Place de la comédie

Duncan heads out of the Theatre, with the others in tow.  If Celine is there, he nods a greeting and says:
We'll be back in a while.

Once outside, Duncan walks over to one of the clocks in the plaza, and sits down on the steps.  Comedy Plaza shouldn't be very crowded this late, although Duncan scans the area carefully, as though searching for someone.  Then he opens up his laptop again and plugs in the SD card.  He pulls up a media viewer, and opens the pictures for Fred.  Then he motions for the Malkavian to have a seat next to him.

Here Fred.  Take a look.  Only the last two are important; but maybe you can tell us where some of the others were taken.  You go through the pictures like this.  Duncan shows him how, and then hands him the laptop.

Photos: Fred, plus anyone looking over his shoulder:

Duncan stands up and faces Neb.
Thank you for your warning, but I know these pictures are... well, let's say 'volatile.'  I knew I could count on Claudia being discreet, although I didn't think about anyone else's reaction.  Duncan gives a significant glance toward Fred, before continuing.

But how do you know about these pictures?  And who are we in danger from?

Looks to Duncan, face very serious. Looks around carefully to see if they were being followed.

It's not the pictures that I wished to talk to you about. It is our friend Mr. Orlov. I saw you catch his usage of the word Cainite. When you combine that with the interesting effect he has on camera I think it is obvious that he is Sabbat. By the way he was pumping you for information he was probably behind the attack the other night that you were involved in. I think he has something planned for either tonight or very, very soon and I am not the one to spread the word with the pauses for a moment prejudices against my clan being what they are. I wanted to talk to you away from Claudia as she appears to be being manipulated by him to some extent. He has been running around the city with her.

Shrugs a bit

Make of that what you will. I think if something isn't done there will be trouble, and probably tonight.

Fred follows Duncan and Neb outside.
If Celine is there, Fred gives a small wave while smiling slightly in a friendly manner.

He seats himself next to Duncan when indicated and tries to look at the screen of his laptop; when offered he instead takes it and goes all puppy eye again minus the tears. He soon becomes increasingly focused and less puppy eyed however.

This is not her, have it been so long I could be mistaken? Could I be forgetting?
Fred looks worried, but still focused.

No.. Noo this is not her.
Could it be "Annabelle Victome, childe of Jerome Lehin"? Northern Bordeaux yes, cheap place. Not from his haven; not from his legacy, at least no legacy I remain aware of.
But who could the other be? I don't recognize her, it isn't Marie no.
I'm ashamed of my mistake.
Fred lowers his gaze for a moment then looks at Duncan when he glances at Fred.

I'm very sorry, I will aspire to make amends in the future.
Yees.. Yes tonight. Danger everywhere but inside, for now. Can change, may change, will change.

Darker secrets are revealed constantly, alas coated with hope of light between the cracks.
They couldn't be responsible.. Mustn't.. Surely mean ones! Surely they must've been..
Fred hands the computer back to Duncan.
Ah, my apologies. I do agree with the mister that we should not remain outside for long, earlier sense of fear originates from here.
I am not certain who the women are, but one most certainly appear to be "Annabelle Victome, childe of Jerome Lehin". I reckon the photos are taken from the Northern Bordeaux in some cheap apartment or something to that effect; I do not recognize Degrelle's legacy in any of these photos.

And I seem to have been mistaken about my earlier conception of one of the women being someone familiar to me; and I apologize once more for causing you trouble. Can I assist in some other matter?
Fred seems to be back to his normal behaviour.

Perception + Empathy 3:

Auspex 2:

As Neb voices his warning to Duncan, the latter listens with a serious expression, but shakes his head at the end.

