AgujaCabra (5:45 PM): As Thomas begins to walk away from Shepard's home, the street becomes blanketed in darkness.
NerwenGreen (5:46 PM): Thomas freezes, groaning slightly under his breath, and activates his night vision and claws.
AgujaCabra (5:48 PM): Very, very faintly, he can hear someone screaming from a house down the street. Something heavy bangs up against the inside of the door, and falls to the ground.
AgujaCabra (5:49 PM): All sounds are muffled, indistinct.. it is difficult to tell direction within the shadow.
NerwenGreen (5:49 PM): Thomas cautiously attempts to make his way toward the source of the screaming.
AgujaCabra (5:52 PM): It dies out quickly, with a slight, sickening crack.. The street falls quiet for a long moment..
NerwenGreen (5:54 PM): Thomas stops when he becomes unable to pinpoint the source of the previous noise, looking around warily and listening intently.
AgujaCabra (5:56 PM): Several moments later, he can hear another dull crackling from within a seperate building... To the side of his peripheral vision, he can also make out an indistinct figure, toppling off the side of a stairwell.
NerwenGreen (5:57 PM): Thomas cautiously moves toward where the figure falls.
AgujaCabra (5:59 PM): The figure lies sprawled on the stone walkway. It's neck has been broken, and a messy trail of blood oozes out from under its shirt, and face..
NerwenGreen (6:01 PM): Still wary of his surroundings, Thomas carefully kneels to examine the body more closely.
AgujaCabra (6:02 PM): The body is male, large boned, and most definately dead. It feels distinctly warm to the touch, and was most likely human.
NerwenGreen (6:03 PM): Where did the blood come from?
AgujaCabra (6:04 PM): Oh. Most of the blood is simply from the skin breaking when it hit the stone. The body has also been scratched across the length of its chest.. the wounds are not deep, and appear superficial.
NerwenGreen (6:04 PM): ah, okay
NerwenGreen (6:05 PM): Thomas returns to his feet and listens intently for the location of the next death.
AgujaCabra (6:07 PM): [please roll your perception + alertness, with a 3 dice penalty :/ ]
NerwenGreen (6:07 PM): +3??
NerwenGreen (6:07 PM): err wait .. subtract 3 dice you mean?
AgujaCabra (6:07 PM): [yeah :p ]
NerwenGreen (6:08 PM): erf. I botched.
AgujaCabra (6:09 PM): [roll dex + dodge, diff 7... with -3 dice :/ ]
NerwenGreen (6:09 PM): 1 success
AgujaCabra (6:09 PM): [maybe I should drag out your char sheet and roll :p Then you wouldn't know I was doin' stuff]
AgujaCabra (6:09 PM): [ack!]
AgujaCabra (6:10 PM): A tight, intense pressure winds its way around Thomas. It feels like three distinct coils, thick, with a substance that is not precisely physical..
AgujaCabra (6:11 PM): [and.. I do not want to roll damage. but it's bashing. don't worry!]
NerwenGreen (6:11 PM): [just do it :p]
NerwenGreen (6:11 PM): Thomas struggles to break out of them.
AgujaCabra (6:12 PM): One of the coils is extremely loose, barely hanging on around the torso... [soak 5 bashing. then we'll round down]
NerwenGreen (6:12 PM): He tries to get at them with his claws if he can.

