Flight of The Pegasus (closed for Chrysm)
 

The fog had begun to lift as a hazy sun drifted above the treetops. For this early in the srping, it was uncommonly warm, although still not record-breaking. Still, Nawang Kapani pulled a little on the startched collar of his shirt to alleviate a bit of discomfiture. He then adjusted his bow tie, pulled down on his white jacket, and shifted his beloved and well-worn kukri knife at his waist, before pulling on his gray gloves to adjust their fit.
He stood before the great doors of Thwackbottom Manor, looking down the ancient cobblestone drive which lead to them past the newest addtion to the compound, an enormous granite factory and workshop building with an even larger hangar attached to the southern face of it. Nawang's Nepalese face was smiling, gently, in the time-honored way of his people, as he waited.
He heard a horse approaching from around the side of the Manor proper, and glanced over to watch as the rider approached.
Sir Roderick Arthur Beecham Montrose, 15th Earl of Thwackbottom, was riding a modified Arabian, slightly longer in the leg than the stock it came from, and with longer ears which denoted the experimentation which the Earl had conducted in producing the superior breed. The Earl himself was a fairly tall man, just over six feet in height, with black curly hair coming out from under his top hat to fall just at his shoulders, a long face with sharp cheekbones and a hawk-like nose wich perched above a full mouth framed by a waxed mustache above and a petite goatee below. His red silk cravatte was pinned with a large diamond in the center before disappearing into a purple double-breasted silk vest, and his dovetail coat and peg-pants were a light blue. His black calf-high boots shined, as did his black leather gloves, and a riding crop dangled negligently from one long-fingered hand. A pair of magnification goggles, their brass frames shining brightly, hung absently around his neck.
As the Earl approached, whispering commands to his mount, Nawang bowed while his smile grew larger, and asked, "And how was your ride, milord?"
Sir Rod's right eyebrow cocked up as he answered his batman and closest companion in a clear tenor voice, "Wonderful, Nawang. Marduk here is perhaps the finest I've foaled. He responds to the voice commands better than predicted."
He swung easily down from the saddle, in a practiced manner learned whilst earning a rank of Colonel in the 1st Gurkha Rifles, and said, "Marduk; back to the stables."
As the horse nodded it's head, whinnied, and turned to leave, the Earl glanced down the drive and asked, "What time is it, Nawang, if you please? She should be here by now; the new Steamcoach moves much faster than any horse could, and the roads are clear from Thwackbottom Downs to Hampstead."
Nawang reached into his coat and read the dials on his pocketwatch: March 30, 1880, 9:45:37 AM. He reported the time to his lord in his soft Nepalese voice.
"Thank you, my good man," the Earl acknowledged, and tapped his riding crop absently on his boot before adding, "I do hope she doesn't have her mother's poor sense of dedication to punctuality."

As the sun slowly climbed in hte sky, making the day that much warmer. The early spring air full of freshness as the greenery begins to renew itself. Nearly 5 miles out form the manor, a luxurious steamcoach quietly speeds down the smooth paved road. Within, a fair 7 year old girl sits looking out at the passing scenery, blissfully ignorant of the older woman accompanying her. Her long ebony hair done up in a dainty french braid, her clear blue eyes wide in wonder as she watches the sceneray pass.

The Earl sniffed, turning back from the drive and towards the manor house proper, and strode purposefully toward the enormous doors. Stopping there, he removed the cover to the speaking tube, blew, and said into it, "Miss O'Shaugnessey, come to the courtyard, if you please."
Sir Rod turned back towards the short, stocky Nepalese and commanded, "Please remind me to speak with Mr. MacGruder after we have my niece settled into her rooms."
Kawang nodded his acquiescence, and said, "Of course, milord; and I am also to remind his lordship that he wishes to review the performance of the young lady's governness upon their arrival."
The Earl nodded, once, in a crisp manner, and reached into his coat pocket for his ever-present notebook, withdrawing it and opening the leather cover to begin writing in it, with a spoken aside to his batman of, "Ah, yes, a Miss Throatwarbler. I never had the pleasure to meet her before; I hope her books are in order."

As the steamcoach coasted down the road, the girl soon turns to the woman who is with her

"How much further is it?" she asked rather impatiantly, not liking having to wait too much longer. "Why aren't we there yet? I'm starting to get hungry" she continued to rant

The woman gave a light chuckle, a little amused by the girl

"We should be there soon" she said calmly "Just a couple more miles. You might be able to see the manor from here. It's up on one of these hills, overlooking everything. I trust you're going to like living here. Ever since the shocking news, it just might do you some good to be with family once more"

"But I hardly know him" the girl whined, not completely agreeing with her.

