Post by: Absit Omen RPG on July 31, 2016, 04:26:00 PM
 "Jus' be a minute - need a slash - I'll see you in there..." Brown leather loafers from Topman stumbled their way into the alley unsteadily. The shadows fell dark enough in the night here to cover minor indiscretions, especially behind the council bins. Perfect place to unzip and release the product of three pints, or so Dave thought. As he splashed down the brickwork, letting out a deep sigh of relief at emptying the bladder he readily described as 'a fucking walnut' to his companions a moment before diving down here to oblige, he caught sight of feet. Great, Dave thought, he had the pleasure of an audience from a rough sleeper. Well, he wouldn't be long, he thought, looking back to business. Hang on. Rough sleepers didn't wear red high heels. In his distraction of turning back to check, Dave's flow lowered, dribbled right over the left loafer and the hem of his favourite jeans. Fuck! "Yeh alright? Hello?" The unlikely good samaritain called out to the pair of feet. Damp loafers stumbled towards the feet, unsure of what he was about to discover, Dave fumbled his attempt to tuck himself in, and entirely gave up a moment later in his alarm. The inebriated Muggle bolted clean out of the alley, straight into two on duty police officers, babbling about bodies, with a wet leg, hastily tucking himself back in.  "... Drained dry, the paramedics say, never seen anything like it. But hardly a drop here." Dipping underneath the blue and white plastic tape in paper forensic suits, adopting their cover identities to the Muggles, the obliviators made swift work of Dave, the two he'd run into, and several of London's finest from Scotland Yard. "Special Branch, we'll take it from here." Lying prostrate on the brick floor of Nox Alley, beyond the council bins, was Carly Smith and Jack Mayes. The muggles were dressed for a night out. Their identities easily discovered from their respective purses and wallets. Between them, £70 in notes. Their mobile phones only revealed texts to friends saying they were on their way, and missed calls that arrived in the meantime. This was no robbery, no battery or assault, the squibs were right. The only marks of a struggle were bruises and scrapes to the hands and wrists. But the distinctive puncture wounds to their necks told an entirely different story.  Open Thread - Plot Information |
Post by: Andromeda Gamp on August 06, 2016, 12:54:09 PM
"We need a healer to examine the bodies." Andromeda said to people around her.
Post by: Tristan Vaillancourt on August 07, 2016, 11:45:00 AM
"...a healer to examine the bodies."
Bodies, bodies. Two of them from what he could sense through his sonar vision. The bat darted here and there between the shadows of buildings, not three feet above Auror Gamp - and suddenly it was no longer a bat. Tristan dropped through the air and landed on his feet smoothly; ah, but not quite landed.
His polished brogues floated a negligible distance from the bricked ground and as such, his movements made no sound. Several wands - level 3, alert gents - were aimed at him in a human heartbeat, though he only kept his hands in the pockets of his grey coat, looking to Andromeda calmly.
"I'm sorry to interrupt." Tristan spoke quietly and pointedly did not look in the direction of the bodies just yet. "Tristan Vaillancourt. Beings Division, sent as Consultant Vampire..." he drew one hand from his pocket, slowly, extending a card with the Ministry's official lettering.
The vampire worked nights on level four and had been about when a memo from the DMLE came about a possible vampire attack in Muggle London. It seemed more urgent than cataloguing old paperwork. Certainly more interesting; if there was a chance this wasn't, he wanted to be able to stave off rumours right away.
Post by: Nadine Pinn on August 10, 2016, 04:30:06 PM
“We need a healer to examine the bodies.” Andie spoke, examining a door at the end of the alley. Nadine sniffed, knowing this was true, but perceiving it as a suggestion that she shouldn’t jump to conclusions about the bite marks.
The sudden apparition beside Andromeda had Nadine’s wand out along with the Level 3 boys.
“Hoi!” No crack like a normal apparition, and two bodies here on the floor drunk dry.
“I’m sorry to interrupt. Tristan Vaillancourt, Beings Division, sent as Consultant Vampire…” He extended something to Andromeda by way of assuring who he was. Nadine was busy looking him up and down, a look of mild disgust on her face. Was he floating? How long had he been listening? Was he really sent by Ceph or was he here to pretend after drinking?
