Joe Vellim: *One worn out pajama'd bundle under one arm, another under the other. All three sleep peacefully on the couch, Joe's thick arms wrapped around them. The only thing disturbing the snoozy ease of the scene is the brutally short shotgun in one hand.*

Joe Vellim: *Snort.. hmuzuz..*

Joe Vellim: ((Just when I was ready to start workin' it..))

Aerin Thomas: The sounds of gravel being compacted comes from the driveway, not to mention engine noise, as the hyprid pulls up to the farm. The man stops the can, throwing it into Park, and kills the engine. He looks over at the newly-made image next to him, sighing a bit.

Ita McNairee: *she's silent for the trip up, slowly shaking off the effects of the drug, falling into a more natural state of sleep. Her head rests on the window limply, making a soft mm noise as the rumbling of the car shuts down*

Joe Vellim: d10: per/alert (diff ): 7,1,9,8,7,

Joe Vellim: *He's getting a little better at this.. bright eyes flick open as he hears the car- and remembers the bundles on his chest. Oh hell.. putting the shotgun down, Joe steadys his grip on the two of them and gets up to replace the kids on the blanket.*

Aerin Thomas: He sighs and slips out of the car, shutting the door and moving around to open hers. He reaches in and gathers the sleeping woman up, lifting her carefully from the seat and car, cradling her to his chest. He turns and makes his way toward the door with slow, almost reluctant steps.

Ita McNairee: *Curly hair frizzes wildly around her shoulders, thick and dark brassy blonde, cushioning her head against the garou's chest. She's maybe a few inches shorter in total, Joey having done an excellent job on her.. she's no longer the spirited pikey she appeared as before*

Joe Vellim: *With the kids making annoyed bleats, then settling back to sleep, Joe sweeps the shotgun into his hand and moves for the door. Mebbe its Ita'n'Aerin.. he looks out the window on his way.. oh, good.. hurries to get the door.*

Joe Vellim: *The door swings open as Aerin approaches it.. but Joe says nothing. Struck silent.. only blinking and getting out of the way.*

Aerin Thomas: He nods to Joe as he slips inside the door with the freshly-imaged woman. "Hey...it worked, obviously." He moves in, looking for a place to put her. The couch is out...chair. She can rest in the chair. He moves that way with her, setting her carefully down.

Joe Vellim: ((No no couch is empty. The kids are on a blanket on the floor.))

Joe Vellim: *The short little mule nods mutely... eyes fastened in new and confused wonder on the.. well.. that's Ita, of course.. Ita.*

Aerin Thomas: ((Ahh, whoops. She's set on the couch, then.))

Ita McNairee: *she's in what she left in, jingling softly as she's moved*

Ita McNairee: *the curves of her body sink into the couch as she makes a soft noise of irritation. Voice high*

Joe Vellim: *He tears bright, conficted eyes away from Ita, to Aerin.* uhh... *speaking quietly.* Chivas?

Aerin Thomas: "Yeah," he says, speaking softly. He straightens, looking at the woman intently. "Chivas is a good idea."

Joe Vellim: *That's about all it takes.. Joe's eyes move back to... yeah.. as he sweeps toward the kitchen. Glasses? People use those sometimes.. there's a strange woman on the couch- the realization brings him back with the bottle only.. bare necessities. He takes a long, hard pull, then passes it to Aerin.*

Ita McNairee: *jingling. she jingled. that was reassurring. it takes a moment before she realizes she's awake, hand coming to her head as she makes to sit up*

Aerin Thomas: He takes the bottle and takes a good long swig, before handing it back. "Everything's done," he says, looking back to Joe. "The farm is signed over to her new identity. There's nothing else I need to do." A brief pause, looking out the window. "I'll have to do it tonight."

Aerin Thomas: ((WHOOPS! Places my post before the Ita waking))

Ita McNairee: hmm? *oh god.. chloroform had a nasty bloody kick to it. she squints her eyes tightly together, head feeling like a brass band had been invited to practice inside it*

Joe Vellim: *Joe looks for a long time at Aerin.. more a big, slightly dumb dog than wolf, he doesn't understand not to stare into the man's eyes.. so stare he does. He takes the bottle back, dropping his eyes almost shamed to the label before he tilts it back again. as Ita wakes he leaves off the conversation.. just murmuring.* Ya.. don'... gahtta..

Aerin Thomas: He gives Joe a look, a brief look, but hard, as if to say 'It's done,' before he looks to Ita, offering a soft, warm smile. "Hey, love."

Ita McNairee: *a small hand gropes for purchase on the couch, before her eyes open and she squints around the room.. feeling distinctly ill at ease* hmm? oh. hey. .. I feel like shit.

Ita McNairee: *her eyes fly open and both hands come to her throat, suddenly panicked*

Joe Vellim: *Joe says nothing.. staring wide eyed at the new Ita for a while. Perhaps a slight start at her new voice. Blink... blink.. then he smiles.* Wow.

Ita McNairee: (ack! times up for me. I require eatums)

Aerin Thomas: He smiles a little bit at her new voice. "It's you, love. Trust me...it is."

Joe Vellim: ((Bye!))

Ita McNairee: *tears well up in golden brown eyes, ..her voice.. she hadn't expected that.. she makes a high choked noise and curls up* ((pause)

Ita McNairee: (((there was supposed to be a ? on there.))

Ita McNairee: ((scampers))

Aerin Thomas: ((*Hugs the chumbly one g'bye*))

Joe Vellim: *His attention swings to Aerin as he reassures the woman.. then back to Ita as he nods. It is? oh.. it is*

Aerin Thomas: He purses his lips as Ita curls up, and reaches up to run his hand through his hair. She needs time to deal. He steps forward, reaching down to collect the children, and moves to set them next to Ita...she needs comfort.

