Goblin Town -- Logs

Cinnamon sleeps for a couple of hours, awakening to find herself almost sprawled against Shane. She hastily sits up and apologizes for both taking up his time, and smooshing him! When she finally emerges, much later, from her cabin -- and for the following days -- she seems... a little different, to those who know her. She's not quite as exuberantly cheerful any more; she doesn't sing happily to herself while working, or almost skip across deck... or, in fact, seem at all the enthusiastic student of life any more. Oh, she's happy to learn new things still, but she studies them with quiet concentration, and her thanks to her teacher are always sincere but polite and reserved.

Further, it's very obvious -- to anyone with even half a brain -- that Cinnamon is extraordinarily gun-shy of Marcus now! She doesn't talk to him or even look at him any more; it's like he's simply and completely not there for her. She's not snobbish or disdainful about it, though. She just wants nothing to do with the guy that publicly yelled at her to leave him alone. She can be talking with momentarily regained animation with a group of friends, but add Marcus to the group, and she hastily falls silent... and should he stay, she eventually heads off. If he sits a short distance away from her, she tends to turn and keep her back to him while continuing with whatever it is she's doing... while if he tries to sits next to her, she rises immediately and heads off to find something else to do.

Unsurprisingly, that behavior is noticed pretty much immediately -- the Havvarger, Shane, and Jaeger are, after all, all very sharp-witted. Thorn finds himself getting irritated after seeing Cinnamon at her most energetic and happy, and now seeing her in doldrums and melancholy -- as much as she tries to hide it. His irritation is with Marcus, not her, though he doesn't know why she's let the elf affect her so much. The healer is starting to wonder if flogging Marcus wouldn't have been better, oddly enough... as in, some obvious way to show that he's been punished, besides a tongue-lashing. It only takes a day, too, before Fraser -- who is feeling much as cranky as when he's getting very close to moon-change -- pulls Cinnamon aside and quietly rumbles, "Do I need to have another talk with Marcus. I know he didn't hit you, but he hurt you. Your smell is different around him."

Cinnamon blinks startledly up at Fraser when he growls his question... then seems to... not quite huddle? But without moving she still gives the impression of somehow putting up careful internal walls. Her reply is perfectly polite: "He told me to leave him alone, Fraser. That's all I'm doing. I don't want to get into the middle of anything he's doing to or with anyone else, though, please -- he'd just blame me for whatever trouble he got into, you know?"

Fraser frowns, "Mmhmm. He snapped at you... when it wasn't your fault," then sighs, "Cinnamon, ignore him if you must. In fact, ignore him completely. But don't let him dull your shine. Who'm I going to get to sing shanties with me when everyone else has a hangover, hm?" He cups her chin with one big, callused hand, "He's the jerk, not you. Look around -- you'll see. You're not the one people are irritated with." He smirks a little, "I think if you look, you'll see that Marcus himself is starting to understand he fucked up in a big, big way."

Cinnamon winces slightly at being abruptly touched, but doesn't say anything about that. Instead she just sighs softly and shakes her head, "No, it was a lesson I needed to remember, I think, Fraser. I'd started thinking that the supernatural world was really and truly different from the rea- um, the... the mundane world? The human world. But..." Her eyes are very bright for a moment, and she has to swallow hard before she huskily continues, "but it's not, really... is it? There are still people that are supernatural that sort of... get off on hurting other people. There are supernaturals that are just like the humans -- in that all they see is who you are on the outside. If I go skipping stupidly around assuming that everyone supernatural will be lovely and like me bunches, well... then I guess I kind of deserve the sharp emotional check, don't I?"

Cinnamon blinks... then gets a small, wryly amused smile, "Though... I suspect if Marcus realized I thought he acted just like humans, instead of the supernaturals he so strongly believes are so snootily superior to the humans... he'd likely yell at me again... so let's not mention that to him, please, ok?"

Fraser notices the wince and takes his hand away, "Think of it this way, lass: Marcus is the exception to the rule here... and you didn't deserve that." He puts his hands in his pockets because, being a wolf in nature, his reaction is to want to scoop her into a hug just as Josie would, "I'm not going to mention that to him. Even if I do want to kick his arse for being a jackass. But please, don't let him steal your joy. You like being on the ship. I know you do."

Cinnamon nods, her voice unwittingly eerily composed, "I do, yes. It's very pleasant."

Fraser sighs, "Cinnamon, I know the voice of a trauma victim. I've been in battles." Cinnamon gives Fraser a slightly puzzled look, waiting for him to continue. Since she doesn't consider what her parents -- or Marcus -- did to her as 'real' trauma, she also doesn't consider herself as traumatized. Instead, she's perplexedly wondering how Marcus could possibly be traumatized... hasn't he pretty much gotten coddled throughout his entire short life? Fraser sighs again, "Lass, you look puzzled. What you're doing, right now? That's a trauma response. You're putting up walls." He smiles crookedly, "Yeah, I know. I'm not a scholar and all that, but when you're second-in-command, you learn to look for shell-shock."

Cinnamon gives Fraser a narrow-eyed look composed equally of confusion and disbelief, "But I'm... not traumatized, Fraser -- nothing that traumatic has happened to me." She waves a hand, searching for the right words as she adds, "I've not... I mean, nobody's ever beaten me or... or rape or... or stuff that's like real trauma -- that's never happened to me!" She thinks for a moment, then amends, "Well, okay -- after I realized I was a dragon, I've been shot a bunch of times... but that hardly counts, considering I'm apparently bulletproof, you know? I just bruise horribly, right? You've seen it, in fact!"

Fraser shakes his head, "Cinnamon, people that never got shot or hit or cut came back from war completely broken. It's not physical pain that causes trauma." He touches his temple and looks directly into her eyes, "Stress is what causes the trauma. You gonna stand there and look me dead in my eyes and tell me the lie that what your blood relatives did to you never wounded your soul?" Cinnamon blinks and opens her mouth to reply; she has no trouble meeting Fraser's eyes -- but then she freezes in place. She wants to say she's left her cruelly hurtful blood family behind... but she realizes she can't. Instead, she finds herself gulping, pressing her fists to her mouth and taking big, shaky breaths as she tries very hard not to start crying right here on deck, in front of everyone! Admittedly, they're actually out of sight in a deserted hallway, but Cinnamon is momentarily feeling that raw and vulnerably exposed.

Fraser keeps looking steadily at the little dragon, "Cinnamon, here on this ship you are with a real family -- one that you go to when people hurt you. Not one that does the hurting! One you go to for arms to enfold you. You're shell-shocked, and Marcus is an arsehole. He's learning, I think, but he put his hurt on you -- and that's not right." He smiles a little, "Now, what I want to do is hug you, but I am not going to touch you if you don't want me to. I'm a big guy and you were hurt by a guy. I can go get Shane if you need a hug." He does not say out loud anything about slapping Marcus.

Cinnamon's voice is both choked up and unwittingly fierce as she gulps and manages to get out, "It's n-n-not guh-guys... it's-s jerks that are big meanies!" She looks up at Fraser, tears rolling down her cheeks, and struggles for words... then just gives up and steps forward to hug him tightly. She's emotionally distraught enough that the big man might even find her hug a trifle breath-stealing! Fraser grunts. He's a big guy and he's a werewolf, but Cinnamon's strong for her size. He wraps her up in a warm hug and nuzzles her head with his cheek, growling a little. It's a rumbly sound, almost like a purr. Cinnamon presses her face into Fraser's chest and sobs her pain out -- it'd been a horrible shock to realize she'd not really left her old life behind! Being wrapped up like this, though... it's even nicer than being wrapped up in her comfort blanket.

Fraser rocks a little with Cinnamon and pets her hair. He's a big guy. He's not as big as Josie in her wolf form, but he's taller and broader than Shane. He's good to hold onto and sob things out. It's some time later, in fact, when Cinnamon finally sniffles and rubs her face, leaning back enough to take off her smeary glasses and sigh. Her voice is low and wry, "S-sorry f-for getting your sh-shirt all wet, Frasey."

Fraser arches one shaggy red brow, "Cinnamon, I work and live on a ship. I'm not sure I'm ever entirely dry."

Cinnamon can't help the hiccupped laugh at that! She looks up and gives Fraser a small, slightly teary-eyed smile and murmurs, "Thank you, Fraser. I..." She sighs, not having the right words for how grateful she is for kind, generous, strong, smart people like Fraser and Josie and Shane, when life manages to kick her right in the gut again... so she looks down at her glasses as she furiously polishes them on the edge of her shirt, muttering, "I just... thank you a bunch, Frasey, okay?"

Fraser chuckles at the nickname, "Now... don't let him get you down. I have a feeling he's starting to realize he was a jerk. He had everyone poking at him... which doesn't excuse him." He smirks, "And you don't owe him forgiveness, but don't let him live in your head rent-free."

Cinnamon thinks about that as she carefully checks her glasses, then puts them back on before she sighs, "How do you not do that -- let him live in your head rent-free, I mean -- when all you really want is to not be around him at all, ever again -- so he can't possibly hurt you again?"

Fraser's rumbling voice is firm, "You don't let his presence bring you down. If you don't want to be around him, you pretend he isn't there. If he's there, you just... pretend you don't see him."

Cinnamon frowns consideringly, "But... wasn't that what I was doing? Not seeing him, I mean?"

Fraser shakes his head, "No. You were seeing him... feeling him. Letting him dull your whole being."

