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AGELESS Campaign Episode 2 - Temple of the Cat-Goddess
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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 4787518" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter Twenty-three, “We dig dig dig dig dig dig dig, in our mine, the whole day through”, September 2nd, 1882, 2:15 P.M.</strong></p><p></p><p>Following George’s offer of a million-and-a-half dollars to fund the operation Lawrence exclaims, "Great Scott, man! That's very generous of you, George." "Noble ideas remain just ideas until men work to make them reality Lawrence. But thank you." replies George. James says, "Well sir, that is very generous. I know that you have ambitious plans for your business but was not aware that it currently had that that degree of capital. As to our other benefactor, he himself is not beholden to his government, they actually need him more than he needs them, so there is no concern about Portugal wielding undue influence in our affairs. </p><p></p><p>In fact, while the King remains a personal friend of both mine and his, our benefactor and I feel that it is not necessary to tell him about us. The further removed the connection the better, given the fact that Portugal is highly known for their wizard magic. That is a key reason why the painting is on display in my office of my former Abolitionist society. I personally was the person who was primarily responsible for the Portuguese King abolishing all slavery within the Portuguese Empire's colonies within the last decade. My wanting to have a corporation to assist the native populations of those regions appears an natural extension of that work, as opposed to anything having to do with wizard magic." </p><p></p><p>"And as far as running your business is concerned George, I don't believe that you had a chance to speak much with Sergeant MacKinnon during lunch but his hobby is ornithology, the study of birds. He has trained carrier pigeons with a counterpart ornithologist who works directly for the telegraph office in Jacksonville. Getting messages out to anywhere in the United States can therefore we accomplished rather quickly, the walk or ride over to his house taking longer than sending a message to anywhere in the country, and once we have the two houses connected by telephones it will all the more quicker." </p><p></p><p>George says, "Thank you, I was going to ask that we look into having a telegraph line put in here as well.” James says, "I have plans for that to be done as well, both telegraph and telephone, but not until next spring as logistically it will be an undertaking to put in over ten miles of poles and lines. Right now, it would seem odd for a mere archeological exploration to undergo such an expense. But one advantage to have wealthy prep students here for the summers is that I can always claim that their rich parents paid for the expense in order to keep in touch with their children." </p><p></p><p>George continues, “I view the trust merely as my philanthropic duty for the next few years. While it will be a hit to my liquid assets I am dedicated t the cause. But don't worry Constance, they is plenty to keep us both comfortable." Ruby was obviously NOT happy. She lowered her voice but her displeasure was apparent as she leaned in closer to George. "You didn't even speak to me about it. At all. Not even one little mention!" George whispered back "No I didn't, but we can discuss this later. There are other things we need to discuss as well in any case." Ruby sighed. "Yes, I know."</p><p></p><p>She turned back to the group and forced a smile. "Well James, you have all of us! What an exciting new beginning this is." James says, "Indeed, I guess we'll just have to save the elixir for later uses. Well, are they any more questions? If not, why don't we all meet downstairs in the Transportation and Logistics room in say, half-an-hour, for a tour of the tunnel. You may wish to change into comfortable clothing prior to then." Fish looks at what he's wearing and shrugs. He says to himself, "It's this or the rags upstairs." "Lead the way, Mr. Parker. Let's get dirty!" he says aloud.</p><p></p><p>Ruby nodded. "Yes, can't really go exploring in a dress. We'll meet you in half an hour." She waited for George to follow her and they went upstairs together; obviously they would be having a "discussion." George escorts Ruby back to her room, going inside with her before closing the door. He sits down and looks at Ruby. "So, if I had told you about trust would you have said no?"</p><p></p><p>Ruby stands in front of George, looking down at him for some moments. "No, I don't think I would. But I am... hurt... that you didn't ask me about something so monumental. However, it's your money, not mine, so you can do whatever you want with it. It's a good cause." She shrugged. She wasn't sure what else could be said about this subject. George reaches up and pulls Ruby down into his lap, wrapping his arms around her. "Well, I apologize my dear. You have to remember that you are new in my life as well. These are decisions I am used to making on my own. But you are right that I need to make with you." "Not if you don't want to," she says a little stubbornly, trying not to look at him knowing that would quicken her losing this argument.</p><p></p><p>George tries to tickle Ruby to get her to look at him, she stubbornly refuses. So George, with a wicked smile, quickly slips his other arm under her legs and half lifts half throws her onto the bed, leaping quickly after her, landing next to her. He pins her arms to the bed. ruby is doing her best to not smile and giggle as George leans over her. "Ah but I do want to my love, I want us to be partners in life." says George bending and finding her lips and tenderly kissing her.