(AGToO) Risk of R(*)in

[Campanella]

Campanella runs a hand through his sodden hair. He stares - or is it glares - at the gallery door. Sighing he lets his eyes rove across the alley.

"Looks like we have no choice in the matter. I can't say I have heard of the Architects of the Future before then I think we have the 'shadowy forces' my Art associate was worried about. That could be why he phoned me last night; maybe he felt the net closing on him. Well... Seer, Left Hand or not, I don't like the idea this group can walk openly through our city. And play with shakespearean quotes in the rain. And interfere in our quest."

He chuckled to hide his embarrassment and annoyance.

"They were probably just leaving when we encountered them. Damn it all!"

He turned back to the alley while Alastor described his findings.

  

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2019-03-13 03:48:29		Campy to have insight at the right time rolls 5 to Wits + Occult (10 Again)		10, 7, 2, 7, 3, 5		1 success

"That is probably the tradesman's entrance. And its most likely where our Architects of the Future gained entry. I think you'll find they left by the front door using some form of Space Portal. I picked up some of the resonance right there." He gestured to the door and the distortion effect that twisted the hung, snarled like a spider's feast, in front of the gallery door.

"As for the rear entrance. It is as good a shot as any. I can try and gain us access but first let's try our friends in the machine."

Campanella texted Shodan - "Are you Free?"

[Vincent]

The reply to the Hierarch's inquiry came quickly.

"Busy atm. Will try to reconnect. Don't wait"

Two options, two paths, a shared set of problems. Will you force your way through the front door or attempt to gain entry from the back and hope to foil the security system?
It's a quarter past midnight now.

[Vincent]

Bump Cross Alastor

[Vincent]

Both men proceed toward the rear entrance, their path guided by the pallid neon of the emergency light, their feet splashing against the puddles of mud.
There, the resonance gets stronger, both awakened can feel it in their own way.
The Arrow sees the threads grow thicker with meaning, something relevant is inside. The Hierarch can perceive the motes of lingering afterthoughts. Several minds, rushing to do something but caught in an adrenaline fueled frenzy. It couldn't be older than a few hours.
The closer they get to the lowered aluminium shutter, the damper the air, thick with the pungent smell of ammonia and industrial solvents.
A single camera rests above their heads but gone are its flickering red lights.
The shutters are almost down to the ground, but an athletic man could fit through the small gap. No light comes from the inside, absolute dark.

[Dex + ath, 1 suxx to slither under the gate]

_______________________________________

The Hierarch's phone vibrates. It's Shodan, again.

Obstacle taken care of. Sustained some minor damage, nothing that can't be hammered out. We're on our way back.

_______________________________________

The Libertine isn't being straightforward, the Hierarch can tell. There's a certain "emotional connection" between an Alchemist and his material belongings.

[Campanella]

Campanella follows behind, head tilted upward as to observe the blinded camera. He frowns.

Leaning back against the wall, he checks his vibrating phone. And frowns again.

"Well. I guess they have had their fun and are coming... back... soon? Think I should ask Shodan if he can blind the security cameras inside?"

Campanella's voice is trailing off as Alastor demonstrates his athleticism.

Grimacing even more, Campanella follows suit. Sometime's it is wise to leave things as they are - this is undoubtedly a Sleeper crime scene now.

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2019-03-21 03:10:45		Campanella to crawl under doors rolls 4 to Dexterity + Athletics -1 untrained (10 Again, WillPower)		4, 3, 9, 7		1 success

While Alastor checks for threats, Campanella moves carefully through the gallery in search of his contact - and whatever happened to them. He sticks to the shadows and moves with slow deliberation, avoiding the internal cameras and other security. The Moros does not want to be seen more than he has. Unfortunately for the investigation, Campanella's prudence comes at a cost - his focus on the security means that he misses clues he might otherwise have seen...

