2019.03.21 Digging for bones

Digging for Bones
Looking for bones for a blood ritual
IC Date Started	March 21st 2019
Coordinator	Brittney
People	Maxwell and Belinda
Spheres	Vampire

Brittney has a special request of Maxwell, to retrieve an item needed for one of the Tremere's blood rituals. What is required is a human bone that is at least 200 years old. Of course such a thing isn't laying around at the grocery store, so he will have to find a way to get one.

Ruling out the human bone grocery store, Maxwell has employed the services of his wonderful wifey-woo. "My initial thoughts, of course, are at the local cemetery. It's the easy answer. But, we only have so many hours of night time to look at all of the tombstones, and try to find a grave that fits the bill." He muses, rubbing at his chin as he rummages through the books in his small library space. "We could see if perhaps... Some registrations exist to catalog the dead. What do you think?"

That wifey woo, Belinda Fairbairn, is currently seated with a wine glass in her ringed, left hand. She looks up from it whilst sitting back in a dining chair with one knee crossed over her other leg, the stiletto boot lightly bouncing. "Aye, I agree, My Dear. Perhaps, we could find someone who can use this... Internet... on a computer... and help out?"

"Hm. That would be some degree of effort, maybe? I have no idea how easy the internet is to use. Or how powerful it is." Maxwell admits, looking through his small library to find anything related to modern burial practices, and the record keeping involved. "I also wonder if Prospect has perhaps... A crypt of some sort. Not just a graveyard, but something older..."

Belinda briefly sips the red liquid from the wine glass before she sets it on the table top, uncrosses her top leg from the one below, and stands up. "Aye, a good idea, too. Other ideas could include digging up battle sites, if not already been dug up, and museum pieces from mummified corpses, too. Perhaps, we could go out and talk to a few people our descendants know, too, who might have a computer with the internet."

"Someone has to keep a record of these things. Calevaro says that the internet is the collection of all of the world's knowledge, yet refutes it to be akin to a book store." Maxwell mentions. "I think our best bet is to try and use that. Government records should be ideal, I think." He muses, then pauses. "You know, it occurs to me that a collection of knowledge should belong in a library. Modern libraries still exist, I could guess? Maybe they have the capacity for the internet? We should go there, perhaps."

Belinda is able to contact some gangs on the street and learns there is an old church that people do drug trades at some time. It is a pretty old and there is a small graveyard near by.

Belinda smooths down her skirt then picks up her phone from the table before moving closer to Maxwell. With a newly-practiced flick, she flips open the cellular device then pokes around on the button pad for a long while here but still talks to her lovely husband, "Okay, I will try to see if one of our descendants can help us learn how to use The Internet to find such records. Also, to see if there are any churches in their social circles behind which there might be an old grave: did you know, a distant cousin introduced me to their friends who seemed to take a fancy to me? I think they were in a gang, though." After sending out the long letter in text format along such lines, Belinda is quickly replied to. She shows off the phone screen to Maxwell. "Well, it is one option. Texting back to see if they also have a computer and whether they could help us use it, too." Who does not have a computer in this particular age? These two.

"Mmm. I think yours is the more direct route." Maxwell admits, pushing the book back on his shelf and turning back to look at Belinda as she sends out her text. "If it's really old though, they may not have an internet. Let's start heading in that direction, maybe? They should at least have some ledgers to record their dead."

Belinda nods twice. She must have been too focused on her flippy phone, and she quietly apologizes to Maxwell. "I will also ask them about libraries. Whilst we are waiting for replies, we can definitely get Adair to drive us, yes?" She looks up after hitting send on a Victorian-esque letter-in-a-text. "Okay!"

"I have no doubt Adair will drive us." Maxwell says, trying to guide Belinda to the back seat of their car, while Adair gets everything ready to start driving towards the old church. "If we're going to the church, we should go directly there instead."

The gang doesn't really have time to be looking up random stuff about graves and dead people, but Belinda asks very nicely. After a short time she gets a text back with a link to website that has a database that can search records of all the dead people in the area. It costs money to use, though isn't really that expensive.

Settling down into her new seatuation in the back seat of their luxury car, Belinda scoots over and makes room for Maxwell to join her. A new text comes, and she offers over her cell phone to him once more, "This is an earl, yes?" Then, she looks up toward the front of the car, "Thank you, Adair." Then, the Victorian woman texts back a shorter 'letter' of imminent gratitude along with a future promise to Winner Dinner the gang member at a fancy restaurant another day. All they can eat, too, but during the evening hours. Then, Belinda pipes up, "I agree. Let us go there and see. If that does not work, then we can go try the internet in the computers in the library."

Money isn't really much of an issue for Maxwell, so either options would really work. He peeks at the cellphone, and then back up at the road. "Well, you have that internet link. We can probably figure out how to use that. I feel like that's the better option to try first, and then the church."

