Grimsby stared up at the fine airship that had unexpectedly appeared and said.(in Arabic) "Peace be with you!"  adding (in English) "Do you intend to follow Lord Kentigern in your own swift vessel of the air?"

Remi responded to Grimsby, a slight grin on his face. "Well, I do not intend on leaving this here." He was crossing his arms across his chest, his right hand still wrapped in a bandage. Remi would walk along the railing with precise grace, dipping his leg over the edge every so often. "Though, I do not quite have the man power to fly it on my own. I could use a hand," he paused looking at his injury "pun unintended."

All he knew right now was that this ship couldn't stay here, so the sooner it gets aloft the better.

Having made a discreet exit out a side door to avoid the crowd of gawking onlookers that had gathered outside the Gas Lamp Club, Anastasia had taken the time to freshen herself up a tad following the scuffle. She had quickly dropped by her townhouse to don something more appropriate for travel and grab some items she might require. And so, refreshed and now laden with two bulging suitcases, Anastasia arrived at the park to see some of those she had met earlier gathered around two docked airships.

"Evening all. I do not believe I had the pleasure of being introduced to you all earlier. I am Anastasia Waldorf-Smythe, though I would advise you leave out the surname for the sake of expediency. Are we quite prepared to depart?"

I believe we are now that you have arrived Ms.  Waldor...er Anastasia Viktor smiled at the newly arrived and pretty high society woman. I believe I'll offer my assistance to Remi then, as I quite enjoyed his sort of company durin the altercation in the club Then hollering up to Remi Toss down a line to haul up my bag and I'll climb up the anchor rope, if you'd be so kind

((OOC: What the Falcon looks like. ))
The Falcon is a smaller Airship, built like an old sailing ship. It was a French vessel, apart of the fleet sent down into Africa. It was mainly used for Scouting and sending message, so it was a very fast and agile ship. She has an open deck, room enough for the crew to work the lines and perhaps room for a few people to merely stand about. Below the deck is the minimal storage deck, the bilge, but most importantly the engine room. It houses two powerful steam engines, tuned to their peak allowing them to outrun almost any ship out there. In the Bow of the ship the crew cabin is an open space, including 4 bunk-beds, a small galley, and other various pleasures.

The Falcon is cramped, but comfortable.

This message was last updated by the player at 15:23, Wed 23 Oct 2013.

It had been only a little over an hour since Samuel Clemens had introduced everyone back in the Gas Lamp Club, but there were a lot of names and faces, more than just who had actually been present, so not remembering them all was perfectly understandable. Then, too, perhaps Anastasia did not want to reveal too much mental acumen to those she had just met.


It had been a quick walk back to Battersea Park for Remi--only a half hour's stride to retrace his steps--and while an unattended airship might have easily tempted him, no one in London center was quite so brazen. Besides, he'd actually managed to hide it fairly well, and there wasn't much activity in the park at night. It was too early for the criminal element to be out, and the location would have been slim pickings anyway. Cutting through the park was only a shortcut to the river.

So Remi had plenty of time to wrangle the craft loose from its moorings, ease it out from under the trees and back into the air. Taking it up some distance had merely been precautionary to keep gawking eyes in London's streets from sighting it and thus drawing attention to it. A straight line would have put him in St. James Park in five minutes, but a more circuitous elevated flight had him approaching from the east, as flying over Buckingham Palace would not have been advisable.

As Remi slipped his ship into St. James Park not far from the other non-royal airship, he did notice that no flag was flying over Buckingham Palace, which meant the Queen was not in residence there. Dawn was still nearly ten hours away.

After Remi made his presence known to the others, thus answering Viktor's question, Lord Kentigern came over.

"Impressive ship, Mr. Remi!" he exclaimed. "Looks French... and fast... what the navy often calls a packet ship, I believe."

"So. If you plan on accompanying me in your own ship, as we'll be flying at night, it is always possible that we'll get separated. We're flying north to Scotland, of course. We're heading to Rannoch Moor. My estate is High Rannoch, in the village of Rannoch, which lies on the western tip of Loch Rannoch. It's about 120 miles northwest of Edinburgh. The rail line runs through Rannoch. I had it built to provide quicker access to Rannoch School and Kinloch Rannoch at the other end of the loch. So if you get lost, look for the railway and just follow it."

"The mine is out on the moor, but I think we'll stop at the Bridge of Gaur, just a few miles south of Rannoch. For all the convenience of airships, they can be spotted from several miles away!"


Tesla and Mercy were having a conversation as well.

"I think it would be prudent that we not put all our guns in one basket," Nikola was telling Mercy. He'd been able to gain permission to hold the electric guns while he investigated their source, or so he'd told the sergeant. He had one and Mercy had one.

