Small Town Celebrities party log for Sept17-Oct6

[dirtyredneck]

The Redbright students clearly aren't getting enough homework if they have the time to start following their favorite members of supernatural society around for the chance at getting The Perfect Shot of them looking hot. It starts slow and small, for the first week, anyway. Just a random person pulling out their phone and taking a quick shot. Can't even be sure it was you they were photographing. By the five days in, though, they've started making a game of it. Groups of two and three going out together. Following people for a while. Having the audacity to wave when they're looked at. Some even invite their target to take a picture with them and their friends. (If you say yes to that, please do flex a little.)

Ratings on the website change on a day to day basis and currently both Redbright Professors and the Hillingdon Clan lists are the current most popular due to the territory change over and general familiarity with the groups.

Hans Estergaard had been reigning supreme as #1 in Hillingdon since he had the audacity to challenge Sylvia for her seat on the council. An unprecedented length of time! (It's like the students enjoy the idea of someone standing up to Sylvia, the person ultimately in charge of telling them what to do. Go figure.)

Most factions are getting more attention from these folks, though. They really have a lot of time on their hands.

[[ooc: post around like it's a party log. If you want an npc bothering you and want me to play them, put NPC request in the subject line.]]

Comments

OTA, in Barnet territory

[vampire_barbie_girl]

Caroline had first noticed them a few days ago, when she was out exploring the Haringey area, in her continuing efforts to get to know the city. At the time, she hadn't been sure if the group was taking pictures of her or just what was around her. And so she'd gone about her business and put them out of mind.

Then it happened again the next day, when she comes back to to check out a few interesting places she spotted earlier. It was a different group this time, but the same thing happened. She even lead them on a little chase, just to be sure they were really following her.

They really were.

It's almost enough to make her reconsider checking out Barnet next but she decided to go ahead and try it. And, of course, there they were again. This group even waved. Caroline declined to wave back, instead hurrying along her way, not quite watching where she was going.

[catphishing]

Oliver has not had this issue. One of the upsides of being normal. Of course, he's not immune to being run into by people trying to hurry by them without being disturbed. He winces at the impact, immediately stepping back with wide eyes so he's not in her space.

"Oh my god. I'm so sorry."

[vampire_barbie_girl]

"No," Caroline says quickly, "it was my fault. I wasn't looking where I was going. Sorry."

She glances back, just in time to see a flash going off in her direction. She makes a small noise of disgust, then turns back to the person she just nearly ran over. "Sorry, that wasn't directly at you." She sighs heavily. "I'm just having an odd night."

[catphishing]

"That's okay. I can't blame you for being distracted."

He can see the flash, and despite not being a target he's not oblivious to what's been going on. He could probably even do something about it, but revealing the extent of his ability to illegally hack things to a total stranger seems a bad idea. That doesn't mean he doesn't feel bad about her having to put up with it.

"They're jerks. They'll get bored of it."

[vampire_barbie_girl]

"Wait ... do you know what's going on?" It would be great to finally get an answer about that. And figure out where she could go to explore the city in peace.

[goodgraces]

While returning from an in-home visit to one of the Redbright kids, her head filled with ideas for their next session, Guinevere paused to log a few notes into her phone. Stopped as she was in the middle of the pavement, she had to dodge quickly out of the way when a distracted pedestrian went rushing by.

Only after the woman passed did Gwen recognize her. Or, at least, she thought she did.

“Caroline? Is that you?” she called out while hurrying to catch up. “It is! How are you?”

They didn’t know each other well enough for hug, so Guinevere reached out to warmly grasp the other woman’s arm instead, leaning in slightly as she did.

As soon as she touched her, the gaggle of Redbright students across the street raised their phones in unison, excitedly snapping shots of the pair.

[vampire_barbie_girl]

"Gwen!" Caroline knew so few people in the city so far that it was a treat to see a familiar face. "I'm doing great, how are you?"

She was aware of the group taking pictures but she didn't actually look at them. Running away hadn't worked, maybe just ignoring them would. And if not, at least she'd get to see one friendly face tonight.

