-Malayasian Expedition- (Closed..Sinful and Dimitri)

[Sinful_whispers]

(In Malayasia)

It was late morning and after a good rain.Rustling begins in the forest canopy above the swampy land, in a small area of Malaysia.A flying squirrel glided from tree to tree in search of a safe haven to eat.As it did the a few feathery birds scattered about.As the sun rose you could hear the sound of the crimson-winged woodpecker tap-tap-tapping away.The crying sound of the Grey-headed fishin eagle echoed about, near the lake.If one knew their bird calls you as well heard the Black and Crimson Oriole with a voice as beautiful as the nightingale that stole the Chinese Emperor's heart away.On more solid grounds the wild animals were stirring about.Elephants within the rivers bathing and tiger hiding within the jungle, in search of their next meal.A family of wildboars scrounging for grubs on the wet, muggy forest floor.Black as well as yellow cobras hidden beneith the dead leaves and the tall undergrowth.

Within the dark vast jungle lies a lake hidden by tall overgrowth about it.Deep within the still, dark water lies an ancient kingdom that once ruled the land around the lakes.Legends told by local tribes say the ancient city was deliberatly flooded to avoid being invaded by enemies.To this day the underwater kingdom has remained elusive to mankind.They called it at one time.."The City Of Gold.".If it was ever to be found true, it would be an archaelologists golden ring.

Tribal males sit about and tell stories of the ancient city as well as the guardian of it.There are always stories to tell of strange creatures that make their home in the underwater caves, deep in the bowels of the black waters.Elders say if one makes it thru the swampy jungle, they will never make it past the old dragon still guards the waters and has been there since the birth of the lake, a long, long time ago. They tell tall tales of the old plantations that run along both sides of the lake.They tell about the missing biologists, archaeologists,scirentists as well as all the poachers that once entered and never returned.

Guides are far and few between about the lake.Most will no longer enter the river valleys that lead to the dead ended swamps.The enterance ways you will see beautiful white water lilies and pink lotus gardens.Thick reed beds that grow from the forested areas.The depth wasn't what one had to worry about..not knowing what lurks beneath the surface was a little more unnerving.An assortment of poisonous snakes, some that reached 18 feet in length and crocodiles.Outside the waters were just as dangerous, quicksand, deep suckling mud and carniverous plants were three other things that took lives.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
(back in the states)

Friday morning, the end of the week. Syn sat behind her desk reading all the faxes MG sent her circling about the time up to her father leaving for the Malaysia Expedition. As the fax machine was spitting them out she was grabbing them up placing the pages in order.MG was sending them to her as quick as she was reading and copying them.MG worked as an assistant biologist to Syn's father, many years ago.Professore DelSole was teaching in a prominate Ivy League college when Syn was a young girl.He had went on many trips abroad to various places.Africa, Asia,Peru, Costa Rica, the list was endless to her.The faxes finally ended and she had read and copied the last one.Closing her eyes as she sat back in her high leather-back chair, she could remember all the little trinkets he used to bring back with him, gifts for her.

Professor DelSole's last expedition was with a group of five others in his field and two associated with it.They planned a two month trip to Malaysia, to search for 'The City Of Gold', to prove it did exist.A journey many others made for the same reasoning, and like him and the others, never returned from.They were to live among the local tribe,The orang Jakun , and be guided by the best of guides.He sent home a few letters telling her mother how the trip was, then suddenly nothing.Months ..then years went by, and he and the others were presumed dead.They had found only a few articals within the dense, dark forest area that belonged to the group, and shipped them back in a box to the university.

Her Soft fingertip ran aong the spine of the worn,damaged,thin leather-bound journal.Flipping the cover open as she leaned forth and re-read the first page...

~We arrived safely in Malaysia, it was the beginning of monsoon season.Meeting our guide whom seemed of Indian Descent,Batin.The was an elder of the Jukan tribe, the headman of the village as well asthe best guidesman for this journey.He lead us throught the first part of the expiedition,the outter rainforest where we spent one nite in tents.Fresh drinking water was gotten by means of cutting thick vines where water ran through. We were filled in about the kingdom underwaters treasures, which three of the others seemed rather interested in.Us other four were more interested in 'finding it', proving it did exist.Maybe it was a bad idea to bring them.Maybe we four would regret it..in then end...

