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

[FantasyChic]

Josephine Clark

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Location: Grand Continental Hotel -> The Streets of Egypt

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Before Haakon even finished, Josephine downed whatever alcohol they gave her and made her way after the man. She summoned Haakon to follow her, "Quickly! He's getting away!" She would slow down to allow him to catch up, but she rushed after him outside of the hotel. She hoped Haakon paid the waiter, but time was of the essence. She had a hunch this man was important somehow and the fact he mentioned the random woman that they met at the museum was too much of a coincidence.

She hustled outside and looked for the man. The streets were still going and she hoped to catch sight of the man. She beckoned Haakon to follow as she made her way down the streets next to the hotel.

[ONL]

Haakon J. Elvsgaard

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Location:Grand Continetal Hotel

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Well, Haakon wouldn't be able to complain that Josephine take the initiative in cases like this. Before Haakon knew it, she had emptied her glass and left him alone at the bar. For a few seconds he sat completely still, still holding his glass and looking after Jo leaving, before downing the remaining liquor himself and getting up. And for a moment, he contemplated whether or not to pay for the drinks; first of all he would be coming back either way, and secondly he was a little short of cash it were. But his common sense won in the end, forcing him to leave whatever scraps of money he had onto the counter, before running to Jo.

Josephine was easy to find, the suspecious man not so much. But somewhere down the street, he saw him. The way he walked, the state of his clothes, and that fez; Haakon's instincts kicked in again. "Remind me to question the clerk when we get back. Now, after him, but be careful. He musn't notice he's being followed." Haakon said in a hushed voice to Josephine, following right behind her as they continued to follow the man. And even for the circumstances of all this, Haakon couldn't help but smile. "Now this fits me more, following people to discover whatever they're hiding. Intruiging, and highly needed. Why do you reckon he's after this Aziza lady, Jo?"

[Lady Absinthia]

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Location: Her Office

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Vera found herself pulled in close and on the receiving end of a rather unexpected but equally welcomed embrace from the Lady Kingston. She was a bit startled that the woman whom she had only met that evening was trying to console her, it was not something that she was used to from either of the sexes. She had received a hug or two from her Uncle Reginald over the years, but never from the rest of her family. The only other person to show her physical kindness had been Peter when she was growing up outside of her parents before they died. She wasn't sure what to do at first but eventually returned the embrace and forced a solemn smile as she pulled back and nodded towards Nora's words.

"Such comfort is never too bold Lady Kingston, I thank you for your kind words and your concern," she said, a gentle smile slowly coming to her features before she pushed back her curls from her brow. She was still trembling slightly but it was obvious that Nora's kindness had put her a little more at ease. Batting her eyes quickly to clear up the rest of the threatening moisture she turned and picked up the tiles carefully.

"Now, please, tell me what you have discovered. Here are the original tiles that were brought back from the site we hope to visit in the upcoming days but this is not all of them. Some were damaged beyond repair due to years of weather, others were left in place for historical reasons. I hope there is enough here for you to make some sense of, if you should need any help in the deciphering of the hieratics please do let me know," she said as she laid them out on the table and organized them with the rubbings that had been taken of each tile.

At this point she was wanting to move past the scene she had been a part of with Mr. Drake. She knew that Nora had meant well by her words but not being concerned with what others said was easier said than done, especially for a bluestocking half-breed. She had heard things from people her entire life and had tried to brush them off as best she could but even the thickest of skins could still be bruised over time. Sighing inwardly she focused on the tiles before her and awaited to hear what all Nora had discovered, she always felt it was easier to move forward when her mind was focused on work.

---

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Location: Qasr El Nil Barracks Officers Club

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Vera watched Harry closely as she smiled towards the toast of sorts and took a small sip of her drink. Most evenings she would have loved to spend the evening speaking and entertaining at the barracks, it was a nice change from the normal dribble of the dance hall but this evening was different. Between the attack on her person earlier, the inscription in her necklace, the mettings of all these new faces, as well as Harry's momentary nervousness she felt that it would probably be better if they were turn in for the evening.

