NerwenGreen (11:12 PM): Thomas walks back toward his house from Gracian's at a brisk pace. As soon as he has entered the woods, he stops to look for nearby birds in the area.
AgujaCabra (11:13 PM): He can spot a screech owl perched high in one of the nearby oaks, and a couple of other nighttime birds flutter surreptitiously through the overhead growth.
NerwenGreen (11:14 PM): He looks for a crow to beckon.
AgujaCabra (11:15 PM): After a bit of hunting, he finds a crow nestled up in a pine tree branch.
NerwenGreen (11:15 PM): He beckons the crow.
NerwenGreen (11:16 PM): 10, 4, 4, 3, 3, 2
AgujaCabra (11:17 PM): The crow caws moodily at Thomas, but swoops down after a brief hesitation. It perches on a fallen pine-branch, underneath the tree it had been sitting in.
NerwenGreen (11:17 PM): Thomas greets the bird, and asks if it would carry a message for him to someone.
AgujaCabra (11:19 PM): The bird agrees after some consideration, and hops a little waiting for the message. It thinks that speaking with a human is very unusual, and wants to know how you learned to do that.
NerwenGreen (11:22 PM): Thomas answers that he likes birds, and learned by listening to them talk. He then asks the bird to find Chauncey (he describes the man) and tell him that Chauncey is welcome to visit Thomas at his house if he would like. He tells the bird where his house is, and that Chauncey is most likely to be in the park by City Hall.
AgujaCabra (11:23 PM): [Chauncey knows where Thomas' house is :P ]
NerwenGreen (11:23 PM): [oh right .. okay, omit that then ;)]
AgujaCabra (11:23 PM): After listening to Thomas' message, the bird hops up into the air and begins to fly in the direction of the park.
NerwenGreen (11:24 PM): Thomas continues through the woods to go home, then.
AgujaCabra (11:25 PM): The tree branches rustle together quietly overhead, as night creatures scurry through the leaves on private hunting excursions... from a distance away, he can hear rock music from a car playing, and eventually dying down as the vehicle passes out of range. He can arrive at his home without incident.
NerwenGreen (11:26 PM): Thomas enters his house and checks his phone messages.
AgujaCabra (11:27 PM): There are no messages on his machine.
NerwenGreen (11:27 PM): Thomas calls the youth hostel where Abbie is staying.
AgujaCabra (11:29 PM): An elderly woman answers the phone, clearing her throat with the receiver covered, before speaking in a dry, but not unpleasant voice: "This is Mrs. Fry, at the Youth House. Who is calling?"
NerwenGreen (11:29 PM): "Hello, this is Thomas. I am looking for Abbie," Thomas replies.
AgujaCabra (11:31 PM): "Oh all right," the woman responds quickly, "please hold." Thomas can hear the receiver settle quietly on the desk, and a few minutes pass before footsteps return to the room. Abbie picks up the telephone, answering in a clean, friendly tone "Hello? Who's calling?"
NerwenGreen (11:32 PM): "Hello Abbie, this is Thomas," he answers. "I wanted to let you know that I've spoken with the prince. He will be calling you at the youth house soon."
AgujaCabra (11:34 PM): "Oh," she sounds slightly surprised, and adds after a short pause, "Thank you. I didn't think you would see him so soon... is he that approachable?"
NerwenGreen (11:35 PM): Thomas smiles slightly. "Yes, he is," he answers. "Is your prince not so approachable?"
AgujaCabra (11:38 PM): She hesitates, before answering, "Oh. I've only met him once... and he seemed all right." Shrugging lightly, she continues, "We can't usually go and speak with him whenever we want to... But I heard your city is different."
NerwenGreen (11:40 PM): "Yes, it is rather less formal here," Thomas replies. "How are you doing?"
AgujaCabra (11:41 PM): "I'm okay," she replies cheerfully, settling down on a nearby stool and propping her feet up. "I called back home and everyone knows where I am now... so things are fine. How about you?"
AgujaCabra (11:42 PM): [holy .... the wall shaketh.. ]
NerwenGreen (11:43 PM): "Fine," Thomas answers. "If you would stay in town until the prince of Midsomer can speak with you, we would appreciate it very much."
AgujaCabra (11:44 PM): "Sure." She sounds just slightly put off, unpropping her feet and settling on the stool, "I wasn't going to skip out of town just yet.. "
NerwenGreen (11:45 PM): [hmm .. did he say something wrong?]
AgujaCabra (11:45 PM): [nah]
NerwenGreen (11:48 PM): Thomas frowns slightly at her tone. "That is good to know," he says, after a slight hesitation. "If there is anything you need, please let me know."
