Goblin Town -- Logs

Cinnamon watches silently, very curious as to how the fey behave. She makes a mental note: must share good visualization ideas with Thorn more often! Once they step back from each other she curiously adds to Jaeger, "May I ask a few more questions, please? Like... what exactly do you and Marcus do? Your special thing, I mean... like that young man who got Dmitry to talk? And... and who exactly on the 'reveal' side has visited here, please? -- and what exactly does Butler do, and do you all know anything about black blood with sulphur in it? We were going to talk about that earlier before the- err..." she doesn't want to mention the attack -- or even think much about it, honestly! -- so she ends a little weakly, "...before?"

Jaeger says, "Ah. Not everyone lets it be known what it is that is their special knack. I know that Aoi has been here. As has, of course, my son. I believe that Jalil has and I know that Killa has. It is a little cool here for any of them to have stayed long. As for Butler? He is a butler. He doesn't speak in words, but he is a type of being that can get ideas across in thought. Concepts rather than the words that describe them." He looks to Athala for the last question. She's tried to coax Thorn into putting his head in her lap again, "As for sulfurous blood... I do not know for certain. I had wondered if some dragons had sulfurous blood. Or the other fire spirits."

Cinnamon shakes her head, "Not according to Elias, no -- or at least Liam didn't?" She sits down now Jaeger isn't holding her hands -- she wants to check her little notebook. "So... okay, so Athala said Aoi hadn't been here, and neither had Elias... but Liam, Killa, Jalil, Sparrow, and Aisling had." She looks up curiously, "Anyone else? Jarek, Nasteexo, Josie, Qadan, Hilde... any of them?"

Athala ahhs and looks thoughtful. It's as if petting Thorn's hair helps her think. "Perhaps Aoi or Jalil. But they are not the only ones of their kind. You find sulphur around hot springs and volcanoes... I know that there are natural hot springs in the northern country. Hilde's people, you know." Cinnamon glances up at Athala, then nods, looking down again as she scribbles briskly.

Athala and Jaeger look at one another and Jaeger thinks back, "I apologize. Aoi has not come here. But she has visited us at the Coblyn house. I sometimes forget that the conservatory is not actually the trod, even if it is a little piece of it. Josie has come here, I believe. And Hilde has. She has celebrated some of the holidays with us."

Cinnamon nods inquiringly, pushing up her glasses as her interested gaze flicks between the two sidhe, "Anyone else at all?"

Jaeger and Athala confer for a moment, "Elias has not been here. I do not think the others have." It's Athala that speaks, "If they have, it was kept very secret. And very little is a secret from Jaeger or myself here."

Cinnamon hmms, writing her notes... then looks up again, "Um, I know Butler's a butler, sorry -- I meant more why were you not worried about your son with Butler there. Is he a bodyguard, or is he more someone who can detect, um... like, malicious intent against Marcus or something?"

Jaeger nods, "It is a two-way ability. If you are thinking... ah... thinking loudly? -- he can sometimes pick it up. Emotion more than words, again. Hostility."

"Ah!" Cinnamon looks pleased, "Okay, that's good! So at least on Coblyn he should be well-warded." She pauses at a sudden thought... then slowly adds, "Also... are there any sidhe who can... er, whose special 'thing' is, like... like sort of... nudging a thought surreptitiously into someone's mind? Without their knowing?"

Shane is leaning against a tree as he says, "A lot of knacks are like that. Nudging someone, I mean. Nudging people to talk even when they shouldn't. Nudging people to trust you."

Thorn has by now not given much worried thought to how it might look, and so he's quite content to put his head in Athala's lap again. As they're talking, Erin and the other magpie that Cinnamon saw come winging back. They both perch on the back of the bench where Athala sits with Thorn.

Cinnamon nods gravely to Shane, "Then... then I think we're starting to see the beginnings of our, um... our bad guy team? There's someone who's good at gently nudging folks mentally -- someone that the 'hide' folks were willing to talk with. There's Moustapha... and there's whomever he's working for. I'd like to think it's not Jalil, since he and Nasteexo were the only folks on the 'reveal' side with the courtesy to apologize to me when Killa assaulted me... but considering Moustapha is one of his people, we can't ignore that." She glances between the sidhe as she adds, "What do you all think?" Then she brightens, "Oh, your birdies are okay!"

Jaeger and Athala are both nodding. Athala turns her head and chirps at the birds, "Ja. This is Erin's broodmate, Nachden."

Cinnamon pushes up her glasses as she studies the two birds, "So... did Erin get a look at where Moustapha went?" Erin hops down to preen Thorn's hair and he gets the idea that Moustapha (if that's who it was) drove the ATV to the trailhead, but they lost him after that. Cinnamon looks expectantly at Thorn.

Thorn glances up, "Hello, Nachden," he says, then erps! as Erin preens his hair. He blinks at what she lets him know. "So you followed him to the trailhead, but lost him after that? No worries, pretty girl. You both did a wonderful job. Thank you!"

Cinnamon frowns thoughtfully at that news, but says nothing. Instead she glances at Athala and Jaeger, "Well, if you think of anything that might be relevant, could you send us word about it, please? Also, um, if it's not too much trouble... if we do somehow manage to figure out who it is, Mr. Jaeger, would you be willing to come to a Council meeting and help us out that person?"

Jaeger's face is a little set, "They have caused death and injury in my home. Ja. I will come."

Cinnamon smiles a bit uncertainly, "Ah... thank you, sir." She blinks, looking around at everyone, "So, um... I think that's it for me? Shane, Thorn, do you have anything else you want to add?" She adds to the sidhe, "If you, like, discover any notes or maps or anything on the other ATVs, or if there's any poison -- or not -- on the trap, or if you find more traps... all that's stuff I'd love to know at some point, please?" Both sidhe nod. It doesn't immediately occur to Cinnamon that this means Marcus -- who is apparently uncomfortable around her -- will have to either speak to her, or have notes sent often to her.

When Shane makes the suggestion that getting out of the trod might be easier before it's full night, the three visitors (four, including Erin) are given dried fruit and water for snacks on their way back to Coblyn. They're walked out to the main trail by two of the trod's warriors and find the ATVs there. There are four of them, all of which look as if they are meant to be two-passenger vehicles. There are supplies and some weaponry and they're assured the trod members that are not susceptible to metal danger will take care of them. The fourth ATV is at the trailhead where there are two SUVs and two trailers that are obviously meant to hold the ATVs. Shane insists on looking through the vehicles. There's not a lot of identifying information in them. They are, actually, as clean and empty as if they had just come off the car lot. Cinnamon eyes the fifth ATV with suspicion... then frowns thoughtfully as she glances at Erin again, but saves her thoughts for later.

It's as they're driving back to Coblyn Street that Shane tries to cheer things up a bit -- he asks, "So, how was the tea with Caradog? Did you both enjoy yourselves?"

Cinnamon groans, clutching her head, "Oh my god... sooo embarrassing!" She sighs, nearly glowering out the window as she mutters, "I... I froze. I mean, the minute everyone walked out and it was just me and the king?! Total brain freeze!"

Shane smiles, but he knows by now that Cinnamon will be sensitive to too much chuckling, "Ah. All alone with His Majesty. I'm sure that wasn't at all overwhelming. He didn't even have Diarmuid there?"

Thorn is driving, his world once again black-and-white. He's imagining he can still smell the scent of Athala... but driving, he's found, is best when leaving the trod, since it forces him to focus -- it's better that way. In the rearview mirror he arches a brow at Cinnamon, commenting, "I was a bit overwhelmed, too. Don't let it bother you!"

Cinnamon grumbles half under her breath, "Too late..." then sighs lugubriously, "Nope. Just me... and I was like almost totally monosyllabic! Oh, and I started shaking too... which meant I spilled some tea, and then knocked the sugar pot off the table by accident when I was trying to mop it up with my napkin!" She goes silent for a moment before she adds uncomfortably, "I... I'm trying to work up the courage to go to Aisling and admit I tore her pretty gown too -- I stepped wrong when I was almost running out of the room, after he said it was okay to go!" She sighs again, adding sheepishly, "Well... okay, I actually tripped on one of the sugar cubes... ugh, so embarrassing!"

Shane chuckles quietly, "Aisling will be more worried that you felt uncomfortable than you ripped the dress. She says sewing calms her." He winces at the sugar cube and chuckles, "Ah. It always seems like it can't just be one thing."

Cinnamon nods glumly, "I know, right?! But there's something about being all alone like that, with someone like a boss or a CEO or a king... and my brain just takes off for Timbuktu without me!"

Shane leans back in his seat and chuckles, "Aisling took me to tea with him once. Charming fu... guy. Witty. Urbane. Made me want to look for the man behind the curtain."

Cinnamon looks confusedly at Shane, "Curtain... wait, you mean he's not really like that?" She blinks again, glancing at Thorn, "Was he... rude to you or something?" She sounds a bit disbelieving.

Shane considers his answer for a moment, "I didn't really know him well. Still don't, I suppose. But it was like I was seeing a front but not the real Caradog? Like he got more out of the meeting than I did."

