| Logs |
2026 July 03
| Goblin Town |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
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| Realms: Goblin Town Logs |
A Goddess, A Counselor, A Traitress
The flight back from Australia is easy and uneventful; the plane sets down with plenty of time before the council meeting. Cinnamon sighs in relief, thanking both the Flying Fish crew for a nice, uneventful flight -- and blushing at the gentle teasing that she'd have saved them if there was a problem, right?! The dragonflight back to Boston is therefore quite pleasant, with singing, word games, chatting together, and generally having a fun time. Shane, as usual, sits forward and has a grand time singing along with Cinnamon. Even Marcus is cheerful and happy to sing along and play the games. Shane doesn't say that he's glad to see that Marcus seems to be ridding himself of the stick up his ass.
After that Cinnamon is relieved to hear from Josie and Spice that the Greenland folks called to let them know: they're unitedly happy to have Josie as their new councilor! That means Cinnamon doesn't have to fly there and back again. While she's getting better at the multiple-hour-long flights... she also still gets tired! So a day to just crash and sleep and eat all she wants sounds utterly lovely. Also when they return, there's a surprise for them: Veles is back! -and looking healthy and quite tanned. He did, after all, say he would return in time for the council meeting. Cinnamon squeals a delighted greeting and hugs him tightly -- then compliments him on how relaxed and calm he looks! She grins as she adds, "Hopefully that means everything is going well on all the projects?"
Veles nods, "Everything is going very smoothly! There are a lot of moving parts, but they are all moving in the way they are supposed to."
Cinnamon sighs in relief at that, then hugs and re-thanks all three young men who traveled with her. After Thorn is seen safely home, everyone else starts walking together to their homes. Cinnamon cheerfully tells Veles about their recent trip until she and Shane peel off first to her little cottage. Shane is kind enough to lend Veles the key to his apartment again, and then the little dragon has a big meal -- and then crashes! She is a tired and sleepy little dragon, after all that flying! Plus the Council meeting is coming up in two days, and she wants to be fresh for that.
Consequently, the next day Cinnamon sleeps late, and once she awakens she does her best to 1) 'make snackies' with Shane, if he's still there! 2) send out invitations for lunch for Veles, Marcus, Shane, and Aisling; 3) run all her loads of traveling clothes through the wash while also making a large and tasty lunch; and finally 4) review and update all her notes on Nusantara, so she can include Veles' information before printing off nice, tidy copies of everything for all the folks on the Council... as well as a copy for Llewellyn's records. Fortunately, the information Veles gave her is also repeated in a well-annotated journal that he turned over to her before leaving them last night.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Shane is indeed still there when Cinnamon awakens -- and he's quite happy to be distracted in such a way by his beloved! He's playful and loving -- and almost swaggering with happiness when he does finally have to leave to get his obligations on the Street taken care of. Cinnamon sighs happily as she's making lunch after that -- her Shaney is just the bestest bestie of all besties! She giggles, imagining all the appreciative stares he'll be getting today on the street, with that lovely swagger! After that she continues with her chores until lunchtime, welcoming everyone happily in.
Lunch is large, filling, and a pleasant buffet-style so everyone can help themselves. While they're eating, Cinnamon updates Aisling on what happened at Uluru, cheerfully concluding with, "So you should absolutely start working on your box, Ash!" She giggles, adding to Marcus, "I figure you should officially announce the box experiments at the Council meeting, okay? -- since you were the person that got the most ouchies out of it!" She adds to Veles, "Can you help me during the actual meeting? That way if anyone has questions, you'll be right there, right?"
Aisling nods solemnly. Solemn is not usually one of Ash's default expressions, but it looks good on her, "As I said, a Rowan box could be useful for other folk as well, so it'll be good to have."
Marcus looks thoughtful, "I'll be happy to do the presentation. We could bring the box in and demonstrate it so the other sidhe can get a good look at it." Cinnamon nodnods happily, and Marcus smiles wryly, "It certainly was an uncomfortable process doing the testing, but it's absolutely worth it." There are some chuckles at that. He's made two trips that never would have been possible for any full sidhe outside of a wooden sailing ship with the box, cutting the time down significantly.
Veles smiles his crooked smile, "I'll definitely be there and will be able to answer questions, though I'm sure someone will come up with something I don't have an answer for." His Slavic accent takes on a wry tinge at that, but he sounds amused.
Cinnamon yays! and happily hugs everyone, "Thank you all so much for this!"
The Council meeting is at night, so as to allow Elias to attend easily. The vampire councilor tried to demur, but was overridden by... well, basically everyone who was on the Street at the time! Cinnamon giggles before the meeting as she whisper-chastises her much-beloved father figure, "Elias, you yourself told me sometimes I should let people help me 'cause other folks need to be needed too! So don't you go telling me that, and then not do it yourself! You're supposed to be a good role model for us kids!"
