Vampires in the Jungle

Cooperative: ''This story is coordinated by Laveaux. It is open to any new writers with characters alive during the year 1947. The coordinator asks that any writers that do join the story, complete a character description in accordance with this article. Note that writers can only write for their characters, the coordinator will write for all other characters and events. Use the talk page if you have questions or suggestions.

There are no current writers.


 * Author: Cerys Andrews, Location: London - for now... PostPosted: Sat Mar 05, 2005 12:34 pm

Cerys awoke with a yawn, opening her eyes and blearily taking in her surroundings. For a moment, she couldn't remember where she was, her sleep filled brain to fuzzy to recognise the small boxroom, with it's faded wallpaper and rag rug covering the threadbare blue carpet. As she slowly drifted closer to being fully awake, she groaned and buried her head back in the pillow, the memories of the previous day flooding back.

She had arrived in London at 5 o'clock the day before, struggling through the crowds of early revellers to try to find her great aunt's house. It had been a while since she had seen Evie, though, and Cerys had managed to get herself lost at least 3 times before she had finally stumbled over the doorstep, weary and dusty and loaded down with a suitcase which kept threatening to burst open.

She rolled back over onto her back and smiled fondly as she thought back to her aunt's welcome. The old lady had enveloped her in a hug, put on the kettle, insisted on carrying Cerys' bag up the stairs, and then spent two hours gossiping about the last couple of years in London. At 9 o'clock, Cerys had escaped the nattering of the kitchen (they had been joined after a few minutes by some of the other lodgers, all of them over 50), and slipped away to the small boxroom, tucking herself up into bed with a hot waterbottle and falling asleep without even unpacking.

She groaned again, running her fingers through her hair. It felt sticky and dirty, and she grimaced. Unpacking! One more chore for today. This has to have been the worst New Years ever, she thought, and then felt bad. She wasn't supposed to be enjoying herself, not when it was only a few weeks since her parents had...

She sighed and slipped out of bed, pushing thoughts of both her parents and unpacking out of her head. Pulling on the first clothes she could find, she peered at the clock. 8.30. She doubted she had a chance of getting a job on New Year's Day, but she could at least get reacquainted with the capital.

Pushing open her door cautiously, she glanced up and down the hall. She wasn't particularly in the mood for another chat with Evie or the other lodgers right now, so she pulled the door to slowly behind her and crept down the hall, down the stairs and out the front door.

'Bye!' she called as she closed it behind her. Cerys turned around, taking in a deep breath of the wintry London air, with it's intermingled scents of smoke and rain and dirt. She glanced towards the north, where the city sprawled in all it's haphazard glory, and set off at a trot down the road, towards the bus stop. She thought perhaps there was a bus which went to central London, and from there she could begin her explorations. It was time to face the world, and make a new start.

Last edited by Cerys Andrews on Sat Mar 05, 2005 3:41 pm; edited 1 time in total


 * Author: Laveaux, PostPosted: Sun Mar 06, 2005 3:05 pm

The search for a bus was not a long quest. The signature red double-decked buses passed every half an hour along a busy lane not too far from the house. Although her wait was short, it was cold. London's bitter cold air cracked into her clothes as she stood.

When the bus at last reached her, an unwashed an aged woman was at the wheel. Inside, there was only one person. A dapper young man with a suit and bowler cap reading the times. His black hair was nicely trimmed, his young face trimmed, and his brown eyes amplified by spectacles.

He regarded her for a moment upon boarding and offered, "Top of the mornin'".

The bus began its trip into the city.


 * Author: Cerys Andrews, Location: London - for now... PostPosted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 8:46 am

'Morning,' Cerys offered in return with a small smile. She wondered if he was Irish - the greeting certainly had a Celtic ring to it. There was something about the accent which always made her think of family holidays before the war, when she had gone to the western coast of Ireland and spent windy days traipsing along deserted beaches, bringing shells and cockles back to show her father. He had always limped along a little behind, but it had been nice. Her mother preferred to sit and read, and write postcards to her friends, so those days had always been just Cerys and David.

Cerys sighed, and seated herself in the seat behind the brown haired man. She gazed out the window. She needed something occupy herself today, or she would never be able to enjoy herself again. It was no use moping all the time. She hugged herself, trying to rub away the remaining chill from the outside air, and watched the streets drift past.

Glancing back at the young man, the possibly Irish one, Cerys noticed he was reading the newspaper. She wondered what had happened in the last few weeks. She had not felt like going down to the village shop in her home village and suffereing the kindly-meant sympathy of Mrs Davies, it's owner, so she had not seen a paper for days.

'Excuse me,' she said, leaning forward and tapping him lightly on the shoulder. 'I'm very sorry to bother you, but could I look at your paper, when you've finished with it? I'm a bit out of touch with what's been going on, and I'd like to look at the job columns.'

She hoped he wouldn't mind the impropriety of her not buying her own paper, but she felt she needed to save her pennies. She didn't know how long it would take her to get a job, and she didn't want to contribute nothing to Evie's household, however kind the old lady was.


 * Author: Laveaux, PostPosted: Mon Mar 07, 2005 10:23 am

The young man's brown eyes brightened at her question.

He folded the paper and promptly handed it to her and said and a now clearly identifiable Irish accent, "Well, my bird, if it's a job you're looking for you don't need the papers. Yer lookin' at a man in need, you are."

Leaning forward and saying, almost quietly, "What do you know 'bout politics?"


