Goblin Town -- Logs

Thorn finds a quiet place on the far edge of the dancing, and sits with his Lady. Then he tells her of Shane, Marcus, Jaeger, Aisling, Josie and Spice, and, of course, Cinnamon. He has nothing but glowing things to say about them, especially Cinnamon. Well, Marcus he still has some reservations about -- the man was capable and worked with the group during the trip across the ocean, but upon coming back he seemed to... be somehow emboldened to return to how he was? Thorn isn't certain how to explain it. Thorn has the utmost respect for Shane, though he doesn't elaborate on how much Shane and Cinnamon are dancing around each other. As for Cinnamon... Thorn can only reiterate that he's consistently impressed by the young dragon, and has nothing but glowing words about her, "She's developing into a formidable and excellent councilor. She's conscientious, cautious while not being paralyzed by indecision, and once she becomes more confident, she'll be a driving force on the Council. She'll be an absolutely positive influence on things."

Across the dancefloor, Shane courteously hands Cinnamon off to Marcus, then thinks he might actually go find a drink. He isn't one to heavily imbibe, but a cold one to calm his nerves might be in order. On the way he finds Aisling, who puts a hand on his forearm and murmurs, "You all right, sweetling?"

Shane snorts, "Well, I didn't expect to have her run away like I had bitten her rather than kissed her... especially not whilst talking about how good Marcus looked dressed as fu... as Jareth." He doesn't sound bitter, exactly, but he does sound a little tired.

Aisling arches a brow, "Shane, she's not exactly melting into his arms." The older beansidhe directs her trodmate's attention to the dragon and the gealsidhe, where Cinnamon seems friendly and to be enjoying the dance, "That's polite enjoyment. With you? She seemed actually happy."

Marcus smiles down at Cinnamon as he escorts her out onto the floor, "Thank you for not immediately telling me to go to hell once you realized it was me behind the mask. I was afraid you wouldn't want to get within ten feet of me, much less let me get my arms around you like this... no matter how lovely you feel in them."

Cinnamon gives Marcus a slightly startled glance, "Tell you to...?! Good gosh, Marcus, why would I do that?" She grins mischievously as she adds, "Plus, I realized it was you by the second dance we shared -- not when the unmasking happened!"

Elsewhere, Athala nods to Thorn and mmms, "Marcus is not yet his father, though we are hoping he will grow up. Jaeger stepped down for good reason, but Marcus is... the terms for what he is are mostly quite vulgar. But it sounds as if he is starting to understand that a tree does not make a forest... this is good." She quietly strokes Thorn's arm as she adds, "The little dragon is going to be quite a force to be reckoned with, it seems." Athala can also read between the lines on Shane and Cinnamon, a bit, which causes her to thoughtfully inquire, "She's... naive in the ways of sex and romance?"

Thorn hadn't intended to imply that, at least in those terms. "She's... young," he says finally, "and her mundane, mortal family... didn't shelter her so much as isolate her. They were very controlling. They even tried to stop her from leaving her old apartment and, from what I gather, were absolute boors. Fortunately they haven't guessed even an iota of the truth, and Shane told them where they could go. They won't be coming back, I think. They're well and truly out of her life -- which is a good thing."

Athala nods, "Mmm. You get that occasionally: someone extraordinary born to human parents, or raised by human parents, or a... what do they call it? A throwback? Someone whose genes lay dormant."

Thorn smiles quietly, "From what I gather, she takes more after her ancestor, Liam -- all his positive qualities."

Athala nods and hmmms, "This is all very good to know... and now... tell me about the things you've learned about yourself."

Thorn's smile fades a little. "Very little, I'm afraid," he admits. He relates how he's capable of apparently unheard-of healing spells with Athala's magic -- a capability which amazes and startles people. Even Iason hasn't been able to shed any light on how or why. Thorn is still researching, and there's some clue from a cousin of his, who's into genealogy, that one of his ancestors was... a bit of an odd duck. She hasn't gotten back to him with any further details yet, though.

Athala looks intrigued, "Even with me boosting you, that's... a lot, my sweet man. That's a thing you should look deeper into. 'Odd duck' is often human for 'it's something I can't explain so I shall ignore it.'"

Thorn smiles wryly, "That's certainly how I've heard it used." He nods soberly as he adds, "I will keep researching, yes. My cousin told me where he's buried. I'm planning to go there and see if there's anything that... resonates with me, or that I can glean from his gravestone."

Athala nods, "Let me know what you find. Churchyards can be difficult for us."

Thorn nods, smiling to his Lady, "I will. I promise."

Out on the dancefloor, Marcus grins down at the little dragon, leaning in close to whisper playfully, "And you still kept dancing with me all night? I'm flattered!" He's actually a lot better as a dancer when he's relaxed -- rather than when he first was her teaching partner. The eye makeup also does wonderful things for the blue of his eyes... and strangely enough, he doesn't seem to be being fake. He just seems relaxed and in a good mood, "If you liked this tonight, you might really love the Solstice Market that happens in December. If you want, I can go with you. There are some beautiful things to see... and there's a Madrigal Banquet."

Cinnamon looks curious, "The... Solstice Market? What's that, please?" She grins as she adds, "Is this the random interesting thing happening somewhere near Boston that you promised you'd attend with me, as thanks for the flight home from Texas? If so, I'd be honored -- and thank you!"

Marcus smiles mischievously, "Can we use the random interesting thing on something else and simply call this... hmm... an outing between friends?" He leans in close to add, "I promise I won't tease you about it being a date, because you'd think I was making fun of you -- and I swear I'm not. I really just want to spend the time with you."

Cinnamon grins wryly at Marcus, one eyebrow raised, "Uh-huh... okay, we can save the random interesting thing for later!" She thinks Marcus is cute when he's trying to flirt! She wonders, though, what it is he's after from her. Surely the scion of Elm wants for nothing?

Marcus is savvy enough to see Cinnamon trying to figure something out, but he doesn't know what. When the dance ends, he make sure she ends up near friends -- Elias and Sparrow, in this case. He gracefully kisses Cinnamon's gloved hand again, "Thank you for indulging me. You really do look gorgeous tonight."

Cinnamon finishes the dance with Marcus, thanking him with a smile... then sighs softly to herself as he departs. She wishes she could trust him more... because he's really cute! She'd actually really love to try snuggling with him or Shane. She's just dreadfully scared of how things would turn out -- and not willing to burn all her friendships just to get a few kisses or whatever.

Sparrow arches a brow at the sigh and drawls, "Penny for 'em, sugar?" Now that he's not wearing the mask, he's let his accent come back.

Cinnamon blinks at Sparrow, clearly gathering her thoughts from wherever they were rambling, "Uh, what? ...oh." She smiles and shakes her head, "I just don't always understand people, that's all."

Sparrow puts an arm around her shoulders, "What are you not understanding?"

Cinnamon glances up at Sparrow, "Just wondering... um, don't repeat this please, you guys?" She waits until they both nod, before continuing, "Just wondering what Marcus wants from me, y'know? He's started being nice to me."

Elias smiles as well, "I would say, tonight, that he'd like you to be nice in return."

Sparrow drawls, "And maybe he wanted that midnight kiss that Shane got -- the lucky bastard."

Cinnamon gives Elias a curious glance, "I've always been nice to Marcus, though... even when he was insulting."

Sparrow snorts, "Elias, you're being over-subtle. She doesn't speak this kinda of subtle yet. Darlin', he means Marcus wants you to flirt with him. He wants to be cozied up with you somewhere, whispering and flirting and maybe getting a little sweaty."

Cinnamon gives Sparrow a wry glance, "Uh-huh. Sparrow, Marcus is very pretty -- and he knows it. He's aiming for pretty girls like Hilde, not like me. Guys are interested in girls like me when we can do their taxes for them, or their calculus homework, or stuff like that." She smiles equally wryly at Elias as she adds, "That's why I'm trying to figure out what Marcus wants... because I'm not really interested in getting used and then dumped when I'm not useful any more."

Sparrow looks up at the ceiling and mutters, "I'm tryin'." Then he looks back at Cinnamon, "Darlin', you ain't in Kansas anymore -- you're barely on Earth! Marcus may be pretty, but you're fuckin' stunnin'. You could walk up to about half the guys here, includin' that guy in the Thor costume Hilde brought, and ask if they wanted to go back to your place to do the adjustable-mattress-mambo -- and get an enthusiastic yeah! Marcus don't get that about you. You ain't the casual kind."

Cinnamon gives Sparrow a narrow-eyed look -- then glances upwards as well as she says, "Are you filming this, or something, Sparrow? Who're you talking to?" She's a little hurt; surely Sparrow wouldn't make fun of her, by doing that -- even if he is a Trickster? She glances with wry confusion at Sparrow again as she adds, "What's Hilde's holdmate got to do with anything, anyway? We were talking about Marcus, I thought?"

Elias actually pokes Sparrow on the arm, "Be gentle." He puts an arm around Cinnamon, "He's trying to tell you that people don't see you as the Ugly Duckling, Cinnamon -- you really are the swan -- and he's not filming anything. He's making a joke about his costume, and the way Christian ministers claim to be talking to god. What Hilde's holdmate has to do with it is that he's a stranger to you, but he's handsome and he'd say yes because you're beautiful and desirable."

Cinnamon glances between the two men -- who're being very confusing and illogical tonight! -- then sighs and smiles, "Okay. Will you two excuse me, please?" She heads off, looking for someplace quiet to sit and think... or (should anyone startle her and ask) more dancing! She thinks she'd actually prefer dancing right now, to thinking too much. She's still a little afraid of what happened with Shane, after all. Unfortunately (or fortunately?) her quest for a place to hide is, in fact, interrupted -- by the fellow in the Thor costume. His offer to dance is warm and polite... and oddly diffident, as if he absolutely expects to be told to shove off. Cinnamon blinks a bit startledly, then gives him a good-natured grin, "So was it Hilde or Sparrow who told you to ask me to dance?" She thinks it was sweet of them to do so... but the poor guy! He shouldn't have to dance with her if he doesn't want to!

The man blinks, "Nnn-neither?" He seems a bit confused at the question, "I was just waiting until you had made the rounds of your friends, to ask. I wanted to introduce myself properly." He's actually somewhat broader through the shoulders than most of the sidhe males Cinnamon has met... though, come to think of it, she's not met many of the ljosaelfar. Just the sidhe and their close Germanic cousins.

Cinnamon pushes up her glasses, intrigued, "Really?! Huh!" She thinks about that for a moment... then grins up at the tall (wow, look at all those shoulders!) man as she rests her gloved hand lightly in his, "Then... thank you so much, and I'd be delighted!" Her eyes are bright with excited curiosity as she drops a quick curtsey, "I'm Cinnamon -- nice to meet you! What's your na- er... favored alias?" He's got the white-gold hair and the ice-blue eyes, but his skin actually seems to have an almost golden-tan undertone.

The big blonde man grins down at her, "Torben. That was part of the joke of the costume... it means Thor's Bear." He moves with Cinnamon onto the dancefloor, adding, "Had Hilde lost the joke-bet, she'd have been dressed as Valkyrie -- not a Valkyrie. Valkyrie, the superhero character. We got very drunk and watched entirely too many of those movies. I, sadly, am no Chris Hemsworth." He actually seems to mean it -- he's not making a joke... or at least he doesn't seem to be. In fact, that last sentence is uttered as if he actually thinks the actor has him beat in the looks department. Torben grins, "She objected to Valkyrie because she thought she didn't look enough like the actress, so I chose Pippi Longstocking as my second choice. I am apparently getting old, though... because people keep giving me blank looks when I mention the character. I thought she was a common one."

Cinnamon laughs as she moves easily into the dance with Torben, "Oh, I loved reading the Pippi Longstocking books as a child -- I found them in the library!" She smiles a bit nostalgically as she adds, "The Pippi books were shelved with the Moomin troll family books, and I simply devoured all those as a child, as well! So much fun..." A moment later she cheerfully continues, "Also, what a cool name! Are you like a bear shifter or something? Is that associated with your business dealings here?" She pauses, then hastily adds, "Or... um, if that's rude to ask, feel free to just tell me no thank you, okay?" She smiles as she adds, "No, you're much nicer looking than Chris Hemsworth, I think. They always make him sort of... slightly dirty looking, you know?"

Torben chuckles, "Not... precisely -- I do not become a bear. There's family lore that says one of my great-great-great grandfathers did, and that he's the source of the bersarkr blood in my line. We're fierce in battle. Though honestly I avoid it as often as I can. I always have." He's quick to add, "I am not a coward; I just believe there are better ways to settle disputes than killing a lot of people. That just leaves a lot of people grieving, a lot of people dead, and a lot fewer people to keep the hearths and homes. Or it did. Now, it mostly means people die for things they don't understand or believe in, because they are told they must."

