Guests at the Table

JP with Mdman, Lorem looked, Jaxx and Cindy

Elizabeth had emerged from her room, about an hour after arrivung home. She was feeling better, after a bath and some meditation time. The Eldren had also taken the time to put the wards back in her broach. She really needed a day of not doing much, but always had things to do.

Her first stop was to check in on her guests. The Countess and Marcil were busy discussing the order, and other general topics. She invited them to both stay for dinner. Which they accepted.

Then Elizabeth excuses herself to check on Clement's family, brief visit as it was going on near 8 PM. His mother and youngest sister were asleep. And apparently the family was settling in rather well.

Then she went to check on the progress Celine and Lorem were making with the bus, as it turned out they were finishing up. Elizabeth invited Celine to join them for dinner. Which she accepted and with the van fixed, Celine went into the house to get cleaned up. Elizabeth then spoke with Lorem and explained, she couldn't, in good conscience, allow Lorem to return to headquarters until more security for the Gnomes travels was in place. Being it was a Friday, she figured everything should be set by Monday. Then she left Lorem to get ready for dinner.

Elizabeth then sent a servant to see if Cronk was feeling up to joining them or of he needed dinner sent to his room.

Servants were also sent to any other team members that were around, to tell them dinner would be in thirty minutes. She knew Jackal and Lily were around but unsure about Sasha.

8:30 PM:

With dinner ready Elizabeth, The Countess, Marcil and Celine made their way into the dining room and took seats at the table. Drinks were served but dinner would wait for the others.

The maid came to Cronk’s room, remembering walking in on him earlier at an inappropriate time (delightful, but inappropriate) , so she knocked. Receiving no answer, the maid carefully opened the door and called, “Monsieur Cronk?”

She viewed his large form upon the bed. He seemed very tired, so she approached his bedside, calling, “Monsieur Cronk?”

He was fast asleep. Then, she noticed the dried blood stains and holes in his shirt. The maid quickly ran and filled a basin with warm water and a wash cloth. Returning, she placed the basin upon the stand next to Cronk’s bed.

The maid unbuttoned Cronk’s shirt, revealing the massive chest. Although the wounds had healed over, there was dried blood on both sides of Cronk’s torso. The maid used the warm water and cloth to cleanse the blood from his sides. Spying blood on his head, the maid wiped it clean.

She was half tempted to lower Cronk’s trousers to his ankles to check the legs for wounds. The maid took on a devilish grin as she searched. However, she found no reason to suspect wounds on the legs. The maid gave a brief pout, then took the bloodied water to dump it into the tub. She rinsed the basin, then placed it upon the sink.

Returning to the room, the maid gathered a blanket and threw it over Cronk. “Rest well, Monsieur Cronk,” she whispered into the orc’s ear, then returned to Lady Elizabeth to regretfully report that “Monsieur Cronk would not be available for dinner.”

Once Dr. Jackal was done with his report on five of the serum samples and the rat autopsy, Lily took his report and told him he needed to relax before dinner. After escorting the good doctor to his room she dropped off Dr. Jackal's report on Lady Elizabeth's desk. Dr. Jackal then took a hot steamy shower to wash off the smell of chemicals on himself. Though he did love his work he was not fond of the smell he brought home after leaving his lab. When he was single he didn't have anyone to impress so he could slum it when he didn't have any meetings but now he was working for Lady Elizabeth and have to maintain a proper image so he had to maintain his hygiene. In the past it was not a big deal but living in the slums for five years he came to appreciate many things he was denied like food, clean water, a bed, and even a hot bath on top of his beloved coffee. Once he was freshened up he picked out some clean clothing to wear for dinner.

After arriving at the dining room Dr. Jackal and Lily noticed they had other guests dining with them. Dr. Jackal recalled meeting Marcil the bus driver on the team's trip to headquarters. However he hasn't met Countess and Celine. Lily on the other hand had a brief meeting with the Countess at a fancy party in Paris with her father in the past. Sadly she had not yet met Marcil or Celine. Upon arriving the butler Harold introduced them to the group to avoid any mishaps. After a formal greeting they took their seats next to each other.

A maid came in and whispered something in Elizabeth's ear, to which Elizabeth thanked her, before the maid wandered off. "Mr. Cronk will not be joining is. He is still resting from the ordeal earlier." So, then it was just to be Lorem left to join them.

Countess Charbonneau, took a sip of her tea before commenting. "That is very understandable. Lady Elizabeth you do know, that you should also be resting. It would be fine if you did."

"Thank you, Countess, for your concern but I am fine." Elizabeth commented.

The Countess didn't seem convinced, however she also knew how deeply ingrained social graces were to members of nobility, herself being one. "Doctor Jackal, I have heard you have been doing research regarding Lamaire’s tweaking of the serum. How is that coming along?"

