Liam awoke to find Pockets' door open, with Robyn already at her side. Pockets hadn't looked too great before, but now she looked like some of the boys he'd seen in the hospitals Over There. And not the ones who made it. She was, at the very least, conscious. Robyn had propped her up with a gentle wedge, and was giving her another drink. Pockets gave a wave for Liam to come in, and winced hard from the pain of moving.

Liam paused with his arm against the door frame and surveyed the scene before him worriedly, though he endeavoured to put on a brave face. “Hey, Kiddo,” He said, managing a smile. “Glad to see you’re awake again. How are you feeling?”

He took a step into the room and sat down at the side of the bed.

WP 4/8
BP 6/15
14 xp
Health: hurt -1

"Ever get shot before you were embraced?" Pockets asked. "Kinda like that. At least I imagine. I can barely move."

"I'm helping her with her pain," Robyn said slowly.

"And by that she means she took a buttload of edibles and we're going to marathon Steven Universe."

"I will most likely take a nap too," Robyn mumbled. She didn't look much better than Pockets. "I was up most of the day helping the refugees. Maybe three hours of sleep. Plus I'm a couple pints low. Magically speaking I couldn't light a fart right now. Now that you're up, I'm tappin' out."

"Get some sleep," Liam said to Robyn. "I'll stay with Pockets and keep an eye on things upstairs." He too was feeling a few pints low, but he'd manage another night without feeding if it came to that.

"Nah I got 'er," Robyn said, flopping on the bed beside Pockets. "You go check on the folks outside. The yurt is up. They're fed, showered and mostly clothed. I already did a daytime grocery run - with Braaaaaaahaad." The name came out of her mouth like vomit.

Liam smiled. "Shout if you need anything," he said, turning towards the door and adjusting the dimmer on the way out. A shower sounded like a half decent idea, though he'd lost most of his clothes again the night before and was largely left with only the threads that had accompanied him back from Bergen. One of these days he was going to own a wardrobe again, but it was not tonight.

Twenty minutes later he made his way up the stairs and into the house proper in search of Caleb and whatever company he could find.

Caleb was nowhere to be found indoors. There was a hamper full of towels (seriously, why did Robyn own that many towels?) in the bathroom. Liam managed to snag the last clean one. She was out of shampoo, and the hot water didn't last either. Caleb was nowhere to be found in the house. However, the sound of his barks was what led Liam to the settlement.

It wasn't far from the house, just past a thicket of lilac trees. It occurred to Liam that he'd never asked her just how far the property extended. The yurt was spacious enough to comfortable house a dozen. Unfortunately, there were at least 15 by Liam's estimation. Some had been unable to move, and he wondered just how many of them were too far gone in the conversion process from human being to mind-controlling blood factory. Certainly many of them had been nursing fresh lacerations from carved incantations.

Those who could fit Robyn's hoodies or Jack's old flannels were dressed, and a few of them bore Mik's silk ponchos. A pair were on the far side of the yurt, digging a hole for a latrine, with a third supervising. The group's youngest (early 20s, by Liam's estimation) was playing a rousing game of fetch with Caleb. She was sporting a fresh buzz cut. A large group was sitting around a campfire. It looked like it had been going all afternoon. A woman was playing one of Jack's acoustic guitars.

One of the group at the campfire spied Liam approaching, and murmured something about a vampire. A silence spread quickly through the camp. One of the abilities they had apparently retained from their ordeals was an innate ability to recognize his kind.

The kid quickly abandoned the game of fetch, and dashed over to the group. Caleb looked at them awkwardly, not understanding the source of their sudden apprehension. He came over to greet Liam. He jumped up ecstatically, clearly overstimulated.

Moments later, a member of the group stood, and walked over to Liam. She was an older woman, mid-fifties. She squinted at him, bleary-eyed. The Tremere had not even allowed her to retain her glasses. "You must be Liam," she said. "Robyn told us about you."

Liam nodded. "I am indeed," he said. "Hello, everyone. Hello, Caleb," he said, reaching down to stroke the dog. "I hope he hasn't been bothering anyone. He's not used to being around this many people."

"May I join you?"

The group tensed visibly. The woman didn't even need to look back to know the answer. "I think that may be a little soon," she said. "I hope you don't take offense to that. Most of them have witnessed nothing but horrors at the hands of your people. It will take time to build trust."

She held out a hand. "Joyce Cohen, by the way."

"That's understandable."

Liam took her hand and shook. "Liam O'Farrell," he said. "Pleased to meet you, Joyce."

"If you'd like my help with building their trust, I do have a few ideas," Joyce said helpfully. "Judging from last night you're not averse to risk. They are-"

"Yo," a booming voice said, interrupting her. The man supervising the latrines had taken a break from not helping to walk over and greet Liam. He was heavy-set, suggesting that he had come a ways in four months of vampire austerity. His face was beet red, and he had on his best salesman's smile. He grabbed Liam's hand and shook it, trying his best to squeeze impressively. "You must be the man in charge. Brad Hawkins, pleasure to meet you."

Liam’s full attention had been given to Joyce so he was somewhat surprised when Brad made his introductions. “Um, hello Brad,” he said, shaking the new fellow’s hand instinctively. “Liam. Pleased to meet you as well, though I’m hardly in charge. This is Robyn’s house.“

He could understand Robyn’s reaction at once, and was considerably more interested in hearing from Joyce at the moment.

“Could I - I was just getting to meet Joyce. Could you give me a few minutes?”

"Oh, sure, sure," Brad said. "Don't talk his ear off, doc. I wanna bend it too." He guffawed and took a step back, listening in.

"As I was saying," Joyce said, putting on her best diplomatic deadpan. "Many of them have families that are still captive. Given the events of last night, I can understand if you're not able to help right now. I won't tell you how to prioritize, but it would let them know that you prioritize them."

Brad opened his mouth to interject again, but settled for clearing his throat.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:11, Wed 08 July 2020.

Liam nodded and pursed his lips. "After last night the whole city will be on alert. It would be too dangerous for anyone I tried to bring out. But I hear you. I'll see what I can do... Doctor Cohen, is it?"

"Doctor of Psychology, yes," Joyce said. "I imagine things are complicated out there. From what I gather from your companion, we were not the targets of your efforts last night. We're very grateful for what you both did. Those people need stopping."

Brad fidgeted. He was not used to having to wait to speak.

"Yes they do," Liam concurred. "We've been waging a lopsided war of attrition for the past decade. Last night was a big victory, but we have a long way to go. For the first time in a long time though I think we really stand a chance."

Liam smiled and turned to face Brad after a moment.

"Yes, Brad, I can see you've got something weighing on your mind. Lets hear it," he said with a friendly beckons of his hand.

"Thanks, Liam," Brad said. "Lemme just say, no disrespect to the doc, before we can think about moving anyone in, we need to think about getting some folks out. Most of us want to stay and fight, but we have a couple people with families out of province who want to run, and a few folks who we really aren't set up to take care of. It's pretty tight back there as it is, and until we can get something permanent built here, it's going to be hard living."

Liam nodded. Brad wasn't wrong at all. He glanced at the Yurt and the latrines still being dug out. It was hard to imagine adding more people to the camp without it falling apart at the seams.

