Goblin Town -- Logs

It's not long before the carriage is pulling to a halt. Cinnamon doesn't quite bounce out of the coach mostly because she's wearing a corset and voluminous skirts -- but she is excited to soon be able to clear the curse off poor Baird! She glances around the clearing, then grins and nods, "This'll work! Give me just a moment, please..." First she goes and thanks the phouka herd, with a polite curtsey, for their kindness and generosity in helping out! She's not sure if that's the right level of courtesy or not, but she's hoping the intent is important enough to perhaps override any cultural goofs she makes with them. Quinn too takes a few minutes, speaking with the herd that served as their carriage horses and driver for the night. He pats one of the phoukas on the flank, and strokes the mane of another before he comes to join his companions.

The herd bob their heads almost in unison to Cinnamon, and she beams at them as she waves goodnight... then patters carefully over to one side of the clearing. Formal heels, she rapidly realizes, are not good outdoor walking shoes! She holds up her skirts carefully too, and takes a deep breath before shifting shape. That... is a bit of a relief! No more skirts or heels -- whew! She grins toothily down at her friends, calling, "Okay, c'mon and buckle up, you peeps, and we'll get going! Aisling and Shane, do you have the GPS coordinates I asked for?"

Shane nods and holds up his phone to indicate he's got the coordinates; he's tucked away as much of his formal wear as possible. Everyone else starts getting themselves strapped in. Cinnamon glances curiously over at the phoukas while she waits for everyone to buckle in -- how does the herd react to her? The phoukas aren't natural horses, so of course they don't spook the way a simply equine herd might. Instead they're watching intently, tails switching with interest -- it's not often you get to see a dragon! Once everyone is buckled in, Cinnamon grins and waves a friendly wing at the phoukas, "See you later, I hope!" After that she does her usual pre-flight wiggle-jump to make sure everyone's secure... then cheerfully trills, "Up, up, and awa-aaay!" as she leaps into the air! She's so pleased at how well things are going!

Most of the folk here have ridden with Cinnamon at least once, so the leap isn't as jarring as it might be. Quinn, however, is thrilled! He laughs as they leap into the air, whooping happily. Cinnamon giggles at Quinn's delight! Shortly thereafter she's singing quietly to herself as she flies, though she's not really thinking about the song -- she's mostly focused on keeping a keen eye out for a ruined-looking castle! Shane can likely hear her, though, since he's sitting in front like usual:

"I like to do just like the rest,
I like my sugar sweet...

Everybody's 'neath the trees
Feeding pigeons on a limb
But when Quinn the Eskimo gets here
All the pigeons gonna run to him!

Come all without, come all, within
You'll not see nothing like the mighty Quinn!"

Shane leans forward and grins -- since they both know Quinn may be cocky, but he's not arrogant. The half-beansidhe calls teasingly, "Don't let him hear that! His head is swelled enough as it is."

Cinnamon blinks, pausing as she listens... then chirps in embarrassment, "Oh, sorry! Wasn't thinking!" A few seconds later she adds, "Hey, look, Shaney! Is that it?" Shane looks in the indicated direction and agrees it is. Cinnamon calls back over her shoulder again, "Can I land in the courtyard? Will that be okay, or are they not expecting me in this form?"

Quinn calls back, "I would suggest the meadow just to the south!"

"Okay!" The scarlet dragon angles down enough to swing in a wide circle around the apparent castle ruins, so she can peer curiously into it... and then she flips a wing and settles easily to the snowy meadow's ground, "The Dragon has landed!" She giggles, turning to tread for what looks like a half-fallen archway which leads into the castle ruins, as she adds, "Nice, short, cool flight too, in this weather!"

Everyone starts to dismount, dropping into the snow... though it's quickly melting around Cinnamon at this point. Aisling laughs quietly, "I think I would have preferred the courtyard..."

Quinn grins as he removes his formal shoes, "I'll be back. I'll get them to bring a sled."

Cinnamon glances between the two beansidhe, then smiles puzzledly down at Aisling, "If you stay on, I can walk us up to the gateway there?"

Aisling looks up, "I thought you were going to change here?"

Cinnamon shakes her head, "I don't have a problem with changing by the wall, if Shane will hold up the sheet for me, and there's no one staring down from above." She raises her head up high to stare at the top of the walls -- how interesting! She can sort of see them through the illusion of ruins! -- then tilts her head down at Aisling, "There's no one there right now. Just if you want, of course." That seems to make sense to everyone; they climb back aboard. Cinnamon laughs and pads quickly over to stand next to the gateway, "There you go!" She waits until everyone has slid off, and Shane has the sheet ready. Then she sits up on her haunches and wing knuckles, stretching her long neck and head up high to check the top of the parapets -- which are clear to her vision now -- then beams as she settles back down, "Okay, now's good!" A moment later she's human-form once more, unsteadily accepting Shane's help to walk inside as she mutters amusedly to him, "Okay, no more heels outside -- I swear they're trying to trip me up!"

Cinnamon follows the others through a heavy wooden door and inside the stone castle. Inside is very clearly not a ruin, being warmer and much more comfortable than outside. The little dragon settles onto a sofa -- with Shane, if he'd like -- and glances around with interest while asking Aisling, "How long till Baird's free of the curse?"

Aisling replies, "They'll have to have it for twenty-four hours. He'll want to wear the amulet I gave him for at least that long."

Cinnamon nods at that, then smiles at Baird, "Excited?"

Baird thinks about that, "Not so much excited as relieved. I haven't been able to work, for fear of putting my teams in danger... and I do love what I do."

Cinnamon tilts her head with interest, smiling curiously at Baird, "Really, you love it? That's cool. What's the parts you love?"

The mercenary leans back in a chair and thinks about that, "Much of what I do -- the jobs I take -- are about rescue. Most of the ex-fil I do is retrieving kidnap victims or hostages." He smirks slightly, "The days when I did jobs where ex-fil meant kidnapping are behind me now. I like retrieving information and objects. A lot of that ends up pretty much victimless... or it's returning things to the places they need to be. Plus, I like getting all the pieces moving. I like the challenge of putting together the right team and planning all the steps." As they're speaking, two people arrive and take the necklace from Baird, handling it very carefully. They both keep a hand on the pouch at all times.

Cinnamon looks pleased -- both at the explanation, and the care with which the cursed necklace is handled! "Okay. I'm happy to help with the Arabic job then, Baird." She pauses, watching the two necklace-handlers leaving... then looks curiously at Aisling and Quinn, "So... now what? Do we need to wait here for the 24 hours to pass, or what?"

Baird smiles as Cinnamon agrees to do the job, "Good."

Quinn and Aisling consult quietly before Aisling smiles, "We can, but curses work pretty predictably if you know their parameters. This one is being fulfilled properly. We're safe to leave."

Thorn has been thinking about this since they left Kelly's party. He's very, very glad, of course, that the necklace will be taken care of, now, by its proper owners. He's also glad that Baird won't have to worry about it anymore. He does wonder at one point what might happen to Baird if the necklace is stolen again, but decides not to ask that aloud -- it seems like a bit of a rude question to ask. Then again... sometimes it's good to know stuff. Thorn decides he'll ask anyway, bringing up the topic now rather than later, "Just out of curiosity... what happens if the necklace is stolen again?

Cinnamon thinks about that for a bit... then grins wryly at Thorn, "Then we feel sorry for the next poor sucker! I mean, if the curse is lifted off Baird, he'll be able to feel it, I'm guessing. If nothing else, he'll be able to walk along Coblyn without feeling like a duck in a shooting gallery! So if the curse is gone... then it has to be back with the necklace itself, or something like that, right? We brought it here so the curse would be lifted off Baird, too. That's what Aisling said we needed to do." She leans back against Shane and yawns tiredly, then smiles at her companions, "I think we did good, from the sound of things! So, Quinn... are we flying back to your trod, or what? Are you letting the Valkyrie pack run on your land again for the three full moon nights starting day after tomorrow night? Do you have a more sturdy door now on that farthest-away room? If you do, I'm happy to make sure Fraser-wolf stays in there over the nights."

She pauses, considering a few more moments... then adds a bit sheepishly, "Also, umm... is it okay if I ask for some food, if we're going back to your trod?" More animatedly she adds, "Oh! Also, we have tomorrow free, right? So, umm... might the pookah herd be willing to let me -- er, all of us, I mean? -- watch them playing for a bit?" She grins as she adds, "That'll mean we start back for Boston in... five days! Does that sound right to you all?" She giggles at a sudden thought, glancing at Baird and Keiko, "So does Baird have an alias for Coblyn yet, Keiko, or is he still your protected guest while there?" She grins cheerfully at Baird as she adds, "I noticed you didn't sign in to the supernaturals log book at the Galway hostel, after all! What did you think of that book? Isn't it neat?" With sleepy curiosity and a complete lack of realization at how fast her brain goes sometimes, Cinnamon then adds to Quinn, "Do you penpal with Shane's mom too?"

Aisling smiles, "Someone here will take official ownership of the necklace, actually. There are sidhe for whom their knack is either luck or resistance to curses. I don't know which one the person here is."

Quinn also smiles, "The Valkyrie pack are welcome to run the trod territory with oversight, just as before. We've reinforced a room since we realized there might be use for, uhm..." He thinks a moment, as if considering how to put things delicately -- then decides to just lay things out, "We reinforced a room with iron and silver strips on the door, soaked in holy water infused with wolfsbane. I don't like that I essentially have a jail cell in my trod, but I would rather have a place to hold someone who might be a danger to my people." His lips twitch and his eyes twinkle at the question about being a pen pal, "I write to me Janet, but it's not exactly a pen pal situation, lass."