[goodgraces]

“I’m doing well. Busy, as always.” That was a simplification of things, but now wasn’t the time for a deep discussion. “In fact, I've just finished up a late visit with a student. What about you? Do you live around here?”

The group of Redbright stalkers was growing more excited. Some of them even began to move closer, getting bold as they vied for the best shot.

[vampire_barbie_girl]

"Oh, you're a teacher? That's pretty cool. I live in Hackney, so pretty close." Caroline paused, wondering if she'd just given out too much information. Oh well, if she had, there wasn't much she could do about it now.

"Do you have any idea what's going on with, uh ..?" She angled her head in the direction of her photographers slightly.

OTA; Hillingdon House

[constantprisoner]

Do to generally being less than connected to the rest of the world, it had taken Sirius a bit of time to learn about these rankings. He'd mostly just chanced upon it after hearing some hunters discussing the ratings, and figured he ought to check them out himself. If there were pictures of him circulating in this manner, that wasn't good and he should probably figure out how to put a stop to it.

"This can't be right," he says, mostly to himself. However, it's hard to tell if he's referring to the pictures, or his rating.

[dirtyredneck]

Daryl, not sure what was getting Sirius confused - and liking the guy just enough to quietly volunteer to help out on stuff without being asked - siddled up behind him. He leaned over the other shifter's shoulder, squinting at the screen. The crease in his brow deepened into a frown and he straightened up. Then he lightly slapped the back of Sirius' shoulder to catch his attention, "'s stupid shit. Ignore it."

[constantprisoner]

"I'd like to, but I'm a bit concerned about how they got these pictures."

Mostly because he thought he was being careful when he went about his business. And if this fan club was following him, how difficult would it be for someone with ill intentions to do the same? Not to mention that none of them were any good, which was likely affecting his rank but he'll avoid saying anything about that.

[dirtyredneck]

That brought Daryl up short and he tilted his head at the man. "Why? You been tryin' to hide from someone?"

[constantprisoner]

"Something like that, yeah," Sirius replied, mentally kicking himself. His complacency is showing itself again. "It's a bit of a long story."

SEMI-OPEN; Ft. Elaine of Corbenic

[knightscode]

Elaine hasn't been a part of the supernatural community as long as some, but she's become involved in a big way -- despite being shy and reclusive she's a good student. She spends a lot of her spare time studying and researching online, catching up on everything she's missed, and that's how she stumbles on the NHILF forums.

What surprises her is that she recognises someone.

The list of Daybreak members isn't quite as lengthy as some, a lot of Daybreak members are slightly older members of the community -- and many a little intimidating to approach -- but Lancelot stands out to her. She remembers meeting him once before. It had been a short meeting, but one that had stuck with her. She'd been caught in one of the sudden Autumnal bursts of rain and he'd stopped beside her with his umbrella, held it over her and asked her where she was heading -- escorted her as far as the station.

She makes it her business to do two things -- one, to get him higher up this list like he deserves and, secondly... to work out the best way to meet him again.

---

i)

Lancelot still has an every day job as well as his work as a Guardian, and he's out and about in his reflective yellow Community Officer jacket on Friday in the bright sunshine. Lily isn't with him, but he does have a different shadow. A woman with red curls is somewhat conspicuously watching him as he adjusts his radio and turns into a sandwich shop, stands in line chatting and finally emerges again something to eat.

She's still watching him as he continues down the road, and after a moment begins to walk after him. Her phone is out, and she's typing rapidly as she moves -- dodging with the expert air of someone who does this quite a lot. Stopping just a little distance away as he waits at a crossing she takes a picture, chewing her lip, and he finally senses something. Looks up and over in her direction vaguely. She darts away into the crowd and he's left standing at the crossroads, unsure if he's missed anything. Did he imagine it?

ii)

The second time he catches her he's leaving his other job. Lancelot has been working late, trying to catch up still on things he missed when he had time off after Raymond's little incident. He's tired, but even tired Lancelot is aware of his surroundings. Partly due to the fact that he's a Meta Human, and partly due to his nerves and general paranoia being a touch elevated after being kidnapped.

