AgujaCabra (6:23 PM): All right. The moon rises over Midsomer... ?
NerwenGreen (6:23 PM): nope
AgujaCabra (6:23 PM): nope?
NerwenGreen (6:23 PM): the moon rises over Midsomer at noon :p
AgujaCabra (6:23 PM): ack.
NerwenGreen (6:23 PM): new moon remember? It's Saturday now
AgujaCabra (6:24 PM): Then.. let us just say that the sun sets?
AgujaCabra (6:24 PM): Thomas loses a blood point, as per usual.
NerwenGreen (6:25 PM): down to 19
NerwenGreen (6:25 PM): okay
NerwenGreen (6:25 PM): He gets up and goes outside.
AgujaCabra (6:26 PM): The night air is clean and crisp: the fading scent of an afternoon sunshower still clinging faintly on the breeze..
NerwenGreen (6:26 PM): Thomas walks around his house, stretching a bit. He looks for the nighthawk.
AgujaCabra (6:27 PM): Thomas can spot the nighthawk perched in a nearby treebranch.
AgujaCabra (6:28 PM): After a few moments watching him, the bird swoops down to land on the ground by Thomas.. pacing a bit in the grass.
NerwenGreen (6:30 PM): Thomas carefully seats himself on the grass next to the bird. He asks the bird what it has found out about Chauncey.
AgujaCabra (6:33 PM): Tilting its head at Thomas slightly, the bird responds that it saw Chauncey in the park, wandering underneath the trees while talking to someone the bird could not see. After a while, someone else came to meet Chauncey: a female with thick red hair, and a blooded cloth.. The bird didn't like her at all, and watched from a ways back. . The woman took Chauncey to the parking lot, where they got into an orange truck, and sat talking for a short time.
NerwenGreen (6:33 PM): Thomas asks for details on the orange truck.
AgujaCabra (6:34 PM): The bird says that it had seed in the back.
NerwenGreen (6:34 PM): heh okay
NerwenGreen (6:34 PM): Thomas asks what happened after Chauncey finished talking.
AgujaCabra (6:37 PM): The woman left in the truck [without Chauncey], and drove [~east]. Chauncey went back into the park, and sat on a bench for about 20 minutes, before getting up to walk [~westward]. The bird saw him enter a building on Commerce.
AgujaCabra (6:37 PM): .. It saw a strange cat on Commerce, that made it uncomfortable.
NerwenGreen (6:38 PM): Thomas asks what the strange cat looked like.
AgujaCabra (6:39 PM): It had dark scales, and odd eyes.. [I'm not sure if the bird can see colour or not.. shoot. I already said the woman had red hair :p ]
NerwenGreen (6:39 PM): [hmm... considering it's nocturnal probably not. This bird might be a mutant. ]
AgujaCabra (6:40 PM): [and that the truck was orange!] The cat had sleek black scales, and solid, dark violet, almond-shaped eyes.

NerwenGreen (6:43 PM): Thomas asks the bird what the building looked like that Chauncey entered.
AgujaCabra (6:45 PM): It was an old brick building, with some pipework showing on the outside. There were pedestals by the steps: one of which the cat sat on for a while, before jumping up to a windowsill and slipping inside. The windows were hard to see into.
NerwenGreen (6:45 PM): How many stories?
AgujaCabra (6:45 PM): Four.
NerwenGreen (6:45 PM): big building that took up the entire block? little building?
AgujaCabra (6:46 PM): Large building, industrial. It doesn't quite take the whole block, but it's larger than the average appartment.
AgujaCabra (6:47 PM): [translate that into bird speak]
NerwenGreen (6:47 PM): [hehe okay]
NerwenGreen (6:47 PM): Thomas asks if Chauncey came back out later.
AgujaCabra (6:47 PM): Chauncey stayed inside the building until dawn.
NerwenGreen (6:48 PM): okay
AgujaCabra (6:48 PM): [what time did you send the bird out?]
NerwenGreen (6:48 PM): [umm... he got home at what, 3?]
NerwenGreen (6:49 PM): [I guess 2:30-2:45? was when the bird left?]
AgujaCabra (6:49 PM): [ah.. okay. perhaps the bird saw someone else.. hm]
NerwenGreen (6:49 PM): [??]
AgujaCabra (6:51 PM): Close to dawn, the bird saw another man enter the building. He had strange skin [the bird isn't sure why. It didn't look like most humans, though] , and a high collar on his wrap-around coat. The man had a metal clasp on the front of his coat, that looked like a talon.
AgujaCabra (6:52 PM): This man entered through a side door, and had a key. The door was opened for Chauncey.
NerwenGreen (6:52 PM): The bird knows that the door was previously opened for Chauncey who was already inside, right?
AgujaCabra (6:52 PM): yes.
NerwenGreen (6:52 PM): ok
NerwenGreen (6:53 PM): Did anything else happen after that?
