AGELESS CAMPAIGN, Episode II, Part VI.

[Silver Moon]

Abby folded her napkin and stood up. Thankfully she had not been pressed to eat more, since Cal was already picking up something for them to eat. She walked over to the Driver and despite knowing it would not answer her, said, "I'm ready if you are."

He nods. She cannot recall ever hearing the driver speak. He leads her outside and opens the door to the carriage. Callum is inside with an anxious look on his face. As soon as the door shuts he asks, "How did the audience go with the couple?"

 

[Silver Moon]

And yes, I am fortunate to have become friends with the Queen. Right place at the right time and all that. She is a very special woman and I am grateful."

Ela says, "She is indeed. We are both fortunate to have met her prior to her change in role. I suspect that from this point on she will never be able to establish 'normal' relationships."

 

[Queenie]

Ela says, "She is indeed. We are both fortunate to have met her prior to her change in role. I suspect that from this point on she will never be able to establish 'normal' relationships."

Ruby nodded. "I guess so, but isn't that sad. I hadn't thought of that. Being a Princess isn't all it's cracked up to be." She spoke the words without thinking but it suddenly brought her back to another time and place and she withdrew into herself for some time.

 

[orchid blossom]

He nods. She cannot recall ever hearing the driver speak. He leads her outside and opens the door to the carriage. Callum is inside with an anxious look on his face. As soon as the door shuts he asks, "How did the audience go with the couple?"

"Better than I expected, but I had to put up a bit of a stink to get the staff to let me see them. More than I'd have liked," she said and sat down. "And the staff were very impressed when they actually agreed to see me.

I can't say I care much for Mr. Duruy. At least he wasn't pleased to see me, but I can't blame him for that. He may be newly married, but his world has still crumbled around him. We talked about that a bit, actually, in relation to the other former members of the Weekly Wizards. The Empress has been invited to sit on the Council, and actions like this by former members are apparently quite contrary to her plans. Honestly, I wasn't sure how to feel about the interview. I'm getting suspicious of people, I wondered how much I was missing in the conversation between them."

 

[Silver Moon]

"Better than I expected, but I had to put up a bit of a stink to get the staff to let me see them. More than I'd have liked," she said and sat down. "And the staff were very impressed when they actually agreed to see me.

I can't say I care much for Mr. Duruy. At least he wasn't pleased to see me, but I can't blame him for that. He may be newly married, but his world has still crumbled around him."

He laughs out loud and says, "Well, I cannot put any blame on either him or the staff of the hotel. What I know now and didn't know then is that the couple spent all of last night establishing plans while at the Lourve and all of today with the French Council. While they established this location yesterday as their temporary home they only first arrived at it an hour before we did. Victor Duruy has been in love with the Empress for 30 years, they have been married for 30 hours, but this past hour has been the first time for them to consummate the relationship....which you interrupted."

 

[Silver Moon]

"We talked about that a bit, actually, in relation to the other former members of the Weekly Wizards. The Empress has been invited to sit on the Council, and actions like this by former members are apparently quite contrary to her plans. Honestly, I wasn't sure how to feel about the interview. I'm getting suspicious of people, I wondered how much I was missing in the conversation between them."

"I might be able to help with reading between the lines. What specifically did they say?"


They travel a short distance to the northeast and reach a gated area with the sign "Parc des Buttes-Chaumont". The driver heads over to the gate, unlocks it, drives the carriage through, and then re-locks the gate. Callum says, "We'll have both safety and privacy here. This park was created twenty-years back and is only open to the public during the day, but I am friends with the evening caretaker."

They soon reach a lush green area beside a pond.
http://www.timeout.com/paris/en/things-to-do/attractions/parc-des-buttes-chaumont


A blanket has been laid out alongside a small portable table set with fine china, crystal glasses, and candles. The driver lights the candles and sets up the place settings with food taken from a hamper that he brings from the carriage. Callum says "That will be all" The driver replies in a mechanical voice not unlike the sound of a poor Bell Telephone connection, "Very well sir." He returns to the carriage.

 

[orchid blossom]

He laughs out loud and says, "Well, I cannot put any blame on either him or the staff of the hotel. What I know now and didn't know then is that the couple spent all of last night establishing plans while at the Lourve and all of today with the French Council. While they established this location yesterday as their temporary home they only first arrived at it an hour before we did. Victor Duruy has been in love with the Empress for 30 years, they have been married for 30 hours, but this past hour has been the first time for them to consummate the relationship....which you interrupted."

"Who have you been talking to, to get that much information?" she asked.

"I admit that would frustrate me, too. In fact, I'd get frustrated even without the 30 year wait."

 

[orchid blossom]

"I might be able to help with reading between the lines. What specifically did they say?"

Abby repeated the conversation for him as best she could. "It was obvious they had some kind of plans, and there was no reason to share them with me." She shrugged. "Likely there's nothing to be suspicious of."

They travel a short distance to the northeast and reach a gated area with the sign "Parc des Buttes-Chaumont". The driver heads over to the gate, unlocks it, drives the carriage through, and then re-locks the gate. Callum says, "We'll have both safety and privacy here. This park was created twenty-years back and is only open to the public during the day, but I am friends with the evening caretaker."

They soon reach a lush green area beside a pond.
http://www.timeout.com/paris/en/things-to-do/attractions/parc-des-buttes-chaumont

A blanket has been laid out alongside a small portable table set with fine china, crystal glasses, and candles. The driver lights the candles and sets up the place settings with food taken from a hamper that he brings from the carriage. Callum says "That will be all" The driver replies in a mechanical voice not unlike the sound of a poor Bell Telephone connection, "Very well sir." He returns to the carriage.

"Oh Cal, this is lovely." She sat down close to the table, leaving plenty of room for Cal to join her. "You've been busy while you were gone. I take it you got your telegram sent."

 

[Fenris]

He replies, "Indeed. But deciding to not meet with somebody who is expecting you just because there is no actual reason to isn't a skill taught by the army, mine or anybody else's."

"Which is why the army needs to take lessons from business. But we will let them know presently. Now, let's get this treaty written."

 

[Silver Moon]

"Who have you been talking to, to get that much information?" she asked.

Her replies, "Maracita informed me. I spoke to her again when I was picking up the food. She has her sources in the city."