The british gentleman watches in silence as more people arrive at the table, all presumably joining the Larkin expedition, briefly getting up from his chair as Lola takes her seat at the table, seemingly more out of habit than trying to make an impression. As Mr. Larkin mentions him backing the expedition he gives the others at the table a polite nod of recognotion. He would then order what his host recommended in passable spanish. "I hail from overseas, London to be more precise." The british gentleman says in a polite tone. "And I can assure you there's no need to thank me Mr. Sinclair, I fully expect to get my money's worth out of this expedition." He continues in a dark calm voice, putting out his cigarette as his food and drink arrives at the table. "So, are with us to document the expedition then I presume?" He adds with a small curious smile.

James Perception: 26 Passive perception: 16

To clarify its Larkin that has the black veins.

Lola you surmise that Larkin is very tired, but is determined to be the good host.

Larkin then says "Now that everyone is settled let me talk about the expedition. We will leave Lima on Monday March 21 1921 by truck and head for Puno a city south of here. You will have the weekend to prepare for the expedition. It will take us 3 days to reach Puno and from there we will get some mules and head into the Andean highlands and jungles in search of the pyramid. I have an idea where where the pyramid could possible be, but I will need your help in finding the pyramid. Now some of you may wonder is this just a man's fanciful dream, well its not as I have purchased 2 relics discovered by an alpaca farmer near Puno. The farmer said his great grandfather found the relics from a pyramid either in the jungles or the Andean highland."

Larkin then reaches down into his satchel and puts the 2 relics on the table. The first a golden pendent and the second a golden cup

As Mr. Larkin speaks up again, the british gentleman gives Mr. Sinclair a nod to say they will resume their discussion later. James then leans slightly forward in his chair, fairly curious over these two relics. He had studied law at Oxford and was only an dilletante when it came to archaeology and anthropology, still, he had tried to read up on incan culture.

Investigation: 14
History: 19 

Ed raised an eyebrow at the golden relics. "So there's the potential for actual treasure on this job," he thought as he listened to his host. Of course, it also helped to know that it wasn't just a fools errand they were on--although even that could be fun too, provided the pay was adequate. Either way, this certainly brightened up the prospects.

The adventurer started mulling over the possible supplies he'd need; he had some already, but more ammunition never hurt, so long as he didn't weigh himself down too much. And a medical kit might be wise? None of his companions appeared to be doctors, but he hoped at least one of them had some basic first aid training--it was one of the more practical skills his father had neglected to teach him, and to his embarrassment, one that he had neglected to pick up on his own, despite it being top of mind on his trip here. Beyond that though, how long they'd be gone would be the important factor...

"One question, sir," he found himself asking as he turned towards Larkin. "I know you aren't aware of the exact location. But do you have a rough idea of how long you think it'll take before we come across this pyramid? Are we talking days, or possibly months in the jungle?" Almost apologetically, the young man smiled and clarified, "it might help us determine what supplies to purchase if we have a ballpark figure for how long we'll be in the wild."

Mr. Deveraux knows from his past studies that the cup is of Incan design from the 15th century though he is not sure of the pendent as he does not recognize the figure depicted in the pendent. He surmises that the pendent may not be Incan at all.

Through your investigation you know these relics are truly made of gold

Mr. Larkin gives Ed a reassuring smile "It will be days, as I am confident I can find the pyramid based on my own research"

“Do you mind if I ask, Mr. Larkin, if you’ve had those artifacts examined by experts? I’m not one myself, but are there published reports on these items?”

Max acknowledges Devereaux’s nod to talk more later. 

"Yes I have conversed with an expert, but there are no published works as that would open the floodgates to competitive expeditions. I want us to be the ones to discover the pyramid, and not some jackanape coming in to swoop in and claim the prize after all my work." says Larkin emphatically.

"Now tha's some real shine there.  Aint gonna go wrong with gold.  Good ta know ya gots collateral but i's believe ya.  Somethin' definitely out there we can finds.  If there's money ta be made ya can bet someone's already putting noses where they gonna get broken.  Ya gotta be on the wise bout that kinda stuff."  Aiden leans back in his chair after saying this like hes bored or needs to atretch a bit.  He doesn't want to be obvious about it but he takes a sly look around the restaurant for those who might be listening in too closely.  His eyes peering around just barely below the rim of his hat.

Peeception: Unable to parse dice roll.

Stealth: Unable to parse dice roll.

Perception: 15

Stealth: 12

Perception for earlier check... unsure why they didn't work.

25

Some of the bars patrons may be curious, but one look from Luis de Mendoza does a good job to warn others to mind their own business.

Being quite wealthy, Mr. Devereaux is not particularly impressed with the fact that the relics are made of gold, but his curiosity is still peaked. "I wouldn't claim to be particularly knowledgable about incan culture Mr. Larkin but I'm curious over pendant, it doesn't seem incan at all, would you agree?" He asks in a polite tone, glancing over at the African American man smoking the pipe for his reaction. He also takes care to study Larkin's associate to see what he might surmise about him glaring at the folklorist.

Insight: 17 If result lower than 14 it is treated as 14 due to Eye for deceit feature.

Jesse Hughes raises his eyebrow slightly and gives Mr. Devereaux a slight affirming nod that he also noticed the difference. He even smiles a bit that there is another intellectual among the expedition.

Larkin takes a sip from his drink and then says "I believe the pendent is one of the stolen relics from one of Incan raids of the other tribes of the region"

Mr. Devereaux - you know this to be a lie

(I had a rare language and wanted to take the ancient Incan. Is that allowed? And do the artifacts have writing on them?)

(I would say no and there is no writing.)

(What would you count as a rare language?)

Lola's eyes grow round as she sees the artefacts. She leans forwards to take a closer look, her narrow shoulders barely brushing those next to her. "These are... exquisite!" she breathes. 

She catches the end of James' speculation about documenting the trip. "I am no secretary, sir, although I can write a fair hand. I am a librarian and a scientist, if I may flatter myself. I do not know the exact reasons for Mr Larkin choosing to accept my application for this expedition, but he did not mention officially documenting the trip, although I will of course continue my journal."

"I see..." Mr. Devereaux says to Mr. Larkin's explanation. "...but then the pendant would not be connected to your pyramid, or would it?" The british gentleman continues, discreetly studying Mr. Larkin's reactions.

Insight: 9 If result lower than 14 it is treated as 14 due to Eye for deceit feature.

He then turns to Lola. "Excellent, I can only assume Mr. Larkin would need the expedition documented for later scientific publications." He says, smiling politely at woman at the table. "So what would be your scientific area of preference then Miss Lola." He continues with sincere curiosity. Women pursuing scientific careers were certainly not unheard of, Marie Curie was only one such pioneer, but they were still quite rare as far as he knew.