Bond Night in Steelhead

I had a tremendously good time in Steelhead at the themed Friday night dance in honor of a certain intelligence agent in the employ of Her Majesty's secret service...Oh yes, a few armed sharks made their appearance as well...

The Nefarious Mr. S.

Of course, I was none too pleased after my chloroforming the other day and with everything going on with RegencyFest, I was too busy to pursue it further. Upon checking my store inventory, I realized I was missing a black paisley waistcoat ensemble. Nick. Chloroform me and steal from me? Grrrrr... I asked some low friends in lower places his whereabouts and found him in the lowest of all...beneath Vic City stirring up things in the opium den. This time I just pulled out my knife-pistol and decided to ask questions later. Everyone scattered as I levelled it at him, taking a shot and a slash. In the commotion, he got away from me, running off into the tunnels.Yes, that's his blood on the rug...and if you knew him like I do, you will wish that I got him.

What the...?!

Yes...I've looked like this before after one too many shots of Bellambi whisky, but this time my being laid out was not of my own doing. I was working on my rooftop and then I saw him...I couldn't believe my eyes. Dash it! I thought I'd taken him out years ago during a mission in the former Barbary Coast. I daresay he didn't forget as the last thing I remember was a chloroformed handkerchief...

My past is catching up to me once more...Must let C know he's returned...

Almost Back to Caledon...

I got off the ship in Babbage, just a bit ticked after it changed its destination...I briskly walked from the dock through the streets, glad to be back in a familiar place. Oh my! Am I being followed?!
I am glad that I am close to Caledon. So close...Almost back...

(RP)

A Change of Course

I need to get back to Caledon as soon as possible as the information that I have just can not wait. The majority of my trip back from Rome had been long, but finally I was on a ship bound for home...or so I thought.

"Awwright me luvver?" the captain asked me with a raised eyebrow as I stormed up to him from my cabin. I'm sure that I looked like quite a sight--a bit of a terror perhaps--all loose hair and bluster, mind you. "Ow bist?"

"How am I? How am I?!" I exclaimed in response to his Bristolian greeting. "Wot bist on about?! What craziness are you telling me?! How do you think I am?! I was told that this ship was going to Port Caledon. Now it is going to New Babbage instead? What kind of foolishness is this? Dash it!"

He could only stammer out that he had to change course and I wanted to hear no more of it. I looked out over the water and land was nowhere to be seen. It was too late to change ships. I had to resign myself to the fact that I would have to land in New Babbage and make my way to Caledon from there.

I calmed down and realized that I had rushed out in my gown and shawl. A nearby sailor was staring a little too long as I passed by him en route back to my cabin. "Do not make me have to give you the same treatment that I gave one of the Khedive of Egypt's sons..." I hissed, drawing a finger across my throat and slamming the door to his horrified expression. Soon there was a knock on the door and a gent with some sherry saying "From the captain with his apologies." Sigh. I poured myself some, the liquor warming me, and got settled once more--especially after sliding my trusty stiletto under my pillow.

This shall be a long journey back indeed.

(RP)

When in Rome...

Ah, the Eternal City...the food, the art, the echoes of an ancient past at every turn, and handsome sweetly-talking gents. Speaking of which, after tea at Babington's Tea Rooms, I had a lovely conversation with one near the Spanish Steps who offered to sweep me away to his lakeside villa in the country and shower me with jewels and lacy things. As tempting as that offer was, it will just have to wait another time as I was there for a purpose. I needed to acquire a bit of intelligence to bring back with me. Where is my contact already? I saw her and walked by casually and too closely, bumping into her hard. Both of us stopped and dropped our identical reticules, exclaiming profusely and making quite a giggling show of embarrassment and returning them to one another. She then went her way and I went mine...quickly climbing the stairs and off into the night.
I made my way to a crowded cafe and ordered an espresso, blending into the folks talking excitedly around me as I lit my cigarette and read the coded missive. I almost dropped my silver holder as my eyes widened. Oh no...

Although I'd much rather be decadent and showered with jewels and lacy things by an Italian nobleman, I must get this back to Spy Mistress C quickly...

(RP)

The Laval Identity: Called Into Action

I had been living a "quiet" life here in Caledon of an unassuming lady and shopkeeper. Albeit one who loves to dance at parties, ride her horse a little too fast, smoke long cigarettes, drink whisky, fight opponents with assorted weapons, and maintains a target range in her backyard...

The clues were there all along, I suppose, but it was a past I thought I had left behind...Oh, who was I kidding?

When Miss Connolly approached me about creating a Steampunk Ladies Spy League, how could I resist her invitation? Action, adventure, and intrigue were right up my alley. The other evening, I could not focus on part of my conversation with Mr. Writer as the Ambassador of Vulgaria had the gall to stand right next to me hurling accusations back and forth with Sir Hotspur at the Loch Avie Ball. Besides the fact that no one spoils a dance for me, I was livid that he'd had the nerve to disturb our lovely event! For a moment I thought I would need to reach for the pistol concealed at my ankle by my skirts. This was quite an unfortunate incident indeed as we do not need more troubles to befall our lands. It seems my past is about to become my present once more as my services will be needed for the good of Caledon.

And I know there are more of us out there...