| Logs |
2020 May 08
| Goblin Town |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
| Realms: Goblin Town Logs |
Will Grace Die In Pain?
Elias pushes away from the table and goes across the room to a locked cabinet, "My suspicion about the blood is that it, as you said, came from a creature for whom fire is their second -- or first -- nature. I've asked around a bit and people are wondering how anyone could get past Liam's own defences. He was a dragon. He breathed fire. He could become a simply enormous winged reptile with claws and fangs that would put a T. Rex to shame." Cinnamon nods with interest -- she's actually wondered that herself too! The only response she could come up with, in her current state of knowledge, was that somehow the murderer was like cancer to Liam's fire -- making it grow out of control until it consumed him.
The vampire opens the cabinet and takes out a book that looks like it has probably been around since bookbinding was invented. He brings it back to the workbench and opens it, "There are other fire creatures, of course. Aoi is one. There are other dragons in the world... only a handful, but they exist. Jalil is immune to fire. Killa is almost immortal." He pauses as if he's not sure he wants to add the next part, "Some of the dokkalfar are very comfortable with fire. They were smiths and artisans. The Polynesians are quite comfortable with fire as well."
Cinnamon patters over to peer at the book, standing next to Elias. She nods at his words, unsurprised. After all, any assassin good enough to take on immortals isn't going to leave easy-to-follow traces. "So it's sounding like either someone very comfortable with fire... or someone very rich to hire the assassin who is comfortable with fire. Anybody else?"
The book looks like it might be a journal of sorts. There are sketches and pieces of other works taped or glued to the pages in some places, "Exactly. And that doesn't narrow it down a great deal. I'd say not anyone you met in my house. I would swear we could trust all of them. Shane trusts them at any rate."
Cinnamon nods as she studies the rather... chaotic looking book, her voice thoughtful, "I suppose technically we should also include anyone that can control others, and then make them forget what they did?" She knows that's one of the supposed traits of vampires -- mesmerism -- though she's not going to mention it here and now since a) she really doesn't think Elias is the culprit, and b) doing so makes her feel unhappy... like it'd be incredibly rude!
Elias smiles wryly, "Which is rather a large number of people, sadly. Many of the various elves..." He flips through the book and there's a page that has a list. Aelf. Elf. Beansidhe. Gealsidhe. Dokkalfar. Ljosalfar. He flips again, "More than a few of us have some sort of mesmeric power. Some of my kindred have it."
Cinnamon nods again, her voice pragmatic, "I've read that some dragons have it too... like giant snakes with rabbits, you know?" She grins as she adds, "Admittedly, they were sci fi and fantasy stories... but it was at least mentioned!"
Elias looks over at her and arches a brow, "What makes you think that all sci-fi and fantasy is wrong? Tell me three things you've read in fiction about vampires."
Cinnamon grins at Elias, "I wasn't saying that I thought they were wrong. I was saying that they were in fantasy stories that are presumed to be fiction!" She laughs and adds, "Vampires must sleep during the day, they turn into bats, and they control wolves!" Having picked all the more unusual things she can think of -- or, regarding day-sleeping, something she's seen Elias not do -- she waits with a grin to see if Elias denies or confirms!
Elias listens and laughs quietly, "Ah. I see you've read Stoker. I don't have to sleep during the day, though if I am going to sleep, that's when I do it. I want to be able to take full advantage of not immediately dying upon stepping outside my door. Some do, in fact, have shapeshifting powers. As for the wolves..." He smiles a bit, "I'd rather make friends than control. My particular gifts are not those. I am, as you probably noticed, quite strong. I am very, very old. Aside from the sun, I am very hard to kill. I can, in fact, turn into mist. But it takes much out of me."
Cinnamon pushes her glasses back into place, beaming, "How cool! So there are lots of vampires, all with slightly different abilities?" She looks suddenly intrigued! -- then adds, "Are there lots of varying dragon types too?!"
Elias mms, "I would not say lots. There are several dozens, but given that the human population is seven billion, I would say that's a handful. There used to be more types of dragons but many have died off. You are a western dragon. There are eastern dragons as well. Their builds are different and they're not all fire breathers. Almost every western dragon I've met breathes fire. One spits poison."
Cinnamon puzzledly asks, "Why isn't one of them the new council chair holder, then? Surely they're at least distantly related?"
The vampire shakes his head, "The offensive capabilities of western dragons somehow became them being brutes and monsters." He laughs warmly at Cinnamon, "Just as you are, possibly, distantly related to Julius Caesar." He pronounces it 'Hoolias Kaisar.' "You are his direct descendant. The others, the western ones, are more like distant cousins. Dragons were not always so very rare."
Cinnamon tilts her head puzzledly at Elias, "But still, Elias! If I wasn't around... wouldn't one of those dragons be a better choice than some elf? No offense to the elf in question, of course -- but he was clearly not a dragon!"
Elias says, "One of those dragons could indeed step into the place. In fact, we may have asked one of them... but you appeared. Had you not appeared, I would actually have been more likely to suggest one of the Polynesian spirits. Their domain is large."
Cinnamon hms thoughtfully, "Why one of them instead of a dragon? I mean, Liam's, er... domain wasn't, say, fire, after all, was it?"
Elias smiles, "Liam was a world traveler. He walked many lands. He met many people. Learned much. His hoard was as much knowledge as it was wealth."
Cinnamon blinks, pushing her glasses into place. There's wonder in her voice, "I could travel...! Or no, wait -- I'm going to get to travel!"
Elias nods and smiles softly at the wonder and excitement, "You will definitely travel. The council is supposed to move with this next season. It's much like Congress. It's in session, but you don't have to live there. Sparrow lives there and comes here for council sessions. Or goes to Dublin. Or to Baghdad. Or wherever the meeting is. Some of the members hand off a proxy if it's going to be difficult to travel."
Cinnamon pauses... then gives Elias another curious look, "So, wait -- I take it vampires can't make more vampires, like in Stoker's story, right? Otherwise we'd have a lot more vampires, surely?"
The vampire in question clears his throat, "We can make other vampires. It is a painful, bloody, and traumatic process. And has a spectacularly high failure rate. You are just as likely to find yourself standing over a cold, moveless grave as you are over a new companion."
Cinnamon says, "Eew. Yuck. I'm sorry, Elias; I didn't know." She sighs, adding, "I wouldn't have brought it up otherwise."
Elias says, "Actually, you are several hundred times more likely to be standing over a grave. It's fine, dear. You're curious. Best to ask people directly about themselves if you feel you can trust them. Now, most were creatures cannot make more werecreatures except through good old biological mating. Even were Josie to bite you -- which she would never do on purpose -- you would not become a werewolf. She is a born shapeshifter. Different than some of the bearsarks or the Norse wolves. Ask Hilde about them sometime. She'll talk your ear off."
Cinnamon giggles at the news regarding Hilde! Then she frowns again as she stares at the glassware, "Well. So, what we know so far is just... first, the blood is black and has a lot of sulphur in it... which is weird. Also, the hair isn't... instead it's something slightly barbed and stingy." She looks up at Elias again, "Did I miss anything?"
Elias shakes his head, "No. But I am still studying. And I have put out a few feelers. I want to know if anyone is aware of anything like a tarantula that I don't know about. That's large. And possibly venomous." Cinnamon hmms thoughtfully, taking some time to remember the moment when Killa had his hand wrapped around her arm... and had his face close to hers. Did he seem at all... unshaven looking? Was his hand prickly at all? No... Killa's skin was actually almost disturbingly smooth. There was no hair at all anywhere on him that she could see. Cinnamon nods slowly, curiously unsurprised at that. Killa would be too obvious... and, she suspects, too indiscriminate!
Elias smiles as he adds, "Hilde is, amongst the various types of elves, very young, very excitable, and very enthusiastic. She is not naive, stupid, or powerless." Some heat comes into his voice on those last -- and then he looks abashed... a centuries -- if not millennia -- old vampire looking abashed. He does not, however, blush, "Marcus wants to think of her as a wayward child."
Cinnamon grins and nods, "So I've overheard... despite her actually being older than he is!" She adds relaxedly, "I'm just waiting for him to decide the same about me too, honestly."
Elias smiles, "What makes you think he hasn't?"
Cinnamon explains with a grin, "To my face! If he's like a lot of the guys I've met, he'll feel threatened by a competent woman and/or attempt to mansplain to her." She shrugs, still smiling, "Or at least that's my experience. Admittedly, watching mansplaining is more fun when they're cute!"
