[September 18, 2020. 1530 GMT] [Ari and Red catch a high speed train up to Scotland.] * Red enjoys the ride! [After a quick jaunt on a local train they get a car up to the campus. It's slightly isolated in a natural hilly area by a loch, providing for nice scenic vistas. Cars driving up now, but not on campus yet good time for any last minute IC discussion.] [Start] What a lovely location. * Ari glances out the window. "It is rather nice. I've never been this way before." * Red drives the car along, forcing herself to go at a sedate pace. So, we're here, we look goonish... don't forget the earpiece reciever, Ari. Part of the costume. * Ari blinks. "Goonish?" She takes the earpiece receiver and attaches it, then checks her datapad briefly. Yes. We're here to play the government goon, and we want to look the part, because that's what they're expecting, and if they get something other than what they're expecting they'll pay too much attention. Ahh. Logical. * Red drives along! Don't suppose there's any sign of a parking lot? * Ari looks down at herself. "Well, I was considering buying new clothes anyway..." ( "Yeah, dirt roads are what you get when you don't take the school-exclusive train." ) [As you get onto the campus itself you can see a stone keep up on the hill, the core building of the school. There are also a smattering of other buildings spread around campus, including a boat house, some sort of playing field, a greenhouse and aviary, wide mix.] [There's a small lot near the outside of the campus. Nothing very big and bit of an uphill walk to get the rest of the way. The road continues but seems only really maintained for emergency purposes.] Not much on automobiles, it seems. Go figure. They're mages. They likely have far more interesting means of transportation. That or a big red train. * Ari smiles briefly. "That as well." * Red parks the rental and steps out. She's wearing a black suit with white shirt, and shoes with flat, rubber soles. And an earpiece. And some shades she puts on after exiting the vehicle. * Ari gets out of the car and shuts the door behind her. She's wearing an outfit like Red's, only her shirt is white. Her dark blond/light brown hair has been put up in a bun. She slips the shades on and tucks her datapad under her arm. "Goonish it is, then." [And this is supposed to be a surprise inspection, so no one down to visit you just yet.] * Red adjusts the collar on her white MIB shirt and then makes sure her red handkerchief is visible sticking out of her coat pocket. Must have something red. * Red strides up to the keep. Admiring the scenery as she goes, because it is lovely scenery. * Ari walks alongside Red, although she has to take two steps for every one of Red's strides. [As you make your way up to the keep, you notice a group of students moving at various speeds from one of the outer buildings, you'll probably hit the door about the same time they do.] * Ari motions at the students. "Should we let them arrive first?" * Red refrains from smiling and slows down slightly. "Yes. Maybe they'll see us coming and alert someone. We do want them to know we're here, as it's in keeping with normal procedure. That, and I don't like the thought of what they might do if they do to us if we just skulk around unannounced." (Awareness rolls as you hold back) We are, after all, trying to arouse the minimal amount of suspicion. Admittedly, our presence here will create some amount. [There students pause briefly at the gate and you can hear a few people talking, after a few seconds one heads in followed in a bit by the rest. No idea what happened there though.] I think we've been noticed, dear Ari. [Slight modification. Red has no idea what happened there.] Actually, it was more of an argument between two of the students. They may or may not have noticed us. Oh? Did you hear what it was about? No. But I am fairly certain that I recognized Mallory Corwin and Dustin Amherst. Corwin tried to push his way past Amherst, and words were exchanged. Ah ha. At any rate, I suppose it is time we began our inspection, correct? Indeed you are. ( Still walking, have we gotten there yet? ^^ ) [Red and Ari make their way up to the top of the hill. The front gate actually is a grand set of doors at least fifteen feet high, though there's a smaller normal sized door open in one of them. The words "Preparatory Academy of Magic." are quite visible above the archway.] [General architectural style: Gothic! Very exciting.] * Red walks in through the open smaller door in the front gate. As much as her sense of drama demands that the big ones be opened. o/` * Ari has a very small sense of drama, and thus walks through the smaller door without even a second thought. [The gatehouse is large but has an enclosed feel, perhaps because you can see the bottom a portcullis and a few murder holes in the ceiling. There's aged arcane banners hanging on both sides. There's