[h3]Rudy Rudeanu, Adam Temple, Nicola Hoffman & Masako Yamamoto[/h3]
[i]Cowritten by [@Tesserach], Dyelli Beybi & [@enmuni][/i]
[hr]
"Ungoldly things in Munich you say?" the man, Rudeanu replied as he set his glass aside to the gentle clanking of ice. His tone suggested faux scandal at the prospect. "I wager I can solve this mystery right now."  Rudeanu stood up, addressing those assembled, gesturing dramatically. It was evident this man was something of a showman. "Let us examine the [i]facts[/i] of the situation. First, we have a sudden escalation in attacks by dogs. The frequency is beyond normal experience, so, it serves to reason there must be an extraordinary explanation. On this I think there can be no disagreement. Certainly, some supernatural explanation [i]could[/i] be considered. But are there other, more natural - if less extraordinary - changes that would suggest why feral dog attacks have suddenly begun?

"Let us consider the present economic situation. An ungodly situation indeed! How many people here, most I notice seem a more genteel disposition than the average worker, find food even remotely affordable? How many people, do you suppose, are being forced to do without? Perhaps even abandoning family pets to the charity of the streets? Indeed, given the extraordinary circumstances, I would go so far as to say it would be extraordinarily unlikely that we [i]not[/i] witness a rise in both ravenous strays, and attacks on people and pets. And who could these animals most easily approach? Why the very sort of victims here described. Indeed, with recent issues distracting Münchener Polizei, I'd be surprised if animal control hadn't been somewhat lax recently.

"Of course, I could be wrong but asks yourselves this: 'which explanation is more likely to be the truth? That the presence of strays went unnoticed, or unreported? Or that something supernatural, which - as it were - looks like a dog, barks like a dog and hunts like a dog.' There are two things I am certain of though. First: there is only one way to prove our hypothesis. Second, in this economy, I for one cannot afford to turn down Swiss francs." 

"Well, I'm glad you don't want to turn down the francs," Temple remarked affably, from where he was standing by the port, "If you can find a feral dog in the area, you will have more than earned your pay.  That is why the Night Watch were called after all.  Tomorrow, however, I am going to see what kind of bite marks there are on the victims," he took a sip from his port, "I hope it is dogs.  A pistol will put a dog down permanently... most of the time.  It might also be worth finding out a bit more about the cemetery.  I am sure there are records somewhere in the city." 

"All attacks in, or around, the same cemetery?" Rudeanu ventured to Temple, as though he suspected the answer and were considering the implications of an affirmative response. 

"All attacks in or around the cemetery," Temple confirmed.

Finally Rudeanu turned to Nicola. "The evening is yet young, Nicola, you ready for an easy job?" 

Nicola gave Rudeanu a slight smile, "Oh, I'm definitely happy for an easy job that pays in Swiss Francs," she gave a small laugh, "I'm not exactly qualified for this, but I'll help as best I can.  The people being taken... well... that could very easily have been me after I was deported from Mulhouse.  I am just lucky."

“Excuse me,” Masako interjected, approaching the group of men quickly, “I am a trained nurse, and I have seen many animal bites from my time in the…the…the Siberian Intervention! May I offer to help in looking at these bites? If it is an animal, I can surely tell you.”

"That would be most helpful," Temple replied to Masako, "I prefer it when our own people can find clues rather than needing to pry them from suspicious individuals."

Masako turned her attention to Rudeanu and the older man, and smiled brightly at the scene. She delivered a small golf clap, and commented to Temple, “Ah, a sceptic-magician! So we do have a diverse group here, then? Do you have any idea why we are gathered here, Sir?”

"Why we, specifically [i]we[/i], I assume you mean," Nicola chipped in, "Because the purpose is to destroy whatever or whoever it is that is taking these poor souls."

Masako froze for a second. Her eyes darted around, as if to indicate that she was thinking of what the other woman could have meant.

“Yes, yes, that is right. That is what I mean, anoooo, why…it is…[i]us[/i] rather than some other people. After all, there are surely other nurses who will be less noticeable for such a secretive organization than myself, for example? This is why I wonder, because surely a local “chapter” should have more locals in it—who are more knowledgeable of their home?”

"It's a good point, even I'm not quite a local, nor are you, Mister Temple," Nicola put in.

"Locals aren't necessary," Temple gave a small shrug, "I do not send the invitations, my duty is just receive those who have been sent one. Ours is not to reason why."