Play@YSDC

Posted: **Sat Mar 01, 2014 10:46 am**

"Ah! The educated lady,"--he bows--"you are most welcome; and your friends." The man switches to halting English, beckoning to the others: "Come! come!" He sees Posie, who appears beside Dr. Renwick, she was hiding behind him--clutching, and tugging, at the tail of his tweed jacket. "A princess! We are honoured."

There are five Swastika Society men altogether. They are loading suitcases onto a dilapidated charabanc.

"I am Ouyang Kunpeng," continues the man, he bows once more. "Please--sit"--he indicates the charabanc.

OOC: Make a Chinese language roll in order to converse without difficulty with the Society members; excepting Elisabeth, who has already succeeded in a roll.

Posted: **Sat Mar 01, 2014 7:25 pm**

Mandarin Chinese roll - 30% skill (1d100=66)

"Ouyang, I am Henry Renwick, a doctor attached to ..." By the befuddled look on Ouyang's face, I can see that I am not getting on too well with this translation. I bow to him and his fellow buddhists and thank them for their hospitality as I help the ladies and everyone else up onto the charabanc. "This princess is Posie," I add in English, slightly embarrassed by my bad attempt at Mandarin.

Posted: **Sat Mar 01, 2014 9:11 pm**

"She's my daughter," says Elisabeth, beaming with pride as she helps Posie up into the vehicle and lets her sit on her lap. "Thank you for your hospitality," she says to Ouyang Kunpeng.

Posted: **Sun Mar 02, 2014 8:31 am**

Santiago wonders at Caroline's wry humour - that they'll blend in more with the Swastika Monks - and grins as he follows the party. He smiles as Posie is introduced and then introduces himself, "Santiago el Aguila, sir, a pleasure to meet you." He doesn't attempt to speak Mandarin but bows instead. Once everyone is boarded, he takes a last look round to see if anyone is taking undue notice of them and then jumps aboard.

Posted: **Sun Mar 02, 2014 8:21 pm**

Ouyang Kunpeng returns the bow to Renwick. "Doctor?" says he, and then rattles off some words at Mingzhu, who translates:

"Ouyang wishes that the honourable doctor will spare some of his time and address the Society with his experience," says Mingzhu.

"This princess is Posie,"

"Posie, POSIE," calls out Ouyang.

"Feng," gurgles Feng good humouredly. He reaches up to Posie and playfully tweaks her pigtail. Posie chuckles. "Lady Elisabeth," says he to the proud mother, and bows.

"My name is Jian. And my brother So."

"So," says So.

"Dao," says an ancient, looking in astonishment at Caroline's height.

Santiago looks round.

OOC: Roll Spot Hidden.

Feng takes the wheel of the charabanc, laughing: "Food!--talk!--bed!"

Posted: **Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:50 pm**

Caroline absent-mindedly got into the vehicle, trying to see if her gears was unloaded properly from the train.

When everybody introduces themselves, she takes her turn too.
She smiles her charming smile at the new people, as she puts a friendly hand on Renwick's shoulder.

"I told them we're a different kind of doctor entirely, Dr. Renwick."

Posted: **Sun Mar 02, 2014 11:39 pm**

Elisabeth bows in return.

Posted: **Tue Mar 04, 2014 11:27 pm**

Henry tries to follow the Mandarin conversation, but without success such is the speed of the dialogue.

When Caroline puts her hand on my shoulder and whispers in my ear what had been said, saving my embarrassment I nod gratefully. "Thank you!" I respond quietly.

I smile and lower my head, embarrassed. "I'll be glad to, though what I can tell is not really that interesting. But I would be happy to give a talk to such venerable personages as yourselves Ouyang.* When introduced I bow respectfully to Jian, So, Feng and Dao.

Henry looks around and sees very little.

Posted: **Thu Mar 06, 2014 10:40 am**

Santiago starts, did he just see something over there?

Posted: **Thu Mar 06, 2014 12:22 pm**

Feng starts-up the charabanc's engine.

Posted: **Fri Mar 07, 2014 8:52 pm**

Dao slides across his seat toward Caroline. He says in Mandarin:

Jian asks Elisabeth in Mandarin:

Posted: **Sat Mar 08, 2014 4:55 am**

Elisabeth smiles.

Posted: **Sat Mar 08, 2014 12:13 pm**

Santiago frowns but says nothing as the jalopy pulls away.

Posted: **Sat Mar 08, 2014 6:16 pm**

Mingzhu turns in her seat to face Elisabeth, archly raising an eyebrow.

"Will there be lots to eat?" asks Posie of Elisabeth.

Mingzhu whispers: "I hope so, Posie, but it sounds like we'll have to make it ourselves, and for everyone!"

"I s'pose I could peel a potato," says Posie helpfully.

Posted: **Sat Mar 08, 2014 7:23 pm**

Posted: **Sat Mar 08, 2014 8:35 pm**

Posted: **Sat Mar 08, 2014 11:16 pm**

Posted: **Sun Mar 09, 2014 11:57 pm**

Caroline laughs and gingerly removes Dao's hand from her knee.

Posted: **Mon Mar 10, 2014 8:41 pm**

I look askance at the dialogue between Elizabeth and Dao, understanding about one word in fifty. I look questioningly at Elizabeth hoping for some sort of explanation.

Posted: **Tue Mar 11, 2014 4:13 am**

"He asked if I can cook," explains Elisabeth. "Apparently we'll be expected to prepare our own food."

Posted: **Tue Mar 11, 2014 10:32 am**

Dao is a little put out that his advances toward Caroline have been thwarted; Jian and So giggle--as only Chinese men can; Ouyang looks intently at the passing houses, seemingly oblivious to any international tension.

Feng drives through Chengchow town for five minutes. He pulls-up beside an alley.

"Up these steps, Lady Elisabeth," says Ouyang. The Society men jump down and begin unloading their suitcases. Ouyang offers Elisabeth a hand down.

--Ouyang

--Feng

--Jian

--So

--Dao

Posted: **Tue Mar 11, 2014 11:07 am**

Santiago absently listens to the conversation whilst scanning the streets as they drive. He raises an eyebrow at Henry who looks just as flummoxed at the strange language as Santiago. When they pull up at the steps, He keeps a look out again for anyone watching them.

Posted: **Tue Mar 11, 2014 9:07 pm**

OOC: Sorry I meant Caroline not Elisabeth.

Posted: **Tue Mar 11, 2014 11:19 pm**

Caroline descends from the vehicle and looks around the alley.

"Seems like an interesting place to stay while we get our papers sorted.", she says in English to no one in particular.

Posted: **Wed Mar 12, 2014 2:59 am**

"Thank you," says Elisabeth, allowing Ouyang to help her down. Then she turns to help Posie down. She looks around at her surroundings, but she doesn't notice anything unusual. If I weren't wearing a wedding ring and with my "husband" and "daughter," she thinks, Dao would probably have made a move on me after failing with Caroline. Just as well. It would have been dashed uncomfortable for me, and it's bad enough he's had his heart broken once.

Posted: **Wed Mar 12, 2014 1:22 pm**

Feng drives off, presumably to park the charabanc someplace off of the street.

"Seems like an interesting place to stay while we get our papers sorted."

Mingzhu considers Caroline and is about to comment, but---

"This way, Aunty M.," says an excited Posie, taking two steps at a time. Mingzhu dutifully follows the little girl and Elisabeth.

Ouyang stops before a rather battered, unvarnished door. The Swastika Society compound frontage is miserable and, frankly, small. Ouyang produces an enormous antediluvian key. Jian speaks:

"We do what we can to help the ignorant," says So to Dr. Renwick in halting English.

Posted: **Wed Mar 12, 2014 7:09 pm**

Santiago climbs down and follows them to the door.

Posted: **Thu Mar 13, 2014 4:47 am**

Elisabeth waits for Ouyang to unlock the door so that she can go inside with Posie.

