| Logs |
2024 December 28
| Goblin Town |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
| Realms: Goblin Town Logs |
Cup-like Lilies Open'd On the Stream
It's a lovely spring afternoon, and Cinnamon is at work. She's humming with quiet happiness to herself, where she's perched in Liam's big, cushion-stuffed chair, her short legs swinging since her feet don't actually reach the floor. She's seated at the big, sturdy desk in Liam's office -- or, as she half-guiltily, half-happily likes to remind herself, her office too! -- and is absorbed in reading one of Liam's journals. Her laptop is open next to her so she can take notes on the interesting things Liam talks about, but mostly she's just enjoying herself on this lovely afternoon, while also being there should anyone need her official help.
At some point during her reading there's a soft rap on the open doorway's doorframe. Cinnamon blinks bemusedly, pushing up her glasses as she glances at the door... then brightens as she squeaks a delighted, "Shaney!" A heartbeat later, though, her eyes widen with excitement as she adds, "Oh! Wait, wait -- moment...!" She glances at her laptop, where she's also left open an article on how to flirt, and re-reads hastily to refresh her memory while half-muttering under her breath, "Uh huh... uh huh... uh huh!" With that she takes a deep, courageous breath -- she can do this!
Cinnamon half-closes her eyes as she turns back towards Shane, leaning forward a bit like the article said to do... though she rapidly realizes she can't really see much of anything this way! Well, it should be okay -- go on! She takes another deep breath and slowly runs the tip of her tongue over her upper lip. She's still not sure why something this short and... peculiar? Whatever! -- is supposed to be so, er... so exciting, right -- but that's what the article said to do! Of course, the little dragon hasn't yet learned subtlety either, so the startlingly raw-seeming sensuality of her action is completely lost the instant that Cinnamon flicks her eyes wide open, sits perkily upright again, and beams at Shane with a bright-eyed, excited 'how's that?!' sort of look!
Shane's smiling, bottom lip caught between his teeth -- because of course he's got experience of that tongue! It's Marcus, standing behind Shane and revealed when the first young man leans against the doorframe, that's blinking in a sort of dazed shock. Cinnamon's eyes widen in horror at sight of Marcus, and a tiny, "Ohh... crabcakes!" escapes her lips! She instantly slides out of the big chair and under the desk, curling up in the dimness with her hands over her face -- oh dear heavens could she ever possibly be more mortified than this?! A heartbeat later she hastily shoves that thought away. She knows better than to ever say -- or even think! -- 'What could possibly go wrong?!'"
Shane is still smiling as he moves around the desk and crouches down to speak with his mortified little acushla, keeping his voice low, "You okay down here, beautiful?" Meanwhile, Marcus quickly steps up to the desk, hands on the edge of the wooden top, to hide just what that bit of blatant sensuality did to him!
Cinnamon squeaks a bit startledly at the unexpected voice, but then hugs Shane tightly in relief. She's almost shaking with her embarrassment as she whispers, "Ohmygosh, Shaney, he must think I'm some sort of horrible hussy now I'm never gonna be able to face him again what'm I gonna do what if he yells at me or -- or thinks I'm, I'm... th-that I'm loose!?" It hasn't quite registered to the little dragon, in the heat of her humiliation, that she's applying very human standards here!
Upon hearing the desperate whispering, Marcus can't help a bit of a smile -- of course he doesn't think she's a 'hussy' or 'loose!' That was a moment of sensuality meant only to be shared between her and her lover! Or, well... he's pretty sure Shane is her lover... stars and stones! She does worry about the strangest things, poor girl! However, he also hears someone approaching, so he politely clears his throat, "I apologize for interrupting, but I brought a letter up to deliver to you, from Llew. Would you like it now or later?" He's fairly certain her cat-like curiosity will bring her fairly quickly up from behind the desk, even if nothing else would in the moment.
Cinnamon squeaks softly and startles at the other unexpected voice... but then blinks. A letter? Oh, dear... she should sit up... though... it is actually very nice and warm and comfortable here in Shane's arms mmmaybe she could just stay here? That silly thought causes her to laugh silently at herself -- silly girl! Shane has more important things to do than just sit here and hide with her! Plus: a letter?! Cool! Though... hm, at the office means... oh, crabcakes again -- she can't hide here -- someone must need help! The little dragon takes a deep breath, snuggling up against Shane for a moment so she can remember this warm, comforting, home! feeling for later... then she slowly (and, honestly, a bit reluctantly) straightens up to stand behind the desk. She's still flushed with mortification and can't quite bring herself to meet Marcus' eyes... but even though her gaze is fixed on the desk, she manages to extend her hand and get out fairly steadily, "Th-thank you for... f-for bringing me the l-letter, Marcus."
Just as Cinnamon is starting to speak, there's another tap on the doorframe. The little dragon startles slightly again, but then takes a deep breath and leans to look carefully past (not at!) Marcus, "Yes? Who is- oh! Tao!" She smiles in relief at the pleasant Chinese man, "Please come in!"
Marcus hands over the letter just as Tao enters. The yellow dragon looks somewhat perplexed at the situation: Shane and Cinnamon standing up from behind the desk, with Marcus standing in front of it. Very close in front of it, actually -- what has he interrupted? But, being the polite person he is, Tao simply asks, "Might I have a moment of your time, once you're done reading your letter, please?"
Cinnamon completely misses the potential implications Tao sees, of course -- she just nods cheerfully as she assures him she'd be happy to talk with him! She quickly slits open the large envelope, absently noticing it clearly didn't go through the US Postal service, since there's no stamp despite it being somewhat travel-worn... must've been handed from supernatural to supernatural? Though considering the return address is in Nusantara, she can understand why... her swift thoughts cut off as she realizes she's holding... a large, Hallmark-style thank-you card! She grins at the cute front graphic, then opens the card... and almost tears up, "Ohmygosh, you guys, it's from... from Kyesha -- and she says everyone at the NGO signed it to say thank you for all our help look look look isn't it awesome of them?!"
The inside of the card is indeed covered with signatures, some of which are accompanied by little messages. Kyesha's comment is about the overall assistance, and mentions "the very generous extra donation." Perhaps it would be gauche to mention it was a million dollars, but she does list a few of the things it bought -- and none of them are inexpensive! Shane and Marcus both murmur appreciatively over the card, since they were both with Cinnamon for the trip. Tao looks at it solemnly, nodding as well... though his eyes widened at first when he saw how many signatures there were, and from how many different places. Cinnamon lays the card down so everyone can see, lightly tracing her finger as she translates for them all, "-one's from Adiratna! She says, let's see... 'Blessings on you all and may sweetness accompany you always!' Awww! Isn't that nice of her?! And this one says 'Many thanks from one of the planters you have helped feed my family' -- awww!" The little dragon has to pause for a Kleenex, though she's beaming a bit tearily at Marcus and Shane, "Isn't this the nicest thing?!"
After a moment Cinnamon finishes wiping her eyes, puts her glasses back on... then impulsively hugs Shane and Marcus, "You guys... you know I couldn't have done it without you guys, right? You two and Veles and Thorny -- and Spicy, back here!" She sighs happily, still hugging for a moment... then laughs as she straightens up, "Ohmygosh, Tao, I'm so sorry to keep you waiting! Let me just put this somewhere, umm..." She glances around, still delighted -- then blinks, "Oh! Oh, also, is Jaw-long here with you?" She laughs again, calling, "Jaw-long? If you're waiting and guarding outside, you're welcome to come in and have some tea with us! Though... I'm really sorry, Tao, but it's, um, just... regular, er... it's just package tea, you know? Not the good Chinese stuff -- sorry?" She carefully props the open card on the corner of the big desk, so it can be easily seen -- then nearly scampers over towards the big sideboard, calling over her shoulder, "Shaney, Daki-kun, could you guys pull out the round table, please, and some of the big cushions?" She hastily puts water on to boil, then turns towards Tao. She's holding a little wooden container holding a large collection of teabags, and sounds apologetic, "If, um... if none of these are good enough I could maybe order some from Himeko's?"
