In reply to Grimsby H. Baskerville (msg # 17):

Joseph gives a slight grimace, "Yes. There is very little that the American Dollar cannot make disappear..."

Joseph smiles as he is finally served his mint julep - giving Felicity a small toast before he takes a sip.

"Ah. Heaven. Actually, all the Professors made it back - though one suffered a broken leg while running from a Fennec Fox - a massive, vicious creature, according to el Profesor."

Joseph put down his drink then held up both hands about 7 inches apart and gave Felicity an amused nod.

"But, surely you don't mean you're heading to the Sahara, down Morocco way?" He asks, picking up his julep, "You won't find much to challenge you out there; just striped hyenas, leopards, some small gazelles and the occasional addax - which is a largish antelope that's a little hard to find, but quite delicious when you do."

"I'd say you'd be better off going down to the Cape Colony, or even inland to the Transvaal. The War's been over for eight years, now, and things are pretty quiet. And I hear this Rhodes fellow is doing great things to bring civilization to central south Africa. So you should go before the veldt is turned into farmland."

Joseph sips from his julep again, "I could recommend a few guides in German East Africa - but they'd just lead you back into the veldt, so you might as well go to Cape Town, and save yourself a trip round the cape."

Felicity lifts her glass in a toast. She takes this glass a little more slowly, sipping a bit of bourbon. Giving it a swirl and a twist of her tongue inside her mouth. Something in Joseph's story reminds her of the tin in her pocket. A little square that hits the counter as she twists herself toward it. The lid opens, revealing a careful pile of toasted, shredded tobacco next to a little stash of clean, white papers. Brow furrowing softly Felicity set to work the delicate, thoughtful work of rolling herself a cigarette.

"Now that you mention it, I do find myself in need of a team. Can't be wanderin' 'round the wilds all lonesome. First thing's first, I'll need a man who speaks the language when he's called on. That, or a bona fide American gunslinger," she looks up with a brand new grin.

In reply to Brie O'Malley (msg # 18):

Grimsby responded "The honor would be mine, I assure you. If you are to be my guest, I should at least introduce myself. I am Grimsby H. Baskerville, of Her Britannic Majesty's Colonial service, usually on Mars, though presently, as I have said, on medical leave. Since I have only lately arrived in Gibraltar, I not familiar with its amenities. Is there somewhere more suitable than this pub in which we might dine?"

"I am Brie O'Malley, a linguist of a sorts. I know a handful of languages around the Mediterranean. I just got here for a job that seems to have fallen though for some work. Maybe those Americans over there have an idea if there are any suitable places to eat"

In reply to Brie O'Malley (msg # 22):

Grimsby eyes the Americans rather dubiously and says, "I am not sure I would want to dine in a place that would serve that ...boisterous...young person, but her companion appears to be a gentleman insofar as an American may be one; perhaps I might be speak to him, if you wish."

He speaks as if he would be braving an unknown hazard for Brie's sake. He rises slowly and cautiously approaches Joseph, bowing and saying,

"I beg your pardon for troubling you, sir, but I am a stranger in Gibraltar. Would you be so kind as to suggest a place where I might take a respectable young lady to dinner?"

In reply to Grimsby H. Baskerville (msg # 23):

"Nonsense, Sir, no trouble at all!" Joseph says jovially, placing his julep down on the bar, "There is no more honorable deed, Sir, than for a Man to provide a respectable meal for a Lady."

Joseph stands and offers his hand,

"Joseph Rudyard Hunnisett, at your service, Sir. If I may, allow me to introduce to you my old friend, Miss Felicity Van Horn, of the Texas Van Horns. And you are?"

Catherine had entered after Grimsby and had taken up roughly the spot he had originally gone for. Catherine was an exceptionally pretty young lady, but that wasn’t what one first noticed about her. Rather, it was her mourning clothing; all black from her veiled bonnet to the hem of her dress.

She looked around the room a touch nervously. A pub like the Rendezvous was hardly the sort of place she felt at home. She watched Grimsby and his friend, but shyly avoided meeting anyone's gaze.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:02, Thu 29 June 2017.

Aubrey strode through the door of the Rendezvous with a determined expression on his face and made a beeline for the bar.

