Goblin Town -- Logs

Cinnamon giggles, then leans forward to cross her arms on the back of the front seat where Shane's sitting. Musingly, she adds, "Hey, Shane. You said once that you stopped a murder in progress on Coblyn Street. Is it okay to tell us about that? I was wondering what happened, you know?"

Shane sighs a bit, "I'd almost hoped you'd forgotten about that." He shifts in his seat, half-turning and saying, "What happened was me walking down one of those tiny little access alleys and stumbling upon a troll in the process of beating a pooka to death. I clocked him from behind and put my sword through his shoulder. The pooka got back to the mouth of the alley and yelled for Caradog's guards. They both survived."

Cinnamon frowns consideringly... then nods slowly, "Was it Hans? Also, why would you want me to forget that?" She adds quietly, "I think you did the right thing, even if you did want me to forget it."

Shane nods and sighs, "Yes. It was Hans. He's not precisely exiled, but he's forbidden from keeping a residence on Coblyn. Makes his life unpleasant. As to why I'd hoped you'd forgotten... I don't like fighting."

Cinnamon tilts her head curiously at that, "You don't? Why do you, er... sheriff, though, if you don't like doing it?"

Shane chuckles, "I don't like fighting. The best fight is one you don't have. But I do what I do because not everyone is eloquent enough or fast enough to avoid a fight and most are not skilled enough to protect themselves in a fight. So I do it for them."

Josie snorts, "He's got black belts in like two martial arts!"

Cinnamon blinks uncertainly at Josie, "Is that... good? Do you have, er, black belts too, Jo?"

Josie shakes her head, "Nope! I don't get into many fights, but I'm pretty good at running away."

Shane chuckles, "I was a scrawny, quiet kid. I got beat up. My mom put me in tae kwon do and aikido. And then I took up boxing. And yes, black belts are considered good." Cinnamon smiles thoughtfully at that, feeling strangely good. She has... awesome friends! Real ones, too -- not just people that want to get closer to her sister or her parents.

The rest of the drive passes in companionable chatting and occasional teasing. Once they're back to Coblyn, the change from modern to not-modern is obvious... the gaslamps and the quietness of the street, for one. Cinnamon looks up at the gaslamps and ooohs quietly, "Look, look! Isn't the fog lovely, hung about the gaslight streetlamps like that?" She feels oddly, contentedly full tonight... she not only has good friends -- she also has a beautiful, cozy little place of her own. Life may be a bit dangerous... but it's also very good, she thinks!

Josie looks up and smiles, nodding, "I like it. The lamps outside Coblyn hurt my eyes."

Shane nods, "Things here can be dangerous, but they feel more right." Cinnamon nods in quiet happiness to Shane... she couldn't agree more!

Thorn, for his part, is comfortable and at ease. They accomplished a lot at the Trod of the Elm, and they now have a lead on who sent the killers there. Of course, with Moustafa living at Coblyn, they're now also returning to the lion's den -- but forewarned is forearmed! Plus now they have a lead to follow, so being back at Coblyn Street is... restful for Thorn -- definitely like coming home. Of course, it's right about then Thorn also realizes it slipped his mind to hand off his boon from Jaeger, to Athala! He rubs his forehead, feeling his heart sink a little. Well, nothing like living under a loaded gun!

Shane walks along with the group; Josie peels off first to go to her cozy little apartment. Cinnamon's place is next and Shane pauses long enough, chatting, to make sure she gets into the house. Thorn is last, and the half-sidhe makes no big deal of it, simply walking with the mage/medic to the quarters for the infirmary's staff. Thorn nevertheless thanks Shane for walking with him to the infirmary, even though he doesn't realize what Shane is doing, and wishes the sheriff a good night. Afterward, Shane turns back toward his own house.

Thorn goes to sleep relatively easily. He feels safe in the infirmary, but he wonders if he shouldn't. After all, whomever attacked the Trod did so without care for everyone within it. Would the same person think twice about Coblyn Street's infirmary? With that unsettling thought, he falls asleep.

Earlier, Cinnamon smiles as she realizes Shane is still 'standing guard' over his friends -- she thinks it's very sweet of him! When she realizes he's going to walk Thorn to the infirmary, she bustles around hastily to get ready for bed, then quietly watches at the front window. She tells herself that she just wants to be sure Shane gets home safely... well, okay, also that he's still very easy on the eyes -- even if Josie is gay! That thought makes her giggle quietly.

Sure enough, Shane passes back by Cinnamon's front window, though he does it on the other side of the street and disappears from sight heading back toward the mouth of Coblyn. Cinnamon sighs happily as she sips her nice, hot, sweet tea... she's glad to see Shane is fine too! She wonders if he'd take it amiss if she occasionally offered to walk with him to his home. Hmm... it's a possibility! After all, if he can do it with others... maybe she can swing it for him as well? She grins shyly to herself as she finishes her tea and heads to bed. Maybe she'll talk with Josie about how to help keep Shane safer around her. That, she realizes, is as important to her now as it is to Josie!

The next morning, when Thorn reports for his shift at the infirmary, Iason finds him where he's been put to work rolling freshly washed bandages for later sanitizing. The centaur can -- if he wants -- move very quietly. However, he makes an effort not to sneak up on his staff, so Thorn can easily hear the clopping of hooves. Thorn looks up, and smiles to Iason. "Good morning!" he says. Well, he tries to be chipper. He didn't sleep well... big surprise there.

Iason cross his arms across his chest and says, "Valerian root at night will help." The draft horse-sized centaur has that gentle rumble of a voice, "I take it things were less than tranquil at the trod?"

Thorn breathes out a half-laugh, straightening and wiping his hands on a handcloth. "Thank you. I'll try that. Well. They were more tranquil than they were the last time we were there." He wonders how much he should say. "No attackers this time, but, erm, we arrived in the middle of their vigils."

Iason ahhs, "Yes. The various elven races -- who, by the way, do seem to have some sort of common ancestor, though they each insist upon their own identities -- seem to have very similar funeral rights. A three-day vigil during which they believe the spirit to be still inhabiting the body, followed by various sorts of burial. Earth interment, sky burial, or pyres. It is quite beautiful in its way. As beautiful as any funerary rite can be."

Thorn nods quietly. "Even what little I did there... well. I'm glad I could do it. So, ah... what can I do for you, Iason?"

Iason shakes his head, "I was seeing what I can do for you, Thorn. Something is weighing on you and where the spirit leads, the body follows. Holistic, the humans say."

Thorn smiles quietly. "Something humans have forgotten completely. Honestly, it's this buisness with the assassination attempts. I keep thinking we'll get too close and then... something will happen."

Iason ahhs, "Yes. That would weigh on your mind. But I believe the truth will out... and I believe there are people whom the gods choose to be their hands upon the earth."

Thorn tilts his head to the side, "Which gods? I mean... I hope I'm not coming off as a jerk, but just as an example, both Killa and Aoi were introduced to us as gods themselves."

Iason laughs quietly, "Small gods. Demigods. Some even see the sidhe as a type of god. Perhaps I should say fate ordains people to set things right. The legends abound with such people, and we here on Coblyn know that legends are not all myth. Myths have been discounted by the wider world because they cannot believe there is anything bigger than themselves. But here? Here we know the stories are at least partially history." He pats the medic on the shoulder, "And you are not coming off as a jerk."

Thorn smiles quietly, nodding, "Thank you, Iason. I hope I don't ask silly questions. This is all still new to me. Thank you for explaining that."

Iason shakes his head, "No silly questions. One cannot learn if one does not ask. Everyone starts out with gaps in their knowledge. I feel you will be fine." With that, he leaves Thorn to his duties. Thorn thanks Iason, and returns to them -- menial, perhaps, but very important; he won't scrimp on sterilizing these bandages.

Around the same time, there's a knock on Cinnamon's door. She's just cleaning up after breakfast, and happily planning out her day. Got to talk to Josie about both keeping Shane safe around a dragon, and if it's okay to just be completely honest with Spice regarding this assassination issue, and whether she-Josie wants to be around at all when Cinnamon has that conversation (if she does) with Spice! Cinnamon's excited -- they're getting closer to the assassin! She's still hoping devoutly that it's not Jalil... but she won't hide the truth, regardless of who it is. She blinks at the knock, wiping her hands on the dishtowel and calling, "Who is it?"

The voice that answers means that Cinnamon has one less errand to run today, and that Josie's back to her normal happy self, as she calls, "It's Josie! I brought muffins!"

Cinnamon beams as she patters over to the door and opens it, "Josie! Awesome -- I was just planning to come see you! C'mon in! Want some tea to go with the muffins?"

Josie nods and brings in the muffins along with a small earthenware pot that she says contains honey from someone on the street, "They keep an apiary on the roof. There are a few gardens and such up there."