Thorn comes by Cinnamon's office at about that point, on a whim since not much is happening at the Infirmary. He knocks on the doorframe, "Hi, Cinnamon -- oh! Tao, hello! If you're busy, Cinnamon, I can come by later....?" Tao assures Cinnamon he's happy with the tea she's offering; he would never be upset at sincerely-meant hospitality -- especially as it would be burdensome on people to keep all the accoutrements for all the different peoples on Coblyn. Cinnamon brightens at sight of the healer, "Oh, Thorny! Come in, please -- you should see the card too, since it was to you too! Would you like some tea?" She grins at Tao's kindness, "Okay, if you're sure? I mean, I like making sure friends are comfy, y'know?"
Jaw-Long too comes in, settling into something like a sphinx pose in his efforts to not take up too much space. He's aware of his somewhat imposing size when he's inside rooms mostly made for human-sized beings!
Thorn smiles, "Tea would be lovely, thank you! Ah, what card?"
Cinnamon grins and waves towards the corner of the desk, where a large, Hallmark-style card is prominently displayed, "Check it out! I can translate for you too as soon as I've got the teacups set up -- Daki-kun! Come pick a tea flavor I don't know what you like yet oh Jaw-long you too okay? Would you rather have a small bowl or a large mug please?" In a small flurry of happiness, Cinnamon sorts out who wants what tea, makes a few plates of biccies, small sandwiches, and other nibblies, then sets everything on the low, round, pretty marquetry table which Shane and Marcus have brought out. The little dragon then leans over Thorn, where he's seated on one of the big cushions, and translates the handful of sweet messages before she settles with a happy sigh on her own cushion next to Shane, and beams at Thorn, "Isn't that incredibly sweet of them all?" She blinks at the cramped-looking fu-dog, then grins, "Jaw-long, you have plenty of room to sit up if you'd like? Also, everyone please help yourselves to the nibblies -- there's plenty more in the little fridge!"
It turns out that Marcus rather enjoys Earl gray -- and if Cinnamon is out of that, he likes Irish Breakfast. Jaw-Long looks around, as if just realizing they aren't in a small, cramped human space, and slowly stretches out. He then leans down to lap at his bowl of tea, which he holds carefully stable with one forepaw. Thorn reads the card, and almost gets a bit teary-eyed himself! "That's wonderful," he says at last, handing the card back to Cinnamon. "I'm so glad that we could help them! It sounds like they did well afterwards, as well. So many signed it...." Cinnamon beams as she accepts the card, then hugs Thorn back, "Isn't it though?! Like I said to Shaney and Daki-kun, I couldn't have done it without you guys and Veles and Spicy, too -- I'm so happy we were able to go do so many good things thanks to you all!" Everyone settles to enjoy the tea and nibblies, and Cinnamon cheerfully hands Irish Breakfast to Marcus, teasing him gently about referring to Earl gray as mud, to his dad! She's internally delighted, in fact, to realize Marcus accidentally seated himself on her other side from Shaney! She hasn't yet figured out how unaccidental it always is, of course. Then she enjoys some nice hot tea and some of the nibblies, chatting relaxedly with her friends before she finally grins inquiringly at the yellow dragon, "So, you didn't say, Tao! What can I do for you, please?"
Through the impromptu teatime, it's obvious to everyone that Tao is somewhat... upset? Unsettled? Concerned? -about something... so when Cinnamon asks him what she can do to help him, he crosses his hands in his lap and says evenly, "I would like, if it is possible, to see the letters from the Nusantarans that began all of this."
Cinnamon looks a bit surprised, but then nods, "Oh, sure! Gimme a moment, please?" She hops up and trots over to her filing cabinet, calling over her shoulder, "Guys, could you push things to one side of the table, please, so there's room?" She brings the entire folder back with her, setting it down on the low table and pulling out papers in neat order, "Let's see. Okay, this is the map... here's my translation notes... ah! Here you go!" She pulls out a thick chunk of papers, then spreads them out across the table so they're facing Tao and Jaw-long, "These are all copies so I could write notes on them without feeling guilty; sorry! Let me know if you can't read my writing and want anything translated, though, okay? Also, here's the replies as well, though you should be fine with all of them since they're all in Mandarin Chinese if I remember correctly. They're all in chronological order too, for filing. If you want to know which we were too late for, or which we were actually able to help, just ask, okay?" All twenty letters are neatly paper-clipped together with their individual replies, laid out tidily for Tao to peruse, as Cinnamon sets aside the folder and smiles inquiringly at him, "If there was something in particular you wanted to know, too, just feel free to ask!"
Tao looks a little shocked at first -- but then he blinks with that hint of a nictitating membrane, and his expression goes very still and calm. He goes through each and every one of the letters, as well as Cinnamon's notes, quite carefully. He starts with the oldest of the letters -- the ones the little group was unable to help for various reasons -- and works his way forward into the ones which have already been assisted, or are in the midst of currently receiving help. The yellow dragon's voice is very calm and even as he asks questions about each of them... and once that's done, he asks how she came to receive all the letters.
Cinnamon is a little sad when she has to admit that this or that person or group died or had to move or whatever, so weren't around for the little dragon's help. She perks up noticeably, though, when she gets to tell about the folks she was able to assist, asking her friends to chime in with anything she forgets. Thorn is more than happy to elaborate on the parts in which he participated, but he's acutely aware that Aoi wasn't at all responsive in any of the cases, and consequently due to the one hundred and twenty year span of time, some of the requests are badly out of date. Cinnamon is even happier when she gets to tell about all the wonderful things her friends helped with as well! When Tao asks how she got the letters, though, Cinnamon blinks, "How I... uhmm... d-didn't Aoi -- oh, wait, I get it! Aoi must've asked you to ask me for my perspective too, right? No problem!" Again she asks her friends to help with the telling -- which is probably a good thing, since she doesn't want to hurt Tao's feelings about his dear childhood friend. That means her explanation is simply, "A, uhmm... let's see. Ahh... a contingent arrived from Nusantara and petitioned for them all to be shifted to my responsibility, and, er... the council agreed."
Shane arches a brow -- because while that's true, it's definitely not all the truth. Marcus too looks unhappy as he firmly adds, "Cinnamon is too kind -- she's making it sound as if this was something simple." He looks to Tao, "I feel it was more like: a contingent representing all of Nusantara arrived, causing Aoi to lose face as they revealed her non-responsiveness, then nearly begged for their care to be transferred to the 13th Chair. Aoi tried to put it all on her secretary, and stormed out of Currier's Hall."
Cinnamon blinks as something hits her, anxiously adding, "Oh! The secretary! Tao, do you happen to know if that guy is still okay?"
Tao says dryly, "I know Aoi recently took on a new secretary. I do not know what happened to the old one. I will certainly be asking, now."
Cinnamon looks worried, her voice low, "Ohmygosh, I hope he's... umm..." She nervously wrings her hands together in her lap. She doesn't want to be rude, but she really hopes the poor man is still alive! A moment later she bits her lower lip, reassuring herself: Tao's going to ask! It should be fine, really! ...hopefully... oh, gosh, she needs to change the subject so she doesn't say something possibly rude about Aoi! "Umm, okay then... okay... oh! Uhm, also, was there anything else you wanted to know?" She thinks for a moment, then hesitantly adds to Marcus, "Was it really, um... 'storming'? Didn't she more, like... walk out, er... calmly?"
