| Logs |
2008 November 25
| When The Bough Breaks |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
| Realms: Bough Logs |
First Movement, Third Duet
After discussing the situation with Captain Vijdis, the group prepares for their trip. Vijdis would like them to leave after turning -- essentially, local dawn -- so they'll be fresh and refreshed for the trip, so they have several hours before the journey. Okori, a bit torn, in an unusual bout of seriousness decides to stick with Mikal for the time being. Se suggests to Mikal that she might wish to procuring some blurscent root in the village market. A supremely useful growth for travelers in the woods and hunters, blurscent root, when crushed and smeared upon a person's throat and wrists, has the property of negating that person's normal body scent. Okori also mentions that there are other things she'd like to pick up, but the list she gives, and doesn't elaborate on, are a dizzying mixture of words that make little sense, like 'thunderstones,' 'tanglefoot bags,' and 'slip oil.'
Mikal blinks at the names, but simply nods obediently and turns Iron Antlers towards the village. As they're loping easily along, the young girl nervously confesses, "I, um, lady? I, I, I'm not v-very good at... at bargaining and all, you know?"
"Oh, that's quite all right, dear. I can bargan the ears off an elf, if I do say so myself!" As she's talking the see that, while it isn't business as usual, things are still lively and people are maintaining themselves as best as possible. While there are more people in the Palace grounds than before, because so many from the outlying fields came within the wall, things don't seem at all crowded.
Mikal sits on the fey-stag's back, tucked back in the trees as she observes the village. Nervously she mumbles, "Oh, um, g-good, good... um... maybe I should wait here f-f-for you, yes?"
Okori looks up at Mikal for a moment, then says merrily. "Oh, I'm afraid I must insist, dear," she says, with a tone of voice that suggest she not has an ulterior motive, but also multiple ulterior motives. "Bargaining and haggling requires eye contact, and it's terribly difficult as I am now to maintain eye contact, even with a dvergar. So I must ask to impose upon you the use of, at the very least, your shoulders. Because I don't think Iron Antlers will lend me use of his rack."
Mikal says, "A d-d-d-dver..." she whispers, "oh dear," then sighs. Her voice isn't very hopeful as she adds, "I c-c-could, um... c-could ask?" She tries thinking at the stag, but in her current flustered state the stag simply backs up a few steps and goes to grazing, hidden in the forest. Mikal gives a dismayed little squeak, then gives the kitsune a worried look, "D-d-do you really n-need all this stuff?"
Okori says, "Dear, on the road, in possibly unfriendly or at best ambivalent territory, it's always helpful to be prepared. And I'm afraid I'm long ago out of such toys. What powers I can bring to bear after the Godswar are, I fear, limited." She looks consideringly up at Mikal. "Mikal-chan, are you fearful of crowds or something similar? Or you're just more comfortable on your own?"
Mikal blushes, "I, I -- not afraid! Er... exactly. I'm more, um... cautious, you know?"
"Forgive me, dear, I didn't mean to impugn your courage." She sounds genuinely honest in saying that. "But some people simply can't help themselves when it comes to certain things. Fears of crowds, fears of heights, fears of being outdoors, fears of being indoors.... I simply couldn't help noticing that you get flustered when cautious, as you say. And not flustered in that charmingly adorable way that you have.
Mikal blushes again, tongue-tied. She's never talked to someone this... bluntly perceptive before!
Okori continues. In truth, Mikal-chan, I have no desire to make you uncomfortable, but I would like to help you be more comfortable in unfamiliar situations. Oh, we're coming up on the village. If I may pester you for the use of your shoulders....?"
Mikal slides silently down off of the grazing Iron Antlers, waiting until the little fox steps daintily onto her shoulders to head for the village. She's almost stunned at how persuasive Okari is! As they approach the village, however, nervousness overcomes her again, and she pulls her hood up, ducking her head and avoiding looking at the strangers all around her.
