| Logs |
2022 February 10
| Goblin Town |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
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| Realms: Goblin Town Logs |
Hope Is A Lover's Staff
Cinnamon happily asks Jaeger and Marcus, "Once we've, er... like, established a beachhead here, could we maybe go visit the Oak enclave that's about 200 miles from Acorn? I think it might be helpful to know if the... the abusiveness is just two wicked elders, or if it's permeated through all the nearby Oaks, you know?"
Jaeger nods, his seeming quite serious, "Do you mean surrounding trods or do you mean asking if it's the whole trod or just those two elders without the support of this trod?" Marcus stretches as he looks around. He hasn't been to this trod before, though he has communicated with the people in this area. The young councilor lays both palms on an enormous tree, looking up at it in awe.
As Cinnamon speaks with Jaeger, while the rest of the party waits, a pair of pale figures seems to just melt out of the forest. One of them calls out in accented English, "Jaeger? Is that you?"
Cinnamon nods earnestly to Jaeger, "All of the above! Like, if it's just the two, then surely only they should be stuck with the wergil- oh!" She blinks, turning to the new folks... then grins up at Jaeger, whispering, "You're famous!"
Jaeger laughs, "No. I'm infamous." He winks at Cinnamon, then turns to the person who called his name, replying, "Yes, Isabella, it's me. You didn't actually escape me by moving down here!" He grins and opens his arms in a sort of 'What can I say?' gesture, and the woman laughs as she moves forward, pushing back her hood. Her blue eyes are laughing as she says, "You old scoundrel!" -- then steps forward and kisses his cheek. "What are you doing here? Who are your companions?" Her accent is indeed Germanic, and there's a little back and forth between them both. It's obvious Jaeger is actually surprised about who is greeting them -- but also greatly relieved.
Cinnamon giggles in spite of herself, watching and beaming happily to herself. She glances at Marcus too, wondering how he's taking this. The little dragon is willing to bet that this is a first time visit for the younger elf, after all! Thorn is still nervous about the trip to Oak; not at all sure what's going to be waiting for them there. But for now he is relaxed and at ease, especially when Jaeger is recognized... though his brow arches a bit. He's never known Jaeger to be a 'scoundrel!' Marcus turns when he hears the voices -- and the look on his face is... comical. It's clear this is unexpected to him as well! There's an element of puzzlement in how he looks at his father; perhaps it's at Jaeger's greeting. In Marcus' lifetime, Jaeger has been almost staid, after all! Cinnamon has to cover her grin at Marcus' reaction -- looks like Jaeger's full of surprises! Zurina seems to relax, however, when Jaeger is greeted enthusiastically.
After a moment, Jaeger turns and motions people forward, "Isabella, please, meet my friends. First, let me introduce my son, Marcus."
Isabella's brows go up, "Oh, my -- he is a hubscher Junge! He looks just like you at that age. It's a pleasure."
Jaeger laughs, "Yes, his mother thought so too! He's taken my seat on the council. This is Cinnamon -- she's another councilor. She's done a lot of good in the last while. This is Thorn, a healer associated with Elm. One of my kinswomen is his patron."
Cinnamon nearly chokes on the giggle that bubbles up again, when she hears Marcus referred to as a boy -- he's so not going to like that! Isabella nods and smiles at each of them. The little dragon beams and waves a bit at the tall, lovely elf woman, a bit flushed with pleasure at the flattering introduction! "H-hi, ma'a- er, Isabella? Pleasure to meet you..." Thorn bows slightly in greeting to Isabella.
Marcus smiles a little roguishly himself at being called a boy, saying to Isabella, "Oh, surely not just a pretty boy." He takes her hand and bows over it, glancing up while he's still half-bowed. For a moment, it's actually obvious how charming he could be, in that flash of a playful grin, "But, yes. I took my father's seat." Cinnamon blinks a bit at sight of that charming grin, abruptly relieved that Marcus isn't at all interested in her -- that's the kind of grin that, directed at her, might make her think doing stupid things was a smart idea! She grins wryly at herself, wondering a bit wistfully just how lovely a smile Marcus might have... if he really meant it?
Jaeger goes on, "This young man here is Shane Rowantrod. He's sort of a sheriff back at Coblyn in the US, and his father is Chieftain of Rowan near Galway in Ireland. This is Fraser, beta of the Havvarger and second mate on the Valkyrie, a beautiful wooden sailing vessel which is how I'm on this side of the ocean... and this is Zurina, elder of the Acorn trod."
Isabella blinks at that, "The rogue Oak offshoot?!" Both Isabella and her companion tense slightly.
Cinnamon says firmly, "Actually, they are not rogues! May we speak with you about that?" She blinks and blushes a heartbeat later, hastily adding, "I am so sorry! I d-didn't mean to interrupt... um, g-go on, please, Jaeger?"
Jaeger shakes his head at Cinnamon, "No. That's exactly why we're here after all. She's right, Isabella: they aren't rogues. They were very sadly misled."
Isabella's face gets serious, "Then, by all means let us talk." She motions to her companion, "This is Emmele. We'll take you in to the trod."
Cinnamon glances thoughtfully at Shane as she follows along with everyone else... then she smiles in quiet happiness. Shane's smile might make her think doing stupid things would be smart, too! But... somehow she knows: he'd never ask her to do something that'd be stupid for her to do. That, she believes, is what friends are all about! It's not yet occurred to her that more than just friends might make one feel that way, of course. Absolutely just by chance, Shane glances at Cinnamon and smiles encouragingly. He knows she gets nervous in situations like this. It's just a quick flash of his normal smile, and then he looks forward again. Cinnamon blinks at Shane's smile... then finds herself nearly beaming for the rest of the walk!
Cinnamon looks around curiously as they walk, wondering if this Elm trod will be like the one she's visited in the US. Or... maybe the trees are older? That'd explain Marcus' almost reverent attitude towards one, earlier? She blinks at another thought, then says to Zurina, "I am so sorry! I forgot to ask: would you like me to translate for you, here?" However, when they pass the invisible plane of the trod's perimeter, it's... amazing. If walking into Elm in the US was like stepping into Oz for Thorn, this is like stepping into Oz in 3D. The colors and smells and sound are all pure and sweet. The place has a feel of being ancient and sacred and beloved. There is just something here that is... primal, and speaks of nature.
Thorn blinks in surprise. He can not only see color here -- but the colors are even more vibrant... and startling so! He has to blink a few times to keep his eyes from getting overwhelmed. Cinnamon almost yips in startlement at stepping into the trod! She stops abruptly, almost in shock as she turns a slow 360... she's just lucky, she wryly reflects later, that her mouth wasn't hanging open in amazement like some kind of rube! She whispers to Shane, "Wha... why? -uhh, w-why is it so much more... more... vibrant here? Is it... older, maybe, than Jaeger's Elm trod?"
Shane nods, murmuring, "This trod was founded probably centuries before the trod in New York. Remember, European fae didn't migrate to North America until the 1400s or so. This trod has likely been here since... hmm..." He laughs and shrugs.
Marcus speaks, "This trod has been here since, oh... probably around the fourth century, as humans reckon time... in one form or another."
Cinnamon's eyes are huge as she stares up and around herself, breathing an awed, "Ohhh... wow...!" Then she grins suddenly, her eyes sparkling as she glances back at her friends, "Wouldn't it be fun... to go tree-climbing here?!" She giggles, "Sorry! I know better -- I wouldn't! But... the thought makes me laugh!" She's still grinning, though, at the visual in her head: a dignified, enormous tree... and hanging from the branches: a gleeful, giggling red dragon! She blinks again as she remembers why they're all there, "Ah! But, um... we should go talk, right? Got to fix things for Zurina and her folks!"
Marcus looks surprised, "Why wouldn't you? The trees would love it." But then he motions for them to follow along.
Cinnamon blinks interestedly at Marcus, pushing her glasses up, "They would? Huh! Does that mean, um... that you guys can, like... talk to the trees?"
Jaeger is talking animatedly with Isabella; the ancient elf seems almost to be... 'regressing' is not the right word -- but he's relaxing, and seems almost younger here. He pauses and motions Cinnamon forward, then calls for Zurina to come ahead too, "We're going to the great hall."
Cinnamon glances over at Jaeger and smiles, nodding, "Okay!" She translates for Zurina, so the gealsidhe doesn't worry or anything, then patters after Jaeger... though she can't help wondering why Zurina has yet to reply to her query! Maybe... maybe the Acorn elder is feeling a bit overwhelmed?
