Goblin Town -- Logs

The next day Shane is in what he sometimes calls his 'mundane camouflage,' though the duster occasionally gets him second looks... but he's not about to go unarmed to a meet with Baird -- not when the merc seems to think it's something dire. They find that Baird is waiting for them at the cafe, though he's at an inside table, this time. In fact, he's waaaaay inside -- he's taken the table furthest from the entrance, put himself in a corner, and is carefully watching the door. He looks relieved when he sees the young man and woman enter; he waves them over.

Cinnamon beams as she spots Baird, waving in return and murmuring to Shane, "There he is! He looks... okay so far?" She patters that way, still smiling as she shrugs out of her jacket and settles into a chair, "Hi, Baird! Are you okay?" Because she's a little nervous, she keeps her voice low... and because she's had no tactical training to speak of, she takes the chair opposite from Baird -- which (unwittingly) puts her back to the rest of the room.

Shane nods to Baird, who nods back. When Cinnamon puts her back to the door, though, Baird says, "Why don't you scoot this way..." and motions her toward a different seat -- one that puts her back to another wall, since the table is in a little nook.

Shane blinks slowly, "I should probably keep my back free..." Baird looks him up and down, then reaches a hand behind himself, miming the motion Shane would have to make to draw his sword from the sheath down his back.

The half-beansidhe nods again, and Baird says, "Not unwise. I'll give you the high sign. Besides..." he tips his head toward a hallway that leads toward the supply room and bathrooms for the cafe, "you can see back that way." Cinnamon may be able to take care of herself, but the Scotsman figures Shane is the tactician of the two.

Cinnamon blinks at Baird, unsure why she's being asked to move, but willingly does so. She watches the two men talking, and that's when the light dawns, "Oh! You're... oh my gosh, do you really think... er, l-like here, even?!" She pushes her glasses up as she considers that... then pragmatically adds, "I make a dandy shield, you guys, if necessary? Though..." she sighs as she glances down at her purse, "I didn't pack a change of clothes, sorry! Didn't realize it might be necessary." Then she grins slightly to herself -- as she realizes just how surreal that might sound!

Baird arches one blonde brow and looks at Shane, who grins, "She does, you know. She's quite literally bulletproof." He's keeping his voice low.

Baird replies, "Yes, I know, but it's not bullets I'm exactly worried about." He picks up a nice leather messenger bag and pulls out a thick folder that he pushes across the table to Cinnamon with a wry smile, "Apparently your parents are quite worried about you, Mary." He looks at Shane, "And they think you're a violent, fanatical cult member. They're also pretty bad at descriptions, James. They think your hair is lank and that you're pallid... and a Goth." He rubs at his forehead with a few fingers, "They've hired me to do a 'cult retrieval'... basically a family-sanctioned kidnapping."

Cinnamon goes white at hearing her despised birth name, freezing in place for a few heartbeats... then reflexively bolts to her feet, glancing around anxiously! Baird grunts as Cinnamon's panicked jump to her feet knocks over the table -- along with his cup of coffee and the thick dossier. Shane, seeing Cinnamon is panicking, jumps up and puts an arm around her, voice low and quick, "Shhh... acushla, he's not trying to grab you -- he's warning us!" Baird stands and starts righting the table, also sweeping the dossier (which is luckily all clipped into the folder rather than now scattered across the floor) out of sight... as one of the cafe's staff hurries over to help clean up.

Cinnamon jerks nervously in Shane's arm, but manages to control her urge to simply run. She nods tightly once to Shane, still wide-eyed as she murmurs tensely, "I -- I'm okay. S-sorry," as the staff arrive. She takes slow, deep breaths while they clean up, and the two men are polite and apologetic to them. Once the helpful staff members have departed, she slowly sits back down... then leans forward and almost hisses softly at Baird, "Don't call me that -- don't ever call me that! That's not my name!" She sits back, pushing her glasses back... then sighs and amends, "Now, at least. I'm sorry. I panicked." She takes another slow, very deep breath... then unhappily adds, "So what do they really want?"

Baird settles in, thanks the barista when she brings another cup of coffee, then smiles wryly at Cinnamon, "Yes, I know you aren't. Just as I wasn't always Baird -- and I'm quite sure James isn't actually who Shane is. I suspect James is never who you were, is it, lad?" Shane just shakes his head, looking rather grim. Baird pulls the dossier back and puts it away again, "They say they want to make sure you're safe and healthy and happy. Given that I know you're safe and healthy and happy -- and that the woman in that picture has an expression like a dog that's been kicked every day of its life -- I suspect what they want is you back under their thumb. My plan was to meet with you, let you know what's going on, report in, get paid, and then let you tell your parents to go get buggered sideways with a cactus." He snorts, "If I didn't know better, I'd start to think I'm cursed."

Cinnamon hastily reaches out for the dossier, "Wait! I... I still want to see it, please?" Wryly she adds to Shane, "If nothing else, it'll tell me where I need to be careful, and what still needs changing, you know?" Then she shakes her head quickly and nervously, "No. No no no I d-don't want to see them... at all. Ever again. No thank you!" Baird takes the dossier back out and passes it back to Cinnamon; as she opens the dossier, she unhappily adds, "I like my life now, darnit! I don't want them anywhere near it!" She reads silently and swiftly, occasionally sighing in exasperation, or rolling her eyes before she continues.

Meanwhile, Shane says to Baird, "What do you mean if you didn't know better? I mean, curses are real, after all. We both know a guy that's been under a real fu..." he glances sideways at Cinnamon, "-lulu of a curse... for at least a century or two now -- and I mean seriously bad juju." He laughs, "Actually... I think the two of you might get along."

The dossier doesn't seem to have any of Cinnamon's current location information in it -- only her last known addresses and last-known phone number. The little dragon starts to get angry as she reads, though that's only perceptible by her increasingly shocked expression, and the way she sort of slaps over each page as she finishes it... and, towards the end, the softly muttered, "Wh- no! No, it wasn't like that!" or "Where did you get... oh, you liars!" By the time she's done, she's breathing hard, flushed with anger, and resting her clenched fists on the table, staring off into memory.

Baird blinks at Shane while replying absently to Cinnamon, "I didn't say you had to see them. I just need to provide proof-of-life and proof of retrieval -- we can do that over video to my handler, and then you can call your parents and give them 'fuck right off' speech over the phone."

Cinnamon takes a few seconds to calm down, though she's clearly still unhappy when she finally glances between Shane and Baird. Her voice is flat and a bit sharp-edged, "I don't have anything to say to them. If you want, you can tell them that I'm happier now than I've ever been in my entire life -- no thanks to them! -- and I never want to see them again, and to leave me alone." Her eyes narrow a bit as she adds sharply to Baird, "And I do not want to be retrieved, okay? You didn't... bring along back up or... or have yourself bugged or whatever for this, did you?"

Baird shakes his head, "Not even Rodolfo. I told my men what was up and most of them thought it was fuckin' hilarious."

Shane holds out his hand for the dossier and flips through it. When he gets to the part about how he 'assaulted' Mr. Brown, he rolls his eyes, muttering, "If I had assaulted him, he'd know it! I escorted him out of Cinnamon's apartment. Then he followed us to the post office and got up in my face -- put his finger in my face, actually -- and I pushed his hand away." He clears his throat, "I did warn him that if he put his hands on me, I'd be within my rights to defend myself... and that we were in front of a federal building with security cameras. But at no point did I actually assault him or harm him."

