Vaylar Rising — IC

[Scratcherclaw]

Seeing Em begin engaging with the bystanders, Sven nods to Jug and begins making his way to the junction box. Let's hope the other two don't run into any trouble too. And hope these two randos mind their own fucking business.

[FinalTemplar]

Tristan, now out on the veranda, forces a soft smile as he looks up at the moon. He feels a deep sense of unease grow in his stomach, hearkening back to his last job. He takes up a position next to Em and appreciates the opportunity to grip the railing firmly, trying to ground himself in the moment. "Quite an astute observation. The aurora is beautiful, though, not as beautiful as you." He said, and even as the words left his mouth he began mentally berating himself. Anything to sell the bit... But that might have been too far. he thinks to himself.

[greysigil]

Jug mirrors Sven's nod, a mechanical motion of exactly 2cm down and 2cm back up, and follows the man to the box.

[Namelessjake]

Tristan and Em

"Its hard to beat the views here on Vaylar," one of the men replies, taking your bait. Behind them you spot Jug and Sven moving over to the junction box. "The capital is impressive, but it lacks this," he adds gesturing up at the aurora and gas giant above.

"Have either of you ever been? To Escrios that is?" the other asks. Both of their accents sound Vaylan but upper class.

Sven and Jug

With the bystanders distracted by your co-conspirators, you make your way over to the junction box. Able to examine it more closely it, its access panel appears to be locked with a simple mechanical lock.

Antoine and John

Waiting a few minutes a couple of women emerge from the bathroom. You only have to turn away one other attempting to enter the room. She gives you a strange look, saying something about your attire half under her breath, before leaving it the direction of the stairs.

[ratwizard]

"Sorry, ma'am, my apologies for the inconvenience," Antoine says to the disgruntled woman as she takes her leave. "Enjoy the rest of your evening."

He looks at John, rolling his eyes, before rapping twice on the bathroom door. Cracking it ajar, he clears his throat and calls within: "Maintenance here, lookin' to fix a vent. May we enter?"

[Namelessjake]

John and Antoine

A several moment pass following Antoine's announcement, however no reply comes from within the bathroom.

[ratwizard]

Antoine grits his teeth, nods at John, and heads inside the women's bathroom.

Now where in the hell is this damn vent...

[Namelessjake]

Antoine

You slip inside the women's bathroom and find it empty as anticipated. Several sinks sit along the wall to your left, beneath a large mirror, while several stalls line the wall to your right. Looking around the room, you spot the vent high up on the wall at the far end of the room, out of arms reach and inconveniently placed to far from the sinks to use them as a makeshift ladder.

John

Antoine slips inside the bathroom, leaving you to stand guard outside. Your post outside the ladies room garners you a couple of strange looks from passing guests and it isn't long before a woman dressed in a revealing black gown approaches you. 

"Excuse me," she says firmly but politely, moving to push past you. 

[ratwizard]

"Should have brought a damned ladder," Antoine mutters under his breath. Ah well, no matter.

Taking the line shunt out from his jacket pocket, he places it in his palm, focusing on it. It lifts off of his skin with telekinetic force.

Up you go, he thinks, tracing its ascent in his mind. He passes the shunt through the grates in the vent, feeling around with phantom touch for the data line.

Mechanics

Spending Effort for the scene with a Main Action to use Telekinetic Manipulation on the shunt.

3 of 4 Effort remaining.

[Scratcherclaw]

Sven lets out a quiet sigh, unsurprised by the lock on the junction box. Figured it would be locked up. But kinda hoped someone got lazy. Giving Jug a glance, he whispers, "Think you can get us in?"

[BartNL]

"No, I am sorry." John replies, inserting himself in the doorway, making sure to block the woman. "Access to this bathroom has been temporarily restricted. Please move along."

Info

Does John recognise the woman?

[greysigil]

"Answer: I can certainly try." Jug replies as they take position next to the junction box, assessing its structure and evaluating where best to attempt to break it open without fully ripping the door off its hinges.
"Calibrating force output... Complete. Applying force... Now." They output, less a conscious expression and more of an unconscious thought played unbidden, as they grip the door and give it a single, sharp tug.

Mechanics

Dex/Exert: [2d6+1]=9+1=10

[Namelessjake]

Antoine

You guide the line shunt into position and adhere it to the cabling using your telekinesis, satisfied it is securely in position.

John

The woman is unfamiliar to you, although you are able to catch a hint of Escriosian in her accent.

"According to who? What give you the right?"  She asks as you move to physically block her, her voice beginning to rise.

Sven and Jug

Jug grasps the junction box's door and applies pressure until there is a metallic thud and the door is able to open, the lock bent out of position. Inside an array of neatly organised cables and data lines flow in and out of several other components before they continue back out of the junction box. You are easily able to spot the place where the line shunt will need to be applied.

