Goblin Town -- Logs

The cafe they finally enter is small, cozy, and warm, and they're all served a dessert which is tiny, simple, and delicious: a little bowl of surprisingly tasty rye bread ice cream topped with fresh whipped cream and dribbles of caramelized rhubarb syrup, and a powdered sugar-dusted klen�t -- which looks and tastes very much like a beignet. Served with the dessert is either hot tea... or more of the ubiquitous, steaming, bottomless coffee! The dessert actually makes Marcus sigh and make a sound that's almost a groan, "This is wonderful."

Cinnamon giggles and nodnods fervently to Marcus, "Isn't it, though?" She beams delightedly, her eyes sparkling teasingly as she adds, "Worth taking the risk, then?"

Marcus' eyes twinkle as he leans in a little to murmur, "Most sweetly-tempting things are worth the risk." Cinnamon starts to nod -- then abruptly makes the mental connection: ohmygosh, Marcus is flirting with -- with her?! She turns bright red and freezes, completely unaware of the tiny, nervous squeak that escapes her! Marcus grins, eyes bright as he leans back and addresses himself to his dessert. Shane eyes him suspiciously, but continues eating his own. Thorn tastes the dessert, then tucks into it readily. It's delicious. It's dangerously delicious, in fact. But for the moment, so what? It's effectively a vacation! He does, in fact, catch Marcus's flirting with Cinnamon, and while he doesn't visibly react to it, he does have to wonder: what changed to make Marcus interested in her?

As everyone exits Icelandic Caf� Loki some time later, Jokull points out the huge church across the street, located at the very end of Laugavegur -- Hallgrimskirkja! The lights are on both inside and out, due to the darkened and heavily overcast sky. That makes the one little stained glass window gleam colorfully -- but also seems to highlight the church's rather... looming nature. Cinnamon stares up at it a bit dubiously, "It looks like a rocket ship that can't wait to take off!" She grins, then, at Jokull, "Dude, that was awesome -- and even though it was a hilly walk, I had a great time. Thank you so much for this lovely tour!"

The guide smiles warmly, "A pleasure! But please: you all will get under cover soon, j�? Your hotel is not too far from here?" His concern is obvious, considering the snow is beginning to fall more in earnest now, and the heavily overcast sky is dark enough that it looks like the sun has set already, even though it's not due to do so for another three or four hours.

Cinnamon grins -- with, admittedly, a hint of mischief, "Oh, no worries -- we're good! It won't take us long at all to get back." She has no intention, of course, of mentioning that they'll all be flying! They all shake hands with Jokull, who smiles warmly as he thanks them for letting him be their guide. When he also tells Cinnamon he can send her the recipe for the honey-cooked char, she excitedly exchanges email addresses with him too!

Shane chuckles and murmurs quietly so Thorn can hear, "Why yes, Jokull. We'll be fine. Our transportation is well-heated, and our 'hotel' is underground, so we're pretty safe from the snow."

Cinnamon is feeling rather lovely today! The food was delicious, the hike wasn't too bad, and her friends seem to really like her! She has the urge to take a few little skipping steps in the snow as the small group strolls contentedly towards the bus stop, and she burbles happily, "That was so much fun! -and delicious! -and wow, don't think I've ever felt so comfortably full, either!" She laughs, swinging her arms as she twirls around, her head back and her tongue out to catch snowflakes. The snow falls gustily due to the wind, which is blowing it around more fiercely. Everyone soon has a light frosting of white across the very tops of their beanies, and over part of their shoulders... and the feet of their boots are getting snowy as well. Cinnamon grins as she pulls out her cell phone and makes sure her directions to Drangurinn are set up before take-off, then hands her phone to Shane, "Here you go! Looks like the sun's supposed to set in about two to three hours now... though it's pretty dark already, honestly. Isn't snow fun?!"

Thorn laughs quietly, as he holds his hat to his head, "It can be, yes! Though it sounded like Jokull was worried that the storm would get more intense."

Shane too laughs as Cinnamon seems to frolic through the snow. He's pulled his own beanie down over his ears. He takes the phone and double-checks the directions, "Snow's pretty fu-uuun. Yeah." He looks around and nods, "He did seem concerned."

Marcus is also looking around, head tipped up and nostrils flared as if he's sniffing the air. He furrows his brows and murmurs, "I think... Shane, can you check weather on that... thing." He knows it's a phone, but it's as if the word has escaped him.

Shane nods and looks down at it, scowling as well, "There's supposed to be snow, but... acushla, we may want to shake a wing." He easily finds out there's a blizzard warning on, in fact. By this time the little group has reached the nearby bus stop -- and the snow is getting really thick! It's thick enough, in fact, that Cinnamon looks around, then calls over the wind to her friends, "Guys, I don't see anyone nearby, and the snow's blocking out the housing down the street. Do you think it'd be okay if I just changed here, instead of waiting until we've ridden the bus all the way out of the city?"

Thorn looks around warily, "I... think it might be, yes. If nothing else, then nobody will believe their eyes. We should probably do that to get out of the storm sooner!" Shane nods, frowning and hoping the storm doesn't get so bad that it causes interference with the satellites. Cinnamon hands her backpack to Shane, then hastily changes and crouches down for everyone to hop on and buckle up. She glances upwards as they do so... hmm, won't be able to use stellar navigation, but Shane's got her phone, and she set up Drangurinn's coordinates on the map there. It's only about a hundred miles back to the huge boulder, which shouldn't take her more than ten or fifteen minutes... so everything should be fine.

The flight begins well enough, with Cinnamon springing easily up into the wind, flapping powerfully as she calls over her shoulder, "Let me know if I swing off course at all, Shaney, okay?" Her broad wings beat steadily for a minute or two through the snowy darkness... and then a huge gust of wind hits her! There's a startled chirp, and she does some athletic twists and whirls to keep herself right-side up, so her passengers are safe... and then, panting softly, she calls back over her shoulder, "Sorry about that, you guys!" Thorn's hands immediately go for the straps, tightening to hold on as Cinnamon tries to keep right-side up. He doesn't quite throw up, but the movement gives him some queasiness. The three men can feel her muscles straining a bit under the harness -- the scarlet dragon is working harder now to remain level in the windy blast. She's silent for a moment... then sighs, "Darnit! Shaney, I'm really sorry, but I've lost the direction home. Can you straighten me out, please?"

Shane is tense as well, but he calls out the heading to get back on track. It's hard to put him off-stride, even in mid-air. But it's about five, maybe ten minutes later when he calls forward, "Acushla, we've lost the satellite! We need to set down!"

Cinnamon is flying with her eyes squinted against the snow -- but at that she blinks startledly, "What?! But how can... no, wait -- stupid question!" She thinks a moment, then adds, "How far were we fro-" and then a really strong blast of windy snow hits again! The snow-frosted scarlet dragon unwittingly gives a raptor's scream of anger as she fights the wind, forcing her way level and upwards through the blinding snow with heavy, powerful wingbeats... but once that gust has past she sighs, "Darnit! I'm all disoriented too, now." She lowers her head on her long neck, trying to peer through the snow... then carefully, slowly starts lowering. Over her shoulder she calls, "Everyone stay leaning inwards, please? I can't make out much, and I may not have much time to warn you if we're about to land in a bunch of trees or something!"

Thorn grits his teeth into the wind. They're effectively flying blind. "Do your best!" he calls, leaning inward as instructed. "We'll be fine!" Shane and Marcus both lay themselves essentially flat. Strangely, it's the most in-concert they've ever moved.

A few seconds later the young dragon is safely standing on the ground, her head held high as she tries to peer through the blizzard, "Whew! Made it. Now... where are we..." She keeps her wings canted up to hopefully shelter her passengers a bit from the driving snow -- hopefully -- and eventually calls out over the screaming wind, "There's something dark over that way! I'm going to see what it is, and maybe we can use it to shelter a bit from the wind!" She pads relatively effortlessly through the drifts, though after she nearly trips over an unseen boulder, she walks more carefully, feeling out the path ahead of her. When they reach the dark shape, they discover a small copse of trees. Cinnamon sighs gustily, "Well, crab cakes... now what?"

Shane unbuckles himself and squints. He digs around in his stuff and pulls out a pair of sunglasses. They aren't goggles, but they'll do. "Now, sw... acushla, we hunker down. You don't go wandering around in a whiteout blizzard!" He's having to raise his voice to be heard above the wind, but he's not upset, just loud, "The cloud-cover and the snow have blocked satellite signal. No telling where we are! It's not my trod or Marcus', so we don't have a pull toward it to guide us home!"

Thorn's mind is racing back to the basic survival training he got in boot camp. They need to find a place that's warm -- or else hypothermia is going to be a severe issue! But he doesn't belabor the obvious -- he's certain the others know this as well. Marcus scowls a little, thinking as he calls, "We need to be at least out of the wind!"

Cinnamon nods worriedly, "Okay, I can do that. Moment..." She walks around the trees once, studying them... then sidles over until she's partially under the evergreens' canopy. As she does so, she comments, "Good thing we all ate really well today, right? -and we're all really warmly dressed too, thank goodness -- oh! That reminds me: um, if any of you want we can eat the jerky in my backpack and I can shift to human and give you guys any of my clothing that might fit you if you want- oh, also! Shaney, we can use the tarp that I change behind, right? Like for you all to sit on and wrap around yourselves? -and you can lean against me and I'll stay dragon-y to be warmer, okay? Is that a good idea maybe?" She doesn't realize it, but she's starting to nervous-babble. She settles down into sphynx pose once she's partially under the trees -- which does, in fact, lessen the impact of the wind. The snow still drives in somewhat, though -- there's really no escaping it while outside!

Shane has dismounted by now, and he reaches up both gloved hands to put them over Cinnamon's mouth, smiling a little, "Shhhh. Let's not get you naked in the snow if we don't have to, okay?"

Cinnamon blinks startledly down her long, reptilian nose at Shane, "Wh-wha-...?!" -- then gives a shocked chirp, "No!" She hastily adds, "N-no, I wasn't trying t-t-to -- I m-mean, to keep you guys warmer, you know?!" She hastily twirls her head around and settles her nose down between her folded wings, arranged along her back -- much like a swan or goose might do -- which also lets her hide both her face and her embarrassment!

