| Logs |
2025 September 21
| Goblin Town |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
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| Realms: Goblin Town Logs |
Rated Them at Courtship, Pleasant Jest
Inside the barabara, Thorn's aim is to observe, and be subtly noticed as paying close, if disappointed, attention... like he really is there to keep Sparrow from utterly destroying these two. He knows how bullies operate, and as he watches Sparrow figuratively tear into the two, he's sadly not surprised at how accurate Cinnamon was regarding the two ravens' reactions and protestations. Thorn is tired of bullies -- or maybe he's just run into more than a few... including a couple of gods. To be honest, if gods can change their outlook and stop being bullies -- and right now he's mentally looking at Aoi and Killa and hoping they turn out to be not-bullies -- then these two little shapeshifters should be able to as well. But that's going to require a blunt, scalding dressing-down from Sparrow. Frankly, Thorn is expecting something that would make his drill sergeant in the Guard gape in astonishment.
Sparrow's entrance into the barabara might as well have been the blowing in of a cold front, so icy is his demeanor. He looks all around the room as he says, "The woman that just stormed out of here bears one of the most powerful spirit beasts I've ever met. She is one of the most giving, generous, amazing people I know and you two," he spins on the ravens, "have upset her to the point of wanting to leave the rest of these people. What in the name of all that we all hold holy did you fucking say to her? I want it all and don't you fuckin' dare try to equivocate because this guy?" He points at Shane with a smirk, "can hear a lie a clear as a bell. Not only that, he's the dragon's mate, so an insult to her is an insult to him. So spill it!" Shane keeps his mouth shut, lips in a tight line, barely even twitching when he's referred to as Cinnamon's mate. After all, as far as he's concerned, that's exactly what he is and she's not here to freak out at hearing it.
The two ravens' eyes go wide as their gazes go from Sparrow to Shane and back again. They could try to play it down, play it off, say it was just a joke... but they're dealing with THE Trickster here -- and he doesn't seem to think whatever they did was funny! So eventually it all comes out -- the joke that was made. The brother who made it squirms like a worm on a hook, while his brother looks shame-faced and tries to apologize: they were just trying to lighten-! -- and Sparrow cuts him right off at the knees, "A true Trickster does not punch down. A Trickster exists to cut off the arrogant at the knees, boy! We are here to show hubris for what it is. We are sacred clowns -- not jackasses with juvenile senses of humor! I am ashamed of you for this." He looks around the room, "As should all of you be. I am your councilor now and I will fight tooth and claw for all of you," yellow eyes glower back at the ravens, "even you two assholes -- but you will not disrespect those that are trying to help you!"
Around the room people are going silent, eyes wide. The people here are spirits, shapeshifters, and all other manner of supernatural. Many of them are quite powerful in their own right. None of them, however, have been in the same room as something like this... at least not in a very long time. The two ravens are hanging their heads as they stand in front of the man that seems to tower over the whole room despite standing maybe six feet tall -- it's really hard to pin Sparrow's height down. His voice softens slightly, "She's leaving and I am not going to stop her because she feels she cannot trust these two to keep their word not to be little boys throwing rocks... but know that she will still also fight for you if you need her in her role as Thirteenth Chair. If I know her heart, she will not let the antics of these two children bring harm on the rest of my people."
He flicks his hands dismissively at the raven brothers, "Sit down. We will speak more later." With that, he spins on his heel and leaves the room again to go find Cinnamon, Shane right on his heels. Thorn lets out a breath he didn't know he was holding. That was an amazing dressing-down, and Thorn has to work to keep a mask of disappointment on his face. He really is disappointed in the raven brothers, of course... but he felt himself stiffening and almost standing at attention at Sparrow's tone. He goes back outside with the others to meet with Cinnamon.
As they round the barabara, Sparrow's shoulders loosen a little and he shakes his head, "I swear those two deserve a goddamn spankin', and not the fun kind. Fuckin' children. I hate havin' to go all DI on people." Shane chuckles a little at Sparrow's muttering, since he knows about the man's military background.
When the men round the barabara, they find Cinnamon tightly curled up and leaning against Marcus, where the two are sitting on a small boulder. Marcus looks almost feline in the way he's nestled in with Cinnamon, petting her back and shoulders where she's cuddled up against him -- he's not about to let this opportunity pass. Shane blinks at the sight and surprises himself by feeling nothing but a sense of relief that his acushla looks comfortable there and not scared.
