Caravanserai [Reception Area]

[Flower]

"Hello there. Welcome to Caravanserai! We're glad you decided to take a leap of faith and travel to our small bit of paradise. We'll do the check-in momentarily."

The reception area is where you will check into the resort after your arrival via yacht. After checking in, you will be given a map of the resort with your villa circled for your convenience. If you require assistance (help with luggage), one of our attendants will gladly carry your belongings to your villa. You can also come back here if you have questions about the resort (a phone call will accomplish this as well). There are brochures in a corner for ideas of what you can do on your vacation.

This isn't really an area where you linger. You come here for a purpose (check-in, check-out, or if you need assistance). If you would like to relax, head over to the hub where the lounge area is located!

Game Time: July 1, 2025 to July 11, 2025

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[float=left][img height=200 padding=10][/img][/float][b]Name:[/b] Your character's name goes here.
[b]Date | Time:[/b] What day and time does your scene take place?
[b]Wearing:[/b] You can either link a picture of what your character is wearing or describe it in words.
[b]Location:[/b] Where is your character located in the hotel?
[b]Tagging:[/b] Who is your character talking to at the moment? Feel free to include if they are mentioning someone. Also mention if your scene is open or closed.[hr]

[Flower]

Name: Coral Sharp Date | Time: June 6, 2020 | Morning ~ 8-ish Wearing: You can either link a picture of what your character is wearing or describe it in words. Location: Where is your character located in the hotel? Tagging: Who is your character talking to at the moment? Feel free to include if they are mentioning someone. Also mention if your scene is open or closed.

Name: Ruby Dunn Date | Time: June 6, 2020 | Morning ~ 8-ish Wearing: You can either link a picture of what your character is wearing or describe it in words. Location: Where is your character located in the hotel? Tagging: Who is your character talking to at the moment? Feel free to include if they are mentioning someone. Also mention if your scene is open or closed.

Name: Jade Vaughn Date | Time: June 6, 2020 | Morning ~ 8-ish Wearing: You can either link a picture of what your character is wearing or describe it in words. Location: Where is your character located in the hotel? Tagging: Who is your character talking to at the moment? Feel free to include if they are mentioning someone. Also mention if your scene is open or closed.

Never, ever mix business with pleasure...or friendship. It was hard for Coral to silence the cynical voice inside of her head as Jade and she took questions from Marcella Kuntz, a prominent journalist who sought to highlight Caravanserai as a must-see attraction in their up and coming travel series.

Since her arrival two days prior to opening, Ms. Kuntz had been treated better than Queen Elizabeth II’s beloved corgis. No expense was spared in attempt to ensure the journalist had a superb experience at Caravanserai.

It did not need to be said, as all of their staff were capable individuals, but Coral found it impossible not to stress to whomever crossed paths with her how vital a marvelous view was to their business. While Coral did have the utmost trust in her staff and sweet, dependable Jade, she could not say the same about the reason for her simmering anger.

For decades, either Jade or she covered for Ruby. There was the cheating incident which lead to a rather messy divorce. She shuddered to think about what happened in Vegas.

“Thank you so much for your time, ladies,” Marcella said as she rose onto her feet.

“No, my dear, thank you for coming out here,” Jade said with her usual cheer, the apples of her cheeks burned crimson with obvious delight.

As Marcella reached with intentions to shake Jade’s hand, she instead found herself pulled into a friendly hug.
“Do take care,” Jade said as she pulled back.

Unlike Coral, Jade was not the least bit bothered about Ruby’s decision not to show up for their last interview with Marcella. Ruby had done her part in showing off the various attractions during the tour. A little rest would do her some good. Besides, Coral and she handled it well.

“You are welcome back anytime, Ms. Kuntz.” Coral stuck with the formal handshake. “Be sure to call before though, we can’t guarantee there will be any spots open!”

Coral and Jade walked the woman to the door, where she and her camera crew packed up the remains of their equipment and were helped by a few escorts onto their luxurious camels. It was about a day’s ride from Caravanserai to the nearest airport and city.

[Levi]

Name: Lalita Cheema
Date | Time: June 6th 2020, 8am
Wearing: pink sari
Location: Front desk
Tagging: open


Lalita stood behind the main desk watching the slow progression of the big hand towards its goal. It was a few seconds to eight am and almost time for the hotel to open for the very first time. Her bright blue eyes with a hint of green sparkled with excitement. She was also terribly nervous. Tick....tick.....tick went the clock and then it was finally time. Like a runner who had just heard the gun shot starting a race,Lalita shot from behind the desk, her pink sari swayed as she dashed quickly but with grace towards the grand doors of the hotel. Upon reaching them she unlocked them and made sure the sensors were working before returning to her post.

A quick dash back across to the reception desk, the only noise the odd slap of the woman's sandals as she walked and Lalita then stood a brilliant smile upon her face her heart slammed against her chest. This was it, she was the first person the guest would meet upon arrival and the last they would see when they left. Lalita bore the heavy responsibility with pride, the whoosh of the doors indicated the arrival of the hotels first guest.

