2016.05.13:TerritoryDefense

Territory Defense
A team is gathered to run off some intruders.
IC Date	May 12th, 2016
IC Time	Late Evening
Players	Aurora, Bella, George, Halle, Jake, Zoe
Location	The back room of the Curry Corner and the neighborhood near and under the highway not too far from the beach.

George had sent the word out for a job he needed a hand with. The only physical opposition expected is human so it can involve direct participation by kinfolk. He waits at his table with his tea, basket of Naan and bowl of Paneer as he waits to see who turns up for a briefing.

Bella had gotten word! Happily, she had come. Gone was the usual summer dress and cowboy boots, in its place were a pair of jeans and cowboy boots. Her hair is pulled back in a messy bun and she looks comfortable with herself as she approaches where George is. Stepping behind a chair, she inclines her head and offers a tentative smile. "It's good to see you again." She doesn't take a seat yet, waiting to be invited to.

Aurora is here! She's got Zoe in tow, taking her time, just like she always does, though at least there's SOME pep to her step. This sounds Important.

Well, since it was George who sent out the word, Jake just had to show to see if he could be of any help to the Elder. But he doesn't bring his bowling ball this time, nope. He brought something even better. Halle! He opens the door, following her inside and offers George a bow of the head. "Good evening, Rhya. I hope no one is in danger." He offers a nod of greeting to all the others present.

Zoe trails along with Aurora. Zoe is wearing one of possibly two pairs of pants she owns. But they're the good ones! Blue jeans, t-shirt, flannel overshirt, hair in braid. Yep.

Halle gives George a smile as she and Jake come in. "Greeting George-rhya. Hope we can be of help," she tells him. Halle's wearing jeans and a normal top, but also has a jacket with her and a baseball cap for looking less conspicuous if needed. She lets the Garou take a seat first, following Jake over to the table.

George nods and gestures around for everyone to take a seat, the Naan and Paneer get pushed out toward the middle of the table in clear invitation. "Good to see you all too. And no one's in danger yet. Thing is there's a warehouse that Connor and Alessio manage that anchors a patch of territory by Surfer's Cove. Every once and a while some bright bunch get it in their heads that because there isn't a whole lot of criminal activity in that neighborhood they can move in around the edges and carve out some turf of their own. Now seeing as I originally asked those two to set that up I feel its only proper to assist in the securing of that territory but its getting so as I have a bit of an obvious reputation in that hood and if I were to go down to....discourage them again it might wind up in lethal, for them, levels of violence faster than I'd like."

Bella does take the seat when it's offered, the food isn't taken, but she gives him a smile for offering it. A smile of greeting is given to the others she knows, and Aurora as well, one she hadn't met. She doesn't say anything else as of yet, just settles in to listen to what he has in mind, what the task at hand was. At the last of it, she gives a bit of a knowing look. "So, discourage them without it escalating too far," she finally says. "I can manage that.. I think."

Jake takes a seat as well, listening intently to George. "So, it sounds like you're looking for...well, more of a peaceful way to get rid of any criminal activity that's going on there rather than something...too aggressive." He looks over at Halle and the others before adding to George. "Are we just talking...regular gang banger types or something more dangerous?"

Halle settles into a seat. She ooos softly and tries the food that George has provided, just getting little nibbles of each to taste. "And does it need to be... running them out? Or something like... a... citizens patrol that starts calling the cops on them until they can't do business in the area?" Halle asks. "Or, however else people manage to stop such things in their neighborhoods?"

George shrugs at Jake's question "The current batch is all mortal as far as I know. You find out different then that changes things." Ponders Halle's question "Well, if this was the sort of neighborhood the mundane police gave a shit about then I wouldn't have probably had to set a thing up in the first place. A neighborhood watch might work as a cover though, I'm more concerned with what gets done than how. Except for keeping the body count as close to non-existant as at all possible." Bella's understanding seems solid so he just nods at her.

As more questions are given and responded to, Bella files away the information mentally. "The warehouse, you say it's in town or out? Since the mundane police don't seem to care, I wonder if it's already in a crime ridden area, since that's usually the places that are ignored by them." She accepts a cheese cube finally, popping it into her mouth. Food was good.

Zoe eats what she deems is appropriate. Then maybe a little more. It's good food and Zoe is hungry this evening. She listens quietly as George speaks and questions are answered. She looks thoughtful. Wheels are turning.

