Pockets wasn't in her room when Liam awoke. The two of them were upstairs. The news was on.

"Uh, hey man," Robyn said. "You made the news."

The 24-hour news channel's repeating report was just wrapping up, but the chyron stated: "Verdant Falls Mayor and entire family on ventilators." Their expert panelist was speculating wildly as to the outlook of the stricken Gordons. Then it cut to a previously recorded clip of the HollowCorp CEO, part-time deputy mayor, and Keisinger's debaucherous ghoul, Julius Jones, accepting the mantle of acting mayor. He pledged to suspend his duties in corporate life and devote himself full-time to Mayoral duties.

The anchor then announced this news came on the same day as the largest wildfire in Verdant Falls' history had broken out at Taben's Ridge. It was all the way on the other side of the ridge - where Liam and Moira had placed the false trail - and Liam hoped that they didn't choose to spread the fire further.

Liam flopped down on the couch and watched the television in grim silence. Once the segment had run to commercial he took a deep breath and looked at Robyn.

"Well that's not good," he said in frank understatement. "I guess no more running back on foot. They've got their eyes on the woods now."

"Remember what I said about stuff coming back on us?" Robyn said. "My wards'll keep out the fire if it makes it here, but the Tremere are going to clue in about that one patch of woods that doesn't burn."

Liam's satphone rang. He wasn't sure how Maeve was managing to work a phone, but she was on the other end.

"Hey, Liam," she said. Her voice was cheery, but there was a tightness to it that indicated she was anything but. "So, uh, how's the laying low going?"

Liam nodded vaguely at Robyn. He'd been the one to protest that they oughtn't participate on the night of campus break in. Robyn had overruled him. Admittedly, he'd been something of a driving force since then. His heart fell as he looked down at his phone. It took him a second ring to pick it up.

"Could be going better," he acknowledged the voice on the other end. "Robyn and I are just watching the news."

"Ah, she's there? Good. She's next," Maeve said. "So how many people have moved in since we left? Besides the mayor's wife I mean. Those would be the werewolves who arrived, yes? Doesn't matter, one's enough. Let alone bringing Holloway and Al-Rashid there. Do you know how I've kept that place off their radar?"

"One moment, I'm going to put you on speaker phone," Liam said. He looked at Robyn regretfully and mouthed mom's mad.

"By not bringing anyone back here?" Liam said in answer to Maeve's question.

Robyn stifled a chuckle, and sat up straight as though Maeve could see it over the phone.

"Right," Maeve replied. "Aside from the obvious and climbing risk of plants, you also need to be careful about people who'd be willing to sell you out for a better seat at the Tremere table. And you've especially got to worry about people who may have taken a liking to all that structure. It sounds crazy, but you've been to war. Tell me I'm wrong."

"I also kept it off their radar because I wasn't going galavanting with those two walking disasters," Maeve said. "You think we didn't try to work with those two? Oh, we even pulled off a couple...what's he call them? 'Decisive blows' at his beckoning. But it was never enough. He just kept pushing, and pushing, and eventually they'd retaliate. Do shit like... Well, we were smart enough not to go hiding in the woods, but they woulda burned 'em down to try to get to us. And anyone who got caught in the middle was collateral damage. I told you to be careful around him. And you took up arms with him your first week back."

"To be fair, I was the one who joined in," Robyn said. "And fifteen people are alive now that wouldn't be, because I did."

"Robyn, a week before I left I had to talk you out of driving to Montreal and throwing a brick at the cops," Maeve said.

"They never woulda caught me," Robyn said quietly to Liam.

"Liam, your job is to protect her, above anything else," Maeve said. "Do a better job or I'll find someone to replace you. And no more Holloway. He's bad news around anyone you want to stay alive."

Liam looked out the window. He sat silently for a few moments as he looked at the faces huddled round the campfire, new and old. Then he looked over at Robyn and smiled faintly.

"You're not wrong, Maeve," he said at last. "I know just how important Robyn's work is. I'll be better."

Robyn wasn't wrong either though. Fifteen lives had been spared because of her. It was going to be impossible to strike a balance that agreed with both women. He had to find one that squared with his own conscience, and that meant keeping Robyn alive no matter what.

"Damn right you will," Maeve said. "Now take me off speaker." When they were speaking confidentially, Maeve asked a question.

"Tell me one last thing. Those fifteen people. We're they going to die because of something that the Tremere were doing, or something that Jacob was going to do?"

"We levelled Teasdale Hall," Liam replied, looking at Robyn as he spoke. "The Tremere were using it like a rendering plant, turning people into vessels - human bloodbags like the kind I saw in Europe before you came for me. They would have died eventually, but before then they would have suffered a fate worse than death. Kept alive for weeks or months until the Tremere had squeezed every last drop of blood out of them."

"Jacob would have hastened their deaths. It's what I did in Bergen and the kindest thing that could otherwise be done, all things considered. Not everyone made it regardless. But those that survived owe their lives to Robyn. She's braver than I am, Maeve. And almost as stubborn."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:45, Mon 14 Sept 2020.

"Liam, if she fails the city's going to be wiped off the map," Maeve said. "You will never know what was sacrificed to keep it from happening already. And a lot more people will die if it does, so if it means you need to save Robyn from her conscience, then that's something you have to grapple with."

"That's the contingency plan, is it?" Liam said without shock or affront. "She'll get this manuscript out to the publisher. If the Tremere start sniffing our way I'll give them somewhere else to look," Liam assured.

"See that you do," Maeve said. "And please give Jacob and Hasan a message. If they ever come here looking to lose some heat on their tails, I'll give them what they want. I'll twist those woods around so badly, no one will ever find them. That's a promise. Now, please hand me over to Robyn. I've got some choice words for her."

Liam held the phone out to Robyn. "Maeve wants to talk to you," he said, suitably chastened.

Robyn took the phone. She was quiet for a moment, and finally she sighed. "Fine. No, really, it's fine. I can barely handle the ones I got. Uh huh. Nope. No." She glanced at Liam. "Gods no. Yeah, Pockets. A coupla times." Pockets shot Liam a finger gun from her spot on the couch, accompanied by a deadpan wink. Robyn snorted into the phone. "Now that's none of your business." Another pause. "He tried to make niceynice, but I still think he's an asshole."

She looked at Pockets. "Always. Love you too. Both of you. Stay safe." She hung up the phone and handed it back to Liam. "I was fifty fifty on whether she'd call or just send lightning bolts. We got off easy."

Liam took back possession of the phone and let out a breath. "So...." he said after a moment, looking at Robyn.

"What happened in Montreal?"

Robyn shrugged. "Got me. Brad dropped him off, and came back with no tail. As far as I know he's still on the road. Might be over the Québec border. But no word yet. City was pretty dead, apparently. Everyone's in the woods."

"Oh, you meant with the cops? Same thing that's going on everywhere. Has been going on for decades. Cops bein' cops, man. If the city were fucking normal, I'd be on the front lines here. They've made a show of it on social media, don't get me wrong. Orderly protests, masks and distancing, and the police responding with tolerance, understanding and a willingness to reform. It'd be heartwarming if it wasn't all fiction."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:02, Tue 15 Sept 2020.

Liam nodded. Mortal policing hadn’t been high on his list of concerns of late. It certainly seemed to resonate with Robyn though.

“Well I’m glad to hear they made it out okay at least,” he said. “I guess now all we can do is wait and see.”

Liam glanced outside through the bay window again.

“You’ve got a book to write,” he said after a moment. “And I’ve got to stop dragging you away from it. And giving the Tremere more reasons to dig around out here.”

"Yeah I do," Robyn said. "Two books, even. Which reminds me. C'mere a minute."

She walked over, and touched a finger to his chest. Her touch felt like an electric shock. For a moment, Liam's mind and body gave out on him. He was a corpse again. He collapsed to the ground in a heap. Robyn stood over him, studying his face. He couldn't speak or move. He could barely think.

"Damn, dude," he heard Pockets say. She hadn't gotten up off the couch.

Then, as quickly as it hit, it let up. Life returned to his limbs, though he still felt decidedly sluggish. Like the blood in his veins had turned to jelly.

"Huh, I'll be, it works," Robyn said. She reached out a hand and helped him to his feet.

“What... what just happened?” Liam asked, allowing himself to be pulled back up. “Was that the binding curse?” He rubbed at his arms, trying to will them to be more limber and less leaden.

"I wish," Robyn said. "I wouldn't be able to have that level of control over Kindred blood without having it running through my own veins. No, that's brand new Rowe magic. I'll say it was inspired by the curse, to be sure. That's the newest recipe in my book, once I polish it up a little. And it's the first thing I'm gonna teach those former mooks out there."

Liam nodded. A magic like this could make even the mightiest of kindred helpless in the face of their enemies. "Is the duration contingent on anything? Did you release me, or does it only last a few moments?"

"It's a temporary thing," Robyn said. "And it's early days. I think I can get a stronger reaction, or a longer duration, but I literally just learned how to do this last night. I'd also be interested to know whether you can use your powers or not."

Liam closed his eyes and concentrated. He felt like his skull was full of soup. After a moment he shook his head.

