Into The Past

Into The Past 2018/04/25

Radical Raven Timewarp Jack Venture 1

Steinburg Tower
Steinberg Tower is a skyscraper in Old Town. It's been constructed in a style and with materials to match and blend in with the surrounding structures although it does tower over most of the buildings in the district. The building has 30 floors above ground level and two levels of underground parking. Much of the building is unoccupied at this time although that space is likely to be expanded into in the future. Occupancy of the building is organized by Floors.

The entirety of the Ground floor is given over to a spacious lobby which is often the site of various exhibitions and small stalls selling bizarre, and often other-dimensional wares. Steinberg Tower contains the Steinberg Medical Facility free clinic, the Ashcroft Foundation, and an Arcane Studies Centre. A Mystical Portal on the 28th floor provides travel to a number of other-dimensional destinations.

The top floor contains a spacious and luxuriously furnished Penthouse Suite as well as four equally well furnished and equipped self-contained apartments. There's a helipad on the roof. However, non-emergency use of it is discouraged. -

Tali rings up Amelia to ask if it's ok to drop by.

Amelia answers the call. "Hi, Tali. Good to hear from you. Yes, come on over. I'll be glad to see you."

Tali says, "Ok. See you -" she appears by Amelia. "- soon!"

Amelia jerks around to look at Tali. "Huh. Showoff." she says with a smile. She plucks a discarded... well, item of clothing... off the back of a chair. "I'll have to remember to request a delay to let me tidy up a bit in future."

Tali laughs. "You live in a snoot place like this and you call me the show-off! But I should have given you more time, you're right. I guess I was just too excited about this weird invitation I got!"

Tali says, "We could go for coffee if you don't want me to see the place like this..."

Amelia looks curious, "Weird invitation? I'm supposed to meet someone in the coffee shop anyway. Lets go there and you can tell me all about it?"

Tali says, "Sure! I could do a coffee, to be honest!"

Past Time's Coffee Shop
The smell of fresh coffee is the first thing that assails you. The next is the very old style. It seems the owner has gone for the Edwardian style from early last century. Lots of imitation wood panelling and prints of old English countryside. There are many partitions between the tables, affording some privacy and the sound seems hushed in the room, this has been achieved mainly through very good design, which muffles sounds. At the counter service is quite quick and cheery, conveying a welcoming and friendly attitude. The menu boasts the fact that for a little extra real coffee is served along with light hot and cold meals and snacks. All in all a pleasant place to pass a bit of time.

Amelia holds the door of the coffee shop open for Timewarp, "... so I was thinking. The 28th floor only has the dimensional gate on it. We could make the rest of the space on that floor our team base. What do you think?" she is saying as Timewarp and Amelia enter.

Timewarp nods as she walks in. "I guess that makes sense. I can't see why we'd need more space...."

Jack Venture teleports into the coffee line from who knows where. But when he arrives the shoulder of his jacket is still smoldering from what looks to be lazer fire. Its not going to trigger any smoke detectors or anything - just so fresh you can still smell it.

He seems to notice the smell too and is looking for its source.

He's sniffing as he turns to see who just walked into the coffee shop talking about Dimensional Gateways and team bases.'

Amelia nods, "The building floors are quite spacious. But if we ever do, floors 21 through 27 are currently unused. As I was building from the ground up I decided to go big to start. In case I ever needed extra room." she tells Timewarp.

Timewarp dashes over and smothers Jack's smouldering jacket, just to be on the safe side, before she nods.

Timewarp grins to Jack, "No smoking!"

Jack reacts as any teleporter would when sniffing for a smoldering fire in a coffee shop known to service metahumans almost exclusively. He vanishes - but only after Tali manages to finish off the cinders of his jacket.

Across the room, Venture puts his fingers through his jacket hole. "OOOoooh." He says, looking up to Tali and Amelia. "I guess I was a bit luckier than I thought." He grins.

Timewarp says, "Most people think that their jacket being ruined is bad luck."