Cinnamon doesn't immediately notice her friends returning... though when she hears footsteps, her eyes fly open immediately -- if it's those horrible raven boys, she... she'll, umm... oh! Right: she'll turn into a dragon and scorch their bottoms if she has to, to keep them away! Marcus can feel the sudden tension in her -- followed almost immediately by a small sigh of relief as she sags back against him... then whispers softly, "Do they look... upset still or not to you, Marcus?"
Marcus smiles and murmurs back, "Shane's looking relaxed and relieved. Sparrow's frowning, but he's not walking like he's going to slap someone silly like he was before. Thorn looks relieved as well. No one's covered in blood. I think things must have gone fairly well."
Cinnamon sighs hugely in relief! "Ohthankgoodness! Th-thanks so much, schatzie -- I d-didn't want to cause even more p-problems, y'know?" She sits up slowly, one hand still unconsciously on Marcus until her asthore is within reach too. Marcus's brows shoot up at that term of endearment; that's an amazingly good sign! His ears feel a little warm -- in fact, he's quite sure they're pink at the tips! He squeezes her hand and then just holds it loosely, pretty sure she's going to pull free once Shane gets close enough.
Shane walks up to the boulder and reaches out, smiling, "Hey, acushla. Sparrow set things straight in there. Ready to head home? We can come back to pick up anyone that wants to stay."
Cinnamon beams up at Shane, "R-really? It's... all taken care of?" At his smile and nod, she sighs gustily in relief, straightening up to hug him tightly and rest her head against his chest.
Sparrow nods, "I'll be staying because they're my people now and I think they've got it through their heads how to behave, but I'm not going to ask you to stay around a couple little jackasses that are still learning what Trickster nature is about. You don't deserve that. I can even find my own way home if you don't want to make that round-trip. It's a long one and takes a lot out of you."
Cinnamon just holds tight to Shane for a few heartbeats... then raises her head enough to reply to Sparrow, "Th-th-thank you so! Much! f-for... for taking care of that without my having to -- t-to be part of it anymore, Sparrow." She sighs tiredly, then adds, "I can come back if you want, though. I mean, it's... kinda my fault you're here?"
Thorn nods. "I haven't done any medical checks yet," he says, "so I'll stay and do that. I'll head back to Coblyn with Sparrow, if I may, Cinnamon?"
Sparrow nods, "I'll make sure he's safe and sound. Scout's honor." His lips twitch a little at that last part, but Shane doesn't so much as bat an eyelash, so Sparrow's apparently telling the truth.
Cinnamon nods from where she's snuggled up against her lovely, reassuring Shane-asthore, feeling like she could handle almost anything like this! "That's fine, Thorny -- and it gives Sparrow a reason to call for a lift too." She smiles a bit tiredly at Sparrow's comment, and nods... but doesn't say anything else for now. Instead she glances back at Marcus, still smiling quietly, "You wanna stay or go, Daki-chan?"
Marcus smiles, "I'll go with you, I think. Let Sparrow deal with his new folk on his own terms."
Sparrow chuckles and nods, "I think I can do that."
Cinnamon wonders to herself if it'd be easier to just fly to some nearby town or city, eat the rest of breakfast there... and fly back here when Sparrow calls. She nods again at Marcus, "Okay, that's fine! Umm... is there anything else you need, Sparrow, or can we go now?"
Sparrow moves in and gives Cinnamon a one-armed hug, "We're good for now, darlin'. Go with your guys and shake this off." Both Shane and Marcus give Sparrow a bit of A Look at that, but neither of them says anything... Shane because he's stunned that he doesn't feel a lie in it, and Marcus because he's not about to rock the boat if no one else is.
Cinnamon hugs back without releasing Shane completely, "Okay." It takes her a moment to blink and puzzledly wonder: 'guys'? Shaney's just one person, even if he is long, tall, and noble! ...isn't he?
Cinnamon sighs softly as Sparrow and Thorn head off, murmuring, "Actually... guys, can I talk you into maybe... visiting Seattle with me? It's close, and I won't have to fly for ten hours if we stay nearby... if you d-don't mind?"
Shane grins, "I've always wanted to visit Seattle. Actually, there are a lot of places I've never been that I'd love to go someday."
Marcus looks thoughtful, "It'll be a lot of walking, since we can't really rent a vehicle there. Rental cars aren't all that safe for me. Is it a walkable city?"
