She was much simpler to pin down between the two of them.

<<Kids down now,>> Moira said in very slow, simple language. Maggie and Jack shambled down the tree with ease, because they were Moira Gordon's kids, and dammit, they'd been learning to climb trees since they could walk. And then to Liam. <<Now we wait, and hope to Gaia that she comes down before they track us here.>>

Alice struggled, and eventually her struggles began to weaken. It was at least twenty minutes before she finally collapsed, and her form began to revert. Moira quickly scooped her unconscious form in her massive arms and cradled her.

Maggie was in awe, and most likely in shock, and Jack was simply taking everything in with the glazed deadpan of any other mook. It was a wonder he hadn't gone feral like the others.

<<We need to move,>> Moira said. <<Now. Quietly.>> Liam heard the approaching patrols, too.

Liam beckoned to Jack. "Get ready to climb on," he said quietly. Moments later he was on all fours again and ready to head out. <<Quickly, Moira,>> he growled, and just like that he vanished under the canopy.

<<We've got to lose them again,>> he said, keeping steady pace with Moira.

Moira scooped up Maggie on her back and they were off again. Even though the patrols contained Gangrel, they were mostly the same right-wing survivalist freepers that comprised the bulk of the Redwatch talent pool. They were simply not able to keep up, and their quarry were seasoned in the ways of not only moving without trace, but of leaving false trails.

Soon they were at the edge of Robyn's woods, and their pursuers were scratching their heads clear on the other side of the Ridge. Dawn was still an hour away. Plenty of time to settle in.

Maggie could walk on her own, and Moira was still carrying Annie. Both were naked and covered in blood. "These woods are... wrong," she said. "I keep wanting to turn around."

Mist covered the forest, and an ill wind howled. Leaves blew in all directions. Liam's ward key kept them on the right path, but Robyn had definitely turned up the spook factor on her warding. The very earth bristled at their approach. But on they pressed.

All at once, they were out of the trees, and on to the property. The wind was quiet and the sky was clear. The campfire burned in the distance, and the early risers had a pot of coffee on the coals. Robyn stood in the bay window of her living room, silhouetted in the light of a television. She merely watched, with a mug in her hand. She had a blanket draped over her head, and Liam couldn't make out her expression.

Moira wondered whether it would be best for the villagers to see her as a werewolf, or as a naked local celebrity, and opted for the latter.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:59, Fri 11 Sept 2020.

Liam offered up his shirt for what little modesty it might provide, torn as it was. “Moira, Jim never got to Jack,” he said, patting the bottle on his hip. “I don’t know that I can run down another First Change before sunrise, but I’ll be there with you when he wakes if you want me to,” he offered as they trudged up the drive.

Moira accepted the offered shirt, and draped it over her daughter. "No, I'll... let him be for now. At least 'til we've all gotten some sleep." She looked at the house, waved weakly at Robyn, then she looked at the yurt. Robyn didn't wave back. "Should I introduce myself, or wait 'til tomorrow?" she asked through a smile.

Liam followed Moira’s gaze up to the house. “Tomorrow,” he said decisively after a moment.

“It’s not you she’s put out with, if it’s any consolation. I think I’m about to have my bottle taken away for a time out.”

Liam put his fingers up to his lips and whistled for Caleb. As the hound came running he reached down to scratch its head.

“Whose tent have you been sleeping in, traitor?” He playfully teased the dog. “Never you mind. You’re going to keep an eye on Alice and Maggie today, you hear? I think they’re going to need a friend.”

He stood back up to lead the way to the campfire to make introductions and beg some clothing for Moira and her daughter.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:57, Fri 11 Sept 2020.

Caleb guiltlessly sauntered over from the Shannon residence, but he was more than happy to follow new people around, especially new dog-people.

By this time, the people around the campfire had discerned what was happening, and were rushing over with blankets for the new refugees. Joyce was with them. It wasn't too long ago that they were the ones arriving naked and afraid at Robyn's doorstep.
"Goodness, more arrivals," Joyce said to Liam. Then to Moira and the kids. "Welcome, welcome. You're safe here. I'm guessing since you didn't go to the house, this young one doesn't need any help?" Moira shook her head. Joyce draped a blanket around her, and whisked her towards the pre-fabs. Joyce shot Liam an expression to indicate she had made out just who had arrived to join them. But she had too much class to talk about it.

"Hey, it's the first lady of Verdant Falls," Brad cheerily pointed out.

"Brad, can you run on ahead to the Shannons' and check that they've still got hot water? Come on, let's get you cleaned up and get you whatever you need. Food? Coffee?"

"A bed would be nice," Moira said.

Liam smiled and watched them off though his heart was heavy. He’d borne the Gordon children to safety as he’d promised, but not everyone was here to witness it. “Jim...“ he said quietly. “Hang in there.”

With a sigh he turned back towards the house. Then he paused, tapping his ear piece.

“All tucked in over here,” he said. “Thanks for your help tonight.”
This message was last edited by the player at 03:34, Fri 11 Sept 2020.

"We got away from the horde without any casualties," Hasan said. "Glad you're safe. Everything else... well, we'll deal with it."

“We always do. I’m going to go pay the piper,” he said, glancing up at the window. “Good night, Old Man.”