AgujaCabra (6:54 PM): No. The bird left an hour after sunrise, and went to eat.
NerwenGreen (6:54 PM): okay
NerwenGreen (6:55 PM): Thomas asks the bird to follow Chauncey around again tonight.
AgujaCabra (6:55 PM): [roll? ]
NerwenGreen (6:56 PM): 7,7,5,5,3

AgujaCabra (7:00 PM): ' The bird is reluctant to do this, as it had other things to do... it seems open to persuasion. '
NerwenGreen (7:00 PM): Thomas asks what he might do in return for the bird if the bird will continue to follow Chauncey for him.
AgujaCabra (7:01 PM): Normally the bird needs to find food, and this takes up a large part of its time.. if it had food, it could follow Chauncey.
NerwenGreen (7:01 PM): Thomas asks what food it likes.
AgujaCabra (7:01 PM): [meh. that's all birds do.. eat, breed.. I don't think it's time for the bird to have kids :p ]
NerwenGreen (7:02 PM): [hehe okay]
AgujaCabra (7:02 PM): It likes whatever nightbirds like.. I'm not sure what that would be exactly. Perhaps insects of some sort.
NerwenGreen (7:02 PM): [name an insect .. Thomas will summon it :p]
NerwenGreen (7:02 PM): [okay how about moths[
AgujaCabra (7:02 PM): [heh. okay]
NerwenGreen (7:03 PM): Thomas beckons to the moths in the general area.
AgujaCabra (7:03 PM): A number of moths begin to arrive, fairly quickly.. The nightbird begins to snap them up.
NerwenGreen (7:03 PM): woohoo! 10, 10, 7, 7, 6, 4
NerwenGreen (7:03 PM): hehe okay
AgujaCabra (7:03 PM): [whoah]
NerwenGreen (7:03 PM): [why can't I roll that well when you want me to roll :p]
AgujaCabra (7:04 PM): The nightbird stuffs itself!
AgujaCabra (7:04 PM): There are more moths than necessary :p
AgujaCabra (7:04 PM): [dunno. rule of rpg]
NerwenGreen (7:04 PM): Thomas sits back and smiles faintly as he watches.
NerwenGreen (7:04 PM): After a moment, he beckons more nighthawks.
AgujaCabra (7:05 PM): [if you want, we can use your previous good roll for this.]
NerwenGreen (7:05 PM): [okay ]
AgujaCabra (7:06 PM): Many nighthawks arrive... heeding Thomas' summons. There are approximately 15 birds available to him.
NerwenGreen (7:06 PM): Basically he wants to send a bird after each of the other people that the nighthawk described, provided that the bird in question hasn't seen that person before, and with the stipulation that the bird not speak to the one being followed. He also wants a bird following percival.
NerwenGreen (7:07 PM): In return for the feast of moths he is providing.
AgujaCabra (7:07 PM): [okay.. so one following the red haired lady; one following the man in a coat; one after Persival.. and the first after Chauncey?]
NerwenGreen (7:07 PM): [yeah, I think that's all of them]
AgujaCabra (7:08 PM): The birds are confused on how to find these people.
NerwenGreen (7:08 PM): Thomas tells each bird where the people were located at the time they were spotted by the first bird.
NerwenGreen (7:09 PM): He also describes the orange truck. Actually he wants a bird to follow the truck itself, too.
AgujaCabra (7:09 PM): If they can find these people [and the truck], then the birds will do this..
AgujaCabra (7:10 PM): [it's going to be very difficult to find individual people, who do not have predictable patterns like Chauncey.. :/]
NerwenGreen (7:11 PM): He hints that they might wait for the people/truck to appear at the previous locations
AgujaCabra (7:11 PM): The birds that Thomas selected fly off. Some of the others are still picking out moths to eat.
AgujaCabra (7:12 PM): [oh.. I didn't make you roll. oh well]
NerwenGreen (7:12 PM): Okay .. before they left he tells them that he will be out here each dusk so they can come back whenever they have anything to say.
NerwenGreen (7:12 PM): [do you want me to?]
AgujaCabra (7:12 PM): [no. it's fine. ]
NerwenGreen (7:12 PM): [okay]
NerwenGreen (7:14 PM): He conveys a general greeting to the other birds, just trying to be friendly with them.
AgujaCabra (7:15 PM): Unless Thomas asks anything of them, the other birds will leave after eating their fill. There are very few moths left over.
NerwenGreen (7:15 PM): He has nothing to ask of them, he's just trying to make friends
NerwenGreen (7:16 PM): When all the birds have left, he goes back into the house and prepares for his appointments.
AgujaCabra (7:18 PM): Thomas has one appointment tonight, at 9:30. [excuse the pause.. I was debating whether or not to make it anybody special.. would you like me to?]

NerwenGreen (8:22 PM): Thomas is prepared for his 9:30 appointment ...
