Works for me.
"any good culinary supplier will have a granite mortar and pessle; heck sometimes even Wal Mart and Target have them and their superstores are open 24/7; an most asian or other exotic type food places have them; I have even seen them in Indian kitchens that have markets attached.
any close by here?
as for mirrors; there everywhere; every car has several; how big do you need; ladies compact size or wall sized?
what else? I aint seen many wizard; but those I have seen usually have a big supply of colored chalk and crayons"
yeah, me too; 5 days of head yuck; hacking, head and chest congestions; sheesh; so much for the start of a beautiful spring.
Emily considers for a moment and removes a small pouch of grey cloth and folds it out and removes one of of the small metal items. "This should work. The thief had to get through that lock, and did so with some skill,. Perhaps it will help hone in on the person who took the Fork."
David returns with an old pair of handcuffs, his initial etched into the battered metal. "Dual-purpose, considering that we want to catch her and I imagine she likes being in cuffs anyway, if the Toy Box is anything to go by."
Danny watches the preparations with varied degrees of interest and amusement. When David says 'Dual Purpose", he looks thoughtful. Presently he pulls out a battered notebook from his knapsack and begins scribbling in it. He continues writing for several minutes, although at times it seems he is erasing more than he's writing. At last he sits back and gives it a final scrutiny. He shrugs, blows off the remaining eraser dust, rips the page from his notebook and hands it to Nathanial.
"Maybe this will work for Spirit? I have a bit of a dual nature myself, so I thought maybe if the fork is double-sided, and it's likely she wants it for more than just the obvious purpose,... so,...?"
The page turns out to be limericks, cleverly worded if a bit obviously heavy-handed. The primary focus of the verses is a blond with a variety of tastes based on what was recently seen in the Toy Box. A second reading shows a cleverly hidden second set of innuendo hidden inside unusual uses of more common words and phrases.
"So, is there any truth or bearing to the rumors that the spirit world is closer or the barrier thinner on Halloween; or Hallows Eve; or All Saints Day or any of that jazz; any bearing on us?"
;P
Nathan lays out the items that have been gathered and donated to the circle.
'Some Wizards these days are more modern and like to use things like enchanted spectacles but I'm a bit of a traditionalist. Though I did get this spell from a friend that lives in Europe but picked up the specifics of the spell from a Sukia in Costa Rico.'
While Nathan works, he puts a cocoon in the middle of the circle. He carefully wraps the hair of the thread around the cocoon.
'The only trouble with that being in Canada in the late fall, this spell doesn't last as long. I just hope the spell lasts long enough for us to get a fix on where are target.'
Nathan then says some mumbled words while tapping on a small tribal drum. The thread merges with the cocoon and then seeps into the interior leaving a light blond trace on the outside where the pigment seems to have been left behind.
The cocoon then hatches and a butterfly emerges with blonde tips and a tracery of blonde lines through its wings.
The butterfly goes first to the lockpicks and lightly circles them. It then goes to the handcuffs and circles them. If pauses and alights for a moment on the bit of limerick. It seems to take time to study the words and verse.
Last it goes to a compact mirror and seems to daub a bit of the make-up on its feelers and study its appearance in the mirror.
Then it takes flight heading north towards North York in the city.
'Follow that butterfly!
"Heh. It's not 'Avengers Assemble!', But it'll work." Danny smirks as he grabs his heavy leather motorcycle jacket.
I, put my wrapped shield on my back, put my sword inside my long coat; and follow that Butterfly
You follow the butterfly north into North York.
Several times the butterfly starts to settle and you have to blow warm air on it revive it again and keep it moving.
Eventually, it leads you an apartment building which looks fairly posh and even has a doorman along with a security camera watching the entrance.
David gets a ring on his cell phone.
David takes a moment to scan over the apartment building, trying to figure out everything he can about it. Anything out of place, anything trying too hard to look normal, anyone who watches the surroundings with too much or too little interest. The signs of a well-guarded location are subtle, but not profoundly difficult to discern with the proper training and experience.
David picks up his cell phone, still eyeing the building. He answers with a terse greeting, "Monroe."
Danny looks up from where he is staying buried in the collar of his heavy leather jacket to keep warm. He raises both eyebrows in appreciation at the sight of the building in front of them.
"Wow. The Building Code for 'Evil Lairs' has gone up!" He quips as he gazes at the obviously upscale apartment.
