Editing Vekscapades (section)

==5==
Word gets around about Vek's Trio.  The weekend musicians fade out, quietly, without animosity between groups leaving the the DC Three to drop Monday to Wednesday to much better sound system.  The owner and Vek made agreement.  Jurt's setup starts to look more professional but at least he put a black pillow with a curious colorful symbol on it.  More curious is that no one tries to steal anything nor bother  the pangolin.

Vek tracked down the original group and slipped him an envelope with 10 grand cash and phone numbers for records execs in LA.

Chasa started teaching strings and piano out in the parking lot, at what locals started calling "The Ranch".

Local police were surprised they had permits in good order. They started dropping by for coffee  and danish. Pot was legal after all..

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A few months passed when two new vehicles showed up to the surprise of the DC3..

The first was a 1970 Ford F350 pulling a four car trailer.  The truck carried 4 motorcycles. A Yamaha 500cc motocross. A hand built 375 street racer. A1000cc Harley Davidson and a 1943 vintage Harley Davidson.

In the trailer, stacked two high was a 1967 Shelby and a patio and car working space. And on top of the second space was 1969 Boss 429 Mustang with racing conversions.  Below was an area sealed off and converted for living and working on vehicles.  Two people climbed from the truck smiling.

The second was a 1965 VW bus pulling a 25' Vardo Wagon. An elderly woman climbed out and stayed far from the others.  She pulled her Vardo into place and began getting her camp in order.  Her goats came  out of the Vardo in 3 pairs. A dozen chickens came out and one very pleased looking rooster..

The truck and trailer pulled to the end and made no attempt to settle in as if their trip wasn't done.

The couple that climbed out of the trailer hugged around with the others.  They didn't seem to know Jurt.

Two huge dogs uncurl from some place under the cars.  Three corgi do the same. The Shelby doors open and three cats come out. Two Siamese and an orange Calico.  4 goat come from the enclosure and start showering for weeds.

Vek says,"Welcome to The parking lot of Harvey's Tavern,Washington, DC ." 

Chasa comes out and bows to the pair.  The new guy say,"My understanding was no rank? "  Chasa nods,"Yes, but it's hard to do at first.  I am Chasa. Bassist and Vek's batman."

The man nods," As you guessed, Alexei Zhenya, son of Nicholas and Clarissa,Tsar and Tsarina of Regor.  My wife Nala Moir Tral Zhenya.  We just set our son free.  His grandfather is furious of all choices of education he picked. Star Fleet Academy. So we just finished dropping him of at s." They all laugh.

Nala nudges Alexei. He smiles "Right. I'm Violla and strings. Drums at need.  Piano & Harpsichord at need. But who really need Harpsichord. "

Nala says," Harp, though it's also useless. Guitar, violin, and such.  But we are mainly here for the racing.  There are a lot of places for us. I understand you are in charge of the campsite. We purchased that warehouse over there. It has railyard access and we cleared all that. If your operation here needs the trains let me know.  Not Alexei.  Too much Prince in him."  

Chasa nods. "Well,ok.  But we are a bar trio. So...violin, violla, guitar.  Vek is on piano of course. Jurt on percussion and sound effects. I'm Bass.  My understanding is you both will sit in on occasion.  What's the deal with the animals?"

Nala says ,"The goats are regorian goats. Very giving. We'll share the milk.  The cats....well the Siamese are Tiger Defenders from Dikost. The Calico is a servant of the Royal line. It shifts out to a warrior servant. Luckly Leonid loves milk.

"He handles milk preparation, storage, bottling, and well....if you have a taste for Klass.  I don't. Still."

Nala looks over at Jurt, Vek, and Alexei chatting, seconds away from opening more beer and pulling out instruments.   Let them she figured.

"Well, Chasa it seems you are in charge of camp?. Let's go see the last member of my little group.  DON'T FREAK OUT. You understand?"
Chasa nods.



They approach the elderly  woman. Seeing them she sets out tea cup and checks the kettle. Soon she will set up her samosas but for now the ancient kettle will do.

Turning she smiles," Nala dear.  You brought company. Please sit. Tea is ready. The milk is fresh. Chasa sits after Nala and his host
  
Nala says,"M'lady, this is Chasa, companion of Lord Vek, our host. "

She pours tea.  A drop of milk in each. A swirl of a spoon in the liquid sugar for each.  A few moments pass as each as they taste the rare tea.

Chasa breaks the silence,"Delicious. I've never had better. Where does it come from? "

She chuckles, "You, a creature of Chaos, are unlikely to see it but I know you well.  I have watched you in preparation for meeting you and your liege.

" And here he comes.  Look at them. So unlike the dark and brutal lords of the past. Well dressed. Urbane in their  way. Shall we make a wager?  One of the three will wet himself!"

Chasa chuckles as do the other two . But now Chasa is frightened and glad the bet does not include him.

"Nala, dear.  Chairs please. I have cups already.."

She sets out the the cups and pours.  One she puts honey in.

As they  approach she says," No, Alexei, son of Nicholas, Vodka will taint my tea though yours has lemon.  Nor is there gin available, Jurt, son of Dara.  Now that is settled, please sit."

She nods to Nala as each has sat and sipped.

Nala says,"Taslii. This  is our host Vek Hendrake.  You met Chasa.  This is Jurt  Sawall.   And of course you know Alexei.  Taslii is a foremost grower of Tea in much of shadow.  Though she has left her fields for a time.  "

"Not fallow by any means. Friends are looking after them for me."

She looks to Vek." As host you have gone to great effort I understand securing the property.  First the parking lot. Secondly informing Alexei about the availability of the werehouse.  Nala tells me you have also secretly purchased the whole block discreetly. Including the pizza place that attempted to extort you in the beginning?"🐅

Vek chuckles,,"Not discretely enough it seems. Nala, my dear confidant, you seem to have squealed one secret at least!!"  He laughs with the others.

Nala shakes her head." Not I."

Taslii says,"I have ways of knowing. And....I can't stop. So if you wish me to move along I will with no harm done .  But... I need a group like yours to block those seeking me.  They would never assume a group like yours would give me of all people such excellent camouflage. But before you agree to let me stay,as I feel you will.  We must agree to payment."

Jurt laughs, "All the tea we can drink, goat's milk included?"

She nods," That for certain.  But....none of you have any secret from me now. Just standing near me now. Jurt, your raid on you family's treasury? Vek, touching, breaking your own heart💔 and your agreement with the king of Amber?"

Vek looks uncertain. "Alexei? Nala? What is this?  I grow angry."

"Tell me your price to provide camouflage for me till this camp breaks up. At such a time we can renegotiate a new payment.  "

She passes around pound bags of tea.  Jurt says," tea is not enough. A name to start."

She nods. "Cymnea, wife and daughter of Oberon "