Goblin Town -- Logs

Cinnamon giggles quietly as she slides out of the truck, then patters around to the back. Dropping the tailgate, she clambers in and first checks Jack -- is he awake? That... looks like a no. He's breathing and his eyes are half-open, but they're rolled back in his head, and he's definitely out. Jes�s is still breathing slowly, though, and looks ashen. Cinnamon nods to herself -- Jack is fine enough! She slides carefully out of the back of the truck, gently gathers up Jes�s, then goes pattering quickly in towards the firepit. She's calling quietly as she goes -- since she doesn't know if anyone's trying to sleep or not, "Thorn! Thorny, we found Jes�s -- can you come look at him, please?!"

Thorn perks as he hears his name called. Glancing that way, he mutters a soft curse and rushes over to Cinnamon. "What happened to him?" he asks quickly, even though he can see the man was clobbered in the head by something like a tire iron or a crowbar. Cinnamon gently lays Jes�s on the ground so Thorn can more easily reach him. She stays there as well, in case Thorn needs a hand or something... though she glances around quickly to see how everyone else is doing too. If she catches either Daniella's or Killa's eyes, she'll smile reassuringly and call, "We found him in time!" Daniella nods and her eyes go flinty. Killa looks furious, and his face starts to revert toward its ophidian shape due to his anger.

Thorn checks Jes�s's vitals equally quickly, then nods more to himself than anything -- yes, the man will need attention, about twenty minutes ago -- but now will have to do. His guess is right: Jes�s has been whacked over the head with a tire iron, resulting in a skull fracture and likely a subdural hematoma as well. He does need help -- but he's still alive and his breathing, though slow, is steady. Thorn takes in a deep breath and closes his eyes, placing his hands to either side of Jes�s's head... visualizing the bones mending, the brain resuming its normal shape, and its bruising going away, the skin healing and coming back together. There isn't really any time to lose; Jes�s almost certainly has a concussion, and if he's unconscious he may never wake up without a lot of medical attention.

Kestrel hurries over as well, with their medkit that has things such as sterile gauze and the equipment to clean away blood. Even though Thorn can heal the wounds, it might be nice to get some of the blood off the injured man. They're swearing under their breath in at least one non-English language as they study Jes�s, then look at Thorn, "Does it feel like as much of an obscenity to you as it does to me when people do things like this to one another?"

Cinnamon glances up to Kestrel and says softly, "Um, when you have a moment? Not now, of course, but later, maybe? ...Sparrow maybe could use a hug too?" She figures it must really hurt inside for Sparrow to know this was done... for him, after all -- however badly.

Kestrel glances over at Sparrow and then back at Cinnamon, voice soft, "I will hug him. A lot, and very soon. Once we're sure Jes�s is OK." Cinnamon nods and smiles... and then her attention goes back to Thorn and Jes�s.

Thorn glances to Kestrel, "Once, no, I admit. I wasn't deployed in the National Guard, but we heard stories -- were told what was expected of us... now, though... yes, it's obscene." Fortunately, Thorn's magical touch works once more. Jes�s's wounds start to heal; the misshapen part of his skull knits and resumes its correct curve. The skin pulls neatly together again. The man's slow, thready breathing strengthens and evens out to the kind of rhythm you hear in someone that's simply sleeping. Thorn gets a feeling -- just... a feeling -- that the pressure that was on the man's brain has gone.

Cinnamon sighs and relaxes, her voice still quiet, "That is... awesome, Thorny. Thank you so much for saving Jes�s and everyone else tonight!" She gently strokes one hand down Thorn's back as she adds, "How're you doing? You okay too?"

Thorn lets out a gusty breath, "He'll be okay, I think. I hope. I think he's just sleeping now. Best to let him sleep, but when he wakes up he'll likely have a headache... and, of course, he'll need liquids." He smiles quietly to the little dragon, "I'm doing okay -- thanks, Cinnamon. I'm glad you got Jes�s here so quickly. There was the possibility of permanent d-damage." He scowls, "Just clocking someone on the back of the head doesn't knock them out like it does in the movies! If they're out for more than a few seconds... well. That didn't happen here."

Cinnamon nods gravely, "That's why I didn't just clobber the guy who did this in the back of the head too. I didn't want to find out later that I'd accidentally killed him or something." She hugs Thorn impulsively, then sighs in relief and smiles, "Okay! I think we've got this sorted out, and the perps are caught. So I'm gonna go reassure Killa and Daniella, and Kestrel's got their stuff to do, and you should rest too, Thorny, okay?"

Thorn erfs! with the hug, then laughs quietly and hugs her back, "Okay. Rest sounds really good! I think everyone has got this all under control now." Kestrel stays with Thorn, looking stern and a bit sad at the same time.

Cinnamon grins at Thorn, then patters over to check on other folks, pausing next to Jalil and Marcus. Her small smile is a touch worried as she says, "How're you both feeling?" and she moves her hand slowly past Marcus' face, like she did with Daniella. Hopefully he won't have that sort of 2-second lag effect!

Jalil smiles a bit, "I am doing well. One perk of being what I am is that I can burn things off. Fairly literally." Marcus blinks somewhat owlishly, but he's able to follow the motion of Cinnamon's hand. The lag isn't noticeable... if it's there at all.

Cinnamon sighs in relief at Marcus' reaction -- then grins more cheerfully up at Jalil, "That sounds like a really useful ability, honestly!" She beams at both men, adding, "Fabulous -- you both seem much better now! Let me go check on Killa and Daniella too... and hopefully that'll be all of it." She waves as she patters off -- but pauses at a sudden thought. Belinda had mentioned replacing "the black man," which Cinnamon had assumed was Jalil. But... what if that's not who Belinda actually meant? What if she'd been referring to, say, Dejiyo as well? Cinnamon blanches, doing a fast 180 turn and dashing back towards Belinda and Sparrow. The little dragon is almost gabbling, she's so anxious when she arrives -- she grabs Belinda's arm and urgently asks, "The black man, the b-black man -- when you said the black man, Belinda -- did you mean Jalil there? Or the really big, bald guy?"

Belinda looks worried as she replies, "I meant the African man. That one..." She points at Jalil, "but I saw that he shared some of what he had with the other one. It didn't seem to do anyth..." Before she can finish the word, though, her eyes roll back in her head and her body spasms, back arching and limbs going rigid, hands hooking into claws. An instant later, her eyes open wide and she starts speaking quickly and in an entirely different language, grabbing for Sparrow's shoulders, "Dejiyo! Anansi! Dejiyo!"

Cinnamon gasps -- then whirls to Sparrow, "Dejiyo had some of the dessert, Sparrow -- we have to go help him!" She pauses, thinking furiously fast -- then nods once, "You talk to..." she turns to 'Belinda,' adding a questioning, "Nasteexo, yes?" Belinda's head nods, confirming that the lwa is riding the misguided girl. Cinnamon looks pleased as she pats Nasteexo's hand on Sparrow's shoulder, "Good! Sparrow, tell her we'll be ready in just a moment -- I can fly us there quick, okay? Be right back!" She dashes over to Kestrel and Thorn, her words almost tumbling over themselves, "Kestrel Thorn can you both go check on the nice lady that Nasteexo was riding please 'cause they shared some of Jalil's poisoned dessert Sparrow 'n I are gonna go get Dejiyo and bring him back for Thorny to help be right back okay?"

Sparrow blinks at Cinnamon's abrupt departure, saying, "I think..." and then Belinda whirls back to Sparrow, talking fast in a breathy, more high-pitched voice than Belinda used before. Sparrow tries his best to get her to slow down, but doesn't seem to be having much luck.

At Cinnamon's hasty explanation, Kestrel swears and stands up, looking around quickly, "Fuck. OK... I think maybe I can grab the keys to Mary's car pretty quick. It's big enough to get Dejiyo and Nasteexo's horse back here and it's the fastest one we can get in a hurry..."

Thorn half-swears and stands quickly as well, "I'll go, too. They may need much more urgent attention!"

Cinnamon gives Kestrel an odd look, "Um, no? I fly?" She grins, adding, "Take care of the nice lady, please?" Then she turns and dashes back to Sparrow and Nasteexo. She studies them both for a heartbeat... then tries French, "Calm, please? We know to help!"

Nasteexo looks at Cinnamon and apparently gets enough of that to nod and reply in French, "Back. Must go," and then Belinda is abruptly having hysterics at having been forcibly shoved out of her own mind by an ancient spirit.

Sparrow is Not Impressed, snapping at Belinda, "Be quiet! You were a horse for five minutes! You tried to take several lives away for eternity!"

Simultaneously, Cinnamon opens her mouth to ask Sparrow where she can change shape -- and then dismay floods her expression, "Oh... crab cakes! I don't have a harness right now -- there's no way to keep Dejiyo on me!" She frowns, her thoughts racing, "Rope? ...no, not secure enough, might hurt someone... don't have enough chain... saddles are too small... wish you had giant baskets, Sparro- oh!" She brightens, grabbing Sparrow's arm, "The Jeep! Go get the Jeep, please?!"

Sparrow looks puzzledly down at Cinnamon, "The Jeep? Why not take a faster vehicle?"

Cinnamon grins wryly at Sparrow, "Do you have a car that goes faster than me, dude? I can carry the Jeep! That bar over the top -- it's like welded into a sort of roll-cage thingie, right? I'll grab the top like a basket handle, and you guys will all be buckled in perfectly safe!"

Sparrow snorts and laughs at the explanation, "Yeah. It's not like a roll-cage, it is a roll-cage -- and I've rolled the damn thing before!" He gets to his feet and starts toward his trailer at a trot, calling to Kestrel and Thorn, "Bring the medkit and the medic! We're going to get Nasteexo and Dejiyo!"

Thorn nods to Kestrel. "Let's go!" he says. "I hope this is as smooth a flight as last time...."

Cinnamon grabs Belinda's hands as the girl flails, adding over her shoulder to Sparrow, "Hurry, please?!" Then she adds calmingly to the distraught girl, "It's okay, Belinda -- calm down, please? I need to ask you a question, okay? Nasteexo was in your head because her hu- her translator has been poisoned too. Are you willing to let her back into your head, so we can get the fastest directions possible to get to him? Will you help us save one of the lives you endangered?"