AgujaCabra (11:50 PM): Smiling again slightly, a friendlier note returns to her voice, "I think I'm going to be okay... Thank you for offering, though. "
NerwenGreen (11:51 PM): "All right. Have a good evening, then."
AgujaCabra (11:53 PM): "You too, Thomas," she returns nicely, including as an afterthought, "If I end up staying in the city awhile, I'll give you a call sometime. Thanks for helping me out last night.. "
NerwenGreen (11:54 PM): "You're welcome," Thomas returns. After a small pause, he adds, "You might stay in Midsomer?"
AgujaCabra (11:56 PM): Pausing a moment, as though to consider the thought, she answers quietly; "I don't know yet. I might stay here for a couple of weeks anyway... I haven't been here before, and it doesn't seem like such a bad place as I'd heard. "
NerwenGreen (11:57 PM): "Really," Thomas sounds interested. "What bad things have you heard?"
AgujaCabra (12:01 AM): "Oh, not too much" she remarks uneasily. "I guess Baton Rouge isn't a fan of this city... at least, most of the people I knew there, who ever saw the.. " she pauses, perhaps looking for the hostel's owner, "um, boss, seemed to think it wasn't a good city to be in."
NerwenGreen (12:05 AM): "I see," Thomas answers thoughtfully. "There are certainly places where the Sabbat are dominant, so you should be careful. But Midsomer is a very nice city to live in."
AgujaCabra (12:07 AM): "Yeah.. " she trails off slightly, picking up again with another light smile, "I've been looking through some tourist guides. I think I'd like to see a couple things before heading back home, anyhow. "
NerwenGreen (12:09 AM): "Ah, good." Thomas checks the time. "I hope you enjoy your visit. If there is nothing else, I need to make some other calls now."
AgujaCabra (12:10 AM): [let's see.. I have forgotten the time again. unless you remember, let me check that :p ]
NerwenGreen (12:11 AM): [he called Gracian at 1 am ;)]
AgujaCabra (12:11 AM): [right... did he leave around 1:40?]
AgujaCabra (12:12 AM): [we can just say it's about 2AM now]
NerwenGreen (12:12 AM): [okay ;)]
AgujaCabra (12:13 AM): "Sure," she replies easily, stepping down off the stool. "The woman who runs the hostel seems to be up at night mostly, so if anyone needs to call here.. it should be okay at any hour. Thank you again for looking after me last night."
NerwenGreen (12:15 AM): "It was no problem," Thomas answers. "Have a good evening."
AgujaCabra (12:15 AM): "Yeah, you too. Goodnight. " Abbie hangs up the phone.
NerwenGreen (12:16 AM): Thomas calls Devin's number. ;)
AgujaCabra (12:16 AM): There is no response at Devin's apartment. ^^
NerwenGreen (12:16 AM): Is there an answering machine? ;)
AgujaCabra (12:16 AM): [I'm not sure if they have an answering maching or not]
AgujaCabra (12:16 AM): [*machine]
NerwenGreen (12:17 AM): [give him one? ;)]
AgujaCabra (12:17 AM): [hehe. ]
AgujaCabra (12:18 AM): After several rings, an answering machine picks up on the other line. [if he does not have such a machine, we can delete the message I suppose]
NerwenGreen (12:18 AM): [he has voicemail instead? ;)]
AgujaCabra (12:18 AM): [I thought about that too.. I don't know :p It's not my apartment to control]
NerwenGreen (12:19 AM): "Devin, this is Thomas. Call me back as soon as you can."
NerwenGreen (12:19 AM): [it's in your city, so you can control it ;)]
AgujaCabra (12:21 AM): All right. What does he do after phoning Devin, then :p ?
NerwenGreen (12:21 AM): Umm ... he checks his email and turns on the TV.
AgujaCabra (12:23 AM): [just a minute?]
NerwenGreen (12:23 AM): [okay]
AgujaCabra (12:25 AM): What's he watching on TV? Any news?
NerwenGreen (12:25 AM): yeah, news ;)
AgujaCabra (12:29 AM): There is nothing monumental in the reports tonight. However, the local news station briefly mentions an unconfirmed shooting at Nightshade's carnival, and a short power outage that occured in the same area. Additionally, New Orleans has experienced an increase in violent crime over the past week-- most of it attributed to street activity, and several homes have been broken into. Residents are advised to remain indoors after 9 PM, if living in particular neighborhoods.