The next day we woke and began a trek through a section of the secondary jungle that runs into tracks of palm oil plantations and old rubber plantations and then into another run of secondary jungle fringing the lake area.Batin, a quiet elderly man who walks stealthily, speaks only when he has to and is ever watchful for any movement around. Every now and then he would stop, listening quietly to the clicking and chattering up in the canopy. If you don't speak Malay then it's best to go with one of the three elders of the village that did.We now headed for the lake the Kingdom was within as folklores told about...~

Syn closed the journal, placed it in her briefcase and began to write a letter to a close friend of hers...

~Glory, I am headed to Malaysia..to search where my father had last been.I'm leaving you a note so at least you will know my whereabouts in case I don't return.I have a living will in the safe at the house.Will miss you but I really need to do this for my sanity.IF he is alive I will find him.I will be leaving in two weeks, I need to tie up a few loose ends with the magazine, and buy a few things for the trip..like everything.Love you, thanks for always being there.....xoxo Syn~

Syn started her calls, tying up all her loose ends with the high profile magazine she worked for.Sending emails as well making sure all her contacts knows she will no longer be available, and moving on to find those answers.Settling back in her leather office chair she grabbed a couple boxes and tossed all of her personal stuff within them, and addressed then to herself, knowing they would be there tomorrow at her home.Getting up, she shut the lights off, left a note on the office door for mail pick up, grabbed her briefcase and closed the door behind her, heading home.She was thinking about this for a long time now, and at 40 years old, not married, and physically fit, it was time to close this book somehow, someway.Going alone wasn't the smartest thing to do, but how many would go along?She thought of a few names but, none like her had the experience and she didn't wish to risk anyone really for this trip.If anything she needed an experienced adventursome person.

Dressed casual in jeans , t-shirt and boots,her long hair dangling down,she made a stop at the sporting goods store and began to browse about, taking mental note of what she will need.Her list was stuffed in the poclet of her jeans.Syn knew as soon as she got that list out and began filing it, there was no turning back.As she strolled about looking things over, her fingertips gripped the paper in her pocket pulling it out.A young man about 22 caught her attention.He was quite handsom, in a young way.Gawd, she thought to herself, was she that horny a youngin' turned her on, gave her a fire in her loins?She always had a thing for tall men, dark hair, that touch of Italian.Her question was answered as she gazed over him, studying him.Not sure he worked for the store or not, she headed his way, she needed assistance, and tid-bits of info wouldnt be such a bad thing.

Stopping aside him she spoke softly yet has a bit of confidence about herself."Hello,Excuse me.. I'm wondering if you work here or if your a customer?"

 

[Dimitri669]

Continued...

A customer, actually.." he replied, in a low-keyed and calming voice with a mild Italian accent. He turned to face her, glancing momentarily at her boots then back up to the long hair that flowed from her head, obviously impressed with the mature and yet ample curves.

"I'm browsing around for a new rifle, actually." the young man remarked, turning to face her.

"My last one was damaged in a most unfortunate accident involving me running at high speeds and diving into bodies of water to...well nevermind that now."

He turns, now facing her allowing her full glance of him. He seemed fairly tall, around 6', and had an average build. It was obvious that he was not rippled with muscles, but still seemed pleasing to look at. His dark and handsom face was covered ever-so-slightly with dirt, and a very obvious 5 o'clock shadow nested on his cheeks. He was wearing a pair of dark camo pants, riddled with pockets and various gadgets. Above his waist was a dark brown leather utility belt, that blended nicely with the dark grey long-sleeved shirt he wore. He smiles brightly and reaches out an inviting handshake, offering no hesistation.

"Hey nice to meet you by the way, I'm Lorenzo...err, Piero Lorenzo, but most people just call me Pilo...and who might you be?"

He stops for a moment, pausing to look over her features once more, keeping his hand extended as he awaits a response.

 

[Sinful_whispers]

Syn looked upwards, letting her deep blue orbs look into his of color as she watched his lips move when he spoke.Her hand moved forth as she placed it within his own, curling her fingers about his as she gave him a shake in greeting."Well hello Lorenzo..or Piero..whichever you prefer." She laughed softly as her hand held within his for a few seconds of time."Tis a pleasure to meetcha', I'm Syn." Her hand slipped from his as she crossed her arms loosely against her stomach, right under her breasts, not wanting to give off a bad body action, she smiled as she listened to him speak.

