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Jul-6-2015 11:19

New York, 1938
St. Regis Hotel
Rooftop Nightclub

"So there I was, staring down a barrel INCHES from death...and I told the man, 'darling REALLY, if you simply must shoot me do allow me to remove my earrings. They are Cartier, you know." Molly Maltese paused to take a sip of her Red Snapper, popping the olive neatly between her cherub lips before gnashing it to a pulp. "And the man was quite flummoxed, he said- I say, is that Riza Hawkeye?"

She rose, the group of rapt men in tuxedos and women in glittering dresses and furs murmuring their protests as she wended through their knees. But the apparition she was quite sure had been Riza Hawkeye had vanished in the crowd of New York socialites populating the exclusive terrace.

"Well, this place is a bit ritzy for Riza." she murmured, fairly certain her old acquaintance didn't make a habit of populating social-climbing fetes. And she reasoned, any time Riza had appeared before it was hardly ever for a pleasant cause. Well, maybe that was unfair. It just seemed she was more the swirl-of-furs-and-stiletto-daggers type than a frothy socializer like Molly herself.

Peering around, Molly saw nothing but the shadowed faces of revelers partially cloaked in the smoky haze. She had just been about to give up and go back to her companions when the most shocking hubbub began. Over on the north part of the terrace, she could distinctly hear the shouts of men and panicked screeching of females. Moving forward, she could just make out..

"Did you see... The Ambassador... who could have... murder! Someone has pushed the Ambassador off the building!" Molly picked up speed, expertly weaving through the crowd of panicked voices. Sirens already began to sound twenty stories below. Just as she grasped the ledge and looked over, an all too familiar voice sounded in her left ear.

"Oh hello there, old friend. Lovely breeze out today."

Before her stood Riza Hawkeye herself, looking utterly unruffled as several ladies fainted behind her.

Aug-18-2015 21:15

Hassan immediately got up, ran past Marc and Riza and got out of the door leading to the next train compartment coach. Vulkie immediately began to chase after Hassan, while Marc and Riza kept on watching after her, surprise written all over their faces.

After running through two train compartment coaches, she finally cornered Hassan outside, fighting him. Marc joined them "Marc!" Vulkie yelled, "He's a part of Sphinx!" she added immediately afterwards, hoping to trigger Marc into a fury.

So it did. Marc grabbed at Hassan, who ducked and kicked Marc's legs out from underneath him, causing Marc to crash to the ground.

Then, it was Vulkie's turn. She grabbed Hassan but he fought back, knocking her backwards so she tumbled over the railing. Vulkie grabbed onto the rail to catch herself from falling.

As Marc tried to grab her hand, she realised her palms were sweaty, which caused her to slip away from Marc's grasp. Realizing what was about to happen, Vulkie's faced spelled fear all over it. She knew she was going to fall off the train.

Just then, Marc was tackled and that's when Vulkie lost sight of both of them... She fell off the train and rolled down into the grass, rolling and rolling, which seemed an eternity, until it finally stopped and she praised herself lucky that nothing too sharp was lying in her way down.

As she got up, she heard the train's whistle and looked at it disappearing. "Well then" she said to herself, "I guess we're going to Shanghai on foot. First order of business... what's the damage?" she added.

As she looked down, she could see that her skirt had tears in it, probably caused by some tree branches that were lying in the grass. Her legs were covered in dirt, caused by the muddy hill she had rolled from. As she looked at her hands and arms, they were also dirty. However, as she touched her head, she could feel some blood pouring from it. "Damn, must've hit a rock on the way down. Gotta bandage that immediately!" she said to herself...

Aug-18-2015 21:26

As she tore a long piece of her blue skirt, she began to swear to herself. So that rat Hassan had still survived. She should've expected it... but then again, it wasn't like Marc or Riza to leave a job unfinished. As she tied the long piece of her skirt around her head, it almost looked like she was wearing an Indian Turban.

"Right... Now that that's sorted, we best get a move-along.. it's a long way to Shanghai I presume.." Vulkie said to herself and she began to walk...

*** 5 hours later ***

As Vulkie kept on walking down the narrow, muddy road, she noticed that it slowly turned into morning. As she took a small pause and looked at her surroundings,she exclaimed out loud: "It all looks the same! Rice fields, everywhere!!" As she walked a bit further down the road, she began to realize that she didn't have any water nor food with her. She was all on her own, there wasn't a human probably to be found in miles and she still didn't have any idea where she was and on top of that, she was tired from all the walking.

