Zubaida stepped down from the short stage, dancing on the floor level, closer to where Thomas was. She laughed musically at what she perceived as discomfort by Thomas, but continued to dance, shaking her hips in rhythm to the music. "Maybe," she said. "What questions will you ask of me?" As she moved closer, he could see that Zubaida looked not quite twenty years, but close to it, and her body looked correspondingly untouched by the years. An experienced dancer, every twist of her hips was sensuous and at the same time casual, seeming at once a possible invitation but at the same time also perhaps just an afterthought or a coincidental music in time with the melody.

Unable to banish the smile on his face, Moretti stood. "Don't worry, Mr. Cotton. This is a situation that's easily remedied. Bishop and I passed a pub just a short piece down the road from here. I'm sure there's a bottle of spirits they'll be willing to part with. I'll return momentarily." He nodded to Zubaida. "Ma'am."

With that, he departed the Blue Pyramid, walking briskly in the direction of the pub.

Rosalie couldn't hide her smile as Vincent slipped away.  "Yes, what questions, Thomas?"  She leaned forward on the table, chin resting in her palm.  "Tell us all."  Her eyes glittered as she looked from the voluptuous dancer to the reporter.

Questions? Arrgghh!
Tommy felt hot under the collar as all eyes fell on him. Somewhere he heard the merry jingle of Rosalie's voice and the calm reassurance of Vincent, as he struggled to focus on the task at hand. A bottle would be welcome...those swaying hips were quite distracting.

Calm down kid, questions are what you are good at.

Adjusting his position he watched the dancer, appreciating her display. "I suppose it's too soon to ask you to marry me?". He grinned, a twinkle in his eye as he relaxed.

"I'm just intrigued. I'd heard London had a Chinatown, and the Brit's think their Empire rules the world right? But an Egyptian club in the heart of Soho - is there a large community here? Have you worked here long?".

For a moment he allowed himself to admire her curves, her sway, her intoxicating allure. He could have sworn she was dancing only for him, the rest of the club a coincidence, an afterthought. Wishful thinking kiddo.

"My friends and I were seriously considering a trip to Egypt at some stage.". Tommy nodded toward the side of the table where the Elias duo watched. "Rosalie here has more than a little expertise in Archaeology and I'm told has been visiting both the British Museum and some other place this afternoon with Egypt on the mind.".

Walter pays off his cab and walks into the Blue Pyramid. He takes in the place as his eyes adjust to the dim light, then sees his friends, Tommy talking to a dancer.

He makes his way between tables, snags a chair from an adjacent table, and places it behind Leo's and Rosalie's. He straddles it back to front and leans forward to whisper to his cousin, "How's the kid doing?"

Leo waved over to Bo as he arrived, then scooted his chair a little to make room for him. "Hello Walter." He looked over to the 'kid' and then back to Walter with a smirk and his quiet, frank assessment. "Flailing around like a drowning man that doesn't know how to swim. How was your visit to the restroom?"

"Yes, yes, yes, and yes," she said to him, giving a twirl, her dress whispering and small bells quietly chiming along with the hypnotic allure of the Arabic music that played in the background. "But these are boring questions, no? This is all you have to ask?"

She removed her veil, revealing an alluring face showing sharp, aquiline features, the piece of cloth disappearing somewhere in her outfit as easily as a magic trick.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:12, Tue 24 May 2016.

In reply to Dr. Leonardo Elias (msg # 29):

"Nothing to report, sir."

  Millicent was thoroughly delighted by the interaction between the beautiful dancer and the flustered reporter. She could see Rosalie trying to not to laugh, but she had no problem showing her amusement.

 "Oh come on Tommy dear," Milly said laughing gaily, "this is your chance to shine though I think a bit of alcohol reinforcement might be needed." She looked towards the entrance' "oh I hope Vincent won't take too long, and he brings back enough for all of us."

Moretti returned momentarily. Doing his utmost to emulate a discreet waiter, he deposited one of the bottles of scotch he'd obtained on the table, in easy reach of most of the gathering. He opened the second bottle and poured two fingers of liquor into each of the glasses he'd purchased, setting both, along with the opened bottle, in front of Cotton.

That done, he took his seat, one corner of his mouth raising in a grin as he reached into his jacket for a cigarette, interested to see what transpired between the reporter and the dancer.

She grinned back at Walter and gestured to the scene before them.  Thomas' questions spoke for themselves.  Leaning toward Vincent after he took a seat, she asked quietly, "You think it'll really help?"

As Tommy seemed momentarily too flustered to say anything, she gave a low, soft laugh and continued to dance, making her way around the table.

---

OOC:

I don't want to restrict the interactions of others, so she can go to whoever is next to Tommy - that'll be whoever pipes up first.

Of course, Tommy is still close enough to talk to her. If he has any interesting questions.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:37, Wed 25 May 2016.

Moretti did his best to swallow a chuckle at Rosalie's question. Keeping his voice low, he answered, "With his eloquence? No. With his courage? Maybe."

Tommy laughed at the enchantress' words. "Yes yes yes? Does that mean we are married?" He grinned, glad to see the return of Moretti and the gift of alcohol to hand.
"I'll drink to that!".

Taking one of the offered glasses he took a deep gulp, revived and encouraged by the rush of the harsh liquor to his gut.
"Ahhh, but the most interesting questions take time Zubaida. We've just met, and so many prying nosey folk near by.". He gestured dramatically to his friends, leaning forward as if to confide in the dancer. "There are such rabble around these days!".