Cinnamon mutters grumpily, "Bummer!"

Baird grins wryly, "Then I'll say I made contact, found you living happily on your own, gainfully employed..." He pauses, glances between Shane and Cinnamon, then tactfully asks, "Are you living on your own?"

Cinnamon sighs, then takes a deep, (only somewhat) calming breath before she says to Baird, "You don't... understand. They're like... what's that stuff -- kudzu, that's it. They climb all over you, grabbing and clinging and -- and sucking the life out of you! Just tell them what I said -- nothing more, or they'll latch onto that and decide it's proof that... that you're hiding me, or something equally ridiculous -- and poof!" She throws her hands up into the air, "It's you they're hanging all over now, whining incessantly about how if you really cared, you'd do the right thing... which somehow magically is always just what they want -- never what might actually be good for you!" She sighs, deflating a bit as she adds, "And because they're human-pretty, everyone always sides with them, of course. It's... exhausting." After a moment she glances around nervously, then pulls her jacket back on... and pulls up the hood to shade her face before wryly adding, "Ask Shane if you don't believe me."

Baird smirks, "Cinnamon, lass, they don't get to hang on me... and I could care less if they're human-pretty. I know you, and the lad here. Your family is bloody delusional. I believe they're like kudzu! But the company I work for does not take being whined at; the customer is not always right. I'll tell them you don't want to be retrieved, you don't need to be retrieved, there is no cult, and they're mistaken -- and my company will back me."

Shane sighs and shakes his head, "Assholes." He reaches out to gently squeeze Cinnamon's hand, then looks at Baird, "Thank you for the heads-up."

Cinnamon is still a bit anxious, as her tight grip on Shane's hand demonstrates... but she forces a smile and nods to Baird, "Shane's right -- thank you. Sorry, I... I guess I kind of, um... panicked there for a bit." She glances at Shane, adding quietly, "Thanks to you too, Shane. I... technically, I know they're nowhere near, but..." She thinks a moment, then just sighs and shakes her head once. Her voice is dry, a moment later, as she adds to Baird, "Oh, you'd be safe from them, as long as they didn't think you had something they wanted. You're not pretty enough, to them... like me. I don't think they ever forgave me that."

Baird snorts, "Handsome is as handsome does, as they say." He holds out his hand for the dossier, which Shane hands back and which Baird makes disappear as he adds, "So, I found you. You're safe. You're not actually in a cult. Your friend James isn't a violent lunatic -- or a Goth, as far as I can tell -- and they can rest easy... and back the hell off." He smiles, "And we can all go about our business, yeah?"

Cinnamon closes her eyes and sighs slowly, making herself calm down a bit. When she opens her eyes again, she smiles at Baird -- a little shakily, but a sincere smile, "Yes. Thank you, Baird... and please, don't ever think that sort of small-minded human standard of pretty is at all valuable, okay?" She gets a wry look as she adds, "I'm... still working on that for me -- but at least now I can see better when I look at other people, you know?"

Baird's eyes twinkle, "Oh, don't worry, I've never let it stop me."

Shane smiles warmly at Cinnamon, "Josie told you right, acushla -- they've got bad eyes."

Cinnamon giggles nervously at that! She glances around again, then sighs slowly before rising to her feet, "Okay. So we're all good here, and thank you for the heads-up, Baird... and Shane, if you d-don't mind, I think I'd like to go back to Coblyn now, okay?"

Shane nods and sighs, "So would I. This is such bullsh... such bull. One day, they'll just leave it." What he doesn't say is: 'One day they'll die, and you'll outlive them and not have to worry about it anymore.'

Cinnamon smiles over her shoulder at Baird as she heads for the door with Shane, "Seriously, thank you a ton, Baird, okay? Feel free to call if you have another mission for us too -- can't promise anything, but I'm at least willing to listen!" Baird is nodding and saying he'll be sure to call -- and Cinnamon hears a sort of cough or whuff, and feels an almost pinching stab -- the sort of pinch she remembers feeling when getting an injection. Cinnamon blinks, looking down at the poking sensation... then retrieves a little metal tube with a colorful puffball of... is that yarn? -- on the end. Her voice is wondering, "What the heck is this...?"

As Cinnamon blinks at whatever it is she's got in her hand, Shane makes a sort of confused sound, and starts to sag against her. Cinnamon reflexively catches Shane in one arm, her voice worried, "Sha-...?" and simultaneously, Baird recognizes what Cinnamon is holding -- a tranquilizer dart! He snarls, "Inside!" as he grabs the young woman, yanking her back into the interior of the cafe, "Fucking... they double-booked!" Cinnamon squeaks a shocked, "-eep!" as she's yanked back, bringing Shane with her due to her still holding him. She turns indignantly to Baird, "What're you talk-?!" -- and then Baird's words register, and her eyes widen, "Oh, no -- your company...?"

Baird shakes his head, shoving the door closed and dragging a table in front of it. He yells over his shoulder at the cafe staff to get people out through the back! Then, to Cinnamon, he snaps, "They'll be coming at the door in less than a minute! Probably not my company -- thinking your family hired two, and I was followed." As he speaks, he's gently getting Shane to the floor, then pulling the second dart out of the young man's neck.

Cinnamon gasps, "Shane!" as Baird lays the young man's limp form carefully on the floor. She falls to her knees next to him, grabbing a hand and stuttering anxiously, "Is he -- is, is -- h-he's n-n-not dead, is he?!" A moment later she sighs in relief as she feels both warmth, and a pulse, in Shane's hand... but then her eyes widen a bit as Baird's words register. She takes a slow breath, feeling the curling spread of fury and adrenaline throughout her body, and she raises her head to stare intently at the door. Her voice is low as she snarls softly, "Let. Them. Come!"

Baird shakes his head, "No. Not dead. Just out." He pulls a phone from his pocket and hastily dials, then tersely says, "Rodolfo. I've got incoming. No. Not ours. Double-... yeah. Again. I think I can get myself out, but I want this looked into. Someone's got it out for me, I think. Boston safehouse. Three hours, I think." He puts the phone away just as Cinnamon is speaking, and he murmurs, "Are you... there's probably going to be four of them, heavily armed..." Baird looks up at Cinnamon, and his eyes widen -- for a heartbeat, he's certain he saw flames flickering in the little dragon's eyes! He feels almost sorry for the poor bastards who were double-booked, and are now stuck facing a furious Cinnamon.

Cinnamon glances at Baird for an instant, then looks back at the door. She stands up, then walks over to the door and stops in front of it. Her fists are clenched at her sides, and she's so angry she feels like she should be steaming -- these creeps hurt Shane! She braces herself in place... then just waits for the attack team to arrive. They get one chance to leave, she decides -- but after that, she's done with being nice!

Baird's already drawing his weapon and reaching for the table he used to barricade the door. Fortunately by now, every other customer and the staff have fled, though... so instead Baird pulls Shane back from the door and into a semi-sheltered position, then gets himself into a protected attack position. He will not hesitate to shoot, but he knows extraction teeams are there to retrieve alive -- and they'll (incorrectly) be expecting two unconscious people... and only Baird still on his feet.