"I can't change," Liam said. "I could barely think. For someone who doesn't breath, that's the closest I've come to suffocating in a long time."

"Just... warn me if you plan to experiment on me. Its a little unnerving."

He took a breath, largely to reassure himself he still could.

"I guess this means I'm not going anywhere tonight. Probably too hot to fly. They might not know who I am, but Redwatch knows there's a gangrel in the city now that's not under their sway."

"How'd you make out with the swipe card, Pockets?"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:40, Tue 15 Sept 2020.

Robyn was elated to hear it. "Well, I better get to work," she said, trotting over to her office.

"It's copied, and I've run some crypto on it," Pockets said. "But it's gonna be a while til I get anything useful from that. If you can get me more keys, I can get you some real results."

"Oh," Robyn exclaimed from the other room. "Liam, you can't stay in tonight. Jim's fucked. That potion cures the Fugue. It doesn't make him immune. And they're gonna be giving him dosed water at the hospital."

"Well fuck," Liam said, sitting up at once. "I guess I'm going into town tonight."

"I'm going to plan not to come back then. I'll sleep in the city. I don't think anyone will spot me flying out, but I can't risk a tail with how focused they are on the forest right now."

"If it were me, I'd put those two chucklefucks to work," Robyn said. "You'll still need to get them something that isn't going to look out of place in a hospital. You can't just dress up like a doctor and tell an orderly to spritz him once a day."

"Vitamin D," Pockets said, still lying on the couch. "Mooks are all taking vitamin C and D. General order. Gie'm some fuckin' drops."

"Ugh, I guess I can get some oil from the lab," Robyn said. "How 'bout it, do you two dicks want to see how the sausage is made?"

"Does it involve walking?" Pockets said. "Or outside? If so count me out."

"It involves the grove you tried to drive a camera into," Robyn said tersely. She could only be referring to the grove at the exact centre of the property. It was a thick tangle of low, twisted trees and a thick briar rose thicket. There was no entrance, and Liam would have been instructed to stay out when he was given the grand tour. Shortly after the villagers had arrived, she'd put up signs. Not that they were needed. The grove was scarcely bigger than the vegetable patch but it was without a doubt the meanest looking patch of woods Liam had ever seen.

"That tree ate my drone," Pockets said. Liam didn't doubt it. Her curiosity was piqued.

Liam shook his head. “No vitamins. Make it injectable. IM. Like a hormone shot that leaches out slowly over weeks and months. Vitamins can get lost or confiscated. Once that’s in it’s a done deal.”

“And yeah, I’m curious,” Liam said standing up. He reached for his coat.

"I have no idea how a high dose will affect him," Robyn said. "For that matter, I don't know what injecting it will even do if it's designed to be taken orally." She grabbed a hoodie from the table and zipped it up. It said "Fuck the Police" on it in giant block letters. "Time to finally meet that Gordon woman. We'll walk and talk."

"Man," Pockets said, stirring off the couch. "There better be smoking beakers where we're going."

The Gordons were no strangers to sleeping in tents, and they had pitched theirs near the grove. Practically in its shade. This was a ways away from the rest of the villagers. A reasonable precaution given one fledgling werewolf with the possibility of others.

The grove was a couple minutes' walk away, so the three of them had some time.

"What about a patch if it can be absorbed through the skin?" Liam asked. "Something discrete."

"Whatever you come up with, I'll get Hasan to deliver it," Liam said. "I can get around through the hospital ventilation if need be. He can walk down the halls and into a room full of people without being noticed."

"It'll give me some time to work on some other things as well. I think we should move ahead with the docks, Pockets. Redwatch could do with a distraction right about now, and letting tensions boil over between the longshoremen and the police could be just the thing."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:24, Wed 16 Sept 2020.

Pockets nodded. "They could use the distraction," she said. "I've already got a hashtag trending on Russian Twitter. Augusto has spread around a bunch of phones keyed to upload video to a site I control, and I'm reposting what I can. Other than that I'm not sure what I can do."

Robyn scratched her head, a bit uncertain. "I can give you something to paint on a Nicorette patch but I'm not sure if it'll work, and if then for how long. I'm a wizard, not a pharmacist."

"I could belatedly throw that brick at a cop car for Robyn," Liam mused. "Except if they saw me they'd know I was a vampire and the ruse would be up."

"Unless..." Liam rubbed his chest where Robyn had touched him inside. "You took away my 'vampire'. Or disguised it so that they think that I'm human."

"Do we have any idea what it is people under the fugue key off of to know what we are?"
This message was last edited by the player at 23:05, Wed 16 Sept 2020.

Robyn shook her head. "I'll be working on that spell for weeks," she said. "And even then I'll be lucky to be able to incapacitate a vampire for a couple of minutes. You want something long-term, you're gonna have to consult the witch hunters. And I don't think you'd like their terms."

"I'm not sure how exactly the horse-sense works; it's something buried deep in human programming. That sense some people have about you, that something's 'off'. Or how even a dog or cat that's never met a vampire before can just sense it on you. Might as well ask me to make you pet-friendly."

'I'd avoid direct aggression," Pockets cautioned. "Even in a disguise. If they get wind we're stirring the pot, they'll treat it like the diversion it is. Plus, videos of police meeting aggression with aggression are a dime a dozen these days. It might get a reaction, or it might get lost in the noise. If we're going to interfere, let's do something that'll stand out. Or better yet, get the shipping companies to move to Montreal."

“Pets have always been fine with me,” Liam said, clearly thinking over Pockets words. “It’s people who take exception.”

“Jim said they were forever threatening to take their business to Montreal,” he said rubbing his chin. “I wish he was here with us to talk to. He’d know how to tip them over I bet.”

"Well, we've got the next best thing," Pockets said.

Moira had heard someone approaching, and was out of the tent. She noticed them heading toward the grove, and waited patiently for them to come to her.

"Oy, here we go," Robyn said. She pulled up the hood on her shirt.

Liam smiled at Moira and then looked over sideways at Robyn. “Here we go, what?” He asked in confusion.

Moira strode forward and hugged Liam tightly. Even in her human form, she was strong. "Oh, it's so wonderful here, Liam." she said. "I haven't felt this close to the earth since the Caern was destroyed." She looked over at Pockets, then at Robyn. "And you must be Robyn. Nice to meet you."

Robyn fidgeted. "We've... Met. '09? The Liebowicz protests?"

Moira still looked confused. Robyn sighed.

"I was the one who you caught painting 'Lying Coward' on your garage in blood? You hit me with a broom? I called you a fucking cuntrag?"

"Oh," Moira said. "Oh."

"Yeah," Robyn said sheepishly. "I, uh, know now that you weren't covering up my partner's murder so much as you were covering up the fact that vampires are real. So, uh... Sorry."

"Think nothing of it," Moira said. "I should be apologizing to you for the pain I caused in my complicity with the lie. It was a horrible thing we did to her loved ones, and I'm deeply sorry."

"Water under the fridge," Robyn said. "I'm still mad about it. Just not with you."

"You don't know how glad I am to hear that," Moira said. "Because I am in awe of what you've done here. I didn't think a place with such natural spiritual energy still existed in Verdant Falls. I will defend this place with my life. And if you'll have me, I'd like to devote the rest of my life to making it grow."

Robyn snorted dismissively. "Pass," she said, moving past Moira and towards the grove.

"I... I don't understand," Moira said.

"Most of what this place has become is the work of Maeve Bennett," Robyn snapped, spinning back around. Moira's expression changed to one of confusion. Robyn crossed her arms. "What, doesn't ring a bell? The woman you enslaved. The woman you conscripted and forced to act as your bloody field medic. Under conditions so poor that they killed her colleague. So you'll forgive me if I don't take up your offer to colonize my home. You can protect me and my wards while the war is on, fine. But there will come a day when I ask you to leave, and never return. So don't grow attached. I know the Garou habit of taking what you covet."

"I take great exception to that," Moira said. "I wasn't a part of that. If I'd have been there, I'd have opposed it. Don't judge us all by the actions of a few. If you can't wrap your head around that, you don't deserve to wear that snide little hoodie."

Robyn looked a little deflated. She turned her back again."My terms stand. Take them or leave them."

Liam let go of the embrace and tried to follow the ensuing exchange. "Moira - Spark-Weaver is being forthright," Liam remarked after a moment. "She bore no part in what happened to Maeve. That was Mountain-Gale. He subsumed the Caern into his warband. He dictated the conditions under which Maeve laboured. Even Three-Claw was powerless to put an end to it, and he was at least there. Moira was in the city."

He looked from one woman to another.

"Its your land, Robyn. All of us are guests here and stay only at your discretion. Clearly there's a lot of history here. Far more than I realised. But whatever came before, right now we're all on the same side. Lets take things one night at a time."

Liam looked to see if there was an objection on the part of either woman. If not he turned to Moira.

"How are the kids? How's Alice?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:16, Fri 18 Sept 2020.

