Welcome to Stoneport

Eric:"Astarte? Good to finally hear from you, Noct has been looking forward to you joining our company. I...yes one second please...I hope you're ready for some...I said one second...ugh, Astarte I have to get off, why don't you just come in and we'll get you set up. We're the big building on the corner of Lux and Berring, you can't miss the Night Capitol sign that takes up the whole corner."

*Eric hangs up before Astarte can get a word in.*


*Ryder joins Enkidu at the second door. It reveals a staircase leading down. At the bottom, a light is coming from the basement, flickering weakly every few seconds.*

Ryder: "So, sir, you want to go down the creepy dark hole first?"


*The car had been sitting on the corner, waiting for the police to move. After a few moments when the arrest is made, it pulls up in front of the cafe and two large men in very nice blue suits exit. One of them, a tall, well-built young man with a buzz cut opens her door. The other, an even larger, bald, black man goes and holds open the door of the cafe for Noct.*


*Outside the stations the news crews flock out of their vans and surround the steps leading up to the station as a podium is set up by officers. Monroe is at the door of the station, talking with the mayor of Stoneport, Ralph Wilkens, and a few officers.*

Noct walked out of the cafe, and into the car with a small sigh of relief.

Astarte frowned slightly and put her phone inside her bag. Today she would carry a white shoulder-strapped bag in which she kept her phone, pistol, a small notebook, her wallet, and some minor accessories. She had always hated the look of women's handbags.
Once she had locked all of her windows and applied a scant amount of makeup, she left her home, locked her door and made her way to the corner where she called for a taxi.

"Of course," Enkidu said, flicking his wrist slightly. This action caused a small throwing blade to slide into his grasp as he walked down the stairs.

*The men greet her as she passes each and then pile into the car with her. The man in the front, who was holding the cafe door, speaks over his shoulder to her when the car starts off.*

Bodyguard 1(BG1): "Is everything all right, ma'am?"

BG2: "Ya, Eric said you might be in danger."


*A taxi pulls up to Astarte and the driver, of middle-eastern descent, turns around when she climbs in.*

Driver: "Where are you going, Miss?"


*As they descend the stairs, voices can be heard echoing up. The voices are speaking quickly and its hard to catch most of it.*

???1: "We need to go, they're going to find us."

???2: "No, I spooked them, we're fine."

???3: "Fuck that, we're dead man, game over."

???1: "Shut up!"

"It is quite alright," Noctis said, crossing her legs as she sat down, "The police were able to round them up. Still, I feel like they were after me, so I'd like you two to guard me to and from my home and office from now on. Be on the lookout for Highrollers, and any other crack fiend, but particularly Highrollers. Oh, and please refer to Eric by his last name."

*Senthose holds the grocery bag in the crux of his elbow & tabs a news reporter on the shoulder.*

"Excuse me, but what is all of...this?"

*He gestures with his cane to all of the news coverage.*

"The Night Capital building, please," Astarte answered, keeping her bag on her lap as she secured her seat belt. "The big building on the corner of Lux and Berring."

Enkidu's descent quickened and he prepared to throw his knife. He could hardly hide his anticipation and amusement.

*The man up front turns around and glares at the younger man.*

BG1: "I've told you to watch your tongue, Frank."

Frank: "Can't see my tongue, Carl. Mr. Lomax said you may have been in trouble."

*Carl turns back around.*

Carl: "Of course, Ms. Talea. We'll make sure no harm comes to you."


Reporter: "Chief of Police and the mayor have been discussing the Golden Dragon shooting last night. They called a press conference for it."

*On the stairs, Monroe is standing next to the mayor who has taken the podium.*


Driver: "Yes, ma'am, I know it well. Anything you'd like to listen to on the radio?"

*The taxi driver pulls off as he talks.*


*The three men, judging from their appearance and accents they are of Haitian descent, panic as Enkidu reaches the bottom landing. Two of them take off into the building. One of them pulls a 9mm UZI pistol out, flips the table the men were standing around, and takes potshots at Enkidu.*

"Whatever you would prefer," Astarte said quietly, silently considering whether she would last as a secretary.