BoughGM settles onto Mikal's shoulders with a contented sigh, then softly murmurs, "Don't be nervous, Mikal-chan. You've nothing to be shy about. Let's see... if I recall correctly there's a merchant who sells blurscent root down near the square, by the well...."
Mikal nods once, glancing around a bit to try and locate the square. Maybe if she hurries no one will talk to her, and they'll be done fast? She nearly jogtrots through the village at that thought.
As Mikal trots a bit faster, Okori blinks. "Ah... Mikal... why the rush? You've really nothing to worry or rush about, er, I really do think you should slow down--!"
It's at that moment as Okori is finally getting to strongly suggesting Mikal slow down, in her gentle dissembling way, that Mikal runs into -- literally -- a tall, narrow-shouldered figure. "H-hey..!"
Mikal eeks! and reflexively catches the other person, stammering, "Sorry, sorry, I'm such a klutz, are you all right, I'm so sorry!"
Mikal also manages to catch Okori so the little fox doesn't go flying. Without meaning to or realizing it, she does all that surprisingly gracefully!
The man is on the verge of toppling, when Mikal manages to catch hold of him. "Oh, fret not, I'm fine, just a bit startled! You were in a terribly hurry...."
At second glance, what she assumed to be a hairy man in fuzzy clothes is actually... well, from the waist up, a hairy man with a loose brigandine vest, currently left open to reveal his bare chest; the cold does not seem to bother him. But what at first glance were furry pants are, on second, actually jackknifed legs with cloven hooved, coated in thick shaggy wool. The man's face is narrow with large, pleasant eyes, and a rakish goatee and a pair of small horns peeking through his thick shaggy curls. His skin, and the wooly fur, are a dark, rich mocha hue, and his eyes are bright green. "Are you all right?" he asks.
Mikal stares up at him in astonishment, her jaw dropped. A few seconds after his question she realizes he spoke to her, and she manages to stutter out, "Y-y-you! Yuh- you -- furry?!"
Mikal adds in astonishment a moment later, "Hoh- horns!"
The man, without missing a beat, pads down his legs. "Why... so I am! Fancy that!" Then he reaches up to his head, feeling his horns. "And.. so they are! How novel!" He beams to Mikal, smiling to her as he bows. "Ataraxos Menelaus, dear lady. Pleased to make your acquaintance, which I take it has not included many satyrs in the past?"
Mikal goggles at the man, but finally remembers to shut her mouth and nod once, blushing hotly. She takes a breath, remembering her manners, and murmurs, "M-m-mikal. Uh, and Ok-k-ko-ko-ree, sorry!"
Mikal tries desperately to remember what the man said his name was. Ata-something? "Uh... p-pleasure-t'-meetcha, s-s-sir!"
Mikal says, "Um, sir..." her voice is a little timid as she tries the name, "M-many-layos?""
"I am charmed to make the acquaintance of both a lovely mortal lady and a kitsune of three tails," he says. "Yes, you have it correct! I am just recently returned to the Winter Palace after a long sojourn, and with so few satyrs here I fear names such as ours are rather rare."
Mikal blinks confusedly, "Y-y-you share names?"
Mikal looks behind herself, checking for the lovely lady. She turns back, wondering who the satyr means.
"Oh, no, I mean, satyr names are not common in the Winter Palace. Surely you've noticed. Ah, but I see I am confusing you! My apologies, Mikal."
Okori murmurs merrily, "Ooh, he's a charmer...."
Mikal blinks again, sounding a bit lost, "Uh... he is?" For a desperate moment she entertains the idea of throwing the two charmers at each other and making a run for it! Then her common sense gets the better of her -- barely -- and she nods mutely. She wonders what she just agreed to.
Ataraxos laughs merrilly. "Ah, you flatter me, Okori Three-Tail. No, I am but a traveller, and nothing more, I fear. But I have just been long from the contentment of the Winter Palace for so long."
Mikal feels utterly lost; she murmurs confusedly, "I-is the palace alive too?!"