Cinnamon pauses, then slowly shakes her head, her voice slightly intrigued, "No-ooo... oh, I think I get it now. I was letting him sort of... drive me around, right?" She nods then, her expression thoughtful, "Right... okay, I think I get it. So... like, pretend he's not even on the ship -- that's it -- and that way, it'll be more like old times... more fun again." She tilts her head as she looks up at Fraser, "Is that what you mean? Am I getting it more, now?"

Fraser nods and smiles, "Until he comes directly to you with a sincere apology, that's my advice. That's a true shunning."

Cinnamon nods slowly, "Okay. Though... I, but, um... I sh-should likely warn you that it, er... it's probably g-going to take me a bit, so... so, like, be patient with me, please, okay? While I work on it?" Her small grin is faint, but genuine, "Though, er... y-you don't have to get everyone hungover just to persuade me to sing the shanties w-with you, okay?"

Fraser laughs and hugs and nuzzles again, "Okay, lass." Cinnamon grins and hugs back in relief!

Once they're back on deck, the little dragon follows Fraser's advice: she starts surreptitiously watching people. Are they really not happy with Marcus, rather than simply amused at her, um, emotional clumsiness and naivet�? She also is careful to ignore Marcus -- but not to let him impact what she does. Admittedly, the first time she has to catch herself from hastily leaving the premises, she ends up almost backing into Fraser or Shane -- whichever one is closer -- as a nice, solid, dependable backstop... but once she realizes Marcus doesn't instantly explode at her again whenever he's close to her, she starts to cautiously relax a bit... and that means she starts smiling more... and more enthusiastically.

Indeed, Cinnamon sees people giving Marcus stern looks... especially when they see him near her. She blinks in silent fascination at that! It's entirely new to her to be seen as the wronged entity -- rather than as the clownishly stupid one that deserved what she got. That, perhaps unsurprisingly, is also very emotionally encouraging. So she does her best to simply ignore Marcus, even if he's anywhere near her. She doesn't 'hear' him speaking, she doesn't look at him, she doesn't offer to help if he's struggling with something... in effect, she doesn't acknowledge him in any way -- and quietly congratulates herself on both doing what he demanded she do (i.e.: leave him alone), and not letting him hurt her any further.

Though Cinnamon doesn't know it, Shane also had a conversation with Marcus... though he waited until he could do it quietly and privately. He went to Marcus' room and sat down with the other, slightly younger man... and in truth, the conversation was very civil. Shane explained very calmly, very quietly, and very nicely that adults don't snap at other people, or call them names for trying to help out -- especially when they are actually giving good advice and offering heartfelt and useful gifts. Shane is smiling slightly the entirely time he speaks, though his eyes are not quite making it to friendly. His hands are clasped together loosely between his knees as he leans forward to explain his feelings about bullies, then goes on to add that, in this case, he will very much consider himself to be his friend's champion.

Shane ends with, "I really don't like to hurt people, Marcus. But I will slap the ever-loving fuck out of you if you do anything like that again. She didn't deserve it, and you know that. If you so much as think of talking to her again without a true and sincere apology on your lips..." He shrugs and shakes his head, "I don't think I'm the only one that's going to look upon it with disfavor. You need to get your head out of your arse, mate." With that, he got up and left. Marcus watched him go, with a slow blink. He had always known Shane was someone whose bad side you wanted to stay off of, but he'd never expected to be on it! It was... more frightening than he'd expected... perhaps because Shane was so very calm about it all. It made Marcus think very hard -- harder than with his father and Fraser, both.

It's only a day or so later that Cinnamon's leaning against the railing and enjoying the cool caress of the sea spray on her face as she stares out over the ocean. She's smiling, relaxing with Thorn after a day's work, and sharing a funny story Fraser told her about the boy scouts' trip, "So then he yelled, 'Look out belooow!' and the boys were all diving for cover -- they thought he meant he was just going to drop on them! Made the scout masters laugh themselves silly, Frasey said!"

As the ship is racing along ahead of the wind, something simply enormous breaches beside her, leaping into the air and making cold ocean water splash up and over both Cinnamon and Thorn! When the enormous body hits the water again, there's another tremendous splash. It's entirely too large to be a porpoise -- in fact, it's familiar! Cinnamon shrieks startledly, reflexively throwing up an arm to protect her face -- and, most importantly, her glasses! A heartbeat later, though, she blinks, staring intently out over the waves, "Oh my gosh, Thorny, was that who it looked like?!" She grins, leaning over the railing to wave enthusiastically and yell in Hawaiian, "Aloha, Kahiau -- is that you?! Want to come say hi and tell us how you're doing?!"

There's a startled shout from a little further across the deck, and then some laughter as someone calls, "Don't worry! I think I know who it is!" Cinnamon glances curiously over her shoulder, wondering who's speaking.

Thorn yelps a bit, covering himself when he gets splashed -- then gasps, "It's Kahiau!"

Cinnamon beams at Thorn, "It is! I think, at least?" She turns and cups her hands to her mouth so she can shout, "Fraser! Captain Arvid! Can Kahiau come aboard?" She giggles, then adds, "Bjarke, can he borrow some pants from you too, please?" The big silver body breaches again, splashing down as if making sure it's the right ship and the ship's inhabitants have seen him. Bjarke laughs and goes trotting toward the hatch to get some pants, since his are the only ones that will fit the big shark man.

Arvid calls back, "Of course he can!"

Marcus mutters to Shane, who happens to be nearby, "What are they talking about?!"

Shane mutters back, "Wereshark. Wait and see." Marcus nearly gapes at Shane, at that!

Cinnamon beams as she calls back to the bridge, "Thank you!" then turns and waves enthusiastically to the megalodon, "Hi-iii, Kahiau! Come aboa- oh, wait! Let me get you a rope!" She darts over to the nearest available line, swiftly and securely dogging it to a cleat before throwing the end overboard and cheerfully yelling, "Come on up!" Then she beams in quiet pride to herself -- she's getting really good at knots!

The next time Kahiau breaches, it's his dark, human head that bobs above the water. He grabs the rope and swarms efficiently up it. By that time, there are pants and a thick, dry towel waiting for him. He dries his hair off and nods to the people on board. Then he gets on the pants, and a tank top he's been offered. Cinnamon politely turns her back while he dresses, though she beams when she turns around, "How're you doing?! Are you fishing okay again?" She remembers he doesn't like touching much, though... so she doesn't offer a hug this time.

Marcus is slowly blinking, "What the..."

Shane murmurs, "Kahiau. We met him last time."

Kahiau nods to Cinnamon about the fishing, "I'm staying fed. At least I'm not starving." He says this as if it's some kind of joke -- then looks around, "There are different ones of you this time."

Cinnamon beams, bouncing on her toes with excitement, "Oh, yay! Thorny did an awesome job for you, then -- that's so fantastic!" She grins and hugs Thorn with one arm -- she's tremendously proud of him! Then she laughs, nodding as she explains, "We're a different group this time around! We're heading to Europe to deal with some, um..." she grins, "some other supernatural rogues! But that's not what I'm most curious about, actually -- how did you find us? And are any of your, um... siblings in this ocean too? Do you know if any of them need help, or are they all okay?"

Kahiau nods, "I've got one sibling here. I saw you only by luck." He seems amused by that, "It is strange to see the same boat twice, you know." Then he looks toward Marcus, "That one seems shocked. Is he slow?"

Cinnamon glances over, then smiles and shrugs, "Meh. Someone'll probably introduce him later... if they want to." She has no idea how dismissive she sounds -- she's simply trying to continue ignoring Marcus, as he apparently wishes of her. So instead she excitedly asks, "Oh, how cool -- that you have a sibling here! Are they anywhere close? Do you peeps ever hunt together, or are you just too big to overlap territories like that? Are they okay too?" She brightens with excitement as she adds, "Also, have you had a chance to think about my suggestion last time -- that your name was maybe Kamoho's clue as to how you could free yourself?! Oh! Where are my manners -- would you like, um, something to eat?" She figures maybe a few sandwiches might be more suitable in this form, for Kahiau?

Kahiau smiles, "We see one another. We can overlap territories for some little time, and it is good for us to not be alone all the time. It makes us... worse, I think." He smiles wider, "I am not hungry! I ate very well not long ago, but thank you for the offer!" He rubs his stomach as if the memory of whatever the meal was is very nice.

Cinnamon beams at that, "Oh, that's wonderful news! Yeah, I bet companionship helps." She grins, tilting her head as she gently repeats, "So... does your sibling need anything? And... any thoughts on your name?"

Kahiau shakes his head, "No, I do not think my sibling needs anything. They are... a little less socialized than I am -- older than me. More set in their ways, even. And I have thought on my name, yes. I thought on it during my human hours a lot. It is... hard."

Cinnamon nods inquiringly, "Okay...? Is there anything we can do to help with that?"

The were-shark sits down heavily on the planks of the deck and frowns a little, "Maybe. I... I will be going back to Hawai'i in my human months... and I have a family there I would like to make amends to."

Cinnamon patters over to settle cross-legged on the deck by Kahiau, her voice gentle, "I think that's wonderful news, Kahiau. I promise I will eventually get to the Samoan elder woman you told me of, too, to see if there's any way I can help your siblings as well." She wonders if a megalodon-shifter would know if whales were sapient... then decides not to hit the poor guy with too much all at once. First, find out how she can help him! Then worry about helping others of her people that she's responsible for.