</p><p></p><p>"Sometimes you just infuriate me!" she said, smiling. He knew she wasn't really angry. "That is just a lot of money and it surprised me is all. I know you're the business guy and you're right, you probably shouldn't ask me that stuff. I don't know much about businessy things. And, it is your money. Of course," she finally looks up into his eyes, "I like to spend money, especially your money." He answers, "Well I still have plenty of money my dear, and my business is sound. I do view this as an investment so that it will help my company. And I will set it up as a revocable trust so that, Athena forbid something happen to me, you can get to that money. And I think the corporation may not need it for long, if this pays off it could be solvent in it's own."</p><p></p><p>George watched Ruby's eyes almost roll back in her head with the business terms. He smiled he knew she was trying. George bend down and kissed her neck and whispered in her ear "We have a good twenty minutes my dear" as he nuzzled her neck. She let him continue for a moment, her fingers roaming though his hair, before speaking. "Yes... twenty minutes... but what is the other thing we need to speak of? I don't want to be worrying about it all day. I know you weren't telling me the truth about the discussion around the life extending talk. Please tell me what's wrong."</p><p></p><p>George let go of Ruby and rolled onto his side facing her. He propped himself up on one elbow to look at her. "Well, in all honesty it is nothing that needs to be decided today anyway. But when James spoke about balance and what not, and the fact that the treatment limited childbirth, well I couldn't help but think of you, and that maybe you can't have children because of Mina's treatment. But also, I had always thought about a family with lots of children. Not that I will always want that, but the option, the choice was mine," he says. "This takes that away, so it's something we have to balance against each other and discuss. It doesn't need to be done today. But can you imagine a whole passel of red-headed Eastmans running around? My brains, your looks, magic from one or both of us. Why they'd take over the world!" says George with a big smile. "It is something we need to talk about my love. But not yet, I know you are not ready for children anyway," says George.</p><p></p><p>"Babies? This is about babies again?" Ruby sighs. She rolls onto her side, the curve of her hip accentuated. "George, why am I not enough for you? And all that extra time we could spend together just me and you..." She quickly continues, "I'm sorry that's not fair." She looks up at him with big puppy dog eyes and says hesitantly, "I guess the little redhead clan of Eastman's sounds sorta cute... but then I'd have to get all fat and ugly and flabby while I had all those babies. And my boobies would sag. And Georgie, I love my boobies as they are. And after that I'd get old real fast taking care of little brats which I don't even know how to do! You know? And wrinkly. Don't forget wrinkly. Why would you want me like that?"</p><p></p><p>George stokes her cheek gently. "You will always be my Constance and I will always want you and always love you. No matter how wrinkly you become, no matter how saggy you get. But as I said it is too early to have this conversation. We shall have it again when you are 21. And I shall not take the treatment until we come to a decision," says George.</p><p></p><p>"That's the thing, I don't want to get saggy and wrinkly and I don't want you to get that way either. You should do it now, while you are young and so handsome. And I want to do it when I am young too. And, we need to figure this baby thing out before we get married, not later. Two years is very long time to be thinking of this," she pouted. "And I don't want you to be unhappy. If you can't be happy with me..."</p><p></p><p>George sighed and rolled onto his back. "That's the thing Constance, this treatment doesn't prevent getting old, it just takes a little longer is all. All that time with you does sound wonderful, but I do desire children, offspring, heirs." George closed his eyes and sighed again. Ruby gulped then said quietly. "And you won't be happy without them?" "I don't know. I have always envisioned a life with them. I haven't really thought about NOT having children. That biological drive to procreate you know," replied George. "I have been happy thus far, but as one grows older your thoughts turn to your future, to your silver years, to your legacy. I guess I always assumed I would have children, that my wife would want them too."</p><p></p><p>In her mind Ruby slapped the bed, stomped around the room and whined over this. She always knew to be with George, to be safe and cared for and loved, she would have to compromise and give up pieces of herself. But THIS seemed like a huge piece of her she wasn't sure she could do it. How could she do it and be happy? She would be another miserable and boring housewife? But instead she gazed down at the big sparkly on her finger and put on a smile on her face. "Fine George, if you want lots of babies you'll get lots of babies." But Ruby did not sound convinced. At all.</p><p></p><p>George smiled "You may have been able to lie your way through the Southwest Ms. Ruby West but I don't know how as you are a terrible liar. You don't want any kids? Not at all? Well I can take care of the raising part partially with a nanny, and even a wet nurse if you like to preserve your ample endowments." George sighed again and took off his glasses and set them on the side table and rubbed his nose. Ruby knew this was George's routine for thinking and she laid there quietly as he thought.