Cinnamon nods happily, "I've seen that! Come have a seat in the kitchen... I'll get some butter, and the tea ready!" After carefully closing the door and re-establishing her wards, Cinnamon cheerfully whips things together to share the muffins and tea with Josie, chattering as she goes, "I've been planning to see if my roof could handle some greenery too, like those lovely houses in the trod of the Elm -- remember them? Or to check if there's any yard behind the house -- I haven't looked yet! But even if neither of those work, I figure a few windowboxes of flowers on the front windows would be lovely, regardless -- don't you think?" As she finally settles at the table with Josie she beams, "It's nice to see you! How're you doing?"

Josie beams back. She's back in her lupine form, so the beaming also includes her menace of a tail wagging cheerfully, "Windowboxes would be wonderful!" She clears her throat, "Uhm... so I went out on the regular street to check messages. Spice wants to know if we can all get together. She says she's got something to show us?"

Cinnamon giggles, reaching out to pat Josie's paw-hand, "You're adorable, Jo! You do know you can just come here for internet, though, right?" She waves a hand vaguely upwards as she proudly adds, "I got a thingie to get reception! John at the bank told me how!"

Josie says, "Repeater. I know, but I need cell signal, not internet." She's wagging more, "She wants to know if we can all get together, though."

Cinnamon says, "Oh! Of course we can!" She nibbles a muffin after slathering it with butter and honey, mmms appreciatively, then asks in a slightly muffin-muffled voice, "When 'n where?"

Josie says, "Uhm... I thought we might bring her here. Let her understand a little better... maybe at Cafe Prague?"

Cinnamon nods and swallows, "Works for me! Want to go get her once we've finished here?" A bit shyly she adds, "I... kinda need your advice on a few things first, though, please?" Josie is nibbling happily at her muffin and nods around a mouthful, making a 'go on' gesture. Cinnamon says, "OK!" She has a sip of tea to clear both her mouth and her thoughts... then nods once, "OK! So, first of all: is it okay if I'm just completely honest with her about stuff -- Spice? Like, both Coblyn, and the assassination stuff, and what we'd really like her help to do?"

Josie considers, "I think you have to be. You want her help so you can't keep her blind... and if something goes wrong... there are ways to fog someone's memory so they can't come back or make it very uncomfortable to do so."

Cinnamon looks unhappy at that, "Well... I'd rather not have to do that to someone in the first place! It seems... kind of rude, to me? But..." she sighs, "well, no need to borrow trouble before we have to!" She thinks a moment, then carefully asks, "Do you, um... want to be there when I hit her with all this? I mean, I'd be very glad to have you there... but if you don't want her to associate you with all this craziness, I figured you should have the opportunity, you know?

Josie huffs, "If she doesn't like it, she can stuff it! I like her a lot, but you're my best friend."

Cinnamon laughs, leaning to hug Josie, "Oh my gosh, Josie, you are just the most wonderful person!" She sits back, beaming and with sparkling eyes, as she adds, "So we'll just have to work extra hard to get you two together!" She giggles, having another sip of tea... then adds, "Oh!" She brightens again, setting her teacup down, "Have you asked her yet if she's gay?!"

Josie beams and nods as she sips her tea, "You wanted to ask me something?"

Cinnamon sighs in relief, "Oh, awesome! From the look on your face, she's interested too -- yay!" She giggles... then gets a bit more serious, "Yeah, actually. I need your advice, please? See... Shane is awesome too, and that means... well, it kinda scares me that if I hadn't turned my head... he'd be dead, you know?" She frowns worriedly as she absently picks at a napkin, "So... I was hoping you'd have some suggestions on things we could either do ourselves, or encourage him to do, so he's safer? Because, um... I don't want him hurt because he was trying to protect me, you know?" Biting her lip nervously, she adds in a small voice, "Should I... am I being selfish by wanting to still be around him?"

Josie giggles, "Shane? You want Shane to be safer? That's like asking the ocean to be less wet. He's a protector. It's kinda in his blood, I think -- and you're not being selfish! Shane is amazing. He never makes fun of people for being shy or awkward or weird. Elias calls him a paladin."

Cinnamon nods gravely, "I think Elias is right, really. But seriously, Josie," she reaches out and takes the werewolf's paw-hand, "is there anything we can do to keep him safer? Like... encourage him to wear kevlar more, or something?" She shudders slightly, her free hand going up to her still-bruised face, "It didn't really register until later, but at the time he even said he'd have been killed dead in that instant... had I not stepped in front of him!" She looks unhappily at Josie, "I... I really don't want to feel responsible for getting him dead, either!"

Josie squeezes Cinnamon's hand, "Encourage him to wear body armor. But you're the bulletproof one. Thorn is kinda squishy, but he's wrapped up in all of this."

Cinnamon nods quietly, "From what I've seen, though, Thorn isn't the type to rush into battle. Shane is." She returns the squeeze, taking a deep breath, "OK. I won't worry about staying away from Shane to protect him, then... and I'll ask him to please wear the body armor more around me!" She smiles a little shakily at Josie, adding sincerely, "Thank you so much, Josie, for listening and not laughing at my worries and helping me with good advice!"

Josie shrugs and smiles, wagging again, "That's what friends are for." Cinnamon grins at that, leaning to hug Josie!

After that the two friends chat together as Cinnamon cleans up her little house, then grabs her bag to head out with Josie, so they can bring Spice onto Coblyn. She giggles as she reminds Josie to change, and while Josie does so, Cinnamon darts over to Uta's to purchase a big bag of the delicious pastries for Vanya, like she promised she would. She can't resist peeking to see if she has a backyard too, while she's at it! There's no backyard, sadly. There's a small access alley behind it, but no space to put in a garden. Hmm... she'll have to ask Josie to look at the roof for her, once Josie's a werewolf again! Once Josie is changed, Cinnamon carefully locks her cozy little home, and the two of them excitedly head for the mouth of Coblyn Street. Hopefully Spice will love it here too!

Cinnamon chatters happily to Josie as they go, about flower boxes and who has them and can help install them... oh, and when Josie is her taller self, could she check out the roof of Cinnamon's house too, please? She follows Josie once they're off Coblyn, since the werewolf knows where they're picking up Spice, and happily greets the young woman before she cheerfully checks: "Hi, Spice! So, are you ready to see something really weird and strange?" She also hands Spice a pastry, beaming, "These are fantastic! They're made by Uta, next door to my home. Enjoy!" Cinnamon has one for Josie as well, and one for herself, too. She bought a bunch for a reason, after all!

Spice is wearing her jacket again, along with a truly ridiculous knit hat in several different striped colors. She happily accepts the pastry, "They serve us breakfast at HI, but wow is it boring. I mean, healthy..." She grins brightly, eyes shining, "I'm always really for weird and strange."

Cinnamon beams as she turns back towards Coblyn Street, "Awesome! Ok, c'mon! We'll treat you to lunch. So have you ever read the poem by Christina Rossetti titled 'Goblin Market'?" She also has two little messages written down for both Shane and Thorn, ready to send via a messenger once they're back on Coblyn.

Spice makes a point of walking between Josie and Cinnamon, hair swinging. She nods, "I know the poem. 'We must not look at goblin men/ We must not buy their fruits...' Is that the one you mean?" She's looking quite chipper and even eager.

Cinnamon grins amusedly, "Well... it's not quite that bad, but it's a good idea to only shop at places that Shane and Josie say are okay... yeah?" She pauses on the street right before they get near Coblyn, and glances up at Josie, "We can just walk in, right? Or should we hold her hand?"

Josie thinks about it and says with just a little too much innocence, "It can't help to hold her hands. Less confusing that way."

Spice is looking around, one brow going up, "Why do you need to hold my hand?"

Cinnamon grins as she finishes her pastry, then offers her hand to Spice, "We're actually going to go through what might look like a building to you, Spice! Ready?"

Josie takes the other hand and says, "Yeah. Very... Platform 9 3/4..." She looks worried, "You did read those, right?"

Spice grins and nods, "Yeah, but the bitch that wrote them is transphobic so she's not getting any more of my money. I'm ready."

Cinnamon giggles again, happily walking forward -- and internally congratulating herself on figuring out a relatively subtle way to encourage Josie and Spice to be closer! Cinnamon waits until they're through and onto Coblyn before she releases Spice's hand and waves her own hand around, "Here we are! Welcome to Coblyn Street!"

Josie waits a moment longer to release Spice's hand. Then again, Spice takes a moment longer to let go of Josie's hand too -- but then she turns in a circle, eyes wide as she looks back at the entrance of the street, "You weren't kidding. Platform 9 3/4..." Then she's trying to stare in all directions at once, eyes wide and sparkling. Eventually she says, "This. Is. Bloody. Amazing!"

