Scotsman and Irishman: The Right Way -- Jamie/Alex Rourke

He shrugged.

"Not necessarily. It's possible tha' th' lass did nay mention her t' me for a good reason, an' she told ye th' complete truth. Or th' lass knew her under a different name, an' it's a name I've heard before, an' often. Or sure, she lied. But I would nay get up in arms about it yet. If it worries ye, I can be there when ye ask her. I knew Griselda probably better than anyone."

Alex shook his head, "I appreciate the offer, Jamie, but somehow I think You'll understand when I say I prefer to fight my battles by myself. I know that you and Grace'll be more'n willin' to help. I just feel that I owe it to myself, and to her to ask her personally and privately given.... stuff."

His own face darkened.

"Then ye know."

Alex tilted his head, "I know what, exactly?"

He stared at the Gangrel.

"Nevermind."

Alex looked at him, "Man, you've just asked me to be you're spymaster. If you're not willin' to tell me yourself you know full well there's a good chance I'll find it out on my own. Or would you prefer it if I did. And is it about the Assamite in question or somethin' else entirely?"

He sighed.

"It was me, misunderstandin' ye. I thought ye meant t' ask Griselda herself. Which makes me verra agitated, even wi' a pint in me."

"Jamie..." Alex's tone was soft, and he was very clearly choosing his words carefully, "Were it that I could ask her and believe me when I say I think I've got a plan to get her back. But I've no way to speak to her where ever she's gone at this point."

He smiled.

"Och, aye? Ye can tell yourself tha' if ye wish."

He couldn't help but grin.

"Watch out for Rebecca for me, will ye? She's a wee bit special."

Alex simply smirked, "Ahh, gimme a bit more credit than that, old man," clearly the term old man was meant in good humor, "I am after all known for being both unorthodox and resourceful."

He laughed.

"Verra well. I got some call a while back from th' Harpy. He came across someone who looked like Griselda in a church. But she was breathing. I dinna ken wha' happened on tha' beach, but I had her checked out, thoroughly. By someone I trust, an' then a few more. Things like tha' just don't happen. But, it's her, aye, an' I had her Embraced a Gangrel t' keep her safe from th' Tremere. She's dead if they find out, along wi' several others. Myself included."

Alex nodded. "Who's her sire?"

He smiled

"Vaziri al-Suwari. Turkish gentleman who came as a special favor t' Embrace her. She's nay an idiot, I did nay see th' need t' keep her under his Accounting. She's three centuries old, for th' love of all tha' be holy."

Alex nodded. "I guess this puts me on the Tremere's hit list too then, huh?"

He nodded.

"Aye. But only if they find out. She knows t' only tell those she trusts implicitly. An' she will tell someone. She needs th' help. She went from a Tremere elder what had plenty o' status wi' th' Camarilla an' her own Clan, t' a neonate Gangrel overnight. She did nay ha' a choice in what Clan she was Embraced into. She was sent t' th' Gangrel by my choice. She does nay ha' any o' her Tremere powers anymore, an' she's startin' everything from scratch. It's hard on her. She needs people."

Alex nodded, "I'll do all I can to help her. But I'll need to keep any eye on Scion as well."

His brows lifted.

"How d' ye mean?"

"Do you know about Scion's... condition?"

He smiled.

"His anger management issues when he changes his name? Aye."

Alex nodded, "Rebecca, as she is now, is young and relatively vulnerable. She won't have th skill to take Deimos if there's a shift. Deimos will target her because he knows he can hurt or even kill her and because he knows other people care about her. Harming her, he knows, will cause so much more anger and suffering. That's why I'll have to keep an eye on him."

He looked thoughtful.

"Aye, she's young and vulnerable. But, she's also mentally much older. She may nay ha' th' power she used t', but she's smart enough, I think, t' mostly take care o' herself. God help me, I canna believe I'm about t' say this, but we've a ghoul in town who does nay belong t' any member o' this domain. T' put it simply, if worse comes t' worst, point him in her direction if ye have t'. She's a sweet girl, but I'd rather end up owin' a boon for a ghoul than deal wi' a breach o' Destruction."

Alex's eyebrow raised, "Who's the ghoul?"

He shrugged with a smile.

"Girl by th' name o' Alexandria. Tremere ghoul, but is free-roamin'."

"Who's been keeping her in the loop, and where can I find her? Also, do we have any idea who she at least belonged to or does she just answer to the Tremere as a whole?"

He seemed to shrug.

"It was a nice lass called Meerlinda who called me about her. Askin' for her t' be permitted t' roam around. She does nay get involved wi' Kindred so much, though she does nay fit in too much wi' th' mortals anymore. I guess she keeps t' herself a lot, an' spends time at th' fairgrounds a lot, as well."