  

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2019-03-21 03:20:45		Campy looks for clues rolls 4 to Wits + Investigation (10 Again)		7, 5, 1, 4		failure
2019-03-21 03:19:38		Campanella to leave no traces rolls 5 to Dexterity + Larceny (10 Again)		1, 10, 7, 1, 5, 1		1 success

[Vincent]

The photocell switch flips the lights on as soon as the Hierarch has brushed against it. They are in the deposit, a large spacious ambient at the back of the gallery, its walls are made of red bricks and the area is littered with hundreds of wooden shipping crates.
Some of the boxes are marked, others, especially the ones at the far back of the room bear the shipping company logo and multiple identifiers.
The air is damp with dust, humid and filled with the pungent smell of ammonia and cheap cleaning solvent.
On the floor, right by Alastor, lies a large chainsaw. Three large crates have been partially opened, scattering a handful of white Styrofoam balls on the floor. Two crowbars have been left there.

Campanella : The Hierarch is like a shadow, avoiding the scrutiny of the lone camera lazily patrolling the ether.
Whenever his sight misses, his smell and awakened senses are ready to fill the blanks. The stale and humid air, the cheap solvents and ammonia. Both the Moros and the man going with it recognize that THIS IS NOT how the art business should be conducted.
It's odd, but he can't perceive the hundreds of lingering thoughts that would have been no doubt inspired by whatever piece of art was stored in the deposit.
He can feel it though, the tug of the torrent of minds calling him from the gallery proper, its the lingering resonance of its patrons and amid them the heaviness of awakened intelligence.
But it's the change in the brutish resonance he's been following right now that stirs his instincts. Around the chainsaw, fidgeting with the boxes. Greed, Madness, violence and the scornful essence of death.
Alastor The room is clear of threats, but the space warps into jagged angles around the chainsaw.
But it's the sympathetic network that raises most questions. The threads he's been following up to now grow thicker around the chainsaw and nearby the opened crates, hundred of ropes dive and drown inside the white Styrofoam. Another thick vein connects those to a desk in the back. On the opposite direction, another thread shots toward the wall, not far from the entrance to the gallery. There are four small marks on the floor forming the shape of a square. Although the thread has been severed and is now left hanging midair.

[Vincent]

The investigation starts now. It will take you all over the building, you have absolute freedom in dealing with the clues and calling your rolls. Though there's a time limit. Also WP refresh if your virtues are either Temperance or Prudence

[Campanella]

"This is wrong," Campenlla intoned as he took in the deposit. "I think my friend was more than just an art dealer."

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2019-03-22 23:27:06		Campanella to figure out what James was into rolls 6 to Intelligence + Larceny (10 Again)		6, 9, 7, 3, 2, 5		1 success

He moved around, hands raised as he tried to centre himself and sort out the pressing blur of emotions and signatures that stewed murderously beyond sight. Particularly the chainsaw.

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2019-03-22 23:28:32		[02] Campanella to Scrutinise Resonance rolls 6 to do something insignificant (10 Again)		4, 8, 2, 5, 4, 2		1 success
2019-03-22 23:28:32		[01] Campanella to Scrutinise Resonance rolls 6 to do something insignificant (10 Again)		3, 7, 7, 4, 1, 8		1 success

The welter of thoughts proved difficult to separate. When that was done, the Moros turned his attention to seeking out more clues. With his focus so spread, the Hierarch found it difficult to make headway.

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2019-03-22 23:29:58		Campanella to hunt for clues rolls 5 to Intelligence + Investigation (10 Again)		6, 1, 2, 3, 2		failure

Campy will Scrutinise the Identity of the resonance. I think that best describes trying to sort out the conflicting impressions and emotions that he is picking up.

Campy will also refresh his willpower.

I will focus on investigating the gallery next.

[Vincent]

@Cross Alastor Your phone rings, it's a message from Kaze.

<<Interference seems resolved. Hung up at scene. Will be at rendezvous asap.>>