Goblin Town -- Logs

Hilde did actually introduce Cinnamon to a few members of her trod that are there to visit and meet the new council member; a couple of them ask Cinnamon to dance. Once is dressed as a shaggy polar bear and the other is a silly harlequin. Cinnamon is laughing and slightly breathless as she dances -- it's such a wonderful night, to her! She keeps half an eye out for her beloved too, since she'd really like more dances with him as well. Oh! She should dance at least once with Tao/Sun Wukong, as the guest of honor, too!

While Cinnamon is dancing with the polar bear and Athala is dancing with Jaeger, things work out such that Shane and Marcus are both temporarily without dance partners, and standing together. They're both watching Cinnamon, but Shane's voice is pitched just for Marcus, "Somehow, I think I'm not going to have to threaten you this time."

Marcus blinks slowly and turns to look at the half-beansidhe, "Pardon?"

Shane glances at Marcus in turn, "About Cinnamon. You're smitten. I don't think there's a threat about her heart needed this time."

That brings a flush to Marcus' face -- he didn't expect to be called out quite so bluntly! -- but this is Shane. He could equivocate, but he thinks that would be a bit silly at this point, so he says, "No. No threats needed."

Shane nods his head and looks back out over the dance floor, "Good. I'm not the jealous type. I am head over heels in love with that woman, so all that matters to me is her happiness. If having you as well as me makes her happy, that's fine with me."

Marcus is blinking, a little stunned by this whole conversation... though, of course, Shane always is a little blunt. "I... thank you?"

Shane smirks a little, "Don't thank me. Just be the man I know you can be, all right?"

Marcus slowly nods, "All right."

On the ballroom floor, Cinnamon cheerfully chats with Hilde/Hoggle's holding-mates, "So are you here for something official, or just visiting for fun?"

The polar bear is a tall ljosaelf with eyes so light blue that they're almost white. He laughs, "Just fun! I'm one of the trod guardians, and we were invited down to meet the new councilor... but that's really hardly business -- not when the meeting takes place here, you know?" He's got a lilting Icelandic accent.

Cinnamon giggles and nods, "Yeah, Caradog does try to make sure there's fun official things happening on the street all the time. He covers all the major holidays, and also whenever someone famous happens to pass through -- and that's just the official stuff! Us ordinary folks have fun things to do too on a regular basis. I mean, if you wanted to, you could go to a different musical concert or poetry reading or staff practice or repairs street party or whatever just about every day of the week! -and Tao's really nice too -- I think you'll like him!"

The bear nods and smiles broadly, "I had heard that about Coblyn! It's one of the best-known enclaves, you know? Well, known of. It's one of the hardest to find." As they're dancing, a young woman dressed in a somewhat gothic style, with black-black hair and an eye of Horus around of her eyes, asks Shane to dance. Surprised, Shane accepts -- and the young woman takes his arm to move into the dance.

Cinnamon grins and nods to the polar bear, "Yeah, you have to be introduced to it by either a map, being born there, or a resident, from what I've been told!" She smiles as she sees her lovely Sir Didymus heading out to dance with the Goth girl... though she's a bit surprised it wasn't Marcus who was asked! Then again, she lightly chides herself: the costume doesn't dictate one's personal preferences! She grins up at the bear again, "I take it either Hoggle or Ludo led you onto the street, then?"

The polar bear grins again and nods, "Hoggle... Hilde did. She's an old friend; I've known her since she was a child. She was very excited for me to meet her friends here, especially you and your Sir Didymus." He nods toward Shane, where the girl in the Goth regalia is stroking one of the foxy mustaches with an impish little smile.

Cinnamon laughs a bit self-consciously as her happy gaze turns towards Sir Didymus, "Oh, I'm his girlfriend -- he's not my property or anyyy..." Her voice trails off, and she blinks a bit startledly at how... [forward/touchy/grabby hey that's mine waitwaitwait can't think that way though hssssss- eek! Stop that stopstopstop uhhhh what to do oh! Look away look away don't look don't don't don't grab or growl or it'll drive my beautiful Shaney (grrr my asthore!) away ack! Don't want that don't peek uhhmm uhh oh! Smile! Smile at the nice polar bear that's it holy jumping frogs on a pogostick this is hard!] Cinnamon manages a slightly shaky smile up at the nice bear-man dancing with her, and fortunately Jaeger's lessons were really excellent -- which means her body is able to reflexively continue with the dance rather than something disastrous -- like tripping up or causing others to fall or somesuch!