Kahiau rubs the back of his head, "The Hawai'ian family is one I wronged in the last few years. I... stole a person from them."

Further up the deck, Marcus leans toward Shane, frowning still, "What in the...?"

Shane muses, "Uhm... it's possible he either murdered them, orrrr... he might have eaten them."

At that, Marcus can't help exclaiming, "He might have what?!"

Cinnamon tilts her head again, her voice still gentle -- since she's having similar thoughts to Shane, especially considering that Kahiau spent time as a man-eater, "Stole how, please?"

On the other side of the deck, Marcus' eyes are bugging out as he hisses as softly as he can to Shane, "He might have eaten them? And Arvid let him on the boat?"

Shane absentmindedly corrects, "Ship. He doesn't eat people anymore..."

Kahiau sighs and says to Cinnamon, "Before I was cured. He was one of the first I stole..." He makes a motion toward his mouth.

Shane nods, "Yup. Thought so."

Cinnamon nods to Kahiau, sighing, "Ah... I was afraid of that." She thinks for a moment, then asks, "How do you, um... make amends for that, please? I'm afraid I don't know that ritual? Also... will you need help with it?"

Kahiau sounds unhappy, "I have things of his to give back to them. In Hawai'i. I want you give them to his family. It will not give him back to his family, but they will not wonder where he is gone."

Cinnamon nods gravely, "I will do that for you. Do you want to come with me, when I do that? Or..." she thinks for a bit, then checks, "Can you... fish for someone else? As a shark, I mean? The family might be in need, after all?"

Further up the deck, Shane has a hand on Marcus' shoulder as he murmurs, "Easy. He's cursed. Arvid wouldn't let him on the ship if he was a danger." He motions around, "Look." Indeed, the Havvarger are all carefully in range. It looks like a 'trust but verify' kind of situation.

Kahiau continues speaking with Cinnamon, "They are not in need. They're a well-off family. But they would want to know where their son went, I think. To them, he would have left the house and just never come back."

Cinnamon nods, "Okay, that's good to know." She's faintly disappointed, in a way -- this might have potentially been an exciting (to her) means of helping Kahiau maybe act selflessly! However, it would seem Kamoho wants a more... hm, a stronger, maybe, sign of repentance? She repeats, "So again: would you like to come along?"

Kahiau looks up at her and says nervously -- and it seems odd on such a big man, "I am frightened to go with you. If I am arrested and taken to jail, I will die in much pain when I change." He hangs his head, "I am a coward."

Cinnamon thinks about that... then nods slowly, "Actually, I think that choice makes sense, Kahiau. If you are to truly change, you need to be able to do so... of your own free will." She smiles slightly, reaching out to gently pat his hand, "Either way -- if you come or not -- I will try my best to support you, okay?" This way, too, if he decides to go with her... it'll truly be his choice; she won't have accidentally shamed him into coming. Her voice is quiet, "So, where and when should I meet you, to receive the man's things?"

Kahiau nods, "I have memorized information you will need." He looks around, "I will write it down for you. Does someone have things I can write it down on?"

Watching intently some distance away, Marcus murmurs to Shane, "He speaks oddly for someone that lives in the modern world...?"

The beansidhe nods, "I think he's fairly old."

Cinnamon grins and nods to Kahiau, "Sure! Moment..." She dashes off to fetch a notepad and pencil, pattering back a few moments later to plop back down onto the deck by him, "Here you go!" Kahiau's writing is... odd. It's as if he learned to write English after having to teach himself an entirely new alphabetic system... like someone learning to write Cyrillic letters or Chinese ideograms after learning the Arabic alphabet. Finally he nods and hands the utensils back. It's not an address, exactly -- it's directions from the airport in Hilo. Cinnamon studies it for a moment, then nods, "So I'll fly there, got it. Where do I meet you to get the stuff?" Kahiau gives Cinnamon a time, but it seems to predicate on days after a certain moon. She'll likely have to check a lunar calendar to figure it out. Cinnamon makes a mental note to memorize the lunar calendar as well -- it'll also help with the Mandarin Chinese she's recently learned, after all! She nods slowly, "So I fly into Hilo, and then... you'll meet me at the beach there, or at the airport... with the man's belongings?"

Kahiau shakes his head, "At the beach. I don't really like to get too near people too much." He smiles wryly, "Not safe for me or them usually."

Cinnamon nods thoughtfully... then smiles at Kahiau, "I'll do it! Remember, though, it will take me a month or two to get there, okay? So even if I'm late, I will make it as soon as I can -- promise. Is that okay?"

Kahiau nods, "I trust you... and a month is safe. I will swim near there and come ashore each day for a while."

Cinnamon beams at that! "Excellent! That's perfect. Okay! So, I have two questions for you, then! First, is your sibling sticking to non-sapient food as well, please? -and second: do you know if the whales are sapient?" She grins excitedly, "If they are, I have so gotta figure out how to talk to them, to see what they need and if I can help them -- because they'll be my responsibility as a councilor too!" She pauses... then puzzledly adds, "Wait... a month?! How on earth are you getting from the Atlantic to the Hawai'ian Islands... in just a month? Is there some magic to your swimming, or something?" She completely misses, of course, that she's blurted out a third question, in her perplexed fascination!

Kahiau looks confused, then seems to sort it out, "I meant that I will give it a month from the time you say. I will come ashore every day for a month from then."

"Ah! Okay, that makes more sense -- thanks! Um, let me think... can we meet there in..." Cinnamon hastily calculates: at least another week of sailing to the Basque region, and two weeks back. At least a week searching for the rogues -- maybe three or four. A week for her to settle down in her little cottage after this trip, another one or two to prep for a 'vacation' in Hawai'i... and one week for slop time! Okay. So... "Can we meet at the beach near Hilo in about umm... two and a half months? Is that okay?"

Kahiau nods, "Two and a half months. That gives me time to get there. Yes. I will swim those waters. My sibling is eating only non-sapients. Well, the occasional porpoise or octopus..." He rubs his face with both hands, "You asked about the whales. They are wise. Very wise. They think... differently. Not like humans. They are not... you could probably not speak with them as you do another human, but they speak to one another and they think. They are not dumb animals."

Cinnamon frowns thoughtfully, "Hmm... well, can you talk to them? Or do you know anyone who can talk to both them and humans?" She's excited, internally -- from what Kahiau is saying, it sounds like the porpoises and octopi -- er... octopusses? octopodi? -ack, whatever! -- it sounds like they're sapient too! This sounds like she's going to have all kinds of wonderful folks to try and help!

Kahiau nods to Cinnamon, "My lord can speak with them. Some of his sister and brother gods can, I think... and the whales and porpoises and orca can speak with one another a bit, I think. I think of it as being like humans that speak similar languages. Like Samoan and Hawai'ian are similar."

Cinnamon nods slowly, pushing her glasses up, "Oka-aaay... well, I can work on that later, I suppose." She beams happily at Kahiau as she adds, "So, I'll see you in Hawai'i in two to three months -- excellent! Is there a lot of stuff to return? Like, can I carry it all, or should I rent a truck, or what?" She wonders if Kahiau somehow salvaged a small sailboat that the guy was in, or something similar. Or maybe... it's just a surfboard? She smiles, intrigued.

Kahiau tilts his head, "It's personal things -- small things. A wallet. Some clothes. A telephone. His surfboard. Car keys. The car."

Across the deck, Shane murmurs to Marcus, "A car is a small thing?" -- and the elf softly replies, "Well, as opposed to a house, I suppose...?"

Cinnamon nods slowly to Kahiau, "Okay. No worries, then -- I'll make sure it all gets returned!" After that, she thinks a bit, then adds, "Okay, so... if any of your, um, siblings? -if they need help for any reason? Feel free to have them contact me, okay? Hmm... I can give you something like a phone number when we meet in Hawai'i, so we have a contact point. Would that work?"

Kahiau nods slowly, "If you tell it to me a few times, I'll remember it, probably. Probably. I know this information here because I am good with calendars, and directions, and I've used the phone."

Cinnamon nods cheerfully, and is happy to do so! Once she's sure the wereshark has memorized her cell phone number, she beams at him, "That's all I've got that I wanted to check with you about! Was there anything else you needed?" She glances over her shoulder, adding, "Anybody else got any questions or anything for Kahiau?"

Arvid comes over with some food for Kahiau. It's raw beef -- a lot of raw beef, "Save some for your sibling. I'm pleased you've been able to stay to nonsapients." Cinnamon beams again -- she's quite pleased about that herself, as well!

Thorn too steps forward at Cinnamon's query, asking, "Kahiau? I'd like to do a short medical check on you, just to make sure that the healing you received last time is holding, please?"

Cinnamon brightens, "Ooh, good idea!"

Kahiau smiles at Thorn and nods, "Healer Thorn! Yes. Please." The one slightly discombobulating thing about Kahiau as human -- or discombobulating if you don't know Elias -- is that his teeth are still a bit pointy. Cinnamon can't help the small grin as she notices the teeth -- since she also can't help wondering how Kahiau would react to one of Elias's friendly smiles! Thorn, however, has been smiled at by dragons, werewolves, and other creatures. Kahiau's smile is... not off-putting, but it is one of the sharper ones the healer has seen! He's pleased Kahiau recognizes him, though, and conducts the checkup quickly and without fuss... and can't find anything wrong with Kahiau at all! It's as if swimming all the time and eating lots of meat is healthy for him... which, well, of course it is -- he's a wereshark. That does make Thorn wonder about other weres... do they need to vary their diet in their human forms as well as their animal forms? He'll have to ask Arvid about that, later.

