The day had arrived. The business that Liam had almost rushed straight out to deal with had now come due. Of course, there was nothing stopping the village from extending their vacation indefinitely. But everyone felt ready to continue, and the kitchen was out of a few essentials.

It was still a strange feeling to be awake and well into his day by the time the sun set. Liam took the time to savour it, just in case it was a while before he was back. The clock wouldn't officially restart until midnight, so he had ample opportunities to finish up his business in the village and still be back in the world the moment they'd left it.

Liam wasn't the only one preparing to head out into the world. Logan, Ted and Jack were headed to the portal by Robyn's parcel drop-off in order to retrieve the quadcopter. Joyce and Mel were planning a midnight grocery run at a 24-hour Ottawa Metro. Pockets and Patti were hard at work preparing to implement the Malkavian's ambitious plans to restore anonymous connectivity to the village.

To the surprise of no-one, Robyn was hard at work in her sanctum. Oddly enough, she wasn't in her hut, nor the Nexus when Liam entered the grove. She was on her hands and knees right by the door, working on scraping intricate runes into the dirt.

"Just a sec," she said over her shoulder. She stood, inspecting her handiwork. She'd carved a massive ring along the edge of the treeline, completely encapsulating her sanctum into this spell. The runes shimmered and disappeared. If they had an effect, it wasn't one Liam could feel.

"There, now I feel better," she said, dusting her hands off. "What can I do for you, Liam?"

"I was going through my things, getting ready to go back," Liam replied. He held up a letter addressed with Robyn's name. "I found this."

"With everything that's happened these past two weeks, it slipped my mind. I meant to give it to you the night we left."

He waited while Robyn read through the contents. When she looked just about done he cleared his throat.

"I presume I'm going to get my fair share of pointed questions when I get back. What shall I tell them?"

Robyn opened her package. The first page contained a similar form letter and badge to Liam's. She managed to get halfway through the first paragraph before she tossed it aside. "Nah," she remarked. The only other letter in the package was printed on heavy-stock paper with an embellished border. Her indifferent expression cracked. First surprise, then amusement.

"They must think I'm really dumb," she chuckled, turning the letter around to show Liam. "They want to induct me into the Order of Canada."

It certainly appeared the letter was genuine. The letter was from the office of the Governor-General, and praised (in the most vague manner possible) Robyn's efforts to expose and thwart 'a grave and immediate threat to the sovereignty of the nation and the safety of the entire commonwealth'. It invited her to a ceremony at Rideau Hall at the end of the month.

"I mean... you'd have an easy time getting there now. Rideau Hall can't be too far from the 24-hour metro."

"Of course, their views on your contribution to Canada's sovereignty may have evolved now that you've seceded from time and space... with a portion of New Brunswick."

"Yeah, I think I've made my position pretty clear already," said Robyn, collecting the package and stuffing it carefully back in the envelope. "And if there's any ambiguity it'll be cleared up when I drop the video. Not that I'd feel right accepting at any rate. Not when they're planning... this." She held up the envelope for effect.

Liam shrugged. "They don't know what to do with us."

"Would you?"

He smiled and looked around the sanctum. "It's funny. They're back home worried about the likes of me. This." Liam shook his finger. "This is going to really scare them. The government and the Camarilla."

"So... what should I say? Not about the commendation, I think that's pretty clear. About... Nowhere."

"Say what you like," said Robyn. "All I did was practice my own craft in my own home. I guess they could make the case that I'm guilty of digging without a permit, but I'm out of their jurisdiction, so it's a moot point at any rate."

She paused and took a deep breath, smoothing back the rising edge of anger in her voice. "They can decide whether I did the right thing for themselves, just as I've had to. I didn't make any enemies doing what I did who weren't already going to become my enemies when they figured out the source of my power. You'll see what I mean soon enough."

Now that sounded ominous.

"And the portals?" Liam asked. "Not all of them, obviously, but if the government wished to know the location of one? If they want to send a delegate to speak with you?"

"I promised Jack that I'd protect you, but I imagine within the confines of this space and time you don't need my protection."

Robyn thought hard about the question. "In the rare event that we need a face-to-face, I'll make one special. It doesn't take much energy to make a new one from this end. If I'm in the Nexus, it doesn't take anything out of me at all. In the meantime, they've got my cell number and all my social media. I should be back online by tomorrow evening."

Robyn smiled at his next statement. "You're right about that," she said." It's high time I was able to protect myself. Once we're done with Vamanando, I don't see myself needing much from the outside world. And if you'll allow me, we're coming upon a time where I can protect you. I won't be insulted if you have your own plans once the Tremere are done, but you're more than welcome to make a home for yourself here. There's plenty of land, with more on the way. You could make a home for yourself in your own little corner of Nowhere."

"I appreciate that," Liam replied. "Sincerely. And I'll probably take you up on it - this place is a marvel. I haven't felt a craving in two weeks, and I can walk in the sun for hours. But I don't think I'm quite done with the outside world myself. I may need to keep two houses."

"Robyn... if I can give a word of advice. As a friend. There is no upper limit to your potential. Which means only you can reign yourself in. You aren't the same woman who started down this path anymore. That's not a good thing or a bad thing, but its certainly irrefutable."

"It may be worth checking in with her though, to remember why she started down this path and what she hoped to achieve. At some point you will have to decide what is Enough. You can build forever but it makes no difference if you never take the time to enjoy it. And I'm not the only one in need of a vacation."

"Hm," said Robyn. "You're right about that, too. Except I wasn't the one who chose this path. It was chosen for me ten-someodd years ago when that damn book showed up on my doorstep. I'm very different now, true. But you wouldn't have liked the woman I was, then. My writing career had stalled, and I was ripped apart by grief. Angry at the world, and at the echelons of power who use the rest of us like pawns. I guess that much is still true."

"I know I need to rein it in, but I can't in good conscience hang up my wizard hat while there's still so much injustice and suffering in the world. The real challenge before me now is not becoming what I hate."

"I actually think I would have liked her," Liam replied. "I know grief. I've had... several lifetimes to acquaint myself with it. I would never define you by your loss. Or your anger."

"Remember, I'm the one who saw the little girl inside of Annie," Liam said with a smile.

"Some things cant be fixed with magic. Most things, probably. At least the important ones. The world needs a chance to fix its own problems. They might disappoint you. But they also might surprise you. And if you try to fix it for them you take away their agency."

"And there lies the path to becoming what you hate."

"When Logan and the others come back with that drone, look at the footage. Be careful what you put out there into the world. There's no coming back."

"I should know. I'm the one who ended the Masquerade."