Marcus replies, with a half-smirk, "It was a very calm storm, but it was a storm. She walked out in the middle of a council meeting, as if this was all beneath her." He turns to Tao, adding, "Why are you asking about all of this, anyway?" Cinnamon thinks about that moment, then takes a deep breath -- Marcus is right, actually! It really was, er, sort of... stormy. Then the little dragon blinks at the elf's query, also looking at Tao -- that's a good question! Especially since she's not sure she's answered all of Tao's questions.
Tao sighs, "I hate to say this, but I originally came here rather angry. Aoi did what many people do, and downplayed the severity of all this. I was ready to defend my friend over someone, in her words, stealing her people over 'a couple of letters of complaint.'"
Thorn blinks, "That's... a bit more than significantly 'downplaying' what happened, I'm afraid."
Cinnamon too blinks at that, her voice uncertain, "But... but I didn't steal them? They asked me to do it?" She glances down at the letters, "I mean... I, um, d-don't think of eleven still-active letters as just a couple?"
Shane's voice is so cold that it might as well be dripping icicles, "Indeed. That's downright lying about the situation."
Marcus also looks more than moderately thunderous, his voice sharp with anger, "Is she jealous in some way? Or is she simply upset that her illusions are no longer holding?"
Cinnamon looks shocked for a moment as she glances between the three men -- but then she pauses and considers. Actually... actually, they're right! This really isn't fair of Aoi, to say such things -- because they're not true! She gets a small, shy, and very happy smile as her gaze flicks between Thorn, Shane, and Marcus again -- she's deeply touched that they're being so incredibly nice to her, in defending her so! The little dragon blinks as another thought hits her, and brightens as she realizes she knows how to reassure Tao, "Oh, I know! Jaw-long, you can tell truth too, right?" She beams as he nods his big, heavy head, then says confidently, "I did not steal Aoi's people, and I've told Tao only the truth!" Then she glances inquiringly between the two Chinese, "Is that better?" It hasn't quite hit her yet that Tao's unhappiness has shifted; he is no longer angry with her... but rather at Aoi.
Tao nods, "Oh, I quite believed you before, mčimei, when I was reading these letters. Jaw-Long would have let me know if I was reading untruths, or if the story you told me was untrue." He slowly shakes his head and sighs, "I'm... rather worried, actually. I believe she's twisting things in her head." He looks at Jaw-Long, his voice rueful, "I need to have you in more meetings and conversations with Aoi, si dang." As Cinnamon whispers to the others that Tao called her 'little sister,' and Jaw-long his 'die-hard friend,' Tao turns to her and adds, "She would have me believe you overstated everything because you're in reality a rather tiresomely impulsive child who ignores her elders."
That has Shane actually shooting to his feet, his voice once again icy, "She accused my acushla of lying to you about this? With me there to verify the story?"
Marcus' eyes widen; Shane is usually quite chill! Marcus has, in fact, seen Shane un-chill very, very few times -- one of which wound up with Marcus himself having a broken nose and cheekbone. Then again, the elf realizes, there are very few things that will cause the half-beansidhe to get upset... but someone just essentially accused him of lying... via verifying Cinnamon's story to Tao. Cinnamon just looks confused at Tao's words; she's pretty sure she does actually listen to Elias and Aisling and Jaeger? -- but then she squeaks startledly at Shane's sudden motion! She blinks up at him from her seat... and finds herself momentarily speechless: [Wow he's so incredibly awesome/gorgeous/scary/eeee! when he's like this!] It takes her several seconds, in fact, before she blinks and confusedly asks, "Wait, what did I overstate, please? I mean... it was the Nusantarans who talked, not me? I just translated... and the report of what we did isn't until the next council meeting?" She adds after a moment's thought, "Shaney's going to be there too, so... you'll know it's all true then too, right? I mean, Jaw-long will hopefully be there as well, but... umm..." She looks a bit helplessly at Tao, "I... don't know what to say to reassure you, dą ge, elder brother... sorry?"
Tao replies gently, "Your story when you told it to me, mčimei. She was trying to gain my sympathies in this... perhaps save face with me."
"Oh! Oh." Cinnamon thinks a moment... then sadly adds, "Oh... poor Aoi. I'm really sorry, Tao." She pauses, considering a bit more... then hesitantly adds, "Is there... anything we can do to help?" Shane is still seething internally -- Aoi is now firmly on his shit list! He closes his eyes and starts breathing slowly and deeply. Cinnamon blinks at Shane... then lightly, a bit nervously, touches his leg, "Shaney? Asthore? Would you, umm... wanna sit down and have a hug, m-maybe?" Thorn watches this, wondering (correctly) if Aoi has pissed off Shane enough to be put on his mental shit list. The healer knows Shane is wise enough to not just go off after Aoi, but at some point a slight reminder might do the paladin well: that Aoi is a goddess, no matter how callous and feckless she's acting.
Shane stops his regular breathing to nearly snap, "I think you need to vote her off the council. She keeps putting her own reputation above the good of her people." He takes a deep breath and settles down, wrapping almost his whole self around Cinnamon, and she hugs him warmly back, as full-body as he wants! She's worried for him, but also simultaneously thrilled: maybe, just a little bit... maybe Shane actually finds hugging her to be at least a little bit as nice and wonderful and reassuring as she finds hugging him? It does calm him considerably.
Marcus blinks slowly, then looks to Tao, "You'll have to forgive him. Shane is perhaps one of the calmest and most level-headed people I know, but Aoi just essentially accused him, in a very backhanded way, of the one thing he never, ever does."
Jaw-Long huffs, "She accused him of either lying or helping someone else to lie?" Marcus nods.
Cinnamon feels a sudden internal surge of indignation as Jaw-long clarifies things in a way that the little dragon clearly understands! Her voice is both flat and uncompromising as she firmly states, "My Shaney does not lie! Not ever -- and Aoi knows that, and shame on her for even hinting that!" She adds with less upset -- but no less firmly, "Thank you, Marcus, for explaining to them. I didn't quite get it."
Shane wraps himself more closely around Cinnamon and buries his face in her hair, breathing her scent in deeply and muttering quietly about her not lying either. Then he raises his head to add, "I'm not a council member. I've become sort of peripherally involved due to being... well, due to being Cinnamon's sweetheart and a sort of unofficial truthseer for the council. Aoi is old, and should be wise -- but she's become vain instead. She's doing more harm than good at this point." Marcus winces -- because, just like they all just said, Shane only tells the truth as he knows it... and at this point, Marcus himself agrees.
Cinnamon sighs softly, enjoying the feel of her beloved so close... almost like he... like he might even need her a little? That's a lovely thought! She listens to Shane's words, then sighs again, "I... gosh, I... wish I didn't agree? Though... maybe I shouldn't be voting, considering she's mad at me. Would that be seen as self-serving, if I too voted for Tao to replace her... do you think?"
Tao listens quietly to everyone, then replies, "You can abstain, but you are allowed to vote in your own favor -- especially as it seems a being I have always considered my somewhat vain but good-hearted friend tried to actively slander you to me. So it simply seems like self-defense to me."
Marcus nods slowly, "I have no doubt the vote would go for her replacement, anyway. I can see Killa voting against it, but off the top of my head... I, Elias, Josie, Sparrow, Aisling, Jarek, and Hilde, for certain. That's seven of twelve, even with Cinnamon abstaining; that's the simple majority needed. Also, Nasteexo, Jalil, and Snow are likely to vote in favor of Tao as well. The only ones I seriously see possibly voting for Aoi staying are... Aoi herself, and Killa -- since Killa is a contrarian." Thorn remains silent; it's not for him to say if Aoi should be on the council or not. He can't help but agree, though; it's in Aoi's and her territories' best interest that she step down.