Liam took the ear piece out. He glanced over at the fire pit. “Tell Hank the city’s stirred up like a kicked hornet’s nest. He’s welcome to use his best discretion but it’s fine to wait another day or so if need be. Just let the contact know.”

With that Liam made his way into the house and steeled himself for what was to come. It was like waiting for the pain with Alice all over again except this time he was naked and unarmored.

Robyn was looking out the back window when Liam stepped into the house, watching Moira.

"'Thoughts on bringing a Werewolf back?', I believe, was the text you sent - when you knew what I was up to this evening, I might add - and you don't even mention, hey, B. T. Dubs, this werewolf is Canadian indie tech industry darling and wife of the freakin' mayor, Moira Gordon." She snort-laughed, and wandered over to the couch. "Damn, dude."

She drained her mug and flopped back on the couch. "Mind flippin' on the kettle?"

Liam let out a big breath. Then he smiled and paced over to the kitchen where he promptly turned on the kettle. For himself Liam reached for the half drunk bottle of Jack’s Own bourbon, pulled out a glass, thought better of it and then took a swig straight from the neck of the bottle.

“Turns out I brought back two werewolves. Alice had her first change tonight, poor thing. We haven’t sprayed Jack yet, just in case I’m needed to pin him down.”

Liam flopped onto the easy chair.

“What a fucking night that just was.”

He took another swig from the bottle and looked over at Robyn.

“How’d you make out?”

"Real good," Robyn said. She packed a bong on her coffee table as she spoke. "Got some answers, learned a thing or two, and I might even have another recipe for my new book. I should have a mostly-complete compendium on the binding curse within a week." She lit the bong and took a hit, pausing for a second to hold it in. She exhaled as she spoke. "If I work my ass of on it, that is."

"Glad to hear it," Liam replied. "I haven't made my way back to Miss yet. Its been a busy couple of nights, and I can only imagine how tomorrow is going to go. But the kids are safe. That's what matters. We'll take the rest as it comes."

"Well, there's gonna be things coming," Robyn said. "When you're out kicking the hornet's nest every night with Beavis and Butt-head." She flopped back down on the couch and wrapped herself in her blanket. "I gotta be ready when it does," she muttered to herself. "See if I'm not..."

“Well I don’t plan to spray anyone else for a bit,” Liam said. “Tonight was plenty.”

“I’m not altogether done with the hornets though. Those two helicopters still need to come down.”

Robyn lifted her head off the couch far enough to give him an incredulous look. "You really think blowin' more shit up is the answer here?"

"At some point," Liam said. "Doesn't have to be tomorrow or the next night, but we're far from firing the last shot in this war. Even if we cracked the waterworks tomorrow, that's just going to be the beginning. The Camarilla does not go softly into the night and fade into memory. Not after the many long centuries they've clung to power."

"However, I'm not blind to the fact that every night I go out there and stir up the pot I make it more dangerous for you and everyone else in this growing village. I was planning to confine myself to lower profile activities for a few nights until the heat dies down."

"There's a thought," Robyn replied. "Don't get me wrong. If it were up to me I'd be spraying this shit over the town in a fuckin' cropduster. But if the Tremere put their minds to finding and breaching this place... Well, even you have limits. And if they do it before I publish, it's Adios Muchachos."

"I do," Liam agreed. "But I'll sleep a lot easier tonight knowing Moira is here should something happen during the day."

"And I agree. I want to spray everyone, but I realise that's not only a futile endeavour but a counterproductive one should the Tremere get wind of it before we're ready to act."

Liam took a sip from the mouth of the bottle and stirred the red amber liquid around pensively.

"I freed two dock workers tonight. I'm not sure if Pockets told you. I went into the Sole Regret and inadvertently caused something of a ruckus. Its a dive bar by the docks," he added, looking up. "People are on edge there and my presence tipped them over. I worried if I let them go back about their business they'd either report back on the incident or physically get into trouble the next time they went back."

"That's why Hank's going to Montreal - presuming its still safe to drive tomorrow. One of them has family in Old Verdant Falls. He's picking them up and getting them out of town."

Liam sighed and ran his hand back through his hair. "It was a stupid position to put myself in. I should have gone straight to Jim's house when I woke up. That was always the plan. Instead I found myself standing in the shadow of a warehouse with them wondering what you would do."

"I assume Hank will go whether it's safe or not, because he so desperately wants to be useful." Robyn said dryly. "But one thing you're going to see a lot of tomorrow is cops. He can always lay low at their place. I'm assuming nobody's going to transform into a fur-covered bulldozer and blow his cover."

"I mean, I feel like we would have known if there were more werewolves in the city, but you never know," Liam said with a grin. "People surprise you sometimes."

He stretched and glanced out the window. "What are your plans for the day? Sleep?"

"Sleep, some meditation," Robyn said with a shrug. "And I really should introduce myself to Mrs. Gordon. But be sure to check in with me tomorrow night. I'm gonna need a guinea pig for sum'n."

"How can I turn down an offer like that?" Liam said, breaking into a broad grin. "Sleep sounds like a good idea though, if you ask me. I think I've caused enough trouble for one evening. I should probably turn in pretty soon."

"Yeah, me too," Robyn said. "Just as soon as I can muster up the strength to get offa this couch."

Dawn was breaking. Liam was out the moment he hit the pillow.

[ 4 XP + 2 WP for the scene.]