| Logs |
2009 June 08
| When The Bough Breaks |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
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| Realms: Bough Logs |
Fourth Movement, First Duet
After Mikal has slept for a while, Ravana rouses himself and, with rather a healthy dose of regret, decides that angering Ninshubur's pretty bard of a mate would not be the wisest of moves. Shifting carefully, he turns himself once again human and scoops the limply asleep girl up in his enormous arms and moves back toward the camp.
He's also not above nuzzling into her hair a time or two and breathing in the delicious scent of sex, magic and woman.
Mikal is deeply unconscious, recovering. The most reaction the tiger lord gets is a soft moan and an effort to cuddle more close to the source of warmth.
The guards at the edge of the camp are only slightly astonished to see their Lord coming back with a half-dressed mortal woman in his arms. What they are astonished at is that though she smells quite deliciously of sex, he does not. They wait until he has passed to pass a rather significant look between them.
Ravana strides through the camp, his own heart swollen with excitement over the results of Mikal's dancing prayer. With, again, no small amount of regret, he carries the unconscious priestess/huntress to the pavillion her odd little pack has been sharing.
The pavillion is empty aside from Raphael.
The big raptor wolf raises an amused eyebrow -- he followed partway, just to make sure everything was all right with his half-sister the night before, and snorts softly. Relaxedly he shifts so there's room for Mikal next to him, watching the rakshasa with lazy interest.
Ravana nods to the raptor-wolf and murmurs, "She has exhausted herself in prayer. She needs rest, and I shall leave orders that none of you are to be disturbed until you stir yourselves." With reverent gentleness, he carefully tucks Mikal against her half-brother's side.
Raphael makes a soft mutter of acknowledgement. He noses a blanket abut his tiny half-sister, then continues to watch the rakshasa relaxedly. He seems almost amused, rather than judgmental or irritated or anything similar.
Ravana makes a brief salaam to Raphael and turns back toward his own tent, his excitement barely reined in. He intends to test the limits of this new development surrounding the curse.
The big raptor wolf nods once politely in return, then resettles his big head on his forepaws.
Sometime during the night, Jareth finds himself back in the pavillion and quite naturally curled up with Mikal against the protective curve of Raphael's side. Their mortal bodies don't need sleep, but sleeping is still pleasant and watching his lithe and strangely powerful little mate sleeping comes close to stopping his heart. Silently, so as not to wake her (though he would love to do so as lovely as she looks in his tunic with her hair tousled in that way), Jareth wraps his arms around her and tucks her head against his shoulder.
Mikal makes a small, contented noise, snuggling up closer against the warmth and cuddling.
As the sun is starting to rise, Mikal's soft happy sounds and cuddling break through Jareth's resolve a little and he finds himself peppering her shoulders and the top of her head with quiet kisses, considering how early they're likely to be called on by Ravana or one of the other rakshasa. He's actually rather anxious to get across the mountain. The thought of the vajra has been occupying him rather a lot.
Mikal wakes up slowly -- and very pleasantly, all things considered! She yawns and stretches, then mmmms contentedly, beaming up at Jareth. Raphael passes the news Ravana gave about being undisturbed, and she turns that beaming smile on the big raptor wolf, [Oh, good!] She looks back at Jareth, still sleepy enough that she thinks instead of speaking, [Morning, beautiful lover!]
Jareth smiles down at Mikal, unable to hear what she's thinking at him, and then kisses her forehead, brushing her hair back off her forehead, "You look radiant this morning, mon lapin. Perhaps I should dress you in my shirts more often, hm?" He himself is still barechested and doesn't seem to mind.
Mikal giggles happily, remembering to talk now. She reaches up and trails her fingers contentedly over Jareth's skin, almost purring with happiness, and murmurs softly, "Morning, beautiful lover! I'm happy to wear your shirts any time you like." She blushes, her gaze shyly dropping from his face to where her fingers are teasing his chest, and adds softly, "I -- while I was dancing prayers last night, I... well, it felt like -- like y-your, like your l-love w-was wrapped all around me, y-y'know?"
Jareth arches a brow and makes just enough of a sound to let Mikal know the petting is pleasant. Absently, he starts gathering her hair together at the base of her neck, "You danced prayers last night? With my love wrapped around you?" He smiles crookedly and carefully shoves the flirtatious and risque comment that tried to spring to his lips out of his mind, "I hope you always feel that way. But what were you praying for?"