“Hungry were you?” She spat, before she could stop herself, her wand not dipping. “Or one of your lot. Consultant Vampire. Heard it all now.”
Post by: Cepheus Gamp on August 11, 2016, 02:08:03 PM
“Tristan, glad you’re here. Tristan this is Auror Pinn, and Auror Gamp,” his left hand emerged from his pockets long enough to gesture, and the corner of Ceph’s mouth curled up in greeting to his sister. He was always glad to have her help in life, both in and out of work. “Nad, Andie, Tristan Vaillancourt.” He nodded politely back to his newest colleague. Ever since he’d met with Violet Islington and tried to improve his understanding and visibility to the vampire community, he had been keen to bring on some more hands-on help. Tristan had already opened his eyes to several sides to vampires that society tended to get wrong, though Ceph had been more than happy to invite him in.
“Are they, oh, gods, yes they are.” Cepheus went from confused at where the bodies were to seeing them both and took a step backwards once he’d got close enough. He was very glad his job meant he saw few dead bodies, and even less of those in person. He diverted his gaze a moment, trying to hide the fact it made him feel a little green.
“So, are we dealing with a vampire situation, or is this just one for Level 2 without us?"
Post by: Tristan Vaillancourt on August 11, 2016, 04:41:15 PM
He licked his lower lip and resisted the first retort to enter his head - that yes, he was indeed rather hungry - but it would have been a partial lie. Two weeks had passed since his feeding at the new moon (http://www.moonconnection.com/moon-march-2011.phtml). At best the vampire was feeling vaguely peckish.
That meant that if this were a feeding, the vampire responsible had not fed enough at the height of their hunger. Or they were... indulging.
Cepheus Gamp's arrival spared Tristan the burden of sharing this suspicion with Auror Pinn right away. He swallowed, looking more relieved than he wanted to as wands were lowered.
"Aurors." Tristan greeted curtly at the introductions, and smiled more politely at the Beings Division head - he knew about Andromeda but it seemed that Gamp knew the other one too. What a small world it was. And only getting smaller, one felt.
“So, are we dealing with a vampire situation, or is this just one for Level 2 without us?"
Gingerly, he ignored whatever nausea was affecting Cepheus and drew one gloved hand from his coat pocket to gesture at the corpses. "May I?" Tristan approached the bodies quietly to make a quick inspection. He knelt before them, still floating to avoid touching anything, and removed the glove to touch their necks where the marks had been made.
"As far as I can tell, these are distinctively vampiric marks..." he stood with a look of disapproval crossing his pale face, though he did not turn to look at the others just yet.
Tristan stared only a little longer at the bodies: he was trying to imagine what would possess a vampire to take this risk. Several suspicions passed through his mind before he returned to Cepheus and the Aurors, pulling on the glove. "Your coroners will tell you the same," he shrugged.
"It's unusual to feed this early before the new moon. Or to hunt, anyway." Sourcing food from the blood bags had changed contemporary habits after all.
Post by: Edward Pratt on August 12, 2016, 11:10:22 AM
As he rounded to corner into the alley, Pratt frowned. The scene before him was gruesome, stomach curling. His eyes travelled from the bodies lying on the floor to the four stood (was one floating?) and discussing the situation.
"It's unusual to feed this early before the new moon. Or to hunt, anyway." the voice was calm, monotonous. The speaker was pale, sickly looking. Ed’s eyes narrowed.
“Flaming bagpipes, Gamp. Is it bring a beast to work day?” Ed’s northern accent somewhat cut the tension as she stepped up to the group, hands thrust into the pockets of his mackintosh. “What we got? Midnight vampiric feast?” His eyes didn’t leave the floating creature in front of him.
Post by: Andromeda Gamp on August 13, 2016, 11:56:47 AM
"Good of you to drop in." Andie said flatly. Nadine did not like him. Andie did not want to make a judgement. She did not completely trust vampires. How did they stop themselves from eating all the time? Ceph and Ed arrived quickly. It was crowded. Andie hoped her brother chose the right vampire. "Is it unusual to feed on Muggles?" Andromeda asked. She knew it was unusual. Nothing seemed right.
