Goblin Town -- Logs

It has been a very, very long and wearying day for the young dragon: two 5-hour flights, two truly horrible adrenaline bursts due to shame and humiliation, several pleasant hours of wandering around the market (though she was fortunately able to sit often, there), and two hour-long bicycle rides -- though equally fortunately those were electric bicycles, so she didn't have to work as hard while spending time with Marcus and Shane. Consequently she ends up needing snacks a couple of times during the flight home. Fortunately Marcus has gotten used to Cinnamon's dragonish smiles and toothy requests for food in flight. It used to be more than a little intimidating... but now her heavily-fanged smiles are becoming charming to him, as he realizes they're just as shy and disarming, in their way, as when she's in her human form.

As Cinnamon gets closer to Boston, her singing and chattering fades off, and she falls slowly silent. Her landing on Currier's Hall is as smooth and pleasant as usual, and she hops down with easy care to the ground so everyone can disembark, and Thorn can head for the Infirmary... but after that the young dragon looks around with a bit of anxiety. It's about 5:00 PM on a weekday, so the main circle before Currier's, the Infirmary, and the Palace is still well-traveled. Cinnamon tilts her head to whisper softly to Shane, "Umm... mmmaybe I'll go sit on the roof of Currier's again for a while, asthore, okay?"

Shane strokes Cinnamon's nose and smiles, "Want to do your change up there just in case, hm?"

Cinnamon thinks about it, then nods... though she still looks anxious as she turns her head back and forth, trying to study the sky as well as the somewhat busy circle, "Yeah, though... I'll have to wait until this place is clear before I jump back down here." She mutters nervously to herself, "A four story jump while human should be fine, shouldn't it?" -- then sighs, adding wryly, "An exit to the roof would be helpful, but I understand why there isn't one!"

The young paladin strokes her nose again softly, smiling, "For you, yes. Not for everyone... and it might hurt, though it wouldn't damage you. 'Invulnerable' doesn't always mean immune to pain." He shakes his head, "There really ought to be an exit up there. Building scaffolding every time they have to do repairs on the rooftop is ridiculous."

Cinnamon winces slightly at the thought of being hurt every time she has to change shape from dragon to human at Currier's, and her draconic whiskers droop a bit. She still has very human reactions a lot of the time, after all. She falters, "M-maybe I, ummm... oh!" She brightens up a bit at a thought, "Can we go see if there's a room open in the hall? I was able to change inside during the attack that one time?" She adds to Thorn and Sparrow, "Thanks, you guys, so much for helping me hand over more lands and people I was responsible for -- I want to be a good 13th Chair, after all."

Shane brightens and nods, "I was going to suggest maybe the park, but we can try inside... can you fit through the big double-doors still?"

Thorn smiles warmly, "You're very welcome, Cinnamon! I'm glad to have helped."

Sparrow is packing a few things up; he pauses to smile, "You're welcome, darlin'. Those two kids will learn how to be proper tricksters eventually. I'm sorry you had to deal with their bullshittery." Cinnamon blushes hotly -- a reflexive response to the immediate rush of embarrassment and humiliation that hits her again at thought of the two young ravens. Sparrow shakes his head, noticing the change in her color, "Don't you dare be embarrassed. You've nothing to be shy about. You're a gorgeous person and a powerful medicine beast. It's their fault for not recognizing that. They're fuckin' children. They have lessons to learn."

Cinnamon hastily thanks Sparrow -- his comments are truly thoughtful, but she's not yet capable of simply 'turning off' her responses -- so she instead pads cautiously over to the big double doors of Currier's. She's careful not to step on or bump any of the passersby as she quietly murmurs, "Excuse me... pardon me... oops! Careful there..." Her tail is curled up against herself, and her wings are flat against her back as she tilts her head to study the doors... then cautiously extend a paw-hand to try opening one. She's not exactly sure how to work a turning handle when she has such long claws, after all!

When he sees her trying to work out the intricate door handles, Shane steps up and opens both wide for her, with a flourish and a grin. The young dragon thanks Shane and hastily, carefully slithers inside. Fortunately the big front foyer is enormous -- it's where the temporary hospital was laid out, after all, when the mercenaries attacked. Cinnamon stands up straight on all four legs again, her head turning back and forth on her long neck as she considers where to go next... and when Shane follows her in, she gives him a gentle tongue-flicker on the top of his head, "Thanks, asthore. Umm... maybe the room where the Council is held will be empty?" She points a clawed finger.

Shane nods and heads that way, opening the other set of double doors there as well. Marcus follows to the second set of double doors, but waits outside them. He knows Cinnamon is shy about her changes because there's a possibility her clothes don't follow, and Shane's the only one allowed to help with that. Shane makes sure the council chamber is empty, then nods and motions Cinnamon in, "It's safe, acushla."

Cinnamon sighs in relief and pads on in -- then glances back at Shane as she whispers, "No peeking, right? I'll be just a moment, please..." This time, Shane stays outside instead of coming in to help with the blanket. Cinnamon waits for Shane to close the doors so she's alone in the room, and then closes her eyes tightly to concentrate. Fortunately it only takes one try... and she sighs gustily in relief as she glances down at herself and sees clothing. She heads out the doors and smiles a little shakily at her friends, "Okay, back again!"

Shane wraps his arms around Cinnamon and draws her close into his arms, murmuring to her, "Gorgeous."

Cinnamon blushes at that, though it's more from relief and pleasure this time. She hugs back, holding on tightly for several heartbeats before she feels calm again. At that point she'll shoulder her own bag that traveled with them, adding to Thorn, Sparrow, and Marcus, "I think we can have our usual dinner at my place tomorrow night -- is that okay with all of you?"

Sparrow drawls, "Unfortunately, I gotta get back to the rez and do some fuckin' paperwork. Even chaos elementals gotta do that shit sometimes. But soon, yeah?"

Marcus, on the other hand, beams, "Love to."

Cinnamon giggles at Sparrow, "Chaos elemental? You're fun, Sparrow!" She beams back at Marcus, "Okay!"

Sparrow chuckles, "Maybe not a complete chaos elemental, but I am a Trickster." He leans down a little and hugs Cinnamon, kissing her cheek, "Be good, darlin'." Cinnamon hugs Sparrow back, blushing hotly again! Then Sparrow strolls off down the street, humming something to himself.

On the way back to her home, Cinnamon muses aloud to the young men walking with her, "Gotta do a bunch of clean-up after so many trips in a row -- thank goodness for Spicy! Hmm, gotta return to Greenland for their final decision too, in... how many days? Umm..." She counts silently, then nods, "Ten more days, got it -- though they all seemed pretty happy at the idea, so I'm guessing it'll be a yes. Hmm... gotta hand off more lands too. Let's see, what's left... southern Europe, which we're already planning on gently reintroducing to Daki-chan... and Oceania." She considers that for a bit... then shakes her head, "That one... I don't want to hand back the oceans, since I promised Kamoho I'd work on communicating with the cetaceans for their needs... and I don't want to hand back Nusantara yet because they specifically petitioned for me -- or at least, for the 13th Chair. Darnit... well, maybe in a few years Tao will be helping Aoi enough that I'd feel okay with asking the Nusantarans if they'd accept him... oh!" She brightens, "Oh, I have an idea! Part of Oceania isn't very, umm... very Asian? So what do you guys think: would it be okay, maybe, to hand over Australia to someone else?"

Marcus and Shane listen as they walk with Cinnamon; at the query, Marcus rubs his chin, "I mean, hopefully Tao will be, uhm... working on his own and will take back those lands for himself. Australia could maybe go to someone like Aisling? I mean, she's got fewer lands than everyone else? If we go on proximity, it would be Killa who has the least lands -- but we absolutely don't want that. Snow, maybe? She's got a lot of land, but fewer actual people."

Cinnamon mutters thoughtfully to herself, "Australia... hm, I wonder if New Zealand and the associated islands would want to go along with Australia? That'd leave... the oceans, and Polynesia, Melanesia, Micronesia, and Nusantara for the lands. Yeah, that might work?"

Then she grins at Marcus, "My thoughts exactly, regarding Aisling! Plus there's a lot of British-descent people there in Australia, and it's still part of the United Kingdom, right?" She pauses, considering for a bit... then frowns thoughtfully, "Which... now that I think about it, might feel like yet more colonizing to the native supernaturals there. Hmm... no. Or... oh, wait -- I've got it! I can just ask them what they'd like!"

Shane has his hands linked behind him. His kilts don't have pockets, so that's how he often walks when he doesn't have anything to do with his hands, "Asking them what they like might be best, though I've heard they're a little hard to get in touch with. They're notoriously secretive."

Marcus nods, "The Aboriginal folk might want someone more sensitive to them. The Maori on New Zealand will want that as well. But..." he shrugs, "there's not a chair for that now. Things would have to undergo a drastic reorganization."

Cinnamon yawns hugely! -- then continues thinking hard again, unconsciously keeping herself too mentally busy to remember her painful humiliation. "Umm... okay, I'll do some reading on them tonight. I think I remember something about people being able to petition them to be met with, after all?" She yawns again, then mutters, "Crabcakes, I'm tired! Maybe read tomorrow..." She grins tiredly up at Marcus, "Oh, please: let's not do a complete restructuring of the Council just yet! I'm still learning my job, after all!"

Marcus nods wryly, "Oh, believe me, I don't want to do that -- I don't want to be part of that. We're already meeting enough resistance as it is with reorganizing who has what domain." He shakes his head and smiles at the yawning dragon, "Get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow for lunch, right?" Shane smiles a little to himself. He knows this is courting, and he finds himself more and more okay with it... as long as Marcus abides by his promise.