Mikal shifts contentedly so Jareth can play with his hair however he wants. At his query she happily says, "Oh, a gift for the rakshasa, so they can fight the angels better. I prayed to my Lady of Greatest Heart that for as long as they're embodying Krishna's will in defending the mortals against the angels, that wood be allergenic to them only when it's been deliberately formed into a weapon, and deliberately used as such against them. That way they should stay within manageable numbers, since I suspect they're quite willing to fight each other when there aren't enough angels around to fight daily... and it softens the curse a bit!" Explanatorially she adds, "You can't lift curses from gods once they're laid, at least in most religions I know of." She leans forward just enough to brush her lips over the skin she's stroking, then adds with an almost bubbly joy, "And... She answered, mon sweet chat! She granted my prayer!"
Jareth may be an unusual young man and his amazement at the things Mikal can do is huge, but having her kissing his chest as she's telling him about it makes his voice a little stuttery as he says, "Y-you... y-you talked your Lady into... i-into helping the rakshasa against the angels?" The enormity of what Mikal's saying takes a little while to coalesce, "If you've done that... they have more freedom to fight and to help us hunt Azrael!"
Mikal sighs happily, her breath a warm caress across his chest, delighted that Jareth seems pleased with what she's done. She nods cheerfully, "Uh-huh! Isn't that neat?" before she goes back to checking how he tastes. She's a bit sleepy, but part of her is glowing with joy, and her lips brush against Jareth's bare skin again as she whispers, "You know, Inanna is the Queen of Love as well as of War..."
Jareth's smile goes lopsided and mischievous, his hands sliding down to start pulling the back of the tunic upward, "Why, I believe you're right..." He's delighted that Mikal is confident enough to even hint that she might like to make love and he's quite happy to oblige her in that deliciously intimate dance. The fact that Raphael is there doesn't even faze him, since the big raptor-wolf was there the first time they consummated their new relationship. It's only afterward, when they're curled close together and feeling happily limp, that Jareth thinks to ask, "Do the rakshasa know yet?"
Mikal thinks about that for a bit, contentedly tracing slow, dreamy circles along her beloved's bare skin. Finally she murmurs softly, "I... I don't know, actually. Raphael says Ravana Lord was very courteous when he brought me back late last night, but he di- er..." she sits up very fast at a sudden thought, looking around worriedly. "Oh dear..." She scrambles to her feet, grabbing Jareth's shirt and hastily pulling it on over her head as she heads for the door, gabbling, "Gotta go get the gorytus be right back sorry lover can't lose that Raph come with please?!"
Jareth is left blinking and a little muddled. Mikal's ability to go from afterglow to action is astonishing to the somewhat sybaritic bard and he starts gathering together the rest of his clothes with a bemused smile.
It's not until Mikal's well gone that what she said sinks in. When Ravana brought her back last night? She had to be told about it? That's not a thought he likes in the least and he hurries to get his clothes on, looking for a spare shirt.
The near frantic girl runs swiftly through the encampment, heedless of the looks she may garner at hastily tugging on a shirt and nothing else, trailing the scent of fresh sex and with her hair a curling, tangled mop as she pelts for Ravana's tent. The big raptor wolf, more used to his little half-sister than Jareth, simply snorts amusely and lopes easily along beside her.
There are more than a few double-takes as the girl and the raptor wolf run through the camp. Some of the double-takes even turn into appreciative looks. And some of the appreciative looks garner the lookers an elbow to the ribs. Ravana is in his own tent, the flaps pulled closed.
Mikal skids to a halt on the grass, panting softly -- her body is still recovering a little from the tremendous draw she made on it last night -- and hastily hammers on the tent pole, "Ravana Lord, Ravana Lord! May I come in please please need to get the gorytus hello?!"
Ravana throws back the tent flap, and he himself looks like he might have been celebrating rather carnally. The garment wrapped around his hips looks somewhat askew and the rakshasa is grinning like the cat that got the canary, "Ninshubur! Of course you may come in..."
Mikal doesn't hesitate -- she grabs one hand, tugging to get him to follow (about as effectively as a kitten trying to shift an elephant) and gabbling, "Oh thank goodness we have to go right away to get the gorytus please please now you're not busy are you please let's go?!"
Mikal pushes her shaggy hair back out of her face, anxiously tugging again and still completely uncaring or unaware of how she must seem to the rakshasa.
Jareth glances back inside the tent, considering whether to grab his tulwar, and then shrugs, "No busier than normal." Her tugging hasn't shifted him so much as a fraction of an inch. Ravana leans inside the tend, instinctively reaching for his boots and then he grins, "Yes... let's go." He reaches to scoop Mikal up and settle toss her over his shoulder before loping toward the trail to the overlook. Barefoot and bare-handed.
