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<blockquote data-quote="Silver Moon" data-source="post: 4793519" data-attributes="member: 8530"><p><strong>Chapter Twenty-four, “Mina’s Questions“, September 2nd, 1882, 3:00 P.M.</strong></p><p></p><p>Mina leads Ruby and George out of the tunnel. Ruby smiles and says, "I now understand why you couldn't get into details with us on the train. So much to know and remember! I admit, I feel somewhat overwhelmed by it all but I have you and George and James to remind me if I need some help remembering. So, is there something you'd like to do or something else we can help with?" George adds, "Yes Mina, I will feel bad not helping with the digging, but I can take a double shift later. There seems to be something you wish to speak to us about if I am not mistaken." says George as he walks along holding Ruby's hand. </p><p></p><p>Mina leads them to the President and Vice President's office and shuts the door. She then says, "There are actually four things I wanted to talk with you about. First George, the digging, James and I both feel that you should be categorized the same as Luiz. We realize that you want to do your share, and while you're not a surgeon your hands play an integral part of your work. There is no reason for you to get injured doing work that others could just as easily do.</p><p></p><p>Second, I wasn't sure how Ruby would feel with you working around Alsoomse in her half-naked state. She's never had any issues with nudity and has been digging that way alongside Sol and James for two months now. She isn't likely to change at this point, but I know that the nudity can be a bit unnerving if you aren't used to it. Third, I noticed the tension between the two of you after George made his generous offer and wanted to make sure that everything is okay now. James will understand if you choose to withdraw the offer upon further reflection. And lastly, James has noticed some growing chemistry between Nanuet and Alsoomse and was curious if you knew your friend's intentions towards her." </p><p></p><p>Ruby smiled. "Well Nana, I know where I get my love of questions from!" she laughed. She went to the sidebar and poured them each a small glass of bourbon. She handed them out then slid back up onto the desk. "I have to admit, I agree with you about George. His talents are better served researching or even the business side of things, though seems like you have that well under control already. George is very good at piecing together clues too. But yes, if he hurts himself, he would be unable to do his real work for quite some time and his business is really at an important... umm...." Ruby searched for the word, "Juncture?"</p><p></p><p>Ruby laughed, "How do you feel about James working next to a half naked Alsoomse? I think that it would make George extremely embarrassed but I'm not opposed to him working next to her. He's has me after all." Her grin was wide and easy as she threw him a knowing glance and a wink. Mina laughs and says, "Why should James working alongside Alsoomse matter given their relation to one another?" Ruby says, "Relation to her? Did I forget something important? Did you mention maybe some far back relation?" Mina looks surprised and says "Sol didn't tell you? He was supposed to during the tour. Alsoomse is James's grandmother." Ruby's eyebrows shot up. "No, I think he failed to mention that! He did say he had some elvan blood in him though. Wow, that is really interesting. A whole new dynamic."</p><p></p><p>Ruby continues with Mina’s next question, "As for Nanuet, I have known him some time and we have been though a lot together. It seems to me he is lonely since leaving his last partner and that he is also attracted to her. But I imagine the good hearted Nanuet might think this accomplished elven woman is too good for him. So, I don't know if he would make any obvious advances towards her, at least not without knowing she was open to them from him. He would not want to make her uncomfortable. Alsoomse has been around much longer than him and knows the ways of the world better. Nanuet was alone in the wild for much time so doesn't always feel comfortable in modern society or even know what the "proper" way to do things is. Courting, that is."</p><p></p><p>Mina says, "Well, Alsoomse is rather lonely herself. As you can see, she's still in the prime of her life and in fine physical shape. She remained fully faithful to her human husband, even though he was unable to attend to her physical needs for the last two decades of his life. She also maintained celebacy for the five-year mourning period. In the three years since then she has been living life.....more fully, much to her daughter's displeasure. She has commented about not wanting to get involved with one from another short-lived race. Among those here that leaves either Roy or Nanuet, and of the two James greatly favors the choice of Nanuet." </p><p></p><p>Ruby laughed again. "Hey, did you bring Nanuet here to set him up with Alsoomse?" Mina grins and says, "James didn't, that was all my doing. He did earlier express concerns about how she and Roy always flirted with one another and wasn't sure how things might develop between the two of them. This was my solution to that potential problem."</p><p>Ruby laughed. "Looks like you were touched by Aphrodite too Nana! Being a matchmaker is a fun job," she giggled. "So either she is just flirtatious, or she really likes Roy, or she's just lonely and looking for someone to share some time with. I guess time will tell us how this story will end." She burst into more fits of laughter. </p><p></p><p>Once Ruby calmed down, "I understand, she sounds like a fine and noble woman. And I would imagine they would make a good match. Nanuet is very noble and loyal too. I think he could use a committed relationship at this point after the turmoil of this year. So, what can we do to get these two together?" Mina says, "Not a thing. Didn't James mention that Alsoomse's name translates as 'Independent'. Once she makes up her mind she will take the initiative." She laughed again. "Poor Nanuet! He won't know what hit him. But I can guarantee he won't complain."