AgujaCabra (8:22 PM): hehe..
AgujaCabra (8:26 PM): At 9:31, a slender woman in her mid 30s with long auburn hair, and dressed in a simple red silk skirt with a button-up gauzy white shirt, and an old fashioned black velvet jacket with slightly worn buttons, steps up quietly to Thomas' door.. placing a knock on the hard wood.
NerwenGreen (8:26 PM): Thomas opens the door and invites her inside.
AgujaCabra (8:26 PM): [hm. I wrote the little description before thinking.. 'hey, Thomas can't see her yet'... oh well :p ]
NerwenGreen (8:26 PM): [I can't?]
AgujaCabra (8:27 PM): [oh is there a window? I dunno. He can :p]
NerwenGreen (8:27 PM): [yeah there's a big window right next to the door ]
NerwenGreen (8:27 PM): So what's tonight's appointment about?
NerwenGreen (8:27 PM): and the name of the patient is?
AgujaCabra (8:28 PM): Smiling a little to Thomas, the woman lifts the edge of her skirt a bit to step inside. She takes a moment to look around the room. [Her name is Hannah Orison, and she has a touch of early arthritis.]
NerwenGreen (8:29 PM): [ok]
NerwenGreen (8:29 PM): Thomas smiles in return and asks "So what seems to be the problem?"
AgujaCabra (8:32 PM): She considers him briefly, fastening a button on her jacket as she begins to speak.. "Oh, I simply need something for my hands and shoulder-- they give me some trouble in the cooler weather. .. my regular herbalist decided to move elsewhere, and I heard about your practice from a friend.. "
AgujaCabra (8:34 PM): [we can skip through her if you like, or play the appointment.. either way. I know stuff about her, but I'm not sure why it would come up in conversation]
NerwenGreen (8:34 PM): "Ah, I see." He approaches her, looking in the direction of her shoulder curiously. "Would you like me to have a look? Or is there already a mix that you would like to continue taking?"
NerwenGreen (8:34 PM): [hmm... might as well play it for a little bit, see if it goes anywhere ]
AgujaCabra (8:37 PM): ".. Oh." She seems just slightly uncomfortable with Thomas' suggestion, but nods a little anyway.. "To be honest, nothing has solved the problem completely.. The shoulder has been painful for a number of years.. " She frowns minutely, looking up at Thomas.
AgujaCabra (8:38 PM): "May I sit down?" The woman looks over at one of Thomas' living room chairs.
NerwenGreen (8:39 PM): "By all means," Thomas replies. He smiles gently at her and then begins looking for a hospital gown thing. "Make yourself comfortable. Would you like some water?"
AgujaCabra (8:40 PM): "Sure," she smiles openly at that, and steps over to one of the chairs: sitting down neatly, and making herself comfortable.
NerwenGreen (8:42 PM): Thomas goes into the kitchen and returns with a glass of water. He hands it to her, then sits down in another chair opposite her. "Tell me about the problem. When did it start? How did it begin?"
AgujaCabra (8:46 PM): Sighing quietly, she takes the glass of water; nodding a thanks to Thomas and smiling again faintly. Hannah takes a sip of water, then rests the glass on her knee. "My shoulder.. the right one, has some scar tissue. I assume that is why I have experienced trouble with it in the past.. lately, I have been taking something for arthritis also-- mainly to help with my hands. .. I don't know why that began. Perhaps it's hereditary?"
NerwenGreen (8:48 PM): "The arthritis certainly could be, if that's what you're asking," Thomas replies, vaguely thoughtful. "But your shoulder, what caused the scar tissue?"
AgujaCabra (8:53 PM): Turning the glass slowly in her hand, she looks over to him evenly, "It was a branding tool, primarily. " Hannah smiles just a bit, looking down to her glass but not saying anything else.
NerwenGreen (8:54 PM): Thomas leans back slightly, raising his eyebrows in surprise. "A branding tool... I see." He pauses for a moment, then gently asks "Would you like to talk about it?"
AgujaCabra (8:56 PM): "Oh.. " she lightly brushes the idea away with a hand, looking up again. "It's nothing. I made a few poor decisions in my teens - there isn't anything unusual in that. . However, the brand was slighly more painful than I'd expected.. and it was not applied gently. "
NerwenGreen (8:58 PM): "Ah." Thomas replies softly. He looks at her steadily for a moment, then hands her the hospital gown. "I would like to see it, if I may. Please change into this for me," he says, gesturing toward the bathroom.
AgujaCabra (9:00 PM): "Of course." Setting the glass down, she stands up to take the gown from Thomas and retreat into the bathroom. After a minute, she comes back out dressed unselfconsciously in the gown, with her shirt and jacket folded over an arm.
NerwenGreen (9:02 PM): Thomas stood while she was changing and pulled out his foldable exam table. When she returns, he gestures her to sit on the table.