Cinnamon thinks for a few moments, and the two young men can see her starting to straighten up as her mind turns over a problem to be solved rather than dwelling on her painful recent occurrence. "Umm... from what I've heard, all the public transport is steel -- even the monorail. Plus I can't exactly land us in any central plaza. But... what about... maybe they have rental bicycles there now? Let me check, okay, Marcus?"
Marcus nods and stays near Cinnamon while she looks things up. Shane slides an arm around his acushla and nuzzles her hair, breathing in her scent. He's got utter faith in her to find an answer to this quandary. Cinnamon pulls her cell phone and her fingers fly across it as she checks, "Hm... cool, Pike Place Market would work -- lots of wood and brick and partly underground... we could visit the troll... ah! Here we go." She reads silently for a few seconds... and then looks up with a hopeful smile, "How about landing in one of the more tree-filled public parks, and then using electric rental bikes? Apparently they're mostly made of carbon fiber now!" She pauses, considering, then curiously adds, "I know you're okay with titanium, Marcus, so... is aluminum okay too? Neither of them contain any cold iron, which steel does?" Cinnamon happily adds, "Pike Place is a really big marketplace with a ton of stores in it, but they're all singletons, if that makes sense? No commercial chains... so there's a lot of cool and unique stuff there -- including restaurants! Does that sound at all interesting?"
Marcus looks rather impressed, "That would work, yes. I'm sure some of the engine parts are likely steel, but if we're careful, I won't be touching those parts. I would love to explore this place. It sounds like Coblyn's market, only for humans."
Shane beams, "I love this idea!"
Cinnamon looks relieved, "Okay! Let me set up the map for Shaney, and then I'll change." She's crossing her fingers mentally that the guys enjoy this -- she really wants to make sure everyone's happy, so no one is mean again! The little dragon is still working on not feeling responsible for others' abusing her, after all. Fortunately it doesn't take long for Cinnamon to get ready, and for the two men to buckle in once she's shifted. She warns them she's going to try to fly in quick and low to lessen the odds of too many folks spotting her, so they should hang on once the city appears, since she may have to suddenly drop altitude. After that it takes only about 15 minutes for the flight -- though Cinnamon finds it a little nerve-wracking since it's almost entirely over ocean!
Cinnamon does as she warned, flying in fast and low and nearly clipping some redwoods as she whirls around one wing to make the beautiful park clearing she wants to land in. She beams once she's down, murmuring, "Did it! Just like flying practice on the Valkyrie! How are you guys?"
Marcus looks a little woozy, but only a little. Shane is grinning and laughing because he likes the swooping maneuvers and was expecting it. He strokes Cinnamon's snout, "That was fun, a ghrą."
Cinnamon beams at Shane and Marcus, "Yay! I'm glad you liked it! Let me change, and then we can go get some bikes, okay?" She tries hard to concentrate as Shane holds up her sheet a few moments later, then gives a happy squeak, "Yay again! First try!"
Marcus tips his head, curious and perhaps a bit mystified, "Why do you need the sheet when you're coming back to human, but not when you're changing to a dragon?" Shane lets that one go. After all, it's Cinnamon's body they're talking about.
Cinnamon blinks at Marcus, a blush flaring across her cheeks, "Uh, b-b-because..." She takes a deep breath, then reminds herself: she is strong! She's a dragon! -and ooh, that's her reply! There's only a slight stammer as she glances a bit nervously at Marcus, "-because... d-dragons don't wear clothes?" She rather hopes Marcus 'gets' it... she doesn't think she can be more explicit without combusting in embarrassment!
Marcus blinks slowly at an answer that seems nonsensical at first, but then he ahhhs, "And sometimes your clothes don't come back with you. I see." He doesn't say aloud 'Lucky bastard...' about Shane being the one trusted to help her change back. Cinnamon blushes hotly! -but gives a small, head-ducked nod -- then hastily heads for the trail out of the park.
Back at the barabara, Sparrow has calmed down a bit now he's said his piece and the raven boys seems properly chastised. The Trickster looks around the room, "Y'all, I don't want my first impression to be all fire and brimstone. It's not what I'm usually like." He smirks, "I'm just fuckin' protective, and that means each and every one of you is under my protection too." He casts a look at the chastised ravens, "Even those two." He waves Thorn over as those that speak English translate for those that don't. "We also have someone with us who has volunteered his skills and talents. Thorn is a medic and healer. He comes to see if anyone needs attention that cannot go to a human doctor. We know how hard it is for those of us that can't pass as human at all to get medical care." Thorn inclines his head in greeting to the room, knowing his pasty white complexion may not inspire trust or confidence at first. That's fine; he'll do his very best to at least be a good healer for them.