Tao muses, "Isn't this Sparrow also a contrarian? He is a trickster, yes?"
Cinnamon smiles ruefully over Shane's shoulder at Tao, "He's a Trickster, yes... but he's also really strict internally, I think, about taking care of your people!" She considers for a moment, then ruefully adds, "I think that might be part of the reason he's been, um... tweaking her tail a lot, recently?" She quietly adds, "I almost feel sorry for poor Aoi because... well, the reason we originally went looking for you, Tao, is because Snow was worried about Aoi not taking care of all her people. She and Jalil and Nasteexo and Dejiyo were talking about how to deal with this, and they and some other folks asked a group that included me to go talk to her. So... I too suspect they're likely to vote for you also."
Marcus is trying not to concentrate on the snuggling pair in the midst of this serious discussion. He's being... mostly successful, as he nods to Cinnamon, "Something definitely needs to be done, too. She can go back to her home where she can perhaps get the energy she needs to stay beautiful and inspiring without having to use any of it to take care of other people." Tao winces, but slowly nods.
Thorn feels sorry for Tao; the yellow dragon does not seem like he really wants the job of councilor, but will do it because someone has to. Cinnamon sighs, "I guess... but I wish she'd stick around long enough to maybe learn she doesn't have to be perfect to already be beautiful like she is? Honestly, now I've seen both her and Tao as themselves, the, um, 'energized' version just looks... creepily artificial... if that makes sense?" She's slowly and soothingly stroking Shane's back with one hand as she speaks. It's not immediately apparent if the soothing is more for him... or for her!
Tao laughs quietly, "Thank you for the honesty. I would rather not spend the energy just to look like what was once considered perfect. I feel I am comely enough as I am, and have no desire for lovers at this time. Also, it has always been my duty to watch over and care for people... and in any case, this too was meant to be my job."
Cinnamon nods and smiles reassuringly at Tao, "Oh, yes, you're very pretty, dą ge! Aoi is too when she's in her real human form." The little dragon is simply stating what she sees as facts: Tao is pretty, to her... but the people she actually loves are the truly gorgeous ones.
Tao smiles, "Thank you." He sighs and starts to stand, "I am going to return to the Residence and think. The next meeting of the council is here, yes? I will attend wherever it is, but I want to be sure to be ready." His face goes solemn, "Aoi is likely to... object quite strenuously."
Cinnamon nods, "Jarek's the host, and yes -- it's here." She's silent as Tao stands, but then hesitantly asks, "Is it... all right if, um... if you were to send a message about the old secretary, once you find out... please? -and, umm... w-well, if there's anything we can do to help... well, I know I'd like to, if I can?"
Tao smiles, "I will absolutely send you a message about him when I find out what happened. I suspect simple exile."
Cinnamon looks relieved, "Okay! Thanks, Tao." A bit uncertainly she adds, "I... er, it was nice to see you and Jaw-long again... in spite of what we had to talk about?"
Tao nods courteously, "It was good to see you again too. I am pleased we spoke and understand this. I am sure we will meet many more times under more pleasant circumstances."
Cinnamon smiles at that, charmed by how sweet Tao is being! She considers showing the two Chinese to the door as a courtesy... then wonders if Shane's feeling well enough yet. She hopes so, but she's certainly not going to interrupt him and this lovely hug! It's Marcus, in fact, who stands and walks with Tao and Jaw-Long to the door, even though it's not his office. It's obvious to the elf that Shane and Cinnamon need to comfort one another right now, so he doesn't care that it might seem he's part of this little family at the moment. Tao bows to everyone and disappears down the hallway with Jaw-long.
Cinnamon sighs in relief as Marcus returns, her voice heartfelt, "Thanks, Daki-kun!" She smiles at him, then murmurs to Shane, "Asthore? How're you feeling?"
Shane takes a deep breath, "I apologize. I don't often get upset, but-" he shrugs, "both lying, and accusing me and you of doing so?"
Cinnamon's smile is meant to be reassuring as she replies, "I'm okay -- this isn't the first and probably won't be the last time folks have said mean things about me!" Her smile rapidly gets a little goofy, though, as she ends up nearly beaming at Shane -- wow, he really-really seems to like her bunches and he's so gorgeously pretty up close like this!
Thorn sighs quietly, "It's understandable. I don't think Aoi is going to take it very well, but... that's not anyone's problem but her own.
Cinnamon nods gravely, "I think so too."
Marcus nods, "Indeed. As I have heard said, 'That is a her problem.'" Cinnamon giggles, and Shane can't help laughing too at Marcus' stilted use of human slang.
Shane brings Cinnamon a book about paleo- and neo-lithic goddess figures, wanting to demonstrate to his nervous, self-conscious acushla that women who look just like her have been revered throughout the ages. The big issue is that he brought it during an extremely busy time, which means the little dragon hasn't had time to look at it. When Shane off-handedly asks how she's enjoyed the book, after her one year anniversary party, she admits a bit sheepishly that she hasn't yet looked at it. The half-beansidhe looks concerned, "Did I overstep with it? Wanna have a look together?"
Cinnamon thinks about that for a moment, glancing around her little house. Everything that needs to be cleaned and/or put away has been. The house is still a bit messy... but it's mostly just 'cushions and chairs out of place' messy, and she can live with that until tomorrow. There's a little thrill of excitement for her, too, in that Shane bought her a lovely present! So she nibbles her lower lip as she thinks... then grins shyly, "Well, want to get a hot drink each, and then we can cuddle up together and have a look at the book?" A moment later she hastily adds, "Oh! Nono -- of course you didn't overstep!" She blinks, then slightly confusedly adds, "Though why... why would you think giving me a nice gift is overstepping?"
Shane doesn't say aloud that part of the reason he gave the book is to convince her it's okay to get naked -- instead he says only the other, also-true part, "Some people feel uncomfortable getting gifts. But this one... you're right. Let's get some drinks and have a look."
Once they're settled, Shane rather casually takes off his shirt (because he knows Cinnamon's rather fond of his chest) and snuggles up against her as she opens the book to start looking through it. The little dragon has to almost bite her lip to keep from squeaking happily -- she so loves how yummy her Shaney [eeeee her Shaney he said it himself eeeee!] looks without a shirt on! She kinda loves how he looks without much of anything on, too... but that tends to still leave her blushing and quite speechless. This way she can still think straight! She wiggles happily close when they snuggle up together... then has a sip of her hot, sweet tea before sighing contentedly. She's not entirely sure what this big picture book he got her is all about, but... heck, she loves sharing stuff with her asthore! "So, umm... what is this book all about, please?"
Shane starts turning pages, and the very first goddess figure is a large, beautifully photographed view of the Venus of Willendorf, along with an explanation in the Introduction: this is a book about neolithic and paleolithic goddesses, and explores how the cultures of the time formed around the life-giving goddess, as well as how different female figures were revered. He smiles and murmurs against her ear, "That... go on. Have a look through it. She reminded me of you." One warm, heavy hand rests on Cinnamon's thigh, as Shane nibbles an earlobe with a happy hum. Cinnamon makes a small, startled/happy squeak at the very deliciously distracting ear nibble! She tries to focus on the book... but it's hard when her Shaney's being so distracting! Plus... wow, the woman in the photo is... like, totally morbidly obese! She knows the term well, having had it thrown at her often enough in her pre-dragoning life... so... oh, dear. Shane sees her like this person? Er, not person -- umm... thing... statuette? Uh-ohh... her brow furrows as she turns the page. Hopefully it'll get to prettier pictures soon...?
