Raven picked up her keys and turning to Dren said, “I’m calling dibs on the shower. I’m still covered in the odor from that filthy vampire that I played piggy-back with.” She headed towards her room.

Alex closed and locked the bathroom door behind her, relieved beyond belief to see soft, fluffy towels warming on the radiator and an equally soft and fluffy bathrobe waiting on a hook.  She set about running herself a shower, stripping off her dirty clothes and leaving them in a heap to one side of the room.  Stepping into the shower, she sighed as the water thundered down on her head, slowly washing away the accumulated muck and blood from their trip.

The shower took a good half-an-hour and Alex most of it spent simply enjoying the feeling of the hot water drumming against her aching muscles.  Eventually she pulled herself out and walked over to the mirror, examining her stomach wound in the mirror.  After a long stare she shrugged, towelled herself off, then pulled on the dressing gown and exited the bathroom, clouds of steam following her out.

She paused for a few moments in the hallway as if deciding something.  Whatever it was that it was competing against, the desire to sleep won and Alex headed into her Greek-themed bedroom.  With the grace of a pet elephant, she collapsed onto the bed, fast asleep almost as soon as her head hit the pillow.

   Seeing the others head carelessly for bed, Johnny became resless himself. However, rather than claiming any room for himself, he occupied himself with examining a rather uninteresting picture on the wall, waiting for somebody else to take initiative.

Dren sighed "Fine, but this only in makin' sense." he slides the keys to the World Tour Room toward Iona, "That way th'ladies dinna have t'bother with an unconditiond man's bad habits." sliding the African Keys to Pieran he explained "Y'dinna seem th'type fer 15 minute showers and a quick shave. But yer sharin' th'bath with a dead guy." and the Asian keys to Johnny "Asian's all tha's left." standing back he spun his keys in his hand "Now, y'can disapprove o'yer room and swap with someone else, or just go t'bed. I figure I should've died in an Egyptian tomb. I'm livin' on borrowed time, and now I've got t'wait at least 47 minutes b'fore I can take a shower." recovering his remote he waved to the remaining house guest saying "Now, if I go down stairs, find a Guinness and WWE: SmackDown!, ya could kill me by mornin' and I'll have died a happy man!" turning he head back to the kitchen and left everyone to thier devices.

"Well," Pieran exclaimed, examining his keys. "Now we all know who the Den Mother is." He picked up his belongings and with an insoucient goodnite, retreated to the Serengeti Plains.

   "Sounds reasonable, Dren - Asian isn't bad, I like Asian food, writing, women, wouldn't mind trying the rooms. Don't get all to creative down there while all the rest of us are sleeping, though - might turn out ugly. 'Night guys." Johnny turned to walk towards the Asian room, critically observing his key. Apparently remembering something, he faced Iona:
   "Would you just check in on Alex and wish her good night? Would appreciate it." With that, he stiffled a yawn and strode towards his private quarters, planning to get some sleep as fast as possible.

True to form, Iona had remained silent through-out the entire tour. At first she had been a bit alarmed, expecting to be returned to the weird mansion with Matt Gardiano. But recognizing that they at least seemed to be back to their own world and even their own time, she relaxed a bit and paid close attention to Hornsby. She took both mental notes and physical ones in her notepad, sketching out maps of every floor and neatly labelling each room.  The labs and library almost had her salivating, quickly bringing up her PDA to check the wireless connectivity of the place.

She didn't really have any preferences as far as rooms go, and placidly accepted the World Tour Room. While Alex showered in their bathroom, Iona revised her notes and typed them into her PDA, while munching on the granola she'd once more found in the bottom of her purse. This task finished, she inspected the contents of her room and closet , then moving on to the outer room of the suite. The exloration ended abruptly when Iona found Leo da Vinci's notes, and she didn't look up until she heard Alex exit the bathroom and disappear into the other room. Only then did Iona put down the fascinating script and enter the steamy bathroom, longing for a long soak before hitting the sack. A second later, she came out, going straight to the small closet next to the bathroom, emerging with a fresh set of towels and then disapperaing into the bathroom once more.