I don't think Orlov is Sabbat.  I think he's an asshole, but not Sabbat... at least, not now.  Perhaps he defected, or maybe he's just independent.  He's obviously Lasombra-- I've only seen that effect on a camera once before.  But he was Regent Kersten's guest at the Regent Grand Hotel, from what William and others have said.  He's certainly used to having his way, isn't he?  Claudia had to remind him to behave in Elysium... he definitely wasn't listening to me.  Yet if he were still Sabbat, I think he'd make an effort to blend in a little better.  Spies try to be a little nicer than that.  Plus, I doubt Kersten would vouch for him, or Gosuin would let him run around, if either of them thought Orlov was a spy.

No, I don't think I'm in immediate danger from our good buddy 'Chris'.  However, I've heard that Lasombra-- and Tzimisce too, for that matter -- share that little mental compulsion trick that the Ventrue have.  While I'm not too afraid of Gosuin using it on me, I don't think I'll look into Orlov's eyes any time soon.

Too bad you didn't know more about the pictures, though.  The same goes for you, Fred.  Duncan turns to the Malkavian, and accepts his computer back.  While I didn't intend to cause you pain, I had hoped you identified the woman in the dress.  But if it's not this Marie you spoke of, then I don't know who she is.  The other one is probably Annabelle Vicomte, Lehin's lost childe.  I've never met her, but I've seen pictures.

Duncan clarifies for Neb.
This Annabelle was thought killed in the big Sabbat attack, a few months ago.  Claudia all but confirmed that it was her in the picture... but she agrees that Jerome probably shouldn't hear about this yet.  No doubt that's why she didn't want to talk inside the déambulatoire.  Her sire, Kersten, also thinks Lehin would do something foolish.

Speaking of which-- Felix is kind of fresh to be introduced to Kindred society, don't you think?  Only a few days old... Wow.  Griffin thinks his peers -- that's us -- should take him under our wing, and show him how to act in Kindred society.  Not that I'm any methuselah; I was Embraced in my early 30's, about six years ago  But Felix even makes me feel old.

Suddenly, Duncan laughs.
Ha!  At least there's someone Orlov hates worse than me, don't you think?  That little scene with Felix... I wouldn't have been surprised to see tears from him.  I thought Orlov was going to attack him.

The Brujah claps Fred on the shoulder, and sits back down on the clock steps.
Well, M'sieur Fred, I'm not sure what our next step should be; but I suppose we'll talk with Nyx and William when they get back.  Don't worry about thinking that picture was your friend, at first.  Tell you what... you keep watch, and I'll finish a little program I'm working on.  Oh... I should check my phone first.  I turned off the ringer inside.

Duncan checks his phone, and makes a small grunting noise before replacing it in his pocket.
Hunh.  Good idea.  I should've thought of that.  I am getting rusty.

Storyteller:

Fred smiles at the encouragement from Duncan.
Very well, I shall do my best to be a sufficient lookout for you, I kindly request you work with calm and patience until the situation deems otherwise.

With new determination, Fred stands up and begins scanning the area as thoroughly as he can.

Duncan smiles at Fred's request, with a brief glance at Neb.

Thank you, Fred. I'll try.

Neb nods gravely.

Hmm...He was doing more than not listening to you, he was actively upset that you were not telling him every last detail about the incident.  I will hold my peace for now but I will be watching him carefully. Tell you what though.  If you are talking to him and I see you go blank I will step up to the plate.  I hope your right but I think you are taking this far too lightly.

Neb pauses and thinks for a moment, then speaks again.

I am not much older than Felix, though I have been around...polite society longer.  I am also afraid that having just come from Egypt the background you gave me on the pictures doesn't mean very much.  Yes I have heard of the incidents you refer to but they are just names to me at this point.  I am willing to aid you but I really don't have a personal connection to the issue, and in Egypt I have seen far more shocking things.

Oh, I knew Orlov was pissed.  He was close to losing it to the Beast a couple of times, which didn't really worry me.  Even if he's a former Sabbat badass, he wasn't going to kill me before Theodore and others stepped in to stop it.  Trying to intimidate a Brujah, in Elysium?  Please.  I'd never live it down.