Timewarp thinks. o O (Shick! I should have made a joke about smoking jackets instead! Much better.) Amelia looks over at Jack and smiles, "Any time something like that doesn't put a hole in you as well as your jacket can be called lucky. You're right in that regard. Getting involved in incidents where you are the target of what I'm guessing is a D.E.W might be considered unlucky. Or unwise?"

Timewarp says, "Or just careless."

"Maybe a little from Column A, a touch of Column C and just a dash of Column D." Jack replies as he casually saunters over. "You're never ever 'Unlucky' when you make your own luck."

Timewarp says, "Do you do that? Make luck?" Amelia goes to the counter asking Timewarp, "What would you like?" She nods to Jack, "Would you like something too?"

Timewarp says, "Hm, a latte please!"

Jack Venture laughs and then says, "Well I like to think so anyway."

He looks to Amelia and says, "Well that's why I'm here. Why, are you buying?" Jack knows not to look a free meal- or drink in the mouth.

Amelia grins, "I'm offering to." she tells Jack. Then orders a latte for Timewarp, an Irish coffee for herself, and a selection of pasties and cookies.

Timewarp says, "There used to be a superhero who did that - Lady Luck. "Oh! I'm Timewarp, by the way. This is Raven."

"Oh- well I won't say no to that." Jack says happily. "Umm- I'll take a Carmel Machiatto with 3 expresso shots, and a flax seed muffin." Jack says after giving it no thought whatsoever.

The barista shakes her head at the order. "Sorry, I can't serve you an Irish coffee without seeing ID." she tells Amelia.

Amelia sighs and nods, "I'll have a latte then."

Timewarp sighs. "I know that problem."

Jack waits until their orders are complete, joining the barista in raising an eyebrow at the young lady attempting to order an alcoholic beverage.

He chuckles and whispers, "Well it was worth a try." He then offers his hand(s) to both ladies. "I'm Jack. Jack Venture. Pleasure to meet you both, Timewarp and Raven." He smiles happily.

Amelia looks back at the counter as she moves to a table, "I must be at least in my thirties by now. But time spent on other dimensions with faster time rates don't count." she grouses.

Timewarp says, "I must be - well, actually I know, and I'm not going to say! Even if I still look 16."

A couple of cookies vanish before they even reach the table.

Timewarp says, "So, why are people shooting lasers at you, Jack?"

Amelia grins, "Maybe you were making your own luck in a poker game?" she suggests with a wide joking grin.

Timewarp sits down and fishes a letter out of one of her jacket's many pockets.

Jack laughs as he takes a seat with the others and opens his eyes with surprise. "Woah- that's crazy. Well you ladies got the best end of that deal, amirite? Better looking 'too young' than too old." He grins.

He looks shocked at Amelia's implication. "Well I never!" He chuckles, playfully before he says, "Well- I'm always a sucker for a good game of poker, but no. I'm afraid it was a run in with a few of Manchester's Finest- didn't like the way I dropped in on their little human trafficking party." He shrugs. "I got greedy and went back for the take." He doesn't say whether or not he got it.

Amelia's eyes go a little cold and hard at the mention of human trafficking. "Oh. Do you need any help?" she asks.

Timewarp doesn't open the letter yet. More serious matters are at hand.

"I think it's all wrapped up now - managed to free everyone before the shooting started." Jack says as his pistol appears in his hand, where he promptly spins it and reholsters it in one fluid motion. Clearly pure muscle memory, maybe even a mindless mannerism its hard to tell so early. "But I appreciate the offer. I think I was just lucky they were all kept in a couple of shipping crates. Just snagged them both while no one was looking. Dropped them off in the middle of an Embassy and then went back. Still- what a riot." He looks quite pleased with himself. "Though- if you're interested, a little backup is always nice when dealing with gangster types. Even if going lone wolf helps sell the Legend."

Amelia sits back in her chair visibly relaxing. She muses almost as if to herself, "I generally try not to interfere in other dimensional affairs. But I always make an exception when slavery is involed."