"Welcome to Caravanserai!"

[Kit Cat]

Name: Kinsey O'Malley.
Date | Time: June 6th 2020, 8.25am
Wearing: Battered dark brown woollen trenchcoat, white camisole, knee length camouflage shorts and combat boots—accompanied by a flustered scowl.
Location: Arriving at front desk
Tagging: Open.

It was hot.

That might be a pretty obvious thing to say about the Saharan Desert, but it didn’t make it any less true—or uncomfortable. If I’d have known that the ‘high end luxury hotel’ that Jhabal had offered to put me up in, as part payment for finding his daughter, was in the hottest place on earth, I’d have told him to shove it where the sun doesn’t shine.

Unfortunately, the sun shone everywhere here—not good for someone who needs factor 50 just to stop them ending up looking like a lobster—and don’t get me started about the sand. It was bad enough to get it in your boots, but after travelling for three days in the same clothes, it felt like I had half a beach in my underwear!

Still, beggars can’t be choosers, and it would be nice to rest for a while and recharge my batteries—especially if there was a well-stocked bar close by. With that cheerful thought in mind, I lugged my backpack over my shoulder and wandered up to the reception area; mentally taking note of everything I saw, as I walked through the door.

Sighing in relief as the air con hit me, I leant back with my arms wide, and basked in the frigidity for a few moments, before realising there was someone at the front desk watching me. Clearing my throat in embarrassment, hoping I didn’t look too much like an idiot, I approached her.

“Hi, uh, I think I have a room booked here, under the name of O’Malley?”

[RedPhoenix]

Name: Becky Washington
Date | Time: June 6th 2020, 8.30am
Wearing: (as pictured)
Location: Front Desk!
Tagging: Open, Kinsey.

The drive had been no joke. She knew this place was remote, but after an overnight flight and another little puddle hopper over to the point where the driving began. It was all rather luxurious, but still, this put driving up to Tahoe for a weekend to shame. Her nervousness at traveling alone wasn't lessened any as civilization became more and more remote and the signal on her phone completely vanished. At least the limo had wifi.

Finally they arrived, a true oasis in the middle of the huge desert. She felt relief. After the long drive she could really use a break. From her break. Hey, she was on vacation.

She smiled as the attendants opened the doors for her and stepped out into the bright desert sun. The service was so good, so professional, she didn't even check to make sure her bags were being collected. She knew it was all taken care of.

Stepping inside with only her purse as the attendants gathered up her other things she walked up to the front desk and saw another lady waiting there and stepped in line behind her. She thought of just being silent for a moment. But no, this was the new Becky, right? Time to spread her wings, forget about the past, be a new, shiny, happy Becky.

"Hey there." She said with a friendly smile and a big wave. "You checking in too?" Of course she was, duh, she shushed her inner cynic. "Me too. I'm Becky. Becky Washington." She offered a hand. "First time here?" She asked with a smile, trying to keep the friendly face up. Not that she was unfriendly by nature, just that her instincts had always been to keep to herself. Time to change that. New day. New place. New Becky. She hoped her new friend appreciated this!

[Vicissitude]

Name: Brandon Russtiff
Date | Time: 8:30 AM
Wearing: Black polo, blue jeans, and black hi-top Chuck Taylors to which the desert dust has tinted a reddish color.
Location: Front Desk
Tagging: Becky, (maybe Kinsey and Lalita?) | Open.

Considering where he'd just come from, a camel as transportation was as far a leap as a puddle-jumper was from the Concorde.  And that was fine.  Brandon had never been into fancy flights, usually too distracted with books, maps, and figuring out contacts to nibble at wine and cheese.  The only reason he'd fly first or business was to be able to sprawl his stuff out, and not have to worry about irritating his neighbors.  Or tenacious small children.  Not that he didn't like kids. Sometimes he just needed to focus, and that was hard enough without noise.  He'd stayed at some impressively fancy places in his adventures, and slept in others where rocks jabbed into his ribs through the thin sleeping bag, or sometimes just rugs.  Such was the life.

This was going to be one of those rare times he embraced his bank account, though, needing both to refocus his thoughts, and to recover a bit more from the cold that still crawled through his marrow whenever he closed his eyes.  The desert oasis seemed a perfect spot for that.  And of new construction, likely lacking anything to get him wound up.  He could let his mind clear until something new came up on his radar.

When the dromedary finally stopped in its rolling walk and slowly moved downwards into a kneel, he lurched awake, having nodded off somewhere along the way.  The heat was bad, but not so much as in other cities he'd been to. Oppressive, yes, beating down on exposed skin in a way that made the flesh tingle as if electrified, but... at least it was a dry heat, one that allowed him to brush away perspiration in a fine salt dust from his arms rather than swelter in as if he were wrapped in a wet electric blanket.

Thanking his driver, he gave the leggy beast a pat on the head, scratching behind one ear, and thankful it seemed to appreciate it rather than anoint him with a splatter of spit.  That would have been a perfectly wonderful way to enter such a fine establishment, wouldn't it? 

