| Logs |
2020 June 12
| Goblin Town |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
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| Realms: Goblin Town Logs |
Hold Me Without Hurting Me
Cinnamon snaps irritably, "Oh, stop that! I am so sick of idiots with guns trying to throw their weight around!" She keeps her wings spread just in case, though, as she adds sharply to Daniella, "Do you really have so little control over your men that you can't get them to act like rational adults... in a hospital?!" By now Shane and Jaeger have come up on either side of the dragon... though to anyone that didn't know better, two men with swords might seem like a poor defense. Cinnamon glances down at the movement by her flanks... then brightens, "Oh! Hey, maybe if you two check them for weapons, we could let them come in to retrieve Killa?" She adds firmly, "But no guns!"
To Daniella's credit, she turns and snaps at her soldiers to lower their weapons, pointing out that Killa is in there and they don't want to harm him any more despite... something spoken in Spanish. Regardless, some of the bully boys (and girls) on the edges of the array try to shove forward again. Cinnamon growls irritatedly -- then snaps her jaws closed on the largest gun there. With a flick of her neck, she tosses the weapon -- and the shocked man clinging to it -- a short distance down the road. "There! Anyone else tries shoving in here, I'll... I'll flame your guns and ruin them! So just stop it!"
Daniella turns around and snaps at her troops again, "Guns down!"
Cinnamon adds firmly, "All the way down... like make a pile of them out there, please, okay?" By now Shane and Jaeger have moved forward to duck beneath Cinnamon's wings, so the bully boys can see them. Jaeger's face is stony; Shane's is thunderous. Iason has also arrived, arms crossed over his broad chest as he rumbles, "Do as she says. This is a hospital and I will not allow such weapons inside."
One of the bravos sneers, asking how they know they'll get their guns back if they lay them down -- how do they know this isn't an ambush by "el Monstruo"? He juts his chin at Cinnamon as he speaks, which causes her to blink at the man... then laugh! "Ambush? Don't be silly. I helped stop over 20 professional mercenaries who were ambushing us moments ago, and none of them could hurt me. Do you really think an over-hyped rabble like yourselves could do anything, if I were as hostile and uncooperative as you are?!" She smiles as she adds, "Iason is the doctor here, and it's his hospital. You dump the weapons or you don't come in," then adds firmly, "Also, I am a Welsh girl dragon... not a monster!"
Daniella too is ordering the bravos to drop their guns, and she's starting to sound exasperated with them. She turns to Shane and offers her sidearm to him; she's not carrying a rifle. Shane takes it with a nod and tucks it into the waist of his kilt at the small of his back, "I'll return it when you leave."
Cinnamon adds to the men, "A little faster, please? You're wasting folks' time if you don't dump the guns quickly."
Shane says, "I'll stay here and guard them, if you'd like. Or you can leave one of your men."
Cinnamon huffs, "Shane, you shouldn't have to guard the silly guns! They shouldn't have brought the stupid things in the first place!" She turns to the men, adding, "You can either leave someone to guard, or just leave the things there, okay?"
None of the men want to be left behind on gun guard duty, though. Instead they're pushing and shoving forward yet again -- to the point that Daniella snaps at them, "Drop the guns, you pendejos! Do you not know these people? Do it! Now!" Eventually, reluctantly, each bravo comes forward and lays his or her gun in a pile at the bottom of the steps leading up into the hall. Daniella rolls her eyes at the men, then sighs, "May I come in? Shane has my gun." Cinnamon glances at Shane inquiringly -- she's not letting any of them in until she gets the go-ahead from one of the men here that she trusts!
Back in the entryway, Sparrow snorts, "Apparently they're calling Cinnamon a monster, and Daniella's getting tired of 'em." He shakes his head and lowers his voice until only Thorn can really hear, "They push either of those women too far an' they'll get their asses handed to them."
"I guess the question is, then," Thorn says equally quietly, "who do they fear more?"
Sparrow grins again, "Oh, I think both of 'em are on the same side in this." He nods, "Here comes Daniella."
Shane nods to Cinnamon to let Daniella through. He leaves Jaeger with Iason and Cinnamon, and escorts Killa's second-in-command over to the snake-god. Cinnamon tilts her head curiously at the men, "Well? Do you want to come in or not, guys?"
One of the bravos says something sneeringly under his breath and a few more laugh at it in an ugly way, but they finish piling their guns up and start forward again. Iason and Jaeger both scowl; Iason says, "My rude Italian is a little rusty, but if you call anyone in here any of those names again, I will kick you back out." He stomps one massive rear hoof as he speaks, adding firmly, "This is a place of healing!"
Cinnamon glances at Iason... then simply keeps her wings spread, "Uh, nope! You all don't come in until you've been individually searched, guys." She adds to Jaeger and Iason, "Could I ask one of you to do the honors, please?"
Jaeger looks at the men, assesses their weaponry and the possibility of iron, and says, "I will send Shane back."
Cinnamon says apologetically, "Oh, right. I'm sorry, Jaeger -- I wasn't thinking."
Thorn remains quiet as Daniella comes through and beelines for Killa. "He's not conscious yet," the mage says to her as she comes up. "As near as we can tell, someone shoved burning white phosphorous down his throat, which is why you see the severe burn-through in places."
Daniella's dark face goes noticeably paler as she gets near Killa. She sinks to her knees next to him, putting a hand to her mouth, "This is worse even than when la dragón burned him!" She reaches a hand out to tenderly touch the serpentine head, then lays it gently on the heavy torso to assure herself that he's still breathing.
Thorn feels a little bit of sympathy for Daniella in that moment: it's clear Killa means... well... something to her. "It was worse before we healed him with magic," he says gently. "And if Cinnamon hadn't drawn out the white phosphorous flames from him, he'd... have burned to ash. There wouldn't be anything left of him. White phosphorous does not go out."
Daniella's eyes widen and she pales even further as Thorn explains this isn't just the results of quick triage and first aid. If they had to use magic to heal Killa... she raises her head, her voice quiet, "Then we owe her and whoever did the healing a blood debt." Her hand rests on Killa's side still as she tiredly adds, "I have seen what phosphorous can do."
Thorn is not sure what he likes less: a fae owing him a favor, or Killa's people owing him a blood debt. At least he knows he'll get the screwing over to end all screwing overs from the fae. They won't even necessarily set out to do the screwing over -- it'll just happen. Killa's folk, though... best to elide the issue for now. He nods quietly, "It's horrible stuff, but we think he'll heal in time." He looks around, trying to locate Iason. He thinks everyone who needs attention has been cared for, but he wants to make sure.
Jaeger trades places with Shane, and the half-beansidhe goes to start searching the bully boys before they can come inside. He makes them leave any guns and any knife with a blade longer than six inches. Those shorter knives he seems to consider what anyone else would be carrying; in truth, almost everyone already inside the building is carrying a knife of similar size. Cinnamon blinks when Shane passes the first utility knife through... but then realizes their ubiquity. Hmm... maybe she should get one too? She can't just change shape any time she wants to cut something, after all... though... how often does she need to cut things, actually? She quietly dips her wing for each person Shane passes through, tiredly pleased that they're finally starting to behave themselves.
One of the bravos sneers at Shane and tries to smack his hand away when Shane goes to search him. Shane looks up calmly at Cinnamon and says, "Don't let him pass."
Cinnamon nods energetically, "Definitely not!" To the man she says firmly, "You go back out, please."
The bravo starts to push past, saying basically that she can't tell him what to do. The issue is that he's trying to push past Shane as well as Cinnamon. There's an almost imperceptible shift in Shane's stance and the thug finds himself impacting with the doorframe, "She said you don't get to come in."
Cinnamon growls quietly, "If any of you jerks try that again? None of the rest of you are coming in. So just think about that for a moment, okay?"
The guy -- whose nose is now bleeding -- bares his teeth and starts toward Shane again, stance just screaming 'fight.' Luckily, one of his fellows pulls him back before he can screw things up for all of them. Cinnamon snarls as the man moves towards Shane... then quiets as the idiot is pulled back. There's low-voiced, sharp whispering and the guy grudgingly submits to the search. Shane finds a bandolier holding several throwing knives, which he takes off the man and loops across his own body, "They're good weapons. You'll get them back."