Just then the door crashes open -- two dark-clad figures burst through, one going left and one going right! A third comes through after them, aimed directly forward. Just as Baird thought, they're moving as if they expect little to no resistance. Cinnamon snarls, "Go! Away!" She's braced -- she doesn't move at all as the dark figure charges her. He has a shoulder down, as if to tackle her, and is moving at-speed -- which means he grunts heavily as he barrels into her. It's clear he's neither hearing nor caring what she's said. Cinnamon scowls, not moving at all as the man barrels into her and then nearly bounces back. Instead, she reaches out and grabs a double handful of whatever she can -- uniform, belt, arm, she doesn't care -- and yanks sharply up as high as she can reach -- then slams back down as hard as she can! Simultaneously she yells angrily, "I said... go away!"

The man grunts as he's viciously body-slammed, and his team turns in shock. They were told their quarry was a small, unfit, mousy woman! What's more, they know the datura darts hit home -- they saw it! This distraction now means one of them is down, and... Baird has time to put a gun to the back of one head. The fourth team member is coming through the door just in time to see the body slam. Spotting him, Cinnamon whirls around in a circle for momentum, rather like she would in the air as a dragon. She's dragging the man she's holding along with her... and releasing him to fly directly into the face of the fourth team member! "Leave! All of you -- or I'll... I'll hurt you all!"

The team starts to back off, confusion clear on their faces -- this is chaos! Worse, it's nothing they know how to deal with, since they didn't actually bring lethal force... and this woman is obviously unhinged -- possibly on drugs! Regardless of what is going on here, they want nothing to do with it. The two that are currently uninjured -- and it's a measure of how freaked out they are, that the one Baird got the drop on barely registered the barrel of a very large firearm against his cranium! -- grab their fallen teammates and go. Quickly. Cinnamon yells furiously, "And stay out!" She stares after them only long enough to be sure they're gone... then whirls and runs back to her companions, "Baird! Are you okay? Did you keep Shane safe?!" She skids to a halt on her knees next to Shane again, anxiously patting his cheek, "Shaney? Shane, can you hear me? Asthore, please talk to me?"

Baird nods, "He's safe. I don't think they even got a good look at where he was." He reholsters his weapon and pulls something out of... somewhere, then breaks an ampoule open under Shane's nose. Even Cinnamon can smell its potent stink -- and it brings Shane upright, coughing and looking confused, "Smum? Brd? Erby ky?"

Cinnamon whews, leaning hastily back and waving her hand in front of her face, "Pee-yew! What is that nasty stuff?!" Then she brightens, "Shane! You're okay!" and throws her arms around him in a tight hug!

Baird tosses the little ampoule to the side, "Smelling salts. Not just for Victorian novels."

Cinnamon giggles nervously! Shane hugs her back as he looks around groggily, "Whuhapn?"

The little dragon sighs in relief, "Oh, good!" She sits back and opens her mouth to explain what happened, to Shane... and then a thought occurs to her, and her face darkens in anger again. Turning to the merc, she snaps, "Do you still have the dossier, Baird?" She pulls out her cell phone as she waits for his answer, scrolling through her phone calls until she finds a particular number -- then she pauses, her finger hovering over the phone as she looks back at Baird.

Baird looks around, then stands up to go grab his bag. He pulls out the dossier and hands it to Cinnamon, "Right here."

Cinnamon smiles grimly, "Excellent." She accepts it, setting it down between herself and Shane, then taps the number... then holds the phone to her ear and paces back and forth as she waits... scowling.

The phone rings just once before it's picked up -- and her father's voice says sharply, "Is it done?"

Cinnamon's eyes widen in shock -- and then she snarls furiously, "You listen very carefully, father, because I will never be talking to you again! I have proof here of your attempt to have me assaulted and kidnapped -- twice! -- and if you don't back right off and stop this garbage, I am going directly to the police to file charges against you and mother-" curiously, she makes the words 'father' and 'mother' sound particularly vile, "and then I'm next going immediately to the Chicago newspapers -- and I will quite gleefully drag your reputations through every bit of mud I can find!" She takes a deep breath, then nearly yells, "So back the hell off -- or else!" She's still flushed with anger as she smacks the hang-up button with one finger -- not quite cracking her screen -- then sits back and takes a long, slow, deep breath to calm herself down again.

Baird is smirking a little as he listens. Shane beams groggily at Cinnamon, dragging himself to his feet and wrapping her up in a warm, tight hug while murmuring next to her ear, "I am so proud of you, acushla." His voice is still a bit groggy sounding, but it feels warm and intimate, right there.

Cinnamon turns bright red! -- but she's very happy to hug Shane tightly back. It's mostly to help support him, of course -- mostly... and not actually because she really, really likes the way he feels, all warm and leaning a bit against her! Mostly... she adds virtuously to Baird over her shoulder, "There you go -- got your proof that I'm alive, so you should bill them too!" She sighs happily as she turns her face into Shane's shoulder, not quite nuzzling up against him... until yet another thought hits her, and she straightens, "Oh! Also, Baird -- you are absolutely coming with us to Coblyn! Shaney, who can help with curses? Would Aisling know? Hmm... we'll need a blindfold and, um... oh! Baird, would you be kind enough to just put all your weaponry into my bag for me?" She starts helping Shane over to a chair, "Here, Shaney, have a seat and rest a bit till you feel better, okay? I'll take care of Baird..." She wryly adds, "We probably should hustle, too -- are the cops likely to turn up soon?"

Baird is grim, "Yes. They are. So the faster we get out of here, the better -- and I think this place is likely blown as a safe spot to meet again." He tucks away his gun and grabs his bag, looking around to make sure all traces of him are being taken away.

Cinnamon thinks a moment, then trots over to her bag, yanking out the same scarf she used last time to blindfold Baird -- she does tend to collect stuff in her purse, after all! She hands Baird her jacket, too, her voice quick and quiet, "If you're wearing a blindfold but the hood is up then less likely for the police to notice, right?" She turns to Shane, adding, "Can you roll up your trenchcoat and put it into my bag? We don't want to attract notice, right?"

Baird sighs at the blindfold, but lets it be put back on. Shane smiles wryly, "Acushla, I take off my trench and it's going to reveal a huge bloody sword in a sheath down my spine."

Cinnamon thinks for a moment... then checks, "Is there a hood on the trench? Give it to Baird, if so, and take my jacket!" She's done the visual check to make sure they're not leaving anything as well, and she has the bag slung over her shoulder and tucked a hand into Baird's arm so he's not left without direction. She's starting to look a little anxious too, listening carefully and keeping a wary eye out, "Also, should we leave out the back, or the front?" Shane demonstrates that the hood on his trench can't be detached and shrugs apologetically. Cinnamon nods... then blinks at a thought and adds quietly to Baird, "Are you willing to have your memory of entering the street removed magically, Baird? If yes, we can dispense with the blindfold...?"

Baird growls quietly, "I'm willing to do whatever's going to keep us all safe," -- which means he's letting Shane tie on the blindfold even as he's sighing about it. Once Shane has tested the blindfold, they all hustle as quick as they can out of the cafe, using the front entrance as the quickest route to Coblyn. Cinnamon lets Shane lead Baird -- she's busy with continuing to keep a very wary eye out. If they can get to Coblyn before the police arrive, it's all good! If not, though... the three of them need to change their body language quickly.

The little group manages to get out of the cafe and around the corner -- just as they hear the first of the sirens. Baird and Shane both let out sighs of relief at the sounds, and both of them also relax immediately. Shane keeps a firm grip on Baird's upper arm as he says in a quiet voice, "I trust you not to peek, but I will do my best to put you on the ground if you do."

