IC Day One, 1 January 1857

[Lammomedes]

He closed his travel trunk, opened the door and headed down the stairs to the reception. "Excuse me," he said to the young man waiting there, "I need my uniform attending to, and I need to know where I might purchase a new shirt."

The young English man on the front desk was named Rupert. He looked up from the large ledger, his ginger hair sticking up in spots from the early morning humidity. He listened intently to Granville's inquiry. "Sir, there are several excellent tailors not far from here. However, to be honest, if you want things done fast and quickly, I might be so bold as to suggest you take your things to the local laundry run by Mrs. Bandhura, who is two blocks over sir. She is an excellent seamstress, and she might be able to work up a new shirt for you by the end of the day. I know many of those in need of quick work go to her shop. If you tell her I sent you, she will likely be even more inclined to take on the work."

[Lammomedes]

"No, I don't," says Julia. "My family is back in Portsmouth. I've only just arrived in Calcutta and I don't really know anyone yet. Well, except for you, that is. Thank you for acting as my escort."

OOC: Where are the two of them headed to first?

[Mr. Handy]

Julia is glad for the company of the older gentleman. He is about her father's age, and he reminds her of him in some ways: a bit stern, but also full of kindness and compassion. She does realize that he is right that she shouldn't be on her own in a strange city. "I got the addresses of some dressmakers' shops in White Town," she says. "I know it's short notice, but we can see if they can have a dress ready for me by this evening."

[Lammomedes]

Julia will have learned earlier in the morning from the very nice Mrs. Garritty who oversees the boarding house that "Headed out into that dreadful weather, are you? Please take a parasol. Your Devon complexion would absolutely be ruined by this weather and just wait until it really gets hot this summer. Oh, and my poor girl, I don't believe there is a single English dressmaker who will be able to get you a frock in such a short order. Not without costing you more than you might wish to spend. However" and the older lady will look about the lobby to see who is present before speaking in a more subdued voice "Miss Anoushka, a nice Hindoo girl you know, she is an absolute dear when it comes to making English style clothing. She once worked for that Mrs. Patterson, before the two had a falling out."

Mrs. Patterson's clothier, known throughout Calcutta as the best European dressmaker with the most up-to-date fashions, was the one that Julia had acquired from some English guests also staying at the boarding house when she first asked about acquiring a dress.

[ghill]

When Strachan inquires of the doorman, a tall Indian dressed in European clothing called Rajet, he nods his head. "Sahib, there are two choices for such a conveyance. One is Mister Carruthers, who runs the stables and livery about four blocks a way. He is a very fair man to work with, though I might be so bold as to state that his fees are rather expensive for a short term rental. However, if Sahib would not mind a chance to save some rupees, perhaps he would be so inclined as to seek out Mr. Kunwar Singh, on Chowree Road, just a short distance away from Mr. Carruthers. Mr. Singh is known to be quite fair with his prices and has some of the most adbhuta carriages and coaches for hire. He is a quite pukka gentleman."

Strachan straightened his cravat and stepped down into the street heading in the direction of Chowree Road I believe I'll go and see Mr Singh, if his prices are as reasonable as you say they are, there will be something in it for you Rajet."

[Philulhu]

The young English man on the front desk was named Rupert. He looked up from the large ledger, his ginger hair sticking up in spots from the early morning humidity. He listened intently to Granville's inquiry. "Sir, there are several excellent tailors not far from here. However, to be honest, if you want things done fast and quickly, I might be so bold as to suggest you take your things to the local laundry run by Mrs. Bandhura, who is two blocks over sir. She is an excellent seamstress, and she might be able to work up a new shirt for you by the end of the day. I know many of those in need of quick work go to her shop. If you tell her I sent you, she will likely be even more inclined to take on the work."

"That would be excellent, thank you," replied Granville. "Could I trouble you for more detailed directions so that I don't lose my bearings?"

[Mr. Handy]

"None of the English dressmakers will be able to get a dress ready for me by tonight," says Julia, "or at least not one I could afford. However, I did hear about a native girl named Miss Anoushka. She makes excellent dresses in the English style and keeps up with the latest fashions, and she's probably my only chance of getting a new dress in time. Shall we go to her shop?" Julia raises her parasol to keep the sun off of her face and starts walking briskly as soon as Arthur Dodgson is ready.

[Gaffer]

Dodgson touches his whip to his hat brim with a smile, "As you wish, Miss Kaye." He is not unhappy about being seen squiring the attractive young woman about the town. He is easily able to find the shop from the directions Julia was given. Not far from Miss Anoushka's shop, they chance upon Granville Michaels, who Dodgson met on the voyage out.

"Ho, young Michaels, taking the air, eh? Miss Kaye, allow me to present Ensign Granville Michaels, whose acquaintance I made aboard the ship from home. Ensign Michaels, may I make you acquainted with Miss Julia Kaye, who has not long been in India herself."

[Mr. Handy]

"Pleased to meet you, Ensign Michaels," says Julia. She smiles and holds out her hand.

[Philulhu]

"As I am pleased to meet you, Miss Kaye," replied Granville, returning her smile. "May I ask what brings you to India?"

[Mr. Handy]

"I've come to do missionary work," says Julia. She has also come to help her get her mind off of the loss of Henry, but she doesn't say that. If traveling halfway around the world and keeping myself busy won't do the job, she thinks, I can't imagine what will. The hole in her heart may never fully heal, but she hopes that it will at least be bearable.

[Philulhu]

"A very noble calling," replied Granville, politely. "Do you know where you will be situated? For myself, I am still waiting to find out where I am to be posted. I am trained to be an engineer so I hope it will be somewhere where my learning can be put to good use."