 * Author: Cerys Andrews, Location: London - for now... PostPosted: Tue Mar 08, 2005 2:40 am

Cerys frowned. 'Well, that's very kind of you, but I'm not really sure...' she began, flustered. Then she stopped herself. What was she doing? Here was an opportunity looking her straight in the face, and she was about to turn it down. She folded her hands in her lap and began again.

'I only know what I've heard on the radio,' she explained. 'I was a nurse, you see, so if you can call hearsay picked up on the wards knowledge, then quite a lot, but other than that... But I'm a quick learner!'

She looked him over, trying to assess if he looked respectable or not. 'What kind of job would it be?'


 * Author: Laveaux, PostPosted: Tue Mar 08, 2005 2:24 pm

A brief flash of disappointment crossed his face and he adjusted his hat before handing her the paper.

"Sorry, dove, I need someone with a bit more experience."

A thought visibly crossed his head as he raised a trimmed eyebrow high below the brim of his hat. Glancing sideways for a moment and then leaning foreword he said,

"If you don't mind.... eccentricities, my sister is looking for an assistant. The field of scientific research. Well . . . some may argue how scientific it really is. I can direct you to her flat."


 * Author: Cerys Andrews, Location: London - for now... PostPosted: Thu Mar 10, 2005 5:31 am

Cerys' face mirrored his disappointment. 'Well, it was very kind of you to offer..' she began, but stopped when his expression changed.

'Eccentricities?' she queried. 'What do you mean? I saw all sorts of people during the war - I doubt she can be more eccentric than some of them!' She grinned as she remembered the ward sister in her first hospital in France. A battleaxe of 50, Sister had insisted on utter respect in those in her charge, and strapping soldiers of six foot would quail at her approach.

'What sort of thing does she research?' Cerys continued. She didn't just want to walk into any old person's flat, no matter how respectable the young irishman looked.


 * Author: Laveaux, PostPosted: Thu Mar 10, 2005 5:57 pm

The Irishman, keeping his lean glanced off outside the bus, perhaps to collect his thoughts.

"Well, bird . . .", licking his lips he decided to blurt it out, "she researches ghosts, you see. Ghosts. Witches. All different breeds of phenomena."

Apologetically he tried to explain before she could react.

"It is all very serious. And scientific. She makes a pretty bit off the work too. In fact, it was her earnings that gave me campaign money, you see."


 * Author: Cerys Andrews, Location: London - for now... PostPosted: Fri Mar 11, 2005 7:39 am

Cerys raised her eyebrows. Witches? That wasn't something you heard much of normally... still, it piqued her curiosity. She might well be a good Anglican church-goer, but it didn't mean she'd never wondered about the supernatural. Her imagination had often turned to stories of strange happenings in her childhood, especially in winter when the magic of snow and the deep black of the long nights had seemd to her far too mystical to have no connection to the supernatural.

'I'm willing to do almost anything at the moment,' she sighed. 'But your sister's work certainly sounds interesting. Perhaps you could give me some directions and I could visit her... What's her name?'

Realising he hadn't finished, Cerys shot him an interested look as he tried to explain. 'Campaigning? So what are you a campaigner of, then?' she asked, intrigued.


 * Author: Laveaux, PostPosted: Sat Mar 12, 2005 11:25 am

"Yes, she is very successful in her work and does get quite a lot of ink for it."

Although his Irish accent was thick, he tried very hard to speak slowly and with intelligence, avoiding certain low-brow terms. It was almost as if his dialect was British.

"Her name is Ana Daly. I'm Sean Daly," he said quickly introducing himself and shaking her hand firmly, but with a respectfully gentle grip.

"I am running for service in the House of Commons, representing Ireland herself. I've only just arrived in London to begin my campaign."


 * Author: Cerys Andrews, Location: London - for now... PostPosted: Mon Mar 14, 2005 8:59 am

Cerys placed her slim hand in his and shook it. 'Cerys Andrews,' she introduced herself. 'Pleased to meet you.' She smiled as she said it, the corners of her mouth turning up and revealing a line of creamy teeth. She had been lucky, her teeth had always been both strong and straight, although she knew many of her friends had lamented the state of theirs. Smiling came naturally to her.

'The House of Commons?' Cerys repeated, surprised. He was obviously more experienced than he appeared at first glance. 'You're an MP then?' The question was interested rather than interrogatory, and she leant on the back of the seat in front as she spoke. 'Where's your constituency? I know Ireland a little - we went a lot when I was small.'

She grinned at him, but flushed as she realised how many questions she was asking. 'I'm sorry, I'm terribly nosy, and you've been very kind....' She tailed off, trying to stop herself from babbling.


 * Author: Laveaux, PostPosted: Tue Mar 15, 2005 12:49 pm

"These days it is difficult to place what constituency an MP has. I do represent Northern Ireland. My official constituency is Foyle. Perhaps you've heard? The City of Derry? They say we are the only British Catholics left in Ireland."

Sean chuckled at his inside joke.

"You are not out of line, young bird. I do not mind speaking of my business. Speaking about my business, is after all, what I do for a living. So what brings you to this fine bus in southern England?"


 * Author: Cerys Andrews, Location: London - for now... PostPosted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 6:25 am

Cerys frowned, trying to remember holidays ten years ago. 'There's a river there, yes?' she asked. 'And a lough.. it's very pretty - I think we went there for a day trip once.' She smiled. 'You're lucky to come from such a beautiful place!' Her home village was pretty in a very traditionally English sort of way - little red brick cottages with climbing plants and bay windows, beams, and low doorways. She liked it, but it was only pretty, not beautiful. And if you stepped into the next little Hampshire village, you would find exactly the same thing - a village green with some children playing, a stone church several hundred years old, with a weathered lychgate and a bumpy cobbled path, and mossy gravestones...