Cinnamon brightens, "Ooooh! I get it -- like he was hiding something but you weren't?"

Shane nods, "Exactly. Kept trying to get a read on him and kept not getting it. But he was being really good at not saying anything of substance."

Cinnamon nods in understanding, "Oh, yeah -- I've seen that in my work too, actually." She pauses, then adds a bit sheepishly, "Though... honestly I have no idea what he was like at the tea." She shudders as she adds, "Hopefully he doesn't think I'm a complete blithering idiot... hopefully..." She sighs again... then takes a deep breath and adds with faux brightness, "So, how was your tea, Thorn? Better than mine, I'm guessing?"

Thorn smiles quietly. "Not at all!" he says. "He was charming, polite, and didn't even ask me to be the court physician! That was a joke -- Iason said something about Caradog wanting him to be court physician. I'd really rather not go that route. I thought it was strange to even be asked to tea by the king -- I'm not that important, I'm just a member of Iason's infirmary staff. I was concentrating more on not dropping my teacup or anything like that, and worrying about why I was there, to try to get an impression of him." Cinnamon nods in rueful understanding!

They don't get back to Coblyn Street until well after dark and Shane -- perhaps paranoid or perhaps just sensible -- walks both of them back to their homes. Since Thorn's quarters are further down the street than Cinnamon's, it means he's alone with the medic for longer. He's quiet for the first block or so, then asks, "I suppose Iason has made sure the medic's quarters are safe?"

Thorn nods to Shane, "I'm not at all worried there. Besides, there's a bunch of people there with me. But... thanks for walking back with me."

Shane nods and smiles. It's a bright and friendly sort of smile... might go a bit oddly with the fact that he's got his hand on the pommel of his sword the whole time they're walking, "Good. Things are getting dicey, and I like you. And Iason seems to like you, so I want to make sure things are good." He pauses and says carefully, "You know, I'd discharge that boon quick as you can."

Thorn grimaces and nods. "Absolutely with you on that," he says. "I was... fuzzy-headed at the time. I'm going to try to convince him that it was Athala's magic what did the heavy lifting and so it should go to her."

Shane laughs a little, "You were being petted and praised by a really lovely sidhe woman. That's enough to make anyone's head fuzzy." He sounds like he speaks from experience -- then he adds, "That might be wise. Gifting it on to Athala. She's got enough clout to keep it from being unbalanced." Once they reach the medics' quarters, he gives Thorn a pat on the shoulder, "Sleep safe." He slips back on down the street after that. He's gone in a surprisingly short amount of time.

"Good night, Shane," Thorn says to the departing man, and then heads into the healers' quarters. He moves quietly so as not to disturb the others, and after washing up, settles in to sleep before his next shift.

Elsewhere, Cinnamon sighs in relief once she's safe in her snug little home... then sets about methodically unpacking and saving off her notes. As she does so, she frowns unhappily. Erin... does not make any sense to her. Considering how much ATVs have to weave to get through a heavy forest... the bird should have easily been able to keep Moustapha in sight -- maybe even crapped unseen on the getaway vehicle, like Cinnamon had suggested earlier. Yet not only was Erin apparently incapable of flying around enough to spot the attacker's face as he pulled the helmet and got into the getaway vehicle... but she seemed constitutionally incapable of doing anything to make him noticeable for arrival here in Coblyn Street! So... who does the bird work for?

Cinnamon considers that carefully... Erin must work for Athala and/or Thorn. So... does that mean it's Moustapha who's so good at mentally nudging folks? Enough so that even if he doesn't know about a follower... he can still cause one to lose track of him?! If that's the case -- and it's starting to look that way -- then... this is even more worrying than Cinnamon had originally thought! She makes a note: both Shane and Thorn, and Elias (when she updates him on this visit) need to hear that suspicion of hers! She considers heading down to talk to Elias right away -- then drats! She'd meant to ask Shane if it was possible to have someone keep an eye out for Moustapha's arrival on Coblyn Street. As she considers, she abruptly yawns! -- then sighs. Nope, no more traveling tonight -- she's pooped! She'll update Elias tomorrow on the poisonous and not-extinct nettles, as well as her thoughts regarding Moustapha et al. Hmm, gotta find Jarek too... the little dragon heads off to bed and a surprisingly peaceful night.

The next morning, both Cinnamon and Thorn are awakened by someone knocking on their doors. For Thorn, it's Nikos. For Cinnamon, it's Josie. Thorn wakes up quickly since it's somewhat before his shift, and after the events of the previous day he's got a full dose of paranoia running through his system. He gets dressed quickly, and opens the door. "'Morning, Nikos," he says. "What's going on?"

Nikos looks serious, "Iason wanted me to check on you. He said he'd heard there was a problem where you were yesterday."

Thorn lets out a breath. "Yeah," he says, running a hand through his mussed hair. "The trod was attacked, but we don't know who did it. There were... some deaths."

Nikos looks solemn at this news and murmurs something quietly. It sounds very much like it might be a very short prayer, "Oh, such sad things to happen. The trod is safe now?"

Thorn says, "Now it is, yes. It was...." He shakes his head. "I don't know how much to say about it."

Nikos rests a hand on Thorn's shoulder, "I understand. It could be a bad thing to get out. And there are always layers and secrets in these things. I think Shane came by the infirmary last night. Iason was doing the night shift." The dark-complected nature spirit's eyes are warm, "Let's feed you first."

Thorn smiles at Nikos, "Thank you. Breakfast sounds wonderful." This is all a new experience for him. He'd never been deployed, mostly because of his color blindness, so he never got exposed to all the horrors and misery of war. But yesterday was a brush far too close.

Nikos nods and walks with Thorn down to a quiet little cafe not far from the infirmary. It's staffed by a small... woman? At least the person seems female... that somehow manages to barely show any skin while bringing out fruit and pastries and rashers of bacon. Nikos seems familiar with her and she tuts at him and Thorn in a quick, almost chattery language. Thorn is grateful for the food, thanking both Nikos and the waitress. He's extremely curious about the waitress; he doesn't recognize just what she is. Nikos watches Thorn watching the waitress and smiles brightly, "She is a... another nature spirit. She is like a squirrel." Just as Nikos says it, she patters by and there is indeed a flash of a long, fluffy tail. "By which I mean, she is mostly a squirrel."

Thorn blinks at the flash of tail. "How cool!" he says quietly. He smiles to Nikos. "This is why I wanted to move to Coblyn Street. It just... feels livelier."

Nikos laughs at that and nods, "It is! The people here... many of them... are full of life. Those that aren't full of death, I suppose." He wrinkles his nose as he says 'death' as if it's a truly dirty word.

Thorn gives a slight grimace, "I suppose there are those, as well. But even they have a life as well, even if, well, unlife? I mean, I've hardly met a nicer man than Elias."

Nikos laughs and sips at his coffee. He's doctored it extensively with sugar, but no cream, "I do not think of Elias as full of death. He is a very gentle soul. The kindergarten teacher feeling? He was actually a teacher. I am not so certain how he did it, but he has worked with human children. And he sometimes does classes when there are enough children on the street that need it. But then there are people like Marcus." Nikos pronounces the name 'Mahrkoos.' "He is of a people that love life but he is so... wrapped around and trying to be right so much that he feels more like he is dead."

Thorn nods slowly. "'Trying to be right so much.' That... hm. That sounds like it fits." [And what is he trying to be right about? At this point, it's not just the 'reveal' faction's goal... or is it? I have a feeling that while that might be his goal, the others have much larger plans.]

Nikos nods and mmms, "He's young. Young people feel like they must prove themselves. But that sort of constraint? That is not life!" He's quiet a moment, then says softly, "Have you dealt with the dying before?"

Thorn looks away. "Only a handful of times," he says quietly. "When I was doing my EMT hospital rotation, there was... a very busy night, once. A bad car accident happened. And then, of course, there was yesterday...."

Nikos nods solemnly, "Death by accident is bad. Death by violence... it is as if it harms the very air around it. It causes a psychic injury." He touches one temple. He normally smiles a lot, so the solemn look is unusual, "It hurts your mind. It hurts your heart. Because it seems to us that work to heal... purposely hurting people, it can seem very wrong. It is wrong, of course, but there is something about it that feels unnatural."

Thorn looks back to Nikos. "You speak from experience," he says quietly.

Nikos nods, "Yes. I do. I have attended battlefields. To fight, it is natural. To strive against another... to slaughter needlessly? That is a sickness." He takes a deep breath and physically shakes himself, "I wanted to let you know that if you need to speak of it, both Iason and I have dealt with the dead from war. We will listen and we will understand."

Thorn says, softly, "Thank you. I appreciate it." He sighs, and is silent for a moment. "Whoever did what happened yesterday," he says quietly, "will do it again."

Nikos nods and says, "And we will be there to heal and to help."

Elsewhere, Cinnamon yawns and pads over to the door in her fuzzy unicorn slippers, belting on her soft, warm, plush robe. She mumbles sleepily, "Who'zere?!"

Josie is at the door in her human form, almost dancing from foot to foot, "It's me!" She figures Cinnamon knows her voice by now.

