Love in the wild. (Closed)

[Asa]

https://64.media.tumblr.com/64bcd25e9952cd69c6ea7d5d149ffe2e/tumblr_ombxq0zVxf1sn35i0o1_500.jpg

https://64.media.tumblr.com/e87d0021120392e69090c644f340bdd9/tumblr_nj3cg9bwwh1ree7oao6_500.jpghttps://askclairecasey.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/stop-being-his-mistress.jpg
https://64.media.tumblr.com/7e904f5804c094d400b8fff4cb10925d/tumblr_pey7paqWD41s8m4j4o1_1280.jpghttps://image.dhgate.com/0x0/f2/albu/g6/M00/F4/01/rBVaSFrUJPyAWKUhAAHmq1UX_3k329.jpg

Professor was her title but she was far more at home in the field. Even if that field was a formal gathering of an exhibition or some long forgotten jungle. She had avoided any sort of assistant the university wanted to assign to her till finally the dean decided to call in an old favor that was owed solely on the principle of it all. Also returning a favor he owed as well to an old family friend which gained her an assistant and like it or not the complete opposite of her. An academic who was home only in a classroom and was in no way ready for the woman who would be his boss.

----------
Dahlia... Where is Professor DaViega?

The tall rather relaxed formal man walked into the office followed by a rather unassuming young man in a tweed suit. Dahlia sighed and pointed to the office.

Dean Corbin she literally just got back from Mongolia and she is...

I know... I know she is in the middle of some research for some Relic or whatever but she will not get out of here without this meeting happening.

With that he walked into the office only to have to avert his eyes and those of the young man as she was in the middle of changing her top as they were walking in.

Oh...oh my... the younger man blundered and turned away quickly as the woman turned to face them.

Dean Corbin... I hope this is a quick visit as I have a flight to catch.

Perfect timing the older man said.

This is your assistant... no you do not get a say in the matter you know that every professor is required to have an assistant. He has just arrived from Europe and his bags are in the trunk of my.car grab your bags and I will take you two to the airport.

Excuse me Cassidy snarled. You are honestly expecting me.to take a jetlag bomb waiting to happen into the field in an active hunt but also a potential warzone? Jacob I think your job is damaged your brain if you remotely think that is a safe idea.

The older man stiffened a little and sighed.

I know it's not ideal Cassidy but you have no choice. My hands are tied are you ready to go?

She looked the young man over... he wasn't without his charms and looks but she maintained her anger.

Fine just dont get in my way.

Wouldn't... wouldn't dream of it professor. Right then... where are we off to?

Egypt... was all she said as she walked out of her office to her secretary and smiled.

You know the drill... will he be meeting me at the airport or the hotel?

Hotel... reservation was made for one though Cassidy should I call and change it?

Yes see if you can upgrade it to one of the suites please. And...

I will inform the museum of the additional person traveling with you.

I approve every dime you request for even the strangest of things. I accept without questions 95% of the time you running off to aid practically every government on the planet you will do one thing I demand.

The dean stiffened up only to clearly rethink his stance when she turned on him like a pack of wolves.

And I bring this university and its museum millions of dollars in artifacts and revenue consistently while teaching classes and attending whatever half baked meeting or conference I am packed and able to go to. A d as for those world governments how many of them have been so grateful they have donated money to departments of all kinds and to the university itself thanks to my work. I will not be held responsible if anything happens to some assistant you demand I take. You will be is that clear?

The dean quickly nodded and hurried her bags to the car without another word

Once on the plane she sat back going over the information glaring at anyone who neared her. He finally got up the nerve to speak sitting beside her.

I have never heard anyone speak like that to a dean... it was... quite... impressive... if not a little... frightening.

She simply looked over at him then back to her research for a moment before speaking.

What cultures are your primary focus in your historical studies?

 

[Asa]

She smiled at his insight.

You forget the dine in the arctic circle was intact a member of a tribe of desert dwellers called the Anasazi. He was from all translations trying to "return the curse" to the Gods. The find also proved that it was a ravenous virus that wiped them out.

Then as if the matter was closed she went back to her reading. Once in Cairo she hailed a local taxi and went only briefly to the hotel in a historic part of town as she smiled to an old man at the doorstep.

Hello old friend.

She smiled and hugged the old man.

You are here.like the others. The necklace aren't you my friend? Oh and who is this that I see with you?

My university assigned assistant Max. Max this is Hatkan. Hatkan who else is here about the necklace?

The old man smirked and pointed over her shoulder as she turned around and snarled.

BAXTER!!!

A punch Hatkan nor Baxter saw coming as her left fist connected with the smug Baxter.

What dilettante or corrupt private collector send you here?

Cassidy... while I may or may not deserve that is that any way to treat an old friend? You remember how... close we got in Belize... dont you?

We were never close.

Cassidy growled and turned grabbing Max by the collar and storming off.

Insufferable egomaniac fortune hunting con man.

