"...." Geralt gets the feeling that Devic is trying to make him feel bad...and its working.
"...What contacts?" he asks the businessman warily.
Ammon sighs, disappointed investigation and subtly have never been my strong suit. Armor's to clunky, should've made something lighter.
"I don't think it matters much. You look at it as a hindrance and it is. You look at is as making others harder to notice because the attention is on you, well..."
Tomoya nods at Nazuri's translation.
Very well, right away, if you will join me.
He stood up, grabbing a box of boneless wings and leading you back down the hall, to an elevator, where a mellow instrumental to the theme of Stairway to Heaven is playing.
My contacts...
They aren't the most pleasant people to be around, and some of them smell quite a bit, but they see everything. Very reliable sources of information.
The elevator stops, Tomoya leads the way out, towards the room, opening the door.
The entire room looks completely untouched, the bed made, towels folded, not a stray hair to be seen.
It was like this when we found the card. Even the minibar has been restocked. I'd like to believe that her kidnappers cleaned everything, because Silver is not so organized.
He points out the door.
The cameras were... Offline when the crime occurred.
"Sounds inefficient. Why off?" Devic empties the flask. And pulls out a new one.
Nazuri follows, carrying a bucket of wings and translating in between eating.
I do not know. They are supposed to be online at all times. Tomoya said.
They were back online once the deed was done.
"Sabotage. Where, ehh, is security room? Search later. Maybe evidence. "
I can lead them there now, if they would like to see what they can find. There is also a contact or two that I have in mind.
He said, spooning some mashed-potatoes and gravy into his mouth afterwards.
Nazuri translates, still eating wings.
"I think that might be best." Ramiel replies as he finishes his own food up. "Best not to keep Silver waiting. Pretty sure she times us or something."
Tomoya leads them down the hall, back to the elevator. The movement of the elevator was ambiguous as to whether or not it was going up or down, but it was only a short while before the door opened again, revealing a similar hallway.
He led the team into the security room, a team of men were there, watching security footage. Tomoya gestures towards a random man.
Please bring up footage of Silver-San's floor, the day of her disappearance.
He said, which the man proceeded to do. The footage showed up on the monitor, an image of an empty hallway with a room-service cart next to one of the other doors. Tomoya held a finger up in wait.
Right... Here. He said, pointing at the clock. It skips seventeen minutes, here. He said, pointing to where the roomservice cart was. And nothing is here anymore. Odd, yes?
"Yes, odd. Ehh, other camera work at time? Someone new, maybe somewhere shouldn't be." Devic seems to be getting interested in the investigation now, peering into the camera.
Still translating. Still eating. But, even though she's only here to translate, she is starting to get a little bit interested in what they are trying to do.
Has anyone gone to that place in person to find clues? she says, despite herself.
All other cameras were in working order. Including the other three on this floor, though nothing pertaining to the kidnapping seems to appear there. Just employees going through their rounds and guests coming and going.
He turned to Nazuri. What place? He asked.
Um, on the video. Where was that? Did you go there? Did you find the missing cart?
"I don't suppose there is anything we could use to look for magical traces there? Maybe someone used that to not show up on camera."
I could give it a shot, if there's some traces of magic i'd be able to find out...Part of my gifts, it's a simple spell. Ammon comments, having been quiet
"Hmm. Do so. Am going back ehh, the room. Kitchen next. Maybe something." Devic retrieves her pistol from it's holster. Including the extended clip, it looks almost unrecognizable.
"Also, carrying Charlie around before fight happens. Maybe no fight, but at least maybe some looks, ah?" She srugs before heading over to the room Silver was meant to be staying in by herself.
Geralt feels like he's standing around useless, so he follows after Devic to make himself useful.
"I wish I could Scry..."
"Did not know were sensitive type." Devic waits until the groups hosts were out of earshot before opening another course of conversation with Geralt.
"Did not, ehh expect this either. Rescuing boss. Being honest, money was on Ms. Silver being like, ehh dragon or something untouchable. Know I mean?"
Ammon follows needing to cast the spell in the room and area in general, Wait up, i'm coming. I need to check the room for magic signatures or auras anyway. Ammon prepares himself mentally staying quiet for only a brief moment, I'm no diviner, just a simple blacksmith. What i'm going to do only picks up magic auras and signatures, anyone can learn it with the right training.