AgujaCabra (9:03 PM): Hannah hops up onto the table, folding her hands in her lap quietly.
NerwenGreen (9:03 PM): Thomas looks at her shoulder.
AgujaCabra (9:04 PM): She moves her hair aside for him to do this, and permits him to look.. There is a 'v' shaped brand on her right shoulder. In addition, a series of knife-like scars criss-cross the shoulder, and the bit of her back that Thomas can see.
NerwenGreen (9:06 PM): Thomas pokes at it gently in various places, asking her questions about what hurts and how it hurts as he does so. He tries to determine where the damage is and whether he can do anything to help.
AgujaCabra (9:07 PM): We can certainly say that he has an idea how to assist her.
AgujaCabra (9:07 PM): Neither of us are physicians, of course.
NerwenGreen (9:07 PM): okay
NerwenGreen (9:08 PM): He casually asks at some point during the exam, "What does the V stand for?"
NerwenGreen (9:09 PM): as he gives her a brief shoulder massage.
NerwenGreen (9:09 PM): hmm... I guess he would've had to spend a blood point to make his hands warm
AgujaCabra (9:11 PM): She flinches slightly at the question, but it would not be noticeable if Thomas' were not so close.. After a moment, she responds simply.. "It is something that a former employer.. Mr. Volant puts on his women. . I suppose that it nothing to be embarrassed about. I apologize for being a little .. squeamish on the topic."
AgujaCabra (9:12 PM): [nah.. forget about the bp, unless he wants them really warm]
AgujaCabra (9:12 PM): [his hands aren't freezing cold.]
NerwenGreen (9:14 PM): Thomas considers this thoughtfully as he continues the physical therapy. [heh okay] "It's all right," he remarks absently. "I am curious, however - what did Mr. Volant employ his women to do?"
AgujaCabra (9:18 PM): She tenses a bit, adjusting the robe to cover her shoulder more. "Mr. Volant's women are prostitutes.. " She looks across the room, glancing over the various paintings. "I try to help the girls whenever possible. It is not a pleasant condition to find yourself in."
NerwenGreen (9:23 PM): "Ah, I see." Thomas answers, in a quiet, sympathetic voice. After a moment, he explains the damage to her shoulder and tells her about a mix of herbs that he can make which should ease the pain.
NerwenGreen (9:24 PM): [he's going to ask more after she relaxes again]
AgujaCabra (9:26 PM): "Thank you," She turns back to smile at him lightly, absently adjusting the side of the robe again. "May I change back into my things?"
NerwenGreen (9:26 PM): "Yes, certainly. I will make the mix while you change."
AgujaCabra (9:27 PM): Stepping down from the table, Hannah picks up her things again to go into the bathroom. She will come back out in a couple of minutes.
NerwenGreen (9:29 PM): Thomas meanwhile goes to the greenhouse and picks some leaves off some of his plants and puts them in a plastic bag, and is back in the main room waiting when she returns.
AgujaCabra (9:30 PM): She is in the process of buttoning her jacket, as she steps out from the restroom. Looking to Thomas and the bag curiously, she crosses over to drape the gown over the examination table, and then turns to face him again.
NerwenGreen (9:32 PM): Thomas smiles benignly as she comes over, offering the bag of herbs to her and explaining how to use it (dose, etc.).
AgujaCabra (9:35 PM): Taking the bag with a similar smile, Hannah reaches into a small black purse for the money to pay for her appointment. Thanking Thomas, as she riffles through a money clip, she asks him how much the session will cost.
NerwenGreen (9:38 PM): "Thirty five dollars," Thomas answers. Then he furrows his forehead lightly and says cautiously, "There is one other thing I am wondering about. Would Mr. Volant or his ..employees.. have any enemies? Recently one of his other women was found dead, suffocated by wax. Do you know what might have happened?"
AgujaCabra (9:43 PM): Her smile falters slightly, and she looks thoughtful.. "I am certain that Mr. Volant has many enemies," she responds after a moment, ".. and unfortunately, his girls attract some violent attention as well.. I-- heard about Tracy, if that is who you mean. . but I do not know of anyone in particular who would want to harm her. I -- had hoped to get her out, before anything like this could happen."
NerwenGreen (9:47 PM): Thomas considers her with a trace of sorrow. "It was an unusual way to die," he says quietly. "If there is something I could do to help you help them, let me know."
AgujaCabra (9:52 PM): "Thank you," she says softly, closing the purse, and putting it back over her shoulder as she considers Thomas' comments. "Perhaps Tracy's murder will encourage some of the other girls to leave-- I have a place for those who are willing to work." Stepping away from Thomas towards the door, she smiles again; more sincerely this time, and moves to open the door to leave.
NerwenGreen (9:53 PM): Thomas nods slightly at her, continuing to smile softly.
AgujaCabra (9:54 PM): Hannah steps through the door, closing it behind her as she goes.