She hissed and climbed into a jeep rental.

 

[Asa]

Rival relic hunter. Slime only finds items for the highest bidder private collectors who will lock the ancient treasures instead of placing them in a museum.

A glare at the words of Baxter being an ex.

No but if he is on the trail we have to hurry and find the necklace. He necklace is rumored to be the necklace used by a Greek prince to mentally control a rival princess to help start a war. When his father was seeking peace. The princess was killed for her troubles but not before someone stole the necklace and fled to Egypt according to a recently discovered manuscript in an Egyptian archive. A letter to the prince letting him know the necklace was safe and hidden.

Her driving and control would have made even the best race car driver proud as she followed what looked like it could have been a road.

 

[Asa]

The messenger was intercepted before he ever left Egypt. So the letter never made it to the prince but the person he sent to hide the necklace also wrote in a combination of Greek and a cursive hieroglyph hybrid. We are going to Take the copy I was sent to someone who should be able to translate it. An associate of mine Naveed. He is in a village a few miles out of town. There are no hotels but the villagers have tents travelers can use but it's one tent per group.

Once they arrived it became clear that Naveed seemed to be some sort of peacekeeper as the older gentleman was in the process of throwing someone out of the cafe.

Naveed...

Cassidy called out as she stepped over the large man in fatigues laying in the dirt.

Cassidy... My friend. So you bring a guest with you. I am Naveed probably the least exciting friend of our dear Cassidy. Please come in Cassidy knows the way to my private table I will join you with food and drink in a moment.

 

[Asa]

She lifted a brow.

This is why I never take on an assistant. I always get an a pandemic who is not used to working in the field.

Naveed just chuckled and looked to Max.

Pay our Cassidy no mind you are no longer in school young man... this is her world.

They ste and drank half the evening and then Cassidy collected up the tent and supplies and back to the jeep.

Let's go.

 

[Asa]

She just laughed and shook her head going well past the camp ground and into the desert.

Will you stop worrying I am sure there is plenty of room. If you are so worried sit by the fire and there are two sleeping bags in the supplies.

She rolled her eyes slightly and finally stopped as it grew darker.

We will camp here for the night. I'll get the tent you start the fire? Or which one do you actually know how to do?

 

[Asa]

What exactly did Dean Corbin tell you about me?

She knew she was nothing like any professor this young man had ever dealt with. She had spoken enough times to the glares of the old tweed suited men who were shocked at her knowledge and her preference of being in the field than the classroom. The tent was set up quickly and she had stepped inside to arrange the gear before returning to the fire. Carrying the field rations and a small coffee pot she sat down waiting for an answer.

 

[Asa]

She barely stifled a chuckle at how the dean had sugar coated everything. He had on more than one occasion told her or her secretary that she was the most infuriating grey hair causing insane dedicated beyond qualified headache he had ever had the fortune and misfortune to work with ever.

Yeah I prefer to travel light and one person is lighter than two but I knew he would eventually draw his line in the sand. Question is who was the line drawn for... you or me?

She took a drink of her coffee.

As.for you... family money... sibling you tolerate the existence of you have not left school since you started in preschool. An interest in history that rivals some of my grad students. Rarely set foot off of any of your campuses unless it was school sanctioned travel. Dahlia emailed me your file.

She sighed.

So everything I have read tells me you have no clue what to do in the field. You have the book smarts but you also hide in those books... why? No mention of any girlfriend past or present so some o the cultures we encounter will be a very big shock to you. Depending on how this goes maybe I can convince Dean Corbin to allow you to cover teaching ly classes labs and lectures safely there on campus... would that be better?

 

[Asa]

My minor was psychology sorry just old habit. You want to be in the field...with me doing what I do? Be ready to be shot at, traps, snakes scorpions, unfriendly natives, rival relic hunters getting us arrested and all manner of things like that and more. People can get killed in the field I have seen it.

She stood walking back into the tent and going to bed.

 

[Asa]

She was ot sure what to say. Her life was always her work. It wasn't right to get involved with an assistant. Travel light no attachments no distractions no people to worry about or worry about her.

I dont care if you have a girlfriend or not. Merely making an observation. As for the other things you have said I have just met youas your presence gets forced on me by the dean and now this... I do not know if this will work at all.

 

[Asa]

What in the hell were you expecting to happen... sex... because of some crush you have from seeing me st talks or books of televised lectures? Talking about wanting a person right out the gate that barely met you. Is that professionalism where you come from? Field work is not some romantic thing like the movies make it out to be got it. You want a plane ticket you got it and you will be covering the lecture on pre-dynastic China Monday morning for my Sophmore class at 9 am got it.

I have seen people get killed in the field being focused on other things. I have nearly been killed when having people I have been told I have to have with me killed because they dont know a damn thing about being in the field. I do not need someone so hung up on their hormones and ego on a hunt with me that could get themselves or me killed or both. And I will NOT deal with someone constantly talking about wanting me or whatever other stuff such as that.