[hr][hr][center][img]http://fontmeme.com/embed.php?text=Deeper%20Than%20The%20Sands:%20Chapter%20One&name=prinp___.ttf&size=30&style_color=f7976a[/img][hr][@rivaan] [@Pundii] [@Morose] [@FantasyChic] [@Nallore] [@Sigil] [@ONL][hr][h3][b][color=f7976a]October 4th, 1924 - 9:30 A.M. Local Time[/color][/b][/h3][hr][/center] 

	[color=f7976a][b][i]Barracks:[/i][/b][/color] Aziza glanced over towards Josephine and smiled a bit, giving her a small nod. [color=a187be]"I hope you are right,"[/color] she said, still not sure about Haakon but Josephine seemed kind enough and had been a shoulder for her in the hotel the night before. She was more likely to trust her in time. At Haakon's words though she perked a brow and her lips thinned. [color=a187be]"If that is how you take rejection of an... oh how do the British say... Pie Crust Promise, then perhaps you are,"[/color] she said coldly and firmly. Her voice raising somewhat to ensure he heard her as he stormed off like a child who had just been told he couldn't go out in play in the rain. 

	Shaking her head she felt a hand on hers. Looking over towards Harry her demeanor softened a bit and she let out long breath. [color=a187be]Thank you,"[/color] she said gratefully. Not only for the offer to help her find something to eat but the chance to get away from the table for a minute or two. Rising from her place as Sgt. Walsh held her hand her eyes fell on the Lord Major who had come to join them. Her eyes darting towards Haakon and his escort for a moment, worry in them before she looked back over towards Reginald and let loose the bottom of her lip which she had been unknowingly biting on. [color=a187be]"Good morning, please excuse us. The sergeant here was just about to help me chose my breakfast,"[/color] she said in voice that was a bit nervous. Swallowing the lump in her throat she looked over towards Josephine and Lauren. 

	[color=a187be]"Ladies, will be just a minute. Excuse me,"[/color] she added as her fingers laced Harry's, feeling more comfortable with him than anyone else in the room currently, save the Lord Major whom she had known for quite sometime. Looking back over to Harry she smiled. [color=a187be]"Lead the way."[/color] Her voice a bit softer and kinder than it had been as she waited for him to escort her to the buffet and explain just what bubbles and squeak where. 

	In the meantime Peter escorted Vera down to the main garden within the base over looking the Nile. Vera knew what this was about, she was sure of it and she could feel the butterflies in her stomach fluttering away. Why was she so nervous about this? She had all but agreed to it years ago. Sure time had passed but she hadn't grown close to anyone since then had she? A thought of William went through her mind. He was very handsome, and charming if you liked that sort of rakish attitude. Yet thinking about the night before she found herself sighing. He was the type that would never see someone like her as anything more than a passing conquest. 

	No, she had to stop being nervous about this. Peter was kind, handsome even with the scar on his face. He let her be who she was without question, supported her, always had. He was titled, proper, a fitting match. The ton would be all up about an engagement between the two but it was a right match and it would cause no scandal. Yes, of course Peter was the right choice. There wasn't even a choice. It wasn't like Mr. Drake cared about her, he just enjoyed tormenting her. Like a school boy pulling on her pig tails. Then why oh why couldn't she stop thinking about the way it felt for him to have his arm around her? Warm, inviting, exciting even. While as Peter lead her to the courtyard she felt nothing but a fond affection. [color=f7976a][i]"Stop it Vera, this is right and will make both Peter and Uncle Regi most happy."[/i][/color] she thought to herself. 

	Peter lead her over towards one of the trees and brought them both into the shade. [color=82ca9d]"Vera, I have something I have been meaning to ask you,"[/color] he said softly as he took her hand and caressed it softly. Holding it with his own as his fingers trailed over it. Vera suddenly felt very sick....

	At the gate the guard cocked a brow and nodded. "Lord Major Keystone, yes he is in. If you would, present your identification, remove any arms to be stowed, and state your reason for the visit," the guard said before his attention got diverted as another man came up and pushed his way to the front. "See here sir, we do not tolerate that sort of misconduct here," the guard said, clearly vexed with the situation. 

