(Rowan Ring) The Evening After

[Dillon Connery]

Dillon hangs back, by the trim of the doorway, with his shotgun out of sight. While he maintains trigger discipline, he isn't about to fall for some carefully planned ambush, either.

At the very least, two of these people are seasoned Hunters, and the other is real-life Indiana Jones... who is six foot two, and probably more than two hundred and sixty pounds of muscle.

And that's the best case scenario. Maybe the Rowan Ring prevented Ephrayim from doing whatever he intended to, and maybe it didn't. The Reeve needs them in a secure location, and he needs that secure location to not be the seat of the Domain's rule.

One of the lesser Elysia? Or perhaps the Ridge Motel?

Hazel eyes watch carefully, but allow the Daeva to do as they desire.

[Wolven Pryde]

The young woman, Bo, is tougher than most cage fighters. She would certainly be much prettier as well, when cleaned up. Taught from an early age to be strong in the face of peril, to master her emotions and rule them rather than letting them rule her, she seems perfectly comfortable lying on the edge of a bed in a threadbare t-shirt and underwear while all of these men and women watched her be tended to.

And yet, there is some subtle appreciation in Velma's attention. Her hand slips down to grasp the slender one of the songbird, not in any display of feminism, but in a gesture of strength and camaraderie; both hands clapped to grasp the base of each other's thumb.

"S'not the first time I've been shot," she says with quiet bravery.

While Valdemar finishes wrapping the fresh bandage, Joseph stands and moves closer to Allison. His brow is knit in concern, as though he is trying not to slip into pleading. He is a strong man in his own right, able to shrug off any trial, but as is usual, his family is the soft spot.

"I have my daughter back," he begins in a low tone. "And I need to take care of my wife. How soon can you let us put Sacramento in our rear-view so you can settle up with Valdemar about this Rowan Ring business?

"With Ephrayim gone, I just want to be done with this mess."

[Velma]

Velma nods positively at the hunter’s words.

Apparently this family of hunters was the real deal! All the more care with how much they should let slip up.

Ok! Can you stand? she asks the rhetoric question just to put everyone in the context.

Both of you should be able to take her to the car, we should go now. Velma says while looking to Valdemar and Joseph.

It’s like you say, the sooner we sort this mess the better! And with that Velma motions towards the room’s exit.

[Wolven Pryde]

/me pokes gently at Whisper ^.^

[Velma]

Hey Whisper Allison Black

[Wolven Pryde]

Less than half an hour later, three Kindred, four mortals, and two lifeless bodies leave the ranch estate that lies deep within vineyard country outside Florin. With no intent of returning, they leave the mystery of the abandoned property for mortal authorities to never decipher. By the time anyone knows something has happened here, the scene will be cold; all leads buried or forgotten.

Two vehicles drive away in the dark. One large, black SUV, and one just slightly less-large 1968 El Camino. The only hiccup in the exodus being when Dillon and Velma enter his car, and he discovers the prank she and Allison had left for him the night before.

All in good fun.

What happens to the valiant Doctor Hiliard Valdemar? Well, he returns to his work, conspicuously silent about the absence of the Rowan Ring, and the museum exhibit he canceled. Life for him, returns mostly to normal. Among his evasive explanations, is simply 'the time was not right'.

The mortals, Hunters included, largely disappear. Perhaps brainwashed by a talented Ventrue under orders of the Reeve's office, perhaps something more sinister. One thing is for sure, all of them were already the kind of people you simply don't find f they don't want to be found. The Domain's problem might therefore have practically solved itself.

As for the ultimate fate and location of the artifact in question... lips in Sacramento are sealed tight.

FIN