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

[rivaan]

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Priscilla Harker

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Location:The Museum
Skills: None

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“Hmmmm...” Mosi made a thinking curious sound as Akhmed explained the situation as of late. Well the Tutankhamen craze she understood and for some reason this land was a land of mystery so weirdness apparently was easy to get used to. Maybe that was the whole problem, they got used to the weirdness until it got too weird? Well she had no proof of that and it was mostly just random thoughts that would rush through her mind and then be out of it within the next few moments.” Well... some weirdness is unavoidable I suppose and it is by no means a bad thing. Weirdness is unique and unique is interesting, is it not?” She asked as she followed the man back to the entrance as they made a round about the place. Museum at this time of day certainly was interesting, if not a lil spooky.

They had reached it when someone came into view. A familiar face and one more she didn't recognize. It was the woman whom she met earlier in the alley. Since it appeared it was a talk about the museum going on and the other woman appeared to be of importance judging by how Akhmed was acting, Priscilla decided it was best to just keep quiet while they get their job over with. She just smiled there, waiting while thinking back to the smithing display she was probably going to miss. All in all, she wasn't too disappointed though. This appeared interesting in it's own right.

[ONL]

Mahendra Huq Zalil

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Location: The Museum - (Vera's office)
Skills: None

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And so it would seem that the highly unlikely accident was not only unlikely, but not an accident at all! It was murder, assasination, liquidation and many other words could only describe the horrific sight down in the Archives. Mahendra hadn't really believed it to be murder, perhaps even refusing to believe it, but with the Lord Major accknowledging the possibility of it not being a mere accident, Mahendra couldn't rid off the nagging feeling he already had. Had it been an accident, it would have been easier.

But life was never easy, was it?

Mahendra remained with the others in the office as they were left there. What a first day on the job, wasn't it? He turned his attention to the Lord Major as Lauren asked him, about to ask the same question himself. "Is there anything we both can do to help, Sir Lord Major? If the event in the Archives was no mere coincedence, who knows what else can take place?" Mahendra asked him, looking from Lauren for a moment, impressed and thankful for her willingness to assist, and back to the Lord Major. He might have been hired as an assistant, but right now he felt like a soldier awaiting orders.

[FantasyChic]

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Josephine Clark

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Location: The Museum
Skills: N/A

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Josephine graciously accepted the gun with a nod. It wasn't her own, but it was protection. And given all that was going on, it made her feel safe. It seemed the Lord Major's thoughts echoed her own from earlier. It was, perhaps, not an accident that befell Haakon. Did that mean that whoever stole the tablet is the one who did the deed? Or were they all walking amongst a murderer?

That didn't make her feel any better. She lost the one person she could trust above all else and as much as she may have begun to respect the others, she did not know them. And thus, she did not trust them. She was on her own and that meant she had to be one step ahead. She looked at the others and made her way over to the open office door.

"So, what do we do now? If what happened was not an accident, that means that someone did it? Are we so sure they are no longer around? And what of Lady Munn? Should she not be made aware?" Josephine wondered where the woman was? After all, this was all happening near and in her office and she was not around.

[Morose]

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Nora Kingston

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Location: The Egyptian Museum
Skills: Mathematics, Deduction, Intuition

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Nora was pleased to hear that Lady Munn agreed with her assessment. She did a quick back of the envelope calculation in her head, before determining that if Peter and George did not turn up within the hour - then it would be cause for alarm. Of course, her calculation was rather rough and there was a considerable margin of error for it. As they entered the museum and headed towards Lady Munn's office, it seemed another person was running later than was to be expected. She recognized the woman who accompanied him - she had been in the alley that morning.

