Goblin Town -- Logs

Back in the infirmary, Dovie slowly sits up and asks if Thorn can bring her some tea, and perhaps a bowl of the porridge? When he returns, she says, "Sparrow looks out for us here. He was quite angry last night. If you can, get word to Kestrel to make sure he does not lose his temper too badly with the youngsters that did this. I heard him swearing about it when he came into my house last night."

Thorn nods quietly to Dovie, "He... was really angry, yes. A lot of people are. But I will tell them, definitely."

Dovie nods as she eats the food and drinks the tea... then reaches her hand out to Thorn, "Help me up? I think I can walk, but I just need a hand to get to my feet."

Thorn hesitates just a moment, but then nods soberly and helps her to stand, "Of course. But if you feel weak or light-headed, please sit immediately?"

Dovie pats Thorn's arm and smiles up at him. She's got a warm smile, but has a twinkle in her eye that hints that she used to be full of mischief, "I promise to let you know." She moves quite slowly, "Let's go outside. I would like to get some sunshine."

A little later on in the day, Cinnamon and Thorn happen to be there when they spot a couple of folks escorting Belinda and Jack out of an SUV and into one of the buildings at the campsite. Both of the people with them look well-built. One of the escorts is the quiet young man Thorn saw earlier -- the one with the very long braid. Both Belinda and Jack are very quiet and their heads are down, but they look unharmed. Thorn's brow furrows as he sees the two being escorted to the building. He doesn't recognize the second escort, but so far he's glad the two are unharmed.

Cinnamon blinks curiously, pushing her glasses up as she murmurs to Thorn, "I wonder what their punishment is?" She glances around for either Kestrel or Sparrow. The cougar shifter is nearby, watching as well. Their face is solemn. Cinnamon wanders over to them and murmurs, "Is it okay to ask what's going to happen to them, please?" She's still having trouble meeting Kestrel's gaze... but hopefully she'll get an answer, regardless. She wonders if Killa will demand some sort of recompense, too. That could get... messy... she shivers slightly, mentally crossing her fingers that it won't come to that.

Kestrel glances at Cinnamon, "I... I'm not actually completely sure. It's not like they'll be executed, though -- that's not something he'd do except for the direst of crimes... and he claimed it for his right since it happened here on the rez. He and Killa had a bit of an argument about it."

Cinnamon winces a bit, mumbling, "Half surprised we didn't all hear the explosions!"

Thorn murmurs, "I'm surprised they argued about it at all.... but I suppose it makes sense to them."

Cinnamon gives Thorn a perplexed glance, "Why surprised?"

Thorn replies, "I'd have thought Killa would have respected that it was done in Sparrow's territory."

Kestrel murmurs, "Because Jes�s was injured so badly."

Cinnamon nods, then smiles ruefully at Thorn, "Those two foolish kids attacked his people -- almost killed them! Him too! So it's an attack not only on his honor as their protector... but also on him personally. I'd be surprised if he didn't try to claim them. This is the guy that used to demand his followers sacrifice one of their children to him, after all, remember?" She pushes up her glasses as she thoughtfully adds, "After talking to him a bit, I think I'm starting to understand his perspective slightly better." She shakes her head slowly as she watches the cousins, adding, "I still don't agree with much of it, I confess... but some of it is starting to make more sense to me, if that makes sense?"

Thorn hmms, "Good point, yes. I suppose Killa would want satisfaction... and yes, what you say does make sense."

Cinnamon smiles at Thorn, then sighs, "I guess it's a private trial, then. Well, Sparrow will manage things as well as possible, I suppose." She glances around as she adds to Thorn, "Everyone got up okay this morning, right?" She grins as she adds, "Otherwise you and Kestrel wouldn't be here!"

Thorn nods, beaming, "Everyone seems to be much, much better today! All recovered from the poison, whatever it was."

Kestrel glances over, "No. Not completely private. If you'd like, I can go in with you. I think he trusts the two of you... I'm pretty sure he does. He told you he has a son, after all."

Cinnamon sighs in relief, "That is wonderful news! In that case, we can all relax for the rest of the day... and at some point Harry's supposed to arrive with the new, modified harness, and once it's after dark we can head off!" She smiles and shakes her head a bit ruefully to Kestrel, at the kind offer, "I once read that in an emergency, if you can't help immediately, you should get out of the way! People that hang around and gawk are both rude and obstructive by their presence... so unless Sparrow wants us there for some reason? ...I'm gonna stay away."

Kestrel nods and smiles. For once, they look a bit tired, "That's true. I can promise you they'll live. They might not be happy, but they'll live. Death is not something Sparrow is fond of. He loves life." They smile more sincerely as they add, "A lot."

Some hours later, everyone's mostly just relaxing after the departure of the majority of the councilors. Cinnamon is pretty sure she can, by now, face Sparrow and Kestrel without spontaneously combusting out of sheer embarrassment -- probably just a low glow, she wryly thinks to herself. She wants to talk a bit to Sparrow before departure tonight... but she also wants it to seem friendly, not interrogative. So she first goes looking for Kestrel, to find out what Sparrow likes to drink. Cinnamon has heard that taking someone a beer is considered friendly... but she's still unsure enough about alcoholic beverages, which she's yet to really try, that she'd like to be sure she's got the right kind, and all that rot! Once she finds the two-spirit, she shyly sidles over and almost whispers, out of sheer nerves, "Kestrel, um, c-could you... could you t-tell me, please... er, w-what kind of -- of beverage Sparrow prefers?"

Kestrel smiles and hugs Cinnamon, since that's their standard greeting of people they like, "Well, he likes Dr. Pepper for soda, Heineken for beer, and Wild Turkey for whiskey."

Cinnamon turns slightly pink, but returns the hug cautiously -- she's kind of relieved Kestrel's not mad at her too! She takes a deep breath, then nods slowly, "Okay... and is there someplace here where I can find a Heineken, and then where might I find Sparrow? Um, please?" She sounds really uncertain by those last words, her vocal tone rising and her volume falling as her nerves start to get the best of her!

Kestrel smiles, "There are a few in the cooler in the council rooms. I can grab you one if you like? And Sparrow's in there too, so they're in close proximity." They give Cinnamon another hug -- which causes a slightly startled squeak, though Cinnamon tries hastily to recover and hug back as Kestrel continues, "I'm so glad you haven't decided to avoid me like the plague! Some people get a little weirded out by... well... " They make a motion up and down their own body, which is dressed in an airy little sundress today, "This whole situation -- and that I mostly prefer male lovers. I hope we didn't upset you too much. I'd very much like for you and I to get to be good friends."

Cinnamon is a bit wide-eyed by the end of Kestrel's commentary, and she slowly nods reflexively... then blinks and considers as she pushes her glasses up... then slowly shakes her head, "I, um... wh-what? I thought you'd be avoiding me? And, uhh... what situation, please? I thought the two of you were gonna be furious with me, actually...? ...are you... er, did you think I'd be mad at you?!" She sounds utterly bemused at the end there.

Kestrel blinks, "Avoiding you? Why would I? I mean, it was Sparrow who didn't lock the door! He gets kinda impatient and carried away sometimes. It's not your fault if you knocked on a door that wasn't latched right and it swung open!"

Cinnamon is starting to blush in spite of herself, and stammer nervously, "W-well, um, b-because I, er, uh, b-because p-people like me a-are, umm... like, fat, ugly little c-cockblockers t-to pretty people l-like you and Sparrow...? Er, u-usually...? Uh, th-that I've seen, at least?" She's starting to anxiously wring her fingers together as she adds in a rush, "I... I reallydidn'tmeantointerrupttrulyI'mtotallysorryaboutthat!"

Kestrel looks shocked and gently puts a finger over Cinnamon's lips -- which causes the little dragon to startle slightly, but then pause and actually listen, "Shh, sweetie. Whoever told you that was a complete asshole. You're not a bit ugly. Bodies come in all types... and believe me, a momentary interruption barely slows that man down!" Cinnamon almost hiccups in her effort to not burst into nervous giggles at that! Kestrel takes their finger off Cinnamon's lips, "'This situation' is that I'm what they call 'Assigned Male At Birth,' and that out in the white man's world I identify as nonbinary. Neither male nor female, and at the same time, both... and sort of more female than male. That confuses and upsets people, sometimes. So, stumbling upon me and him in flagrante... it might have been a little startling."

That causes a huge blush, though Cinnamon has her hand firmly over her mouth so she doesn't say or do something embarrassing again! She takes a moment to count to ten in her head so she can talk normally again... then sighs and glances down at her feet, where she's idly scuffing the ground. A bit morosely she admits, "I, um... I, I don't think I fit real well into, uhh... into white man's world?" She sighs, adding, "I tried my best -- I really did! Despite what my parents thought -- but... I had to give up, finally... I c-couldn't do it right. So if you don't think you fit, or -- or whatever they think of you because of your... assignment? ...I kinda think it's totally not my business...? Especially since I had to ask Josie and Shane just to figure out what a two-spirit actually was, y'know? I'm, um... still learning all this stuff, I'm afraid, so... so if I say something stupid, could you... maybe like, gently let me know, please, so I can fix it?" She smiles in shy hopefulness at Kestrel, her cheeks still pink as she adds, "Besides, I, um... I really like your sparkly eyeshadow!"

Kestrel smiles, "Part of my role as a two-spirit is education and healing. I'm happy to talk about it." They cheerfully add, "I'll help you do makeup sometime if you want. I love playing with it! And believe me, that world is all fucked up." Their smile warms, "So, no. I'm not at all upset at you. I was the one that made Sparrow go check on you because, like I said, I was worried you were upset. I'm not body shy with friends, and Sparrow isn't body shy, full stop. I just heard you squeak and you ran away." They put a hand gently on the side of Cinnamon's face, "If you want to talk with him, he's in the council chamber. I'm sure he'd love to see you."

