Spotting Trouble

Jp with mdman and Cindy

Elizabeth had explained to Sung and Dumont that she wanted them to go together. It just seemed like a good idea to let various team members work together when they could.

She knew Sung would likely not be excatly happy with the idea, as he was supposed to be watching out for her, but Elizabeth explained she would take Cronk with her. It was highly unlikely anything would happen to her between her magic and Cronks physical abilities. Besides she was going to see the Exposition, what could possibly occur that would be that bad.

She had one of the maids find Cronk and let him know she was ready to go. As she waited in the hallway, she put a new hat on a white one with pink flowers. Which marched her white dress with a pink ribbon that she changed into after speaking with Lily.

Cronk had had plenty of time to transplant a flower from the garden to a pot he had found in an outbuilding. He took care to water it, remembering the skills his mother and father had taught him on the farm. He placed the potted plant at the outside of the door to Pretty Flower’s workspace. He hoped this flower showed Cronk’s appreciation of being included in exploding things.

Cronk was just cleaning up whenever the maid came to retrieve him. It wouldn’t do being seen in public with the Lady Elizabeth and having dirty hands.

Cronk followed the maid. When he approached Elizabeth, Cronk bowed his head as he had seen others do to give the lady respect. “Lady Elizabeth,” he announced, “Cronk ready!”

"Very good. Please put this pin on." She handed him a VIP pin for the Expo. It might be a little tricky with Cronk's large hand, so, Elizabeth waited to see if he needed help.

Once he had the pin on Elizabeth spoke up, "Shall we go then, Mr. Cronk." It was more of a statement than a question.

The two stepped outside, Elizabeth glanced around, then to Cronk then back towards the street. While there were plenty of cabs available, none seemed Orc sized. Elizabeth looked towards the sky, clear blue and the temperature was mild. "It is a beautiful day, and the Exposition is not that far. Let us walk, shall we?"

Crono gazed at the button. He wasn’t used to wearing any jewelry, thinking that it was women that loved to adorn themselves to look life or a peacock. However, Cronk did the Lady Elizabeth’s bidding.

Cronk leisurely strode alongside Elizabeth, needing to walk slow, as his strides were much longer than hers. He scratched an area in front of his ear, wondering what he could say for small talk.

“What a vip?” Cronk finally asked. Vip was a new word for the Orc. Maybe it was a foreign word. A language he had not heard before.

Elizabeth appreciated that Cronk was walking slower for her sake, and it wasn't lost on her.

"VIP stands for very important person." Elizabeth responded. "It will allow us to get into the Exposition without paying and access to areas the public cannot go."

Cronk rubbed his chin. He chuckled between the two tusks protruding from his lower jaw. He thought that was hilarious. Who would think Cronk would be labeled a Very Important Person?

“What Cronk look for?” he asked Lady Elizabeth. “Evil Doctor?”

Elizabeth heard the chuckle and had to internally admit an Orc was rarely given VIP status, unless it was for security.

"By all means always keep an eye out for the evil doctor or anything that might seem like his work. But for right now, you are going to help me survey the damage at the Exposition from what occurred yesterday. Then we will need to make a few more stops. " Elizabeth explained.

It took about fifteen minutes but they did arrive at the Exposition. The ticket taker had no issue with letting Elizabeth through with her pin but he eyed Cronk as if he thought the Orc might have stolen the pin.

"He is with me." Elizabeth said, then in a rather serious voice added. "I do hope there is no problem."

"No, problem at all Miss.....um..." The ticket taker was so surprised he was at a loss for words.

"It is Lady Elizabeth." Elizabeth, uncharacteristically, throwing her title out there.

"Oh, of course Lady Elizabeth," the ticket taker bowed and let both Elizabeth and Cronk through the gate.

Well, this is going to become gossip, Elizabeth thought, before turning to Cronk. "We are headed this way." She turned towards the left and started walking.