Belinda blinks bewilderedly at Cinnamon, stammering, "I... I... what... if... if I do this, will it mean I won't be in as much trouble?"

Cinnamon yells over her shoulder to Sparrow, "No, not Kestrel and Thorn, please! They need to check the nice lady that was Nasteexo before -- she's older and it might have hit her harder!"

Kestrel mutters worriedly, "Damn. You're right. We should check on Nasteexo's horse!" Thorn nods, trusting Kestrel to know where Nasteexo's former horse is as he hurries along with them. The two-spirit hustles them into a car to get Thorn there, muttering worriedly to themself the whole way about what's going to happen if the old lady that Nasteexo was riding is harmed. Apparently the lwa changed horses at the edge of the rez, "jumping" to a younger woman that had agreed to meet them there for the purpose. The old woman is one of the elders of the tribe.

Meanwhile, Cinnamon turns back to Belinda, "Er, what..." She pauses, thinking -- then nearly scowls as she almost throws Belinda's hands down, "Girl, are you seriously trying to place a price on the life of someone you tried to murder?! Shame on you, if so!" She takes a deep breath, closing her eyes and pushing up her glasses... then adds a bit more calmly, "Look, Belinda. I'm not a Trickster -- that's not how things work with me, okay? I'm just... trying to do what I think is right, the best I can." She frowns as she sternly adds, "Which, I might add, is something you might give some thought to as well!"

Belinda licks her lips and is obviously torn for a moment... but then she nods slowly, "I'm willing. I... they're Sparrow's friends. I didn't mean to hurt them. If the old woman got hurt... she's someone from the rez."

Cinnamon nods a bit grimly, snapping, "Got that right! Okay, wait here, please." She glances around, then dashes over to Shane, whispering to him, "Shaney, can I ask a huge favor? The guy poisoner? He's unconscious and in the back of Sparrow's truck right now. Can you keep an eye on him, please? I don't want someone upset and angry to lose their temper and do something they'll regret later... while he's helpless, you know?"

Shane looks as dour as Shane ever looks, but he nods, "I'll watch. I think he's a ffffuuu... unbelievable coward, but I won't let anyone hurt him while he's out."

Cinnamon gives Shane a quick, relieved hug, muttering, "Totally agree, but!" A moment later she dashes back to where Belinda is waiting, giving the girl a quick grin, "Still with us? Or is Nasteexo back?" She's listening carefully for the distinctive roar of the Jeep, as well.

The voice that greets Cinnamon is not Belinda's, saying in French, "Anansi? Sparrow? Back?" The Jeep's roar is coming closer quite quickly.

Cinnamon sighs in relief, shifting to French, "Nasteexo -- good! Into car, please?" She doesn't wait for the Jeep to stop next to them, though -- she steps back a few steps, then shifts into dragon form. To Sparrow, she says, "Make sure you're both buckled in securely, please -- and turn off the engine too, okay? Also, I'll need you to shout loudly and point clearly if you're giving me directions, please... oh! Also, which way is the highway?" Sparrow gives Cinnamon a general direction for the highway and Nasteexo gets buckled in as quickly as she can. She shouts a word that seems to indicate a general direction. Cinnamon nods to them both, her wings already spreading as she takes a firm grasp on the roll bar... then with a deep breath, she leaps into the air as powerfully as she can! Simultaneously, both wings beat down hard, causing dust to swirl and rise -- but seconds later, the dragon, the Jeep, and its passengers are receding from sight.

Cinnamon flies as fast as she can, anxiety lending strength to her wings. She's clinging tightly to the roll bar as well, and her neck is extended to stare as far ahead as she can in the desert night. She calls down to Nasteexo in French, "How far is car, please?!" Nasteexo calls back as loudly as she can, but it doesn't seem to be a distance. Instead, she's describing something: rock. Arrow. Three trees. Mountain. Cinnamon nods at Nasteexo's words, repeating them to Sparrow in English -- then adding, "You recognize that? Gotta distance for me?"

Sparrow yells back, "Yeah, she's describing Spearhead Bluff! There's this little group of three trees you can see from the road. It's about twenty miles nor'nor'west of here!"

Cinnamon glances back and forth, orienting on the stars -- then calls back, "Okay, gonna head nor'nor'west to try and get there faster. What kind of car are they driving?"

Sparrow yells back, "Basically a car-shaped, car-colored car! Some kinda brown sedan! Look for a big S-curve!" He waves in the direction they're going, "You'll see Spearhead that direction -- look for the highway. If she could see the trees, she'll be on the first curve of the S." Cinnamon nods again, increasing her speed a bit -- and it takes her only seconds to cover the twenty miles, considering she can fly as fast as a commercial jet at her top speed! She frowns thoughtfully -- Sparrow's car description isn't really helpful, but she can't really blame him, all things considered. So instead she shifts to visually searching for heat sources -- the car will hopefully stick out like a bonfire in the cool desert night!

Sparrow's description of the terrain, however, is a little more helpful than Cinnamon might have thought at first -- Spearhead Bluff is aptly named. About the time Cinnamon catches sight of the car's heat signature, she can also see the outline of a very sharp rock outcropping against the sky, with three large conifers of some sort atop it: rock, arrow, trees. Cinnamon yells excitedly, "I see it!" and dives down towards the car. Only seconds later she lands carefully, delicately placing the Jeep directly behind the car parked on the side of the road. She sighs gustily, then adds, "Okay, can you load Dejiyo into the Jeep too, and we'll head back fastest?"

Seconds before landing, Belinda's demeanor changes -- she's sobbing and begging Sparrow to never let that happen again. He ignores her completely, aside from a snort, already unbuckling his seatbelt before they've completely landed -- and out of the Jeep and running for the car the moment Cinnamon has them safely down. Dejiyo is retching on the side of the road, on his hands and knees. Nasteexo's current horse is a young woman with afro puffs and gleaming mahogany skin, wearing a tie-dyed t-shirt and cut-off jeans shorts. She's kneeling next to him, talking quickly in their shared Creole and looking worried. He tries to get to his feet, stumbles, and falls to his hands and knees again.

Cinnamon reaches out hastily, trying to support the poor man, "Hang on! We'll get you to Thorn for healing as soon as you're in the Jeep, okay?" She glances over her shoulder to exasperatedly snarl at Belinda, "Would you please just hush up until this emergency -- which you caused! -- is over?!"

Sparrow gets a shoulder under Dejiyo's shoulder and thanks Cinnamon for her help getting the sick man into the Jeep. He growls -- it does not sound like a human voice -- and shakes his head, "Fuckin' idiots," then snaps at Belinda, "This is called getting your paws burnt, you idiotic child!" Nasteexo climbs into the Jeep as well, glaring at Belinda, and hisses something at her that sounds very unfriendly.

Cinnamon says quietly to Sparrow, as she helps in assisting the poor man to the Jeep, "Make sure Dejiyo is buckled in securely, please? He may not be able to do it himself, and my claws are too big." Sparrow carefully does so, and Nasteexo fastens herself in with Dejiyo. She alternates stroking his face and speaking to him in a worried tone, with shooting Belinda dirty looks and occasionally hissing something at her. Cinnamon has never seen Nasteexo angry, but this is definitely an angry lwa! Once everyone's in the Jeep, the young dragon takes a good hold of the roll bar again, glancing down and checking that everyone is indeed secure, before she leaps into the air again. This time she tries to take flight more smoothly, since she doesn't want to lurch the poor, sick man around nauseatingly -- and she keeps the Jeep steady in her paw-hands as she beats wings as fast as she can back to the campsite.

Cinnamon doesn't say anything to either Belinda or Nasteexo -- she just takes off. She wouldn't feel right in offering platitudes to poor Nasteexo or Dejiyo, right now, after all -- how can she possibly understand their pain? She has little to no kindness for Belinda currently, either -- in fact, she's staggered at the sheer stupidity of the poisoners' plan! Instead she puts her anxiety and anger and fear for her friends into flying as swiftly and evenly as she can, taking care to land right where she took off, and calling for Thorn even as she lands. She also calls down to Sparrow, "If he's still checking the indigenous woman, stay in the Jeep and I'll carry you all there, okay? Just give me directions on where to go!"

Earlier, Kestrel gets Thorn into a car and speeds off into the night in what seems like a rather reckless manner -- considering they're going in a direction with no lights and very little road. The suspension on the two-spirit's car is going to be destroyed, at this rate -- if it isn't already! After a breakneck fifteen-minute race, though, Kestrel skids to a stop that makes the car slide sideways and spit up dust and gravel, in front of a half-sized house trailer. There's only a dim light coming from a window, as the headlights splash across a porch that's hung with wind chimes. As they bolt from the car, Kestrel calls out, "Dovie! Dovie! Are you awake, sugar?" They don't even bother with the steps to the porch or knocking on the door. In fact, Kestrel isn't even bothering moving much like a human and Thorn catches the fact that the two-spirit's eyes have cat-like eyeshine in the dark.

Kestrel having gotten no response, Thorn takes a few steps back, then charges forward with his shoulder; he'll apologize for breaking the lock later! He strikes the door hard, making him grunt and wince... but the door holds. Still, while it's more solid than Thorn first anticipated, it does shudder when he hits it. Kestrel has their hands cupped together and is peering in a window next to the door, still calling out, "Dovie, sweetheart! Talk to me!" Thorn's ferociously desperate second try at breaking in rewards him with the sound of splintering wood, and a cracking crash, as the door is forced open, flying forward and half off its hinges! Wincing and rubbing his shoulder, as he straightens in the front room, Thorn looks around hurriedly, calling out, "Dovie?! Dovie!" He heads for the room from which the light he saw outside was shining, reasoning that Dovie must be there.

Kestrel makes a relieved sound at the successful break-in, following Thorn into the trailer. The healer's guess is right: Dovie is in the tiny bedroom. She's wearing a worn cotton house dress, and is sprawled on the floor, as if she were trying to get to the door. Thankfully, she's also still breathing! At sight of her, the sound Kestrel makes is in no way human -- but rather is the snarl of a very unhappy cat. They quickly step backward, out the bedroom door, so as to leave room for Thorn to work -- and he rushes in as soon as Kestrel moves to the side. The first thing he does is check the old woman's vitals, making sure she's showing the same symptoms as the others and not a concussion as well, or anything like that.