Cinnamon gives a gusty sigh of relief that blows her bangs up for an instant, "Oh, good -- you're really, truly not mad at me!" She hesitates for a fraction of an instant -- then (with great daring, for her!) steps forward and gives Kestrel another quick, impulsive hug, "Thank you so much!" She's blushing again as she steps back, adding, "I, um, y-yes, please? Er, talking, I mean? Um, t-to Sparrow? Maybe?" Shyly she adds, "Also, is it okay if I take one of the Dr. Peppers -- or, um, any diet soda would b-be fine for me, p-please?"

Kestrel smiles, "Anything left in the fridges down there is fair game. Anything left is going to be sort of freely distributed -- we've got a kind of informal food pantry. I have a couple things I need to take care of. Do you need me to go down with you, or are you OK going down and talking with him alone?"

Cinnamon thinks about that for a moment, adjusting her glasses... then smiles shyly at Kestrel, "I think I'm good... and thank you -- I'd like t-to be your friend too...? Er, if -- if you'd like?"

Kestrel's dark eyes are warm, "Applesolutely." Then they laugh, "I would like it very much."

Cinnamon beams, her eyes sparkling with a mix of happiness and relief as she gives a small, quick wave, "Okay! Then I'm gonna head off -- thanks again, Kestrel!" She patters off towards the council rooms, humming in quiet pleasure to herself -- she's really, truly sure now that both these two nice, relatively new-to-her people aren't angry at all with her! Strange, but wonderful -- and, she supposes to herself, something she should get more used to? That'd be lovely, if so. She patters down the stairs to the underground rooms, searching around until she finds the fridge, where she looks pleased at discovering liquid pay-gold: a Heineken and a diet Dr. Pepper! She giggles quietly to herself as she tucks them into her arm, then pauses and listens: can she hear anyone talking? Or, hopefully, can she come upon Sparrow alone? Though... hm. Maybe she should peek and see if she should be collecting drinks for anyone else? After all, if he's with someone else, she doesn't want to be rude and interrupt.

Sparrow is alone in the council chamber, humming quietly to himself as he's carefully disassembling the tables in there. The chairs have already been moved around to the edges of the room and stacked neatly. He's got his shirt off and his hair is held back by a bandanna. Cinnamon blinks nervously and starts to draw back when she notices his shirt is off -- but then she scolds herself firmly: he wasn't mad before, and he was naked then! Plus, everyone keeps saying stuff about not being shy or embarrassed about their bodies. Admittedly, she thinks that's all kinds of insane for someone like her, but... well, maybe it's different when you're pretty? Really pretty -- not the 'flash and squeal' her sister likes to do sometimes.

Cinnamon takes a deep breath, firmly adjusts her glasses, then knocks lightly on the doorframe and says, "Sparrow?" Well... that was her intention, at least. Nerves make her initially sort of huskily splutter it out, and she has to stop, clear her throat, and try again, "Sp-parrow? W-would you, um... l-like a drink break maybe?"

Sparrow glances up and smiles, rubbing sweat off his forehead with a forearm, "Hey, darlin'. Yeah, come on in; I'd love a drink. I've been fightin' with the bolts on this table and I was just thinking about getting an axe. A break would be a good thing for me and the table both."

Cinnamon blinks, then giggles as she patters in. She hands Sparrow the Heineken, then glances around, uncertain as to where to sit. Finally, unless Sparrow indicates otherwise, she'll hop up to sit on one of the tables he was working on, swinging her legs as she pops open her soda and has a long sip... then sighs and relaxes a bit. This has been, oddly enough and despite the assassination attempts, a sort of nice and really enlightening council meeting! She smiles quietly to herself and has another sip -- she'll wait a few moments so Sparrow can relax and cool down some with his beer. As she sits, she lets her mind wander a little... it's nice to finally be able to really be calm.

Sparrow settles down tailor-fashion on the floor and opens his beer, taking a long gulp and sighing before he smiles up at the little dragon, "Thanks for the beer. This place is gonna be lonely once everyone's gone. I'll hang around for a week or so, let Kestrel spoil me and fuss at me, and then get back to work."

Cinnamon smiles back, "That'll make Kestrel happy." She pauses, a thoughtful expression crossing her face as she has another sip, and realizes she actually has another question for Sparrow... though she doesn't know if he'll be able to answer it, "So, umm... do you know why people get so upset at gays and lesbians?" She sounds faintly bemused -- she hasn't been able to figure this one out for herself, unfortunately. Hopefully Sparrow won't mind her asking...?

Sparrow smiles wryly, "Colonization, in part. Most indigenous tribes never gave a fuck about that shit. Europeans fucked up a lot of stuff. I mean, Hawaii had a kind of two-spirit. India does. A lot of tribes here did. Some of the South American tribes did. I think some African people do... hell, I think some of the Norse people did too. I think Europe just got weird." He rubs at his forehead again, "Is that what you came down to ask?"

Cinnamon listens in silent fascination, her head tilted slightly as she watches Sparrow and occasionally sips her drink. It's a little odd to her to be looking down at someone -- she's so used to always looking upwards! She shakes her head with a small smile at his question, "Um, no... not really. It's just... I met Kestrel on the way here? -and they thanked me for not avoiding them." She shakes her head once in clear bemusement, "Like... why on earth...? So... I was wondering." She grins embarrassedly, "Sorry. Got distracted. Mostly I wanted to thank you for turning into a bear and back, and to apologize -- I didn't know it'd hurt so much! I wouldn't've asked if I'd known."

Cinnamon looks unhappy for a moment as she considers that... then quietly adds, "So, being Coyote... I guess for you it's kinda like being Merlyn or Taliesyn? Like, it's a lineage? Though... I hope it was welcome for you when it arrived...?" She sounds a little worried -- she was actually delighted to be a dragon, once she got over her initial fears... but being an archetype! Is that... scary, or dangerous, or anything for its inheritors? She'd feel bad for Sparrow, if so.

Sparrow shrugs slowly, "Darlin', pain is temporary... and it needed doing. It hurt partially because Bear is basically the polar opposite of Coyote. Bear is calm. Bear is water. Coyote is fire. But Bear was needed. And us Tricksters? We get hurt sometimes. It's part and parcel of the job." He rubs his mouth with the back of his hand and sighs, "My Daddy, he never was Coyote... never got the chance. He died young -- got hisself stabbed in a stupid bar fight. But hey, we sometimes get our paws burned. It was my Granddaddy that was Coyote before me, and I didn't know if I was gonna be Coyote -- thought I might die before I got a chance to. It does sometimes skip several generations. We live a long time once it falls on our shoulders, and I got brothers, and they got sons."

He takes a deep drink of his beer, then adds, "Coyote always falls on the shoulders of a male. Just like White Buffalo Woman is always, well, a woman. We know about it. Well, some of us do. Most of my nephews don't. A lot of them don't... well... the white men got their souls. Me? I got lucky. My son..." He takes a deep breath, "He doesn't know yet. He will. I promised his mom to wait. As for it being scary? Fuck yeah, it's scary. But it's an honor. It is a sacred trust. It is something you know may kill you... but if it does, it will be the most honorable and worthy death you can die."

Cinnamon listens silently, her eyes wide... though at the end she whispers softly, "I'm sorry..." She has a sip of her drink as she considers, then thoughtfully asks, "So... medicine beasts represent... like, archetypes, right? Like you said about Bear and Coyote? So... what do dragons represent, please? Do you know?"

Sparrow grins ruefully, "Dragons are a little outside my continent, darlin'... but they're powerful. In Australia, the Rainbow Serpent is one of the most powerful of the Dreamtime beings, and lizards are about regrowth and change. Lizards, like snakes, are about constant change... constant growth. They shed their skins and become new over and over again. You can hurt them, but they just shed the hurt and grow from it. You can cut off parts of lizards... but they just grow new ones and are stronger for it. Plus, you are a creature of Fire. Fire itself is transformation: a baptism by fire. A trial by fire is to go through something that is painful and transformative. You come through it with all self-delusion burnt away -- made stronger, tempered. Powerful. I knew your grandsire. He was powerful. You are, too. You just don't know how powerful yet. You will, though."

Cinnamon smiles shyly as the thought occurs to her: maybe it's because they're both creatures of fire, that they get along pretty well together? Though... Sparrow's still sometimes a bit spooky to her... but also really nice and patient -- she greatly appreciates that! She sighs softly as she asks the question that's been bothering her for a while, "If... if lizards are such good things, though, then... why did Qadan say it like it was vile? That's why he m-murdered my greatsire, he said... 'cause Liam was 'just a lizard,' and... not really divine...?"

Sparrow snorts, "Because Qadan was an elitist asshole, sugar. He was comparing Liam to an Eastern Dragon. They're a different sort of dragon, but he was basically saying they were the only real dragon." Sparrow says 'real dragon' in a snooty kind of tone, and snorts at the end of the sentence. "It's like the dickless wonders that try to exclude women from things they consider to be only for men. Stupid fuckin' patriarchal, colonialist pricks."

Cinnamon listens silently... she's not sure she understands yet why this makes it okay, but... she knows 'colonizer' and 'colonizing' are both dreadful insults to Sparrow. Drat! She forgot to ask Josie again what the word meant here, too. Well... maybe later. For now, she curiously asks, "Is that, um... did you learn that in the military, then?"

Sparrow arches a brow, "Did I learn what part in the military?" He seems quite intrigued that she asked that question.