Baird growls, "I told the truth and you know it, Shane. I will do what I have to, to keep us all safe."

Shane nods, "I still had to say it."

They get a block or two onto Coblyn, then pause so Shane can take off the blindfold. Cinnamon sighs in relief as she opens her bag and tucks away the blindfold, smiling at Baird, "Whew! It was close... but I don't think they saw us. Could you give me all your weaponry, please? Oh, and my jacket, when you have a moment?" She grins at Shane as she adds, "So now that we can pause and think... is Aisling the right person to take him to? Or is there someone else who'd be better?" She glances around and giggles in spite of herself, wondering what folks think of the weapon-shedding... as well as who's around to see it! She's not surprised that there are slightly fewer outside booths and carts as the weather gets chillier with the approach of winter... but she does take a moment to make sure no one's either alarmed or acting alarmingly.

With Shane's help, Baird sheds his weaponry more quickly this time, and doesn't hold anything back. At the end of doing so, Shane checks, "Is that all your weapons?"

Baird nods, "It's all of them -- and as far as I know, I'm not being tracked."

Shane nods and sighs, then replies to Cinnamon, "Aisling's good at such things." He rubs his forehead as he considers, "We can take him to Elias, of course, because Elias just knows so damned much... though Elias is probably still asleep, because the sun's still up."

Cinnamon frowns thoughtfully... then nods briskly at that, "Aisling, then. Oh! We'll pass by my house on the way, too -- I've got something that'll help Baird a bit there, I think!" She shoulders the weapon-stuffed bag and grins at the two men, "C'mon! Sooner the better, right?" Both men nod. Shane also sheds his trench at that point, since he wants easier access to his sword now they're safely back on Coblyn. He shifts the sheath so it hangs at his hip rather than down his back, and loosens the blade -- at which point he visibly relaxes.

As they start walking, Baird actually seems to trip over absolutely nothing and goes flat on his face with a curse, ripping the knee of his pants open and scraping the skin beneath badly, "What the actual hell...?!" He winces and looks around as if trying to find the thing that made him go down.

Cinnamon blinks startledly, reaching down to take Baird's arm and help him up again, "You okay? What happened?" She hesitates, then glances worriedly at Shane, "Hey, um, Shane? Do curses... are they, like... do they have a consciousness at all?"

Shane's brows draw together, "I mean... some of them will intensify as time goes on. Or if you get near certain things or people. Like... you've seen Fraser -- he's always cursed, but it's worse on the full moon, right? He can never be around silver, but..."

Cinnamon frowns a bit worriedly, unwittingly (and nearly effortlessly) lifting Baird to his feet as she continues talking to Shane, "Okay, that's not good, since it's possible something on Coblyn is making this curse worse, right? So... how do we tell? Do you know?" Baird doesn't actually 'oof!' when he's lifted upright by the smaller woman -- he does know, after all, that she's a dragon, even if her action might look strange to outsiders. Six months ago, however, this would have stunned him!

Shane takes Baird's other arm to steady him, "I'd say just keep moving carefully toward Aisling and see what happens -- and keep an eye on Baird."

Baird rumbles wryly, "And perhaps talk to me as if I'm here..."

Shane chuckles, and Cinnamon blushes, "Oh, I'm sorry, Baird!" She walks on Baird's other side, anxiously adding, "I d-didn't mean to be rude! Here, we're almost to my place -- it's, um, only a few more jogs of the street, and then maybe I can help you more!" She glances over her shoulder to double check -- was there anything in the road that could have tripped Baird? Nope... there's nothing at all there. It's literally as if he tripped on air.

Shane nods and chews his bottom lip, "We might want to do something to, uhm... y'know try to alleviate it. A talisman or something..." He's looking around as if trying to think what the hell to do.

Cinnamon nods to herself, then smiles at Shane, "I've got what we need, I think, at my house. C'mon! I think you'll feel better too, Baird, once we're there!" She gets a thoughtful expression... then warily starts keeping a much keener eye out too! A wagon rolling out of control down the street, or someone throwing a ball, or any number of things... any of them might be instigated by the curse! -- and she doesn't want Baird harmed if she can help it. Well... harmed more, she supposes! Wryly she adds, "I've got soap and water, and band-aids, at my place too."

As it turns out, they do actually have to yank Baird back from accidentally stepping into a hole in the sidewalk. Shane has to call on some rather eerily fast reflexes to catch a hurtling brick falling from a windowsill. Cinnamon is a dragon-human shield for the small, heavy ball she was (fortunately) looking out for. Something really does seem to be out to get the man. Baird himself is boggling at the people of the street -- when he's not trying to not get clobbered by the street itself, apparently! They pass Fionn, after all, and Baird tries to turn 180 degrees and walk backward before Shane mutters, "Don't stare..."

Baird whispers, "Is he...?"

Shane says, "Yes. He's a giant. Don't stare."

Cinnamon adds cheerfully, as she waves to Fionn, "He's a nice guy, too!" Then she goes back to glancing around in a sort of high guard for Baird. She's silently very relieved that firearms aren't a thing in supernatural communities! Well... firearms aren't usually a thing in the supernatural community. That's a good thing, too -- or Baird might have come badly afoul of one! They finally reach Cinnamon's house without more than that badly scraped knee; Shane stands guard with Baird while Cinnamon gets to her door.

Cinnamon sighs in relief as they all come around the last winding corner before her home -- made it! She stops by the windowboxes of her little Alpine-style cottage, smiling as she murmurs to the various plants thriving there, "Hi, everyone! Looks like Muriel's taking fabulous care of you -- excellent! Listen, I need to help a friend, so mind if I pluck a few stems, please?" She doesn't know if the plants care, but Merlyn himself told her that they seemed to like being talked to... so who is she to deny possibly the most prominent mage in the Western world?

Cinnamon grins at Baird when she turns around, holding three sprigs of greenery. Taking his hand, she lays them one at a time into his palm, "Okay, this is centaury -- it's a good, all-purpose plant to protect you from magic. Apparently bathing with its flowers in the tub helps to wash magic away, though since it's almost winter I can't help you with flowers that way; sorry. This is cinquefoil, which amplifies the power of other protective plants -- like the centaury! It's specifically for protecting individuals, too, so you can just carry some with you for protection whenever you want." The herbs almost don't make it into Baird's hand. The wind tries to rip them out of Cinnamon's hand before they make it into the merc's palm, but she manages to get them to him and he closes his hand around them tightly.

Cinnamon holds up the last sprig, laying it almost ceremonially across the other two in Baird's palm, "And this lovely thing... is nettle! It's awesome, and just what you need... 'cause it captures curses and sends them back to the caster!" She beams up at Baird, her eyes sparkling as she adds, "Feel any better?" She adds proudly to Shane, "I got all the protective plants that Aisling recommended -- thank you for directing me to her, back when I was still wondering what to get!"

Shane grins at Cinnamon, then rolls his eyes at Baird, "You've pissed someone off turrible bad."

Cinnamon nods ruefully to Shane, "And then some!" She smiles as she closes her own hand around Baird's, watching his face in hopeful silence.

Baird takes a deep breath... and almost visibly relaxes. Shane hmms, "One sec." He digs around in his pockets and comes out with a small black pouch that he empties into his palm. It's got... odds and ends in it. He hands the pouch to Baird, adding, "Put them in that, and put it in your pocket."

