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Clare had been spending an unusually large amount of time with Jim, Ethan, Josh and Zac, although didn't have the usual distractions of having to look after them (particularly Jim and Ethan). The result was that she had begun to notice, what seemed to her, to be the unusual relationships that existed between the boys - and eventually she found herself discussing those matters with Ethan... prompted by a further use of the 'Portal'.
.
Having completed their shopping, such as it was, Ethan and Teddy, Clare and 'Sigi' had little left to do for the rest of the day - and it was still very early.
Apart from some specialist work - which would be attended to by professionals from Cairo and Alexandria, the 'Winter Palace', with it's contingents of cleaners, bed-makers, kitchen staff, local gardeners and maintenance crews - along with the Egyptian police, and by then, Zac's security guys, was ready for occupation.
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| Luxor McDonald's - Egypt |
Once they had ordered their food, and taken it to their table, they began to discuss their plans for the rest of the day.
"Well it seems that we will not be required to be back at the 'Winter Palace', as Jim, Josh and Zac have everything in hand, and will be probably be busy organizing the security guys, so I thought it might be nice if we used the 'portal-thingy' to go back to 'Antelope Valley' and pick up the 'kitties' - and maybe also Novius, if he's ready to come.", Ethan suggested.
Clare thought for a moment.
"I don't see why not - but you need to 'phone Novius, and don't rush him - he might need a bit more notice to get things ready."
"And can you operate this portal ?", 'Sigi' asked Ethan
"No, I don't have the slightest idea how it works - but Teddy knows.", Ethan replied.
"And are you sure you can work it ?", Clare asked Teddy.
"Of course...
Faunus put all the operating instructions into my database.", Teddy replied confidently.
"OK - then 'phone Novius - and if he agrees, then check with Jim...", Clare told Ethan.
"You know, Clare, it's strange how nice the food tastes, here in Egypt, all fresh and spicy - all except the cheeseburgers.
Of course your cheeseburger are great, but then yours are 'homemade'." Ethan said, going completely off the subject of the trip to the 'Villa Athena'.
"The cheeseburgers here, though, taste exactly the same as the cheeseburgers you get at McDonald's in the US.", Ethan concluded.
"So why do you eat cheeseburgers from McDonald's ?", Clare asked.
"Because when I first arrived in Las Vegas - before I met the 'Boss', I had very little money, and cheeseburgers were the only meal that I could afford - but then of course the 'Boss' got you to look after me, but I couldn't break the habit with the cheeseburgers.", Ethan explained.
"Well forget about that - and after you 'phone Novius, we can go the the Steigenberger and get the basket for the kittens.", Clare said, noticing that Ethan was becoming sad.
And that's what they did.
Now Novius, it seemed, had been waiting for, and expecting a call, and was all packed and eager to go.
"But how are you to take the kittens ?" Novius asked during his 'phone call with Ethan.
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| The Kitten's Basket |
"And what about the villa, while I'm gone ?", Novius asked.
"Don't worry, I'll get Zac to arrange for a squad of security guys to keep an eye on the place.", Ethan said.
"And my Mexican servants ?", Novius asked.
"No 'problemo'... Franklin has sent them all letters explaining that they have extended paid leave, and they'll be contacted when you will need them again.", Ethan said reassuringly.
"Well Aurarius (Ethan), my boy - you seem to have everything organised - that's very good.
"So exactly where are you going to arrive ?", Novius sensibly asked.
"Well, according to Teddy, right in the middle of your 'drawing room - so make sure that none of the Mexican guys are around.", Ethan said.
"And you trust that little bear to do that ?", Novius asked, sounding dubious.
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| Steigenberger Hotel - Luxor |
"Well that's sorted - so let's go back to the Steigenberger, to get the 'kitties' basket, and then go to the 'Winter Palace for 'take-off'.", Ethan said.
Later, Jim and Josh were waiting for Ethan and Teddy, Clare and 'Sigi' in the entrance vestibule of the 'Winter Palace' - meanwhile Zac was organizing 'security'
(The 'entrance vestibule' had been the 'hotel reception area', which had now had the 'reception desk' removed, and replaced by nice, comfy armchairs, and low tables to be used by waiting guests).