Aisling leans over to murmur into Cinnamon's ear, "What he means is that you write her chatty, friendly letters, and he writes her love letters that would make your head explode in parts."

Cinnamon nods gravely to Quinn, "Totally get it, dude! Hilde's holt had something like that too. Apparently if the winters are long enough, people can get a little crazy, y'know? So... I agree with you: better to have something just in case, than not -- when you really need it!" Then she blinks at Aisling and nods, "Well, of course any letters he writes would be love letters! I was just wondering if he did." She turns her sleepy, heartfelt, and genuine smile to Quinn, "I'm glad you do!" Maybe for just a heartbeat or two of that completely unwitting smile, Quinn might see a bit of what his son sees in the little dragon.

Quinn chuckles quietly, "As for the food, Eirich would be scandalized if you thought he wouldn't feed you properly for flying us all home! I'd never hear the end of it... and the only issue with watching pookahs at play is they might try to steal you away with them." His eyes glint with mischief. He can see why Shane would be bewitched with the lass's smile.

Cinnamon laughs at that! "Oh, I know better than to try getting on a horse again! But I'll be sure to thank Eirich." She sighs and smiles in relief as she adds, "He makes such good food -- and enough of it, too! He's like Alfred, that way. They're both awesome."

Baird considers before replying to Cinnamon's earlier query, "Well, Baird isn't, strictly speaking, the name I was born with. It's just a name I've used so long that it's me." Cinnamon tilts her head curiously... that's not actually what she asked him. Hmm... could he be trying to dodge the question, perhaps? The merc continues, "So I suppose I could register that as my alias. No need to make you lot have to remember something different. As for the logbook, I think it wise to keep two sets of books." His scarred smile broadens, "Any wise person that works outside the limits of the law usually does."

Cinnamon smiles relaxedly at that... then glances at Aisling, "So if we can leave now... can we go? I'm starting to get hungry again...?" Aisling nods, and they make their goodbyes. The Apple trod is remarkably calm about their visitors; it's almost like a convent or monastery of sorts.

The flight back to Rowan goes quite easily, since it's the home trod of three of the people present. They're easily able to navigate without GPS, once they're in the general vicinity. Cinnamon is enormously pleased at how well things are going! She sings cheerfully, with Shane and anyone else who wishes, for the less than ten minute flight... though she does need some help walking across the snow to the trod entrance, once she's changed shape again. She's careful to keep the train of her gorgeous dress up out of the snow, of course... but her balance as a human is not the best! She wonders a bit excitedly, as she nearly glides into the trod, if the Valkyrie pack are there already. She kind of hopes so -- she's never felt so pretty and accomplished in her entire life! She beams up at Shane, walking next to her, "Do you know if Captain Arvid and everyone are here already?" She also wonders, though with considerably less interest, if Marcus will make it back to the Valkyrie in time to sail back with them. He's going to have to, if he's going to host this next Council meeting -- that, or take an airplane flight, she thinks?

Shane has his arm around Cinnamon's waist, ostensibly to help her through the snow. It's partially that, of course, because he doesn't lie, but it's also because it's an excuse to snuggle her against his side. "They should be, yeah."

Just about then, a tall, familiar form comes loping out of the trod entrance, grinning, "Ahh. Back safely, I see?" Fraser looks his fellow Scotsman over, "And how are you feeling?"

Baird chuckles, "Well, let's say that I'm no longer as worried about spilling salt or walking under ladders."

Cinnamon beams and waves, "Hi, Fraser! We had a wonderful time!" She calculates quickly in her head: Fraser has two days left before full moon, so if he says she looks nice... then she can believe him -- because Shane said so too!

Fraser's eyes drink in everyone in the group and he smiles an extremely toothy smile. It may not be the full moon yet, so he's not full-on Id, but he's definitely feeling mischievous, "I'd have a wonderful time as well, lass, if I had all of you for scenery all night." His grin spreads quite wide as he looks Shane directly in the eye, "Especially from that vantage point." He tips his head toward the trod entrance, "Everyone's inside getting ready for the sabbat. I'm almost sad I'll miss it."

Cinnamon laughs! "You're sweet, Fraser -- thank you!" She has (probably fortunately) completely missed Fraser's meaning to Shane. She thinks he means as her escort! She continues walking in with Shane, murmuring to him, "What's a sabbat, Shaney? I thought that was... like a Jewish thing, or something?"

Shane just rolls his eyes at Fraser's implication that all of the men are well taller than the women, and the dresses' bodices are all built to maximize the women's assets. "He's talking about the full moon celebration, acushla -- you've attended one before. But they're at night on the full moon, and we're not letting Fraser anywhere near it."

Cinnamon laughs again at that! "Okay, I completely get that, yeah!" She smiles, glancing down at her amazing dress as she adds, "Can I... maybe change clothes first, before food? I don't want to mess this beautiful thing up at all -- I'm almost tempted to frame it, it's so gorgeous!"

Quinn smiles, "Of course you may, lass. You're set up with a room next to me lad's." His amber eyes are glinting, "Shane can show you the way. You can get changed and I'll have Eirich bring you food. Do you want it in your room or shall we all gather in one of the dining halls?"

Cinnamon glances uncertainly between Quinn and Shane -- she's not sure what the proper thing to do here is! Maybe Shane will... like, subtly indicate the right choice? Thorn comments, "I think it'd be nice if we ate together. It's kind of late, but it'd be good to reflect on what we've done together."

Cinnamon brightens at that, "Oh, okay! Sounds like fun, Thorny!" She beams at her friend, "Give me just a few minutes to change clothes, please?" then glows happily up at Shane, "So where are our rooms, then? Are we close to where Fraser will be closeted during the full moon?"

Shane nods, "Let's meet in the west dining hall."

Quinn agrees: "That works -- it's just about the right size for us and the Havvarger. Aisling, we've got Baird, Keiko, and Thorn on the corridor with you."

Aisling's eyes twinkle, "Let's all go get a bit cleaned up and dressed down, then."

About ten or fifteen minutes later -- mostly occupied with very carefully removing and packing the glorious new dress! -- Cinnamon comes pattering out into the hallway. She hopes she hasn't kept everyone else waiting! Her tummy is rumbling by now too, which she embarrassedly hopes no one else can hear... well, except Aisling, of course. Shane is waiting for Cinnamon, leaning on the wall between her door and his. The doors are perhaps four feet apart; Quinn hadn't been joking about her being near Shane. The half-beansidhe is back in his normal street-going rig, looking much more comfy. Cinnamon brightens at sight of Shane, "Oh! Hi there! Um... I hope you weren't waiting long?" She's wearing her ubiquitous jeans, her comfy red aran jumper, and her pretty beaded Mongolian indoor boots. Her scarlet hair is no longer upswept, but just hastily pulled back in a short ponytail. She's rather pleased to apparently be on the same corridor as all her friends -- which she must be, since here's Shane! It hasn't occurred to her at all that there's any meaning in her room's placement, other than a kind attempt to ensure she doesn't feel left out again. She's yet to realize Shane is the only one of her friends present.

In fact, everyone else is housed on the other corridor, where Aisling is playing mother duck and rounding folks up to head off to a very late dinner at the smaller dining hall -- a room with one big table that looks like it would fit twenty or so people. Thorn has dressed down from the tuxedo to far more casual street-clothing, and the prospect of food has woken him up a bit more.

Back in the protectors' hallway, Shane slings his arm around Cinnamon's shoulder and smiles, "You look much more comfortable."

Cinnamon smiles shyly up at Shane, "More comfy, yeah, though..." she sighs happily, her eyes glowing off into the distance, "wasn't it a truly gorgeous dress, Shaney?"

Shane's smile gets fond, "It looked absolutely glorious on you, acushla." He gives her a gentle squeeze as he starts guiding her through the labyrinthine tunnels of the trod toward the dining hall.

Cinnamon glances around a moment later, looking a bit perplexed. Are she and Shane the only ones on this corrid- oh! Of course: the room for Fraser must be nearby. Quinn's just making sure Fraser doesn't keep folks awake then, obviously. Though... she looks up at Shane a bit worriedly, "Are you going to be able to sleep, this close to Fraser's full moon room? I mean, I can try my best to keep him quiet, but... he might still be kinda noisy?"

Shane smiles wryly, "Uhm, Fraser's room is in a different area of the trod, acushla. It's new-built, with soundproofing and the new door. Quinn apparently thought you and I would like to be near one another when you weren't babysitting."

Cinnamon blinks up at Shane... then glances around the nearly empty hallway. Quinn... is isolating Shane away from his friends? That seems... kind of... well, mean? She looks up at Shane again, her voice quiet, "I'm so sorry, Shaney, that your dad seems to think you or I need isolating away from everyone else. If you want, I'll ask him to put you into the hallway with all our friends instead, okay?" She suddenly remembers the... oddly unpleasant conversation Shane and Aisling and she had been having, before she managed to cut it off, in the carriage on the way home. Oh... no... is Shane getting treated badly, because of her gullibility, in his own home trod?!

Shane laughs quietly and shakes his head, pointing back down the hallway, "There are several occupied rooms down that way. This is essentially the wing where the protectors live. The room I'm in really is my room -- the one I lived in when I lived here. He isn't isolating me -- he's putting me near my favorite person in the world, acushla."

Cinnamon looks a bit confused... but just shakes her head once, "Um... okay. Actually... hey, Shane? Would you, umm... w-would you be willing to come with me while I ask Aisling a question, later? In private -- not at dinner?"

Shane nods, brows drawing together, "Of course."

A few moments later Cinnamon looks around as they enter the dining hall, "Oh! I remember this one -- it's the one we were in, the day that Spice punched full moon human Fraser in the- er..." She blushes, cutting off with embarrassment -- then, a heartbeat later, she sniffs and exclaims, "Ooh, yummy -- food!" She grins and waves as she spots Thorn and everyone else, across the room, "Hi, Thorny! Hi, everyone! Let's eat!" Thorn wave cheerfully to Cinnamon as he hears her, smiling.