</p><p></p><p>Ruby smile faded a bit and she took a long sip of her bourbon and got to Mina’s final question. "The tension... yes, we had a bit of a disagreement. George wants many children and wasn't sure about taking the magical life extending treatment. I didn't know if I wanted any children, ever. But we discussed it and came to a fair conclusion, I think. We will both take the treatment and when we are 30 we will try to have a baby." There was a noticeable large swallow from Ruby after speaking these words. She wasn't uncomfortable talking to her Nana like this but she thought George might be, a private person as he was. But this was her grandmother and if she was asking there was a reason. </p><p></p><p>Ruby put down her cup and leaned forward on her palms, swinging her legs like a schoolgirl. "Hey, I was thinking, we should probably have George take a picture of our group all together. We did just make our agreements, or we will soon. Will we have paperwork to fill out or anything? Some sort of ceremony? Either way, I think a group photo would be nice." Mina says, "That is a splended idea, although we should probably wait until everybody is cleaned up....and dressed." </p><p></p><p>Ruby says, "Oh yeah, I wasn't think this minute, but it should be soon, I think. Maybe before dinner when everyone is dressed nicer.” Mina says, "Lunch was today's sit down meal, for supper I'll just be bringing sandwiches and finger food down to the workers. We could do it tomorrow before lunch. We'll have some new guests for that meal, Jemima's other daughter and son-in-law plus their many offspring. Jemima is anxious to show off her grandchildren." Ruby nodded. "It all sounds good Nana. I'm afraid to ask... how many grandchildren are there?" </p><p></p><p>Mina says, "Four, one infant, one toddler, and two with more energy than you've ever seen in your life. Don't worry, we'll set up a children's table for all but the baby to eat at, they won't be at the main table." Ruby says, "Well, my time about my younger brother Ben has made it a little easier for me to be around children. I suppose I should get used to it, Kate will have her baby soon." “We could take another picture before the ball next week. Which reminds me," Ruby eyes sparkled, "When are we going shopping?" Mina says, "On Monday, we'll go into the city several hours early to buy clothes and have our hair done." </p><p></p><p>Ruby paused, considering her next words. "I was a little overwhelmed by that meeting. I'm not as smart as some of the rest of you. But I am excited to see if we can solve this mystery of Atlantis. I imagine most of this crew was invited each for a specific purpose?" Mina says, "Ruby, don't put yourself down. You all have a key purpose here. Your bardic abilities are quite useful and unique, your shooting skills are second only to Hardin, you've acquired some interesting trinkets along the way, and you've proven that you can remain calm under pressure. Plus, you're my granddaughter and I want you here." </p><p></p><p>Ruby smiled again at her grandmother. "You're right Nana, I am too hard on myself. I think I've just been somewhat..." Neglectful and lazy she thought but said, "Busy as of late to use my skills and maybe I was just feeling rusty. George has never even seen me shoot! Perhaps I should practice that. Do we have someplace safe to?" Mina says, "John Hardin practices each day. He found a good spot to practice on our land about three quarters of a mile east, where the hillside and cove muffle most of the sounds of the shooting. He might let you accompany him. James says that he and Sol also take the larger boat out into the ocean on occasion to get in some target practice." </p><p></p><p>"Hmmm, I wonder if Hardin would be okay with a girl shooting beside him? I will ask him, I think I had better get back into the swing of it and get back up to par. Shooting off a boat sounds difficult, unless the water was very very still, hard to get an accurate shot." Mina says, "Yes, that is part of the challenge. They put floating targets adrift and then shoot at them as they move further apart."</p><p></p><p>Ruby swung her legs a few more times. She says, "You give me the best reason to be here Nana. I am so glad we will spend this time together and you will be able to get to know George too." George sat and sipped his drink listening to Mina and Ruby talk. A smile crept over his face long longer he sat there. Finally Ruby noticed his cat-ate-the-canary grin and smiled and said "What George? Why are you smiling?"