Cinnamon has a large box stacked high with neatly bound notebooks full of her Nusantara notes -- one for everyone! Despite the hour, she sees the council chamber is filled with both nocturnal and diurnal citizens of Coblyn. She sets her box down on the table next to her seat, and then comes trotting back into the foyer so she can give greeting hugs to friends -- and is delighted when several people come to hug her! Sparrow even hugs her tightly enough to pick her feet up off the floor. "Gonna knock 'em dead in there, darlin'." He's looking pleased as punch already despite the meeting not having started at all.
Cinnamon squeaks startledly, then giggles at Sparrow, "What's got you in such a good mood, Sparrow? Is Kestrel on the street?"
Sparrow laughs, "Why, yes, they are, but that's not what's got me feelin' so good. This is somethin' that's been a long time comin' and I love a good comeuppance." He pats her on the shoulder and nods toward the doors, "We're about to be called in."
Cinnamon blinks perplexedly, "Comeuppance? Who- oh!" She glances towards the doors, effectively distracted, "Whoops! Talk more later, okay? Gotta get in line!" She patters hastily over to her place, smoothing down her skirt and straightening her hair. She's feeling very... very competent, tidy, and efficient today! It makes her feel good. She beams at Marcus as she trots past, giving him a little wave -- he'd already gotten a hug -- and takes a deep, calming breath once she's in line. She has such good news for everyone, woo! She brightens and waves as she sees Shane, Jaw-long, and Tao walk by... then turns back to focus on being dignified.
Sparrow too happily gets in line. He's wearing jeans and a denim vest along with several long, leather necklaces, but no shoes and no shirt. Somehow, however, he's giving off the aura of wearing ceremonial garb. Maybe it's the way his hair is done up in multiple small ponytails along the apex of his head and decorated with shells and beads, giving the impression of a decorated mohawk.
Aoi was the first called into the chamber simply due to being the first alphabetically. By the time Cinnamon enters, Aoi is sitting primly and properly in her seat, casting an imperious eye about the entire chamber -- because the phoenix expects this meeting will be... fraught. She has (somehow) managed to spin things in her mind so that she truly believes she's been giving and giving and giving to Cinnamon, but all the little Dragon has done is take... take the phoenix's teachings, her time and energy... and definitely her patience! The little upstart has taken Aoi's kind gifts, her people, her credibility, her very honor! The little rogue even tried to steal both Aoi's holy fire -- and the joy of her Imperial dragon's return! Somehow that little jiàn huò manipulated him into believing it was acceptable or even desired to be, not a god -- as both he and Aoi are -- but rather simply common, like Cinnamon herself! Effectively: dull, plain, and dowdy!
Thus, the phoenix has prepared for the council in two ways: she has done her best to subtly manipulate or cue a few folks that she's certain will be on her side to make repeated objections to Cinnamon's presentation of what Aoi is certain will be 'cooked' receipts for the Nusantara trip, in preparation for insisting the Nusantarans be returned to Aoi's sheltering wings... and the phoenix has gathered up all the energy she can on short notice. It's one thing for that little thief to manage to swipe a flickering spark or two of the phoenix's holy fire -- but Cinnamon is in for a big, flaming surprise if she tries that nastiness again! After all, Aoi has never actually seen it, so has no idea just how powerful the little red dragon's fire absorption ability truly is.
However, there are a few things which Aoi has not realized. First: neither Jalil, Marcus, Snow, nor Nasteexo are at all interested in taking her side in this issue the phoenix has with Cinnamon. Those she'd spoken to directly (Jalil and Nasteexo) had tried reasoning with her, but when she remained adamant they'd simply listened silently and resolved to stay out of it. Those she'd sent clever servants to with gifts -- she would never call them bribes -- and inviting words (Marcus and Snow), had remained steady and firm in their supposedly enchanted commitment to the vile dragon's wicked cajolery. Only Killa had fallen -- hook, line, and sinker -- for Aoi's subtle blandishments and encouragements. Second: Killa is precisely the wrong person to have on her side for this particular type of thing -- subtlety is not the snake-god's forte!.
The meeting starts as normal with all the usual rigmarole of the calling of roll and a couple of small pieces of housekeeping business that are so mundane that nobody at all could have any objections to them... along the lines of announcing who's hosting the next meeting, and reaffirming payments made to Currier's Hall for use of the space for Council business, and so on. Eventually, however, it comes around to Sparrow's laconic, "I move that we hear Cinnamon's report of the trip to Nusantara," immediately followed by Josie's cheerful, "I second!" The vote is called and everyone, including Aoi -- with an almost-smirk on her lovely lips -- votes yea.