Ataraxos smiles, shaking his head. "No, Mikal, I meant the contentment of living within the Palace grounds. Ah... but you are only recently arrived, yes? And not been beyond the walls?"
Mikal blinks, trying to figure out where this conversation is going, "I, uh, I -- what? Uh, I m-m-mean yes? Uh, t-t-to the t-t-towers?"
Ataraxos considers Mikal's... answer, then smiles quietly again. "Again, forgive me, Mikal. Even judging by your reaction, this is a touch overwhelming. Would you sit and have refreshment with me, the both of you, to put you more at ease? My treat, of course."
Okori says immediately, one part cheerfully and one part sternly, "Just so you know that if you try anything, you'll get a rump full of teeth from the wolf with the sawtooth smile."
"I wouldn't ever take advantage of anyone who was not at least interested, Okori Three-Tailed, I swear to you." A moment later, he blinks and looks around. "A... wolf?"
Mikal is sitting next to Mikal, watching the satyr with interest and panting gently. His jaws are parted almost in a grin, his tongue lolling out to the side and his jagged teeth gleaming.
Mikal beams with a small burst of pride in her handsome sibling, "This is Raphael, my half-brother!"
BoughGM says, "EDITOR: That should be Raphael is sitting next to Mikal. =)"
Ataraxos blinks upon seeing the raptor-wolf. "Oh," he says, sounding impressed. "I see what you mean by his smile." He tilts his head, looking between Mikal and Raphael. "I confess I do not see the resemblance," he says, entirely seriously, "but I am certain that would make a fascinating story to hear!"
Mikal leans to hug Raphael about his burly neck -- she feels much better with him here too! She whispers, "Thanks for coming, Raph!" before she straightens, one hand still resting on his thick ruff for the reassurance -- her reassurance, not his!
Mikal thinks a bit, now she's had a chance to gather her wits. What were they doing...? Oh! That's right. She says to the strange goaty-man, "Thank you for... for... um, it's a pleasure, but we were just heading to the well in the square for some, um... what was it... was it blurroot, Miss Okow-ree?"
"Blurscent root, Mikal-chan," Okori provides, "but are you sure? I mean, we're not in a great rush, are we?"
Mikal fidgets a bit, glancing between the satyr and the fox on the shoulder, then mumbles, "'Scuse me please," as she turns away. She stage-whispers to the little fox, "We're in a village though! Shouldn't we hurry?"
Okori tsks softly. "You're being 'cautious,' yes?"
Mikal says, "Yes'm!"
Okori uh-huhs. "We're going to work on this, dear...."
"If you are in a hurry," Ataraxos provides, "I can perhaps help? It would be the least I could do for you...."
Mikal looks relieved at the kitsune's apparent agreement with her, then blinks at the satyr confusedly, "Uh... you can?"
"Certainly. I've nothing pressing, and I am more than glad to help show you about the market or carry your parcels for you if you have elsewhere you must be soon."
Mikal blinks worriedly at the satyr, wondering why he's being so nice -- could this be like that time the boys helped her drag in the dead khidra? But... she doesn't have a dead monster with her this time! -or... could it be her carrying anything that makes boys want to carry things for her? She frowns puzzledly, trying to figure it out so intently that she just mumbles thanks as the satyr takes her hand and tucks it into his arm, turning to lead her further into the village and chatting amiably to her and the kitsune. Fortunately the little fox woman is paying attention and cheerfully chats back, leaving Mikal to continue puzzling. Maybe what the satyr really wants is to carry Okori?
Okori directs them, with Ataraxos helping, to the vendor in question. It's a small sheltered stall near the well, against the side of one of the buildings. As she gets close, though, the scents are amazingly varied and rich. It's like being in a place where an entire forest is concentrated. Mostly the vendor sells roots and mushrooms and lichens and such, not so much herbs and spices. The entire stall thus has a rich, loamy, earthy scent.
Mikal is quite boggled again, looking around bemusedly and appearing a bit lost. There's so much noise and scent and -- and the crush of people! She can see maybe twenty to thirty people here, all at once!