Elsewhere, Thorn sees the Goth woman flirting with Shane and wonders what she's doing. Haven't the broadsheets connected Cinnamon with Shane pretty strongly already? Shane's head pulls back as the woman (dressed as what he thinks might be some version of Death) strokes the mustache of his costume and purrs that he makes a very cute Didymus... then asks if she has his permission to pass. He reaches up and takes her wrist in his hand to move her hand back to his shoulder and replies kindly that no, she doesn't have his permission to pass or make a pass. She laughs and steps in closer against him, pouting up at him.

Cinnamon sighs with a tiny bit of relief as (despite mentally yelling at herself to not look!), out of the corner of her eye, she catches Shane stopping the petting. Of course, she can't help stiffening a little a heartbeat later [ohmygosh that hussy she's nearly plastered herself against my astho- arrrgh! Don't look Cinnamon what is wrong with you you ninny?!]

Elsewhere on the dance floor, Shane takes a deep breath, then says politely, "I think it's well-known on the street that I'm well and truly taken, ma'am."

The girl pertly replies, "I didn't think the beansidhe were known for monogamy! Surely your dragon is willing to share, since you seem willing to share her...?"

Shane takes another deep breath, gently puts his hands on the girl's shoulders, and presses her back, "I think perhaps we need to cut this dance short."

Cinnamon is pretty much staring fixedly up at the pleasant polar bear by this point, with a determined smile forced onto her lips, "Wha... uhh... oh! So, er, so wh-what do you do?"

Noticing her distraction, the polar bear smiles gently down at Cinnamon and repeats what he said earlier, "I'm a guardian at the trod. It's pretty much a full-time job for me. I don't work outside the trod. I know you're kept pretty busy with your councilor position, like Hilde is."

When her more socially-aware dance partner gently swirls her around so she can see Shane pressing the Goth girl back, Cinnamon's unwitting reaction is a gusty, relieved sigh, and her dancing becomes a bit more fluid as the rigidity in her tense body abruptly releases. She takes a deep breath, then smiles more genuinely up at the bear/man, "So as a guardian, do you help maintain the 'scare-away' magicks or something on your holding's entrance?" She remembers Hilde and Torben having to guide them all through the tiny little fake hut against the massive boulder that is the entrance to their home, after all. Then she brightens, "Oh! Or were you one of the guardians that were with the Valkyrie wolfpack, that hitched a ride back with me on the night of the horrible blizzard?" Internally, however, the little dragon has firmly resolved to herself: the next dance is with her Shane!

The polar bear grins almost impishly himself as she feels Cinnamon relax once she gets to see her asthore pushing the girl back and, with a small scowl, gently leading the pouting would-be coquette off the dance floor. The bear replies, "Yes, I'm one of the maintainers of the keep-away. There are several of us, so it's safe for me to be here for a few days. Illusion is my speciality, especially emotional illusions. I can make places feel welcoming or scary or soothing or... well, almost any atmosphere. It's good to just let it rest for a while, though."

Cinnamon is quietly fascinated at that! She chatters interestedly about working those magicks and what it feels like and such for the rest of the dance... and she genuinely thanks the kind bear man for the lovely dance once it concludes. She still hasn't twigged to how socially ept he is, though; she's just mildly relieved he seems to walk her off the dance floor to where Shane is -- good, she won't have to run around the dance floor to get to her asthore right away! She happily hugs Shane once they arrive, then introduces him to the bear/man -- sort of guardian to guardian! She's not doing it consciously, of course, but she's also standing very possessively close to Shane. It's not grabby or clinging, but for those who can see, she's clearly very, very much with this young man thanks so much and keep your grabby mitts off please!

