New York to London - 04

[TheUdjat]

Rebecca, Thurman, Grey-

Bound for London, Thurman and Rebecca play it safe on the passenger liner, lying low and keeping to their books. No need to go provoking the fates with more trouble, after all. Dr. Osgood spends his time studying the Pnakotic Manuscripts, the thick and very ancient volume that speaks of things like Atlantis, Hyborea, and other strange relics of the past. As he reads, Thurman also discovers mention of many other things, including dark magic, cults, vengeful gods of the ancient world, and others. Some touch on things Thurman has learned in his own career, but many others are hitherto unheard of, sending a chill down his spine and causing him to suffer disturbing nightmares. He can scarcely fathom the depth of the book’s knowledge, except to know that he has only scratched its surface with his limited study. There is a wealth of information in the tome, though guarded by dense, archaic language and surreal imagery. [Thurman gains +3 Cthulhu Mythos, and no sanity loss (yet). He has no reason to believe the supernatural things mentioned in the book at present.]

Rebecca spends her time with the more recent book, the handwritten volume by Montgomery Crompton detailing his ascendancy to the Brotherhood of the Black Pharoah in Egypt in the last century. It is difficult to follow the author’s ramblings and penchant for the sadistic and unnatural, and he is gruesomely specific about the cult’s rituals and activities, but as it may shed light on Carlyle’s interest in Egypt, she keeps reading. By the end of the four-day trek, Rebecca has finished the volume, though she has only begun to comprehend the subtleties and complexities of the author’s autobiography. He led a strange, bewildering life, and much of it is unbelievable—especially when he speaks of the dark god of the Brotherhood, the foreboding and frightening Black Pharoah. [Rebecca also gets +3 Cthulhu Mythos, and no sanity loss as of yet.]

[Note that both these Mythos gains also include the read-through of People of the Monolith, which both characters have done. All tomes could be studied further for greater gains in Mythos.]

During the trip, Thurman wires his friend in England, Lt. Col. J. E. Grey, and is pleased to discover that the gentleman is indeed in London. A pick-up time is arranged for the 23rd, and Thurman and Rebecca are able to relax, knowing they will have a safe place to say once in the great city. [Thurman is free to give Rebecca a heads up about Col. Grey, perhaps giving her a basic background on the man, and determining how much they plan to tell the man about what’s going on.]

In four days time, Thurman and Rebecca land on England’s soil, with the good Col. Grey there to meet them. The whole trip has passed without incident, without even a sign of cultists anywhere on the boat, despite substantial concern over the possibility.

When they step off the boat, Col. Grey is waiting to meet them. He spies his old friend, and the lovely lady he has brought with him—certainly a high class woman from the States, by the look of her.

[I’ll leave you to your own introductions at this point. You can figure out anything that has been discussed beforehand, including via telegram, though be aware that telegrams don’t really function as letters. They are rather more bland, generally only useful for short clips of information (they do charge by the word). But for sake of ease, I’ll assume Grey’s basic message got across, and Thurman replied in kind to arrange a time.]

[Also note that you will have a good 8 days before Sam and Tommy catch up to you, leaving plenty of time to do other things, including further reading. Just let me know what you’ll be doing.]

---

Sam, Tommy-

The trip from New York is longer and more circuitous than either Tommy or Sam would prefer, but at least it’s low-key. There are no other passengers aboard, merely workers and crewmen, but they’re content to leave the two men to their privacy if that is what they prefer. As the boat moves on, from New York to Boston, and from there over—slowly—across the Atlantic, neither man can detect any sign of cultists or other enemies on the freighter.

It would seem that they have escaped New York without lasting incident. They can only help Rebecca and Thurman have had as much luck.

When Tommy and Sam do finally arrive in Southampton after twelve long days at sea, their legs are shaky and unaccustomed to solid ground. Even walking takes time to adjust to, and they stretch their legs while the dock workers unload cargo and go about their business. The captain meets with both men one last time before they depart, to ensure that all their belongings have been retrieved, then bids them farewell.

It is now the 31st of January, midday, with plenty of time to get settled in London. But how have the others fared? [Thurman and Rebecca could certainly arrange to meet Sam and Tommy off the boat, with Grey if desired. Just let me know.

Also tell me if there’s anything Sam and Tommy want to do for their long trip besides lie low.]




List of clues

[Japic]

{OK, for one, Thurman does have his own flat, so I'd probably not arrange to stay with Col. Grey. Just doesn't make much sense, the ride is welcome however and Thurman will treat the old friend to a fine meal for his courtesy.}

Before the voyage ends Thurman would want to discuss the issue of bringing someone else in on the investigation at some length. For afterall, they came seeking help, and this man owned properties in both London and Mombasa and knew quite a bit that might be able to help. He suggests not dragging him entirely in at first, beginning with general information and working up to it if they feel it's neccessary.