</p><p></p><p>George replied "Well I can see that with two red-heads in the family I should get used to drinking and not talking. I couldn't get a word into the conversation if I had a shoe horn." he laughed. "But yes a group photo is a wonderful idea, I will head up and get the lens and plates ready. Though I do feel bad not taking a turn on the lines digging. But I think my Constance is just jealous. She doesn't want me oggling my soon to be step-great-great grandmother" laughed George. Mina laughs and says, "Oh that's true too. Just think Ruby, if Alsoome and Nanuet were to get married that would then make you Nanuet's great, great granddaughter." </p><p></p><p>Ruby says to George, "We are very much alike, aren't we?" She slid off the table and came to George, plopping in his lap and wrapping an arm around his neck. "And yes, I am extremely, utterly jealous of you looking at any other woman, ever. Don't do it." She had a serious look on her face but was desperately trying to keep the giggles in. </p><p></p><p>George bugged out his eyes as he stared at Mina which sent Ruby over the edge and into fits of giggles. "Well, it seems nearly all the women here are related to you any way Constance, so I don't think that will be an issue, and you are more than enough for me to look at anyway" he added reaching up to kiss her. Ruby kissed him back hard. "You know I don't care. No one will never love you like I do. Or be as beautiful. And you know it. Except maybe Nana but she is already taken!" she teased. </p><p></p><p>Ruby then tapped her full red lips in thought. "You said that here the magical ley lines converge too, right? I should probably also practice my spells, just in case they are more or less powerful here or affected by the ley lines differently.” Mina replies, "They should be comparable to what you knew from Arizona. At some point in the future we should have a conversation with everybody about the ley lines."</p><p></p><p>Ruby says, “Maybe I'll entertain the crowd here tonight after dinner, what do you think Nana? George?" Mina says, "That might be a good idea, most of them will be rather tired I suspect." Ruby says, "Excellent. Maybe my entertaining will help them sleep better tonight. And yes, talking about the ley lines, good idea. But that might put them to sleep tonight!" </p><p></p><p>The tunnel crew work for a solid hour before James calls for a water break. At that point eighteen of the sixty wheelbarrows have been filled and moved to the upper 'steps' near the tunnel entrance, with the tunnel now nearly two-feet deeper. Hardin pitched in with the digging...finding it preferable to all of the scientific speculation...but soon found his hands had gotten a bit soft during his incarceration. He snorted to himself, "Damn lawyer's hands...".</p><p></p><p>Thomas does not even notice when James had called a break, continuing to dig as if it were a Herculean labor upon which his life depended. Abby filled the largest glass she could find and walked it over to Dr. Crane, tapping him on the shoulder. "Meditation in work is all well and good, but you still need to drink," she said, holding it out. Alsoomse puts her shirt back on and then examines the hands of all of those who had been digging, to see if any require a Cure Light Wounds spell to heal any blisters or calluses. James comments "Thomas looks like he could go another hour without a problem, but why don't the other three of you switch off to wheelbarrow duty and give some of the others a chance to dig." </p><p></p><p>After the water break the digging crews alternated again, Thomas still refusing to stop. By 5:00 PM they had filled thirty-seven of the wheelbarrows when Ruby, Mina, George and Luiz bring trays filled with sandwiches, fruit and a chocolate pudding as well as pitchers of lemonade and orange juice. They also bring some small blankets, as several of the lower wheelbarrows are moved over to make room on the dirt side steps for people to sit. </p><p></p><p>Alsoomse again checks the digging crew's hands for the need of curing spells. Luiz makes a point of checking her's as well, which he does cast a Cure Light Wounds spell upon and chides her worrying about others while not taking care of herself. She then casts her final 'Cooling' spell of the day, which drops the temperature in the heated chamber by twenty-five degrees. The tunnel now goes seven-to-eight feet further down into the ground than it had when they began. </p><p></p><p>Lawrence leans on his shovel and wipes his brow. "Whew. That was the hardest I've worked since that bridge out in Cincinnati. You remember that James? That was some time. Fish, you would have loved it. Dangerous work where a good sense of balance comes in handy." Sol interjects, "I remember too, that was the year after the war. At the time it was the world’s longest suspension bridge, connecting Cincinnati, Ohio to Covington, Kentucky." </p><p></p><p>James says, "Yes, you can blame me for that one. I was the one who suggested to President Johnson that it would be a symbolic gesture to devote the resources to reconnect a Union and former Confederate state in spectacular fashion. If I had known he was going to put me in charge of the project I'd have just kept my mouth shut." Lawrence chuckles, "There you go. That'll teach you to volunteer for things. At least we got a record out of it."</p><p></p><p>Following the meal break the digging resumes in earnest. The sixtieth wheelbarrow is filled by 7:45 PM, at which point the tunnel is a full eleven feet deeper than when they began this day. As the tired and dirty workers make their way upstairs Ruby and Mina have cold beverages prepared for them all. Mina says, "You should all go and each take a long hot bath. Ruby and Luiz will be giving a concert in the living room in an hour if any of you would like to attend." </p><p></p><p>Nanuet says, "It's been far too long since I've heard miss Ruby sing, I for one will be there" Naneut says, winking at Ruby. "Mind if I borrow somebody's bathtub? My lodgings don't have a tub and it's a fair walk to the river." James points out that two of the forth floor rooms are unoccupied, although each one shares a bathroom with either Benjamin or Roy. Lawrence inclines his head. "I'd like that very much. But now the bath awaits. I'll take mine outside. It was hot down there and it is still warm outside." </p><p></p><p>James says, "That's fine, but please clean up a little first before heading outside. Given the intruder yesterday I won't assume that the building isn't being watched. A dirt covered face and dirty clothing would