Europe Plaza (20 rue Pierre Trebod)

William stares at the access to the basement, looks around and sigh.
"Well, there goes that idea."

Turning to Fred, "Let's head back in, no way we're getting in there without being seen by some bothersome kine."

Fred faithfully follows William around, you go boss!
Could we could not deceive them or otherwise request passage by chance?
Ah! Perhaps I could provide my experiences with remaining unseen by the masses?

Duncan doesn't bother to hide his puzzlement when Nyx leaves the hallway, and silently goes upstairs toward the first floor.  He follows as quietly as possible, and when she turns to face him he whispers to the Nosferatu.

What the hell?  What did you hear?

Duncan sits down on the stairs at Nyx's urging, but he isn't happy at not receiving an answer.  He takes out a pen and a blank card, and writes:  "Who?  Lambert back already?"  Then he gives it to Nyx, and awaits a reply.

After Fred gets a good look at the window he sneaks back to William while hanging his head slightly.
I'm terribly sorry, but I fear I am unable to be of assistance in this matter.
The window appears to be guarded by quite a few alarms, making my attempts futile even should I succeed to sneak down into the basement.

I overestimated myself quite a bit, I hope I can avoid such things in the future, for what these promises are worth in the present.

William stares at the Malkavian for a second.
"Right... this is why we should plan these things, it would've been a lot easier if we weren't locked in so early. Very well, let's rejoin the others."
The Tremere walked back towards the entrance of the building while mentioning, "You shouldn't be so apologetic about everything, it's not your fault D-man called Theo before we actually worked out a plan a proper time, nor that the building have such old design or even that you're not perfect, t'is the way of life."
As he entered, politely allowing Fred to enter as well before closing the door once more, he looked curiously at the 2 kindred sitting on the stairs and gave a shrug screamed 'what?'

OOC:

"Fred, can you go and check on our mode of transportation? It's getting late and it's a rough neighborhood."

William looks and walks up to the pair, holding at the first step as he explained.
"Are we having a coffee break? Shall I get the cookies? Either way there is no way inside."

By the time William finds them in the stairwell, Duncan is visibly frustrated by the Nosferatu's reluctance to answer his question.  He takes back the business card, and glares at William before whispering a reply.

I guess you mean the basement.  No luck with the trash bins either; it was picked up today.  We were about to go into the, um, 'other' room, when someone heard something scary inside.  She won't tell me what, though.

Duncan looks at Nyx, and adds:  Well?

Nyx almost bangs her head against the railing in frustration, she stops herself just short and muttered:

Will you guys shut the fuck up, I'm trying to concentrate and trying to not get seen.

She didn't pay William and Fred much mind. She muttered again but it wasn't directed at anyone in particular.

..Fucking Giovanni..

At the last muttered word from Nyx, Duncan frowns and looks at William.  He continues to whisper, obviously not worried about being overheard here in the stairwell.

Catherina?  What the hell would she be doing here?

William looks at Duncan, then Nyx, then once again at Duncan.
"Who? A Giovanni?"

Duncan glances at Nyx, but when she doesn't reply he answers William in a low whisper.
She's the only Giovanni I know of in this city.  I wonder how many are in there with her?  I doubt she moonlights as Lambert's security watchman.  What a clusterfuck!  Duncan shakes his head.

This night could've gone better.  All I was expecting was a quick look around, and a copy of the camera footage, to see if we could find any clue about Momo.  But we've been cockblocked at every turn.  Yeah, I know we could've waited a day or two, and made a better plan.  Yet I didn't hear anyone suggesting that last night, when we discussed this.  In fact, someone with connections could've gotten us a layout of the building, and how many security guys are on the nighttime schedule.  Duncan glances at Nyx during the last sentence, although he doesn't comment further on that.  Instead he sighs, and continues to whisper to William.

Forget it.  We still couldn't have anticipated Catherina being here.  Are you two still searching for signs of Momo?  If the basement was inaccessible, I assume that's why you tried the stairs-- you were on your way up.  I guess Nyx and I can wait for the Giovanni to leave, since we definitely don't want her to see us.  However, she may not leave before we get the signal that Lambert has left El Bodegon.

Ah! In other news our means of transportation remain safe for the time being.
There is not a single new scratch on them since we left.

Back to matters at hand, perhaps if someone were to distract the guards somehow, we'd gain a moment to get a look?