An Interview

[Jennifer Hazelton]

The two-story salon had an artistic styled sign across the entrance with the name Lotus. The location of the building, nestled on a walkway near other artistic stores. The lighting within the salon allowed one to see the space, yet was dim. When you move through the entranceway, a walk-in coat check where Liam waited to accept coats and accessories was to the left. The next door led to a small room with a few seats along the wall, yet mostly open space. This space was where ghouls and proxies were sent while business was conducted. A small hallway with two locked doors led to an upstairs area, reserved for a small office area for managing the salon.

Jennifer waited by the coat check for Aiko to arrive. Jennifer wore a Jovani long formal pleated trumpet dress in black. A silver silk scarf was looped around her neck and pinned in several places to ensure it remained secured. One pin was set to be a scarf accessory: an emerald and diamond brooch. Jennifer wore a single ring, in chocolate diamond and white diamonds.

Two large glass globes with small openings at the top were just before the open door, creating a narrow walkway into the room. Within these globes, lotus flowers floated in clear water. The first door was open, revealing an intimate room with two paintings on the wall.
Painting 1
Painting 2

The room was designed as a gentleman's study. There were two large book cases beside a closed off fireplace against the wall. There were two well appointed arm chairs with cushions in front og these book cases. It faces a matching couch that could sit three. There was a wooden desk behind the couch, with three reference books on the table. If one looks at the books, one was the Language of Flowers, the second was a book on English language and the third was Occult Witchcraft and Magic An Illustrated History by Christopher Dell.

There was a small wooden chest, closed, on the table.
The room where Aiko had visited at the Swearing Ceremony was closed. A hallway can be seen beside this room, leading somewhere unseen.

An image of how the room looks

[Jennifer Hazelton]

Blush book keeping

[Aiko Hamura]

Unlit cigarette hanging out of her mouth, Aiko looks across the street to the Lotus. Seems like it wasn't all that long ago that Robert Quartermain had committed social suicide in this very building. What a day.

Speaking of... it was that time again. That time in every new city Aiko traveled to, in which she got called in for a private meeting with one of the big wigs. Up until now, it had always been a request. Well... as much as anything an Invictus superior says is a "request." A request for Aiko to break into some poor idiot's house and rifle through their things. It was usually a human's house, the human in question being a potential ghoul. When Aiko was lucky, the ghoul-to-be was intended to belong to the Kindred that requested Aiko to do the job. After all, when one has a certain level of respect, one cannot be seen with a sub-par ghoul.

Somehow, though, Aiko suspected that wasn't the case here. Hazelton had a ghoul, and from all appearances, Liam seemed to be a sublime one at that. Dutiful, diligent, resourceful and multi-talented. She even offered to use him on the stakeout. Best of all, he was quiet and unobtrusive. So no... Aiko doubts the Lady Notary wishes for a new ghoul.

There was always another possibility. Sometimes Aiko was sent to find dirt on ghouls in order to shame their masters. Sent by a political rival, of course. Hazelton didn't strike Aiko as the type to actually ever need to do this... but then again, that was part of the point of the Invictus, wasn't it? Lady Jennifer would never appear to need to slight another; She appears to be one to simply crush opposition.

And of course, there was always the chance that Aiko was needed to stalk another Kindred. The most dangerous job. But equally unlikely. She'd never been hired to stalk another Kindred without first being given some kind of trial operation to prove her abilities. Well, except on one occasion, but that was intended to get Aiko killed and plant evidence that she'd been hired by another Kindred entirely. That... that was something Aiko should look out for as she meets the Priscus.


Aiko flicks aside the cigarette and enters the salon, dressed in a white suit with black pinstripes, one that Hazelton has seen before. Her wardrobe was not so expansive to include many options. Underneath the suit coat is a black waistcoat and a starch white shirt with a jet black tie. And of course, she wore the same fedora as always, the same worn oxford shoes. Her trench coat is already taken off and folded over one arm. She bows to Hazelton upon entering the room. "Lady Notary Hazelton, Priscus of Nosferatu. You honor me with your invitation. It is always a pleasure to visit your beautiful salon."

[Jennifer Hazelton]

Jennifer takes a moment to take Madame Hamura in. Her attire was noted, and not in a negative way. Jennifer's cousin often used a suitable dress for Court as dressing up and investing a lot of resources in clothing was not a priority for her. What were Madame Hamura's priorities?
"Thank you, Madame Hamura. If you would be interested in visiting my Salon once more, I intend to host a Salon. I was considering December 1st as a date.""Do have a seat." Jennifer suggested as she leads the way into the study. Jennifer pauses at the closed wooden chest and removes an envelope. Jennifer fastidiously closes the chest. Jennifer claims the chair on the left, holding the envelope in her right hand.

Jennifer does not look at the envelope and looks at Madame Aiko Hamura.