There are murmurs around the room; one shaggy, gruff-sounding man asks, "How's he gonna know how to fix us up if he don't know what we are or if he ain't seen one of us before?" He shakes his head a little and small, round ears poke out through his long, black hair. Along with the ears, his fingers are tipped with curved claws.
Thorn says clearly, "Simple: magic. I've been... blessed with the gift of healing magic, which does a great deal in helping me to understand and diagnose even people I've never met before. I'm also trying to learn as much as I can about the peoples of the world as well."
Sparrow nods, "Exactly. I didn't bring a medic. Medics work on the knowledge they got from schooling. This man has powerful medicine."
The shaggy... man? Shifter? Creature? -nods, leaning back and seeming a little more satisfied. Someone else, whose shape is hard to keep in focus, says, "And what's the cost for this healing?" The skepticism is clear. Many of these people have seen the white man's culture come through their home.
Sparrow shakes his head, "No cost. Just trust. I trust this man with my life. I've trusted him with the life of a beloved. I would trust him so again." Thorn blinks in surprise at the question, then nods to Sparrow, grateful for his explanation. There are more murmurs as the question and Sparrow's words are translated. The healer also blushes a bit, more than a little honored by Sparrow's words.
When it is once again quiet, someone stands. They look... spindly, almost spiderlike, though they only have four limbs. However, one of those limbs has obviously been broken, and healed badly. When they speak, their voice is a whispery, whooshing sound... almost like the wind through trees. One of the raven boys speaks up almost nervously to translate, "She asks if Thorn could heal her leg."
The other raven boy adds, "It was caught in a trap and she couldn't get it splinted well on her own." More murmurs and nods at the story, around the room -- like this is a common type of occurrence. These people are not often all gathered together; some have to survive in solitude for long periods of time.
Thorn nods soberly, "I will do my best." He pauses, glancing briefly to Sparrow, "Here and now is fine? Or is that inappropriate?"
Sparrow nods, "Here and now is fine, I think." In fact, he thinks, here and now is a fantastic idea!
Thorn nods resolutely, then smiles to the person standing, winding his way through the crowd. Once he's there before her, he can see the gaunt face and almost skeletal body, but there's no real sense of menace from the being. He pauses, then asks one of the ravens, "May I ask you to translate? I'm afraid I don't have the phenomenal skill with languages that Cinnamon does."
Sparrow calls to Thorn, "Let's come up here where there's more room, yeah?" He knows that putting this out where everyone can see will go a long way toward building trust.
Thorn nods, offering his hand and arm to her, to help her to where Sparrow is -- though he has enough thought to ask her, "Does it hurt to walk?"
The whispery, windy voice answers once it's translated for her. The raven boys almost speak in unison, "Yes. Especially when it's wet." Which is almost all the time up here.
Thorn nods and crouches down, placing a hand very lightly on the wounded appendage -- best not make her even more uncomfortable in getting to where Sparrow is. He closes his eyes, envisioning all the little points of pain that make up a ghastly amount of it. If he were only just a doctor, he'd be prescribing an inordinate amount of painkillers -- or at least enough to get other doctors and the DEA sniffing at him. Fortunately, he doesn't have to do that. He envisions those many points of pain that add up to a bone-wearying ache, and urges the points of pain to simmer down, to fade, to go away, at least for a little while. He knows she's hurt; she knows she's hurt. The pain is an important warning -- but they've heard the warning, and now it's time to help her heal. Part of that is removing the pain for a bit.
Thorn focusses as best as he can, but he can't quite get the anesthetic spell to work. He looks up and says gently, "I can't help the pain right this moment, but do you think you can bear with it for us to get to Sparrow? If not, it's not a problem at all! I want you to be comfortable."
When the apology and question are translated, she bobs her head in a yes and moves to walk with Thorn, saying something in her whispery voice. Someone nearby rumbles, "She says she's used to the hurt, but it will be nice if it's gone or even a little better." Thorn thanks the person for the translation, smiling gently, and helps her to walk with him to Sparrow.