Cinnamon nods quietly, her face still for a moment, "Yeah... no killing is better than not..." She's silent for a few beats of the music... but then she takes a deep breath (and she'd be utterly mortified if she knew what that did for her corseted cleavage!) and smiles up at Torben, "Well, enough of that. So, what business do you do? I'm always on the lookout for cool things, after all!"

Torben notices the cleavage, but he does it with a quick, appreciative glance. He chuckles, "These days, I am..." he laughs quietly again, "I am a counselor. Not like you and Hilde, though... the other sort. The sort people come to and speak with about their troubles. I am one of those that can go back and forth a bit between the worlds... and it helps that a lot of things are done online now."

Cinnamon looks intrigued, "Oh! Like that guy, umm... what was his name..." Apologetically she adds, "I've not met him yet, but Elias said the guy was helping someone with, er, mental issues? Like she'd done bad things while she was under a... a sort of bad geas, but it was gone now and she remembered it all and he was helping her to recover? Like that?" She brightens a second later, her voice triumphant, "Brynn! That was it! Is that the kind you do?" She wonders what Torben is doing here that necessitates counseling... but decides that would actually definitely be intrusive to ask!

Torben's face lights up and it's... truly stunning. He goes from merely handsome to 'this man is obviously not human because no human is this lovely,' "Brynn! Brynn is amazing. He's the reason I'm here, actually. I have someone I wish to speak with him about. With their permission! I asked if I could consult a colleague about them." His grin turns down a notch or three and his face goes back to what it was before, "She's human, so the troubles aren't as... complicated as they might be, were she of this world. The human clients pay the bills and enable me to help the non-human ones that don't have mundane income."

Cinnamon blinks a bit startledly as Torben's face lights up, and she almost misses a step in the dance! Still staring up at him, she murmurs, "Wow, that's, uh... that's cool that..." She grins at herself, shaking her head once to clear it, "Sorry. I just think it's really nice when we can help humans as well as non-humans. I think we're not so different, after all, in some ways." She smiles and continues dancing with Torben, her movements more careful so she doesn't stumble again. The casual thought crosses her mind: she already intends to visit Niamh and see how the poor woman is doing. But Cinnamon thinks she should also try to find this Brynn person someday, and meet him too. People seem quite enthusiastic about him!

After that dance, Cinnamon's quest for a quiet place to sit and think gets interrupted a couple more times. The third time, it's Jaeger who asks to dance. He smiles warmly down at her, asking, "Has the night gone according to plan?"

Cinnamon laughs relaxedly, "Oh, not at all! It's been far more... more than I ever expected!" She's feeling much better now, after several dances with lovely men who (oddly enough!) seem to still want to dance with her! Hmm... though she hasn't gotten to dance, post-unmasking, with Shane again. She should look him up and ask him... that should be all right, shouldn't it?

Jaeger chuckles, "Good. Excellent." His eyes twinkle, "There was some very admiring chatter around the room about your costume. People were charmed. Aisling was thrilled you were making such a splash." He doesn't even come close to mentioning the kiss, or his son's thwarted attempt.

Cinnamon nods happily, "It really is an amazing dress, isn't it? Aisling's dressmaker is a real magician with design!" She's rather proud, in fact, that she got to wear the dress that amazed everyone! She's still not quite connecting the admiring chatter with herself in particular.

Jaeger smiles, "She knows how to build to the wearer's assets." He chats with the little dragon in a friendly and encouraging manner, while also quietly gauging how she's feeling about the experience in general. Cinnamon is clearly absolutely thrilled at how well the vast majority of the evening has gone! It's equally clear that she's both startled and confusedly pleased that, post-unmasking... she's still getting asked. When it's time for the song to end, Jaeger steers her toward the edge of the floor near friends -- near Shane and Aisling, actually.

Cinnamon brightens when she spots Shane, "Oh! There's Shaney -- I wanted to ask him to dance again too!" She hesitates, glancing uncertainly up at Jaeger... then whispers, "It is okay, isn't it, for the girl to ask the boy to dance, sometimes?"

Jaeger arches a brow, "It's absolutely okay. Here, the rules are different. Anyone can ask anyone." He smiles, "Go. Ask. I'm sure he'll say yes."

Cinnamon sighs in relief, then nearly glows with happiness up at the tall elder, "Thanks so much, Jaeger -- for this as well as for the dance lessons!" She's not quite skipping as she heads directly over to Shane, still glowing happily, "Hi Shaney would you maybe like to dance again with me please maybe?"

Shane is talking quietly with Aisling, but when Cinnamon walks up and burbles happily at him, he looks both relieved and pleased, "Hi! Oh! Yeah. Definitely!" He offers her his hand.

Cinnamon beams excitedly as she grabs his hand -- it worked! Jaeger was right, and it is okay to ask guys to dance! "Yay! C'mon!" Again, she almost skips as she heads out onto the dancefloor with Shane, and she whirls happily to face him once they're there, "Thank you!" She's both thrilled, and deeply relieved, that her dearest friend is still willing to dance with her. Consequently she completely misses the... very interesting exchange between Aisling and Jaeger, regarding the little dragon!

Shane blinks down at Cinnamon, "You're... welcome?" He's feeling confusion and relief. He was quite sure Cinnamon was going to avoid the hell out of him for overstepping... or that he'd been hugely misreading, and she was completely uninterested. For now, he simply moves into the dance with her.

Cinnamon giggles happily, "For being willing to dance with me!" More quietly she adds, "I checked with Jaeger that it was okay for a girl to ask a guy. I didn't want to be embarrassing to you or anything, you know?" She sighs with soft pleasure as the music starts, leaning carefully so she's as close as is proper with Shane. Funny how... wow, how super nice it is to dance with Shaney! Marcus is really nice too, of course, but... she gets a faintly perplexed smile as it hits her: dancing with Shane is kinda like... coming home, in a way!

Shane blinks down at her again, then grins, "Acushla, you say that like I wouldn't dance with you every time you asked." He's got his arms around her and he's working on not holding her too tightly, but he's definitely encouraging the leaning in, "I thought I'd scared you off."

Cinnamon tilts her head curiously as she smiles up at her dance partner, "Shaney, you're my very first, and one of my absolute best friends. I wasn't scared off -- I just really, really don't want to lose you!" The ensuing look of perplexity on Shane's face makes Aisling (over on the other side of the dancefloor) actually laugh and cover her mouth! She doesn't know what was said, but she knows it was probably very typically-Cinnamon. The little dragon sighs happily, then giggles and sings quietly along with the music,

"I could have danced all night!
I could have danced all night-
and still have begged for more!
I could have spread my wings
and done a thousand things
I've never done before...

I didn't know
that it was so
Exciting!
Why, all at once
my heart
took flight...!"

Cinnamon giggles and blushes, shyly reduced to just humming along -- she doesn't quite have the chutzpah to sing the rest... especially the part where the singer declares that she only knows when 'he' began to dance with her, she could have danced, danced, danced! ...aaa-all night! However... Cinnamon thinks she now kinda understands that feeling.

Shane smiles as Cinnamon sings through the song, waiting until she pauses to murmur quietly, "Acushla, why would you lose me? I mean... if you don't..." He clears his throat, then adds more formally, "If the kiss wasn't something you wanted, I apologize. You know how I feel about bodily autonomy and all..."

Cinnamon gives Shane a slightly worried glance -- oh, no! Is he going to try kissing again? She hastily replies, "Oh, d-don't -- I mean, uh, l-let's not worry about that right now, okay? C-can we, um... just dance a bit? Please?"

Shane's smile is crooked, but it's still Shane's beloved smile, "We can do whatever you want, acushla. So let's dance." He doesn't lean in. He doesn't push it. He just... dances... and hums along with the little dragon. Cinnamon sighs in quiet relief, smiling as she leans slightly closer to Shane. She doesn't know it's acceptable to rest her head against her partner's shoulder as they dance... but she finds she really likes his shoulders... even if they aren't as wide as Torben's.

Once it's past midnight there's usually only one or two more sets of dancing, and that proves to be the case here as well. Cinnamon ends the night in a tired but extremely happy glow -- this has been the absolute best party she has ever been to! No being a wallflower or tittered at... instead, she got to wear the most exciting and beautiful costume evar, as far as she's concerned! She's too tired to skip, but she feels like her heart is still dancing along with her, as the ball concludes and happily chattering people finally, slowly stream out into the night. The little dragon shares many gleeful hugs with various friends and dance partners as she too heads on out... what a glorious night it is! As she's doing so, Elias asks Cinnamon to walk home with him. He smiles his odd smile, which is somewhat reassuring to those that know him and terrifying to those that don't, "I find I enjoy having a companion whilst going home from these things."

Cinnamon beams cheerfully up at Sheriff Elias, "Okay! Ooh, hey, there's Shane! Can he walk with us, Elias?" She knows Elias is close friends with Shane, so she happily waves and calls, "Shaney! Hey, come walk with us? Gotta question for both you and Elias!" She chatters happily to both men, once they're all in easy talking distance, "Okay, so I know most folks are heading to Iceland on the Valkyrie, and since it takes about the same time to get there as it does to Ireland, they'll all be leaving either day after tomorrow or the day after that, and I know you don't care for long trips like that, Elias, and I've checked both with Hilde and on a map and gotten all the coordinates and stuff so it'd be about a four or five hour trip again but mostly over land as much as possible and so I thought I'd ask:-" She pauses for a deep breath, then laughs at herself for talking so fast... and then grins up at Elias again, "Would you like me to fly you and your hide-y box to Iceland so you can come along?"

Elias is half-humming to himself as he listens to Cinnamon's rapid-fire chatter. He looks surprised at her offer, then laughs warmly, "You're correct, dear -- I would very much appreciate a lift! Long trips make me nervous. My... needs are special, and the longer I am traveling, the more likely it is that something deadly can happen. I've talked with Jaeger about what life aboard Valkyrie is like, though. It reminded me of a couple of sea voyages I took in my young days."

Shane leans around Cinnamon and teases affectionately, "Young... so only one thousand years old instead of two?"

That makes the vampire laugh, "When I was perhaps your age, Shane, actually. Very, very young."

Cinnamon bounces delightedly on her toes for a few steps, squeaking an excited, "Yay!" then giggles at Shane's teasing Elias -- it makes her feel really nice when Elias laughs! He doesn't do it often, after all. She grins at Shane, "So, Shaney, I wanted to ask you: will you come along on the flight too, so there's someone Elias trusts that can help, if I'm in dragon form when he needs a hand?" She pauses, then anxiously adds, "You were going to go to Iceland too, weren't you?"

Shane smiles, "I've sort of been elected mascot, I guess... and I feel more comfortable staying with you and Thorn. He seems to be the council's medic on these trips. So yes, I'm going."

Cinnamon beams in relief, "Awesome!" then grins curiously, "Mascot? Explain, please?"

Shane chuckles quietly, "I mean that I tend to get asked to go, but I'm not a councilor or there in any other official capacity."

Elias murmurs with a smile, "Oh, but you are, in a way. You're a sort of council sergeant-at-arms, and your job is to keep people safe. You do it without thinking, and without bias. You'd step in to stop someone harming Aoi or Marcus -- or even Killa -- just as quickly as you'd step in to stop them harming me or Aisling or Cinnamon. But if we tried to elect you to the position, you'd refuse."

Cinnamon glances between Shane and Elias as she listens... then nods firmly, "Elias is right, you know, Shane! I think that's a big part of why I'm asking you to help on the trip over, too." She grins as she hugs Shane's arm, "It's part of the wonderful in you!" Then she laughs a bit self-consciously, "Whoa, that didn't really make sense, did it!"

Elias smiles a bit to himself at the enthusiastic little dragon. Shane shakes his head, "I don't want a title like that. Titles often lead to big heads."

Elias murmurs calmly, "Didn't seem to with your father. From what I hear, Quinn is cocky but not arrogant... and cocky is actually a good quality at times. It's sort of... confidence with �lan."

Cinnamon giggles and agrees, "He's definitely cocky, yeah! But... in a nice sort of way? Like... like if you need help, he listens instead of still being, er... cocky?" She blushes slightly, her gloved hands to her cheeks, "Wow, totally not making sense tonight! Sorry, you guys!" She laughs and, when they arrive at her little cottage, gives both Shane and Elias hugs, thanks, and a promise to come plan with them regarding what day Elias would like to leave.

