Mummy Game 002

[8/10/2013 9:40:24 PM] Kate: Cairo, 1922. In our last episode, Felix Cray was peremptorily ordered to Cairo to rescue his sister Celestine from a kidnapper. Upon reaching Cairo, and the posh hotel Shepheard's, however, it seemed Celestine had gone voluntarily, with a beau she afterwards discarded. While getting ready to go to dinner with his sister, Felix briefly met and possibly rescued a blonde German girl named Hildegard, who is still hiding in his room. [8/10/2013 9:42:10 PM] Kate: Now he's gone down to dinner, to find Celestine waiting for him in the lobby, having removed her hat and thus attracted the attention of every man in the place except the ones who prefer men. It's the chestnut hair, still unfashionably log but styled into a sleek, slightly wavy faux-bob. [8/10/2013 9:45:43 PM] Kate: Celestine: There you are! What took you so long? [8/10/2013 9:46:12 PM] Kate: Celestine: ... well, at least you've shaved. You look like a pirate even in that suit, Felix. I suppose there's nothing that can be done. Your poor eye. [8/10/2013 9:46:25 PM] Felix: Some policemen interrupted me while I was getting ready, sorry. [8/10/2013 9:46:39 PM] Felix: And what's wrong with looking like a pirate? [8/10/2013 9:46:40 PM] Kate: She kisses him on the cheek; every man in the place now wants to kill him. [8/10/2013 9:47:23 PM] Kate: Celestine: Well, in civilized society they like their pirates disguised. It's so tedious of them but we must go along. Daddy would never let us hear the end of it if we were forcibly ejected from *Shepheard's* of all places. [8/10/2013 9:47:41 PM] Kate: Celestine: What did the policeman want? Bribes are *very* effective here, you know. [8/10/2013 9:48:02 PM] Felix: They were hunting for a thief, apparently. [8/10/2013 9:49:47 PM] Kate: Celestine: Oh dear. *Have* you stolen anything? Father says you're quite disreputable these days. [8/10/2013 9:50:56 PM] Felix: I haven't stolen anything. And of course dad thinks that. He never approved of me going off to war. [8/10/2013 9:51:52 PM] Kate: Celestine: I wasn't *so* exactly happy 'bout that my own self. [8/10/2013 9:52:05 PM] Kate: Celestine: If you don't remember. [8/10/2013 9:52:42 PM] Felix: Felix frowns. "Sorry, Cel." [8/10/2013 9:54:14 PM] Kate: Celestine: Well, I understand why you did it. [8/10/2013 9:54:46 PM] Kate: Celestine: Those awful people had to be stopped, and that was that. And you did. But oh, your poor eye! ... I suppose girls *do* like it. Hmm. I have just the person in mind, too... [8/10/2013 9:55:36 PM] Felix: Felix raises an eyebrow. [8/10/2013 9:56:02 PM] Felix: ((FIgured out how he lost it, too. He was a rifleman, his rifle got shot while he was sighting down the scope.)) [8/10/2013 9:57:29 PM] Kate: Celestine: Oh, father keeps thinking we both ought to be married by now. But you know I never pay any attention to him, and I advise you to do the same. [8/10/2013 9:57:48 PM] Kate: Celestine: Now here, take my arm like a good brother and we'll go in to dinner. [8/10/2013 9:58:03 PM] Felix: Felix puts his arm out for her! [8/10/2013 9:58:43 PM] Kate: She takes his arm! "Just like old times. Remember how you taught me to dance?" [8/10/2013 9:59:03 PM] Felix: And then you get much much better than me in a very short period of time. [8/10/2013 10:00:43 PM] Kate: Celestine: Well yes. I practiced and practiced. It was *exhausting.* [8/10/2013 10:00:58 PM] Kate: Celestine: I was so plain back then! Quite the ugly duckling! [8/10/2013 10:01:36 PM] Felix: You were never plain. [8/10/2013 10:02:06 PM] Kate: She walks him into the dining room, which is filled with people, brightly lit and beautifully appointed, airy, with lots of windows for airflow in the warm climate, and electric fans on the ceiling. [8/10/2013 10:02:23 PM] Kate: Celestine: Perhaps not to you, but to simply *everyone* else. [8/10/2013 10:03:30 PM] Kate: Celestine looks around, and then spies a table full of people. "Oh, there they are. Come on." [8/10/2013 10:03:50 PM] Kate: She drags Felix over to the table and waits for him to pull out a chair for her like a civilized gentleman of the times. [8/10/2013 10:04:53 PM] Felix: He pulls out the chair, of course, despite his disputable level of couth. [8/10/2013 10:05:59 PM] Kate: Celestine beams, and tugs the chair a bit closer to the table. "Everybody, this is my big brother, Felix. Felix, this is everybody who counts." [8/10/2013 10:06:07 PM] Kate: She waves at the people at the table. [8/10/2013 10:06:25 PM] Felix: Felix looks them over with a critical eye! Which is the only eye he has. [8/10/2013 10:07:14 PM] Kate: One, a man wearing a black shirt and suit with a priest's collar, looks amused, his silver eyebrows going up a bit, getting lost in his mop of silvery hair. He's middle-aged, but tall and athletic and tanned--all easy to see even from his seated position. [8/10/2013 10:09:03 PM] Kate: Also amused is a woman who's attracting almost as much attention as Celestine. She's wearing equally modish clothes, in striking blues and blacks, and she's also got a cigarette in a holder. She's a little bit older than Celestine, though--maybe