The manner in which Akhmed looked over Lady Munn was slightly unsettling - especially given the questions he was posing her. It wasn't the usual manner in which one was greeted - and while Lady Munn was clumsier than most, this was still highly irregular. Nora frowned slightly, her mind running through various possibilities that had come to mind. Had some events come to pass since they left to obtain the permit? And was this at all connected to the disappearance of George and Peter? Perhaps some misfortune had happened and they attempted to prevent it here at the museum? Or maybe Akhmed really was just genuinely concerned that Vera may have tripped and fallen into a fountain while they were off.

"Did something happen while we were obtaining the permit?" Nora asked quietly.

[Sigil]

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Reginald Keystone

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Location: The Museum (Vera's Office)
Skills: N/A (Is being very, very British a skill?)

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The possibility of actually getting British soldiers to assist in the security of the Museum and its personnel gave the Lord Major a sense of personal pride. He had certain gentlemanly instincts pressed into him from early in life, much of which involved the ethical responsibility to protect you and yours. Especially if that meant the nobility, to which Vera belonged whether or not the rest of the Peerage fully accepted her. And of course the national pride associated with his fighting men in uniform representing the Union Jack taking point over the most respected Museum and Historical Archive on the continent, hemisphere, possibly the world (outside of London, of course). Even if the exchange was in passing, Reginald internally swore that he would look into it.

Concerning the Curator's request, Reginald responded with affirmation. "Quite a proper idea, my good man. I shall maintain what remains of the sanctity of these offices." He straightened his officer's cap and drew his saber back from its scabbard, holding it point downward in front of him. The standard practice amongst persons in the service of the British Crown was to hold the weapon point upward, its back, flat edge resting (or nearly so) upon one's shoulder. Reginald was an veteran soldier, transferring from the Army to the Royal Air Corps just as soon as he helped to found it. The saber of the Royal Air Corps, as a step into the evolving necessities of combat with multiple fields of fire, was fully tanged, tapered, and most relevant to his situation, double edged. It seemed a fitting metaphor for his life. "As well as an old soldier can, in any case."

Then his attention turned to Mahendra, who had given inquiry into possible course of action. It seemed odd to him that Vera's assistant would look to him for orders. But it was within his nature to give them, and he was called upon. "Mr. Zalil, if it please you, I believe that I can see to the office. However, I do not think that anyone has secured the crate that Miss Clarke and myself were seeking. I forget the number, sir, though I believe that the young lady has it memorized. Unless I missed something in earlier conversation, of course. It may contain something of interest."

[Lady Absinthia]

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@rivaan @Morose @FantasyChic @Nallore @Sigil @ONL

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October 4th, 1924 - 7:15 Local Time

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Museum: Akhmed took a deep breath and nodded slightly towards the Lady Munn. "Yes, something has happened. We spotted someone rushing out of the museum," he said as stood there and then glanced over towards Mosi. "Did you see anyone on the street before you came in?" he asked.

"Good heavens, that is something. I do not recall anyone standing out as we returned. Though now that you mention it, have you seen the Lord Keystone?" she asked. Perhaps Peter and George had returned before they had.

"Actually, yes, I believe he is waiting in your office. I will walk you there," he said as he looked back over to her. He didn't exactly want her and the Lady Kingston walking through their own right now. For all he knew there was someone else in the museum right now that shouldn't have been.

Vera gave an affirmative nod and then let out a small breath before Akhmed turned and lead the trio of women back towards Veras office. As they came up to it, Akhmed looked at Josephine and his eyes widened. "Oh my dear starlet, what has occurred to leave you looking so distraught?" he asked as he st down next to her quickly and offered his arms to her.

Vera quirked a brow and then shook her head slightly as she looked around the room. She didn't see Peter but she did see the Lord Major, with his weapon out. "What in the name of the Pharaohs has happened here?"