Cinnamon brightens, "Josie! C'mon in!" She hastily undoes the locks, then beams as she puts on her glasses, "Want some breakfa- eek?!"

No sooner is the door open than Josie is hugging Cinnamon. She may actually have been aware that her wolf shape would have been overwhelming because it's a very pounce-hug sort of embrace, "Shane told me what happened and that people were hurt and that you helped and that you were sad that you had to hurt people and I'm so glad you're back!"

Cinnamon squeaks startledly! -- but then finds herself hugging Josie back, patting the taller girl's shoulder reassuringly, "Oh, I... well, it, um, yeah! -- b-but not me... er... ah, so! Breakfast?!"

Josie pulls herself a bit together, hearing the word 'breakfast' when Cinnamon says it the second time, "Breakfast, right. Breakfast. Food. You'll need food. Because worry makes you hungry." She says this as if it's a central fact of her own life, "Uta? Uta will have breakfast rolls. Or did you want like eggs and things?"

Cinnamon brightens as she pushes her jostled glasses back into place, "Eggs? Mmm, and cinnamon rolls? Let me get some clothes on first, okay?" Josie nods. She appears to have absolutely no intention of letting Cinnamon be alone because she just walks right into the little house. She's usually taller when she's here, but she can walk easier now and she uses that to check on all the little things set up to secure the house. Cinnamon grins over the edge of her loft as she notices her friend sniffing carefully around despite being in human form! Teasingly she calls, "So do the new troll crosses meet with your approval, Josie?"

Josie moves to look at the troll crosses that Hilde provided, "Well, since I can't put you in a box and growl at the people that tried to kill you, they make me feel a little better."

Cinnamon laughs startledly! As she comes down the ladder, now clothed, she says somewhat bemusedly, "I... no offence, Josie, but I think I'd really hate being kept in a box?" She adds reassuringly -- or so she believes, "Besides, it wasn't me they were shooting at! I only got hit because I deliberately stepped in the way. This?" She waves a hand next to the still lividly bruised left side of her face, "It would've hit Shane!" She shivers slightly, then adds vehemently, "I am totally down with getting bruises so that my friends aren't dead!" Then she gathers up her bag and heads for the door, adding cheerfully, "So who serves eggs and bacon and toast here? I'll get you breakfast, okay, since I don't want you to worry?"

Josie does look a little abashed, "Not a real box or anything. I wouldn't do that to someone. But... you know... I don't like my friends getting hurt." She goes red in the ears and admits, "When Shane told me that he was almost shot but you stopped it, I didn't stop hugging him for like five minutes." She makes sure Cinnamon closes and locks the door, "Cafe Prague, weirdly enough. Enough people asked for the bacon and eggs kind of breakfast that they started serving it along with the borscht."

Cinnamon nods gravely to Josie, "If I hadn't been feeling a little shocky myself, I think I'd've been hugging him like that too!" She laughs, adding, "Sounds yummy! -- though you can have my borscht. I think that'd be a bit much for me this morning!"

Josie finally giggles, "They don't actually serve borscht for breakfast." She adds absently, "Shane is good to hug. He never feels like he's trying to get away." Several people look at them as they head for the cafe, but if anyone looks too long they get a scowl from Josie. Even in human form, she's got a formidable scowl. There's something about someone that has a happy face, scowling, that just makes it that much more intense.

As they walk, Cinnamon blinks at Josie, "Who wants to get away from hugs? And, umm... why are you growling at people? Is something wrong, hon?"

Josie says, "A lot of people. It's like a hug is just something you do for a second or two because you have to. But Shane gives good hugs. So does Aisling. And Hilde. And Sparrow... when he hugs, anyway. Jarek doesn't hug a lot." She ducks her head. Were she in lupine form, she'd be folding her ears back, "I'm not actually growling... am I?"

Cinnamon giggles, sliding one arm around Josie's arm, "No, I'm just teasing you, Jo -- but still! Is something wrong? You looked like you wanted to bite that poor guy's head off!" Once they arrive at the restaurant and are seated, Cinnamon can see that there's actually rather a lot of bread being served. There's also kolaches and several kinds of sausages. It's not much different than an American breakfast... except there's a lot of it. Cinnamon happily helps herself to some toast while they wait for the eggs and bacon to arrive.

Josie ducks her head and mutters, "Protective."

Cinnamon giggles, putting toast on Josie's plate too, "Okay, you can protect me -- by telling me what's in these little, um... dough cups?" She's curiously regarding one of the kolaches, though she adds, "Sure smells good!"

Just as she's saying that, there's the thud of a heavy tread and a deep voice says, "She is a guardian. Wolves? They are packs. They are protective of their people." The accent and the growly voice are familiar... and Vanya is fairly unmistakable.

Josie looks up at the bear and laughs, "You're right. She's part of my pack." The wolf shifter looks back at Cinnamon, "They put different things in them. It's a sort of sweet dough. I had one once that had like cheesesteak filling."

Cinnamon squeaks startledly, dropping the sweetbread... then gasps a few times before she laughs breathlessly, "Vanya, hello! Still sneaking up on me, I see?" She's startled enough that she misses Josie's comment entirely!

Vanya laughs and takes a seat at the table as if he had every right to be there, "It is just that I am a very small person. Light on my feet." His deep brown eyes twinkle, "I saw our little Josie looking as if she wanted to bite someone and wanted to see she is well." Vanya is perhaps the only person -- save maybe Iason -- that they've met that might call Josie 'little.'

Cinnamon giggles as the gigantic bear man refers to himself as small! "We're having breakfast! Want a, um... er, Josie? What is this thing? It... smells tasty?"

Vanya says, "That is kolache. And I will have two at least." He slaps his stomach, "I eat too much. But that is my nature." Josie smiles at the bear and says, "I wouldn't actually bite anyone."

Cinnamon brightens, handing two to Vanya and putting one on her plate. She looks up at Josie's comment... pauses... then says a little fiercely, "I would. If it kept my friends alive? Definitely." She bites fiercely into her kolache, chewing and swallowing before she grins a little sheepishly, "Not that I have much to bite with, of course!"

Josie giggles at Cinnamon, "I mean I wouldn't just bite them for looking! I would bite if they hurt someone. Or tried to. But I wouldn't just bite that asshole that was looking at you like..." She growls down in her throat. Vanya pats her shoulder, "Relax, little moon. We know you are not vicious, da?"

Cinnamon blinks confusedly, "Looking at me like what? Did I miss something?"

Josie ducks her head again, "He was staring and looking all... smirky."

Cinnamon looks even more puzzled, "'Smirky'? Why would someone smirk at me? Have we met?"

Josie mutters into her kolache and Vanya smiles fondly at the wolf before speaking to Cinnamon, "People stare at bruises. I think she did not like people staring at you."

Cinnamon says, "Oh! Oh, I see." She thinks about that for a moment, still eating the extremely tasty meal. Finally she says thoughtfully, "Well... it's sweet of you to feel protective, Josie, but think about it: why do we care what he thinks? He can smirk all he likes... but it doesn't change the fact that we all got out just fine, you know? Well..." she looks slightly crestfallen, "except for... a few of the sidhe... and... all the mercenaries but one... but... oh!" She brightens, straightening up, "Oh, I have a recording that sounds, um, sorta Slavic? Jarek knows a Slavic tongue, right? Or -- ooh! Vanya, do you?" She adds to Josie, "I need to go talk to Elias -- and maybe Shane too -- after breakfast."

Josie nods and says -- does not ask -- that she is going with Cinnamon, in a voice that absolutely brooks no argument. It's not hard to see why her father would think she'd make a good councillor, if she can have that adamant a resolve. Vanya looks at Cinnamon and says, "If it is even close to Russian, I speak it."

Cinnamon beams at Vanya, "Oh, coolness! Okay, let me play it for you -- oh! Though, um, fair warning?" She looks a little embarrassed, "He, er, was, ahh... sort of... upset? Kinda... scared at that moment? But... well, I just want to be sure he didn't let something important slip, you know?" As she's getting out her cell phone she blinks inquiringly at Josie... then grins. "Of course you're coming too! I want you to hear the whole story as well." She pauses, thinking... then adds, "Well, I want Shane there too -- oh, and Thorn! -- so they can give their side of the story as well." She considers a bit, then happily adds, "Plus I have a small errand to run, so how's this? After breakfast you go find Shane -- you're a lot faster than me, and who knows where he is in the street right now? And while you do that I'll run my quick errand and go see if Thorn's available for a moment to talk with Elias too... and we'll meet at, um... my place? How's that? -- and then all go talk with Elias?"

Josie looks a bit skeptical at this 'leave Cinnamon alone' part of the plan. But at a look from Vanya, she nods. She doesn't sulk, but she doesn't look happy as she says, "I'll get Shane quick as I can." Vanya nods and asks, "Should we be private to listen?"

Cinnamon thinks a bit, then looks up at Vanya. Her voice is slightly hesitant, "...ma-aaybe?"

Vanya nods and says, "Good. We will go to my rooms." He points at the ceiling, "I live upstairs."