"Dolts! Idiots! Imbeciles!" he said to himself on his way to the bar.

"Gin and tonic!" he said to the bartender. "Make it a double! Or a triple, if you know how!"

As he waited for the drink to be made, he glanced around the pub... and saw Catherine in her mourning garb. Although he didn't look particularly chagrined, he did acknowledge his poor manners.

"My apologies, ma'am, and my condolences. It's just that Professors Brunner and Thomson are so short-sighted and narrow-minded they can't see an opportunity when it practically kicks them in the teeth!" he finished, as if that explained his behavior.

Brie grins at Grimsby "Sometimes you have to take a chance, you never know who might know what"

She looks over at Joseph "Greetings, I am Brie O'Malley of Ireland though my travels have taken me many places" she had wondered what Americans were like.

Introduced, Felicity doesn't stand. She keeps her place on her stool, turning out from the bar and extending a rough, fieldworker's hand to Grimsby. Slouched back against the bar, grin still plastered over her lips.

"Pleased to meet ya. Y'know, lady that... Respectable, old timer like you? You sure you got enough respectability for that kinda dinner? I mean, I ain't got any cards on me or nothing but I wager I can see the future," Felicity joked, her tone light, as she lifts her yet unfinished cigarette from the bar. Her tongue runs up the paper's edge to seal it tight, eyebrows lifting suggestively as she locks eyes with Grimsby for the entire process.

By the time Brie has gotten close, the roll has flipped back into Felicity's lips. She pulls a silver lighter from her pocket, opens and flicks the flame to life in a single, thoroughly practiced move. "Brie? Felicity. And oh, I'm just pleased as punch. You lettin' these two show you around all night?"

She laughs at Felicity "Oh, I can see some things of the future and some are easy to see then others. And of course I would never deny what seems like fate, now would I?" she says with a grin as she waves her hand, as if she is talking with it.

"If Mr. Hunnisett or your self like to join us, I am sure Mr. Baskerville would not object. We are just trying to figure out a place to go."

In reply to Joseph Rudyard Hunnisett (msg # 24):

Grimsby takes Joseph's hand politely and responds, "I entirely agree with your noble sentiments, sir, and I hope you will be able to assist me in performing the deed you praise. I am Grimsby H. Baskerville of Her Britannic Majesty's Colonial service, currently on medical leave... " He is about to continue when Catherine enters and he breaks off suddenly, staring at her.

In reply to Catherine Harston (msg # 25):

Grimsby -- for the moment forgetting his companions, even Brie -- strides over to Catherine and exclaims, "Good heavens! Can this be little Catherine? I supposed you would be staying at Baskerville Hall, at least until I could make suitable arrangements elsewhere!"

Hastily recovering his composure, he goes on, "Pray forgive my thoughtlessness. I must first express my profound sympathy for the loss of your mother. She was always my truest friend within the family, and I like to think I was hers. I shall do my best to prove myself worthy of the trust she showed by committing you to my care..."

Further recollecting his situation, he turns back to the others present and says, "I must present Miss Catherine Harston, who by the lamentable loss of her noble mother has lately become my ward, though I had not thought to see her here so soon."He adds, "Catherine, may I make known to you Miss Brie O'Malley, Miss Felicity Van Horn, and Mr. Joseph Hunnisett, whose acquaintance I have just made myself."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 02:25, Thu 29 June 2017.

In reply to Grimsby H. Baskerville (msg # 31):

"Greetings, Miss Brie. Joseph Rudyard Hunnisett, at your service." Joseph says when the young Irish woman introduces herself.

Joseph takes a moment to ponder the answer to Grimsby's question, as Felicity introduced herself while rolling a Quirley.

Joseph was just about to answer Grimsby, when that gentleman sighted yet another young woman - and for a gentleman who says he's new to Gibraltar, he certainly seems to know a lot of fine young women, here! - and dashed over to her; it was quite obvious she was known to him. A fact which he quickly verified by introducing her as Miss Catherine Harston, his ward and some kind of relative.

"A pleasure to meet you, Miss Catherine." Joseph says with a slight nod, taking note of the all black mourning clothes, "Allow me to express my condolences, as well." While his accent is similar to Miss Felicity's Texas drawl, his is more subtle; and there's something about the way he slurs his 'r's, almost, but not quite, rolling them...