Cinnamon beams happily, "I'm so glad you like it!" She giggles sheepishly as she adds, "I... was much, much less excited when I first arrived, unfortunately... but I got better!" She grins as she glances around, handing off her notes to someone she recognizes as a messenger. Cinnamon thanks the small, swift person and promises them payment at the Cafe Prague, and they scamper off happily to go find Shane and Thorn, to see if they can meet at the cafe. Cinnamon turns back to Spice and Josie, "C'mon! We're going to have lunch at Cafe Prague, and hopefully Vanya will be there. He's both enormous and very kind!" Glancing over at Josie while Spice isn't looking, Cinnamon mouths, 'you want to change?'

Josie liks her lips and says, "Uhm... when you meet Vanya, I have something to talk to you about."

Cinnamon grins at Josie, whispering, "Sure you don't want to at least mention it now, Jo? Give her more time to think about it and realize how nice you are so there's nothing to worry about?"

Josie shakes her head, flushing a little, "After." Cinnamon gives Josie an amused glance -- she thinks the werewolf is worrying too much! But it's Josie's decision, of course. Cinnamon isn't about to out her friend like that. Spice seems not to be hearing them, stopping once in a while to look at something or someone.

A familiar figure darts past them -- then swerves abruptly at the last moment. Apparently Cronan learned his lesson... at least about Cinnamon. She smiles quietly as she watches -- she's got her bag worn in the front, like Shane taught her when she first arrived! She moves up to murmur to Spice, "One thing you have to be aware of here? There are pickpockets and thieves... so you might want to wear your bag across your chest, okay?"

Spice nods and pats her messenger bag, which she's wearing to the front, "Yeah. Found that out quick. Some little prick tried to swipe this one first day in the city."

Cinnamon laughs! "Good point -- they're not just here on Coblyn!" She starts walking with the other two women towards Cafe Prague, adding, "Don't worry, though -- like I said, Shane and Josie will steer you right on who's trustworthy!"

Josie nods, "Shane, especially. He's got a knack for it." Cinnamon smiles and encourages Josie to point out good places as they go. Not only is it helpful for Spice -- and Cinnamon reassures Spice that from now on she'll be able to easily see and use the entrance to Coblyn -- but it's a good refresher for Cinnamon herself! Josie is happy to point out places to trust and ones not to trust. Spice looks a bit skeptical when Josie points out her favorite produce/preserves stand and explains, "She's really sweet. She just doesn't care a lot about appearances... that's pretty common here."

Cinnamon nods gravely to Spice, "I was worried too... but Josie's right. You can trust her knowledge!"

Spice nods slowly, "Yeah, OK. I can see that..."

Elsewhere, Thorn soon gets the note from the little messenger. When his lunch break comes not too much later, he excuses himself and heads over to the Cafe Prague, curious as to what the meeting is about. Timing works out well -- because Shane and Thorn make it to the cafe just in time to meet the others at the door. Cinnamon waves happily as she spots the two men, "Oh, just in time! Hi, you two! Let's go eat!" Shane waves back cheerfully. He seems to be in a good mood.

Thorn waves as well, smiling. "Hello, everyone! Good to see you again, Spice, and welcome to Coblyn Street."

As luck would have it, most of the people they've seen on Coblyn have been more or less humanoid. Spice grins at Thorn, "Isn't this just fucking awesome! Also: hi, Thorn."

Cinnamon is in an exceptionally good mood -- such that she actually finds herself impulsively giving both Shane and Thorn hugs! She giggles, blushing slightly as she patters into the restaurant, "Come on in, everyone!"

Shane hugs back, as he always does. He gives good hugs. He tips his head and looks at Spice, "Tell me you mean no one here any harm."

Spice's brows go up at the statement. It's not a question and she gets the impression he means it literally, "I mean no one here harm."

Shane nods, "Good. Shall we?" Cinnamon beams at Shane, both touched that he checked -- and proud that her guess about Spice was right! She cheerfully greets the waitress, and asks if Vanya's around by any chance?

The cafe is not a brightly lit place even in the middle of the day, making any peculiarities of the clientele hard to tell... right up until the waitress passes the word to Vanya that someone wants to see him. It's not long after that when the door opens and Vanya calls a greeting to them. Spice turns at the greeting and her eyes look as if they're going to pop out of her head, "Ho-lee shit!" Josie grimaces and her shoulders come up.

Cinnamon giggles, waving, "Hi there, Vanya! I brought you pastries like I promised -- and thank you so much! Your translation was right on the mark!" She grins at Spice, then turns back to Vanya and adds, "Also, please come meet our friend Spice?"

Vanya laughs and says, "Da. I get that from new people."

Spice laughs and says, "No fucking wonder. What are you, like twelve feet tall?"

Vanya laughs again and then his eyes brighten at the pastries, "I like a woman that keeps her promises." His eyes fall on Josie, "Why are you so small today, Josephine?"

Cinnamon giggles again as she adds to Spice, "When I first met Vanya I'd just walked onto Coblyn. I was so shocked, I just stared up at him with my mouth hanging open!" She's a little pink with embarrassment as she adds, "He was very polite with me despite my rudeness, too." She happily hands the bag of pastries to Vanya as she speaks. Then she thinks a bit before curiously checking with Vanya, "You know, I never asked, Vanya... are you actually a shifter, or are you always this size? Is it okay to ask?" She mentally crosses her fingers that at least some of this chatter will encourage Josie to calm down and 'fess up! She's almost willing to bet that Spice will love Josie's thick, warm fur just as much as Cinnamon does, after all.

Vanya takes a chair that seems made to his size and says, "Oh, nyet. I am always this size. When I came here, it was very sneaky. I am glad I helped with the translation."

Josie flushes and says, "I didn't want to scare our new friend."

Spice looks confused, "Scare me?"

Josie takes a deep breath and says, "I'm sometimes a wolf. A really big wolf. Uhm... I'm only seven feet tall, though and Vanya is...?" She looks at the bear and Vanya rumbles, "Nine feet and ten inches."

Cinnamon nearly bubbles enthusiastically at Spice, "Also, she has the loveliest thick, warm fur, and she gives the best hugs and her tail wagging is absolutely adorable!" She adds a little wistfully to Josie, "Aren't you going to change at all?"

Spice stares, "You're a werewolf?!" The sound of her voice is eager and inquisitive.

Josie shakes her head, "I don't have my big clothes with me. I'll do it later." Cinnamon looks disappointed, but doesn't say anything, instead placing her order as the waitress appears again. Josie shakes her head again to Spice, "Not like that, no. I'm a shifter. I don't turn by the full moon. I'm split-natured."

In the silence that follows everyone placing their orders, Thorn glances around. "Iason said something interesting to me about gods," he says almost idly. "But what's very interesting is that I remembered: the Greeks had oracles... and sometimes, in mythology, centaurs were also seers...."

Cinnamon nods interestedly, "And teachers and mentors, yeah! Herakles was taught by Chiron, I remember." She smiles, pushing her glasses back into place, "Why do you mention it?"

Spice pauses in getting her computer out and blinks, "Centaurs? Really truly fucking centaurs?"

Josie says quietly, "Just the one on Coblyn. Iason."

Thorn smiles, "Well, I remember you asking about wanting to find a seer or scryer. We've not had much luck with finding one...."

Cinnamon considers that for a bit... then frowns thoughtfully as she glances at Shane and Josie, "Do you think Iason could help us regarding Branigan's death?"

Thorn says, "It's worth asking him, at the very least."

Shane shrugs, "I haven't heard anyone talking about Iason being an oracle, but... not everyone lets everything about themselves be known. Better to keep a hole card."

Cinnamon smiles and shrugs, "OK!" She happily digs into her meal when it arrives, falling silent for a bit as she does so.

Spice says, "Oracle?" She looks intently at Thorn -- it's clearly a 'go on?' kind of look.

Thorn errrs, glancing to Cinnamon. "So a lot is going on in the secret world in general and on Coblyn Street in particular," he says. "One of the things we've been looking for is a seer who could look into the past for a specific event -- one that had no witnesses, no evidence, and only purely circumstantial speculation as to what actually happened."

Cinnamon smiles at Thorn, "You can tell her everything. Just... quietly." She glances around them, then smiles and nods to Thorn again. Vanya too is listening quietly. For such a large person he fades into the background quite well.