NerwenGreen (12:29 AM): [hehehe]
AgujaCabra (12:29 AM): [let's see if I can come up with any more good news]
AgujaCabra (12:30 AM): [nah. that's good enough :p ]
NerwenGreen (12:31 AM): Hmm ...
NerwenGreen (12:31 AM): He's going to do some random housework while he waits to see if Chauncey turns up.
AgujaCabra (12:33 AM): All right. how long will he be doing housework?
NerwenGreen (12:33 AM): About an hour.

NerwenGreen (1:04 AM): well anyways ... I got nothing after I said he'd be doing housework for the next hour. ;)
AgujaCabra (1:06 AM): oh? well, I hadn't said much else. I will have something occur, but not within an hour's time. What will he be up to after that, or shall we fast forward?
NerwenGreen (1:07 AM): Well, after that he's going to go deer hunting.
AgujaCabra (1:09 AM): A mild breeze picks up, whistling softly around the house around the time he decides to go hunting.. It's become a cloudy night, but it does not look like rain. Moonlight glows above in faint eddies, and there are only a few pinprick stars peeking through the clouds..
AgujaCabra (1:10 AM): He will need to trek back into the woods a bit, to find any deer. They do occasionally come around his house, but there are none currently present.
NerwenGreen (1:10 AM): He has with him his bow with real arrows, and equipment for removing and storing blood in his satchel. He'll hunt for a couple hours.
NerwenGreen (1:11 AM): How many blood points does a deer have, anyway?
AgujaCabra (1:12 AM): A deer carries approximately 5 blood points, I believe. I can check the book. Animal blood isn't as potent, so even if the volume of blood is greater, they don't count for as many bp.
NerwenGreen (1:12 AM): yeah
NerwenGreen (1:12 AM): okay
AgujaCabra (1:13 AM): hmm.. that's odd. horse lists 3/4 . that seems too low. ::checking other things::
NerwenGreen (1:14 AM): cow is listed as 5 ... deer are smaller though
AgujaCabra (1:14 AM): it doesn't matter. if you get a large buck, I say it has 5. A doe has 4.
NerwenGreen (1:14 AM): okay
AgujaCabra (1:14 AM): just for the sake of easy calculations.
NerwenGreen (1:14 AM): hehe
AgujaCabra (1:16 AM): He is able to kill one male buck, and one younger deer worth about 3bp. [8 total]
NerwenGreen (1:16 AM): okeydokey
NerwenGreen (1:16 AM): He will drink 2 of those points (up to full) and store the rest.
NerwenGreen (1:16 AM): Then he goes back home.
AgujaCabra (1:21 AM): As Thomas approaches his front door, he can feel the light brush of fabric against his calves. A soft, slightly cracked voice breaks the still air, "I thought it would be better to wait outside-- but I have taken the time to open the door for you." Chauncey's petite figure comes into view, as he begins to speak: he sits huddled outside Thomas' door, with a light silk hood drawn around his head and face.
NerwenGreen (1:24 AM): Thomas steps abruptly backward as the voice begins to speak, then relaxes once he recognizes Chauncey. He nods in acknowledgement, then looks at his door.
AgujaCabra (1:27 AM): The door is firmly closed, but there has evidently been some fiddling with the lock. Chauncey idly plays with a blade of grass between his fingers, as he waits outside the door... His hand is bandaged, and as the scarf around his face shifts slightly, Thomas can also see that Chauncey's face is badly bruised, and slightly burned as well.
NerwenGreen (1:28 AM): Thomas smiles at Chauncey with a hint of concern. Opening his door, he motions for the other man to enter. "Please, come inside."
AgujaCabra (1:32 AM): Nodding faintly, Chauncey mumbles something unintelligible to himself as he drops the bit of grass and rises uncomfortably to his feet. He balances himself carefully against the side of the house for a moment, before slowly passing through the doorway.. Chauncey eyes both Thomas and the door frame with a minor air of suspicion, before hopping over lightly to one of the chairs inside, and taking an uninvited seat.
NerwenGreen (1:35 AM): Thomas follows him inside and closes the door behind him. "I apologize for making you wait - I did not know when, or if, you might come," he says as he walks to the kitchen to stow the blood in the fridge. Coming back into the main room, he looks closely at Chauncey with concern. "Are you all right?"
AgujaCabra (1:42 AM): Humming quietly to himself, Chauncey bounces a little on the edge of the chair as Thomas busies himself with storing the blood. After moment, he stops bouncing and consents to sit still on the cushion.. running a foot thoughtfully on the floor, and tucking the other underneath his body. At Thomas' question, he tilts his head a bit to one side, peering listlessly across the room as he answers with a slow nod. "I did not wait here long... your bird took time to find me, as I was not exactly where you told it
AgujaCabra (1:43 AM): to search... " He turns his head to look at Thomas askance, ".. did you have any reason to invite me here tonight?"