Shane shakes hands with the polar bear and the two chat for a moment before Hilde's holding-mate makes his excuses and wanders off to leave the two of them alone so Cinnamon can reassure herself of her hold on her beloved. The little dragon waves to the nice man, then turns to Shane and chirps brightly, "Dance?!" She'd be utterly mortified, of course, if she knew just how obvious she was being to the socially aware! Fortunately, Shane is just as relieved as Cinnamon is to have his acushla ask him to dance. In fact, they dance together for two or three songs before Tao very politely asks if he might cut in. He is dressed in that elaborate monkey mask and a richly embroidered jacket and trousers in gold and red. Cinnamon is feeling almost effervescently bubbly again after several internally-soothing dances with her beloved asthore! When Tao turns up she's beaming again -- and after Shane smiles and nods at Tao, she excitedly asks, "Ge-ge! Can you answer a question for us maybe? We were wondering: is your costume Sun Wukong or Hanuman, please? Or... were they the same person maybe, since Wukong did travel to India with the sage?"

Tao smiles, "I am who you see when you look at me, so I am both -- and yes, they were the same person once upon a time."

Cinnamon giggles and bouncies on her toes for a moment, nearly glowing at Shane, "So we were both right -- awesomesauce!" She grins as the music starts up again, holding out a hand to Tao/Sun Wukong, "So shall we dance, then?" Tao takes Cinnamon's hand and moves onto the ballroom floor with her. He's graceful and moves like the dance is second nature to him, despite these kinds of dancing not being his culture. Cinnamon honestly isn't really surprised at that. Not only is Tao an incredibly agile and graceful dragon-form, but he's also had millennia to get really good at anything he wanted to learn! So she beams up at him as they dance, and asks, "So how're you doing? Are you having fun at your celebration party? I... guess this would be all old hat to you too-" she laughs, then adds, "-so I won't ask about cold feet for the next council meeting!"

Elsewhere, Thorn sees Shane has managed to shake off the would-be paramour, but the healer keeps an eye on her, wondering what she'll try next. She's pouting at the edge of the dance floor, arms crossed as she watches Cinnamon dance with Tao, eyes moving around the crowd. She eventually lands on Marcus, watching him speculatively... but he's standing near Shane. Thorn nods to himself. It looks like she's not actually plotting something against Cinnamon and Shane themselves, but is simply looking for something more than dancing.

On the dance floor, Tao laughs and nods, "I am having fun! I enjoy dancing and I like costumes. There are a lot of reasons to wear them in our culture -- a lot of holidays to dress up and take to the streets. This is the first time I have worn one in decades, however... but it never gets old -- and yes, I am looking forward to the meeting, though I am hoping it will be calmer than the last."

Cinnamon giggles and nodnods, "Yeah, I love costumes too!" She blushes as she shyly adds, "I hope, um, y-you don't take this wrong or anything...? -but even though I'm a Welsh-type dragon, I really loved being the red dragon dancer in the Coblyn Asian New Year parade this year, to celebrate the Year of the Dragon!" She loyally adds, "Though I'm sure you'd have been more appropriate!"

Tao shakes his head, "I don't take it wrong. There is a difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation. I was not here to be the dragon, and you appreciated the symbolism and were here." He adds, "Next time, I will be here, and so I can be the dancer."

Cinnamon grins delightedly through the blush as she gleefully replies, "Oh, yes -- it was so much fun! The Asian contingent asked me to be the dragon, and their um, parade dragon? You know, the one with people in it, that's a costume? We danced together, and they had all kinds of gorgeous trappings and harness-stuff that they asked me to wear and I felt so pretty and it was so fun and at the end they asked me to be part of the fireworks after eating some minerals that made my flame all different pretty colors and wow it was fun!" Tao smiles warmly as Cinnamon talks so happily about being the dragon dancer and dancing with the dragon dancers in the costume. She shyly adds, "If you want, I can show you the pretty photo my Shaney got of me then? I mean, I'm sure it wouldn't be as gorgeous as if it was you wearing the trappings, but... I, um... kinda thought it looked okay?" That makes her blush more hotly and hastily change the subject, "Uh, and yeah! I, I hope the next meeting is a ton calmer too! Though it should be -- Aisling's home trod is a nice, quiet place!"

Tao laughs happily with Cinnamon, "The minerals in the fire are very much fun! I enjoy playing with those as well. Perhaps next year we can coordinate something with the pyrotechnics to be truly spectacular! I have heard that the Rowan trods tend to be that way since they try to keep out anyone that's going to cause issues."

Cinnamon brightens at hearing that Tao might like to dragon-dance with her -- she'd very much enjoyed both the parade, and flying with the yellow dragon, after all! "Oh! I'd love to coordinate with you -- I think that'd be so much fun!" She cheerfully adds, "Also, all the Rowans I've met have been really nice, pragmatic folks, so hopefully it'll be a nice, calm, almost boring meeting, right?"

