Paul observes Harris's cautious look. He feels a little bit of laughter come up. Englishmen don't seem to be as warm as the men back at home.
"Hey now Mr. Harris, I didn't mean to startle you. Just nice seeming someone just as off place as me. Now, could I have some information on that shop?", Paul says trying to make the stranger warm up to him. A nice conversation should do it. "I'm extremely sorry to bother you sir, but it seems this shop has quite piqued my curiosity."

I will happily walk with you to Faud's as I am finished with The Times. It will be good to streach my legs.   But you do have me at a disadvantage at the moment. Sir?

Again the tone is level with no annoyance that you might expect.  The caution is still there.

"Thank you my good sir, I owe you a favor", said Paul getting out of his chair. He walks back to the bar, leving his cup at the counter and walks back to leave the shop with his new acquaintance.

Charles stands there unmoving.  While I do realize that etiquette is different in America than England, I still thought it was common manners to introduce oneself so I might know how to address you. 

"Ah, right, yes, names. It slipped my mind. My name is Paul, Paul Smith. Nice to meet you Mr. Harris", Paul felt a ting of embaressment at his foolishness. Feeling his cheecks go red, Paul composed himself at stook his hand out for a handshake with mister Harris.

Charles takes his hand in a firm handshake.  Pleasure.

He picks up his hat and gloves.  Putting the former on his head and the later in his jacket pocket.  He leads out the door and turns to the south.

Faud's will tend to have salvage from many all around but can have newer things.  Depending on what you are looking for, of course. After a moment Charles continues. So what are you looking to build or repair?
This message was last edited by the player at 11:06, Fri 05 June 2015.

Once out in the street, the two of you quickly encounter a hubbub that would have intruded in the pub in a moment any way. It only takes a minute or so for the cause to become known: an airship has landed on the edge of the city!

There is probably only a dozen or so people in Lugaash who have even seen an airship, so this is quite a momentous occasion.

"More than build, I wish to investigate. Though I am working on a project based on the electric components by Nikola Tesla, mainly his electric generator. His technology is so past our age it's almost terrifying... But nonetheless, electricity is the future, I can feel it.", responded Paul. A few seconds later he saw the crowds forming up at the edge of town. Above the heads he could see an airship, French model. "What might be happening there? Should we investigate before going to the shop Mr. Harris?"

But of course.  It should be an interesting story to hear why it is landing here.

Charles Harris weaves between the crowd, not shy about moving someone slightly so he can get a view of the Airship and its crew.

Making your way through the crowd isn't too difficult, but you get about halfway there when you spot the group of people coming towards you. While there are other foreigners in Lugarno at the moment, these group of five men and two women stand out quite a bit. Add to that the fact they are coming from the direction of the airship and it's a good indication that these people were on the airship.


My original plan was to have you meet them in one of the shops since one of the characters, Mercy, would be looking for mostly the same things Paul is.

That may still work. As you approach them, they can stop in at tinker's shop.

Go ahead and post in the main thread now.

Now that is technology I could especially appreciate! Marian laughs regarding the teakettle.

Upon entering the Elephant in the Cellar she looks around in surprise and delight. Seeing the elephant all other thoughts disappear and she strides right up to it to examine it. Poor thing! she frowns though her fascination is evident nonetheless. It's so huge though! I had heard they were big... she trails off, looking at it again with scrutiny. When at last she'd had her fill she jots down a few notes on a small pad of paper and then sets about ordering tea and the usual accompaniments. If there is any local exotic food she will order a bit of that as well just to try it. Have you tried any of the local fare? I hear it can be spicy...what won't make my head catch on fire? she frowns, trying to decide.

"I would personally recommend the coffee. Especially for you Brits. I don't know alot of you who have tried it so it could be a new experience while still to accommodate your likes. They also have top quality coffee beans here. Well that's only my opinion."Talking to Marian with a warm tone. Paul thought that it would be good to be friends with people who had an airship. They seemed like a pretty adventurous group, and that was exactly what Paul was looking for. He walks up to the counter, familiar with the establishment and orders a coffee

As soon as you are seated at a table, a server approaches carrying a silver tray with a silver pot, silver cups and a silver dish laden with dates prepared in various ways.

He sets the tray on the table and pours coffee for everyone. There is no charge for this. In Lugaash, this is basic hospitality, akin to offering you a glass of water in other lands.

There are plain dates, dates covered in powdered sugar, dates covered in coconut, and stuffed dates--stuffed with peanut butter, a chunk of walnut and then rolled in sugar.

He then sets menus on the table. It is a single sheet, quite used. It does not have a lot of options. Besides a few 'foreign' dishes such as Chicken Marsala and Duck L'orange, local dishes include three variations of kabsa (chicken, lamb, and fish) and saltah (a dark meat stew) in which you can have over a dozen additional ingredients added based on time of day, personal preference, and season.

The Elephant In The Cellar definitely has an international feel to it, as there aren't traditional Islamic considerations (though pork is still absent).

As you are closer to the lunch period than to breakfast, you will get served salad and mezze (small dishes of appetizer; usually two types per person) as sides to the meal. Mezze include cheeses, sliced melon, a type of chili, yogurt, calamari, rice-stuffed leaves, artichokes, eggplant, garlic bread, sliced hard-boiled eggs and a small cup of nuts.

A basket of fruit is also included: bananas, mangos, tangelos, apples.

I confess I've never tried it she laughs at the recommendation and is pleased when it is so easily acquired. She thoroughly enjoys the exotic flavors and on the whole is very delighted with the fare, smiling and taking the occasional note on her notepad. The coffee is stronger than she had realized and she likes it a great deal better with sugar and cream, wondering how people could ever drink the stuff black.