Shane's lips twitch, "Indeed it was." The table is simply piled with food. There's really enough there to feel feed three of post-dragon Cinnamon plus everyone else twice over. The little dragon happily digs in -- she really is hungry, after all -- and quietly savors the sort of homey feeling she gets sometimes in Rowan. She also listens to people talking as she eats, though she whispers to Shane at one point, "Do we have to go someplace special to see the pookah herd?"

Shane murmurs back, "There's a clearing they like to frequent we could go visit."

Fraser is leaning back in his chair so the front legs lift off the floor, as he rumbles, "I've looked at that room, Quinn -- it's secure as all fuck. I got a foot from the door and started itching. How do you people even touch the damned thing?"

Quinn smirks back, "Carefully."

Baird actually laughs at that, "Guess it's good you have people here this time that are allergic to neither silver nor iron."

Keiko adds, "Nor holy water nor wolfsbane."

Cinnamon nods to Shane, chewing quickly... and when she swallows, she beams at him, "Would you be willing to show me the way, please?" She blinks a moment later, distracted by the conversation going on around her... then leans to whisper to Shane again, "Can you show me tonight where the special room is too, please?"

Shane nods at that as well, "I'll show you the clearing tomorrow and the room tonight. You should all know where it is, actually. I looked at it, and Fraser isn't kidding. I'm not sure even he could break through it, even if it weren't silver-and-iron-reinforced."

Because wolves have hearing that's scary-good, Fraser hears and replies amusedly, "That's because it's less a fuckin' door and more a foot-thick section of wall on reinforced hinges!"

Cinnamon looks pleased, "Oh, good! Okay, yeah -- that'll be a relief!" She grins cheerfully at Fraser as she adds -- without a whit of awareness of the potential innuendo, "Maybe we can talk Quinn into making it soundproof too, sometime -- like the one in the Icelandic holt! That was really helpful for everyone else, I think, maybe?"

Quinn smirks again, "It is soundproof -- that's part of why the door is so thick. It's lined with cork, as are the walls."

Cinnamon brightens at that, "Really? Oh, awesomesauce! Thank you so much, Quinn!" She beams at Fraser, "Now it won't matter if you howl -- yay!"

Fraser grins, "I tested it."

Arvid rolls his eyes, "Oh, j�... stepped in, had the poor man showing it to us close the door and keep it closed for five minutes... and when he opened it back up, near split my eardrums!"

Cinnamon giggles at that! She eats quickly and tidily, her bright-eyed gaze flicking around the room as she follows the conversation... but mostly she's thinking that bed is sounding more and more nice. It's been a long, emotional day full of physical activity, after all, and it's now well after midnight as it is... so once she knows how to find the new room, she thinks she may just curl up in her cozy little room and snooze. She wants to be alert and awake to see the pookahs tomorrow! Everyone else around the table is also eating and chatting, though eventually they too begin looking sleepy. Baird is the first to excuse himself, "The adrenaline high of no longer having to worry I'm going to die of simply breathing has me knackered."

Cinnamon giggles at that too! Before he heads out with Keiko for the night, the little dragon will give him a warm hug, "I'm so glad you're going to be all better, Bairdy!" Baird arches a brow at the nickname and rolls his eyes amusedly, but doesn't say anything -- he just offers his arm to his lady as people begin scattering to their various beds. Cinnamon turns next to Shane, still smiling, "Okay! Let's see that room... and then I think I'm really sleepy too, honestly."

Shane nods and looks at Thorn, "Want to come along?"

Cinnamon nods approvingly, "Good idea! Always smart for the healer to know where to find folks."

Thorn thinks for a moment, then nods as he stands, smiling to Shane, "Sure, please!"

Quinn goes with them, but Shane's the one that leads the way. They wind down a newly-dug tunnel. It's well-made and solid, and the lighting is good -- it's not like they're in a dungeon; it's just somewhat away from the rest of the trod. The room they come to has a solid door, with what looks like both a solid lock and the supports necessary to lock a bar into place across it. Indeed, the bar itself seems to be the size of a railroad cross-tie! When Shane opens the door everyone can see what Fraser meant by the door being more like an extended section of wall -- it really is a foot thick, and has complex hinges.

Thorn blinks in surprise. Well, it's definitely soundproof, that's for certain! Cinnamon hmms thoughtfully as she studies the door and frame closely, running her hands all over them but about two inches or so away, so she doesn't actually touch. She's checking for anything that feels off at all -- it's the only way she can help here, short of helping incarcerate Fraser. Hopefully she won't feel any weak or thin spots in the metal, though! She senses the metals are solid and thick all the way through: iron, silver, and (in small places) gold -- all strapped around the door in an overlapping diamond pattern that has not quite enough space in the diamonds for a grown man to put a hand flat anywhere on it without touching at least part of the metals. Inside the room are two sturdy, comfortable beds; two washstands; and a smaller door. There's good lighting as well, which ensures that the room doesn't feel at all dungeon-like.

Thorn guesses the smaller door is to a fresher or water closet. Cinnamon looks up, after several slow minutes of examination, with a pleased smile, "This is really well-made, you guys! I can't tell anything about wood, of course, but all the metal feels really strong and solid!" She patters over to the other door, adding, "Is this a bathroom?" She giggles at the thought that prisoners here are the only folks in the trod with indoor plumbing! Well, maybe it's just a nice closet for privacy while, um, relieving oneself -- like in the other rooms?

Quinn chuckles, "Nothing quite so grand as you might be thinking, lass. It's a water closet with a small composting toilet that has to be carried out. Someone pointed out that if you're needing to confine someone, the very best way in the world for them to make an escape is in visiting the loo."

Cinnamon peeks into the room, glancing around before she backs out again and closes the door. She nods to Quinn, "Good point!" She looks around thoughtfully, hands on her hips for a moment... then smiles back at the others, "This is the comfiest locked room I've seen in a while, Quinn. I know you're not thrilled about a, um... what did you call it? -- a jail cell in your trod, but... well, as someone who may be spending time in it, I'd consider this something to be proud of, kinda?"

Quinn chuckles, "No, I'm not best pleased to have this here, but it's a necessity after what happened last time with Fraser -- as well as what went down with Holly." He shrugs and, perhaps for the first time Cinnamon and Thorn have seen, he looks a little tired, "And now, to bed." He claps a hand each on Thorn's and Shane's shoulders, "Let's let the lass get her beauty sleep."

Cinnamon grins at 'beauty sleep' -- clearly Quinn is teasing her again! As she patters out of the room so Quinn can lock it up again, she asks hopefully, "But things are getting better with Holly now, from what I've heard... right? I mean, the folks in France were already imitating you and holding moots as well, the last time we were there!"

Quinn nods, "Oh, aye. Things are amazing with Holly. But we were unprepared for last time. We won't be this time."

Cinnamon smiles up at the tall man, reassuringly patting his arm, "You're making things better, Quinn -- that's an awesome thing, I think!"

Shane smiles quietly, "It's in our blood, acushla. Protection, I mean."

Quinn chuckles, "Well, we do seem to be a very protective lot, even if we also seem to be a fairly straight-line lineage."

Cinnamon beams delightedly between father and son, "Paladins! That's what Elias says you are!" She gives Quinn a quick, impulsive hug -- then whirls and nearly darts off towards her room, "Okay thank you so much see you all tomorrow sweet dreams maybe we'll get to see the pookahs g'night!"

Shane watches her go, then looks at Quinn and Thorn, "Yes, she's really that sweet and naive, da. I think she was worried I was being punished by being isolated... what with you bein' about as fucking subtle as a rockslide with trying to throw us together. If it weren't obvious that there are plenty of available rooms, you'd probably have tried to bunk her in with me, claiming there were no other free beds."

He smirks, and the older beansidhe shrugs, "Yer mum wants grandchildren one day before she passes onto the summerlands, lad. I'm just doing me best to accommodate me lovely lass."

The next morning before Shane taps on Cinnamon's door (right next to his own), he heads through the labyrinthine hallways of Rowanstrod to knock on Thorn's door first -- to see if the medic wants to accompany them to the clearing to watch the pookahs. The healer does indeed want to see the pookahs! Not only is he curious about them, but he'd also like to check to see if they have special medical needs... so he makes sure he has his encrypted notebook with him. Shane next leads Thorn back through the many hallways to the little room next to his own, where he knocks on Cinnamon's door and calls, "Good morning!"

Cinnamon opens the door with part of her braid in her free hand, and her hair tie between her teeth. She grins up at Shane as she continues the braid and ties it off, "Morning, Shaney! -and Thorny! Are we going pookah hunting today, maybe?" She flips the finished short braid back over her shoulder, and looks wry, "Okay, that came out wrong, I think. Let's do breakfast, and I'll try again -- how's that?" She laughs, grabbing her rain jacket before she comes out of the room, and patters along the hallway with her friends, "We've got today and tomorrow before the full moon nights, so if we're lucky we'll spot them, right? Plus the Valkyrie pack will get to go running too -- bet they're excited as well!"

Shane squeezes Cinnamon in a hug, and laughs quietly, "Yes, that might be taken wrong! We definitely don't want to hunt them. That's been forbidden for centuries."

Cinnamon eats a big, tasty breakfast with her friends, and then is almost bouncy with excitement, "So how far away is this clearing? Do we need backpacks and snacks and drinks and stuff? Do we have to hide so they're not uncomfortable, or can we just sit and wait for them? Ooh, blankets! Will we need some to stay warm while we wait...?"

