1. San Francisco 2022, October 7th(RP)

Erik watches the thug who in turn watches the blonde woman. Looking at him, like an Alpha does to an intruder, Erik decides to see how things play out.

Pouring himself a healthy shot of the vodka, Erik drains it with no effort. Erik keeps his gaze on the woman, mainly to see if she's alone, and to see why she's caught his attention in the first place. Occasionally Erik switches his gaze over to the thug...praying he's here with friends. I haven't been in a decent fight in a while. Here's hoping tonight's different. Erik says to himself as he drains another shot.

October 7th, 10 o'clock Hour, Club Olympus | Erik
In fact, Erik can tell the man is here with a group of at least for other individuals, all standing around a tall table grinning and laughing with each other. Knowing the streets, you could guess they're some criminal element.

The woman is closing out her tab at the bar.

The man watches her, looks to his "friends" and nods.

One nods back to him.

Giulia shuddered visibly by the news of such killings. Internally she cursed and looked at the creature before her. This was awful and such that he was, they wouldn’t deserve such fate. Breaking her stride Giulia halted. You’d better keep out of sight for a while. She sounds awful but I don’t know much that I can do alone. I’m going to need to meet with some others and try to figure out what the hell you do in this circumstance.

Unusually, she tried to offer him comfort. Look I come running here most nights. Why don’t you get a decent pair of shoes and come join me tomorrow? Maybe I’ll have something for you by then?

October 7th, 11 o'clock Hour, a San Fran Park | Giulia
Patrick gives a half smile--he seems hopeful that Giulia can help...but disappointed there is not an immediate solution.

He perks up suddenly. "Yeah. Yeah O.K. I'll be back here tomorrow night then."

"I'm Patrick, by the way." and he puts out his hand to shake. Wind blows from deep in the city, carrying with it the smell of smog and fried food.

Bring my coterie...I haven't heard that word in a while. There's a couple of kindred that I can call. See if they're interested in going.

At that moment Erik sees the blonde woman close out her tab. He also sees the group of thugs paying a little too much attention to her as she gets ready to leave. Thinking to himself for a moment Erik's mind makes a split-second decision. Leaving some money on the table by the bottle, Erik makes his way down the stairs and out of the club.

Soon enough the blonde woman leaves and is shortly followed by the thugs. Erik falls in a short distance behind the thugs. A small predatory grin breaks out on his face. Either you look at the situation, I'll be eating soon.

Giulia she replied meeting Patrick’s hand. A thousand thoughts went swimming through her mind. This kind of thing wasn’t unthinkable but it sure was taboo. Giulia had an idea that it would be worth talking with others in her coterie. She sniffed the wind even now that it would do her no good the smell of the junk food brought back memories of forbidden temptations from her training days.

Ah screw it. Patrick why don’t you buy me a coffee and tell me everything you know about this predator? Might help when I investigate a little.

Giulia had come round. In truth before she had just been irritated and probably wasn’t going to do much, focused as she was on other things. Now, why not the evening’s routine could wait one night.

October 7th, 11 o'clock Hour, Outside Club Olympus| Erik
The young woman hustles across the busy street and turns down a smaller, narrow one-way.

She walks over a steaming grate and turns off to a large parking garage.

The men follow at a distance, hands shoved in the pockets of their heavy wool coats.

When she turns into the parking garage they speed up their pace.

October 7th, 11 o'clock Hour, A Small Coffee House | Giulia
Less than an hour later, you'd find yourself in a coffee house that does its business to a late-night crowd. The place smells like ground beans, tampered down with sweetness. The clink of spoons on mugs.



Patrick tells a long, rambling tale for you; but the key points are as follows:

He's only gotten a look at the female Kindred from afar, but she has a long, wild mane of black hair. She wears a tight blazer-like jacket. Her eyes are piercing blue.

She has an American accent, but speaks oddly.