King Caradog's fabulous Hallowe'en Ball was, of course, actually held on the night before Hallowe'en Day itself. Caradog knew that any parents invited would otherwise have to decline, since they'd be strolling with their children up and down Coblyn Street while trick or treating. Thus his thoughtfully chosen date for his enormously successful costume ball. As a consequence, on the day of Hallowe'en Cinnamon is very happily busy! She's decorated her little Alpine cottage with fake spider webbing and little black plastic spiders, and Muriel helped her place tiny little tombstones in the windowboxes so that none of the wintering plants would be harmed. A humanoid skull with glowing red eyes (when it's plugged in) sits in Cinnamon's front window, grinning out at passers-by... and sheaves of colorful corn hang on Cinnamon's front door. Around the house's front perimeter squat a variety of carved pumpkins and wonderfully lumpy, multicolored squashes... while Cinnamon herself has borrowed a ladder to put up her personal Halloween pi�ce de r�sistance.

Unfortunately, Cinnamon herself is just a teensy smidge short, even on the ladder, for what she's trying to do! She's stretching as hard as she can, panting a little with effort, as she (so far unsuccessfully) attempts to fasten a short, sturdy pole under the highest point of the eaves beneath her sharply angled roof. Marcus, at his father's gentle nudging, just happens to be walking by Cinnamon's cottage on the way to Uta's bakery when this is happening. He glances up, smiling a bit crookedly. He can see her a bit differently now, and this is cute, in a way: she's a dragon... but she can't quite seem to do this! He calls up, "Guten morgen, Cinnamon."

Cinnamon gives a small, dismayed squeak as she startledly fumbles -- and almost drops -- the drill she's trying to use... then blinks down over her shoulder to see who it is. Oh! Marcus -- heehee! He looks just as pretty from above! She pushes up her glasses as she thinks... then squeaks excitedly again, "Marcus! Oh, perfect -- guten tag!" She carefully sets down the drill on the top of the attic window frame, then nearly slides down the ladder and scampers over to Marcus to give him an exuberant hug, "You're tall -- just what I need! Would you please help me hang my ghost?!"

Marcus blinks, arms springing out to the sides -- he did not expect to be enthusiastically embraced! It takes him half a heartbeat to hug back, though it's definitely a nice hug. He resists the fae-like urge to make jokes about it being too late to hang a ghost, and instead carefully inquires, "I'll do what I can, but, ahh... is there going to be steel or iron involved? I saw you were using a drill."

Cinnamon beams, "Nope! I borrowed the tools from a friend of Aisling's, and he assured me they'd be safe even if I dropped them on someone! Well, except for the heavy part." She laughs, grabbing Marcus' hand and tugging him hopefully towards the ladder, "Please? Besides, even if you drop them on me, I won't mind!" She giggles at that, calling towards the baker, "Uta, can you just bill whatever Marcus is getting to me, please? As thanks for his help to me?"

Uta calls back, "I will put it on your rent tab, dearheart!" She chuckles. Watching the little dragon come out of her shell has been lovely.

Marcus, though not used to manual labor, will show willing here, "Well, if that's so, I will be tall for you." He shrugs out of his suit jacket and folds it over the back of one of the chairs on Uta's little patio before carefully rolling up the sleeves on his shirt. Under the jacket, he's wearing some very nice suspenders and a tie held in place with a tie-pin that Thorn would recognize as the sigil for Elm. He's a Germanic elf, closely related to gealsidhe. Climbing ladders is child's play compared to the scampering about in actual trees he was bred to.

Cinnamon beams at first Uta, then Marcus, "Thank you both so much!" She calls instructions up the ladder for what she was trying to do, and cheerfully hands the elf tools as he needs them. In effect, she was trying to fasten the pole securely so the rotating pulley can be hung on the end, and then a light cord run through it so the little 'ghost' can be pulled up and fastened in place.

Marcus listens and nods. He doesn't do this sort of thing, really... there are People that do that at the Residence. However, he did spend a lot of his childhood in the trod, and everyone helps out at the trod. He has to twist and reach in ways that look a little off-balance, but he doesn't stumble at all. It does, however, show off that he's got an excellent tailor. After a few moments he squints and calls down, "I think I've got it... can you see from there if that's what you wanted?"

Cinnamon blinks at the request, then blushes a bit and laughs softly at herself -- she'd been admiring, er... the, um, the cut of Marcus' pants, yes! Yes, that's her story and she's sticking to it! She giggles -- aware that Marcus, for once, wasn't consciously trying to show off -- then moves around to try and see. A few seconds later she frowns, "Um, let me... no, wait, even if I climb up the ladder behind you, I won't be able to... ah!" She brightens, "I got it! Let me change, and then I'll be able to see just fine!" She steps back, takes a breath... and a moment later, with a small whoosh! of air... a lovely scarlet dragon lifts her head up high and beams at Marcus, rumbling, "Okay, let me look now!"

Cinnamon hmms thoughtfully as her large head lowers to just beside the elf... then tilts a bit as she studies his work, "Okay, the brace has three screws in each side, right? Right, there, I can see it... and you got the pulley hung too, yay!" Marcus jumps a little when there's suddenly a large, draconic head right there. But then he laughs and shifts so she can see better, even going to far as to scritch along her eye-ridges. She blinks at the scritches, then grins as her eyelids go blissfully half-closed, "Mmm... niii-ice... uh, right! Right, you'll need the cord next!" She laughs with her usual bird-like trill as she reaches down, then hands up a neatly wrapped, brand-new hank of dark cord hooked over one claw, "Here, can you slide this into the pulley?"

Marcus smiles at the blink-purr. Dragons, his father told him, can be very cat-like in their reactions... it would seem he is right. The young elf takes the cable and threads it nimbly through the pulley, "This reminds me a bit of some of the counterweights that are sometimes used to open and close stairs to upper floors in the trod."

Cinnamon rumbles curiously, as she watches, "Like stairs that are high up in a tree or something?"

Marcus shakes his head, "No. Well... sometimes. Mostly the ones that are in multi-level structures. We try to save as much footprint as possible, and staircases take a lot of floorspace. So we have ones that fold down, and having counterweights and pulleys makes the operation smoother."

Cinnamon glances down around her large, splay-toe'd feet... then carefully retrieves the box with her 'ghost' in it, between her clawed fingers. She grins and nods, "Oh, I get that! I have folding stairs in my little house, so they don't block off any of the ground floor." There's a hint of excitement in her voice as she adds, "Here, the ghost is in this box! We need to hang it so the wind can catch it easily... like a windsock at an airport, you know?" Almost shyly she adds, "This is the first year I've had the courage to decorate the house, and dress up, for trick or treaters... so I hope they like it all!"

Marcus chuckles softly as he works on getting the ghost hung properly, "The tradition with the candy and all... it sort of made its way to Coblyn from the human world. You may see more than just children asking for candy tonight, you know -- and you will likely see quite a few costumes!" He grins down at her, "You might even see a will-o-wisp or two, but they're carefully contained."

Cinnamon ooohs excitedly, the warm gust of her breath fluttering the ghost's suitably spooky, ragged, trailing draperies, "Will-o-wisps are real?! How cool!" She laughs happily as she adds, "I'm happy to hand out candy to whomever wants some, as long as they're proper trick or treaters! Like wearing a costume, and calling out 'trick or treat!' But no bullies pushing smaller kids around, or mean stuff like that, you know?" As Marcus finishes hanging the ghost, and lifts his hands away from it, Cinnamon excitedly rumbles, "Oh, wow, it looks perfect!" Again there's a gust of warm air from her... but this time there's a very soft, slightly eerie moan coming from the ghost!

Cinnamon explains to the slightly startled Marcus that she fastened a small wooden whistle into the windsock -- and now it moans as well as flutters! As the modified windsock drifts around its circle, at the end of the cord, Cinnamon laughs happily again. Behind her, her tail is unwittingly wagging slowly back and forth too... or at least the iridescent-scarlet dragon isn't conscious of it -- until there's a startled yelp from behind her! She glances over her shoulder, then rumbles, "Whoops! Sorry about that," as she reaches to help the pedestrian back to their feet. A moment later she grins sheepishly to Marcus, "Still getting used to having a tail!"

Marcus laughs a little, "They'll all be properly attired. There may be pranks, but no one will bully the children. Are we done up here?"

Cinnamon beams, her eyes glowing with enthusiasm as she nods enthusiastically, "We are -- awesome work, Marcus! Come on down, and as soon as I've put everything away, I'll make you a nice drink so you can cool off, okay?" She steps back a bit, squeezing between the bakery and her little cottage, and mutters softly to herself... then whews gustily a second later, as she returns to her clothed human form! She patters back over to the front of the house, hastily gathering up tools and placing them just inside her door, then folding up the ladder and laying it between bakery and cottage. Marcus stays out of the way as much as possible, and helps as much as he can. Then the little dragon darts over to give Marcus another quick, cheerful hug, "Thanks so much, Marcus!" -- and this time he returns the hug more promptly. Grabbing his hand, she happily adds, "C'mon in for a drink! Oh! -and if you want, I'll show you my costume -- it is absolutely perfect, I think!"

Marcus grins, "Well then, I have to see it if it's perfect."

Cinnamon laughs happily as she closes the door and waves Marcus over to a seat on the folded-futon couch, "Be comfy! Would you like... lemonade, hot tea, hot chocolate, something else?" The young elf follows Cinnamon into the house after retrieving his carefully-folded suit jacket, and lets her know he'd love some hot cider if she has some, but if not, cocoa is lovely too. Then he looks around the little cottage, a bit bemused by Cinnamon's affection. From a lot of other people, this would be flirting... but she doesn't seem to know that -- or even to be doing it on purpose.

"Sure! It'll be just a moment to heat." The little dragon darts off into the kitchen, where she sets up a pan, fills it with cider, and drops in a bit of vanilla and a few cinnamon sticks and star anise -- then starts setting up a drink tray... and also brings out a large copper kettle (borrowed from Uta) that she scampers over to set by the front door. She pulls three or four plastic bags of candy out of the pot, and tears open the plastic to pour the candy into the kettle. There's a veritable treasure-trove of small, individually wrapped Nestles chocolate bars, Kit-Kats, Snickers, Reeses peanut butter cups, and similar chocolaty goodness by the time she's done!

As she does so, she's also chattering happily, "I decided I'd do something really silly, like Elias does, right? So I figured out the costume and as soon as your drink's ready I'll go change -- but tell you what, when I'm ready you turn and look at the front door so you'll get the full effect when I tell you to turn around again, okay?" She sniffs happily as the rich, enticing scent of the cider starts to perfume the air, "Mmm, love the smell of warm cider!" A moment later she's pattered over with the tray and two mugs of hot cider, each sporting a cinnamon stick, "Here you go -- enjoy! I'll be right back." Marcus chuckles quietly to himself at the cinnamon stick in the cider. Then he takes his mug and turns himself around toward the door as he sips. This is... a confusing encounter! Though, after last night, apparently he's still on her good side. He finds he likes that.

Cinnamon scrambles up her fold-down stairs to her bedroom, where Marcus can hear various rustling sounds, and the thump of her shoes being dropped on the floor. Shortly thereafter there's a small whoosh! and thump as she slides down her firepole to the first floor again... and then Cinnamon excitedly says, "Okay, you can turn around now, Marcus!" He does so, curious to see what the little dragon has in mind as 'silly.'

Cinnamon is wearing... a slightly baggy, bright green, dragon onesie! There's a hood she's pulled up onto her head, with a stuffed dragon snout, curling white felt fangs, and lemon-yellow stuffed horns, while the arms of the onesie end in detachable green mittens with plushie claws in the same shade of yellow. Down her back (though Marcus can't see that yet) is a line of stuffed yellow ridges that extend all the way to a small, plumply stuffed spade-shape at the end of the short, waggly little green tail. Further, Cinnamon has found a pair of overstuffed green slippers with fake claws to wear on her feet! As she sees Marcus turn, she takes a small hop forward, landing in a crouch with her hands up and fingers curled like claws -- then gleefully squeaks, "Rawr!" She giggles and beams at Marcus, eyes sparkling, "What'cha think?!" She looks... oddly, far more adorable than just silly!

Marcus actually startles slightly at the jump, though Cinnamon can tell he's playing it for laughs, a little bit, and holds his hands up, "Oh, no! A fierce and dangerous dragon!" But then he's laughing, blue eyes twinkling as he looks over the adorable little outfit... and finds himself thinking, [She's really very lovely when she's smiling like this. She ought to do it more...]

Cinnamon laughs delightedly, pattering forward to cheerfully hug Marcus again, "Yeah, better beware the dangerously candy-bearing dragonling!" She laughs again, nearly bouncing around Marcus, "Isn't it just perfect, too?!"

Marcus hugs back this time without the hesitation. He considers taking a bit of a liberty and kissing her, but has enough social savvy to know it would break the odd little spell here, "It's quite the best costume you could have chosen. So... would you like company for your first Halloween on Coblyn? Butler and Father can handle the stream of people at the Residence."