Her eyes dropped down his attire, as she was dressed like a man ready for action and adventure, something she was looking for..but pushed that thought from her head.He reminded her of...Michael Douglas in the Romancing the stone, only a younger version."Anyways, I was looking for some major assistance today, the salesman will love the commossion on my sale, as long as he knows what I need, cause I'm not even sure I know to be honest."

Glacing about for a saleman, she turned back to him.He semi towered her a bit at her 5'5 frame, and his quite a few inches more.Her eyes gazed along his defined rough features.She liked that rugged look upon a man.Either liked em' clean cut and in a suit, or the total opposite, rugged , jeans and boots, but always clean smelling.He was quite handsom in that rugged way."Well, that's one of the things I guess I will be needing to buy, and learn to use quickly.Hmm..thought one wasn't to run with guns? Oh?, the adventuresome type, very nice."Giving a few off the way thought that ran thru her head she decided what the hell ask, since there was nobody to assist her."Ever been to Malayasia by chance?"

 

[Dimitri669]

Piero glanced down at her hand as she curled her fingers around his own, admiring the softness of her touch, yet firmness in her shake.

"My friends call me Pilo." he replied with a delectable smile, feeling her hand in his own as he shook it and continued in very proper English, "It's a pleasure to meet you, as well."

He stared momentarily and watched as her arms folded loosly under he stomach, glancing for a second at her breasts as they perked up from the pressure of her arms. Listening to her words about requiring assistance, and overhearing the word 'commission', he fixed his gaze back into her blue eyes finally snapping to reality and comprehending what she said.

"Oh uh..what exactly were you shopping for?" he asks, inching slightly closer, and reaching out onto the shelf to examine the price tag of one of the random items placed there.

He glanced at her again before she spoke, admiring the youthfulness in her developed features and admiring the experience and wisdom behind her eyes.

Piero raises his hand in the air and turns his head momentarily, saying something toward one of the shopkeepers, "Il commesso, questa donna fine sta cercando l'assistenza." He turns his glance back to Syn, after hearing her reply on running with a rifle.

"Normally it's not something I do, but that particular day...it was quite the adventure." hearing her question, he continues.

"Actually, I have been to Malaysia... have you heard of the Mulu caves in Gunung Mulu? I've been there before...on work. An old German Archaeologist named Ulbrecht Stein hired me to keep an eye on things while he dug for something important. That was one of the more harmless adventures, I suppose." he replies with a smile.

"Why do you ask?" he says curiously, turning to face her again as he slides one of his hands into the side pocket of his pants.

 

[Sinful_whispers]

Her eyes followed his, watching them drop along her to their hands as they shook, her eyes raised, moving along his lower stomach, his well defined chest, that strong jawline till his eyes were once again looking within her own."Well then I guess Pilo it is then and it's a mutual pleasure."She could still feel his hand in hers even thou it wasn't.He was indeed a very nice looking man, one that you could look at for a bit of time, one that you would admire from afar if in a resturant.Where your drawn to him for some reason..perhaps animal magnetisim.

Syn laughed, the question should be.."what am I not here for. Honestly, I have no clue, I'm planning a trip where I've never been to, have NO idea what I'm getting into and to top it off a different country."Watching him fiddle about with a tag on a item, noting his muscluar arm, she followed it along making contact with his eyes once more.Her stomach fluttered as she glazed over him.Her head cocked a bit as she reached up and ran her fingers thru the long strands, feeling them slip thru her fingers and fall back upon her shoulder again.Her brow raised as she heard him speak a different language other than English...he only got better in her eyes.If he was out to impress her he was doing just that.

" No I haven't, I really only know a small bit about Malaysia.My father went on expedition there as well..Interesting.He and a few others went and never returned actually.I imagine it was probably something related to the Lost city, tis why most Scientists, Archaeologists ect ect go there.Each looking for the golden ring, persay."Her full lightly colored pink lips curled up about the ends as she smiled to him, returning his.Watching him turn to her, as she sighs softly.