Cronk was used to others looking at him I’m a strange manner. He realized that if the shoe was on the other foot, he too would be staring at the big guy. He simply awaited the confirmation, nodding toward the mañas he was allowed to walk with Lady Elizabeth into the expedition.

Cronk walk aside of Lady Elizabeth, his demeanor seeming out of place for the prim and proper Lady Elizabeth. He kept on the lookout though. If anything was to threaten her, he’d protect her. He had learned a lesson that day with the Boss. He also looked for anything suspicious, hoping to be able to put a stop to the Evil Doctor.

“If team secret,” Cronk inquired, “why must pay for damage?”

"Do you know what occurred yesterday?" Elizabeth asked Cronk.

As the moved closer to the site, the damage became obvious. Temporary buildings were destroyed. Equipment was thrown around and significantly damaged. The entire area was blocked off by guards and ropes tied around the area, to keep out the public. Elizabeth stopped for a moment to get a better overall view, or as much as she could before going in to the area.

“Cronk hear the Good Doctor fought evil person.” It was the best Cronk could do to explain what he had heard.

Even now, viewing all the damage, Cronk had his doubts that the Good Doctor could have done all this. He had trouble understanding how someone like Dr. Jackal could do all this. Certainly, some of this has to be done by the Good Doctor’s foe.

“Look like many explosions,” Cronk admitted.

"The good doctor did fight an evil person. It was someone who tried to kidnapped Miss Lavigne. The blonde woman whom the Dr. Jackal and Miss Lagrave brought with them last night. They did manage to kidnap her father." Elizabeth was keeping her voice exceptionally quiet but not many people were around. "The good doctor - well - perhaps I should explain about him another time. You are correct in that I do not believe he did all of this but he did do at least some of it. Making me responsible for the damage because it is difficult to sort out what was him and what was the side of bad." Elizabeth was trying and likely failing to explain why she needed to pay the damages, or felt like she did. "The team will still remain anonymous as none will be mentioned. It will just be a rather large anonymous donation." She went to one of the police officer and flashed her ring. "Mr. Cronk, please show the officer here your ring."

They were let in though the rope to the blocked out area. "Mr. Cronk please keep an eye out for anyone suspicious."

Cronk whistles between his two huge tusks as he slowly walked with Lady Elizabeth I’m the roped off area. The orc was attempting to be as inconspicuous as he possibly could.

Most people probably thought Cronk being with Lady Elizabeth was an oddity. Cronk didn’t look like he belonged next to such a high class type person. Still, he had a job to do. He would do anything to pay back the kindness of Lady Elizabeth.

Looking around, Cronk thought he had seen someone hiding behind a wall. Upon closer inspection, he saw that it was a small boy in tattered clothing. The street urchin had a small tin cup. Somehow, he had gotten beyond the security here. That was odd. Of course young street kids were almost always seen running the streets and alleys of Paris. Bit, to see him here was strange. He shouldn’t have been here.

As Cronk approached the boy, he towered over the lad. The boy cowered under the shadow of the orc. As people walked by, they scoffed at the boy. This miffed Cronk.

The next three people walking near, Cronk demanded of them, “Give boy!” They quickly pulled out of their purses money and placed it in the cup.

The boy looked up at Cronk with big eyes of surprise. “Merci!” the boy was able to voice.

Cronk grinned at the boy as he turned and began searching the crowd to find the Evil Doctor. He was becoming impatient, wanting to see his face somewhere in the crowd.

He didn’t. What he did see was another individual that walked suspiciously, as if looking around to see if he were being followed. Cronk watched for a while, then motioned to Lady Elizabeth, pointing in the direction of the man.

Elizabeth turned to see Cronk had spotted a young boy and was "helping" the boy get donations. Elizabeth smiled slightly at this. Cronk did seem to have a good heart and she respected that. She walked over and also gave the boy some money.