The next page has a goddess figure that's all hips, and another that's an exaggerated hourglass. None -- not a single one of them -- are the currently idealized super-skinny figure. Shane continues talking quietly about what he knows of these cultures, and how the maternal and exaggerated figures were considered divine. He's lazily stroking Cinnamon's thigh and occasionally nibbling her neck and shoulder as he speaks, looking through the book with her as he tries to help her to associate these images with pleasure. Cinnamon, however, looks puzzled -- is Shane saying these women were goddesses?! But... how? They're... fat! Really fat! He's right in that some of them kinda look a bit like her, but... she knows she's not a goddess. Though she doesn't consciously realize it, throughout her entire childhood she had her own visual 'disgustingness' hammered hard and repeatedly into her head... to the point that she has both unwittingly and powerfully internalized that information. People that look like her aren't divine... they're awful.
Shane lets Cinnamon get engrossed in the book before he nibbles at her earlobe -- knowing that gets her all wiggly -- and then lets his fingertips slip beneath the hem of her shirt. He makes a happy mmm'ing sound -- he really does love the soft, delicate skin of her stomach and thighs, and the round, lush shape of her body. However, while Cinnamon is becoming slowly, perplexedly engrossed in the book, it's not enough to overwhelm her very real fears about her stomach being touched, and repulsing her beloved to the point that he leaves! She doesn't like making Shane sad either, though... so when his fingers begin to softly slip around towards her abdomen she giggles nervously and tugs her shirt firmly back into place. Then she nervously checks: would he like to look through the book with her? Does he, umm... oh! Does he know any stories about these, umm... well, very strange-looking... g-goddesses...? -if that's what they really are? Or... oh! Are any of them still alive -- is that how people know they're goddesses?
Shane may be many things, but dumb is not one of them. He recognizes one of his beloved's nervous feints as well as the next person, but he's kind and he loves her, so he lets up on the petting and nibbling to go through the book with her. It's oddly reassuring, in a way Cinnamon didn't expect, to hear Shane's calm, much-loved voice effectively telling her over and over about how deeply loved and respected these strangely and amazingly (to Cinnamon) obese goddesses were. It's so very startling to hear how the cultures were, in a sense, formed around the figure of the birth-giving Mother. Shane murmurs, "A lot of humans now, they put emphasis on the Father God, but I mean, c'mon... what does the dad do in making a kid? Not a lot. In the procreation sense, his contribution is a very small amount of time." He goes through the whole book with her... and it's not until they've closed the last page that he take a deep breath, takes both Cinnamon's hands in his, and asks in his gentle, Shane-like way, "Acushla, can you tell me why you're so worried about me touching or seeing your stomach?" He doesn't want to say tummy because this is a serious conversation -- but in his mind, he thinks of it that way: sweet and round and adorable.
Cinnamon freezes in horror for a shocked heartbeat, her mouth open to reply but absolutely nothing coming to her to say, past a terrified 'he knows!' She tries desperately to get some words out, but it becomes a messy, incomprehensible tangle -- denial, except she knows that's a lie and stops partway through; reassurance that it's not important to her, except she knows it is; confusion as to how he figured it out since she thought she was hiding better than that... it becomes a lot of stuttering and spluttering, and partway through she simply starts crying when it registers: if he knows, then doesn't that mean he's that much closer to leaving her? At that, Shane does one of the things Shane does best: he wraps her in his arms and holds her through the fright-storm of tears. This isn't just Cinnamon runningherwordstogether. This is true terror, and not being able to get words out coherently. His knack is invaluable as he picks through what she does manage to get out: she's terrified he's going to leave if he sees her 'disgustingness'... and by disgustingness, she apparently means if he sees her nude. Shane has another internal flare of anger at her ridiculous family, and the bullies she was subjected to through them.
Only once she's cried herself out in his arms does Shane speak, his voice warm, deep, and gentle against her ear as he murmurs, "A ghrį, I'm not going to leave if I see your lovely form bare, I promise... but I have no way to prove that to you if you won't allow me to see you." Cinnamon sighs wearily -- emotional tear-storms are exhausting! -- but tries to think that through... for her Shaney's sake. She's a bit worried, though, that he's just saying that -- after all, he hasn't ever seen her nude! Heck, she too does her best to not look at her nude self in the mirror at all. She keeps clothes on herself as much as possible... it's a trick she learned from too many cruel gym classes. By now she too can easily recognize gross when she sees it! Shane lets her sit with his query for a while, then gently points out, "Right now, you're miserable due to your fears concerning this, right?" When she hesitates -- then nods tightly once, he asks, "Okay, then... is it better to have me be here but always be frightened... or to let me prove to you that I truly mean it when I say I'm not leaving -- and not be terrified anymore?"
Cinnamon grapples mentally with that for a few seconds... how to politely point out that it's better to be frightened but he's there, rather than have him be gone? Just knowing he's there... somehow makes the world a little bit nicer for her -- a slightly kinder and friendlier place. Knowing he's gone, though -- she doesn't even want to consider the aching, ripped-out hole that would leave in her! As if he can hear her thoughts -- or as if he was anticipating this argument -- Shane adds with gentle wryness: "Acushla, didn't you tell me you didn't want me to make a promise of monogamy? You told me you didn't want me to feel trapped, yes? You didn't want me to feel miserable and stuck because of a pledge I made, right?" Cinnamon nods immediately at that, despite feeling rather uncertain about where this is going. Once he gets that yes from her, Shane wraps his arms securely around her so she feels held and cherished... then speaks gently, "Okay. So how is you doing things you think are going to delay my departure -- the departure that isn't going to happen -- any different than me trying to do things to make you feel comfortable and safe in my love for you? They're both ways of trying to make things last. Mine by reassuring you that you've no reason to worry about me leaving. You by trying to hide parts of yourself you think will scare me away, a ghrį. Which, I promise you on the stones and stars, isn't going to happen."
Cinnamon frowns as she puzzles through that... then tries her best to slowly and stumblingly put her scrambled, terrified, and inchoate thoughts into words, "I... but I d-don't... I mean, I, er, asked you not to... to do those things because... because it'd be wrong? B-because I... I don't want you to feel trapped at all, or... or like you have to stay because you promised or something... you know? I -- I don't want to be like Candi... at all!"
Shane nods his head slowly as he listens, feeling like he's working his way through a minefield made of his beloved Cinnamon's psychological trauma... where one wrong step could blow everything up. He's going carefully and bringing all his empathy to bear, but he can't help a little twitch of a smile and a gentle hint of playful teasing in his voice when he quietly asks, "Oh, and Candi never used lack of access to parts of her body as a weapon against the poor jerks she managed to lure into her clutches?" He knows quite well the body parts Candi locked away are the ones Cinnamon is giving him more more access to, and that Cinnamon would never withdraw affection as punishment, but he's trying to use gentle humor here. Cinnamon, however, doesn't immediately realize this is humor -- she stiffens in horror in his arms, her eyes widening in fear and denial. No! No, that's not -- she didn't -- oh, c-crap, is she being just like Candi?! Nononoo how can she quickly convince Shane she really isn't like her little sister at all really she doesn't want to be at all nooo?!
Shane immediately hugs warmly and shushes gently, rocking Cinnamon in his arms a little, "Hey! Hey, a ghrį! I was just teasing a little there! You are in no way like Candi, acushla -- I promise. I'm just trying to show you how much you aren't like her! If nothing else, you actually care whether other people feel pressured or upset... and you have a beautiful brain and heart." He wrinkles his nose, "And you don't give me a migraine just by breathing near me." He takes a deep breath and adds with sincerity, "You are my love and my light, acushla. My pulse."