After the chat with Cinnamon, and the checkup and clean bill of health from Thorn, Kahiau is understandably quite ready to get back into the ocean! As he does so, Cinnamon leans over the railing and waves, calling cheerfully, "Good fishing to you, guy! Stay safe, and see you in Hawai'i!" Once the megalodon vanishes smoothly beneath the waves, the little dragon turns with a happy sigh, "Well, that went well! Now... next stop, France!" She grins and gives Thorn a quick thank-you hug for helping out so amazingly with Kahiau... then patters off to her cabin to make notes about the upcoming meeting. Things appear to be going quite well so far! As she heads off, Marcus is blinking slowly and giving her a rather awed... and thoughtful... look. Shane is watching Marcus's expression, as if the beansidhe is not quite sure what to think of it. Cinnamon, of course, is still ignoring Marcus completely... so she misses it entirely!

Consequently it's a few days before Marcus finally approaches Cinnamon. While he is wearing the sunblock properly, as well as his bandages, he's also noticed that he's been iced out by her. He's got a good social eye, and he's been told to stay away and let her have space. The young councilor knows he's fucked up, but he also knows he has to work with her... and she's starting to impress him. He chooses a time that she's on the deck but alone; he's not stupid enough to try to approach her at a time she'd feel trapped. Right now, she can easily see Shane, Fraser, and Thorn from where she's sitting on the deck and recoiling ropes.

Cinnamon raises a faintly amused eyebrow to herself as she registers that Marcus is actually approaching her! The young elf is shirtless, his tunic tucked into the waistband of his pants as he crouches across the coil of heavy rope from her. It's... almost a Shane-like stance. In fact, he's seen Shane do something similar when speaking to her. Cinnamon really doesn't feel that friendly towards Marcus yet, though, especially since he seems to be imitating Shane and expecting his cuteness to do all the work of being nice, so... she says nothing, instead simply peacefully continuing her work and completely ignoring Marcus. She'd used her satellite phone to research some of the German words Marcus had yelled at her... and consequently she has absolutely no patience left for the high-handed elf! She's well on her way to learning German too, though she's taking her time and only studying for an hour or two a day.

Marcus only has his shirt off because it's scorching on the deck, and he's crouching so as not to loom... but he definitely doesn't realize he's accidentally seeming to imitate the man Cinnamon is in love with. The way he crouches shows, for only an instant, something just at the cuff of his pants. He's barefoot, but it looks almost like the hilt of a knife peeking downward from his calf toward his ankle. It's something Cinnamon has never seen before. She tilts her head thoughtfully as she considers that... could that be the weapon Shane said Marcus always carries? Just out of curiosity, she tries 'feeling' for what metal the blade might be crafted of -- without either looking at Marcus or leaning at all towards him. She gets a feeling of titanium and silver from Marcus. But he's also wearing a necklace, so that might be part of the silver. It's just a simple chain, and rests lightly against his collarbones. It would easily snap if it caught on anything, so it's not a danger to him while he's working on deck.

Thorn glances up as he notices Marcus approaching Cinnamon. He figures that if Marcus is trying to apologize... well, good luck with that, of course. But he also realizes that if Marcus hurts Cinnamon again, Thorn is not sure he'll be able to stop the crew from keel-hauling the young elf! Marcus sees Cinnamon is ignoring him, but he doesn't sigh and roll his eyes. Instead, he speaks quietly, "Cinnamon... I don't expect to be forgiven, because I was an arschloch, but I do want to apologize. I was out of line. I was frustrated and in pain and tired -- and none of that was your fault. I behaved childishly, and that was ridiculous of me." He watches her face as he adds, "You didn't deserve any of what I said. The hat was a very thoughtful gift, and it did help keep the sun out of my eyes and off my neck. I appreciate it very much... and, since I can tell you don't want to speak to me for now, I'll leave you to your work." He gets to his feet and turns to walk away... putting the hat on as he does.

Cinnamon hmms; she'll have to ask Shane later if titanium makes a good knife blade. She grins quietly to herself as she continues working, though... she's relieved Marcus didn't just toss her hat overboard in a fit of pique! It was a gift from Aisling, after all... and Cinnamon likes it. She sighs softly a moment later, though, considering. She's still not very used to folks wishing her good will, so she's also not sure how to react to Marcus's apology. The only thing she's absolutely sure of is that she doesn't want to react like her sister! Watching Candi effectively tease and taunt some poor guy that's genuinely trying to be nice has taught Cinnamon how unpleasant that would likely be. Then she brightens -- she'll ask someone else! Shane or Thorn should likely know -- people have probably apologized to them, or they've apologized sincerely to others, in their lives. She glances up, checking to see if either of the two young men are still nearby... oh, or Fraser too, maybe? It's not too near the full moon, after all. Maybe Cinnamon can wave one of them over.

Thorn lets out a breath, seeing Cinnamon's studied (lack of) reaction to Marcus as the sidhe stands and goes away. He's hoping that's a good sign, and that Marcus apologized without sticking his foot in his mouth. Shane too watches Marcus closely, arching a dark brow as the German elf seems to be calm, pleasant, and civil... and then walks away. Shane immediately heads Cinnamon's way. Thorn glances at Shane, then stands and heads towards Cinnamon as well. The little dragon brightens with relief at sight of both her friends heading towards her, and she beams and waves, "Hi, guys! Have a seat? Um... got a question, if you don't mind?"

Thorn smiles quietly. "Sure, Cinnamon," he says, working to help coil the rope so he's not sitting idle. "What's up?"

Cinnamon waits until they're both comfortable before she sighs musingly, then speaks slowly -- she's obviously picking her words with care, "So, I, ummm... was wondering if you guys have, ah, have ever had someone treat you really shabby, but then apologize later...? I'm asking 'cause, umm... well, I haven't, really? I mean, usually folks don't -- um, well, didn't -- care if they hurt me or not, you know? So now, I, ahhh... well, I'm... not really sure how to react to Marcus's apology!" She peeks up a bit nervously from under her bangs at the two men, "So... do I have to like totally forgive him now, or... or what?"

Shane settles tailor-fashion on the deck near Cinnamon, and both his brows go up this time -- Marcus came to apologize! The beansidhe considers: it did look like truly apologetic body-language. Shane wasn't over here, though, so couldn't hear the words... so he replies, "I have, yeah... and I've had them really and truly apologize and mean it. Sometimes people take out their anger on someone when they were pissed at something else. Or they were jackasses and just grew up later."

Cinnamon blinks at Shane -- then nods once as she pushes her glasses up, "Oh, you mean the apologizer was the one taking out anger, right? Not the one being apologized to? Okay, so then... how did you react to the apology?"

Thorn shakes his head, "You don't have to forgive him. That's something you have to decide for yourself -- if he was sincere or not."

Cinnamon nods thoughtfully to Thorn, "So... it's okay, even if they're sincere, if you're still, um... still kinda grumpy-feeling about them?"

Shane considers, "You can remain pissed. You really don't have to immediately forgive them, and it's perfectly normal to not want to just let it all be okay again. If they're sincere, you can start to thaw a little... but no reasonable person expects it all to just go back the way it was, immediately."

Thorn adds, "And you don't want it to go back to the way it was, with him being... the way he was."

Cinnamon sighs in relief, "Oh, yay! Thanks so much, guys -- I wasn't sure!" She nods firmly in agreement with Thorn, then grins wryly as she adds, "I think part of it is that sometimes it feels like he just expects being cute to make everything easy for him, you know? Kind of like Candi... and I absolutely am not interested in that attitude!" She shudders slightly, "Saw enough of that with her -- so over and done with it!"

Thorn arches a brow. This is the first time he's heard someone refer to Marcus as 'cute'... though Aisling did have positive words to say about the German elf's appearance, and Marcus is a good-looking man... but 'cute'? That's new! Shane's brows too are still up -- and though they can't go up further at the cute comment, his lips do twitch a bit! Marcus is good-looking, but Shane doesn't know how he'd take being called cute. "Why do you think he was trying to win you over with his looks?" The beanside looks around for Marcus -- who is still shirtless as he's working on some rigging with Willem -- and then relaxes as he realizes the elf really wasn't using the shirtlessness as a lure.

Cinnamon's reply is pragmatic, "He took his shirt off -- and I suspect by now everyone on this ship knows I tend to blush at that! -- and he behaved just like you do sometimes, Shane. Did you see how he sorta crouched down carefully just across the rope from me?" She frowns as she pushes up her glasses, firmly adding, "Don't know what he was thinking, but I am not ruled by hormones, thank you very much!" She adds, "Plus, he really does seem to expect anything female to sort of swoon over him, sometimes!" She pauses, then curiously adds, "Though I was wondering... Shane, does titanium make a good knife blade?"

Shane ahhs -- and then, because he's Shane, adds, "He may have been trying not to loom. That's why I crouch sometimes when I'm talking to people smaller than me, or people who are seated." He grins and points at Marcus up in the rigging, "And he's still shirtless. It's hot today." Shane's sense of fairness can't let him allow even Marcus to stay in the unintentional hole he dug himself.