Cerys shook her head, realising she was daydreaming again, as Sean chuckled. 'Here? Well, I came here from Southampton; that's where I was nursing,' she explained. 'In Netley - you might have heard of it? Florence Nightingale's hospital. But they're laying off staff now, and I had some...' she paused, trying to think of how to phrase it without bursting into tears in front of this nice stranger. 'Some family circumstances which I had to sort out, so I left and came here. Which is why I'm now looking for a new job,' she finished. 'I've realised I want to actually do something, now that I can - see the world, that sort of thing!'

She laughed a little, smiling. 'So now you have my life story!' It was a terrible habit of hers, going into far too much detail when asked a simple question, she thought ruefully. She should really learn to curb her enthusiasm.


 * Author: The Ambassador, PostPosted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 11:11 pm

Sean smiled, "And a most interesting life story it is. He said with a smile. Well, listen, I am sure you know our types, favor for favor, Eh?" He said with a bit of charming grin. "My stop is actually coming up soon. Right next to a spot to get a great a bit o' tea, if you join me for cup, I'll get us a taxi to my sisters. And be a on the spot reference." He checked his pocket watch, "I never liked job interview first impressions. It's not natural place to make one, if you ya understand. So, perhaps I could join you there, make the introductions and that. Then we could share a taxi after that?" He proposed.

The bus lurched to a stop, "Does that strike your fancy? Don't worry, I can understand if you want to do this on your own."

Sean got up and offered his arm, "Yea, or nay? Just one cup."


 * Author: Cerys Andrews, Location: London - for now... PostPosted: Tue Mar 22, 2005 10:35 am

Cerys tipped her head to one side and regarded him for a moment, deciding. She could see no harm in the offer, and it seemed that she stood to gain from this, one way or another. And after all, she had had little to eat or drink so far this morning. She could certainly do with some tea.

She smiled. 'I'd be delighted. This is all very nice of you; I can't say how grateful I am,' she added sincerely. It wasn't often you found young men as nice as this Irishman, and she intended to take advantage of it.

She stood up as well, and placed her arm in his. 'Lead the way!' she laughed.


 * Author: The Ambassador, PostPosted: Wed Mar 23, 2005 4:50 am

Sean nodded happily at Cerys invite, and gladly took her arm as they stepped off the bus, and onto the street. Sean took one step forward and smiled, "Here we are. I did say it was close didn't, I?"

Sean led them in, still not taking freedom from Cerys arm, and they stepped into an actual restaurant, and surprisingly just a tad posh. Perhaps enough to make Cerys wonder if she was properly attired, but only for a fleeting moment as she could see that pehaps she was not in attire that was up to the moment, but defintely would do.

The ma�tre d' was quick to Sean's aid, "Monsieur, may I get anything for you right away? And something for your guest?"

It was easy to see that Sean was not out of sorts at this type of place, but simply disregarded the formalities, but not any type of rude way, just his personality.

"Ahh, humm, I'll have some English Breakfast Tea? Do you call it that here?" He said with a smile and a slight shrug. "It's got...assam and ceylon in it, no? Bolder like coffee?" He asked looking at the ma�tre d' and Cerys at the same time.

"Well, sir, we do have coffee."

"Ah..." Sean said with a few slow nods, "then I guess I will have coffee. And then, I believe the lady can order what she likes."

"Of course, let me lead to one of our better tables, secluded, but not out of the way."

The table they eventually found themselves at looked as if the wall was carved out just to put this table here, it was quite cozy, and well lit.

Upon opening the menu, one thing would probably stand out to Cerys: a lack of prices next to the food items.

Sean took his seat, after a garcon seated Cerys, and opened his own menu, pondering if for a bit. Then finally poking his nose up over the menu he spoke to Cerys, "Don't mind all the French rubbish, it's not even a French restarant, owner thinks it gives it class." He said with a shrug.

Another garcon came back and stood there expectantly waiting for orders, "Excuse me, Cerys, if you don't mind I would like to get my order out first before I forget--let's see..." He put the menu you down, and pondered in his mind. "Let us have a plate of assorted fruits with creme, basket of assorted muffins, oh! and what do you call those english muffins stuff with a light cheese and ham?"

"A...stuffed english muffin, sir?"

"Aptly named--yes, umm, half a dozen crossiants. Oh yes, and crepes! Lots." Sean picked up the menu for a moment and shook his head, "And of course, whatever else the lady would like, but of course, if I covered feel free to pick away. Don't be shame either, everyone eats."

Sean waited until Cerys ordered and their drinks were in front of them to begin talking, "So, Cerys, my worst attribute when it comes to politits is a habit of honesty that I can't seem to kick. So now is the time that I tell you that I don't like tea all that much, but I enjoyed your company, and breakfast alone did not sound appealing."

He smiled, and wondered how Cerys would respond, and after that would move to the matters at hand.

"So, my sister, like I said eccentric, and it is not a coincidence I named that first, but as I said very serious...and accident prone, your nursing background will probably be a plus she won't admit to upfront, but will probably enjoy. She can be quite the nag to me sometimes--older sister--and since the mum has passed, she has sort of slid into the role, but very cordial to others."