The elderly woman's hair is spread out around her head and half-over her face, but she only shows signs of the poisoning -- not of any assault or other damage. She may have bumped her head when she fell, but no one seems to have hit her. Her heartbeat is weak enough that it takes a moment to find her pulse, but she's breathing. Thorn gives a quick sigh of relief... then takes in a deep breath and focuses, trying to visualize a fan, -- a feather fan -- drawing it down her body as he visualizes it brushing and drawing the poison out of Dovie... praying (but to whom?) that this will work.

Perhaps it's Kestrel's presence... or just being on the rez? ... but as Thorn imagines the fan, the feathers insist on being eagle feathers. They successfully wipe the poison out of the frail body of Dovie, and the elder stirs and moans where she lays on the floor. She takes a deep breath as her eyes flutter open, and weakly croaks out something questioning... to which Kestrel replies, "It's Kestrel, sweetheart, and Thorn. He's a friend of mine and Sparrow's."

Thorn lets out a relieved breath, "You were poisoned, ma'am, but you should be all right now. Let me get you some water. You'll need a lot of liquids in the next few hours."

Dovie sits up slowly and cautiously, licking her lips before she carefully enunciates, "Who would want to poison me?" As she next tries to stand, she reaches out to brace herself on Thorn's shoulder.

Kestrel heads for the tiny kitchen to get a glass of water, talking over their shoulder, "I'm going to call your nephew to come stay with you for a day or so, too."

Just then there's a heavy beating sound, like someone snapping out the largest blanket ever -- and a small gust of dusty breeze blows in the shattered door. Cinnamon's deep, rumbling draconic voice calls out, "Thorny? Kestrel? Is everyone okay?"

Thorn places a hand on Dovie's, urging her to sit on the bed and not stand for too long. "I should let someone else explain it," he says, then perks. "Oh, that'd be Sparrow and Cinnamon."

Dovie smiles wearily at Thorn, her voice still a bit croaky, "Thank you, young man."

Outside, Cinnamon growls worriedly, "The door is shattered! Guys, is everyone okay? Sparrow, be careful going in, please!" Sparrow, once again, is out of the Jeep before they're properly landed, racing into the trailer. He manages to jink around Thorn -- barely even touching him -- to check on Dovie and Kestrel.

From the bedroom, Thorn calls out, "We're in here, Cinnamon! We're okay, we're all okay!"

Cinnamon sighs gustily in relief, "Oh, whew! Thorn, can you come out and check Dejiyo over, please, once you're done in there?"

Thorn waits for Kestrel to return with the water, and smiles encouragingly to Dovie. Then he rushes outside to check on Dejiyo. Cinnamon is sitting right outside the trailer, one clawed paw-hand still resting lightly on the roll bar of the jeep. She grins toothily at sight of Thorn, though it's clear she's still anxious. In the passenger seat of the front of the Jeep is Belinda, while in the back are seated Dejiyo -- who looks badly nauseated and exhausted -- and a dark-skinned young woman in a tie-dyed T-shirt and cut-offs. She's gently stroking Dejiyo's cheek and murmuring to him in their shared Creole -- though she pauses and looks relieved at sight of Thorn.

Belinda is sniffling and upset -- even shaking a little. This got way, way further out of hand than she expected it to! This was meant as something to gain Sparrow's favor! Unfortunately, it instead went very much in the opposite direction... though trying to gain the favor of a Trickster is perhaps not the smartest of options.

Thorn crouches beside Dejiyo, outside the jeep and opposite the woman. "I'm Thorn," he tells the woman, "I'm a healer."

Nasteexo smiles at Thorn and rests a hand on his cheek, "Oui," as the healer quickly checks Dejiyo's vitals -- again, just to make sure there's nothing in addition to the poison that has already harmed the big man. Fortunately, Dejiyo is in better shape than Dovie... perhaps it's that he's almost three times her size? Or perhaps he's just in better health. At that, the healer once again visualizes the magical fan, letting the environment or Kestrel put their own spin on its appearance -- and again, it has that strong eagle-feather look to it. Thorn takes deep breaths, focusing on the fan so as to sweeping the poison out of Dejiyo, and the stroking of the fan almost seems to ripple the big man's clothes. He groans in a deep voice, eyes fluttering as the magic of Thorn's healing pulls the poison from his body -- or at least pulls its influence from him enough stop the retching and spasming. He sits up, panting tiredly as he wipes an arm across his mouth.

Cinnamon sighs gustily in relief, "There we go!" She glances at Thorn as she murmurs softly, "Is the older lady okay?" She doesn't want to draw any attention from either of the lwa with that query... since she's a bit worried that the poor woman might be seriously harmed, and she doesn't want to hurt the lwas' feelings that it happened on their 'watch,' so to speak.

Thorn nods to Cinnamon. "She'll be fine, I think," he says. "Just needs some time, rest, and liquids."

Cinnamon sighs in relief again, with a warm gust of breeze that gently eddies around people's clothing, "That is fantabulous news, Thorny! Thank you so much for all your hard work tonight." Sparrow comes stalking back out the door, but Kestrel stays in the little trailer. The young dragon blinks her large, slightly glowy eyes as she spots Sparrow returning, and calls hopefully, "Sparrow, could you bring a drink for Thorny, please? We don't want him falling down from exhaustion, after all! Hm..." She turns her gaze to Thorn as she adds, "Do you need some protein too, dear?"

Belinda, by now, is starting to tremble uncontrollably, babbling about talking dragons and flying cars and going insane. Thorn grumbles softly, then shifts his attention to Belinda -- he knows she won't be any use to anyone if she cracks! "Belinda... listen to me. Look into my eyes, okay?..." He turns up his best calming bedside manner to try and calm her down before she snaps.

Cinnamon falls hastily quiet on her query to Thorn, once she realizes he's busy! Instead she arches her long neck and head over the Jeep to murmur to Sparrow, "Does Kestrel carry energy bars or anything, do you know? We might want to be sure Thorn gets something nutritious soon, please?" Sparrow looks like he's considering just striding over to Belinda anyway -- but he stops, takes a breath, then nearly stomps back inside. When he comes out a moment later, he's got a quart-sized mason jar full of water and some beef jerky. He hands the jar to Dejiyo, lays the jerky down beside Thorn, then goes back in the house... to return a moment later with two more mason jars full of water. His mouth is in a thin, tight line. Cinnamon smiles in (toothy) relief at Sparrow, murmuring a quiet, "Thanks so much!"

Meantime, Belinda is concentrating hard on Thorn's face... Thorn's normal, calming, human face -- and his voice -- nice, normal, calm, sensible voice. It's a doctor's kind of voice... a logical, trustworthy kind of voice -- the sort that you listen to, when it says things are going to be OK. She nods and looks into his eyes... and once Belinda is calmed down, Thorn sits back and blinks at the jerky. He barely noticed Sparrow placing it there, but it's certainly got to be necessary by now! He takes it up and starts to chew... and chew... and chew. When Sparrow comes back out again, the healer nods to him, "Thank you!"

Cinnamon adds firmly to Dejiyo, "You need to drink what you can, please, okay? You've lost a lot of liquids!" She frowns consideringly -- that's not quite what she remembers Thorn saying. What was it... ah! "Sorry! Fluids -- I meant fluids!"

Sparrow nods to Thorn, his face still serious; Kestrel is still in the trailer with Dovie. Dejiyo nods to Cinnamon, and conscientiously drinks the water a sip at a time -- rather like someone who is afraid it's going to come right back up. Sparrow murmurs to Cinnamon, as he leans against her side, "She's lucky I'm not slapping the taste out of her mouth! Dovie could have died. She's in good health for a woman in her late eighties, but she's still in her late eighties!"

Cinnamon can feel the lean man shaking in anger despite his almost calm demeanor. She reflexively wraps one large foreleg about Sparrow, trying to be comforting... as she adds with a wry smile to Thorn, "Thank you for getting her to hush, Thorny." She sighs softly as she turns her head and points it down towards Sparrow, then gives him a gentle, affectionate tongue-flicker with her long, dry, warm, bifurcate tongue. Her growly voice is gentle as she murmurs, "She's okay now, though. We moved fast enough to get Thorny to her in time, and he's the best. She's okay... you can relax now, Sparrow." Thorn smiles wanly to Cinnamon at her praise. Inwardly he knows it was a little too close with Dovie. What happens when it doesn't work? He has a lot of questions, and unfortunately only Iason will be able to answer them.

Sparrow takes a deep breath, unwittingly echoing Thorn as he nearly growls, "This was too close." He stands up and walks over to Belinda -- and weirdly, he seems to almost tower over her. There's that flash of feral eyeshine in the darkness as he snaps, "You know nothing of Tricksters, girl -- you don't invite our favor! We are not to be courted. You nearly killed a respected elder of this tribe, and a guest of this land -- out of sheer carelessness." He shakes his head with disgust, growling, "You know nothing." Then he sighs and turns to the still-chewing healer, "Thank you, Thorn," and looks up at Cinnamon, "Can you get us back? Kestrel is going to stay with Dovie until one of her family members can get here."

Thorn nods to Sparrow. "Just doing my best," he says quietly, putting his worrying aside. He stands, and... wonders how he's going to get back! He could strap himself into the back of the Jeep....?

Cinnamon smiles quietly, "Of course, Sparrow. Though... might it be better to put everyone who was harmed in one location tonight? That way, if Kestrel or Thorn are needed, they're right there?" She nods to Thorn, "There's room in the Jeep, Thorny. Just make sure you buckle in securely, please, okay?"

Thorn enthusiastically nods to Cinnamon, "Oh, count on it!" as he straps himself in tightly. Cinnamon grins, then tilts her head inquiringly at Sparrow, waiting for him to reply before she flies anywhere.

Sparrow takes a deep breath and nods, "That makes sense." He looks around, "Let me get Kestrel and have her call off Dovie's nephew. I'll ride back with Kestrel and Belinda, so we can put Dovie in the Jeep with Thorn and the others. I want all the sick folks with Thorn."

