(Under Control) Meeting Chantay

[Chris Wooding]

Chris thinks about this situation for a moment, but even as an optimist, he has to be realistic.

'Well, these people we're dealing with are obviously not dumb. They know that this device is only just turned on again, they know it has been stolen, and they know this is a public place. Besides, they have no idea that Miss Jones is here, so they have no reason to come, do they?'

He looks at the phone again, honestly not sure what to do with it.

'Unless it's worth a lot to them, we can always take a look in the club and wait for a while. But... any more active plan would have my preference.'

He turns to Velma, 'V, can you maybe give a detailed description of these people? Or do you already have an idea who they might be?' The last question is directed at Chantey & Co.

[Velma]

”The bait sounds like a good idea…” Velma nodded, but apparently not too convinced.

”I mean, I think it’s the only one we have to deal with them and get them to come to us.” What were the other options? Summoning?

”There was a brunette woman with glasses, early twenties. She was the one who didn’t stay for long…” Velma paused to collect and provide a description of the other two.

”There was a male, Caucasian, thin brown hair which seems to be starting to recede, should be around his early thirties…” and finally

”And another woman, the one who seemed to be in charge, or at least to take the decisions… a blonde with glasses, was wearing a dress like if she had been at the Opera.” Maybe it ringed some bells, maybe it didn’t…

[Lesingnon]

Chantay listened carefully to the descriptions. But, unfortunately, they didn't really mean much to her. "None of those ring a bell for me, I'm afraid."

And there are a few brief moments where she considers just how much she should give away to this pair about what little she knew of those two groups and their shadow war. But then, she ultimately knew very little of either, and certainly didn't trust them. So was there any real reason for her to worry about their secrets? Especially given that, self-centered as it undoubtedly was, these two had shown some level of concern for her well-being.

"There are two groups that seem engaged in something of a...shadow war, I suppose, for information. We've had limited contact with two individuals from one group, both men. One a bit older, in his forties or maybe early fifties. Very distinguished, piercing gaze...he certainly stands out in a crowd. The other was a bit younger, Asian. Doesn't stand out in a crowd nearly as much, just covered in scars though. Though I imagine he'd have them pretty much covered if he came here."

"And using the phone as bait sounds best." Speaking of, she slipped her own back into her purse, since it seemed as though she wasn't going to get to see if the number from the mysterious text matched Eric's after all. "We need to be able to identify them before they can even see us. You're known to them, we're known to them. Anyone they send could have our descriptions. But they could also easily send people we've never seen before."

[Chris Wooding]

A shadow war? That sounds interesting.

'Information about what? If I may ask.' If all they plan do is wait, then they rather make it an interesting period, right?

If only someone had a power to make people just come.

He might as well ask the Priscus of Daeva is she knows of such a thing. But that would require privacy.

'How about this, you can take the phone go back into the club. Though it would make no sense for Miss Jones to have it, since they haven't found her yet.' So he offers the device to any of the two men. 'Then Miss V and I can inform security to look out for the trio, or an Asian covered in scars. We might have a slight advantage if we actually see them coming.'

[Firebringer]

"Difficult to say, exactly. One of the two we spoke to let slip something about a congressional hearing, however." A worried frown, as he scoops up the phone, rather than put his packmate in the hot seat. "We know at least one side is taking a close interest in people. Perhaps certain, very specific types of people?"

He pauses. A gamble, but so much was in the dark. The only certainty was that he didn't trust Eric and his friend. Given the resources those two seemed to possess, however, the avoidance of risks seemed likely to lead only to defeat. "You expressed surprise, V, at a picture having been taken. Perhaps the information they fight over, concerns those who might not be considered, in the strictest sense, people at all?"

[Velma]

The Succubus was paying attention to the conversation, when F spoke his predatory presence imposed over the others, the possible meaning of his words even more.