Jake tries the food that Halle has sampled, seeming to really focus on the naan. He eats slowly, not inhaling it like usual while he keeps listening. "It doesn't sound like a very difficult situation. I think it's something we can all handle without too much fuss and bother." He nods to Bella and waits for George to elaborate on her speculation.

George nods and explains "Surfer's cove is where Olive street runs into the water and the warehouse is on Lincon between Olive and first under the highway. So yeah, kind of a rough neighborhood but definately in town. I don't really get bothered about folks selling joints or even boosting a car or two but when these jokers start getting organized we gotta start worrying about human trafficing and harder drugs. The sort of heavy shit that draws even more banes than would be around an urban enviroment normally."

Halle keeps listening, her expression suggesting she's thinking too. "Maybe a few baseball bats or something else non-lethal would be good to have on hand just in case it gets ugly," she comments towards Jake. Halle looks back to George asking, "Do we know exactly who they are and where they can be found already? Or will we need to figure that out first and then go from there?"

"I don't really know the area yet, but I can sure get to know it really fast." Bella offers to George. "I am sure we all, as a group, have varied skills that will come in useful. I am more than willing to help you in this and look forward to working with the others." The question from Halle is given a nod, and she looks to George expectantly for the response.

Zoe smiles a little and she watches Bella curiously before turning her gaze back to George.

"Yeah, those urban banes are really bad news," Jake agrees then looks at Halle. "Baseball bats do come in handy from time to time. Hopefully it won't even come to physical contact. I'm sure this can be handled through diplomacy. Violence shouldn't even be necessary. Count me in as well. Anything to help you out, George-Rhya."

George frowns "I know where they're not set up. Not the Cove itself and not on the same block as the warehouse. Part of the reason I put out the word specifically for kinfolk assistance, you asking around won't get people's backs up quite the same way. It might not come to fighting but its probably going to involve threats and intimidation at least, that's up to all ya'all as the point team though."

Zoe perks up a little, watching George with some interest. She smiles just a little, settles back in her seat. Cheese goes in mouth.

It seemed to Bella that everyone was interested in helping out, so she glances about to the others, nodding about Halle's suggestion of a baseball bat. "Maybe something to patrol with, but not really sure if we should lug a ball bat around the area asking questions. It's an idea though. So does anyone have any ideas on how you want to handle it?"

Jake considers a moment and sits back in his chair. "Well, I tend to get human's backs up so it might be best if I stayed back and observed while the others handled this. I can stay in a vehicle and wait to see if the situation escalates and get involved if things dicey. I bet the kinfolk can handle this all on their own." He smiles at the women.

Halle nods back to Bella. "Having some weapons close by, at the least. And I don't know if there are more concealable ones in the Sept armory we could use?" At the question of how to handle it, Halle says, "Well, I guess we need to identify them first. I'm fine with chitchatting with people to try to get a feel for what is going on, if we want to try that. Is there any way to find out what's been reported to the police to maybe help us zero in on any particular areas?"

Zoe scrunches her nose, raises a hand to get George's attention "Duh we know how menneh people is dere?"

George nods to Zoe "Six to ten from what I've heard, though that's a day old now. I've got knives and I think there's some night sticks or batons you could use." Otherwise he sits back and lets the group plan.

Zoe nods thoughtfully and she glances at the group, arching brows at her fellows. Or the other ladies, as t'were. "Depens' on hwat skills we god." she says. Yes. Zoe. Thank you.

"I can use my fists and a rifle." Adding also, "And a pistol." Bella quirks her lips in a lopsided smile. "All us southern girls learn how to shoot." The number doesn't seem to bother her though, six to ten. "Night sticks would be perfect. Not sure how well I am with knives, but I can clean a fish."

Halle asks George, "You said a whole lot of criminal activity? Any specifics that we know of? Drug dealing, breaking into homes, mugging...?" Halle asks, trailing off to indicate other unspoken possibilities. Halle looks over to Jake, ready to defer to the Garou but finding he's just listening for now. "Alright, I'll propose Jake contact Trekome or one of his deputies, and get all the police reports in the area. Even if the police do not respond much, they still might have gotten calls. And the rest of us that feel comfortable with it can go befriend the residents, find out what we can. Maybe thinking about moving to the area and wanting to know what it's like. Or maybe your mother is thinking about moving there and you're worried for her. Or just complain about some crime that's interfered with your life and see what others bring up. Just as long as each person keeps their story consistent. Could be we might even want to enlist these people's aid down the road in some fashion."