The good news is that Thurman trusts him, they'd spent some months together exploring remote areas of civilization, and had become closer than many Thurman had associated with over the years.

{that's all I've got time for at moment, to be continued later}

[VemuKhaham]

[OOC: Yes, I realized yesterday you have a flat in London, edited my previous post accordingly, but perhaps a bit late for it to be noticed. But it's a small matter. Everything else is as normal.]

Slowly the ship with Thurman and Rebecca aboard entered the harbor. By the quays a lone man was waiting, umbrella under his ringed left hand, its tip resting on the stone ground, as if it were a walking stick. He wore a long black coat and a dark bowler hat. Wrapped loosely around his neck was a light brown shawl. The man gazed at the docking ship, his facial features relaxed, his mouth overshadowed by a big dark blond moustache, its tips curving up very slightly.

When people started to unboard the ship, the man seemed to spot someone in the crowd. Taking his hat in his right hand, he lifted it in the air and waved slightly. A modest smile shortly disturbed his relaxed face.

Walking out to meet the pair, he smiled again, this time out of politeness. Taking his hat in his left hand along with the umbrella, he extended his right one in greeting. "What a welcome sight! Dr. Osgood," he said as he shook his hand. Then his eyes turned to the American lady. He waited briefly to give Thurman a chance to introduce his companion. He then made a slight, courteous bow of the head, then also took her hand. "Miss Devereaux, welcome to England. I am Lieutenant-Colonel Gray, but you may call me James."

He then turned around to face inland, his left arm stretching out to indicate where his car is. If the lady has any heavy luggage, he takes it from her while walking to the car. "Well then, where would you like to go first?"

[Japic]

{good post Vemu, makes me feel like a slacker for not having time for more story.}

Spotting the familiar face, Thurman returns the welcome with a genuine smile of his own. It had been too long and with all the strange happenings of late it was good to see a familiar face from his past. They clasp hands in welcome as Thurman soaks in the Colonel's current clothes. As often as he'd been in uniform, this savvy well to do fellow hardly seems the same, but the face and moustache had not changed a bit. Yes, a welcome sight indeed.

Less he become remiss of his gentlemanly duties Thurman presents Rebecca to his friend. "This is Miss Deveroux, an associate of mine from the States. Miss Deveroux, this is James." In light of the trip ashore Thurman has plumb forgotten any pretenses they might have been travelling under and shrugs it off. He was among friends now, no need for that.

With their luggage gathered Dr. Osgood would follow James to the car. When asked wher ethey were headed to, Thurman thinks but a moment and replies. "Well, James, I'd rather hoped that we could go to my flat to settle in and get cleaned up. From there I'd like to treat you to a meal. I've been abroad for several months now, and would welcome your suggestions on fine eateries."

{for now keep to small talk, and work our way towards properly cleaned up and on to a nice dinner. He would like to steer conversations toward the guy's past, so as to not worry as much about what Thurman had been doing abroad. That was a subject best left for another day.}

[Aegea]

Rebecca smiles at the man after Thurman introduces her, immediately liking the air of dignity about him. After letting Thurman and Grey discuss plans, she concurs, "Yes, if you don't mind I'd like to change first-and a meal does sound lovely." She looks about with some curiosity, as she has never been abroad before.

[Yakumo]

While on the ship Tommy will lay low for the most part, but when he becomes painfully aware of his lack of funds, and lack of incoming jobs, he turns to the captain of the ship to see if there was any way that he could work on the ship to possibly earn back some of the costs of his passage. If he doesn't do something about his finances soon, Tommy will be forced to mooch, or take a break from the Carlyle/Elias Investigation and do some independent contract work for money.

Whether or not he gets work on the ship, Tommy will continue to go over the clues that they have gathered. Tommy mulls the notes over in his head and often to Sam, whether or not he is listening, "In London we have a few things to go on, That Edward Gavigan fellow and the Penhew Foundation. Elias spent some time in London too, we can find out what here was doing there. Also we can check in with Inspector Barrington. I really am not sure what to expect from this trip though."
Tommy spends a large amount of time focused in particular on the China leads. Spending hours staring at the old photograph for anything he didn't see before, but not expecting much. (Spot hidden against 61% [dice=100]) Tommy rolls the matchbook for the Stumbling Tiger Bar between his fingers, just musing. Tommy checks the Emerson Imports log again to see if maybe he missed something, particularly any shipments to or from China.
Tommy will also ask the captain if he has ever dealt with Emerson Imports or if he has ever gone to China. Even though it is an East coast vessel, he is hoping that perhaps they worked on the Pacific at one point.