"But, if I may, does the area of the supernatural interest you enjoy greatly?


 * Author: Cerys Andrews, Location: London - for now... PostPosted: Sat Apr 02, 2005 3:39 am

Cerys smiled politely as Sean ordered for them, but she felt rather overawed by the restaurant and all the attention. It felt like rather a grand gesture, when they had only met a little while earlier. Still, she wasn't one to pass up on free food, so she stuttered her thanks to the irishman once he had finished ordering, breaking off as he continued.

His question startled her, and she wondered how to reply. She hated lying, but the area had never been one that had particularly fascinated her - although she had liked to imagine fantasy worlds and such when she was younger, she had never been one for inventing ghosts and scaring herself. However, she didn't want to let the opportunity of a job pass her by, so she smiled at the man.

'It was never something that occured to me to study before,' she admitted truthfully. 'I hadn't realised you could study it, even,' she added, laughingly. 'But I'm sure it is very interesting.'


 * Author: The Ambassador, PostPosted: Sun Apr 03, 2005 4:57 pm

As the food arrived Sean perked up a bit, showing a bit of hunger himself, he grabbed at piece of fruit as he listened to Cery's answer.

"Mmm," he uttered after swallowing, but it wasn't the food he was pleased in, "that is a great answer. You didn't lie, and you answered the question well, with a postive spin. But not everything was let out. Very nice." He smirked a little. "Don't worry, it's what I do for a living, you did pretty well, are you sure you aren't interested in politics?"

He leaned back in his chair, getting comfortable, taking a bit more liberty in this task than those around him would. It wasn't proper, but no one would say anything, just a few odd stares every now and then.

Grabbing a slice of peach, he enjoyed it greatly and then tilted his head, "So what, really interests you? Any job in the world? Or not even a job, just something you enjoy. But if you can find both in one, then have really got it made I hear."


 * Author: Cerys Andrews, Location: London - for now... PostPosted: Sat Apr 16, 2005 8:24 am

Cerys delicately nibbled at a chunk of fruit as she listened to his reply. She did not feel entirely at ease here; this sort of restaurant was not at all the kind of place she would usually frequent, and it was making her feel very out of place. The last thing she wanted was to get fruit juice or crumbs all over herself and be totally embarrassed. Still, she tried to hide her discomfort, stopping herself from perching right on the edge of the chair and instead forcing herself to lean back into a more friendly, open position.

She was used to hiding nerves, fear, or worry - the last thing you needed on the wards was for one of the men to get wind of the fact that things were going worse for him than you had just told him. Fear and shock could be as big a killer as infection, Cerys had found. Or even worse, for the ward sister, dragon that she was, to see your hands shake as you tied a fiddly dressing under her hot glare... No, Cerys was good at hiding nerves.

Cerys frowned again, and fiddled with a strand of hair come looose from her bun thoughtfully. She decided that her best policy now would be to be totally honest. 'Like I said, I don't really think I know much about politics, as such,' she mused. 'But I would say I'm good at dealing with people, if that's any help!' She blushed, disliking praising herself. 'What really interests me?' she continued. 'Well, I've always wanted to travel - I speak French, and some German too - I seem to pick these things up without really realising!' She smiled, her cheeks still a little pink. It was true that languages seemed to come naturally to her. Of course, she had been taught French at school, but from hearing odd bits of German over the years, she had begun to be able to string together sentences, and, finding it interesting, had made a conscious effort to improve.

'As for a job - well, I seem to do well around people, as a whole. So I would love to do something that could involve people and travel, if I could!' Her face fell, and she looked wistfully down at her plate. 'But I'm afraid that's just a dream at the moment. I need to take whatever comes my way, really.'


 * Author: The Ambassador, PostPosted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 4:38 pm

Sean listened intently as Cerys talked of what she would of her ambitions and her ideal situations, and smiled contently as he did so.

He stapped a small hotcake with his fork and again smiled Cerys, "Well, that is relief." He said nodding still holding the hotcake on his fork, it was dangly dangerous close to falling off. "I do know that my sister, will indeed be traveling. To Germany most soon, as she has given a great deal of money for relief of those displaced concentrations prisioners." Sean sighed and raised his hotcake to his mouth, but started to talk again before it reached his mouth. "She does think that would be a hot spot for supernatural activity. Those places are haunting enough. Terrible place to be--however, another reason she is being welcomed is because she is bringing more medical aid, and advice. I would say that would be up your alley. Yes, this could be quite the match." He said quite proud of himself and finally tried to put the hotcake to his mouth, but it had lost all balance, fell directly into his lap.

Sean's eyes shifted quickly back and forth, "I do believe I have a food item in my lap." He looked down quickly. "Ah, yes, indeed I do." He laughed softly. "I'll guess I'll just--"

Before he could remedy the problem the garcon that had been waiting on them came over with a napkin and was about to solve the problem.

"Whoa, hello there, no I think I seem to have this under control myself, thank you. I think just a check would do nicely."

The garcon gave a small bow, and made his way off.

"A little to friendly of service there." He reached down picked up the fallen food item. "This was perfectly wonderous way to end breakfast. So, how do you feel about meeting my sister? I think I have made enough of a fool of myself. Are you ready to meet your new employer?"


 * Author: Cerys Andrews, Location: London - for now... PostPosted: Tue Apr 26, 2005 2:37 pm

'To Germany?'

Cerys' eyes widened, first in surprise and then in excitement. 'Well, I would definitely like that!'