Zurina smiles finally and thanks Cinnamon for the translation, "This... I have not been in such a trod for a very long time. My soul... it is singing."
Cinnamon beams at that, "Oh, good -- I'm glad to hear it!" She thinks about the conversation previous to her translating... then decides not to, unless asked. She doesn't want to hurt Zurina's feelings regarding being considered a rogue.
Marcus replies slowly to Cinnamon's earlier query, "The trees don't... speak, precisely...? They aren't as sentient as Butler, for example. But they are part of the entire trod. They protect and exist with the denizens; they like being appreciated." Everyone is ushered into a building which seems almost to be woven of living trees... or perhaps woven between the trees? In any case, there are visible trunks along the walls, and it's hard to see where the walls and the trunks separate.
Cinnamon nods slowly at Marcus, fascinated -- but then realizes now isn't the time for questions! She hastily murmurs, "Sometime later I would love to talk more about this, dude!" -- then hastily patters into the great hall after Jaeger. She blinks in awe again, staring up and around herself at the beautiful room... though this time she remembers to keep moving so she doesn't block the way for anyone else! She smiles quietly as she pushes her glasses up -- she really likes the emotional 'feel' of this place! She wonders if someday she'll be able to have that sort of... of 'tone' in her living area. Hm... actually, probably not, if even the US Trod of the Elm doesn't feel quite as good. Still, it's oddly comforting to know such places exist. Thorn is slowly recovering from the visual and... spiritual shock of being in such an ancient trod. Fourth Century! That would place it at the fall of the Western Roman empire, he thinks. He remains near Cinnamon and Jaeger in case he's needed for something, and also to offer his services when he can.
The great hall has seats which are both inviting and very organic looking. Intriguingly, none of the seats have that feeling of 'this is where the important person sits.' They all seem to be situated in such a way as to let everyone in the room be able to see everyone else in the room. Emmele has left, and Isabella explains, "He's gone to gather the elders, and some of the rest of the trod, so this can all be explained."
Cinnamon nods at that, then smiles at Jaeger, "If you're going to explain, shall I simultaneously translate for Zurina?" She figures it'll be either Jaeger or Marcus doing the talking, after all -- they're the Elm folks here!
Jaeger smiles back, "Why don't we do it the other way 'round?"
Cinnamon blinks at Jaeger's response, her slightly nervous sideways glance taking in Marcus as well. She really doesn't want the younger elf angry and ranting at her again! "Uh! Er, I, uhh... th-thought it'd be... umm... w-well... okay?" She hastily adds to Marcus, "B-but if, um, if you'd rather do the talking, that, er... that's fine with me?" She whews quietly, internally, to herself -- that should cut off any fury at her before it happens!
Marcus smiles, "I'll help, if you'd like." There seems to be something about being here in this trod that... mellows him. It's almost like he's stoned! He settles into a chair as the others start seating themselves as well. Zurina tries to settle between Cinnamon and Jaeger, while Shane stays nearby, as if standing guard. Fraser does the same with Thorn... and before long there are a good two dozen people in the great hall. Cinnamon sighs in relief at Marcus' relaxed demeanor, and is happy to settle next to Zurina. She beams as she murmurs what's going on to the Acorn elder, then watches with interest as folks arrive. Curiously, a lot of her nerves goes away once she realizes Shane's at her back. It's a very reassuring feeling to her! She adds quietly to Jaeger, "Should I give the whole story? Or will they want a shorter version?"
Jaeger murmurs, "Hit the high points. Let them ask for the details they want." Cinnamon nods at that, then starts mentally composing her talk. She figures she's got at least until Isabella introduces everyone, after all.
Isabella introduces everyone, and then introduces three women as the elders of Elm: Feuille, Soleil, and Ciel. Cinnamon stands, once she's sure the introductions are completed, and gives a small, polite bow to the three elders, "Thank you for seeing us. Is English an acceptable tongue to use, or should I try something else, please?" She's mentally crossing her fingers that English will be fine, since that means no one will be linguistically excluded.
Ciel smiles and speaks in a lovely, lilting, and barely-accented voice, "English is fine. Everyone here speaks it."
Cinnamon beams and nods again... then takes a deep breath and begins, "I said earlier that the Acorns were not rogues. We all believe this is true, and here is why..." She goes on to relate, as Jaeger suggested, the high notes -- which are, predominantly, from the discussion with Zurina: the Oak elders first demanding paid fealty and protection on threat of the Council insisting the Acorns disband, and then the disastrous 'meeting' the Acorn elders had with the Oak elders. Once she's done, she inquires, "Are there any questions?" As soon as she's done, Cinnamon glances at Shane with an inquiringly raised eyebrow, to check as to whether it's all right to mention his knack. Shane nods and gives her a discreet wink. She beams her thanks at that! -then turns back to wait for reactions.
Around the room, there's gasps and mutters and people leaning in to speak together and clarify points with one another. Zurina gets several glances of sympathy. There are a few skeptical looks, however. After all, this sounds like a fairly wild story! Finally one person speaks up, asking, "How are you sure this story is true?"
Cinnamon smiles at the query, "I'm glad you asked that! I'd do the same, in your shoes." She waves a hand vaguely behind herself, towards all of her party, "We have someone with a knack for truthtelling with us, though... so yes, we're sure, at the very least, that the person telling us this story believes it is true. We want to go confront the Oak elders to find out what precisely occurred... because we believe Zurina."
There's more murmurs about the truth-telling; Soleil asks, "Who has the truth-seeking ability?"
Shane smiles and holds up his hand, "That would be me. Apparently it's the inverse of me Da's ability."
Isabella grins to Soleil, "He's Quinn's son."
Feuille laughs, "Quinn has a son? Oh, my... very well, then! We'll take you at your word." Her face goes solemn as she glances at Zurina, then says in French, "There was never such an edict from the council. And if the whole of Oak was in on it, they never spoke of it to us at the gatherings of the trods." Cinnamon nods gravely to Zurina, in agreement when she hears that. Then she blinks at another thought -- Feuille mentioned a gathering of the trods! Could Quinn have had one already? Or, wait... of course he has! He'd been talking about one in just a few weeks, if she remembers correctly from when she was there. Awesome!
Feuille continues, "We met very recently -- two weeks ago. Quinn's idea spread. The trods in the Isles gathered, and then we had a small meeting here -- literally here." She motions around the great hall, "The Oak elders were here. They spoke of worrying about Acorn. Interestingly, there were smaller gatherings over the last hundred years -- never full conclaves -- but Oak never mentioned any meeting between them and Acorn like that. Not an official meeting."
Cinnamon tilts her head with interest, "How were they worried about Acorn? And... was it all the Oak elders? Or just some particular ones?" She wonders if they can find out here and now just how far the 'rot' has spread. Hm... maybe, but still likely better to check in person! She grins shyly as she adds, "I'm so glad to hear the moots went well!"
Soleil replies, "All the Oak elders were at the conclave. They were worried that Acorn was going to get more violent. There had been raids, they said, and they were worried that Acorn was going to start harming the humans; going to bring danger on all of us."
Ciel nods, "They were, I think... trying to suggest Acorn be wiped out."
Thorn frowns. How could Oak have hidden the truth for so long? Then Ciel reveals her belief, and Thorn blinks. "Why-" he almost splutters, then falls silent, biting his lip. The idea of a genocide makes him simultaneously horrified and outraged. He's going to have words with the Oak elders -- and maybe more than just words!
Jaeger and Marcus both look furious -- Marcus, in fact, actually looks a little sick. Cinnamon blinks at Ciel in shock -- and then her face darkens with anger, "Th-they -- they actually -- oh! Those people! They are bad elders, then!" She takes a deep breath, trying to rein in her outrage before she adds more quietly (and grimly), "We must stop them. This is not acceptable!"
Feuille holds up a stilling hand, "Not all of them. Oak has seven elders -- we always try to have an odd number. Five of them were simply worried. Only two of them were trying to push the idea that Acorn was going to bring down danger on all of us."
Cinnamon nods grimly to Feuille, "Let me guess: the twosome were the ones from the trod that's only 60 miles away, right?" She adds even more grimly, "The ones that actually claimed Elias and Liam of the Council outright murdered three other elders of that trod... as well as all of Acorn's elders. I think they need to do a lot of explaining... or pay a lot of wergild!"
Feuille nods, "Oh, yes; they were those two. I... don't like them. They are bullies and have a... what was that word you used, Isabella? The one you got from the humans?"
