An Apprentice's Travel Diary - Revision history

Bruce: /* The Prelude Arcana */

2026-02-28T09:08:23Z

The Prelude Arcana

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:08, 28 February 2026
Line 24:		Line 24:
	''I found the professor in a large dinning room off a antiquated kitchen. The table was already set for one, as I seated myself. As a first course, Dural ladled out a fabulous soup, followed by a tasty salad, and fresh baked bread. The meal consisted of seven courses and I managed to eat each and all of them without seeming effort, I must have been starving. Through the whole meal, the professor just watched me eat, which is an unnerving experience. As I ate, I looked about the dining room, it was well appointed with a number of sideboards and china hutches, and an antique grandfather clock in the corner. It was nearly four in the morning and I was dressed for and having dinner, my body clock was having trouble keeping up. Its not that I haven't had a nocturnal schedule before, there were plenty of times in my life when I went to sleep with the dawn and rose in the late afternoon and I had worked nights before at the store. But this was somehow different, as if day and night had been reversed and this was all perfectly normal. I won't describe dessert, but it was delicious. The professor then led me into a kind of study, where we sat in fine chairs of soft leather and watched Dural as he poured out more coffee and a brandy for me, and then tended the cheerfully flickering hearth. It might have been my imagination, but the professor chose to sit farthest from the fire-light, while I gravitated towards it. I had begun to notice the pattern, that the professor would watch me while I ate or drank, while he himself had nothing to consume. I briefly remember him mentioning that he had already dined while I was 'freshening up', but somehow that sounded dishonest or hollow, but I had yet to pin down why I believed that. Yet, I had long ago learned to trust my instincts when my rational mind had less information than necessary to come to a calculated strategy.''		''I found the professor in a large dinning room off a antiquated kitchen. The table was already set for one, as I seated myself. As a first course, Dural ladled out a fabulous soup, followed by a tasty salad, and fresh baked bread. The meal consisted of seven courses and I managed to eat each and all of them without seeming effort, I must have been starving. Through the whole meal, the professor just watched me eat, which is an unnerving experience. As I ate, I looked about the dining room, it was well appointed with a number of sideboards and china hutches, and an antique grandfather clock in the corner. It was nearly four in the morning and I was dressed for and having dinner, my body clock was having trouble keeping up. Its not that I haven't had a nocturnal schedule before, there were plenty of times in my life when I went to sleep with the dawn and rose in the late afternoon and I had worked nights before at the store. But this was somehow different, as if day and night had been reversed and this was all perfectly normal. I won't describe dessert, but it was delicious. The professor then led me into a kind of study, where we sat in fine chairs of soft leather and watched Dural as he poured out more coffee and a brandy for me, and then tended the cheerfully flickering hearth. It might have been my imagination, but the professor chose to sit farthest from the fire-light, while I gravitated towards it. I had begun to notice the pattern, that the professor would watch me while I ate or drank, while he himself had nothing to consume. I briefly remember him mentioning that he had already dined while I was 'freshening up', but somehow that sounded dishonest or hollow, but I had yet to pin down why I believed that. Yet, I had long ago learned to trust my instincts when my rational mind had less information than necessary to come to a calculated strategy.''

	''Save for the crackle of the flames, silence held sway, as the professor and I both waited for the other to speak first. Then, considering all that I owed the professor, I set aside my innate obstinate competitiveness and offer my sincerest thanks for the professor's generous hospitality. He casually dismissed this gratitude with wave of his thick fingered hands, it was then that I noticed that he had calluses on his muscular hands. How had such an obviously wealthy man come to have callused hands? Its not completely unheard of, but it is rare and I sensed that whatever work the professor did, it did not involve physical labor and yet he was clearly quite athletic for a man his age. While pondering these things, I suggested that I should take my leave and try to reach my friends and family. The professor quietly considered this while looking at the complicated face of his antique pocket-watch. Then he simply offered that I was obviously tired and that a day's worth of sleep would do me good and that my friends and family weren't going anywhere in only a few hours. As I nursed my coffee and brandy, I realized that he was right, it made sense that a few hours of sleep wouldn't cost me anything. And that when I woke up, I would be prepared to resolve the mystery of why I had been sleeping in a filthy alley in late December. How such a thing had come pass was beyond me, I had known people whose vices put them in those sorts of positions, but it had never happened to me before. So without further discussion it was decided and the professor informed Dural that I would be staying in the guest bedroom that it should be made ready, at which Dural nodded and seemed to vanish into the depths of the house once more. While we waited, the professor suggested we play a game of chess and as there was board already on the table between us, I accepted. While we played and the professor trounced me, we discussed a number of subjects including history, science and oddly, the occult. It was this final subject that the professor seemed to be quizzing me upon, so rather than be rude, I played along and surprised myself along the way with my own knowledge of such an obscure subject. By way of congratulations for knowing so much about an unusual subject, the professor offered me cigar from a beautiful box. I felt a sudden urge to accept, as if I were a smoker and needed a cigarette, then my natural revulsion for smoking kicked in and I politely declined. The professor explained what a treat I was missing, they were Cuban cigars and quite expensive, I countered that I wasn't a smoker, but I understood the compliment. His apparent indifference surprised me and we spent the next few hours playing chess. I proved myself just good enough to keep him from winning until near the end of the mid-game and I learned a lot about him from his style of play which was very unconventional. Then near the end of another game, Dural made himself known and explained that the guest quarters were ready and that I should accompany him. Once again, I offered the professor my thanks and wished him a good day's rest, which provoked a genuine smile. The guest room turned out to be an entire suite and better appointed than any hotel I had ever stayed in, not that I had time to appreciate it, I was almost asleep before I undressed.''		''Save for the crackle of the flames, silence held sway, as the professor and I both waited for the other to speak first. Then, considering all that I owed the professor, I set aside my innate obstinate competitiveness and offer my sincerest thanks for the professor's generous hospitality. He casually dismissed this gratitude with wave of his thick fingered hands, it was then that I noticed that he had calluses on his muscular hands. How had such an obviously wealthy man come to have callused hands? Its not completely unheard of, but it is rare and I sensed that whatever work the professor did, it did not involve physical labor and yet he was clearly quite athletic for a man his age. While pondering these things, I suggested that I should take my leave and try to reach my friends and family. The professor quietly considered this while looking at the complicated face of his antique pocket-watch. Then he simply offered that I was obviously tired and that a day's worth of sleep would do me good and that my friends and family weren't going anywhere in only a few hours. As I nursed my coffee and brandy, I realized that he was right, it made sense that a few hours of sleep wouldn't cost me anything. And that when I woke up, I would be prepared to resolve the mystery of why I had been sleeping in a filthy alley in late December. How such a thing had come to pass was beyond me, I had known people whose vices put them in those sorts of positions, but it had never happened to me before. So without further discussion it was decided and the professor informed Dural that I would be staying in the guest bedroom that it should be made ready, at which Dural nodded and seemed to vanish into the depths of the house once more. While we waited, the professor suggested we play a game of chess and as there was board already on the table between us, I accepted. While we played and the professor trounced me, we discussed a number of subjects including history, science and oddly, the occult. It was this final subject that the professor seemed to be quizzing me upon, so rather than be rude, I played along and surprised myself along the way with my own knowledge of such an obscure subject. By way of congratulations for knowing so much about an unusual subject, the professor offered me cigar from a beautiful box. I felt a sudden urge to accept, as if I were a smoker and needed a cigarette, then my natural revulsion for smoking kicked in and I politely declined. The professor explained what a treat I was missing, they were Cuban cigars and quite expensive, I countered that I wasn't a smoker, but I understood the compliment. His apparent indifference surprised me and we spent the next few hours playing chess. I proved myself just good enough to keep him from winning until near the end of the mid-game and I learned a lot about him from his style of play which was very unconventional. Then near the end of another game, Dural made himself known and explained that the guest quarters were ready and that I should accompany him. Once again, I offered the professor my thanks and wished him a good day's rest, which provoked a genuine smile. The guest room turned out to be an entire suite and better appointed than any hotel I had ever stayed in, not that I had time to appreciate it, I was almost asleep before I undressed.''

