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Post by Krakenbox on Oct 28, 2020 13:03:29 GMT -8
Sunrise was indeed a little more hidden than expected, with a well lit interior of lavender and gold. A diffuser spilled a light mist of rosemary and lemon while classical music floated quietly in the ambience between the glass displays and fine furniture. A woman emerged from the office at the electronic chime of Ivory's entrance, giving her a polite nod to acknowledge her presence before busying herself behind the counter. There was something a little off, perhaps she was under the weather? Her movements were slow and methodical, staring at something for a beat as if she had to commit to the act before she could will herself to continue. Elizabeth's quiet visage was at odds with the bright grin of the manager on her website.
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Nov 4, 2020 22:31:44 GMT -8
Ivory came in wearing a grey suit and white shirt, cutting a neutral look. Granting the woman a slight nod in return, Ivory set about perusing the selections. Ivory was no stranger to a little investigation, but, frankly, she had no idea what she was looking for. Thus, the game was simple. Find an object of interest and get the woman out from behind the counter and engaging. Plus it seemed she was under the weather... might help getting her to slip something out in conversation. StrayToday at 11:29 PM Spot interesting antique. Perception Wits+Comp @dicecord-CoD roll 5 Dicecord-CoD BOT Today at 11:30 PM stray rolled 5 dice and got 1 success. 9 7 6 2 5
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Post by Krakenbox on Nov 5, 2020 22:42:21 GMT -8
Though she may have struggled to place it in her house, the carving on the desk was intricate enough to busy herself in a manner that was both convincing but also lacking in boredom. Still, the woman was slow to approach, despite the obvious sale being presented. She didn't even appear reluctant, just...not present. "Hello madam," Elizabeth said, hollow gaze meeting the required eye contact before flicking to the high price tag, "Just browsing...? Or, are you looking to decorate a study."
Up close, Ivory's senses reared; the Fae side of her being crying out as a brief sense of confusion and loss washes over her. It's gone as quick as it came, but the impression was there. The woman appeared normal on the surface, waiting patiently for an answer to her question as she stared into space.
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Dec 18, 2020 23:31:20 GMT -8
"Good afternoon," Ivory answered, "I had planned on just browsing, but... well. It would be foolish to waste an opportunity to learn about something so... exquisite."
The Pale Dragon's eyes rested only briefly on the desk before she turned her attention to Elizabeth. Something was... off, but it wouldn't do to come right out and say it. She had to get a sense of this woman first. Thus, the first thing to do was to get Elizabeth talking. Get her comfortable.
"What can you tell me about this piece?" Ivory asked, a delicate hand indicating the desk itself.
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Post by Krakenbox on Dec 20, 2020 12:40:22 GMT -8
"Hand carved lacquered wood, from the nineteen twenties...Beijing," she said, not exactly sounding tired, but struggling to sound present. "Passed down three generations until the son decided it was time to grace another house."
The tag indicated $9,500, though she didn't pull further attention to it. Despite being the manager, she didn't seem to be in a hurry to offer Ivory more choices or interrogate her on her needs.
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Dec 21, 2020 12:54:44 GMT -8
"Lovely, simply lovely," Ivory mused looking to the desk before shifting the gaze to the shop itself, "You have a lovely store. Are you the sole proprietor?"
Then the facts of it all began to fall into place. She had come to investigate a possible criminal, but the wave of confusion and loss earlier was disquieting. Coupled with the distracted stillness of the woman's neutrality, it was almost disturbing. Concern decorated Ivory's face and she allowed it to surface freely as she turns her attention back to Elizabeth.
"You seem distracted," Ivory said, "Is now a bad time?"
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Post by Krakenbox on Dec 21, 2020 20:44:55 GMT -8
"No, sorry I did not mean to come off as dismissive. Your business is always appreciated," the woman said, looking at least little defeated. "I own it, yes. There are investors who use our consignment services."
She moved back towards the desk, handing Ivory a recently printed catalogue. "If something catches your eye, I can show it to you."
A redirection may be required to gain access to her private office for clues. Ivory had no rapport with this woman, and sniffing around for potential criminal influence wouldn't be as simple as working her normal charms.
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Dec 27, 2020 18:13:28 GMT -8
Ivory was unsure what to do, but in time an idea occurred to her.
As she perused, Ivory fished out her phone, quietly feigning that she was engaged in a text.
In reality, she was looking up the pawn shop's business hours.