Cinnamon's voice is grim as she says, "One more of those outbursts, and I am so flaming all your guns! You boys behave yourselves!" She adds quietly to Shane, "You sure you want me to let him by?"
Shane nods, "He was protecting some custom weapons... and he told me this was all." He's trying to let her know subtly that he read the guy for truth. Cinnamon nods and lets the guy by once Shane's told her to. The next woman, however, sneers about not letting some gringo put his hands all over her and tries to shove past him. The problem is, Shane is always in her way no matter which direction she tries to shove.
Cinnamon sighs gustily and simply nudges the woman back with her broad reptilian nose, "Cut it out, you -- that is it. Don't you people learn?! I am totally flaming your guns now, you jerks!" She isn't particularly violent... but she does put some shove behind the motion. Shane stays calm as Cinnamon pushes the woman back. He also didn't react in anger to being called a gringo. After all, it's true: he is pale. Cinnamon adds to Shane, "Have we let enough through to cart Killa out, or are they going to need more? 'Cause these doodyheads are starting to annoy me!"
"Either submit to the search or don't go in. Simple as that." Shane's calm voice is implacable, and the woman snarls and makes what looks like the 'rock hand' gesture with her index and pinkie fingers up and her hand twisting side to side as she stomps off, grabbing her gun on the way. Shane grins up at Cinnamon, "There's only two of them left..."
Cinnamon nods, "Okay. Still gonna flame their guns if they're rude."
Iason also glances at Shane and says, "You aren't married, are you?"
Shane rolls his eyes and laughs, "As if I'd give a damn that any spouse of mine would have another lover."
Iason ahhs and nods, "Then that woman saying you're a cuckold has no real bite, eh?" The remaining two that get through are sullen about it, but they let Shane search them. It's as they're walking past and muttering to one another that Iason says, "I would not allow filthy language like that in the infirmary. But this is a battlefield."
Cinnamon glances at Iason, then shakes her head, "Yeah, I think I've had it with them too. Moment." She turns to Shane and asks, "Can you point out the guns that belong to the nastiest guys?" Shane chuckles, then goes through them with her -- he seems to remember whose weapons are whose. If he's asked, he'll point out that they've been personalized in various ways. When he's done, there's a small pile of weapons that belong to the ones that were assholes. Cinnamon thanks Shane, then stretches out her neck from where she's braced at the doorway. She takes a deep breath... and exhales flame all over the pile of guns!
After that Cinnamon turns to glare towards the people gathered around Killa, muttering, "Jerkfaces! Excuse me -- I want to go make sure they don't try abusing anyone else here..." With her crest, wings, and tail raised in annoyance, she pads determinedly over to loom over them all as she grimly inquires, "Are they all behaving themselves, Jaeger?"
Jaeger is still with Thorn and Daniella as Killa's bravos are moving the hugely wounded snake with gentle reverence onto a heavy canvas tarp they brought with them. It's going to take several of them to carefully carry him. The fae elder murmurs, "Yes, child. They're being respectful."
Cinnamon nods, calming down noticeably, "OK." She watches silently, since she suspects any offer to help would be misinterpreted.
Thorn looks up at Cinnamon as she arrives. "Daniella mentioned thanking you," he says, "and owing you a blood debt."
Daniella is supervising the moving of Killa; she keeps gently stroking his head when the big snake shifts painfully. She's talking quietly to him in a language that sounds... sort of like Spanish? -but not quite. She looks up when Thorn says her name and nods to Cinnamon, though at no point does she stop touching the anaconda, "We do owe you a blood debt. He says you drew out the phosphorous fire."
Cinnamon looks a bit puzzledly at Thorn -- then 'oh!'s at Daniella. She tilts her head thoughtfully as she regards the woman's obvious care for Killa, but replies with a smile, "Well, actually, I just did what Sparrow said -- it was his idea, and he taught me how to do it." Far too many times over the years of her life, she's seen people not getting credit for their wonderful ideas... so she tries her best to give credit where it is rightfully due. A bit uncertainly she adds, " But... I, um... really don't need blood? That's more... a vampire thing than a dragon one?"
Daniella smiles tiredly, "No. Not to give you blood. A life debt. He could have died. That would have been devastating to us and to his people. So we are in your debt. Deeply. I will also speak with Sparrow."
Cinnamon is silent for a long, thoughtful moment as she considers that... then she says cautiously and a bit hesitantly, "I... actually would rather you -- you and your people, I mean... be ni- er, be polite to folks here on Coblyn... rather than, um, feel that you're in my debt? Er... please?" She glances over her shoulder, then adds a bit sheepishly, "Also, um, fair warning? The, uh, your guys that were rude to Shane? They're... gonna be really peeved when they see their guns again..."
Daniella rolls her eyes at that and sighs, then snaps something at the bravos, a couple of whom look angry and then abashed. She looks back at Cinnamon, "They were warned. And if that is how you want your debt repaid -- politeness and kindness -- then that is how it will be repaid."
Cinnamon blinks startledly, her head rearing back, "Really?! Oh my gosh, Daniella, that would be awesome -- thank you! I just... well, I worry about people that aren't as sturdy as me, you know?" She beams delightedly, unwittingly baring an astonishing number of very sharp teeth, as she adds, "Thank you so much! Do you need any help moving Killa? I carried him in here, so I know I'm strong enough!"
Daniella looks at the people with the snake on the tarp, "No, I think we have him. It is our honor to carry him back to recuperate."
Cinnamon nods, carefully stepping out of the way and making sure her wings and tail are all curled up around herself and not about to trip anyone. "Okay! Thank you again... and I hope -- well, no: I'm sure he'll make a full recovery!" She glances around again, checking for Jalil or Moustapha or Dmitry. She's not as worried about Dmitry now she knows Sparrow saw him and said he was fine... but she is a bit concerned Moustapha might have escaped somehow. She was, after all, struggling to contain the mercenary platoon when he met his fiery end -- so she didn't see that. "Hm... Thorn? Have you seen Moustapha anywhere? Did he get captured okay?"
Jaeger smiles dryly, "Moustapha is gone for good, Cinnamon. Jalil took him."
Cinnamon can see Dmitry -- he's solemnly assisting Nikos with some of the minor cuts and abrasions, and actually being quite helpful. Jalil isn't in the room, though. Cinnamon is relieved to see Dmitry is not just fine, but also helping out -- she won't interrupt that! She says, "Oh, good! Er... where'd he take... him..." Her voice trails off, and she looks down at Jaeger and swallows hard. "Um... wait. Do you mean what I think you mean?"
Jaeger nods, face still solemn, "If you think I mean that Moustapha is dead, then yes."
Cinnamon winces slightly, then sighs, "Well... I guess that's justice for their culture?" She's silent a moment, then adds quietly, "We should ask Jalil if the poison nettle came from him, or from Killian, too, I think... right?" She glances back at Jaeger as she curiously asks, "Has Mou- er, excuse me: was Moustapha with Jalil when Jalil came here to be a councilor?"
Shane is at the door making sure all the weapons are returned... except the ones that are essentially slag. Jaeger has put his weapon away and is looking around the room with the instincts of a long-time warrior as he replies, "He was, yes. But he has come and gone during that time." He adds in explanation, "He served as runner and dogsbody."
Cinnamon waves politely as Daniella, Killa, and all the others of that gang depart... then turns and nods thoughtfully to Jaeger, "Then he could in fact have been connected to Branigan's death. I think once things have calmed down here, in a day or so, I'm going to ask to talk with the girl, Niamh."
Thorn blinks, "I'm sorry, as a... a what's-body?"
Cinnamon giggles at Thorn's question, "It's a term that means general go-fer, Thorn, if I understand it correctly?"
Jaeger looks at Thorn, "Dogsbody. Yes, gofer -- that's the modern term I've heard. He ran errands. Jalil can leave Coblyn fairly easily as long as he keeps the glasses on, but Moustapha could actually blend." He considers, then adds quietly, "I think the nettle would have come from Ireland."