It is becoming readily apparent that Tommy believes that China is his next destination, even if the links are weak.[rand=406783085328396243334754314185855268964844143755775117183646217905]

[VemuKhaham]

{good post Vemu, makes me feel like a slacker for not having time for more story.}

[Just the vibe of a new and fresh character, that's all. But your post was as good as mine, no worries. ]

As he helps the two load their luggage in his car, Gray takes the time to listen to the pair. He nods at hearing their wish, and puts the last suitcase in the car. Noticing Rebecca taking in the new environment, Gray remarks in his thick British accent: "Does the sight of London please you, miss Devereux? Thurman ought to guide you through all the marvelous city then, if you find the time."

After asking for Thurman's address (he has never visited him in London), and perhaps a few directional explanations if the place was unknown to him, the car drives away from the harbor and into the city.

After a few silent moments, Gray suddenly speaks up, as if he had been thinking about something: "Actually, I do know a perfect place where we may dine. It has a very charming ambiance and they serve a very hearty and fine meal, good for after a long voyage. And while we are there, we can show miss Devereux the beauty of London."

Gray was quite curious about the somewhat intriguing pair and their traveling, but he posed no untimely questions. Such matters would come in time, with the flow of conversation. Right now, these people were tired and needed refreshment, not tiring conversation.

He parked the car outside Thurman's flat, and stepped outside. Opening the door for miss Devereux and again helping with the luggage, Gray waited for the doctor to take the initiative now. "Well, here we are. Can I help you further or shall I leave you to your business for now and we will meet in, say, two hours, for dinner? I do indeed feel like we have much to converse about."

The colonel meant that genuinely, though ever since he had received the telegram from Thurman, he had wondered whether small-talk was all that he came for. And now also the lady, whose presence was, though charming, quite unexplained, besides her being 'an associate' of Osgood. Gray thought that somehow, the doctor was working on something, and Gray was intrigued.

[Aegea]

May 15, 2008 17:47:01 GMT -5 VemuKhaham said:

Noticing Rebecca taking in the new environment, Gray remarks in his thick British accent: "Does the sight of London please you, miss Devereux? Thurman ought to guide you through all the marvelous city then, if you find the time."

Rebecca smiles. "Yes, I'm glad to be here. I'm sure I'll love it after I get a chance to see more of it."

Inwardly, she has a positive first impression of Gray, although she wonders exactly what she'll say later when he inevitably asks why they've here and how she's involved. She didn't get the impression that Thurman wanted them to lie, but being blatantly honest about the entire investigation struck her a slightly risky as well, even though he is a friend of Thurman's.

She wonders how the other group is faring, as well.

[TheUdjat]

[Keep interacting, gents. I can't really continue on until Rebecca/Thurman/Gray have caught up with Tommy/Sam. I love the character interactions, so keep it up, but feel free to summarize any general things you'd like to do in the next 8 days, too.]

[Japic]

(Assuming it's not already too late in the evening) "Yes, a few hours to settle in and refresh ourselves seem quite in order. Thank you for the kind offer." He's glad for the opportunity to speak with Rebecca and decide just how much to disclose and when.

Walking James back to the street Thurman gives him a smile, "We'll see you soon then, thanks again for picking us up."

(end converstaion unless he wishes to talk more right now.)

---

Heading back into the flat Thurman is reminded that he does not live in the most quality of locations and seeing Rebecca standing in his distressed flat only punctuates it all the more. The average size living space appears to have seen better days, enhanced by the old paint, beginning to yellow with age. The main room has a smattering of furniture and a small food preparation area; not even enough dedicated space to be called a whole kitchen really. Two doors lead out of the main room one to a small bathroom with a claw foot tub and the other to a cozy bedroom. The furniture is all well kept and in good order, if not a little dusty; easily explained by his several months absence over seas.

Closing the door behind him Thurman begins speaking. "Uhh, sorry for the place. I don't spend much time here, and the price is right while I'm away." Taking her luggage into the bedroom he sets them on the bed and offers "You can have the bedroom, if you don't mind staying here. Or we can find you a hotel nearby, if you'd prefer."

Moving back into the living room and his own luggage Thurman begins unpacking the books from their storage and stacking them on a table. He pitches his voice a little so as to speak to Rebecca in the next room without crowding her. "We should probably decide what our story is. James is a good friend, but I don't want to lie to him if I don't have to. He may have some insight to the business at hand. What do you think?"

