James Moriarty (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
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daybreakacademy2019-11-22 08:55 pm
hatesdeerstalkers) wrote in daybreakacademy2019-11-22 08:55 pm
Entry tags:
APPRECIATING HIGH ART [Mission]
Who: Sherlock, Moriarty, Therion, and Seiji
What: The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities has asked daybreak to go get two items from a certain Auction House. This is the story of the team sent out for that.
When: November 24th.
Where: The Risen Phoenix auction house.
Warnings: Potential violence, THIEVING ACTION maybe
[A simple mission - a request from a Museum, to gain the items 'The Book of Thoth' and 'The Set Beast' during an Auction at the Risen Phoenix, a black tie affair that many of high ranking members of the supernatural attend, in order to socialize, grab connections, and get the chance at items considered lost to time.
Of course, the woman hosting - Marjani Alazar - is a no - nonsense sort, old enough to know all the tricks and ban those who cause an uproar. Because of this, many of the attendees are neutral - or even hostile to daybreak itself, meaning that the team will have to keep their true affiliation private.
The Museum has given them a budget of 5 million to bid on the items - though it doesn't matter if the items are stolen or legitimately gained. However, just before everyone involved gets to the scene, Moriarty says that the budget is actually 10 million, so they should be as aggressive as they wish. He's also come up with a rather simple cover story - they are the proxies for a reclusive rich gentleman named Robert Kraft, who is known for his eccentric interests and donating items once he's bored with them to random museums.
Of course, Robert Kraft does actually exist. He's the 'man' who has his name on quite a few of Moriarty's offshore accounts, but that's neither here nor there.
The Bejeweled Automatons that serve as security for the event nod as they're ushered into the lavish area, where their mission truly begins.
Will they be able to gain the items?
Only time will tell.]
What: The Museum of Egyptian Antiquities has asked daybreak to go get two items from a certain Auction House. This is the story of the team sent out for that.
When: November 24th.
Where: The Risen Phoenix auction house.
Warnings: Potential violence, THIEVING ACTION maybe
[A simple mission - a request from a Museum, to gain the items 'The Book of Thoth' and 'The Set Beast' during an Auction at the Risen Phoenix, a black tie affair that many of high ranking members of the supernatural attend, in order to socialize, grab connections, and get the chance at items considered lost to time.
Of course, the woman hosting - Marjani Alazar - is a no - nonsense sort, old enough to know all the tricks and ban those who cause an uproar. Because of this, many of the attendees are neutral - or even hostile to daybreak itself, meaning that the team will have to keep their true affiliation private.
The Museum has given them a budget of 5 million to bid on the items - though it doesn't matter if the items are stolen or legitimately gained. However, just before everyone involved gets to the scene, Moriarty says that the budget is actually 10 million, so they should be as aggressive as they wish. He's also come up with a rather simple cover story - they are the proxies for a reclusive rich gentleman named Robert Kraft, who is known for his eccentric interests and donating items once he's bored with them to random museums.
Of course, Robert Kraft does actually exist. He's the 'man' who has his name on quite a few of Moriarty's offshore accounts, but that's neither here nor there.
The Bejeweled Automatons that serve as security for the event nod as they're ushered into the lavish area, where their mission truly begins.
Will they be able to gain the items?
Only time will tell.]
SHORTLY BEFORE THE BIDDING
-The Book of Thoth, inlaid with gold and the symbols of the god himself, the tome showing clear signs of age. Yet, even with that, the magical energy that comes from it is almost palpable.
-Mummfied remains of something called 'The Set Beast, done in classic egyptian style, carefully nestled inside of it's own ornate canopic jar. It's impossible to tell what kind of animal it once was, but the care put into the carvings speak to how important it was to the one who had it in there.
-A goblet encrusted with polished Bozar stones and Amethysts, made of some kind of bone or ivory. The magic that comes from it feels inordinately pure, and one feels as if they could drink any kind of liquid from it and be just fine in the end.
-A gold and ruby necklace, clearly of ancient origins. The markings seem to denote it from the same time period as the Sumerians.
-A Katana, without the hilt. The tang on the blade bears the name 'Muramasa,' and one with knowledge of blades would be able to tell that this is, indeed, the legendary swordsmith's signature.
-A dried hand, from which magical energy eminates. You get the sense any thief would kill to have it.
-And finally, a Jade Monkey, with carvings setting it back to Qin Shi Huang’s era. It is playing a drum, and looks...quite bizarre, though there are no innately magical qualities about it.
An interesting selection, to be sure - and in the 30 minutes before the auction begins, perhaps you might want to talk among yourselves on what to go for - in code, of course. There are many others here, of course - perhaps a face or two some of you might recognize.
Relax - in a few minutes, you won't be able to.]
no subject
Father's Egyptian mania has been lasting longer than his previous obsessions, but I doubt it will be a life-long one. I do not have the foggiest what might be his next great affair among these - ah - rather unique treasures, hopefully it would not be too grotesque.
[a convincing contralto, with a diction and crispness so sharp that it must have been honed by the most exclusive and the strictest boarding schools that money could buy]
no subject
[The man at 'her' side seems like the standard butler or assistant - holding himself and acting as is proper for a servant, with his outfit fitting his station but not so opulent as to outshine his mistress, his eyes also checking out the items, but in a more aloof and reserved air.]
