Dirty Little Secrets part 1

OOC: JP with Cindy, red_sword7 and Jaxx

Elizabeth had made it to the office first. She went about putting in journal she had what had occurred today, though she expected there would be reports from some. It was good to jot the down when they were still fresh in her mind.

She was hoping when Lorem got a chance to meet Gemma and see the technology lab at headquarters, the gnome would change her mind about wanting to use her former company. Honestly, Elizabeth did not think Baron Greenwood would ever approve that. Elizabeth's team was her call but not so much with contract work.

She continued to write, assuming Sung would be there shortly.

Sung knock on the door frame announcing he was there like he always did. he promptly walked over to the chair in the corner side further from the door he liked to sit there to be able to see who comes in and who walks by. He bowed to Lady Elizabeth before sitting. "What Is on your mind "My lady," asked Sung sitting back some and laying his cane next to the plush chair.

As Sung entered the office, Elizabeth looked up. "Miss Lagrave filled me on what occurred. Apparently, there was an attempted kidnapping on Miss Lavigne. A mage attacked an exhibit, Miss Lagrave returned fire and in the chaos apparently a large stone pillar fell on the doctor causing him to change into his other side. According to Miss Lagrave there was only one casualty from the demon side, the mage that attempted the attack though the damage to the exhibit was extensive." Elizabeth explained. "It was Miss Lavigne's long time Butler who was behind the attack."

Elizabeth then looked up as there was a knock on the door and Cronk entered. She quickly told Cronk that he would be helping Mr. Dumont the next day, after they attend to the meeting at headquarters.
Then the Orc left.
She turned back to Sung, "I would like to see the damage for myself tomorrow. If you would accompany me to the Exposition."

"That would be an honor, My Lady. Miss Lavigne is in an interesting situation she is involved now but does not know about our team. Without thinking as a gentleman I offer protection. that ties us even more together." Sung looks into Elizabeth's eyes almost like he is reading her mind.

"What does she have to offer? might be the question. Well like you Miss Lavigne is well-connected but in different ways. I do remember something about her father being of a questionable character. At the table something about her made me question something about her they were wild and darted around after Cronk hit the table. her muscles flexed in a usual way." explained Sung.

He paused to let Elizabeth think about what he said. Sung stroked his beard in thought. "There is something different about Miss Lavigne I can feel it almost see KI flowing. If you do interview her we need to ask some hard questions," said Sung with a smile.

"I was not planning on offering Miss Lavigne a position with the team. From what I recall she known for being well versed at shopping and her connections, currently, will not be of much use as it is likely unsafe for her to contact them." Elizabeth paused. "I am sure if she has skills useful to the team those will present themselves in time. For right now, because it seems as if she will be staying with us, Miss Lavigne needs to be sworn to secrecy. I need you to be the witness for that." Elizabeth shook her head slightly. "I do not need Baron Greenwood to find out I had someone staying here that was not sworn to secrecy or that I did so with no witnesses."

Elizabeth did note Sung mentioned the way Lily responded at the table. "I noticed her movements when that occurred as well. I thought it seemed a little different."

Lily then knocked on the door and entered it to see Lady Elizabeth and Mr. Sung waiting for her. Once she was let in she found a chair to sit in in order to face her hostess and host. Lily was a bit nervous since this reminded her of when she had to see the headmistress back at her boarding and finishing schools. Usually a trip to see the one in charge was for recognition or explaining one's self. She knew a few trouble makers who made that trip many times back then. As she forced a social smile on her face she kept her cool in order to hide her heart beating quickly. She then spoke up, "You wished to see me Lady Elizabeth?"

"Yes," Elizabeth gave Lily a smile, "There is something I need to discuss with you, but first I wanted to know how you are fairing after your ordeal."

There was a genuine sincerity to Elizabeth’s tone. While Elizabeth was well aware that Lily had been through a lot in one day. Not only the attempted kidnapping, but she assumed possibly a feeling of betrayal as well.

Lily took a deep breath before she exhaled. Then she replied, “It indeed has been a rather troubling day for me. Here I was concerned that my fun day of shopping would be delayed due to my father’s work only to find myself in danger. I was completely unprepared to see my father attacked and my butler attempting to kidnap me. If not for Miss Lagrave and Dr. Jackal I fear I would not fare well. This whole ordeal has been quite overwhelming for me. So I kindly thank you for your support and kindness during my series of unfortunate circumstances. I fear what awaits me should I wear out my welcome here. I promise to repay you kindness once my situation is resolved.” It obvious that Lily was under stress and this was a major ordeal for her.

"Well, you are welcomed to stay here as long as you need. Your safety is important. And I am here for you in anything that you may need. However, there is one condition to that arrangement." Elizabeth paused. "As you probably noticed I have a house full of rather, an eclectic group of individuals staying with me. And I know, because I was raised the same way, that it was highly unlikely you would ask because of the propriety of such a thing. I would like to explain to you what is occurring so you will understand. However, to do that you must swear an oath of secrecy. To be more precise, to stay in this home you most swear that oath. What occurs in this home, what you may over hear or be privy to cannot leave this house."

It might have seem strange, perhaps something out of one of the novels sitting in the library but Elizabeth was completely serious. "Can you promise me that oath of secrecy?"