</p><p></p><p>Finally he spoke. "Ok Constance. The idea of you being so beautiful, well as you are, for you will always be beautiful to me, but as you are for longer, for me to be as I am for longer, to accomplish more of my goals, my dreams, with the company, for the people, with you. But I do want children still Constance. I really do. But if we had one, maybe two as James said, I would be happy with that. I would, if you were happy. But that means we still have a good 20 years before you lose that ability at least. So I will get the treatment, if you can give me not a promise, but a honest effort than in 15 years or so we can have a baby. Ok?"</p><p></p><p>She leaned in and kissed him gently. "I will promise you that when I am 30 I will make an honest effort to give you a baby. I can't promise I will have one because I told you I don't know if I can but I promise I will try." She kissed him again. "Okay? Oh and by the way, I love you," she grinned. "Okay" replied George. "And I love you too my dear. Now we need to get you undressed if we are to meet our friends down stairs," says George. "I know, I know," Ruby sighed before shooing George out of her room so she could get dressed without interruption and he could too. Just the thought of babies tired her out. </p><p></p><p>Thomas peruses Fish from head to toe. "You know, Fish, if you do not mind me saying so, you have a distinct bearing and form that could be enhanced even more with the right cut of clothing. When we have some time, you and I should sojourn into Jacksonville and find you an excellent bespoke tailor -- I am sure that the city has at least one of repute." Fish grins widely, "Why, I'd be flattered, Dr. Crane!" Thomas looks over at Huggins, still dozing away, and sighs: "I did make the same recommendation to Huggins, but as you can see, he believes his South Pacific sensibilities of fashion to be far more suited to him than the cut and jib of our modern age." </p><p></p><p>Abby interjects, "You should take him up on that, but don't let him put you in anything you don't like. Stick with what's comfortable for you. The best suit will look awkward on you if you feel awkward in it. Be yourself, just be yourself in some new duds," Abby smiled at him. Looking toward Dr. Crane she added, "Clothes meant for action are what's needed for our new friend, I think." Fish says, “Yes! Something loose-cut that breathes well..." Roy adds, "Oh I agree. Perhaps a sequined suit of some sort. Fish, would you be comfortable in a unitard?"</p><p></p><p>Glaring at Huggins, Thomas attempts to maintain an impassive face... and as usually, fails miserably, breaking out into a brief snicker before catching himself. Turning to Abigail, "Agreed, Miss Marst... er... Abigail. I certainly would not want Fish to be either encumbered or uncomfortable. A good bespoke suit or two could easily be made to both accommodate a fashionable comportment for him, as well as suit his requirement for ... litheness, shall we say?" Abby says, "Oh! And don't forget the beret! It will do nothing but complete the outfit." "You might be surprised what one can conceal in a hat," says Fish, smoothing his hand across the back of his head. "Tell you what, Roy, I'll don a beret if you'll wear one of those pointed caps your people favor!" </p><p></p><p>Ruby and George returned to the group in the logistics room a little bit later than the agreed thirty minutes. For the first time the group finds her wearing pants and the swing of her hip of much more obvious when not covered by all the fabric of a skirt. Skin tight, skin colored leather pants and a white squared neck blouse with the sleeves neatly rolled up and heeled boots that went up to her knees. Her hair was all pulled back into a long braid that reached her lower back. She had an easy smile on her face, indicating all was now well. "I apologize everyone, I made us late. Takes some time to look this fabulous," she teased. "Oh who am I kidding, I always look this fabulous." More giggles. "So let's dig! </p><p></p><p>Forty-five minutes after James's announcement everybody has gathered in the Transportation and Logisitics room except for Luiz, who is helping Jasper and Obie with security. James, Sol and Alsoomse are all identically attired in leather work boots, heavy denim pants with a thick leather belt, and a thin tan cotton shirt. Sol climbs up the metal ladder to the catwalk. Alsoomse heads over to the pointer rack on the side wall, which looks like a wall-mounted billiard cue rack, except that the poles are longer with pads at the ends to push the ships around. </p><p></p><p>James says, "Opening and closing the table require command words. We made the opening part complex and requiring two people so that no intruder or visitor would be able to open it by accident. Basically, one person on the catwalk places their hands on the side railing facing the room and says the Timucuan word for "One". Another person touches the bottom of the pointer rack while saying the Timucuan word for "Two". They then both simultaneously each say a different Timucuan word, specifically "Three" and "Four". Closing it is much easier, as that may need to be done quickly. That only requires the Timucuan word for "Five". </p><p></p><p>He looks at Alsoomse and Sol and says, "Alright, let's open her up." Each touch the names spots while Sol says "Yaha", followed by Alsoomse saying "Yucha", then Sol saying "Hopu" while Alsoomse says, "Cheqela". Nothing immediately happens, then the table begins to rise from the front. The ship models do not shift but stay in place where they were. The table rises up until it is parallel to the back wall, at which point clamps appear on the side holding it up in place. </p><p></p><p>Before them where the table has been is a wooden floor, just like the rest of the room. James says, "Abra-Cadabra" and the illusion fades away, revealing a twelve foot diameter hole with a circular wall of solid polished stone, heading straight down into the earth at a thirty-degree angle. The tunnel is lit with Continual Light spells so they can see the entire ninety feet. Most of the dirt has