Tour De France Estate

Dumont quietly sat through the meeting, addressing the formalities as they came with their corresponding courtesies and responses.

He was content to be a fly on the wall today and stay out of the way unless someone needed him. His only business was to take in any new orders and information from the Baron and Lady Elizabeth, everything else was secondary, but he did want to make sure that he introduced Gemma and Lorem.

Vor was quick to voice his desires.

“While I would prefer to keep his private affairs out of my mind, I would like to see what kind of written resources they have here. The library at our Lady’s residence has already been a boon and there are many things I wish to try and read on.”

Dr. Jackal sipped his coffee and savored the taste before he spoke up, "I am sure the Baron's library has the best books money could buy. Hec, I am sure any library in this Order contains all manner of documents and secrets." Dr. Jackal sipped his coffee again and smiled as he enjoyed the flavor. He missed coffee and this was indeed good coffee. Then he spoke up as he looked at his coffee, "Am I the only one who finds it curious that this Baron knew a lot about all of us before we got here? By the sound of that prior conversation it sounds like the Baron has eyes and ears in many places such as this team or the staff at the mansion. After all he had furniture set up for Miss Ipsum and Mr. Cronk in advance as well as his semi rehearsed responses. Perhaps I am just a paranoid mad man with delusions of grandeur." Dr. Jackal finished his coffee and made another cup to enjoy.

Vor chuckled as he gathered his things, more so to calm his own rattled nerves at the Baron’s meeting.

“Wealth certainly has its privileges. While I’m new to the more eccentric side of the Order, a rich man who keeps track of his business is nothing new.”

"Ask one of his servants." Sasha said to Jackal, "The 'good' Baron Greenwood wouldn't know Arabica from Excelsa." Sasha said, switching her tone to a mocking one "There are different kinds I only buy the most expensive." She shrugged "He's nothing but pretentious, you men should count yourself lucky around him, the women don't get that luxury."

“Oui, it is no surprise to me that the Baron has spies looking into his spies. It is common practice. The trick is discovering whom, without them knowing you know…” Dumont responded to the doctor’s original inquiry.

Dr. Jackal smirked as Sasha's comment. He knew what she was blatantly hinting at. He sipped the coffee again and let the flavor fill his throat before he swallowed it. Then he spoke while looking at his coffee, "I'll leave the spy stuff to the ones with a talent for it. (pause) Before my........... accident, I was privy to see many scientists in the field. Some tooled away with no results while some created amazing things and made history, however ................... just because they were brilliant and lucky didn't always mean they were pleasant people to be around. It was one of the many reasons I was a shut in researcher. During my five years of being on the run and living like a beggar, I found that life was full of surprises and for me they were not pleasant. So in the end all we can do is work with what we have." Dr. Jackal finished his coffee and got another serving as he muttered, "This is very good coffee. I find it sad that the one paying for it does not appreciate it."

"Oh he probably enjoys it very much but not for it's quality so much as the cost. It's not dissimilar to a person of wealth drinking wine that tastes of cigarette ash and old books but claims it's superiority over a bottle that actually tastes of wine simply because he paid more for it." Sasha explained "Though in regards to your mention of unpleasant people the Baron is different than those who you speak of though as I said as a man you are less likely to have you day ruined by thinking himself charming." Sasha added with notable disgust.

Dr. Jackal sipped his coffee and nodded as he swallowed and moaned at the flavor. He replied, "Well its not my place to judge others. Even if the Baron is the spoiled, self absorbed, crude, playboy type, (pause to sip his coffee) I am no less repulsive as a man eating demon." Dr. Jackal served himself another cup of coffee. He inhaled the aroma and then sipped it as he muttered, "Oh this is indeed heavenly. I would love to get this served back Liz's estate, but sadly it would be to much for me to ask her for more, after my last rampage at the Expo. Unlike the Baron, I have already learned to show some restraint since there is no such thing as a free lunch. There are always strings attached."

"I'll request it for you then." Sasha told him. "You are the one trying to crack the mystery of what is in the formula you're going to need all the help you can get Docteur."

Lorem was looking to and fro at her teammates conversing. Her gnomish hearing picked up every word with ease. The tone in their voices, in addition to the content, made her reassess her initial impression on the Baron. She had thought the man seemed nice, easily someone that you wanted in your network. Now she wasn’t so sure anymore and was wondering what cues had she missed from their brief encounter.

She wondered if this is why fathers decided which man would be best for their daughters. Perhaps young women were too foolish, or inexperienced, to make rational decisions concerning the opposite sex when they checked off several boxes that would elicit attraction.

Regardless, she hadn’t been eager to come for the socializing with high society or to tour the place. Like any good tinkerer, she wanted to see if she could get her ideas to take flight off their blueprints and into reality.

Cronk attempted to leave. Bit a servant corralled him and had him return to the others. Cronk was not sure what to do or say. So he walked up to Lorem. He saw her as the one needing his strength and protection more than the others. She was small. Oh, she most likely had a little toy for her protection but Cronk still wished to be supportive.

“Cronk with Pretty Flower?” he asked, making sure she wouldn’t be offended.

“Baron not there,” Cronk wondered aloud. “Knew Cronk broke something.”

He was still a fixed upon how the Baron knew. How much did he know about Cronk. If he knew a lot, then Cronk thought at least the Baron would have had whiskey awaiting Cronk.

Lorem involuntarily didn’t a little side hop when the towering form of Cronk emerged in her peripheral vision. The movement was hardly noticeable; however, it would take some getting used to having someone so massive so close. She craned her neck upwards and smiled.

“Yes, thank you Cronk. It is nice to have a friend nearby in a strange place.” She accepted his offer to join her.

Lorem giggled hoping it would ease any anxiety Cronk had over his last statement, “I break lots of things too.” She held her little finger up to her lips and pretended to shhhhh its a secret sign.

Dr. Jackal sipped his coffee and exhaled after he swallowed it. He looked at Sasha with an pained smile, "You are too kind Ms. Lagrave. I will continue to be useful so I do not let the team down. Oddly enough I rather prefer this golden gilded bird cage of servitude to life on the run in the slums. At least I can attempt to atone for my poor choices now."

“Cronk leave bad choices in past,” Cronk intoned to the doctor.

He realized that if he lived his life based on mistakes of the past, he would never get past them. So, he just pressed on being Cronk, hoping to learn from the mistakes.

Elizabeth and Sung returned to the room Elizabeth maintained her composure, but was purposely making herself difficult to read. She announced , "The guide should be here soon." The Eldren then looked at Tristan, "Lord Andrews, you will have to stay behind with Mr. Sung and myself. The Baron has asked to speak with you."

Tristan seemed a little surprised but just nodded.

Dr. Jackal sipped his coffee and swallowed it before he gave a bow to Lady Elizabeth and Mr. Sung. Dr. Jackal replied, "Good luck Lord Andrews."

A human looking woman about 5'7" with blondish hair and green eyes entered the room. She bowed to Elizabeth and Tristan then, in a lightly French accent, said, "Greetings everyone. I am Elise and I will be your tour guide. If everyone who is going on the tour would please follow me." She said before leading the group out into the hallway.

Dr. Jackal down the last of his coffee and sighed as his moment of pleasure came to an end. He gently set the cup on the saucer and collected his hat before tucking it under his arm and collecting his cane. As much as he liked the coffee, it would be bad to walk around with it during the tour. Then he waited till everyone was ready to go.

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