Before Lunch

JP with Redsword, mdman, Lorem, Lasersexpanther, Jaxx and Cindy

Elizabeth spotted the table containing Jackal, Sasha and Cronk, which wasn't particularly difficult.

Elizabeth and Sung went to the group. Elizabeth spoke up. "Greetings, may we join you?"

Elizabeth spotted the table containing Jackal, Sasha and Cronk, which wasn't particularly difficult.

Elizabeth and Sung went to the group. Elizabeth spoke up. "Greetings, may we join you?"

Dr. Jackal replied to Sasha, "I will do my best Ms. Lagrave." Then as they were greeted by Lady Elizabeth and Mr. Sung he stood up to greet them both with a slight bow as he replied, "Of course. Please join us. The service and coffee are top class." Dr. Jackal raised his cup before he sipped his coffee again. Then he asked, "So are we still waiting or will we be moving along again?"

"We are waiting on lunch to be ready, Doctor. After lunch we will be returning to the house. I believe everyone has their assignments for the rest of the day." Elizabeth responded in a friendly manner. A waitress came over and Elizabeth ordered a cup of Ceylon and Assam leaf tea with lemon.

Dr. Jackal had the waitress bring a new carafe of coffee for himself and a new mug of Irish coffee for Cronk while she was there. Dr. Jackal then sipped his coffee before he replied, "I see. If you keep spoiling me like this I might forget I still have a job to do back at the lab. I still have ten more vials of serum samples to test as well as any other evidence you bring to me. So I apologize if I miss out on any meetings you have." Dr. Jackal sipped his coffee as he savored the flavor with great delight.

"Forgive this question if it sounds silly but what is the appeal of consuming all that coffee? Aside from the flavor, you've established you enjoy that. I just do not see the appeal of having your nerves be so on edge." Sasha asked.

Dr. Jackal swallowed his coffee and wiped his mouth with a napkin before he spoke up, "Sorry if I come as an odd bird Ms. Lagrave. I first had coffee made by my dear late mother when I was staying up late to study for my exams. I remember how she was able to make it so warm and delicious for my father and I. Its one of my dear memories of her. Since then I had a love for coffee and it did aid me in my late night study sessions as well as my long days in the lab. I guess I grew addicted to it over time went on. Sadly after my accident I was deprived of it and came to realize how much I missed it. However, due to my current situation, I will have to live without a great many things in life, but great coffee is not one of them now that I am employed by Lady Elizabeth. As for being on edge........ ironically the coffee calms me down and allows me to focus better." Dr. Jackal sipped his coffee and smiled.

Sasha shook her head a bit. "Je suis désolé." she said apologizing. "I did not mean it like that." she said. "I just do not understand how people can drink something so bitter." she gave a small knowing look. "I meant no offence, I've asked many the same question. It makes my hand shake so I stay away, can't afford to be jitterly on my job."

Dr. Jackal smirked as he swallowed his coffee and replied, "No worries Ms. Lagrave. We live in a world with much variety in our foods and drinks these days simply because we all like different things in life. Despite having Tea Time in England, many people still have their own preference on what teas and snacks they prefer. Our diversity in preferences allows the market wheels of business to turn ever so well. I see no problem with any of us who have different tastes since its a normal thing in life. My love for coffee is not much different than Mr. Cronk's love for spirits and he seems to have quite the tolerance for it compared to us humans. If I consumed that much spirits I would be passed out in a compromising manner." Dr. Jackal looked at Cronk and raised his glass to him as he said, "Cheers Mr. Cronk."

Elizabeth listened to the conversation though the idea of having Tea time with coffee was incredibly foreign to her. She had been offering coffee at meals because she was well aware some team members drank it.

The waitress came out with their drinks. Elizabeth squeezed her lemon into her tea and put the wedge on the small plate given for such things and sipped her tea.

The pretty little gnome was practically skipping, yes skipping through the complex on her way from Gemma’s workstation to their lunch table. She was simultaneously humming a jolly good tune that she witnessed Gemma perform while working. After her presentation, Gemma and her were able to have an unobstructed conversation of all things engineering and particulars pertaining to the scope of the Baron approved projects. Then they had a more free conversation dealing with non work related matters why welding piping onto a steam engine hydraulic mounted to an elevator design Gemma was working on.

Her hair was slightly disheveled from the steam gusts, oil and smudge marks adorned her dress and face. There were even some slight burnt edges and cuts to her dress. Somehow she managed to make messy mechanic look cute. She waved to the group, though she didn’t think anyone saw her from a distance.

She finally made her way to their table and realized she was acting a bit too casual and spirited. The societal expectations for gatherings in public were much more structured than the usual ruckus of a machine shop. It was no doubt a result of Gemma’s charming personality and outgoing disposition that had rubbed off on Lorem.

Cronk was enjoying the camaraderie of the moment. He lifted host tankard to the Good Doctor and welcomed Lady Elizabeth and the Wise One to the small group.