Thorn looks significantly at Cinnamon. That's what Iason had told them, actually -- that they would be going to Ireland. The young dragon nods thoughtfully to Jaeger, "Okay. We should track it down, then -- it's vile stuff, and I'd like to see it all dead, like it was supposed to be." Then she raises her head up to about 20' and glances around slowly, checking the room to see if there's anyplace where she can lend a hand. She's also specifically searching for any of the elves, or Nasteexo -- she's very much hoping they all got out safely!
Jaeger nods, "I agree with you. We that are of the trods consider nature sacred, gut we also know that some parts of nature have evolved past their usefulness."
Nasteexo and their bodyguard aren't in the room, but several of the elves of various types are. Most of them seem very little hurt and many have turned their hands to the menial tasks that are important in a field hospital. The room is starting to thin out a little as people are cleared to go home or transported to the infirmary. Cinnamon sighs in relief at that! Then she hmms to herself, glancing around for Sparrow. He's got her house key... and if she can slip away somewhere for a moment and try changing back to human shape, then she can see if she's still got all her clothes or not! Wait. Change first -- key second! Cinnamon smiles at the folks around her, "So, um... I'll be right back, okay? Moment..." She walks carefully around the edge of the room so she can peek through the big double doors into the council chambers. If there's no one there right now, that might work to try changing?
In the council chambers Jalil is talking intently with Diarmaid and there are three petite Asian women carefully sweeping up a pile of ash into a delicate porcelain bowl. Whoops. Okay, not in there. She pulls her head back into the main foyer and looks around again for any doors that might lead to a private area -- doors that are big enough for her current size! Fortunately there is another, smaller meeting chamber. It's not got much furniture in it at the moment, but it's large enough -- barely -- for Cinnamon to fit in it. She sighs gustily... then grins to herself as she slo-oowly and carefully inches herself through the doorway and into the room. Being too big has been a problem for her for most of her life -- but it was always too wide, or fat... not too tall that was the issue! Cinnamon turns around enough that all of her tail and wings and head and neck are in the room -- goodness, this is cramped! Okay, now to change back. Um... how. Well... she frowns, closes her eyes, and thinks firmly to herself, [Be human again!] -- then... opens one eye and glances down at herself.
It takes a bit, but finally Cinnamon manages human form! Unfortunately... her clothes are not present. She squeaks in horror, and there's a small whump! of displaced air... and she's a dragon again. She sighs gustily, "Well... crab cakes. There goes another suit, darnit." She grumpily pushes some furniture to the side, then settles down like a sphynx again... a very grumpy one leaning its chin on one fist. How to make this work? Finally Cinnamon sighs and decides to try again... and this time she'll focus very carefully on envisioning herself with her clothing on -- as well as her glasses -- before she tries changing shape.
Okay... she's got this, darnit! She just has to focus... but unfortunately the first try is... not successful at all. Cinnamon gives a small, peeved hiss at herself as she flashes back into dragon form -- then closes her eyes and decides she'll try a nice calming exercise before she attempts the shapeshift again.
Out in the main foyer, Jaeger turns to Thorn, "You have earned your spurs today."
Thorn lets out a breath, "I feel like I've been handed a much bigger pair and told to put them on."
Jaeger's eyes glint with amusement as he says, "What do you think earning them means? 'You did good work. Here, have more work to do.'"
Thorn smiles wanly to Jaeger, "In that sense, then... thank you."
Jaeger chuckles and pats Thorn on the shoulder, "It is the way of things. You prove yourself competent and then you are given the work that goes with that competence."
Thorn nods, then looks around... then frowns, "I wonder what's up with Cinnamon? I'd better go check on her. I'll be right back." He feels a gnawing worry that Cinnamon was injured, didn't notice it, and is now bleeding out internally or succumbing to poison or something equally horrible.
Jaeger nods and looks around as well, "There are only a few rooms in the hall she can fit in -- either the council chambers or that one." He motions to the room in which Cinnamon actually sits.
Thorn nods, already heading for the room Cinnamon went gone into. He calls out ahead of himself, "Cinnamon? Are you all right?"
Cinnamon sighs as she hears Thorn, pausing in her attempts to change. She tilts her head so she can peer out the door and reply (somewhat morosely) to Thorn, "Yeah, I'm fine. Just trying to change back... darnit. Give me just a moment, please? Er, unless you need me dragon-sized for something right now?"
Thorn stops short. "Oh, changing -- sorry, I- er, I mean, right, changing back! I understand. Um... you changed pretty quickly into an actual, fire-breathing, spread-winged dragon....?" Out in the entryway, Jalil has arrived and is looking around at the carnage and damage. His jaw is set and he shakes his head in dismay.
Cinnamon scowls grumpily at herself as the third try is... clothes-less again, darnit! Back to a dragon... she tilts her head so she can see out the door again as she replies, "Yeah, but that was an emergency. Different thought process this time!" Hmf. She should be able to do this! Okay. This time for sure, darnit! She grits her teeth, squinches her eyes closed, changes, peeks cautiously at herself.. then whews! "Yay! Okay, got it!" She comes pattering out of the room in human form, pushing her glasses up and then patting down her skirt, "Sorry! Didn't mean to take so long. What's up, Thorn?" She waves shyly to Jalil as she spots him as well, then smiles inquiringly at Thorn.
Thorn blinks again, "Oh, sorry, I was... well, we were worried for a bit there -- that something had gone wrong. I'm glad it was a simple matter. Well... as simple as turning back into a human shape can be. I... honestly wouldn't know, heh."
Cinnamon grins wryly at Thorn, "Nono, nothing wrong... that focusing on my glasses and clothes didn't fix." Completely unaware of the potential innuendo of that statement, she adds, "I'd like to check on Hilde, Aisling, Nasteexo, and Marcus -- I want to apologize if they're upset at my yelling at Josie to get them all out. Want to come along? Also, do you know if Iason needs any more hands?" She wonders if Shane's available too -- she'd like to ask Jalil a question while Shane's observing, if so. She keeps pattering towards where people are still generally congregated around the remaining wounded, as she speaks.
Dmitry and Spice both see Cinnamon and Thorn and head that way. Both of them look concerned... or perhaps they're just still tense from the battle and its aftermath. Cinnamon waves, then smiles in relief when they're close enough, "Hi! Oh, good to see you're both okay! No injuries?" She glances around, adding, "How's Josie? She didn't get hit by any of the silver bullets, did she?"
Spice taps herself on the chest, "Got hit by some shrapnel, but the vest stopped it. Josie's fine. She's angry, but she's fine."
Cinnamon blinks in horror at Spice, "Oh my gosh, you got hurt?! Er, wait... what vest?" She winces, then adds in a small voice, "Is she... angry that I yelled at her to get out?"
Thorn realizes Cinnamon doesn't know about the nettle poison yet, so he updates her, "One of the reasons I went looking for you is that I was worried you'd gotten hit with one of the wooden bullets. They had the nettle poison in them."
Cinnamon blinks in horror again -- this time at Thorn, "Poisoned wooden bullets?! Oh my gosh -- I didn't sense those at all! Did you -- oh, golly! Were you able to stop the poisoning again?!" She wrings her hands in worry, clearly hoping the answer to that is a resounding yes!
Spice raps lightly on her chest, making a dull thudding noise against the kevlar, "Shane loaned me some kevlar. Had to cinch it in a lot, though. Dude's got a broad fuckin' chest, though he doesn't look like it. She's angry that people got hurt."
Thorn says a touch tiredly, "Yes, we were, fortunately! It's been... an eventful, uh, event."
Cinnamon blinks a bit bemusedly, nodding to Spice, then shaking her head worriedly to Thorn, then blinking again as her brain 'helpfully' -- and very distractingly! -- provides a nice, clear memory of Shane's chest. She blinks again, shaking her head sharply and taking a deep breath, "Okay, wait. So... you're all good, Josie's not mad at me, poison's all gone? ...okaaay... okay then! So... we're all good?"
Sparrow saunters over and snorts as he hears Thorn, "It's been a shit-show, is what it's been!" He's grinning, but Sparrow is almost always grinning. It's his default nature.
Cinnamon is just deeply relieved Dmitry was wearing a pendant that hid him well! She sighs and smiles ruefully at Sparrow, "It's, um... yeah, okay. Could I trouble you for my bag, please?" She wryly adds, "I need to get a new tablet, Spice, but once I have, we're going to have to call another meeting -- hopefully a lot calmer, though! -- and present all the information... finally."