Mikal gives a shocked squeak as she's abruptly scooped up, and when she's thrown over the huge man's shoulder she instantly starts struggling. Grabbing at hair or sash or shoulder, she fights to turn over so her bare bottom isn't flashing everyone, and she indignantly pants, "Hey!" then adds breathlessly, "T-tiger, please?!"
Mikal's struggling makes Ravana laugh a little and carefully put her down. He unwittingly put her in a position that gave him rather a delicious and intense whiff of freshly sexual woman. The result is that he's smiling with heavy-lidded eyes as he looks down at her once she's on the ground, "You are truly amazing, Ninshubur...." It takes him a moment to pull himself together enough to become a tiger.
Mikal yanks hard on the shirt to straighten it, craning her neck back to give the much larger man a glance that's half exasperated and half amused. She mutters mostly to herself, "Oh, is that what we're calling it now?" then grins in relief and swarms swiftly up onto the tiger's back. Raphael comes galloping up -- he'd dashed back to the tent at a sudden thought, and she gratefully accepts her belt (with attached accessories) from his jaws, "Oh, excellent idea, Wolf -- thank you!" She rides the swift tiger easily as she buckles on the belt and shifts long knife and med kit to the small of her back, then leans forward and breathlessly calls to Ravana, "Please hurry! It would be terrible if I stupidly lost such a treasure!"
Mikal pushes her unbrushed hair impatiently out of her face, completely unaware of how enticingly abandoned it makes her look -- all her focus is now on retrieving the lotus weapon.
Ravana's sense of smell is even more sensitive in this form and he finds himself growling a little under his breath as he skids through the jungle. This is the fastest he's ever run in the jungle. The most reckless he's ever been.
They're going a much longer route than the first time they went up to the overlook, much more overgrown and wooded. Ravana roars with pure exhiliration as he whips around an enormous and ancient tree, his hips skimming the bark.
Mikal rides easily, clinging to his back seemingly effortlessly. Her anxiety keeps her from noticing immediately, but when the huge tiger uncaringly brushes against wood -- she notices. She ducks her head and closes her fists tightly in his fur to hold on against the lashing branches, but once they're past she breathlessly calls to him, "Figured out the prayer, ah? Ask me the details later, yes?"
Mikal finds it hard to remain unmoved by Ravana's evident joy, and when he simply leaps from one side of a wide ravine to the other, her delighted gasp -- and later, laughter -- trails after them both.
Ravana's voice is exultant, "I have been experimenting, little Rabbit!" It turns out that they're coming at the overlook from above and he leaps down the thirty-foot drop to land with a graceful thump just feet from where Mikal danced the night before.
Mikal wasn't expecting that! There's another startled squeak as she tumbles off, rolling several times before she sits up dazedly, one hand coming up to her head, "Ow... are we there?"
Ravana is back to human form much more quickly than he became a tiger and with breath-taking speed, he's on one knee beside Mikal, eyes filled with concern, "Ninshubur! I apologize."
Mikal blinks startledly up at the tiger, then smiles a bit shakily, "I'm all right! Really -- I'm sorry, I was clumsy there at the end." She reaches out without thinking, closing her hand on his shoulder and carefully trying to leverage herself to her feet again, "I just -- oof! -w-wasn't expecting that. My fault..." She shakes her head once, then blinks and winces, deciding to wait a bit before she tries that again. "Oog... right. Gorytus!" She looks around for it, still leaning against the rakshasa for balance.
Mikal pulling herself up by Ravana's shoulder puts her face right about even with the rakshasa's and he reaches with one enormous hand to steady her head. "Do not shake your head so, Ninshubur. Let me see your eyes."
Mikal blinks a bit confusedly at the big rakshasa, not resisting at all, "What's wrong wtih my eyes?"
Ravana rumbles, "If you have hit your head, I need to make sure your eyes are the same. If they do not match one another, we will have to speak with a chirurgeon..." His voice is worried, but still buoyed by exhiliration and the slightest tinge of arousal.
Mikal blinks again, murmuring, "Oh," then holding still so they can stare directly at each other's eyes. His are an arresting slitted gold, and she finds herself lazily admiring them.
The rakshasa relaxes and begins to smile widely in relief, "You are fine... and your eyes are quite lovely." There's only a few inches between them after the examination and Ravana begins to lean in.
Mikal sighs softly in relief, "Oh, good. I'd feel even more stupid if I hurt myself while retriev-" She stiffens, jerking around in anxiety, "The gorytus! Papaios, where are you?!"
Ravana laughs and shakes his head in amusement as Mikal pulls away. The gorytus is just where it was left.