Easily convinced, since she well knows Maxwell is the smarter one, "Okay! Thus, we go to the library, then?" She looks forth to their driver up there, "Master Codsworth, do you know the libraries in the area we can go to?"

Even though the public libraries are not as popular as they once where, it isn't very difficult to find the nearest one and like most places they do in fact have computers and such there as well.

"Aye." Maxwell says with a nod, peering at the front of the car. For his part, Adair nods his head and changes directions, turning down a different stree than he planned and soon pulls up at the nearest library. As they arrive, Maxwell gets out and offers his hand down to Belinda to help her out of the car. "This should be exiting. Our first time trying to use a computer... And the internet."

Belinda finally tears her distracted attention away from her flip phone which she stashes away into her hand bag. She takes Maxwell's hand, gets out from their fancy ride with his wonderful help, and then follows along with their fingers twined. "I agree! So thrilling. As titillating as rose nipples!" Whatever /that/ means. Her soprano voice lightly laughs in a melodic way as they traverse concrete with the click of her stiletto heels to that library door.

Inside the library at the computers, there is an easy to read guide on how to use the computers and connect to the internet. Since it basically amounts to opening a webbrowser then typing in the link they already got, it isn't very difficult. Searching the paid database isn't that difficult and eventually a list of names of suitable people to check out shows up, along with details of where they are buried.

Walking into the library, Maxwell moves timidly to one of the computers and peers down at the guide. Reading through it, he slinks into the seat and begins experimenting with the new device until he figures out how to apply the instructions provide to practice. When that list finally shows up, he smiles and grabs a pen and paper. "Here we are." He says, scribbling down a list of several suitable burials, with a preference for keeping his options in as few places as possible.

Belinda moves along and stands back behind Maxwell's chair with her pale hands gently resting upon his shoulder tops, her charismatic presence simply says that she is 'with him'. More than likely there are a few looks glanced over by random patrons who hopefully(?) focus a bit more on her bodily distraction of 'being there in the way' rather than the computer screen. Meanwhile, the perceptive wife actually notices a nextcomputer neighbor a few seats down do something interesting with the X mark on the browser box. "When done, I think you make it all disappear with that upper right X." She secretly whispers before carrying on with a shoulder rub for him as well as delightedly smiling with her auburn eyes quite alight from this new experience.

With that list in hand, Maxwell nods and gives her advice a try, closing out the website and then giving her a smile. "Alright, let's give this a try then." He says, rising to his feet. "This place looks to be the closest." He says, directing her back to the car if she lets him. He gives the address to Adair, who starts to drive for them.

After pushing in the seat at the computer desk, Belinda certainly followed, moving along with Maxwell until they were finally seated together in the back of the fancy car. She probably gives him a couple snugs and cheek kisses but mostly behaves whilst they are on their way. "Should we scout out every one? Figure out which one is least watched?"

"Mmm. I think if the first one we visit is mostly unguarded, then there is no reason to move on to the next." Maxwell suggests, rubbing at his chin in consideration. All of the cheek kisses and snugs, he of course happily accepts and presses into, just as they show up at the first graveyard. "Mmm. How can we possibly dig up the bone... Discreetly?"

Belinda ahahs softly! "Quite right!" says she to his initial response about unguarded areas. That last question from her punny husband, though, is delightfully entertaining, and she brightly laughs! "We generally show off, so... the opposite of what we usually do." She jokingly notes which is not incredibly helpful. She does say more seriously, though, "I am fairly good at walking around and seeming like I belong there. If you would like, I can be dropped off and just walk around the block and alleyway, and see what is up, then come back with my report on what I found to be the case in security?"

"We're a married couple. We don't need some sort of cover story..." Maxwell argues, opening the door and holding out his hand for her. "Let's go together. My four eyes, plus your two... Six eyes are better than two." He teases with a sly grin, and peeking over at the graveyard.

Belinda smittenly nods and happily accepts his offered hand, gets out from their luxury vehicle, then follows along. She peeks out to the yonder graves and ruefully smiles, "Quite right, Love. I love you and your four eyes." Then, she finally tears her auburn gaze away from him to look out toward the graveyard yonder.

Currently at night, the cemetery is closed, though there is a fence to keep people out. Though it isn't a very impressive fence. Waiting around, once does notice that there is a single security guard that passes by every now and then.

All of those observations, Maxwell points out to Belinda, humming to himself softly as he thinks over the situation. "I doubt I'm sneaky enough to get in there, dig a hole, and get out without being noticed." He muses, lifting a hand to rub at his chin. "We can either try to knock the guard out, or... Well, you're a rather attractive woman..."

Belinda nods along and looks toward all the security and lack thereof before smiling brightly. "Thank you, Love. I can probably get him to follow me to somewhere else. You should get Adair to help out with the heavy lifting." says the Scottish woman in her native language (not English). "If you are okay the whole luring bit..."

