Chris wandered the streets of Chicago quietly.  He disturbed no one as he made his way down the sidewalks that were about, and yet the details around him did not escape his notice.  He heard the conversations as he passed by others, and noticed how people reacted to one another...they way they carried themselves, the tones in their voices, their appearance beyond clothing, and other signs of personality and emotions.  He had, as a reporter, become a student of human sociology...noticing the details of others.  More than once it had helped him discover the truth, or be aware of dangers around him.<br/><br/>It was evening now, and had been for a couple of hours.  Thus far, Chris had yet to find anything that really stood out to him.  Of course, something truly paranormal or mystical would be concealed neatly in plain sight.  So many thought such things, if they did exist at all, were hidden in some dark corners, but that was not what Chris had discovered in his wanderings.  Sometimes the more ordinary it appeared; the chance that it was someone trying a bit too hard to fit in.  Still, nothing had truly attracted his senses...<br/><br/>...that was until...<br/><br/>A man walked by him, and instantly something about him had the young reporter's attention.  Chris turned with practiced ease as if to study a shop nearby, but his peripheral sighted the man as he slipped through the crowd.  There was something about the way the people around him simply slid around his target...or more precisely...how he seemed to just...smoothly move in an out without so much as a misstep.  His gait was all grace, but there was a deadly confidence to it as well.  This was registered in his posture...confidence, relaxed, but alert all the same.  His clothing was of exquisite quality from what little Chris could see as the man got further away.  Knowing something was different here; Chris began to follow him quietly...nearly twenty paces back.  He was certain that was not likely far enough back if the person he was following was even a little aware, but Chris decided it was worth the risk.  He fell behind five more paces...just barely keeping the man out of sight.  His target was tall...over seven feet easily, and built with a grace he had rarely seen.  Then, the man disappeared around a corner, and Chris hesitated.<br/><br/>A trap?<br/><br/>HIs instincts told him this was no ordinary person he had been following, and the way the man walked with such lethal ease.  A moment later, Chris decided to step into the shadows further.  It was unwise to hunt such beings without extreme caution.  He had no desire to harm any of them, but he knew perfectly well...from experience even...that some had no qualms slaying mortals...even for meals.  The young reporter's mind moved instantly to battle, and his feet moved out of pure instinct...preparing...waiting to move into Asking Hand form should he need to.<br/><br/>Nothing happened...<br/><br/>...seconds ticked into minutes...a half-hour...nothing....<br/><br/>Chris decided to move on ahead.  Staying in one place like this was also a warning to those who might be watching.  So, he moved on ahead...his senses straining for any sign of trouble.  It was, after all, quite possible that he was now the hunted.  Around the corner was a row of restaurants and other shops.  The man was nowhere to be seen, but this hardly surprised Chris.  Among all the lights and people came laughter from up head.  Curious, Chris advanced towards the place, and saw the sign outside said:  Comedy Night.  If he had indeed become the hunted; he would be wise to be in a public place.  Up towards the moon he gazed, and there...a bit to his amazement was the man on the roof peering down with keen interest at him.  Though he could not see him clearly enough; he was quite sure the man was smiling with understanding, and it sent a cold knife into his heart.  The man knew Chris had been following him, and he was indeed one of the beings of power and mystery.  He was aware of Chris, and that left the young reporter with a huge question in his mind.<br/><br/>'Now what?' he thought to himself.  'I have no idea what he is.  He know I have been following him.  He knows I suspect he isn't normal.  What to do...what to do?'<br/><br/>With an elaborate bow to the man on the roof; Chris then turned with confidence into the place holding their comedy performances.  The man's reflection in the window did not show...so either he had already moved on...or...he was a vampire.  Chris gulped hard, and paid the hostess the cover charge to get in.  When her fingers brushed his skin; Chris reacted instantly by looking into her eyes with keen interest and caution.  Her hand had been like ice...colder than ice.  Her own reaction was strange...almost startled to see him take note of her.  Not daring to hang around her longer...for he had no idea what she was, but went the rest of the way in where there was a  round of applause from the audience.  The room was softly lit, and felt quite lively.  He turned just in time to see the hostess have someone take her spot while she went to out among the tables.  Chris wondered what her intentions were, but it was stupid to just be standing there so openly.  So, he went to a table in a corner...not quite secluded, but certainly not out in the open.  As he did so; he noted the frosty hostess continuing to make her way towards a table with deliberate intent.<br/><br/>Perhaps she was only checking on her customers...or perhaps it had something to do with how they had reacted to each other...