Mikal darts over, nearly pouncing on it in relief, "There you are -- thank goodness!" She scoops it up, then scampers back to where Ravana is half in cover. She flops down with boneless grace next to him, immediately unlacing the gorytus to check on the precious and irreplaceable bow. Her voice is low and apologetic as she murmurs quietly to the bow, as she does so.
Mikal sighs in relief a few minutes later, letting herself lean back and relax. "It's fine -- all fine!"
Ravana has shifted so that he's reclining on his side, body propped up on an elbow. While Mikal checks over the gorytus, he reaches with one powerful hand to stroke her hair, running his fingers through it like a comb.
Mikal ends up flat on her back in the thick grass, nearly bubbly with the release of anxiety. She rolls her head to one side to grin up at the rakshasa nearly leaning over her, "What a relief! If I'd lost this, it would have been a disaster -- I don't think I could have faced the aelfar again without doing my best to first hunt it down and retrieve it!" She's silent for a moment, her gaze going thoughtful as she studies the reclining man next to her much smaller form. The sunshine-like light dappling down through the restlessly shifting tree branches gives a faint golden halo to them both, although she only sees how it reflects highlights off his dark hair and warm colored skin.
Mikal sits up then, carefully packing the bow away and buckling the gorytus to her belt. After that she shifts over to kneel next to the rakshasa, by his chest. She rests a bracing hand on his shoulder again as she says sincerely, "Thank you so much for dropping everything to run out here for me. I am very grateful for your kindness, Ravana rakshasa Lord." She smiles, then leans carefully down to give him a gentle kiss on the cheek.
Ravana chuckles and reaches down, using one broad fingertip to trail along Mikal's jaw as she leans to kiss him on the cheek, turning his head to try and return the kiss before she pulls away, "I was truly doing nothing important and the run was heart-racing and exhilirating, Ninshubur."
Mikal is not expecting the rakshasa to move -- and so for a startled heartbeat she can feel the soft brush of lips against her own.
Ravana takes the lack of reaction to be acceptance and he leans a little more firmly, hand moving to cup the side of Mikal's neck. Had he been a bit more aware or a bit less giddy, he would likely have known the difference between startlement and consent.
Mikal recovers herself instantly at being apparently grabbed, however gently -- she sits back abruptly, alarm flaring in her eyes.
The pulling back makes the predatory part of Ravana want to hold on more tightly, but the part that respects Mikal as a priestess and a woman (and that wants to keep his heads) lets go after a moment. His eyes are heavy-lidded and quite pupil-blown and just as he's starting to speak, Jareth comes trotting up with Raphael. They were moving much more slowly and had to take a route with less risks.
The young bard's eyes narrow as he sees the postures of the two people, one mortal and one aethyr. The look on Ravana's face is obvious and very familiar to Jareth and the young mortal finds himself clenching his fists in an attempt to sound calm and smooth his expression.
Mikal gives an unwitting gasp of relief, "Ja- Cat! Wolf!" She jumps to her feet and nearly scampers over to them, throwing her arms around Jareth in a relieved hug, "Oh, good! Oh, and we found the gorytus and Papaios is fine everything's fine I'm so relieved!" It hasn't occurred to her yet that Jareth might have seen, nor has she registered yet the person behind her is also a very large and somewhat aroused predator!
Jareth wraps his arms around Mikal and hugs her tightly against his still-bare chest, voice quiet as he says, "I'm glad you found what you were looking for, mon lapin..." He's looking over her head at Ravana and his normally open and pleasant fae is flat.
Mikal sighs in relief, relaxing a bit. The pleasant thought drifts through her head: Jareth always smells so nice! ...and then his rather flat tone registers. She leans back just enough to look up into his face, her voice puzzled, "Is... is something wrong, Cat?"
Raphael sniffs the air thoughtfully, then casually shifts so he's standing near Mikal. As far as he's concerned, there's way too much sex and aggression floating around in the air just now...
Jareth quirks one side of his mouth up in a smile and kisses Mikal's temple, "I'm fine, lapin." He takes a couple of deep breaths and smiles in a more heartfelt manner, "What did we miss besides finding Papaios?"
Mikal relaxes again, smiling shyly up at Jareth through her shaggy bangs. She giggles at his query, "Oh, you missed an amazing ride!" She turns, taking Jareth's hand to lead him back towards the rakshasa, "Ravana Lord was galloping madly -- oh! That reminds me; I need to talk to him about the curse alleviation!" In her relief that the bow is fine, she's not being grabbed at, and no one's angry, she's almost bubbly with relief.