[Lammomedes]

When Strachan inquires of the doorman, a tall Indian dressed in European clothing called Rajet, he nods his head. "Sahib, there are two choices for such a conveyance. One is Mister Carruthers, who runs the stables and livery about four blocks a way. He is a very fair man to work with, though I might be so bold as to state that his fees are rather expensive for a short term rental. However, if Sahib would not mind a chance to save some rupees, perhaps he would be so inclined as to seek out Mr. Kunwar Singh, on Chowree Road, just a short distance away from Mr. Carruthers. Mr. Singh is known to be quite fair with his prices and has some of the most adbhuta carriages and coaches for hire. He is a quite pukka gentleman."

Strachan straightened his cravat and stepped down into the street heading in the direction of Chowree Road I believe I'll go and see Mr Singh, if his prices are as reasonable as you say they are, there will be something in it for you Rajet."

Rajet nodded. "Very good Sahib."
As Strachan moved down the crowded streets, the directions that Rajet had given him prove to be very good ones, making the journey a little more than about 10 minutes or so. Chowree Road is, however, barely a road, more than a lane, on the outer edge of the central district. Several stables and liveries are located here, but it doesn't take long to find that opened by Kunwar Singh. A turbaned Sikh exits the small shop at the front of his livery building, wearing khaki colored clothes and a dastar (turban), with the traditional dagger thrust through a sash about his waist. "How can I help you Sir?"

[Lammomedes]

The young English man on the front desk was named Rupert. He looked up from the large ledger, his ginger hair sticking up in spots from the early morning humidity. He listened intently to Granville's inquiry. "Sir, there are several excellent tailors not far from here. However, to be honest, if you want things done fast and quickly, I might be so bold as to suggest you take your things to the local laundry run by Mrs. Bandhura, who is two blocks over sir. She is an excellent seamstress, and she might be able to work up a new shirt for you by the end of the day. I know many of those in need of quick work go to her shop. If you tell her I sent you, she will likely be even more inclined to take on the work."

"That would be excellent, thank you," replied Granville. "Could I trouble you for more detailed directions so that I don't lose my bearings?"

Rupert takes a scrap piece of paper and a fountain pen and ink, and begins to write out some more precise instructions in a very skilled hand. When he is done, he sands and blots the paper, then hands it over to Granville. The directions are largely a series of instructions of turning left and right, looking for specific buildings, etc. There are more than a few street names, and while it appears that Rupert's idea of "local" is rather loose, it isn't more than a 15 minute walk through the crowded streets of Calcutta. The shop of Mrs. Bandhura is located in the Bow Bazzar St., one of the older sections of the city and commonly part of the Grey Area between the primarily Indian and primarily European sections of the city. Bowbazzar, both the street and the name for the section of the city, is home to many non-English Europeans and also a home to Calcutta's own Chinatown. It is probably one of the most ethnically diverse sections of Calcutta in 1857.

On his way to the shop, Granville will run into Dodgson and Julia...

[Lammomedes]

Granville, Julia and Dodgson are all standing on the sides of one of the macadamized roads in Calcutta. Their conversation seems to place them in a eddy as the whirlpool crowds of Europeans and Indians swirl around them, much as like rocks in a stream will part the waters. However, at some point or another, inevitably, something comes to disturb that calm, and in this case it is a pair of wandering cows, bedecked in flowers and colored powders. The two cows are wandering the crowded street, without any sign of anyone tending them, and are moving towards them in a slow, leisurely pace.

[Philulhu]

OOC: Um, I seem to be in two places at once... ...

[Lammomedes]

OOC: Um, I seem to be in two places at once... ...

Oh I see that now...
Okay, let's assume you got the directions from Rupert, and on your way to the shop you ran into Dodgson and Julia.
I'll re-edit the previous post to make it make sense.

Matt

[Seon]

Hermann Lovell

Hermann Lovell had been awake all night, going through the notes of various Hindi culture. They were a fascinating people, in his own opinion.

"Sir?" the indian servant tapped on his shoulders. "You are going to be late for the meeting with Mr. Talbot..."

"Right," Lovell muttered as he closed the book.He hadn't realized how old he was becoming. It would kill him one day, traveling like this, Hermann Lovell thought. It would really kill him. "Tell the driver that I'll just be right over," Hermann said. He quickly cleared the desk and picked up a few books up his own interests. Finally, he dug out an aged revolver from his desk and hid it within his pockets.

"Better be safe than sorry...in the Oudh...why am I talking to myself?" Lovell said.

As Lovell hurried off to Mr. Talbot's office, he arrived at Government House, where a British soldier was standing guard. He came to attention as the man approached the house. "How can I help you sir?"
When he was informed that Lovell was looking for Talbot, the soldier relaxed his guard and scratched his chin. "Guv'nor, Mr. Talbot is away for the day. He will resume his appointments tomorrow, January 2nd. Perhaps your secretary confused the dates?"

"Ah, no," Lovell said. "That was just me being silly. Years are finally creeping up to me, I think," Lovell said. "Well, tell Mr. Talbot that I came by then," Lovell left the office quietly. "Might as well go for a walk," Lovell muttered.

[Mr. Handy]

"I'm still waiting to find out where I'll be working too," says Julia. "Perhaps I'll find out tomorrow. I have an appointment with Sir Richard Talbot." She notices the cows approaching. "Oh, how lovely! The Hindus hold cows as sacred, you know."

[Philulhu]

"So I understand," replied Granville, "Although to judge by some of the local people, a better use may be to feed some of the population." He coloured slightly, realising that he had been indiscreet. "Sorry," he said, "My grandfather always said he could never understand someone who would let belief get in the way of a good meal." Remembering Miss Kaye's calling, he realised he'd probably offended her as well and flushed bright red.

He cleared his throat and tried to change the subject. "I too have an appointment with Sir Richard. It seems it is he will decide all our futures."