Posted: **Thu Mar 13, 2014 1:07 pm**

I bristle with indignation at being termed ignorant and raise myself up to my full height in front of So.

"Now look here old chap ... I'll have you know that I am not ignorant - I am a fully qualified medical doctor and have recently been working on the archeological site at Zhoukoudian. I resent that just because my grasp of Mandarin is not as good as it could be, that I am some backward yokel. If the roles were reversed and this was my country, you would not be treated so shabbily not be insulted so!" I turn and stomp away from So.

Posted: **Sat Mar 15, 2014 9:40 am**

Caroline laughs as she follows the others into the compound, it's not quite sure if it's Dao or Renwick she's amused by.

Posted: **Sun Mar 16, 2014 8:35 am**

Santiago too, stifles a smile.

Posted: **Mon Mar 17, 2014 6:13 pm**

So looks at Renwick's back with a puzzled frown.

Jian guffaws as he says to Caroline:
Ouyang opens the door and steps into a kitchen. He reveals the fireplace, utensils and food with a wave of his hand.

"Flour, eggs, cabbage--yuk! And two chickens," says Posie, pointing to a wooden cage containing live birds.

Mingzhu whispers,"I am not killing those!"

Posted: **Tue Mar 18, 2014 5:24 am**

"Will two chickens even be enough for everyone?" asks Elisabeth. "I'm hungry enough that I think I could eat a whole one myself. I don't think I'm strong enough to wring their necks, however. Is there any bread? With that and the eggs we could make French toast. Failing that, I think I could scramble them."

Posted: **Tue Mar 18, 2014 8:13 am**

Caroline looks over the proffered kitchen with indignant eyes.

Posted: **Tue Mar 18, 2014 9:20 am**

Santiago takes one look at the chickens and picks up their cage. "Back in a while." He disappears back outside where he breaks their necks and then sets about plucking them in a big flurried mess of feathers.

Posted: **Tue Mar 18, 2014 12:33 pm**

"Will two chickens even be enough for everyone?" asks Elisabeth.

"We could try our luck at chicken stew," suggests Mingzhu; "and how about pancakes?"

"Is there any syrup?" asks Posie hopefully.

As for quantity, there are plenty of eggs. . . .

A crestfallen Ouyang answers Caroline:

"The honourable Ouyang Kunpeng believes you to be French," explains So.

Dao and Jian, carrying their luggage, leave the kitchen.

Santiago takes one look at the chickens . . .

Feng climbs the alley steps, hunkers down next to Santiago, grabs the second deceased bird, and begins to pluck feathers as well. "Yīgè rén de xíngdòng, hǎo yàng de!"

Posted: **Wed Mar 19, 2014 4:34 am**

"I did mention that I'm English," says Elisabeth. "Chicken stew and pancakes are a great idea! Chicken stew will make the meat go further, and there are a lot of eggs, so we can always scramble some up. It's hard to get that wrong, and even I should be able to manage that; I just need to measure or count out three minutes. I'd like syrup with the pancakes too, but I wouldn't count on it. It would have to be imported from Canada or America."

Posted: **Wed Mar 19, 2014 11:22 am**

"English or French--you all appear the same to us," replies So dryly.

Posie "flumps" down upon a bench, annoyed at the lack of imported syrup.

"Fires--that I can manage," says Mingzhu, kneeling down beside the hearth. "Would someone fetch water?"

Posted: **Thu Mar 20, 2014 4:54 am**

"I'll get it," says Elisabeth, looking around for a suitable container. "Is there a sink with running water, or do I need to draw it from a pump or well?"

Posted: **Thu Mar 20, 2014 12:12 pm**

Elisabeth is given an amphorae type jug and directions to a well in the courtyard beyond. Posie skips alongside of her. Elisabeth passes through a low ceiled room with row upon row of pamphlets stacked against its walls; she continues outside to the well. Raised voices can be heard coming from buildings to one side.

"A kitten!" coos the little girl, picking up a tabby who is crouched beside the handle and bucket. "I shall name you Jemima"--Posie notices the furry pompoms between the kitten's hind legs--"or maybe Jeremy." She is also clutching a book.

Posted: **Thu Mar 20, 2014 7:49 pm**

I look out of a window at the street / steps outside trying not to be offended by johnny foreigner here, I mean after all, it is jolly decent of them to put us up at the drop of a hat and all that. <Harrumph!>

Posted: **Fri Mar 21, 2014 4:13 am**

"Aww..." says Elisabeth, grinning at the sight of Posie holding the kitten. "Looks like you've found a new friend." She begins to lower the bucket into the well. "What are you reading?"

Posted: **Fri Mar 21, 2014 11:14 am**

"Dr. Renwick, Dr. Renwick," calls So, "I believe there has been a misunderstanding--my English, you know--I meant that the Chinese peasant is ignorant."--So's English is just about intelligible.

"It was in the dust, underneath Jeremy." Posie hands over the book to Elisabeth.

Posted: **Fri Mar 21, 2014 7:40 pm**

Caroline hangs around, clearly not intent on participating in the cooking.

Posted: **Sat Mar 22, 2014 4:16 am**

"We'd better show that to Ouyang, in case someone lost it," says Elisabeth. "It's in French, which I can't read. Can you? If not, at least it has pictures."

Posted: **Sat Mar 22, 2014 5:29 pm**

Caroline hangs around, clearly not intent on participating in the cooking.

Mingzhu blows at some straw she lit with a match, and "whump," twigs ignite and a fire burns merrily. She shoots Caroline an expressionless glance.

Posie struggles mentally, then she says: "Non."

Elisabeth fills the amphorae jug with well water and picks it up; thankfully its not too heavy.

Posted: **Sat Mar 22, 2014 6:35 pm**

"Well, whoever it belongs to will know French," says Elisabeth, hefting the jug. "Perhaps they'll translate it for you when you return it." She leads the way back to the kitchen.

Posted: **Sat Mar 22, 2014 7:58 pm**

Tabs wrote:
"Dr. Renwick, Dr. Renwick," calls So, "I believe there has been a misunderstanding--my English, you know--I meant that the Chinese peasant is ignorant."--So's English is just about intelligible.

When I hear So call out to me I grit my teeth and turn to face him. I am somewhat ashamed at my poor reaction to the gentle Chinaman. Henry speaks Mandarin - 57/30% - poorly

"<Harrumph!> Yes ... well ... perhaps I was too hasty. My nerves are overwrought just now and recent events have left me somewhat shaken. Please So, accept my apologies for taking umbrage at what you said." I bow to the Chinaman and smile apologetically, hoping my Mandarin is not too bad.

Posted: **Sat Mar 22, 2014 8:34 pm**

Caroline gives Ouyang one of her most disarming smiles.

Mandarin:, Oh, of course not, I am most grateful for your hospitality. I was just thinking about the endless formalities we'd have to face in procuring our paperwork. It find it to be such a nuissance.

Posted: **Sat Mar 22, 2014 9:00 pm**

Santiago looks up with thanks as Feng hunkers down to help. He has no idea what the fellow says but spits out a feather and grins.

Posted: **Sun Mar 23, 2014 3:57 pm**

"Thank you, Elisabeth," says Mingzhu taking the jug and filling a pot.

So says to Renwick: "I'm afraid for your Mandarin, it is,"--he thinks, eyes searching--"er, the word, the word,--awful! No?" So adds: "I am to buy wine for our dinner. Would you care to accompany me?--the shop is not far."
Feng produces a wicked looking knife, and proceeds to gut his chicken. He gestures to Santiago "Shall I do yours?"

Posted: **Sun Mar 23, 2014 4:40 pm**

I smile and look down. "I would consider it a privilege So. And I promise I'll not try Mandarin again. It would be impolite to offend our host's ears after all." I bow deeper than I did before, laugh and genially clap So on the shoulder. "Come So, let us fetch the wine and you can tell me about your organisation. I only know the sketchiest of details."