" I'll be headed there in two weeks or less.It's been something I have wanted to do for a long time.Figured I'd better do it now, while I have the 'balls' to go forth and actually do it.To make a long story short..I have wandered for years if my father was possibly alive.I mean they sent me his belongings and such but, gut feeling has always been there, mebe it's sheer stupidity to think he may have lived.I have all the papers from what he was wroking on at the time, and whatever else i need to trace his footsteps...so now you know."

Syn turned a bit, as her arms dropped, her fingers tucked into the pockets of her jeans..pushing the piece of paper back in as she waited for assistance.She allowed him a side outline of her body, as she stood there, and shuffled her feet a bit, hearing her stomach growl, adding a note of embarassment on her part as it was rather loud."Sorry, had so much happening today, I forgot about lunch I guess."

 

[Dimitri669]

Pilo notices Syn eyeing him discreatly as they speak, blushing to himself. Knowing that she was 'eyeing him' caused a feeling of excitement and anxiety to wash over him leaving him forgetting about the reason for even being in the store. He raised an eyebrow curiously and listened as she spoke of her reasons for being here.

"I have moments like that..." he replied, noticing her fingers curling through her long golden strands.. "..days when you forget what you're doing in a place, or what you're looking for even.."

Pilo turned a curious look as he listened to Syn explain her situation involving Malaysia, regarding her father and his adventures... Pilo even wondered for a moment if he had 'adventured' with her father in days past, but no recolection came to mind.

"I admire that you're willing to take such a risk to find your father, Syn." Pilo replied, placing his hand gently on her upper arm as he nodded. "Two weeks isn't much time, but you should be able to make any preperations you need by then."

He watched as she turned and placed her hands in her pocket, taking a moment to admire the outline of her veluptious body... her soft curves and slender figure. Pilo giggled quietly as he heard the feminine "growl" from her stomach, trying desperately to mask his amusement as she explained herself.

"Don't be embarassed... I know a place, it's not far from here. 'Giro del Italia' -- it means 'Tour of Italy', I know the owner, Mario. I think he'll take care of us...if you'd like to get something to eat?" Pilo suggested, turning fully to face her, awaiting her decision.

 

[Sinful_whispers]

Syn could feel his eyes upon her as she stood there awaiting assistance.She deserved it she thought she was 'checking' him out as well, feeling a bit embarassed herself as she knew he had caught that.Oh well, she thought he was indeed a handsom specimin of a male.Nice looking 'eye candy'."Yea, but lately it seems to be happening to me an awful lot.I can't concentrate at work, i'm letting things just 'go'.My mind seems to be a million miles away.." she sighed softly as she spoke.

"Nothing to really admire, I can't explain this feeling inside.I've had it for years.I don't know if it's because I've had no closure with his death or the fact He is still alive and I feel him.I know that must sound stupid to another.I figure Mothers have them with daughters, and sons, so why can't..couldn't I have one , a bond like that with my father?"She shuffled her feet about as her stomach once again sounded off.Looking to him as she listened to him speak, her head nodded in reply to his offer about lunch.Even though she hadn't known him for more than ten-fifteen minutes, she figured it was safe to have lunch in the open with him.He didn't seem to have any sort of bad vibes coming from him.

Feeling his hand upon her upper arm, she felt a spark within, in her mind she knew it was more or less her having a non-existant sex life the past year or so.Her work schedual was heavy, traveling about, no time to herself for anything..needless to say the love life and anything that went with it suffered dramatically." Okay, I haven't ate a good Italian meal in forever I think.Well, only if you count Stouffers, that you can toss in the microwave.Believe it or not..I can cook, I just had no time, or I was tired..I have alot of excuses, the main one being..why cook a meal for one? So, your answer is..yes,Pilo' I'd love to have lunch with you.Perhaps you can enlighten me and go over my list of what i need.If you would be interested in hearing the story..I'd not wish to bore you." A smile appeared upon her face as she turned to the door."Care to lead the way?"

 

[Dimitri669]

"I know how that can be." Pilo replied, to her comment about spacing out. "It can be difficult to focus on anything, really, when you're always thinking about something.." he continued, keeping a bashful eye on her as they spoke.

Pilo listened quietly to her words, watching her lips and gazing into her inviting eyes. He surpressed another giggle as the sound of her stomach gurgled quietly in the store.