Ravana has not moved from his spot, but he has shifted somewhat, raising one knee to brace himself just slightly. The body language is very easily readable to Raphael as aroused and just on the eager side of relaxed.
Jareth nods and lets Mikal lead him toward Ravana. He also recognizes the look on the rakshasa's face. A man does not wear that look if he has already sated himself with a woman. Still, he's careful to stay very close to Mikal.
Raphael tilts his head thoughtfully, but says nothing -- so far everyone seems to be behaving well enough around his adorably clueless little sister. Mikal heads back to the big rakshasa, settling down cross-legged nearby -- unwittingly out of the rakshasa's immediate arm's reach -- and smiles a touch uneasily. Something is wrong, although she can't put her finger on precisely what just now. "So, um... you know curses can be alleviated but not lifted, yes?"
Ravana smiles broadly and nods, "Indeed. A curse, once placed, cannot be removed, no matter how much one may wish it."
Mikal looks relieved, "Oh, good. So you understand I couldn't remove it, yes? All I could do is ask my Lady to soften it a bit." She takes a deep breath, her eyes going half closed as she almost chants the words, "So long as the rakshasa embody Krishna's will in defending the mortals against the angels, even so shall wood be allergenic to them only when deliberately formed into a weapon, and deliberately used as such against them." She takes another deep breath, then smiles a bit apologetically at the rakshasa lord, "I thought that would best codify the will of your pantheon's lord, while still offering some succor against the ease with which the angels might harm your people. I, um... I hope it is of use to you all."
Ravana's eyes glint, "That is a truly awesome gift, Ninshubur. We will have to thank your lady quite thoroughly for it. And we will need to thank you as well, for speaking with her."
Mikal beams in relief that the rakshasa isn't disappointed or anything; her eyes are bright with happiness as she says, "Oh, good! I was hoping you'd be pleased. Ina-" she cuts off, thinking hard as something registers... then she says slowly, "Er, actually... I think... I think you need to thank Radha, your Lady, rather than mine?"
Ravana tips his head to the side and says, "But it was your lady that softened the curse."
Mikal frowns thoughtfully, her voice musing, "Yes, it was... so why does that not feel right, for you to praise her?"
Mikal finally shakes her head, her expression still bemused, "I -- I don't know, Ravana Lord. But I do feel very strongly it is Radha, beloved of Krishna, that you should be thanking. I... well, it feels like something I know, you know?"
Ravana strokes his chin and the glossy, well-trimmed beard that he wears, "I see... It would not be untoward to thank Radha."
Mikal adds confusedly, "Maybe... maybe she can talk Krishna into maintaining the softening, afterwards? I, um... I'm not really sure?"
Mikal takes Jareth's hand; she doesn't like feeling quite so confused, but she is sure this feels right to her.
Jareth twines his fingers with Mikal's and brushes the back of her hand with his thumb. Seemingly absently, he leans to kiss her temple as they both watch Ravana. Eventually, the rakshasa murmurs, "We will need to make an offering... and perhaps a statue."
Mikal pushes the rakshasa's bracelet back up onto her upper arm, then blinks at it, "Oh! I bet I know -- there must be some energy trading on-going between them?" She happily takes the bracelet off and shows it to Jareth, adding, "Look what Ravana Lord gave me for some of the energy exchange of the prayer, Cat! Isn't it pretty?"
Mikal blinks, then nearly glows with happiness as Jareth gives her the gentle kiss. She's unwittingly leaning against him, feeling warm with pleasure that he likes her company.
Jareth fingers the armband slowly and nods, eyes flicking to Ravana again as he considers how thruthful he was about a very expensive gift. or so it seems to the bard. "It's lovely, little Rabbit."
Ravana rolls onto his back, that one knee still raised, and crosses his arms under his head as he thinks, "The statue will be the slow part."
Mikal beams as she slides it back onto her upper arm, leaning to give Jareth a shy kiss in return. She turns back towards the rakshasa, her face still alight with happiness and her mouth opening to say something -- then she goes still for a moment, a faintly confused look on her face, "A -- you do not have an icon of your Lady?"
Ravana turns his head toward Mikal, "Of Radha? No. We have the statue of Lord Krishna in our small temple.'
Mikal simply stares at the rakshasa for several heartbeats, incredulous awe on her face. Finally she says carefully, "Perhaps I am misunderstanding. Are you telling me you do not have routine prayers and puja to Radha?! Radha, the beloved of Krishna Lord, the best and at times only conduit to His grace and forgiveness? Radha, the Queen of Krishna's Heart, the source of pleasure, the Merciful and All-Forgiving?!"