Felix's age or a little older, even, though it's hard to tell--her skin is perfect, and her eyes are a blue just this side of violet. [8/10/2013 10:10:28 PM] Kate: Unamused, but somewhat stricken with Celestine (obviously) is a younger man, probably about her own age, with a deep tan and dark hair that wants cutting. His suit, too, has definitely seen better days--it has multiple patches and probably isn't really meant to be worn to a fancy dinner. His tie doesn't match and is also crooked. [8/10/2013 10:11:58 PM] Kate: He has a bit of resemblance to a taller, denser-built man sitting next to him, whose clothes are also shabby but better cared-for. The bigger man is probably older, by the look of him--probably the younger one's brother or a cousin. Both of their hands bear the calluses of manual labor. [8/10/2013 10:14:45 PM] Kate: Celestine: This is Father James O'Malley, and Countess Yelena... Yelena... oh dear, I've forgotten how to say it. Well, everybody calls her the Countess anyway. [8/10/2013 10:15:38 PM] Kate: Celestine: And then these are Paul and David Driscoll. They do the digging. [8/10/2013 10:16:35 PM] Felix: Nice to meet you all. [8/10/2013 10:17:30 PM] Kate: The elder archaeologist doesn't even look up from his wine. The preacher nods in a gentlemanly fashion, and the Countess just smiles. [8/10/2013 10:18:06 PM] Kate: O'Malley: Maybe you better explain what you mean by diggin', Miz Celestine. [8/10/2013 10:18:14 PM] Felix: Maybe you should, sis. [8/10/2013 10:18:17 PM] Kate: He has a southern accent you could cut bread with. [8/10/2013 10:18:33 PM] Kate: Celestine: Well, they dig people up! Obviously. [8/10/2013 10:20:06 PM] Felix: Who are you digging up, then? [8/10/2013 10:21:20 PM] Kate: Celestine puts a cigarette to her lips and waits pointedly; Paul, the younger archaeologist, fumbles to get to a lighter first, but fails. He is outclassed by Father O'Malley. [8/10/2013 10:21:41 PM] Kate: Celestine: Mummies, obviously! Pharaohs and pharaohesses. Or whatever they call them. [8/10/2013 10:21:53 PM] Kate: Celestine: I thought it might be fun to help. [8/10/2013 10:22:26 PM] Kate: The Countess smiles, catlike. "Miss Cray has consented to take the place of our artist, who has regrettably disappeared." [8/10/2013 10:23:06 PM] Felix: Felix nods. "He didn't get eaten by a mummy, did he?" [8/10/2013 10:25:07 PM] Kate: David: Of course not. I told you, Countess, I don't like hiring women. And this is the second one, if she sticks around any longer than that German, I'll be shocked. [8/10/2013 10:25:27 PM] Kate: Paul: *David.* I'm sorry, Miss Cray, you'll have to forgive my brother. He's not used to polite company. [8/10/2013 10:26:24 PM] Felix: So. A countess, a priest, and a couple of excavators walk into a tomb. I think I've heard this joke. [8/10/2013 10:26:51 PM] Kate: Countess: I will not go into the tomb. I am merely... financing the expedition. [8/10/2013 10:27:07 PM] Kate: She has a very thick Russian accent, but seems very fluent in Egyptian. [8/10/2013 10:27:41 PM] Felix: Now *that* was a pregnant pause. [8/10/2013 10:29:03 PM] Kate: David: And making us go to these damned dinners. [8/10/2013 10:29:22 PM] Kate: Paul, flustered: *David.* Please. We are *not* in some tomb with grubby Egyptian workmen. [8/10/2013 10:30:04 PM] Kate: Celestine giggles. "Oh, I think it's terribly refreshing. Men are always so afraid to say anything around ladies, as if we're made of glass. And we're not." [8/10/2013 10:30:19 PM] Kate: O'Malley: Of course sometimes diplomacy is called for. [8/10/2013 10:30:30 PM] Kate: David: I leave the diplomacy to diplomats. [8/10/2013 10:31:43 PM] Kate: Paul: And me to clean up your messes. [8/10/2013 10:32:00 PM] Kate: David: *That* is ironic given how many of *your* messes I have cleaned up over the years. [8/10/2013 10:32:08 PM] Kate: Paul reddens; it's barely visible underneath the tan. [8/10/2013 10:32:17 PM] Felix: Ahh. The sound of family. [8/10/2013 10:32:18 PM] Kate: Countess: I am certain some amicable arrangement could be made. [8/10/2013 10:32:27 PM] Kate: O'Malley: You got one of your own, Mr. Cray? [8/10/2013 10:33:09 PM] Felix: Felix smiles. "Don't we all?  So what happened to your previous artist, Countess?" [8/10/2013 10:34:04 PM] Kate: Countess: We are not sure. She simply vanished; she did not take her things with her. [8/10/2013 10:34:07 PM] Kate: Celestine: I think it's mummies. [8/10/2013 10:34:18 PM] Kate: David: It is *not* mummies. Pure superstition. [8/10/2013 10:34:38 PM] Kate: Celestine: I thought perhaps we could bring Felix out to the dig with us. He's terribly useful. [8/10/2013 10:35:03 PM] Kate: The Countess raises her frosty blonde eyebrows. "In what way?" [8/10/2013 10:35:03 PM] Felix: Felix looks at Celestine. "Don't know how I'd be useful in such an expedition." [8/10/2013 10:36:16 PM] Kate: David: I'm sure he could always sift rocks. [8/10/2013 10:36:35 PM] Kate: Paul: Don't be ridiculous, David. We could use some security. [8/10/2013 10:36:45 PM] Kate: O'Malley: Is it that dire, son? [8/10/2013 10:36:53 PM] Felix: Security for what? [8/10/2013 10:37:03 PM] Kate: Paul: We've had some strange things happening. Items going missing--nothing important, just potsherds and the like-- [8/10/2013 10:37:26 PM] Kate: David: It *is* important, Paul, we're scientists. We are not looters. Those potsherds could tell us invaluable information about-- [8/10/2013 10:37:44 PM] Kate: Paul: Pots. Yes, I know. But my point is, things are being stolen and we need to stop it from happening again. [8/10/2013 10:38:14 PM] Kate: Countess: Indeed. I would hate for my leetle expedition to fail. [8/10/2013 10:38:36 PM] Felix: Are there any other competing expeditions you're up against? [8/10/2013 10:40:09 PM] Kate: David slams a fist on the table. "That damned Perry and his infernal crew of poseurs!" [8/10/2013 10:40:22 PM] Felix: That would be a yes, then. [8/10/2013 10:40:25 PM] Kate: Celestine and O'Malley both jump at the fist. [8/10/2013 10:40:41 PM] Kate: Paul: I'm certain they wouldn't do such a thing, David. They're scientists too. [8/10/2013 10:41:13 PM] Kate: David: Nothing but looters! I've seen their debris pile, Paul, they don't even sift it properly! [8/10/2013 10:41:30 PM] Kate: Paul: So they stole our potsherds to make up for it? That doesn't make any sense. [8/10/2013 10:41:47 PM] Kate: Countess: I am certain that Mr. Cray's assistance would be invaluable to us. [8/10/2013 10:42:17 PM] Felix: ((Have Carter and Herbert dug up Tut, yet?)) [8/10/2013 10:43:20 PM] Kate: Um. Good question. [8/10/2013 10:43:42 PM] Kate: The tomb is definitely not open yet. That's in November. [8/10/2013 10:43:53 PM] Felix: ((K!)) [8/10/2013 10:44:33 PM] Kate: Ah! Nope. [8/10/2013 10:44:38 PM] Kate: That's not until November. [8/10/2013 10:45:28 PM] Kate: The Countess smiles at Felix. [8/10/2013 10:46:16 PM] Felix: Well. Maybe. Depends on what you need done, and how much room is in the budget for me. [8/10/2013 10:47:44 PM] Kate: Countess: That depends. You look like a man who knows his way around weapons. [8/10/2013 10:48:04 PM] Felix: And why ever would you need a man like that? [8/10/2013 10:49:08 PM] Kate: The Countess smiles. "If nothing else, you can give me fencing lessons." [8/10/2013 10:49:15 PM] Kate: Celestine: He's good at dancing, too. [8/10/2013 10:51:42 PM] Felix: Do you anticipate a lot of dancing mummies, then? [8/10/2013 10:52:07 PM] Kate: Countess: No. Do you object to dancing with me? [8/10/2013 10:52:35 PM] Kate: David: Mummies don't dance. They are not animate, and there is no such thing as a curse. [8/10/2013 10:52:47 PM] Kate: O'Malley: Now calm down, David, no one said anything about a curse. [8/10/2013 10:53:05 PM] Kate: David: Nobody had to, that damned reporter has been saying it often enough. [8/10/2013 10:53:19 PM] Kate: Celestine: Oh, but he's not here now. It's perfectly safe. [8/10/2013 10:53:28 PM] Felix: Felix smiles at the Countess. "Curse?" [8/10/2013 10:53:40 PM] Kate: The waiters bring an assortment of appetizers. Posh stuff, like cavier on crackers and soft cheeses. [8/10/2013 10:54:08 PM] Kate: Countess: I do not believe in curses. [8/10/2013 10:54:13 PM] Kate: David: Good, because there aren't any. [8/10/2013 10:56:57 PM] Felix: What's this about a curse, then? [8/10/2013 10:57:51 PM] Kate: David: It's that bloody journalist! [8/10/2013 10:58:01 PM] Kate: Paul: Would you keep your voice *down* and stop cursing at everybody! [8/10/2013 10:58:22 PM] Kate: Celestine: Oh, it's this darling little reporteress. She claims that there's a curse on the whole Valley of Kings. [8/10/2013 10:58:49 PM] Kate: O'Malley: Don't find 'er so darlin' myself, it's like talkin' to a shark with a pretty hat on, if I may use the expression. [8/10/2013 11:00:09 PM] Felix: Hmm. She sounds interesting. [8/10/2013 11:01:09 PM] Kate: Countess: Perhaps I might introduce you. [8/10/2013 11:01:19 PM] Kate: David mutters something. [8/10/2013 11:01:33 PM] Kate: Celestine: Oh, nonsense, David, you're just angry because you can't go about punching women. [8/10/2013 11:01:39 PM] Kate: David: Journalists are *not* women. [8/10/2013 11:03:51 PM] Felix: But some women are journalists. [8/10/2013 11:05:15 PM] Kate: David: Then they shouldn't count as women! [8/10/2013 11:05:29 PM] Kate: Countess: If she becomes such a problem, I will punch her in the face, yes? [8/10/2013 11:05:47 PM] Kate: Everyone laughs. It's very hard to imagine the Countess having ruffled enough feathers to punch anyone at all, whatsoever. [8/10/2013 11:08:45 PM] Kate: David grumbles, though. [8/10/2013 11:09:06 PM] Kate: Countess: I will look forward to having you, Mr. Cray. [8/10/2013 11:09:44 PM] Kate: O'Malley: Comes to mind we haven't told 'im what we all do yet. I'm the linguist in the bunch, I translate the texts we find. Once there is some, we been short on it so far. [8/10/2013 11:09:48 PM] Kate: Paul: We're doing the best we can. [8/10/2013 11:10:27 PM] Kate: David: *I'm* the lead excavator. And my brother here does most of the hiring, except of course what the Countess wants. [8/10/2013 11:10:34 PM] Kate: Countess: I hope I have not interfered? [8/10/2013 11:10:49 PM] Kate: Paul: No, no, of course not. Your assistance and suggestions have been