Goblin Town -- Logs

Cinnamon is silent for a long moment, thinking hard. Finally she looks up at Jaeger, "If... wait. It's critical to get these two folks to stop fighting as soon as possible, right? So... we need to get the elders of both, er, species to a negotiating table as soon as possible, right? So is it okay for us to start the process of getting them together right away, even if it'll be a month until Josie's back?"

Jaeger nods, "We do... but that may have to wait until after the council meeting. I think we would like to have Josie there, at the very least. I suspect these folk would fall under her purview."

Cinnamon frowns worriedly. A month seems to be rather a long time to her -- more than enough time for more young hotheads of either species to reveal them all to the humans! Hesitantly she checks, "Would... would it be okay if I called Josie and got what she wants negotiated... so we can get this rolling ASAP?"

Jaeger mmms, "I think you're right that we need to start. At least let them know we have an idea of something to do."

Cinnamon looks relieved, "Awesome! If they're willing to meet and talk and not fight at all, would you be willing to host them here?" She very, very much wants to get the potential peace process started, after all, with the requisite ceasefire agreement... because she suspects the supernatural community will not look favorably at all on any species which betrays everyone to human fear and inquisitiveness!

Jaeger nods, "I say yes, but we will need to wait until the morning. I do not wish to override the entire trod."

Athala too nods, "I say yes as well, and I think the trod will agree as well." She smiles at Jaeger, "You have grown, old friend."

Cinnamon blinks curiously at that statement, pushing her glasses up. Sounds like there's some past history there, to her! However... probably rude to ask. For now, she thinks, best to start getting the injured back to health so they can take a message back to their elders. To Sarai, she says, "Okay, can you please tell Immokalee that once he and his friend are healed up, we'd really like them to take a message back to their elders for us? We want their elders to come to a neutral place, along with the elders of the lizard folk, and we'll help them settle their arguments and work out how to help everyone -- so that they all stay safely hidden, and don't betray us all to the humans. Sound good?" Sarai nods and passes that on while smiling gently at Immokalee and resting a hand on his shoulder. Then she encourages him to rest, letting him know he and his friend will be safe here. Immokalee has a look of sheer hope on his face.

Thorn's own thoughts mirror Cinnamon's -- the brief exchange between Jaeger and his Lady raises so many fascinating questions! -- but there'll be time enough for that later. Right now they have to figure out how to help these two species survive the next month, without their feud spilling over into the wider world. On the plus side, it doesn't seem to be an ideological conflict, so separating them might just work. Hopefully. Unless of course the lizard folk are territorial and don't want to move... Thorn glances around and murmurs to Cinnamon, "Let's hope the Tiyohali aren't possessive about their territory, if we'll have to hide them as well."

Cinnamon sighs in internal relief at Immokalee's expression! To her, that says the moon-eyed folk will likely be amenable to moving again -- especially if it's to a safely warded new home. She smiles and nods to Immokalee, quietly reiterating that he should rest and heal, and that he and his friend are safe. Then (without realizing she spoke in his tongue), she turns from the moon-eyed man and smiles at Thorn, "Doesn't matter if they are, Thorny -- they can make holes in stone, remember? They can quite effectively hide themselves." Immokalee seems startled at Cinnamon speaking to him in T'salagi suddenly, but he smiles a little uncertainly and thanks her.

Thorn blinks, "Oh. Good point, yes."

Cinnamon grins and pats Thorn's shoulder, "It's okay! You're right to worry about them... because I think our next step is to check on our poor damaged Tiyohali guy, and see if he can be healed up enough to talk to us too!" She firmly adds, "But you should absolutely not try it if you're still at all hurty, Thorn, okay? So... how do you feel?"

Thorn nods, "I feel much better now, thanks! I'm not as hurty as I was before."

Cinnamon beams excitedly at Thorn, "Yay! Okay, want to go check on the other guy, then?"

Thorn nods, "Yes, let me take a look. Hopefully I'll be able to use magic if I need to, this time."

Cinnamon looks pleased, calling to the others, "We'll be right back, okay?" before she patters off with Thorn to the room where the Tiyohali has been settled to rest and hopefully heal. As they go, she gently reminds Thorn, "Even though you're feeling better, don't feel you have to push yourself at all, okay, Thorny? We have time!"

Thorn smiles, "Don't worry! I won't push myself, I promise." Cinnamon grins with relief at that, gently patting Thorn's arm.

Sarai is almost bouncing along with them -- she looks like if she had a tail, it would be swishing! "Immokalee was calling them essentially 'Lizards,' you know. I don't know if they'll speak Cherokee or something else." The Tiyohali man has been put in another room that's been locked with a lock that requires a key that Athala has a copy of; she opens the door for them. The reptilian man is sitting up, but looking rather groggy.

Cinnamon nods thoughtfully to Sarai, "So best to find out first what they call themselves, got it!" She's familiar, both through talking with her friend Josie and her subsequent readings on the subject, with the practice of using insulting names for an opposing people, after all. "Still, they have to be able to talk to each other, so hopefully both tribes speak Cherokee!" She blinks at sight of the lizard man sitting up, adding in awe, "Wow, they must heal really fast, considering the damage Thorny said he'd suffered!"

Thorn frowns a little, "Yes, he was really in a bad way when we found him."

Sarai says, "I'unno about that, he's lookin' pretty zonked to me..."

Cinnamon murmurs dryly to Sarai, "I'm impressed he's awake at all!" Then she moves on into the room, her voice gentle, "Hello? How're you feeling?" She repeats in Cherokee, watching for any reaction. Thorn too moves to the Tiyohali, waiting for a reaction from him to Cinnamon's words.

Sarai murmurs to Cinnamon, sounding a little shocked, "Hey... you got good at that quick!" She repeats Cinnamon's words to the lizard-man in another language, murmuring to the little dragon, "That's Choctaw."

The Tiyohali says in halting English, "I... do... okay." Then he relaxes a little, speaking in Cherokee, "My head hurts badly and my vision is double... are the ghost-people gone?"

Cinnamon grins at Sarai, "It's a... like a knack? I got it from my ancestry -- if I can listen to a language for a while, it's easy for me to learn it, you know?" She cheerfully hugs the otter woman as she adds, "Thank you so much for helping here!" Sarai looks impressed and giggles, hugging back. Then the little dragon blinks at the little lizard-man, "Wow, you speak English?" She grins, pointing at the correct person as she adds, "I'm Cinnamon! That's Thorn, and Sarai, and Shane!"

Thorn sighs, "He has a concussion. I'd like to try healing magic on him, though I don't speak Cherokee...."

Cinnamon nods to Thorn, "Okay, sounds good. Sarai, can you tell him Thorn's going to do friendly, helpful magic and he shouldn't worry?"

As Thorn looks over the Tiyohali, the little man says in Cherokee, "I only speak very little English. Enough to buy things at the grocery if I mu... sst..." He blinks slowly as his head feels suddenly less painful and much more clear.

Cinnamon looks fascinated, "You can pass as human? Cool! Where do you get money from?" She frowns thoughtfully as she adds, "Cars... the, er, ghost-people must have human money too, to get gasoline for their cars. Interesting!" She makes a mental note to ask about that later, then smiles at the lizard-man as she shifts back to Cherokee, translating for her friends, "What's your name, please? What do your people call themselves?"

Thorn smiles warmly to the man, asking, "Is that better?" He also checks the man's eyes, ears, and head wound.

The Tiyohali rubs his eyes and then his head, "I can if I wear a hat low on my head and a mask like the humans do if they get sick easily. We call ourselves Akoesdi Ayvwi." The last two words seem to translate roughly to 'shovel people' or 'people of the shovel' or 'digging people.' Cinnamon huhs in fascination... then waits for the small man to share his personal name or alias. The reptilian man adds, "I call myself simply Dusu."

Cinnamon nods and smiles, "Hi, Dusu. Are you feeling better now?"

Thorn adds, "You should be all right soon, Dusu, but I'd really strongly recommend bed rest to let the rest of your body heal, even if you're feeling much better. You've been through a lot of trauma, and it'll take time for your body to recover from that even with magic."

Cinnamon checks with Thorn, "Is it okay to talk to him a bit right now?"

Thorn nods, "It should be; yes, I think!"

Cinnamon looks pleased, "Okay!" then turns back to Dusu, "So, can you tell us why that other car was chasing you?" She wants to get Dusu's story the way he sees it, rather than telling him what the other folks believe was happening.

Dusu shifts around a little uneasily, "The ghost-people have been moving closer and closer into our tunnels... and the humans have been making it so we have to create new ones all the time. It's not so hard for us, but there's going to be no more room soon! The ghost-people need to go! To leave us! So... I... I thought if I took their totem and destroyed it, they'd think Great Spirit was giving them a sign to leave..."

Cinnamon nods thoughtfully, "But... they saw you taking it?" She's placed herself in the room so she can keep half an eye on Shane too -- she wants to know soonest if Dusu tries lying, after all. Shane is listening with his eyes slightly squinted. He doesn't seem pained. He's just concentrating very hard since he's working on body language and voice tone.

Dusu hangs his head, "I didn't get the tunnel door closed fast enough. They saw the wall closing and chased me."

Sarai blinks and her eyes get very wide, "You... oooh! You're one of those people!" She bounces again and beams, "Oh, this is exciting! We called them the..." she seems to be looking for a word... "I don't know a good English word for it. The people who disappear? They can seem to vanish because they can dig, but they can also just... open doors."

Cinnamon glances at Sarai, grinning at her enthusiasm... then turns back to Dusu, "Okay. So I have to ask: do you know about the..." she thinks a moment, then has to use English, "the international supernatural community?" A moment more thought, and she says slowly in Cherokee, in the hopes to explain better, "many tribes of other, non-human peoples, all of whom have different magicks?"

Sarai adds, "Did you know the human Cherokee and their clans? The non-human people worldwide have clans that come together to help each other." She's also translating for everyone else, along with Cinnamon.

Dusu looks both abashed and awed, "No. There is this thing?" As they talk, it comes out that the Akoesdi have, like Immokalee's people, been hiding for a long while... since approximately the time of the Trail of Tears.

Cinnamon nods slowly to Dusu, "Yes, it spreads across the entire world, Dusu -- there are many of us, and I am glad to welcome you and your people to come be known to us!" She smiles... then adds more gravely, "We want you to go home to your elders, please, and tell them that we urgently request they come to a neutral place to meet with us and with the elders of the ghost people... so that we can negotiate a peace between you both. It is imperative that we do so, because having car chases like you were? Good way to be discovered -- and then, whether you meant to or not, you'll have betrayed our existence to the humans." Her voice gets harder as she adds, "Plus, you were really lucky you didn't kill anyone in that chase! Had we been sitting in a different arrangement in our car... one or more of us might now be dead." She doesn't add that she would have been very angry had that happened... but her expression kind of gives that away.

Dusu looks suddenly very worried -- almost frightened, "Oh, no! Humans were hurt? Other people but me and the ghost-people? I try to only be out at night or the very early morning!" He's starting to fret quite obviously.

Cinnamon shakes her head, "Dusu, no. Listen, please? We are none of us here 100% human -- but some of us are still fragile like humans! That's why racing around like you all were is not acceptable. We want to stop the urge to chase and attack each other that you have... with peace talks. Do you understand me?"

Dusu looks around and points to Shane, Thorn, Sarai, and Cinnamon, "Humans?"

Cinnamon grins, "Nope! Part human, yes. Humans: no."