The group settled down for the night and most of them retired to their rooms. Upon inspection of the drawers and closets they discovered a fluffy terry cloth robe, a small assortment of comfortable sleeping shirts, and sweats. The closets were mostly bare. But at least there was a clean change of clothes for those that needed it.

Dren spotted Iain rummaging around on the second floor apparently getting the lay of the land, so to speak. Dren continued down the stairs to the kitchen.

Dren located the fridge and found it full of mostly food, but in the back behind the orange juice there was one Guinness beer, to both his delight and dismay.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:35, Sun 10 Oct 2004.

Although not well cultured in African art or anthropology, had he not been handed the African Room, he probably would have chosen it. The motif spoke to a hunter, to someone connected to the land and sky; in short, someone connected to nature in an intimate way. His bow would hang well in a room like that. So what that he had to share the toilet with a corpse; those things happen. His only care was that Iain wipe down the mirror after flossing. Pieran didn’t want to walk in and find dental flak on the mirror and be forced to wonder, ‘Who might that have been?’

As soon as he stepped inside he dropped his pack to the floor with a heavy thump. His baldric followed. Getting that harness off his shoulders felt like the whole world took sudden flight. He’d been wearing it almost thirty-six hours and his sword was heavy.

Pieran sat on the bed, his head cradled wearily in his hands. His bones angrily protested their fatigue and he was glad to be alone where he could keep his confidences and his exhaustion to himself. The last time he’d had any REAL sleep was in a tree in a Louisiana bayou, waiting to ambush a party of cultists and catch a gate to…somewhere. That was more than thirty-six hours ago.

He was too tired to make any protests of his own. New job? Debriefing? Clients? What in the name of Baal was that all about? Just when he was contemplating the notion of retiring, and now, this. ‘Our wills and fates do so contrary run, that our devices are still overthrown.’ It was one of those inner voices again, prompting him with a lesson. They never tired. He did.

“I know,” he replied audibly, somnolently.

‘What fates impose, that men must needs abide,’ said another. ‘It boots not to resist both wind and tide.’

“Leave me be,” he answered.

…

The floor-length Spanish caftan drifted airily around his body and the feel of wood beneath his bare feet invigorated him. The shower also invigorated him; the shampoo, luxurious. For the first time in days he felt human.

Blue smoke curled around his features as he padded leopard-quiet around the porch. He wore his caftan belted round the middle and though assured of safety, he kept his short sword close to the small of his back. The place was too new, the night too fresh, the present too uncertain. Besides, he felt naked without it. ‘Men at some times are masters of their fates,’ he whispered, before they had time to chide his paranoia. He smiled, drew another puff off his pipe, and squinted to see into the dark, into the limits of the property. Iain could do that with impunity. Maybe, but he couldn’t feel the sun upon his face. Not comfortably. Such was the devil’s exchange.

Pieran pushed those thoughts from his head, and more thoughts, and more, until his mind was finally at peace and sleep’s clarion call could be answered with virtue. When his pipe cooled, he saluted the night and retreated to his room, and to the reviving arms of night’s mistress.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:46, Sun 04 Feb 2007.

Iona wiped the steam off the mirror and looked at her reflection. Wet dark tresses curled slightly around her shoulders, covering the terry cloth robe she was wearing. Her cheeks were rosy from the shower, and she looked healthy, albeit tired. There was just that one detail that separated her from any other normal young woman, right there in the middle of her forehead. She grimaced and stuck out her tongue at the face staring back at her, then bent down and skillfully wrapped a towel around her head like a turban. She popped back up, the fluffy white cloth now covering her forehead. There. She was humming under her breath again, the Bangles' "Walk Like an Egyptian", while she swept up the pile of dirty rags that Alex had left in the corner. She looked around, not sure what to do with them now. She didn't want to disturb Alex by coming into the other woman's room with her tattered clothes. They probably weren't of any use anymore, anyway. But she couldn't just leave them there - Iona knew she'd never be able to fall asleep if she knew that mess was lying on the bathroom floor. There was probably a laundry room, somewhere, but she wasn't about to go traipsing about, looking for it. Well then, case settled, the laundry basket it is.

