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31 March 1925: A Week Later...

Posted by The KeeperFor group 0
The Keeper
GM, 811 posts
Tony Stroppa
Thu 20 Jun 2013
at 11:31
  • msg #1

31 March 1925: A Week Later...

Somehow, after what they'd seen and experienced, it seemed the dreary wet streets of late-spring London were both more unreal and more threatening. Rain-plagued days, fog shrouded nights.

It was a bloody week in the city and surrounding area. Inspector Barrington was good as his word as the machinery to conceal the truth moved into gear. The two London MET police (a detective and Bobby) who died were reported to have perished in unrelated traffic accidents. Their funerals were well-attended by the other officers of Scotland Yard, amid calls for greater motorist safety.

Gavigan, the MP and other Brotherhood cultists vanished, the Dark Mistress. Foul play was suspected. Scotland Yard theorised that a gang under Tewfik al-Sayed (whereabouts unknown) posed as servants to Gavigan and his party met a violent end at their hands. The mansion was robbed and burned to cover their tracks with the bodies dumped at sea. Witnesses reported small boats moving up and down the river Naze during the earliest hours the night the mansion burned down. Should the Dark Mistress ever return to British waters many hard questions would be asked!

The funeral for William Perkins was a small and private affair, attended by a half-dozen of his friends from his old Regiment (at George's insistence). After, Perkins confided that he was seeing corpses lying about the streets again, as he did for a time after returning from the carnage of the Great War. At the offices of the London Scoop, Uncle Mickey pressed Molly for details of what she'd seen, if she could provide details or information on what was going on.

It wasn't much better down in Kent, where JM and Karlheinz tended their scant business out at Lympne aerodrome. Karlheinz was drinking heavily again, something about those hideous beasts and the deaths of friends triggered his nightmares.

Despite Cynthia's searching, Singh's body was never found in the marsh or the river. Nor did he or his body turn up at the nearest hospitals and police stations in Colchester, Felixstowe or Ipswitch.

Eventually, Darlington showed up at the flat in London. With him was the younger Imam of the Shah Jehan Mosque in Woking, who thanked them for rescuing the members of his Mosque. They were safe and sound. (Dr. Weston had taken the other freed prisoners under his wing, they were recovering from both their ordeal and their addiction to drink at an exclusive sanitorium in Bath.)

The Imam asked, "what are your plans now? Will you return to America? The Detective Sergeant says that the expedition you are tracking visited Egypt, then darkest Africa in Kenya."
Count Sigismund Bathony
player, 405 posts
Antiquarian Book Dealer
Owner Abingdon Rare Books
Fri 21 Jun 2013
at 00:37
  • msg #2

Re: 31 March 1925: A Week Later...


The Count found the streets of London both comforting in their familiarity and frightening in their unpredictability. He was jumping at shadows for several days and felt an unease he had last experienced during his final days in Romania and subsequent flight. Slowly the feeling left him as he again entered his daily routine.

He made sure the house was hearty provisioned for his quests, his own experiences seemed diminished over a good meal and fine company. He cooked a breakfast each morning and had cold meats and cheeses available for lunch and the evening meal was large and sumptuous . He diminished his personal cellar and had many fine vintages of wine, port and sprints brought in from Fortnums with the extra food.

He continued to pay for the extra police presence in the neighbourhood and engaged CSM Jones as a permanent member of staff, primary as security, but also in the general day to day running of the store. He also suspected a familiar face and friend may put Mr Perkins mind at ease. He arranged for Mr Perkins to have weekly sessions with a doctor on Harley street his own physician had suggested. This Doctor dealt primary with the afflictions of the mind and the Count hopped it would help. Just having someone to talk to always eased his mind.

The first Sunday evening after their adventure the Count arranged for a Mass  to be said for the victims at his Orthodox church. Given his own diminished lack of faith this would seem to be an odd occurrence, but he hoped it would help others if not himself. It was now pointless to deny that other things do not exist when he had seen the evil in the flesh. He just hoped there was also good hidden in the veil..