He eyed Pretty Flower joyfully joining them, seeing the smudging upon her face. Cronk had assumed Lorem had gotten the invitation to blow up more things and stood too close to the blast. He was glad she was alright; it wouldn’t take much to blow the sweet gnome to smithereens. Ah yes, now there was a word Cronk heard often in Ireland. He said it often too when the Boss had sent him to collect money.

Grinning, Cronk said to Lorem, “Pretty Flower look like blowing up things!”

Elizabeth saw Lorem, and heard Cronk's words. "Miss Ipsum, I must admit you do look like you had a good time." No judgment from Elizabeth, she was certain after all Lorem was probably going to come home in all sorts of manner once she starts working on those projects.

Elizabeth sipped more of her tea, and thought to herself that the team was coming along nicely. They were still getting to know each and yes, she suspected perhaps still some distrust among some but overall things were not going badly when it came to team building.

A waitress brought over a chair for Lorem. On the side of the chair was there was a small lever that when pulled the flat side where the legs should be transformed out into tiny steps to get to one’s seat. Lorem inspected the simple, but oh so useful innovation. It reminder her that sometimes small things could be worth one’s attention. She walked up the little steps and took her seat with the others.

“We did have a good time.” She tried to contain her smile. To Cronk she said, “Not blowing things up this time, but putting them together with a welding torch.” She grinned and it had a hint of mischievousness.

“How was the rest of everyone’s tour?” She inquired.

Dr. Jackal smirked at Lorem as he raised his cup of coffee to her. He replied, "Just enjoying a small moment before some lunch and returning back to work Ms. Ipsum. Perhaps you might want to indulge yourself before our time here is up. Dr. Jackal then sipped his coffee again and grinned in bliss.

Sung had ordered some green tea. He watched the others as they talked. Sung noted anything of interest stuff like likes or dislikes and ways. He sipped his tea sometime he missed home. The tea here was not the same as back in Korea or Japan.

Sung did find it funny that the etiquette here with tea was so different. But the consumption of tea was the same. The politeness and interaction were the same coffee was a part of it now. Sung would drink it but preferred tea.

"I assume you got to blow up something on the tour?" Elizabeth asked. "What else did you get to see?"

“Yes indeed Lady Elizabeth. They showed us a type of clay that had bombastic capabilities when impacted. I was allowed to use it to blow a lock off a door. Cronk helped trigger the explosion and it produced about a foot diameter hole where it had been placed.” She smiled recalling the memory.

“After the presentation I got to see Gemma’s work area. And she let me assist her, while we talked, with a hydraulic system for an steam elevator design she’s working on.”

Sasha listened to Lorem speak about how much she'd enjoyed herself, and decided to keep her opinion on the matter of the tour to herself to avoid rudeness or questions in the matter.

The smile upon Cronk’s face broadened after taking a sip of the Irish Coffee. “Cronk blow up something!” He could not contain his excitement from Lady Elizabeth. “Little Flower let me.”

Elizabeth nodded to both Lorem and Cronk. An explosive clay? She knew little about that.

A woman with brown hair, came over and bowed before Elizabeth. "Lady Elizabeth, Cafe 2 is ready for your team."

"Thank you," Elizabeth told the woman, whi then left.

Elizabeth then turned to the team, "Shall we go to lunch?"

Dr. Jackal finished his coffee and set the cup down on the saucer and he exhaled. He then stood up and adjusted his outfit to look presentable. He then said, "Of course. I am curious as to what we will be having for lunch. Hopefully it is something everyone can handle. By the way does anyone in our group have any food allergies? This might be good to know for the future."

“Cronk not,” the orc stated. If he were, Cronk would not be so large. Something he had trouble processing was the fact that the biggest animals in the world mostly ate grass. Cows, elephants, hippopotamuses, etc. They all ate noticing but vegetation. How did they get so big on that kind of diet?

Just the mention of foo got Cronk’s stomach grumbling. All the walking since breakfast had worked away it’s satisfaction. He was ready for more food.

He stood and held a hand toward Lorem, offering it to steady her descent from her seat. His size did not negate the fact that Cronk could be polite.

"All of you enjoy the meal." Sasha said, "I haven't brought my other mask and have things to attend to so I will catch up with you after the meal. It's torturous to sit and watch others eat." She noted standing to take a temporary leave.

Sung stood to his feet. "You will be missed, Miss Lagrave. I do hope you can figure out a way to join us more in the future," commented Sung with sincerity. he started and buttoned his jacket from when he was sitting. turning to Lady Elizabeth "Lunch should prove interesting," said Sung.

Dr. Jackal tipped his hat to Sasha as he replied, “Till we meet again Ms. Lagrave.”

Dr. Jackal tipped his hat to Sasha as he replied, “Till we meet again Ms. Lagrave.”