AgujaCabra (9:54 PM): [she's gone. poof]
NerwenGreen (9:55 PM): Thomas puts all his stuff away, still musing to himself about what she had told him.
AgujaCabra (9:56 PM): [the night is Thomas']
NerwenGreen (9:56 PM): [great. umm.]
NerwenGreen (9:57 PM): Thomas turns on the tv and his computer and begins web surfing while the player tries to think of something better for him to do. :p
AgujaCabra (9:58 PM): [heheh.. ]
AgujaCabra (9:58 PM): [hey. you could buy him some computer skills eventually]
NerwenGreen (9:58 PM): [yeah if he ever uses it for something useful ]
NerwenGreen (9:59 PM): He figures out how to set up his email.
NerwenGreen (9:59 PM): He casually listens in on the news.
AgujaCabra (10:02 PM): The local news is fairly dull tonight, and focuses on some 'spirit' activities occuring at the college. [I'm trying to think of news, and having no luck].
NerwenGreen (10:02 PM): okay
AgujaCabra (10:03 PM): [so.. general news. weather reports, things of that sort. ]
NerwenGreen (10:03 PM): Hmm. After awhile, he decides to go take a closer look at that white house in the swamps.
AgujaCabra (10:05 PM): The forest buzzes with insect and amphibian life, when Thomas steps out of his door.. These sounds are distant however, and it remains relatively quiet around Thomas' house. Does he do anything on the way?
NerwenGreen (10:06 PM): No, nothing special. He walks over toward the white house in no particular hurry, enjoying the evening.
AgujaCabra (10:10 PM): Twigs and leaves crunch softly beneath his feet as he walks, and a couple of small bats chirp overhead-- flying out to catch insects. As he approaches the little white chapel, Thomas can hear something large moving in the underbrush. It does not sound like the cougar, however.
NerwenGreen (10:11 PM): Thomas freezes, cautiously looking in the direction of the sound.
AgujaCabra (10:16 PM): A pair of intense, pale brown eyes peer out at him from between a cluster of tall ferns and an aging oak tree. He cannot quite make out the figure itself, as it is hidden behind the growth...however, there is something distinctly predatory about the look-- though the eyes are human, they have a certain quiet, feral glint that is unmistakably animal.
NerwenGreen (10:20 PM): Thomas looks steadily into the eyes of the creature, slowly moving his hands out of the creature's line of sight so that he can grow his claws unobtrusively. He blinks and waits for the creature to make the first move, studying it closely to determine whether it is hostile or friendly.
AgujaCabra (10:24 PM): Watching Thomas as he moves his hands, the creature growls softly-- the sound reverberating with a slightly feline quality, though it is rather muted and dry: barely carrying past the fern. After a moment, it pulls back into the underbrush.. Thomas can no longer see its eyes, though he can hear it moving away.
NerwenGreen (10:26 PM): Thomas waits for a few seconds to allow the creature to move away, then softly growls a greeting in cougar.
AgujaCabra (10:29 PM): He can hear the soft, padded footfalls of a large cat stepping on the undergrowth, several yards away [in the direction of the house].
NerwenGreen (10:30 PM): Still looking cautiously in the direction of where the other creature went, Thomas slowly begins moving toward the house again, more quietly than before.
AgujaCabra (10:33 PM): [uff.. as I try to figure out why Thomas wasn't attacked :p ]
NerwenGreen (10:33 PM): [what did he do wrong in that encounter]
AgujaCabra (10:38 PM): The underbrush rustles again, somewhere to Thomas' distant right, and he can barely make out the silhouette of two long, curved-back horns that peek slightly from the shade the creature moves in.. He can also hear the cat's paws moving onto a solid surface, and a door open and close.
AgujaCabra (10:38 PM): [nothing at all. the critter is territorial]
NerwenGreen (10:38 PM): [ah]
AgujaCabra (10:39 PM): [heck he can probably see the side of the chapel now]
NerwenGreen (10:39 PM): Thomas stops when just before he reaches an area where he would be seen by the house's occupants. He studies it for a moment, then begins to circle around it.
AgujaCabra (10:44 PM): The small, white building has a single cross shaped window at the back: it is filled with a clear glass, and encircled by a round cut of wood. Its roof is pointed, though not as high as a traditional steeple, and sagging slightly in spots. The christmas lights are on again tonight: producing a delicate, inviting glow.
NerwenGreen (10:45 PM): Thomas calls softly for the pet cougar again, in case it is still outside.
AgujaCabra (10:46 PM): The cougar does not respond.. however, he can hear the creature's awkward growl again: closer to Thomas than before, although it still originates from somewhere in the brush.