Each morning he laid the items, books and scrolls they had recovered from the manor, Gavigans building and Teweik's shop out in the parlour and in the evening he locked them away in the vault. He continued to study the book in Latin and he had a sample of relevant books brought up from the shop or down from the library to be be available when necessary.

They opened the shop again on the Monday after the event and resumed normal trading hours. Correspondence was dealt with first and then orders were packed or unpacked and catalogued. The Count also began an inventory of the library recovered from the manor and shelved what he could for sale and contacted any standing orders that mite be interested. He also removed any trace of ownership to Gavigan through the removal of book-plates, inscriptions or annotations.

Lastly there were various other matters that required the Counts attention and to a lesser extent Mr Perkins. Meetings of various clubs and societies, work lunches and the odd happy hour drinks to keep his contacts happy. He also made discrete inquires at the British Museum to do with the bust they had recovered, nothing too specific, an accurate  translation of the inscriptions etc...

“Ultimately a hero is a man who would argue with the gods, and so awakens devils to contest his vision. The more a man can achieve, the more he may be certain that the devil will inhabit a part of his creation.” Norman Mailer
This message was last edited by the player at 08:55, Fri 21 June 2013.
John-Marc Falcon
player, 420 posts
Former Flt. Lt., RAF
Aeronautical Pioneer
Fri 21 Jun 2013
at 06:30
  • msg #3

Re: 31 March 1925: A Week Later...

JM brought KH down to London with him for a break. The gloomy weather and the lack of opportunity to fly was weighing on both of them as well as the events of the previous days.  They tied one on in the clubs and dives of London, losing themselves in the pleasures of the flesh and the bottle like old times.

After curing the hangover with sleep and a good breakfast the two fliers headed to the flat. "We can get you in front of Dr. Weston KH.  It would be good to talk to someone about your feelings.  Think back to the Great War and how even the hardest of veterans sometimes were overcome with stress from the horrors.  It happens to all of us.  I might talk to him myself."
Karlheinz Bergmann
NPC, 31 posts
Fmr. Zeppelin Crewman
Pilot/Navigator/Mechanic
Fri 21 Jun 2013
at 07:20
  • msg #4

Re: 31 March 1925: A Week Later...

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 3):

KH was staggering a little as they made their way through the theatre district towards the Count's block of flats.

"Yah, dat ist zoundink goot! Oh, this is much better mit out zee dreamz, but when ze schnapps wears off, ze dreams come. But should I not be halting ze drink, I shall die as surely as if I were to jump from zee Zeppelin as it burns, yah?"
Cynthia Jane Holloway
player, 389 posts
Dilettante
Globetrotting Free Spirit
Sat 22 Jun 2013
at 12:39
  • msg #5

Re: 31 March 1925: A Week Later...

Cynthia continued to pay visits to the hospitals and prisons in the area, and left donations in her wake to perhaps relieve a tiny bit of suffering in a world where monsters like Gavigan lurked in cushy offices. But her visits were never long; shadowy figures followed her out of the corner of her eye, and there was still no sign of Mr. Singh.

Following the Count's service, Cynthia knew she had waited long enough.



Father,

There has been a most terrible accident. A street car lost control on a turn. Mr. Singh, with no regard for his own safety, pushed me to safety as well as two more pedestrians; a father and his young daughter. Had he chosen to, Mr. Singh could have easily escaped with me, but he chose instead to save a person he did not know and who could not possibly reward him, and he did so at the price of his own life. The three of us owe our lives to him.

We held a service for Mr. Singh this week. He was buried with full honors. I write to tell you that Mr. Singh met and exceeded every expectation you placed on him, and to request you release any severance, as well as as large a bonus as you feel my life is worth to his family.