"I wonder if it's rent-controlled?" He smirks as he looks questioningly at David as he answers his cell phone.
David initially goes to listen to his phone and gets crackling static and barely a single bar of signal.
Nathan smiles slightly amused and moves further down the street at which point the signal clears up and David can hear more clearly.
'I got that paperwork that you wanted. It looks like its some sort of mix-up in the coroner's office. The pictures of the DBs from the museum happen to match the DBs of an Asian gang that was checked in several weeks ago. So, somebody shuffled the wrong paperwork in the wrong files or something. Anyways, the bosses over there are doing a check to figure out where the bodies from the museum job have gone. That's why there's a bit of crush as no one wants stories of bodies getting up and walking away.'
You look the building over and like most buildings it is more gold and guild then solid security. Rich people are constantly putting holes in their fences.
The video camera for the garage looks like its turned slightly so it has a blank spot under the camera going into the garage.
The back exit of the building looks like someone has filled in the hole where the bolt on the lock is supposed to stick into the jam. You figure that you could now pop it with a jim that has been hidden in the trash two feet from the door.
David nods in assent, though that doesn't translate well through the phone. "Got it. Thanks. I appreciate it. If you hear anything else, give me a call. Bye." He hangs up and returns the phone to his pocket. "Seems that the zombies were from a gang that got DOAed a few weeks ago. Looks like they're playing it pretty close to the chest as no one wants to have to explain that one."
Turning his attention to the building, he begins pointing out its security flaws. "The garage entrance isn't covered by camera, so we can get in that way. Alternately, and my preferred entrance, it looks like someone made an easy entry in the backdoor. Just got to pop it with the jimmy that they thoughtfully left out." Putting his hand on his pistol as an unconscious security, he strides into the back alley while avoiding the camera angles. "Let's go."
Danny hurries to follow in David's footsteps, not accidentally also using the larger man's wide shoulders for cover. He walks like he knows where he's going,...
"So; we taking this Butterfly; can it only lead us to the building; looks like a big building"
looks up to count the windows with and without lights on.
Emily got out of her van and follows along with the others, following Monroe's actions in movement. Loaded for bear the woman tries to remain alert and at Monroe's comments, "The walking dead, joy" she says with sarcasm.
And as they near the Garage/side entrance Emily says, "I have some skill at that, if you would rather go with a little more subtlety."
"Walking dead, is it that late already; are you that tired, I should have thought to brought some coffee, anyone else dead on their feet?"
David leads the way up the stairs.
He stops a few times to look at spots and stains on the stairs.
He seems to know where he's going and doesn't have much trouble figuring out which floor to stop at which appears to be the top floor of the ten floor building.
There appears to be a key lock at this door which is separate from the other building's alarm system. Likely it is a private modification by the owners of the Penthouse floor.
Nathan offers, "I could hex it but there's no guaranteeing that won't set it off before it dies."
Danny winces at the wizard's statement, then holds up his hands.
"Well don't look at me. I'm a musician, not a locksmith!" He says plaintively.
David looks directly at Emily, just a little bit of uncomfortable teasing evident in his voice. "I'm not a criminal, so my method of entry tends to involve simply kicking the door in. Yours is probably much subtler."
"We all have our strengths and weaknesses." She will then take out her thieving equipment and starts at opening the door...
Emily carefully looks over the lock which is a standard digit pattern number lock with usually a four digit code. Looking more carefully, she notices that only three of the digits are used and not covered with normal accumulation of dust and dirt in the air.
The number of possible combination was shrinking to almost nothing. A mere fifteen combinations and the lock looked like it wasn't the type to remember attempts or lock out after so many failed attempts.
She could have hooked up an electrical bypass or charged the bolt with a powerful magnet but it was just faster to type digits.
The eighth attempt hits the lucky digits and pops the door.
Danny looks suitably impressed by Emily's skills. He steps up to the front.
"I've been in enough hotel serviceways to know my way around. If we run into staff that gives us trouble, let me do the talking." He says with apparent confidence. he steps in and waits for the others to catch up, then looks for the butterfly,...
The butterfly flutters down the hallway to stop and alight upon the handle of a door.