Dusu looks very confused. Sarai giggles and points at herself, "Tsiya." She says in English, for the others, "Otter." She goes on to explain some of the others, since Cinnamon might not have the specialized words. She also explains the words as she says them, "I was having to string words together a bit there. It's how Cherokee works... German is sort of the same. They didn't really have a word for dragon. So I sort of called you 'Flame-hearted-giant-winged lizard.'" The otter shifter goes on to explain how she came up with the words to explain what the elves, Shane, and Thorn were.

Cinnamon blinks at that... then smiles and decides it doesn't really matter. She turns back to Dusu, "So, will you carry this message for us to your elders?" Dusu nods, eyes wide as he looks at Cinnamon... almost in awe. If Sarai explained it correctly, Cinnamon is actually sort of a cousin of his people, after all! Cinnamon looks relieved, "Excellent. Can you get home without your car?" She explains wryly, "It's probably totaled, considering you wrapped it around a tree! We'd also like you to rest overnight before you go, okay? The elders of this, er... homestead may be willing to be the neutral hosts for your peoples to meet. Since they can hide their home from the humans, we thought this'd be a great place for the meeting."

Dusu groans in the way of a teenager that has done something that's going to get them grounded until they've graduated from college, as he puts his hands over his face, "My broodparent will be very upset about the car."

Cinnamon smiles wryly, "No surprise there, I'm afraid. But hopefully the news of both more non-human peoples, and possibly an end to the upset between your peoples will be more important to them." She grins quietly to herself as she realizes: the danger of teen drivers behind the wheel of the family car seems to extend across species!

Sarai tips her head and asks Dusu how old he is -- to which he admits, "I am 43, but the car belongs to my broodparent, and she will be upset that I crashed it."

Cinnamon curiously asks, "How long do your species tend to live?" She's finding it hard to believe that this is not a young one of his people... considering the foolhardy risks he's taken!

Dusu thinks, "My broodparent is 274... and her broodparent is 350. So, a long time."

Thorn blinks at the translation. Those are some very long lifespans! When Tsiya translates, Shane chuckles: Dusu is just a kid! That explains the foolishness and the lack of thought in his plan. Cinnamon too grins ruefully at that! "No wonder you all need more space, if you all live a very long time!" She nods once, "All right. Thank you for being willing to work with us, Dusu. For now, just rest, okay? I'll see if I can figure out something that will show your elders that we genuinely want them to come talk with us."

Dusu nods, head still in his hands. He looks quite dejected and mutters a version of, "I'm so dead..."

Cinnamon laughs quietly and pats him on the arm, "Hey, we're trying our best to be a good distraction for you!" She grins, pattering out after the others... then smiles a bit worriedly at Thorn, "How're you feeling? Up for trying one more healing, maybe?"

Thorn lets out a breath and nods, "I'm holding up fine. I think I can do another, sure."

Cinnamon says, "Okay! Let's try Immokalee, then... or his buddy Moytoy, if he needs it more?"

Shane says, "Isn't Moytoy the one with the broken sternum? Those don't heal easily."

Cinnamon nods interestedly to Shane, "Really? Okay, might be better to help him, then. C'mon, everyone!" She patters off to the other room, peeking in to see if Immokalee is still awake.

Immokalee has actually crawled back into bed. Feeling better or not, it has been a long day. Cinnamon smiles and waves silently at him, in case he's asleep... then tiptoes over to check if Moytoy's awake or not. Immokalee seems to be quite deeply asleep, as does Moytoy... but then, Moytoy has not awakened since before being brought to the trod. Cinnamon nods a bit worriedly to herself at that thought... then beckons Thorn over and whispers, "Can you help him too, Thorny, without hurting yourself?"

Thorn goes up beside Cinnamon, seeing Moytoy is still unconscious. He visualizes the little man in his mind, trying to call upon the diagnostic magic to get a sense of what might be wrong, as he nods to Cinnamon. "Will do," he whispers, holding a hand just above Moytoy's still form, not quite touching. The sense Thorn gets is of a broken sternum and also a concussion. No really worrisome brain swelling, but more serious that Immokalee's. Some of it is that Moytoy is simply exhausted and more fragile than his companion.

Thorn takes in a breath and nods. "Broken sternum and concussion," he murmurs to Cinnamon. He then pictures Moytoy's body again in his mind, picturing the sternum and focusing, visualizing it knitting itself back together. The concussion is less serious than the bone that's over the heart. As Thorn concentrates and bone reknits, the labored breathing of the moon-eyed man evens out and his color... changes. He doesn't get less pale, but the undertone seems to go from gray-ish to a sort of blue. Cinnamon yays internally as she sees the expression on Moytoy's sleeping face smooth out slightly -- that says to her that he's being healed! Once Thorn's done, though, she gently urges the healer out, whispering that he too needs to rest and recover! Thorn smiles sheepishly to Cinnamon, nodding as he promises to eat, rest, and recover.

Cinnamon waits till they're out of the room, and Athala has her hands on Thorn again -- that, the little dragon figures, is an assurance that Thorn won't overdo it! She grins to herself... then asks Jaeger, "So you said wait until tomorrow about the entire trod deciding on whether to host the negotiations here. Should we be here for that, or not, please?" To Sarai she adds, "Also, can you be here -- or wherever we end up -- for translating during the negotiations?" She ponders a moment, then adds to the otter woman, "Also, is there a written form of the Cherokee language? We could write letters to the elders, so that they know we're real, and not just a story made up by reckless boys trying to get out of punishment." She grins quietly, remembering Dusu's reaction at the news of the totaled car.

Jaeger nods, "I don't wish to waken everyone. But they should be asked. I don't expect them to object."

Sarai beams, "There is! It's actually a rarity and there was..." She clears her throat, "Sorry, it's really an interesting story -- but I won't babble about it. It's not an alphabet. It's a sillabary. The man who created it was actually illiterate until he created it. Didn't read or write any other languages..."

Cinnamon giggles at Sarai's excitement -- she totally gets it, considering how much she loves learning new things! She thinks for a moment, then checks a few more things, "Okay, that makes sense -- and thank you, Jaeger! Can you also check with them regarding if it'd be okay to have the ghost people living under the trods? Um, anything else... oh! Also, are there any trods that you know of that live in mountains? I bet they'd love some help from folks that can make doorways in rock!"

Jaeger murmurs, "You may wish to call them what Immokalee calls them. Remember, just like Immokalee called Dusu's people simply lizards, Dusu called Immokalee's people the ghost people..." Shane is actually the one that says, "The closest Oak trod is in a mountainous area, I think... aaand..." Jaeger picks up from there, "Alder. There's an Alder trod in a mountainous area."

Cinnamon nods wryly to Jaeger, "I will, once I get that information from Immokalee." She nods thoughtfully to Shane, musing aloud, "Okay... we'll need to send messages to them too, I suspect. So... hmm. Jaeger, do you think it'd help more if we just... took the boys home? That way we could talk to the elders right then and there -- maybe even bring them back here?" She muses thoughtfully, "Gotta call Josie too... see what she wants!"

Jaeger considers, "I would ask Josie. But... stealing a people's idol or holy item -- it could cause some serious bad blood. I suspect she'll suggest this be done soonest."

Cinnamon pushes her glasses up, a worried expression on her face, "You think so? Oogh, not good... okay, if she says that, I'll ask what she wants done -- so I know I'm doing what she wants, and not stepping on anyone's toes!" She smiles uncertainly up at Jaeger, "Does that sound like a good plan? Also, any thoughts about just taking the kids home?"

Jaeger hmms, "I would prefer they stay and rest for a day or two at least." He smiles almost whimsically, "I think Dusu might like to have a buffer when he has to break it to his... ah, was the word 'broodparent'? ...that the car is totaled."

Cinnamon giggles at that! She nods, then turns to Sarai, "So, can you be at the negotiations for translations -- regardless of who's running them, or where they end up?" She tilts her head at Jaeger as she asks, "Is it okay to hire folks for Council work, and then bill the Council?"

Sarai smiles, "I would be honored. I suspect having more than one translator will be needful." Jaeger agrees that it would be reasonable to do such.

Cinnamon nods, looking pleased, "Then... first I want to call JoJo. Then I want to find out what your trod thinks, Jaeger!" She beams, adding, "-and then I want to hire you, please, Sarai, for translations, okay?"

Sarai bounces on her toes excitedly, "That sounds amazing!"

Jaeger smiles, "I think this sounds like a wonderful idea."

Cinnamon sighs in relief -- she highly respects Jaeger's opinions! "Okay then! So, let's see... Shane and Thorn, can you come with me to outside of the trod, so I can call Josie, please?"

Thorn nods, "Sure, I'll be glad to." Shane simply gives her a 'you have to ask?' sort of grin. Cinnamon beams in relief at her friends! She does a hasty bit of mental math on the trail out -- it's a few hours after noon now, so... okay, it'll only be evening on the Valkyrie so far! As she waits for either Spice or Josie to pick up, shortly thereafter, Cinnamon hopes Josie doesn't mind the repeated phone calls.

The werewolf answers the phone and listens to the story with unusual seriousness, "He stole a totem? Ooh... that might be hard. But... well, it sounds like you've come up with a good solution, CinCin." She agrees the current plan sounds like the best option, though she also says they ought to check the tunnels under Coblyn.

Cinnamon nods excitedly, "We will! We'll have a day or two while the boys all heal, and then we'll be taking them home, so hopefully that'll give us enough time to go talk to, um... oh, Caradog or whoever? -- to find out about them." She hesitates, then cautiously adds, "If, um... if the Elm trod elders agree to host the negotiations, and the new-species elders get there quickly... it'll be before the Iceland meeting. Is that okay with you, or should I put them off? And if it is okay with you... do you want me to stand in for you, or someone else should, or what?" Josie assures Cinnamon that she trusts the folks with their boots on the ground to be her proxy in this.

Cinnamon thanks Josie with relief, internally delighted at having gotten a new nickname that's actually cute! ...instead of something nasty or patronizing, which is what she's used to in the human world. After she happily sends her greetings and hugs on to the folks on the Valkyrie, they hang up... and she turns excitedly to the two young men with her, "Okay, JoJo agrees -- so I think we have a plan now! First we're going to tell the three young men to take a day or two to rest. Tonight we can fly back to Coblyn, so Shane can do whatever he needs to, to start getting his poor car replaced! Tomorrow morning Jaeger can let us know what the trod thinks about hosting the negotiations -- hopefully that'll be a yes -- and once the healing time is over, we can come back here and give both groups a lift home on dragon-back, so we can both personally deliver our invitation to the negotiations, and find out where they live so they don't try to hide from us!" She beams at Shane and Thorn, almost bouncing on her toes with excitement, "How's that sound?!"

Shane thinks a bit, "Tunnels... she mentioned the tunnels... y'know... I kinda knew they were there. There are a couple of underground folks, but they're not very... I mean, they're kinda neglected." This is the first Thorn has heard about tunnels under Coblyn. He's intrigued; there could be all sorts of history down there!

Cinnamon smiles curiously, "Well, won't this make things better for them, then?"

Thorn says, "I imagine it should. At the very least we should check in on them if they're neglected."

The afternoon is spent relaxingly; the two new species are informed of what the plan is, and then everyone just takes it easy with the folk of the Elm. Once the sun sets, however, Cinnamon cheerfully flies herself, Shane, and Thorn back to Coblyn Street -- Sarai will be staying at Elm both for translation purposes, and because it's closer to the little airport from which she arrived. At landing, the little dragon is delighted at changing correctly on the first try -- and then she asks if the threesome can arrange to go talk to Caradog in the morning about tunnels under Coblyn? Or would they do better to, say, ask Elias now? Shane considers, "If anyone would know, it would be Elias... and he'll be awake now."

