Lunch in The Gazbo

JP with Lucian, Lorem, mdman and Cindy

May 13, 1889
Ellington Estate, Paris
Midday

It was going on 11:30 AM and Elizabeth's stomach was feeling rather empty. She barely eaten breakfast due to not being up to it. However, the Eldren had just finished with some more self healing and was now rather famished.

She inquired about lunch and was told it was close to ready. It was just herself, Lorem, Cronk and Lucian and it was a beautiful day. So, she requested lunch be served outside in the gazbo. Making sure that the accommodations were made for one of Cronks chairs to be placed outside, along with the step stool for Lorem.

The gazebo was on the larger side, made of beautiful wrought iron and glass. It was big enough for those currently at the house and the servants who would be serving them, but would be a little bit of a tight fit for the whole team.

Elizabeth had sent servants to inform Cronk, Lorem and Lucian of lunch being ready and the change in location. Then she left the door to the iron structure opened to allow her to enjoy the sounds of nature, sunlight, soft breeze and a perfectly seeped tea while she waited.

Everything about Cronk this day was sour. He walked the grounds all evening, hitting the bourbon immediately upon entering his quarters. His breath had the scent of sour mash.

His mood was sour. Since casting Camille from his room yesterday, he missed her presence. She still was committed to serve Cronk. The cigars and bourbon were there this morning. He missed her reading to him. And now, Cronk sunk low into a depressed state.

Perhaps lunch with the others would help. Still wearing the clothes he had worn all night, Cronk headed to the gazebo.

He saw that the Lady Boss was the only one present. Cronk hoped she knew nothing about what had happened. She had already educated Cronk on inappropriate relations between different species. He still didn’t fully understand. If two truly did care for each other, why would it be inappropriate?

Cronk was angry with himself for developing feelings for Camille. He enjoyed her companionship. Was that all. He felt he owed Camille an explanation.

He took a quick swig of the flask of bourbon before entering the gazebo. Opening the door, Cronk nodded at Lady Elizabeth, and took his seat.

“Night quiet, Lady Boss,” Cronk reported.

"Good afternoon, Cronk. That is good to here." Elizabeth responded, before watching the Orc for a moment. She could smell the booze from where she sat and he seemed off somehow. "Mr. Cronk, you aren't required to answer, but is everything alright?"

Cronk closed his eyes, as if looking inside. He didn’t like feeling like this. He needed a head or two to bash. Cronk realized he needed to hold together and bring what he knew to be stable back to himself.

“Cronk good,” he muttered. “Just tired. Cronk not sleep yet.” He realized it was only a partial truth. Cronk was tired, but that was a minute part to his mood.

Lorem had been able to get a plentiful amount of rest after her productive drive of getting the security system draft completed in such a short period of time. She was refreshed, in a clean outfit, perfume and a single English braid with her hair. With a rejuvenated pep in her step, she made her way to the new dining location.

“This is lovely.” Her gentle voice could be heard at the entry. “Good morning everyone.” She beamed everyone a big smile as she made her way in and up onto her seat. Her attitude was on the opposite end of the spectrum then Cronk’s. The two sitting at the table together looked like night and day with their body language and expressions.

She was briefly distracted by observing the metal work of the structure, but it eventually led her eyes back down to those present. “This space is splendid.”

Elizabeth wasn't sure if she believed Cronk completely, as it seemed like something else, but she also let it go. "I see, well, you have been having some late nights but I do appreciate your diglance to the job."

It was then Lorem appeared, "Thank you, Miss Ipsum. It has always one of my favorite places on the estate." Elizabeth paused briefly. "I looked over your plans for the security system. I do appreciate the quickness in which you put them together. I am going to approve everything you proposed." Elizabeth then turned to Cronk. "Cronk, you might be happy to hear that with the new security system being put in place you should be able to go back to doing teamwork, within the next few days."

Elizabeth's auburn hair was up in a bun, still a lock fell gently down, she gently pushed it back before continuing. "I sent a message to headquarters, the work on the security system will hopefully start tomorrow."

Lorem was beside herself with excitement. She looked like a firecracker that wanted to launch, but was instead trying to contain itself. For a tinkering gnome to hear word of their invention being accepted and going to be fabricated was a happy thing indeed.

“Thank you very much.” She exclaimed enthusiastically.

“Speaking of safety, Any word on how the rest of the team is doing?” She added with concern and empathy. They were all cozy while the rest were out on some dangerous mission.

Vor arrived later than he would have liked, working as he walked to not appear so disheveled from hurriedly dressing after being informed of the small meeting. While work still begged for his attention, he knew he needed fresh air and proper sunlight, as well as some real interaction with people. He entered hearing distance as Ms. Ipsum inquired something about the others.

"Has there been any news on Ms. Lavigne and the Doctor's location?"

At the questions about those who currently weren't there, the concern Elizabeth had all morning showed on her face, briefly but definitely there. "There has not been any news on the good doctor or Miss Lavigne, and no word on the rescue team." Elizabeth responded. "Mr. Sung, Sasha and Maseo are quite capable though, I am certain all will be fine." Elizabeth wasn't sure if she was trying to convince herself, the others at the table or both.

Lunch was served once Lucian took a seat. Elizabeth spoke up again. "I want you all to know the ...um...guest we had has been transported to headquarters. When the Baron came to retrieve the prisoner, he took the Eye with him. The Baron did leave the statues here however." She thought that information might be of interest to Lucian.

Vor was slightly perturbed at the loss of the Eye. Having the statues remain was a relief to him, a reminder of hope in these chaotic times.

"Will there be a chance of studying the Eye at the headquarters or is it lost to the Baron entirely?"

Cronk brooded. If he would have had the evil doctor before him now, the man wouldn’t survive.

Although he didn’t show it, Cronk was glad that he might be getting out and about with the team. He missed his comrades and doing some bashing.

Cronk barely touched food. This was unusual, as Cronk never balked at eating. Between meals, Cronk often ate more. His metabolism needed the protein. But something now was nagging Cronk not to eat.

He looked to Lorem. In his mind, the young gnome worked to much. During his rounds, he noticed how much she had worked on into the morning hours. “Now, Pretty Flower get sleep,” Cronk suggested.

Lorem actively listened to Lady Elizabeth’s report. She was the most informed source on the matter, so if that was all there was then the gnome’s curiosity would have to be content for now. She nodded with a gentle smile and inwardly wished them all well.

Lorem looked up at Cronk and nodded. “Yes, I was able to get plenty of overdue rest and am feeling recharged. Thank you for asking Cronk. How have your security patrols been going?” She inquired.

Cronk frowned, playing with the food on the plate before him. He just did not have the appetite.

“Boring,” Cronk answered. “Cronk try make it fun, but failed.” Remembering the two youth, Cronk added, “Did scare two boys. They try to play trick. Climbed wall. Cronk at bottom.”

Cronk shrugged. “That was fun. But mostly alone and bored.”

"I believe I might be able to arrange something," Elizabeth began to respond to Vor’s inquiry about studying the Eye at headquarters. "However, I learned about the Eye in school. I can tell you what is currently known about it. It was studied intently by mages before it was lost." Elizabeth wasn't surprised that Lucian wanted to study it, but it wasn't an Arundan artifact but a magical one, she knew that he would go to headquarters to likely not get much more information than what had already been found out.

Hearing Cronk say he had been alone and bored during his time working security, made Elizabeth feel for the Orc, it has just been a necessary job at the time.