"Still, the best questions depend on the tale of the one who is to be asked. You are the keeper of so many mysteries - which shall I pursue? The reporter in me would ask about the news. Can you tell me the secrets of the Pyramids? Do they hold the magic that has captured the public's imagination? Or perhaps politics. What will Egypt do now the Brits have given up their unwelcome rule? Or current affairs. Why the gutter press tells conspiracies of mysterious murder?".
He shrugged, watching her closely for a reaction, but trying to act as if those questions were a simple distraction.

"Ah, but these questions are nothing compared to this: what is your story? What brought us together today? The best tales always begin with people.".

Walter signals a waiter and asks what he would recommend for a group of hungry people to eat and drink.

A waiter returned bringing tea for the new arrivals and offered them a selection of recommendations, including lamb kebab, shawarma, falafel, hummus, dolma, and moussakka, and once again offered them the option of a hookah.

---

Zubaida continued to dance and said simply "Yes, it is too soon, so no," she clarified for Tommy, and was silent until the waiter left, continuing to dance while listening to the littany of the young man's questions, though she caught his eye at the mention of murder. She leaned into whisper something into his ear, and then walked away, hips swaying to the beat of the music while she took up a dance for the next table.

As his beloved pulled away Tommy slumped back on is chair and reached for another whisky. "Phew.".
He raised the glass to her departing frame and chuckled quietly. "I think I'm in love.".

Grinning sheepishly he turned to his friends in mock innocence.
"What are you all laughing at?".

As he spoke he pulled out his notebook and began to write, careful to ensure there was no one behind him who might overlook. To those that knew him it was clear that while he spoke in jest, there was a sudden keenness to his eye as he scribbled.
"You know, I might skip that Hookah after all...".

I guess Millicent must be sat beside Tommy (since we arrived first together), and Vincent (since he piped up first after Zubaida in post #35

Rosalie grinned at Vincent and straightened in her seat as the food arrived.  Throwing Thomas a glance as she helped herself, she shook her head.  "Oh, absolutely nothing, Mister Cotton.  I think you scared her off with your questions, though.  Especially when you asked her to marry you.  Perhaps, in the future, you might share a hookah with a girl before asking for her hand in marriage." 

Walter chuckles as he turns his chair around and scoots it in between Rosalie and Leo to get at the food.

"Have some food, Tommy. It'll help clear your head."


He fills a small plate with food not all that different from what he ate in Africa.

Tommy reached for the bread on the table, impressed with the generous dishes scattered before them.
He grinned to Rosa. "I imagine she gets three or four proposals a day. All part of the fun.". Lowering his voice a little he added conspiratorially "We can talk more about the questions later on. You'll see why...".

The reporter nodded appreciatively to 'Bo. "Nice ordering buddy. This stuff is good!". He gobbled down another chunk of the addictive bread. "So what's the plan tomorrow?".

Leo gave Thomas a surprised look at his proclamations. "In love Thomas? That was quick. Perhaps we should have a talk about that later as well." He paused and considered the question of what next. "I think we should do any planning for tomorrow back at our hotel. Maybe just some general sightseeing - lots of great things to see in London."

  Millicant glanced quickly at what Tommy wrote then commented, snatching a piece of the bread that was offered to him.

"I think that little scene alone made this little outing more than worth it," she said with a laugh before popping the bread into her mouth. "If you ever go out to meet more strange women, I'll be sure to tag along."

  She smiled in delight at Leo's suggestion. "My that sounds delightful, I've been here a few times, but other than the clubs, never really got the chance to see much of the sights." She checked her watch, "how much longer do you want to stay? Maybe we should get an early start tomorrow? Plus I'm sure Tommy's had enough excitement for one night," she jested.

Bishop had arrived shorly after Moretti, as the others chatted on he has sat quietly by drinking the thick coffee popolar in Egypt. In his time as a marine Bishop had picked up some Arabic as well as some understanding of their culture. So as the others chatted he just watched and listened to see if he might pick anything of interest.

With a chance to relax, and with the talk of love, Bishop let his eyes fall upon Rosalie from time to time and even smiled.

Tommy chuckled at Millicent's devilish delight. "I'm glad I'll always have a reassuring chaperone with me Milly. But isn't Soho famous for its cabaret girls and strip clubs? We could do some sight seeing there tomorrow night.". He winked, relaxing in to his chair.

"For tonight though, I think you are right. An early start in the morning so we aught not drink too much.".

Casually he tore off the page in his journal he'd been scribbling on. "Here, I've made a list of places I'd like to see. What do you think?".

Written beside a list of London landmarks, people who examine the offered page will note the words:
Be discreet. Midnight. York Minster. Zubaida meeting.

"I was thinking of heading off with one or two of you? Perhaps someone else would like to see it from a different angle too?".

As requested, the waiter returned with a hookah, which offered a light and airy perfumed smoke that smelled of exotic fruit, flowers, and spices. It had a selection different tubes for ease of use around the table. He presented the bill also for the meal, tea, and drinks.

---

OOC:

So far, indications are that Leo and Rosalie want to go to the hotel.
Tommy seems to want to leave with someone.

What about Walter, Millicent, Stanley, and Vincent?