Cinnamon beams at that, "Awesome! Let's do it then!" She hesitates -- then blushes as she adds, "Er, right after I change clothes into something that's not been through a car wreck!" She giggles, adding, "I'll meet you all there in... is an hour good?" She fully intends to eat several big snacks as she changes clothes too, after all! Thus about an hour later Cinnamon is munching on some candied nuts as she patters up to Elias' door. She beams and waves as she spots Thorn heading her way too... and she's not surprised when it's Shane who opens the door at her knock, "Hi, guys! Shaney, what does Elias think?"

Shane grins. He looks like he too had a shower in the interim, as his hair is still wet, "Not sure yet. He said 'Moon-eyed people? And reptiforms? Fascinating...' and then started digging through books!"

Cinnamon giggles as she patters in, glancing around... then sniffs the air with excitement, "Ooh, he's been cooking too! Elias, can I, um... can I bring out some food for everyone while you're searching your library, please?"

Shane chuckles, "Sure. There's... I have no idea what's on the stove. Elias is a much better cook than I am. I cook... single guy food and Irish food." He settles into a chair with a dark bottle of some kind.

Thorn says wryly, "But the Irish mutton pies are great! Though the Ulsterman's breakfast is a bit much...."

Cinnamon blinks interestedly at Shane as she heads for the kitchen, "What's single guy food? I mean, it's not like there's, umm... like, people-chow just like there's dog-chow, right?" She pauses, considering, then bemusedly mutters to herself, "...is there? Check later!" For now, she's calling on her memory of what she's seen in Elias' kitchen to pull out a big tray, utensils for three, and enough food probably for five... though to her way of seeing things, it's just enough for the three of them! She checks for a nice bottle of whatever Elias drinks, as well.

Shane murmurs, "Soylent green is people," as he sips at his drink... then grins at Thorn, "And none of it is exactly healthy." He raises his voice and calls after Cinnamon, "I mean things like steaks and chili and spaghetti and hamburgers. Largely carnivorous and heavy on protein and carbs, acushla. I can put together a pretty good salad if I must." Though he may be fudging it a bit, built as he is. Or maybe he's just got a fantastic metabolism. There are no bottles of what Elias drinks; they would not drink what Elias drinks. But there's wine and beer and mead and apparently homemade root beer.

Cinnamon cheerfully calls back over her shoulder, as she's setting up the tray, "Sounds yummy!" A moment later she adds confusedly, "Hey, Shaney, do you know where Elias keeps his bottles? I wanna put one on the tray for him too, y'know?" She excitedly adds a second later, "Ooh, root beer? Is it okay if I have one?! Guys, do you want one too, if so?"

Thorn perks up, "Homebrewed root beer? Sure, I'd love to try it! Cinnamon grins and pulls out two bottles, setting them by the tray -- she hopes Elias (or Shane) gives the okay on them! She waits for Shane's reply before bringing the tray out to the others.

Shane calls back, "I'm covered as far as drinks and, uhm... Elias tries not to drink anything in front of people. I've seen him holding drinks to be polite, but..."

As Cinnamon is bringing the tray out, Elias appears from downstairs with a couple of open books balanced atop one another and muttering to himself, "The reptiforms are... unusual. Sort of a divergent evolution... I mean, it doesn't sound as if they're draconic..."

Cinnamon grins up at the vampire, "Hi, Elias! I hope it's okay that I brought out some food for everyone! Is it okay if we take two of the root beers, too? Also, do you want a bottle for yourself? Though I couldn't find any of the bottles like the ones at Cafe Prague -- do you store them someplace else than the kitchen?" She sets down the tray and briskly hands out utensils to Shane and Thorn, "Here you go! Dig in, okay?" She does the same herself as well, adding to Elias, "I'm happy to replace the food, though, if it's an issue, okay? I don't want to be a bother!"

Elias blinks as he looks up and shakes his head, "Sorry, I got distracted. Ah... those are stored downstairs. I prefer they not be up here..." He's even got a pencil behind his ear. He waves a hand, "You're never a bother, child. I keep the larder stocked for friends. It's not as if I eat any of it, and it would simply go bad." He settles into his own favorite chair, adding, "So, Shane was saying you encountered legendary peoples...?"

Cinnamon bounces to her feet, "Okay! Let me go get one for you then, okay? Or... er, first: are you hungry too?" She's determined to not take Elias for granted! He's been extraordinarily kind to her over the past months, after all!

Elias smiles gently, "No. I'm quite sated. I eat only rarely at my age. Sit. Relax. You have been running all over."

Cinnamon thinks a moment... then flashes a shy smile at Elias as she sits again, "Okay! Thank you for dinner, though!" She picks up her food again, having a bite... then laughs excitedly, "Oh my gosh, we sure did, Elias! Josie said her people considered them legends, in fact!" She goes on to describe, between bites of food, both new species... then asks interestedly, "So do you have them in your books, then?"

Elias nods thoughtfully, "The moon-eyed people, yes. Some historians thought they might have been an offshoot of some European tribe that made it across the Atlantic. Or just a clan of albinos. But... from what you describe, they're wrong -- and the statuette Shane described sounds much like this..." He hands over one of the books he has that shows a smiling woman standing next to what looks like a much larger version of the Moon-Eyed People's totem, only in what looks like maybe limestone or granite.

Cinnamon nods excitedly, "That's it! But way bigger..." she hands the book to Shane, "right?"

Shane takes it and looks, dark brows going up, "That's exactly it. But this one really does look like a couple of conjoined twin grays." He hands the book off to Thorn, adding, "The... what did Dusu call his people? The basically-a-teenaged-vandal... I think his people are... no one seemed familiar with them. Sarai was fascinated. They don't seem to be totemic like Josie or Sparrow. They're just... humanoid, but reptile-natured."

Cinnamon grins, "Akoesdi Ayvwi! Oh, and they can open and close openings in solid stone!"

Thorn takes up the book and looks at it, frowning quietly as he studies the picture, "Much bigger, yes... ah, yes -- that was their name!"

Cinnamon fascinatedly adds, "So the moon-eyed people are mentioned in your books, but the Akoesdi Ayvwi aren't. Interesting!" She thinks for a moment, then adds, "We're hoping you can answer another question for us, actually, Elias: are there still underground tunnels beneath Coblyn Street? We were thinking those might be a great place for the moon-eyed people to move to, if so!"

Elias mmms? "Oh, yes. There are tunnels there. They had to be shut off from the rest of Boston when the rest of Coblyn was. It's quite a trick for the water and sewage to still work. But there are tunnels there that were meant to be part of the subway... and that had to be... discouraged. All of that has been sealed off. But if these Akoesdi Ayvwi can open doors in stone, they may be able to open them in masonry."

Cinnamon shakes her head, "Nono, we don't want the Akoesdi Ayvwi to live under Coblyn -- we want the moon-eyed people there!" She thinks a bit, then adds, "Though... having them help the moon-eyed people would probably be really smart, true. Hmm... okay then, who do we ask about the tunnels? Caradog? Someone else?"

Elias considers, "It would be a really excellent way for the two people to mend fences, so to speak. Caradog technically controls the enclave, so yes. But for any information on the plans for the tunnels we'd go to Llewellyn. He keeps all the records of everything -- not just of aliases."

Cinnamon blinks thoughtfully, "Llewellyn? Okay... so first Caradog, then him -- got it!" She beams excitedly at Elias, "Thank you so much! Is there anything else we should know before we talk to Caradog tomorrow?" She blinks, then shyly adds, "Also, um... Shane, Thorn? If... if you guys aren't busy tomorrow morning... would you come with me to talk to Caradog, please?" Hastily she adds, "I mean, b-because you all are witnesses too, of course... right?"

Shane suspects it's also partially because Caradog makes Cinnamon slightly nervous, but he's not about to say that! "My morning's free. I'll be happy to go along."

Thorn smiles, "I was going to check in with Iason to see if he knew anything about our new friends... but yes, I'd like to come with you!"

Cinnamon happily thanks her friends! After that they all can just relax, chat with Elias, and enjoy their meal and the evening. Elias takes copious notes on Dusu's people and listens in fascination. The fact that the reptiforms aren't draconic at all -- or at least didn't seem to display any draconic qualities -- seems to puzzle him. Then he sighs, "I forget not all reptilian species are draconic, since I spent so much time with Liam. I think once I actually meet one of them... but you should all sleep if you're going to see Caradog and Llewellyn tomorrow."

Cinnamon blinks in astonishment at Elias -- then laughs! "You say something amazing like that -- and then expect us to just wander off to sleep?! Oh my gosh, Elias, you absolutely have to tell us that story tomorrow, if so!" She giggles, hugging the vampire as she gives him thanks and goodnight... then happily waves to her friends before heading home. She knows, after all, that Shane usually wants to escort Thorn home when it's late at night. Shane does the logical thing -- since the infirmary and Thorn's quarters are at the far end of Coblyn -- and escorts Cinnamon home first, and then Thorn -- and the little dragon is first surprised, and then shyly delighted, when Shane insists on doing so! The beansidhe mutters to himself all the way home about geography and not having any alone time with Cinnamon, as well.

The next morning Cinnamon is pale but determined on the walk to the king's mansion! She's dressed in her councilmember clothing, since she remembers Josie told her once to wear what makes her feel confident. Admittedly, despite her clothing she feels more... not-incompetent rather than confident? ...but that's mostly due to her nerves around really high-ranking individuals. She's fine with the guards at the gate, however, politely asking if the three of them might have an audience with the king, please. Shane is looking relaxed and like he's got every damned right to be right where he is. He's also standing slightly behind Cinnamon's right shoulder and subtly giving the guards a 'I just dare you to be an asshole' look. Thorn is in his healer's "scrubs," as he affectionately calls them, and waits patiently beside Cinnamon. He's not quite got the 'I belong here' vibe that Shane can project, but he's managing a calm, light humor, all in all.

The guards send one of the runners to ask; it's only about ten minutes later that the seneschal arrives to escort them to one of the small receiving chambers. Cinnamon sighs softly in relief as she strolls along after the seneschal -- no problems yet! Plus, maybe it's a good sign that it's the seneschal, rather than a simple page? She hopes so, at least! The seneschal sees them into the room and lets them know that Caradog will be with them soon and to please help themselves to refreshments. He looks a little nervously at them and scampers out. Cinnamon thanks him politely... then blinks as she turns away towards the room. Wonder why he was nervous? -and what a weird way for him to move! The last time she was there, the seneschal had been fine with her, after all. Hmm... has something dramatic happened on Coblyn in the last two or three days? Thorn wonders why the seneschal was nervous, as well. They both catch Shane scowling a little, "He lied about something. I couldn't quite figure out what, though -- I wasn't paying enough attention. Either we're going to be waiting a while, or we should be careful of the food." Shane scowling is... intimidating. Neither of them has really been on the receiving end of a Shane scowl... that was likely what made the man scamper?

Cinnamon nods slowly, putting down the little plate she'd just picked up, "Okay. Weird, though... surely Caradog wouldn't mess with guests that way?"

Thorn blinks to Shane, and glances at the refreshments, frowning, "That's... unsettling."

Shane rubs his forehead with his fingertips, "Hold on." He steps outside the door and looks around. He gets the first passing page and gets the kid to get the seneschal back. There's a back and forth with the page, and Thorn and Cinnamon hear the words, "-Councilor and a healer..." Then Shane steps back inside the room, "I don't like having to intimidate the pages." He's smiling wryly, but the seneschal is back in less than five minutes and looking a little nervous. Cinnamon blinks a bit puzzledly, not sure what precisely is going on -- she's not really at all adept at politics, let alone palatial politics! She watches silently, trying to figure out what's up. Thorn is confused as well, also watching to see what Shane says to the seneschal. Shane arches a brow at the seneschal, "I need you to repeat what you said before. About the king and the food."

