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Chapter 2.1: Investigations V: The Blue Pyramid [01/29/1925]

Posted by The KeeperFor group 0
The Keeper
GM, 1046 posts
Wed 11 May 2016
at 15:57
  • msg #1

Chapter 2.1: Investigations V [01/29/1925]

The Blue Pyramid

If the outside decor of the Blue Pyramid wasn't sufficient to set it apart from the traditional London establishments, the interior certainly did. There was a light and pleasantly perfumed smoke coming from hookahs that dotted the area. The smoke infused the air and smelled of fruits and spices, and it sometimes intermingled and overlapped with the smell of food that was more localized to where it was being consumed. Scantily clad women danced on stages and near tables entertaining their guests, nearly all of whom appeared to be of Middle Eastern descent. There did not seem to be a bar.
Thomas Cotton
player, 254 posts
Age 24 APP 12 SIZ 09
Intrepid journalist
Thu 12 May 2016
at 21:23
  • msg #2

Chapter 2.1: Investigations V [01/29/1925]

As the sun fell from the sky above, Tommy and Millicent meandered through London in to a slowly awakening Soho. By the time they arrived the bustling city offices had spurned forth their busy workers and the previously quiet bars were gently thrumming with life.

Intrigued and thirsty the pair entered the Blue Pyramid. Tommy nodded approvingly at the stage dancers and gestured to an empty table to the side. "Shall we?". Acting the gentleman he pulled out a chair for his freind before settling down to catch the eye of a waiter or waitress.
The Keeper
GM, 1052 posts
Thu 12 May 2016
at 21:29
  • msg #3

Chapter 2.1: Investigations V [01/29/1925]

A water comes by, and asks in heavily accented English, "May I help you?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:58, Fri 13 May 2016.
Thomas Cotton
player, 255 posts
Age 24 APP 12 SIZ 09
Intrepid journalist
Fri 13 May 2016
at 16:41
  • msg #4

Chapter 2.1: Investigations V [01/29/1925]

Tommy grinned to the waitress.
"We'll have two of whatever you recommend. Surprise us.".

He looked around the bar and leaned back in their booth cheerily. "Nice place you've got here. We're on vacation and didn't expect to find an Egyptian bar in downtown London. Would love to see the Pyramids some day.

You been here long?".


Tommy nodded toward Millicent and continued conversationally. "You've worked abroad right Mill's? Imagine it must be nice to find a friendly bar with folk from your own end of the world. I aint missing New York quite enough to go looking for a burger joint yet though!". He looked back the waitress. "You guys do food?".
This message was last edited by the player at 16:43, Fri 13 May 2016.
The Keeper
GM, 1054 posts
Fri 13 May 2016
at 18:12
  • msg #5

Chapter 2.1: Investigations V [01/29/1925]

The table that Tommy and Millicent sat at was near a few of the stages, though it was set apart from much of the rest of the restaurant.

"I recommend the Koshary tea," the waiter said.

"It is not a bar," he clarified very strongly, as the young reporter seemed to ignore the absence of any kind of bar and of any kind of alcohol being served. "If you want to drink the alcohol, you may ourchase on your own and bring from outside, but we do not sell it here. And yes, of course we serve food. If you do not know Egyptian food, I can just bring out something I recommend as well." The man's accent was heavy, but he clearly had command of the language.
Thomas Cotton
player, 256 posts
Age 24 APP 12 SIZ 09
Intrepid journalist
Sat 14 May 2016
at 19:19
  • msg #6

Chapter 2.1: Investigations V [01/29/1925]

"Two teas it is then!" he smiled, wondering how Bo and Vincent would feel about the absence of alcohol.
"We've a few friends who might join us later, so perhaps we should save food till then.".

"Have you been open long here? Like I said, we didn't expect to find a slice of Egypt in central London!".
The Keeper
GM, 1055 posts
Sat 14 May 2016
at 19:22
  • msg #7

Chapter 2.1: Investigations V [01/29/1925]

"A few years, I have been here," he said in answer, before departing to bring their tea.
Thomas Cotton
player, 257 posts
Age 24 APP 12 SIZ 09
Intrepid journalist
Mon 16 May 2016
at 14:52
  • msg #8

Chapter 2.1: Investigations V [01/29/1925]

As the waiter departed Tommy lent back to study their surroundings. He supposed it wasn't out of place to watch the dancing girls and happily eyed their fluid forms.
"I suppose its fair to say those gals are better dancers than me.", he winked to Millicent before changing the subject.
"I wonder what time the others will arrive? Think Leo would approve of a Hookah?".

His eyes swept over the other groups that were dotted around the place, looking for a friendly face to strike up conversation with. He was intrigued to explore what the community might say about the killing's they'd heard of.