The walk back to Cinnamon's little cottage is uneventful, though as tiredness overwhelms her, the little dragon gets a bit quieter. She hugs Marcus and thanks him again once she's home, then blinks, "Lunch? Er... did I forget something? I'm so sorry! -or, wait... oh! Right, I recall -- sushi!" She brightens a bit at that, "Yeah, that should be fun to try -- and thank you!" Marcus nods and smiles, leaving Cinnamon and Shane at the cottage. The elf moves off down the street towards the Elm Residence with an easy confidence to his stride. He's looking forward to tomorrow.

Cinnamon heads inside her little house with Shane... where she nearly devours her part of the meal she left prepared for them, before they all left for the Aleutian Islands. After that she almost falls into bed, and is asleep when Shane slides in next to her. He knows she wants him there, though... because she unconsciously wraps herself around him like he's her favorite teddy bear! Of course, Shane wasn't about to leave Cinnamon alone unless explicitly asked to leave. He's happy to play teddy bear, wrapping his arms around her in turn and holding her safely as she sleeps.

The next morning Cinnamon awakens late, but feeling energized and ready to roll -- in fact, she still unconsciously needs to keep herself busy so she doesn't brood on her personal embarrassment! Shane only leaves long enough to go get clean clothes, and that takes all of half an hour early in the morning -- and he makes a note to keep more clothes at the cottage. Other than that, he's glued to Cinnamon's side all morning. When Marcus arrives, the half-beansidhe makes himself scarce up into the loft, not wanting to make the moment awkward.

Cinnamon is a little whirlwind of activity: making a big, filling breakfast for them both, then cleaning house and running all her laundry while planning her shopping list for that night, and starting prepwork on the actual cooking... she's almost breathless, in fact, when she opens the door to Marcus' knock, around lunchtime! "Hi Daki-chan how are you is it lunchtime already coolness shall we go I'm ready hey by any chance did you see Aisling on the way here I kinda think I need to talk to her before we go to Uluru maybe?"

Marcus has his mouth open to say hello when Cinnamon opens the door -- and it turns into a grin when she starts talking and doesn't take a breath until she gets to the end of the several sentences run into one. "Hello, k�stlich. Yes, it's lunchtime. I didn't see Aisling on the way here, but talking to her first sounds like an excellent idea. I'm sure you can get a message to her somehow." His eyes flicker up to the loft, where he can hear rustling.

As she blurts out her thoughts all in one breath, Cinnamon hugs Marcus tightly, steps back into the house to grab her bag and call a warm 'goodbye see you later should I bring anything back for you?' to Shane -- in Gaelic, so Marcus doesn't have to feel like he has to invite Shane along and Shane doesn't feel awkward -- and steps back to where Marcus awaits. Upstairs, Shane laughs and calls back down a goodbye to Cinnamon and to Marcus, adding that he'll get a message to Aisling about Cinnamon wanting a word with her and invite her over for dinner tonight. Cinnamon thanks Shane, carefully locks up her little cottage -- with a small internal thrill of delight at the thought that she's keeping her bestest and most beloved treasure safe inside, eeeee! Shane actually laughs to himself at being locked up in the cottage; it's good he's got a spare key.

After that, Marcus offers his arm to Cinnamon and smiles down at her -- his full-wattage smile. He very much is considering this a date, but he's not saying that aloud to the little dragon because he doesn't want to spook her. She beams happily up at Marcus as she accepts his arm, "Okay, ready to go! So how's your day been going, Daki-chan?"

Marcus is almost strutting down the street with pride at having Cinnamon on his arm, finally! He smiles at her again, "My day has been good, if a bit lazy. I haven't had anything pressing except getting ready for this. I got all my work for the week either done before the trip or scheduled for after today."

Cinnamon nods thoughtfully to herself as she considers several trains of thought at once: [Yes, Shane still has the key to my little cottage that I gave him, good... definitely need to talk to Aisling -- and also Spice -- about Uluru tonight... wow, Daki-chan still has that gorgeous smile don't stare don't stare eeek look down the road there we go whew okay deep breaths hopefully he didn't notice uhh what were we talking about- oh! Right, right, ask him about Uluru too a diplomat might be really helpful there who knows he sure was those times in Nusantara... gosh I'm hungry! Good thing we're going to lunch...]. "Uhhh... so, um, Daki-chan? How... er, how... awful? -well, hopefully not horribly so -- um, sorry, sorry -- so, umm... so, wanna go to Uluru? M-maybe? Er, I m-mean just if you want-" She cuts off with a sigh at herself, then adds wryly, "Sorry. Babbling. So, um... yes? No? We could use your box again... if you want?"

Marcus lets Cinnamon get to the end of her babble and translates it in his head to: 'I would like for you to go to Australia with me if it wouldn't be too horrible for you.' He nods, smiling at her again, "I'd love to go. The box would work for the trip. I know it's a long one, but it's not as uncomfortable as I expected it to be, and I will likely sleep most of the time."

Cinnamon sighs in relief as Marcus gets it -- then beams delightedly up at him again, "Yay! Thank you! It shouldn't be much different than the trip to Nusantara, though hopefully with less mechanical issues with the plane, you know?" She does a bit of math in her head, then grins again, "It's actually about 5 hours less airplane time from San Francisco to Sydney, Australia, in fact... than it is to Praya, in Indonesia!" What she doesn't add is that it'd be even less were she herself to fly it -- because she's not quite yet confident to go that far over ocean.

Marcus is always a little stunned when he gets that full-wattage smile from her -- and this time is no exception. He resists leaning down to kiss her because that would definitely be taking a liberty he's not (yet, he hopes) allowed. Instead, he reaches across with his free hand to squeeze hers where it rests on his elbow, "Let us hope!" By now they've reached the little restaurant and he leads her down the steps to it, "Well, that's good to hear!"

Cinnamon is still beaming as she follows Marcus down the stairs to the tiny little sushi restaurant, and she replies cheerfully in Japanese to the sushi chef's properly shouted greeting. Marcus doesn't know a lot of Japanese, but he does at least know how to greet the chef -- and is delighted that Cinnamon does too. The Germanic elf escorts Cinnamon to the bar rather than to one of the (very few) tables and introduces her to the chef, "Hinata, this is Cinnamon. Cinnamon, this is Hinata. He is an artist in a chef's apron." This makes the man behind the counter beam and give a short bow to Marcus.

When Marcus blinks and grins at her Japanese, Cinnamon giggles and says to him, "The chef said 'Irasshaimase!' which means 'welcome to the restaurant!' So I replied with the traditional 'ojama shimasu,' which means 'sorry to interrupt you at work!'" She beams back at the chef when he looks at her, and bows politely to him as well, adding, "Itadakimasu, Hinata-san!" She whispers to Marcus, "I told him we shall receive the meal, which according to the reading I did earlier is the right thing to say to be polite. Is there anything you know that I should do too, that I haven't yet?"

Marcus grins and nods, "Because you're new. To me, he usually says..."

Hinata smiles, "Maido!"

Marcus laughs and nods, "Because I'm here so often."

Cinnamon laughs delightedly, "Oh, that's wonderful!" She beams at both men as she seats herself, then happily adds to Marcus, "Shall we ask Hinata-san to give us an omakase meal, Daki-chan?" She's pretty sure that's the best way to compliment Hinata, since they'd be asking for a chef's choice meal -- and allowing him to most effectively create a truly wondrous and delicious dining experience.

Marcus looks delighted as he nods, "Oh, most definitely! Hinata-san will always leave you in wonderment with what he serves us." He makes a small bow to the small man behind the counter, who looks as if he could be anywhere between sixty and a hundred years old.

Cinnamon sighs happily as Marcus agrees, then waits until Hinata has turned away to work before she leans to whisper to Marcus, "He's so nice! Did you know 'maido' means in full 'every time you visit us, we are glad to see you'?"

Marcus nods and whispers back softly, "I did. I don't know much Japanese, but I've asked from time to time for him to explain to me what some of what he says means."

Cinnamon grins happily, "Yay!" She has no idea how sensitive elf ears are, however... or that her breath is naturally warm across Marcus's ears, in her attempt to be politely circumspect. Instead, she's busily congratulating herself on not squeaking at Marcus' whisper next to her own ear... and wishing vaguely that she didn't always get tummy butterflies when Marcus does that -- because there's no way someone as cute as him would be romantically attracted to her! Only Shane is that craz- er, that, umm... nice? Wonderfully... confusing? Er... sushi! Think about sushi, right!

Hinata seems to be the only one working in this tiny restaurant, and they seem to be the only patrons at the moment, so they receive his full attention. Marcus murmurs, "Lunch is the slow period here. Dinner... the place is usually packed and people are waiting for seats."

Cinnamon smiles at Marcus, "Well, better for us then, right?"

Marcus nods and rests a hand on Cinnamon's leg, "Definitely all the better for us. This is going to be a real treat! -and it was already going to be amazing because of the company." He only lets his hand stay for a brief moment before moving it away, not wanting to spook her.

Cinnamon freezes, her eyes widening -- because that was a very nice feeling on her thigh, and reminded her in a very pleasantly tingly way of Shane touching her like that! She doesn't quite register her tiny squeak, as it takes her a few heartbeats and a deep breath or two to remember: Marcus said something, right! Uhhh, what was... oh! Right, right, "T-treat, right! Er, y-yes -- umm, yes, th-thank you!"

Marcus beams, "Thank you for agreeing to come with me." Hinata, meanwhile has brought them hot tea and their first course of delicately cut sashimi.

Cinnamon brightens, "Oh! Tea, yay! -and, umm..." She studies the artfully arranged fish slices, "Wow, that's really... oddly pretty looking, you know? Can, um... Daki-chan, can you tell me what it is, please?" She carefully picks up her chopsticks and glances at her companion's plate, to see how he eats it. She's a little unsure on the right way to do so -- her reading mostly informed her about behavior in the restaurant, rather than specifics on how to eat sushi.

