AGELESS CAMPAIGN, Episode II, Part VI.

[orchid blossom]

Callum says to Fouccault "It looks as though you have come out ahead, based upon this fine carriage you are riding in. Daguerre was quite wealthy and is known to have had no spouse or legitimate children, so as his apprentice you appear to have inherited his estate."

As Cal says this she notices Marcel's facial expression turns to anger and he starts to depress the the trigger of the revolver pointed at Callum. Fouccault apparently also sees this and gently places his hand on the man's arm to steady or possibly deflect the bullet if the gun goes off.

Abigail grabbed Cal and pulled him down, then interposed herself between him and Marcel.

 

[Silver Moon]

Abigail grabbed Cal and pulled him down, then interposed herself between him and Marcel.

Fouccault raises his voice slightly and says, "Everybody, calm down. Marcel, get control of your emotions. I am certain that Mr. Stuart meant no offense. If you cannot handle yourself with that weapon I will give it to your cousin Andre." Marcel says, "I'm fine, I just didn't like what he was implying about my mother."

Andre helps Callum back up into the seat and explains, "Marcel and I are Louis Daguerre's grandsons. We were included in our Grandfather's will, although Marcel has not been rewarded as highly as he feels he deserves." Fouccault adds, "Yes, he inherited the family's original home in the suburb of Cormeilles-en-Parisis, a rather modest structure, but one that Louis felt great sentimental attachment to as it was where he was born."

 

[Queenie]

She says, "I agree, but my employers feel that I can be more persuasive if I appear younger. It creates an illusion of how one looked fifteen years earlier. It had belonged to your friend the Sultan, but he has now reached an age where it is almost indistinguishable on him, so he has instructed me to wear it."

"Well that's certainly... I don't know the word. It stinks. Do you think it works?"

 

[Silver Moon]

"Well that's certainly... I don't know the word. It stinks. Do you think it works?"

She says, "I don't know, it probably does, but while I'm here I just want to be myself."

She leads Ruby through a door into a room that is warm, humid and has the sent of incense buring. There are multiple small pools of hot water, several of which have women lying or sitting relaxed inside. An alcove leads into a room where the steam appears to be coming from, where many women are seated on wooden benches and talking in Arabic to one another. Across the room is an artificial waterfall where a pair of women are bathing. At the far corner of the room are four massage tables, two of whom have women getting massaged by hairless muscular men wearing loin cloths, with another similar man seated beside each of the unoccupied tables.

 

[orchid blossom]

Fouccault raises his voice slightly and says, "Everybody, calm down. Marcel, get control of your emotions. I am certain that Mr. Stuart meant no offense. If you cannot handle yourself with that weapon I will give it to your cousin Andre." Marcel says, "I'm fine, I just didn't like what he was implying about my mother."

Andre helps Callum back up into the seat and explains, "Marcel and I are Louis Daguerre's grandsons. We were included in our Grandfather's will, although Marcel has not been rewarded as highly as he feels he deserves." Fouccault adds, "Yes, he inherited the family's original home in the suburb of Cormeilles-en-Parisis, a rather modest structure, but one that Louis felt great sentimental attachment to as it was where he was born."

Abigail settled herself again. These men at least seemed to have the sense not to attempt to touch her.

"I'm sure no offense was meant, but it was insensitive. The relationship between a mentor and student can be like family. Doubtless what you've heard from us is distressing for all of you."

 

[Queenie]

She says, "I don't know, it probably does, but while I'm here I just want to be myself."

She leads Ruby through a door into a room that is warm, humid and has the sent of incense buring. There are multiple small pools of hot water, several of which have women lying or sitting relaxed inside. An alcove leads into a room where the steam appears to be coming from, where many women are seated on wooden benches and talking in Arabic to one another. Across the room is an artificial waterfall where a pair of women are bathing. At the far corner of the room are four massage tables, two of whom have women getting massaged by hairless muscular men wearing loin cloths, with another similar man seated beside each of the unoccupied tables.

"As far as I am concerned, you can be yourself all the time we are together. Now, I don't know about you, but I'm headed right over there." She waves towards the massage tables. "After all, it's been a rough few days."

She leads Ela over to the tables. "Anyone available?" She grinned, "Two please."

 

[Silver Moon]

"I'm sure no offense was meant, but it was insensitive. The relationship between a mentor and student can be like family. Doubtless what you've heard from us is distressing for all of you."

Callum says, "Yes, I was insensitive. I apologize. In the future I will make an attempt to get kidnapped at gunpoint only after I have heard the kidnapper's full family history."