Post by: Tristan Vaillancourt on August 13, 2016, 01:33:59 PM
“What we got? Midnight vampiric feast?”
"Is it unusual to feed on Muggles?"
At least one of them was asking him a level-headed question, though he was beginning to realise with discontent that discussing vampire habits with non-vampires could sound provocative. One did not hold conversation with prospective meals, much less conversation revolving around the slaughter.
"It is." Tristan answered, hands returning to his pockets as he shifted his gaze to Andromeda and ignored Pratt. "Preferences can very but muggles don't... taste right. Magical blood is more nourishing. Flavoursome," he glanced at Nadine with a ghost of a smile. "I suspect the feeder was either extremely hungry or newly turned."
A pause, his mind going back to the sight of the two bodies and the lack of further carnage. "Or malicious."
Post by: Cepheus Gamp on August 13, 2016, 01:56:16 PM
“As far as I can tell, these are distinctively vampiric marks…” A distant crack of an apparating wizard made Ceph glance away, regarding Ed Pratt’s approach. He was dressed messily but at least in a Muggle style. Looked like he’d been half undressed when he’d got the call. Ceph didn’t comment, but their eye contact was enough to acknowledge each other’s presence.
“Your coroners will tell you the same,” Tristan continued to explain, and Ceph’s attention switched back, eyes staying upwards to the consultant’s face than down by his hovering feet. “It's unusual to feed this early before the new moon. Or to hunt, anyway."
“Quite,” Ceph agreed, it was all rather troubling, a feeding at an unusual time, two Muggles-.
“Flaming bagpipes, Gamp. Is it bring a beast to work day?” Pratt was in the same year at school, and although the pair weren’t particularly close friends, they wouldn’t shy away from buying each other a drink after work or being sociable. Ceph was used to his manners, but the comment caused a sharp reaction from the Being Division Head. “What we got? Midnight vampiric feast?”
“Is it unusual to feed on Muggles?” His sister asked from his right hand side.
“It is. Preferences can vary but muggles don't... taste right. Magical blood is more nourishing. Flavoursome, I suspect the feeder was either extremely hungry or newly turned. Or malicious.” Nadine’s nose had turned up at this. Ceph noticed she was still bearing her wand like she would use it.
“Thank you Tristan,” Ceph spoke, and narrowed his eyes at Pratt. “First of all, Being,” he gestured with both hands to Tristan, as if Ed had called him a very offensive word, “Tristan is the Division’s consultant on such matters, Head Auror. I’m sure Carstairs would be happy to sign you and your team up to our diversity trainings if you need a refresher.” Less of a telling off, more a tease to Ed and Nadine.
That irritating matter aside, Ceph inhaled sharply and was back to business. “The Muggle mediwitches said the bodies looked drained of blood. 8 pints in the average body, so we’re talking about 16 pints in one go. One vampire, two, or more? Given it’s not the height of feasting. I suppose the wounds would be less clean if they were shared… re-puncturing.” Ceph gestured beside his neck with his own hand.
Post by: Nadine Pinn on August 13, 2016, 03:43:16 PM
“Seems so, boss.” Nadine replied, though Andie spoke over her by coincidence.
Tristan’s smile at her when he spoke of their blood being more flavoursome for the magic was returned with a look of disgust. Was everyone crazed over blood these days? Ceph even had the audacity to suggest she should donate hers to St Mungo’s for these … creatures. Ceph could call them beings all he wanted, but he wasn’t one of them.
“I’m sure Carstairs would be happy to sign you and your team up to our diversity trainings…” Nadine clicked her tongue and dipped down to have a better look at the bodies, crouching. Her wand ran above the bodies as she incanted, half-listening to the boys in the background with Andie.
“No signs of spells cast here, of our kind at least.” Nadine confirmed as her magic flitted over the area like a mist highlighting no paths or echoes of magic present. Not that she thought it was a witch or wizard. One of them for sure. They needed tagged and tracked. Confined to their own communities perhaps. She lifted their sleeves and inspected with her wand, “struggled though. Her nail polish is all chipped, he’s got a head wound. Could one of you have overpowered them both?” Her wand twitched in her hand, shall we test?