As the door opened and the change in temperature made fractals dance before his eyes for a moment, his hair ruffling as he passed under the air vent at the door, he winced, pausing for a moment to acclimate. Then, hefting his backpack onto his shoulders, the size of it looking more suited to a soldier in the field than someone on vacation, he ambled towards the front desk in a zig-zag motion that was part remnant of leftover camel motion, and part that he was so busy looking around that he wasn't paying attention to making a beeline proper.  That he made it to the front desk without crashing into anything was a miracle, stopping short of crashing into the women in front of him by less than a foot as he looked down from staring at the ceiling in time to see them.

"Ouf. Sorry."  His voice was a mumble as he tried to not stare at them, attempting to keep his curiosity in check of what would have brought the two women to so remote a place, given his own choice, and instead peering over to the woman behind the counter, brows lifting in appreciation of the sari she chose to greet the guests in.  Red was his favorite color, and she looked stunning in it.

"Huh, wa--?" Not the most eloquent when he was still a bit overheated and taking in new surroundings. "Yeah, I--"  It took him a moment to realize that Becky was talking to Kinsey, and not to him. An awkward chuckle followed, and he tucked his hands into his pockets, feeling a little silly.

[Kit Cat]

Name: Kinsey O'Malley.
Date | Time: June 6th 2020, 8.30am
Wearing: Battered dark brown woollen trenchcoat, white camisole, knee length camouflage shorts and combat boots—accompanied by a flustered scowl.
Location: Arriving at front desk
Tagging: Open/Brandon/Becky

Before I could get into the minute of checking in, a rather chirpy, if enthusiastic voice interrupted from behind. Turning, I spied a slightly worried smile attached to an earnest, and pretty young face. Opening my mouth to respond in kind, I spotted a guy in a polo shirt weaving from side to side over her shoulder; clearly struggling under the weight of the ridiculously large backpack he was carrying. Perceiving instinctively what was about to happen, I took Becky’s shoulders, and pulled her to one side, just before the luggage (and attached human being accessory) fell into her.

“One more step, and you’d have been less Washington, and more Flatlands,” I observed to her, nodding at the flustered young man as he put his pack down. “You'll want to be careful with that backpack hun; there’s all the difference in the world between sweeping a woman off her feet and knocking her on her arse!”

Giving them both a friendly smile, I chuckled good naturedly, the scowl of a few moments ago melting away as the old professional banter kicked in, and I played to a new crowd whilst my brain took in small details about them for future filing.

“Kinsey O'Malley is my name—please, don’t hold it against me—and you’re right on the money when you asked if it was my first time here, Becky was it? Judging by the looks of things, I would guess I’m not the only one looking at the walls of this place for the first time, though I’d appreciate it if you leave a few of them standing when you make your way to the room,” I added to the guy as an aside.

I would be first to the whiskey too, if it was up to me; god I hope there was a mini bar here…and ice, lots of ice. Not for the whiskey, but so I could stick my backside in it to cool down some!

“Speaking of rooms, it seems I have one here for the next few weeks at least, so I hope this won’t be the only time we ‘bump’ into each other. Are you both here for a couple of days, or hoping to sample the glory that is this jewel in the desert for a longer period of time?”

I could still speak the patter when I wanted to, and judging by their clothes, they were worth a bob or two—always good to make friends with people, so they could offer to buy you a drink or three when you are short! Besides which, its always good to give a good first impression—even if its downhill from there.

[RedPhoenix]

Name: Becky Washington
Date | Time: June 6th 2020, 8.30am
Wearing: (as pictured)
Location: Front Desk!
Tagging: Open, Kinsey.

Becky only turned at the last minute before Brandon nearly flattened her, a little yelp escaping her as she jumped forward a few steps, thankful she was in her sensible flip flops. She laughed to show she realized it was an accident, and listened to Kinsey as she spoke.

"Well yes I suppose I was." She laughed. "I'm sure he wasn't meaning to do either." She said, flashing the young man a smile to show no hard feelings. "I'm Becky." She said with a wave to the young man.

"Me? Well I'm here for awhile." She admitted with a shrug and a tone that showed she knew it was a bit indulgent. "I'm divorced, moved out, and now apparently the type of person who tell her business to total strangers in line at the resort." She chuckled. "Point is, I may be here awhile." She shrugged again. "So yeah, let's be friends. Let's party." She paused and glanced at the young man. "Assuming we're old enough." She said, thinking he looked awfully fresh faced.

[Flower]

Name: Reese Leavenworth
Date | Time: June 6th 2020 | Morning
Wearing: Active Gear
Location: Front Desk
Tagging:  Lalita, Newly Arrived Guests

Some employees avoided their customers (or whatever their company called them). They put most of their effort into avoiding unnecessary contact and did their absolute best to keep any unavoidable interactions brief.

Reese was not that type of worker.