Marcus inclines his head and murmurs his thanks to Hinata, then replies, "This is akami. It's a type of sashimi, which is raw fish sliced and served without rice. Akami is a type of maguro, which is tuna. It's one of my favorites." The elf picks up his chopsticks and pops a whole piece of the akami into the small dish of light-brown soy sauce, then directly into his mouth. His eyes go half-closed and a look of pleasure crosses his face as he chews and swallows the richly-flavored fish. He makes a happy little sound and gives the impression that, were he a kid, he might wriggle in his seat.

Cinnamon blinks interestedly as she watches, then grins as she turns back to her own plate and cautiously tries emulating Marcus' actions. She blinks again, this time in surprise, at the intriguing mix of tastes... then chews slowly and considers. Only once she's swallowed does she say in surprise, "Wow, I had no idea there were so many flavors in sushi. This is cool!" She giggles as she watches Marcus, then happily picks up another piece in her chopsticks, "You were right, Daki-chan -- this is really tasty!"

Marcus nods and beams at Cinnamon, "It is -- and we're likely to get a range of dishes from raw to simmered to grilled, since we're doing omakase!"

Cinnamon laughs, "Cool!" -- then settles happily into a slow and deliberate appreciation of all the small dishes that are brought to them both. The flavors, the textures -- it's all marvelously new to the hungry little dragon! Indeed, they're there for two full hours, simply being served different dishes of fish and vegetables, along with palate cleansers in between. Marcus shows Cinnamon how to eat each dish and introduces her to the real wasabi and the delicate pickled ginger that enhance the flavor of the food. At the end Hinata serves them Sakura mochi -- sticky rice balls flavored with cherry syrup and filled with red bean paste.

Cinnamon is utterly delighted with this slow, delicious, unique meal! She chatters happily with Marcus about different flavors, squeaks in surprise at new textures, and finds that while she's okay with wasabi, it's ginger that she really enjoys. She sighs happily after finishing off the mochi, unselfconsciously licking a bit of syrup off her fingers before beaming at Marcus, "Okay, you were right, Daki-chan -- this was just awesomesauce!"

Marcus beams and nods, "This was actually a bit short for an omakase meal because it's lunch. Maybe sometime we'll come for dinner." He's been taking a lot of chances to touch Cinnamon gently and lightly and to lean into her space to show her how to eat something or just to speak quietly into her ear. Cinnamon tends to freeze or giggle nervously the first few times Marcus touches her, but as the meal continues and other things draw her attention, she tries not to think too much about Marcus [ohmygoshhe'ssososocute!] touching her. She even relaxes a bit after a while, happily leaning back towards him and occasionally bumping her shoulder against him the way Josie will sometimes do in wolf form.

Marcus smiles more and more as the meal goes on and Cinnamon relaxes enough to brush herself lightly against him. It's a friendly rather than an intimate gesture on her part, but it's a step forward! Their little exchange of affirmations is going forward apace as well. When lunch is done, he pulls out his wallet to pay. Cinnamon blinks at Marcus, then hastily pulls out her wallet as well. Marcus may have left her with the bill both times they went to the tea shop, but her own training insists she must pay for herself so as to not be a burden! Especially with her huge appetite, sheesh! Marcus reaches out and rests a hand atop hers, shaking his head, "No. This is my treat, please." His smile is warm, "It would be my honor to do this."

Cinnamon goes still, her uncertain gaze dropping first to where Marcus' hand is lying on hers [oh my gosh it's almost like we're holding ha- shut up brain don't be an idiot this is Marcus not my wonderful asthore-Shaney!], then hastily blinking up at Marcus himself, "Uhhhhhmmm..." She blushes, glancing away -- wow, way to sound like an idiot there, sheesh! The little dragon fiercely yanks her thoughts together: food! money! a lot she ate a lot, "Er, s-sorry, um, I m-meant to say, ahh... this... kind of... a lot? Of f-food? S-sorry? Er, s-so yes, I can absolutely p-pay I d-don'twanttoeatyououtofhouseandhomes-sorry?" Her voice trails off uncertainly.

Marcus leans toward her, "This was an omakase meal. You ate exactly as much as you were supposed to eat... as did I. Please, let me do this for you. I would really love to treat you to this. I had the pleasure of watching you experience this for the first time, and it would be an honor and a true joy to pay for this for us both." He gives her hand a gentle squeeze, "Put your wallet away."

Cinnamon's eyes get wide -- Marcus this close is absolutely gorgeous to her! She just sits for a few seconds, staring into his absurdly unfairly beautiful blue deep deep wow are they glimmering? -bluuuue eyes... then blinks, returning to herself, "Uhhh... oh! Uhhh..." She blushes, hastily glancing away, "I... g-gosh, Daki-chan, th-thank you so much?"

Marcus would say no thanks necessary, but doesn't think Cinnamon would accept that, so instead he smiles in reply, "You're welcome. It really is my pleasure." He hands over payment to Hinata and says 'thank you' in quite passable Japanese. He's apparently practiced this phrasing often enough that even his accent isn't too bad. After that he stands and offers Cinnamon his hand, "Shall we go? I know you do a lot of prepwork for your dinners."

Cinnamon grins and also thanks Hinata-san for a truly wonderful introduction to sushi! When Marcus offers her his hand, though, she only nodnods silently to him -- she's alternately confused, shyly excited, and happy enough that she doesn't yet quite trust herself to speak to Marcus without a bad case of either stuttering or babbling! Especially since... is he really offering his hand to her are they going to be walking hand-in-hand like they w-we- nonono not thinking that at all about Marcus it's Shane who is her sweetheart and she should not think like that about Marcus or she is definitely going to get hurt again what the heck is wrong with her today?!

Marcus waits a moment for Cinnamon decide if she wants to take his hand; if not, he'll offer his arm again. After all, again, he doesn't want to spook her -- again. Cinnamon hastily starts talking to Marcus about the sushi and how good it was... but the meal truly was delicious, and so her initial nervousness sort of eases off after a bit, and her cheerful conversation about how yummy sushi is, and how startling/tasty/weird/fun the entire experience was, starts to sound more normal. He smiles as she babbles at him and then settles into a less nervous and more cheerful conversation, eventually replying, "It's one of my favorite food experiences. It's more than just flavor. It's texture and scent and everything else."

Cinnamon cheerfully agrees, "Oh, yeah! I mean, I knew eating a tuna fish is really tasty and sometimes messy or whackery in dragon form, but I had no idea it was so delicious to eat in tiny little pieces while in human form!" She giggles, remembering how much tuna fish fought her -- sometimes by repeatedly whacking her over the snout with their tails!

Marcus laces his fingers with Cinnamon's quite happily as they walk along the street. He's once again almost strutting. There are a couple of murmurs from people that pass them because it's well-known that Cinnamon is fairly newly in a relationship with Shane -- but monogamy isn't actually the norm, so it's not people being scandalized so much as people being surprised that there's another suitor so quickly! Marcus mms and nods, "Fish in general is... well, there's a wide range of textures, and some I simply can't abide... but Hinata has never brought me anything I didn't like."

Cinnamon thinks about that, her fingers warmly intertwined with Marcus's as they walk, "Hmm... I can't say that I know that much about fish, actually. I mean, I ate a few different kinds while we were in Nusantara, but aside from the migrating tunas that I brought back, uhmm... yeah, that's the only one where I was sure of the species? Though... they were all relatively big fishes." She laughs, adding, "Guess I gotta learn more about fish now too! Don't want to bring back any that have horrible textures, after all, right?"

Marcus laughs and nods, "Right!" When they reach her door, he takes a big, big chance and leans down to kiss her cheek, "Have a good rest of your day. I know your dinner will be fantastic."

Cinnamon turns pink! She giggles shyly, her eyes sparkling, "Thank you! I had a lovely time too, Daki-chan, so thank you for that as well. See you tonight!" She waves, still beaming as she slips into her little cottage and carefully locks up behind herself... then sighs happily and leans back against the door. "Wowsers... that was really nice!" Her voice is almost surprised sounding.

Shane is in the kitchen doing some of the prepwork for dinner, and he smiles at the sound of Cinnamon's voice. It seems Marcus is living up to his promise. "Glad to hear it, acushla."

Cinnamon laughs happily as she sheds her bag and shoes, then heads into the kitchen to wash her hands and start working on dinner with her beloved, "Oh my gosh, Shaney, have you had sushi before? I mean, like, I assumed it would be like eating the tuna fishes in Nusantara, but it was so much tastier -- and less tail whacking too! -- and wow, Marcus was like so nice it's incredibly weird I mean he even paid for the meal -- and let me tell you, I ate a lot!" She hesitates, realizing how that sounds, adding, "It, er, I... I d-didn't mean to...? B-but... well, it... it was delicious, and they kept handing me more? Er... is... d-do you think that w-was okay?"

Shane leans down to kiss Cinnamon hello, knowing she won't rabbit from him. "Mmm. Yes, I've had sushi. I love it. It's a feast for the senses." He doesn't realize he's mirroring Marcus' sentiments about it. He adds, "I can imagine it's different than eating whole, live tuna, acushla... and it was very nice of him to do that, but if you ate at Hinata's and let him feed you what he wanted to feed you, Marcus probably ate just as much as you did. I'm absolutely sure it was okay." [Especially I'm pretty sure this was a date...] he thinks, but doesn't say aloud.

Cinnamon returns the kiss with great pleasure... then sighs a bit worriedly at Shane's words, "Well, I... I hope you're right. I mean... well, I don't want to be a bother to Marcus..." She tilts her head as she considers, then adds thoughtfully, "Or Hinata-san either, honestly."

What Shane does say aloud is, "I got hold of Ash and she's coming to dinner tonight."

Cinnamon glances up happily at Shane's news, "Oh, yay! That's fantastic -- I'll be able to talk to both Aisling, Spice, and Thorn about Uluru, in that case!" She dries her hands, pulls on an apron, and then grins happily at Shane, "All right! Dinnertime yumminess, here we come!"