"Ah...as for dining considerations...the most respectable establishment I can think of would be the dining room of the Bristol Hotel. They have an excellent Continental menu."

"If you've a mind to be a bit experimental, my personal suggestion would be the Scheherazade; an excellent Moroccan restaurant, where they feed you delightfully spiced dishes in the old Moroccan serving style."

Joseph turns slightly to Felicity and says "Comanche style." while miming eating with his fingers.

"Or you could try something more regional; there is an Andalusian/Spanish restaurant called the Copa Cabana not too far from here which is quite popular."

The bartender, walking past behind Joseph, gives an agreeing nod as he passes.

"For seafood you must go down to the wharf for the freshest, and the best service is at the Blue Anchor. They have this Sicilian chef there who makes the most exquisite fried small dishes..."

"Ah, beggin yer pardon, sir..." the bartender leans over and interrupts, "But Adriano, over 'et the Blue Anchor, has an Eye-talian name, but he's actually from Greece, sir. And yer spot on 'bout his fried stuff, sir, his fried sardines with tapenade is one-uh me fav'rites"

Joseph gives the man a smile, then says to the others, "There you go! No higher praise than to find that the locals eat there."

"Of course, if you are of a mind for more ... traditional ... British fare, I hear that the Lord Nelson is quite popular with military officers and the government set."

Behind Joseph, the bartender makes a grimace, shakes his head, and turns away.

"As the sun is still up," Joseph indicates the day lit door and windows at the front of The Rendezvous, "There are also any number of smaller, family run cafes to be found in the immediate area."

"Now, having already mentioned it, I suppose in the name of decorum I should wave off going to the Scheherazade..." Joseph casts an aside look towards Felicity, "Probably just ... not ... a good idea. Um, the food is rather spicy, and the owners are somewhat ... orthodox. But, as I said, the dining room at the Bristol is fine as cream gravy, and the wine cellar is one of the finest in Gibraltar."

"Now Sir, that hurts, it does." adds in the bartender, with a smile, "We've a fine cellar here, we does. Cracky, we are a cellar!" he finishes with a laugh, gesturing at the walls of the well-appointed, but still recognizable stone tunnel, built as a munitions store for the Peninsular War, but now holding The Rendezvous Pub.

Catherine shifts slightly away as Aubrey storms in, a little taken aback by his behavior. He was talking in a way she naively believed to be among the rudest ways one could talk

"Thank you for your kind words." Catherine says to Aubry softly when he offers his condolences. She tried to avoid thinking about her loss when she could. Catherine was a naturally cheerful girl, and grief agreed with her as well as her blonde hair blended with her mourning bonnet. "I'm sorry to hear your compatriots are being so difficult, sir. Is there nothing-Oh, please excuse me!" she adds, but cut off when Grimsby saw her.

Catherine smiles behind her veil when Grimsby greets her. It was a great relief to see family again. "It is me, cousin. Don't you recognize me?" she asks, slightly oblivious to how much time has passed since she saw him last. Grimsby didn’t seem very different, besides a few new scars. “The Baronet thought it would be for the best for me to join you as soon as possible, so as to promptly attend to mother’s wishes.” Truthfully, she has been glad to leave. She had not often visited Baskerville Hall as a child, although she did not fully comprehend the reason, and it did not feel at all like home.

She tears up when Grimsby offers his sympathy. “Thank you. Mother was truly a special woman” she all but whispers.
“You were. Mother-” Catherine’s voice trembles a bit. “-Mother was always pleased to when she received a letter or a telegram from you.”

Catherine curtsies to Grimsby and his acquaintances. "A pleasure to meet you all. Thank you for your kindness, mister Hunnisett” she says politely. Grief would be no excuse to forget your manners, young lady she could almost hear her mother say. She looks a little embarrassed when Grimsby mentioned he had not thought to see her so soon. I only hope I won’t be causing him trouble.

Brie looks around "It is a pleasure to meet all of you. And you Catherine, I hope I can help in anyway possible. I am very familiar with traveling around though probably not as much as your cousin Mr. Baskerville who is quit the traveler.  And as far as food, I think I would prefer almost anything other then the normal British food, as we are in an exotic place and should take advantage of it.

