NMYF: Den of Vipers

[ReubanBrightwood]

Orianna Aurora
Asclepius Jombot

The employee with a fairly overtly look around leads you both through the staff only door into the back, out of the public space. The most immediate thing is the warehouse like structure of the back of the store a large open space, high roofed but not all the way to the high of the store suggesting some form of access to an upper area. Tall shelves of tanks and bags of feed and addition stock are the first impression.

The guy in the black shirt leads you further back back with something of a cocksure grin, the wanna be cool guy trying to silently say yeah its awesome right. A matter of perspective for sure. Through the stacks and shelves he leads you for maybe half a minute until you reach a section set aside for animal care/welfare. Not a full veterinary practice but something to maintain and look after the animals if the need arises. Perform helath checks that kind of thing.

here a few dozen tanks contain animals, some of which maybe recognised as the ones he was describing in the store. One such observation tank labelled ''Nesting'' contains what looks to be an adult false water cobra and while they win no prizes for colouration the distinctive rattle shaped tails would suggest three different breeds of rattle snakes are also housed here.

[Asclepius]

Being lead to the back Beyond the double doors, this was not expected in his eyes, He thought they would not be routing around a backroom. I hope that other guy is walking around here, safe. Suddenly it feels a little more serious. The view of the backroom was not unexpected as most stores have a warehouse like area. He takes mental notes of the bags of feed, you never know when it might come in handy.

It was not hard for him to not really feel the awe of the back area, snakes and lizards were not something that he aspired to be around. He respected the creatures and even more so the ones that could bring down a human with their bite, but the only feeling invoked as they walked further back was that of tenseness. Eventually making it back towards the animal care area and having a spy at the tools and instruments should any be laying around. Not unexpected but means anyone could easily be armed if it came to a fight. “I'm surprised, do you do maintenance on all of the animals on sale or just the ones your not aloud to talk about?” He asked the staff member to end the tense silence of this walk and felt with the given sights it was appropriate to ask.

The tanks of animals coming into view as he begins his look at the creatures. His smile as he looks upon the ones labelled nesting and more specifically the adult false water cobra. “Well well well. Is this the happy mother of the hatchlings up front?” He gives a look over the creatures in the tanks. “They are beautiful creatures aren't they.” Certainly a colourful collection, but we can somewhat assume that maybe who we are looking for has access to the venom she found. Whilst the animals were certainly eye catching, suspicion and worry kept him from looking at them too long. Keeping Close to Aurora and facing her as she took a look around at the tanks, he kept his head on a swivel. Something about being out of the public eye made him more paranoid about the situation, well that and the assassination attempt against Aurora.

2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2024-12-02 13:43:53	Asclepius rolls 5 to Perception (Wits 2 + Comp 3) (10 Again)	5, 5, 10, 3, 3, 8	2 successes

Gear

Smartphone (in pocket)
Cash (in pocket)
Car keys (in pocket)
Kevlar vest thin (Worn under shirt)
Combat knife (dedicated tool attached at belt)
Wedding ring (worn)

Stats

Health:
Mana:
Defense: 2
Speed: 9
Initiative: 5
Willpower:
Armor: 1 /2 Kevlar vest thin (1 /2)
Spell tolerance: 0/2
Active spells: 0/4
Paradox spells cast: 0

[Aurora]

As far as warehouses goes, it wasn’t the most impressive, but it was a pet store after all. So she wasn’t expecting anything too spectacular.

The grin was returned with a smile and a nod as she looked around.

“Nice to see that you guys provide care for the animals.” She wondered if that was standard for all pet stores, or just the ones that sell illegal reptiles.

When they came to the snakes in question, there was a raise in her heart rate. Those rattle shaped tails could only be rattle snakes. And while they were not the vipers, they were probably still venomous. Why would someone want to own something like that?

“I’m curious what rattlers you have and if the color is what I’m looking for.”

Nodding to Asclepius, but keeping her eyes on the tanks, “They certainly are.” And scary as fuck.