Cinnamon grins teasingly at Sparrow, "You are a big silly, Sparrow! This is officially Old Business, so it would have come up real soon!" She stands, happily handing the box to Veles, so he can lay down a copy of the report at everyone's place, and adds, "But no problem -- we can do it now!" She adds, as Veles is walking around the table, "Also, I've got some real good news for everyone about the experimentation that Hilde, Marcus, Thorn, Shane, Lorcan, and I did, that Marcus will tell you about... but I wanted to officially thank everyone that participated for all their help." She turns around to look up at Caradog and his guards, then laughs delightedly and waves, "Thanks, Lorcan!" His response to the thanks for his help is a grin and actual wink -- which causes whispers around the room of surprise and curiosity.
Cinnamon giggles at Lorcan's reaction, then turns back to the Council table and beams rather proudly at both Hilde and Marcus -- she's so happy she was able to help with this! She has no idea, of course, just how startlingly egalitarian or emotionally promiscuous she might seem -- she's just doing what Shane and Marcus insisted she do, and credit herself as well as everyone else! So after the small ripple of laughter from the audience at her cheerful thanks, Cinnamon grins excitedly at Marcus, "So, our experiment was to try and figure out a way for Marcus to be able to come to Nusantara with us! Marcus, want to tell what we found out?"
Marcus stands and motions toward a shrouded shape in the corner, and one of Caradog's guards removes the cover with a flourish to reveal the Elm box. The elf replies, "With a great deal of experimentation -- some of which was rather unpleasant and required a great deal of bread and honey..." He actually laughs at that, and the room can't help but join in with the warm and apparently self-deprecating sound, "-we have discovered a way to mitigate iron-sickness over long travel." He moves to the box and opens the lid, "It's not something that's likely going to be able to be done widespread, as it is bulky and not exactly under-the-radar, as the humans say. But we found that a trod's native wood, along with layers of other things, will help shield a sidhe-descended being from iron."
Marcus steps into the box to show how much room he has inside it, "I myself have traveled in this box twice on quite lengthy airplane trips, and come through them no worse for wear. I've heard some pretty nasty stories of the iron sickness one can suffer traveling on airplanes -- however, traveling via airplane in this box kept me, while somewhat cramped, healthy and insulated."
Cinnamon beams at Marcus, then glances up at his father, to see if Jaeger is proud too! She adds happily, "Tell them how it breaks down nicely too, Da- Marcus -- for easier carrying!"
Marcus nods, "It does break down, folding down so it can be transported more easily." Up in the audience stands, Jaeger does indeed seem proud of his son! After he's stood in the box for a moment, Marcus steps back out, "There are currently plans in place to have another of these made for Rowan so Aisling can travel to Australia... as the folk there have agreed to take her on as their councilor in Cinnamon's place, since she is trying to find the right people to take on the peoples the previous 13th Chair had taken on himself."
Cinnamon laughs and beams again -- she's still quite excited at how well that's going! She glances around the council table, happily adding, "Coolness! So, any questions for Marcus before I go on?" Then she adds in explanation, "The cost of the box experimentation is first thing in the report you have. We figured since we were giving the information to everyone to try and make things better for everyone, it would be appropriate for the council to pay for it." Aoi's nostrils flare a little, eyes gleaming: one more piece of ammunition! Something so... frivolous, and surely expensive, should have been approved beforehand.
Marcus closes the box and moves back to his seat as people start to ask him questions about what it's like to travel in the box. Killa asks him suspiciously if he's used it for personal travel; Marcus assures the snake-man that he hasn't, though he has considered having a second one made for use by members of his trod for just such things. This one has only been used for Council business. Cinnamon blinks thoughtfully at the question. Personal travel boxes should be separate, then? Huh! Cool thing to know. Maybe she should ask Shane if he wants one made for his dad that's entirely for personal use... or... hm. This must be like using your personal car for business: it has to be scrupulously tracked! Across the table, Aisling too looks somewhat askance at Killa, since she had considered using the Rowan one for bringing Shane's father over for a visit at some point. She makes a note to speak to Quinn about having the trod pay for the making of the box -- so no such weird objections can be raised.
Marcus crosses his legs and leans back in his chair, fingers laced over his stomach as he smiles at Killa, not betraying how small-minded and closed-hearted he found the objection. "It will definitely save the Council travel expenses for the sidhe members. There are three of us, after all, and it will mean that we can travel to visit our folk and to other places than Coblyn for meetings more often. We could even visit the Asian countries."
Snow nods at that; Jalil adds with a smile, "And the African ones!" Aoi's eyes narrow at that, however. Would these upstarts try to take even more of her people from her?
Cinnamon beams, "I'm so glad the information is going to be useful for everyone, in that case!" She waits until the questions are over, then stands again. Opening the report, she smiles at everyone present, "Okay then! So, on with the financials and other details of the Nusantara trip. Of course, first of all I'd like to say that I owe a huge thanks to Veles, Spice, Marcus, Thorn, and Shaney -- you guys all made the trip go so well! I couldn't have done it without you all. Secondly: it truly did go really-really well, peeps! All the outstanding issues were successfully dealt with, and Veles stayed for a couple of months afterwards to be sure things continued properly -- and they have!" She sighs happily, then adds, "So! On with the details...." She starts a very broad review of the trip's financials, adding that specific details and/or invoices are in the report, and she's happy to answer questions as she reports.
