said with a soft smile as she continued moving with her friend and Harry through the busy main street.

Lauren, Aziza and Harry eventually made it to the Grand Continental Hotel she was still on high alert as she looked around the room, it was certainly nicer then the one she was sleeping in. Lauren followed Aziza towards the main desk as her friend checked in a room, which was a Master Suite. She looked towards Aziza and then Harry and then back towards her friend seeing the scared look in her eyes, Lauren wasn't going to leave her friend so easily. "I wouldn't mind sharing a room I need to sleep in something nicer then the small place I got now anyway." Lauren said with a soft smile as she gently patted Aziza on the shoulder.

[Morose]

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Nora Kingston

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Location: Egyptian Museum

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At the Lord Major's similar verbal dance, Nora felt herself more and more at ease. The question of her title always amused her. From a well to do family, her father would often be called Lord Kingston, and her mother, Lady Kingston. But due to his doctorate in anthropology, he often insisted upon its emphasis. And given that she was bedridden at the beginning of her childhood, most of the relatives still thought of her as the sickly creature -- Miss Kingston, as was the proper title for the small girl. She had spent a decent portion of time in the hospital, after her family had been forced to concede that they could not provide due care for her.

"If pressed, I must say Lady Kingston would be the appropriate title, Lord Major," Nora responded, her words a bit hesitant. "But Miss Kingston will suffice and has been the preferred manner of address for my person since I was but a small girl. I am sure you understand, with two sisters and my dear mother, the title Lady Kingston can become quite a perplexing affair." She bowed her head slightly, offering a gentle smile to the old British man. He seemed to be the one with a similar grasp on social etiquette, with Haakon and Josephine merely parroting Nora's own introduction.

However, she couldn't help but be taken slightly off guard as Drake kissed the back of her hand, releasing it with a wink. The slight startle came from the movement of her hand, unwillingly, causing the pain of the brand to once again present itself. It took all of the courage she could muster not to scream and pull her hand back, instead enduring Drake's compliments. He seemed to be a fine fellow, but marriage wasn't for her. And if she found him to be attractive, her family would never live down the scandal of Nora marrying anyone outside of the acceptable social class.

"It's a genuine pleasure," Nora said, yet her words were quiet. A small twinkle grew in her eye at Vera's comments. "I am certain Mr. Drake would not do anything untoward, Lady Munn. He must possess untold dignity to have come thus far, and to work with persons outside of the general social customs. It is quite admirable."

As Vera offered pen and paper, Nora politely declined, producing her own pocket journal. With her wounded hand resting on her lap as she gingerly took a seat, she readied herself to present her sketches and drawings, all recordings of the strange dreams she had been experiencing. However, her customs dictated that she should first allow the gentlemen to speak--unless, of course, she was called directly upon.

It was rather odd, of course. As much as Nora felt unfilled and empty from traditional English customs, she couldn't bare to part from them. They were her entire world.

[ONL]

Haakon J. Elvsgaard

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Location:Egyptian Museum

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"No need for that, Miss Munn, I already have plenty." Haakon casually pulled up a pen and his notepad from the satchel still slung over his shoulder, trying to act calm and collected in his newfound company of...well, a group of people who supposedly were experiencing the very same thing. Each distinct in their own way, and not a group he would have dreamt of being with.

Å ja, drømmen. Haakon turned his attention down to the notepad in his hand, the one where his finger had been magically branded, as if magic still was a force man believed in. That was at least what Haakon thought - or more so now hoped -, though the mention of an ancient Egyptian godess surely didn't help his sceptical mind. He tried not to think about it too much, instead focusing at writing as detailed as possible on his dreaming pattern. The Ring had first appeared once he came to Egypt, but the memories of it was only a few days old. As Haakon began to write, he remembered more of the dream; the dreadful desert around him, the never-ending wandering across the burning sand and relentless sun above him.

And then he closed it, the notepad, as he had drained his memory for anything useful to write down; he was a journalist, he knew what was better left out. And as he closed it, the scetch he had made of the ring came into view, pulling him back to the Nile where the ring had haunted him; haunted them all. "...I wish I could share your enthusiasm for these strange events, Lord Major, but this far more absurd than anything I've encountered. There must be a more logical explaination behind this than an ancient Egyptian god doing...whatever this is."

Haakon turned towards Drake as Miss Kingston spoke of him, speaking kindly of him, The American it would seem. Once Haakon looked at him, his journalist instincts kicked in and gave his gut a special kind of feeling. "That, or he's an American opertunist who came to Egypt for the same reason as so many others. But then again, Mr. Drake, what do you think of this?"

[FantasyChic]

Josephine Clark

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Location: Egyptian Museum

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It was evident the woman did not know her and that irked Josephine to no end. It was obvious the woman was either sheltered or she was a bore. If she had to bet, she'd go for the latter. Be that as it may, she was the resident expert here and with the burned image on her finger, she had little choice but to comply. Josephine took a seat and proceeded to tell Vera about her own dreams, though it followed a similar pattern to the others. She mentioned when they started and how often they happened.