also a centaur waiting a bit inside the door.] What business have you here? * Ari looks unsurprised at the centaur. Perhaps she read up before she came. ^_~ * Red manages not to gawk at the centaur, despite her inclination to do so. Instead she flashes the centaur an SAB badge she got just for that very purpose. "Supernatural affairs branch. We're here for our inspection of the school." * Ari pulls out her badge and shows it as well. * Centaur eyes the two of you for a minute and inspects the badges. "Right. Come this way. I'll take you to see Ethelbert." Thank you. * Ari nods to him and starts following. * Red follows as well. * Grysar leads you into the entrances hall. There's more banners and a higher ceiling and doors leading off in several different directions. (Wow, we're being guided by the GM! ;p) (Doesn't get higher class than that.) [(Centaur does that)] [Centaur then leads you up a stairway into a four story high room with scads of paintings on the walls. There were a few in the entrance hall, but more here. Wide variety of subjects, some apparently lifted from fantasy books. A few figures wave and more eyes folow you.] (Scads!) (+1 vocab points.) [The stairways themselves do turn and occassionally decide to go forty five degrees down rather than forty five degrees up.] * Centaur loudly clomps along and seems to know just the route to not have to spend more than a second or two waiting on a stair. * Red takes mental notes on the interior as she goes along, and then marvels at the sight of a horse-man climbing stairs. She nods to those that wave. ] * Ari keeps a close eye on her surroundings, and seems rather intrigued by the whole affair. [You eventually reach the top. He looks to the two of you, illumuinated by the light of a supernatural torch burning in a sconce nearby. There's a standing pair of suits of plate armour on either side of the balcony up here.] This is as far as I can take you. * Ari nods politely to him again. "Thank you for the escort." * Red raises an eyebrow in question. * Centaur nods to Ari and then pulls down the arm of the left suit. A spiral staircase descends from the ceiling and settles onto the balcony you're standing on. Thank you. * Ari begins heading up the staircase! * Red does as well! [The centaur clomps off and you ascend to a rather fantastic headmasters room. There's a wide range of presumably magical devices of all sorts and fancy bookshelves interspaced between tower windows offering a terrific view.] * Red glances around. Nice. * Red tries not to look like she's looking around much, as impressed as she is by the room. Instead, she looks for the headmaster only. Hopefully he's there. * Ari walks into the room. Yes, she looks impressed, and can't hide it this time. [And you notice the occupant, he's got a chair looking out that he spins around with a bit of dramatic flair. "Greeting inspectors, how may I help you?" [The man in the chair looks like Alvar Ethelbert, has a nice beard and fairly flowing robes that he looks rather natural in.] Well. You can help us most by answering one or two brief questions. If you don't mind. * Ethelbert nods sagely and puts his fingertips together. "Certainly." First, has there been anything happening in the school that is out of the ordinary? Oh, quite a great deal I assure you, but I assume you mean ordinary for here. In which case..." He thinks for a moment. That is what we meant, yes. * Red nods in confirmation, forcing down the desire to smile. There's been some students trying to sneak out during night, some accessing of forbidden knowledge, and a few dangerous encounters with monsters in the woods, but all within the bounds of the charter. After all we wouldn't be a full service arcane educational facility without a dose of each of those. True. Those sorts of things are almost traditional. Is this about Lynn's complaints? I've tried to make as much time as possible for mundane education, but I can't afford to take more time away from the Arcane classes, ignorance and the magical arts can make a dangerous combination. Lynn, sir? Ms. Theobold, our mundane studies teacher. Even in an academy such as this we believe it's important not to neglect traditional science and history. A wise course of action. * Red nods. "But no, this is not about her complaints. Can you tell me more about the students trying to sneak out at night?" * Ethelbert nods. "Well most don't get very far at all. Maris Richmond has been caught in the library after lights out, but I doubt that concerns you." No sir. We're more worried about students sneaking out to do things less inoccuous than study. * Ethelbert continues. "Mallory Corwin has a penchent for ignoring rules, but not that surprising really given his sad case. I don't think he's ever made it off the ground." * Ari raises an eyebrow. "Literally, sir?" * Ethelbert chuckles. "No, I mispoke, never made it off the grounds. He