The door to the bathroom opened, letting out another bout of steam. Iona padded out and crossed the hall into her room, her own clothes neatly folded in her arms. She locked the door and pulled the curtains before unravelling the towel turban and shaking out her hair. A moment later she had changed into a sleeping shirt, and fell into dreamless sleep the moment her head landed on the pillow, not even appreciating the softness of the sheets.

At 8:30 in the morning, everyone’s alarm clock went off. The group had a very restful night’s sleep. The daylight streamed in through the parted curtains. It was going to be a wonderful pre-fall day. The air was crisp, but not cold as everyone became conscious.

Raven had gotten up early, before the ringing of all the alarm clocks. The sweats she’d found in her room were a little baggy but comfortable. She was grateful for a change of clothes. She didn’t think any amount of washing would ever get the stench out of her other garments. After having made a strong pot of coffee in the kitchen, she poured herself a large cup and wandered into the library. She was surprised to find Iain sleeping on the couch in the library. Quiet so has not to wake him, Raven began browsing the books. When she found one that interested her, she sat in the chair and began to read.

The alarm screeched through the air, jolting Alex out of her sleep.  She flailed around for a while until she found the culprit clock, jabbing a button to silence it.  Stretching, she sat up, ignoring the mild twinge from her stomach.  With a bounce in her step she quickly pulled on some of the clean sweats and headed down towards the kitchen, bounding down the stairs with far too much energy for this time in the morning.

Pouring herself a glass of water and grabbing something to eat, she then went about poking her head into various rooms until she found someone.  With a bright smile Alex breezed into the library, about to announce a cheeful good morning to Raven when she spotted Iain asleep on the couch.  Quirking her head slightly, she looked to the archeologist and whispered.  "Do you think we should wake him?"

Dren looked over at his Alarm with a scowel, he didn't set it to go off at 8:30, heck until just a moment ago he didn't realize there was even an alarm clock in his room. With a frustrated sigh he set the 2 gallon keg he was holding down in the middle of the room and crossed to lift, examine and then turn off the alarm. In that order. Making sure it wouldn't come on again without his express permission he he took the burning clove from his mouth and exhaled a lung full of smoke.

He had yet to find a 'No Smoking' sign in the room, but felt the lack of an ashtray should have been a clue to anyone who didn't have a potted plan in his room. Putting the clove out in the fern he tossed the filter in a nearby waste basket and returned to the 2 gallon keg which he proceeded to take to his new closet and store with the rest, while there he checked his back pack to make sure his last pack of cloves was still there. It was.

Dren wasn't sure if he was still on Egyptian time, still on fire from this last adventure he and Raven lived through, or simply suffering from Johnny's paranioa, but he didn't sleep at all durring the night. After watching WWE followed by 2 hours of back to back Modern Marvels, and finishing off the last Guinness he moved everything from his table/sled to the far corner of his room for a pre-shower work out. Though he wasn't quite ready to unpack his gear he was more than willing to move all the un-essentials into "his closet". Now standing in the middle of the room that could feel like home if he gave it a try, he realized something was bothering him. It wasn't anything he could put his finger on, but he felt this nagging pit in his gut that told him, he had to talk to Raven... or he needed a bagel. But neither was going to be upstairs. Knowing Raven she probably went to bed right away and woke up early to look around the place undisturbed. If he guess was right, she'd be reading a book before he could have his post breakfast smoke.

Iain sniffed the air, still asleep. "Mh..."

Coffee. And a woman.

