Joining the Club (Watchstanders)

[Otto Schneider]

Reverend Otto Schneider had adopted his streetwear with some discomfort. It was bad enough to be dressed in anything less than a two-piece suit when out in public anyway, but now he knew that someone with a foot in Kindred society would be going to see him. As the local Priscus of Lords, it didn't feel right. We do what we must. Besides, will the Seneschal's Ghoul care enough to note it down in detail for later?

He was standing just a short distance from the address provided by the neighborhood watch for their next meeting. The Priest craned his neck to see if he could find Liam. While he would have preferred someone with ties to law enforcement, he couldn't look a gift horse in the mouth. In fact, though he was loathe to admit it, Otto was a little glad to have him along. As far as the Ventrue's perception of Ghouls went, Liam was an exceptional specimen. Though they didn't interact directly very often, the Seneschal's servant was usually polite and deferential, starkly at odds with the image of an obsequious, desperate addict that Otto usually assumed of a Ghoul.

The Priscus certainly didn't plan for things to turn violent. However, if a fight broke out it would be good to have someone backing him up, though he'd probably have to take some pains to protect Liam... it wouldn't be good to get the Seneschal's personal servant injured.

[Jennifer Hazelton]

Liam was driven to the meeting location by a well dressed woman in a dark navy pantsuit in a luxury rental car. The woman drives the car off as Liam stepped out, looking around the area. He approaches Liam with a more casual nod. Clearly prepared to already be under the eyesight of Kine. Liam is dressed in a dark blue collared button up shirt, dressy jeans, business belt and black walking shoes.
"I did want to go over what I should call you and what our shared history should be." He states quietly upon approach. "I am fine going by Liam tonight. I understand that tonight is important, and I am to follow your lead."

Gear

Current ID for William Grey, wallet with $200, smart phone with only three contacts marked Aunt J, Mark and Mom, pocket flashlight

[Otto Schneider]

Otto felt some relief as he turned to the approaching Ghoul. Liam was a generally reliable fellow, and his mistress was equally competent and resourceful. It was comforting to be reminded that he had support for what he was about to do. "Yes... let's review, briefly." Now that Liam was here, there was no reason to put things off. The Priest willed the Vitae in his dead veins to flow again, at least enough to give him the false warmth of life again.

The Lord idly stretched his hand a little, as much an affection as it was a genuine attempt to 'get the blood flowing.' "The name I gave them when I last encountered the patrol was 'Simon', so let's default to that. There's a chance that a woman name Kristen will be here tonight. I encountered her during a different investigation and so she knows me by a different pseudonym, 'Paul'. If she's there and recognizes me, pretend to be equally surprised by it. It'll help sell the fact that I wasn't just lying to the patrol."

He glanced around, looking at nothing in particular as he gathered his thoughts. "If you'd prefer to go by 'Liam', so be it. Let's say that we know each other from work... it's close enough to the truth. We work boring office jobs, have known each other for years, then a close family member of yours either was or narrowly avoided being kidnapped. I naturally thought you'd be a good fit for this 'concerned citizens group.' It helps if you have an actual family member you can use to fill in the details." He didn't press Liam for an answer, but he was curious if the Ghoul had any additional input.

"As of now, the goal is to get them to confess to anything that could be considered a crime. I can't testify, but you could. So, I'll try to steer conversation towards the kinds of things that could get them in trouble. Their typical strategy could be considered kidnapping and assault, so I doubt it will be particularly difficult. Questions?" It would also be helpful if Liam had some kind of recording device. Sure, it was technically illegal to record people without their consent in California, but it was good to have insurance, and they were kind of past the point of carrying about mortal laws.

Gear

Smartphone, $20 bills x5

Apologies for not tagging Gear in the initial post, it slipped my mind

[Seryna]

As Otto glanced around, he notes that the immediate area appears to have more lighting than normal. Low light lamps and wall fixtures are more prevalent in the space between buildings.

