[hr][hr][center][h1][i][b][color=b8860b]Reginald Keystone[/color][/b][/i][/h1] [img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/8dc58e9c-1548-4a96-8184-e838e475e422.gif[/img][/center] [hr][center][color=darkgoldenrod][b]Location:[/b][/color] The Ferry (Elite Deck, Reginald's Cabin -> Sun Deck) [color=b8860b][b]Skills:[/b][/color] N/A [/center][hr][hr] Dressed and ready to meet the challenges of the day, which may or may not include fisticuffing it up with ruffians and/or defending the honor of the Empire, The Lord Major Reginald I. Keystone, pride of the His Majesty's Royal Air Corps, took up the invitation to the Captain and set out to inform any and all of the others in his group of the breakfast above. Many, it was quite possible, had received a like summons. He didn't carry his message of upper-crust breakfasting to the Second Deck, for a couple of reasons: Firstly, propriety stated that those marked as attached professionally to the Elite Deck Ticketholders should be contacted by the persons to whom they were attached. Secondly, and most importantly to his nerves that early in the morning, Reginald did not want to suffer through the obnoxiously loud affirmations of Corporal Reddish. The mere thought of it before his morning constitutionals made him shudder involuntarily. Reginald was a man who had faced war, turmoil, and loss in his lifetime. He had made massive mistakes and shown himself an apt example of heroism at its finest. Noble birth aside, he had carved a place of respect by the strength of his own actions and character. With this in mind, it said something solid when he shook his head and [i]noped[/i] the hell out of that potential meeting. At least, for a while yet. The Corporal wasn't a bad guy. Damned efficient at his job, and attentive to detail. The optimal noncommissioned officer to handle ground work and day-to-day affairs. Reginald just didn't want to deal with him right at that moment. He did make it a point to inform whomever he found on the Elite Deck to pass it along to their Second Deck counterpart. [center]- [u]Breakfast[/u] -[/center] The sun was warming this early in the morning, as the sun in Egypt tended to be. They were dining in the ruffling breeze of the Nile, and though they were technically out-of-doors, Reginald had taken to a point of etiquette that would have been undoubtedly in place were they under a roof, and removed his cap to dine. It was respectful to the Captain as well, showing in some token way deference to his authority on board his boat. Before he sat, the Lord Major extended a cordial and semi-formal, [color=b8860b]"Good morning, Captain. How do you fare on this fine day, sir?"[/color] and waited patiently to officially join the table until he received a nod to do so. He kept his morning repast simple, not wishing to appear overanxious nor impolite. Eggs and thick toast with marmalade dominated his plate, though he did have his eye on a tidbit or two elsewhere on the table. For the interim of the meal, he kept the subjects of conversation focused on pleasantries as best he could; health and the weather, the way things [i]were[/i] versus the way things [i]used to be[/i] and some of the ramifications thereof, things of this nature that could be best visualized by the three letter descriptor of "etc." It wasn't until very near to the logical ending point of the meal that Reginald broached a more professional topic. [color=b8860b]"Well then, Captain. I am grateful to your hospitality on this fine morning, but if I may - How fares the investigation into our little dilemma from last night? Any progress reported from your fine staff?"[/color] There came over the Lord Major a sudden foreboding sense. A glaring, jittery sort of proprioception or extrasensory awareness that he used to get back during The Great War that served as something of a warning just prior to something horrible happening, like a sudden attack or a bomb dropping on their location. It was the awareness of an old soldier, a thing which made him brace for the coming fray. It came in the form of a whisper in his ear. [color=bdb76b]"[i]Lord Major[/i]?"[/color] [hr][hr][center][h1][i][b][color=bdb76b]Haring Reddish[/color][/b][/i][/h1] [img]https://img.roleplayerguild.com/prod/users/3dfa33ad-a5d4-4a36-83f4-7ad368164e70.gif[/img][/center] [hr][center][color=darkkhaki][b]Location:[/b][/color] The Ferry (Second Deck, Reddish's Cabin -> Sun Deck) [color=bdb76b][b]Skills:[/b][/color] Stealth, Arabic [/center][hr][hr] The plan was to give it a wait until his pictures came back from the photographer, then deliver both Josephine's apparel and the images serving as memento to their evening to her stateroom. That plan, in hindsight, seemed to conflict with the need for the Corporal to check in with the Lord Major that morning. As it stood, he was given a good amount of latitude with his being "[i]Off Duty[/i]", yet it was still good policy (as well as protocol when off base) for a valet to report to his officer at the start of the day to allow for any changes to his situation or