been cleared away, but it has been left on the bottom, with a four foot ramped section in the center and with three feet of dirt on either side in leveled areas, creating giant steps to the left and right of the ramp. On each step is an empty wheelbarrow and the ramped area shows two rows of tire tracks. </p><p></p><p>James says, "We left some dirt on the bottom for traction, the stone was too smooth otherwise to walk. We fill a wheelbarrow at the bottom, attach a levitation device and wheel it up to the top side spot. You then move the levitation device to an empty wheelbarrow and bring it back down, repeating the process. Let's head down." He leads the parade all the way down. The air is surprisingly fresh although the heat increases slightly as they get lower. At the very end is the rough dirt wall that is currently being dug. A dozen shovels and picks are leaning against the side wall. Also near the end is a metal decanter and a dozen tin cups. James says, "That pitcher is magical, a Decanter of Endless Water, you get mighty thirsty doing this work. </p><p></p><p>We've found that it is wide enough down here for all three of us to work side-by-side. With more than three we may want to have some people assigned to digging and others to the wheelbarrow work. Once all of the wheelbarrows are full we knock off work and go take baths. We then wait until nightfall to remove the dirt from the building and bury in among the archaeological dig, covering the darker dirt over with local dirt." </p><p></p><p>Thomas removes his linen robe, shirtless, wearing his loose pants from his morning exercises, and assesses the work being done by the other men so far. He too grabs a shovel and pick, and moves forward, waiting for Parker to indicate what station he wants him to take. Fish knows his way around a shovel. He picks one up and gets to work. "Dirt sure smells better than elephant poop," he tells himself, grinning. Nanuet had shown up shirtless, well worn deerskin leggings, soft leather boots, his hair neatly braided down his back and a necklace with round stones on it around his neck. He says, "Let's get to work," as he joins Fish with a shovel and starts digging. </p><p></p><p>"Nan'," says Fish with a grunt while tossing dirt into the wheelbarrow *plonk*, "Doesn't your wolf kinda freak out when you're underground? I mean, I know they're den animals and all, but we're pretty deep down here!" Nanuet replies, "I think you can throw out most preconceived notions when it comes to Maska acting like other wolves. I imagine she still has the instincts of a wolf, but she has evolved to a point where she can control them. She can understand what is going on, and while she might not be comfortable down here, she would come without hesitation should I call for her." </p><p></p><p>Roy decides to wander the area around the house, looking for burrowing mammals to speak to and convince to help with the digging project Ruby says, "Sounds like we could do this in shifts perhaps?" James strips off his shirt and begins to move one of the wheelbarrow. He says, "Shifts might be the best idea, although I don't really expect you women to have to participate with this heavy labor. Alsoomse did before but we were short handed then." The elvan Indian woman moves forward and says, "James, I'm physically a decade younger than Sol, Lawrence and Thomas, and two decades younger than you. And I'm also in better physical shape than most of you as well. I'll continue to do my part." </p><p></p><p>James says, "Thomas, if the two elves move over a little and with your taller height we probably can get four of you working at once. The others of us will handle the wheelbarrows and we can switch off when some of you diggers get tired. Before we used only three-dozen wheelbarrow but I had another two-dozen delivered this week, which is why we now have thirty on each side of the ramp, one every three feet. I say we might as well keep going until all sixty are filled." </p><p></p><p>Alsoomse moves forward and grabs a shovel and moves in alongside Fish and Nanuet. Then, without any hint of modesty, she also strips down to her waist and begins digging at the wall with great vigor. Abigail had appeared in her usual work clothes, stout brown leather boots with form-fitting brown pants, but still loose enough to let her move, and a tan button down shirt like men wore. She gave an admiring glance to both those who had stripped down for the work, but did wonder a bit at how Alsoome could work that way. It had to be painful not to have any... support. With a shrug she assigned herself to wheelbarrow duty and got going. </p><p></p><p>Without thinking a smile crept onto Nanuet's face when Alsoomse had joined the digging next to him. When she began removing her shirt Nanuet's face turned red and he quickly turned away and concentrated on the work. His concentration did not last for long as he found himself peeking over at Alsoomse's beautiful half-naked form as she continued her work. "I am going to get myself in a lot of trouble..." Nanuet thought as he continued to shovel. </p><p></p><p>Thomas, who was totally absorbed in the digging, looked up when he sensed a certain tension ripple through the men after Alsoomse's and Abigail's arrival . Seeing the elvan woman half-naked, he immediately averted his eyes, glancing at Abigail to see if she had seen him looking at Alsoomse, and he then turned an even deeper shade of purplish-red than one might imagine those of his skin tone possibly could. He proceeded to dig harder and faster, steadfastly refusing to turn his head away from anything but the ground in front of him, steeling himself to be completely oblivious to the presence of the women. </p><p></p><p>Mina says, "Well, it looks like you youngsters.......and James.....have things under control. I'll be heading back up. Ruby, George, would you both care to join me?" Ruby answered, "Of course Nana," as she stared at all the half naked people. She laughed a little to herself, thinking no one would get anything done if SHE took her shirt off too.