"look, back in the big war we had to enter lot of building; door wasnt always the best way as they are often booby trapped; look over here; about 3 ft from the door; this is normal exterior with beams about 22 inches wide; we could easily cut through this wall and enter; or at least someone could; maybe open the door inside; thing is; no telling if there are motion sensors or even dogs; but is definately a way in that wont set of the door alarm; which; back in the day; meant a mine or something like a potato masher with the pin on the door. i am guessing if this guy is magical, well, guess he cant be no wizard or this stuff wouldnt stay working; place is rich; so doubt it is a mock up of an alarm.
am guessing police response time is pretty good to a rich, fancy pants place like this. Hmm; we could cut building power; cop shows say that is commonplace practice for terrorists; wonder what happens to the alarms then; am guessing batteries; so we cut power to the building and then you hex the batteries; anyone know how to do that. I am not no Mr. Bond; when me and the boys entered a dwelling; we were not concerned about such things; we either blow the door or the wall; or cut em. In Asia and in Africa; not so much; mostly huts and hooches there; but in the Middle East; lot of caves; that is whole nuther thing. Mexico and South America; lot of places like this; but with lot of guards; sloppy guards usually; but still.
me; I would have a driver keep the engine going; go in through the wall; move room to room fast as I could; I dont know much about like elecricians; I just would blow up the line or one of the tech guys in the squad would do something. Also, the roof is a good way to enter, but is lot tuffer than the wall; but might be access like a door for maintenance and whatnot."
Danny looks a little wide-eyed as Aximeus gives a brief workshop on how to enter a building. He smiles, nods, and reaches for teh handle the butterfly rests on.
"Um, Yeah, or we could just try the door. I've worked in enough hotel back hallways to know they don't, generally, have alarms in them." He says as he gently pushes the handle,...
"Now, cameras are another story,..." He mutters in hindsight, deliberately NOT looking up at the ceiling.
Aximus tries to smoother a hearty laugh which makes it sound like a cat hacking up a hairball; smiles with watery eyes and gently pats Danny's shoulder with a big grin.
"there is that; dont have lot of experience wit cameras; guess we could take em out with a rock; but ifn any such person guard type is actually watching one; they would notice; am thinking the probably watching the ballgame or flirtin on the phone; so most rent a guards aint to good and would likely as not just miss some steathy movement. Either way you wanna play; am good; just lead on."
<checks his gear to make sure sheild is tightly strapped on his back and sword in his long coat isnt loose>
Danny leads on through the chaotic maze that is the hotels service hallways. Only once does a hotel employee give them a second glance, and Danny promptly asks "Ay mayte, which way t' the bloomin' loadin' dock?" in a heavily accented and frustrated Australian accent. The guy shakes his head, jerks his chin over his shoulder behind him, and pushes his cart down the hallway without looking back. Danny says "Thanks mayte." to the grunts vanishing back, and promptly follows the butterfly around the corner in the opposite direction.
He follows the butterfly down the hall, past a small service elevator, and through a set of double swinging doors into what is obviously the hotels public area, then back through another single swinging door into the service hallway once more to a bank of elevators labeled 'Food Service'.
Danny looks a little wide-eyed as Aximeus gives a brief workshop on how to enter a building. He smiles, nods, and reaches for teh handle the butterfly rests on.
"Um, Yeah, or we could just try the door. I've worked in enough hotel back hallways to know they don't, generally, have alarms in them." He says as he gently pushes the handle,...
"Now, cameras are another story,..." He mutters in hindsight, deliberately NOT looking up at the ceiling.
Danny pushes the door open and there is woosh sound as the bottom of the door flows over the top of the plush carpet that is the colour of ripening wheat.
The carpet is clearly deep pile and the floor must have been lowered an inch to accommodate it and not interfere with the opening of the door.
Beyond the door it is like looking at the Antique Road Show warehouse. Every item probably has a price tag that could keep most non-profit organization operating for a year or more. If wealth has a smell then this is it as the pure wax polishes and high gloss paint wafts out of the room.
Whoever the person is that owns the furnishings, it is clear that they have not done like some and purchased one or two items that were used as centres of attention or purchased items along some sort of theme. Different eras and styles happily clash in the contents of the room's furnishings and the only centralizing theme is money.
If you had to make a guess on the collector then they probably choose items either because it looked good to them and didn't have any regard for the price or they simply choose items because of the price.