Enkidu leaped back up the stairs and out of the man's line of sight. At the same time he put away the throwing knife and drew upon his long-barreled revolver.
"Drop the guns, assholes," Enkidu called out, firing blindly around the corner and into the room.

*The rest of Astarte's car ride is spent listening to some very ethnic music that she can't understand.*



*The Haitian returns fire into the wall, a few bullets managing to pierce through.*

Haitian: "Fuck you! You come here, you die. You stupid pig cop!"

Noct shrugged her shoulders, "No need to bicker, I just prefer a bit of formality in such situations." Noct let out a sigh, and waited for the car to take off, while lamenting over the fact that Eric needed to command a bit more respect. She figured it would all come with some time. Noct liked the guy, he had a kind of diligence, and loyalty that she liked to take advantage of.

Astarte did not notice the music as she was looking out of the window and in deep thought.

One of the bullets grazed Enkidu's shoulder, causing him to release a string of roaring profanities and fire back multiple times through the wall, now in the knowledge that it could be pierced.

Frank: "So, Ms. Talea, I heard that you were at the Golden Dragon. Did you, uh... see anything exciting?"

*Carl sighs and facepalms.*


*Ryder joins the blind shots and fires his own gun into the wall. A loud stumble can be heard on the other side.*

Haitian: "Ow! Fuck! Fuck! FUCK!!!"

Ryder: "Think we got him?"


*Astarte, for a brief moment as the cab passes the street, can see the caravan of news reporters standing in front of the police station.*

"Ah."

*Senthose heads home, with a new plan. But first, he'd have to find out which is the most anti-Carson, anti-cop news station in the city.*

*looks like Senthose will be watching some daily news for research.*

*Or going to the internet, like an intelligent, civilized person.*

*Taking the easy way out. Well he can head to the nearest search engine and I'll composite a random list of stats.*

*He really just needs to know who is the most anti-Carson/anti-police, but sure, he does whatever.*

*meh, some people get called out for skipping to stuff. But Channel 6 Action News tends to have a biased opinion towards Carson, especially the 6 o'clock head anchor, Michael Patrick.*

*An internet search doesn't make for very exciting RPing. Assuming that was supposed to say "a biased opinion against Carson," Senthose clears his search history, cookies, etc. & logs off, heading into gang territory. He needs to find someone with low intellect, few friends, a gun, & something to prove.*

Astarte briefly considered the scene outside the police station, wondering if her brother might be involved. After her moment of consideration she returned to her earlier thoughts.

Enkidu charged into the room with his pistol ready to blast a hole in anything that caught his eyes. With his left hand he drew upon another throwing knife.

Noct was never of the mind that she should upset those who were paid to keep her alive, but it was a bit annoying that this guy was being so cheeky. "I left before anything 'exciting' happened," Noct answered. She then pulled out a ledger from her purse, and began making herself look busy before giving Carl a quick look, hoping he'd take the hint and get his friend in line.

*Senthose has many options in all three gangs. He can check out their respective territories. Downtown will have plenty of High Rollers running around and acting like tools, the Quix Fix well be in the meth labs down in Shanty Town, The Titans stick to the Industrial District and Docks where most of them work. Each could have what he's looking for, but Quix Fix is likely to be suicide.*


Carl: "Hey, Frank. Count your toes or something."

*Frank gets the hint and stares out the window.*

Carl: "Sorry, Ms. Talea. He just hopes to get the chance to save your life someday. Earn the title of bodyguard."


*The Haitian is leaned against the table, blood pouring out of his chest. Ryder moves in behind Enkidu and runs up to the Haitian, kicking his gun away. He keeps his focus towards the inside of the building, in case his friends had a change of heart.*

Haitian: "Fuck...Call an ambulance, you assholes."


Driver: "So what brings you to Night Capital today, miss?"

*He's not afraid of methed up retards. But with the Titans, he can dump the body & get to the tunnels, which makes his job easier. So he goes with them.*

"Admirable, but I'd prefer he look tough and never have to prove it," Noct said, "I appreciate the willingness to jump in front of a bullet, but I think it is best to avoid situations that involve getting shot at in the first place."