Ling had tried not to engage and be invisible, but her temper gets the better of her. Leaning forward past Nikolai, she looks at Valentin and says: "Does being undead mean your fashion sense has to get stuck in a different century, or is that optional and you were just trying to score bonus points?" As her eyes dart across the rest of the group, there is a flicker of recognition in one of the younger vampires and Ling quickly looks away again. She keeps her focus on Valentin instead, her hand resting on her Jian. "Not looking to feed on any unwilling mundanes and break the accords, are you? I would love nothing more than an excuse to take you down myself." Ling grins over at Caio.

 Nikolai allows himself a small smile as he recognizes the bravado of the leader of the group. He lets the glamer over his pale eyes slip away as he first looks over the chattel, then directly at Valentin. "I make friends with everyone, my dear," as he places his hand lightly on her shoulder. "Especially with our friends here. Now, Valentin, I know you're relatively new to my city, but allow me to introduce myself so you do not make a silly mistake. My name is Nikolai, I run the Underworlder bookshop here in St. Petersburg; Svyatilishche if you ever want to stop by. Since you are new, I'll not embarrass you in front of your...friends."

He whispers to his Shadowhunter companions. "Let us not forget why we are here."

Valentin scoffs.

"Who do you think you are? Magnus Bane? This city's anyone's for the taking, warlock. Stick to your books."

Alaris groans at Valentin in an overt display of annoyance. "Oh good grief can we PLEASE just finish this ride in peace and quiet - none of you are pretty enough to be anyone's concern. Go eat some garlic and piss off."

Valentin rolls his eyes at Alaris in return.

"Come on," he says, turning his head to his companions, "these Clave-rats aren't worth our time."

With that, he pops the collar on his coat and they stalk back off down the carriage and out the door at the end.

As they leave, Ling spots one drop a crumpled piece of paper.

Ling opens her mouth to say something, but closes it again. With visible effort, she reigns herself in and mutters to Alaris: "You're right, they're not the best looking vampires around, are they? I thought they were supposed to be all sexy and super attractive these days." She leans back, as if not caring what even happens next. Her hands are folded behind her head and her fingers drum nervously against the back of her skull. "And Nikolai is basically Magnus Bane of Russia, aren't you, Nik?"

As they leave, Ling sees one of them drop a small piece of paper. While Alaris and Caio rune up for their upcoming mission, she walks over and picks it up, quickly slipping it into her pocket. She stands near the carriage's door as if staring outside and carefully unfolds the paper.

The crumpled note is addressed to no one and bears no signature, but its meaning is clear.

She wants to see you. Your payment is coming up short.

Ling tenses all over. Damn. What does she mean it's coming up short? I thought I'd covered it! I'll have to try and get away from everyone this evening somehow. Of course those vamps are working for her, just my luck. She stares daggers at their backs as they leave. 

After about an hour's ride across town, the group emerge from Plovdivskaya street station into the open. It's a clear and sunny day, but the wind cuts piercingly between the monolithic concrete blocks that line the crossing.

Caio sighs unenthusiastically. "I'm starting to like this plan less the closer we get to it." He says as they walk towards the police station. He stops once it comes in view a block or so away. "What exactly is the plan again? Ling is playing hacker, but what are we doing?" he turns to Alaris.

"Being cool, I assume - it's what we're best at, right?" Alaris winks to Caio. "You said something about being distracting... I know that's true and all but can you be distracting enough to make the police chase you?"

"You're acting like there's a warrant out for your arrest!" Ling winks at Caio and then asks with fake concern: "Or wait, is there? That would make for a good distraction then." After pausing for dramatic effect, she continues: "So I was thinking Alaris and I sneak in, see what they've got. Maybe some computer files, maybe some papers, I don't know. Just take a look around, don't bump into anyone, sneak back out. Easy peasy! We just need an opening so we an slip in, that's all. The mundanes can't see us anyway."

As they approach, Ling checks out the entryway. Lots of mundane police and civilians are passing through, it seems like it will be easier than she thought. Then, she spots a warlock in a suit. Not ideal, but he probably won't care that we're sneaking in. The man turns, putting his hands in his pockets - Ling sees that he is wearing a holster. Shit, of course. She holds out her hand to motion for Caio and Alaris to stop. "Guys, that warlock over there seems to be part of the police force. We can't just sneak by him... ideas?"

"Just keeps getting better. Uhm... what are the chances he's one of the Bastards? If he's not, maybe we could get information out of him." 

"Huuu no idea. Nik, do you know that guy? Might he be willing to help us, or at least overlook us going inside?"

Nikolai stares at the warlock for a moment and recognition sparks, but.. his name... what was his name?! "Yeah, I know the guy, but damned if I can recall his name. Something with a 'M'. That ring any bells with you three? Maybe I could get him to talk for a bit about some of the mysterious robberies that have been happening recently. That would probably be our best bet. If I could distract him, the rest of you can work your mojo."

"I thought your kind was damned either way, Nik." Ling retorts with a wink. "I don't know the guy, I don't think any of us do. You distract him then and we'll sneak in. Time to rune up!" Ling and the others put silence runes on themselves to be harder to detect. (Pass without trace)

Nikolai nods at Ling and heads over towards the warlock, allowing his natural occult eyes to be visible to his fellow warlock as he does. “Excuse me, sir, I was looking to get a little information on some robberies that had been occurring on my area. Do you have a few minutes?”

The horned man in the suit meets Nikolai's gaze and slowly nods, beckoning to him to accompany him away from the door to the precinct to somewhere more private.

"Nik.. ita, isn't it?" He asks unsurely, glancing about to see if they are being watched. "You work with the Clave, yes? How can I help you?"

When Nikolai and the other warlock step away from the door, Ling nods at the others and carefully follows a group of mundane police officers inside. She makes sure not to touch anybody and to stay out of the warlock's field of vision. 

The three shadowhunters quickly duck out of sight and slip through the door into the precinct. Inside, they see an officer on duty at a main desk with a corridor leading off to his right into the building. A door to the left appears to lead to a stair well.