Shane passes Cinnamon a wrapped package of food; he has one for Thorn as well, "Eirich doesn't want us getting hungry."

Thorn brightens, accepting the package, "Oh, that's very kind of him!"

Cinnamon happily gets her bag, then tucks the package into it, "That's so nice of him! We'll have to thank him later." As she's pattering out with Shane and Thorn, she's cheerfully burbling, "I got some jerky snacks in my bag too, and some bottled water, along with the change of clothes and lappy and cell phone and stuff that I usually carry!"

Shane nods, "Don't take pictures of them. I know I probably don't have to tell you that, but they look... odd on camera."

Cinnamon looks intrigued, "Odd how? Cool! Okay, I won't try photos!"

Thorn tilts his head to the side. "How so?"

Shane considers, "Well... okay, first tell me what you saw when you looked at them last night."

Thorn replies, "Horses, I thought."

Cinnamon thinks a moment, then replies, "Large black horses -- very shiny! They all tended to move really smoothly together, too... like a flock of birds more than a herd of horses, if that makes sense? Also the driver didn't steer at all, which is what cued me in to them being sapient?"

Shane nods, "Okay. Now tell me if you've ever had reason to fly out of Denver."

Cinnamon laughs! "Oh, I've seen that statue on wikipedia -- Blucifer, right?"

Thorn opens his mouth... then closes it, "Oh. Blucifer."

Shane nods, "Yeah. At night, the eyes on that thing light up red. Pookahs aren't really horses. To a mortal eye, working on your mind, you see normal horses. But cameras aren't mortal eyes or minds, so they look slightly wrong -- and by slightly, I mean disconcertingly wrong. Their coats are actually more a deep royal purple, and their eyes are a fiery red."

Cinnamon blinks slowly, pushing her glasses up, "So they were glowing red! I thought that was just an optical illusion from the lights behind us!" She grins at her friends, "How very cool! Ooh, do they have... what was it in that story... oh! Do they have pond plants tangled in their manes and tails, and wide, web-like hooves too?! -and dripping wet! Are they shiny-wet too?!"

Shane raises his brows, "I think you might be thinking of kelpies, acushla. No, the pookahs don't look wet -- they just look unearthly. It might sound pretty when I'm describing it, but it can sorta make your hair stand on end."

Cinnamon considers for a few seconds, reviewing her readings... then nods, "Oops! You're right, Shaney -- that's kelpies, not pookahs." She grins excitedly, "Well, even if our hair all stands on end, I think it'll be a thrill to see?"

Shane chuckles, "I meant if you saw their true appearance." He rubs a hand over his face, "Saoirse helped me see it once." He shivers, then adds, "Once I got used to it, it was cool -- but at first?" He shakes his head, then grins, "Okay, let's go!" Cinnamon nods interestedly at Shane's words, and follows along eagerly. She's becoming more and more curious: why did Saoirse have to help Shane see? Perhaps a bit more worryingly... is she scary too like that, when people first see her? She hadn't thought so, but... hmm. She's going to have to watch more carefully, next time she's around someone new, as a dragon.

The hike is a relatively easy one, though they travel for quite a while before Shane warns them that they're coming to the clearing. In fact, it's just a few minute afterward that they hear the sound of something that might be whinnying... or maybe the wind? Cinnamon brightens excitedly, "Ooh, did you guys hear that?! Is that them?"

Thorn perks his ears a bit, "Huh, I think that might be them. Their voices on the wind?" Cinnamon speeds up a bit, hoping to catch a peek of the pookahs!

Shane nods and smiles, "Their voices do sound like the wind, actually." He leads them forward more slowly, "We don't want to startle them." As they move toward a break in the trees, they find not just a clearing... but a largish forest meadow -- filled with the herd of pookahs. It's not just those they saw last night, but also includes a handful more, all wheeling and running about -- almost dancing together, in a way.

Cinnamon ooohs softly in delight, her eyes wide behind the glasses. She watches in awe, whispering to her friends, "They're so... so beautiful!"

In the daylight the pookahs' coats sheen blue-black, with the occasional white blazes and/or white sock. They look like nothing so much as beautiful (if also slightly large) horses... except they move a little too gracefully to be the heavy Shire horses they most resemble. The herd races exuberantly about in circles sometimes, and at other times seem to almost bounce around each other. It's almost hypnotic, the way they smoothly and organically break into smaller groups, then reform into the whole herd. Their pleasure is such that it appears to take some little time before a couple of them notice they're being watched, and break away from the herd to trot in the direction of the visitors. Cinnamon just stands there silently, hands clasped under her chin as she nearly drinks in how beautiful and graceful the supernatural 'horses' are. Riding, and being close to real horses may scare her... but she can still appreciate their incredible aesthetic elegance! She grins and gives a small, shy wave as two of the pookahs approach.

One of the pookahs trots up to Shane and nuzzles at the young half-beansidhe's chest, making him chuckle. The creature stands about 18 hands, but the nudge doesn't even sway Shane on his feet. Instead, the beansidhe reaches carefully to lay his hand on the pookah's nose. The other, smaller pookah moves toward Cinnamon and Thorn. This one is maybe 14 hands, and built a little more sleekly. The tail flicks and twitches as the pookah snuffles near them. Cinnamon's eyes get really wide at that! She very cautiously starts to reach out a hand -- palm up so she doesn't look like she's grabbing at him -- or her, actually... Cinnamon doesn't know how to tell sex on a horse! -- and softly breathes, "H-hi..."

Shane glances over, voice low, "I think she likes you both." The smaller pookah bumps her nose against Cinnamon's hand, then against Thorn's chest. Even the gentle bump somehow feels like it could knock someone over, though, if the pookah wasn't being careful. Thorn is outwardly calm; inwardly he's feeling a little cautious! The pookahs are a bit too gracefully unearthly for him to feel completely comfortable. But Cinnamon is entranced by them, and she's a tough dragon. So long as she doesn't jump on one's back for a ride, she'll be fine... right? Thorn smiles at that thought, and gently strokes along the pookah's jaw line.

Cinnamon grins at Shane for an instant -- and then her fascinated, slightly wary gaze returns immediately to the pookah. She reaches out carefully again, this time to lightly touch the soft skin of the long nose, and whispers, "Hi... I'm Cinnamon. What's your name?"

The pookah snorts, but there's no speech. She just lips Cinnamon's hand... then raises her head to do the same to the little dragon's hair. Shane's voice is still quiet as he carefully moves his hand to stroke the bigger pookah's nose, "They don't really speak any kind of human tongue in this form." As they're talking, a small form breaks off from the herd and trots over to bump up against the small pookah that's getting to know Cinnamon and Thorn. The foal's eyes are large, a little too large for its face -- which gives him a perpetually startled look.

Cinnamon looks awed, "Ooh, is that your baby? They're very handsome!" She holds a hand out to the foal as well, her voice staying low and friendly, "Hi there, pretty baby pookah!" The foal prances as proudly as if it can understand the praise, tail and head up as it snuffles at the new people.

Shane mutters amusedly, "Why do I get the feeling Big Poppa here is making sure I stay put while you two get checked out by momma and baby?"

Cinnamon gives Shane a puzzled look, "Why would he do that? You wouldn't hurt them!" She grins at the bouncy foal, adding, "Aren't you a pretty one? Look at you dance!"

Shane chuckles, "No, I wouldn't, but I'm the one that showed up strapped." Indeed, Shane wears two different swords, as well as a bow and arrow, and whatever smaller knives he normally carries. The foal does a happy little bounce-buck while the stallion does indeed move slightly between Shane and the others. He's not being aggressive, just... gently on guard.

Cinnamon blinks thoughtfully at Shane, then looks at the stallion... then at the mare and foal. She steps politely back once, then says to the stallion, "Um... you do know I'm a dragon, right? So... is it still okay to touch?"

The stallion snuffles a little at Cinnamon... then seems to be fine with her petting. Shane murmurs, "Steel. One of my swords is steel, acushla... and I think reaching for it might be a bad idea."

Cinnamon grins happily at the stallion, "Well... thank you, then, I think?" She nods to Shane, "So pookahs are like sidhe, in that way?" Simultaneously (if the mare allows) the little dragon reaches out to gently scritch along the underside of the lower jaw. She's heard horses like that, so... maybe pookahs do too? The little foal prances happily in place, tossing in the occasional baby squeal or tiny buck, while the mare inspects Thorn by snuffling at his clothes and the notebook. Thorn holds himself very still as he's inspected and apparently found not wanting -- he hopes! The examination -- as well as the colt's playfulness -- goes on for some unknown time before the little foal is distracted by something. He wheels away with a tiny snort, quickly followed by the mare. Only once the other two are safely away does the stallion follow. Cinnamon sighs happily as she watches, "They're so pretty!" She remembers Shane's commentary on how the pookahs really look, and curiously squints in an effort to see if she can spot the alienness. Maybe... with one of her different vision types?

Cinnamon's vision types don't seem to make any difference in how she perceives the pookahs; she hmms thoughtfully. If she can't simply feel or see the difference... then maybe it's a... well, more of a glamour type thing? Like, affecting the mind? Thorn nods, watching the little family canter away together. "They really are," he says quietly.

It's as the three young people are hiking back towards the trod that Cinnamon has some time to think, before she asks Shane to go with her to talk to Aisling. The little dragon is very sure that, while she doesn't want to upset anyone, she does very much want to know what's going on with the beansidhe woman! After all, the little dragon had believed Ash when the beansidhe told her how to act in order to keep Kelly off guard -- and that had indeed occurred! But Shane (who doesn't lie) seems to feel there was more to it than that, somehow... and as she worries over this, Cinnamon is unpleasantly reminded of when Aisling and Quinn were whispering and laughing quietly together in the carriage, on the way to Kelly's home. At best, they'd been looking at her and Shane, but at worst... no. Cinnamon shakes herself hard: she is not going to borrow trouble here! It could all be perfectly innocent, after all.