[Nallore]

Lauren Ridgeway

Location: Outside of Vera's Office.
Skills: N/A

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Lauren looked towards the Lord Major for a moment, he didn't address her, instead gave Mahendra orders to try and find the crates that Josephine had found. "I can assist you Mahendra." Lauren said as she then Josephine spoke up, wondering if they should tell Lady Munn what has happened. She gave a nod towards her, they did need to inform Vera what had happened to her office, she couldn't help but roll her eyes when the curator came back in and started to fawn over Josephine asking her what had happened. Lauren was about to leave when she turned her head to see both Vera and Nora in the doorway.

"Someone broke into your office, and took the tablet that was on the table." Lauren said, she wasn't sure if she should even bring up what had happened to Haakon down in the archives, she decided against it at least for now. "Good news though we did find more." Lauren said softly looking at Mahendra. "I believe Neema had gone down to the archives, if you want to help assist me that is." Lauren said softly and decided to go there.

[rivaan]

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Priscilla Harker

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Location:The Museum
Skills: None

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Well the situation at the museum was just turning more and more curious as time passed it seemed. The lady that Akhmed was really concerned with appeared to be someone of importance, given she had an office in the museum. So it meant she worked here for a reason or another. Mosi had to admit she was frankly impressed. That said they were speaking about a permit, she wondered why they required one, were they planning something? Well it was a museum so it wouldn't be really surprising if they were planning an expedition or something, who knew.

As they moved to the office of the woman who had just returned to the museum, Mosi kept an eye out as she studied these halls.

When they reached it, there were already people there. Akhmed seemed to know them, but Mosi herself made an effort to memorize their faces, it would probably come in hand for a later occasion down the road, though she wished she gets the chance to learn their names. That aside, it seemed there was a theft as one of the women informed them a tablet was stolen. Well tablet was certainly not too big of a robbery target, though ancient table would be probably valuable commodity if sold to the right buyers.

[ONL]

Mahendra Huq Zalil

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Location: The Museum - Vera's office ---> Outside of Vera's office
Skills: None

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"Right, Sir. Me and Miss Ridgeway shall locate and procure it." Mahendra said with a military style that hinted at a dulled discipline. In such a situation with uncertainties, he gladly took orders from the Lord Major. The fact that it involved one of the crates not accounted for at the moment would hopefully prove a shimmer of success amongst the dreaded events so far. Lauren wishing to assist him, even without orders, was good too, making him smile with appreication to her.

The voices of Akhmed and Vera caused him to turn around too, about to answer his 'boss' when Lauren gave her a quick explaination. Akhmed and the starlet he payed little attention to, even for his sympathies for Josephine. "Like Miss Ridgeway said, we found more crates downstairs. We'll go secure them now, before anything more happens." Mahendra chippd in to the conversation between Lauren and Vera, before turning to Lauren again. Yes, he had been appointed as Vera's assistant that very same day, but in such extraordinary circumstances he would argue that the Lord Major's authority was a little higher. "With pleasure, Lauren. Excuse us, Lady Munn." He said, before going with Lauren. Hopefully the crates were still there. Hopefully.

[FantasyChic]

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Josephine Clark

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Location: The Museum
Skills: Memorization

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Josephine gathered the essential information. She didn't have anything to write it down, but she believed she could handle herself in remembering this. The tablet stolen. Haakon's death (murder?). As she did so, Lady Munn came back to see them all gathered. Probably a concerning sight. The others handled the explanation, especially the blonde woman Lauren. Instead, her eyes caught Ahkmed.

Ah, his glorious arms. He came over to her and she all but jumped herself into his lap. She felt herself on the verge of tears again. "Oh darling, it is terrible! Haakon was been killed! And now there is talk of it possibly being murdered. It is a lot to take in." Truth be told, it was a lot. She was not faking it either. She buried herself on Ahkmed's shoulders. The weight of the gun still evident at her side.

[Sigil]

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Reginald Keystone

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Location: The Museum (Vera's Office)
Skills: N/A (Is being very, very British a skill?)