"So, everything has been arranged with Novius ?", Jim asked.
"Everything's 'hunky-dory'...or 'optime' - if you prefer the Latin.", Ethan replied in his own, inimitable manner.
"And the 'kittens' - after all, they are the ones that all this confusion was intended for...?", Josh queried.
"The 'Kitties' are probably just rearing to go - and I feel sorry for any small rodents 'round here - what with two kittens and Glaux.", Ethan replied.
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| Victorian Lounge - Winter Palace - Luxor |
Jim then got on his 'cell-phone' to Zac.
"Cordon off the corridors leading to the Victorian Lounge, Zac.", Jim said.
Ethan then took the gold box out from Teddy's Walmart bag, and gently placed it in the centre of the floor.
"Are we ready ?", Ethan asked - rather over dramatically.
"Get on with it !", Josh said.
"OK...", Ethan replied, as he pressed the red button and quickly moved back.
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| The Gold Box |
And the 'portal' suddenly appeared.
"Why does that always 'freak' me out ?", 'Sigi' murmured.
"Well - 'vamos amigos'...", Ethan said, as he opened the portal door, while Jim 'phoned Novius to say that Ethan and Teddy, and Clare and 'Sigi' would be arriving almost immediately.
And so Ethan hoisted Teddy up so that the little bear could enter the coordinates for the drawing room of the 'Villa Athena' into the panel of buttons that looked suspiciously like the buttons on a 'normal' elevator.
And that was all there was to it.
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| Arrival of the Portal at the Villa Athena |
And they were there - in the center of the 'drawing room of the 'Villa Athena' - and Novius was standing by the wall, obviously to be safe, with a pair of large suitcases.
"This makes me think of the 'gods' - who would appear and disappear in clouds of smoke - so long ago.", Novius said, obviously stunned by the sudden appearance of the 'dimensional portal', and, of course, the appearance of Ethan and Teddy, and Clare and 'Sigi'.
"Yes... sorry about all the smoke.
I've spoken to Faunus about dispensing with the dramatic effects - but he hasn't found the time to do anything about it so far, what with all the business with the 'Winter Palace'. ", Ethan said apologetically.
"So it's really you - and was I really speaking to you only minutes ago - and you were in Egypt ?". Novius exclaimed.
"Yep - It's the only way to travel, my old friend...", Ethan replied.
"So, sir, can we help you with your cases ?", 'Sigi' asked, remembering his manners.
"That would be very kind of you...", Novius replied, as Bastet and Sekhmet, finally thinking it was safe to approach the portal, padded over to where Ethan had left Teddy on the floor when he had opened the doors to the portal.
"Ah... the delinquent kittens...", Teddy said, nervously.
The two kittens then each gave Teddy a lick on his nose, and settled down beside him.
"So Ethan, help me put these two into the basket.", Clare said, while 'Sigi; struggled with Novius' cases.
"What have you got in here ?", 'Sigi' asked, noticing that the largest of the two cases was remarkably heavy.
"Oh, just some books, and my current research notes...", Novius replied.
And as 'Sigi' struggled with Novius' cases, Bastet and Sekhmet, obviously understanding what Teddy was telling them, (telepathically in 'Cat'), obediently hopped into the cat basket that Clare was holding open for them.
"Good 'kitties'...", Ethan said, as Teddy was left abandoned, and sitting on the floor.
"Now Teddy, stop taking it easy, and let's get the new coordinates punched into the control panel, and get back to the 'Winter Palace'.", Ethan said, as he picked Teddy up and took him over to the 'elevator buttons' that were not actually 'elevator buttons'.
So Teddy, without complaining, entered the coordinates.
"And that's all you have to do ?", Novius stated quizzically.
"Yes, Novius - just that !", Ethan said, as they sped back, almost instantaneously to Luxor.
Ethan then opened the double doors of the 'portal'.
"Marcus ! - and where are we ?", Novius cried out, as he stepped forward and heartily shook Jim's hand.