Posted: **Sun Mar 23, 2014 9:20 pm**

"You're welcome, Mingzhu" says Elisabeth. She bows to Ouyang. "I'm sorry to interrupt, but Posie found an adorable kitten and a book in French when we were at the well: Miss Harriet. Do you know if anyone misplaced them?"

Posted: **Mon Mar 24, 2014 12:13 pm**

Santiago shakes his head and reaches for his own hunting knife. Then he remembers how he lost it somewhere in the paddy fields. He shrugs and sheepishly hands over his chicken to Feng, "Any chance you can get me a knife like that? I lost mine recently and feel naked without it." He asks, trying to mime the request too.

Posted: **Tue Mar 25, 2014 11:15 am**

So walks with Renwick. "Education--education is the key to unlock the potential of China. We, the Swastika Society of Chengchow, offer advice on health matters to villagers--basic sanitation, clean drinking water, etc. Is it the same in your country? I mean, do the peasants need educating?"

"Chi-chi!" exclaims Ouyang at the kitten.

"Jeremy," responds Posie firmly.

Ouyang peers at the book.

"Shì ma?" says Feng, from his tone of voice Santiago surmises it to mean "Eh?"

Mingzhu pops her head out the front door. "Are the chickens prepared, Señor el Aguila?"

Posted: **Tue Mar 25, 2014 10:00 pm**

"I completely agree So. I believe that education is vital in order that every person can achieve their potential. In the last thirty years or so, we have been implementing similar plans. Replacing unsanitary conditions, and although we did not have too much in the way of undrinkable water, it seemed to be in the city centres that there was this problem. It is still going on in the Northern cities. where the industrial revolution of the last century hit hardest." I crease my forehead in concentration, trying to remember the history lessons from my school-days.

"I think that what you term peasants do not exist as such in my country, instead we have the tattered remnants of an outdated class system. The term peasants are a throw-back to the feudal times in Great Britain. But call them what you will, the man at the bottom is still no higher up the ladder." I add wryly.

Posted: **Wed Mar 26, 2014 4:45 am**

Posted: **Wed Mar 26, 2014 12:42 pm**

Caroline laughs.

"We're in the middle of China, happily talking away with the locals and we're unable to read a French book!"

Posted: **Thu Mar 27, 2014 11:38 am**

So listens intently to Renwick, occasionally nodding. " 'The man at the bottom,' " repeats So. "I find that our help is hardly appreciated.

"Here is Mao's Wine Shop. As our guest, would you care to choose?"

~

Ouyang shakes his head at Elisabeth.

"No one speaks French," states Mingzhu to herself. She flourishes a flat-bottomed iron pot like a frying pan: "I nominate Chee Mingzhu as pancake fryer! So, that means batter mix for eleven. "Shame,"--she puts a finger to her mouth, thinking--"twelve would be a propitious number for our supper. Who could it be---"

"Mads Mortenson, the owner of the book,--he can be our twelfth," interrupts Jian as he enters the kitchen.

Posted: **Thu Mar 27, 2014 5:31 pm**

I look at the labels which give no indication to my mind of what may lie within before I shake my head. "I must plead yet more ignorance friend So, These labels are not easily read by myself, and I would not want to bring shame on the table by making the wrong choice. Please - you know better than I what is good and what is not here." I add as I gesture towards the wine racks.

OOC: Do I have any money on me? - if so I offer to pay at least something towards the wine.

Posted: **Fri Mar 28, 2014 4:47 am**

"Oh, good," says Elisabeth, smiling at Posie. "When you return it to him later, he'll probably be happy to read it to you, translating it into English." She goes to help Mingzhu and looks for another pan. "I second the nomination, and I nominate myself to cook the eggs. There's twelve of us, and two eggs each would make two dozen eggs...though some of us are quite peckish, myself included. I'd better make three dozen, just in case."

Posted: **Fri Mar 28, 2014 7:36 am**

"Mads Mortensen? Who is he?"

Caroline smiles.

"That's a very odd name for a member of the Society."

Posted: **Fri Mar 28, 2014 10:08 am**

OOC: Um, $20.

Mao presents his goods for Renwick's inspection:

Pottery flasks of rice wine--$1; bottles of "grape alcohol"--$2; huangjui ("yellow wine")--$3; baijiu--distilled spirit--$5.

~

Posie takes the book. "I'm quite peckish too. Maybe . . . maybe I can crack the eggs?"

Mingzhu applauds the little girl: "Bravo! Those who help can expect the choice portions," she smiles playfully at Elisabeth, but not Caroline.

"Mads Mortenson is not a Society member," answers Jian, adding; "another stranger on a train who Ouyang invited to stay---"

"Ah!--Mortenson," says Ouyang.

Posted: **Fri Mar 28, 2014 5:40 pm**

Santiago points to Feng's knife and then to himself. He fishes in his pocket for any money he might have and holds it out to Feng.

Posted: **Sat Mar 29, 2014 6:29 pm**

"Yes, that's a great idea, Posie!" says Elisabeth, grinning too. "Would you like to keep time as well? I have to cook the eggs for three minutes. You could borrow my watch and count for me. That way I can concentrate on the cooking and don't need to worry about watching the time."

Posted: **Sun Mar 30, 2014 12:06 am**

"How many of us are there to provide drink for?" I ask. "I have some money and would of course buy what I can. Do you have any recommendations So? Enough of the huangjui for the ladies perhaps and baijiu for the men if we can afford it? Is there something we could maybe get for little Posie?"

Posted: **Tue Apr 01, 2014 6:53 pm**

Feng carries the two disemboweled chickens into the kitchen, chattering to Mingzhu as he does so.

"Feng says to buy a knife in town, Señor," translates Mingzhu.

Feng cooks up the stew. The way he nonchalantly adds spices to the pot is evidence of his expertise, you hope.

"Well he seems to know what he is doing," says Mingzhu, not altogether convinced.

~

Posie claps and stamps with excitement: "Oh! yes please." She straps on Elisabeth's watch as if it were from the Crown Jewels.

~

"Good choices, Dr. Renwick," says So; "and thank you for your contribution. The girl can drink watered wine?"

OOC: Do you wish to do or ask anything? if not we'll fast forward an hour to dinner.

Posted: **Tue Apr 01, 2014 10:00 pm**

OOC: I could go for a bite to eat.

Posted: **Wed Apr 02, 2014 1:03 am**

"What can you tell us about Mads Mortenson?" asks Elisabeth, curious.

Posted: **Wed Apr 02, 2014 1:56 pm**

"Ouyang met him on the train, about two weeks ago," replies Jian, "and invited Mads Mortenson to stay in the compound. We left him here when the Society visited Peking. He is still around; he slept in my bed last night! He seemed lonely, so it was suggested he visit the Western library in Chengchow."

Posted: **Wed Apr 02, 2014 9:53 pm**

"That's probably where he got the book," says Elisabeth. "I look forward to meeting him."

Posted: **Wed Apr 02, 2014 10:11 pm**

Santiago follows Feng into the kitchen, nods his thanks to Mingzhu and washes his hands under the tap. He still has a couple of feathers in his hair. "I'm sure this Mortenson will be home for dinner; he won't be able to resist the smell!" Santiago says appreciatively, watching Elizabeth and Feng cooking.

Posted: **Fri Apr 04, 2014 7:09 pm**

He seemed lonely, so it was suggested he visit the Western library in Chengchow."

" 'One is never alone with a book,' " quotes Mingzhu.

~

Dinner is a simple affair, but there are copious scrambled eggs, pancakes and chicken stew. The stew is deliciously spicy, however, it is not to the little girl's liking: too hot and cabbagey. "The chicken is alright, I s'pose," says Posie as she stuffs too much scrambled egg onto a pancake and rolls it. The table is long and narrow, the five Society men (Ouyang, So, Jian, Feng and Dao) face the Westerners, with Posie sat at the head of the table; opposite her is an empty chair for Mads Mortenson, who hasn't made an appearance. His book, Miss Harriet, sits on the table, waiting to be collected.