Cinnamon has been dabbling in baking for fun, as well as her regular cooking nights with Elias... all of which makes for very tasty meals for friends at her house -- which she loves! Having a table-full of friends sharing and enjoying food she made, she finds, makes her feel very cozy and loveable -- sensations she was quite unfamiliar with, previous to discovering she was a dragon. Admittedly, tonight she's a little rushed, so as they arrive, her friends all help her finish cooking the food and setting everything out on the round table. Once that's done, they all settle in to feast and chatter together. As she looks around the little table covered in delicious food, Cinnamon feels very full of happiness -- so many dear friends here tonight! Josie and Spice, Aisling and Thorn, Shane and Marcus... life is good!

Everyone eats to happy repletion, chattering away cheerfully to each other over the food. Aisling isn't always at these meals, but she fits in just as if she is. After all, she's one of the most extroverted and personable of the councilors. Of course, she also doesn't miss the way Shane and Marcus tend to bracket Cinnamon -- or the way the two young men seem to be much more relaxed around one another. Cinnamon is just quietly thrilled at how incredibly nice it is to be seated between two such gorgeous men! She's not sure why it keeps happening, but she knows she really loves how it enhances her feelings!

The meal goes swimmingly, of course, except... people seem to blink at tasting the bread, then set it aside. It takes Cinnamon a bit to notice this, since she tends to initially eat quite a bit of the main course to sate her body's energy needs. However, once she does notice she takes one of the quick-made dinner rolls and has a bite -- then blinks as she chews and swallows, "It's... bitter! Bread's not-! -what- ?! -hmm..." There's general agreement: it's bitter, that's weird, and yes, it shouldn't taste like that... though everything else seems delicious?

After a bit of thinking, and checking the recipe, and discussion... Cinnamon realizes with bemused chagrin that she accidentally put in baking soda instead of baking powder. She sighs at herself, apologizes to her friends -- who are all both amused and reassuring... and then she laughs wryly and says to the dinner roll basket, "Bad bread! Bad, bad baking soda!"

Without missing a beat, Spice joins in -- with sparkling eyes and a giggle in her voice, "Naughty, wicked bread! But first-" Spice pauses just long enough for she and Cinnamon to sync up and gleefully chorus together: "A spanking!" Both young women get the delighted giggles at that -- until Shane dryly adds, "Okay, this is far too perilous for me!" That causes both young women to almost fall out of their chairs with giggling!

Thorn almost spits out his drink! -then wryly replies, "I'm not sure what I expected, but it wasn't the Spanish... uh, it wasn't Monty Python!" At that, Spice whoops with laughter, while Cinnamon's giggles escalate to the point that she can hardly breath!

Josie grins, tail wagging -- she likes seeing friends happy -- even as she tilts her head in a gesture of canine confusion. Marcus' eyes, though, are also sparkling with mischief as he sets one elbow on the table and his chin in his hand -- then almost purrs, "Maybe for you, Shane -- but I'd sure risk the peril to know more!"

That's it for Cinnamon -- she's wheezing and red-faced from laughing so hard! It takes her a bit to recover, and a few sips of her drink -- and she has a propensity for falling back into giggles if she thinks about it too much! She giggles again at Josie's bemused ear tilt, and with Spice's occasionally profane and occasionally laughing assistance, the skit from Monty Python and the Holy Grail is explained to the other supernaturals. Cinnamon grins as she adds, "You know what, peeps? We should do movie nights or something! We could watch the movie then, maybe -- and have popcorn and sodas as well! Would you all like that? I could pin up a sheet for the movie screen -- or, wait! I could get a real roll-down movie screen and use that instead! Think that'd be fun?"

Thorn blinks, then smiles, "That'd be great!" There's general happy agreement. After all, Marcus and Aisling haven't been to a normal movie theatre, having been raised outside the human world.

Cinnamon beams excitedly at the prospect of more fun things to do with friends -- she's finding she really loves being around dear friends like this! "Yay! In that case, we'll plan on that soon -- but not tonight! I actually wanted to talk to you all tonight about something specific -- Uluru, or Australia! I'm planning a trip there, and I wanted to ask you, Thorny, if you'd be willing to come along. Marcus and Shane have both already agreed to go with me, too -- so I was hoping, Spicy, if you're not busy, could we arrange for that sometime soon? -keeping in mind that we have to return to Greenland in just over a week?"

Spice nods, "We can do that. You sure you wanna do that before Greenland instead of after? I've heard getting' the attention of those folks can be fuckin' dicey at best?"

Cinnamon shakes her head, "If they don't pay any attention to us, then that's fine, Spicy -- it'll just be a fact-finding trip, you know? I'll just have to return after Greenland and the next Council meeting. But if they do, then yay!"

Aisling tips her head curiously, unconsciously looking a lot like Josie, who's doing the same thing. It's Josie that asks, "Who are you considering for them?"

Cinnamon sighs in relief when Spice agrees, after a moment's thought, to set up the trip. Having both Thorn and Spice on the job means everything goes smoother, Cinnamon knows! "Fantabulous. Okay! In that case, Aisling, I have a question for you too, please?" She quickly explains her initial desire to offer Australia, New Zealand, and the associated islands to the Celtic ambassador, as well as her later concerns about not wishing to sound at all colonizing, and her decision to simply ask the Uluru supernaturals who they'd prefer. She concludes with, "So here's what I wanted to ask, Ash: if they ask me what you think, can I tell them you'd be willing to take them on if they want?" A bit anxiously she adds, "If the flight there is an issue, I think I can help out with that?"

Aisling blinks a bit, pointing at her own chest, "Me?" -- then smiles, "I mean, I'd be quite happy to. The white population over there is quite largely British and Celtic, so that would fall under my jurisdiction. I'd do my best to respectfully represent the Aboriginal and Maori folk." She rests a finger against her chin, "Perhaps set up a sort of tribunal to help me understand what I need to know, if they agree."

Cinnamon brightens, "Yay again! Thanks so much, Aisling! -and sure, we can tell them that if they ask on this trip. Even if they don't, we can always bring you along for the next trip we try, right? We can make you a rowan box just like Marcus' elm box!"

Thorn nods resolutely, "I'll be more than happy to come along too! The idea of the Dreamtime is fascinating, and if I can be of any help in the trip, please count me in!"

Cinnamon yays again! and grins happily at Spice, "Okay then! Can we do something like we did for Nusantara, but instead of Indonesia, we'll take the plane from San Francisco to Sydney, Australia? Then maybe... like a hotel or B&B or something near Uluru, I think, though I can fly us all there... and I can fly us to San Francisco too, right? Is that workable?" She giggles as she adds, "Our passports will get less of a workout this time -- only Australia, instead of all over Nusantara!"

Spice nods and grins, "Yeah, less of a fuckin' island-jumpin' adventure this time."

After some consideration, Aisling nods, "Having a Rowan box would be helpful." She smiles, "It might even help a certain Chieftain I know come over here, though he might want his son to stay at the trod a bit as acting guardian while he does."

Cinnamon laughs at that, clapping her hands and beaming at Shane, "Oh, that'd be fantabulous too, if they want!" She adds happily to Marcus, "You totally should explain about the boxes at the next Council meeting too, Daki-chan!"

Spice looks curiously between Cinnamon and the two men flanking her and watching her with such smiling interest. A moment later the young hacker waves a finger, "How did y'all meet, anyway?" She's nothing if not blunt, after all.

Cinnamon blinks at Spice, grinning uncertainly, "You mean... how did I meet Shane and Marcus, or how did they met each other? I don't know that last one, after all?"

Spice laughs, "I meant how did you meet those two? Sorry, I'm sometimes clear as fuckin' mud."

Cinnamon laughs! "Oh, I get it now!" She grins at Shane, her eyes sparkling, "Remember the pickpocket, asthore? Want to tell it from your point of view, since usually it's me telling?"

Shane laughs, "Oh, man. That seems so long ago!" He slides his arm around Cinnamon and kisses the top of her head before looking at Spice, "I was doing my normal patrol-messenger thing and caught one of the street's more notorious pickpockets trying to snatch Cinnamon's purse. I put him on his back and made sure she was okay." His eyes twinkle, "I could tell she was a new face, and had such pretty eyes!"

Cinnamon blushes hotly with pleasure, then grins a bit sheepishly, "I'm surprised Shane ever talked to me again after that moment! There I was, noodling blindly along -- and all of a sudden I get yanked over and fall over -- and then someone's talking to me and there's this hand in my face and I look up and bammo! Total brain freeze!" She giggles, still very pink as she admits, "Not only was I still not sure what had actually happened, but there was this really cute guy there -- and he was talking to me!" She laughs, hiding behind her hands as she admits, "I swear, I must've gaped like a goldfish at him for a whole minute!"

Shane chuckles, "I figured you were just a little shocked from being almost purse-snatched." He continues to everyone else, "Then I got a little suspicious because she was looking for Elias and had garlic on her breath, which is one of many things people think works against vampires but doesn't. But when I asked her if she meant him any harm..." Shane shrugs, "She told me the truth."

Cinnamon blushes again, glancing away and laughing as she admits, "I -- I think I squeaked at Shaney too when I replied, 'What am I going to do to him -- use harsh language?'!" She adds, "I think I'd realized I was a dragon for... less than 24 hours at that point?"

Shane laughs and nuzzles Cinnamon's hair, "It didn't take me long to get pretty smitten, honestly. She was so sweet and honest and caring and adorable." Aisling looks quite amused -- she knows just how quickly Shane first had a crush, and then more than a crush, after all -- since she was the one he came to for advice!

Cinnamon unwittingly squeaks again, then happily leans into Shane's nuzzles as she adds, "Wish I'd realized that sooner, asthore -- I had no idea! Cute boys d-don't fall for dumpy fat girls, y'know?"