In reply to Marian Holroy (msg # 16):

I think you will just find different spices.  More cinnamon, cumin and turmeric.  It is more flavorful.  If you ever travel to the Far East, then you will find more hot peppers and spices used.

"I've only done a bit of travel myself, mostly to collaborate with another engineer on a project," responds Mercy. "I'm not all that fond of foreign food. I can take it in small doses."

"Danish pastries and Belgian chocolate, on the other hand..."

"Some of this is okay."

A short time later, helped along by some directions by a helpful local, Connor found himself descending down the steps of the Elephant in the Cellar, doffing his flat cap and hanging it up on one of the coat-hooks by the door, then padded over towards the pub's bar counter, pausing briefly to have a look at the stuffed elephant, his violet feline eyes opening a skosh wider as he had a good look.

"So there is an elephant in the cellar after all," he mused quietly to himself, shaking his head in mild surprise and amusement, "I thought that chappie was pulling my leg when he told me about this place."

Churring softly in a catty chuckle, Connor padded silently over to the bar, having a seat on one of the stools and waiting for the barkeep to come over so he might order up a stiff pint of brew, all the hustle and bustle of having a look around Lugaash and getting some shopping done having worked up a good thirst in the furry engineer. Connor toyed with the idea of getting some lunch as well as he sat, his long tail flicking idly behind him like the pendulum of some strange clock, although for the time being, he really just wanted to wet his whistle...

Connor can't help but notice the strange looks he gets, though they don't seem to be frightful looks. He also hears the whispers that start--rakshasa.

Although the rakshasa myth is from India, there is enough cross-culture exchange that the Lugaasha locals have picked up some of the Indian stories.

Connor's ears perked up when he heard the whispers start going around the pub, a frown creasing his brow as caught the barkeep's attention and said, "A pint of your best, please, and no, I am not a demon." Fishing some money out to pay for his drink, the tiger shook his head and grumbled, "This could be a great joke if it wasn't a trifle annoying; A tiger walks into a bar..."

Letting that thought trail, off, Connor fell silent and brought out one of the books he had bought at the book-seller's stall and propped it open in front of him as he waited for his drink, pushing the thought of being called a rakshasa out of mind in favor of the penny dreadful adventure story instead...

In spite of Connor's appearance, no one seems to have guessed that Connor's hearing might be like that of a cat... or even a demon.

So he's a bit surprised to overhear a whisper from nearby.

"Perhaps this one would be more controllable," whispered one voice.

"And perhaps not. This one looks wilder," replied a second voice.

"Well, we should tell al'Kazar... let him decide. He may want to add another one to his collection."

"Excellent suggestion! You go and inform al'Kazar. I shall follow... it. We can rendezvous at the Cobra Club."

Connor looked up from his book with a look of utter indignation, his violet eyes glaring daggers as they searched the crowded pub for the owners of the voices his sensitive ears had picked up whispering unnerving things about him, and some chap named al'Kazar. Unfortunately, the busy pub hid the speakers well from Connor's eyes, eliciting a curse from him and an uneasy feeling coming up down in the pit of his stomach.

Could there be more fellow felinoids in need of rescuing? The tiger was unsure, if intrigued, since he had always considered himself a one-off prototype instead of one of many...But that wasn't important right now, Connor willed himself to be on his guard and alert, resolving to soundly thrash the fool who would try to follow him, or anyone who tried to get the jump on him as had happened in Marseilles.

"Best make up another round, goodman, I do believe I am going to need to limber up," He said to the barkeep with a bit of a sigh, shaking his head a bit...

Yes, pastries and chocolate are favorites of mine too Marian smiles at Mercy. Though I do have an adventurous palate, well within reason anyway. I've heard of some disgusting things eaten by other cultures and I'm not quite that brave...

Seeing Connor looking disturbed Marian watches him with concern. When she gets the opportunity she asks, Is everything alright Mr. Holmes?

Turning in his barstool slightly to look in Marian's direction, Connor flicked his ears back some as he replied, "No, everything is not all right Ms. Holroy. I seem to be attracting quite a lot of attention, and not all of it the good kind. In fact, I do believe I may have just overheard a plot to kidnap me for some rich fellow's exotic collection."

The tiger shook his head a little before adding, "Naturally I have no desire for that to happen, and I intend to teach a jolly good lesson to anyone foolish enough to try such a thing , but still, it seems just about everywhere I go humans keep wanting to throw me into a cage for one reason or another, either to make money as some bizarre sideshow or a vain wish to have an unusual pet for their collection to show off."

Bloody he-she stops herself from completing the curse, realizing they are in public after all and continues in a quieter tone, determined to not cause anymore attention to herself. That's the most ludicrous thing I've heard! The wretched nits! Well if they try anything I will happily help you pummel their brains into their boots! I may look helpless but my husband taught me well the art of defense. I confess I would welcome the chance to help you teach such churls a lesson. I think you're one of the most magnificent people I've ever seen and anyone who would treat you poorly deserves the most unpleasant fate God can scrounge up.

"Are you sure that's what they were talking about?" Mercy questioned, trying to look around to see who might have said such things while not being obvious about it.

"Sadly, as women, we know all too well about not being treated as real people sometimes."

"I doubt if that kind of sense can be pounded into their feeble brains, but I suppose it could be a bit satisfying to try."

"But they are only muscle... thugs. It's their rich man employer that needs the thrashing even if it's just as futile."