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Post by Delphine on Jan 28, 2016 18:13:32 GMT -5
The door to the sitting room bursts open rather violently, revealing the back-lit silhouette of a woman. She rushes into the room breathlessly, revealing that it is the awaited Madame Delphine, returned from her expedition. She looks slightly bedraggled, as though her voyage consisted of too much adventure and not enough sleep.
"Gentlemen, I am returned!" she announces when she spies her co-conspirators sitting at the same table as when she left. "I assure you that the week you have waited was not in vain - I bring NEWS." The way she says 'news' makes it very clear that it is of great import. "Bernard, please, a drink!" She gestures to the barman as she pulls up a chair to join Dr. Rook and Mr. Quatermain.
"I found her, though it was no easy task. And her words came with a warning, which she made me promise to pass on before I give you any other information: forget everything you have heard about this creature and pretend none of it ever happened." Delphine looks back and forth between the gentlemen's faces. "And I assume your response will be the same as mine: tell me everything."
She reaches into one of the many pockets of her skirts and pulls out a much abused journal filled with scribbled notes. She takes her time, allowing the men ample opportunity to air any objections they may have. Neither says a thing.
"There is such a creature as that described in the texts and by your friend, Dr. Rook. The name Sister Hildegard spoke sounded like Khlûl′-hloo. He is referred to as The Great Dreamer, and when I asked her if she had ever heard 'Ph'nglui mglw'nafh Cthulhu R'lyeh wgah'nagl fhtagn,' she shuddered when I uttered that phrase. I thought she was having a fit; it was rather frightening. Her eyes rolled back into her head and she fell over sideways. When she came to, she was weak and flushed. She informed me that it was the chant of his worshippers. Roughly translated, it means 'In his house at R'lyeh, dead Cthulhu waits dreaming.' Though that is all she could tell me."
She closes the journal with a neat snap. "I believe that is a good start, do you not agree?" she asks her companions.
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Post by drrook on Jan 30, 2016 15:59:04 GMT -5
"Well , well , well . It is indeed good to have you back my dear . That is indeed a good start . But the question is , what now . We have the tablet , we have a name for the thing , and we have a translation for the chant which accompanies it . Where , I say again to we go from here ? " He looks them both over quizzically , and puffs thoughtfully on his pipe .
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Post by Delphine on Jan 30, 2016 16:03:04 GMT -5
"Truthfully, I am feeling conflicted. I am far too curious for my own safety, and I am deeply tempted to make an expedition to the altar found by your friend, Dr. Rook." Delphine pauses for effect. "Though I do recognize that it would be unwise to do so..."
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Post by dirkquatermain on Jan 30, 2016 19:10:24 GMT -5
Dirk looked deep in thought before finally speaking. "I too have often been told I'm far too curious for my own good. An expedition does seem prudent, especially since we are forearmed with the knowledge of what we may be dealing with. And your friends dig in Peru will probably be much easier as a starting point, especially since our fine captain destroyed the coordinates of his mysterious island from his journal. I do have some contacts in central and South America, I can arrange for porters, guides and supplies to be awaiting us. Dr Rook, as a senior member of the society, do you think you could petition them for funding?"
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Post by drrook on Jan 30, 2016 19:16:12 GMT -5
He smiles and nods his head " I am so glad you both agree with what I have already put in place my friends . I already have the funding and the tickets . To give you ample time to prepare . The plane will leave in 2 days . I do hope that is enough time for you both . " He smiles broadly and puffs on his pipe once more . " I picked well it seems . Bernard , drinks all round ." Bernard proffers the drinks . He raises his glass in a toast . "Here's to a safe expedition " He clinks his glass to theirs . "To good experiences and a good journey , which will hold the answers we seek "
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Post by dirkquatermain on Jan 31, 2016 1:02:51 GMT -5
Dirk raises his glass. "To good fortune. I shall get out a telegram immediately, there will be supplies waiting for us in Lima. Enough for a thorough expedition. I will also have my contacts hire us the most knowledgeable guides available, although so much of that area remains unexplored, we may have to hire locals from the villages we pass through. I get the feeling this will not be an easy journey."
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Post by Delphine on Jan 31, 2016 16:22:11 GMT -5
"Cheers, gentlemen," says Delphine, downing her drink in one long swallow. "I have preparations to make for the journey. I shall meet you at the hangar in two days' time." She rises quickly from the table, unfazed by the alcohol she has just consumed, and exits the Sitting Room.
A traveling lady has many complex needs, requiring the assistance of a maid. Thankfully, Delphine knows just the hearty creature who would enjoy such an adventure. She begins composing the missive in her head as she makes her way back to her lodgings.
