Welcome to Stoneport

This cesspit of a city revolves around one thing. Money. The Golden Dragon is the classiest casino in town and attracts the richest in Stoneport to win more money and the poorest to lose all they have left. Anybody who has money or any prick that flaunts daddy’s money will end up in the VIP Lounge. Just a private floor of the casino where drinking, drugs, gambling, and sex are all fair game and all public. Tonight is especially unique, with it being James Carson’s birthday he’s celebrating the only way he knows how. Free drinks all night, a round of cocaine on the house, multiple card tables set up, and of course more prostitutes than you can shake a stick at. With loud and pulsing techno music, the place feels more like a nightclub than a casino.

*Conner Smith has found his way into the VIP Lounge with most of the High Rollers. As the closest gang to Carson, they were invited to this little party. He sits at the bar a line of cocaine set up in front of him and a shot of tequila in hand, customary for every seat at the counter. He is surrounded by other High Rollers acting like stupid pricks, laughing at the misfortunes of the poor and snorting that blow like it was candy.*

Vinny: “Conner, come on man, you’re falling behind! I’m two lines and six shots ahead of you.”

*Noctis Talea has just arrived at the party. Accompanied by some higher-ups in the Night Capital company, they look eager to set out into the chaos and lose themselves in sin.*

*Astarte Cyprus has the luck, whether good or bad, to be bartending this event, in charge of keeping the shots coming. Sarah, a beautiful young woman with flowing, perfect blonde hair and the curves to match, is her partner for the night and as to keep the drugs on the counter. Not a glamorous job, feeding sin, but it pays better than any gig in the city. She is serving Conner Smith and the rest of the High Rollers that have gathered around her bar.*

*Senthose Rasheverek is entering behind Noctis and her group, alone. He received an invitation from Carson to join him for his birthday party. He wishes to discuss updates into the epidemic investigation.*


The Golden Dragon Casino is the leech sucking what little money the city has into the pockets of the rich. The regular games are rigged to make winning happen just enough to avoid suspicion and nothing more. It gives the poor the hope to win big and the reality that they’ll lose it all. The large casino is even busier than usual with a free $100 to every gambler on the house for James Carson’s birthday.

*Kent Barbara is spending some coin at a blackjack table, but his mind is not on the game. There is much bigger fish to fry in the VIP area above the game floor. A party that needs crashing.*

Dealer: “You have 16, sir. Would you like to hit?”

*Ryder Montierro has just entered the casino. He is off duty and officially just here for the fun times the Golden Dragon can give. But he knows that Carson, the owner, is always up to no good and his birthday party won’t be any different. There’s no way he’ll get into the VIP room so he’ll just have to hope he can find something wrong down here. His game is blackjack and he picks a table with a few other players, Kent is among them.*

Ryder: “Deal me in.”

*He lays down $20 and the dealer takes it and hands him two blue chips.*

Noct ran a hand through her hair and looked around, a bit put off by the whole scene, particularly the goings on at the bar. With a small shrug she looked back at her employees. She wasn't sure why she was still with them actually, and quickly broke away. With a slow, and measured gait that betrayed her laid back nature, Noct made her way over to a private booth, taking a seat alone, and looking out at the party.

Connor slammed his fist on the bar table and shook his head wildly. "Fuck you, I like taking it slow," he growled. His hand twitched, nearly spilling the liquor out of his glass as he lifted the shot to his mouth and gulped it down.

The hard alcohol tasted bitter and disgusting. It left his throat scorching and his brain fuzzy. He hated it.

But sometimes, a High Roller like Connor had to shove aside his own opinion and just go with the flow. 'Sides, he was probably coming off as pretty damn hardcore to the hot bartenders across the table.

*Upon entering the room, Senthose sweeps his eyes across the crowd. His eyes come to rest on some of the coke.*

[Heart attack. Stroke. Lung and intestional perforation. Impaired ejaculation. One can only hope the blow doesn't kill them before I get the chance.]

*Instead, Senthose heads over to the bar, leaning against it & slightly twitching his mouth into what may or may not be a smile.*

"Hello, ladies. Is there anything you can recommend me?"

*At the sound of a loud outburst, he looks across the bar to the man shouting before looking back.*

[Conceited, coked-up moron.]

Astarte hated this crowd. An entire room filled to the brim with loud-mouthed, self important and self serving bastards who couldn't wait to lose their minds with excessive amounts of alcohol and cocaine. The only reason she worked here instead of at her old workplace was the money.
Astarte turned to Senthose as he appeared at the bar and slid him a shot of tequila while trying to look happy to serve him.
"A friend of Carson?" She asked as she quickly replaced an empty bottle with a new one. "Or just an acquaintance?"

