Neighborhood Watch Part 2 [Group 2]

The City Hall had a pristine air to it the moment any arrival laid their eyes on it. In a lot of ways, it seemed almost secluded from the rest of civilization as no other building was in sight save for the Hall. It was an orderly building just like any other with employees and visitors coming in and out for whatever business they had inside. It wouldn't be difficult to get inside, after a few basic security measures befitting of your usual metal detector and deadbeat security guard set. But once inside, there was a large lobby with people waiting inside with a central desk manned by a receptionist.

After handling his business with the drug dealer and fucking off back to his flat while making sure to use the back door and that people weren't watching him too hard on his property, Raphael figured that it was time to use a different disguise this time around.  Sure,  using magic in such a way was taxing at times with the way that it sucked away at his spirit, but the best thing about this situation was that it was more geared towards information gathering and less about fighting. Since he wasn't expecting to be in a fight, he felt more comfortable doing this.

"Ok..... I should be ready...."

After setting up his current look and identity, along with any other items he felt like he needed to pull this off, Raphael went off to city hall in order to see if he could get more information about this case.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

After finding that it was his turn to talk to the receptionist, he figured that he could start with her for the sake of maybe getting some pull.



"With the number of people here, it's a bit hard to get an appointment these days. I am here to look at the newest homes, Sunlake Palms is known for its ideal reputation and tightly knitted community, even though such a reputation is being threatened as of late."

He seemed a bit posh and unbothered, but Right now, Raphael was testing the waters.

Stats

Spoiler:

Used

Spoiler:

1/3

At first the young woman's lips twitched at his statement while remaining mostly composed like a doll. The news of the recent murders didn't sit well with her just as the rest of the neighborhood didn't like the news earlier. But she easily flit up a small reserved smile as she replied with assurance and acknowledgement before flipping through papers tacked together on a wooden clipboard. "Ah, yes... It has been an unfortunate last few days. But do not worry, we have Cadets and the best law enforcement ensure your safety and our community. We have small community events to facilitate outreach and ensure everyone within our neighborhood is welcomed here. Mmn... You are in luck, sir. There is a vacant slot for a consultation today. You may have to wait for a while in the lobby, but we will call you up. May we have a name?"

It was only after she received the name that she gestured him to take a seat among all the various other appointees and visitors sitting or lounging about nearby. Some may be open to discussion as they wait to be called up...

"Matthew Wolf...."

That was the name that Raphael was working with, for the time being, he already had a bit of a cover story in mind with something that he can manipulate a little more to his favor. However, that was only if he was put in a situation where he had to solidify his legitimacy to another person. But while he was waiting, he figured that he would kill some time by maybe talking to a few people that we're at city hall.

The party drugs were more geared towards young people, hanging out in the forest in sunlake palms seemed to be the trend until the killings started. Besides law enforcement, there must have been more information to gain with people of a certain age.

"Wouldn't expect city hall to be the ideal hangout place for you kids."

- Talking to gossiping students.

The older teenagers regarded the old man a bit curiously, but without any kind of annoyance or malice. Though they seemed unsurprised at the moment. It wasn't every day you saw a bunch of young people hanging about in a place like this.

"Didn't say that, I just supposed that while thinking about how things were when I was that age, my time was better spent on the beach during spring break. But if you are thinking about buying a place while young, could be a good investment if you play your cards right."

He still preferred to do so if work wasn't getting in his way at times.

"In spite of the things I heard about sun lake palms, I was trying to browse some of the properites in order to see if I could live here. These days, not even going for a little stroll in the park with my pup could prove to be a safe endeavor for me. But it's all rumor...right?"

"Yep, exactly why we're here. Just looking around and seeing our options. Can't deal with our bullshit parents much longer, but we ain't sure if they got anything within our price range." The female student of the pair sighed. Was a pain in the ass to deal with strict parentage, but they were at that age to consider their future, after all. It was the male's turn to reply. "Oh, you mean the recent stuff going on? Well, they keep advertising the place would be safe from demons and stuff with some awesome benefits in return for high rent and mortgages... Maybe you got something there. Feeling a bit scared gramps? Can't blame ya, this side of the city's been a little on edge recently with the Inn incident and the shootouts. But it's literally the closest place to the city with jobs, y'know? So sometimes you gotta deal with the good and the bad. Or otherwise, you gotta live near the walls where demons are more likely to dick around like those East Eden guys. And besides, you're probably fine as long as you stay away from the Forest. People get lost there anyway all the time."

"Now now, I'm sure that with me speaking from experience, I can say that there are some parents that mean well but simply can't keep up with the whole teenager trends and independence. You should try to forgive us adults at times when it takes a while to understand your feelings. But I'm sure that there are some arrangements of people being able to split the costs of a place among themselves. You'll find one..."