Sparrow unslings the bag and hands it back over, still grinning, "I'd say private session for that... much as I love a little chaos, this was a little far over the line." Jalil is standing across the room with Iason, looking serious.
Cinnamon thanks Sparrow for taking care of her bag, slinging it over her shoulder again... then she glances around for Shane as she replies to Sparrow, "A private council meeting, you mean? Um... okay, I guess, if that's the right way to do it?"
Thorn nods, "I'd agree, just in case. I think most of the conspirators outed themselves tonight, but just in case there's still a few... and Niamh will need to be found, too."
Cinnamon smiles as she adds to Thorn, "Oh, she's already arrested and in Caradog's, um... prison? Dungeon? Something like that. I asked him to have her arrested right before the meeting began." She pauses, then asks, "Er... what other conspirators outed themselves, though?"
Sparrow grins, "Oh, hell, Niamh's already over in the palace -- probably glaring at Qadan. There's only like four cells down there. Two on a side."
Cinnamon brightens as she adds, "Oh! Also, something good came out of this, Sparrow, oddly enough!" She tells of Daniella's declaration of blood debt towards herself, Sparrow, and Thorn, then happily adds, "But I told her I'd rather Killa's people just be nicer and more polite to the folks on Coblyn, rather than owe me anything -- and she actually agreed!" She beams as she adds, "I was so surprised! But isn't that awesome?!"
Sparrow laughs aloud, throwing his head back! "Oh, darlin', you coulda asked for the world! -- and you ask for 'em to stop bein' bullies." He grins delightedly as he adds, "That's exactly you -- down t' th' bone!"
Cinnamon blinks startledly at Sparrow, "I, er... what? Uhmm... that's... good, yes?"
Thorn smiles, "I would say it is. It speaks well for your character!"
Cinnamon considers that for a moment... then smiles, "Well, I already have just about everything I want... and anything else I'd want, they can't give me, you know? So... why not make sure the folks that are weaker than they are, here on Coblyn, are safe from them? I mean... well, it made sense to me?" She grins and shrugs, then curiously asks, "So what are you two going to ask for?"
Sparrow is still grinning as he kisses Cinnamon on the cheek, "'Course it did. 'Course it did. Me? I ain't gonna ask for shit right now. I prefer to have a few favors in my back pocket."
Cinnamon nods a bit bemusedly -- then grins. She gets it! Sparrow's teasing her. That's okay! He's a good person, she knows -- he helped even the guy that hates him, when Killa needed it. She happily adds, "Let's go check with Iason and see if we can help!" Also, maybe Shane will turn up soon. She really does want to ask Jalil a question while Shane's watching.
Thorn blinks, "Uh... me? I'm not sure I want anything!" He hadn't thought of that. Mostly because he didn't want to think of it. He'd rather not owe anyone anything, really! He follows Cinnamon when she goes to check with Iason.
Sparrow pats Thorn on the shoulder, "Then keep it in your back pocket. Who knows when you might need a favor from a snake-god and his miniature army, huh?"
Thorn grimaces a little, "I guess it's safe enough to hold onto...."
Sparrow nods, "Yup. Hold onto it. I find that havin' people owe you favors keeps 'em real polite and friendly. Never know what you might ask for, do they?"
Shane has finished returning the guns; he's currently headed on an intercept course with Cinnamon, who beams and waves to him! When he's close enough, she stands on tiptoe to whisper, "Can you watch while I ask Jalil a question, please?"
Shane leans down to hear the whisper, then nods, "Of course I can."
Cinnamon beams in relief at Shane, "Thanks!" then continues heading for Iason and Jalil. She gives a small, shy wave as she approaches, waiting for them to finish whatever they're talking about before she says anything.
Iason raises his hand as she waves, calling over, "Cinnamon! I see you have returned to a humanoid form. Did you have any trouble with it?"
Cinnamon grins wryly, rolling her eyes as she replies, "No... it was the stupid clothes and glasses that were an issue! But I got 'em in the end!" Again, she's innocently clueless of the potential innuendo of her reply to Iason! She adds more gravely, "I didn't detect the wooden bullets with the poison in them, Iason. I'm sorry about that." She glances at Jalil, curiously asking, "Is that poison nettle something you have from, like, Moorish Spain, and Moustapha stole it? Or did it come to Moustapha from Niamh?"
Iason shakes his head, "Child, you know metals. I think these were meant to damage people that the metal might not have hurt."
Jalil turns and listens attentively -- and then his politely inquiring expression turns to a scowl, "I have no idea how that honorless son of a diseased dog got the horrible stuff." Shane watches intently and gives Cinnamon a nod when Jalil answers.
Cinnamon nods to Iason, "I quite agree! That's why I yelled at Josie to get Nasteexo and the elves all out -- there was iron and other hurtful stuff in the bullets, that I could tell!" At Jalil's reply she sighs in relief, taking one of his hands and beaming at him, "I'm so glad it wasn't you, even if by accident!" She blinks, realizing what she's doing, and hastily releases his hand again, "Er, sorry! Sorry, don't mean to be... rude or anything!"
However, before she can completely disengage, Jalil lays one of his hands over hers, "You are not rude. I am sad to discover one of mine caused the death of so respected a one as your father."
Cinnamon blinks startledly at Jalil... then unwittingly relaxes a bit, beaming at him, "Oh... thank you! That's so nice!" A moment later, slightly pink from her forwardness with the usually very dignified Jalil, she hastily changes the subject, "So, uh, Thorn! You -- you mentioned there were other folks who outed themselves? What was that all about, please?"
Jalil's smile answers Cinnamon's, "Well, he shall no longer vex you... or anyone." Then he looks at the others with Cinnamon, listening.
Thorn nods quietly, "I meant basically Moustapha and Qadan revealing themselves, what with all those mercenaries." Cinnamon nods ruefully at that!
Iason's face is almost thunderous, "Had Cinnamon not been there, it would have been much more deadly."
Cinnamon murmurs in a small, worried voice, "Well, I... I hope it didn't happen just because I called the meeting...?"
Thorn adds, "There were a few other people who sneaked out. They tried to go out the way the King had arrived... but they were intercepted when Diarmaid and the King's guards came."
Cinnamon takes a deep breath, straightening as she adds, "But... then I remind myself that Qadan was going to keep on killing folks until he got what he wanted... and I'm not responsible for that! I'm just glad I could help stop it all." She blinks at Thorn, "There were? Any idea who they were?"
Jalil mms and nods, "It would be good to question them. Further, I believe, had it not happened now, it would have happened sooner than later."
Thorn shakes his head, "I didn't get a good look before people started getting hurt. They knew what was coming, though -- they started moving right before the mercenaries came in."
Cinnamon smiles faintly at Jalil -- she finds that information oddly encouraging! Then she looks to Iason, "So... is there anything we can do to help, or should we get out of the way?" She's starting to flag a bit -- she's really tired! She also hasn't yet realized that she's practically one massive bruise. Fortunately her clothing is mostly hiding that fact.
Iason shakes his head, "No, we are almost done here. The infirmary beds will be full tonight, but mostly because I have ever been overcautious -- I want to watch some of the injured overnight. You have all been working for days. Get your rest."
Thorn, now that the 'excitement' has died down, is feeling the energy-depleting effects of all the healing he did that evening. He'll have to carefully gauge the use of his newfound healing abilities, and not overextend himself, next time. Besides, as Iason said, the body usually knows how to heal itself. Then he realizes he's mentally babbling at himself, and badly needs sleep. He nods wanly to Iason, "Rest sounds... very good. But please: if you need me, wake me? I... don't want anyone to suffer because I was sleeping." Now he knows he's babbling.
Cinnamon opens her mouth to object... but then realizes Iason is right: she's pooped! She sighs and smiles tiredly, "Okay. Thanks, Iason, Jalil." Glancing around, she thanks everyone there with her for their help and assistance, then heads for the door... well, plods, mostly. At the door she sighs and mutters amusedly to herself, "Okay, almost done... just gotta hike home... wait. Dmitry and Spice. Gotta be sure they've got a place to sleep... where's Shane..."