NerwenGreen (6:14 PM): 2 successes
AgujaCabra (6:15 PM): [merp. . take 2 bashing]
NerwenGreen (6:15 PM): ok
AgujaCabra (6:16 PM): Okay. . One of the tentacles is going to fall off him completely, if he struggles. The other two will be a contested strength roll.
NerwenGreen (6:17 PM): ok .. what does that mean
AgujaCabra (6:18 PM): roll Thomas' strength. No dice penalty except for the -1 he has for being hurt. I'll then roll the tentacle's strength, to see if he can break out of it.
NerwenGreen (6:19 PM): ok
AgujaCabra (6:19 PM): [he can spend blood before doing this, if he wants to heal]
NerwenGreen (6:19 PM): [he heals and pumps another point into strength?]
AgujaCabra (6:20 PM): [heh. okay]
NerwenGreen (6:20 PM): 2 successes
AgujaCabra (6:21 PM): He is able to break free of one tentacle. The other secures its grip about his midsection.
NerwenGreen (6:21 PM): he applies his claws to it
NerwenGreen (6:22 PM): I guess what he's doing is trying to wedge his claws between his body and the tentacle and rip outward
AgujaCabra (6:23 PM): [okay. . I guess this would be another strength roll. Agg damage doesn't do much to a shadow, so the claws themselves are not going to be too effective.. but he can wedge :p ]
NerwenGreen (6:23 PM): [ok]
NerwenGreen (6:24 PM): 2 successes
AgujaCabra (6:24 PM): His claws sink a bit into the thick, shadowy matter. After an initial resistence, it moves away from his body enough to wriggle free.
NerwenGreen (6:25 PM): Is he able to tell where the tentacles are emanating from?
AgujaCabra (6:25 PM): They're sprouting up from the dark shadows on the ground... There is not obviously a person controlling them.
NerwenGreen (6:26 PM): ok
NerwenGreen (6:26 PM): Thomas goes back to listening intently and looking warily around him. He begins to move cautiously back toward Shepard's house.
AgujaCabra (6:29 PM): The hairs on the back of his neck might prickle a bit, as an additional five bodies of shadow rise up from the darkness surrounding him.

NerwenGreen (6:31 PM): these 5 bodies of shadow .. do they look like tentacles or people?
AgujaCabra (6:31 PM): They are definately tentacles.
NerwenGreen (6:31 PM): are they all around or all one one side
AgujaCabra (6:32 PM): They're in somewhat of a semi-circle behind him. Two to his right, two to his left, and one directly behind.