	''I have no recollection of any dreams from that first night, but when I awoke only a weak cindery light came through the small window high up upon the western wall. I slowly roused myself from beneath the fine sheets and down comforters and realized how quiet the house was, it seemed abandoned. I quickly showered, shaved and dressed, making my way downstairs, I found Dural in the kitchen making a late afternoon meal. I greeted him and he seemed surprised to see me, but he quickly pulled out a chair for me and prepared another plate. When he started to take it into the dinning room, I declined, preferring to eat in the warmth of the kitchen. There was of course another reason entirely, I didn't want to eat alone and Dural's company was preferable, but it also gave me the excuse to strike up a conversation. While it was a novice approach to finding out more about my host, I was surprised by how successful it was, perhaps no one offered to converse with Dural as an equal very often or he too was lonely. The meal was pleasant, and informative, I learned that the professor and Dural were from Australia, specifically the city of Melbourne and that the professor was someone of great importance to one of the city's universities. Dural explained that the professor was extremely well educated and a expert on numerous subjects, a true polymath. While he would extol professor's many virtues and successes in the field of science, he actually revealed precious little of importance at the time. We were, in fact, still discussing the professor and Melbourne history when the great man himself made his entrance. I hadn't noticed the passage of time as Dural and I talked, but it was quite dark outside the kitchen windows when the professor made a coughing noise to announce his approach. The old boy wasn't just fit, he was positively stealthy, for I had not heard even a floor board creak, nor the opening and closing of doors upstairs to herald his arrival.''		''I have no recollection of any dreams from that first night, but when I awoke only a weak cindery light came through the small window high up upon the western wall. I slowly roused myself from beneath the fine sheets and down comforters and realized how quiet the house was, it seemed abandoned. I quickly showered, shaved and dressed, making my way downstairs, I found Dural in the kitchen making a late afternoon meal. I greeted him and he seemed surprised to see me, but he quickly pulled out a chair for me and prepared another plate. When he started to take it into the dinning room, I declined, preferring to eat in the warmth of the kitchen. There was of course another reason entirely, I didn't want to eat alone and Dural's company was preferable, but it also gave me the excuse to strike up a conversation. While it was a novice approach to finding out more about my host, I was surprised by how successful it was, perhaps no one offered to converse with Dural as an equal very often or he too was lonely. The meal was pleasant, and informative, I learned that the professor and Dural were from Australia, specifically the city of Melbourne and that the professor was someone of great importance to one of the city's universities. Dural explained that the professor was extremely well educated and a expert on numerous subjects, a true polymath. While he would extol professor's many virtues and successes in the field of science, he actually revealed precious little of importance at the time. We were, in fact, still discussing the professor and Melbourne history when the great man himself made his entrance. I hadn't noticed the passage of time as Dural and I talked, but it was quite dark outside the kitchen windows when the professor made a coughing noise to announce his approach. The old boy wasn't just fit, he was positively stealthy, for I had not heard even a floor board creak, nor the opening and closing of doors upstairs to herald his arrival.''

Keith: /* Apprentice of the First Circle */

2026-02-28T02:38:37Z

Apprentice of the First Circle

← Older revision		Revision as of 20:38, 27 February 2026
Line 113:		Line 113:
	''For a few minutes, she just stood there, then she shut the door leaving us both in the dark. Despite the lack of light, she managed to pick her way through the mess with nary a misstep, until she stood next to me. Then she knelt down and put her arms around me until the shaking subsided. On the first floor, I could hear the Professor's final instructions to the chantry's subservient house staff and their meekly murmured assent. Then the front door opened and with the change in pressure within the house, a draft passed close enough to my room carrying with it the sounds of far off traffic and closer by the energetic sounds of young people dancing to unfamiliar music. I could also hear the distinctive purr of an old fashioned V8 engine as it pulled up just outside the front door and the sound of luggage being loaded, probably by Dural. Then I heard the car door slam and its engine revved up as it pulled away to eventually blend seamlessly with that far off sound of traffic.''		''For a few minutes, she just stood there, then she shut the door leaving us both in the dark. Despite the lack of light, she managed to pick her way through the mess with nary a misstep, until she stood next to me. Then she knelt down and put her arms around me until the shaking subsided. On the first floor, I could hear the Professor's final instructions to the chantry's subservient house staff and their meekly murmured assent. Then the front door opened and with the change in pressure within the house, a draft passed close enough to my room carrying with it the sounds of far off traffic and closer by the energetic sounds of young people dancing to unfamiliar music. I could also hear the distinctive purr of an old fashioned V8 engine as it pulled up just outside the front door and the sound of luggage being loaded, probably by Dural. Then I heard the car door slam and its engine revved up as it pulled away to eventually blend seamlessly with that far off sound of traffic.''

	''When all traces of the Professor's conveyance had diminished to nothing, Natasha took my grizzled old face in her soft young hands and I felt her thoughts as they searched my mind for the reason for my destructive tantrum. I was so startled, that I did not know what to do, rather I sat there paralyzed with indecision, until she telepathically explained what had happened to me. "Czere, for reasons unknown, the Professor has bound you to him with the blood ~~blood~~. It is an ancient method by which one vampire can make another love and obey them. It was used by ancient vampires to control their progeny long before the wizards of House Tremere decided to become vampires themselves. And as members of Clan Tremere, we are particularly susceptible to its effects. Where most Kindred need to taste the blood of another vampire three times, we can be bound with only two tastes, its our curse. I don't know why the Professor would do that to you, but there must be a rational reason. The Professor would never do that to you unless it was absolutely necessary, in part because it violates the Code of Tremere and because if it were revealed to his superiors, he could be punished quite severely. You must never speak of this to anyone, not to Dural or the other servants and never to Seth. Do you understand?"''		''When all traces of the Professor's conveyance had diminished to nothing, Natasha took my grizzled old face in her soft young hands and I felt her thoughts as they searched my mind for the reason for my destructive tantrum. I was so startled, that I did not know what to do, rather I sat there paralyzed with indecision, until she telepathically explained what had happened to me. "Czere, for reasons unknown, the Professor has bound you to him with the blood bond. It is an ancient method by which one vampire can make another love and obey them. It was used by ancient vampires to control their progeny long before the wizards of House Tremere decided to become vampires themselves. And as members of Clan Tremere, we are particularly susceptible to its effects. Where most Kindred need to taste the blood of another vampire three times, we can be bound with only two tastes, its our curse. I don't know why the Professor would do that to you, but there must be a rational reason. The Professor would never do that to you unless it was absolutely necessary, in part because it violates the Code of Tremere and because if it were revealed to his superiors, he could be punished quite severely. You must never speak of this to anyone, not to Dural or the other servants and never to Seth. Do you understand?"''