most helpful. [8/10/2013 11:13:07 PM] Felix: How big a crew of workers do you have? [8/10/2013 11:13:29 PM] Kate: Paul: About thirty. [8/10/2013 11:13:48 PM] Kate: Paul: Mostly unskilled, technically, though a lot of 'em have been with us for five years or so, since David and I got started. [8/10/2013 11:14:27 PM] Kate: David: Most of the Egyptians are worth ten soft Europeans. [8/10/2013 11:14:33 PM] Kate: David: Each. [8/10/2013 11:18:16 PM] Felix: Felix has a roll. "How long have you been digging here?" [8/10/2013 11:19:14 PM] Kate: Paul: We have five years' experience. [8/10/2013 11:19:20 PM] Kate: David: Each. [8/10/2013 11:20:57 PM] Kate: ((Lark's crew now consists of 1/2 Andorians. FYI.)) [8/10/2013 11:21:10 PM] Felix: ((Hee.)) [8/10/2013 11:21:23 PM] Kate: Paul: I started when I got out of school. [8/10/2013 11:21:23 PM] Felix: I mean, at the specific location you're digging at now. [8/10/2013 11:21:59 PM] Kate: David: A week. Paul dragged us all the way back up here to find a new artist or we'd still be there. [8/10/2013 11:22:23 PM] Kate: Paul: Well we can't not have one, everything must be recorded. [8/10/2013 11:22:25 PM] Kate: David grumbles. [8/10/2013 11:22:30 PM] Kate: Celestine: I can't wait to begin! [8/10/2013 11:25:47 PM] Kate: Countess: I am certain it will be most... interesting. [8/10/2013 11:25:56 PM] Kate: David: Normally financial backers don't go on expeditions. [8/10/2013 11:26:15 PM] Kate: Countess: You must forgive me my curiosity; I have not spent so much on such a thing before. [8/10/2013 11:26:30 PM] Kate: Paul: No, you must forgive David his rudeness. This is what happens when you spend all day in the dirt. [8/10/2013 11:27:12 PM] Felix: Felix sips his water. "When will you be heading out?" [8/10/2013 11:27:29 PM] Kate: David, hotly: It's not *dirt*, it's a tomb in the Valley of the Kings. [8/10/2013 11:27:38 PM] Kate: Countess: The day after tomorrow. [8/10/2013 11:27:49 PM] Kate: O'Malley: So soak in 'bout all the luxury you can. There ain't a lot out at the camp. [8/10/2013 11:27:59 PM] Kate: Celestine: I'm sure it will be an adventure! [8/10/2013 11:30:00 PM] Felix: Felix rubs his chin thoughtfully. [8/10/2013 11:31:09 PM] Kate: Dinner is served. Everyone gets the same thing, but there's at least three plates of food, so you're going to get something you want. [8/10/2013 11:31:39 PM] Kate: It looks like stuffed grouse and rice pilaf, roast beef with mashed potatoes and gravy, carrots, squash, and some sort of fish. [8/10/2013 11:32:06 PM] Felix: Felix digs in! [8/10/2013 11:32:15 PM] Kate: So does everybody else. [8/10/2013 11:32:48 PM] Kate: O'Malley has good manners; Celestine manages to eat perfectly politely and seem like she's not eating much while actually eating quite a bit. The Countess picks at her meal and David eats like a barbarian. Paul has plain but decent manners. [8/10/2013 11:34:28 PM] Kate: The rest of the meal passes pretty quickly; there's a lot of smalltalk, which, it's fairly obvious, David detests. [8/10/2013 11:35:18 PM] Felix: Felix listens attentively, trying to get the measure of the folks at the table. [8/10/2013 11:35:18 PM] Kate: And the Countess may be flirting with Felix, or she might not be; it's very hard to tell. [8/10/2013 11:36:57 PM] Kate: Celestine doesn't flirt with anybody, although you can tell that Paul is pretty smitten. [8/10/2013 11:38:24 PM] Kate: Eventually, everybody is stuffed to the gills, and Celestine says she's going to go to bed early for once, so she can get up early and see if there's any automobiles "worth having." [8/10/2013 11:39:43 PM] Kate: David points out this won't be very useful at the expedition site, which must be reached after several days' journey on a riverboat on the Nile. [8/10/2013 11:40:06 PM] Felix: Felix will take his leave to, to talk to the girl in his room. [8/10/2013 11:40:38 PM] Kate: The last thing you hear from the group is Celestine's voice, floating above the dining room. "... a motorcycle might be better, you're right!" [8/10/2013 11:41:11 PM] Felix: Felix shakes his head smiling, and heads to his room! [8/10/2013 11:41:49 PM] Kate: Felix finds that the German girl is fast asleep on top of his bed, curled up like a little fat cat. [8/10/2013 11:42:03 PM] Felix: He clears his throat! [8/10/2013 11:42:22 PM] Kate: She doesn't move! [8/10/2013 11:43:40 PM] Felix: Hey, wake up. [8/10/2013 11:44:51 PM] Kate: She opens her eyes and sits up. "Ach, I am so sorry, I did not mean to fall asleep in this manner, it is very rude." [8/10/2013 11:45:22 PM] Felix: That's okay. I met your former employers at dinner. [8/10/2013 11:45:57 PM] Kate: Hilde: My employers? [8/10/2013 11:46:18 PM] Felix: Archaelogical expedition that you used to be the artist for? [8/10/2013 11:46:35 PM] Kate: Hilde: Ah! Do you think that they were involved in the crime? [8/10/2013 11:47:17 PM] Felix: I don't know. But they hired my sister to replace you, so I'll be going with them. [8/10/2013 11:47:47 PM] Kate: Hilde: ... but is that not very dangerous? [8/10/2013 11:48:42 PM] Felix: I can handle it. If they *are* involved, I'm not leaving my sister with them. If I tell her not to go, she'll go anyway. [8/10/2013 11:50:36 PM] Kate: Hilde: ... then I must go as well. [8/10/2013 11:51:39 PM] Felix: As far as they know, you just disappeared on them. What would you tell them? [8/10/2013 11:52:10 PM] Kate: Hilde: ... I am not sure. What do you think I ought to say? [8/10/2013 11:54:04 PM] Felix: No idea. I don't know that they'd be willing to hire you back after you flaked out on them the first time. [8/10/2013 11:56:37 PM] Kate: Hilde: I did not *flake.