However, even if the Prince trusts him unescorted in his city, that doesn't mean he gets to know every damned thing he's curious about.  If Gosuin tells me to share info, I will.  I'll bet I know why Orlov was so hot for information... the guy we captured at the church was one of his clanmates.

The pictures... I don't know much more than you do, which is why I was fishing for information.  The most informative thing was when Claudia touched that SD card, and did her little trance thing.  I'm not sure exactly what she did, but she said, and I quote: "I don't think you'll ever find him, considering what I just saw."

Duncan considers for a moment, before he continues.
Listen, I can't tell you everything yet, for the same reason I couldn't tell Orlov... The Prince doesn't want some of it to be general knowledge.  But we think the pictures were taken by a Nosferatu.  He's missing, and his clan wants us to find what happened to him, in exchange for a favor we want from them.  It's politics.  Yet from what Claudia said, I have a feeling he's dead.

The pictures, and the missing Nossie, aren't connected to the Sabbat attacks-- I think -- but the favor we want does have a connection to the latest raid, and why they risked it.  If you want to help, it would certainly be appreciated by the Nosferatu... and by us, too.  It might also have some bearing on Jerome Lehin's missing childe, since she's in the pictures.  Claudia already said you could come later when we talked to her about it.  Helping to find Annabelle would certainly put you in good standing with the Toreador clan.   But it's up to you.

Fair enough, but I don't trust him and will keep watch.

Neb shrugs.

And yeah I saw her little trance thing too. I have been taught well to recognize the effects of Tremere magic when they are apparent.

I'm going to tell you part of something, I hope you understand that I can't break my word and divulge all at this time, but that Nos isn't the only one that has gone missing. I can't say who due to my word and my sire's word but he is a major Cam player that has vanished.

I wish I could have helped more with the photographs themselves but there you have it.

And I will be glad to lend my support to your projects for the foreseeable future. I currently have nothing on my plate except that retrieval that Igor would like to have done, and that is not something I consider pressing at this time. Of course it goes without saying that I might need help on projects in the future but we can deal with that when the time comes. Not to mention getting into good standing with the Tories would be a good thing. My sire wants me to integrate myself with the non-independent clans to allow us to be better accepted.

Well I still think a bug should be put in the Sheriff's ear about Orlov but I will trust your judgement on that.

Keep watch.  Healthy suspicion is good.  Just don't let it turn into paranoia.  As for the Sheriff... I'd rather not talk to him at all.  

More missing Kindred?  Hmm.  Maybe those humans showing up in the river have company.

Our main operation, the one I can't talk about, is actually William's.  They asked the Brujah for help, so here I am.  It's politics again.  If you help find the missing Nosferatu, he or the Tremere might owe you.  If you want to know more, talk to William. Or Nyx.

Duncan resumes typing on his laptop.  A look over his shoulder will reveal some kind of image metadata for the photos: Date Created, Size, Author, Date Modified, etc..  There is also a window open that shows some kind of spreadsheet in progress, possibly linked to a database.  Maybe to spot trends?

A longer look over Duncan's shoulder will merely reveal a glaring Brujah, as the laptop screen is turned away slightly to prevent nosiness.

Neb nods.

Of course. Well I have said my peace and am going to do what I can to help you. You have my e-mail if you do need anything beyond that. I think I will head back inside. I will join you when you have your meeting with Claudia. If by some chance it seems that I am going to miss the meeting please send me a text. But I shouldn't be difficult to find.

With that Neb turns and walks casually towards the door. (moving back into the Elysium)

Okay.  After the big event tonight, we'll get together wherever Claudia wants to meet.

See you shortly.
Duncan tilts his head in a farewell to Neb, and goes back to work.

After a while, Duncan spares a moment to look around the plaza for a few seconds, before speaking to Fred.  He shifts his laptop so the Malkavian can see it better.

Hey Fred, you know the city pretty well.  Here's a map of the photos on that card.  The two women look like they are at Lambert's building, or nearby.  The rest are scattered, although some are at your hospital, and a few are in Theo's domain.  What do you make of it?  Do any of these locations seem familiar?