Thorn nods to Cinnamon. "It all started a... couple of weeks ago? There was a meeting here on Coblyn Street. It was to decide if the denizens of the secret world would reveal themselves to the mundane world. The vote was defeated, but only narrowly -- and only because Cinnamon was there...." He proceeds to tell Spice everything that happened: quickly, quietly, and concisely, but not holding anything back. The story culminates with the return to the Trod of the Elm the previous day. Cinnamon eats and listens. It's kind of cool hearing someone else's perspective! She's a little embarrassed at how she sounds in the story, though -- she feels she was far, far less effective and/or impressive! Though... perhaps that's due to only she knowing the nervous emotional tangles inside her head?

Spice listens, nodding in places and watching Thorn's face intently, "So... fuck. OK. Shit is real here. Wow. Mercenaries? Like, for serious soldiers of fortune?" At Thorn's nod she too nods slowly, "Did this dude tell you the name of the company he works for? I mean, I could try and dig some things up..."

Cinnamon smiles and gives Spice the name of the company, then adds, "His name is Dmitry, like Thorn said. He's willing to help you, if you want... but we'll have to get him out of the trod first so you'll have internet connection." She adds quietly, "I know accounting -- I'm really good at it. If I had their raw data I could figure out who paid for the mercs. If you're willing -- and it is entirely up to you, Spice -- it'd be awesome if you could get that data? But... it would be potentially really dangerous! You need to keep that in mind, regardless of what you decide."

Spice looks at Cinnamon with both brows up, "You're a dragon. This dude is an elf. Josie's a giant wolf. This Vanya guy is a 9 foot tall bear -- and Thorn here talks with centaurs?"

Josie pipes up, "He's also got a familiar. I think he's a mage."

Spice nods to Josie, then grins incredulously at Cinnamon, "And you think I should be scared of human mercs?!"

Cinnamon grins wryly before she murmurs, "See this bruise on my face? I got it when I stepped in front of Shane and Dmitry shot at him. Shane says if the bullet hadn't hit me... he'd be dead. So yeah, they are 'just' humans... but they can make you just as dead, you know?" She glances sideways at Shane as she adds very quietly, "I don't want to lose anyone. Heck, I don't even want anyone hurt if I can help it!"

Shane says calmly, "With an assault rifle." He turns to Thorn, "And Bala... that was a Desert Eagle, right?" Cinnamon nods silently.

Thorn too nods soberly, "A stupid handgun, but still a big one."

Spice nods, then asks Cinnamon, "So... you're bulletproof?"

Cinnamon blinks, "Who, me? Umm..." she looks a bit self-conscious, "...apparently? I'm not really sure? Maybe?" Glancing down at her plate, she adds, "I... I'm still learning how to be a dragon, honestly. There aren't any others around to tell me what I can do, so... it's kind of trial and error?"

Spice nods slowly, "Uhhh.. huh. Sounds bulletproof to me. The only thing really bigger than a Deagle or an assault rifle is a SMAW, I think." She's got her computer out now, but seems to be making notes because there really isn't much reception here.

Cinnamon glances at Shane, Thorn, and Josie as she asks, "S-so Thorn, do you think, um... would Athala -- and, er, Jaeger too, I think? -- be willing to let us have Dmitry for a bit? Like... leave the trod with him so he can help Spice?" She sighs internally at the thought of yet another hike through the forest! She's going to die yet, she just knows it, from all this running around! That causes her to smile a bit wryly at herself. She would almost be willing to ride a horse through the forest instead of having to hike yet again! Three back and forths in just about that many days... almost willing. Horses are still pretty scary to her.

Thorn considers. "I'm not exactly sure how Jaeger would react," he says, "but I'm pretty sure that Athala would be willing. Probably Jaeger too, now that I think about it. How long do you think we'll need him?"

Cinnamon glances inquiringly at Spice? Spice considers, "Depending. Hacking isn't as quick as it looks on TV and movies. There's a lot of data spelunking and brute-forcing things in really boring black windows." She grins, "That being said, depends on the amount of help he can give."

Cinnamon says, "Well, he did say his security clearance has probably been revoked by now, but he was one of the mercs?" She glances at Shane and Josie, "Er, so... when should we go? Should we... spend the night there, or... or bring him here, or... what?"

Spice nods and considers, "Still. If he can give me an idea of where to go nosing around, it'll be helpful." She rubs the back of her neck and frowns thoughtfully. Shane says, "He can crash at my place. I can take the floor for a few days."

Cinnamon thinks for a moment, then says slowly to Shane, "Umm... n-nno. He... he's kind of my responsibility, isn't he? And Spice will need an internet connection, and I have one, so... um, he c-can stay here?"

Thorn says, "If Moustapha did in fact hire him, would bringing Dmitry here be a good idea? How often is he in Coblyn?"

Cinnamon blinks at that, "Oh! That's a good point, Thorn." She glances at Shane and Josie, "Is there a way to maybe like... smuggle him in?"

Vanya chuckles and says in his rolling Slavic accent, "They got me here unseen. I believe we can get a human in. And I think that young Shane is right. He can sleep at Shane's house and come to yours to work with the new hacker girl."

Cinnamon blinks up at Vanya, "Uhm... really? Well... well, okay then." She smiles uncertainly at Shane, "I... just d-don't want it to be a bother b-because of my, um... my p-paranoia? Oh... also, uhmm.. we'll need to keep him all covered up while he's moving around on the street, then."

Shane shakes his head, "You're not a bother. You're helping keep this place safe -- and we'll make sure he's safe too."

"Okay." Cinnamon takes a deep breath, then sighs gustily -- she is not going to slow everyone down while hiking, darnit! "Well... okay then. So... back to the trod?"

Shane smiles and pats Cinnamon's hand, "No more hiking for you this week. Too much exertion too quickly is bad for you. So we either get a couple of ATVs or you stay here and I'll take someone and bring him back." Cinnamon blinks -- then simultaneously sighs in gratitude and tries not to look too relieved!

Thorn nods at that; there's no need to keep making a sojourn there so often, "I'll go with you," he says to Shane.

Cinnamon considers a moment, then grins shyly, "W-would an ATV be all right? I mean, I, um... I've never ridden one? It... might be fun to try?"

Josie bounces, showing some of the body language she normally does in her lupine form, "They're so fun! And it's easy. The biggest rule is always lean uphill on a slope. And I think we could rent a couple." Shane nods to Thorn, "Wanting to go back for the vigils?"

Cinnamon grins excitedly at that, "Oh, okay! That, um..." She glances around, then shyly asks, "M-maybe I could ride double with someone? ...er, if th-that's okay?"

Thorn nods to Shane, "At least partially." He's felt guilty about missing them ever since he found out that the trod considers him one of their own.

Shane glances back and forth between Josie and Spice, then to Thorn, "Thorn, you can ride double with me. Spice, I think we need to leave you home for a bit. The trod is in mourning."

Cinnamon says, "Er... w-won't we need at least one ATV with only one person on it? So there's a space for... for Dmitry?"

Shane considers that and says, "You're right. Thorn, think you could drive one?"

Thorn nods, "That shouldn't be a problem; sure!"

Shane nods. The food that is brought is tasty and filling. Spice seems eager to try an ethnic cuisine she's never tried and seems to be almost preternaturally calm about being the midst of things that usually only exist in stories. When it's time to party, she does say that she really does probably need to stay out of a place where people are doing vigils, as she's a stranger.

Cinnamon beams and impulsively hugs Spice, thanking the young woman quite earnestly for being so brave! Spice hugs back and grins, "Brave? Damn, girl, I wouldn't miss this for the world!" She also hugs Josie, adding, "You gotta let me see your wolf form." She's holding both the young shifter's hands when she says this and beaming brightly. This leaves the normally voluble Josie tongue-tied. Cinnamon pushes her glasses up and nods in vehement agreement!

It doesn't take all that long to arrange for the rental of three ATVs and to meet the owner at the trailhead. He gives them all a short lecture on being careful not to tear up the woodlands with the vehicles. Cinnamon nods attentively as she listens -- she doesn't want to mess up the forest at all, considering who lives there! Thorn has been thinking on Spice and her entrance into their lives. It's definitely fortuitous -- right when they could seriously use a hacker! -- and even more so that she's bound to Cinnamon and not at all unhappy about that. He knows he'll have to introduce Erin to her at some point. Thorn isn't suspicious; it all lines up, after all. He just hopes that Spice is prepared for what they may run into. He wouldn't wish the experience of the previous time they went to the Trod of the Elm to be anyone else's, if possible. Meanwhile, he listens attentively to the ATV owner's instructions.

Shane is listening and nodding. Josie is checking over the ATVs with what seems to be a practiced eye. Once all is said and done, Cinnamon is riding with Josie, with Thorn and Shane each piloting one of the other ATVs. Some of the advice is the same Josie gave on the drive up to Cinnamon: lean uphill on slopes. Make sure to use both brakes when you have to stop. Put the brakes on gradually when you can. Cinnamon giggles excitedly as she hops on behind Josie, "This is cool! I think I actually like trying new things!"