Isabella laughs, "I said they have a superiority complex. But what I meant by that is that they think they are smarter than they are."
Ciel looks startled, "They... they claimed that Liam and Elias murdered people? Those... but those elders died in an avalanche..."
Soleil actually laughs before she can help herself, "I... can't imagine Elias murdering anyone! He is the sweetest man... and Liam... well. He could possibly kill if he needed to. He is a dragon."
Jaeger gently says, "Was. Liam is... no longer with us. Cinnamon is in his place. She is his great grand-daughter."
Cinnamon doesn't laugh -- she's nearly steaming, she's so angry! "Is. That. So. Those... lying... monsters!" She takes a deep breath, then tries to speak civilly, "Before we go confront them, Jaeger and Marcus think we should have a safe home base to operate out of. Can we do that here, please? As soon as possible? I don't want word to get out, either."
Soleil puts a hand over her mouth, "I... I am sorry. I knew that. It slipped out. I am so sorry, Cinnamon. I knew him. He was so funny and warm."
Ciel nods, "Of course you may. You are all welcome to stay here where it is safe and well-guarded... and we will enforce the borders further." She raises a hand and motions over a few people who are dressed in colors meant to blend with the surrounding forest, "We need to strengthen the wards. Move the entrances, please -- close it down to two, and move them to war-footing locations."
Cinnamon shakes her head once, "I'm not angry at you, Soleil. I'm furious, though, at those two horrible excuses for people... tarnishing the good name of two of the nicest Councilors I know of... and worse, trying to commit genocide on Acorn! I just..." She takes a few deep breaths, then angrily adds, "I don't have words for how angry I am with them -- but I can tell you this: we are going to stop them, and Acorn will have justice!" She fumes for a few seconds... then remembers herself: this is actually Marcus' territory! She takes a deep breath, then adds firmly to Marcus, "I don't know what your plan is for accomplishing that, Marcus, but whatever it is -- I want to help!"
Marcus glowers, "My plan for this is to call them on the carpet -- possibly hog-tied, in front of as many elders as possible -- and expose them! -and if it's just them, extract wergild from their hide and their own fortunes." His blue eyes are snapping. He glances at Shane and takes a deep breath, obviously fighting against his pride a little, "Would you be willing to help?"
Shane -- being Shane -- firmly replies, "Just try and stop me."
Cinnamon's small smile is grimly satisfied, "Good. So... how do we do that? Can we call them here, or do we have to go to them? All the Oak elders, I mean -- not just the ones we think are insanely bad."
Marcus looks at Cinnamon as well, "As they slandered your kinsman, you are also owed wergild, you know. Not as much as Acorn -- but you are owed at the very least an apology -- something to clear Liam's name." Cinnamon starts to shake her head -- but then pauses, considering. Whatever it is, if it's more than just words... she can always give it to Zurina and the Acorns. She nods, then -- she'll accept wergild in Liam's name!
Feuille considers, "I don't think they'll simply show up. We may have to either trick them or... well, we can't precisely arrest them. But we can find them somewhere and bring them back by force... if we can find someone big enough to force them. Those two are warriors..."
That's when Fraser snorts, "Oh, I don't think that'll be a problem." Thorn looks a bit pointedly to Cinnamon when Feuille says 'someone big enough.'
Cinnamon grins tightly at that! She smiles at Fraser and Thorn, then turns back to the Elm elders, "Can you invite all the Oak elders to come visit? Would they all reply to that?" She considers, then amends, "Well... the non-guilty ones might. We can go get the other two, I suspect."
Soleil smiles, "If we make it a general invitation they might respond, not realizing they are about to step into a... well, let's not call it a trap. Let's say, they might respond, not realizing they are about to be called to account. We could perhaps also invite... ahh... hmm... who do you think, Ciel? Apple? Willow?"
Ciel shakes her head, "Not Apple. I think Yew, Elder, and... hmm...." She smiles a little wickedly, "Rowan."
Soleil chuckles, "Ah. Yes. Those will do nicely."
Shane leans down and murmurs to Cinnamon, "They're asking exclusively beansidhe trods other than Oak."
Cinnamon tilts her head to hear... then murmurs puzzledly back, "Is that important?"
Shane grins wickedly, "Only in that beansidhe tend to be a little less... forgiving than gealsidhe. Especially in the older trods. Not cruel, precisely. But they take less shhh.... uhm, guff."
Cinnamon brightens at that, "Oh, excellent!" She beams at the Elm elders, adding, "Thank you all so much!" She thinks a moment, then adds, "How long will this take, please?"
Fraser passes that same information along to Thorn, who nods curiously to Fraser, "I'd like to think that the other trods would also seek severe punishment for this... but I'm fine with them being judged harshly."
Fraser nods, "Oh, I'm sure they would. But I think the elders here want to stack the deck."
Ciel replies to Cinnamon, "It will take perhaps three days if we send our fastest to get the elders from Yew, Elder, and Rowan. To get the Oak elders here might take a little more time."
Cinnamon hmms, "Is there anything we can do to help speed that up at all?" Then she brightens, "Oh! What if the messengers could get there really quick? Would that work?"
Ciel's voice is wry, "We're sidhe. This is the modern world. Horses are conspicuous, and we get iron sick..."
Cinnamon's small smile is grim, "Ma'am, I'm a dragon. I will personally fly your messengers there, if they're willing to keep secret how they arrived... so the Oak elders aren't suspicious."
Ciel ahs, "We will gladly accept that."
Cinnamon nods firmly once... then grins again -- almost mischievously, "Okay! So, nighttime is probably better for me to keep out of sight. So... how soon do you want them to leave?" She considers for a moment, then adds, "I'd think careful wording of the invite would be sufficient to get the rogue Oak elders to come, too, perhaps? Like... telling them that you've gotten extremely disturbing news regarding Acorn, and you're agreed with them that there must now be a reckoning -- that'd all be truth, right? Just... not the 'truth' they'd like?"
Thorn nods to Cinnamon a touch grimly, "I like that idea. It should draw them in fairly readily."
Soleil chuckles, "Oh, we're sidhe. We're very comfortable with telling truths that sound like different truths." She motions to a couple of people in the room and two young males come forward, "These are Bataille and Ecran. They chose... apt names. They'll go with you to carry the messages. We'll feed you, compose the... very carefully worded messages, and send you tonight -- if you think that will be enough rest?"
Shane blinks and leans to murmur to Thorn, "They're sending two people that named themselves 'Sword' and 'Shield' with us."
Thorn glances to Shane and murmurs back, "Bodes well, I hope?"
Shane nods, "Bodes very well. I think they're sending essentially a... uhm... good cop/bad cop pair? Or a velvet glove and iron fist?"
Cinnamon nods cheerfully to Soleil, "It's honestly mostly food that I need to recover, so happy to help!" She adds thoughtfully, "Will your messengers want a lift back? Or will they be returning with the Oak elders?"
Bataille speaks; his voice is quite deep and mellifluous for a sidhe, "I think I would like to return with the Oak elders. I am good at making it sound like we'd like to keep them safe; as if perhaps we fear reprisals might be aimed at them from Acorn."
Shane snorts a little and murmurs, "Sort of like putting prisoners in solitary for their own protection."
Cinnamon nods gravely to the two messengers, "Then I'll drop you both off and light on out of there, right? -and you guys will escort them back here?" She glances at the three local Elm elders, "How long do we estimate it'll take them to arrive?" She considers a moment more, then adds, "Though... I'd like to ask someone from Elm to come along, if so -- so I can find my way back here, please?"
Ecran, whose voice is a little raspy, replies, "We will, of course, bring a guide." He looks around the room, "Ah. Yes. Perfect..."
However, before Ecran can motion someone over, Marcus actually speaks up, "I think I can get us back here. I have the feel of the place now." His voice is solemn, "And this is my territory."
Cinnamon smiles with pleased surprise at Marcus, "Okay! Thank you!" Fraser, near Thorn and Shane, makes a surprised snorting sound. Cinnamon grins amusedly at the werewolf, but doesn't say anything! Instead, the little dragon glances at the elders, "May I get a bite to eat while the messages are being composed, please?" Those worthies agree that of course Cinnamon can get something to eat! In fact, they call for food for everyone. When the food arrives, Cinnamon carefully and tidily makes sure to eat the highest protein items she can, while Fraser and Shane both sort of funnel steaks and other things toward her. She giggles at them both, her eyes sparkling! If she can do so discreetly, she also grins and whispers a query to the two men: did Shane see who Ecran had been about to beckon to? -and why did Fraser snort so surprisedly?