AgujaCabra (10:49 PM): [Thomas was about 10 feet from the creature the first time. When he saw it moving away, it was maybe 30 feet from him. . Now it's closer to 20 feet]
NerwenGreen (10:49 PM): [ok]
NerwenGreen (10:51 PM): Thomas freezes again, though not as suddenly as he did the first time. He looks toward the creature and tries to approximate a friendly return growl similar to the one the creature made, keeping his claws curled into his hands and out of sight.
AgujaCabra (10:55 PM): Emerging from behind a large tree; first the creature's horns, and then its head: hunched down slightly on broad, scaled shoulders, turns in Thomas' direction.. A wiry mane of black fur grows thick and short about its neck, and its clawed hand rests against the side of the tree behind which it had hid.
AgujaCabra (10:57 PM): [this is the creature that Devin described before. in case you had any doubt]
NerwenGreen (10:57 PM): [yes, I figured :p]
NerwenGreen (10:57 PM): Thomas remains motionless. Quietly, he asks "Are you Daniel's father?"
AgujaCabra (11:02 PM): The creature's eyes flicker slightly in surprise and uncertainty, as he stoops a bit more behind the tree-- letting his back arch over to a comfortable position, and leaving the claw upon the bark to sustain his balance. . "What do you know about Daniel? " he asks slowly; letting each word come laboriously, as though he had grown unaccustomed to speech.
NerwenGreen (11:04 PM): "He came to visit me a few days ago. He said you had sent him," Thomas says in a neutral tone, as he continues to stand motionless.
AgujaCabra (11:08 PM): "You are the doctor," he states with equal neutrality, staring evenly at Thomas: the stark, feral glint of his gaze slipping aside somewhat, to leave behind a pair of inquisitive, human eyes. "He said that you could not fix the people ... that they were badly injured."
NerwenGreen (11:10 PM): "Yes," Thomas nods slightly in assent. He cautiously relaxes to stand more naturally, careful to maintain a non threatening posture. "Unfortunately, there was nothing I could do for them."
AgujaCabra (11:14 PM): Lowering his head thoughtfully, the man snuffs softy at the air.. mulling over Thomas' words, before responding stonily, "We will hunt animals more, and people less?"
NerwenGreen (11:15 PM): Thomas smiles imperceptibly. "It was good of you to try to help them. I appreciate that."
AgujaCabra (11:20 PM): "Why are you here?" He questions quickly, though not sharply. A slight harshness to his graveled tone, that is likely a natural edge, rather than any intentional emotion.. Turning the side of a horn into the tree, he rubs the shaft against the bark: a slight shower of it dislodging, and trailing down over his horns and mane.
AgujaCabra (11:21 PM): He shakes his head a little to get rid of the bark, and leans his shoulder into the tree instead.
NerwenGreen (11:22 PM): Thomas blinks. "I was simply curious. I had not known that there were others living in the forest. The cougar who lives here told me about this house when I met him yesterday." He pauses briefly. "Do you live here?"
AgujaCabra (11:26 PM): There is a long pause, before he replies steadily, "I stay here with Morna. That is her cat Assisi. . " The man continues to regard Thomas stonily, as he shakes his mane again lightly-- irritated by something in the wiry fur.
NerwenGreen (11:28 PM): Thomas looks over to see if he can see what might be causing the irritation. "And Daniel too?"
AgujaCabra (11:32 PM): "Yes... sometimes Daniel lives here. He is not here now." Letting his gaze trail to follow some stray movement in the brush, the man becomes slightly rigid. Thomas can make out a small hare, that the man has turned his attention to.
NerwenGreen (11:35 PM): "Ah," Thomas responds. Wryly, he remarks, "Shepard asked recently if I had met my neighbors. I suppose now I have." He smiles slightly.
AgujaCabra (11:39 PM): Lowering his brow, and turning his attention back to Thomas, the man veritably growls, "We don't talk to Shepard. . He comes here, and he is sent away. . " He pauses, adding.. "you are .. friends with him?"
NerwenGreen (11:41 PM): Thomas raises an eyebrow slightly. Cautiously, he says "I try to remain friendly with everyone."
AgujaCabra (11:43 PM): Snuffing quietly in Thomas' direction, the man lowers his head again.. watching the rabbit out of the corner of his eye. "It doesn't much matter.. Shepard was a friend for a long time. I didn't think [~any] Gangrel ran with him anymore. "

NerwenGreen (11:44 PM): Thomas quietly asks him, "Why would they not?"
AgujaCabra (11:47 PM): ".. we are not dying for his Prince any more, " he says quietly, rubbing a claw against the tree meditatively. "Antor said that it would be better for us to leave, and we did. Now more Gangrel have left also."

NerwenGreen (11:53 PM): "I see," Thomas responds quietly. "I am not familiar with Antor. How many Gangrel are there in Midsomer? Are any working for the Sabbat instead now?"