Aerin Thomas: That done, he steps back and looks to Joe. A flick of eyes to the bedroom. Give her time...they need to talk, anyway.

Aerin Thomas: ((DLP and pause))

Joe Vellim: *In the bedroom, Joe settles on the bed, bottle in hand. He reels just a bit, but not too much, now that the initial shock is worn off. He watches Aerin quietly.*

Aerin Thomas: He shuts the door and sighs, pulling his cigarettes. Babies are in the other room...he doesn't seem to think it a problem. He offers Joe one, then goes to the window and cracks it. "Everything's ready...I'm good to go."

Joe Vellim: *He holds up a hand to the offer, shaking his head a bit.* Nevah caught th' bug feh dose.. thankee. *He turns on the bed, eyes following Aerin as he takes another pull from the bottle.* O.. oh yeah? *Does he sound nervous? Unsure?*

Joe Vellim: d10: will: 5,10,5,5,

Aerin Thomas: "Yeah." He lights up and leans next to the window. "I've quit my job at the Concerto...I'll be moving out of the apartment in the city. My cell phone number will be changing. All means of contact she'll have with me will be cut off." He looks at the floor as he takes a deep drag off the smoke.

Joe Vellim: ((okay- ten minutes ~is~ too long. sorry.))

Joe Vellim: *He blinks.. watching the other man.* But.. ya.. can't visit, uh summat? Ahmean... comeon..

Aerin Thomas: He looks pained for a moment, brow creasing a bit as the look in his eyes goes distant. "I..." A drag off of the cigarette. "Maybe at some point. She won't...go of her own accord, you realize. And if she keeps trying to contact me, it'll still endanger her, Joe. I can't take that risk...not for a while, anyway." He looks up to Joe, meeting his gaze. There's almost a command in his eyes as he stares at the other. "I'll need you to make sure she doesn't go looking."

Joe Vellim: *Joe seems stricken.. quiet.. perhaps a touch disbelieving.* Aerin... you evah tryta convince Eeda mebbe tree boyds is a bit too much? *He cocks an eyebrow before continuing.* I mean.. yew aint a boyd.. *He shakes his head.* Awright awright.. ah yew gahnna s'plain tings to heh? Oah am I? Cause she don' exactly obey me neiddah..

Aerin Thomas: "I'll..." He presses his lips tightly together. "I'll do it. I should, anyway. That's not your job to do." He reaches up to rub tiredly at his eyes.

Joe Vellim: Ah mean, ah will.. iff'n ya want... mebbe ya should call uh summat dough? Ahmean.. th' kids, oah keepin' heh from thinkin' she should make shuwah yeh okay?

Aerin Thomas: He blinks. "Joe...you do know that I'm taking Tori, right? I told you that, I thought. She's..." He can't say kin or possibly Garou. He swallows hard. "Alexis's child. I can't leave her behind. It's not in any way, shape, or form possible."

Joe Vellim: *He blinks. Stock still... staring. Did Aerin hit him with a mallet?*

Joe Vellim: Cahm again?

Aerin Thomas: He shrugs helplessly. "I know. But I just...I can't, Joe. You...what would..." He shuts his mouth, eyes shutting tightly. There's no words to explain. None that he can use. He turns to face the window, easier to look at darkness outside then to face the other man.

Joe Vellim: *Joe never looks away, even forgets to blink. There is a strange and heavy stillness in his chest as he watches the other man.* n... no, buddy. Dat's not th' kinda ting yew jes' drop... n... leave feh me ta figgah out. Sa... keep goin.

Aerin Thomas: "There's nothing more to it then that." He sighs, eyes lidding again. "Tori is Alexis's child. Alexis, if you weren't aware, was the other woman. I know you're aware of that situation, to a degree. Alexis and Tori's biological father, Liam, charged me with looking after her and protecting her, treating her as if she was my own daughter. And I do...I always have. And I will not...I CAN not...leave her behind."

Joe Vellim: Yew tol' me yew been doin' dis because it aint safe feh Eeda ta be wit ya. Sa... why's it safe feh some liddle kid?

Joe Vellim: *He sounds desolate. Nothing but the words seeming to come from him.*

Aerin Thomas: "It's not safe for Ita because she's hunted by vampires, Joe." He looks over his shoulder, staring at the man. "She is actively being sought out and hunted down by the undead. If Ita continues to be with me as my mate, they'll know something is up. No one gets replaced that quickly. So the vampires need to believe that she is dead. They don't care about the children. Children know no secrets to spill the way Ita did. Tori will be safe with me. And again, I cannot leave her behind."

Joe Vellim: Yew know what bein' an oahphan is like, Aerin? Ahmean.. look. *He stands up, agitated.* Fuck alla dis supehnatural shit.. some tings is jes always th' same. Yew can't jes' fekkin ~take~ a kid away from deah muddah! Ah yew outta yeh mind?

Ita McNairee: *Ita meanwhile has curled up with the children, sobbing quietly in someone else's voice. strange to her ears as she holds her babies to her chest. At least her breasts looked the same from under her sundress. She hears little from the livingroom, too concerned with the high tinkling pitch of her new voice.. her accent.. how'd they get rid of her accent?!*

Joe Vellim: Look, yeh right- ah knew abaht th' uddah woman an' alla dat. Shuwah. But deah's bettah tings ta do abaht dis! Yeh my buddy, right? Mah friend? Ya kin visit ME gahddamnit!!

Aerin Thomas: He turns around now, his expression holding a bitter glare. "I'll have you know, Joe, that I know very damn well what it's like. And I already DID take Tori away from her mother. A mother who's love I will be betraying if I don't take her with me. I've failed enough in my life...failed enough vows. This is my one fucking chance to honor all of them...make Ita safe, make everything okay, honor my pledge to keep all the children safe, and honor my promise to Alexis to always care for Tori. Unless you'd like a potentially psychotic woman hunting us all for me abandoning Tori, I don't know what else you want me the fuck to do."