Being someone’s assistant was a pleasurable task for her. She enjoyed providing people with solutions to their problems. Another quirk of hers was the ability to challenge people without overwhelming them.

It was why she jumped at the opportunity to work as an instructor at Caravanserai. Not only did it provide her with the chance to find herself again in a rejuvenating atmosphere but her job would allow her the opportunity to interact with people of all walks of life.
She refused to let her blessing be ruined by the proximity of a rather annoying ex-husband.

The morning of the resort’s opening, Reese woke up bright and early to face the day. She only applied a minimal amount of make-up and donned some rather plain clothes. Just a pair of burgundy legging and work-out bra. On top of it all, she picked out a light jacket to hide her offensive stomach from more conservative individuals.

With an excited bounce in her stride, she made the short trek through the sand and heat into the main building. Already, there were guests lined up. All of them looked like they had a story just bursting inside of them, ready to be heard or pried from their lips.

“Ladies and gentleman! Welcome to the place you’ll never want to leave.” Reese offered a playful wink to the sole male in attendance as she made her way past them. As she did so, she offered each of them a flyer with all of the services the gym offered them. Free of charge! There was rock climbing, swimming, yoga, and a host of other ways to stay fit while on vacation. Also, the experience would not be complete without her. They wouldn’t experience her anywhere else. At least until she found her calling elsewhere. Only once they all had a flyer did she join Lalita behind the front desk. “Your body will love you for it.”

That out of the way, she flashed Lalita an apologetic smile, knowing she probably wanted to murder her.

[Steffy]

Steffy Danielle Dubois, Adventurer
Date | Time: June 6, 2020, 3 p.m., the hottest time of the day
Wearing: Pressed jacket
Location: Welcome desk
Tagging: open, tbd

Well this is all rather nice!  A jaunt through the desert, properly fortified with idolizing support, my trusted Anon, and here I am!  I ‘casually’ survey all before me.  Trained eyes, but inexperienced in desert matters.  Danger is not my middle name.  Danielle is, BUT . . . Hmmm.  Let me focus.  The more important matters: Who might join me in an expedition to unearth hidden treasure or rescue treasure, antiquities, fighting off competitors and mercenary treasure thieves?  Who might swig some shots with me?  Who, who might wander into the Red Light district with me to learn, teach or share the exotic?

I look at the clerk who is eyeing me suspiciously.  “I am reserved and trust that I do not require an upgrade.  My benefactor has prepaid.  The largest, most luxurious if I am not mistaken. Dubois, Steffy.”  And I am not mistaken.  I’ll need the space, definitely.  (Why? For me only to know at present).  “And four servings of the evening’s special dinner left outside my door at 8 p.m. sharp, whether or not I am here. Depending, I may need more.”   That should be a start helping feed the orphans, the hidden and less fortunate. Perhaps some recruitment to the cause is in order.  I survey the possibilities. 

[Levi]

Name: Lalita Cheema
Date | Time: June 6th 2020, 8am
Wearing: pink sari
Location: Front desk
Tagging: Kinsey O'Malley, Reese mentioning Brandon


As soon as the welcome passed her lips Lalita was bombarded. Flashing a dazzling smile she leapt eagerly to work. Her first official guest giving her name which the attendant hastily typed into her computer. "O'Malley....O'Malley....O'M" she whispered to herself as she seared throughout the list of reserved rooms! "O'Malley! Here we are! Could I take a copy of your passport please Miss?" She looked up from her search to find that there was already a bustling group of guests awaiting check in., And while Miss O'Malley had been waiting she had begun exchanging pleasentries with the other guest.

Lalita coughed gently "Miss O'Malley?!" She spoke a little louder, the woman hated to interupted but the sooner she had her room then the sooner Lalita could move onto the next guest. Just as she appeared to have gained her guests attention it was futher distracted by another member of staff. "Ladies and gentleman! Welcome to the place you’ll never want to leave.” sending a playful scowl towards Reese she quickly asked "Reese, would you mind calling Brandon on line two, and get him to bring down some refreshments? Our guests look positively parched!" So saying she returned to her job,extending her hand to receive Miss O'Malleys's passport.

[Kit Cat]

Name: Kinsey O'Malley.
Date | Time: June 6th 2020, 8.25am
Wearing: Battered dark brown woollen trenchcoat, white camisole, knee length camouflage shorts and combat boots—accompanied by a flustered scowl.
Location: Front Desk
Tagging: Open, everyone at front desk

My friendly manner had the effect of getting Becky to open up about why she was here (note to self, be friendlier more often, it seems to work!). Chuckling with her when she mentions what type of person she is now, I can't help but chime in.

"Speaking to strangers isn't a bad thing sometimes; you can get away with saying things to them that you couldn't say to close friends. That being said, it's nice to make a new friend here, and you can bend my ear anytime you feel like it."

Before I can expand on that, a woman who I could only appropriately describe as 'athletic bounds down the hallway to welcome us to the place you'll never want to leave.