Shane is actually being a rather good border collie, meaning that he's rounding up the people that need to be rounded. Josie has appeared from somewhere and she peers at the wobbling Cinnamon. Without asking, she picks her friend up and cradles Cinnamon against her chest. Shane smiles, "I'm going to see Thorn home. You're all going the other direction. Dmitry will be with us."
Thorn says, "Thank you, Shane. And thank you too, Iason and Jaeger."
Cinnamon squeaks sleepily -- and, in all honesty, rather adorably -- when she's picked up... then just nods and smiles tiredly at Shane, "Thanks, dude... see you all tomorrow then..."
In the end, Shane and Dmitry get Thorn home safely, then catch up with and accompany Cinnamon, Spice, and Josie back to Cinnamon's little cottage. Josie is moving slowly since she's carrying Cinnamon in one arm, while Spice seems like she's ready to drop in her tracks. Josie uses this as an excuse to put one powerful arm around the diminutive hacker as well! In fact, Cinnamon is mostly asleep by the time Josie gets them all home. The two men leave the women safe at Cinnamon's cottage, and Shane promises to bring Dmitry back in the morning.
In a fit of being pack mum, Josie talks Cinnamon into cuddling with her and Spice. When Cinnamon shyly asks if she'd be in the way, and is told she definitely wouldn't be, the little dragon then asks if she can wear her favorite flannel nightie. Josie assures her that being comfy is the whole idea! The big wolf shifter half-curls around the two smaller women and lays her tail across Spice in the little nest of blankets and pillows and futons.
Cinnamon is so tired and ouchy by this point that she falls immediately asleep. It's not until the next morning that she sleepily decides: puppy piles are awesome! She had no idea touching folks was so nice. She can see why Spice and Josie like it so much, now! Of course, the minute she tries moving, Cinnamon also realizes: she took a real beating yesterday! She can't help the small grunt of pain that motion causes, though she hopes it didn't wake anyone. Wryly she wonders if it might be best not to look in the mirror again... then decides the heck with it! A nice, steaming hot shower will probably help her muscles a ton.
At the grunt of pain, one of Josie's eyes open and she makes a little whuffling sound of inquiry. When she gets a look at one of Cinnamon's arms, she opens both eyes and whuffs again, snuffling at her friend's arms. Apparently Josie is much more canine when just waking up. Cinnamon giggles in spite of herself, carefully raising one hand to gently ruffle the big wolf's ears as she whispers, "Don't wake Spice! I'm going to try getting up for a shower, okay?"
Josie blinks slowly and leans into the ruffling. Her sleepy voice is rumbling, "Need liniment. Can get some later."
Cinnamon says, "OK, um, good... 'cause I don't have any, sorry!" She's not sure if Josie means that for herself, or for the big wolf... but either way is fine. Right now the difficulty is getting up -- good golly, everything hurts today! Cinnamon struggles slowly out of the low bed, almost rolling herself out since that uses fewer muscles... then half groans and half sighs as she limps equally slowly towards the bathroom. "Thank goodness there's a really big water heater...!"
Josie watches Cinnamon sleepily until her friend disappears into the bathroom of the cottage. It takes effort, but she remembers just in time that human manners are different than lupine ones -- she shouldn't scoop her friend up and carry Cinnamon in to put her in a bath! Josie then disentangles herself from the exhausted Spice and goes next door for muffins and croissants and scones. The wolf-shifter brings back all the lovely baked goods and gets out eggs and bacon and juice.
Back in the cottage, Cinnamon manages to get herself into the shower... then almost melts in a groaning heap of achy relief as the steaming hot water massages her painful body. She can't remember being this bad off ever... even the horseback riding was mostly just her sore bottom and aching legs! She comes out much later, looking slightly the less worse for wear... though it's a good thing her thick terrycloth robe hides most of her body. She was somewhat startled at just how extensive the bruising was!
By the time Cinnamon is done with her shower there's breakfast waiting, and Shane and Dmitry have shown up. She sighs with tired pleasure, "Oh, good -- food, and the guys are here!" She settles down with everyone else... and devours her breakfast! She's a bit startled again when she realizes just how much she's eating, though -- apparently dragons need a lot of food to heal up? Or... well, maybe it's just her? She's not sure how to ask without embarrassing herself.
Shane watches the stiff way Cinnamon walks with narrowed eyes, "You sure you're up to going anywhere at all today?"
Josie rumbles, "She's gonna need liniment. I can smell the hurt. But she'll be better quick. Liam almost broke a wing once and was better in a week."
Cinnamon blinks startledly at Josie, swallowing her eggs before she asks, "Gosh, how did he almost break a wing?! Did he hit a wall or something?" She smiles at Shane as she adds, "If I just lie around I'll just hurt more. Moving around carefully hurts less, oddly. Er..." she looks around a bit self-consciously, "or... at least, that's how it works for me...?"
Shane grins, "No, not just you. It's how things work. But I mean, sometimes people want to do the achy hobbling at home."
Josie stops in her nomfing of her eggs to say, "Dunno. He said something about falling badly and he wore a sling for like four days."
Cinnamon blinks as her gaze flicks between Josie and Shane... then her eyes widen, "Falling?! So dragons can fly! It's not just a myth -- how cool!" She beams, "How exciting -- I can't wait until I can learn how to do that too!" She laughs happily, then turns to Shane, "Well, as long as folks don't mind my walking really slow, I want to be sure that Spice and Dmitry both get registered as citizens of Coblyn Street enclave today. I don't want anyone thinking they can be pushed around or anything without consequence, you know?" Turning to Dmitry, she adds, "You may probably want to think up an alias to use too, Dmitry, ok?" She adds hopefully to Josie, "Also, I was wondering if you'd be willing to come along? Just in case?"
Dmitry smiles at Cinnamon, "Oh, I am quite good with aliases, lady." Cinnamon grins cheerfully at Dmitry, "Cool!" It clearly hasn't quite registered to her what he means.
Josie nods between more bites of egg, "Uh-huh. I think he hit an unexpected down-draft or something."
Shane also nods, "I saw Liam fly once or twice. It was cool as f... very cool."
Spice tips her head and looks at Cinnamon, "I mean... you've got wings? Why the fuck wouldn't you be able to fly? You're not a penguin. I saw your wingspan."
Cinnamon laughs out loud at Spice's comment! She's still giggling as she tucks her hands under her arms, imitating penguin flippers as she sways side to side as if waddling, "You don't see me in a tux?!"
Shane grins, "You'd look good in a tux. Hell, even I look respectable in a tux."
Josie nods, "Tuxes look good on everybody... long as they're fitted right."
Cinnamon laughs again, shaking her head, "Oh, Shane, you look perfectly respectable in a kilt too, you know!" She's surprisingly happy, she realizes! Yes, very bad things happened yesterday... and she still has to go give her condolences to the family of the poor sidhe that died... but lots of people are alive and happy today that maybe wouldn't have been if she'd not been there! It's a happy-sobering thought... though she can't help wondering if they'd all still be alive if she'd not called the emergency meet- no, wait. Qadan was absolutely going to attack the Council at one point or another! No, she did do the right thing -- she was there and knew who to look at first. She nods in a mix of satisfaction and relief to herself: she did do good yesterday!
Shane grins at the compliment about the kilt, "Oh, good. I don't look like a disreputable vagabond." He says this as if someone has used it to describe him before. He gets up and starts doing the cleanup of dishes and such, shooing anyone away that tries to help.
Cinnamon grins at a sudden thought, "Hey, peeps? That Ethiopian place -- the restaurant? Is it actually good food? I was thinking maybe we could do lunch there after we're done with our errands here, if so -- my treat?" She beams around at... wow, they really are all friends of hers! Not trying to get to Candi, not trying to use her -- they all stood with her when the, er... when it got messy around the fan! "We could maybe start putting happy memories on that place instead of sad ones, too?"
Shane grins, "It's fantastic food. You have to like curries and so forth, and the bread is like tasty ACE bandages."
Cinnamon continues, "-and I did kind of promise Spice and Josie that I'd bring some take-out from there..." Her voice trails off as she listens to Shane with interest, then puzzledly replies, "I, um... don't know? I've never tried curries! Or... ACE bandages? Really?!" She giggles, then gets a mischievous grin, "Oh! Wait, wait, I know! It was Marcus who thought you were disreputable, right? Am I right?!"
