(Beneath Notice) Skyrise Shuffle

Oct 17th, 2018 08:53 PM

It was the side of an apartment building that Aaron van Valen and Clara E. Verne found themselves peering at. The building was wide at the front, but skinny, undoubtedly with a central hallway from which apartments flowed on the left and right of the corridor. The side they were looking at was plainly a stairwell - both could see in through windows that appeared on each level above the first. It was from the third floor, their witnesses had seen the poachers at some dastardly deed.

At the bottom of that stairwell was an emergency exit to the side of the building, one of those doors without an external handle that could be opened by a pushbar from the inside. There were dumpsters outside the building, and one single light bulb burned above the door, illuminating the area for a security camera that was up about fifteen feet from the ground.

There were, of course, front and rear entrances to the five-storey apartment block. The front door was up a little walking path from the street. The back abutted against an outdoor parking lot.

A raccoon stared at them from next to a nearby garbage can, holding a rotting apple core in its tiny paws as it blinked twice at them.

Dark Passenger Riks

**Aaron van Valen** · Oct 19th, 2018 02:46 AM

Standing frozen for a few seconds, Aaron goes over the several scenarios in his head. If he would be a mortal man that saw a murder happen, he would definitely call the police. The police would tell him to wait.

That waiting is now.

Then there are a ton of things the Lord has no idea about that could influence the decision making here.

'What do you think? Are you a convincing undercover police agent, first to respond to an emergency? Or do we pretend like we have no idea what happened and come up with another excuse?'

They could be random neighbors. All they need is an open door. Unfortunately, breaking in is not within Aaron's skill set.

Oct 21st, 2018 06:54 PM

Riks BUMP

**Aaron van Valen** · Oct 23rd, 2018 06:54 PM

While Clara remains deep in thought, Aaron approaches the building.

Time to find out if he could enter through the front door. Maybe this is his lucky night and the door is broken. He has some plans though, in the likely case the door is locked.

Whether this is my lucky night or not will be determined when I go back into the bar.

But no. He has to focus first on the Masquerade. Aaron looks left and right, hoping to find any clues, but really - this is not his strong suit. However, some information could be simple enough to read from signs on an elevator. Or maybe...

He takes a step back while heightening his senses. Maybe he could see the house number from down here?

Activate Heightened Senses
Will try to access the building & look for signs that indicate which house numbers are on what floors.
Unless he can actually see it in the stairwell, from outside

Investigation

Perception

Oct 24th, 2018 01:10 AM

As luck would have it, Aaron had no difficulty getting them into the building. A handsome pair, Clara and Aaron; neither of them seemed shady and both were well dressed from their night out. Some twenty-something with minimal care for security literally held the door for them.

Fortunate.

Plainly visible was a buzzer machine with buttons for each floor. It wasn't labelled, but it showed that there were ten apartments on the third floor. In the center of the plain lobby was a functional, older elevator that could take them there.

**Aaron van Valen** · Oct 26th, 2018 03:27 PM

Aaron mumbles a quick thanks to the person holding the door open. Really, what harm would it be to let someone in a stairwell?

Besides, I'm only here for a good cause.

Without a word he makes his way to the third floor.

He counts the number of doors, and tries to see which apartment would logically be the right one - judging from the windows he could see outside.

Then he rings the doorbell, accompanied by: 'Hey there, anyone home? Sorry to bother you at this hour. It's your upstairs neighbors...' He would continue the story, if there is any sign of life or response from inside.

Oct 26th, 2018 03:31 PM

Please roll Manipulation + Investigation to canvas the floor well!

**Aaron van Valen** · Oct 26th, 2018 03:43 PM

failure

Oct 26th, 2018 03:56 PM

It wasn't so much that van Valen found himself in any trouble. It was just that he didn't really fit in. He was a stranger. He wasn't dressed in any particular way that would indicate he was an official of any kind. People didn't really like to talk to random people on the street, particularly ones that had the unconscious jaded vibe about them of a Kindred who was not an examplar of Humanity. This wasn't a place that wanted him.

His canvas led him where he needed to go. Heightened hearing, however, made it clear that there was one door where there were people inside who were very quietly whispering to each other. Two people, in fact - a woman and a child, were whispering back and forth, but what Aaron could clearly make out was:

"Shh, honey."

Closer to the front, a male voice was more direct in speaking through the door.

"Who is it?"

**Aaron van Valen** · Oct 31st, 2018 06:47 PM

Aaron is frozen for a single second when the reply comes. It's no good news that there are two adults in the apartment. It makes everything more tricky. He needs to think of something. But indeed, it's hard to really try to fit in. To look like he belongs.

He makes an effort though, for a little act.

His face takes on a slightly embarrassed but also desperate expression.

'It's your upstairs neighbors, from number [insert 4th floor number], earlier today we did some work on the bedroom. I must have cut a cable somewhere...' He lets out a sigh, then mumbles to Clara, 'God I'm so clumsy. Sorry hun.'

'Anyway, I didn't notice before we left, but somehow the power is out. It's pitch black. Do you have some candles by any chance? Or a work light that works on batteries?'

1 success

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2018-10-23 18:33:21		Aaron van Valen rolls 5 to Look for clues (Wits 3 + Investigation 2) (10 Again)		5, 3, 4, 5, 5		failure

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2018-10-23 18:45:45		Aaron van Valen rolls 6 to Perception (Wits 3 + Composure 3) (10 Again)		1, 2, 8, 7, 1, 2		1 success

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2018-10-26 15:42:57		Aaron van Valen rolls 3 to canvassing the floor (10 Again)		5, 2, 3		failure

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2018-10-31 18:36:05		Aaron van Valen rolls 5 to Presence + Expression to look genuine / innocent (10 Again)		6, 5, 1, 2, 10, 2		1 success

(Beneath Notice) Skyrise Shuffle

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