15:50, Today: Thomas Cotton rolled 78 using 1d100 with rolls of 78.  Anthropology vs 1% ;)
This message was last edited by the player at 15:01, Mon 16 May 2016.
Vincent Moretti
player, 159 posts
Importer
Age: 31 App: 11 Siz: 15
Tue 17 May 2016
at 16:38
  • msg #9

Chapter 2.1: Investigations V [01/29/1925]

Moretti studied the facade of the Blue Pyramid before pulling open the door. As he entered behind Bishop, the first thing that struck him were the smells mingling in the restaurant's hazy air. He paused, taking a moment to appreciate the array of exotic scents before taking in the room.

No bar. Well, that made things a lot less welcoming. Had he known, he would have asked the Sabinis for a bottle of Irish for the road. As his eyes slid over the girls on the stages, he couldn't help thinking that Joe the Boss would have a field day in this place. Masseria was always content to be distracted by whatever pretty thing crossed his path. Moretti had always hoped against hope that he'd end up like Anthony DeLuca with a wife that stuck with him through thick and thin. When he was in the old neighborhood, Moretti sometimes just came up with excuses to pay the DeLucas a visit. He loved spending time with them, listening to their comfortable banter. But, he recognized what they had was rare. There just weren't many women out there who could conscience a husband who regularly did things that were monstrous. And who could blame them, really?

He spied Cotton and O'Connor and made his way to their table. Finding a seat, he said, "Interesting place. Inspector Barrington didn't do it justice with his description. It definitely doesn't feel like London in here."

As he spoke, he scanned the room a second time, his eyes hunting for anything unusual, anything that didn't belong.

11:30, Today: Vincent Moretti rolled 6 using 1d100 with rolls of 6.  Spot Hidden - Spot Hidden 60%
This message was last edited by the player at 17:05, Tue 17 May 2016.
Millicent O'Connor
player, 52 posts
Age 29. App 14, Siz 10
Innocent Businesswoman
Wed 18 May 2016
at 05:45
  • msg #10

Chapter 2.1: Investigations V [01/29/1925]

  Millicent took in the atmosphere as she entered the strange club. She noticed the lack of a bar as well as the dancers, which amused her some. As she took her seat, she nudged Tommy.

  "Remember," she said teasingly with a grin, "we're supposed to keep an eye out for anything odd, and that does not mean the dancers."

 When the waiter came over to take their order, Milly's job dropped when he mentioned the lack of alcohol.

"Are you serious? Are you telling me there's no booze in this joint; though I guess the lack of a bar should have been a tip off.  Christ, I kept from drinking too much at the pub thinking there might be some interesting hooch here. Oh well Tommy, noodle juice it is then; at least it will be different."

 She gave an eye raise when he mentioned the hookah. "Really? I wouldn't mind trying that myself. As for the good Doctor, you never know about those stuffed shirts sometimes. Off duty, they can be pretty wild chaps sometimes from what I've seen at the places I've worked." She gave a chuckle, "maybe we can gode him into it for a lark."

  Milly, turned her eye to looking around the place some more when she saw Vincent approach their table. She gave a friendly wave in greeting.

 "Welcome Mr. Moretti," flinging her hands up in mock gesture, "to the land of no hooch but plenty of dolls to cast your eye on. We were just talking about trying to get Dr. Elias to partake in a hookah when he gets here; what do you think, want to take odds he'll do it? "
This message was last edited by the player at 00:40, Fri 20 May 2016.
Vincent Moretti
player, 160 posts
Importer
Age: 31 App: 11 Siz: 15
Wed 18 May 2016
at 20:13
  • msg #11

Chapter 2.1: Investigations V [01/29/1925]

Moretti chuckled and slowly shook his head. "Sorry. I only gamble on cards and then only when I think I have a fair stab at taking the pot. To tell the truth, I'm not that hard to outplay. But I've learned a few things here and there from some of the card sharks I work around."

He shook his head. "If Dr. Elias says no, it will only be because he wants to keep his wits about him. Not because he's afraid. Granted, you're talking to someone whose first memories of the man were as a giovanotto, but I always saw Dr. Elias as someone who wasn't afraid of the devil or anything else. Did whatever he had to do to hold his family together. To keep them safe. It's why my Papa held him in such high esteem. He's what my people would call an uomo di rispetto: a man of respect."

Moretti grinned. "Sorry to get off the subject. My guess would be he'll say no, but only because he wants a clear head."