Shane grins, "Surprisingly, no. He knows beansidhe and gealsidhe and knows that what I wear is essentially soldier's garb."
Josie leans to tell Cinnamon, "It was one of Caradog's visitors, I think."
Cinnamon blinks in surprise, "Huh! I would not have guessed that." Tilting her head thoughtfully, she adds, "I wonder why?" A moment later she shakes her head amusedly, "Poor Marcus. I don't think my calling the meeting reassured him any... I wonder if he thought it was an attempt to 'steal' his power or something?" She even uses the finger quotes -- but then grins, "But you know what? Enough of grumpy people! Let's go have a lovely day, shall we?"
The rest of breakfast is convivial. There's not anything left other than crumbs by the time everyone's ready to go. Spice even takes a shower and puts on clean jeans and a button-down shirt, and it doesn't take long for them all to be on the way back down the road again toward Currier's Hall. On the way, Cinnamon checks first with Spice and Dmitry: do they both have enough money to be comfortable, and would they like to open an account at the Coblyn bank too? She also tries to walk as fast as she can easily manage, as well -- she doesn't want poor Josie to be driven mad by how slow Cinnamon is!
Everyone else -- without consulting one another on it -- quietly keeps to a slower pace. After all, Spice is short -- if also spry -- and Dmitry too is still healing from wounds. Josie doesn't seem at all put out by this, either... perhaps because she's distracted by talking with Spice, who makes a vague waving motion in reply to Cinnamon's query, "I have some income from some freelance work." Dmitry's answer is that he has some funds stashed away here and there.
Cinnamon nods, "OK, I just wanted to check and be sure so I didn't worry about you all! I'd recommend putting at least a little bit into the bank here, then, so you can purchase stuff if you want?" She adds with stern firmness, "And you both would tell me if you had any problems, right?!" She has no idea how diminutively maternal she seems when she does that!
Spice snorts, "Believe me, I'm not one for false pride. If I need help, I ask for it."
Dmitry nods gravely, "Yes, lady; I would say."
Cinnamon nods in relief, "Awesome. Thanks, you two!" She checks her to-do list as well, chatting with the others as she goes, "So, let's see... I still want to find out who provided the nettle -- was it truly Killian? I'm curious too about the folks you said you and Thorn saw sneaking out the back way, Shane!" She considers her notes, then adds thoughtfully, "At some point too, Shane, I'd really like to talk to you and Jaeger and Caradog... before we go visit Holly." She wryly adds, "I should likely check in on Nasteexo and all the elves too. I hope they weren't offended that I yelled for them all to get out!"
The entryway of Currier's Hall is still being cleaned by quiet people... and it looks like some of the stains are surely going to be permanent. Cinnamon falls silent as she walks into the Hall, looking around thoughtfully. Being a huge dragon gives a very different perspective! She's just glad she was able to help as much as she could. She follows Josie up the stairs, thinking, [Ugh, stairs stink when you're achy!] but uses the banister a lot for support... and eventually makes it just fine. She sighs, not quite panting... then continues on into Llewellyn's office, "Here we are! Llewellyn, we have some lovely new folks for you to register, please?" She wonders idly, as she catches her breath, what the folks of Coblyn Street think of her now. She hopes they think at least a little well of her? ...though she supposes she could understand if they linked her with the recent disaster. She sighs quietly -- that'd be disappointing, but... well, par for the course in her life, perhaps?
Llewellyn seems just like Llewellyn normally is -- that is to say, harried and scowling and untouched by anything outside his ledger-filled office. He looks around the room, eyes moving between Spice and Dmitry, "Two of them, I see."
Cinnamon nods and waves them forward, "Yeppers! Spice, do you want to go first?" That, she figures, will give Dmitry time to have a new name in mind.
Spice looks around the room and grins, "This is sorta like what I imagine a hacker's brain looks like." She nods to Cinnamon and walks up to Llewellyn. When the requirements are explained to her, she immediately says her name will be Spice, no surname. The sigil she sketches is a rectangle with a flame atop. The rectangle has what looks like cracks in it. She hands over the hair and grins as Llew declares her officially registered.
Cinnamon watches with interest, waiting until the ritual is done to whisper to Spice, "What's the symbol signify, Spice? If it's not rude to ask, I mean?" She grins as she adds, "It... almost looks like a stylized Tower from a tarot deck?"
Spice grins wickedly, "It's a cracked firewall."
Cinnamon thinks about that for a moment... then giggles! "Oh, I like it!" She watches Dmitry closely too -- she's curious as to what name they'll be using from now on for him, after all.
Dmitry tells Llewellyn that his name is Veles Dracov, and his sigil is a gracefully sketched ouroboros. He plucks his hair and hands it to Llew solemnly, then asks, "Is there a way to indicate you are associated with another citizen?"
Cinnamon brightens at that, "Oh! If that's important or helpful, I'd like to know too, please?"
Llewellyn hrmms, "Well, you can register a household affiliation. You do not have to live in the household. It is simply a way to link aggregated families rather than blood-bound ones."
Cinnamon beams, "Awesome! How do you do that, please? Er -- sorry. After he's done first, of course!"
Llewellyn murmurs his little cantrip and tucks away the envelope with the hair and the sigil sketched on it, then replies, "The head of the household would register the household name and the sigil for the household. It works something like an additional surname."
Shane speaks up, "My name here is Shane Collins Rowantrod. Just like Aisling's name is Aisling O'Shea Rowantrod."
Cinnamon nods interestedly, "So... what if you're not a trod, though? How would that be registered?"
Llewellyn replies, "Then you would decide your household name, register it as a household, and the members would be listed under it. The trods just name themselves that way because it's simple."
Cinnamon nods thoughtfully... then glances at Spice and Dmi- er... Veles, she thinks? "In that case, I'll ask you both: what would you like? I don't want either of you to feel at all pressured, after all." She suspects Veles will politely decline, considering he's already affiliated with a dragon... but Spice might like it?
Veles' voice is solemn, "Lady, if you will have me, I would be honored to be considered of your household."
Spice gently pokes Cinnamon on an unbruised part, "Why the fuck wouldn't I be part of your household? You ashamed of me?" There's teasing in her eyes as she asks.
Cinnamon blinks in surprise at Veles -- then eeps! at being poked. She giggles even as she has to blink a few more times to clear her vision... she's both really touched, and a bit tear-y! A swallow or two later, and she says huskily, "I... wow, you guys, I d-don't know what to s-say..." She blinks repeatedly again, holding her arms out to hug them both! Wow... they really do like her! Spice and Veles both hug back softly, knowing Cinnamon hurts. Shane is leaning against the wall and smiling, while Josie's happy wagging is threatening some of Llewellyn's ledgers! Cinnamon sniffles a bit, then beams at both her new friends, "W-wow, I -- I actually have family that really likes me now! You d-don't know what this means to me -- but thank you both so much!"
It's Shane that speaks up, "It means your family isn't going to make me have a headache just talking to them. Your sister is the biggest walking lie I've ever met!"
Cinnamon can't help giggling again at Shane's comment, even as she's surreptitiously wiping her eyes. This must be the biggest smile she's ever had on her face! She beams up at Spice and Veles, "Okay, so... so I'm Cinnamon O'Donnell here. Do you want to be O'Donnell too, or would you rather we thought up another family name?" The sincere joy she's feeling welling up inside herself is, curiously enough, reflected in her outward self as well: though she doesn't know it, she looks wonderfully, attractively happy right now! Shane smiles a little to himself. Cinnamon has always seemed to think herself plain. He thinks, though, if she could see her own face when she's beaming, she might reconsider.
Josie tilts her head, "Why not pick a different household name? I mean, like Shane. Rowantrod is a second surname."
Spice thinks for a second and says, "Why not something like... Elgan? Means Bright Circle."
Cinnamon pushes her glasses up, curiously asking, "What language is that, Spice?" She grins as she guesses, "Welsh?" At the nod, she thinks for a moment, framing the words in her mind: Cinnamon O'Donnell Elgan. Hmm... her sunny smile bursts forth again, "I like it! That's awesome, Spice!" She turns eagerly to Llewellyn, adding, "So how do we register a household name, please?"