Thorn looks around and says (to spare Cinnamon further chirping embarrassment), "We can probably use larger branches for shelter, just enough to break the wind. Packing snow on the branches will help, too...." His voice trails off as he realizes Cinnamon won't be able to fit in a lean-to shelter at all.

Cinnamon's voice is a little muffled as she replies to Thorn, "W-will a wing do instead?" She extends one wing carefully out just enough to let the outer, leading edge rest on the ground. It makes a sort of triangular space against her body.

Shane nods, "Perfect, acushla." He smiles softly, "I just didn't want you going human and stripping off clothes, okay? But let me get the tarp..."

Even as he's saying it, Marcus is already climbing over the saddle and unpacking the tarp, calling down, "We can use it as a ground cloth under her wing, I think!"

Thorn nods at the plan, then looks up at Cinnamon, "But... will you be okay? I know you aren't affected by cold as much, but...?"

Cinnamon sighs in a bit of relief -- thank goodness she's turning out useful here, even if she failed on taking folks safely home! It doesn't immediately occur to her, being who she is, that a freaking blizzard is hardly something she could have planned for. She lifts her head to grin a bit nervously down at Thorn, "I suspect I'll be fine -- I'm more worried about you guys! I don't want to, say, fall asleep and roll over or anything, you know?" Worriedly she adds, "I hope I'm warm enough for you..."

Shane ducks in under Cinnamon's wing and then peeks under the front edge, "Acushla, can you tuck your head in under here, or is it too awkward?"

Cinnamon blinks down at Shane, then thinks a moment... then carefully angles her head around to rest her chin on the ground. She's silent for a moment, testing it out... then grumbles slightly. "Gimme a sec, please?" She shifts her entire body this time, rolling slightly onto her side and bringing her legs and tail around too. When she's done, she's lying as if she were a giant red croissant. Her long tail is neatly curled around to complete the circle, and also make a nice rest for her neck and chin. She raises her wing as she does so, then lays it back down over the circle she's created... then sighs gustily, "Okay, this is much nicer. Does it work for you guys? Is there room next to me?" Standing tucked under her wing as they are, all three young men can feel both that her belly scutes are giving off a bit of pleasant heat... and her wing is effectively sheltering them from both wind and storm. It's... oddly cozy, in a way?

Shane nods and smiles, rubbing over Cinnamon's scutes. Then he kisses her nose. He's never seemed to worry about being affectionate to her as a dragon. How many people would simply put their hands over the muzzle of a nervously babbling giant fire lizard? "Wonderful. And now you aren't out there all lonely."

Cinnamon beams nervously at Shane, "It's okay then? You guys don't mind that I screwed up and lost direction?"

Thorn lets out a breath and nods, smiling to Cinnamon, "Perfect, actually. Yes, what Shane said."

Cinnamon glances at Thorn, her ears drooping slightly as she adds, "I'm really sorry about the, er, jumping around in the wind, Thorny -- I know you don't like that!"

This time it's Marcus who arches an elegant brow, "As Shane says, it's a blizzard! No stars, no satellites... and no innate pull to the trod. How is that you screwing up?"

Cinnamon opens her mouth to reply, then pauses... then tilts her head thoughtfully. That lets the wind whistle in, and she hastily straightens her head, "Sorry! Sorry, I, uhh... think I b-better hold real still here?" She adds worriedly, "S-so do you guys, um... is this enough? I mean, um... I guess I could try fire too, if you're still too cold... maybe?"

Shane once again puts both hands gently on Cinnamon's mouth and shhhs gently, resting his forehead on her nose pad, "You're good. We're perfectly warm right now. We should probably stand watches to make sure folks are okay. But you should sleep. You need to reserve energy for getting us back once the storm clears... and I don't want any argument on this."

Cinnamon blinks down her muzzle at Shane again, wondering how it is he manages to make her nose feel so... so nice when he does that! A moment later she registers his words, and blinks again, "Sleep? Oh, but... er... are you s-sure? I m-mean... you guys need to rest too, don't you?"

Shane nods, "We will. In turns. But you need to conserve all your energy. When it's time, we'll be strapped into a harness and you'll be doing all the work."

Thorn smiles to Cinnamon, "I don't like it when Erin does it to me, but that's because of the double-vision thing. You're absolutely fine. Speaking of, should I try to see if Erin can get to the trod and let them know that we're, uh, going to be late?"

Cinnamon sighs gustily, unwittingly warming the little sheltered area even more as she replies to Shane, "But... well... um, I guess? B-but you'll wake me, right, if you need anything?" She glances anxiously at the three men, her large, glowing eyes glittering slightly in the dim light... then blinks at Thorn in shock, "Send the poor thing out in weather like this?! Good golly no, Thorny! We don't want her to freeze to death -- or to get blown out over the ocean!"

Thorn winces, "Er, good point." He knows he's going to get a right sound pecking at his hair for that from the only semi-spectral magpie! So instead he reassures the nervous young dragon, "It's okay, Cinnamon. Sleeping is the best way to conserve resources -- and as Shane said, you'll need all your strength tomorrow after the storm!"

Cinnamon sighs and reluctantly agrees, then shifts a bit, settling firmly into place so the tarp can be laid over the snowy ground she's not lying on before it all melts and/or gets sloppy. She checks one last time that all three men are good, and really do want her to just... sleep? She feels so... so lazy doing that, though, while they're trying to keep watches! But... Shaney seems really adamant about it, so... she sighs again, firmly closing her eyes, "Okay... sleeping now... really!" She's sure she won't be able to snooze a wink, due to her worry for her friends! It's probably no surprise to Shane, though -- and maybe Thorn -- that in about ten minutes the tired dragon has relaxed a bit and is breathing slowly and deeply... and, even better, is starting to get a nice, thick, insulating cover of snow!

Once Cinnamon is asleep, Shane looks at the other two men, "Okay. Thorn, you're our medic -- you need to sleep first. I'll take first watch. Marcus..."

Marcus nods, "I'll take second watch. You're right; Thorn will need the most sleep. I'm even good if you and I split the watches and let him rest. If you or I need healing, he'll need the energy almost as much as Cinnamon." Shane blinks slowly at that rather selfless offer.

Thorn hedges a bit, verbally, "As far as I know, my healing magic isn't dependent on how awake or not-awake I am... but the way I use it does need a clear head. I don't mind standing a watch, though."

Shane nods, "Okay... but last watch."

Marcus also nods, "That's fine. I don't mind having interrupted sleep -- I can get back to sleep fairly easily." Much like when they were in Basque country, Marcus is showing he can, when needed, actually not be a jackass. He moves to tuck himself in against Cinnamon's belly, commenting that they need to stay as close to one another as possible to conserve body heat.

Thorn nods, "Yes, we do," then sighs, "Okay. Let's hope that nothing happens until the storm ends." He settles in beside Marcus, taking slow breaths and trying to urge himself to sleep. Cinnamon remains comfortably warm, and the space under her wing slowly heats up as well. It finally gets warm enough, in fact, that the three young men don't have to huddle together to stay warm -- the pretty young, sleeping dragon has (almost unwittingly) made a small but rather comfortable lean-to shelter! Shane sits up, doing the first watch. He's done this before and has a few ways to keep himself occupied. He can't walk the perimeter and he can't make much noise, but he can take out the small notebook he always keeps with him and jot a few things down while keeping an ear out for the storm. He does hum quietly to himself and shift a bit to keep his limbs from falling asleep. He also keeps an eye on his companions to make sure they really are asleep and not slipping into hypothermia. That was his worry and his reason for wanting to set watches. Occasionally, he gently lays a hand on Cinnamon's nose, so softly that it's not enough to wake her. He doesn't plan on waking Marcus until much later in the night... so he's the one awake when there's noise outside that actually overrides the wind of the blizzard.

The Havvarger have been out romping and playing all day in the snow, since the pack can communicate via howls that cut through the wind. Now it's about time for them to head back to the holt with their warrior guardians -- bedtime is around 10:00 p.m., after all and it's currently after 9:00 p.m. It's Fraser, with his terrifyingly good sense of smell -- to anyone or anything that might be considered prey by the curse-wolf -- who catches scent of Cinnamon, and goes barreling off into the snow to try to find her. He's worried at the thought that the dragon and any people with her would be out in this weather!

As he runs, Fraser spots what he thinks is a good hillock to get atop, to look around for the dragon. Unfortunately, when he leaps for it, a blast of wind takes him and throws him tumbling and yelping... right up against the outstretched and snow-covered wing! That startles the half-beansidhe standing his watch, within. Cinnamon too awakens with a start, yanking her head up with a startled hiss -- which unfortunately lets a bit of wind into the little shelter. She blinks down at the huge red wolf half-buried in the snow drift that's built up around her, and rumbles puzzledly, "Fraser-wuffie? What're you doing out here all alone, guy? Gracious, get under cover, you big silly!" She delicately picks him up by the scruff of his neck, between her teeth, and gives a gentle shake to get the snow off his fur... then neatly tucks him under her wing, "You be nice, now, okay? You can wait out the blizzard here with us."

Fraser's paws startledly pinwheel somewhat as he's lifted up like a cub... and then he's tucked in with the three men. He whuff-sneezes snow off his muzzle a couple of times -- and then his hackles go up slightly. Shane says very quietly, "I will absolutely punch you on the nose and Cinnamon will be very unhappy with both of us."

Thorn blinks away the sleep as Cinnamon shifts and speaks... then blinks again as Cinnamon deposits Fraser into the same under-wing camp as them! "Fraser?" he asks in astonishment.

Cinnamon grumbles, "Fraser S. Wuffie, you get hugs and scritchies for good behavior -- not growlies or biteys!" She nudges him firmly over to rest between her front pawhands, then coils her head back around under her wing. With a warm, gusty sigh, she settles back down again, answering Thorn, "Yeah, I think he got lost from the pack or something. It's okay... he'll give off bunches of nice heat too..." She's starting to drift back to sleep again.

