"The pendent is a connection to the past and I am not one who would dismiss it. Yes Lola's services will be invaluable to prove we were the ones to find the pyramid. " says Larkin.

Mr. Devereaux knows he speaks a half truth where the pendent is important, but perhaps not for the reason you think it is.

The party notices that as the night wore on the more pale and clammy Larkin seem. His head sways a bit and Larkin wipes his brow with his handkerchief. "My apologies, but I will need to excuse myself as I am feeling rather ill. I will meet each of you Monday morning 8:00 AM in front of the Hotel Maury. If you need to find me you can find me in the Hotel Espana  which is 20 minutes from here to the east. Don't worry about dinner as I will pay for it on the way out"

Mr. Larkin stows the relics and stands ready to leave. De Mendoza also stands ready to escort Larkin back to the hotel

Jesse Hughes stays seated and taps his pipe against the ash tray. "Please stay awhile as I want to have a candid discussion"

The british gentleman briefly but politely gets up from his chair as Larkin and De Mendoza leaves. Back down comfortable in his seat at the table he nods at the folklorist. "I was actually hoping you would say that." He says with a quick polite smile, hoping Mr. Hughes would be able share a bit more about Mr Larkin and his current condition.

Medicine to possible have a clue about whether the black veins on Larkin's wrist has anything to do with his health condition: 6

Lola turns to James. "I suppose you might call my field a kind of chemistry, or maybe a kind of engineering. Practitioners call it 'alchemy'. I study the way elements combine."

She draws the goggles from her pocket. "Take these goggles for an example. They help me to see better in the dark -- they are a blend of coloured optical lenses and layers of trapped elemental gases. Try them if you like." She holds them out for James to take. 

--

As he leaves, Lola bids Larkin a distracted farewell. The man looks very unwell. She squints at him again. Has she read about any illnesses that resemble these symptoms? (medicine check: 15 )

"Alchemy?" The british gentleman echoes, making an effort to not seem skeptical to this not quite widely accepted field of science as far as he knew. He curiously accepts the goggles handed and briefly tries them on for size, turning to face the darkest part of the place to confirm what Lola had explained about them. After seeing things both strange and horrific in France during the Great War he considered himself open-minded and he was certainly open to make use of equipment he hadn't heard of if they proved helpful to the expedition.

Lola smiles properly for the first time as she watches the British gentleman try the Goggles of Night. "Very useful, aren't they? They are of course, made for my head and facial structure so they may not work perfectly for you."

She takes out her notebook and quickly jots down an observation. 

Mr. Devereaux figures that the black veins are indeed connected to Larkin's poor health, though he knows not what ailment turns a person veins black.

Lola searches her mind but does not know of any disease or ailment that matches what you see with Larkin.

Max Sinclair also takes his leave and heads out into the night.

Ed's brow slightly furrowed even as he smiled and wished his host a good evening upon his departure. He'd noticed... strange-looking signs on Mr. Larkin's skin. Was the man seriously unwell? While that would be terrible in and of itself, the thought also provoked a tinge of annoyance--as unwarranted as it may have been. He'd been depending on this job to fund his way back to the states, after all.

"Ah well, either way," he thought as he settled back into his seat; he'd be able to take care of himself and hopefully earn enough to get back soon enough even without the expedition. Or, maybe he could spend a bit of time in Peru? While a bit of a desert environment, the weather was currently quite pleasant, and he found the exotic nature of the area almost intoxicating.

Quote from Weathervision >>

Jesse Hughes stays seated and taps his pipe against the ash tray. "Please stay awhile as I want to have a candid discussion"

Edward turned to the man.

"By all means, Mr. Hughes," he began. "Anything in particular you wanted to bring to the table for this discussion?"

His ears also caught part of the conversation between Lola and James, and he made a mental note to inquire about the former's "alchemy" when the opportunity presented itself.

Jesse Hughes is somewhat skeptical of the goggles, but instead ask the party "How much of what Larkin said do you believe? Because I have my doubts"

"Well, he did have the artifacts. What exactly are you skeptical of--the existence of the pyramid itself, or something else?"

"Well for starters the pendent was of Tiwanaku design from the 5th century while the Incan cup is from the 15th century. I also believe if an alpaca farmer had these artifacts the farmer would have sold them long ago to make a fortune" Says Jesse Hughes.

"I agree with you that Larkin is definitely not completely forthcoming. I also noticed he seems to be unwell, do you know anything about that?" James asks, taking a sip from his drink while studying the folklorist.

Insight: 18  If result lower than 14 it is treated as 14 due to Eye for deceit feature.

"I know some field medicine and if I were to hazard a guess, its some kind of terminal illness, such as Cancer. This expedition may be Larkin's attempt to put his name in the history books before his illness finishes him. I have feeling he is leading us into danger. Did you know he tried to mount an expedition last year? He even tried to recruit the locals near Puno, but they refused as they believe such a pyramid is cursed. They are a superstitious people, but in every tale there is a grain of truth. Now Larkin does not know that I have researching the people near Lake Titicaca for the last 4 months for my book and I like to keep that way if you don't mind keeping a secret" says Jesse Hughes

Mr. Devereaux sense that Jesse Hughes is being mostly sincere, but is hiding something.