"You mentioned that you had a certain set of skills." Jennifer states in her Cursed voice, which sounds like a serpent slithering on dying autumn leaves.
"Are you aware that there is an investigation being conducted regarding an individual who used a cryptid to cause the death of Kine? The deaths occured a little over a year ago, now."

[Jennifer Hazelton]

bump

[Aiko Hamura]

"December 1st... I'll keep that in mind."

As Aiko is led to the study, her eyes wander across the other hallways and rooms, over the closed doors to the former Ceremony room, into the room with the two paintings. She does her best not to gawk, as she didn't want to give the impression she was snooping... even if Aiko doubts that Jennifer or Liam would leave open doors that the Priscus was not willing to reveal.

In the study, Aiko takes a seat when it is offered, sitting with her back leaning forward slightly. Hunched even. Although she doesn't bounce her knees or fidget, she still gives off the impression that she is not content to actually relax at all. Not that she is uncomfortable... more that she is unwilling to waste time letting her body sink into seat cushions or take weight off her feet. Every now and again, when it would be socially acceptable to blink or let one's eyes wander during conversation, Aiko instead glances at a different fixture or decoration, cold eyes locking onto the object and studying it as much as possible in the span of only a few seconds, before returning to her conversational partner. It'd be a very subtle and natural way to study the room if her eyes didn't gain the smallest spark of life whenever she scrutinized her surroundings.


Of course, when Jennifer mentions a cryptid... that brings a little light to Aiko's eyes, and that light remains kindled much longer than anything in the charming study ever could.


"...Not those specifics. But I'd heard an off-hand comment or two that implied someone had particularly incurred the Prince's wrath not long ago." In particular, Aiko remembers that Jacque had said "no one of note" had displeased the Prince. This might be the particular incident to warrant such a specific answer. Was it that the Kindred had been someone of note before their crime? Or were they perhaps not even a Kindred? Jennifer had said "individual", after all... "The phrasing of such comments implied to me that the matter had been dealt with fully, but was perhaps... a sensitive topic to bring up casually." Especially for an ignorant party such as Aiko herself.


"If I may ask, what is left to investigate in this matter? I would cautiously presume the cryptid is destroyed or in chains, and the perpetrator has been made an adequate example of."

[Jennifer Hazelton]

Very curious. Jennifer considered who could be speaking with Aiko.

Jennifer focused on Aiko's face closely now.
"There are a few matters left to investigate regarding who caused the events that occured during the Droppinng Bodies investigation. I was a member of the team who brought in a Kindred captive and the cryptid captive. The Kindred captive's name is assumed to be Angela, as we have a photograph of her with 'Angela' written upon it. We know that Angela and the cryptid were employed by a certain individual named Matthew Forten. I hope to bring in this lawbreaker so that they can be made an adequate example of."
A touch of a smile there. Madame Hamura's statement had made a good impression.

"I am heading a follow up investigation to locate and apprehend Forten. I was hoping that you could investigate the history of the Kindred captive. When we captured her, I took control of her personal property that she had on her. There was a photo that the caption suggests is the captive's daughter. If you could find out information about this photograph and the person in the photograph, we could have leverage over the captive. To better force her hand to give us information about Forten."

Jennifer offers the envelope to Aiko.
"If you are interested in becoming an investigator in the team and devoting time to unraveling the mystery, I have a report of the investigation that I have written up."

Looking at the items that Jennifer passed over, Aiko finds a photograph, a photocopy of a photo of girl appearing about 12, a photocopy of a photo of a woman and baby and an index card. There was a photograph with a few items spread on a white surface. There was a man’s wallet with over $200 set beside the wallet. There was a photo of a girl about twelve years old, with long black hair styled with two clips and a classic blue t-shirt. Her skin was tawny brown, looking warmed by a desert sun. The corners of the photo are dog eared and worn, creased.
There was a second photo- this featuring a light – skinned Black woman. The woman’s skin was flushed with life. The woman in the picture was holding a small baby wrapped in a luxurious white blanket, the child in restful sleep.
The back of this photocopy reads 'Angela and her new baby, Kolina Georgine. 1990'
There were two business cards- one for "Sacramento treasures, a store experience' whose address was in an upscale shopping area. There was something beginning with an F after the address, yet there's a crease making it hard to read. There's a phone number listed. The second business card was for the Rapture night club. There's an address and phone number.
There was an index card behind the photograph of the items recovered that had an inventory of the items listed as

• Men’s wallet with $100 in small bills and $200 in fifty dollar bills
• Two photos (Angela with baby) (12 year old girl)
• Two business cards – Sacramento treasures, Rapture. Address and phone numbers present

[Aiko Hamura]

Ah, so the cryptid is a captive, then. It'd be interesting to see the creature... but Aiko doubts she'll get that opportunity. Oh well.