[ratwizard]

Satisfied with the shunt placement, Antoine heads back toward the exit of the women's restroom. If only every step of this mission was that easy, he wishes.

[Fialova]

"Not yet," Em replies, turning to Tristan again before continuing. "But we've been talking about going for years, maybe for one of our anniversaries." Maybe as part of the resistance, she thinks, trying not to imagine what she'd like to do to some of the Diktat's leaders. 

"What are your favorite things to do in the Capital," she asks, turning back to the men in question. "I'm sure the museums they have there must put this one to shame. Hopefully their wine does too," she continues as she swirls her champagne, before taking another sip.

[BartNL]

"According to my boss. I am not authorised to give members of the public more information. As you are a most esteemed visitor, I will see what I can do." John replies.

Tone

"Small situation here, how long do you still need?"

[FinalTemplar]

Tristan raised his glass a little bit in response to her, agreeing. "Would be quite the trip, some of the stories I've heard have been spectacular." He takes a sip, looking out off the balcony for a minute as he enjoys the champagne.

ooc

Anything notable going on outside that Tristan could see?

[greysigil]

"Statement: Access granted. You are clear to perform repairs." Jug says, returning to a resting position and turning so their back is to the wall, keeping an optic out for anything that may be amiss.

[Namelessjake]

Tristan and Em

"Oh you should definitely go. The examples of Escriosian culture here are only a mere sample," one of the men replies.

"If you like Escriosian wine, make sure to try the Breque Rosado 3187, I've heard its divine. It's meant to be Tobias Vibol's favourite so I hope there's a few bottles here tonight we can drink," the other says. "Deucias Madani by the way - and my husband, Kamal," he adds, introducing himself. "I don't think I've seen either of you at one of these types of things before."

Glancing over the railing and down into the plaza below, you can see that the activity around the museum entrance has mostly died down now. The line up to enter the event has dissipated and there are only a couple of late stragglers making their way inside, although the photographers and other press all appear to still be outside, as if they are still waiting for someone to arrive.

Sven and Jug

With the access panel open, you are able to easily apply the line shunt where it needs to go, although the panel will no longer stay shut, gently swinging open if closed thanks to its busted lock.

Antoine and John

Antoine

As you step towards the door, your compad vibrates with a message from John asking your ETA.

"Small situation here, how long do you still need?"

Although as you read it you are already heading out of the door, where you find John holding back a woman in a revealing black gown.

John

Only a couple of seconds after sending your message to Antoine, the man emerges from the bathroom.

"And is this your boss?" The woman asks irate as Antoine appears. "I'd like to make a formal complaint, you can't be closing bathrooms for no reason. Tobias will certainly hear of this," she adds, trying once more to push past John.

[BartNL]

"I am sorry for the inconvenience." John replies as he get's out of the way. Stuck up bitch. Go tell Vibol, or what'll be left of him after today. "If you want to leave a formal complaint, you can fill in this form." John holds up his data pad, showing a general complaint form for government officials giving the lady the choice to spend the day doing paperwork instead of going to the bathroom.

[ratwizard]

Antoine curses inwardly as he reads the text, putting his compad away when he steps out to find a scene.

"Uh, no, ma'am, just here to fix a, um, sensitive issue. My apologies for the disruption, it won't happen again. We've got things in order."

He steps aside to let her enter as she pleases, nodding to John as he produces the form. Paperwork? These rich types don't spend a minute doing anything with 'work' in the name.

[FinalTemplar]

Tristan nods, "Breque Rosado... 3187. I look forward to trying it," he says, sipping his champagne. "My name's Trent, and my wife's name here is Miranda." he gives a nod. "We don't make our way out to many of these. Usually too busy, but tonight was date night, and we decided to make an appearance." he says, hoping it's believable.

[greysigil]

OOC

Can Jug attempt to crimp the corners of the door closed, so that the box isn't just swinging freely?

[Namelessjake]

Jug

Make another Dex/Exert check

[Scratcherclaw]

Flimsy-ass panel door, Sven grumbles to himself after placing the line shunt. As long as we're out of here before anyone notices it's been busted open...

[greysigil]

Mechanics

Dex/Exert: [2d6+1]=9+1=10

[Namelessjake]

Tristan and Em

"Well it's nice to meet you. I honestly don't blame you from normally staying away," Deucias says.

"Oh yes, some of the people you find at these events are dreadful. Only here to try and increase their status," his husband adds.

"It just reeks of desperation. They ought to know their place," Deucias laughs.

Sven and Jug

Jug is able to bend the panel into a position that will keep it shut. While a close up examination of the panel will still clearly show signs of tampering, it at least is no longer hanging freely on its hinges.

Antoine and John

The woman huffs, dismissively pushing John's compad out of the way as she makes her way into the bathroom, leaving the two of you stood alone by the door.