When Cronk pointed out the man that looked like he was being followed. She watched the man for a moment. There was something about him. The man wandered outside the ropes and towards the exit. "We should follow him," Elizabeth said. She then asked her Orc companion. "On second thought, we do not make the most inconspicuous pair, do we? Can you keep an eye out and see what direction he goes?"

Cronk nodded to the Lady. If someone were to stop him, he had his pass and the ring. The ring seemed to have a magical power to allow Cronk access to where he normally would not.

Cronk followed with his eyes until the man was a good bit away from them. Then Cronk began to follow, trying to appear as if he was taking a leisurely stroll. Any time the man turned to glance about him, Cronk would continue walking as if he would naturally do.

When the man turned the corner of a building that was amazingly still standing, Cronk sprinted to the corner and stopped. He peered about the corner. The man went into a door, so Cronk waited just a minute, then followed into the door.

Elizabeth had taken her eyes off of Cronk for a moment, to find him following the man. That wasn't what she meant but quickly realized she wasn't specific enough. Elizabeth just had gotten so used to doing things with Sung, he almost always knew what she meant. It was something Elizabeth would have to work on.

For now, she followed Cronk which was easy enough, until he went into the building. Well, if it was a dangerous situation Cronk could handle himself. Instead, she casually asked a few passerbys about the building, until one told her they didn't know what the building was for but there was a back exit. That is where Elizabeth headed.

Cronk use his eyes and ears for sights and sounds that would give him a clue as to which way the man headed once inside. He had heard the creaking of a door down the hallway, so headed in that direction. It led to another hallway, doors at either side and a door at the end of the hallway, which Cronk surmised was the back of the building. He saw the door at the end of the hallway closing, and foot exiting through it. Cronk pursued.

Outside the door were two men: the man Cronk was following and the Evil Doctor. A transaction appeared to have been taking place.

Because of his size, Cronk had some difficulty getting through the back door. Dr. Lamaire, upon seeing the orc struggling at exiting the door, recognized the creature, and drastically took off running. The doctor climbed a metal ladder scaling the side of the building on the opposite side of the alley.

Cronk left out a low growl, which froze the man that Cronk had followed. The man was trembling in fear.

Cronk pursued the Evil Doctor, who was scaling the side of the roof of the building. As Cronk began to climb the metal ladder, the rings bent beneath his massive feet.

Elizabeth made it to the back alley to see a man holding a vival and Dr. Lamaire. Cronk seemed to be stuck for the moment but Elizabeth had bigger concerns. Did she attempt to follow the doctor or stop the man from drinking the serium.

A quick decision had to be made, she ran over to the stranger and, using her magic combined with some of what Sung had taught her knocked the vival out of the man's hand.

"Qu'est ce que tu crois faire? J'ai payé beaucoup d'argent pour ça." ( What do you think you're doing? I paid a great deal of money for that.) The man, said who Elizabeth could now see was probably in his 40s somewhere, maybe early fifties with salt and pepper hair and grayish eyes.

Cronk quickly got up and over the top of the building, spying an entrance to the top of the building in the middle of the roof. Running across the roof, Cronk entered the building, finding a stairwell leading down.

Cronk growled again, frustrated that this was becoming a tedious chase. Cronk began to run down the steps. Reaching the bottom floor, Cronk ran down the hallway to the front door. Exiting the building, Cronk looked in every direction, not spying the Evil Doctor.

He began to mutter to himself. Cronk had been so close to capturing the Evil Doctor. He stood there capturing his breath, then walked about the building to find the Lady Elizabeth with the other man.

"Cette vivace contient un sérum très dangereux. Si tu l'avais pris..," (That vival contains a very dangerous serum. If you had taken it...) Elizabeth pointed to a small mouse that had drank some of serum from the broken vival, on the ground. The mouse suddenly became larger, making it the size of a guinea pig. It ran around attacking other mice, them suddenly started running in circles, collapsed and died. "..ça" (that)

Elizabeth looked over to see Cronk headed back towards her before, speaking to the man again, who still looked somewhere between annoyed and shocked. "J'ai quelques questions et si vous ne voulez pas me répondre, je peux demander l'aide de mon ami." (I have a few questions and if you do not want to answer me, I can have my friend help.) Pointing towards Cronk.

