Goblin Town -- Logs

The party is cheerful. Cinnamon has likely never been to a relaxed, happy family picnic, and that's pretty much what this is. People are circulating, having food, talking to one another. There's laughter and kids playing, and musical instruments have appeared from somewhere. This isn't tribal music, though. Instead, it sounds like it might be country and bluegrass, and maybe a little southern rock. No one's dancing; it just seems like people here enjoy having music.

Cinnamon is still almost skipping as she beamingly returns, and her grin at Sparrow is positively radiant -- though she figures if he wants to know, he'll come ask. She doesn't want to interrupt him again, after all, at his party! Instead she finds herself standing next to Shane and Thorn, swaying happily in place as she sings along with one of the songs being played. Sparrow comes over and smiles, "So? You a giant among lizards, darlin'?"

Cinnamon giggles excitedly, almost bouncing in place again, "Not a lizard! But I am 25' long already -- and a 40' wingspan too! ...and I think I'm not yet done growing, if the size of my paws and tail and head are any indication!"

Kestrel smiles, "Are you like a puppy or a kitten?"

Cinnamon blinks a bit confusedly at Kestrel, "Pardon? Er, you've seen me already, I thought... I'm not furry at all?" She abruptly looks thoughtful, "That I've noticed, at least...? Huh! I'll have to check more carefully, later!"

Kestrel smiles as they hold up one hand, "My paws were tiny even when I was a kitten. I was so sad at first, because I thought that I was supposed to grow up big and strong."

"Oh!" Cinnamon grins excitedly again, "I get it! Yeah, we made a few videos at one point, and while we were watching them I realized I have those, um, what's the term... ah! Neotenic characteristics, I think? Like really big eyes and paws and tail, in comparison to the rest of me?"

Sparrow actually kisses the top of Kestrel's head, "You grew up exactly as you were supposed to, sweetheart."

Kestrel nods and smiles, "You're young for your species."

Cinnamon beams at Kestrel and Sparrow -- she thinks they're both so cute together! She sighs happily, nodding to Kestrel, "That's my assumption, yeah. Now I have a benchmark to measure from, too!"

Sparrow looks around as he murmurs, "You're going to probably dwarf Killa, you know. You're already as long as he is."

Cinnamon beams excitedly at Sparrow, "I know, right?! I was so relieved I wasn't a shrimpy dragon compared to Liam!" It's clear, however, that she's simply excited -- there's no arrogance or smugness in her voice.

Sparrow laughs, "You're not shrimpy -- you're just young, darlin'."

Cinnamon nearly glows at Sparrow, "Yeah! Thank goodness!"

After lunch, the folks from the rez begin to filter away in small groups. It's easy to start to see family groups when that happens, and not all the families are what white middle-class America would think of as families. Almost all of them stop to say something to Sparrow and Kestrel, and most of them also stop to thank Cinnamon, Thorn, and the others for the food. Cinnamon is still pretty glowingly happy! Her smiles in return for the courteous thanks are brilliant, and she sincerely thanks everyone (who stops to thank her) for allowing her and her friends to visit, and for being so kind, patient, and welcoming to them all!

Thorn makes certain to note that the food was entirely Cinnamon's idea, so he seems to be one of the causes of so many people going up to Cinnamon, since he directs them her way... which he would be apologetic about if he finds out he's caused her stress!

One of the people Cinnamon thanks laughs warmly, "Look, there's a lotta people out there tryin' to do the White Savior thing. This don't feel like that. You're thanking us for letting you use this land for this meeting. It's a good trade."

Cinnamon smiles a bit shyly at that, uncertain as to how to reply... she silently hopes they don't think her gift of trees, or the other stuff she did, qualifies her as someone trying to be a White Savior! After a moment's hesitation as she nibbles her lower lip, she finally says, "W-well, if, um... if I did do something like that? I... m-maybe you could tell Sparrow, and he could tell me, so I'd know to cut it out?" She blushes nervously, adding, "Er, I, I mean if... if y-you didn't w-want to just say so yourself to m-me?"

The young man grins, "Sparrow would have no compunction telling you to cut it the fuck out. He don't mince words."

Cinnamon nods shyly again, slightly tongue-tied... and completely out of ideas on how to handle this! She's still learning, after all, about Indigenous issues -- to the point that she knows she's going to have a long talk with Josie, later, to catch up! Right now, though, she's scared to say more, since she doesn't want to blurt out anything stupid or hurtful... so she just smiles nervously through her blush, and nods again. Perhaps seeing that he's making her nervous, the young man pats Cinnamon's shoulder and moves on. A few minutes later, Sparrow snorts when he's told of Cinnamon's apparent humility, "Well, that's because she's not an asshole!" That gets laughter and a hug.

After that, things clear out pretty quickly... until eventually it's just the council members and their friends left. Cinnamon sighs gustily, her eyes closing in relief. Looks like she safely navigated that minefield, thank goodness! She plops down on the nearest sturdy object and fans herself. Diplomacy is hard sometimes, she's discovering! Eventually she glances around curiously, checking to see who's still there. No Elias, of course... but are the rest of the councilmembers all still present? Or wait... it's a good bet Killa's off resting and healing too, now that she thinks about it. She grins with tired pleasure at Thorn as she catches him glancing her way... hopefully Shane will still be around too? Maybe... are Jalil or Marcus still there?

Once everyone's cleared out, Kestrel rounds up a couple of people left and starts to gather up the garbage and the dishes. Cinnamon sighs in tired relief again once she's safely navigated talking to everyone. After that she refreshes her drink, has a big slug of it, and then patters over to pick up one of the garbage bags and help with clean-up. She beams at Kestrel, should she pass them, and happily says, "Thanks so much, Kestrel, for taking such good care of us all! Could you, um, let me know, please, if there's anything I should do to say thanks for you all allowing me and the folks I'm carrying to stay an extra day, too?"

Kestrel smiles, "I like visitors. I'm a caregiver." They look around, making sure Sparrow isn't nearby, then lowers their voice, "Besides, it keeps him here an extra day. I miss him when he's gone. He's not my spouse and I'm not jealous. We both have other partners, but I like it when he visits. So, thank you."

Cinnamon sighs happily, "Oh, that's so nice!" She grins shyly as she adds, "I, um, er, i-if it's not rude to say? ...think you two look so nice together!" She blushes a bit as she admits, "I really loved getting to see Shane's mom and dad see each other again for the first time too -- it was so sweet!" She is, though she's not consciously realized it, a flaming romantic at heart, after all!

Kestrel doesn't ask what Cinnamon is talking about when she mentions Shane's parents. They know who Shane is and they've observed Shane's behavior and Cinnamon's behavior, so they're just going to assume there's some love there. Instead, the two-spirit laughs softly, "Sparrow needs someone to take care of him sometimes. He runs himself really hard."

Cinnamon looks surprised, "Does he? Wow, good thing, then, that you're here for him!" She smiles quietly to herself as she picks up garbage, walking along next to Kestrel for a bit... then shyly asks, "So, um, Kestrel... you gave me your phone number for the supernaturals database, right? But... if you had a need, um... y-you'd know it's totally okay to call me too, okay?"

Kestrel looks at Cinnamon as they continue picking up garbage and stacking plates, "Absolutely. The thing about me is that I am utterly practical. Two-spirits are considered magical." They grin, "Have you ever read Terry Pratchett?"

Cinnamon shakes her head ruefully, "No, he's on my to-read-someday list... but I'm not very good at puns, so I've not been in a rush to do it, you know?"

Kestrel smiles, "There are witches in his stories. But all the witches -- well, most of them -- are all extremely practical. That's part of being a witch. Part of being a two-spirit is that we're magical beings, and that means being very practical. Holy beings should be practical. It's what we need to do in order to make our people safe and healthy."

Cinnamon thinks about that for a long moment as she continues collecting trash... and then she looks up at Kestrel and smiles, "I like that! That means accounting isn't a waste of time, too!" A bit wryly she adds, "I'm beginning to think my, um, genetic family was kind of impractical, honestly..." She smiles quietly to herself, reassured that she's definitely on the right track for sacrality, even if she's not yet holy or divine.

"Were they frivolous? I mean, there are sacred clowns." Kestrel smiles over their shoulder at Sparrow, "But they're there to point out foolishness... to make the ridiculous people look at themselves and realize they're being ridiculous."

Cinnamon sighs amusedly, "Honestly? My guess is you'd categorize them as ridiculous people." She smiles again, with a bit of relief, as it hits her: she's starting to be able to view her family with a bit more reality, and a bit less painfully frustrated love!

Other folks have been helping to clean up as well, so the garbage and dishes have slowly been gathered into a central location, and eventually everyone has congregated again. By then, it's actually starting to get toward evening, and Sparrow looks around and grins, "Damn. This is almost peaceful!"

Thorn is helping up with the cleanup as well. If Sparrow has anyone else he needs the healer to look at, it won't be hard to find Thorn, as he putters about helping to clean up. He arches a brow at Sparrow after returning from the dumpster, "'Almost'?"

Cinnamon giggles as she straightens and pushes her glasses up. After dumping her full garbage bag into the big can provided, she can't help teasing, "You say that like that's a bad thing! What were you hoping for? Tsunami, volcano, Godzilla?" She glances around curiously at a sudden thought -- she's wondering if anyone sort of... made themselves scarce during the clean-up. She's seen her sister do that kind of thing, after all. Did any of the councilors do that too?

Fortunately most of the councilors are indeed there, though not all of them seem to know what to do with the clean-up. Marcus, for example, initially seems a bit lost as to how to help, though he's actually fairly good, after some thought, at organizing the centralizing of where to put everything. Sparrow grins, "Nothing is every one hundred percent peaceful unless you're in a graveyard, m' man!"