Timewarp says, "Also, nuclear war?"

Amelia nods, smiling. "That too. Made my entire week, Ta.. Timewarp."

Timewarp says, "Do you fancy some more time travelling?"

Venture chokes on his coffee. "OK- now I know you're just pulling my leg." He says finally after geting it all down. "Time travel? You make it sound like its just a snap of your fingers." From the guy who can literally do that and appear anywhere on Earth or beyond.

Timewarp shakes her head. "I wish. I have to concentrate for a couple of seconds!"

Amelia holds up her hand clear of anything close and clicks her fingers. Instantly her hand is enveloped in searing white hot flame. Then she blows on her fingers and the flames are snuffed out. "Nope. Doesn't work for me. Timewarp is the time traveler. I just travel between dimensions."

Jack just looks at Timewarp in disbelief. "I-I-I... guess... that's why they call you Timewarp?" He raises and eyebrow, trying not to be too gullible.

Timewarp says, "Well, actually they called me that before I could time travel, when I was just moving -" she's on the other side of the table (and another pastry is gone) "-fast. But kind of, yeah."

Amelia chuckles, "If there's one thing I'm envious of, Timewarp, it's the way you can burn off calories." she says.

'Ok... so we have a mature, yet youthful interdimensional teleporter and a super-speedy time-traveller. And here I thought I was a World-Class Teleporter. You two make it look like a parlor trick." He laughs, taking what most would take a blow to their ego in stride. "Amazing. Simply amazing. Room for one more on your Intertemporal Dimensional adventures- or are they always misadventures?"

He laughs at Amelia's envy of Timewarps caloric use.

Timewarp says, "If there's one thing I'm jealous of, it's that you have enouh money to buy all that food in the first place.... Oh! Well, we haven't had many yet. Well, I haven't."

Amelia smiles, "The last one was a pretty good start though," she says with obvious pride.

Timewarp opens the letter she's holding. "Like I was asking before, do you fancy a trip through time? I don't know if this is a prank or a trap or something serious, but I'd like some company. And it does say 'and esteemed companions'.

This is exactly the kind of thing that gets Jack into trouble. He can't help himself. "Was that a question? A free trip through time and all I have to do is back up a couple of beautiful women? Next you're going to tell me there's Dental coverage too." He says playfully before his tone turns serious. "I've got your back, Timewarp."

Amelia leans over to read the letter. "Interesting. Very interesting. So how did you get this, Timewarp?"

--- To Miss Tali May and esteemed companions,

You are cordially invited to the auction of the curios and collectables from the estate of the late Lord Berriwick, to be held in Berriwick Hall, commencing at 3pm, Sunday 26th of May, in the year of our Lord 1837. ---

Timewarp says, "It came in the mail. Snail mail. But it's not old, as you can see. Obviously whoever wrote it knows my real name - though that's not much of a secret any more. But that's about all I know, really. I don't suppose you have some magical way to learn more?"

Amelia grins, "Yes. Google." She pulls out her PDA, "So, Lord Berriwick? Have you searched that name?"

Timewarp says, "I was going to do that next! Really!" She makes a face. "You know how impatient I get with computers. They're so slow!"

Jack raises and eyebrow as the heroines network their resources over Tali's problem. He was never much of a planner anyway. He smirks at Timewarp finding computers too slow for her.

He takes a sip of his rocket-fuel intensity coffee- heavy on sugar and caffiene. It's probably how he deals with always being jet-lagged.

Timewarp says, "Anyway, the Internet's not usually so good with stuff *that* old. It needs people bothering to put the old stuff on."

Amelia plugs in the name, and reads off some of the data returned. "Lord Berriwick. Seems he was a gentleman adventurer and explorer. Traveled widely in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Died early 1837 of an unknown aliment that also took the lives of his manservant and a native American who had become his companion. An avid collector. The date in the letter matches with auction which was held at his estate. This is from Burkes' Peerage for that year. Uploaded to the global net by the British Museum in 2006."