"Mr. Clemens is more interested in accompanying Lord Kentigern, and I must say I prefer the more luxurious mode of travel myself."

"So I get stuck with that rickety airbag?" Mercy protested, glancing at Remi's ship.

"My dear, you are far more accustomed to 'roughing it' than I am! Alas, I don't think Hugo will fit on Mr. Remi's ship, and I gather he wasn't too fond of your robot bartender anyway."

"So you're sending me off with those ruffians... without an escort?" Mercy complained, whined and half-pleaded.

"Mercy Kincaid!" Nikola replied in mock shock. "Of all the ruffians here, you are probably the ruffiest!"

Mercy frowned at the comment for a moment before bursting out with laughter. "Yes, I suppose I am at that." Suddenly she had the electric gun in one hand and an 1881 Remington-Stokes 3-barrel derringer in the other!

Nikola was only mildly surprised at the rapid display of weaponry, and couldn't help wondering what other surprises her clothing might conceal.

"Won't Hugo be missed at the club?" Mr. Clemens asked as he joined the conversation.

"Probably," answered Mercy, "but I told the staff to say he was on holiday."

"Haha! Well played, Mercy!" Clemens responded. "Not only should that forestall further inquiries, but I daresay it will enhance his legacy. The speculation on that alone should keep interest going for a few months as everyone keeps coming back to see if he's returned."


Mercy then went over to Remi. "Do you mind if I accompany you on your ship?" she enquired. "Hugo has decided to go with Mr. Tesla... for a... tune-up."

Remi was a little thrown off that Lord Kentigern recognized the sort of ship it was, let alone that it was of French origin. Playing it cool he merely nodded "Yes, French indeed." He also made a note of the general direction of where he was to fly, feeling better to know that if all else failed he could follow the Locomotives.

Hopping off the rail onto the deck, Remi secured a rope ladder to the side and tossed it down. He also threw down a rope that was attached to the cargo winch crank. "I have room for seven, not including me. So, I have no quarrels with people coming aboard." With the mention of Hugo going on a separate ship, he sighed in relief.

"Well?"

In reply to GM StarMaster (msg # 10):

When Grimsby saw Mercy produce her derringer, his hand slipped onto the familiar grip of his own, but seeing she meant no harm, he relaxed. He said "It appears that
the Falcon will have a lively crew, but my duty binds me by Lord Kentigern's side. I look forward to seeing you and your fellow-travelers in Scotland, Sidi Remi."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:54, Fri 25 Oct 2013.

After thanking first Felix for his ministrations, and then the club server for the shirt and jacket, Dash quickly sent a message off to his ship, telling the Captain that he would not be returning to Boston with him, and also to have Dash's possessions packed into his trunk, and then send the trunk to St. James Park.

Once at the landing field, Dash went over to the group gathering beneath Lord Kentigern's Flying Scotsman.

"Hello Again, fellow adventure seekers!" Dash said jovially, "Allow me to introduce myself, to those of you I haven't met, yet.  I am Denholm Agravain Saebroc Hawkesbury, of Hawkesbury Trading Company, Nantucket, Boston and San Francisco.  However, I would be pleased if you all just called me Dash."

Dash Looked up at the massive envelope of the Flying Scotsman, floating overhead. "An amazing vessel, Lord Kentigern.  I look forward to travelling in her."

Viktor watched the sassy Miss Mercy produce her weapons with skill and speed and arches a favorite eyebrow, admiring both skill and beauty May I assist you aboard Madame...? Once he had done so if she took him up on his offer, Viktor ties off his duffel bag to the winch and then agilely shimmied up the rope ladder. Then safely aboard and on the deck of the French Packet, he assisted Remi with winching his gear aboard and turned to clasp hands with the darker man. It was good to have a man I could count on back their in that fight. Know you can depend on me in any other.  Now, How can I be of use here my good man? The Ruritanian looked about the rigging and sails and steam engines, knowing little, yet confident in his climbing and rope handling abilities.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:19, Thu 24 Oct 2013.

As everything was placed aboard the two ships, everyone boarded.

On the Falcon are:
   Remi
   Viktor
   Mercy

On the Flying Scotsman are:
   Lord Kentigern
   Nikola Tesla
   Samuel Clemens
   Grimsby
   Dash
   Hugo

Undecided are:
   Anastasia
   Matthew

Lord Kentigern, seeing as there are few people with Remi, calls up to him.

"Do you need any crew? I have men to spare!"