* [8/10/2013 11:56:58 PM] Kate: Hilde: ... I do not care if I am hired back, I only wish to help and perhaps find the forgers. [8/10/2013 11:58:30 PM] Felix: Then you'd best go back to the Countess and explain things. [8/10/2013 11:59:12 PM] Kate: Hilde: ... what if she is involved in it? [8/11/2013 12:00:10 AM] Felix: I don't mean explain everything. Come up with a reason you left and explain that, ask her to take you back. [8/11/2013 12:01:37 AM] Kate: Hilde: Ah, ah, I see! Go under the covers! [8/11/2013 12:06:06 AM] Felix: ...right. [8/11/2013 12:06:33 AM] Kate: Hilde tries to pat her hair down. This is like rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. "What excuse do you think I should give?" [8/11/2013 12:08:54 AM] Felix: I don't know enough about the situation. They talked about a curse? Did you hear anything about that? [8/11/2013 12:09:44 AM] Kate: Hilde beams. "Ah yes, the curse! It is only a superstition of course, but it is said that should a mummy ever be unearthed within the Valley of the Kings all those involved will suffer a terrible fate." [8/11/2013 12:10:35 AM] Felix: Tell her that you got scared off by the idea of the curse. [8/11/2013 12:10:57 AM] Kate: Hilde: But I would never believe in such silliness! Mummies do not walk, pharaohs do not exact vengeance. [8/11/2013 12:11:54 AM] Felix: Doesn't matter if you believe it or not. Would she believe it? [8/11/2013 12:12:11 AM] Kate: Hilde thinks. "... I do not think so, I have said so many times." [8/11/2013 12:12:36 AM] Felix: Well, I don't have any other ideas. [8/11/2013 12:13:27 AM] Kate: Hilde: ... perhaps I was lost? [8/11/2013 12:13:59 AM] Felix: Felix shrugs. "Maybe that would work." [8/11/2013 12:16:05 AM] Kate: Hilde: Yes, I believe that would work, I am very often lost. Your sister, she would not be inconvenienced by my returning, would she? [8/11/2013 12:16:37 AM] Felix: I don't know. I don't think so, as long as she still got to go. [8/11/2013 12:16:48 AM] Kate: Hilde: I am certain the Countess would not object, she is most kind. [8/11/2013 12:17:44 AM] Felix: She said we're heading out the day after tomorrow. It's better if you go to her on your own. I already implied I didn't know who you were. [8/11/2013 12:19:05 AM] Kate: She beams again. "But that is most kind, most gentlemanly. The chivalry, it is impressive!" [8/11/2013 12:24:56 AM] Felix: Well. Thank you, I think. [8/11/2013 12:25:09 AM] Kate: Hilde: And when we meet again we must pretend that we have not met before, yes? [8/11/2013 12:25:51 AM] Felix: Yes. [8/11/2013 12:27:42 AM] Kate: Hilde beams. "Very well then, I will see you soon!" [8/11/2013 12:27:48 AM] Kate: She bows, and nods, and bows, and leaves. [8/11/2013 12:28:12 AM] Felix: Felix nods, and sits down, pulling his tie off! [8/11/2013 12:30:34 AM] Kate: A few minutes later, there's another knock at the door. [8/11/2013 12:32:07 AM] Felix: Felix goes over and opens it! [8/11/2013 12:32:59 AM] Kate: It's the Countess. [8/11/2013 12:33:22 AM] Felix: Countess Yelena. What was your last name? I never caught it. [8/11/2013 12:33:43 AM] Kate: Countess: You would not be able to pronounce it. [8/11/2013 12:34:04 AM] Felix: Well, let me hear you say it, first. [8/11/2013 12:34:10 AM] Kate: Countess: Yusupov. [8/11/2013 12:34:28 AM] Felix: Felix smiles and steps aside, letting her in. "Please come in." [8/11/2013 12:36:04 AM | Edited 12:36:09 AM] Kate: The Countess nods, and steps in. "I am wondering if, perhaps, you might tell me more about your sister. And yourself. I have not had so many employees before, I feel I must keep track of them." [8/11/2013 12:36:58 AM] Felix: Of course. What would you like to know? [8/11/2013 12:37:25 AM] Kate: Countess: How you lost your eye. And your skill set, of course. [8/11/2013 12:37:58 AM] Kate: If her necklace is real, it's probably worth ten times what a brand new automobile would cost, let alone a motorcycle. [8/11/2013 12:41:02 AM] Felix: Everyone always wants to know about the eye. [8/11/2013 12:41:35 AM] Kate: Countess: It gives you an air of mystery. Perhaps it is best not to know. [8/11/2013 12:43:23 AM] Felix: Felix shrugs. "I lost it in the war.  