Llewellyn says, "You'll need a household sigil -- it's more complex that a personal one -- and each member will pledge in with a drop of blood."
Cinnamon hmms... then pulls out her notebook and flips to a clean page. She thinks a moment... then draws a circle with some of the surrounding flames of her sun sigil. A graceful swirl extending across the circle is reminiscent of the curve of a draconic body... and then she tilts her head inquiringly at her two new household members, "What do you think? Should I add more, or what?" She grins as she adds, "Like... maybe the upright rectangle, or a more snake-like look to the swirl?"
Spice looks at the page, then says thoughtfully, "Maybe? Let's do some heraldry research?"
Cinnamon nods inquiringly to Spice, "Should we wait, then? You'd prefer to do this later?"
Spice grins, "Hey, up to you, boss lady."
Llewellyn clears his throat, "They are most often colored as well as drawn."
Cinnamon blinks thoughtfully at Llewellyn... then nods firmly, "We'll be back later, Llew, okay? We want to be sure we do this right!" She smiles with quiet delight at her friends as she adds, "But we can start working on the Elgan crest right away!"
Llewellyn nods gravely, "Of course. Do not rush into it. It needn't be something you can sketch. This is more something you would have put on stationery."
Spice pipes up, "Or have a patch created." Veles smiles in agreement. His smile is always going to be a little twisted from the burn scars, but no one on Coblyn has seemed to mind. Cinnamon beams as she nods to both speakers, feeling sort of warmly overwhelmed. This is so amazing to her! To have two really nice people have such faith in her... she's never had that kind of support and affirmation in her life before. It leaves her almost speechless with happiness!
Cinnamon had earlier sent a message to Thorn, inviting him to join them all at the Ethiopian place for lunch. As they all seat themselves at the restaurant a short while later, she looks around with great pleasure. Here she is -- with friends! -and new family too! -- about to enjoy a delicious meal with them all. Oh! She's going to try new flavors as well! Life has never been so good. Hopefully soon the issue of Branigan's death will be resolved too... and then everyone will be happier along with her!
Thorn is a little surprised at the invitation to the Ethiopian place, considering that's where they saw Moustapha meet with Niamh. Still, he can hardly fault the place -- the food is good there -- and he's not going to say 'no' to Cinnamon! It'd be rude. So he gladly goes to the meal, and is happy to hear Cinnamon's reasoning for having it there: to make it a place of better memories. As they all discover or already know, Ethiopian food is meant to be eaten family-style, so it's a good way to break bread together... even if the bread served really is a lovely and spongy creation that tastes -- as Shane said -- like very tasty ACE bandages.
Cinnamon chats happily with her dear friends, and makes plans with them: got to design the new family symbol! Got to talk to Caradog re hearing what Qadan and Niamh say, and to find out about the other conspirators. Got to talk to Jaeger, Caradog, and... she checks with Shane: "Shane, if I want to invite representatives from here and the trods of Elm and Rowan to come with me to talk to Holly... should I talk with you or Aisling or... both of you? Someone else?"
Shane pauses in his cheerful scooping up of a curried lentil dish, "Well, you've asked me, I'll ask Aisling, and she'll probably tell me off to do it because she hates air travel -- as does every other sidhe I know. They try to break it up into short legs with long layovers."
Cinnamon smiles ruefully, "Good point -- I should have thought of that. Okay! Should I just let you know when Caradog has agreed to see us?"
Shane smiles and nods, "Jaeger would be the one to ask about a representative of Elm. He may well be the representative."
Cinnamon pushes her glasses up, looking surprised, "Really? Wow, he feels that strongly about it, that he'd go in a plane?" She pauses, considering... then tilts her head, "Well, they did try to murder both he and his whole trod. Okay, that was just me being silly there... sorry!"
Josie adds, "Plus he's older; a little stronger. Marcus would be sick for days if he tried a trans-Atlantic flight."
Cinnamon nods slowly as she considers... then grins a bit shyly, "Hey, um... how do you all feel about maybe... taking a few days off after the talks with Holly are all done... and maybe visiting, um, Wales for a bit?"
Veles smiles his crooked smile, "I think it would be lovely. I have been there. The people are wonderful and the country is beautiful."
Cinnamon brightens, "Really?! Oh, awesome, yay!"
Thorn considers for a moment, then nods, "If I'll be going to Holly with you, then I'd love to go to Wales with you."
Spice grins, "My folks would be totally excited to hear I was visiting. I can even polish up some of my rusty Welsh! Nana used to speak it fluently."
Cinnamon beams again, "Thank you all -- it'll mean a lot more to me to be there with friends!"
Josie nods and says, "Of course we're going. I know it's hard to hurt you, but I'm not letting you lot go wandering off into a forest alone." Shane grins and doesn't mention the fact that he actually lived in the trod for a while.
Veles leans toward Thorn and says quietly, "I am glad you will come. This sounds as if there might be need of a healer at some point."
Thorn makes a quiet sound, nodding to Veles, "I have a feeling that might be the case. Hopefully not, but if so, I hope I'm up for it."
Cinnamon chats happily for a bit with her friends, making notes on what she'll need to do for a trip to both Ireland and Wales. After a while, though, she gets a thoughtful look... then does a bit of research on her cell before she looks up at Shane, "So... do flowers have meaning to sidhe, Shane? Like... if I wanted to express condolences to the family of the sidhe who was killed yesterday, would giving them a bouquet of dark crimson mourning roses mean that to them? Or is there some other way one properly expresses that for sidhe?"
Shane hmms, "A lot of Coblyn-folk speak the language of flowers, and most of them are savvy enough to understand the condolences of one culture being different, and take them as they're meant."
Cinnamon nods thoughtfully, "Okay, good. There's got to be a florist on Coblyn somewhere too, right? Oh! Also, do you happen to know the address of the bereaved family?"
Shane mms, "There are several people that grow and sell flowers. Different than florists out here. More... My Fair Lady. As for the address, I can find it out. If I remember correctly, he lives... lived... with a cousin."
Cinnamon nods, "Yes, please! I'd like to give my condolences to the poor cousin, and make sure they're okay." She sighs and smiles ruefully, adding, "I should probably stop and apologize to Nasteexo, Hilde, Marcus, and Aisling too -- I bet they got hauled rather unceremoniously out of the room!" She pauses, then adds, "Um... does Nasteexo even live on Coblyn?"
Josie snorts in amusement, "Yup. They're going to be real upset that they weren't the way of a hail of steel bullets -- or poisoned wooden ones!" She grins, adding, "Nasteexo actually stays somewhere off Coblyn. I think they sort of hover around the places their people live in the city."
Cinnamon grins shyly at Josie, "Well, it... I thought it might be... polite?"
Shane chuckles and shakes his head, "I suspect you'll be getting thanks from them rather than you having to apologize."
When the meal concludes, Cinnamon agrees with Shane that some of the food was quite spicy! However, on the whole she very much enjoyed trying the new cuisine. She cheerfully pays for everyone as promised, and then they all head back to Coblyn... where -- once Shane gets the address for her -- Cinnamon sends a messenger zipping off to the florist Shane recommends, asking for a bouquet of mourning roses to be sent to the cousin of the deceased, along with a card where she asks the cousin to please come visit her if there's anything she might do to help. Once she finds out that Nasteexo checks for messages at the pub, Cinnamon also leaves a nice note there as well, checking to be sure the lwa was able to get out safely with their translator... and thanking them again for their kindness to her. She also sends a messenger to Caradog's mansion, with a nicely written note requesting an audience with him for herself, Jaeger, and Shane -- sometime in the near future, please, before Jaeger returns to the trod of the Elm? Finally, she decides to visit the Elm mansion at some point soon, so she can talk to both Marcus and Jaeger.
As the little group is strolling along the street, Cinnamon spots Hilde and Aisling -- so she stops to talk to them and make sure they're okay too. As Shane anticipated, Hilde and Aisling both tell Cinnamon that she shouldn't apologize for making sure their lives were saved. Aisling smiles, "I am not and never have been a warrior. Nor do I wish to be one. I will let an actual warrior save my bacon any day." Hilde grins and nods, "I'm not bulletproof. Thank you for making sure I stayed unperforated!"