Post by: Tristan Vaillancourt on August 13, 2016, 04:33:19 PM
But these were grown adults with no lack of recourse to information. Their ignorance disgusted him.
Tristan stepped aside as Pinn conducted her own form of examination, and he resisted the immediate urge to hiss at the witch. Odious, odious woman. No wonder this society did not trust its law enforcers. Before he could answer Cepheus' question, another was posed.
"Could one of you have overpowered them both?"
He had expected his expertise for level 4 to involve more talk of covens and courtesies. Murder was not the foremost subject on the vampire's mind, even if he possessed more experience with it than the average being. His jaw drew taut at the slight movement of Nadine's wand hand.
"Yes." Tristan paused, turning his head minutely to consider the bodies with a more casual air. "An older vampire could have easily taken them without the struggle. A younger one would have struggled like this, and 16 pints would be no trouble if they were hungry."
He did not mention his own age, something he rarely let on. Gamp would know, naturally, but Tristan supposed the others would assume he was reasonably old.
"Bruises, scrapes. It's what we would call a sloppy job," he turned back to the Aurors sombrely. "They either did not care about being found, or they wanted to be."
Post by: Andromeda Gamp on August 14, 2016, 04:59:26 AM
"So we are looking for a new vampire. Or one that did not claim blood at the hospital. Or just a greedy vampire?" Andromeda asked. She did not feel they were getting any closer. She looked at the three wizards from catastrophes. "Is the squib network checking the muggle cameras? I know it will not show up but it is worth a try. The bodies are laid out side by side like they are sleeping. They did not just dump them. I say they wanted them to be found. They want to show they can and they had enough time to do that."
Post by: Jacqueline Devereux on August 16, 2016, 02:34:08 AM
The shadows lengthening in the alley helped to hide the arrival of the perturbed witch. She landed with a snarl, storming her way toward the scene before her. There was a small group formed, one of the aurors casting their power out in search of clues, clues she’d be unable to find – if the attack was caused by vampires, that is. And Jacqueline had very little reason to doubt that that was the case.
She steadfastly ignored the obliviators present, unwilling to bend to the might of Edwin Glass, who would cause the Head Unspeakable no amount of grief should he be promoted to Minister. Jacqueline had found an ally in Zephyr, who supported the Department of Mysteries, and though Jacqueline rarely cared about things she deemed unimportant – this upcoming election had grabbed her interest and held on tightly.
Glass had not been made Minister yet, though, which allowed Jacqueline to interfere as much as she liked, with little fear of repercussion. That said, she would still need to tread carefully – the reputation for her department had gone downhill quickly, with the former Head losing his mind and kidnapping and killing students before getting caught and arrested. She couldn’t afford to bring her department under any more scrutiny than it already was.
Upon seeing the vampire, Jacqueline’s speed march halted, the witch stunned momentarily. When the shock of the stupidity wore off, Jacqueline’s progress resumed, even angrier than before. When she reached the group, her eyes roved over them all, though she seemed to stare at Tristan longer than the others. “Well isn’t this just interesting?” She asked sarcastically, French accent coming out stronger than she anticipated. Before speaking again, she surveyed the scene – from the exsanguinated bodies to the puddles of urine and vomit covering the alleyway.
“It’s obvious that this was a deliberate attack. And this was no new vampire – freshly turned vampires rarely have the restraint to keep things so tidy,” It was true, there was very little blood on the scene, and though Jacqueline hadn’t had many run-ins with the beings, she found it highly doubtful that a new vampire had the ability to keep the scene so well contained. Now that she was there and speaking, Jacqueline couldn’t help but allow her anger to diminish slightly, mysteries always had a way of intriguing the French witch.
Post by: Edward Pratt on August 16, 2016, 12:09:26 PM
“Tristan is the Division’s consultant on such matters, Head Auror. I’m sure Carstairs would be happy to sign you and your team up to our diversity trainings if you need a refresher.”
Yada yada yada, bore bore bore. Gamp’s little jibe was one of many the head auror had dealt with and he didn’t react with more than a smirk. Diversity, he understood. He had female aurors and she treated them the same. Females didn’t suck blood. Unless they were really angry… Then they did so much worse.