Cinnamon squeaks excitedly as she bounces in place on her plush-claw-toed, oversized slippers, "Ooh! Would you like to?! That'd be fun -- oh! But you have to dress up too, okay? Something that'd be with a dragon, I think, like... like a... knight, maybe?" She settles back into her seat, absently pushing back the hood and picking up her mug of hot cider as she muses aloud, "No, not a knight, actually... all they want to do with dragons is kill them and take their treasure. Hm... okay, maybe something from... like fairy tales or computer game- oh! Perfect: I know! You could be a princess!" She laughs happily again -- curiously, she seems genuinely delighted, rather than, say, mocking -- as she adds, "You've got the beautiful long blonde hair and the big blue eyes for it, after all... oh, and I bet you know how to behave like friendly royalty too, right?" She beams as she pushes up her glasses, adding, "Princess Peach, maybe? From that computer game?" It's clear she's not really that familiar with computer games, from that statement!

Marcus looks genuinely perplexed -- not particularly at the idea of drag, but at the idea of whoever Princess Peach is, "Uhm... I have never in my life played a video game, Cinnamon. I've some vague idea what they are from my forays into the outside world, but..." He shrugs elegantly and chuckles, "I could be a princess, but how about I dress as a prince instead? Perhaps we could do a male version of whoever this Peach person is?"

Cinnamon thinks about that for a moment -- then grins enthusiastically, "That's actually a really smart idea, Marcus -- 'cause I bet everyone just assumes the dragons are male, right? So if we have a female dragon, then sure! It'd just make sense to have a male prince! So do you have some clothes that look kinda friendly-princely?" She hops to her feet and patters over to her laptop, her fingers flying over the keyboard as she simultaneously talks, "I'm not really a huge computer game player myself but I like some of the solitaire strategy ga- ah, here we go! This is Princess Peach... hmm, do you have anything that might look like a cute little tiara, and some flowing soft pink -- or blue, maybe -- clothing? Feel free to ditch the bell skirt though-" she laughs, "since now I know how much they can get in the way!" Her eyes are alight with mischief as she laughingly adds, "Just let your hair down, maybe? Oh! -and sparkly on your clothing -- can you do sparkly?!"

Marcus walks over to look over Cinnamon's shoulder... well, actually he le-eeeans right over her shoulder so his hair would be brushing the side of her neck if she weren't wearing her onesie. He's even already unbraided it on the way over, "I have a circlet I could wear. It's not often taken out of the safe... and there are some sort of rose-colored things I could wear. As for sparkly... I supposed I could do that."

Cinnamon laughs again as she turns around, impulsively hugs Marcus again, and bounces over to refill their cider mugs, "Oh, yay! This is gonna be such fun this year!" She turns around with the mug in her hand -- and blinks as she notices the long hair. A moment later she adds admiringly, "Oh, wow, your hair really is going to be perfect! It's a shame we can't use makeup to make your eyes look bigger!" She hands Marcus his mug as she hopefully adds, "Unless you know how to do that? 'Fraid I don't -- makeup is sure not my forte!"

Marcus takes the mug, "Isn't that one of the things makeup can do? I'll ask Hilde." He smiles as he sips, "She's put some on me at one time or another. I mean, you saw my costume at the ball. I was wearing quite a bit of eyeshadow under the mask."

Cinnamon brightens at that, "Ooh, good point! Okay, that's perfect then!" She grins, adding, "Can you be ready by... let's say 3:30? That way we'll both be here if any really young kids come by early!"

Marcus smiles, "I'll see you then." Then he does risk it, and kisses her on the cheek, "I should go. I need to get things in motion on the costume." He sets down the mug and lets himself out before Cinnamon can explode from blushing.

Cinnamon blinks a bit startledly at the kiss -- but then realizes: oh, that's right -- that's just how the European elves are! She laughs, calling after Marcus, "Okay! See you soon, then!"

Thorn, meanwhile is wandering the street with Shane, taking in the surprisingly exuberant Halloween festivities. He isn't in costume, but he is enjoying the sights and sounds and (as he passes the bakery) smells. They're headed in the general direction of Cinnamon's home, since the bakery is right there, and Shane seems to want to check in on Cinnamon for some reason. Thorn smiles -- Shane's fooling no-one, of course. However, Thorn has also been plying Shane for the history of the Street. He doesn't want gossip so much as the little bits and bobs of history that seem to slip by historians' notice. Fortunately, Shane has a lot of that kind of history. He, after all, didn't grow up here -- so he asked a lot of the same questions. Plus, he's talked to Elias a lot. Consequently he has little bits of information about certain buildings and people, and is happy to share them with Thorn.

Because Shane is pointing something out about a building on the other side of the street, it's Thorn that sees Marcus leaving Cinnamon's cottage. Thorn blinks and misses what Shane's saying, due to startlement. Marcus? Coming out of Cinnamon's house? How... why? "Ah, I'm sorry, what was that? I got, uh, distracted for a second," he adds to Shane a heartbeat later. His mind is racing. Tell Shane or not? Or... actually, he has a feeling Cinnamon will tell them once they get there. Wait... no. Thorn decides he should just blurt it out. "Isn't that Marcus over there?" he asks, knowing full well that Marcus's trajectory can be traced back to Cinnamon's house.

Shane chuckles, "I was just saying that when I first got here, there was a huge scandal about the imps living in that building. They were selling mildly hexed sh..." He blinks and looks... at Marcus. Definitely Marcus... and either coming from Uta's place or Cinnamon's. Please let it be Uta's. "Yeah. Huh... late in the day for pastry. We should drop in and say hi to Cinnamon." Smooth. That's not obvious at all. Naturally, Thorn notices Shane's... reaction, which is exactly why he originally didn't want to say anything about Marcus. Still, the only way Marcus can hurt Cinnamon is emotionally, so checking in with the little dragon might be a good thing.

Inside the little alpine cottage, Cinnamon has just turned away from relocking her door and resetting all the hexes, and is happily planning what she needs to do next... when she hears the knock at her door. Goodness, the kids are starting really early here! She laughs quietly, pattering back to the door and cueing the kids for the requisite 'trick or treat!' -- by cheerfully calling out, "Who's the-eeere?!"

Shane chuckles, "Sha-aaane and Tho-ooorn."

Cinnamon squeaks excitedly -- oh, even more perfect: she gets to show off her silly costume again to friends! "Oh, wow, oh, uhhh..." She glances around -- how to set this up? Ah, of course! She giggles, then calls back, "Okay! I'm gonna let you both in, and I want you both to walk in and keep facing forward till I say so, okay? I wanna surprise you both with my costume!" She's unlocking the door as she speaks, and when she swings it open she'll stay carefully tucked behind it -- oh! She hastily pulls on the gloves and hood too, as the two men enter.

Thorn blinks at Cinnamon's orders. That's... strange? But she sounds in good spirits! Shane thinks that were this anyone but Cinnamon, being asked to walk in without looking at his surroundings would have every alarm bell he has going off. But it's Cinnamon, so he does what he's asked. He even resolves to ignore his peripheral vision and walks straight forward. Cinnamon can't suppress the giggle as she swings the door closed again, securing it before she crouches slightly and puts up her hands into little claw shapes again -- and then, with the laughter still bubbling in her voice, she excitedly says, "Turn around now!" Just as the two men do so, she'll repeat what she did with Marcus -- she makes a short hop forward and squeaks, "Rawr!"

Thorn almost jumps at Cinnamon's 'Rawr!' -- and for a brief instant he thinks the dragon has actually... well, become a dragon! A miniature dragon, but still... then he realizes the color is wrong, and the poofy scales and spines and horns are a little too soft and plush. He bursts out laughing once he realizes what it is, "Cinnamon, that's a magnificent costume. It's perfect!"

Cinnamon nearly glows with delight! Beaming, she bounces up and hugs Thorn enthusiastically, "Yay! I'm so glad you like it too -- I thought it was too perfect not to get!"

Shane jumps as well, even though he knew Cinnamon was over there... partially because the color is quite startling; partially because dammit, that was adorable! -and how can he not reward her for it? He laughs as well, "Oh, stars and moon, acushla, it's adorable. Elias would approve."

Cinnamon is still beaming joyously as she turns and hugs Shane too, "Oh, awesome -- it was Elias that was my inspiration, in fact, for a fun-silly costume to hand out the candy!" She laughs, bouncing on her toes once before she darts off for the kitchen, "Oh! Let me get you both some hot cider -- oh, and would you all like to help hand out candy?! Marcus hung my ghost for me, so I invited him to stay and help hand out candy too -- he's going to be Prince Peach, to match my dragon -- isn't that awesome?! Here you go!" She comes pattering back with two mugs of steaming hot cider, each sporting a cinnamon stick. The delicious smell pervades the little cottage, in fact.

Shane blinks slowly. So, not getting pastry. "Oh? He is? Sounds fun. I'd love to come by and hang out as well. " [And I am not leaving him alone with her all night, dressed up like a prince and being charming at her!] It's not that he's jealous. It's just that he doesn't trust Marcus' intentions, "I could maybe wear my Fremen costume again..."

Cinnamon eee!s happily, "Oh, that'd be fun, Shaney -- you should absolutely come hand out candy with us! Though it's gotta be a silly costume, dude! Something that hangs out wi- oh!" Her eyes get wide, "Oh, wow, I have the perfect idea for you maybe!" She giggles excitedly, "Can you find some pointy ears? You could be Link! Here to rescue the princess -- er, prince! -from the terribly scary-silly candy-dragon!"

Thorn blinks a bit as he accepts the hot cider mug. "I'm afraid I can't," he regretfully admits. "Hand out candy, I mean -- I have to be at the infirmary tonight."

Cinnamon laughs at her suggestion to Shane, bouncing on her toes again -- then awww!s disappointedly at Thorn's announcement, "Bummer! Well... well, maybe next year? Oh! That reminds me -- Thorny, would you like to fly to Iceland with me and Shaney and Elias? It'd be great to have a doc- a medical person -- er, are you a doctor yet? -- on the flight, and safer for Elias too, right?"

Thorn smiles, "Sure, next year! As for Iceland, I'd be glad to. I'm not really a doctor, no...but 'medical person' works just fine!"

Shane bemusedly says, "Link isn't..." -- but then realizes Cinnamon obviously doesn't know Princess Peach from Princess Zelda! Plus, he'd much rather be Link than Mario anyway, "Oh, I'm sure I could do something to make my ears pointed, and dress up as Link for you." He's likely one of the few people (possibly aside from Thorn) on Coblyn that's actually familiar with video games.

Cinnamon squeals excitedly, "Yay!" She's almost dancing around the two men, burbling happily about finally having the courage to have fun and participate in the Hallowe'en festivities. It's almost a miracle she's not spilled any cider yet, in fact!

The little dragon has an unexpectedly wonderful time that night, handing out candy with Shane and Marcus. The threesome's costumes are much admired and laughed about -- much to Cinnamon's delight -- and she's exuberant at both the number of folks who stop by her little cottage, and the appreciation for her spooky little ghost! The only thing that surprises her, in fact, is the costumes the children (and quite a few adults, as well) choose -- there aren't many supernaturals at all! Instead, she happily compliments this girl on her astronaut costume, or that boy on his robot... there are cowpunchers and firefighters, bats and pumpkins, clowns and pirates and more... and upon reflection, Cinnamon realizes what's going on. To the children, the supernatural is commonplace -- it's humans who are strange and weird and unusual!

Shane oohs and ahhs over the costumes. There are almost no scary ones; part of it is that these people are considered the monsters under the bed, in many cases. He gives out many compliments and makes a lot of the kids giggle and assure him that they aren't really a firefighter or a robot! Marcus is surprisingly charming, such that many a girl reaches up to almost longingly pet his hair... which he allows with a warm smile. He charms the parents quite a lot as well, being more comfortable with adults than children. By evening's end, Cinnamon is tired but happy -- and very glad she got as much candy to hand out as she did! She hugs both men, thanking them very sincerely before she shoo's them both out the door with the small remainder of candy split between them... and then she pads sleepily off to bed! She hugs herself happily once she's all tucked in -- Shane and Marcus were both so pretty -- and nice to her, too! What a super-wonderful night this was!

When both men are standing outside the door, and he's sure Cinnamon won't hear, Shane murmurs, "Marcus, if you are being friendly just to hurt her... I will personally, and with great pleasure, break your nose." Then he smiles with apparent good humor, "Have a great night!" and saunters off down the street. Marcus is left standing there, one eyebrow raised in bemusement. It's well-known, after all, that Shane does not lie.