NerwenGreen (6:33 PM): He runs, trying to get out of the shadow, and transforms into a cougar as he does so in one turn.
AgujaCabra (6:34 PM): [whoah! cougar stuff!]
NerwenGreen (6:34 PM): [dang, is he gonna be hungry *again*]
AgujaCabra (6:35 PM): As Thomas leaps away from the tentacles, they attempt to close in and catch the hind legs of the transforming cougar.. He is able to keep clear of them.
AgujaCabra (6:36 PM): [I think tentacles would stink on inits rolls.. :p ]
NerwenGreen (6:36 PM): [hehe ]
NerwenGreen (6:36 PM): He loops around a building and tries to find a way upstairs, intending to make his way to a rooftop.
AgujaCabra (6:38 PM): Circling around the building, he can hear footsteps clacking down a stairwell someplace close by..
NerwenGreen (6:38 PM): He charges in that direction.
AgujaCabra (6:39 PM): There is a desecrated bird at the foot of the staircase. It appears to have been a peacock, and its throat is ripped open ...
AgujaCabra (6:39 PM): [perc + altert? ]
AgujaCabra (6:40 PM): [oop. alert]
NerwenGreen (6:40 PM): [any dice penalties?]
AgujaCabra (6:40 PM): [er. yeah :p I wanna see if you see the person running off]
NerwenGreen (6:40 PM): I got a 7
NerwenGreen (6:40 PM): and a 9
AgujaCabra (6:41 PM): There's an indistinct figure, moving quickly between some buildings on the other side of the stair.
NerwenGreen (6:41 PM): Thomas follows him
AgujaCabra (6:41 PM): oh! thomas is a cougar..
NerwenGreen (6:42 PM): yep yep
NerwenGreen (6:43 PM): He wants to pounce the figure to the ground.
AgujaCabra (6:43 PM): [okay. gimmie inits. ]
NerwenGreen (6:44 PM): 17
AgujaCabra (6:44 PM): [Thomas can do what he likes :p ]
NerwenGreen (6:45 PM): hehe okay
AgujaCabra (6:45 PM): The figure seems slightly wary, but has not turned around to face Thomas. He might not even know the cat is there.
AgujaCabra (6:45 PM): so.. you may pounce at will ^.^
NerwenGreen (6:45 PM): He leaps on the figure with his claws out, intending to knock him to the ground and pin him there.
AgujaCabra (6:46 PM): The figure staggers to the ground, collapsing easily under the weight of the large cat.
AgujaCabra (6:47 PM): [er. maybe I should make you roll.. I don't think Thomas would miss, given that the guy isn't prepared to dodge :p ]
NerwenGreen (6:47 PM): [eh? roll the pounce?]
AgujaCabra (6:47 PM): [nah. don't roll. you got 'im]
NerwenGreen (6:48 PM): Thomas thrusts his face into the man's face with his teeth bared, growling menacingly, as he peers intently at the man's features with his night vision eyes. [he's trying to see if he can get a good look at him]
AgujaCabra (6:52 PM): Trembling under the cat, obviously terrified, the figure attempts to scratch at Thomas with a set of bony, clawed fingers.. They do not appear to be Gangrel claws, and the man is too frightened to do anything but flail. His face is almost featureless, and its throat has been obviously augmented, perhaps to prevent speech. He has on a tight turtleneck shirt, tight jeans, and his head has been shaved close to the scalp.
NerwenGreen (6:53 PM): Does this look like a vampire?
AgujaCabra (6:53 PM): It is breathing.. but there's no way it is an unaltered human.
NerwenGreen (6:54 PM): Thomas tries to knock him out with bashing damage. He uses a front paw if he can manage it without allowing the man any room to maneuver, otherwise he uses his head.
AgujaCabra (6:56 PM): He could knock the man out with his front paw. After a sturdy blow, the man falls limp against the stone.
NerwenGreen (6:57 PM): Does the shadow go away?
AgujaCabra (6:57 PM): no.. it is still pitch dark.
NerwenGreen (6:59 PM): Thomas picks up the man with his teeth and begins dragging him back toward Shepard's house. He listens intently and looks around warily as before, looking for other targets. (He's figuring that this guy isn't terribly important.)
NerwenGreen (6:59 PM): oh - tries to loop around buildings rather than make a direct beeline out in the open
AgujaCabra (7:04 PM): When Thomas nears Shepard's house, he can tell that there are a number of tentacles arranged directly outside his door. They have not caught anything. They appear to be waiting.
NerwenGreen (7:04 PM): Thomas loops around back to see if there's another entrance somewhere.
AgujaCabra (7:05 PM): There is actually an upstairs window, if Thomas would think the second floor is Shepard's also. There is not a back door.
NerwenGreen (7:06 PM): Did it look like the houses were broken up into separate upstairs and downstairs apartments?
AgujaCabra (7:07 PM): Well.. some of the places are definately upstairs and downstairs. Others, like Shepard's, do not have doors on the upper floor.
NerwenGreen (7:07 PM): okay .. Thomas looks for a way that he can reach the upstairs window, preferably with the body that he is dragging (but he'll think of something if he can't take the body with him).
AgujaCabra (7:09 PM): There is space to reach the window, if he goes up a close by stairwell, and simply steps across to Shepard's building. . I guess he could drag the body, if he likes ;p
NerwenGreen (7:09 PM): okay he does that
NerwenGreen (7:09 PM): watching carefully for signs of any figures on the stairwell
NerwenGreen (7:09 PM): well .. anywhere :p
AgujaCabra (7:13 PM): [oh.. whoah. Shep got the guy bloody :p ]
NerwenGreen (7:13 PM): [joy]
AgujaCabra (7:14 PM): [roll perception + alertness, diff... 9]
NerwenGreen (7:14 PM): 1 success

AgujaCabra (7:15 PM): Thomas can glimpse a tall, slender figure emerge suddenly from the shadow alongside a nearby building.

NerwenGreen (7:17 PM): Thomas drops the other body and charges toward the new figure.
AgujaCabra (7:19 PM): The figure immediately slips back into the shadow, and vanishes from sight.
NerwenGreen (7:19 PM): Thomas charges over to where he last saw the figure.
AgujaCabra (7:20 PM): Shepard's door opens, about the time that Thomas began his charge.

AgujaCabra (7:20 PM): There is nothing where the figure used to be.
NerwenGreen (7:20 PM): Thomas goes to where he can see what goes on at Shepard's front door.