"I can help get people out if that's what they want, but not tonight. You can guarantee the roads will be watched."

"Tell me about the ones in bad shape. What would we need to tide them over until we can get them out safely?"

"We did all we could this afternoon," Joyce said. "We've got three people that won't wake up, but we're managing to keep them hydrated. We've got one refusing food, but I'm trying to bring her around."

"She was in bad shape before they started cutting on us," Brad added. "No idea what they were doing to her, but she's a wreck."

"I recognise you're all just getting to know each other so you might not know, but does anyone have any formal medical training?" Liam asked.

Joyce shook her head. "We checked," she said. "No doctors or nurses. Grace is a Veterinary student, so that's something at least."

"We also have a retired plumber and an accountant who they had doing their books, but that's it," Brad added.

“Can Grace start an IV if I can wrangle up the supplies?” Liam asked. “Wait, did you say their books? As in the Camarilla’s?” That was valuable information. Knowing where the money was hidden could help to break them.

"Yep," Brad said. "Won't shut up about 'em." He pointed at the bald, middle-aged man by the campfire. "Herb Muller."

“That’s... potentially very useful information,” Liam said after a moment. “In the hands of the right people we could squeeze them hard.”

Liam shook his head. “Something for another night, but Let Herb know I’d like to talk whenever he’s ready.”

“I understand you went shopping with Robyn during the day. If you can give me a list of supplies you’re having trouble getting your hands on I’ll see what I can do to source them. I don’t have a lot of friends in the city any more, but the ones I do have are very resourceful.”

"I'll do you one better," Brad said. "I can tell you where we can get everything we need. My cousin runs a prefab housing business just outside Riverhead. Mind you it's been a while since I've been in touch, but last I checked he had houses, septics, a couple heavy loaders and even a backhoe. The real trick is getting it all here without a fuss."

“Hasan can move it. He got you out of the city in the middle of a lockdown on an armoured bus.” Liam hoped this was the case anyway. “Might take some time to coordinate, so let’s not pack away the yurt just yet. And Robyn has to sign off on it. This is still her home.”

Liam looked over the huddled survivors. He had a fair guess that Robyn would say ‘yes’.

“Do you two have questions for me?” He asked. “You or any of the others?”

Brad shook his head. Joyce thought about it for a moment, and then asked "May I ask why you're helping us overthrow your own people?"

Liam scrubbed his fingers through his newly grown hair and left his hand resting on the back of his neck. “I suppose that’s the big question, isn’t it?” he said with a hint of a smile.

“Look, Vampires have always warred amongst ourselves. That in itself is nothing new. We aren’t some great cultural monolith, because ultimately we are a reflection of humanity. I don’t know how much you know and how much you don’t, so stop me if I’m going over old news here.”

Liam paused and patted down his pockets. His cigarette carton was running low, the last few rattled inside as he pulled out the box.

“Do you mind?” he asked, taking one out. Presuming no objections he offered the remainder to his audience should they wish. “Bad habit, I know,” he said apologetically.

“Where was I? Oh yes. We may all be Vampires but we’re not one people. All of us were human once. I didn’t pick the name O’Farrell and affect an Irish accent because I like the way it sounds. I was born there. In Cavan county in 1896. I had a mother. A father. Siblings. A wife. I even had a son.”

“When you become a Vampire, when you get Embraced, as we call it, your life becomes a struggle between a - a Beast that knows only instinct and whatever remains of your humanity. That’s a tightrope I have walked for over a hundred years, and I still try to hold onto my humanity every night. Those Nazis in the city - they were Beasts to begin with. They were beasts when they were humans. They had no where else to fall.”

“Since the Inquisition - that would be the Spanish one beginning in the late fourteen hundreds," Liam noted, feeling something like an arm chair history professor. "The abiding conflict had been between those families and bloodlines that would prefer to keep us a secret from the world and those that desired to not only live openly but also seize the reigns of power. Others kept clear of the dispute and there were plenty of other things to squabble over but that was the gist of it."

"I didn't much care for politics, either before my Embrace or after. I was okay with living in secrecy. I'd convinced myself it was better than the alternative. Perhaps that's cowardice. I don't know."

"But this..." Liam waved his hand vaguely in the direction of Verdant Falls. "This is something else. This I can't and won't abide. And if bringing it crashing down means that the world will finally learn the truth of what's out there, I think its time."

Brad joined him, but Joyce did not. They both listened intently as Liam spoke. When he was finished, Joyce nodded. "That... Is a pretty thorough explanation. I had no idea vampire society was so nuanced."

"Wait a minute," Brad said. "Those dudes are actual Nazis? Like, from World War Two?"

Liam smiled. "That's the Cole's Notes version," he replied. "Vampire history is just as detailed and nuanced as any human society and many of us have had the benefit of living through it. I've been kicking around over a hundred and twenty years, but both Jacob and Hasan were born into a world I've only read about."

"And yes," Liam said, turning to address Brad. "The Camarilla embraced an entire division of the Waffen-SS in the 40s. Ruthless, efficient and zealously loyal, Hitler had already done the work of training them. They were just put to work under a new master."

"That's true of the older ones anyway. This war of attrition hasn't been kind to them either. Many of the Red Watch you see out on the streets these nights are younger. Home grown, presumably. The Camarilla has a whole captive city to farm recruits."

"Jesus Christ," Brad said, smoking the cigarette down to its filter. "These fuckers gotta go."

"This explains a lot," Joyce said. "And makes me feel better about my decision to stay and fight."

"Shouldn't we, I dunno, contact the military or something?" Brad asked.

"That air strike last night flew out of Bishop AFB. The Camarilla's reach is longer than you can imagine. Remember, up until ten years ago you had no idea we were here and I'm telling you we've been here all along. That's not a happy accident."

"Yes, before this is over I fully expect the armed forces to be deployed. I'd just like to be damned sure they're fighting for our side when they roll out."

"I'm not personally convinced that the military wouldn't bomb the city to ashes rather than tackle a liberation effort," Joyce added. "We need to make this impossible to sweep under a rug, or that's exactly what they'll do."

"Joyce isn't wrong," Liam said, nodding in her direction. He flicked his cigarette to the ground and crushed it beneath his foot. "I'm sure that's an option they'll table. We need to wake the city up. After that, the whole world will take notice."

"You're going to have to spritz a lot of people in the face," Brad said. "Maybe some super soakers would help?"

"Doing it piecemeal isn't going to cut it," Liam said, shaking his head. "The Camarilla would get wise to it quickly. We need to get it into the water supply. Wake everyone up at once."

"The waterworks isn't too far from where you sprung us," Brad said. "I bet a tough guy like you could shoot his way in."

Liam shook his head. "I wouldn't get within a thousand yards of the waterworks. It may not look like it from afar, but the whole facility has been fortified. You're absolutely right though, that's where we need to get to. We just have to figure out how."

"But that's a bigger question, and one we're not going to solve tonight."

"Well, I'm no general, but I know my way around a rifle," Brad said.

"And I suppose the others will have to learn," added Joyce. "But you're quite right, Liam. That's a conversation for another night. We are all safe for the moment, and we should all take this time to recover."