[Scratcherclaw]

"Well that's done and done then," Sven says, eyes focused on the crimped metal as he takes a moment to breathe. Hope nobody notices til we're out of here. He looks to Jug, giving them a nod. "Let's head back to the office then, yeah?"

[Fialova]

Tristan and Em

"And glad we did! It's a lovely event so far, and with at least some lovely guests as well," Em responds, smiling towards the men with the last words. "We might not make it a regular occurrence, but so far it seems like something fun to do again sometime. We can't always go out dancing, he doesn't have nearly as much energy as he used to," she continues, nudging Tristan as she speaks. These snooty rich folk seem more chill than the ones at the entrance. Wonder why they come if they don't like the other guests.

[greysigil]

"Statement: This should be sufficient." Jug nods back, repeating the same mechanical motion from earlier. "Affirmative: To the office then."

[ratwizard]

Antoine shrugs, looking John's way. "We're all good here. Let's check back in with the bossman," he says. Then, quieter: "Nice work and all, with the forms."

[BartNL]

John nods in confirmation. "It's probably nothing to worry about, but let's keep an eye out for that woman. She claimed to know Vibol." John replies.

[ratwizard]

Antoine nods at John's reply, his placid expression masking the dread he feels. That could have gone south.

He hikes a thumb back toward the other wing of the building, intending for John to follow as he begins walking toward the office once more. 

[Namelessjake]

Tristan and Em

While you talk with the two men, you notice Sven and Jug finishing up their business by the access panel before the duo make their way back inside.

Em's words make both men laugh. "You two are young. Wait until you actually get old before you start saying things like that," Kamal says through his laugh.

"Although then you'll really have a good reason to go to Escrios. There's no gene therapy clinics here. The best anti-aging treatments are only in the capital."

"If it isn't the man of the hour," Deucias interrupts, pointing down to the museum's entrance where a sleek black grav limo is pulling up. The press clamour around it as a pair of body guards emerge to open the door for its occupant, pushing back the eager journalists and photographers. A few moments later a man steps out from the car, greeting those awaiting his arrival. From up here on the veranda, the man is still easily identifiable as your target, Tobias Vibol.

Sven, Jug, Antoine and John

With the line shunt applied, you make your way through the party, which is clearly now well under way, with a large number of guests browsing the museum's exhibits and talking with each other, drinks in hand. You head back towards the office, spotting the other pair approaching at the same time. Waiting a moment when as few eyes are on you as possible, you use the keycard to slip back inside the staff area and regroup back in the office.

 

[Scratcherclaw]

Sven feels some relief as he spots the other pair returning to the office at the same time. "How'd it go? Any hiccups? All good on our end, minus a busted lock that no one will notice for a week."

[ratwizard]

"Slight hiccup. Some rich gal barked up our tree about shutting down the restroom. Namedropped Vibol. No issues with the shunt, though. They won't be finding that for weeks."

Antoine nods toward the desks. "Not much use with computers, but if you need somebody to read off some entry codes or something, I can spot you."

OOC

Is there some sort of system data, or map of the compound, or Hacker 101 resources that Antoine can assist with being on standby? Reading off data to help Sven shave off some seconds and gain a +1 to his check? Perhaps Work / Int or Cha?

[Namelessjake]

OOC

As Sven's hacks are prepared, only taking a single main action to run, I don't think those tasks would help and I'm struggling to think of anything at all that would be able to aid his skill check. Feel free to think of something else though.

[Scratcherclaw]

"Not sure that'll be of help, got the code ready and all. But thanks," Sven says, taking his seat back at the computer and pulling his dataslab back out. "Just stay ready, yeah? In case I fuck this up and draw them to us." He takes a deep breath, trying to psyche himself up. 

"Though if I do, that might leave the security room unattended," he considers. "But yeah, just say the word when."

[ratwizard]

"Might be worth trying it closer to midnight, you think?" Antoine reasons, checking his watch. "There will be a lot more shit going on then, in case we need to make a plan B. Call it, what, 23:40?"

[Fialova]

Tristan and Em

"We'll have to keep that in mind," Em responds with a chuckle, as the men mention the gene therapy clinics. She quickly turns her attention to the museum entrance as Vibol's limo arrives, trying her best not to frown at the sight of the man. Turning to Tristan, she offers her faux-spouse a grin.

"Let's go inside, love. We can get a good spot along the atrium before everyone else does," she says, before turning back towards the couple they'd been speaking to. "Lovely meeting you," she continues towards them, especially Kamal, as she offers them both a more genuine smile. Surprisingly so, I guess all the rich folk aren't complete assholes. "Maybe we'll run into you again in a bit," she continues, as she links arms with Tristan and begins to head for the door leading to the weapons display hall.