	''"I understand, Natasha." I spoke the words aloud and left the question of how she could read my mind and project her own thoughts into my mind as an unvoiced question. Her thoughts whispered to me that it was one of the many higher gifts of Auspex and that in time, I too would be able to do such amazing things. As my rational mind took over, I asked how she knew such things about the blood-bond and the history of the vampires. Her reply to me was that there were books about it in the library and that if I kept this conversation between us, she would show them to me some night soon. With so many dark miracles in play, how could I refuse her? I was a babe in the woods, a fledgling, a fetal supernatural being, immortal but virtually helpless before the powers of older vampires. Of course, I readily agreed.''		''"I understand, Natasha." I spoke the words aloud and left the question of how she could read my mind and project her own thoughts into my mind as an unvoiced question. Her thoughts whispered to me that it was one of the many higher gifts of Auspex and that in time, I too would be able to do such amazing things. As my rational mind took over, I asked how she knew such things about the blood-bond and the history of the vampires. Her reply to me was that there were books about it in the library and that if I kept this conversation between us, she would show them to me some night soon. With so many dark miracles in play, how could I refuse her? I was a babe in the woods, a fledgling, a fetal supernatural being, immortal but virtually helpless before the powers of older vampires. Of course, I readily agreed.''

Keith: /* The Prelude Arcana */

2026-02-27T20:47:11Z

The Prelude Arcana

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:47, 27 February 2026
Line 24:		Line 24:
	''I found the professor in a large dinning room off a antiquated kitchen. The table was already set for one, as I seated myself. As a first course, Dural ladled out a fabulous soup, followed by a tasty salad, and fresh baked bread. The meal consisted of seven courses and I managed to eat each and all of them without seeming effort, I must have been starving. Through the whole meal, the professor just watched me eat, which is an unnerving experience. As I ate, I looked about the dining room, it was well appointed with a number of sideboards and china hutches, and an antique grandfather clock in the corner. It was nearly four in the morning and I was dressed for and having dinner, my body clock was having trouble keeping up. Its not that I haven't had a nocturnal schedule before, there were plenty of times in my life when I went to sleep with the dawn and rose in the late afternoon and I had worked nights before at the store. But this was somehow different, as if day and night had been reversed and this was all perfectly normal. I won't describe dessert, but it was delicious. The professor then led me into a kind of study, where we sat in fine chairs of soft leather and watched Dural as he poured out more coffee and a brandy for me, and then tended the cheerfully flickering hearth. It might have been my imagination, but the professor chose to sit farthest from the fire-light, while I gravitated towards it. I had begun to notice the pattern, that the professor would watch me while I ate or drank, while he himself had nothing to consume. I briefly remember him mentioning that he had already dined while I was 'freshening up', but somehow that sounded dishonest or hollow, but I had yet to pin down why I believed that. Yet, I had long ago learned to trust my instincts when my rational mind had less information than necessary to come to a calculated strategy.''		''I found the professor in a large dinning room off a antiquated kitchen. The table was already set for one, as I seated myself. As a first course, Dural ladled out a fabulous soup, followed by a tasty salad, and fresh baked bread. The meal consisted of seven courses and I managed to eat each and all of them without seeming effort, I must have been starving. Through the whole meal, the professor just watched me eat, which is an unnerving experience. As I ate, I looked about the dining room, it was well appointed with a number of sideboards and china hutches, and an antique grandfather clock in the corner. It was nearly four in the morning and I was dressed for and having dinner, my body clock was having trouble keeping up. Its not that I haven't had a nocturnal schedule before, there were plenty of times in my life when I went to sleep with the dawn and rose in the late afternoon and I had worked nights before at the store. But this was somehow different, as if day and night had been reversed and this was all perfectly normal. I won't describe dessert, but it was delicious. The professor then led me into a kind of study, where we sat in fine chairs of soft leather and watched Dural as he poured out more coffee and a brandy for me, and then tended the cheerfully flickering hearth. It might have been my imagination, but the professor chose to sit farthest from the fire-light, while I gravitated towards it. I had begun to notice the pattern, that the professor would watch me while I ate or drank, while he himself had nothing to consume. I briefly remember him mentioning that he had already dined while I was 'freshening up', but somehow that sounded dishonest or hollow, but I had yet to pin down why I believed that. Yet, I had long ago learned to trust my instincts when my rational mind had less information than necessary to come to a calculated strategy.''