Cinnamon is shaking a little as she reflexively hugs Shane tightly back... but her thoughts are racing madly, and her eyes are still fear-widened. Her words are still stuttery and stumbling, but this time it's less terror, and more due to her trying to actually speak about ideas and concepts which she's never before actually had! It takes a while for her to be able to verbalize, but she does eventually manage to ask: "But you -- b-but... you, you've, uhh... like, so many beautiful women have been with you -- you're so pretty, they really like you! How can you believe -- r-really believe -- that compared to them, that... that I'm... er, n-no, more like that you, you are... th-that you... can actually be in love with m-m-me -- er, no, s-sorry, I mean with... w-with my... with such a... m-my... lumpy fat body?! Umm... n-not just, you know... like, m-my... p-personality?"
Cinnamon is also, in a way, stalling a bit for time -- because a few things are finally -- finally! -- registering for her... and she's struggling to sort those shocking ideas out in her head so they all make sense. She's not aware of the concept, but Shane has been slowly restructuring her formerly rock-solid worldview: she is absolutely ugly and unlovable -- everyone can see that! The entire world knows it, the moment they look at her. Abruptly losing one's mental foundation (however unpleasant that foundation might be) can be hard to handle! The little dragon finally manages to sort things out enough in her head that she can organize her thoughts a bit more coherently, and she has a terrifying realization: if... if Shane saw all of her, but actually stayed -- however unbelievable that is... it... wouldn't it actually, really be a tremendous emotional relief for her? She wouldn't have to worry any more about hiding half of herself all the time from him. Further, even if she was right, and he left... isn't that (weirdly) somehow better and... and more honest... than effectively trapping him into staying with her, by denying him something he wants -- the way Candi did/does sometimes?
Shane takes Cinnamon's almost bloodless-pale face in his hands, noticing she's shaking and hoping she's there enough to hear him when he firmly insists -- in reply to her last question, the one she's almost forgotten: "I don't lie -- and you know that! So I'll keep telling you that until you believe me: I love you! All of you! Your brilliant mind, your shining soul, your caring heart, your lovely lush body -- all of you -- and I'm going to keep saying it and proving it for as long as you need me to, to truly get that I mean it -- to get that I'm telling the pure, honest truth!"
Cinnamon stares off into the distance for a few seconds, feeling a curiously nauseating/uplifting mix of absolute terror and resignation mixed with hope. Her face is pale as she whispers through trembling lips, "O... ok-kay..." -- and then she abruptly grabs a pillow next to her, holding it over her face with both hands. Her voice is muffled and shaky, "G-go on then... d-do it! Do it now, please -- before... b-before I-" A tiny, terrified thread of remaining self-preservation hastily edits her initial response from: '-before I throw up!' to the spoken: "-before I chicken out!"
Shane is almost surprised at her acquiescence, but he's not one to pass up a blessing. He smiles and nods before Cinnamon hide her face, then takes a deep breath. Murmuring soft words in Irish and English -- little terms of affection and endearment -- his sure, deft hands work on undressing her. Just like the first time she let him do something like this, he asks as he goes, "Can I pull up your shirt?" His voice is soft, warm, and sultry... because with her face covered, he wants to make sure she can hear and feel his reactions to her.
Cinnamon's reply isn't terribly coherent -- she's trying hard not to cry while her glasses are smooshed up against her face, and it takes her a bit to even realize she was being asked a question! The little dragon has unfortunately thoroughly internalized what she was taught as a child: she's monstrously overweight, her stomach looks disgustingly huge, and sight of it will drive off anyone with even a modicum of good taste -- which, she knows, Shane absolutely has quite a bit of. Well... except in regards to her, apparently...? When she doesn't stop him, Shane gently pushes the hem of her shirt up to beneath her breasts -- which causes her to shudder miserably: he can see her now -- all of her! This is It. She braces as much as she can for the revulsion, trying not to simply hunch up and hide... and to swallow down her tears.
Instead of being disgusted, Shane is busy thinking he'd rather just remove the skirt and shirt altogether... so he could lay out his own personal goddess, bare on her mattress... but he can tell they aren't there yet. Speaking of her skirt... he tucks the waist of it down an inch or so as well. Instead of revulsion, what Cinnamon hears is almost a purr in her asthore's voice, "Ohh... a ghrį, so lovely..." His head dips down and his lips brush across Cinnamon's skin along the top curve of her stomach, fingers brushing along the side -- which causes her to quiver in a mix of nerves, ticklishness, and fear. "So soft..." Shane's cheek brushes along the curve and his breath slides along her skin, "Your skin is so wonderful and you're just so..." There's the sound of a shiver and there's definitely a little hoarse purr in his voice, "Lush and sweet. I love getting to lay my head here..." he demonstrates that for a breath, "and now..." His lips brush here and there, making a playful little circle around her navel -- which makes her squeak and jump, "I get to kiss and pet!" Palms skim over Cinnamon's tummy from bottom to top, moving to cup her breasts for a moment, "Such delicious curves to nestle and press against." With that last comment, Shane shifts, his knees moving to the outside of her thighs and then she can feel warm skin against her stomach: his own belly against hers. It's a very suggestive position, though not quite as suggestive as it could be. "Look at me, acushla?"
Slowly, Cinnamon starts to register Shane's reactions... to her! -- and those reactions make no sense at all to her terrified, adrenalized mind! She's panting nervously as her near-death grip on the pillow starts to relax slightly -- just so she can breathe, she reassures herself -- but... at Shane's request she finally slowly lets the pillow slip down just enough that her wide, fear-widened eyes peer over the top. Due to her utter terror of seeing Shane's impending disgust at how she looks, her internal editors are seriously off-line! -which is why she bewilderedly stutters, "Wh-whuhh... what are you doing? Are you... teasing me?!"
Shane smiles, eyes half-lidded, and half-purrs, "No. Well, not the way you think." His voice is low and husky and his hair is out of its braid, falling around his face and hers as he leans forward and braces himself over her shoulders on his hands, "I wanted to demonstrate something." A slow roll of his hips presses what's starting to become a familiar weight and hardness against her lower stomach. If he'd nudged himself between her thighs instead of straddling them, it would have been pressing against a warm, sensitive spot on her body -- but that contact is something he's sure she's not ready for. "Touching you like that, stroking your skin, feeling how soft and lush you are? This is what it did to me, acushla." He absolutely does not mention it also made him think about whether she'd like to emulate some of those fertility goddesses and let him slip inside her... or whether she'd like to try to make a baby with him.
Cinnamon blinks confusedly up at Shane, pushing her glasses up with one hand; the other is still holding the pillow over most of her face. She blinks again, her gaze getting distant as she takes a moment to sort of... 'resettle' back into her body, to feel what Shane's doing, like he asked her to... and then she squeaks in shock, and the pillow whips back up over her face! Shane has just a split second to see the hot flush heat up her face... but he also knows by now: that particular squeak means she's now more embarrassed than truly terrified. Shane lowers his body and nudges the pillow aside just enough to whisper into Cinnamon's ear, "You're adorable when you blush. Also, your tummy is adorable... soft and strokeable and warm." He shifts and ducks his head to kiss it again, "...and kissable." There's a tease in his voice as he adds, "Almost as much as those lovely, delectable breasts of yours." He has shown himself to be quite the fan of those recently.
Cinnamon peeks almost timidly up at Shane when he gently shifts the pillow... but then squeaks and hides her face again at his words! She still hides for a few seconds... but then, slowly and uncertainly, she lowers the pillow juuust enough to peek over it again at Shane. She looks utterly bemused, "Y-you... are you... for realsies? Truly? You're not... n-not, y-you, I-I... I, umm... uh, I m-mean... you... y-you really mean tha- wait, how could you...?!"