Cinnamon nods calmly, "That's fine. I'm happy to move folks around as necessary!" Sparrow nods and looks at Belinda with a brow raised. She swallows hard, but unbuckles herself. Sparrow goes into the trailer to get Kestrel and Dovie, leaving Thorn and Cinnamon with the others.

Dejiyo asks quietly, "The girl will be safe with Sparrow?"

Cinnamon nods to Dejiyo, "Yeah. Sparrow's a Trickster -- they don't murder people. Plus, if you want, you can ask him to please do her no harm." She thinks a moment, then adds dryly, "He didn't harm the guy that she was helping, after all... and he could have." She adds to Thorn, "Why don't you sit in the front, guy, so you're right next to Dovie?" Thorn ohs! and nods to Cinnamon, switching seats so he'll be next to Dovie.

Dejiyo nods slowly, rumbling to the young dragon, "Not all Tricksters are benign."

Cinnamon tilts her head thoughtfully at Dejiyo, "Really? Okay, I'll keep that in mind." Sparrow returns, gently guiding the somewhat unsteady Dovie to the Jeep. He helps get her belted in securely and smiles, assuring her she'll be safe. The old woman seems not a bit fazed by a large, red dragon. Instead she smiles tiredly at Thorn and reaches over to pat his knee, as if he were the one that might need comforting. Of course, she's an elder of the tribe, and a grandmotherly type; she's likely raised or helped raised a lot of children. Cinnamon watches, then inquires curiously of the Trickster, "Sparrow, are you a benign trickster? Like, Belinda will be safe with you, right?"

Sparrow arches a brow, "Belinda is going to be safe with me." With that, he gets into Kestrel's car and pulls out.

Cinnamon glances down at the Jeep and smiles at Dejiyo, "There you go!" After that, her voice carefully cheerful, she adds, "Okay! We're going to head back to the campsite, so everyone please stay nice and relaxed. Here we go!" The young dragon flies as carefully and smoothly as she can, landing the Jeep almost delicately next to the campfire again. She waves a friendly wing as she settles, calling, "Hello, everyone! We were thinking that everyone who was injured should probably spend the night all together, so if there's any problems at all, Kestrel and Thorn will be right there for you. Sound good?" She adds to Thorn, "I don't know where Sparrow and Kestrel will want you all, but they'll be here soon. In the interim, is there anything else you need from me, before I go change?"

Thorn shakes his head, "Nothing; thanks, Cinnamon. You've been hugely helpful tonight. None of this would have worked out quite so well without you."

Cinnamon beams toothily as she leans her head down and gives Thorn a friendly tongue-flicker too, "Aww, thanks, Thorny!" She grins cheerfully at the two lwa, adding, "I'm so glad you're both better now! I'll be right back, okay?" She pads off carefully, glancing around for a building she can step behind to try changing. Shortly thereafter, Cinnamon sighs in relief as her attempt works on the first try! She comes pattering hastily back out a moment later, adjusting her clothes and smoothing down her hair -- then takes a moment to check that everyone that's been harmed is fine now. In specific, she makes sure that Killa and his people are feeling better, and that Himeko knows that if she's still feeling awful, both Shane and Cinnamon can help with any translation needs she has for Bright Wings. Also, if Dejiyo needs help out of the Jeep, Cinnamon is happy to lend a sturdy shoulder -- though she'll gently suggest to Dovie that she stay in the Jeep, and relax and wait until Sparrow and Kestrel get back.

Sparrow and Kestrel, of course, have not yet arrived; 'as the dragon flies' is a lot faster than Kestrel's vehicle! Or, at least, it is if Kestrel's vehicle is being driven at a sane rate of speed -- which it apparently is at this point. After all, they aren't racing to try to make sure an elderly woman won't die of an accidental poisoning attempt. So it takes twenty more minutes for Sparrow, Kestrel, and Belinda to get back. That's actually a bit longer than a quick estimate says it ought to have taken -- even driving normally and not at breakneck speed -- but Belinda seems unharmed when they get out of the car at the campsite.

Thorn was starting to get a little worried about Sparrow, Kestrel, and Belinda; their late arrival does nothing to allay his worry. But Belinda seems to be fine, and nothing seems amiss. People are taking in liquids and electrolytes and being watched over. Elias is glowering a bit, while Jes�s is being hovered over by Daniella and Killa. Himeko is still feeling a bit out of sorts, and Marcus is still somewhat groggily tired. Dejiyo is recovering well, fortunately; perhaps that's because he only had a little... or maybe because he's hardy? Dovie too is still rather exhausted. Cinnamon sighs in relief after she checks everyone, then goes to see if Kestrel needs any help getting folks into one location. The little dragon has to admit to herself, however, that she won't bothered at all if Jack is still unconscious! Though... hm. Kestrel is arranging to have some pallets made up in the council rooms, so everyone is together in one place in case there are any problems in the night.

Considering how many willing hands there are to assist the two-spirit, Cinnamon decides to go looking for Shane -- does he have a moment to watch someone with her while she questions them? Shane is sitting on the tailgate of the truck where Jack is, looking fairly serious. Cinnamon blinks and tilts her head at Shane's expression, "Is, um, everything okay?"

Shane smiles wryly and glances over his shoulder, lowering his voice, "I, uhm... I had to put him back out. He came up swinging."

Cinnamon grins as she hops up onto the tailgate and sits next to Shane, "Silly! Shoulda left him tied up!" She giggles... then sighs as she leans a bit against Shane, and smiles, "We did it, Shaney... we saved everyone. It wasn't easy, and poor Thorn deserves a humongous medal, but... the poisoning plot failed." She sighs again as she adds, "I want to ask Belinda a few questions, though. You willing to watch her while I do that?"

Thorn has been paying the most attention to the genuinely sick and poisoned folks, though he comes by to check worriedly in with Jack. The healer wonders if the man shouldn't be awake by now, considering sleeper holds should only knock you out for... well, not for this long, he doesn't think? He's actually not certain, and can't find anything about it on a quick web search -- not in the time he needs to pay attention to everyone. Finding out Shane had to put Jack under again makes Thorn somewhat relieved... though he's not certain that it's healthy for a human to be put under that often...? Shane nods at Cinnamon's question, then smiles at the concerned healer, "It wasn't that long ago, Thorn. I think he was playing possum for a while, too." Jack's vitals are good -- and when Thorn goes to check his pulse, the man seems fine.

Now that Nasteexo and Dejiyo are safe, Kestrel is organizing folks to make sure all the injured spend the night in the same place, along with the healers. Cinnamon is starting to feel a bit tired -- it's been a rather exciting and emotional few days, after all! -- and her particular skills don't appear to be currently necessary to assist. So she gives herself permission to clamber up onto the tailgate of Jack's truck, and settle down next to Shane. She doesn't consciously realize she's doing it, but at one point she shifts over a bit closer to the young paladin and murmurs very softly, "Hey, Shane. Can I ask you a, um... possibly difficult question?" She glances around, making sure no one else is nearby before she leans to murmur, "Like... is Sparrow, uhh... dangerous, or something?" She remains leaning close to Shane -- just so she can hear his quiet reply, of course.

Shane looks around for a moment, making sure they're alone before leaning close as well to murmur, "He could be. In the right circumstances. But I don't think he would be to you or I. Why?" Cinnamon absently nibbles on her lower lip as she considers... then whispers back, "W-well, 'cause... well, like yesterday? He told me I didn't have anything to fear from him, y'know? But today... today, Dejiyo actually asked me if Belinda would be safe with Sparrow! So..." she looks a bit guilty and a bit confused as she continues, "I... I was kinda wondering what was up with that, you know? Like... do you get it?"

Shane ahhs and nods, "I see. Well, you don't have anything to fear from Sparrow. You would never do anything that would put you on his bad side, I don't think. At most, you might find yourself being teased a little in a playful way." Cinnamon blushes! He puts an arm protectively around Cinnamon's shoulder and pulls the little dragon against his side in an unconsciously protective way -- which both increases her blush, and rather delights her! Shane continues, "Belinda, however, put people in true danger. Innocents. The councilors are all pretty strong, but the woman Nasteexo was riding... what was her name... Dovie? She was not. She's an elder of the tribe. She could have died, and that would have been out of bounds. Dejiyo could have died, too. He's human. That could have incurred Sparrow's wrath. And you don't want to get on the bad side of a being that carries around the power of a primal archetype."

Cinnamon nods grimly, "She and Jack could have killed a lot of the folks here! Himeko, Daniella, and Jes�s -- they're all human. If we hadn't woken Marcus and Bright Wings, they might have never woken up, too! And we were just darned lucky that more folks didn't share their food with each other, I think!" She sighs, pushing up her glasses as she adds more slowly, "But... I guess that's what I'm really asking, then, maybe? Like... what exactly is an archetype? Is Sparrow the only one here on the Council like that?" She leans her head lightly against Shane's shoulder as she adds even more quietly, "Part of me wonders, too: Belinda seems kind of... fluffy-headed, if that makes sense? Like my sister. I don't think she came up with the plan. So... if Jack did it, what was he really trying to accomplish? Was he trying to maybe get Sparrow into so much trouble with his people that... I dunno, maybe he thought they might want a new Coyote or something crazy like that... and he thought he might fit the bill?" She gives Shane a worried glance, "Has stuff like that happened before?"

Shane snorts at the description of both Belinda and Candi as 'fluffy-headed,' then sighs, "An archetype isn't quite a god. Sparrow is an embodiment of an idea. People don't worship archetypes. At least, not really. They use them as�" he shakes his head, "illustrations of a concept. Tricksters are there to show you not to take things too seriously. Both because you need a little joy in your life, but also that you can't be too frivolous because you burn yourself that way, too. They also tend to be kinda� uhm... " he clears his throat, "I'm not sure why, but they tend to be sort of primal in a sexual way�" The young paladin rubs the back of his head.

After a few minutes, Shane goes on, "But Tricksters can also cause all kinds of bad luck. Imagine going the rest of your life and always being the one that's going to trip over the crack in the sidewalk or drop your toast butter-side down or stub your toe. And that's just the semi-benign bad luck. What about being the first person to be let go anytime there's a layoff? Or never be the one chosen for a promotion?"