	''Save for the crackle of the flames, silence held sway, as the professor and I both waited for the other to speak first. Then, considering all that I owed the professor, I set aside my innate obstinate competitiveness and offer my sincerest thanks for the professor's generous hospitality. He casually dismissed this gratitude with wave of his thick fingered hands, it was then that I noticed that he had calluses on his muscular hands. How had such an obviously wealthy man come to have callused hands? Its not completely unheard of, but it is rare and I sensed that whatever work the professor did, it did not involve physical labor and yet he was clearly quite athletic for a man his age. While pondering these things, I suggested that I should take my leave and try to reach my friends and family. The professor quietly considered this while looking at the complicated face of his antique pocket-watch. Then he simply offered that I was obviously tired and that a day's worth of sleep would do me good and that my friends and family weren't going anywhere in only a few hours. As I nursed my coffee and brandy, I realized that he was right, it made sense that a few hours of sleep wouldn't cost me anything. And that when I woke up, I would be prepared to resolve the mystery of why I had been sleeping in a filthy alley in late December. How such a thing had come pass was beyond me, I had known people whose vices put them in those sorts of positions, but it had never happened to me before. So without further discussion it was decided and the professor informed Dural that I would be staying in the guest bedroom that it should be made ready, at which Dural nodded and seemed to vanish into the depths of the house once more. While we waited, the professor suggested we play a game of chess and as there was board already on the table between us, I accepted. While we played and the professor trounced me, we discussed a number of subjects including history, science and oddly, the occult. It was this final subject that the professor seemed to be quizzing me upon, so rather than be rude, I played along and surprised myself along the way with my own knowledge of such an obscure subject. By way of congratulations for knowing so much about an unusual subject, the professor offered me cigar from a beautiful box. I felt a sudden urge to accept, as if I were a smoker and needed a cigarette, then my natural revulsion for smoking kicked in and I politely declined. The professor explained what a treat I was missing, they were Cuban cigars and quite expensive, I countered that I wasn't a smoker, but I understood the compliment. His apparent indifference surprised me and we spent the next few hours playing chess. I proved myself just good enough to keep him from winning until near the end of the mid-game and I learned a lot about him from his style of play which was very unconventional. Then near the end of another game, Dural made himself ~~know~~ and explained that the guest quarters were ready and that I should accompany him. Once again, I offered the professor my thanks and wished him a good day's rest, which provoked a genuine smile. The guest room turned out to be an entire suite and better appointed than any hotel I had ever stayed in, not that I had time to appreciate it, I was almost asleep before I undressed.''		''Save for the crackle of the flames, silence held sway, as the professor and I both waited for the other to speak first. Then, considering all that I owed the professor, I set aside my innate obstinate competitiveness and offer my sincerest thanks for the professor's generous hospitality. He casually dismissed this gratitude with wave of his thick fingered hands, it was then that I noticed that he had calluses on his muscular hands. How had such an obviously wealthy man come to have callused hands? Its not completely unheard of, but it is rare and I sensed that whatever work the professor did, it did not involve physical labor and yet he was clearly quite athletic for a man his age. While pondering these things, I suggested that I should take my leave and try to reach my friends and family. The professor quietly considered this while looking at the complicated face of his antique pocket-watch. Then he simply offered that I was obviously tired and that a day's worth of sleep would do me good and that my friends and family weren't going anywhere in only a few hours. As I nursed my coffee and brandy, I realized that he was right, it made sense that a few hours of sleep wouldn't cost me anything. And that when I woke up, I would be prepared to resolve the mystery of why I had been sleeping in a filthy alley in late December. How such a thing had come pass was beyond me, I had known people whose vices put them in those sorts of positions, but it had never happened to me before. So without further discussion it was decided and the professor informed Dural that I would be staying in the guest bedroom that it should be made ready, at which Dural nodded and seemed to vanish into the depths of the house once more. While we waited, the professor suggested we play a game of chess and as there was board already on the table between us, I accepted. While we played and the professor trounced me, we discussed a number of subjects including history, science and oddly, the occult. It was this final subject that the professor seemed to be quizzing me upon, so rather than be rude, I played along and surprised myself along the way with my own knowledge of such an obscure subject. By way of congratulations for knowing so much about an unusual subject, the professor offered me cigar from a beautiful box. I felt a sudden urge to accept, as if I were a smoker and needed a cigarette, then my natural revulsion for smoking kicked in and I politely declined. The professor explained what a treat I was missing, they were Cuban cigars and quite expensive, I countered that I wasn't a smoker, but I understood the compliment. His apparent indifference surprised me and we spent the next few hours playing chess. I proved myself just good enough to keep him from winning until near the end of the mid-game and I learned a lot about him from his style of play which was very unconventional. Then near the end of another game, Dural made himself known and explained that the guest quarters were ready and that I should accompany him. Once again, I offered the professor my thanks and wished him a good day's rest, which provoked a genuine smile. The guest room turned out to be an entire suite and better appointed than any hotel I had ever stayed in, not that I had time to appreciate it, I was almost asleep before I undressed.''

	''I have no recollection of any dreams from that first night, but when I awoke only a weak cindery light came through the small window high up upon the western wall. I slowly roused myself from beneath the fine sheets and down comforters and realized how quiet the house was, it seemed abandoned. I quickly showered, shaved and dressed, making my way downstairs, I found Dural in the kitchen making a late afternoon meal. I greeted him and he seemed surprised to see me, but he quickly pulled out a chair for me and prepared another plate. When he started to take it into the dinning room, I declined, preferring to eat in the warmth of the kitchen. There was of course another reason entirely, I didn't want to eat alone and Dural's company was preferable, but it also gave me the excuse to strike up a conversation. While it was a novice approach to finding out more about my host, I was surprised by how successful it was, perhaps no one offered to converse with Dural as an equal very often or he too was lonely. The meal was pleasant, and informative, I learned that the professor and Dural were from Australia, specifically the city of Melbourne and that the professor was someone of great importance to one of the city's universities. Dural explained that the professor was extremely well educated and a expert on numerous subjects, a true polymath. While he would extol professor's many virtues and successes in the field of science, he actually revealed precious little of importance at the time. We were, in fact, still discussing the professor and Melbourne history when the great man himself made his entrance. I hadn't noticed the passage of time as Dural and I talked, but it was quite dark outside the kitchen windows when the professor made a coughing noise to announce his approach. The old boy wasn't just fit, he was positively stealthy, for I had not heard even a floor board creak, nor the opening and closing of doors upstairs to herald his arrival.''		''I have no recollection of any dreams from that first night, but when I awoke only a weak cindery light came through the small window high up upon the western wall. I slowly roused myself from beneath the fine sheets and down comforters and realized how quiet the house was, it seemed abandoned. I quickly showered, shaved and dressed, making my way downstairs, I found Dural in the kitchen making a late afternoon meal. I greeted him and he seemed surprised to see me, but he quickly pulled out a chair for me and prepared another plate. When he started to take it into the dinning room, I declined, preferring to eat in the warmth of the kitchen. There was of course another reason entirely, I didn't want to eat alone and Dural's company was preferable, but it also gave me the excuse to strike up a conversation. While it was a novice approach to finding out more about my host, I was surprised by how successful it was, perhaps no one offered to converse with Dural as an equal very often or he too was lonely. The meal was pleasant, and informative, I learned that the professor and Dural were from Australia, specifically the city of Melbourne and that the professor was someone of great importance to one of the city's universities. Dural explained that the professor was extremely well educated and a expert on numerous subjects, a true polymath. While he would extol professor's many virtues and successes in the field of science, he actually revealed precious little of importance at the time. We were, in fact, still discussing the professor and Melbourne history when the great man himself made his entrance. I hadn't noticed the passage of time as Dural and I talked, but it was quite dark outside the kitchen windows when the professor made a coughing noise to announce his approach. The old boy wasn't just fit, he was positively stealthy, for I had not heard even a floor board creak, nor the opening and closing of doors upstairs to herald his arrival.''