Admittedly, Killa and Daniella don't seem to be around at the moment; nor is Elias -- though Cinnamon isn't surprised at that, of course. She does have to grin quietly to herself, though, at watching Marcus delegate rather than actively participate! She just smiles relaxedly at Sparrow as she replies, "Wouldn't there be supernaturals there too, actually?" She's just teasing, of course.

Sparrow smiles, "There often are, but most of them have respect for the dead, darlin'. Now, if you'll forgive me, it's been a long morning, and I'm gonna take a nap." The way he grins and asks Kestrel if they'd like to take a nap with him says that he might be lying about napping... but then again, he might be trying to be subtle on Kestrel's behalf. Cinnamon has to cover a giggle at that! She's kinda tired and full-feeling too, honestly... and it's dreadfully hot outside. A nap is sounding pretty nice to her too, actually!

Sparrow's comment seems to be the signal for a general exodus to tents, yurts, tepees, and other resting places for a couple of hours. It is, after all, rather warm... and it's cooler inside. Time passes peacefully while people nap, and it's getting on past dark... until the noise starts waking people up. Well, 'shouting' is really a better term for it.

Cinnamon sits up with a gasp, shocked out of sleep. As she fumbles for her glasses, she calls softly to the other folks in the yurt, "Josie? Shane, Thorn, everyone? Do you guys hear shouting too?"

Thorn blinks, sitting up and rubbing sleep from his eyes. [I wonder if Sparrow jinxed it?] he thinks, as he stands and starts throwing on pants. He quickly replies, "I do, yes." As if thinking of him helped, Thorn call tell one of the voices is Sparrow, but the language is definitely not English.

Cinnamon is momentarily relieved she snoozed in her clothes, since she can hop right up as she pushes her glasses into place. "Wh-what's going on?" She's got half an ear out to the shouting itself, in case she can tell what they're saying, as well.

Josie groans and rolls to her feet. She's wearing her buckskin leggings and she pulls on a t-shirt to go over them as she heads for the yurt's door, growling, "I'd really hoped we'd get past this meeting without this happening."

Cinnamon blinks bewilderedly up at Josie, "W-without what happening? What -- what language is Sparrow speaking?" She blinks again, tilting her head to listen to the voices. Is one of them maybe Killa... or Daniella? She hopes not, but... best to just go look and see, she supposes! She patters easily through the darkened yurt to the door, swinging it open to peek outside and tentatively call, "Hellooo? What's going on, please?"

Thorn frowns. "'This'?" he asks Josie as he follows her out

Josie rolls her eyes and sighs, opening the door, "Sparrow and Killa... and he's speaking... Concho, I think. They both are. It's one of the contested territories." As they go out the door, Thorn and Cinnamon see something they have very rarely seen: Josie looking angry. Her stance widens and her head comes up as she stalks out toward the two figures yelling at each other in front of the central fire. She growls at them, snapping in some language loud enough to drown out Sparrow and -- yup, it's Killa -- both.

Cinnamon blinks in fascination as she patters after Josie, pushing her glasses up and looking around for Daniella. Cinnamon's honestly a bit surprised Daniella didn't keep her patron quietly stashed away someplace restful! Thorn inwardly sighs. This is clearly a sticking point with the two, and he's not quite sure how to resolve it, since they'll both have different views of how the situation came about. He trails along after Josie and Cinnamon. Daniella is actually nowhere to be seen; neither is Killa's other attendant. Cinnamon suspects this is really not good for Killa's healing, in that case -- or Sparrow's blood pressure! So she keeps moving until she's standing between both men. Once there she smiles shyly up at them both, "Can we not yell, please? It's not good for either of you, I'm sure." She's glancing around surreptitiously for Kestrel, too.

Kestrel isn't there, either. In fact, the only people at the fire when Cinnamon, Thorn, and everyone else came out were Sparrow and Killa. They both look over when Josie snaps at them, and the wolf shifter steps fearlessly between them. putting a hand on each man's chest to push them apart. That's what gives Cinnamon just enough room to get between them! Sparrow takes a deep breath and looks down at the little dragon. His face is scowling; it's not an expression that sits well or looks right there. Killa's face is almost completely serpentine, which makes it hard to read. He's stopped speaking and is simply hissing now... but at least he's no longer yelling.

Cinnamon smiles again as she adds, "Thank you! So, may I ask a favor, please? I'm new to this, so... well, I apologize, but I don't know Killa's reasoning for why he should have the contested territories. I'd like to ask him why... but without starting up the shouting again." She glances apologetically at Sparrow, "Is that okay with you, please?"

Sparrow breathes deeply through his nose and then lets it out slowly. Their yelling obviously woke up more than the denizens of the yurt because other people are starting to arrive, including Elias and Daniella. Daniella does not look happy; she also does not look very awake. Kestrel arrives from the direction of Sparrow's Airstream, wearing only a pair of jeans and with their hair pulled back into a quick braid. Killa manages to hiss mostly coherently, "My people came up from what you now call Ssouth America and peopled thosse landss. They built the pyramidss there. They built the citiess there. They were there when the conquistadoress came. Only after thosse citiess were thrown down did the people that Ssparrow representss spread down -- they are mine!"

Cinnamon listens carefully... then nods thoughtfully once Killa finishes speaking, "Okay, that makes sense. Thank you!" She turns to smile at Sparrow, her voice earnest, "I can kind of see his point, Sparrow -- especially since he's most likely doing this because he's simultaneously losing almost all of Peru to Aoi!" She beams up at the Trickster, pushing her glasses up as she adds without pausing -- so no one can indignantly interrupt her, "Did you read that article? It just came out recently, and it was really fascinating! Apparently there's an ancient area in Peru that really abruptly shifted -- peacefully! -- to a much more complex and sophisticated governmental form!"

Sparrow snaps, "Territories and people evolve, Killa! Central and South America are all yours -- I don't contest that -- but you cannot keep pushing north! The spirits of my peoples have been in the lands you talk about for centuries. The government of Peru doesn't matter in this, the spirits of Peru are what matter -- and the Comancheria was never his!"

Cinnamon takes a quick breath and hastily continues, a little bit louder this time, "And there's this scientist who's been studying these people -- the Chav�n -- for all his life, and he was examining their petroglyphs, and a friend of his that was a Chinese scholar was there, and he was really surprised and asked the South American guy where he'd gotten such nice photos of ancient Chinese calligraphy! So they did some research and found a Chinese prince that was exiled by his dad the emperor at about that time, and the prince took all his riches and people and loaded them up into ships -- and they sailed away into the east and were never heard of again in China! But the two modern scholars think they're the reason the Chav�n had that cultural jump. Pretty cool, huh?"

Cinnamon turns to beam at both men -- and then, before either of them can get a word in edgewise, she adds bemusedly, "Though I guess I'm confused... I mean, if we're getting people to represent based on who was there first, then... why aren't we just dividing the entire world up between Nasteexo and Jalil? After all, we know evolutionarily that we all came out of Africa first...?" [There,] Cinnamon thinks to herself, [if that bit of logic doesn't make them both calm down... then nothing will!] Killa's eyes widen and he starts to look panicked, but Sparrow's eyes are beginning to twinkle. Cinnamon looks inquiringly between the two men... then blinks at Killa, "Oh my gosh, Killa, are you okay?! Weren't you supposed to be resting and healing, guy? Where's Daniella and Jes�s?"

Sparrow grins wryly, "That's an interesting bit. I'll have to read that. Killa, you're not going to die out. South and Central America are yours. I have never contested that." His voice gentles a little, "The Comancheria, the lands of the Concho, the Navajo nation... these people were almost wiped out by the white men. Don't make me fight you at the same time we're finding the bodies of babies."

Daniella sounds oddly groggy, "Jes�s is still asleep. Killa, please. Don't overstress yourself, my lord."

Cinnamon frowns worriedly up at the snake-man, reaching one hand up slowly, "You look a bit paler than usual to me... and we worked hard to keep you alive! Don't you go stressing yourself too much, okay?" She blinks at Daniella next, her voice perplexed, "Daniella? Umm... are you okay too? Is it just me, or do you sound... almost drugged or something?" She glances at Thorn, "Thorny, could you check Daniella, please? Make sure she's okay?"

Thorn nods to Cinnamon, and moves to Daniella. "May I take your vitals, Daniella?" he asks her quietly.

Cinnamon smiles up at Killa, "Can I help you back to your rooms, maybe?" She figures separating the two men will work best in giving Killa time to calm down and realize he'd do best to ease up on Sparrow... because claiming the lands of others works both ways!

Sparrow takes a step back, urged to do so by Kestrel's hand on his shoulder as they speak quietly to him. Killa looks wide-eyed, even for someone who doesn't have eyelids -- or at least this current form he's in doesn't seem to. He looks down at Cinnamon, though his eyes don't seem to be focusing on her properly. Daniella nods to Thorn, "Yes, please, I... I feel... odd."

Cinnamon gently touches Killa's arm, "Killa? Can you hear me okay? I'm worried about you...?" Without looking away from him, Cinnamon murmurs, "Thorny? Maybe you could check Killa too, please, once you're done checking Daniella?" She smiles up at the snake-man, trying to gently urge him over to where there are some chairs still sitting by the fire, "Can we sit down a bit, please, Killa? I just woke up, so... I'd like the rest?" She's starting to be genuinely concerned about Killa and his people. What's happened to them? Killa may be driven, but from what little she knows of him, he's not ordinarily the type to deliberately harm himself?

Daniella's assertion that she feels 'odd' spurs Thorn into action. He hurriedly but carefully takes Daniella's pulse, checks her pupil response, her temperature, everything he can. Inwardly, he's now intensely worried. Killa takes a moment to start walking, as if it takes him time to remember how to move. He lets himself be guided to one of the nearby picnic tables and sits on one of the somewhat splintery benches. Once Cinnamon gets Killa seated, Thorn brings Daniella over beside him, and does the same with Killa.