Elias laughs, a warm and hearty sound, "Oh, you know him already. Put Marcus and Shane side by side. They are both elves. Marcus is Germanic. Shane is half-beansidhe. Shane will ask you interestedly to explain your passion. Marcus will explain the history of it and why you're doing it wrong."
Cinnamon giggles at that, nodding! "That's 'bout what I'm expecting, yeah!" She grins as she holds out a hand to shake to Elias, "So, I should get back home. Thank you for your time and patient teaching, Elias... and don't forget: if I can do anything to help, you'll let me know, right?"
Elias takes her hand and then pulls her in for a hug, speaking quietly, "Thank you for giving me something to do to memorialize my friend."
Cinnamon smiles and hugs back with growing ease -- she's learning it's okay to share hugs with friends! Very different from the stiff, uncomfortable hugs and occasional cheek pinches she got as a child. That statement makes her curious, though: "How do you mean, please, Elias?"
Elias steps back and says, "I am not violent. I could be should I wish. I have some very formidable natural weapons. But instead, you have given me a way to honor Liam and to avenge him without having to kill anyone."
Cinnamon studies Elias gravely for a long moment after pushing her glasses back into place. Finally she says slowly, "If we... figure out who killed him, though -- the brains behind it, I mean, especially if the actual assassin is someone else... what's the response for murder here?"
Elias thinks. He doesn't take a breath or sigh as a human might when thinking, "That's a very good question. There are so few of us that the death penalty is rare." Cinnamon just waits quietly. This is a very important question to her -- because from everything she's read, it's the first murder that's hard... and whoever this is, they now know how to kill a dragon! ...and that's what she is... and she doesn't want to die any time soon. Elias shakes his head, "There are ways to hobble almost any of us without killing us. And exile is horrible when almost all of your brethren live in enclaves hidden from the world."
Cinnamon says quietly, "I hope so... because whoever this is, they now know how to kill me... and I don't want to die."
Elias says quietly, "None of us do, dear. None of us do."
Cinnamon sighs and nods once... then forces a small smile, "Well. Good night, Elias, and I hope we both find what we need to, to be safer." She waves as she heads for the door.
Cinnamon is quiet and very thoughtful as she walks home again. Not only does she have an assassin to find, but there's also her new position to consider. How can she best help the supernaturals she's supposed to be representing, while also keeping herself safe? Further, has the news of what she is spread already? Will that make her a more or a less attractive target? Will the people she's supposedly representing want to speak with her, or what? Also: will the members of the exposure faction ever want to talk with her? Or will they continue to simply regard her with disinterest, contempt, disdain, or more?
Cinnamon also reviews mentally regarding both Killa's attack on her, and the subsequent shooting attempt on her. So far only Nasteexo and Jalil have apologized... though Nasteexo was nice enough to do so in person! Hmm... the broadsheets should be out by now as well -- the ones that tell about that little idiot of Killa's shooting at her. She wonders if anyone will react about that, too.
Well, they'll do whatever they do. More importantly, to her way of seeing things, is her to-do list. She needs to check if her package with the internet repeater has arrived yet -- it's due any day now! Also, she really needs to research both the folks she's supposed to represent -- she wants to make sure she's doing a good job for them! -- and also she should find out if dragon-kin have hereditary servitors. Hmm, what else... oh! Maybe... maybe Elias or Shane know what happened to Marcus' father? Drat! She should have asked Elias about that while she was there! It seems a rather odd sort of thing to simply step into a bear trap, after all -- aren't they supposed to be really big?!
Cinnamon sighs thoughtfully as she searches visually for a broadsheet... she wants to read what's said there about what happened to her! What else is coming up... tea with Marcus, and later with the king! The little dragon-kin shivers slightly at the prospect of being one on one with royalty! ...then hastily changes mental gears: maybe she can talk Marcus into tea someplace off Coblyn Street! Might be good for him to see more of what humans are really like, after all!
The broadsheet Cinnamon finds is a... broad... sheet. It's the side of two full-sized pieces of newsprint and quite filled with information. The top is a rather embellished version of what happened at the palace with Cinnamon, Bala, Daniella, and the king. Whoever wrote it has managed to make Cinnamon sound extremely formidable.Cinnamon is at first startled, then pleased to hear herself so described!
There are stories about small bits of local news and a society column that mostly talks about people she doesn't know, though she sees a mention of Marcus in it. There is also a letters column that seems to be filled with opinions from various denizens about things such as street paving and the 'avarice and deception' of some unnamed vendor. The bit about Marcus is the sort of thing a reader like Cinnamon might imagine being in the social pages of something like Little Women. Marcus' name isn't actually mentioned... but he is described quite closely. There's a sort of wink-wink-nudge-nudge quality to the story that mentions that he's supposedly been seen in the company of 'an up-and-coming young damosel.'
Cinnamon is beaming a bit confusedly as she finishes reading and continues strolling down the street towards her home. She laughs quietly as she thinks about the bit with Marcus -- she knows how those stories go! Everyone will want to marry him, so women will do their best to be seen around him. It's kind of cute, since (of course) the guy invariably falls for the quiet beautiful girl on the sidelines. She wonders for a while who that would be... then grins -- Hilde, perhaps? Though if that's the case, who's the up and coming young damsel? Hmm... could it maybe be... Daniella? Though... she's not really a damsel... Cinnamon enjoys herself pondering as she walks home. It doesn't occur to her in the least that it might be her, of course!
The walk home is calm and relaxing, but halfway back to her house, Josie bounds up, eyes bright and tail wagging. She, as is something of a habit with her, sweeps Cinnamon up in a hug. Cinnamon squeaks a bit startledly even as she laughs -- though breathlessly, considering Josie's hugs are always warm and tight! "H-hi there, Josie! What's up?!"
The werewolf sets Cinnamon on her feet again, tail wagging like mad, "Shane told me that you scared the asshole that tried to shoot you so bad he almost peed himself!"
Cinnamon blinks startledly up at Josie, absently pushing her glasses back into place, "I did? I... I didn't realize! I -- I mean, he didn't say anything...? No one did, really?"
Josie giggles, which is still a little odd from someone her size, "He said the guy tried to be all tough at you, but then you melted his ridiculous gun and his eyes almost jumped out of his head." She lowers her voice, "People don't often say things, but if you watch them you can see when they're scared or angry or anything."
Cinnamon huhs interestedly, "You can tell? I still have trouble telling... guess I'll have to work at it more!" She grins, adding happily, "Hey, guess what? I got a response from Marcus -- we're having tea tomorrow!" More despondently she adds, "And... I'm having tea... with the king the day after. I guess... calling in sick isn't really an option?" She hastily adds, "B-but the tea -- the one with Marcus? I, um, I'm gonna see if I can maybe persuade him to come have tea with me outside Coblyn! I mean, the guy should know what humans are like, right, if he wants them to know him?" She pauses at a sudden thought, then curiously adds, "Hey, do you happen to know what happened to Marcus' dad, by the way?"
Josie is walking along with her friend, trying not to bound along in her enthusiasm, "Outside Coblyn." She makes a playful show of tipping her muzzle up, "Where the peasants are?" Then she giggles, "It's actually a good idea." Then there's seriousness, "He stepped in a bear trap. An iron one. It was under a lot of fallen leaves and stuff."
Cinnamon shakes her head puzzledly, "But... a bear trap? I mean, where was the guy that they were still using big ol' iron-jawed traps? Aren't those illegal? -and been so for years?" She adds even more puzzledly, "Gosh, I'd think something like that might well take your leg right off, you know?"
Josie puts her hands in her pockets, scowling, "They are where he was. He was visiting a trod. They're mostly in forests."
Cinnamon looks confused, "They who? Where where? The traps? Illegal? Or something else?"
Josie actually scowls a little, "The traps. They're illegal a lot of places. Cruelty to animals, even wild animals, is taken seriously. At least when humans might get hurt. Hmph. He was visiting his trod. Up in New York, I think? The one where Athala lives?"
Cinnamon blinks up at Josie as she slowly comes to a halt, her eyes wide, "He... he's part of Athala's trod? The one that owns Thorn? Then... oh my gosh! That... that means someone was trying to really hurt him!" She frowns worriedly, staring unfocused down the street before she adds slowly, "Wait... how long ago was this, please? Had he just been talking about... maybe about some radical change or something?" She glances up sharply at Josie, her voice low and slightly muffled by her hand over her mouth, "Oh, Josie! Could he... could he have maybe changed his mind or something about revealing to humans?! So... so they removed him?!"