Consequently, Cinnamon thinks having only she, Shane, and Thorn present is a good time for her to check some things... so she (somewhat breathlessly, from hiking) asks Shane, "So, Shaney... you know those things that Aisling suggested I say and do, at Kelly's dinner, that would help me stay calm and focused, and would keep him distracted? So... did any of those things I did have, say, more than one meaning? -and, um... could everyone else tell that too?"

Shane takes a deep breath and presses his hand over his lower face; the only way to get around this is not to say anything at all. He closes his eyes, then replies, "Yes, acushla, several of those things could have had other meanings or effects." Cinnamon watches Shane with perplexed interest -- why's he covering his mouth? Nevertheless, she continues walking along and waiting for the answer to the last question as well. Shane slides his arm around Cinnamon's shoulder and leans down to kiss the top of her head before continuing, "Okay, first I'm going to preface this with saying that no one, and I mean no one, was laughing at you, okay? Because I know how you think, a ghr�. If she didn't tell you what else these things would do, it was because she knows you're shy, hear me?"

Cinnamon gives Shane a wry smile, since she saw people snickering together. Still, it's quite possible Shane didn't see them... so she just murmurs, "So... that means yes, everyone else knew it too?"

Shane says carefully, "I don't know if everyone else knew Ash had given you hints." He closes his eyes because he's going to give Aisling such a tongue-lashing for not warning Cinnamon! "Let me... demonstrate at least one of those things. I'm not sure it'll have the same effect." He's actually rather sure it will have a similar effect. "Imagine I've handed you a necklace and asked you to help me put it on, okay?" Cinnamon nods curiously. Shane nods again, and steps forward. He's not got his hair in a braid -- just a ponytail -- so he takes the tie out, goes down to one knee in front of Cinnamon, lifts his hair up off his neck and tips his head forward, and imitates the gesture she made when inviting Kelly to fasten the cursed necklace around her neck.

Cinnamon blinks startledly and takes a hasty step back, "Wh-what are you doing, Shaney?!" Mentally, though, she's yelling at herself -- he is not proposing good golly what is wrong with her that she'd even think of something so stupidly inappropriate?!

Shane looks over his shoulder, since he's facing away from her, and drops his hair -- he thinks she missed what he was doing. He smiles quietly, "Demonstrating. This is what you did when Kelly was putting the necklace on you. Watch these gestures and pay attention to how you feel and react to them, okay, acushla?" His voice is gentle, "Remember, we're pretending that I've just asked you to fasten a necklace around my neck..." He turns his head away again and repeats the gesture and the posture, lifting the long, raven-black waterfall of his hair off his neck with one hand. He repeats the delicate, graceful caress along his neck which Aisling coached Cinnamon to use when Kelly put the cursed artifact on.

Cinnamon takes a deep breath as she almost stares at Shane, thinking madly: [Get a grip, girl! Pay attention to what he's doing -- it's nothing ba- I mean, it's not, uhh... he's not... oh, crabcakes, he's not even facing you! There's no way someone like him would be interested in you 'that' way! He's a friend -- that's all! He... oh, fudge, what am I supposed to do here?! What's he... argh, I am so confused!] She darts a panicked glance at Thorn -- maybe she can tell what the right response here is, from his reaction?! Thorn is watching calmly, without any amusement showing. He knows Cinnamon is looking for a cue from him, but he isn't sure what to say or do. He pantomimes putting on a necklace, hoping he's doing it well enough. Cinnamon gives him a shaky, relieved smile -- then turns and jerkily repeats the pantomime with Shane, "L-like th-th-this?"

Shane smiles, taking a deep breath -- because that makes him react exactly as it was meant to. He rises and gets face-to-face with Cinnamon, "You did it perfectly at the castle, acushla. Here... let's try it again." He unties the simple cord necklace he wears and hands it to Cinnamon, "Remember how Aisling told you to do that stroking gesture when Kelly was going to put the necklace on you?"

Cinnamon is getting even more confused and unhappy -- is Shane really saying Kelly thought she was proposing?! That simply cannot be right! She automatically accepts the necklace she's handed, staring down at it in her hands for a few heartbeats... then looks up at Shane and shakes her head bemusedly, "Shaney, what... I don't... where are we going with this, please?"

Shane stays standing this time, "I'm trying to demonstrate rather than just tell you what those gestures conveyed. I'm going to do this one more time. Watch my hands. Don't think too hard." He leans down against her ear and murmurs, "It's not a test, acushla. Just breathe and feel." Then he straightens, "Okay. I want you to put that necklace on me." He turns his back to her, tips his head down slightly, and slowly lifts his hair up and out of the way, making sure to let it whisper along his arms and hands... then uses his free hand to stroke along his neck, imitating the gesture Cinnamon used that was meant to draw attention to her neck and throat. He keeps his voice low and almost intimate, "Will you fasten that for me, please?"

Cinnamon doesn't move at all -- she's feeling flushed and unhappy and deeply uncertain -- and her voice unintentionally quavers a little, "Sh-shaney, I... I d-don't want to p-play this game... please? I... I'd rather you just told me...?" She isn't sure why Shane seems to be almost... teasing her with his hair? Hers had been pinned up, after all, and he's never said anything about loving to play with her hair, that she can recall. Has she blurted out more than she meant to, at some point? Was it during the storm, on the Valkyrie?

Shane nods and turns around, gently taking the necklace back, "Acushla, putting a necklace on for someone can be quite a flirtatious thing to do... and people find the neck to be somewhat erogenous. That way she had you stroke your neck?" He takes a deep breath and mutters, "I'm so going to give Ash a piece of my mind for not telling you this beforehand. I thought you knew..." Then he says more gently, "The way your stroked your neck? It was meant to invoke the idea of kissing your neck."

Cinnamon draws in her breath sharply, almost jerking back as her eyes widen in horror, staring up at Shane -- and then she whirls and starts heading back for the trod as fast as she can walk. Her mittened hands are up to her flushed cheeks, and she's feeling choked up and hurt and horrified. Why would Aisling do that to her -- oh, god, they all saw her doing it, too! Does Shane now think she's... she's a -- a hussy or something?! Good golly, she needs... she needs to get to her room and hide for a bit -- to cool down and to calm down and figure out what to do! Yes, that's what she should do -- oh, good: tonight, no one will bother her because she'll be with Fraser-wolf. They can laugh all they want -- but they won't come near or bother her with him around! She walks as fast as she can the whole way back to the trod -- and once she's there, she heads straight for her room, carefully not looking left or right, or seeming to notice anyone who might greet her. She desperately wants to get out of sight for a bit!

Back on the trail, Shane puts a hand over his face and (once Cinnamon is a little bit out of sight) vents a string of curses that would make a Havvarger proud. He regulates his language in what Janet would term "mixed company," but he does, of course, know all the words! Once he's done, he gives Thorn a tired look, "If I were one to exaggerate much, I'd say I was going to strangle Ash... but I know I'm not going to."

Thorn sighs quietly. "I know you're not going to, but... part of me wouldn't blame you." Shane shakes his head in wry agreement, and rolls his eyes.

Once back at the trod, Shane hunts down Aisling -- she's visiting with some old trodmates -- and almost growls at her. It's the most angry several people have ever seen him -- and yet he's still calmer than almost anyone else when furious, "Ash, I thought you explained to Cinnamon what her 'playbook' was, instead of only telling her they were ways to keep herself calm? She asked me while we were out, and when I explained that stroking your neck when someone puts a necklace on you is meant to tempt someone to kiss your neck... she bolted. Again!"

Aisling blinks slowly, then puts a hand over her mouth to (unsuccessfully) hide a smile, "Oh, dear."

Shane rubs his forehead with his fingers, continuing with, "And I'm pretty sure she thinks you did it to make fun of her, so you are currently in my bad books until you make this right."

That actually makes Aisling blink a bit. To her, it was a very mild bit of harmless mischief that would keep Cinnamon from being too anxious to do what needed to be done! "But..."

Shane shakes his head, "No buts. You hurt my acushla. You forced a situation where I either had to lie or embarrass her myself. You fix this." He turns on his heel and walks away.

Cinnamon stays in her room, curled up on her bed under the blankets, and thinking... until it's time for her to go spend the night with Fraser-wolf. She's missed dinner, but she's gotten into the habit of carrying drink and protein in her bag, so she has plenty of jerky and water and other things to nibble, at least. Fortunately for the little dragon, sunset comes early during the winter, so she doesn't have long to wait. She pulls on her nightclothes and slippers... then wraps up the blanket around herself like a hooded cape. After that she peeks out of her room... then starts hastily tiptoeing down the hallways as quietly as she can, headed towards the lockable room.

However, after Shane read her the riot act, Aisling is waiting -- somewhat in ambush -- and catches up with Cinnamon along the way. The little dragon glances curiously sideways to see who's turned up next to her -- then gets a horrified look on her face when she recognizes Aisling. She grabs the front of her clothing, pulling it up just enough that she can run like hell for the lockable room! She's unfortunately not really thinking clearly right now -- she's just panicked and fled. Aisling sighs -- Shane's right. Again -- and mutters to herself, "If I ever meet her family, I'm going to slap them silly!" Ash being Ash, she just might. Also being Ash, she's rather quick on her feet, as she moves toward where she knows Cinnamon is fleeing. The little dragon is not fleet of foot, but she does know the route to the lockable room quite clearly, thanks to her memory. She's chugging determinedly along, panting with nerves... until Aisling easily passes her. At that point, the little dragon slows... then comes to a halt when Aisling is out of sight.