"Er, the b-bit about stupid..." Cinnamon can't quite bring herself to quote Sparrow precisely! "-er... um, p-patriarchal colonizing... uhh, and... and excluding women...? Y-you know?" Honestly compels her to add, "Though I'm really glad you knew how to stop Jack without hitting him. I sure didn't... and I was just thinking I couldn't hit him to try and knock him out, 'cause I could possibly kill him by accident doing that, you know?" She shudders slightly, then smiles as she adds, "I almost cheered when you appeared out of the dark and made him fall down -- such a relief!"

Sparrow ahhs and laughs, "No. I learned a lot in the military, but not that bit. The sleeper hold I did learn in the military... and a few other tricks. Silent is a lot better when you're trying not to alert people. It made it easier to get Jes�s out of the way, and for me to get those guns out from under the blankets." He takes a deep breath, then adds, "I'm going to ask you not to talk about this bit with too many people, yeah? I spent a few years in the Army. Turns out I'm pretty good at sneaking around places -- scary good. Whodathunk? I spent a couple years being really good at sneaking around places, and then I got disgusted with the places they wanted me to sneak around -- and I left. I didn't exactly ask permission to leave, though. Being a warrior is one thing. That wasn't being a warrior."

Cinnamon nods without hesitation, "Sure, I won't say. Were you Coyote by then?"

Sparrow shakes his head, "Not fully. But my Granddaddy was fading and the mantle was starting to look for the next one... and apparently I was the one it was headed for. I loved my Granddaddy, and even in the Army my religious affiliation was tribal. It always has been -- it's always been the spirits and the ancestors for me. I've always felt that connection. Just a matter of time. If I'd still been active duty, it still would have found me there and I'd have found myself being Coyote in whatever hellhole they'd had me in. Lucky for me, I was over here when I took French leave." He has a sip of his beer, then grins wryly again, "Heh. Train a guy to be hard to find, and when he decides to be difficult for you to find, you've shot yourself in the foot." He shrugs, "Then Granddaddy died and..." he makes a motion around himself, "and now, I can be impossible to find if I wanna be... especially to white men's armies."

Cinnamon tilts her head thoughtfully, considering what she's read of Tricksters... then takes a guess, "Were you the youngest son? I remember reading that in some traditional and tribal cultures, older kids got their inheritance when they left the family home... and the youngest got everything else, under the assumption that they'd be caring for their parents for the rest of their lives. Is it like that for your people too? Is that part of why Coyote's, um, mantle came to you?"

Sparrow shakes his head, "I'm not the youngest -- second youngest. The youngest got married before I did, though." He snorts, "I say 'before I did' like I've ever actually had a real marriage. My other brothers are married. My baby sister's married. She's the only girl. My Ma's passed on. Cancer. Her parents are both still alive. Old as hell and living in a retirement home off the rez. My nephews did that." He wrinkles his nose, "At least they're getting good medical care."

Cinnamon is silent for a long moment, thinking and murmuring to herself, "So it's a patriline thingie... got it. That's what Jack got wrong, yes?" Then she sighs softly, "Ohh... are you the only one left on the rez, then? I hope not... that'd be sad, I'd think...?" She pauses, then adds quietly, "I'm glad Kestrel's here for you."

Sparrow shakes his head, "No, not a patriline thing. It doesn't just go father-to-son. It happened to be my grandfather on my father's side that it passed through. But it could have passed to one of my male cousins by a daughter of his. Or it would have skipped down a generation to one of my nephews, or a son of mine -- male descendents in that bloodline. Jack and I share a grandfather, but we share the wrong grandfather. He's related to me on my mother's side."

Cinnamon is silent for a moment, studying her soda can... then she glances over at Sparrow again, and hesitantly asks, "Is it... okay to ask what the decision on Jack and Belinda was?"

Sparrow looks down for a moment and then looks up and Cinnamon with a half-smile, "They've broken a mirror... only about ten times as bad. Not seventy years -- they won't die. They just won't have any good luck at all."

Cinnamon tilts her head thoughtfully for a moment, considering... then nods slowly, "Okay." She sighs, adding, "Maybe... Belinda will learn not to depend on her looks, in that time... maybe?" She wonders if Candi would learn from that... or would simply become bitter and self-righteous. Well... not something Cinnamon is ever likely to find out, so it probably doesn't matter.

Sparrow has another slow gulp of beer, then chuckles a little, "I'm not the last one on the rez, exactly. But my nephews aren't on this rez. It's better that they're somewhere a little out of my blast zone sometimes. Both supernaturally... and because the Army can't track me through them as easily." Cinnamon has to cover a giggle at the term 'blast zone'! Sparrow continues, "My nephews are mostly up in the Dakotas. Kestrel's here and they're my touchstone. They keep me grounded." His eyes soften, "If I ever do marry, it'll probably be Kestrel, though we both know that neither of us is the monogamous type."

Cinnamon looks curious again -- she keeps hearing this! It's fascinating how often it appears in the lives of the supernaturals she knows, especially considering how adamant the 'mainstream,' non-magical culture is about monogamy -- or at least serial monogamy? "So is that because you're both going to live for a real long time? The non-monogamy, I mean?"

Sparrow laughs quietly, "No. It's largely because Kestrel loves a lot of people and because I..." He clears his throat before adding, "I've got the libido of about eight normal men. I was always kinda highly sexed, but once the whole Coyote thing happened..." He shrugs ruefully. "It's part and parcel. I keep it under control pretty well now. It got me in trouble a time or twenty in the beginning."

Cinnamon has to cover her nervous grin at that -- she remembers quite well reading about how the Tricksters were incredibly sexualized beings, to the point that it often got them into trouble! Hmm... which reminds her of something she meant to say, earlier. She says slowly, "I can see that... I know about Tricksters getting hurt a lot by their own tricks -- at least in the Jungian analysis of them -- but..." She slows her speech, carefully trying to articulate deep internal feelings that she's never tried to verbalize before, "It's just that, to me? ...hurting yourself because you choose to, to help someone else? That doesn't bother m- well, it does, but I get it. But... asking someone to hurt themselves? That, um... I wouldn't feel right about that, you know? That's what I meant, there, about bear shifting..."

Cinnamon tilts her head as she thinks a bit more, then adds more pragmatically, "Though considering how, er... what's the term, sex-liquid? Sex... fluid, that's it! -- considering how fluid Tricksters are supposed to be, I'm kinda surprised to hear it always falls on a boy." She tilts her head the other way, studying Sparrow curiously, "Do you feel- no, wait, it's gender! That's it: gender fluid -- do you feel gender fluid? Or is that... I dunno, like... just something that happens sometimes when you change shape?" Her small grin is wry, "Did you go to college just to learn about all this stuff, so you could understand it? I know I would have, in your place -- I had to ask Shane and Josie about stuff this morning, that everyone was talking about like we all knew it, and I didn't want to, um... well, to hurt anyone's feelings or to slow down the conversation by going 'huh?!' all the time!"

Sparrow's lips twitch and despite every single intention he has to be nice and not tease Cinnamon, he can't help it, "Yeah, it's gender-fluid, sweetheart. Sex-fluid and sex-liquid are two whooooole different things. Much less a social construct and much more a physical and visceral thing. But no, I'm not at all gender-fluid. I'm very much male." He grins broadly up at her, eyes twinkling. "Not all Trickster archetypes are fluid in that way. My fluidity has to do with my species. I can be what I need to be. I can be who I need to be within reason. But I cannot be female. It's not within my mandate. Part of Coyote is specifically to be male... and the pitfalls of being male." Then he laughs, "That's not why I went to college, no. I went to college because I wanted to. I didn't think the mantle was going to fall to me. I actually thought it was going to fall on one of my brothers. I studied sociology for a while, then anthropology. I never really did settle on a major. Got no letters after my name." He leans back on his elbows with a lazy grin.

Cinnamon grins shyly, "I got accounting -- much to the bewilderment of my birth family!" She has another sip of soda, then carefully asks, "So, if you don't want to talk about this, just say so, okay? But..." She hesitates, absently nibbling on her lower lip as she considers, then finally asks, "How, um... do you know how to outlive folks yet? Like... I d-don't want to ask Elias because he seems so sad sometimes? ...but... I was wondering how one does it, 'cause I know my greatsire Liam had to. He had lots of wives over time, and... I guess... I wondered how you d-don't just become one huge... like, ache? Heartache? Or... what?" She glances a bit trepidatiously at Sparrow, then away. Hopefully that was neither a stupid nor an annoying or painful question...

Coyote smiles softly, "You learn to honor their memory and to love the moments you had with them, and to know that as long as you remember them, they are not truly dead." He finishes off his beer, but doesn't stand, "And there is always more joy. Life does not stop being beautiful and amazing and a miracle. You can hold that up in your heart and say, 'See this, beloved ones? You would have loved this.' That's how you outlive people."

Cinnamon sighs softly, almost clutching her soda can as she stares at it. Her voice is quiet as she admits, "Sometimes... s-sometimes that occurs to me and... and it's kinda... scary? -and... I've been carefully n-not thinking about it until I could ask." She sighs again, raising her gaze to Sparrow as she adds in a slightly choked-up voice, "Thank you f-for... for answering and -- and not l-laughing at m-me..."

Coyote's voice is gentle, "Cinnamon, part of being a Trickster is actually knowing when to laugh and when to not. Any good clown has a sense of timing. You ever notice that good comedic actors can often make the transition to dramatic acting, but it doesn't always go the other way successfully? Comedians know timing, and that stands you in good stead in both good and bad times. Some dramatic actors have that timing and some only know how to be really serious -- and that doesn't always need timing. It just needs pathos and intensity."