Mikal warms to her subject, starting to wave her arms in agitation, "Radharani, who with Krishan together constitute the source of absolute truth for their pantheon? The original Shakti?! Great heavens, Ravana Lord, are you surprised you've run out of salt and the blessings of Krishna if you neglect his beloved?!"
Mikal pauses only to draw breath before she indignantly continues, "Why, for some of the adherents of these traditions, her importance approaches or even exceeds that of Krishna himself! It is only through her that you may approach him now -- because they are united in eternal love! The transcendental goddess Radharani Srimati is the direct counterpart of Lord Sri Krishna Lord! -the central figure for all the goddesses of fortune! It is she who possesses all the attractiveness to attract the all-attractive Personality of Godhead -- the primeval internal potency of the Krishna Lord!"
Mikal pauses, blinking a bit, and wonders where some of that came from -- and then her outrage flares forth again, and she glares at the rakshasa, waiting for an answer.
Ravana watches and listens to Mikal expound upon the lack of respect show Radha and he sits up and then, in rather an impressive show of flexibility, nearly puts his forehead to the ground, rumbling, "It will be rectified."
Mikal lets her breath out in a small whoosh of relief, her voice heartfelt, "Good! I do not want the gift of my Lady of Greatest Heart to be wasted due to your people losing your Lord's favor." She rises fluidly to her feet, gently tugging on Jareth's hand, "Come, we should return at once. This is a grave oversight which needs to be remedied as soon as possible."
Mikal muses internally: the rakshasa are warriors first and foremost, from what she was taught, although there are many who are also noted scholars -- as well as some who are renown sybarites! She smiles faintly at that thought, then murmurs thoughtfully to the rakshasa, "Your people are, ah... often restless, yes? Would they approach puja to your Radharani with more reverence if they'd had a chance to work off their, um... glee at the alleviation of the curse with some nice, rousing battle first? And while they do so, the non-warriors could prepare the altar and gather the flowers and other decorations in preparation for the ritual?"
Ravana raises his head and watches Mikal and Jareth both rise and start to move back to the camp. He smiles wryly, "I will meet you there."
The rakshasa's smile goes postively feral, "I had an idea much like that in mind. There are a few key points the angels do not bother to defend."
Mikal nods, looking pleased herself as well, "Excellent! I had been thinking of an ambush in the forest, myself, but I'm sure you know the area better than I." She grins at him, her eyes sparkling, "Good hunting to you, Ravana Lord! We shall doubtless speak again, at latest, at the ceremony for your Radha Lady." She adds reassuringly, "Wolf and I can track back to the encampment; do not worry for us."
Mikal watches the big man head off, then turns to Jareth and gives a gusty "whoof!" of relief again as she hugs him, "Well! That was quite the shock. How could they neglect their goddesses so? Did they think their Ladies would not notice?!" Raphael looks amused, his tongue lolling out in silent laughter at his sometimes fierce little sister.
Jareth smiles wryly and hugs Mikal back just a little possessively, "My little love, many do not remember how precious women are, be they sweet rabbits or all-powerful goddesses."
Mikal hmfs, unmollified. "More fool they, then! They shouldn't be surprised when the heart goes out of their people." She sighs happily, leaning her head against Jareth's chest for a moment... then she straightens and grins ruefully at him, "I apologize for being so, um... cavalier with your care, mon sweet chat, but, um..." she flushes a bit, her gaze dropping, "I, er, I wanted you all to m-myself a bit, i-if that's all right? Er, on the walk back, I mean?" Hastily she adds, "D-don't worry, I'll be as careful and alert as always! I know the jungle has dangers too, after all."
Jareth blinks, not quite following Mikal's line of reasoning. He laughs as it starts to come together for him, "Ahh. I am always glad of time alone with you, mon lapin."
Mikal beams delightedly up at Jareth, then grins and nods to Raphael. She giggles self-consciously as the big raptor wolf gives her a mock put-upon sigh, then vanishes into the underbrush. The young woman grins up at Jareth, peeking shyly through her bangs as she takes his hand in hers, "S-so, um... want to walk with me? Raph's scouting for us." She hesitates, then adds slowly, "Also, um... d-did you notice something... I'm not exactly sure what, but there was something wrong, just after you arrived?"
Jareth laughs quietly as he and Mikal are left completely alone, which is a rare thing. Even in their most intimate times, they are usually accompanied by his mate's half-brother. He raises her hand to his lips and kisses her fingers, "I... am ashamed to say I had another moment of jealousy, little love."
Mikal flushes with pleasure at the courteous kiss, but blinks confusedly up at Jareth at his confession, "Er... you did? What of? Why?"