Cinnamon nods slowly, considering... then says thoughtfully, "Yeah... see, that's kind of what I'm asking here. If I understand things correctly, your lineage is important to be considered an indigenous person, right? Like, both Belinda and Jack had to show they were a quarter American Indian, or something like that. So... if you're a guy raised in the regular world, and you want to feel more powerful... would maybe being part Trickster sound appealing, due to not really getting what it was all about? I'm gonna bet white folks don't really get Tricksters as it is, maybe?" She glances over her shoulder at where Jack lies in the truck, then adds quietly to Shane, "That's why I was hoping to ask him some questions with you there, once he woke up... 'cause otherwise? This isn't a plan they implemented... this is just flat out, all kinds of really stupid -- and I can't figure out the real 'why' of it yet!" A bit bemusedly she adds, "I wonder who his quarter Indian relative was? Could he maybe feel he was robbed or something -- like he should have been the new Coyote?"

Shane looks over his shoulder and clears his throat, then lowers his voice and leans in to whisper very close to Cinnamon's ear, "I was actually wondering if Sparrow might have kids he doesn't know about�"

Cinnamon's eyes widen, and she gives a very soft gasp! She holds very still for a few seconds... then sighs softly as she realizes: she can pass that reaction off as surprise at Shane's comment! Whew... that's a relief. He does seem to like whispering right next to her ear -- which is totally awesome, wow! -- but which also gives her the most amazing tingly feelings in places she had no idea were connected to ears! She takes a slow, deep breath... then whispers back, "That actually is the most, um, logical idea I've heard yet about this!" She thinks for a moment, trying to remember Jack's face in the firelight -- did it remind her at all of Sparrow? She never got to see the young man that Thorn healed, and later told her was Sparrow's son, after all.

Jack's eyes are quite similar in shape to Sparrow's and there's something around the mouth as well� but Sparrow himself has never said anything about being anything except full-blood indigenous. Cinnamon frowns thoughtfully at those realizations, quietly passing them on to Shane... then adding, "Maybe... a grandson of his? How old is he, anyways -- do you know? Or... oh! Does he have any siblings? Could this be a nephew?" She frowns thoughtfully again, murmuring half to herself, "Wait... I'm asking you things that are probably secret, aren't I... hm. We might do better to just ask Jack himself, maybe? What do you think?"

Shane says, "I think that might be wise. If he ever wakes completely back up."

Cinnamon grins up at Shane, "Is he foxing again?" She turns around enough to gently nudge the man's shoe, and calls quietly, "Jack? How're you doing?" She has absolute faith in Shane's ability to strike without permanent damage... just as she does for Sparrow... and just as she doesn't have for herself!

Jack doesn't stir, but Shane says, "Yes, he is." He raises his voice slightly, "Playing possum isn't going to keep you from having to talk to people, and I doubt you're as fast as you probably think you are."

Cinnamon laughs at that, in spite of herself! She doesn't know anyone, as a single example, who's faster than fire. "Not against supernaturals, no." She's not being mean, of course; her voice is simply pragmatic.

Jack groans a little, "I'm sure not with a headache like the one I have now."

Shane snorts and says, "Yeah. You're lucky no one decided to break your leg or your neck." He says it in a blas� tone, but he also reaches over and quietly gives Cinnamon's hand a comforting little squeeze. She knows the young half-beansidhe wouldn't hurt anyone more than they made him.

Cinnamon smiles -- almost beams -- delightedly at Shane, giving his hand a small squeeze in return before she turns to study Jack as well, "He's right, you know. That's why I asked him to watch over you -- so you didn't end up dead." She sighs, then adds, "So why'd you do it? And why get Belinda involved?" She blinks at a sudden thought, mentally comparing the two young people -- could they both be related? Surely not, though... after all, how many kids can one guy father, and still have absolutely no idea about?! Her estimation, of course, is seriously naive!

Jack rolls onto his back and presses the palms of his hands against his eyes, "Because I couldn't do this on my own and because she and I have always been close." As much as Jack looks like he could be distantly related to Sparrow, he and Belinda definitely look like they are closely related... and Cinnamon's suspicions that Belinda didn't think of this on her own are borne out.

Shane rolls his eyes. Cinnamon says thoughtfully, "Is she your sister? Cousin? And again: why'd you do it? Surely you must have realized murder isn't sanctioned anywhere as a means of conflict resolution during peacetime?" Equally curiously, she adds, "The two of you are related to Sparrow too, aren't you?"

Before Jack can answer those questions, Sparrow himself seems to materialize out of the dark... causing Cinnamon to squeak startledly when she realizes how close he is! Jack sits up very quickly and scrambles backward to put his back against the cab of the truck. Sparrow drawls, "Was wond'rin' 'bout that myself."

Cinnamon looks confused, "Which part, please?"

Jack gulps and looks around nervously, not answering. Sparrow says, "Why they did it... and also why they look quite so familiar. They look a little too Anglo to be kids of mine." He taps his own temple, "I'm 100% indigenous." Sparrow has always been careful to never mention just what tribe he is, "And from what I got from Kestrel, the paperwork these two submitted said they were a quarter. So they couldn't be mine�" he tips his head, "unless the papers are wrong�?"

Cinnamon beams and nods enthusiastically, "Yes! Shane and I were just wondering that too!"

Jack shakes his head, "Papers are right�" Sparrow arches a brow and makes a 'go on' kind of a motion. Jack licks his lips, "We share a grandfather�" Cinnamon blinks, then pushes up her glasses and listens with fascination... though she also glances surreptitiously at Shane to see if he's scowling at a lie, or not. Shane is looking intently at Jack, but it's not his full-on 'this asshole is lying' scowl. Cinnamon nods once to herself -- looks like Jack's telling some but not all the truth, then... maybe?

Sparrow's brows both go up at that, "Oh, really� and which side is it we share?"

Jack says, "Your mother's side."

Sparrow ahhs and snorts, "I see. That makes a little sense. Not as much sense as you think it does, but it explains a little bit." He sighs and shakes his head, "You and your� what? Cousin? Sister? Whateverthefuck she is� the two of you have made a serious fuckin' error in judgement."

Cinnamon holds up a hand, as if asking permission to speak, "Um, actually... I'm not sure how that makes sense? Like, I don't really like my blood family, but if I discovered a new cousin... murder wouldn't be the first reaction I thought of, you know?" She glances perplexedly between Sparrow and Jack as she adds, "So... Jack, why on Earth are you trying to poison people, on the rez, which would look terrible for everyone here, if you had any desire at all to have a decent relationship with your newly discov... ered... oh." She sighs, giving Jack a disappointed look, "You were trying to get him into trouble, weren't you." She frowns at Sparrow as she adds, "Is this one of those family drama things, guy? Because if so, I really don't think you should be telling the other Councilors they nearly got murdered because someone's daddy impregnated someone else's wife or mother, or left them at the altar, or whatever..." She scowls at Jack as she adds sharply, "And you should be ashamed of yourself... for harming innocents!"

Sparrow says, "I suspect he had other motives, darlin'." He shakes his head and sighs -- and Cinnamon looks expectantly at Jack, frowning and folding her arms in the traditional 'I'm waiting!' mom pose. Sparrow puts a hand gently on Cinnamon's shoulder and then looks at Jack, "Boy, you have got this seriously wrong. You fucked up in a major way, because this?" He snorts in exasperation, "Is not how it works. And I ain't about to explain it just now. You're goddamn lucky you ain't dead, considerin' who it was you and your sister poisoned."

Sparrow looks back at Cinnamon, "Darlin', I think I know what's goin' on here, but� can I ask you to be patient with me while I sort it out? I think some of it pertains to a couple of things that are�" He considers for a moment as he considers how to word the next thing he says, "Things that shouldn't be spoken of too freely. There are some things that are not meant to be known except to a handful of people, and I think this asshole heard just enough of those things to get it all bass-ackwards."

Shane sighs, "We're talking about a case of a little knowledge being a dangerous thing?"

Cinnamon studies Sparrow for a long moment... then glances at Jack before she turns back to Sparrow and nods, "I... I think I get it, actually." She gently pats Sparrow's forearm as she adds, "I'm so sorry, guy. I don't envy you having to be the one that punishes them... but honestly, I'm not sure the Council could be, um..." She struggles for a polite word, then finally smiles ruefully, "There are some... very strong opinions on the Council. These kids are probably safer with you."

Sparrow sighs and nods, "Oh, yeah... they are likely safer with me. Though I don't know if they truly understand that or believe it just now." He looks directly at Jack, "If any one of those people had died -- except Dovie -- I would hand you over to the Council and let them decide your fate. Because it would have been murder. If Dovie had died� well, I would have revived a few old customs I've learned over in my studies and travels and you would live long enough to regret every decision you made that brought you to this point." In that moment, the flat look in Sparrow's eyes and the glance Shane gives Cinnamon seems to say: 'This is what people mean by Sparrow not being a safe person.'

Cinnamon hastily holds up a hand, "We, um, if you don't mind? -we don't need to go into that just now!" Her smile is uncertain, "Um, please?" She takes a deep breath, then gives Jack a wry smile, "You're welcome." She isn't going to lay it out for Jack -- that it was she who first noticed the anomalous reactions -- but she's incredibly glad she did!

Sparrow says, "No. We don't. Because no one died. Because no one died, these two are safe. Because Cinnamon here noticed something was off. You owe your life to her. I want you to understand that, Jack. You and Belinda both. Belinda already understands it." Sparrow scrubs a hand over his eyes, "OK. I've got a place set up for you and the girl. Come with me. Shane? Can you walk with me to be a second set of eyes?"

Cinnamon smiles at Sparrow -- she's rather touched that he actually mentioned her assistance! She turns and hugs Shane, then slides off the tailgate, "If you guys are going to be busy, and you don't need me, then I think I'm gonna head off to bed." She hesitates for a moment... then leans a bit tentatively towards Sparrow, as if to offer him a hug. If he shifts or leans back at all, of course, she'll alter the motion into a face-saving 'just walking away now!' sort of movement.

Sparrow hugs Cinnamon back tightly, murmuring quietly, "Thank you, little fireheart."