Cinnamon gives a small internal sigh of relief when Killa is amenable to being seated! She stays next to him, though -- she doesn't want him to wander off, or have some other bad thing happen. She glances worriedly at the folks around the firepit... then calms a bit. Looks like Sparrow has himself well in hand -- and Kestrel's there with him too -- excellent! So... now to figure out what's up with Killa. She checks the snake-man's face to see if he's managed to morph himself completely back to human form.

Admittedly, Killa's features are never completely human, and he always looks a little disconcerting. However, this time he doesn't seem to be getting back to humanoid enough that it would be safe for him to be out amongst humans. Cinnamon tilts her head, then touches Killa's arm gently again, "Killa, I think your face is still really snake-ish still... can you morph yourself back to a bit more human looking? We don't want to scare anyone here, where we're guests, after all, right?"

Thorn discovers that Daniella's pupils are rather contracted -- which is odd, given that it's after sunset. He's not quite sure what that means but it's clearly Not Good; possibly some sort of reaction to a drug. "They should drink lots and lots of water," he says. "Right now." He isn't certain that'll help, but it can't hurt. He isn't sure magic healing would work without knowing what's wrong, though. From the way Daniella is reacting, she's definitely drugged -- contracted pupils even in the dark is not a good sign. Also, she's behaving quite groggily for someone who is normally very alert and sharp-witted. Further, while Killa doesn't look completely human most of the time, he's normally got better control of his features than this.

Cinnamon blinks at Thorn -- then nods decisively, "That we can do!" She raises her voice to call to the folks around the firepit, "Can we have a bunch of water for Daniella and Killa, please? And can someone take water to Jes�s as well, and check that he's okay too, please?" Then she murmurs quietly to Thorn, "Thorny, if this is a bad reaction to a drug... could Jes�s maybe have it worst of all? Should we send a healer to him too? After all, he's apparently still sleeping even through the yelling!"

It takes Thorn a moment to grok what Cinnamon is suggesting, and he mutters a soft curse. "Yes, very likely!" He looks around, "Let me go and check on him. Keep Daniella and Killa here and conscious, and drinking water, if you can, until we figure out what's going on."

Cinnamon nods briskly to Thorn, "Got it! We'll wait here. Go do your thing!" She smiles -- then blinks, pushing up her glasses, "Oh! Also, m-maybe take... Shane or Josie with you? If there's a bad person around, you d-don't want to run into them alone, right?" Shane volunteers to go, since Josie is the one that seems to know more languages in common with Killa and Sparrow. Thorn nods to Cinnamon, then nods to Shane as he grabs a few water bottles in case -- hopefully -- Jes�s can be roused to consciousness.

Cinnamon nods slowly to herself as she realizes: both individuals are affected! When someone comes up with water, she opens one bottle and hands it to Daniella, saying firmly, "You need to drink all of this, okay?" Then she gives another bottle to Killa, with the same instructions -- just less firmly phrased, since she doesn't want to trigger something like an angry-prideful refusal or somesuch. She also waves Josie over, smiling at the werewolf, "I'm going to ask them to tell us what they remember, so we can try to figure out what happened. If either of them start talking in another language, maybe you can help?" She waits until both drugged (maybe?) individuals have had several gulps first, though... and then she asks, "So, after you left from lunch... can you tell us what happened from that point, until now, please?"

Thorn grimaces as he and Shane prepare to go, murmuring, "They've almost certainly been drugged." At least it's not a disease or anything like that, but still... "That means Jes�s may be in danger." He and Shane rush to where Jes�s should be sleeping. Cinnamon mentally crosses her fingers that Thorn will be able to help Jes�s! As one of Killa's folks who was actually abiding by the promise Daniella made to Cinnamon, and who was actually polite to the little dragon... Cinnamon really wants to see him do well!

Daniella takes the water and mutters under her breath about drugs and cartels. None of it sounds flattering. Killa hisses about the water but does take it -- something Josie translate as: 'I was thirsty anyway' -- and starts to drink. Daniella is the one who speaks: "I was unusually tired after lunch, as was Killa. But he is easily tired now, so we went to take a rest. He fell heavily asleep, so I left Jes�s on watch and took a siesta. My dreams were so odd..."

Cinnamon nods worriedly to Daniella, "Go on?" She frowns thoughtfully, glancing up at Josie, "Unusually tired after lunch... could someone have sneaked something into just their food? But... it was a buffet...?" She hmms consideringly to herself as she focuses on Daniella again.

Josie's eyes are narrowed, "If someone came up and handed them a drink or a little tidbit, and said, 'You should try this'? That happens at things like this sometimes..."

Cinnamon sighs exasperatedly, "You know, you're right, JoJo -- that'd do it!" She frowns, considering... did anyone hand her anything like that? "Daniella, did anyone offer something to you or Killa, like Josie's describing?" She frowns again, raising a hand to pass it slowly down past Daniella's face, but about 3" away from the woman's body, "Is it just me... or does Daniella feel kinda warm, too?"

Daniella follows the motion, but with a delay of a couple of seconds, as she replies to the previous question, "A couple of different people. No one whose face I really remember..."

Cinnamon nods grimly, "Okay, so we have a vector. Daniella, keep talking between drinks, please? When did Jes�s come off watch?" She glances thoughtfully at Killa, then checks to see if he feels kind of warm too. It's hard to tell, though, since Killa is always basically the same temperature as the air. Cinnamon murmurs quietly to Josie, "JoJo, can you ask Kestrel what they do here for drug overdoses? I'm guessing we may have to do something like that, if Thorn gets worn out helping Jes�s...?"

Cinnamon is not happy with how pale Killa's slightly scaly face looks... and his eyes look funny too, but she doesn't know enough to tell if it's due to a partial shapeshift, or to some medical issue. She's really not happy with this situation! If someone's trying to kill people here, then... then... Cinnamon sits up abruptly, "Josie! Oh my gosh -- send someone to check on all the councilors! Who's not here right now? Hmm, Marcus, Jalil, Aisling, Hil- wait, doesn't matter! Jo, can you have them all checked, please, right away?!" She glances around, her voice almost angry, "Whoever is doing this really wants to make Sparrow look really bad!"

Elsewhere, Shane is looking around carefully, like any good bodyguard, as he murmurs wryly to Thorn, "I suppose it was too much to ask that everything kept on going well, huh?"

Thorn grimaces a little at Shane's comment, "I guess so. But what kind of council meeting would it be if we didn't have something happen?" Unfortunately the problem with going to find Jes�s in order to help him is that... he's not there. The tepee where Daniella, Jes�s, and Killa have been staying is in good shape -- but it's empty, and Jes�s isn't there. Killa's things are there, along with his bedding, and Daniella's equipment is there too. There are signs of someone else staying there as well... but there are also signs of a very hasty departure. Thorn frowns, looking around, then says, "Let's go back," to Shane. They can tell the others when they get back, but speculation is not what's needed right this instant! He and Shane should rush back quickly.

Shane is confused, but grim, "One second." He looks around, crouching next to where Jes�s' things were, and picks something up. He turns it over, then pockets it, adding, "I want to come back here when we have more light. Something isn't adding up. Let's get back."

Thorn nods to Shane, "Sure." As they head back he asks, "Should we ask Cinnamon and Josie to send someone to watch over the place and make sure nothing disturbs it?"

Shane looks upset, "We'll get some folks to come look the place over with lights."

Back by the firepit, Daniella is thinking hard, "People were offering food and drink a lot. I cannot think of anything specifically."

Josie gets moving; Kestrel does as well, calling out that they'll go get their med kit, and it has ipecac in case they need to induce vomiting. Glancing around, however, it's immediately obvious that several councilors have yet to arrive. Himeko and Bright Wings aren't here yet, and neither is Marcus -- nor Aisling, for that matter. Hilde is just arriving, fortunately, followed closely by Jarek. While Jalil is walking up just now as well, he's moving quite slowly, and seems groggy.

Cinnamon sighs unhappily, turning to Daniella and Killa, "It looks like several folks are hurting. Can you two stay here for just a bit? Just yell if you need anything, okay?" After that she patters over to Jalil, patting his arm several times to draw his attention, "Jalil? Jalil, can you understand me? We think someone drugged some of the food. In your fire form, can you get rid of damage to your human body?" She glances around, then waves over Hilde and Jarek so she can quickly explain what's up. After that she asks Jarek to stay with Jalil, and asks Hilde if she can sit with Daniella and Killa, please? Cinnamon wants to go check on the people that haven't come out yet... and if it's near Killa's teepee, she's happy to help Shane out by taking a look around in the teepee. People first, though, she thinks!

Jalil peers at Cinnamon for a moment, though since he doesn't have pupils, it's hard to tell if he's focusing at all well. However, eventually he nods at her question and steps away, then takes his fiery form -- which lights up the entire area! Thorn and Shane arrive just as that happens. Josie lopes off to go find Marcus, leaving Cinnamon to go find Aisling, Bright Wings, and Himeko. Cinnamon sighs in relief at Jalil's reaction -- then thanks Jarek for staying with Jalil. After that she patters hastily off to search for Bright Wings and Himeko in their cabin. She's not sure where Aisling is staying -- or with who -- but she hopes to find the lovely beansidhe woman soon! As she's leaving the fire area, she calls to Elias, asking him to check with Shane regarding Killa's teepee -- maybe the vampire would be helpful there?

Josie finds Marcus very deeply asleep, so she simply scoops him up over her shoulder and lopes back with him to the fire -- where she lays him carefully down, whining softly. Marcus isn't one of her closer friends, but she doesn't hate the young man. Elias checks with Shane and Thorn, asking in his gentle schoolteacher's voice what the two men found. Elsewhere, Cinnamon finds Bright Wings and Himeko in their cabin, both very still and deeply asleep. Fortunately they're both also breathing. Cinnamon tries to gently awaken them both -- getting them both moving, even if groggily, can only help, she figures! If she can't awaken them, though, Cinnamon will do her best to carefully shake Himeko awake, then carry Bright Wings out with Himeko walking before her... so the little dragon knows they're both out where others can help them and keep watch over them. She worries about Aisling... has someone found her yet?