Cinnamon hmfs quietly to herself -- then replies with lofty disdain for Marcus, "Then he's being silly, and courting another sunburn!" She doesn't think it consciously, but there is a small part of her that rather hopes Marcus does in fact think of her as at least female, even if not desirable... so that ma-aaaybe he did take off his shirt at least a little bit due to her? Her usual good mood starts to return as she grins at Shane, adding, "You're the un-loomiest guy I know, Shaney! Er... is that-" She laughs, then firmly continues, "Totally should be a word!"

Shane grins, then comes back to the question, "Titanium can make a good blade if it's done correctly. But it's not one you want to fu... fuss with too much. You want a good bladesmith to work with it to sharpen it. I've seen a few people using them that can't handle steel. I've also seem a few lately that have titanium handles or a sort of titanium backing for a glass or ceramic blade. Ceramic and glass blades are wickedly sharp and nonferrous."

Cinnamon nods thoughtfully, her eyes bright with interest, "That's what Marcus uses, then, isn't it? I thought I spotted a hilt at his pants cuff!"

Thorn huhs quietly. "I wonder if he knows how to use it?" he wonders out loud.

Cinnamon grins wryly at Thorn, "Now that, I didn't think to ask him... but..." She pauses, considering... then thoughtfully adds, "Well, now that we're thinking about it... would Jaeger let him have a blade if he didn't know how to use it at least a little? I mean, isn't that what everyone says about guns in the non-supernatural world -- that if you carry one and don't know how to use it, you're just asking for the attacker to take it away from you and use it against you?"

Shane nods, "I've seen one of his blades that has a titanium handle and backing with an obsidian blade. It's a dangerous little blade -- and yes, he knows how to use it; I wouldn't want to be on the bad end of it. He's not the warrior his father is, but he has been trained to protect himself. He's got another. He doesn't always wear it at his cuff."

Cinnamon frowns suddenly, at the thought of Shane -- or any of her dear friends! -- being menaced by Marcus. That would make her really upset, darnit! She takes a deep breath as she feels herself getting cranky at Marcus again... mustn't blame him for things he's not even done, sheesh... then blinks curiously at Shane, "How do you know he knows how to use it? Did you see him use it, or training with it, or something?"

Shane demonstrates by boosting himself to sit up on something, "Men sit in chairs with their legs crossed like this..." He crosses his leg so that his ankle is resting on the opposite knee. It's a very masculine way of sitting, "Right?" He grins, "It puts that ankle sheath in reach really easily. If he were wearing a boot, it could be in a boot sheath, but that type of ankle sheath -- with the hilt facing down toward the foot? That's an unusual one and people don't expect it. There's at least one other weapon I've seen on him."

Cinnamon looks intrigued as she blinks and pushes up her glasses, "But... wouldn't having the hilt downwards just make sense? I mean, you wouldn't want to grab the blade to defend yourself, right?" Thorn blinks, and... hadn't thought about ankle sheathes that way. Usually the ankle holsters and sheathes he's seen have been pointing down -- but that's an interesting way of wearing it. Cinnamon adds with the straightforward curiosity of those who live safe and privileged lives, "What's the other weapon? Is it cool too? Where's he put it?"

"If you're wearing a boot, the hilt would be upward with the blade down along the length of the boot." Shane makes a motion like drawing a knife out of a boot sheath, without even thinking about it. Both Thorn and Cinnamon have seen him wearing boots, and they both also know he wears a lot of blades himself. At Cinnamon's questions, though, Shane shakes his head and smiles, "I trust you, acushla, but knowing where someone keeps their weapons is a sort of confidence. You saw that one for yourself, so I'm happy to talk about it. I won't give away his secrets, though. Even if he's not a close friend, he's not an enemy."

Cinnamon blinks in surprise... but then nods slowly, "I... guess I can see that? That'd certainly explain Baird's behavior." She smiles ruefully as she adds, "It must have meant a lot to him, to have to leave his weapons behind for a while, that day we brought him to Coblyn, then... maybe?" She pauses... then giggles, "So if I, er... uh, if I notice w-where you're carrying non-obvious blades... I shouldn't talk about it at all?" She blushes in spite of herself as she realizes: she'd almost said, 'if I feel a blade when I touch you' to Shane... how embarrassing! -and, um, rather forward of her, sheesh!

Shane smiles, "You can say it to me... just don't say it to anyone we don't know." He grins at Thorn, "I don't care if you know where any of my weapons are, either. I figure if my friends know where they are, it means if I go down for some reason, they know they can grab something to defend themselves." He pats the small of his back, "Right now, I've got that one and this one..." He pats the utility knife on his belt at his side.

Thorn nods, "Well, a knife is useful, aboard ship. Just think of how hard all the ropework we've done would have been, without a blade."

Cinnamon pushes up her glasses, staring in fascination as she innocently asks, "How do you keep that one in the back from falling down your pants? Is there, like, a special holster for it or something?"

Shane grins, "I don't stick a naked blade in my pants!" He stands up and turns around, "There's a sheath!" He pulls the sheath and blade both up a couple of inches before seating them both back in place, "Not that I need it here. It's just habit."

Cinnamon turns bright red! For some reason, the words 'naked' and 'pants' just trip all the wrong (or right?) associations in her head, with Shane, "Oh, uh, right, uhh... r-right! Sure, that m-makes sense!"

Shane settles back down so as not to loom, "But yeah, you don't have to immediately accept an apology, but some are actually sincere. And..." he sighs, "Marcus was in a shitty mood, in pain, tired, and..." he shrugs, "you don't have to accept his apology, and you don't have to have people you don't want in your life."

Cinnamon frowns consideringly, then looks up at Shane and Thorn again, "Um... how do you tell if they're sincere? Sans knack, I mean?"

Shane chuckles, "That's the trick of it. It can be hard. But..." He looks over at Marcus again and sighs, "If he'd purposely done it with people close enough to be able to hear and notice? It'd say he was just doing it for show. But it was just the two of you. I mean, I could see him over here, but I don't think he was trying to impress anyone."

Cinnamon considers that for a bit, still frowning slightly... then sighs, "Okay. So he probably really meant it." She tilts her head as she considers a bit more, before adding, "Though... I think I'm still mad at him. I mean... do you know what he called me?!" She shakes her head firmly, "It was really rude!" She picks up the rope again to continue working, "I think... I'm still kinda grumpy at him. I'll get over it, I'm sure -- but right now, I'm still grumpy." She glances up and grins at her two friends as she adds, "But thank you for helping out, peeps! I really appreciate that."

Shane mmms, "I'm sure it was really rude... and you go on being mad at him as long as you need to. But don't let it eat you up." He smiles.

Thorn nods enthusiastically, "You don't have to forgive him. It's nice that he apologized, apparently sincerely. But you don't have to feel obligated to forgive him." Cinnamon giggles and nods at that! It feels really nice when dear friends sort of emotionally back her up like this!

In the next day or so, Valkyrie's crew starts making ready to dock at a human port by getting everything set up to look as if they'd been sailing by modern means. All the correct electronics are put on display. All the correct paperwork is brought out. Every single one of the Havvarger have passports. They all clean up fairly well. Cinnamon grins as she watches -- and sometimes helps with -- the 'modern' changes... then does a bit of tidying up herself as well! She makes sure all her paperwork is easily to hand, and that she's dressed neatly in sturdy clothes... like a good passenger.

Marcus and Jaeger also get their human papers in order, while Shane is once again 'James.' They all tuck away anything that might get taken as an offensive weapon -- just long enough to pass customs. Thorn too helps out in getting the ship human-shape (so to speak), since he can handle most modern electronics. He also helps make sure that the mostly-neglected (but still scrupulously maintained) engine is running, for if the inspectors come aboard. The Havvarger make it a point of pride that the Valkyrie's engine is run as little as possible, but perfectly maintained. According to Rafe, the last time they'd had to use it (instead of good old-fashioned wind- or oar-power) was in the doldrums -- and then only after they'd been becalmed for a full week! None of them had been silly enough to let rations get low -- not with the full moon coming up.

It's a drizzly day and the port is busy. Cinnamon grins excitedly -- she's very much looking forward to this new adventure! True, the rogues may be nasty, which will be sad... but hopefully she'll get to learn more about difficult diplomacy by watching Jaeger and Marcus handling the rogues. Jaeger explains that they're going to spend one night on shore in an inn that he's booked for them, while Thomas and Jareth will be staying on the ship -- both to mind her and keep people off her -- while the rest of the crew travel inland with the others. Those that go inland will be going well-armed... and also well-prepared -- with some very strong shackles and muzzles that make Marcus' eyes bug out a little at the sheer size of them! Arvid rumbles in terse amusement, "Fraser is not small."

Cinnamon tilts her head thoughtfully as she studies the chains, running one hand lightly along the huge links... then she looks up at Arvid and asks, "Would it be easier to just chain him to me, Captain?"

Arvid grins, "It had occurred to me, ja -- we might do that. But we need the chains to do that, anyway."

Marcus blinks again and Shane murmurs to him, "She seems to be able to control him when little else can."

Cinnamon beams sunnily up at Arvid, "Okay! I'm game if you and Fraser are!" She turns to grin at Fraser, "Be nice, you! You know quite well I'm talking about non-full moon-you!" She doesn't realize quite what a breakthrough she's just had, and is revealing... in that she gets that she might get teased by Fraser about the chaining, and she's admitting to some embarrassment... but she's also feeling self-confident enough to tease right back the tiniest amount!