Well... crabcakes. Now what. Cinnamon glances the other way down the hallway -- that way lies her room. But... she was going to keep Fraser-wolf calm tonight. She looks back the other way down the hallway, towards the lockable room. Then again, the room's really very escape-proof... and soundproof too, right! So... technically, at least... Fraser-wolf doesn't really need her there? And... Aisling's going to be there. Cinnamon really doesn't want to be around Aisling just now -- the beansidhe is way too charming at getting her way, for the little dragon's comfort right now! So Cinnamon glances back towards her room... after all, it's not like she's unavailable if Shane needs her, right? She's right next door to his room! With that comforting thought, Cinnamon turns and swiftly patters back to her room -- she'll close and lock the door, and curl up under the covers tonight. That'll be nice! ...and if Shane needs her, he'll knock.

Seconds later, Aisling is waiting at the lockable room as Fraser comes swaggering up. He's already pulling off his shirt as he looks her up and down with a lascivious smirk, "You me celly t'night?" His eyes are almost completely lupine as he teases the beansidhe, deliberately looming over her a bit.

Aisling looks Fraser up and down and just as playfully replies right back, "I would break you!"

That makes him laugh and rumble, "And I'd enjoy it. But why're ye really here, Ash-lass?"

She sighs, "Waiting on Cinnamon. I need to make something right with her... but I think she's avoiding me."

Fraser's grin grows wide and impish, "Oh, I can get her here for ye!" He tosses his shirt into the room, casually stripping off the rest of his clothes as he adds, "This will look... a little painful." It looks more than a little painful! Unlike the "natural" werewolves, Fraser's transformation is meant to hurt. There's snapping bones and rippling skin, tearing tendons and howling -- a lot of howling. Howling that's audible because Fraser is not in the soundproof room yet! Far across the trod and in her room, Cinnamon grumbles quietly to herself at the sound of the howls. Why haven't they shut Fraser-wolf into the room already, sheesh?! She hangs up her robe, crawls under the covers, and pulls her pillow over her head. He'll shut up soon... as soon as the soundproof door is closed on him.

Aisling's eyes widen and she opens her mouth to say she can do it herself -- but Fraser's transformation (painful or not) is too quick for her to stop him. Worse, he's far too large and strong for her to simply manhandle him on her own into the lockable room! Fraser-wolf snarls, his eyes almost glowing in the dim light as he darts down the hallway -- far too fast for Aisling to catch him! She yells after the escaping curse-wolf, "Fraser! Get b... oh, stars and stones!" She races after him, calling out a phrase meant to send the trod to emergency footing -- essentially: 'get to safe spots now!' Once she has the trod going to emergency footing, Aisling zips off in search of Quinn. Fraser's howls echo and ricochet around the various stone hallways, making it hard to track him... and while he's not smart in this form, he's sly -- and he clearly remembers one important thing: 'Get the dragon!'

Far away, Cinnamon is firmly buried under blankets and pillow -- and grumpily wondering what's taking Arvid so long to push Fraser into the darned room! The curse-wolf is actually simply following the little dragon's scent -- and fortunately, no one is foolish enough to get in his way... yet. Were he on a rampage, they'd be in serious trouble, of course... but right now he's focused, so people are able to safely scatter. Arvid and the others are trying to hunt him down, though without much success yet -- they don't know where in the trod he currently is!

Thorn startles at the sound of Fraser's howling echoing through the halls, then sits up with a frown. Hadn't Cinnamon said... wait, she had! She'd been going to spend the night with Fraser -- and now Fraser is howling and running free in the trod. Crap! The healer checks his medical pack for any tranquilizers which can be administered quickly and intramuscularly. Not finding any -- [Am I going to have to pack that sort of thing, going forward?] he wonders -- he instead grabs up the whole kit, readying himself to cautiously poke his head outside. He knows Aisling yelled something -- hopefully for people to find safe hiding places! -- but he'd never live with himself if, for whatever reason, Fraser mauled someone while Thorn wasn't there to potentially heal up the injured. For all he knows, it's Cinnamon who's been mauled -- and that's why Fraser is on the loose!

Mere moments from the initial howling, Cinnamon hears what sounds like a battering ram smash into her door! She frowns at that, lifting the pillow off her head. That... did not sound like Shane knocking at her door! She blinks once and calls with puzzled uncertainty, "Who's there?" A heartbeat later she reaches for her glasses as well. She's not sure what's going on, but she is quite sure she wants to be able to see whatever it is! Hm... better pull on her robe and slippers too, actually, if she has to answer the door...

There's a pounding on Thorn's door as well, though this sounds more like someone hammering in great need. Thorn opens the door, already carrying his medical kit as he gasps, "What's wrong? What happened?"

Shane's there, eyes a little wide, "Fraser -- Fraser happened!" He rolls his eyes, already whirling to head down the hallway as he adds in exasperation, "Actually, Aisling and Fraser happened. Talk later." He darts off, waving for Thorn to follow. The healer hisses softly in worry, and follows Shane at speed.

Back on the corridor where Cinnamon is, there's another tremendous WHAM! against her door, making it shudder in its frame. The little dragon frowns as she's hastily belting her robe, wondering why whomever isn't answering. As she patters quickly to the door, it hits her: could... could Shane have gotten injured or something, and can't talk? But then... wouldn't he knock instead of...? -unless he's so hurt that -- that... by that point in Cinnamon's thoughts, she's worked herself up to such a fever pitch that she nearly yanks the door open, anxiously blurting out, "Wha- eeeep?!" -- because the very instant Cinnamon starts to open the door, a familiar, enormous red-furred body barrels through and slams right into her! Fraser-wolf is galloping at high speed -- he was readying himself to slam into her door again.

Cinnamon yelps in shock, flying back to land hard on the woven-rag carpet -- at which point she goes, "Oof!" and not much else, due to the heavy body on top of her knocking most of the air out of her! She does retain just enough rational thought to grab two handfuls of shaggy red fur, so he won't run away again -- but after that she just heaves and gasps a bit for air. She finally draws in a few complete breaths -- enough that she can wheeze out, "Fraser-wuffie, what are you doing... at my door?!" She shoves and hauls at him so she can sort of pull herself up into a sitting position, as she adds bemusedly, "You're supposed to be at that nice room Quinn had made for you, guy!"

Fraser-wolf is (naturally) entirely unrepentant! He sets right in to wrestling, as Cinnamon's one of the few people he can wrestle with in this form. His savage growling and flashing fangs would terrifying most people, as would the way he's grabbed her arm in his mouth while gently shaking his head. Cinnamon misses all that, however -- instead, she laughs as she grabs one ear to pull herself upright and scramble to her feet, "Are you trying to distract me, Frazey-wuffie? Well, it's not gonna work, I'm afraid. Yes, you can have some scritchies, but then we're marching right back to that room, okay? But you did good in coming right here..." She pauses, listening for a moment... no screams or wailing or shouts of anger? Whew... then he really did come right here: excellent! She beams as she pushes her glasses back into place, then gently pushes on Fraser-wolf's side, "Okay, lay down and we'll do some tummy rubs first -- sound good?" Fraser growls low in his throat -- then rolls completely over and gleefully pounces at Cinnamon again! The little dragon laughs and just grabs a leg in each hand, "Upsy daisy, Frazey! ...oh, wow, that rhyme was awful, dude! Don't tell anybody, okay? There we go..." She nearly buries her hand in thick, pale belly fur, scritching happily through it with one hand as she holds his front paws up with the other.

The fact that the howls have stopped make Shane stop... and that gives Arvid and Quinn time to catch up. Both arriving men are grim-faced as Quinn glances quickly at the other three, "Is that a good or bad sign?"

"It could be either," Arvid rumbles, his voice both tense and worried. "Let's find him first, though."

Shane's voice is tight, "If he holds true to form..."

Arvid growls, "Cinnamon." Shane nods and waves for the others to follow as they move at-speed towards the little dragon's room.

Elsewhere, Fraser-wolf lets his belly be rubbed. Id or not, the wolf in him recognizes this is the one creature in this entire trod that can put him firmly in his place. It's soothing... and also: it's belly-rubs! Cinnamon kneels next to the big red wolf, cheerfully scritching all up and down the pale-furred belly, "How's this, huh? That feel good? You're doing really well, Frazey-wuffie -- good job! Remember, if you're good tonight you get more scritchies and rubs in the morning too, before you change shape!" She's enjoying herself, and she can tell Fraser-wolf seems to like it too -- excellent!

When Shane almost skids to a frantic stop at the door, his jaw drops... and then he rolls his eyes, muttering, "Of course." It's the fact that Shane isn't rushing into the room which registers first for Quinn... followed by the sound of Cinnamon essentially baby-talking what he's been told is -- and has experienced! -- a vicious, treacherous monster. Thorn slows down as they approach Cinnamon's room, letting out a breath as he hears the sounds coming from within. Okay... for whatever reason Cinnamon was in her room when Fraser changed, and Fraser banged on the door, it looks like -- there's splinters and other damage all across its upper half.

Arvid snorts, then mutters, "Only when she's around..."

Cinnamon blinks at the sound of people talking, looking up to see who's there... then grins inquiringly, "Hi, guys! Um... why is Fraser here, and not in the nice room you made for him?" She's still briskly scritching her fingers through the big wolf's fur, and she tsks when he growls, "Be nice, Fraser-wuffie -- they're just worried about us!"

Arvid rumbles somewhat wryly, "He was headed to the room on his own, before it was actually the time when he'd be forced to shift. Quinn was meeting him there... and then Fraser started a godawful racket, and Aisling raised the alarum."

Quinn adds in wry perplexity, "Apparently he was... doing her some sort of favor?"