Josie's shoulders hunch a little and she nods, "That's the one. Marcus is Athala's cousin or something. As for Marcus' dad... he actually wasn't too bad. He was friendly even if he had some kind of old-fashioned ideas. He was a little on the fence, I think, even though he was 'officially' a revealer."
Cinnamon looks curious, "What kind of old-fashioned ideas? Why'd he leave Coblyn? Was the injury so bad that his mind was affected, or do the elves just want able-bodied people for their representatives?" She muses, "Wish I could meet the guy... sounds like he'd be interesting to talk to!"
Josie says, "Like, having a butler and maids. Very old-fashioned manners. Like 18th century manners. He was hurt so bad that he nearly died and he's not quite recovered. That's why Marcus."
Cinnamon says, "Yikes! Poor man! So how long ago was this?"
Josie still has her hands in her pockets, "Five? I think maybe five years ago was when he had the accident. He stepped down after he wasn't getting much better after like six months."
Cinnamon stares silently at Josie for several seconds... then grabs the werewolf's wrist (since her hands are in her pockets) and hastily starts for her home, "C'mon, Jo! We need to do some statistics, stat!"
Josie blinks and then lets herself be led. There's no way on earth that Cinnamon can (at least in a human form) drag a seven-foot-tall werewolf anywhere Josie didn't want to go, "Statistics? About what?"
Cinnamon gasps breathlessly, "Deaths!" She pushes her glasses up, then fumbles to get her key out and her door open. As she's hustling Josie in and closing the door securely behind them both, she almost gabbles, "Deaths of Councilors! Like old ones, I mean, you know? I want to figure out how long the young folks have been on the Council and what happened to their predecessors and all that -- because maybe it took like five years to figure out how to kill a dragon, you know? -and, and it was a kill because the assassin didn't have some convenient weakness to take advantage of like they did with the elf?!"
Cinnamon nearly runs around, waving her hands in between putting a kettle on to boil and setting up some tea and cookies for them both, "I mean, think about it, Josie! It would only take one defector on either side, and boom! No more possibility of change -- that side wins! -and, and, like all the other folks on the reveal side? Totally hard to kill, right? I mean, they're like, umm.... like a phoenix and a fire spirit and a snake god and a... a Mongolian thingie, right? Oh, and the voodoo person -- so like the only easily stoppable one is the elf, right?" She brings the tray over, her eyes bright with worry, "So like... what if that side thought it was our side that hurt Marcus' father? Revenge, right?"
Josie sits down slowly on the seat that Cinnamon got for her, nodding slowly, "Well, we're hard to kill, too... tngri. He's a black tngri. Nasteexo. Nasteexo is a lwa. If the body they're in gets killed, they just get another one..." She's starting to look horrified, "Revenge. That's... scary. I hadn't thought of it. I mean, you're hard to kill. And Elias is really hard to kill. He can even deal with sunlight for a few minutes. I'm difficult to kill too, but not impossible." She's obviously fretting.
Cinnamon nodnods emphatically, "Right! See what I mean?!"
Josie blinks slowly, "You know... if Athala is Marcus' cousin... that means she's his dad's niece... What if... what if she put Thorn here to spy on Marcus?"
Cinnamon sets the tea set down by Josie, then patters off to quickly gather up her trusty laptop -- it holds all her accounting programs! She sets it up across the table from Josie, giving it a moment to boot up while she pours the tea and considers Josie's words, "Possible... though she also almost shoved the poor man at me as well. Though again: if this is about screwing around lethally with both sides, then that'd be precisely what I'd expect, you know?"
Josie is holding her tea but not drinking it yet, "I do know. I mean... that's a little scary." Her ears are folded back a little.
Cinnamon has a sip of tea and hastily chews up a cookie as she starts up her programs, then starts entering data, "Okay! So we know Marcus' dad was seriously injured about five years ago, and Marcus is real focused on the Reveal side -- no hesitation there! We know my many-greats grandfather died only recently -- like less than two months ago -- and he..." she looks up thoughtfully at Josie, "Did anyone think he might be changing his mind? Actually... can you tell me the timing on all the young Councilors starting up, please?"
Josie thinks slowly, "Well, Marcus' father was hurt five years ago. And Hilde's grandfather retired about two years ago. From what I understand, Liam died a month ago, but the actual attack was probably at least a couple of weeks before that... Elias has been on the council for years and years. Like, no one else has been on it longer now. My dad retired a few years ago. I kinda thought at the time that our side was trying to get young blood in." She continues, "And Jarek's been a Councillor for at least two hundred years. Sparrow... hm... ten years or so. Aisling has also been around for at least a hundred years. She's a lot older than she looks. I mean, she and Shane look nearly the same age, but they aren't."
Cinnamon types madly, then looks up with interest as she pushes her glasses back into place, "So your dad and Hilde's grandfather both retired at about the same time?"
Josie thinks about and slowly nods, "Yeah. I think so. I think they were a year apart."
Cinnamon nods and goes back to typing, her fingers nearly flying across the keyboard -- this is something she not only knows how to do well, but that she's also confident about! Without looking up from her typing, she asks, "Who was before Sparrow?"
Josie thinks, "Before Sparrow was Lark. I think they all take bird names. Lark was a woman. My dad liked her a lot. Said she understood patience."
Cinnamon says, "Why'd she quit? Retired, injury, death, something else?"
Josie furrows her brow, "I... don't know, actually. Dad said she was just gone and Sparrow was there. I could ask him, I guess... or Elias. One of the older ones."
Cinnamon nods absently, still typing as she asks, "OK, give me the other side's stats, please? How long have Aoi and Nasteexo and all of them been there?"
Josie blinks slowly, "A... really long time. I mean, it's possible that Nasteexo has been actually different people. Who can tell with the lwa? But Killa has been there for a really long time. And Aoi is ancient. Jalil has only been on the council for about fifty or sixty years and there was another djinn before him. I can't remember her name."
Cinnamon says, "...and Qadan?"
Josie says, "I don't think anyone knows... I mean, probably since there's been a council. He's really old, too. Like a thousand or more years old. The tngri are really hardy."
Cinnamon nods, still typing furiously for a few seconds more... then she sits back with a happy sigh, "There we go!" She studies her chart for a moment, frowning thoughtfully... then gets up and sits next to Josie, turning the laptop so they both can see, "This is kinda interesting! Clearly from what you've said the Council is at least older than two centuries, yet during all that time the vote has been to hide from the humans. So here we see all the 'hide' folks turning over fairly regularly... while almost all the 'reveal' folks are the same ones that have been there forever! Which says to me..." she looks up at Josie and grins, "we need to talk to either Elias or Marcus' father!"
Josie chews on her bottom lip for a moment and then says, "And maybe Athala... or Thorn should..."
Cinnamon turns back to the laptop, still excitedly chattering, "I mean, doesn't this look like a really long game to you? Slowly but surely, all the 'hide' folks are being replaced... which makes me really wonder if Marcus' dad was maybe getting swung over to the 'hide' faction too!" She blinks curiously up at Josie, pushing her glasses into place again, "Really? She doesn't strike -- well, didn't strike me -- as the type to answer truthfully or clearly?"
Josie says, "I know... but if she sent Thorn to spy..." She shakes her head, "Marcus' father is a better idea, I guess. Or Elias. I know Elias."
Cinnamon says, "Though it looks like I accidentally really messed up the game -- considering Athala's sweetie almost got Liam's position, and that'd like totally put the 'reveal' faction into power!" She frowns thoughtfully, considering as she slowly muses, "Though... they could've done that with the king too, couldn't they have? Or... would that likely have gotten all tied up in legal gobbledegook as all the other kings argued about it?" She nods sharply once, "Yeah, that makes sense -- put in a 'real' Councilor, push the vote through, and no questions about legitimacy!" Then she looks up at Josie again, "So... take this to Elias now? Maybe pick up Thorn on the way there?"
Josie nods and stands up, brushing off her jeans as if it's habit, "I think it's a good idea, yes."
Cinnamon gives a small snort as she adds, "That'd certainly explain why only two 'reveal' people had the courtesy to apologize about Killa's crap!" She blinks at Josie, then hops to her feet and grabs up the laptop, "OK!"
Josie smiles wryly, "Because they're the only two that are sorry?" She ducks her head to get out of the house, "As for replacing Caradog... his son would take his place."