"I recover best when I'm workin'," Brad said. "And if you feel like getting your hands dirty tonight, you just come to me. There's a lot we could use help doin', and if you're looking to endear yourself to these folks, actions speak louder than words."

“I’d be glad to help,” Liam said, and indeed he meant it. “Are you a hunter, or is that a professional interest?” Brad had still not volunteered whatever it was he did before he was whisked away in the dead of night to be sacrificed on the Camarilla’s already blood stained altar.

"Hunting, camping," Brad said. "And army cadets when I was a kid. 's how I know how to dig a latrine. But nothing I've ever done professionally, no. I've never seen combat. I'm a factory foreman by trade. Something they kept going right up until the lockdown. I spent most of the year at home, then somebody came knocking at my door. That pretty much brings us to last night. I don't think I even saw a vampire until then."

“No, I’m not surprised,” Liam said. “I was a longshoreman in Halifax before I enlisted. Put me to work. I wasn’t planning on going anywhere further than the woods tonight anyway.”

"I'll let you two get to work," Joyce said, taking her leave. "Nice meeting you, Liam."

Brad walked away from the yurt toward a well-manicured garden. Between Robyn, Sunshine and later and Maeve, the property boasted a very healthy selection of organic crops, an impressively organized herb garden containing plants Liam didn't even recognize, a shaded mushroom grove and pot plants the size of Christmas trees. But the tilled bed was not equipped to feed an army. It appeared that they had cordoned off a much larger area for crop planting, but with a small pole-mounted hoe, the tilling would take weeks.

"Robyn suggested that you could help us here," Brad said. "We've got seeds for days, and your lady friend has a hell of a green thumb. But turning over this dirt is a tall order, especially in the heat of the day. Can you help us out here?"

It would be a small matter of growing out his claws. With his impressive strength he'd slice through the earth like warm butter. He'd be running perilously low on blood though.

Liam nodded at Joyce and followed Brad to the garden beds. Standing out in the dark field he tapped his chin, eyeing the job at hand. "Yes. I could do the work in an hour, no problem, but I'd have to feed. Last night took a lot out of me." He eyed the woods around them speculatively. There were always deer around Verdant Falls if nothing else.

"I wish I could help ya there, bud," Brad said. "But I'm straight as an arrow. If you loan me a rifle I can probably bag you something. Will animal blood work or has it gotta be people?"

As luck would have it, Liam caught the scent of blood on the wind. It was light, but it was strong. Something had been wounded without bleeding out. It would be an easy hunt.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:59, Sat 11 July 2020.

"It's not really a sex thing," Liam said, though he wasn't looking at Brad and was only half listening. He sniffed the night air again.

Liam whistled for Caleb and patted his thigh. "Deer have thin blood, but its better than nothing," he said to Brad, nose to the wind. "As luck would have it, I think I can smell one. Its hurt."

"Give me half an hour and there'll be venison for the camp. I'll till the field when I get back. You can dress the kill."

"Uhh, you got it man," Brad said.

Caleb was quick to join his master, and as soon as he caught the scent in the wind, he knew exactly what was up. Fresh meat for dinner, that was what.

It didn't take long for the two of them to zero in on the source of the scent. It was far better than any deer. A large bull moose was limping through the forest. It appeared as though his right back leg was badly broken. The bone was sticking out. The poor thing was in agony, and showed no fear as Liam approached. He knew what was coming, and that his time was up.

[20 BP, at half potency is ten points. You feel very bloated.]

As Liam finished up, Caleb began to growl. Liam heard the baying of coyotes on the trail of his kill. Nothing he couldn't handle, but it was time to get back to camp.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:43, Sat 11 July 2020.

An adult moose held more blood than Liam could handle, thin though it was, and his body reacted immediately by diverting it to those places he could make use of it at once. Fingers grew into claws, his muscles flooded with vitae in order to carry the carcass home, the blood memory of an owl was imprinted in his genes and whatever remained beyond what he could carry in his veins started the process of repairing his bruised body even though it would take another day to realize that potential.

“Come on, Caleb,” he said, hoisting the kill over his back awkward though it was. “Let’s get back to camp.”

Liam has to ‘waste’ 11 BP from the kill to drain it dry at half value. He’ll buff strength 2, protean 2 (claws), protean 4 (owl) just in case he choses to go anywhere this evening, and if possible he’ll pay down his healing costs for the next day with the remaining 3
This message was last edited by the player at 00:54, Sun 12 July 2020.

[Well, it'll make for an easy plow.]

Caleb proudly trotted around the kill as Liam brought it home. He crossed the warding boundaries, and was through the treeline soon after. Brad had gone back to supervising the latrine dig, but whooped as he spied Liam's kill. He bounded over.

"Jesus Christ, boy, you were gone twenty minutes," he gasped incredulously as he approached. He immediately stooped, helping Liam shoulder the kill into the garage. "Did you do this with your bare hands? What a beaut. Check out the rack on him."

“He didn’t put up much of a fight,” Liam said as he set the carcass down. He pointed out the moose’s bad leg. “He was lame when I found him. I think he knew it was the end.”

“I can help you dress it after. Show me what you want done with this field.”

"Well, I dunno if vampires get their prostate checked," Brad chuckled. "You might want to get them to check for a horseshoe. I tell ya, when your lady friend was talking about how we could get all the nutrients we need from plants, a little bit of me died inside. This'll keep us in meat for months."

They stashed the carcass in the garage, and Brad led him to the field. "You see how there's a good half acre of grass roped off here? Put the grass on the bottom and the dirt under it on top. We can take care of the rest when we have light."

It was a trivial matter for Liam in his present state to dig his claws in and till the soil. However, there was a lot of land to till. It would take some time.

"I'll get started on the moose," Brad said. "This should keep you going for a while."

Liam nodded. “Brad? There’s a fridge in the garage. The beer inside hasn’t gone off - its made from blood. Just thought I’d mention that now before you get thirsty.”

Liam turned and brandished his claws. After a night of work he’d be looking for a nightcap too.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:18, Sun 12 July 2020.

Even with his immortal blood and enhanced strength, it was grueling work. The moon was bright, which not only helped him see without enhancement, but also provided an opportunity for him to gather an audience. As he ripped effortlessly through the dry root-tangled soil, a couple villagers watched warily from a distance. Soon more gathered, and then a few of the braver ones drew closer. He could hear them conversing, marvelling at his abilities. When he was finally finished, there was even a smattering of applause.

There was smoke and the smell of grilling meat coming from the area by the house. Brad had helped himself to Robyn's barbecue.

Liam dusted off his hands and headed back towards the camp, pausing to offer his assistance in digging out the latrines if it was still required. He couldn’t move earth as fast as Mik but he was not far off. After that he went to see what was left to do on the moose. Butchering an animal of that size took hours and he was determined to have it out of the garage before Robyn woke up.

Brad was no slouch when it came to butchering. The animal was very courteously drained when it arrived, and he had managed to get the carcass strung up and skinned. He'd sliced off a few prime steaks, and had enlisted the young woman with the buzz cut to handle the grill. Caleb was laying contentedly by the kill, his chops still sticky with viscera.