Robyn seemed satisfied. Moira was a little rattled by the experience, but answered all the same. "Good, considering. It's actually a time of jubilation when a Garou has their first change. It's often accompanied by tragedy, so we're in familiar ground. Jack is ready when you are. The chances of more than one of my kids being Garou are slim, but not unheard of. Given the number of bystanders nearby, I'd still rather be safe than sorry."

Liam nodded. He'd had much the same thought. "Do you want me to be ready to pin him down, or lead him on a chase? I'm going to need blood tonight if I'm going to be doing much shifting." He glanced at Pockets. "How deep is your stash at the moment?"

"Oh, I'm good," Pockets said. "I barely eat. Fill your boots."

"As long as we're ready to go, there should be no problems," she said. "The change takes long enough that we'll be able to pin him before he can throw us."

"Perfect," Liam replied. "Robyn's going to make some drugs for Jim to keep him free willed. I'll get them smuggled to him in the hospital later tonight. Let me finish up with her and I'll circle back to the cottage to top up. Then I'm all yours. I'll have Caleb about too, just in case."

"He's a wonder with the kids," Moira said. "I'll wait up for you. Thanks."

Robyn looked eager to press on. She led them away from the tent and towards the grove. "Don't ever try this without me, by the way," she said, approaching the wall of briar. "If I'm ever in here and want to see you, you'll find a pretty clear path."

She pulled at a branch, and revealed a small hollow in the briar. "C'mon in."

"Why would I come here without you?" Liam wondered, following close behind. Admittedly he was curious to know where it was Robyn was taking him, but beyond that he had little reason to expect he'd have to come back.

"Boredom," Pockets suggested. "Curiosity, spite, some kind of elaborate prank setup..."

"You wouldn't," Robyn said. "Not unless you had some nefarious purpose in mind. This isn't just where I do my most difficult spell work. It's also the source of power for the wards protecting this place. I just want to emphasize how much I don't want you fucking with this place. Pockets, I'm lookin' at you, girl."

"Ugh, fine," Pockets said with mock exasperation. "I won't doom us all because I can't resist a 'keep out' sign."

The tunnel opened up into a massive sheltered clearing. Moonlight shone through the canopy in dappled rays. Given the thick, angry trees surrounding the area, Liam expected less light to get through. There was a massive, five-sided slate slab in the centre of the clearing. It was inscribed with faintly glowing runes in a variety of ancient scripts, including the language of the First Tribe. At the centre of the slab sat a massive quartz altar, its five sides cut and polished to match the slab.

At one corner of the clearing stood a small round hut made of stone and straw. It looked old from its design, but the thatching looked fresh. Inside was a cluttered workspace full of bizarre glass apparatuses and a collection of reagents that made her formidable herb cupboard look like the spice rack at an Olive Garden.

"This is where the cure was made," Robyn said, gesturing around her. "I've still got some concentrate... Uh, somewhere."

“It’s very peaceful in here,” Liam observed. “But it isn’t strictly speaking necessary, is it? Once you publish your book, will wizards elsewhere be able to reproduce the concoction without first planting an eldritch grove? Or is this a necessary prerequisite?”

"Don't get me wrong, it'll help their chances of being successful," Robyn said,rummaging through a cupboard. "But no, most of the risk involved is in the experimentation and refinement of the recipe. When you're following a set of instructions, it's a little less involved. But anything I do here is easier, less effortful, and carries a lot less risk of going wrong. Any serious wizard will have a ritual spot. Maybe not as nice as this one, but they won't have access to a prodigal Verbena sphere mage."

She produced a stoppered flask full of a dark tobacco-yellow liquid, and a tiny, empty vial. She continued to talk as she did so. "We'll be doing the ritual to find your friend in here. Well, out there." She gestured to the altar with the hand holding the vial, before pouring a few millilitres of the ichorous fluid into it with nearly superhuman alacrity. She screwed the lid shut, and tossed it to Liam.

"They're gonna want to paint a paper-thin layer on the patch," Robyn said. "And if he starts reacting badly, for the love of God take it off. I know a mook testing cantrip I could teach them, but frankly I don't think they've got the sensibility. So they're going to have to come by and spritz him periodically til he's outta there. Same goes for you:. Assume he's mooked every time you meet him. He'll be able to remember mookin' out and spilling his guts, and he won't put a stake in your back."

Liam nodded and tucked the vial away. “I’ll pass along the instructions. It may be that Hasan and I end up taking turns until Jim is out of hospital but I’ll let him have the first go. It’s safer that way.”

He glanced at the altar. “As keen as I am to find Tim again, I don’t want to take you away from your work. You tell me when it’s a good night. I’ll leave you to your writing until then.”

"I'm gonna need breaks," Robyn said. "So don't be afraid to take me away from it for a while. I'm also giving some priority to Pockets. The sooner I get the book to Miss the better. Even a skilled Tremere will take weeks to learn it. Maybe months. Plus, it's a lot simpler to write because it's not encrypted. Finding your boy's not a big task. Just... Not when I'm running on empty, y'know?"

Liam nodded again. “Thank you.”

He glanced around the grove once more. “And thank you for taking us here. I presume we have everything we came for now?” He said, giving the vial a little twirl.

If so, Liam was planning to get the sample to Jim as quickly as possible and he’d committed himself to a few tasks first already.

"Yep, that's all I can do," Robyn said. "Watch your ass tonight. Maybe go for a bit of a hike before you take off? No telling how closely they're watching the woods."

“I will,” Liam replied. He’d had a similar thought as well - put some distance between himself and the camp before taking to the skies.

“I should go help Moira with Jack. Pockets, if you’re not busy tonight might be a good night to start those interviews with Herb - find out where the money is hidden and give the Redwatch a brand new digital front to worry about.”

"That might cut into my sitting-on-my-ass time but for you, baby, I'll make the sacrifice," Pockets said.

"Guess I better get back to writing," Robyn said, replacing the large flask and closing the cabinet. A short walk later, and they were out of the grove. Moira seemed to be having a conversation with her daughters a ways away from the tent. The campfire was unoccupied.

Liam accompanied Robyn and Pockets back to the cottage. He took a single bag from Pockets stash before doubling back. There would likely be more nights like tonight over the coming weeks and he was intent upon making it last. Afterwards Liam doubled back and waved at Moira and the girls.

“Hello, Maggie. Alice,” he said with a friendly smile. “Sorry to keep you waiting.”

"Mr. O'Farrell," Maggie said. Alice was quiet.

"Thanks, Liam," Moira said. "Let's get this over and done with. Girls, you wait out here."

Jack was seated in the tent. Placid, and staring. He went blank as Liam appeared.

Moira knelt beside her son. "Spritz away, Liam."

“Liam is fine,” he said. “You girls of all folks have the right to call me that.”

In a way they were practically family.

Liam followed Moira into the tent and reached for his bottle.

“Hello, Jack,” he said, crouching low. He levelled the bottle and sprayed.

“How are you feeling?”
This message was last edited by the player at 12:11, Sat 19 Sept 2020.

[20:24, Thu 17 Sept: Secret Roll: Narrator, for the NPC Jack Gordon, rolled 10 using 1d100 with rolls of 10.  Fate.]

Jack's eyes rolled back as soon as the cure hit him. His neck arched, his hands clawed, and his body convulsed. His mouth was open, but all that issued forth was a few choked gasps, his lungs having completely emptied of air.

"No no no no, Jack," Moira pleaded. "What's happening? What's happening?" She screamed loud enough that it evoked a response from the campsite. Faint shouts soon followed, growing closer.

As quickly as it started, it stopped, and Jack fell limp. His body empty and breathless.

Alice and Maggie had crowded around the mouth of the tent. Robyn pushed past them. "What's going on?"

Liam reached for Jack’s wrist and put his head against the young man’s chest, searching for a heartbeat.

“I don’t know,” he said tersely. “As soon as I sprayed him he seized and then went limp.”

If Jack lacked a pulse Liam moved to start chest compressions at once. If he had a pulse but could not breath, Liam lowered his mouth to Jacks and helped to fill his lungs.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:55, Sat 19 Sept 2020.

She looked up at Robyn, bristling at her presence. "WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM," she snarled. Her voice had dropped an octave.

Robyn was obviously afraid of the now-enraged mama werewolf bearing down on her, but she managed to keep from running. "Liam, you're faster than me. In my fridge, in the door there's a little black zipper pouch marked 'overdose'. Inside, there's a shot of adrenaline. Run over and give it to me. Now."

Liam questioned whether leaving the two of them alone was a good idea. But for him, the adrenaline was practically a hop, skip and a jump away.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:59, Sun 20 Sept 2020.

Liam nodded and rose at once. He took off bounding and was lupine before he hit his second stride, only transforming back again when it was necessary to manipulate a door handle.

“Black zipper pouch, black zipper pouch,” he muttered as he rifled through the door. “Here we go.”

For the return trip Liam carried the bag gently in his mouth and didn’t stop until he’d delivered it into Robyn’s waiting grasp.

Robyn stopped her resuscitation efforts, and grabbed the cardiac needle from the zipper bag, and tossed the kit aside. She tore open his shirt, felt for the right area, and jammed the needle down without a hesitation.