2 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2024-12-02 23:07:10	Aurora rolls 6 to Perception (Wits+Comp) (10 Again)	1, 4, 9, 8, 2, 5	2 successes

Stats

Health:
Mana:
WP:
Armor 5
Defense 3

Vulgar 0
Active Spells: 3/3
Personal Spells: 3/8

[5] Pulse of the Living World (Mage Sight)
[5] Organic Resilience (Armor 5)

[2] Suppress Aura (2)

[ReubanBrightwood]

The employee shrugs a little. "Its most for weighing them, some breeding programme stuff and general check ups. If something is really wrong we need call a licenced vet. There's a guy who specialises in venomous snakes but he handles all our reptile stuff." As Asclepius looks to the tank. "Well happy would be a stretch but yeah those were her eggs they hatched a couple days ago. She ate two of them over night. That's why she is in time out at the moment." Reptiles not exactly maternal by nature.

He scoffs a little. "The rattlers? All dusty browns and faded beige. They are more camouflage hunters those ones. But we Got a west Dimond back." He squints at the second. "That's the great Basin and uh ..." A pause. "I actually forget what the last one is." But it is a muted sandy red in colouration.

Considering how little it had taken to get back here it is not out of the question that near anyone might have been able to do so with the right leverage.

Both mages notice a personal door leads out the back of the way house and is very slightly ajar, sounds of other employees can be hard at least to talking and joking and the engine of forklift somewhere in the stacks. The yare not alone back here even if the others are currently out of sight.

[Asclepius]

Listening somewhat to the staff member's words of what is around here. He keeps his eyes looking around for the other person he saw lead back here, and begins to feel a little unsure due to the lack of sighting. Keeping up pleasantries of conversation with the staff member he keeps looking at said false water cobra while he responds. “Not uncommon behaviour. Out of interest, now that she is done nesting, will she be checked over and put back up for sale in the front? Or is she already owned by someone?” Seizing opportunity for information using the casual conversation to his advantage. The vague answer could at least provide a lead.

The nod from Aurora spoke to him in a couple of ways. One conclusion drawn was that she was fascinated by them due to her look upon them, the other was fear of the dangers they pose. Either way he knew that dispute them possibly being somewhat better chances if bitten by such a snake, however it did not remove the fear of the actual bite and the other challenges of dealing with the venom. “Your doing great.” He did not know how she felt in the current moment, but knew that in most cases a little praise was enough to keep people going.

The voices in the other area beyond the door kept noted in his mind as to where trouble could come from if things went south. There was still the question of the other person he saw, and perhaps he might be able to garner such info from the staff directly. “I don't see that other guy/gal you left with again, do you lead people out a back way as to not provoke unwanted looks from other customers?”
Was that subtle? Who knows but worth asking to see his reaction.

Gear

Smartphone (in pocket)
Cash (in pocket)
Car keys (in pocket)
Kevlar vest thin (Worn under shirt)
Combat knife (dedicated tool attached at belt)
Wedding ring (worn)

Stats

Health:
Mana:
Defense: 2
Speed: 9
Initiative: 5
Willpower:
Armor: 1 /2 Kevlar vest thin (1 /2)
Spell tolerance: 0/2
Active spells: 0/4
Paradox spells cast: 0

[Aurora]

There was an amused look on her face, “Can’t say I blame her.” No one would ever say Aurora had that motherly vibe to her.

“They might be camouflage hunters, but one like the bleached rattlesnake are a stunning shake of white. Harder to find, yes, but not unheard of.” then an unsure look, she wasn’t an expert on snakes, just saw something cool online. But when he wasn’t even sure what they were selling? “I can’t tell you what it is man, this is kinda your thing. It's color is nice though.” Like, you’re in charge here, you’re supposed to know this shit.

She was doing great? An odd remark, but he also didn’t have the full story as to how her day had gone thus far. But she keeps her eyes on the snakes, wondering what it must be like for them to get stuck living in a glass cage? They should be out in their natural habitat, not here, and not in someone’s living room or office or wherever someone keeps a snake.