He pauses a moment on the steps, glances around warily and begins to pocket the phone he'd been fiddling with. It's dark, and Elaine is hiding well enough, but his senses are sparking the way they do when something is going on.

"Who's there?" he tries, because even if it's a not friendly he'd rather see who he's dealing with. He's had this nagging feeling of being followed for a few days now, and in truth he's starting to wonder if it's all in his head.

iii) -- for Faolan

It's been an odd few... well, months truth be told. Yet Lancelot is more than determined to have at least one day where nothing unfortunate or strange happens.

If that will be today, well, he isn't quite sure. Faolan had suggested they meet up for dinner, and Lancelot dresses to the smart-casual instruction he is given and heads out to meet him outside the cafe Faolan has chosen. Why Faolan has decided it is to be a surprise Lancelot isn't sure, but neither does he particularly mind. He's tidied himself up, dark navy jeans and a thin, black v-neck sweater with a light coat done up in fear of potential rain. He's early, so Lancelot fully expects to be standing around for at least a few minutes, but he doesn't mind that. The trains can be so predictable that he'd rather be early than late.

[reticence]

Well, Lancelot had agreed to this which was more than Faolan had anticipated. It leaves him puzzled whether the other man had known just what he had been asking when he had suggested dinner together however. He's made the offer in the past after all, a demonstration of his friendly affection for the other man. But it hasn't been friendship that had spurred him into asking this time. And the readiness with which the other man had agreed (even despite the state he had been in at the time) leaves Faolan questioning.

Still, he's going ahead with it. Dressed up himself this time as well, in black jeans, a button-down shirt and a nicer black leather jacket than the usual beaten brown one he wore almost every other day. (One might say that that jacket is his dress leathers.) He's picked what he has researched to be as perfect a restaurant as it can be given the circumstances and as he makes his way to the meeting spot he's going through every possible worst case scenario to try and prepare for them.

He grows distracted of course by the fact that Lancelot has already beat him there. "Hey," he says, as nonchalant as he can be given the circumstances. "You're here early."

[knightscode]

He wrinkles his nose a little at that, gives a minute shrug.

"The trains aren't running out of Richmond today. I had to take a bus part of the way, so left early."

Since a bus always takes at least twice, sometimes three times as long as the trains do. They have to deal with traffic and weave through all the little roads.

"I made it, though! So, where are we going?"

What's the surprise? He's curious, and for some reason the only suggestion his brain had found was something along the lines of 'secret dog themed cafe?'

[reticence]

"It's just down the road," Faolan replies, and doesn't quite answer the question directly. "Not too far to walk. I thought that this might be a better meeting spot. Especially," he raises his eyebrows pointedly at the other man, "in case I didn't end up being the first one to get here." It was still a few minutes before their appointed meeting time after all, but that didn't really matter. It's better than to be left waiting and growing increasingly cold feed as he does.

"Here," he sticks his hands in his pockets and nods them forwards, starting off down the way himself. "This way." The hands in his pockets are of course to keep himself from fidgeting. Act natural, he tells himself. What would he normally be doing right now? Talking? He tries to strike up some sort of idle conversation.

"So," he starts, glancing sideways at the other man before deciding looking down the road before them is safer. "How...have you been?" Hardly a natural question -- they'd only seen each other at work the day before after all. Faolan kicks himself internally.

ii

[goodgraces]

Guinevere is a woman on a mission. Earlier in the week, one of her students, Finley Taylor, had been caught in possession of dark contraband. Now, his entire family is panicking, talking nonsense about protecting him from roving Guardian Death Squads™. In an effort to pull them all back from the edge, she has offered to stop by the Night Council Headquarters to speak with someone about his case. Now, she doesn’t expect to be told any specific details; those are privileged information. However, if she can find out how this sort of thing is usually handled, then hopefully she could use that information to allay the worst of their fears.

As luck would have it, Gwen is able to find a very understanding guardian, whose manner is stern but also reassuring. More importantly, this guardian is willing to patiently answer all of her questions, even the ridiculous ones that Finley’s mother has ‘helpfully’ suggested. After taking down several pages of notes and acquiring a small folder of official Night Council literature, Guinevere thanks the woman for her time before making her way out of the building.