This ordeal has been stressful for me. I'm fortunate in that an acquaintance of mine is a barrister, and has promised he would spare no expense in seeing the rail company pay its dues to the victims. With that, I feel anything I can do here has been done. I set sail soon for the Mediterranean, where I hope to recover some of my mental balance from the accident. I will be in touch soon to tell you that I am alright. I am traveling with a group of trusted friends, but I expect I will be hiring on some additional help soon.

With love,

Cynthia



She sent her letter knowing it would not reach New York in time for a response.

She began to pen a letter on behalf of Phil, but realized she did not know who she would possibly send it to. Nevertheless, she wrote for half an hour, and tucked the letter in the fire.
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:00, Sat 22 June 2013.
Molly 'Mungo' Fuller
player, 267 posts
Reporter for the
London Scoop.
Sun 23 Jun 2013
at 15:37
  • msg #6

Re: 31 March 1925: A Week Later...

quote:
At the offices of the London Scoop, Uncle Mickey pressed Molly for details of what she'd seen, if she could provide details or information on what was going on.


Molly talked to her Uncle but didn't tell him everything.  He was a nice man, even if some people would argue that fact, and she really did love him.  She didn't want him to have nightmares from what she had seen but also she didn't think that he would believe everything.

Luckily she had pictures she could show that were gruesome enough to satisfy the hunger of the people.  The same people who couldn't turn their eyes away from the horror of war and depravity that murderers would sink to.  Still Molly didn't show the pictures of the dragons, as she called them, but instead the horrors of the dying burned out bodies laid out.  Her pictures were stark and naked.  Let the people think on what was happening.  Their minds might be able to cope with such pictures and stories but anything more horrific?   No, the time wasn't right yet to show those pictures.  Those pictures Molly would keep in her private files and notes until the time was right.
John-Marc Falcon
player, 422 posts
Former Flt. Lt., RAF
Aeronautical Pioneer
Mon 24 Jun 2013
at 20:07
  • msg #7

Re: 31 March 1925: A Week Later...

JM slipped an arm through KH's as they made their way through the city. "I'm having similar dreams kamerade.  We both could use some time with the doctor.  As long as we are alive there is still hope and life.  We need to push forward and dispel these dreams even as we've overcome everything else."

He knocks at the door at the Count's place.
Count Sigismund Bathony
player, 409 posts
Antiquarian Book Dealer
Owner Abingdon Rare Books
Wed 26 Jun 2013
at 04:16
  • msg #8

Re: 31 March 1925: A Week Later...

The Count had decamped from his study to the large kitchen table. Half was devoted to his preparation for the evening meal all the ingredients were arrayed ready for inclusion. The other half was full of his correspondence, both professional and private. He had two lecterns with various books  propped open as well as a large cook book open on the kitchen counter next to the sink.

Mr Perkins was busy downstairs with accounts, cataloguing and shelving various orders. The menu was the following:

Starters
Sardine Canape
Long Island Sound Cocktail
English Pepperpot Soup

Mains
Kidney Pie
Roast Beef, Yorkshire Pudding
Roast Shoulder of Lamb

Nut and Pepper Croquettes
Salted Cauliflower
Buttered and Spiced Beets

He just had enough sauce boats in the crockery cupboard, no one would notice the odd chip.

Brown Sauce
Herb Sauce
Horseradish Sauce
and dessert would consist of:

Stewed Pears
Orange Betty

The dinning room had been set first and he had arranged the items they had found on their various adventures in the parlour. Once everyone had arrived the Count served and took his time so the meal stretched on into the evening.

It was not until they were all relaxing over a port, brandy or more exotic spirits before the Count broached the subject.

“So to where next ?”
John-Marc Falcon
player, 431 posts
Former Flt. Lt., RAF
Aeronautical Pioneer
Wed 26 Jun 2013
at 22:50
  • msg #9

Re: 31 March 1925: A Week Later...