</p><p>She took George's hand and followed her grandmother back up the long tunnel.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 4787518, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter Twenty-three, “We dig dig dig dig dig dig dig, in our mine, the whole day through”, September 2nd, 1882, 2:15 P.M.[/B] Following George’s offer of a million-and-a-half dollars to fund the operation Lawrence exclaims, "Great Scott, man! That's very generous of you, George." "Noble ideas remain just ideas until men work to make them reality Lawrence. But thank you." replies George. James says, "Well sir, that is very generous. I know that you have ambitious plans for your business but was not aware that it currently had that that degree of capital. As to our other benefactor, he himself is not beholden to his government, they actually need him more than he needs them, so there is no concern about Portugal wielding undue influence in our affairs. In fact, while the King remains a personal friend of both mine and his, our benefactor and I feel that it is not necessary to tell him about us. The further removed the connection the better, given the fact that Portugal is highly known for their wizard magic. That is a key reason why the painting is on display in my office of my former Abolitionist society. I personally was the person who was primarily responsible for the Portuguese King abolishing all slavery within the Portuguese Empire's colonies within the last decade. My wanting to have a corporation to assist the native populations of those regions appears an natural extension of that work, as opposed to anything having to do with wizard magic." "And as far as running your business is concerned George, I don't believe that you had a chance to speak much with Sergeant MacKinnon during lunch but his hobby is ornithology, the study of birds. He has trained carrier pigeons with a counterpart ornithologist who works directly for the telegraph office in Jacksonville. Getting messages out to anywhere in the United States can therefore we accomplished rather quickly, the walk or ride over to his house taking longer than sending a message to anywhere in the country, and once we have the two houses connected by telephones it will all the more quicker." George says, "Thank you, I was going to ask that we look into having a telegraph line put in here as well.” James says, "I have plans for that to be done as well, both telegraph and telephone, but not until next spring as logistically it will be an undertaking to put in over ten miles of poles and lines. Right now, it would seem odd for a mere archeological exploration to undergo such an expense. But one advantage to have wealthy prep students here for the summers is that I can always claim that their rich parents paid for the expense in order to keep in touch with their children." George continues, “I view the trust merely as my philanthropic duty for the next few years. While it will be a hit to my liquid assets I am dedicated t the cause. But don't worry Constance, they is plenty to keep us both comfortable." Ruby was obviously NOT happy. She lowered her voice but her displeasure was apparent as she leaned in closer to George. "You didn't even speak to me about it. At all. Not even one little mention!" George whispered back "No I didn't, but we can discuss this later. There are other things we need to discuss as well in any case." Ruby sighed. "Yes, I know." She turned back to the group and forced a smile. "Well James, you have all of us! What an exciting new beginning this is." James says, "Indeed, I guess we'll just have to save the elixir for later uses. Well, are they any more questions? If not, why don't we all meet downstairs in the Transportation and Logistics room in say, half-an-hour, for a tour of the tunnel. You may wish to change into comfortable clothing prior to then." Fish looks at what he's wearing and shrugs. He says to himself, "It's this or the rags upstairs." "Lead the way, Mr. Parker. Let's get dirty!" he says aloud. Ruby nodded. "Yes, can't really go exploring in a dress. We'll meet you in half an hour." She waited for George to follow her and they went upstairs together; obviously they would be having a "discussion." George escorts Ruby back to her room, going inside with her before closing the door. He sits down and looks at Ruby. "So, if I had told you about trust would you have said no?" Ruby stands in front of George, looking down at him for some moments. "No, I don't think I would. But I am... hurt... that you didn't ask me about something so monumental. However, it's your money, not mine, so you can do whatever you want with it. It's a good cause." She shrugged. She wasn't sure what else could be said about this subject. George reaches up and pulls Ruby down into his lap, wrapping his arms around her. "Well, I apologize my dear. You have to remember that you are new in my life as well. These are decisions I am used to making on my own. But you are right that I need to make with you." "Not if you don't want to," she says a little stubbornly, trying not to look at him knowing that would quicken her losing this argument. George tries to tickle Ruby to get her to look at him, she stubbornly refuses. So George, with a wicked smile, quickly slips his other arm under her legs and half lifts half throws her onto the bed, leaping quickly after her, landing next to her. He pins her arms to the bed. ruby is doing her best to not smile and giggle as George leans over her. "Ah but I do want to my love, I want us to be partners in life." says George bending and finding her lips and tenderly kissing her. "Sometimes you just infuriate me!" she said, smiling. He knew she wasn't really