Eli's hostess joined her, her eyes alight with purpose. "The 'Codex Astralis'", she began, "contains more than mere words. They are pathways to the celestial. Within their inked constellations lie the keys to love, longing, and the very fabric of existence."

Amidst breathtaking splendour, Sylvia's mother reverently produced the 'Codex Astralis' for Eli's wonderstruck inspection. Élise's words echoed in her mind: 'Penny, within these pages lies cosmic magic. Our ancestors wove their desires into stardust. Guard it well.' Tracing her fingers over the journal's cover—a constellation etched in gold—Lady Penelope felt the weight of time. An artefact of timeless wisdom, the leather-bound tome now lay open upon her mahogany table.

As Lady Penelope opened the book, the room seemed to hold its breath once more. Eli leaned closer, her heart racing. The language of stars unfolded before her—the poetry of galaxies, the prose of nebulae. Each stroke of the quill resonated with cosmic significance.

The yellowed pages bore inked secrets. Each stroke held cosmic resonance, and as Lady Penelope read, the constellations whispered their stories. With the universe cradled in her hands, the 'Codex Astralis' was revealed as a celestial guide to kindling love and longing.

And so, Eli began her journey—a dance with the heavens, guided by Lady Penelope's enigmatic wisdom. The study walls seemed to lean in, listening, as the young woman traced her fingers over the celestial maps. Orion, Cassiopeia, Draco—they whispered their stories, and Eli vowed to heed their call.

That may be difficult as they probably haven't dropped yet.

This would sort them out Mick

Quote from: Papyrus on Yesterday at 05:08:52 PMThe only thing that makes me feel old is when they say that things like Bridge over Troubled Water came out 55 years ago.

I felt really old when, on the quiz programme 'Pointless', it was obvious some didn't recognise Chuck Berry from a picture of him
Ding-a-ling

Being aged 90, I suspect I may be the oldest on the forum, I started N gauge when I retired from the RAF at age 40, so that's 50 years modelling N, my NGS number is 4 figures starting with a 2.
 My first railway model however was a Hornby 0 gauge clockwork 0-4-0T for Christmas when I was about 4 or 5, followed a year later by a 3 rail Electric Hornby Flying Scotsman - not exactly true to scale the model was 4-4-2 not 4-6-2. No scenics just bare track on the floor. That lasted until I was about 15 then nothing until my sons had some Hornby Dublo for Christmas in the late 50s, they never showed much interest though.

I joined my first railway society . Not long past... 49 years ago.
A couple of years ago people started asking me about the running of my sailing club, even committee members.. I've only been a member 44 years. I know members who were founders..in 1938 I did know and raced against founders of the original sailing club which was in 1910...

I used to say to a youngster trying to advise me on computers,  I soldered a computer together before your parents were born, now I say it was before your grandparents were born... And was living in Bletchley Park before that ( just)

24 Guests! A New Record!

I'm 75, but I admit to no more than late middle age...

The only thing that makes me feel old is when they say that things like Bridge over Troubled Water came out 55 years ago.

Cheers,

Chris

Eli's mind drifted back to that enchanted afternoon spent within the hallowed confines of Lady Penelope's study. The memories unfolded with the vividness of scenes plucked from the most wondrous of fables...

Lady Trevelver stood in front of the door, a vision of elegance and mystery. Her gown, a deep shade of crimson, clung to her form like a second skin. The fabric seemed to absorb the ambient light, casting a warm glow upon her features.

Her eyes, dark and knowing, met Eli's with a silent invitation. "Welcome", she murmured, her voice a low contralto that resonated along the Castle corridor. "You've come seeking celestial answers, haven't you?"

Eli nodded, her nerves fluttering like trapped birds. "Yes, Lady Penelope. The clutch—I need to understand its powers and purpose."

The heavy oak door swung open, revealing a room steeped in antiquity. The air held the scent of aged parchment and the faintest whisper of beeswax. Eli stepped across the threshold, her breath catching as she took in the opulence before her.

Bookshelves lined the two longest walls, sagging under the weight of leather-bound tomes and ancient scrolls. The towering mahogany shelves lining the oak-panelled walls fairly groaned under the weight of innumerable ancient tomes and sun-faded leather-bound volumes. Scrolls inscribed with the spidery calligraphy of scholars long turned to dust lay nestled in timeless repose alongside their sturdier kin.

In the far corner stood the grandfather clock, crafted from handsomely aged mahogany. Its brass-wrought face overseeing the flow of mundane and celestial time alike. Each swing of its relentless pendulum tolled out in mesmeric rhythm, a percussive heartbeat driving the inexorable march of seconds into minutes, minutes into hours, and hours into days.

Her hostess's smile was both indulgent and mysterious. She extended a hand, and Eli hesitantly placed her own within its delicate grasp. "Come in", she said, leading past a wall adorned with ancestral portraits. Each stern-faced ancestor seemed to scrutinise the young woman, as if assessing her worthiness.

Where Eli embodied youthful vibrancy and hesitant wonder, her hostess radiated an aura of power, confidence, and self-possession, befitting her noble lineage. Tall and possessing a statuesque, feline grace in her movements, Lady Trevelver's hourglass figure and ample, womanly curves were accentuated by the elegant column cut of the rich crimson sheath hugging her form.

Despite being unmistakably in her late forties, she remained strikingly beautiful. Her features were graced with an ageless, almost preternatural quality. Her dark brown eyes smouldered with intensity and self-assurance. Framed by elegantly arched brows that sloped in subtly beckoning curves, they hinted at realms of secrets and sensual delights lurking beneath her regal facade.

Raven tresses cascaded past Lady Penelope's shoulders in lustrous waves, each shining strand seemingly spun from the purest, most sumptuous silk. Her olive-hued skin, flawless and radiant, bore only faint laughter lines at the corners of her eyes and impeccably carved lips.

Compared to this epitome of sophistication, Eli felt like an uncertain fledgling struggling to unfurl her wings for the first time. Yet it was Lady Trevelver who had invited her there to learn about her clutch's infinite cosmic powers.

"Here", Sylvia's mother gestured to a plush armchair near the window. Sunlight filtered through the heavy burgundy curtains, illuminating dust motes suspended in the air. "Sit. The 'Codex Astralis' awaits."

Eli sank into the chair next to the ornate desk at the room's centre. Upon it lay the fabled tome—a leather-bound relic that seemed to pulse with cosmic energy. Its pages, yellowed and fragile, held secrets inscribed by hands, long turned to dust.

How old is old? I'm 67 but I don't feel old, but I suspect there are many younger than me that do. It's down to mind and body and luck I think......

 
I had my only pensioners meal when I wasn't even 60, with my wife and friends who were all well under 60! I've only managed free bus travel since actually becoming a state pensioner.....must try harder!

Dave