The seneschal blinks, then says, "Caradog will be with you shortly."

Shane winces, "OK. Stop. Look. The lady is a councilor. The gentleman is a healer, and in this instance also the envoy of the trod of the Elm, so I'm going to put this very simply: do. Not. Play. Games. With. Me." Cinnamon ah!s internally to herself, relaxing -- she thinks she gets it now! She watches Shane talk to the seneschal, taking mental notes on how to behave here. Shane also relaxes a little as he adds, "Please tell Caradog that Cinnamon and Thorn are here to see him. Give him those two names. Tell him that the matter is urgent. He will not take it kindly if you make them angry." The seneschal blinks and swallows hard as Shane adds, "I will not take it kindly if you make them angry either. So, go. Give him the message and quit being a toadying liar, OK?"

Cinnamon puzzledly adds in a soft voice, "Why would you lie to us like this?" She has absolutely no idea, unfortunately, just how scary the good cop/bad cop routine can seem to the guilty! She doesn't even know it's a 'thing,' in fact. The seneschal's ears go red and he tries to apologize all over himself about not knowing exactly who they were and what they needed. He's backing toward the door and swearing that the king really will be with them soon and he'll pass Shane's exact message on to them. Cinnamon curiously asks Shane, once the door is closed again behind the seneschal, "So... do you have any idea why he lied, Shaney?"

Shane rubs his forehead a bit, "I'm sorry I got snappy. Usually low-level bu... uhm, fibs don't trigger me, but he was just so blatant about it, and I didn't sleep well last night." He sighs, "Acushla, some people get off on little power games. He's the king's seneschal. He gets to decide who gets to see Caradog. It gives him delusions of mediocrity."

Cinnamon frowns thoughtfully as she nibbles on a croissant and considers that. Finally she looks up and smiles ruefully, "That's... kinda sad?"

Thorn blinks, "He didn't seem the sort to play those games... not and be nervous about it, I mean."

Cinnamon nods slowly to Thorn, "Yeah, while Bala was here, he seemed a lot more... together? Hm... is there more than one seneschal, perhaps? Like, is he twins or something? Or... maybe the guy we saw then wasn't the seneschal?" She grins at her friends, "Well, we can find that out some other time. Right now, the new species are the important thing!"

Thorn nods to Cinnamon, "Agreed, yes."

Shane shakes his head, "Yeah. Court politics are a changeable thing." He rubs his forehead and says, "We'll have to put this on the back bu-" -- and the door opens. It's Caradog, and he's looking somewhat unhappy as he says, "I apologize for my seneschal's games."

Cinnamon blinks startledly, starting to rise... then pauses and smiles uncertainly at the king. She curtseys the way she was taught, and murmurs, "It's fine. We think you'll be quite interested in our news, after all." Thorn too stands as Caradog enters. He's burning with curiosity about the seneschal, but he puts that on the back burner for now.

Caradog relaxes and says, "I hope so. Please, sit. Relax." He looks at Shane and actually looks amused, "I gather you're the one that put the fear of, uhmm... me and apparently yourself in my seneschal. Thank you; you were correct. If I'd found out he'd left these particular visitors stewing, I'd have been quite wroth." Shane nods and settles as Caradog sits and looks interestedly at Cinnamon.

Cinnamon takes a deep breath, bringing her thoughts together so she can speak clearly. Curiously, she finds it oddly steadying to be the one that gets to 'forgive' Caradog's discomfort, so to speak... and so, once she starts speaking, her voice is steadier than usual. "Concisely: we have discovered two new species of supernaturals. Unfortunately they are currently at war with each other over terrain. They both live underground -- one by choice, one by necessity. Councilmember Josephine has authorized me to speak for her in drawing them both together for peace negotiations. However, it would be extremely helpful to have an alternate place for one of the species to move to, rather than being constantly pressured by human encroachment. To that end... may we offer them the use of the tunnels which lie under Coblyn Street?" She stops speaking and hastily reviews... okay, got everything said that she needs to say! She nearly flumpfs down into her chair with relief.

Caradog is merely curious at first, but by the end he's learning forward quite intently, "New species -- and they need housing? Well... large parts of the tunnels are unused, but they are also currently unreachable. To get to them would require quite a lot of work; they were sealed off quite well. But I would hear more about these people. Are they warlike or simply at war out of necessity?"

Cinnamon considers that question carefully before answering, "We think... out of necessity?" She glances at her friends, adding, "Correct me if I'm wrong, you guys, okay?" Then she continues, "Josie says both species are legends to her people. One is called the moon-eyed people, and they have a sort of SEP field that keeps folks from seeing them ordinarily -- but only them personally. It won't hide their caves. They're the ones that must live underground -- they're extremely light sensitive! They're also rather humanoid, but avoid the aboveground. The other species calls themselves the Akoesdi Ayvwi, and they look like small lizardfolk. Their magic is that they can open and close openings in stone, which I'm hoping to use to open the tunnels here, if you're willing. They're also the ones that are being pressed in on by the moon-eyed folk, who're being pressed by the humans... accidentally, of course." She pauses, pushing up her glasses, and adds uncertainly, "Um... d-does that answer your questions? Oh! Also, Elias found a mention of the moon-eyed people in one of his books... but not the Akoesdi Ayvwi -- though he thinks he might have once met one?"

Caradog nods along, listening, but he frowns at one point. When Cinnamon is done, he says, "I caught everything except, uhm... S... E... P... field...?"

Cinnamon blushes hotly! "Oh! That's, um, a, uh... it's a modern fiction concept? S-someone Else's Problem -- it was written b-by, umm... oh, drat! Shaney, who was that author, please?"

Shane smiles, "Douglas Adams." He looks at Caradog, "It's a sort of Don't-Notice-Me charm, your majesty. A lot like some of the trods have on them."

Caradog 'ah-ha's -- and then he laughs, "I like that. SEP Field."

Cinnamon whews silently to herself, relaxing as Shane defuses the issue. She takes another deep breath -- so far, no disasters! -- then asks Caradog, "S-so, your majesty, um, m-may we count on you as willing to allow the moon-eyed people to live under Coblyn Street, as long as they do so in peace?"

Caradog says, "If they are willing to abide by the laws of the enclave, they may live here. We are a refuge. But, as I said, getting the tunnels into livable condition... may not be easy. But if these lizard people can open doors it might help."

Cinnamon sighs in relief, smiling, "Thank you!" She thinks for a moment, then adds, "Can you have someone show us to the blocked-off area, so we know where to ask the Akoesdi to dig? Also, do you have a copy of the enclave's rules that we might have?" Wryly she adds, "If there's a copy in Cherokee, like for Josie, that'd be the best?"

Caradog says, "Llewellyn should have copies in several languages, but... I don't think Josie has a copy in Cherokee. She's always spoken fluent English as long as I've known her, so her understanding of the rules and laws of the enclave has been in that language. Perhaps someone can translate an English version?"

Cinnamon nods, unconcerned, "I'm sure we can. Umm..." She thinks a bit more, then glances at her friends, "Have I missed anything, or did we cover it all?"

Thorn thinks for a moment, then shakes his head, "Nothing I can think of. You covered it all!"

Shane smiles, "I think you've got it all, acushla."

Cinnamon beams happily at her friends, "Awesome! Okay then!" She turns and beams at Caradog, her relief unwittingly making her smile brighter than usual, "That's all we needed to ask of you then, your majesty! We don't want to detain you any longer, of course... just if you could have someone bring us the rules, and take us to the underground, please?"

Caradog looks a little... nonplussed at Cinnamon's apparent relief at leaving his presence, but he manages to seem fairly cheerful, "We don't keep them here. Llewellyn will have a good copy. But I think I'll send Diarmaid with you to show you where some of the tunnel entrances used to be. He's got good sight for underground. Please wait for just a bit."

Cinnamon hops up to curtsey as the king departs, thanking him again. Once the door is closed behind him, she kerflops back into her chair with a gusty, "Whew!" A long drink later, she grins a bit tiredly at her friends, "Well! No disasters yet!" She giggles, relaxing a bit now the king is gone... then brightens and interestedly asks Thorn, "Any news yet from your pretty little birdie?"

Thorn smiles to Cinnamon, nodding, "She has some -- they've agreed to have the peace talks at the trod, which is a good sign! Hopefully everything will go smoothly."

Cinnamon bouncies delightedly in her chair, uncaring of what it does to the stylishness (or not) of her clothing, "Oh, yay! That's fantastic news!" She beams at her friends, "That means... let's see. Okay! So tonight we can fly back to Elm, and Thorny can spend more time with Athala if she'd like, and we'll have the day to relax and talk to the kids... and then that night we can fly them, one at a time, back to their homes. Sound good?"

Shane nods, "Sounds good... and I like Diarmaid. He's very straightforward."

Just as Shane speaks, there's a brief knock and the door opens to reveal the boar-headed Fomorian guard, who rumbles, "I hear I get to get out of this stuffy marble box of a palace?"

Cinnamon beams at Shane, "Me too!" She startles slightly at the knock -- but then giggles at the head guard's comment, "Yes, please! We need to know where the tunnels to the underground start!" Thorn grins at Diarmaid's comment. Cinnamon adds, "Oh! Also, can we stop by Llewellyn's office on the way, please?"

Diarmaid nods, "We can do that." His face isn't really built for smirking, but it's in his voice as he adds, "I understand you put a bit of a fire under the seneschal, young Shane. He's needed it lately. I think he's afraid things are changing and he's trying to exert some power. Problem is, he's not got any." He makes an elegant ushering motion, indicating folks should come with him.

Cinnamon patters along after Diarmaid, curiously asking, "Surely there aren't that many changes happening in the king's mansion, though... are there?"

Thorn frowns slightly at Diarmaid's comment, "What sort of changes is he thinking are happening?

Cinnamon hms thoughtfully as she walks, "I guess, then, that the guy that had the records book at that meeting with Bala must've been like Caradog's... administrative assistant or something, then... rather than the seneschal, like I'd guessed. Okay, my mistake!"

Diarmaid snorts -- a very natural sound from the porcine snout, "Caradog has a cousin that's visiting from his home trod... and the cousin has his ear. The cousin doesn't much like the current seneschal. Thinks things in the palace are a little too old-fashioned; has been talking to Caradog about modernizing things." He's walking casually with them out of the palace and toward Llewellyn's office.

Cinnamon nods thoughtfully, "Modernizing... like computers, or something?"

Diarmaid rumbles, "Majordomo -- the guy with the book is more of a majordomo. Nah. Making it less like it is. Less 'His Lordliness will see you now' and more like, hmm... I don't have the words quite. But not computers. Shaking up the structure. Taking out some of the layers between Caradog and the people."

Cinnamon unwittingly sounds a bit perplexed, "Oh, that's... nice...?" She's honestly not sure she wants it to be easier to get to see Caradog! Plus, she's had no trouble whatsoever in meeting with him when she wished to... though it's quite possible, she realizes, that due to being a councilor she gets privileged treatment. Hmm... yeah, she wouldn't have enjoyed having to wait a long time to see Caradog about this! She nods, her voice more confident, "Yeah, that actually is nice. It'll be better for the people, won't it?"