"We are in Luxor, in Egypt, and this is the 'Victorian Lounge' of the 'Winter Palace' - which is another home for us.", Jim said.
""Well, to be honest, I don't really care where we are - but it's just so good to see you again - and Adonios (Josh).", Novius gushed.
(Remember that Novius always addresses the 'boys' by their Latin names - an old man's privilege.)
At that moment, though, nobody was watching the kittens, who had managed to scramble out of the cat basket, and had scampered off, out of the Victorian lounge, and into one of the corridors of the 'Winter Palace'.
"Oh no !...
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| 'Drawing Room of Jim's Suite - Winter Palace - Luxor |
"Don't worry, I know where they're going...", Teddy said calmly.
"And where might that be ?", Jim asked, sounding a little annoyed.
"Well up to the suite you had the last time you stayed here.", Teddy replied nonchalantly.
"Like me, they like all the cushions and pillows, and think it's very 'comfy'.", Teddy added.
"So it looks like they'll be our living quarters as well...", Ethan said to Jim.
"You see, that's the problem, Ethan - important decisions are now being taken by kittens.", Jim said, with a smile.
So where's Novius going to stay ?
"Well for now we'll find a bedroom, but later we'll need to provide some bookcases and a desk.", Jim said.
"OK - well I'll take him upstairs and he can choose a nice bedroom.", Josh said.
And fortunately for 'Sigi' there was an Egyptian servant to carry Novius' cases.
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| Clare's Bedroom - Winter Place |
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| 'Sigi's Room - Winter Palace |
"So... I know where the room was when I was here before, so if it's ready I'll go and check it out.", 'Sigi' said.
"Good idea - and I'll go and see what the kitties are up to.", Ethan said, leaving Jim and Novius alone in the Victorian Lounge.
"So, Novius, are you pleased to be in Egypt ?", Jim asked.
"Well Marcus, I haven't really seen anything of Egypt so far, but if this room is anything to go by then it reminds me very much of palatial villas in Rome.", Novius replied.
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| Winter Palace Gardens - Luxor - Egypt |
And it's because of the gardens that I bought this place...
You see Aurarius (Ethan) was so happy in the gardens, and he especially wanted the place for the kittens - because they obviously loved playing in the gardens.", Jim explained.
"Yes - well you spoil that boy... always did, but I don't really blame you.", Novius said.
At that point Zac joined then.
"And Petronius (Zac) - how are you ?", Novius asked.
"Very busy - but it's very good to see you.", Zac replied.
"Yes, well I want you to be even busier, Zac.
We need to bring our luggage from the Steigenberger over to here...", Jim began.
"So, get someone to find Clare, Ethan, and 'Sigi' - and I'll come with you, and we can take the limos, and close matters at the Steigenberger, and bring all the luggage here.", Jim said.
And so, using the internal 'phone system, Zac contacted Clare, Ethan, and 'Sigi', and asked them to meet Jim at the main entrance to the 'Winter Palace', while the limos were brought round.
Meanwhile, Teddy and the kittens settled themselves down in Jim's suite for a short nap.
Teddy, however, as usual didn’t sleep, but pretended to sleep, and turned up his thermostat, very slightly, so that his fur felt warm, as the air-conditioning was very efficient, and he wanted the kittens to feel comfortable.
It didn’t take long for Ethan, Clare and ‘Sigi’ to pack, (with Ethan packing for Jim), and then ring down for the bell-hops to come and collect the luggage.
Meanwhile, Jim was settling the bill, and giving out baksheesh where appropriate.
Then, once the luggage was loaded into the trunks of the limos, it was simply a short drive to the ‘Winter Palace’, although as it was a fine day, but not too hot, with is slight breeze, Ethan, Clare, ‘Sigi’ and Jim decided to walk the short distance to their new home.
So what about lunch ?”, Ethan asked, as they approached the main entrance to the 'Winter Palace'.
“Well, we haven’t got a proper dining-room organised at the ‘Winter Palace’ yet, and it would seem a bit strange if we went back to the Steigenberger’, Jim said.