Given what a lot of other men lost, I think I might have gotten off light." [8/11/2013 12:45:02 AM] Kate: Countess: No trench foot. [8/11/2013 12:45:20 AM] Kate: She slips into a chair at the small table in the corner of the room. [8/11/2013 12:45:40 AM] Felix: No trench foot. [8/11/2013 12:46:10 AM] Kate: Countess: And no shellshock. That would impede your duties, perhaps? [8/11/2013 12:46:46 AM] Felix: I'm not afraid of a fight, no. [8/11/2013 12:47:07 AM] Kate: The countess shakes her head. "The shellshock is not fear." [8/11/2013 12:48:48 AM] Felix: Trust me, I know. But a lot of fellas that came home with shellshock get kinda dodgy around a fight. [8/11/2013 12:49:39 AM] Kate: Countess: Mm, yes, but fear implies rationality; with the shellshock there is no rationality, only reflex. [8/11/2013 12:49:57 AM] Felix: True. [8/11/2013 12:50:10 AM] Felix: Well, no shellshock. [8/11/2013 12:50:36 AM] Kate: Countess: Every one feels fear during a battle; that is only natural. No shellshock. And your... qualifications? [8/11/2013 12:52:46 AM] Felix: Qualifications? Obviously my depth perception isn't so great anymore so I can't handle a rifle as well as I used to, but I'm still okay with a pistol. I'm a decent driver and mechanic. took up fencing in the Legion and found I had a taste for it. [8/11/2013 12:53:55 AM] Kate: Countess: The Legion? [8/11/2013 12:54:07 AM] Felix: French Foreign Legion. [8/11/2013 12:54:40 AM] Kate: Countess: But you are not French. [8/11/2013 12:55:48 AM] Felix: No, but that's why it was the French Foreign Legion. Filled with foreigners. Americans, brits, spaniards. [8/11/2013 12:57:31 AM] Kate: Countess: But you sought to serve with them instead of your own country. America, yes? [8/11/2013 12:57:57 AM | Edited 12:58:03 AM] Felix: I joined up before America formally joined the war. [8/11/2013 1:00:14 AM] Kate: Countess: Clearly you had strong feelings on the subject. [8/11/2013 1:01:12 AM] Felix: That was part of it, sure. But I also just wanted to get out and see the world. [8/11/2013 1:01:42 AM] Kate: Countess: And what did you see? [8/11/2013 1:10:29 AM] Felix: Felix shrugs. "More than I was expecting, that's for sure." [8/11/2013 1:12:23 AM] Kate: Countess: Tell me. [8/11/2013 1:15:33 AM] Felix: Felix sits down. "Well, saying I've seen the sunrise over the Valley of Kings isn't really as impressive when we're actually in Cairo and can see it from the window, and that's usually what I lead with." [8/11/2013 1:16:46 AM] Kate: Countess: Still, I have not seen it. [8/11/2013 1:17:31 AM] Kate: Countess: There is wine in every room; we could share a bottle if you wish. I would like to speak more with you, I think you would understand. [8/11/2013 1:19:30 AM] Felix: I don't drink, countess, but I wouldn't think it rude if you did so without me. [8/11/2013 1:20:26 AM] Kate: She raises her eyebrows. "A reformed drunk, then?" [8/11/2013 1:21:16 AM] Felix: No, not at all. I just don't care for the taste of alcohol. Ironic considering I used to be a bootlegger. [8/11/2013 1:22:29 AM] Felix: Felix smiles. "After the war. " [8/11/2013 1:24:14 AM] Kate: Countess: After the war. Interesting. How very... interesting. [8/11/2013 1:24:32 AM] Felix: Why so interesting? [8/11/2013 1:25:14 AM] Kate: Countess: I am not here simply to support this dig financially. [8/11/2013 1:25:36 AM] Felix: I didn't think so. [8/11/2013 1:26:55 AM] Kate: She lights a cigarette, not waiting for you to do it for her. "Tell me, Mr. Cray. Do you believe in life after death?" [8/11/2013 1:28:33 AM] Felix: Felix raises an eyebrow. "Saw a ghost in a burned out rectory in Paris, once.  I suppose I'm open-minded to the idea.  And not in the religious sense." [8/11/2013 1:29:32 AM] Kate: Countess: I am not so open-minded, I am afraid. I believe in very little. [8/11/2013 1:29:58 AM] Felix: So why are you here? [8/11/2013 1:30:55 AM] Kate: She takes a deep draw of her cigarette, holds it in for a moment and then exhales. "I have a friend, another Russian, whose mind is so open at any moment it will be exposed to the elements." [8/11/2013 1:31:14 AM] Felix: All right? [8/11/2013 1:32:39 AM] Kate: Countess: Among other things, she believes in spiritualism. You are familiar with spiritualism? [8/11/2013 1:33:20 AM] Felix: I've read a bit about it. Never been to a Seance or anything, mind you. [8/11/2013 1:34:33 AM] Kate: Countess: I have been told I was Egyptian in a past life. This is not surprising, if I had a British pound for every woman who was once an Egyptian princess I would be even wealthier than I now am. [8/11/2013 1:36:27 AM] Kate: Countess: This spiritualist was not the same as the others. She said I was *not* a princess. In fact, she told me I was an ugly, toothless peasant girl. A clever one, however, who became a serving-girl to the royal family. [8/11/2013 1:38:15 AM] Kate: Countess: ... she did not want to tell me this, so I pressed further. Apparently in this past life I was murdered and buried along with the princess I served--somewhere in the Valley of Kings. [8/11/2013 1:38:54 AM] Felix: Do you remember being a serving-girl? [8/11/2013 1:39:43 AM] Kate: Countess: No. [8/11/2013 1:39:59 AM] Kate: Countess: That is another reason I am inclined to believe her. I told her this flatly and she did not change her story. [8/11/2013 1:40:26 AM] Kate: Countess: Others merely change their story to fit what you wish to hear. This one did not. [8/11/2013 1:41:02 AM] Felix: So... you're looking for where you were buried? [8/11/2013 1:41:27 AM] Kate: Countess: Yes. I wish to know if she was correct. [8/11/2013 