NerwenGreen (7:21 PM): Well, Thomas goes to the front door, but out of reach of the tentacles.
AgujaCabra (7:23 PM): As the door swings open cautiously, the tentacles immediately reach for the figure inside... Stepping quickly out of the door, Shepard attempts to avoid the gripping coils of darkness.
AgujaCabra (7:23 PM): [roll time for me.. ]
NerwenGreen (7:23 PM): [yay]
NerwenGreen (7:23 PM): Thomas gets ready to spring on tentacles if Shepard looks like he needs help.
AgujaCabra (7:24 PM): One tentacle coils about Shepard as he steps out, but he seems to be handling himself.. He will be able to break out of it, almost immediately.
NerwenGreen (7:27 PM): Thomas goes back to retrieve the body he'd dropped.
AgujaCabra (7:29 PM): Three, 12 foot long tentacles, and three 6 foot tentacles spring up around Shepard.
AgujaCabra (7:29 PM): [bloody things!]
AgujaCabra (7:29 PM): The body is still there, untouched.
NerwenGreen (7:30 PM): Thomas picks it up and takes it toward the front again, hiding it in some bushes if he can. He watches Shepard fight tentacles while looking around for other figures to attack.
AgujaCabra (7:33 PM): As Shepard moves to avoid the pesky tentacles, an arm emerges from a shadow beneath his feet.. fixing about his ankle, and pulling, as another comes up through the darkness as well... Shepard is pulled down into the shadow.
AgujaCabra (7:34 PM): There aren't really any bushes to hide bodies in.. he can hide it around the corner of a house or what-not.

NerwenGreen (7:36 PM): what does he see
AgujaCabra (7:36 PM): a bunch of tentacles
NerwenGreen (7:36 PM): Shepard was pulled into the pavement?
AgujaCabra (7:36 PM): Yes. He was pulled through a shadow.
AgujaCabra (7:38 PM): [okie.. this is dumb. the guy should have had a better plan.. he's not like this]
AgujaCabra (7:39 PM): The tentacles are mainly waving aimlessly, or lying on the stone pavement.. they do not appear to be poised for attack.
NerwenGreen (7:39 PM): Thomas continues watching from around the corner, still standing over the body, blinking somewhat startled.
NerwenGreen (7:40 PM): He looks around intently for signs of any moving figures.
AgujaCabra (7:43 PM): The tentacles seep back into the shadow, and after several moments, the darkness lifts.. Thomas can see Shepard emerge slowly from between a pair of buildings, approximately 20 feet to the right.
NerwenGreen (7:45 PM): Thomas turns off his night vision as the shadow lifts. He continues to watch his surroundings warily.
AgujaCabra (7:45 PM): There is a large, black crow circling overhead.. It has an odd, reddish tinge to its feathers, and perches on a rooftop not far from Shepard.
NerwenGreen (7:46 PM): Thomas beckons the crow.
AgujaCabra (7:47 PM): The crow will not respond to Thomas' beckoning.. It is watching Shepard intently.
NerwenGreen (7:47 PM): Thomas watches the crow intently then.
NerwenGreen (7:47 PM): He continues scanning his surroundings as well.
AgujaCabra (7:49 PM): When Shepard glances up to the crow, it looks away.. scanning the area briefly, and settling its dark little eyes on Thomas.
NerwenGreen (7:49 PM): Thomas continues to watch and wait for Shepard to do something.
AgujaCabra (7:53 PM): Coming around the side of the stair, where the body had fallen.. Shepard pauses, looking stonily at the corpse for a long moment, and then turning his gaze to look down the surrounding streets. He frowns a little when he sees a slaughtered peacock, and lets his hands fall quietly into his coat.. looking for any signs of those who'd attacked.
NerwenGreen (7:54 PM): Is Shepard heading for his house?
AgujaCabra (7:56 PM): He is near his house, but not heading for the door at the moment.
NerwenGreen (7:56 PM): Thomas continues to watch and wait then
AgujaCabra (8:00 PM): Pacing irritably on a rooftop, the crow eventually flies away. Pausing, watching the bird curiously, Shepard crosses over to one of his neighbor's doorsteps after it leaves.. He places a quiet knock on the door, and attempts to gently push it inwards when no one answers. . It does not give, and he quickly removes a key from his pocket, unlocking the door and peeking inside.
AgujaCabra (8:01 PM): Hesitating a long moment, he pulls the door closed again.. And steps back from the house slightly.