She last chased the group out of Union Square--this was two nights ago.

"And she's strong," he says. "She can... rip a person limb from limb. I've seen it..."

For know Erik simply follows at a distance, moving behind cars and into alleyways as he follows the thugs that are following the woman.

Smiling to himself, Erik knows this will play out one of two ways. Either way involves...dinner and a show.

Moving up slightly, Erik prepares to enhance his speed and move in for the kill.

It’s not much to go on. Giulia muttered to herself, wracking her memories for any such person. I’ve seen a few women like that frequent the gyms I go to but the wild mane. She’s certainly strong but quick too. Odd mannerisms. Hmmm. Sounds like some kind of nut. The blazer, I don’t suppose it had any kind of emblem on it?

I think it might be an idea to start with my gyms. At the very least I can try and keep a look out in the locker room for her.

October 7th, 11 o'clock Hour, In a Wet Alleyway | Erik
Erik, following at a slight distance you'd see as the men charge as one in to the dim parking garage, it's overhead lights flickering and dull.

She's become aware of the pursuit and speeds up, kicking off her heels...

...as the men converge and and run toward her, their boots echoing in the confined space. They're within 10 meters of her...

October 7th, 11 o'clock Hour, The Coffee Shop | Giulia
Patrick sips from his cappuccino. He looks pensive.

"Should I even be able to drink this? I mean, I still enjoy it and it gives satisfaction..." He shakes his head waking from his reverie.

He asks Giulia, "what should we do as you're looking for her? Do you know of any place that's safe for us? What do you even plan on doing when you find her? Could you even handle her?"

He looks at you, worry on his face--both for himself and you, you'd suppose. He waits for an answer.

It’s not for enjoying. It’s for blending in. Giulia muttered taking a sip from her own coffee.

Patrick’s questions on her competence had irked her. It was probably because what he hinted at he was correct. You seem to have me confused for management. Giulia whispered with a scowl. I don’t know what I’ll do or what I can do but I know this: you have to find out the competition first and see what they’re about.

Giulia sighed. I’m going to need help, though God know’s who I’ll ask. Pausing slightly, she looked Patrick in the eye. I don’t know where you can go…maybe we should find somewhere quiet just outside of the city? Any ideas? If you’re all as green as you say, it’d probably be best if you stick together. Somewhere quiet where we can sit and plan and I can find out exactly what your people know.

Erik can feel the hungry beast inside him begin to rise up and scream to be let out. With a sudden burst of speed, Erik moves ahead of both the thugs and the woman. Coming around and in front of the woman, Erik slows down long enough to appear as if he's simply headed in the direction they are running from.

As Erik steps out and allows himself to be seen by the woman and thugs, Erik catches the woman in his arms as she runs into him. As the scared woman tries to fight him off, Erik holds onto her. Easy...are you okay? What's going on?

Erik asks his questions without taking his eyes off the approaching thugs.

October 7th, 11 o'clock Hour, The Coffee Shop | GiuliaHis skin still able to blush, Patrick does so when he realize he may be causing Giulia trouble.

He sips from his mug again. "My grandmother owns a place in Nappa Valley. She moves to Texas a few years ago. The house should be empty. Mary-Anne has a Volvo we could pile in to."

"But should I give you my number? So you can keep us up to date?"

October 7th, 11 o'clock Hour, The Garage | Erik
Erik, her brief struggle in your arms shows you she's stronger than you'd have thought she was. She quickly stops when you speak. "Wait, but how--" she seems off balance by this turn of events.

But she's interrupted by one of the men now facing you down. "Hey a**hole; mind yourself and get the hell out of here!" He points a finger at you, stern.

The other men spread out from him, in an attempt to surround you in a semi-circle. Firsts clenched ready to fight.

"We're not joking. Clear out now." You've got seconds before they act...

Sorry! I kept like reposting my draft and it kept changing the DC from my first go round! It should read Moderate (3)!