Lily pondered what Lady Elizabeth had asked of her. As her intuition had picked up on the odd group associating with Lady Elizabeth, there was far more than an odd social group chatting over tea. Mr. Sung being in the accompany of Lady Elizabeth made sense since he was a loyal servant of the family for a long time. Though she knew little of the others she did pick up on female gnome being into machines since she reeked of oil and metal to Lily's sensitive nose. The Araunda was most defiantly out of place and seemed quite reserved during tea time. Sasha was obviously a specialist since she carried odd weapons and wore a mask in public. Then there was the mysterious Dr. Jackal who under stress turned into a big red demon monster. Keeping someone as dangerous as him in a group would not happen unless the situation called for it. She was surprised Elizabeth would shoulder the damage cost he would bring when he transformed again. Now Lady Elizabeth was offering her a chance to be part of this bizarre rag tag group in some secret society.
Now she had to weigh her options carefully. She looked down at the floor as she contemplated her choices. If she refused this offer she would be excluded from the group and wait alone till she could once again go home to her empty, lonely shallow life. She did love to shop but she knew it would get old after a while, especially when there was no one to tell her she looked pretty. It pained her heart to know her dear father was no longer the man who doted on her when she was little. However on the flip side she would finally get a life with some freedom and excitement. It was also reassuring that they accepted Dr. Jackal who was clearly more dangerous than herself. Sadly in the back of her mind she was still afraid to reveal her secret to anyone. She needed reassurance so she decided to ask some questions first to ease her troubled mind. Lily raised her head and asked, "Lady Elizabeth before I give you my answer.....may I ask some questions concerning myself first?"

"Of course," Elizabeth responded. "Ask what you wish." If it was something Elizabeth could not answer, at the moment, she would just let the other woman know.

Lily took a deep breath to gain some confidence as she looked at both Mr. Sung and Lady Elizabeth to see any odd reactions in their expressions. She had gotten rather good at this in school and could tell when someone was putting up a false front. She then asked, "I am assuming you are aware of Dr. Jackal's.......condition. How do you feel about him and being around him? Are you not of his....... other side?

"Yes, I am quite aware of his condition, as you said. He has expertise that is useful to our cause." Elizabeth spoke very sincerely. "I feel Doctor Jackal is a good man who made a mistake. He should not be condemned for the rest of his life for a mistake." She paused for a moment. "As for his other side. From the information I have about that, is it needs to be provoked on order to show up. It seems as if, as in your case, his other side damages property and those who would do harm more than others. According, to Miss Lagrave's report the other side only killed the mage that sort to harm you. If that is true than those who the Doctor trusts should have little to fear."

Elizabeth had seen enough of Jackal to know he was not a bad man, and read enough on his other side to figure out the rest.

Lily listened to Lady Elizabeth and pondered her words for a moment then worked up the courage to aske the question that truly troubled her. She then asked, "Hypothetically speaking of course, but say for instance one had a similar condition to Dr. Jackal. I don't know perhaps a werewolf maybe? How would you treat such a person?"

Sung finally said something. "One, as long as they were not a threat to Lady Elizabeth I am ok with that person. I think I have seen it all now nothing really surprises me. In the end, It is Lady Elizabeth's decision on who comes in." Sung smiled looking at Lily. "We do mean secrecy. You can not talk to your father about any of this. No one from the outside. Not even what you saw today at tea." said Sung. He was serious but not threatening in what he said.

"We will do what we can to protect you while you say with us. Regardless if you take the oath or not. I would hope you would join us." said Sung.

Elizabeth nodded to Sung, she knew what he said was true. "From what I understand werewolves do not choose that condition, it is forced on them. I feel that people can be still be good even if they have that other side to them. Therefore, I agree, if they pose no threat to those in my home, then it is unlikely there would be any cause to not be alright with them."

Lily paid close attention to the reactions of Mr. Sung and Lady Elizabeth. Their body reaction showed no minor changes which showed that they were not hiding anything in their answer. It was a big weight off her chest as she sighed in relief. Then she looked at Mr. Sung and Lady Elizabeth as she nervously rubbed her skirt to work up the courage. Then she spoke up, "Well I am sure you knew that my mother passed away giving birth to me. My father was caring at first but then his butler, Neville Baddington eventually took his place as my caretaker since he had the estate to run. As you know the life of an heiress is a lonely one with many rules that treat us like a caged bird. Seeing as I needed to get my father to notice me I tried my best to excel at school in academics and sports, however when I turned twelve I learned I was not a normal girl." Lily calmed herself and then looked seriously at Lady Elizabeth and Mr. Sung as she held up her hand and extended her colorful nails into claws. She held them up so they could be seen clearly before she retracted them.

Then she spoke up, "As you can see I don't quite fit in with our class anymore. After that I just went through the motions and finished school while avoiding getting close to others. Its been so hard to hide this terrible secret since I was afraid my father would cast me out." Some tears ran down Lily's face as she was bearing her soul to Lady Elizabeth. Now I have nowhere to go. If this became public it would cause a scandal and my father would disown me." Lily was clearly trying to keep herself together while her tears dripped down her soft elegant cheeks. She then asked, "Will you still accept me into your secret group, despite knowing this?"

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