When she saw Liam she stiffened, and suddenly became very focused on the grill. She was trembling, and couldn't help herself taking a darting look at his dirt-crusted claws. Liam recalled her playing fetch with Caleb earlier in the evening. She was young, in her early twenties, and practically swimming in what Liam could only presume was one of Jack's old t-shirts. If Liam had to guess, he'd say the androgyny was deliberate.

Brad, on the other hand, was up to his elbows in gore and had never looked happier. "Whoa, you done already?" he asked. "Why don't you wash those choppers of yours and lend me a claw. I'll, uh, stretch the hide myself. Delicate work, you know."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:28, Sun 12 July 2020.

Liam headed inside, splashed some water on his face and scrubbed his hands in the kitchen sink. His clothes smelled like fresh dirt but he was lacking for choice at the moment. Stripping out of his shirt he tossed it in a ball by the garage door and grabbed a beer from the fridge. Twisting off the cap he drained the neck at a go and stepped back outside curious to see who was still up.

What time is it approximately?

[About two in the morning.]

It came as little surprise that people coping with trauma - let alone trauma that dealt with vampires - had trouble getting to sleep at night. Between the two in the garage, and the five who watched him work (now gathered back around the fire), seven were still awake and outside. Brad was busy whittling saplings for the stretching frame. The moose had been cleaned of its organs but whatever meat wasn't on the grill had yet to be cut. Twine and parchment paper had already been laid out.

"I figure with those claws I'll let you do the cutting," Brad said. "You need me to show you what cuts to make, or have you butchered a moose before?"

"This I can do," Liam said with a shake of his head. He took one last drink from his beer and set it aside. Liam was well equipped to butcher the animal and set to work methodically and with an economy of effort. He'd done this countless times before and the moose quite literally came apart in his hands.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:53, Mon 13 July 2020.

The kid on the grill outside the garage grew paler and paler as Liam did his work, and eventually she dropped the tongs, and dashed into the bushes to vomit.

"Weird kid," Brad said idly. He kept an eye on the meat as he worked.

Liam watched the girl dash away with a look of concern. “She’s been through a lot,” he said compassionately. “I can hardly blame her.“

“What’s her name?”

"Alex, I think," Brad said. "Hasn't said much to me. She musta been what, a tween when things went to shit? She's pretty mixed up... Confused, y'know. Aah, let the doc take care of her."

Liam nodded and focused on his work, pausing only briefly for the occasional drink. Alwx didn’t need him trying to comfort her, that was for sure. With the way things had gone, he suspected they would find they were very fortunate to count Joyce amongst the survivors.

Brad finished his work with the hide about the same time as Liam finished with the carcass. Brad helped him remove the antlers, and loaded the meat into the freezer. Caleb had a massive bone to keep him occupied for months, and the remainder Liam wrapped up to bury in the woods.

Those around the campfire who ate meat filed one after the other into the garage. Most of them didn't speak to Liam. That was not the case for Joyce. "I shouldn't eat meat before bed," she said, helping herself to the smallest piece. "But meat was a rare thing in our lockdown deliveries. And I suspect I'll be getting up all night anyway." She took her plate and strode over to where Liam was finishing up. "I can see why Robyn speaks so highly of you."

Liam looked up into Joyce’s inviting, near-sighted face and smiled. “I didn’t know that she did, but I’m glad to hear it,” he said. “You’re missing a pair of glasses,” he observed, rising to his feet and wiping off his hands. “Is it a standard prescription? I can probably nab some from the pharmacy. Otherwise if you give me an address and tell me where to look I can probably bring you your own.”

"Liam, you're a mensch," she said, reaching up and patting his cheek. "I wear progressives, but if it'll put you in less danger I can make do with two pairs. I'll get you both before you're in town next. Just as soon as I can get some paper."

Brad loaded his plate with the leftovers, and bit into a large chunk on his fork. He looked down at the wrapped carcass and chewed thoughtfully. "Lemme know if you want a hand with carrying that off, bud. Just holler over at the fire. Evening, doc."

“I’ve got it,” Liam said, nodding at Brad in passing.

He looked back at Joyce. “Find out if anyone needs any essential medications like puffers or epipens and I’ll do what I can,” he said, hefting his load over one shoulder. Liam whistled for Caleb.

“We’ll be back in 45 minutes,” he said.

As Liam left the warded camp behind he reached for the sending stone. It was time to check in with Hasan.

"I was wondering if you were going to call tonight," Hasan said. "Got your hands full with needy kine?"

Liam allowed himself a bark of a laugh. “Hah. They’re busily settling in, and I do mean for the long haul. If you can make a troop transport disappear in traffic, how do you feel about a prefab home on a flatbed truck? One of them has a cousin or something in construction.”

"I can, yeah," he said. "It'll be easier if someone else is driving it. Disappearing a prefab house without anyone noticing, that's another matter. Though I can't imagine they're being particularly well-guarded."

“We’re going to buy it,” Liam said. “And the Camarilla is going to pay for it. That and whatever else we can siphon away before they get wise to us.”

“You won’t believe this but one of the Kine is an accountant. He did their books for years. He knows where the money is.”

"He's worth an interview, at least," Hasan said. "All their gear and fancy ammo costs beaucoup bucks. If we can't cut their legs out from under them, we can at least make 'em feel a pinch. And how's our girl?"

“Tired,” he replied, and decided that was perhaps being too generous. “She looks like shit to be honest. But she’s awake. Robyn spent hours with her during the day and the two of them are resting.”

“I don’t know what the Tremere hit her with but they came awfully close to killing her.”

"They're a bunch of rats," Hasan said. "And they're cornered. They're gonna bite. But whatever doesn't kill us, et cetera. And speaking of nearly dead, Tyr says hello. And thank you."

"Well if this is what we can expect the Tremere to be packing I plan to have a word with Robyn  as soon as shes rested. Hopefully she has some tricks up her sleeve to counter these fancy bullets. I'm not altogether sure that Fortitude will cut it. At least not so much so that I care to put it to the test."

"I'm glad to hear that Tyr has come around. Tell him I'm sorry it took so long."

"Well, she figured out how to counter their big superweapon," Hasan said. "Let's hope she has just as much success with this. And I'll pass your regards on to Tyr."

“Thanks,” Liam replied. “I’ve got a moose to bury so I’ll let you go. I’ll check in again in another night or so. We’re not planning much of anything until the heat dies down.”

“I may pay a visit to Deluca but they shouldn’t be out that way anyway.”

"He may be half gone, but he's never disappointed me," Hasan said. "Just don't piss him off. He's dangerous."

"I'll keep that in mind. Good night, Old Man," Liam said. He took the stone out from under his tongue. Judging that he'd carried the carcass far enough he set to work burying it.

The next night, the ploughed field looked about half-planted. The smell of manure and compost wafted on the air. Pockets was still in bed, and he'd arranged an hour earlier to meet Robyn for their night hike. She'd taken the time to brew herself an herbal concoction, change into her hiking gear, and pack a bag.

It was a short drive to the top of the ridge, but that was where the road would end. As she pulled out of the house in the cruiser, she took a glance towards the fields. "In about a month we'll have all the food we need growing right here," she said. "I'm...guessing." She took a long hard breath, and a sip from her mug. She made a face; it must have tasted awful. "I, uh, don't want to give the impression that I actually have a plan, here."

