Its All in the Knowing: Sept. 1st, 2008

[Angelique]

Where do you begin to learn about someone? At the beginning, only in this instance the beginning no longer existed. Its unfortunate Magincian governors didn't have the foresight to ship their city records off island before the fall of the city. All I have is a name, a description and image, and place of employment, what else can I dig up on Angelique Diavolo?

I began in Moonglow, she worked for the Mages Guild, a service record would be a handy resource, document of initiation perhaps, something to expose more of this woman to daylight... daylight is funny... Ilharn's humour is rubbing off. The Lyceum would hold guild records, service records, any records I thought, getting in and out posing as a student would be best but how to get into what was kept secure, that would be the tricky part. From the shadows I watched the registration area, looking to see what documents moved where. A man in long dark robes asked for service records for several people and a woman at a long desk moved quickly to fetch them. Not bad two hours studying the room and I had my first lead. The lithe woman moved swiftly, keeping up was a bit of a chore hidden as I was. I caught up with her at the back of one of the Lyceum's many libraries. She had stopped to chat with another woman. Once finished she raised her left hand and touched several spots on the frame of one of the library shelves, a blue rune appeared under her touch and she slipped into a room behind the shelf after it swung open. As I stood watching several others entered and left the room in the same fashion, I moved to inspect the shelf and found small runes carved into the wood. As I wondered if I could activate the runes the shelf began to move again and as one of the women stepped out I stepped in, very happy there wasn't some kind of identity ward on the threshold.

Inside the walls were lined with shelves of scrolls, the floor of the room covered in row upon row of bookshelves and cabinets designed for holding files. Meticulously dated and cataloged in chronological then alphabetical order; I was careful to watch for other wards that would signal my occupation of the room without permission. The woman who entered the room was collecting files from a cabinet dated two years back, perhaps some kind of review was happening. Over her shoulder I saw a name I recognized, Diavolo, only in this case it was Christian not Angelique. As the woman collected what she came for and left the room I watched to see her procedure for leaving and noted she just pushed on the shelf from the inside. Going back to the files I used my claws to flip through the folders locating the ones I wished to read.

Christian Joseph Diavolo; Born forty-four years ago, Magincia, Felucca, educated in the Lyceum, initiated as a member at the age of sixteen; and later between field assignments taught classes. Attained status as Legendary Mage. Current status retired, last listed residence House Diavolo, Moonglow, Trammel. Until two years ago held the position as Professor of Rituals and Occult, his successor... I smiled... Angelique Lizbet Diavolo. I flipped through the folders looking for Angelique's but it was not here. As I passed over the past century of folders I found one more of interest to my current assignment; Albert Joseph Diavolo... magic runs in the family... Of note, he was listed as residing in Diavolo Manor, Magincia, Felucca. Retired from service seventy-seven years ago, current status deceased. Filing the information away to report later I checked over the rest of the room and located the guild membership files, copies of certificates given those who apply for membership in the Mages Guild. These files being stored alphabetically I quickly found Angelique's, her fathers and her great grandfathers.

As I turned to leave I noticed a hexagram pattern of light passing in a wide swatch over the floor from the east wall. Springing to the top of the cabinet I made my way across bookshelves and cabinets silently remaining off the floor till the pattern could no longer be seen. I held my position memorizing the final dates I read as the door opened again and I left silently in the shadows as the door closed behind me. I could feel Xander's smirk as I made my way back to the registration area. Angelique's folder was missing, her's must be part of what ever folders were being collected for the man in the dark robes. He was in the front office when I arrived, the gopher woman only using sir to address him.

"I will be here late this evening, persuading Miss Diavolo to arrive for her review before sunset was an exercise in frustration," he exclaimed with a heavy sigh.

"As her father before her..." the woman trailed off.

"Aye," the man nodded, "both excellent researchers, popular teachers and frustrating as hell to get to conform to normal guild functioning; but she could have at least come before her class instead of after..."

"A Diavolo has held her position for the better part of the last hundred years, have you decided what to do if she chooses to leave?"

Shaking his head, "no I haven't, and to top it off she's reclaimed all her field research, her fathers notes as well, only leaving reports she was paid for." Looking to the woman, "Alessa, you don't think she has another offer, that there is another school for magic recruiting her?"

Alessa looked him in the eye, "no Derek, she would have said something to me. You've accommodated her for some time, given leave to her eccentricities. I am sure she would be more forthcoming if she was being recruited elsewhere. Girl's done a lot of growing up in a hurry these past few years... there was more in the woman's eyes than she was saying... I feel she's just grounding herself right now."

Derek tapped a file on the desk Alessa sat at, "have her bring her own file to me when she arrives please Alessa."