"But you are still coming with us then, I mean in spite of what you say about Larkin leading us into danger? And what kind of danger are you talking about?" The british gentleman continues, the mention of danger only making the whole expedition more interesting to him.

"Yes I am still going because its linked to another line of my research. You see back in New York during my research in the libraries I came across a legend of the Kharisiri which means to cut. White men who sucked the fat from farmers and stragglers in the Peruvian highlands. I chalked it up to another fanciful folktale, well that is until it I came across more modern stories of murder and mutilation that match the legend. I theorize that some very human death cult is behind the murders and they perpetuate the legend to strike fear in the people's hearts. I am here to find the truth. Now some of the locals even believe Luis de Mendoza is a Kharisiri. I have been following him discretely and seeing him with Larkin has raised more questions. So now I joined the expedition as I believe its the fastest way to find out what is really going here." says Jesse Hughes.

So... possible treasure, fame and adventure. Or a death cult and possibly being led to be the next sacrifice. Or maybe just lies all around. "Quite the conundrum," thought Ed as he stiffened in his chair, so as to avoid squirming uncomfortably.

"Well," he sighed. "Looks like there's some chicanery afoot, but I'll let you academics figure all that out. There's still likely danger either way, though, so since it looks like my services will be valued regardless, I'll still be going as well." He then smiled and added, "provided I get to claim some profit from this little adventure in the end."

Lola looks excited. "A cursed pyramid? How wonderful! I'm sure there will be mechanics and compounds there that will help with my research immensely! I knew it was a good idea to come on this expedition. 'a door always opens' as they say. 

Lola collects the goggles back from James and places them back in her pocket. 

"So we are not leaving until Monday, correct? What is the plan until then: shall we fit ourselves out for the expedition over the weekend?" Lola looks at Jesse before continuing delicately, "Is Mr Larkin uh... funding any of the extra fit out needed? Now that I am in Peru I realise that not all of my accoutrements are quite what is needed here, and I may have spent too much of my ready funds getting here in the first place." 

"I would  like to invite all of you to come with me tomorrow Saturday to the National University of San Marcos to meet Professor Sanchez at 2:00 PM. His office can be found in the Museum of Archeology and Anthropology on campus. He also tried to join the expedition, but Larkin rebuffed the professor several times. I am sure he has more information for us. Now I hope all of you can keep this hush hush as I rather not lead Larkin and de Mendoza to the professor." says Jesse Hughes.

"Yes we leave Monday morning 8:00 AM. I am afraid that you will need to pay for any additional equipment. Larkin has the trucks, food , and water. Perhaps one of these fine gentleman will help a lady out" says Jesse Hughes 

Aiden listens to the more complex bits of history and artifacts but when terms like Tiwanku and 5th and 15 century come up they might as well been speaking another language.  He seems to tune some of that out and doesn't seem as interested.  As to Mr. Larkin's health... Aiden has never seen anything like in on the streets of new york and there's some pretty nasty stuff there if you know where to look.  He just hopes it's not contagious.  However, talk of if the man is telling the truth.  Aiden seemed to agree there is something so to Jesse Hughes he says "Ain't no harm ins checkin' things out.  Wors' case, we wastin' our time fer a couple weeks.  Best case, we find us some more gold things.  I neveh believe someone is just all up front with stuff.  Might be the farmer is just cover fer someone else he's protectin'.  I's certain there is somethin' out there though."

When the talk of curses and danger comes up Aiden seems a bit more invested.  "I ain't nevah run into a situation I can handle.  If da man is dyin' means he takin' risks.  Jus' gotta ask yerself, can ya handle it? and Can I trust anyone ta watch ma back?  Danger always gonna be a thing no matta whats ya do.  I tell ya all though, ya do good by me and I ain't gonna let ya get hurt, crew gotta be with each other.  When shit gets grey and ya don' Loyalty is what is all about."

When Jesse mentions New York and Kharisiri that seems to get a bit of a response from Aiden as well. "Oi, ya from my city.  I been to one oh them museum places once.  Kinda cool seein all them old weapons and stuff.  Ya think these Karsarmees are a cult then?  Bunch'a nuts?  They got anything tellin' about them?  In my experience folks wear their beliefs.  Somethin' I should be lookin' fer?  Ya know, soemthin' like relic, an icon, some kinda weird blade, ya get the point.  How's one figure out if they a nut?"

When lola brings up the cursed pyramid and supplies Aiden says "I donno bout no curse but I'm curious at least.  What ya need then Lola?  Mights be I can find it fer ya."

"2 at San Marco University.  Gotcha.  That one'a the big buildin's we pass earlier?  I got a good head fer location but I ain't able ta talk the talk here."