Liam smiled. "I wasn't expecting you to have one," he replied. "The village is taking the initiative all by themselves."

"I spoke to a few of them last night - Joyce and Brad, mostly. The rest aren't quite ready to talk to me. A few of them are just looking to get as far away from Verdant Falls as they can and it could be we end up being the first stop on the new underground railroad. But some of them are looking to dig in. Brad has a cousin who deals in modular homes. I've already talked to Hasan. He can get a rig wherever we need him to without being seen. We just need your permission."

"Fine by me," Robyn said. "As long as they don't disturb the ritual grove, they can use whatever land they need. I've got way too much of it anyway."

"Just how big is your property, anyway?" Liam asked.

"About 20 acres," Robyn replied. "A lot of it wild. Lots of water. Six wells, if you can believe it. Grandma was a dowser."

"No kidding," Liam said in wonder. "And the whole thing is warded? Or does that only extend so far?"

"Most of it is warded," Robyn said. "Can't be spotted from the air, or be penetrated by magical detection. That we know of. It also makes the place very hard to find unless you have a key. Some of the wards I put up myself, but I have Maeve to thank for a lot of them."

"Marvellous," Liam remarked. "Plenty of space to spread out into then."

"How are things going with Pockets? Is she doing any better?"

Robyn shook her head. "Not really, no," she said. "She's not doing worse, but those holes just aren't healing. I am planning to consult the Book as soon as I can, but I've gotta be in peak shape to do it. Otherwise... well, things can go bad."

Liam nodded. He continued in silence for a moment, watching the forest pass by their windows. "Anything I can do to help?" he asked at last.

"It's a really private thing," she said. "Let me think about it."

They drove in silence for a while, until they reached the end of the road. But she fidgeted the entire time. Something was clearly bothering her.

Now it was time for a hike. By now, Robyn had drained the herbal concoction. She seemed to be fine without the use of headlights or a flashlight. No doubt she was using some sort of magic to see in the dark.

She tightened her laces and took a deep breath. "Let's get moving."

Liam's eyes shone as he stepped out into the night. Turning back towards the car he opened the rear passenger side door for Caleb to climb out and then shut it behind him. Liam sniffed the night air, taking a moment to get his bearings.

"Should be this way," he said.

It had been a long time since Tim and Kat had pitched their campsite and he held out little hope of there being much of anything left to salvage but he had to try.

"I was hoping to pick your brain if you weren't too tired," he mentioned. "I figure we'll be seeing a lot more of the Tremere in the coming weeks and months. Vampires, I'm comfortable with. But magic, not so much."

"What do I need to know so that I also don't end up on Corr's operating table?"

"Well, Thaumaturgy is just fancy linear magic," Robyn said. "And any spell that's being woven can just as easily be unwoven with countermagic. Doesn't do much good on a spell that's already been cast, though. I also might be able to enchant you something for protection, but a passive guard isn't nearly as powerful as actively countering something."

“Is that the sort of thing you can teach someone without a background in magic? Or would I have to master the fundamentals first?” Liam asked.

"The learning curve will be much steeper than someone who doesn't know linear magic," she said. "And I'm gonna level with you, I'm not the most patient teacher. That's why I write books instead. Though something tells me I'm gonna have to get better soon. Hey, is it true vampires are afraid of fire?" Liam didn't see what connection the question had to the topic at hand.

Liam didn't even blink. He was accustomed to rapid shifts in focus. It was often how he thought as well.

"Fire and sunlight are two of the only reliable means of hurting us. Most of us can stand to be around small open flame. We may even make use of them ourselves," he said, patting his lighter through his pocket. "But larger flames or intensely hot ones awaken a primal fear. They can drive a vampire into a frenzy where they will do anything to get away."

"I've been thinking of teaching the others how to conjure fire," Robyn said. "I can't think of another path that will be as useful in such a short window of time. Hell, I'm considering throwing it in the new book."

Liam couldn't help but think of Miss. "That's a dangerous path, though undeniably effective. I've seen it up close. Wouldn't it be easier to teach them to fire a gun though, if that's the intent?"

Robyn frowned. "Liam, I'm a decent shot," she said. "If I picked up a gun and shot at you, what would that do - assuming I managed to hit you? Besides help you make a decision about who to kill first?"

“It depends what you’re firing,” Liam said with a grin. “People have already gone to the work of prepackaging tiny fires inside of bullets. Deluca can probably get his hands on some incendiary rounds. Vampires are mindful of those.”

"Yeah, but they're bad for the guns," Robyn said. "And very expensive. I'm guessing your buddy doesn't offer bulk discounts."

"Probably not," Liam conceded. "I suppose you have to decide if you'd prefer to place your trust with Brad Hawkins, weekend warrior with a thing for gun maintenance, or Brad Hawkins, master of fire and creation," he said with a grin.

Robyn laughed. "Are you shitting me?" she exclaimed. "Motherfucker probably thinks magic is only for girls and fairies." She mimicked Brad's baritone. "I guess I don't like the idea of any of them fighting outright. No matter how we equip them, they're outmatched. I'd rather let them be underestimated and give them a bsg of surprises than send then out there with a big blue shoot me sign. You knew?"

Liam nodded. “In as much as possible, I don’t want any of them fighting either. They can contribute in other ways. But you might be right. They can’t afford to speak softly and carry a big stick. They’re better off being overlooked while carrying dynamite.”

“Teach them. For your effort it will be the biggest return on your time.”
This message was last edited by the player at 02:13, Thu 16 July 2020.

"Deal," Robyn said. "Just don't think that means I want you to skip taking me out places. If anything I'll need the diversions more."

Liam smiles. “So will I,” he replied. “This is really nice. I haven’t been blown up, shot at or caused you to question the decisions that led you to invite me into your home.”

“It’s practically a date.”

"Easy there tiger," Robyn chuckled. "The night is young, so let's not tempt fate. I'm still trying to erase the picture of poor Gary getting cut in half from my mind."

Liam turned sober for a moment as he thought back to the final moments of Gary Cohen. “He didn’t deserve that. None of it. The pain the Camarilla has inflicted is truly immeasurable.”

"He told me a lot about the mooks before he... went," Robyn said. "It's pretty grim. I won't tell you the grisly details unless you want me to, but suffice to say that every motherfucker in a red armband absolutely deserves to die. But between him and Herb I'm getting a pretty good picture of how the city is being run."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:17, Thu 16 July 2020.

Liam shook his head. "No. I don't need to hear it. I've seen it. I remember when they first started field testing in the streets. It was horrific to watch."

"They all deserve to die," he said grimly. "But for one night I don't intend to dwell on them. I think we're allowed that."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:05, Thu 16 July 2020.

Robyn took a deep breath, and paused walking for a moment. "Yeah... Yeah, you're right." She kept moving. "And I can't be stressing myself out. I need to recharge my batteries if I'm going to help Pockets. And then I'll rub it in Corr's stupid smug face. Heh heh."

Liam grinned. "You deserve to do that as well," he said. "I've also been running on half empty since we got back from the raid. I didn't want to bother you for another of those concoctions since you looked about as far gone as I felt." He stretched his arms as he walked. They were getting more limber again by the night.

"I'm getting back to myself again. Give it another night or so."