Keith at 20:33, 27 February 2026

2026-02-27T20:33:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:33, 27 February 2026
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	''I stumbled out of the alley towards 14th. The traffic was heavy for this time of night as I turned towards downtown. A few yards away, one of the main doors of the temple opened and disgorged a bulky looking man in his middle fifties. His gray hair was slicked back and he wore a pair of horn-rimmed glasses, a expensive dark gray three-piece-suit, a black overcoat of heavy wool and an old fashioned walking stick. For a moment I debated walking the other way, there was just something about the man that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up - he exuded a cold menace. But then, barely formed words tumbled past my numb unwilling lips and I said: "Excuse me, do you have the time?" Thereafter, for a solid ten seconds he just stared at me and I stared back. Then he looked down and produced from under his voluminous greatcoat an antique gold pocket-watch and replied the time, precisely. I started to turn in the direction of my old apartment at the intersection of Washington and fourteenth, when he introduced himself as Professor Charles Cipher. Automatically, I returned my name and offered my hand. It was then that I realized just how grubby I really looked as I saw the filthy glove with the fingers cut out covering my hand. I have no doubt the professor noticed, but he didn't even hesitate in shaking my hand. To my utter surprise he then offered me a ride home. Normally, I would have politely refused, but when you realize that you just woke up half-frozen in a filthy alley and a total stranger shows not only good manners, but also kindness, good sense dictates not looking too deeply in the gift-horse's mouth. Had I looked, really looked, I would have seen the flash of fangs, but obviously I didn't.''		''I stumbled out of the alley towards 14th. The traffic was heavy for this time of night as I turned towards downtown. A few yards away, one of the main doors of the temple opened and disgorged a bulky looking man in his middle fifties. His gray hair was slicked back and he wore a pair of horn-rimmed glasses, a expensive dark gray three-piece-suit, a black overcoat of heavy wool and an old fashioned walking stick. For a moment I debated walking the other way, there was just something about the man that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up - he exuded a cold menace. But then, barely formed words tumbled past my numb unwilling lips and I said: "Excuse me, do you have the time?" Thereafter, for a solid ten seconds he just stared at me and I stared back. Then he looked down and produced from under his voluminous greatcoat an antique gold pocket-watch and replied the time, precisely. I started to turn in the direction of my old apartment at the intersection of Washington and fourteenth, when he introduced himself as Professor Charles Cipher. Automatically, I returned my name and offered my hand. It was then that I realized just how grubby I really looked as I saw the filthy glove with the fingers cut out covering my hand. I have no doubt the professor noticed, but he didn't even hesitate in shaking my hand. To my utter surprise he then offered me a ride home. Normally, I would have politely refused, but when you realize that you just woke up half-frozen in a filthy alley and a total stranger shows not only good manners, but also kindness, good sense dictates not looking too deeply in the gift-horse's mouth. Had I looked, really looked, I would have seen the flash of fangs, but obviously I didn't.''

	''The professor gestured with a hand gloved in black leather to join him at the curbside and not wanting to seem rude, I joined him. It was about this time that my body began to try to compensate for the loss of heat, the onset of hypothermia, and I began to shake uncontrollably. Despite the cold and disorientation, there was a suddenly sense of being in the right time and place, perhaps of belonging, as I stood with the professor on that snowbound corner waiting for who knows what in the midnight dark. Then that perfect memory, which will be with me always, came to an abrupt end when a 1935 Buick ~~slide~~ up to the curb like a black shark coming in for the kill, as it did so every little detail stood out. In a detached way, I understood that I was slipping into shock, but in another way, my senses were heightened or so it seemed at the time. Because just before the professor opened the right rear door, he called my name and as I looked towards him, I could see his lips moving as he spoke, but in the obviously freezing temperatures his breath never formed even the slightest vapor. But as our eyes connected, I felt something through the shock and his words reached me as if they came from a absurdly great distance. "Get in the horseless carriage". Without thought or hesitations, I did as I was told. I did not become conscious of my surroundings again for some minutes and when I did so, I found someone, probably the professor had draped a wool blanket around me. It was not warm inside the vehicle, but seemed so because I was slipping into a kind of comforting lassitude that washed away my cares and offered the sweet serenity of oblivion. I might have died there, had the professor not slapped me across both sides of my face with his expensive leather gloves. As I opened my eyes, the professor was gesturing over a set of antique silver tea service. It was ridiculous that such a thing might be present in the backseat of a vintage 1930s four door, but then I could see the steam rise from the glittering teapot and smelled my favorite aroma - Bergamot - in Earl Gray tea. As the professor placed a steaming cup in my numb hands, he had to help me drink the sweet hot tea laced with brandy, that went down with a hint of saltiness. Warmth spread through my body bringing life and pain, for one can never have one without the other.''		''The professor gestured with a hand gloved in black leather to join him at the curbside and not wanting to seem rude, I joined him. It was about this time that my body began to try to compensate for the loss of heat, the onset of hypothermia, and I began to shake uncontrollably. Despite the cold and disorientation, there was a suddenly sense of being in the right time and place, perhaps of belonging, as I stood with the professor on that snowbound corner waiting for who knows what in the midnight dark. Then that perfect memory, which will be with me always, came to an abrupt end when a 1935 Buick slid up to the curb like a black shark coming in for the kill, as it did so every little detail stood out. In a detached way, I understood that I was slipping into shock, but in another way, my senses were heightened or so it seemed at the time. Because just before the professor opened the right rear door, he called my name and as I looked towards him, I could see his lips moving as he spoke, but in the obviously freezing temperatures his breath never formed even the slightest vapor. But as our eyes connected, I felt something through the shock and his words reached me as if they came from a absurdly great distance. "Get in the horseless carriage". Without thought or hesitations, I did as I was told. I did not become conscious of my surroundings again for some minutes and when I did so, I found someone, probably the professor had draped a wool blanket around me. It was not warm inside the vehicle, but seemed so because I was slipping into a kind of comforting lassitude that washed away my cares and offered the sweet serenity of oblivion. I might have died there, had the professor not slapped me across both sides of my face with his expensive leather gloves. As I opened my eyes, the professor was gesturing over a set of antique silver tea service. It was ridiculous that such a thing might be present in the backseat of a vintage 1930s four door, but then I could see the steam rise from the glittering teapot and smelled my favorite aroma - Bergamot - in Earl Gray tea. As the professor placed a steaming cup in my numb hands, he had to help me drink the sweet hot tea laced with brandy, that went down with a hint of saltiness. Warmth spread through my body bringing life and pain, for one can never have one without the other.''

	''When my chattering slowed enough for me to speak, I asked where we were going? The professor replied that he was taking me back to his 'rooms'. As the black Buick four-door pulled up to the curb in front of the three story brownstone off of east Richthofen Parkway, I thought I knew how Edmund must have felt as he rode with Jadis the White Witch of Narnia in her sleigh towards a castle made of ice. Stupidly, I asked the professor if this was his house. As he dragged me out into the cold night, he replied that no, the house belonged to some people he had known, but they were not due to return anytime soon. It wasn't until then that I caught a glimpse of the the driver as he exited the vehicle, a Australian aboriginal man wearing a black chauffeur's uniform and greatcoat. The professor led our trio up the snow-dusted steps to the house's medievally arched entry and produced a ring of keys from one of his great-coat pockets. As we entered a large, night darkened antechamber, the only illumination came from the verdant glow of the security console as the professor deactivated it. Then the massive wooden door seem to just swing shut and lock all by itself. Clearly neither the professor, nor the chauffeur thought anything of such a strange event, but then through the chill and weariness, I began to instinctively add up the odd events and something like fear began to seep into my mind at last.''		''When my chattering slowed enough for me to speak, I asked where we were going? The professor replied that he was taking me back to his 'rooms'. As the black Buick four-door pulled up to the curb in front of the three story brownstone off of east Richthofen Parkway, I thought I knew how Edmund must have felt as he rode with Jadis the White Witch of Narnia in her sleigh towards a castle made of ice. Stupidly, I asked the professor if this was his house. As he dragged me out into the cold night, he replied that no, the house belonged to some people he had known, but they were not due to return anytime soon. It wasn't until then that I caught a glimpse of the the driver as he exited the vehicle, a Australian aboriginal man wearing a black chauffeur's uniform and greatcoat. The professor led our trio up the snow-dusted steps to the house's medievally arched entry and produced a ring of keys from one of his great-coat pockets. As we entered a large, night darkened antechamber, the only illumination came from the verdant glow of the security console as the professor deactivated it. Then the massive wooden door seem to just swing shut and lock all by itself. Clearly neither the professor, nor the chauffeur thought anything of such a strange event, but then through the chill and weariness, I began to instinctively add up the odd events and something like fear began to seep into my mind at last.''