He gestured to Cotton. "What about you, Mr. Cotton? You strike me as the adventurous type."
Rosalie Elias
player, 249 posts
Historical Consultant
Age 34 App 11 Siz 11
Thu 19 May 2016
at 05:27
  • msg #12

Chapter 2.1: Investigations V [01/29/1925]

Rosalie gave the exterior of the Blue Pyramid a glance when they pulled up, speculating on the type of establishment they'd be visiting.  Once inside, she found out that her guess had been extremely wrong.  She actually smirked at the sight of the dancing girls, watching them as she paused just inside the door to wait for her uncle.  "It looks as though we've found ourselves in yet another interesting place," she commented.  It certainly was very different from anything in New York, though she recognized the hookah from time spent with her father in Egypt.

Spotting the others, she started forward, weaving through the tables to join them.  "Good afternoon, all," she said in greeting.
Dr. Leonardo Elias
player, 418 posts
Physician
Age 58 APP 12 SIZ 11
Thu 19 May 2016
at 14:02
  • msg #13

Chapter 2.1: Investigations V [01/29/1925]

Leo paid for their ride, then preceded his niece to the door. He held it open for her before joining her inside. His gaze swept about the place, taking in sights, sounds, and smells. "It does appear interesting, as you say. I now have some doubts about the connection between this place and our work. Perhaps it's just a way for your cousins and Mister Cotton to relax and enjoy the view?" It's not like Leo didn't enjoy it himself, but it wouldn't be proper to say so.

Leo followed his niece to the table and noted lack of strong drink, but there was tea. It was England, so of course there was tea. Leo nodded at Rosie's greeting, but then moved to pull out a chair for her before taking a seat of his own. He looked around at the others. "So have you found anything interesting here?" He looked over at the nearest of the dancers, then back to Tommy. "Besides the obvious?"
This message was last edited by the player at 14:24, Fri 20 May 2016.
Millicent O'Connor
player, 54 posts
Age 29. App 14, Siz 10
Innocent Businesswoman
Fri 20 May 2016
at 00:52
  • msg #14

Chapter 2.1: Investigations V [01/29/1925]


   "Oh poo," she said to Vincent, "you're no fun, but you're also probably right. if anything is a bit odd here, maybe it's good this place is dry."

  she sighed looking at her tea when it was brought, wishing she had had the foresight to bring something to spice it up a bit, when the Elias's walked in.

  Glad for the interruption, Millicent smiled and waved at the pair as they came over. She noticed with some amusement Rosalie's reaction to the dancers.

  "Glad you could make it, I hope your little venture fared better then what we've been doing. So far, except for the lovely entertainment," gesturing to the dancers, "the place has been a bit a bore. I mean honestly, tea, at night." she shook her head in disapproval.
Thomas Cotton
player, 260 posts
Age 24 APP 12 SIZ 09
Intrepid journalist
Fri 20 May 2016
at 11:53
  • msg #15

Chapter 2.1: Investigations V [01/29/1925]

Tommy waved the others over as they entered the club. He was glad to see them and grinned at Vincent's question. "I do get bored easily. So yes, a little adventure is always fun.".

He looked up as Roaslie and Leo arrived too. "Afternoon all! We've just ordered some tea, would you like some? And someone will share a Hookah with me right? I've never tried. Doc, you are in right?".
He winked toward Vincent and Milly in anticipation of Leo's response.

Found anything interesting...besides the obvious?
Tommy chuckled at Leo's words.
"I'm studying the situation to see what develops. Indeed it may even require a closer look at some stage.". He shrugged. "Apart from what you see here though, we've nothing to report. Not been here too long really, so I suggest we take the opportunity to unwind and think about what's next.

How about you? Any news from the museum?".

This message was last edited by the player at 12:00, Fri 20 May 2016.
Dr. Leonardo Elias
player, 419 posts
Physician
Age 58 APP 12 SIZ 11
Fri 20 May 2016
at 13:29
  • msg #16

Chapter 2.1: Investigations V [01/29/1925]

Leo nodded at the greetings. "And hello to you all as well." He turned his gaze first toward Tommy. "I'd enjoy some tea, yes. And if no one else will share a Hookah with you, I'd be happy to do so. Might help to relax a bit."

He looked around at the others. "We didn't find anything particularly interesting at the museum. There was a lecture on Egypt by a man who had done field work there and is now a professor. He didn't really tell us much we didn't already know or suspect. We looked through some artifacts from other areas of Africa, but nothing really jumped out at us."
Vincent Moretti
player, 161 posts
Importer
Age: 31 App: 11 Siz: 15
Fri 20 May 2016
at 15:18
  • msg #17

Chapter 2.1: Investigations V [01/29/1925]

Moretti grinned at O'Connor, giving her a quick "what do I know" shrug.