Fraser shifts around restlessly, agitated that he can't speak in this form -- the rest of the pack is out there, and they'll worry if they can't find him! But if he tries to make a fuss, it'll just be seen as misbehaving. He's not exactly intelligent in this form, but he is sly, and he knows misbehaving will only get him in trouble. He settles and waits to see if the others catch his scent... but then remembers: he knows a way to communicate with his pack, even through the blizzard! Admittedly, he's likely to make everyone in this cozy little nest quite wroth with him -- but that's almost a perk to him! His tail flicks and he sits up again, making Shane glance up -- and then Fraser throws back his head. Shane has just a moment to think: [Oh, fuck...!] -- and then the big Scots werewolf starts howling. A wolf's howl is eerie at the best of times. In the middle of a roaring blizzard, it's even stranger and more bone-chilling!

Cinnamon's head jerks up again, and this time her startled hiss is highlighted with a tiny, irritated gout of flame. She whips her head around, snarling, "Fraser S. Wu-" -- but then abruptly cuts off as it registers what he's doing: he's calling the other wolves! Fraser pauses, ears perked. Nothing for a heartbeat or two, but then -- just barely audible to him and the other sharp-eared folk -- an echo of the same howl. Cinnamon blinks... then frowns a bit worriedly as she studies the area under her wing, "Hmm... well, it's likely to be, um... really cozy, but I think we can fit the entire pack under cover with us... maybe?"

Shane considers, then asks, "Didn't they have some of the trod with them?" As he finishes asking his question, Fraser throws his head back and howls again -- even louder this time. The ululating cry cuts through the fury of the wind and reaches out to the other Havvarger.

Cinnamon rumbles at the same time, "Or... oh! Wait, I get it -- won't they have the holt warriors with them still?" She considers, then frowns again, "Wow, I sure hope they do... don't want anybody lost out in this blizzard!" She tucks her wing in around her friends again, though she angles her front paw-hands so Fraser's head is pointing out towards the snow... and then she raises her head high and starts slowly, carefully scanning around herself with her infrared, heat-detecting vision.

Thorn jolts as Fraser howls. He splutters a curse, but when the howl is answered, he relaxes a little. "Oh! The rest of the pack," he mumbles... then frowns and looks around to see if they'll all fit... this time, when the howl comes back, it's closer. This call-and-response goes on for a bit before Cinnamon can spot anything through the cold curtain of the snow.

Shane says quietly, "They'll have trod members with them who'll be able to feel the pull of the trod -- or holding, rather. It's like migrating birds. It's how I stumbled on Rowan -- it's in your blood. We can stop and huddle down for a bit every once in a while if it gets too cold."

Cinnamon beams as she tucks her nose under her wing to rumble, "Yeah, it'll be great -- maybe they can direct us back to the holt! -and even if they can't, we can still all snuggle down here till the storm's over!" She continues to scan after that, and when she spots the faint heat wavers starting to appear through the snow, she obligingly opens her mouth to roar -- and shoot a gout of flame out. That should help the wolves orient in on her!

It takes a further thirty minutes or so after Cinnamon first spots the pack and the holt warriors before they appear. Fraser lopes out to meet them and tumbles around a little with Bjarke as one of the trod warriors comes forward and shouts above the wind, "Got brought low by the wind?"

Cinnamon grins excitedly, "Hi there! Yes, and no satellite contact, so we're lost, I'm afraid. How far are we from the holt, please? Is it too far to walk in this weather?" Thorn lets out a relieved breath, nodding in greeting to the holt warriors.

The holt members are wearing old-fashioned snow goggles -- the kind that are essentially simple wooden masks with slits for vision. The one that's been speaking shouts back, "We're about three miles out! If you think you can walk that far, we can get there. It'll be warmer and dryer, that's for sure!" He points in the direction of the holding.

Cinnamon brightens at that, "Oh! Sure, that'll be easy! Let me check with the guys, okay?" She tucks her head back under her wing and beams at her friends, "The holt warrior says the holt is only about three miles away! Do you guys feel up to being out in the snow long enough to get there? I can carry everyone and make it fast, if you all feel up to it?"

Thorn thinks, then nods, "Three miles should be doable, sure! Exertion will keep us warm for that long, too."

Marcus has roused; he looks a little mussed and frowsy, but nods, "I can go three more miles if it means sleeping in a bed and having something hot to drink." He gets to his feet and looks around, starting to think about how to get everything packed back up.

Shane also nods, "Three miles is almost nothing to most of us by now."

Cinnamon grins at that, then starts carefully unfolding -- she wants to not step on anyone, or dump a load of snow on them! She'll step back and shake vigorously, sending snow flying -- though it's hardly noticeable in the blizzard -- and then settle back down into sphynx pose, "Okay! Everyone hop on up and we'll get back fast, okay?" She grins down at Arvid -- or at least, she's pretty sure that big, snow-frosted wolf is Arvid -- and adds, "If any of your wolves are really tired, they can hop on too!"

Arvid lolls his tongue and the wolves all sort of cavort around Cinnamon. Apparently they aren't tired, or something has them excited. Shane, Marcus, and Thorn, however, encourage the holt warriors up on Cinnamon's back, assuring them the young dragon can hear them as they give directions. Cinnamon is glad the wolves are having a good time, though she's also a bit amazed at lycanthropic energy levels -- haven't they been playing out in the snow since sundown at about 4:00ish pm? According to the holt warriors, that was more than five hours ago! Once all the two-legged are buckled securely in, however, she cheerfully trills, "All right -- next stop, hot drinks and hot baths and best of all: hot foo-oood!" She laughs, leaping easily into a powerful, bounding gallop through the snowy blizzard. Her head is outstretched, keeping a wary eye out for boulders or trees, though fortunately the farmland lying around Drangurinn is relatively level... relatively. The young dragon initially checks to make sure the wolves can keep up, but quickly realizes: she's breaking a great (if also short-lived) trail for them -- they're doing fine! Thus despite the howling wind, the blinding snow, and the blistering cold, Cinnamon manages to still move fairly easily... and after a bit she happily sings as well,

"Over the river and through the woods
To Dran-gurinn we go-oo!
Our guides know the way back home to the fae
Through the white and drifting sno-ooow...!"

When they get back to the trod, they find guards waiting outside the entrance for them. They're hailed with great relief, and one of the guards disappears inside immediately. Cinnamon is snorting and huffing enthusiastically when she slows down to a trotting halt, then happily shakes again to rid herself of the caked-on snow, "That was fun! Is everyone okay still? Got all the wolves with us, still?" She cranes her head around on her long neck, checking around her feet to count the wolves, "...four, five, six... ah! There's seven and eight, yay!" She flops relaxedly down onto the snow as she adds, "Okay then! Red Dragon Cross-country Tours home depot -- everybody off!" -- then giggles trillingly.

Shane murmurs, "One, two, three, four... lots." That actually makes Marcus snort a short laugh as they start unpacking the things they bought in town. Shane blinks, surprised that Marcus and he shared the humor in that joke.

Thorn laughs quietly. "Thank you, Cinnamon," he says in heartfelt tones.

Cinnamon glances over her shoulder and giggles at Shane too! She beams down at her companions as they unbuckle, unpack, and slide off, "Quite welcome! I'm sorry I couldn't just fly us home really quick, but I hope you guys enjoyed this too -- I sure did!"

Once he's got things unpacked, Shane gets the tarp and lays a hand on Cinnamon's nose, "Don't apologize for the capriciousness of Mother Nature, acushla. You took prodigious care of us."

Cinnamon nearly glows with shy pleasure at that! She reflexively nuzzles against Shane, accidentally pushing him back a step or two, "Aww... thank you, Shaney! ...oh!" She looks around for Fraser -- then leans her head down to nuzzle him too, "Good job, Frazey, for finding us!" Shane grins and makes playful oofing sounds at the affectionate nuzzling. Fraser puts his front paws on Cinnamon's nose pad and gives it a couple of wet slurps. Thorn laughs quietly at that! Then he does a quick question-and-answer with everyone, including Cinnamon: no signs of frostbite? No hypothermia? Cinnamon thinks about the questions, glancing back at her rather large body... then grins hopefully down at Thorn, "Can I answer that once I've changed shape and we're all safe back inside? Easier for me to check then, too!" She grins happily at Shane, "Help me shift, please, Shaney?"

Shane goes with Cinnamon and holds the tarp up high enough that it's over his own head. It's the gentlemanly thing to do, after all. Cinnamon is relieved that she shifts successfully on the first try, considering how much the wind wants to whip around the big tarp! Moments later the still slightly bouncily-excited little dragon is inside the holt with everyone else, and quickly checking over her hands, face, and feet so she can report to Thorn a few minutes later, "All good! No numb or pale spots! Is everyone else okay too?" Both Shane and Marcus have checked themselves over. Marcus' ear tips and nose were quite pink when he got in, but he notes that he's heard pink is good -- it's white that's bad. Cinnamon nods emphatically at that! Thorn is glad to hear everyone is fine. Admittedly they weren't out in the storm for too long, but it was certainly enough for dangerous exposure. He'll encourage some warm food and liquids at first, before tucking into something hotter.

Cinnamon collects up her purchases from Shane, thanking him cheerfully, and agrees to meet everyone in the dining hall, if they wish, once she's dumped her stuff off in her room -- she's hungry, now! Shane rubs a hand over his nose and nods, "Yeah. If they've gone white, the blood has sounded the retreat back into your core, and the cells are beginning to die. It's the beginning of Bad Stuff."

When she arrives in the dining hall, Cinnamon sees people already bringing hot food for her -- and lots of it! Shane, Thorn, and Marcus are getting hot drinks. Cinnamon blinks a bit startledly at the multiple, delicious food offers, then both beams and blushes, "Wow, thank you all so much! This is so nice of everyone!" She happily devours a significant dinner, despite having stuffed herself earlier, with her friends on the Reykjavik foodie walking tour. When she spots Hilde or Torben, she'll call happy thanks to them for the excellent recommendations on things to do in the city, as well!

Hilde and Torben are both there, and come over to sit with Cinnamon and the others. The young woman looks extremely relieved, "I was worried when news came in that the storm was turning inland early!"