Diarmaid nods, "Yeah, I think so -- but I'm a Fomorian. I get irritated with how structured everything gets. I think respect is owed, but there's a difference between respect and things being too fucking precious." Cinnamon giggles at that! She quite agrees, honestly.

They've reached Llewellyn's office and Diarmaid waits for them at the bottom of the stairs. A short hike up the stairs later, Cinnamon breathlessly asks Llewellyn if she could please have a copy of the laws of Coblyn Street enclave? Llewellyn is happy to get her one. When Shane asks for a schematic of the tunnels as well, the elderly leprechaun is able to dig that up too, and hand them both over. The bylaws are a sheaf of paper perhaps a quarter-inch thick, while the schematics are a roll of blueprints. Cinnamon ooohs excitedly at the tunnel maps, thanking Llewellyn again -- she can't wait to see them! After that she nearly skips down the stairs, chattering happily to her friends about the tunnels and translating with Sarai and how exciting this all is! She beams up at the huge Fomorian once they're on the ground floor again, nearly chirping with her delight, "Okay! Let's go see the tunnel opening now, yes?"

Diarmaid chuckles a little, "The closest one to where we are iii-is..." He looks around and ahs, "Here." He turns down one of the few alleys that seems like it might be somewhere you wouldn't want to go down on a dark night alone on Coblyn. Cinnamon patters fearlessly after Diarmaid -- no one's going to jump them while he and Shane are around! She's looking around curiously for some sign of a blockage, or a dip downwards. Thorn too glances around, recalling that he's walking with a Fomorian and a dragon and one of the badasses of Coblyn Street -- and follows along with the group into the alleyway.

Diarmaid goes to one knee and hooks his hand into a round handle in a heavy trap door. He hauls it upward with a grunt, making Shane's brows go up as if he's impressed. The hinges squeal as a 3' X 3' section of darkness is revealed. The Fomorian adds, "There's not a lot to see down there. It really is mostly sealed off." They have to descend a ladder that seems to be made of some kind of metal and they find themselves in a chamber that's perhaps 12' high and 15' long and room for all four of them to stand side by side. All the walls are brick and the ceiling is arched. Cinnamon squints, shifting her vision to first UV, and then IR vision... does she notice anything interesting? The Fomorian breaks a very modern glowstick and holds it up as he walks around, "This was a, what do they call it... would have been so they could come down to do work."

Shane looks around the blind tunnel, "Was it meant to be a maintenance tunnel?" He walks to the end away from the trapdoor and lays his hand on the bricked-over wall. As it is, it might make a good storage room, but that's about it.

Diarmaid nods, "That's the word."

Cinnamon nods at Shane's comment, asking, "So is that bricked-up wall where the actual tunnels start, then?" She frowns worriedly, "I wonder if the lizard folk can make holes in brick or if it's just regular, natural stone..."

Diarmaid nods, "Yup. This was just the beginning of it. They blocked it off. If I understand, there's a few feet of the brick there. Once you get through it, you'd find another blocked off tunnel elsewhere."

Shane mms and nods, "Well, only way to find out is to ask. Or have them try."

Cinnamon nods interestedly to both Shane and Diarmaid, "Okay! Well, unless there's more to see here, I think that's all we need?" She grins up at the Fomorian, adding, "Thank you! You've always been so helpful; I really appreciate it, Diarmaid!"

Thorn blinks, "A few feet of bricks? Were they trying to keep something in? Or really serious about keeping people out?" Cinnamon tilts her head thoughtfully. That's... actually a really good question! She looks curiously at Diarmaid for the answer.

Diarmaid's features are difficult to read, but he says, "What is it they say... 'little bit of column A, little bit of column B'? I don't actually think there's anything dangerous down there. I think what they're really trying to keep out is any chance of anything from the outside creeping in here." He walks to the end and lays his hand on the wall that would go into the tunnels, "But I've been curious about it before. Why block off so much usable space? There are creatures and people here that could live in the underground... trolls, dwarves... so why?"

Cinnamon grins excitedly, "Does this mean we get to explore it once it's opened?" She dryly adds, "Though I'm not sure I'd want the only troll I've met living underneath me!" She wrinkles her nose slightly, remembering the way Hans had glared at her... like he wanted to eat her! Though, now that she thinks about it, he's not really much... compared to, say, full moon Fraser. She giggles quietly at that thought.

Diarmaid rumbles, "I can't see why not."

Shane looks consideringly at Diarmaid, "You knew exactly where to come to find this tunnel."

Cinnamon glances between Diarmaid and Shane, then grins interestedly, "Oh, do Fomorians prefer living underground too?"

Diarmaid chuckles, "Some of us do, yes." He strokes a hand over the wall and shrugs, "I'd be curious to see if your lizard folk can open the walls. Be easier than chipping them open."

Shane nods slowly, "You know all of them, don't you? All the tunnel entrances?"

Diarmaid nods and snorts again. This time, it sounds like a chuckle, "Lad, I don't spend every single minute of every single day at work." He motions toward the ladder with his head, "Let's get back topside so you can get about your business." Cinnamon nods at that, climbing up slowly but steadily -- she isn't as graceful as the sidhe by a long shot! Still, at least these ladders aren't swaying, like the ones on the Valkyrie usually are. Once everyone is street-level again, Diarmaid brushes his livery free of brick dust and cobwebs, "Luck."

Cinnamon beams, "Thank you!" She grins at Shane, adding, "Any luck on your replacement car, Shaney?"

Shane smiles wryly, "Yeah. We got a replacement. I got clucked at by Rosie about it, but we got one."

Cinnamon beams, "Awesome! That means we can start driving up now, instead of waiting for nightfall!" She cheerfully adds, "If I can, I want to read the docs we've got, on the way -- so Sarai and I can start translations right away!" The car that's been procured is a Volvo. It's going to be, in Shane's unusually vulgar opinion, a "fucking gold-plated bitch" for any of the pure elvish folk to ride in... but it's also going to be hard to total. Cinnamon blinks a bit startledly at Shane, her cheeks a bit pink! -- but politely says nothing. Thorn isn't quite sure what Shane means, but he gets the "hard to total" part well enough. Several hours of driving later -- along with one hour of hiking -- it's just coming on to sunset as the little group returns to the Trod of the Elm. Cinnamon is tired but happy to be able to share the Coblyn docs with Sarai, so they can start working on translations... right after the boys are returned to their homes. First, though, Cinnamon wants to check with Jaeger that they're healed up enough!

Jaeger assures Cinnamon that the Moon-Eyed People seem to be healed enough to travel. Dusu seems... reluctant. Jaeger smiles indulgently, in the way of someone that has children that have done impulsive things, "I believe he is simply not looking forward to telling his parent about the car."

Cinnamon giggles quietly at that, nodding, "I get that! But he's got to go home, if for no other reason than that we need to invite his elders here. I was wondering: do you think five days from now would work for the negotiations -- especially if I offer to fly them all here?"

Jaeger hmms, "Five days would give everyone time to prepare. I'm curious about the underground as well. I simply thought it was sealed off for safety... as in there were things down there architecturally that made it unfit..."

Cinnamon nods interestedly, then grins, "Well, want to come along when we explore it?"

The Elm elder chuckles, "Oh, absolutely. If it would be safe. Shane said the ladder down into the tunnel was metal, but he wasn't sure if was iron or not."

Cinnamon thinks back -- what did her hands tell her, as she traversed the ladder? She nods once, cheerfully telling Jaeger, "It was magnesium and aluminum! Is that okay for you?"

Jaeger seems intrigued, "Interesting combination... but safe for fae, yes. Magnesium can be set fire very easily, and is very difficult to put out when it is." Cinnamon nods cheerfully, letting her friends know that Jaeger wishes to accompany them when they explore the Coblyn underground. After that she wants to visit Dusu, to find out if his people can make openings in brick as well as regular stone.

Dusu is sitting in the room he's been given. He does still seem a little dejected in that 'I am so dead...' teenager way. He glances up and smiles a bit at the visitors and their question. The reptilian face is... odd... but the expression is readable, "We can. I mean... cement and brick and all that are just stone and earth in other forms..." He squirms a little, "I can't, but my broodparent can. The older ones. The ones with more practice. I mean, the more complicated the stone or earth, the more practice and concentration, right? Like, crystals? They're easy to change. They've got a matrix and they're the same all the way through. Carbon is easy. Limestone's pretty good. Marble... but if you're trying to shift dirt? That can get hard. There's so much different stuff in it..."

Cinnamon nods excitedly, "Okay then! I think we may have a nice place for the moon-eyed people to live, if one of your elders is willing to work with us to open the way!" She grins as she adds, "Ready to go back home?"

Dusu's eyes light up, "We... you mean we have good news? Not just that I stole an idol and wrecked a car?"

Cinnamon laughs, impulsively hugging the small man, "Of course we have good news! Why do you think we want to ask your elders to come negotiate?"

Dusu's body language sags in relief. For someone that would be middle-aged as a human, he definitely has all the mannerisms and reactions of a human teenager, "Oh. Yes. Let's... we can go tell my broodparent about this -- and maybe I'll be allowed out of the clutch before spring."

Cinnamon giggles quietly, but doesn't tease the poor boy. Instead she makes plans with Jaeger, Athala, and Sarai: the otter woman will stay here so if the moon-eyed people need a translator for the folk of Elm, she can help. During the time that Cinnamon, Shane, and Thorn are returning Dusu to his people, and giving the invitation to be flown to Trod of the Elm in four days' time, Sarai will also work on translating the Coblyn Laws into Cherokee. Once the dragon and her friends return to Elm, the moon-faced boys can be flown home too, and the same invitation delivered. Then, upon the final return to Elm of the threesome, there can be rest, food, and more translations. Sarai agrees this will be a good way to go about it, and will also give her time to work. As she notes, "It's been a while since I've had to actually write in the sillabary!"

Shortly thereafter, the threesome and Dusu stand outside the trod with Jaeger. Cinnamon carefully explains that she's going to change shape into a very large, um... lizard that can fly, and she'll carry Dusu (along with her friends) to the intersection where the accident happened. From that point on, Dusu will have to direct them to his home. Once he's nodded understanding, Cinnamon gives Jaeger a thank-you hug for how kind and helpful Elm is being... then steps away and shifts into her dragon shape. She tilts her big head so she can study Dusu with one slitted eye, and rumbles cheerfully, "Still okay?"

Dusu's eyes are absolutely huge. Shane's got a hand on the small reptilian guy's shoulder and murmurs, "Chill. She's gentle."

Dusu nods slowly, "Wow... just... wow..." Thorn can't help but feel amusement at Dusu's reaction. Still, at the very least the young man didn't run off screaming! He's taking Cinnamon's new form very well, actually.

Cinnamon gives a soft chuff of laughter at Shane's comment, smoke drifting lazily upwards from her jaws and nose... then she beams at Dusu, "Great! Hop on now, and be sure to buckle in, okay? Shaney and Thorny can help you if you need." She lowers her pawhand so they can easily step up to her shoulders.

Dusu whispers in what he obviously thinks is a subtle way to Thorn, "Uhm... what is that kind of lizard called?"

Cinnamon giggles trillingly, then whispers back, "I'm called a dragon!" Shane is already swinging up into his normal spot on the harness. He snorts because no one here has exactly bad hearing. Dusu jumps and swallows, having been caught being rude. Cinnamon grins as she adds, "Don't feel bad, Dusu -- most of us have really good hearing! C'mon -- hop up, please!"

Thorn grins wryly at the comments made. "Yes, she's a dragon," he says unnecessarily.