Shane's voice is sweet and playful, but still holds that breathy purr, "I know that's your trauma talking, acushla... because you know I don't say things I don't mean." He starts kissing his way down her belly again, backing slowly down the bed as he murmurs, "There are some other lovely kissable spots on you to explore..."
Cinnamon is currently baffled enough that she only barely registers asking a really rather stupid -- possibly even potentially insulting -- question of a truthsayer. Instead, she's staring in silent bemusement at Shane, unwittingly as cute as a kitten just barely peering over the top of the pillow... because in her head, the cognitive dissonance is pretty much occupying her entire thought process. The metaphorical rock -- the absolutely unquestioned, factual base of her existence for the past twenty-plus years -- has been: she is indisputably unattractive and disgustingly overweight. At her very best, she's plain but tidy! Although... oh! There's a possibility she'd not thought of! She's a dragon, and magical, so... well... maybe her disgusting tummy just... vanished, somehow? Without her noticing? She blinks down at the top of Shane's head... then cautiously, slowly holds the pillow out enough that she can look down her own front.
Well... bugger. Nope; it's still there. Cinnamon is unhappy enough about that, that she doesn't even really register the extremely naughty (to her) word -- she just sighs, utterly confused. Her stomach is huge and disgusting. She knows this -- it is a painful and lamentable Fact of Life. Yet now, this man... this gorgeous, sweet, loving, funny, caring, invariably honest man... is telling her the exact opposite! He's telling and showing her, in fact -- that he's deeply aroused and excited by... by her! Her... right now, and just the way she is. It's almost incomprehensible to Cinnamon. Logically, it's simply, incontrovertibly impossible... except... one of the truths she accepts as just as immutable and self-evident as her ugliness... is that Shane... does not lie.
It's abruptly all a bit much for Cinnamon, and she hesitantly reaches out and lightly touches Shane's shoulder, "Sh-Shaney? Asthore, umm... could we... I... I n-need a moment, umm... p-please? C-can we just... just cuddle for a moment?"
Shane (being Shane, and all about enthusiastic consent) takes any kind of questioning as a timid but definitive 'no.' He immediately stops what he's doing, to swoop up and wrap his acushla in his arms, "Any time you want."
Cinnamon gives a small sigh of relief, even as she pretty much nestles directly into Shane. She tucks her head under his chin, and curls her hands together under her own chin... and though Shane can't see it, her eyes are still wide with confusion as her tangled, messed-up, struggling thoughts keep tumbling through her head. Her soft mumble is hesitant -- jerky with starts and stops, "I just... you... I mean, you -- soso pretty! ...y-you know? But... that's not... it isn't -- not ever! ...I can't... because fat! I d-don't know how, umm... how it could... but then you..." After a bit she sighs, falling silent even as she unwittingly turns her entire, ferocious focus on... on somehow figuring out this... this peculiar, utterly impossible... it simply can't be right... but Shane! ...but then again...
Shane is calmly silent as Cinnamon talks -- or, well, babbles -- because this isn't even Cinnamon runningwordstogether. These are barely fragments of sentences -- her thoughts must be going incredibly fast for her to not even be able to finish her words! A few moments later, though, the little dragon blinks and her nervous breathing slows as she remains utterly still for a few heartbeats. Finally... her voice is still soft, but clear this time instead of mumbling, as she muses a thoughtful, "...eyes." She considers that for another long, silent moment... then more strongly adds, "Eyes! Hmm... Shaney, you have good eyes, right? Like... like Josie thinks you do too, right?"
The half-beansidhe makes a thoughtful hmming sound before he replies, "I believe so, a ghrį -- if, by good eyes, you mean I see things as they actually are rather than how someone else tells me I ought to see them."
Cinnamon straightens a little in Shane's arms as this slow-dawning idea indicates, to her, a possible path out of what's so far been some really uncomfortable cognitive dissonance! "Then -- then that means... maybe -- m-maybe Josie's right again, and... and -- and their eyes are bad about this too?!" Common sense (read: deeply unkind childhood training) tells her she's grasping at straws, though... so she falters, "Umm... m-maybe...?"
Shane nods slowly, "Josie is very right. Your bio-family are blind, bigoted, over-privileged, entitled idiots." He gives a shiver, "The way Candi thought she could put her hands on me? It was skin-crawling. If a guy did that to a woman, it would be unacceptable!" Cinnamon hears the upset in Shane's voice and absently strokes his bare chest -- if she can reassure him, that lovely purring tone will come back into his voice... and she likes that so very much when she's having difficult thinky-times! Shane kisses the top of Cinnamon's head and murmurs softly, "But you? My sweet, beautiful, soft, luscious acushla? I can't get enough of your hands on me... or mine on you. I'm trying to go slow and be gentle because I don't ever want you to feel like you must do something just because I want to, and I've got the libido of a nineteen-year-old human." He smiles wryly, "Quinn tells me that's likely to be true for at least another decade or two. He's not sure exactly because I'm half-human. For him, he said that particular height of sex-drive lasted well into his first century. But I do want you."
Cinnamon sighs softly, relaxing a bit against Shane -- he can almost feel the tension slowly sliding out of her. She's still thinking very, very hard though, so her tone is absent as she murmurs, "Oh, yeah... Sparrow has that problem too, I think, from what Kestrel said..." She's lightly rubbing her cheek against Shane's chest -- he's incredibly warm and comforting-feeling! -- as she's sort of mentally sorting things out, but aloud, "So... so if they were wrong about that, and it is possible for a guy to like me... and here you are, and you don't lie! ...and also y-you've seen me... or -- or my t-tummy, I mean, but... b-but you're still here...?! -and you even- er... y-your..." She glances down a bit frustratedly... then abruptly has to stifle a giggle! A moment later she leans her head back against Shane's shoulder so she can look him in the eyes, one hand covering her mouth and her eyes dancing with laughter in her embarrassment-flushed face, "Shaney, asthore, what, uhh... wh-what do guys, err... I mean, like in regular conversation, you know? B-because I -- I c-can't keep calling it a -- a b-braunschweiger, or th-the big thingie -- that... that seems... disrespectful?" A heartbeat later she almost squeaks, "Ohmygosh, p-please tell me I didn't just -- j-just say something really-really stupid there?!"
Shane laughs -- he can't help it! "Braunschweiger? You've been comparing my cock to a braunschweiger?" Cinnamon squeaks and hides her face against Shane's shoulder! He's so taken aback and amused by the comment that he forgets to keep his language clean... though she did ask what guys call their equipment. He grins and clears his throat, "Depends on who they're conversing with." He rubs his forehead with his fingertips, still smiling, "Okay. You get to hear a little bit of my gutter-mouth here, acushla. Some of the words for it are cock, dick, junk, prick... and there's always the clinical word penis. Or are you talking about the reaction? Erection. Hardon. Stiffie. Chubby. Though those last two? I think they sound a little juvenile. Believe me, though -- there's a thousand other terms for it that are even more euphemistic." His smile goes impish again, "And yes, please: let's not refer to it as my 'big thingie' -- just as I'm not going to refer to that lovely thing between your thighs as a 'hoo-ha'!"
Cinnamon is shaking as she leans her forehead against Shane's shoulder, though because she has both hands over her mouth, it takes Shane a moment to realize: she's trying madly to stifle her laughter! Eventually it spills out, though -- and she just gives up and giggles in delighted embarrassment. Only once she can catch her breath again does she bite her lower lip a bit -- to keep from bursting into laughter again -- and nearly wheeze, "Oh-ho-hoh... hoh-kay! No... n-no b-baun- b-brow- baub-" -- and then it's all too much for her again, and she erupts into laughter once more, at not being able to properly pronounce the word 'braunschweiger.'
