Edge Town-City of Light

Tim gave a low sound suspiciously like a groan in acknowledgment of sudden kharma.

Wizards Three

When you've pissed off a cop in the past as thoroughly as Tim and Jarl managed with Lieutenant Proteau, favors are hard to come by. The line between "asshole cop" and "unfairly maligned authority figure" gets blurry.

"So. Encore s'il te plait. You want me to give you information on what sounds like an unreported theft, so you can play vigilante in Paris. Why don't you let me get out my tape recorder, first as well, Balthazar Blake."

Proteau hunkered over the cafe table, cup almost toy-sized in his hairy hands, no longer a cuddly bear. He looked almost smug. Outside, a light snowfall has started, now afternoon after their morning with Celes. Really, they were just lucky they'd managed to get him on his lunch. Otherwise, they might be having this chat at station, as the Lieutenant had pointed out.

Still. At least the officer was interested enough to answer the wizard's call, after they'd managed to get a hold of his secretary. Not bad, since from the sound of it, he was a pretty big shot in a pretty big police office.

Now they just had to not get arrested.

edited 28th Apr '17 1:41:52 PM by DrTentacles

Tim tried his very best to keep his face straight and polite, the smugness grating on his nerve.

Remember. He told himself. Diplomacy.

"Of course, but only if you allow me to preface everything we discuss from that point forward as something purely in hypotheticals." He countered, his tone as affable as he could make it. "And we do not intent to play 'vigilante'. But we do consider it our civic duty to intercede in potentially dangerous affairs."

He paused.

"Especially when the...management might not consider the affair to be 'realistic'." He added, with air quotes and all. "After all, everyone knows, curses and magic are as hypothetical as the rest of this discussion."

edited 28th Apr '17 2:07:26 PM by 3of4

Night Walkers

Practically on the other side of La Métropole, far from the sprawling city lights at the beating heart of Paris, you find places that, were it not for the fact that they housed massive, skyscraper-sized hotels, would look like your average suburban neighborhood in any other part of the world. The sort of place where tourists who don't have all the money in the world like to spent their recreational time.

From the outside, there doesn't seem to be any trouble brewing.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jarl

Jarl, knowing full-well that his record with authority figures was always going to be somewhat spotty, decided to play the bored tourist just along for the ride, spending his time sitting in the back of the station playing with Tjalfe while Tim tried the noble (and futile) act of negotiating with a police officer who'd been shown just how tiny his big authority wiener actually was.

Alexander

Alexander stepped out of the car, more comfortable now with a knife in his belt, and a pistol comfortably stowed in his briefcase. It was relaxing to get outside, too—tired as he was, the shock of Paris's cold air, and sudden freedom from having to look after Bethany and Aiden was invigorating. He almost hoped someone would cause trouble.

As he did a reflexive check for snipers, assassins, or tails, he also checked Annette to see how she'd handled Terry's driving. It couldn't have helped, after the sort of evening she had. A slight grin worked it's way on his face as he took in the absolutely pedestrian apartments.

"Ah. So this is where you're staying. Fascinating!"

edited 3rd May '17 10:32:11 AM by DrTentacles

As somebody who actually cared about the laws of traffic safety, Annette looked more than a little shaken as she stepped out of the car, David's hand in hers and him looking far calmer than she was. Were it not for sheer persistence she was sure she would have passed out again from Terrance's driving alone. Maybe she should offer to drive back now, before it was too late. Or just take off her glasses next time so she couldn't see anything!

Taking in a shaky, deep breath she caught the tail end of Alexander's little comment and gave him the flattest look she could muster while trying to ease her nerves.

We can't all be staying in fancy penthouses, you damn rich vampire.

Still, she was grateful for him and Terry coming along, even if it was for a purely selfish reason. And yet despite the threat of danger she'd still chosen to take David with them instead of leaving him at the hotel. Why? Because willing to help as they were..she didn't trust Lilaine or Aiden enough to leave David alone with them. Hell, with anyone. He was safest at her side. With the heavily armed vampire and the werewolf who drove like a madman.

"...yes. Th-that one," she pointed up at one of the more modest hotel complexes. It wasn't expensive, and their room was on one of the lower floors so there wasn't even a view. But who came to Paris to stay in their hotel room, anyway?...probably people getting hunted down by somebody. Next time she'd have to spring for a better room, clearly.

David clung to her hand, peering around at the other buildings, like he was looking for something.

edited 3rd May '17 10:44:14 AM by KeiranGold

Fascinating? Terry glanced at the buildings, then at Alex, then back to the buildings. Enlightenment failed to occur. "You're gonna have to walk me through this fascination, because all I see are perfectly ordinary hotels, hotely in their hotelness."