Bruce: /* Apollon Rising */

2023-10-03T05:56:25Z

Apollon Rising

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:56, 2 October 2023
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	== <span style="color:#4B0082;"> '''Apollon Rising''' ==		== <span style="color:#4B0082;"> '''Apollon Rising''' ==
			'''''Dawn - June 19th, 1900 - London, England'''''

	----		----

Bruce: /* Conspiracy of Shadows */

2023-03-18T05:34:25Z

Conspiracy of Shadows

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:34, 17 March 2023
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	Vargo boldly stepped forward and proffered his card to one of the twins. As they examined the gentleman's card of introduction, I noticed in their body language a disquieting uniformity of purpose that reminded me very much of the composite behavior of insects, and it made me wonder whether we were dealing with two exquisitely similar individuals or two parts of a larger entity. Their response was not long in coming and the second of the two handed Vargo's card back and synchronistically they opened the curtains to admit our party to the interior of the petite pavilion.		Vargo boldly stepped forward and proffered his card to one of the twins. As they examined the gentleman's card of introduction, I noticed in their body language a disquieting uniformity of purpose that reminded me very much of the composite behavior of insects, and it made me wonder whether we were dealing with two exquisitely similar individuals or two parts of a larger entity. Their response was not long in coming and the second of the two handed Vargo's card back and synchronistically they opened the curtains to admit our party to the interior of the petite pavilion.

	Brilliant amber light poured out through the entrance to the tent dispelling the chemically inspired gloom and blinding us momentarily to what lay within. As our eyes adjusted to the light we found ourselves standing upon an expanse of green grass beneath a galaxy of golden stars, electric light-bulbs hung in complicated patterns above our heads and all around us elegantly dressed people stood in small groups conversing.		Brilliant amber light poured out through the entrance to the tent dispelling the chemically inspired gloom and blinding us momentarily to what lay within. As our eyes adjusted to the light we found ourselves standing upon an expanse of green grass beneath a galaxy of golden stars, electric light-bulbs hung in complicated patterns above our heads and all around us elegantly dressed people stood in small groups conversing. Tinny music carried over the murmurs of the crowd via strategically placed electro-dynamic loudspeakers.

	== <span style="color:#4B0082;"> '''Apollon Rising''' ==		== <span style="color:#4B0082;"> '''Apollon Rising''' ==

Bruce: /* Conspiracy of Shadows */

2023-03-18T05:07:40Z

Conspiracy of Shadows

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:07, 17 March 2023
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	Vargo boldly stepped forward and proffered his card to one of the twins. As they examined the gentleman's card of introduction, I noticed in their body language a disquieting uniformity of purpose that reminded me very much of the composite behavior of insects, and it made me wonder whether we were dealing with two exquisitely similar individuals or two parts of a larger entity. Their response was not long in coming and the second of the two handed Vargo's card back and synchronistically they opened the curtains to admit our party to the interior of the petite pavilion.		Vargo boldly stepped forward and proffered his card to one of the twins. As they examined the gentleman's card of introduction, I noticed in their body language a disquieting uniformity of purpose that reminded me very much of the composite behavior of insects, and it made me wonder whether we were dealing with two exquisitely similar individuals or two parts of a larger entity. Their response was not long in coming and the second of the two handed Vargo's card back and synchronistically they opened the curtains to admit our party to the interior of the petite pavilion.

			Brilliant amber light poured out through the entrance to the tent dispelling the chemically inspired gloom and blinding us momentarily to what lay within. As our eyes adjusted to the light we found ourselves standing upon an expanse of green grass beneath a galaxy of golden stars, electric light-bulbs hung in complicated patterns above our heads and all around us elegantly dressed people stood in small groups conversing.

	== <span style="color:#4B0082;"> '''Apollon Rising''' ==		== <span style="color:#4B0082;"> '''Apollon Rising''' ==

Keith: /* Following Footsteps in the Sand */

2023-03-18T03:31:28Z

Following Footsteps in the Sand

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:31, 17 March 2023
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	== <span style="color:#4B0082;"> '''Following Footsteps in the Sand''' ==		== <span style="color:#4B0082;"> '''Following Footsteps in the Sand''' ==
	The drive into London was a revelation and if I were to select a single word to describe the city at that time, it would be foul, amazingly foul. ~~During~~ the nineteenth century, London ~~was~~ the capital of the largest empire the world had ever seen and it ~~was~~ filthy almost beyond description. As we approached the city from the east with the Thames on our left, the sky grew steadily darker from countless smokestacks disgorging coal smoke into the air. Vargo astounded me with a bit of London lore, the city comprised one hundred square miles of dwellings each with its own fireplace.		The drive into London was a revelation and if I were to select a single word to describe the city at that time, it would be foul, amazingly foul. Now, during the nineteenth century, London is the capital of the largest empire the world had ever seen and it is filthy almost beyond description. As we approached the city from the east with the Thames on our left, the sky grew steadily darker from countless smokestacks disgorging coal smoke into the air. Vargo astounded me with a bit of London lore, the city comprised one hundred square miles of dwellings each with its own fireplace.

	It was perpetual twilight as Vargo's Voiturette coursed through the city's streets. I could not stop comparing London with Paris. Although Paris did have her share of industrial factories and slums, it also has the cleanest streets I had yet seen in the nineteenth century and the Parisians had taken the theories of Louis Pasteur to heart and applied them liberally. London on the other hand held industry to be paramount and its citizens were none too concerned with the filth it generated.		It was perpetual twilight as Vargo's Voiturette coursed through the city's streets. I could not stop comparing London with Paris. Although Paris did have her share of industrial factories and slums, it also has the cleanest streets I had yet seen in the nineteenth century and the Parisians had taken the theories of Louis Pasteur to heart and applied them liberally. London on the other hand held industry to be paramount and its citizens were none too concerned with the filth it generated.
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	The location of the British Exposition was at Hyde Park in Westminster. The lodgings that Vargo had procured for us were just a few blocks north of the park. 3 Westbourne Terrace turned out to be a townhouse built in 1842. It now served as a private hotel for a select subset of clientele who possessed extraordinary gifts and who valued their privacy. The owner of the private boarding house was a friend of Vargo's who understood about the unusual people he served, but seemed mundane enough to me. Our check-in was most peculiar, the establishment required no registration and our host bypassed introductions and small-talk to show us to our rooms and get us settled, this accomplished he disappeared. The absence of formal behavior and casual secrecy rather appealed to me after having to suffer the overt curiosity of the Parisian hotel staff.		The location of the British Exposition was at Hyde Park in Westminster. The lodgings that Vargo had procured for us were just a few blocks north of the park. 3 Westbourne Terrace turned out to be a townhouse built in 1842. It now served as a private hotel for a select subset of clientele who possessed extraordinary gifts and who valued their privacy. The owner of the private boarding house was a friend of Vargo's who understood about the unusual people he served, but seemed mundane enough to me. Our check-in was most peculiar, the establishment required no registration and our host bypassed introductions and small-talk to show us to our rooms and get us settled, this accomplished he disappeared. The absence of formal behavior and casual secrecy rather appealed to me after having to suffer the overt curiosity of the Parisian hotel staff.