Josephine paid special attention to Mr. Drake, who was quite the handsome man. "What say you, Mr. Drake? You've experienced these dreams as well? They are ever so terrible, I am almost afraid to sleep at night." She ignored the others and instead focused on Drake.

[Lady Absinthia]

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@Pundii @Morose @FantasyChic @Nallore @Sigil @ONL

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Location: Egyptian Museum

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It took everything in Vera not to guffaw outright towards Nora, barely being able to reign it in, and place the back of her hand over her mouth as she let out a light chortle. "Oh my of course not. He would never do anything of the sort. Like desecrate a tomb in the wee hours of morning light to steal an ancient artifact and render a dig site in ruins. Mr. Drake out never do such a thing, would you Mr. Drake?"" she said in an optimistically albeit sarcastic voice, nearly hissing his name as they rolled off her tongue and her eyes narrowed slightly.

Glancing towards the American woman, she nodded and took notes on what she said, cocking a brow when she noticed her turning her attention to Mr. Drake. Resting her pen down on the paper she glanced out of the corner of her eye towards her Uncle and then towards Mr. Elvsgaard before looking back towards Josephine. She wasn't sure but from what she could deduce from the womans way of carrying herself, the mode of dress, the way her voice and attention was directed she felt like Ms. Clark would be one of those women she was used to seeing in the ton; seductively throwing herself towards any pretty face, not considering the damage she could do in suck a moment. A true Vamp. She had come in with one gentleman and now was giving her attention to another. Such displays would have earned such a scandal back in England but it seemed it was the way of Americans. Though she could not fault the woman for giving William her attention, he was a handsome man, something she wished at times she did not notice herself.

Lowering her eyes she took each piece of paper as it was handed to her and began to compare them, her glasses resting on the tip of her nose as her curls fell over brow while she studied. Humming slightly to herself as she bit on her bottom lip. It was a look her uncle and even Mr. Drake would know well, when Vera was in her zone. Thankfully right then she was seated, many times when she was like this it was while she walking and more than once had turned things upside down by her clumsiness.

Leaning back in her seat she reached out and ran her fingers over a sketch of the amulet that had been stolen from his grave months before. Her eyes widening slightly as she touched the notes left to her by her uncle Lord Carnarvon, her hand coming up slowly as her palm began to glow. Turning it over slowly her eyes widened even more than she ever though possible. Her jaw going slack as she started to gasp for breath, a searing pain running through her her palm and up her arm. Her veins pulsating as the light traveled up her arm and to the base of her throat. Her voice going silent but it was obvious that if her vocal chords had worked she would be shrieking in pain. The light settled under the locket she wore around her neck. On the outside of the locket three symbols appeared before the light faded away.

"Di mi!" she exclaimed finally as her vocal returned and she gasped out. Her hand, which had seemed to freeze in place suddenly came up to her chest as she looked around wild eyed for a moment before calming herself; or at least attempting to. Swallowing the dryness in her throat did nothing, it was as parched as the Sahara. Shaking her head slightly as she sat there. "Excuse my outburst," she said quietly as she looked around, her fingers curling around her locket.

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Location: Grand Continental (Main Lobby)

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Aziza looked over towards Lauren and gave her a grateful smile as she nodded towards her. "Thank you," she said in a soft voice before looking around. Taking the key from the desk clerk she slipped it into her bag before letting out a bit of a breath. They were in a more open area with better lighting that what had been at the bar but she still felt on edge. She figured she would for a while. It had been years since she left the village, well more so run out from, and she had just stopped looking over her shoulder. It seemed she had dropped her defenses too soon after all.

"Even if you chose not to stay the evening would you please at least check the room for us before you leave?" she asked before slipping her arm through Laurens and heading up to the suite for the evening. Unlocking the door she waited for Harry to step in first before peeking her head in and then entering the room fully herself. Closing and locking the door behind her she set her bag down on a table and slumped into a seat.

It was about then, the same moment in another part of the city that is happened. Her hand began to glow just as Vera's did, the glow growing and moving to her chest and an etching the same as Vera's coming to her necklace. At that same moment the same would occur to Harry, except it would just travel to his signet ring and the symbols would appear on the inside of the band.

"Ya Homaar!"

[Sigil]

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Reginald Keystone

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Location: Egyptian Museum

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Reginald took immediate notice of Vera's sudden, screamless palsy, and the accompanying light show. If nothing else, the Lord Major could say of this event that it was exceedingly not normal. Quite possibly less normal than the time during the Great War that he stumbled upon a squad of French infantry playing what he assumed was a modified and lascivious version of Marco Polo, somehow involving trench helmets and greased oranges. The commanding officer's face was priceless, he recalled, a stretch of forced casual and Parisian greeting squished together in a big, toothy grin.