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"Indeed, Vera dear." began the Lord Major. "It is precisely as Miss Ridgeway has said. There has been a robbery. Moreover, tragedy has struck our Fellowship. The reporter, Haakon, was struck and killed by a crate that fell from above him, in Archives. I know not whether it is related to the theft, but it is a close and suspicious coincidence." The previous look of excitement about starting a new mission had long left his face, replaced by the somber and assertive nature that confirmed Reginald's background in soldiery. "Whatever else is happening to us of a more spiritual nature, it is apparent that there are very real human antagonists involved with this as well."

He sheathed his sword, instead opting to unbutton the case over his Webley revolver. Swinging a blade about in close quarters with Vera around, were an uninvited guest to appear, seemed a little foolhardy. He then took a glance around, noting where everyone else in the group was or where they were going. A new threat, to be sure, but one that could be stopped with the proper application of bullets. He desired to keep tabs on what he grudgingly would come to refer to as His People. And speaking of which, there was one that was unaccounted for. "Ah, I say, Lady Munn... Would you happen to know wherever my dear nephew Peter has gotten himself off to? The nature of our expedition is growing dark, and we've only just gotten him back, you see."

[Lady Absinthia]

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@rivaan @Morose @FantasyChic @Nallore @Sigil @ONL

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October 4th, 1924 - 7:25 Local Time

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Museum: Akhmed wrapped his arms around Josephine and pulled her close to him, resting his palm on the back of her head and stroking gently, making sure not to mess the starlets hairdo up. "That sound just terrifying, a gem such as yourself shouldn't be exposed to such things in this world. Is there anything I can fetch for you or would you prefer that I remain here with you?"

Vera looked around, slowly moving over to the table where she had left the tiles. Her eyes narrowing slightly. Why had she not locked them up? Then again, why would she have thought about locking them up? This was the museum, this was supposed to be a safe haven for artifacts. At least she wished it was that way but it obviously was not.

"This is a travesty," she said as she slowly sat down on the edge of the chair and pushed her curls out of her face. Between the news that the tiles were gone and that Haakon was killed she wasn't sure what to think on the matter. Was this expedition really a good idea or was this all just happenstance. The prospect of murder struck her as odd. Why would anyone want to kill Haakon. Maybe his death was just an accident, maybe he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Hell, maybe he was killed because of an article he had written. She wasn't counting anything out at this point.

Looking over at the Lord Major she quirked a brow. "I am not sure. He and George left us at the permit office so we could tend to the business at hand and shuffled off to places unknown. It seemed as if he was trying to get George out of the public eye. We were not able to locate them on our return yet Lady Kingston did propose that they could have taken the road less traveled on their return for Georges sake. I do believe that they should return in short time."

[Morose]

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Nora Kingston

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Location: The Egyptian Museum - Vera's Office
Skills: Mathematics, Intuition

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Nora had been rather quiet, listening to all of the information they received rather than outright commenting on it all herself. The strange occurrences were beginning to increase exponentially, but at least they appeared to once more be grounded in science and reason. A robbery of the tiles was certainly peculiar but not strange in itself. It was within the realm of possibilities, as was Haakon's death. It reminded her of most of the things that were attributed to King Tut's curse - they could be explained without resorting to fantasy and fiction.

"Yes, by my estimations they should return within a quarter hour," Nora explained. It was perhaps a pity that she didn't have the skills in murder investigation that one of her family members would once have - yet it would be a while until Cecily was born. She hadn't even been thought of yet. But she could not in good faith believe that the robbery of the tiles and Haakon's death were a coincidence. While it was possible, that did not make it probable. For those two events to occur in the same span of time, the day after the strange happenings began...She felt certain that it had to be connected. There had to be some meaning to be found.

"Has anyone examined the archives where the crate fell?" Nora inquired quietly. "Perhaps we may be able to determine if this really was an unfortunate accident..."