Fraser grins wryly, "Because Marcus voluntarily took on a job. Ach, I'm probably biased -- this is his milieu."
Shane answers the other question, "Someone that was sort of in the corner -- had their back to the corner, in fact. The kind of person that doesn't like being snuck up on. I'd say probably a ranger. Uhm... scout."
Cinnamon laughs softly as she pats Fraser's arm, "Hey, now... maybe he's getting better!" She thinks, but doesn't say, that she hopes that's the case... since she'd be disappointed if it's just Marcus wanting to feel more in control of 'his' territory. She nods in interest to Shane, "Can you point them out sort of subtly, maybe?"
Shane looks around, using his eyes more than his head to indicate direction, "Still in a corner. Over near the entrance. Sort of a slate-blue tunic and gray leggings. Blonde... but so is almost everyone here. Barefoot." The person Shane is describing is small to the point that they could be mistaken for a teenaged human.
Cinnamon nods interestedly, glancing that way under the cover of a long drink from her mug. To her companions she murmurs idly, "Wonder what makes one sidhe more 'scout-y' than any other... when they're all so good at just drifting through the woods and stuff?"
Shane says, "Well... what makes some werewolves better fighters than others, when they're all good warriors?"
Cinnamon blinks at a sudden thought, and pulls out her cell phone. Can she save off GPS coordinates for here, for a 'just in case' back-up? She grins at Shane's question, glancing inquiringly at Fraser. The Scots werewolf grins back at her, "It's just some people are better at it than others. No matter what your natural talents are. Some people are better at math than others. All gealsidhe can fade into the forest like they're made of shadows. But some fade better than others."
Cinnamon nods thoughtfully as she chews... then glances at her cell again. Did the coordinates save off for her? There's no cell signal here. But they might be able to figure out the coordinates on a plat map. The little dragon fooies quietly to herself! Well, maybe later.
At the same table, Thorn finds himself with Jaeger. The healer is a bit solemn, and a little bit anxious. He's not certain what's going to happen when they bring the message to Oak, or what'll happen when the Oak elders return... if they even do return, and don't see through the ruse. Jaeger can tell Thorn is nervous; he murmurs, "It's a nerve-wracking time, yes?" He sighs, "In the days that we could be more out in the open, it was a little less so. But only a little less."
Thorn nods soberly to Jaeger, "I'm worried about what Oak had planned for Acorn... and what they'll do when they start to suspect that the lies are unraveling. I still can't figure out how they thought this could be hidden for very long."
Jaeger frowns, "Oak had vassalage planned for Acorn." He considers, then shakes his head with a sigh, "No. I think they had almost slavery planned for Acorn."
Thorn says grimly, "'Almost'?"
Jaeger smiles wryly, "Perhaps I am being too generous."
Cinnamon finishes her bite of food, and leans a bit to murmur to Thorn, "What I wonder is why the rogue Oak elders wanted Acorn. Was it for the gold payment? Or is there something the Acorns have -- some ability or territory or something else -- that they wanted to steal?"
Jaeger nods gravely, "I want to know that myself; there's something there that's not immediately visible to me. I think you and Shane together might be able to find it out."
Cinnamon brightens at that, beaming! ...then blinks, "Er. Me? Don't you want Marcus to do the talking and such?"
Jaeger says, "Oh, yes. I do. But I think you may have to, ahh... explain to them who you are."
Cinnamon looks curious, "Really? How come? I mean, isn't Acorn's wergild the real issue?" She considers, then adds, "Well, that and figuring out if there's anyone else in this revolting little plot?"
Jaeger nods, "It is... but you are Liam's granddaughter. It may come down to issues such as pointing out that they suggested it was your grandfather who killed them."
Cinnamon nods grimly at that, "Happy to help however I can, then! If I end up with any wergild that's more than just an apology, I can always give it to the Acorns, after all."
The little dragon soon finishes her meal and lets Marcus and the two messengers know she's ready whenever they are! She wants to get things moving as quickly as possible, after all, and the rogue Oak trod has the furthest to travel. Cinnamon grins as she thanks Fraser and Shane for making sure she got enough to eat, then checks in with the Elm elders: where would they like her to change, please? She'd like a large-ish clearing, of course! She also quietly adds to Thorn that she dearly hopes there'll be no issues that require his particular touch! ...but if he could be ready here, that'd relieve her a lot? Thorn smiles quietly and nods, "I'll be ready, definitely. Don't worry about that!"
Cinnamon beams as she gives him a quick hug, whispering, "Thanks so much, dude -- it's a huge reassurance knowing you're there to back us all up!"
When it comes time to leave, Fraser insists on going as well. The two Elm delegates seem quite fine with this, while Marcus actually seems glad of it. He's got his mother's blades back, but he's still feeling perhaps a little anxious after having been captured... even if Acorn is no longer considered hostile. Cinnamon grins almost mischievously at Fraser, at that news! She's feeling that liquid rush of relief and excitement one gets when a plan comes together well, or a great pleasure is about to be enjoyed... and so she almost can't stop herself from teasing, giving Fraser his own words back again: "Can't stand to be parted from me?"
Fraser grins broadly, "Well, you keep me from ripping people's heads off when I'm on my moon-self, so I feel like maybe I should keep you safe. Besides, I'm getting fond of flying." He thinks, but doesn't add, 'Anyway, Shane would rip my balls off if something happened to you!'
Cinnamon giggles, blushing hotly at her daring -- then grins at the other three sidhe traveling with her, "Okay then -- let's go!" She patters after the local Elm elders to the clearing they've picked, and a moment later she's relaxedly reclining in sphinx pose so everyone can climb aboard. Over her shoulder she tells her passengers, "Be sure to buckle in securely, please!" To Shane she adds, "Can I ask your help when we get back, please?"
Shane is there, making sure the harness is in place and that people are strapped in right. He nods, "Always, acushla."
Cinnamon beams toothily as she thanks Shane, unwittingly turning the same happy grin on her passengers once he hops off her back, "Everyone ready? I'm going to be heading south-southwest, right?"
Marcus has been around 'Cinnamon as dragon' enough by now that it doesn't immediately feel like he's going to be eaten when she smiles! The two Elm newcomers are just a little nervous, though. Fraser chuckles, "Relax. She's really very friendly."
Ecran takes a deep breath, then nods, "Yes; south-southwest. I'll get you to set us down a mile or two outside where their sentries patrol."
Cinnamon gives her trilling giggle at Fraser's comment, then beams and nods to Ecran, "Excellent -- and thank you! Okay, here we go!" She makes sure no one's in wing backlash-reach, and does her usual pre-take-off shake to ensure everyone's secure -- then with a gleeful, "Yippeeee!" she leaps into the air! A moment to orient on the stars, and she's wingbeating steadily in the correct direction. "We should be there in about ten-fifteen minutes, okay?"
Bataille seems entranced by the flight! He's bright-eyed when they set down, though his deep voice is still quiet, "We will bring them back as quick as we may, but be aware going overland is slower than this wonderful mode of transport. They will move fast if we convince them there is something to worry about, however." For a moment, mischief flashes in his eyes, "I am good at convincing."
Cinnamon laughs quietly as she watches the two messengers disembark, "Good luck to you both, then! Let's all look forward to seeing each other again soon, in that case, yeah? Give me just a moment to get up in the air again, and then... go get 'em!" She giggles trillingly again, her eyes dancing with amusement, then waits until the messengers are safely under the trees. At that point she grins over her shoulder at Marcus and Fraser, "Okay, back we go! Marcus, you're navigating, okay?" She carefully reverses her previous flight pattern, using the stars to set her heading for north-northeast before she calls back, "How're you guys doing?"
Marcus calls back, "I'm doing well. This is... it is more serious than I expected it to be. It is a rot at the root... that can kill an entire tree -- and spread to an entire grove."
Cinnamon nods gravely as she replies, "I'm just hoping it's just those two creeps, you know? But we'll have to check with Shane watching, to be sure, I think... right?" She flaps quietly for a few heartbeats before she curiously adds, "Have you got your, um... plan of attack ready for when they arrive?"
Marcus nods, "I do, yes. It involves some... seeming sympathetic. So I apologize if I seem to be an utter ass. Elm is asking beansidhe to be witnesses. I know beansidhe have a reputation for cruelty. Mostly what they really are is... mmm... you saw how Rowans are -- they are very earthy. They are not cruel, but neither are they going to let people get away with things like this. They are not lenient."