She was beginning to feel more enthusiastic at the thought of this new job. Perhaps her skills would be of more use than she had first thought, and this man's sister sounded more and more and intriguing person to know. It didn't sound like she was going to get bored, at any rate.

She was about to say more when Sean dropped his hotcake off of his fork. She had barely noticed that he was about to eat it, but as he flustered with the waiter, a red flush filled her cheeks in embarassment for him and she looked at her lap, not wanting to make him think she was laughing.

Her head snapped back up as she realised he had addressed her again. 'Ready?' she repeated stupidly, her brain taking a moment to process what he had said. 'Oh... Of course! I'm looking forward to it!'

She leaned forward in her seat, brushing some crumbs from her lap. 'I don't know how to thank you for this. You didn't have to help me at all, and yet you are going out of your way... I'm ever so grateful!' The flush still stained her cheeks as she thanked him profusely.


 * Author: The Ambassador, PostPosted: Fri Apr 29, 2005 10:58 am

Sean had gathered himself quite quickly and was ready to go, as they stood, he offered his arm again to Cerys.

Exiting the restaurant Sean nodded Cerys, "Don't worry, I know it's terrbly cold by, my sister only lives a few blocks from here, I will get you out of the cold soon."

He smiled and so far the rare, but welcome trait of honesty, continued stayed true, came to the second block past the restaurant. The second building in there was a lone warehouse type building, amongst otherwise exclusively town houses.

It showed little sign of life to it, besides the the vines growing up the side, which actually gave the place a small charm. Entirely of brick of the stout rouge building had an open front door.

"My sister works on the second floor. There is no lift, so hoofing it is the only option--unless you are capable of flight."

Getting up the second floor, there was one hallway, painted a pea gren, though freshly painted. It was quite a long hallway, set flush against one of the sides of building.

As they came to the end of the hallway the only door could be seen, it opened up what appeared to be very large flat, much more modern and well-kept than one would think they would find in this building.

Though the door was open, and a woman sat on top of a desk, reading a book, and eating an apple in the other hand. He head was buried in the book, it was quite possible that she did not see them in the door way, or she did not care.

Sean gave the door a few soft knocks.

The woman with the book only tilted her head, "Why would knock when the door is open, I wonder?"

"You didn't seem to notice us." Sean replied.

"It doesn't mean I didn't. I was reading, ya know. Besides, my own brother need not knock." She set her book down and gazed at the two. "Well, don't just stand there. The open door is an open invitation. You are always so stuck on formalities and tradition, Sean."

Sean stepped into the flat, which looked more like an apartment, besides a few instruments with gauges on them, laying here and there, Cerys, would have no idea what they for. The only other thing of notice was a great deal of books about the supernatural.

"Ana, this is Cerys, I bumped into on the bus, and talked to her for a bit, and I thought she would make a right nice fit for what you are looking for. Cerys, this is my sister, Ana."

Ana's face was quite vibrant, with wide alert eyes, of soft blue. Her hair was quite curly, and the same colors as Sean's, a pitch black. If truly she be an older, sister than it was not by much, though her face did show a few laugh lines.

"Ana, why are you sitting on your desk?" Sean asked curiously.

"Well, it is the warmest spot in all the flat, it makes perfect sense to me." She said pushing up the sleeves of her black blouse, and crossing her legs which were covered in a pair of khaki's. "And why you not taken off your hate, Sean. You are always so worried about tradition, you in doors, and amongst, ladies. Isn't correct, Cerys?" He finished with a question, that was soft hearted.

She climbed off the table, and made her way over to Cerys, "Come then, Cerys, tell me a little about yourself."


 * Author: Cerys Andrews, Location: London - for now... PostPosted: Wed May 04, 2005 6:59 am

Cerys followed Sean, grinning as they reached the ground floor of the building. 'Oh, I don't mind walking. It's good for you,' she added, attempting to make herself look more presentable as they walked. She had a feeling that her hair was starting to escape from it's tight bun in the cold January air.

The walk gave her time to try to push the loose strands she could feel back into the knot, and so she simply nodded when Sean addressed her, too intent on her appearance to formulate an answer. Her heart was pumping slightly faster; would this job work out?

Fascinated, Cerys gazed about as they entered the room. Staring at one of the instruments, trying to fathom it's purpose, she jumped when she heard her name and turned quickly to face her possible future employer.

'Pleased to meet you,' Cerys said quickly once Sean finished his introductions. Anna was pretty, Cerys thought, certainly not how she had imagined her to be. For some reason, she had had an image of a middle-aged eccentric, not this young woman, surely no more than 10 years older than herself.

Cerys smiled, trying to relax, but unsure whether that was a rhetorical question or not. As the woman approached her, she brushed down her blouse and kept her smile fixed to her face.

'Um... ' she began. Not a great start, but she needed to think for a moment. 'Well, my full name is Cerys Andrews, and I'm 22. I've only just moved to London - I used to live down south, near Winchester, but... well, I ended up moving here to find a job.'

She didn't want to mention her parent's death. It was too near, and she wasn't entirely sure she could stay calm talking about it yet.

'I was a nurse during the war and after, you see, but now.. well, I want something new. And I want a chance to travel - you don't really get that nursing.'

She grinned. 'I happened to meet your brother on the bus this morning and mentioned I was looking for a job, and he was kind enough to help me out.'