Shane's face goes serious, "You aren't dumpy. You're adorable and luscious and curvy." He doesn't argue with the word 'fat,' since he doesn't consider it a bad word.

Spice snorts in amusement... then points between Cinnamon and Marcus, "What about you two?"

Cinnamon giggles at that! She grins mischievously at Marcus, feeling very safe here in Shane's arms, "Do you remember?"

Marcus looks surprised, "I..." He blinks... then admits, "I hate to say this, but I don't actually remember the first time... except the fire in the council chamber?"

Cinnamon grins dryly, "Oh. Yeah, that one was pretty, ummm... memorable." She laughs then, adding, "But the first time? That was fun. It was even just immediately after I'd picked the name Cinnamon, in fact!" She explains about roaming Coblyn for the first time with Josie, and meeting Marcus on the street, and Josie introducing them, "-which worked really well, because after he gave me the usual uninterested once-over, that meant I could study the cute boy as much as I wanted... while he forgot I was there!"

Marcus blinks as he roams back in his memories, trying to recall this one. His ear tips go pink as he realizes he doesn't have this recollection -- and he doesn't know if he can blame it on what an arse he was, or on missing memories from his bout with amnesia. He puts his hands over his face and groans in embarrassment as the other folks in the cottage giggle in friendly amusement. Cinnamon too giggles as she adds, "And then, as you left, JoJo and I admired your, umm... d-departure! -because if there's one thing that pretty boys who know they're pretty always do... it's mentally dismiss you if you're not pretty too!" She adds confidingly to the other women present, "It was a very well-dressed, ahh... departure, too!" Then she giggles in spite of herself, a bit pink at her daring! She's not quite up to admitting it was Marcus' derriere she admired so, though.

Shane and the other women present all chuckle... because no matter how coyly Cinnamon puts it, it's fairly obvious just exactly what she was admiring! Shane, after all, knows she likes his backside quite a lot -- while Josie herself was there for the admiring. Marcus' blush moves from just his ear tips to his cheeks, but he's smiling a bit behind his hands. Perhaps she still admires him? This can only be a good thing, he hopes. He groans quietly and chuckles, "I was such a dumkopf. I apologize for being such a stuck-up prig."

Cinnamon laughs, patting Marcus on the arm, "Oh, Daki-chan, it's okay -- we all change, after all, right? I mean, I was a stuttery, na�ve little goober, that first council meeting... and I like to think I turned out better. I think you have too, honestly!" She giggles, adding softly, "But... your, um... departure hasn't changed!"

Marcus peeks over at her and smiles, murmuring, "Your, uhm, departure is rather nice, too." The little dragon squeaks and turns a very bright scarlet at that comment! Marcus' blue eyes twinkle despite his blush; he's speaking just loud enough for Cinnamon and perhaps Shane to hear. Then, after that, Marcus smiles and takes a deep breath, sitting up, "I should, uhm, depart. I do have work I have to do tomorrow." Cinnamon squeaks again at that! -but then, when Marcus stands and makes his goodbyes before heading out, she realizes Marcus really means 'to leave.' Thorn smiles quietly, glad he doesn't have to relate how he was directed towards Cinnamon -- by Marcus! But the healer is also glad Marcus chooses not to remember -- or more likely, considering what happened, actually doesn't remember -- that short period of time. Thorn finds he much, much prefers Marcus as the elf is now. xxx

It's on the flight to San Francisco that Cinnamon reiterates her plan to her companions, calling over her shoulder as they fly, "So Flying Fish is happy to let us land in one of their hangars tonight, and then spend the rest of the night at one of their houses, so we should be real polite since they're being so nice, okay? Then we fly to Sydney, which should take half the day and give us the rest of the day to knock down and fold up Daki-chan's box, and rest. Then that night we'll fly to near Uluru and I'll carry us and the little rental car Spice got us -- apparently it's like absolutely commonplace to get your own rental there! Spice was also able to find us a nice little B&B type thingie at -- or rather, close to the Uluru site. I figure we can spend the rest of that night there, and then... I think you guys should all relax and have a nice day sightseeing or whatever, okay? -'cause I think it should be just me approaching Uluru, since it's me that's their Councilor and it's me who's going to try politely attracting the attention of the spirits there to ask them about being handed off to another councilor! I figure I'll just go sit quietly just outside the edge of their sacred land for 24 hours and wait and see if they'll speak with me. If not, no problem! We can all go home in time for the council meeting. But if the local supernaturals are willing to talk, first I'll ask if I can invite all you guys over too... and then we can thank them and ask them who they'd like as their council representative! What do you guys think?"

Cinnamon cheerfully adds, "Spice and I were real careful too -- we checked and marked a good paper map so I can ensure I'm just outside the sacred space maintained around Uluru by its aboriginal caretakers -- oh, and we also wanted to see what the temperatures were like there, since their seasons are flipped with ours since they're in the Southern Hemisphere. But we're really lucky! Apparently early May is a beautiful time to visit, with the high temperatures just around 75 degrees -- Fahrenheit, that is -- and the lows are around 50 at most -- pretty nice, huh? Also, since rainy season is off in December too, we all should be able to enjoy ourselves at some point just wandering around the area -- and we won't get drenched!" Shane, Thorn, and Marcus all agree that this plan seems the best. The Australian supernaturals are fairly notoriously reclusive, so the fewer folk trying to contact them at once the better. Cinnamon is pleased the guys agree!

It's about 48 hours later that the group is ensconced in the little B&B Spice found for them. They've had a good night's sleep, Marcus has gotten past even the very little bit of discomfort he has from traveling in the Elm box, and they've had a hearty breakfast. It's now approaching noon. Cinnamon wakes up cheery and excited! She eats very well, since she expects the day to be a long, slow one, and dresses with equal care: her big, silly, floppy hat that Aisling gave her; sturdy jeans over her well-worn-in hiking boots; and a long-sleeved shirt with the sleeves currently rolled up. The little dragon knows she's extremely tough, but sees no reason to be uncomfortable while waiting! That's why she also has a small duffel bag which Shane has quietly insisted she carry along. He's packed it with several bottles of water and high protein snack packets for her.

Cinnamon also had a small bit of naughty fun while putting on her sunscreen -- by asking Shane to do her face so she didn't miss anything due to not being able to see her face well in the mirror because she had to take her glasses off! She turns slightly pink as she giggles and gives him a thank you kiss once he's done gently smoothing the lotion on her face... then happily announces, "Okay, here we go! Shaney, if you'll drive me out and drop me off, you'll know where I am... and I've got my sat-phone with me for just in case, too. Is there anything else you guys can think of that I should do?"

Thorn is just about recovered from the jet lag, and is fully awake having had a good breakfast. "Just stay hydrated," he says. "And if you stay out very late, be aware that it'll be cold in the desert."

Marcus nods solemnly, "Fifty degrees sounds warm until you're sitting out there in it with not much to keep you warm." There's a look in his eyes that says he's recalling something unpleasant as he says that.

Cinnamon nodnods to Thorn, "Got a six-pack of water bottles thanks to Shaney!" She grins as she adds to Marcus, "But I'll stuff a light jacket into the duffel too -- that's smart thinking." A few minutes later she's ready, and gives everyone a thank you hug for coming on the trip with her, "-and hopefully I'll see you all next with all the Uluru supernaturals present!" She laughs and waves to everyone, almost skipping out to the car with Shane, "Have a fun day, you guys!"

Shane drives to the spot they've chosen. He knows his beloved is literally bullet-proof, but the paladin in him worries anyway. The whole way there, his hand keeps slipping over to rest on her thigh or knee and give her little pats or squeezes. With Shane's help, Cinnamon eventually finds a rocky outcropping with an overhanging tree growing by it that's not too far from the road, still outside Uluru's respectful circumference, yet also not easily visible from the road. Shane comments, "I'm going to come out every twelve hours or so, okay? Just to make sure you're topped up on water and snacks. I don't want to disturb your watch, but I also don't want you harming yourself while you're doing this."

Cinnamon laughs and hugs Shane tightly, "Okay! Have I told you recently just how fantabulous you are, asthore?"

Shane grins at her and gives her a warm kiss, "You don't have to praise me. It's just the bare minimum, acushla. Now, go be wonderful. I'll be back in 12 hours."

Cinnamon giggles, feeling almost brimmingly full of happiness! She gives Shane another hug and kiss, thanks him warmly for all the help he's giving her... and then trots happily off to settle under the tree on the side away from the road. She takes a few deep, slow breaths... and then settles comfortably. The sun isn't beaming directly down on her, thank goodness, even though she knows she can easily handle far worse temperatures than this. She sits quietly, focusing on her desire to speak with the local supernaturals. That's what the little bit of reading she did told her was the polite way to approach the sacred site, after all.

It's a long, slow, peaceful day. Cinnamon's mind tends to wander a bit after a while, though she carefully curbs herself every time her thoughts try to slink off into remembering the absolutely humiliatingly horrible time she had in the Aleutian Islands. Instead she thinks about Shane... though sometimes thoughts of Marcus trail in there as well. The little dragon is pretty sure... mm... well... hm. No, she's sure! She absolutely is sure: when she gets home, she's going to figure out how one does, er... that, um, the... uh, h-how to ask Shane to -- to do more kinds of sex! Whew. Yeah, that. Yikes... but she's pretty sure it'll be a lot of fun, and she wants to make her asthore really-really happy with her -- and hopefully this'll do it!