Cinnamon nods curiously, tilting her head so she can glance over her shoulder at Marcus, "So you're planning on being the good cop, sorta?"
Marcus mmms and nods, "In a way, yes. I plan on seeming like Acorn is an upstart rebel trod getting above their station."
"OK... might want to warn Zurina first though, yeah?" Cinnamon glances around thoughtfully, adding, "Also, give me some directions, please? We should be getting close by now!"
Marcus sighs, "I will warn Zurina. And my father. And the Elm elders. But I think everyone else will need to think I am really the unmitigated ass I seem to be." He closes his eyes for a moment, "A bit to the east and then for about five minutes and land."
Cinnamon grins as she angles slightly more east -- she suspects she's moving faster than Marcus realizes! As she does so, though, she asks, "But... why bother seeming an ass, Marcus, if the bad guys don't know you?" Musing aloud, she adds, "Plus... should we maybe establish Shane's truthtelling knack right up front, so the various elders actually believe what we -- well, you -- have to tell them?"
Marcus chuckles, "Because if I seem an ass, the Oak elders may feel that I'm an ally and slip up more easily. If they feel they have an ally, they'll be more likely to feel they can get away with their idiotic plans."
Cinnamon nods slowly, "Ah, okay -- you're going to be sympathetic to them! I get it now." She wonders idly what Fraser thinks of this... then grins but remains discreetly silent!
Marcus glances down -- then startles, "Woah! Hold on! Stop, we're here! We're over the trod!"
Cinnamon blinks -- then laughs and backwings hard, following that with a graceful twirl downwards like a falling leaf, "Sorry! I fly surprisingly fast, apparently. Okay, do you see the clearing yet?"
Marcus tries to continue peering downwards, while Fraser whoops and laughs at the abrupt motion, holding securely onto the harness. He's a sailor -- unexpected motions while aloft happen -- but it's still a surprise, and it makes him chuckle. Marcus, however, is a bit thrown around, so it takes him a moment to reply, "Back there about twenty yards!"
"Thanks!" Cinnamon giggles as it's clear Fraser is enjoying the ride... then happily chirps, "I see it!" A moment later she's settling gracefully to the ground, and tidily folding her wings, "There we go -- the dragon has landed!" She glances around happily, "Hi, everyone! Messengers safely delivered! How're things here? Did all the other invites get sent off as well?"
Shane hops up from where he was sitting with his back against a tree and holds up a blanket he acquired from somewhere. Thorn stands up as well, taking the measure of the land and wondering if the dragon and passengers were observed in their flight; probably not. Ecran did say that they'd be let down about a mile outside of the Oak sentries' patrol radius. The healer makes a note to check in with the Elm elders, to see if there's anything he can help with in the days leading up to the confrontation. He hopes there isn't; he still isn't sure how his healing magic works or if there will be a price to pay for it, and he has a feeling he's going to be needed when Oak shows up. But best not to obsess on that now. Instead, resting sounds good right about now. He would have enjoyed flying with Cinnamon -- but (like most travel) it can take a lot out of someone!
Jaeger is also there, with Ciel, who nods, "We sent them off with our fleetest messengers. We actually have a couple of messenger pigeons to go to Rowan, so they'll get the message fastest."
Cinnamon beams excitedly, "Awesome! Thank you so much!" She turns her happy regard to Shane as she adds, "Thank you too, Shaney! So do you know any of the local Rowans?" Then she laughs as she glances over her shoulder, "Thanks for coming along and giving me directions too, Fraser and Marcus!" She has to grin quietly to herself as it hits her: what caused her to relax and accept Marcus' sincere apology, despite her unhappiness with him? Thinking back, she remembers quite well -- it was realizing that Marcus was going to do something personally dangerous that he really shouldn't. Yes, she was annoyed at him... but not enough to let him thoughtlessly harm himself. Interesting realization!
Shane replies to Cinnamon's query as he walks with her toward a place she can try to change, "Not personally. But I know of some of them -- and of course Da knows a little bit of everyone, and Aisling knows... I think Aisling knows every Rowan there is."
Cinnamon nods without surprise at that, "She's like that, yeah. So, um... do they know you already? Like, can they verify your knack to the other elders?" She pads heavily but also quietly next to Shane, once her passengers have hopped off.
A few moments later, Shane wraps the blanket around Cinnamon (even though she made the change successfully the first time), turning the motion into a hug, "I verified it with them. They seemed quite pleased and even turned it into a bit of a game. We'll do well. It'll be a few days before everyone's gathered."
Cinnamon beams up at Shane, warmly returning the hug, "Okay! Is Elm going to let us all stay here for that time? Umm..." she giggles with a bit of embarrassment as her stomach growls loudly, "-uh, a-and... is there maybe a bit of food still available yet?"
Shane smiles, "Elm's already set rooms up for us. We had to explain that neither Fraser nor I are your lover, so you'd get your own room. There's plenty of room. Let's go get you your food. They had a big meal prepared for you."
Cinnamon blinks startledly, then simultaneously giggles and blushes hotly! She can't think of a thing to say in reply to that -- that wouldn't doubtless get her into trouble, at least -- and so she says nothing, instead pattering quietly along next to Shane. "F-food... uh, y-yeah! Yes, please, I mean!" She sighs happily, considering what sharing a room -- with a guy! -though admittedly, Shane's not just any guy... would be like... then blinks, "Oh! Um, is Zurina... does she feel safe? Or does she want to share a room, or what?"
Shane smiles, "Zurina is staying with Jaeger, actually... in a room with two beds. She seems to feel safe with him."
Cinnamon sighs in relief, "Awesome! Okay, that's perfect, then."
The food that's laid out is heavy on both carbohydrates and protein -- the type of food one would be offered after a heavy workout, or maybe a long hike. Elm's elders are there as well, as is Zurina. The Acorn elder has been given a change of clothes which is... quite different to what she was wearing before. Instead of the very subdued, camouflaging colors, and male cut, she's been given brighter colors and something more feminine in style. She seems relaxed in them, in that her body language has changed somewhat.
Zurina's hair has also been braided with beads and ribbons to hide the color. She looks... very little like Zurina, actually -- to the point that the Acorn leader agrees that she looks very little like herself! Ciel smiles, "We will be doing a little magic... well, not actual magic -- we'll be using cosmetics of a sort to make her face look somewhat different, as well. Hiding her in plain sight."
Cinnamon beams at sight of Zurina's change of clothes -- the little dragon had been wondering how they might hide the Acorn elder once Oak's people started turning up. Of course, Cinnamon is also swiftly filling her plate as she observes, as well! She has quite a bit to eat, and thanks the Elm elders with relief for the delicious spread. After that she's likely to go crash into bed and sleep for as long as she can. It's been a busy day and night for her, after all!
The next morning Shane taps on Cinnamon's door, calling, "Acushla! Jaeger asked me to come get you and see if you wanted to come to staves practice!"
Cinnamon blinks interestedly as she opens the door, hairbrush in hand, "Er... to what, please? Who's Steve and what's he practicing?"
Shane grins at Cinnamon, "Staves." The young man is leaning on a long, slender pole, and wearing something that looks almost like a karate gi. His hair is braided neatly down his back.
Cinnamon pushes her glasses up, her eyes widening slightly as her gaze travels slowly down Shane, and then back up again. By that point she's also slightly pink, but she manages to say -- mostly without stuttering, "I, um... d-don't have any, er, exercising clothes like that, Shane -- I'm sorry?" She pauses, considering... then adds curiously, "Do staves let you, um... like, whack people without having to kill or seriously injure them, though?"
Shane considers, "They are a fairly non-lethal weapon, yes -- or they can be. They can be dangerous too, of course -- all weapons can. Let us say they are less-lethal. But I'm sure we can find you something to wear. You can also workout in jeans and a t-shirt."
Cinnamon wavers for a bit... exercise is hot, sweaty, and horribly embarrassing in her (admittedly limited) experience! But then she remembers breathing fire on Darragh... because that was the only thing she knew how to do -- and she shudders. Whirling back into her room, she calls over her shoulder, "Moment! I want to do this, really!" She comes pattering out a few seconds later, her hair in a small ponytail, and wearing jeans, a t-shirt, and sneakers. Worriedly she whispers to Shane, "It's, um -- it's j-just us and Jaeger, right? N-no one else will be... be watching and laughing?"