To say Jack sprang to life would be an understatement. Exploded, more like. Liam tried valiantly to intervene, but he simply wasn't fast enough to stop the frenzying Garou from swatting Robyn off his legs, and through the side of the tent. Liam saw Pockets rush to attend to Robyn, but they had a much more pressing matter. Jack had a headstart on his mother, and a heart full of adrenaline.

Moira put an arm around his neck, and struggled against her raging son.

Liam leapt upon the newly emerged crinos, struggling to wrestle him into submission but try though he might he could gain no purchase amidst the scramble of fur and limbs.

Failed the dice roll. Thank god for the WP or it would have botched.
Blood buff strength and thick skin

Liam flew through the hole in the tent Robyn had left. Jack was struggling alone with his mother, and managed to break free of her headlock. He clamped his teeth down hard on his mother's arm. Moira roared in pain. This was enough to trigger an instinctual change in Alice. She leapt on her brother, and pinned him there. Garou that new had poor control over their transformed selves. Liam would know how dangerous it was to provoke Alice in this state. But the two looked like they could do with the help.

A crowd had gathered outside, both around Robyn and around the tent.

Liam hit the ground at a roll and dug a deep furrow in the ground with his hind paws as he bounded back towards the wrecked tent. <<CALEB!!>> he growled, sailing through the opening. Within an instant he was atop Jack, riding him as one might try to ride a hurricane. If not for the combined strength of Moira and Alice it was unlikely they would have succeeded in keeping him pinned against his will.

So you wont believe this, but I should have failed. The WP makes this a success.

For a night that was supposed to be quiet, Liam has used 3 WP, blown through his blood pool and Robyn is badly hurt. So we're off to a great start.

08:38, Today: Liam O'Farrell failed (no successes) using 15d10 with the World of Darkness 3rd ed system with a target of 8 with rolls of 3,10,1,1,1,1,3,4,10,6,9,8,7,2,3.  Str + potence + brawl + WP.

Caleb had been completely out of his element, and had been watching the madness unfold with no idea of what he should be doing. His master's voice snapped him to attention, and he took after Liam's lead, piling on to the unruly pup with the others. Between the four of them, Jack was contained. Pockets handled the crowd, giving the villagers the task of ushering Robyn to safety. Liam wasn't aware of her condition, but getting knocked through the air by magically-lethal claws was never a good thing. Even though she was utterly useless in a physical confrontation, she positioned herself between Maggie and the dogpile as they watched.

The adrenaline coursing through Jack's system made for a very rough struggle. Fortunately, it also meant he burned out quicker than his sibling. All of them emerged from the experience with a few nasty cuts. Moira's arm looked ragged, but he had little doubt her constitution would make short work of the injury in time. Caleb had a nasty slice across his belly. Alice had a quartet of claw marks riddled around her left shoulder. Liam had a nasty set of punctures in his chest from a lucky kick where Jack's hind claws had found purchase. But Jack was alive, his change had healed whatever physical damage the cure had wreaked, and the first change was over. Hours had passed but the night was still fairly young. It was a little after ten.

Liam slumped back against the wall of the tent. He was drained physically and utterly ravenous, but he managed a faint smile for Moira all the same.

"Hell of a night," he said, reaching for his cigarettes. He pulled the packet out and held them in his hand though he didn't light one.

"Gaia provides," he said, looking at Jack's spent form and Alice's battered one. "It seems this Cairn is getting rebuilt in a hurry."

He struggled up to his feet, and as Caleb rose to join him he stayed the hound and sent him back to Maggie and Alice.

"I should check on Robyn."

Moira managed a smile. "Injuries aside this is the best thing to happen to Blue Tree in the last decade," she said. "We are long overdue for good news, and I wish I had more of us around to celebrate."

When the topic of Robyn came up, Moira's smile faded. She thought of the terrible blow. And winced. "Please do," Moira said, cradling her battered arm. "And please... Tell her I'm sorry for snapping at her."

"I will," Liam replied. He paused at the tent flap. "Moira, I didn't get a chance to ask you yesterday but when they took you to the Cairn were there any.... was anyone not present?" He knew no one present would have been permitted to survive. The only chance that anyone might have gotten away was if they weren't there to begin with.

"It was an ambush," Moira said, clearly uncomfortable with the topic. "I didn't see who lived and who died. Some ran. Some weren't around to begin with. It was the night of the massacre. They caught us scattered."

Liam nodded. That was all he could hope for. "If any of the others are still out there, I'll find them," he said. "But not tonight. I still have to get to Jim."

"One last thing, Moira. Some homework for you, but not tonight. Our breakout last night drew a lot of attention our way. Too much. There's a large fire burning on the far side of the escarpment. The Camarilla is hoping to burn us out. I'd like to give them something else to pay attention to."

"Jim told me the shipping magnates were always agitating to move their business to Montreal. The Cams need them. They're one of the only sources of cash coming into the city right now. Did Jim ever say what he had to do to appease them? Because I'd love to give them reason to reconsider."

"It wasn't what Jim did," Moira said. "It was what he didn't. Cheap berthing fees, and most importantly a lack of oversight. That's what kept ships coming here instead of Montreal. The action on the Pier the other day agitated the crime syndicates more than anyone else. And they've got their fingers in every one of the shipping companies."

Liam considered this on its face. He couldn't change the berthing fees and had no ability to exert oversight on the freighters. But he could exert pressure on the syndicates potentially.

"That's very helpful," he said after a moment. "I think I know just the man to talk to. Let me know if anything else comes to mind."

"Get some rest."

Liam turned to leave, pausing a few strides away from the tent to light up his cigarette. He took his time making his way back to the cabin, enjoying the brief respite in an otherwise eventful night. Eventually though he arrived at his destination and went in side, presuming that he would find Pockets in all likelihood.

Liam found them in Robyn's bedroom. Brad and Joyce had joined them. Brad immediately went on the offensive when Liam entered the room. "What the fuck kind of monsters did you bring in here?" he said bitterly. Joyce was too busy dressing Robyn's terrible wounds.

Robyn didn't look good. Jack had sliced her square across the chest. Her shirt was open, and Liam could see four deep gashes running from the bottom of her left ribs, across her breasts and neck, all the way to beneath her right ear. The fact that she was still conscious and alive was good, because it meant that nothing major had been lacerated.

"They're werewolves, Brad," Liam said, stepping around him to kneel beside the bed. "Three out of the four of them are at any rate. Didn't know about Jack until Robyn stuck him with an EpiPen. The adrenaline kicked him over the edge. Alice had her first change last night. Its why we came in running ragged."

"You just witnessed werewolf puberty."

"Hello, Robyn," he said, sounding grim. "Maeve is going to be awfully short with me."

"Do you need blood?"

Brad wasn't happy with the way Liam blew past him, but also saw he wasn't making friends in the room. He skulked into the main room to cool off. Liam suspected he'd be less inclined to let him by on the way out.

Robyn's eyes were pretty glazed, and he suspected Pockets had already taken care of her pain with some sort of painkiller. She seemed tickled by the comment about Maeve. "Lightning bolts, man. Watch your ass out there," she slurred. She merely made a disgusted face at the offer of blood.

"We've managed to stop most of the bleeding," Joyce said, misinterpreting the question. "It's mostly flesh wounds, but they're bad flesh wounds. We're just about to-"

"Coming through," Grace said. She was carrying the trauma kit from the back of the cruiser. She opened it, and fetched a suture gun. "Girl, when this heals, you're gonna look like a badass," she said, checking the device over. Then, to Liam. "Your dog's going to be fine, by the way. I'll stitch him up next."

Liam reached out and took Robyn's hand. "Yeah, well, I probably deserve them tonight," he said, managing a weak grin in response to Robyn's warning.

"You saved Jack's life. I don't think I can ever thank you enough. And Moira asked me to tell you she's sorry for snapping at you. Figuratively."

He looked up as Grace approached, taking a moment to process what she said.

"Caleb will be fine. He's got my blood running through his veins. That gash will be gone within a week. He's a twenty year old German Shepherd that can tear the rear bumper off a truck and pin a werewolf. This isn't the first live grenade he's jumped on for me - or with me."

"Don't get me wrong though, he'll love the attention."

Looking around the room, Liam sensed his answer perhaps required further elaboration.

"Vampire blood has a restorative effect, but a body has to become accustomed to it. That doesn't happen overnight. Caleb can heal just about any injury that doesn't kill him outright the same way I can. He'll be ravenous for it, but I'll keep him fed. Someone who's never had vampire blood before - well, its better than nothing. But there will probably still be a scar."

"Pockets has enough blood on hand, Robyn. I could transfuse you," he said, offering a second time. He wasn't going to force the issue like he had with Jim, but he wanted to hear a clear answer before he deferred. Robyn knew the risks and rewards as well as anyone, even doped up and groggy.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:12, Fri 25 Sept 2020.

Robyn looked him dead in the eye. Her gaze was unfocused, but her words were not. "No," she said. "Maybe if I was dying. Even then I'd need to think about it."

"If I ever get this bad, shoot me up," Grace piped in. "Good to know about Caleb. I felt kinda bad leaving him, but I'm the closest thing to a doctor we've got. Just don't tell the veterinary college."