give away that we've been digging inside the house." Lawrence nods and says, "Got it. I'll be discreet. They won't even know I was there." He goes upstairs to splash water on his face and to get a robe. Once he gathers his things, he sneaks out to a secluded part of the river. </p><p></p><p>Fish sidles up to Wilamina. "Lady Parker," he queries of her quietly, "I stink, and I have nothing clean to wear worthy of the evening. I'm ashamed to ask, but might there be something here in the house that might almost fit me?" He stands, heels together, arms akimbo. She says, "It won't be an exact fit, but Sol is close enough in size and build that his clothing should work. I'll go talk to him and have him bring something up to your room. On Monday when we go to Jacksonville we'll expand your overall wardrobe." </p><p></p><p>Fish heads to his room for a quick bath while waiting for Solomon. Wrapping a towel around his slim waist and dripping water, he stands at the bureau and attempts smoothing out the one ascot he owns. It's really quite elegant with its braided silver thread edging. He smiles as he remembers Lydia who gave him this twist of silk. "No need to breathe, indeed!" he says to himself, grinning lasciviously.</p><p></p><p>John Hardin was very happy when the digging came to an end for the day and filtered up with the others for a quick bath. He changed in to suitable wear for the balance of the evening and systematically checked his semi-hidden hardware with a practiced hand. He grins and heads up downstairs... </p><p></p><p>Abby had left the tunnel with her shirt soaked in sweat and aching shoulders. She didn't even want to think about the way her back felt. The long, hot soak in the tub improved the situation, but she still walked stiffly down to the evening's activities, and tried not to fidget in her chair while still trying to get comfortable. Fish hands Miss Marsters three fingers worth of bourbon. "Thank you," she said with a nod and a smile before tossing down the bourbon in one shot. "A couple more of those and I might feel better." </p><p></p><p>Ruby returned to her room to freshen up and choose a new outfit. She knew it wasn't necessary, being among friends, but she felt it was good manners to look nice and spread good cheer to those who worked so hard all day. She washed up and fixed her hair into a nicer updo, nothing too fancy but more formal than her normal day time look. She laid out and dressed in a creamy pink confection, an open square necked gown that accentuated her waist. Once she was properly attired for a performance, she swept back downstairs to have a drink and wait for her audience.</p><p></p><p>Luiz comes downstairs to the room. He is attired in a formal black-tie outfit complete with tails. In his hand is a good sized suitcase. Sol and James simultaneously move one of the couches and two chairs away from the south wall as Luiz approaches and opens the case. He removes from it what appears to be a toy upright piano, fourteen inches high and eighteen inches wide. He sets the piano along wall then removes from the case a piano sit made to the same scale as the piano.</p><p></p><p>Luiz then steps back and begins a long incantation in the German language, most of which is incomprehensible to those in the room except for the names of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johann Sebastian Bach and Wilhelm Richard Wagner. Upon completion of the speech the piano and bench let off a slight glow and then start to enlarge. It takes a full two minutes until they stop growing, now being a regular-sized piano and bench. "Hey, that's a neat parlor trick," Ruby smiled. "What kind of songs do you know?" </p><p></p><p>Luiz smiles and says, "A variety of French, Portuguse, Spanish, British and American songs. Tell me what you wish to play and I'll do my best. And it isn't a parlor trick, the magic is in the piano itself. It's my wife's, but she's let me borrow it until we get a real piano here for the concert hall." Ruby exclaims, "Concert hall? Here? Where will it fit?" James says, "In the student center. Last summer we had Bradford Academy students who had a strong interest in history, archeology and Native American studies. They were willing to work long hours in the heat, live in tents, and do what needed to be done. They also were able to respect and listen to Alsoomse, despite her race and gender.</p><p></p><p>We have another group of Bradford Academy students coming in December for a month or so. They are a totally different bunch, the children of the upper class, who couldn't get into a more prestigious school due to either poor academic grades, discipline problems, or both. Most of them have parents who winter here in Florida that like the idea of their children being near them, but not necessarily with them. The major advantage to us having those students here is that their parents are filthy rich. The parents are currently undertaking key fundraisers to build the student center at the Timucuan Conservancy for their children to stay at. It will include a concert hall, as well as dormitory and lounge rooms. So next summer, when the serious students arrive, they will have a nice place to live."</p><p></p><p>Alsoomse adds, "And while these rich kids are here we can actually do some archeology digs at the Fort Caroline ruins. We couldn't risk that during the summer, as several of the students were smart enough to differentiate between Spanish and French artifacts. This next bunch won't have that skill set." "My goodness, is there nothing you haven't thought of?" Ruby laughed. "Sounds like you really look out for those students James, I hope they know how lucky they are. Hopefully I will get the chance to sing at the concert hall myself one day." Mina says, "Oh you will, you'll be the very first one." James adds, "Naturally, we'll need to test the acoustics of the place, who better than our very own singer to do so." "Excellent! I like being the first," Ruby grinned, feeling rather special.