If you believe there is anything to be gained by going back to the room, then, by all means, do so. As for the cart, none seem to be missing from storage.
He said, starting towards Nazuri, then gesturing to include the rest of the group. He let the team go about their own devices and do as they did.
Ammon detects a faint aura of transmutation centered arounf the door, spreading about five feet in diameter before fading away.
Dragon? No, not a dragon. Tomoya said. As far as I know, she's human, though she does have that sort of grandeur about her, doesn't she?
Ammon waves his hand starting at the doorway, a faint glow emanating from his hand, he smiles excited Got something, transmutation magic was used here, centered on the door. That's, unexpected.
Nazuri continues translating, but then asks
Is there any object that she would have with her, that perhaps we have a picture of? I can often magically locate objects. I usually use it to help my often-forgetful tourists, but it could also be useful for a disappearance, perhaps. It only works out to 600 feet or so, but if we find the general area, and I have the picture of an object she would have, then we could narrow it down. ... I'm not sure if that would be useful or not unless we find further clues though.
The aura only extended about 5 feet or so if something's here it'd be within that, there could also be nothing here. Magic leaves traces almost like a scent, but they fade. This one did, we barely caught it in time.
"if I had to say what Silver would end up being, it would definitely be a celestial Creature of some kind.....though I can also definitely see her being a Silver Dragon"
Geralt trails off when he realizes that he's rambling...or was it fantasizing?
Regardless, he shakes those thoughtsame away 'Time and place Geralt'
Turning to Nazuri, he shakes his head at her question
"Not really, I'm pretty sure she had a really nice watch, but any photos of that would be back at HQ, Frida is pretty modest too...mostly anyway, so I don't see her having anything like that"
"Speaking of watches and time limits, can you fiddle around with time enough to at least get the aura back, Moment?" Ramiel asks Geralt as he looks around the room for anything that might have been missed. "If you can we need a twiddler to take a closer look. Like Miss Nazuri here."
Geralt sadly shakes his head at Ranmiel
"sadly I don't think that's something I can do....at least not now"
Though after a few seconds, he starts to think about it "well...maybe? All my time based abilities HAVE been gain by trail and error...so maybe?"
Summoning a mote of time from his collection, the orb of white and blue wisps floating in his hands. With a flick of his wrist, he sends it to hover around the fading aura as he leans on the wall.
Devic peers up st the mote of time momentarily before opening the door to Silvers room. "I try room. If nothing, we do kitchen. Is only place I think food carts are go." Devic thoroughly scours the hotel room, tearing apart the bed, inspecting the cabinets, etc...
"I truly hope that is a valid interpretation of your sudden interest, at least."
I seem to recall you referring to this kidnapping as 'our' mission in moments past. Has your opinion of the importance of our course changed?
Nazuri puts her hand over her mouth briefly, realizing that her interest in the proceedings had become blatant. Then she chuckles and says something in Russian.
You caught me. I was hired only to translate, but I find myself wanting to help you find your friends. I never thought that what you were doing was unimportant... only that it would be presumptuous of me to become involved in it, as a lowly translator. You are the heroes that Tomoya is counting on. I am just a tour guide, and healer.
Ammon briefly glances as his book, muttering something angrily underbreathe, He begins looking carefully around the area near the door, trying to figure out the source of the transmutation, is it possible the security camera's were out because, a guard shut them off or something? Maybe it was an infiltration or something. Even covered by armor you can feel his irritation, He plops on the floor crisscross like a child.
Healers are heroes, it's a job just as important as fighting...You'd be a welcome addition, my own healing abilities are lackluster ...
"Es wird groß sein."
Devic takes a moment to think before returning to english.
"да, very likely for paid off guard. Situation remind me; must find new ehh, language curse in for sensitive ears."
Nazuri smiles at both Ammon and Devic in turn.
Well, all the more reason to find your friend. What is the next step?
She translates everything for Mr. Tomoya, and eats the last of her chicken.
You notice there is a faint set of human footprints in the carpeting that only start at the door.
I can't imagine they'd have left something here without us seeing it.