Elizabeth looked over at Jackal. "The Countess and Celine have been apprised of the team’s investigation." During the introduction it was pointed out that the Countess and Celine were members of the Order.

Dr. Jackal waited patiently until Lady Elizabeth explained the situation and that he could indeed share his thoughts on the matter. He replied, “ It’s tedious and puzzling as I break down his various samples. Since he can’t seem to replicate my serum he seems desperate to tweak it to what he has available.” Then Dr. Jackal sipped his coffee.

"Is it possible there are mages also working on it, with Lamaire ." The Countess seemed more like she was thinking outloud.

Elizabeth explained for Lilly and Jackal's benefit, "We do now know mages are working with the Children of The Sea. Not were they just involved with the incidents with Miss Lavigne, but when Marcil was driving Miss Ipsum, Mr. Cronk and myself home we were followed, then persued, then attacked by three men in a cab. At least one of them was a mage."

“Miss Ipsum” came the tail end of the introduction from Harold the butler. He cordially stepped aside and ushered in the young gnome. She affirmed the man with gratitude.

Lorem had cleaned up nicely from before. The steam shower she constructed along with her modular living area in the workshop had refreshed her after quite the trying day. She was wearing an extra clean work dress and her long blonde hair was in a French braid. The latter having caused her to be a little late.

She curtseyed to all in the room in greeting and then found her way to her seat. It was her attempt not to distract their current conversation.

When Lorem arrived and sat down, she was offered a drink of her choice by the servants, then dinner began to be served. Due to the guests being French, the food was as well.

With Elizabeth having filled in Jackal and Lily, Celine turned to Lorem. "That hand cannon you used earlier was that your design?"

Lorem decided to have water, no ice. She was pleased that French cuisine was on the menu tonight. Foreign food was always exotic and novel, a nice change from her German palette.

“Yes. It was approved for production by the Baron and Miss Gemma and her work crew helped me to fabricate it today.”

"Gemma must be a treasure trove of information and interesting to work with." Celine stated. "I might have to stop in at headquarters and visit both of you at some point, perhaps see what your working on, if that would be alright." As leader of the Tech guild she didn't have to ask, but it was far more polite to do so.

"Dr. Jackal, have you had a chance to meet Dr. Patenude?" The Countess asked. Dr. Eugene Patenude was the head of the Science department of the Paris Science and Technology guild. But it wasn't as if every member had met him.

Dr. Jackal swallowed his sip of coffee before he nodded and spoke, "Ahh yes I believe we met at a lecture on Evolutionary studies. It was a rather riveting lecture on some controversial methods and perspectives. As I recall some researchers ended up in a heated debate after the lecture." Dr. Jackal smiled as he sipped his coffee again.

Lorem agreed with Celine’s recommendation to herself wholeheartedly. “I hope you do. Miss Gemma is an inspiration and doing such a fantastic job overseeing the construction of the vehicles. The workshop in full swing is splendiferous.” Lorem’s smile betrayed her daydreaming of her time working on the designs earlier today. “If I may ask, what is it like to be in charge of the Tech guild?”

Celine nodded with a smile, at Lorem’s obvious thoughts at working at headquarters. She heard Lorem's question about being leader of the Tech guild, thought for a brief moment, then responded. "Well, I get to learn about new ideas first up, get to see new designs. I usually try to carve out time during the week the work on my own ideas, as well. I meet engineers and those with technology skills from all over the world. But I also have to deal with all sorts of personalities and there is a lot of politics to running a guild." A slight smile crossed her lips. "I enjoy, almost, every minute of it." Celine paused. "If you ever have the time, stop in I would be happy to show around and introduce you to some other engineers."

Admist the conversation Sasha entered the room. "Lady Elizabeth." she bowed slightly in greeting. "I am going out, I will write a report on my affairs before tomorrow evening." Sasha said, "Though I can not discuss my reasoning for going out at present I will speak with you about it later if you wish."

"Thank you for informing me,' Elizabeth replied. "I likely do not have to tell you this, but I will anyway, please remain vigilant and be safe."

The meal had moved on from the appetizers, soups and such things to the main course of Coq au Vin. Elizabeth was realizing how hungry she actually was. All that magic would do it.

The meal continued with light conversations and a delicious meal. Greta, might have been German, but she could cook almost any kind of cuisine.

After dessert and some after dinner drinks and some more conversation. The guests had to leave. Elizabeth saw the Countess, Celine and Marcil to the front door, thanked them for their help and wished them safe travels. With Marcil she sent paperwork, some for the body that was to be sent to Dr. Jackal and some regarding more security for Lorem. The first was a given and the body would be there tomorrow. The last part would need some follow up.

The guests left and Elizabeth went into her office to catch up on things.