Victor Hugo and Saint Michel

http://goo.gl/maps/jhsmD

What it looks like during the day, and during market days (early, at 6 am or so).





Saint Michel is the "Arab" neighborhood. In truth, it isn't as much arab as it's more about flea markets and daily life in its streets. This neighborhood in truth is poorer and more popular than the regular downtown area. It's not a pedestrian zone but the streets are narrow, dirty, and the stones have darkened because of car emissions.
Everyone walking its streets at a decent hour will smell the couscous dish odor, as well as hear a little Tunisian and Algerian street arab, mixed up with French. Many women wear the veil.
Tea shops, arab banks, as well as cybercafés and phone-shops (where one can buy credit to call abroad, it should have disappeared years ago with the change in phone companies, but for some reason they stayed) are everywhere to be seen, as well as rug stores, folklore stores of all kinds. Several clothes stores are in the main street, but Nyx and Fred will be quick to direct Duncan and William further in the city ; cheaper, less light, less attention, and probably more choice in range (mostly counterfeit clothing, jogging pants, tshirts..). And less questions asked...

Nyx parks up quickly after Fred comes to a stop, she is quick to get off the scooter and begin her walk to the more secluded area where the cheaper clothing and dimmer lit area of the market. She walks past many shops and stalls but hesitates to glance at the book stall for a second before remembering their purpose in coming here.

When the others catch up she speaks in a hushed voice.

Please don't follow me around from this point.

She wanders off after speaking not really giving anyone a chance to ask questions.

Storyteller :

Duncan merely shrugs when Nyx goes her separate way.

Duncan allows himself to be led to the appropriate section of the street; but once there, he searches out clothing very quickly, as if he has experience shopping the thrift stores.  In fact, while he sticks to French most often, Duncan will sometimes switch to Arabic if the owner's French is not too good.  The Brujah searches through the secondhand clothing, and makes a quiet suggestion to his fellow Kindred when they have a moment alone.

Don't forget the shoes.  Most people keep their old shoes on, which is usually a dead giveaway.  Plus I guess we're trying to mask our scent as much as possible, so a good pair of smelly pre-owned shoes goes a long way.  We're really drawing more attention to ourselves than I'd like, but it can't be helped.  Moving down the 'fashion ladder' always draws more attention than moving up, because most people tend to buy the best they can afford.  Oh, well.

Oh, and as for what Loic said... I did see him last night outside the arcade, about  3:00 A.M.  Miri and I had just picked up a package we left with Claudia, and took it to Laure at the Theatre.  But from Loic's description, it had to be Kersten that he saw at Claudia's haven after he returned home.  Now later, when all of us went back to the arcade to see Claudia, it's possible she hadn't been home yet, and seen Kersten.  Yet she didn't mention any of this when we showed up later, to find out the results of her ritual.

What does it mean?  Well, it could be a concerted effort by the chantry, to hide Kersten's whereabouts while he takes care of some business.  Even his mage buddies could have lied to cover for him.  But it sounds more to me like most of the chantry, especially M. Horsman, really don't know where he is.  I think it's more likely that Kersten asked Claudia to cover for him, and act as puzzled as everyone else as to his whereabouts.

Whatever he's doing, my incentive for finding Kersten is rapidly approaching zero.  If he's okay, then I don't care what he's up to, and I really don't care about any internal Tremere politics either.

The Brujah had been growing more annoyed as he spoke, so he abruptly changes the subject.
So, should we buy Nyx a burka?  He points to a long, flowing veil-like garment worn by Muslim women, to hide everything but their eyes.

William briefly follows Duncan so he can say what he wanted to say, and remained quiet, even on the comments about the Tremere, after Duncan was done, "If you find a good one, sure I guess, but I've no doubt she knows how to blend in, it's kind of her specialty."

William looked at his phone, "Let's meet back here once you're done, don't forget shampoo and soap, preferably one you never used before, if you're planning to take a shower or something."
He waited a moment more, should anyone like to add something, then he simply left the group to browse.


Looking left and right, he quickly created a general idea in his mind on how to look. He bought a pair of used gray sneakers, thick black wide sweatpants, dark purple shirt and a large dark blue sweatshirt with a pocket on the front and a cap. Walking past the imported makeup or knock offs, he also quickly bought some skin darkening cream and a pot of gel. He however bought unused underwear and socks. But then again these stalls were set up and unbuild all the time, thus they wouldn't smell completely new. He also got a black pen and bought a sief and a pair of scissors, and bought some black spray can of paint. As a finishing touch, he bought the cheapest deodorant and aftershave he could find. He took great care to let the vendor pack everything, and if he had to do it himself, allow a minimum amount of contact with the object. He also made sure to buy the Shirt and sweater in a size bigger than normally, to hide his general form better.


Afterwards, he made his way back to the meet up point.