Cinnamon hastily collects up her purse as well, slinging it and her computer bag over her shoulder together, then grabbing a few cookies as well before she patters off towards the door. "Coming, Jo?" She grins and shakes her head as she locks the door carefully behind them both, then hands a cookie to Josie, "Nono, we don't have to worry about him -- the 'reveal' would want a Councilor rather than a king to be in the vote! That way it's all official and suchlike, y'know?" She laughs as she starts trotting along next to the longer-strided Josie, her voice a bit muffled through the cookie, "Ift's innerefting vat ve two youngeft apowogived, righ'?" She chews and swallows hastily, coughing once before she adds, "Not that Nasteexo is really the youngest but I bet they have a lot more human perspective than the others because they're so close by necessity to their people, yeah?"
Josie trots along at what is, for her, a slow pace, "Well, you heard what Nasteexo said about the horse -- had to get him home in time to help his mother. That's thoughtful."
Cinnamon musingly adds, "Wanna bet none of the others ever even think to apologize... because it's more annoyance with their plans going awry?" She blinks, adding with surprise, "Oh! That means... that maybe means they don't completely trust Marcus yet too -- they're just letting him be a pretty face to front them while they do the real plotting and planning behind him!" Then she nods energetically to Josie, almost losing her glasses as she does so! Pushing them firmly back onto her nose she replies to Josie's comment about Nasteexo, "I know, right?!" She beams happily as one of her theories is validated, "They've not lost the human perspective, that's why!"
Josie is looking thoughtful. They'll have to go down to the infirmary first and then back to get Thorn. Cinnamon heads for the hospital, occasionally waving as she sees someone she knows. Her demeanor is excited, perky, and upbeat -- to her this is still mostly just numbers! Plus for the first time she's feeling like she's actually being competent at something here on Coblyn Street -- and that's quite lovely to her, considering how scary things have been previously!
Nikos is in the reception area of the infirmary and he smiles when they enter. Other than him, it's empty, "Josie! And Josie's new friend!"
Cinnamon giggles and waves shyly, "Hi there! It's Cinnamon. Um, is Thorn here? We'd like to take him to visit with Elias, please?" Thorn pokes his head out of the herbology section, where he's still familiarizing himself with the herbs, hearing his name spoken. Cinnamon beams shyly again, "Uh, hi! Um, are you f-free for a bit, Thorn?"
Nikos grins and motions toward Thorn's peeking face, "There he is."
Thorn blinks, then smiles. "Cinnamon! Josie! Hello! Um, I think I have some time to take a break. What can I do for you?"
Cinnamon says, "Can you come with us to see Elias, please?"
Thorn agrees to check with Iason, and the centaur gives his blessing, sensing that this could be important. Thus, a few minutes later Thorn has been released from his work temporarily. "What's wrong?" he asks, outside the infirmary.
Cinnamon thanks Thorn for coming with them, and is currently pattering along next to Josie as they head for Elias' home -- again, tonight, for Cinnamon! She smiles a bit worriedly at Josie, "Um, you wanna say?"
Josie takes a deep breath and goes over what she and Cinnamon have been talking about, "And I wonder if Athala sent you here because she doesn't trust Marcus... and we're going to talk to Elias about it."
Cinnamon adds, "And why she almost shoved you at me!"
Thorn looks like he's somewhat sick at the idea of such a long-term plan involving multiple assassinations. "She never outright said," he says. "That's her way, though. She wanted me to have a look and report back to her. Honestly, though? That sounds like something she'd want to do." He looks to Cinnamon. "She was almost as explicit about throwing me at you," he adds.
Cinnamon wrinkles her nose, "Eww! You'd have to be really ancient and bored, I'd think, to come up with a plan like this!" She doesn't say much more, though, saving her breath for keeping up with Josie. She's panting briskly as they finally arrive at Elias' home. With it being after dark, Elias has his shades up and his door open as he often does. The place is closed up so much that he likes to let there be some airflow when he can. Cinnamon breathlessly calls, "Heh-hello again, Elias! Still home?" She whews, leaning against the door jamb and panting to catch her breath for a moment.
Elias calls from inside, voice amused but friendly, "I don't leave the door open if I'm not home, Cinnamon."
Cinnamon pants, "Oh-hoh-kay!" She straightens, wiping her forehead and pushing her glasses into place again, "C'mon in, everyone!" She turns and wanders a bit tiredly into the house, slinging her purse and computer bag onto the couch and almost flopping next to them, "Whew! I had no idea living here would be so much exercise!" She giggles at that thought, then grins as she looks around for Elias.
Elias comes in from the kitchen with a chuckle, "It's true you get to walk a lot around here. There used to be more horses. And for a while there were bicycles, but people got hit a lot with the bikes and horses have fallen out of fashion and there's no way anyone wants automobiles here."
Cinnamon blinks interestedly at Elias as she pushes her limp bangs out of her face, "Do horses like us? I always sort of assumed they'd be scared of supernaturals?" She frowns, remembering her near-disastrous encounter with equines as a child, muttering, "Maybe eating them would be a better use for the scary big things?"
Thorn glances at Cinnamon's comment at that, recalling how starry-eyed she was at meeting Iason, and tries to parse the conflicting signals. He gives up; much more important things to worry about. Elias looks slightly amused, "Horses have been used for meat in many places around the world. But would you want Iason finding out someone was doing so here?"
Cinnamon blinks at that, a horror-stricken look crossing her face -- then she hastily gabbles, "Uh, j-joke! It was, um... a -- just a..." her voice trails off and she sighs, "Yeah, no. Sorry, Elias. Um, so!" Quickly changing the subject, she pulls out her laptop, "Got a moment, please? Josie and I were thinking and ran some numbers and..." She shows Elias the file, this time explaining to the vampire what Thorn heard in synopsis a few moments ago. When she finishes she looks up at Elias, adding, "So we wondered... what happened to Lark, please? And was Marcus' dad wavering on his 'reveal' convictions or anything? And why did Hilde's grandfather and Josie's father retire one right after the other -- do you know?"
Elias watches the numbers closely, nodding. He gives the impression of someone just getting ready to put on his reading glasses as he leans forward, "Mmm. Lark told me -- in confidence, so I will be upset if it goes beyond here -- that she felt like she was too forgiving. Too much of a peace-maker. She brought Sparrow to meet everyone and ceded her seat to him. From what I remember, she told us he was a relative of some sort..."
Cinnamon sighs in relief, "So, not a death! Though..." she considers for a moment as she polishes her glasses, then replaces them, "maybe interesting thought? Who gave her the idea she was too forgiving?"
The vampire leans back and says, "As for Marcus' father..." He sighs, "Yes. He and I had been spending rather a lot of time talking. Jaeger was... is... an intelligent man... and an erudite one. We had been having discussions about the genocides that have taken place over the last century or so." He shakes his head, "No. Not a death. Lark herself felt she was too forgiving. She was from a pantheon in which she was a symbol of peace." Josie is listening wide-eyed as Elias goes on, "Just as Sparrow is not a bird, neither was Lark. Sparrow is actually a coyote at least part of the time. Lark was -- is, since she's still alive -- a buffalo. A very particular buffalo."
Cinnamon says, "Was she so forgiving, though... that she was willing to vote reveal?" She brightens, "Oh! White Buffalo Calf Woman? I read a story with her in it once!"
Elias smiles. It's a warm smile if one can ignore that every single one of his teeth is fanglike. "That would be her. She's quite old. No, she wasn't going to vote reveal. Remember those genocides I mentioned? Her people and all the other Native tribes in this part of the continent... all the way up into Canada... were subject to murder, massacre, broken treaties, and disease. She felt like she was drowning in despair. Sparrow... as you've probably seen... isn't one to fall into despair."
Cinnamon hmms, "I wonder if someone was reminding her of that?" She sighs, shaking her head, "Don't know how we could find out if so, though. Okay, so who else... oh, right! What about Hilde's grandfather and Josie's father? Do you know anything about them?"
Elias says, "Hilde's grandfather is old, even for her people. Quite old. As in he was old before Christ was even conceived. He retired because he felt he didn't understand the modern world enough. Hilde is only 30. She has always known this world because her parents and grandparents carefully exposed her to both us and them."
Cinnamon says, "Huh... why didn't Marcus' parents do the same, I wonder?"
Elias smiles at Josie and pats her knee, "Josie's father retired because he needed to take care of the people back at home and Josie is sweet and strong and wise beyond her years. As for Marcus' parents... they are old-fashioned. Modern for their people, but old fashioned according to modern mores. They are treated as nobility." He looks to Thorn and smiles again, "Meaning that your lady is something akin to a Duchess."
Thorn blinks a little. "I knew she was fairly high on the social ladder," he says a touch lamely. "I didn't know that far up!"