The little dragon blushes -- what a lovely name! She's getting all kinds of wonderful approbation, this meeting -- she feels like it's quite going to go to her head! She grins and returns the hug tightly, then sighs happily as she steps back and waves to her friends, "Night! Be safe! See you all tomorrow!" With that, she heads off towards the yurt... humming contentedly to herself and feeling almost startlingly happy at how well things turned out! No one dead, the culprits captured without a lot of damage, and... strangely enough, folks seem to think well of her! She's beaming as she strolls through the darkness.

The next morning there's some quiet rustling: a couple of the folks who attended the council meetings as spectators have arrived to help with food for the folks brought to the makeshift little infirmary. One is a young man who doesn't speak at all. He wears jeans and a flannel shirt, with his hair in a braid that reaches past his knees, and sways behind him as he walks. The other person is a middle-aged, plump woman in a peasant blouse and a colorful calico skirt with ribbons sewn around the hem.

The food they set out is mostly light and nutritious -- nothing that would be heavy on the stomach. There's fruit, some juice, tortillas, and some kind of porridge. Toast and muffins are also in evidence, but none of the rich fry bread or fried eggs. There's also hot tea of various sorts with honey and milk to put in it, as well as regular coffee and chicory coffee. The woman explains to anyone that asks that there's bacon, eggs, and pork chops being made outside for anyone that needs heavy protein, but not in the infirmary because anyone that's had stomach issues probably shouldn't have something like that... but then she pauses and asks Thorn anxiously, "Am I right? I'm not a doctor. I'm just going on what I'd give my kids if they had a tummy bug..."

Thorn smiles quietly to the woman, "That's accurate, I'd say. That's good thinking. If anyone wants protein, they're probably well enough to get it outside." The middle-aged woman smiles and nods, then hustles outside to check on said protein. The silent young man stays in the infirmary. He has a serious but not scowling face.

The first of the patients to wake up is actually Marcus and he groans as he sits up, rubbing his eyes with the heels of his hands. Thorn smiles at Marcus, "How are you feeling?"

Marcus chuckles. Perhaps it's much like the iron sickness, but he seems less... stiff in his manners, "Better than last night, but tired. This has been an interesting meeting. I begin to see why my father changed his feelings."

Thorn tilts his head to the side as he checks Marcus's vitals, "Really? How so? I mean, if I may ask." Marcus' vitals are where they should be for his species.

After a moment of thought Marcus replies, "These two -- if what I've picked up from the talk last night is correct -- are from outside... and they got wind of all of this and picked up information they shouldn't have. And this..." he motions around the infirmary, "was because of that information."

Thorn nods quietly, letting out a breath, "Your vitals are normal. If you feel up to it, you should be able to leave, but I recommend bed rest and lots of liquids still -- and... yes, from what I gather, that's the case. They somehow found out about... well, everything -- at least about the meeting and who was here and what they could use that for."

Marcus nods and starts to stand up, but then says, "I..." He looks around and lowers his voice, "Thank you for what you've done." He rubs his forehead, "I really do need to think a lot on what's gone on." He then goes on to stand up and move to get food. He's kept his voice down for the whole conversation, as if he didn't want the others in the makeshift infirmary to hear what information he has. Thorn nods silently to Marcus, letting the elf have mental space, though the healer is prepared to help Marcus up if something happens.

The next person to stir is Jes�s, but he doesn't immediately sit up. The first signs of life are a groan and a shift where he's been sleeping. Daniella is there with him and she does sit up, reaching to touch his shoulder and speak quietly to him. Thorn goes to Jes�s, checking his vitals. "Take it easy," he says gently. "You've been through a hell of a lot."

Jes�s' eyes flutter and he tries to sit up, only to have Daniella put a hand on his shoulder to keep him down. His heartbeat is a little fast and his blood pressure is a bit high, but not dangerously so. His pupils are the same size, but he seems a little muzzy, and his accent is quite thick -- thicker than it was the night before -- as he mumbles, "Don' r'member much."

Thorn nods quietly, "Like I said, you've been through a lot. Rest for the time being, drink a lot of water, and get some rest. It'll come back to you." He goes on to check Daniella's vitals, and urges her to do the same, and to keep an eye on Jes�s if she can.

Daniella nods; she looks rather angry, "He could have died easier than the others. He and I... and Himeko. We're human. My Lord Killa is quite angry over this."

Thorn nods, "Understandable," he says quietly. "A lot of people are pretty cross with what happened. We'll get to the bottom of it."

People slowly waken and are pointed to food. Fortunately Bright Wings and Himeko are both fairly bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Dovie is the last one to waken, though she's also apparently the person with the most lingering effects -- perhaps it's that she's the oldest of the people that was poisoned? By the time Thorn gets to her, most of the others are out of the infirmary. Thorn sits next to Dovie's bed, taking her vitals with particular care. He does his best bedside manner, smiling to her as he asks, "How are you feeling? If you're up for it, they've got breakfast outside."

Dovie smiles tiredly up at Thorn, "I feel a bit like I used to in the sixties, after peyote." Her heart rate is a bit erratic, but her blood pressure is good. "Which is to say I have cotton mouth and my head aches and there are parts of last night I don't remember well. Not the parts where I was a horse, but the parts after I got sick."

Thorn gives a quiet laugh, "Well, it was... exciting. Too exciting. I think you'll be fine, though. Have you any heart conditions in your history?" He tries to ask this casually.

Dovie sighs, "No heart attacks, but I had a murmur when I was small. Are you hearing something wrong?" She lays a hand over her chest and looks at Thorn's face.

Thorn shakes his head, smiling, "No, just a slight erratic heart rate. You should be fine; I just had to make sure."

Elsewhere that morning, Cinnamon is awake very early in the yurt. She's feeling a bit restless -- there's a part of her that still wonders if she should have twigged faster to something being up, re Belinda and Jack's plot... and another part of her wishes there were more she could do for the people on the rez. The thought of the little children not having enough water to drink or even wash in makes her unhappy, too. So the little dragon has been idly perusing things on her cell phone, trying to see if there's something she can find that will help make non-potable water clean enough to drink and bathe in -- and that won't cost an arm and a leg!

When she actually does find something -- and it's cheap and available! -- she's so excited that she jumps to her feet and goes pattering off to find Kestrel. One of the folks where breakfast is being prepared tells her, with a grin, that it's a good bet Kestrel's with Sparrow. Without really considering the likely ramifications of that statement, Cinnamon thanks them happily and heads off that way -- after all, she'd intended to show this to Sparrow too, after Kestrel's seen it! This way she can show them both at once -- excellent! She's trying to rewind the short video on her cell as she goes, and she's really excited at having maybe found another good thing for the people on the rez... so when she reaches Sparrow's RV, she just trots up the steps, opens the screen door, and raps sharply on the inner door -- but her focus is still on the cell phone in her other hand.

Unfortunately for Cinnamon, Sparrow hadn't securely locked the door very early this morning, being more focused on Kestrel than on security -- especially when he's parked in amongst his people! So the door swings open just as Cinnamon is calling, "Hello, Kestrel and Sparr- oh!" She pauses as the door swings slowly open, then cheerfully continues speaking as she steps into the room with her gaze on her cell, "Hey, guys, I found something really awesome," she holds up the cell as she beams triumphantly, "about wat- eeeek!"

Cinnamon's voice cuts off abruptly as the scene before her registers: two naked people! -- who are staring at her! Her voice changes to near-frenetic as she whirls and bolts out the door again, "Ohmygosh ohmygosh I'm so sorry s-so sorry I'll just be leaving now d-don't mind me b-b-byebye...!" She's practically running away from the trailer, her entire face flaming red as she tries to find someplace to hide until she's less mortified -- and hopefully Sparrow's less furious with her!

Cinnamon's barely back out the door before Sparrow is laughing and Kestrel is looking a little concerned, but also giggling. The two-spirit asks, "Is... is she going to be OK?"

They start to stand up and look around for clothes to pull on -- only to have Sparrow whisk the clothes out of reach, then go to close the door and lock it this time, dark eyes twinkling, "She'll be fine, sweet thang. She's just young and sheltered -- and likely never walked in on two people with penises doin' somethin' like this together!" With that, Sparrow winds a hand into Kestrel's hair, starting to guide the lithe cougar shapeshifter back to their knees as he almost purrs, "Now where were we again, beautiful?" Kestrel laughs warmly and lets themself be guided quite happily right back to what they were doing before. Sparrow is, after all, quite persuasive.

Back at the yurt, Josie and Shane are working on packing up when the blushing little whirlwind that is Cinnamon comes dashing back in! The wolf shifter watches her little draconic friend throw herself into the packing in a desperate flush, and looks concerned. Giving a worried little whine, Josie goes over to bump the dragon with her nose, "Are you OK?"

Cinnamon gives a startled yeep! She'd been focused on very, very precisely rolling up this particular piece of packing, and it nearly sproings away from her as she jumps from the unexpected coldwetnose, then yelps, "Sorry! I'm sorry, my fault, I'm fine, f-fine!"

Josie can't help giggling a little as she recaptures the escaping sleeping bag -- but then she's serious again, "You look all pink and you smell worried. Are you OK?" Then she gets all glowery, "Did somebody yell at you?"

Cinnamon sighs and turns to hug Josie tightly, burying her face against the warm fur and half-wishing she could hide from the world like this! Her voice is a little muffled as she mumbles, "No... not yet." She sighs again, releasing Josie and turning to keep helping pack as she morosely adds, "They will be, though." Her third sigh is a bit exasperated, "I am such a dummy sometimes!" She glowers at the sleeping bag, clearly disgruntled with herself as she continues helping.

Josie watches Cinnamon and considers, then thinks that maybe not pushing is better right now. She does give Cinnamon some affectionate and reassuring nuzzles, though, "It'll be OK. I'm sure. You're not a dummy." The tone is solid and assured. It's a tone that says that what the speaker says is just plain fact and not to be argued with. It's a mom kind of a voice, but not the haughty, entitled one the little dragon grew up with. It's more the loving, reassuring voice of a parent that is just certain things are going to be fine. Then Josie beams at Cinnamon and goes back to helping pack.