Things went from uncomfortable to downright bizarre when the older witch, Mortimer Gamp’s former deputy from Mysteries began to march towards them, intent on being yet another set of nosy eyes on what people seemed to have forgotten, was Ed’s crime scene. Any crime scene belonged to aurors primarily. It was Pratt and his team that would then decide if and when to pass it on. So why the hell were mysteries showing up and why was this old witch explaining to them the tidiness of vampires?
Her gaze lingered over Vaillancourt for a while, apparently not having noticed the Head Auror stood nearby and Ed grit his teeth, considering his words carefully (not something the wizard regularly did).
“Ms Devereux,” He butted in, his voice calm. “This is a crime scene with the main mystery being ‘who done it?’. As far as I am aware, no one mentioned this to your office because it has nothing to do with you at present. Could you kindly explain why you have shown up to my crime scene?”
Post by: Cepheus Gamp on August 16, 2016, 01:25:25 PM
“...Bruises, scrapes. It's what we would call a sloppy job, they either did not care about being found, or they wanted to be.” That wasn’t good news. If they wanted to do this to make a statement, rather than just out of hunger, then there was an underlying issue or axe one of them wanted to grind. Whether it was a rogue or whether it was an existing thorn in their side, Ceph didn’t know. He wasn’t about to line up all the most grumbling vampires on the register to check where they were that night.
“So we are looking for a new vampire. Or one that did not claim blood at the hospital. Or just a greedy vampire?” His sister asked, though Ceph could tell without looking by her tone that she was not convinced that they were narrowing things down. “Is the squib network checking the muggle cameras? I know it will not show up but it is worth a try. The bodies are laid out side by side like they are sleeping. They did not just dump them. I say they wanted them to be found. They want to show they can and they had enough time to do that."
“They are,” one of level three’s bods confirmed to Andie, pleased to be able to contribute. Behind them, Ceph saw the approaching figure of someone he very much didn’t expect to appear here. Jacqueline Devereux had stepped into his father’s shoes in February, taking charge of the Department of Mysteries. Ceph didn’t know all that much about her, but was always a bit uneasy around her. She wasn’t the most likeable character.
“There’s a lightbulb joke here,” Ceph muttered, exchanging a glance with Tristan and his sister, who he thought might get the Muggle reference.
“It’s obvious that this was a deliberate attack. And this was no new vampire – freshly turned vampires rarely have the restraint to keep things so tidy.”
Her muscling in on the situation was not appreciated by Pratt, who at least had someone else to direct his irritations towards.
“Jacqueline is the Head of the Department of Mysteries,” Ceph uttered to his favoured consultant. “Perhaps you were mistaken in hearing there were dementors at the scene?” Cepheus suggested with a smile that feigned innocence, happy to back Pratt up on this one.
Post by: Nadine Pinn on August 16, 2016, 01:31:58 PM
“Ms Devereux, this is a crime scene with the main mystery being ‘who done it?’ As far as I am aware, no one mentioned this to your office because it has nothing to do with you at present. Could you kindly explain why you have shown up to my crime scene?” Nadine got back to her feet, looking smug, though she turned her shoulder a little away from the Department Head while she examined the driving licences of the two deceased.
“Boss,” she uttered beneath the interruptions, to Pratt, “As it’s getting so crowded, I’ll take a ‘bliv and go see the families.” Seeing agreement[1] she jerked her head to the most docile obliviator of the three. Together, they headed up the alley before disapparating.
Exit Nadine
| 1. | Checked with Mel |
Post by: Andromeda Gamp on August 20, 2016, 05:13:36 AM
Post by: Tristan Vaillancourt on September 10, 2016, 12:57:17 PM
He bristled at Devereaux's interruption... she was predictably inexact. But the vampire wasn't the only one annoyed by her arrival, as Aurors and level four alike questioned the presence of an unwelcome party. The more odious of Aurors didn't seem particularly impressed and left the rest of them to deal with the new predicament.[1]
Tristan's eyes followed Nadine only for a moment before he turned back to the investigation.