As an afterthought, Duncan adds:
Neb said a major Cam player went missing... you don't think he meant Kersten, do you?  He's not really missing.  I mean, he wants to be missing.

Fred keeps looking around for potential dangers up until addressed by Duncan.
Ah, kindly let me see.

Fred studies the map for a minute or so before giving his report.
This is curious, these paths are very similar, if not equal, to the routes me and my Old Family used when we were trailing various Kindred in the city at the behest of mister Fonscolombe. I would always keep the target occupied while Terrance and Rudolf searched their havens..

I miss them..
Fred has a brief moment of silence, but quickly reigns himself in.
Ah, my apologies; I never actually saw any of the havens, but they are surely more secured, or possibly abandoned, in today's state if we were ever caught, I don't think we were.
Perhaps we should speak with mister Fonscolombe about the matter?

When Fred talks about searching people's havens, Duncan gives a grunt and mutters:
Hunh... all the more reason to have a few backup havens, I suppose.

Yeah, we can try to talk to talk to Fonscolombe tonight, if we have time..  He owns the Fabrik, right?

After a moment's thought, Duncan adds:
Fred, who were you guys working for?  I mean, you said Fonscolombe had you follow those Kindred, but who told him to do it?  Or was he working on his own?

Ah, yes he does. He may or may not actually be there however, rather unpredictable.

When Fred is asked who he and his old coterie he looks confused.
We were helping mister Fonscolombe and he was nice to us in turn; I never really thought much about why he wanted us to follow people.

That's okay.  I just wondered.

I'm almost done here.  I'll be ready to go back in a few minutes.

Duncan types away... clickity-clack, clickity-clack.

Duncan continues to type on his laptop, occasionally whistling a tune as he works.

Anyone who listened to pop music in 1985:

ST:

Finally, Duncan closes his computer and replaces it in the case.  He stands up and faces Fred.

Hourra!  Done.  Sorry it took so long.  It would be better if I didn't have that dumb song stuck in my head now.  I blame Neb.

Do you want to go back inside now, Fred?  Or wait out here until Nyx and William get back.

Ah it is no concern! I'm happy to provide you with a calm working environment.
Fred smiles until asked for his opinion on whether to stay or head inside.

I believe I am inadequate to make such decisions, I'll feel more confident following you as usual.
If you don't mind, naturally.
Fred removes his beanie.

Fred's usual meekness draws a frown from Duncan.

Fred, you need to have an opinion once in a while... and not just when you're sad or scared.  It's okay to say, "I want to go inside; it's more safe in there."  Or maybe, "I want to stay out here, because I can't stand the stuck-up licks in Elysium."

Duncan sighs, as he takes out his phone.
Never mind.  You're who you are, and we're not going to change that overnight.  Just know that it's okay to speak up and express your opinion once in a while.

I'm going to text William, and tell him I took his suggestion about the geotags... I mean, the locations of the pictures.  Then I suppose we can go inside, unless you have something else to do.  Are you thirsty?  Do you need a little time to yourself to feed, or anything?

The neonate starts to compose a text message as he waits for Fred's response.

Miriel must have the best poker face in the universe- All other tense moments, within Elysium or outside, drew no special reaction from her. She simply followed the others outside.

She was interested in what Fred had to share about locations, but makes no comment.

Every so often, while Duncan types, she shifts from her position and tries to reach over to strike the odd key, stopping in her tracks whenever the Brujah glances over. After Neb has left, bored, she simply adds, I don't like friendly snakes.

She glances over to Fred while he makes up his mind about moving, offering a reassuring smile. She thumbs her lip slightly and then moves her hands overhead, stretching her arms lazily up and outwards, I trust you to let us know if you get that "danger" feeling again. CLACK! She finally taps the keys while Duncan can believe for a second she's stopped playing around.

She has a satisfied smile, though Duncan's work can't have been derailed by much.