Reporter and The Neighbor

May 13, 1889
Sapping Estate, Paris
9:30 AM

To say Agnes Wrightman was surprised when she was summoned to the Sapping estate would have been an understatement. She knew Lady Viols Sapping was a known busybody and was not known as the most reliable source but the fact that she was next door to Lady Elizabeth had made Agnes intrigued enough to accept the invitation.

She knocked and a butler opened the door. In a very British accent, the man invited the reporter in and showed her to a sitting room. Agnes proceeded to take a seat, but she wasn’t kept waiting for long.

The door to the sitting room opened and upon seeing the Eldren, Agnes stood and curtsied.

“Thank you, Miss Wrightman, for accepting my invitation.” Lady Viola greeted the reporter.

“Thank you, Lady Viola, for inviting me. I have to admit curiosity got the best of me.” Agnes replied, respectfully.

“Well, please have a seat.” Lady Viola was being rather pleasant.

Shortly after Agnes sat, a servant came in with some tea and snacks. While Agnes had some of the tea, she passed on the snacks.

Lady Viola also had the servant pour he some tea, she then dismissed the servant who closed the door upon leaving.

“I have heard from sources,” Lady Viola began. “That you have been attempting to investigate the Ellingtons for some time now.”

“That is correct but I have not been able to retrieve very much information. It is as if their secrets are well hidden and that access to what those are are blocked with some people who are very high in society.” Agnes responded.

“Well, I have some information for you about Lady Elizabeth. As you know, she is here in Paris, my neighbor to be exact.” When Agnes responded she was aware of that fact, Viola went on. “I have noticed the most odd assortment of races coming and going from her house. A gnome, an Orc and an Eldren. Plus someone who always seems to wear a mask. It seems rather odd to have those in an Eldren home, does it not?”

Agnes thought for a moment. Orc’s were often hired for security so that wasn’t really that unusual. The Gnome was more unusual as they were usually engineers, so it hinted towards something taking place on the estate. However the Eldren was quite unusual. Someone wearing a mask, also unusual. “I suppose, however, there could be explanations for those races being there.”

“Yes, as possible servants or workers, but they don’t always use the servants’ entrance,” Viola explained. “And when I asked Lady Elizabeth about it she just said they were her friends. Have you ever heard of an Eldren being such good friends with those kinds that they invited them into their house? To stay with them?”

“Well, the Ellingtons have a reputation for being giving, do they not?” Agnes did not want another dead end, when it came to investigating them.

“Yes, they do. I have known them to do volunteer work, give to organizations, run charities but not invite people into their homes.” Viola was completely unaware of how Sung came to live with the Ellingtons and by now it was very old news anyway. “I just want someone to investigate what is going on. I will pay you and your expenses.”

“Well, I have ongoing permission from the editor to investigate the wealthy.” If she took the job it was up to her. “I accept. I have no current story, so I can start right away.”

“Very good. Please just report back here, at about 5:00 this evening and we can discuss any information you have come across at that time.”

“I should get to work then.” Agnes was shown out by the butler, and then began to set up in a hidden spot with a good view of Lady Elizabeth’s home. She had to wonder why, beyond, being nosy, did Lady Viola want this information. She hadn’t asked, a little worried Viola would take back her offer. Unknown to Agnes she had missed Sasha leaving and being followed, but the day might still prove interesting. In the distance gun shots could be heard, while curious about it, she didn't think it had anything to do with the current job.