((OOC: Not sure if Matthew is still with us. It seems as if Felix, Leon, Miko, Steve and Triston will not be joining us. However, there might be a new person arriving. Waiting to hear from them.))

Lord Kentigern consults his wrist chronometer, and glances up at the sky.

"We can wait a few more minutes, perhaps," he announces. "We should be on our way before the moon comes up, and before the wind changes. I think there might be a storm brewing."

Even the smallest of storms on the ground could be trouble up in the skies, though it was mostly being blown off course that was the issue. Just as he announced this, someone came running across the park towards them. In the dark, it was hard to tell who it was, until Mercy called out.

"Nessa! Up here!" Mercy then turned to Remi. "That's my friend, Vanessa! I told her she could come! Oh, you do have room for her, don't you? She's almost as good with machines as I am... sometimes even better!"

"Ahoy! Yoo-hoo! Hey! Hang on there!" A diminutive figure carrying a leather rucksack trots toward the mooring station, followed by two porters with a steamer trunk. Stella hated to run, but she hated to miss this opportunity more.

"Ahoy, the Falcon!" The voice calls out breathlessly from below. "I thought I wasn't going to make it. Bloody, stupid cabdriver, if I ever..." Her voice trails off into an inaudible mutter, but clearly isn't anything nice. She directs the porters to the cargo net just before the airship's crew hauls it up.

Casting a dubious eye at the rope ladder, she opts instead to perch atop her trunk, grasping the ropes of the net. Her eyes widen as it swung into the air, but she reaches the deck with a grim smile.

"Permission to come aboard? she says as she hops nimbly to the deck, "I was invited by my friend Mercy-- Mercy, dear, here you are!"
This message was last edited by the player at 13:42, Sun 09 Feb 2014.

"I shall accompany the Lord Kentigern and the others. And, a pleasure to meet you ... Dash."

The last word sounded uncomfortable coming out of her mouth, as though she wasn't entirely fond of such an informal nickname. Eying the rope ladder that Remi had tossed down with more than a hint of distaste, Anastasia voiced her doubts about managing such a climb.

"If we are expected to board the ship in such a manner, I shall be the last to do so. The very last thing I need is my mother hearing that I climbed a rope ladder in a skirt while men stood below. And believe me, she will hear."

The Flying Scotsman is rigid-frame airship, about medium-sized as such things are measured, but it's still huge! It has the newer design, with the gondola built into the bottom of the frame. It's designed to actually touch down all the way to the ground, but it also has ramp extensions for certain occasions. This, however, isn't one of them. Kentigern had no need to hide his airship in amongst the trees, so it's out in the open.

Due to the design of the gondola, though, there is two steps up to access the gondola's interior. Anastasia has no need to climb the rope ladder, like on Remi's ship. Mercy and Stella, both being 'tomboys' and dressed accordingly, aren't bothered by the niceties of society.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:02, Sun 09 Feb 2014.

In reply to Anastasia (msg # 18):

Grimsby replied, "There is no need to display your limbs on boarding this vessel.
Not that a gentleman in Her Majesty's service would look." A slight smile suggested he was not entirely serious.

As Stella quickly embraces Mercy the company has a chance to assess her.

She stands under five feet in height, robust but not voluptuous, with none of the physical anomalies of dwarfism, despite her stature. Although her manner is certainly active, she looks to be in her forties and to have led a fairly active life. She has a ruddy complexion, dark eyes, and red hair that may or may not be hennaed twisted in a chignon at the nape of her neck. She is dressed in a very practical traveling suit, well-tailored but not expensive, as well as calf-high laced boots. In her hand is a hat that owes its heritage equally to a ten-gallon and a bush hat.

Turning from Mercy's embrace she smiles openly as her friend introduces Remi and Viktor: "Good day to you, Captain, and thanks for having me aboard."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:53, Sun 09 Feb 2014.

Viktor's eyes looked the newcomer Stella over from feet to curly hair as he spoke, giving her a rakish half-salute.

"That would be the dark skinned man over there," he indicated Remi, "and I am Viktor Stahler, late of Her Majesty's Ruritanian Cavalry troop, at your service  Miss...?
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:06, Sun 09 Feb 2014.

"I'm Stella Mulberry," she says by way of explanation, "I've been all over the Continent, across America to the gold fields of Canada and the fleshpots of San Francisco, then to Kimberly in Australia and Shanghai.

"I never tire of travel, though so when I looked up Mercy and heard she was off to Scotland -- on a balloon, no less! Well, I invited myself along. Hope it's not an inconvenience."

Her smile is a hundred candle-power as she turns it on Remi:"I'll try to make myself useful, or at least not get in the way."
This message was last edited by the player at 14:01, Sun 09 Feb 2014.