Luckily, a great old tree stump was nearby, on which she could sit and rest for a bit. "I'm never going to make it.. I'm never going to make it.." she murmered, over and over...

"Don't give up" a voice in the back of her head said. "Your friends are still in danger! They need you, now at the most perilous of times!" the voice added.

"I know" she murmered, "but I can't go on! I'm dead tired.. ".

Then, all of a sudden, she looked into the further distance. She could see a wagon driven by a man, with two oxes in front of it, approaching her. "Just my luck!" she said and she waved down the wagon. The wagon came down to a stop.

"Hello, good sir. I need some assistance. I'm on my way to Shanghai.." Vulkie began, but she realised that she was talking to deaf man's ears. The Chinese rice farmer couldn't understand her at all.

"Shanghai.." Vulkie said.." go.. to ... Shanghai" she said after it. The man still looked curious at her...

Aug-18-2015 21:36

The man waved towards the back of the wagon and she got into the back of the wagon. She hoped that he would take her to a place where she could get some food, or better yet, find someone who could translate for her.

*** One hour later ***

As Vulkie had dozed off, she was immediately awakened by the fact that the wagon came to an immediate stop. As she pulled herself up and got out of the cart, she could see that she was near another rice field. "Great.." she murmered, "I hope they don't think I'm the new worker.." she added.

As the Chinese rice farmer guided her towards his farm house, they entered it. The man immediately began to speak in rapid Chinese as his wife approached and looked curiously at Vulkie. Vulkie simply nodded and made her way towards a chair. A young, Chinese boy, sat opposite her and looked at her with surprise as well. The poor lad had probably never seen a foreigner, and was only expected to be surrounded by Chinese people.

Suddenly, the Chinese rice farmer's wife approached with a large pot, filled with green tea and a bowl of rice. "Eat.." the Chinese rice farmer's wife said, "drink.." she added.

As Vulkie gracefully thanked her by smiling and placing some dollars on the table, that she had still left, since her purse was still on the train and she began to eat and drink.

"Where.. you.. go.." the Chinese rice farmer's wife asked, trying her best to speak clear in English. "Shanghai.." Vulkie replied. Immediately, the wife began to speak to her husband and the husband returned with a map of China.

"Point.. where... you.. go.." the wife asked, and Vulkie pointed at where Shanghai was located. Immediately, the wife began to speak in Chinese to her husband and they argued for a bit, while Vulkie drank the remaining bit of her tea. It was apparent to Vulkie that the farmers had never gone to Shanghai, possibly preferring the simple Chinese farmer's life and dealing only with local people...

*cont in next post*

Aug-18-2015 21:43

"You.. go... with.. him.. take.. two.. days.." the Chinese rice farmer's wife said.

Vulkie simply nodded and got up. "Is there somewhere I can freshen myself up?" Vulkie asked, making all sorts of gestures about cleaning up. The wife immediately understood and guided Vulkie towards a small pig-tub, which was filled with water. "Well, we have to make due.." she said, as she started to wash her legs and arms. Eventually, she was cleaned up, but she still looked like she had rolled in the mud with a pig. She couldn't obviously wash her clothes, that would be impossible here, and she had to get to Shanghai immediately!

She knew the train would arrive in Shanghai in a couple of hours, but for her, it would still take two days... two whole days, in the back of a wagon, with two oxes in front of it and a Chinese rice farmer who didn't speak a word English. "If the guys hear this.. I'm never gonna hear the end of it.." she said to herself, as she got in the back of the cart.

"To Shanghai, it is!" she shouted and the farmer whipped the reigns, and the oxes began to move...

Aug-19-2015 20:57

*** From Riza Hawkeye's point of perspective ***

Out of the corner of her eye, Riza watched Vulkie tumble down the hilly precipice, her body occasionally hitting jutting rocks. Riza winced as she saw Vulkie's body go limp and she noticed that she wasn't instantly getting up. The train still moved along, as she turned her attention towards Vulkie's attacker, who was none other than Hassan...

*** Some time later ***

Vulkie woke up by the sound of a Minaret, which meant that she was still somewhere in Turkey, Istanbul. As she tried to pull herself up, she noticed that she didn't have enough power and instantly fell back on a comfortable bed.

"Is.. is anyone here?" she said, but all she could hear was her voice being very quiet. As she tried it again, a man entered the room. He immediately dropped a bowl filled with cold water with a towel in it and rushed to her side.

"Don't worry Hanımefendi." the Turkish man said, "you've been ill for some time... just relax."