"I wouldn't have been able to make you one," Robyn replied. "And if I could have, it'd go to Pockets. Not that I'm sure it'd do anything."

She kept walking, and added "I'm starting to feel better, too. Meditation helps a lot. Medication doesn't hurt either."

It was only a few more minutes until they were at the old campsite. An overgrown fire pit and a couple log benches were the only outward indication that anyone was ever here. However, as they surveyed the site, Caleb sniffed loudly and wagged his tail. He began to search. Even after all these years, Tim's scent remained.

"The first good luck we've had in nights," Liam remarked as he followed Caleb around the campsite, searching for any castaway that might still bear Tim's scent.

15:09, Today: Liam O'Farrell rolled 3 successes using 9d10 with the World of Darkness 3rd ed, Specialised system with a target of 8, rerolling 10s ((5,10(+8),9,6,4,6,5,1,9)).

Robyn sat on one of the logs and sorted through the ancient fire with a stick. There wasn't much else she could do at this point. Fortunately for her, it didn't take Liam long to hit paydirt. A hairbrush, found a Fera's throw away from the camp, buried under a decade's worth of deadfall. Fera went through a loto of them. Most of the hair and fur had long since decayed, as had most of the bristles. The handle was snapped - another reason Fera went through a lot of them.

Tim and Kat, like Liam, both took great pains to leave no scent. As such, they smelled like nothing. However, an item as personal and well-used as this had a trace of their very distinct nothings; imperceptible from background noise to all but their nearest and dearest. There was no question. This belonged to them both.

"Jackpot," Liam exclaimed, hefting the broken hairbrush handle as though he'd won a prize.

"Will this work?" he asked, heading back to Robyn's side. "I can smell both of them on it."

"Ah heh heh," Robyn chortled as she looked at the brush. "Hairbrushes are the psychic equivalent of a fingerprint in your own blood. It's in rough shape but it'll do just fine. That said, the less we handle it the better. Pack it away."

Liam wrapped it up and tucked it in his pack. “So,” he said. “We can just keep walking if you like. We’re in no hurry tonight.”

"Yeah," Robyn said. "Let's take the scenic route back to the car, over those bluffs. Bet we get a good view of the city from up there."

She slipped some trail mix out of her bag and munched it as they walked. "So tell me about your friends. The more I know the better."

"Tim is a sweet, simple soul," Liam said in wistful recollection. He wore a smile with a hint of sadness as he continued. "He's a child who lives in the body of a lumberjack - one of the biggest werewolves I've ever met, apart from Mountain Gale and Earthshaker."

"I don't know how much you know about werewolves - I'm guessing even less than Vampires, but Tim is a Metis. His parents were both werewolves, and the Metis aren't always accepted by their packs. Tim was driven away from his own as a child, and the Blue Tree Caern adopted him."

"Tim trusts everyone. All he wants, all he's ever wanted, is to be part of a pack. A village. Unfortunately it didn't last. Tim wandered down a dark path, I think so that he could bring some light into it, but the Caern wouldn't hear it. They drove him out again. I found him in the fisheries. He'd been living on the streets for quite some time and I confess I thought he'd make for an easy meal. He certainly put me in my place," Liam said with a grin, remembering being thrown up against the metal dumpster in the alleyway like a ragdoll.

"I invited him to live with me for a while, but I've had to change havens more than a few times since then."

"Kat. Katherine, well she's a - a werecat. A Bastet, as they call themselves. A bit on the nose, I know," he said with a wink. "Katherine is smart, funny, pragmatic. She's a survivor. And she's trying to build a world where she, and others like her can thrive again. As rare as the Garou are these nights, the Bastet are even rarer. She's the only one I've ever met."

"There's a whole world of furries out there who would worship them like gods," she said. "I don't think the big reveal is going to be as bad on them as it will be on... Well, you guys. Can you imagine what that shithead down south is gonna do when he's got actual vampires to blame all his failures on?"

"If there are any actual vampires in his orbit rather than the band of unblooded ghouls he surrounds himself with I would be astounded. Kindred are many things, but few of us are this recklessly incompetent."

"Yeah, but when has he ever let facts get in the way of a good scapegoating?" Robyn muttered. "Moving away from that depressing topic, why'd your friends leave the city? Same reason as everyone else?"

"I think so," Liam replied. "I wasn't in the city very long last time I came through."

"They had nowhere else to go but out here."

"No idea where they mighta gone after that?" Robyn asked. "Wait, dumb question. I guess we wouldn't be out here unless you didn't." The path up to the lookout was steep and untraveled. She stared up at the steep climb and caught her breath. She pulled a six foot gnarled staff from her pocket and used it as a walking stick.

"Before you ask, yes this is my wizard's staff."

"Not going to lie, I was far more curious about the pocket than the staff," Liam said, half hiding a grin. "I thought I was pretty good at packing efficiently. That's a handy trick."

"It's more the staff's doing than my pocket," she replied. "It makes sense to bind it to me. It's not exactly portable. I hear the Garou can do similar things with their enchanted blades. I think my people learned it from the same spirits, once upon a time." She hoisted herself up on a rock. "And a lot of that knowledge was pretty much lost. Up until I got the Book, that is."

"Handy Book, that," Liam concurred. "Does it have much to say about Kindred disciplines and magic?"

"More than handy," Robyn replied. "It has much to say about everything, if you know how to ask. It also volunteers a lot of information you're not looking for. I'm not being hyperbolic when I say that the whole universe is written down in that book. That's why I intend to ask it about Tremere curses. Once I'm strong enough."

Liam nodded. "If it would help to get Pockets up on her feet again, I can try as well. You shouldn't have to bear that burden alone. Just let me know."

Robyn shook her head. "I don't think that's a good idea," she said. "You'd be at it for months just to get to the point where you can ask anything approaching a meaningful question. Plus - and don't take this the wrong way - I don't know if I'd be able to put you down in the event you wig out."

"I will chose to take that as a compliment," Liam said, grinning widely. "But I understand your reservations."

"You are definitely the expert in all matters occult, here. If anyone can be accused of being a dabbler, its me."

"I've been going in about once a week for the past ten years, give or take," Robyn said. She shuddered. "And here I thought with the cure finished I'd finally be free of all that."

"I don't think you get to put it away just yet," Liam said quietly. "In fact, I think you'll know exactly when you're done with it. Because Book will come for it. Its in your possession because he requires that to be so right now."

"Well, I can't say I got the short end of the stick in that bargain," Robyn said. "I was maybe a fraction of the wizard I am today without that book. Now, I'm not quite so unmatched against the monsters taking over the city."

"I imagine that's precisely what He hoped for," Liam said, continuing to pick his way up the escarpment. "And the fact that you still have it suggests He's hoping you'll glean more from it."

"Or maybe," Robyn said. "He's hoping I'll use it to crack the seal on that creature sleeping under the city."

"Its one and the same to Him right now, I expect. The Camarilla controls the site. Its inaccessible until the Tremere are laid low. You serve His purposes by lifting the fuge and fighting this war."

"I don't think He's ever cared much for motivations so long as your goals remain aligned."