"A pleasure for me as well, Miss Anastasia.  Mister Grimsby." Dash responded, acknowledging both travellers by bringing a knuckle to the bill of his cap in salute. Stepping forward to the door into Lord Kentigern's airship, Dash turns and offers a hand to assist the lady up the step into the vehicle.

"After you, Miss Anastasia.  Have you flown before?  I must admit, this will be my third time aloft, but I still find the entire operation quite exciting."

Remi had been winching the rest of the Cargo onto the ship, piling it all onto the deck to be sorted out later. Once that was settled he grasped Viktor's hand and said "You can rely on me if I can rely on you, friend."

Remi rested his left hand on his scimitar and tucked his injured one into his sash casually. He stepped coolly over towards Stella and bowed quite regally, saying "As-salaam alaykum. I am Remi, I am the Captain of this ship."

Remi rose from his bow and gave a devious smile, slowly turning towards Viktor. "Now, don't just stand there amallale₁ those cases of luggage must be stowed in the crews' quarter! Sfissaae!₂"

Remi then nodded his head to Stella and Mercy: "You won't get any special treatment either. I'll have the two of you work on getting the moorings off and raise that anchor."

_{1: White
2: Quickly}
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:12, Sun 09 Feb 2014.

"Aye, aye, Captain!" Mercy responded to Remi's command.

She looked over the side to see what the mooring lines were actually moored to, as well as what the anchor was anchored to. She figured this was some sort of joke he was pulling, since the anchor had dug into the ground and the mooring lines were wrapped around ground stakes.

Then again, maybe that's how he did things on his ship.

She pulled out a pair of workgloves, put them on, then swung over the side of the ship where a mooring line was, and promptly slid down it. Once on the ground, she unfastened the line from the stake and tied it around her waist. No way was the ship taking flight without her!

Next, she went over and wrangled the anchor out of the ground. She supposed, without the mooring lines, the ship might have pulled up the anchor from sheer lift, but it would have left a nasty divet in the ground. She didn't think that would be appreciated. So after carefully removing the anchor, she spent a moment putting the disrupted ground back into place.

She then moved to the remaining mooring line. She was glad the Falcon's stop here in St. James Park was only a brief one, otherwise there'd have been four moorings instead of just two... even more for a storm.

The last mooring was going to be tricky, almost impossible to undo while under tension. She had to wait a moment for the wind to shift the Falcon down a bit to ease that tension. Then it was loose, and Mercy ran for the rope ladder before it was out of reach. She could have climbed the mooring line around her waist if she'd been desperate, but the ladder was easier.

"Mooring lines and anchor all free," she reported to Remi. "Sorry if I'm not using the correct terminology."

Stella watches her friend scurry about with some concern, disengaging moorings and anchor. Stella may be brave in most circumstances, but she feels the captain is putting the girl at unnecessary risk. Although dressed for travel rather than labor, she steps to the power-winch and makes sure all the settings are correct. Throwing the switch to the "UP" position, she nods in satisfaction as it begins to lift the anchor.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:08, Sun 09 Feb 2014.

An amused smile spread across Anastasia's face at Grimsby's comment, striding over to the gondola of the airship as she replied.

"I should hope no gentleman would look, though I am not so naive as to think so."

Accepting Dash's proffered hand with only mild reluctance, Anastasia ventures on board the craft and peers round at the interior, curious as to what she might see. Her manner is somewhat stilted, as though she were more than a trifle nervous but utterly determined not to show it.

"I have not. Complex machinery and I are not on the best of terms. But if we keep me away from anything moderately resembling a control I am sure it will be fine. Moderately sure."

Anastasia walks up the gangplank to the door of the gondola. She noticed that there was an additional gangplank at the rear where supplies were being loaded.

The forward gangplank was hinged where it was attached to the condola, and folded up into place when the ship was airborne. There was an additional door as well, as much as aesthetics as safety.

Through the door, she was in a short hall going straight ahead. Immediately to her left was a wide folding wooden door in the closed position. A few steps ahead, the hall turned right, showing two closed doors in that direction, plus there was an open on the left. That door gave access to... the parlor... or perhaps the sitting room. It was as wide as the whole gondola, with windows on both sides and lace curtains on them. The walls were plain but polished wood.

Opposite the door she came through (in the parlor) was another door, which also stood open. It showed a longer hallway lined with doors.

While the place seemed well-appointed, it did seem a bit austere, but she decided that must be to cut down on weight.

There were twenty chairs in the parlor, and a few small end tables.

"If you'd like a tour," Lord Kentigern told her, "I'd be glad to show you once we are airborne."