It's getting close to time for the Iceland trip, and Valkyrie is in dock. Fraser and the captain have visited Coblyn Street to let folk know the lovely ship is ready for people to start bringing their gear aboard while the crew restocks. Arvid is also taking time to restock on some things that can only be bought in supernatural enclaves, leaving Fraser to be the go-between.

Thorn has already had some gear loaded onto the Valkyrie in preparation for the two-week trip to Iceland -- mostly medical supplies. He realizes, though, that the Valkyrie (like any other well-stocked ship) already has a lot of what he wanted loaded on... so he asks Cinnamon if she could retrieve some of the extraneous supplies, since it's likely they'll be needed back at the infirmary. Cinnamon is happy to help out! She heads out that morning, pattering off to the docks, where she hails the Valkyrie before trotting up the gangplank to the ship itself, "Halloo, Valkyrie! Can I come aboard? Are either Fraser or Arvid maybe available for a moment, please?"

Fraser leans over the rail and grins down at Cinnamon, "The captain's a'ready on Coblyn. I'm surprised ye dinnae see him! But I'm available."

Cinnamon blinks, "Oh! I'm sorry, Fraser -- I didn't think to check!" She considers, then patters on aboard the ship, adding, "Well, no problem! I just wanted to let you guys know that I'm going to fly Elias to Iceland, since he can't ride with you all... and to make sure he's safe, I'll be taking both Shane and Thorn too." Apologetically she adds, "I don't mean to take your paying customers -- I'm sorry! But I thought those two were the minimum I could safely get away with to ensure Elias is okay the whole way, you know?" She sighs, then smiles wryly, "So Thorn asked me to come get his medicine chest that he'd already loaded aboard. Is that okay with you, please?"

Fraser laughs quietly, "Lass, t'isn't like we'd not be goin', any road! An' th' two less willnae harm us much a'tall fer money. This is, as th' captain might say, an extra run -- we're doing it almost fer our oon pleasure! Gi'e me a few." Fraser is gone less than five minutes before he returns with Thorn's supplies, moving with cheerful ease.

Cinnamon sighs in relief, smiling at Fraser as he returns, "Thanks so much, Frasey! Here, I can carry it if you want?" It doesn't immediately hit her how wrong that would look to human eyes -- the tiny woman carrying the large chest while the burly man with her carries nothing at all. It is, perhaps, a testament to her emotional growth on Coblyn, in fact! She cheerfully adds, "Want to come to Coblyn with me, and meet up with the captain? Or do you have to stay here?" She does enjoy Fraser's company, after all, even if she's not yet noticed the nature of his teasing Shane!

Fraser grins, "And were we anywhere what weren't mostly plain old humans, I might let ye do it, lass. But right now, ye look like a wee lassie and I look like a big, strappin' lad -- and folk would gi'e me right dirty looks all the way back to Coblyn!" He winks as he easily hauls the chest along where it rests on one broad shoulder, "Besides, I want tae pick oop a couple o' things while there."

"Oh!" Cinnamon blushes as she falls in beside the Scottish werewolf, "I'm sorry, Frasey -- I'm not trying to get you into trouble!" She patters alongside the much taller man, happily adding, "I'm glad I won't be cutting into your bottom line, then. It's a shame you had to miss Halloween on Coblyn, too -- it was so much fu-!" She cuts off abruptly, a puzzled expression crossing her face as she sniffs, then sort of licks at the air. A moment later she murmurs, "...Baird? -and... is that angry... upset?" She reaches out to rest a hand on Fraser's arm, "Frasey, can we take just a moment, please, to check something?" She's clearly focusing in on the scent of someone she knows, as she turns and starts walking slowly in another direction.

Fraser is far more streetwise than Cinnamon, and can tell she's heading for the more... disreputable side of the docks, "Ah... lass, if there's someone ye know in that direction, they may not wish tae be seen by ye...?" He nonetheless follows her. She can take care of herself, of course, but he's not about to let her just wander about alone over that way!

Baird, meanwhile, has tracked down the mole -- and has successfully cornered the man! The two of them are currently fighting in an almost eerily quiet manner, such that people passing not six feet away would have no idea there's a mortal struggle taking place, if they didn't have senses like Cinnamon's. Consequently, when she finally peers cautiously around a corner, then blinks and steps into the mouth of the short alleyway, she calls out in quiet confusion, "Baird? Is that you?" The little dragon isn't at all a strategist, unfortunately -- to the point that she's not even entirely sure the two men are actually fighting!

Baird is startled by the sound of his name, out here where no one should know him at all -- and so, unfortunately, he reflexively glances that way -- which gives his opponent the critical opening to take a swipe at his throat with the small, black, deadly blade he's carrying. He misses Baird's carotid, but does get the cord holding Aisling's talisman -- and it falls away from the struggle. With it go all of Baird's protections against the curse plaguing him. He swears vociferously as he tries to yank back -- but instead only manages to stumble into the man's blade. He thuds heavily into the dirty asphalt, as the sharp little dagger plunges deeply into his side.

Cinnamon gasps in horror, "Baird! Oh, no!" and rushes heedlessly forward -- she can taste the sudden, unpleasant tang of blood on the air. Behind her, Fraser mutters, "Fuck me!" -- and drops the chest to hastily follow after her. He moves faster than any human, so he's fortunately able to coldcock the mole (who wasn't even looking for him yet) and take the man down before he can further wound anyone else. As he does so, the big Scots werewolf snarls; it doesn't sound in the least bit human.

On the ground, Baird is panting and swearing in Scots Gaelic, hand pressed to the wound in his side. Cinnamon is almost crying, she feels so bad! How could she be so stupid, and get poor Baird nearly killed like that?! She rushes to his side, dropping to her knees next to him and nearly babbling, "I'm so sorry this is my fault let me see how bad is it oh crabcakes how could I be such an idiot...!" She blinks and goes very pale for a moment, however, when she sees the open wound -- then hastily looks away and braces herself with one hand on the ground... must not faint, must not throw up...! She gulps once or twice, then takes a deep breath... then carefully looks only at Baird's face as she says slowly and clearly, "Baird, we're going to Coblyn right now, okay? I'll have Thorny take a look at you, and Ash can make another pendant!" She rises to her feet, picking Baird up at the same time and setting him on his feet next to her, "Hold on to me, and keep your other hand tight on your side, okay? We don't want anyone calling the police and stopping us!"

Fraser doesn't say anything about this; doesn't ask questions. Instead, he uses Cinnamon's distraction to quietly, cleanly, and efficiently snap the other man's neck. Then he divests the body of weapons and ID -- and then the Scots werewolf turns back and asks quietly and urgently, "Do I need to carry him for you, lass? We'll need to take Thorn's things with us. We want to leave as little behind to identify us as possible."

Baird is, meanwhile, going pale as he continues swearing. He's aware enough to nod and grit out through his teeth, "Let's... let's leg it."

Cinnamon glances at Fraser a bit grimly, "Can you sort of walk so people don't get too close, please, Frasey?" She's already heading out of the alleyway and back towards Coblyn, as fast as she can walk without dragging poor Baird. She blinks again as Fraser's words register, and thinks a moment... then shakes her head, "You bring the trunk, and I'll help Baird. He's cursed too, and it's meaner than yours in that it's on all the time -- and I really don't want to see what happens if your two curses hit each other!" In her frantic need to help the man she caused to get injured, she doesn't even notice the mole's death. Fraser arches a brow. A curse worse than his? That's active constantly? What did this poor bastard do? He nods and picks up the medical chest, then proceeds to follow Cinnamon, looking mean and 'don't fuck with me' enough to keep people backed-off.

Cinnamon talks quietly to Baird, trying to make sure he's staying conscious, "Talk to me, please, Baird? Let me know you're still with me?" She intersperses that with commentary about how much/how little time is left on their walk... and she worries, since she can feel Baird's (negligible, to her) weight slowly increasing as he unwittingly leans more and more on her. Nearby, Fraser is almost impressed with the number of small inconveniences that crop up: they have to wait at every street crossing. People seem to almost purposely get in their way, but no one seems to see them. Things are starting to get to the point of dangerous, with Baird staggering and nearly tripping Cinnamon up a couple of times... and then Cinnamon sighs in relief as they turn the final corner, and she can see the entrance to Coblyn, "Almost there! Hang on, Baird -- worse comes to worse, we can just carry you once we're on the street. Let's keep you walking as long as you safely can, though, okay? That way I know you're still with me..."

Once they reach Coblyn and step into what ought to be the safety of the enclave, though, the little dragon glances wryly at Fraser, "Okay, keep a really wary eye out now, Frasey, please? His curse gets more, um... more cranky now that we're on Coblyn, so watch out for -- for, like, bricks falling or carts running out of control or stuff like that!" She gasps in relief as she spots a small, wiry kid loitering near the street's mouth, "TimTam -- just the person! Run a message for me, please? Tell Thorn and Aisling to meet us at Uta's for a medical emergency for the cursed, er... um, the..." Someone sees Cinnamon with a bleeding human and a large, hulking... someone carrying an obvious medical chest -- and they rush over to ask what's going on -- after all, the infirmary is all the way down Coblyn! Cinnamon grins wryly as several more people rush over, and Fraser updates them; she's just concentrating on getting Baird safely to Uta's. Then she blinks -- and yells after the wiry kid, "Tell Shane too, if you see him -- and I promise you'll get paid well!" TimTam waves a hand back, letting Cinnamon know she heard.

Cinnamon squeaks startledly as that moment of inattention causes Baird to stumble and fall on her. She straightens him up as best she can, then nods to Fraser, "Can you sort of... circle around us as we go, and try to keep us sa- watch out!" It's a good thing Cinnamon is so warily alert -- because Fraser almost trips over someone coming out of Cafe Prague -- literally! He was walking backward for a moment to check on Cinnamon, and checking Baird's reactions, to make sure the merc is still conscious. The someone he almost trips over is a tall, slender, lovely woman in a traditional kimono, to whom Cinnamon apologizes breathlessly, "We are so sorry, um, lady! Excuse us please medical emergency!" She bows her head politely to the, er... Japanese? -woman, but doesn't have much more attention to spare -- Baird is leaning almost all his weight on her by now, and she really doesn't like the clammy, pale way his face looks!

The woman admittedly wasn't paying much attention either -- instead, she was muttering in great irritation to herself! She looks rather like she stepped fully-realized out of a lovely classic Japanese painting of a noblewoman, though in reality she's a lucky Japanese crane. She's in town to help with regrowing Aoi's body -- and, just like always, people only want her for her longevity and fecundity luck -- which is so boring and banal! However, when the very large man almost falls over her, she startles away -- then gets a good look at Cinnamon and the bloodied merc. This looks quite interesting! Further, it's abundantly clear that this group could all really use some luck.

In her very lightly accented voice, the lovely Asian woman murmurs, "I may be of some assistance. He will need quite a bit of good fortune to stay healthy, after all." With a soft shimmer and musical chime, she goes from being a lovely, elegant woman, to a lovely, elegant crane -- easily as tall as Fraser! Her body is snow-white, while her crown is scarlet, and her graceful, slender neck is as ebony as her long legs and her neatly folded wingtips. She paces smoothly along with them, speaking with the same slight accent, "What is wrong with him? They are both very, very cursed; I can feel that..." -- and then she calls out to Fraser, "Duck!" The big werewolf looks confused, but then ducks -- just in time to not get hit by an errant ball from a game being played by some children in one of the little pocket parks.

Cinnamon gives a small, startled squeak at the shapechange, but then sighs in relief, "You're a lucky Japanese crane? Domo arigatogozaimasu, Lady Crane-san, for walking with us!" She thinks a moment, then asks Fraser and Baird, "You guys? Can I tell the Lady Crane-san what's going on, please? I think she can help if she knows what's up!"

Baird grits his teeth, "Will it keep me from fuckin' dying?"

The crane actually laughs, "Yes. It might." Cinnamon thanks both men when they give permission -- though Baird's definitely sounding rather out of it by now -- and then politely asks the lucky crane to please not repeat this to anyone, without asking the affected persons for permission first. The crane replies politely, "Curses are very personal things. I would not repeat them without... incoming!" This is again addressed to Fraser, who reaches a hand up and catches a flowerpot that fell off a ledge overhead. The red-crowned crane smoothly continues, "-explicit permission. It would be similar to... to breaching the seal of the confessional for a Catholic, as I understand it. You may wish to step two feet to the left so you do not trip on that missing cobblestone."