has grabbed a broom before but we have protections." Only other student of note would be Crystal Moonbeam, she's never been caught going off the grounds, but she's been implicated more than a few times in sneaking in illicit items. Cigarettes and the like. So, contraband. Nothing major? Maybe something we haven't caught, but what do you mean by major? * Red thinks. "Large, unusual items. About the size of, say, a basketball?" She gestures with her hands in case he doesn't know what a basketball is. Unlikely, but perhaps possible, she's quite cunning. Would you like me to arrange an interview? Only if it's necessary. Perhaps we could merely speak to her between classes? Or would that interfere too much with her schedule? This is the last period for normal classes. If you're staying here a while you could speak to her in ::glances at a big floating hour gllass:: about twenty minutes. That would work nicely. If we could, there are other students it might be helpful to speak with, as well. You mentioned a Mallory Corwin, for example." * Ari is paying attention, honestly. It's just that Red has far superior people skills. As in, she actually has them. ;p (^^) * Ethelbert nods. "You can certainly speak to him, I'd just recommend you not come on too strong, he doesn't always react well to authority." * Ari nods. "Noted, sir." * Red nods. Has there been any unusual computer activity lately? Well, our lab tends to have a fair amount of trouble ever since we opened it. I suspect it's all the arcane energy around, you're welcome to check it out. I would like to, if you don't mind. Arcane energy and computers can mix in strange ways. * Ethelbert nods and smiles charmingly. "Certainly, and they do indeed. May I help you with anything else?" * Red nods and looks thoughtful. "No, I believe that's it for now. If we have more questions, can we expect to find you here?" If I'm not here Mr. Borland should know where to find me. I'm rather looking forward to the jambalya tonight in the great hall, you're welcome to stay for dinner, it'll be quite an affair. * Ari nods. "Thank you very much for your help, sir." For Jambalya, I just might. Thank you for your help, sir. * Ethelbert nods amd smiles. "You're quite welcome and I hope your inspection goes well." Ah, where is the computer lab, by the way? It would make a good first place to go while we wait for classes to end. Third floor front side of the keep. Thank you, sir. * Red heads down the spiral staircase which prevents entry by centaurs. * Ari follows Red down. [The stair rises against once they reach the bottom. Centaur isn't there at the moment.] * Red makes note of the statue used to bring down the stairs, and then glances about to see if there are any other offices in this hallway. * Ari pauses for a moment and concentrates. [Red doesn't notice any in the main stairway hall, but may well be some on this floor.] ( Sorry, I thought we were in a regular hallway. ) We'll be back here later, I believe. First the computers, then the students. The students will be tricky. * Ari hmms softly. * Red heads down the stairs, looking for the third floor. * Ari follows her down and stops when they reach the third floor. "This way." [She gets there, it's between the fourth and the second. :P] * Ari exits the stairway and starts heading down the hall. She seems completely sure of where she's going. * Red follows Ari, then. [Ari leads you to a room with a closed door. The label overhead of the door reads "Diabolical Artifacts and Constructs."] * Ari is, interestingly enough, smiling rather widely as she reaches the door. * Red raises an eyebrow. "What's this, then?" (...this can't end well.) (Because she's diabolical of course) * Ari chuckles as she reads the sign. "The computer lab." And it's quite... remarkable. * Ari knocks on the door. How so? (Instead of you hacking the computers, the computers hack you) (HA.) Their network is very... powerful. [After a few moments the doors are opened by a slightly unkempt man in robes who just stares at you a bit. "Ack Viruses! Everywhere! Technology walks amongst us!" He then shakes it off for a moment and goes back to a desk. "Uh.. sorry, lab rules are on the walls." * Red doesn't comment, and comes in and looks at the walls. * Ari laughs. Yes, laughs. * Ari reads the rules as well. * Red blinks and looks at Ari. "Are you quite alright?" [Standard stuff, with a few extra restrictions. Apparently wands are to be kept in pockets at all times during the lab. Hastening magic is strictly forbidden!] Oh, yes. Very. (The ultimate download accelerator.) And I'm sorry if you experience any technical difficulties, the computers seem to be experimenting with states between 0 and 1. Very well. Let's see what there is to see? * Ari looks at him. "States between 0 and 1? How is that possible?" ( at least it's not a 2) (Red's going to have to physically yank Ari from conversing with the