 * Author: Ambassador, PostPosted: Sun May 08, 2005 3:33 pm

Ana gave her brother a sidelong glance, "Yes, he is every so helpful isn't he?"

She walked over to Sean and brushed away lent which might or might not have been on his shoulder. "Tell me, brother, are you not supposed to be off to parliament yet?"

Sean smirked, "You make me sound like a school boy."

"Well, it does have recess, does it not?"

Sean shook his head, "Yes, yes, I am getting the message."

Ana tapped him on the shoulder, "Hold on, Sean." She then turned to Cerys, "Tell, me dear, do you have a passport? Something I think my brother should have asked before hand, hmm? Do not worry, if you do not, I am sure, my brother--being so helpful--can arrange something."

"Certainly, certainly, I will arrange something if do not have one, Cerys. But, for now, I think it's best I take my leave, before my sister gets anything else on me." He took her hand, and smiled. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Cerys, I am rather sure we shall come across each other very soon, but I must be off--don't let her scare you away."

Ana would wait patiently while the two made there farewell, and after Sean had quietly and quickly made his exit, and Ana would walk over to a small couch, waving Cerys over.

"A nurse? That is nice, but I am half wonder if Sean knew that before he had you in mind for the job." She said with a half-smile. "If you can, I would like to leave for Germany tomorrow afternoon. Do you have a decent place to stay until then?"


 * Author: Cerys Andrews, Location: London - for now... PostPosted: Thu May 12, 2005 9:49 am

Cerys smiled, amused at the playful banter between the siblings. Still, she felt very much an outsider here, especially because they were so familiar with one another, and it made her feel somewhat uncomfortable.

She turned her smile to Ana when she was addressed. 'Oh, yes, of course I do! I was in France when I was nursing, so I had to have one. So that's not a problem.'

She shook his hand warmly. 'The pleasure was all mine,' she replied. 'I'm ever so grateful to you!'

She watched him leave, still not entirely sure why he had suddenly decided to help her so much. Still, it seemed to be turning out very well. He was an awfully kind man, at any rate!

'Tomorrow!' Cerys was surprised. 'Goodness... that is very soon... I do have somewhere to stay, I've been staying with my aunt, you see - but I only arrived in London last night. What will she think of me!'

She blushed. She hadn't intended to say quite so much. On the one hand, her aunt was probably going to think this was some sort of mad giref-driven folly. On the other hand... she really did want this job. And she especially wanted to see Germany.

'I can stay at her house until then, of course,' she replied, her voice much calmer. A thought struck her, suddenly. 'Where in Germany are we going? Sean might have said, but it's all been rather sudden this morning..' she grinned apologetically, but her choice of words 'rather sudden' had made her remember the reason she had moved to London in the first place, which she had been trying very hard to forget. It stabbed at her heart, but she forced herself to keep smiling. Now was not the time to break down. She had to get on with things.


 * Author: Laveaux, PostPosted: Mon May 16, 2005 9:39 am

"Glad to hear," she said absently about the passport, "then there should be no hold-up. Tea?"

Ana pivoted onto the other side of the desk and pulled two cups from a nearby cabinet. Clearing a spot of paperwork she took grip of a tea pitcher and poured.

"Where will we be going? Now that is the real question, isn't it?" Although Ana's accent was still distinctly Irish, she had taken on much in the English dialect. She almost sounded Welsh.

"You see, here is the true test on wether we will make a good team. How would you feel if you knew that I lied to my brother? What if it wasn't Germany as my destination at all? Perhaps the destination was far too dangerous for my brother to permit.

"Would you be as eager if I told you that tomorrow I am going to Mexico?"


 * Author: Cerys Andrews, Location: London - for now... PostPosted: Wed May 18, 2005 9:19 am

Cerys had just drawn her tea cup to her lips when Ana made her startling declaration. She put the cup down rather suddenly, her eyes wide. 'Oh!' she exclaimed, the noise a startled 3 tone expression of surprise. 'Well... oh!'

She would muse, later on, about just how many meanings the word 'oh' could actually take. For now, though, her mind was a maelstrom of conflicting emotions. She would have loved to go to Germany. On the other hand... Mexico! When would she ever get another opportunity to go there?

'I don't speak Spanish,' she blurted out, and then immediately berated herself. What a silly thing to say! Why on earth had she come out with that as her first reaction? She took a couple of deep breaths and tried to regain her composure.

'I'm sorry, I must sound very rude,' she apologised. 'Mexico.... I'd never even considered going there before. I don't really know anything about it, I'm afraid! But I'm not afraid of danger - well, no more than is normal, anyway!'


 * Author: Laveaux, PostPosted: Thu May 19, 2005 8:40 am

Ana laughed at her reaction. Handing her tea she leaned forward on her knees and smiled with earnest excitement.

"I speak Spanish quite well, and no, you are not being rude. Unless there is something wrong with being thrilled about a job opportunity."

She, at last, stood up from the desk and circled around in business-like precision. Reaching into a drawer she pulled out a map with the familiar shape of Mexico on it. Places her index finger firmly on the map, the red-painted fingernail pointed directly to a place at the pinnacle of the Yucatan Peninsula: Chichen Itza.

"There are vampires there. I want to see them and I need someone to help me take notes."

Pausing dramatically she said, "There is no substance to my work except for honest curiosity. If you were expecting something more... pragmatic, I could return you to my stuffy old brother. Otherwise, I shall pay you 10 pounds a week to find vampires with me. I don't pay taxes, I don't give to charities, and I have no retirement plans. I simply pass cash to you every Friday."