"As much as I would care to remain, I am sorry but I feel it is best to turn in for the evening. It has been a rather eventful day thus far and promises to be even more in the days to come. Though if you want to remain Lauren, please do. Do not feel you must leave because of me. I just wish to let Sgt. Walsh get some much needed rest in a quiet place currently," she said kindly.

"Of course, it seems you all have been through so very much today. No need for apologies. I am sure over the next days we all will be able to get get to know each other much more. Do you all need an escort back to your residence for the evening? I am sure my uncle could provide one if you feel it is needed," Peter suggested as he turned to look at his uncle.

"And I would also not mind speaking of this moonshine more if Miss Ridgeway would care to stay longer, we can always escort her home once she is ready to leave the barracks. Wouldn't you agree Lord Major?" he asked as he stood there, leaning against his cane. He knew he should probably turn in soon because he wished to speak to Vera about some very important things come the morning but it was nice being able to catch up with his uncle and he wasn't about to push the man away right then after being thought dead for so long.

[Nallore]

Location: Qasr El Nil Barracks

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Lauren looked towards Reginald and smiled towards him as he made a toast raising her drink to the others. "Here, here." Lauren said as she drank some more she turned towards Aziza and Henry they did seem a bit tired from the nights events. She thought for a moment about joining them, she rubbed the back of her neck for a moment. "I'll stay for a few more minutes, you two should go and get some rest you guys have been through a lot tonight." Lauren said and then turned towards Reginald, she was still concerned that Aziza could get attacked again and Henry looked exhausted. "Though if you can, i'd feel it safer that they were escorted back since Aziza was attacked earlier by some man at the bar we were working earlier this evening." Lauren looked back at Aziza she wanted to make sure that her friends did make it back to their hotel room safely.

Lauren stood up for a moment to speak to Aziza quietly. "I just want to make sure that you two make it back to the room safely, i'll be with you two in an hour or so. If your tired just go and rest up, you two been through a lot tonight anyway." Lauren then went back to sitting down on the seat though she was tired herself after not getting enough sleep for the last several nights she was getting a bit tired.

[Morose]

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Nora Kingston

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Location: Egyptian Museum

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With the Lady Munn's delayed reaction to her embrace, Nora winced internally. She had been too bold, perhaps. Many peers were not accustomed to physical comforts, or by that extension, any show of affection for another person. The stiff and rigid rules of British society eliminated most human contact, but she could not have stood idly by, to see such a remarkable woman so broken. Yet as the Lady Munn returned Nora's hug, it settled her nerves slightly. Perhaps her social misstep had not been as grand as she thought it to be.

"Yes, yes, the tiles..." Nora said for a moment, biting her lip as the Lady Munn arranged them in the same pattern as the rubbings. The language made very little sense to her, and she found herself wishing she had scraps of paper, as to attach them lightly to the tiles to indicate their meanings. Her mind flickered over them again, once more located the pattern in phi. "In mathematics, there is the golden ratio--phi. Some call it the divine proportion, as it is supposedly aesthetically pleasing...It is called a precious jewel by some mathematicians."

She paused for a moment, before indicating the markings on the rubbings that appeared to be slightly out of phase. "These markings are written in phi, almost as if they are an indicator for a cipher marker...I must apologize, I cannot make much of it. The cipher itself is incredibly complex, but with the added challenge of the language..." Nora forced a slight smile. The tiles would help, at least. With them, she could be more certain as to what was intentional--aside from the damages that the Lady Munn spoke of. "I shall try to proceed with the tiles, though a translation would be most welcome, if it is no trouble, Lady Munn."

[Pundii]

Harry Walsh

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Location: Qasr El Nil Barracks

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Harry moved along with Aziza, content to feel her arm around his own once more as they got back toward the group. He gave a gentle and curteous nod to the others, but remained relatively quiet, letting Aziza do the talking. He took a drink, finding himself grateful for it and the extra nerve it gave him, taking a drink as he let out a sigh, giving a soft smile over to the others as he glanced over to Aziza. At Peter's offer, Harry cleared his throat to speak up finally. "An escort for Aziza here shouldn't be necessary, Lord-Captain, i'll be happy to escort her home, though i'm sure an escort for Miss Ridgeway could be quite appreciated."