Alessa nodded and went about her work, as Derek left for one of the back offices. After a few moments Alessa left the registration area leaving the room unoccupied except for the shadow in the corner that was me. I moved to the desk and again using my claws so not to leave prints opened the service record of Angelique Lizbet Diavolo. Born twenty-four years ago, Magincia, Felucca, initiated to the Mages Guild at sixteen; current status active, graduated the Lyceum in Moonglow two years ago. Held position as professor in the Lyceum since September of that same year... nepotism at its best... last listed residence, House Diavolo, Moonglow, Trammel. I stayed until Angelique arrived to get a look at the real woman... I stared... I was struck by her soft grace and presence. Dressed in soft greens that picked up her eyes, she was tall and slender, but not waifish. I expected to see a kind of elitism in her demeanor but it wasn't present. Angelique's voice held a soft accent, she spoke slowly with precision not difficulty. Her pale aura told me she was Kindred, and the soft hue of honesty and some anxiety showed through. Angelique took the folder from Alessa, kissing the woman on both cheeks before turning and heading back to the rear offices.

Believing I'd found all I was going to this night, I left for my haven and to ponder and record all I learned. The one thought that had been on my mind frequently this summer, passing in and out of my considerations. How many more Kindred are out there we have no accounting for...

[Angelique]

I was still thinking about lost Kindred as Efanor brushed my hair, the silence between us a comforting blanket around my thoughts. Efanor can stand in the middle of a room and not be noticed, his stealth is something to behold. The only way I know he is in the room with me without activating any disciplines, is the gentle rhythm of the brush strokes and occasional touch of his hand to my ear. I have to concentrate to feel even the heat eliminating from his body. Disguises, shadows and deception are my trade favourites, Efanor just isn't remembered unless he wants to be. To add to his un-remarkableness is his lack of identity, I've used every avenue available and can find no documentation on there ever being an Efanor Marhanen anywhere. Not the same for my current prey, Angelique Diavolo does exist, and public records prove it, if you are looking. I paid my respects to two more public offices in Moonglow; the patient records of the Healers Hall, and the property department in the local bank.

Its interesting how money gets people talking, Efanor dressed me as Paedoewyn, and I made my way to Moonglow just after sundown. Now I spent last evening watching the healers, how they worked, who they preferred to take care of and how often they passed patients up to their elders. Money was a deciding factor in much of the healing that happened that was not critical or life threatening. Entering the Healers Hall today I asked rather adamantly for the guild master. Ushered to a small office he asked my need of him and I explained that a woman owed me money, that her family was claiming she was dead. Told him there was a percentage in it of he could help me prove otherwise. He moved to the door closing and locking it. He uttered one word turning to his file cabinets, “name?” ... I blinked... “Diavolo,” I responded forcing my voice to remain even. “I hope you mean, Angelique, her sister and mother died last year,” he explained flipping through files drawing three from the cabinet. “Dead,” I said loudly in mock outrage, “she can't get away without paying...” He dropped the folders on the desk and met my gaze coldly. I flipped open the the files with my lace gloved hand, scanning for essential details to prove Angelique's claims. “Dead,” I hissed letting my shoulders slump. A grin toyed at the mans lips, “no percentage then?” he asked. I smirked and tossed him a small pouch untraceable back to me with enough gold for a good meal. I left knowing I could have requested through proper channels, copies of the death certificates, but I really don't have the patience for proper channels.

Ten minutes in the inn and Paedoewyn quickly became Draugwen, and I was on my way towards the bank. Approaching the property officer, I asked softly, “Excuse me, could you tell me how I go about finding out if my neighbour has built his new fence over onto my property? The officer explained we can check public record of the properties and check the coordinates and dimensions of each to see if there is a discrepancy. He asked the name of the property in question and I told him, “House Diavolo.” He left me at a long table while he went back to what I assumed was the records room. Returning a few minutes later he had two sets of documents with him. “House Diavolo,” he explained was recently sold, however the dimensions of both properties were the same. Looking over the documents, I pull a piece of paper from my pocket with coordinates written upon it, leaning in close to seem to be checking them against the ones listed for the property. As I scan the document I memorize dates of sale and transfer of ownership. Once I am sure I have the information, I make a soft disturbed sigh and look to the man. I was wrong I explained, it seems my fence is in fact on their property. I will speak to the new owners promptly. Before leaving I asked softly, “Have the Diavolo's left Moonglow entirely?” Flipping through the document quickly he replied, “looks like all they have left is the family mausoleum.” I nodded and thanked him for his assistance before leaving the bank and shortly there after the city proper.

Arriving at home before dawn I climbed the stair to my room and got comfortable before the hearth. Sitting, unmoving, I let my mind expand outward taking all the information I'd gathered and fitting it together like pieces of a child's puzzle. I knew much about Angelique now, at least as much as anyone could from whats documented about her. Tomorrow I follow the woman, see what she's made of...As Sol crested the horizon I felt a warm, comforting presence in my mind, as I lay back on the fur and slip into deep sleep.

