Disclaimer: Characters and past storylines are property of their original owners and creators. I own nothing, except in the case of the odd original character or two.
Author's Note: I've neglected this piece for a bit, so, I thought that now would be a good time to catch up on things. So, here is Chapter Two! Enjoy! Note: This chapter is slightly uneventful, but the next few chapters will more than make up for that, or, so I hope! Enjoy!
The two continued across the balcony, Evelyn leading Michelle to her study. As she approached the door, Evelyn reached out her hand, and grasped the doorknob. Turning the doorknob, Evelyn pushed the door open, and stepped inside.
"Oh, my," Michelle muttered, as she scanned her eyes over her friend's study. Books lined the shelves on the walls. Gorgeous lamps, rugs, and various other objects decorated the large room. In all of her life, Michelle had never dreamed that she would see such a delicately arranged, yet professional looking study. "Evelyn, this looks spectacular."
Evelyn smiled. "Thank you," she replied. "I have worked for nearly eleven years to put all of this together. I am afraid, however, that my entire collection is becoming rather outdated."
With a look of sarcastic disbelief, Michelle shook her head, from side to side. "I doubt that, Evelyn." She smiled. "I doubt that, very much."
"So do I," Evelyn muttered, with mock superiority. She was very proud of herself, knowing that she had comprised quite a nice little collection of materials, all of which had come in handy, at one point, or another. She knew that not many collections could rival hers, save for the British Museum, and the Scholars' collection.
Moving to her desk, Evelyn scanned the contents with her eyes, and quickly locating the source of her trip to her study. Picking up the necklace, Evelyn carried the artifact to Michelle, and held it out for her to take.
"Tell me what you make of this," she requested, as Michelle took the necklace.
Michelle looked at the object in her hands, and turned it over, several times, before allowing a puzzled look to cross her face. "I have no clue, Evelyn," Michelle replied, honestly. "It looks to me like a, well…" she trailed, trying to sort out her thoughts. "Obviously, it belonged to an individual of the upper class." She looked to Evelyn, who simply nodded. "Perhaps it belonged to one of the Pharaoh's wives?"
"But, which one?" Evelyn asked, her tone serious and questioning.
Michelle shook her head, handing the necklace back to her friend. "I don't know," she informed Evelyn. "You're the Scholar, Evelyn. Not me."
"Oh, you could have been one," Evelyn said. "Or, at least a successful archeologist."
With a sad smile, Michelle shook her head. "There was no way, Evelyn. You know that."
Evelyn nodded, knowing that her friend was right. Shoving the thought aside, Evelyn returned her attention to the mystery at hand. "Still, you must have some idea as to where to begin." She looked at Michelle, her eyes pleading for help. "Believe me, I have exhausted all possible methods of research. I could use any idea that you could give me."
Giving a sigh of defeat, Michelle took another look at the necklace, and formed an idea. "Have you researched the possibility that it was brought over by the Romans?"
"It was made much too early for the Romans to have brought it to Egypt," Evelyn said.
Michelle considered Evelyn's statement. "Just how old do you believe that it is?"
"I'm not sure," Evelyn replied. "However, the tomb in which it was buried was close to three thousand years old."
"Impressive," Michelle said.
"Very." Evelyn paused, as she made her way back to her desk. "By my calculations," Evelyn continued, as she gently set the bracelet down on the desk, "the individual buried in the tomb lived during the time of the Pharaoh Seti the First."
As her eyes scanned the bookshelf immediately to her right, Michelle tried to search out any of the books that she felt might be useful. Suddenly, one particular title caught her eye. "May I?" she asked her friend. Evelyn nodded. Pulling on the binding of "Figures of the Ancient World", Michelle brought the book back toward Evelyn's desk, and opened it to the first page. Turning toward the middle of the book, Michelle flipped through the pages, until she reached the section on Seti the First. Turning back to Evelyn, she motioned toward the book.
"What is it?" Evelyn asked, looking from her friend, to the book, and back to her friend.
Michelle shrugged, slightly, before beginning to speak. "You said Seti the First," she replied, calmly. "This was the first thing that came to mind."
Evelyn took a seat behind her desk, and pulled the book toward her. Michelle returned to the bookshelf, and began to search through the titles, once again. Gently grabbing the binding of another book, Michelle walked back toward Evelyn's desk, and took a seat in one of the two chairs that sat across from the chair in which Evelyn sat. Michelle opened the book, and began to search through the pages. The two women began a little bit of research, each one letting her dedication for her work take hold of her actions. The two continued to work in silence, unsure of what they would find.
Evelyn and Michelle continued their research for several hours, until the sun had begun to set upon the horizon. The two would have continued to work, had Rick not sought them out, and asked them if they were planning to join the rest of the family for dinner. Michelle had respectfully declined, informing Evelyn that she had to get back to the city, find an inn, and get settled for the night. Evelyn informed her friend that she would have no such thing, and insisted that Michelle stay at the O'Connell residence. In the end, Michelle gave in to Evelyn's offer, and the two went on about the night.
After dinner, everyone returned to the study, including Alex. The five individuals sat around, talking, drinking, and having fun. Rick was on his first bourbon, while Jonathan was on his third. Evelyn and Michelle each had a glass of wine, while Alex was forced to settle for a glass of water. The topic of conversation was the latest news in all of the British newspapers, about the finding of a grand sarcophagus, suspected of being one of the most well known Pharoahs in all of Egypt. Evelyn was incredibly impressed by the discovery, and Michelle and Rick were quite interested. Alex was mildly interested, and Jonathan was very curious to know just how rich the individual was. The discovery of the mummy was expected to be a great find, something to go down in history, as it were. At least, that was the impression of the Scholars.
By the time that the four had wrapped up their conversation, it was nearly midnight. Rick was the first to notice this, as he looked at the clock.
"I think that I should be heading for bed," he muttered, stifling a yawn. "I have to get up early in the morning."
Evelyn agreed, making her yawn public. "I know that you do, darling," she replied. "That's why I sent Alex to bed several hours ago." She looked to Jonathan, and had to suppress a laugh. "I think that my brother has decided to get a jump on the rest of us."
Throwing a glance in the direction of the chair that Jonathan was occupying, Michelle had to laugh. Jonathan had fallen asleep, slid down in his seat, and now looked as though someone had let the air out of him. "If I remember him correctly," she whispered, slurring her words, slightly, "he was just too lazy to get out of his chair, and drag himself to bed." Somewhere during the night, Michelle had switched from wine, to bourbon. She was now slightly intoxicated, herself, and knew that she, too, should most likely call it a night. "I think that sleep would be beneficial to all of us."
"I agree," Evelyn replied. "I could use a few hours, myself." With that, all three stood, and began to leave the room.
"Wait," Michelle halted everyone, looking back into the large room. "What about your brother?" She glanced at Evelyn, who, in turn, glanced to her husband.
"I've got him," Rick volunteered, as he stepped back into the study, and stood before the chair in which his brother-in-law had sufficiently passed out. Hoisting the smaller man over his shoulder, Rick positioned Jonathan in his arms, and exited the room, once again. As he headed for the stairs, he bid Michelle a good night, before leaving in the direction of Jonathan's room. Evelyn lead Michelle to the room in which she would be staying, gave her a hug, and bid her a good night, before leaving for her own room. It would not take long for the house to grow silent and dark, as sleep overcame its occupants, each individual departing this world for the land of dreams.