While Okori does provide guidance, there's only so much that a talking fox, even on one's shoulder, can do to provide direction. Ataraxos is a bit more effective, pointing out vendors which may have things of interest to Mikal and Okori, and staving off some of the more forward merchants. "No, I'm fairly certain the lady does not need a rod that dowses rocks...."
Mikal is starting to look a bit dazed -- she's used to the quietly serene calm and danger of the forest -- not being in the center of the rough hustle and bustle of marketplaces! She nods blankly when spoken too, and goes where she's steered, and tries not to wince away from the really loud people around them.
Both Okori and Ataraxos can tell that Mikal is getting shellshocked, and Okori restrains herself; after purchasing a few blurscent roots for Mikal, she picks up for herself a handful of thunderstones in a thick pouch, and suggests to Ataraxos that they move to a part of the main thoroughfare that isn't quite so crowded. And so, a few minutes later, they're still in the main part of the town but there are much fewer people here.
Mikal sighs softly several minutes later as she realizes it's both quieter and calmer here. She sinks down on the edge of a low watering trough on the side of the road, trying to stop the shakes, "I'm-m-m-ms-s-s-s-orree-ee..."
Okori gently strokes the back of Mikal's head, an odd sensation with her paw, but comforting nonetheless. "It's okay, Mikal. Sh-h-h-h, take slow, deep breaths." Ataraxos is quiet, but looks on concernedly.
Raphael has seen this before and knows how to help -- he settles next to her and curls one paw-hand around her, tucking her up against his heavily muscled neck and head. That, combined with Okori's patient kindness, helps Mikal to eventually pull herself together after a few minutes of shivering. She's deeply relieved neither of the strangers with her are either angry or laughing at her. She looks up to shyly whisper, "I... I'm sorry. I'm n-n-not very good at c-crowds."
Ataraxos says reassuringly, "I can understand, Mikal. I've known a few foresters in my time, and only a handful of them were terribly happy with crowds and towns."
Mikal blinks at the satyr, "H-how d-d-did you know...?"
Ataraxos smiles gently. "I admit, it was a guess. Your bow, your forest-hued cloak, the way you carried yourself. Even your half-brother, the way he cleaves to your side. It speaks of one more at home with nature than artifice."
Mikal stares at the satyr for a moment, her mouth open... then she remembers herself again and hastily closes it. A few seconds later she adds a small, "...oh." She pushes her bangs back out of her face, then adds a bit plaintively, "Are we, um... almost done shopping?"
Okori makes a soft sound. "I think we are done, yes. No need to overdo it for this time."
Ataraxos tilts his head to the side, "I hope I have not spoken out of turn. I apologize if I have. My offer of refreshment still stands, unless you would rather take a rest from people for a bit.
Mikal blinks confusedly at the satyr, then realizes bemusedly she seems to be doing that an awful lot! She finally manages to get out, "Uh... did I miss something? What did you say that was rude?"
Ataraxoss ays, "In saying that I had guessed you were a forester."
Mikal looks more confused, "Uh... is being a forester rude here?"
"No, not at all. But you seemed taken aback when I said I had guessed you were one."
Mikal says, "Oh! N-no, I just... well, people d-don't look at me a l-lot, you know?"
Ataraxos looks surprised. "Really? I would think that they would like to look at a lovely young lady such as yourself, and even more so when they begin to get to know you."
Mikal stares in astonishment at the satyr -- then squeaks nervously and hastily pulls her hood up again!
Ataraxos blinks in surprise, hen gives a soft chuckle. "I see I have perhaps embarrassed you enough for one day, Mikal. May I, if it is not so bold of me to ask, perhaps have the chance to see you again, in a place more to your liking?"
Mikal peeks cautiously up from beneath her bangs at the satyr -- mostly what she sees is shaggy legs -- and is tongue-tied. Is he going to want to carry things for her again? Will he want her to shop again? She finally pulls herself together enough to give a tiny nod, although she's not sure how the satyr will be able to get her home -- if that's what he means. She's not sure.