angry. "That is just a lot of money and it surprised me is all. I know you're the business guy and you're right, you probably shouldn't ask me that stuff. I don't know much about businessy things. And, it is your money. Of course," she finally looks up into his eyes, "I like to spend money, especially your money." He answers, "Well I still have plenty of money my dear, and my business is sound. I do view this as an investment so that it will help my company. And I will set it up as a revocable trust so that, Athena forbid something happen to me, you can get to that money. And I think the corporation may not need it for long, if this pays off it could be solvent in it's own." George watched Ruby's eyes almost roll back in her head with the business terms. He smiled he knew she was trying. George bend down and kissed her neck and whispered in her ear "We have a good twenty minutes my dear" as he nuzzled her neck. She let him continue for a moment, her fingers roaming though his hair, before speaking. "Yes... twenty minutes... but what is the other thing we need to speak of? I don't want to be worrying about it all day. I know you weren't telling me the truth about the discussion around the life extending talk. Please tell me what's wrong." George let go of Ruby and rolled onto his side facing her. He propped himself up on one elbow to look at her. "Well, in all honesty it is nothing that needs to be decided today anyway. But when James spoke about balance and what not, and the fact that the treatment limited childbirth, well I couldn't help but think of you, and that maybe you can't have children because of Mina's treatment. But also, I had always thought about a family with lots of children. Not that I will always want that, but the option, the choice was mine," he says. "This takes that away, so it's something we have to balance against each other and discuss. It doesn't need to be done today. But can you imagine a whole passel of red-headed Eastmans running around? My brains, your looks, magic from one or both of us. Why they'd take over the world!" says George with a big smile. "It is something we need to talk about my love. But not yet, I know you are not ready for children anyway," says George. "Babies? This is about babies again?" Ruby sighs. She rolls onto her side, the curve of her hip accentuated. "George, why am I not enough for you? And all that extra time we could spend together just me and you..." She quickly continues, "I'm sorry that's not fair." She looks up at him with big puppy dog eyes and says hesitantly, "I guess the little redhead clan of Eastman's sounds sorta cute... but then I'd have to get all fat and ugly and flabby while I had all those babies. And my boobies would sag. And Georgie, I love my boobies as they are. And after that I'd get old real fast taking care of little brats which I don't even know how to do! You know? And wrinkly. Don't forget wrinkly. Why would you want me like that?" George stokes her cheek gently. "You will always be my Constance and I will always want you and always love you. No matter how wrinkly you become, no matter how saggy you get. But as I said it is too early to have this conversation. We shall have it again when you are 21. And I shall not take the treatment until we come to a decision," says George. "That's the thing, I don't want to get saggy and wrinkly and I don't want you to get that way either. You should do it now, while you are young and so handsome. And I want to do it when I am young too. And, we need to figure this baby thing out before we get married, not later. Two years is very long time to be thinking of this," she pouted. "And I don't want you to be unhappy. If you can't be happy with me..." George sighed and rolled onto his back. "That's the thing Constance, this treatment doesn't prevent getting old, it just takes a little longer is all. All that time with you does sound wonderful, but I do desire children, offspring, heirs." George closed his eyes and sighed again. Ruby gulped then said quietly. "And you won't be happy without them?" "I don't know. I have always envisioned a life with them. I haven't really thought about NOT having children. That biological drive to procreate you know," replied George. "I have been happy thus far, but as one grows older your thoughts turn to your future, to your silver years, to your legacy. I guess I always assumed I would have children, that my wife would want them too." In her mind Ruby slapped the bed, stomped around the room and whined over this. She always knew to be with George, to be safe and cared for and loved, she would have to compromise and give up pieces of herself. But THIS seemed like a huge piece of her she wasn't sure she could do it. How could she do it and be happy? She would be another miserable and boring housewife? But instead she gazed down at the big sparkly on her finger and put on a smile on her face. "Fine George, if you want lots of babies you'll get lots of babies." But Ruby did not sound convinced. At all. George smiled "You may have been able to lie your way through the Southwest Ms. Ruby West but I don't know how as you are a terrible liar. You don't want any kids? Not at all? Well I can take care of the raising part partially with a nanny, and even a wet nurse if you like to preserve your ample endowments." George sighed again and took off his glasses and set them on the side table and rubbed his nose. Ruby knew this was George's routine for thinking and she laid there quietly as he thought. Finally he spoke. "Ok Constance. The idea of you being so beautiful, well as you are, for you will always be beautiful to me, but as you are for longer, for me to be as I am for longer, to accomplish more of my goals, my dreams, with the company, for the people, with you. But I do want children still Constance. I really do. But if we had one, maybe two as James said, I would be