When Joseph casts an eye her way, Felicity responds with a perfect ring of smoke. Lazily, it rolls through the air before breaking apart against his looped tie. Wearing her most classic 'who, me?' expression. Just the kind of thing that would follow someone finding a boot filled with fire ants or a tent unexpectedly surrounded by cows. The kind of look that meant there was trouble in mind.

Unfortunately, another eye on the woman in mourning grab ruins whatever had been brewing in her head. Her hat finally comes off, setting it on her knee. Texan or not there are some lines.

"Er... That's an awful shame to hear about, ma'am. I..." words fail, and Felicity turns herself back to the bartender. Her order comes out a bit awkward and uncertain, "How's about you set us all up another round? I'll take another of them Kentucky's and you lay out whatever it is these folks are drinking."

Before the question needs to be asked, Felicity has pulled out a roll of bank notes. She counts out out a few, laying them down before tucking the thick roll back beneath her men's shirt, whereever it had lived in there before.

In reply to Grimsby H. Baskerville (msg # 31):

(Note: this is actually in reply to Joseph. My computer screen is behaving oddly and I cannot access "reply" on most of the posts just now)

Grimsby says "Well, Mr. Hunnisett, you certainly have offered us quite a variety of cuisines.
My own inclination would be the Lord Nelson, but we must defer to the ladies. Miss O'Malley wishes for something more exotic, it seems. What would be your choice, my dear Catherine?"
In response to Felicity, he says, "I thank you for your offer. Perhaps I would take a small sherry. And while we are awaiting our drinks, do you have any thoughts on a place to dine?"
This message was last edited by the player at 00:17, Mon 03 July 2017.

Catherine smiles at Grimsby's acquaintances, although she looks quite surprised when she looks at Felicity. She nods when Brie speaks to her. "He certainly has, all the way to Mars and back! When I'm feeling better I'll just have to hear the story."

"I suppose the Bristol Hotel" she suggests after a moment's consideration.

In reply to Catherine Harston (msg # 37):

Grimsby smiles approvingly at Catherine's choice, and says, "The Bristol seems very suitable to me, but I doubt it would be sufficiently exotic for Miss O'Malley. It seems Miss Van Horn must cast the deciding vote." He looks inquiringly at Felicity.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:56, Fri 07 July 2017.

In reply to Grimsby H. Baskerville (msg # 38):

Joseph looks over at Felicity, wearing the same grin and twinkle of the eye that she has,

"Don't..." he quietly says with a small shake of his head, "Arabs can be more ornery than the worst Comanche Buck you've ever met. These Arabs may have gotten used to serving European women, but you are far beyond anything they are used to. It will not end well...and you most definitely are not allowed to shoot them, here..."

"As Mr. Baskerville agreed to take me to dinner, I agree with were ever he wants. I am not that picky, I have eaten some of their food and like it. And I do speak their language, which helps a lot. Though they did ask me about doing a belly dance for them" she said laughing like it was a joke

Thank God for the bartender's quick hand and a change of topic. As the other drinks are lined up, Felicity takes hold of her newest whiskey and tilts it back for a fast, hard swallow. The glass lands back on the bar, rim to the wood and drained.

"I supposed the Bristol sounds just fine to me. And free of trouble," Felicity says, glancing back toward Joseph with a roll of her eyes. "Though I wouldn't mind learnin' more 'bout wherever they're doin' this belly dancin'."

In reply to Felicity Van Horn (msg # 41):

"The Bristol it is, then." Grimsby announced firmly (he had no intention of taking Catherine to see bellydancing). "Perhaps another time those of us who wish to try the Arab cuisine can visit a different establishment, if we are still in Gibraltar."

Feeling he had overlooked Aubrey, he added "Would you care to join us at the Bristol, sir?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:44, Tue 04 July 2017.

Catherine brightens a little when everyone is in agreement. But she blushes in embarrassment when Grimsby invites Aubrey. "Oh please join us, I didn't mean to be rude." Catherine says, embarrassed that she had been distracted and inadvertently rude. "I was just very distracted seeing family under the circumstances."