As the others spoke, he shifted his attention back to the restaurant's occupied tables, taking a long moment to study the Pyramid's other patrons.
Zubaida
NPC, 1 post
Fri 20 May 2016
at 15:27
  • msg #18

Chapter 2.1: Investigations V [01/29/1925]

Once a group had gathered at their table, before long, a dancer came up to the small stage beside their table during a break in the music. She had eyes like black diamonds and hair that fell down her shoulders in silky waves. Her graceful, lithe figure showed both lean musculature and sensuous curves and was decked in the traditional garb of a belly dancer. She wore a veil over her face that they had seen on many of the women here, though thy were eventually removed, sometimes along with other layers. Pound notes were tucked into her waistband, something they had observed happening at other stages.

When the music started again, she began to dance for them.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:28, Fri 20 May 2016.
Thomas Cotton
player, 261 posts
Age 24 APP 12 SIZ 09
Intrepid journalist
Fri 20 May 2016
at 17:00
  • msg #19

Chapter 2.1: Investigations V [01/29/1925]

Delighted by Leo's indulgence the young reporter flagged down their waiter to order a sweet smelling Hookah. This was a nice place and he was relaxing in to the surroundings that enveloped them. Quite a change from the busy streets of London outside.

As the dancer came over he welcomed her with a smile. "You might have guessed this is our first time here. I apologize in advance if our etiquette needs work - dont hesitate to set us straight. I would be honored if you would dance for us.".

He shuffled, suddenly self-conscious as the music began. Her dark eyes seemed to flash in his direction as an air of tantalizing mystery made the rest of the patrons seem to float away. Glad to have something to do with his hands he sipped at his tea watching in silence, reaching to his jacket pocket to place a few notes on the table in appreciation.

If a break in the music came he would lead forward, engrossed and intrigued to speak to the young woman. "That was wonderful! What is your name? You make me wish New York wasn't so far from the Pyramids!".
Millicent O'Connor
player, 55 posts
Age 29. App 14, Siz 10
Innocent Businesswoman
Sat 21 May 2016
at 18:28
  • msg #20

Chapter 2.1: Investigations V [01/29/1925]



   Millicent's eyes widened a bit when Leo agreed to the hookah and made a slight face to Vincent's reply. "You surprise us Doctor," she finally said; "we were sure you wouldn't. But, it's nice to see you're not adverse to having a little fun now and then," she said with a pleased smile.

  When the dancer came over, Millicent watched the performance, amused and delighted. "My, I don't think my hips could move like that if I wished it," she said with a chuckle. she sipped her tea, it's wasn't bad, but it was no scotch.

  "Sounds like you kind of wasted your time then," she said to Dr. Elias, commenting on his task "But it was probably good to be through anyway in case you had found something. What does that leave us then? This place I suppose, but nothing seems out of the ordinary so far, well if one can call this atmosphere ordinary."
Zubaida
NPC, 2 posts
Sat 21 May 2016
at 22:54
  • msg #21

Chapter 2.1: Investigations V [01/29/1925]

The dancer leaned in, her hips writhing to the seductive pulse of the music. She eyed the notes that Thomas had placed on the table and slightly pulled at a band on her waist to indicate that he should put them there. It didn't reveal anything that wasn't already exposed, but it was a provocative gesture all the same.

She smiled at his question and said "Zubaida."
Thomas Cotton
player, 262 posts
Age 24 APP 12 SIZ 09
Intrepid journalist
Sun 22 May 2016
at 22:10
  • msg #22

Chapter 2.1: Investigations V [01/29/1925]

Tommy bit his lip-he wasn't a sheepish boy, but here before this enchantress he suddenly felt very warm. He didn't dare look at his comrades, imagining a gleeful smirk on the lips of Millicent or warm hearted chuckle from Vincent. Instead he leant forward to slide his notes into Zubaida's garter. Her skin was warm to touch and his eyes met hers.
Trying to act casual he leant back "Zubaida.". He tested the name, molten with foreign mystery. "I'm Tommy. This is quite the place...".

The club might have no bar, but in most places so long as the staff kept the clients drinking, the ownership would be happy. "Can I buy you a drink? I'm here on vacation...but back home I'm a reporter for the New York Times. I have never met a woman from the land of the Nile before-and a reporter always has questions whenever he spies a beautiful mystery.". He reached to pluck a few more notes enticingly, raising an eyebrow to see if she would accept his offer.

He didn't use it  often, but with budding actresses or dancers the reporter line always seemed to tempt. After all, what better way to fame and fortune?
Rosalie Elias
player, 250 posts
Historical Consultant
Age 34 App 11 Siz 11
Mon 23 May 2016
at 06:48
  • msg #23

Chapter 2.1: Investigations V [01/29/1925]

Rosalie was trying her best to keep a straight face, but Tommy made it extremely difficult.  She couldn't help but wonder what experience he had with women.  From the lines he was throwing, it sounded like he was still a reporter conducting an interview.  Glancing to the others, she sat back in her chair, hands resting in her lap as she tried to relax.
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