Fraser grins down at Cinnamon and winks, then glances at Shane. He knows the young man has no real jealousy in him, but expects -- and sees -- a bit of a flush. The Scots werewolf pats Cinnamon on the shoulder, "I'll behave. And I'll be seein' about getting us transport. They usually have shuttles we can hire." He calls Willem over to help with the language barrier, and Cinnamon giggles, slightly pink -- but also beaming with happiness. It's startlingly nice when people like her help!

Later, Cinnamon glances around interestedly at the little French town -- she really enjoys being places where she can understand what people are saying! Also, she has some folks she wants to shop for, for some little presents... might this town do, once the mission with the rogues is completed? There are a lot of quaint, tiny shops in the town that Cinnamon could browse for small gifts and trinkets. Cinnamon beams happily at the shops! Perfect. She'll save the actual shopping for later, though -- right now she wants to be as ready and helpful as everyone needs. She's admittedly really not looking forward to the incipient mountain-climbing they'll have to do. While the Pyrenees are an old mountain range, and heights increase gradually from west to east, they are still relatively unworn, jutting up jaggedly and abruptly, without foothills, from the lowlands -- but Cinnamon is determined to do her best, and not be a whiner.

The inn Jaeger reserved turns out to be a small place, with limited rooms -- he's rented the entire inn for them. The dining room is rustic, but they are all well fed. Cinnamon has a room to herself and it has a feeling that reminds her very much of her beloved little cottage back on Coblyn! Thorn, Shane, Marcus, and Jaeger all have their own rooms as well. The Havvarger end up sharing rooms, but none of them seem to mind... which isn't really surprising, considering they're truly a pack.

There are also a lot of places in the little town where the group can provision themselves for the hunt. The Havvarger have winter gear that they say will do them for most climbing, but they pick up climbing gear for the rest in town. They're able to find titanium instead of steel for everything they need, so Jaeger and Marcus will be safe. The Havvarger have also brought their weaponry and their shields, though they're careful to keep that all very well wrapped and hidden. Shane has brought his as well. Food and provisions are easy to come by as well, since this town is used to being the base for people setting off into the wilderness.

Cinnamon is both fascinated and excited by the climbing gear -- something new to learn, yay! Thorn isn't too familiar with climbing, since mostly what they did in the National Guard is hike. A lot. So he too is fascinated by the climbing gear, hoping this will be a more educational (and less harrowing) experience. Jaeger assures them that he doesn't think they're going to have to use the gear much. He hopes. Cinnamon grins amusedly at that last comment, but doesn't say anything. Instead she pushes up her glasses with determination, and offers to help carry things, if folks want?

Eventually they all hike off into the wilderness with no problems... for two days. Well, no problems other than Fraser steadily becoming more and more Id and less and less Ego. He's the best hunter of the entire group, so they don't have to dig into their provisions much at all while they're hiking. Every afternoon he's able to bring them something fresh to cook and eat that evening. They didn't teach foraging or hunting in the NG either, Thorn reflects. However, he... doesn't really want to learn, he decides! Cinnamon watches the dead animals being turned into food with a mix of 'ick!' and fascination. At one point she hesitantly asks, "So we, um... w-we're not wasting any of the animals we're eating, r-right? Like... like the fur?"

Arvid smiles, "Not a bit. The skins will be tanned." He motions back along their trail, "We prep them and leave them behind us -- we don't carry them along because they're bulky and would be a problem. As an example, the femurs of the deer from the other night will probably be used for various things."

Bjarke speaks up, rumbling, "They make good knife-hilts and such. No parts go to waste if we can help it. It would be sacrilege." Fraser just grins widely -- and doesn't mention that he doesn't bring some parts of the animals back into camp because he dresses them out where he kills them.

Cinnamon nods in relief, smiling, "Oh, good -- okay!" After that, she doesn't feel at all guilty about eating the freshly-hunted animals. In fact, she starts interestedly hanging around while they're being prepped, spiced, and cooked, and other foods cooked with them -- she finds that both intriguing and useful to know. She's also happy to help out with starting and stopping fires for the night, or for cooking, too -- that makes her feel good, to know she's being useful. She tends to sleep deeply and soundlessly, having worked very hard in hiking all day... which is also a relief. This trip is a far cry from the few camping trips in which her birth family forced her to participate!

Cinnamon can't help wondering, though... will they tuck a chained Fraser-wolf into her tent with her? She'd really rather not sleep outside if she doesn't have to... especially in late September! It gets quite cold at night, and there've been a few evenings where she'd wished a bit wistfully that she could cuddle up at night with her friends. Still... she has a lot of blankets to burrito in, so that so far everything's been fine. At least it hasn't threatened snow up here! She brightens at the sudden thought: maybe Fraser will be calm and quiet, and she can cuddle up with him! He's all furry at night too, after all... so that could be nice, maybe?

The first night of the full moon, Fraser's eyes start to gleam around three in the afternoon. Arvid rumbles firmly, "No hunting for you tonight, lad -- it'll be me and Bjarke feeding us. You're staying in camp."

That makes Fraser laugh -- and his teeth gleam. They're... disturbingly sharp. Or they would be for anyone that doesn't know Fraser. He nods, "Aye, I know." They make camp early that night, and he looks for the stoutest tree to fasten the length of chain to... then gets Bjarke to test it for him. Cinnamon tilts her head curiously as she watches. Interesting... so Fraser won't be with her, then? The Scots werewolf seems satisfied, rumbling cheerfully to the little dragon, "It's an extra precaution, lass. I'll still be in with you. But if you're deep asleep and I try to slink off.."

Cinnamon nods slowly, "Okay... so, uhm... we're putting up my tent next to the tree, then?"

Fraser nods, demonstrating that there's a good twenty feet of chain, "Enough for me to easily go relieve myself if I need to -- and to make sure there's plenty of space to find a comfortable place for your tent." He's grinning, eyes gleaming.

Shane dryly adds, "And space for him to go and put on and take off clothes privately."

Cinnamon nods in silent relief to Shane! A moment later she whispers to the beansidhe, "So... how does the muzzle go on -- do you know? I mean, I imagine the wolf doesn't like it, but it, um... doesn't really fit on the human?"

Shane considers, "I suspect they'll put it on after the change. I mean..." He does look a little doubtful.

Bjarke rumbles, "We will put it on him. It is not always the most pleasant thing to do, but we get it on. He will sometimes fight. Though occasionally we give him a thing to make him sleep..."

Fraser laughs, "Or they just get me drunk enough to pass out."

Cinnamon blinks at that, pushing her glasses up, "Uh... oh. Um, th-that sounds... kind of unpleasant?" She thinks a moment, then shyly adds, "I could, um... I c-could maybe try holding the wolf still for you? Would that be okay with you too, Fraser?"

Fraser considers, "You'd probably be able to do it more easily. You did a good job of keeping me corralled in Elm." He grins and leans in, "You sure you don't just want to get me in your bed more often?"

Cinnamon reaches out and very lightly smacks Fraser's face with just her fingertips, her voice wry, "Back off, you! You're just pushing, I know -- and while I can't help the blush, I sure don't have to put up with being pushed!" Again, she doesn't consciously register the enormous emotional breakthrough she's demonstrating -- she just knows that even though it's embarrassing as wow!... 'real' Fraser wouldn't act this way... and she really doesn't have to simply accept being pushed around any more! Instead she deliberately turns her back on the cursed wolf as she dryly adds to Shane, "I'm gonna take that as a yes, Fraser's okay with me helping when it's time for the muzzle."

Fraser grins at the love tap and then aims another grin over at Shane. Yup! He's teasing the half-beansidhe as much as the dragon. He laughs, "Ach, blushing's good for the circulatory system."

Shane snorts, "Yeah. I think that's a yes. I think it's also a yes that it's just about time for us to settle down for the night."

Cinnamon snorts at Fraser's comment, muttering, "Funny how all the big male teasers are the only ones to say that!" She smiles and nods to Shane, "Okay! I'ma go get my tent, then, while the other guys get Fraser set up... and then I'll offer to help with the muzzle too." She patters hastily off to grab her bagged tent and head back to by the tree... then she watches thoughtfully as Bjarke, Arvid, and some others make sure Fraser's chain is secure. Only once that's done does she (a bit hesitantly) reiterate her offer of help to the captain.

Arvid nods, "Once he's changed, I will appreciate the help." He glowers at Fraser, then says to Cinnamon, "I will call when he is wolf-shape."

Cinnamon smiles shyly as she nods, "Okay!" She patters over to start setting up her tent; that, she can do on her own -- if also slowly -- by now. She simply makes sure it's set up no more than 10' from the tree, as that will give Fraser the best chain-slack. Thorn is more than happy to lend a hand in setting things up as needed. He's reasonably comfortable that Fraser won't do anything to Cinnamon, but it's best to take precautions. Shane too helps with the setup of the tent. He also makes sure his is set up quite close by. It's almost as if he doesn't quite trust moon-affected Fraser. Shane is not usually bristly, but Fraser also goes out of his way to needle the young man. Cinnamon beams and happily offers to help Shane and Thorn set up their tents too, if they'd like? She's got nothing else to do, after all, until Fraser is in wolf-shape.