1:41:43 AM] Felix: That's an awful lot of money to spend just to see if she was correct. [8/11/2013 1:43:24 AM] Kate: Countess: My family escaped before Russia fell to the revolution in 1917. We kept our fortune and invested it; since then it has grown many times its former size. [8/11/2013 1:45:17 AM] Kate: Countess: If this spiritualist is right in this matter, she may be right in others, and there may be a way to unlock the memories of the past. The value to historians would be immeasurable. [8/11/2013 1:47:46 AM] Kate: Countess: That is if it cannot be sold, in which case, the value would be quite measurable. [8/11/2013 1:50:08 AM] Felix: Interesting. I read about a woman who did a lot of delving into the subject. What was her name.... Blavatsky, that was it. Madame Blavatsky. [8/11/2013 1:50:58 AM] Kate: Countess: Blavatsky, yes. I believe her to be another fraud, but it is difficult to say for sure. [8/11/2013 1:51:59 AM] Felix: So what else can I tell you about my qualifications? [8/11/2013 1:52:47 AM] Kate: She smiles. "You have no wedding ring, I see." [8/11/2013 1:53:14 AM] Felix: I am unmarried, yes. [8/11/2013 1:54:58 AM] Kate: Countess: Another recommendation in your favor. [8/11/2013 1:55:20 AM] Felix: Why does that count in the 'pro' column? [8/11/2013 1:56:57 AM] Kate: Countess: Why do you think? [8/11/2013 1:57:48 AM] Felix: Felix smiles. "I'm not sure.  You're a tough one to read, countess." [8/11/2013 1:58:37 AM] Kate: Countess: I am, after all, Russian. [8/11/2013 2:01:29 AM] Felix: Not complaining, mind you. [8/11/2013 2:01:41 AM] Felix: Can I pour you a glass of wine? [8/11/2013 2:03:11 AM] Kate: Countess: Please. I am not so abstemious as you. [8/11/2013 2:05:10 AM] Kate: She watches him carefully. [8/11/2013 2:06:53 AM] Felix: Felix politely pours her a glass! [8/11/2013 2:08:31 AM] Kate: She sips it. "I wonder who you were in a former life." [8/11/2013 2:08:48 AM] Felix: Can't say as I ever really troubled myself about it. [8/11/2013 2:08:52 AM] Felix: Felix pours himself some tea. [8/11/2013 2:09:42 AM] Kate: Countess: It opens too many doors. [8/11/2013 2:10:26 AM] Felix: How do you mean? [8/11/2013 2:11:24 AM] Kate: Countess: How many lives have there been, across time. [8/11/2013 2:14:50 AM] Felix: "They will come back - come back again as long as the red Earth rolls.  He never wasted a leaf or a tree.  Do you think He would squander souls?" [8/11/2013 2:15:23 AM] Kate: The Countess ponders this. "What is that from?" [8/11/2013 2:16:34 AM] Felix: Kipling. One of his poems. Sack of the Gods. ((THough it occurs to me that I'm not sure *when* he wrote it. It might be from THE FUTURE.)) [8/11/2013 2:17:44 AM] Kate: Countess: Perhaps our expedition will prove revealing. [8/11/2013 2:18:33 AM] Felix: Perhaps. [8/11/2013 2:20:39 AM] Kate: Countess: I feel your sister may contribute more than you suspect. [8/11/2013 2:21:37 AM] Felix: I never said she wouldn't. I haven't seen her for years, though. [8/11/2013 2:23:54 AM] Kate: Countess: Perhaps she was the princess. [8/11/2013 2:24:32 AM] Felix: You mentioned your friend earlier. The one who is very much interested in spiritualism. [8/11/2013 2:25:09 AM] Kate: Countess: Yes? [8/11/2013 2:26:20 AM] Felix: Is she the one that introduced you to this medium, or whathaveyou? [8/11/2013 2:26:43 AM] Kate: She nods. "An old friend, from childhood." [8/11/2013 2:27:49 AM] Felix: Felix sits back in his chair. "So do you hold with this curse thing?" [8/11/2013 2:28:51 AM] Kate: Countess: I would not discount it, however, we have found nothing as yet. We have disturbed no one. And if we do find a tomb, as ancient sources seem to suggest that we will... something might be done. It is possible my presence would be of assistance. [8/11/2013 2:29:36 AM] Felix: If you are the princess' servant reborn. [8/11/2013 2:30:25 AM] Kate: Countess: If. [8/11/2013 2:32:42 AM] Kate: She sips her wine pensively. "It is not what I would like to hear, so I think it likely to be true. Or at least, that the spiritualist believed it." [8/11/2013 2:33:49 AM] Felix: No? Why not? [8/11/2013 2:35:17 AM] Kate: Countess: Not romantic. Not beautiful. [8/11/2013 2:38:00 AM] Felix: I can see that. the idea of repeated lives does kind of cheapen the idea that the life we lead now is precious. [8/11/2013 2:38:43 AM] Kate: Countess: And I like being beautiful. I like my teeth. I like my money. [8/11/2013 2:41:13 AM] Felix: I guess we'll find out, won't we? How did you find the location of the tomb? [8/11/2013 2:42:12 AM] Kate: Countess: We did not. We have the permit to dig in a certain place. It is a place that I chose randomly, within the Valley of the Kings. [8/11/2013 2:43:22 AM] Felix: Randomly? [8/11/2013 2:43:46 AM] Kate: She nods. [8/11/2013 2:43:57 AM] Kate: Countess: With a pendulum. [8/11/2013 2:44:07 AM] Kate: Countess: If nothing else we will have an impressive collection of potsherds. [8/11/2013 2:44:29 AM] Felix: True. Do the others know what it is you're looking for, specifically? [8/11/2013 2:45:38 AM] Kate: Countess: No. I did not think they would understand. Paul and David are very... rational. [8/11/2013 