Joe Vellim: *He moves toward Aerin, hands out as though he might be able to press his point into Aerin's chest. He doesn't touch the man... but somewhere, instinct seems to rise.. he's either trying to be heard.. or to keep him from the door. Its obvious.. the desolation of his face, the desperation of his body language.. apparently, Joe knows a thing or two about it himself.. "Ma" a pleasant fiction.*

Ita McNairee: *the baby's are watching her like she's a stranger, the smells the same.. but that certaintly doesn't look like mom. She sucks her bottom lip and sniffs, hands shaking as she traces black hair from their faces. A swallow* its alright. shh.. its me. Its alright. *seems ita needs more convincing then the babies, who are just somewhat puzzled over it all.. hardly the crying mess ma was*

Aerin Thomas: He remains in that position, posture tense, arms folded over his chest. The cigarette burns down, changing paper and tobacco to ash, parely noticed...his eyes and attention are locked on the man in front of him. Jaw set, hard glare.

Joe Vellim: d10: wp: 10,1,4,6,

Joe Vellim: *Slowly his hands sink.. face reddens..* Yew aint gaht no fukkin right.. no fukkin right..

Ita McNairee: *pale hands.. not the brown tan she'd gotten from so much time in the sun.. but that pinky olive tone.. she blinks at her skin, curling the children close as she tries to get to her feet shakily, still a little wonky from the chloroform.. she needed a mirror.. as much as she was frightened of what she'd see*

Joe Vellim: We'ah like fukkin shrimp ta yew folks.. come in a plattah.. toss out th' tails when ya take th' pahts ya want. *Conflicting emotions roil through the bullish man..*

Ita McNairee: *she didn't want to let go of the babies just yet, breath coming ragged as she sniffs.. funny how losing a few inches makes everything seem so off kilter.. she slowly moves to lower the babies back into their play pen.. she didn't want to drop them.. * there there now.. its alright..

Aerin Thomas: "I have no right to do what, Joe?" His face darkens correspondingly...his taking on a slightly more dangerous tone...subtle differences. "To take ~my~ daughter? You think I want any of this to happen? You think I want to hurt her the way I'm going to hurt her, or hurt her even more by taking Tori?" He leans in, staring him directly in the eyes. If Joe were Garou, this would be a challenge...even not, it is. Just less formal. "You think I'm wanting to rip my own insides out like this? Do you think I'm enjoying the idea of losing my entire life? I'm not. But I have to give up my life. Again. So that this time, those I love can LIVE. And my daughter will go with me. Do you understand?"

Aerin Thomas: d10: Char+Intim (WP): 3,9,8,5,

Joe Vellim: d10: wp: 5,1,6,9,

Aerin Thomas: Joe's comment about shrimp just makes him shake his head, his expression going sullen. "Go, Joe. Be happy with her. You get the chance I don't. Stop hating me...I'm doing it enough for the both of us, and I've got plenty of others that add to the pile. Just be happy for yourself."

Joe Vellim: *Joe begins to shake.. the tendrils of fear tickle across Aerin's nose.. clear and present, the little irishman rooted to the spot, pinned by eyes he can't meet.. he begins to feel smaller and smaller.. growing pale.. feeling less than real. A heady feeling, Aerin.. a power that can actually be controlled.. a handle you can actually have.. right there.. maybe the world will stop spinning? The short man certainly seems cowed.. all but his voice.. a last measure.. a resort he has to take before he feels completely undone.* Yew... best get outta mah face, slim... ahfoah ah fehget mah place..

Joe Vellim: ((Back up! Back up! That was too cool! I want to stick Aerin with that "goodness fear smells good" feeling!))

Ita McNairee: *babies set reluctantly back in their pen, The curvy little woman straightens. Her head whirls from the remaining effects of the chloroform and she jingles to the wall, using it as a guide as she starts down the allway, voice tinkling like little bells*.. Darling?

Aerin Thomas: ((*G* All right.))

Ita McNairee: ((*laughs*))

Aerin Thomas: He sneers at Joe's comment, the man's eyes narrowing, taking on a dangerous gleam...almost predatory. The man's Auspice moon is out...his lip curls, perhaps imagining the man as a rabbit briefly. "My daughter...stays with me. You get enough...you do not get her. Now, tell me...you understand." He looks down on Joe, towering over him...size may matter, but in this moment, it's length and not girth that's holding sway.

Joe Vellim: d10: wp: 6,8,8,2,

Ita McNairee: Loves? *Its quiet as she staggers down the hallway, getting used to her foreign body with every tenative step. oops.. that was a laundry basket, she shoves it out of her way with her foot, moccassin falling off slightly. oh hey.. her feet were smaller... She pushes the bathroom door open.. a deep breath*

Joe Vellim: *The fear doesn't lessen.. but desperation tints it.. the smallest dog in the world backed into a corner will still bare teeth.. and while Joe is inches from pissing himself on the spot, show teeth he does.* Ah undahstan... *his jaw clenches as tears threaten in his eyes.* dat yew best be onya way... afoah ah blow a cat door tru yeh guts... yew muddafuckah.. *he's shamed by the scrape of one foot across the ground.. moving back... then the other.. the sheer force of the terrible violence waiting in Aerin.. the gift from Gaia to all her children.. moves him backward, and out of the man's way. Joes vision blurs and tunnel vision restricts his view.. he still doesn't look at Aerin.*

Ita McNairee: *the lights flicked on.. and there's a stark moment of silence as the pikey looks in the mirror, and has another woman look back at her. Then the silence is broken by a high SHREIK*

Aerin Thomas: Ooh, threaten the viciously angry man with seeming anger-control issues. Wise move, Joseph, very wise. He takes a sudden step forward, coming inches away from the other's face...his lips part in a growl, showing teeth to him. "Enjoy your life, Vellim. Enjoy my gift to you. You keep her safe...or I swear to you on my life that you...won't be." Green eyes--you could imagine them red, though, for all the anger seeming to be in them--take Joe in for just a moment, threatening violence, a release to all the bitterness and pain this is causing him...before he pushes past, stalking for the door.