Josie giggles too, and nods, "We have these back home. A lot of the land is inaccessible without them. Well, them and horses, but some of us are big for horses even in human form."

Cinnamon grins ruefully, "Yeah, think I'll stick with ATVs for now!" She finds the ATVs to be incredibly noisy and bouncy... but also startlingly fun to ride! She holds on tight around Josie's waist and beams goofily into the wind. Even though she's wearing a helmet, it's still an excitingly windblown feeling -- she doesn't usually move this fast unless she's in an enclosed motor vehicle!

Josie nods and grins, "Gotta be careful not to tear up the land, but if you stay on the trails it's not too bad." The ride is a lot faster than the hike, and the same two elves step onto the path in front of them... but sooner than before, giving them plenty of room to stop the ATVs.

Thorn is reminded vaguely of the 'Humvees' they used in the National Guard, with the... very specific requirements as far as suspension and shock absorbers went. It's a bouncy ride, but he takes it relatively slow. He's also glad the elves don't seem to be annoyed that they used the ATVs. Cinnamon beams as she leans out, waving excitedly, "Hello, hello! Hi, it's us again!"

The elves nod and one of them smiles, "Ah. Yes. This hike is a rough one to do several days in a row. You should be fine if you park those on the trail. The guards actually on the entrance will watch them." The other says, "From a distance. Way too much steel." Thorn is increasingly sombre as they get closer to the Trod. The vigils are still going on, and it... just feels right to be here for them. He prays that there won't ever be a next time, but if there ever is, he will be staying.

Cinnamon nods happily, "Okay! Thank you for not minding our using them!" She whews as she settles back behind Josie, adding quietly, "That's a relief!"

Josie nods, "Most sylvan races are OK with it if you're really, really respectful."

Cinnamon beams happily, "I'm good with that! I mean, our goal is to not hurt anybody, after all!" She falls silent after that, until they park the ATVs... at which point she gives Josie an enthusiastic hug, "Thank you, Jo! That was lots of fun!"

Josie grins and hugs, "Oh yeah, it was fun!" Yes, the ATVs were indeed bumpy, but felt quite stable.

The guards at the entrance are solemn and nod to them, recognizing all four faces and motioning them on through the entrance. Cinnamon takes a deep breath and hastily brushes back her hair before entering, trying to be appropriately solemn before entering. She mentally pats herself on the back for wearing a black shirt -- she doesn't know if that's a mourning color for elves, but hopefully they'll realize she's at least trying to be respectful? Thorn is greeted warmly if a bit solemnly and thanked for coming back. The vigils will apparently be done at sunup the next morning and the whole group is invited to stay.

Thorn is subdued, and once again pays respects at each of the fallen. If this makes him slower than the others, he asks them to go on forward -- he'll catch up to them soon. Shane is just as slow on the way to Jaeger's. He's silent at each of the fallen, but does seem to be paying attention to them. Between the two of them, Shane says to Thorn, "I'll stay with you if you want to be here until the morning?"

Cinnamon is determined -- even if she is a bit scared and nervous -- to not seem ashamed! She sticks close to Shane and Josie, and is careful not to get in Thorn's way even by accident. She clasps her hands in front of her and keeps her eyes downcast next to the bodies -- she's a little spooked to be so close to dead people, even as she's firmly mentally lecturing herself about being respectful. Thorn is grateful for the respect that the others are showing -- it makes him feel a little less like he only comes here when they want or need something from the Trod.

Cinnamon sighs at one point when it hits her: these people are dead... because she doesn't move as fast and decisively as Shane does. Wistfully she wishes she were at least a little bit more effective! She really doesn't want to see anyone else hurt, after all... especially if she can help it at all. Cinnamon quietly corrects herself: the deaths aren't her fault... but maybe if she were more scary and fast and dangerous... she might have been able to save one or two of them? Hmm... maybe she should ask Shane about... what was that martial art he said he knew? Key-doughy or something?

When they reach Jaeger's house, Dmitry is actually sitting outside being watched over by one of the trod's elven residents. He's got a book and the dressings on his wounds look fresh. The former merc raises his head as he hears people approaching. Cinnamon smiles shyly at Dmitry and his elven watcher, "Hello! How are you doing, Dmitry? Is Jaeger on, um, vigil?"

Dmitry raises his head and smiles, even though it looks like a rather painful smile, "Yes. Jaeger is helping with the vigils and with arranging for the ceremony in the morning. I believe he said Athala and Odalric would be helping as well."

Cinnamon nods thoughtfully, then glances at the other three in her party, "So... do we ask to stay the night, or what?"

Thorn murmurs, "If the ceremony is tomorrow, I would like to stay for it."

The elf that's with Dmitry says, "You would all be welcome, especially you, Thorn. There are guest rooms enough for you all here and at your lady's house."

Cinnamon smiles quietly at Thorn, then brightens at the elf's comment, "Oh, thank you so much! You're very kind."

Thorn lets out a breath, smiling quietly to the elf, "Thank you."

The elf shakes his head, "No. Thank you all. You do us great honor." As that conversation is happening both Jaeger and Athala arrive, talking quietly and solemnly together. Cinnamon smiles and gives them both a shy wave -- she doesn't want to interrupt!

Athala is the first to raise her head and her smile is warm, "Oh, my Thorn! I'm glad you came again? Will you be staying tonight?" Jaeger steps close to Dmitry's guard to speak quietly, nodding at an apparently good report. Cinnamon waits quietly, hands clasped behind her back... and working hard to suppress the nervously shy urge to sidle behind Josie!

Thorn smiles quietly and inclines his head, "Yes, my Lady. I... that is, we would like to stay for the ceremony tomorrow morning."

Athala caresses the side of Thorn's face, "That would please me greatly. After all, the trod itself recognizes you." Thorn smiles quietly and a touch wanly, closing his eyes at Athala's touch.

Jaeger looks around, "All of you, yes? I have two spare rooms aside from Dmitry's. I know that Athala would like to have Thorn with her."

Cinnamon grins shyly again, "We would love to borrow your rooms for the night if we might, please?"

Jaeger nods, "Of course you may... and have dinner with us tonight." He turns to Athala, "Would you like time with your man or do you wish to finish up the details now?" Jaeger's mention of 'details' makes Thorn remember: he must shuffle off Jaeger's favor this time!

Cinnamon hesitates... then takes a deep breath and plunges onward! "Also, if... er, i-if you're okay with it? -a-and Dmitry too, of course -- um, could we p-please... borrowDmitryforafewdaysplease?!"

Jaeger arches his brows and smiles, "Of course you may. He is here not precisely as a prisoner."

Cinnamon sighs in relief, unwittingly beaming up at Jaeger, "Oh, thank you so much!" She turns her attention to Dmitry, beaming hopefully at him as well as she adds, "W-would you be okay with, er, with coming with us for a bit, please, Dmitry? We, um, we found a hacker!"

Dmitry has put his book in his lap; he says, "It is the very least I can do for you and yours, lady."

Cinnamon sighs in relief -- then beams at Dmitry again, "Then thank you so much to you too, please!" She glances curiously at Shane and Josie as she adds, "So... how were we planning on smuggling him onto the street, please?"

Shane says, "I was planning on smuggling him in at night... with some very concealing clothes and with a little charm hung around his neck."

Cinnamon says, "OK! That sounds fine to me. Can he use the charm when he walks from your place to mine during the day?"

Shane pulls a small amulet out of his satchel, "It won't make him invisible, but it'll make him completely unremarkable. It will work for about a month after it's activated."

Cinnamon ooohs at that, then beams excitedly at Shane, "Awesome! Then we're set, right? We can stay for the vigil, then get out of everyone's hair here and head back and... hopefully figure out who our attacker is!" Internally she's still a bit nervous -- it could, after all, be Jalil still! -- but she'll just keep crossing her fingers for now that it's not.

There's a general agreement that that sounds about like the way everything should go. Athala opts to spend time with the visitors and promises Jaeger she will have dinner with him to finalize details. She explains the rules of clothing and of behavior for the ceremony to the visitors as well. The rules of behavior turn out to be exactly as one might expect at any funerary rite, though the clothing seems a little odd to Cinnamon -- apparently white is the color for funerals in the trod. However, everyone is assured that they will be provided for. Cinnamon nods and listens very carefully -- she so wants to appear a good and responsible councilor, after all, to these people!

Thorn also listens carefully. He's not had to stand vigils or funerary rites in the Trod... well, ever. He wonders if Athala kept that from him out of an abundance of concern or caution. No matter; he is here now and he will honor the other fallen members of the Trod. He isn't surprised that plain, pure white is used for elven funerals. He will also make sure to let Athala know that he's going to try to get Jaeger's favor shifted to her, and see if she understands and agrees to that.