George nods and shrugs "And Jake doesn't have the reputation I have in the neighborhood so when it comes to some of those we don't mind them being a little frightened that'll be good to."

Zoe nods and she sucks her teeth. "Duh we know who is leaduh?"

Bella falls silent then, looking between those with the questions and those with the answers. "So we have someone in the police force, good." Just thinking of that comment before she reaches for another cube of cheese as the others discuss.

George shakes his head at Zoe "Nope, this group has been around less than two weeks. Not enough time to have made much of a splash yet."

Jake nods to Halle and immediately gets on his phone to Trekome's group to have them start gathering the information she suggested. He talks low as to not interrupt the others.

Halle nods to Bella. "Yes, we have a number of Kin as well as one Elder. And if they've only been around 2 weeks it'll be easier for us to narrow it down to them from any police reports. We should probably make sure Trekome-rhya or one of his team is available to handle any police calls as well in case things go sideways and it gets called in. Speaking of which, getting them arrested could be a way of dealing with them." Halle adds, "I'll take some kind of baton or sap or something, something small. And a bat in the car with Jake."

George adds "For this particular group there's a rumor about a possible Sinaloa connectiong but not a whole lot of detail yet. If you want to do some fact finding first before you roll up on them that works too."

Jake nods slowly, covering the mouthpiece of his phone. "I'll make sure one of the Captain's team is available to step in if any arrests are warranted. It goes without saying that we want to stay within the bounds of the law. Have to set an example, eh?" He grins slightly.

Zoe arches a brow at Jake and she huffs out an amused breath. She isn't toally sure carrying about knives and batons is super street legal. She bites her lower lip and scrunches her nose.

George chuckles and shrugs "I'm all for rendering unto ceaser when its appropriate but we want to avoid official entanglements as much as we can."

Halle hmms quietly in thought. "Well, I probably am not a good person to research this... Sinaloa connection. Any of you feel like you would be good at it?" Halle asks, looking to each person in turn. "I'm probably best at talking to people or looking around. But it sounds like it's worth checking into. We could maybe tag Kevin or Furio to help if no one else feels like it's something they could handle?" Halle says.

Jake looks up at the mention of Kevin and Furio. "They would be a great help. If they're available." He looks over at George to see if he'd be open to them helping.

Bella doesn't know either of the names mentioned, not familiar with them, but she just listens to those who know the people, the city and the territories better, before nodding to George. "Well I can help you out, however you need, just count me in." A smile is given to Halle, "Glad we got some involved in law enforcement. Makes things easier."

Jake chimes in. "I don't know anything about any types of crime families here but I'm sure that if we ask the right questions in that area we'll find out. Sinaloa, you said? Shouldn't be difficult." He looks back at the woman. "I think we all have a little bit of experience in being around law enforcement."

Zoe is just being quiet, since it's one of her better skills.

Halle says, "I'm not really sure how to even broach the subject of this Siniloa. Don't really know anything about them but their name. I'd probably go type their name into that google thing and if that didn't get me anywhere... not sure what to do next." She looks around at everyone. "Ok, so... is there something else we want to do in the way of investigating? Or should we get out and start talking to people?"

George will add "The cartel connection's just a rumor so far."

Jake puts down his phone for a moment. "Okay, I'll call Kurt and have him send over a vehicle with some mace and pocket stunners to bring us over. How about we just get over there and start doing a little investigating first. Talk to people. Scout the area. Maybe someone will even mention Siniloa. Who knows. Just stay close enough to the vehicle so I can keep an eye on you all. If there's any problem I'll be right there to help you out." He looks from face to face. "Sound good?"

Zoe looks at Jake, nods, gives a thumbs up.

Halle will get a sap, or a scoping baton if they have one of those so she can carry it easily concealed. "Alright, ready," she says once she has that on hand.

Zoe could totally dig having a taser.

"Okay, Kurt, we'll be out front in a minute. Thanks." Jake closes his phone and stands up. "Kurt said there would be plenty of weapons for us to choose from in the SUV. Just don't take anything you're not sure how to use."

Jake goes back to talking with one of Trekome's men, keeping it low.

---

Zoe is legit not a cop.