Cinnamon blinks slowly... then frowns. Did Aisling set Fraser loose on the trod... just to find her-Cinnamon?! That... no. That just... no! Cinnamon cannot believe Aisling would do that to her own family. The little dragon replies firmly, "Well, he's going to have to finish up the favor for Aisling tomorrow, then -- because we're going to that room right now!" She pats Fraser-wolf's side, "C'mon, wuffie, time for bed!" and scrambles to her slippered feet. At a horrible thought she freezes for a moment, one hand still in Fraser's fur, "Uhh... he didn't hurt anyone on the way here, did he?" Fraser bounds lightly to his paws, as if he's doing precisely what Cinnamon wants -- though he does end up standing firmly between Cinnamon and everyone else.

Shane shakes his head, "Nope. Apparently he beelined right for you." His lips are set in a thin line.

Cinnamon sighs in relief, "Oh, good!" She hugs Fraser about his shaggy neck, "Good job, Frazey-wuffie -- you come right to me, okay? No stopping to bother anyone else!" -- then rubs his ears the way she knows he likes, "Well done, guy. Let's go find our room, okay?" She smiles up at the four men in her doorway, adding, "'Scuse us, please?" She's got one hand still tangled in his warm, thick fur as they head for the door. She slows, though, as she registers Shane's expression: is he... mad at her or something? She pauses, "Uhmm... did Fraser or I do something wrong, guys?"

Shane sighs, "Fraser-human did." He reaches to hug Cinnamon -- and Fraser's hackles flare up massively as he bares his fangs in a vicious, almost liquid-sounding snarl! Shane backs right the hell off -- not only does he want to keep all his bits and pieces intact, but he also knows Cinnamon can control Fraser quite well!

Cinnamon starts to reach back for the hug from Shane -- but startles at the snarl, turning to frown at the big wolf -- who is clearly snarling... at Shane! The little dragon reacts instinctively, smacking down hard with one hand across his muzzle and shouting, "No!" She grabs his ruff with both hands, nearly yelling in Fraser-wolf's face, "Don't you dare hurt Shaney -- bad! You are a very bad boy!" Her eyes are glittering scarlet with anger and worry for Shane, though she doesn't consciously realize it. The extremely large, lethally dangerous wolf is suddenly yelping and cowering as he's smacked and yelled at... for threatening Cinnamon's beloved asthore.

Arvid murmurs wryly, "I wonder if we can clone her..."

Quinn grins as he softly replies near the captain's ear, "Maybe she and me lad'll have a little dragon daughter some day!"

Cinnamon releases the big wolf and frowns down at Fraser, her fists on her hips as she snaps, "Now, I'm gonna hug Shane so he's not worried... and you are gonna be a good boy and behave, right?!" If Fraser-wolf were human right now, he'd be pouting! Instead, he flops onto his stomach so Cinnamon can hug Shane. She scowls fiercely at him for a few seconds, but when the curse-wolf doesn't seem to disagree at all... she sighs in relief, then giggles a bit at his grumpy response! That makes her smile and add, "Good boy!" Then she turns and beams up at Shane, "Um... still want that hug?" Shane opens his arms up -- he's not going to refuse hugs! Cinnamon sighs happily as she hugs Shane warmly for several seconds... then steps back a bit self-consciously, smiling at the assembled men, "So, wanna walk us to the special room? Or are you all busy already?"

Arvid rumbles, "I'll walk with you. I daresay Quinn will want to give the stand down order." He adds, "Rafe will be joining you soon."

Quinn smiles wryly at Arvid -- then sighs and rolls his eyes, "An' ask Aisling a few more questions."

Fraser-wolf hops easily up in order to go along with the little dragon, as Cinnamon looks curiously at Arvid, "Rafe? I thought he usually spent the night with Thorny, on the full moon?"

Arvid considers, then nods, "I suppose, since he doesn't have to hide, he can do that."

Cinnamon looks confused, "Hide? Oh, you mean like... not be seen by non-supernaturals, right?" She smiles and shakes her head, "Whatever you and he would like is fine with me! For now, Fraser-wuffie and I are going to the special room though, 'kay?" She reaches a hand into Fraser's thick ruff and gently tugs, "C'mon, Fraser-wuffie! Let's go get comfy for the night." She'll head for the door with the big wolf, adding to him, "I think you'll like the new room, guy -- it looked pretty nice to me!"

Arvid smiles a bit grimly as he nods, "Good idea."

Shane nods as well, face still a bit solemn, "I'm coming with you. I know he could bite me in half, but..." He shrugs. He's protective.

Cinnamon nods to Arvid -- but then stares in shock at Shane, "He's not gonna bite you!" She pauses, thinking... then adds with fierce grimness, "He's not... 'cause if he ever did I would never be nice to him again!"

The little procession heads out, with Cinnamon chatting happily with Shane as she walks through the trod. She's got one arm about Fraser-wolf's ruff, and the other hand is rubbing his ears the way she knows he likes. When they reach the lockable, soundproof room, they find Aisling inside, folding some clothes into a small chest at the foot of one of the beds. Her expression is unusually solemn. The little dragon pauses just outside the doorway, telling herself it's because Fraser-wuffie doesn't like the door... and not admitting to herself that she really doesn't want to have to deal with Aisling just now. She hopes Quinn turns up soon -- didn't he say he wanted to talk to Aisling, or something? Indeed, Quinn isn't far behind everyone, having been directed down here when he asked after Aisling. The beansidhe woman looks up when everyone arrives... and the relief on her face is palpable. There's usually a little merriment in Aisling's eyes, even during council meetings. Not so now, however.

Cinnamon turns so she's facing Fraser-wolf, still rubbing his ears and telling him how good he's being... too busy to look at Aisling right now, yup-yup! Besides, the little dragon doesn't want to get in the way of whatever it is Quinn and Aisling are doing... though she does hope Ash gets out of the room soon, so Fraser and Cinnamon can enter. Whose clothes are those in there, too? Or... oh, smart -- maybe it's clothes for Fraser in the morning, once he's human again? Quinn beckons to Aisling; the slender woman has to walk past Cinnamon and Fraser to get there, though she pauses to murmur, "Cinnamon, I have an apology to make at some point, but I understand you have things you need to do here." Then she steps past to speak with Quinn.

Cinnamon doesn't look up -- she just sort of freezes in place for a moment. When Aisling steps past, though, Cinnamon hastily urges Fraser-wolf into the room, "C'mon, guy, let's go! Just dart past the door and it won't really bother you, okay?" She glances up at Shane, adding, "Do you have the key, Shaney?" She grins shyly, "What time is sunrise, so I, um... kn-know when to, uhh, t-to expect you?" Fraser-wolf actually just saunters on in, tongue lolling and tail wagging as if he's done something quite wonderful. Then he jumps up onto one of the cots and flops down. Cinnamon blinks... then grins in surprised delight at Fraser, "Wow, good boy!"

Shane cups the side of Cinnamon's face and smiles crookedly, "I could stay down here with you, if you want."

Cinnamon startles slightly, her gaze yanked back to Shane by the unexpected (but also lovely!) touch to her face, "Wh- uhh, wh-what?!"

Quinn and Aisling are speaking quietly behind everyone else -- at least until Quinn's voice raises, "You said you needed to speak to Cinnamon...?!" The little dragon's gaze shifts from Shane, slightly distracted and drawn by Quinn's raised voice. Uh-oh! This... may not be good...?

Aisling sighs, "Aye... and he said he could get her for me. Next thing I know, he's bare as the day he was born -- and shifting."

Shane looks toward the two elders, a brow arched, "Wait... Fraser went specifically looking for Cinnamon?"

Aisling sighs and nods, "He was getting ready to step into the room on his own. I'm sorry. I should have known better than to joke with him at this point in the moon's cycle."

Cinnamon blinks back at Shane, mentally reviewing what's been said so far... Shane... wants to spend the night here with her and Fraser-wuffie? Oh, golly -- no! The little dragon doesn't want to have to punish Fraser-wuffie all night to keep him from grabbing at Shane -- and end up with her asthore thinking of her as this... this mean, loud-voiced harridan that's always smacking poor wolves all the time! "Oh! Uh, n-no, nono, that -- it's fine, we'll all be f-fine, no worries!" She gives what she hopes is a reassuring grin up at Shane, then nearly darts into the room herself, "See you all tomorrow morning sleep well g'night!" and hastily shoves the door closed.

Thorn blinks. Even for Cinnamon, that was fast! Shane too is left blinking at the door. After a long, long moment, he murmurs, "Well. That was abrupt."

Cinnamon flicks the door latch closed from the inside as well, then leans back against it in relief, finally relaxing, "Whew! Too many angry folks there, to want to stay!" She smiles wryly at the big red wolf, "Don't worry, this wasn't your fault this time, Frazey-wuff -- it was mine." She sighs, straightening and going to check the chest with clothing... are the clothes human-Fraser sized, hopefully? As she does so she absently adds, "Think it really was my fault, honestly... though I'm not sure yet what I did to Aisling to make her do thi-... oh, good!" She straightens with a (for her) enormous shirt, "This has gotta be one of yours, wuffie, right? Okay, let me fold this back up for tomorrow, for you."

Fraser is curled up nose to tail on the bed, watching Cinnamon with frankly smug satisfaction... which causes her to giggle at him, "What're you so pleased about, wuffie?" She closes the chest, then patters over and hops up onto the bed with him to give him a hug about his neck, "Don't worry, I won't forget scritchies in the morning before sunrise, if you're good!" She yawns, then adds, "But for now... sleep, I think!" She rubs his furry ears for a few seconds, then sleepily adds, "Sweet dreams!" After that she slips off the bed and goes over to the other one. A few moments to prepare for sleep, slide into bed, then smile at Fraser, "Night, guy -- see you in the morning!" She turns off the light... then snuggles down for sleep. Bleargh... gonna have to figure out what's up with Aisling tomorrow. Well... no need to worry about it now. She closes her eyes and lets herself drift off to sleep.