	It took little enough time to unpack and we had agreed that afterward we would retire to the hotel dinning-room and there break our fast with English tea and crumpets. We were met there by Kizzy who looked resplendent in emerald green chiffon muslin, with her strawberry curls pinned up à la chignon beneath a wide brimmed hat decorated with ribbons and ostrich feathers, she looked the epitome of the Gibson Girl.		It took little enough time to unpack and we had agreed that afterward we would retire to the hotel dinning-room and there break our fast with English tea and crumpets. We were met there by Kizzy who looked resplendent in emerald green chiffon muslin, with her strawberry curls pinned up à la chignon beneath a wide brimmed hat decorated with ribbons and ostrich feathers, she looked the epitome of the Gibson Girl. Her scent was that of lavender water, her skin the pale perfection I had observed in Paris. She twirled a matching umbrella, with silver tip and opalescent handle.

	Over afternoon tea we discussed the itinerary at the British Exposition~~, there~~ Vargo would display his Matter Conversion Engine to his English colleagues and other members of his faction of technologists. I was informed that this exhibition was open to the general public, but that certain areas and displays were only open to the “gifted.” This did not surprise me, for the matter-conversion engine and other wondrous items were quite simply beyond the order of the day. What would the mundane public make of such impossible machines?		Over afternoon tea we discussed the itinerary at the British Exposition. There Vargo would display his Matter Conversion Engine to his English colleagues and other members of his faction of technologists. I was informed that this exhibition was open to the general public, but that certain areas and displays were only open to the “gifted.” This did not surprise me, for the matter-conversion engine and other wondrous items were quite simply beyond the order of the day. What would the mundane public make of such impossible machines? Would the fabric of reality in London be able to stand the strain of Vargo's advanced science? I wondered what his fellow scientists would make of Vargo's leaps in machinery, and what devious ends they would use his engine on.

	As we exited into the weak afternoon light ~~and~~ walked along the tree lined streets of St.James towards the green of Kensington and Hyde parks, I observed that the streets here were newly paved with brick and that the general filth conjured from the constant horse traffic was being constantly removed by boys as young as seven or eight who would duck into and out of traffic on their custodial errands. This very topic ~~had~~ upset Vargo, who was as we walked, scratching away in his note book ways to automate this dangerous activity and perhaps save the lives and limbs of the next generation of the working class. Knowing my friend and his idealism, I ~~forgo pointing~~ out that entire families and perhaps neighborhoods would starve if Vargo created such a thing, for the truth is so often an unwelcome guest.		As we exited into the weak afternoon light, we walked along the tree lined streets of St.James towards the green of Kensington and Hyde parks. I observed that the streets here were newly paved with brick and that the general filth conjured from the constant horse traffic was being constantly removed by boys as young as seven or eight. These children who would duck into and out of traffic on their custodial errands risking injury to clean away the horse dung. This very topic upset Vargo, who was as we walked, scratching away in his note book ways to automate this dangerous activity and perhaps save the lives and limbs of the next generation of the working class. Knowing my friend and his idealism, I did not point out that entire families and perhaps neighborhoods would starve if Vargo created such a thing, for the truth is so often an unwelcome guest. The poor in London had to have a way to earn the pennies such labor brought home.

	Bayswater Road proved a distinct barrier with its heavy traffic of coaches and cargo wagons~~, pedestrians~~ trying to cross were required to dodge across at irregular intervals which ~~regularly~~ resulted in traffic accidents. The crosswalk would not become a serious thing until the automobile became more common, pedestrians were simply at the mercy of traffic~~, but with~~ a little looking around we found a carriage to ferry us across without threat of injury. The carriage driver was a Yorkshire man with a strong opinion on everything and who had nothing good to say about the foreign machines being displayed in the pavilions of Hyde park. This did not stop the man from charging us all a shilling each for a kilometer and a half ride.		Bayswater Road proved a distinct barrier with its heavy traffic of coaches and cargo wagons. Pedestrians trying to cross were required to dodge across at irregular intervals which resulted in traffic accidents and injured walkers. The crosswalk would not become a serious thing until the automobile became more common, pedestrians were simply at the mercy of traffic. With a little looking around we found a carriage to ferry us across without threat of injury. The carriage driver was a Yorkshire man with a strong opinion on everything and who had nothing good to say about the foreign machines being displayed in the pavilions of Hyde park. This did not stop the man from charging us all a shilling each for a kilometer and a half ride. We barely were able to all exit the hack when the cabbie took off with a yell and snap of his whip.

	The pavilions were located in a semi-circle around a local landmark, a particularly large old oak tree, called the Reformer's Tree. Some thirty years before, the Reformer's League sought to give every man the right to vote (the women's vote would languish for a few decades more), during a particularly violent protest, someone lit the tree on fire and reducing it to a blackened stump. Although an interesting location for the exposition, the setting sent a mixed message about progress that upon reflection was likely the point.		The pavilions were located in a semi-circle around a local landmark, a particularly large old oak tree, called the Reformer's Tree. Some thirty years before, the Reformer's League sought to give every man the right to vote (the women's vote would languish for a few decades more), during a particularly violent protest, someone lit the tree on fire and reducing it to a blackened stump. Although an interesting location for the exposition, the setting sent a mixed message about progress that upon reflection was likely the point. Hawkers sold various sweets, young boys strode to and fro with the London times for sale, moderately dressed women sold alcohol, cigars, and pipe tobacco. It was a raucous zone, rife with the smells of food, various smoke, and the flowers in bloom that were scattered everywhere around the park.

	Several pavilions had been erected in the area and the British Exposition ~~almost~~ had the feel of a carnival come to town. Strange pennants fluttered in the afternoon breezes above gaily striped tents equal to those of the world's greatest circuses. Everywhere men in somber suits strode with ladies in long dresses and parasols trailed by dark clad governesses and well dressed, but unruly children. Scientific curiosity provided fertile ground for petty merchants selling trinkets and memorabilia to the gathered crowd and ~~for~~ the space of an afternoon the lines between the aristocracy and the common people were erased as all were awed by spectacles of ingenuity and genius which might propel mankind as a whole into a more thrilling and lofty future.		Several pavilions had been erected in the area and the British Exposition had the feel of a carnival come to town. Strange pennants fluttered in the afternoon breezes above gaily striped tents equal to those of the world's greatest circuses. Everywhere men in somber suits strode with ladies in long dresses and parasols trailed by dark clad governesses and well dressed, but unruly children. Scientific curiosity provided fertile ground for petty merchants selling trinkets and memorabilia to the gathered crowd. I even saw scattered furtive pick pockets and thieves. For the space of an afternoon the lines between the aristocracy and the common people were erased as all were awed by spectacles of ingenuity and genius which might propel mankind as a whole into a more thrilling and lofty future.