Dusu nods and scrambles up. He's agile, but he's also quite short-limbed. He fumbles a little with the harness, but does get himself strapped in -- then swallows hard and asks, "Are we going... very high up?"

Cinnamon grins at Thorn too... then waves a friendly goodbye with a wing to Jaeger as she starts strolling through the forest to the closest clearing. That'll give everyone time to buckle up before she takes off. Once she's sure her friends are all secured, she replies, "Not very high, since we don't know how good your eyesight is, and we need you to direct us. Hang on and lean forward, now -- I'm going to have to jump into the air so I don't whack any trees!" Dusu nods and holds on very, very tightly. Shortly thereafter Cinnamon is airborne! She laughs happily, enjoying stretching her wings... and in only a few moments they're circling slowly over the Intersection of Doom! Cinnamon calls over her shoulder, "Can you see okay, Dusu? Do you recognize here?" She searches visually to see if the cars are still there or not -- it's been two days by now, after all, but it is way out in the country.

The cars are still there, but that may be because someone is trying to hunt down the registrations: there are orange cards tucked into the windshields of the very smashed vehicles. Dusu's eyes are squinted shut, but he says in a slightly choked voice, "Know it. Need to go... sou'sou'east."

Cinnamon obligingly angles into that direction with a lazy wingflap, then starts to follow the road. She calls back to him, "Are you following the road, or a pull from your home, Dusu?"-- then adds to Shane, "Also, should we have your totaled car towed, Shaney?"

Shane sighs, "Yeah. Towed or conveniently disappeared in some way or another."

Cinnamon's rumbling voice is quiet with sympathy, "I'm sorry, Shaney... I'm happy to help however I can?"

Dusu says, "Not a pull. Just... know where it is." He's peeking over Cinnamon's shoulder only as often as he has to, and he's holding very, very tightly to the harness as he calls out directions. They're flying deep into woods and hills. Eventually he has her land in a fairly tight clearing.

Cinnamon has to drop the last 20' or so, though she's careful to land as lightly as she can so her passengers aren't jounced around uncomfortably. She folds her wings neatly, glancing around and grinning, "Okay, we're landed!" She wonders if the other Akoesdi Ayvwi will come out once they see Dusu... despite her size! Once Dusu drops to the ground, he looks around nervously, as if expecting to see someone there. Indeed, it doesn't take long for a couple of someones to appear. One of them is holding a shotgun. They're both somewhat taller than Dusu, but they're still shorter than most human adults. Dusu's eyes widen and he waves his arms, talking quickly and letting these two new Akoesdi Ayvwi know the visitors are friendly. Cinnamon watches in silent interest as Dusu nearly babbles at the adults... though she keeps her wings up a bit so she can quickly shield her friends from the shotgun, if necessary. Cinnamon waits until he has to take a breath -- and then she smiles and rumbles what is to her a friendly, "Hello!" in Cherokee. She figures, after all, that they have a lot of teeth too, right?

Thorn holds up his hands to show they're empty as well -- he's reasonably sure that's pretty universal as a sign of friendship or at least non-hostility. Shane doesn't hold his hands up. Indeed, one of his hands goes to the sword on his hip as the other quickly undoes his harness. He's not holding himself in an aggressive way, but he's a warrior, that's a weapon, and Thorn is a squishy. Dusu is talking very quickly and the two older Akoesdi start to relax. They relax even further when Cinnamon speaks to them, and the one without the shotgun steps forward and says in Cherokee, "You seem to have brought our wayward child home."

Cinnamon grins, "We did, yes." She's translating for her friends as she speaks, making her speech slow but intelligible to everyone as she adds, "We would like to invite your elders to come visit with us. We'd like to know you more -- you're a new species to us, and apparently we're new to you too. Also, we'd like to help you end your war with the moon-eyed people... because we're worried that the humans will find out about us all, otherwise. Will you come talk with our elders, and the elders of the moon-eyed folk, in five days? I'd be happy to fly you to a neutral trod for the talks." Dusu listens intently to all of this. He knows it's eventually going to come to 'Where is the car?' and 'How do all these strange people know all this?'

The one that's been speaking looks skeptical, "How would you help against the ghost people? They are encroaching..." The one that has the shotgun makes a disgusted noise.

Cinnamon rumbles calmly, "They cannot hide their homes; just themselves. So, we are many species, across the world -- not just one or two -- and some of us can hide our homes. If they're willing to move and be friendly, there will be people who will not mind them living underground beneath their homes." She tilts her head and smiles as she adds, "We value diversity! We'd like to welcome you to know us too."

The one that's been talking looks to Dusu and softly asks a question that seems fairly innocuous. Dusu answers, and there's a nod. Both the older reptilian folk relax, "We accept the invitation." The one with the shotgun looks at Dusu and adds, "Where is my car? It was gone and I thought you had it, but here you are without it?"

Shane murmurs to his companions, "Ahh. Broodparent." He tips his head, "You notice he keeps using gender-neutral terms for the parents? Are they parthenogenetic, maybe?"

Cinnamon looks curious -- why the innocuous question? Unless... ah! Maybe it was a coded password kind of thing! She nods at Shane's question, "Maybe! That's one of the reasons I'd like to learn more about them, honestly... that, and so I can tell Josie all about them, so she can come visit them and represent them as best as possible!" The red dragon looks pleased as she replies to the adults, "Thank you! I'll meet your elders here, then, shortly after sunset five nights from now, yes? Um... how many elders do you have, actually? I can only safely carry six at a time."

Dusu looks a little nervous at the blunt question from his broodparent; he hastily cuts his eyes toward Cinnamon, "That's... a long story. But it's going to be okay now!" His voice is overly bright, in that 'I really, really hope the good news is going to outweigh the whole "I desecrated a temple and wrecked the car" thing!' manner. Cinnamon grins at Dusu, but remains discreetly silent on that issue!

The one without the gun says, "We have three. So that is less than the maximum. We will meet you then."

Cinnamon beams, "Yay! Thank you so much." She thinks a moment, then adds, "Does anyone have any questions before we go? We still have to take the moon-eyed boys home too, after all?"

Both the older Akoesdi shake their heads, "We certainly will then. At least not for you." The one with the shotgun has a very 'disappointed parent' face. Thorn smiles, and shakes his head; he doesn't have anything to add.

Cinnamon grins quietly at that -- she suspects Dusu is going to get such a talking-to once she's gone! Still, they have more to do tonight, so... "All right then -- thank you for your welcome, and we look forward to seeing you in five nights' time!" She checks that her companions are still buckled in, cheerfully waves goodbye to Dusu... and then nearly sproings upwards before slapping her wings down hard, so she can clear the tight little circle of trees. The scarlet dragon giggles as she flies back towards Elm, "Well, that went well... for us! I suspect poor Dusu's going to be so grounded, though!"

Shane snorts, "Mmm, at the very least. I thought for a second that something drastic was about to happen. But they were being pretty truthful."

Cinnamon curiously asks, "Where weren't they truthful, then?"

Thorn hmms and nods, "That did turn out better than I'd thought it would. But... they seemed to agree pretty readily."

Shane says, "I got the feeling they left something out about their elders."

Thorn nods to Shane, "They were... reticent, a bit?"

Shane mms, "Not an outright lie, just... holding a little something back."

Cinnamon muses, "Interesting. Well, hopefully we'll find out more at the negotiations!" She grins at Thorn's comment, "Yeah, but I can't really blame them. How would you feel if a dragon dropped in on your hidden home, carrying your child?"

Shane grins, though Cinnamon can't hear it, "We may be the wrong people to ask about that..."

Cinnamon giggles at that, then lands in the little clearing near to Elm. She pads gracefully through the forest until she arrives at the trod, where she pauses for everyone to hop off so she can change. She's delighted to change on the first try, and patters happily along with her friends to find Immokalee and Moytoy. They're with Sarai, who is showing them some of what she's been translating, and explaining how these are the rules of the place which is talking about giving them space to live. Cinnamon beams excitedly as she enters, "Hi, peeps! The Akoesdi folks say they'll come to the negotiations! So, you guys ready to go home too?"

Immokalee and Moytoy are both ready to get back. They've had time to recover, and are sure their families will be worried -- as well as people being frantic about the idol! Cinnamon grins, wondering internally why they're not worried about the trashed car. Perhaps Dusu swiped his without permission? She also shyly asks Jaeger if she could maybe please have some food when she returns, please? Then she takes the time to explain the change to both young men as they're walking out of the trod... and then changes form again. Jaeger assures Cinnamon there will be plenty of food. Both of the moon-eyed young men assure Cinnamon that what she is has been explained to them. Apparently someone took some time to show them some pictures, when they realized no one thought to warn Dusu!

Cinnamon thanks Jaeger with relief, then laughs at the planning-ahead -- why didn't she think of that? She cheerfully hoists everyone up onto her back, repeating the stroll and takeoff process... and a minute later is circling over the Intersection of Tragedy, "Okay, guys! Which way, please?" It's Immokalee who gives directions this time, and they are -- unsurprisingly -- close to the ones Dusu gave. But the story makes sense for that being true. Cinnamon lands just as carefully for them, and waits for folks to pop out this time too. Immokalee and Moytoy look around carefully and then move to what looks like a manhole cover set in a concrete pillar. Shane murmurs something about Super Mario, as MoyToy opens it with something of a pained grunt... though no one immediately appears. Immokalee asks if they want to wait here or come down. Cinnamon blinks a bit startledly... at sight of a concrete pillar out in the woods! She thinks a moment, then checks, "Your family's not going to be hostile to us, will they?"

Moytoy says, "We can go down and let them know what's happening."

Immokalee looks at Thorn and Shane, "They're both a little tall and will have to crouch down a lot."

Thorn says, "Oh, that won't be a problem."

Cinnamon hmms... then checks, "How long will it take for your family to come out to talk to us, if we wait here?"

Immokalee says, "We can have at least the shamans out here in fifteen or twenty minutes, and the, uhm..." He looks like he's hesitant to say the word since it might seem aggressive, "the... war chiefs around the same time."

Moytoy jumps in, "It's an old term! But, they... ahh... they make the more earthly decisions. The shamans are the spiritual stuff."

Cinnamon grins, "It's okay! But let me check with my friends first, please?" She's been translating all along, so she just looks at Shane and Thorn and asks, "So, stay or go, guys? What do you think?"

Shane says quietly, "Stay. Being underground in unknown territory? Not so good."

Thorn nods in agreement with Shane, "We can wait, sure."

Cinnamon nods in relief, "Oh, good -- I was thinking that too! Especially when you can't even stand up straight, y'know?" She smiles at the two moon-eyed boys and tells them, "We'd like to stay here and wait, please? Thanks for getting your folks to us as soon as you can!" Immokalee nods, and both moon-eyed boys disappear down the column. Cinnamon lies down on her side so both Shane and Thorn can sit and lean against her to stay warm while they wait, too. As they wait, she muses quietly to her friends, "Hey, um... have either of you done any reading on the Cherokee at all? 'Cause... I thought the Cherokee didn't have 'war' chiefs make the earthly decisions any more! It, like... makes me wonder how long the Svnoyi have been on a war footing, y'know?"

Shane clears his throat, "I did, a little. They're matrilineal. The war chiefs only made decisions in times of, well, war. Unless they declared war a looo-ong time ago and it just stayed that way."

Cinnamon nods thoughtfully, "I wonder if that's what's happened... they've just been at war with the Akoesdi for like forever!"

Thorn nods to Shane, "Based on what we know about these peoples, probably for a very long time. But what gets me is how long both these species have been hiding... and nobody in the modern world knows about them? That's really, really good security."