Lifting up the map for a moment she passed over a contract.

"And I ask that you sign this. It basically says that if you get hurt then you have to go whine to someone else about it."

Last edited by Laveaux on Fri May 27, 2005 8:36 am; edited 1 time in total


 * Author: Cerys Andrews, Location: London - for now... PostPosted: Thu May 26, 2005 5:14 am

Cerys leaned forward to peer over the map. 'Vampires?' she echoed. 'That sounds exciting!' She could feel the excitement building inside her, in fact, in the rapidly growing speed of her heart beat, and the smile which spread across her face.

She looked up sharply. '10 pounds? A week!?!' That was money beyond her wildest dreams. Surely the woman couldn't be serious? Cerys' father had earned, at most, 7 pounds a week - she had never imagined herself earning more than that!

Still recovering from the shock, Cerys quickly scanned the contract. It seemed alright, so she reached for a pen and scribbled her signature at the bottom. She looked back up at Ana and smiled. 'I'm a nurse, remember? I'll cope.'

'How are we getting there? By boat?' she asked. 'Maybe you could teach me some Spanish? I'm really very interested in languages.'


 * Author: Laveaux, PostPosted: Fri May 27, 2005 8:36 am

"Yes, I think it will be exciting. If anything, the jungles of Mexico are privy to dangers other than the supernatural. Jaguars, piranha, and poisonous frogs, to name a few. Plus, the Mexicans are not to excited about white people these days, mostly due to the Americans.

"This is why I cannot tell my brother. Berlin is one thing, with the military of four nations constantly patrolling the streets. The wild American jungle is quite another. In fact . . . I hope you are not too proper to carry a handgun. You will probably need it."

Reaching into her desk she pulled out 10 pounds and handed it to Cerys.

"Welcome to my humble world."

Ana laughed when Cerys asked if they were going by boat.

"Why take a boat when we can fly there in less than a day? Boats are for our grandmothers. Aeroplanes are for the modern woman."

Grinning, she lit a cigarette and offered Cerys one.


 * Author: Cerys Andrews, Location: London - for now... PostPosted: Sat May 28, 2005 5:34 am

'A handgun?' Cerys echoed. 'Well... I've never used a gun before, but if you'll show me how it works I think that it's a good idea. Otherwise I'll just end up shooting myself in the foot!' She grinned. This trip sounded very dangerous, but definitely exciting. And it wasn't as if she hadn't been in dangerous situations before.

She took the crisp note from her new employer, folding it carefully between her fingers. At least she could offer her aunt some rent for the time she had spent living under her roof, now. The thought made her feel slightly better about leaving the old lady so soon after she had arrived, and she stowed the money away in her purse with a smile.

A flush filled Cerys' cheeks when Ana laughed at her. Of course, a plane would be the fastest way to get there. 'I've never been in an aeroplane before,' she admitted. 'How exciting!' She took a cigarette from the pack as she spoke. 'Thanks,' she added, lighting it and drawing in deeply. The fumes calmed down her racing heartbeat, even though she always deplored the yellow colour of her teeth after smoking.


 * Author: Laveaux, PostPosted: Tue May 31, 2005 10:00 am

"Then we are partners," she said offering a man's handshake.

"We'll have plenty of time to learn the ancient art of firing pistols," she said grinning, "but hopefully we will not have to use that particular skill.

"I suppose you have some preperations to make. You will need hiking gear and some rather casual clothing. And don't forget a swimsuit.

"I can pick you up in the morning, where do you live?"


 * Author: Cerys Andrews, Location: London - for now... PostPosted: Wed Jun 15, 2005 2:50 am

Cerys looked at Ana's hand for a second, a trifle startled. Then she laughed and shook the woman's hand. 'Partners indeed!' she grinned. She nodded at the suggestions of what to pack. A swimsuit... it was a long time since she had been swimming. She hoped fervently that she could remember how to do it - she didn't want to look like an idiot in front of Ana, who seemed so worldwise and self-assured.

'I'm staying with my aunt,' she added in reply. 'She lives in Croydon - 47b Normanton Road; it's just near the church, if you know the area at all?' She looked questioningly at her new employer. London still confused her somewhat, and she was never sure how much of it it was usual to know. Thinking back to her home town, she would probably be able to find almost anywhere in Winchester by name, and in some of the little villages surrounding her home as well, but London was such a big place. She racked her brains, trying to think of what directions to give if Ana didn't know the road.


 * Author: Cerys Andrews, Location: London - for now... PostPosted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 3:03 pm

Cerys spent a good few hours that day trying to explain to Auntie Evie why exactly she wanted to go to Mexico with a strange woman she barely knew 'so soon after her poor parents had passed on to greater glory, the blessed things... so young...'

It had been a stressful and upsetting conversation, to say the least, but Cerys was adamant - she needed a fresh start and something to take her mind off things. The longest resident of Evie's house other than Evie herself, an elderly, bearded gentleman who was known to all and sundry as 'Professor Godfrey' (Cerys was unsure if he could even remember his first name himself) had commented that 'it was unseemly, just unseemly, for a young woman to go trampling across the globe like that.' She had ignored his huffing and puffing and escaped from the steamy kitchen to hurriedly re-pack her possessions.

Cerys spent her last afternoon in London standing on Tower Bridge, gazing down the Thames. It was possible that she would never come back here - she felt that she had to implant the city indelibly into her memory, just in case. Before she left, Cerys pressed the note Ana had given her into her elderly relative's knarled old palm, and insisted that she kept it, before setting off with her new employer to different and exciting climes.