Aerin Thomas: He freezes at the shriek...his posture tensing up, dropping lower to the floor. There's a single, instantaneous moment where he may very well look like a predatory creature his attitude and general vibe suggest...before the moment is broken by a shout. "ITA!" He takes off in a run, throwing the door open, barrelling for the source.

Ita McNairee: * ah shouldnae o looked en tha mirror.. Her eyes shut tight... Her eyes? no. someone elses eyes.. Hands covering her face as she slumps against the wall, toilet paper holder in her back as she rocks slightly to calm herself. She knew this was what was going to happen. she'd known. It was ok.. She slides down the wall, head buried in her hands.. or someone's hands. *

Joe Vellim: *Joe jerks back visibly- frightened out of his mind in a strangely raw, open moment. Hands that were once feared rise to defend himself- to do what they do best.. but their ferocity is only a shadow of former glory- and far too small to give the garou even a moment of pause. Shamed to his core, Joe exhales in relief that he lives, skin blotched and red from the effort as he sags to the bed.. impotent.*

Joe Vellim: d10: wp: 3,9,2,8,

Joe Vellim: *He manages to fight his way out of the fuge of human memory.. never face down the monsters.. never challenge their domain.. never cease to give ground.. never fail to run.. a mantra spoken in the beating of his heart, in the rise and fall of his lungs- but he manages to stagger after Aerin.. far.. after Aerin.*

Ita McNairee: d10: wp: 2,9,9,10,2,5,8,

Ita McNairee: *Dizziness.. likely from the drug.. her ears buzzing warmly as she attempts to catch her breath. come on ita.. remember breathing? She rocks slowly.. rythmic motion soothing her as she struggles teary eyed to get her breathing under control, letting the familiar jingle of her charms calm her. It was ok. It was no different then when she changed herself. Its was ok. The rocking continues*

Aerin Thomas: He comes into the bathroom, is anger gone, or perhaps transfigured into worry, concern...someone's gotten in, someone's attacked, the fix hasn't taken, the fix is tearing her apart, it's all failed, I knew it would...he turns to Ita, looking at her in a state of near-panic. "Love? What is it, love? Are you okay?"

Ita McNairee: *A teary eyed little blonde looks up at him, peering through her hands in fright, chest heaving as she watches him.. she doesn't say anything.. swallowing and nodding instead, drawing her knees up to her chest*

Aerin Thomas: He drops to his knees, reaching out to smooth her hair, lips pursed. "It's okay, love...you're fine. You're not in any pain, are you? Nothing like that?" Thoughts of Travis Kennedy run through his head...oh, Goddess, not that, please...

Ita McNairee: **Hands coming away from her face as Aerin kneels down. She shakes her head, breath coming ragged but regular. The frizzy blond hair is smoothes best it can be. Strange face wet with tears.. ah'm aulrecht.. * ... I'm alright. *she cringes, hand coming to her head to ward off dizziness. her voice having nothing of the usual song to it.*

Joe Vellim: *Unable, or unwilling to approach too closely, Joe worries over Aerin's shoulder.*

Aerin Thomas: He nods a little and reaches out to take her gently by the shoulders, looking into her face...the new eyes, still brown, still her, even when they have a different look to them. "You're still you, love. You're still the same inside. Still the same person you were before."

Aerin Thomas: How can someone who was so angry, so vicious before...be so calm and gentle now? He looks up at Joe, studying the man a moment before he draws back, letting him take over. She's not Aerin's...she's his. He doesn't get to do this kind of thing.

Aerin Thomas: ((Whoops...pronouns all funky there. "She's not Aerin's...she's Joe's. Aerin doesn't get to do this kind of thing." In case it wasn't clear.))

Joe Vellim: *His fists clench at his sides as Aerin looks at him.. muscles under the shirt jerk slightly, his jaw tightening.. don't step away.. don't step away.. don't be a punk, Joe..*

Joe Vellim: (fuggit- 1 wp point spent.) *Stalwart for a mortal, Joe manages to hold his ground, and strangely, look right back.. if his eyes are a bit shiftier than Aerin's.*

Ita McNairee: *She swallows, pouty lips being nibbled as her rocking is impeded by Aerin's hands on her shoulders. ah dinnae like me voice.. *... I don't like my voice. *Light sap brown eyes look from Aerin to Joe, as she swallows*

Ita McNairee: *still the same on the inside. Something occurs to her, eyes widening as Both her hands fly to her breasts. they didn't... *

Aerin Thomas: "I'm sorry," he says, looking down at Ita's declaration. "You had to change your voice, love...your accent. It would have been a dead giveaway to them. I...I thought you knew I'd thought of that."

Joe Vellim: *He moves past Aerin, but never quite takes his eyes off the man.. crouching down to cradle the woman.. there is no snarky over- the- shoulder glare at Aerin- that sort of pure cheekiness is for the slightly mad. Instead, he holds Ita, gives the sort of contact comfort Joe seems best at- and dreads in the back of his mind.*

Ita McNairee: *Oh thank god.. she still has milk.. and whats this? Joe's holding her? she all but dissolves into the burly irishman, needing the comfort of someone familiar desperately. Sniffling tearily as she clings. ah'd nae thought o tha.. ah-* didn't want my voice to change. .. i can't change it back.