Thorn winces at the bright light from Jalil, but he answer Elias as quickly as he can, "We didn't find Jes�s, and it looks like he lit out of there, but I agree with Shane: it doesn't add up." He winces again as he sees Josie laying Marcus' limp body down. Okay. Triage, triage... who first. Marcus, actually -- he's unconscious. The others are awake, mostly, sort of. Until Cinnamon gets back with news of Bright Wings and Himeko, the healer will start with Marcus.

Thorn takes in a few deep breaths, focusing and putting confusion out of his mind. He has to focus -- he has to visualize the way Cinnamon taught him -- to picture the drug (or whatever it is in Marcus's system) being removed, evaporating... just somehow leaving the elf's body. There's an added sense of urgency here, too -- if Himeko, Aisling, and Bright Wings are also unconscious, Thorn will need to do the same thing with them -- and quite soon, too!

Aisling, thankfully, comes rushing in on her own, eyes wide with worry. She was apparently just further away than the others and didn't hear the shouting or other problems. For once, it seems she was on her own -- simply out exploring. Cinnamon comes almost stumbling back into sight moments later. She's got the unconscious Bright Wings hanging limply from one shoulder, and Himeko staggering next to her, being mostly supported by Cinnamon's other arm. As soon as she can, the little dragon calls for help -- Bright Wings isn't waking up!

Cinnamon sighs in relief at sight of Thorn kneeling next to somebody, and heads that way at once. She carefully lays the unconscious bird man down on the other side of Thorn -- then draws in a sharp breath as she realizes it's Marcus that Thorn is working on! She keeps quiet, though, not wanting to interrupt Thorn's concentration. She watches Marcus instead... and after a few heartbeats she tilts her head thoughtfully. If he weren't so pale, Marcus looks... surprisingly young and relaxed like this!

Kestrel has apparently pulled on a shirt, returning with their med kit -- which also includes glucose tabs. Kestrel is giving some to Daniella, and has also brought back electrolyte powdered drink mix to add to the bottles of water. When a glowering Sparrow growls, "I cannot believe this!" Kestrel murmurs quietly, "I can."

Cinnamon blinks at a sudden thought, then starts mentally totting things up in her head regarding the councilors. Hilde, Jarek, Sparrow, Elias, Aisling, and Josie: all fine. Drugged: Killa, Marcus, Bright Wings, Jalil... Cinnamon looks around worriedly for either Sparrow or Kestrel, then hastily gabbles to them, "I need to know if either Nasteexo or Snow are still here -- and if they should be checked too! This looks like a concerted attack... against the 'reveal' faction!"

Thorn hisses softly. Maybe he's too disturbed or emotional at the moment, maybe it's a very wily agent, maybe it's designed to not be magically dealt with -- but he can't get the crap out of Marcus! Cinnamon glances at Thorn when he twitches slightly, then down at Marcus -- who hasn't changed -- and then back at Thorn. He looks pale and worried... ah. Cinnamon kneels next to Thorn and puts a gentle hand on his arm. Her voice is calm and careful, "Thorny? This is just like with Jaeger, remember? Visualize the feather fan again, okay? Slow and steady... and we'll get Marcus all cleaned up as good as new!" Thorn tries to calm his breath, nodding to Cinnamon and focusing again -- this time with the same feather fan imagery that helped Jaeger. Cinnamon quietly walks through the imagery with Thorn, if it looks like she's helping at all -- otherwise she'll hush!

Sparrow replies a bit distractedly, "Nasteexo left after lunch -- I walked her to the edge of the rez myself." He sighs, adding, "I always hate to see her go. She's actually one of my favorite people in the world," his smile is a bit crooked, "despite our differences. Snow..." He looks around more alertly this time, and worry is creeping into his voice, "Snow was... Kestrel, baby, you know where Snow's staying?"

Kestrel looks up distractedly from where they're digging hastily through their medkit, "Snow's in Lucinda's old hut."

Sparrow nods decisively, "I'll go get her. Shane, you wanna come along?" Shane nods.

Cinnamon nods distractedly to Sparrow; her main focus currently is on helping Thorn concentrate on saving lives! A few heartbeats later, Marcus gasps -- and actually comes arching up off the pallet he was laying on, arms flailing like he's been electrocuted! Cinnamon sighs in relief as she sees the warmth return to Marcus' almost waxy-pale face -- then hastily throws her arms around him so he neither harms himself or someone else! Her voice is a bit muffled as she adds, "Thorny! Bright Wings next, please? He's on your other side!"

In the same instant Thorn sags, letting out a breath. Thank Athala! That was way too close. He hugs Cinnamon impulsively, his voice deeply sincere, "Thank you!"

Cinnamon giggles as she grins over her shoulder at Thorn, "Welcome! Can you -- oops! Watch out, Marcus is still flailing! -- can you help Bright Wings too, please?" Thorn grins tiredly and nods to Cinnamon, then turns to Bright Wings. He'll try imagining the feather-fan again, to try to 'sweep' the muck out of the poor man's system.

Marcus is panting and staring around himself in a near-panic. He's really not sure what's going on or where he is! Last he remembers, he was in his borrowed bed -- and now he's being hugged by Cinnamon? -and by the central fire? "Where... what...?!"

Cinnamon talks quietly to Marcus, trying to sound soothing and relaxed so the shocked young man calms down -- and she can release him, "It's okay, Marcus -- deep breaths! Here's a bottle of water; you'll want to drink as much of it as you can while I'm talking, okay?" She gives him the condensed version, then smiles worriedly at him, pushing her glasses up, "Does that make sense? Do you understand what I'm saying?" She's also keeping half a worried eye on Bright Wings as well... though she sighs in relief as Thorn handily brings the little bird man back to wakefulness again! Bright Wings wakes up smoothly and easily. Perhaps his odd metabolism makes it easier, or maybe his species doesn't react the same to whatever it is that took out the others. When he's handed water he drinks it, looking around with confusion.

Marcus drinks the water quickly; fortunately this is one of the bottles Kestrel managed to get electrolytes into. He nods and says between gulps, "One of the young women gave me a bowl of something and told me it was some kind of local dessert. Really pretty girl. The dessert was good. Couple of different people had me try things." He's looking intently at Cinnamon as he talks, as if he needs to concentrate on something.

Cinnamon nods with relief at Marcus -- finally someone who remembers who gave the extra food! She holds up a 'pause, please?' finger to Marcus, then turns to Bright Wings and swiftly gives him the same explanation, but in Japanese -- along with an apology for her brusqueness, and a query: does he remember anyone giving him and Himeko a special dish? She doesn't say it, but she's wondering if the 'really pretty girl' hit all the reveal faction! Bright Wings thinks and writes down: Pretty girl with a bowl of a sweet thing. It was very tasty and had fruit in it I did not recognize. I did not wish to seem rude so I took it, even though I was not sure what it was. I ate only the fruit, however, since I am a vegetarian.

Cinnamon brightens, "Ah! A common person!" She carefully asks both Marcus and Bright Wings to describe the pretty girl as fully as they can: hair and eye color, clothing, hands, bowl type, skin tone, height and size, anything else they can remember? She smiles at Thorn, adding quietly, "You might want to have some electrolyte water too, Thorny -- in case Snow needs help too?" Then she checks with Bright Wings: Himeko had some of the dessert too, yes?

Thorn lets out a breath, nods to Cinnamon, then takes one of the water bottles and tries to focus himself. Kestrel has the more mundane -- and more generally effective for those conscious -- medicine covered. He needs to prepare himself in case Snow is also harmed. Cinnamon glances around quickly, wondering if Jalil is okay now, and if Snow has been brought back yet. She's really worried at how... well, how directed this attack seems to be!

By speaking to several people, a description is finally collected. The girl seemed to be in her twenties, and five foot two or three. Her skin tone was the coppery warmth of many of the rez denizens, though she seemed darker than some -- as if she spent a lot of time in the sun. Her eyes were a lighter brown than many, though. Not beansidhe-light, but not the chocolaty brown one might see on most Indigenous Americans. That, Jalil says, is what struck him as setting her apart. Killa says it was her laugh, for him. Cinnamon nods slowly, frowning with concentration as she sorts through her memories of lunch. Can she recall the girl at all? Did she maybe see the girl try to poison anyone aside from the reveal faction... or perhaps where the girl headed off towards?

Cinnamon hmms... if Killa didn't know her, then the 'pretty girl' wasn't, say, Jes�s' girlfriend. Though... Cinnamon checks with Daniella and Killa: might Jes�s have packed up his stuff and taken off to try and hunt down the girl? Might he have done that if he were, say, ashamed that she'd successfully gotten past him to harm Killa? A moment later the little dragon frowns again, her concern growing: she remembers seeing the girl at lunch, though she'd never seen the girl before this. Further, the more she thinks about it, the more it hits her: the girl didn't try offering the food to anyone in the hide faction. Cinnamon can't even recall the girl talking to any of them!

Daniella shakes her head, "No. Jes�s is very loyal. I have a hard time believing he would flee... I worry about him."

Cinnamon mutters grimly, "Me too, Daniella! But why would the girl steal him away like that? Unless... maybe it's an attempt to frame him?"

Daniella says grimly, "I do hope so. I would like to think I'm a better judge of my people than that. Especially after Bala."

Cinnamon gives Daniella a puzzled glance as she's visually searching the area, "That's right -- earlier you sounded like you were muttering, um, curse words about the drug cartels. Do you not like them? I mean... well, I'm asking because I got the impression that that was where you got your people from?" A heartbeat later she adds, "In one way, Jes�s being absconded might be a good thing... in that it suggests the girl isn't working alone. Someone had to carry him away, after all, right? -and it's easier for two folks to mess up on covering their tracks than it is just one, isn't it?"