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Silver Moon, post: 4793519, member: 8530"] [B]Chapter Twenty-four, “Mina’s Questions“, September 2nd, 1882, 3:00 P.M.[/B] Mina leads Ruby and George out of the tunnel. Ruby smiles and says, "I now understand why you couldn't get into details with us on the train. So much to know and remember! I admit, I feel somewhat overwhelmed by it all but I have you and George and James to remind me if I need some help remembering. So, is there something you'd like to do or something else we can help with?" George adds, "Yes Mina, I will feel bad not helping with the digging, but I can take a double shift later. There seems to be something you wish to speak to us about if I am not mistaken." says George as he walks along holding Ruby's hand. Mina leads them to the President and Vice President's office and shuts the door. She then says, "There are actually four things I wanted to talk with you about. First George, the digging, James and I both feel that you should be categorized the same as Luiz. We realize that you want to do your share, and while you're not a surgeon your hands play an integral part of your work. There is no reason for you to get injured doing work that others could just as easily do. Second, I wasn't sure how Ruby would feel with you working around Alsoomse in her half-naked state. She's never had any issues with nudity and has been digging that way alongside Sol and James for two months now. She isn't likely to change at this point, but I know that the nudity can be a bit unnerving if you aren't used to it. Third, I noticed the tension between the two of you after George made his generous offer and wanted to make sure that everything is okay now. James will understand if you choose to withdraw the offer upon further reflection. And lastly, James has noticed some growing chemistry between Nanuet and Alsoomse and was curious if you knew your friend's intentions towards her." Ruby smiled. "Well Nana, I know where I get my love of questions from!" she laughed. She went to the sidebar and poured them each a small glass of bourbon. She handed them out then slid back up onto the desk. "I have to admit, I agree with you about George. His talents are better served researching or even the business side of things, though seems like you have that well under control already. George is very good at piecing together clues too. But yes, if he hurts himself, he would be unable to do his real work for quite some time and his business is really at an important... umm...." Ruby searched for the word, "Juncture?" Ruby laughed, "How do you feel about James working next to a half naked Alsoomse? I think that it would make George extremely embarrassed but I'm not opposed to him working next to her. He's has me after all." Her grin was wide and easy as she threw him a knowing glance and a wink. Mina laughs and says, "Why should James working alongside Alsoomse matter given their relation to one another?" Ruby says, "Relation to her? Did I forget something important? Did you mention maybe some far back relation?" Mina looks surprised and says "Sol didn't tell you? He was supposed to during the tour. Alsoomse is James's grandmother." Ruby's eyebrows shot up. "No, I think he failed to mention that! He did say he had some elvan blood in him though. Wow, that is really interesting. A whole new dynamic." Ruby continues with Mina’s next question, "As for Nanuet, I have known him some time and we have been though a lot together. It seems to me he is lonely since leaving his last partner and that he is also attracted to her. But I imagine the good hearted Nanuet might think this accomplished elven woman is too good for him. So, I don't know if he would make any obvious advances towards her, at least not without knowing she was open to them from him. He would not want to make her uncomfortable. Alsoomse has been around much longer than him and knows the ways of the world better. Nanuet was alone in the wild for much time so doesn't always feel comfortable in modern society or even know what the "proper" way to do things is. Courting, that is." Mina says, "Well, Alsoomse is rather lonely herself. As you can see, she's still in the prime of her life and in fine physical shape. She remained fully faithful to her human husband, even though he was unable to attend to her physical needs for the last two decades of his life. She also maintained celebacy for the five-year mourning period. In the three years since then she has been living life.....more fully, much to her daughter's displeasure. She has commented about not wanting to get involved with one from another short-lived race. Among those here that leaves either Roy or Nanuet, and of the two James greatly favors the choice of Nanuet." Ruby laughed again. "Hey, did you bring Nanuet here to set him up with Alsoomse?" Mina grins and says, "James didn't, that was all my doing. He did earlier express concerns about how she and Roy always flirted with one another and wasn't sure how things might develop between the two of them. This was my solution to that potential problem." Ruby laughed. "Looks like you were touched by Aphrodite too Nana! Being a matchmaker is a fun job," she giggled. "So either she is just flirtatious, or she really likes Roy, or she's just lonely and looking for someone to share some time with. I guess time will tell us how this story will end." She burst into more fits of laughter. Once Ruby calmed down, "I understand, she sounds like a fine and noble woman. And I would imagine