“Well, why not a picnic in the gardens.
I’m sure that Murad could make some salad, and some delicious sandwiches – and some cheeseburgers for Ethan – and we could finish off with some ice-cream and jelly.”, Clare suggested.
“Yes, and we could take the kittens with us – their first adventure in the gardens since the last time they were here.”, Ethan added.
So when they arrived at the 'Winter Palace', Jim and Ethan first checked to see that Novius had settled in - and told him about the intended picnic - and then woke up the kittens.
Ethan and Teddy then took the kittens down to the gardens to select a good place for the picnic, while Jim and Clare and 'Sigi' sorted out their luggage.
Jim then called on Murad and told him of his plans for lunch.
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| Winter Palace Gardens - Luxor - Egypt |
And at the same moment Jim, Zac, Josh, Clare and 'Sigi' all arrived on the steps.
"Well this is really something !", Clare said, surveying the 'by then' completed gardens.
"And to think this is all ours !", Ethan added.
Meanwhile, Murad wanted to get the waiters to bring a table and chairs, but Jim insisted that it should be a real picnic, with everyone sitting on the beautifully mown grass - something that suited the kittens, but Teddy, as usual, was concerned about his fur, as he always liked to keep himself perfectly groomed.
And so they began their 'al-fresco' meal.
"So... Marcus (Jim), this 'portal' that brought us from the 'Villa Athena' to here in Luxor... can you give me any idea of how it works ?", Novius asked.
"Well not really, Novius.
Ethan has no idea - even Teddy, who can operate it, has admitted that he didn't understand the principle by which it works.", Jim replied.
"If you really want to know how it works, Novius, you probably need to ask Faunus - but I doubt very much if he will tell you...", Teddy said.
"So it's not like these modern things I've seen, like limousines, computers, cell-phones, and aeroplanes and such like.", Novius suggested.
"No...
The problem is that 'modern humans' imagine that everything can be solved by machines... but they are mistaken.
The Germans, during the Second World War, and later the US government, tried to create a technology that would achieve what this 'interdimensional portal' can achieve, but failed miserably.
Some information has leaked out about these projects - but not really very detailed, or accurate for that matter - and these attempts are now known in conspiracy circles, individually, as 'Projekt Kronos',(left) and the 'Montauk Project' (right).
The reason that these projects failed so badly was the fact that they relied, for the most part, on the use of machines, rather than aspects of the 'psyche'.", Teddy (sort of) explained - in his most abstruse manner - purposefully omitting any references to Dr Siegfried Brandt - for obvious reasons....
"Well that's all beyond me... but tell us, Teddy... how does the 'Portal thingy' really work ?", Ethan then asked.
Teddy shook his head, and sighed - eager to avoid any further discussion of the subject.
"I've just said, it's not really possible to explain.
The best thing I can say to help you is that 'it's a kind of magic'.", Teddy said, hoping that statement would be taken as definitive.
"You mean like in the movie...?", Ethan said brightly.
"Yes - 'like in the movie'...", Teddy reluctantly agreed.
"I see...", Ethan said, pretending that he understood Teddy's very strange explanation - which actually was no explanation at all....
"Well, I think that's enough said about that...", Jim said, wanting to get the conversation away from 'Kronos', 'Montauk' and the now defunct 'Dr Brandt'.
"So, what about this cruise up the Nile ?", Jim asked.
"Well, is it OK to leave the 'Winter Palace' ? - after all, I thought you wanted to order some new furnishing and do some redecoration..." Clare replied.
"Yes... but we can order any new stuff on-line.
It will take a very long time for it to get here anyway...", Jim said.
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| Aaron |
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| Main Lounge - Hadeel |
"Well I'd like to see these other places along the Nile, but is that OK with everybody else ?", Clare then asked.
"I think so...", Jim said, looking round at the others.
"So shall I 'phone Captain Hossam on the Hadeel.
He's only at Esna, so he should be able to get here by morning - although we don't have to start our cruise right away.", Jim said.