NerwenGreen (1:49 AM): Thomas moves quietly across the room to take a chair opposite Chauncey. "There were several reasons, actually," he answers. Studying his guest for a moment, he adds "But first... what happened to you? Do you need blood?"
AgujaCabra (1:55 AM): Shaking his head uneasily, Chauncey pulls his face back into the scarf slightly; picking at the fabric with his fingers, and winding the edge of it around his hand. "Blood is not a thing that I would like to see tonight; I have had enough ... blood..., " he says quietly, falling silent for a long moment before continuing; ".. To me? Nothing has happened that I did not expect... What is remarkable is what did not happen, that I had expected. . my..," he hesitates briefly, "my ...
AgujaCabra (1:55 AM): sire stopped additional things from happening."
NerwenGreen (2:00 AM): Thomas bites his lip, looking down at his coffee table. "They are mistreating you for speaking to me, then," he says slowly, then looks up for confirmation.
AgujaCabra (2:05 AM): Tilting his head again lightly, Chauncey looks to Thomas with a hint of confusion in his eye.. "this is not mistreatment," he assures softly, cracking a vague smile as he plays absently with the scarf. "Law and abuse are not the same, and I expect this treatment until our societies are in such a position as to allow our conversations. "
NerwenGreen (2:08 AM): "Abuse, then," Thomas replies. "If our conversations are putting you in danger, is it wise for us to continue them? Would there be something I could do to make things less harsh for you?"
AgujaCabra (2:13 AM): Chauncey appears to ponder over Thomas' statements for a short period of time; looking with a listless curiosity around the room, as though to capture details he had overlooked during his first visit. ".. I may not be walking in the park so often," he says quickly, continuing softly.. "we should find another venue to speak in, though I do not think there is another one so pleasant in the city. "
NerwenGreen (2:18 AM): Thomas nods. "There are a number of hiking trails around my house. Some are fairly pleasant." He glances at Chauncey briefly before looking down at the coffee table again, leaning back into his chair. "Were we overheard in the park yesterday evening?"
AgujaCabra (2:24 AM): Pulling the scarf back from the edges of his face, Chauncey turns his head so that a cleft of hair drifts over the bruised skin. . a few feathery strands of the white crest fall over his nose, and he wrinkles it lightly at them, sitting back in his chair as well. ".. what was heard, and what was not, may well be the same now... our conversations are known, but perhaps not in full." A slight pause; " I do not believe that I have said, or thought to say, anything to be of concern."

[Feb. 1, 2003]

NerwenGreen (11:13 PM): "Evidently someone disagrees," Thomas responds quietly, with a small, wry smile. Considering thoughtfully for a moment, he adds in a more serious tone "If you believe that my house would be a safer venue, you are welcome to visit me here whenever you wish." His tone becomes wry again. "I would prefer that you not tamper with my lock each time, however."
AgujaCabra (11:21 PM): Lowering his head slowly, to run his fingertips delicately over the back of his neck; Chauncey thoughtfully rearranges his hair over the shallow burn marks, as he briefly considers Thomas' comments. He keeps his eyes directed steadily at his feet, as he replies in a quiet tone; "the intention of a lock is to keep something safe-- I would not remove anything from your home, but I may put something there to keep it guarded." Closing his eyes momentarily, Chauncey draws the scarf entirely over his head..
AgujaCabra (11:21 PM): [more]
AgujaCabra (11:22 PM): ".. has I spoken without a lock, and slipped something you should not have known-- I would not be here, to speak again tonight."
AgujaCabra (11:23 PM): [ack. has = had]
NerwenGreen (11:23 PM): [oh ... kay ... then... yeah, he's back to being incoherent...]
AgujaCabra (11:23 PM): [no he's not :p ]
NerwenGreen (11:25 PM): Thomas regards Chauncey quizzically for a moment, then looks over his living room carefully for signs of unfamiliar objects.
AgujaCabra (11:28 PM): There are no unfamiliar objects in the room. Chauncey casually draws his other foot up onto the chair; arranging the scarf so that it covers the majority of his skin, and playing with the material between his toes, as he hums softly to himself.
AgujaCabra (11:28 PM): [sorry. he was gonna say something.. then he didn't :p so.. more typing/ deleting]
NerwenGreen (11:30 PM): Looking back at Chauncey, Thomas asks quietly, his voice gentle, "What do you need for me to guard?"