"How.. what.. How do you know I speak English?" Vulkie said and the man smiled. "You were unconscious for a while, but you were muttering in your sleep.. something about.. cyanide and Chinese Rice farmers.." the man replied. Vulkie instantly remembered. She had been on the Chinese countryside, hadn't she? Was it all a dream?

"How come you understand English and can speak it?" Vulkie asked, while looking at the man. "Well Hanımefendi, I am a spice merchant. And my dealings are often with local people, but also with foreigners who wish to procure spices that are unavailable in their own countries. One must keep up with what the foreigners want. They're very good for business!" the Spice Merchant replied. Vulkie just gave a small smile.

"But, if I said cyanide.." Vulkie began, but the man hushed her. "Rest.. it's all been taken care off.. You'll be alright in a moment. Would you like something to eat? You've been unconscious for at least two days.." the Spice Merchant said.

"TWO DAYS?!" Vulkie shouted...

Aug-19-2015 21:17

As it went unnoticed by Vulkie, she had gotten up immediately, but the man forced her back on the bed. "You really shouldn't do that Hanımefendi, you are still recovering.. Here are some dates, a Turkish delicacy. We also have some Turkish delight, if you prefer, with a cup of tea?" the Spice Merchant said.

As Vulkie picked up a Turkish delight, she put it in her mouth and chewed on it. She was immediately blown away by how sweet it was; sweeter than anything she had tasted before. She immediately beckoned for some tea, which the man poured in a cup and gave it to her. It tasted like roses and a hint of cinnamon as she took a sip.

"My friends.. they're on a train towards Shanghai.. I need.. I need to go after them. They're in grave danger!" Vulkie said, and the man threw her a worried look. "If you are in a rush Hanımefendi, I can't hold you here. However, the next train to Shanghai won't depart until tonight. I propose we walk around Istanbul, so I can show you all the wonders that Istanbul houses; it's not often I get such a humble foreigner in my house.."

"Thank you, my friend.." Vulkie said, and the man helped her up. As she stood up, she felt a bit groggy, but otherwise, she felt great. "Now then, Mr.. I never asked your name to be honest.." Vulkie said. The man smiled. "You may call me Tariq.. Tariq Atalay.. At your service, miss.." Tariq said. "Miss Nouson.. Victoria, if you please" she said and she took his outstretched hand.

*Some time later *

After a nice walk through Istanbul and having been shown lots of exciting things, such as Galata Tower and Topkapi Palace, Tariq treated Vulkie on some dinner. As she dug in on her döner kebab, she was reminded of her time spent in New York at Sami's.

"You know Tariq.. I've had Gyros before, but it doesn't taste as good as this!" Vulkie exclaimed, and Tariq smiled. "Did you know that gyros is based off of döner kebab? We invented it and it spread towards Greece during the Ottoman Empire - era." Tariq replied.

Aug-19-2015 21:31

Vulkie was astonished; so the Turkish actually invented what the Greeks called Gyros? "Amazing, Tariq.. I never knew that. Once I get back in New York, I'll have a word with the proprietor of Sami's, a Greek restaraunt. He's always been saying the Greeks invented it first!" Vulkie replied, before she took another bite of her döner kebab.

"Ah, it's been like that for centuries... We never could quite give eachother credit for eachother's inventions, may it be in the food - section or any other sections; one will always exclaim he or she invented it first..." Tariq said, with a saddened smile.

"Don't worry Tariq - I still believe that the Turkish invented it first" Vulkie said, with a small wink, which made Tariq smile.

As they were paying the bill, Vulkie said: "Oh, don't worry, I'll.. wait.. my bag's still on the train!"

"Don't worry Miss Nouson, I'll cover it this time. Just promise that the next time you visit Istanbul, you drop by my house. Here.." Tariq replied and scribbled an address down on a piece of a napkin, "is my address. You're always welcome." he added afterwards.

As Vulkie took the napkin, she placed it in her jacket's right pocket and proceeded to hug Tariq. He immediately stopped her. "No, no! That's forbidden, by our religion. You musn't!" Tariq said. Vulkie immediately apologized; she hadn't realised that women weren't supposed to hug men who had a Muslim background.

"Right, off to the train station Miss Nouson - you have a train to catch!" Tariq said and they departed towards the Sirkeci Terminal.