Cinnamon sighs at herself blurting out such a potentially rude question at Daniella, then deliberately closes her eyes and takes a deep, slow breath -- getting frazzled! Got to organize mentally. Okay! What's next... Snow. Shane and Sparrow went off after her, so they should be back soon... which means Elias should be back from Shane taking him to Killa's teepee. So. First: check if Shane et al. are back yet. Next: ask Elias what, if anything, he found. Then find Kestrel and Sparrow, give them the various descriptions of the 'pretty girl' poisoner, and ask if they recognize this person. Also -- and importantly: track down Jes�s and whoever absconded with him! Cinnamon whews quietly to herself -- having a plan really helps her focus! So, starting in order: she glances around to see if Sparrow and Shane have returned yet with Snow.

People are beginning to reconvene from their various shelters; there are some very solemn faces. Elias seems to just sort of... appear out of the night. Of course, those that saw him at the attack on the council meeting at Coblyn are aware of just how fast he can move, but it's very rare that he does. He's looking somewhat grim. Shane and Sparrow arrive back with Snow between them. She looks worried, but not drugged. Perhaps her newness saved her. After all, she has not declared herself for either side yet. Sparrow is also carrying what looks like a spear in a sling of some sort across his back, and Shane still has his sword with him. Snow looks concerned. Not scared, just concerned, as she asks, "Is everyone safe?"

Cinnamon whews in relief at sight of Snow moving on her own -- then immediately turns and waves to draw Elias' attention, "Elias? Did you find anything at the teepee?"

Elias speaks with quiet concern, "I found some blood. Not much; just a few droplets. It seems like whoever was there was fairly thorough. They took clothes and bedding and tried to clean up after themselves, but they didn't wipe out the enter trail."

Cinnamon nods slowly, thinking hard... then turns to Daniella, "Okay, I think it's time to go find Jes�s. I asked Hilde here to sit with you and Killa, in case either of you have a relapse. Will you both be okay while we go hunt down whoever grabbed Jes�s?" She figures Daniella may actually not want to answer that last rude question about the cartels that Cinnamon gave her! The little dragon's a bit embarrassed it blurted out of her without thought like that... especially when Daniella's got so much on her mind right now!

Daniella is actually simply think long and hard before she replies, "We got a lot of our people from the cartels, but they... have become untethered from the land. They rape it for the plants and no longer show reverence... and they murder the people that live on it."

Cinnamon nods quietly, listening... then says softly, "I hope you can bring them back to the land, Daniella. I think that would help them heal." She glances at Hilde, adding, "I hope we'll be back soon, but either way, Thorn will be here if Killa or Daniella have any further problems, okay?" Hilde nods and agrees to sit and wait with people. Cinnamon gives Hilde a quick thank-you hug for being willing to help, which Hilde returns tightly -- and then the little dragon patters hastily off to talk to Sparrow and Kestrel -- are they together again yet?

Thorn nods to Cinnamon and stands from his brief break, puttering around to check peoples' vitals and make sure they're recovering from the drugging. Fortunately everyone seems to be recovering fairly well. Thorn gets a lot of quiet but heartfelt thanks -- quiet largely because people are still in that shocked, confused state. Also, there's a tendency to talk quietly this late in the night. Kestrel and Sparrow are talking intently together and seem to be discussing what route someone might take to get off the rez unseen.

Cinnamon flashes a quick, grateful smile at Thorn as she patters by -- then pauses to pat him on the arm and add, "Might want to rest a bit more, please, Thorny? In fact..." she looks around, then adds, "Josie and Shane are likely going to be keeping watch on the perimeter of this area, but I'll ask Elias to keep a special eye out for you, okay? We don't want anyone deciding the best way to create even more chaos is to try attacking you next! Plus, Elias found a few drops of blood in Killa's tent, so I'm guessing Jes�s will need healing when we return with him -- might want to rest up more for that, maybe?" She refuses to entertain the idea, even for a moment, that they won't be able to bring Jes�s back here, of course.

Thorn nods soberly to Cinnamon. "That's probably a good idea," he says with a sigh. He hopes Jes�s isn't behind all this. Why did Elias find blood there...? He shakes his head to focus, adding, "I'll be ready for when you get back!" Cinnamon waves Elias over and murmurs her request to him as well, then gives Thorn another quick hug before she patters off again towards the two American Indians.

Cinnamon reviews mentally as she heads that way. Jalil seems to be fine now, thank goodness, so Cinnamon pauses to ask if he and Jarek (who had been watching over him previously) can keep a careful eye on Marcus, Himeko, and Bright Wings. The little bird man gets a quick heads-up in Japanese from Cinnamon as to what's going on -- i.e., she intends to leave to find Jes�s's kidnappers -- but Shane is still here and speaks Japanese, should Himeko have a relapse and/or Bright Wings needs to talk to someone. That... covers all the injured, excellent! Josie and Shane won't let anyone bad past them... so Cinnamon dashes over next to Kestrel and Sparrow, panting as she swiftly gabbles out, "Hi please let me know if you recognize this person okay?" She takes a few deep breaths, then describes the 'pretty girl' as well as she can, combining both the words of the poisoned as well as her few scraps of memory.

Sparrow and Kestrel listen to the description and Sparrow shakes his head, "Not a long-term resident, anyway. But we get people that sometimes come and go. Kestrel would-"

Kestrel interrupts flatly, "I know her." Sparrow blinks in surprise as Kestrel's voice comes out with a deeper timbre -- almost growly, and closer to masculine than Cinnamon has previously heard from them, "She showed up maybe a month ago... six weeks at the most. Had the right paperwork. Family line was right. You know how folks move off and you get some bloodlines that stay pretty pure but they're off the rez for a couple generations?"

Sparrow nods in understanding, "Yeah... and then you get a kid or a grandkid that comes back. One of those?"

Kestrel nods slowly, "Her name's Belinda. She's living in town. I liked her. Everyone did."

Cinnamon says quietly, "Okay. She's who offered the poisoned dessert to all the victims, Kestrel." She takes a deep breath, thinking hard, "Which means... it's time to go track down Jes�s -- because I'm betting whoever organized this is planning on scapegoating him. Which means..." she thinks for a moment, then gets a determined expression, "we need a bloodhound... because who'd expect a coyote to just happen to have a bloodhound around?" She gives Sparrow a hopeful smile.

Kestrel sighs and puts a hand over their eyes, "Oh. Fuck. Fuckfuckfuckfuckityfuck."

Sparrow snorts, "Let me guess..."

Kestrel -- with their hand still over their eyes -- nearly groans, "Can you guess silently? Because you know you're right. I know I'm gullible and too trusting -- you tell me I am all the time."

Sparrow smiles wryly and kisses the top of Kestrel's head, "As a special favor to you, I'll only think it really loud." Then he arches a brow at Cinnamon, "Why the fuck would you want a bloodhound when you can have a bear? They've got better senses of smell."

Cinnamon blinks confusedly between the two entities, but doesn't say anything, since apparently Kestrel is hurting about something. She blinks again at Sparrow when he speaks to her, "A... bear? They do, really? Huh, I didn't know that!" She pauses, then reaches for her cell phone, her voice intrigued, "I wonder what has the best sense of smell in the anima- wait." She rolls her eyes at herself, then grins wryly as she puts her phone away again, "Sorry, easily distractible by cool things! So... bear, really? Awesome!" She grabs Sparrow's hand, tugging as she adds, "C'mon! Elias found a few drops of blood, so hopefully it'll be easy to track for you!"

Cinnamon pauses only long enough to give Kestrel a terse rundown of who's watching who, and who still needs care -- then she surprises herself by giving the two-spirit a quick, tight hug. Her voice is fierce, "I don't care if you were too trusting, Kestrel -- I think we need more trust!" After that, her face flaming red at her forwardness, Cinnamon hastily grabs Sparrow's hand to patter off again!

Sparrow chuckles and gently takes his hand back, "Hold on a second." He turns and gently takes Kestrel's chin in his hand, "Look at me." Kestrel takes their hand off their eyes with a sigh and looks at Sparrow... who says quietly, "Your nature is to heal and to love. Of course you trusted her. No one is upset at you or blaming you. You hear me?" Kestrel nods and Sparrow kisses them on the nose, "Ok. Now, go help Thorn." Then he lets Cinnamon get his hand again and drag him off.

Cinnamon is, in fact, not quite dragging him after her as she gabbles, "This way it was at Killa's teepee Jes�s is missing but he ate the stuff too and all his stuff is gone with him but Daniella says he's really loyal so we're guessing he's being framed and we want to..." Her voice trails off behind her as she moves out of easy earshot for Kestrel.

However, Sparrow only waits until they're out of sight of the fire before he gently extricates himself again, "Hold up, darlin'. Gotta give me a chance to change." Cinnamon is still rather red with embarrassment at her forwardness, but she obediently pauses and nods, standing quietly in the darkness as she waits. Sparrow strips out of his clothes without the slightest hint of worry. He figures if Cinnamon is shy, she'll turn around real quick when she realizes what he's doing... which she does -- with a slightly shocked squeak of alarm! She's blushing mostly because she was initially staring to see how the change went... and because... well, hadn't he shifted from really enormous coyote to a dressed Sparrow, during the attack on the Council? Though... ah, maybe it's different for him when it's not his 'native' coyote form? She can ask later -- for now, she has to get the bear to the teepee quick-fast! She hopes bears aren't slow, though from the few TV experiences of bears she has, she's a bit worried they are.

Sparrow says, "I'd appreciate it if you'd carry my clothes... this shape would rip out of them. If you want to watch the change, I can turn around so all you'd see is my ass?" He grins as he adds, "I know you're a curious one." There's the rustling sound of fabric folding as he's talking.

