Landing In Oslo

JP with Redsword, Lasersexpanther, Jaxx and Cindy

Thursday June 13, 1889
Oslo: Palace private docks
Midnight

Oslo was perhaps slightly larger than expected but Elizabeth thought Paris was bigger. It was strange but beautiful to see the lights playing against a twilight darkness despite it being midnight.

The ship went past the main docks, past the center of the city, towards the palace. The private docks for the palace were behind it, towards the back.

It wasn't long before the ship was docked. Elizabeth asked everyone to stay on the ship for a moment while she checked out everything.

Elizabeth disembarked, and was met by a man, human, probably in his 50s. He had full head of hair but it was as white as the snow that still covered some of the higher mountains. The man stood about 5'10", his build was average, if anything. Not stocky or thin. He was wearing a tuxedo with white gloves.

The man bowed, "Lady Elizabeth, I presume. I am Askel. I will be your head butler during your stay."

Elizabeth understood that meant that he was not the head butler but the head butler for the guests. Staying at a palace would have its perks, it seemed.

"Thank you, Askel. I hope that you have others to help with the luggage, there is quite a lot of it." However, right when Elizabeth finished speaking two orcs and 3 human males pulled up, in what were covered wagons of sorts.

"Yes, they are here." Askel explained, in his Norwegian accent.

"Very, good I will go get my team." Elizabeth commented.

"Yes, will you please let the crew of the ship know we also arranged for them to stay in one of the guest houses as well but it their decision. " He then briefly explained about the living arrangements and choices to make.

Elizabeth thanked the man and headed back onboard the ship. Once she had the team, including Maseo together, the team leader said. "They have arranged two of their guest houses for us. The head butler explained, that your crew," indicating she meant Maseo, "Is welcomed to stay in one of the guest houses, but the choice is theirs"

Elizabeth then addressed the group, as a whole. "We can choose, that the team stays in one house, the crew in the other. Or the men stay in one house, the women in another." Elizabeth paused. "Maseo, if the crew stays in a separate house from the team, it is up to you which house you choose to stay in. I just ask that you are available for any team meetings or missions I might send you on.”

Sung had followed Lady Elizabeth but stood back from the exchange between the butler and Lady Elizabeth. When the business was done, Sung followed Lady Elizabeth back into the ship to gather some of his own things.

Dr. Jackal and Lily followed Lady Elizabeth to help with getting their belongings. They didn't want to talk too much since they were not sure what could be shared in the public and hired help.

Masao shook his head, "They'll be staying on the ship. Tell the Lord and Lady it is appreciated." While they were out of ear shot of his lower crew he whispered. "I trust my crew with my life, but I do not trust them to not nick something," he said, "And don't worry, they won't steal from anyone on the team...but I can't say they won't suddenly have sticky fingers when they know I'm not looking.”

Elizabeth wondered then if they were planning on moving the ship as they were already on the palace grounds, if so how would that work for all the equipment that wasn't going to the guest house. They would have to figure it out. "Will the ship be moved off the palace grounds then?”

Masao shook his head. "No, if they are allowed to stay docked they will just be confined to the ship. They have quarter and supplies." Masao responded. "The Order can come and go freely. Anyone in my upper circle can communicate anything with me, but the lower crew will be directed to remain on the ship. It will be a better for keeping matters both diplomatic and personal more civil." he said. "And frankly Lady Elizabeth, if you wanted me to remain on the ship as well I would be in full understanding, you know what I am, and after getting 'The Eye' back are fully aware of what I am capable of. Given that and my explanation for why the crew won't need the guest house I would understand if you felt the same way about me.”

Elizabeth responded to the last part of Maseo's statement first, "I trust that you know better than to try to abscond with anything, especially, from a palace. Therefore the offer still remains, you can stay with the team, in the guest house or with your crew. I need you for meetings and errands I might send you on." She paused. "What you do with your crew, of course, is your decision. I just want to be sure you are fully aware that there is no telling how long we will be in the area by the village. That investigation could take weeks.”

While waiting on Maseo to let her know his plans, Elizabeth spoke to the rest of the team. "Everyone, feel free to gather your things and follow me off the ship."

Once everyone was off the ship, Elizabeth gestured to the butler. "Everyone, this is Askel." She then briefly introduced the team, including their positions.

Askel gave a polite nod, and in a Norwegian accent said, "Very good, everyone follow me.”

Dr. Jackal gave a polite nod and followed along while helping Lily with her things. Lily was a bit nervous being in a new place, but still enjoyed a good adventure.

Askel led the group to an area of the grounds with about 4 guest houses. Two seemed larger, two were smaller, though it was likely these were not the only guest houses on the property. Askel let them choose between the two larger guest houses. While certainly not as large as Elizabeth's house, the guest house was plenty big enough for the team.

Askel gave them a tour, most of the bedrooms were on the second floor, with the exceptions of Cronk and Lorem's bedrooms which were on the first floor. There was a smaller sized kitchen, dining area. A men's drawing room with a pool table, bar, chess set, and several places to sit. A women's sitting room with a piano, Victrola, sitting areas and a general room for both the men and women to gather together.

The house was across a cobblestone sidewalk from the other large guest house. The two smaller houses were a little down the path from the larger homes but across from each other. At the end of this path was a stone building, Askel explained that was the main kitchen and dining area for the guests. That was where the meals would be prepared and served. Which made sense, especially if the guest houses were full.
The kitchen, in the guest house itself, was stocked with beverages and snacks so the team could have food, if they wanted, outside of meal times.
Askel briefly introduced them to the two night maids. He then mentioned taking the team on a tour of the property, tomorrow, after breakfast. Elizabeth was going to make that mandatory, because the team needed to know where they could and couldn't go, on the palace grounds. Askel mentioned breakfast would be at about 8 AM, and that their were blackout curtains on all the bedroom windows. He then took his leave.

Elizabeth made sure everyone had what they needed, then bid everyone a goodnight and headed to bed. It was now about 1 AM and they had some long days ahead of them.