Cinnamon nods and grins between bites, "Yeah, we were kinda surprised too. It got really dark really quick -- we even ended up shifting at the first bus stop, because you couldn't see very far with regular vision. We tried to fly back really quick, but the wind caught me and flipped me around enough that we decided it was smarter to land. Oh, and the satellites got lost in the clouds, so we couldn't just google back..." She grins happily at her companions as she adds, "So we made a snow-insulated dragon-wing lean-to! It was kinda fun and cozy, I thought...?" She sounds slightly unsure as she visually checks with the three young men who'd been with her.

Shane quickly swallows and smiles, "It was, actually -- nice and cozy. It was like the steam-heated places I've been in where they put pipes in the floor and walls."

Marcus looks a little surprised, "You know, that's true... they do that in some very cold climates."

Cinnamon beams in relief at that! ...then blinks interestedly, "In the floors and walls? Huh, that sounds really cozy too! Where do they do that, please?"

Thorn is happy to let Cinnamon talk about the trip! He nods in agreement, "Well, here in Iceland, for starters....

Cinnamon looks intrigued, "Really?! How cool!" She frowns thoughtfully for a moment... then nods, "Oh, of course! I bet the volcanoes give marvelous geothermal heating, right?"

Hilde nods and smiles, "And in a lot of other Nordic countries. Put the heating under the floors and it warms the whole house really nicely. Very cozy and your feet don't get cold in the morning!"

Cinnamon looks intrigued, "I wonder if I could get that done in my little house at home?" She chatters happily with Hilde and Torben about volcanoes and geothermal heating, the full moon and the blizzard, the Havvarger pack and Fraser's last night of the full moon curse, and her tentative plans to leave tomorrow night, if the blizzard has blown itself out by then. She's also quite relieved she can get in a complete, filling dinner before she goes to get locked up with Fraser for the night... though she can't resist teasing Marcus a tiny bit! "Hopefully your good wishes last night -- that I keep all my clothes -- will work for tonight too!"

Marcus blinks a bit at that, but then he laughs quietly at Cinnamon, eyes twinkling, "Well, now that I know who was tearing them up, I know it's more likely."

Torben smiles warmly, "It's been our pleasure to have all of you here. Hilde has talked me into visiting Coblyn again, at some point, that's not for the masquerade. I do travel a bit for my human work, so I've taken her up on it."

Cinnamon giggles at Marcus! Then she beams cheerfully at Torben, "Oh, that'll be nice! Hilde, when he comes to visit, maybe we can take Torben on a tour of Boston, or something else similar, that'll be a nice thank you for the fun I had here due to all your good advice?" She enjoys herself over dinner with her dear friends, and hugs them all once they're all finished eating... but after that she has to hustle a bit to get ready for bed -- it wouldn't do to keep Fraser-wolf standing in the hallway waiting for her! Shortly thereafter she's pattering down the hallway towards the lockable room, humming happily to herself and wondering if she'll bump into Marcus again. She's got on her usual flannel nightie and unicorn plushie slippers, of course, but belted over it all is her lovely new warm, soft scarlet robe -- the one the guys helped her pick out. She hopes it looks nice on her!

Marcus is there on purpose in the hallway this time, to meet Cinnamon walking down the hall. He smiles, "You look very cozy."

Cinnamon brightens at that lovely compliment, blushing a bit as she beams up at the pretty elf, "Oh! Oh, thank you, Marcus -- how nice!" She grins shyly as she rather daringly adds, "Y-you look nice too!"

Marcus is wearing a pair of casual black pants and a blue tunic. They're not quite pajamas, but they are comfortable, "Why, thank you." He lays a hand on her shoulder as they reach the soundproof room where Arvid, Shane, and Fraser wait, adding, "Thank you for watching out for all of us."

Cinnamon blinks startledly up at Marcus, "Watching out for...?" She's oddly distracted for a second by those lovely, almost shimmery blue eyes, and has to jerk her gaze hastily away -- which makes her stutter slightly, "Oh, uhh... d-do you mean spending nights with F-Fraser?" She blinks again as she spots Shane among those waiting for her, feeling oddly calmer all of a sudden as she smiles and replies, "I'm happy to. It's something good I can do with my strength, you know?" She grins and happily offers hugs to Shane and Arvid when they arrive, "Hi, guys! How's everyone doing?"

Shane hugs Cinnamon and chuckles, starting to say something... only to get thrown off-track by Marcus -- who shakes his head, "No. Out in the blizzard. Keeping us all warm and making sure we were safe. Thank you." Then he leans down to kiss her cheek -- though it's awfully close to the corner of her mouth -- and grins, "But yes, thank you for keeping Fraser subdued as well. Goodnight." Then he slips off.

Cinnamon blinks and squeaks slightly at the kiss, her eyes wide. Before she can decide whether or not to offer him a hug too, though, he's vanished down the hallway. She blinks again -- then shakes her head firmly, as if she were shaking off snow again. That was really odd and very nice and... and by golly, she needs to be focused on Fraser right now! Shane is puzzled by the kiss, but he doesn't say a thing, except to wish Cinnamon a goodnight with one more hug. She grins happily at that, then hugs Fraser too before straightening with one hand buried in the thick, warm fur of his ruff and cheerfully telling Shane and Arvid, "Okay, see you tomorrow morning, guys!" Fraser's tongue lolls and he seems almost to be laughing at the half-beansidhe as he trots into the room with Cinnamon. Arvid just shakes his head and lets it lie. Fraser's being Fraser -- and Arvid isn't going to pass on what that body language means!

Cinnamon heads into the room with the big red wolf, and after checking that the door is securely locked, she lays down the slightly tattered remains of her previous robe. As she does so, she reminds him that he gets a hug and scritchies tomorrow if he's good tonight -- and then the little dragon tiredly heads to bed. It's been quite a day!

The next morning Fraser awakens before Cinnamon. He's sitting against one wall with the tattered remains of the old robe around his hips, and one knee pulled up, when her eyes finally open. She blinks a bit sleepily at him... then grins shyly as she reaches for her glasses, "I think you're human already, right? Did I oversleep? I'm sorry I kept you, if so, Frazey..." She adjusts her glasses on her face, then yawns and reaches next for her robe, "Bet you're hungry, right? Me too..."

Fraser's eyes are warm as he chuckles. Some of the full moon still clings to him a bit, but he's not being naked at her -- quite; he's decently covered, "I'm starvin', lass. But I am curious. I could'a sworn you and Marcus weren't quite so close."

Cinnamon blinks a bit puzzledly over her shoulder at Fraser, as she toes into her plushie slippers, "Close? What do you mean, please?"

Fraser nods toward the door, "Last night. That kiss that missed your lips by perhaps a millimeter, lass." His eyes twinkle, "I swear I though Shane was going to grind his teeth to dust when that happened!"

Cinnamon pauses in heading towards the door to swing around and stare in real perplexity at Fraser, "What? Shane... what?" She tilts her head, considering... is Fraser suggesting Shane was jealous of Marcus' attentions to someone else? But... why would Shane care what Marcus does -- since as far as she knows, Shane isn't that interested in men? She adds, "Um... Frazey, you do know that Shane prefers women to men, right?" She grins confusedly at the sailor as she swings back around to head for the door again, tapping lightly on it in the code that indicates she'd like out now, please! Over her shoulder she adds, "I mean, that's the impression I've gotten, at least?" She tilts her head again, musing quietly, "Though... huh! Who knows, with Marcus?" She giggles, adding, "Why? Do you know something about Marcus that I don't?"

Fraser arches a brow and chuckles, "Oh, aye, he does lass. He prefers women to men quite a lot." For a moment he considers if the mischief of telling Cinnamon just who Shane prefers, when it comes to his women, would be worth it... but the Scotsman isn't that far in the grip of the moon anymore. So instead he pushes to his feet and reaches for a pair of jeans someone -- probably Fraser himself -- brought in for him earlier... though he politely waits until she's got her back to him, to pull them on. "I meant that I don't think he likes the idea of Marcus flirting with you. I don't think he trusts Marcus."

Cinnamon smiles thoughtfully, "Trust Marcus? Hmm... honestly, not sure I do either, even though he's really easy on the eyes." She giggles, then adds with quiet pleasure, "Shane sure is a good friend, to worry about me like that!" A heartbeat later, as she door opens, she cheerfully greets whomever is outside, "Good morning! I'm sorry I slept so late!"

It turns out (because fate is like that) to be Shane at the door. He smiles down at Cinnamon warmly, making Fraser grin and wonder if the dragon is going to find herself with a good morning kiss meant to counteract Marcus' goodnight one. He bets not, however, seeing as how the beansidhe is so damned noble. Shane smiles and shakes his head, hugging Cinnamon and kissing the top of her head, "Don't apologize. You used up a lot of energy yesterday."

Cinnamon happily returns the hug, leaning into Shane a bit -- he's so nice and warm and sturdy! "Well, poor Frazey got stuck with me, so I guess I'm mostly apologizing to him for making him wait for his breakfast... and to you because you got stuck waiting on us?" She grins shyly up at Shane as she adds, "Have you had breakfast yet? I need to get dressed, but after that I think we've got the day free to eat and relax and pack for leaving tonight, if the blizzard is done by then."

Thorn meanders by on his way to check in with the infirmary, after making sure he's packed everything, "Oh! Cinnamon, good morning! You're awake!"

Cinnamon beams at Thorn, "Hi there, Thorny! Have you had breakfast yet? Fraser and I and maybe Shane are headed that way soon... oh! Also, any news on the weather? I'd like to try making some calls today, if the clouds aren't too thick."

Thorn hmms, "I imagine it's cleared up a bit from the sudden blizzard last night, so you should be able to make satellite calls without a problem! I've had a nibble for breakfast, but something more substantial sounds like a good idea."

Shane waits while Cinnamon pads off with Thorn, then looks at Fraser, brow arched, "You behaved?"

Fraser snorts, "Lad, I was th' verra soul o' discretion! I even managed not to let slip that the reason ye looked like you wanted to sock Marcus one last night is because you're hopelessly in love with her!" He thumps Shane on the shoulder with a loosely-curled fist, "Seriously, laddie, ye're ga'in' tae haftae tell her eventually."

Shane chuckles wryly, rubbing a hand over the back of his head, "It's not that easy, Fraser... too much trauma there. I kissed her at the Samhain ball, and she rabbited! It's just not time." The werewolf snorts and shakes his head as he wanders off, muttering something about, 'pups these days!'