Santiago is disconcerted when a beak bobs up in his bowl.

So raises his cup aloft: "I propose a toast: Our guests!"

Posted: **Sat Apr 05, 2014 12:10 pm**

"To our honoured hosts." Santiago returns the toast. "What could we do to return your kind gesture?" He asks the society men, hoping Mingzhu will translate.

Posted: **Sat Apr 05, 2014 2:07 pm**

"To our hosts goes much honour and I hope good fortune!" I add half standing and bowing slightly to each of the Chinamen in turn.

Posted: **Mon Apr 07, 2014 5:21 am**

Elisabeth raises her glass of wine and clinks it with Santiago's. "Cheers!" she says, and then takes a sip. She doesn't want to drink too much, lest it go to her head.

Posted: **Mon Apr 07, 2014 4:34 pm**

Caroline joins the toast.

"To our hosts and to unlikely companions on the road!"

She empties the cup with gusto and lets out an appreciative sound.

"And my compliments to the cooks. The meal is excellent."

Posted: **Wed Apr 09, 2014 5:59 pm**

Santiago watches Caroline swigging the wine back and so drinks his wine freely, and immediately tries to hide a grimace; it tastes appalling, quite different to what he is used to drinking. "Is this, er, made from rice?" He asks politely, trying not to catch Elizabeth's eye which would, he was sure, make him burst out laughing.

Posted: **Thu Apr 10, 2014 5:18 am**

"I don't know, dear, but I suppose it's possible," says Elisabeth. "Dr. Renwick, you fetched the wine. What sort is it?"

Posted: **Thu Apr 10, 2014 5:22 pm**

Posted: **Thu Apr 10, 2014 6:29 pm**

"What could we do to return your kind gesture?"

So answers: "There is no need, but thank you. Just--um--if Dr. Renwick could address a Society meeting tomorrow night?"

"To our hosts goes much honour and I hope good fortune!"

The Chinese men return his bow.

"To our hosts and to unlikely companions on the road!"

"You're quite an unlikely lady too, aren't you?" says Posie seriously, trying to sound like a grown-up.

She empties the cup with gusto and lets out an appreciative sound.

Dao refills Caroline's cup.

"Is this, er, made from rice?"

"Yes, yes. More?" says Ouyang.

"Try the baijui," says Jian, "an intoxicating spirit."

Posted: **Thu Apr 10, 2014 8:06 pm**

Caroline smiles as takes the cup from Dao.

"Xièxiè nǐ, Dao shūshu"
She then raises an eyebrow at Posie's statement and laughs happily.

"Thank you very much for the compliment, Posie."

Posted: **Fri Apr 11, 2014 4:47 am**

"Hear, hear!" says Elisabeth, raising her glass. "Another way of saying 'unlikely' is 'extraordinary,' after all."

Posted: **Fri Apr 11, 2014 6:31 pm**

I look down and after a moment's reflection "Certainly I will give you a talk, it would be my pleasure. Do you have a topic in mind so that I may prepare, I would not wish to disappoint such distinguished hosts? And I promise not to try Mandarin So." I add with a smile on my face.

Posted: **Sat Apr 12, 2014 10:56 am**

"Hear, hear!" says Elisabeth, raising her glass.

Posie smiles proudly; everyone else laughs.

"Thank you, Doctor," says So. "We would like to hear about your experiences as a medical man, especially the differences between China and England."
Santiago accepts a cup of baijui: a fiery spirit.

Feng places a disc upon the gramaphone.

OOC: I know it's 25 years too late, but this is fab!

Mingzhu stands, ready to Jitterbug, but halts, amused by Feng, who is capering hilariously.

Posted: **Sun Apr 13, 2014 3:42 am**

Elisabeth sets down her glass and rises. She goes over to Santiago to dance with him. She is fairly well-coordinated, and she is certain she can make a good impression.

Posted: **Tue Apr 15, 2014 7:30 pm**

Santiago throws back the fiery drink with nary a thought and then twirls Elizabeth around in a swing dance style, "Unless you'd rather tango?" He whispers in her ear.

Posted: **Tue Apr 15, 2014 10:01 pm**

Elisabeth smiles, feeling a little giddy and dizzy from the alcohol and being spun around. "I'm game if you are," she whispers back.

Posted: **Wed Apr 16, 2014 6:41 pm**

Watching Elisabeth and Santiago, Mingzhu grabs hold of Feng for a Tango. They follow the moves and do a fair imitation; Mingzhu only has a few squashed toes.

The time is 9 o'clock. Posie has fallen asleep whilst clutching a half eaten pancake.

Posted: **Wed Apr 16, 2014 9:10 pm**

Caroline laughs and enjoys herself, looking at the dancers and talking to whomever of the others was brave enough for her company and drinking.

Posted: **Thu Apr 17, 2014 12:52 am**

"Aww," says Elisabeth, looking at Posie. "She looks so cute like that. Well, I suppose we'd better put her to bed."

Posted: **Thu Apr 17, 2014 11:22 am**

Dao leans across to Caroline, but his advances are abruptly squashed by So.

"Uncle Dao is too old to dance the Tango with Ms. Lamarr," says So, "and I do not care for it! Would you like to Waltz with me?" He casts a sidelong look at Feng and adds: "Feng is a buffoon; poor Chee Mingzhu."

Two bedrooms have been set aside: one for Santiago, Elisabeth and Posie; the other for Caroline and Mingzhu; Renwick is to room with the Society men.

Posted: **Thu Apr 17, 2014 12:36 pm**

Santiago spins Elizabeth to a dramatic stop. "You're right, she has another long day ahead of her." He florishes a bow to Elizabeth and winks before going to pick Posie up and carry her into the room. When he sees the beds, he murmurs, "Ahh, that's something we hadn't thought of." He puts Posie onto a bed and then leaves. He says to Elizabeth, "I'll let you two get to bed. I'll stay up with the men for a bit longer." And goes to sit next to Renwick.

Posted: **Thu Apr 17, 2014 8:12 pm**

"Posie can simply share the larger bed with me," says Elisabeth, tucking the girl in and kissing her gently on the forehead, "and you can have the smaller one. I'm not ready to go to sleep myself yet, though. Caroline's still awake too, you know. Or do you consider her one of the men?" she adds with a wink, following Santiago back downstairs.

Posted: **Thu Apr 17, 2014 11:46 pm**

Caroline laughs at So.

"I am honoured, So, but the road here was long. My feet are and my throat is parched. Sitting at this table seems a remedy for both!"

Caroline has another drink and looks at Feng and Mingzhu with an amused glance.

"Though I doubt my feet are as sore as hers."

Posted: **Fri Apr 18, 2014 4:29 pm**

"Your loss will be Jian's gain," replies So. "Xiānshēng! Nǐ yuànyì tiàowǔ ma?" *
So and Jian glide around the room.

Mingzhu flops down in a chair beside Caroline. "Whew! That's me finished for the evening; and I believe Feng has chipped one of my toe nails." She tucks her knee up under her chin and examines her foot. "Are you really going to the Kumbum monastery by yourself?"

Posted: **Fri Apr 18, 2014 5:23 pm**

I sit and watch those on the dance floor appreciatively and curse under my breath that I never paid more attention to Miss Smetherwick's lessons at school, but then who wanted to dance with other boys anyway, the downside of a boys only boarding school. I am lost in the reverie of the situation and try and come up with positives about that time of my life ... yes it made me more of a scholar, which in turn allowed me to become a doctor, but it made me miss out on the more personal side of things. As Santiago sits next to me I nudge his arm gently to get his attention.

"I had no idea you could trip the light fantastic in such a manner. I have two left feet and could never move like that in a thousand years. Could I possibly have some more of that baijiu spirit please?" I ask, despite knowing it tastes more like pigs urine than anything palatable.