Cinnamon blinks, looking upwards reflexively... then laughs! "Oh, that's convenient!" As she continues eating her breakfast she grins teasingly, "My living next to a bakery is almost as convenient, I bet, right?"

Vanya laughs and says, "It is convenient, but I cook here for the nights." He pushes himself to his feet and says, "Josie, you are doing your errand now?" Josie considers and nods, figuring the faster she can get Shane, the faster she can get back to doing her self-appointed guard duty.

Cinnamon blinks as she realizes they're both done eating -- so she hastily wolfs the last of her kolache, rising as she wipes her mouth with her napkin and finishes her orange juice, "Sorry, sorry! Hurrying, moment..." She grabs her bag, makes sure they're paid up with the friendly cafe owner, then hastens after Vanya -- he may not walk fast, but his strides are easily twice one of hers!

Once they're in Vanya's apartment Cinnamon will play the short recording for him of Dmitry panicking upon recognizing her. She glances interestedly at Vanya once it's done, asking, "So... can you translate?"

Vanya listens and asks for it to be played back a couple of times, "He is saying... fire beast... I think that is to mean dragon. And he is also saying to spare him. He begs."

Cinnamon sighs disappointedly as she puts her cell phone away, "Ah. Oh, well... I was hoping maybe he'd let something slip about his employers or something." She smiles politely at Vanya as she adds, "Sorry... but thank you for the translation!"

Vanya holds up a hand, "Please. Wait. I am not finished."

Cinnamon is still studying her phone as she murmurs in a low voice, "He... shot me -- twice... and attacked me wi-" She pauses, looking up inquiringly when Vanya speaks.

The large bear is frowning slightly, "He says smiling man paid them. They met... this place they are saying is well outside Coblyn street, so they are not... they do not know we are here. The place they met was an Ethiopian restaurant. He begs forgiveness because... huh. Fire-beast is sacred."

Cinnamon blinks in surprise at that, "He... what?! Wait, did he mention Coblyn Street, Vanya? Or was that you?"

Vanya says, "Which?" He laughs, "I say Coblyn. He say the name of the restaurant. I have been there. He says they only saw him there, that are at the... battle? This is an odd word."

Cinnamon blinks again, "Which, uhh... oh! Okay. But the, um... wait, dragons aren't sacred, though... are they? Er-" she's starting to look a little confused, "Who saw who where, please?"

Vanya holds up his hands, "Let me start from the start. The man, he begs forgiveness. Because to his people, dragons... this is where he uses 'fire-beast' -- are sacred. He meets the smiling man at a restaurant outside Coblyn, and at the forest. Those are the only times he saw the smiling man. The restaurant is an Ethiopian one. I have eaten there. The food is very good. But it is several miles away from Coblyn. It would have been stupid of this smiling man to bring the hired killers here."

Cinnamon sighs in relief, "Oh! Okay, good -- that's wonderful news!" She beams as she brings out her little journal and scribbles down Vanya's translation, "Ok! So that's it? Does he give the name of his people, or anything else about the smiling man?"

Vanya shakes his head, "No. He does not say. Except that the smiling man is dark."

Cinnamon nods slowly, carefully noting it all down. After that she thanks Vanya, then checks, "Do you know what language precisely this guy was speaking, please?" She intends to look up the mythology of that country, to see if there are any sacred dragons -- that's a new one by her!

Vanya mmms, "It was a little odd. Like some of the words were very old. It is like he is speaking part Bulgarian and part Church Slavonic and even part Czech." Cinnamon blinks in surprise at that! She carefully notes it down, though, wondering just how old this Dmitry person is! Maybe he's a supernatural too, like that guy in Greece who thinks he's a god-emperor just because he's immortal? Then she grins interestedly at her notes -- a mystery! How exciting! Vanya shakes his head, "I am rusty on some of the older words. For dragon, I would say zmei. And there were sects that found them holy..."

Cinnamon nods curiously, "Sects of what? Surely not christianity?"

Vanya mmms, "No. Not in the original. But many religions, they pretended to be Christian. That is where, I think, the Church Slavonic comes in. Think of it as, ehhh, the Slavic version of Latin. But it was also adopted by mystics." Cinnamon nods slowly, her gaze fascinated -- she's got some lovely research to do now! Vanya nods and mmmms, "So, be safe, child. This smiling man... he is dangerous." Cinnamon nods in vehement agreement at that! She thanks Vanya again, promising to bring him some of Uta's delicious pastries next time she's on this part of the street... and then she heads on out to run her errand.

As she steps out onto the street again, Cinnamon thinks about how long it's been since Josie took off. Eek! She'd better walk quite briskly if she intends to not keep Josie and Shane waiting! Fortunately she'd run her laundry the night before, while unpacking... so she's got the borrowed pants all neatly folded in her bag and ready to return. Her steps, therefore, turn towards Marcus' mansion, and she hums happily -- if also a bit breathlessly -- to herself as she goes. Should she ask to talk to this Dmitry person again sometime, perhaps? Hmm... she'll see what Elias suggests, she decides.

Cinnamon trots up the long array of steps to the mansion, ringing the peculiar doorbell-thingie after she gets the pants out of her purse. She makes sure they're still all neatly folded, and brushes her hair back with one hand as she waits. She's still bright-eyed with excitement -- maybe not everyone will be terrified of what she's become!

As fate would have it, it's not Butler that answers the door, but Marcus. However, it doesn't seem like he's answering the door so much as he was already opening the door when the bell rang. When he comes face-to-face with an unusually bright-eyed and smiling Cinnamon, he's surprised. She'd seemed so mousy when she wasn't breathing fire... "Well, hello."

Cinnamon beams at Marcus, "Good morning, Marcus! Isn't it a lovely day?" She's completely forgotten the deep bruise across the left side of her face -- instead she simply holds out the neatly folded, clean pants to him. Cheerfully she adds, "Would you be so kind, please, as to thank Alric for me, for his pants -- and Athala for her very kind assistance?" When Marcus reflexively takes the thing he's been offered, Cinnamon grins and waves as she starts turning away, calling, "Thank you so much!" over her shoulder -- and then off she patters!

Marcus opens his mouth to say something -- perhaps about the bruise, perhaps about the unexpected visit. Instead, he's left blinking and looking unusually dumbstruck. His mouth snaps closed and he peers down at the pants in his hands. He knows Aluric is a brawny creature with a menacing mien and a very soft nature since he's a house spirit. Marcus is also confused and worried that Athala might be in Coblyn and he didn't know about it. In short, he's left looking utterly taken by surprise. It's a funny expression on his normally serious face.

It takes Marcus a moment to have the next thought float to the surface: that sort of bubbly effervescence is often what one sees after someone has had a particularly good night in someone else's bed. The thought of Alric -- large and in no way delicate despite his gentle nature -- possibly... with the dragon. That puts quite a new spin on things. Does the girl like her partners rough? She has been spending time with a werewolf and with that half-breed ruffian... Marcus wonders if he's missed something in regards to the dowdy, awkward woman... and considers whether he ought to try romance rather than political maneuvering...?

Elsewhere on the street, Cinnamon is not quite skipping along as she heads for the little street hospital. Hopefully Iason won't mind letting Thorn have an early lunch or something... oh! She should buy lunch for Thorn, if they don't eat at Elias's -- if Thorn's going to be nice enough to come along to tell his part of the story of the attack on the Pod of the Elm, then that's the least she should do for him! Wait... trod, darnit -- right! Got to be careful of that...

Cinnamon grins a bit sheepishly as she considers Iason. She finds him just a touch scary, though not through anything he's done. She'd wanted to marry a centaur as a child because she'd wanted someone bigger and stronger -- and kinder -- than the men she knew... but she'd not yet been around horses at that age! When her parents decided horseback riding lessons were just the thing, one summer, to get their "tragically fat" daughter back into shape, she'd initially been thrilled! Then... she met the horses.

That had been scarily eye-opening! They were lovely enough at a romanticized distance -- she'd absolutely adored the Mercedes Lackey "Arrows of the Queen" book series -- but up close? Horses were scarily large, loud, snorty-dirty, and wow did they move unpredictably! It had only taken getting tossed for the second time, and the ensuing "teasing" by her more athletic sister... and poor little Mary Brown had had quite enough of horses! That slightly twitchy feeling still remains today when she's (rarely) around horses... and Iason had unwittingly brought it back in spades for her! Cinnamon considers for a bit... then firmly decides she's simply going to have to... to volunteer at the infirmary or something, or... or -- oh! She'll ask Iason if he can teach her Greek or Italian, that's it! She brightens, abruptly absurdly proud of herself: she's going to face this stupid fear of horses... because Iason doesn't deserve that! Consequently Cinnamon arrives at the Infirmary in a glowing mix of happiness, nervousness, and determination!

The infirmary's doors are -- as they almost always are -- wide open, and there are a few people moving in and out. Nicos is again at the big desk and seems to be doing very mundane and un-fairy-like paperwork. He looks up as he hears Cinnamon enter and smiles, "Ah! The young dragon!"