Joe Vellim: Ya look good, Eeda... ya do.. still beeyooteful.. jes' gahnna take some gettin' usta, huh? *Muscles are like rocks.. the man is tense.*

Ita McNairee: *No sing song. Her voice is high and tinkly. Pleasant as hell.. like little bells. But not the warm lullaby it usually is*

Joe Vellim: *One broad hand rises to pet her hair.* Ah know, kiddo... look adit disaway.. when ya get real pissed at me ah'll know 'zactly what names ya callin' me sa ah kin be propah sheepish, huh?

Aerin Thomas: He remains back against the far wall, watching them intently. The not-quite-there look enters his eyes again...the distant, ethereal kind of feel, like he's drifted away from where he is. He covers his mouth, slowly bringing his hand downward to his jawline as if to smooth a non-existant goatee.

Ita McNairee: *If she was a little more at ease she'd perhaps stop to wonder why Aerin had moved out of the way to let joe hold her.. but now she's just too releived to be engulfed in a familiar smell. She didn't fit the same way.. but Joe was the same.. she takes a wavering breath and nods, nibbling her lip* okay.. yeah. no.. its ok. I'm going to be ok. I just.. i have to get used to it.. is all.

Joe Vellim: Yeah.. *Its drawn out, as soft as the man can be as he rocks her gently, keeping the woman encircled, one arm around her head, he presses her temple into his chest.*

Aerin Thomas: He thought it might be easier if he saw it through...if he had seen her in a different form, he'd be able to tell her easier. Not the case...to him, Ita shines right through. Aerin, you moron. What were you thinking? He smiles slightly, and makes to slip out of the bathroom as quietly as he can.

Aerin Thomas: d10: Dex+Stealth+WP+Luck: 7,5,8,5,

Ita McNairee: *her hairs a dark brassy blond color, like old gold, cushioning her head as she lets joe hug her to his broad chest, taking a deep breath*.. oh.. do i still smell like me? *Dark Amber eyes look up at the irishman*

Joe Vellim: ((ST?))

Aerin Thomas: ((Aroo?))

Joe Vellim: ((Does she still smell the same?))

Aerin Thomas: ((Oh. Umm...sweat glands would be same...her skin wasn't replaced, just lightened. Her body chemistry is all the same, so yes, I would say that she smells the same.))

Joe Vellim: *His eyes seep into hers, warm, and loving.* Yew shuwah dew, Eeda.. an' ah'm glad ta be smellin' dem apples feh once, huh?

Ita McNairee: *oh thank god. She exhales sharply in releif. unaware until just now she'd been holding her breath. She buries her head into his chest and sighs shakily*

Aerin Thomas: He slips away, into the hallway, and makes his way with quiet, careful steps into the main room. His eyes shut, trying to focus. What to do...so much to do. Gotta focus...gotta remember. So many thoughts swirl around inside his mind...the last time seeing Ita's original form, enjoying the look of fear on Joe's face, the idea of leaving Tori behind, Joshua condemning him and beating the snot out of him...somewhere in there is a list of things to be done. He needs to think...but those thoughts can't surface amongst the rest.

Joe Vellim: *Joe keeps petting and holding for a while.. he doesn't push the pi-... uh.. Ita. Only after her breathing softens, does he speak again.* Wanna look wit me?

Ita McNairee: *the little woman breathes deeply a few moments, before struggling to stand, nodding*..yeah.. i think i want to take another gander... *she stays close to him as she rises to her feet. Shorter. She's now a full 2 inches shorter, topping out at five feet*

Joe Vellim: *He supports her to her feet, keeping one arm around the woman as the other moves the hair out of her face. A smile creases his ruined features as he gazes at her encouragingly.*

Aerin Thomas: Clothes. He nods a little. He needs clothes. He goes into the bedroom, grabbing a suitcase, and starts putting pulling stuff from the closet, setting them inside. All praise the fact that he dresses in pretty much the same few outfits...he doesn't have much to pack. He'd leave it behind, if he didn't...no. He shakes his head with the thing half-full. He can't just take it all...he has clothes. He pauses, staring at the suitcase.

Ita McNairee: *she swallows and flashes him a weak smile, before turning to the mirror she'd fled from. A blonde woman stares back at her. She swallows.. so too does the blonde. She blinks.. the blonde does too. A pale hand reaches to touch the cool surface of the mirror, and then her own face. *.. whoo. *she breathes out sharply. then blinks and looks to joe in the mirror. Her eyes shut and she concentrates*

Joe Vellim: *His eyebrows draw together as one hand drifts against her chin. He tries to gently get her attention.* No, Ita.. don't.. jes' look feh now.. okay?

Ita McNairee: d10: back to ita (wp): 8,9,7,4,2,9,

Ita McNairee: (or nix that roll.. as joe grabbed her)

Ita McNairee: *A high wimp and she opens her eyes again, blinking at joe and looking back in the mirror. She sniffs and rests her head on the broad irishman's shoulder, eyes on herself. *.. where's aerin?

Joe Vellim: *He swallows before he answers.. his gaze flicking to her reflected hair as his arm tightens comfortingly around her.* He's takin careah some stuff..

Ita McNairee: *her voice is soft and light. almost airy as she whispers* the babies don't recognize me. They're confused.

Joe Vellim: Eeda... deah tew young.. neiddah onah dem kin see yet.. at least dat's what th' book says.. don' wahrry Peaches.. *he strokes her cheek, pets this new hair.*

Aerin Thomas: He half-starts with continuing packing, before stopping...he's not an indecisive man. Not any more. Take control in your life. Make a choice, and accept the consequences of your actions. The voice churns up from the distant past, the reek of scotch and the baneful, angry glare of a man months dead coming with it. He stops and closes his eyes, focusing, and starts packing the clothes up in earnest.