"So that's OK... 'cause I can get in touch with Aaron at the 'Park Theatre', and start arranging for the next concert.", Ethan added.
"Yes, and I'm still in touch with Kurt at the Combat club...", Zac said.
And everyone nodded in agreement.
So, as their picnic came to an end, the group broke up.
Zac went off to perform more of his seemingly endless checks on security - Josh went off to have discussions on the internet, and on his 'cell-phone' with contacts in 'Vegas and Mexico - Novius went off to organize his books and papers - and 'Sigi' went back to his room to unpack, and have a snooze.
And that left Clare, and Ethan and Teddy with the kittens.
"So Ethan - I've been meaning to have a chat with you - so let's go for a walk in the gardens...", Clare said.
Ethan was surprised and nervous.
And Teddy interrupted...
"Well, do you mind if I stay here and play with the kittens ? -
I think I've had enough of this 'human talk' for a while.", Teddy said, getting Ethan to put him down on the grass.
Teddy, with his telepathic abilities, was aware that Clare really wanted a 'private talk' with Ethan, but was too polite to say so - but he was interested to hear what Clare might have to say, but he guessed that she didn't really want anyone else to know about her talk with Ethan - so Teddy tuned in his 'super sensitive, directional hearing', and decided to discreetly follow them.
At the same time he told the kittens (telepathically - in 'Cat'), to go with him, so that it would still seem as if he were 'playing' with the kittens, if he was spotted.
And so Clare and Ethan strolled around the gardens, and eventually found a place to sit in the shade - it was a very warm afternoon - on one of the beautiful antique garden seats that dotted the gardens.
"So tell me, Ethan - this 'Portal' thing... why did you and Jim and the others didn't use it the first time you came to Egypt ?", Clare asked.
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| Airbus first Class Cabin |
"Well maybe it was because Jim wanted us to understand just how far it was from 'Vegas to Egypt - and so we flew in the huge, Emirates 'Airbus-thingy' .", Ethan very sensibly replied.
"And it was a long flight ?", Clare asked.
"Yes - ages - and very boring." Ethan replied.
"But I got the impression that using the portal did strange things - like it stopped people aging or something...", Clare commented, in an attempt to get more information from Ethan.
"Well sort of...
As I said before, I don't really know much about the 'Portal thingy', but I think that if you use it to go from one place to another, then it doesn't have much effect on you - but if you use it to go from one 'time' to another, then it seems to effects how you age - which is a 'time-thingy'.", Ethan explained - as best he could.
"So, if I'm to believe you, and Jim, and Josh, and Zac - about coming from ancient Rome - and I'm not sure I do believe that, then it would mean that you all traveled in space - like to 'Vegas, from wherever - and also through time - which I gather - and I don't know much about history, is about two thousand years.", Clare said.
"Well, that's what it looks like.", Ethan replied - beginning to feel that he was being interrogated.
"Now we met some time ago - before Jim came.
But you never said anything about ancient Rome, or time travel, or portals or anything - so how come all this talk started quite recently ?", Clare asked.
"Well, it's difficult to explain....", Ethan began, and then he paused, as he obviously gave the matter some thought.
"It all got a bit strange when Jim arrived.
If you remember, he had lost his memory.
I was never sure if that was because he had an accident, and banged his head - of if something went wrong when Faunus brought him to 'Vegas.
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| 'Indian Springs' - Clark County - Nevada |
"So that was a bit different than Summerlin...", Clare commented.
Certainly was - but you see none of it really happened... sort of...", Ethan said, sounding quite distressed.
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| Penthouse Building - Summerlin |
"Oh, I had been waitressing in a diner in 'Vegas, and it closed down, and I needed a job, and I saw this advert for a housekeeper for a penthouse in Summerlin.
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| The 'Boss' - Mr Johnson |
He was very nice, and said he was the guardian of a teenage boy - and I was to look after the boy - clean and tidy, look after his clothes and cook for him, and suchlike.
The pay was amazing, and the job included a small apartment below the Penthouse.
It was an offer I just couldn't refuse.", Clare said.