Cinnamon's voice is a little high with nervousness even as she smiles, "H-hi, Nikos! May I sp-peak to Iason, please?!" She hastily adds, "Oh! It -- it's not an emergency or anything though!"

Nikos smiles, "I'll let him know you're here." There's just something inherently kind about Nikos. He stands and disappears into the back. Perhaps ten minutes later the centaur healer comes clopping into the reception area with a smile, "Cinnamon. Nikos says you wish to see me?"

Cinnamon's eyes are a little wide, and she's braced herself by leaning against the wall, but she's determined to not run away! Her first try at speaking is a squeak, "Yesplease!" She winces in embarrassment, taking a deep breath before she tries again, "Yes please I have a r-request, please?"

Iason, seeing Cinnamon's nervousness, kneels in the way of horses to bring himself down to human level, and smiles. Horses, after all, do tend to have a sixth sense for when someone is frightened, "Of course. What can I do for you?" His voice, for such a large creature, is gentle and warm. It's also deep and comforting.

Cinnamon sighs softly, her tension unwittingly easing slightly -- Iason looks far less... loom-y like this! She blushes as she softly asks, "I, um, I kn-know you're very busy, b-but... er, well, d-do you ever have any free time? Like... just if you wanted! -- b-but like..." Cinnamon takes another deep breath, firmly reminding herself: if she's going to be any help in representing her people, she really must be able to talk to them -- and must be able to stand up and speak for them! Okay... put that way, this seems less (to her) like she's imposing on the very busy doctor. Okay... okay, good -- she can do this! "Okay, so I, uh, I'm supposed to represent the southern Europeans, right? And, but, so I -- I should be able to talk with them too, right? So... I heard you're Greek and you speak a smattering of Italian, so..." another helpful deep breath, then... best to just blurt it out! "WouldyoupleaseteachmeGreekandItalianplease?!"

Iason is patient and lets Cinnamon work her way through the words without trying once to urge her on. He looks at her with full attention as if she is, in this moment, the most important person in the world. At her request he smiles, "Of course. My Greek is rather old, so some of the idioms are odd to modern Greeks. My Italian as well. I speak Latin, however, so may be able to help you figure it out from there. Romance languages all stem from it."

Cinnamon gasps as she remembers to take a breath -- she hadn't realized she'd been holding it! "You would?! Oh, fantastic -- thank you so much, Iason!" She beams excitedly as she adds, "Can I, um, like, is there something the hospital or you need that I can get to thank you?!"

Iason considers for a moment, "We do not make the citizens pay us when they come. They pay as they are able, but that still means there are books to be kept. If you could help us with that once or twice a month, it will be more than ample payment."

Cinnamon brightens, "Oh! Accounting?! Oh, I would love to help with that -- I'm good at accounting!" It is perhaps a sign of how much Coblyn Street has started to change her, in that she impulsively steps forward and warmly hugs the big centaur, "Thank you so much, Iason!" Then she realizes what she's doing, and almost bounces back again, her face bright red, "Eek! I'm sorry -- that, I mean, er -- ah, I really do appreciate this!" With that she turns and almost darts out of the infirmary... only to stop and realize: ack, she's not yet asked about Thorn! Still blushing hotly, she turns back, "I, uhm -- oh, darnit!" She rubs her face, then grins sheepishly as she adjusts her glasses, "This is so embarrassing... s-sorry! But, um, could Thorn come have lunch with us maybe please?"

Iason chuckles and starts to hug her back, but doesn't try to stop her as she darts away. Bipeds can be so very skittish! One doesn't want to startle them. "Of course, Cinnamon. I was given some information on what happened at the trod and he is very welcome to help sort it out."

Cinnamon's eyes widen, "Oh, you heard already?! Okay, then -- then, thank you!" She beams again, not quite bouncing in place as she waits for Thorn to be sent for. "Oh! Also, when do you want me to come by for the accounting, and for the language lessons?" She'd originally intended to learn Italian, as the most commonly spoken language in southern Europe... but if Elias is correct and Liam's dragonchild can pick up new tongues easily... then she might as well try learning Greek too, considering she has native (if maybe archaic) speakers here already!

Iason thinks, "A week from Saturday would be good. You will have time to take care of what needs to be done."

Cinnamon beams excitedly, her eyes sparkling and her face lighting up, "Oh, wonderful! Yes, I'll be here -- and thank you again!" Iason nods with a smile and -- carefully and slowly -- gets back to all four hooves.

Shortly thereafter Cinnamon and Thorn are heading for Cinnamon's place, there to hopefully meet up with Shane and Josie. Cinnamon is in a very good mood! "Hallo, Thorn! Hope you're okay after yesterday... oh! Also, is your pretty little birdie with you? Eden, right? Or... no, was it... Erin?" She fumbles in her large bag for something as she happily adds, "I brought her something! Is pastry okay for her? Can she understand us? Is it okay if I feed her, or should you do it?"

Thorn smiles quietly. "I'm mostly recovered, I think. It was... a hard thing. But I'm doing all right now." He blinks, and then laughs, "I think Erin would love it, and I admit I'm curious as to if she'll take food from you! I hope she does." He looks up skywardly, "Hey, pretty lady! Cinnamon has something for you!"

Cinnamon beams as well as she stares around with interest -- she's got a small pastry in one hand for the bird. "Oh, yay! So do you know if she can understand us, or just you? Because if it's just you? I'll ask you to tell her, okay?"

It takes a moment or two for Erin to ghost her way down to land on Thorn's shoulder. There is grooming and little corvid croaks for a moment and then she turns her birdie attention, head cocked so she can look at the woman with one bright eye. "I'm actually not sure," Thorn admits. "I've never had the chance to have anyone who wasn't a sidhe talk to her before, and that was only Athala."

Cinnamon grins excitedly, tearing off a bit of the pastry, "Hi, Erin! I don't know if you can understand me, so... this is for you!" She offers the piece, adding more softly, "Also, I'm telling you and Thorn right now, as a heads-up: I'm going to say something that may sound mean about Erin when we're talking to Elias... but don't worry! It's a really good thing that happened, in the long run!" She pauses then, curiously watching the bird to see if there's any reaction past 'FOOD!'

Erin's bright, beady eye examines Cinnamon and then she reaches out her beak slowly and carefully to nip up the bit of pastry. She shifts from foot to foot for a moment -- it does certainly look like a happy little dance. Then she preens Thorn again and lets him know in their bonded way that she won't be upset. Magpies are smart to start with, and since Erin isn't a normal magpie, that just enhances it. Cinnamon tilts her head interestedly -- then giggles at the happy dance! She grins as she hands the pastry's remains to Thorn, "Yay! I think she likes it! But I don't know how much is good for her, so here's the rest of it -- you can feed it to her the way that's best for her, okay?"

Thorn blinks, then beams, "She says... well, she's letting me know she won't be upset. She does understand you!" He nods, accepting the pastry and wrapping it very carefully. "I promise I'll give you more, pretty lady," he says to Erin. "It's all yours -- I just don't want to make you sick, okay?" Even to someone not versed in avian body language, Erin looks resigned.

Cinnamon squeaks excitedly, "Oh, yay! I'm so glad!" then giggles in spite of herself at the droopy avian disappointment! As she turns and almost starts skipping towards her home, she cheerfully explains: if he's willing, she'd like him, herself, and Shane to go over what happened at the trod with Elias -- and Shane and Josie should be meeting them both at her house! She concludes with, "Is that okay with you?"

Thorn nods, "That'll be fine, sure!"

As it turns out, 'at Cinnamon's house' turns out to be 'sitting at one of the three small tables Uta has in front of the bakery.' They've each got something hot to drink in their hands and Josie is back in her lupine form. There's also a tray of what looks and smells like cinnamon toast. Cinnamon beams at Thorn -- then brightens, "Oh! There they are!" She waves enthusiastically, "Hi, peeps! Oooh, that sure smells good!" She grins at Thorn, adding, "Have you had lunch yet?"

Josie bounces to her feet and wags in relief, "Oh! It tastes good, too. Uta's using us as guinea pigs. It's brioche cinnamon toast."

Thorn sniffs the air, and blinks, "That smells wonderful. How does it taste?"

Cinnamon blinks startledly at that... then bursts into laughter in spite of herself! It takes a few seconds before she recovers, dragging over two chairs and seating herself. Her eyes are sparkling mischievously as she innocently inquires, "Guinea pigs? Gosh, did you lose your tail then, Josie?!"

Josie looks almost offended at that, "Of course I didn't!" Shane chuckles, "Test subjects, then."

It takes Thorn that long to realize: cinnamon toast -- and he has to stifle a laugh. Cinnamon too laughs, then grins, "Can we have a serving each too, please? I mean, I've just gotta test it, considering my name, right?" She giggles, adding happily, "Let me buy you lunch, Thorny, okay? Please?"

Thorn blinks, "I mean... how can I say 'no'? Thank you, very much!"