"I've known prison officers say that to the new inmates when they arrive," I murmured in Becky's ear as I took one of the flyers. "Of course, what else does one want to do when they are already swearing their tits off in this heat - exercise! My body wouldn't so much love me, as want to throttle me!"

I did have to concede some of the activities looked good, however, and given I was a masochist by nature, I'd probably indulge.

During the time I was dazzling my companions with witty repartee, the poor girl behind the desk had been trying to get my attention, so she could complete my check in. Unfortunately for her, I only noticed when Reese joined her behind the desk.

"Passport? Of course, it's in here somewhere."

Digging into my backpack, I muttered to myself as I took things out of it and placed them on the front desk as I looked for it.

"Pliers...no, that was for that thing for Gunther. Moustache wax? Oh yeah, that case with the Belgian. Lollipop wrapped in half a glove...Hendricks theft, I'd wondered where that had got to. Ratty red knickers with a hole in..." I paused, realising they were mine, and quickly moved on. "They were for a case too...*coughs*. Aha, here we are, passport! There you go."

Handing Lalita my passport, I pulled out my hip flask and had a quick sip of it, to cover the movement of shoving my knickers into my coat pocket.

[Vicissitude]

Name: Brandon Russtiff
Date | Time: Morning/Check-in time.
Wearing: Black polo, blue jeans, and black hi-top Chuck Taylors to which the desert dust has tinted a reddish color.
Location: Front Desk
Tagging: Everyone at front desk. Open

The awkwardness of his stance increased slightly at Kinsey's playful admonishment, and his blush deepened, though it was partly hidden by the flush already there from the already warm morning sun.  "Hey, sorry.  Just kinda trying to get my bearings around this place. The architecture is really awesome.  N' the decor."  He locked his knees against the weight of the bag on his shoulders, more steady now that he wasn't walking around, head dipping slightly in embarrassed greeting to Becky.  "Hi.  Brandon.  Brandon Russtiff.  Sorry, I'm used to horses.  Camels get you wobbly.  Kinda like riding coasters, only more side to side than up and down." The sheepishness just deepened, and he opted to just disengage the pack and let it rest on the floor before all the knee-locking lead to him passing out.  That was, indeed, better, he thought, rolling his shoulders forward with a soft pop that sounded like musket fire in his own ears.  Becky's playful comment about age changed his expression from almost shy embarrassment to a playful pouting. "Hey, I'm more than old enough to party.  I just came from one in Paris, and--"  Okay, Brandon, shut up before you even get started and say something you shouldn't.  His inner voice wasn't often loud, but this time it was. "I can party with the best of 'em!" His smirk was slightly challenging, as if daring her to bring on the party, and see how well he could handle it, accompanied with a slight tilting of his head in her direction that was at least more subtle than a finger-gun. "And, I--" 

At a voice from the side, one that had all the pep and perk that usually came so early in his experience with someone being an extreme morning person, or an espresso addict, he turned his attention from the ladies in front of him to the one bounding up their way.  He was going to wager morning person, as usually the fitness gurus he'd encountered weren't coffee guzzlers.  It was an easy bet this was all 100% organic natural energy flowing through her.  This time he couldn't resist that silly gesture, clicking his tongue as he mimed twin revolvers at her as she all but chirped that their bodies would love them for spending time at the gym. "I'm going to hold you to that."

His distraction at watching Reese practically vibrating with excitement was broken by Lalita's voice, less with repeating the greeting the former had just made, but when she said his name. Did she say get into line two?  Was that was Reese had joined her for, since they were backing up, though not bad he didn't think, and they all seemed patient and-- "Huh- wha? You wanted me to what?" The youthful confusion on his face, accompanied by confused blinking, might just reinforce Becky's perception of him being on the younger side, even though he was as well world-traveled as one his age could be.  Even if it was the weird parts of the world moreso than the high culture of it.

Squirrel. 

Confusion turned to curiosity again, and he just as quickly forgot that he though he was being asked to move by Lalita as Kinsey began to disgorge items from her bag in search of her passport.  Every explanation spoken, though more to herself than the ones watching he felt, made him more and more curious about this woman.  Pliers didn't seem that odd, and were quite useful, but... what about this Gunther?  His brain wanted to go in too many directions with that one.  The wax and mention of a case... And a lollipop and theft...  Did she investigate things, too?  Probably not the same sort of things he did, but-- Reflection back to the comment she made, almost ignored by him at the time of it, about prison guards.  Maybe he should be mindful of what he said around her, not knowing what connections she had.  At least his adventures were mostly benign, harming none but himself.  Nothing to contact Interpol about. Though he'd been in the field with those who probably should have been turned in for being a little less leave-it-as-you-find than him at some sites.  Though he'd at least twice been caught trespassing places that, well, so far at he'd at least been able to avoid being officially deported.  More gentle suggestions that he should probably leave the country on the next plane. Though he was terribly curious at what sort of case the underwear with the holes was involved in.  Undercover work, maybe? 