	== <span style="color:#4B0082;"> '''Conspiracy of Shadows''' ==		== <span style="color:#4B0082;"> '''Conspiracy of Shadows''' ==

Bruce: /* Conspiracy of Shadows */

2023-03-16T05:55:47Z

Conspiracy of Shadows

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:55, 15 March 2023
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	Vargo ushered the group of us away from the main pavilion towards a more modest sized tent of green and orange striped silk topped with a blue pennant bearing a silver tower crossed by opposing lightening bolts. Standing guard before the tent entrance were two men, in their early to middle twenties, fashionably dressed in identical gray Herringbone-tweed Sack-Coats. And everything about them was identical, from the styling of their wavy blond hair and bright blue eyes to the cut of their coats and the way they stood stiffly at attention. I was momentarily taken aback by their obvious perfection, nature is rarely so precise, and they were absolutely flawless. The specificity of their engineering forbade the golden key of all beauty including the human variety, flaws, without which they possessed no personal character of their own and looked more like storefront manikins than men. But in their physical perfection I detected a foreshadowing of the same ideals that would set the militaries of Europe on a collision course with eugenics.		Vargo ushered the group of us away from the main pavilion towards a more modest sized tent of green and orange striped silk topped with a blue pennant bearing a silver tower crossed by opposing lightening bolts. Standing guard before the tent entrance were two men, in their early to middle twenties, fashionably dressed in identical gray Herringbone-tweed Sack-Coats. And everything about them was identical, from the styling of their wavy blond hair and bright blue eyes to the cut of their coats and the way they stood stiffly at attention. I was momentarily taken aback by their obvious perfection, nature is rarely so precise, and they were absolutely flawless. The specificity of their engineering forbade the golden key of all beauty including the human variety, flaws, without which they possessed no personal character of their own and looked more like storefront manikins than men. But in their physical perfection I detected a foreshadowing of the same ideals that would set the militaries of Europe on a collision course with eugenics.

	Vargo boldly stepped forward and proffered his card to one of the twins. As they examined the gentleman's card of introduction, I noticed in their body language a disquieting uniformity of purpose that reminded me very much of the composite behavior of insects, and it made me wonder whether we were dealing with two exquisitely similar individuals or two parts of a larger entity. Their response was not long in coming and the second of the two handed Vargo's card back and synchronistically opened the curtains to admit our party to the interior of the petite pavilion.		Vargo boldly stepped forward and proffered his card to one of the twins. As they examined the gentleman's card of introduction, I noticed in their body language a disquieting uniformity of purpose that reminded me very much of the composite behavior of insects, and it made me wonder whether we were dealing with two exquisitely similar individuals or two parts of a larger entity. Their response was not long in coming and the second of the two handed Vargo's card back and synchronistically they opened the curtains to admit our party to the interior of the petite pavilion.

	== <span style="color:#4B0082;"> '''Apollon Rising''' ==		== <span style="color:#4B0082;"> '''Apollon Rising''' ==

Bruce: /* Conspiracy of Shadows */

2023-03-16T05:34:35Z

Conspiracy of Shadows

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:34, 15 March 2023
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	== <span style="color:#4B0082;"> '''Conspiracy of Shadows''' ==		== <span style="color:#4B0082;"> '''Conspiracy of Shadows''' ==
	For a few minutes only as our coterie moved through the Victorian crowds of London the air was saturated with the sweet melange of pipe tobacco and the aroma of roasting nuts and the gloom of industrial cloud cover pulled back to reveal blue sky and golden afternoon sunlight. The crowds around us laughed and applauded bringing a sense of general gaiety to the afternoon's proceedings. Before us stood a large red and white striped ~~pavilion~~ where the bulk of British society were clutching tickets firmly in hand and forming orderly lines in preparation to be seated.		For a few minutes only as our coterie moved through the Victorian crowds of London the air was saturated with the sweet melange of pipe tobacco and the aroma of roasting nuts and the gloom of industrial cloud cover pulled back to reveal blue sky and golden afternoon sunlight. The crowds around us laughed and applauded bringing a sense of general gaiety to the afternoon's proceedings. Before us stood a large red and white striped big-top where the bulk of British society were clutching tickets firmly in hand and forming orderly lines in preparation to be seated.

	Vargo ushered the group of us away from the main pavilion towards a more modest sized tent of green and orange striped silk topped with a blue pennant bearing a silver tower crossed by opposing lightening bolts. Standing guard before the tent entrance were two men, in their early to middle twenties, fashionably dressed in identical gray Herringbone-tweed Sack-Coats. And everything about them was identical, from the styling of their wavy blond hair and bright blue eyes to the cut of their coats and the way they stood stiffly at attention. I was momentarily taken aback by their obvious perfection, nature is rarely so precise, and they were absolutely flawless. The specificity of their engineering forbade the golden key of all beauty including the human variety, flaws, without which they possessed no personal character of their own and looked more like storefront manikins than men. But in their physical perfection I detected a foreshadowing of the same ideals that would set the militaries of Europe on a collision course with eugenics.		Vargo ushered the group of us away from the main pavilion towards a more modest sized tent of green and orange striped silk topped with a blue pennant bearing a silver tower crossed by opposing lightening bolts. Standing guard before the tent entrance were two men, in their early to middle twenties, fashionably dressed in identical gray Herringbone-tweed Sack-Coats. And everything about them was identical, from the styling of their wavy blond hair and bright blue eyes to the cut of their coats and the way they stood stiffly at attention. I was momentarily taken aback by their obvious perfection, nature is rarely so precise, and they were absolutely flawless. The specificity of their engineering forbade the golden key of all beauty including the human variety, flaws, without which they possessed no personal character of their own and looked more like storefront manikins than men. But in their physical perfection I detected a foreshadowing of the same ideals that would set the militaries of Europe on a collision course with eugenics.

	Vargo boldly stepped forward and proffered his card to one of the twins. As they examined the gentleman's card of introduction, I noticed in their body language a disquieting uniformity of purpose that reminded me very much of the composite behavior of insects, and it made me wonder whether we were dealing with two exquisitely similar individuals or two parts of a larger entity. Their response was not long in coming and the second of the two handed Vargo's card back and synchronistically opened the curtains to admit our party to the interior of the pavilion.		Vargo boldly stepped forward and proffered his card to one of the twins. As they examined the gentleman's card of introduction, I noticed in their body language a disquieting uniformity of purpose that reminded me very much of the composite behavior of insects, and it made me wonder whether we were dealing with two exquisitely similar individuals or two parts of a larger entity. Their response was not long in coming and the second of the two handed Vargo's card back and synchronistically opened the curtains to admit our party to the interior of the petite pavilion.

	== <span style="color:#4B0082;"> '''Apollon Rising''' ==		== <span style="color:#4B0082;"> '''Apollon Rising''' ==