"Guess someone cared to upload the old stuff." Jack says before sipping his coffee again.

Timewarp says, "Huh. Been all over the world, died of a mysterious disease if he wasn't really poisoned - could be about almost anything."

Timewarp looks again at the handwriting, to see if it reminds her of anyone's.

Amelia nods, "Yes. There's no details about the disease. Or any details of the auction apart from its date."

Timewarp says, "I guess there'd be more in newspapers at the time."

"So- if this guy is dead, what's the worry?" Jack asks, not quite understanding the dangers of a Time Traveller's life.

Timewarp says, "I guess it was most likely sent by a time traveller. If not, somehow who knows the period pretty well. But didn't try to make it look old."

Amelia puts the PDA away. "You can count me in. Maybe add Radical to the esteemed companions list? Another Travelers' outing?"

[To Venture] Timewarp says, "I was invited to the auction in 1837. Kind of weird, right?"

Timewarp says, "I thought they probably meant the Travelers. Though that's weird too given we've only just formed. Unless it was sent by someone from the future."

Jack looks very surprised by this and nods. He sets his cup down and say, "Yup- that's definitely weird. Wait- who are the Travellers? You guys? That's a good name."

Timewarp says, "I think so too!"

Amelia smiles wryly, "When it comes to time travel and all the potential paradoxes and self-referential loops I'm happy to defer to you, Timewarp. It twists my mind into a pretzel.

"Glad I'm not the only one." Jack says, looking out the window to the street traffic outside.

A Curious Encounter
A day after receiving the invitation to the auction, Tali receives a second letter. This one containing a confirmation of booking of seats on the coach departing from Kings Cross coach station to Berriwick Hall courtesy of Sotheby's Auction House. The letter provides some details. The coach journey will take two days with an overnight stay at the Larkman Arms Coaching Inn.

Timewarp has already contacted Amelia - and Venture volunteered to be a companion at that time. She now contacts Radical [and Sasha if he happens to turn up].

Timewarp says, "The invitation is written with modern pen and paper, though in period handwriting. A time traveller seems likely. It's really got me curious = but kind of feels like a trap, too...."

The coach confirmation on the other hand is written on parchment with what is probably a quill pen. Not the same handwriting.

Radical nods. "If I were to guess...it's someone who knows about others working with you. So...either someone who knows about the trip to the other dimension to stop that nuclear war, or it's someone we'll meet in the future."

Timewarp says, "It could even be someone who has just read about us in the future, or something. Anyway - this booking confirmation looks like it's travelled through time, which pretty much confirms the time travel theory."

Being a world traveller, Jack Venture knows cash is king- so he has made sure that he's left his credit chips behind and exchanged some funds for cash to spend at this 'ancient auction'. You wouldn't think someone who's been pretty much everywhere would be excited about a trip, but he's definitely very excited for his first trip through the fourth dimension. So excited that he hasn't considered the fact that cash from 2068 is not going to be tendered easily in the 19th Century.

After that its all about appearing at the prearranged location at the prearranged time. He arrives 5 minutes early, not wanting to miss his ride- which is a strange feeling for a 'World-Class Teleporter'.

He appears in the lobby of Steinburg Tower, wearing his usual fare though the tones are a bit tempered. He's not looking to stand-out afterall. His sidearm is hidden beneath a black leather jacket in a quickdraw waist holster.

Jack take s a look around and waits 2 minutes taking it all in before appearing in the penthouse as agreed. Amelia is already there with Tali and Radical. She's serving drinks. One of the couches has a collection of 1800's period reproduced clothing on it.

Radical pulls up his mask enough to expose his mouth and enable him to drink. "Well, it IS a rather nice invitation. Even if it's a trap, it seems like it would be a waste to not investigate."

Amelia greets Jack, "Glad you could make it, Jack. Would you like a drink?" she asks.

Timewarp grins. "Thought I could count on you for that, Amelia. Money might be more tricky. All I've got left from that period that I can find is threepence.