At some point, Cinnamon starts to hear sound sounds. They aren't the steady, low hum of vehicles passing or the walking and murmur of voices. Instead, they're something closer and more erratic. Cinnamon glances around curiously -- then blinks, intrigued: dogs! Or no, wait... aren't they called dingos here in Australia? Looks like two of the- no, wait... are there three? Hmm, hard to tell considering how much they're weaving in and out of every tiny bit of cover there is. She smiles as she watches with calm interest, admiring the pretty patterning of their short fur... then remembers reading about dingos grabbing people's stuff and running off with it. She's not particularly worried about them harming her, but just to be sure, she gathers the duffel into her arms and loops the strap around her shoulder, so the dingos can't grab it and run. After that she goes back to interestedly watching them.

A moment later, one seems to almost appear out of nothing at her elbow, snarling and snapping its teeth at her in a grab at her duffel's handles. Cinnamon jumps and squeaks startledly at the sudden, very close sound -- but then firmly adds, "Hey, now -- hey! No, you don't -- that's mine, sir! You stop this right now, please!" The other dingos stay just out of reach, circling around her with low growls and yips. She keeps one arm wrapped tightly around the sturdy canvas and leather duffel, and with her free hand she tries to gently urge the dingo away with a careful, light shove at its head, "Go on now -- shoo!"

Unsurprisingly, the dingo growls and snaps at her hand again, but Cinnamon isn't at all frightened now she knows what to expect. Her voice remains firm, "Stop that!" She remembers Fraser-wolf growling and attacking her dragon form until she growled back, so she bares her teeth and tries that, to shoo the dingo off without hurting it. She's a little surprised herself at how big and rumbly her growl comes out -- and the dingo jerks back, looking utterly shocked! The little dragon smiles, "There you go. Run off and live well, okay? I don't want to hurt y-... there you go!" She's pleased when the small family pack does indeed dart off. She gives a pleased sigh that no one got hurt... then settles back down again after a long drink of water.

Cinnamon amuses herself for the next few hours in identifying her surroundings, based on her reading before coming here. Spinifex grass grows in large, sharp-spined clumps around the great rock, as do many twisting desert oaks. The little dragon happily reviews mentally: the oaks have really long, deep root systems to take advantage of every drop of rain -- and as a consequence both they and the grass keep the soil from drying out completely and blowing away. Since it's fall in this hemisphere, there are fewer birds than usual here, though Cinnamon spots hawks floating high in the achingly blue sky, as well as small flocks of brightly colored budgies, a few raucous pink cockatoos, and lots of perky, strikingly marked little red-capped robins. There are other bird species as well, though Cinnamon doesn't know enough to identify them... at least until she spots a handful of tiny zebra finches busily hopping around and pecking up every bit of seed, fruit, and/or ants and other insects they can find.

Cinnamon smiles as she watches them, her voice soft, "Aren't you guys just the prettiest little things?" After watching for a bit, it occurs to her that maybe she could get a better look if they came closer. Moving slowly so as to not alarm the tiny birds, she carefully retrieves some dried fruit from her duffel, then breaks it up into tiny bird-bite sized pieces to scatter before her. After that she just waits silently... and is quite delighted when a few actually hop fairly close to her! She loves how beautiful they look, with their soft gray top plumage set off by their black-and-white speckled tails, their lovely white-dotted mahogany sides, and their creamy bottom halves. With their bright red beaks and cheek flashes, she can see how the cheery little songbirds have become really popular across the world.

Later, Cinnamon sighs happily as a little band of kangaroos lazily wander by on the far side of Uluru, and the sun continues slowly across the sky. She has high hopes of getting to see a few of the big sand goanas or perenties sometime during the day too -- and if she's really lucky she'll get to see some of the very shy, nocturnal black-footed wallabies! It's almost as if her thought calls it -- because there's a dry hissing of sand and a long, twisting lizard comes out of the spinifex grass. It's a big animal. Cinnamon is quietly impressed -- this animal is longer than she's tall, she bets! She's not sure how something so big can find enough food and water out here. She remains very still and quiet as she studies the lovely creature, since she suspects this is a perentie and they're supposed to be very shy. The head is almost snake-shaped, with ridges above the eyes. The long-necked body and lengthy tail are sand colored, with lacy black markings all along its length... Cinnamon thinks, but carefully doesn't say aloud, [How lovely you are!]

As she watches, though, Cinnamon wonders at the lizard's behavior. Should they look quite so... so droopy, and drag their feet so? Their tongues shouldn't hang out, right? She frowns a bit worriedly -- could the poor lizard be desperately searching for water? She nibbles her lower lip as she considers... and then, with slow and careful movements, she pulls her water bottle out of her duffel. Pouring some water into the cup-lid, she gently sets it out in front of her, as far as she can reach without lunging -- she doesn't want to scare the poor perentie.

The large lizard -- and these creatures are one of the four largest species of lizard in the world -- doe indeed hiss and freeze at her first motions. But as Cinnamon remains calm and slow, and doesn't make any more motions toward it, it hesitates instead of automatically skittering off. The scent of water in the air brings its head up slowly and the hanging tongue flickers in and out a few times. Then, slowly and carefully, and with many suspicious glances towards Cinnamon, the big perentie sort of sneaks up on the water... and laps it all up with its long tongue.

Cinnamon mentally kicks herself for drinking so much water while she was sitting here -- she's only got this one bottle left! Well... the perentie can have as much as it wants. She can get more later, after all. She grins happily as she watches, and is quite willing to slowly and carefully refill the cap two more times before she says softly, "I'm sorry, big guy, but that's all the water I have right now. If you're in need, stop by again after my asthore brings me some more, okay?" She smiles as the lizard finishes the last of the water, then strides with slow majesty off into the underbrush. That was so awesome! The poor critter looked much, much better as he left, too. She's still beaming delightedly as she recaps the empty bottle and returns it to her duffle. After that, quiet descends for an hour or so and dusk starts to tinge the sky.

The peace is so settled that the voice that comes suddenly, apparently out of nowhere, is quite startling: "Young lady! Young lady, you should not be here alone!" Striding up from the direction of the road is an Aboriginal man in a park uniform who stops and puts his fists on his hips as he stares down at her.

Cinnamon jumps and squeaks again -- then wryly thinks there's far too many things here that like sneaking up on folks! That thought makes her grin and relax again, so she can respond politely, "I'm so sorry, sir -- I thought I was past the sacred land around Uluru. Should I move back more?" She starts gathering up the duffel and making sure she hasn't left any trash, as she adds, "Umm, also, could I ask you to tell me where the proper border is, please... so I get it right this time?"

The apparent park ranger blinks at her... then shakes his head, "No, no. Your location is fine, but night is falling and it will be cold for you. It can be dangerous out here! You do not want a dingo or a lizard to bite you, after all!"

Cinnamon beams up at the man, "Oh, I'm not worried! I've already shooed off dingos, and the perentie just needed a drink, not a bite -- oh, and they're all so very pretty too! Plus I have a jacket in my duffel, and extra water coming soon." A bit wistfully she adds, "Do I have to leave?"

The man studies her, apparently perplexed... then abruptly squats until he's at eye-level with Cinnamon. His voice is now more curious than stern as he asks, "Why are you sitting out here all alone, little white girl?"

Cinnamon laughs! She's tickled pink that someone would say she's little, considering how often terms like 'hippo' and 'whale' were used to describe her as a child. She's still grinning as she replies, "Well, I'd like to talk with the local spirits here, and I read that it's polite to wait outside their territory so they can take a look at you and decide if they'd like to talk with you or not. So... here I am!" She grins shyly as she adds, "I'm really hoping to see some of the wallabies too, of course! I read that they come out at night."

The man frowns, though he seems more thoughtful than stern now. Finally he asks, "Is this some... New Agey thing you try to do, young lady? Because if so, I fear you waste your time and endanger you-self... and when that happen, others get in danger because they have to go find and rescue you. There are spirits here, yes... but in the tjkurrpa, the Dreamtime. Not where we are now!"

Cinnamon nods, "I know they won't be here right now -- no worries! But I want, umm..." She pauses, wondering how to tell a possible non-supernatural what she wants to do... then shakes her head. Right here and now, she should be focusing on this nice -- and unnecessarily worried -- gentleman. So she opens her duffel and pulls out her phone, "Oh, it's okay -- I don't want to cause any problems, so I brought my satellite phone with me so if anything happens, I can call my friends to come pick me up -- see?" She holds up the phone and earnestly adds, "Plus I really do want to ask the Dreamtime sup- er, spirits something... about what they want, you know? Er... does that make sense?" Hastily, in order to reassure what may be a non-aware human, she adds, "I really did plan ahead so I wouldn't be a bother, sir -- promise!"

The ranger listens to Cinnamon as she shows him her sat-phone and assures him that she's got friends nearby to rescue her. He doesn't seem happy that she's out of water, but when she assures him that she's got someone bringing her refills soon, he seems to settle, and eventually nods, "You seem respectful enough. Just don't wander around here at night. You stay right where you are, you hear me, young lady?"

Cinnamon smiles warmly at the man, touched at his concern for both her and the local environment, "It's not my intention to wander at all, sir. The only reason I'd be leaving here is if you or the spirits insist. Is that good enough?"

The man nods decisively once, "That's good enough." He pushes to his feet, brushing at his knees as if they got dusty. "I'll be back in the morning to check on you, though."

Cinnamon grins up at the man, "Thank you so much, sir! That's very kind of you." One more nod and the ranger disappears off in the direction he came from.

Cinnamon sighs happily again -- that was so nice of that guy! Plus, this is likely a sorta-official okay on her presence... so yay for that! She leans back against the tree, feeling very encouraged as she watches the horizon turn a gorgeously coruscating rainbow of setting sun colors... which slowly, gently fades into soft oranges and indigos, and then into warm darkness. She blinks once to shift to IR vision -- oh, wow, change that fast! She blinks again, hastily shifting to UV, then relaxes again. Her inner thoughts are wryly amused at herself: well, duh it's still bright-scarlet hot all over the land, in IR! She laughs softly at herself, eats some more of her protein snacks for dinner while she savors the quiet beauty of the night... and then, after neatly tucking away her trash again, she just relaxes and waits. Maybe the wallabies will appear!