Liam nodded. That was all the answer he needed. "I have to get to Jim. Unfortunately that can't wait. You hang in there," he said, letting go of Robyn's hand. "Thank you," he said again.

"I'll only come back tonight if I'm absolutely sure I don't have a tail. More likely than not I'll give it a day or two to cool down. Its too risky right now."

He looked up at Pockets and Grace.

"I'll feed Caleb on the way out, and mix some kibble for him to keep in the fridge for tomorrow. Can one of you make sure he gets fed?"

"Sure," Pockets said. "Even I'm not that forgetful."

Grace busied herself stapling the first of the gashes. The seams were straight, but it still wasn't going to be pretty. Whatever Robyn was taking for the pain seemed to be working, but that didn't stop tears from rolling down her cheeks as Grace worked.

Liam stood up. He stared a moment longer. "Thank you, all," he said to the clutch of women who were attending to Robyn. Liam glanced at the door. "I think Brad is waiting to tear a strip off me. I'll come back as soon as I can."

Liam stepped out into the common room with a sigh.

Brad was indeed waiting for him in the common room. He stood as soon as Liam stepped out of her bedroom.

"So tell me," he said. "Did you even consider warning us about what you brought home with you? When they showed up naked and bloody, we all thought it was something that was done to them. Not something they did."

Liam met Brad's gaze and pursed his lips. This conversation was going to take a few minutes - more time than he had, but it had to happen all the same. He veered off towards the couch and sat down, extending his open palm towards the arm chair. Whether or not Brad took it, he answered. He also significantly did not close the door behind him. It was possible other ears had to hear this as well.

"They didn't do anything," he said. "They aren't monsters. They're children. Frightened children. Just like the Shannon kids. And just like the Shannon kids, they need a village right now. They don't need to be shunned or feared."

"Alice is 16 years old. She was six when all this madness began. Jack only has a year on her, and Maggie is barely an adult."

"They should have had their first change years ago surrounded by family who could guide them through it - but the Camarilla murdered their family and the Fugue suppressed their transformation. I'm all the family they have left. And they're all the family I have left - at least the only family that knows who I am any more."

"Have you ever seen a horse get spooked and buck off its rider? No one faults the horse. On the night of their first change, their body is the horse and they are doing everything in their power just to cling to it. If this had happened in the city - if we'd succeeded in what we intend to do - Moira would have had two of them on her hands at the same time."

Liam could only imagine the damage the siblings would have inflicted before coming down from their rage. It would have been an impossible situation for Moira to manage.

"After the first night though, they learn to control it. Moira Gordon has been in the public eye for decades. And she's not the only one. You've never seen a headline saying 'mayor's wife eats camera crew'. They don't eat people. They aren't a danger to you."

"I was ready for a First Change tonight, as unlikely as we thought it to be - werewolf siblings are like human twins or triplets. They're plenty rare. But I was not ready for an overdose. And no one is ever ready for a werewolf on an adrenaline high. But its done. Jack will sleep it off, and tomorrow he'll be contrite and probably more than a little ashamed. But he's not a monster."

Brad took a seat when it was offere. His  face softened a little as Liam spoke. But only a little. When Liam was done, he sighed. "Look," he said. "If I have your word there'll be no more accidents, then fine. But if they make a liar outta you, we're gonna have a problem, all right?

“Brad, I wouldn’t have brought them back here if I was worried they were going to hurt anyone. What happened to Robyn was terrible. But it was also terribly bad luck.”

“You want my advice? Treat them like kids and they’ll be kids. Fire up the barbecue tomorrow and grill up some of those moose steaks. Let them know they’re welcome. And should the day come where we have to bring the fight to the Camarilla directly you’ll be damn happy they’re on your side.”

Liam rose and clapped Brad on the shoulder. “As much as I wish it were otherwise, I can’t stay tonight. I have to finish tying off some lose ends from last night.”

“I’ll see you soon.”

Liam headed downstairs to gather his belongings and fill up on Pocket’s supply.

“Jacob?” He asked, fumbling for the ear piece. “I’m going to need some help tonight. Can you or Hasan meet me by the trail to the old bunker again?”

Brad frowned, and fidgeted in his seat. "I, uh, tried to welcome them this morning and they were pretty standoffish," he said sheepishly. "I'll try again tomorrow. I'm... just not comfortable with this."

Jacob replied to Liam's request promptly. "Won't be a problem," he said. "The town's hot tonight so we're staying well clear. What do you need?"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:01, Sat 26 Sept 2020.

“That’s okay too,” Liam said, in parting to Brad. “Maybe they just need time.”

Downstairs Liam drained a few more blood packs - enough to sate Caleb’s appetite for a couple of nights and also to permit him to fly.

“It’s Jim,” he explained over the microphone. “The spray doesn’t prevent him from being bonded again, it just breaks the existing ones. Robyn has put together a concentrate that could be painted onto a patch and slowly infuse over a number of days. Someone has to get it to him before they extubate Jim and he sings like a canary. And we may have to take turns spraying him every few days as a precaution, at least until he’s out of the ICU and able to look after himself.”

“I can work my way through the ventilation maybe but Hasan could walk right through the front doors.”

"It won't be a trivial matter," Jacob said. "The Tremere witch-hunters are guarding him right now. Still, nothing Hasan can't handle. I'll ask him to meet you. Anything else you need?"

Liam scrubbed his fingers through his hair, sight unseen to Jacob. "I don't know. It's been a hell of a night already," he replied. "Jack had his first change. We found out when Robyn stuck a needle in him to pull him out of an overdose. She's lucky to be alive, though she didn't get away lightly. Under other circumstances I'd be taking her to the hospital, but we'll have to manage with what we have."

"That's terrible," Jacob said. "I wasn't aware Garou siblings were possible. I'm glad she survived; her death would be an incalculable loss. I'm sure you've considered it, but should the worst happen, Embrace her."

“I don’t think she’d ever forgive me,” Liam gave his honest assessment. “So let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.”

“Last night drew too much attention this way, though I don’t know it was avoidable after Alice’s transformation. We’ve got to lie low for a bit - at the very least until Robyn is back on her feet and ideally until her book is substantially completed. Maeve was plenty short with me already and that was before Robyn got hurt. She’s none too happy with you or Hasan either. I’m under strict instructions to steer clear of both of you, so naturally I’ll see Hasan within the hour.”

“Anyway, what’s done is done. I’m going to have a word with Augusto tonight once I make the delivery. I’d like to give Kiesinger a headache over in the docks to keep him occupied and draw some of the heat away from the woods. I figure if anyone, Deluca will know the important players and where to apply the leverage.”
This message was last edited by the player at 17:23, Sun 27 Sept 2020.

"Seems he's already working at it," Jacob said. "But I'm sure he wouldn't mind the help."

"If you don't mind me saying so, perhaps it's time to reevaluate priorities. She's well-protected where she is, and Pockets is stuck on remote duties while her powers are suppressed. Delegate the babysitting detail, and come to the Iron Graveyard with us. You're wasted there, and you can do more damage if you don't need to worry about drawing the heat towards her."

"I.... might end up doing that," Liam considered after a moment. "I need a few nights to get out of the reeds first. Then we'll discuss."

"I'm going to go, Jacob. I'll see Hasan at the drop, shortly."

Liam made his way back upstairs and fixed two bowls for Caleb, one for the present night and one for the next. He set out to deliver the former, and after that he intended to go for a long run beneath the canopy before breaking out beneath the stars.

The skies in the forest weren't friendly tonight. On his run, it quickly became apparent that the forest was full of kindred and mortals. Fortunately, they were loud, carried flashlights, and were communicating over walkie-talkie. Easy to avoid. The skies were another matter. The two helicopters were low over the canopy, and they had every flyer out scouring. The flames from the forest fires lit up the sky, making visibility a major concern. All in all, it seemed wiser to carry on on foot, at least until he was in the city proper. It wasn't a long hike to the rendezvous as the wolf strode.

The path to the bunker was much closer to the blaze. Smoke was thick here, and the crackling of burning trees echoed in the night. Fortunately, there were no firefighting crews nearby to disturb them. Hasan made himself known as soon as Liam arrived.

"You know," Hasan said. "If I didn't know any better I'd say we're getting to them."

"Like black flies on a horse," Liam said, casting his gaze up towards towards the orange bellied clouds. "But as much as I'd love to drive the screws in, they're getting a little too close for comfort."

He reached into his pocket and fished out the concentrate.

"Here. Robyn said a paper thin application on the back of a patch should be enough. Now that I've seen what an overdose looks like, I believe it."

"Hide it somewhere the nurses aren't likely to touch by accident, otherwise that'll cause a scene in its own right."

"Trans-scrotal patch it is," Hasan said dryly. "Jacob and Tyr are hitting the service depot where they maintain their fleet tonight. Seems like a good idea with everyone watching the woods. Normally I'd cajole you into joining them but, uhh," he gestured at the smoke around him. "This has gotta stop. If I were you I'd be working on making that happen."

"Yeah," Liam said, looking towards the forest. "Or more to the point, we have to pressure them into fighting the fire for us."