happy with that. I would, if you were happy. But that means we still have a good 20 years before you lose that ability at least. So I will get the treatment, if you can give me not a promise, but a honest effort than in 15 years or so we can have a baby. Ok?" She leaned in and kissed him gently. "I will promise you that when I am 30 I will make an honest effort to give you a baby. I can't promise I will have one because I told you I don't know if I can but I promise I will try." She kissed him again. "Okay? Oh and by the way, I love you," she grinned. "Okay" replied George. "And I love you too my dear. Now we need to get you undressed if we are to meet our friends down stairs," says George. "I know, I know," Ruby sighed before shooing George out of her room so she could get dressed without interruption and he could too. Just the thought of babies tired her out. Thomas peruses Fish from head to toe. "You know, Fish, if you do not mind me saying so, you have a distinct bearing and form that could be enhanced even more with the right cut of clothing. When we have some time, you and I should sojourn into Jacksonville and find you an excellent bespoke tailor -- I am sure that the city has at least one of repute." Fish grins widely, "Why, I'd be flattered, Dr. Crane!" Thomas looks over at Huggins, still dozing away, and sighs: "I did make the same recommendation to Huggins, but as you can see, he believes his South Pacific sensibilities of fashion to be far more suited to him than the cut and jib of our modern age." Abby interjects, "You should take him up on that, but don't let him put you in anything you don't like. Stick with what's comfortable for you. The best suit will look awkward on you if you feel awkward in it. Be yourself, just be yourself in some new duds," Abby smiled at him. Looking toward Dr. Crane she added, "Clothes meant for action are what's needed for our new friend, I think." Fish says, “Yes! Something loose-cut that breathes well..." Roy adds, "Oh I agree. Perhaps a sequined suit of some sort. Fish, would you be comfortable in a unitard?" Glaring at Huggins, Thomas attempts to maintain an impassive face... and as usually, fails miserably, breaking out into a brief snicker before catching himself. Turning to Abigail, "Agreed, Miss Marst... er... Abigail. I certainly would not want Fish to be either encumbered or uncomfortable. A good bespoke suit or two could easily be made to both accommodate a fashionable comportment for him, as well as suit his requirement for ... litheness, shall we say?" Abby says, "Oh! And don't forget the beret! It will do nothing but complete the outfit." "You might be surprised what one can conceal in a hat," says Fish, smoothing his hand across the back of his head. "Tell you what, Roy, I'll don a beret if you'll wear one of those pointed caps your people favor!" Ruby and George returned to the group in the logistics room a little bit later than the agreed thirty minutes. For the first time the group finds her wearing pants and the swing of her hip of much more obvious when not covered by all the fabric of a skirt. Skin tight, skin colored leather pants and a white squared neck blouse with the sleeves neatly rolled up and heeled boots that went up to her knees. Her hair was all pulled back into a long braid that reached her lower back. She had an easy smile on her face, indicating all was now well. "I apologize everyone, I made us late. Takes some time to look this fabulous," she teased. "Oh who am I kidding, I always look this fabulous." More giggles. "So let's dig! Forty-five minutes after James's announcement everybody has gathered in the Transportation and Logisitics room except for Luiz, who is helping Jasper and Obie with security. James, Sol and Alsoomse are all identically attired in leather work boots, heavy denim pants with a thick leather belt, and a thin tan cotton shirt. Sol climbs up the metal ladder to the catwalk. Alsoomse heads over to the pointer rack on the side wall, which looks like a wall-mounted billiard cue rack, except that the poles are longer with pads at the ends to push the ships around. James says, "Opening and closing the table require command words. We made the opening part complex and requiring two people so that no intruder or visitor would be able to open it by accident. Basically, one person on the catwalk places their hands on the side railing facing the room and says the Timucuan word for "One". Another person touches the bottom of the pointer rack while saying the Timucuan word for "Two". They then both simultaneously each say a different Timucuan word, specifically "Three" and "Four". Closing it is much easier, as that may need to be done quickly. That only requires the Timucuan word for "Five". He looks at Alsoomse and Sol and says, "Alright, let's open her up." Each touch the names spots while Sol says "Yaha", followed by Alsoomse saying "Yucha", then Sol saying "Hopu" while Alsoomse says, "Cheqela". Nothing immediately happens, then the table begins to rise from the front. The ship models do not shift but stay in place where they were. The table rises up until it is parallel to the back wall, at which point clamps appear on the side holding it up in place. Before them where the table has been is a wooden floor, just like the rest of the room. James says, "Abra-Cadabra" and the illusion fades away, revealing a twelve foot diameter hole with a circular wall of solid polished stone, heading straight down into the earth at a thirty-degree angle. The tunnel is lit with Continual Light spells so they can see the entire ninety feet. Most of the dirt has been cleared away, but it has been left on the bottom, with a four foot ramped section in the center and with three feet of dirt on either side in leveled areas, creating giant steps to the left and right of the ramp. On each step is an empty wheelbarrow and the ramped area shows two