"Well, I don't want to disagree with you, but the Tremere have just been laid pretty low," Robyn said. "They're crippled. Until they can counter the effects of COVID-19, they won't be able to completely infiltrate a city like they did with Verdant Falls. They won't let the Redwatch near the dig site, and the people they've got doing research are likely going to get thinned out. With the right team, we could storm in and end this whole nightmare once and for all." Clearly, she had given the matter some thought.

What a superb coincidence it was that Liam's arrival in the city and the mishap at his apartment had lined up so perfectly with an opportunity to strike the Tremere at their absolute weakest. What were the odds?

"We'd get one shot at it," Liam concurred. He'd been thinking along a similar vein, although he'd yet to give voice to it. "After that they'd let Redwatch lock it down. They'd be foolish not to."

"But," he acknowledged, "I think the risk is worth it. Its a question of how soon."

"Getting the right crew is important," Robyn said. "From what I recall, you've been involved in taking out people with the same goal in the past. I guess that inviting the wrong people could lead to trouble. And I don't know about you but I don't relish having to fight a friend."

Liam grinned. “Is that what Jack told you? Or Book?” He asked.

"Jack," Robyn replied. "Pockets, too. She talks a lot about you. Book never told me anything, really. He'd just give me some stupid riddle and make me find out my damn self." The treeline broke ahead, and they stepped out on to the cliff's edge. It was indeed a spectacular view of the city. It looked as though the vozhd had gone to rest, but helicopters still circled and the streets were full of headlight. They were still searching.

"Hell of a view," she said. Then after a pause. "My God that is one deliberately ugly building."

“You should see the whole thing from above,” he said quietly. “It’s breathtaking.”

Liam stood in silence for a time, watching the helicopters circle.

“I could have done it, you know. Ten years ago I could have walked right in there any time I liked. I almost did it by accident. Hasan stopped me at the last moment. Otherwise the view from here would have looked very different,” he said gesturing towards the city.

“I didn’t because I was afraid of what would happen. You have no idea how on the mark you are about needing the right crew.”
This message was last edited by the player at 12:10, Sun 19 July 2020.

"I'll admit that I was afraid of it, too, in the beginning," Robyn said. "But the prospect of it potentially destroying the planet when it's released becomes less of a risk with each passing year. And I've spent enough time in its presence that I really think it just wants out. And it's willing to do anything to make it happen. And you know what? If I was compressed into one-dimensional space where time itself changed the way it passed, I'd do anything to get out too."

"Its not ‘It’ I'm afraid of," Liam replied. "We mean nothing to It, one way or another; we're utterly inconsequential except in as far as we can further It's own bid towards freedom."

"Jacob and Hasan were concerned the Creature would destroy the world if it were ever released, and in a way they were right. Just not in the manner they feared."

Liam paused and chewed his lip for a moment, pondering his ensuing words with care.

"I drew the Creature's gaze just one time. It promised me anything I wanted if I could set It free. Anything at all. And for one incredible night it gave me just a taste of what It could offer..."

Liam drew a shuddering breath at the recollection; the night he glimpsed the face of God.

“It was .... beyond description. Gangrel are natural shapeshifters. All the stories of vampires turning into bats and wolves throughout history, that’s us. But that’s not all we’re capable of. Even the youngest of our bloodline can learn to meld into the earth. It can be a comforting haven during the day. But with Its power coursing through my blood I melded with everything. I was every rock, every tree, every animal from here to the horizon in every direction. I was the rush of the St. Lawrence as it makes its way out to the sea and the still of every pond beneath the starlight. And though I wasn’t the stars or sky I could see them both with more clarity than any telescope man has ever built, because I was a hundred thousand pairs of eyes gazing towards the heavens at the same time; I was all of creation.”

“And therein lay the problem. The Creature could grant me anything. Would grant me anything - me and everyone else that helped to free It. So I asked to see into their heart of hearts, to know what it was they were truly, deeply thirsting for. Some hoped for the innocuous and mundane. Others wished for a future that was deeply personal and sweet. But some held designs in their hearts that would spell the end of the world as we know it. Incompatible visions of the world. And the Creature would find a way to somehow grant them all, because to the Creature all of these requests were the same. Because we are of no consequence.”

“That’s why I did nothing. Not because I feared I might fail, but because I did not know whom I could trust when I succeeded. I didn’t even really know if I could trust myself. What did I really want? And how could I be certain that my heart wouldn't betray me in that one fateful moment when the universe was laid before me like a banquet?”

Robyn exhaled long and sharp as she took in what Liam was saying. "That's the real thing, ain't it? How many times has a similar alliance folded because they just couldn't trust one another? For that matter how many times has Book had his plans foiled because the people involved couldn't control their ambition?"

She sat on the rocky bluffs, almost recklessly close to the edge. The stars were out tonight. "It's made me a similar offer. It's literally the preface to the book. Every time I go in for something, there it is, promising me the ability to reshape reality. For a time, I lost myself in fantasy. I developed grand plans on how I was going to build a utopia. Right all the wrongs of society. But then I realized... That's just fascism. It's what every dictator who's ever been born has been given the power to do. And it never goes well. Now? I know what I want, and I'm keeping it simple. Or at least... I thought I knew. That was until you let something drop about Sunny. I didn't have the wherewithal at the time to ask. But now I need you to tell me exactly how she was involved with the Third Tribe."

"That's the trick," Liam said quietly. "You have to keep it simple. And you have to commit."

"I was like you, initially. I thought I could play gatekeeper. I had it in my head that I could use my wish or whatever you want to call it to be the arbiter of everyone else's. As stupid as it sounds now, I held onto that notion for a long time. But it would never have worked."

"You have to trust each other.”

Liam paused as he changed gears.

“The Third Tribe was comprised of a broad panoply of initiates presided over by an inner circle. You know Book. Book is like the Creature, trapped in space and time albeit in a much less lonesome prison. He sees the Creature as the key to his own freedom.”

“Sunshine was known within the Tribe as Ms Mandala. She was part of Book’s inner circle, and truthfully I don’t know what she wanted. I’m not even entirely sure she was the Sunshine you knew. From what little I gathered, it was as though Mandala was another personality altogether - something that lived inside of Sunshine without Sunshine’s awareness.”

“Mister Cross was the cultist who killed Ian and brought about the downfall of the Fomori in a single night. He was an evangelical preacher and the sort of crazy that makes your skin crawl.” Liam shuddered just thinking about him. “Cross had drank the koolaid and had walked as far down the path of corruption as any man alive or dead. He wanted nothing less than to bring about the ‘Rapture’ and the end of days. Deluca killed him with that fancy gun of his, and thank God he did.”

“Mister Clocktower was a vampire from what was thought to be a dead bloodline - the true Brujah. I met him exactly twice. The first time  was a little over ten years ago and Hasan killed him. The second time was moments later in the 1600s. Given that I was born in the late 1800s that should give you a sense of how time flowed for him. I’m not actually sure if he’s dead or if this is all just part of his plan. Either way he had a long time to see it coming.”

“Mister Roundtree was a fellow Gangrel. My own Sire, no less. He was the source of the contagion that the cult used to terrorize the city, and the individual I almost killed to break the seal. His Utopia was a world of primordial forests and untouched wilderness. Had Hasan not stopped me the view before us would be giant redwoods and roving mammoths.”

“Those were Books’s closest confederates.”