Cinnamon nods thoughtfully, "So if there's a plan to replace folks in the 'hide' faction, it's more subtle than just offing them... which I could see some really ancient and bored entities doing maybe? ...but when Marcus' dad showed signs of changing his mind, he had to be quickly replaced." She types a bit, then nods again, "Couple that with Liam's assassination, and I think we've definitely got something here?" She looks inquiringly at Elias, pushing her glasses back into place, "What do you think?"
Elias pats Thorn's knee, "Don't fret yourself. You not knowing her exact place in the society of the trod is very much like Athala. Marcus is roughly the same rank." He turns to Cinnamon, "I had worried about something like this. But... it's hard to see the forest when you're surrounded by the trees."
Cinnamon grins shyly, "So that's... a yes?"
Elias nods slowly, "It is a very big possibility. After all, bear traps are not simply left lying about completely concealed deep into a forest that bears have traditionally avoided."
Cinnamon gasps, "Yes!" She leans forward excitedly, almost waving her hands, "Right, that's exactly what I was wondering too!" She beams as she sits back again, pleased that she figured it out -- then blinks, "Er... right. So... now what?"
Thorn wonders when the enormity of this is going to hit Cinnamon -- ah, there it is! "That's the real question," he says quietly.
Elias leans back, looking the most tired any of them have seen him, "Now we try to figure out just who is pulling the strings. I would guess not Marcus. And, in all honesty, likely not Nasteexo. Nasteexo is on the reveal side because Nasteexo believes that humans could live with us in their midst if we were revealed gently, carefully, and properly. The lwa really do love humans."
Josie looks unhappy, "But Killa just wants to be worshipped again."
Cinnamon nods thoughtfully, "I don't know if this is relevant, but only two of the reveal side have apologized to me for Killa's attack." She looks up at Elias as she adds, "One was Nasteexo. The other was Jalil... which is why I find myself thinking he isn't the one either. And short of Marcus, who's totally a newbie, those are also the two youngest."
Elias rubs his forehead with his fingertips, "Jalil is somewhere between Nasteexo and Killa. He believes that his people should be revered and respected again. He does not want to be a god."
Josie is almost squirming as she scowls, "So... it could be Killa, Aoi, or Qadan. I know I wouldn't want to be on the wrong side of any of them. They're all really hardy. Aoi's a phoenix, so even if you were to kill her, she might very well be able to rise again."
Thorn lets out a quiet breath and nods quietly. "What about Odalric?" he asks. "I mean, I know he's not on the council now, but what would his role have been?"
Elias leans back and continues rubbing his forehead as if scrubbing the new information into it, "His role would have been just like any councillor. Vote on issues. Listen to people bringing petitions. I honestly don't know if they'd have voted him in. That would be two out of twelve councillors not only of the same race but of the same actual trod. That's a dangerous amount of power when our numbers are so few."
Thorn nods quietly, "Were they hoping he would vote in a particular way? Or... I guess it doesn't matter, actually."
Elias sighs, "You'd need to ask your lady, Thorn. If you believe she'd answer you plainly."
Cinnamon looks up at that, from where she'd been studying the numbers, and says quietly, "Where's your bird, Thorn?"
Thorn nods to Elias, then blinks to Cinnamon. "She usually stays outside. Want me to ask for her to come here?" He hopes she hasn't gorged herself on the red currants; she really seemed to like them!
Cinnamon's gaze on Thorn is steady and thoughtful, "So you don't actually know where she is?" She looks at the others, adding, "What do you want to bet Athala either already knows what we're doing here right now... or will soon?" She looks back at Thorn, and this time there's a wry sort of pity in her voice as she adds, "The bird was from her, wasn't it?"
Elias and Josie are both thoughtful, but it's Elias who speaks, "She's your familiar, yes?" His eyes move around, "She's not in here..." He excuses himself and steps to the door, looking around. He spots Erin on the other side of the street on the eaves of the building opposite, "She's across the street."
Cinnamon nods thoughtfully, "So, find out later."
Thorn lets out a breath. "Erin's not always corporeal, which is why she had that... shimmery effect the first time you met her. She's a magical creature, smart for a bird, but in most respects a bird, and does her own thing when I'm not asking for her help. But yes, the bird was from her."
Cinnamon nods again -- that answers her question. She gives poor Thorn a small smile. Elias nods, "Then Athala likely knows quite a lot. But... I did not get the feeling she was spying maliciously." He shrugs, "The various fae are hard to read, though."
Cinnamon glances wryly at Elias, "Would it be malicious if she was doing this... and really thought she was actually doing the best thing for everyone?"
In the awkward silence that follows, Thorn sighs and stands. "Excuse me," he says. "Thank you for your hospitality, Elias." He steps outside, off the stoop, and gives a quiet whistle to get Erin's attention. Cinnamon watches puzzledly. Once outside, and with Erin on his shoulder, Thorn thinks for a little bit. "I have no idea what Athala wanted when she pushed me towards Cinnamon," he says quietly to Erin. "It happens that I agree with the 'hide' faction. But it's not going to help them if they think I'm a spy -- which to be honest, I don't know if I am or not, or if I'm Athala's familiar, or what. That's probably the best way to support them. And I'll tell Athela as much." He shakes his head. "Sheesh. What was she thinking? Let's head back to the infirmary, pretty lady."
Elias watches Thorn and stands up, following him, calling, "Thorn? Please. I'd like for you to stay."
Cinnamon looks even more confused, murmuring quietly to Josie, "What's he doing, do you know? Can you hear whatever it is he's saying?" Eventually, though, she sighs when everyone remains (mostly) silent, and simply gets up and walks to the door, standing there next to Elias. She calls to the departing man, "Thorn, what are you doing? Are you just leaving? How does running away help, please?"
Thorn stops, shaking his head, "This is overly dramatic." He turns back to Elias's house with Erin on his shoulder. He blinks and almost walks into Elias. "Oh! Ah, sorry, Elias. I am helping. Or trying to." He looks past the vampire. "Trust is earned, not assumed. Right now I don't know if Erin, or even myself, are Athela's to the extent where she just knows what either or even both of us see and hear. I support the 'conceal' plan -- as much as I'd like to see magic return to the world, I don't want to see it the way the reveal faction wants. How any of them want it. If Athala is on the side of the 'reveal' faction, I'm a security risk."
Cinnamon tilts her head curiously at Thorn, "Isn't it a bit late for that, though? Seriously, how does your leaving now help? Wouldn't it be better to, I dunno... try to craft some way to figure out how to ask her questions where you can actually trust the results or something?"
Thorn blinks at Cinnamon. "That... I hadn't thought of that."
Elias puts his hand on the shoulder that Erin isn't sitting on, "You've already been with us. Leaving now isn't going to help. For what it's worth... I would rather have you with us than not."
Cinnamon grins shyly at Thorn as she pushes her glasses up, "I'm just an accountant so take this with a grain of salt, of course... but I like fixing things when I can. Discovering if you can or can't trust your lady seems like a fix to me, y'know?"
Thorn lets out a breath and nods, "You're right. All of you. Er.... sorry."
Elias smiles and tips his head, "Please."
Cinnamon smiles, then turns and heads back inside. To Josie she says cheerfully, "He's coming back! Now we can try and plan." She settles, then sighs thoughtfully, "So... aside from us all trying to not get killed or anything, and figuring out if Athala's the mastermind or not... what else do we need to do?"
Cinnamon considers, her fingertips lightly brushing over the laptop screen where her impromptu charts and numbers show a disturbing story... then she pauses a bit, taking a breath -- then looks up and grins excitedly at everyone, "OK, I think I have some ideas! Let me brainstorm them with you all, please?" She beams as she looks around, then starts counting points on her fingers as she says, "First: the oldest person remaining on the 'hide' side is Elias -- so unless another of the 'reveal' side starts making 'hide' sounds, my guess is, unfortunately, that you're the next target, Elias." She frowns worriedly for a moment... then nods again, "which I guess means we need to get Shane involved too, so he can help keep an eye on Elias' safety too, yeah? Then the next most important thing, I think, is that we need to figure out if Athala's behind this or knows anything about it, or not!" She smiles at Thorn, "I don't know how yet, sorry, Thorn? But I figure that's kinda critical for you maybe? Yes/no?"
Cinnamon holds up a third finger, "Then, maybe at the same time? We -- or at least me? -- some of us really need to go to Athala's trod... so we can talk to Marcus's dad! Find out what exactly happened, stuff like that." She beams again, "How's that for a plan? What'chall think?"