He offered a soft smile, remaining courteous as he turned his gaze over to Aziza, still feeling her arm in his own. It would be a bit of a long trip to escort Aziza home and then to head home himself, but he didn't mind, he would much rather have seen her get home safe himself than to head off himself and leave her in the hands of another, despite how confident he might have been in their abilities. He would simply sacrifice the extra sleep, it was a sacrifice he'd made many times after all, he wasn't exactly unused to it.

---

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William Drake

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Location: Egyptian Museum

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William had taken a moment or two to himself, mumbling and groaning in irritation at Vera's inability to admit the reality of the situation between them, even if her small slip-up had very almost made it clear. In that pause outside her office, he'd missed Nora's comment to Vera about himself, only wandering in in time to hear Vera begin to get Nora back onto the topic of the tablets she had brought in. Taking a breath, he attempted to regain what counted as professional for a man of his stature, moving over and standing on the other side of Nora from Vera as he peered down to the tiles.

Hieroglyphs themselves had never been a great forte of William's, he knew a bit here and there but never enough to put anything much together. All he could usually gather related to signage about traps or dangers ahead, for the purpose of avoiding great pitfalls, spike traps or all other archaic and yet dangerous devices of course. However, he figured such a meagre knowledge wasn't going to be particularly useful in this instance, and so he let the others focus on the tiles themselves, just glancing over them in the occasional hope of spotting something of note.

[FantasyChic]

Josephine Clark

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Location: The Streets Outside the Continental Hotel

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They followed the man carefully. She didn't look back at Haakon, she answered his question. "What do most men want with women, darling? It seemed very shady and that is what worries me for Aziza. That would also explain why Aziza had that dashing soldier with her as an escort. I doubt this man has good intentions and now he is sneaking around the hotel. Surely..."

She didn't finish her sentence when she heard the glass break. She quickly shut her mouth (who knew she could do thaT?) and bid Haakon to do the same and follow her. She quickly entered the street and peered around. She noticed the man had put on a different outfit and looked like one of the servants in the hotel. She was about to call after him before she saw the body on the ground. She stifled a yelp as the man entered the back door and she came around the corner. She eyed the body on the ground and knelt down to get a better look.

"He's dead. I'm not a doctor, but I believe the broken glass had something to do with it. Either way, he is no longer with us and that man had to have done it. We are not dealing with some petty thief sort anymore, darling. We now have a murderer and one who is looking for one of our companions. I suggest we go back inside and inform the staff and they can get the authorities. Then, we should find this man ourselves."

[ONL]

Haakon J. Elvsgaard

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Location:Grand Continetal Hotel

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"...Å gud..."

Haakon had been about to answer Josephine's clear question with something along the lines of except the obvious, something of value she'd have. Yes, such things that Josephine insinuated were true enough, though Haakon would have suggested less intimate motives for this case. He kept his mout shut, however, as he too heard the glass break from down in an alley. It was dark there, and not the most well-smelling place Haakon had been conduction journalism, but he followed Josephine's lead.

His eyes were fixed on their suspect, now sporting a servant's outfit and heading into the hotel again from the back. He would have followed him straight to the door to peak at him, but something caught his attention more; Josephine stifling a yelp just a few feet in front of him. "Poor man, of all places to die..."

Josephine was quite right, the man was dead. Shards of glass, a broken bottle and the almost blue face of the dead man lying there in the alley. The excitement Haakon had felt just a few moments earlier, flushed away alongside the colour of his skin, now paler than before. Haakon placed a hand on Josephine's shoulder. This wasn't just a story. This was murder.

"No time for that, one of us has to follow him now or else risk losing him. Who knows who else he'll kill to get here. No, one of us has to follow him now, and another warn the authorities. And, sorry to say this Jo, but not letting you get close to that mad-man..." Haakon said quickly to her, looking her sternly into her eyes. Who knew what else the man was able and ready to do? With his other hand, he fumbled through his satchel, still hanging over his shoulder before pulling out something. "...unless you can defend yourself. You know how to use this, Jo?"

Haakon held a revolver in hand, his eyes darting from it to Josephine, to the door and the body, and back to her. "Either I go after him, or we both do. We can't afford to lose him."