AgujaCabra (11:36 PM): Slowly shaking his head, Chauncey rests his chin tiredly on his kneecaps, and continues to play silently with the gauzy fabric. After a long pause, he comments more to himself than Thomas; ".. clever locksmiths make keys from the lock... rather than ruining the lock itself... and enter and leave without anyone knowing... "... Chauncey's head sinks a little lower on his knees, and he appears to be considering this..
AgujaCabra (11:37 PM): [oh pooh... I think Chauncey just figured something out.. although he's not being coherent about it :p ]
NerwenGreen (11:38 PM): [umm .... okay. Here's the thoughts running through Thomas's head ... he *could* give Chauncey a key to his house ... but if Chauncey somehow loses it to other Sabbat, that could become a problem...]
AgujaCabra (11:39 PM): [pfft. sabbat could enter and leave Thomas' house at will, if they really wanted to.. ]
NerwenGreen (11:39 PM): [hmm ... that's true too ...]
AgujaCabra (11:40 PM): [::cough:: anyhow.. Chauncey isn't being helpful... so Thomas would be justified in thinking whatever he things. Chauncey is speaking metaphorically about locks. ]
AgujaCabra (11:42 PM): [I can't type today.. *thinks]
NerwenGreen (11:49 PM): Thomas studies Chauncey for a long moment, considering. He slowly gets up and walks over to a desk near the back of the room after a pause. Searching through a drawer for a few minutes, he fishes out a key. Moving back across the room to stand near Chauncey's chair, he quietly offers the key to the other man, watching him seriously.
NerwenGreen (11:52 PM): [there's just something so very wrong about giving a key to one's haven to a Sabbat ... I think Thomas is going to move to a new house now. :p]
AgujaCabra (11:53 PM): Chauncey is still for a moment, murmuring something to himself quietly against his knees, without looking over to acknowledge Thomas. After a pause, he hesitantly brushes the edge of his scarf aside to peer up at Thomas and the key... tilting his head at it quixotically, without extending a hand to take the offered object.
AgujaCabra (11:53 PM): [aw... Sabbat are squishy]

NerwenGreen (12:09 AM): "If you need to access my house for some reason," Thomas says, still studying Chauncey, "you may do so. I trust you will not invite others to do the same." He pauses for a moment to consider something, then asks quietly, "Or were you speaking of some other lock?"
AgujaCabra (12:13 AM): Chauncey stares past Thomas for a beat, still resting his chin upon his knees, as he listens intently to what Thomas has to say... He flinches slightly as the locks are mentioned, and he lowers his head back into the scarf in a protective gesture. Following a pause, he responds quietly.. "The keys that have been designed, would make your key unsafe... given to an open lock."
NerwenGreen (12:17 AM): Thomas withdraws his hand, putting the key into his pocket. He settles into a chair next to Chauncey and looks casually at his coffee table. "Tell me more about locks."
AgujaCabra (12:18 AM): [gah. its Thomas' fault for mentioning his lock :p ]
NerwenGreen (12:18 AM): [??]
AgujaCabra (12:19 AM): [Chauncey never would have gotten on this tangent of thought, if Thomas hadn't told him not to pick his lock again :p ]
NerwenGreen (12:19 AM): [umm ... is this a good or bad tangent ..]
AgujaCabra (12:21 AM): Shivering slightly, Chauncey rests his face on the back of one knee, while placing the other foot back carefully on the ground. "This one cannot be open to you," he responds quietly after a long pause.
AgujaCabra (12:22 AM): [pooh.. its a frustrating one... he's not supposed to know this... ]
NerwenGreen (12:29 AM): Thomas nods quietly after a moment. "All right." He looks up at Chauncey. "What would be open to me? Can you tell me more about the 'what' that you spoke of yesterday?"
NerwenGreen (12:39 AM): [?]
AgujaCabra (12:39 AM): Chauncey flashes an exasperated look to Thomas, before ducking his face back quickly behind the scarf, and beginning to rock lightly as he thinks.. After a few moments, he becomes perfectly still again, and traces his fingertips lightly down his leg to his foot.. responding softly, with an eerie sense of resolution, ".. your Prince will be removed.. I ...think by another lock, that is waiting to be opened.. "
AgujaCabra (12:39 AM): [sorry... I was um.... debating long and hard, over how much Chauncey knew, and whether he was now willing to die... ]
NerwenGreen (12:40 AM): [oh..]