Cinnamon nods approvingly, "Good idea!" Her small grin is wicked as she adds, "Gosh, the poor caster... all that bad luck turning back on him!" She giggles, then sighs happily and turns to unlock her door, "Okay, let's get your knee seen to, and then we can go find Aisling. I've got a small first aid kit in my bathroom..." As she waves the two men to follow her in, she adds a happy, "Thanks, guys!" to the plants... then patters into her cozy little home, "Make yourselves comfy on the sofa! I'll be right back."

Baird starts to walk in -- and finds he's having issues doing so! He frowns, and Shane sighs, "I think the curse isn't letting you. The charm's helping, but I think maybe not completely."

Baird peers into the little cottage and murmurs, "It's a fuckin' fairytale..."

Shane arches a wry brow, "Really? You're just getting to that conclusion now?" He grins, then calls, "Acushla, I think your charms are keeping him out! Get your first aid kit and I'll cadge a chair from the bakery!"

Cinnamon glances out of the bathroom, surprise on her face, "Really?! Wow, that's..." She thinks for a moment, then beams, "Excellent!" She laughs, adding, "Sorry, Baird -- I'm just pleased to realize that my little home is defending herself well! Just go relax next door, and ask Uta for whatever bakery good you'd like, and I'll pay, ok?" She grins, "You too, Shane!" then pops back into the bathroom to grab her first aid kit. She locks up carefully behind herself, of course, just like usual.

Moments later, Cinnamon patters happily over to the bakery, calling, "Hi, Uta!" and has a seat next to Baird. She drops her heavy purse next to her (with a bit of rattling), then settles the goods she has with her on the table: a big bowl of warm water, a soft folded towel, and a bar of soap. "This should get you cleaned up just fine! Go ahead and do that while I get out the antibiotics and a bandage, okay?" She giggles as she adds to Shane, "What did you order for us all?" then grins wryly as she turns back to Baird, adding, "Just be glad we're friendly fairytale folks! There are unpleasant and dangerous supernaturals around too, after all." As usual, of course, it simply doesn't occur to Cinnamon to include herself in the category of 'dangerous'!

Uta looks concerned as she emerges, bringing a pot of tea and tray of shortbread for her friends and their companion. She bustles about and fusses over them worriedly, and Shane smiles and thanks her. Baird smiles as well -- then blinks as she seems to just... disappear when she turns away from them! "Wh- what..."

Cinnamon smiles, "Uta is a huldra. Wait till she turns back around to see her." She giggles as she adds, "Shocked me too, the first time!"

Baird says, "A... huldra...?" Indeed, Uta appears again when she turns back toward them once she's inside.

Shane smiles, "German kind of faerie or... species. Some people think they're a sort of troll. She's a dearling." Shane helps Cinnamon clean Baird's abrasion as he asks, "Do you think I should go get Aisling and bring her here? Or, hmm... I'd say maybe get him somewhere neutral like the infirmary, but that's all the way at the far end of the street...?"

Cinnamon considers, "Well, we are kind of in the street, so to speak... since these are outdoor tables. Maybe ask Uta if it's okay for Aisling to come here?" She grins, "If she says it's okay, can you go get Aisling? Be right back..." She hops up and patters over to the bakery to explain the situation to Uta, and find out if it's okay with the huldra to wait here.

Uta listens, then nods firmly, "I don't mind, liebchen! If he can't go in your place, he probably can't go inside most people's houses without them deactivating a lot of their charms. People here protect their homes pretty intensely. At least Aisling can look him over here."

Cinnamon nods in amused agreement! She gives Uta a slightly floury hug of thanks, then comes pattering back out, "Okay, Uta says she doesn't mind our waiting here!" She pats Baird's arm reassuringly, "Don't worry, I'll do my best to protect you!" then grins shyly at Shane as she adds, "Plus, umm... well, y-you're a lot faster than me, I'm afraid?"

Shane smiles and squeezes Cinnamon's shoulder, "I've just got longer legs. When you've got wings, you outdo me by a lot." He winks and then he's gone.

Cinnamon blushes, still beaming... then settles back with a small, happy sigh once Shane darts off. She just daydreams for a few more seconds... then turns to Baird and smiles as she pours, "Want more tea?"

Baird grumbles, "What I want is a big bottle of whiskey and to wake up and find out I was imagining being cursed."

Cinnamon giggles! "Yeah, I kind of felt that way when I first discovered I was related to a dragon! But it gets better, really. We'll get the curse off you, and you'll be fine..." She has a sip of tea, then laughs, "-and you'll have one heck of a story to tell your grandmother -- and, someday, grandkids too, I suppose!" She grins mischievously as she adds, "Plus, if you ask real nicely... Shane might be able to find you a bit of whiskey, afterwards! He's Irish... Jaeger's Germanic, so it'd be bier from him, I'd guess!"

Baird chuckles quietly, "I doubt I'll ever be a da, much less a grandda. No sane woman would have me as a father." He grins -- and despite the scars, it's not a bad smile. Then he scrubs his hands over his face, "Who did I piss off to get cursed? I mean, as far as I know, before the first meeting with you lot, I never encountered the supernatural... and I think the curse was before that...?"

Cinnamon gives Baird a curious glance, "Why would you say that? There's lots of women who like warriors, I know... and I think I've even heard of some supernatural women who expect their men to be warriors because they themselves are! Are you saying you wouldn't like a woman that could fight beside you?" She sounds honestly confused -- Baird has never struck her as a misogynist, after all.

Baird blinks slowly, "Most of the women I come across in my line of work don't want to settle down and have children. Having children as a military contractor is a liability at best, and a danger to them, at worst." But he's looking thoughtful.

Cinnamon smiles quietly, pleased that he's not just assuming he's a no-go zone for women. Heck, she admits to herself, she's starting to think of him as a friend even though she knows she probably shouldn't! So instead she simply says, "Well, it's up to you, after all... though I know some species are pack types specifically because it keeps them all -- children included -- safer!" She grins as she adds, "As far as the curse, let's see... can you list what jobs you've had before meeting us, for... let's say, a year?" She pulls out her notepad and opens it to a fresh page for Baird, setting it before him and handing him a pen. "You don't have to give names... just what kind of job it was, you know?"

Baird starts listing the types of jobs he and his men have taken: protection details, exfils, infiltrations, 'data retrieval' AKA hacking, item retrieval AKA theft... or, in some cases, it does sound like they were actually retrieving stolen items. Cinnamon frowns consideringly as she watches Baird writing... and after a moment she taps a finger lightly on the line with 'item retrieval' on it, "Baird, um... what kinds of things did you... get, please? I wonder if that's what got you in trouble... you took something that belonged to a supernatural?" She thinks for a moment, then slowly adds, "Did you... ever work for the same person twice? Or... or work for someone that you'd previously stolen from?"

Baird looks a bit rueful, "Honestly? I don't always know who I'm working for. My handler does a lot of the face-time. It's often better that I don't know, too -- safer for the client, and safer for me." He frowns, "As for what kinds of things... I try not to traffick in antiquities outside of their own countries. That kind of things is just... distasteful to me. But... artwork, jewelry, technology."