Cinnamon rumbles, "Well, the Svnoyi can do that 'don't see me' magic, right? It's the Akoesdi that really amaze me. I mean, they look like little bipedal reptiles, right? -and they go out and actually talk to humans!"

Shane considers, "Though... we may find that the war chiefs are..." As he's speaking, the lid opens again, and Immokalee returns with nine people. Four are male, five are female. The ones that are most likely the shamans are evenly divided between the genders. The ones that might be the 'war chiefs' look like they have three females and two males.

Cinnamon raises her big, triangular head and watches with interest as the moon-eyed folk approach... though she'll wait to sit up until Shane and Thorn rise as well, since she doesn't want to accidentally dump them on the ground or something. She wonders if she can get them to just send three, since that's all that the Akoesdi are sending... and she smiles and says in Cherokee, "Hello! Thank you for seeing us!"

The one that approaches and speaks first is what looks to be one of the female shamans, though the eldest-seeming female of the 'war chiefs' comes with her, "Thank you for bringing back our boys and the idol. We were very worried. They tell us one of the lizard-folk caused some mischief."

Cinnamon nods, translating for her friends as well, as she talks, "We are sorry we worried you by keeping your boys so long... but they were rather seriously injured, and we wanted to be sure they were healthy enough to travel before we moved them." She takes a breath, then continues much as she did with the lizard family: "We would like to invite three of your elders to come visit with us. We'd like to know you more -- you're a new species to us, and apparently we're new to you too. Also, we'd like to help you end your war with the lizard people... because we're worried that the humans will find out about us all, otherwise. Will you come talk with our elders, and the elders of the lizard folk, in five days? I'd be happy to fly you to a neutral trod for the talks."

The eldest woman -- the one that came with them from the war chiefs -- inquires, "We have nine elders. Why only three?"

Cinnamon grins wryly, "Well, I can only safely carry six... and the Akoesdi people are sending only three elders, so I thought it'd be nice maybe for you both to have the same number of people there." She thinks a bit, then adds, "If you'd like to send six, and just have three at the table, we could probably take multiple breaks so you could all consider how things are going?" She adds, "Immokalee told us you cannot hide your homes; just yourselves. So, we are many species, across the world -- not just one or two -- and some of us can hide our homes. If you're willing to move and be friendly, there will be people who will not mind you living underground beneath their hidden homes." She tilts her head and smiles as she adds, "We value diversity! We'd like to welcome you to know us too." She's interested (and a bit amused) to notice the comment about 'seriously injured' has been missed due to the startling news about multiple species, too!

The eldest woman considers this, then nods, "This is a fair thing. I will come and I will bring two others with me. We will come in five days. It would be good to not have to struggle." She looks over all the people there, "Immokalee says one of you healed him and Moytoy, though they were hurt very badly." She waves one of the shamans forward, and he holds something out as she adds, "We wish to thank you."

Cinnamon beams at that, "Oh! That was Thorn, our healer! He's amazing." She tilts her head down to grin at Thorn, next to her, "This is he. Thorny, they want to thank you!"

Thorn looks surprised, but then ducks his head in a slight bow and steps forward. "It was my pleasure," he says, hoping Cinnamon will translate for him. "It's what I do." She does indeed translate, of course!

The thing in the shaman's hands looks to be a package wrapped in cloth, and has a sweetly herbal or floral scent. The moon-eyed man smiles and hands it to Thorn, while the elder woman who has been doing the talking says, "It is some of the herbs our healers use. Please, take them as a thanks."

Cinnamon beams, "Ooh, nice, Thorny!"

Thorn brightens noticeably, "Ah! These will be of great help!" He bows to the shaman, "Thank you! This will help many people!"

Cinnamon beams as she translates -- then happily adds, "Do you all have any questions before we depart? -and I'll come back right here in five nights' time, okay?"

The elder nods gravely, "I will have questions when we meet... about how these people you speak of hide their homes, and these other places you wish to offer us." She continues, "But I have not had time to think on them closely yet."

Cinnamon nods at that, "Understandable! Just bring your questions with you as well, then." She thanks them again for being willing to negotiate, and to meet some of all the different species of supernaturals there are in the world... and then, barring any other questions, she's ready to take her friends back to Elm. The elders and the two boys agree and say their goodbyes, starting to disappear back down the concrete pillar.

Cinnamon waits until she's flying again before she cheerfully asks Shane, "So, were they telling the truth too?"

Shane says thoughtfully, "They seemed to be, yes. They seemed... very sincere."

Cinnamon smiles, "Well, that's good." She's silent for a bit, landing carefully and then starting to pad through the forest before she adds musingly, "Could the Akoesdi have maybe not been saying that they're just a single family... or something like that? Like... would it have sounded a bit deceptive if they didn't mention that, regarding their elders?"

Thorn glances at Shane, "What are you thinking?"

Shane considers, "If they're a society that moves between war chiefs and peace chiefs, and consider the war chiefs to be the back-up or emergency option... they may be looking forward to going back to the default." He blinks, "Or do you mean Dusu's folks? It... might have. If they're parthenogenetic, or something like it, they could very well trace back to a common parent."

Cinnamon nods to Shane, "Dusu's, yeah." She grins over her shoulder as she adds, "I wanna know too, Shaney -- what're you thinking?" She adds thoughtfully, "I read once that actual parthenogenic reproduction is far more efficient than sexual -- but only as long as the environment doesn't change! I wonder if that's a problem for the lizard folk... and that's why they're so careful and wary -- they're not matching their environment so well any more, and so they're not reproducing enough to replace those that die."

Shane nods, "And if they're producing males... don't parthenogenic species only produce males if there's some ecological pressure to diversify the gene pool?"

Cinnamon muses, "Well, do we know Dusu was male? Hm, did he ever refer to himself as such?" She thinks back, reviewing the conversations they'd all had with Dusu... and after a while she laughs! "You know what, I don't think Dusu ever said, one way or the other! Though he did -- if he's indeed male -- refer to his broodparent as 'she,' early on."

Shane blinks, "Did... did Dusu? And Dusu's reptilian, so the secondary sexual characteristics..."

Cinnamon giggles! "All this time we've been calling Dusu male -- and we might have been completely wrong!"

Thorn is the thoughtful one now, "We'll certainly learn more when they come to the peace talks... but it almost makes me wish my magic wasn't so indiscriminate! I could have learned a lot more about his people from healing him."

Shane mutters to himself, "Mum would so fuss at me for assuming male as the default..."

Cinnamon giggles again, then grins over her shoulder at Shane, "Someday I'd like to meet your mum -- when she's not all busy meeting your dad again for the first time in like forever!" She has no idea, of course, how that might sound to a more family-oriented person -- since she doesn't ever expect to marry, it doesn't even occur to her that someone might take her home to meet the family for a reason!

Shane bites his tongue for a moment, then smiles, "It wasn't forever. It was only twenty-eight years." He'll be happy to take Cinnamon to meet his mum again, he thinks... when he can introduce her as more than just his friend.

It's about ten minutes later that the threesome are back in the trod, and Cinnamon's glancing around hopefully, wondering where Jaeger might put food for a hungry little dragon -- and she's got to help Sarai with translating too, after food! The food for the little dragon is in the main square because there's quite a lot of it. Sarai has been staying in what is essentially a guest house as she does her translations. Cinnamon is very happy to return, and she thanks Jaeger -- as well as the folks setting up the tables of food -- quite sincerely! Then, of course, she hungrily helps herself to the food. Once the first edge of hunger has been blunted, she helps her friends tell Jaeger about the current plan... as well as their thoughts and suspicions regarding the two species. She also checks with the Elm elders and Shane: what do they think would be the wisest thing to do, regarding the damaged cars?

Thorn is glad to return as well, of course. He's also curious as to what they'll be doing with the cars, and is glad to help with those plans as well. Shane is going to get to a spot with phone service and work with Rosie to arrange for the cars to get discreetly towed. They've been largely destroyed, but the two warring peoples may still be able to get some money out of the scrap. Cinnamon nods at that -- okay, sounds like her muscle won't be needed then!

After a bit of thought, Jaeger suggests they bring someone from Coblyn proper, if they're going to be offering the space beneath Coblyn -- if not Caradog himself, then one of his advisors: "Someone that can represent the enclave. Someone to be his proxy." When everyone arrives, it turns out to be Diarmaid that Caradog sends with his proxy to the meeting. The elders from each side of the conflict are calm when they're picked up by Cinnamon, though apparently the Svnoyi (the moon-eyed people) had a difficult time deciding which three would be going. Dusu's people, the Akoesdi, ask if Dusu can come along as well. They seem somewhat distrustful if the young one isn't with them... if by "somewhat distrustful" one means "almost belligerent." Cinnamon thinks about that, then explains that Dusu will be welcome as long as they're fine with his sitting at the side of the room... since the table is set up for three elders from each side, "Is that acceptable?" She pauses, then curiously checks, "Also, if it is not rude to ask: is Dusu male or female? Or... do your young not yet manifest a sex... or what, please?"

The Akoesdi elders look around at one another, then reply, "The only time there are males amongst us is when there is a time of very great stress and the family lines need to cross to make us stronger or to breed more quickly. That hasn't happened in several generations."

Cinnamon nods, looking pleased, "Thank you! We would like to use the correct, polite terms for you all, after all. We'd like to not give any offense. So, hop on and buckle up, and we'll get you all to the trod!" She's relieved only Shane came with her, to ensure there was no problem with harnesses and buckles.

The area that's been cleared out for the negotiations is the meeting hall for Elm -- the one used whenever the trod hosts big events such as council meetings. It's large enough for the entire trod (in all its myriad forms), plus a couple dozen more, to meet. The meeting is at night, in deference to the Moon-Eyed people's problems with sunlight. Even with that, there are shutters and shades over the windows, and the lights are low. There's a round table set up, specifically chosen so no one is above anyone else. However, tension is still pretty palpable in the air.

Cinnamon makes sure Sarai is in a good place for translating for those who don't speak Cherokee -- probably right across the table from Cinnamon herself, in fact! The little dragon also takes a bit to change clothes and tidy up, so she looks more like a Councilwoman than a dragon... which also gives both sides a moment to relax and recover from the flight. Cinnamon knows the Elm elves are likely being superlative hosts as well, offering them calming things like tea or a light nibble. She knows this... because Jaeger has been an absolute sweetheart, and made sure there was a nice, filling snack waiting for her too! As she eats, Cinnamon quickly explains Dusu's presence to Shane, asking him if he could maybe seat the young man -- er, woman! Woman, sorry... next to him and Thorn, where they'll be watching but also out of the way? Shane is happy to accompany Dusu and be a comforting presence. He is, after all, quite good at putting off the 'I'm safe and protective' vibes... when he's not putting off the 'do not fuck with me' vibes! It's what makes those that know him think of him as a paladin rather than just a fighter.

Diarmaid has arrived in something that might be called "livery lite." The clothes are well-tailored and obviously made of expensive fabrics, but they aren't a uniform. Instead, he wears something like a chain of office, with an amulet that carries Caradog's official seal. Granted, to anyone that's not familiar with the Fomorian, he might looks somewhat forbidding. Thorn is likewise happy to sit with Dusu. But he's also keeping an eye on the two sides. He doesn't like how the two sides are glaring at each other. It's making him wary, and worried that his services will be needed. The two groups of elders are in fact looking quite grimly -- almost angrily -- at one another across the table.