"If the province sees a fire like this burning unchecked its going to raise questions. van Fokke might not care but Keisinger will."

Liam took out his cellphone and filmed a clip in silence. He'd have to get closer to the flames to get a truly persuasive glimpse. After a few moments he thumbed the stop button and put his phone away.

"This might take a trip to Fredericton to get sorted."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:43, Mon 28 Sept 2020.

"I mean, if you wanna overcomplicate things," Hasan said with a shrug. "But province or no province, they're not gonna stop combing the woods until they find something. Maybe give it to them."

“Did you have something in mind?” It was a decent suggestion, admittedly, but he was at a loss for what to produce that might satisfy the search party’s expectations. A couple of charred wolves, perhaps, but that didn’t strike him as overly convincing.

"A weak trail and some sorta camp that hints they're breaking out west," Hasan said. "Subtle is better. Make it look like they covered their tracks, but not well enough. Most of the new recruits don't know shit about shit, but there are some freeper survivalist chuds in the mix, too, so don't underestimate 'em."

“That’s doable,” Liam said with a nod. “Alright, I’ll take care of it tonight.”

He had no choice, really. The fires had to be put out before they burned up against the borders of Robyn’s acreage. Leaving this task to linger was not an option.

“I’ll be in touch. Good luck tonight. With both objectives.”

“And if Jim is in any condition to hear you, tell him I kept my promise. The kids are okay.”
This message was last edited by the player at 20:46, Mon 28 Sept 2020.

"They've pumped him full of vampire blood, no doubt, so he's probably well on the mend," Hasan said. "Tread lightly tonight."

Liam nodded and bid Hasan farewell. In a few moments he was back on all fours and heading west. He had to get ahead of the search parties so they could ‘stumble’ across his handiwork.

This would be a difficult task on his own. Without any of the people the search parties were tracking, a false trail would be vague and unconvincing. And there would be little to tie the campsite to them - as opposed to a group of campers or poachers.

After a little tech support with Pockets, Liam was able to ring Mik's headset and force him to pick up. The two spent most of the night forging the trail. It wasn't until the wee hours of the morning that the two finally had a chance to rest, far away from the decoy campsite they had created. It wasn't foolproof, but it'd do the job.

"I hope this satisfies them," Mik said, breathing a heavy sigh. "So they'll stop taking out their frustration on the forest."

Like Mik, Liam could only look at their handiwork and pray for the best. "I hope its enough," he echoed Msizi's sentiment. "Thank you, Mik," he said with a weary smile. Liam cast his eye towards the heavens through the canopy and then down at his wrist watch. It was late. Or rather it was early. Morning was around the corner. At least with the turning of the season the nights were getting long again.

"I'm still hoping to make the city," he said. "Find something to eat and tuck in, in the docks."

"There are still too many eyes for my liking to head back to the compound."

"The river runs out of the sea," Mik said. "And the sea leads to the docks. They're watching the skies and the ground because they still think like mortal men. But they have completely ignored the waterways. Think like a fish."

Liam blinked and turned to look at Mik.

"Msizi, that's brilliant," he said after a moment. "I'll do that."

He held out his hand to take one of Msizi's many. "Thank you for tonight. I'll reach out again once I figure out our next steps. My first priority remains keeping Robyn safe, and I think a low profile is the way to achieve that."

"Take care, my friend."

Think like a fish.

Liam knew he wasn't the only gangrel who could manage an aquatic form. But he was fairly certain he was the only one in Verdant Falls. If one stalked the harbor, he'd never seen tooth nor scale of them.

Heading into the docks

The river was calm and dark. The biggest threat in those waters was Liam himself, and other fish gave him a wide berth. It was an easy, current-assisted swim to the sea, and then a short dash to the docks. There was little time to hunt, so Liam had to make a hasty and uncomfortable bed in the rocky soil beneath the pier.

He awoke ravenous, in the pouring rain. However, with work at a standstill, there were drunkards and idlers aplenty. He managed to find enough sober blood on the streets that he ended his feast only moderately tipsy. The night was very young, and he had plenty of time to sober up.

With his hunger sated, his next item of business was investigating the men's shelter. Homeless people were the first to disappear under the Keisinger regime. And a decade of neglect had left the building a complete writeoff. It was raining heavily inside the building as well. The roof had collapsed, and water had destroyed most of the structural integrity. The air stank of mold and rot. Moonlight peeked through all the way to the basement. There was no electricity, running water, or heating. In the end, the only light-proof part of the building was the broom closet in the old boiler room. Fortunately, vampires have little issue sleeping standing up. It would be a place to sleep, and with weather-resistant containers, he'd be able to store some things here. But it wasn't much of a second home. The only security the place offered was that nobody else would ever bother exploring it.

Liam flicked the light switch on and off to no effect. "Well," he said at last. "At least no one is going to be competing with me for the space."

The rats were already here, at least. Enticing them to stay would be simple enough. He beckoned a small cohort towards him and fed them by hand. For creatures this small, a drop to each was enough and he'd come again the next night. Liam cast a last look around the wages of neglect and made a mental tally of those items he would need to make it serviceable. Some weather and rodent proof containers were certainly high on the list.

Heading topside once more, Liam set out for the iron graveyard. Mik had put him in the right mindset. Redwatch was looking for strange eagles and bats in the skies, and wolves in the forest but the city was filled with no shortage of nocturnal critters to borrow for his purposes. Raccoons drew no notice for starters. It would make for slower travel, but such was the price of security under the present skies.

The works building was empty. The night crew appeared to be out on a call, and were so considerate as to not only leave the garage door unlocked, but wide open. The plans were right where they should have been, in a file drawer in the main office. They even had a photocopier handy that was fully capable of handling pages that size. Never bring the originals into the sewers, after all. They even had a spare weatherproof tube that fit the rolled plans perfectly. He was in and out in under an hour, with a complete copy of the sewer systems slung over his shoulder.

With the whole night laying open before him, and few places he could safely go, Liam paused in one of the Graveyard's quieter corners to make a phone call. He still needed to follow up with Augusto.

"Liam," Augusto said, picking up after the first ring. "Funny, I was just watching the blaze on the news, and I thought of you. Let's hope the rain keeps up, huh?"

"Yeah," Liam replied, looking up towards the sky. "I haven't seen the news yet this evening. Have they got a fire crew on the scene yet?"

"I mean, they say they're fighting it," Augusto said. "But we both know that what's on the news ain't necessarily what's happening. I'm guessing that they're mad about losing the Gordons, and that you had a finger in that little pie."

"Yeah, well, they didn't lose all of them," Liam said. "They still have Jim."

"That's largely the reason why I'm calling you actually. I'm looking to give van Fokke a headache in the docks to pull his focus out of the woods. Moira said Jim kept the shipping magnates happy by turning a blind eye to the more unsavoury business elements in the docks. If I wanted to push some of them into reconsidering Montreal as a port of call, where would I start?"

"I want to make them miss ever sending you away. With any luck if I'm successful enough, you'll get invited back in and we both get something we want out of this."

"The syndicates care about money," Augusto said. "Hurt their operations like the cops hurt mine and they'll pull out. I've been mulling this over, too. I've got the manpower to raid their warehouses, but it'd just look like the Russian mob is horning in on their turf. I'm cobbling together some counterfeit ETF uniforms, but the authentic flashing is going to be a tall order. Not to mention the van."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:46, Wed 30 Sept 2020.

"What do you need, and where can I get it?" Liam asked. He was good at breaking into places sight unseen.

"SWAT cop uniforms," Augusto said. "The vests and shirts, specifically. As many as you can carry. One of their ETF vans would be gravy, but we can make do without it. They operate out of 1st division headquarters. Which is, uh, right across from the Alhambra."

"Alright, let me mull that over," Liam said. "I'll see what I can do for you."

"While I have you on the phone, I'm looking for a quiet spot in the docks to set up shop. I know pier 6 has been your gig for a long time, but is there anywhere else that comes to mind?"

"There's a men's shelter that's been left to rot," Augusto said. "There's also a long-term storage facility that the shipping companies rent out. It's owned by the Cam, same as everything, but if you've got a good alias, deep pockets, and don't arouse suspicion on the surveillance cameras, they'll keep their noses outta your business. Other than that, you got me. There's a reason I live on a boat."

"Yeah," Liam said. "I found the shelter..."

Pockets had set him up with a long term storage unit years ago, though after the events of his first night back he'd shied away from accessing it, and besides it was just a concrete bay. Given the state of the shelter though, perhaps it was time to pay it a visit.

"I'll be in touch. Probably wise to hold off on the helicopter gig for now too, but I haven't forgotten. They're riled up enough already."

After he'd let go of Augusto, Liam pulled up Jacob on the microphone.

"How'd it go last night?" he asked.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:21, Wed 30 Sept 2020.

"Well, they won't be fixing their fleet for a while," Jacob said. "Some of the local mechanics are viable, but most of them don't have the equipment to service vehicles that large. It won't last, but it certainly helped draw some attention back to the city. How did it go with you and Mik?"