Cinnamon giggles happily at Thorn -- then pulls out a bit of gilt with which to pay Uta. The huldra isn't outside, but there are several slices on the tray between Shane and Josie. Shane smiles, "Uta says no charge since she's just testing the recipe. if we like it, she'll add it to her repertoire." He seems mostly to be sipping his tea, but there are crumbs on a little plate in front of him.

Cinnamon says, "Oooh, yay!" She helps herself to a slice, chewing thoughtfully. The cinnamon toast tastes almost custardy inside, and the cinnamon and sugar have caramelized slightly. Once she's swallowed, Cinnamon adds, "Yummy! One of my grandmothers used to make cinnamon french toast. This reminds me a bit of that... though no maple syrup this time!" She adds cheerfully to Thorn, "I'll buy you lunch later, okay? Seems the least I can do, considering how, um... cranky I was earlier when I was worried about Athala."

Cinnamon is quite enthusiastic about the 'toast' and happily compliments Uta, should she appear. Thorn is also quite pleased at the toast, and lets Uta know that it was delicious. He also lets Erin have a little bit more of Cinnamon's pastry. He's fairly familiar with Erin's eating habits and doesn't feed her too much too quickly. As they're all finishing up, Cinnamon also thanks Shane for taking time off to go see Elias with them, then uses her napkin to tidy up as she adds, "Are we all ready to go?"

Shane and Jose are both ready to go. Shane shakes his head at the thanks, "It was an intense thing. And I guard people. Or it's one of the things I do. Besides, Elias would have my hide if I let you get hurt."

Cinnamon blinks startledly at that, "He... what?! Oh, no!" She blinks again, then adds confusedly, "Wait... he wouldn't really, would he?!"

Josie actually giggles, "Figure of speech." Shane laughs and nods, "Remember, I was raised outside of all this. Didn't know who and what I was until I graduated high school. Still have those American idioms." Josie says, "He just means that Elias would be really pissed."

Cinnamon says, "Oh, whew!" She grins a bit sheepishly as she adds, "I, um... well, yeah -- I'm still learning too!" She chatters cheerfully about the lovely day, the people on the street, and is generally ebullient even once they arrive, "Here we are!" Knocking on the door, she calls, "Helloo, Elias? Are you receiving?" Elias calls for them to come in and that he's safe in the kitchen. Indeed, Elias' kitchen -- for anyone that's been in there -- has no windows at all. The only ones seem to be in the front room where it faces the street. His apartment is, after all, underground. Cinnamon trots in happily, calling ahead of herself, "Hihi! It's us -- I wanted to tell you what we learned yesterday, okay?" As she enters the kitchen she adds wryly, "We learned a lot of stuff, too!"

Thorn says dryly, "A lot more than we thought we would."

Once everyone is seated, Cinnamon starts pouring out what she saw and did. She also frequently turns to both Shane and Thorn, double-checking with them to make sure she's telling the story accurately. Only once they're all the way through the entire time at the trod -- from Athala's promise through the attack and the bear trap and past the healing of Jaeger -- does she pause, take a deep breath, then smile nervously at Elias, "So... the last thing I wanted to mention was that Erin couldn't figure out if the escaping guy was actually Moustapha or not. I was thinking about that, you know? -- and it occurred to me: how could a flying bird not move faster through the forest than a guy on a machine that had to drive slow and swerve around trees and such? And who also had to stop the ATV, run to a truck, pull off the helmet, and only then take off? And... that made me suspicious."

Elias listens with a serious expression. When Cinnamon comes to her question, he murmurs, "Moustafa is a trickster spirit." Josie listens with a scowl. Friends getting attacked upsets her. As everyone has been told at one point or another, she's enough wolf to be a pack animal. Shane lets Cinnamon tell the story, face tight.

Cinnamon nods vehemently to Elias, "I know, right?! And that's when it hit me: remember how I said there had to be someone in the... the gang or team or whatever that was able to mentally nudge folks, for all this to have worked?" She sits back, beaming almost proudly at Erin and Thorn, "Well, now we know -- Erin showed us, even if she didn't know she was!" She grins excitedly at Elias again, "It's Moustapha -- because even though he didn't know he was being observed, he was so scared and spooked... that he was maybe unconsciously nudging any followers to not see him! Make sense?"

Thorn is... now that he thinks about it, a little bit surprised as well. He had just assumed it was a range thing, or just that Moustafa was already too far, too fast, ahead of them. He also didn't know that about Moustafa -- that the spirit could do that. Thorn grimaces slightly. He doesn't like the idea of his memories or perception being messed with. He doubts Erin is very happy with the idea, either.

Shane says quietly, "I don't know that he was fleeing in fear. I halfway think he was leaving them in the lurch."

Cinnamon grins as she adds, "And that explains a lot of other things that'd been puzzling me too! Like why, within only about a ten year period -- maybe less, if Moustapha did the first one accidentally! -- we have half the 'hide' faction retiring for younger members... and also why Jaeger just sort of wandered off a path that he'd known for centuries and fell... fell into... whoaa..." Her eyes widen as it suddenly hits her: she's almost repeating the same words Shane told her... about his grandfather! Cinnamon's gaze is distant and unfocused as she murmurs, "Uhh... Shane? How long ago did your grandfather die, please?"

Shane says quietly, "Twenty-five years or so. My mom was about four months pregnant with me when Quinn had to come back because of the accident."

Cinnamon blinks slowly, considering that... then hastily whips out her little journal and consults her notes. Scribbling quickly, she murmurs, "Twenty-five... but the earliest one of the councilors was... hm, about ten years. Okay, pro-ooobably not the same person... though it might be the same sort of methodology!"

Thorn frowns, "You think someone, or some core group, has been methodically killing council members to replace them with ones that are for the 'reveal' motion... and have been doing so for over a decade?"

Shane says, "My grandfather's death basically brought Quinn back from a seventy-year walkabout."

Cinnamon nods to Shane, her excitement abated in quiet sadness for him. A moment later she blinks, "Wait. So... wait, so he left your mom? Did he call for her later? She knows, right, that it's all okay and she wasn't abandoned?" She's not sure why this is crucial to her -- but the idea of her friends having happier families than hers is oddly important to her!

Elias nods, "Quinn was set to be the next councilor. He spent quite a lot of time on Coblyn. Aisling was going to retire and give it up to him."

Cinnamon blinks again at that, "Wha- wait, he was?! Oh my gosh! That -- but, but that means it could be all intertangled, then!" She pauses, then gives Shane a puzzled look, "But... why not retire and hand it over to you then, instead... if she really wanted to retire?"

Shane smiles, "Oh, mom never felt abandoned. She and Quinn were handfasted and she absolutely trusted him when he told her he had to leave and that he couldn't take us with him. They were both madly in love with one another. Mom still hasn't dated anyone else. I asked her about it and she just said serenely, 'I don't want to, baby. Just because we can't be together doesn't make me any less married.'" His smile quirks a little, "Though apparently their particular vow didn't require monogamy." At Cinnamon's last question, Shane laughs, "Not for a billion dollars, Cinnamon. I'm shite at being diplomatic."

Cinnamon blinks at that... then giggles in spite of herself! Wryly she murmurs, "Ri-iiight... because flame to the face is so much more diplomatic!" She giggles again! Then she pauses, going back over the conversation in her mind... then nods once and looks up at Thorn, saying thoughtfully, "Right -- yes, I think I do, Thorn! It makes sense to me that immortals would plan in the very long term, right?"

Elias is nodding seriously, but he does chuckle just briefly at the exchange about diplomacy, "Flame to the face was a defensive thing. Our dear Shane has a tendency to tell people to... ah... go away in quite blunt terms."

Cinnamon pauses, considering rapidly: Shane's grandfather died and there was a light rain before he was found. Convenient, though not impossible considering it was... where did Shane say? Somewhere in the British Isles, if she's remembering correctly. Okay... but is there maybe someone in the reveal faction who's good at that kind of magics? She reviews mentally: likely not Marcus, Aoi, Jalil, Killa, or Nasteexo... or wait. She grins delightedly at Elias' reply, then asks, "Can the sidhe control the weather? Like... cause a light rain or something? Or eastern phoenixes -- what kinds of magic do they do?"

Josie leans over and murmurs to Cinnamon, "He once told Marcus that he could shove his snobbery where the sun don't shine." Shane's voice is dry, "What I said was he needed to remove the stick from his ass or my boot would be joining it."

Cinnamon giggles at Josie, nodding, "He mentioned, um..." abruptly she blushes, "er... th-the Irish for 'kiss my ass' to me too!"

Elias says, "Some have some small abilities in that direction. But the accident happened in Ireland. In the rainy season. It's more unusual for it not to rain." The vampire continues, "The phoenixes have regenerative powers and they can lend those powers to someone else. They have control... in a way... over fire. They can't produce it, but they can cause it to run wild."

Cinnamon hmms thoughtfully at Elias' words, trying to ignore her heated face! "Okay, so... so it's possible tha- er, wait..." She turns to Shane, "Um... if it's not too rude of me or painful to ask? What, ah, what would have happened had there been clear proof Branigan was murdered, please?"

Elias answers that one, "War."