[Sigil]

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Reginald Keystone

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Location: Qasr El Nil Barracks (Officer's Club)

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As much as Reginald liked social gatherings, and he did, there was always the lightly disappointing moment where the festivities began to wind down. Most everyone had taken some variety of trauma this evening, and most of them did not have decades of combat and life experience to steady their nerves against the looming unknown. The Lord Major had all this, plus the added benefit of being mildly pickled at the time. But only mildly. Nevertheless, it was understandable, if a hair disheartening, that these good people were heading out. The very least he could do, as casually suggested by Aziza and his nephew both, was to provide escort of some kind.

"Hmm, yes quite. Capital notion, that. Miss Tarek, as you seem to already have a capable guardian this evening, the absolute least I can do is to offer my personal car and driver to see you safely back to your places of residence. Perhaps a man to ensure the security of your domicile prior to your entry as well, considering your brush with ruffians earlier? Cairo is my city, madame, such as it could possibly be for any Englishman; at any rate I should not want a good friend (or a new one, Sergeant Walsh) to come to misadventure. Especially not after the forming of our Fellowship this evening."

Fellowship. He liked that word to describe their eclectic group of mostly foreign adventurers set together to unravel the mystery of that Ring they had all been dreaming of; that Ring (or persons attached to it) that they were meant to seek somewhere within the boundaries of Cairo, either Old or New.

"Yes, yes... I rather like the sound of that. The Fellowship of the Ring. Smashing name for our group. I suppose someone will have to write about this in the foreseeable future. At the very least, if all goes awfully and I survive this, I shall have to call us something in my memoirs. Hmm..."

[Lady Absinthia]

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Location: Her Office

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Vera leaned over the tiles as Nora began to explain what she had discovered. Her head tilted to the side somewhat as her fingers ran over the mosaics that the tiles created. She hadn't noticed it before but she was no mathematician either. Pulling up her chair she seated herself down and began to look more closely at the titles compared to the rubbings. The markings on the tiles were obviously added with some intent but Vera was not sure what that was, yet.

"Intriguing," she whispered as her curls fell over her brow while she leaned over more to get a closer look. "I can translate them but I don't think that will add us until we know what all the points are. With the missing pieces, whatever is being said here is incomplete and which the ancient Egyptians a single missing hieroglyphic could mean the difference of black and white."

Looking up she glanced towards William before looking away quickly and back over towards Nora. "If we had not already decided to make the trek to the dig site it would have been made for us because of this discovery. We need the missing tiles." Standing up she gave Nora a soft smile and an approving nod.

"Your contribution has been invaluable thus far and I am sure it will be even more so come the days ahead. I think that is all we will be able to decipher this evening, perhaps it would be best if we all got some much needed rest. Would you meet me on the morrow after noon here? We can speak more on this as I try to procure us the rights and papers to enter the dig site," she asked of Nora before taking a breath and scribbling down on a piece of a paper and thrusting it over towards William without looking at him.

"This is where you can find Lord Major Keystone, my uncle will be needing a list from you on dig supplies for the trek." She waited for him to take the paper before retracting her hand and sitting back down. I will finish up here and then retire, I suggest you two do the same, it will be a long road ahead of us, if you should need anything Lady Kingston, you can reach me here or," she said jotting down her residence on another piece of paper and handing it gently to Nora. "at this address."

---

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Location: Qasr El Nil Barracks Officers Club

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"Very well then, we should retire. Thank you for the offer Lord Major but we are just a few grains of sand from here at the Grand Continental for the evening. I believe the walk would do us both some good," Aziza said gratefully before reaching into her purse and pulling out a key.

"Here, I can retrieve another at the front desk," she added as she handed the key over towards Lauren.

"Very well the, safe travels for the evening and I hope to see you both again soon. Uncle, once Miss Ridgeway is ready to retire for the evening I should like to take you up on the offer of the conveyance. I can escort her to the hotel and then return," Peter said before bidding both Aziza and Harry good evening as they exited the officers club.