Cinnamon is incredibly relieved! She hugs both elves warmly, thanking them for not being upset with her... then shyly adds, "Well, I'm not really... um, not much of a warrior, Aisling... sorry? More like... maybe a wall, sort of? Uh, and I noticed, Hilde, that you seemed to be... well, kind of fighting against Josie grabbing you and getting you out, so... I thought maybe I should check, you know?"
Aisling and Hilde both smile at that. It's the elder of the two women who says, "Being angry and wanting to smack someone that's been killing people you liked or loved is a heat of the moment thing. Having someone with a cooler head make sure you aren't murdered yourself is something to be thankful for."
Cinnamon blushes slightly as she thanks them both again for understanding, then confesses, "I'm not really sure I was cooler... so much as scared to death that one of my friends might be killed!" Wryly she adds, "Probably a good thing, for example, that I didn't see Spice leaping into the fray, you know? I didn't know she was in a vest at the time!" She laughs and hugs Spice, who snorts in amusement -- then turns and hugs the other two women as well -- Cinnamon is still internally amazed at how nice touch seems to be! After that, though, she adds, "You know what? I still have to go talk to Jaeger -- oh! Aisling, ask Shane about being a representative for Rowan to Holly, please? Er... right -- still got to talk to Jaeger. So... peeps, why don't you all go on ahead and I'll rejoin you in a bit? Is that okay?"
Aisling laughs warmly, "You may not have been cool-headed, but Miss Josie was firm and solid about you being right... and who wants to argue with a wolf almost half-again your height?" She's exaggerating, of course; Aisling is probably 5'10". Cinnamon giggles, and Aisling also laughs, nodding, "I will designate Shane to be my proxy. I am not getting back on a plane for another decade at least."
Cinnamon grins and allows that she's fine with that -- and many thanks! The rest of the little party joins with Hilde and Aisling as Cinnamon peels off. She waves as she heads off, pattering up to the big mansion soon thereafter. She'll check with Jaeger to see who he wants to have represent Elm... and then she can set up the appointment for them all with Caradog. Excellent! As she rings the peculiar doorbell, she happily decides that things are moving along nicely.
It's Butler that answers the door, with his usual air of politely asking Cinnamon's business. The young dragon beams up at the tree-man, "Good afternoon, Mr. Butler! May I speak with Jaeger, please?" Butler steps out of the door and makes a 'come in' motion, then leads her to the sitting room she's been in a couple of times by now -- it seems to be the receiving room. Cinnamon thanks him, then seats herself and pulls out her little notebook -- she knows it may be a bit, so she might as well use the time productively!
It's only a couple of minutes after Butler has left that the front door opens and Marcus walks through the entryway. He pauses, more sensing than seeing Cinnamon at first. Then he turns, his overcoat over his arm as he looks into the receiving room, "Hello."
Cinnamon is comfortably seated on one end of a cushy settee, one foot tucked neatly up under her. Her notebook is in her lap, and she'd been scribbling notes to herself... though she paused in order to speak momentarily with Marcus, glancing up and smiling, "Marcus? Hi, how're you doing? Oh, are you heading out? I won't keep you, then."
Marcus smiles. It is -- perhaps for the first time in Cinnamon's acquaintance with him -- an expression with actual depth in it... perhaps due to his being tired, "Oh, just the opposite; I am just getting in. I've been to find a courier to send word to the trod about what's happened."
Cinnamon nods, looking slightly pleased, "Hopefully overall the news is good for them." She wonders thoughtfully to herself: when he's tired, does Marcus try less to be something he's not? Because... that's really kind of a nice smile, actually!
Marcus nods, "It is. Father and I wanted to make sure that they got an account directly from us, immediately, rather than risking rumor twisting things." He looks around, "I'm sorry. Were you here for me?"
Cinnamon smiles in what she thinks is a reassuring manner, "Nono, don't worry about me! I'm actually here to talk to your father, Jaeger."
Marcus comes in and settles down on the other end of the settee. He's not crowding Cinnamon, but he is quite close, "Is it something I can help you with? Father has been resting. I think that the travel and the battle quite took it out of him." The younger of the two elves is half-turned toward Cinnamon.
Cinnamon blinks, pushing her glasses up -- how curious that Marcus is willing to be close to her! Oh, wait... must be a political thing. She smiles and shakes her head, "No, it's fine -- I really do have to speak with him on this subject, but thank you for offering." She adds with some sympathy, "I'm sorry it's so hard on you all -- iron, I mean. When I detected it in the bullets I knew we had to get you all out of there as quickly as possible." It doesn't occur to her that anyone might think it odd that her instant thought was protection of both factions, of course. Nor does she realize someone suspicious might consider her second statement to be a dissembling attempt to deflect interest in why she's there!
Marcus doesn't scowl, but his expression goes intent and serious. He reaches out with one hand as if to rest it on Cinnamon's knee -- then seems to think better and takes it back, realizing that it might perhaps seem quite forward. Or perhaps he wants to project that, in any case, "Everyone has their weaknesses. It's good to learn to work around them. Please, let me help. I'd rather Father get some more sleep."
Cinnamon gives Marcus a wry glance as she adjusts her glasses again, "Marcus, I told the truth: I need to speak with Jaeger on this. It's really not something you can help me with, I'm afraid... and Mr. Butler has already headed off to let him know I'm here."
Marcus' pride has lately been stung more than once about Cinnamon! "And what is it that I can't help with? I'm the council member -- I'm the head of this house, even if he is older than I am."
Cinnamon's expression is startled as she stares at Marcus... then she says slowly, "Dude, this isn't all about you, you know? Why are you so upset?"
Marcus manages not to scowl; he's learning to school his expression, "Because I am worried for my father's health and because I'm the actual representative of our trod and of all our people currently alive!"
Cinnamon tilts her head thoughtfully at Marcus... then slowly smiles. It's a rueful smile, not a smirk, though she has no idea someone a little paranoid might take it as such, "You know, your father's quite capable of making his own decisions regarding his health, don't you think?" She doesn't touch the line about being the trod's 'actual representative,' since she knows Marcus is not one of the co-elders of Elm... and he likely wouldn't want to be on a plane for hours anyway. Instead she grins more cheerfully, trying to calm him down a bit as she adds, "Besides... I doubt you'd want this... and like I said, it's not about you... so why worry?" Hitting on a possible distraction, she adds almost teasingly, "Like... the bracelet you got from Hilde -- what do you think she meant by 'fidelity'?"
Marcus looks down at his bracelet and frowns as he touches it with the fingers of the opposite hand. It's not quite a caress, but it's close, "That is between she and I." He's starting to get stiff in body language and speech again, that earlier depth hiding beneath his usual veneer.
Cinnamon raises a faintly amused eyebrow, "Mmhmm? When was the last time you had a real heart to heart talk with her?" She sighs -- that was pushy of her! -- then tries to smile soothingly, "Seriously, Marcus: what do you think she meant by that word?"
Marcus snaps a little, "What I do or do not talk with Hilde about is my business and hers -- and the bracelet, I believe to be a promise for the future -- we both have quite long lives ahead. And I am not upset!" It doesn't come off as exactly whiny... but it definitely comes off as angry and snappish.
Cinnamon blinks startledly at Marcus, slightly stung at his anger -- she'd been trying to smooth things over! "Marcus, that's rude!" She frowns, waiting until he's looking at her rather than at the bracelet before she says firmly, "This isn't an attack, you know. Just answer the question! What you think she meant by it?"
Marcus blinks and his expression goes form a scowl to... blank -- almost as if he's been 'reset' in some way. When he speaks, his voice is dreamy and comes slowly, as if having to dig the words out of storage somewhere, "It... means... that no matter who we take as lovers... no matter where we roam, her heart is mine."
Cinnamon blinks at that reply, opening her mouth to indignantly ask where his heart is, then... but then it registers: Marcus is looking... very odd! In that heartbeat where she tries to figure out what's going on, she suddenly remembers reading something years ago about heart attacks -- and wasn't there something about the face going almost slack, and the person not realizing it, when it happened? She gasps, hopping to her feet and darting past Marcus to the door, where she calls out anxiously, "Hello, the house?! Help, please! Something's wrong with Marcus!"
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