Cinnamon's eyes widen a bit, and she bites her lip in consternation. A moment later she murmurs, "Oh, my! So... so it was really important that there be some rain! Okay, then... okay..." She falls silent again, clearly thinking furiously... [Not Aoi, but possibly Marcus' people -- Jaeger was careful not to mention what he and his son could do, after all! Who else might be possible... Qadan?] Slowly she says, "Um... Elias? Which... loa is Nasteexo? Like... what's their, um... their abilities, please? And... same for Qadan? What can he actually do, please?" More rapidly she adds, "I looked up his name -- it means 'cliff' in Mongolian! So I was wondering -- is he some kind of air or earth, er... tengri? Uh, I mean... tngri?" She mutters in quiet frustration, "Darnit! I wish we had a really good hacker -- that'd be perfect to get us proof instead of hearsay!"

Shane nods at Elia's comment about war, "Between the trod of the Rowan and the trod of the Holly. It's an old treaty, but it was very airtight. A long, long time ago, there was a treaty after a war. It's a little archaic. But think of it as royal succession. There has to be one of our line actually in the trod at all times. If Quinn hadn't made it back, the Chieftainship would have fallen to Killian of the trod of the Holly."

Cinnamon blinks confusedly at Shane, "That's... bad?"

Shane smiles crookedly, "Very. Killian's own grandfather was killed in a battle... long historical bullshit, really. Basically, if he'd taken Chieftainship a lot of members of the trod of the Rowan would be put to death."

Cinnamon looks shocked, "What?! Oh my gosh, how horrible -- why?!" then confusedly adds, "-and why would anyone let him do that?! Is the Elm part of this too?!"

Elias shrugs his shoulders, "Nasteexo has never said the name their people use, but I know a lot of the people that they ride are all willing and usually quite joyous about it."

Shane is looking quite grim, "War crimes. Or so he has said." He looks over at Thorn thoughtfully and then shakes his head, "No. It's not. Their trod is from the Germanic lands. We're all distantly related, but that's a bit too distant to be tied in directly."

Cinnamon glances at Elias, then at Shane. She looks confused again for a heartbeat -- then nods in sudden understanding, "You're talking about Elm there -- I get it!" She goes silent for a long moment, her eyes narrowed in thought... then she looks up at Elias, "So you're telling me that Nasteexo has been a council member for longer than anyone can remember... but no one actually knows what Nasteexo is the lwa of?! Isn't that... weird to you, at all?"

Thorn asks quietly, "So there's actually some impetus for people to not look too closely at his death?"

Cinnamon glances wryly at Thorn, "There sure would have been if Quinn hadn't made it back in time! So making sure there was rain that night is sounding more and more important -- at least to me!"

Shane nods, "Exactly. As it is, Saoirse and Aisling made the announcement of his death a little... later than they should have. There's a three day wake for sidhe during which they are considered dead-but-not. Basically, their spirit is thought to hang around. They put it around that Branigan died a couple of days after he actually did. Quinn barely made it home under the wire."

Cinnamon blinks as she looks at Shane... then nods slowly, "So I'm getting the feeling that the right place to look for Branigan's death... is trod of the Holly... but the reason it's looking so familiar to me is maybe due to the issues here being copycats?"

Shane says, "It's possible -- or, like you said, a fucking long game."

Elias says thoughtfully, regarding Cinnamon's query, "I have my suspicions. I'm fairly certain Nasteexo is either Damballa or his wife, Ayida-Weddo. I know they aren't any of the Barons."

Cinnamon brightens at that, immediately whipping out her cell phone -- then muttering exasperatedly as she realizes she has no connection! She puts it away and writes a note to herself to do the research later in her home. After that she looks up at Elias again and grins, "Okay, gotta ask! Do either of them do rain?"

Elias says, "Ayida-Weddo? One of her symbols is the rainbow. And Damballa is a sky god. Ayida-Weddo is a loa of family."

Cinnamon frowns thoughtfully, absently nibbling on the end of her pencil, "That... doesn't seem right for them, honestly -- helping to murder someone like that. Okay, let's tentatively disinclude them too... which leaves only Qadan." She grins ruefully, "What on earth does he do, anyways?"

Elias says, "Qadan is a black tngri. And they are... to put it in a -- and I apologize but it's what most Americans have heard -- Christian sense, they are like the Seraphim. The highest order of spirits of divinities. Qadan's milieu seems to be something about war."

Cinnamon smiles ruefully, "Black, huh?" She checks her notes, then nods, "One of the dark ones -- the ones that can be talked into doing evil." She sighs thoughtfully, "Okay then...!" She thinks for a few more moments, flipping between pages of her notebook... then looks up again. "The only one that makes sense for Branigan is Qadan -- especially since this death would be about war. It's weird that he'd do anything for a non-Mongolian, but maybe he thinks it's that important to reveal to the humans? However... I don't think it's that clear cut for the Council and the attacker of the trod of the Elm." She looks around thoughtfully, "But I've babbled on for a while now... what do all of you think?" Then she blinks slowly at another thought, "Whoa. Elias... have you ever met Killian? Do you know if he was around either Coblyn Street, or near where the Council was meeting... at that time, twenty-five years ago?"

Thorn is chewing his lip thoughtfully. "I'm not sure," he says. "I almost think that who killed Branigan is ancillary to what we're seeing now... but on the other hand, revealing the magic world to the rest of the world is the sort of thing that you do long-term plans for. On the third hand, though, most of the 'reveal' faction seem to be either on the young side or worshipped as gods. And on the fourth hand, that would be just what immortal gods would want in order to control the reveal faction and start to exert influence on the 'hide' faction."

Cinnamon glances at Thorn, then at her notes, "The reveal faction is... Marcus, quite young. All the rest are ancient: Aoi, Nasteexo, Killa, and Qadan have been around since the Council was formed. The sole remaining exception is Jalil, who is likely also ancient but has been on the Council only 50 to 60 years." Cinnamon looks up again and nods, "I can see how the truly ancient would miss being revered, yeah..."

Elias says quietly, "I have met Killian. But not on this continent. I managed to travel to the British Isles. Some ocean liners have interior staterooms and I was masquerading as someone with porphyria. I was there for a meeting of the council that took place in Dublin." He nods, "For us, 50 to 60 years is not very long at all. Jalil's predecessor was a different sort of spirit. Jalil is an ifreet. His predecessor was a water spirit. She went very much, pardon the pun, with the flow."

Josie growls, "Like that idiot Killa." Elias makes a patting motion with his hand -- very much a calm-down signal. Josie's ears go red as Elias says, "He's not stupid. He's proud."

Cinnamon leans to whisper to Josie, "Elias may be right about Killa, but I'm with you on my opinion of him!" She grins teasingly, patting her friend's arm. Josie looks both abashed and mollified. Cinnamon is still smiling as she turns back to Elias, "So we've established that Killian could have met with Qadan. Okay. We have a lot of suspicions, but no proof. So... now what?" Then she adds, "If we could get access to the mercenary company's database I could find out who paid them -- that might help -- but we need a darned good hacker for that." She glances around the room, "Anyone else got any suggestions on how we might find some proof?"

Thorn considers. "I hate to speak ill of Athala's cousin," he says slowly, "but it seems like Marcus has been taken on simply because he can be manipulated." He taps his chin. "I don't know," he says at last. "It really... well, feels like the 'reveal' faction has been planning shenanigans for a long time, and why wouldn't they? We have evidence of it, just not direct evidence, and we have strong suspicions that they've been manipulating the succession of the Council for a long time." He pauses. "Would they have pinned all their hopes, or most of them, on killing Liam and getting someone pliable to take his seat?"

Cinnamon smiles ruefully, "Why wouldn't they? I mean, they were putting Odalric forward, right? I bet they thought he'd fall in with them! I mean, even you had no idea where Athala stood, right? And they had no clue about me... and with Odalric in place, they'd have the reveal complete!" She pauses, her excitement fading from her face as it shockingly hits her: "...which... I totally screwed up for them -- oh my gosh! No wonder none of them have apologized for the assassination attempt on me! They all -- or almost all -- were hoping it would work!"

Elias looks at Thorn, "I think that your trod is... a target. Not conspirators. I think someone has been manipulating things there for a while. And don't apologize for speaking that sort of ill of Marcus. He's young, hubristic, and thinks he's more clever than he is. Granted, he's still quite clever. As for hanging all the hopes on Liam, I don't think that's so. I'm a bit worried about some of our other compatriots. Let me restate that, I'm worried about Jarek and Hilde. There are quite a few less sympathetic Slavic beings that could take his place. Hilde is quite young... though I believe she's able to take care of herself to a large extent. Jarek, however, sometimes forgets that he is long-lived, but he is not actually as close to immortal as Killa or yourself."

Cinnamon's still-shocked face turns towards Elias as she almost absently adds, "Oh, no, it'd be you or Aisling, I'd think, that are the next targets..." A moment later she gets even more pale, "Oh my gosh, I can't believe I said that?! I'm so sorry, Elias!"

Thorn says quietly, "It's all right, Cinnamon. I think we were all at least thinking that to some extent."

