Don Diego de la Vega was cold. Not ridiculously cold, mind. England was a lovely country (especially the countryside), but it quite simply did not get as warm as Los Angeles, or even Spain. But at least the brick walls of the British Museum kept what warmth there was inside. Still, Diego didn't remove his coat, and neither did his faithful manservant, Bernarndo as they strolled about the museum's wings, gazing upon art and artifacts from around the world.
"It is a wonder," he mused out loud to the mute Bernardo. It was refreshing to be permitted to talk to him in public. Back home, they pretended he was deaf as well as mute, so he could be Diego's secret ears. But the need for that ruse - Diego's vigilante counterpart of Zorro - was left back in California.
At least, that was what Diego had been hoping for when he'd booked passage to England. Unbeknownst to him at the time, Bernardo had packed his Zorro costume, rapier, and whip, as well as his pistol. All things Diego had hoped to leave at home. He was on vacation! he had argued when he found out during the sea voyage. There was no need for Zorro in England!
But, Bernardo had argued back in his sign language, crime was everywhere, especially large cities.
Diego had rolled his eyes, but relented. What was he going to do, throw it all overboard? Hardly. Still, he had no intention of donning his costume here in England. England's crime was not his problem.
It had been two weeks, and Diego had yet to become Zorro here. He hated injustice, and turning a blind eye to the obvious crime he saw (he'd trained himself to see) was difficult, but he was on vacation, damn it! He deserved this time off!
Right now, though, at this very moment, he was engrossed in the Mexican gallery. The artifact before them was a stunning mosaic of a double-headed serpent. The scales were made of bits of turquoise, and they caught the light enchantingly.
"I do not think that even I would have the patience to create this masterpiece. Painting, I can do, but this?" He shook his head. "No, my friend. And to think, this is practically from California's backyard!"