they would make a good match. Nanuet is very noble and loyal too. I think he could use a committed relationship at this point after the turmoil of this year. So, what can we do to get these two together?" Mina says, "Not a thing. Didn't James mention that Alsoomse's name translates as 'Independent'. Once she makes up her mind she will take the initiative." She laughed again. "Poor Nanuet! He won't know what hit him. But I can guarantee he won't complain." Ruby smile faded a bit and she took a long sip of her bourbon and got to Mina’s final question. "The tension... yes, we had a bit of a disagreement. George wants many children and wasn't sure about taking the magical life extending treatment. I didn't know if I wanted any children, ever. But we discussed it and came to a fair conclusion, I think. We will both take the treatment and when we are 30 we will try to have a baby." There was a noticeable large swallow from Ruby after speaking these words. She wasn't uncomfortable talking to her Nana like this but she thought George might be, a private person as he was. But this was her grandmother and if she was asking there was a reason. Ruby put down her cup and leaned forward on her palms, swinging her legs like a schoolgirl. "Hey, I was thinking, we should probably have George take a picture of our group all together. We did just make our agreements, or we will soon. Will we have paperwork to fill out or anything? Some sort of ceremony? Either way, I think a group photo would be nice." Mina says, "That is a splended idea, although we should probably wait until everybody is cleaned up....and dressed." Ruby says, "Oh yeah, I wasn't think this minute, but it should be soon, I think. Maybe before dinner when everyone is dressed nicer.” Mina says, "Lunch was today's sit down meal, for supper I'll just be bringing sandwiches and finger food down to the workers. We could do it tomorrow before lunch. We'll have some new guests for that meal, Jemima's other daughter and son-in-law plus their many offspring. Jemima is anxious to show off her grandchildren." Ruby nodded. "It all sounds good Nana. I'm afraid to ask... how many grandchildren are there?" Mina says, "Four, one infant, one toddler, and two with more energy than you've ever seen in your life. Don't worry, we'll set up a children's table for all but the baby to eat at, they won't be at the main table." Ruby says, "Well, my time about my younger brother Ben has made it a little easier for me to be around children. I suppose I should get used to it, Kate will have her baby soon." “We could take another picture before the ball next week. Which reminds me," Ruby eyes sparkled, "When are we going shopping?" Mina says, "On Monday, we'll go into the city several hours early to buy clothes and have our hair done." Ruby paused, considering her next words. "I was a little overwhelmed by that meeting. I'm not as smart as some of the rest of you. But I am excited to see if we can solve this mystery of Atlantis. I imagine most of this crew was invited each for a specific purpose?" Mina says, "Ruby, don't put yourself down. You all have a key purpose here. Your bardic abilities are quite useful and unique, your shooting skills are second only to Hardin, you've acquired some interesting trinkets along the way, and you've proven that you can remain calm under pressure. Plus, you're my granddaughter and I want you here." Ruby smiled again at her grandmother. "You're right Nana, I am too hard on myself. I think I've just been somewhat..." Neglectful and lazy she thought but said, "Busy as of late to use my skills and maybe I was just feeling rusty. George has never even seen me shoot! Perhaps I should practice that. Do we have someplace safe to?" Mina says, "John Hardin practices each day. He found a good spot to practice on our land about three quarters of a mile east, where the hillside and cove muffle most of the sounds of the shooting. He might let you accompany him. James says that he and Sol also take the larger boat out into the ocean on occasion to get in some target practice." "Hmmm, I wonder if Hardin would be okay with a girl shooting beside him? I will ask him, I think I had better get back into the swing of it and get back up to par. Shooting off a boat sounds difficult, unless the water was very very still, hard to get an accurate shot." Mina says, "Yes, that is part of the challenge. They put floating targets adrift and then shoot at them as they move further apart." Ruby swung her legs a few more times. She says, "You give me the best reason to be here Nana. I am so glad we will spend this time together and you will be able to get to know George too." George sat and sipped his drink listening to Mina and Ruby talk. A smile crept over his face long longer he sat there. Finally Ruby noticed his cat-ate-the-canary grin and smiled and said "What George? Why are you smiling?" George replied "Well I can see that with two red-heads in the family I should get used to drinking and not talking. I couldn't get a word into the conversation if I had a shoe horn." he laughed. "But yes a group photo is a wonderful idea, I will head up and get the lens and plates ready. Though I do feel bad not taking a turn on the lines digging. But I think my Constance is just jealous. She doesn't want me oggling my soon to be step-great-great grandmother" laughed George. Mina laughs and says, "Oh that's true too. Just think Ruby, if Alsoome and Nanuet were to get married that would then make you Nanuet's great, great granddaughter." Ruby says to George, "We are very much alike, aren't we?" She slid off the table and came to George, plopping in his lap and wrapping an arm around his neck. "And yes, I am extremely, utterly jealous of you looking at any other woman, ever. Don't