[Japic]

May 16, 2008 9:23:36 GMT -5 TheUdjat said:

[Keep interacting, gents. I can't really continue on until Rebecca/Thurman/Gray have caught up with Tommy/Sam. I love the character interactions, so keep it up, but feel free to summarize any general things you'd like to do in the next 8 days, too.]

{OOC: SUMMARIZE!?! Are you MAD? We have to take a month to write out these days. }

{Besides I'd hate to get too ahead of myself and get jumped by cultists halfway through my summary. It also seems a bit strange to montoge over the whole reaquaintence and introduction to the Mythos part of the Colonel joining us. But if that's how you want it, that's how we can do it.}

[TheUdjat]

May 16, 2008 9:38:37 GMT -5 Japic said:

May 16, 2008 9:23:36 GMT -5 TheUdjat said:

[Keep interacting, gents. I can't really continue on until Rebecca/Thurman/Gray have caught up with Tommy/Sam. I love the character interactions, so keep it up, but feel free to summarize any general things you'd like to do in the next 8 days, too.]

{OOC: SUMMARIZE!?! Are you MAD? We have to take a month to write out these days. }

{Besides I'd hate to get too ahead of myself and get jumped by cultists halfway through my summary. It also seems a bit strange to montoge over the whole reaquaintence and introduction to the Mythos part of the Colonel joining us. But if that's how you want it, that's how we can do it.}

[You're right, actually, we shouldn't rush it. Take your time and gets things established, and if we hit summarization, cool, and if not... well, Tommy and Sam were the ones that wanted the slow boat.

I'm just trying to balance the timing, and make sure everyone has something to do, and enough time to do it with minimal waiting around.

Tommy and Sam do have an update forthcoming, pending Maestro's reply and another look-through my notes about the ledger...]

[VemuKhaham]

While Thurman and Rebecca go to get settled, James smiles friendly and waits until they have closed the door, then enters his car and drives off. Without much to do at the moment, he simply drives about, until a thought crossed his mind. It wasn't far off that his mother and son lay buried, and he had not visited their graves in some time now. Buying a few flowers at a nearby stand along the way, he drives to the church and parks his car.

The graveyard was devoid of life, meaning that there were no other visitors milling about. The colonel always blamed himself for not going here enough, so now was a good time. Still, he hated the gloominess of a graveyard, especially during a winter evening like today. No longer used to the English climate, he was already catching a cold, so he wrapped his sjawl tighter around his neck as he strolled toward the two graves, which lay almost next to each other, along with a few other members of the Gray family.

Despite his own lack of visits, the graves were both in fine condition, compared to those of so many others. Gray was thankful for it, that his father tended to the graves with such care while he himself was away accross the globe. But some day soon, William Gray would join them and no-one was likely to take his place to care for them. There was a feeling of guilt in Gray's heart about it.

So after standing before their graves for a while, saying a short prayer for them both, but shedding no tears - the colonel wasn't quick to cry -, he layed the flowers on their graves and departed. He drove back to Thurman's flat and sounded the horn. Two hours had passed, almost to the minute.

[Aegea]

After Thurman makes the suggestion of her getting a motel room, she laughs and shakes her head. "This will be fine, if it's all right with you," she says. "I wouldn't even mind sleeping on the couch. I'm just grateful we have somewhere to stay..plus, no need to spend unnecessary money nowadays, either." Privately, she feels a bit guilty, that perhaps she's intruding on Thurman's personal living space.

As an afterthought, she adds, "Anyway...I think I'd feel a bit nervous being that isolated right now anyway, in some strange motel room...you know, after all that's been happening. Being completely alone would be..well, unpleasant."

After Thurman brings her luggage into the other room, she decides she might as well unpack. At his mention of what they will tell Gray, she pauses, and sits down on the bed. "Do you think we should tell him about our discoveries regarding Jackson, and the cultists?" she asks. "It sounds so ridiculous saying it outloud like that...but I'm not sure how much he already knows at this point. Should we just be upfront about everything?"

It suddenly hits her how far she's strayed from where she was going only a few months ago, in her life. Staying up late, studying, scolding her younger sister for bothering her while she was reading, getting lunch with friends at college...would that ever be her life again?

She tries to shake off her sudden disorientation, however, while she talks to Thurman.

[Japic]

Thankful that Rebecca doesn't want to lodge separately Thurman is more than a bit relieved. Though he is loath to admit (even to himself) he's afraid of spending too much time alone as well. He can only hope that trouble didn't follow them over the pond. Addressing Rebecca's questions, Turman speaks. "Tonight I think that we should avoid this mess and just enjoy ourselves. Tomorrow we can try to meet for lunch, and explain some more then. It would be nice to enjoy a bit of normalcy in these troubled times."