The sudden snerk that thought gave him was impossible to suppress, and he almost choked himself trying.  Undercover.  Heh.  And, par for the course, he tried to cover it as a cough proper, hand over his mouth.  "This desert air... I'm used to humidity." Another cough. "Y'know, I should probably find mine. My passport.  Not my underwear." Totally smooth. Crouching, he distracted himself with digging around in the front pocket of his pack, amid all the poorly-folded maps and small notebooks he had there.  The paperwork pouch.

[Jaclyn]

Name: Katrina von Roissy
Previous: https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=290285.msg14262956#msg14262956
Date | Time: June 6, between 3:30 pm and check-in
Wearing: White Burqua, over sweated through white open collar shirt, loose slacks, and desert boots
Location: Beginning on the dunes overlooking Caravanserai, ending in Caravanserai Reception
Tagging: Fire Dragon her camel, the drover, Fatima her guide and translator, and whoever is encountered in Reception

  Fire Dragon seems to sense the water and picks up heru pace as does the drover. The shuffling gait rouses the weary rider and she peers through lidded eyes through the slit in the burqua. Her destination in site. Recovery she hopes. An end to her addiction she hopes. As far away from anything as anything can get and still be warm. She leans forward again and whispers in the great beast's ear.

  “Thank you, noble Fire Dragon!”

  She starts to restore her presence in her body. Prepare for what comes next. Organize herself to the world she's about to enter.

  The three camels and their burdens and drover enter the Caravanserai and proceeds by the dusty paths to the hotel at the center. There the drover bids the great beasts to kneel and they settle grunting to the ground. She accepts his hand and descends, finding her legs still work. Fatima descends too and she offers Fatima a cash tip for the drover. Tip delivered, she turns. Porters from the hotel come out, bidding for their luggage. She accepts and follows them inside the building. There, she and Fatima rid themselves of the burquas that protected them from sun and wind and cold and heat on the long crossing. Both their clothing is soaked in perspiration. The cool of the air conditioning sends shivers. Fatima gathers the burquas and waits with the luggage while she approaches the reception desk.

  The crush is amazing so she waits patiently..

[RedPhoenix]

Name: Becky Washington
Date | Time: June 6th 2020, 8.30am
Wearing: (as pictured)
Location: Front Desk!
Tagging: Open, Kinsey, Brandon, Lalita, Reese.

Becky kept her smile up as it seemed she had arrived just at the busiest time. She didn't ask why the others had taken camels, she was just glad she had apparently gotten the last car here. She laughed and then stifled it as Kinsey mentioned prison wardens. She shook her had, thinking that if this was a prison they could just lock her up and forget about it. Cheaper that way too, she mused. Not that she was in danger of running out of money anytime soon, thanks to her divorce settlement. She raised her eyebrows at the revelations of what was in her purse. Becky's was nowhere near so cluttered. Or so interesting. In fact she already had her passport and reservation in hand.

She smiled at Brandon's retort about his age and said gently, "Oh that's right I forget the drinking age is younger over here." She grinned at him. Maybe she just felt old lately, but that young face couldn't possibly be in his 20s! Or were kids just looking more and more baby-faced to her lately? Dang Becky, you are getting old!

When Resse appeared Becky gave her a smile but it was a little strained. This was vacation. While Becky was no stranger to gyms and particularly liked tennis and swimming, it was not the sort of thing she did without some great internal motivation and she was looking forward to not forcing herself to it every other day or so for at least a few weeks. She gave a non-committal response, and thought about how her body loved her move when she ate brownies, and often seemed to actively rebel when she stretched it too much. Built for comfort, not speed, as the saying goes.

When it was her turn she smiled at the desk clerk. "Oh hey I've got the uh Whoo-ball?" She said awkwardly. "Huebul? This one." She handed over her reservation sheepishly showing the Premier suits, obviously not used to handling Arabic words. The girl from the small town in the American south didn't get much experience with foreign languages, and she was afraid of seeming ignorant because she couldn't pronounce anything so she just hushed.

[Flower]

Name: Reese Leavenworth
Date | Time: June 6th 2020 | Morning
Wearing: Active Gear
Location: Front Desk
Tagging:  Lalita, Brandon (guest), Brandon (co-worker), Newly Arrived Guests

Reese’s positive energy resonated like the blistering sun just outside of the resort’s air conditioned location. Blue eyes roamed over each individual face of their newly arrived guests, making a mental note who appeared most receptive to visiting her true domain and who would require a nudge of encouragement.

Thankfully, Lalita, her sweeter than apple pie co-worker, did not appear disgruntled with her rather boisterous arrival. Some might say she was relieved for the additional help. Within seconds, Lalita took charge of situation, giving Reese something better to do than just hand out flyers.

“I’m your lady!” Reese said with a grin as she reached for the phone. To keep her hands free, she tucked it in between her shoulder and hands. A few quick presses and she was waiting for Brandon, the bartender, to pick up.

Noticing a young man growing flustered, she sought to restore some calm with an explanation. “You’re just fine, Sir. I promise we’ll have you checked in momentarily.” Just then, someone picked up the phone. “Hello. It’s Reese. Would you mind bringing some refreshments down to the front desk? Thanks!”