NerwenGreen (8:02 PM): Thomas will keep watching until he looks like he's planning to go home.
NerwenGreen (8:02 PM): Scanning for other suspicious figures or animals
AgujaCabra (8:04 PM): Shepard is going to perform a similar pattern at a number of closeby homes. A few doors open, and he apologizes for disturbing the residents. However, he unlocks three doors manually, in order to take a look inside. After he finishes with the inspection, he will turn to walk back towards his own house.
NerwenGreen (8:04 PM): okay
NerwenGreen (8:05 PM): When he approaches his own door, Thomas picks up the body and drags it over.
AgujaCabra (8:07 PM): Shepard stops outside his door, casting a glance to Thomas, and then letting his eyes trail down to the limp body. ".. Where did you find him?," he asks after a moment.
NerwenGreen (8:09 PM): After hesitating for a moment, Thomas reverts to human form. "He was near the dead peacock," he replies as he gets to his feet. "There was at least one other figure out here, but I was unable to capture him. There were probably others."
AgujaCabra (8:14 PM): Staring curiously at the figure, Shepard circles around one side of the body, and crouches a little to get a better look at its hands. "Is it dead?" he glances over the augmented throat, and the pitch black skin [An artificial coloration that is obvious now that the darkness has lifted].
NerwenGreen (8:16 PM): "No," Thomas answers. "I only knocked him out. He is otherwise uninjured." He pauses for a moment, creasing his forehead thoughtfully. "Fighting with shadows is rather troublesome. I need to know more about the nature of the discipline."
AgujaCabra (8:19 PM): Nodding thoughtfully, Shepard looks up to Thomas again after a moment, and rises easily to his feet. "I have encountered this discipline before, " he admits quietly, " .. it has been many years, however."
NerwenGreen (8:21 PM): Thomas raises an eyebrow at him. "You encountered it at the trains."
AgujaCabra (8:25 PM): "Yes." He looks at Thomas steadily for a moment, before dropping his gaze again, and taking a quiet step back towards his house. ".. I have not seen .. aspects of this discipline used in years. "
NerwenGreen (8:26 PM): Thomas nods agreeably. "You were pulled into the pavement. What happened after that?"
AgujaCabra (8:32 PM): Furrowing his brow faintly, Shepard shifts his weight slightly to be with his back almost directly against the wall.. "I .. believe I was pulled out of the pavement again 40 or 50 feet from here. The man who assaulted me vanished quickly, and another vampire left with him. . " Staring tiredly at the ground, he frowns a bit ".. that one did not show its figure at all."
NerwenGreen (8:36 PM): Thomas grimaces slightly in frustration as he nods again, thoughtfully. "It is difficult to fight with those that cannot be seen."
AgujaCabra (8:41 PM): Shepard's frown deepens minutely, and then fades away entirely, though he continues to look pensive.. "I did not have a clear look.. however, the male resembled [~Strauss]" He looks back to the body, the frown almost returning.. but not quite, adding after a brief hesitation.. "I do not know if you are familiar with him?"

NerwenGreen (8:42 PM): Thomas shakes his head at the name. "I have not met [~Strauss]. Who is he?"

AgujaCabra (8:47 PM): Taking another short step towards his front door, and placing a hand to hold it open a little, Shepard motions quietly for Thomas to come inside.
NerwenGreen (8:47 PM): After a moment, Thomas picks up the body and enters Shepard's house.
AgujaCabra (8:53 PM): Thomas enters a cozy, circular foyer, with its circumference lined in a pale, pink marble, and the center left as a clean dirt floor. A simple kitchen area takes up the back wall, and there are a number of broken bottles strewn across the floor [perhaps from the fight]. To the right, a series of wood slats partially hide a simple bedroom area, and there is obviously a pull-down staircase inset into the ceiling. If the room contained chairs, and the bottles were picked up.. it might almost be charming.
AgujaCabra (8:54 PM): at it is, it scarcely seems like anyone lives here. The room is very fainly lit by a dim, bluish light eminating from the bedroom area.
NerwenGreen (8:54 PM): [thomas doesn't know about the fight that went on in here]
AgujaCabra (8:55 PM): Entering the room himself, Shepard self consciously tucks his hands into his coat, and moves to stand near the edge of the room.. frowning a little at the bottles, but choosing to ignore them.
AgujaCabra (8:56 PM): [well.. given that Shepard was detained in his house for a long time, and it was surrounded by tentacles.. it'd be a good bet :P]
AgujaCabra (8:56 PM): Actually, a couple of the wood slats by the bedroom are cracked as well.
NerwenGreen (8:58 PM): Thomas stops near the door to deposit the body against the wall, looking around the room with casual interest. He takes another step into the room. "Was there some fighting in here?" he asks curiously.