Ita McNairee: Of course they can see. bollox. they're not kittens. *she sniffs and hugs close to him, before attempting to draw away.. to seek out aerin and the babies.*

Joe Vellim: *He only grudgingly lets her go.. but he does.. though he doesn't follow closely. Instead, Joe moves into the bedroom only long enough to pick up the Chivas. He doesn't speak, doesn't look at Aerin. Takes the bottle and moves a bit closer to the shotgun on the couch.*

Aerin Thomas: The suitcase is shut, and he looks around...tranq gun is at the apartment...his staff is in the car. There's other things...but he can let them go. He doesn't need them...there's nothing crucial. He winces as Joe walks in...shit, Ita's coming. Goddess dammit...it's the moment of truth.

Ita McNairee: d10: per alert: 8,3,9,3,

Ita McNairee: Aerin? *she pokes her head into the bedroom, holding onto the doorframe with a faint jingle. She cocks her head like a dog as she notes the suitcase.* Hey.... where are we going?

Joe Vellim: *He sits on the couch, staring into the bottle for a moment. What the fuck, Joe.. if she's all you've got, there better be a little more than pissin yourself over some buck-oh-five pipsqueak.. he tries not to think of the eyes. The.. ~presence~.. instead, time for a bit of courage in a can. He tips the bottle back.*

Aerin Thomas: He looks at her, his heart breaking. "We're not going anywhere, Ita. I am." He closes his eyes, focusing in order to hone his will, strength of purpose...to call upon Gaia. Joe may notice it...but hopefully, he'll understand.

Aerin Thomas: d10: Persuasion: 3,8,3,8,9,9,5,

Joe Vellim: *He reaches for the lump at the small of his back... and takes a moment to stare at the menacing weapon he fishes out of the couch. He stares at its bulk.. and its implications. Its the fact that she loves him that guides his hands to break open the action.. eject the shells into the couch.. he closes it back, and picks up the bottle.*

Aerin Thomas: ((Per+Aware possible))

Joe Vellim: d10: per/aware: 8,9,3,4,

Ita McNairee: *she frowns at the somber tone, stepping further into the room and reaching her hand out* what do you mean darling? Where?

Joe Vellim: *The bottle hits the carpet with a dull thunk as he looks up- shouting in a vicious blare as he scrambles for the shells again.* HEY!

Ita McNairee: *the not-so-pikey jumps as joe blares, spooked* Joe? what is it?

Joe Vellim: *The tremor in his hands... that damn tremor.. the first shell skates across the breech, plinks off the bottle as he tries for the other one. Great.. what a great time for th' fekkin' shakes.*

Aerin Thomas: His eyes open, and he looks at Ita. "Ita...I can't be here anymore. This place, here with you...I can't do it. We can't be together...I really hate this, but it's just not going to work. Love isn't enough...not anymore. I'm part of a world that you're not, and I can't turn my back on it. I can't keep lying about who I am, or what I am. And you belong in a world where you have someone who can be with you all the time, and be a good father for...for Archibald. Someone he won't be afraid of for the rest of his life. Someone like Joe. We're going to be all right...we're going to be the people we need to be. And we'll both be okay, apart. I'm sorry...I never wanted this to happen, but I know the truth now. It's just not going to work."

Aerin Thomas: ((Throwing Willpower and ALL luck dice into this roll.))

Aerin Thomas: d10: Char+Exp vs. five: 6,6,7,2,1,10,

Aerin Thomas: ((And that would equate to...count 'em. 11 successes with the uber-effects of Persuasion in place.))

Joe Vellim: *Over the shuddering wham of his heart, Joe manages to hear the tone of Aerin's voice.. only the feeble edges.. but he sounds far from angry.. no violence at all.. rather a seriousness that demands attention be paid.. His hands slow.. shell poised to go into the chamber.. his breathing slows.. man.. is he freakin' out..*

Ita McNairee: d10: futile wp: 5,8,6,9,7,8,5,

Aerin Thomas: ((Yeah, that's one determined ex-pikey, fighting in the face of overwhelming odds. *S*))

Joe Vellim: *He picks the bottle up off the carpet.. sheepish.. cripes he was a wreck. Lookit.. Poah people havin' a hahd discussion.. heah he is.. actin like some kinda junior space- cadet. He rises to go into the kitchen, toss the bottle away and get another.*

Joe Vellim: ((I hate both of you. Yes. No coming to my birthday party EVER. You hog all the successes.))

Ita McNairee: *she makes a small noise in her throat, something caught undecided between a croak and a moan.. her head tilting slowly to the side..as though he were speaking greek.. when its all too clear from the crumpling of her posture that she understood full well what he said*.. what? no... *she shakes her head vehemently* No.. that.. no that doesn't make any sense love.

Snow: (Can I come tho? *Looks around all innocent like*))

Joe Vellim: ((Snow, you can come. You can play with my presents and have cake too. But not them.*nods*))

Joe Vellim -> Aerin Thomas: ((sorry. shutting up.))

Snow: ((Aw *Hugs* Grins* Coolness))

Ita McNairee: why-what.. what do you mean its not enough? *her voice is high, and maybe thats what makes it so much more a whimper than an arguement.. woman swallowing hard as her cheeks grow salty*

Aerin Thomas: He bites down hard on his tongue to keep from coming over to sooth the woman...his instincts cannot come into play. "Yes, Ita...it does, and you know it does. Tori and I...you know what we are. We can't be here. You know I wish that wasn't the truth...you know I tried. But...I've done everything I could...made sure you were safe. I've done everything I can...but I have to leave. Don't come look for me, please. You've got a life here...Joe will be good for you. The paperwork for the farm is in my drawer...it's all signed over to Gina Torrio. I just...I have to go. I'm sorry." He grabs the suitcase and tries to move by her, into the main room.

Aerin Thomas -> Joe Vellim: ((No, it's cool! *S*))

Aerin Thomas: "It means that we belong in a different world. A world you can't be a part of. And you know that."