"Me, you, Jaeger, Marcus, Fraser, and Zurina, actually. But no one's going to laugh at you. I give you my word on that, acushla. If anyone laughs, they will have me to deal with." Shane flashes a wide grin, "I'm good with staves! I learned a few weapons. I'm just better with blades than staves."
Cinnamon worries over that for a few seconds as she patters along next to Shane... then decides it should be okay -- those are all good folks, she thinks... and she trusts Shane to keep his word! Then she pushes her glasses up and adds equally worriedly, "Um, d-do I have to take my glasses off too?"
Shane leads Cinnamon along to also stop by Thorn's door, tapping to see if the medic wants to come along, "Well, it might be wise. They could get cracked if you get thumped on the head."
Cinnamon sighs a bit worriedly as she takes off her glasses and looks at them. She really doesn't want them broken! However, without them... everyone turns into a sort of colorful blur and not much else! Though... she frowns thoughtfully... well, it's not like she has to see people's faces to hit them with a stick, she guesses? She puts her glasses hastily back on, feeling nervous about the upcoming training... but also firmly telling herself to not be such a whiner! She can see clearly after the lesson!
Shane taps on Thorn's door and smiles as he watches Cinnamon consider whether to wear her glasses or not, "Blind-fighting is a good skill to have."
Cinnamon gives Shane a worried, rueful smile, "Umm... okay? Is... kinda foggy fighting good too?
Thorn opens the door curiously at the knock, "Oh! Hello, Shane, what's up?"
Shane grins, "Blind is sort of a term meaning 'can't see exactly what you're aiming for.'" Then he turns to the healer, "Thorn! We're going to staves practice! Want to learn to hit people with sticks?" Cinnamon smiles a bit shakily at Thorn -- it's clear she's nervous but determined to at least try!
Thorn blinks. Well, hitting people with sticks sounds better than shooting them. He smiles reassuringly to Cinnamon -- cool! He hopes she enjoys this! -- and nods to Shane, "Sure! Let me put some exercise clothes on!"
Shane nods and grins again, "Plus, you can carry something stick-like around without being questioned. They're easy to disguise. Easier than swords, anyway."
Cinnamon tilts her head to study the stick Shane is carrying, "Is that a, uh, stave? So it's like a... a tall stick, like a mountain climber might use, or something?"
Shane holds up the one he's carrying, "This is a staff, yes. Actually a quarterstaff, which is funny, because it's long. But a pike, which is another thing, was a lot longer. But it was a stabbing weapon, while a quarterstaff is, ahh..." He trails off, then flashes a grin at Cinnamon again, "Okay, yes: a staff is a pole, essentially -- something you can disguise as just a walking stick when you're hiking."
Cinnamon blinks... then grins at Shane, "Okay! Let's, um... let's do this thing!" Thorn emerges shortly, wearing jeans and a tee-shirt and sneakers -- he packed light, and didn't have any proper exercise clothing, so he took his cue from Cinnamon. The little dragon sighs in quiet relief -- she won't be the only one without a, um... a martial arts uniform-thingie!
Shane leads them to a grassy, snow-free area in the trod where Jaeger, Marcus, Fraser, and Zurina are waiting. Zurina is wearing some kind of leggings and tunic, as is Marcus. Jaeger is wearing something like gi pants, but he's bare-chested... and has a surprising number of scars for someone who ordinarily seems so urbane. He smiles warmly, "Shane said he'd bring you both! I wasn't sure!" Fraser is dressed in what he calls his 'slops' -- a pair of loose linen trousers and a cotton tunic. Marcus and Zurina are standing face to face and carefully going through some positions together. They aren't trying to hit one another or even touch staves -- just holding the staves in different positions.
Cinnamon blinks a bit startledly at everyone -- this isn't quite what she expected! As she pushes her glasses up, she considers for a moment... then grins slightly as it hits her: she had no idea what to expect, actually! She gives a small, shy wave to Jaeger, slightly pink that he's not got a shirt on but determined to not say a thing about it! "Is there, um... s-someplace safe I can set my glasses d-down, please?" Fraser motions Cinnamon over to a table they've set up that has several lengths of staves on it, including some that are short enough that it's fairly obvious they're meant to be used as a pair. Cinnamon beams nervously up at Fraser, thanking him as she patters over... but then she stops and simply stares for a few moments at Marcus and Zurina. So that's what stave-fighting looks like! After a moment she frowns confusedly, murmuring to Fraser without looking away from the twosome, "Do they not ever hit each other, then? How's this work, please?"
Fraser grins and comes over, getting Cinnamon a staff that fits her height, "They're going through blocking positions, darlin'. They're going to start hitting one another in just a few..." -- and just then there's the sharp, distinct clicks and snapping sounds of clacking wood starting.
Cinnamon accepts the staff gingerly -- then nearly drops it with a squeak of alarm! -- at the sharp crack! of wood on wood. She winces as she watches, pushing her glasses up and holding her staff a bit awkwardly. Her courage is rapidly ebbing -- this sounds scary and... and unfriendly? She doesn't know it, but her training as a 'nice girl' is also kicking really hard for her right now: nice girls don't hit people!
Fraser rests a hand on Cinnamon's shoulder and squeezes gently, "Watch..." Marcus and Zurina are moving quickly and gracefully. Their earlier practice together let them take each other's measure -- they're well-matched in height, weight, and speed. They're almost dancing back and forth across the grassy stretch, and the staves are clacking together loudly, but neither is getting past the other's guard.
Cinnamon watches, trying not to droop at how pretty and graceful the two are. Crab cakes, what is she doing here?! She takes a nervous step or two back... without even really registering that she's starting to slide back behind Fraser. She's starting to feel really badly out of place here... maybe she can slip away quietly, and no one will notice?
As she watches, Cinnamon can see that Marcus is starting to wobble a little. Zurina is quite obviously better -- a lot better -- and was simply allowing Marcus to keep up with her. She begins to push him a little, now... then begins to lightly rap his knuckles every once in a while. It makes the younger elf wince and jerk back, which makes it even more obvious that she's pushing him a little. Eventually Marcus simply holds his staff out in front of him, parallel to the ground; Zurina stops with a smile.
Fraser doesn't let the little dragon slide back behind him, "No, you don't, lass."
Cinnamon eeks slightly, startled by the pressure on her shoulder! She glances up confusedly at Fraser, "Wh-what?"
Fraser arches a brow down at the little dragon, "You. Are. Staying. Just because you aren't immediately good at something doesn't mean you don't start. You should've seen me the first time I picked up a sword. I nigh on cut off me own toes!"
Cinnamon tries not to wince away from Fraser -- when he's glaring at her like that, he's... kinda scary and... kinda like her dad? She whispers nervously, "Y-yeah, but... bet you d-didn't have a family that laughed at you every time you f-f-failed..." She hushes then, dropping the stick on the ground and wrapping her arms around herself. She takes a few deep breaths, staring sightlessly out over the field as she (hopefully) firmly repeats to herself: her birth family isn't here. Shane promised, too -- no one's going to laugh -- and even if they do, he'll... he'll... well, she's not sure what he'll do, but he did say he'd at least do something...? Cinnamon's voice is tiny and uncertain, but she makes herself say it: "'M... st-staying. I. I am. Staying! Yes." She abruptly sits -- nearly flumps! -- down onto the ground. Harder to run away if she's sitting!
Fraser picks up the staff, hands it back to Cinnamon, and sits next to her, smiling, "They laughed at me, but it was more with me, lass."
Shane comes over, bringing Thorn with him, and offers Cinnamon a hand, "Up you come, acushla -- your turn! Soonest begun, soonest done, aye? Rip off the Band-Aid. I see you over here looking like you're scared." Thorn stands next to Shane, and the healer is holding his staff... a little uncertainly. They had pugil sticks in basic but that was little more than clobbering each other with padded bats. Nothing like what Marcus and Zurina were doing!
Cinnamon stares silently up at Shane -- she's actually terrified, by this point! He... he wants her to g-go out... out there! ...NOW?! Shane's extended hand finally registers, as does the stick Fraser's holding out to her. She uncertainly tries to reach for both of them... then abruptly realizes: she's so scared by this point, she's almost about to cry! She gulps a few times, yanking her hand back to try to scramble to her feet by herself -- which is not assisted by the long, clumsy stick she's holding. Eventually she nearly staggers to her feet without tripping, almost shaking from nerves and clutching the stick in front of her with both hands.
Shane is still smiling reassuringly, "You and Thorn are going to be paired up, and you'll both be starting slo-ooow... okay? Marcus has had some training, and Zurina has been working with staves for decades. It's her preferred weapon, apparently."
