Liam's sleep was restless. The weight of the day's events pressed heavily upon him, and he was awake before the sun set. There were sounds of cooking upstairs as the villagers prepared the evening meal.

Caleb was following the cooking in his own fashion, with his nose pressed against the crack of the door. Sensing his master stir, he turned around and wagged his tail.

Liam rubbed his eyes and yawned. "I'm awake, I'm awake," he mumbled. "Its good to see you too, Caleb," he said, reaching up to scratch the dog.

"Lets go get you some dinner."

Shifting over to the side of the bed Liam pulled on his shirt and headed for the door.

The room above wasn't safe for him at this hour, but a quick shout up later, Alex was drawing the blinds. Joyce and Patti were busy making a vegetarian curry, and Mel was putting a set of fresh biscuits into the oven. She stiffened when she spied Liam.

"You're up early," Joyce commented. "Big day, I suppose."

"I've got a lot weighing on my mind," Liam agreed. "And Caleb was hungry. He seems very enthusiastic about whatever you're cooking."

"Aw, he's just enthusiastic about cooking," said Patti. He trotted right up to the edge of the kitchen, and sat politely. She tossed a large chunk of zucchini to him, and he snapped it out of the air. Clearly, they had an understanding.

"Yeah, we've all got that goin' on," said Alex. He shook the blackout curtains, making sure that no slivers of setting sunlight crept through. "Especially Robyn."

The women all grunted their assent at the last comment. Though Joyce was quick to add "She's under a level of pressure most of us can't even understand."

As if on command, the door to Robyn's study flew open. Robyn, wide-eyed and wild-haired, swept into the room and threw open her tea cupboard.

"Oh hey, Liam," she said with a tone far more even than he would have expected from her appearance. "Mind if I have a cup of your blood?"

She leaned over and grabbed a pyrex measuring cup, and placed it on the counter. "Two cups, if you can spare it," she added as she began pulling down small jars of desiccated mushrooms and various herbs. "And can someone put the kettle on?"

Finished with her rolls, Mel grabbed the electric kettle from the counter and began to fill it.

Liam sat down at the counter and rolled up his sleeve without complaint. He'd eaten well the night before, and he planned to do so again when he delivered the rifle to Mik. Just in case. Opening a vein on his wrist with a tooth, and trying to shield the act from Mel with his body, he filled the cup to the line.

"You could probably do with a little too," he added, addressing Caleb. "Can't just live on zucchini and biscuits."

"Go get your bowl."

Caleb dutifully complied, fetching his steel dish and dropping it at Liam's feet with a clang.

Robyn poured the boiling water over her mystery concoction, and stepped over to the measuring cup. She downed the entire contents in a single chug, blanching and shaking her head as she slammed the cup back on the counter.

"Whoof, that's got a bite to it, huh? Thanks, bud."

"You're welcome," Liam said, filling Caleb's bowl before licking his wound closed. He nudged the bowl closer to Caleb and rolled down his sleeve.

"How are you feeling? Did you manage to get much sleep?"

"Uh, of course I didn't," said Robyn placidly. "Tell me, Liam, have you ever had to deliver a speech? Or perform a dance? Imagine having to put on a ballet show using a style you've only ever read about, and if you step a toe out of line you and everyone in the audience falls through the tears you'll rip through the fabric of reality."

"But hey," she added, as she stirred the contents of her tea infuser. "If I didn't think I could do it, I wouldn't be trying."

"I'm not really much of a dancer," Liam admitted. "I can play a few chords on the fiddle, although that's rather besides the point you're getting at."

"So I suppose a better question is what else do you need?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:46, Tue 29 Aug 2023.

"Your attendance in the grove at midnight," said Robyn, straining the liquid from the infuser. She took her mug of tea and disappeared back into her study.

After a moment, Alex pointed at the closed door. "Did... did she just chug a pint of you?"

"You don't think German shepherds live to be twenty all by themselves?" Liam said, affectionately scratching Caleb behind his ears. "Sometimes you need a little help."

Still, Liam couldn't help but wonder. The last time Liam had offered Robyn his blood - to save her life no less - she couldn't have been more clear with him. She didn't want a drop of it. Now it seemed almost second nature. A lot had changed since then, it seemed. For better or for worse.

He wasn't about to question it though. Not tonight.

"Midnight," he said, checking his watch. He was trapped inside until the sun went down regardless, but that was more than enough time to drop off the rifle and solar panel pack with Mik.

"Time enough to squeeze in a hunt." Whatever might come of the night, he intended to face it with a full belly.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:20, Tue 29 Aug 2023.

