Cronk 1, Agnes 0

Jp with mdman and Cindy

The boy Clement made his way quickly to Cronk's room. He hadn't been sure of the Orc at first but now liked him, after all Cronk was kind to his mother and sisters. Clement stood in front of Cronk's door and knocked, hoping the Orc was in there.

Thinking Camille had returned, Cronk hurriedly pulled his pants on and buttoned them up. Cronk was looking forward to sharing a drink with her and listening to her reading the story of the hunchback. It was easy to see himself as the main character and Camille as Esmeralda. He saw how he felt for her just as forbidden as Quasimodo’s love for the Gypsy.

Shirtless, the orc opened the door. Surprised was he to find Clement on the other side of the door. Hiding disappointment, the Orc smiled a toothy grin, for he was indeed fond of the young boy. He was glad to be fresh and clean for the young visitor.

“Laddie!” Cronk greeted the youngster. Cronk referred to Clement as Laddie, because it’s what he called the youth during his time spent in the streets of Dublin working for Quinn. Although that has been such a short while, it seemed such a long time ago.

“Laddie, come in!” Cronk insisted.

Clement looked concerned, "Cronk, Lady Elizabeth sent me. She needs you to come to her office. Some of the team members are back and...." he was talking a mile a minute and then blurted out. "I don't think things went well. Lady Elizabeth asked that you come to her office." Clement realized just then that he had repeated himself.

Cronk’s grin turned to a look of concern. He hurried to gather his shirt, threw it over massive shoulders, and began to button it up as he ran through the door and down the hallway.

“Tell Cam Cronk be back,” he shouted back at Clement.

Elizabeth was expecting Cronk so she had left the door opened. She spotted him arriving. "Cronk, please come in and close the door behind you."

As polite as Elizabeth's usually was, she seemed concerned, and like she had aged a little since lunch.

Cronk took notice of Lady Elizabeth’s condition as he stopped before her. It seemed she has aged just since they had eaten together a short while ago.

Cronk appeared in better shape himself, having the bath drawn for him by Camille. It could be seen that Cronk got dressed hurriedly, as his shirt was untucked and buttons unaligned.

“Lady Boss good?” Cronk probed, wondering if he might need to carry her to receive medical attention.

"Yes, I am fine thank you Cronk." Elizabeth was grateful he asked, but it was not her condition she was concerned with. "I believe things did not go well with the rescue mission. Captain Maseo, and Miss Lavigne have returned. Unfortunately, Miss Lavigne's father was killed in the escape." Elizabeth paused. "But they did manage to rescue someone else. An Orc named Nugbu. I hate to impose on you but you have the only bath that will fit an Orc and the only clothes. Can Nugbu borrow both?"

That was the first and perhaps easier part of the ask.

A finger went to Cronk’s chin as he thought about what Lady Elizabeth had asked. Cronk was expecting Camille to drop in and read to him. Cronk would need to alert her that Cronk wasn’t the orc inside the room. He was disappointed, but at least Camille could read to him tomorrow if he were not elsewhere completing a task.

“Nugbu,” Cronk answered after a pause to think, “can use. Cronk help.”

"Thank you," Elizabeth responded, then sighed. "I am afraid however that Mr. Sung, Miss Lagrave and Dr. Jackal have not returned. I do not know the condition they will be in when they do." She stopped herself from saying more. "However, do not need anyone snooping on the team when they do. There is a woman, a lady reporter who has been stationed across the street all day. By the description I know who she is, and that she's likely spying on this house. I need her to not be there when the others return." Elizabeth paused, "I don't want her injured or killed, just maybe scared enough to leave?" The Eldren then added. "I don't relish the idea of doing that but it's best for her if she never gets her story.”

Cronk scratched his head. “Woman human?”

Cronk asked this, knowing a simple guttural infrasound growl would do the trick. If not, Cronk would need to take other measures.

"Yes, she's human." Elizabeth responded.

“Cronk do,” he affirmed, giving a mischievous grin and slapping his arms down by his side and puffing out his chest. He could almost see the lady reporter soiling herself as she ran off.

He paused, then added, “Lady Boss let Ca…maid know Cronk not in room?”

"Of course," Elizabeth had to get Camille to draw up a bath and get some clothes for the Orc guest, anyway.

Cronk simply nodded before turning to leave. He strode purposefully down the hall and out the front door, then off to the side so his approach would be masked by the wall to the property. He had noticed the lady standing directly across from the gate as he did so. Standing behind the wall by the gate, Cronk left out a growl with a frequency that was inaudible to human ears. Much like that of a tiger’s, this growl was one to intimidate, causing paralysis to a foe. The bones of the foe could feel the vibrations of the growl, which often caused nausea as well. As the growl came to an end, the orc burst through the gate emanating a horrific audible growl. His face appeared fierce as he approached the reporter. This tactic was the best strategy for orcs, for they couldn’t formulate any logical strategy.

Agnes Wrightman had been across the street from the Ellington home all day, waiting for something, anything to happen.

So, far all she had was a cab that slowed a little before continuing on. There was really nothing, and she was wondering if maybe her instincts were wrong, but they were never wrong.

She moved closer to the house, still nothing. The reporter then stood there and waited, she was determined to get something.

Suddenly, every bone in her body shook, a overwhelming sense of fear made her unable to move and overwhelming sense of nausea came over her.

Agnes wasn't sure what happened at first, then she spotted him. An Orc coming towards her and he looked angry. 'He must be the Orc that is working for Elizabeth,' she thought.

Torn between running and trying to get info, the closer he got, the more running seemed like the better option. She did just that, running down the street as if her life depended on it.

Cronk busted out in laughter watching the reporter running, her feet getting tangled in the ankle-length hem of her dress. Although the day started roughly, it was getting better by the moment.

Agnes, couldn't run fast in her outfit, but she did get a ways away before turning a corner and stopping. The reporter leaned against a building and stomped her foot. Now, it was definite there was a story, something Lady Elizabeth or maybe all the Ellingtons didn't want known. Agnes also knew that sending the Orc outside was Elizabeth's way of telling the reporter she had been spotted. The while thing had just made Agnes more determined. The woman set off towards the newspaper office, she needed a different plan.