Jareth shakes his head and pauses, leaning back against a sturdy tree so he can pull Mikal against him, belly to belly with one arm around her waist. The other hand brushes her hair back off her face, "Mikal, my love, I don't want to shackle you, but Ravana looks at you like he wants to devour you. And he is so powerful and doesn't need protecting."
Mikal leans happily against Jareth, quite willing to cuddle with him for a bit -- although her life-long training warns her not to start sex unless they're both safely back in the encampment. Her voice is genuinely curious, "How would his looking at me like that mean he needs protecting?"
Jareth laughs and leans his head back against the tree, "It doesn't. It means that he wants you for a lover. He has not tried too blatantly when I have been there, but he has had many an excuse to be alone with you."
Mikal thinks about that carefully, resting her cheek against Jareth's chest. Finally she says thoughtfully, "I don't understand how protecting comes in there, but that's all right. He's been quite polite around me, though... well, mostly. I mean, when I want distance he doesn't push, you know?" Wryly she adds, "Just before you arrived I was trying to give him a nice kiss on the cheek to say thanks for dropping everything to bring me here right away to find Papaios." She flushes as she sheepishly adds, "I -- I didn't expect him to turn his head." Hastily she continues, "B-but, but he's already got a wife and, and lots of lovers -- he told me so! So..." she sounds genuinely perplexed as she adds, "so why would he want just one more?"
Jareth blinks at that and looks out over Mikal's head as he considers, stroking her back through the cloth of his tunic. He knows what Ravana was trying with turning his face, "I think he was trying to kiss you back, love... and I think he was bragging to you."
Mikal sounds puzzled again, "Bragging? By kissing me? Oh! You mean by the lots of women." She giggles at that, then whispers, "Jair, do guys just not realize how -- how indiscriminate that makes them sound?!""
Jareth feels some heat coming to his cheeks. He wouldn't call himself indiscriminate. He just really, really enjoys the pleasure of being with women. "Uhhhhm... well... He may have been trying to assure you that it would be enjoyable."
Mikal giggles, hugging Jareth cheerfully, "Silly man -- you don't brag about it, that I know of!" She's still giggling as she takes Jareth's hand and tugs him towards the trail again, almost skipping as she does so, "C'mon, mon pretty chat! I already have enjoyable and more -- he can find someone else!" She smiles thoughtfully at Jareth, adding a bit perplexedly, "D-do you... does the thought of me with another man bother you that much, sweet?"
Jareth smiles lopsidedly and lets Mikal pull him down along the trail, "I don't brag, but word got out anyway." The sight of Mikal's bouncing hair mesmerizes him for a moment, "Mmm... not exactly. Just him, I think." He pauses again, thinking. "If you were with Norris... it would be different."
Mikal turns back again, absently brushing the tangled curls back behind one ear, "Just him? Is he that bad, or am I missing something? Or... or do you think he's the type to -- to expect all the women to be faithful only to him, or something?"
Jareth feels himself going red again and takes a deep breath, "I feel like he's the sort of man that would give you so many wonderful things that you would realize that I'm just a goatherd who likes to tell stories."
Mikal's eyes are dancing with gentle teasing as Jareth starts speaking, but she's stopped and is staring at him with some consternation by the time he's finished. Her voice is a bit tight with pain as she murmurs, "You... you think I can be bought, Jair?!"
Jareth squirms slightly and hugs Mikal back against himself, "No! No! I don't think you can be bought. You are not a possession. You're a woman and a huntress and a priestess. But you deserve the best."
Mikal is still a little stiff as she's hugged, although she doesn't pull away. "Wh-what did you mean, then, Jair, when you said that, please?"
Jareth takes a deep breath, "I mean, my love, that really I'm just someone that talks a lot. I used to watch goats for my living. Ravana is a powerful warrior and I've listened, he's a scholar as well. He's got so much knowledge. And..." this comes out rather grudgingly, "He is very good looking. He would be a good match for you."
Mikal gives Jareth a long, puzzled look, "You think... Jair, he's what, hundreds of years old? Maybe more? Of course he knows a lot! If we somehow live that long, we will too! But..." her faint smile is confused, "but what does that have to do with us? I know you're attracted to the little kitsune and to the airship captain, both, and they're both older and wiser than me, I don't doubt... but I also know you'll be back eventually." She steps forward, reaching up to gently touch Jareth's cheek, "You know that too, don't you?"
Jareth looks down at the ground past Mikal and says slowly, "I have never had anyone that wanted to always come back to me, lapin."