standing orders. It shouldn't be that long of an ordeal, and he could then get back to his appointed task at hand. Unfortunately, that would require him to venture up and into Elite Deck territory. Such an undertaking might require a touch of skullduggery to accomplish without being noticed. He would have to be especially Reddishy that morning. Now, the actual ascension to the deck above was routine. He had a ticket that allowed him access with the idea that he would be handling the affairs of the Lord Major. Remaining subtle once he was upon the Elite Deck... that was the trick. As expected, the initial ascent was standard. Reddish showed his ticket and made his way solidly toward Reginald's stateroom. A moment of disappointment struck him as he came to learn that his superior had already left his quarters, making his simple task a tad more complicated. The old man had not passed him on the stairs, and the only general reason that Reddish could think of as to why he might be down there would be to check on Cargo. Well, he had people for that. Namely, Corporal Reddish. So if he was not on the Elite Deck and he was not likely to be below, it stood to reason that he would be on the Sun Deck. It was breakfast time, right? Okay, [i]there[/i] was his excuse to be on a deck to which he had not received invitation, just in case he was found out. Reddish needed cover. So along the way, he stopped by the kitchen and began confidently explaining in passable Arabic, [color=bdb76b]"Marhaba? [i]Marhaba[/i]! Nem, 'ana malhiq shakhsiun Bialluward Majur Kistun, 'ana huna liaistiqbal qahwat alsabah."[/color] He tapped his foot and put on the appearance of impatience. [color=bdb76b]"Qahw! Nem, qhw! Alquhwat alddamiat Lilwarad Majur! Ladayk khidmatan qahwatan , nem? Arjwk bsre!"[/color] His face brightened for a moment, [color=bdb76b]"Lishakhsayn, min fadlika. Shukraan jazilana."[/color] A smallish serving platter containing two demitasse and a stylized, silvery coffeepot was hastily but deftly appropriated by the Corporal which he used to obscure his face from casual glance, and a decanting towel laid over his opposing forearm, at least partially hiding the armament at his belt. This was his stock and trade, and Reddish was damned good at it. The very image of his face turned toward the jovial and he gave a parting, [color=bdb76b]"Thank you [i]ever so much[/i] once more, sirs! I shall inform the Captain and the Lord Major of your [i]amazing[/i] service!"[/color] He bowed stiffly at the waist and strode out of the kitchen, gunning for the Sun Deck. [center]- [u]Breakfast[/u] -[/center] He came out of nowhere. Seemingly, literally [i]nowhere[/i]. There was no warning, he did not appear to walk up [i]from[/i] anywhere. He just [i]appeared[/i]. Quickly, he bowed his head down to ear level with Reginald, and rasped out a quick announcement of his presence. [color=bdb76b]"[i]Lord Major[/i]?"[/color] Reginald knew that something was coming, but it didn't matter. Shock slapped him like a wet steak, flailed in a fit of hysteria.[color=b8860b]"[i]Dwaaaah![/i]"[/color] he screamed, involuntarily flinging his cup of tea into the walkway nearby. [color=b8860b]"Blast it all, man! What the devil is wrong with you? We were [i]just having a pleasant breakfast[/i] and you -"[/color] [color=bdb76b]"Oh, I should just [i]love[/i] to join you, Sir! Absolutely, but first..."[/color] Reddish lay the towel over Reginald's shoulder and poured the older soldier a cup of stiff, black coffee to replace the tea that he had just lost, followed y a quick pat down to eliminate and errant drops of the steamy beverage that may have sullied his uniform. [color=bdb76b]"There you are sir, good as new. I've come to see if the Lord Major requires anything of me this morning, or if the "Off Duty" status remains, if you'll follow me Sir. But as you've been as gentlemanly as to allow for my presence among my betters (that being yourself and your associates present, of course), I am frankly [i]honored[/i] to accept. How ever could I not? Thank you, Sir. A thousand thankyous. Please, enjoy your coffee."[/color] The Corporal plopped down in an empty seat and poured his own cup. He then, rather abruptly, fetched two slices of bread and a couple of poached eggs, a bit of crumbled cheese, and what appeared to be some form of spiced hummus. He stacked it all into the form of a rather irreverent sandwich and took a massive bite, the entire time making various grunts and affirmations of its deliciousness. [color=bdb76b]"Mmm. Oh, this is just [i]heavenly[/i] sirs! Lord Major, Captain, just [i]heavenly[/i]. This must be how the other half eats in the small hours. Mmm. Simply delightful."[/color] Half of the sandwich was gone in an instant, after which he casually inquired, [color=bdb76b]"Plans for the day that include me, Sirs?"[/color] His food was likewise almost done in extremely short order, as was his demitasse of Egyptian coffee. He flashed a smile that could have been interpreted as either smug genius or overt ignorance. It was hard to tell with him.