That's something a cool older and caring adult would say, right?

"Inn incident? Shootouts? Never a dull day in Endymion... even the hot springs are compromised, I hear it's good for the skin. I do envy your youth kid.... "

He did think about what the kid said though.

"Was there anyone that was found that got lost in the forest before? I'm sure there are trails placed down for people to walk through freely.... "

SQ Gained:

"Well... I guess. Generation gap is a bitch, isn't it? I kinda get ya. Folks try too hard some times and go along with the flow. But gotta be the big parent to make sure people don't stray too far. Still a bitch, but I get ya." The girl relented with a groan and a sheepish scratch on her neck. She seemed to take a bit of Raphael's word to heart, even if she didn't want to.

The boy raised an eyebrow back at the Psyche-Terrorist. "You don't know? There's a reason why this part of the district is called Forest of The Lost. There's some weird shit going on with the woods here, y'know? Sometimes people have to try and do their best to reach the City Hall since we got evening meetings. But other times people try to do some shit and now we see the Lost posters around in the City... Until some of them were found dangling by the trees or bushes, dead. Whole or in pieces. Scary shit, but ya' get the idea. Stay away from the Forest."

"Hoho, it was a split second but maybe it's not impossible to get through to you youngins after all."

Raphael was playing his role quite nicely, and he just had to continue until he felt like he heard enough or got enough information.

"Forest of the lost, that's quite a title. Is it one of those seven wonders of Endymion or however it's called these days. But it does sound dangerous. Thanks for the heads up, I hope you kids are staying out of trouble as well and staying away from that place too. "

Whoever or whatever it is, it seemed to be turning the forest into a hunting ground for people or a toy box. If this was, in fact, a toy box for a serial killer, Raphael had a lot of work on his hands.

There could be a chance that Gabriel is lost within that forest.

"Seven Wonder--You don't mean the Seven Mysteries from the Seven Stars Academy? We don't have anything like the Seven Wonders here. Methinks you might be getting a little touched in the head from the age, old man. But sure, you don't need to be telling us to stay out. Unlike some idiots, we value our lives, y'know?" The boy chuckled at Raphael while shaking his head in amusement. However, it wouldn't be for long until they were called by the receptionist. Both students took note and tried to remain composed even when they were feeling rather nervous. "Anyway, we gotta get going. Thanks for the laughs. Hope this new housing thing works out for you too."

And with that, they left for the offices...

stats

Spoiler:

Demonic masqurade 3/3

next round starts new sustain * I was keeping track*



With the kids gone, Raphael looked over to who else he could talk to. He had a bit of choice that he could go by, but he figured that maybe talking to the woman wouldn't be a waste of time. What men of power like to do is run their mouths to women like her, even if it's to impress her with how much they know or the fact that someone of her looks brings about a proposed status of knowing something? Either way, Raphael figured that he would work her a bit.

"Excuse me... Madame. That dress, is it perhaps custom made? It gives off the flare of a particular personality that I don't see a lot of other women with these days. Forgive my intrusion, the wait is long and it piqued my interest..."

Would it work? Who knows, Raphael was just pulling straws.

Talking to the redheaded woman

The woman was just minding her own business while checking through her phone as every person around her age would. The glum look on her face glued to the phone's screen was evident as Raphael approached nearer to her. When suddenly prompted, she seemed to eye the PT at first. Her brows knit together into an inquisitive frown before leaning back in her seat and setting her phone aside. Nothing interesting was happening right now and it certainly wouldn't hurt to play along to whittle away what boring time was left. She regarded him rather haughtily.

"I would have figured that answer would have been obvious after I've noticed....looking around the entire room, there are quite a few things that put you on quite a different level than anyone else... even other women. The kind of woman that you are... you are... a woman of standards. Even the way of your posture gives off the sensation of someone standing in the presence of royalty themselves if you would spare no expense on exotic fabrics. "

It all really sounded like some shit that Raphael would say on a Friday afternoon to a different woman on a different occasion, basically buttering up the socialite visitors of his museum who have deep pockets and an even deeper interest in the works he wanted to host. But maybe it would work the same this time around.

"I am not a fashion designer... but I have an eye for exotic rarities and fabrics, I don't style the clothes, i judge the worth."

The worth of art pieces and artifacts so it wasn't a complete lie, not really.

Stats

Spoiler:

Demonic masquerade 1/3

SQ Gained:

"My, my... You're quite the smooth talker, aren't you? First nice words I've heard all day. Always nice to have someone appreciating refined tastes." The woman giggled as he outlined his thoughts and the flattery that followed right behind it. She seemed to glow towards the compliments, taking pride in it. Haughtiness aside, a glint of curiosity in her eyes betrayed her. "Wish the District Head would as well. But being such a recluse, I suppose I'm nothing more than just another citizen to him. Shame..."