Ita McNairee: *God people are unattractive when they cry.. and new look or not, ita's no different, eyes puffing a bleary red, she sniffs as her nose reddens, tears streaming down her face* Aerin don't.. *she chokes it out in a sob, reaching her hand to him as he goes by, trying to catch his shirt, or some part of him. he couldn't be leaving. Not really.* please .. don't go.. don't take tori.. please.. don't... please? *its almost a howl.. a little like he was slowly backing over a small dog with the hybrid*.. i can fix it..?

Aerin Thomas: He stops and looks at her, his resolve starting to frey inside. Green eyes waver, his limbs start to shake...but his words remain strong. "There's no fixing it, Ita. It's not going to work, okay? Just...please, Ita. If you love me...let me go. I HAVE to do this!" He might seem to hesitate, if one could read his thoughts... Give in. You can fix it. It'll all be all right. But his body, that rigid, lanky body, doesn't hesitate. It turns and continues on, heading out into the main room. Toward the pen with the two unsuspecting little children inside.

Joe Vellim -> Aerin Thomas: ((per/alert roll bro.))

Joe Vellim: *Joe remains motionless.. staring between his knees.. a bottle in one hand.. a shotgun.. uh oh.. in the other.*

Joe Vellim: *Sitting on the couch.*

Aerin Thomas: d10: Per+Alert: 10,10,6,6,6,9,

Aerin Thomas: ((Jesus!))

Ita McNairee: Aerin.. please god no.. *desperation spurs her to action, and she tries again to grab his arm as he moves towards the pen.. suddenly frantic. He couldn't take Tori.. He couldn't really mean that.. this was aerin. this was aerin, and he wasn't so cruel.. * you can't.. *she sobs*

Joe Vellim: ((Ah... okay, well, as well as idly knowing exactly how many pores are in Joe's face, Aerin sees that the shotgun is not cocked, one of the shells is on the ground, and... uh... the.. carpet needs to be vaccuumed? Also, Joe doesn't seem to be prepared to stop him. Oh, and most likely his middle name is Marvin. And, again... I hate you a lot. *nods* there.))

Ita McNairee: d10: dex brawl.. to grab: 8,3,3,2,4,

Aerin Thomas: d10: Dex+Dodge: 5,9,9,2,5,

Aerin Thomas: "What do you think that my people will do if they find out I left her with you, Ita?" he growls as he slips out of her grasp and continues on, a sound of frustration that's nearly boiling over. Facing away, she can't see the tears starting to form...one's he's determined to hold in, until he's gone. "What do you think Alexis would do?"

Joe Vellim: *Joe wipes his eyes and looks away.. the shotgun still floats, pointed at the ground in confusion and indecision. If it were Archie.. simple.. brace the barrels against Aerin's body and watch the confetti.. but Tori.. a gray area.*

Ita McNairee: to hell with alexis... *she keens, a heartbroken noise gurgling up from deep in her chest* Aerin.. please.. Please? wha- what'll she.. eat.. and.. who'll t-t-take c-c-are of h-h-her..? *she's a sniffling hiccuping mess, dissolving into tears as she stumbles towards Aerin*..pleeeease..

Joe Vellim: *He twitches, hearing Ita's feet shift against the ground uncertainly. He'd go be her legs.. if he had his own.*

Aerin Thomas: "I've got options," is all he says to that. He sets the suitcase down and leans over, arms reaching out to draw Tori out of the pen, away from her brother. You're a monster, Jeremy. Dream is gone, but you remain. He stands up with her, tucking her into one arm and moving toward a carrier to put her in it.

Aerin Thomas: ((Sorry, edit: Dream is gone, and you're all that remains.))

Ita McNairee: *she makes a high tortured sort of scream as he picks up the little girl, body vibrating with it as archie starts to cry from the tension. the pikey's overtaken by a choking sort of frame rattling whimpering, her hands coming to cover her mouth*

Ita McNairee: *she's shaking her head, as though denial that it was happening would make it not so*

Joe Vellim: *At that, Joe finally rises, dropping the shotgun to the couch, setting the bottle on the table as he crosses the room to Ita. Hopes that she'll take what he can give, as he attempts to wrap her in his arms.*

Aerin Thomas: He jumps at the scream, eyes squeezing shut and jaw setting. "Ita! PLEASE!" He sets Tori into the carrier and straps her in, looking up to her. "Just...Jesus CHRIST! Let me do this...please?" His voice is rough, and taking on a tone of near pleading. "You know it needs to happen, dammit!" He grabs the carrier with one hand, the suitcase with another. He stalks his way toward the door...Joe won't shoot him with Tori in his hands. He looks away from Ita, over to Joe, the tears starting to fall...he allows a moment of utter desolation, heart-breaking misery to shine through, before it's gone. "I'm holding you to that." And he heads to the door.

Joe Vellim: *Maybe he hears him.. nods at the man's words, likely, still trying to touch the near- frenzied woman.*

Ita McNairee: no-oo. *Her entire frame shaking with sobs, she's gathered to Joe's chest. Small hands furling and unfurling as she steps into the broad irishman and presses close.. hard to tell if she needs comfort that badly.. or is trying to somehow meld through the man to get to aerin and tori.. unthinking. she's beyond words, having dissolved into keening noises of pure sorrow. She sounds painfully like a tortured dog*

Ita McNairee: *red ringed, panicked eyes fixed soley on Aerin as he heads to the door*

Joe Vellim: Eeda ah'm sahrry.. ah'm sahrry.. *he murmurs it against the side of this stranger's head.. offering her all he can of warmth, whatever solace is his to give.*

Aerin Thomas: Just a few steps more, Jeremy. Just a few more fucking steps and you've won. He opens the door, pushes open the screen, and stops, turning around. I'm sorry, Ita...I'm so, so fucking sorry. I want you to know that. I love you more then anything, and I always will. This is killing me. Be happy. Be loved the way you deserve to be. You're safe now, and they won't try to hurt you anymore. If she could read his mind, that's what she'd hear. Instead, she gets... "I'm sorry, Ita. I...Goodbye." He shakes his head, and steps out of the house, heading toward the car.