Tao smiles, "Of course, they are going to be letting in the entire council, so there may be some drama. Though I hear Aisling's trod has a somewhat formidable guardian."

Cinnamon laughs! "Oh, are you referring to Shaney's dad, Quinn?" She grins wryly, "He's a bit scary sometimes, but I think it's only when he has to be a defender, if that makes sense? I think on the whole he's a good guy..." She pauses, considering, then wryly adds, "Though honestly, I doubt he'll scare you -- you're a lot older and wiser than me, after all!"

Tao murmurs, "One need not be frightening to be impressive. I understand that his knack is akin to his son's -- that it's difficult to speak other than the truth to him. It shall be... interesting to have a meeting with Killa present where he must speak truths that even he is not aware of. I think that one deceives himself."

Cinnamon blinks startledly at that thought... then oooohs softly, "Ohmygosh, that's a really good point, ge-ge!" She considers for a few more swirling bars of the music, then worriedly adds, "Is... this really a good idea? Killa gets so upset sometimes -- and I don't want to see anyone hurt, you know? Though... he did take the territory transfer relatively well..."

Tao firmly replies, "I think it is an excellent idea, actually. People who deceive themselves need a mirror held up to their lies or they never learn to see them. With you and me there to control him, I think it will be safe enough. Two larger lizards against a snake will be enough to keep him corralled."

Cinnamon laughs, smiling warmly up at Tao, "You're being so sweet, treating me like a peer like this when I must be barely more than a baby to you!"

Tao's face is serious, "You may be young, but you are not a baby. You have proved your wisdom and capability over and over."

Cinnamon's smile gets rueful as she glances down to Tao/Sun Wukong's jeweled chestplate, "People tell me that, but... well, I honestly don't feel that wise most of the time, you know?" She sighs thoughtfully, then smiles and asks, "So are Yan and Jaw-long's mate coming here, or staying there -- have they decided yet?" She pauses, then curiously adds, "Is it, um, okay to ask what species Yan is?"

Tao replies, "Jaw-Long's mate is coming, but Yan will be staying. I will be traveling between here and the compound from time to time. My people there have made a good life in the compound and wish to stay."

Cinnamon nods at that, "There'll likely be lots of folks willing to be Jaw-long's hands here; true!"

Elsewhere, Thorn has a sudden thought and checks in with Erin -- is the pretty lady enjoying herself? -or is she at least content? Does she have redcurrants? Erin is happily spending time with her twin -- and they both have redcurrants! In the ballroom, Athala returns from a dance with someone else and comes to coax Thorn back to the dance floor. She's smiling and a little breathless.

On the dance floor, Tao smiles down at Cinnamon, "As for Yan, it's not impolite. Yan is a kirin. They are thought to bring luck in much the same way cranes do, so will be staying with my people at the compound." It might occur to Cinnamon that having a creature that brings luck might be just one more way to serve as a guardian.

Indeed, Cinnamon brightens again, "Oh! A lucky kirin? Awesome -- that makes good sense!" She's quite aware, after all, of the very lucky guardianship Keiko has of her chosen mate Baird, so she adds, "Have you met Keiko the Japanese crane lady yet?"

Tao looks intrigued, "I have not met Keiko in particular, I do not think, but I have met several lucky cranes throughout my life. They are usually quite graceful and mostly rather martial in nature. It seems to surprise people that are not Asian."

Cinnamon blinks confusedly, "Er... why are they surprised?" then adds, "Well, next time she and Baird are back from a mission, I'm happy to introduce you both -- she's nice!"

Tao shakes his head, "They want to think that cranes are very peaceful creatures... which, in a way, they are." As the dance is coming to an end, the yellow dragon takes both her hands, "I want to tell you that I am glad you came to us. We were hiding and did not know we were needed so badly. It was selfish of me to be so far away from this world for so long."

Cinnamon blinks up at Tao -- then nearly glows with happiness, "Oh, good -- I'm so glad to hear that, ge-ge! I worried a bit that I'd rudely disturbed the peaceful life of you and your extended family, you know?" She sighs softly as she adds, "But maybe, now you're back, Aoi will have a chance to be peaceful too, and to learn to relax and live in this world as well... maybe?"