“Hard to know,” Liam answered honestly. “We spent most of the night on it, but by definition you can only take a false trail so far. The proof will be in the pudding. Hopefully it’s enough to satisfy them. I haven’t been back, and the only news I’ve had tonight is via Augusto.”

“Hasan made it to Jim okay?”

"He did," Jacob said. "Ambrose was visiting him, and the place was crawling with Witch-Hunters, so it took him most of the evening, but he got to him. Ambrose wanted to question Jim himself. Jim fed him a story about a trio of Garou breaking into the house, incapacitating Moira, and dragging them all off without so much as a how-do-you-do, and it seemed that our dear Justicar was mostly satisfied with it. The only thing that stood out as odd was how the ghoul was killed. Castration, disemboweling, and letting him bleed out with a hand clamped over his mouth... it seemed a bit personal. Fortunately Jim truthfully wasn't present for that. Perhaps you were a tad overzealous?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:29, Fri 02 Oct 2020.

"That... wasn't me," Liam confessed. "That was Moira. She had a decade of pent up aggression to work through, I think."

"Glad to hear Jim talked his way out. Now its on the rest of us to bring the temperature down."

"Augusto had some thoughts, by the way. You were right. He was already working on the same problem. If I can purloin some ETF vests, and preferably a van from the first precinct he'll have his boys 'raid' the other cartels and push them out. That's not to say that getting those things to him will be easy, but its something to shoot for. And its in the city, so any heat it draws will be away from Robyn."

"It may take some time to do it quietly," Jacob said. "But we can get it done. You protect your charge."

“Thanks, Jacob. I’m going to check in with Pockets, see how everyone is holding up. I’ll be in touch.”

Unless Jacob has anything further for Liam at the moment, he signed off the microphone and reached for his sat phone.

“Pockets? How is everyone?” He asked as soon as he had her on the line.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:13, Fri 02 Oct 2020.

"Not gonna lie, the day was all kinds of fucked up," Pockets said. "They sent the mooks out in force. Combed the forest. Her warding turned them around, but they were using GPS, so they kept doubling back. Robyn had to lead a couple right through the property. Almost fucked up her illusion, too. But all they saw was some hippie's backyard. Which, let's be honest, ain't much of an illusion. It... It took a lot out of her. She's resting tonight. She should have been resting today."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:57, Fri 02 Oct 2020.

"This is not one of my shining moments," Liam admitted. "But I'm impressed she managed to get back on her feet so soon, even if only for a little while. That was quite the hit she sustained."

"Jim has been feeding them a pack of lies about a Garou smash and grab operation, and Mik and I gave them a trail to follow so hopefully that'll be the end of it. I'll lay low in the city for another night. I don't want to give them any more reason to keep looking."

"How's the village taking it? Any word from Hank?"

"The village is pretty tense," Pockets said. "There's a lot of mistrust towards Moira and the kids, and the scene this morning put everyone on edge. Hank has reunited the family and sent them on their way. He's sourcing another car, and getting everything on the shopping list taken care of. I got him in contact with Rick to make sure everything goes smoothly and there's no Sabbat interference. He says hi, by the way."

“Thank God for that at least,” Liam said, letting out a breath. “Caleb healing nicely?”

"Oh, it's barely a scratch," Pockets said. "Alex and Maggie have been spoiling the crap out of him all day, so he's milking it."

“Are they getting along then, Alex and Maggie?” Liam hadn’t said anything, but secretly he’d hoped they would. As the odd sibling out, he’d hoped Maggie would find something or someone of her own to help work through her own personal trauma.

"Thick as thieves," Pockets said. "Moira's got her hands full training Alice and Jack, and Maggie's feeling kinda left out. Alex is the only kid even close to her age, so it makes sense they'd gravitate to one another. Between you and me, it's freakin' adorable."

Liam smiled in the long shadows of the Iron Graveyard. "I'm really glad to hear it. They could both use a friend. And we all could use some good news."

"Alright, I'm going to keep moving. I've still got a few more stops tonight and its slower going on four paws. I miss the open skies."

"Give Robyn my best. I'll see you in another night or two."

After giving his farewell, Liam tucked the phone away and started into the city. Getting to Rosewood was going to take some time.

"Don't do anything I wouldn't do," said Pockets as she signed off.

The trip to Rosewood was a slow one as the raccoon loped. However, it was thankfully uneventful. It was around 3 AM when Liam made it to the roof of the chantry and down the warded trapdoor in the belfry. He knocked at the secret door, and after a moment the heavy false bookshelf swung open. Miss was dressed a little more like Liam expected this time. She gestured Liam to sit in the reading nook, and took the chair opposite to him.

"Good evening, Liam," Miss said, as warmly as Miss said anything. "Busy week?"

"You heard something, did you?" Liam said with a grin.

"Thank you," he continued, accepting the chair. "Yes. Busy week all around. Rather busier than I'd hoped for actually. It took longer than I'd hoped to make my way back here."

"The skies aren't very friendly any more."

"The forest is burning," Miss said. "In the middle of the wettest April on record. They may not CC me on any of the Tremere memoes, but I have windows. And the news. I'm assuming that the Gordons aren't actually on death's door."

"No," Liam said, with a shake of his head. "Vanished into the wind. All apart from Jim. He was injured," Liam said gravely. "I couldn't move him safely. Ambrose was interviewing him in Verdant Falls general last night, so he's strong enough to talk. I'll take that as an encouraging sign."

"He's going to miss his favourite assassin," Miss remarked. "I lost count of the number of Kindred that met their fate at the hands of Keisinger's pet werewolf. I suppose that explains their foul mood." She smiled to herself. "I must admit I'm enjoying watching them flail and rage."

"Moira was one of their Yellow Bands, was she?" Liam asked, leaning in. "You mentioned them last time, and I failed to follow up. I know about Mik. One of their gangrel pilots by the name of Cortez. Who else is out there?"

Miss shook her head. "The Yellow-bands are Redwatch," she said. "They answer to Keisinger and van Fokke, but they're their own entity. Moira belonged to Keisinger, personally. As for who may be under their spell - most of the Kindred who were either on Jacob's side or stood idle have either been given the Black Chalice or killed outright. They weren't forthcoming about who got what. But the ability to place Kindred under the fugue is a recent breakthrough. I wouldn't hold out too much hope for more survivours."

Liam nodded. “I suppose this brings us to the crux of the matter. The reason I’m inquiring about Yellow Bands - the reason I asked you last time if there was anyone in the Pyramid you thought you could trust - is because Robyn is working on a sequel to her compendium. The signature piece is an antidote to the fugue.”

Miss was silent for a moment. She folded her fingers in front of her face thoughtfully. "Structurally speaking, the Fugue is the bottom of the Pyramid," she said. "So no, there is no one bound to the Pyramid that I could possibly trust. Could this formula be adapted to affect a traditional blood bond?"

“Annie, it chews them up and spits them out,” Liam explained earnestly. “It would rip the Pyramid - or for that matter the Sabbat apart. Frees ghouls from their bonds. It dissolves all blood bonds. It does not however prevent them from being reformed.”
This message was last edited by the player at 12:24, Sat 03 Oct 2020.

"Hm," Miss said, doing her best to conceal her excitement at the announcement. "Would she be willing to share the recipe, or supply me with a portion large enough to handle two dozen bonds? With that power, I could retake my Chantry."

“A new pyramid within the pyramid?” Liam asked, anticipating where Miss was now daring to dream. “She intends to share the recipe with everyone. And volume is not an issue. It’s the timing and implementation that’s of paramount concern.”

“If van Fokke were to learn of this before her manuscript were ready for publication he would raise the city to the ground in an effort to find her and prevent its completion. No amount of blood or treasure would be spared. You can imagine Robyn was more than a little reticent when I proposed to bring this knowledge to the Regent herself. I’m here tonight with her knowledge though. I’ve persuaded her to trust you, because I trust you. And because together we have an opportunity to take back not just your Chantry but the whole of Verdant Falls.”
This message was last edited by the player at 22:41, Sat 03 Oct 2020.

"No, not a new Pyramid within a Pyramid," Miss said matter-of-factly. "An end to such things. An end to the Tremere as a hierarchy. An end to their orthodoxy, their arrogance, and their duplicity. A new line of liberated wizards. Now you tell me, Liam. Does this look like a place that can keep a secret? Do you think those I would liberate would not be then bound again to me in order to ensure their silence, until such a time as it becomes unnecessary? If nothing else, the inherent risk of discovery would make another copy floating out in the world not just a good idea, but a prudent necessity. Tell me I'm wrong."

“You aren’t wrong,” Liam replied. He sat back and steepled his fingers. After a few moments he spoke.

“What sold Robyn ultimately was the access you could provide us with that would otherwise remain beyond our reach. The antidote can be transmitted through the water supply even heavily diluted, the same as the agent of the Fugue itself. Those vacancies you told me about at the waterworks could be filled by a candidate of our urging, and they could get it straight to the source. We could wake up the whole city in one go,” he said, snapping his fingers to accentuate his point.

“There’s no other way to safely do it. At least none that I can see. The place is a fortress.”