Cinnamon really really really hopes Sparrow can't see in the dark -- because she feels like her face should be on fire with embarrassment! She manages to squeak out, "Uh, I... n-no -- I g-gotcherclothes!" She doesn't turn around immediately, though, since she also really really doesn't want to accidentally catch Sparrow in pre- or mid-change -- when he's still being n-naked!

There's a groan and a snarl and sounds like something wet tearing, and than a large, painful roar that is very much and very obviously not human... followed by the sound of something heavy hitting the ground. A moment later a very, very large bear comes padding around into Cinnamon's line of sight. While polar bears are meant to be the largest terrestrial predator, this particular grizzly looks like it could possibly take the world record! Sparrow shakes all over to settle his heavy pelt, then snorts and tosses his head.

Cinnamon blinks up at the enormous grizzly, reaching out slowly with one small hand to stroke the heavy, coarse fur along one foreleg. Her voice is awed, "Oh... my... you're so big!" A moment later she shakes her head sharply, "Right, Jes�s! Must focus. Okay, umm... clothes first!" She turns to carefully collect up the little pile of neatly folded clothing, then turns back towards Sparrow with it held tightly against her chest so she doesn't lose any of it, "Okay! Killa's teepee next -- then you can track from there, right?" The wonderful potential innuendo of all her words is, of course, entirely lost on her! She turns and patters surely off into the night, heading for the teepee she's seen Killa come out of; she has no idea how slow she is in comparison to a bear.

Sparrow gives a deep, ursine snort, and reaches out surprisingly delicately with one enormous paw to stop Cinnamon before she walks too far. Those claws are huge. Cinnamon blinks startledly down at the truly amazing claws, and the shocked thought flits through her head, [Do mine look that big to people too?!] Then, half from nerves alone, the hilarious thought bubbles up and blurts out from her lips before she can stop it, "W-why, Grandma -- what big claws you have!"

Sparrow settles down on his belly and tips his head. He doesn't have really expressive features, but she mentally 'hears' him asking, "Aren't you going to ride? We'll go a lot faster."

Cinnamon has to stifle the urge to giggle hysterically by stuffing the clothing against her face, though she's still having small giggle-snorts as she clambers carefully up onto the enormous bear's back. She sighs a bit tiredly as she flops forward, pinning Sparrow's clothes securely between her and the heavily furred, powerfully muscled bear's back. The thick hump over the grizzly's shoulders turns out to be a dandy place to rest her head on her clasped hands, too, "Whew! Okay, you're right... this is better!"

Sparrow snorts as he gets back up onto his massive paws, "Of course I am, darlin'. I always am." There's humor even in his mental voice, "Now. Hold on tight." To someone that's not watched much Animal Planet, bears may seem slow -- but 35 mph is a goodly top speed! Also, Sparrow is thundering along all-out because he's worried. They reach the tepee in almost no time and he starts snuffling around on the ground.

Cinnamon lays silently on the massive bear's back while he searches around the teepee for the scent track of people leaving who aren't supposed to be there... she just rests and thinks for a bit while he does so. She grins with quiet happiness to herself -- she has such a wonderful life! Who else does she know who's ever gotten to ride a grizzly bear?! No one! Just her! Being who she is, it actually takes her a few moments to remember to mentally add to herself, [-and I get to be a dragon too!] In fact, she waits until Sparrow has caught the scent and is striding swiftly along the trail before she calls down to the big bear, "Sparrow? Is it okay if I talk to you while you're tracking? Or would that be too distracting?"

Sparrow makes what seems to be an affirmative, 'go ahead' kind of huffing noise as he snuffles along. He's moving at a pretty good clip, even walking. His head doesn't rise as he strides swiftly, broad paws padding almost silently along the trail as he heads deeper into the unpopulated part of the rez. His round ears swivel alertly; scent and hearing are his strong suits. Bears don't have good eyesight.

Cinnamon replies, "Okay, thanks! I just wanted to... sort of mentally review a bit, you know? Sometimes talking confusing stuff out really helps me sort things out in my head." She's silent for a moment, then speaks again, her voice musing, "See, this is clearly an attack on the 'reveal' faction -- the only folks that were hit were those who are known to vote reveal, and who aren't riding one of your people, like Nasteexo did. But the thing is, if it's supposed to be an attack to support the hide folks... isn't it kind of dumb to do that on your people's reservation? Like... doesn't that make you look bad? Even culpable?"

She idly strokes her fingers through the rough, shaggy bear fur as she thinks, then continues in that same thoughtful tone, "Plus there's the issue with Jes�s. Like, let's say he was the guilty party, right? Like, maybe he was angry with Killa or something. Running away would, in that case, make it pretty darned clear it was him -- which means it's kind of dumb of him to try to poison the other councilors as well... especially the reveal ones! I mean, if you hate Killa, wouldn't it make more sense to try to frame him rather than reveal yourself as the attacker?" She's silent for a few seconds more before she adds, "This is... a very confusing plot! Whoever did it obviously didn't know that Killa's changed his mind about revealing -- did you hear about that? I was really pleased when he told me! -- but did know that Snow isn't voting for a while yet while she figures out the lay of the land, right? So... who wants to smack down only some of the reveal folks, and make you look really bad?"

A heartbeat later Cinnamon adds thoughtfully, "Plus? ...I get the impression they either didn't really want to seriously hurt anyone, from the fact that none of the humans who were poisoned went into convulsions... or that these folks really didn't know what they were doing in regards to the poison... or that they simply couldn't get very much of it, maybe?" She sighs, sitting up a bit to look around herself with both IR and UV vision, as she adds, "Does that all sound logical so far to you too?" She wryly adds, as she realizes they're heading deeper into the rez, rather than out of it, "Plus, did they not realize that supernatural entities are going to know the rez far, far better than they ever can? Like, dude! Do they want to get caught?!" Then she pauses, struck by a fascinating thought, "Unless... oh my gosh, Sparrow! Do you suppose they don't actually believe in the supernatural?! That'd certainly explain their not using enough of whatever drug they used!"

Sparrow's mental voice sounds slightly distracted, "They didn't want to kill one of my people because they didn't want to anger me -- or because they wanted to look like they didn't want to anger me -- one or the other. They left Snow alone because Snow hasn't declared for either side, but she's also literally the flip side of Qadan. They're opposite natures -- Yin and Yang -- so it's quite likely she'll be on the hide side. Killa hasn't openly declared his change of heart yet... and they may really have been trying to gain favor with me. I have been quite loud about the people that piss me off. I am sometimes very unsubtle." He pauses and shakes his head with a huff.

Cinnamon grins amusedly down at the big bear, giving him a reassuring pat as she teases, "You, unsubtle?!"

When he starts talking again, there's a little sadness in Sparrow's voice, "Though I have no real enmity against them... just exasperation. It's not really in my nature to hate. Anger, yes, but not true hate. Perhaps they thought that not killing them but making them very sick would be a prank, a joke -- something a trickster would enjoy? Either way, blaming it on Jes�s is not right. A Trickster wants it known who played the trick! A coward hides behind someone else. I want to hope this was not an attempt at murder. We have had enough of murder."

Cinnamon nods silently, her expression worried, at that... then muses slowly, "Maybe... oooh, maybe that's it! Maybe this is a more complex trick than I initially thought! After all, you're the prankster, right? So what they've done is make sure it looks like you did it, with the help of the very pretty girl... and then you tried to pass the buck by framing Jes�s!" She grins tiredly, "How's that sound? Doable?" then wryly adds, "Heck, they could still not believe in the supernatural, too -- maybe this is their way of trying to get back at you for having more social power due to some delusion you have that you're actually Coyote! In their minds, at least, you know?"

There's another amused snort from Sparrow, "If it were me, it would be a lot more subtle and funnier than this!"

Out in the desert, Cinnamon can see some heat signatures... and one that's almost painful to look at. She pats the big bear absently, staring that way... then murmurs softly, "Sparrow? I'm catching a few heat signatures up ahead of us? ...and one of them is really bright?!"

Yet another snort, "Not my fault my however-many-greats grandpaw was an archetype, is it?"

Cinnamon giggles in spite of herself at that, her voice heartfelt, "Oh, I so sympathize, believe me!" She pats the bear harder after that, though -- almost thumping his side, "Sparrow, dude, really? I'm really seeing some folks up ahead, and... maybe we should kinda hurry some, off that way?" She makes an only slightly distracted mental note to ask Sparrow later about his apparently being descended from Coyote... in the same sense that Merlyn is the Merlyn, but not the only Merlyn ever!

Sparrow slows down, "Maybe a campfire? That'd be hot enough to hurt if you're seeing infrared. I remember using night-sight scopes and accidentally seeing a tracer with them. Goddamn, that hurt..."

Cinnamon squints, shifting her vision to UV -- there's plenty of starlight way out here, after all! She should be able to pick out clothing that way, even if people fade to black in UV. Plus not only will the firelight not blind her -- it doesn't give off enough UV to be seen that way -- but if there are any blood drops on the ground, those should light up too! She tchs exasperatedly at herself for forgetting how useful UV is in tracking blood -- she'll have to be more careful next time. Ah... indeed, she can spot clothing! Also starlight glinting on metal... and now that she's been told there might be a campfire, she can make that out too, against the glow of the stars.

Cinnamon says excitedly, "Ooh, I can see them, Sparrow, by the starlight! There's a little campfire and clothing on people -- though people don't show up well in UV, unfortunately -- and there's something metal too?" She points as she leans forward in the correct direction, "That way!" A second later she abruptly adds, "Wait. You're a bear. Also, we want to keep Jes�s safe, right? So... what's the plan? Sneak up on them, or what?"