[Jennifer Hazelton]

"Good. I want to be clear on expectations for tonight.

If Kristen questions you as Paul, I am to express surprise at your alias." Liam agrees.


"What industry are we employed in? Sales, data entry? I have worked data entry roughly ten years ago.
Yes, my friend is Mark and he narrowly avoided being kidnapped. I have a Mark contact set up in my phone.

Should we have a set phrase for any " we should leave now ' or ' destroy that recording?'
I want to verify what you expect for me tonight. I know that upholding the Mask, " A moment of pause here to indicate that Liam is purposely abbreviating a word.
"For example, if the group might have a video of a known Friend of ours that they are showing. If you would rather not have a physical confrontation here and would want to recover the recording later, for example.
Besides that, I have no questions."

[Otto Schneider]

The Priscus of Lords nodded at Liam. Thus far, the Ghoul had proven himself a reliable individual. The Priest resolved to treat him as if he were a fellow Damned, at least for the night.

"Data entry is fine. I can probably piece together enough terminology to cover casual questioning. And since they're already partially assured of my humanity, they're less likely to grill me for details." Otto was hardly familiar with the technical aspects of modern industry, but he understood its importance. If Liam could use his real-world experience to cobble together a broad cover story, Otto could probably fill in any blanks well enough to fool casual inspection. Or so he hoped.

So far, they had a general understanding of what their story would be. Liam's questions were practical, and Otto found himself lost in thought for a moment, trying to conjure up an appropriate answer. "Let's say that if either of us says, 'Oh, would you look at the time,' that is meant to signal that we should leave. And 'it's a rotten evening, isn't it?' will be code for destroying any recordings, regardless of our need to withdraw." The impromptu codewords were admittedly a little awkward. But that awkwardness was preferable to being caught completely unawares by mortal Hunters.

Otto took a deep breath before continuing. "We may see things that are... concerning. Evidence of the inhuman condition. We have to treat such things with calm and care. No lashing out." It was easier said than done, the temptation to strike out against the erstwhile Hunters tugged at his soul. "No matter what they say or do, we have to keep our composure, else we play right into their hands. Understood?" He looked meaningfully into the Ghoul's eyes, trying to gauge his commitment to the task ahead.

[Jennifer Hazelton]

"I will make every effort to retain my composure."
Liam took a deep breath. He was silent for a moment. Appearing to be deep in thought.
"I believe that I am prepared for what we will see," Liam states firmly and with confidence. "- I will make every effort to be of assistance. I am prepared. Shall we attend the meeting?"

Liam appears to be confident and calm as Otto surveys him.

[Seryna]

The information that Otto had been given leads to an expensive suite in the Kimpton hotel. The suite is on the tenth floor and has an excellent view of the cityscape. Otto notes one of the women that he had been talking to standing outside the hotel, checking her phone for a moment. She taps herphone quickly - sending a message- and slips it into her pocket. She turns and walks towards the elevators, preparing to attend the meeting.

[Otto Schneider]

The Priest nodded at Liam. He was at least confident that the Ghoul was serious about putting his best effort into assisting the investigation. He motioned for the Ghoul to follow after him as he made his way towards the appointed meeting place. It doesn't take long to bump into the first complication of the night. Damn.

Maintaining as casual of a facade as he could, he approached the woman and gave a mock salute. "Hey. I brought along my plus-one. So... We're not late, right?"

[Jennifer Hazelton]

Liam approaches with Otto. He changes his behavior to stand beside Otto facing the unknown Kine, opposed to standing behind Kindred. He makes a pleasant smile to the woman.

"Hey. How's it going? It's looking really nice out here." He makes a casual look towards the new lighting.


Liam drops the smile and simply looks back. He appears composed.

1 success

Date	Action	Roll	Result
2025-06-11 20:05:40	Liam rolls 4 to Pass muster I am a Totally Normal Guy (10 Again)	10, 2, 4, 4, 5	1 success