“Initially I’d thought to release only the candidate of our choosing or some small number of agents, but the only thing preventing us from going larger is the absolute assurance that none of them bugger off to tattle to van Fokke before we pull the trigger. Anyone we release would have to be bound to you until then.”

Miss laughed mirthlessly in response to his plan. "My dear Liam, whatever makes you believe I have any influence in their operations at the waterworks? I barely have any influence in my own Chantry. When last we spoke, van Fokke sent me home with the message that I'm not worth the trouble of killing. Anyone that enters his employ from here is given the Black Chalice just on the off-chance that some sort of loyalty to me has eroded the bond of the Pyramid."

"Besides," she added. "How does releasing Vamanando enter into that plan? It could crack that fortress like an egg. Or blink them and their Fugue out of existence."

"It doesn't," Liam replied. "They're separate objectives. Trying to reinvent the world is at the root of why prior efforts failed, and were almost certainly doomed from the start. If we're to enjoy any more success than our fore-bearers we should be aiming to reinvent only ourselves. And you don't need the weight of the Chantry behind you to succeed in that endeavour - indeed, the fewer cooperating hearts and minds, the better. That was the second conceit of the Third Tribe. You. Me. Robyn. Perhaps a couple others besides, as we deem necessary. No more."

"But we still have to live in the world afterwards. And I for one would prefer not to live in a world dictated to us by the likes of van Fokke. Hence, my suggestion."

"I know you have no influence over the waterworks, but you could could push someone to apply. Presumably the engineers do not remain within the compound exclusively, or else we would not have succeeded in thinning their ranks so dramatically at Teasdale Hall. What if we were to free an operative after they had taken the Black Chalice?"

"Work on ourselves, eh?" Miss replied with a chuckle. "Is that what you call using Its Tome to formulate a cure for the Fugue? Or to dig up an ancient and lost form of Thaumaturgy to save one of your own? Or you peddling magic bullets to a man who loses a piece of his soul every time he shoots one?"

"How is that any different from Cross using it to smash the Fomori? Or your sire using it to incapacitate enemies in a greatly outmatched fight? I don't disagree that too much of Its external influence can lead to ruin. But using it to lay waste to a pack of fascists... Well, I'm struggling to see that as a line too far."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:43, Sun 04 Oct 2020.

"I take your point," Liam acknowledged. "But its not them I worry about. Its me. Us. Cross and Roundtree are both dead by their hubris and I have spent the last century holding on to every scrap of my soul with both hands."

"I don't know precisely where the line lies, but I have seen how slippery this slope has been for others to navigate and I fear to cross it. So far as I’m concerned, the less we can ask for and still provide for ourselves the better."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:25, Mon 05 Oct 2020.

"No," Miss said. "Cross was slain by Deluca. Twice. Roundtree was defeated by you and handed over to Jacob's personal jailer for vivisection. And both of you were led to them by Book. Their crime was crossing him, and he manipulated you both to do what he is incapable of doing himself. The only reason I was spared was because I had another part to play. Which is why he sent you to me, and why I'm helping you now."

"I know how important your morals are to you. And I know how much you fear this slope. And I'm telling you now to screw up your courage and take that step. It would not be reshaping the world in our vision if we struck a physical blow against people who wish to reshape the world in theirs. And the longer we wait to release It, the more damage there will be, tempting us to undo it. Don't let this moral quandary paralyze you into inaction, or Book will move on to a reality where you had a tighter grip on your conviction."

Liam sat back with a sigh. "You really do have a way of cutting straight through the narratives we weave for ourselves and sinking right down to the marrow," he said with a smile of resignation. "So what would you council? The Pyramid is still recovering. Only a handful of their agents are left to catalogue the ruins of the Old City, and I'm fairly confident I can still find the back door..."

"Could the three of us manage alone? Wolf and Cat are still out there. Somewhere."

"I can't speak for Wolf, but I am damn sure Cat would never forgive us if we left her out. If you can find her, I'd welcome her company. I daresay you might also want to consider offering Deluca back his soul. I'm comfortable assaulting the place with just the three of us, but you're a better judge of character than me. I'll leave it up to you who to recruit. And who to trust. I'm not sure if it'll help, but I can probably get myself cataloguing Seavers' library. Nobody's left to do it right now, and it's sufficiently humble a task that I'm sure I can goad van Fokke into punishing me with it. It's not the ruins, but it's close."

Liam nodded. "I'm working on finding them. And you make a compelling case with regard to Deluca. I'd like to see him square again at the other end of this."

"Let me see what I can do. As always I appreciate your insight."

Liam smiled. The night was drawing long and he still had a ways to go before he could bed down for the day.

"I'll try not to be a stranger."

"Always a pleasure," Miss said with a smile. "Do let me know if you have any more bullshit you'd like me to cut through."

So some thoughts and objectives on downtime:

Liam will split his time between the compound and the city (largely the docks) since he still has to eat and is reluctant to lean too heavily into the village to sustain himself.

While with the village he'll assist Moira with Jack and Alice's 'education' as best he can, recognising that Garou and Kindred physiology are fundamentally different. He'll also discretely inquire with Moira about her time as 'Keisinger's assassin' now that Miss has made it known to him.

Beyond the Gordon clan he'll help and socialise with the village more broadly. He'll finally sit down with Logan to buy that point of 'pilot', and he'll spend time training with Caleb in the use of Animalism 4 (allowing him to be active during the day; this is already purchased we just haven't used it yet).

In the docks he'll finish ghouling a handful of rats to act as his scouts and sentries. He'll use the rats' knowledge of the area to identify another suitable haven if appropriate, otherwise he will try to reinforce and rehabilitate the utility room of the men's shelter as best he can to give him slightly more room than the broom closet. He'll also access his long term storage during this time if its still available to him.

Finally he'll spend time with the maps of the sewers learning the byways beneath the city. His initial intention was to compare old maps of the sewers to newer ones to see if any branches were closed off or absent from later schematics as those might be likely places to start his search for Lloyd. Given his current circumstances however he'll also look for any substations or abandoned lines in the docks or elsewhere in the city as they could serve as viable havens.

Beyond his own objectives, Liam is waiting to hear back from Hector (concerning a meeting with Flores) and Corr (concerning the fate of the three 'vessels' Liam brought to him). If Jacob is sincere about tackling the 1st Division Headquarters Liam will be curious to know the outcome, or to actively assist as appropriate.

Obviously finding Tim and Kat remains an objective but that depends on Robyn's schedule, not Liam's.

2 XP for the scene. Additional Notes go here:

Fate Rolls need to be chosen for the following scenarios. Lower fate rolls may prompt additional rolls:
POOL: 29, 50, 56, 92 >>Additional Two Pool Dice Optional Below<<

[A] Liam will be asked to be hand-to-hand combat instructor. He's been asked to give the two Garou as real a fight as he can manage. Wax bullets and beanbags, but nothing he'd ever fire at a mortal student. And of course, his claws.

[B] The men's shelter is a writeoff. Liam's successes in scouting out better accommodation needs a fate roll, and Per + Streetwise DC 8 roll. >> ROLLED: 1 Success <<

[C] Liam will scout out and research the sewers. Likely with Pockets' help.

[D] Street rats live short, vicious lives, and an infusion of Gangrel blood can have volatile results.

[E] Fate roll applying to the general day-to-day of the village, including any disruptions or lack thereof. >> Robyn's 75 can fit here, or you can roll an extra pool die.<<

[F] Liam is invited to hit the compounds with Augusto. This would be going up against regular-ass mortals, so it's going to be more of a massacre than a fight. As they can't actually arrest anyone, the objective is no witnesses They run before they've had a good look, or they die. Augusto made two fate rolls, and you add a third if you participate. >> You can add another pool die or close this slot and stay home <<


Other peoples' Fate Rolls:
- Robyn's 100 fate item bonus goes to her compilation of the Tremere curse instructional tome, and her related R&D on the stun curse.

- Robyn's trips with the book, plus the recent major wounds, have taken a toll on Robyn. Fate roll determines how much of a toll. >> Robyn's 75 can go here, or I can roll for her.<<

- Pockets' fate for her role in the sewers investigation is rolled but will remain hidden until your choices are finalized.

- Pockets' condition will continue to deteriorate over the downtime. >> Rolled: 56 <<

- Fate rolls for Jacob & Hasan in the subtle removal of some authentic ETF flashing. Will affect difficulty of potential rolls in the heist scene. >> Rolled: 28 and 53 apiece. They have to settle for knockoff patches. They'll fool cameras but are less likely to work on witnesses. So, no witnesses.<<

- Augusto is hitting two organized crime syndicates' operations. Two fate rolls have been made to determine outcome, but will stay hidden until you finalize your fate picks.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:04, Wed 07 Oct 2020.

Alright, after much thought here's the assignment:

5, 29, 50, 56, 74, 92

[A]: Helping the Gordons, 56

[B]: Finding a new dockside Haven, 5 (even worse than the last time around; starting to think there are no havens in the docks)

[C]: Exploring the sewers, 92

[D]: Rat ghouls, 29

[E]: Well being of the Village, 50

[F]: Aiding Augusto, 74

Other:

Robyn can spend her 77 on herself