NerwenGreen (1:04 AM): Thomas hangs up and goes back over to the alley where the vampires are stashed. About halfway there, he spins quickly to his left in a vaguely defensive stance. A frustrated but slightly bemused expression appears for a moment before he continues.
NerwenGreen (1:06 AM): He walks in a roundabout manner, making sure that the birds spot him, and doesn't go directly into the alley.
AgujaCabra (1:07 AM): Fluttering its wing at another bird, one of the hawks jumps along the ledge a bit... finding a spot further from its two, preening mirror-images. . They do not appear to be paying attention to Thomas, and adopt a stance of waiting, rather than action..
NerwenGreen (1:08 AM): [all three of them dont' pay attention to Thomas? Or just the two mirror images?]
AgujaCabra (1:08 AM): [all three.. there were 4 birds total. one is still missing]
NerwenGreen (1:08 AM): [oh]
NerwenGreen (1:09 AM): So Ryan can arrive uneventfully?
AgujaCabra (1:09 AM): Approximately two minutes after Thomas leaves the telephone, the fourth bird comes back into view.. [not quite!]
NerwenGreen (1:09 AM): [ok]
AgujaCabra (1:11 AM): Eying the other three, it caws at them quietly, and dives down into the adjoining alley [not one with the bodies]... A moment later, the three leave their ledge, and fly down to join the other hawk.
AgujaCabra (1:12 AM): [unless Thomas sneaks a peek.. I'll just have Shepard come out in a sec :p ]
NerwenGreen (1:12 AM): Thomas curiously looks into the alley. :p
AgujaCabra (1:12 AM): [heheh :p ]
AgujaCabra (1:14 AM): The four birds gather at the side of the alley, and one by one merge together into a single, familiar figure ... dressed in simple black attire. This process only takes a moment, and it almost looks as though the birds have flown together to become Shepard.. rather than transforming over a period of time.
AgujaCabra (1:15 AM): Taking a slight step back from the wall, Shepard lightly adjusts his gloves, and for a moment looks as though he might read for a hat as well... but thinks better of it.
AgujaCabra (1:15 AM): [reach for a hat.. ]
NerwenGreen (1:16 AM): Thomas watches curiously, giving him a quizzical look whenever he turns to look at him.
AgujaCabra (1:21 AM): After a pause, Shepard turns slightly, casting a quick, almost fatigued, glance in Thomas' direction..and then following with a muted nod. There is another brief pause, before Shepard steps quietly towards him, slowly approaching the edge of the alley. . "I apologize for leaving you with the bodies.. I had wanted to see where the van planned to stop.. "
NerwenGreen (1:24 AM): "Ah, I see." He pauses for a moment, still looking at Shepard questioningly, but evidently deciding not to pursue his curiosity in light of more pressing matters. "I have arranged for transport. He should be here shortly." He starts slightly at something to one side, then recovers his composure. He calmly asks "Where did the van go?"
NerwenGreen (1:25 AM): Thomas begins walking slowly back towards the alley where the bodies are stashed.
AgujaCabra (1:29 AM): Stepping uneasily from the alley, Shepard stiffens almost imperceptibly.. Stopping to look warily down the narrow passage, before lowering his gaze a little, and falling into step behind Thomas. ".. It met with Aashton, at an apartment on Norward Drive. . She did not appear pleased with the delivery," he responds simply.
NerwenGreen (1:34 AM): [you decide when Ryan gets to arrive ] Thomas stops at the entrance to the alley where the bodies are located and begins pacing slowly, every once in a while abruptly looking up in one direction or another. After considering for a long moment, he asks "What was the discipline you used with the hawks? I have not seen it before."
AgujaCabra (1:39 AM): Standing with his back to the wall, just outside the alley, Shepard watches Thomas pace warily for a few moments, before letting his gaze fall to the pavement again... and stiffening to stand as still as possible. ".. oh, the hawks.. " he starts, pausing again.. "it is the same as becoming a cougar, or a single bird... splitting into additional forms simply takes practice."

NerwenGreen (1:41 AM): Thomas raises an eyebrow. "Would you be willing to teach it to me?" He stops pacing to look steadily at Shepard.
AgujaCabra (1:45 AM): After a moment, Shepard nods with a slight, undefined hesitation.. "of course," he begins softly, not lifting his gaze from the ground.. ".. I have not met many of my clan who are able to do so, however."

