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

Erik Larson... Erik says as he takes Laurie's card. Looking at the thugs that are still on the ground, Erik looks back at Laurie. Who are these...Boogeyman? The name sounds like they're just starting out? Have they passed off any of the locals yet?

Looking down at the number Erik can't help, but to respect Laurie a bit more. Here she is trying to help her family out. Shit! Wasn't I like that..way back then. Looking over at Laurie, Erik gazes into her eyes...contemplating if he should get involved. Finally he gives her a brief smile and speaks I'll keep an eye out for anything on your cousin. Is there a report on the survivors and the other missing people?

Letting Laurie process his questions, Erik goes silent as he let's her think. Which gives Erik a chance to fully check her out. What is it about this woman that makes me pause in midstream of doing anything. If she was anyone else I'd have ripped her throat open and bled her out. Yet here I am stepping in to help find her wayward cousin.

Erik finally breaks the silence and speaks to Laurie. No worries Detective...your secret is safe with me. Besides where's the fun in doing what we're told and being where we're told to be?

Giulia smiled and motioned towards her shorts pocket and for the man to fetch the non-existent lighter himself. As he smiled and smirked, she smiled back and once his hand was fully inside with a snarl she twisted her hips to throw the man off-balance and tossed him into the dark alley, Patrick waiting. Immediately she pounced to stifle the man’s cries and pleas and bit deeply. The anguished cry muffled was nothing to Giulia’s raspy call to the thin blood.

Come. Feed.

October 7th, 12 o'clock Hour, The Garage | Erik She hesitates before answering your questions, obviously starting to struggle without how much she should be talking about this.

She relents. "The name Boogeymen doesn't show up in taskforce records until last month. In fact, most the "members" (they still refuse to acknowledge they are a gang) are not from the area. My contact in the gang taskforce even contacted his contact in the FBI to see if there's some national movement here, but there isn't as far as they can see. They don't even have a turf in the city as far as he can tell." She motions to the surroundings. "I mean, last I knew this was Towerside territory."

"All the people who've gone missing have reports, at least the ones who have families that filed, but we've only been able to tentatively link a few to the Boogeymen via CCTV and eye-witness account. Like I said, the department is not publicly stating a connection. "

"But I know these creeps are behind it. It's a gut feeling, ya know?" She looks at Erik asking with her eyes if he thinks she's crazy.

October 7th, 12 o'clock Hour, a San Francisco Alley | Giulia
Patrick looks at Giulia and her prey with a mix of horror and curiosity. But that only lasts a moment.

The beast quickly takes over, his eyes narrow and he can no longer conceal his fangs. The predator in him has shown itself.

He moves forward, at Giulia's direction and feeds.

Erik stands there listening to Laurie as she fills him in. Watching her as she speaks, Erik can tell Laurie doesn't have many options left. Mentally making his mind up, Erik flashes her a rare smile. If these guys are new on the streets, With this being Towerside territory, it's only a matter of time before they move on these...Boogeyman. That happens and it'll get messy, hell I wouldn't be surprised if these guys make it over the next couple of days. Most gangs don't like it when you set up shop in their territory.

Looking at the picture one more time, Erik hands it back to Laurie. Always trust your gut, it'll never let you down. Mine has kept me alive...for years. Do you have something to write on?

As Laurie hands him a small notebook and pen, Erik quickly writes his number down. This is number to my cell. Call me when you hear something or if you need anything.

Looking down at the thugs on the concrete floor, Erik flashes Laurie another playful and flirtatious grin. As you can see I'm good with my hands and I'm not afraid to shake the trees and see what falls out.

After the feeding concluded, Giulia sat up to adjust herself, her hair, and wipe away the dribble of blood from the corner of her lip. Licking her finger clean, she turned to Patrick. There wasn’t so bad was it? Just try not to think about it too much. I know this was new for you but you’ll get the hang of it. Or you’ll die. she thought carelessly.

Quickly she retrieved her phone and quickly began to message Erik. I’m just going to let my associate know about your situation. Once we’ve had time to chat I’ll call you tomorrow.

Erik, lot to tell you. There’s a diablerist in the neighborhood. She’s shortish, speaks in a stilted accent, and wears tight fitting office clothes. Piercing blue eyes. Stay safe but meet me soon.

October 7th, 1 o'clock Hour, The Garage | Erik
She thanks Erik for his intervention, his willingness to help, and any insights he's provided.

She looks at Erik, firmly assessing him. Maybe he's connected...the mob? Honestly, I don't care, she thinks.