AgujaCabra (11:58 PM): "No none are working for the Sabbat, " he growls at Thomas irritably, then immediately lowering his gaze again in silent apology. ".. I think there are Sabbat Gangrel in the Sabbat. But none of us who left the Camarilla. . We did not want to be in any more 'war'. " He pauses, thinking over the other question. "I don't know how many. . There is Antor, Morna, myself, Daniel, and there are the other ones. The Sabbat ones.. I do not know their names."
NerwenGreen (12:01 AM): Thomas considers this thoughtfully, not responding right away. After a moment, he says in a quiet, steady voice, "I am Thomas. I am loyal to the Camarilla, but wish no quarrel with those who have left it."
AgujaCabra (12:06 AM): "Are you checking on us for Shepard?" He eyes Thomas suspiciously, and then shakes his head a bit.. "He knows where we are.. he does not send spies.. " Pausing a moment, he continues quietly "Shepard came here yesterday. "
NerwenGreen (12:06 AM): [eh? wasn't he locked up at home?]
AgujaCabra (12:06 AM): [oop day before yesterday]
AgujaCabra (12:07 AM): [night before last night.. whatever]
AgujaCabra (12:09 AM): "You know the clan left the Camarilla. . it is not just us. I do not know what news you get in the woods.. " .. He tilts his head a bit, considering that... "That would make Shepard the defector, now. We are with the rest of our clan. "

NerwenGreen (12:19 AM): Thomas raised his eyebrows slightly when the other man mentioned that Shepard had visited, and says nothing in response to the accusation that he was sent as a spy. His expression gradually became more bemused as the other man continued. "Not all Gangrel left the Camarilla. I believe it was a decision left to each individual." He shrugs slightly. [more]

NerwenGreen (12:23 AM): "You may view Shepard from any political standpoint you choose, of course, but I do consider him to be a friend, and I would like to consider all of you to be friends as well." He pauses for a moment, then adds a final sidenote. "He did seem curious about your well being when he asked me about you."

AgujaCabra (12:29 AM): Leaning his horns against the tree, the man stares evenly at Thomas for a long moment. "He saw when he came here, how we are." A trace of sadness can be discerned in his tone, as he looks over to the chapel.. "I am going inside. If you want to see the cat or Morna, you are welcome. "
NerwenGreen (12:30 AM): Thomas's expression becomes one of concern, as he moves to follow the other man. "All is not well, then?"
AgujaCabra (12:35 AM): He does not say anything as he approaches the chapel steps: wrapping a hand around the short banister, and almost pulling himself up onto the porch.. The man's thick, grey alligator tail trails down the steps behind him, as he fiddles with the doorknob, and pushes it open.
NerwenGreen (12:35 AM): Thomas silently follows his lead, saying nothing more for the moment.
AgujaCabra (12:42 AM): As the door opens, Thomas can see inside the small square room. . There is a small table at the center, and a wooden pew along one wall. A cot takes the left-hand corner, and in the back righthand corner, there stands a narrow wood confessional. Assisi, the cougar, lies lazily across the cot. Sitting beside him, with a hand on the cat's broad side, is a slender woman in a Victorian era white lace dress. Her skin shines faintly in the dim light: covered entirely in a fine, light brown , marbled fur.
AgujaCabra (12:43 AM): [more.. maybe]
NerwenGreen (12:43 AM): [ok]
AgujaCabra (12:46 AM): She turns towards the door as it opens, and Thomas can see that her eyes shine a brilliant emerald, and that their pupils are slightly elongated like those of a cat. The tips of her ears taper off into fine tufts of black fur: resembling the ears of a Lynx, although their shape remains human. She has perfectly [~straight] dark brown hair a foot past her shoulders, and a sterling silver/peridot choker fastened tightly about her neck. The woman stands quickly, as you come inside.
NerwenGreen (12:46 AM): Thomas nods a greeting in her direction as he enters. "Hello."
AgujaCabra (12:50 AM): The man crosses over to her, and lightly butts his forehead against her shoulder, before tiredly circling around to the cot, and lying down beside the cougar.. who promptly shows the man his fangs [this is slightly playful]. Morna looks to Thomas uneasily, and looks back to the confessional a moment, before taking a silent step forward. . "What is your name? I will not have a man in my home, when I do not know his name. "
NerwenGreen (12:51 AM): "I am Thomas," he replies, smiling slightly, offering his hand.
AgujaCabra (12:55 AM): She takes an instinctive step back from the hand, looking at it curiously for a moment, before folding her own [~hands] lightly behind her back.. "My name is Morna Regan. . The male is Vannes Freskin. I do not imagine he told you that before. He is rude."

NerwenGreen (12:58 AM): Thomas returns his own hand to his side, after a moment folding both hands behind his back. "A pleasure meeting both of you. I met Assisi yesterday while I was hunting and was curious about him."