NerwenGreen (1:50 AM): "I would like to try, if I can," Thomas responds. He looks down the street, watching for Ryan's arrival. A moment later, Ryan's car pulls to a halt at the curb. Ryan gets out and joins Shepard and Thomas at the alley entrance. "Umm... hi." He says to Shepard, yawning sleepily. He adds to Thomas, "I'm here, what's going on?"
NerwenGreen (1:51 AM): [will Shepard say something right now or shall I continue with Thomas's response?]
AgujaCabra (1:52 AM): Shepard remains entirely still... keeping his hands folded quietly in front of him, and looking stonily at the ground.
AgujaCabra (1:52 AM): [keep going.. he might leave real soon.. but he won't say much for the moment]
NerwenGreen (1:53 AM): Thomas glances over at Shepard. "Shepard, this is my friend Ryan." Ryan echoes "Hi Shepard" and begins to extend a hand, but stops awkwardly when he gets no response.
AgujaCabra (1:54 AM): [hm? how do you know he won't respond to that?]
NerwenGreen (1:54 AM): [okay, he begins to extend a hand ...]
AgujaCabra (1:57 AM): Shepard's eyes flicker up from the pavement briefly, focusing intently on Ryan for a heartbeat, and then cutting away to look down the street instead.. "Excuse me.. would you take care of the bodies for the moment, and contact either myself or Gracian later tonight? " Ignoring Ryan's hand, he looks back to Thomas.. "I do not want to you keep them long-- it may draw unwanted attention to your home."
NerwenGreen (2:01 AM): Ryan drops his hand awkwardly and looks at Thomas with some confusion, looking vaguely hurt at the rebuff. Thomas narrows his eyes a little at Shepard, equally confused. After a long moment, he glances at Ryan for a split second and then slowly nods. "Of course ... how may we contact you?"
AgujaCabra (2:07 AM): Slipping a hand into his pants pocket, Shepard extracts a plain white business card with a phone number and the initials 'G.H.' printed in plain black ink. Stepping forward slightly from the wall, he quietly proffers it towards Thomas .. "This number will connect you to Gracian's cell phone.. I will tell him to turn it on tonight." A pause, ".. For tonight, you may contact me through him. "
NerwenGreen (2:10 AM): Ryan leans back against his car, dropping his arcane and fading out his immediate presence. Thomas accepts the card and nods. "All right. We should not need more than half an hour to reach my house."
AgujaCabra (2:14 AM): ".. If you require my assistance for anything, inform any of the smaller birds on our side of the river.." Shepard takes another slow step away from the wall.. casting his gaze down the long street, but keeping his eyes low.. " I will not be far from the woods, and I will respond promptly. . "
NerwenGreen (2:16 AM): Thomas looks thoughtful for a moment and nods again. "All right."
AgujaCabra (2:17 AM): Pausing as though he might say something more, Shepard nods stiffly to Thomas, and turns to begin walking down the sidewalk..
NerwenGreen (2:21 AM): Thomas watches him go, considering him thoughtfully until Ryan clears his throat next to him. Thomas whirls abruptly at the noise, leaping into a defensive crouch with a murderous gleam in his eyes, but manages to stop himself from attacking. Ryan backs away in alarm - "Whoa!" He looks a lot more alert now.
AgujaCabra (2:22 AM): [Shepard might just go get murderous himself.. yeesh]
AgujaCabra (2:24 AM): [you go ahead and play with your people :p Shepard is leaving]
NerwenGreen (2:25 AM): Thomas straightens after a second, clears his own throat with a vague look of embarrassment. He takes a moment to compose himself before speaking. "You will have to excuse me. I ... have had, as you would say, a 'rough night.' " He blinks slowly.
NerwenGreen (2:26 AM): "Uhh... right. Okay then. Umm." Ryan looks at him uneasily. "So, where are the ... umm, items to be transported?"
NerwenGreen (2:28 AM): Thomas turns to the alley, gesturing for Ryan to follow. "There are two bodies. Will they fit somewhere in your bus?"
NerwenGreen (2:29 AM): Thomas unstashes the bodies for Ryan's perusal. After a few minutes of thoughtful consideration, Ryan nods. "Yeah, they should both fit. Lemme go rearrange a few things while you bring them out."
NerwenGreen (2:30 AM): Ryan goes back to the van and climbs inside through the side door. He shuffles a few things around, then comes back out, closes the side door, and opens the rear doors. Thomas brings each body out and they arrange them in the back. Then they both get into the van and go home ...