Tao shakes his head, "No, mei-mei. Sometimes stagnation is mistaken for peace. We had both in the compound. I have needed the rest, but now I am doing what I need to be doing." He raises her hands to his forehead, adding, "I thank you... and I hope she will rest and meditate on where things went wrong." He raises his head and smiles, "And now I will take you back to your young man."

Cinnamon beams up at Tao, "Okay! -and thank you so much again! I reallyreally appreciate you taking the time to teach me how to fly better, after all!"

Tao laughs, "That was a joy on my part." He leads her to the edge of the dance floor to Shane, who is smiling widely and standing again with Marcus -- who is looking a little starstruck. Cinnamon is still beaming when they return. She gives Tao another thank-you hug, then nearly bounces over to Shane and Marcus, chattering excitedly about the dancing, the party, and the conversation!

When the band takes a break between sets, Shane-Didymus asks Cinnamon if she wants to try some of the games? There's Blind Man's Buff, there's Charades, there's something similar to 20 Questions, "What do you think you want to try, acushla?"

Cinnamon laughs, still feeling unaccountably high on happiness, "Oh, I don't know! Which would you like?"

Shane grins, "Let's go play charades. That's always fun and gets people laughing." He tugs her by the hand, walking backward through the crowd and somehow managing to dodge everyone despite not having actual eyes in the back of his head, "I'll bet you'll be amazing at it."

Cinnamon giggles, almost skipping along with Shane, "Okay! Though I've never played it before, asthore -- I've only watched!"

Shane puts on a mock serious face, "You're not a wallflower anymore, acushla. You're going to play this time." Then he beams, "You'll be on my team."

Cinnamon laughs happily, "Okay!"

Charades is indeed a raucously good time, with several teams playing against one another. The things to be acted out are drawn from an actual top hat and range from the silly to the strange. Cinnamon and Shane turn out to be a formidable team because they work together so very well and seem to 'get' one another so easily. Cinnamon is laughing, flushed, and utterly delighted by the end of the game -- she truly loves feeling like she's on the same wavelength as her beloved! The prize for winning the game is a ridiculously large box of chocolates. Cinnamon is delighted at winning, but a bit startled at the sheer size of the box of chocolates! So she cheerfully shares them with everyone there, since they all played a fun and challenging game together!

Thorn is happy to watch the party games, unless Athala wishes to play. Otherwise he'll happily cheer on Cinnamon and Shane. Once Cinnamon, as the representative of the winning team, has happily received the box of chocolates, opened it, and offered it around to everyone else, Thorn purses his lips, then turns to Her and asks, "Would you care to play, my Lady?"

Athala smiles, "Not charades. Sadly, I am not very good -- but perhaps Blind Man's Buff?" She laces her fingers with Thorn's and actually tugs him toward the room where that game is being played. Thorn blinks, letting himself be brought to Blind Man's Bluff; he's never played this one before, though it sounds intriguing. It seems the version being played here is the one where the person who is "it" has to try to guess who they've caught, making it particularly hard tonight. There's a little bit of mercy in the rules because you can either guess the actual identity of the person or the identity of their costume. Unfortunately, neither Thorn nor Athala win at Blind Man's Buff, not being as familiar with all the people on the street as some of the other players. Still, people are laughing and clapping and having an excellent time dodging and running about the room like children.

The next set of dancing goes by in a whirl with Shane mostly keeping Cinnamon busy on the dance floor, except when he surrenders her quite purposely to Marcus, who is sweet and flirtatious in equal measure. Cinnamon is giggly and happy with both Shane and Marcus! She spots the Goth girl at one point, but deliberately chooses not to stress. After all, the poor girl probably just wants a good time too! Instead Cinnamon burbles happily -- and, truthfully, a bit breathlessly -- about how fun Charades was and she was both shocked and pleased at how well she and Shane teamed up and is Daki-kun having fun too and is there another game tonight with teams or something that maybe he'd like to play too and hoooboy! -does she have a lot of chocolates and would he like a chocolate later too?!

Marcus laughs delightedly at Cinnamon's burbling about charades and asks if perhaps she'd like to try Blind Man's Buff next? He explains the rules of the game and how one must try to guess who they've caught -- either costumed persona or actual person. Cinnamon happily agrees to play that game next -- as long as they're very careful with her glasses, makeup, and fluffy hair decorations, should she be the Blindman! Marcus is happy to accept a chocolate or two from the simply enormous box as well, which everyone has said yes to so far. Truthfully, watching Marcus eat -- and evidently very much enjoy -- the candies ought to be rated R!