As unsettling as it was, viewing that many French infantryman acting in a manner most ungentlemanly, the sight of his favorite adoptive niece held under painful sway of forces unknown filled him with the same manner of confusion, but a vastly different kind of fear. He didn't breathe until the fit subsided, and Vera issued the loud exclamation of "Di mi!", an utterance clearly not meant for a lady in mixed company.

Ever the gentleman, the Lord Major rushed to her side, helping to steady her in her seat. "Ah, yes, ah ...Lady Munn... "Dear Me", indeed! I was just about say that very phrase..." Not entirely confident that his ultimately trivial ruse worked, he glanced about nervously and directed his attention in a slightly more helpful fashion. "Lady Munn, ah, Vera dear, are you alright? Here let us get you a lovely cup of tea, yes?"

Reginald glanced around the room again, this time with a more assertive search in mind. What manner of barbarian would deny a citizen of the Empire a tea set in their immediate place of business? It was shocking, unless he was overlooking something obvious in his haste. Instead, he reached into his jacket and withdrew a careworn flask. Reginald unscrewed the cap and pressed it to Vera. "There you are, my Lady. Without the charms of chamomile, but it should do a proper job straightening your befuddlement."

[Nallore]

Location: Grand Continental Hotel

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"Like I said I always have my friend's back no matter what." Lauren said and smiled softly and gave Aziza a friendly nod as she felt her friend's arms wrapped around her own and started to follow alongside Aziza to their assigned room. Once the door was unlocked she entered the room and looked around it was a really nice room it reminded her of an expensive apartment in Philly back home. Lauren decided to take a quick look around the room just to be sure that no one else who wasn't suppose to be in the room other then them. Once she had cleared it Lauren started making her way back towards the couch and then sat down next to Aziza her hand gently resting on top of Aziza's to just try and comfort her.

Lauren's eyes then caught something glowing along Aziza's hand and watched it as it started to travel along her friend's arm and then up towards her chest. She had never seen anything like it before, it felt like something supernatural which Lauren really didn't believe anything like that. Then she looked over towards Harry as she watched the same exact thing happening towards him, she really had no clue what exactly all of this was. "Okay that is really weird, why the hell are you two glowing like that?" She certainly did hear the weird stories or curses her time here so far working at the bar she really didn't believe them, but her friend's necklace and Harry's started glowing which was weird.

[Pundii]

Harry Walsh

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Location: The Grand Continental Hotel

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Harry moved close with the two ladies as he glanced around, concerned not just for the situation, but for how scared Aziza clearly was. He kept a hand idly in his jacket, tapping his fingers against his handgun for a moment, as he kept moving along with them, his vision flashed for a moment, he heard shouting in arabic, the sound of distant gunfire, and as soon as it all came it went, disappeared into the back of his mind as he immediately found himself with the two girls again, blinking for a moment or two and trying not to give any indication of the flash he'd had.

They came every now and then, they certainly weren't often, but they were enough to be a nuisance, that at the very least was a far minor one to the usual kind. He sighed softly to himself as he got to the hotel with them, finally taking his hand off the weapon as they got inside. Looking over to the pair, he nodded toward the offer, clearing his throat. "I'll take the couch, I don't want to intrude." He was sure the couch would be perfectly fine, he had slept on far worse than a couch in a spiffy hotel, after all.

Moving up to the room with the two of them, he moved into the room after Aziz and Lauren, glancing around as he moved toward the couch, taking his jacket off and rolling up his sleeves idly as he pulled his handgun from its holster, idly setting it down on the table before looking over to Aziza, pausing as he noticed the glow. "What in his majesty's nam-" He paused again as he looked down to his hand, eyes locked on the ring on his hand as it too began to glow, immensely confused as to what on earth was going on as he stood in rather stunned silence.

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William Drake

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Location: Egyptian Museum

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Turning his gaze toward Vera, Drake scoffed at her dismissive comments in regards to him. "I assure you all, I can be quite reasonable, Vera simply wishes I was more 'reasonable' with her." He commented, putting a deliberate emphasis on the term 'reasonable' as he looked over at her, smirking as she began to speak again and Nora seemed to agree that he was surely charming, at least, if it were sarcastic, it was lost on him. When the journalist piqued up however, William simply gave a dismissive and innocent shrug.

"That, my friend, would depend on what you describe as 'opportunity'." He dodged in a near-graceful manner. It was at that point, of course, when his gaze and attention was stolen by Josephine, the beauty herself as he gave a deliberately charming smile, nodding as he set his hands on his hips in an almost heroic pose. "Oh yes, i'm afraid, but i've braved them, perhaps you just need the right kind of comfort, Miss Clark." He finished off his roguish charm with a wink, just before Vera once more began to slander him, almost bringing a smirk from him as he almost seemed proud about his exploits.

"Just like Vera needs some comforting from time to ti-" He paused then, his eyes on Vera shifting down to the light which was moving over her body, his eyes widening somewhat as he seemed encapsulated by the sight before his eyes as he stood there. "Well, i'll be damned."