It had not been very long after the Koenig had brought him the packet of intel that Rafaele had planned to go out into the field and do some of his own digging. He had severely dressed down for the job. Blue jeans, sneakers, a plain shirt sleeved black shirt and a leather jacket thrown over top. His wavy, pale hair tied back in a half ponytail at the back of his head. Waves of silky hair cascading along his shoulders. He was a good looking man, it was hard to hide that. But he would be less conspicuous in this attire than his usual style of dress.

Who knew if anyone had been watching the place for a few weeks after the transaction. Rafaele stood in the curb across the street and down a ways from the shop that was nestled neatly in the business district of the city. It was late in the evening but the shop lights were still on. Run by vampires or some other creatures of the night he supposed.

But what was so important about this artifact? Why had they purchased it? How had it ended up here of all places? What was it for? These were all questions the Machiavelli had planned to find out tonight. One way or another.

Slipping his hands in his pockets he walked along the sidewalk until he was across from the store. Stepping off the curb he crossed with just a few long strides to reach the other side. Standing in front of the door he tilted his head back to read the sign. “Occult Curios and Trinkets of Mystery. Hm.” It was an unassuming building. Red brick with large glass front windows and your typical shop door. Nothing to hollar about really. The windows were filled with baubles of all sorts but there was only one he had come here to find out about.

He confidently entered the building. Pretending to just be a curious customer that happened to wander by and stop in to snoop was easy enough. Rafaele moved about the large room, stopping to lean down and peer at items periodically or lifting things up as if to get a better view. The shopkeeper, who was clearly a Magaranja vampire, watched him intently as he moved about. After a bit of a look around he moved to the counter where the shop keep was lingering, watching him. Slipping a hand into one of his jacket pockets the ORG Head produced a photograph. Placing it on the counter and sliding it across with a finely manicured claw. “I want to know about this….” The photo was of the artifact. It itself was nothing spectacular but just looking at it elicited a sense of dread.

The shopkeeper looked down at the photo then her gaze lifted back to him. A small shrug and a shake of her head. Rafaele’s brows furrowed lightly as he tapped the photo with his claw. “Who did you sell it to?” Another shrug and shake of the head. Apparently they didn’t keep very meticulous records just in case. Oh, he bet there was a ledger back there somewhere. But at the moment it was unavailable for him.

However, the shopkeeper did have one little piece of info they could share. Reaching into the glass case they pulled out a ring and held it out for the Machiavelli to see. “They paid with this.” She told him.

Rafaele leaned in, getting a better look at the ring. Stormy gray eyes widening only slightly before they narrowed coolly. He recognized that ring. It was a ring that was very familiar to him. A ring he had not seen in a very, very long time. Reaching into his inside jacket pocket the Machiavelli pulled out a small stack of cash and settled it on the counter. “This is five times as much as that ring is worth. Now are you going to sell it to me?” The shopkeeper was more than happy to part with the ring.

While he had gleaned little information about the artifact itself, Rafaele had discovered a hidden thread the would, hopefully unravel a few mysteries. Pocketing the photo and the ring he took his leave of the shop. Mind whirling as it sounds through so much information.

“Gianni…” Pulling the ring out of his pocket he rolled it between his fingers. White gold set with a large square ruby and smaller diamonds bordering its sides. He had lost track of the other vampire over the years. Rumors spread that Oblivion had caught up with him. He had taken his final death. Rafaele had not disclosed this to his sons. Romeo in particular would be upset, Marius no so much as ye did not have the time with Gianni that Romeo had during the time where ye would have formed memories of his other father. It was a shame.

Then the rumors were true.

Gianni was dead. He could finally put that little piece of his life to rest. It had to have been the Cappadocians. How else would they have this ring? It was the most logical outcome. Even though he and Gianni had been on the outs it didn’t mean he would not finally mourn the loss. He was well and truly gone.

Things were not at a dead end though as one might think. Thankfully Rafaele knew of a particular Roma character who could read item memories. Who held them last, small bits of conversation that recorded upon the item's surface. Wood and metals were good for this but really any object could be used no matter the material. The one doing the reading just had to be perceptive enough.

Later.

He would go later and see what they thought. For now he made his way back in the general direction of the ORG HQ. Taking back streets and winding alleys just in case anyone felt like they might want to try and follow him. It would be easy enough to lose a tail in the dark streets of Hemlock. But if one weren’t careful one could always find themselves backed into a dead end with five guys staring you down. Wanting your valuables. Rafaele never worried about that though, he could certainly take care of himself. It was about time for the Koenig to be showing up soon anyway. And Rafaele was eager to see if he had anything new to offer.

Making his way back to HQ, Rafaele quickly made his way up the stairs to his office. Stepping through the heavy wooden door and closing it behind him. Slipping the photo and ring out of his jacket pocket before tossing it onto the nearby couch. A sudden growl caught his attention as the wraith by the fireplace lifted its canine head, letting out a small whine before it rested it’s head once more with a huff. “I’m sorry you would have been too suspicious if I took you. But everything is fine.” Long strides ooo him to his desk where he slipped the photo back into the folder that sat on his desk. He had no worries about leaving it out while Red stayed here. Anyone who tried to snoop would get chased off and quite possibly harmed by the hound. He was as loyal as he was fierce.

Rafaele settled into his chair, leaning back as he held up the ring once more. Watching the firelight from the fireplace caught in its cut surface. His lips drew into a hard line before he leaned forward, opening a drawer on his desk, tossing the ring in as slamming the drawer closed once more.

Eyes wandering towards the door as if he expected someone to walk through right that instant