rredmond wrote:"Oh," Will responds, feigning being just as surprised, "I am still in awe by the sight of the totem. There's a certain something about it," he takes in as much of the cargo hold as he can without being caught, "I feel like there's questions I want to ask about it but can't quite put them into words, you know?" Will looks around as if confused as to how he even got here, using that opportunity to continue looking around, "so sorry Mr. Greaves, I feel I'm wasting your time here when I know you've got so much to do. The Professor and I room together, so I'll just head back with him,"
"Indeed, sir," said Greaves, sounding very butler-like. Lars sneered to himself, thinking
Surely Greaves can see through his act. But if he did, Mr. Greaves gave no sign.
rredmond wrote:Will finishes taking a more relaxed stance, and an obvious look into the hold to see where the Professor is. Anything in the cargo hold, or big room at the top of the stairs to note? I'm fearing just a bunch of suitcases, but mayhap a crate or two that would cost dear to be on a 'light baggage only' kinda trip.
The only unusual thing Will could spy through the open cargo hold door was the steamer trunk, into which Dr. Burton put the Totem. The other visible luggage consisted of more modestly-sized bags; none of them stood out in any significant way. Of course, Will realized he could see only a small slice of the room.
Will heard the metallic
click of a padlock, and realized that Burton had finished his task and was returning. As he was still standing on the narrow staircase, with Greaves and Burton below him, Will realized he had to turn around and precede them up the stairs to A deck. He really preferred to be last in line in such a situation, but there seemed no way to avoid it.
...
Artie quickly realized that Tommy had him at a disadvantage... neither his clothes nor his body was as heavy as the Leftenant's. The chill that Tommy was ignoring quickly threatened to make Artie's teeth chatter.
GM Note: Lars and Thornton are basically done for Chapter I, unless you think of any last-minute actions you'd like to attempt. Lars and Mansel will be in their "sleep" watch shortly, and I intend to move over it rather swiftly with Artie and Will, hopefully in a page or less of Chapter II. Once the discussion between Artie and Tommy has concluded, I'll get it started.