Timewarp nods to Radical. "It's interesting, anyway! I mean, even if it is a trap, why this particular time and place?"

Amelia grins, "I've thought of that. I have placer gold and gemstones. We can change them for local period currency at the London Gold exchange."

Timewarp nods. "Things were a lot simpler that way back on the gold standard! And the silver standard before that."

Radical hasn't met Venture yet. He walks over and offers his hand to shake. "I don't believe we've met, unless my memory is really, really bad. I go by 'Radical'. Or...as it looks like I'll have to work without a mask on this trip...'Connor'.

Amelia grins, "I'm really looking forward to this. I've travelled on countless dimensions but never this far across time."

Timewarp smiles, "Well, hang out with me and you might get to go even further!"

Amelia smiles, ".. to the furthest bounds of time and space."

Jack looks around the penthouse and nods approvingly before spotting Timewarp, Radical and his host- Amelia. He smiles and says, "Thanks for having me along. Seems like it should be a fun trip." He thinks to himself, .o0(Especially if we are stacking the deck in our favor.)

He nods at the offer of a drink, "Oh yes- I'd love one, thank you kindly." He says as he disappears and reappears standing over the period clothing.

"Oh I didn't think of that! Thank goodness for you guys. For 'The Travellers'!" He grins.

Timewarp shakes her head. "I can't go that far. Only a couple of dozen centuries. At least, I haven't gone further yet."

Amelia nods to Jack, "What would you like? I have a goodly stock on hand." she says.

"Umm- lets see. What's a good drink we can get in... what was it- 1847?" Jack asks curiously, as he inputs the same search into his smartwatch to see what comes up.

Timewarp says, "1837."

Amelia notes, "The year Queen Victoria ascended to the throne. Coincidence?"

Timewarp shrugs. "Hard to say! Given we have no idea what this is about..."

"That's true. So what's the plan? Are we going to arrive a bit early so we can split up- just in case this is a trap?" Jack asks curiously as he continues consulting his watch for drinks of the era.

Radical rubs his chin, considering the time period. "I'm afraid English history of the time is a bit outside of what I'm familiar with." He pulls off his mask entirely and looks through the period appropriate clothing for something that might mesh with at least some of his gear.

You say, "I've downloaded a couple of history books on my PDA. But it's probably not a good idea to use it in public."

"Port? Sherry? Sweet liqueurs?! Oh- alright, still have a decent ale I'll bet." JAck says, "So - I'll take that and if that doesn't take, there's always 'devilled kidneys'?" He makes a face that says he doesn't find the sound of that appealing.

Timewarp says, "I could copy them out longhand? Though they might be a bit hard to carry."

Timewarp says, "And I guess it still wouldn't be good if people read future history. Hm."

Amelia grabs a glass and, not having ale in her drinks cabinet, she far reaches. Her arm vanishes into empty air up to her wrist, and when it reappears she's holding a bottle of ale, which is handed to Jack.

[To Amelia] Timewarp says, "Can I see those books?"

Amelia hands her PDA to Tali laughing, "I'm an idiot. Been so long since I last used them I forgot the very first spells I ever learned were cyberpath orientated. I can mentally link to my PDA if I have to."

Timewarp quickly reads the books and passes the PDA back.

Radical picks out some clothing, though he says as he does so, "Better make sure that PDA is charged well if we'll be gone a couple of days."

Radical heads into another room to change. When he returns, he doesn't have the mask or armored costume on. Instead, he's wearing typical clothing for a gentleman of the time period. The jacket is perhaps slightly large, but likely more comfortable than it would have been otherwise.

Amelia chuckles, "Tali, I can guess what you did from the way my charge went from 100% to 14% in one second flat. I hope your memory is good because there's no point in taking this now. Not going to be any charging points back then." she says as she tosses the PDA onto a chair.

Timewarp says, "Oops. Sorry. But yeah, I think I can remember things well enough." Amelia points to her bedroom, "Lets go get changed?" she suggests to Tali.