Aziza gave them all a smile and Lauren a quick embrace before taking Harry's arm and waltzing out the door. Once they had exited the barracks proper and were out on the streets of Cairo she let out a soft breath and rested her head on his shoulder. "I did wish that you would stay with both Lauren and myself this evening but if you wish to retire back to your residence after you escort me to the hotel I will not ask for you to stay. Whichever you are most comfortable with though please know you are most welcome. The suite is large enough for all of us while maintaining privacy."

Peter smiled as the two left and then looked over towards Lauren. "Well my dear, have you chosen to stay because you truly enjoy the company of two war veterans or did you wish to give the couple a moment to themselves?" he asked with a cheeky grin curling at the side of mouth before raising his glass to her and then taking a long sip. "To the fellowship of the Ring," he chuckled.

[Nallore]

Location: Qasr El Nil Barracks

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Lauren nodded slightly when Aziza and Henry declined the escort the walk wasn't that far and Henry was a capable person and the walk to the Continental wasn't that far really. She accepted the key looking towards her friend as she got up and pulled Aziza into a friendly hug and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and smiled at her friend. [color=cyan"Keep her safe and don't have to much fun without me okay?"[/color] Lauren said as she watched the two of them turn around and headed out of the officers club, she turned around to face Reginald and Peter and laughed slightly at the name of their little band of misfits. "Seems we have a little group of misfits, three British war vets, two Ladies, a movie star, a bartender, a reporter, a grave robber and a bartender." Lauren said jokingly as she sat down next to Peter again taking a drink from her glass before setting it down on the counter she grabbed the bottle pouring another one for herself.

Lauren turned to look towards Peter smiling slightly. "I wanted to give them a little space, they are pretty smitten with each other if you didn't notice. And I didn't want to be rude to them, and I didn't want to feel like a third wheel near them." Lauren said with a slight shrug as she took another drink from her glass. "That and I wanted to hear some interesting war stories if you two are willing to share that is. And keep the two of you company as well."

[Morose]

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Nora Kingston

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Location: Egyptian Museum

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Nora felt ill at ease as Mr. Drake stood next to her. She detected the distance between the Lady Munn and Mr. Drake, and while it was for the best, she did not wish for a man of such character to be close to either of them. If her father knew where she was, Nora was certain she would be dragged back home, and confined to a single room for female hysteria. Her meager certificate in mathematics had been an upward battle to obtain, and without the aid of her eldest brother, she would likely fail to persuade her father. Her affairs with the digging and the group, Nora realized silently, must be concealed.

"Of course, Lady Munn," Nora nodded. "And if you need to call on me, here is my address."

She opened up her pocket journal, and flipped to a random page. It had a fair amount of scribblings on it, various notes of observations, primarily mathematic. And in the corner, she wrote the address to her small flat in Garden City. She doubted highly that her father would come to call upon her, and he should take no issue with her handing her address to another peer. However, the prospect that the Lady Munn would slave away on the work, whilst the rest of them returned home...

Perhaps if they were better friends, she would persuade the Lady Munn to rest herself as well. "Do take care, Lady Munn," Nora wished. She nodded her head at her, her eyes falling on William wordlessly. Putting her belongings away, Nora flexed her finger carefully, recalling the brand. She would need to take to wearing gloves, if she would aim to avoid attention. And then, Nora quietly left the office, and left the museum, heading back to her abode at Garden City. She knew it was perhaps foolish to walk without an escort, but she wished for some time to be alone with her thoughts.

Nora did not shy away from loneliness. She embraced it.

[FantasyChic]

Josephine Clark

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Location: Grand Continental Hotel

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It took Josephine a few seconds to regain her composure. While other ladies may faint or lose themselves when seeing a dead body, Josephine had more brains and guts than those damsels. She could protect herself and it was clear this man was up to no good and was about to get away if they didn't do something about it. And who knows what he would do to Aziza or her new companion if the man found them. He appeared to have no qualms about killing.

Haakon even pulled out a gun. Again, the sight of such things would make anyone apart from the trained get queasy, but Josephine smiled knowingly and pulled out her own pistol and nodded, "I know how to work one, darling. Now let's get after him quickly! If we catch him, perhaps we can hold him until the authorities get to him and we can interrogate him and find out what he wants with that woman." She quickly entered the servant's entrance and followed the man, careful not to startle any of the workers.