Leon sat besides Tim, hoping the elder wizard would actually be diplomatic this time. Instead of antagonistic. Still, despite wanting to let Tim take the lead here, he kept fidgeting as something was still bugging him about the first meeting.

"Look, I'm sorry for interrupting, but I got to know, how did you even know we were in town, let alone who we are? It's not like we announced our presence."

Wizards Three

Proteau took a surprisingly delicate bite of his scone, staring at Tim as though the wizard was trying to bribe his way out of the district drunk tank with quarters. When Tim finished, he crossed his hair arms in front of his chest, turning his stare onto Leon at the interruption.

"Your civic duty is to act like what you are. Civilians. My superiors understand what I do. Though I appreciate your concern."

The last bit was delivered with sarcasm as thick as the glaze on the pastries.

"I was warned about you all by a concerned citizen. Vegas. Like a bunch of wand-waving cowboys! America. Deiu! We rely on informants, at times."

Proteau's eyes narrowed, as though warning them not push further, then, the bear-like man shrugged, seeming to relax, a smile replacing the scowl on his face. It seems like a though had occurred to him. It didn't look pleasant.

"Informants—hmm. Perhaps I could point in the right direction. You'd simply have to agree to work as my informants, on this case. Stay out of trouble, and let the proper authorities handle the messes."

edited 3rd May '17 1:45:11 PM by DrTentacles

Tim barely managed to stop himself from commenting that the proper authorities on magic sat beside him and fidgeted in his chair right now and that the body he represented had been executing its authority to the safety of humanity since long before Karl der Große had created the realm who's one half would eventually become this croissant and revolutions infested Grande Nation.

"The...situation in Las Vegas was forced upon us, and not by any semblance of choice. The fact that the 'proper authorities' had been bought out by either of the two criminal lords ruling the city did not help. You can be assured that nothing that happened over there was to our...satisfaction or plan."

He took a deep breath.

"I'm afraid simply telling you where to act and then stepping aside would be criminally negligent of us. As much as I assume your forces are modern and well trained, I doubt they are fully informed to the capabilities of whatever they might face."

Tim somewhat doubted a possible small scale re-enactment of Resident Evil was what his people would expect going into a fight. And damn you Kat for providing me with that context. He added with a little internal humor.

"To be honest, I doubt 'Informants' would be a role suitable to either of us in this situation. But maybe as, to channel a certain genre of criminal fiction....'Consultants'?" He offered, hoping to reach a compromise that would not require a magic marginot line somewhere down the line of this discussion.

Wizards Three

Proteau stood looming over the table—though Tim could match him, if he wanted to, and downed his coffee, turning to go. His voice was full of false resignation, fully aware that he had the power in this negation. After all, they'd came to him.

"Monsieur Doctor, if you want to call yourself a consultant, you most certainly may. I, however, would not be able to sleep at night if I told you where to find a certain group of magical ruffians who make their living doing odd jobs. Especially if they've been recently bragging about a score."

He snorted, aware of how unsubtle he was being, starting to walk toward the door.

"Of course, if I had reliable help willing to trick them into a confession *without* violating city laws, that would be different. While being supervised by a trustworthy officer. Au Revoir, Herr doctor."

edited 3rd May '17 2:56:14 PM by DrTentacles

Tim pinched his nose and cocked his hand sideways. "You do realize neither of us three can wear a recording device for more than a heartbeat?" He pointed out, more genially than offstandish.

Proteau stops, halfway through shrugging on a dark wool peacoat, and going to settle the bill, a grin crossing his face.

"You can report evidence of a crime. Which is enough for a house search. These fictional ruffians works for pay. I am willing to offer clemency in exchange for their employer. But knocking down doors without cause is bad practice. Much better if I have a witness willing to talk about how they saw stolen goods inside."

edited 3rd May '17 3:07:25 PM by DrTentacles

Tim considers for another moment before nodding. "D'accord."

Alexander

Alexander shrugs, looking for a valet for Terry to hand the keys to before realizing that this place didn't have valets. Ah, well. They probably wouldn't get ticketed for parking in front if they were quick.

"it's just so...plain. It reminds me of a hideout."

Wizards Three

Proteau walked over, clapping Tim on the shoulder, looking genuinely pleased. It was somehow more intimidating than his scowl.

"Excellent! I will give you the address. I trust your car can make it? One last thing—"

His smile broadened, bright white, crooked teeth behind a black mustache and beard.