AgujaCabra (9:02 PM): Nodding slightly, Shepard consents to kneel a moment, picking up a few of the broken bottles and placing them into the sink. ".. shortly after you left, the man.. perhaps [~Strauss], entered the house. He was extremely difficult to locate.. "

NerwenGreen (9:03 PM): "How did he enter?"
AgujaCabra (9:03 PM): [his house went dark before it got dark outside... a couple seconds before :p ]
NerwenGreen (9:04 PM): After a moment, Thomas begins picking up broken bottles as well, taking them over to the sink.
AgujaCabra (9:07 PM): "I did not see him enter underneath the front door.. It is possible that he came through a shadow elsewhere in the house, or through the upstairs window. " Putting the last bit of glass into the sink, Shepard steps back again towards the wall.. casting a glance across the room, and quietly eying the darker shadows.
NerwenGreen (9:08 PM): [what time is it gametime?]
AgujaCabra (9:09 PM): [mm. did Gracian call at 3:30? ]
NerwenGreen (9:09 PM): [yes]
AgujaCabra (9:10 PM): [ick. then it is about 4:20]
NerwenGreen (9:10 PM): [and did the upstairs window look broken into when Thomas was thinking of getting in that way? ]
AgujaCabra (9:11 PM): [no. He doesn't have to break stuff.. he just has to find a crack :p ]
NerwenGreen (9:11 PM): [ah .. ok]
AgujaCabra (9:11 PM): [he actually didn't come in either way. oh well :p ]
NerwenGreen (9:13 PM): Thomas pauses at the sink after he finishes cleaning up the broken glass on the floor. He eyes the shadows warily as well. "Perhaps it would be best if you stayed elsewhere for awhile," he suggests tentatively.
AgujaCabra (9:17 PM): Staring quietly across the room, he is silent a long moment, before nodding faintly, "I will consider that.. A number of the humans living on the street were killed inside their homes. . " He looks to Thomas momentarily, "Were you assaulted as well?"
NerwenGreen (9:21 PM): "Yes," Thomas answers, faintly startled by the question. "I also watched or heard two of the humans die. There was nothing I could do to stop them." A flicker of frustration passes over his face for an instant, and he asks somewhat rhetorically "What were they hoping to accomplish?"
AgujaCabra (9:26 PM): Shepard's expression hardens slightly, and he lowers his head a bit, with his shoulders practically brushing the wall.. thinking a moment, before responding quietly ".. The island is an elysium. . That may be reason enough."
NerwenGreen (9:29 PM): "Oh," Thomas responds quietly. "I assumed Sabbat don't normally observe Camarilla elysiums." He adds reflectively after a moment, "And actually, I am not aware of the current elysium locations for either sect."
AgujaCabra (9:34 PM): "I have personally guarded this island, and other elysiums within the city.. " he begins softly, pausing briefly, and continuing after collecting his thought, ".. if they are willing to attack me here, then I will assume they are not concered about retaliation." Shepard's brow lowers a little, ".. I am not certain if Sabbat have elysiums at all. It is expected that ours are observed, however. "
AgujaCabra (9:35 PM): [man... okay. ::kick self:: I'm gonna start playing Shepard right... ]
NerwenGreen (9:39 PM): Thomas considers Shepard's words thoughtfully for a long moment. "Perhaps they are retaliating for our work on Thursday," he says. "What should our next move be? Or should we be more concerned that they are not concerned about retaliation?"