[Pundii]

Harry Walsh

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Location: Qasr El Nil Barracks

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Giving the Lord-Major a curt nod, Harry offered him a soft smile as Aziza denied his offer. "Worry not, Lord-Major, I will make every endeavor to ensure Miss Tarek's safety." He commented warmly as he looked over to Aziza as she handed a key over to Lauren. Taking her arm as she came back over, Harry began to move off with Aziza, turning his gaze over to her as she spoke, somewhat surprised by her comment. "Well, if you're sure, I wouldn't want to be rude and say no, but I don't want to impose upon you or Lauren in any way." He chuckled softly, smiling over at her.

He kept his arm in hers gently as he moved along with her, glancing about idly as they moved through the streets. At least it would not be a long walk, and he was less tense than he had been before, Aziza had managed to remove a great deal of his stress before with her warm words. However, he still appreciated the feeling of his handgun in its holster, it always added that extra level of safety.

---

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William Drake

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Location: Egyptian Museum

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Watching Nora as she worked, William remained quiet, his arms crossed over his chest as he looked down at the tablets idly, waiting to be addressed or consulted if either was needed. When the note was thrust toward him, he glanced up toward Vera, taking it from her and reading over it. "Alright, i'll get the list to him." He nodded simply, already beginning to go over in his head what would be needed. In a way it would be somewhat refreshing to do a proper dig, his own were usually much less careful, and his own equipment less complete, but he would work things out.

After all, he doubted the vast majority of those who he assumed would be attending their dig would be quite capable, and so equipment to ensure they would actually get through the dig reasonably well was a must. "I'll do the same, i'm sure I can find a spot to put everything together."[/b] He said, at that moment preferring to head off somewhere he wouldn't get into another shouting match with Vera.

[ONL]

Haakon J. Elvsgaard

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Location:Grand Continetal Hotel

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Haakon was aware that Josephine was not just an ordinary damsel-in-distress, but one with an actual spine and guts. Her pulling out a gun herself - seemingly wielding it like it was as normal as taking a cigarette - was not something he had expected. And for a split second he was afraid that she'd might shoot him, but he quickly dispersed such ridiculos fears. For of all the people he'd met today, Josephine was still the person he trusted most.

"Good thinking, a little digging by us are better than the police. Less punching...unless the savage doesn't speak English." Haakon let Josephine go on before him, while he took one last look at the strangled body behind him. He was afraid that this would be only the first of many bodies left in the wake of whatever the heck was happening to them. Gun firmly gripped in his hand, he went inside.

Their arrival at the kitchen raised little, if not any attention by those personel who worked there. That was good, for then they could stay hidden from their suspect. Speaking of which, Haakin could see someone he swore was the same man they had seen just outside, now at the other side of the room. Giving Josephine a knowing look, he walked slowly through the crowded kitchen, gun partly hidden in his palm and behind his satchel. Instinct and experience told him that going around with a loaded gun usually meant trouble. "If he's after her, why of all places search here? He surely can't know that we've met her, right?"

[Sigil]

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Reginald Keystone

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Location: Qasr El Nil Barracks (Officer's Club)

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"Yes, well... Jolly good then Miss Tarek, Sergeant Walsh. I should hope to be in your company again soon." Reginald gave a polite bow to the both of them, insisting upon polite behavior but not entirely sure as to the extent of their friendship. The Lord Major did not wish to overstep bounds of decency; were Aziza in a more modern form of courtship with the retired Sergeant, an unrelated older man giving an embrace to the young and pretty Miss Tarek might be taken as a competitive sign. Not at all that he thought himself a potential paramour for the young lady, but propriety must be observed.

Manners of a Lord or Gentleman, if used in the spirit of their development, were enacted almost solely for the purpose of making others feel as comfortable as possible with your presence. Manners were the cornerstone of civilization, as was holding others to the highest standard of them.