Cinnamon nods slowly again, considering all the things she's learned... then she slips off the table to walk over and crouch next to Sparrow. She slowly -- so he can draw back if he wants -- puts her arms out and around the lean man, to give him a careful hug. Her voice is a bit hesitant, but deeply sincere, "I... I know I'm really new to all this, and... well, I guess I'm really naive still about a lot of stuff, but... b-but I really appreciate your being kind and... and careful with me, like this, right? S-so... so if, um, you n-need a hug sometimes? ...'cause sometimes it seems to me that Tricksters are their own worst enemies, and hurt themselves too much? I, um... I'd be happy to give you one?"

Sparrow laughs and hugs Cinnamon back tightly, "I'll always ask for a hug if I need one, I promise. I'm never shy about asking for affection." He puts his hands on her shoulders, eyes twinkling, "And I'll say this explicitly right now, so you know it. If I say something that seems a little dirty or teasing, I'm not doin' it to be mean, the way I suspect some assholes have to you, in the past. I tease my friends, OK? I don't wanna bite through my tongue some day." He winks and then his smile softens, "You're a good little egg, darlin'. I just don't want someone to crack your shell so hard it damages you."

Cinnamon takes a deep breath, then nods firmly, "I, um... I'm t-trying to learn it! F-flirting, I mea-... er, recognizing it, I mean! Though..." she looks a bit bemused, "I didn't realize that, um... biting your tongue? ...was... flirtatious?" She winces a bit as she adds, "Wouldn't that hurt?!"

Sparrow can't help snorting, "I meant that I've bitten my tongue to stop from saying something I thought you might think I meant in a mean way, sugar."

"Oh!" Cinnamon looks faintly relieved -- she had just been thinking that was a form of flirtation she wasn't really going to be comfortable with! But if it's not actually flirtation... whew. She smiles as she adds, "Well, I, um... I can't say I won't still blush -- I will, I'm sure," she sighs amusedly, then continues, "and... well, there may be times that I may just bolt 'cause it's kinda... all too much! But, yeah... I'll keep in mind that-" She pauses, considering... then grins and says deadpan, "that you're not an asshole because you warned me ahead of time that you weren't. Or... something like that." She giggles in spite of herself, then smiles ruefully, "I'm working on it, at least. Promise."

What Sparrow explicitly doesn't say is that the blushing and the bolting might actually be part of the fun. Or that he partially wants to see what kinds of reactions having other people flirt with Cinnamon will get out of Shane. It's not malicious, but it will be a fun, harmless little game to prod the two of them together. The Trickster smiles and gives Cinnamon another squeeze, "I should see if I can loosen these nuts up now." Cinnamon grins and hugs back -- unsurprisingly completely missing the potential innuendo -- then scrambles up to her feet and, with a small and cheerful wave, leaves Sparrow to it.

Elsewhere that afternoon, Thorn does one last check of those who were poisoned, checking their vitals -- and in particular checking in on Dovie. Everyone seems to be recovering well -- even Dovie. Kestrel is hovering a little and promises Thorn that Dovie will have someone staying with her for the next week or two, just to make sure. This makes Dovie insist that people are being too cautious... and makes Kestrel say that it doesn't matter what Dovie thinks -- because Kestrel isn't going to be naysaid on this!

Cinnamon giggles when she overhears this -- it's actually precisely what she'd expect from Kestrel! She does take the two-spirit aside at one point, however, to quietly insist on paying for Dovie's door repair. Thorn broke in, after all, because Cinnamon effectively asked him to! Kestrel shakes her head, "I won't hear of it and neither would Sparrow. That money is coming out of Jack and Belinda's pockets. Because Sparrow would have broken the door down himself if Thorn hadn't."

Cinnamon gives Kestrel a wry smile, "Do those two have much of anything, between the two of them? Let me take care of it..." She giggles as she adds, "Besides, it was you who said not to let Sparrow refuse aid, right? So it's not fair of you to do what you wouldn't let him do, right?" Her grin is wide, and her eyes sparkle as she gently teases!

Kestrel snorts, "Well, they have a small arsenal -- the guns Sparrow took off them are worth two or three thousand dollars -- and that door is maybe three hundred to repair -- so, yes. They can afford it. I say let them pay for it. But the fact that you offered will not be forgotten."

Cinnamon smiles and lets it go then -- though not without giving Kestrel a warm hug! Her voice is soft as she murmurs just to Kestrel, "Thank you for taking care of things so well... you mean a lot to Sparrow, you know!"

Kestrel hugs back and smiles, "He means a lot to me. The people here on the rez do, too." They chuckle, "I'm glad to see that there are more people on the council he feels he can trust." Cinnamon blushes and beams at that -- she's still quite stunned that someone like Sparrow trusts her so! Later, Thorn too thanks Sparrow and Kestrel for the hard work they've done on this meeting. He's particularly grateful for their help with the people who were poisoned.

Fairly late that afternoon, Harry shows up in a beat-up truck with Cinnamon's harness in the back. He's looking very pleased with himself and with his work. Cinnamon brightens at sight of Harry, waving and trotting out from the sun shelter where the remaining councilors have been lounging to stay cool, "Hello, Harry! Is it done? Eee, I'm excited! How's it look?!" She'd been enjoying chatting with Marcus and Shane and the others -- Marcus sure is nicer when he's not all prim and proper! -- but her new harness is just a smidge more exciting!

Harry smiles, "It is done! And thank you for the saw. It works very much better than my old one." He's starting to haul the harness out of the bed of the truck, "I got a friend of mine to do some work on the leather. I hope you don't mind. There is some embellishment."

Cinnamon brightens, her eyes sparkling and her hands clasped with excitement, "Oh my gosh, how awesome! Let's see, let's see -- oh!" She glances around hopefully for either Sparrow or Kestrel, "Maybe I can try it on here...? Let me check..."

Sparrow wanders over at hearing Harry's truck approaching. He smiles and nods, "Definitely try it on. Harry might have to make adjustments."

Cinnamon beams excitedly at Sparrow, "Okay!" -- and with a small whoosh! of displaced air, she's a neatly curled, very excited young dragon! Her crest is raised with happiness, and her tail tip tends to sway despite herself! She excitedly growfs, "What's it look like, please?!"

Harry steps back in startlement, but doesn't run or look frightened. Sparrow laughs warmly, "You're fuckin' adorable, darlin'."

Cinnamon grins with slightly uncertain toothiness down at Sparrow, "Um... yay?" Sparrow pats Cinnamon's flank, and Shane steps forward to help with getting the harness in place. It has been properly modified to hold more passengers, and Harry's friend has apparently been working with leather stamping -- the patterns are some geometric designs stamped onto the straps.

Harry explains, "My friend looked up some Welsh patterns after I asked who your people are, and we put some of those on the leather..." With a little adjustment, the harness fits perfectly.

Cinnamon gasps delightedly at sight of the harness additions, almost trilling, "Oh my gosh this is so gorgeous Harry thank you so much!" She settles down lower so Shane and Harry can easily toss the harness straps over her back, then happily buckles them up in the front... then beams delightedly, "How's it look?!" She doesn't quite prance in place -- there's too many people around her and she doesn't want to hurt anyone -- but the occasional delighted chirp manages to escape as she twists her head around to examine all the nifty new detailing and additions!

Shane smiles, "It looks lovely, acushla." He moves around, making sure all the straps are flat and that there's room for a hand between the straps and Cinnamon's hide, but not so much room that it will slide around. Basically, he's testing it the way he'd test tack on a horse. The Welsh designs fit in almost seamlessly with the Bulgarian designs. They really only serve to make sure the parts that Harry added don't look utilitarian and plain in comparison.

Cinnamon nearly glows with happiness at Shane! Of course, on a dragon that's far more, umm... fang-y than it is on a human! Nevertheless, her pleasure is clear as she swings her head around and thanks Harry once more, adding happily, "Would you like a test lift with me, as a thank you?"

Harry flushes and clears his throat, "I have a problem with heights." He seems almost ashamed of that.

Cinnamon beams, "Oh! That's no problem -- believe me, I quite understand!" She slightly sheepishly adds, "I have a, um... well, w-with C-level businessmen and supernatural royalty?" She sighs, not quite ducking her nose behind one wing as she confesses, "I -- I get all tongue-tied and... and stupid around them! So please, don't feel bad, 'cause I get that." Then she takes a deep breath -- and then grins widely down at Harry, many of her teeth gleaming as she happily adds, "We could just run around a bit instead?" She shyly adds, "I just... well, I never expected you to put in so much beautiful work on this, sir! I'm really touched -- I can't tell you how much this means to me!"

Sparrow grins and takes hold of the harness and then Harry's arm, "C'mon. It'll be fun." Then he swings his way up, encouraging Harry to join him. The saddler hesitates... then finally nods, "Well... OK."

Cinnamon beams cheerfully, immediately flopping down into sphynx position, "Awesome! Hey, Kestrel! You wanna come too?" She giggles -- it comes out more as a delighted chirping -- then adds, "We can sparkle together!" She grins down at Shane as she adds, "I'd invite you too, but you're gonna be stuck with me for four hours or so tonight, and I don't want you to get bored!"

Sparrow snorts at that! "I'm sure he's gonna be fine riding you tonight, sugar." That comment from Sparrow actually makes Shane almost choke! Sparrow calls down to Kestrel, "C'mon, beautiful!" Harry manages to clamber up a little more clumsily than Sparrow, while Kestrel is graceful as they make their way up and get strapped in.

Cinnamon twists her long neck around so she's looking down at her passengers, adding, "Be sure you're all securely strapped in, please! Also, I'll give a good shake to make sure everything's settled before we start, okay?" She blinks startledly over at Shane's choking noise, though, distracted from her passengers, "Are you okay, Shane?"

Shane waves at Cinnamon, "I'm fine! Water just went down the wrong pipe." He holds up his water bottle to give credence to what he said... though the accompanying wince appears to be stronger evidence. Sparrow grins at Shane, eyes twinkling.