Rafe is also changing, but Rafe is less dangerous than Fraser on full-moon nights. He'll be staying near Thorn, since he is simply a wolf; Fraser is a beast. The Havvarger, Shane, and Jaeger will be taking turns patrolling through the night. Even Marcus is going to be standing an early watch... and he actually volunteers for it. The longer they've been in the woods, the less uptight Marcus has become. In fact, Marcus seems quite at home in the forest. Both he and his father are sometimes actually difficult to see here. If they get out of sight of the group, they have to make themselves known purposely again. Cinnamon is relieved that Marcus has been avoiding her -- she'd be incredibly embarrassed if he just... turned up, like he does -- and she jumped and squeaked in shock! It's such a silly-little-mouse kind of sound, after all, she thinks. She considers offering to help stand watch... but then a moment later realizes: actually, her job is to keep Fraser calm!

When the sun goes down, Fraser laughs and steps out of sight of the camp. He's already shedding clothes as he leaves, which makes both Shane and Arvid snort amusedly. Then there's a howl that lets Cinnamon know the change is completed, in the moment before Arvid calls to let her know she'll be needed. Cinnamon patters on over with the others, at Arvid's call. She grins at the big red wolf, waving and calling, "Hi, Fraser! Let's get you all tucked in for the night, okay?"

Fraser turns and bounds over -- truly bounds! -- as in, leaps toward Cinnamon with all intents of seeing if he can bowl her over like a large dog would with a small child. Cinnamon eeks!, then hastily braces herself, arms up. She's not entirely sure if she's protecting her face and glasses... or ready to catch the big red wolf -- but either way, she'll hopefully keep him from running off, this way? Consequently she abruptly finds herself with a double armful of very fluffy/bristly red wolf! She oofs slightly, dropping him on the ground in front of her and grabbing a double fistful of ruff instead, "Easy, Fraser -- don't jump around, guy! Let us get you all set up for the night, okay?" She carefully shifts her grip, one hand at a time, so she can put one arm about his neck, and gently grab an ear with the other hand, "Nice and calm now, dude, okay?"

Fraser starts bristling and squirming when he sees the muzzle, growling and baring his teeth as he tries to get away. Arvid bares his own teeth and growls back, while Bjarke rumbles, "Can you hold his mouth closed for us?"

Cinnamon nods tersely to Bjarke, "Maybe. Moment..." She tries to ease her arms up, but then realizes that won't work... so she releases his ear to try and make a quick grab for a hand around the huge wolf's muzzle. Her voice is a bit breathless as she stretches for the grab, "Frazey, come on now -- you're a great big wolf! There's nothing to be scared of, you silly!" Fraser growls and snaps at the hand coming toward his face.

Shane is tight-lipped as he murmurs, "I don't think he's afraid. I think he wants to get away and go do... whatever he does if he's allowed off the leash -- so to speak..."

Fraser turns his head toward Shane's voice and tries to lunge away toward the half-beansidhe. Cinnamon's grip on him stops that, though, and she yanks hard on Fraser, her reassurance abruptly shifting to a mix of fear for Shane -- and everyone else too, right -- and annoyance at the werewolf, "Darnit! Frazey, you stop this garbage right now... or I swear I really will spank you!"

That makes Arvid actually laugh. Bjarke reaches over and grabs Fraser by the scruff, which makes the red wolf try to squirm around, giving Cinnamon enough room to grab his muzzle if she wishes. That gets his attention off (the much smaller than him) Shane... and gives the beansidhe a second to also draw his sword. Cinnamon hastily shifts so she's grabbing the red snout with both hands, clenching slightly out of effort as she grumbles, "There we go -- quick! Get the darned muzzle on, please!" Thorn observes worriedly, his first-aid kit at hand in case it's needed. He fidgets, not liking how Fraser is reacting to the muzzle.

Arvid gets the muzzle into place, and Cinnamon whews as someone shoves the muzzle on, shifting her hands one at a time so she's got her arms about Fraser's furry, muscled neck again. It's a basket muzzle that gives the big Scots werewolf plenty of room to get his mouth open, but he won't be able to bite anyone. It fits snugly about his massive head, and the chain connects to it, giving some control to anyone that gets their hands on the chain. There's some panting and huffing once the big werewolf is controlled. Rafe is pacing and growling a bit, but it is a worried sound rather than an aggressive one. Cinnamon sighs in relief, releasing one arm to lightly pat Fraser on his broad head, "There you go, you great silly... all set up for the night! Just relax now, okay? Everything's gonna be fine!"

Thorn relaxes, letting out a breath when they get the muzzle on Fraser. It's a definite relief, since the man gets... rowdy when he's a wolf and having him bite someone would be very bad. Jaeger too has seen this situation before, so was standing by like the other warriors, ready to step in if needed. His weaponry is silver-edged, after all, and could actually have harmed Fraser if absolutely necessary. Marcus had been told in no uncertain terms to stay well back, since this would be a bit fraught. He'd noticed Fraser had been getting somewhat... intense... over the last few days, but this sure isn't what he'd expected! He now understands very well, on a deeply visceral level, why the big Scotsman is Not To Be Fucked With.

Fraser tosses his head and shakes it around, fighting against the muzzle and looking discontented as he growls and shakes the chain. Cinnamon pats Fraser's head, her voice soothing, "Calm down, sweetie... you're fine..." She glances up at Arvid and Bjarke, her attention drifting slightly from Fraser as she adds, "Is the other end of the chain fastened too, already?"

Arvid motions to the tree, "It's fastened. I mostly trust you, but I also have known Fraser a very long time and know that he is extremely sly during the full moon." Shane and Jaeger have both re-sheathed their blades and relaxed a bit.

That, of course, is precisely when the grumpy werewolf irritatedly throws up his head in an effort to stop the annoying patting -- and accidentally catches Cinnamon a powerful clout, right under the chin, with his heavy, metal-clad head! The little dragon yelps as she goes flying backwards, tumbling to a halt on the ground a short distance away. Thorn takes in a sharp breath as he rushes over, his voice worried, "Cinnamon! Are you all right?" He really hopes Fraser didn't somehow bite her. When the little dragon goes tumbling, there's several quick motions: Bjarke and Arvid dive for Fraser; Shane rushes toward Cinnamon with Thorn. He too is worried that she's been bitten.

As it turns out, Cinnamon has been bitten... just not by Fraser. She sits up a bit groggily, both hands up to her mouth as she mumbles, "...ow! Darnid, Fra'zher!" Even in the twilight dimness, the firelight shows a flash of bright blood on her lips as she grumbles, her voice blurry, "I bid ma dongue!"

It takes a few seconds for Thorn to parse what Cinnamon says -- but then he relaxes slightly, "Okay. Hold still and let me take a look...."

Cinnamon brings her hands away from her mouth to glance down at them, then sighs at the few speckles of blood, "We'w, foo!" She sits up and obediently raises her head so Thorn can check her... though Fraser is favored with a dark glower and a grumbled, "You're in drouble, mids'dher!"

Shane winces, "That hurts like hell, doesn't it?"

Cinnamon nods ruefully to Shane, unwitting tears of pain glimmering in her eyes. She tries to be reassuring as she adds, "Do'hd worry, d'hough... zhould be a'w hea'wed u'bh dh'omowwow!" The fact that she's got bright red blood on her lips likely makes that less reassuring than she means it to be, unfortunately!

Thorn nods, hmming, "Yes, you should be fine by tomorrow morning. You bit your tongue fairly badly, but the bleeding should stop fairly quickly. Try to sleep on your side if you don't normally do that, just in case the bleeding doesn't stop. Do you want some aspirin?"

Cinnamon thinks about that for a moment... then smiles ruefully and shakes her head, "Wanna be a'w a'wert wid Vhra'zuh." She wipes her hands off on her jeans, then leans to give Thorn a careful hug, "Dh'angs, d'hough!" She gives (hopefully reassuring) hugs to anyone who wants them, once she's ascertained from Bjarke and Arvid that Fraser is indeed still securely chained... and then she tiredly decides it's time for bed. She unrolls her sleeping bag, lays out pillow and extra blanket, and flips open the tent flap as she softly calls, "Vhra'zuh? Heah, guy... s'weepin' dh'ime!"

Shane muses, "I'd say take the aspirin. It won't impair you, but it will help with the pain and swelling." He cups her chin and tries to tip Cinnamon's head up to look at her face, brows furrowed a little, "Less pain means a clearer head, acushla."

Cinnamon blinks up at Shane, momentarily distracted from the pain by just how nice he feels... then blushes slightly, "Uh? Uhh... o'ghay dhen." She'll accept a drink of water and the aspirin from Thorn, giving him another tired thank-you hug as she does so. Fraser whines and looks away toward the trees, but slinks into the tent, flopping down. It's as if he doesn't want to misbehave after injuring the person he knows can dislocate his jaw with absolutely minimal effort. Shane watches Fraser creep into the tent almost abashedly... and decides to keep his own tent unzipped -- just in case he needs to move quickly in the night. Marcus watches all of this quietly and thoughtfully. Jaeger nods; things are under control.

Cinnamon trudges in after Fraser, smiling tiredly at her friends before she zips down the tent flap. She pulls off shoes and jacket, cuddles down into her sleeping bag, and then lays her pillow on Fraser's side again -- the way she did in the Trod of the Rowan. Tucking her blanket around both Fraser and her en-sleeping-bagged self, she grumbles quietly, "You be good 'n gh'wied'h d'hnigh, goddid? Don' wanna sma'gh yuh..." She's internally pleased, however -- Fraser is nice and warm to cuddle with! She's missed this. She drifts off with a small yawn. The idle thought floats through her brain as she fades off: if Shane were here too... wouldn't this be absolutely perfect?