Musing out loud he speaks on, "Come tomorrow, I think that we can broach the subject by talking about his areas of expertise. If he wants to know more about this mess then I see little harm in opening the floodgates. If we're going to ask for his help in Mombasa, he's going to need to know what he's getting into. I would be a terrible friend if we endangered him unknowing."

Having plenty of time to clean up, Thurman dusts off a pressed suit from the closet and readies himself. By the time he hears a horn outside, he's ready for a bit of normal and prepared to go.

{From here I say that we have a nice dinner on me, and then skip to the lunch (or tea in the privacy of Thurman's home) meeting tomorrow.}

[VemuKhaham]

Gray waited by the car as Thurman and Rebecca came outside, and greeted them with a friendly smile. When the three were all inside the car, the colonel drove them further into the city. After a few moments of silence, Gray began to explain what he thought would be a good idea: "Let's head to Leicester Square, which isn't too far off, where I know a good restaurant, with a pleasant view through the windows. You, miss Devereux, will love the square, as do I," he laughed softly.

Should Thurman propose to dine tonight, and tomorrow go for a lunch together as well, then Gray would regretfully decline: "Alas, tomorrow I must attend all day a congress of the Royal Geographical Society, the reason for my short stay here. In fact, for the coming days I will be quite occupied with that matter, so I fear I must decline your generous offer." [In other words, let's talk here and now, mr. Osgood and miss Devereux. ]

The colonel parked the car in a street just off the square. "It is but a short walk from here," he said, and indeed, the square already appeared around the corner; a large, green square with benches and terraces and statues, theatres and restaurants, and a great number of well-to-do people going out.

The place Gray led them to was a medium-sized place called Cafe Boheme, a fairly expensive looking place with a cosy, French atmosphere, dimly lit by candles and small lanterns on the walls. Most of the menu lists were in French. Colonel Gray came here often when in London, he explained when they sat down, and began to enthusiastically recommending a few of the dishes on the menu.

When they had all agreed on what to order, Colonel Gray finally dropped into the conversation that he had been longing for: "So, by my calculations, it has been almost four years since Darfur. What have you been doing ever since, Thurman? And what was the reason for your stay in the States? And what brings you back to London," Gray hesitated for a second, then decided not to begin winding around matters, "together with miss Devereux, if I may be so bold to ask?"

[MaestroXC]

[Heyo, sorry about the delay. Crazy weekend.]

Though no stranger to sea travel, Sam is feeling distinctly antsy by the time the vessel nears England. The flat grey Atlantic offers no relief on the slow voyage, though thankfully their passage is free of storms. A few scattered conversations with Tommy do little to pass the time, and as the rain-clouded port of Southampton appears flat on the horizon, Sam, sitting on his bunk, is anxious to be rid of this small steel world and back on solid ground.

[Japic]

Feeling anxious about James' sidestepping of his ideal plan, Thurman smiles wistfully, then looks around at the fine restaurant. "Frankly, we've got much to tell, and this may not be the most appropriate place to tell our tale. Are you certain that you are not free tomorrow? If not, then I suggest that we adjourn to a more secluded place for discussion." He looks at Rebecca for her input before speaking further, "What say you?"

{If we're atleast not in public, this'll go easier since they need not moderate the facts for fear of being thrown out for such crude topics of conversation.}

[Aegea]

"Well, we're already here," Rebecca responds, not wanting to offend Thurman but at the same timte, she's feeling famished. "Would it be all right if we got something to eat first and then retired to a more private location? Or perhaps we can pick up something and then go elsewhere to talk." She looks apologetically at both of them. "Sorry. It's just been a long trip and I think I'll be a better conversationalist if I've had some refreshments first."

Internally, she is also thinking that it'd look extremely odd to the other patrons of the restaurant, and to the waiters, if they all got up and left before even being served their drinks, for no apparent reason.

[VemuKhaham]

Grey looks up somewhat astounished by the determination with which his companions would prefer to speak in 'a more secluded place'. "Well, yes, Thurman, I'm quite sure I will not have any time tomorrow, regretfully. But by now you have made me very anxious to hear about what you have to say. I suggest we eat here first, and forget about all serious discussion for a while, like miss Devereux proposes, and then retire to a more private place."

With his usual friendly smile under his fine moustache, he almost seems to be trying to enchant the pair into forgetting about it all. "Well then, let's start again. How have you been, Thurman? It's been so many years."

[If we all would prefer to skip to after the dinner and the serious discussion in private, I'm fine with that too.]