Cinnamon blinks at the sudden subject change -- but is mentally swift enough that she almost instantly realizes who the crane was just talking to! She turns and simply picks Baird up, since he's not in any condition to dodge anything, and carefully steps them both around the missing cobblestone... then sets Baird gently back down again, "Gotcha! Thanks again, Lady Crane-san!" After that she quietly explains the issue for both the Scots werewolf... and the Scots merc. She knows both men may be interested (even if much later) in what's up with the other, after all. She adds a bit worriedly, "Frasey? You're, um... growling... rather a lot? Are you okay? Your curse isn't kicking up early or anything due to being around another curse, is it?" She mutters wryly to herself, "Though I don't know how poor Frasey would know... it's not like we've experimented much -- or at all! -- with cursed folks together!" The Scots werewolf blinks, nods once to Cinnamon, then mutters a bit to himself -- but he firmly stops the growling.

The crane bobs her head to Cinnamon, "So, this one's amulet was removed accidentally and... you may wish to deflect that out-of-control handcart... you have brought him to Coblyn to get medical help and a new amulet. This is fascinating; I am so pleased to be present. He must be destined for some great good, to have someone working so very strongly against him." Even as she speaks, Fraser looks startled, glances around -- then throws himself in front of a cart rolling swiftly away from a butcher's distracted apprentice.

Cinnamon grins shyly at the crane woman, "I like to think so! He took seeing me and Josie shapechange with, um... well, he took it pretty well, I think?" She adds firmly, "But at some point we are going to Ireland with him -- to fix this curse issue once and for all!" She grins up at Baird, who is silent mostly because he needs all his breath just to stay conscious, "No arguing? Great! I'm glad you agree!"

As the group chats and proceeds slowly forward, they pass in front of the Irish pub -- just as a very inebriated patron comes stumbling out. He seems greatly offended at seeing the group in his way -- and the crane (with barely a pause in her conversation) neatly and efficiently trips the man, flipping him out of the way such that he's left sprawled unconscious in the middle of the street. That gets Baird's attention! The crane graciously explains to the breathlessly fascinated man, "Crane style kung fu was named for my people." Cinnamon grins at Baird, then thanks the lady crane yet again... and keeps Baird moving as swiftly as she comfortably (for him) can. She's glancing around and hoping either Shane or Aisling turn up soon too -- so that the curse is under at least some control by the time Thorn arrives for healing. Then she giggles quietly to herself -- this is so Baird! A lucky Japanese crane is helping him stay alive... but does that impress him? Not at all -- it's the martial arts that grabs his attention!

At the far end of Coblyn Street, Thorn hears the words 'Cinnamon' and 'medical emergency' -- and he grabs his paramedic kit and is off like a flash, dashing to Uta's as fast as he can. Consequently, perhaps it's due to the little group having the lucky Crane Woman with them... because Aisling, Shane, and Thorn all converge at the same time at Cinnamon's cottage. The little dragon sighs in relief, "There they are!" She waves with her free hand, calling, "Hi, peeps! Thanks for coming!" Then she simply picks Baird up and trots over to lay him gently on one of Uta's outside tables. To the huldra she says, "I am so sorry, Uta, to do this -- but I can't take him into my cottage and it's kinda an emergency?" She adds in quick explanation to her friends, "I stupidly distracted Baird during a fight and he got stabbed and lost his amulet- oh, shoot!" She apologetically adds to Baird, "I'm so sorry I lost you that guy -- who was he? I'll help you track him down later, if you want, okay?"

Thorn blinks as he rushes up, gasping out, "Baird!" He almost leaps to the mercenary's side, throwing open his kit and hissing as he studies the wound. "Right in the side... smells like they punctured the intestines. Blast! Have to worry about sepsis, and he's lost a lot of blood...." He swiftly starts working over Baird with conventional medicine, though he's prepared to use magic as back-up if necessary -- he's just not sure how Baird's curse would affect either attempt! As it is, without fairly major surgery Thorn knows Baird isn't going to make it -- but the least the medic feels he can do is stabilize the merc long enough to either get him to surgery, or to start casting magic over him.

Aisling (having been told what's going on by the breathless TimTam) has brought another amulet. She clucks her tongue as she too studies the badly injured man, "You'll have to do it here, Thorn -- or at least in the infirmary here. He can't go to a human hospital! They'd take off the amulet, and that would be a disaster." She puts the new amulet on Baird -- and abruptly, things around him suddenly feel a lot less... fraught.

Cinnamon hugs Shane out of sheer relief -- looks like everything's going to be okay, despite her being stupid! She sighs and smiles at sight of the amulet, "Oh, awesome -- thanks so much, Aisling!" Shane hugs Cinnamon back, then slowly rubs her back as he looks around, face grim. This could have gone so much worse! It's good she and Fraser were there.

The crane leans her long-beaked head over Aisling's shoulder, murmuring, "That is a very nice piece of luck!"

Thorn lets out a breath of relief, "Thanks, Aisling... and no, I wasn't planning on taking him to the hospital. All right...." He takes a deep breath, using his magic to 'see' and diagnose just what is wrong with Baird -- there's surely something Thorn missed in his initial assessment! If he's going to use magic, then he's going to have to use it right.

Baird relaxes immediately upon feeling the ameliorative effects of the amulet. In a pained, groggy voice he gasps out, "I trust ye, Thorn -- 'd rather die here than die oot there o' a dirty belly wound."

Cinnamon growls firmly, "You are not going to die, Baird -- Thorn is amazing, and we have all kinds of lucky people here for you!" She's feeling immensely better herself too, already, thanks to Shane's comforting back rub. Fraser stays back and silent; he knows when to keep out of the way. A moment later Cinnamon brightens, "Oh, Thorny! We brought your chest of medical equipment from the Valkyrie too -- do you need any of it now?"

Thorn looks pleased, "It may, yes -- thank you!" Then he focuses his mind on trying to diagnose what else might be ailing the injured Baird. The merc is pale and sweaty, his panting fast and shallow. He's lost quite a lot of blood, and he's got a couple of perforations in his small intestine... along with a nick in his liver. Anyone else, and the location would have been fine -- but it hit just exactly wrong this time. Of course, likely very few people here are at all surprised, since it's clearly the curse doing its work. The fact that he's trained to work through pain is likely the only reason he's still speaking at all.

The Japanese crane lady watches all this very curiously, "He is very brave. A soldier?" Though they don't know it, having the crane there with them is going to help out even on top of Thorn's own unusual luck.

Shane murmurs, "Of a sort. Soldier of fortune."

The avian woman's head tips to the side, "He feels more like a samurai than a ronin. An honorable warrior, perhaps, whose lord forsook him, rather than the other way around." Fraser snorts at that, but doesn't say anything.

Cinnamon winces as Thorn absently describes what he's 'feeling' through the magic -- she feels terribly guilty about the successful attack on poor Baird! Her voice is a soft whisper, "Oh, Thorny... can you heal him up, please? Please?" She shakes her head, though her worried gaze doesn't leave Baird, "I don't know, Lady Crane-san -- I just know he's always been straight with us, even when he could have made more money otherwise!"

Thorn hisses softly. "Damn... this could have been worse, but not by much. Yes, I'm hoping I can, Cinnamon." He takes a slow breath, centering himself, and visualizing Baird's body and the wounds within and without. He tries to envision the lacerations sealing themselves, the toxins flushing themselves from his body, the blood replenishing. Cinnamon is almost wringing her hands -- but simultaneously carefully making sure she stays out of Thorn's way! There's a moment where Thorn can tell he's succeeded and that his abilities have stopped the most grievous wounds... but then there's something that sort of... slides in and boosts him! Instead of simply healing the liver puncture and closing the intestinal rents, the jaundiced look to Baird's skin eases up, and the wound itself heals almost closed. Baird still looks pale, but not hypovolemic. Thorn's eyes snap open, and he blinks as he confusedly lifts up his hands from Baird, "He, uh, he should be fine now? More than fine. I think we had some luck helping us," he adds, smiling to the crane lady.

The crane preens slightly, "It has been some time since I have been needed on a battlefield... even such a small one as this."

Cinnamon gasps in relief, "Oh, yay!" She flings her arms around Shane in a hug, "He did it!"

Shane hugs Cinnamon back and grins, "Thorn's a miracle worker."

Thorn smiles wanly to Shane, "I just try my best with what I have." [For the time being, at least], he thinks, still acutely aware of the possibility of some sort of blowback.

Cinnamon beams, twirling next to tightly hug Fraser, "Yay for Thorny!" and then around the startled Thorn, as she crows, "Told you he was awesome, Baird!"

Baird is still panting a little as he laughs shakily, "Aye, you did." His accent isn't as thick now he's got a bit more of his wits about him. Most of the time, he sounds somewhat more like, say, Ewan McGregor: Scottish around the edges.

The little dragon is beaming hugely as she does a quick but proper bow to the lovely, elegant Japanese crane, "I do not doubt it is thanks to you, Lady Crane-san, that no one at all was harmed, too -- domo arigatogozaimasu!"

The crane dips her head in a bow, then shimmers back into the form of the elegant Japanese lady they first saw coming out of Cafe Prague, "But now I am quite curious. Why is this one wrapped around with such a virulent curse? Such bad luck is usually only set on someone who is set to do great things against a very evil person... or against someone who wronged a great sorcerer."

Cinnamon whirls then to Baird, her voice stern as she adds, "And you! Baird, we have simply got to get you to Ireland soon, to take care of this -- this issue!" She pauses for a breath, then pushes her glasses up and adds more confusedly, "So, uhh... why were you fighting that guy, please?"

Baird laughs, then coughs... then swears -- there's still a little pain, "Bastard's a mole... and now he's likely got away."

Fraser's quiet voice is flat, "No. He's not."

Cinnamon glances around at everyone, then says, "Hey, uhmm... m-maybe we should talk about this someplace a bit less, um... public?" She glances musingly at her little cottage, "I wonder if Frasey and Baird can come into my home now...?" She patters over to the door and unlocks it, then beckons to everyone, "C'mon in! I'll make tea for everyone, and... I think I still have some cookies?" She wishes a bit frustratedly she had something more nice to offer -- oh! She beams, pattering back, "Uta! May I please have a nice big box of pastries, please? Just a random assortment, okay?"

Aisling counts up the number of people standing around, then says, "Cinnamon, sweetheart, there are quite a few of us... would we all fit?"

Cinnamon grins at Aisling and nods, "Sure! As long as we all stay in the front room -- it's designed to hold big folks like Josie-wolf!"

Aisling hmmms, "I suppose that's true." She looks the two cursed men over, "I think they can." Cinnamon asks Shane to bring the box of pastries when it's ready, and asks Thorn, Aisling, and the Lady Crane to bring Baird. Shane and Fraser help Baird up -- he's still moving slowly, since he's healed but still a little anemic. Shane then goes to get the pastries, while Fraser hands the merc off to Aisling and Thorn.

Cinnamon patters over to Fraser, grabbing his hand and cheerfully tugging him along to see if he can walk through her door... while also promising him that if he can't, she'll see what she can temporarily change so he can! Fraser snorts and lets himself be pulled along. It seems like he can come in -- possibly since he's being welcomed in by the home's occupant. The little dragon beams happily up at the big werewolf, "There you go! Awesome. Go have a seat and I'll start some tea, okay?" She waves a hand towards the folding futon sofa, then patters happily off to the kitchen. She ponders what sort of cup to use for Lady Crane... oh, wait -- she shifted back to human form, right! The little dragon hopes her tea isn't too awful tasting for the Japanese lady!

Thorn says to Baird, "I still suggest taking it easy, and taking in a lot of water and rest for the next day or so. You're healed, but best not to push things." He's keeping an eye on Baird, just to make sure there's no lingering problems that he missed in his diagnosis. Fraser settles -- carefully -- onto the sofa and looks around, chuckling quietly to himself. He's followed soon after by Aisling, who sits quite fearlessly beside him. After all, she's sailed with him.

The crane comes in and smiles as she looks around the cozy little space with its Japanese touches, "You have many charms and pieces of luck."

Aisling nods, "She does. Her friends take good care of her."

Cinnamon comes pattering back with a big tray that she sets on the low table, and beams, "I'm really lucky to have so many friends!" She blinks, pausing as she's fluffing up the big sitting cushions, "Uhm, just... like regular good fortune, though, I mean -- not fabulous luck like you do!" Shane helps Baird settle onto a beanbag, like Shane himself prefers to sprawl on. Cinnamon pours tea for everyone, and hands around little plates and napkins so people can more easily eat their pastries. She's feeling both rather house-proud -- this is so nice and cozy, she thinks! -- and also quite relieved for poor Baird! As they all relax and chat together, she apologizes profusely again for distracting him at such a bad time, and reiterates her offer to help him (if she can) track down the guy he was fighting.

Fraser clears his throat at that, "Lass, we can go back to the alley and see if he's still there. If he's not, I know exactly where we'll find him."