Cinnamon's report is extremely thorough, of course. It includes all the handouts which neatly list everything on which money was spent -- including what Cinnamon paid for herself, as well as what she chose to charge to the Council; how much was subtracted for Thorn and for Marcus due to them insisting they pay for those things; and also which things she considers to be gifts for her friends -- and thus not subject to Council repayment. The little dragon holds up a smaller box as she cheerfully adds, "Also, I brought along all the receipts I could, for Llewellyn to have later. The ones I couldn't bring, I either scanned or took a snapshot... and I went over my results with both Jaeger and with Jarek, to be sure I'd done things the right way for the supernatural community. So... any questions?"
It's clear Cinnamon has been utterly scrupulous about her accounting... or at least it's clear to those who're willing to see. Aoi, however, expects people to start asking questions -- so she's gratified when Killa immediately starts raising objections and asking the little dragon to go through the expenses in detail for them. In the audience, Shane rolls his eyes and shakes his head; at the Council table, Sparrow smirks. He's good at spotting people that are being led a merry chase -- after all, he himself is good at getting stupid people to do even stupider things so he can teach them a lesson. He's not sure if Killa's going to learn a lesson, but he's absolutely sure that there's going to be a reckoning tonight.
Cinnamon is both surprised and pleased at Killa's request, since she thinks he's showing genuine interest, "Sure! Okay, let's start with the first part of the trip -- the flight there. Oh! Also, thank you so much, Sparrow, for finding the nice folks at Flying Fish for us? They were really nice... most of the time!" She giggles, then goes back to professional mode, "Let's see.. ah! Page 4, everyone. That's where we listed the cost of the flight over..." She continues in that mode, explaining what any of the abbreviations mean, and noting the scan of each ticket.
Killa interrupts, "How much? That's outrageous!"
Cinnamon blinks, then politely explains, "Oh, well, the reason Marcus' ticket was so much more than the rest of us was because he was in his box. Since they're a supernatural-owned company, they were willing to give just us and some cargo all the space in the plane... but the box does take up a fair amount of room, as you saw."
As she starts going through the receipts and expenditures, Killa snaps, "Let me guess: you weren't able to bring all the receipts because you just conveniently... lost some?"
Cinnamon continues to answer the previous question from Killa, "So in order to lose business to accommodate us, they charged us a little more. Um, hang on, please, Killa... I'll get that answer to you in just a moment..."
"Oh, and we're supposed to just believe you didn't pad these with the occasional gift to yourself?" Killa snorts, "No one's going to believe that."
In the audience, Shane's brows are drawing together. He looks over at Jaw-Long when Killa snaps his first little fib, and murmurs, "Do those feel like little, irritating..."
Jaw-Long sighs resignedly, "Flea bites. To me, they feel like flea bites. The little ones, anyway. That last one felt like a bee sting. Bigger."
Cinnamon's replies are all calm, thoughtful, and completely accurate... though also her bemusement is slowly increasing, "Okay, so... ah. Here's the one I wanted to show you." She holds up a printed-out photograph of what is clearly a large banana leaf with numbers scratched on it, "See? I told them I really-really needed an invoice, please, but they didn't have any paper, so they used the leaf instead. Unfortunately they also told me the leaf would rot before the council meeting, so I should take a photo of it for whomever needed it."
Killa huffs, "That's simply ridiculous -- how are we supposed to believe that?! What's proof do we have that this whole thing isn't just a made-up story by you?"
Cinnamon smiles ruefully at Killa as she adds, "There were a handful of those necessary, actually. The photos of all of them are on..." she swiftly riffles through the pages, then nods once, "Here we go: page 27, everyone."
Aoi watches with serene calm, initially pleased at Killa's interjections -- but she's savvy enough to rapidly realize that a) only Killa is performing this attack on Cinnamon, rather than the several people she thought she had boug-- uhm, cued... and b) the contrast of Killa's angry, interrupting, and ultimately pointless bluster with Cinnamon's calm, friendly, and very well-considered preparation is starting to make the snake man look very, very bad! In fact, at another large-ish expense, Killa nearly snarls, "How is it these people needed so much of your mon- no -- our money! -- when they've been fine for the past century?"
Cinnamon finally tilts her head puzzledly at the irritable snake man, "Um, Killa, the whole point was that 'these people,' as you put it, weren't fine for the past century! But... I think now there's something else we should deal with, actually: is everything okay, Killa? You seem... well, really upset about all this, and I don't know why. Is there something wrong? Or is there some reason you don't want me to make this financial report? Do you know something I don't, but should know, that would change things?"