NerwenGreen (2:31 AM): [done]
AgujaCabra (2:31 AM): [whee]
AgujaCabra (2:33 AM): They can drive back home without anything external happening.. As for Thomas' mental state, I have no idea. The pedestrian and vehicle traffic has slowed considerably by this point in the night. . and people move by the van at a leisurely pace.
NerwenGreen (2:34 AM): What time is dawn?

AgujaCabra (2:36 AM): hm... 5:30.
NerwenGreen (2:36 AM): okay

NerwenGreen (2:39 AM): Well anyway, they get to Thomas's place and unload the bodies into his living room I guess ...
NerwenGreen (2:40 AM): Thomas then calls the cell phone number.
AgujaCabra (2:42 AM): It rings five times before there is a slight beep on the other end, and the sound of someone picking up... Thomas can hear traffic in the background, and there is an amount of static on the line.. "Hello. This is Gracian." the Prince's voice responds, after a momentary pause.
NerwenGreen (2:44 AM): "Hello, this is Thomas. We are secured here."
AgujaCabra (2:46 AM): Gracian pauses, a bit awkwardly, ".. What do you mean secured?" Thomas can perhaps hear him switching the phone to his other ear, "Did you and Shepard look into the railroad tonight.. ? "
AgujaCabra (2:47 AM): [Shepard! go talk to your Princey-prince prince]
NerwenGreen (2:48 AM): "Ah, I see that Shepard has not yet found you. We did indeed look at the railroad tonight, and I have the results of our efforts at my house for your perusal."
AgujaCabra (2:51 AM): "I see. . Welsh and I are on the road right now, but I could come by your house within the next 15 minutes or so. If that would be convenient? "
NerwenGreen (2:51 AM): "Certainly, I will be here."
AgujaCabra (2:53 AM): "All right. I will meet you shortly." Thomas can hear Welsh's voice in the background, asking who it is on the telephone.. Muffling the receiver, Gracian tells him, and then takes his hand away again.. "Thank you, Thomas. Goodbye. "
NerwenGreen (2:54 AM): "Goodbye." Thomas hangs up.
AgujaCabra (2:54 AM): [arf.. is it our goal to get through the rest of the night tonight :p ]
NerwenGreen (2:54 AM): He sighs heavily, allowing great weariness to cross his features for the first time.
NerwenGreen (2:55 AM): [up to you ]
AgujaCabra (2:56 AM): [well.. do you want to play any conversation between Thomas and Ryan, or should I let Gracian come by? ]
NerwenGreen (2:57 AM): He goes to sit down in one of the chairs, relaxing deeply... then he abruptly jumps, twitching his head to the right. He groans faintly under his breath.
NerwenGreen (2:57 AM): Ryan looks at him oddly. "What is with you tonight? Why are you all jumpy?"
NerwenGreen (2:59 AM): Thomas looks tiredly over in Ryan's direction (he's been sitting in one of the other chairs during the phone conversation), leaning his head back into the cushions. After a moment, he begins a slow explanation. "There is a vampiric discipline known as Dementation ... one form of it causes hallucinatory effects."
NerwenGreen (2:59 AM): "Really? What are you hallucinating?"
NerwenGreen (3:01 AM): Thomas closes his eyes and blinks them open slowly. In a quiet voice, he answers, "from the corner of my eyes, I see fleeting glimpses of Wyrm creatures, poised to attack. It is ... rather disconcerting."
NerwenGreen (3:02 AM): "Oh." Ryan replies, looking a bit startled. Then he shudders. "How long is this supposed to last? It's not permanent, is it?"
NerwenGreen (3:04 AM): "No, not normally," Thomas says. "The effects seem to wear off at varying lengths of times. I don't know how long mine will last."
NerwenGreen (3:04 AM): Ryan looks sympathetic. "Wow ... that must suck."
NerwenGreen (3:04 AM): He adds after a short pause, "Umm, no pun intended."
AgujaCabra (3:05 AM): []
NerwenGreen (3:05 AM): Thomas looks vaguely amused. [hehehe] "It is not so bad now. It will be worse when I am alone."
NerwenGreen (3:06 AM): "Ohh." Ryan looks concerned. "I hope it doesn't last very long then."

NerwenGreen (3:07 AM): After a brief pause, Ryan asks "So what else happened tonight? Where did the bodies come from?"