Cinnamon smiles and nods, reassured... then checks everyone on her back is ready before she rises to her feet, "Okay, good shake now!" The three people buckled into the harness hold on so Cinnamon can do her pre-gallop shake. She rolls her head back and forth, initially, and the shake sort of ripples down her long neck, across the length of her body and out each wing... then all the way down to the tip of her tail! It's weirdly adorable, in that it would look perfectly natural on a fluffy little kitten -- but is probably a highly unusual sight on a dragon! Kestrel and Sparrow both whoop at the way Cinnamon does the shake, and Harry chuckles as he holds on. Cinnamon tilts her head around after that to double check, "Everyone still good?"

Marcus watches the pre-gallop preparations so he can be ready later tonight. Josie is wagging, and she manages not to giggle at Sparrow's teasing. She's got a good idea of what's going on with Shane and Cinnamon, but she's tactful about such things... even if she's not tactful about everything. Cinnamon beams happily at her passengers, then starts padding with long, slightly ground-jarring steps out of the open courtyard, "Okay! Which way should I go, Sparrow? Is there anything I should be careful not to step on?"

Sparrow snorts, "People and cactus, mostly, are what you should avoid. You can probably jump over most low-lying obstacles, darlin'!" Josie grins and starts to trot alongside Cinnamon when she starts to trot.

Cinnamon laughs happily, her crest raising again as she trills, "Hi, JoJo! Let's run!" She glances around and picks a general area that seems mostly flattish and mostly abandoned, and a few seconds later she's stretching out her head and singing wordlessly as she gallops thunderingly along -- interspersed with the occasional, "Wheeeeeee!"

Thorn watches as Cinnamon charges forth, and his first thought is that she's incredibly fast for a dragon so large! It's something he'll likely never get used to -- ever! -- and it fills him with wonder every time. Sometimes it makes him think that maybe revealing is the way to go, so others can see this... but he tempers that feeling with 'not yet.' Someday, maybe, but for now... it'll have to be enough to stand in wonder of it.

The desert, of course, is not truly flat -- and so Cinnamon kind of yips startledly at the first unexpected arroyo! But she spreads her wings and manages to leap it relatively gracefully... and after that she pays more attention, and is much smoother in her leaps. Josie goes mostly quadrupedal, even though she's in that halfway shape she seems to prefer, and starts running happily alongside Cinnamon as the dragon starts loping out across the desert. Since she has passengers, a running companion, and a somewhat unsteady surface, however, Cinnamon keeps to a slow 30 mph-ish. Josie still can't quite keep all the way up, and she laughs as she peels off to head back after spotting the first obstacle she won't be able to cross in the same way.

Cinnamon spots that, calling to Josie, "Oh, don't go! Want a lift?" She helpfully spreads a wing, if Josie wants to try leaping up there, and then onto Cinnamon's back. Josie pauses and nods, then just leaps and scrambles her way up, buckling in happily. Sparrow is whooping and laughing as Cinnamon runs, and Kestrel too is laughing. Harry is a little wide-eyed, but is enjoying the ride. Cinnamon giggles, lengthening her stride after that and really stretching! She's never tried running much like this, so she intends to have a good time trying it out!

Cinnamon does a big loop around the large butte shaped like an arrow, with the three conifers on top... she's faster than a car since she can go direct route, and she's not really worried about cacti... so it's only about 45 minutes later that she pulls up, huffing and panting and with her tail lashing happily, at the campsite again. She trills excitedly, "Eeeee that was such fun! Thanks for coming along, you guys! How was it for you all?"

Harry is laughing and a little breathless as Sparrow helps him down, "That was fun! I'm glad it's little-peopled out here! I don't know what folks might have thought at seeing a dragon in the desert!"

Sparrow laughs, "Eh. The SEP field probably would have gone into effect."

Cinnamon beams down at her companions, already flopped into the sphynx pose for dismounting -- though her wings are flopped out too, to shed more heat, "Don't know yet, but I guess we'll find out eventually?"

Learning how to get the harness off Cinnamon is easy, with Josie and Shane paying attention on how to do it, since they'll likely be the ones to help doing it back on Coblyn... though Thorn might also help. Josie also does 'sheet duty' for Cinnamon to change back, and the little dragon beams and thanks Harry again -- this time with a very sincere hug! -- when she comes pattering back, next to Josie, in human form once more. Harry is quite pleased with his work and says he'll pass on the compliments to his friend that did the decorating. He explains that he had his friend do the stamping on un-cut leather, so his friend doesn't know what precisely he was decorating.

When she has a moment free, Cinnamon heads over to the small cabin where Killa and his people are staying. She wants to check and be sure they're okay, and find out if they need any help moving their gear to their car, so she knocks lightly on the door, calling, "Hello? It's Cinnamon. Is everyone doing well?"

It's Daniella that answers the door. She's looking solemn, but she often does look solemn -- it is the woman's default state, "We are doing as well as may be expected. This has been a strange meeting."

Cinnamon grins ruefully as she nods, "Wow, tell me about it!" She sighs as she adds, "I'm so sorry I didn't figure out faster that something was wrong with you and Killa, last night!" A bit worriedly she asks, "How's Jes�s doing? -and yourself and Killa? How're you all feeling?" She sounds slightly angry as she adds, "A poisoning is exactly not what Killa needed, to keep on healing well!"

Daniella looks over her shoulder, and Cinnamon can actually see a moment of softness, "We are doing better. Jes�s will need time off to recuperate. We all will. I am going to try to get my lord to send a proxy to the next meeting, though I doubt he will."

Cinnamon's voice is soft, "Is there anything I can do to help?" She resists the urge to stand on tiptoe in order to peer around the taller woman. Clearly if Daniella doesn't want to let her in, there's a reason... they're sleeping, or one of them's nude, or something. She adds with a small smile, "I'd be happy to help carry things to the car, for example. I may not be much good at healing, but I'm strong and sturdy?" She pauses, then curiously inquires, "Are you all leaving this afternoon like most everyone else, or will you be staying longer before departure?"

Daniella steps out of the way and motions Cinnamon in with a bit of a smile, "Please. Come in." Cinnamon blinks... then beams in delight -- they trust her enough to invite her in! She steps in quietly, deeply touched, as Daniella continues, "Yes, we're leaving this afternoon. We'll be driving slowly. But I know the routes well. I... did a lot of traveling in my youth."

Cinnamon glances around curiously, her voice soft in case of sleeping folks, "I know it's probably unnecessary... but please drive safe, okay? With both guys down and healing, there's no one to back you up in case of problems, after all!" She pauses... then brightens again, "Oh, I know! Let me give you my phone number. Worst comes to worst, I can fly to wherever you are... and I'll feel better knowing you do have some back-up in case of emergency." She whips out her cell and beams at Daniella, "Want me to text the number to you?"

Daniella nods, "I will drive carefully. I have called some of my men to head this way to meet us, not far south of the rez. I don't wish to be caught out of pocket, as they say, but I would be honored to have the number."

Cinnamon looks relieved upon hearing more of Daniella's men will be there to help... but she also shares her number with the other woman. As she puts her cell away, the little dragon smiles, "So, you didn't say -- would some help carrying heavy things to the car be nice, or would I just be in the way?" She thinks for a moment, then adds a bit diffidently, "Also... could you tell Jes�s he has to get better soon, 'cause he's my inspiration that people can change! I figure if he can, then so can I, you know?" She's a bit pink as she smiles shyly up at Daniella.

Daniella sighs, laughing quietly as she looks around, "Yes. Some help would be appreciated." Killa is sitting quietly. Actually... he's sitting in a way that seems beyond quiet into practically stuporous. He could almost be a stone idol. Jes�s is resting on a pallet; he smiles tiredly at Cinnamon, his voice a little husky, "Daniella was just fussing at me that I was not allowed to haul things, but she was not looking forward to carrying everything on her own. We did not pack lightly."

Cinnamon gives a small, shy wave at sight of Jes�s -- but at his words she brightens, "Oh! That's wonderful news, then -- I'm happy to haul everything out, if you guys would like!" She pauses, then whispers, "Is... is Killa okay? He looks... almost... unconscious...? Is that normal for him, or something?"

Daniella glances over toward Killa, "He... goes into something close to torpor. Snakes can shut their metabolisms almost completely down. Many of them go into a state almost like hibernation, called brumation, in winter. He is trying to conserve energy." She reaches as if to caress the snake man and stops herself. The woman looks at Cinnamon, "Are you offering to change into a dragon and haul things?"

Cinnamon blinks a few times as she studies Killa, intrigued. Her voice is almost inaudible as she murmurs half to herself, "Huh! I wonder if dragons do that too...?" At Daniella's query, Cinnamon pushes up her glasses and smiles up at the taller woman, "How far away is the car? I'd thought to just pick up as much as I could carry outside to the car, but if it's far away... would being a dragon be easier for you?"

Daniella smiles, "I just meant, you asked because you offered to carry everything. That's quite a lot..." She motions around at all the several suitcases and other things. They really did not pack lightly.

Cinnamon grins as she too looks around, "That's fine! Though you'll have to help tie it onto the harness, please -- the claws get in the way of fine detail work, I'm afraid. Hmm..." She frowns thoughtfully as she studies the various trunks, suitcases, and other gear... then beams sunnily up at Daniella again, "Sure, no prob! Let me get it outside first, though, okay? Then you can help tie it all onto the harness, and then... you know where the car is, right? Why not just let me carry you to the parking lot as well? That way you can help untie the gear too, if you're willing?" She grins at Jes�s as well, "You want a lift too, so you don't have to walk the whole way?" As she speaks, she starts to neatly stack several pieces of luggage -- largest and with handles on the bottom, so she can easily grab and manipulate it, and progressively smaller pieces on top. She makes as many stacks as necessary, since she doesn't want to create some towering monstrosity that will tip over and crash into her head when she lifts it!