Several people had started frowning repeatedly at Killa, and shifting restlessly in their seats -- but at that, all the council members go quiet, watching with intense interest. Caught off-guard, Killa scoffs -- but then doubles down, "Bah! It's well-known that your financial trustworthiness is an issue!"
Up in the audience, Shane almost leaps to his feet as that lie blazes through his head! Not only is that blatantly untrue -- and therefore very painful -- it's also a horrible slander on his beloved acushla. The only thing keeping him in his seat is Jaw-Long's heavy paw on his shoulder, and the soft, jaw-clenched rumble, "I know it's painful... but please, wait."
Down on the Council floor, Cinnamon is shocked into silence at that outburst from Killa! She thinks furiously fast for a few seconds -- and then, instead of getting angry or defending herself, she instead asks the snake-man with every evidence of real concern, "Killa, who have you talked to that told you this? I'd like to know, please... because apparently I've wronged that person, and I'd like to fix things... because I d-don't want to brag or anything, but I know I'm a good, honest, dependable accountant... and I take pride in doing my job well! So... tell me, please, who said this to you?"
Killa snorts in disdain, waving his hand dismissively as he blusters, "Everyone! Everyone knows this!"
Shane holds onto the arms of his chair and rolls his head as if trying to crack his neck. Jaw-Long rumbles quietly, "Painful?"
Shane nods, gritting out, "Like someone turned on two radios really loud with two competing songs."
Jaw-Long sighs and nods, "What they say..."
Shane nods, "And the echo that says it's a lie. Fucking... ugh! My damn head..."
On the council floor, Cinnamon thinks a moment. She's got a small, very unpleasant suspicion as to what is truly going on -- though she simultaneously really hopes she's wrong, and Aoi isn't being a meanie to her. So instead, Cinnamon turns to first her father figure, and says quietly, "Elias... was it you that Killa talked with about me being financially untrustworthy?"
Elias calmly shakes his head and smiles reassuringly at Cinnamon, "No. I don't feel that way and no one has spoken to me about it." His eyes land on Killa as he firmly adds, "And you should not take such vicious rumors to heart, dearling."
Cinnamon nods gravely to Elias, unsurprised... then turns to the person next to her, who often knows things well before expected, "Sparrow? Was it you?"
Sparrow is leaned back in his seat with his feet propped up and crossed on the table. He likewise folds his arms over his chest, looking at Aoi rather than Cinnamon as he replies, "Naw, darlin'. Sounds like complete bullshit to me. I'd trust you with money, my woman, and my weed."
Cinnamon blinks at that, not sure why weeds- oh, wait! Isn't that... like a drug or something? Oh, right! Mary... drat, what -- ah! Marijuana! She smiles with quiet affection at Sparrow... then sighs internally -- she can tell she's narrowing in on what she thinks happened, which honestly she'd rather not... but she knows also she must see this through to the end if the truth is to come out. So she keeps her face impassive as she asks the next person past Elias, "Marcus, may I ask if it was you?" She shifts slightly so she can keep half an eye on Shane and Jaw-long at the same time... because after Marcus she's going to ask Jalil, and... well, as people have pointed out to Cinnamon: he's old and very canny. Maybe he'll actually know who it was?
Shane and Jaw-Long have been relaxing as actually truthful people have been speaking. Shane even smirks a little as Sparrow makes his declaration. It's a very Sparrow-like declaration. Marcus looks shocked, "Me? Certainly not! I know it's completely untrue because I helped prepare these documents -- so I dare someone to bring accusations like this to my door. Further! I certainly would not have traveled to the literal other side of the earth with someone I didn't trust with my very life!"
Cinnamon smiles warmly at Marcus too, deeply touched! She's half hoping she won't have to call the culprit out, because she knows it will get... really messy if so. Surely not, though... right? Surely Aoi wouldn't have done something so... so incredibly mean like this? For no reason? She takes a deep breath to focus, then says steadily, "In that case... Jalil, may I ask you the same question, please?"
The mischievous djinn smiles and can't resist lobbing a clue to his cute little cousin-in-fire! So he cheerfully replies, "Oh, yes -- I've heard that!" There's a gasp around the room, and Shane's jaw drops -- because that's the truth! Jalil actually has heard someone say this ridiculous thing! Jalil casually scratches his chin as if thinking, "Of course I was not speaking to Killa... nor did I believe such silly natterings!"
Cinnamon's eyes widen a bit: she was right -- Jalil does know! She's not quite breathlessly intent, as she asks with very carefully courtesy, "May I ask the name of that person, please? I would very much appreciate knowing who is spreading malicious rumors about me, after all?" Aoi is the next councilor after Jalil, and Cinnamon suspects she won't get truth from the phoenix, unfortunately. However, she's now pretty sure both Jalil and Killa both spoke to the same person... and she's also pretty sure now that she knows who it was.