Sparrow's mental voice is flat and upset, "I sincerely hope the metal isn't some kind of weapon, but I somehow think that's a vain fuckin' hope." After a moment, he adds, "We're going in as a bear and a woman, I think... and if we have to, I will do as little damage as possible. I don't want people dead on my land. Like I said, we've had enough murder."

Glancing around, Cinnamon can see that there's more blood than there was at the tepee. Also, from the number of places where Cinnamon can discern clothing, there are at least three people around that fire. She says quietly, "Sparrow, wait. I'm seeing a lot of blood around here, and there's at least three folks at the campfire. I am not bringing you back perforated -- Kestrel would never forgive me, and neither would I!" She's silent for a moment, studying the distant campfire as she thinks... then she nods once, "What's your sneakiest form, Sparrow? One where you could ghost in and slip away with any weaponry... or with Jes�s himself? I'm pretty much bulletproof, so I make a dandy distraction!"

As she's speaking, Cinnamon is visually checking as carefully as she can, from the height of the enormous bear's back. Are all three folks sitting up, or is one lying down as if wounded? Is the clothing of one ragged -- as might occur if Jes�s were in a fight? Is there the glint of metal next to each person, like a rifle leaning against their seat, or on their belts like a holstered revolver... or is it more like the glint of a getaway car? For these folks to have a campfire, after all, they must be extremely confident!

There's a long moment of silence as Sparrow considers sneaky forms... though after a while he snorts again, "Honestly? In and out with weapons? I need hands, darlin'. I can't go in as Coyote and grab a bunch of guns or knives in my mouth -- I should go in two-legged for that... and I can do that -- in behind them, take what they have, back out again. You'd be surprised just how quiet I can be. The desert really likes me."

Cinnamon sighs in relief, gathering up Sparrow's clothing and sliding off the big bear, "Okay! Go ahead and shift then... though, please, can we rescue Jes�s first? Weapons are secondary, I think, to getting Jes�s out safely." Sparrow nods and walks around behind Cinnamon to change back. She can tell he's trying to stay quiet this time; she can also tell it's definitely not a comfortable process. Cinnamon blushes slightly in spite of herself, and carefully doesn't look! Only once he comes back around into sight does she say, "Okay, I, um, let's see... okay! I'll come stumbling in towards the fire, calling out to them -- that should distract them a bunch! I'll say I got lost in the dark and have been trying to find my way back. Does that sound doable? And while I'm talking to them, you can sneak around and maybe hopefully get Jes�s out?"

Sparrow nods and there's the sound of him donning his clothes. His voice is quiet, "Gonna leave my shoes here; I'm quieter barefoot. If we get Jes�s out and he's alive, I want you to hold onto him and keep him on my back while we get him back. Don't suppose you know how to ride horseback?"

Cinnamon says, "No, but I can fly as a dragon? Why don't I do the carrying, in that case?" She grins as she nervously teases, "Turn about's fair play, right? I got to ride you this time... so it's only fair you get to ride me next?" It's clear from her body language that she has no idea of the innuendo she's unwittingly offered Sparrow!

Sparrow snorts and his eyes twinkle -- even in this situation! -- but he doesn't make the obvious joke. It would be ill-timed and throw Cinnamon off her stride, "Go on, darlin'. I'll be right behind you."

Cinnamon nods and takes a deep, slightly tense breath... then sighs it out and starts forward. She deliberately walks in a straight line, rather than avoiding the undergrowth and shrubbery she can see with her nightsight... and as she goes she calls out with relief, "Oh thank god, a fire -- hello, the camp! Oh my gosh I'm so glad to find out -- hello! Can you help me? I got lost -- I need to get back to the main camp so they don't worry about me... hello?" Her calls are interjected with the occasional muttered, "Ouch!" and "Darnit!" as she blunders into or trips over the occasional shrug or stump... but when she can, she's waving and calling out strongly for help to the folks at the campfire.

As Cinnamon stumbles through the undergrowth, there's a startled voice -- definitely a man's voice -- that swears as the man stands up, then mutters to someone, "Cover him up better! Make it look like he's sleeping!"

The other voice hisses back, "I will! I'll pull him back into the shadows a little more, too!"

As Cinnamon gets closer, she can see there are indeed three people, though one is on the ground, wrapped in blankets. She laughs with nervous relief, "Oh my gosh, I'm so glad to find you guys -- I thought I'd have to wait for dawn to be able to see again!" She keeps her dialogue running in a steady babble, like a really frightened city girl who's not at all used to the great outdoors... hopefully that will cover up any noise Sparrow makes! She also rubs one hand roughly through one side of her hair, messing it up before she enters the firelight -- that will make it look more like she's had a few unfortunate run-ins with the prickly local flora, she hopes!

Of course, as soon as she reaches the outer circle of the firelight, and spots the reclining person, she hushes into a stage whisper, "Oh! Oh, I'm so sorry -- is he sleeping? Did I wake him! Oh, or is it a her? Should we check on them?" That's the best way she can quickly think of to get both individuals to hurriedly assure her they should just leave the guy alone to sleep... which will hopefully get a bit of time for Sparrow to grab Jes�s and dart off into the darkness with him!

By the time Cinnamon gets into the firelight, the blanket-wrapped person would barely be a bump to someone with normal sight -- right at the edge of the firelight. To Cinnamon, they're a barely-breathing bundle of blankets. The person standing up to meet her is a broad-shouldered man -- definitely Caucasian, though with dark hair. She sees his skin is pale and his eyes are blue as he shakes his head, "Nah. He just drank too much -- passed out. Worst that's gonna happen to him is a whopper of a headache tomorrow -- and it'll be his own fuckin' fault, won't it?" He snorts. The woman with him is seated by the fire, poking at it with a stick. She looks a little too casual... like someone that's been told to act casual.

Cinnamon blinks perplexedly, pushing her glasses up as she looks up at the big man, "Oh! Uhh... well, okay...? Um, I've heard that if you can get them to drink water they have less of a headache the next day?" She smiles uncertainly as she adds, "Do you have a car here, maybe? Could I ask one of you t-to drive me back to the main campsite up near the entrance to the rez? Oh!" She blushes, "Where are my manners?! I want to thank you so much for being out here! Oh, and m-my name is Cinnamon -- what's yours?" She beams shyly as she approaches, sticking her hand out as if to shake hands with the big man. She gives herself a mental pat on the back as she realizes: the casual-acting woman is definitely Belinda, the 'very pretty girl'!

The girl by the campfire could be described as 'very pretty,' but that would be like describing the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel as 'a really good painting.' Belinda is, in fact, stunning as she smiles, "Oh, we love coming out here. There aren't many places on this continent you get to see a sky like this." She motions at the sky. It's true; they're pretty far from any light pollution. There are also some blankets a little too casually arranged on the ground between Belinda and the big man. Hard to tell what's under them from where Cinnamon is standing, but that's possibly where some of the glinting came from. There's a beat-up pickup truck behind them, too. The man takes Cinnamon's hand, "Jack. Pleasure."

Cinnamon beams at the man as she earnestly shakes his hand, as if she's still a bit scared but also relieved at finding shelter, "Jack! So nice to meet you and... and, er...?" She glances inquiringly at the woman, pushing her glasses up with her free hand.

Belinda smiles and takes Cinnamon's hand, "Sherry."

Cinnamon beams again, shaking the woman's hand next, "Sherry? That's a lovely name, dear -- and I'm so happy to meet you both!" She pushes up her glasses again as she glances hopefully between the two, "So, um... might I get one of you to perhaps drive me back to the front entrance of the rez? I'm happy to pay for gas, if that's an issue, though I'm afraid my wallet is still in my teepee there?" She's doing her best to stall for as long as she can, for Sparrow's and Jes�s's sake... though a part of her is wondering if maybe they'd do better to just confront the two bad people? Then again... better to separate them first, she decides!

Jack chuckles, "Yeah, I can give you a ride back. It's no fun trying to walk back there... no lights or nothin'. C'mon. Hop in." He tips his head toward the truck and turns around. There is a suspicious bulge at the back of his t-shirt as he adds, "I'll be back soon, honey."

Cinnamon gushes happily, "Oh, thank you both so much! I can't tell you what a relief this is -- I'm so grateful to you both for not minding me interrupting your lovely camping time!" She tries to check surreptitiously: is the blanket-wrapped bundle of Jes�s gone? 'Sherry' has turned her head to watch Jack and Cinnamon getting in the truck. In that moment of inattention, Jes�s is just... gone. Where there was a bundle of blankets, there's now only darkness.

Cinnamon smiles in quiet relief -- excellent! Though... hm, now what. She's happy to separate the two attackers, but at the same time she doesn't want to leave Sparrow alone with a possibly seriously wounded man. As Cinnamon opens the truck to clamber in, she's surreptitiously examining it -- could she possibly mash up the doors enough to keep someone inside? Or... no, they'd just break through the windshield. Hm... well, is there rope or something in the back? Thanks to the nice crew of the Valkyrie, Cinnamon actually knows how to tie good knots now, after all!

As Jack is walking around through the shadows to the other side of the truck, a very quiet form appears out of the darkness, snaking an arm about Jack's throat, and the other around the back of his head. Before he can make much of a sound, and while Cinnamon is still nattering on about being so grateful, the sleeper-hold Sparrow puts Jack in turns the man into a limp pile of limbs. The Trickster motions to Cinnamon to go ahead and get in the truck, then opens the driver's door and waves to her to slide right on through and out the other side. The truck has a bench seat, after all. Cinnamon grins happily at Sparrow and nods, not ceasing her nattering until she's inside the truck... at which point she slides all the way through and out!

The little dragon glances into the truck bed, hoping to spot some rope -- that'd be really convenient! There are actually several hanks of rope there... along with a few other odds and ends. There's a tarp, a spare tire, a tire iron... which has something that looks unsettlingly like blood on it. Of course, so does the tarp. There's also a jumble of... random stuff. It's likely Jes�s' goods from the campsite, since it looks like someone just dumped all his things into the truck and drove away. In fact, Jes�s himself is also in the bed of the truck. Cinnamon whispers happily to Sparrow, "Oh, that works out nicely! Want to grab Belinda and all the weapons as well? I can put out the fire really quick too, if you want?"