Sparrow smiles at the spirit and takes her hands with their long, insectile fingers, "Thank you, grandmother, for allowing us to do this. I know it takes trust." After the translation, there's a sound that's eerie inside: the howl of wind through trees... but somehow it's also obviously laughter. The next thing she says is translated as, "I am old. Someone must show these youngsters the way to go."
Thorn finds himself shivering a bit at the laughter. It's both eerie, and reassuring. Something tells him that if he heard her laughter deep in the forest he'd be in danger, and yet right now it calms him. Once they're standing by Sparrow, he asks the woman to please sit, and he crouches beside her, examining her limb. It's much as the ravens said: the aftermath of an unpleasant encounter with a -- likely illegal -- trap. Still, best to see all that's wrong. He takes in a slow breath, trying to visualize the limb and what that damn trap did to her. It's not a limb he's familiar with, of course, but he'll do his best, as always.
Unlike what Thorn might expect, given her looks, the spirit does not have an exoskeleton. She has long, thin bones that are almost birdlike under skin that's stretched tight over long, lean muscles. The leg broke jaggedly and healed crookedly, making it at least two inches shorter than the matching limb. Thorn is fascinated -- she's almost kin to birds, with her endoskeleton and its configuration! He reins in his urge to ask questions, focusing now on her as a patient. The trap did a horrible number on her. He can grasp the extent of the injury, and it's going to take some work to not merely nudge her body into healing. First... he will try the anesthetic again because he's pretty sure this is going to hurt a bit. The bone is going to have to unmend itself, and he'll have to guide it into its former position before he can let it heal itself at a quickened rate. When he does so, the spirit makes a sound of sighing wind that's obvious relief, and her body relaxes. Someone in the room translates with surprise, "She says he's stopping the pain!"
Thorn lets out a breath; the anesthetic worked! He was very concerned about that... not that the next part will be easier. Remembering Cinnamon's suggestions, he envisions the almost hollow bone gently unmending itself, the bone fibers unwinding from each other, the leg extending to match the other's length, before he visualizes the shards of bone working their way back into place... and finally mending. The entire process is visible to those seated in front, and they whisper and gasp in wonder as they let those behind them know about it. As the leg straightens and lengthens to match its twin, the spirit's voice sighs and whispers, her relief evident. At the end of the healing spell, Thorn lets out a breath and smiles up to the spirit, "It may be sensitive for a little while. Please take your time when walking on it, and drink plenty of liquids. You should be able to walk on it normally, though."
When Thorn's caution is relayed to the supernatural, she strokes his cheek with her long fingers. That whispery, windy voice sighs through the barabara, one of the raven boys translating, "She says she will be careful... and avoid traps in the future. She also says thank you."
In Seattle, Cinnamon looks both relieved and pleased as the threesome stroll through the trees to the park's entrance, "Look! A rack of rental bikes -- and there's still some unrented electric ones! That's why I chose this park -- that, and it's big and right by the ocean so I could come in fast. C'mon!" Soon after that, Marcus gets a quick lesson in electric bike riding, and eventually they all head towards Pike Place Market. It's a pleasant ride of about an hour, made easier by the fact that Seattle is a very bike-friendly city, and the trails are mapped online.
Marcus has never ridden a bike, but he's ridden a horse and he's got natural grace, so he picks it up rather quickly from Shane's explanation and exhibition. Shane, of course, rides one like he was born to it. He explains that he got his driver's license early but preferred riding his bike when he was a teenager. Cinnamon is not athletic, but had a bike as a child... and so, despite being badly out of practice, she does her best to keep up! She laughs ruefully about how easily Marcus picks it up, completely unaware that her cheeks are attractively flushed and her scarlet hair is curling and wisping about her face -- she's just having fun! That, and she's quietly relieved she's on an electric bike -- a regular bike would leave her panting and puffing too much to speak, let alone keep up! In fact, at one point as they ride, Cinnamon curiously asks Marcus, "Hey, Daki-chan? Can I ask a... a possibly personal question?" She hastily adds, "N-no is a perfectly fine answer, okay?"
Marcus has been admiring the flush and the fluttering of Cinnamon's hair, though he's tied his own back with a ribbon he pulled from a pocket somewhere. This is one of the nicest days he's had in a goodly while, so his smile is easy and rather carefree, "Ask the question, then I'll let you know if it's too personal."