"I am sure you will love the place. It's called, 'Tour of Italy' and I know the owner, Mario." Pilo reminded her as he listened to her reasons for not cooking. "I don't think I've had a home cooked meal in...well forever." Pilo sighed, looking at his watch for a moment and then nodding to her. "I'd be more than happy to go over some of the items you might need, depending on where you're heading."

Pilo took a few steps forward and neared the end of the aisle, turning his head toward the exit and moving through the large double doors of the sporting goods store. He turned momentarily, noticing the long and confident strides of the blonde in towe. He slowed his paces for a moment to allow her time to catch up and they pushed out from the store and onto the sidewalk of the busy city.

Cars drove past in regular fashion of midday traffic. Cabbies shouted to pedestrians and pedestrians slapped the hoods of the cabs that cut them off. The cold air lingered in the afternoon Manhatten air, and birds were rare to be seen on the streets. Pilo tucked his hands in the pockets of his dark camo pants remembering the cold.

As they walked quietly together, Pilo leading slightly, he turned his gaze to her again, smiling as he spoke, "The restaurant isn't far, about a 10 minute walk from here. So tell me this story?"

 

[Sinful_whispers]

She blushed as he spoke, his facial expressions telling all, he couldn't lie to save his soul she thought."Yea, we had beetter get going before my dayum stomach eats me from the inside out."Just as she finished saying that her mind realized that , what she had said didn't sound good at all.Quickly she turned and headed to the end of the aisle along with him and followed step.Changing the subject rather quickly as she blushed,"I'd really appreciate all the help I can get with this.I'm going in blind-sided, and thats no lie.I have traveled about sure, but nothing like this."

She moved along side him as she stepped thru the door first, letting him follow as she took his side again, feeling the bite in the air immediatly.Tucking her hands in her jacket poacket as he tucked his in his pants, she realized neither really prefered the coldness it seemed.Long dark locks blew about her face, from her tress.She kept reaching up so she wouldnt eat them as she began her story."I don't mind the walk.I get up eat morning at 4am, and run for 5 miles.The walk is refreshing."

Offering him a smile, "Okay depends on how much you wish to know.My father was a brilliant lecturer, in an ivy league college at one time.He had awards, doctrines, all the good stuff.He always loved adventure, and going far away places as far as I can remember back.Well there came this little bit of information that a close friend was doing some research and was looking for a few people to go with him on it.My father volunteered and six others.The find was about a lost city something or other.It was alot of things really, they were going on.My father hoped it would be the big find..that golden ring.He wasn't interested in the gold or anything, more the notorietly.I have paperwork and documents , maps, journals, everything up to the time he left, who went and what was planned."

Trying to catch a breath she knew she was just skimming over the details of it all.It probably didn't intrest him at all."Anyways, I was sent a box a bit of time afterwards that was found.His journal was in it, and I was reading over the enteries, and it made me wonder was he dead or alive.I honestly have NO idea what i'm really getting myself into.I know that, i'm not stupid or anything...well others think i am, but hell that's besides the point."She looked over him as they walked along and smiled.That shiver went up thru her spine once again, as her loins tingled.

 

[Dimitri669]

Pilo smiled at her comment about her stomach eating itself, he thought back to when he was much younger and about similar jokes he had made with friends when he was hungry.

"Don't mention it, about the help... I sort of..well, this is like my job, in a way." he replied, noticing her hands dive into her pockets as well as they left the store. He took a moment to himself and smiled as she struggled with her hair. He really loved her dark hair, the way it flowed on her face, and the way it complimented her figure. "I try to get out in the morning too, for a walk or a jog -- but I won't lie, I hate waking up early!" Pilo joked as the continued on.

Pilo listened attentively to all the details of her fathers dissaperance, right down to the excavation and the work they were doing. He seemed particularly curious at the parts mentioning the ring and the notority.

"I think there's a good chance you can find him Syn, I really do." Pilo says, shifting his glance down the street where a small banner hangs over the street: "Tour of Italy"

"Ahh, we're here."

Pilo walks toward the door, leaning forward as he grabs the handle to open it for her, feeling his arm brush up against her sends shivers down his spine.. he moves aside, opening the door and allowing her entry to the building.

