(Reliquary) Wholesale Investigations

[Yumyumcrow]

The night was young. Fresh and clean the darkness had a crisp quality to it that seemed to make things stand out more strongly. Tree's and scrub loomed, framing the parking lot. Lights and noise flashed by along the Highway. Light pooled under street lights and splashed the walls of the warehouse a jaundiced yellow. Gravel ground under their car as they approached, the loose stones chewing noisily at the tyres. In the distance, an ambient glow marked where the college town of Davis lay before them.

Roberts Cave of Wonders stood at the very back of the lot: a careworn warehouse with a big, fading sign reminiscent of the Arabian Nights. Light blasted forth from the large window at the front. Evidently, someone was still at work.

Gerald Baker Travisc06489 Chris Wooding Dark Passenger

[Chris Wooding]

All casually dressed, Chris waits outside his parked Mini Cooper for Gerald Baker to arrive. He could be any college kid, wearing a nice leather jacket to be fashionable, and because some thick clothing never hurts when you're so far out of the Domain. Davis. Any Brood could be breeding here. That's why his katana is at his side, ready for action. Although it's "hidden" for mundane eyes. He's also carrying a small back-pack with some ritual basics.

You never know when you might need that.

A Cave of Wonders could be harboring anything.

  Obfuscate

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2015-04-12 06:24:11		Chris rolls 5 to Touch of Shadow katana (-2 for size) (10 Again)		1, 8, 4, 9, 1		2 successes

-1 vitae for Blush

[Gerald Baker]

  3 suxx to feed

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2015-04-12 07:26:25		Gerald Baker rolls 5 to Presence+Persuasion capped at 6 to Feed (10 Again)		2, 10, 3, 3, 9, 10, 5		3 successes

Wiping a little blood from his lips with a handkerchief and giving the rest of his navy blue suit a quick once-over, Gerald "Twice-Dead" Baker walks quietly and calmly through the lot. The antiquated, faded sign reads 'Roberts Cave of Wonders', and Gerald is not particularly impressed. As to what he expected to see, he doesn't have a clear answer. If the outlet's exterior aesthetic quality is any indication, he is just wasting time here. Or, rather, they are. He neatly folds the handkerchief and slips it into his back pocket, opposite side to his wallet. He'd brought a decent amount of cash this evening in that wallet; they were entreating with 'dealers' of a sort, after all.

Gerald spots the Domain's handsome Reeve next to a handsome car. If you like Mini Coopers, anyway. He raises his hand in a small, wave-like gesture as he approaches. Clutched in his free hand is that lovely crystal-topped cane - never used for walking, though occasionally to stand around and look important. As he arrives next to Chris, he touches the end to the ground with a gentle tap, as though announcing his arrival.

"Good evening." A pearly white smile flashes against his ruddy complexion. Not seeing the writer present, Gerald mentally shrugs. "Just us, then?"

Equipment

Cell phone, cane sword and $3000.

+3 Vitae for feeding, -1 for Blush of Life

[Chris Wooding]

Handkerchief, fancy cane and a suit, when Chris sees all that he doesn't believe that Gerald is simply the hitman who is "equipped to deal with nuisances". Which is a good thing, since the Reeve likes to work with more all-round Kindred. 'Good evening.'

'Yes, Mr Durand had some other business to attend to. But since we're just here to investigate, I assume we'll be fine.' If they actually find something, assistance can always be called for.

'So, just to walk things through... we're not sure what we're looking for.' A grin appears, seeing this sad fact as a challenge rather than a setback. 'I can usually handle myself relatively well with people, but if you have any particularly useful skills, feel free to use them. We can just look around, but preferably there's a salesman to help us further.'

'Shall we just go, and improvise from there?'

[Gerald Baker]

He nods, feeling about the same. Unless they happen to run into a whole pack of screaming, bloody cultists in the back room, it is doubtful the pair have reason to worry.

The smile following Chris' admission is a little off-putting. He's... 'happy' that we are completely in the dark? I'm not sure I share this Reeve's enthusiasm. Ever concerned with appearances, however, he grins back. It's probably a Shadow thing, or something. They do enjoy their secrets.

"Most likely we can buy ourselves some information. And I'm sure you would be able to weed out any useless junk we may come across from the 'real McCoy'." Of course, this assumes that whatever the ritualists were looking for is actually in there. "Well, I can't imagine a reason to delay longer, so yes: let's go." He tilts his head slightly towards the establishment's front door in a 'let's get going' way before hefting up his cane again and making his way across the lot.

[Chris Wooding]

Buy information? That seems like a waste, but hey, it might be necessary. Especially if the Shadow Reeve cannot simply get the information. And if Gerald is willing, Chris is not going to stop the man.

'Let's hope so. It depends on how much junk there actually is.' Even with Auspex, it can be a time consuming process. The smallest things can be of the greatest value.

Better get started. He nods, 'Right.' Then he starts walking towards the store.

Chris is still trying to find any cameras, in the parking lot, or inside the store.

[Yumyumcrow]

Chris can make a check for [Wits + Composure -1]

[Chris Wooding]

  2 suxx

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2015-04-13 03:29:24		Chris rolls 5 to Wits + Comp -1 (10 Again)		7, 5, 10, 4, 8, 5		2 successes

[Yumyumcrow]

Chris takes his time as he walks across the lot. Yes, there is a nice boxy old security camera, well positioned to capture anyone approaching from the front. With a bit more scrutiny the sharp eyed Reeve notes how clobbered the camera looks; by the time he is at the door, he has formed the opinion (correct, it turns out) that the camera box has been smashed and reassembled - a good job! - but lacks an actual camera. Looking through the window, he can see at least one more camera of similar vintage positioned to take as wide an angle as possible. He cannot tell if the technology is functioning or not.

The shop front window is large and not quite in keeping with the warehouse's aesthetic. The paint on it looks recent too, in comparison to the rest of the place.

Chris doesn't get much chance to call out, given that "Twice Dead" has taken the lead. He is off and across the lot at a smart pace; the echo of a doorbell is hanging in the night air as the Reeve reaches the shop front. Gerald Baker is already within and making his way to the counter, staffed by a woman out of place in an antique dealership such as this. The woman, with her edgy short hair and an stark tattoo spiralling down her arm, looks up surly eyed from the interruption to her paperwork.

[Gerald Baker]

At the counter, Gerald stops. He takes a quick glance around the room, seeing if anyone else is around. Then he makes eye contact with the woman. Smiles apologetically. "Busy night? I hope you don't mind if we do some browsing. A friend and I are looking for inspiration." He chuckles a little. "I'm sure business picks up around tax season. Everyone has a little more money to spend."

Gerald glances back over his shoulder, wondering if Chris is catching up. He uses this opportunity to look at the rest of the store and see if anything looks out of place, sharpening his sight and enhancing his hearing as he does so.

  5 suxx to survey the room

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2015-04-15 21:49:12		Gerald Baker rolls 5 to Wits+Composure to scope out the shop's interior. (10 Again)		8, 9, 10, 3, 10, 3, 10, 2		5 successes

Heightened senses active for sight as well as hearing.