Cinnamon thinks about that... then nods, "Okay. So, um, you once told me you wanted to be a diplomat, not a warrior. So... why did you choose a name that means you're dedicated to the Roman god of war, please?" She glances a bit anxiously at the elf -- she hopes he's not offended or anything!
Marcus smiles at her, laughing softly, "I chose it because I wanted a strong name... and at the time, I didn't realize what I truly wanted my path to be." He shrugs, still smiling, "I chose it when I was perhaps fourteen."
Cinnamon curiously asks, "Do you still like it? Because... I know you said Daki was okay, but... well, I wanted to sort of double-check I'm not being rude by doing that, you know?"
Marcus considers this and wobbles a bit on the bike, yipping as he rights himself -- then laughs again. The Marcus Cinnamon first met would not have taken that so lightly, "I do not want to go by my full birth name. I have become accustomed to Marcus and I still like it -- it's a powerful name. And no, I don't mind you calling me by a nickname, kotslich."
Cinnamon starts to reply, "Oka-..." then gives Marcus a startled glance, "D... delicious? Excuse me?!" A heartbeat later she realizes what he must mean, "Oh! My cooking, got it." She thinks about that for a moment, then smiles at the elf, "That's nice -- thank you!"
Shane has been keeping half an ear on the conversation and both eyes on the road so he can make sure no one's in an accident while the other two talk. He doesn't recognize the word Marcus uses, but when Cinnamon translates it, he glances over his shoulder with a brow raised. Yeah. That had nothing to do with her cooking. Marcus is getting bold. Marcus knows he could correct Cinnamon -- probably should correct her -- but he also knows doing so would spook her... and spooking her in the middle of a strange city wouldn't be safe for anyone! Not to mention he's trying to gently work his way into her affections... and having her scared and wide-eyed is certainly not the way to do it! So he just smiles and says nothing. As a consequence, Cinnamon continues cheerfully riding with her friends, occasionally singing a bit as they go.
The ride concludes with the three ending up in a long plaza (currently hosting a farmer's market) framed by two- and three-story buildings. It is busy, noisy, full of scents, and friendly-seeming -- very much like Coblyn's market, if one includes the occasional street musician or other performer. The other end of the plaza offers views of the ocean bay, as well as a beautifully landscaped, elevated park which signs say connects to the Seattle Aquarium. On the nearer side of the plaza, on a metal framework looming high above the building entrance, huge red neon letters spell out 'PUBLIC MARKET CENTER.'
Once the threesome park the rental bikes, then wind their way through the farmer's market and into Pike Place, Cinnamon is entranced! There are stone pillars with lots of brick and wood, all framing multiple floors containing an enormous variety and style of little shops, eateries, artisans, and more. The market is stuffed with weavers and leather-workers, florists, palm readers, jewelry-makers and ceramicists, farmers and fisherfolk with their fresh products, wood-workers, painters, calligraphers, clothiers and cobblers, photographers, printers and framers, and every variety of ethnic food Cinnamon has ever heard of... all of it seems to be here for the exploring! She grins excitedly at Shane and Marcus, "Okay, let's do this! Don't worry, Daki-chan -- if you stay close I can warn you about steel, okay?"
What follows is a slow and predominantly cheerful wander, as the threesome explore, examine, sample, take multiple nibble breaks, and generally thoroughly enjoy themselves! The sheer size of the market is such that it would be easy to spend a day or three to see it all -- so Cinnamon tries (mostly successfully) to keep in mind that Shane and Marcus may not be as excited about exploring as she is.
Fortunately Shane is indeed as excited as Cinnamon about the market! He stays close, because even though he knows his long legs can more quickly cover ground, he doesn't want to leave the little dragon behind. So he instead lets her set the pace of the exploration. He even helps warn Marcus of any steel or iron that might cause the elf any problem. Marcus himself is fascinated. He's been to street markets at various enclaves, but this is that concept times a thousand. His eyes are wide and he's fascinated.
Cinnamon does a bit of shopping as well, deciding she absolutely must try some pastries from a little bakery called Cinnamon Delights! She grins as she emerges from the shop a few minutes later, handing a cinnamon roll to each young man and then happily nibbling on her own pastry as well. When she spots a tarot and palm reading shop, she whispers to both guys, "Hey, do places like that recognize us? Or would it be okay to go in?"
Marcus looks at the palm reader shop, "That depends on if they're real or fake."