“There are others who survived, and a great many more who perished. You’ve met at least one, ‘that creepy little blood witch,’ as you called her.” Liam offered a sad smile. He had something of a soft spot for Miss despite her icy demeanour and burning distemper. “Miss is something of a tragic figure. She’d kill me for telling you this but I’m going to tell you anyway because there’s a good chance she ends up as our ally before this is through and the context is important.”

“She was embraced during the French Revolution, against her will. Children are seldom embraced and Miss feels cheated of a life - of a childhood. All she wants is to go back to being human. To forget everything and to be adopted. She wants to be a little girl again, or rather the one she never got to be. Of course she wants the memories back. When she turns ‘18’. So she can decide what to do with the rest of her life.”

“I’ve already told you about Mr Wolf and Ms Cat. You’re holding their hairbrush. There used to be third. Mr Rat tried to kill me the last and only other time I tried to have this very conversation - the idea that the Creature could not bring about a Utopia for one without causing misery for the rest. I learned to keep my mouth shut after that, though you’d never know it from the past half hour.”

Liam looked sideways at Robyn and smiled.

“I adore Pockets. I respect Jacob and Hasan. I really enjoy Jack’s company. I trust you. You have no idea how long it’s been since I’ve been able to say that about anyone. And I really needed to get some of this stuff off my chest.”

Robyn took all the information in, but it was clear what drew her focus. "I... Sunny would have these dark moods," she said. "Sometimes she'd get quiet. And when I looked in her eyes I swore she was a different person. More than that, she had a different aura. The room got colder. But... You're telling me that she was part of the Third Tribe's inner circle. I don't believe it. Bless her, but Sunny didn't have a glint of preternatural ability. Not until I taught her enchanting, that is. I just don't know how she was able to hide it from me. We shared everything."

Liam shook his head. “You may have shared everything with Sunny, but not with Mandala. I sincerely don’t believe Mandala shared her presence with Sunny and I’m not sure I know how that’s even possible.”

“Sunny didn’t know me from Adam the first time I walked into her store. Mandala would have known exactly who I was.”

"I'm grateful that you trust me, Liam," Robyn said flatly as she stood back up. "I wish I could say the same, but I need more time. And more answers." She looked down the cliff to the car parked below. It was still a ways away.

Liam stood up and dusted off his slacks. "Time is one thing I have in abundance. Answers, unfortunately, I'm short on at the moment. Book would know, if you could get Him to tell you. Ten years later I don't even know where else to look."

"I got one good place," Robyn said wearily. "And I'm going there as soon as I'm strong enough anyway."

"Let me know if you'd like me to tag along," Liam replied.

"For now, lets just go home."

It was an uneventful trip home, and a relaxing rest of the night. Liam spent the remainder of the evening recuperating from his wounds and relaxing.

[Roll fate for next night's activity]

The next night, Liam, Hasan and a few of the villagers - Brad included - aimed to liberate several prefab homes from his cousin's lot. Herb had been clear that Liam shouldn't bad about stealing the expensive pieces from Brad's cousin. Although the business was making money on paper, all the salaries, bonuses and corporate capital found their way to the Camarilla through taxes, fictitious expenses and casino losses. The citizens were basically slaves, and the missing houses simply created more work for the accounting mooks to cover up.

They were met with very little resistance. There was a sole security guard at the depot, and it was a simple matter enough to de-mook him. However, he did not take well to the process, and became hostile. Liam walked away with sore, bleary eyes and a bruised ego. The rest of the night was dedicated to ferrying the depot's two massive flatbeds back and forth from the construction site to Robyn's home.

In the end, they were left with adequate housing for the villagers willing to stay, two flatbeds with hoisting cranes, as well as a massive septic tank suitable for a medium-sized trailer park (which Robyn's place had essentially become), and a small backhoe which Brad was licensed to operate.

They were also left with a reluctant security guard who had to be kept handcuffed and on watch. He was apparently convinced that there was no massive vampire conspiracy. Likely he had been left to his own business for the bulk of the occupation.

The third night was much more of a rousing success. Although the city was crawling with Redwatch and de-isolated mooks, there was little in the way of trouble or undue attention.

His first foray into the city was to rescue the families of their erstwhile wards. Brad accompanied him. But first, they attended the home of Dr. Cohen, who apparently had done rather well for herself. It was a fully-detached stone century home in the heart of Rosewood. Her security code was still good. It took Liam little time to find her glasses and a few hastily gathered articles of clothing. Brad, meanwhile, took everything perishable from the fridge and packed a cooler.

Next, it was off to rescue Kyra's family. Her husband Mark was a contractor, and thus one of the city's essential workers and was not likely to have been rounded up himself. He had likely been conscripted many times to work on the city's defenses and infrastructure, and unlike the security guard the night before, he didn't need much convincing. Of course, he wasn't going anywhere without his children - 11 year old Bryce and 7 year old Sierra - and a gray-faced old Boxer named Daisy. He helped them pack and get their gear into the cruiser's ample trunk. Suffice to say, it was a tight ride to pick up Brad's wife.

The woman seemed entirely pleasant, which left Liam wondering just what had attracted her to Brad. He left Brad to take his family car in the morning. Robyn had had the good sense to give him the recovered blue armband before they had left. After wishing them a safe journey, he ferried the carload of survivours back to Robyn's sanctuary.

The second trip was a short one. The peninsula the furthest point in the city from Robyn's place, but it afforded Liam access both to a wide variety of designer clothing stores, as well as a specialty shop (some sort of LGBT bookstore, sex toy shop, and transgender-related garment boutique) where he was to pick up binders for Alex. Robyn took the time to explain the basics to him.

Liam had flown in, and was able to load the goods into a stolen car without arousing suspicion. When he arrived back at the village, his selections were well-received. Liam had never considered himself a particularly stylish guy, but he thought he knew how to look good. He was glad to hear that he'd made good selections for all the villagers who needed clothes. Alex seemed especially pleased.

Liam's third trip to the city took him to Grace's apartment near VFU. This was by far the riskiest trip due to his proximity to ground zero, but he was able to make it without arousing suspicion.

Many of the villagers had seen their loved ones loaded on to trucks long before their turns had come. Others had seen them drained dry by thirsty Redwatch, or even killed for sport. A few hadn't seen their family since they themselves had been taken into service when the horrors began. And it was Liam's sad duty to tell Joyce the fate of her son Gary when his name appeared on the list. But Grace's description of her husband's disappearance was different.

Grace's young husband was a pilot, and found himself conscripted by the Redwatch for helicopter flights whenever the police or news chopper needed a replacement. But 6 months ago, a man in a red armband had come into their apartment, had questioned him briefly, and then led him away. It was Liam's suspicion that he had been ghouled.

The apartment still had his scent all over it, and soon Liam was able to track him down. This led him to the 3rd division precinct - formerly the SIU head office. It would not be possible to infiltrate the building that night, and it seemed like somewhat of a fruitless endeavour, seeing how the helipad was empty and he was most likely flying over the city.

Having done all he could, and with sunset rapidly approaching, he returned to the Shannon family home and took their vehicle back to the compound. All in all, a productive night, and by far the least violent trip to the city since his return.

[5 XP for the scene. Plus you now have 1 dot in the Herd background.]