 

[Sinful_whispers]

Syn laughs as she wasn't suprised that he wasn't a morning person."We're definatly opposite there thats for sure.My body clock has me up at 5am each morning no matter what the hell time I go to bed.There are days it's a blessing and there are those days when i wish I could throw the alarm out the window.Your job? Okay I'll bite what is your job exactly, helping damsels in distress?"

Looking up and down the block as they crossed one and stepped upon another she could see the banner waving about the breeze to the resturant. "There is a city buried beneith the water, many have tried to find it, Can you imagine what that find would be worth to an archaeologists, or to fortune hunters?God, anybody whom finds it would be set up for life.Have you ever heard of a tribe called the Orang Jakun? Thats the tribe that they were to live among.I'm no fool, I know there's alot of danger, danger that I could never even dream of.I'll be dealing with mudslides, tribes ,quicksand, mud, snakes, all the good things huh?"

Stepping aside she left him enough room for him arm to extend as he grasped the handle, and held the door open for her, as she slipped in it.Glancing about as she noted the red, green and white..the three Italian colors as well as the friendly faces coming towards them. "I take it your well known here huh?" Syn waited for for the greetings to take place as she stepped aside for him.

 

[Dimitri669]

Pilo nodded and smiled momentarily as he exchanged a few glances with some of the patrons of the resaurant.

"Ciao tutto" he cries out quietly, leaning back to her as he whispers quietly, "Hello everyone.."

He moves forward slightly, allowing her entry into the resteraunt. The smell of excellent Italian food is in the air, and the dimly lit resteraunt provided a sense of safety to Pilo that he could not explain.

He turned to Syn and pointed to a booth in the corner of the resteraunt, motioning to one of the waiters who obviously knew him.

"We can sit over there...that's normally where I go. It's away from all the 'hustle' of the resteraunt." he comments.

Pilo leads them to the table where he allows Syn to scoot into the booth quietly, while he scoots in next to her, glancing at her as he tilts his head to the side and asks quietly, "So what about this Orang Jakun tribe? I have never heard of them.." Pilo smiled as he asked, obviously curious of the 'treasures' that could be found there.

 

[Sinful_whispers]

He entered before her, as she laughed seeing how they were towards the handsom man that was escorting her to lumch, whom was giving up his valuable time to talk with her. To them he seemed like a celebrity, someone famous, it made her smile at the friendliness between them.

She followed his motion to a corner booth as the smell only caused her stomach to growl more in hunger, she was embarassed and glad with al the 'hoop-la' it couldnt be heard." Seems your famous with this Italian family, yyou even have your own booth.Oh, and a private one in the back too" Syn wanted to heckle him a bit, " You always bring you eating companions here and settle in the same booth with them all?" She gave him a smile and a wink of playfullness.

Syn took a seat, as she slid across it feeling him move in beside her as she moved a bit more giving him as well as her a bit of elbow room, NOT that she ninded him sitting close.His smell was a turn-on to her as wa his looks.Hell she thought if it were up to her he'd be in her bed this afternoon.


"Well the tribe is the protectors of the 'City Of Gold' and the areas about it.You couldn't even get one mile in that jungle without getting eaten, lost, stuck in quicksand without them.They speak english, least the elders do and from what I now know as do a few others that take their place when the time comes.They will offer you their hospitality as long as you respect their customs.Umm..let me see, they will take you so far, and from their you are on your own, they will meet you in the amount of days you tell them afterwards.You tell them a week, in a week your guide will be exactly where he left you.They don't stop others from searching for the city mind you. They just are afraid the monster from the deep will arise if the city is robbed.My father did akllot of research, he would have never taken this last trip if he didn't have proof it existed."


She watched as the waiter approached their table and smile as she aked for the drink order as well as what we were having She didn't need a menu, and she was sure he didnt as well, he probally knew it by heart. She ordered a glass of red wine for herself as well as an anti-pasta salad with breadsticks.Turning herself a bit to him, as she watched him place his order, her eyes running along his profile, as she subconsiencly licked her lips and spoke, "You are the man for adventure are you not?I have a feeling your like a young Indiana Jones type, just as handsom as well." This time she didn't blush, the feeling of embarassment was gone.