Shane motions the pair of newbies to the flattest spot in the little clearing. Zurina comes over too, smiling at Cinnamon and speaking to her in the Basque tongue, "You are going to be wonderful at this. Being low to the ground is an advantage with staves." Cinnamon has to force herself to stiffly follow Shane out onto the field, where she stands immobile and terrified. Part of her mind is almost gibbering at her: what is she doing out here?! She doesn't belong here -- she's going to get hurt! -humiliated! -break something! The slightly more rational part of her brain is utterly and completely focused on not running away or throwing up, by this point.
Shane is apparently Thorn's "buddy" for this exercise, as they both start walking through the same stances Zurina and Marcus did earlier. Shane does the talking, since both Cinnamon and Thorn speak English, while Zurina gently guides Cinnamon into position as Shane describes what they need to do. Thorn tries to pay strict attention to what Shane is teaching them. This is not pugil sticks, after all -- this is traditional quarter-staff and similar staff-fighting. Shane adds with a smile, "No whacking one another for a bit; we're going to work on defensive positions first. A staff makes a damn good shield for having so little actual surface area..."
Moving Cinnamon takes a bit of effort -- initially she flinches startledly away from the unexpected touch! She struggles to move where Zurina wants her, though she's still rather jerky from fright. A lot of what Shane is saying is going completely over her head -- not from any lack of care, but simply because she's desperately trying to cope.
Shane's voice is relaxed, "Once we do get to the 'whacking one another' part, you may actually find that you're... reluctant to actually hit someone else. But the thing to remember is that nobody's actually mad at anyone else, right? There may be some bruises, but bruises heal. And this -- staves -- is a lot less lethal than going at someone with a sword, or with claws or teeth. One of my senseis told me to think of it this way: would you rather thump someone with a stick and tell them to fuck off? Or would you rather have to do something a lot more drastic?" He grins, "And he did actually say fuck off. It just sounds a lot more genteel in Japanese."
Marcus is nearby, watching. He's not laughing or smiling. He's nodding at Shane's words. Apparently he agrees with what's being said. Cinnamon hears the pause in Shane's voice, and sees people smile and/or nod -- so she hastily nods as well, trying to look determined and involved... instead of the way she actually feels, which is nauseous, dizzy, and terrified. She's unwittingly clutching her staff so tightly that her knuckles are a bit white, her hands are shaking... and the wood is beginning to creak a bit in protest.
Zurina reaches to gently realign Cinnamon's wrist. The panicked little dragon doesn't even consciously register the touch -- but her terrified unconscious mind certainly does: something's about to grab/hit/hurt/whatever to her!? She shrieks in sudden shock, flinging her arms up to cover her head as she hastily ducks -- and her forgotten staff zings off from the unwitting throw!
There's some startled noises around her, and most people hastily shift! Unfortunately Marcus doesn't move quite fast enough -- and the pinwheeling staff clocks him sharply on the temple! He yelps in pain, going down hard. Fraser and Jaeger turn to him, while Zurina immediately moves to make sure Cinnamon is okay. The little dragon is crouched on the ground, arms over her head and her eyes clenched tightly shut as she shakes and pants nervously! Thorn blinks startledly, then crouches beside Cinnamon, speaking gently and quietly; he's not yet trying to use healing magic to help soothe her, "Cinnamon? It's all right. Are you okay?"
Through the panting and terror, Thorn's voice registers: he's safe! He wouldn't grab her! Cinnamon squints tensely out of the corner of her eye after a few heartbeats... what was that, anyways? She blinks as she peers confusedly at him, her arms slowly lowering, "Th-thorny? What grabbed me?" She glances around nervously... then blinks, "Wh-what happened to Marcus?"
Zurina speaks gently, "I touched your wrist to correct your stance, and you panicked, I think. You are very frightened. It is all right, though. You are not a warrior by nature. Neither was I."
Thorn glances over to Marcus, and blinks again -- it all happened so fast! "I'm... not sure," he says honestly to Cinnamon, "It's okay, though -- you're fine. You're among friends -- people who care about you." He stands and adds, "I'll be right back," then goes to check on Marcus, hoping that the elf is neither annoyed nor seriously hurt.
Shane is still standing by the fallen elf; he glances over, "Marcus... is a little woozy, but he's okay."
Cinnamon blinks almost blankly at Zurina, absently reaching to push her glasses up when Zurina remains blurry -- but then realizing her glasses are back on the table at the side... then she looks confusedly down at her wrist, "Er... what did my wrist do?" She looks up at Shane when he speaks... then just lets her butt flump down on the ground -- crouching is hard work when she's all tied in muscular knots! She nods to Thorn -- that makes sense! The healer should check the hurt person, right... though... she's still not sure what exactly happened. She looks back at Zurina, genuinely confused, "What, uhh... was something wrong with my wrist?" -- then glances around puzzledly -- didn't she have a stick too? Where'd it go?
Shane sits down across from Cinnamon, legs crossed tailor-fashion as he smiles, "I think you were all tensed up, so Zurina went to adjust your stance. She touched your wrist, acushla, and you shrieked and your staff went flying. It hit Marcus. Thorn's checking on him." He reaches and tucks a strand of hair behind Cinnamon's ear.
Zurina also sits down beside Cinnamon and pats the little dragon's knee in a gentle way, "I don't know what the pretty beansidhe is saying, but you had a normal reaction for someone that's not used to fighting. You're afraid of hurting people and you tied yourself up in knots, yes? This is why we practice in safe places."
Over on the sidelines, Marcus is sitting up and blinking woozily at Thorn when the healer approaches. The bruise is already forming -- it's likely going to spread over most of the upper right quadrant of his face. Thorn winces a bit as he crouches beside Marcus, his voice careful as he checks for possible concussion, "Are you all right? We should get some ice on that bruise as soon as possible."
Cinnamon blinks a bit blankly at Shane... then her gaze tracks over to Marcus as she struggles to put everything together 'sensically' in her head. "I... hit Marcus?" She blinks again, a look of horror starting to cross her face, "Oh my gosh... I, I... hit M-marcus?!" She jumps, squeaking startledly at the pat on her knee -- then stares wide-eyed at Zurina, "I... I'm n-not so sure it's safe if I'm h-here?"
Shane nods, "No. You didn't hit Marcus, the quarterstaff did. You're tied up in knots, acushla. Look... Marcus isn't mad."
Indeed, Marcus is smiling a little crookedly as Fraser brings over some ice for the bruise, saying, "Blunt weapons practice always leaves people feeling like they've fallen down a cliff-face. I'd almost forgotten."
Zurina smiles, "My first staves practice, I whacked myself in the face. I had a bruise on my cheek for two weeks. No one is graceful all of the time... and no one gets angry when people get bruised in practice."
Cinnamon is white-faced with nerves and terror, but when she sees Marcus talking calmly to Fraser -- instead of stomping over in a screaming furor at her -- she manages to take a few slower, deeper breaths to stop her nervous panting. She wrings her hands together instead, her voice a tight whisper, "I... I really d-didn't mean to!" She glances around hastily -- hopefully Jaeger doesn't think she tried to kill his son or anything, too...? She adds with absent-minded fright to Zurina, "H-how do they not get mad? Is there a way to get people t-to be like that all the time? ...I really hate being screamed at... e-especially wh-when I really didn't mean t-to..."
Jaeger is actually chuckling as he nods to his son, "Oh, yes. My father always said if no one is bruised when you're done, you're doing something wrong -- because if no one is bruised, then someone wasn't trying hard enough."
Zurina's voice is still gentle, "They don't get mad because this isn't a fight. This is training; this is learning how to keep one another alive and in one piece. You aren't actively trying to kill one another. If you are pushing them, it is because you do them no favors by going easy... because a real opponent isn't going to go easy on them."
Cinnamon blinks at Jaeger's comment. Whoa, he... he really isn't mad? Her voice is wondering, "How... w-woah... Sh-shane? Can I learn more, er... not-fight training like this? The kind where no one screams at you or laughs at you?" A bit wistfully she adds, "W-where has this been... all my life...?"
Shane grins affectionately at Cinnamon, "Yes, you can learn more of this, acushla. We can even take some time and do it when we get back home, too. There are folks that get together for practice on Coblyn pretty regularly. It's been there, but your bio-family are di... jerks." Apparently swearing when you're quoting someone is different than just casually swearing.