Jalil still looks speculative as he continues to rub his chin, smiling and musing aloud, "Of course, of course I'll try to remember! Now, who co-"
--and Aoi smoothly interjects at that point, her voice slightly wearied in the way of elders having been patient in dealing with incessantly rambunctious children, "This paranoia becomes tedious; we should not encourage it, Jalil. Motion for a 10 minute break to sort out the schedule, that we may keep things moving." With visible relief, Killa quickly seconds and Aoi starts to call the vote...
Cinnamon watches in silent startlement, eyes wide. She'd been still half-hoping she was indeed being overly paranoid, but this...! Aoi's swift shut-down of Jalil saying the name of the malicious manipulator has absolutely convinced the little dragon that her initial, half-disbelieving speculations are correct. Further, Cinnamon takes great pride in doing her accounting job as well and as perfectly as she can! That means this arrogant, deceitful woman is telling lies -- not just about her, Cinnamon, but more importantly (to the little dragon's perspective) about Cinnamon's accounting integrity! That bright, hot, righteous anger sort of turns over in her stomach, roiling up through her body -- and erupting from her in a deep, quiet -- but perfectly audible across the entire room: "STOP."
Everyone who'd been getting ready to argue for or against Aoi freezes for a second, with most glancing startledly at the small, usually quiet and unimpressive woman -- everyone except Sparrow, who's grinning like the cat who ate the canary. Cinnamon is standing quite still, but her anger and outrage fairly bristle off her as she says clearly and precisely, "You do not get to ignore Robert's Rules of Order whenever it suits you, Aoi. You may not introduce a motion while someone else holds the floor -- and currently, I hold the floor, and I have not finished giving my financial report!" She glances towards Jalil, hoping he will give her the name she wants.
Before Cinnamon can actually ask him to tell her, though, the djinn grins and snaps his fingers, "Ah! I remember now! It was-" -- and yet again Jalil is interrupted by the phoenix! This time she is loud, speaking in sharp Mandarin Chinese as she denounces Cinnamon's impertinence and paranoia. The little dragon blinks, then hastily begins translating for everyone else present -- though when Aoi concludes by referring to Cinnamon with the vile slur of jiàn huò, Cinnamon blushes, hesitates... and then simply leaves that extremely embarrassing comment out of the translation.
Hilde, however, is having none of that! The ljosaelf takes in a sharp breath and mutters, "Oh, hell no!" She stands and says sharply, "Excuse me, please, Cinnamon, for interrupting -- but I think these folks need to know what was actually said there!" She looks around the room, eyes steely, "Aoi called Cinnamon jiàn huò, which means 'cheap goods.' It's a vile, vile slur -- the cultural significance is a deliberate inference of diseased prostitution. Not very... proper or business-like of our Asian councilor."
Around the room, there are gasps and outraged mutters. There are quite a few dirty looks cast Aoi's way -- though Killa is scowling at Hilde, who is standing there looking like her hair might go up in flames from her irritation! This time, Jaw-Long can't keep Shane from shooting to his feet, but he does keep the half-beansidhe from throwing himself over the barrier and at the phoenix for so insulting the little dragon. There are glowers Aoi's way not only from the gallery but from councilors as well. The smirk from Sparrow might as well have a sign over his head that says 'You Done Fucked Up Now.' Cinnamon blushes hotly, ducking her head in humiliation and embarrassment. It takes her a while, actually, to realize: the gasps? The horror, the growing anger? They're not upset at her... they're upset for her! She stares around the table in a mix of surprise and melting relief... that they don't think she's the one at fault for this mess!
Hilde's blue eyes bore into Aoi as she grimly continues, "I suggest -- and by suggest I mean you fu- fully well should apologize for that -- or-" her expression goes as arctic as her domain, "-have a vote of no confidence in the Asian Chair entered into the minutes of this meeting!" At those words, there's an uproar not only in the gallery, but around the table. Cinnamon stares in utter shock at her charming, always stylish friend. Crabcakes, but Hilde's scary when she's mad!
Around the room, things eventually begin to calm down as Elias takes things in hand. He uses what may well once upon a time have been his 'teacher voice' to get everyone to sit back down and people begin trying to piece together what's been going on here. Cinnamon sighs, realizing she needs to step up and do her job again. It is, after all, technically still Old Business. Though... hmm, she isn't sure she has the chutzpah to enforce Hilde's demand... should she say anything? She blinks startledly when Jalil calmly states out of the blue, "As I was saying, I remembered who I was talking to. It was indeed Aoi." Unsurprisingly, that causes another instant uproar: Killa is on his feet and shouting at Jalil, blustering and trying to deny Jalil's accusations re Aoi -- which is making both Shane and Jaw-Long wince in the Gallery, and is simply making things worse around the Council table. Nasteexo is in the body of a very dark-skinned woman as she quietly, lazily fans herself, smiling inscrutably as the phoenix's unstable house of cards starts to collapse in on itself. Sparrow is almost doubled up with laughter by this point! Aoi's eyes blaze with anger, but she maintains her cool, calm facade.