Finished with that conversation, she announced, “Alright, we have courtesy drinks and water for those who prefer coming down.”

“Sir,” Reese beckoned him with an excited wave of her hand. “I can help you now. May I have your name?”

[HockeyGod]

Name: Brandon Murphy
Date | Time: June 6th 2020 | Morning
Wearing: Bartender uniform (in the pic)
Location: Mirage and then Front desk
Tagging: open


Brandon's morning consisted primarily of prepping for the lunch and evening crowd. Breakfast prep was completed the evening before - drinks in the morning consisted mostly of mimosas, bloody marys, bellinis, and Irish coffees. There were non-alcoholic drinks available as well - sparkling juices, fresh squeezed varieties and virgin cocktails. Caravanserai's Mirage restaurant and bar offered a full menu to please the most discriminate of palates. His job was to ensure that beverages flowed with the same fervor.

Stopping his routine, Brandon reached for the phone. He was greeted with the warm tone of Reese. "On my way." Securing the prep safely for later, Brandon began to quickly assemble a sampling of exotic drinks for the new guests. He selected two of his favorites - an alcoholic and non-alcoholic.

Kir Royal - a french drink made with creme de cassis and champagne.
Fresh squeezed lime juice, simple syrup, and basil.



Making his way through the beautiful Caravanserai, Brandon entered the lobby with a silver platter balanced perfectly with a half dozen of each drink. In addition, he added half a dozen glasses filled with pristine water with circular ice balls and twists of lemon. He took a moment to give a wink to Reese and followed it with a wink to Lalita. The two were perfect at welcoming guests to the hide away.

"Welcome to Caravanserai, can I offer anyone a beverage?" Brandon offered the tray.

[Kit Cat]

Name: Kinsey O'Malley.
Date | Time: June 6th 2020, morning
Wearing: Battered dark brown woollen trenchcoat, white camisole, knee length camouflage shorts and combat boots—accompanied by a flustered scowl.
Location: Front Desk
Tagging: Open, everyone at front desk

I was half way through repacking my backpack, and waiting for Lalita to finish processing my room, when my ears picked up the unmistakeable sound of glasses tinkling. Looking up, I saw a barman approaching, carrying a tray of drinks, and my eyes tracked its every moment as it got closer.

Stuffing my gear into my bag with shaking hands, I was up and past the other guests before they knew what was happening, calling over my shoulder to Lalita that I would be back in a moment. Reaching the barman with time to spare, I gave him a wide grin as I gazed at the booze before me.

“Aren’t you a sight for sore eyes,” I enthused. “How about you and I spend a little time together?”

It only became obvious I was talking to the drink, rather than the barman, when I took one of the glasses of Kir Royal off the tray and sipped it. Glancing back at Brandon thoughtfully for a moment, I snagged another glass and raised it in salute to him. “Since you’re too young, I’ll have yours for you; plenty of juice for you kid.”

Yeah, I hadn’t missed his little snigger about my underwear!

Taking an appreciative sip, I smiled at the barman; focussing on him specifically for the first time.

“You’re an angel, and these are really good,” I enthused, though if I was honest, I’d rather have a boilermaker this time of day. “I have a feeling this is going to be the start of a beautiful friendship!”

I’m sure I heard that in a film…doesn’t matter, still a good thing to say at this point, but what was everyone looking at?

[RedPhoenix]

Name: Becky Washington
Date | Time: June 6th 2020, 8.30am
Wearing: (as pictured)
Location: Front Desk!
Tagging: Nobody, Exiting Scene

"Oh no thanks darling, I just got here." She said to the bartender with a smile. "You'll see plenty of me though, don't worry." She laughed.

"So hey that's where I'm at." She showed the others her room number. "Come say hi if you want sometime."

She turned to the small crowd with a friendly wave. "See y'all around!" She smiled at them and headed up to her room.

[HockeyGod]

Name: Brandon Murphy
Date | Time: June 6th 2020 | Morning
Wearing: Bartender uniform (in the pic)
Location: Mirage and then Front desk
Tagging: Kinsey, Becky, Open


Brandon smiled as Kinsey took a drink. She had a very pleasant, if not very flirtatious air about her. "Tis my pleasure. If you have any specific tastes in cocktails, just let me know and we'll be sure to have 'em ready for ya." A light Irish accent peppered Brandon's words.

Brandon then turned to Becky. "Mirage is open 24 hours for our guests. Anytime you're thirsty, just stop by."

[Jaclyn]

Name: Katrina von Roissy
Date | Time: June 6, during check-in
Wearing: white open collar shirt, loose slacks, and desert boots
Location:  Caravanserai Reception
Tagging: The bartender. Fatima, her companion guide

  Käti is feeling overwhelmed by the crush. A nice young man offers a drink on a tray and she takes it.

  "Thank you, sir!"