He opened one eye... And saw where he was. Mh?

Now completely awake, he stood up and looked around, massaging his neck: "Raven, Alex... Hi. So, I take it I wasn't dreaming after all?"

He looked at the table, and the few books still open where he left them, plus another that apparently had fallen off the couch. "Must have nodded off... What time is it?"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:03, Sun 10 Oct 2004.

Raven smiled at Alex and was about to whisper something about letting Iain sleep, when he began to stir.

“About a quarter ‘til 9,” she answered him.

Turning to Alex, she asked “How are you feeling?” There was a hint of concern in her voice. “You looked pretty wiped out by the time we were done with that grand tour last night.”

"Yep... It's good to see you up and about. In fact, you look great." Then he frowned slightly, cleared his throat and started piling the books orderly on the table.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:48, Mon 25 Oct 2004.

Alex grinned at Raven and Iain, flopping down onto the couch.  "Much better, actually.  Probably something to do with the fact that nasty wound has gone."  Lifting up the sweater to reveal her stomach, she patted the area in which she had taken the hit; it was now virtually unmarked.  "I'll have to get Johnny to take the stitches out though."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:16, Sun 10 Oct 2004.

Iain looked at her, quite surprised: "Really? Well, that's... Great! Not to mention, a bit odd: I thought Potentials didn't have accelerated healing."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:10, Sun 10 Oct 2004.

"I know, they don't.  But hey, gift horse, mouth, blah blah.  I'm not complaining."  She smiled brightly at Iain, dropping the sweater back down.

On her way down to the kitchen, Iona heard the voices coming from the second floor and detoured to the library. She too was dressed in the outfit she'd found in her room, though her hair was once more bound back by the same scarf around her head. Her purse was as always slung across her shoulder, and the contents of it had been put to use this morning, her hair brushed and face lightly made-up.

"Good morning all," she said, nodding towards the small group. "Any signs of breakfast?"

He chuckled: "Good point. "



"Good morning, Iona... Well, looks like everybody's ready to roll. If you ladies will excuse me, I think I'll go have a nice shower: I wasn't really supposed to spend the night here, you know." He smiled.

"See you all in the briefing room?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:26, Sun 10 Oct 2004.

   Johnny was awoken by the much-to agressive clock, and for a moment he believed he was back home. But the cushions weren't right, and his mum was not trying to split his brain in two...and his head hurt like mad. Annoyed, he squelched the alarm clock, and promptly went to sleep again.

   However, he woke again not much later, uncomfortable with sleeping in such an alien enviroment. He quickly showered - there wasn't any tub available anyway, had he wanted to use it. Then he dressed, not particularly satisfied with the clothing provided. It didn't quite match his style. Done with that, he finally joined the others, admittedly after exploring the house that was his bedroom.

   "You're up early?" he said cheerfully, aware that he had spent much more time than he was supposed to. "Do we have our own personal cook, or should I start preparing some English breakfast?"

Raven looked at Alex’s healed wound. “That’s interesting,” she said. An unsettled look crossed her face but she quickly smiled and tried to cover it up. “Must be good beds. I'm glad you're well.” She turned as Iona and Johnny entered the room.



“I made coffee, there should still be some in the kitchen. I’ll warn you, though - I tend to make it pretty strong. I didn’t spend too much time foraging around in there but from what I did see, the kitchen seems well stocked. No cook, though,” Raven smiled. “I think it’s a do-it-yourself operation.”



“Yep, see you there.” Raven answered Iain as he left.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:45, Sun 10 Oct 2004.

   "No cook?" Johnny pouted in a dissappointed manner. "With the briefing coming up shortly, I guess we'll have to go for something more casual...just like my clothing." He indicated the conservative colors of his shirt, still pouting. "If anybody wants to join me, I'm just going to set the table and slice some bread."
   He went off into the kitchen and prepared a quick breakfast, keeping tabs on his watch.