NerwenGreen (3:10 AM): Thomas continues to sit back in his chair, meditatively calm and with his eyes closed, trying to stay relaxed and ignore the hallucinations. "Perhaps it would be better to tell you the story after the Prince arrives."
NerwenGreen (3:11 AM): "The prince? He's coming here?" Ryan looks a bit nervous. "He probably won't want me in here. Your friend Shepard didn't seem to like me at all."
NerwenGreen (3:12 AM): "Shepard is also suffering from dementation tonight," Thomas replies after a moment. "That probably explains his behavior."
NerwenGreen (3:12 AM): [interrupt whenever you feel like ]
AgujaCabra (3:12 AM): [oh heck.. I'm enjoying this :p]
NerwenGreen (3:12 AM): [haha]
AgujaCabra (3:14 AM): [do you think 15 min or so have passed? ]
NerwenGreen (3:14 AM): Thomas adds after another moment, "I met the prince last night. He seemed friendly enough. He will probably like you just fine."
NerwenGreen (3:14 AM): [yeah, probably ... and I'm running out of conversation ]
AgujaCabra (3:14 AM): [heheh... ]
NerwenGreen (3:15 AM): [let's say that they stowed the bodies in the greenhouse area, so they aren't right there when you walk in]
AgujaCabra (3:17 AM): About 15-20 minutes after his phone call with Gracian. the sound of an automobile can be heard approaching Thomas' house from the south west.

NerwenGreen (3:19 AM): Thomas sinks back into the seat cushions, sighs deeply, and relaxes. Then, with weary resolve, he gets up in one fluid motion and goes to the door.

AgujaCabra (3:24 AM): Trekking together through the woods, Gracian and Welsh casually approach Thomas' house from the direction of the parking lot.. Gracian wears a smart navy blue suit tonight, and Welsh is in jeans and a brown sweater.. hanging from Gracian's sleeve with one hand.
NerwenGreen (3:24 AM): Thomas opens the door as they reach his porch. "Hello, Gracian .. Welsh." He nods politely and gestures them inside.
AgujaCabra (3:28 AM): Gracian smiles warmly, and nods a greeting to Thomas, as Welsh waves, and clings tightly to the Prince's hand.. "Good evening.. I hope that it is all right to have brought Welsh along. . His father is still out of the city tonight, and cannot take him at the moment., " he comments, stepping into Thomas' house, and ducking his head a little to allot for the door frame.
NerwenGreen (3:30 AM): "It is all right," Thomas agrees. He smiles vaguely in Welsh's direction. Looking back up at Gracian, he frowns slightly, a hint of concern in his eyes. "Have you heard from Shepard?"
AgujaCabra (3:34 AM): "No," Gracian's glance betrays the same concern, as he notices this in Thomas' look and tone.. ".. Did something happen at the railroad, that I should know about? .. In general, it is not unusual for Shepard to take some time in contacting me-- he does not have a portable phone, and rarely carries change.. " He smiles a bit at this, and tries to take his hand away from Welsh.. who relinquishes his grip reluctantly.
NerwenGreen (3:37 AM): Thomas nods a little, slowly. "He is probably all right, then." With a wry smile, he adds "He certainly seems capable of looking out for himself. We were both attacked with dementation, however."
NerwenGreen (3:38 AM): Ryan watches sleepily in the background.
AgujaCabra (3:42 AM): The smile fades from Gracian's face at this, and he looks to Thomas seriously.. "I was not aware that anyone capable of using that lived in the warehouses.. I would not have sent Shepard had I known," He pauses, looking down at Welsh who has decided to lean onto his leg.. ".. Were you able to find any information on the shipments.. ? "
NerwenGreen (3:44 AM): Thomas's look of concern returns as well. He twitches slightly at something just right of Gracian, then blinks and returns to looking at the prince. "Yes, we were. Would you like to view the contents of two of the boxes?" He steps toward the door leading to the greenhouse.
AgujaCabra (3:46 AM): "Yes, of course, " Gracian nods, and takes Welsh's hand again; following Thomas towards the door.
NerwenGreen (3:46 AM): Thomas shows him to the bodies without further comment.
AgujaCabra (3:50 AM): Upon seeing the bodies, Welsh stiffens a little and moves to hide behind Gracian.. Who looks down at the child, and frowns just slightly, in mild disapproval. A moment later, his expression softens, and he squeezes Welsh's hand reassuringly, turning back to look over the bodies himself. ".. These people were inside the boxes?" He questions; the puzzlement evident in his tone.