Ataraxos smiles and nods, "Thank you, Mikal. What say then, the turning after next, at the foresters' lodge?"
"I'm afraid we have an engagement elsewhere," Okori provides smoothly. "We won't be able to make it then...."
Before Mikal really knows it, Okori has appointed herself Mikal's chaperone, and the current plan is to meet for a nice light lunch at the foresters' lodge in about five days' time, which, unspoken, should be enough time for them to go to the town of Snowcrest and return. Ataraxos promises that, even though as a mortal she does not need to eat, he will be pleased to prepare something for her that will prove to be delicious.
Mikal blinks and nods blankly a couple of times when the kitsune cues her. She smiles uncertainly at the satyr and nods again and, shortly thereafter when she and the kitsune are leaving, she whispers to Okori, "Uh... what are we doing again, please?!"
Okori says placatingly, "We're going to meet the nice polite satyr for lunch in five days. And I stress the 'we' part. I'll be there to chaperone, and Raphael will be there to enforce good behavior. Not that I think he'll need to, mind you, but he does make a fine nice big stick to beat away the suitors."
Mikal nods confusedly again, "Um, all right. Is he, um, is he going to want to carry you?"
Okori giggles softly. "No, but I think he'll want to carry you. But he'll ask politely first, at least."
Mikal squeaks in surprise, "Carry me?!" A moment later she adds confusedly, "Why would he want to do that? Iron Antlers is quite fine for me, after all?" She pats Raphael as she slips silently through the forest with them, back to the big fey-stag.
"Dear, a big and polite fellow like that enjoys being helpful and useful to a pretty lady. Wait." Okori leans back a little, peering at Mikal curiously.
Mikal pauses, glancing sideways at the little fox and wondering what they're waiting for.
Okori blinks. "You really... you really don't notice when someone is interested in you? Romantically, I mean?"
Mikal blinks at the little fox on her shoulder, "What? Me?" She laughs, relaxing and continuing her quiet walk through the forest, "Males aren't interested in me, Miss Okow-ree. They're interested in the furs I can sell them, or what monster I dragged in, or stuff like that."
Okori stares at Mikal for a few moments. "... Ri-ight. Mikal... uhm, well, how to put this. Ataraxos was not looking for you to sell him furs, or what monster you dragged in. And he's neither the first nor the only nor the last one."
Mikal gives the kitsune a reproving look, "Miss Okow-ree, he is not one of the many monsters I've hunted. How can you say that?"
Okori blinks. "Ah... no, Mikal. I mean, he won't be the first nor the only nor the last person who is interested in you."
Mikal says, "Oh. All right." She's not sure what to say to that; she knows it's true due to her skill as a forester, but she thinks the kitsune likely doesn't understand the appeal of furs to the average mortal. She smiles a bit -- she's pleased she can help her pack do well through her hunting -- and adds, "That's fine."
OKori gets right away that she didn't communicate that at all right. "Interested in you as a pretty young woman, I mean."
Mikal giggles, "All right!" She's not sure why the kitsune is pushing this, but she's willing to play along. "So why would a furry goaty man want sex with a mortal?"
(Log stopped Tue Nov 25 1908 12:22 AM by "BoughGM" at "Bough Soundstage" OOC)
(OOC) Tue Nov 25 1908 09:14 PM by "BoughGM" at "Bough Soundstage" (OOC)
BoughGM says, "EDIOR: The preceding goes into a new solo; the following goes into a new duet. Remember that it's Second Movement."
It's just as Okori is attempting to stammer out a gently prudish answer, one which seems to boil down to, 'Because it's fun for both?', that Norris comes by, after visiting the forges. The smiths there said that Piter had gone to the artisans' guild to get proper fittings for the glaive Norris had made, and they weren't sure when he would be back.