Daniella is quite strong, so it really doesn't take all that long to get everything moved from their quarters to outside, where it can be transported to the 'car' -- that is actually a heavy-duty Land Rover. Cinnamon glances around to make sure there aren't many folks about, before she changes... and then she settles down in sphynx and smiles toothily over her shoulder at Daniella, "Okay, you can lash things on anywhere you like, though keeping it balanced is probably best. Let me know if you want me to hold anything in place while you tie it too, okay? Sound good?" She pauses, glancing at the door and then back at Daniella, as she more softly adds, "Was it, um... rude or something, to offer a lift to you all?" She's not sure why Jes�s wouldn't answer, but she doesn't want to push the issue if it's sensitive to him, after all! She wishes, a bit amusedly, that Shane were here -- he does seem to understand folks better than she does, most of the time!

Daniella is lashing things on as she looks over her shoulder, "I honestly think he just drifted off. He's quite tired." She pats Cinnamon on the shoulder.

Cinnamon laughs quietly, "That's fine, then! He likely needs all the sleep he can get..." She pauses, then very quietly adds just to Daniella, "I think they clobbered him on the back of the head with a tire iron. Thorny was muttering angrily as he healed Jes�s... and you could literally see the poor guy's head reforming correctly!" She growls softly under her breath, thin wisps of smoke trickling upwards through her teeth as she adds, "They were bad -- I'm glad Sparrow gave them bad luck for decades! They deserve to realize what it's like to always have to struggle!" A heartbeat later the young dragon sighs gustily, closing her eyes for a second... then opens them to murmur softly, "I'm sorry, Daniella. I shouldn't be rehashing bad things like this."

Daniella shakes her head and sighs, "No. I've seen worse." She looks back toward the quarters she's sharing with Killa and Jes�s, "Many of our people have come from the Cartels. They do worse. We take them away from that."

Cinnamon is silent as she considers that for a while. She really doesn't know much about the cartels -- just that they're apparently truly evil people. She wonders... is one of the reasons Killa wants to reveal because he wants to pull all his people away from the cartels? It's a worthy goal, if so... though she's glad Killa has discovered, non-terminally, that the bad people are a bit more dangerous than he'd initially realized. She sighs softly, wondering if things were better for the humans when the supernaturals were known and visible in the world... and what link there is, if any, between the so-called Age of Reason and Industrial Revolution, with the vanishing of the supernaturals. So many questions... maybe Thorn will know. He's planning on researching the earliest council meetings, after all.

The young dragon turns her big, triangular head to look down at Daniella again, as she murmurs, "Thank you, Daniella, for being willing to have your people be nice to the folks on Coblyn. I hope that helps the ones that escaped the cartels to realize... people really are nice, given half a chance." Her small smile is a bit wry, "I know it may sound kinda pie in the sky of me, considering how inexperienced I am -- especially compared to you... but it's my hope that they'll be able to make more friends on Coblyn, and maybe elsewhere too, by being nice... you know?"

Daniella says, "I am still learning things myself. I still run things like the military because I have to. It takes that to keep discipline, but they are learning compassion as well now. I thank you for that. And Killa is... healing. And if it were not for you..." She shrugs slowly.

Cinnamon leans her big head over to give a gentle tongue-flicker on the top of Daniella's head, not thinking that it might be a smidge startling to the woman! On the other hand... perhaps Daniella already knows what that's like, from Killa -- Cinnamon doesn't know. To her it's simply a friendly hug-equivalent between (potential) friends... and then she smiles and says, "It was me and Thorn and Sparrow, that last time... and all three of us, and several others as well, this time. It was teamwork out of caring about each other, you know? You guys have teamwork too, I bet, if you're running things militarily... and maybe, if friendship grows between the guys of your team, there'll be a more caring kind of friendship-teamwork happening too?"

The young dragon's rumbly voice is sort of gently calm as she adds, "I have faith in you, and Jes�s -- and even Killa too, though I don't know if he's part of your teamwork or not. But I bet it can happen... because if anyone could make it happen because they wanted it to, it'd surely be you, with your dedication to your lord and your mission. And if you need help... that's what friends are for, right? I'd like to be that for you, if you want." Cinnamon tilts her big head, then, and smiles, "Is everything tied on now? Want to go get Jes�s, and I can give you both a lift to the car?"

Daniella tests some straps in the way of someone that's used to making sure loads are secure and nods, "We're working on camaraderie as well as trust." She smiles, "I'll go get him now." Cinnamon waits placidly, enjoying soaking up the sunshine as she lies there while Daniella disappears inside and returns with a drowsy-looking Jes�s in just a few minutes. She helps him get mounted and settled securely as well.

Cinnamon grins over her shoulder, "Hi, Jes�s! Okay, Red Dragon Lazy Train, starting up now... please keep all hands and feet inside the moving vehicle!" She giggles, rising easily to her feet and turning to pad relaxedly along the path towards the parking lot... and adding as she goes, "If I see anyone in the parking lot already, that I don't recognize, I'm going to wait a bit until they head off, okay? Otherwise we'll just walk on over to your car and unload next to it. Sound good?"

Daniella smiles, "I think all the people that would panic at sight of a dragon have already been herded away from the area." She's watching Jes�s carefully. It's true, too. The parking lot is empty of any vehicle that doesn't belong to either councilors or safe people.

Cinnamon rumbles amusedly, "Probably wise of Sparrow... or Kestrel, maybe?" She glances around as she pads onto the asphalt, "Okay, which is yours? I'm guessing... the Rover, maybe? The cleaner and less beat-up one, I mean?" She grins as she paces that way... though she'll change direction if so directed.

The Land Rover Daniella leads Cinnamon to is well-kept and has out-of-country plates. "Yes. We keep it very well-maintained. Being Latinx, we get stopped at the border very often and searched. There is a reason we are not armed on this trip."

Cinnamon unwittingly reveals her extreme inexperience as she puzzledly inquires, "Why do you get stopped and searched?" while lying down next to the Rover. A heartbeat later, she almost facepalms with one big, clawed paw-hand, "Oh! Dumb dumb dumb of me -- of course, they're assuming cartel stuff about you all, right?" She sighs and shakes her head, "I'm really sorry about that, Daniella. It must get really old."

Daniella smiles tiredly, "At the American border, anyone that is not white is suspect. It's nothing new. There is nothing to apologize for. You would never think to do it."

Cinnamon grumbles quietly, "Still doesn't make it right!" even as she's helping with unloading the more easily-unfastened items. She sighs... then smiles ruefully down at the two humans, "Well, regardless... I hope you all have a really nice and boring trip... with nothing at all dangerously interesting happening on the way!" She's momentarily intrigued as it registers: while Jes�s looks classically Hispanic, Daniella actually looks as if she might be mixed-race Black and Latina. Interesting! Cinnamon wonders thoughtfully to herself if having red(der) hair now makes her look more Celtic, or White European, or whatever.

Shortly thereafter, the luggage has all been unloaded from Cinnamon, and into the Rover, which is fortunately parked in the shade. The young dragon is happy to help however she can with that as well -- handing over heavy trunks, or placing a balancing claw on a pile of suitcases so they remain steady until lashed into place, or however Daniella needs. Jes�s is firmly told by both women to go sit in the shade and keep an eye out for strangers, when he sleepily protests not having a job... which makes him grin wryly, and causes Cinnamon to blink, then give her chirping giggle, as she realizes she and Daniella said almost exactly the same thing at the same time! Once everything is packed into place, Daniella has Jes�s lay out in the back seat so he can sleep, and leaves all the windows open for any breeze... then gets a lift back to the campsite on Cinnamon's back, once more.

After Daniella reassures Cinnamon that Killa will prefer walking, the little dragon shifts back to human form, then gives Daniella a hug and well-wishes for the drive back home! Cinnamon waves cheerfully as Daniella vanishes back inside the little cabin, then patters off to find a nice cool drink and a shady place to relax, hopefully with friends. She's feeling happily virtuous at helping!

Later that afternoon, Cinnamon is chatting with Kestrel and Shane -- she's still quite thrilled by Harry's arrival with the wonderful new harness additions! During the poisoning debacle, Cinnamon had been so busy that she'd not looked very closely at folks that weren't hurt -- including the solemn young man with the very long braid past his hips. To Cinnamon, long hair still equates to female, so when she spots him helping out across the campsite, she says cheerfully to Kestrel, "Oh, there's that girl again, with the really beautiful long hair!"

Kestrel grins, "Not that he'd be upset at being misgendered, because he sees women as powerful, but Forrest is male."

After a few blinks of surprise, Cinnamon happily says, "Oh, well then -- I'll just go ask him about his hair!" She starts to trot over that way.

Kestrel is used to clueless white folks being either rude or mean-spirited, and doesn't want their new friend to put her foot in it accidentally by not realizing that BIPOC people get white people asking about and touching their hair in strange ways a lot -- so they hastily ask, "Why do you want to ask him about his hair?"

Cinnamon has absolutely no idea that American Indian men will often grow their hair as a political and/or religious statement, however -- and honestly, she wouldn't be snippy about it even if she did know. So she glances over her shoulder at Kestrel and beams, "'Cause it's long!"

Kestrel looks faintly confused as they ask, "But so is mine? Why not ask me?" Indeed, Kestrel does have long, lustrous hair that they wear in just such a braid much of the time.

Cinnamon grins perplexedly, "Um, 'cause you're not a guy?" With that, she patters off.

After she's left, though, Kestrel looks bemusedly at Shane, "She realizes your hair is nearly that long too, right?" Admittedly, Shane's only falls to the small of his back, while the young man's would likely reach almost to his knees, once unbraided.