Posted: **Sat Apr 19, 2014 8:29 pm**

Caroline smiles as Mingzhu investigates her foot.

"Here, take this against the painful memory."

She filled up Mingzhu's cup and returned it to her.

I am headed for Kumbum, but I wasn't planning on staying for too long.

Posted: **Sat Apr 19, 2014 11:57 pm**

"Thank you, Dr. Renwick," says Elisabeth with a smile. "Santiago has always been an excellent dancer, far better than I. It's in his blood, I think."

Posted: **Sun Apr 20, 2014 12:06 am**

"Dancing was as essential as reading when I was brought up; a necessary social grace in my family - no thank you, I'll pass on the liquor." Santiago shakes his head with a slight grimace. "So what are our plans for the morrow?"

Posted: **Sun Apr 20, 2014 1:26 am**

"First we'll have to collect the funds that were wired to us," says Elisabeth. "Then we'll need to buy supplies for the trip to Kumbum."

Posted: **Sun Apr 20, 2014 5:45 pm**

Jian tugs at Dr. Renwick's sleeve: "You seemed to be lost in thought, Doctor?"

She gratefully accepts the cup from Caroline. "To see The Tree of Great Merit? I long to see it too." Mingzhu downs the wine in one. "You are formidable, Caroline, some might say,--not I!--that you are a little cold."

"Dancing was as essential as reading when I was brought up

"A dancer--yes!" Ouyang bows to Santiago.

"An early start, then?" So asks of Elisabeth, clearly eavesdropping; "where will you collect the money from?"

Posted: **Sun Apr 20, 2014 9:06 pm**

As Jian tugs my sleeve I turn to him "Lost in thought, yes indeed I was. I was just reflecting on my youth and how if things had maybe been different, then I could have been able to dance like my friend Santiago here, but then again that would probably have set me on a different path and maybe I would not have become a doctor, and as a result not found myself in this wonderful country of yours as a result. Forgive me, I am just a little envious of my friends ability on the floor, and I must confess, thinking about tomorrow's talk." I smile ruefully. "But then again, perhaps my life has some meaning after all, something I may not even be aware of yet. Do you believe in destiny or fate Jian?"

Posted: **Mon Apr 21, 2014 12:11 am**

"Oh, it's being sent to us via a friend at the University Hospital," says Elisabeth. She gives Henry a comforting look. "Don't sell yourself short, Dr. Renwick. I'm sure you could be a good dancer if you tried. I've seen how skilled you are with your hands; surely you are adroit with your feet as well."

Posted: **Mon Apr 21, 2014 8:56 am**

"Cold!?", she shook her head as she reached for the bottle, "I'm not sure I understand what you mean, dearest."

She filled Mingzhu's and her own glass again.

"And yes, a little extra Merit on our journey might be helpful indeed!"

Posted: **Mon Apr 21, 2014 6:22 pm**

Jian smiles his appreciation of Santiago's dancing skill.

"Be yourself, Dr. Renwick; the Society members will not be expect too much!"

"Fate, I think--life is a random sequence of events from limitless options. And you, what do you believe?"--Jian's eyes twinkle--"How would it have been different for you, to dance like Señor el Aguila?"

~

So listens to Elisabeth. He asks: "The Doctor is a surgeon?"

~

"Mr. Lamarr, Little Tommy McClure," answers Mingzhu, then, taking a long pull at the wine cup, "you were very off-hand about your lovers, like you didn't really care for them at all?--that is what I meant by cold. "

Posted: **Mon Apr 21, 2014 6:36 pm**

"At least Henry, you didn't have to dance with every eligible noble lady under the age of eighteen." Santiago grins at the mens' expression. "It may sound idyllic but not when most of them are manipulative, conniving and ugly." He glances at Elizabeth with a slight smile. "The revolution may have put paid to those days but at least now I can dance with whom I wish."

Posted: **Mon Apr 21, 2014 9:26 pm**

"Mr. Lamarr?", she laughs heartily, "Benny would be very amused being called thus. Oh no, Mingzhu, I loved him dearly, but life is a big adventure and we took different paths. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose, there's no reason to keep dwelling on the past, is there?"

She has another drink and grins.

"Well, not on the recent past anyway. It would be a strange motto for an archaeologist otherwise."

She leans back, letting out a happy sigh.

"And Tommy McClure was never my lover, dear, he just held the camera."

A look of mischief is in her eyes and she winks insinuatingly at the Chinese woman, before letting out a merry laugh.

Posted: **Tue Apr 22, 2014 5:08 am**

"He can do the work of a surgeon when he must," says Elisabeth. She grins back at Santiago. "I so enjoy dancing with you too, dear. I'm glad you weren't compelled to marry one of those harpies before you met me."

Posted: **Wed Apr 23, 2014 9:07 am**

" 'Just held the camera,' " she laughs--"I have no idea what you mean!"

"Yes, life is an adventure," responds Mingzhu; "I agree with you totally. And one should not dwell on the past. Oh Caroline, you seem to have experienced so much!" she gushes, her cheeks flushed. "If only life could last for ever. . . ."

~

"It does sound idyllic, Señor el Aguila," says So. " 'Harpies'? madam," he asks Elisabeth, "what is a harpy?"

Posted: **Wed Apr 23, 2014 11:04 am**

"I don't know Jian." I reply. "it's just that when I look back at parts of my life, it seems that parts of it at least seem to have been already mapped out. For example the fact that I went to an all-boys school meant that I had no interest in learning to dance ... had little or no contact with young women. And as a result I had little choice but to throw myself into my studies. True enough it left me being qualified as a doctor, but lacking in ... shall we call them social graces on occasion. It's not that I really envy Santiago his dancing for example but ..." I look around exasperated as if looking for the right phrase to use, "... but I sometimes wish I had the courage to mix better, especially with women. I get so tongue tied when talking to them on occasion. To my mind this is what I meant by fate and destiny. My schooling, you could say 'shaped' my future life, and I had so little say in things back then."

Posted: **Wed Apr 23, 2014 9:39 pm**

"Senor Renwick is a very good doctor indeed, Jian. He is also extremely brave; he is a good man to have by your side in a fight, believe it or not." Santiago takes Elizabeth's hand and squeezes it. "I shall turn in and make the most of sleeping in a proper bed." He gets up and bows to the chinese men, "Thankyou for your hospitality tonight." He leans over Henry and says in a low voice, "good night all, duerme bien!" And he makes his way to the small bed in his room.

Posted: **Wed Apr 23, 2014 9:47 pm**

I nod to Santiago and wink before he goes upstairs. "I believe my friend thinks a great deal more of me that I do myself. I'll stay up with these fine gentlemen a little longer I think. Goodnight Santiago!" I raise my hand in farewell to the resolute Iberian.

Posted: **Thu Apr 24, 2014 5:08 am**

"Good night, darling!" calls Elisabeth, blowing Santiago a kiss. "I shall remain downstairs a bit longer." She turns to So. "A harpy is a creature from Greek mythology: part woman, part bird. They tend to be rather nasty, much like the so-called ladies my husband was referring to."

Posted: **Thu Apr 24, 2014 9:42 am**

"Forever? That's an awful long time, don't you think? I find it's the hurriedness of it all that gives life extra flavour, living for the now, experiencing everything like tomorrow's your last day."

Posted: **Thu Apr 24, 2014 1:15 pm**

"I agree to a point Caroline about living for the moment as you Americans are wont to say. And I know you believe that Professor Black, and maybe even myself are - what was the phrase you used - 'fuddy-duddy's,' whatever that is supposed to mean. But is there not also a place for some prudence in the way we live? Take those less fortunate than ourselves ..." I smile to myself as I reflect on the happenings of the last few days "... Those who may not know where their next meal is coming from for example. They have to think of rationing their food to make it last. On expeditions, do we not do the same rather than simply eat and drink everything in the initial few days?"