guy.) (She is!) Decimals? (And you thought there was nothing for you here.) But this should be binary. And it isn't? How fascinating! How long has this been going on? Have you attempted to record any of the data? * Ari looks extremely animated. Her eyes have lit up (well, not literally) and she's making gestures with her hands as she speaks. Again, disconcerting. * Unkempt man sorta fades in and out as he talks. "Decimal is heresy... And I have, but it keeps changes when I'm not looking. I'd have quit long ago if it weren't for the pretty butterflies." ::He sorta stares off at one now:: * Red looks around and has a seat at one of the computers. (...you've walked right into SIG-ASP, and let me say I am TERRIFIED.) (*cracks up again*) ( ...wow, you're right. ) * Ari blinks and attempts to calm herself down a bit. "I... see. You wouldn't mind if we had a look around here, would you?" * Guy looks at Red for a moment. "Murrrddeerrer." He then shakes it off. "Uh, no, sure." * Ari smiles. She seems to have paid absolutely no attention to the murderer comment. "Thank you." * Ari has a seat at one of the computers. * Red boots up the computer she's looking at; or wiggles the mouse, if it's already running. [The computer was already running and has a standard login screen up. There's instructions on how to guest login on the wall.] * Ari logs in as a guest. She hums an indeterminate tune as she does so. * Red decides to walk on the wild side and tries to log in as administrator, just to kill time. [The computer goes to desktop, nice dragon background.] * Ari checks what kind of applications they have. [Actually fairly standard suite, aside from the specialized aps for astronomy/astrology, guides to potion interaction, and a wide variety of magical references.] (Let's see, as the admin? Give me a +2 computer (security) roll) [Red manages to pull some tricky work and gets in. The password, oddly enough, was "Millenium hand, and shrimp."] * Ari tries to call up the network information for this computer, like what sites have been accessed with it, files sent, etc. If she can't tweak things enough as a guest to do it, then she'll just have to resort to other methods. (Give me a networks roll Ari.) * Red looks at what information she can - a list of student accounts would be wonderful. [Red finds the list of students!] [Ari finds first off that these computers aren't the greatest on information storage, but sort of can have missing files teased out of them gently if you know how to do it right. She discovers that apparently there's a lot of school projects on Succubi or Incubi because students do a disprortionate amount of research into them. There's a mix of offsite accesses, fair number of people following soccer...] * Red checks on what... say, Mallory Corwin has been up to. (Let's see. Databases roll Red) (*eyes Ari's results and CRACKS UP*) ( Oh, my. ) [Mallory seems to have done a great deal of research into dark wizards and others. There's also been some research into SAB itself oddly enough, he does a surprisingly good job knowing what to look into. Oddly enough, he's also done a fair amount of research into one Emma Yates. A name Red would recognize if she read briefings and logs IC. Die, reincarnate, bare the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune? * Ari murmurs. "This is absolutely *fascinating*..." I'm sure it is, dear. We can come back later so you can look about to your heart's content? But for now we have work to do, yes? * Ari sighs. "You're correct. This is not why we came." * Red looks into Crystal Moonbeam next. (Database roll) * Ari looks like a little kid whose parents have told her it's time to go to bed now. She sighs again and looks over at Red. "What have you discovered so far?" Sometimes when you stare into the network, the network stares back at you. (...yep. SIG-ASP.) * Red says in quiet tones, "That young mister Corwin is very interested in certain dark wizards - as well as Emma Yates. Not sure what sort of interest, yet." * Ari stares at the man briefly, then shakes her head. Then she looks over at Red and says softly, "Oh?" But, if I had to guess, I'd say he was examining potential enemies. I might re-examine that after talking with him. We'll see. * Unkempt man scratches at his head and types away for a bit. Hmm. I guess we will see. Do you want me to search for anyone else in particular? The boy Corwin was arguing with. Let's get something on him. I'm looking at the smuggler the headmaster mentioned. [Red, after a great deal of searching, finds that Crystal has only logged on a few times and has done almost nothing interesting while logged in.] * Red sighs. "Too much to hope, I suppose." * Red considers looking into other students, decides Ari's better at it anyway, and goes to see if they have solitaire on this computer. * Unkempt guy wanders over to a minifridge and pours himself a Mountain Dew. [End in here!]