Shane looks a little mystified himself; he shrugs, then pulls his own braid forward and holds it up, comparing it to Forrest's from a distance. They're about the same thickness and, truthfully, they're just as shiny. If anything, Shane's hair is actually darker -- beansidhe hair has a nearly purple undertone to it -- and he replies, "I have absolutely no idea." It would never occur to Shane to be jealous, but he wonders if he's made Cinnamon think she can't trust him with questions about hair, in some way.

Cinnamon patters over to the solemn-faced young man, pausing a cautious distance away and smiling tentatively at him, "Um, h-hello? I'm Cinnamon, and, ah... I was told your name is Forrest, right? So, umm... can I ask you a question, please?"

Forrest looks up from what he's doing and smiles equally shyly at Cinnamon. He's got the kind of smile that she does -- his solemn face lights up when it comes out. It ratchets his age down from perhaps 26 to maybe 20, "H-hello. Y-yes. I'm F-f-Forrest."

Cinnamon blinks -- then unwittingly brightens a bit, "Wow, you have a beautiful smile!" She blinks again, turning slightly pink -- she can't believe she just said that to a total stranger! -- and hastily adds, "Oh, ah, w-well, I, um... l-like your hair?" She points at the long braid, feeling somewhat less mentally clumsy when talking about something as straightforward as hair, "It's really beautiful! Did you do anything special to get it to grow so long?"

Forrest reaches back to touch his hair and his cheeks darken, "Y-you h-h-h-have a nnnn-nice s-smile t-t-t-t-too." Cinnamon turns a bit more pink, even as she beams back at Forrest -- what a nice person! He takes a deep breath. It's becoming apparent that his stutter isn't nerves; he actually has a speech impediment, but he takes another deep breath and speaks slowly, "I g-g-grew it out for r-r-religious r-r-reasons. A-and p-p-political ones." The young man keeps stroking the long braid as he laughs a little, "P-please d-don't laugh." Cinnamon looks initially surprised, then shocked -- but before she can indignantly reply that she'd never laugh at someone else in a hurtful way! -- he clears his throat and the next few lines are actually sung. There's no real tune, but it's definitely singing instead of speaking:

"They tried to take our ways by taking our hair. They tried to take our hearts by taking our language. So we grow our hair to take it back." He chuckles and goes on, "I don't stutter if I sing." Cinnamon nods several times, her expression fascinated -- she thinks this is a really clever way to sidestep having a speech impediment! Forrest licks his lips and continues to sing, "I wash it with aloe vera and saw palmetto. And I only wash it once or maybe twice a week unless I get it sweaty or dirty. I am careful, when I use other things, not to use harsh soaps. I wear it in a braid to keep it safe from tangles and snags, and I comb it instead of brushing it because brushes will snag and tear it." Forrest goes back to speaking, "P-p-people b-burn th-their h-h-hair and p-put ch-chemicals in it. I d-d-don't." He smiles and shrugs.

Cinnamon nods slowly, thinking furiously fast -- there are several really fascinating concepts that are new to her, all wrapped up in this young man's hair! This is quite unexpected... but at the same time, she doesn't want to be a bother. So she finally says cautiously, "I... wonder if you are busy? Or if we... maybe could talk a bit more? Or sing, rather?" She grins in friendly fascination as she adds, "That's really clever -- singing instead of speaking -- if it's easier for you!"

Forrest blushes again, singing, "My grandfather taught me. He liked an old country singer. Mel Tillis. Mel stuttered... except when he sang." Cinnamon nods, though she'll wait for Forrest to reply to her query re being busy before she does something potentially rude, like pelt him with questions! Forrest nods and says, "A-ask."

Cinnamon grins in relief, "Awesome -- thank you!" She considers carefully then... she should probably ask Josie and Shane about religion and politics and hair... though... didn't Josie say something about the bad schools chopping off the kids' hair? Yuck... yeah, no accidentally reminding this nice young man about any bad memories or anything! So instead she says a bit diffidently, "I, um, hope this doesn't sound stupid, but... I know aloe vera and saw palmetto are plants, right? So... um, how do you get shampoo from them, please? Is it... I don't know, like... homemade, or is there someone who does that, or what?"

Forrest sings, "You can get Aloe Vera juice at any normal drug store in a jug, but I grow it and just strip the juice and rub it into my hair in the shower. Kestrel makes a saw palmetto wash for hair. It also has aloe in it. They make many good things." He glances Kestrel's way and blushes.

Cinnamon looks fascinated again -- is this nice young man possibly sweet on Kestrel?! She can certainly see how he might be... and she thinks that's adorable! Also, Sparrow said Kestrel loved lots of people, so... gosh, maybe they're already lovers too! Cinnamon beams excitedly, though she tries to be careful not to bounce on her toes with happiness, as she nearly burbles, "Oh! That is so incredibly cool thank you so much Forrest maybe I can get my hair to grow out as beautiful and long as yours now too I should ask Kestrel if they're willing to let me buy some palmetto wash too thanks again!" She's nearly glowing with happiness as she waves again to Forrest, then darts off towards Kestrel again. Wow, all the indigenous folks she's met have been so incredibly nice! She can definitely see why Josie prefers them to white folks, honestly!

Cinnamon comes pattering up to Kestrel and Shane, still beaming with excitement at the lovely thought of more people in love that can actually be in and share that love! Breathlessly she blurts out, "Wow, Kestrel, he's nice and he said you make a saw palmetto wash for hair and I was wondering if I c-could maybe buy or barter for some with you too maybe please?!" She pauses for a breath -- then adds in chagrin, "Oh! Would it have been better if I sang too?" She hmms thoughtfully to herself... then simply nods firmly, "I'll ask that next time -- I don't want to be a pest to him now!"

Kestrel smiles warmly, "I do. I can make some up for you to take home as a gift. It's very good for keeping hair shiny. I'll warn you, if you use a lot of shampoo on your hair, you may think your hair feels greasy for a while if you start using natural washes on it. Commercial shampoo washes out all the natural oils, and white people seem to think those oils are a bad thing. It'll take a while for your scalp and your hair to balance everything out. It's not gross, I promise. And you don't have to sing to him. Just talk. He's a sweet boy."

Cinnamon nods excitedly several times, "He is! He was very patient with me." She pauses... then decides not to mention her guess regarding his attraction to Kestrel -- that's his business, not hers! So instead she just smiles and adds, "Thank you so much, Kestrel, for the shampoo! Is there something you need that I can trade back with you? I mean, I figure if I'm going to try this, I should stick with it for at least six months to see how my hair does, right? I don't want to put you out during that time, after all!" She looks hopeful; she likes knowing things people want or enjoy! It makes her feel useful to be able to help out... and feeling useful is a sensation she's finding she really enjoys, compared to the self-protective isolation she maintained previous to her 'dragonhood realization'!

Kestrel smiles, "I'll make sure you have enough. Since you only use it three times a week at most, you don't need as much as you might think. Just enjoy using it and that will make me happy. If you really like it, I'll give you my website address and you can leave a review." They look a little bashful, "I do actually sell some of my stuff online as a side hustle. I have to make a little money from time to time." Then they grin, "Why didn't you ask me or Shane? We both have long hair too, you know?"

Cinnamon blinks, then grins wryly. So, the one time she's careful about phrasing, so she doesn't insult someone by offering money... she could have?! That makes her laugh... and she laughs again at Kestrel's query, "Oh, that's easy -- you probably could have guessed it on your own, in fact!" Her voice is wryly self-deprecating as she adds, "I'm sure you've noticed... I'm really not very good at doing girl things! Plus, every time I asked a girl with beautiful long hair about how they did it, they either sneered at me, or told me about using this imported or hard to find shampoo and conditioner and that incredibly specialized hair dryer and brush set and the other hot oil treatment with weekly highlighting or whatnot and the really expensive styling at this or that highly elite and 'reservations required months ahead of time' spa and resort and-" She's been flipping her hands back and forth for each new element, grinning as she elaborates all the complex processes... and finally she flings up her arms, "blah blah blah..." She laughs quietly at herself, then continues, "So I figured if a guy has really long hair like that, then whatever he's doing must hopefully be pretty simple and straightforward, right? Like... something maybe I could do too! So... I asked!"

Kestrel grins as they realize that Cinnamon skipped over them because they don't register as a guy... they find that rather touching! Shane, however, arches a brow and clears his throat, then makes an exaggerated up and down motion with his hand, "Acushla. Guy. Long hair."

Cinnamon looks momentarily confused... then giggles, "Well, yes, but... Forrest has like three feet of hair length on yours, right? So... it just didn't occur to me to ask until I saw the really long hair." That... and she suspects she wouldn't be able to get the query out without turning bright red and becoming stutteringly incoherent! She gets a rueful smile as she studies Shane's hair... she's wanted to run her fingers through it, and pet and stroke it, since the first time she saw it in that ponytail hanging down Shane's back... the day he rescued her from Cronin's attempted purse-snatching!. Yyyeeeahhhh... gonna 'nopenopenope!' outta mentioning that to Shane! She knows better than embarrassing one of her few truly good friends, after all.

Shane laughs, "Okay, that's fair. I had to cut it a few years back because there was an accident in a blade lesson that left me with a chunk cut out of it. I lost almost two feet. It's not quite back where I'd like it." He smiles, "I do a lot of the same things. But my shampoo has stinging nettle. And I keep it in a braid, too." He motions at the back of his head, "Quinn actually does this double-braid thing. Like..." He pauses a bit and tries to explain it, "His hair is long enough that the braid is actually folded in half? What looks like the end of the braid is actually a fold? The end of his hair is tucked up at the nape of his neck."