AgujaCabra (9:52 PM): A slight nod. "This could easily have been in reaction to Thursday night. . In which case, you should be cautious as well if there is a chance they know your location. " Shepard considers Thomas' other questions silently, responding after a pause ".. If this was [~Strauss], we need to find his location, and deal with him as quickly as possible.. "

NerwenGreen (10:08 PM): Thomas nods thoughtfully. "I do not believe they suspected my involvement with Thursday before, though they probably are aware of me now." He thinks for another moment. "Strauss... he owned a [~house] in the 1950s that burned down.. There is now another [~house] at that same location which is owned by someone with the middle name of Strauss, I believe."

AgujaCabra (10:12 PM): Furrowing his brow a little, Shepard remains quiet as he questions, "why don't you believe they associated you with the rail road incident? .. we were both seen by the Nosferatu guarding the location."
NerwenGreen (10:18 PM): "Yes, but in the grand scheme of things I am not nearly as important as you," Thomas answers wryly. He hesitates for a moment, then slowly adds "The Tzimisce named Chauncey... I spoke with him earlier tonight. He also is of no importance, but he knew you were at the railroad and did not know that I was as well. That suggests to me that they had not identified me.. before tonight."

AgujaCabra (10:22 PM): Stiffening a little, Shepard casts a brief glance to Thomas, before looking down again. "[~Where] did you speak with the tzimisce? "

NerwenGreen (10:28 PM): "He .. came to visit me at my house," Thomas answers, a bit uncertainly.

AgujaCabra (10:33 PM): He nods faintly, settling back against the wall a little more.. ".. then, someone inside the Sabbat is aware of your location. . You may not be attacked. This is the first time I have been assaulted in my home, and Gracian has never been. ... Simply exercise some caution."
NerwenGreen (10:34 PM): Thomas nods in assent.
AgujaCabra (10:38 PM): Shepard tenses slightly, taking a step away from the wall, and moving distractedly to the opposite side of the room. ".. When you say that Chauncey visisted you.. What was the purpose of his visit?"
NerwenGreen (10:42 PM): Thomas begins looking somewhat sheepish. "I had been following his movements with birds for the past two nights in an attempt to find out more about him .. Gracian seemed interested at the meeting," he explains slowly. "He unfortunately turns out to have better relations with animals than I. He visited me to .. lodge a complaint. And to find out why I was curious about him."
NerwenGreen (10:45 PM): Thomas takes care to stand motionless in a non-threatening stance as he observes Shepard's movements.
AgujaCabra (10:49 PM): Shepard remains still for a long moment, before nodding slowly in acquiescence. His hands remain hidden in the folds of his coat, as he steps to stand with his back against the corner wall. " It was not our intention to make the sabbat aware of your presence. . You are not required by Gracian to research anyone who would place you in danger." A slight pause, " We have people to deal with those situations."
NerwenGreen (10:53 PM): "Ah, I see," Thomas answers after a moment. "All right." He considers something for a moment, then asks quietly, "Why was I invited to Wednesday's meeting?"
AgujaCabra (11:01 PM): Considering his question for a moment, Shepard responds thoughtfully, "A number of Gangrel have distanced themselves from the Camarilla recently. . " He frowns again, minutely, "..Not only the members of my city, who left for their own reasons. I wanted to know what decision you had made. . We were, at one time, one of the most .. important clans in Midsomer. This is no longer the case."
NerwenGreen (11:06 PM): Thomas frowns a little in thought. "I am still loyal to the Camarilla. I saw no reason to leave when the clan as a whole did." He shrugs slightly. "Of course, I was avoiding Kindred politics at that time for .. personal reasons .. but I never considered leaving."
AgujaCabra (11:18 PM): Mulling over this, Shepard offers a faint, characteristic nod.. continuing again after a short silence, ".. I have never wanted to be involved in sect politics. . and I do not expect others of my clan to have an interest. "
AgujaCabra (11:18 PM): [aaah! that was longer, and I deleted, and I screamed at it.. and gave up]
NerwenGreen (11:18 PM): [hehe okay .. ]
NerwenGreen (11:25 PM): "Circumstances sometimes dictate otherwise, and I am accustomed to a more authoritative prince when it comes to political matters. I do not mind helping when I can." He looks over at Shepard inquisitively. "How did you come to be so far involved if you did not wish for it?"
AgujaCabra (11:34 PM): "As you have said; circumstances can require involvement.. " He glances down slightly, then lets his gaze trail to the bottom of the far wall. "Whoever takes control of the city at a given time, It is still mine." He pauses, continuing slowly, " . There were no other vampires here when I began building.. and I once I was asked to assist, I could not remove myself from the politics. "