NerwenGreen (3:51 AM): "Yes, they were. There were a large number of similar boxes in a series of underground tunnels beneath the warehouses."
NerwenGreen (3:52 AM): He blinks slowly down at Welsh after a pause. "My apologies. I should have provided some warning that this might disturb a child."
AgujaCabra (3:55 AM): "I see, " Letting go of Welsh, Gracian kneels beside one of the figures.. lightly touching the stake, and frowning at this detail. He glances back up at Thomas' comment, and cracks a light smile.. "Oh no. Welsh needs to grow accustomed to this-- he is not as young as he acts sometimes. " As though to model this, Welsh stands up straight, and attempts to appear calm.. although he still refuses to look at the bodies. Gracian stands up again after a moment, and steps back to take the child's hand again.
AgujaCabra (3:56 AM): [just a sec.. one more line]
NerwenGreen (3:56 AM): [ok]
AgujaCabra (3:57 AM): "I realize it is late.. and that you have had a difficult night, " He glances over Thomas, with a passing concern.. "I will take these off your hands, and attempt to find Shepard for the details. "
NerwenGreen (3:59 AM): Thomas nods in agreement, allowing a trace of weariness to flicker briefly in his eyes. "Let me know if I may be of further service."
AgujaCabra (4:03 AM): "Thank you for your help tonight.," Gracian smiles, and instinctively extends a hand towards Thomas, in a friendly manner. "I will certainly keep you informed, when we find where these two came from.. or for that matter, where they were going. "
NerwenGreen (4:05 AM): Thomas smiles back and shakes the offered hand. "I would appreciate that."
AgujaCabra (4:08 AM): He nods thoughtfully, stepping towards one of the staked figures again, and kneeling to pick it up easily over his shoulder.. "Would you or the other man upstairs mind carrying the other one? I'm not parked far away... but it is a slight walk. "
NerwenGreen (4:09 AM): [there's no upstairs ... it's all one floor. Ryan is just sitting out in the main room.]
AgujaCabra (4:09 AM): [oops.. yeah.. I have no idea why he said upstairs... ]
AgujaCabra (4:09 AM): [change it to.. inside. Since they're in the greenhouse]
AgujaCabra (4:10 AM): [I was seeing it as a basement for no reason whatsoever except that I'm tired :p ]
NerwenGreen (4:10 AM): Thomas picks up the other body, carefully ensuring that the stake remains in place. "Certainly, I can do it." He begins to carry the body toward his front door.
AgujaCabra (4:13 AM): With Welsh close behind, Gracian totes his body out of the greenhouse, and back through the front door into the forest. [let me fast-forward just slightly] Gracian is parked in the same lot as Ryan's van. He has a silver, 2002 Mercedes Benz, and will place his body in the trunk.. then open the side door, for yours to fit into the back seat.
NerwenGreen (4:13 AM): Thomas obediently flips the body he is carrying into the back seat.
AgujaCabra (4:16 AM): Crossing over to then open the front passenger seat for Welsh, who climbs in and promptly fastens his seat belt, Gracian raises a hand in a slight wave to Thomas. "Again. Thank you... I apologize for any trouble this has caused, but we do need the information. . I hope the rest of your night is pleasant. "
AgujaCabra (4:17 AM): Gracian moves towards the driver's seat, opening his own door.. despite Welsh, who leans over to hold it closed for a moment.
NerwenGreen (4:18 AM): "You're welcome," Thomas returns easily. He steps out of the way of the car and waves, then begins to walk back toward his house.
AgujaCabra (4:18 AM): [okay.. I guess the rest of the night is yours ^_^ ]
NerwenGreen (4:18 AM): [hehe ... what time is it now ]
AgujaCabra (4:19 AM): [3:50 ]
AgujaCabra (4:19 AM): [ST's random numbers.. yay!]
AgujaCabra (4:20 AM): [I should make it 4:20, and then we could be back on real time :p ]
NerwenGreen (4:20 AM): hmm... I think I'll just fast forward through the end conversation between Ryan and Thomas. Basically they catch each other up on what they've been doing.
NerwenGreen (4:20 AM): [haha]
NerwenGreen (4:20 AM): Eventually, near dawn, they both go to bed.