Velma quickly dismissed all the rest they were discussing, what could he possibly mean by specific types of people, or by people who might not be considered people at all? Did he knew? Was he a kindred who had been keeping the mask all this time? He didn’t seem to have the corpse like complexion of the undead…

Her eyes focused on Firebringer trying to figure out if he was really breathing, if his sweat was for real… she had no real way of doing it. Unless of course she asked.

In the split of an instant she formed a curious smile in her face, part of almost a century protecting the masquerade by telling elaborate lies and disbelieving the kine.

Velma raised her eyebrow and asked:

”Just what do you really mean by people who, in the strictest of senses, might not be considered people at all?” What an insane notion.

[Matamune]

Daniel watches the exchange calmly right up to the point when Firebringer brings something quite particular up. He is sure they are not Urdaga because there is no smell. And what is this thing about pictures? There is probably a technology Gift out there that might have the same effect...

Then again, the night is full of all sorts of things. Government agencies out for blood. Sorcerers. Corpses being carried around in trucks. Who knows where this dance might lead?

The good thing is that they actually have time for a dance: Sacramento is no small city and even if the owner is coming for the phone right now it will take them a while...

So he folds his arms in front of his and looks at Velma with new and somewhat detached interest. Just what is Firebringer getting at here?

[Lesingnon]

It was mildly unexpected when Firebringer spoke up, but only mildly. And even then only because he'd seemed largely content to watch and listen during the bulk of this entire affair. It was what he said, or rather asked, that was surprising. People that weren't people? She hadn't the slightest clue what he was driving about. So apparently it was her turn to watch and listen, to see where this went.

So she simply leaned back in her chair, crossing one leg over the other as she listened.

[Chris Wooding]

This is the moment where a Mekhet cannot simply listen, he needs to find things out by himself. First there is the fact that their apparent common enemy is looking for Chantey Jones, then this F guy suggests that they're not looking for "strictly people". And Miss Jones is not at all offended. Odd.

There is a short silence that follows, Velma already asked the obvious question. No one seems to want to add anything, so F can further explain himself. Meanwhile the group becomes the target of Chris' scrutiny. He tries to smile politely as he watches Chantey. It takes a while, because the Mekhet can hardly concentrate in this situation. Almost up to the moment where it becomes rude, but can you blame him? The woman is simply gorgeous. And he's such a young guy. Or he looks like one.

But then his gaze turns towards the other men in the room.

Obviously, I'm just a bodyguard, new on the job.

  Aura perceptionssss

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2014-11-11 22:59:40		Chris rolls 6 to Wits + Emp + Auspex for Aura Perception -2 (nature) of Daniel (10 Again)		5, 3, 4, 5, 4, 8		1 success
2014-11-11 22:59:05		Chris rolls 6 to Wits + Emp + Auspex for Aura Perception -2 (nature) of F (10 Again)		7, 3, 7, 9, 6, 3		1 success
2014-11-11 22:58:43		Chris rolls 5 to Wits + Emp + Auspex -1 retry for Aura Perception -2 (nature) of Chantey (10 Again)		6, 8, 6, 8, 10, 3		3 successes
2014-11-11 22:58:13		Chris rolls 6 to Wits + Emp + Auspex for Aura Perception -2 (nature) of Chantey (10 Again)		4, 1, 6, 6, 7, 7		failure

[Firebringer]

Firebringer watches V for a long moment, attempting to gauge a reaction. It seemed the fencing match had begun. "People who aren't normal, who are somewhat ... more than human. The sorts of beings the masses would prefer to remain in blissful ignorance of. It might surprise you how many varieties I've run into over the years."

One eyebrow arches, perhaps a challenge to his new sparring partner. "So let me ask you this, V. Do you believe that even one person in this room is entirely mundane? Because I'm sure we can trade words all night, dancing around the subject at hand, but I believe we share a common enemy. A dangerous one, from what we've witnessed." One finger taps the phone for emphasis. "Be a shame if we faced them unprepared, simply because we whittled away our time being coy with each other, wouldn't you agree?"

for W

Firebringer's aura pulses and writhes, its brilliance seeming to hold dominance over the entirety of his surroundings.