Duncan basically concentrates on a sort of generic laborer look, with navy blue work pants, a loose-fitting heavy-duty buttoned shirt, and a rough tweed cap to help hide his features from direct view (all of them are second-hand clothes, and not washed- unless badly stained, most thrift stores don't wash the clothing, although they may store them with mildew- or insect-resistant chemicals).  A pair of used black sneakers, socks, and a white T-shirt finish the ensemble.  Duncan doesn't bother with soap or deodorant; they don't have the time, and he doesn't use it much anyway, unless he's going hunting.  However, if there are any loose mothballs or similar stuff in the bins nearby, one or two will be tucked into a pocket of the work shirt.

Once the clothes are chosen, Duncan buys them and wraps his new (old) clothes in a plastic garbage bag to mask them, and carries them in a regular shopping bag.

Once the group has joined up again, Duncan makes a suggestion to William and the others.
I guess we can leave the vehicles in front of your chantry, and go by tram.  The Sheriff's neighborhood really isn't great for leaving them unattended -- this time of night, any strange motorcycles will probably get stolen.

I'll change in the Theatre.  William can change in the chantry, and we can meet up on the Comedy Plaza.  Unless someone has a better suggestion?

Nyx smiled at her good windfall, she checked for any vouchers or anything else of value before discretely removing the money and ID, placing the wallet in the bin as she walked past. Nyx limited herself to the cheapest clothes possible but they had no rips to them. 


She eventually came back with a cheap set of gloves, socks, underwear, perfumed deodorant, colour faded cargo trousers (possibly once black now gray in colour), knock off all star trainers, a plain gray scarf, and a very baggy black hoodie with a large hood.The contents of her shopping was contained in a large supermarket carrier bag, she had avoided touching her own acquired clothes as much as possible as well.  


When she was ready she joined the others who had already finished shopping, for the most part the Nosferatu remained silent but she did chip in about the trams. 


I agree, the bikes would be gone before we got back, also gives us deniability of being in the area. 

She remained silent after that, not really caring where she changed.

Fred, who have waited by the bikes since they arrived, finally speaks up as the rest gather.
I'm afraid I may not be of use here as I lack money myself.
Perhaps I can assist elsewhere?

Nyx had to resist the urge to facepalm when she heard Fred speak, silently she pushed forty euros into his hand before speaking.

You're coming in with me so you need to buy clothes, and don't forget cheap deodorant, gloves as well as shoes.

But surely it is too much asked to receive money from your own purse for my own lack of funding, I am not worthy such a generous gift.

Nyx's thumb began to press and rub into her temple for a moment before she decided on what she was going to say and stopped allowing her hand to go back to her side once more.

Please just take it, I need someone in there with me to watch my back.

Fred reluctantly accepts the money.
Very well then, I promise I will return this kind gift and do whatever is in my power to assist you in your endeavours.

Fred enters one of the stores after a brief moment of hesitation and comes out with a cheap tank, a coat, sports pants and running shoes, as well as a cheap deodorant.
I believe I've acquired the necessary equipment for our task; is there anything else you believe I would find useful?

Whilst Fred is in the shop Nyx checks her phone for any missed calls or text messages. She looks up when Fred comes out of the shop and asked:

Did you get gloves?

Ah! My deepest apologies!
Fred rushes in once more and, after a minute or so, he exits with cheap gloves.
Terribly sorry for the additional delay, I am now ready to begin.

William facepalmed.
"Gloves... right."
And followed Fred inside, leaving his bags at the group, and exited the store after Fred as he got some leathered gloves.

Fred looks around calmly at first, but he becomes increasingly hysteric as he continues to spy for danger.
Oh dear. Oh no. Nonononono not again no! Not the same fate!

Fred turns to the coterie, his panic at whatever is obvious.
We must flee! It's happening! It mustn't occur again!
Fred runs to his bike and gets on and align himself towards the general street to ready himself for a quick escape.

Please Mister Duncan, Miss Nyx! We must flee at once!
Ah! Mister William, tell them! We must hurry, please prepare yourselves without delay!

Nyx shifted uncomfortably, the feeling of being watched creeped across her skin. Cautiously the Nosferatu edged her way to her scooter.

Auspex 1 :

William, if you're hitching a ride with me please start moving.

I'm very sorry Miss Nyx, but I do insist on the urgency in this matter.
Fred becomes increasingly nervous as more time progresses.

After Fred warns the group and runs to his bike, Duncan tells Nyx and William:
A few people are paying too close attention to us.  Leaving now is a good idea.

However, when Fred reaches his bike and calls back to the rest that 'we must flee', Duncan mutters something under his breath that sounds like "Yebat menya."

Linguistics: Russian or Linguistics>2:

Well that's torn it.  So much for the quiet getaway.  Go!
Duncan runs to his motorcycle and starts it as quickly as possible, not bothering with the helmet still strapped behind the seat.  The shopping bag goes on the seat in front of him, with the top tucked underneath one leg to hold it.  Before the engine revs to life, Duncan turns to Fred and the others and spits out a few urgent words:
Comedy Plaza!

William picks up his bags and followed Nyx, grabbed the bags he was handed and climbed on the back.
"Subtle and Malkavian really don't mix do they..."