thecrowbar | MISSION TWO

Mission Two: Big Auction in the Big Apple

what's up? The Aurors are all asked to a private auction, having been clued in by Miranda Rutherford. It's in New York City, in a private gallery in Wizarding Manhattan! Expect another night of high-society living, albeit a little less debauchery than Liberatore's party. The Aurors were told to wear their best, and to make as many connections here as possible. Initially, this was just going to be the spies, maybe the detectives. However, a last-minute tip off revealed that there's a potentially stolen piece of art on sale, today. The Oddtrees insisted on all hands on deck.

The Aurors are asked to stagger both their portkeys and their entrances to the auction, and to blend in as best as possible. Their objectives are both to get their hands on any art that seems suspicious, and to scope out anyone who are into bidding on the same pieces. Maybe find their motives if possible. However, since they're aware this isn't everyone's area of expertise, the Aurors are also acting as security tonight. They can pick what they'd like to do.

The auction itself features some of the most up-and-coming figures in the art scene, each throwing up their paddles to the dulcet tones of the auctioneer. Too many up and comers, possibly. It's a little overwhelming and crowded. Those who are familiar will note Miranda Rutherford, Andy Haandraadts who is everywhere, and the older man who tried so hard to talk to Liberatore at his party. There are also several MACUSA officials, art scene regulars, people with too much money to blow. Maybe a few shady characters? Time to find out.

how this works! ⬥ Welcome to the second mission!! This one's a little more free form. Each person will have to choose whether they want to participate in the auction, which will allow them to find out who's there, have conversations, or bid on art pieces or act as security, which will allow them to do things like explore the gallery and storeroom,keep an eye out for threats, or even go to the New York branch (who are aware this is happening) to run background checks. For simplicity's sake, Aurors can't switch roles throughout the night!

⬥ Aurors will have, IC, one day to complete this mission. This translates to one week of real world time.

⬥ Each Auror will have one action this time, but again, that's a little broader this time! It can be like "bidding on ____ item throughout the night," "trying to get in with the doorman," "find who's buying the highest and have a conversation with them." Follow-up questions are allowed!

⬥ You may notice the end of the night is redacted. Don't worry about it!

locations! ⬦ THE PARTY: The auction is basically an excuse for a ritzy party. The gallery itself is a large room with chairs set up around it. To bid, you have to sit in the chairs and hold up a little paddle that beeps the amount you're bidding. If you get sick of that, or want to scope out the wallflowers, there's another room with art on display, and an open bar.

⬦ DISCUSSION: A spot for everyone to talk out what to do IC. Scenes can be set elsewhere in Wizard NYC, or the office, but should happen before the auction itself. The Aurors will be briefed early in the day.

⬦ AUCTION PARTICIPANTS:
Thanks to Kit's 75,000 dragot contribution and additional department funds, each Auror should have enough to bid. They're requested kindly by Eleanor to not get too competitive and drive up the price so high they can't pay out. The pieces up for auction are rather...eclectic, from different collectors, in many mediums. They include but are not limited to:

An ornate tapestry that functions as a sentient flying carpet. It flies, and it seems super bored, tickling the auctioneer under her chin

An oil painting of singing frogs

A very familiar looking, ornate, light-green egg with little pearl lilies of the valley

A canvas with the word COLOR written on it in invisible ink

A skeleton key made of actual skeleton

A set of jeweled golden chalices. One is always poison.

A taxidermied shark whose jaws snap the Jaws theme

A single furby, purple

A talking portrait of the Last Supper

A marble fountain of a little angel who constantly vomits water or whatever other liquid you so desire

⬦ SECURITY PARTICIPANTS: Funnily enough, this place also (used to) employ Midnight Watch security. Which is not on the up and up so much recently, so the owners of the studio are happy to have actual law enforcement help. They can't drink, but they can watch the perimeter, and are given more free range of the gallery, including the large storeroom in the back. If they'd like, they can go to the New York Auror branch to use their tech or other resources for things like background checks, but not for long. They're expected to meet up at the end of the night!

⬦ THE END OF THE NIGHT: [REDACTED]

⬦ OOC - QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, CONCERNS!

MISSION TWO

Re: THE END OF THE NIGHT