Thorn nods soberly, "Yes, that's... kind of unsettling to think about. I don't believe she's behind it, but then again, belief isn't certainty." Cinnamon nods several times, her eyes bright with excitement and interest even as she pushes her glasses back into place! She turns to look hopefully at Josie and Elias as well.
Elias thinks and looks at Josie, "Josie, I think you should stay with me. I'll also bring in Jarek. Aisling... wouldn't want to be cooped up... and she's quite old as well."
Cinnamon blinks thoughtfully, "You mean like live with you?" She considers for a moment, then says cautiously, "Is... is it that your house is really really well warded, Elias?"
Elias nods and smiles, "It's well-warded... but Josie is also diurnal and quite strong. We would be guardians for one another. I don't sleep in the bedrooms, after all."
Cinnamon nods, then looks inquiringly at Josie -- since it's up to the werewolf, after all, as to whether she does this or not. She brightens at a sudden thought, and leans to whisper to Thorn, "Hey, can you send your bird to get Shane? Or... wait, she doesn't talk, does she? But... could she carry a note from you to Shane, maybe?"
Thorn blinks. "I think she can," he says, reaching to get a bit of paper and a pen from his pocket. "At least, if I ask her nicely." He hasn't asked Erin to be a messenger bird, well, ever. He hopes she'll be amenable to it, as he calls to her and asks her if she could do it.
Josie thinks about that and nods slowly, "I can do that. And Jarek should be guarded. He's pretty old, too."
Erin fluffs her wings and then holds one one foot delicately to wait for the note to either be handed to her or to be banded to her leg. Apparently she has no objections. Cinnamon has to cover a giggle -- she thinks the bird looks adorable like that! Thorn is relieved. "I promise to invest in red currants," he says to her as he lets her grab the message in her claws. "Thank you, pretty lady." Cinnamon giggles again at that! Erin preens Thorn's hair approvingly about the redcurrants and then she's gone. She doesn't even have to bother with a door. After all, she's sometimes insubstantial... the note does go with her, however.
Cinnamon nods, then glances around at everyone remaining, "So... any thoughts about going to the trod? I figure we'll need Thorn to come along simply because does anyone else know where it is?"
Elias is still rubbing his forehead with his fingertips, eyes closed, "Shane. I've got Josie. You'll need Shane. I'm tempted to petition Caradog to take one of the guardsmen with you, but I wouldn't be happy with less than Diarmaid and he's captain of the guard."
Thorn smiles quietly to Erin, thanking her, then he looks back to Cinnamon, taking a shaking breath and nodding, "I'm sure we can find someone else who knows where it is?
Cinnamon nods once, a little wide-eyed, "Um... okay? But... don't you want him -- oh!" She pauses, considering for a few moments... then nods emphatically, "Yeah, definitely Shane with his ability to tell if someone's being truthful -- that's just what Thorn needs!"
Elias looks at Thorn, brow raising, "Do you not want to go, Thorn?"
Cinnamon blinks at Thorn, "You aren't coming? Don't you want to know if your lady's behind it or knows about this or anything?"
Thorn blinks, "No, of course I'm going! Just that it would help to have someone else go who knows the way as well!"
Cinnamon says, "Oh!" She grins, relieved, "OK!" then looks at Elias, "Aside from Marcus, who might know? Or... should we try getting Marcus to come too? I'm supposed to have tea with him tomorrow, after all?"
Elias ahhs, "You want redundancy?" He smiles at Cinnamon, "I wouldn't ask Marcus. Just... just in case. There are cases of fratricide, after all." Cinnamon nods slowly, her eyes wide again. Despite how much she (guiltily) dislikes being around her birth family... the idea of actually killing any of them... just doesn't compute for her! Elias catches that look and smiles gently. He even tries to get most of his teeth covered as he reaches out to pat her on the knee, "Remember, dear, that many of these people are working on social mores from centuries ago. Fratricide was not encouraged, but it was a way to win a throne or a title."
Either Shane was very close or very fast -- or Erin was very fast -- because he knocks on the door a couple of times before slipping inside as if he doesn't feel he needs to wait to be invited. He's looking serious. Cinnamon nods slowly again at Elias -- then blinks startledly at the knock! She brightens at sight of Shane, though, "Shane! We have a plot! Can you help?" She pauses, realizing how confusing that sounds, then embarrassedly adds, "Sorry, let me start over!" A few moments later Shane is caught up on their suspicions. Cinnamon asks earnestly, "So what do you think? Does this make sense to you too?"
"Redundancy would be nice," Thorn says, "but if we can't find anyone, it's not the end of things. I'm... nervous about confronting Athala, but it needs to be done. We need to know if she has anything at all to do with this... this mess." Inwardly he's despairing. The fact that he even needs to question her, and thus calling his loyalty into question, bothers the hell out of him.
Shane listens, brows drawn together as Cinnamon runs through the information, "So... you want me to go with you and Thorn to the Trod of the Elm to find out if Marcus' dad was an attempted murder or just a bad accident." He looks around the room, "Josie's staying here. I'm going with you as backup and because I can usually tell if someone's telling the truth." He nods at Thorn's comment about redundancy, "I think I can find it. Trods are... tricky... but they're easier to see the entrance to if you know just how to look. Give me a description of the path and the entrance and I can be backup."
Cinnamon shakes her head excitedly, "Nonono! We want you to tell us if Athala is telling the truth -- that she doesn't know anything about this, hopefully!" She pauses abruptly, thinking hard... then amends, "And then we'd like your help with Marcus's dad, yeah, please!" She grins a bit sheepishly.
Shane listens again and nods, "Athala first. Marcus' dad second. Got it."
Cinnamon nods excitedly again, beaming -- then pauses once more. A moment later she gives Thorn a puzzled look, "Wait, what do you mean it's not the end if we can't find anyone? Doesn't that kind of defeat our entire purpose for going?"
Thorn rubs his eyes, "No, no, I'm sorry, I'm not making sense. If we can't find anyone else to find the path to the trod, it's not the end. I know the path."
Cinnamon gives Thorn another puzzled look, pushing up her glasses to study him. Finally she says, "Are you all right, dude?"
Elias nods, "But it does seem like we'll have redundancy." He smiles quietly to Cinnamon, "He's worried, I'm sure. But... I don't think he needs to be."
Cinnamon glances inquiringly back at Elias... then simply smiles and shrugs, "OK. So, I have tea with the king scheduled in two days. It's probably rude to break that after you've accepted it, right? Or can I do that?"
Thorn sighs. "I'm not," he says. "I'm... dealing with the possibility that Athala is a cold-hearted long-term planner of assassinations, after many years of serving her faithfully. I knew I was being... used, to some extent, but this is...." He sighs, shaking his head. "I don't like it, and it... more than just bothers me."
Elias leans back, thinking, "My instinct says sooner done the better. But that may simply be that I always want information. Tea tomorrow with Marcus and the day after with Caradog? Is that right?"
Cinnamon nods to Elias, "No one else has accepted my invites yet." She glances at Thorn with some sympathy. While she doesn't really understand surrendering one's free will so much to someone else, she can understand deep pain caused by family -- who theoretically should cherish rather than harm.
Elias pushes himself to his feet, "Be careful at both of those little tête-à-têtes, please. Don't let Marcus know you have such suspicions... Caradog either."
Cinnamon nods emphatically, causing her bangs to flop a bit and necessitating pushing her glasses back into place, "I know, right?! No, I was just going to try and get Marcus to tell me -- all of them, really -- to tell me their reasoning as to why it'd be okay to reveal." She considers a moment, then adds a bit wistfully, "I'd really like to actually talk to some of the folks I'm supposed to be representing someday, too!" Then she grins, "But one emergency at a time, right?" Thorn smiles quietly. Quietly he thinks that Cinnamon will do perfectly fine as a representative... but she's right, one emergency at a time.
Elias smiles and says, "You will. Don't worry. Most of them just... aren't overly fond of Boston. It's just one of the oldest enclaves and makes a good home base for several of us. I can't leave easily, of course, and there are a lot of Irish here." In a bid to give people a chance to breathe and not worry so much, Elias brings out mead and tea and cookies. Shane teases him about not trying to lure people into Mille Bornes this time and that makes the vampire laugh, "It's good for teaching French!" Once everyone starts to leave for the night, he reminds them to please be careful. That knowing look means that Shane offers to see Cinnamon home and Josie does the same for Thorn.
Cinnamon is happy to walk home with Shane, though she does curiously ask on the way, "What's Meal Born?"