rows of tire tracks. James says, "We left some dirt on the bottom for traction, the stone was too smooth otherwise to walk. We fill a wheelbarrow at the bottom, attach a levitation device and wheel it up to the top side spot. You then move the levitation device to an empty wheelbarrow and bring it back down, repeating the process. Let's head down." He leads the parade all the way down. The air is surprisingly fresh although the heat increases slightly as they get lower. At the very end is the rough dirt wall that is currently being dug. A dozen shovels and picks are leaning against the side wall. Also near the end is a metal decanter and a dozen tin cups. James says, "That pitcher is magical, a Decanter of Endless Water, you get mighty thirsty doing this work. We've found that it is wide enough down here for all three of us to work side-by-side. With more than three we may want to have some people assigned to digging and others to the wheelbarrow work. Once all of the wheelbarrows are full we knock off work and go take baths. We then wait until nightfall to remove the dirt from the building and bury in among the archaeological dig, covering the darker dirt over with local dirt." Thomas removes his linen robe, shirtless, wearing his loose pants from his morning exercises, and assesses the work being done by the other men so far. He too grabs a shovel and pick, and moves forward, waiting for Parker to indicate what station he wants him to take. Fish knows his way around a shovel. He picks one up and gets to work. "Dirt sure smells better than elephant poop," he tells himself, grinning. Nanuet had shown up shirtless, well worn deerskin leggings, soft leather boots, his hair neatly braided down his back and a necklace with round stones on it around his neck. He says, "Let's get to work," as he joins Fish with a shovel and starts digging. "Nan'," says Fish with a grunt while tossing dirt into the wheelbarrow *plonk*, "Doesn't your wolf kinda freak out when you're underground? I mean, I know they're den animals and all, but we're pretty deep down here!" Nanuet replies, "I think you can throw out most preconceived notions when it comes to Maska acting like other wolves. I imagine she still has the instincts of a wolf, but she has evolved to a point where she can control them. She can understand what is going on, and while she might not be comfortable down here, she would come without hesitation should I call for her." Roy decides to wander the area around the house, looking for burrowing mammals to speak to and convince to help with the digging project Ruby says, "Sounds like we could do this in shifts perhaps?" James strips off his shirt and begins to move one of the wheelbarrow. He says, "Shifts might be the best idea, although I don't really expect you women to have to participate with this heavy labor. Alsoomse did before but we were short handed then." The elvan Indian woman moves forward and says, "James, I'm physically a decade younger than Sol, Lawrence and Thomas, and two decades younger than you. And I'm also in better physical shape than most of you as well. I'll continue to do my part." James says, "Thomas, if the two elves move over a little and with your taller height we probably can get four of you working at once. The others of us will handle the wheelbarrows and we can switch off when some of you diggers get tired. Before we used only three-dozen wheelbarrow but I had another two-dozen delivered this week, which is why we now have thirty on each side of the ramp, one every three feet. I say we might as well keep going until all sixty are filled." Alsoomse moves forward and grabs a shovel and moves in alongside Fish and Nanuet. Then, without any hint of modesty, she also strips down to her waist and begins digging at the wall with great vigor. Abigail had appeared in her usual work clothes, stout brown leather boots with form-fitting brown pants, but still loose enough to let her move, and a tan button down shirt like men wore. She gave an admiring glance to both those who had stripped down for the work, but did wonder a bit at how Alsoome could work that way. It had to be painful not to have any... support. With a shrug she assigned herself to wheelbarrow duty and got going. Without thinking a smile crept onto Nanuet's face when Alsoomse had joined the digging next to him. When she began removing her shirt Nanuet's face turned red and he quickly turned away and concentrated on the work. His concentration did not last for long as he found himself peeking over at Alsoomse's beautiful half-naked form as she continued her work. "I am going to get myself in a lot of trouble..." Nanuet thought as he continued to shovel. Thomas, who was totally absorbed in the digging, looked up when he sensed a certain tension ripple through the men after Alsoomse's and Abigail's arrival . Seeing the elvan woman half-naked, he immediately averted his eyes, glancing at Abigail to see if she had seen him looking at Alsoomse, and he then turned an even deeper shade of purplish-red than one might imagine those of his skin tone possibly could. He proceeded to dig harder and faster, steadfastly refusing to turn his head away from anything but the ground in front of him, steeling himself to be completely oblivious to the presence of the women. Mina says, "Well, it looks like you youngsters.......and James.....have things under control. I'll be heading back up. Ruby, George, would you both care to join me?" Ruby answered, "Of course Nana," as she stared at all the half naked people. She laughed a little to herself, thinking no one would get anything done if SHE took her shirt off too. She took George's hand and followed her grandmother back up the long tunnel. [/QUOTE]
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AGELESS Campaign Episode 2 - Temple of the Cat-Goddess
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