Cinnamon happily heads to her room to get dressed and cleaned up a bit, then patters with hungry determination to the dining hall. She eats hungrily there with her friends, discussing plans with them. They'll need to leave Iceland after sunset, of course -- but it should be the time of the Boston sunset, so there's no possibility of any errors while Elias is riding with them. The little dragon muses thoughtfully, "You know, I should try calling Amka too, to see if she can get her great grandfather to tell me over the phone what it is he needs. That way I could just get right away into finding it... instead of having to spend three to five days flying there and back -- because it's going to be December in a few more days, and I should go to Hawai'i to talk to Kahiau then." She blushes slightly at the sudden and unexpected thought: wouldn't Hawai'i be fun with Shane?!

After a lovely, hot, and filling breakfast with friends, Cinnamon patters up to peer outside of the holt -- is it still blizzarding around Drangurinn, or can she make a phone call? The storm has indeed abated slightly, though there are drifts which look like they'd top Cinnamon's draconic shoulders. The little dragon grins at that -- might be fun to play in the snow later, with all the wolves! For now, though, she tries calling Amka... who takes a few rings to answer the phone, but seems breathlessly excited to hear from Cinnamon. The little dragon cheerfully chats with the young woman, checking that the cousins both got home safely, and their great grandfather is doing well... then inquires: does Amka think she might be able to ask her Grandfather Shaman to tell Cinnamon on the phone what it is he wants? As the little dragon explains, "If he can tell me over the phone what it is he needs, I can get cracking on finding it right away -- rather than having to take some three to five days to fly there and back, you know? Plus, I have another person I'm supposed to help in December... so if my flight to you is just to bring you all the item, then I can bring the food and the item and maybe stay a few days to make sure it's just what your great grandfather needs. Does that sound doable, maybe?"

Amka brightens, "Of course! They explained to us how busy you are!" She brings her grandfather to the phone; in a slightly weary voice, he explains that he needs a comb to comb out the tangles in Sedna's hair. He has had a very hard time doing so, and she's been quite angry and stingy with her people. He sounds quite upset at the mess that Sedna's hair has become, with the oil and garbage currently entangled in it. His vision, though, told him that Cinnamon would be the one to bring him the right comb! The little dragon blinks thoughtfully as she listens. She's been reading up on the mythologies and supernatural entities of the people she represents, so she knows the myth of poor Sedna, left with no hands or feet by her father. However... the little dragon has never heard of the shamans in spirit journey to Sedna needing a special comb for combing out her hair! So, after a moment's thought, Cinnamon asks, "When you say oil and garbage, sir... do you mean like... like the kind of floating plastics and trash that thoughtless people throw into the ocean? -and the oil... this isn't like the normal oils one gets in one's hair, right?"

The shaman explains: yes, he means the garbage which outsiders throw in the waters, and the thick, black oil polluting the ocean. Cinnamon brightens, "Ah! I think I understand now -- though please, correct me if I'm wrong? What we need is a comb that... hmm... that can sort of scoop out all the, um, the crude oil, right? -and once that's gone, then the garbage can be combed out too, I bet. So... if I can find you a comb that does that, you'll be able to take it with you to see Sedna, then?" The shaman sounds excited that Cinnamon understands this. The tangles have gotten so bad that he fears Sedna cannot release the seals for them! Cinnamon nods firmly, "All right, I think we have a plan now! I'm going to do some research and find out what will do the job for us, and then I'll do my best to have a comb made of it -- whatever it is. I'll bring it and the food I told Amka about, and hopefully I'll be able to stay a few days until you're able to test the comb too. Is that okay?" The ancient shaman lets Cinnamon know that she has it right -- that's what he needs in the comb. If it's the right one, he'll be able to use it to brush out the tangles in Sedna's hair when next he goes to see her. He also lets her know he and his people will be happy to see the little dragon.

Cinnamon sighs happily and thanks the shaman, promising to do her best for him. After polite thanks on both sides, they hang up... and the little dragon sighs happily again as she stares out at the snow. She so loves being useful... and clever! Surely she was a little clever... maybe? She grins a bit sheepishly, patting herself lightly on the back of one shoulder -- yes, by golly! She's done good -- and she's going to do more good, and Josie is right: her parents just can't see very well!

Perhaps because fate is fate, it's Josie that arrives as Cinnamon is actually patting herself on the back. The wolf-shifter giggles and joins in with the little happy dance. Cinnamon laughs and hugs Josie -- and cheerfully bounces around excitedly a bit with the big, warm, fluffy spirit wolf! After that she settles down next to Josie and happily explains why she's so pleased... and then the two of them study Cinnamon's phone together... after all, there is research to be done! It's about 20 minutes later that Cinnamon murmurs in intrigued tones, "Huh! I wonder if we could have the comb made with... sort of a mix of teeth? Like, have some made of diffused iron oxide molecules, since they bond tightly with oil molecules... and others of a strongly magnetized metal that can draw up all the magnetized oil and tangle-catch the plastics... and then Grandfather Shaman could use it as sympathetic magic against the oil spills and garbage diffusion?"

Josie looks Very Serious as they look at things, rubbing her big, clawed hands together, "I think that might work. I'm betting they don't make comb teeth infused with Dawn. That's what they use to wash off baby penguins and terns and seals and stuff."

Cinnamon hms musingly, then tilts her head, "Maybe... hollow teeth? You could pour a teensy dribble of Dawn into the handle of the comb, and let it trickle out as you combed?" She pauses, considering... then giggles excitedly as she bumps her shoulder against Josie, "Oh my gosh, JoJo -- we're designing magical shaman's tools! This is so exciting! Do you have any idea who might be able to make a comb like this, though? Something with, um... diffused iron oxide molecules, and magnetized metal? I mean, I'm not even sure what an iron oxide molecule should look like!"

Josie's ears go a little pink, hugging her friend back, "It is kind of exciting!" She's wagging in her dangerously excited way as she wrinkles her nose up thoughtfully, "We'd need someone that works in metals. Or that's a scientist... I mean, Elias is a scientist, kinda. But wasn't that Taliesin guy also a scientist?"

Cinnamon brightens and jumps up, "Elias! He might know who to talk to -- let's go ask him!" Thus it's only moments later that the two excited young women are rapping on Elias' door. When the vampire opens it, he's met with almost incoherent excitement: "Elias! We need help -- a comb!" "But with iron oxide!" "Yes, and diffused -- and molecules -- and also hollow, for the Dawn!" "Right, right -- and strongly magnetized metal!" "Right! So, who do you know that can make that for us, please?!"

Elias blinks slowly at the two young women, then says in his gentle voice, "A magnetized, hollow comb... with oxidized metal... that you put Dawn in. I think I need a little more information. Come in, ladies, and we'll talk." >With some back and forth and consideration on Elias' side, the vampire suggests speaking with the resident blacksmith on Coblyn. After all, he's likely had odder requests, since most of the residents of the various enclaves don't do much business with human artisans when they need custom work for some reason.

Cinnamon emerges relieved from the discussion with Elias and Josie -- she has not only a recommendation to ask the blacksmith of Coblyn Street for the custom order, but several excellent suggestions on how to phrase the request so as to do the most good! So -- after that's completed, and both Elias and Josie hugged and fervently thanked for their patience and good advice -- Cinnamon goes looking for Garaitz Acorntrod, to see if the gealsidhe has any questions before the Valkyrie departs the next day. Hopefully Hilde and all the other councilors have left the woman with a good impression to take back to her trod!

Garaitz seems quite pleased with the visit. She had a little bit of shellshock upon meeting and getting to know Elias... one of the oldest, most deadly creatures almost anyone present has ever encountered -- yet who is also one of the gentlest people almost any of them has ever encountered. Garaitz smiles ruefully as she admits, "Had any of us ever actually met Elias, there is no way we would have believed the slander." She laughs softly, hand over her mouth, "He could do it, but I believe he would find it extremely rude and shocking."

Cinnamon smiles in relief at Garaitz, "Oh, good -- now you understand why I was so horrified and disbelieving when I heard who the attackers were supposed to be!" She grins as she adds, "You've met Hilde and me -- we're both councilors -- and Marcus is your actual councilor, too. I hope he gave you a good impression? Though..." she abruptly blushes, "we, uh... really d-don't need to tell him, please, what I told the Acorn hunter who captured him, so that he exchanged me for Marcus... okay?"

Garaitz laughs quietly again, "Marcus is young and pretty and speaks pretty words. He is growing into his role, I believe. I understand why you had to say what you had to say. He will not hear it from me."

Cinnamon thanks Garaitz with relief! After hugs and warm goodbyes -- and a gift of a cute, tiny Icelandic beanie to be delivered to Zurina and Yvonne's baby -- Cinnamon heads off to check in with Marcus next. Since she has an upcoming quick trip to both Hawai'i and Greenland, she wants to ask the Germanic elf now if: a) he was serious about the apparent invite to the Madrigal Banquet? and b) if so, what should she wear? She's crossing her fingers that one of her two formal dresses will suffice... though she suspects the Cygnet costume will require some quick modifications, if he says that one's acceptable!

When she finds Marcus and asks him about the banquet, he smiles, "You'll need a ballgown, but don't fret -- I'll send samples of the colors needed to the dressmaker. Would you be comfortable using the one Aisling used to make your Cygnet costume?" His brow arches curiously, smile warm.

Cinnamon blinks a bit startledly, "The, ahh... wait, another dress? Golly, how many changes of clothes are councilors supposed to have?!"

Marcus' grin widens, "The look for the Madrigal banquet is different than the one for the masquerade. The Madrigal Banquet calls for very colorful clothes, and the Cygnet costume is white. It was good for the masquerade because you were a swan." His smile gets slightly nostalgic for a moment -- he'd been quite taken by the lovely and alluring Cygnet! -- but then he adds more pragmatically, "I'd say ask Aisling about how much formal clothing you should have, but I think she's more of a clotheshorse than you are. Please, let me buy the dress for you. I know you're a little overwhelmed." Cinnamon actually is feeling a bit... swamped, currently! She automatically tries to politely protest... but when Marcus charmingly insists, she eventually sighs in a bit of relief, and thanks him very gratefully -- one less thing to worry about!