 * Author: Laveaux, PostPosted: Thu Jun 16, 2005 3:19 pm

On the morning of January 2nd, Cerys was taken from her aunt's house at 7 sharp by an eager Ana. The two women shared a taxi to the airport where in under an hour they were airborne above England and then over the Atlantic Ocean.

The twelve-hour plane ride was rather bumpy and took them through two winter storms before finally arriving in the tropics. A completely different, albeit rainy world was there to meet them at the port town of Sisal. A once rural fishing community, Sisal had exploded in recent years with the henequen boom. Apparent by hundreds of cargo ships at dock in the small bay, the plane landed on a meager airstrip reserved for semi-frequent airshipments over international waters.

By the time they landed, the rain subsided and tropical air peaked through fast-moving clouds. Hot and soaking humidity washed over them as they left the plain via a rolling staircase onto the runway. Several locals in make-do uniforms gathered the luggage and escorted them into the small, two-building airport. They went through Mexican customs with no problems and Ana's affinity to Spanish helped a great deal.

Things didn't slow down until they waited under an awning outside the airport for Beto Rodriquez, the guide Ana set up for them. It would be two hours before he arrived and by then it was midnight. Sweaty, unwashed and exhausted for travel the two quietly boarded Beto's worn and muddy jeep.

"Buenos noches, senoritas!" He said pleasantly as he loaded their luggage.

In moments they were off.

"�C�mo lejos a M�rida, Beto?"

"Ahh, cincuenta o sesenta kil�metros."

"Hablas ingles?" She asked looking apolegetically at Cerys.

"Si, a little, si."

"If you don't mind speaking English, then Cerys can understand."

"Si claro, senorita. I say that it is fifty or sixty kilometers to M�rida."

"Good, not too far," she said sighing.

Even in the night air, the ancient fortress and lighthouse from the Spanish conquest could be seen at the port as they passed, heading south.


 * Author: Cerys Andrews, Location: London - for now... PostPosted: Mon Jul 04, 2005 3:30 pm

During the flight, all Cerys could do was try to imagine where they were going. Her active imagination created all sorts of scenarios - they were eaten by alligators (although she wasn't sure if there actually were any in Mexico), she had to shoot things with sudden new handgun talent, she learnt to speak fluent Spanish and fell in love with a handsome Mexican man... her daydreams grew increasingly more involved as she drifted in and out of sleep - drifting, because the bumpiness of the flight did not allow anything more than that.

Hearing Ana speak Spanish to the locals made Cerys all the more determined to understand the language. It was so melodic - maybe even more so than French. She let the sounds of their conversation wash over her, enjoying the feel of the words despite the fact that she understood none of it.

Feeling extremely hot and sticky in the jeep, Cerys tried to sleep, but soon gave up.

'What is it called, the place we're going to?' she asked Ana quietly.


 * Author: Laveaux, PostPosted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 9:53 am

"Tonight, we are going to Las Casas, a hotel I booked us in M�rida. We can get about five hours of sleep and then Beto is going to show us around. I'm particularly interested in seeing Chichen Itza."

Beto turned around grinning, "You go to see Chichen Itza?"

"Manana, si."

"You will like Chichen Itza. Very . . . how do you say . . . of history."

Ana grinned at their guide, "To say the least. It is one of the most preserved cities of the Mayan Empire. You can stand directly in the spot where they practiced human sacrifice."

Still grinning she added, "And you were excited about going to Germany."


 * Author: Cerys Andrews, Location: London - for now... PostPosted: Mon Aug 01, 2005 8:27 am

Cerys nodded. Five hours? It wasn't much, but she had had nights with less, much less in fact, during the war. She was unsure what Chichen Itza was, but it seemed that Ana was excited by the thought of going there. She turned to her employer, opening her mouth to ask what the place was, but before she could voice that question the woman answered it for her.

'Human sacrifice?' Cerys squeaked, sounding rather more shocked than she had intended. 'But... they don't practice it any more, surely?'

She blushed as she realised how naive she sounded, and tried to cover it up by carrying on.

'Who were the Mayans?' she asked. British history, that she knew, but the sort of schools she had been to had been rather more interested in teaching their pupils about the glory of the Empire on which the sun never sets than about deepest America. She had heard the name before, Cerys mused, but she knew nothing about the people.


 * Author: Laveaux, PostPosted: Wed Aug 03, 2005 1:18 pm

Ana grinned at her squeak and what little Beto could understand also splashed a smirk on his face. Quietly driving into the night, he let the two ladies talk, perhaps their English moving to quickly for him anyway.

"Human sacrifice was considered an honour by the Mayan," Ana said, "they would play sacred games and the winners would be ritualistically sacrificed as the ultimate form of gratitude to their gods.

"In fact, entire wars were fought this way. The warriors of Meso-America would take their prisoners of war and sacrifice them as gifts to the gods. War was an artform and a very complicated ritual. That was part of the reason the Spanish could take them so quickly, the Mayans were not equipped to handle the ruthless non-ritualistic European warfare."

Ana did not look too surprised when Cerys asked about the Mayan. After yawning she leaned back and said distantly, "They were the peak of American civilization before the Europeans came. They had huge cities, vast roads, sophisticated written languages, and are often compared to the Egyptians in terms of historical significance.

"They were all but completely obliterated by the Europeans in the 16th century."