Cinnamon blinks startledly, "Whoa! Were you okay after that lesson?!" She blinks again, then musingly adds, "Is it the nasty plants that do the best things for you? Like... they're all stinging and sawing and -- and with sharp little prickles... huh! I wonder if that's just to protect the nice juicy insides, maybe?" She sighs a bit ruefully as she adds, "Though I wouldn't mind learning something about how to... well, not protect myself so much as... as stop someone else without having to resort to fire? That seems... kinda extreme for most cases... at least to me, y'know?" She blinks again at the thought of Quinn's hair all unbraided and shiny and wow looong...! -and then just as quickly, she firmly shuts that line of thought off! Bad enough she's so attracted to Shane, her good friend! Trying to handle the funny feelings she sometimes gets due to Quinn looking so much like Shane, though... yeah, there's another nope-out-of-it situation, she wryly thinks to herself!

Shane and Kestrel both nod, and Kestrel says, "You have a good, thick skin. I've heard you're actually bulletproof." Cinnamon blushes a bit self-consciously at that!

Shane smiles, "She is... and, yeah -- the good things all have to have good armor." Cinnamon grins shyly at that -- and carefully doesn't mention her personal belief that 'good armor' doesn't have to be stuff like a thick skin, or spikes. She very much believes, after all, that both Shane and Josie are really good! So... size and strength, or speed and training seem to work too -- though, admittedly, not so much for plants!

Shane smiles and says, "I was fine. My hair was the only thing hurt." The little dragon looks relieved as she shyly returns the smile. Shane reaches over and squeezes her hand, "You're sweet to ask, though. And Quinn apologized for it as he was cutting it for me."

Cinnamon blinks startledly at Shane, "He... wait, why was Quinn... oh. Oh! He was the teacher -- I get it. Er... wait, no, I don't... did he cut off the, um, lopsided part, or something, then?" Puzzledly she adds, "He... apologized...? Does hair have some, um... special significance, then, for beansidhe? Or... oh! Was he just being nice because he knew you liked it longer, and he sorta messed up by cutting it?"

Shane smiles, "Yes. Quinn was the teacher. I was already working with blades, but he was helping me get some more skill. It's not so much special significance as just a sort of..." He makes a motion, "It's just sort of a..." He laughs, "Mum encouraged me to grow it out and I like it long." His eyes twinkle, "I realized after I met Quinn that she just likes long hair on men."

Cinnamon nods, "It's prettier, I think! Men with chopped off hair always seemed a bit, um..." she looks a bit embarrassed, "well... meaner, scarier, kind of? You know?" She hastily adds, "So, that, uh... I was t-trying to think, um, of... well, of a way to stop people without hurting them... you know? Like... like Sparrow was able to stop Jack without clobbering him -- I didn't know how to do that! I... I wasn't sure how to stop him, because I didn't want to accidentally kill someone like that, you kn-now?" She's still uncomfortably aware of just how reflexively she breathed fire on poor Darragh, after all -- even if, as Elias reassuringly pointed out, he kind of brought it on himself!

Shane ahs, "From what I understand, it was a simple chokehold. I can teach you some basic, non-lethal self-defense. I suspect Veles can, too -- the kind of stuff that can put people down without putting them down permanently." Cinnamon nods several times at that, her expression both hopeful... and a little anxious. The prospect of having to either do nothing... or react terminally -- is not the way she wants to live her life! She'd like a few more options, honestly.

Evening in the desert is beautiful. Twilight has time to really show that it's happening, and everyone has the leisure to notice the changes in the sky as they occur. Tonight is especially gorgeous, with just enough wispy clouds to catch the shining palette of color: orange, scarlet, saffron, blue, indigo, purple. The sun and sand gloriously paint the sky and the desert itself with light... and night doesn't creep in like something dangerous. Instead, it comes as a welcome respite. It's easy to see why the night wasn't always something to fear, but something to respect and welcome.

Elias is able to emerge as the first stars begin to appear, like sparks of mica in the dusky, darkening turquoise that slowly becomes lapis and then shades down into obsidian. Cinnamon sighs happily from where she's hanging out in the shade with a bottle of water, swaying slightly in the porch-swing bench, "Wow, it is gorgeous out here!" She beams at Elias, adding, "Hi there! How're you feeling? Isn't it beautiful out here?"

Elias smiles, "I am well... and yes, it is beautiful. I like sunset in the desert. It's flat enough that I can come out and still see some of it without risking harming myself too badly. In the mountains, the sun drops below them so quickly that it's full dark far too fast." In the campfire courtyard, the people who are returning to Coblyn have everything packed and ready. Josie's yurt is stowed and all the luggage is ready. It's clear that she and Shane, at least, are used to traveling -- because there's nothing loose that might fall out of a bag or a pocket mid-flight. Everything is strapped down or tucked away securely. Even Marcus is wearing clothes that fit close to his body, and his hair has been tamed into a braid that won't whip into his face in the wind of any passage during the flight.

Cinnamon hops up once Elias appears, shifting shape and settling flat on the ground so Shane and Josie can lash everything securely to her harness. She blinks interestedly at the vampire, "Huh! I didn't think of that... but you're right -- that would make a difference!" She beams toothily, "Well, awesome! I'm glad you get to see some of it safely too, then!" She's already mentally totting up her group, making sure everyone looks prepared: Josie and Shane: absolutely. Ditto for Elias and Aisling. Marcus... should be fine; probably want to make sure he sits in the middle, next to Thorn -- that way, if there's any medical issues, Thorny's right there to help! Thorn is pretty well prepared for the trip as well. He has made sure that everything is secured and neatly tucked away; no need to have his underdrawers fly off somewhere over Missouri.

Cinnamon adds with a big and reassuring smile (or so she believes!) to Marcus, "It really is just a bit over three hours to get back, Marcus, so everything should be easy for you -- Aisling said it was quite pleasant, on the lift over here! Plus, once we're back on Coblyn, the nice folks at Cafe Prague will have a big spread for us all... and Spice said she'd make sure your dad knew about my bringing you back, so he wouldn't worry or anything. Sound good?"

Marcus nods, "I asked Shane how best to make the trip comfortable and easy." Shane nods, looking a bit amused that Marcus deigned to ask his opinion on anything.

Aisling laughs, "It's very pleasant, actually -- almost soothing! Cinnamon is quite good in the air."

Cinnamon beams even more toothily at Aisling, "Oh, thank you, Ash -- that's very kind of you!" She waits until Josie and Shane confirm that all the luggage is lashed on, and then she rises and gives a strong, vigorous shake of her entire body! Once that's done she glances over her shoulder, "Everything still tight?"

Josie and Shane walk around, tugging on straps and patting things. Josie nods, "Yup! Everything's stowed securely."

Cinnamon noses a few of the pieces as well... then beams at Josie, "Excellent!" She settles back down into sphynx pose, adding, "Hop on, everyone! Thorny, I was wondering if you'd be willing to sit next to Marcus, in the middle row? -and maybe we could ask Elias to sit behind Marcus -- that way even if there's some sort of medical issue, he'll have someone strong behind him, and a healer right next to him." She glances inquiringly at them all, "Does that sound okay?"

Thorn nods, "Sure, that's fine!"

Marcus doesn't smirk, but he does smile a bit wryly at being treated somewhat like an invalid. He is mostly recovered from the poisoning, but since he's being put in what is basically the safest seat in the harness, he's not going to complain. He nods, "Thank you for the consideration, Cinnamon."

Cinnamon smiles cheerfully over her shoulder at Marcus, "No prob, dude! Don't forget to double-check your, er... seatbelt-kinda thingie, okay? In fact, everyone let me know when you're securely buckled on, please!" She stretches out her neck to give both Kestrel and Sparrow gentle, affectionate tongue flickers on the tops of their heads, adding, "Thank you both so much for such a lovely, pleasant councilmeeting! I really enjoyed the chance to have a few meals with all the other councilors. I think that kind of relaxed chatting is a wonderful way for us all to get to know each other better, you know?"

Kestrel laughs and hugs the dragon's neck -- apparently being licked by a dragon, as if she were a giant kitten, is something they think is sweet. "You take care of everyone. I'll take care of this one as much as he'll let me. I enjoyed getting to meet you as well!" Sparrow laughs and pats Cinnamon's shoulder. He laughs again as Kestrel says they'll take care of him. They all know just how much he actually lets anyone take care of him.

Then Josie calls forward, "I've made sure everyone's strapped in!"

Cinnamon looks pleased, "Yay!" She hops up to her feet again with a cheerful, "Awesome!" -- then waves a friendly wing at all the rez folks that are there, calling, "Thank you all again for a lovely welcome and a wonderful time!" After that she turns and starts trotting along the road -- which soon lengthens out to a canter as her wings begin beating too. Since she has no need to take off almost vertically, she's taking her time for a smoother lift-off... and soon enough, they're all airborne! The happy dragon trills an enthusiastic, "Wheeeeeee!" as she folds back all four legs against her belly and tilts slightly in a slow, smooth turn based on stellar navigation -- and once she's done, her nose is pointed east-northeast towards Boston. Her wings begin to beat strongly, and they all nearly rocket forward as she picks up speed -- though to the passengers it's no more than a pleasant (if also slightly strong) breeze in their faces.

Marcus has never flown with Cinnamon before, so it may be a surprise to him that his "ride" is quite so chatty! She happily calls back to her companions, "Let's sing! Shane, just yell when it's time for me to drop lower, near Boston, okay?" -- then launches into a rollicking rendition of The Wild Rover, just as she heard Quinn and the other Rowanites sing it on the trip back to Galway:

I've been a wild rover for many's the year
and I've spent all me money on whiskey and beer
But now I'm returning with gold in great store
and I never will play the wild rover no more!

And it's no, nay, never
no, nay, never, no more
Will I play the wild rover
no, never, no more!

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

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