Cinnamon smiles a bit ruefully -- she loves Josie to bits, but sometimes she really wishes she had even half Josie's confidence! Or size... maybe that's part of it too? She's silent as she continues packing for a bit... and then a thought occurs to her, and she glances around a bit surreptitiously. As long as no one except maybe Shane is nearby, she's willing to eventually, nervously ask, "Hey, uh, Josie? So, umm... what exactly was wrong with the schools here, please? Umm... and, and, er... how do you steal a skill? Can you really even do that? Oh, and -- and what exactly does the word 'colonize' mean here, please?"

Josie pauses and chews on her bottom lip for a second, "The schools here on the rez right now are fine. They're just schools that don't have much money... and they've got teachers that can teach about good things -- about the tribe's history and culture. But the other ones... the white-man residential schools... those were bad." She pauses a moment, then says, "I'll tell you those stories sometime. But they were really bad places. They stole the cubs from the people and took them away. They cut off their hair and then they tried to cut out their souls. They tried to kill the Indian in the child." She shakes her head, "Those are stories for a day that you can sit and cry for a while."

Cinnamon stares open-mouthed at Josie, stricken speechless -- she's never heard of anything like this! Schools are good pla- well, wait. Learning is good, true... but the other kids at school can be hell. She blinks slowly, pushing up her glasses as she considers... and realizes how much more awful a school might be if the adults weren't just indifferent... but were assisting in the torment! That horrifying thought makes her shudder, then look up and blink again as Josie considers, then continues, "You steal a skill by making it illegal to do. You tell someone, 'You can't do that. It's evil to do that!' And then you take away the things to be able to do it, and you stop the young ones learning it... and you punish them if they try, and eventually it's lost. Like they're still not entirely sure how they got all the Moai where they are on Easter Island. That skill's dead -- or, at least, it's almost dead. Some of the stuff the tribes did almost died out because of the residential schools."

Cinnamon blinks as it suddenly hits her -- what Sparrow meant by stealing skills -- as she nods slowly and breathes, "Oohh... like languages! If no one learns how to speak it, it'll die -- right!" She thinks for a moment more -- then sighs and says quietly, "I'm sorry I asked nasty questions, JoJo. I didn't realize. We can talk about nicer things now instead, if you'd rather... since we're actually on the rez right now, and I don't want to bring back bad memories for anyone here." She pauses, then adds with a slightly perplexed expression, "Like... is Kestrel a, um... what is it, a hemato- no, that's not right -- a herrr... hermat- ah! Hermaphrodite, that's it!" She smiles uncertainly at Josie, "Is that what a two-spirit is, then?"

Over on one side of the yurt, Shane does an admirable job of biting his tongue before he giggles. He doesn't want to make Cinnamon upset, and he's not making fun. He finds the question adorable -- but he's going to let Josie field that one! Josie does giggle, but then shakes her head, "No. When we were having a shower, Kestrel's body looked like they had XY chromosomes... and it's a very lovely body, if you like that kind -- very soft and willowy and everything. I think they'd be very nice to pet and snuggle with!" Josie sighs at the happy thought of snuggling with a soft and willowy person like that. She is an equal-opportunity snuggler, even if her sexual and romantic attractions lean very female-ward.

Cinnamon nods pragmatically, "Sparrow thinks so -- that they're nice to pet and snuggle with, I mean." She sighs thoughtfully before she adds, "Okay, so if they're not a hermaphrodite, then where... or maybe why? Hm... no, how did another spir-" She straightens up in sudden shock, "Oh my gosh! Oh, is it -- are they like Nasteexo? Is that why they have two spirits?!" She beams, "Well, that'd certainly explain things, if so!"

Shane decides to finally step in, since he has maybe more modern language, "No, acushla, Kestrel has one soul -- and only the one they were born with. Native American two-spirits are sort of but not exactly like what non-indigenous people call trans. Born with a body some people might call male, but a spirit some might call female. They're considered holy -- they're liminal; they exist in two spaces. White people used to call them men that dressed like women and used women's names and pronouns. Kestrel uses nonbinary pronouns because they're pretty modern. I talked with them about it and they consider themselves both male and female, but said that it confused people when they constantly changed back and forth between using he and she, so they just settled on using they."

Cinnamon frowns consideringly as she works that strange new thought through in her head. Finally she says slowly, "Then... wouldn't that mean Kestrel's actually a three-spirit? They're an animal-shifter too, after all, right? Doesn't the puma count as well?" She's actually a bit fascinated at the thought of someone with male and female... what, traits, maybe? -- being considered both liminal and holy. Also, Sparrow called her, Cinnamon, a medicine beast -- so maybe the shapeshifting folks have a touch of the holy about them simply due to who they are? That's a kind of cool and comforting thought, to Cinnamon!

Josie shakes her head, "No. Their spirit is a cougar-person. They aren't a cougar and a human -- they are a cougar-person. Being a two-spirit is different than being a medicine beast. It's like..." she squints up her eyes, thinking, "you're female and you're a dragon..."

Shane smiles, "Two-spirit is Kestrel's gender. Cougar-person is their species."

Cinnamon listens carefully to both her friends, nodding slowly, "Okay... so... huh, okay. Um... then... what exactly is a medicine beast, please? 'Cause Sparrow said I was one -- which was like, cool! But... maybe there's something I should be doing, that I don't know about yet, you know?" She tilts her head inquiringly at Josie, "So... what is one, please? Are you a wolf medicine beast, then?"

Josie nods, "I am, kinda, yeah. I'm a wolf-shifter. To some, that means I'm a medicine beast. Sparrow's special. He's definitely a medicine beast -- or medicine animal. Or just strong medicine. He's... " she looks around and lowers her voice, "Sparrow is Coyote. He's not the first one, but he's carrying that around. He's got a lot of forms. Like, not a lot of people can be more than one animal. I can just be a wolf, but he can be just about any medicine beast on this continent, if it would cause somebody trouble. He's not super-powerful -- like, he couldn't knock down a house -- but being able to change into something just because it could cause mischief? That's a pretty sharp blade to wield."

The young wolf-shifter considers, then continues, "A medicine beast is a creature that represents an idea. Bears represent healing. Wolves represent wisdom and learning. Lizards represent change and regrowth. Ravens represent wisdom..." She pauses, "Those are all sorta general. It really depends on which tribe you ask. To some people, Rabbit is the trickster, and Sparrow can definitely be a rabbit. Or a fox."

Cinnamon nods, her voice oddly pragmatic, "He's the Trickster archetype, yeah. They're clever and quick and funny and... they get into trouble constantly and they l-like s-sex, er, a lot -- and they get hurt by their tricks a lot, too..." she pushes her glasses up and smiles shyly, "at least according to Jung. I was reading up on them earlier this morning." She sighs as she adds unhappily, "I wouldn't have asked him to shift into a bear if I'd known it would hurt him that much, though."

Meanwhile, back at the Airstream, it's an orgasm or two later for the Trickster and his lover. Sparrow is laughing as he's shrugging into his shirt and Kestrel is wrapped in a sheet while they're smiling and pushing him out the door, "Go! Check on her -- and then you can come back and we can have a few more of those!"

Back at the yurt, Cinnamon remembers how furious Sparrow's going to be with her when he finds her later -- and in a rather small voice she adds, "When he, umm... when he's really mad? Does he... like, change shape and... and maybe bite people? Or does he just, er... j-just yell at them a lot?" The odd thought occurs to her: maybe if she can get him to bite her a lot, that'll get all his anger out? -and it's not like biting will hurt her, right? -and that would be so much better than having him yelling and ranting and being nasty and humiliating to her in front of everyone -- like her father does whenever he's upset with her!

Josie muses, "Mostly he's Sparrow at them..." As she says that, there's a knock at the yurt's door and Shane goes to answer it. Cinnamon sighs worriedly -- that's not very encouraging to her, honestly! If he ordinarily gets publicly angry enough that, say, Jack and Belinda believed killing folks was the right answer... it sounds like maybe there's a whole lot of yelling about to go on! She ducks her head nervously and wonders if she can just dive under her sleeping bag and stay there forever... or at least until the yurt is wrapped up around her, and she's shipped home to Boston in it! That thought makes her grin slightly... at least until she remembers that she's actually the one who's supposed to be carrying it back to Boston. Well... fooie.

When Shane opens the door he sees Sparrow, who asks if Cinnamon's there. The person in question goes shock-white at the sound of Sparrow's voice, dropping what she's holding and trying to simultaneously bolt and tiptoe to hide behind Josie! His exact words are, "Is there a li'l dragon-shaped rabbit in here with y'all? She went scamperin' off earlier, and I wanted to come check on 'er."

Josie looks confused and worried at once, holding her arms sort of out to her sides and trying to twist around to see why Cinnamon's hiding. She's also putting together Cinnamon's trepidatious questions about an angry Sparrow with this little disappearing act. The issue is, the questions aren't adding up with Sparrow's smiling face, laconic voice, and the smell of sex that's still clinging to his skin. At the doorway, Shane chuckles and says, "She's here. Everything OK?" Behind Josie, Cinnamon winces -- darnit! She forgot to ask Shane and Josie to not admit she's here!

Sparrow nods, leaning his shoulder against the doorjamb of the yurt -- and not stepping inside since he hasn't been invited, "Oh, yeah. Everything's fiiiine." The last word is almost a purr... and then he laughs warmly, "Kestrel and I, ah... startled her a li'l bit earlier. My fault for not makin' sure the door was closed all nice and proper, like I was raised right."

Behind Josie, Cinnamon blinks startledly, pushing up her glasses as she thinks as fast as she can. Sparrow doesn't sound furious! He actually... doesn't really sound angry at all? She leans cautiously to peer around Josie's nice, sturdy bulk -- could this all be an elaborate ruse to get her to come out of hiding? Hm... actually, no -- not in front of Shane, it couldn't be! He'd react noticeably if it were all a lie. Weirdly, too, Sparrow almost sounds like... like he doesn't feel the whole horrible incident was her fault...? At the door, Shane arches a brow. His back is to Cinnamon and he puts a hand over his mouth. He's starting to put a few things together himself: Cinnamon's questions about Kestrel, and comments about Sparrow petting Kestrel. After a moment, he clears his throat and says, "That so?"