NerwenGreen (12:40 AM): [erm]
AgujaCabra (12:41 AM): [he just figured out too much... and um, just kind of got himself killed... unless I can find some way to stop it.. ]
NerwenGreen (12:41 AM): [I don't want Chauncey to die ...]
AgujaCabra (12:41 AM): [me neither... I like Chauncey.. ]
AgujaCabra (12:42 AM): [I really really really like Chauncey.. shoot. ]
NerwenGreen (12:46 AM): Thomas fixes Chauncey with a deadly serious look. "How and when? How much time do we have to find another way?" he asks gravely.
AgujaCabra (12:53 AM): Chauncey closes his eyes underneath the scarf, falling quiet again briefly, and then speaking slowly, with a manner of keen listlessness as he runs his fingers lightly on the fabric of the chair. ".. tear out the lock before it is opened; mar it, so no key will fit, or at least be aware of it.. so its opening does not catch your prince off guard. "
AgujaCabra (12:53 AM): [pooh... he's not being helpful again.. he's just getting his bum in trouble.. ]
NerwenGreen (12:54 AM): "Where may I find this lock?" Thomas asks after a moment.
AgujaCabra (12:58 AM): Remaining perfectly still, Chauncey continues in the same listless, tired voice; ".. a prince left his throne, delivered into the hands of his enemies... and was let to return, after a key had been fashioned.. "
AgujaCabra (12:59 AM): [::frowns::]
NerwenGreen (1:01 AM): Thomas leans forward to rest his elbows on his knees, his hands held together in front of him, as he studies the coffee table intensively. "This prince .. is he a lock or a key?"
AgujaCabra (1:04 AM): Lowering his head into his knee a little more, Chauncey turns to face directly forward.. staring quietly across the room to the opposing wall. ".. a lock."
NerwenGreen (1:05 AM): "Then," Thomas continues after a moment, "where may I find the keys?"
AgujaCabra (1:06 AM): "If we locks knew how to open ourselves, would we permit anyone else to own the key?" Chauncey mutters into his knee; an edge of irritability in his tone.
NerwenGreen (1:09 AM): Thomas glances up at Chauncey. "Are you and the former prince the same type of lock?" he asks carefully. "And do you know how to open yourselves?"
AgujaCabra (1:14 AM): Furrowing his brow seriously, Chauncey continues to stare vacantly across the room.. "I do not own my key.. " he begins slowly, trailing off to a short,but uneasy silence before adding thoughtfully.. "however, a spare key can be crafted for any lock."
NerwenGreen (1:16 AM): "Who would be an appropriate locksmith?"
AgujaCabra (1:17 AM): [quit it :p ]
NerwenGreen (1:17 AM): [?]
NerwenGreen (1:18 AM): [quit what?]
AgujaCabra (1:19 AM): [erf. I just shouldn't have let the conversation get here]
NerwenGreen (1:19 AM): [umm ... is Chauncey seriously dead now?]
AgujaCabra (1:22 AM): Chauncey props his chin back upon his knee weakly, swinging his loose foot in a slow, absent-minded fashion, as he tilts his head a little to regard Thomas. ".. one who can issue commands, and insure that they are followed to the letter," he says quietly, "... if this lock returns to its key, all locks might be opened .. to prevent a spare from being fashioned too soon."
AgujaCabra (1:23 AM): [Chauncey was dead a long time ago.. he knows it. but um.. he could be saved? ]
NerwenGreen (1:23 AM): [well .. would he really want asylum with the camarilla?]
AgujaCabra (1:24 AM): [er... not really.. but given something, maybe he wouldn't have to have permanent asylum]
AgujaCabra (1:25 AM): [his nature is Martyr... muff.]
NerwenGreen (1:29 AM): "You may stay with me for as long as you wish," Thomas offers after a slight hesitation. "Perhaps until we can find another way to resolve things. I would not want to see you come to more harm."
AgujaCabra (1:35 AM): A trace of confusion flickers in Chauncey's eye, even as he responds to Thomas' offer with a slow, hesitant nod. Toying with the scarf again absently, he turns his head back away from Thomas, and returns to sitting in relative quiet-- the slight rustle of the scarf disrupting that silence minutely.
NerwenGreen (1:39 AM): Thomas gets up and goes over to his phone. He dials Gracian's home phone number.
AgujaCabra (1:41 AM): After 5 rings, the phone is picked up hastily from its cradle. "Yes. This is Gracian," the Prince's voice responds evenly after a slight pause.
NerwenGreen (1:42 AM): "This is Thomas," Thomas answers.
AgujaCabra (1:44 AM): "Yes Thomas, what can I do for you?"
