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

Oh Dannyboy, thank you; I thought everybody was being silenced.

Quote from: The Q on Today at 12:17:48 PMhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce991j48q72o.amp
Ok not N gauge, but I've been a member of the SRPS / Bo'ness and Kineill railway for um... 49 years..

What a great looking layout. Shame I never saw it on a visit a couple of years ago.
I guess even if they catch the scumbags responsible there'll be the usual smack on the hand

Such a sad reflection on how respect for other people and property is shown these days. And it will not get any better due to the lenient system we have now - but that is for another topic. 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce991j48q72o.amp
Ok not N gauge, but I've been a member of the SRPS / Bo'ness and Kineill railway for um... 49 years..

We live in a time when intelligent people are being silenced, so that stupid people won't be offended.

No issue using Firefox on Win 11...
Something browser specific?? 

"Thank you", Eli whispered, her voice a soft melody. "What you have created for me, Sylvie, is a gift beyond measure. An empress among ingénues—I'll carry those words with me like a secret talisman."

"Eli, darling, you are a vision tonight," Sylvie said, admiring the way the silk chiffon gown draped elegantly over Eli's curves. "That gown was crafted for one as lovely as you."

A demure blush bloomed on Eli's cheeks as she smiled shyly. "Merci, Sylvie. But you take my breath away – your long, dark waves cascading down your back, and that crimson gown brings out the fire in your eyes. You and Jeremy make the perfect pair."

Sylvie's smile took on a conspiratorial air. "Ah yes, Jeremy is a fine man. But my dear Eli, I could not help but notice the spark between you and Giles earlier. There's a new light in your eyes, a longing. What stirs your heart so?"

Eli hesitated, worrying her full bottom lip briefly before replying. "Giles... he understands me in a way no other man has before. When he looks at me, it's as though he sees into the depths of my soul. I'm drawn to him, body and mind. The thought of giving myself over to him completely terrifies me, yet sets my heart racing with anticipation."

Leaning in, Sylvie placed a reassuring hand on Eli's arm. "Love weaves a tapestry from vulnerability and trust, ma chérie. Giles recognises your desires, your fears, and your dreams. Tonight, as we prepare for the Ball, remember – surrendering to love does not diminish us but empowers us. Open yourself fully to the depths of connection you share with Giles. Let passion and intimacy envelop you both."

"You're right, Sylvie", Eli whispered fervently. "Tonight, I'll walk into that grand hall hand-in-hand with Giles and embrace the unknown. Our love will be the foundation for the rich, fulfilling life that awaits us."

In the flickering glow of the firelight, Sylvie and Eli shared their deepest secrets, baring their hearts. While the grand Ball beckoned, in that intimate dressing room, they discovered something far more precious—the transformative promise of true love.

Sylvie smiles; her eyes filled with a newfound understanding. "Eli, you're a woman who knows what she wants. And I'm here to help you get it."

Eli blushes, her cheeks flushing with a mix of embarrassment and excitement. "I don't know what to say", she stammers. "Thank you, Sylvie."

As Sylvie's words washed over her, Eli felt a tide of yearning rise within her breast. Her confession had unlocked a door to a world of intimacies and passions she had scarcely allowed herself to imagine. Yet, with her dearest friend's supportive presence, those whispered dreams now blazed with the promise of becoming reality.

Arrayed in their evening finery, the two women exuded a heady confidence and excitement they had never before experienced. Tonight, they would embrace adventure and explore untraveled vistas of love and closeness. And so it was that Sylvia and Eli set forth eagerly, ready to bring Eli's deepest desires to incandescent life.

As the orchestral strains of the final tuning came from below, Eli stood before the mirror, surveying her appearance one final time. Trembling fingers traced the elegant coiffure, smoothing the sumptuous silk of the midnight blue gown that embraced her womanly curves. Each resonant tick of the castle clocktower brought her closer to the brink of transformation. Reckless longing warred with deep-seated fear – would the flames she hoped to ignite in Giles' soul consume the cherished pieces of her world entire? Drawing a steadying breath, Eli turned from her reflection, her choice made. She was ready to leap forward into the life-altering risk that awaited.

Quote from: ntpntpntp on Yesterday at 05:29:26 PMFor a little while now I've noticed when I use Add Image to Gallery and fill in the photo details on the pop-up window, it doesn't redirect back to the main window where I'm writing the post?    It always used to work as I'd expect, except if there was an error uploading the photo in which case the editor page would be displayed with a red error message. I'm not seeing any error and the uploaded photos are being placed in my gallery ok.  So I have to go and get the links from there. 

I suppose I could/should just add photos from the gallery screens anyway, especially if adding a bunch

Up to date Google Chrome browser on Windows 10.

This has been happening to me frequently for the past 6 months. Sometimes it doesn't happen. I came to the conclusion that it might be that it isn't working at times when the forum is busy with traffic.