The night passes peacefully after a simple but tasty dinner. When the visitors find their beds, there are funeral clothes awaiting them. Cinnamon's are a simple shift dress with a white sash for the waist; Josie's are trousers and a tunic. Shane and Thorn find something similar to Josie's clothes. When Athala takes Thorn back to her home she assures him that he is doing quite well and she is pleased with him for coming back today, "I did not expect you to have to see a vigil or a funeral for decades yet, sweet man. They are usually quite rare. Aside from some... very particular things, we are quite hardy. No matter how ethereal we have been called." At mention of the boon, she laughs softly and says, "Yes, my dearling. I will take that burden from your shoulders. As essentially your liege, that would be quite meet."

Thorn smiles quietly to Athala, "I hadn't even imagined there was such a thing as funerals, my Lady. I am... glad, for want of a better word, to be able to be here for the ceremony." He smiles at her laugh, too, "Thank you, my Lady. I hope Jaeger will be amused more than offended!"

Athala shakes her head, sitting down on a chair in her bedroom and offering Thorn a brush to work on her hair before bed, "He will be fine with it, dearling."

It's a bit before sunup when the visitors are awakened and given basins of water and clean cloths. They are told it is a ceremonial cleansing and they need only lave their faces, hands, and feet; the walk to the glade will be barefoot. They are also all assured that the paths have been very carefully gone over to make sure there will be no hazards to vulnerable skin. Cinnamon nods gravely to the person bearing the basin and cloths, then turns to Josie -- they'd shared one of the rooms, after all. "Why don't you go first, and I'll go right after you, and that way I'll know I'm doing it right, please?"

Josie has changed to her lupine form as the clothes supplied for her were sized for that, "I've only been to one of these and I was a pup when I did."

Cinnamon smiles worriedly up at Josie, "Well, that's one more than I've been to!" She watches as Josie performs her ablutions, then carefully imitates them. After that she pulls on the white shift and ties the sash, then brushes her hair... then takes a deep breath, "Okay! Think I'm ready." Shyly she adds, "Think I'm going to stick close to you today, Jo, if that's all right?"

Josie nods, "Of course it's OK!" Cinnamon is also told that wearing her hair down is the normal way of things. Cinnamon nods -- she'd planned to do so. She sticks close to Josie as everyone gathers. As they leave the homes, the visitors and their hosts join a small river of people, with tributaries coming from all over the trod. To a being, they are dressed in pure white and barefoot. Those with long hair are wearing it loose, and no one is wearing any jewelry. It would seem that, despite the elven reputation for extravagance, this is a time to concentrate on those that have passed rather than on thoughts of one's own adornment.

Thorn spent much of the early evening brushing Athala's hair, a task in which he finds serene pleasure. In the morning he dresses and washes as required by the ceremony, and goes with Athala to join up with Shane, Cinnamon, and Josie. Cinnamon watches silently and shyly as she walks, smiling at Shane when he joins them. She wonders when Thorn and Athala will appear too- oh, there they are! She nods even more shyly to Thorn if he glances at her. Thorn sees Cinnamon and nods in return to her, smiling a very little bit -- encouragingly, he hopes. That makes Cinnamon smile a little in return.

Athala stays with Thorn and -- by extension -- the other visitors. Jaeger is nowhere to be seen. The only sounds in the early morning are the whispers of feet on the ground, breathing, and the susurrus of cloth brushing against skin and itself. As they walk, the very first birds of the morning waken and start to sing. The scent of the woods is very clean and clear. As they near the glade, the scent of burning wood joins that of green leaves and the scent of the deep layer of humus off the paths. The glade, when they reach it, is quite full... but people move subtly out of the way to let Athala and the others move in toward the center. Cinnamon's eyes widen slightly as she realizes they're going to be right up front! She takes a deep breath, sidling slightly closer to Josie, and does her best to remain calm and unflustered. Deep, slow breaths! No panic attacks today, please.

In the center of the glade is a fire. No. A pyre. It's a large construction of wood and herbs and there are small fires at the four corners. The bodies of the dead are laid out upon it -- or at least three of them are. Athala speaks so quietly as to be unnoticed by anyone other than the four visitors, "Symbolic simply because there were too many. The others will be laid on other pyres." It's impossible to tell anything about the three bodies, with them wrapped in the shrouds. They are all vaguely humanoid. Josie and Shane are both very quiet as well. However, both Cinnamon and Thorn spot a set of beads in one of the half-beansidhe's hands, and notice that Shane's breathing isn't simply even... it's measured.

Thorn is surprised that they're all being drawn to the center. He can understand Cinnamon and Josie as Council members, but he's at best an adopted member of the Trod. He stills his worry; this is supposed to be about those of the Trod who have died. He winces a little at Athala's explanation of why there are only three on the pyre. Cinnamon's eyes are a little wide, but she relaxes slightly at seeing the bodies are so well wrapped. She sighs unhappily when she reflects on how many died, though. She really has to figure out a better way to react in emergencies, she thinks.

After the people have finished arriving, there is a long moment of silence before Jaeger and another elven woman -- this one with hair that has a very slight tinge of auburn in the gold -- step forward. The two of them speak as one, intoning something in a language that sounds as if it's German, or at least very close. It doesn't seem to be call-and-response, though, because none of the other members of the trod respond verbally. It's easy to follow what's expected... because there isn't much. There is a point where everyone bows their heads and four people step out of the crowd. One is an elf, one is one of the creatures like Butler, one is a large being that looks as if his hair may be moss, and the last -- is hard to describe. It's as if it's hard to hold their form in one's mind.

As Jaeger and the woman speak the chant becomes more rhythmic in a way that makes it quite natural to sway with it. Cinnamon finds herself swaying easily soon thereafter, in the midst of the crowd. It's surprisingly comforting. The sun has begun to make itself known more clearly. There is a trick of the trod that means there is an almost ray-like touch of the sun on the tree at the center of the glade, illuminating a spiral carved high up on the trunk. The prayer -- if it is a prayer -- stops just perfectly in sync with that, and there's a murmur through the mourners. There are words, but it's not as if it's a prescribed response. Not everyone speaks, either. It seems a moment for people to simply... be. Shane murmurs something under his breath that sounds as if it might be Irish.

The four beings that stepped forward are each carrying a torch, and they touch them to the corners of the pyre, where there are mounds of shavings and kindling. It takes a moment for the shavings to catch, but then the flames start to crackle higher. The sweet herbs catch as well and the scents of them rise on the air as the flames grow. Everyone is still and quiet for several minutes, waiting to see that the pyre is catching well before Jaeger and the woman step forward, voices once again in synch. They say one more thing and people turn to start leaving. Athala speaks quietly, "They said go in peace and keep this in your heart."

Cinnamon whispers silently, half under her breath, "Go in peace... I will keep this in my heart." Internally she promises herself: she will find a way to be more useful in emergencies, darnit! Shane and Josie are both quiet. It's a bit uncharacteristic for Josie, but she doesn't seem upset... just thoughtful.

Thorn keeps his eyes open throughout this. The ceremony, though he doesn't recognize any of it, is soothing. And yet there's still something heart-wrenching about the culmination of the ceremony, when the torches are touched to the pyre and the flames rise and the herbs catch light. "Go in peace, and keep this in your heart," he whispers, almost more to himself... and he promises, he swears, that whomever is responsible for this will be brought into the light and to justice.

The little group leaves soon afterwards. The biggest problem they face, oddly enough, is clothing for Dmitry -- all he has is the borrowed clothing he's standing in, and his boots; the rest is all damaged and burned. Fortunately the elves simply gift Dmitry the clothing, and Cinnamon is able to get a padded jacket from the elves for him -- she's very touched that they gift it to her, in fact! Also, she thought to bring an extra helmet as well. Dmitry settles behind Thorn on the ATV without complaint, and if he notices how close and careful Shane is around him, he says nothing about it. The five hour drive back to Boston is initially quiet, but Josie's normal ebullience has them all cheerfully chatting and singing along with the music after a while. Shane has a hooded cloak and the little artifact ready once they reach Coblyn, as well.

The hostel isn't very private. Really, it's more a dormitory than anything else. There are some more private rooms, but those are reserved for young families with small children and Spice isn't about to displace one of them to get a little privacy. The signal at Cinnamon's place isn't great, but Spice can work with it in a limited way. After all, most of what she's doing is going to be command line and fiddling with code. She doesn't need to stream or do anything else that would strain the bandwidth too badly -- and if she does have to strain the bandwidth, she's gotten herself a room in a not-too-scary SRO near Coblyn that's next door to a somewhat-down-at-heel office building with tenants that know fuck-all about really securing their Wi-Fi.