Sitting out on the stoop of one of the buildings Halle makes friends with a little old grandmotherly type sitting there smoking a cigar and waving her cane at any of the young boys who're running around getting themselves into trouble. Which she will tell the pretty young lady all about <<Most of them are good boys, but you must never tell them that. It would shame them in front of their friends. The strangers that moved in though a while back....no one knows them and no one really likes them. They come to this town but they don't have family in this neighborhood and they only hang out with eachother. Up to no good I tell you.>>

Halle is quite expressive, giving suitably rueful looks as she hears about the problem in the neighborhood. While Halle isn't good at speaking Spanish on her own, she understands it when heard, and can parrot back a few of the words she heard that were particularly important. "Los ninos..." Halle says of the boys, "normally buenos," she finishes, a mix of English and Spanish. Halle smiles as she watches the boys at play for a bit before looking back to the woman. "Los extranos," Halle asks, bringing up the strangers. "Mudarse... where?" Halle says, asking in Spanish about moving then, then the English word. She accompanies the English with an exaggerated questioning glance around that should make her question obvious enough.

Aurora just sort of keeps her distance. Rage is a thing and she knows it.

Zoe watches and does her best to just look like a sweet, innocent young lady. She's pretty good at it, since it's not far from the truth.

Jake is spending most of the time standing near the SUV, keeping an eye on the women and when Halle seems to be spending a long while with the elderly lady on the stoop he meanders over, slowly, catching a little of what the woman said...and not understanding a word of it. That's okay though. He realizes that Halle knows what she's saying. Once the woman stops talking and it seems Halle has gotten all the information she's going to get Jake leans forward slightly, but not getting /too/ close to her and says. "Sinoloa?" He waits to see if there is any reaction to the word.

And oh there is. The old lady shifts her cigar to the other side of her mouth and spits to the side Halle isn't on and goes off on a bit of a tear about leaving Mexico to get away from that shit and if these strangers bring the cartels with them she'll beat them with her cane see if she won't. That's all in spansih but the tone and the gesturing make it rather clear. For those that understand it her capacity for profanity is.....impressive. Eventually she calms down and turns back to Halle <<You and your friends, couple of them look a little like they're dangerous. From an american gang? Come to send these strangers packing?>>

Aurora looks SO dangerous. Grrr.

Bella doesn't have a whole lot of trouble in making friends, she just usually does her thing, talks, asks non-invasive questions, friendly all around. She doesn't know Spanish though, but she gets some chatter from a few who don't even look suspicious that she's a cop or anything. Which she isn't. There's an occasional look back to Jake as he watches over them, but she doesn't address him since the person she's talking to doesn't seem to want to open up much. She does listen to what she can understand about the other conversations though.

Halle finds herself liking the elderly woman more and more as she so obviously has stood up to a lot in her life. Halle looks to her companions. <<American gang... no,>> Halle replies, repeating the Spanish words. <<Send these strangers packing...>> "Yes," Halle repeats, her tone making that a different matter. Halle gives a nod of her head. <<Neighborhood... family,>> Halle says, and giving the old woman a smile that shows how much those concepts mean to her, as well as folding her hands over her heart a bit. <<THe strangers hang with each other?>> Halle asks, glancing around again as if trying to discern where.

Halle also pauses to translate for everyone so they are keeping up.

Zoe is listening and quietly taking notes in a small pad. She tends to keep a lot of writing and art stuff on her in her satchel.

The little old lady snorts in amusement <<That's what a good gang is. They moved into an boarded up Bodega and the apartments above it. Down the street that way under the highway.>>

Jake listens to Halle and the woman quietly and steps back a little, turning and scanning the area for a moment. Zoe, check. Aurora, check. Bella, check. Seems everyone is accounted for and doing just fine for now. Any gang youth around? Doesn't seem to be any. No one seems to be paying them much attention either.

Aurora is listening to the words, taking them in, silently, from a distance

Halle translates the news about the bodega and the apartment. Halle doesn't turn to look yet, saying in English, "Let's make sure we don't all turn and look at the same time." She'll wait a bit until no one else is looking that way and then glance down to get a good look at the place. Halle looks back to the elderly woman and gives her a grateful smile. <<These strangers...?>> Halle asks in Spanish, leaving the words hanging in the tone of a question. Halle holds up 1 finger with a questioning look, then a second, a third. "One? Two? Three?" Halle says, hesitating and hoping the woman will indicate how many there are.

