Lysandra swivelled her head towards the sound of Elle's voice. She recieved the greeting with a sardonic smile and shot back, "Tiens, tiens Elle, what a delicious surprise. Looks like we will be working together on this trip. That is what you are here for... right?" As she finished her sentence, Lady von Brennenburg crossed her legs and fully turned her whole body in the direction of Lucian and Countess Pelham.


Elle chuckled at Lysandra's snarky quip. This was how the two usually communicated with each other. But Elle was positive there was passion behind Lys' cold remarks to her. So instead of getting offended El's grin grew even bigger. "Oh, you know me, Lys. If work is not fun, it's just hard labor." El wiggled her eyebrows suggestively. Of course by the time her sentence was out of her mouth Lysandra had already given El her back and had remained oblivious to the eyebrow wiggle. The Countess chuckled again and shaking her head turned to Alcander. "So Al... Two archeology experts in the house. What do you suppose the Baron has planned for us?" Elle's whole essence was still irradiating jolly vibes all around. 


For  his part, Lucian regarded Lysandra with perplexed interest; there was  something exceedingly familiar about the woman, even though he did not  readily recogonize her. Perhaps staring for too long behind cool,  attentive eyes, Lucian thought he might have connected the dots as he  wrestled with his memory and tried to reconcile the face to something  from his past. At last, it hit him. From several years back, and prior  to his departure from her father's company, Lucian thought he'd figured  out why Lysandra was so familiar. "Begging your pardon, maddam, but I  believe we've met before. You are Herr Von Brennenburg's daughter,  correct? It has been some time; I did not recognize you, I'm ashamed to  admit."

Alcander should have guessed the attractive woman, Lys, would be a known figure. She seemed an (albeit cold) socialite, much like the Indian woman. He turned to his aquaintence Elle. While they didn't socialize in the same circles, he always enjoyed being around her. "I'm curious on that as well. He called me a few weeks ago and told me about a venture or project he looked to set forth, but the Baron did not seem fit to provide details." He glanced to the others that awaited Lord Cornack. "I have a feeling everyone here has a certain set of skills."

The two women seemed to recognize one another, their interactions actually quite amusing. Lakshmi almost forgot to return Lucian's greeting, though that admittedly went out the window as she figured that each of them at least knew one another. Sort of. Though while it looked like some were better known, she pondered how she fit into this group. At Alcander's hunch, she wasn't quite sure. Well, looks were decieving, but he seemed to be getting at something more. "Skills such as...?" She ended up asking outloud. 

A smile crept on to Lysandra's face as Lucian seemed to recognise her. She nodded and spoke proudly, "I am indeed Konrad von Brennenburg's daughter. It is so good to see you, Lucian. My father sends you his warmest regards... and this." Lysandra smiled and slid the envelope towards Lucian. It was lettered in a familiar handwriting with Lucian's full name on it, and sealed with the wax seal of the estate of Brennenburg. Lys turned back to address the full table. "If Lucian is here and Elle as well, that must mean this is an expedition of some sort, 
yes? My father told me little of what my purpose here was." 

The Frenchman took the envelope, something that felt like it was far more ornate and expensive than it needed to be, with a respectful bow of his head. He'd open it when he had a moment to himself, he decided, as he cautiously angled it like it were a piece of cutlery to the left of his person. "[I]Merci[/I], Lysandra, the feeling is mutual. It warms my heart to see you in good health. If I do not see your father in a timely manner, please offer him my warmest regards." He said, turning his attention to the meeting as well. "Given the decour and my profession as a hunter and a colonial Africa guide, I can only presume that this proposition will take us there, [/I]non?[/I]"

[hr]

[center][h2]An Expedition Unlike Any Other[/h2][/center]

The conversation was interrupted by an incessant tapping upon the floor. Once, twice, thrice...slowly but surely. Alcander's smile at the current conversation disappeared, replaced by a far more warm smile at who he knew must be making his way down the stairs. 

Baron Thomas Cornack moved more leisurely than his age warranted due to a recent anomaly in the medical field called polio. Passed that, he was a stately man in his mid sixties, aging but with a fire to him that could not be doused without a hell of a good scrap. His grey mane was styled fashionably, and his beard and mustache was well groomed. The Baron seemed fiercely pleased at the group that had already begun to mingle. 

"Ah, I see you've all become quite comfortable with one another already. Good. It saves me the time of having to stall rivalries or bets. Trust me, if you choose to play ball with what I have in store, you'll need everyone's full cooperation and support." The old Lord gave a chuckle, pointing toward Al. "I haven't even told young Alcander here what it is, yet." 

"I'm still eager." the archaeologist replied in good humor. 

"Ha! I'm sure you all are, my boy." He said, giving a wink. "But let me tell you this won't be like any of the cake walks you've been on before. In fact, it will change the course of human understanding." Despite the sarcasm and humor, the tone in the room sobered up quickly as he paused, weighing them. "I'm sure many of you have heard of the Bantu people. I know mister DuBois has." The Baron gave Lucian a nod in acknowledgement. "However, their culture, customs, their mythology and religion. It remains largely a mystery in this part of the world. Which is odd, because any real amount of research will show you something very curious." 

Cornack limped over to the table, and he placed his hand on the top to steady himself. With his free hand, he lifted the cane and tapped the globe, right along the center of Africa. "The fact that their religion coincides with nearly every basic aspect of the Abrahamic faith we have all come to accept as the western tradition..." he stated. "Monotheistic. Life after death...sending punishments with plagues of locusts. Man was made from a reed among water, just as how Moses was found. My brother spent his life delving into old books and tomes. Searching for the secrets of humanity's beginnings. It wasn't until it was too late that I realized what he had found. The thing he gave his life to find." 

The Baron set his cane down, and reached for his glasses and blew on them. "Ladies and Gentleman..." He began. With the hem of his shirt, he wiped the lenses. "The Garden of Eden could never be found in Isreal, because it was never there. It's in the Congo...and you're going to find it."