as we pass through arrangements of shadows

[shreds]

Comments

[maleficum]

["That makes sense. Most don't last long once he has them."

David nods, as he considers.]

Ez and I could go poke around while you go distract the middle man?

[Jaqueline considers, then shrugs. "Could be a good idea? Do you trust me to talk to the middle man?"]

[praevaricatio]

Do we have anything else to go by except for his picture?

( The middle-man, that is. )

[maleficum]

[She shakes her head. "Not yet, no."]

I'm not so worried about what you say so much as what you can make him say.

[Jaqueline raises an eyebrow, then smirks. "I can definitely do that." ]

[praevaricatio]

Whatever you make him say, as long as it leads to Barnet.

( But, okay, they kind of have a plan. )

Where was the last place your blur was seen. You can start there.

[tearhiseyesout]

Looks like he hangs out at this diner.

[She flips to the picture in question and taps it gently.]

Might be a good place to start. Also, I'm starving.

[So food, please?]

[praevaricatio]

( He checks his watch. He only got how much sleep? )

I could eat.

[maleficum]

Alright. Food it is.

[He rubs a hand over his face.]

Let's do this.

[praevaricatio]

( Ezra avoids one of the Colony perks, the customizable closet, sticking with his outlet find.

To save time, they use David's power, opening one door and letting themselves into a diner they've all read about in their briefing. It's bustling for mid-morning. A host draws away another family that has beaten them there leaving them alone at the front. )

[tearhiseyesout]

[David (15), makes note of the empty reserved table in the corner, and nudges his husband to subtly point it out.

Jaqueline (18) also notices the table, before scanning her eyes over the rest of the room, taking in the behavior of the servers as they glance furtively at the table. She tips her head to the side.]

Someone's off schedule.

[praevaricatio]

He's on the run. If he did take his usual table ( he catches on ) he'd be a guy sitting down to breakfast and easily found. As much as Barnet seems like a guy who likes the notoriety, if we're on his trail, then we're not the only ones.

( And man, he wanted to eat. )

We could get something to go.

[tearhiseyesout]

[Jaqueline nods as she makes her way over to the hostess's stand to grab some menus. But when she gets there, she meets the woman's eyes and gives her a slight mental nudge (14).

Not a heavy one, but one just enough to make her seem trustworthy. Like the hostess will want to share all the information she has.]

I noticed the reserved table. Expecting someone important?

[praevaricatio]

( with a (9) she is easily influenced. in her mind, Jacqueline is a regular she recognizes, and one she would share information with.

"We usually do, but today it seems he's ordered his food on an app. At least we get a percentage of the profits." )

[tearhiseyesout]

That's a shame. Do you know who's picking up his food for him?

[Because that could give them a lead too. Follow the delivery man back to the source.]

[tramplemain]

That guy.

( The redhead dicking around on his phone, holding one of those insulated bags. )

[tearhiseyesout]

Got it. Thanks a bunch.

[She smiles, and takes the menus to make her way over to her partners.]

Turns out the missing reserved table decided to order out instead. Carrottop over there is our delivery boy.

[tramplemain]

( "Keeps up his routine, even on the run," Ezra says, eyeing him.

The host makes some nearby small talk, doing a very obvious job of flirting with the delivery boy who doesn't seem to be biting. )

[maleficum]

[David nods, before taking the menus.]

Then let's order something quick so we can stay on the road.

[Jaqueline tips her head to the side as she watches the two, and decides to give the delivery boy a tiny nudge. Nothing untoward, just enough to get his interest on the hostess long enough for them to get their food (12).]

[tramplemain]

( The delivery boy is very easily nudged, ignoring his time restrictions, even when the order arrives.

The group has time to order for themselves to get back on the road. Even long enough to follow him to his car should they want to. )

[maleficum]

[Yep, that's the plan. David lingers just long enough behind them to avoid suspicion but does his best to keep an eye on the car, following back to his intended delivery (18). Once he does stop to drop the food off, he'll hang back, parking near some trees for cover but close enough that he can see the door.]

[tramplemain]

( The driver doesn't pick up on this caravan of travelers following him. They don't follow him far, just down the block back to the a familiar hotel.

The driver double parks with his blinker on and runs inside. )

[tearhiseyesout]

["Anyone want to see if they can invisique their way inside?"

Jaqueline nods, waving a hand over herself and disappearing from view.]

I've got it.

["We need him alive, Jaq." He says after her as she leaves and she ignores him, darting across the street and into the hotel, trying to see if she can catch sight of their redheaded friend (17).]

[tramplemain]

( Their redheaded friend is reading one of the guides along the wall, finding the room number he wants...

Or, does he? He tilts his head and reads his phone again. )

Must be a typo.

( He shakes his head, stepping into one of the elevators. They head up a few floors where they're let out. He follows the doors to the end of the hall and again double checks. There's a window, there's this door and that door.

He knocks on the right door, but doesn't hear anything.

He thinks for a second, but he realizes he is way behind in his drop-off time. He sets the bag between the two doors, snaps a picture and practically runs back the other way.

InvisiJacqueline, roll for dodge. )

[tearhiseyesout]

[She dips to the side, just feeling the driver graze by her (15 vs. 12), but she manages to not attract his attention. Inching further down the hall to where he left the food, she tries to get a look at the door and see what details she can garner (20).]

[tramplemain]

( nothing is unremarkable with either door. nothing is special. there is nothing but a recent half-assed paint job. but there is significantly tethered magic present, more than jacqueline would be able to untie.

She does notice on the packaging the number doesn't exist. There is a 411 and a 413, but not a 414. There is a window where 414 would be. )

[tearhiseyesout]

[Innnnnnnnnnteresting.

She steps back, leaning her invisible self against the opposite wall, and waits. If they're hungry, sooner or later they're going to have to come out and get the food.

In the meantime, she'll text back to the car:]

Room 414. Waiting for someone to come to the door.