Posted: **Fri Apr 25, 2014 10:08 am**

Renwick said: . . . To my mind this is what I meant by fate and destiny . . .

Jian nods thoughtfully.

~

Santiago said: "I shall turn in . . .

The Society men return his bow.

~

Elisabeth said: "A harpy is a creature from Greek mythology . . .

"Ah! now I understand. Poor Señor el Aguila, to have women forced upon him," So says, very inscrutable, his listeners cannot tell if he is being humorous. He leafs through Miss Harriet and pulls out a loose printed sheet. "A bookmark and a creature from mythology," he says, handing it to Elisabeth.

~

Caroline said: "Forever? That's an awful long time, don't you think? I find it's the hurriedness of it all that gives life extra flavour, living for the now, experiencing everything like tomorrow's your last day."

" 'An awful long time,' "repeats Mingzhu wistfully. "But what if there was no hurry . . . it may detract from the experience, lessen one's zest for life, but think of the accumulation of knowledge and how powerful one would be?" She adds in a lighter tone: "By 'experiencing' you mean fun?--I need more of that!"

Renwick said: But is there not also a place for some prudence in the way we live?. . . On expeditions . . .

"Most of us should be prudent," says Mingzhu thoughtfully. "Talking of 'expeditions,' thankfully we have Caroline to help us prepare, we have a lot of shopping to do tomorrow, don't we, Elisabeth?"

Posted: **Fri Apr 25, 2014 11:33 am**

Caroline looks at Renwick with big, serious eyes.

"My dear doctor, don't think me callous and unconcerned about the poor. My family is well known for its humanitarian work."

She smiles as she takes Mingzhu's hand.

"Don't worry about that, dear, we'll have a great time!"

With a roguish grin she adds, winking at the doctor.

"And I promise I"ll try not to drink all our supplies before we're there."

With that, she finishes her cup again.

Posted: **Fri Apr 25, 2014 1:42 pm**

Posted: **Fri Apr 25, 2014 11:10 pm**

"No no Caroline, I did not mean to suggest that you were callous or uncaring. I was just suggesting that people should have half an eye on the future as we do not know what is going to happen next. Who for example would have foreseen the atrocities of Great War ever happening."

Posted: **Sat Apr 26, 2014 5:14 am**

"Yes, it will be grand!" says Elisabeth, smiling encouragingly at Mingzhu. "I do so enjoy shopping." She looks at the bookmark. "Ah, what a splendid dragon! The caption looks to be in German, which I can't read. In China, dragons are noble creatures that represent good fortune, but in Western culture they are often thought of as evil beasts. In England, there is the story of St. George, who slew a dragon that was terrorising the land."

Posted: **Sat Apr 26, 2014 5:38 pm**

"Thankfully China was not involved in the Great War," remarks So.

"Don't worry about that, dear, we'll have a great time!"

Mingzhu squeezes Caroline's hand. "I'm sure of it," she says quietly.

"I do so enjoy shopping."

"Me too!" enthuses Mingzhu.

the story of St. George, who slew a dragon

"You are English, are you not, madam?" says Jian; "luckily, for the Chinese, you are only a woman."

Posted: **Sat Apr 26, 2014 6:30 pm**

Posted: **Sun Apr 27, 2014 2:17 am**

"Yes, I am English," Elisabeth tells Jian, "but don't worry, I won't be slaying any dragons. Even if I could, I know that Chinese dragons are good beings and wouldn't harm one. Although, you shouldn't underestimate women. England has had her share of formidable, powerful queens such as Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria."

Posted: **Sun Apr 27, 2014 10:38 am**

Just as she was about to answer Renwick, Jian makes his comment.

"Only a woman?!"

Caroline puts on the sweetest, most innocent smile she can muster and asks in Mandarin.

"What exactly do you mean by that, Jian?"

Posted: **Sun Apr 27, 2014 12:17 pm**

Jian stutters: "Nothing, nothing at all."

"I think it is time to go to bed," soothes So. He puts an arm round his brother's shoulder, together, So and Jian walk away.

Ouyang wakes the ancient Dao, they stand, Ouyang bows, and they follow the other two.

Feng is snoring beside the gramaphone.

Posted: **Mon Apr 28, 2014 1:43 am**

"Well, good night," says Elisabeth as they leave. "I suppose the rest of us should call it a night, then." She suppresses a yawn.

Posted: **Mon Apr 28, 2014 5:21 pm**

Posted: **Mon Apr 28, 2014 9:26 pm**

"Yes, we do have a long day ahead of tomorrow. I'll just have another drink and then hit the hay as well."

She fills her cup and offers Mingzhu the bottle too.

"A nightcap?"

Posted: **Tue Apr 29, 2014 5:24 pm**

"Good night," echoes Mingzhu at the disappearing Society men. She replies to Caroline: "Not tonight, I'm exhausted."

Their bedrooms are above the kitchen, whereas Renwick is bunking with the men whose quarters are on the ground floor with a window to the courtyard.

Posted: **Wed Apr 30, 2014 4:56 am**

Elisabeth returns to her bedroom, opening and closing the door quietly so as not to wake Posie. "I'll change into my nightclothes while you go to the bathroom," she says quietly to Santiago. "Did they set aside nightclothes for us? We certainly don't have our own." She looks around the room.

Posted: **Wed Apr 30, 2014 9:27 am**

OOC: Santiago may be asleep, aine can decide.

The time is 11 p.m., Santiago went up to his room an hour earlier. There are no nightclothes, and the "bathroom" is a large bowl covered by a cloth and jug of water under a table. Santiago is in the single bed, Posie is fast asleep in the double bed. In Caroline and Mingzhu's room there is a single bed and a makeshift bed, made out of wooden crates with mattress.

Posted: **Wed Apr 30, 2014 6:14 pm**

There is just the sound of gentle breathing; Santiago is asleep.

Posted: **Thu May 01, 2014 5:02 am**

Elisabeth takes off her shoes, gets into the double bed, puts an arm gently around Posie, and drifts off to sleep.

Posted: **Thu May 01, 2014 9:34 am**

Mingzhu gets into the makeshift bed. She murmurs, "I have an iron pillow," and immediately falls asleep.

Posted: **Thu May 01, 2014 7:03 pm**

Posted: **Thu May 01, 2014 9:12 pm**

Caroline smiled as she heard Mingzhu fall asleep and then did the same.

Posted: **Fri May 02, 2014 10:59 am**

Santiago wakes and lies there for a while listening. Then he gets up, picks up his boots and pads out of the room silently, closing the door behind him.

Sitting on the bottom step--the stairs are in the dining room, opposite to them is the open door to the kitchen which has a door to the alley--Santiago pulls on one boot and picks up the other . . . [roll Listen (55%)]

Posted: **Fri May 02, 2014 5:29 pm**

As he pulls on the second boot, Santiago's trained ears are alerted and he wonders if he could hear something odd.

Posted: **Fri May 02, 2014 6:21 pm**

A scuffling noise--something big is in the kitchen.

Posted: **Sat May 03, 2014 6:00 pm**

Thinking that a dog, or maybe a pig has wandered in from the alley, Santiago creeps to the kitchen door and peers in.

Posted: **Sat May 03, 2014 8:58 pm**

There is a faint red glow from the coals in the grate. Santiago catches a flash (of metal?) from under the table.

Posted: **Mon May 05, 2014 11:36 am**

"A dog's collar perhaps?" Santiago wonders; he feels slightly disconcerted and looks anything to hand he could use in self defense should the animal prove to be hostile.

Posted: **Mon May 05, 2014 11:56 am**

"Hsst!"--from under the table--"Santgo-sir," someone whispers. He cannot see very much at all, however there is a sideboard next to the doorway with a wine bottle on top.

Posted: **Tue May 06, 2014 4:58 am**

Instinctively, Elisabeth checks on Posie.

Posted: **Tue May 06, 2014 5:07 pm**

Caroline gets up in her bunk and looks around the room. She smiles appreciatively at the silver light as she pulls her blanket closer about her.

