AGELESS CAMPAIGN, Episode II, Part VI.

[Silver Moon]

"And yes, I suppose the recognition is happening whatever I think of it, so I might as well enjoy it. And it's not as if most of the places I work in the world will realize or care, so it shouldn't really interfere with my ability to move about unnoticed."

"Correct, it will probably only be remembered in British aristocratic and academic circles. Outside of those arenas who remembers beyond the day's news story? Last year at least half a dozen people were similarly recognized by Queen Victoria, can you name even one of them off the top of your head?"

 

[Fenris]

"That's a good start, but you should also try to find something to also stroke his ego. That will put him in a better mind frame for our talk.

And Mr. Eastman, I truly am grateful for the rescue. I was not merely a target of convenience for those French, they needed me removed for their plan to be successful. This conversation between us right now, as well as the means that I used to request it, should make it obvious as to why that was so."

"Yes, unfortunately, not matter how much of a blackguard you might have been, I would have rescued you. I did not want to be rude and bring it up, but it is a rather, um, unusually talent not only for a military man, but especially an Englishman. You must have had to hide this yes? As for ego stroking, hrmmm. Nothing comes to mind. Suggestions?"

 

[Silver Moon]

Ruby sighed deeply. "And after that? Where will you be? You mentioned something about the," she whispered, "President of Mexico? What if I need you then? Who is going to swoop in and save me from trouble?"

"That will not be for some time, not until next year at the soonest. Before I can take up that quest I still need to find an artifact hidden in the mountains near Promise City. But young Ginnie is now on that trail, with her level of persistence I am sure that it will be found soon enough."

 

[orchid blossom]

"Correct, it will probably only be remembered in British aristocratic and academic circles. Outside of those arenas who remembers beyond the day's news story? Last year at least half a dozen people were similarly recognized by Queen Victoria, can you name even one of them off the top of your head?"

"I'm an uncultured American, I couldn't have named them the day it happened," she teased. "Alright, alright, I give in. To be honest, I was just rather shocked by the whole business. Don't fret, I have a pretty good handle on my own worth, and I don't hold it cheap. It sounds like I don't feel like what I have done these last few days is extraordinary, but that's not it. It's that it shouldn't be. As far as I was concerned it was just what had to be done, so to be recognized simply for doing what is right and necessary, that's what surprises me."

 

[Silver Moon]

"Yes, unfortunately, not matter how much of a blackguard you might have been, I would have rescued you. I did not want to be rude and bring it up, but it is a rather, um, unusually talent not only for a military man, but especially an Englishman. You must have had to hide this yes? As for ego stroking, hrmmm. Nothing comes to mind. Suggestions?"

"I was a brash young Lieutenant at the Siege of Sevastopol in '55 back during the Crimean War. We were allied with the French at that engagement and during the siege I picked up a few tricks. While I have kept that quiet in British circles, one of the Frenchmen here in Egypt had also been at Sevastopol and was aware of my training. And just now, I took no small risk in exposing myself to you. But I felt that you wouldn't save my life one day only to cause me to be hanged the next.

As for how to butter Garnet's bread, just play it by ear. Get him talking and he is sure to mention something that you can latch onto."

 

[Fenris]

"I was a brash young Lieutenant at the Siege of Sevastopol in '55 back during the Crimean War. We were allied with the French at that engagement and during the siege I picked up a few tricks. While I have kept that quiet in British circles, one of the Frenchmen here in Egypt had also been at Sevastopol and was aware of my training. And just now, I took no small risk in exposing myself to you. But I felt that you wouldn't save my life one day only to cause me to be hanged the next.

As for how to butter Garnet's bread, just play it by ear. Get him talking and he is sure to mention something that you can latch onto."

"No, I wouldn't expose you for such tricks as you would call them. As for Woolsely I will play it by ear. My thanks though sir." says George extending his hand. "Best that you enter first and I will be along in a few minutes."

 

[Silver Moon]

"I don't feel like what I have done these last few days is extraordinary, but that's not it. It's that it shouldn't be. As far as I was concerned it was just what had to be done, so to be recognized simply for doing what is right and necessary, that's what surprises me."

"Doing what just had to be done. Probably the best definition of heroics that I have ever heard. And the majority of heroes feel the exact same way, they never reflect on what they do at the time, only after the fact."

 

[Silver Moon]

"No, I wouldn't expose you for such tricks as you would call them. As for Woolsely I will play it by ear. My thanks though sir." says George extending his hand. "Best that you enter first and I will be along in a few minutes."

"Very good sir. With any luck my men will be home by the autumnal equinox."

 

[orchid blossom]

"Doing what just had to be done. Probably the best definition of heroics that I have ever heard. And the majority of heroes feel the exact same way, they never reflect on what they do at the time, only after the fact."

"My arms sure wish I had considered at the time. I jumped off a flying carpet to unlatch some kind of magical boat engine and it took off with me. They are still aching something fierce. How's that for heroic reflection?" she laughed.

"Maracita, I am sorry to see you go. I know I'll be leaving tomorrow, but whatever happens I'm sure I'll be back and it would have been a pleasure to spend some more time with you."

 

[Queenie]

"That will not be for some time, not until next year at the soonest. Before I can take up that quest I still need to find an artifact hidden in the mountains near Promise City. But young Ginnie is now on that trail, with her level of persistence I am sure that it will be found soon enough."

"Ah yes, Ginnie is certainly persistent and certainly finds ways to figure things out."

Ruby stands and hugs Bea tightly. "I will miss you my teacher. Be careful and if you need me, for anything, well, you know how to find me. You always have." Ruby squeezes and doesn't let go for a long moment. "I love you."