He asked, leaning towards the
That watch, I remember that watch. She never goes anywhere without it. I think we could work with that.
He turned to Nazuri.
Would you indeed, want to go with them. If you need to meet my contact, it might be best if you do. I should probably stay here, and you might need to give them directions, if you would want to meet with my informant.
Who are the Yakuza and what do they want with Silver? If they're willing to negotiate, maybe we should...I don't like negotiating with criminals, but it might end up necessary. Ammon comments
"Yakuza are organized criminals. You ehh, heard of Mafia, maybe Bratva? Different rules, same bull-uh, poop. Kidnap happens for two reasons with any them. Ransom. Or lure.
I find trace of footprint. Troubling. Start at door. Transmutation tells me assailant does not open door, hides magically?" Devic theorizes aloud.
"Who want to smash door for me?" She sounds serious.
"It might be that, since she got us together to do good and we've been stopping bad stuff like humanoid trafficking and temporal disease that they think they are next, and seek to cut the head from the snake before it bites them too."
Of course, i'm from England...Gangs and organized crime is a problem there, The Blinders, Woolwick, We attract other nations gangs...The Triad for one. Ammon says with a sigh, Can Transmutation do that? i alway thought illusions were for hidiing? gimme a minute i can break it down, but wouldn't it ge easier just to pick the lock? i mean i can do that too.
"No, just damage. See if it say 'ow, I am damaged'. Transmutation allows melding into object."
Nazuri nods as she talks to Tomoya, and agrees to go along to meet with his contact.
Then she asks the video guy to rewind to earlier and zoom in on the watch so that she can get a good mental picture of it.
She casts a spell. (I hope that the video camera image is clear enough... closer to firsthand knowledge rather than divination.)
LOCATE OBJECT
School divination; Level bard 2, cleric 3, sorcerer/wizard 2
Casting Time 1 standard action
Components V, S, F/DF (a forked twig)
Range long (400 ft. + 40 ft./level)
Area circle, centered on you, with a radius of 400 ft. + 40 ft./level
Duration 1 min./level
Saving Throw none; Spell Resistance no
You sense the direction of a well-known or clearly visualized object. You can search for general items, in which case you locate the nearest of its kind if more than one is within range. Attempting to find a certain item requires a specific and accurate mental image; if the image is not close enough to the actual object, the spell fails. You cannot specify a unique item unless you have observed that particular item firsthand (not through divination).
The spell is blocked by even a thin sheet of lead. Creatures cannot be found by this spell. Polymorph any object and nondetection fool it.
If it works, and the object is within 600 feet, I should be able to know what direction to go to find it (at least for 5 minutes).
Ammon nods in response, Alrighty then, this will give me a chance to try something out anyway. Not gonna risk damaging my sword breaking down a door Ammon holds out his hand it glows briefly, his eye closed, Bathed in fire my, body is steel blue dots of light coalesce into the shape of a spiked hammer, Ammon Swings the hammer at the door as instructed with great ferocity.
"...I say hit door, not tickle. I watch you split guy in half once." She sounds like shes stifling a laugh.
The Yakuza also treat themselves as a legitimate business, with their own business cards, and even offices for some members.
Tomoya said.
The camera rewinds Silver's last sighting, leaving with Frida, her watch is clear on her wrist, and just as distinctive as it usually is. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear that said object is within 600 feet.
Tomoya watches Ammon swing at the door, it bends and twists within the frame and a huge gash is formed down the centre.
That's mahogany. Tomoya said with a detatched tone of voice.
Still hit it better than you couldAmmon mumbles, So why'd you want me to hit the door?
"Ehh, wanted to see if you do it, pbbfffheheheheeeeh..." *ahem*
"Also if door harbor invader still of course. Or if door replaced with invader." She adds this as an afterthought as she wipes away a tear.
"But ehh, nothing else apparent here. Who think kitchen worth try before contacts?"
We should give the whole place a once over, just in case
"Hey, Devic?" Ramiel asks in that tone of voice one used when you wanted to sound like it was an innocent question but it definitely wasn't. "What if the door had been replaced with Silver?"
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"Silver is soft metal, not crack such way. Why you ask?"