Distracted by the act of juggling a multitude of items while trying to answer another paranoid text from Mrs. Taylor, Gwen fails to notice the person standing directly in her path. Sadly, she only realizes this mistake at the moment of contact, the jolt of which causes her to lose hold of everything she’s carrying. The notebook, folder, loose papers, and her phone all fly in different directions.

“Oh! Sorry!” Guinevere drops to her knees, scrambling to pick up everything. “That was my fault. I really should’ve been paying more attention.”

[knightscode]

Lancelot senses her before he sees her, the prick of a warning about the collision and the faint feel of fae magic. He turns just as she nearly trips into him, surprised and embarrassed at the same time. Maybe the person he was sure was watching him was nothing after all? Maybe he's paranoid now. Maybe he still hasn't recovered from Raymond's men taking him. He blinks at her a second, takes a breath and finally drops to help her pick things up.

"No, no please -- I was miles away myself."

He shuffles the papers together, trying to neaten them back up into one pile for her -- eyes vaguely taking in the range of documents. Night council documentation is hardly thrilling, she must have a reason for having so much. He doesn't think he recognises her....?

[goodgraces]

“I suppose most people who come here are distracted by something heavy that’s weighing on their mind: important work to be done, justice to be served, and all that.”

Having gathered up everything she can, Guinevere gratefully takes what Lancelot has collected, thanking him briefly before standing up and brushing herself down. While doing so, from the corner of her eye she spots a fleeting burst of movement. When she turns her head to follow it, there’s nothing to see. Shrugging it off, she offers her hand in greeting.

“Sorry, where are my manners. I’m Guinevere. Nice to meet you.”

Open - somewhere in Hillingdon

[roddy_reinigen]

At first, Roddy was confused by all the girls taking pictures. He wondered if it was part of...well, he had no idea, honestly, but they waved when he noticed them, so he gave a confused smile and wave back. As it went on, however, he began to think it was pretty cool. Maybe the girls found out he was the DJ at a handful of raves in the area? He honestly had no idea.

Until he found the website. Okay, maybe he should be bothered by the fact that they managed to get so many pictures of him without him noticing, but really, all he could bring himself to think was an excited, ecstatic 'OMG, I've got a fanclub'! And he was #3, ranked higher than Faolan and numerous others. There was only one thing that had to be done. He had to get out and spread the word.

Grinning, he rushed out of his trailer to head over to the Hillingdon House to see who was there.

[dirtyredneck]

Daryl himself (at #7 wtf?) was busy glaring at a small horde of eight college kids standing at the other end of the parking lot taking pictures of whoever came in and out of the house. He was leaned up against the door, playing at being a guard in case they tried to come inside and further disrupt shit. It was bad enough they were in the lot. But the recent treaty with Redbright meant he needed to play a little nicer than he normally would have to scare them off.

If Roddy wanted to crow about his high ranking, well, Daryl was the first person in he'd see when he got to the House.

[roddy_reinigen]

When Roddy rushed up to the door, he was grinning excitedly, "Oh my god, you wouldn't believe..."

Then he trailed off as he realized the person he was talking to was Daryl. Intimidating, gruff, Daryl. Daryl who had ranked...what had he ranked again? Lower than Roddy, that much was certain. Did he really want to brag about his high ranking and his gaggle of fan girls to Daryl?

"Oh...uh...hi, Daryl," he said. Then registering how Daryl was glaring at the fangirls, he added. "You seem annoyed."

[dirtyredneck]

Daryl's eyes drifted over to the rat only briefly. His attention was pretty firmly fixed on the students intruding on the Clan's territory.

"Buncha kids over there," he lifted his chin toward the group. "All they're doin' is bein' a nuisance. Taking pictures of everyone they can. It's bullshit."

After a moment, he shifted his body a couple inches to the side in case Roddy felt he needed the space to go around him when heading inside. He didn't want to make the guy feel he couldn't come and go just cause Daryl was there.

"They're taking your picture now. Want me to tell 'em to stop?"