Cinnamon's attention sharpens, "Jewelry? Can you... describe any of it?" She remembers Shane's 'don't see me' necklace -- that's an incredibly useful item! She can see how a magical piece of extremely valuable jewelry would be a prized possession to whatever supernatural owned it, after all. Hmm... she's seen the list of enclaves in the US too, on the map Elias keeps in his house. Thoughtfully she adds, "Also, do you remember what countries you took jewelry from?"

Baird hmms, "Let me think." He rubs his forehead with his fingers and starts describing the jewelry. Some of it sounds opulent indeed... and the countries are scattered: US, Ireland, England, Germany, Ukraine, India, Peru.

Cinnamon considers for a bit, then says slowly, "Okay, when was the first job where you had bad luck, please? Show me the five jobs you had before that one, maybe?"

Baird considers, "The one in Bulgaria was the first truly disastrous one. There was one before that with a couple of hiccups..." Then he goes back and points out the ones before that. Two jobs back from that one was an emerald necklace sto- ah... retrieved from a vault in Ireland.

Cinnamon puts her hand down on Baird's, stopping him, "That one. The one in Ireland. Where in Ireland was it?" She wonders if this is one last cruelty from Killian, before he was stopped, "And who did you give it to?"

Baird blinks, "Killarney. We got it from Killarney and I delivered it to a drop point in Galway. Dropped it off myself, actually. Felt a little off about it. It was an old piece -- not a modern, delicate kind of piece at all-- not, like, all elegant and such. It was... heavy gold, lots of spirals, knotwork -- that kind of thing."

Cinnamon nods firmly once, "Bet that was it. We'll ask Ash if she recognizes the description -- if anyone would know, it'd be her!" She grins as she adds, "Why'd you feel off about it?" She muses thoughtfully, her voice low, "Galway... that could've been a drop-spot for something Killian was having stolen... though I don't know who's in Killarney." Cinnamon doesn't remember anything quite like what Baird is describing... but given all the plans within plans with Killian and his get, there's no telling what precisely was going on with that.

Baird shakes his head, "I'm not sure. Like I said, I don't like to traffic in antiquities outside their own country. I won't take something outside its own borders, which is why I took this one myself. Killarney to Galway. It was obviously Celtic." Cinnamon nods slowly, glancing down the road to see if Aisling and Shane are arriving yet... she'd really like to take care of this, and returning a stolen item to its proper owner would likely help a lot in convincing them to remove the curse -- if for any reason Aisling can't do it herself!

Aisling and Shane arrive at just about that time -- and Aisling looks worried. She's dressed in flowing pants and a peasant blouse with her long hair in a braid, and she's got a linen hobo bag slung cross-body as she says, "Shane says he can go get Thorn for the knee if we need."

Cinnamon shakes her head, "Can we try and remove the curse first? Baird's pretty sturdy, after all, but -- oh! I'm so sorry, Aisling-" she turns and says to Baird, "Baird, this is Aisling, the councilor for the British Isles." She turns back to Aisling, adding, "Ash, this is Baird! Has Shane said anything about him to you?"

Baird is staring, stunned, at Aisling, who is almost smirking, "I think he's just now thinking: 'Me gran told me not to take favors from the fair folk...'" Baird actually blushes.

Cinnamon laughs! Then, more seriously, she adds, "Aisling, I think maybe we figured out where the curse came from. Is there a precious magical item that looks like a golden necklace set with emeralds, that belongs in Killarney?" She glances over at Baird as she asks... then grins and gently reaches out a finger under his chin as she adds, "Close your mouth, guy!"

Aisling says slowly, "There are a couple of things that could describe... and one that, if he touched it, woe betide him. Not because it's magical and precious, but because it's cursed -- and curses are terribly literal things. Its owner is cursed, and ownership is usually bestowed by having a thing for a day and a night..."

Cinnamon glances wryly at Baird, one eyebrow raised inquiringly -- did he have the item that long? Then she glances back at Aisling, "Does ownership pass, though? Or does everyone who 'owned' it get a bit of the curse?"

Baird smiles wryly, "A week. I had the thing for a week. Because there were complications."

Aisling replies to Cinnamon, "That depends -- ownership passes down, usually. But..." She shakes her head, "It's complicated. If he had it on him for a week, then dropped it off -- and then someone picked it up and, say, then put it in a vault or a safe deposit box, or..."

Baird groans, "They no longer had it on them."

Cinnamon thinks for a moment, then says quietly, "It was dropped off in Galway. I was wondering if it went to Killian... and thinking that if so, that sure explained a lot about his falling off the deep end so abruptly, you know?" She adds to Baird, "Maybe you should describe this as clearly as you can to Aisling, okay? Just so we have some idea of what we're working with here, curse-wise?"

Baird describes the piece carefully, while Aisling sits and starts taking things out of her bag -- herbs and stones and crystals and such. She nods as she listens, hmming quietly to herself... then shakes her head with a sigh, "You have well and truly stepped in it, lad. It is exactly what I thought it was. You carried that thing around with you for a week, then dropped it off somewhere -- where someone likely locked it away, and didn't keep it on them for more than a few hours."

Cinnamon watches and listens with her chin resting in her hands. While she feels bad for poor Baird, this is fascinating! She grins at Shane, where he's leaning against a wall and listening, and her eyes sparkle as she mouths, 'isn't this cool?!' When Aisling finishes speaking, Cinnamon asks, "So... how did the folks at Killarney manage the cursed thing, Aisling?"

Aisling muses, "Probably in the same way? It was in a vault, and possibly had some kind of charm around it, much like your house has charms and my house has charms and Shane's house has charms and I wear charms and Shane wears charms and you wear charms."

Baird is actually starting to, apparently unconsciously, scoot away from Aisling. Cinnamon covers her mouth so she doesn't visibly giggle at Baird -- she thinks it's almost adorable that he's more worried about the lovely beansidhe, rather than the really awful curse on him! Once she's sure she won't laugh, she nods once, "So to fix this, we're looking at... him having to steal it back, then get it to someplace where there's a bunch of charms around it again?"

Aisling watches Baird slowly scooting away, and says calmly, "Shane, I think you may have to restrain him. The curse may actually be making him try to flee me. You said he got accident-prone on the way here, right?" She looks at Cinnamon, "Dear goddess, no! I wouldn't want him anywhere near that thing again!" Then she pauses, "Or, well... maybe. I mean... no one else would have to be bothered by the curse... and it would put the thing somewhere safe again -- and back in Killarney. I think Apple may have had it..."

Cinnamon blinks startledly, "Whoa, the curse can actually make him avoid folks who can help?" She sighs in exasperation at her rather naive interpretation of what she'd seen, and puts a hand lightly on Baird's arm, "We really are trying to help, okay?" Hopefully the bit of distraction will let Shane restrain the guy okay... and if not, Cinnamon is fine with just grabbing Baird herself. She adds to Aisling, "Yeah... it was like everything was trying to clobber him! Is Apple a person?"

Shane puts his hands on Baird's shoulders and presses down hard, saying quietly, "I don't want to knock you the f... fudge out, but I will, Baird."

Baird grits out through his teeth, "It's like my legs are trying to work even though my brain doesn't want them to."

Aisling nods, "Yup. The curse almost has a mind of its own. It doesn't want him to get help. As for Apple: no, it's a trod, like Rowan."

Cinnamon raises an eyebrow, murmuring, "Wonder if that explains the grindylows messing with the sacred apple tree in the Havn treehenge?" She smiles encouragingly at Baird, "Would focusing on something else help?"