After chatting with Marcus, Cinnamon goes looking for Shane, Thorn, and Spice next. The clever hacker offered to do all the reservations for Cinnamon's upcoming trip to Hawai'i, and Cinnamon is wondering if Shane and Thorn would like to come along. While Cinnamon doesn't really know anyone in Hawai'i -- or, at least, who lives the majority of the time on the islands rather than swimming around them -- she figures from what she's seen and read that it must be nice there regardless, right? ...and Thorn can check on how Kahiau is doing, too, if he wants? Shane considers -- and his answer is... yes. He's never been to Hawaii. He trusts the shark-shifter. Mostly. Thorn too considers carefully. He... doesn't. Trust the shark-shifter as much. But the person hasn't shown themselves anything but trustworthy, so maybe Thorn is overreacting due to some deep-seated fear of sharks. He nods, "I'll definitely like to do that -- yes, please!

Cinnamon beams and happily hugs both men, "Thank you so much, guys!" She asks Spice if it's okay to do the reservations for three instead of one? To Thorn, she adds, "For now, why don't I cover the cost, and when you have a moment, ask Iason for me if he could just send your amount to John at the Vault, to add to my account. Is that okay with you?"

Thorn nods, "Sure, I'll do that. That sounds fair!"

Cinnamon beams, "Okay! Thanks!" She figures she herself can do the food purchases to take to Greenland, during the time that the blacksmith is hopefully fulfilling her custom comb order... so with that, she hugs her friends again, then remembers she has to go make sure she's packed. They'll be back at Coblyn by midnight at the latest! The little dragon checks her calendar before pattering off -- then blinks again as it hits her, "Oh! Heh... that's cool. Shaney, Thorny, yesterday when we took the foodie walking tour? It was Thanksgiving Day, in the US!" She smiles thoughtfully, remembering their relatively comfortable survival of the blizzard, "We certainly had lots to be thankful for too, didn't we?"

Thorn blinks, "It was? Oh, nuts -- I forgot to call my cousin! I'll do that soonest; let her know I'm okay." Wryly he adds, "That being said... there's a ton of things I can't tell her about, that I'm thankful for this year. She'd never believe it." He smiles, "I'm thankful for knowing you both -- and for what you did to save our lives last night!" Cinnamon awwws! -then beams and impulsively hugs Thorn! Spice gets the reservations taken care of, though she refuses to explain to anyone just how she always manages to find such good rates for everything. The place she's got everyone staying in Hawaii is actually an airBnB rather than a hotel, as (she explains) they've usually got a little more privacy and are less soulless. Cinnamon sighs in relief at that, thanking Spice profusely! She giggles when she hears the rented car is (naturally!) a little hybrid, as well.

It's 6:00 pm Icelandic time when the little group is to depart Drangurinn. Cinnamon is all packed, and has said her goodbyes and thank yous to all her friends here, both old and new. She's smiling with quiet happiness to herself as she patters, heavily laden with luggage, gifts, and other goodies, towards the 'mud room' entrance in the huge boulder -- this has been a really wonderful trip! She recalculates one last time in her head, just to be absolutely sure: they're leaving here at six, and it's a four to five hour trip. Boston is four hours behind Iceland... so the earliest they might arrive in Boston is 6:00 pm... and the sun will have set in Boston at about a quarter past four. So... excellent! It'll be all safe for Elias! Shane helps make sure Elias is secure and safe for the flight, checking things multiple times. Thorn helps where he can with making sure everything is packed and secure. He too says all his good-byes, and is quite content. This was overall a very successful trip -- and illuminating, besides! Though facing a survival situation will make it illuminating no matter what....

Hilde and Torben are both there to see them off; even Marcus comes out to make sure they get safely into the air. Cinnamon beams at them all, giving hugs before she changes shape -- and wishing Marcus and Hilde a nice, peaceful trip back with the Valkyrie. The flight back starts out rather chilly, since the snow is still falling enthusiastically -- but fortunately the wind is far less aggressive by nightfall. Consequently, Cinnamon has a nice, cool, but peaceful flight, happily singing songs and chatting about the recent Council meeting with her flight companions... and they all land smoothly on the roof of Coblyn's Currier's Hall at about 6:30 that night. Shane helps get Elias down and makes sure the vampire is okay, first thing... he's always the paladin! Cinnamon looks pleased when Elias gently smiles and assures Shane he's fine... then she swivels her gaze to Thorn, "How're you doing, Thorny? All okay?"

Thorn nods, "All fine! A good trip as always, Cinnamon -- thank you!" Cinnamon beams at that, her tail waving slowly back and forth with happiness!

Elias chuckles and pats Shane on the shoulder -- the vampire is very fond of the conscientious young paladin, "It's good to have safe travel." Cinnamon brightens even more at that! She feels warmly pleased -- and useful! She cheerfully offers to carry Shane and Elias back to their homes, once they've unfastened Thorn's luggage... since he lives just two doors down.

Shane grins and strokes Cinnamon's side, "I'd like to stretch my legs, but I'd be happy to carry your stuff and walk you home, acushla."

Cinnamon grins (unwittingly) toothily down at Shane, "Oh, I don't mind carrying everyone's stuff, Shaney! It's not like it's heavy or anything, after all. I would like to drop my stuff off at my place before I walk you two to your homes, though... if that's okay?" She grins a bit sheepishly, "It's a lot easier that way -- since I can't manage really small knots or keys in this shape!"

Shane grins up at Cinnamon, eyes twinkling, "Acushla, I'm trying to be chivalrous and walk a lady home, here... especially since Coblyn can be a b... a pain to navigate for large folks. But if you'd rather carry stuff to your place and change there, we can do that." He pauses again, "But there's also not a lot of space to hide while you change..." He points this out because she'd essentially be standing in the street -- getting her dragon form into the pocket park would be difficult.

Cinnamon tilts her head puzzledly at Shane, "Um... actually, I thought maybe change at your place, if that's okay? -and that way I'll have carried everyone's stuff to their homes, first!"

Thorn says carefully, "Are you comfortable with your ability to change to human form?"

Cinnamon blinks a bit puzzledly at the two men, "Um, yeah? I mean, I might have to try more than once, but unless Shane doesn't want to hold up the tarp for me, I should be fine?" She tilts her head the other way, adding, "Am I... making things awkward for you guys? I mean, at a walk I'm perfectly able to not, say, knock over buildings or anything... and I thought it'd be easier for you all to not have to carry your luggage. But... er, well, if you wanted to carry your own stuff, that's fine...?" A bit bewilderedly, she wonders if there's some... prevalent street attitude or something about guys not letting girls (however strong they might be) carry anything for them.

Shane smiles, "Okay, l... acushla; I'm fine holding the tarp for you. I was mostly thinking of the fact that this is a time when there are a lot of people on the street moving about, and the tarp only covers one of five sides that people could be looking from, because some of the buildings are more than one story." The paladin adds, "I'm not trying to be all old-fashioned and keep you from carrying things and do nice stuff for us."

Cinnamon nods slowly, still a bit bemused... then blinks as she abruptly gets it: no one wants to see a naked creepy-fat girl! She nods more confidently after that, though with a small sigh, "Okay, no problem. Um... should I get unpacked here on the roof, then? Or... we could unpack on the ground, and then I can jump back up here?"

Shane leans in and says quietly, "Acushla, I'm not trying to protect them from seeing you, I'm trying to protect you from being embarrassed -- because I know you're modest and shy." Thorn doesn't have much stuff packed, but just as he opens his mouth, Shane answers first, talking to Cinnamon... so the healer nods in agreement, and waits quietly. Cinnamon nods silently to Shane... then simply starts unfastening the more easily managed ropes on her harness. She wonders how Elias is going to carry his long emergency box... then shrugs mentally. This is not something she should concern herself with, she knows.

Elias puts a hand on Shane's shoulder and speaks quietly to him. Then he motions Cinnamon to lower her head to speak to him, "Let us compromise. Stay in this form, bring our things home, and then let Shane bring you back here. I think it will put everyone's worries to rest."

Cinnamon sighs softly, then whispers to Elias, "I don't think, umm... I mean, I'm not sure, but... well, I don't want to make folks uncomfortable, you know? So... so I don't mind changing here if that means everyone will be happier, Elias."

Elias smiles and murmurs, "Shane is being protective of you, and you are wanting to use your strength to help the people you love. Both are worthy. Let's do both, hm?"

Cinnamon hesitates, then whispers, "So... if we do that, you think no one will be upset, then?"

Elias nods, "I am certain of it." He does not say that this will also give the two young people some time alone together.

Cinnamon sighs a bit gustily, "Okay... if you're sure. I just... I don't want to make them uncomfortable with me, you know? Thanks, Elias." She raises her head and adds to Shane and Thorn, "Okay, Elias suggests I carry the stuff to your homes first, and then -- if you're okay with it, Shaney? -- I can return here with Shane to change. Um... is that okay with you guys?"

Shane smiles and nods, "Sounds good to me." He too doesn't say out loud the part about getting some time alone with the little dragon... without even a chance of Marcus being anywhere near... let alone on the same bloody continent!

Thorn picks up on what Elias isn't saying, and smiles quietly, "That's perfectly fine, Cinnamon. I'm sorry; I didn't want to make you uncomfortable, though the help in carrying the stuff will be much, much appreciated."

Cinnamon waits until the three men climb on again, then hops carefully down, wings spread, to the plaza below. After that she helps them unfasten Thorn's goods, then gives him a light tongue-flicker, "'Night, Thorny! Thanks a ton for helping out... for both this trip and the next one!"

Thorn laughs at the 'lick', and hugs Cinnamon's foreleg, "Thank you for letting me come along! -and also, again: thank you for saving our lives."

Cinnamon beams shyly at that, "I, um... actually kinda enjoyed that? I mean, it was... well, cozy, you know?"

Thorn smiles, "It was cozy! You made it that way. So... thank you, again."

Cinnamon beams again at that! "Thank you, Thorny! Sleep well! Oh! Also, I'll get back to you as soon as I know our approximate ETA for the comb order, okay?"

Thorn nods, "Oh, sure! Thank you -- I'd like to come along to that as well, if I may."