In the morning Cinnamon is awakened by a voice right next to her ear, crooning, "Wakey-wakey, sweetheart..." It's a low, rumbling voice -- the breath is warm, the tone playful and amused.

Cinnamon woke up well before sunrise, mostly out of anxiety. She stayed still and quiet, though, so she didn't disturb Fraser-wolf, as her thoughts raced. What's she going to do about Aisling?! Clearly the beansidhe -- Quinn too, from the look of things -- is annoyed with her for some reason... but unfortunately, Cinnamon doesn't have a single clue as to why! From what Cinnamon can tell, too, even Shane doesn't know what's up! Which means... it's likely a good bet that neither Quinn nor Aisling will be willing to tell little ol' her what the problem is.

Cinnamon sighs as she's awakened from her anxious doze, and flaps a hand at the voice murmuring in her ear, "Cut it out, Fraser -- you know quite well you don't get scritchies in human form!" She reaches for her glasses as she adds, "Better be dressed too, wuffie!" She blinks, pausing for a moment as she remembers the wolf form snarling at Shane -- oooh! Could Shane maybe ask for her... no, wait, that's not fair to Shane. But... maybe if he was there when she asked... if nothing else, would he be willing to stop or warn her if Aisling and/or Quinn tried using their knacks on her, while she asked what she's done that pissed Aisling off so badly? Hmm... and in a best case scenario: maybe she can find out what she can do to get the beansidhe to back off? Cinnamon doesn't expect forgiveness, but... not being teased and laughed at any more would be awesome enough, to the rather beleaguered-feeling little dragon.

Fraser chuckles and stands up, moving to sit on the other bed, "Ah, I know, lass... and a damn shame that is. Belly rubs are just as nice on this belly." He rubs his own hand over his -- thankfully shirt-clad -- stomach. His eyes aren't quite all the way back to human.

Cinnamon blinks at another thought as she turns back towards Fraser, pushing on her glasses, "Hey, Fraser... I was wondering. I'm betting Aisling will be outside today when the door opens. How would you like to, um..." She's not sure what to call it... 'loom' at Aisling? You have to be careful what you say to full-moon-Fraser, though, she knows. Hmm... "How would you like to distract Aisling, without hurting her, of course -- just for a bit, when it's time to leave the room?" She adds with a slight blush, "I'm told she's a real, um... fan of the male form, after all?" Maybe she can grab Shane and pull him in here, while Fraser's distracting Aisling! Then she'd have a moment to ask him if he's willing to... not help, per se -- she doesn't want Shane to feel he's going against his father, whom he seems to really like -- but... just sort of... er, verify, kind of, for her?

Fraser leans back on his elbows, rather showing off his body if there were anyone in the room that would want to examine said body. He laughs, "Oh, sweet summer child, that lass isn't in the least intimidated by me. I tried last night. In fact, I invited her to share the cell with me and she told me she'd break me." His eyes are gleaming at the memory, "I still had an hour or two before the change was going to happen, I think. We could've had a bit of fun. But she said she was looking for you, so I offered to bring you to her. She seemed a bit anxious."

Cinnamon blinks a bit bemusedly at Fraser, as she stands by the bed and folds up her blanket, "Umm, actually I'm an autumn child? Born in October... but actually, that doesn't matter -- that's even better, that she's not intimidated by you!" She smiles hopefully at Fraser, "So... is that a yes? ...maybe?"

Fraser sits up and laughs, "So, you want me to flirt with Aisling, because she likes ogling fine male specimens, so you can drag your lad in here for a little alone time?"

Cinnamon nods earnestly, completely missing the subtext, "Yes, please! Need to ask him a question without Aisling there!" She hastily adds, "But don't tell her that! Don't want her coming in regardless, y'know?"

Fraser does an admirable job of not laughing at Cinnamon getting absolutely none of his single entendres. Instead he pushes up off the bed and laughs, eyes glinting, "I'll be happy to facilitate you canoodling with your fella, lass." He walks to the door and looks at it, "Are they simply going to..." And ask he starts asking, the door opens. Cinnamon hastily trots over to stand behind Fraser -- she'll need to grab Shane quickly, after all, in the handful of seconds when Aisling is distracted!

It is indeed Shane, Quinn, and Aisling on the other side of the door. Fraser takes advantage of the door being slow to open to pull his shirt off over his head in one quick motion, dragging it with one hand. He drops it out of sight so that when he comes into view, he's half-dressed and almost-leering, "Well, good morning, all." He leans in the doorway, not quite obstructing it.

Cinnamon's voice trails from behind the big curse-wolf, as she sighs amusedly, "Fraserrrr! You're blocking the door, guy!" Fraser laughs and steps out past Quinn and Shane, moving to not-so-coincidentally block both of the older beansidhe. Cinnamon thereby (even if accidentally) lets everyone know she's fine despite not answering the door -- and Fraser hasn't consumed her or anything! She's deeply relieved at how smoothly he's moved, though -- nor does she waste any time! She reaches out to grab Shane's arm, putting her finger to her lips in the 'shh!' motion as she tugs him to come with her into the room. Shane is never unwilling to let Cinnamon drag him around! He chuckles slightly, but obeys her apparent need for him to be quiet. Meanwhile, the slyly amused werewolf casually closes the door to put the two youngsters alone in the room.

Cinnamon sighs in relief, lightly flicking the latch closed before she turns to Shane. There's real anxiety in her demeanor, though, as she asks, "Shaney! C-can -- I need your help! Can you, um... is it okay if I ask you to -- to l-listen for truth for me? P-please?"

Shane blinks slowly, glancing over his shoulder as Fraser and Cinnamon maneuver to get him semi-locked in the room with the little dragon, "Of course, acushla... uhm..." He furrows his brow, "Is everything okay? Did Fraser show his arse? Metaphorically?"

Cinnamon shakes her head several times, "Nonono, Fraser-wuffie was perfect! He's not the problem -- I am! Er, I mean... well, something I did is?" She's almost wringing her hands with anxiety as she stutters on, "B-but I... I don't know what I did, you know? So... but also, once they, um, once people start making fun of me, they... it's, like, too late? They're already mad? So I, I really want the laughing to stop but to do that I have to find out what I did which I won't know if it's true or even if they'll even talk to me but if you're willing to listen then I would but, um..." She sighs, biting her lower lip before she admits unhappily, "It... y-your dad is... is one of them maybe? I mean, Aisling for sure but... m-maybe Quinn too?" Hastily she adds, "But please d-don't feel you have to or anything, okay? Like if it would make you uncomfortable it's okay to say no! I just... I'd really like to know th-there's someone there who'll, um... who'll stop me if they start using knacks or stuff like that on me... r-right?"

Shane has gotten used to following Cinnamon's occasionally rambling worry-dumps, so he nods slowly, "You think... me da and Aisling are laughing at you and you need me to listen to a conversation with them?"

Cinnamon nods anxiously several times as she says, "Yes please! And, um, a-and stop me if I... if I start babbling or believing stupid things, like from knacks or like that?"

Shane quite literally bites his tongue when Cinnamon asks him to stop her from babbling! He takes a breath, then says, "I won't let anyone humiliate you, acushla. I promise."

Cinnamon looks for a moment like she's struggling with not simply bursting into tears from relief! She just steps forward and hugs Shane tightly, hiding her face against him as she blurts out in deeply heartfelt tones, "Thank you, asthore!"

Shane wraps his arms around her and strokes her head, smiling softly. Being called her treasure always makes his heart warm, "Any time, a ghr�. Want to do it now?" Cinnamon has to take several deep breaths to swallow down the lump in her throat. She hopes Shane didn't notice how shaky her voice was! Er... oh, crab cakes! Did she... she called him 'asthore'! Oh, no... is he going to be upset? Will he get the wrong idea? It's all a bit too much for a few moments, and she just clings to Shane for a bit longer, so she doesn't have to face the not-very-kind world for a bit.

Cinnamon finally manages to breath deeply enough that she doesn't think she's going to choke up and cry. She sighs and straightens slowly... pity she can't just stay here, hidden away with Shane! Wait, no -- don't think that! That way lies making a stupid mistake that will cause Shane to realize she's sweet on him, which means he'll back away... and whether he does so slowly to be nice, or hastily from disgust, she'd really rather he didn't back away at all. She closes her eyes and thinks for a moment... then shakes her head, "No, I d-don't think so. I want to put clothes on first, so I don't feel even frumpier than usual next to Aisling, you know?"

Shane smiles softly, nodding toward the WC, "Want me to step in there while you do?"

Cinnamon shakes her head wryly, "Nope, 'cause I didn't bring a change of clothes with me... unfortunately. I didn't know I'd be racing Aisling to this room, either!" She picks up her blanket and wraps it about her again, adding, "I'll just run to my room real quick first, okay? Can you, um... maybe distract them for a bit while I do, please? Promise I'll go as fast as I can, though -- I know you actually like your dad."

Shane smiles quietly and nods, "Go on, acushla." He flicks the latch and opens the door, stepping through it first. He motions for people to step aside and lays a finger over his lips, giving Aisling a significant look.

Cinnamon peeks cautiously out behind Shane... then squeaks a small, "'Scuse me thanks back in a bit!" -- and hastily patters away down the hallway towards her room! Aisling is standing with Quinn and Fraser, talking. She's smirking a bit at the werewolf, who isn't actually looming anymore. Cinnamon is slightly relieved to not see Fraser trying to eat Aisling up yummm! -- or something like that -- but most of her anxious attention is focused on getting out of there as fast as she can!

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

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