"Then this is a perfect chance" the woman siad "He might not be able to replace your parents but he's the only family you have now"

Miss O'Shaugnessey, a ginger girl in her late teens, came out of Thwackbottom Manor's great doors, curtseying to the Earl and nodding to Nawang, who returned it with a slightly broader smile than usual. She asked her employer, "You called for me, your lordship?"
"That I did, Miss O'Shaugnessey," the master of the house answered, "Are all things ready for my niece's arrival?"
"Yes, milord. Her rooms are cleaned and redy for her; I've also set out some milk, cold cuts, bread, and some of the fresh vegetables from the greenhouse," the servant answered, following that up with, "And I have called Mr. MacGruder to ask for him to send those boys to help with the luggage again; I cannot explain their absence."
Sir Rod nodded, and stated, "Mr. MacGruder probably held them back for some work in the fabrication shop; the engines were nearing completion yesterday, and he is not one to leave a job half-completed. If they are any later, I'll call him myself. And you are to be commended on your thoughtfulness in setting out food for Lady Elenore and her Governess; I seem to recall now Aunt Agatha saying once that all children are inquisitiveness and appetite. Ah! Here come the twins, now."
Two ten year old boys, both with sandy hair, had emerged from the front door of the factory building, hastily buttoning up clean shirts as they pelted up the drive. Their faces and hands showed the signs of hasty washing as they drew near, and one of the twins -- no one could really tell them apart -- said after both had made a hasty bow, "Sorry for being late, your lordship. Mr. MacGruder -- "
"Is a stern taskmaster, I know, boys. The steamcoach isn't here yet, so not to worry. You've missed a button, Phillip," the Earl stated.
"It's Thomas, sir, and thank you," the other twin said, moving to adjust his clothing.
Just then Nawang noted a plume of steam drifting up from around the hillside, and said, "My lord, it appears they are finally here."
"Excellent eyes, Nawang," Sir Rod complimented, and mused to himself, the last time she was here was five years ago. I wonder if she remembers the family home at all.
The group gathered behind the Earl of Thwackbottom; he was a gentleman of decorum and proper etiquette, and had trained his staff well.

Soon enough the steamcoach turned into the droveway and steadily climbed the hill leading to hte manor. It came to a stop just as it got to the steps leading to the doors. After a moment, the gentle engine revv died down and the door opened.

The woman stepped out, not yet acknowleging the gathered onlookers. She held out a hand into hte steamcoach, coming back out with the young girl in hand. The girl looked up at the manor in awe and wonder. She was only 3 when last she saw this place and it was a marval to behold even then.

The woman couldn't help but chuckle at her expression as they turn and approached the congregation

"Good day Lord of Thwackbottom Manor" she said with a small curtsy

The Earl doffed his hat, inclining his head and giving a small bow as he said, "Welcome to Thwackbottom Manor, ladies. May I introduce Mr. Nawang Kapadia, late a seargent-major of the First Gurkha Rifles, and my batman, butler, and major domo of the manor. These are Phillip and Thomas Smythe, apprenticed to to my assistant engineer and employed in my factory; and Miss O'Shaugnessey, head maid and assistant cook."
His sharp mind recalled certain events from his own childhood, and he handed off his riding crop to Nawang before rather awkwardly dropping to one knee and spreading his arms as he looked at Elenore.
"Come and greet me, then, niece. I am filled with sorrow over my brother's death; but a child such as yourself must be greatly aggreived to lose her parents in one fell swoop. You are welcome here, young Lady Elenore; all within my walls will strive to see that your well-being and safety are assured."

Elenore only blanky stared at him only vaguely remembering him for all those years ago. The woman gave an encouraging nudge.

The girl slowly moved forward as the Lord expressed the sadness of loss and how lonely she had been ever since the loss of both her parents

She approaches him, tears starting to form and well her crystal eyes

Sir Rod watched her approach, with conflicting emotion; his eyes btrayed his sadness, but his stiff upper lip stayed as British as ever. He leaned down and kissed the girl on each cheek, but a single tear rolled from his eye to wet her face as he kissed the second side. His hands, though not embracing her, squeezed gently yet passionately; as he pushed himself away, his ice-blue eyes glistening with tears held back, he said, "We will talk later, when we are alone."

Tears threatened to flow as he gently squeezed her shoulders. She wanted to throw herself at him

THe governess looked on fondly, wiping away her own tears as she watched this reunion. Now things were bound to be better for Elenore