  One sip and she knows it's alcoholic. Waggles a finger at Fatima. Takes one from the other side of the tray that looks a bit different and tastes that. Hands it to Fatima with a smile.

  "This you can drink."

  They touch glasses. Companions across the desert, they have come to rely on each other though Käti knows who is more important for the other's survival and is most grateful. They stand side by side and sip their drinks and wait for the line to get them to the persons receiving them.

[Levi]

Name: Lalita Cheema
Date | Time: June 6th 2020, 8am
Wearing: pink sari
Location: Front desk
Tagging: Kinsey O'Malley - open


Having successfully retreved Miss O'Malley's passport, the attendant turned and placed the object under the photocopier, a few moments later and warm paper and passport in hand she turned back and completed the guests registration. By this time Lalita had been rescued by the ever flirtatious Brandon from the bar, sending him a quick wave, Lalita waited until Miss O'Malley returned from grabbing a drink. Handing over the guests passport and a small card like object that searved as her room key she beamed and said "Room 505, please enjoy your stay, any problems you can call reception on line 3"

Turning her attention to the rest of the guests she beamed "Thank you for your patience, who's next please?"

[Levi]

Name: Lolita Cheema
Date | Time: June 6th 2020, 8:30
Wearing: pink sari
Location: Front desk
Tagging: Becky


One guest after another rolled up to the front desk, and after a while the blur of numbers and passports soon made Lalita a little nervous. What if she put two people in the same room! It was while she was worrying about this horrifying turn of events when a guest approached her for check in. The lady in question immediately started her conversation with Lolita with "Oh hey I've got the uh Whoo-ball?" Lalita must of looked as confused as she felt because the lady tried again "Huebul? This one." luckily for Lolita the guest then showed her a packet.

A light lit in the confused desk attendance head "Ah!, The Hubal Suite" Lalita over pronounced the h and softened the pronoucation of the bal section so it sounded more like Hhubbal, "Your name please Miss?" The attendant already knew there was o my one person expected for the particular suite but verbal confirmation of the name was a secure measure along with taking a copy of the guests passport. This was the desert, anyone could come in!

[Vicissitude]

Name: Brandon Russtiff
Date | Time: Morning-check in
Wearing: Black polo, blue jeans, and black hi-top Chuck Taylors to which the desert dust has tinted a reddish color.
Location: Front Desk
Tagging: Front desk inhabitants, open.

Too many squirrels, not enough attention span.  Even once he managed to fish his passport out of his bag, rustling a lot of paperwork in the process, he was still a little all over the place.  At least he wasn't in the way to knock anyone over, or worse, collide with the bartender, who had been so gracious to bring around some drinks for them. 

"I'm not a kid!  I'm twenty f--" he began his retort to Becky, though more to himself at this point than anything else.  Because Kinsey.  Not that he was going to reach for something alcoholic this early in the morning, and this dehydrated, but that she presumed to snipe a drink from him rankled him slightly, even though he knew deep down it was all in jest.  It was one thing to play up being young to get out of trouble, but being treated like a kid... Well, in his line of... whatever you wanted to call it, that happened aggravatingly often.  Rolling his shoulders, he tilted his head to smirk at her with a little huff. "It's too early in the morning to be drinking, anyway.  Except if you're a lush."  Rude, maybe, but he considered it biting back just as good as he got.

That attitude and swagger faltered for a flash as he actually faced the bartender, blinked, and then reached for a glass of water... hesitated... considered one of the red juices... then went back to water.  Focusing entirely on the glasses and not the man holding them.  Totally mature.  After enough indecisiveness, he grabbed a glass of water, mumbling a soft thanks.  Pressing the glass lightly to his forehead, he let the cool linger before taking a deep drink, not realizing how thirsty he'd been.  Camels didn't exactly have the best AC systems.  Not even a swamp cooler.

And another squirrel as Reese waved him over.  Glass in one hand, he half-dropped his passport onto the desk before reaching over his his foot and dragging his dusty pack closer to him "Brandon. Brandon Russtiff.  I have a room. I think.  My friend set this up for me before I left Paris but didn't tell me a lot.  Like, at all.  So--" he shrugged a little, helplessly, undoing all of his earlier snarking about not being a kid. He looked about as clueless as a fifth-grader trying to run a particle accelerator.

[Steffy]

Steffy Danielle Dubois, Adventurer
Date | Time: after checking in
Wearing: Pressed jacket
Location: Welcome desk
Tagging: Everyone at front desk and lobby

Passports fly back and forth from clerk’s hands back to guests.  Efficient, but there’s a growing backlog of people trying to register, plus checked-in guests looking for a tip as to where afternoon drinks are the best sipped.  Having checked in, I squeeze between two others and ask two quick questions of an overwhelmed clerk, “Sorry! I heard that some of those Thai hero cave divers are going to give lessons at the pool.  Swimming or diving, I’m not sure.  Can that be true?”  I raise my voice, or at least try to,  “Say, anyone or two or three who can guide me to a comfy bar, I’ll buy the first and second round.”