Rot Beneath: Walking the Beat

[Otto Schneider]

Responsibility was an onerous thing. No matter how many burdens a person continued to pile on their shoulders, it wouldn't buy them a reprieve from more worries in the days that came after. If anything, others would see the would-be problem solver as a natural person to pass their own worries onto. That's dangerously close to self-pity. Otto reminded himself as he stalked through the streets near the apparent murder of a Kindred.

His task was simple: gather information from the local Kindred to learn whatever he could about the bizarre circumstances surrounding a recent Final Death that had occurred. But 'simple' didn't necessarily mean 'easy.' The Priest was adept at dealing with formal social settings, engaging with people one-on-one, or otherwise holding a conversation over the normal course of business. He was not at home when it came to 'working the streets' and polling random bystanders for information.

Still, he had an important task. And if that meant pushing himself, so be it. Even if he wasn't intimately familiar with every Kindred in the Domain, he would be able to piece together who frequented the area based on the descriptions and details he had gathered with the Prince. All that was left was to actually find them.

2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2026-01-26 23:19:56	Otto Schneider rolls 5 to Work the streets (Manipulation + Streetwise - Unskilled Penalty + Willpower) (10 Again, WillPower)	1, 5, 10, 1, 5, 8	2 successes

[Otto Schneider]

Book-keeping Post

[Seryna]

Otto would find that the faceless masses of Kindred were particularly active tonight. He was able to find a few who claimed to be well versed in the goings on around town. One stated 'You know, I saw a new ghoul talking with a ghoul about the state of affairs in the Domain in Elysium last night. Wearing a fresh suit, yet looked snatched from the gutter, to me."

"I heard from a friend that she saw an unfamiliar Kindred out hunting in the Red Light district. I am sure that you have heard many interesting things, Priscus."

[Otto Schneider]

The various Kindred that wandered the night were, at best, a mixed bag to Otto. Some of them held valuable insight, some were merely the detritus of Damned society that had somehow managed to cling to a measure of relevance. He nearly snarled at the gossiping Kindred on the streets, but managed to retain his cool through his force of will.

"I have many intriguing facts to share, it is true." He conceded. "But I do not share anything of value for free. Tell me the name of the Kindred that stalks the Red Light district, and you will get something in return." He was technically at a disadvantage in the negotiations, but if there was one thing that Otto had learned throughout the years, it was that you couldn't simply offer information for free and expect an equitable return from the universe.

[Seryna]

The Kindred is intriqued. He considers for a moment and makes a short nod.
"The Kindred attempted to move away without engaging with me. Yet I used subterfuge to inquire about his intentions and of course, his identity. He did confide that he is William Elvin. He came down from Phoenix, AZ. He did disengage with me at this point."

[Otto Schneider]

Otto nodded along, feigning as though he were impressed by the other Kindred's skill at the Danse Macabre. "Any guess as to his Clan? It could be subtle, you don't even have to know for sure." He assured the stranger.

With some reluctance he leaned in a little closer to the unremarkable Kindred to confide in him. "Be straightforward. Tell me what interests you and I may pay your price." There was a heavy emphasis on 'may' as the Priest fixed his counterpart with a steely gaze.

[Seryna]

"I would say he's one that favors strength. A Nosferatu or Daeva." The answer is thoughtful. "He did not have much social grace.

I would be very interested to have an invitation to a social event of note. I know that some have occurred."

[Otto Schneider]

Otto quirked a brow at the assessment. A Daeva lacking social graces wasn't entirely impossible, but it would be unusual. He mentally noted 'Nosferatu' as a first guess, but still decided to keep his initial options of investigation open.

The Priest nearly rolled his eyes but decided to keep calm as he addressed the unknown Kindred. "Alright. I will offer you a rare opportunity. You know of the Gran Ballo? The exquisite ball the Sanctum holds near the end of the year?" He didn't wait for an answer. "I will be reinaugurating is as an annual occurrence this year. And you may be permitted as one of the few Damned outside our Covenant to attend. Fair?" The event hadn't been held with much regularity in Sacramento, as far as Otto knew, but it was the greatest singular celebration that the Sanctum had in a given year, outside proper religious feast days.

[Seryna]

The invitation offer was mused over for a moment. "Fair." The Kindred replied with a courteous bow of the head. This could be quite an intriguing event. One never did know who may attend.

[Otto Schneider]

Otto had to resist the temptation to sneer at the other Kindred. Instead, he merely nodded and turned away, content to at least have gathered some potential leads. "Remember to behave yourself." The Priest said over his shoulder before making his way towards a secluded corner to make a brief phone call.

OOC: Alright if I close this scene to have it enter continuity?