The Serpent's Kiss

The flickering neon sign of "The Serpent's Kiss" pulsed a sickly green and purple into the rain-slicked alley. Above it, a crudely painted serpent coiled around a dagger, its eyes seeming to follow your every move. You shivered, pulling your trench coat tighter. It wasn't just the October chill; the air itself felt thick with secrets and desperation. This wasn't your usual beat. You're Kai, a Resolver. Not a cop, not a PI, something... in between. You navigate the city's underbelly, the forgotten places where the official channels fail, settling disputes and righting wrongs in your own particular, often morally ambiguous, way. Tonight, a crumpled note slipped anonymously under your apartment door led you here. Simply, "Find Moira. The Serpent's Kiss. Time is running out." Moira. You remember the name vaguely. A local artist, known for her hauntingly beautiful portraits of the city's forgotten souls. Now, she's vanished. And judging by the ominous name and the general air of decay surrounding you, you're walking into something far deeper than a missing person case. The alley is practically deserted save for a rat scavenging in a overflowing dumpster. A low hum emanates from within the bar, punctuated by the occasional burst of laughter and the clinking of glasses. It smells of cheap whiskey, stale cigarettes, and something vaguely metallic - a scent you can't quite place, but that raises the hairs on the back of your neck. You push open the heavy, warped wooden door and step inside. The interior is dimly lit, a haze of cigarette smoke hanging in the air. A handful of patrons are scattered around the room, nursing their drinks and lost in their own worlds. A weary-looking bartender wipes down the counter with a stained rag, his eyes holding a thousand untold stories. At the far end, a shadowy figure sits alone, nursing a drink, their face obscured by the dim light and the brim of their hat. This is The Serpent's Kiss. This is where your search begins. This is where the truth lies buried, waiting to be unearthed. But be warned, Resolver, in this city, some secrets are best left undisturbed. Are you ready to face the consequences? Your next move... is yours.