Ita McNairee: *a bone rattling sob and she lurches against joe. Voice cracking as whatever final plea she was trying for is strangled in her chest by raw emotion. Her body loses all strength as Aerin dissappears out the door, sagging into joes arms limply.. the blonde woman beyond consolation*

Joe Vellim: *Well, at least the stout irishman's form is good for something.. he helps Ita to the couch, retrieving the still wailing Archie to collect and hold them both. Too much all at once, words fail. He hopes that's all that does.*

Aerin Thomas: To the car. To the car. That's the thought he pushes to the surface. He opens the passenger door, setting a crying, upset baby girl inside...all that can be heard through Tori's tears is "Dag! Dag!" He sets his jaw and slides the suitcase over the seats into the backseat, then shuts the door. A quick and steady pace around the back of the car, glancing to the blue '84 Escort...it's theirs too, now, signed over, the keys on the rack by the door. He opens the car door and slips in, shutting it and fumbling to try and get the key in the lock. Several tries, and it just won't fit in, until he's in tears himself, sobs shaking his body. He slams the key into place and he turns the ignition, starting the car up.

Ita McNairee: *no. no. she could still get them back.. she could still. talk to them. and getthem back.... but she's too weak to struggle against joe.. eyes still on the door as she hyperventilates, patheticly hopeful.. maybe.. he would come back.. he couldn't go.. he couldn't.. he loved her.. he did.. he'd never do this. not really. Her breath comes short, neck and hem of her sundress wet with tears as she begins to get lightheaded*

Aerin Thomas: "Shh, Tori," he soothes the girl through his tears, fighting them back for a moment. He starts to sooth the girl in Romani, wiping at his eyes and nose. He needs to get home. It's over...and there's still so much to do. He backs the car out and turns it around, driving away from the house...from her. His heart is left behind with the sobbing blonde...in a way, he envies her. She can cry...he has to push it down. Fight it. No tears...be strong. He still has a long drive to go. And the only thing keeping him from doing 90 straight into a tree on the way is the sad little girl next to him. "It'll be okay," he whispers, as he pulls away from the farm.

Joe Vellim: *Joe presses Ita back against his chest, Archie on the other side. Neither seems in a hurry for calm.. his own vapid desolation barely compares, but keeps him silent as well. Face as wracked as the rest of him for some way to help them- he drags a blanket carefully up over the three of them as tears start to wet his face*

Ita McNairee: *Hope escapes her when she hears the car pull out of the driveway. The little woman collapsing in on herself in Joe's arms. Its hard to tell from her shaking whether she's laughing or crying. Though the tears would imply crying.. the shrill helpless giddiness would imply otherwise, her hands curling almost painfully into Joes back*

Joe Vellim: *Blue eyes are dimmed and forlorn as he watches Ita.. for a moment the thought rises behind his eyes.. they both always said "not all of them are bad".. he wonders where this falls on that scale. Joe presses his lips into the top of Ita's head, his left arm rocking Archie carefully.*

Joe Vellim: *He whispers* Wheah right heah.. right heah.. it'll be okay, Eeda.. it won't always be hahd..

Ita McNairee: *the baby.. the helpless laughter/crying stops abruptly, face crumpling as she puts her arms out for archie.. looking almost scared that joe's going to shake his head no.. and take her son away too.*

Aerin Thomas: And he's gone off to the city. The Curse remains broken...or rather, changed. Everyone around him will be okay...he's the one goes downhill. The sounds of the car fade into the night, until they're gone with an utter finality to them.

Joe Vellim: *He doesn't hesitate, letting Ita take Archie, the little pink bundle right next to her anyway. He helps them get settled, leaning back with the woman on his lap and the blanket over them.*

Aerin Thomas: ((Aaaaand out. Wow. Um. Thanks for the scene, guys. Was truly awesome. *Hugs all tightly*))

Joe Vellim: ((That was good- but I don't know how long I can last playing with you two before I'm some kind of sobbing wreck.*L*))

Ita McNairee: ((rocked all kindsa ass. *hugs*))

Ita McNairee: I'm so sorry.. *she whispers, heartbroken to the little boy in her arms* I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry. *tears patter on archibald's face as the unfamilar blonde woman apologizes with soul crushing sincerity. Smoothing the black wisps of his hair as she tucks him close to her chest. * I di-didn't try hard enough archie.. i'm..i'm so sorry.. *she trails off into hiccupping sobs, the little boy crying in confusion*

Joe Vellim: *Impotence does not a becoming Joe make.. his face screws up in sorrow.. knowing that not only did he not try at all.. he'd known, and did nothing.* S'naht yeh fault..

Joe Vellim: *One broad hand settles against her hair, petting gently.*

Ita McNairee: *a gurgling sound in her throat as she chokes on tears, collapsing into joe and curling very small, baby boy held close, as though she's frightened he'll dribble out of her fingers.. Her head is spinning too much as she sobs silently, no end to tears in sight*

Joe Vellim: *Joe holds them and lets them cry.. they're warm, and safe, they get to cry in peace. With one hand he reaches into a pocket to turn off his phone.. then the limb wraps back around the two forms on his lap.* Ah love yew.. an' everytin's gahnna go okay.

Ita McNairee: *that just solicites a fresh batch of tears. Pikey crying until she is too exhausted to cry anymore, limp and silent against the boxer's chest*

Joe Vellim: *Alright Joe. shaddap. Just hold.. fekkin worthless bahstahd..*

Ita McNairee: *and so she's just held*