Shane laughs, "Mille Bornes. It's a card game about a road race. It's French and means 'A Thousand Miles.' Elias loves it. The rules can be a little labyrinthine and it doesn't help that the cards are all in French."
"Oh!" Cinnamon looks worried, "Uh-oh... um, am I the only Councillor that only speaks English?"
Shane laughs, "Hm... I... huh. You might be. Jarek speaks a couple of Slavic languages. Elias speaks... a lot of languages. Josie speaks English and..." he clears his throat and admits sheepishly, "I can't remember the exact language. Sparrow speaks English, Cherokee, Blackfoot, and I think Cree. Aisling speaks English, Irish and Scottish Gaelic, and Welsh. Hilde speaks English, Swedish, and French and I think enough other Nordic languages to get by... Marcus speaks English and German..."
Cinnamon looks embarrassedly, "Oh, dear... I hope the folks I'm supposed to represent won't be insulted! Though, umm... are there translators in the other, uh, supernatural enclaves for the councillors?" A moment later she frowns thoughtfully, "I should learn a language that the folks I represent speak -- that's it! Hm. Though... aren't there like a ton of Eskimo and Pacific Islander languages? Maybe... maybe I could start with like Italian or Greek? Do you think that might help?"
Shane walks with his hands laced together behind his back and he's smiling, "There are translators everywhere. The whole council needs to be able to understand what's being said. Here in the US, the councils are held largely in English. Italian's a nice language. And if you get a grip on one Romance language, you can sometimes muddle through the others... and I understand a lot of the Polynesian languages are similar in that same way."
Cinnamon nods, looking intrigued -- then hastily fumbles for her journal and makes notes: 'Learn Italian! Then Polynesian.' She grins up at Shane almost shyly as she says softly, "Shane? I, um... thank you for looking out for me? You and Josie, I mean. It's... well, I don't really want anyone hurt because of me, but I do appreciate how nice of you it is?"
Shane smiles down at Cinnamon, "You're good people. I can tell. I've been listening." Cinnamon blushes hotly, and finds herself tongue-tied! Shane, being a gentleman, doesn't mention the blushing. Cinnamon mumbles thanks again once she's home -- then leans her back against the door once she's inside and fans herself! That makes her giggle... then briskly head for her little desk -- she's got to plan some travel! Shane makes sure Cinnamon is safe inside and her door is locked before he moves on to do his own preparations.
Elsewhere, Thorn thanks Josie for walking him back to his quarters. It's a relief, though he hasn't felt that he's been in danger. Well... until now. Josie grins at Thorn and wags, "It's no problem!" She hasn't tried one of her exuberant hugs on him, but she does seem quite friendly, "We want you safe!"
Thorn smiles quietly, "I appreciate it." He lets out a breath. "I'm guessing things aren't always as hectic and worrisome as they are right now."
Josie grins and shakes her head, "Nowhere near this hectic. This was a big vote. It's been brewing for a long time. According to my dad, this happens every few decades or so."
Thorn nods, then asks curiously, "What was the last big vote?"
Josie thinks, "Before this one? It had to do with the divisions of councillors and their territories. Killa and Sparrow had a little... how did Sparrow put it?... a bit of friction about that."
Thorn says dryly, "I can imagine they did." He pauses. "Do people tend to fall on the same sides of arguments? I mean, is it always, like, split up the same way?"
Josie thinks about it, "Not always. That vote had more people on the 'keep it like it is' side. I think... and I could be wrong... I was pretty sure it was a power play on Killa's and Marcus' part."
Thorn grimaces, "That... somehow doesn't surprise me. I hope they're not making habits of that sort of thing."
Josie mmms? "Power plays? It happens sometimes. Killa wanted to expand his territory. Marcus wanted to extend to cover not just Germany and Austria, but into some of the Slavic countries. Meaning Jarek's territory would be cut down. With Killa, he wanted to push up into the US covering Sparrow's territory."
Thorn nods slowly, "Well... I hope they can get over themselves at some point. All votes are equal on the council, aren't they? So getting larger territory doesn't give them more votes... just more people to lord over."
Josie nods and sighs, "Yes. That's true. I mean... the British Isles aren't huge, but Aisling's vote is equal to Qadan's, which covers a lot of Russian and into China." She walks Thorn back to the infirmary's quarters, where he thanks her for the escort, and wishes her a good night. His own sleep is a little troubled, though he couldn't tell exactly why -- worrisome dreams, nothing prophetic, but he's always looking over his shoulder. Still, he gets enough sleep for the night.
Cinnamon is excited: today's the day! She's going to have tea with Marcus -- her first real opportunity to chat in depth with one of the 'hide' faction! She has a lovely, relaxing breakfast, then carefully showers and dresses so she looks nice. Admittedly, she's not trying to look lovely or stunning or any of that -- that's for her sister to do! But Cinnamon knows she at least cleans up tidy... and she always feels good when she does so! She heads off early for Marcus's house -- well, mansion, really! Though why only one man needs so much help and space to live in, she has no idea! Maybe... maybe he's just really inept in the kitchen or something? She giggles to herself at that thought, reassured that Marcus may be prettier than heck -- but he's sure not perfect! There's a smile on her face as she strides cheerfully along Coblyn Street, and she both cheerfully greets those she knows, and happily returns greetings from anyone new.
Those that know Cinnamon -- and in some cases those who have just seen her around -- are happy to greet her back. There are a lot of smiles. There are also some suspicious or downright dark looks. It's a crowded little enclave and there's a wide spread of people. Cinnamon isn't sure why some folks look so gloomy... but, she decides, it's none of her business unless they ask for her help as a Councillor! -- and in that case, she shall remain in a good mood until then! It's a gorgeous day, too. A lovely day for a stroll and a relaxed spot of tea.
It's Cinnamon's intention to arrive early enough that she'll hopefully catch Marcus before he's left! That way she can suggest they walk together -- and oh, she knows of this really nice little tea shop down the way that serves the most scrumptious little sandwiches and savories with their tea! It's not on Coblyn, but she hopes to talk the somewhat human-inexperienced sidhe into going there with her. After all, more exposure to the folks he wishes to rule is surely a good idea? Cinnamon grins -- she'd had this wonderful idea after she sent out the invites... but hopefully Marcus will be interested!
When Cinnamon gets to the door, it's answered by the apparently-mute Butler. For never speaking, he always manages to make it feel like he's asked you what you want. Cinnamon says, "Good morning, Mr. Butler!" She beams, not quite caroling out the words -- she's feeling very good today, oddly enough! "Is Marcus still here? Did I arrive before he left? I was thinking he might like to stroll together to tea, if so?" Butler moves from in front of the door and makes an 'enter' sort of motion with one hand. It would seem Marcus hasn't left. Cinnamon beams as she replies, "Thank you!" and follows him in. This, she has decided, is acceptable... even if she's not supposed to go anywhere alone with Marcus. She's already notified Elias, Josie, and Shane of her idea to try for tea outside Coblyn... and if Marcus refuses, they'll just go to the little Coblyn Street tea room called Lily's!
Butler shows Cinnamon to a small sitting room off the foyer and again manages to give the impression that he's asked her to wait when he leaves. Perhaps ten minutes pass before Marcus arrives in the room. He's dressed in a lovely deep-grey suit with an immaculate red tie that has a silver tie tack. The smile he gives Cinnamon is charming and actually seems genuine, "I expected to meet you instead of having you come to me."
Cinnamon rises and grins, "Oh, I know -- but it's such a lovely day! I was wondering if you'd like to stroll together to the tea shop?" She heads for the door as she adds almost coaxingly, "I know this really nice little place that's got the absolute best teeny sandwiches and savories, too -- would you like to try it?"
Marcus offers Cinnamon his arm. It's an old-fashioned sort of gesture for such a young person, "Lily's? Or is there somewhere else that I haven't seen yet?" When he's not acting full of himself, he really does seem to have some natural charisma.
Cinnamon grins excitedly as she carefully accepts Marcus' arm -- what a gentleman! Usually this doesn't happen to her! "Well, we could go to Lily's if you want... but I thought it might be fun for you to try something new -- this is off Coblyn! Shall we?"
Marcus has a moment -- an indistinguishable moment to almost anyone -- when he hesitates. Then he realizes that this would be a good way to show willing and to perhaps help brighten Cinnamon's day and her opinion of his faction on the council, "Is it somewhere close enough to walk or will we need transport?"
Cinnamon says, "Oh, we can walk! I checked beforehand -- it's actually really close!" Her grin is teasing as she adds, "They try for a sort of Victorian vibe, so all the waitresses are dressed like maids. I figured you might like that!"