The little dragon blinks slowly as she watches Marcus eat a chocolate, pushing her glasses up and wondering why she feels a bit... tingly? She's not quite yet associated 'Aisling-stuff' with things men can do too, after all... so instead she has a chocolate herself too! Thus she unwittingly also returns the favor to poor Marcus, when she accidentally does the equivalent of bedroom eyes while savoring the flavor... then neatly licks and sucks her fingers clean. Shane watches this little interplay from the edge of the dance floor and bites his tongue with a little grin at the way Cinnamon and Marcus are looking stunned at one another before disappearing into the Blind Man's Buff room.

Cinnamon looks around the Blindman's Buff game room in interest as people are gathering -- then giggles and points with her chin, "Look, Daki-kun -- it's Sparrow and Kestrel! He said he thought it was hilarious to watch folks in fancy clothes playing kids' games!"

Marcus looks and grins, "And Kestrel with him. I wonder if they're going to play or just spectate."

Cinnamon tilts her head thoughtfully, "Don't know! But... shall we go play?"

Marcus tugs Cinnamon forward, "Let's not just play -- I want to win!" His made-up eyes sparkle with mischief and competetiveness as the game begins. It turns out that Kestrel batted their lashes at Sparrow to talk him into playing the party games -- so Sparrow, being as indulgent as he is of them, couldn't even begin to say no. Just as when Athala and Thorn played, people laugh and squeal and dodge around the room like youngsters, having a great deal of fun... and this time Marcus wins. At one point, he catches Cinnamon and takes what seems like an inordinately long time to figure out who she is. Gently brushing his hands over her hair, her face, down her arms, around her waist, down the skirt of her elaborate dress. Cinnamon ends up with both hands over her mouth to stifle the constant giggles! She does leak a squeak or two, and wiggle ticklishly, as he checks -- but her eyes are bright and sparkling with delight, and she laughs aloud and hugs him tightly when he finally 'figures it out'! Marcus hugs back and kisses Cinnamon's cheek, eyes gleaming. His little ruse worked! She doesn't seem to have twigged.

The prize for this particular game is, from Marcus' reaction, a rather nice bottle of wine; he sincerely thanks the footman when it's handed to him. Cinnamon giggles once Marcus has the bottle, and tugs gently on his free hand, "C'mon, let's go show it off to Shaney too -- and more dancing!"

Marcus lets himself be tugged along with the bottle of wine and does show it off to Shane, who seems impressed as well. He grins at Cinnamon, "You're our lucky charm! So far we've won two of the three games!"

Cinnamon giggles, then grins and asks, "What's the third game?"

Shane smiles, "Twenty Questions. Or something like it, anyway. They're playing it like they are charades: pick the topic from a hat."

Cinnamon brightens, "Oh! Like the person who picks the topic can only answer yes or no?"

Marcus nods, "Like that, yes."

Cinnamon laughs! "Can we play that one at the next between-set break? But -- more dancing for now!"

At some point, both Marcus and Shane are both dancing with other people: Shane with Aisling and Marcus with a women that Cinnamon doesn't know but who seems to be being perfectly respectful -- unlike the Goth girl who tried coming onto Shane. That gives Caradog the moment to ask Cinnamon to dance. Oddly enough, he's dressed as another human movie character. This one is less charming than most, chosen perhaps because Caradog is such a pretty man much of the time. His black striped suit is mated with green hair and pallid makeup to make him unmistakably the absolutely un-pretty and un-charming Beetlejuice. The little dragon looks rather boggled for a moment, stuttering, "M-m-m-m-?!" -- but then she mentally grabs herself by the metaphorical scruff of her neck, gives herself a good mental shake -- and then takes a dee-eep breath! After that she curtseys very properly, then carefully smiles as she looks up at the tall man, thinking to herself, [Keep it short and simple -- short and simple! Just a 'yes, thank you' -- and no spluttering!] Another careful breath, and she replies, "Y-y-yes, th-th..." She swallows, then hastily blurts out, "Yesthankyoupuhplease!" She turns a bit pink after that, but hopes it wasn't too dreadful a faux pas?

