Night... Who the fuck knows....

It's been a while since I've had time, or an inclination to write here, but after reviewing Virag's journals, I felt the urge to document my own journey again.

  I am still offering my assistance to the local Camarilla Prince in his efforts to stop a local Anarch movement from being successful in a hostile takeover of the city.  Minimal real progress has been made, but the nights are still young.  We have been able to remove a tome of Tremere knowledge from their toolbox as well as the individual who was providing that knowledge (for the time being.)  The more enlightening discovery by far is the realization that the Anarch are being used as a smoke screen by an Elder's cult.  This cult is using the Anarchs' violence to mask their own ritualistic killings in an effort to wake their master.  Quite an ingenious way of giving the whole Anarch Movement the middle finger if I do say so myself.  Their efforts to "fight the power of the Jyhad" are just a tool of the Jyhad to progress the goals of someone older and more powerful.  I can't wait to see the look on their leader's face when I get to pull the wool from her eyes and tell her.

   As for personal affairs, Skylar and Pua are making advances on the training of my new would-be-servant Stephen.  I acquired him during an impromptu raid on a local street gang's den.  My reach within the city is expanding - our reach has now extended to 14 tattoo parlors within the city.  Soon I shall have my own fiefdom to rule over as the Fiends of old once did.  

   I digress.  The night is getting short and I must finish this before the rising son takes me once again.

  My current efforts to get some organization to this mess have garnered some fruit.  We have a rudimentary understanding of the rune the cult is using, but as an unforeseen side-effect, Virag's mind has become quite addled.  I can only hope that the effects aren't permanent - there is still much left to learn from the Fiend.  Our task given to us by the Prince (Vet the Camarilla Kindred of the city to find the Anarch mole.) has taken a baby step forward - we have been able to vet the Sheriff.  While doing so, I believe I was successful in indearing myself to him by gently stroking his vanity.  We shall see if that bears any fruit at a future time.  Currently, I'm working with the Prince's servant to generate a list of names so we have a much clearer understanding of the scope of the task as well as having the ability to more clearly track progress.  Jared has been quite helpful in that endeavor.  Once armed with the list of names, the coterie can take a more surgical approach to our task at hand.  A Fiend can dream, can't he?

As you close your journal and begin your preparations for rest there will be a brief firm knock at your chamber door. Pua will wait for instruction to enter, when he receives it he will step inside.

"I just received a call from Tatt or Tipsy. The woman is there with a new recipient."

"Go with Skylar and retrieve any and all information from the store. Video footage, payment method, the actual bills they paid with if they paid in cash, or the credit card information if they used a card. isolate the artist as well. I want to give the Prince a chance to probe his memories. Go. Be quick and thorough."

Pua will nod and leave you to your rituals. Pua will wait on Skylar in the car.

With it being this close to sunrise, Henry beds down for the day.

  Skylar grabs a small backpack, a document envelope, and a few pairs of gloves before heading to the car.  Pua drives the 2 of them to the other tattoo parlor where Skylar takes point in the information gathering.  Pua follows her instructions.  

  Skylar speaks to the employee who's still there to find out what all went down.  She'll review the security footage and make a backup copy to a removable hard drive which she takes with her.  She'll ask about payment method and (assuming they paid in cash and that the store followed the instructions they were all given if anyone came in asking for this specific piece of ink.) will take the cash, the merchant copy of the signed waiver form and the ink pen used and puts it in the document envelope she brought.  She will also collect the biowaste bag from the chair used in the event any blood was collected.  If the employee that's still there is the same artist who did the work, she'll 'request' he come with her for the day.  She will assure him/her that they will be generously compensated for their time, compliance, and discretion.  If the artist agrees, they leave the parlor without issue and the artist will ride back to the main shop in the back seat. If they try to turn her down, Pua will incapacitate them and they will ride in the trunk.

  Assuming the artist agrees, Skylar will entertain him for the day even allowing him/her to relax at her apartment.  Skylar will notify Jared and make arrangements to have a trusted individual come to a neutral location to scan the artist's memories for any new details about the individual(s) who came to get the ink work done.

**All of the stores have been given strict instructions to isolate any materials used during any event where this particular tattoo is requested.  Paperwork, cash, pens, needles, rags, gloves, and anything that was used is to be collected and stored separately.  The employees are under the impression there is an active police investigation regarding this piece of ink and the people wearing it and they're to carry on with business as usual and NOT alert the customers to the special steps being taken to quarantine any possible evidence.** 

Give me a charisma + leadership role to determine how well the shop followed instructions (which ever character actually gave the instructions).