Cinnamon takes a slow, deep breath... then another... then nods to herself and scrambles slowly but determinedly to her feet! To Zurina she says, "Okay. I m-may not be a warrior, but... but I just gotta learn. I d-don't want my only options to be doing nothing or... or breathing fire, you know?" She takes another deep breath, then forces herself to march nervously but relatively steadily over to Marcus. She picks up her stick, then apologizes: "I'm r-really sorry, Marcus. I, uh, I kinda... p-panicked... over nothing, really. I'll t-try my best to be more careful from now on, okay?"
Marcus waves at Cinnamon and holds the ice to his face, "Nothing broken! I'm fine."
Cinnamon smiles a bit shakily at Thorn as she adds, "Th-thank you f-for taking such good care of us too, Thorny!"
Thorn finishes checking on Marcus, glad the elf is in good spirits after getting torpedoed with the staff. Marcus will have quite the bruise, though it shouldn't last more than a few days. Thorn smiles at Cinnamon, "I'm just glad to help." Cinnamon sighs in relief... and a bit of amazement, honestly, that no one's furious with her!
Marcus too smiles a bit, as he's carefully stretching and testing his balance, "First thing to learn: don't tense up." Fortunately he doesn't seem to be concussed, and his voice is very calm -- quite un-Marcus-like! He may be... Marcus... but he's got a very finely-tuned sense of etiquette... and there are rules for how one behaves and interacts with people during training, "The staves themselves will fight you if you tense up."
Cinnamon watches Marcus extremely warily until he speaks -- at which point she sighs gustily in relief that he's not yelling at her! Her small smile is rueful, "Yeah, I know tensing up is bad, believe me -- I've had it yelled at me enough times! But... well, it's easier said than done?"
Shane moves over by Thorn and asks quietly, "Marcus is OK, right? No cracked bones? Just the shiner?" The healer nods silently, still watching the others.
Jaeger nods at his son's comment, "He's right. They seem stiff, but they aren't, actually. They've got flex to them."
Marcus gives Cinnamon a rueful glance, "That's a paradox. Yell at someone not to tense up and the first thing they do is...?" He arches his brows at Cinnamon, waiting for her answer.
Cinnamon blinks up at Jaeger when he speaks, pushing her glasses into place, "Right about what... that they fight you?" She studies the staff in her hands for a few seconds... then blinks startledly at Marcus, abruptly (and nervously) aware by the questioning tone of his voice, and his expectant expression, that... there's a quiz coming up, or something...? "Uhh... wh-what?" She winces, thinking to herself, [Way to sound like a flipping moron there, girl!] -- then sighs and tries again, "I, ahh, er, c-could you repeat your question, p-please?"
Marcus still sounds startlingly calm, to Cinnamon, as he repeats, "If someone shouts at you not to tense up, what does it make you do?"
Cinnamon stares puzzledly at Marcus, trying not to panic again -- this must be some sort of trick training question or something! Hesitantly she tries the obvious answer -- the one that's so obvious that she's worried she's missing something else! "Er... t-tense... up...?"
Marcus nods, "Exactly. It makes no sense to shout at someone to not tense up. It's a paradox." He smiles and shrugs.
Cinnamon's eyes widen slightly -- that... that was it?! No laughing at her gullibility, or sneering at how obvious this was, or... or anything?! Her breath escapes her in a huge, gusty sigh of relief, and she grins shyly at Marcus, "Y-yeah!" Wow, if only she could shove Marcus into her dad's face the next time he pulled that passive-aggressive 'training' style of his!
Jaeger smiles at the nervous little dragon, "And yes, that's what I meant: the staves themselves will fight you if you're too tense." He smiles and pats Cinnamon on the shoulder, "Give it a minute and go back out with Zurina and Shane. Take a few deep breaths. No one's going to get mad if you accidentally whack them."
Cinnamon eeks! -and startles at the unexpected pat on the shoulder -- and as she shies sideways, she fumbles the staff yet again! Marcus sees it coming this time, so he doesn't get it in the face -- but he does take a thump in the chest that makes him grunt, then cough and step back with a shaky laugh, "OK. I think I need to go stand... uhm..." he looks around, then motions away from Cinnamon, "over there for a minute."
Cinnamon is almost gasping with fright until she finally gets both hands on the staff, "I'm sorry! I'm sorry I d-didn't mean to I'm sorry I'm sorry oh my gosh I'm so sorry Marcus!" Weirdly, though (to the little dragon), Marcus still doesn't sound upset! Nevertheless, she's almost in tears by the time she's managed to stop the staff from bouncing off her fingertips or anything else around her. She looks up at Jaeger and wails, "I, I, I d-don't want to do this if I have to hurt everyone to learn it!"
Jaeger says quietly, "Cinnamon. This is the mid-way between letting other people hurt your friends, and extreme prejudice."
Cinnamon reaches for her non-present glasses -- then remembers they're currently gone -- so she just rubs her eyes, her voice aching and confused, "Wh-what? Who's being p-prejudiced, please?"
Jaeger gently explains, "It's a euphemism, Cinnamon. Extreme prejudice means lethal force."
Cinnamon blinks slowly as she blinks her vision back as good as she can get it... then says in a small voice, "Oh. You mean me." She sighs softly as she looks down at the (by now somewhat loathed) staff... then up at Jaeger again, with a sigh, "...okay. I just... w-well, you'd tell me, right, if I should stop b-because I'm hurting folks too badly here?" She doesn't realize it, but her extreme naiveté and lack of life experience is shining through, in her current utterly miserable demeanor.
Thorn says gently, "Honestly, Cinnamon, don't worry about a few bruises between sparring partners. It's how we learn!"
Cinnamon glances over at Thorn, still somewhat hangdog, "I... hope so. I mean... 'cause I, um, I think I hit harder when I'm scared? ...and... I'm really scared I'll horribly damage someone if I do?" She glances at Fraser -- she's still incredibly relieved he heals so fast! -- then wonders suddenly: is there a... a sparring learning thingie, maybe... for smacking people?
Jaeger nods gravely, "That's what training is for -- for learning how to control your speed and force. That's why you practice."
Cinnamon frowns consideringly at that... then sighs gustily and nods once. She takes the staff a bit more firmly in her hands, so it won't bounce off again... then mumbles unhappily to Jaeger, "Okay. Teach me some, please? -and I'll practice." She unwittingly sounds a bit as if she were telling him to please take her to her doooom!
Shane considers, rubbing his chin, "You remember when you were learning to type?" Cinnamon blinks confusedly at Shane, then nods inquiringly? He goes on, "You didn't start out typing business letters. You started out with 'The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.' You had to learn where the home keys were. You don't just start out touch typing. You have to teach your fingers where the keys are and how hard to hit them. That's what we're doing. Just at a macro level, right?" He grins, "Come on..." He motions Cinnamon and Thorn back out to the middle of the clearing. Thorn nods to Shane, and moves on out. Cinnamon thinks about that for a moment... then nods slowly. Okay, that makes sense to her -- she's doing typing-practice sentences, but -- but with a big stick instead of her fingers! She takes a deep breath, then makes herself march out into the clearing again... then glances at Shane and Jaeger for direction.
Zurina, Shane, and Jaeger take their time walking Thorn and Cinnamon through the positions first -- the same ones Marcus and Zurina were practicing when the healer and the dragon first arrived. To start with, the instructors don't even try to have the two newbies touch their staves together at all. Instead, for at least half an hour Thorn and Cinnamon just mirror each other, holding their quarterstaves in the various positions. Only once the pair of them can flawlessly go through all the positions (which Shane likens to doing kata) do the three warriors allow Thorn and Cinnamon to even start clacking their staves together. It's slow going, of course, but no one pushes either student whatsoever -- at least in the beginning.
By the end of several hours, everyone's a little sweaty, a little achy, and quite ready for some food and water! Admittedly, it takes Cinnamon a very long time to shed the accumulated nervous tension of a lifetime of being screamed at for physical ineptitude! By the time the group calls it quits, though, the perceptive (who know what to look for) can see that the little dragon's knuckles are no longer white with stress and fear... and the tip of her staff doesn't quiver anymore from her unwitting (and exhausting!) mental bracing for when the screaming starts. If anything, she's wearily relieved she didn't flub up so badly that people got mad at her despite the apparent rules! Thorn has to shed his own bad habits as well. The closest he's come to staves is pugil sticks -- which are absolutely not used like staves! A few knuckles have been rapped during the practice, of course, but -- just like everyone said would happen -- no one's angry.
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