	"Sorry, sorry," the man said breathlessly. "I was sent by the warden, most urgent. I need to speak with the Lord Major," he said holding out a notice. The guard took it and his eyes skimmed it over before nodding and tucking it into his front pocket. "Right, of course. Arms here, you come with me as well. Might as well kill two birds with one stone," the guard said towards William. "Men, lock down for now. No one else enters or leaves without the Lord Majors expressed permission," he ordered the rest at the gate. After a moment of waiting to ensure neither of the men were armed, he escorted them with an additional soldier through the grounds of the barracks. 

	As they came into the courtyard and the officers main hall was in sight so was Vera and Peter. Vera looked rather nervous, glancing around as if she was trying to make a decision on something. [color=82ca9d]"Vera darling, do you accept my proposal?"[/color] Peter asked as he stepped towards her and leaned in, pulling her closer as his arm slipped around her waist. Biting her bottom lip Vera tried to muster up the courage to answer, that was until her eyes fell on William. She froze, and Peter cocked a brow. Turning his head slightly to see what had caused Vera's sudden statue like demeanor. 

	[color=f7976a][b][i]Garden City:[/i][/b][/color] Neema relaxed herself in a seat and took her time preparing the tea for the both of them. Once that was done, she turned her attention for Nora's finger. Removing the small bandage and checking it over. The branding seemed to be healed this morning. While a scar still remained, the fire in it was gone. The bandage where it had touched the brand left a mark in the shape of the brand, as if it had been burned into it with acid of some sort. "Ah yes, much better. Much better indeed. Keep it open for now, let it breath. Tonight and each night for the next week, apply what I have given you and wrap it while you sleep," she instructed Nora before settling back in her chair and handing over a cup of tea to her host. 

	"It seems you are about to embark on your very own. But yes, I will when we have a moment but please, continue. Tell me of your dreams." Neema seemed excited about the possibility of telling her own tales, something her son never wished to hear and others dismissed. Yet she was there to help if she could and she was indeed interested in these dreams that Nora spoke of. As she listened she sipped on her tea and kept her eyes trained on Nora. Like a student fully enchanted with the teachers lecture for the day. 

	"Oh my, that is quite the dream," she exclaimed as Nora finished and leaned forward. "Tell me, are these two you speak of. What do you know about them? The Journalist, is this one very determined? What about the American? Endearing and proud? You, I know you. Open-minded, practical, logical. Yes, my dear. I know what corner of the pyramid you are. You are the Nile itself. Let me guess, you were born either in January, June, September, or November. Considering you hold so many of the traits, I would say you belong to the first cycle. Yes, you were born in January. Between the 1st and the 7th."

	[color=f7976a][i][b]Shepheard's Hotel:[/b][/i][/color] The desk clerk looked up from the paper work he was dealing with and put on a smile for the lady standing before him. As he spoke his accent was heavy but it was manageable. "Why yes Miss. I do indeed. Welcome to the Shepheard's Hotel." His voice was kind and rather excitable. He looked her over but only for a moment, he had seen women dressed as she before. In fact it was starting to become the rage for some of them it seemed. Slacks were welcome when dealing with the sands of Egypt. Though most did not think it was right for women to wear them, he did not care. As long as people payed and behaved themselves in his hotel. "I am the day manager. Please, call me Hakeem." 

	Looking back down, he pulled out the registrar and flipped the pages over slowly. "Let me see, we have been rather busy as of late." His finger went over the pages, one by one. "Ahh yes, we do have a room. The former patrons just checked out this morning. It is in the middle of cleaning and restocking." Looking up he smiled towards her and handed her a registration card to fill out. "Yes, if you could just fill this out for me, name, age, the like. How long you intend to stay, and so forth. It will not be until this afternoon that the room is ready but we can stow your belongings until then and have them delivered to the room once it is ready if you would like."