Cinnamon waits and watches, with Elias and Shane, to be sure Thorn gets in okay... and then she pads relaxedly along the street, her tail neatly curled up out of the way and her wings carefully furled. She cheerfully greets the folks who pass her that she knows, or that greet her, and continues her happy chatting with her companions, until they reach her house... where she settles down so Shane can unfasten her (multiple) bags and shove them in through the door, then lock the house up again for her return. Elias' home is next!

Shane is happy to play porter and get Cinnamon's things inside for her. He also greets a lot of people on the street. As always, everyone here seems to know him. They pass on little bits of news as they greet him. There are, admittedly, a few shocked people, since many of them haven't previously actually seen Cinnamon in this form. Still, everyone already knows she's a dragon, and Liam's descendant. In fact, a small group of kids want to scamper over her tail! Cinnamon giggles at that, neatly uncoiling her long, spade-tipped tail and letting it swing slowly, low to the ground, so the kids can bounce around and jump on it!

When they reach Elias' apartment, the vampire checks his wards carefully. Almost everyone that knows him seems fond of him, but he is always extra careful about security. He opens the wards, opens the door, and helps Shane get his things inside. It sometimes shocks people just how strong the mild-mannered man is. Cinnamon helps when she can, though she's a bit distracted by the kids. It's surprisingly entertaining, she discovers, to play with happy, excited children! Shane pauses on coming back out of Elias' house, and smiles, eyes warm -- Cinnamon looks like she's having a great deal of fun! He puts a hand on her shoulder, "One more stop and then back to Currier's hall, beautiful."

Cinnamon grins down at Shane, "Okay! Climb on up?" Over her shoulder, she calls, "Okay, everyone! I gotta take Shane home now, so hop off carefully, please?" The kids all call thanks for playing with them, and scatter. Children on Coblyn tend to just... roam. Cinnamon calls a cheerful goodnight to them all, then starts padding down the street towards Shane's little apartment. She's humming as she goes, and it doesn't take long at all to drop Shane's goods off in his little apartment. However, as they're getting ready to head back, she adds over her shoulder, "Shaney, I hope it won't be a bother for you to walk back with me from Currier's Hall?"

Shane strokes Cinnamon's shoulder; there's a smile in his voice, "Not a bit, acushla -- I like wandering around with you. I'm actually looking forward to it."

Cinnamon sighs quietly in relief before replying with her own (far more toothy) smile, "Okay." She hums quietly to herself as she pads along, after that, carefully keeping an eye out so no one gets accidentally bumped by her not-inconsiderable bulk... and then spreads her wings and leaps lightly up to the roof of Currier's Hall, once she arrives there. After Shane dismounts and brings out the tarp, she takes a deep breath... then attempts to focus really well, so she changes on the first try! She's decided that she really has to get better at this, after all -- she doesn't like inconveniencing Shane, no matter how sweet he's being about it! She worries a bit, naturally, that if she inconveniences Shane too much... he might start getting a bit tired of it.

Seconds later, Shane smiles, "You're getting quicker at that -- I'm proud of you!" He gives her a tight hug, "I didn't mean to make you feel self-conscious before, though. I'm sorry for that."

Cinnamon blushes with pleasure at his praise, hugging him back warmly as she replies a little muffledly into his chest, "Nono, it's fine!"

As they're strolling relaxedly on towards their respective homes, Cinnamon pauses long enough to buy a bag of hot, fresh-cooked, small nibblies from the Bunch o' Grapes. She offers Shane some of the spanakotyropita as well -- she loves the little spinach pies with feta cheese, so maybe he'll like them too? She unselfconsciously licks her fingers clean after finishing one, mentally puzzling over whether or not Shane is sweet on Marcus -- because of Fraser's confusing comment to her. However... how on earth does one politely ask about something that private? Shane watches Cinnamon nibble the little spinach pies and lick her fingers, though he does it subtly and out of the corner of his eye -- because staring would be rude. Very rude. He does, however keep his arm around her shoulder, and nibbles one or two himself.

Cinnamon finally hesitantly asks, "So, um, Shane... how... how does gaydar work?" That, she figures, is a safe question!

Shane blinks a little at the unexpected question -- that came out of basically nowhere! "I mean... I suppose it just comes from having a good sense of people." He nabs another little nibbly and considers, "I have pretty good gaydar for a straight guy, but I watch people closely." He grins down at her, "I also had a surprising number of gay friends in school... and a lot of the folks in the supernatural community are either very heteroflexible or very homosexual-leaning. Spice or Josie might be better to ask?"

Cinnamon nods thoughtfully at that, nibbling on another spanakotyropita. So... Shane says he's straight! Cinnamon has read romances where someone is 'gay' for another same-sex person -- but for only that one person. However, while she knows she's not the most observant people-watcher on the planet, she sure hasn't gotten that feeling at all from Shane, regarding Marcus! Unless... huh. Maybe... well, could this be like the little boys she's watched at school when she was very young, that were sweet on her little sister? But, since they didn't know how to express it, they sort of... acted out around Candi? Though... Cinnamon's also pretty sure most guys eventually grow out of that, don't they? Hmm... actually... Fraser's comment is making less and less sense to her! She grins at a sudden thought that potentially explains everything: Fraser was just wrong! He wasn't as observant, as a wolf, as he thought he was! She grins up at Shane, relaxing, "Okay! I'll check with them later, then... once the Valkyrie is back!" She adds consideringly -- and without recognition of her sometimes-startling mental leaps, "Also, since it's coming on to the holiday season, do you think we can maybe persuade Jaeger to allow the moon-eyed folk to spend the holidays under the Elm trod... at least until we've had a chance to clear out the tunnels here?"

Shane laughs quietly, "Who is it you're needing checked with someone's gaydar? I can help, maybe?"

Without missing a beat, Cinnamon grins and adds a partial truth, "Fraser!" Admittedly, she'd like to know about Shane as well -- maybe Marcus too? -- but she's a little too shy to admit to that just now! She blinks at another thought, and asks, "So do folks put up christmas trees here? Or... um, evergr- no, wait, would it be Yule trees?"

Shane's eyebrows draw together -- that was a partial truth! He can tell it's a partial truth. Why's she being so evasive here? Before he can ask, though, she veers around to other things, "Oh... uhm. Likely. Jaeger is... well, rather benevolent, actually... and people put up all kinds of solstice decorations, according to their leanings."

Cinnamon sighs thoughtfully, "Hope so! It'd be awful if the poor moon-eyed folk were tripped over by humans just as we were finding them a safe place to live!" She grins excitedly as she considers chris- er, Solstice decorations! She'd not looked forward to the mandated jollity -- and actual unpleasantness -- of holidays with her birth family, but once she'd moved out, she'd really enjoyed her own fun little decorations within her apartment. Now, though... gosh, she has a whole house she can decorate -- even if it is small, it's very cozy! She really likes cozy, she's found. She curiously adds, "So... what do you think about Fraser? I'd assumed he liked just women, since when he's full-moon Fraser he's not, um... er, he tends to just be growly at men?" She blushes a bit, relieved she managed to stop herself before blurting out something embarrassing like: 'Fraser's not all naked at men!' as she and Shane walked down the street together!

Shane smiles, "I usually put up some greenery and a small tree. Mistletoe, holly... I often go home to spend time with me mum... and I think getting them somewhere safe sounds like an excellent idea." He slides his hand down to rest on the small of Cinnamon's back as they walk, "I think that Fraser would likely be willing to experiment, but his... id seems to focus largely on women." He smiles wryly and looks down at Cinnamon as he adds, "And on teasing men about the women he's been flirting with. He teases me all the time about being protective of you."

Cinnamon beams as Shane talks -- yay! Sounds like it's going to be easy for her to make her little cottage smell all wonderfully of evergreen, this Solstice! Then she blinks up at Shane in surprise again, "He... oh! Oh, dear... Shaney, you know you don't have to worry about me, right?" She frowns as she adds, "Hmm... and Fraser should know not to be mean to you -- er, to folks, during the full moon! Should I give him a talking-to when we see him next?" She's actually even more relieved at this revelation -- this completely explains Fraser's behavior! Excellent... and it makes more sense than her confused mental muddlings. She grins to herself at that.

Shane smiles crookedly down at her, weighing the pros and cons of saying something to her, "He once told me not to worry -- that he hadn't even taken a nibble." He decides to leave out the part of that conversation that ended with: 'I'll leave that to you.'

Cinnamon laughs at that! "Oh, dear... yeah, I'll tell full-moon Fraser to stop being a meanie to you, then, okay?" Shane gently squeezes his arm around her shoulders again, his eyes closed tight for a moment. He's going to have to say something or do something... soon. Cinnamon doesn't notice, though, since she's currently curiously asking, "So are you going to be real busy in the next week or so? You've got stuff to do to keep promises, if I'm remembering correctly, right? But... can I ask you for some advice on who to buy a whole bunch of frozen meat and other foodstuffs from, for the Greenland trip?" She gets a considering look as she realizes: if the blacksmith is still open right now, she could put in the order right away! -and even better, she'll get more time walking with Shane! She adds immediately, "Also, do you know the blacksmith's name, or if he or she's still open right now?"

Shane smiles, "I've got promised to keep, but I can help out with that. There's a couple butchers that we can work with."

Cinnamon looks pleased, "Yay! ...and the blacksmith?"

Shane grins at her, "I know the blacksmith's name. I know him quite well, actually. He's made a couple of my blades. Would you like an introduction?"

Cinnamon brightens at that, "Yes, please!" Since it's only about 6:30 or 7:00 pm here on Coblyn, the little dragon is happy to go see if the blacksmith can chat with her for a bit... and Shane is more than happy to have a little extra time with Cinnamon.