In the morning, Fraser stirs first and taps Cinnamon on the shoulder. The little dragon grumbles sleepily, still warmly curled up against her pillow... on what had earlier been a nice, fluffy wolf! Fraser chuckles and taps Cinnamon again, leaning down to get his mouth ri-iiiight down next to her ear, "Wakey, wakey little dragon. The big, bad wolf needs to get up." He pauses, "Well, part is already up..."

Cinnamon wakes up slowly, grumbling and flapping a hand near her ear to stop the annoying buzzing there -- and accidentally nearly thwapping Fraser, who grins as he yanks his head quickly back -- then rubbing her eyes and yawning. Eventually she sits up and feels cautiously around for her glasses, saying in a sleepy, careful voice, "Testing testing... oh, good. Tongue's better." She sighs in relief as she puts on her glasses, adding, "Fraser? Umm... right." She gently pulls her blanket free of both Fraser and herself, then hands it back behind herself without looking around, "Here, use this to cover up. I'll go get Arvid for the key, okay?" She wriggles out of her sleeping bag as well, carefully intent on not looking at Fraser!

Fraser laughs as Cinnamon pats blindly around herself, though he's smart enough not to shift in a way that makes her grope him. In fact, he moves so as she doesn't actually get a hand on anything inappropriate, though she does get her bare hand on warm, fuzzy skin a time or two. Cinnamon tends to quickly shift her hand when she feels bare skin, though she only squeaks startledly once -- which causes her to blush and be annoyed with herself! The cursed werewolf covers himself fairly decently with the blanket, adding, "Nah, I can use this as a loincloth and go get the key, lass. Take your time."

Cinnamon pauses in crawling out of the tent, thinking... then realizes human Fraser's head is likely not as broad as wolf-Fraser's head -- which would mean he can indeed work his way out of the muzzle on his own. She yawns and sits back on her sleeping bag, "Okay. Thanks, Frazey." Maybe... a few more minutes' sleep? That'd sure be lovely.

Fraser chuckles and pats Cinnamon on the hip, "Get y'r rest, lass. I'm famished." He crawls out of the tent and calls a cheerful good morning to someone, laughing and adding, "Ye dinnae need t' scowl, lad! She's well and safe and no one got any more bitten than they were last night!" Cinnamon grins amusedly at that... then sighs sleepily and starts to wiggle back into her sleeping bag. She wonders who Fraser was talking to... Shane, maybe? She yawns, still smiling as she sleepily wonders if he'd be as warm to cuddle with as Josie, maybe... that'd be lovely...

There's a quiet scratching on the tent flap a moment later. Cinnamon mumbles a groggy, "Shane? C'n c'min... you's snuggly as JoJo?"

Shane chuckles and unzips the tent flap, ducking to come in and settle. He's glad to see Cinnamon really is okay, "Well, I'm not as fuzzy..." He reaches down to tuck an errant strand of her hair out of her face, "I see you're no worse for Fraser-wear."

Cinnamon blinks sleepily up at Shane, her small smile full of the unwittingly sweetness of the completely relaxed, "Oh, he was fine... 's nice t' get t'snuggle, y'know?" Her tongue lightly touches her lips and she sighs contentedly, murmuring, "You smell s'nice..."

Shane smiles and settles down on his side next to Cinnamon, reaching to tuck another wavy scarlet strand of Cinnamon's hair behind her ear, "Glad you think so. Hiking doesn't usually make folks smell all that great." Shane smells woodsy and warm... very earthy and just... solid. The smell of Shane is like the smell of trust to the tired little dragon. Cinnamon mmms contentedly, curling up against Shane in her sleeping bag. The small mumble she makes is her sleepy attempt to vocalize that lovely sensation: in her head, trust is indeed Shane! She drifts off to sleep in mid-mumble, however... feeling comfortable and, most of all... safe.

It's a wet hike that day, with Fraser growling to himself the whole time about how hard it is to smell anything when everything smells like rain and mud. The other Havvarger agree, but say it's better than hiking through scorching heat! Cinnamon grins tiredly to herself when Fraser comes stomping grumpily past, but doesn't say anything. She's concentrating on saving all her breath for the hiking! She's just glad they've not yet needed to use the mountain climbing gear... instead, they've apparently been fortunate enough to find paths to follow ever upwards through the forested mountainsides, despite the lack of foothills. Thorn is doing his best to focus on the hike itself, just putting one foot ahead of the other. He's managing to keep up, since this is, well, most of what he did in boot camp for the NG.

Jaeger comes out of the forest at one point -- and the rain makes it even harder to see Jaeger and Marcus because it hides sounds and vision even better -- and walks beside Cinnamon, murmuring, "You do us a great favor by helping to corral him. He is a formidable ally. He is an even more formidable threat if he's not controlled." Jaeger smells like the forest: deep, rich loam and leaves and the clean scent of rain. He also smells very male in a comforting and strong way. But he doesn't smell human. That might be an odd thought to have. It's as if there's a scent that Shane... sort of has... that Jaeger does not have at all.

Cinnamon smiles tiredly up at Jaeger, panting slightly as she breathlessly replies, "Who, Fraser?" She considers the odd thought that there's a smell to humans... huh! Maybe she should sniff near Thorn too? Or... herself, maybe? Though... that's not likely to work, actually, since she always smells like herself, so probably is so accustomed to the smell that she can't recognize its presence. Definitely Thorn, then.

Jaeger laughs quietly, "Yes. Fraser." He thinks for a moment and then says, "I think, by the way, that we are being watched. Marcus thinks so, too. He has calmed down since we've been inland. I think Fraser's howling and growling, and his hunting, has brought attention."

Marcus appears by his father as if summoned by his name, and speaks quietly, "We are definitely being watched." The younger elf smells... rather nice, actually. He's wearing a dark green tunic with a hood to keep the rain off his head. "I can't quite catch sight of them, but I can feel them."

Cinnamon huffs quietly as she sloshes alongside Jaeger, faintly envious of the tall, slender man's apparent ability to float over mud. That makes her grin again, restoring her slightly battered sense of humor enough that she simply replies, "Huh... that was quick! I've only heard him howl a few times, last night, y'know?" She doesn't bother replying to Marcus, though it's more due to a lack of breath than any remaining emotional irritation. Plus... she hasn't a clue if they're being followed or not! She wryly thinks to herself that she's lucky she's just keeping up, honestly. Scouting around like drifting wolves will definitely be up to the others in this party! Thorn blinks from where he's walking behind Cinnamon. He hadn't seen either Jaeger nor Marcus come up; he was distracted... and the next thing he knew, both men were there. Cinnamon curiously adds to Jaeger, a few panting breaths later, "So... watched by what?"

Jaeger and Marcus move through this territory like ghosts, it's true. They're dressed in browns and greens and grays, and unless they wish to make themselves known, even the sea wolves have a hard time knowing where they are. Jaeger replies, "I think he also hunted in wolf form before the full moon. I heard the howls before then. He's enjoyed being able to run."

Cinnamon nods, "Oh, okay... that explains why he's not devouring more food when he brings stuff back." She continues slogging along, peering curiously up at Jaeger from under the overhanging brim of her jacket's hood, "So... is being watched bad, then?"

Jaeger muses, "It means that instead of us finding the rogues... the rogues may have found us."

Marcus nods solemnly, "It means we need to keep at least two-man watches."

Cinnamon nods tiredly and pants, "Okay... you're telling Arvid this, guys, right?" Thorn certainly hopes Arvid knows... though even with the sidhe ghosting their way through the forest, he'd be surprised if the wolves didn't notice them being watched.

Jaeger smiles, "I already did. I wanted to let you know as well. I don't think they're going to attack tonight or today. I think we're still being reconned." He rests a fatherly hand on Cinnamon's shoulder. Cinnamon smiles tiredly up at Jaeger, nodding since she's out of breath. She's not sure why he's warned her in specific, but she appreciates it, since now she'll be unsurprised should the rogues turn up unexpectedly.

Jaeger looks down at her and smiles again, and then he and Marcus both... disappear -- it really seems like that's what they do. One moment they're visible; the next instant... Shane trots up and speaks to both Thorn and Cinnamon, "You know, I'm good in the forest. Most everyone with sidhe blood is. But the gealsidhe are downright spooky."

Thorn says dryly, "I noticed!" He looks around as they troop onward for a bit further, "So what is the plan if the rogues find us before we find them?" He's actually thinking it's a given that the rogues will find them first, actually.

Cinnamon nods ruefully to Shane, then grins tiredly as she turns her gaze to Thorn, "Um... if they're watching us, doesn't that mean they've found us already? Kinda surprised they've not gotten hostile at the wolves already, actually... considering it was a battle last time they were here, y'know?" She tilts her head curiously, then sniffs at Thorn too -- does he have what her brain is now starting to consider that 'human scent' too?

Thorn huhs after a moment. "Good point," he says. "The ball's really in their court, then."

Shane nods somewhat grimly, "It was definitely a battle last time they were here."

Thorn smells more human than anyone else in the group. Of course, he's linked to Athala, and has Erin (who has been ghosting through the trees above them) as a familiar, so he's not likely to smell completely human either. Cinnamon smiles quietly to herself at that thought, but she's tired enough that she doesn't waste any breath in trying to explain it to her friends. She just hopes they stop soon... and focuses on continuing to put one booted foot in front of the other, through the mud and rain.

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

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