"Yes... the 'Boss' was good at making people 'offers that they couldn't refuse' - and now, so is Jim.", Ethan added.
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| Cadillac Limousine |
You never had any friends come to see you - you didn't go to school or college, and just watched movies in that big home cinema, and often, in the evening, you'd go to see the 'Boss' - chauffeured, of course, in one of those huge black Cadillacs.", Clare continued.
"Yes - but you should understand that at that time I was very confused.
I wasn't really sure what was going on, and I was quite happy watching all these movies that the 'Boss' had provided, and going to McDonald's.
"And according to you the 'Boss' was actually someone from this 'ancient Roman' past that you, and the other boys, talk about... but did you realize that when you met him here, in 'Vegas.", Clare asked, obviously probing.
"Well that was the odd thing.
At the time he seemed very familiar, but I suppose that might have been because he was very nice to me...
I always remember he used to call me 'his favourite little guy'.", Ethan said.
"So if what you and the 'boys' say is true, (and it seemed that Clare was still not entirely convinced), what was it made Faunus bring you all here."
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| Pompeii - After the Eruption - 70 AD |
Pompeii was once a flourishing as a coastal retreat for wealthy Romans. It contained a bustling marketplace, beautiful homes, taverns, bathhouses, temples of worship, magnificent architecture, an arena (that Marcus - [Jim] owned) that sat 20,000 people, and a flourishing centre for arts, crafts and science.
"So, I've heard about this - there's been some movies about Pompeii - but I've never heard about this 'Herculaneum' you mentioned.", Clare said.
"Well that's probably because 'Herculaneum' completely disappeared - but there were ruins left of some parts of Pompeii.", Ethan explained.
"So did you live in Pompeii ?", Clare asked.
"Oh no - we lived in a much better place...
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| 'Villa Auream' - Baiae - Bay of Napoli |
We lived in a huge villa in Baiae - like a Roman version of 'Vegas - but I only remembered about that after Jim arrived." Ethan explained.
Baiae was an ancient Roman town situated on the northwest shore of the Gulf of Naples. It was a fashionable resort for centuries in antiquity, particularly towards the end of the Roman Republic, when it was reckoned as superior to Capri, Pompeii, and Herculaneum by the super-rich, who built luxurious villas here from 100 BC to AD 500. It was notorious for its rumors of corruption and scandal."So you have always lived in very luxurious houses ?", Clare asked, sounding a little envious.
"Well that's where it gets complicated...
You see the memories that Faunus gave me - when I first came to 'Vegas - were of growing up in a 'trailer park' in 'Indian Springs', in Clark County -
A trailer park is a temporary or permanent area for 'mobile homes' and 'travel trailers'. Advantages include low cost compared to other housing, and quick and easy moving to a new area, for example when taking a job in a distant place while keeping the same home. Trailer parks, especially in American culture, are stereo-typically viewed as lower income housing for occupants living at or below the poverty line who have low social status and lead a desultory and deleterious lifestyle.
Indian Springs Trailer Park - Clark County - Nevada
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| The Farm in Eleusis - near Athens |
"So this is getting complicated...", Clare then said, sounding a little exasperated.
"It is, Clare - but that's my problem...", Ethan said.
"You see, we didn't live in Pompeii - which was the other side of the bay, but Jim had bought the amphitheater there and the others had gone there to sort things out - but Jim stayed 'Villa Auream' in Baiae because he had business to do their, and I stayed with him as I was his 'personal slave'.
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| After the Eruption |
We all thought it was the 'end of the world'.
Day became night - all the trees and plants died, and you couldn't drink the water.
Day became night - all the trees and plants died, and you couldn't drink the water.
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| The Amphitheater at Pompeii |
Jim (Marcus) was inconsolable, believing that Zac (Petronius) and Josh (Adonios), who had been working on the amphitheatre on the day of the eruption, were dead - and in addition he saw that all his world - the beautiful villa, the gardens, the beaches and sea front - everything, was ruined.
Like a true Roman Patrician, Jim (Marcus) had decided to take his own life, leaving his ruined world to Demetrius - the natural son of Gracchus - and I was supposed to follow his example.