Connor tests the fit of his clothing, "I was able to get some of my gear on underneath. I think it'll work out reasonably well. Just...let's avoid an actual fight if possible, eh?"

Timewarp heads through with Amelia, admitting, "I already tried everything on and picked a dress, but I can't get the corset tightened by myself."

Amelia grabs what she selected and goes with Tali to change into a period dress. She skips the corset though.

Jack picks out something that seems still very much within his wheelhouse- something that wouldn't be out of the ordinary West of the Mississppi in the same time period. He's chosen to wear his own undershirt, but otherwise when he reappears after disapeparing into a bathroom, he is wearing a jacket that gives him broad shoulders in a textured brown tweed. He avoids the padded shoulders and chest common to the era. One can suspect his weapon is on him as well.

Amelia suggests, "Go to London and then jump back. We wouldn't want to do it from the 30th floor of a building that wasn't built even last year, right?"

Timewarp says, "Right. That would be bad. Being below ground level would be worse."

"I can get us to London, no problem." Jack offers, wanting to pull his weight since its the only thing he seems to contribute tot eh cause so far.

Amelia nods to Jack, "We'll take you up on that. Do you know the Kings Cross area in London?"

Venture nods cheerfully. "Sure- been there before. It's been a while, but that's what GPS is for." He answers as he punches in the location in his smartwatch.

A moment later he says, "and ready when you all are. We just all need to be touching- or touching the same thing if that's a problem."

He reappears in a position at the center of all of them. "Alright- should just take me one... maybe two jumps tops." He estimates.

Amelia reaches out to touch Jack's shoulder.

Connor touches Jacks' shoulder as well. He's done enough teleportation that hopefully the trip shouldn't have much of an impact on his stomach.

Timewarp completes the circle.

And like that the world is warped away as Jack pulls the four heroes along lines of quantum entanglement- straight across the world and to just outside London. They reappear for a split second before reappearing in King's Cross. "Alright- so two jumps. I bet I can make home in one though." He says ina tone that almost sounds like he's looking for soemone to take that bet.

Timewarp says, "Ok... I just need to find a place with a matching ground level...."

Timewarp looks about for a few seconds then waves the group over.

Amelia nods approvingly. "Better than I could have done. It took me four ports to get us to the apartment building in 50's Dallas."

Timewarp says, "Everyone ready? Or still getting over the teleport?"

You say, "Ready."

Timewarp says, "Ok - everyone hold on again...."

"Oh sure- says the time traveller." Jack says playfully as he teasingly narrows his eyes at Timewarp. Then he says, "I'm ready."

Connor winces a little. "I'm all set."

Amelia holds tight.

Timewarp concentrates a moment, and the world is torn away again. This time there is a brief glimpse of what looks something like a tunnel of light rushing past, before the group appears about two inches above the cobblestones of a street.

The very first thing you notice is the indescribable smell. Pre-sewers. Nightsoil is just tossed into the streets. There are a few flickering gas lights but most of the street is in darkness.

Amelia gags, "Oh yey. It stinks."

Timewarp says, "Ah. The good old days. How I've missed them."

Timewarp says, "You'll want to lift your skirts. There's a reason people mostly wore boots."

Connor furrows his brow as the smell hits him. "There's a history tidbit I don't remember hearing about."

Jack's teleport was very accurate. Some distance, maybe 60m, down the street is the coaching station. Next to it a large building with a sign outside of a bunch of grapes and the words 'Coachman's Rest'.

Connor looks confused as he considers something. "If someone knows who we are...why have us appear here and now? Why not...just...at the location of the auction, and two days hence?"

Timewarp says, "As I said - it actually seems like the time and place matters for some reason. Askew, huh?"

Jack tries not to gag as the smell hits him. "Oh- oh god. That's terrible." He says pulling an ascot from his pocket and covering his faceholes. "... I.. don't even... have words for this... Damn history. You nasty."

He merely nods at Timewarp's statement on time and place being important.