Most likely the Master will soon tire of it and donate his collection yet again. Though I suppose the current one is harmless enough - the last one was rather...messy.
[He winces, as if recalling it.]
no subject
While his RA and the professor eye the goods up for auction, he lets his gaze pass idly over the milling crowd. The desiccated hand in its case briefly draws his attention--he doesn't even know what it is, but his own hands itch for it--but then he notices something else. Someone else, who's looking where he's looking.
His mouth goes dry.]
...If I may, this is the lady's first auction of this scale, is it not?
[Everything he's feeling, he keeps it well out of his voice.]
The competition might be yet fiercer than my lady's been led to believe. Best stay on your toes--and keep an eye on your purchases, even after the bidding is done.
no subject
['She' folds an arm over her chest as Therion speaks up, noting how his gaze lingered on the hand and the slight twitch]
Yes, least recently - father had taken me to one when I was quite young, before he decided being around people was not for him... thank you for the warning.
no subject
[Or: Yes, please let your friendly neighborhood thief look at alllllll the pretty security measures and processes backstage.]
no subject
I would be much obliged if they would allow such a close up look. I do confess Egypt is one of his more - interesting fascinations. I suppose we would not be the only ones wanting to inspect the curios right before they come on the block.
[Now to get Therion close, and find good distraction points. Now to approach one of the ushers, it'd be rude to just march up to the mistress of the auction, and put in a polite request]
no subject
He knows someone here.
Up till now, he's been relaxed about this mission, maybe even looking forward to it. Not often he gets the chance to flex his skills in a school-sanctioned activity. But seeing that person here, smirking at the auction prizes like they're already his--
Well. Not if Therion has anything to say about it. If Darius is thinking what he's thinking--steal whatever you don't win--he's going to have a hard time if Therion's there first.]
no subject
He reminded himself to pay better attention to the conversation at hand, for all that it was deceptive, to known when to interject his own thoughts.]
If I may, Miss Arianna...the usher assisting the gentleman to our left seems almost finished, if you would like to make your inquiries.
[He was motioning to a worker near the Jade Monkey. Of the ushers he had assessed, he also seemed one very eager to be helpful. His aura was someone who very much wanted to please and be appreciated for his efforts. "Arianna" should have little trouble charming this one.]
no subject
Ah, thank you Mr. Date. I quite appreciate the help you offered, I do not suppose there is anything that has caught your eye...?
[Light, airy conversation with a slight edge of probing for answers, though once the usher is finished, the 'heiress' excuses herself]
Excuse me, would it be possible for me to take a closer look at a few items in the catalogue before we are to bid on them? I am here on my Father's behalf, and he is quite insistent on knowing every little thing possible before he opens his wallet.
[She flashes a winsome, somewhat apologetic smile, and trying to monopolize his attention so he wouldn't notice if Therion decides to scope things things out.]
no subject
I'm sorry, ma'am - but if you're asking to see them outside of the cases, that won't be possible. We have a strict policy handed down from Madam Alazar herself - that items will only be on display in cases before auction.
no subject
[Even as agitated as he is, Therion can still act without a hitch. And why shouldn't the translator step in to smooth things over between employer and staff? That's is, essentially, his job.]
But if we might still satiate the lady's spirit of inquiry without disturbing the display cases... Would it be possible to demonstrate to her the steps taken after the bidding, as the sold items are readied for transport? [That is, when the items are likeliest to be stolen, off-stage and on the verge of changing hands, anyway.] So we can set her nerves to rest, you see.
[He inclines his head with a wry, winsome smile. Rich people, amirite, bro?]
Unless the items are delivered directly to patrons' hands at the close of bidding, of course, I think it reasonable that a woman might want to see and understand how your establishment protects her investments. Do you not?
no subject
Certainly touching the items directly would be out of the question, but perhaps you could ask that we be provided with more in-depth knowledge into their origins? Your father does enjoy items that come with an engaging history. A story to tell.
no subject
[She nods to Therion]
That would work quite nicely for what I wanted. My father is extremely particular about his hobbies, and I did not wish to disappoint him, and as Mr. Date said is right, he does fancy himself a historian of everything that catches his interest.
BIDDING
The time has come - if you've decided to get the items fairly.
(OOC: There will be subheaders with the item names there - one person must comment if the group is Betting or Passing on the item. If Betting, then they must successfully outbid the maximum amount determined beforehand. Passing means that they will not gain the item through legal means.)]
THE BOOK OF THOTH
This, Ladies, Gentlemen, and those both betwixt and neither - is the Book of Thoth, said to hold the Magical Secrets of the ancient god himself! Though we cannot confirm nor deny these claims, it is an impressively ancient item that anyone would wish to have.
The bidding begins at 500k.
[Almost instantly, a Sign shoots up - and another, then another.
Will you bid, or pass?]
no subject
no subject
However, another sign immediately goes up - from someone who's been bidding the most all night. Will you continue?]
no subject
THE SET BEAST
This, Ladies, Gentlemen, and those both betwixt and neither - is the remains of The Set Beast, carefully kept and brought here in excellent condition. Dating back to the era of Egyptian history when Set's worship was at it's highest, it is a genuine piece of human history.
The bidding begins at 200k.
[A sign does shoot up, but it takes a moment - it seems the bidding is not as fierce on this one as it was for the book preceding it.
Will you bid, or pass?]