Mikal brightens as she sees Norris, pausing in her trek towards Iron Antlers to head towards the tall boy, "Hi, Norr!" To Okori she replies, "I know sex is supposed to be fun and instinctual, but I think I'm going to try to find someone who wants to bond with me, you know? Like a raptor wolf pack, where there are mated couples." She grins, adding cheerfully, "Which means people that look and act like goats are likely not going to be interested!"
Okori quips, "Well, that eliminates the entire satyr population of the Palace, dear. But... to each their own. Just about everyone will respect that decision, certainly."
Mikal grins at the fox on her shoulder, "I doubt they'll even hear it, let alone care, Miss Okow-ree, but thank you for the reassurance?"
Norris is quiet. Not because he has nothing to say, but because of what he's walked in on. "uh....hey?" he finally says intelligently, utterly flummoxed. And worried about how any response he might make to it might be taken, especially when he doesn't understand the context. So, he plays it safe. And dumb.
Mikal smiles up at Norris, repeating herself for her friend, "Hi, Norr! Guess what we just met? Er, who, I mean?"
Norris gives Mikal this look, as if to suggest that in the fantastical world they've joined, how could he ever hope to guess what strange new creature they discovered. "uhm. A singing Gazeeebo?" he queries. He saw a gazebo, once. It was part of a set for a travelling troupe. It didn't look near as weird as it sounded.
Mikal laughs, giving Norris a quick, impulsive hug, "No, silly! We met a satter!" She takes Norris's hand, heading back towards Iron Antlers with him if he'll come along, chattering happily, "We went to get blurroot or blurscent or something and a bunch of other things at the village and Miss Okow-ree rode on my shoulder and she did all the talking and its name is... um, what did he say... Ataxaxos Leonid! Er... I think...?"
Mikal adds ruefully, "It was very loud and confusing at the market!"
Norris makes this sympathetic noise. "Aw, ahm sorreh, Mikal. I'da come withya, but ah had t' check onna surprise for Tomas...had an inneresting time after comin back from the woods. Helped treat an elf for iron pois'n, an made a halberd head what Piter says is 'masterwork' quality...ahm sure he's jsut bein nice, but ah have't admit, it did come out real good..." He decides to be caught up in her news, rather than ask why they were talking about sex and mating and all that. Safer.
Mikal frowns thoughtfully, "No, I think I got the name wrong. It was Atter... Atter-something..."
Mikal blinks up at Norris, her eyes widening, "Oh, no! Norris, is the aelf all right? He's not dead, is he?!"
Mikal blinks again, then grins and gently punches Norris in the arm -- he barely notices it -- as she laughs and says, "Oh, Norris, you're so silly! You do good work!"
Mikal blinks again, brightening, "Many-layers! That was his last name."
Okori stifles a giggle. "Meh-neh-laws, I think, actually."
Mikal says, "Oh, was that it? Um, what was his first name again, please? I, er..." she looks embarrassed, "I think I missed it?"
Mikal says, "Atter-something Many-laws -- that's all I remember, I'm afraid?"
"I do believe it was 'Ataraxos,'" Okori says.
Norris shakes his head. "Naw, not that bad. Iron pois'ning doan look good, but ah been in th' forge enough t deal with burns, at least. He'll be fine."
Mikal enunciates carefully, "Atter-axe-ows, got it." She thinks a bit, then grins nervously, "Uhmmm... maybe I'll just stick with Many-laws." She looks up at Norris and nods in relief, "That's good to hear."
Norris hunhs. "Everyone do have these big names, doan't they, And more'n one, too. Not like th' village."
Mikal nods bemusedly to Norris, "Did you notice that too? It's like they come from all kinds of places, instead of just one village." Musingly she adds, "I wonder if many laws is his hometown, or his title?"
Norris huhs. "Do satters have laws? Are there, lak...whole cities full o' satters, Okori?" he queries.
Mikal looks interested in the answer to that also.
Okori laughs softly, "Some of them are family or clan names. Menelaus is the satyr's clan name, I believe. And yes, there is at least one large town and several villages of satyrs. They're mostly upon the foothills of Mount Olympus.