Now that his little bit of mischief has blown up in Aoi's face (much to Sparrow's delight), Jalil calmly adds, "Yes, she talked with me about how undependable Cinnamon was turning out to be. This is, of course, silly and untrue, but she didn't seem amenable to hearing all the evidence otherwise, so I didn't interrupt her and just let her get all the venom out." He shrugs his shoulders, "Naturally I do not believe it, of course. You are doing an excellent job." Marcus blinks in horror as he realizes that the small gift one of Aoi's chatty, friendly servants brought was an attempt to suborn him as well! Thank goodness, he thinks to himself, that he was so firm in his denial of Cinnamon ever stealing money! -and shame on him for not realizing what was going on at the time! Snow's disapproval is almost palpably growing every single time she looks at the increasingly unhappy phoenix... and (from Aoi's perspective) that cursed Trickster is just snickering and hooting like a monkey every time someone speaks! Of course, that's just Sparrow grinning as the truth comes spilling out of the increasingly large holes in Aoi's false story.
When things finally calm down enough, Aoi imperiously stands to speak, spinning a calm, eminently reasonable, smoothly delivered tale of Cinnamon's 'betrayals.' The phoenix herself believes all of this is true with all her heart -- so she's both utterly shocked and infuriated when she's called out for lying! However, there's nothing in the world that could have stopped Shane this time when he surges once again to his feet and shouts out, "These are all outright lies -- how dare you?! Why? Why tell these lies? This is beneath you!"
Despite being a little stung at that last comment, Aoi rolls her eyes and wearily replies, "We all know you're simply covering for your concubine, but-" -- only to have Jaw-Long solemnly rumble, "No. What he says is true. You are lying, Aoi... and it is beneath your great dignity. Please stop... to save face."
Cinnamon breaths a soft, astonished, "Whoaaaaaa!" at that! She stares in silent awe around herself. She'd intended to ask Aoi to please not spread rumors about Cinnamon's accounting skills... but it looks like this thing has taken on a life of its own! In the audience, Tao looks more and more unhappy -- he'd hoped Aoi had spent some of her time away meditating and deciding to be more humble, so she could actually help her people! The look on his face hurts Aoi tremendously. She doesn't know how that cursed little 'cheap goods' baggage did it -- but it actually looks as if now even her beloved yellow dragon doubts her!
Snow is well-known for her quiet ways -- but at this point she stands up and strongly scolds Aoi for not caring about anyone but herself -- not her devoted servants, nor her extravagantly wasteful energy use, nor her people crying out for- and in the middle of Snow's words, Aoi abruptly shrieks a furious: "Enough!" As she stands and spreads her arms, they start to become magnificent golden-and-scarlet wings. While still changing shape, she haughtily declares: "I shall not accept this vile betrayal from former allies -- nor shall I remain to listen to the monkey chatter of lesser beings!" In her anger, her form changes into the fiery, magnificent, and glorious phoenix and she lifts into the air -- then cannot resist a furious swoop-by at the perceived cause of all her problems: that fat, mannerless, ugly, stupid, stupid, stupid girl!
Cinnamon stares in silent awe again as Aoi shifts -- she's so incredibly beautiful! However, as the phoenix swoops downwards, the little dragon bolts to her feet in worry. Who is Aoi attacking?! Cinnamon doesn't care if it's her -- but she does care, very much, that her friends not be harmed! Jalil is a fire spirit, so Cinnamon's not worried about him, but to her right are Sparrow and Elias! She reflexively tries to shove Sparrow away from both herself and the angry phoenix, shouting, "No; look out!" Maybe he can help block Elias? -holy crabcakes Aoi's moving too fast she's too close the flames will hurt friends-! --and again, reflexively, Cinnamon reacts: by simply inhaling all the dangerous fire swooping on those she cares about.
Sparrow only needs a little nudge to go for Elias, forgetting for a second that the vampire can move faster than pretty much... anyone else in the room. As it is, none of them need have worried! All the phoenix's carefully gathered energy... all Aoi's greedily hoarded gifts from her worshippers, all those months and months of effort and worship and collecting and careful payouts -- all for naught! In that single heartbeat, instantaneously and without warning... the fabulous, flaming phoenix is abruptly, shockingly transformed back into her normal human shape, which falls... to thud heavily onto the big, round Council table in a short, graceless, rolling tumble. She's not even the perfection-enhanced human version of herself. No, by casting all her energy into making her fiery self as pristine, as gorgeously perfect and worship-worthy as possible... Aoi has unwittingly lost every last drop of that energy... due to Cinnamon inhaling her fire.