The smithy is still open, though the blacksmith is starting to wind down for the day -- after all, there are people who sleep early, and his is a loud sort of business. Shane steps in, calling out, "Ho! Waylon! I've got a new customer for you!" The fellow seated near the forge is... large. There just aren't a lot of other adjectives out there that would do him justice, without sounding overly-dramatic. He's tall. He's wide. He's muscled. When he stands, he overtops Shane's six-foot-plus frame by several inches. He's broader in the beam, and he's got the kinds of biceps you only get by doing this sort of work, or seriously overdoing it on arm day at the gym. He's got long, graying red hair pulled back in a rather sweaty ponytail, and he wears a heavy leather apron. In fact, the only reason Shane was able to actually be heard in the smithy is because the big guy is sitting at a heavy oak table and working with a rasp, rather than hammering at the anvil. It's a roomy smithy, though also pretty sweltering. Cinnamon blinks slowly, slightly intimidated by the man's sheer hugeness! She hesitates at the door, waiting to see how the giant reacts to Shane.

The big guy glances up, and when he sees Shane, his face splits into a grin and he speaks in an accent that's quite hard to place... just vaguely 'maybe British Isles but also maybe Nordic.' "Shane! Welcome! Come in! Who do you bring to visit?" He stands up, wiping his hands off on a sturdy rag before he offers his hand to Cinnamon to shake.

Cinnamon's eyes widen even more -- good golly, the guy is a giant! She leans back a bit nervously, but manages to shove one hand forward to shake as she stutters, "H-hi I'm ss-Cinn-namon...?"

Waylon smiles; his callused hand is gentle when he shakes hers. Then he bends over it and kisses the knuckles before rumbling, "Ah, I've heard of you -- you're Liam's little hatchling! He was so proud of you. I am so happy to finally meet you! I am Waylon."

Cinnamon just stares for a few seconds -- getting a gallant kiss on the hand from a big, scary giant is a huge dose of cognitive dissonance for her! She blinks and pushes her glasses up... then hesitantly replies, "Uh... h-hello? Er, I m-mean... thank you? Um... did he... d-did he come here often?" She wonders what a dragon would need, er... blacksmithed for him?

Waylon thinks, "Several things over time. Horseshoes, buckles... couple of daggers, a sword or two. I've been working the forge here for a goodly time."

Shane leans over and murmurs, "By which he means, almost since Coblyn's beginnings."

Cinnamon looks slightly bewildered, pushing up her glasses again as she wonders: why would Liam need horseshoes? Then she shakes her head -- that's not relevant right now, and she shouldn't waste this man's time! So instead she holds out her little sketch, "Can you, um... c-can you maybe make a... a comb for a shaman? But, er... b-but a special one?"

Waylon smiles, "Of course, not much need for horseshoes much anymore. Everyone out there..." he makes a vague motion toward what would probably be the 'normal' world, "drives those automobile things now." He takes the sketch is his large but nimble hands and looks at it carefully, "Everything I make is special. I don't do anything half-arsed." He gives her a playful little wink, then hms, "What would be especially special 'bout this one?"

Cinnamon blinks again, her eyes getting really wide as it hits her: she didn't actually speak her question regarding what Liam might need -- or about horseshoes! So... does that mean this guy is psychic too?! She squeaks in nervous alarm, backing up a few steps -- though she has no real idea as to whether distance makes any difference in mind-reading -- and stutters, "I, uh, I-it n-needs, uh... l-like maybe a... a mix of teeth? Like some of diffused iron oxide molecules, since they bond tightly with oil molecules... and others of a strongly magnetized metal that can draw up all the magnetized oil... a-and hollow? P-please? So, er, s-so he can dribble in a little bit of D-dawn dishwashing liquid to help?"

Waylon is still looking at the paper as he rumbles, "Only a little, lass... and mostly only things on the very top of your mind, and having to do with me or things you want me to make. It's part of my manumit."

Shane leans down again and murmurs, "He doesn't even realize he does it, and it's only sporadic, acushla. Sort of like surface thoughts, I think..."

Waylon seems to realize what he just said; he winces, raising his head, "I apologize; I sometimes forget myself. Do not worry. I cannot get down deep in your mind. All I can really hear are things way up top about myself and my work. It is a thing passed down with my office and station." He's got a truly kindly face and smile, "This comb... this sounds like it might be used to clean up after an oil spill? Like combing the oil out of selkies' coats or something?"

Cinnamon looks nervous at the explanation, but still nods. Part of her is terrified at the possibility of being 'read,' just as she was with Quinn -- but another part of her realizes it's surely not Waylon's fault that he can do this thing, after all. So she takes a deep breath and says carefully, trying not to stutter with nerves, "It -- it's really, er, r-really a shaman's tool, please? Like, uh... one of the p-peoples I represent has asked for help. He needs it to take w-with him into trance, when he goes to talk to Sedna and calm her down and comb the nasty tangles out of her hair... so she'll, uh, sh-she'll release more seals and seabirds and other creatures that the people need to live on." She's on Coblyn, and she's been acknowledged as a dragon... so it simply doesn't occur to her that Waylon might be disbelieving or rude about Sedna... the way she'd expect a regular human to be.

The smith nods again and continues examining the drawing, "How large does it need to be? I can lay a magick on it to let it go between the worlds like that, I think -- keep it solid. It used to be a thing people asked for much of the time. But people walked between the planes more often, before." He nods at her explanation, smiling brightly again -- it's a warm, inviting smile, "I don't know Sedna, but I like this. It is a challenge, and a challenge for a good cause. Liam would be very proud of his little hatchling."

Cinnamon blinks at that... then essays a small, cautious smile, "Th-thank you? She, um... she's the goddess of the sea and marine animals for the northern arctic Inuit peoples... and, um... y-yes, please, on the magic?" She thinks a moment -- Sedna's hair is supposed to be a terrible mess right now, and Cinnamon didn't read anything about it being cut or trimmed, so... she tilts her head thoughtfully, "Large... um, somewhere about like this, maybe, please?" She holds up her hands so they're about a foot apart, adding, "It has to be easy for Grandfather Shaman to hold too, please. Does that, er... d-do you think you can make something like that?"

Waylon hms, "Older man. Possibly arthritic if people are calling him grandfather... I will make the handle or handles easy for both old people and very young people to handle. I have noticed both children and elders have issues with grip... and since both should be taken care of and revered, that has always struck me as a small but important thing. They have to handle things carefully, and we should handle them with care." Cinnamon blinks slowly as she silently stares up at the giant smith -- okay, that was far nicer and more thoughtful than she expected! Maybe he's... well, okay, he definitely is scary-huge, and he reads minds, eeek! -but... well, he seems... kind? Waylon smiles down at Cinnamon, "When do you need this comb with the extraordinary properties?"

Cinnamon hesitates... then sighs and smiles ruefully, "Umm... as soon as possible, please? I mean, they didn't push or anything, but... well, from talking to them, I'm going to be taking a whole bunch of food with me when I deliver the comb, 'cause they're... I think they're kinda short on food?"

Waylon nods again, "I see -- this ritual is important to their welfare. I can have it for you in twenty-four hours."

Cinnamon blinks again, impressed, "Wow! That... that fast? Is that, er... I mean, I'm not, um, putting you out on anyone else's orders, am I?" She blinks again, adding more worriedly, "Er, also, ahh... how m-much will this cost, please?"

Waylon rumbles, "I set my work priorities not by who is paying the most or who thinks they are the most important person. I set them by what is most needed. If a carter's axle is broken and they cannot work and feed their family, that is more important than the broken hilt on a nobleman's finest dress sword. I care not if the nobleman is paying me five times what the carter would pay. As for this?" The price he quotes is... really almost a pittance. It sounds more along the lines of what Cinnamon might expect for someone to ask for making hinges or some other hardware.

Cinnamon blinks in slow astonishment... then just as slowly shakes her head, "That is... er, awesome of you -- truly! -- b-but..." She stops, her eyes narrowing in thought as she remembers how insulted the cheery little cook at Shane's home trod was when she tried to repay him -- and her eyes widen nervously again! She definitely does not want this gigantic man upset with her! She'll just... well, maybe Shane knows what he might like -- that'll do it! She can bring Waylon some metals or... or offer metal identification maybe? -- or something like that, but for now: "Okaythankyouverymuchthatisreallyreallyniceofyou!"

Waylon smiles at the expression on her face, "I like challenges. That is not me reading your mind; that is me reading your face. I know it would cost more from someone else, but this is in good cause, and it is something different than I have ever done. Being able to work out how to do it at all will be part of my payment."

Cinnamon hesitates... then cautiously offers, "I, ummm, I... d-don't want to seem, er, uh... insulting, m-maybe, or anything? ...but, uhm, I... I'd be happy to... well, like if you needed metals of some sort? Maybe I could bring you some? Or... I, ah, don't know if this would help or not, but, er, I, I can... identify metal for you? I mean, like, to... to say thank you?"

Waylon smiles that warm and sunny smile again, "I may call upon you for that sometime. I am good with metallurgy, but sometimes I need to make sure something I am working with is very, very pure, and I cannot test it easily. It would be good to have a dragon's senses for that."

Cinnamon brightens, "Oh! Yes, I can do that -- happy to!" She beams up at Waylon, adding more confidently, "Thank you very much for the work on the comb, too. It's going to make things much better, I hope, for Amka's people."

Waylon says gravely, "My manumit is to make things that make the world better... to make things that help people. Even when I am forging weapons, I am careful about who they go to. The ones that I make myself, I mean." He nods his head toward Shane, "This youngster is someone I have made weapons for. But I would not for just anyone."

Cinnamon smiles at that, starting to relax around Waylon as it hits her: this guy is friends with Shane! Shane wouldn't steer her wrong -- she should have remembered that, sheesh! She grins shyly up at the big man, "Okay, then -- I'll be back, umm... let's see, I gotta shop like mad today... tell you what: can I come back day after tomorrow for the comb? That'll be a bit more than 24 hours, but I need a little time to get ready, after all, for the flight to Greenland!"

Waylon smiles and nods, "I will have it ready for you to take with you by then. It will give me time to make sure the magick is just right."

Cinnamon sighs in relief, "Excellent! Okay, I'll let John at the Vault know you'll be billing me there too -- is that okay?" She glances at Shane, adding, "Is that enough time for you to get stuff done before takeoff, Shaney?"

Waylon nods, "I will bill you there."

Shane grins at the nickname, "That's plenty of time for me to discharge my current duties."

Cinnamon brightens at that, "Okay then! Let's head for home!" She thanks Waylon again, then patters happily off with Shane. Even if they don't talk about anything much, it's... well, really nice-feeling to be with Shane!

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

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