Posted: **Tue May 06, 2014 10:04 pm**

Santiago picks up the wine bottle and hefts it in his hand. He tries not to look at the coals so he doesn't ruin his night vision, and pads silently over to the table and crouches down to look underneath.

Posted: **Wed May 07, 2014 2:28 pm**

Santiago crouches.

Feng, his face noticeably pale, stares out at Santiago. One hand beckons the Spaniard to join him beneath the table, the other is clutching the wicked looking knife--Santiago has an image of the gutted chicken.

Posted: **Wed May 07, 2014 3:03 pm**

Despite the chill in the air I still have a sheen of perspiration on my brow at the thought of the repercussions of Jimmy Smitt's exploits. but that memory fades as I focus blearily upon the items in the moonlight. I put on my glasses to see them better and peer closely at them. I listen hard,but hear nothing over the snoring of the men beside me.(1d100=63)

I swing my feet over the side of the cot I recline on and stand up before making my way over to the rucksack and hiking stick to investigate further ... "I'm certain this wasn't here before!" I mutter to myself.

Posted: **Wed May 07, 2014 8:43 pm**

"So quiet...", thinks Caroline as she reaches for her rucksack, looking for a torch or some matches. She strains her ears, trying to hear Mingzhu's breathing.

Posted: **Wed May 07, 2014 10:14 pm**

Santiago peers round but sees nothing untoward so he crouches further down and crawls under the table next to Feng. He gives him a questioning frown.

Posted: **Thu May 08, 2014 4:48 am**

Elisabeth gets out of bed and slips on her shoes. "Posie?" she calls. "Where are you?" She cocks an ear to try to pinpoint the source of the crying, but she isn't sure where it is.

Posted: **Thu May 08, 2014 11:44 am**

Dr. Renwick checks out the rucksack and alpenstock.

He leans back the rucksack and discerns a label, it is a small flag sewn onto the leather--an offset white cross upon a red background. Renwick could unbuckle the rucksack but would risk waking Jian who is in his cot nearby.

~

Caroline feels the tooling upon her cigarette case and then her searching fingers find her lighter. She snaps open its lid. Mingzhu's makeshift bed is empty. Caroline hears Elisabeth's voice: "Posie?"

~

Feng puts a finger to Santiago's lips and blows silently: "Shhhh"; the gust of alcohol flavoured breath leaves Santiago in no doubt that the man is intoxicated. The door to the alley rattles; a snort; scratching or pawing--his intuition about a pig was correct?

~

Elisabeth calls the little girl's name but there is no answer.

Posted: **Fri May 09, 2014 4:36 am**

Elisabeth takes one last look around the room to make sure Posie isn't there, including checking under the beds, and then ventures out into the hall.

Posted: **Fri May 09, 2014 1:31 pm**

I get down on my haunches in front of the rucksack keeping my body between it and the sleeping forms in the dormitory, and proceed to attempt to open it gently.

OOC: Does the name Muller, on the alpenstock mean anything to me?

Posted: **Fri May 09, 2014 1:52 pm**

Santiago nods once and then crawls out from under the table as he reckons it's not the best place to be to weather a pig attack. He goes to the fireplace to see if he can find a poker or suchlike and then he creeps to the side of the door, ready to ambush the creature should it find a way in. He listens very carefully to determine what sort of animal it might be.

Posted: **Fri May 09, 2014 6:23 pm**

Elisabeth ventures out onto the landing. Opposite is Caroline and Mingzhu's bedroom door, to her left is another door, to her right yawns the dark stairwell.

~

"Müller" has no connotation to Renwick. The rucksack: the first item he finds is a crumpled shirt, the unwashed odour from it tells him that further delving may be unpleasant; he changes tack and unbuckles the pouch on the front and draws a letter, pencil and penknife.

"What are you doing, Dr. Renwick?" asks Jian from his cot.

~

Santiago searches the fireplace until he picks up heavy tongs complete with dragon's feet; as he is searching a faint, sweet singing is audible:

"Love and pity are pleading with me this hour.
What is this voice that stays me forbidding to yield,
Offering beauty, love, and immortal power,
Aeons away in some far-off heavenly field?"

The beast in the alley has gone, he just knows it for certain.

Posted: **Fri May 09, 2014 7:56 pm**

I jump at the sound of Jian's voice. "This rucksack and stick was not here before ... I was wondering whose it was and why it was left in such a dangerous position where somewhere could trip over it."

Posted: **Sat May 10, 2014 5:35 am**

Elisabeth tries to think like a child. She probably went exploring, she thinks. I don't think she'd go into the other bedrooms; it's more likely she headed downstairs. Elisabeth carefully makes her way down the stairway.

Posted: **Sat May 10, 2014 4:56 pm**

Caroline gets up and goes to have a look outside the door. She is clad is little more than her night shirt.

"What's wrong, Elisabeth?", she says to the young woman going down the stairs.

Posted: **Sun May 11, 2014 4:14 am**

"Oh, hi, Caroline," says Elisabeth, pausing on the stairs and looking back. "I'm searching for Posie. I was asleep and was dreaming that I heard a child crying, but maybe it was real and intruded on my dream. Then I woke up, and Posie was gone!"

Posted: **Sun May 11, 2014 9:18 am**

Santiago quietly unlatches the door and looks out into the dark courtyard. "I think it has gone, Feng." He whispers. He tries to determine where the singing is coming from.

Posted: **Sun May 11, 2014 11:14 am**

"Mingzhu isn't in her bed either. Maybe Posie was looking for the bathroom and Mingzhu heard her and went with her."

She is enjoying the feel of the building under her bare feet as she gracefully approaches Elisabeth.

"Are you going downstairs? Shall I accompany you, dear?"

Posted: **Sun May 11, 2014 5:27 pm**

"Oh," says Jian. As he plumps his pillow and turns away he mutters: ". . . it was under my bed . . . go to sleep, Doctor."

~

Santiago hears a "glug, glug" from under the kitchen table.

OOC: Re. the singing, roll Idea (60%)

Posted: **Mon May 12, 2014 3:46 am**

"Yes, thank you, Caroline," says Elisabeth, grateful for the help. She carefully leads the way downstairs.

Posted: **Mon May 12, 2014 6:19 pm**

Santiago steps into the yard for a look round. He looks up to see if the stars are out and he sniffs the air.

Posted: **Mon May 12, 2014 7:44 pm**

Santiago looks up into the cloudless night sky. The moon has never appeared so clear, it reminds him of the moon in Patagonia; he spots Libra and Jupiter blazing brightly.

~

A chill breeze is flowing around the foot of the stairs. Looking across the dining room and though the kitchen beyond Elisabeth sees the silhouette of Santiago, standing in the alley, as he gazes up into the heavens. Caroline is beginning to regret her lack of clothing.

Posted: **Mon May 12, 2014 8:20 pm**

OOC: I'm having the problems too, it's like the site is taking ages to load and sometimes I get the message that there are too many people logged on. Maybe someone with fast surfing should pass he message on to our techsavvy overlords?

A shiver ran down Caroline's spine as she stepped off the stairs and here bare feet made contact with the cold floor, but she'd be damned if she'd show any trace of it.

"Looks like the whole town's out for a midnight walk."

Her lips curled into a feline smile as she beheld the silhouette in the door.

Posted: **Tue May 13, 2014 4:58 am**

"Santiago, dear," says Elisabeth, "have you seen Posie? I woke up and she wasn't there."

Posted: **Tue May 13, 2014 11:33 am**

Santiago turns round and walks back into the kitchen, ushering the two ladies before him. He closes the door. "It's a cold night; go and stand by the stove. You can come out now, Feng." He nods in the direction of the kitchen table and mimes drinking from a bottle to Elizabeth and Caroline. "Feng's been seeing things I think but I'll ask Mingzhu for a translation tomorrow just to check." He looks puzzled. "No I haven't seen Posie. She must have left her bed before 2 am which is when I planned to keep watch from. She can't have gone far; have you checked the water closet?" He notices Caroline's bare feet. "I'll go; I've got boots on. Get Feng to sort out some candles for you and look around the building. I'll be back here in a bit."