It takes a bit longer, and a pause to wipe her eyes and glasses from the tears of laughter... and a very tight, relieved hug that her beautiful, darling, amazing treasure of a sweetheart isn't mad at her for being such a silly twit! But finally Cinnamon sighs happily, curling up against Shane again, and gathers one of his hands into both of hers. With that confidence builder, she's able to get out, almost defiantly, "Okay. I -- I'm g-gonna use what you use, asthore -- I'mmm... I'm gonna -- gonna say c-c-c-..." deep breath, "c-cock!" She winces and blushes at the squeak in her voice -- then hastily adds, "A-and, and if, if y-you want..." another deep breath, "I -- I don't care if you, if-f-f y-you... k-k-k-kissmytummycauseIllllikeit!" She winces again, and after a moment mutters to herself, "Ohmygosh I have got to learn how to talk someday without sounding like a squeaky toy!" Shane groans because, honestly, hearing Cinnamon say that particular word does something to him! Maybe because it's not language she normally uses -- which causes her to blink and worriedly ask, "You, y-you... don't like it?"
Shane leans in, voice taking on that purring timbre she likes so much as he whispers into her ear, "I very much like you calling it that." He slides a hand over her stomach, almost to the bottom of her breast, as she sighs in relief, the smile coming back to her face... although her face is also heating up quite a bit! Shane adds, "A lot, actually. I just try to keep my language clean in mixed company because it's what a gentleman does, love. But there's something intimate and arousing about saving that language for the bedroom, hmm? I'm glad you like it, too -- me kissing your tummy, I mean. I want to be able to kiss every lovely inch of your body." With that, he lets his hand wander up to briefly brush the side of her breast in illustration, before dropping away.
Cinnamon is still pink, but she gamely replies, "I -- I -- uhmm, ok-kay? B-bedroom language only." She pauses, considering that... then relaxes a bit. She giggles, adding, "Probably best to go slow on that, too... especially if I keep squeaking each time I say it, darnit!" She flushes a bit more hotly, and has to take a deep breath, before she can add, "I... I-I w-want you to do that t-too, asthore? But, umm... b-but it... I... I, umm, may... m-may need to go a little slowly, puh-p-please? 'Cause this... all th-this is, like... really-r-really new to me!"
Shane actually makes the cross-my-heart gesture, "As slow as you need." He brushes a lock of her hair behind her ear and murmurs, "You have to tell me if the words I say upset you, too... because there are words for your body parts as well. There's one I won't say because about seventy percent of the women I know find it shocking and upsetting. Vagina is the clinical one for the inside; vulva for the outside." He nuzzles in against her hair, his voice a bare, warm breath that sounds similar to how he is when he's feeling quite... frisky, "But words like yoni and pussy are certainly more sensual..."
Cinnamon wriggles happily at the ticklishly delightful nuzzle, then grins shyly, "Y-yoni sounds... sorta mystical? -a-and," she takes a deep breath, "p-pussy, it's... sorta... like, fuzzy and -- and w-warm sounding?" Hastily she adds, in case Shane doesn't like those terms, "Uhmm, though that's just... just m-me, I mean...?" A heartbeat later she blinks, eyes widening, "Oooh, I get it now -- it's a little rooster!" She giggles, adding, "That's why it's standing up and going cock-a-doodle-doo, right?! Though..." She looks consideringly at Shane's lap, where his kilt is tenting quite suggestively, and giggles again, glancing up at his face, "To me, it almost seems more like a snake than a rooster... a happy little snake looking for a nice, warm, safe little burrow to curl up in, maybe?"
Shane's eyes twinkle as he replies, "That would be because yoni is a rather mystical term, acushla... and yes, pussies are soft and warm and lovely to pet..." he nuzzles into Cinnamon's neck and kisses her there, "-and the petting often makes someone purr." Then he chokes on a laugh about it being more like a snake, sitting up again, "Okay... so one goofy slang term for it is 'one-eyed trouser snake.' But I've never had it compared to a serpent before. Then again, you are a reptile much of the time."
Cinnamon giggles a little ticklishly again at the lovely nuzzling, but then sighs happily and almost leans into the kissing... and without realizing, she does indeed make a happy little sound! She giggles again at his last comment, cheerfully adding, "Snakes and lizards are good things -- Sparrow told me all about them! I thi-" She opens her mouth to continue speaking -- but then abruptly remembers her previous thoughts on Sparrow's phrase for Shane: 'Long, tall, and noble' -- and her face goes instantly flame-red! She hesitates for a moment... but when Shane tilts his head to study her face, murmuring, "Acushla?" ...she impulsively decides: she's going to tell him! She's going to trust him and share... because he's been incredibly patient and sharing with her too, after all!
The little dragon takes a deep breath, then grins a bit nervously at Shane, "O-okay... so. So, y-you remember what Sp-p- Sparrow calls you, right? 'L-long, tall, and noble'? Umm... a-and you remember when we were out camping, after helping the Acorn trod, and, umm... y-you asked me if everything was all right, while I was in my tent?" Shane nods slowly, a wryly bemused smile on his lips -- and Cinnamon's brain derails for a few seconds: [eeee, he has such beautifuldelicioussoftyummylipswait wait wait focus here, girl, sheesh!]. It takes her a bit, but eventually the little dragon shyly, stutteringly explains why she made the silly noise in the tent, and what she was thinking just then... though in the here and now she's determinedly staring only at her tightly clasped hands in her lap.
Cinnamon concludes with, "S-so I, umm... I d-don't know if it's really long or not -- your rooster, I mea- ack, n-no! No, c-c-c- -- I mean c-cock!" She winces again, then sighs at how ultrasonically squeaky her voice gets when she's this nervous... but then, despite still being as red as a rooster's comb herself, she doggedly continues, "Darnit! Uhm, where was- ahh -- s-so I don't know if yours is, er, unusual or n-not? 'Cause I, um, haven't seen a lot of them -- oh, or if he's b-been one of your lovers or not, buh-b-but... um..." She hesitates, then glances nervously sideways at Shane, her voice tiny, "Was this... was I, um, just... too much info there, or... or s-something? Anything?"
Shane smiles and kisses Cinnamon's adorable nose, "No, I haven't had sex with Sparrow. I am very much straight. I have kissed a guy or two in the spirit of exploration, under the premise of how do you know if you haven't tried it, but it wasn't my thing -- no sparks... and I think the long and tall in that sentence are redundant. I am...." He clears his throat, "Not to brag; I am somewhat larger than human average, but I'm not a medical oddity."
Cinnamon giggles shyly at the sweet-cute kiss! She thinks a moment... then sighs happily and relaxes, leaning against Shane again -- and this time, wrapping an arm about him as well, "Okay. So can, um... tummy kissing stay a private-intimate thing t-too please?" She's pretty sure he'll say yes, without mocking her or being annoyed... and she's almost surprised at how amazingly... wow, how really calm... cherishing, even... that knowledge feels to her.
Heck, she knows she's amazingly lucky that someone so beautiful and awesome and -- and all around fantastic as Shane is! -is... she giggles internally as the first word that pops into her mind is 'crazy' -- that someone as all-that as Shane is, is crazy enough to really-really like someone as messed up as she is -- or, er, as she appears to be? Positive thinking, right... the little dragon smiles, closing her eyes and resting her cheek against Shane's chest as she remembers a cute saying she saw long ago: 'The goal of life is to find those that are your kind of crazy.' She hopes -- she's starting to maybe believe -- that she's lucky enough to be Shane's kind of crazy... and she'll get to hang around him for a good, long time.
Shane chuckles softly and murmurs, "Any kind of kissing below the neck -- aside from perhaps kissing your hand -- is going to stay private, acushla." He strokes her hair as she rests against his chest. They're making huge strides! This was definite, wonderful progress.