Shane nods, "Some are real psychics or supernaturals plying their trade amongst the humans. Some are just humans using the tools and their intuition or, well... just fake."
Cinnamon looks through the glass window, intrigued even as she savors her pastry -- then grins and asks, "Want to try? Or would that be bad?"
Marcus glances to Shane, who's looking thoughtful -- possibly wondering if it's worth the potential headache if the palm reader is a shyster. He rubs his chin and glances at Cinnamon... but the excitement on her face decides him: it's worth the probably-mild headache. "Sure! Why not?"
Cinnamon laughs excitedly, "Awesome! I've seen these at the weddings of Candi's and Mom's friends, and always wanted to try, but didn't dare -- so c'mon! Let's go see!" She finishes her cinnamon roll, and as she's unselfconsciously licking the last bits of icing off her fingers, she patters happily into the little tarot shop to look around. Shane watches with a shameless grin, not bothering to look away. After all, he's the one that's getting to experiment with the increasingly-adventurous little dragon, so he's given himself permission to fantasize! Marcus, on the other hand, finds himself having to both look and turn away to hide his body's reaction.
Fortunately the little dragon doesn't see the reaction to her finger-licking, since she's oooohing softly as she looks around the cozy shop. There are richly red velvet draperies, a large bookcase with all kinds of small boxes holding tarot decks, bowls full of incense, and strange and unusual sculptures -- at least to a fascinated little dragon! The whole shop gives off an other-worldly kind of vibe; it's a lot like Himeko's shop on Coblyn, in that way. It's crowded with things on every surface, yet somehow doesn't seem cluttered. The soft music playing sounds almost but not quite like water running, which their entrance interrupts due to the sound of the tinkling brass bells over the door.
Cinnamon grins as she glances up at the bells; she can tell they're a nice, clean brass casting! After staring interestedly around herself for a few heartbeats while the two young men enter as well -- and finishing licking her fingers clean -- she glances around again, searching for a person. She murmurs to Shane and Marcus, as she sees them come up in her peripheral vision, "Hi, guys! What's this music -- do you know? Do you like it? It sounds really cool to me!"
During their browsing, a soft voice calls out from behind a curtained doorway: whoever it is will be right with them. It could be a woman, a young boy, or just a light-voiced man. Cinnamon pushes up her glasses and beams cheerfully as she calls back, "No problem! We're still looking, so take your time!"
Shane tips his head and listens, "I'm not sure..." Marcus looks around and finds something near the register. It's a little stand with a sign saying 'Now Playing,' and a CD case propped on it. He picks up the CD case and peruses it, "Apparently they're... singing bowls?"
As he speaks, the curtain whooshes softly open and the same gentle voice from before says, "Yes, Tibetan singing bowls... like this one." The voice turns out to belong to a tallish, slender young man with long strawberry blond hair worn loose around his shoulders, wearing a relaxed linen tunic and comfortable pants. Currently he's barefoot. He lays his fingers along the rim of a pastel blue glass bowl.
Cinnamon smiles at the young man, "Hi! I'm Cinnamon, and I'd like a tarot, er... layout? Is that what it's called? Also..." she tilts her head to study the lovely glass bowl, then turns to look at the CD case Marcus is holding, as she murmurs bemusedly, "Okay, how are they singing? Does it show in the photo, Daki-chan?"
Marcus shakes his head at the question, "No, not really. There's some kind of baton... maybe you strike them?"
The young man laughs, "Oh, gosh no! Like this!" He picks up the wooden stick from beside the bowl and begins to gently circle the bowl with it. Before long, an eerie but beautiful tone begins to rise. "As for the reading, the base price is $30 for a three-card reading, forty for a four, and sixty for a full Celtic Cross layout. It's $40 for a palm reading, as well."
Cinnamon blinks in fascination, moving over to the counter to be closer to the interestingly weird musical bowl... and surreptitiously flickering her tongue in an effort to catch whether or not the young man is a supernatural or not! If he is, she'll let Shane know he probably doesn't have to stay out of earshot... she'd like that, she thinks! What she doesn't know is how to pick a 'reading'... so after scenting the air near the young man, she'll turn to glance at her dear friends, "Do you guys know anything about tarot readings? Which one should I ask for?" She's mentally leaning slightly towards the Celtic cross... simply because her beloved asthore is Celtic too! She knows it's a silly reason, but it makes her smile.