[Angelique]

Its hard to refute what you see with your own eyes, I don't always get to see events for myself and have to trust in the training I've given those who lend their eyes to me. There is a measurable difference between what people observe and what they perceive, a line of text on a wall across the room that you can't read won't change no matter where you are standing. Walk towards it and mark on the ground where it is you can read it clearly. Once done move up to the wall an walk backwards till you can no longer read the text. The mind can alter perception with what it knows, changing what you observe. The marks on the floor usually don't match up. Knowing the difference between what you see and what you think you see is a lesson more should learn. Hair tied back tight and in the comfort of my kajitti, as soon as I could manage after awaking at sundown I was on Moonglow seeking out the Diavolo Mausoleum.

I found it fairly quickly, in the north west corner of the cemetery. Slipping into the deep shadows inside I began memorizing what I saw. I knew the mausoleum was bought ninety-two years ago, the first crypt I came across was dated the same year, of interest though was the lack of names, just an impression of a persons face in the lid of each crypt and the years they were alive carved into the foot of each. Albert was four if not five generations removed from Angelique, Depending on how prolific the family was, this couldn't be where all the family had been laid to rest; there were only nineteen crypts in the mausoleum, spread out in five different rooms. I didn't expect to see what was in the last of the rooms as I entered; the iron gate was not locked and a thick green velvet curtain was drawn over it from the inside. Slipping past the curtain there were three crypts inside this room, two sealed and dated, the dates matching those of Katreneé, and Angelique's mother. The third crypt was open, and Angelique lay nestled alongside what I assumed was the body of her father.

In silence I made my way around the room, my senses boosted and using my ability to read aura's to determine all I could about the two. There were many scents in the room, recent mating, blood, roses... I could smell Christian, and Angelique but there was the distinct scent of a third person, a man. Observing the two sleeping bodies carefully their pale aura's reinforced my knowing they were kindred and both still among those of us existing. There was an open bottle of wine on a desk at the back of the room with two glasses, one had been handled but not emptied. At the other side of the desk on a silver tray sat a decanter of blood and a fresh crystal glass. There were stacks of books on the floor... I smiled thinking of Ilharn... they were all in alphabetical order. The only thing out of order in the room was a book laying open, face down on the seat of the chair at the desk. Turning it over carefully with my claws I managed to scan over the better part of the past two years before I heard foot falls on the marble stairs leading to this room. I replaced the book careful to put the latch where it was before I picked it up; then I moved to a corner shadow to observe.

[to be continued]

[Angelique]

From my hiding place I saw a man emerge from the hall, he pulled the green velvet curtain aside and left the gate ajar. He stood tall, at least six feet, was muscular with a well defined chest that lay uncovered by any shirt under the long coat he wore. Tight leather pants and riding boots finished off he attire. Blond hair and warm hazel eyes, with purpose he walked to the crypt where Angelique and her father lay, picking her up gently he sat down on a bench by the wall cradling her in his arms. In reading him I could see a passion for her burning in his aura. Angelique stirred slowly, changing position to straddle his lap and hold herself close to him. Their intimate greeting grew in intensity marking for me their relationship, but not till I saw him pull her hair off her shoulder, the punch force a cut into her skin and the trail of blood that ran down her back did I know he was retained. She moaned, "Perrin," as he drank deeply from her shoulder. I watched till they began to undress each other. Their bond reaffirmed, the crimson of passion that radiated off them both, told me all I needed to know of what would take place over the next few hours. Slipping through the shadows to the crypt gate I looked back once to see Perrin's arm cup her tightly into his lap, on his bicep was an ornate tattoo, a serpent being shot from an long bow. I smiled knowing of one final stop in my investigation of Ms. Diavolo... the rangers guild and a listing of Perrin as a member.

Skara Brae, city of Rangers, home of the Rangers Guild Hall. Beneath its utilitarian facade I found their private records, guarded by an orange tabby cat that nuzzled my hand as I clawed through the files looking for a Perrin. I scanned through twelve years of records before finding his. Perrin Beitel twenty-seven years old, joined the guild when he was fifteen. Currently listed as freelance, no assignments from the guild itself. The bow and serpent symbol was on his file, listed as affiliated with a group called Arco Dei Serpenti. I nuzzled the cat closing the file cabinet, then made my way to the door. The cat took off after the movement of a mouse in the shadows as I slipped into them myself and headed to back to Istas.

Once bathed and dressed for the days rest, I found Chaser a descendant of Soot's, one of the few black wolves in my pack. Kneeling before him holding his gaze with mine, I activated "sweet whispers" to speak to him and request he keep me warm while I slept. A soft growl and nuzzle into my neck let me know he would and he followed me to my room. Curling around him, I listened to his heart beat, feeling his warmth as I drifted off to sleep. My report could wait till tonight, when I awoke.