As the dark descends and no more humans are walking the trails, it's not wallabies that appear. Instead, there's another dry whispering of sand, though this is both quieter and more immense than when the perentie came to visit, as if the creature is both stealthier and larger. Cinnamon blinks, coming out of a light trance to glance around herself. What an odd sound! Aren't the perenties the biggest creatures around here, though? So what made that noise? The slithering noise moves until it's both in front and beside her, but still out of sight. Yes, whatever this is , is immense -- bigger than Killa in snake form or Cinnamon in dragon form. She gets the sensation she ought to be able to see it by now, but there's nothing within sight.

Just as the slithering is coming around to her other side, Cinnamon blinks and it comes into focus: the thing making the sound is an absolutely stupendously huge snake! Even in the darkness it shines, and its scales coruscate in all the different colors of light. Its eyes look like giant glowing opals as it keeps its gaze on Cinnamon. When it realizes she's looking at it instead of looking for it, it stills. Cinnamon's eyes go very wide, and her jaw drops! She stares in awe for several seconds before she blinks, snaps her jaw closed... and then breathes, "You are so gorgeous!" Her astonished, fascinated gaze slowly studies the gigantic snake-form: the huge triangular head tilted down towards her... the beautifully shimmering eyes... the glittering loops of scaled body that she can see, fading off into darkness... she's astounded at how breathtakingly magnificent this entity is!

The serpent does something ordinary snakes can't do: it blinks. Then its tongue flickers out toward Cinnamon and its head slithers toward her. There's a voice, not aloud, but in Cinnamon's head: Who are you, little white girl?

Cinnamon laughs softly, automatically reaching out one hand so the tongue can brush against her skin if it wants, "Hello! Oh, thank you so much for seeing me -- oh! Yes, right, me -- okay. Okay, umm... right. I'm the 13th Chair of the global Supernatural Council! I would like to talk with you, if you're willing? Also, I came here with some friends who're helping me. Can I call them and ask them to join us, please?"

The tongue that brushes her hand doesn't feel quite... solid. It's almost as if the wind has brushed across her skin instead of something of flesh and blood. The coils of the Rainbow Serpent come closer to her, enclosing her, but somehow it doesn't feel dangerous -- just as if it's gathering itself together and Cinnamon just happens to be in the middle of where it's gathering its body. You are the 13th Chair? What happened to the old dragon? I am willing to speak with you, but only because my little brothers and sisters told me how kind and gentle you were with them, and how respectful you have been. If your friends are as respectful as you, they may come.

Cinnamon's smile gets a bit wistful, "Liam? He was my greatsire... I wish I could have met him." She sighs, shaking her head once, "But... I can tell you that story later, if you want -- and thank you for being willing to talk with me too!" She grins with more confidence as she adds, "Oh, my friends are awesome folks! I think you'll like them -- let me give them a call, okay? -and then, if you don't mind... can you tell me who you're talking about when you say little brothers and sisters?" She taps her phone's speed dial for Shane then -- she wants them to come see how beautiful the Rainbow Serpent is, too!

Shane answers the phone and lets the others know they can all come now if they want? Marcus and Thorn both also immediately agree! Cinnamon beams and thanks them, then suggests Shane drive out with the car's headlights off, since he can see in the dark. She'd like to be respectful to the Rainbow Serpent, after all. Shane also grabs more water and snacks for Cinnamon, since it was nearly time for them anyway. Both Shane and Marcus can see in the dark, so Shane kills the lights when they get close to Uluru, so as not to startle or spook any of the creatures -- especially not the Rainbow Serpent, which Shane can't quite see directly yet. What he can see, though, is that his acushla is talking intently and excitedly to something.

Cinnamon is indeed tremendously excited! At the Serpent's agreement, she starts the tale of what happened with Liam, herself, and Qadan, though she cuts off as the electric car comes gliding quietly up. She darts over to hug all three men tightly, then happily introduces them all to the Rainbow Serpent. Thorn is surprised by the hug, but returns it warmly. As Cinnamon leads them over to where the Serpent is, he doesn't see it right away. At almost arm's length, he almost trips when he finally comes into sight of the Rainbow Serpent. He's alarmed by the way it's coiled around Cinnamon, though it's not even really closely coiled around her. He is still startled by the sheer size of the creature. He recovers his composure, but still can't tear his eyes away from the gorgeous glittering scales of the Serpent. Cinnamon is beaming up at the sleek, shimmering creature as she asks, "So what was that about little brothers and sisters, please?"

Shane and Marcus both take some concentration to see the creature -- but when they do, they're both awestruck at the gorgeous entity nearly wrapped around the little dragon. Shane's breath catches as he whispers, "Magnificent." He wants to ask if it means her any harm, but somehow can tell it doesn't.

The Serpent's tongue flickers out again, and that whispery mind-voice they can all hear now says: The little brothers and sisters that came to test you. The dingoes and the perentie and the man.

Cinnamon blinks at the response, thinking back... then laughs, "Oh! And the lovely little zebra finches too, yes -- I remember now! They were a test? Funny... well, good, I'm glad they were happy, in that case!"

Cinnamon will, at the Rainbow Serpent's gentle nudge, finish telling the story of what happened with Liam and Qadan and the Council... and then she segues neatly into the reason she's here. She finishes telling of the request for her to become a proper 13th Chair again, then smiles up at the huge serpentine head which remains steady, still, and thoughtful above her... despite how much the long and sinuous body seems to shift and coil and swirl around them all, "So that's my question, honored one: would you be willing to accept a different councilor instead of myself? -and if so, do you have a preference?"

The Rainbow Serpent again blinks slowly and lowers its head toward each of the men, tongue flickering out over their heads. Each of them get to experience that not-quite-there sensation of wind-like caress. After that, apparently satisfied with whatever it gets from this, it raises its head so that it is looking down at all of them, That is a sad story. I am sorry you did not meet him. He was a good and wise spirit... and it is an important question you ask. I will take you to meet more of my little brothers and sisters. It is not just up to me if we will accept another.

Cinnamon nods happily, "That's great -- and thank you!" The only semi-corporeal Rainbow Serpent starts to lead them along, slithering gracefully toward the border of Uluru.

As they walk along with the Rainbow Serpent, no one seems to notice they're covering a whole lot of ground -- not until Shane looks up and his eyes widen in shock. He stops stock-still and blurts in awe, "Stars and fucking stones...!" Cinnamon blinks bemusedly at Shane, then starts to look up as well -- then blinks again as it registers: Shane swore! Whatever this is must truly be amazing! Marcus and Thorn too glance at Shane, then look up.

Somehow everyone missed the transition -- but the sky above is no longer the earthly sky. It's not even something like the Milky Way or the auroras, though it looks a little bit like them both... or maybe it's just as close as their minds can come. Color, light, depth, width... they're all mixed together in a whirl of otherworldly sight/sound/sensation. Now that they're aware of it, the ground beneath their feet has also taken on a strange, shifting look and feel. It's hard to get their eyes to focus on just one thing -- even Shane seems to feel a little unsteady. Cinnamon's eyes widen again as she stops walking... then turns in place in a slow circle, still staring upwards in awe. A soft, "...woo-oo-oow..." escapes her lips as she tries to take it all in.

The Rainbow Serpent stops its forward... are they going forward now? It's impossible to say what direction they're moving now because everything seems to be moving. It's not in a circle around them. It's almost as if they can perceive the turning of the earth beneath their feet. Are they even on earth anymore? Both Marcus and Shane seem to be struck silent after Shane's first muttered exclamation. Cinnamon's voice is soft as she keeps staring, "This... whooooa, so amazing! Is this... like, our unconscious minds? Or everyone's, I mean?" A second later she adds a bit wistfully, "Wouldn't it be awesome if we could embody so much beauty from our minds?"

This is beyond anything Thorn has ever seen. He feels dizzy, vertiginous, uncertain of his footing both literally and figuratively. He closes his eyes from the awesome, terrific sight, wobbling briefly on his feet. He has the feeling that if he tripped, he'd fall and keep falling... and yet... a part of him, the tuatha part, can't help but marvel at the sight. He knows, from what little he's read of it, that the Dreamtime is physically nowhere near the Celtic traditions that enshrine the Tuatha de Danann. Instead, the Dreamtime is primal... older than the trods, older than the sidhe, older than Cessair and her people. It is still awesome and amazing and terrible to behold, but it is also so unutterably gorgeous that he can't pull his fascinated gaze away from it, opening his eyes almost as soon as he closes them.

The Rainbow Serpent looks around them; its whisper-voice now seems to be aloud, "This is the Dreamtime. We are going through it to get where we're going because it is much longer to go across the ground." It seems pleased that these people are looking with awe and respect around this sacred place. "It can be hard to walk here for the people that are not from here, but stay close to me and I will keep you safe."

Cinnamon blinks at the Serpent, her head clearing a little as she listens to him... then she nods in understanding, "Okay. Thank you." She glances around at her friends, smiling a bit as Shane's slight unsteadiness makes it clear they really aren't on Earth right now! He seems able to walk all right, though. When she sees Thorn wobbling, she reaches out and gently takes his arm, "Thorny? Stick close, okay?" She checks visually: how's Marcus doing? Does he need a hand too? Thorn nods quickly and silently at Cinnamon's request, reaching up to put his hand on hers. Marcus too is a little unsteady in the Dreamtime -- but he's happy to let Shane and Cinnamon keep him steady. The little dragon is happy to help her friends walking through the Dreamtime -- feeling useful is a lovely sensation to her!