Cronk was angry at losing Doctor Lamaire, so the look he gave could have caused Napoleon’s army to shrink in fear. He punched the brick wall, and large chunks of brick went flying. The saying that the wall always wins didn’t hold true to Cronk. His fist was like a wrecking ball.

Cronk didn’t understand French, nor did he speak it. His common language to communicate with enemies was his strength. When they understood what he could do, they usually cooperated.

The man looked at Cronk and clearly did not want to mess with the Orc, who seemed to be in a bad mood. He reluctantly agreed to answer questions.

The man's name was Mr. Michael Vollmer. Human from what Elizabeth could tell. Michael switched quite easily to speaking English, though his accent was still French.

He didn't know where Lamaire had his lab. Elizabeth believed him. It was, after all, unlikely Lamaire was giving that location to customers. He had not bought from Lamaire before. The man said he was referred to Lamaire by someone else because - as Michael put it - he was having ongoing "health" issues. Elizabeth got the name of the man who referred Michael and where he was most likely found. Michael did not seem to have much more information. He hadn't drank the serum, and taken him with them would have been problematic. So Elizabeth thanked the man for his time and sent him on his way.

Elizabeth then turned to Cronk. "I am sorry we were not able to capture the evil doctor, this time but I promise we will get him." She looked at the body of now dead giant mouse, and pointed it out to Cronk. "We need an empty sack to put that in. Dr. Jackal might be able to use it in his experiments." Elizabeth didn't really know if that last part was true but it didn't hurt to take the creature with them.

Cronk didn’t have an empty sack. If he knew before they had left, he could have brought a burlap sack from the gardener’s out building. He had seen one there earlier when he had transplanted a flower from the garden into a pot for Pretty Flower.

Cronk thought about the present situation, remembering when he was a tot. His mother used to get angry with Cronk whenever he collected rocks at the fjord. Well, it wasn’t the rocks that made his mother angry. It was the fact that Cronk would rip the sleeve off of his shirt, tie one end, and use it to carry his rocks.

Cronk repeated the action today. He made the sack, picked the mouse up by the tail, and slid it into the opening of the sleeve. Once it was contained, Cronk tied the other end into a knot. It wouldn’t be good if the mouse inadvertently slid out without anyone knowing.

Once the deed was done, Cronk looked to the Lady Elizabeth. “Cronk carry,” he said. If they were inspected for taking anything, it would be more fitting for the orc to be carrying the dead mouse.

"Thank you, Cronk and good thinking. Perhaps we should go back to the house, leave the ....specium for Dr. Jackal....then we can go and find the man I just got the name of." Elizabeth hadn't had anything to write down the name and possibly Iocation of the new person they would be questioning, but her memory was rather good. She did know she did not want to walk around with the mouse for long.

Cronk scratched himself with his free hand. He was still perturbed at not catching the Evil Doctor a second time. He was conflicted.

Cronk wished to stay in the area where he lost the Evil Doctor, thinking it likely that he may show there again. However, Lady Elizabeth was his new boss. He should do as the boss wishes, especially since she has granted Cronk room and board plus a job.

This person knew where to find the Evil Doctor, so he must have communication with him. So, Cronk thought Lady Elizabeth’s guidance was correct.

“Lead way,” Cronk requested of Lady Elizabeth.

It took about fifteen minutes to return to the house and Harold answered the door. Elizabeth briefly explained she was dropping off a package for Dr. Jackal and she needed to write him a note. She allowed herself enough to time to write a quick note, handed it and the makeshift bundle to Harold who said he would deliver it personally to the good doctor. Elizabeth then warned Harold to not open the package.

She then left a note for Sung, telling him where she and Cronk had gone to, just as a precaution. Then she and Cronk headed out again.