The younger American girl had made her decision to stay with the pair of Lordly British Military Pilots, pouring herself another drink. Reginald nodded his approval, motioning to other glasses, bottles, and foodstuffs as if to open an invitation to sample away. The evening was still toward the side of early, and despite a desire to hit the ground running tomorrow morning, he was absolutely certain that another hour or two wouldn't hurt, not a bit.

The oddly plucky Lord Major raised his glass to his nephew's toast, repeating back to him, "Fellowship of the Ring, sir!" before finishing off his flute of champagne. "Now then, the charming Miss Ridgeway has a penchant for War Stories! Ha ha, well... it is safe to assume that the Lord Captain and myself have more than our fair share. There is this one that comes to mind, Madame, thought I must confess it is a tad ribald. If the like offends your sensibilities, please ask me to desist."

"During the War, I once brought jackass and a honeycomb into a brothel..."

[Lady Absinthia]

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Peter Keystone

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Location: Qasr El Nil Barracks Officers Club

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"I doubt you could ever be considered a third wheel Miss Ridgeway," Peter chuckled before turning and having a seat, resting his cane beside him as he got comfortable. Hearing Lauren ask about war stories he sat quietly. He had stories that was to be sure but none that he wished to revisit right then. He had spent enough time in war, and it was all too fresh in his mind still to want to travel down that road. Right then, he was in Cairo and he wanted to push those thoughts as far away from the front of his mind as possible.

A small smirk came to his lips as he looked towards his uncle. Of course Reginald would have a story or two. The man loved to talk, to drink, to fight, didn't matter his age. He was always ready with a story or two and as he mentioned a jackass and a honeycomb in a brothel he busted out laughing. "Dare I even ask what possessed you to bring those two particular items into a brothel?" he laughed as he leaned back in his seat. The minds image painted before him was rather humorous and he couldn't wait to hear the rest of this tale.

Though even as he sat there his mind wandered over to Vera as he sat there. He had come there for a specific purpose and reason and it seemed that tomorrow he would see if his trip was worth the time. He cared for Vera deeply, and he knew she held great affection for him. Granted, he knew that neither of them were in love with the other but they were a fine match together. They had similar interests, enjoyed history, were a bit on the out skirts of what the ton deemed acceptable, not to mention they enjoyed each others company and were both of noble birth. They were a good match to say the least, far more desirable than many of the women his mother had tried to get him to wed since his return or even before he had left for the war.

---

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Location: Qasr El Nil Barracks Officers Club -> Streets of Cairo

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Moving along the barracks to the gate Aziza smiled over towards Harry. "I am very sure, as long as I am not imposing on you I would have it no other way," she said in a happy voice as they approached the gate. Once they were there they were stopped for a moment as the gate was opened to the streets of Cairo.

"تذكر لدينا سجين هرب فضفاضة في القاهرة. هذه الليلة متأنية." the guard says to Aziza and she nods slightly, her fingers tightening around Harry's arm before stepping through the gate with him and it closing behind the two.

"With everything that had happened this evening I had completely forgotten about the escaped convict," she said glancing around the streets before looking up at Sgt. Walsh. "More thankful than ever that you are here to escort me back to the hotel."

Turning down the street, she glanced around. The moon was starting to come up over the city but the stars couldn't bee seen because of the lights. It was balmy out that was to be sure but that was to be expected, it would cool off soon enough and become even frigid during the night. There were tourists out on the street and locals but that was normal, it wasn't late enough yet for the streets to be empty. They would be able to walk to the hotel without much hassle or delay it seemed, probably a good ten or fifteen minutes. Maybe twenty if they were leisurely about their stroll.

[Nallore]

Location: Qasr El Nil Barracks

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Lauren raised her glass as well to join in on the toast and smiled at the two men next to her as she started to take another sip of her champagne. She then leaned forward as she listened to Reginald as he started to tell her one of his stories she smiled shaking her head slightly. "At this point nothing would surprise me, I've seen so many people just completely drunk saying random things that would make most people uncomfortable." She said with a light laugh as she started to listen in on Reginald as he started one of his stories, Lauren would certainly have been closer friends if she had met him much sooner as Lauren started to laugh wondering why he would even bring those two things into a brothel. Then again Lauren herself never entered a place like that she would never even try and talk to anyone who would even work in a place like that.

