"I certainly hope it is within your power. Because the alternative is that I carry out the necessary steps to restore my face to the community after your theft." he doesn't say it, but manages to imply that such steps would involve Janet's slow, lingering, and very painful death. "One of my underlings, a man by the name of Zhao Chen, has missed some of his reports. He seems to have been missing for a week. Since then, the protection monies have not been collected, and there have been a number of disappearances. Fei Ya-Hung, another of my subordinates, has been aggressive in seeking to add Zhao Chen's holdings to his own. I would not like to take this step until I know for sure what Zhao Chen's fate has been."

"Don't take this the wrong way, but why me?  Surely you'd want someone who speaks Chinese, and wouldn't accidentally make gaffes."

Huang Li smiles. "I would prefer someone closer to myself, yes, but certain recent events have diverted my attention from these matters." His icy gaze leaves no question as to what "recent events" he's referring to. "I would send Fang Lau, but he is more of my blunt instrument than someone with finesse, as I am sure you have realized, and I need him to maintain order at the rail depot. Fei Ya-Huang is much too interested in taking over Zhao Chang's territory--his interests are in conflict. The same goes for Wong Fee Lee. I could not trust an unbiased report from either. Your friend Maddox is preparing to chase down the other irritant I have to deal with this week, and so he is unavailable for this. So for why you, it is because Mr. Sebastian asked if there was anything I needed doing that would make up for the the trouble you have caused me. This is something I need doing. It will make up for the trouble you have caused me."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:08, Fri 14 June 2013.

Janet shrugged.  "Well, since you're asking, I'd be glad to help.  However, I would need a translator, and more information on Zhao Chen.  Where did he live, where was he seen last, who he spent time with, that sort of thing."

"A translator I can provide." Huang Li says. "As well as some information on the neighborhood he organizes protection for. As for his last whereabouts and whom he spends time with, that you will have to discover. I did not socialize with him above the payments he sent me--he had yet to impress me beyond mere loyalty and efficiency. You may want to begin your search with Je Hou, who runs a laundry with his wife in Zhao Chen's area of town. Je Hou speaks excellent English, and can serve as a translator."

Boudreaux looked at the girl with a feigned look of sadness on his face.

"So she says no boom boom with black man?" Black Jack asked.

The prostitute bows more formally. "We can no refuse honorlable customer," she says. Her smile is odd, tight. "But you no want ugry little mui tsai-" she flicks dismissively at the girl's hair, "-breast like chicken! [Language unknown: M wh, naos to un encallave eslewi u alilhe!"]

Peach Blossom insinuates her way onto Jack's arm as the girl scurries away, pulling him off to the side. Other similarly-attired women watch them from the shadowy corners of the building like cats, one resting on a bench, another leaning on the wall, and another languidly drawing on a pipe. There's a real cat on the bench, too, belly-up for scratching; yellow eyes catch the light as it looks over through the smoky haze.

"Me show you real good time girl," Blossom promises, and more is promised by the easy sway of her hips and the flush in her cheeks. "Boom boom then opium, yes? Opium make good time stay long!"

"May a gentlemen have the privilege of knowing your name?" jack asked the more experienced of the two ladies.

"Well then, give me the information you can, and I'll get started.  Oh, and you'll need to release Roger, as I am in his employ, and I can't do any of this without his permission.  You wouldn't want one of your underlings taking on a task without your permission, after all."

The gangster gives a disgusted snort, and snaps his fingers.

The goons holding Roger to the floor relent, and the gambler picks himself up and dusts his coat off. "Thank you." he says, tipping his hat to Janet.

"There. The neighborhood Zhao Chen was responsible for provides many services for the miners of Asian descent. Zhao Chen oversaw the protection of the various businesses there. The businesses on his side of the creek were numerous and varied. Several shops of various goods, the laundry, a Jiàochē or two, and a warehouse near the railyard. Nothing overly profitable, but a steady and reliable source of income. Up until the disappearances, I gave that section of the alley little mind. But this last week has been...troubling. Zhao Chen was an unremarkable, efficient man, but his holdings were a check against Fei Ya-Haung's ambitions. He kept the rascal penned in, given his position on the edge of town. Fei Ya-Haung can not expand past him, which pleased me. Is there anything else you wish to know?"

"Yes.  Could you show me on a map where Chen's holdings ended, and where Fei Ya-Huang's began?"

The lady of the evening looks confused, like she didn't quite understand the question. She hides her uncertainty behind her sleeve and giggles. "Me Peach Blossom."

Her look at Jack is curious, but clearly the girls are trained not to ask names. Blossom leans out to the girl in green leaning against the wall as they pass, catching her hand. "Opium after, yes?" she asks, looking back at Jack. "Opium and China girl, cost less than white woman! One dollar, me and long time smoke. Vely good!"
This message was lightly edited by the GM at 16:21, Sat 15 June 2013.

"Peach Blossom I'll pay two bucks. For you and her. Now let's get down to business." Jack said.

The girls exchange a look, then break into eager giggles. The one in green steps forward and peels Jack's outer clothing from him as Blossom hauls him towards a curtain.

"You take off shoes," Blossom instructs, then pulls him through into the crib. The room is pretty basic, with a pallet, a stool and a waxed paper lantern that casts a warm red light over the interior. Peach Blossom's agile fingers flit over Jack's shirt and pants, leaving him half-undone whilst she goes and kneels on the pallet, pulling the pin from her hair.