Cinnamon blinks as she sips her tea, remembering the question she asked but didn't wait for an answer to. She curiously asks, "Oh, so... so why were... no, wait -- didn't you say he was a bastard mole or something?" She curiously adds, "He was a supernatural, then?" The little dragon is unfortunately charmingly naive when it comes to street smarts and slang!

Baird laughs tiredly, "No. A mole. A double-agent. Not like a were-mole or something. He was the one feeding information about my operations." He eyes Fraser thoughtfully.

"Oh!" Cinnamon blinks thoughtfully, then slowly nods, "I get it now. So, um... why was he, er... why did he have a hate on for you?" She quietly makes sure Baird's tea cup is swiftly refilled every time he empties it -- she heard Thorn's instructions, and she's still a bit worried for the Scots merc!

Baird rubs his face with both hands, "I don't think he was the brains of the operation. I think he was a hireling... doing someone's dirty work. We'd worked together for years. I suspect he got bought because he got in deep with the wrong people. In our line of work you sometimes pick up bad habits to blow off steam... in his case, I think drugs."

Shane leans in toward Fraser and asks quietly, "So, that mole... the morgue?" Fraser nods silently.

Cinnamon blinks at Baird, missing Shane's quiet commentary as she asks, "Oh, so you knew him?" She sighs, looking down at her teacup, "That's... kinda sad..." A moment later she decides to try and keep things conversationally nice, darnit! So she smiles at Baird, "So, um... could I ask you to explain your curse to Lady Crane-san, please? Since she helped so much, and she asked?" She blinks again, then turns to the Crane Woman and adds apologetically, "I am so sorry! Where are my manners..." She introduces everyone, then smiles uncertainly, "May we ask a name for you too, please?" She finds herself oddly pleased that, due to the large and the injured taking the futon... she and Shane are sitting near each other, each on a big floor cushion. It's now even cozier feeling, to her!

Baird rubs his face again, then smiles at the crane, "I'm, as you've seen, cursed. My luck is... horrid. Which is doubly or triply unfortunate in my line of work, since I have a squad of people depending on me." He smiles wryly, "I had... a thing -- a certain thing I was delivering -- and according to the lovely Aisling over there, it was cursed. Or it bestowed a curse upon its owner. I was supposed to have it only for a few hours, but I had the bloody thing on me for a week."

The crane woman nods her head, "For lucky and unlucky things, it is often enough to own something for a turning of the earth... and now you need to lift the curse in some way?" The lovely lady is looking quite interestedly at the mercenary. Here is someone that doesn't need money and doesn't need children -- but is rather someone who could use her abilities in an actually interesting way!

Cinnamon firmly answers, "Yes! He's been very nice to me and I don't want him to be cursed any more!" She glances apologetically at Fraser as she adds, "I feel the same about you, Frasey, but... as I understand it, you don't want to lose yours, right?" She grins at Baird again as she adds, "But anything we do to fix the curse has to wait until after Christmas, please? I have to go to Hawaii right before then."

Fraser chuckles, "No, I don't. Mine found me a family. I've learned the lesson it was meant to teach me, but I'd not lose the wolf for love nor money... because then I'd lose my pack." Cinnamon nods gravely to Fraser, reaching out to gently pat his hand in commiseration. She has no idea how weirdly cute it looks for a tiny, plump woman to comfort such a big, burly man!

Baird chuckles, "Hawaii at Christmas? I'd think you'd want to stay around here, with this lot, for Christmas. What's so pressing in the Sandwich Islands?"

Cinnamon turns back to Baird and grins, pushing her glasses up, "I have to see a shark about a man!"

Baird grins tiredly, "Don't you mean a man about a shark, lass?"

Cinnamon giggles at the question, shaking her head a bit... then smiles at Baird as she realizes he's still very tired, "You've seen what looks like humans turning into a wolf, a dragon, and a crane, Baird. Surely a shark's not so hard to believe too?"

The crane, who previously mentioned her name was Keiko, laughs quietly, "I take it this one is not actually of this place?"

Cinnamon beams at Keiko, "No, he stumbled across us by accident, during one of his missions -- if you mean Baird, that is! The shark-man is cursed too, actually, but since I'm Councilor for his part of the world, I told him I'd help however I could... and he asked me to meet him in Hawaii for something he needs!" She tilts her head with a thoughtful smile as her gaze travels back to Baird, and then Fraser, "I do seem to find a lot of cursed folks...?" She thinks about that, then adds loyally, "Though all the ones I've met have been very nice!"

Keiko nods thoughtfully, "Curses are usually of two types." She holds her hands up, as if they are the pans of a scale, "They are punishment. Or they are simply bad luck." Her warm eyes fall on Fraser first and then on Baird, "But both teach lessons... and sometimes it is not the person cursed that learns the best lesson."

Cinnamon tilts her head interestedly at Keiko, "How do you mean, please... about lessons?" Thorn leans forward, listening intently -- curses are a kind of ailment, after all. He knows he can't do anything about them specifically, but if he can learn how to work sort of around curses... that'll help him be a better healer.

Keiko replies, "Whether the lesson is patience, caution, compassion... curses often serve as a road to strength -- and they sometimes bring people you need into your life. The healer you needed to find, or the teacher you needed to seek out to learn the discipline to control yourself... or the knowledge you need to lift your curse -- and sometimes you find something else along the path. A curse is sometimes simply the impetus to point you toward destiny."

Cinnamon thinks about that for a moment... then brightens, "Oh, yay! Maybe that means I'm being helpful to all these cursed folks I know!" She laughs a bit sheepishly, "I mean, not that I think I'm... like, invaluable or anything -- just that maybe I can help make their lives a little bit better -- a bit, you know?"

The lucky crane smiles as she continues, "Sometimes the people the cursed person encounters learn things about themselves. They learn that they must have compassion because the cursed person is suffering. Or they have knowledge they thought was useless, which is actually the tiny key that was needed. Or their letting someone know they are not alone on a dark path can be the thing that helps the cursed take their next step." Cinnamon is still beaming as she nods to Keiko and happily refills everyone's cup -- she truly has no idea just how important she's been to Fraser-wolf and his pack, or how important she will unwittingly be for Kahiau's soul... or even how useful she and Shane have been in saving Baird and his men, more than once, from a truly nasty death! Keiko's smile is small but warm, "And that? That is its own kind of luck -- its own kind of blessing."

Cinnamon blinks at Keiko, "What? Er, what is, please?" She glances at the teapot still in her hands... is tea considered good luck?

Keiko smiles, "Stumbling across a cursed person and being part of helping them."

Simultaneously, Cinnamon brightens, "Oh! The person -- the one that's helping! Is that who you- right!" She beams again, "Well, yay then! I like helping folks when I can!" She happily passes the plate of pastries around again, enjoying seeing friends enjoying themselves in her little house. Though... she does kind of wish she had more than just pastries to offer... hmm. Maybe talk to Elias about that? He does a lot of cooking... oh! That movie, that -- what was it called... something like 'Julia and Julie' or something like that? Yeah... she can do that! She'll get a copy of that cookbook and maybe try making all the recipes in it too!

A moment later Cinnamon glances curiously between Fraser and Baird, wondering if she should more directly point them out to each other as fellow cursed Scotsmen... when Thorn sighs and smiles, "Cinnamon, thank you for calling me so we could help Baird, and for the pastries... but I should get back to work. Iason will be worried, and I have to get those medical supplies back." In the small flurry of goodbyes, last-minute instructions to Baird, and departures, Aisling has to leave as well, while Shane offers to help Thorn carry the chest of supplies up to the Infirmary.

Aisling does one last thing before leaving: she hands Baird a small leather pouch with a well-wrapped spare talisman inside. Her face is grave, "You, good sir, seems even more unlucky than the standard person who has held the thing in your possession. Keep this close by, in case you lose the one you're wearing." After that she takes her leave, following Shane and Thorn out. Shane is planning to bring back food, and possibly stand guard outside once he's done that. The half-beansidhe does tend to be somewhat protective, after all.

Cinnamon cheerfully thanks Shane for bringing in some lunch for everyone remaining, and asks him to please put it on her tab. After that, she returns to seat herself with Baird, Fraser, and Keiko, and beams, "There we go! Baird, you can have all the tea or other liquids you want, while we wait for the bit of hot food, and that way you'll be doing what Thorny said you should... though do you have a safe place to rest afterwards?" She grins and takes the opportunity to add, "Also, though this isn't how I'd thought to introduce you both... Baird, may I introduce Fraser to you, as a fellow cursed Scotsman?" She giggles quietly at the odd shared 'title' the two men have! A heartbeat later, though, she blinks as she realizes just how bloody Baird's shirt is! She apologetically adds, "Baird, I'm sorry I don't have a shirt big enough for you to use, but you can wrap up in a blanket, if you want to give me your shirt for washing?"

Once the room is somewhat more cleared, Baird's training does what it has always done -- and finally allows him to relax. Until then he had been working in emergency mode: get done what needs doing! No time for panic -- no time for doing anything but getting what needed to be done, done -- barely any time to even be curious! Now, however, he can start to take more things in. He looks down at himself and snorts, "Aye, a belly wound will do that."

Fraser snorts as well, "Near-exsanguination will do that, too." The two men look at one another and almost in the same instant start roaring laughter as if this is the funniest thing the two of them have ever heard.

Cinnamon blinks and grins uncertainly at the two men as she rises and fetches a blanket for Baird. As they continue laughing -- even as Baird is fumbling off his stab-torn, bloodied shirt -- she glances in smiling confusion at the crane woman, "Umm... is this normal, Keiko-san?"

Keiko nods calmly, "The feeling of surviving near-death will leave one giddy, and those that have survived such things will understand it in one another. It also leaves one with a slightly... unusual sense of humor." Her mouth is set in a small, almost fond smile. Then Keiko tips her head in a rather avian gesture at Cinnamon and says, "You, child, seem very interesting."

Cinnamon huh!s in quiet fascination, pushing her glasses up as she watches the two men... then she grins cheerfully at Keiko, "Okay!" -- then laughs, "Oh, I'm interested in everything supernatural -- it's all new to me!" With that, she patters off to drop the shirt into the washer, completely missing that she misheard Keiko.

After they've calmed down a bit, Fraser offers one big, work-roughed hand and says, "Fraser Havvarger. Bo'sun and first mate on Valkyrie. The lass has mentioned you. I don't know she mentioned the curse, though."

Baird takes the hand. His isn't quite so callused, but he gives the wolf's a squeeze and nods, "Baird." He doesn't offer his profession, "I think she mentioned the ship."

Cinnamon returns in time to hear the two men introducing themselves, and beams, "And you're both Scots! Though I don't know where Fraser is originally from -- but Baird's a, er... is it Glasgowian?" Keiko smiles as Cinnamon mishears her, suspecting the young Dragon is always rather underestimating herself. The crane woman looks at the two Scotsmen, listening as well.

Baird chuckles and corrects, "Glaswegian... an' aye, that is what I am, lass." He taps the scar on one of his cheeks, "Got these in the correct place."

Fraser snorts, "Meself, I'm originally from what ye'd now call Edinburgh." The werewolf's accent has thickened somewhat. 'Now' isn't quite 'noo,' but it's definitely more noticeably a brogue. Baird's has as well. Most of the time the merc's accent is more boarding school Scottish -- the sort you often hear from actors such as Ewan McGregor or James McAvoy: the vernacular absent but the pronunciation there.

Cinnamon grins in silent delight as she listens -- she loves hearing the original accents! Curiously she asks Fraser, "Were you ever a merc too, Frasey? Or was the Valkyrie always just shipping and cargo?"

The two men are eyeing one another curiously and somewhat warily... and then Fraser rumbles, "How long've you been dealing with..." he makes a vague gesture, "...this." Baird considers and then gives Fraser the general length of time. Fraser chuckles and says, "Ah, ye're lucky. Me? I've been dealing with it a wee bit longer." His green eyes twinkle -- he's got a little mischief in his nature! He looks at Cinnamon and grins, "I wasn't always with Valkyrie, darlin'. We were never exactly mercenaries, but Vikings did raid, y'ken? We got those shields honestly."

Cinnamon blinks interestedly, "Oh! So the original captain really went, um... a'viking then? Did you have a different ship, then?" She pauses, considering... then adds, "Actually, how many ships have you guys gone through?"

Baird jerks upright, winces and swears, and then settles back down, "Ye're jokin', aye? Vikings?! Ye can't be more'n, what? Thirty-five? Thirty-eight?"

Fraser chuckles and puts a hand on Baird's shoulder, "Sit. Thorn's amazing, but ye'll be dizzy from blood loss a bit." He nods, "Aye. The original cap'n did go a'viking. The Valkyrie is the... fourth? Aye, I think the fourth of her name. We keep very good care of our ladies, and the current has been refitted. She's a good two hundred years old."