2:46:54 AM] Kate: Countess: And of course, the reverend is a Christian. [8/11/2013 2:47:09 AM] Felix: Of course. [8/11/2013 2:47:39 AM] Kate: She shrugs, and finishes her glass of wine. "Perhaps you are also." [8/11/2013 2:48:10 AM] Felix: I am not terribly... anything, really. [8/11/2013 2:50:13 AM] Felix: I'm not religious or devout. [8/11/2013 2:52:10 AM] Kate: Countess: I believe in very little. Men with guns, I believe in. [8/11/2013 2:52:27 AM] Felix: Felix smiles. "How about swords?" [8/11/2013 2:53:22 AM] Kate: Countess: How very old-fashioned. [8/11/2013 2:54:30 AM] Felix: Not the way I do it. [8/11/2013 2:54:42 AM] Felix: Besides, I'm not much good with a rifle anymore. [8/11/2013 2:55:38 AM] Kate: Countess: The eye. What else does it affect? [8/11/2013 2:56:21 AM] Felix: Not much else. I can still drive just fine. [8/11/2013 2:56:45 AM] Felix: I'm not bad with a pistol, long as the target isn't too far out. [8/11/2013 2:58:08 AM] Kate: Countess: I'll see that you get a gun. [8/11/2013 2:58:14 AM] Kate: Countess: What else? [8/11/2013 2:58:47 AM] Felix: I have a gun. What else? I'm a fair dancer, like my sister said. [8/11/2013 2:59:09 AM] Kate: Countess: And elsewhere? [8/11/2013 3:00:40 AM] Felix: Elsewhere? [8/11/2013 3:01:45 AM] Kate: Countess: Does the loss of your eye affect anything else? [8/11/2013 3:02:11 AM] Felix: I get to wear this dashing eyepatch. [8/11/2013 3:02:32 AM] Felix: Felix grins. "Generally, I'm perfectly fine as long as things are... close." [8/11/2013 3:03:49 AM] Kate: Countess: Perhaps you are too far away. [8/11/2013 3:06:25 AM] Felix: Perhaps I am. [8/11/2013 3:08:12 AM] Felix: Felix moves closer to the countess! [8/11/2013 3:09:19 AM] Kate: *How* close? [8/11/2013 3:14:14 AM] Kate: Touching, further toward her side of the table? [8/11/2013 3:18:21 AM] Felix: Further toward her side! [8/11/2013 3:18:24 AM] Felix: just a bit. [8/11/2013 3:18:56 AM] Kate: She moves a bit closer too. [8/11/2013 3:20:55 AM] Kate: Countess: What brought you to Egypt? [8/11/2013 3:22:40 AM] Felix: My sister. I had heard a rumor that she had gotten into some trouble. Turned out to be a false rumor, thankfully. [8/11/2013 3:23:12 AM] Kate: Countess: I believe she came here with a man. [8/11/2013 3:23:34 AM] Felix: She did. I was led to believe it was against her will. [8/11/2013 3:25:34 AM] Kate: Countess: I do not know your sister well, but I suspect that would be difficult to accomplish. [8/11/2013 3:26:03 AM] Felix: It would. Still, I came just in case it was true. [8/11/2013 3:28:29 AM] Kate: The Countess eyes Felix. "... you care for her very much." [8/11/2013 3:29:00 AM] Felix: Of course. She's my sister. [8/11/2013 3:29:54 AM] Kate: Countess: Not every brother feels the same. [8/11/2013 3:30:19 AM] Felix: Felix raises an eyebrow. "True.  And that's a shame." [8/11/2013 3:32:36 AM] Kate: Countess: It is interesting; my brother shares your name. He is still famous in Russia. [8/11/2013 3:33:15 AM] Felix: Felix? Hmm. [8/11/2013 3:33:58 AM] Kate: Countess: Felix Yusupov. He was part of the conspiracy to assassinate Rasputin. [8/11/2013 3:34:19 AM] Kate: Countess: Poisoned, shot four times, beaten and finally, drowned. [8/11/2013 3:36:54 AM] Felix: (("How is that going, anyway?  Is Rasputin assasinated yet?")) [8/11/2013 3:37:36 AM] Felix: Rasputin, eh? The monk? [8/11/2013 3:38:07 AM] Kate: Countess: He called himself a monk. He was a lecher. [8/11/2013 3:38:35 AM] Felix: Did you know him? [8/11/2013 3:39:24 AM] Felix: ((I remember an Onion article dated 1923 "Russians Continuing to Kill Rasputin".)) [8/11/2013 3:39:41 AM] Kate: Countess: No. I was not permitted such associates. [8/11/2013 3:39:56 AM] Kate: ((It really was Felix Yusupov, and I have been in the basement where it happened.)) [8/11/2013 3:40:49 AM] Felix: (( http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/our-dumb-century-reports-from-the-frontiers-of-history-1105824.html )) [8/11/2013 3:41:47 AM] Felix: ((Cool. I've been in the Lizzie Borden house.)) [8/11/2013 3:42:07 AM] Felix: Felix moves a little closer! [8/11/2013 3:42:32 AM] Kate: She does too. [8/11/2013 3:43:33 AM] Kate: Countess: And I would not have in any case. He did not bathe. [8/11/2013 3:44:02 AM] Felix: I can see that being a barrier. [8/11/2013 3:45:30 AM] Kate: Countess: I have standards. [8/11/2013 3:48:16 AM | Edited 3:48:26 AM] Felix: Felix smiles. "Let's move the conversation away from 'dead-several-times-over' hirsute charlatans." [8/11/2013 3:49:12 AM] Kate: Countess: And what would you like to talk about? [8/11/2013 3:51:28 AM] Kate: Countess: Or would you prefer not to talk at all. [8/11/2013 3:55:20 AM] Felix: Felix smiles, slightly. "We can talk more later.  Maybe we'll think of more topics after a... break." [8/11/2013 3:56:48 AM] Kate: Countess: A break sounds advisable. [8/11/2013 4:03:09 AM] Felix: Felix stands, and takes her hand. [8/11/2013 4:03:55 AM] Kate: She kisses him, closing her eyes. [8/11/2013 4:04:09 AM] Felix: He kisses her back. [8/11/2013 4:04:49 AM] Kate: ((Probably curtain there!)) [8/11/2013 4:05:22 AM] Felix: ((INdeed! And sleep, I think.))