NerwenGreen (1:45 AM): "I have reason to believe that you will soon be attacked by the Tremere," Thomas says quietly.

AgujaCabra (1:49 AM): Gracian is silent for a beat, before asking in a cautious tone, "What details do you have?"
NerwenGreen (1:53 AM): "When Ondri was ... modified ... he was given some sort of Dominate command, which will be carried out very soon," Thomas answers. "The plan is to eliminate you."
AgujaCabra (1:56 AM): ".. I will take care of it," Gracian responds with a degree of certainty, although there is still a note of caution in his voice.. "Do you know if it is the entire clan Tremere, or just Ondri?"
NerwenGreen (1:58 AM): "Ondri I am fairly certain," Thomas answers. "And it is highly likely that others have been given similar commands, but I don't know who - whether they are Tremere or others."
AgujaCabra (2:04 AM): "All right, " he says quickly, shifting the phone to his other hand and pushing a complaining Welsh away lightly.. "... Thank you for this information," he says a trifle stiffly, adding after a pause, "Do you want to be involved in dealing with Ondri? ... I will be addressing the issue tonight."
NerwenGreen (2:05 AM): [what time is it?]

NerwenGreen (2:34 AM): Thomas pauses to check the time [5 am :p], then glances at Chauncey. "I would like to help if I can," he answers. "assuming that I am able to make some arrangements for a guest."
AgujaCabra (2:37 AM): "I'm sure arrangements can be made.. ," Gracian replies with a hint of curiosity in his tone, "Does the guest require some.. special considerations? "
NerwenGreen (2:39 AM): "He may need to be defended," Thomas answers hesitantly.
AgujaCabra (2:43 AM): "Ah. I see," he responds quietly, ".. Do you need guards assigned from the Camarilla? "
NerwenGreen (2:45 AM): [hmmmmm]
AgujaCabra (2:50 AM): [whee?]
NerwenGreen (2:51 AM): There is a lengthy pause as Thomas considers the question. "Perhaps some unobtrusive ones," he finally answers. "He should not return to his home until after we have resolved the situation, and preferably until I am assured of his safety. However, I do not believe he would be comfortable with ... prominent guards."
AgujaCabra (2:56 AM): "Very well," Gracian returns without hesitation, rustling quietly through his address book before continuing steadily "Is he at your house? I can have suitable guards posted within 10 minutes. . "
NerwenGreen (2:56 AM): [really? are they going to teleport in?]
AgujaCabra (2:57 AM): [no... people other than Thomas drive :p ]
AgujaCabra (2:57 AM): [and Gracian has some nearby guards in mind]
AgujaCabra (2:59 AM): [realistically.. it might be closer to 15.. if he gets off the phone immediately, and they haul butt... aw crap. one of 'em isn't where he needs to be. He can get 1 guard in 10 minutes, and the rest will arrive shortly :P ]
NerwenGreen (3:00 AM): "Yes, he is here with me," Thomas answers. He makes a mental note to himself to consider buying a car after all.

AgujaCabra (3:30 AM): "All right. Let me make a few phone calls... It could take a little longer to get a set of guards. But one or two should be at your door shortly." Gracian continues to flip through papers, adding after a slight pause.. "If you think that is necessary to stay with him until they arrive, that's fine. I am heading over to the college, to speak with the Tremere.. "
NerwenGreen (3:31 AM): "Where would you like me to meet you? I am not familiar with their location."
AgujaCabra (3:33 AM): "Have you ever been on the University campus? The Chantry is located inside the Administration Building, across from the Library.. and I can meet you outside there, or anywhere else you are comfortable. "

NerwenGreen (3:39 AM): "Outside of the library should be fine," Thomas replies. "I will join you as soon as I can."

AgujaCabra (3:41 AM): "All right. Goodbye." Gracian hangs up the telephone.

NerwenGreen (3:46 AM): Thomas returns to his chair next to Chauncey. "I need to run an errand. I have arranged for some additional friends to come watch the house while I am gone. You should be safe here."
NerwenGreen (3:47 AM): [uhh ... he used to be able to walk to the edge of campus in 20 minutes]
NerwenGreen (3:47 AM): [but that was pre-timepadding]
AgujaCabra (3:48 AM): [hm...]
AgujaCabra (3:51 AM): Nodding slightly, Chauncey glances at Thomas from beneath the rim of his scarf.. tilting his head a bit, and regarding him silently for a moment, before speaking quietly, ".. What will your Camarilla friends do with one of me? Do they intend to mold a key, by dissecting the lock.. ?"