[Nallore]

Lauren Ridgeway

Location: Outside of Vera's Office.
Skills: N/A

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Lauren looked towards Mahendra and gave him a friendly smile, she was glad that she had some backup, incase something did happen while they made their way towards the archives. "Thank you for coming with me by the way." Lauren said, as she looked over her shoulder back towards where Vera's office was. It was still very weird to see that Haakon had been killed, she didn't think that it was an accident, remembering when she saw Neema bumping the side of the shelf with her hip, and nothing fell when Neema had done that. Lauren sighed slightly as she started to head down the flight of stairs.

"So what are your thoughts on what happened?" Lauren asked Mahendra as she looked at him while they walked together, then she was at the entrance towards the archives and then opened it up. Lauren took a step into the room as she started to scan the area, wondering if Neema was down here still or not. "Neema, are you here?" Lauren ended up yelling out, she remained close to the door, just in case there was anyone that wasn't needed there, she just wanted to get the crates and then leave.

[rivaan]

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Priscilla Harker

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Location:The Museum
Skills: None

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The situation was quickly getting more and more complicated like a yarn ball that was given to a cat and it played with it until the yarn was all tangled and messed up. That's what Mosi thought of the current situaiton, a robbery, a death and from the looks of it missing people. They were even suspecting that it was a murder on top of it, but she wasn't quite as sure about it. To kill someone by by the sounds of it by dropping a crate on their head was not quite the murder weapon of choice for many. What happened to the good old knife in the chest or a gun. To drop a crate sounded more like spur of a moment thing or a chance at best.

That aside there was also the growing feeling in her that she wouldn't be able to go check out hte smiths by the looks of things. Akhmed seemed preoccupied and given there was a death and a theft, she was quite sure the police should be called too.

Walking over, she touched Akhmed's should lightly, almost like a cat." I can see that the situation has changed a lot from the original plan... Since it appears a lot has happened and you have duty to fulfill, can you give me the address of our previous destination? I will find the place." She asked calmly. In a way you can say that she got bored here. That and she wanted to get out before the authorities showed up, she didn't want to deal with that. All in all she doubted whomever was responsible for whatever had transpired was still walking around here.

[ONL]

Mahendra Huq Zalil

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Location: The Museum - Outside of Vera's office ---> The Archives
Skills: None

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"Nothing to thank me for, being alone seems like a curse these days." Mahendra tried to say in a friendly manner to Lauren as they made their way through the museums hallways and corridors, but not helping but feel the sense of dread returning to him. At first he thought they had gone together because they both wanted to check on the remaining crates, but with his comment, there was the possibility that he didn't want to go alone. Because of fear or cowardice, or respect for anything he could point at as divine interventions of curses? And was he protecting Lauren, or was she protecting him?

As they approached the archive entrance, Lauren asked him for his thoughts on the matter. "What I think? Hmm...Whatever happened to the unfortunate journalist, be it determined acts of liquidation or a strike of unluck on being at the wrong place at the wrong time...It is terrible, and I cannot rule out that Curse of the Pharaoh is in play. I hope for the last, but fear for the first." Mahrendra answered vaguely and indecively, looking over his shoulder one last time before following Lauren inside the archives proper. Right then and there, he wished he had had something to defend themselves with. Anything.

[FantasyChic]

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Josephine Clark

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Location: The Museum
Skills: Memorization

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Josephine had to admit she was enjoying the attention again, but at what cost? She lost a dear friend and now her comrades were missing their tablet. Not only that, but it seemed Peter was nowhere to be found yet. She eased herself more into Ahkmed's arms, feeling warmth and comfort in them. "You have no idea, darling. It's terrible." She felt herself on the verge of actual tears again, but she held them back.

Lady Munn had joined them and she was anxious to ask her questions, but with all that was going on, now might not be the best opportunity. She wanted to examine the crate itself, but she didn't feel confident in herself in seeing the man's body. "We left rather quickly. My fault entirely. I apologize for breaking down like that."

[Sigil]

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Reginald Keystone

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Location: The Museum (Vera's Office)
Skills: N/A (Is being very, very British a skill?)

