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Post by Bella on May 21, 2021 16:00:52 GMT -8
Bella looks over at Eis, letting the older Courtier take point on their investigation but listening so that way no information gets missed by either of them.
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Eis
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Post by Eis on May 23, 2021 9:32:31 GMT -8
"Likely not with the selection." she admits. "Though we'd be very grateful for your help." Eis considers misleading or pressuring the tattooed individual, but perhaps a gentle approach first. Perhaps she won't need to escalate things at all. Though she warily thinks of the ladies at the church who gave them looks for asking after young Leith.
"There's a young man who sometimes shops here. Maybe you've seen him? Leith. Haitian boy. I'm concerned for a friend of his, who's likely gotten herself into trouble. Have you seen a much younger girl hanging around Leith? We've... been contacted by the authorities, and I'd like to give them as much information as I can." A polite, apologetic smile crosses her mortal features. Or, at least, she hopes the clerk sees her as human.
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Post by Krakenbox on May 23, 2021 13:50:51 GMT -8
"Umm...Haitian?" the clerk frowns, looking up something on their phone, "Oh! He's African American. Gotcha. Didn't know he spoke French, that's cool... I remember a kid being with him once where he bought her some sweets and a book," they said, thumbing to the local offbeat selection by other novelty trinkets.
"Didn't seem weird. Honestly she looked like a latchkey kid and he was just helping her out. Super sweet guy, if you ask me," they blinked, frowning, "Why? Are the cops blaming him for doing something inappropriate?"
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Post by Bella on May 23, 2021 22:05:10 GMT -8
Bella quirks and eyebrow.
"Sorry, but he bought a book for the little girl?" She asks. "Do you happen to remember it's title?" She continues before answering the clerks question "-And no, the boy isn't in any trouble. Just doing some backtracking to try and find leads on the little girl" Bella finishes with a small smile.
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Post by Krakenbox on May 25, 2021 18:20:48 GMT -8
"The Moss."
They seem super curious now, "What's your relation to the little girl, then?"
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Eis
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Post by Eis on May 31, 2021 14:39:05 GMT -8
"None." Eis answers the clerk, matter-of-factly. "But Leith is a student of mine. We'd all rest a little easier if we were assured his friend was safe." She hopes their curiosity doesn't blossom into suspicion, but she could handle that as well. For now? Honey over vinegar.
"Are there any more copies of the book in stock?" she asks. "I'd like to take a look at one. I'm not sure that it will help, but I'm willing to try anything at this point." She smiles apologetically. Truth be told, the book itself could lead to nothing. But its an excuse to avoid any further questions from the clerk.
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Post by Krakenbox on May 31, 2021 18:48:53 GMT -8
The cover was a raw snapshot of red and shadows, a quick glance through had an unconventional writing style that reminded one of House of Leaves. The author Armistead Heartshorne was listed on the cover page to maintain the minimalism. "I've seen her a few times, but never with an adult. She knows the bus and seems pretty independent."
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Post by Bella on May 31, 2021 20:41:58 GMT -8
While Eis talks with the owner, Bella leafs through the book to see if anything Occult related jumps out at her.
Bella's search didnt find anything out of the ordinary with the book so she gently set it down on the counter and quietly wanders the store just looking around. Slowly meandering through the shelves and aisles.
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Eis
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Post by Eis on Jun 3, 2021 5:58:55 GMT -8
What’s the connection between the girl and the bookstore? Is there a reason this _particular_ book was chosen? And was the book even really for the girl, or was it for the unicorn’s ‘mommy’? After Bella leafs through the book and makes her way around the store, Eis tries to connect the dots.
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Post by Krakenbox on Jun 3, 2021 6:06:43 GMT -8
The letter said the unicorn liked stories. The book is likely connected to them somehow. Why Leith would buy a child an adult horror novel is odd indeed. Bella isn't offering any tracker or fortune abilities; it would be best at some point if they collaborated on what each was good at rather than vague interests, and see of they need to fill in a hole in their investigation capabilities.
The only leads they have are the boy himself which Eis has access to (whether his locker, his home address, or directly). If only they had had a means of tracking him while invisible! It felt a little late for that, however.
The leads that were given is the girl would be on the security footage. They could time her bus route since that was the only other lead for her means of transport. Eis remembers she also can create a magic plan that boosts her raw deductive skills!
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Post by Bella on Jun 3, 2021 13:46:33 GMT -8
Bella walks outside of the store and pull out her phone to call Jack
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Post by Krakenbox on Jun 3, 2021 18:09:41 GMT -8
Jack does not answer, instead going to voicemail.
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Post by Bella on Jun 4, 2021 20:59:46 GMT -8
Bella sighs at hearing Jack's voicemail and hangs up. She then cautiously looks around to see if there is anyone close by. Seeing no one around, Bella activates the Light Shy and Nevertread contracts before disappearing from view.
After disappearing, Bella calmly walks back into the store and makes her way behind the counter in search of any and all security footage that might help her and Eis' search.
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Post by Krakenbox on Jun 6, 2021 10:08:23 GMT -8
The Wizened finds a place around the shop and away from cameras before turning invisible.
Looking behind the counter for a camera feed, Bella doesn't find anything security related until she realizes an office where there is footage of people will likely be locked. The employee has left a key ring and she pockets it as Eis continues to talk.
Exploring a bit, she finds the manager's office and tries the keys one at a time. Getting inside, she finds a personal computer that will likely have any CCTV footage available. It would be passcode protected...
There are filing cabinets that she can't immediately gain access to without lock picking or breaking them, unless she filches the manager's key. The other option was to try and locate any available documentation. The employee seemed super chill. Someone could try intimidating with an appropriate thread, or lying if they get desperate. They might have the passcode on their phone of they can get them to unlock it for her.
Once in, she will have to use some general computers skills to dig through the uploaded footage to find what she is looking for.
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Post by Eis on Jun 12, 2021 8:52:11 GMT -8
Where had Bella gotten off to? No matter. Eis would need to find a way to identify the girl by some way other than word of mouth.
Eis turns to the clerk again. They had to know something. Maybe a little pressure would do the job.
“We could use something more substantial. I’m sure there is security footage. We need to see it. I’d hate to have to report that you weren’t cooperative...”
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