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Dec 27, 2020 19:53:21 GMT -8
A thought glinted in the back of Ivory's mind as she considered a plan of returning after dark and sleuthing the old fashioned way. The idea eventually caused her to scoff to herself. "This is ridiculous," she whispered, swiping her phone back to the home screen as she slipped it back in her pocket. There was no reason to come back and sleuth around the old fashioned way. Ivory was no Bond, but she had a means of circumventing obstacles that did not include gadgets or charm... although she admittedly had the latter in abundance. She had the Wyrd. And Elizabeth had investors. People she was beholden to for the operation of her business and who perhaps were even aware of criminal activity on the shop's behalf. More importantly, the investors had access and if Elizabeth could be convinced that they had sent an agent... That could be the way in. Thus, as she stopped in front of an antique mirror, Ivory starred within it. She had the look and felt confident that she knew the right words to choose. All she needed now was the Wyrd to provide the air of authority she desired. And so it did. The regal bearing Ivory boasted before was replaced with the icy stoicism of a seasoned investigator as she let the Wyrd do its work. Soon after, eyes landed back to Elizabeth and Ivory strode back to her with a purpose. The latent awe of the shop's antiquities had been replaced with indifference, as if Ivory was already familiar with the interior. "Elizabeth, I think we can drop this charade, can't we?" she said, her tone professional and bordering on coldness, "There has been some... operational concerns."
A pause filled the air, Ivory letting the tension of the statement linger. "I've been sent to investigate them and alleviate the fears of your investors," she offered, "They want to ensure their support of your work remains a... sound investment."
StrayToday at 8:25 PM Invoke Mask of Superiority (Presence+Subterfuge+Wyrd+Willpower) @dicecord-CoD roll 11 Dicecord-CoD BOT Today at 8:25 PM stray rolled 11 dice and got 5 successes. 3 4 7 10(5) 3 10(10)(6) 7 10(9) 5 6 6 Don't let this luck go to waste, stray .
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Post by Krakenbox on Dec 27, 2020 21:09:25 GMT -8
Despite the obvious effect of the Wyrd, Elizabeth doesn't seem particularly affected.
The pawn shop owner simply blinked, "Oh. Well, what did they want? As far as I understand it, I haven't been late with anything." Shouldn't she be worried? Perhaps Xifeng's gossip was just that, and Ivory posed herself the ally to a Chinese consignment company.
She leads Ivory back to the tidy office, gesturing tiredly at the computer and filing cabinets.
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Dec 27, 2020 21:29:51 GMT -8
Ivory says nothing as she is led with ease into the back to the office. The room is tidy. Organized. Perfect, sifting through a mess would have been incredibly tiring.
"If nothing is amiss then there is nothing to worry about," she explains, "An investment is something that requires more than simple trust to ensure success, as you are aware. Hence, investigative procedure. With the concerns I mentioned before, the investors called me here to ensure the security of their interests has not become weakened. Thus, should all be well, their trust in you remains unaltered and you continue to benefit from our partnership. My being here is as much a boon for you as it is for them. After all... if my report alleviates their fears, why would they have cause to call for such a measure again, hmm?"
Ivory walked deeper into the office, hands clasping behind her back as she glanced to it's contents.
"You use a combination of hard copies and digital files for your filing, is that correct?" she asked, as she moved smoothly to the desk chair in front of the computer. Seating herself, her stoic gaze rested on the abnormally plain woman.
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Post by Krakenbox on Dec 27, 2020 22:12:52 GMT -8
"Um...hard copies for the files that may need to be destroyed, as was asked. Most of the legitimate business I've digitized." She leaned against the frame of the door, as if to physically prop herself,
"Has there been any more information with the side effects?" she wanted to sound hopeful, but the question fell as flat as her demeanor. If outing her problem put her at risk, she couldn't muster the care.
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Dec 27, 2020 22:57:22 GMT -8
"Excellent," Ivory said, "I am pleased to hear you are remaining compliant to our agreements. I will need the hard copies, if you please."
Ivory's fingers steepled together waiting for the woman's reaction. At her question, Ivory's eyebrows twitched slightly upward. If all went well, the evidence would soon be in her hands, but Ivory knew she had to be patient and she remained confident that the goal was within her grasp.
"Have you experienced more than has been discussed?" Ivory asked. An open ended question... but if Ivory could learn more about the woman's condition, all the better.
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Post by Krakenbox on Dec 27, 2020 23:05:31 GMT -8
"No. But it also hasn't gotten better," she said slowly, with caution for the first time, "Zhang said I should have bounced back after a week."
The files were slowly fished, the polish of her nails having mostly flaked off but never removed or restored. "Did something go wrong? You want all of them? I could just give you a summary, or..." she sighed.
Apparently trust was lost, but it had nothing to do with her. She wasn't even sure if she would be privy to that sort of information, and so didn't press. The woman sitting at the desk was an entrenched ally, and being rude would only cause trouble with those who pulled the strings of her business.
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Ivory
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Pres 4 (Regal) - SL 1 (Noble) Fairest Hunterheart
Posts: 588
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Post by Ivory on Dec 27, 2020 23:26:54 GMT -8
"Hmm, I see," Ivory mused, "I will make a mention of this in my report, of course. Zhang is more well versed in these things, as you can imagine, but I will do what I can to ensure word reaches the appropriate persons. Until then, continue to monitor. Have you been keeping a log?"
"Those associated within the previous two weeks will do just fine, there are no concerns prior to this. For the moment, that is all I can say," Ivory said. The length was arbitrary to the Fairest, of course. All she needed was evidence... and to see where the woman had retrieved the files, "Provided they have not been cycled for destruction, naturally."
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