Another uproar follows -- this meeting has certainly been chaotic, at the very least! Cinnamon blinks, automatically reaching out to make sure the tumbling Aoi doesn't fall off the table... but then steps back, her arms falling to her sides, at the furious hiss Aoi gives her. She steps back again to make room as all of Aoi's people rush over, crying out and wailing at sight of their beloved lady's fall. Cinnamon glances around in a bit of confusion. Now what? Oh, good: at least Sparrow and Elias are safe. Eventually, however, things are sorted out. Aoi is gently, devotedly escorted out by her servants, who fuss worriedly over her... and the meeting resumes. For those that can see it, there's an air of grim determination in the councilors. The motion, debate, and vote to replace Aoi with Tao is quiet, short, grave, and almost sorrowfully stern.
Once she realizes what's happening, Cinnamon is careful to make sure each step in Robert's Rules of Order is meticulously observed, because she understands this will be argued about incessantly otherwise! So she first resigns the floor with a motion to Lay on the Table her financial report until after the issue of Aoi is resolved. Then, at the motion to replace Aoi with Tao, Cinnamon blinks and hesitantly raises her hand, "Ahhh... can I, um... ask for an addendum to that motion, p-please?" She glances towards Tao, hoping he doesn't mind this, then adds in a small voice, "I mean, umm... can we add that, in Tao's opinion, if Aoi gets better and he believes she's trustworthy to care for her people again, he should be able to bring her on again? Like, two people, one vote?"
Jalil gravely asks in all seriousness, "And can Tao be trusted to do that?" The djinn is, after all, not one to replace a bad thing with a worse one.
Cinnamon simply turns to scan the audience, then waves a hand towards Jaw-long as she replies to Jalil, "Tao has honest people he trusts and listens to, who will tell him if he's making a mistake!" She doesn't say it aloud, but she knows she leans on Shane the same way, after all.
Jalil looks in that direction and nods, folding his hands on the table, "People who will tell him how things are even when they are not palatable. This is good to have."
Cinnamon grins shyly up at Shane, then at Jalil, "Oh, yeah." Shane just smiles and gives Cinnamon a playful wink.
Killa huffs irritably, "This is ridiculous. You cannot simply replace gods!"
Cinnamon has to cover a grin at that -- since Qadan shows you absolutely can! Sparrow arches a brow and drawls, "Y'know, seems like you can because we. Just. Did." The Trickster just barely prevents himself from adding, 'Watch yourself or we'll do it again, too.' Cinnamon coughs into her hand, hoping it sufficiently hid her giggle -- and Sparrow looks at her, "Anyway we can make what his slitheriness just said officially stupid?"
Cinnamon blinks at Sparrow... then grins wryly, "Um, do you mean how should Robert's Rules of Order be used in this situation?"
Sparrow nods, "Yeah, that. I don't want there to be any objections to be able to be raised." His eyes are solidly on Killa as he says this.
Cinnamon is happy to be helpful, "Sure, Sparrow! What you have to do is raise an 'Objection to the Consideration of the Question' of Killa's, um, statement? Demand? -er, whatever... that gods cannot be replaced. If it's seconded and then has a majority vote, then the statement becomes undebatable and completely suppresses any future question or demand that it be considered." She smiles a bit uncertainly at Sparrow, "Is, er, that what you're looking for?"
Sparrow nods, "Hell yeah." He raises the objection and Jalil firmly seconds -- and it passes with only Killa voting against it. The snake-man then tried to demand that Aoi's replacement be only for this meeting. That caused some rolling of eyes -- but then Marcus solemnly moves to Postpone Indefinitely on that. Cinnamon grins delightedly at Marcus, very pleased that he's knowledgeable about Robert's as well! Elias seconds the motion and it too is adopted overwhelmingly. After that, no further debate is allowed on the motion to Postpone Indefinitely, and it too passes without issue...
...and so, as the poet noted, it is not with a bang but a whimper... that the over-proud goddess is deposed by the Council and replaced by her dear childhood friend -- for the good of her people, and to his visible, sorrowful disappointment in her.
After the motion is passed, Cinnamon whews! -nearly flopping back in her chair. She won't suggest it, since she's a bit worried it would be unprofessional -- but she half-hopes Sparrow makes a motion to close the meeting and re-assemble later for the rest of what's on today's roster! Maybe in a day or two... so everyone has a chance to take a breath and relax and adjust to the new normal on the council? The little dragon wouldn't mind a bite to eat either -- all this arguing and emotion is hungry work! In fact, just as she's glancing hopefully at him, Sparrow stretches and drawls, "Motion t' close the meetin'." Marcus seconds, looking exhausted. Cinnamon blinks -- she hadn't realize she's not the only one who's feeling worn out by all this! The vote is unanimous... and the momentous meeting is closed.