*Sirkeci Terminal *

"This is where we say goodbye, Tariq... I hope to see you another time!" Vulkie said, as she got into the train's compartment. Tariq had made sure she was alright and said: "Be careful Miss Nouson. I suspect you still have dangers lying ahead..". Tariq extended his hand, and Vulkie shook it. "Don't worry - it's my job." she said. Just then, the train whistle sounded and Tariq got off, as the train departed to Shanghai...

Aug-19-2015 21:33

Shanghai

The cloth banners hanging over the streets flapped in the wind, adding to the din of noise. Arielle moved like a shadow in her charcol grey and silver qipao. She had an oilskin draped over her shoulders to protect her from the rain haphazerdly sprinkling the city. It smelled like a storm. She hoped the heavens would wait to open until she got to her contact.

Thunder rumbled in the distance as Arielle reached the Winter Blossom Silk Market. Qian Huan Yue would be at the back of the stalls, she knew. Wandering slowing through the various stalls, Arielle inspected the various silks, all the while keeping an eye on the merchant. She was impressed with the quality of the wares. There were very few slubs in the weaves, she mused, the work of master weavers.

"May I help you, Xiaojie?" Qian asked, as Arielle pretended to jump. She had seen the woman moving toward her, and already held a shuriken in her hand.

"N-no, Qian A-Yi," Arielle let her voice tremble a little, she wanted Qian at ease, yet on edge.

"How do you know my name little one," the older woman's voice now a hard whisper, her hand clamped on Arielle's neck.

"It's on the banner, A-Yi," Arielle replied, knowing full well the only English printed on the flapping silk was 'Winter Blossom Silk Market', not the formitable woman's name, which was in beautiful Chinese characters.

She had surprised Qian.

Arielle allowed herself to be dragged inside the building at the far back of the stalls. It was a small room, with a abacus and a large locked box on the small table. A book with numbers neatly listed in tiny script lay open next to it.

Aug-19-2015 21:34

"Who are you, biaozi?" Qian was scared now, as she should be, thought Arielle.

In a fluid motion, Arielle stomped hard on the merchant's instep, swirled around, and had the shuriken pricking at Qian's throat.

"It is of no matter who I am," Arielle spoke in perfect Shanghainese. "What is of matter is that you owe whoever wears this medallion," with her free hand, she pulled back her slicker to reveal the intricate bronze piece, featuring a dragon eating a horse.

Qian paled."You can't-"

"I am. And you will help me. Or I will be forced to hurt you."

"But, you are so young!"

Arielle looked at Qian, eyes cold and distant. "Young in years, maybe. Old in experience. Will you help me? Or do I need to find someone else?"

"I will do my duty; I will help you, qing ai de xiaojie," the fear, and awe, in Qian's eyes convinced Arielle that she was telling the truth. Arielle lowered her sharpened star.

"I need Monsouir Messelier. Louis-Philippe Messelier."

Aug-21-2015 19:48

*** In the train towards Shanghai ***

As Vulkie walked back from the dining car to her compartment, she had thought about her dinner. She had ordered the cod with a white wine sauce and a side platter of vegetables. She had played a bit around with her vegetables, before deciding that she was only going to eat the fish. For drinks, she had a nice glass of white wine . She always preferred white wine when it came to fish.

As Vulkie was almost back at her compartment, she passed the conductor. "Pardon me sir, might I bother you for a cigarette? I'm afraid I left my cigarettes at home.." Vulkie asked. The conductor smiled. He produced a small pack of cigarettes, from which Vulkie took one and had it lit by the conductor's cigarette lighter. Vulkie then entered her compartment and sat down.

"Nothing like a good cigarette after such a wonderful dinner.." she thought and she decided to stare out of the window. It was turning slowly into darkness, and by the time she put her cigarette out, the lights in the compartment were already turned on.

"I'd better get some shuteye - It's still gonna take at least a day or more to reach Shanghai.." Vulkie said and she closed her eyes...

*** Dream Sequence ***

... "Victoria... I want you to go to Mr. LeClerc and have him check over my necklace..." Vulkie's mother said. She was lying down in her bed, having her dressing gown on already and having her make-up removed.

"But mother, why on earth would I go to Mr. LeClerc with your necklace, that father gave you on your wedding day?" Vulkie asked. Her mother frowned a bit and beckoned her to come closer.

"Your father... is in some serious trouble. Men have called the house, threatening to hurt him, you or me if they didn't get their money back. Your father... he has a gambling debt. I suspect that the necklace is a.." Vulkie's mother said, before she was cut off by her father entering the bedroom. "The necklace is what?" he asked, looking at Vulkie's mother first and then at her.