While inside the shop, Midian will try to make careful observations of its layout in the hopes of finding the best method to access it after the couple leaves, any windows, side doors, rear doors, etc. This may help him better understand the business’ layout for when he is outside. 

The man has clearly been taken by surprise at the news that Midian imparted to him and was further put out by the mention of the name Moonson. As to whether he is downplaying his expertise in the Arcane, Midian can't tell. 

[OOC: The size of a person's aura is a rough indication of how many caster slots they have available. For example, the aura of a completely rested 2nd level Wizard would be half again as big as a completely rested 1st level Wizard. However, as a caster may have already cast spells before being viewed under the See the Arcane cantrip, this cannot be used as a means of determining their actual level because a 2nd level Wizard, who had already cast a spell, would have approximately the same aura as a rested 1st level Wizard. This is further complicated by the fact that second and higher level slots are all bigger than first level slots, etc. So it is only ever going to be a rough guide to the true potential of a caster.]

[OOC: As the shop shares its side walls with its neighbours, it is likely that the only normal entrances are at the front and the back. Please note that the building is also two storeys high and Midian has no idea at the moment as to what is upstairs.]

OOC: The back entrance will probably be his go-to after the couple leaves.

Midian projects disappointment in his tone, saying, “I am sorry to have troubled you, sir. I had hoped you might be the man to help unravel this conspiracy. The people deserve the truth. If Moonson is a better source to contact, so be it. I hope you and your lady friend enjoy your evening.” He then excuses himself. 

Midian is shown the door, which is closed behind him after he steps out into the street. He hears the sound of a latch being dropped into place.

Midian waits for what seems an appropriate time for the pair to depart before heading around back and checking the back door entrance to see if anyone would observe him entering, then attempts to do so if unobserved. 

Midian finds a suitable place where he can observe the entrance of the Compleat Sage discreetly and begins to wait.

Come the calling of the second candle after midday, he has just about decided that the two must have left out the rear entrance of the shop when the front door opens and the woman steps out onto the street alone. She turns and makes some departing comment before heading off down the street in the direction away from Midian. 

The door of the shop is now closed and Midian can see that a sign has been placed on its outside telling the world that the shop is also closed, which is unusual as there are still quite a few candles to burn before sunset.

After ensuring he is unobserved, Midian will head to the back entrance and try to make entry, using his thieves tools to pick the lock if needed.  

Midian has to go up the street a fair way before he finds an alley that will take him through to the small service lane that runs up the rear of the line of tenement buildings the Compleat Sage is in, and once he's there he is confronted with a line of individual fences each defining the small back yard of the buildings.

[Make a straight Intelligence check against a DC of 5 to see if he can get the right house.]

Intelligence Check:  19

OOC: Oh, this is about to get weird.

Midian approaches the gate in the fence that he presumed belong to the Compleat Sage bookstore and easily lets himself in to the yard. However, the sight of children's clothing drying on a rack gives him pause. This was not what he was expecting.

Quote from phillberrie >>

Midian approaches the gate in the fence that he presumed belong to the Compleat Sage bookstore and easily lets himself in to the yard. However, the sight of children's clothing drying on a rack gives him pause. This was not what he was expecting.

 

 OOC: Midian might be taken aback by this - could he make one quick circuit and try counting off footsteps to reaffirm he has the correct building lined up before making his entry attempt?

Retreating back out into the service lane, Midian counts houses and 'obvious' gates in the continuous line of back fences and realises that they don't match up. However, the 'less obvious' means of entry into the houses (i.e., the small hatches in the fence that give the night soil collectors access to the backs of all the outdoor privies) do.

It would seem the building before the one he just tried doesn't have a gate to give access into this service lane... at least not an obvious one. This, he now suspects, is the Compleat Sage.

[Make a Perception check, and also an Investigation check if he wants to search for an 'unobvious' gate.]

Perception: 5
Investigation: 7

Quote from Izraal1 >>

Perception: 5
Investigation: 7

 OOC: Based on these rolls you would think this bookstore is a fortress. 

[OOC: You can role for experience for the failed Perception check.]

Midian searches along the fence and eventually determines where the gate is, but for the life of him, he cannot see any means by which it can be opened from this side.

He has just fetched out his thieves tools to start probing for the opening mechanism when he hears a voice from behind him.

"Watchya up to, Mister?" says a young boy peeking over the high fence of the house on the other side of the lane. "Are you trying to rob the magus?"

Perception retry for experience gain:

20

Midian glances around to ensure no one else is around before responding. “This guy is a magus? Are you sure, kid? Why do you say that?” 

[Midian's experience has been bumped. There is no one else in sight at the moment, but there are certainly enough sounds in the general area to indicate that there are other people nearby, especially at this time of day.]

"Everyone just knows he's a magus," says the young boy, as if that was obvious. "He's got a magical rat and all... My mum said I wasn't to bother him, said he might turn me into another rat. But I think she's just pulling my leg. You know how mums are."

“So you don’t think the man is really a magus? Have you ever snuck into his shop to find out?” Midian speaks to the child in serious tones, as if to an adult, avoiding any patronizing tone that might set the child on the defensive. 

"Oh, I know he's a magus alright," says the boy. "I just don't think it's possible to turn anyone into a rat, even with magic."

In answer to Midian's question about sneaking into the magus' shop, the boy answers, "Nope, it's all full of books and boring stuff like that... But I do know how to get through that gate though... If you give me a cub, I'll tell which of the planks of wood you have to touch."