do it." She had a serious look on her face but was desperately trying to keep the giggles in. George bugged out his eyes as he stared at Mina which sent Ruby over the edge and into fits of giggles. "Well, it seems nearly all the women here are related to you any way Constance, so I don't think that will be an issue, and you are more than enough for me to look at anyway" he added reaching up to kiss her. Ruby kissed him back hard. "You know I don't care. No one will never love you like I do. Or be as beautiful. And you know it. Except maybe Nana but she is already taken!" she teased. Ruby then tapped her full red lips in thought. "You said that here the magical ley lines converge too, right? I should probably also practice my spells, just in case they are more or less powerful here or affected by the ley lines differently.” Mina replies, "They should be comparable to what you knew from Arizona. At some point in the future we should have a conversation with everybody about the ley lines." Ruby says, “Maybe I'll entertain the crowd here tonight after dinner, what do you think Nana? George?" Mina says, "That might be a good idea, most of them will be rather tired I suspect." Ruby says, "Excellent. Maybe my entertaining will help them sleep better tonight. And yes, talking about the ley lines, good idea. But that might put them to sleep tonight!" The tunnel crew work for a solid hour before James calls for a water break. At that point eighteen of the sixty wheelbarrows have been filled and moved to the upper 'steps' near the tunnel entrance, with the tunnel now nearly two-feet deeper. Hardin pitched in with the digging...finding it preferable to all of the scientific speculation...but soon found his hands had gotten a bit soft during his incarceration. He snorted to himself, "Damn lawyer's hands...". Thomas does not even notice when James had called a break, continuing to dig as if it were a Herculean labor upon which his life depended. Abby filled the largest glass she could find and walked it over to Dr. Crane, tapping him on the shoulder. "Meditation in work is all well and good, but you still need to drink," she said, holding it out. Alsoomse puts her shirt back on and then examines the hands of all of those who had been digging, to see if any require a Cure Light Wounds spell to heal any blisters or calluses. James comments "Thomas looks like he could go another hour without a problem, but why don't the other three of you switch off to wheelbarrow duty and give some of the others a chance to dig." After the water break the digging crews alternated again, Thomas still refusing to stop. By 5:00 PM they had filled thirty-seven of the wheelbarrows when Ruby, Mina, George and Luiz bring trays filled with sandwiches, fruit and a chocolate pudding as well as pitchers of lemonade and orange juice. They also bring some small blankets, as several of the lower wheelbarrows are moved over to make room on the dirt side steps for people to sit. Alsoomse again checks the digging crew's hands for the need of curing spells. Luiz makes a point of checking her's as well, which he does cast a Cure Light Wounds spell upon and chides her worrying about others while not taking care of herself. She then casts her final 'Cooling' spell of the day, which drops the temperature in the heated chamber by twenty-five degrees. The tunnel now goes seven-to-eight feet further down into the ground than it had when they began. Lawrence leans on his shovel and wipes his brow. "Whew. That was the hardest I've worked since that bridge out in Cincinnati. You remember that James? That was some time. Fish, you would have loved it. Dangerous work where a good sense of balance comes in handy." Sol interjects, "I remember too, that was the year after the war. At the time it was the world’s longest suspension bridge, connecting Cincinnati, Ohio to Covington, Kentucky." James says, "Yes, you can blame me for that one. I was the one who suggested to President Johnson that it would be a symbolic gesture to devote the resources to reconnect a Union and former Confederate state in spectacular fashion. If I had known he was going to put me in charge of the project I'd have just kept my mouth shut." Lawrence chuckles, "There you go. That'll teach you to volunteer for things. At least we got a record out of it." Following the meal break the digging resumes in earnest. The sixtieth wheelbarrow is filled by 7:45 PM, at which point the tunnel is a full eleven feet deeper than when they began this day. As the tired and dirty workers make their way upstairs Ruby and Mina have cold beverages prepared for them all. Mina says, "You should all go and each take a long hot bath. Ruby and Luiz will be giving a concert in the living room in an hour if any of you would like to attend." Nanuet says, "It's been far too long since I've heard miss Ruby sing, I for one will be there" Naneut says, winking at Ruby. "Mind if I borrow somebody's bathtub? My lodgings don't have a tub and it's a fair walk to the river." James points out that two of the forth floor rooms are unoccupied, although each one shares a bathroom with either Benjamin or Roy. Lawrence inclines his head. "I'd like that very much. But now the bath awaits. I'll take mine outside. It was hot down there and it is still warm outside." James says, "That's fine, but please clean up a little first before heading outside. Given the intruder yesterday I won't assume that the building isn't being watched. A dirt covered face and dirty clothing would give away that we've been digging inside the house." Lawrence nods and says, "Got it. I'll be discreet. They won't even know I was there." He goes upstairs to splash water on his face and to get a robe. Once he gathers his things, he sneaks out to a secluded part