His sarcasm does not sit well and Gerome says, "Do you take this as a joke?" Callum says "No sir, there is nothing at all about this situation that I find funny. If you had asked me to join you in a restaurant for a conversation between gentlemen I would have. Instead you threaten myself and my date with firearms and are taking us to a yet unknown location for a yet unknown purpose. Andre said that we would not be harmed, but nothing to this point makes me think that is true."

Fouccault says, "It is true. All we want from you is some specific information. After that you will be released. It concerns the magical artifact that was stolen from our mansion. Do you know where that item is now?"

 

[Silver Moon]

"She leads Ela over to the tables. "Anyone available?" She grinned, "Two please."

The two take their places on the tables and each then has warm oils rubbed into their bodies by verys skilled hands.

 

[Fenris]

She acts started at being asked for her opinion. She states, "My command of your language is not very good and those men spoke it differently that you Mr. Eastman. I was following along as the scribe wrote. You appear to have the situation well in hand."

Colonel Hassan says, "Well, let us hope that your sister feels the same way. We should go update the Queen as to our progress."

OOC: Jon, for the post to Queen Neferka write as much or as little as you would like. Feel free summarize the details in a narrative post if there are long portions that you do not want to repeat. But elaborate where ever you wish to as well.

"I think that would be a reasonable suggestion. Let us proceed while the English debate and deliberate. George offers his arm to the princess and together they follow Hassan. They are announced to the Queen and shown in, the Queen smiles at her sister. "Well Mr. Eastman, have you reached an agreement or are you reporting progress"

"Well, your Highness. I think we are tremendously close. General Orabi and the rebel faction....." George turns to Hassan and says "what? fully capitulated?" he grins to Hassan. Returning to the Queen he continues "Their primary concern was really over the autonomy of Egypt. I have given them assurances that address their concerns. They will disband fully. I suggested a public demonstration of disarming, and re-swearing allegiance to you, the monarchy and Bast. This will cement the loyalty of most of the forces, as well as show the populace your power. The rebel force will be nearly fully disbanded. With the consultation of Lt. Col Hassan, I think that some reduced form of the force should be retained to supplement the national army. This would NOT be an army contingent but rather a police force or security detail, assigned to guard and maintain order at the canal. Most if not all the commissioned officers should be dismissed and not retained. It is of course Your Majesty's prerogative whether to show mercy to them or assign punishments. I made no promises of amnesty for any of them. A loyal officer to oversee this force would be needed" says George placing his hand on Hassan's shoulder.

"Onto the British. I played a dangerous game of brinksmanship with Woolsely, but did stop short of outright war. The game paid off well I think. Not that I was bluffing though. You and I have some arrangements to make after all this is done by the way. I think we both need to ensure the best future we can. Anyway, the negotiations with the British are nearly complete, if you agree of course. As it stands now, the British are to remove all forces from Egypt. I will give them one month to remove those troops. The British will be able to maintain a resupply depot in Alexandria for a period of 10 years with a small garrison. The will receive priority berthing in Alexandria and Port Said again for 10 years. The crux of the matter of course was the canal, and that was a point of contention. I will confess to you Neferka, I threatened to fully nationalize the canal and seize it outright. Woolsley went apoplectic. It was not an idle threat either, I was fully prepared to see that through. In the end the agreement calls for the canal agreement to be revised so that all vessels will pay the full rate, there will no longer be a discount. This will enable Egypt to repay the loan on time. Control of the canal will revert to Egypt. The only concession I made on this was to provide for British naval vessels, and only naval, mot merchant, to pay the discounted rate. Again for the period of 10 years.

Again in full disclosure I did issue some veiled threats about joining with the Boers or the Turks. Just so you know. But we do still have to hammer out a few details. Size of the garrison in Alexandia, mechanism for extension, which I said was entirely at your discretion. That is the general framework we are dealing with. Oh and I did threaten to assault Woolsley if he cast any aspersions on your or your character or competency. I have done as well as I could to fulfill your desires. I hope I have justified your trust and faith in me." ends George.

 

[Queenie]

The two take their places on the tables and each then has warm oils rubbed into their bodies by verys skilled hands.

Ruby relaxed over the next 60 minutes, melting into the table with moans as the expert masseuse rubbed out the knots and tension in her body. She hadn't even realized just how tense she still was and when the masseuse recommended he continue on, Ruby did not complain.

After all the knots were minimized, Ruby joined Ela in one of the baths. She sighed as she sunk into the hot water, "That was AMAZING." She dipped her shoulders under the water. "This is a tough job you have, huh?"