Lauren then looked over towards Peter biting her lower lip for a moment realizing that she must have brought up a touchy subject for him. "Sorry if I might have brought something up that has made you uncomfortable I could change the subject if you'd like." Lauren said towards Peter she didn't want to have him relive something like Harry had done moments before while they were all outside in the courtyard.

[Morose]

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Nora Kingston

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Location: Egyptian Museum

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Little remained for her to accomplish, and with the darkness of night already upon them, Nora bade the Lady Munn farewell. She would return the next day as promised, in order to assist with the tasks that had been required of her. And if her father balked at the lack of an assistant for the day, he could be put out of his rage with a simple, albeit misleading, truth: she would be in the company of a peer of England. Her reliance on honesty would serve her well in this manner.

Leaving the Lady Munn's office, Nora did not care to walk in the company of Mr. Drake. She went ahead by herself, fiddling slightly with her branded finger as she went, noticing the guards patrolling the halls. It struck her as perhaps curious, yet it was no doubt logical. Tombs were raided all the time--what would stop theft at the Egyptian Museum, if not for the guards? She fancied that they had elaborate treasures stored deep within the vaults, yet she found no value in jewelry and dresses. The superficiality had no merit to it--she found the texts and records to be of much more value. Those were the mysteries worth unraveling.

As Nora headed for the front door, manned by two guards, one of the guards stopped her where she stood. "Miss, the bell toll," the guard explained, and Nora nodded. She was quite familiar with that sound, and while it would doubtless be more appropriate for her to request an escort, yet she had been quite looking forward to enjoying a leisurely walk home in her thoughts. Had her pet, a Scottish terrier named Spot, been with her, she perhaps would have insisted that he would provide protection enough.

"Very well," Nora replied, musing over her options. Safety insisted that she request an escort of some sorts, but truthfully, she knew the guards as well as she knew the prisoner. And the odds that a prisoner, roaming the streets of Cairo, would accost her seemed to be minimal at best. She was hardly helpless as well--her letter opener was in her handbag, and should a confrontation arise, she felt confident she could use it.

To be or not to be accompanied--that was the question that Nora pondered. Mr. Drake was one such possibility--yet from what she had gleaned of his character, she may be better off asking the prisoner to escort her home. "Might a guard be spared for an escort to my rooms in Garden City? I would be much obliged, of course, to provide financial restitution of a modest sum. If it poses any trouble or difficulty, then please do forget I requested such a service. I would not wish to compromise the security of this institution in the slightest."

[ONL]

Haakon J. Elvsgaard

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Location:Grand Continetal Hotel

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Even for what Haakon could have sworn would be looked upon as suspecious behavior, the kitchen personel mostly left the duo alone as they made their way through the kitchen. As Haakon had made his way past Josephine to be in the front, he heard something akin a smack behind him, though he couldn't make out what it had been and had no intention in doing any form of journalism involving strange noises in Eygptian kitchens. The big fish was still somewhere in front of them, and the snooping Norwegian fox was lurking his prey. If foxes did such things, Haakon wasn't sure, but they sure did sound clever.

"Wait, do you hear that?" Haakon turned his head slightly around, catching the glimpse of Josephine close behind him. His mind raced back to one of his first days in Cairo, that city he both enjoyed and dreaded.

A bell. A bell ringing, it meant something. During his early stay in the city, he had been told all sorts of things by some local guide. Haakon couldn't understand a whole lot of what the man was saying, his English was far too broken for that. But a ringing bell had been important, that was for certain. Prison. Bell. A prison bell? The prison bell! Yes, now it came back to him; the bell rang whenever someone escaped from the prison. No wait, not just anyone.

"That's him, whom the bell tolls for. It must be. Which begs the question even more severly, why is he here of all places?"

Haakon led him and Josephine down a hallway as they caught sight of their target making his way up a set of stairs, leading upstairs. When the man had been out of sight for a few moments, Haakon gave haste as he crossed the hallway and peaked around the corner to see the man. His revolver was by now visible and ready in his hand, the hammer cocked and finger on the trigger. "He's going upstairs, but what floor? If the remaining exits can be blocked, we can trap him."