AgujaCabra (1:02 AM): Morna smiles faintly at that, and casts an affectionate glance to the cat.. "He is a good companion.., " she remarks quietly, eying Thomas with a hint of curiosity. "did you speak with him? he is often frustrated when the people he meets cannot talk back.. "
NerwenGreen (1:04 AM): "Yes, I spoke with him," Thomas returns easily. "He told me about himself and about you."
AgujaCabra (1:07 AM): "He should be more careful, when speaking to strangers.. " she muses softly, stepping back over to the cot, so that she can scratch behind the cougar's ears a bit. . "This is why you have come out here? Assisi led you?"
NerwenGreen (1:08 AM): "More or less," he smiles wryly. "I was simply curious about my neighbors, now that I knew I had some."
AgujaCabra (1:14 AM): A very faint glow emanates from the closed confessional, and Morna turns her head to regard this quietly.. After a pause, she seems to assure it softly, "this is a visitor. . he means us no harm.. " The light intensifies briefly, and then snuffs itself out. She then looks back to Thomas, considering something, but not quite speaking yet.
NerwenGreen (1:15 AM): Thomas studies the confessional curiously.
AgujaCabra (1:18 AM): ".. perhaps you should ask his permission, " she admits after a moment, thoughtfully regarding the confessional.. "it is afterall his home more than ours."
NerwenGreen (1:18 AM): Thomas watches the conversation with the confessional, not saying anything.
AgujaCabra (1:19 AM): [nono.. she was speaking to Thomas, but looking at the confessional when she said 'you should ask his permission']
NerwenGreen (1:19 AM): [oh]
AgujaCabra (1:20 AM): [he can still just observe the convo. tell me if he does anything different, though ;p ]
NerwenGreen (1:20 AM): Thomas approaches the confessional after a moment, then looks at Morna questioningly. "From whom am I asking permission for what?"
AgujaCabra (1:25 AM): Taken slightly off guard, she considers Thomas for a moment with an open, inquisitive gaze. "Father Dominic has not spoken to anyone but myself in many years.. to my knowledge." She smiles softly, and continues, " It is his chapel, and he can be particular about who comes inside. "
AgujaCabra (1:26 AM): ".. however. If you are Assisi's guest, then you are mine as well.. And that should suffice."
NerwenGreen (1:27 AM): "Ah.." Thomas answers, considering her thoughtfully. He looks at the confessional again and addresses it solemnly. "May I have permission to visit your chapel?"
AgujaCabra (1:29 AM): Thomas receives no response. . Continuing to smile faintly, Morna speaks after a pause, "I believe he has gone."
NerwenGreen (1:33 AM): "Ah, I see." Thomas raises an eyebrow at her. Then he continues to look at the confessional somewhat curiously.
AgujaCabra (1:39 AM): After a lengthly pause, the light returns again... For an instant, Thomas can see a pair of brilliant ice blue eyes, that focus on him with an unnerving intensity, from behind the confessional's wooden grating. The face these eyes belong to is indistinct, but he can tell that the figure has startling white hair bound by a thin black crown of thorns, and that its skin shimmers with an unnatural translucency.. In fact, Thomas can see the back of the confessional through the face that stares out at him.
AgujaCabra (1:40 AM): [freaky man-man... ]
NerwenGreen (1:41 AM): [hehe]
AgujaCabra (1:41 AM): [at least you can't see his arms.. I have dumb details for him :p ]
NerwenGreen (1:42 AM): [is this a guy or is this a ghost? ...]
AgujaCabra (1:42 AM): [it's a wraith]
NerwenGreen (1:42 AM): Thomas nods a greeting at him a bit uncertainly.
AgujaCabra (1:43 AM): The face glowers at Thomas, critically looking him over... and then abruptly vanishes again. The light clicks off an instant after the face exits.
NerwenGreen (1:44 AM): [in the confessional or the whole room?]
AgujaCabra (1:44 AM): [oh. in the confessional]
NerwenGreen (1:44 AM): Thomas looks over at Morna.
AgujaCabra (1:47 AM): Morna looks placidly at the now unlit box, barely frowning as the light fades away. "It would be better not to stand so close. I believe he will keep expending himself, if you try to peer in on him.. "
NerwenGreen (1:48 AM): Thomas moves back toward the door. "I did not intend to intrude," he says. "Perhaps I should go."
AgujaCabra (1:50 AM): She nods lightly, standing to cross over to the door, and open it for Thomas.. "Very well.. you are welcome to visit at any time.. "
NerwenGreen (1:51 AM): "Thank you," Thomas answers. "You are welcome to visit me as well, if you'd like." He glances over at Vannes to include him too.
AgujaCabra (1:55 AM): "That is very kind of you," she notes a bit reflectively, and raises a hand in a very subtle wave. "goodnight, Thomas. " Morna steps out onto the porch with Thomas, going over to care for one of the hanging orchids that she has dangling from the overhang.
NerwenGreen (1:56 AM): "Good night, Morna." Thomas nods a farewell and moves off into the forest.
[game time 11:45pm]