JM is well relaxed after the meal.  "Excellent dinner Count, I've not had it's equal outside of my mother's table."  He leaned back.  "It seems like Egypt may be our next destination."
Molly 'Mungo' Fuller
player, 272 posts
Reporter for the
London Scoop.
Wed 26 Jun 2013
at 23:34
  • msg #10

Re: 31 March 1925: A Week Later...

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 9):

Molly had arrived at the Count's for dinner dressed in a silk pants outfit and jaunty hat.  To those who only saw her periodically, she looked like the normal Molly who was dressed to go clubbing.  To those who she had seen blood shed with, she was putting on a brave front.  In the back of her eyes there was a slight shadow.  It was the latter party that she felt more comfortable with now.

Molly looked at the party after eating and slightly patted her stomach.  "This has been a wonderful meal Count.  Far better than I would have gotten at home.  I'm afraid that I shall have to soon go to the clothiers to let out some seams.  All this wonderful food is too good to pass up."

She then looked over at John-Marc.  "Have you been to Egypt before?"
Count Sigismund Bathony
player, 410 posts
Antiquarian Book Dealer
Owner Abingdon Rare Books
Thu 27 Jun 2013
at 05:58
  • msg #11

Re: 31 March 1925: A Week Later...

In reply to Molly 'Mungo' Fuller (msg # 10):

"Thank you, I am just happy you all could come. It is not often I get to cook for a group"

He took a slip of his fățată and added;


"Yes it seems to look like all the clues point to Egypt, it is certainly easier to get to then any of the other locations mentioned in the ledger. I would guess it is also the home of this cult, or was if any of the artefacts history are correct."


"That being said I would say this is their home ground and we are stepping into the lions maul, I don't think we can lessen the risk ? So how are we to travel ? A steamer from the United Kingdom or a train to Italy and across the Mediterranean ?"
John-Marc Falcon
player, 432 posts
Former Flt. Lt., RAF
Aeronautical Pioneer
Thu 27 Jun 2013
at 06:36
  • msg #12

Re: 31 March 1925: A Week Later...

JM smiled at Molly.  "Oh, I was based in Egypt during the Great War.  We were flying patrols over Palestine and later Syria in support of the push against the Turks.  It's a fascinating place."

He looked to the Count.  "We could fly in my transport.  I can hop to Egypt via the northern Mediterranean."
Prof. Ralph T. Fulty
NPC, 60 posts
Archaeologist
University of Wisconsin
Thu 27 Jun 2013
at 06:51
  • msg #13

Re: 31 March 1925: A Week Later...

In reply to John-Marc Falcon (msg # 12):

Looking thoughtful, Ralph ate quietly. He finally spoke.

"I've been to Egypt. And Africa. But to be honest, I am having second, well, third thoughts on the matter. I believe I'll return home. To Wisconsin. After the death of the Major, and Phil, Mr. Singh, dear Howard... and the wanton death and destruction at the mansion... killing those cultists, even if they deserved it, those beasts... I don't know what good I'm doing here any more. It just seems like it might be best to call it a day for me. I feel like I'm letting you all down! It breaks my heart."
Count Sigismund Bathony
player, 411 posts
Antiquarian Book Dealer
Owner Abingdon Rare Books
Thu 27 Jun 2013
at 07:34
  • msg #14

Re: 31 March 1925: A Week Later...

In reply to Prof. Ralph T. Fulty (msg # 13):

"Not in the least Professor you must do what you think is right and we have seen and had to do the most terrible things."

"If you are able to could I trouble you for a letter of introduction or in the very least a name of of a helpful contact in the Cairo ?"

He then turned to Mr Falcon;

"Oh dear I was looking forward to a leisurely cruise on the Med, but you are right and I would fear time is against us in this endeavour. I am sure Tewfik if he is alive he will be making his way there or at least to a telegraph office."
This message was lightly edited by the player at 07:35, Thu 27 June 2013.
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