NerwenGreen (3:53 AM): Thomas looks steadily back at Chauncey. "I have not yet informed them that you are a lock as well. What would you prefer?"
AgujaCabra (3:57 AM): Chauncey looks down slightly, toying with the edge of his scarf, and protectively drawing his leg towards himself again beneath the black fabric.. "I will meet your friends when they arrive.. but they will not become locksmiths tonight... "
AgujaCabra (3:59 AM): [whoah... I just figured out tons of story stuff... ]
NerwenGreen (4:06 AM): Thomas nods. "As you wish. You are a guest in my house, and they will respect your wishes while you are here." He pauses to learn forward again. "It is still my hope that we might find some way to settle the issues without unnecessary bloodshed."
NerwenGreen (4:06 AM): [ack! ... learn = lean]
AgujaCabra (4:06 AM): [I know :p ]
AgujaCabra (4:11 AM): Running his fingers sullenly along his knee, Chauncey slowly lowers that foot to the floor as well, and takes to leaning tiredly against the armrest.. watching Thomas cautiously through a fine cobweb of fabric and hair. ".. It will depend on who defines the term 'unnecessary', whether there is much bloodshed or a little... I hope that your camarilla prince is not destroyed, and that upon being spared, he will not kill the sabbat who planned against him."
NerwenGreen (4:18 AM): "That ... remains to be seen," Thomas answers hesitantly, after a moment. "The Sabbat have done much to provoke bloodshed recently." He studies the coffee table in front of him. "You spoke before about gestures of friendship. Are there any other possibilities we might consider, aside from the mayor?"
AgujaCabra (4:27 AM): Tapping his fingers thoughtfully on the armrest, Chauncey shakes his head lightly so that his hair falls in thin gauze across his eyes and nose... He hesitates in consideration, responding regretfully after the pause.. "while our side is divided as it is... I do not know what gestures would mend the tears " .. Chauncey trails off quietly, beginning to hum again softly to himself meditatively..
NerwenGreen (4:28 AM): Thomas nods quietly in response. He continues to sit with Chauncey, silently waiting for the guards to arrive.

AgujaCabra (4:38 AM): Approximately 11 minutes after Gracian and Thomas spoke on the telephone, there is a faint, feather-light knock upon the door. Chauncey looks up slightly at the noise, but gives no other reaction.
NerwenGreen (4:39 AM): Thomas rises easily from his chair and answers the door.
AgujaCabra (4:47 AM): A rail-thin, fragile-looking man, whose skin bares an unnatural, bluish tinge, stands in an uneasy silence outside Thomas' front door. He is dressed in denim pants, with a long-sleeve pale grey sweatshirt, grey isotoner gloves, and a navy blue feather-down jacket hastily tugged over the sweater. His face is almost entirely hidden by a grey-blue scarf, and a classic brown cowboy hat is pulled down almost to his eye level... where a pair of slick, black sunglasses peer out at Thomas coldly. When the man
AgujaCabra (4:49 AM): speaks, his voice is as dry as leaves rustling in late autumn.. and his stillness rivals Shepard's. "I am Reginald Eustace; Ventrue... Gracian sent me to guard this house."
NerwenGreen (4:51 AM): Thomas smiles slightly at him and cautiously extends a hand. "Thomas Cougar, Gangrel," he replies. "Welcome to my house."
AgujaCabra (4:55 AM): Reginald extends a hand immediately, and catches Thomas' in a firm grip. Shielded by the thin, wool glove, Thomas can still feel that the man's flesh is unnaturally cold... Taking his hand back, Reg addresses Thomas seriously. "Gracian did not have time to explain... but he said that there is a man here, who requires guarding. . A guest of yours."
NerwenGreen (5:03 AM): "Yes, please come in," Thomas opens the door wider and steps aside. "My guest may need to be defended from .. his friends," he says, gesturing toward Chauncey. "He has provided us with some important information, and I would like for him to remain unharmed by all sides."
AgujaCabra (5:07 AM): Chauncey waves at Reginald cautiously with the ends of his fingertips, but remains otherwise unmoved in his seat. Reginald steps inside quickly, without making a sound as his feet contact the floor... He stands silently to the side of the door frame, eyeing Chauncey for a brief moment, before issuing a sharp nod to Thomas. "I will insure that he is kept unharmed," he promises crisply.
NerwenGreen (5:10 AM): "Thank you for coming so quickly," Thomas replies with another slight smile. He turns to include Chauncey as he says, "Please make yourselves at home. I will return as soon as I can."