"You can use robe here," she says, gesturing at one hanging on the side wall. Green Robe Girl takes Jack's shirt and puts it on the stool with his other clothing. "If want go out, smoke...come back in."

Peach Blossom demonstrates how easily the garment opens to permit the touch of skin to skin, slipping the knot of her sash. Cloth slides from her shoulders, baring a strip of pale flesh from chest to belly and highlighting the dark V of shadow between her parted thighs. She looks up at him, inviting. Behind Jack, the soft fall of a robe and the press of flesh and hair to his backside hint the whore smoothing his pants from his hips is already naked.

House of Heavenly Delights indeed.



((OOC: ...aaaand Fade to Black, before this game winds up rated Adult.

All right, you've paid for the girls twice over (or once and enough opium to be off your face for several hours) - approximately how long will Jack spend whoring here?

Also, give me a couple of Vigor rolls, please.))

Huang Li nods, and motions for on of the goons to do so. The rascal returns with a map of Deadwood, and holds it to Haung-Li, who marks on it. The goon brings over the map.

From the markings, it seems that Zhao Chen's territory extends about a block, following Crescent Street along the hill. The edge of his territory and Fei Ya-Huang's territory along The Street of Sparking Spring is the Malevolent Fortress Road. Huang Li has circled the warehouse he mentioned...it's where Malevolent Fortress Road meets the train yard. The laundry house of Je Hou is further up Crescent.

((OOC: I don't actually have a map of Celestial Alley, and only modern maps to go by, so you'll have to excuse the largely text-based navigation of this place.))

Janet nods.  "All right then.  Unless Roger has any questions, we shall take our leave."  She turns to Roger and looks questioningly.

"I'm simply eager to take my leave, if it's all the same to you." Roger says, with a curt bow.

Huang Li flicks his hand dismissively towards the door.

Janet takes Roger by the arm, and heads out the door.  "Do you speak Chinese?" She asked.  "If not, I think we'd best start with the translator."

10:25, Today: Black Jack Boudreaux rolled 2,3 using d6,d8, rerolling max with rolls of 2,3.



10:26, Today: Black Jack Boudreaux rolled 6 using 1d6+2, rerolling max with rolls of 4.


Jack Boudreaux has no interest in opium, he needs to stay sharp, but it has been to long since he has had the company of a women .. much less two. A bit out of practice but he is spurred on by his company. Jack lays on the charm a bit.

"I am so intoxicated by your beauty and that passion of our lovemaking I feel no desire to sample the indulge in the pipe. But you ladies are welcome to induldge in my balls .. of opium if you desire."


10:33, Today: Black Jack Boudreaux rolled 7,3 using d6+2,d10+2, rerolling max with rolls of 5,1. persuasion.

In reply to Janet Weiss (msg # 35):

Roger frowns, looks around, then leads Janet away from prying ears. He leads her into the back room where cards snap and dice clink. "I do not speak Chinese, no. But I have a grave concern." he says, keeping his voice low enough that it seems to melt into the background noise.

"I am beginning to find myself very skeptical of our friend Huang Li. His manner when we met earlier gave no indication of the brutality he displayed here. He assured me that all was forgiven, but the manner in which he summoned us and the treatment we received point otherwise. I think he's nursing a grudge, and my gambling instincts tell me the dack is stacked against us."

"Do you speak Creole?  Or French?"

[Language unknown: "Ro Ticearive p miolai, tipo m Fiilil hi ingatihas osce."] Roger says. [Language unknown: "P antsi wasbleeau niset, E aceeec tione."]

Janet nodded.  [Language unknown: "Erard, I honino prore uneiis Andsomati wit.  Mast o ar enour it iouvorone anyourast ch, ma whent peosho.  Antstiall eenng verereame m wit staek virhat'butatiill?"]

One of the girls - it's hard to tell them apart naked, with the low light - rises, throws on a robe and slips through the curtain. She comes back with a pipe, causing the whore still beside Jack to shift and sit up with a tiny mewling sound of desire.

A brief slant of light from outside plays over the girl's torso and thighs as the curtain falls to and she approaches, dropping her sash. There are bruises there that don't show up under the lantern's glow. She pauses, slightly dubious, and speaks rapidly to the other whore in Cantonese.

"We...trouble, if take opium, no workee," the one beside Jack translates. It must be Peach Blossom, the other one doesn't seem to speak English. She bites her lip. "-you...smoke little-little, for us say 'he share'? Pretty prease?"

Her voice drops, becomes sultry as she trails a finger over Jack's chest. "Sure Mister no get tired...he vely strong, love long time..." Peach Blossom giggles, then kneels over him and takes the pipe from the other girl, leaning down. "Here, me make good. You say...canglóng."

She inhales deeply, then settles on Jack's chest, her hair imprisoning the pungent coils of smoke as she breathes gently into his face.



((OOC: The girls probably appreciate the use of the 'Extra Effort' card. Please mark it in the Adventure Cards thread.

As a result, Jack makes it out of the encounter without any VDs. This isn't one of your better-class brothels and the girls don't get much choice, after all. I'll assume you've taken up at least 45 minutes by now. Were you persuading them to smoke?))

Jack does his best to avoid looking like he is smoking and suggests a bit more lovemaking.


Than after a few more moments he stands "Oh my I have forgotten an appointment I must keep."

Going through his wallet his makes sure his money is there and then tips each of girls another dollar. "He is a show of my satisfaction."

He check his other possessions as he dresses.