The first time Shane brings Dmitry over to help Spice out, Josie volunteers to be his guard. She'd die rather than admit that it's really to spend more time around Cinnamon's new friend! The young wolf shifter also completely misses that Spice makes sure she's settled just as close to Josie as she can be without invading Josie's (almost non-existent) personal bubble. With a personal bubble so small, in fact, there's rather a lot of brushing of knee against knee or shoulder against, well, bicep. In wolf form, Josie is about a foot and a half taller than the diminutive hacker.

That first session Spice brought in a grocery bag full of energy drinks and salty snacks, only to be tutted at and having the snacks replaced with some of Uta's savory treats and some of the homemade elk jerky that Josie's father sends to her every couple of weeks: "Not as good as a fresh animal, but still better than the gross stuff in 7-Eleven!" Josie declares. Cinnamon just grins in sympathy as she sets down tea for them all -- her usual working treats have been replaced too!

Before even trying to get past firewalls Spice quizzes Dmitry about remote access to his work and any sort of security measures they use. The merc company's VPN is impressive and Spice is reluctantly forced to admit she quite admires whoever did the back-end work. "These fuckers are good!" she declares, before grinning and adding, "But I'm better!"

As she had warned them, it isn't fancy and pretty to watch. There are no impressive graphics and there are no Shadowrun-style mazes and nodes. It's largely done in black windows with green and white text. After a while Spice starts muttering about not having enough monitor space, and Josie steps outside and recruits a passerby as a messenger. Two hours later Shane arrives with two impressively large monitors, earning him a grin and a peck on the cheek which makes him laugh and pat Spice on the shoulder in return. Cinnamon watches wide-eyed -- she's so used to working on her small but powerful laptop that it had never occurred to her to ask work for better equipment! She makes a small, slightly timid note to herself: maybe... maybe she too could request a somewhat larger monitor?

After Shane leaves, Spice looks at Josie and says, "I like him. Even if he is a boy." Cinnamon giggles at that! The young hacker flashes a grin at Josie that makes the wolf-shifter duck her head -- and makes the inside of her ears almost glow red. Dmitry watches that with an almost indulgent smile. It never takes anyone long to figure out Josie is intelligent and friendly -- but that she also has a hard time recognizing subtle social signals.

When Josie brings Spice another plate of the savory herbed crackers from Uta's bakery, Spice absent-mindedly pats the other young woman on the thigh and thanks her, once again making Josie blush. Josie actually makes sure everyone in the house is fed and hydrated. Having a small 'pack' of people to take care of brings out the (literal) den mother in her nature. Cinnamon is both startled and deeply touched, the first time it happens! She's far too used to being the butt of people's jokes, so small kindnesses mean a huge amount to her! She waits until Josie isn't looking, though, to surreptitiously wipe away the happy tears which that first plate of goodies causes. Then she applies herself even more ferociously to her accounting job! She's determined to have her work schedule entirely cleared by the time Spice is done.

At the end of the first marathon session -- which lasts well into the wee hours with Spice turning on dark mode and putting on headphones to let Cinnamon sleep -- the young hacker yawns and mutters about not being able to make it back to the SRO without falling over asleep in a doorway. Cinnamon is quietly reading in bed still, and at that she gets up in her soft flannel nightie, patters over to the loft's handrail, and quietly calls down, "You can stay here, Spice and Josie, if you want. The sofa bed is a king-size so there'd be more than enough room for Josie in wolf form, after all! If you unfold it, there's sheets on it already, and there's blankets in the trunk table on the side... and you already know you both can help yourself to anything you need in the kitchen or the bathroom, right?" She smiles sleepily then, adding with a small yawn, "But if you decide to leave, I need to lock up after you. Let me know before I go back to bed, please?"

Spice grins up at her and says, "I'm going nowhere tonight... and probably not tomorrow." Josie gets tongue-tied at the suggestion of sharing the hide-a-bed with the pretty young woman, but Spice proves not at all shy about stripping down to her sports bra and men's boxer-briefs and climbing into bed with the werewolf! Nor does she seem upset when she wakes up with a quietly sleeping wolf-shifter having snuggled her close in the night. Josie herself tries stuttering an apology in the morning, only to get a kiss on her big, damp nose and a gentle poke in the shoulder, "You're nice. Like the world's biggest, snuggliest teddy bear. I'd share a bed with you any time." That provokes a stifled giggle from the kitchen, where Cinnamon is making breakfast for everyone!

Josie mutters something about liking to cuddle, then flees to the bathroom. Spice watches her go, then turns to Cinnamon, keeping her voice low, "She is queer, right? Or is my gaydar broken?" Cinnamon is almost as bright red as Josie, but grinning happily at her friend's embarrassed pleasure; she nods emphatically, "She is! Just... I think her human social skills aren't as good as her wolf ones, if that makes sense? Which I totally get 'cause I have the same problem with terrible social skills, so!" She thinks a moment as she lays out the tea set, then adds slowly, "Maybe... just be really, really blunt with her? In a nice way, you know? Does, um... does that make sense?"

Spice grins and ahhs, "I get it. I have a friend back home that has a t-shirt that says 'Hard of hearing, near-sighted, and oblivious. Please flirt aggressively.' She really is all those things and that shirt has gotten her more dates than you'd believe possible. And don't worry -- I'll be nice! I don't want to scare her off." Cinnamon beams and nods at that, delighted at how quickly Spice picks up on what Josie probably needs and wants!

During that second day of ferocious coding, Cinnamon takes the opportunity to step outside with Shane and check with him: he's billing the monitors to her, right? He's not paying for those himself? Shane grins at that, "You kidding? No way I can afford those things! I figured you'd be paying for them." Cinnamon sighs in relief, beaming at Shane and cheerfully agreeing.

About then, Spice steps outside to get a breath of fresh air; she laughs at that last comment, "Whether they know it or not, the merc company is paying for any equipment I need. Consider it an alternative revenue stream." Both Shane and Spice laugh; Cinnamon thinks about it worriedly for a few moments... but then realizes: the mercenary company has had people killed... without remorse! They can certainly pay, even if unwittingly, for the supernatural folk to effectively clean their own house of whomever would promote such cruelty and murder! After that Shane hugs both young women and takes his leave, explaining that he has work he's scheduled for the day, but assures them he'll be by later to retrieve Dmitry.

The next several days are a bit of a grind and a bit of blur. Shane escorts Dmitry over in the morning and leaves him with the three women. The former-mercenary seems quite relaxed and passive, helping out however he can when Spice doesn't need him.

When Josie asks him about it almost suspiciously, he chuckles and touches one of the burn marks, "This has made me think on things. I could have been left to die. I could have been killed outright. I was not. I was shown mercy. In Jaeger's house, I was fed well and given books. I spoke with some of the clerics of the trod and spent much time in meditation. I have been on the wrong path. It is time to find my way to the right one." That makes Cinnamon smile in quiet pleasure to herself, where she sits nearby in her office. Maybe talking does make a difference!

While the hacking itself is nothing like the stereotypical flashing graphics and fancy screens, Spice herself is very stereotypically hacker-ish. She goes through a lot of energy drinks and lots of energy-dense snacks. She has an alarm set on her phone every hour at the top of the hour. Unless she's doing a task that she can absolutely not pause in the midst of, she gets up at those times and takes a fifteen-minute break. During those breaks she sometimes just closes her eyes and does breathing exercises. Usually, however, she gets up and moves around, often going outside to walk up and down the block. On many of those excursions Josie goes with her. At first the wolf-shifter uses the excuse that it's safer for Spice. Eventually, however, it becomes clear that the two young women are just enjoying spending the time together. Shane usually stops by around lunchtime. Sometimes he brings food; sometimes he just checks in. He always makes sure to verify that everyone is OK, though. Most of the time, however, he's off doing Shane things until it comes time to escort Dmitry back to his apartment.

Some days are better than others. The first three days have pretty steady progress. On the fourth day, though, Spice swears a lot and is blocked at every turn. Eventually she declares herself too pissed off to continue and asks if anyone has a deck of cards. The rest of that day, until Shane returns, is spent playing spades, hearts, and matchstick poker.

Cinnamon doesn't know about this until the evening, however, since this is the day she's promised Iason to return to the infirmary and do their accounting. She's doing well with the accounting for her regular job -- there were only two clients she had to work on, and she'd started with the harder one and hammered through it. The simpler one she decides to leave until tomorrow... so she packs up some things, gives Josie and Spice a hug and waves to Dmitry, and then heads out. She trusts Josie to make sure all is well with her little house... and she's starting to trust Spice that way too, honestly.

