THIS IS SO SHORT. I HATE IT BUT I NEEDED TO MOVE ON. AGAIN.
Alek peeked out of the tigeresque-drawn carriage and saw the mansion looming ahead. He let out a low whistle. It was as grand as anything. It was tall, sprawling out like a spider's web. Bright red pillars with golden characters leaping up them like flames.
He glanced around. They were farther out then he had initially thought they would be going. There were huge trees, even taller then the ridged black roof. The walls themselves were a tan and smooth.
"So," came Volger's voice, snapping him out of his reverie. "What is the plan here?"
Dr. Barlow clicked her tongue. "We are gaining information on German warships in the area. Anything that Winston," she said the Admiral's name with contempt. "might be interested in. Perhaps something that would cut off Japan from us. And we don't want that."
"I suppose not for Britan," Alek said, leaning back. Suddenly, a series of sharp knocks came through the carraige's roof.
"We're here!" Dylan's cheerful voice called.
"Thank you, Mr. Sharp! We are quite aware!" called Dr. Barlow. Alek could barely make out Dylan muttering something under his breath, which made him smile.
In several minutes, they were outside the
mansion. It was larger then it appeared. Volger and Alek took in everything with ernest. It was very intricute and, Alek found, pleasing to the eye. The warm colors made him feel excited and more cheerful. It was having a bit of an effect on Volger to. It
seemed to make him more cheerful, but with that cheerfulness came an odd paranoia. He kept glancing around and shifting uneasily, as though he thought they were being watched.
"Ah!" called a voice. "There you are, my friend!" Dr. Barlow smiled.
"Hello, amabassador," she said. A lean, middle-aged man strode toward them. He was wearing a dark three piece suit. He had raven hair graying at the temples, slicked down smartly. His brown black eyes held a mischivious glint. His face was friendly with prominent smile lines.
He took Dr. Barlow's offered hand and kissed it. He beamed, bowing low to each of them in turn. Alek and Volger returned the bow, while Dylan paused watching him a bit longer.
"It is nice to see you again, Dr. Barlow. It's a pity you have to come in such dark times though," he said.
"Indeed," nodded Dr. Barlow then turned to the three other men. "Gentlemen, may I present the ambassador to Britain, Seikei Misana." The ambassador nodded at them.
"It's a pleasure," he said cheerfully. Volger nodded curtly.
"Ours as well," he said. Upon hearing Volger's voice, Misana's eyes narrowed and he hissed a quick slur of French in her ear. Volger watched them placidly but them he murmured to Alek,
"My accent must have made him suspicious. Let us be more..." He smiled bitterly. "Darwinist."