Plans Over Breakfast (Part 3)

JP with Redsword, Lasersexpanther, Lorem, LucianNepreen and Cindy

Masao was the next to arrive to breakfast, he was cleaned and bright eyed with an edge of dishevel. It was clear he'd clean but was in his clothes from the day before. "Good morning Lady Elizabeth, and everyone else." he added going over to the breakfast spread taking an English muffin and spreading red currant jam one half and black currant jam on the other before taking a seat.

Sasha arrived but walked past the open door to the dining room first. She was carrying what looked like a large rolled up rug that had a strap that was slung over her shoulder, similar to a duffle bag. In the hall there was an audible clunk as she sat it near the door before returning to the dining room. "Good morning Lady Elizabeth.”

Elizabeth greeted Sasha and Maseo. She sipped some tea and was picking on a croissant. She did not ask what Sasha had in the bag, even if it was curious.

"Good everyone is here that needs to discuss it." Elizabeth said. "We need to figure out how to get Mr. Sung, Captain Maseo and Miss Lagrave out of here without being spotted." She paused. "We also need to figure out the same for Vor and his guest, Iris.”

Sasha was silent for a long moment. "I have a suggestion though you might not see it as a favorable one." Sasha began. "I will leave first and distract them," she looked at Lady Elizabeth. "If they are aware of what is going on here besides Mr. Sung, I will be seen as the greater threat. I will lead them away Sung and Masao can follow shortly after and pincer them if they do follow. They will expect Mr. Sung to stay by your side while you are healing and will likely not expect it.”

"I hesitate to do that," Elizabeth began, "I believe it was an empirical mage that attacked me . It would leave you vulnerable to such an attack." She then thought for a moment. "Maybe a ward would help you, at least a little. I suppose if we cannot come up with a safer plan it will have to work."

Elizabeth paused to sip her tea, "We need a plan for Vor and Iris, as well.”

Sasha took a breath. "I realize the danger in my plan, but if we do nothing the others will be in more danger. Masao and Sung will not be far behind." She thought for a moment "They can be the last to leave." Sasha suggested.

Lorem, who had been quietly listening while eating her breakfast as well as fighting the urge to go check what Sasha dragged in, raised her hand to speak. Once given attention she spoke her idea. “I have an idea, but it is involved.” She hopped down to the ground to explain with gestures and moving about the room.

“We could construct an elaborate rues. Where we make convincing scarecrows of each of those that need to leave without detection. We dress them accordingly and rig them with pulleys to provide animation. Then we keep the lights on and the curtains open so anyone outside looking in gets a full view. They will think they are still here, meanwhile we sneak them out.”

She ended with a flourish. It was obvious the idea had her enthusiasm pumping. She looked around wondering what the others thought.

Elizabeth listened to Lorem's idea, and thought for a moment. "That is an interesting idea, I am just not certain we have the time for that. And Vor and Iris should not be seen here at all, it would break Vor's cover." Elizabeth glanced at Sasha and the Lorem. "You two should plan this together. Maybe you don't need a rue for everyone who is going?”

Lorem pondered Elizabeth’s constructive criticism. “What if we hide them into oversized steamer chests and load them onto a vehicle. Then have them switch to another vehicle going in opposite directions?”

“Oh. I know. There is a steam carriage in the garage. I can put a couple of harnesses underneath and they can suspended themselves beneath the vehicle, hidden from sight. They would just look like part of the undercarriage.”

"That would work for Miss Lagrave, Mr Sung and Captain Maseo. I am afraid Mr. Aster and his guess are more complicated. Iris is a member of the Children. She believes Mr. Aster is the head of the household here and, if I am correct, she also believes he is a revered figure - almost God like. So, finding some way to get them out of here with her being suspicious is tricky." Elizabeth explained.

Lorem looked slightly confused, “Couldn’t Mr. Aster and Iris ride in the steam carriage? Make up some transcendent reason for where they are going. We could even treat them like royalty. All the while the rest of them are hidden away beneath so Iris doesn’t even know?”

Elizabeth shook her head a little, "I am sorry, I do not believe I am still quite myself. That carriage has curtains. Leave them closed, and no one will see who's leaving the estate, as Vor cannot be seen leaving here, and yes, having a few servants to play along would be good." The Eldren paused. "Yes, that might work.”

Elizabeth then turned to Sasha. "It actually would still be beneficial for you to act as a decoy, as they are likely to follow anyone who leaves here. I still am uneasy about it, but it does sound like the two plans together is likely the best option.”