Aiko doesn't return the small smile Jennifer gives her in recognition of a well-phrased comment, her face remaining the picture of rigid focus on the actual contents of Hazelton's words. One reason she had been reliable to others in the past; Equally a reason that she'd never risen far. At the end of the explanation, Aiko reaches out without hesitation to take the envelope. She assumes it would look unfavorable to refuse at this point, but in any case she was suitably curious to want to help the investigation.

"And I take it this Matthew Forten was an unknown entity prior to these events, yes? Or had he achieved notoriety of some form?"

Even as she asks this, Aiko opens the envelope to inspect the contents. The pictures provide... an immediate hunch. One that isn't uncommon to Kindred society. A presumably happy life, with a child... and then being ripped away by the Embrace. Aiko can imagine that might make a descent motive to lash out. Rage or nihilism, perhaps some kind of supernatural control from Forten himself. But of course... it was dangerous to speculate so far ahead. But the hunch stays in the back of Aiko's mind.

A pointless rampage, if I'm right... Aiko muses, the corner of her mouth twisting ever so slightly in the beginnings of a sneer. Sooner or later, every happy, idyllic life disintegrates into nothing more than a photograph of the past. Happily ever after is to weak-willed mooks what a lamp post is to a drunk; Something to lean on, not for illumination.

The wallet's make implied it wasn't necessarily Angela's. Perhaps stolen, perhaps a token of a lost loved one. The cash inside implied someone used to paying in cash; On the rare occasion Aiko's wallet had any cash, it looked quite similar. The photographs were probably sloppy mementos, things that should have been burned and forgotten. They betrayed puzzle pieces of information... something that didn't fit yet, but Aiko felt in her bones would surely fit neatly later. Was Georgine a surname, or a middle name? If it's the latter, she wonders if it was a name taken from a friend or relative, perhaps... maybe someone that remembers Angela or her daughter? And finally a pair of business cards. Sacramento Treasures meant nothing to Aiko, not yet. She wasn't the type to shop at expensive stores. But the night club? Oh, clubs reminded her of the old days. Cesspits of criminals and idiots looking to become criminals or get screwed over by criminals. There was no doubt in Aiko's mind that she'd find something meaningful at the club. But then again... she'd prefer to have some information of her own to dangle as a line.

"...My first instinct is to visit Sacramento Treasures. My understanding is that it has become odd for wealthy patrons to pay in cash in the modern day, so perhaps a clerk would remember Angela. Trying to determine what she bought, or even what the store carries could provide a piece of information. But the club... that strikes me as ultimately more valuable. I'd build up the beginnings of a case, then bring it to Rapture and see what it drags out of the woodwork. And of course, I'd call both of these places before actually visiting. Any luck in figuring out what this card-" Aiko points to the Sacramento Treasures card, the one with the dangling F. "...reads after the address? And how much, if at all, has Angela appeared to age since the 90s?"

[Jennifer Hazelton]

Jennifer considers the Mekhet's questions. She replies with her Cursed voice that slithers like a snake through dying autumn leaves.
"Matthew Forten is an unknown. I have plans to interrogate the prisoner about him. He does own the Sacramento Treasures shop. The former Mekhet Priscus investigated the shop. I quote: For my part I didn't learn to much more except the name Ashea, and they think we are hunters. Still waiting for Ms. Perez and Co to check in with information on what they are selling out of the shop.

If you think that you could find information that was missed, I support the endeavor.
Another suggestion is that you could speak to your cousins, Madame Simone Perez and Madame Sánchez. Madame Perez is Mekhet and a Maiden of the Crone, the latter is the leader of a coterie of recently released childer that was assembled by their Sires. It is possible that she has some information as she was asked to investigate other aspects quite some time ago. Madame Perez was working with the cotierie of Sánchez, Clark and Jake. I have heard rumors that the coterie hit some trouble that I suspect has something to do with the investigation.

The child is a pressure point that could be applied, assuming that the child is someone close to Angela. The 'F' I assumed was for Forten. Perhaps a personal number that Angela had for Forten. There is a small wrinkle that Angela was supplying a ghoul when we captured Angela. It is possible that this ghoul, now left without sustenance, is looking for Angela.

Do you have any thoughts on what could be useful in our current scenario?"

[Jennifer Hazelton]

Jennifer waited for a few minutes. Madame Hamura appeared to be concentrating on something of great importance.

"The evening has grown old." Jennifer broke the silence. "I hope that you will find sucess in your undertakings. You are not alone in this investigation for Whip Wells, Mr. Heinrich and myself are all apart of discovering Forten. If you require assistance, you can reach out.
I plan on conducting my own investigation during the month of October. I will write to you sometime in October for the investigators to gather sometime in November to share our findings. I know that I shall be seeing you at the Soiree, which I am looking forward to. Good evening, Madame Hamura."

Goodbyes were exchanged.

Thanks for the scene! Feel free to reach out to Jennifer over Comms if Aiko has anything to share or any concerns.