Midnight in the Barbary Coast

[Yumyumcrow]

The Barbary Coast.

Slum. Cesspit. Pit of human misery and degradation. Pustulant boil aimed squarely at the heart of the city. A rampant, self contained, infection.

San Francisco's red light district. Nine blocks of crumbling edifices and twisting back alleys bounded by Washington Street, Stockton Street, Montgomery Street and Broadway. The Coast cut like a cross section through the city, running along Pacific Avenue from the docks to Portsmouth Square. And in that iniquitous space, ill-lit by torch and lamplight, there was gambling and drinking and whoring. Darker things, too, if one read the lurid tales of the yellow press.

And yet you are here.

You are turning off Pacific Avenue to escape the hazy light, the catcalls and the hot, riotous explosions of furious fist and flashing knife as yet another fight tumbles out into the street. If you want to hunt in peace, you must delve into the shadows of the backstreets.

Quiet descends with the shadows. Light glimmers from behind shuttered windows and barred doors.

The Beast stirs within you...

[Yumyumcrow]

Luna senses them!

Two beasts, one a match for her own Wolf, the other somewhat stronger. They prowl at the edge of her senses but they are coming closer, moving perpendicular to her own position. If she keeps to her chosen course, she will no doubt meet up with them at the end of the road, where it is crossed by another street. If the others have sensed her at all, they give no sign for her to interpret: they remain on their ambling course. If she hurries, she could reach the cross-road before them; or with measured pace she could catch them as they cross the street. If she slowed, their paths would never cross.

The choice is Luna's to make.

[Yumyumcrow]

Luna arrives at the cross roads a few steps quicker.

The two Beasts emerge from the murk, arms linked like lovers. Her equal is a hispanic woman in a low cut blouse, partially baring her thin shoulders, her hair bound into a single braid hanging casually down her right side; she has a plain face but her eyes are like fire. The stronger of the two is a man, dressed in battered top hat and coat, with a heavy round face and furious side burns. They had been conversing (he laughing uproariously at a her whispered witticism).

They see you and stop.

The woman glares ferociously, hand tightening its grip on the man's arm. The man simply raises a hand, slowly, to his hat.

  

Date		Action		Roll		Result
2013-08-21 04:26:57		NPC #2 rolls 4 to Perception 4 (10 Again)		2, 2, 3, 7		failure
2013-08-21 04:26:28		NPC #1 rolls 6 to Perception 6 (10 Again)		10, 5, 7, 3, 4, 4, 1		1 success

"Sir." He says warily. His companion, of the smouldering dark eyes, watches.

[Yumyumcrow]

"Good night for a stroll. The way is yours." The man erects a smile, a false facade to hide the suspicion lingering in his eyes. He gestures, indicating that Luna has right of way - there is an expectation that she will pass by and leave them in peace. His companion remains mute, still glaring, but there is a kernel of curiosity in her stare that was not there before.

[Yumyumcrow]

Luna continues on her way. After a moment, the pair of Beast's continue on theirs, heading away from her. Eventually, their combined presence fades. The hunt carries on...

There is a side street coming up on Luna's left. The buildings press together and the shadows rule. On the corner, a tiny shop holds court. A battered canopy hangs precariously above the door, proclaiming "Edmundo the Enterprising, Pawn Broker". Curiously, it is still open at this hour. The entrance lies along the side street and is a pool of shadow; the single bay window is a blaze of light.

Opposite where the two streets merge there is a big saloon bar. Laughter and music bubble from it, as if a hidden stream has emerged from underground. The garbled sound of boisterous humanity is punctuated by the sound of gunfire and whoops from within. As Luna draws near, she can see that other shadows are being drawn to the place, resolving into men and women of dubious character.

Pausing to consider, Luna has four options: carry on down the street; turn into the smaller, darker, side-street; investigate the shop; or pursue the hunt in a setting where the kine congregate and their guard is down.