Mikal aha!s triumphantly, "A clan name! There you go, Norris -- they must all be from different clans!" She looks pleased to have figured that out, then adds cheerfully to the fox spirit, "So why would he want to mate outside his extended clan?"
Okori giggles, stretching out. "He wouldn't ant to mate, that is, sire children with you. He'd simply want to spend a mutually fun evening with you. 'Recreational sex' I think is a careful way of putting it!"
Mikal looks surprised, "Is he sterile then?"
Norris uhs. He starts to clam up again...and then unexpectedly dives in. "Yeah, ah wuz just about t' say that. Lots of folks out there, like, uh...rec'rational...uh, sex." He knows his cheeks are heating up.
"Oh, not likely, Mikal-chan. But most aethyrs and mortals aren't interfertile. Alfar and mortals are, but most aethyrs are not."
Mikal gives Norris a surprised look, "Oh. You know about that?" Interestedly she adds, "How's it work? Is that what Jareth does all the time too?"
Mikal gives Okori a confused look, "What exactly is an aethyr, please?"
Okori has almost toppled over, trying not to laugh at the comment about Jareth, though she composes herself, composing her answer as she looks expectantly at Norris, an irreverently merry gleam in her eyes.
Norris looks embarassed and cornered by his friend's simple query. "Ah...well...per'aps that's sommat Jareth should be sayin...doan want t' be carrying tales..." he hedges. Nevermind he'd not feel comfortable telling some of the tales Jareth shared with him of various adult games and trysts in the past.
"Well," Okori says slowly and carefully, composed now. "That's not an easy question to answer, Mikal. I suppose the easiest way to explain it is that aethyrs are beings who exist wholely and solely within the Dreamtime, while mortals exist in both the Dreamtime and the Waking simultaneously.
Norris tugs at his collar. "Doan have no personal ex'per'ence wi' it, tho. Just know that...well, not all guys and girls stuff has t' be...well...babymakin. There's...other ways."
Mikal sighs at Norris's comment, her shoulders slumping a bit, "Oh, well... I guess I'll just have to figure it out on my own then -- I can't ask Jareth." She smiles a bit sadly up at Norris, adding, "Thanks anyways, Norr."
Norris uhs. "Why not? Ah mean...Jareth woul' probably tell yew anythin' yew wanted..."
Okori has by this point lounged on her belly, propping her chin up with her paws, watching the conversation with rapt fascination.
Mikal has her head tilted to listen to the little fox, but at a sudden thought she blinks startledly, "Wait -- you don't know about it either, Norris?" She beams suddenly, "Oh, good! I thought I was the only one in my age cohort in the village that wasn't mating yet!"
Norris coughs. "Not matin'. Briana let me kiss her a bit, though. An she wanted t' feel muh arms an legs. Wasn't too bad." he confides, hands kneading at his belt.
Mikal laughs softly and gives Norris a rueful sideways glance, "Haven't you noticed, Norris? When it's not about foresting or stuff I'm really good at, I can't seem to talk clearly around most folks." She sighs amusedly, adding, "With Jareth, when he starts being nice to me and does that little gleamy-eye thing, I can get a couple of sounds out sometimes... and then my brain turns off! And then I need to go away for a while. I'm not sure why he puts up with me at all."
Mikal thinks a bit, then adds amusedly, "The night I spent with him on the mountain I was so tired and beat up I couldn't think straight to talk as it was! He was awful sweet to insist I stay -- I fell asleep while he was talking, I think!"
Norris's head tilts. "Well...seems t' me yew just have stuffs yew need to work on, yeah? Stuff what's more n' just talkin' t' jareth about personal stuff. An...till yew can get more comfortable with th' larger picture, probably just as well yew aint tryin t' being with boys innat way just yet, hey?"
Norris puts a big hand on Mikal's shoulder. "Yew just need t' be more comfortable alla way aroun'. An ah kin help wi that, however ah can. Th' matin and sexin' stuff kin wait, surely."