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Post by drrook on Jan 31, 2016 18:33:42 GMT -5
The Doctor rises from the table gathers up his satchel and his jacket and turns to leave . "I will see you at the hangar at 4pm sharp young Dirk . Be well until then and get plenty of rest . I have business to attend to to and will see you there . " He leaves and heads immediately to the university . He thinks to himself " How on earth am I going to explain another sabbatical to the Dean . Busmans holiday perhaps. Hmm . This going to be fun "
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Post by dirkquatermain on Jan 31, 2016 22:29:08 GMT -5
Dirk finishes his drink and gathers up his books. "What have I gotten myself into?" He asked himself. His first stop would be the telegraph office to fire off a couple quick telegrams to Peru to arrange for supplies and man power. Pancho would be surprised to hear from him, he was sure. It had been at least 5 years since his last trip to South America. He idly wondered if that cute dancing girl still worked at the cantina there.
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Post by drrook on Feb 3, 2016 6:52:36 GMT -5
The day dawns much like many others . There is a slight drizzle as the Dr leaves his home . His housekeeper has layed on a very extensive breakfast as she worries he "Never eats properly when travelling , the naughty man " . He heads to the university first , to make sure his replacement is ready for the extended role . Finding all is well except for a scowl from the dean , he heads towards the airport and picks up the tickets for the privately chartered plane that is due to leave at 4pm. He heads in to the first class lounge with his trunk and briefcase and settles in the comfy chair chair with a much needed whisky . "Now to wait for the others to arrive " he thinks to himself .
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Post by dirkquatermain on Feb 3, 2016 8:02:40 GMT -5
Dirk arrives shortly after the doctor, lugging his trunk and a satchel over his shoulder. He stows his luggage and finds a seat, munching on an apple. "Hope you don't mind," he says to doctor Rook, holding up the core, "dashed off without breakfast this morning, had a few last minute things to attend to." He reaches into his satchel and hands the doctor a sealed envelope, "Inspect this. A list of all the supplies that I arranged. I prepared for both jungle traffic and mountaineering, as I wasn't sure what sort of terrain we would have to cross. If there's anything else we shall need, we can secure it before setting out. Also, a list of all my local contacts, in case something was to happen to me." He looked around, "I suppose we are still waiting on the lady?"
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Post by drrook on Feb 3, 2016 10:01:30 GMT -5
"Indeed yes " He smiles "women are always late of course , fashionably " He laughs . He looks over the list . "Yes everything seems to be in order . You seem to have all the bases covered my friend . Colour me impressed . I have a guide awaiting us in Peru . The only thing to add is , I hope you have packed a weapon . " He opens his jacket to show the grip of a pistol in a shoulder holster " Afraid to say it's a necessary evil . Especially as we don't really know what is awaiting us " His mouth sets in a grim smile as he speaks .
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Post by dirkquatermain on Feb 3, 2016 21:21:40 GMT -5
"After my previous travels in the area, I am forced to agree." Said Dirk, removing a heavily used but well cared for service revolver from his satchel, along with a portable cleaning kit. "As we may be waiting for our companion for a bit, one may as well take advantage of our free time." He said, starting to clean the gun. As he stripped the components, he looked up at the doctor. "So what do you know of the exact area where we're going? Are there any known hostile tribes in the area?"
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Post by Delphine on Feb 4, 2016 18:35:21 GMT -5
Madame Delphine and her lady's maid, Mathilde, make their way purposefully towards the gentlemen. Mathilde is a tall, sturdy woman, with a stoic, handsome face. One could not call her plain, exactly, but she is not beautiful in the conventional sense of the word. She embodies the very essence of efficiency, every movement economically graceful.
Each of the women leads a wheeled trunk behind her, and each carries a satchel at her side. Delphine's belt, hanging low on her hips, displays an impressive array of weaponry, from a long machete to an ornate, pearl-handled pistol.
"I assume my arms will not cause problems because it is a chartered flight?" she addresses Dr. Rook as she approaches. "I like to be prepared for all eventualities."
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Post by drrook on Feb 12, 2016 6:15:49 GMT -5
The doctor turns to Dirk . "Very good question dear boy . Yes I do expect trouble . There are indeed a few hostile tribes in the area . Including one who guards the tomb in which the tablet was found . The last expedition to there was lucky to get out alive to be honest . Plus of course there is the fact we do not rally know what awaits us with in the tomb. You must remember of course that my dear friend was driven to the brink of lunacy by what he found there . You know it is still not too late to back out don't you" He trails off as he sees the ladies approach . He looks the maid up and down , frowning as he does . He tuts , and then notices the trunks they travel with . "Dear lady , I do hope you are not planning to travel so heavily as your trunks are unlikely to fit in the cramped quarters of our plane . I would say perhaps only one trunk would be sufficient. Also I am sorry to say your companion was not expected as the tickets are for three . Does she even know what we are doing in our expedition ? I highly doubt it " He scowls
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