She nods "I'll call if I get anymore leads." She looks at the gang members who are now starting to groan in pain. "Yeah, I'll leave 'em here with you--if you want to 'shake' anything out."

She gives a half-smile to Erik, turns and walks away, her heels echoing in the cavernous parking garage.

October 7th, 1 o'clock Hour, A Windy San Francisco Street | Giulia
Patrick takes his leave, truly thankful for the assistance Giulia has provided. After the feeding, he was looking more confident--and less human; a good thing.

Leaves scatter down the street. The wind tugs at your hair.

Does Giulia head anywhere else while she waits for Erik's response? Is there anything else she's planned for this evening?

October 7th, 1 o'clock Hour | Giulia
Giulia returns to her lair.

But what does this lair look like?! What does one see when they tour her place? What's her setup? Where does she sleep for the day?

Erik watches as Laurie leaves the area. Still wondering why he's helping her, Erik turns his attention back to the thugs. Looking down at the group of them, Erik grabs the leader and roughly pulls him up into a standing position. Looking at the others , he simply gives them an undeniable order..Disappear...I see you in this area again and all bets are off.

As the thugs stumble off, Erik moves in the opposite direction, half dragging his prisoner. Once they're outside the garage and in a dark alley, Erik starts his own line of questions. Tell me everything you know about what the good Detective was talking about. Cooperate and it'll go better.

Giulia returns to her old family home. Long since abandoned it has remained unchanged and is in dire need of a redecoration. There she sleeps during the day in her childhood room surrounded by her past glories. A sad end to a once lively house.

October 7th, 2 o'clock Hour, A Quiet San Francisco Street | Erik
As Erik heads home to his lair, perhaps the following would bound around his head:

At some point during the feeding / interrogation, the thug desperately told as much as he could. You'd have seen no reason for him to lie--his eyes earnest as he babbled. He listed all he knew for you.Erik arrives home. Where does he live? What does it look like? What does he respond to Giulia?!

Erik walks into the penthouse suite that he calls home. Locking the door and turning the lights on, Erik looks around at the suite. Being a suite it has spacious rooms and a full kitchen and living Ares. The two bedrooms are large enough for king beds with space left over.

Hitting a switch on the wall, Erik slides the floor length curtains back automatically. Staring out the full length windows, Erik stares at the view of the city. Mentally making notes, he wonders how long it would take to gain any real power.

Hearing the soft footsteps coming up behind him, Eric smiles to himself. Loki...it's good to be home. I'm guessing that you behaved yourself today The large Rottweiler sat beside Erik and looked out the window as well. One day..old friend. One day..

Turning away from the windows Erik and Loki walked back into the living room. Hitting the switch to close the curtains, Erik turned the TV on listen to the local news. Moving into the kitchen Erik opened the wine color and selected a bottle with a red cap on it. Pouring himself a glass and putting the rest in a bowl, Erik set the bowl down in front of Loki. There wasn't much on the menu tonight. There was a chance for a blonde, but it didn't play out like I thought. So it's leftovers tonight.

Lori gives Erik an almost sarcastic look, but digs into his dinner anyway.

Sitting down at the counter, Erik pulls out his phone to look at his messages. Seeing one from Giulia, Erik opens and reads it. Quickly pressing the keys he sends a response. Sorry for missing your message. Apparently, I'm a magnet for strays. I just got done with some bad take out and came home. We've been invited to the Elysium club tomorrow night. Not sure why, but you can bet it's political. Wear something that puts your Sunday best to shame. Call me tomorrow when you get up. We can talk about this...poacher.

Pressing send, Erik next opens up his laptop and powers it up. Once it's ready, he taps on an icon and opens a secure link to Jynx, his Hacker contact. Typing a simple message out, Erik asks for her help.

Jynx, need your help on a pet project. I'm looking into the disappearance of some locals. It's both males and females around college age. The police thinks a local small-time gang called The Boogeymen may be behind it. I'm attaching a list of what details I know. Can you send me a copy of any reports the cops have as well as any pertinent information you can dig up on the gang. No rush, so a day or two will be fine.

Erik sends the message and then shuts down the computer. Looking down at Loki, whose just finishing his dinner, Erik smiles and scratches the dog behind his ears. Well old friend, it's time to sleep. I'll see you tonight.

Knowing Loki will lay down in the living room and guard the apartment, Erik goes into the bedroom. Getting undressed Erik climbs into bed and goes to sleep.