IC - Tewfik's Spice Shop

[Laraqua]

Maksim whispers sweet nothings into her ear, sometimes bizarre facts of medicine or other sciences he's picked up, to highlight the incongruity of the situation and get some genuine laughter from her. He pulled her in close at times, clutching her hands, conspirationally whispering so close she could feel his warm breath upon her face. At other times, he hung back a bit, hanging his head to one side, shifting his weight from side to side like a scolded child. He told her anecdotes of his life on the road, of a few con games played against foolish, arrogant men, and of the glam and glitter of his Russian child hood - mentioning with a strange look in his eye, a young girl whose name he seems too hesitant to speak. He'll smooch her hand and lay kisses on her forehead, but won't use the situation to his advantage ... he won't try to kiss her on the lips.

Finally, when he leaves, Maks straightens and rolls his shoulders. "Done," he says with a cheery smile, then blows on his cold hands. "London ... like a warm Russian summer."

[DSIGFUSS]

When the shop keeper leaves.. Nethaniel watches from a distance.

Perhaps someone should follow him back to his flat. See where he's going. If he doesn't keep his superbnatural possession here at the spice shop then he'll need another place for these more intense items now won't he?

Someone'g going to have to have Gwen's back too while she escorts the spice seller on their date.

Nethaniel smiles at Gwen playfully.

I'll break into the Spice shop for a wee bit of agander then..... I don't fancy myself much of a body guard
Gwen. Though I was quite the pugelist back in me glory days. Gave em the old one, two if you catch my meaning!

[Raiko]

OOC: NPC post for Gwen, as Jtull hasn't posted:

Gwen agrees with Nethaniel, “Yes someone should definitely follow him. He told me that he lives in the flat upstairs – above his shop. It will be interesting to see where he goes.”

“I’m very uncomfortable about this situation though – that man saw Timour take the book from by the till, I’m sure of it. But he didn’t react the way that you’d expect! Why didn’t he challenge Timour? It’s as if he was expecting us. And the way he looked at me, it sent a shiver down my spine!”

[Timour Rukov]

Timour's head snaps to attention at the mention of his name, "What do you mean, he saw! He didn't even notice me there in the least!" He looks at Gwen peculiarly and furrows his brow slightly, then yawns nonchalantly. "If you want me to follow him, Gwen, I'll do it, but I really don't know what you're going on about with a strange look. Are you sure that's what you saw, or were you just nervous while you were in there?"

Timour looks at the man's retreating shadow down the street, and hands the book off to Nathaniel. "Hold on to this for me, ol chap. I'm gonna get a bit closer." He smiles at Gwen, then double steps it down the street to catch up, staying right next to the building so that the man won't notice his speed.

[Decrepit]

"Timour, wait," Caroline pleads to his retreating back. "I know you think you're invulnerable, but if he saw you, he could be leading you into a trap."

[Raiko]

OOC,[color=#ff0000][u]OOC:[/u][/color] Trixie, does Timour stop, or carry on? (He is indestructible!) If he carries on does anyone go with him? Gwen won’t do, she’ll burgle Tewfik’s shop with anyone else who takes part.

[trixie]

Spoiler:

Timour probably won't stop, he's walking at quite the pace to have heard Gwen. He wouldn't care if anyone came with him, although Maks might tag along out of some brotherly commitment. That is, if he's not too busy sucking face! hahaha

[DSIGFUSS]

ooc - Nethaniel will burgle with Gwen.

[jtull_84]

ooc- burgle, sweet!

[Raiko]

Look after the others Caroline, we’ll be back soon.”

“Wait Timour!” Without waiting for a reply from Caroline Maksim dashes after his twin, “I know that there is no talking you out of this, but did you think that I would let you have all the fun brother?”

“And if it is a trap, two guns may succeed where one fails.”

Maksim puts his arm around his brother’s shoulders and smirks, “I am a far better shot after all, remember New York!”