Posted: **Tue May 13, 2014 3:11 pm**

Feng crawls out from under the table, swaying dangerously as he does so; he doesn't even attempt to stand up--it is clear that Feng is absolutely smashed on wine and spirit.

The water closet is back through the dining room and another room that has the Swastika Society pamphlets, etc., through the courtyard with its well (to one side of the courtyard is the dormitory with Renwick and the men), and is housed in a bamboo hut--and it is simply a plank with a hole over a runnel.

OOC: Both Elisabeth and Caroline roll Idea.

Posted: **Tue May 13, 2014 7:44 pm**

Posted: **Wed May 14, 2014 4:59 am**

"No, we haven't checked the WC yet," says Elisabeth, deep in thought. "Caroline told me Mingzhu is gone too, so maybe they're together."

Posted: **Wed May 14, 2014 11:34 am**

Santiago nods, eyes Feng grimly and then sets off towards the WC with his tongs. He keeps an eye out for a candle/lantern in case it's too dark to see out there.

Posted: **Wed May 14, 2014 5:16 pm**

Santiago heads off, the sound of his footsteps quickly fade.

Posted: **Thu May 15, 2014 3:41 am**

Posted: **Thu May 15, 2014 3:19 pm**

Posted: **Fri May 16, 2014 5:20 am**

Posted: **Fri May 16, 2014 11:59 am**

Posted: **Fri May 16, 2014 12:42 pm**

Posted: **Fri May 16, 2014 10:34 pm**

Posted: **Sat May 17, 2014 4:20 am**

Posted: **Mon May 19, 2014 11:46 am**

It is a box room, brightly lit by moonlight because its shutters are wide open. In front of the window, and beside an unlit fireplace, sits Mingzhu upon a rocking chair with Posie upon her lap, they are wrapped in a quilt.

Santiago peers down the hole, it strikes him that he must cut a comical figure, luckily it is dark and no one is about. Returning from the water closet and approaching the kitchen he hears Feng's snoring, Santiago finds him back under the table and that he has found himself a coat as makeshift blanket. Elisabeth and Caroline are back upstairs, "Posie?" he hears Elisabeth ask softly.

Posted: **Mon May 19, 2014 5:41 pm**

Santiago decides to leave the sorry monk asleep and question him in the morning with the help of Mingzhu. He pads quietly upstairs and comes up behind Elizabeth and Caroline to see what they have discovered.

Posted: **Mon May 19, 2014 8:54 pm**

Caroline smiles at the sight and puts a hand on Elisabeth's shoulder.

"Maybe we should put them to bed, or they'll be wrecked in the morning."

Posted: **Wed May 21, 2014 5:23 am**

Elisabeth nods. "And myself likewise," she tells Caroline. "Is everything okay?" she asks Mingzhu. "I thought I heard crying before."

Posted: **Wed May 21, 2014 1:41 pm**

"And I thought I heard singing." Adds Santiago who is relieved all is well.

Posted: **Wed May 21, 2014 3:45 pm**

"That was Posie," yawns Mingzhu. "I couldn't sleep,--too many sad thoughts--and Posie was tearful. I hoped that no-one else would be disturbed if we sat in here"--she smiles up at Elisabeth, Caroline and Santiago--"but it appears not!

" 'Singing,' Señor?--a lullaby for Posie maybe."

Posted: **Wed May 21, 2014 11:22 pm**

Caroline strides into the room, and puts a hand on Mingzhu's shoulder.

"Come, we should get you to bed, dear."

Looking up at Santiago and Elisabeth, she smiles a feline smile.

"I'll take care of Mingzhu, I'm sure Posie will sleep better with her mother."

Posted: **Thu May 22, 2014 4:47 am**

Elisabeth nods again. "It's all right," she says to Mingzhu. "I'm just relieved you're both okay. It was startling to awaken and find Posie gone. Come on, Posie, let's go back to bed. And if you ever need to talk to me, whether tonight, in the morning, or any other time, I'm there for you."

Posted: **Thu May 22, 2014 9:12 am**

Mingzhu is led away by Caroline.

Posie nods to Elisabeth, holding her arms up to be carried back to bed. "I know I can talk to you," she mumbles sleepily.

~

Everyone is at the dining table for breakfast. A pot of congee--a porridge-like gruel--sits steaming upon the table. Feng looks hungover and is very still as if the slightest movement is a torture for him.

So surveys the gathering: "What do you all plan to do today?"

Posted: **Thu May 22, 2014 1:54 pm**

Santiago picks at his congee with some distaste; he has a typical Spanish disregard for breakfast. "Before we embark on today, Mingzhu would you mind asking Feng what animal was at the kitchen door last night that terrifed him so? I know he was pretty drunk but even so, he seemed in a terrible state poor man."

Posted: **Fri May 23, 2014 4:55 am**

"Yes, is he all right?" asks Elisabeth, concerned. She tastes the congee, which she likes better than porridge in some ways, perhaps because it is different. I wonder if Posie was crying last night because she misses her real parents? she thinks. I had just been remarking to myself how resilient she's been through all this, but I suppose we all have our limits.

Posted: **Fri May 23, 2014 7:50 pm**

"We need to get the paperwork started.", Caroline says as she pushes away her empty bowl.
"And we need to find some supplies for you guys too."

She doesn't seem to concerned about Feng's situation.

Posted: **Sat May 24, 2014 5:40 am**

"And clothes!" says Elisabeth. "I'm sure you already have an adequate wardrobe, Caroline, but the rest of us have only what we're wearing."

Posted: **Sat May 24, 2014 10:38 am**

"Of course, Señor," replies Mingzhu over a bowl of congee. "Feng seems pretty hungover right now, but I shall have a chat with him. An animal at the door you say? and what was the Señor doing last night, if you don't mind me asking?" She takes up a slab of unrefined sugar, chips at it, and then mashes at the crystals until they are separated.

"Yes, our Feng is fine, Mrs. el Aguila," answers Jian, "please ignore him: he is an embarrassment to the Swastika Society," he says rather scornfully. The others: So, Ouyang and Dao, stare into their bowls.

"I have some connections at the Governor's yamen," says So, "would you like me to come with you? To reach Kumbum monastery you will need passports for Shensi and Kansu provinces."

Mingzhu is spooning lumps of sugar into Posie's bowl when Elisabeth mentions shopping for clothes, she gets excited: "Oh, yes!"

"I require a dolly, Mrs. Tompkyns can be her name," says Posie seriously as if she is reminding everyone of important camp equipment.

"I may stay here," says Dr. Renwick; "prepare for my speech tonight; learn about the work of the Society."

Posted: **Sat May 24, 2014 12:41 pm**

"And by staying here, I can hopefully compare how the society compares to the state of the healthcare back home." A frown creases my brow as I think that thaat may have been the first time I have thought of 'home' as actually being my home in a long long time.

Posted: **Sat May 24, 2014 5:32 pm**

'Thank you, Mingzhu, that would be very helpful if you can find out what Feng saw; he may need a little coaxing and feminine charm I reckon. I was awake anyway and went down to the kitchen when I found him in such a state. I heard the animal myself.' Santiago looks around at the Swastika company to see their reactions. 'Henry, we'll leave you to your studies here then. They rest of us will go with So to collect funds, sort the paperwork and buy supplies, clothing and a dolly. Is that satisfactory for you Ms Lamarr or do you have other plans?'

Posted: **Sun May 25, 2014 4:27 am**

Elisabeth smiles, looking forward to the shopping expedition.

Posted: **Sun May 25, 2014 10:42 pm**

"Quite satisfactory."

Play@YSDC

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