"Freshly turned vampires don't waste blood, unless they are extremely recent - in which case we would find more than this incident in one night..." he did not look at Jacqueline and proceeded to ignore her as it did seem that she had nothing constructive to add - better to address Andromeda. She wasn't as blatantly uninformed as Pratt. "You are therefore looking for either an older vampire who wants to be noticed, with a sadistic streak. Or a younger vampire, or any combination thereof. This could have been a snack, between two persons."
It was important for him to recapitulate the details: Tristan did not want the Aurors using inaccurate information to find their suspect.
He glanced at Cepheus, then finally at the Head Auror. "To my recollection, there have only been isolated cases of vampire attacks of muggles in the last twenty five years."[2]
| 1. | Note: Attempts have been made to contact Michael but we'll be pressing on with the thread in his absence. |
| 2. | Before the second wizarding war. |
Post by: Andromeda Gamp on September 13, 2016, 04:08:13 PM
"So a vampire on a publicity trip. Or a binge." She summarised. "And we look for others." She thought happy thoughts. He panther patronus exploded from her wand. She sent a message back to base. The squibs would find other bodies. She gave Madam Lumpkin a sharp look. If this was another Level 9 experiment she was going to get really mad. "I have never dealt with one." Andie confessed. Tristan said they were rare so she did not feel bad. "Is there official protocol for this Boss?" She asked Pratt.
Post by: Cepheus Gamp on September 18, 2016, 04:03:49 PM
“Ones reported publicly, yes.” Cepheus agreed with Tristan’s estimation. He looked to Pratt, “Bit hard to track near misses, not always reported to Muggles, and even then, often logged sceptically by the police, or recorded at hospitals as animal bites.”
Andromeda had the foresight to ask Level 3’s network to get on with a search for patterns in muggle emergency reports that night. Cepheus suspected if there were any, they might not reveal themselves until morning when daylight found bodies.
“Right, before this gets contaminated any more, Ed…” Cepheus retreated away from the scene, giving the Head Auror full charge of the scene since Andromedas was asking her superior’s advice.
Cepheus gestured to Tristan to follow so they could confer.
“No sources you can follow up,” he asked in a low voice, “amongst the community? I don’t want this to be pointing fingers, because if this is someone who for whatever reason, is feeding because they don’t know or have no better, we need to get them to the right places. And if it’s not, then we need to know why before the pitchfork brigade begins.”
Post by: Edward Pratt on October 12, 2016, 01:28:09 PM
Bright green eyes finally landed on his fellow auror and Pratt shook his head.
“Not that I’m aware of. Not heard of an attack like this in a long time.” It was something they’d have to read up on. “We’ll have to swot up with the legal team back at Level 2.”
But something the other Gamp sibling said irked the auror and he turned to face his old school mate.
“Right now I don’t care for reasons why this blood sucker killed two innocent muggles; I want him caught. The right place is a bloody Azbakan cell regardless of how unknowledgable they are about feeding.”
A pause as Ed eyed the vampire once more for a moment. “Yer gonna to need to clear the scene. Level 2 personnel only. I’ll forward everyting onto ye.”
Post by: Tristan Vaillancourt on October 12, 2016, 02:10:39 PM
"And if it’s not, then we need to know why before the pitchfork brigade begins."
A soft light entered the vampire's dark eyes, if only for this unexpectedly sensible approach to the matter : but Pratt wasn't one for tact. "Right now I don’t care for reasons why this blood sucker killed two innocent muggles; I want him caught...."
That word. Blood sucker. Black eyebrows rose slightly at the slur, so casually used by the Head Auror. Tristan had heard much worse in the past but never whilst he occupied a position like this. It was strange. Like being allowed backstage at the Ministry, where guards were lowered and officials were shown to be the bigots they truly were.
He wondered if this information was more valuable to the head of the DMLE, or the press. Tristan ignored Ed and turned back to Cepheus diffidently. "I will make enquiries where necessary," he met the man in the eye. "Tonight, in fact."
There were covens beyond the reach of Aurors who he might visit, and all of them far better company than some of the humans here. Glancing at the Aurors, Tristan inclined his head. "Good evening."
And then he wasn't there at all but for a set of black leathery wings that carried him away from the dismal alleyway, still reeking of death.
End