NerwenGreen (11:38 PM): Thomas is silent for a moment. "The Sabbat do not seem to agree that it is your city."
AgujaCabra (11:42 PM): Shepard stiffens a little, his gaze flickering down again, tiredly. . "I will remove them from the city, if it becomes more of a problem than it is."

NerwenGreen (11:47 PM): After a moment, Thomas nods. He looks curiously around the room again. "Well.. it is getting late. Perhaps I should stop bothering you while you are still recovering from Thursday," he says, a bit apologetically.
AgujaCabra (11:53 PM): Nodding silently, Shepard crosses over to open the door for Thomas. ".. If the sabbat did not know you before, from Chauncey's involvement, then they do now. Use caution, and keep me informed while Gracian is out of town."
NerwenGreen (11:54 PM): [what time is it now anyway?]
AgujaCabra (11:55 PM): [hm... almost 5AM]
AgujaCabra (11:55 PM): >o[ ]-{
NerwenGreen (11:55 PM): [hmm... is it getting light out?]
AgujaCabra (11:56 PM): [umm.. hopefully not. Maybe it's just getting slightly, slightly light... but not quite from the sun yet]
AgujaCabra (11:57 PM): [he can get home.. unless something happens :p Which it shouldn't]

NerwenGreen (12:04 AM): "All right," Thomas agrees. As he moves toward the door, he glances at the body and says absently "it would probably be best to restrain him for the day."
AgujaCabra (12:06 AM): Shepard hesitates slightly, and looks to the body as well.. "I will handle it." He agrees quietly, moving away from the door a little as he notices the faint light outside. .
NerwenGreen (12:08 AM): Thomas stops in the doorway when he notices the dawn beginning and hesitates briefly. "Yes.. very late," he muses quietly, almost to himself. Then, nodding to Shepard, he grits his teeth and steps outside.
AgujaCabra (12:12 AM): ".. There are empty houses on the island, if you would prefer not to walk home in the light.. " Shepard comments quietly, noticing Thomas' hesitation.
NerwenGreen (12:13 AM): Thomas turns to look at Shepard. "I would appreciate using one, if I may."
AgujaCabra (12:17 AM): Stepping back towards the kitchen cabinets, Shepard quickly fishes a key from a small drawer, and returns to Thomas. "I believe #34 is open at the moment. . Draw the bolt in case someone does try to come inside. " He offers the key to Thomas, careful to remain out of the faint light.
NerwenGreen (12:19 AM): Thomas carefully accepts the key. "Thank you," he says with a faint note of relief. He nods again to Shepard and begins to move away, looking for #34.
AgujaCabra (12:24 AM): Shepard closes the door as Thomas walks away.

#34 is on the ground floor, about a row over from Shepard's abode. It has a sturdy metal door, and a solid coquina floor, covered by two abandoned crochet rugs. There is one plush sitting chair, left behind by a former resident, and a small bedroom to the left.
NerwenGreen (12:25 AM): Thomas bolts the door as Shepard suggested and moves over to the bedroom.
AgujaCabra (12:29 AM): The floor in the bedroom is white marble,with a black half-circle of marble in the center. The ceiling has been carved out into simple decorative rafters, and there are hollowed out sections to place trinkets and the like. It has a plain cot on a wooden bedframe, and a small closet space.
AgujaCabra (12:29 AM): [and.. you do not need this detail :p ]
NerwenGreen (12:30 AM): Is there any windows that might pose a problem?
AgujaCabra (12:31 AM): Nope. There is a window in the main room, but the bedroom doesn't get any light from it.
NerwenGreen (12:32 AM): Thomas collapses on the cot then.
AgujaCabra (12:33 AM): ^.^ okie. nobody is going to cause Thomas trouble.
NerwenGreen (12:33 AM): yay