The walk through the Dreamtime takes both forever and just seconds; this time the transition is more noticeable because they're aware of where they are and where they're going. One moment, they're in the shifting, drifting, surreal landscape -- and the next, they are in the Outback again. This time, however, instead of just darkness and the sound of the wind there's a fire and the sounds of many voices. There's laughter and music. There are humans, yes, but there are also animals and creatures beyond the human/animal divide here as well. When the Serpent slithers into sight, there's a cheer and several people come rushing over to greet it and the people that are with it. Cinnamon looks around slowly, eyes wide with fascination.

Two of the people that move to hug everyone are giggling in voices that sound like yips and barks at times. Cinnamon grins uncertainly and gives a shy wave once she's sure both Thorn and Marcus can stand easily on their own. She also blinks at the hugs, but is happy to hug back. It's surprisingly nice!One of the girls with the yippy giggle explains to them that they will eat and meet everyone first -- and then, if there is serious business, only then will they discuss it. Cinnamon nods interestedly, then checks: can she help at all? Thorn too is a little startled by the sudden change, and the cheerful spirits(?) who greet them. But it helps to ground him, and he is a bit less wobbly. He also offers to help in any way he can.

The little group of visitors is told they don't need to help -- they're guests! They're taken to the bonfire in the midst of the gathering, where they are plied with food and drink. Some more of the giggling girls gather around Cinnamon, oohing and ahhing at her exotic red hair and speaking to her in a language she doesn't know. Fortunately, one or two speak English and explain that they want to paint her face and braid her hair. Cinnamon giggles, enjoying being around young women who actually seem to not think she's fat and ugly. Heck, some of them are nice and stout like her too! She grins and nods, "That's fine! Though, um... please d-don't get any paint on my glasses? I can't see well without them."

The men are also brought into the circle and surrounded by welcoming voices and people. They're offered food and drink just as Cinnamon was. Shane's hair is a familiar color even if he is strangely pale, but Marcus and Thorn look just as exotic to them as Cinnamon. The girls are happy to be careful of the glasses and everyone has food and drink pressed on them as if they haven't eaten in weeks. Indeed, it feels like they haven't -- as if traversing the Dreamtime is somehow very strenuous. Cinnamon laughs a lot and asks interested questions about the dots she's being painted with; and admires the lovely, thick, dark hair of the girls with her; and eats and shares food with Shane if he's nearby -- even Marcus, if he too seems interested -- and generally has a lovely time!

It's at least a couple of hours before anyone seems willing to 'talk shop,' though once the Rainbow Serpent asks Cinnamon to tell everyone what she told him, the now-white-polka-dotted little dragon nods in agreement and refills her drink. After that, and with the assistance of her friends, she tells the story from before slowly enough so people can translate for those who do not know English -- and concludes similarly, "So that's why I came here. I don't ever want any of the people I'm supposed to be helping to feel like... like an afterthought, you know? So I thought I'd ask you all: do you all have a preference on who you want your councilor to be?" Cinnamon is a bit disappointed internally that there are so many languages being murmured all around her, as it means her linguistic talent can't quite pick one out and learn it... but at least she knows there are good translators here for her English.

Cinnamon is careful not to mention anyone as the potential 'next councilor'... at least until she's specifically asked. At that point she carefully explains her choice and reasoning: "Aisling is the councilor for the British Isles, so she's both the councilor for the smallest number of people, which means she'd have plenty of time to focus on doing a great job here too... and also, I know there are a bunch of white folks from there that moved here. But I also know I really-really don't want to be a colonizer -- two of my best friends are the Councilors Sparrow and Josie, after all, who represent the American Indians as well as all the other supernaturals in North and part of Central America, and I've learned a ton about how awful white people can be to indigenous folks!" She sighs, shaking her head once, then continues, "So that's when I thought the best thing to do would be to come here and ask you all what you want, you know? -and also, I checked with Aisling, for in case you asked me for your opinion."

The little dragon happily adds, "Not only did she say she'd be willing, but she also thought maybe it'd be a good idea for her to have supernatural advisors she can talk to here, like all of you, who can tell her what you all need! So... that's who I'd recommend, but again, if you have any questions about her or any of the other councilors, I'll do the best I can to answer them. Marcus can too, if you want?" Cinnamon beams proudly at Thorn as she adds, "Plus, Thorn here is a dear friend who's been a real sweetheart about coming along on trips with me -- because he is an absolutely amazing healer! Thorn, you want to say anything?"

Thorn bobs his head and stands, "I'm more than happy to perform any healing that any of you need. I see it as both a duty and a privilege to use these gifts, so please let me know if there are any I can help." There's murmuring around the wide circle around the bonfire when Thorn offers his healing. It seems like, health-wise, the people here are actually pretty good, but there are a few broken bones that didn't heal well and some other such injuries. After all, the outback is an unforgiving kind of place. Thorn is, as he said, more than happy to set those injuries aright, if asked to. He's actually rather glad -- this is something he's done a lot of and has experience with. Cinnamon is pleased Thorn gets to show his abilities and help people! She's also careful, though, to keep an eye on him so he remains hydrated and doesn't overextend himself energetically. She's not entirely sure where they are right now, which means she's also a bit concerned that all of them take good care of themselves here.

There's some talking back and forth in the many languages about Cinnamon's official query. Some of it seems like good natured arguing; some of it seems like serious discussion. Through it all, the Rainbow Serpent slithers semi-corporeally around and through the space, checking on all its "little brothers and sisters." Eventually things calm down and people quiet... and the Serpent speaks. Its voice again seems to come through in their minds. We have decided this sidhe, Aisling, will be good... especially since she is willing to have advisors of our people to help her. She understands what she does not understand. Plus, there are many of her people in the cities and towns here. After that, people relax and enjoy the gathering. There is singing and dancing as well as storytelling, laughter, and shared food.

The sky is still indigo-dark when the party finally starts to wind down. The Rainbow Serpent offers to take the little group of visitors back to their starting place, adding, We are what you would think of as about a hundred miles from where you started.

Cinnamon laughs! "Um, yes, please? I'd much rather take the short way back if you don't mind!" Thorn blinks. A hundred miles? It felt like only a few steps... or a few million.

The Rainbow Serpent nods and slithers around them in a circle before saying, Come with me. We will go through the Dreamtime again. This time -- because they know what to look for -- they notice the transition between the mundane world and the Dreamtime. It's just a heartbeat; just a breath -- and they are in that wonderful, whirling stillness. The Serpent keeps them moving steadily through the ever-changing dreamscape around them. Cinnamon links arms with Marcus and Thorn so they're steady, and waits for Shane to do the same... and then they head off together. Thorn is a bit steadier and not as wobbly this time, though still as affected by the sights and sounds and texture of the Dreamtime as he was before, just... expecting it now. It's a lovely walk to Cinnamon: she's comfortably full, she got to meet a fascinating new people, she's very happy that her (now former) people are happy, and she's with her friends -- life is so good!

Moments -- or hours? -- later, they come out at the same place they first met the Rainbow Serpent. It's still deep in the night, so it seems like it took no time for them to traverse what they were told was a hundred miles. Cinnamon looks around in perplexity, fascinated that it appears to still be nighttime... then curiously asks, "Does the Dreamtime bend time as well as space, then?"

The Rainbow Serpent whisper-says, Time is different there. Space is different there. What seems like a step there may be twenty miles here.

Cinnamon nods slowly, "I see... I think." She grins, then thanks the Serpent for his kindness and generosity to them all!

The Serpent blinks slowly, then inclines its head, Thank you all for your respect. We will look forward to meeting this Aisling sidhe. It turns and slithers away, seeming to simply disappear at some point.

Cinnamon waves as the Serpent departs... then sighs happily and hugs herself once he disappears. "Ohmygosh, you guys! Was that awesomesauce or what?!" She squeaks excitedly as she impulsively hugs all three men again, "Oh, wow, that was so fantastic! -and now, there's just Nusantara and Oceania left, if I'm remembering correctly! Big huge thank yous and yays!" Marcus is a little shocked at the hug, but he makes it last a few heartbeats before letting go. That was... quite lovely.

Thorn lets out a gusty breath, "It was... kind of terrifying! But I'm glad we reached out to them."

Shane grins, "It was beyond anything I've ever seen. I mean, not the party -- that was like a beansidhe party in a lot of ways. But the Dreamtime? I've never experienced anything even close to it. Even when I tried psilocybin."

Marcus nods, "I've tried a few mind-altering substances, but nothing has come close to that."

Cinnamon is chattering happily as they all head for the car and head back to the B&B, "Ohmygosh the Rainbow Serpent is sososo gorgeous! So what's a mind-altering substance? Are you guys talking like drugs or something? Isn't that supposed to be bad for you? How're you feeling, Thorny? Not over-extended or anything, I hope?"

"No, not at all, Cinnamon -- thank you! And thank you for watching out for me."

Despite it being a short walk through the Dreamtime, the little group spent a long time partying; here, the sky is finally starting to lighten. Shane yawns, "Sleep time? I took a nap earlier, but those folks know how to party."

Cinnamon cheerfully replies, "Sleep sounds wonderful! Spicy planned for us to be in Australia for three days just in case so we have time before we have to be back in Sydney for Flying Fish to take us back to San Francisco!"

Shane grins, "Yes, acushla, drugs. But used in certain ways and used in moderation, the harm can be mitigated. A lot of cultures use them to go into trances for spiritual reasons. I took the psilocybin because I wanted to dig deep into some feelings about finding out who and what I was."

Marcus flushes, "I, on the other hand, took them for both spiritual and recreational reasons -- though never to excess. The last time I had anything harder than alcohol has to be three years ago."

Cinnamon grins at her companions, "Sounds... well, kinda scary to not be in control of yourselves? But if that's what you guys wanted to do, I guess that's your business, right?" They return to the B&B and all get some sleep. Shane calls Flying Fish to find out if they can get back early and is told an earlier flight can be arranged, now the group's aims have been successfully met.

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Last modified: 2025-Feb-25 17:51:49

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