of the river. Fish sidles up to Wilamina. "Lady Parker," he queries of her quietly, "I stink, and I have nothing clean to wear worthy of the evening. I'm ashamed to ask, but might there be something here in the house that might almost fit me?" He stands, heels together, arms akimbo. She says, "It won't be an exact fit, but Sol is close enough in size and build that his clothing should work. I'll go talk to him and have him bring something up to your room. On Monday when we go to Jacksonville we'll expand your overall wardrobe." Fish heads to his room for a quick bath while waiting for Solomon. Wrapping a towel around his slim waist and dripping water, he stands at the bureau and attempts smoothing out the one ascot he owns. It's really quite elegant with its braided silver thread edging. He smiles as he remembers Lydia who gave him this twist of silk. "No need to breathe, indeed!" he says to himself, grinning lasciviously. John Hardin was very happy when the digging came to an end for the day and filtered up with the others for a quick bath. He changed in to suitable wear for the balance of the evening and systematically checked his semi-hidden hardware with a practiced hand. He grins and heads up downstairs... Abby had left the tunnel with her shirt soaked in sweat and aching shoulders. She didn't even want to think about the way her back felt. The long, hot soak in the tub improved the situation, but she still walked stiffly down to the evening's activities, and tried not to fidget in her chair while still trying to get comfortable. Fish hands Miss Marsters three fingers worth of bourbon. "Thank you," she said with a nod and a smile before tossing down the bourbon in one shot. "A couple more of those and I might feel better." Ruby returned to her room to freshen up and choose a new outfit. She knew it wasn't necessary, being among friends, but she felt it was good manners to look nice and spread good cheer to those who worked so hard all day. She washed up and fixed her hair into a nicer updo, nothing too fancy but more formal than her normal day time look. She laid out and dressed in a creamy pink confection, an open square necked gown that accentuated her waist. Once she was properly attired for a performance, she swept back downstairs to have a drink and wait for her audience. Luiz comes downstairs to the room. He is attired in a formal black-tie outfit complete with tails. In his hand is a good sized suitcase. Sol and James simultaneously move one of the couches and two chairs away from the south wall as Luiz approaches and opens the case. He removes from it what appears to be a toy upright piano, fourteen inches high and eighteen inches wide. He sets the piano along wall then removes from the case a piano sit made to the same scale as the piano. Luiz then steps back and begins a long incantation in the German language, most of which is incomprehensible to those in the room except for the names of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Johann Sebastian Bach and Wilhelm Richard Wagner. Upon completion of the speech the piano and bench let off a slight glow and then start to enlarge. It takes a full two minutes until they stop growing, now being a regular-sized piano and bench. "Hey, that's a neat parlor trick," Ruby smiled. "What kind of songs do you know?" Luiz smiles and says, "A variety of French, Portuguse, Spanish, British and American songs. Tell me what you wish to play and I'll do my best. And it isn't a parlor trick, the magic is in the piano itself. It's my wife's, but she's let me borrow it until we get a real piano here for the concert hall." Ruby exclaims, "Concert hall? Here? Where will it fit?" James says, "In the student center. Last summer we had Bradford Academy students who had a strong interest in history, archeology and Native American studies. They were willing to work long hours in the heat, live in tents, and do what needed to be done. They also were able to respect and listen to Alsoomse, despite her race and gender. We have another group of Bradford Academy students coming in December for a month or so. They are a totally different bunch, the children of the upper class, who couldn't get into a more prestigious school due to either poor academic grades, discipline problems, or both. Most of them have parents who winter here in Florida that like the idea of their children being near them, but not necessarily with them. The major advantage to us having those students here is that their parents are filthy rich. The parents are currently undertaking key fundraisers to build the student center at the Timucuan Conservancy for their children to stay at. It will include a concert hall, as well as dormitory and lounge rooms. So next summer, when the serious students arrive, they will have a nice place to live." Alsoomse adds, "And while these rich kids are here we can actually do some archeology digs at the Fort Caroline ruins. We couldn't risk that during the summer, as several of the students were smart enough to differentiate between Spanish and French artifacts. This next bunch won't have that skill set." "My goodness, is there nothing you haven't thought of?" Ruby laughed. "Sounds like you really look out for those students James, I hope they know how lucky they are. Hopefully I will get the chance to sing at the concert hall myself one day." Mina says, "Oh you will, you'll be the very first one." James adds, "Naturally, we'll need to test the acoustics of the place, who better than our very own singer to do so." "Excellent! I like being the first," Ruby grinned, feeling rather special. [/QUOTE]
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AGELESS Campaign Episode 2 - Temple of the Cat-Goddess
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