At that, a blush forms on his cheeks and Maxwell nods his head in agreement. "If anyone is going to lure him anywhere, it'd be you... I ummm... Yes, I think it's necessary for the task at hand." He admits, then knocks on the glass to the car. After Adair has rolled down his window, Maxwell gestures for him to follow. "Come one, I've got some shovels in the trunk. We're going in after Belinda pulls the guard away."

Belinda leans close and, gently pecks Maxwell on his nearby cheek, then lets go and steps back, "I will do my best to make sure nothing untoward happens and hopefully divert attention to a mundane activity." She quietly assures this before moving away to stride confidently down the nearby sidewalk and then circle around to hopefully pass the security guard with awe-ing presence, the kinda presence which might make someone want to follow along (not run away) to the nextdoor 7-11 for tasty treats.

A mysterious mystic reaches out to the security guard, and if he ever looks in her particular direction, she smiles sweetly and points up to the 7-11 sign before simply beckoning with a curling forefinger.

Carefully, shovel in hand, Maxwell and Adair stand ready to hop the fence and quickly search for their objective. Once the security guard is fully seduced and pulled away by his wife, they make their go, Maxwell looking over their list and whispering out information to Adair as they move. It doesn't matter which target on their list they find first, as long as they are indeed on the list. Then, they'll begin digging...

The security guard seems to be utterly focused on Belinda, she was far more interesting than any of the random graves about the place. It isn't like the bodies would be going any where, so he wanders over to greet her.

Belinda almost turns to the glass door of the convenience store, but then the amiable approach of the security guard has her turning back with a soft smile, "Hello there. I bet you could use a break and a treat and this looks like the right place." says she in her Scottish accent before pushing back her rear end against the glass door which opens inward, the fluorescent-lighted climes inside probably seeming like a warm welcome from the colder ones outside, as per the charismatic illusion.

Scanning the area Maxwell spots one of the graves from the list, and it is confirmed with the date listed on the old beat up tombstone as well. A person who died 215 years ago.

Finding one of their targets, Maxwell and Adair get to work, digging as fast and efficiently as they can, without trying to cause any real damage to the casket when they get down that far. "This is is. Hopefully Belinda can keep the guard distracted long enough for us to get the bone and get out of here." He whispers, mostly to himself since he knows Adair isn't really listening.

The security guard is a middle aged man, wearing a fairly plain looking blue uniform. He doesn't even have a gun. "Hello there!"

Belinda slips away into the 7-11 with her new friend. She texts Adair with the thumbs-up emoji. Multiple ones, even. The first short text ever sent by her. After that brief interruption, she slides away her flip phone (so old school) and then motions up toward the slushie machine. "Have you ever had one?"

The security laughs slightly, wondering if that is a joke. "Of course I have had one. Actually I stop by here fairly often after work."

Belinda brightly smiles, "I have never had one. I am from the United Kingdom, you see." She certainly has a matching accent, indeed. "Which flavor is your favorite one? Can you help me with the machine?" She so needs that tech help.

The digging takes a while and isn't exactly fast, though eventually they dig down and reach a old wooden coffin. It is rotted and not in the best shape, though at least it is easy to open up.

Meanwhile, while Belinda is getting her flirt on, Maxwell is really digging this. Adair, on the other hand is a bit more shallow. Still, together they reach the coffin. Together still, they creak it open. Really, it would be a waste to let all of these good spell components just rest here... If Brittney needs one for one of -her- rituals, he might need one for one of his later too... So, he collects both femurs, the knee caps, and the skull. Then they crawl their way back out of the hole and begin to fill it back up. Once they finish with that, they dart for the car, stashing the bones and shovels in the trunk.

With all of that collected, Adair takes back to the driver side, while Maxwell sends a text to Belinda. It doesn't take long for them to pull up and the car door to open. Now, how will Belinda deal with her new... Friend...

The vibrating phone in her hand bag causes Belinda to glance out the big window toward the rainy night out there as well as the open door to the fancy car but not long. She gets out her cell phone from her hand bag and checks out the preview screen on the very back with the caller ID. She looks up before then ruefully smiling. "Well, I wish I could have stayed, but my work is calling. Please, accept this money from me as an apology for leaving you so early." And then Belinda pulls out a phat 20 she tucks in his chest pocket before then patting down said 20 dollars and then gliding away toward the store door.

The security guard isn't too sure what is going on but he got 20 dollars, met a beautiful lady and got a slushie, so it all seems to have worked out for him. So he heads back to work.

Belinda moseys along with a parting wave and then slips away into the dark car before it closes up and then drives away. In the back seat, Belinda looks back to Maxwell and then suddenly grabs his dirty shirt in both hands, "We did it!"

When Belinda climbs into the car, Maxwell smiles at her and leans up against her. She mentions doing it and suddenly his eyes widen, his mouth hanging agape. "You... Did it.. With him?" He asks in a low murmur, peeking back at the guard as they drive away, and then back at Belinda. "Uhh... Well... I didn't mean for you two... Well... Was it... Good?"