Sparrow chuckles and nods, "Yeah. I think she had somethin' she was excited to show me, knocked on a door that wasn't proper closed... there was some shenanigans goin' on where we wasn't proper clothed... and then she squeaked like she does and scampered off like she'd been bit." An extremely embarrassed squeak comes from behind Josie! Sparrow laughs, "Aha! That squeak!" He leans around Shane a little and calls out, "You OK, darlin'? Kestrel was worried about you!" Shane can't help but laugh at the silly little rhyme with 'proper closed' and 'proper clothed' -- which verifies his suspicions that Cinnamon walked in on Sparrow and Kestrel, mid-romp.

Behind Josie, Cinnamon's face is once again flushed bright red as she nervously (and, honestly, rather squeakily) replies, "'M fine! Er, s-sorry! I mean, I'm so sorry -- I d-didn't m-m-mean... er, d-don't be ma-" Actually... it really does sound like Sparrow... isn't mad...?! Cinnamon warily peeks around Josie again, her hesitant voice a little wondering, "You... you're not furious at me?"

Sparrow snorts, "Mad at you? Hell, I was the one di'n't close the door right. My own damn fault for gettin' caught with my pants lit'r'ly down. Not that it ain't happened before." His eyes twinkle a little -- were it anyone else, he might go on and tease about inviting her to join if she hadn't run off so fast -- but he knows she's not quite there yet, "Kestrel shooed me out the door soon as we were done to make sure we hadn't traumatized you for life."

Cinnamon sounds slightly confused as she replies to Sparrow, "You didn't get caught with your pants down, though... you weren't wearing any at all! And... I mean, like... well, doesn't it bother you at all t-to have people... well, like, walk in on you while you're, uhh... you're... um, I mean... does that happen a lot... to you?!" She stares perplexedly at Sparrow for a few seconds... and then her eyes widen in horror as it slowly registers: what she just said -- and to a Trickster, no less?! Her face abruptly turns a brilliant shade of red -- as she gasps, "Oh my gosh I did not j-just -- just s-say..." Both hands to her cheeks for a moment, she flounders mentally -- then abruptly gives it up and nearly dives behind Josie again with a small wail of, "Ohhh... poop!"

Sparrow's eyes crinkle at the corners and he laughs at the blurt -- he hadn't previously been sure exactly how much Cinnamon had seen! He grins, "No, guess I wa'n't, at that. Neither was Kestrel, but they started out in a skirt in the first place. As for gettin' walked in on, it does happen from time to time if you ain't real worried about privacy because you don't think sex and naked bodies are things to be ashamed of. But it's not like it happens every single time. I think most grown folks that don't live alone have at least one 'Oops! Di'n't realize you were in there!' moment in their lives."

Shane grins and moves aside so Sparrow can step into the yurt if he wants to. The half-beansidhe is sure by now that Sparrow is definitely not here to yell at Cinnamon, and that he's definitely not angry at the little dragon. Cuddling and petting was definitely going on, though the petting was likely of the 'far beyond heavy' variety. However, Cinnamon's missing a lot of what Sparrow's currently saying -- simply because she's almost incandescent from embarrassment! She feels like her head should explode from the heat she can feel radiating off her cheeks... she'd hunker down with her arms over her head, but if Josie moves... then she won't have anything to hide behind!

So instead, Cinnamon impulsively hugs Josie tightly, burying her face in the thick, soft, warm fur, and trying not to mumble to herself about what a flaming idiot she is for saying something like that! Josie turns just enough to hug her friend and pet the embarrassed little dragon. She knows Cinnamon is shy about sex, but she's not really sure why. It's a growing-closer thing, like cuddling and hugs! But she just figures it's another thing having to do with the way Cinnamon's family has bad eyes. They obviously also don't understand how affection works at all!

It's Shane that rescues the moment, "I think she had something to show you about water purification. She's been really excited about it." He's trying to keep Sparrow's attention on himself for a moment, to let Cinnamon get her blushing under control.

Sparrow's eyes are on Shane, but only because he's doing it on purpose. Watching Cinnamon hide like that is highly amusing! The girl is downright cute. "That so? We could use all that we can get," the Trickster says. "We do what we can, but there's so much mucking up the water table that it's hard to keep up."

Cinnamon is, finally, starting to feel less like her head is an exploding volcano, and more like she's still human -- and the blood pounding in her ears has finally lessened enough that she's starting to hear words again. She frowns consideringly for a few more bemused seconds as she reviews Sparrow's words -- he sure can be confusing sometimes! -- then abruptly straightens, "Oh! Yes, the -- the video -- the water! The, er... the f-flocculant!" She beams excitedly, giving Josie one more tight hug, "Thank you, JoJo -- you always help me feel better!" Her previous anxiety is lost in the sudden wash of the delight of discovery as she turns towards the front of the yurt, "Oh, yes -- let me show you! -and Kestrel too, if they want?"

Cinnamon whips out her cell phone, trotting around Josie and approaching Sparrow with the phone held out between them, almost babbling with enthusiasm, "It's more a chemistry thing and like he says this guy's more a physicist but he was talking with the Gates Foundation folks and it's really real and in use and it makes water clean and drinkable though you really only have to watch the first three minutes to get all the important stuff for here at least 'cause you said that non-potable water was a problem here and it's like for pennies a package and I thought it might help the people and make you happy what do you think really cool right?!"

The video is of a science-based youtube personality demonstrating a powder which truly cleans and sterilizes filthy, diseased, muddy water. Cinnamon beams excitedly up at Sparrow as she holds it out for him to watch, clearly thrilled to be able to share such an amazingly wonderful thing. Admittedly, when his sharp gaze flicks up to hers, she blinks trepidatiously, unwittingly leaning back a little -- is he going to start yelling now?! -- but when he goes back to watching the video, she whews silently and relaxes a bit.

Sparrow watches the video, saying off-handedly, "I'll show Kestrel later. They're waiting on me to get back and I'll get a helluva spanking if I leave them alone for too long. They tell you never to leave things turned on at home if you're gonna be gone for a while, after all." He seems quite interested, however, eyes gleaming as he watches the video.

The comment about leaving something turned on at home makes Shane finally laugh and he goes to continue packing up. Cinnamon blinks a bit confusedly at Sparrow -- this must be humor, right? She considers a moment, then shyly offers: "W-well, would you, um... I mean, if you want? -- I could j-just email the URL to you both?"

Sparrow smiles, watches at least half of the video, and says with real gratitude, "You are doing a lot for my people, Cinnamon. It is very appreciated. And Kestrel really did want to make sure you were OK. I know that we shocked you a little."

Cinnamon looks relieved at Sparrow's assurance -- then blushes again! She feels a bit tongue-tied, in that she's not quite sure how to say that they didn't shock her so much as... as that she was sure they'd be furious with her? ...and... she really hates being screamed at? Though... she sighs internally as she confesses to herself: naked bodies really aren't her thing! They always look so strangely pale or slim and beautiful... not like hers. Sitting around with clothes on while everyone else is naked just... makes her feel small and pudgy and stupid, really... and she's not about to get naked with anyone else around -- she remembers the horror of gym class far too keenly for that! She blinks as it suddenly hits her, though: they're waiting on her to... to say something! She ducks her head and sheepishly mumbles, "It -- I, er... i-it's fine -- I'm fine -- d-don't worry about me...?"

Shane comes over and puts an arm around Cinnamon's shoulder and Josie brackets her from the other side -- which causes the little dragon to sigh softly, internally, and relax a bit. Sparrow's eyes move over the three of them and his smile softens. It's a Trickster's way to see patterns... like this one: the protective friend and the suitor that's being a little too subtle for his own good. Oh, well. They'll figure it out. "Well, y'all, have a good morning. I'm sure I'll see everyone before you take off." His smile flashes before he ducks out the door and is gone.

Cinnamon sighs more gustily, not quite sagging as she mumbles in one long, exhausted exhale, "Oh thank god he wasn't furious!" She smiles wryly up at her two dear friends as she adds, "Thank you both so much, you guys! Your being here really means a lot to me."

Josie beams down at Cinnamon, "Of course!" She giggles, "I didn't realize you thought he'd be mad because you caught him playing with Kestrel. He's old-style indigenous. We all used to live with the whole family in one big area. Not a lot of body-shyness." She squeezes her friend tight as she adds firmly, "-and I will always protect you from people being angry about silly things! Or even being angry about not-silly things -- you're my friend! That means you're my family!"

Shane smiles and gives Cinnamon's shoulder a squeeze, "He was telling the truth -- Kestrel really was worried about you. They're a caregiver. You're OK, right? Sparrow's a good egg, mostly."

Cinnamon looks almost like she could cry when Josie says she's family! She hugs the big werewolf tightly, not caring that her glasses may get tear-speckled or smooshed -- she hasn't got words for how much this means to her! When she finally straightens, sniffling a bit and cleaning her glasses on the edge of her shirt, she nods and smiles shyly to Shane. Once her glasses are clean again, she puts them back on and peers up at Josie. Her voice is almost shockingly pragmatic as she admits, "I guess it's different here. I just assumed he'd be like everyone else I've known, and call me a fat, ugly little cockblocker again, you know? And... well, I, um... I... kinda like him and Kestrel? I wasn't looking forward to them hating me and making fun of me forever after this." She sighs as she adds, "I had to look up what it meant. It's... not a compliment... of course."

Josie giggles, "I don't think you blocked them. From the way he smelled, they went right on along with whatever they were doing." She wraps Cinnamon up again, "He likes you... and me and Shane and Elias and Veles and Spice and all, we love you! We're your family and we'd protect you even if he got all mean. Which he wouldn't -- because he's Sparrow and he thought it was funny. Because he's Sparrow. Sparrow doesn't get mad about something like that. If it was about sex or anything else that wasn't dangerous to his people or his friends, he's likely to find it funny. I promise."

She slurps Cinnamon's face, which causes the little dragon to giggle and squinch up her eyes! Cinnamon doesn't really have words to tell Josie and Shane just how much all this... this kindness and hugginess and -- and sheer niceness means to her! The very fact that she's maybe kinda sorta starting to have a new family -- one of choice and caring and generosity and laughter! -- is still an idea so startlingly original for her that she's sometimes scared she's deluding herself... because it feels so amazingly nice -- so good! -- to be surrounded by such dear and... and real friends!

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

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