Amongst the hangings on wall is a display case featuring five Rolex watches in different styles arranged like the rings of the Olymipics. The watches are being used as art objects to be seen and not worn.
In the glow of Tiffany lampshade light you see what you first take as large shelving unit. It's movement to stir at the opening of the door reveals that is actually alive.
You see a form that is over seven feet tall looking like a cross between Lurch of the Adam's family and Adam aka Frankenstein's monster. The huge form with the pale complexsion turns towards you.
Danny looks around the room with undisguised glee and avarice. He doesn't touch anything, but his wide eyes make it clear he's thinking about it.
"I had no idea it was possible to spend so much money,..." He murmurs.
At the movement, he jumps, and his eyes get even wider. He reaches out and grabs Aximeus' arm.
"Holy Frankenstein Batman!" He whispers. "I sure hope that's a costume!"
Lurchenstein, 'Urrgh'
David silently pulls his dagger from its sheathe under his coat, keeping his eyes on the creature. "I reckon he ain't friendly, huh? Anyone got any ideas other than self-defense?" The retired officer scans the room, looking for anything of use, any clues as to where their quarry might be, or any sign of items from the museum. In the meantime, he makes his way to a more defensible spot, keeping the creature at a few arms' length.
<I liked the gobby computers too :)>
Astinos steps to the fore,
"Watch yourself bigman before all this stuff gets real busted, why anyone would live here is beyond me; looks like a museum and none to comfortable."
Draws his sword and holds it over something like a Fabrae' Egg.
"one step toward us and this thing wont be so pretty no more"
<am thinking this would put the collector into a panic if he or she is present and they would have to negotiate with the Barbarians hehe>
Emily has her hand on a sawed off shotgun within her jacket but does not draw it forth, waiting to see what happens before becoming even more threatening then Aximeus is with his blade. She takes a quick look around the room...
Danny's thinking, not for the first time in the last 24 hours, that he might be a little out of his element here.
Or just discovering where he really fits.
But seeing the big guys take up fighting positions, the performer falls back onto his most familiar habit. Talking. Fast.
"Easy Lurch! We have an appointment! 2:30? I know, we're a little early, but we wanted to make a good impression. Be a good fellow and tell the lady that we're here to see her, yes? Oh, and give her my compliments on her taste. Is that a real Ming Dynasty vase?"
Despite the obstacle that is Lurchenstein, you do hear the soft smack of a door closing. Someone else is home. This being a penthouse, they might attempt to slip out through a different door then the one you are currently involved with.
Why do criminals always run?
In response to Aximeus's threat Lurchenstein's eyes seem to literally spark to life. It is like someone has hit the sides of an 'Operation' game and the red nose has lit up.
Clearly, Aximeus's threat has got a reaction from the 'buttler' and it doesn't appear to be the response that he intended.
Danny's quick intervention stops Lurchenstein momentarily as his balled up fists start to try and process the information. It seems like his pea size brain cells may take a moment to consider what is being said and what is the correct action.
Well, you can easily guage the contents of the room to be in the upwards of several hundred thousand dollars. A royal rumble is going to be extremely expensive.
It will take time to use the Investigation skill to look for something detailed.
What kind of stuff would you want to look for?
"Someone else is here." David jumps to action, the adrenaline pumping through his system just like it was his first day on the street. When he was younger, a good foot chase was the kind of thing he lived for. Now, it's something he does rather begrudgingly. Hopefully he could out-think his quarry, rather than simply chasing after the suspect like a dog after a bone. Moving around the creature, he holds his knife to ward off any sudden attacks from it and heads to the source of the sound. If anyone else wanted to follow, that's up to them.
"Oh, don't mind him." Danny says, waving towards Aximeus. "He wouldn't hurt a fly. Come on now! Tell your master we're here! We have a very important appointment! You wouldn't want us to be late!" Danny says, clapping his hands and making a little 'shooing' motion.
Emily watches the large man as Danny attempts to use his skills of persuasion to turn the attention from combat. She looks surprised as Monroe jumps forward and after someone his keen senses has picked up on. She darts after the ex-cop hoping that Aximeus can keep Danny safe if the pseudo-giant should pose a threat.
"uh, I know we are late for our appointment with the Lady, D man; but uhm; darn; is this guy leading us to her; hey you; are you the butler; we are late, lead or get out of the way"
<watching the guy very carefully ready to intercede>