Sparrow's grin is not a bit reassuring as he nods, "I'll grab her. That bed's big enough for all of them." He lays a finger over his lips and ghosts back around the truck, disappearing back into the shadows again. Cinnamon grabs up two of the rope hanks, neatly hogtieing the man and laying him in the back as well, near Jes�s. After a moment's thought, she puts something under the unconscious Jack's head -- if that's really his name -- so he won't be injured on the probably bumpy drive back. Then she looks to see if Sparrow needs any assistance.

When Sparrow appears out of the shadows again, he's across the fire from Belinda... holding a very large rifle! He's examining it almost admiringly, "Nice hardware." Belinda jumps, eyes frantic as her hand goes to the blankets at her side, and Sparrow snorts, "You really think I left anything behind? The rest of your hardware's out there..." he waves out into the darkness, "and I'm the only one's ever gonna be able t' find it..." The Trickster crouches across the fire from the young woman, sighting down the barrel of the rifle -- which is pointed nowhere near either Belinda or the truck. He's not even really looking at her, in fact.

Belinda's voice is high with tension as she calls out sharply, "Jack!"

Cinnamon patters out into the firelight and smiles, "He's okay; don't worry. Would you like to come along peacefully with us, please, Belinda?" She considers, then adds, "Unless you'd like to tell us first why you tried to poison folks?"

Belinda stares wide-eyed at Cinnamon -- then swivels hastily back to staring at Sparrow... who chuckles, "Underestimated her, din'cha? See, that's the problem with takin' people at face value. Faces lie. That young lady there," he nods toward Cinnamon, "is one of the most powerful medicine beasts you will ever meet, Belinda." When he looks across the fire again, his eyes flash red eyeshine in the light. They definitely aren't human, "And you have seriously pissed her off. I'd answer her questions if I were you."

Cinnamon continues to smile at Belinda, waiting patiently. She has no idea her sheer ordinariness in this setting is probably the eeriest response she can have, short of shifting shape right here and now. She's quietly, internally thrilled, though -- she's a medicine beast?! That's a form of holy creature, isn't it? Yay! Another sign that she's maybe heading along the right track in her life... if someone as old and wise as Sparrow thinks that of her!

Belinda looks nervously between Sparrow and Cinnamon, "But she's just... she's...?"

Sparrow laughs quietly -- a cheerful, almost friendly sounding laugh. Like Cinnamon's ordinariness, it's a little disconcerting, "A little white girl? Yeah. She is... in this form. Just like I'm just this skinny Injun. But you know better, don't you?"

Belinda shrinks back, glancing over at Cinnamon and almost desperately asking the plain looking woman, "Those... but aren't those people bad people?"

Cinnamon tilts her head thoughtfully at Belinda, "Are who bad people? Poisoners? I'd have to say yes: definitely bad people." Her voice is deceptively quiet and calm, "Why'd you do it, Belinda?"

Belinda shakes her head vehemently, "No! No -- the other people! The snake man and the boy with the white hair and the, the... black man... those people! Aren't they bad people? I know you hate them, Co- Sparrow! I heard some of how angry you were with them! How they were trying to hurt the people you protect!" Sparrow snorts and sighs, shaking his head and rubbing his fingertips over his forehead. Belinda stares anxiously at Cinnamon, "You're supposed to make offerings, and give gifts to the wise ones!"

Cinnamon sighs and glances at Sparrow, "Well, darnit... you were right." She looks back at Belinda as she adds more grimly, "You don't know your own people very well, Belinda, if you thought Sparrow hated those people. Angry with them, sure -- he's said as much to me too. But kill them? No!" She takes a deep breath, then says more gently, "Maybe you should check first with the wise ones as to what they feel is a good offering, you know? Did you not realize how bad this makes Sparrow look -- that this happened on his rez?"

Sparrow says almost gently, "Belinda, it's a really fuckin' bad idea to get the attention of a Trickster. Drawin' the attention of a Trickster's a bad, bad idea. Didn't you ever read The Last Unicorn? It's like runnin' from something immortal."

Belinda is glancing bemusedly between Sparrow and Cinnamon. Her wide-eyed, frightened stare finally lands on Cinnamon, "But... but if those people were gone, they could be replaced! Good people could be put in their place! And... and... things would be better...?!"

At the same instant, Cinnamon adds dryly to Sparrow, "We might want to get back soon, too, Sparrow... so Thorn can check poor Jes�s over?" More grimly she adds to Belinda, "You are so lucky no one died, you silly girl!" She has no idea that as she says that, and thinks of poor Marcus maybe being murdered by foolishness -- as well as everyone else who was attacked -- and what if one of them had shared some of the dessert with Shane for some reason?! -- that her eyes flare a shocking fiery-gold for an instant. Belinda is now between one supernatural with red eyeshine, and one with gold... her skin goes cold.

A heartbeat later Belinda's words register to Cinnamon, and she blinks slowly... as an immense, profound, almost frightening anger seems to flood up through her. Her eyes widen and she takes a long, deep breath -- and then she almost screams, "You stupid girl! We just stopped one insane assassin -- we don't need more! Murder is never the answer, do you hear me! NEVER!" For a moment fire wells up angrily inside her, and she knows she could sear this place to a crisp -- the girl included! She has no idea the fiery glow is visible inside her open mouth when she shouts. A heartbeat later, though, she takes another slow, deep breath... then sighs it out equally slowly and says tightly, "Enough." She sighs, adding, "Belinda, it's time to go." Her voice is almost gentle as she holds out a hand, "Come along, please?"

Sparrow chuckles wryly, "Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons..." then sighs and gets to his feet. "Welp... let's get back to the camp. Jes�s is hurt. I'll make sure the fire is out. I think Belinda should ride in the back. I'll drive us."

Belinda looks quite pale as she shakily takes Cinnamon's hand and gets to her feet. Cinnamon smiles at the girl, even though it's a bit tightly, as she murmurs to Sparrow, "Jack's tied up in the back, so we might want to have Belinda in front with us?" She glances at Sparrow and grins amusedly as she adds, "Also, bet I can put the fire out faster and more completely than you?"

Sparrow nods, "At least tie her hands, then." He looks Cinnamon over and raises an eyebrow, "I wanna see this."

Cinnamon giggles tensely at Sparrow, then steps over to the fire... and breathes it in, in one long, deep inspiration. She grins at the Trickster as she adds, "Was you taught me how to do that too, silly -- you said you saw my Papaw do it!" To Belinda she adds, "It's okay, we'll seat you between us, so even though your hands are tied you won't fall out or anything, okay?"

Sparrow tips his head back and laughs, "Well, fuck -- I did, didn't I? Teach me to be distracted." He pats her on the back and winks, then helps get Belinda in the truck. As he does so, he looks her square in the face, and his expression goes dark, "You are in so damn much trouble, girlie. Plus, you've upset Kestrel. You've pissed off a Trickster and you fucked with the hearthfolk. Ain't you got no sense at all?" He sighs and puts the truck in gear, heading back to the camp.

Cinnamon ties Belinda's hands, as Sparrow requested, though she does it in front of the girl rather than behind the girl's back. She wonders idly what it is about really pretty people, that they so often just don't think! Well... hmm, okay, Shane does. But Marcus is sometimes kind of... thought-averse? Heavens knows her sister Candi certainly is too! Cinnamon sighs, then tries to get Belinda to talk more, if the girl isn't shocked into silence by the fire eating -- the little dragon is wondering if it was Jack or Belinda who came up with this cockamamie plan. Did they intend to present it as some sort of offering to Sparrow, later?

Sparrow is very quiet on the drive back, which seems to make Belinda very anxious, but she tries to talk. It comes out that it was Jack's idea, and it was meant as a kind of offering to Sparrow... a 'show of devotion.' That makes Sparrow roll his eyes and mutter about stupid white boys. Cinnamon sighs quietly, then asks Belinda, "Is Jack Native American, then?" She glances over her shoulder into the back of the truck, wondering if the big man has woken up yet. She suspects Belinda has effectively been set up, and Jack has some outside motive for doing this.

Sparrow too glances over his shoulder, "Had black hair, but he looked pale to me. Can't tell from that, too. I've know a few folks that were quarter Indigenous who just looked pale as fuck. Had enough white blood and recessive genes to be blue-eyed, too."

Belinda stammers, "He told me he was... yeah, about a quarter. Had the genealogy to prove it... I went to college with him..."

Sparrow sighs and looks over at Cinnamon, "Wanna bet he's just sowing some kinda shit?"

Cinnamon nods gravely, "Was just thinking that, actually... though I don't know how he found out about the councilors. That'd be interesting to find out, I think?"

The drive back is a little bumpy but short. Belinda is crying silently by the time they get there, her head down. Sparrow sighs, "He's probably either supernatural or a human who was raised around them, like Himeko."

Cinnamon nods quietly, but simply says, "Well, if I understand things correctly, the two of them are yours. If you don't mind, I'm going to hustle Jes�s to Thorn right away, okay? -and then let Daniella and Killa know he's safely back."

Sparrow nods, "I don't know for sure that he is mine." He sighs and gets Belinda out of the truck, "Get Shane to help you transport Jes�s?"

Cinnamon blinks curiously at Sparrow, then grins as she pushes up her glasses, "Um... you do remember I can carry six people at once, right? Or is there something else you're worried about?"

Sparrow laughs quietly, "True. Sometimes even I glance over and think: 'Small woman. May need help.' Go on, darlin'. Get him to the healer." Cinnamon giggles quietly as she slides out of the truck, then patters around to the back.

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

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