"Welp, godspeed," said Alex. "I don't think she'll wait around if you're late."

The skies over the woods were clear, but Liam couldn't get his mind off Miss' warning. How many witch-hunters were scouring the woods right now? Would they be able to bypass Robyn's defences? Would those defences come down when the ritual was underway?

There was no way for Liam to know. Hell, he wasn't even clear on precisely what the ritual was going to do. He'd simply have to roll with the punches as they came.

Mik didn't make it a habit of sleeping in the same tree night after night, but Liam was expected, and so he found the Akunanse where he could see him; lounging on the same branch he'd seen him the night before.

Liam unslung the rifle from over his shoulder as he approached, offering it up on open arms. "Glad I found you here. Wasn't keen to light another cigarette in the woods." He smiled.

"How goes the night so far?"

"Quiet," said Mik, his many eyes on the sky. "They've changed their regular patrols - whatever few remained. They're trying very hard to make it look like they're not at all interested in these woods. Whatever diversion your friend is planning, if the goal was to get the Tremere's attention, you will certainly have it."

"It makes me nervous, I'm not going to pretend otherwise," Liam confessed. "Some shovelhead fliers I was prepared for. A forest full of witch-hunters... well that's another matter entirely."

"You've got my number, and I'll give you Elijah's and Cal's as well. If you spot anything untoward, be sure to pass it along."

He handed Mik the solar pack. "From Pockets. To keep your phone juiced. Hopefully you've got enough battery to last the night."

"You know the trick to killing a wizard, don't you?" said Mik. "Never let them see you coming. They may be powerful, but out here they're in my domain."

Mik wasn't wrong of course. Liam had tangled with the witch-hunters several times now, and each time he'd come out on top they hadn't seen him coming.

"Robyn doesn't need me until midnight - although I plan to be back plenty early. I don't suppose you'd care to join me for a hunt through your domain?" Liam asked. "I figure a full belly is the best I can do to prepare at this point. And we're safer together."

"Don't we need a permit for that, now?" Mik replied with a chuckle. "Come on, I've had my eye on a lame buck for a few nights now."

[Roll wits+survival DC 7. No autos]

"I'm choosing not to pay too much attention to those statutes for now. Jacob is already planning his appeal. After you, sir."

Liam motioned for Mik to lead the way.

6 successes

Liam and Mik had no trouble finding their prey. The buck looked as though it had lost every fight it had ever had. A deep scar on its left haunch indicated it wouldn't be too much effort to chase down.

As the two of them flanked their prey, the creature spooked, and crashed through a thicket to escape. They heard a loud crash, a deer's cry, and a human grunt. When they moved around the thicket to investigate, they found the buck on the ground, trying desperately to free its antlers from the ribcage of a downed witch-hunter. The vampire, too, was trying to escape this embarrassing situation, but the heavy plated coat and his own bones kept the antlers stuck fast.

The buck had all but forgotten the noise that had spooked him, and the witch-hunter was completely unaware. Liam had a perfect opportunity to put the wizard strategy into practice.

Liam came to an abrupt halt standing stock still in the shadows beneath the canopy as the buck at once confirmed his suspicions and presented him with perhaps an opportunity. The Tremere were indeed here. But unlike the shovelheads whose presence individually would not be missed, each witch-hunter represented the cumulative power and refinement of decades of patient training. Removing even one from the battlefield would be an accomplishment, and here was a chance to do so quietly.

Liam exchanged a silent glance with Mik. They were doing this. And they were doing it now.

While the witch-hunter struggled to dislodge the frantic buck, Liam silently padded up behind him and went for the kill...

2 successes
8 aggro damage
This message was last edited by the player at 18:12, Wed 30 Aug 2023.

The pinned vampire's neck slipped easily between Liam's jaws. A bite and a twist later, and the vampire crumpled to a heap, and his flesh turned to ash in Liam's mouth.

The deer reared up, confused and stunned by the sudden turn of events. Mik was fast upon it, sinking his chelicerae into the creature's neck, and drawing its blood. The creature stiffened, first at the shock of The Kiss, and then to the paralyzing venom in Mik's bite.

Having taken his fill, he released the deer. He looked down at the pile of ash. "All said and done, a good hunt," he mused.

“Entirely acceptable,” Liam replied, his snout shortening as he resumed his usual guise and human digits to rifle through the greatcoat. Once Mik had taken his fill, Liam drained the buck dry.

“I should get back,” he said, folding up the coat to tuck into a tree. “Stay safe tonight, Mik. If all goes well I could use your help again tomorrow. I’ll call with details once Robyn finishes and the forest quiets down.”