(Portrait) Portrait of an Angel

[Yumyumcrow]

Striga Mortis had become momentarily lost in combing her hair. She made to speak, opened her mouth - but Phoenyx beat her to the punch.

Ms. Sadie stared at them both from her imposing height - both physical (from her height and statuesque build) and because of the well tailored business clothes she wore. She arched an eyebrow, smiled, then hunched a little as she placed a professional demeanour on her face.

"Why yes. What caught your eye? It was a painting, wasn't it? I haven't seen you circulating outside."

Her glance drifted across the gardens where the sculptures had been placed. The lingered on Skye and Striga Mortis, who seemed somewhat out-of-place at the function. Striga Mortis, in her gothic regalia; Skye, looking like a seasoned power-walker with a waterskin - not a flask! - at her hip.

"Yes. Portrait of an Angel - or at least, that was the title it had been given. The curator suggested that the actual name and origin of the work is still unknown."

Striga Mortis shook her cascading black locks, shifted her pose, and made to take command of the conversation.

[Skye]

Smiling in return when she could feel the eyes upon her, biting her tongue for a second before kissing out in the air towards her to see her reaction it was probably not gonna lead to anything but it was always nice to see the reaction when she did something like that.

Otherwise she remained still, seeing no point in talking with Satyricon right now as they both most likely wanted to hear what was about to be said and if it did not prove to be interesting so could she always slip away to get a chance to speak more privately with the curator.

[Naga]

Ew, punchbowls. Public watering troughs. Naga never cared for them. Why couldn't they be at a bar?

Back to the matter at hand, they couldn't let Striga maintain control of the conversation. They were, it seemed, falling into a competition of sorts. Why wasn't clear. The goth chick annoyed her. Perhaps that was enough.

Smiling brilliantly, the Ladder focused those mesmerizing eyes on Miss Sadie, "Yes, we would deeply appreciate any information you'd be willing to share." The we being herself and Phoenyx, "We were told you were the one to ask. Could you help us?" Flattery will get you everywhere, especially when you seek preferential, or even exclusionary, treatment.

2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2020-08-23 21:41:16	Naga rolls 6 to Presence + Persuasion + SL (10 Again)	9, 3, 7, 8, 3, 4	2 successes

[Kaze]

Kaze spends a few more moments thanking ANGELA CRABBE and admiring her card--classy!--and putting it carefully in his pocket with respect. Then he thanks her for her time and the timely information and leaves to catch up with the others. He does not run or even walk quickly. Without rushing, he follows the path that he saw the others take, and keeps an eye out for anyone else who is keeping an eye out.

When he catches up with Phoenyx, Skye and Naga, he stands at the back, a little apart, close enough to hear everything, but looking around with interest apparently at other objects of art but mostly at the other people around. Watching their back.

2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2020-08-24 22:19:01	Kaze rolls 6 to perception (Wits 3 +Composure 3) (10 Again)	3, 1, 9, 2, 2, 10, 5	2 successes

[Yumyumcrow]

Ms. Sadie raised an eyebrow at Skye but said nothing as her attention was drawn by Naga

Despite Striga Mortis pose and the tone of her voice, it was the Warlock who grabbed the curator's attention. The mage from San Francisco seethed - a frisson in her stance duly noted by Kaze as he hustled to catch up. Satyricon jockeyed for position, but Naga's mesmerising eyes were magnetic and hypnotic. Ms. Sadie focussed on her.

"It is a work by an unknown artist and was part of the inventory of the antique store that once existed on this spot. There is no record of how, or when, the painting came to be here. Which, I am sure you will agree is a terrible shame. The painting is beautiful to behold and the artist obviously has talent, but without context I cannot ascribe a high value to the work. Are you looking to purchase?"

There was a hint of resignation in Ms Sadie's voice.

[Phoenyx]

"Yes," Phoenyx says simply. "What manner of cost would that be?"

There is no sign of trying to overcome Striga. The Arrow's face is simply calm.

[Skye]

Spells

Body Mastery +2
life mage sight/pulse of the living world
Organic Resilience 2E monthly pot2

This seemed like a perfect time where everyone would be listening carefully to the conversation and not really take note of her.
Gently trying to back and sneak of from the group, not that sneaking was her best skill and she really didn't do a good job of it but hopefully they wouldn't really care much that she left.

failure

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2020-08-26 15:17:59	Skye rolls 5 to Sneaking away dex+stealth (10 Again)	3, 2, 7, 5, 4	failure

Drinking from her waterskin as she heads back inside to look for the curator or Angela not that she knew her name but there was still a question gnawing at her mind that she wanted answered about her earlier comment and the rest of the group could most likely fill her in about what she would miss.
Making sure to walk towards the restroom whilst still being in view of the group so that those who noticed her leaving would at least think she went for the restroom and not for anything special.

[Yumyumcrow]

Ms. Sadie glanced between Phoenyx Naga and the gothic woman before she continued.

"Despite my better judgement, I will have to sell the work for ___*"

Striga Mortis pounced.

"Thats a tragedy. It is clearly worth more - I'll pay you ___^. My friend and I can pay now, if that is acceptable to you

The look that Striga Mortis gave to Phoenyx was full of mischief and spite.
Skye choses this moment to slip away, quietly, back into the crowd. She heads back to the function suite, watched only by a few of the other customers and guests - who would not notice the Shaman's calming presence or the gentle beauty of her flawless movements.

Skye caught up with the first curator they had seen (Angela, as Kaze knows) as the dowdy woman is returning to the formal garden's. She looked a little surprised as the Shaman appeared at her side, but turned to Skye with an attentive attitude nonetheless.

"Hello again. Habe you found something else of interest?"

Some notes on this one: -
* - Effectively 1 Resource dot to purchase (monthly purchase)
^ - Striga Mortis is willing to pay 2 Resource dots

If you wish to outbid Striga, you must pay 3 Resource dots or higher (a monthly purchase at 3+ Resource dots) or you can attempt to sway the bidding into your favour using Manipulation + Persuasion + Equipment bonus (Resource dots put toward the purchase).

The roll will be contested by Striga Mortis to reflect the bidding process. Paying for the painting directly will be more costly, but will cut Striga out completely.

[Naga]

The price was, sadly, somewhat beyond her current means. Naga grimaced inwardly. A year ago she could have bought it without issue. The restructuring of her life since her Awakening had, however, reduced her income.

She might still be able to swing it, though. She just had to pour on the charm.

And snakes could be very charming.

"I'm sure we can come to an agreement on this gorgeous piece, Ms. Sadie. I'm Vanessa, by the way." She smiled another brilliant smile as she began pushing all the right buttons.

4 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2020-08-30 11:10:37	Naga rolls 6 to Manip 2 + Persuasion 2 + Resources 2 (10 Again)	9, 6, 8, 8, 8, 2	4 successes

[Kaze]

Kaze watches the out of town mages intently. If this doesn't go their way, well they came all the way down here for something. They might not just drop it, the way we did when we went up there.

He notices Skye leaving. With her magically enhanced self control of her body, he didn't exactly buy that she had to run to the little girl's room, but it wasn't his business to figure out what she might be up to. Whether it was her own idea or Phoenyx told her to do something, Kaze isn't going to get out of position to watch Phoenyx's back and be available to follow orders if they came.

He keeps his eye on the out of town mages. Especially the guy who seemed all mellow and chill. He was chatting with Skye before. Kaze doesn't assume that he's any less a potential threat than the more strident woman.