Mikal considers a bit, then nods thoughtfully, "Briana... she's nice. She doesn't laugh behind our backs, you know?" She listens to Norris again, then chuckles, "Oh, I don't have a problem with sex -- I know everyone does it! I just thought I was the only one who didn't, you know?" She grins ruefully up at Norris again, "Oh, believe me -- I'd like to be all calm and confident like you and Jareth. I just don't know how."
Mikal adds almost perkily, after a moment's reflection, "So what other ways are there then, so there's no baby-making?"
Norris's brow knits. "Jus comes naturally t' me, ah guess. Ahm calm mosta th' time. Not sure how t' teach it. But seems t' me that this here groupin is a good way t' start. Yer not alone with Raph anneh more. Now you got a whole pack, and yer gonna have t' not just hunt, but talk, n plan. An once yer comfortable always inneractin with people yew know well, mebbe that helps th' intereactin with strange folks, yeah?"
OKori is utterly silent, though if anyone looks at her she is biting her tongue as if to silently say, "Oh, you are so in for an education, dear!"
Mikal nods thoughtfully, listening carefully.
Mikal says, "Well... I'm working on not being scared all the time... although," she sheepishly admits, "sometimes Tomas scares me..."
Norris coughs! "Well, ah...hmm." He's also forgotten the kitsune was there, so perhaps his lips are looser than they'd usually be. "Well, uh..." He tries to think of how to explain this. "The parts of yer body made fer sexin is all...sensitive. So, girls an' gals that are gettin all randy as they grow up...they learn how t' stimulate those sensitive place alone. But th' thing is...iffn yew with sommat else, then yew kin get th' other person to do th' stim'lating for yuh, yannow?"
Mikal says, "Sure, I've seen that." Confidently she adds, "I've seen it a lot, both in the village with humans, and in the forest with animals." It's clear she has no idea how (likely) shocked and dismayed the village folk would be if they knew just how much she'd seen, drifting quiet and forgotten through Staunton. "So how does that not make babies, though?"
Norris clears his throat again, trying to get straight in his head the wak Jareth explain it. "Just...pleasurin doesn't cause kids. It's specifically the male part goin' int' the female part...well, t' begin with. An when they're uh...ruttin, there comes this moment when...all inside yuh, you're just bursting with a spark oh joy...and when that happen, the man spurt sommat int' the girl. It's the stuff they spurt inside what causes babies. Like plantin a seed in th' earth, see?"
Mikal gives Norris a faintly bemused look, "Um... Norr, surely you've seen the animals in the herds mating, yes? We all know about making babies. It's the not making babies I'm curious about, you know?"
Norris uhms. "Wal, then ahm confused. You wus askin how touching each other doesn't lead t' babies. An ah wuz saying it's specifically one thing folks gots ta do, an if they don't do that thing...there's still lotsa ways fer men an women t' please, see?"
Mikal says, "Yes, but how do they enjoy themselves without mating and having babies? I've never seen that -- just people or animals getting ready for the mating, you know?"
Norris hums. "Well...that ah caint realleh explain...ah mean, Jareth tol me a bit about it, but as yew know, not really practiced." he mumbles.
Mikal looks a bit disappointed as she walks along, thinking... then she brightens, "Oh, I know, Norris! You ask Jareth to explain -- and I'll listen! That way we'll both learn, and I won't have to talk!"
Norris chokes on that idea. "uhhh..." It makes a certain amount of sense, but... "Well...hell, sure, iffn ya want. Ah suppose there'll be plenty o time t' talk onna way to this village we's t' be going to..."
Mikal beams at Norris, "Thank you!" then blinks, "Wait... to the village?! Uhh... I was walking away from the village!"
Norris shakes his head. "not th' one inside th' walls, Mikal...the one what th' Lady Seneshal is sendin us too, see?"
Mikal says, "Oh, that one!" She sighs in relief, then grins cheerfully at Norris, "It's a plan then!"
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