Marcus nods, still smiling. The arm that Cinnamon's hand isn't resting on is tucked casually behind his back as they stroll, "It sounds quite lovely." When she describes the atmosphere and the maids, he raises his brow with a chuckle, "Not fetish maids, yes? Simply maids in the way Ingrid dresses when working?"
Cinnamon blinks in surprise, "Fetish...? Uh, I... don't think so?" She considers, then nods once, "Ah, Ingrid! She's that nice lady that gave me your invite response, right?"
Marcus' smile brightens for a moment, looking companionably teasing. He is also being careful to match his stride with Cinnamon's, "That would be Ingrid. Her family has been with mine for generations now."
Cinnamon smiles thoughtfully, "That must be nice!" She pauses, then curiously asks, "How... does something like that happen, please? I admit, it's kind of new to me -- the idea, I mean, of a family serving another for generations. Don't they... don't any of the kids ever want to... I don't know, go to college, or have a different profession?"
Marcus mms, "It's an old-fashioned sort of system. Left over from the time when servants were chattel. Once that was abolished, there were often ties of loyalty and even affection between the families and the arrangement continued... except pay became involved. Not all the children stay in service. Some do go off to explore or to go to college, but you might be surprised by the number that return in some capacity. And not all of the families in service are human. So they are somewhat stuck."
Cinnamon says, "Huh! Is that why Mr. Butler never talks?"
Marcus looks down at her curiously, "Pardon? Is what why Butler never speaks? He doesn't speak because he has no mouth."
Cinnamon boggles startledly at Marcus, "He what?! Oh my god, the poor man! What happened?! I thought he just wasn't human!"
Marcus chuckles and ohs! at his misunderstanding, "No. He's not human. That's why he has no mouth. His people have a sort of low-level telepathy. Low-level to us, but they seem to be able to communicate much more fully amongst themselves."
"Oh! Okay... how odd." She considers for a moment, then nods, "That's why his, um... his motions? -- seem so... evocative, right? He's thinking at us too?" As they approach the entrance to Coblyn, Cinnamon can see that Marcus seems to be steeling himself to leave the enclave. If she weren't paying attention, she'd have missed it completely.
Marcus smiles down at her and nods, still staying very politely correct with his body language, "Exactly. Come in. Please wait. May I help you? All fairly simple concepts."
Cinnamon smiles quietly to herself, but says nothing about it. Instead she cheerfully says, "This'll be a nice opportunity for you to see more humans, right? Have you had much of a chance to interact with humans?"
Marcus mms? "Not very much. My mother raised me largely in the trod when we weren't here on Coblyn." Once they're past the entrance of the street, he actually relaxes just a tad. "Father insisted on a little more interaction, but I've been quite busy since my appointment."
Cinnamon beams at that, "Oh, awesome! In that case I'm glad I can help you with that -- the interaction, I mean!" She tilts her head as she watches, wondering what it is about the entrance to Coblyn that tenses him up so... but she doesn't know how to ask, so she simply watches and waits for hopeful enlightenment. Marcus lets Cinnamon steer them, still letting her keep her hand on his arm. It might make them stand out a bit, but in a 'charmingly eccentric' way instead of a 'bizarre and dangerous' sort of a way. There's another of those moments of tension at the comment about helping, but it disappears quickly as well. He's got fairly good control of his facial reactions, however. His expression stays pleasant and interested the whole time. She wonders a bit perplexedly what's bothering Marcus... does he have issues with his father too, maybe? Poor guy, if so!
Cinnamon directs them to the little tea shop, chats cheerfully with the lady behind the counter, and confirms their reservation for two. Moments later she and Marcus are seated in a pleasant, bright and airy, carpeted little room with some attractive greenery and several antique-looking paintings on the walls. There are several small tables, each with a tablecloth, a bud vase of flowers, a porcelain container with cinnamon cookies in it, and individual settings which include linen napkins and elegantly painted teacups and saucers. Cinnamon beams happily as she tucks her napkin into her lap, "Isn't it cute? I figured it wouldn't be too old hat for you, since neither of us were around in the Victorian era. Do you like it?" The enticing scent of steeping tea and the occasional baked savory floats through the air, accompanying the gentle harp and piano music being piped through. She adds in smiling explanation, "I would have just called to cancel the reservation if you didn't want to leave Coblyn... but if you were nice enough to try it with me, I didn't want you to have to wait, you know?"
Marcus does much the same with his napkin, but only after carefully looking the table over and carefully moving several metal implements out of the way. He settles in quite comfortably and looks around curiously, "Oh, I wasn't alive then, but we have lived much like that time period in my family."
Cinnamon looks pleased as she nods, "I guessed that! That's why I thought you might like this." She grins, gently nudging one of the menus towards Marcus as she adds, "But let's pick what we're going to have first, okay?" She opens the menu, perusing it thoughtfully and checking with Marcus as to what he'll be having -- she's happy to share bites if he wants, so they each get more flavors! The menu is deliberately charming, with offerings such as "The Duchess' Delight (Afternoon Tea in England)" or "My Lady's Respite (Traditional Afternoon Tea)" followed by a list of the tiny sandwiches and savories available: delicacies such as fresh scones with Devonshire cream and preserves, Caprese salads, Chicken Marsala tartlets, a variety of sandwiches (such as Cucumber Mint, Pesto Nut, Chicken Parisian Croissant, or Sundried Tomato and Goat Cheese) -- and afterwards, a selection from the dessert tray.
The teas are an equally wide variety: oolongs, greens, tisanes, herbals, and black teas, all with enticing names such as English Breakfast, Butter Truffle, Ceylon Tea & Rose Petals, Vanilla Floral, and Strawberry Darjeeling. Marcus peruses the menu thoughtfully, asking Cinnamon's suggestions politely and eventually settles on the Louis XIV's Favorite with Blackberry Jasmine tea. He notices that everyone else in the place is female, but doesn't seem disconcerted by it. In fact, he seems extremely comfortable here; his manners seem to fit this space to a T.
Cinnamon is quite pleased to notice Marcus seems calm! When the waitress arrives in her black dress and white frilly apron, Cinnamon waits for Marcus to order, then happily asks for the My Lady's Respite. The two women chat together amiably about whether the Champagne Raspberry tea or the Butter Truffle tea would be better, and Cinnamon finally settles on the former. She beams excitedly at Marcus once the waitress has departed, using the tongs to select three of the cinnamon cookies from the jar, and place them on her china plate. "So, do you like it so far? Also, can I ask you some questions? Oh! Where are my manners -- want some cookies too? They're awesome with the lemon curd there!"
Marcus is charming to the waitress and even manages to make her laugh and blush for a moment, even though he didn't say anything risque or even overtly flirtatious. He watches Cinnamon with the tongs, trying to examine them without staring, "I could very much enjoy some of the cookies."
Cinnamon cheerfully places two cookies on Marcus's decorated little porcelain plate, then pauses and smiles, "One more?" She considers, focusing for a moment on the metal utensils on the table, wondering if any of them are potentially dangerous to Marcus.
Marcus shakes his head, "No, thank you. Two is plenty for me." He starts to reach for the little knife in the lemon curd pot without thinking.
Cinnamon nods and sets down the tongs so Marcus can reach them if he wants -- she can tell they're safe for him. Unfortunately, on her last trip here a few weeks ago, she'd realized a great many of the other utensils wouldn't be safe for a sidhe... and so she'd earlier carefully picked out a set of silverware from one of the little shops on Coblyn Street. She remembers them now, as Marcus reaches for the lemon curd -- and says quickly, "Oh, don't!" She darts her hand out as well, trying to cover the little butter knife before he touches it, and smiles apologetically, "Sorry, I almost forgot! I brought you something -- let me get it for you!"
Marcus' brows go up at the unexpected darting motion of Cinnamon's hand. He lets his rest on hers for a moment and then pats it, "Thank you. What did you bring?"
Cinnamon blinks at the touch! -- then blushes slightly as she withdraws her hand and fumbles for her purse, "Oh, um... here you go!" She brings out a sealed plastic baggie holding a simple paper napkin wrapped around something. Opening it, she unfolds the napkin and holds it out towards Marcus, "There you go! All safe, promise!" The sidhe can see a small fork, butter knife, and little spoon -- all of which roughly match the slightly ornate style of the utensils on the table. She hopes he likes them! She adds cheerfully, "The tongs are fine, by the way, as is the little silver bell to call the waitress."
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