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The initial lack of confirmation concerning his dear nephew and his disfigured comrade from Vera was understandable; Peter was a rather independent scamp, despite his sterling military record. It was a touch toward the irritating, however. Having just been reunited with family long thought deceased, and then being delayed from meeting up with him again, made the older man rather impatient. "Ah, but this shall not do. It is quite the pity, especially now that the situation has become somewhat more dire, you see." Reginald shook his head, "I do rather wish we were all together, at the least until this emergency passes."

Nora's calculation on the time of arrival did do something to elevate the Lord Major's mood on the subject. "Ah, indeed, Miss Kingston? That is heartening news. I will likely be in the immediate area for the next quarter hour and look forward to our reunion at that time. In the meantime, I shall secure the location and assist Lady Munn in righting the state of her office. If, of course, the local constabulary hasn't cause to give it a once-over first." He turned back to Vera, mentioning, "The others should be along in a few minutes with whatever remains of what we sought in the Archives. If there anything else you may require of me in the interim?"

[Lady Absinthia]

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@rivaan @Morose @FantasyChic @Nallore @Sigil @ONL

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October 4th, 1924 - 7:35 Local Time

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Museum: Neema stood over the crate and looked down at the blood pooling. It wasn't holding still, it was running in one direction. Her eyes following it under one of the long rows of shelves. "I am over here my dear." She spoke up so her voice would carry. She wanted Lauren to know exactly where she was. Her eyes drifted up, she did not like the idea of this being murder but she had sworn something had caught her eye earlier. Turning she followed the top of the shelves to the end of the row and began to examine the fixed ladder on the end of the row. She had a thought running through that old mind of hers.

Akhmed pulled Josephine tight to his chest and held her there. "There is nothing for you to apologize for, a starlet such as yourself should never be witness to a sight such as the one that is being described. You are good to remain where you are for as long as you wish," he said before turning his attention to Mosi. In the commotion he had long forgotten about promising to escort her to the demonstration. Then a thought came to his mind. "No, I will escort you, in fact, perhaps you should join us Miss Clark. The air would do you well as well removing your loveliness from this ugliness."

Vera slowly sat down on the edge of the chair and dropped her purse on the table. This was terrible. Theft, a dead person in his museum. Well there were plenty of dead people in the museum but the fact this one was fresh... That wasn't right. Looking over at Reginald she nodded. She would have liked for Peter and George to put some fire in their footsteps and return to the museum post haste. "Yes, they should return shortly. I.. I will go to the front and make sure the guard knows to let them in when they arrive and not to turn them away. I would hate for us to miss them before a simple miscommunication," she said, not even thinking that someone else could be in the museum that could cause her harm. Her mind wasn't going there, it was swirling with where on earth her tiles were.

Turning she nearly fell over but caught herself. "Has anyone seen Mr. Drake?" she asked, where had he gotten away to?

[Nallore]

Lauren Ridgeway

Location: Outside of Vera's Office.
Skills: N/A

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Lauren looked over at Mahendra for a moment raising an eyebrow slightly, she didn't really believe in any kind of curse to her it was just weird coincidence that weird deaths happened sometimes. "I don't really believe in curses, they are just superstition." Lauren said, she wasn't a woman of science either to her it just went through one ear and out the other. When Lauren opened the door and took a step in, she had spotted the cart where she set the crate that she had found. Lauren didn't know if they wanted to bring it with her or not, in her opinion it wasn't safe here if someone ended up stealing something similar out of Vera's office.

Then Lauren heard Neema's voice as she started to follow it down the aisle that Haakon had met his untimely demise, she saw the pool of blood, shuddering slightly at the sight of his body still there. Lauren did her best to ignore the scene and started to make her way towards Neema looking up at the older woman as she stood next to the fixed ladder. "What can we do to help?" Lauren finally asked looking at her.