OOC,[color=#ff0000][u]OOC:[/u][/color] Sorry for taking so long, I’ll NPC Maksim until Laraqua is back posting again. So... How do you want to break into the spice shop. There is a front door (plus a shop window), a back door in the alleyway, and second storey windows at the front and back. The building is part of a terraced row, so it doesn’t have ‘sides’.

[DSIGFUSS]

Nethaniel curses under his breath as the two brothers race off.

Oh that's bloody well magic then isn't it? I don't suppose either of you birds have a proper screw for the back then?

Nethaniel looks hopefully at Caroline.

Honestly luv... I'm rather hoping your time spent with that sinister Russian bloke has taught you a thing or two bout keyholes and burgling... Don't get much chance to burgle at the Dodgey Pages I'm afraid.... I dare say I'm a fair bit out of practice.

[Decrepit]

"I'm sorry, but I don't know what you're looking for exactly," Caroline says, digging through her bag nonetheless. "I'm afraid our poor Maks has the soul of a poet--a bad one at that."

[Raiko]

OOC,There is a tool set back in the trunk of the car. It doesn't contain a torch, as you learned last night, but it certainly has a large screwdriver. I'll check back here later today to see if you are ready for the break in! I'll also start another thread for Maks and Timour.

[DSIGFUSS]

Nethaniel can't think of anything he could possibly use to help him with his current burgle related endevours.

Spoiler:

rolled a 95 for Idea to think of the tools.

[Raiko]

Behind Tewfik al-Sayed’s Spice Shop
5:30pm – Thursday 29th January, 1925

Caroline remembers the Bentley’s toolset from the night before, and five minutes later the trio are back around the back of the shop with a large screwdriver, suitable for use as a makeshift crowbar.

Nethaniel can’t manage to force the backdoor himself, but Gwen lends a hand and the door’s wooden frame quickly gives way with a faint ‘crack’ sound.

The door opens into a dark storage area. Wooden crates and cardboard boxes are piled haphazardly around the walls of the room. There is another door at the opposite side of the room, which is probably the back door of the shop floor area.

OOC,[color=#FF0000][u]OOC:[/u][/color]Sorry for the minor railroad,but I’ve got my “lets get a move on” head on today. ;) I also knew that Nethaniel wasn’t strong enough to overcome the back door’s STR20 by himself. [u][b]The Dice Rolls:[/b][/u] [color=#008000]Caroline – Idea(80%) – Remember the toolset: 1d100=[28%] Nethaniel STR10 vs STR 20 – Force the door: Impossible (0% chance) Nethaniel and Gwen STR23 vs STR20 – Force the door: (65% chance) – 1d100 = [04%][/color]

[DSIGFUSS]

Nethaniel grins, slightly embarrassed for his waning manhood, as Caroline helps him pry open the door. He bets to himself that either of the two Russians could have opened the door on their lonesome.

He steps in and listensfor any signs of movement.

ooc,Listen check fail rolled a 66

Alright ladies…. Let’s burgle!

Nethaniel hurries to the back, quite nervous and feeling very pressed for time.

Shut the door please luv!

[Decrepit]

OOC: Sorry for the delay--busy and no computer at home still; maybe tomorrow.

Caroline also attempts to listen [but I can't get onto IC right now, so feel free to roll for me]. Assuming that she hears nothing too much like further human presence, she starts peeking in crates and boxes near at hand.

OOC: Caroline passes the check.

[Raiko]

The Storeroom, Tewfik al-Sayed’s Spice Shop
5:37m – Thursday 29th January, 1925

It takes the trio of investigators five minutes to search through the contents of the small storage room, but they find nothing incriminating – everything stored in this room appears to be for use in the shop, rather than for nefarious cult activities. If Tewfik al-Sayed has anything to hide, then it must be upstairs.

[Decrepit]

"Dammit," Caroline mutters. "We'd better hightail it upstairs if we're going to. All this cloak-and-dagger is getting to me."

[DSIGFUSS]

Nethaniel agrees, hurrying everyone upstairs as quickly as possible to continue their search.

Right then luv! Best make haste before our shopkeep returns. To the loft!