Snapping her fingers she answers <<That I know for sure. Six, because one of them walked by complaining about only getting two doughnuts out of the dozen.>>

Bella mostly just listens, she doesn't input much, but as she listens, she takes a look around, curious about the neighborhood, the people. There's a look to Halle, and she sort of mosies in that direction, checking out the person she is talking to, but she's wearing a friendly smile, not wanting to alarm anyone.

Halle shares the information about there being six of the gang members. Then Hallereaches into her pocket and pulls out a few crumpled bills. Those who know her well know she rarely had money, so it might come as a surprise. Halle smooths them and folds them in half and passes them over to the elderly woman. <<For the good boys,>> Halle says simply, not making a very big deal of it. She looks briefly towards the bodega then back to the woman and gives the elderly woman a quick smile, a visual recognition of her having been helpful. Halle turns back to her friends then. "Shall we wander off somewhere away from her and her grandchildren and figure out our next step?" she asks.

Being farther away from the old woman, Jake gets a completely wrong impression of what's being said and the implications behind her words. Seeing that Halle totally has this under control he ambles back towards the SUV, simply making sure there isn't any tomfoolery going on in that direction.

Fierce Concentration ensues as Zoe inexplicably starts to practice ancient paper folding arts, right there on the street. Nimble fingers fold and re-fold some pretty white and pink paper until it resembles a lotus. The girl inspects it, nostrils flare, and she nods. Once satisfied she offers it with polite gravity to the helpful old Abuela.

The old lady took Halle's money and Zoe's flower with quiet dignity, if these rich americans want to pay her for gossip she'll sure let them. She offers the group a wave goodbye as they move off.

And she feels pretty good about it too, could be just finally doing something about the bad strangers but who knows.

"Six," Bella murmurs to herself mostly. "Better than ten." She watches the exchange with Halle and the woman, trying to get a read on things, but the woman seemed pretty good. "Probably a good idea," she tells Halle, "Better to leave her out of as much as possible. I'd hate for them to take her for an informant or something." She stops a moment, watching Zoe with a bemused expression, waving goodbye to the elder lady.

Zoe smiles to herself and she closes up her satchel, at least for the moment. She looks Halle over thoughtfully.

Halle paused when she saw Zoe was doing something. She waits and sees Zoe hand the flower over. Zoe gets a smile from Halle for doing something so thoughtful. Even if Halle doesn't understand JUST how thoughtful. "Yes, don't want to risk anything coming down on them. So six, taken over the bodega and the apartments above it," Halle says, keeping her voice soft as the group moves to rejoin Jake at his vehicle. "And we don't quite know yet if they are connected to this cartel. Though the nice woman seems to have a beef with them. Any thoughts on how to proceed?"

Zoe waits for people to get back in the vehicle, and she scoots herself in close to Halle if possible. She offers the lovely woman a note shyly.

Halle takes the note from Zoe and reads it. Halle smiles to Zoe and says, "Of course, that's sweet of you," to the other woman.

Since Jake was near the SUV at the time he wasn't aware of what Zoe was up to and as the group returns he's on the radio relaying their location to Trekome's men. He then puts the mic down and helps the women inside. "Looks like you got some info, Halle. Good going." Once everyone is inside he takes a deep breath and replies, "I'm not entirely sure. Bella? Aurora? Zoe? Did you get any other info from anyone?"

Zoe shakes her head at Jake even as she starts to fish around in her satchel again. Busy busy. Arts and crafts!

"Nothing anyone else doesn't already have. Six, like Halle said. I don't know anything else. Halle have any ideas?" Bella hasn't been really productive, but she sure is open to any ideas anyone has.

Halle hrms quietly. She repeats the information for Jake to make sure he knows it. Six of them in a boarded up bodega and some apartments above. Halle glances at Zoe as she's drawing with the marker, appearing rather curious, but continuing on with the discussion as she does. "Well, it would be good if we can get the layout of the place. How many doors and windows on the ground floor. Any stairs up to the upstairs or fire escapes or ladders or anything. Bella, you and Aurora feel like going for a walk and make note of everything you can about the building?" Halle suggests.

Aurora nods to Halle, giving Zoe a quick look. Just to make sure she's okay. But then she turns her attention to Bella and she nods. "Yeah. Come on, Bella. Let's go for a walk."

Jake gets back on the mic to talk with Trekome's contact again and gathering as much info on police reports in this area as possible. He then relays what Halle told him to the man to pass on to Trek. Just in case they're never heard from again!

Zoe doodles with bizarre intensity on Halle. She's... yeah. Okay. Zoe is weird. But content.

END PART 1