Caradog smiles indulgently, knowing the little dragon is somewhat overawed by him -- though he's not entirely certain why after all this time. Once on the dance floor, his grace seems very much at-odds with the character he's dressed as. The smile also belies the makeup, because he didn't go so far as to change his teeth, "Are you enjoying yourself?"

Cinnamon isn't quite counting the beat as she dances -- both so she doesn't mess up out of sheer nervousness, and because Jaeger taught her not to! -- so she blinks and has to refocus at the question. She laughs once she registers it, though, "Oh, yes! I'm having a wonderful time dancing is so much fun -- oh, and the games? They're surprisingly fun too though I didn't really expect that but Sparrow and Shaney and Da- er, M-Marcus c-convinced me to try anyways and wow! Wonderfully hilarious and silly and fun and oh, right, would you like a chocolate like I have so many of them in that huge box and Daki-kun won the wine bottle for Blindman's Buff and we're going to try the Twenty Questions game at the next set break uh, and, and... oh! Gosh, being a host at a ball must be a ton of work are you having fun too I hope?"

Caradog lets Cinnamon get all of that out, still smiling rather indulgently down at her, "I'm glad you won the chocolates for that round, but no, thank you. I have had far too many treats tonight and shouldn't have many more. It will give me indigestion." He may be trying to make himself seem more approachable by assigning himself some small flaw, but he's still smiling, "I am having quite a lot of fun, yes! I always do at these balls. In fact, I wanted to ask you a small question: when you arrived, you were so very shy and skittish that I didn't want to overwhelm you... but would you like something like this in your honor? A ball or feast as a belated welcome to Coblyn? I should be delighted to host it."

Cinnamon blinks as she thinks about that... then grins shyly, "Oh, wow -- a ball for me?! That... that, um... sounds... kinda fun, actually? Er, I mean, I w-wouldn't want to be a bother or anything, though...?"

Caradog shakes his head, "It wouldn't be a bother at all; I adore hosting such things. Whether it's a costume ball like this or simply a ball with dancing and dinner and lovely clothes or a feast with food and music. Whatever you would most enjoy." He's still moving gracefully with her through the other dancers, "You don't have to make the decision this instant, of course. I did just spring this on you."

Cinnamon laughs a bit nervously, "Oh, good -- 'cause we're heading off to Hawaii by the end of the week to find out if we can talk to the cetaceans or not, to find out what they need since I want to be a good councilmember for them, you know?" She winces slightly -- dear heavens but her mouth can run when she's nervous! -- but then smiles bravely up at Caradog/Beetlejuice, "But, umm... p-promise I'll get back to you after that, okay? Oh! Uh, a-also, I hope the meeting with Jiajun about the solar panels and hydroponics with your assistant turned out useful too?"

Caradog smiles, "It will take some time to plan, so that's perfectly okay. The meeting went wonderfully. The solar panels are an excellent idea. It will help move Coblyn into this century without risking too much contact with the outside world."

Cinnamon beams, "Oh, yay! I hope the information about the wind power that I'm working on will be helpful too!" She happily adds, "Shaney and Jiajun were all on board with Spicy and I helping a supernatural-owned solar installation company get started too, so we can keep the outside world contact as small as possible!"

Caradog nods, "I look forward to hearing about it when you have more information. We are a growing enclave, and people want to modernize -- which is understandable." The song starts to come to an end and Caradog steers her toward the edge of the dance floor, "I hope to speak with you more when you return from Hawaii."

Cinnamon beams up at Caradog, "Okay! Plus I bet you've figured out the street has passed the Dunbar number and there'll be folks wanting to offshoot sometime soon too, right?!" She's nervously excited enough that she's forgotten not to use completely modern slang such as the Dunbar number, postulated by British anthropologist Robin Dunbar: about 150, or the rough maximum number of people with whom one can simultaneously maintain stable social relationships.

Caradog raises an eyebrow, "I'm not sure what you mean by Dunbar numbers, but we are getting to a point of saturation -- it's true."

Cinnamon blushes hotly and squeaks, "Oh! I'm s-so sorry-" then hastily explains.

Caradog ahhhs, "Yes. We are reaching something like that."

Cinnamon grins ruefully, "Sorry, my brain gets ahead of my mouth sometimes!"

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

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