Walking down the street with her full bag securely in front of herself, Cinnamon checks her errand list. First: stop by Marcus' place and see if her shirt and jeans are back yet... and maybe, if it's a good day, get to ask Marcus how the necklace felt to him? Next: head the other way down the street, towards the infirmary... and stop by Aisling's place. Cinnamon sighs -- she's got to apologize for tearing the lovely dress and ask if the sidhe might be able to repair it for her. If Aisling's not in a bad mood from that, though, perhaps Cinnamon will follow Shane's advice... and ask who Killian's heir is! Hmm... maybe she can find out where Jarek lives too, so she can ask the domovoy if he'd allow her to be the Council accountant -- that'd be a nice job to have!

Cinnamon muses thoughtfully after that -- does she want to go ask Llewellyn to set up an office at Currier's Hall for her? Or is this perhaps still a bit premature? She considers, then decides to wait on that. After all, to her knowledge no one has wanted or needed her official attention as a councilor yet. Once that happens things might be different, of course... but before that point? She grins sheepishly to herself, thinking that she doesn't need to be pointlessly pretentious! No, she'll skip that, and head directly to the infirmary, where she knows she can be useful -- and where hopefully Iason will be able to start teaching her Italian and Greek!

Cinnamon glances up at the large mansion and smiles thoughtfully -- wonder if Marcus knows what happened yet? She wonders too how he'll feel to hear his father is okay. She knows she'd be relieved were it her own dad... but not really excited, if that made sense -- mostly relief that the carping would be over. Marcus' door is answered, as it almost always is, by Butler. He gives Cinnamon the impression that he's asking what her visit is about. Not impolitely; just the sort of question one might expect from 18th-century aristocrats.

Cinnamon smiles at Butler, "Good morning! I was wondering if some clothing I accidentally left at the trod of the Elm had made it here yet. Also, if Marcus is not busy, I'd love to ask him a question, please?" Butler nods and ushers Cinnamon into the sitting room she's been in before. The impression she gets is that the clothes have arrived and he will bring them and let Marcus know she's waiting. Cinnamon thanks him politely! Oddly, she finds she rather likes him. He seems very... peaceful to her, if that makes sense. Admittedly, she knows he's also Marcus' bodyguard, but... if so, he's quite laid back about it!

Butler returns in perhaps fifteen minutes with the clothes. They have been cleaned and mended. The seamstress work makes it hard to tell there was any damage to start with. Perhaps surprisingly, there are two small pieces of embroidery -- one on the front right pocket of the jeans and the other on the left arm of the shirt. They're done in colors that match the fabric and are simple leaves. After all, the members of the trod seemed to dress simply and in colors that mirrored nature.

Cinnamon blinks at the beautiful repair work... then beams up at Butler, "My goodness, Butler, these are just gorgeous work -- you can't even tell there was a bullet hole in the shirt!" It hasn't yet registered how odd her life has gotten... that a comment like that is perfectly pragmatic. As she neatly refolds the two items she happily adds, "If you all here have easy communication with the trod, could you tell them please that I'm quite touched at their lovely work?" She pauses, studying one of the embroidered leaves -- then ooohs and looks back up at the fey, eyes wide, "Oh my gosh, are these elm leaves?! If so, I'm incredibly honored -- and you can certainly tell them that too, if you would!" Butler gives the impression that he's pleased that she's pleased, and they are indeed elm leaves. He also gives the impression that Marcus will be there soon. The elf apparently had some administrative work he was doing. The tall fey also lets Cinnamon know he will pass on the message of her pleasure. She beams, her eyes sparkling as she thanks the supernatural with genuine pleasure!

It's another fifteen minutes or more before Marcus arrives. He looks, as always, impeccable... but his face is solemn and he's wearing all white. It's still a suit, but it is white. He greets her quietly, "How can I help you, Cinnamon?"

Cinnamon looks up from her notebook, where she'd been busily working -- then smiles a bit sadly as she stands, "I see you've heard. I'm sorry we didn't see you at the vigils -- I would have liked to give you my condolences there. My question isn't drastic or anything; I just wanted to ask you how the necklace felt when you held it. I'm trying to understand what it does better."

Marcus nods, "I could not make it, but we held a vigil here. It is a sorrowful time. We do not die easily, so it is heartbreaking when someone does." He sits down across from her and says, "The necklace gifted to you by your grandfather?"

Cinnamon nods as she too reseats herself, "That one, yes. Also, I hope you also got the good news about your father?" She adds in explanation, "It doesn't make things all better, of course... but hopefully there's a little bit of happiness there too, I guess I mean?" She wonders just what exactly Marcus was told, actually... just that five people died, or the whole shebang? She's guessing he hasn't yet heard the whole story, considering how he's reacting to her. According to Shane, the elf women were all incredibly impressed by her, after all -- even though she'd not felt that impressive! A little guiltily, she hopes she didn't disappoint them too much or anything!

Marcus nods again. This is the most solemn she's ever seen his face, "I did. I thank you. I am working on a gift of gratitude to Thorn. We had despaired of his healing. Athala's man has performed a miracle." He reaches with one long-fingered hand to rub the center of his forehead, "It did not want me touching it. It is obviously yours. There is a heart of heat in it."

Cinnamon tilts her head consideringly... then says carefully, "It... was hot to the touch then?" She adds a bit confusedly, "Also, er... what are you thanking me for, please?"

Marcus' brows go up, "For protecting my trod?" Then he nods, "It left no red mark on my hand, but it felt like it was burning. It did not want me holding it. It's ancient. I could tell that."

"Oh!" Cinnamon blushes slightly, "I'm sorry! I don't mean to be dense, I just thought you were talking about Thorn at that point!" She smiles as she adds warmly, "I'm just really happy I was able to help!" She leans forward, gently patting whatever part of Marcus is closest -- knee or hand -- as she adds, "It's okay -- I would have helped no matter what. I'm just glad I had the idea to step out ahead of your father and Shane, and to suggest the healing creative visualization to Thorn." Rising to her feet, she adds, "But I've taken up enough of your day -- you've been quite thoughtful! I can see myself out." Heading for the door, she pauses there and smiles back at Marcus, "I hope things get better from this point forward, for you!" Then she's gone... just her voice floating back into the room, with the sound of the front door opening, "Why, thank you, Butler! You're very kind."

Marcus blinks as she leaves. The woman always seems to leave him wrong-footed somehow. He hadn't been aware that she'd had the idea of the visualization. He rubs his face with both hands, wondering just how everything has gotten so amazingly topsy-turvy since the arrival of the dragon and his cousin's mage -- and he's now uncomfortably reminded that he's going to have to thank Thorn in person. He shakes his head and sighs, muttering, "And everything was going so well!"

Cinnamon heads down the street, checking her notes. What's next? Aisling... oh, dear! Cinnamon hopes the beansidhe isn't too upset with her. Hmm... she pauses and picks up some lovely pastries too. Late morning pastries are always good guesting gifts, right? Fortunately the visit to Aisling is short but friendly. She laughs warmly at Cinnamon's apology, "I enjoy doing mending. It calms the mind and keeps the hands busy. In my youth all young ladies were taught needlecraft, especially those related to what passes for nobility in the trods. It was a welcome respite from some of the more mind-numbing things that had to be learned by rote." She hugs Cinnamon when the little dragon has to leave, adding, "We'll need to find you some permanent court clothes, I think."

Cinnamon shudders at that, then grins ruefully, "I'd really rather avoid all the formal courtly stuff, if I can figure out how... I mean, like, without humiliating myself in front of the various kings!" That makes her shudder again... so she hastily changes the subject, "Oh! Also, Shane said I should ask you: who's Killian's heir? Is he bound and determined to kill a whole bunch of folks too, or is it just Killian who's mad about it still? Oh! Also, can I get Jarek's address from you? I've been told that he's not wild about being the Council's accountant, and I love accounting, so I thought I'd offer! Er, treasurer, I mean?"

Aisling says, "Killian's heir is named Darragh, though his actual eldest child is a daughter." She rolls her eyes as if to say 'Patriarchy!' "Darragh is one hundred percent his sire's child. Should something happen to Killian, Darragh would follow right in those footsteps." She gives Cinnamon Jarek's address and smiles, "He'd very much enjoy not having to do that anymore."

Cinnamon sighs as she notes down the info on Killian, "Well, that's a bummer. Okay, so gotta watch out for him too, got it..." She beams excitedly as she hugs Aisling again, very pleased at the news regarding Jarek, and thanks the sidhe profusely for her assistance and patience! She also hands the little bag of pastries to Aisling in thanks as well... and then the young dragon is almost skipping on her way to the infirmary! Things are going pretty well today! It's lovely and sunny out, and it's not even lunchtime yet -- very auspicious, as the wizard in one of her favorite fantasy stories likes to say!

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

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