"I'm a sensitive man. You hurt my feelings yesterday with your coldness. Paying for my coffee would be a good way to apologize."

edited 3rd May '17 3:12:35 PM by DrTentacles

Tim sighed an put a five euro note on the table.

Jarl

Jarl let out a chuckle as he scritched Tjalfe behind the ears, the big apex predator lolling its tongue happily all the while.

"Oh yeah, I'm sure you're real worried about people kicking in doors and asking pointed questions." He pointed at the revolver◊ sitting in a holster on the officer's hip.

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but that's only given to police officers who pass GIGN selection. So my guess is you've kicked in quite a few doors and killed quite a few people, homme d'arme. If giving people information makes you sleep bad at night, I'd hate to imagine what your job does to you."

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Anne and the Bad Samaritans

So far, Jackie's information was on the level. The building, though somewhat spook-tacular because of the dim lighting in the corridors, was entirely devoid of monsters, junkies, or people with guns and/or sharp objects. Getting through the hotel room was, in fact, suspiciously easy.

However, she did say it was likely the room was being watched. Maybe having a look around for possible ways to spy on someone wouldn't be a bad idea.

edited 3rd May '17 3:35:00 PM by math792d

Annette stepped into the hotel room and was relieved to see everything she'd left here exactly as it had been. Two beds, two suitcases—though one was smaller and with a few stickers on it, clearly designating it as Davd's—and a large blue dufflebag that sat on the table. She gave the window a weary look before turning to Alexander and Terry. "If, um, e-either of you are good at finding bugs...n-now may be a good time..." she mumbled, hand fidgeting at her chest.

David moved from her side to pick something out of the bed: a very fluffy stuffed Siamese cat. He put it into his suitcase quickly, like he was trying to keep it from being noticed.

Terry nodded, glancing around the room as he considered where to look. A truly thorough search wasn't going to be doable in a hotel room, because he wasn't enough of an asshole to completely trash the place, but maybe they'd get lucky and any bugs would be in places that could be dismantled and put back together. As he got to work on the light fixture, he turned to Alex and said, "While we're here you can feast your eyes on what 'normal' looks like, oh wealthy one. Hideouts look quote-unquote plain because they're supposed to look normal so they don't stand out. Side note, did you save the silver spoon you were born with? If that counts as being inherited we could make it into a loup-garou-killing shiv."

"The strangers have money, access to hideouts, and occult knowledge" was information Terry was comfortable with any bugs picking up. If this Samson guy decided that Annette wasn't easy enough meat anymore, that was a quick and painless way to resolve the problem. If not, well, they'd have other surprises for him.

Wizards Three

Proteau grunted, looking at Jarl with narrowed eyes, as though he were a particularly bothersome insect. The lieutenant's fist clenched at his side with an audible cracking of knuckles, and it probably occurred to the wizards at hand that Proteau might have a bit of a temper.

Nothing came of it, however. His voice was a low basso, eyes flat as he stared at Jarl.

"Perceptive. Should have figured you would take that sort of cheap shot. As though your hands are clean."

Something about the way Proteau emphasized "you" in his sentence hinted at a special dislike of Jarl. Turning back to the counter, the cop reached out, sliding Tim's money over to the cafe owner.

"A coffee to go. On the Dane. 12 Robert-Doisneau Ave, Clichy-Sous-Bois. I'll be in an unmarked cruiser at the end of the street. Tonight. I suggest approaching as a buyer. Tell them Elie sent you."

Alexander

Alexander gave Terry a flat look, pausing his inspection of Ms Wagner and her son's hotel room. The place was almost charmingly quaint. A single room. Honestly. It really was like a hideout. Forgive him for not associating vacations with one-room hotels.

"Really? How about you sniff something out, rather than taking shots at the man behind *your* new accommodations."

edited 4th May '17 12:29:51 PM by DrTentacles

Leon buries his face in his palm. Of course Jarl had to get a shot in. This little team up with the cops was going to end with him shot and/or in jail if he kept acting like that. Once he removes hand from face he stares at Jarl with a 'why' expression on his face.

Tim filed what the policeman told them in his mind and hid another sigh. Leave it to Jarl to antagonize as effectively as possible.

"What? It's not my fault the guy's a cowboy trying to drag other people to task for cowboying."

"You guys are being less subtle than he is, by the way."

Jarl fished a note out of his pocket and waved at a waiter to get the cop's order, in his most picture-perfect French, with just a hint of a Norman accent.

edited 4th May '17 12:45:36 PM by math792d

Terry gave a haughty sniff as he continued his bug search. "I am fully capable of doing both at once, sirrah. Some of us learned to multitask without handing off one of the things to the butler."