Cinnamon walks in and takes her position at the table, smiling around at everyone. Naturally she makes sure to speak in both English and Cherokee, so that Sarai only has to translate for the two factions to the Elm folk and Diarmaid. In fact, the little dragon takes a few moments to speak of utterly banal things, in an effort to distract from the grimness: does everyone have a drink that wants one? Oh, yes, please -- she'd love a drink of water... thank you! Good... and has everyone been introduced? Ah, not a problem... she carefully introduces everyone she knows, and gently encourages the members of the two factions to give their names as well. Since Cinnamon had asked for there to be simple nametags (with both Cherokee sillabary symbols as well as alphabetical spellings) at each seat, she's unsurprised to see Sarai and someone from Elm swiftly making up similar nametags for the new arrivals. In most cases, Sarai even translates the meanings of the names on the nametags.

Once all the calming chat is done, though, explains why everyone here was so quietly insistent on a negotiation between the two factions -- she tells of the car crash that night, that effectively forced a meeting between them all. Once she's described the bare facts of who went where and hit what, her demeanor gets far more stern as she adds, "This type of behavior... is not acceptable, my friends! Completely aside from the fact that your children were incredibly fortunate to not hit a car full of humans... there's also the fact that the only reason the person in the passenger side of the struck car isn't dead... is because they are extremely sturdy! Add to this that all three of your children were seriously injured as well..." She shakes her head slowly, "We need to create a peace between you. You do not need to be losing children, nor making more enemies... nor unwittingly betraying us all to the humans. Do you all agree?"

The War Chief (as that is one of the Svnoyi who came to the meeting) says with some heat, "We are not trying to be aggressive! We try to live peacefully! We have only been at war because we have to protect ourselves against people attacking us and desecrating holy places!"

One of the Akoesdi elders' eyes blink closed the nictitating membranes -- and then their eyes open extremely widely, "You push at our boundaries! You do not know how to make your homes unseen! You endanger us!"

Thorn is listening attentively, but he's also watching body language. He isn't an expert at reading it, but if something starts to percolate and threaten to burst, well... he hopes he can see it before it happens -- especially with such charged emotions ongoing! If Cinnamon is remembering correctly, the speaking Akoesdi elder is Dusu's broodparent. Nevertheless, she coughs pointedly, "Your pardon, but that does not answer my question, honored elders. Do you agree that it is better to not lose children, nor be discovered by humans, nor make new enemies?"

There's some extremely heated glaring across the table! However, a different Svnoyi elder says gently, "Yes. It is much, much better." Simultaneously, one of the Akoesdi elders puts a clawed hand on Dusu's broodparent, murmuring softly, "Please... calm. We almost lost a daughter."

Cinnamon smiles at those individuals, murmuring, "Thank you. We would like to help... because we understand how important it is to be able to live well and thrive, yet also not be discovered by humans." She takes a breath, then asks an important question, "To that end, I would like to ask you all what is more important to you: to make peace between both your peoples, and then to take steps to ensure there is no need for further hostilities? Or to simply remove the point of contention between you both?" She knows what she thinks is most important, of course... but she also knows that neither she nor Josie want to act like colonizers to these new people.

The Svnoyi elder who spoke softly says quietly, "I believe if we find a way to remove the point of contention, we can make peace. We... have similar roots. We speak a common language. That says something." Cinnamon nods to the Svnoyi elder, then looks inquiringly to the Akoesdi -- do the lizard folk have an opinion?

The calming Akoesdi elder, whose name seems to mean Brightscale, says, "I think it would be good. We had no quarrel with them until their homes started to overlap ours. Once they did, there were some... close calls with the humans." She takes a deep breath, "One of our brood caves collapsed and nearly cost us an entire clutch of eggs."

Cinnamon raises her eyebrows -- yes, that'd be very bad! She nods to both elders, "All right, then -- the decision is to first remove the point of contention. So, correct me if I'm wrong... but the main point of contention is simply that the Svnoyi cannot hide their homes, and tend to move into Akoesdi caves, yes? If this is indeed the case... then we are very pleased to meet you all, and welcome you into our international and worldwide supernatural community -- because there are many, many species with a huge variety of skills, knacks, and talents. Further, some of us can hide our homes, so if the Svnoyi are willing to follow the rules of the closest hidden supernatural enclave, I have it on good authority that they'd be welcome to live in the underground there." She waves a hand towards Diarmaid, adding, "This gentleman is the proxy for the ruler of Coblyn Street in Boston. There is a currently sealed-off underground to the street. We thought it might be a nice gesture should one of the Akoesdi be willing to open an entrance through the brick plug so that the Svnoyi can move in, if they wish?" She adds to the moon-eyed elders, "Also, I believe Diarmaid can answer any questions you have regarding the underground."

Diarmaid has been quiet during all of this, but now he speaks in his deep, rumbling voice, "King Caradog of Coblyn street has offered the underground as refuge, yes, as long as the Svnoyi are willing to sign and obey the charter and laws of the street. Each member of their tribe will need to register with Llewellyn, just as each of those here that live on Coblyn had to as well." He turns to look at the Akoesdi, "Any of your folk that wish to take up residence there are also welcomed under the same terms. We understand traditions and religions, and anyone here will tell you that there a lot of those on the street -- but the overall laws must be obeyed. Inside of that, however, you will be left to yourselves." The Fomorian adds, "I warn you, we sealed off the underground a long time back, so at this time we do not know just what it is like down there. There may need to be repairs to make it livable. Due to that, his majesty is not asking for any sort of payment or rent at this time, despite it technically being crown property."

Cinnamon nods to that, adding only, "Sarai and I are working on translating the laws into your tongue, so that you can all have a copy to read for yourselves." The elders of both tribes listen to this carefully as it's translated for them. Dusu, in fact, actually leans forward as she hears it -- and if she had external ears, they would perk up! As it is, her eyes widen with excitement, and her stubby tail twitches. Cinnamon nearly holds her breath, hoping intensely that this sounds like a good deal to both sides!

The two more belligerent members of the elders are still glowering slightly. The War Chief looks as though she's expecting some catch, as she asks, "You say 'at this time.' What about later, once we have moved in and made these tunnels our homes? What will your king or chief or whatever he is ask of us then?"

Diarmaid rumbles, "Caradog stated: whatever you claim, renovate, and build into your own in the next three years is yours, free and clear -- other than the normal levies that any citizen of Coblyn pays. 'Renovate and build into your own' means 'make livable.' That doesn't mean you can simply put a mark on it and call it claimed, though."

Over by Dusu, Thorn hears Shane murmur very, very quietly, "The cunning use of flags..." Thorn half-glances at Shane, arching a brow slightly. He'll have to ask Shane what he meant by that.

The two groups of elders consider, and it's clear the Akoesdi elders are thinking very hard on this. The third elder -- the one who has not yet spoken -- asks, "This offer: it is open for us as well? We could... claim a haven there as well? At least a small space?"

Cinnamon smiles at that, "I believe so. Diarmaid, is that correct?"

Diarmaid nods, "Aye: either group, three years, whatever you can build into a livable space. Also, his majesty will not tolerate squabbles and fighting over the territory down there." He leans forward and looks sternly from one to the other group, "I am captain of His Majesty's guard. I would be the one sent down to deal with anything like that. Please don't make me do it. I would like to see that space used well. It has been wasted, up to this point." Cinnamon grins at that -- she very much understands Diarmaid's desire to have no squabbling!

Jaeger smoothly adds, "The elders of this Trod of the Elm also offer some space beneath the trod for a small refuge. It is not, as you have seen, large... but it is protected. The only reason you were able to come in is due to your being brought in by people who know its location." He absolutely does not mention that a particular person sitting over by the wall once just... stumbled in!

Diarmaid nods, "Coblyn is the same -- that's what makes it safe: it is carefully warded. Even though the Svnoyi cannot hide their homes, the entrance to Coblyn makes it very, very difficult to find."

Cinnamon asks the Fomorian, "I know we were planning on exploring the underground once it's been opened again. Would it be acceptable to have one or two of the Svnoyi and the Akoesdi accompany us while doing so?"

Diarmaid nods again, "In fact, I would encourage it, to make sure it is as suitable as we all think it might be. I believe the Akoesdi should be able to open the sealed tunnels easily, if what you've described of their abilities bears out."

Cinnamon beams at that, "Thank you!" -- then looks at the Akoesdi elders, "Would that interest you?"

The Akoesdi elders speak quietly amongst themselves. Finally Brightscale nods to everyone present, "This... would be good. We have sometimes thought that being able to go into a city could be a good thing, but we have had no place to be safe there."

Cinnamon looks pleased, "Excellent! We'll make sure both of your peoples have a copy of Coblyn's laws, then. We can figure out a time later for some of you to come to Coblyn and check out the underground. For those of you who are more interested in the underground here, of the Trod of the Elm, please feel free to talk later with Elder Jaeger, okay?" She thinks a bit, then adds, "So before we move on, does anyone have any questions?"

Brightscale asks almost tentatively, "Was the... small stone totem... was it unharmed? Dusu was brash and impulsive. She has been punished for that." She looks over at the young Akoesdi -- who looks like she's trying to be a turtle instead of a lizard for a moment -- then continues quietly, "But sacred things should be cared for."

Cinnamon smiles at Brightscale, "I know that Immokalee didn't react like there was anything wrong." She turns to the Svnoyi elders, adding, "How was it, please?"

The War Chief of the Svnoyi takes a deep breath, "The idol is fine. It is marble from our original home and it is very sturdy. Immokalee checked it over very carefully. It will come with us if we move to this Coblyn place."

The quiet-voiced Svnoyi elder's name seems to translate to Starhair. She says, "We hope very much it will be a good place."

Cinnamon beams at that, "So do we, Elder Starhair! I'm very much looking forward to the adventure of exploring the underground, and I suspect you'll be very welcome at Coblyn." She looks around happily, adding, "Does anyone else have questions? If not, I have one: is there anything else we can do to perhaps help you both come to a peaceful accord?"

The Svnoyi War Chief's lips are still thinly pressed together in tightly reined-in anger. Brightscale says quietly, "I think this is the best we can do for now." She looks between the War Chief and Dusu's broodparent, whose name translates to Quickclaw, then adds, "It is, I think, a situation where the raw edges will keep rubbing together until they are separated."

Cinnamon nods and smiles relaxedly, "Then I think we at least have a good beginning here. Thank you all for coming, and for talking with us." After that she lets the meeting slide into calm chatting -- a sort of 'getting to know you' for all the various species gathered. That relaxation is furthered when, a bit later, one of the Elmfolk comes in and invites everyone to come eat at the prepared buffet. Cinnamon sighs softly in relief -- looks like things have gone well, and the meeting can now become just a friendly get-together! Jaeger had been invaluable in helping Cinnamon plan out the evening, too -- to the point that, at Cinnamon's request, the Elm folk have quietly assigned volunteers to keep an eye on each elder, so that the two factions can be discreetly and subtly kept from confronting each other over the meal. The food is plentiful and varied, and it turns out that the Akoesdi are largely vegetarian, supplemented with fish and various sorts of eggs. The Svnoyi are much the same, but more often supplement their protein needs with wild game hunted at night.

It turns out to be a pleasant, relaxing evening all round, which Cinnamon counts as a great success! Arrangements are made for her to bring one or two of each of the factions to Coblyn, to check out the underground, after the Iceland summit. Sarai notes that she thinks she may have the translation completed by that point, which means a copy can be sent back to the other folk of the factions, once the underground has been explored.

[Previous Log] [Index] [Next Log]

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

All material on this site is
Copyright © 2019-2024 Reality Fault
unless specifically indicated on each document.
All Rights Reserved.
Administrated by Reality Fault Webmaster