"I would argue that everyone is Carson's friend, & yet he has no friends."

"...That sounds right," Astarte replied after briefly checking behind herself. "So, what did you do to get yourself invited to such a grand gathering?"

"I'd like to claim it's because of my magnetic personality, but apparently it has something to do with the plague."

"Some kind of doctor, huh?" She asked, taking a half a step back without thinking.

"Haha. Nothing so glamorous. I'm a doctor in the sense that a physicist is an astronaut."

*Senthose takes a drink, but only drinks half of the shot.*

"Is this really your preferred drink?"

"Well, it seems to be pretty popular in this crowd, want something different?" Astarte turned her eyes to the selection and decided she would try giving him a shot of vodka. "And I suppose that makes you a scientist or researcher... or both?"

"Researcher is a good term. Just asking. It doesn't really seem like your type of thing. Not that I'm calling you a lightweight."

"It pays well, and isn't too difficult a job," Astarte smiled slightly. "The only problem I have is the crowd it can attract."

*Your standard douche-bag sees Noctis sitting alone and decides to put on his wonderous charm. He has slicked back, jet black hair, a finely pressed and expensive looking suit, and of course a 9mm pistol tucked inside the coat. Undoubtedly a member of the High Roller gang. He plops next to her and tries to make a spark. His breathe reaks of tequila and who knows what else.*

Roller: "Hey, beautiful. You are so fine, I'd love to see what you look like in the morning."

*Over at the bar, the blonde bartender dishing out the drugs took notice to Conner's disinterest in ingesting every sin in this place as fast as he could. She gives him a smile and reluctantly moves down the bar a bit to lay out another line of coke for one of the High Rollers demanding another round.*

*Descending from a flight of stairs that have been roped off and had two thugs guarding it, James Carson decides it is time to join the party and cockily struts into the fray. His arms held out, two of the prostitutes move right into the opened space and latch on to him. The ass-kissers immediately surround him and start showering him with compliments and endearing conversation.*

*Senthose makes it a point to not even look back.*

"I was actually talking about the drink, but that is interesting too."

Connor caught the eye of the pretty blond bartender smiling at him. She was pretty enough, he though, but as intoxicated as he was--and from only two drinks at that--she could be a tentacle monster for all he knew. Not that there was anything wrong with tentacles.

His attention was momentarily caught by a well-dressed, sleek-looking man entering the room. Connor would know that face anywhere, high or not: James Carson. He sent a glance in Carson's direction, then turned back and signaled the blond bartender over. Time to make an impression.

Astarte watched Carson emerge and held back a sigh. If he came over to the bar she knew she would have to leave everything and tend to him.
"I take it you aren't here to kiss Carson's ass like most of these guys, then?" She turned her attention back to Senthose, speaking more quietly than before.

"That is unsanitary. You could get E. colithat way. As I implied, I'm here on business."

"Important business?" Astarte asked casually, pouring herself a small amount of vodka with one hand while wiping a spill on the bar with the other.

"Something Carson wants regarding the Quarantine Zone, so...depends on how you define 'important.'"

"I would say helping the sick is important..." Astarte downed the vodka, causing her cheeks to flush bright red for a few moments. "Don't you think so?"

"I've chosen a very strange profession if I wouldn't. Assuming that's what's going on tonight."

"Surely you don't doubt that Carson has the people's best interests in mind?" Astarte spoke with mock disbelief and allowed another slight grin.

Noct looked up at the guy, "You wouldn't be the first guy I've met who has coveted that sight. Why don't you separate yourself from the pack and get me a bottle of champagne." Noct thought for a second, "Dom Perignon White Gold should be sufficient."

*The cute blonde bartender joins Conner and looks down at the line of coke in front of him and smiles at him.*

Bartender: "You gotta finish your line 'fore I can get you another one, sweetie."

*The High Roller with Noctis struggles to his feet and points down at her, while trying very hard to keep his balance.*

Roller: "You gottit, babe!"

*He stumbles towards the bar, yelling random things about it being his lucky night.*

*Carson is making his rounds and sees Senthose sitting at the bar. He waves to the disoriented High Rollers as he passes and walks up to Senthose, his arms wide open like he is expecting a hug.*

Carson: "Hey, my friend, you made it! Glad you came!"

*Carson shoots Astarte a 'get back to work' look as Rollers down the bar start banging their empty shotglasses, and then turns his attention back to Senthose with a friendly, but probably fake smirk.*