Cinnamon giggles in spite of herself at Fraser's reaction -- though she politely covers her mouth. She enthusiastically adds, "She's a really gorgeous ship, too, Baird -- you should see her, if you have time!" The little dragon grins as she goes on, "But, yeah... you can just give up on being able to tell folks' ages by how they look -- at least in the supernatural community! Elias and Jaeger are two of the older folks I know, and they look... hmm," she glances inquiringly at Fraser, "maybe... mid-40s?"

Fraser looks at Baird and says almost gently, "I'm a lot older than I look. The curse I carry not only the ravening but longevity so that I would suffer the pains of it. It was first laid on me in the year of our Lord 1132 as reckoned by the Gregorian calendar. And I joined the crew of Valkyrie somewhere around 1150." Cinnamon listens interestedly, her head tilted to one side -- how cool! She'd never really heard Fraser's actual age. The werewolf continues, "I'd say Jaeger looks more in his 50s, and Elias... aye. Maybe mid-40s. Old enough to be a kindergarten teacher, at least."

Cinnamon giggles again at that! She grins at Baird as she adds, "No one's really sure how old Elias is. He doesn't remember himself -- though someone told me once that he was likely only slightly younger than christianity." She smiles and shrugs slightly, then adds, "Jaeger was old when he came here, he says. He remembers the first wooden sailing ships!"

Baird's eyes are almost starting out of his head. Keiko looks interested as she murmurs politely, "I myself was born in the Heian Period, as it is now thought of. I think, in your calendar, it is now known as the year 912 CE? I would be interested, some day, to hear how you experienced those years." Her eyes, though, then go back to studying Baird. They have barely left him since she first saw him.

Baird blinks, almost awed, at Fraser as he asks, "How have you lived so long under a curse? I've been barely surviving not dying for a few months!"

Fraser chuckles wryly, "Well, for one, it's a different sort of curse. Mine makes it harder for me to die, not easier... and it makes me very, very deadly. Yours, I think, is almost the opposite of mine."

Baird snorts and nods, "It makes me deadly -- just not to other people."

Keiko holds up one finger, "I would somewhat beg to differ. It could make you deadly to those around you. Such catastrophic bad luck can indeed spread to those around you." She seems calm about saying this... almost Zen, one might say.

Cinnamon beams at a sudden thought regarding Keiko -- maybe the crane woman would like to participate in the tea ceremony lesson with Aoi, which Hideko has promised Cinnamon? A moment later, though, the little dragon looks a bit worried as she studies Baird, "Um, Baird, maybe... take a few slow, deep breaths? Or... do you want to lie down on the futon a bit? You're looking... a smidge pale again?" She nods absently to Keiko, "Yeah, poor Baird had a mission where his, um... what's the term -- ah, his team exfiltration transport?" She abruptly looks delighted, "Was a very unexpected dragon!" She's still enormously pleased she was able to be so useful! She grins as she adds to Fraser, "You're always a real grumpasaurus during the curse too -- at least around me!"

Baird laughs a little shakily, "I just keep learning new things, is all, lass." Cinnamon nods slowly to Baird, watching him carefully. She's a little concerned at his color! She refills his tea, adding some cream and sugar -- that should help, until the food arrives!

Keiko too presses more tea on Baird, "The dragon is right. Rest. You need fluids... and more luck. I believe when you leave this street, I shall travel with you. You need my luck more than most I have encountered in recent decades." She says this calmly, with the assurance of someone who has decided something, and is now quite sure it is simply going to happen. She continues with a nod, "Learning is important... and Fraser-san, I believe your curse was about..."

Fraser almost gently holds up a hand, "My curse, honored one, was about regret and learning to care for others more than myself. It is a good lesson, and one I have learned well." Then he smiles fondly at Cinnamon, "Darlin', you are a near unkillable dragon. Near no one else would call me a 'grumpasaurus.' To most other creatures, even me own pack, I am a vicious, deadly, near-silent, nigh-unkillable, murderous monster. There is a reason I am kept caged unless we are running as a pack. They are able to keep me in check when I sense them all around me. If I am let loose on my own? I am a true menace. You underestimate yourself to a truly shameful degree, and I agree with Shane that your parents are egregious arseholes."

Cinnamon blinks a bit startledly at Fraser, pushing her glasses up and stuttering uncertainly, "Oh! I, uhh, b-but... you, surely not... that bad? Er, I m-mean... well, you've been really... n-nice, umm..." She sighs, remembering poor Spice... then says a bit forlornly, "I'm sorry, Frasey. I wish there were two of me, so one of me could make sure you're always calmer during your wolf times."

As if his name summoned him, Shane knocks on the front door, calling cheerfully, "Room service!" This interrupts Baird's sitting up abruptly again, as Keiko's earlier words to him register, "What?!"

Cinnamon brightens, "Oh! That's Shane!" She beams at Baird as she hops to her feet, "Hot food for you! Moment!" then patters off to the door, "Hi, Shaney! Thanks so much! C'mon in!"

Fraser chuckles quietly, "As I said, you underestimated yourself."

Shane passes Cinnamon a crate of food and says, "I'm going to stand guard out here, just in case something tries to come at Baird out here. I doubt it would get through the wards, but you know how I am."

Cinnamon blinks at Shane, nodding uncertainly, "Um, okay...?" She gives him a quick thank-you hug before taking the crate, then patters back to the table, "Shane says he's going to make sure no one tries to get in to harm Baird." Setting out food and utensils, she adds to Keiko, "I think that's an awesome idea, Keiko-san! Baird could sure use all the luck he can get, after all." She's not quite sure what to say to Fraser, however, since she's a bit uncertain as to how her being a dragon that can keep Fraser-wolf calm is... somehow her parents' fault? Heck, she doesn't really like thinking about them much, as is!

Keiko smiles calmly at Baird, repeating herself, "I am going with you. You have the most need for luck of anyone I have met recently. Besides, I am very good, martially, and you are a samurai. The dragon says that you rescue people, and she is an honorable dragon. I will go with you. You can tell your people that you have hired a martial arts expert, and you are training me." She nods her head as if this is a done deal -- which for her, it is -- though Baird looks as if the world has spun even further out of his control! Keiko looks at Cinnamon and continues, "You are a good-luck person too. You find those who are cursed, and help them. I think you do not properly see or hear about yourself. I said before that you are interesting, not interested. You either choose not to hear, or someone has somehow cursed your ears." She considers, then adds, "Perhaps it is your parents, as the wolf says."

Cinnamon blinks startledly at Keiko, "Um... okay?" She thinks a moment, then adds to Baird, "Mmmmaybe... stick to more, um, honorable missions for a bit?" Once everyone has settled in with food, Cinnamon puzzledly asks Keiko, "How -- er, I mean... me? Interesting? I'm, um, not sure what you mean, please?" She tilts her head as she considers, then shyly adds, "Though... I do like thinking that I can help folks...?"

Keiko says gently, "You have brought together these two cursed men, that they may speak and discuss how to deal with curses. You have helped calm a man who calls himself a menace. You are helping another cursed shark-man. You seem remarkable to me... and your parents have caused you not to be able to hear this about yourself. They have laid some kind of curse on your ears."

Fraser smirks, "In today's parlance, I think that's called 'being shite parents who were emotionally abusive.'"

Cinnamon blinks startledly back and forth between Keiko and Fraser, momentarily speechless: [I mean, they're... my parents aren't exactly nice people... and I really don't like them or want to see them again -- especially after what they did to Baird! -- but... but... me? Cursed?] Her thoughts tumble a bit until she finally figures out something that... might be okay to reply, "I... I'm sorry...?"

Fraser tips his head back and looks up at the ceiling with a groan, then looks at Cinnamon, "You, lass, have not a fuckin' thing to apologize for! This is what we're talkin' about. Gimme a moment." He goes to the door and opens it, motioning Shane in, "Lad, can you come in here a moment, as you're the only one that met them?" Baird is still staring with wary worry at Keiko.

Shane looks a bit puzzled, "Met... who?"

Cinnamon hesitantly says, "My... parents, I think? Though... Baird's been associated with them, even if he didn't meet them personally?"

Fraser goes on, "Cinnamon jest bloody apologized for her bloody feckin' parents!"

Shane ahhs, then sits down beside the little dragon and takes her hand, "Acushla, you don't have to apologize for your family, or for what they did to you -- or even for the bu... stuff they did that got Baird mixed up in it. They messed you up. All you have to do is... realize they didn't know what a treasure they had, mmm?" He kisses her temple and puts an arm around her shoulder, then looks around the room, "Let me guess: someone complimented her?"

Keiko has moved to take Baird's hand, "I did -- and told her I think her parents cursed her ears so that she cannot hear good things about herself."

Baird is still trying to figure out how the hell he got here! How the fuck has he now apparently gotten a guardian angel -- er, crane -- and just why does he feel so glad about that? ...and how did he come to be holding her hand?! At Keiko's statement, however, Baird also looks with careful consideration at Cinnamon, "They're right, actually, lass -- you do seem to turn up in the most extraordinary circumstances."

Cinnamon looks... confused. She'd like to be indignant -- she knows her parents aren't really good people -- and point out that she knows she's an okay person, and she can so hear just fine! -and... she blinks at Baird, "Um... but... wasn't it you that turned up, um... extraordinarily? I was just there to visit Veles, after all? ...and there were a lot of other folks there with me, too?"

Shane says quietly, "Acushla, yes, there were... but you... never realize how much of the amazing things that happen are due to you." He smiles and squeezes her close, "You are a jewel! They are gravel. It was you that realized what was going on with the treason and murders... you that saved so many people in the attack on the council, and at the rez, and... you've done so much! ...and you can't see it. Because you're young... but young does not mean not extraordinary."

Cinnamon glances silently around the room, feeling... oddly wary. As a child and young adult, every time she'd thought she'd done something marvelous, it got torn down by familial mockery. The sole exception she can recall is working at the accounting firm, where they didn't so much... applaud her? ...as encourage her to keep doing good work. So her instinctive inclination is to laughingly deny what's being said here -- except... why do the supernaturals she knows and cares about keep telling her stuff like this? Though... honestly, she has done at least a few good things... hasn't she? She did help out more than once, after all...

Cinnamon sighs softly... then takes a deep breath. Okay. Okay, she... she'll try thinking maybe that she really does do good and wonderful things! Maybe... ah, confidence! Like Josie said to -- Cinnamon will try acting more confident! After all, don't people often say things like 'fake it till you make it'? So... so maybe if she acts more confident... maybe then she'll also feel more confident? ...eventually? Maybe? She sees the people in her living room all looking at her with (at least) smiles. Baird's is a bit tired, but then, he's anemic. Fraser doesn't chuckle because he doesn't want her to think she's being made fun of, "He's telling the truth, lass. What's a thing you know about Shane?"

Cinnamon speaks slowly, tentatively, "I... am -- no, I... do... reallygoodthings!" Her last words come out in a rush, before she can lose her nerve. Then she blinks, feeling... somehow a bit lighter? Wow, how nice! Maybe... maybe it's really true then -- and she will feel more confident soon! She grins uncertainly at Fraser, pushing her glasses up, "Uh, sorry -- what was your question again, Frasey?"

Fraser smiles, "What's a thing you know about Shane?" He's rather pleased -- she said something positive about herself!

Cinnamon blinks at Fraser, her train of thought utterly derailed, "Uhh..." She glances at Shane, seated right next to her OMG he even feels warm right there, eeee! -- and blurts out without thinking, "He -- he's really cute!" She blinks again, her eyes widening in dismay as she bolts to her feet and squeaks, "EeeeIcan'tbelieveIsaidthatoutloudI'msosorryShaneI'llgogetmoretearightnow!" She nearly flees into the kitchen, where there's much banging and running water and other flustered noises!

Shane blinks, then grins -- he's pretty sure Fraser was going for something else! The werewolf watches the fleeing, and laughs quietly, his voice low, "I was going more for 'He doesn't lie' just then, lad. But maybe that will help, along the line with this whole courtin' thing you're doing."

Shane chuckles as well, "Ah. I figured that was where you were going... but I'm not mad."

Baird watches with a raised brow, finally saying quietly, "I am missing context, but I would assume it's a step forward with something." Keiko simply smiles.

When Cinnamon finally returns -- still rather flushed, and having a bit of trouble meeting anyone's eyes -- she very politely serves more tea to everyone. Fraser and Shane are kind, and don't tease the little dragon, and lunch turns into a calm, quiet, and restful one... that leaves everyone feeling a bit more peaceful (as well as well-fed) as they all depart.

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

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