Timewarp says, "Let's get to the inn. It should at least be relatively clean - and yeah, this is about the low point for cities. They'd got really big but they hadn't got around to public sanitation yet. Things got a lot better soon after this."

Amelia cheats, trusting to long skirt and the darkness to conceal the fact. She floats a few inches off the rubbish soiled cobblestones.

Connor heads with the others over to the coaching station, muttering to himself as he walks, "See history. It'll be glamorous and really interesting." He tries to step very carefully.

Timewarp just trudges carefully through the muck, skirts lifted. "You can see why people who could afford it mostly went door to door in carriages. Of course, their horses just add to the problem!"

Timewarp says, "Actually, they have started to make improvements. Regent's Park opened just a couple of years ago. That's the first real effort to provide the city with some green space."

The coaching station is busy. Horses being hitched to coaches. Coaches rolling out. Coaches rolling in. One of the managers, judging from the way he's watching rather than working, turns as you approach, "Gud day ta yer. Hoo can Ir help ye?" he says in a strong Irish accent.

Jack stays at the rear and lets The Traveller's handle this Managerial Incumberance.

Timewarp says, "Good evening," in an accent different from her usual one - an educated one of the period. "We have booked passage."

Timewarp shows the booking receipt.

The man looks at the booking confirmation, "Aye. Coach leves at thre of da morn. Ben jus called da ten hour. Ye mght wish ta wait in the In. Ye fellw passnger be there 'lready. Yung gentlmen in dark blue smoking jacket with top hat."

Connor blinks a few times as he tries to deal with the strong Irish accent. He finds himself wishing for visual subtitles.

Timewarp says, "Thank you," and casts the others a glance at the mention of the fellow passenger.

Venture doesn't seem disparaged by the strong accent, though he's spent his whole life bounce between English speaking countries almost exlusively. He nods to Timewarp after her casted glance, but is otherwise silent. Playing up the character he's built in his mind for himself- a Wild West Gunslinger, here on business with friends.

Amelia looks at Tali, "The Inn then?" she asks.

Timewarp nods. "Let's go in."

Connor nods. "Sounds good to me."

The Inn entrance is welcomingly lit by a pair of oil lanterns. Inside it's really quite clean, with a wooden floor, tables and chairs, and a bar counter. A sign behind the bar advertises ales, beers, spirits, and food. There's a dozen or so people in the Inn in addition to the barkeep. Most are fairly obviously coachmen. At one table though is a young man in early twenties, well dressed in a dark blue smoking jacket. A top hat rests on the table in front of him. Also seated at the table is a middle aged oriental in a Kimono.

Timewarp says (quietly), "An interesting pair. But then maybe an auction like with would attract interesting people."

Connor nods and says to Timewarp, equally quietly, "Do they look familiar to you at all?"

Timewarp has a close look - she slips into accelerated time and goes up to them, too fast for the naked eye to see.

Connor does more than just recognise him. Connor read an biography on him recently. He's James Moriarty. Dr James Moriarty at this time. A member of the Oxford University faculty. Soon to be the author of a ground breaking paper on the Mathematics of Differences (Calculus).

Connor taps his forehead, and says to the others quietly, "Got it. Dr. James Moriarty. He's a professor at Oxford about now, I believe."

Amelia frowns, "That name sounds familiar somehow..."

Timewarp frowns. "Moriarty?"

"Doesn't sound familiar to me, but that's no surprise." JAck murmurs, taking a position facing away from the table, leaning back against it to watch their backs.

Connor nods to Timewarp, "Before his conflicts with Sherlock Holmes. That's later."

Timewarp says, "Oh, right! That's not till the 1890s. I guess he's older than I thought."

Amelia listens with incredulity. She's not really got her head around this time travel thing.

Dr Moriarty looks up as you enter and nods politely.

"Wait- Sherlock Holmes... was a real dude?" Jack whispers. "Err- will be a real dude?" He corrects.