Elias smiles wryly, "I am not so easy as all that to kill. Aside from a few notable exceptions." Shane's brow furrows, "But Odalric isn't actually pro-reveal."

Cinnamon throws a horrifiedly grateful glance at Thorn -- then takes a deep breath and tries to sound steady as she adds to Elias, "It, uhh... it's the poison nettles, you know?" She blinks at Shane, "But no one knew that before now, did they?" Then she blinks as she remembers something, adding, "Oh! Right -- this is from Athala to you, Elias! I'm supposed to share this information -- about the supposedly extinct nettles!" She fumbles a sheet of paper out of her notebook, handing it to Elias as she blushes and adds, "I, er, sorry my handwriting... uhh... well, here!"

Elias's brows go quite a ways up as the nettles are mentioned. He reaches for the notes and his reading glasses. He smiles a bit, "I was an elementary school teacher, dear; I have read much worse writing than this." He scans the page quite quickly and his eyes widen, "That's why I thought it was the bristles from a spider." He starts to stand, still talking as he heads into the kitchen, "That makes much more sense. Oh, dear... and the sulfurous blood... I wasn't looking for extra water..." Shane looks around at the other three and says, "I think we should follow him..."

Thorn nods to Shane, standing and moving to follow Shane into the kitchen. Cinnamon nods excitedly, already hopping to her feet, "Yeah! Plus I've still got the recording to share!" She patters hastily after the ancient vampire, curious as to what he's discovered.

Elias is down the stairs at a speed that would be boggling to anyone that didn't know the mild-mannered man was a vampire. The sub-basement room that is his laboratory, brewery, winery, and bedroom is well-lit and there's a sprawl of lab equipment on a large work table. It's actually a fairly spacious area. Elias is still talking, "Two things together. I think I know how it got into Liam's bloodstream... dragons are very hard to hurt. Very hard. But there are still things out there that will do enough damage to get beneath the skin..." He raises his head and says, "Such as sulfuric acid. Which will break down into sulfur, hydrogen, and oxygen. Water and ozone. Which would have been either absorbed into the blood or simply lost to the air."

Cinnamon ooohs in sudden understanding, "So it's not sulphuric blood we should be looking for!" She frowns as she considers, "So he didn't actually connect with the assassin at all, did he? Just the weapon -- which explains the sulphur and the nettles... foo. So we're no closer to knowing who it actually was, then?"

Thorn gapes a bit, "They used the sulphuric acid to penetrate his, uh, scales? skin? -- and combined it with the nettles to poison him!"

Cinnamon nods to Thorn, "Skin, if I understand correctly -- he wasn't shapeshifted at the time, from what I've been given to understand."

Elias says, "My dear, you are much closer. You know that it's someone who is familiar enough with chemistry to know how hard the acid would be to detect after it broke down. And, yes, his skin. But you've already seen how tough your skin is if a bear trap closed on your leg and didn't tear the skin at all. And someone that's familiar with ancient plants. This is a plant that was, if I am remembering correctly, supposedly extinct because of its very deadly effects. It was wiped out on purpose. And it's a European plant."

Cinnamon nods slowly to Elias, "So... someone relatively modern because of the chemistry? -and European, and a scholar? Or... no. Someone ancient -- they'd have to have saved the plant." She thinks... then shakes her head, "It'd have to be someone the actual plotter hired, then... 'cause I can't imagine Jaeger would harm himself so, you know? And... no one else is European in the reveal faction!" She blinks slowly, "Unless..." She turns to stare thoughtfully at Shane, "Uhmm... Shane? How vindictive is Killian?"

Elias nods, "Indeed. But remember that Europe and Asia overlap in many places. Russia, for instance, straddles the continents." He rubs his temples as he thinks. Shane answers the question drily, "Very. Branigan's death came at a time when Quinn was in North America. Do you know how hard it is for sidhe to travel in a plane or on a ship now? Quinn claimed a bad stomach flu to the flight attendants when he got pale and sick halfway across the Atlantic. He was barely ambulatory by the time they landed. It took some fast talk to not get taken to the hospital."

Thorn gets where Cinnamon is going, "We've been focussed on the members of the council! We haven't thought that they'd have allies outside the council."

Cinnamon nods slowly, "So... if Killian were working with someone else... oh!" She brightens as she grins at Shane, "Even if Odalric wasn't pro-reveal -- think how that'd look! First they put Odalric forward, then someone points out there's too many from one pod there -- and then someone puts forward Killian -- and voila! -uh, trod! Trod, sorry..." she's blushing hotly, "...meant trod..." She hastily adds, "So! Uh, Killian, right... working with... was it Qadan we decided on, for the death of Branigan? So... maybe that's our guilty parties?"

Shane says, "OK. Goes like this: If Aisling were to abdicate, Quinn would have stepped in. Except Branigan died." He actually flashes a bit of his real smile at the blush, "It's OK. The lingo is pretty complicated sometimes... so. It would take a lot of finagling, but it could come down to Killian getting the council seat. And that... that would be bad."

Cinnamon nods eagerly -- both happy to have the subject changed from her faux pas, and fascinatedly pleased that Shane seems to be agreeing with her assessment, "Right! So- uhm... yeah. So, now what? We still don't have any proof, darnit!" She blinks... then shudders slightly, "This is... a horrible lot of deaths!"

Shane says, "I think you're right. We need to find someone trustworthy with computer skills."

Cinnamon nods and sighs, "Yeah. Someone really good too, 'cause this is going to be real dangerous for them otherwise. Do any of us know anyone like that?"

Shane shakes his head, "I'm afraid I don't, but I can ask around..."

Cinnamon nods a bit disappointedly... then looks up again, "Oh! Also, um, Elias? I have a recording to play for you -- it's of the merc that was captured. Vanya translated it for me, but I thought you might speak a Slavic tongue too maybe?" She adds thoughtfully, "Curious... so we have Killian, Moustapha, and possibly Qadan all working together. I wonder what linked them?"

Elias smiles, "I speak some of them atrociously, but I speak several quite well. They've got similar roots, you see, and if you know the roo..." He clears his throat, "I will give it a listen."

Cinnamon grins teasingly at Elias, her eyes sparkling -- she thinks he's cute when he gets into teacher mode! As she pulls out her cell phone she pauses, as another thought occurs to her, "Oooh... Elias? If... if someone ran in here yelling that I -- or... or, say, Shane -- was injured, and it was the middle of the day -- would you come out to help?"

Elias blinks, "No. No, I would not. Not in a rush. I would make some preparations and send whoever was shouting to get some of Caradog's men."

Cinnamon nods firmly, "Yes! Good, no running out where someone could maybe tear your gear and expose you to the sun!" She beams at Elias for a moment, clearly relieved -- then remembers what she was doing, "Oh! Okay, also, here's the recording!" She plays it for the vampire, then looks inquiring: what does he think of it?

Elias listens closely and nods, "He's saying dragons are sacred. As you said, the word is old, but it does mean dragon in that dialect. And he's begging forgiveness. He's also apparently praying a bit in there. The begging is not all aimed at you or whoever he was speaking to. He's asking for the gods to forgive him for blaspheming."

Cinnamon nods excitedly, "Yes, that's what Vanya said too! I was wondering -- do you think my going back and trying to talk to the man might maybe get us a bit more information, perhaps?" She grins as she adds, "Though I admit, I don't really think of myself as a fire beast!"

Thorn nods, "I would say so. If you're comfortable with framing it as giving him a chance to relieve himself of the burden of guilt, that might be even better."

Josie giggles at Cinnamon, "But technically you are! Just like technically, if you go by certain definitions, I'm a werewolf." Then she mutters something about stupid movies.

Cinnamon nods gravely to Thorn... then blinks at Josie... then laughs! "Oh, oh, I get it -- we'll be like the Spice Girls... but we'll be the Beast Girls!" She giggles, "I'll be Fire Beast and you can be Moon Beast!" She laughs delightedly, almost rocking back in her chair! That causes Shane to snort, and Thorn laughs out loud! Cinnamon sits up abruptly, her eyes sparkling, "But we wouldn't want to leave out Shane -- he can be... Token Beast!" She laughs, clapping delightedly as she adds, "And Erin can be Birdie Beast!" She giggles, "And Thorn too, right? He can be, ummm... Doctor Beast!"

Shane is shaking his head and chuckling at Cinnamon's burst of girlish enthusiasm. It's nice to see when she's anxious and awkward much of the time. Elias smiles and says, "Now, children..." There is much indulgence in his voice. Josie is giggling with both hands over her muzzle.

Cinnamon giggles at Elias, her voice teasingly coaxing, "Wh-aat? You can be the manager?!" Thorn blinks in confusion at this sudden outburst, but he can't help but laugh; it's refreshing to see Cinnamon so ebullient and happy! Cinnamon laughs again, relaxing a bit, "Oh, my... I think I needed that!" She's still grinning as she adds, "Okay then! Elias, if you don't mind, I'd like to review a bit before we dash off to go see Dmitry, okay?"

Elias smiles, "Of course, child."

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Last modified: 2019-Jun-12 19:53:32

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