Stats

Health:
Mana:
WP:
Armor 5
Defense 3

Vulgar 0
Active Spells: 3/3
Personal Spells: 3/8

[5] Pulse of the Living World (Mage Sight)
[5] Organic Resilience (Armor 5)

[2] Suppress Aura (2)

[ReubanBrightwood]

As the mages peruse the illegal reptiles could I get a wits+composure roll from each of you

The employee loos maybe a little hopefully at Asclepius. "Oh she's for sale if your interested in her." A thumb to the slightly ajar staff door is his indication to how to leave with the less then legal purchase .

Auroras comment gets waved off a little flippantly. "Hey I just work here if you want someone who is actually into this stuff ask Dave out front." He loosely crosses his arms settling in to let the two look around.

[Asclepius]

Well that answers that, She is not owned by a member of staff. “Good to know, I will keep it in mind.” He had not thought about buying a snake let alone a backroom and legally questionable one at that. He looks towards the door that is indicated with a nod. Good to know there is another way out should we need it.

He stands himself over by Aurora, giving a look around at the surrounding area whilst listening to Aurora speak to the staff member. Not feeling the need to jump into her conversation but just to keep an eye out.

2 successes for Requested Roll

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2024-12-08 05:12:16	Asclepius rolls 5 to Requested roll (Wits 2 + Composure 3) (10 Again)	1, 5, 6, 10, 8, 6	2 successes

Gear

Smartphone (in pocket)
Cash (in pocket)
Car keys (in pocket)
Kevlar vest thin (Worn under shirt)
Combat knife (dedicated tool attached at belt)
Wedding ring (worn)

Stats

Health:
Mana:
Defense: 2
Speed: 9
Initiative: 5
Willpower:
Armor: 1 /2 Kevlar vest thin (1 /2)
Spell tolerance: 0/2
Active spells: 0/4
Paradox spells cast: 0

[Aurora]

While it would be good to that poor snake out of here and maybe released somewhere. Wait, can you do that? She was not that girl.

And shouldn’t this guy know what he is selling? And shouldn’t he be a bit more eager to sell what he was showing them? But she had a name for the guy up front. “Well, he didn’t mention any of these.” A gentle gesture to the snakes in front of them.”

Looking at the snake again, “How long has the store had her? I don’t think I even have anything to keep her in right now.” That wasn’t even a lie, “And what are you feeding her?”

3 successes

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2024-12-10 14:43:38	Aurora rolls 6 to Asked for Roll (Wits+Composure) (10 Again)	4, 6, 8, 10, 8, 6, 3	3 successes

Stats

Health:
Mana:
WP:
Armor 5
Defense 3

Vulgar 0
Active Spells: 3/3
Personal Spells: 3/8

[5] Pulse of the Living World (Mage Sight)
[5] Organic Resilience (Armor 5)

[2] Suppress Aura (2)

[ReubanBrightwood]

It strikes both mages like a bolt of lighting, the guy mentioned a reptile specialist vet. Who would have an excuse to be around venomous reptiles without suspicion? who would left alone with them and have access to the tools to care for or milk the venom? A vet that specialises in looking after reptiles sure fits the bill for someone who could access to everything they need to weaponize these creatures.

Aurora realises that Tranquiliser darts not a usually solution for snakes but other reptiles sure they work as a means of sedation so even that fits the bill. Such a source would not be a means of acquisition for the public hence why her searching did not turn it up as an option but it ticks all the boxes just a little to snuggly.

The employee in a black shirt scoffs a little, he has way to much unjustified sense of self worth. "Uh, Yeah lets just get Dave to give a public seminar on the back room cash only snakes we are selling." He shakes his head in a rather condescending manner as if to say amateurs. "Had her? About half a year, she eats a large mouse of a rat every ten to twelve days." A casual half hearted gesture to the warehouse. "We can sell you a tank if your interested." That any just about anything else that might be needed.