But Faunus had other plans.
A long time before, although I didn't know it, Faunus transported Gracchus to another time and place - somewhere like Baiae (Las Vegas in the twentieth century) to prepare a place for Jim and the boys.", Ethan continued.
While Ethan was explaining all this to Clare, Teddy, of course, was hiding in some bushes, along with the kittens, (who were being very good and quiet - at Teddy's insistence), quite close to the antique garden bench where Clare and Ethan were sitting - deep in conversation.
Teddy, of course, was carefully monitoring the conversation between Clare and Ethan.
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| 'La Villa de los Jaguares' |
"And when did you finally find out about your 'Roman past' ?" Clare then asked, obviously probing once again.
 |
| 'Don Picaro' - (Faunus) |
The 'La Villa de los Jaguares' was the idiosyncratic collection of interconnected pavilions - all built in the 'Neo Mayan' Art Deco style - that sprawled over a huge area of parkland just outside the city of Los Angeles in California.
It was there that we spent time with Faunus - who was first introduced as 'Don Picaro' - and Zac and Glaux the owl.
Later Josh (Adonios) arrived from 'Vegas.
I found that whole visit very difficult because that was where I really discovered that all my first 'memories' had been just 'made up' by Faunus.", Ethan said.
"And were you able to remember everybody ?", Care asked.
"Well, just a little... but it was all very confusing.", Ethan replied sheepishly.
At that point they were suddenly interrupted by the appearance of Jim, who seemed to have almost crept up on them without their noticing...
"Oh... I wondered where you two had got to...", Jim said, trying to sound casual.
"We were just enjoying the sun and chatting..." Clare said, rather nervously.
"Well, Murad would like to speak to you about ordering new 'tableware', as the 'Winter Palace' is no longer a hotel, but a rather a private residence.
"Yes, of course - excuse me Ethan...", Clare said, obviously embarrassed, as she got to her feet and began to head for the kitchens.
Then Jim, in response to a rustling of leaves from behind the antique garden bench, looked down suspiciously.
"Is that you, Teddy ?", Jim asked.
"Yes, Jim.
The kittens and I were just having a little game back here...", Teddy replied.
"I see... well don't keep the kittens out too late...
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| The Rattle Snake on the Devils Tower |
Teddy's problem with snakes went back a long way - to when they had been on the summit of the Devils Tower in Wyoming, when Teddy had actually been bitten by a rattle-snake. Teddy, of course, being animatronic (or something like that), had survived, but he still had a record of the problem lodge in his huge digital brain - so Jim's warning would ensure that he took extra care in the 'Winter Palace' gardens. The 'kittens' however, had nothing to fear as any snakes, or any other predators, would definitely not attack 'avatars' - even if they were furry and cute."No... don't worry - we'll be coming in soon..." Teddy replied.
However, Jim, despite the answers he had received from both Clare and Ethan, had his suspicions.
Jim knew that Clare guessed that the Penthouse was monitored - so probably nothing could be said without it being recorded - (and that was the case) - but out in the 'Winter Palace' gardens such overall surveillance was not possible.
Now Jim trusted Clare, up to a point - but regardless, once someone had sensitive information, they could always be 'encouraged' to divulge it.
So... Jim needed to discover what Clare knew - what Ethan might have told her... accidentally - because the secrets that he and the 'boys' - and Novius held were probably the most significant secrets - ever...
and if you don't believe that, dear reader, then just step back and consider things for a moment.
But don't worry - all will be explained in future chapters.
Imagine that you had been granted the gift of eternal health and youth - but not only that - you had also discovered the means by which you could travel freely, anywhere, and in an instant - and travel not only in space, but also in time. Now surely those would be secrets that you would need to keep 'locked away'... very securely - And then there's Khonsu, who suddenly returns to Luxor, and into the lives of the 'Penthouse Gang'...
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All text - © Copyright Peter Crawford 2021
All Images - © Copyright Vittorio Carvelli 2021
Graphic Design - © Copyright Zac Sawyer 202