Creating the Chapter

[Yumyumcrow]

There is very little information to go on, really. Of course, absence of information does not mean nothing happened; it could simply mean that whatever did happen out at the mansion was discrete or not the kind of salacious event that would find its way into the local papers and scandal sheets.

A few years ago there was a small news story about vagrants using the empty mansion as a squat. Police were called and carted off the vagrants. A large stake was found in one of the upper rooms, attracting some fearful comment and a greater police presence - the stake had traces of blood on it.

Another story has surfaced much more recently in a disreputable rag about a "presence" some locals feel coming from the mansion and its grounds. Most of the story is a garbled mess (bad journalism) that mines the previous story of the stake and delves into wild speculation. But then, this rag is stuffed with stories of alligators in the sewers and goblins haunting some old prohibition tunnels, so its no wonder this tale would be buried in the bottom drawer of an old filing cabinet.

[Aaron van Valen]

For a moment, Aaron narrows his eyes, as if inspecting whether she speaks the truth or not. But so far, he really has no reason to believe Lina wouldn't. And everyone wins, is something that sounds good to him.

'Yes. Let's do this as a team, indeed.' He extends his hand, hoping she would be willing to shake on it. Unlike Lina, he is one of the those Kindred that usually doesn't shake hands. So now it bears more meaning.

Worst case scenario, he'd have some mind-work to do and test the limits of his dominion over her. A soft voice in the back of his head wonders: How fragile would her mind be? But the Dragon inside him holds the keys to that cage, and hopes he'll never have to find out.

Aaron agrees with her other reasoning, 'A solid plan.' That said, they can continue the work they set out for themselves this night. At least there were some results before the closing of the library.

'A stake was found? We really have to check this place out as soon as possible. Then again, if even an essence of the other stories is true, back up would be good.' From all the sources, it is hard to tell fact from fiction, so 'better safe than sorry' is again applicable. He looks up at Lina, 'We could ally ourselves with someone more familiar with the Domain. Possibly Unaligned, to see what they're made of. Or do you feel more like doing this the PI way?'

[Aaron van Valen]

'Police files, that might take a while to get hold of. Right?' Of course Aaron doesn't know how established her network is already. But it might also be good to attract the least attention to this place as possible.

Since Aaron would have been fine with either, he agrees with Lina's perspective. 'Yes. That's good to start with. I'm not sure if research will bring us more, especially with the resources currently available.'

He checks his watch. This mysterious location is quite far out of the center.

'How about we call it a night, and make it there first thing tomorrow?' Which would also give him an opportunity to grab a bite somewhere.

Just in case we do need to chase off some crocodiles or... goblins. With his experience studying the occult, nothing would surprise him anymore.

[Aaron van Valen]

'Yes. Perfect.'

Awesome! Closed.