Connor shrugs and smiles, "There's truth in many forms of fiction. We should go say hello, I suppose."

Timewarp nods. "I suggest you take the lead."

Connor chuckles. "You were the one invited, though." He smiles and heads over toward the table with their fellow travellers.

Timewarp follows along. "It's a matter of etiquette for the time. I've made the mistake of being too forward before. And we don't know who invited me."

Dr Moriarty looks up again as Connor and company head to his table. He says something to the oriental in what may be recognised, thanks to many movies, as Japanese.

Timewarp tries not to show her surprise. She knows this is before the Perry Expedition and Japan is quite secluded at this time.

Connor doesn't speak Japanese, sadly. He says in English, with a very obvious American accent, "Dr. Moriarty, I presume? I'm familiar with your work at Oxford." He bows his head in greeting. "I am Dr. Duran. We are apparently your travelling companions shortly."

Venture doesn't seem to be too aware of the subtlties of the period. But he's a keen observer. He plays along well with the others and makes sure to keep his movements understated and seemingly above board. He carries a wry smirk on his face, perhaps because he's about to meet a man he's only heard about in books before.

Timewarp stays quiet, not least because she's intersted in if Moriarty reacts especially to her. It seems improbable that Moriarty is connected to the invitation - but at the same time a coincidence he's here if not!

Moriarty strokes his chin with a hand as he frowns in concentration, "Dr Duran..? Dr Duran... I'm afraid I'm not familar with your name. You and your companions are to be my fellow passengers on the Sotheby's coach? So you're attending the auction?"

Connor nods. "Oh, while I am a mathematician and a professor, I would never say that I am someone famous." He smiles easily, "Yes, we're attending the auction. That's correct."

Jack nods to Doctor Moriarity courteously, but is otherwise a quiet observer. His eyes, always moving- watching out for hidden dangers that might be moving their way.

If he's surprised about Radical's status as a scientist he doesn't show it. As long as he just has to play it cool he's got everything in the bag.

Moriarty nods, "A mathematician? I hope we will not be bidding against each other but I can think of only one item that would interest people in our vocation. May I be so forward as to enquire what you are seeking to accquire?"

Connor smiles. "I will be honest. I am not entirely sure. All I was told was that this auction might have something that I would find interesting to purchase. The invitation was...incredibly vague. But, as a mathematician, I am fond of puzzles. I found the invitation interesting enough that I decided to travel here to see for myself."

Moriarty nods again. "Allow me to make a proposal. Whosoever wins, should we come to bid against each other, allows the other to read the papers. Certainly I would greatly desire to possess them. But if I cannot I will settle for the knowledge contained within them." he says to Connor.

Connor nods. "Well...I would need to know what it is you are looking to purchase, but I would be amenable to that. Whose papers are you looking to learn from?"

Timewarp looks bored and looks about - to see if anyone is watching. It remains possible that whoever sent the invitation is about, after all.

Dr Moriarty looks surprised, "You don't know? I had assumed you were interested in Sir Isaac Newton's monograph on finite differences."

Connor smiles more broadly, "No...I did not know. As I said the invitation was very vague. I would be more than happy to let you read them if I should win, if you would be willing to do likewise if the tables are turned as you suggested."

Even Jack's heard that name before- a legend in the sciences and he knows that means they're talking something valuable. This just fell into Jack's wheelhouse. His eyes get wide and he turns his head away from the Inn's door and to Doctor Moriarty with his mouth slightly askew.

Jack doesn't interfere, since for now they seem to be able to at least see the documents before they head back home. "Seems fair enough, Doctor." Jack says, wondering what kind of deals there might be to be made at this auction. You can practically hear his mental cash registers going off in rapid succession.

Moriarty nods. Holds out his hand, "My word upon it, Dr Duran." he says. Then he smiles, "Please, will you join me at my table. I can recommend the beef stew and the beer is palatable. Avoid the ale though. There are five hours to wait before the coach is due to depart."

Connor shakes Moriarty's hand. "Thank you. Very kind."