Baird squirms -- it's almost comical to seen the merc squirm like a child, as he grits out, "Maybe?"

Cinnamon nods, "Okay, tell me about... your grandmother. What's she look like, what stories did she tell you, anything at all that you think of regarding her -- focus on your grandmother and me, and sit nice and still, okay?" Her voice gets calm and low and soothing, and after pushing up her glasses she smiles at Baird and keeps her steady, expectant, friendly gaze on him.

As Baird talks about his grandmother, his brogue actually thickens; it becomes obvious that he worked to smooth it out, or that he got some kind of education to do so -- but it didn't rid him of it completely -- or perhaps his grandmother's brogue was thicker than his own. Cinnamon nods occasionally and makes interested noises at the right times and just... keeps... holding... Baird's gaze. The storytelling helps keep him calm, and keeps his mind off of Aisling's preparations. She's muttering to herself, as she works, about wishing she could handle steel. Shane asks quietly if him being able to would help, and she shakes her head, noting that if it would really help, then all the steel Baird handled would have done it already. Shane nods. Baird continues carefully looking at Cinnamon, and his hands are clenching into fists -- so he barely has time to jump when Aisling drops a pouch around his neck; in fact, he actually yelps! Then he takes a deep breath and sighs it out, every muscle in his body relaxing. Cinnamon too sighs in relief, sitting back and blinking her regular eyelids once, and then her nictitating membranes, "Whew! There we go. How is it, peeps? All fixed, or just a stopgap, or what?"

Aisling says briskly, "Stopgap, but a damn good one -- that amulet should hold him against just about anything. But the best thing would still be to get the necklace back to its home -- back into the vault where it lives, and back into its protective circles. I really do think Apple had it. I'll send a couple of letters..."

Cinnamon nods silently -- she's relieved Aisling was able to help! She glances at Baird, checking, "How do you feel, guy?"

Baird rubs his face with both hands, muttering, "Good. Relaxed. Like I want to go and strangle my handler, but this isn't her fault. She didn't know. Couldn't know. Hell, I didn't and couldn't have known." Cinnamon nods amusedly, watching silently and wondering if Baird's going to freak out when he realizes what a huge favor he owes Aisling now! Of course, there's also the fact of knowing about the supernatural too... will that bother him in his job? Baird looks at Aisling, licks his lips, and says hesitantly, "I'm... in your debt, aren't I?"

Aisling smiles widely, "Oh, aye. Pretty deeply, in fact -- and I intend to collect! Just... not for a while." Her golden eyes sparkle, as she lays a hand over his hand and leans in to stage whisper, "Wait until Cinnamon here tells you just exactly what kind of fae I am..."

Cinnamon laughs at that, in spite of herself... then grins and shakes her head, "Aisling, don't scare the poor man!" She grins amusedly, her cheeks slightly pink -- but is very careful to keep the thought to herself! -- when she wonders if Aisling will end up seducing Baird. Well... he is a relatively nice person, at least as far as Cinnamon can tell! Aisling would be kind, too, if she did so... which means Cinnamon isn't worried at all about it. Heck, it might be a really good thing for Baird, to realize he really is attractive to the right kind of woman! It doesn't immediately occur to Cinnamon, of course, that not so long ago she'd have been utterly scandalized at that thought!

Aisling smiles and pats Baird's hand with a laugh, "I've already scared him... and he should be a little frightened for what he's meddled in. I need to go write those letters. He should be able to go in your house now -- that little amulet should make it safe." To Baird she firmly adds, "Wear it against your skin, and don't take it off if you can manage it. You'll have a hard time getting through airports, though, so you're likely stuck in the States for a while."

Cinnamon curiously checks, "So do you think the letter writing will take care of moving the necklace back to where it belongs, Ash?"

Aisling shakes her head, "I'm going to work on something he'll be able to get through customs with."

Cinnamon nods at that, then checks with Baird, "You have safe places to stay in the States, right?"

Baird nods, "Several. I'll be staying here in Boston, I think. Or close by." He looks around and leans back, hands over his face, "Jesus Christ."

Aisling laughs quietly, "Oh, he won't help." She kisses Shane on the cheek and squeezes Cinnamon's hand, "Take care of him." Then she's gone.

Cinnamon calls cheerfully, "I will! Thanks a bunch, Aisling!" She tilts her head thoughtfully as she regards Baird... then smiles ruefully at Shane, "So... is it time to let the poor guy know the way in to Coblyn? Or would that be dangerous for him?"

Shane nods gravely, "At this point... I think he needs to know in order to be able to keep himself safe." He looks at Baird, "But if you bring anyone else here, I will personally hurt you."

Cinnamon frowns worriedly at Baird, "Shane's right, even if he sounds mean -- you need to promise you won't bring anyone else here, please, okay?"

Baird nods slowly and smiles lopsidedly, "I know what Shane means. He's a protector. That dossier said violent, but he's not violent."

Cinnamon smiles, "True... but you really do need to promise, please." She holds up a finger, "And keep in mind, please... promises mean something here."

Baird looks up at Shane, "I promise I will bring no harm down on this street and bring no one else here without permission."

Shane nods, "I believe you."

Baird sighs, then looks at Cinnamon, "Now... what exactly kind of trouble have I gotten myself into?" He waves his hand down the street, "What kind of fae is she?" He glances up at Shane, "Same kind as you, I think?"

Shane grins, "You're half-right."

Cinnamon nods, satisfied with the promise... and unless Shane says something, she strongly suspects Baird really means it. She grins, "Aisling's a beansidhe... but you might want to keep in mind that not all the old stories are true, okay?" She has another sip of her tea, then beams, "So! Baird, what do you need right now? Aside from the curse issue, of course -- we're working on that."

Baird blinks slowly and says, "I thought they how-" and Shane squeezes Baird's shoulder, "No. No howling to portend death. Think more... unseelie. Or that's what people tend to think. But mostly just think sidhe -- just the sidhe part." Baird groans again and Shane laughs, "Yup."

Baird sighs, "Just some time to rest would be good."

Cinnamon smiles and nods, "Want us to walk you to the head of the street, so you can take it from there? Oh, also? Just so you know, there's only two places on the street where you can reach the internet... my little house, and the Vault. So if you need to reach us, call me, and I can send out messages to whomever you need to talk to, okay?"

Baird nods and sighs again, tucking the little amulet bag into his shirt before he pushes to his feet, "I have a feeling I owe my life to her and the two of you. That's a big debt." He shakes his head, "I'll keep that in mind. The internet bit, I mean."

Cinnamon tilts her head curiously at Baird, "Is it so bad, to have people you can trust?"

Baird smiles, "No. I'm just exhausted."

Cinnamon nods, somehow relieved, "Oh, okay! Well, in that case, let's walk you out so you can go rest, right?"

Baird nods and stretches all of his limbs with a groan, "Yes. Please, let's. Though... we'll need to go a bit out of our way to avoid that cafe. The police are probably still swarming."

Shane nods, "Let me drop my sword off in your cottage, acushla? I don't want to go out armed."

Cinnamon beams at Shane, "Sure!" She doesn't mention it, but she's happy that he'll have to come back for his sword... so she patters over to her door and unlocks it right away. She drops off her copy of the dossier, as well as the little first aid kit and other paraphernalia... and then, to Baird, she calls, "Do you want all your weapons back, or are you worried about being stopped by the police?"

Baird considers, then shakes his head, "Leave them here. Better I should be able to prove I'm not strapped if I get stopped. I can come back for them -- and I trust you with them." He doesn't know if Cinnamon understands just how big a trust that is for him.

Cinnamon smiles and nods to Baird, "I'll take good care of them! Is there anything special I should do for them? Check the safety is on for them all, or anything similar?" She doesn't actually really know how much trust Baird is showing... but she is guessing it's like Shane and his swords, so she's determined to be careful with all the weapons being entrusted to her currently.

Baird looks at Shane, "You know guns?"

Shane says, "Not... really? But Thorn was in the human Army Reserves. I'll get him to check they're all safe."

Baird nods, "I forget. He mentioned he was a medic. That works."

Cinnamon carefully locks up behind Shane, then hoists her weapons-laden bag over one shoulder, "That's fine! Plus if we walk to the entrance and don't see any police, I have your weapons here for you for just in case. Sound good?" She waves to Uta, then happily turns to walk with Shane -- and Baird! -- back to the mouth of Coblyn Street, "Whew! I'm so pleased we got a handle on the curse!"

Baird is wearing a V-necked black sweater over a white shirt. He shrugs out of the sweater on the way to exit Coblyn, tying the sweater around his waist by the arms -- then he runs his hands through his hair, mussing it as he goes. It changes his appearance a bit from his normal, well-groomed look. He mutters something about being glad he doesn't dye his hair any unusual color, and Shane grins, "I sometimes put mine under a hat when I go out."

Cinnamon tilts her head thoughtfully, "Would some foundation hide the scarring, Baird? Would that be helpful?" She keeps the three of them walking towards the mouth of Coblyn Street as she speaks, however, since if Baird is exhausted then probably best to get him safely headed back to his hotel ASAP.

Baird smiles a bit, "It takes more than a little foundation to hide a scar like this. It takes quite a bit of lead time and some very heavy makeup."

Cinnamon blushes faintly, "Oh. Um... s-sorry..." and hastily continues walking. Sheesh, why can't make-up be easy, for Pete's sake?! She points to change the subject, "There, see? That's the way out. When you're on the street outside it'll be easy for you to see Coblyn, now we've led you through it. Though... let's pause and check the coffee shop before you go, okay?"

Shane is twisting his hair into a messy braid which he pushes into the back of his shirt, hiding its length from a quick glance. Baird blinks and looks across the street from where they're standing, his voice puzzled, "But... there's no street here. I've walked this block a dozen times at least."

Shane grins, "But there's obviously a street here -- you're standing on it. You just couldn't see it before. Remember: magic!" When Shane leans forward and peeks around the corner, the cops are still swarming. He hisses in through his teeth and points the opposite direction, "That way. Some of the disguise will keep us hidden if we stay up against the wall a bit. Then we can nip around the corner up there..."

Cinnamon puts a hand lightly on Shane's arm, "We shouldn't go, Shane. They'll be looking for three -- two men and a woman. But if it's just Baird walking out there, he'll be able to wander away more easily, right?" She glances at the merc for confirmation, then grins at Shane as she adds, "Besides... I'm carrying a purse-full of weapons!" She turns to Baird, and adds, "Watch the way people out there walk around this area -- that'll show you where you disappear from their perception. I don't know precisely how it works, but people just sort of... miss seeing you disappear, and then you're not there any more, you know?"

Baird nods, agreeing, "But if I stick close to the wall on this side, the camouflage will hide me?"

Shane nods, "For about half a block. It helps things blend. You'll just seem to appear out of nowhere. But they should all be looking the other way. Next time you're out this way, you'll be able to see the street. Most folks say they have a thought like 'How did I ever miss it?' But really, the answer is magic -- you missed it because magic."

Baird laughs and sighs, "OK. I'll check in. Thank Aisling for me."

Cinnamon nods and smiles, "We will! Stay safe, guy, okay? -and don't worry, I'll keep your weapons safe."

Baird nods, "I'll send information about getting them back."

"Okay!" Cinnamon gives Baird a quick hug, then smiles up at him, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes, "-and may I be the first to officially welcome you to the madhouse?"

The Scottish mercenary snorts, "Oh, I've been here far too long."

Cinnamon giggles again, stepping back and waving, "In that case... hope you enjoy the show!" Then she waits, standing next to Shane and watching Baird stride off -- just making sure he gets away safely. Once the merc is out of earshot, she murmurs quietly to her companion, "Shaney... I'm not being naive in thinking that Aisling doesn't mean any harm to Baird, am I?"

Shane smiles down at Cinnamon, "She means no harm to him. But having a boon owed from someone like Baird could be very useful. The beansidhe are no longer like we used to be."

Cinnamon nods with a hint of relief... then curiously asks, "How did you used to be?"

Shane smiles wryly, "Mischievous. That's the nicest way to put it. Think of the things the sidhe can do."

Cinnamon nods slowly... then grins shyly up at Shane, "Well, I trust you!" Without realizing how that might sound, she curiously adds, "What made the sidhe change, then? Was it the isolation or something?"

Shane considers, "I... don't know. Strangely, the gealsidhe are more dangerous than the beanside now. They tend to be more haughty and the beansidhe tend to be more earthy. It's as if the more civilized the world got..." Cinnamon nods curiously, not quite comprehending Shane's point, but happy to wait for clarification. Shane looks thoughtful as he continues, "It's as if the more civilized the world got, the more powerful the gealsidhe got; the more haughty they got -- and the more... it's like the sidhe reflect the world. The beansidhe are earthier... and we've become more protective."

Cinnamon thinks for a moment, then says slowly, "So you're saying the gealsidhe are more reflective of human attitudes... and the beansidhe are more trying to care for nature?" She notices with relief that Baird has safely gotten out of sight, so she turns to head back towards her little house with Shane, adding, "Is that right?"

Shane considers, then nods, "That's pretty much it, yes. The beansidhe were considered the dark side, which meant the 'uncivilized' side, which translates, in a way, to nature." He puts his arm around Cinnamon's shoulder, "You've seen the trod. Gealsidhe trods aren't like that."

Cinnamon nods, "Okay. So... is that bad? Like, do we have to watch out for the blonde sidhe and elves and stuff, so they don't do anything... foolish or dangerous or just plain wrong?" She adds slowly, "Trod of the Elm... they seemed pretty normal? Well, I mean..." she grins at the necessary qualification, "for supernaturals?"

Shane laughs and gives her a squeeze, "No. Elm is pretty normal. For... well... the Germanic elves don't seem to have split the way the Celts did. It's... strange. It's like they split somewhere up and down the evolutionary tree." Shane looks thoughtful as he talks.

Cinnamon looks curious, "Penny for your thoughts?"

Shane smiles thoughtfully, "I've just always wondered what caused the splits and the differences. I mean, the gealsidhe and the beansidhe are essentially the same species... but..." He takes a deep breath, "Essentially the same species, but there are such differences in the knacks and in the cultures. The beansidhe actually seem to have... 'gentled,' if what Saoirse tells me is true. She remembers when the beansidhe were much wilder and more capricious." Cinnamon nods interestedly -- she's fascinated by the various talents and weaknesses and capricious natures of the many different species of supernatural! One day, she decides, she'll write a book on them all... but for now: learning as much as she can!

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