Mikal smiles up at Jareth with unexpected sweetness, her eyes bright. "Do you mind if I make sure you learn how it feels, mon chat?" She hugs Jareth tightly, resting her cheek against his chest again. She feels like crying, but for the first time in her life they're deeply joyous tears.
Jareth is taken by surprise at his own strange emotions and the fear that wells up at that admission. His arms wrap tightly around Mikal and he whispers, "We'll teach one another, little love."
Mikal sniffles a bit, then sighs softly and relaxes in Jareth's arms. Her own voice is low but very happy, "All right." She rubs her eyes with the back of one hand, then grins a bit tearily up at Jareth, adding, "You can still go sleep with other nice ladies if you want, too... you just gotta make sure to come back, okay?"
Jareth nods solemnly, eyes slightly bloodshot, "I have promised, little Rabbit. I will always come back. I want to always come back."
Mikal giggles a bit shakily, feeling almost limply relieved as she nuzzles against Jareth's chest. Her voice is a bit muffled, "Silly bumblebee. I'll be your wolf."
Jareth smiles and takes Mikal's hand, "Let's get back, then."
Mikal happily takes Jareth's hand, leaning against him a bit as she pads lightly along next to him. She wipes her face with the back of one sleeve, muttering, "I feel a bit silly for being all blubbery." A moment later she looks up and smiles, her eyes still bright, "No more worrying about Ravana now, too, yes?"
Jareth's lips twitch a little bit, "I will stop worrying about Ravana. Even if you do decide to let him take you to bed."
Mikal laughs softly, her eyes shining as she throws her arms around Jareth for a quick hug -- then she takes his hand again and skips along next to him, her voice bubbly with happiness, "I don't think he can do that, actually, sweet chat -- he's got too much else on his mind, you know? He can't give all of himself -- he's just, um, what's the word -- rutting? Not loving?" She grins wryly at Jareth, adding, "I hope this makes sense to you... I don't have good words, darnit!"
Jareth chuckles and slides his arm around Mikal's shoulder, "I think I understand, little love."
Mikal beams, leaning against her lover happily and sliding an arm about his waist. She feels like she should be glowing with light -- she doesn't remember ever feeling this joyous before! Well... maybe the first time they, um... nope, nope, this one's even nicer!
Mikal is chattering happily to Jareth, almost skipping beside him -- although as usual, her bow is in her free hand for quick use if necessary -- as the twosome approach the rakshasa's gatehouse to the encampment. "-and it was a complete shock -- I had no idea there was this Ninshubur person, you know? So it only makes sense really that there's something like that for all of us and we just haven't found anyone's but mine yet!" With the quick mental leaps Jareth is starting to know her for, she adds curiously, "I wonder if Ravana rakshasa Lord has told them about Inanna's blessing, and if they've found a good statue of their Radha Lady, yet?"
Jareth smirks slightly, "I suspect that Ravana will want that particular revelation to be very dramatic. I would, if I were him."
Mikal grins and bounces lightly on her toes, "I wonder what he did then?" She waves cheerfully to the guards, pats Raphael as he trots relaxedly in past her, and looks around to see if anything seems at all different in the demeanor of the rakshasa she can see.
It's the closest he's coming to articulating some of the reason for his jealousy. Ravana and Jareth have some things very much in common, but Jareth is just starting out and Ravana is a master of them.
The guards are the perimeter of the camp are a little subdued and one even looks like he might be sulking slightly.
Mikal looks around puzzledly, murmuring softly to Jareth, "Um... is it just me, or is this not celebratory behavior?" She thinks a moment, then trots over to the rather sulky looking rakshasa, "Excuse me, please. Is something wrong? Why does everyone look unhappy?"
The guard looks like he wants to snarl, but catches a quelling look from his partner and instead just growls, "Ravana has called everyone in to talk about some big thing, and we're stuck here."
Mikal says, "Oh!" She brightens, then grins, "I'm quite sure you will all know soon." Confidingly she adds, "It is a wonderful thing, if it's what I think it is. Trust me, it will be worth the wait!" She trots back to Jareth, taking his hand again and tugging him along, "C'mon, let's go see if it's what I think it is, all right?"
Jareth chuckles, "Let's go get dressed first, little love. We look more like we've just had a tumble in the hay and not like we should be attending a big announcement."
Mikal looks down at herself in puzzlement -- then suddenly flushes hotly, "Oh! I've been running around all morning looking like something the cat dragged in!" She heads swiftly towards the little streamlet she'd found earlier, determinedly adding, "A bath first -- I'm amazed Ravana Lord would even talk to me in this state!"
She grins over her shoulder and through her tangled bangs, still slightly flushed as she shyly adds, "Wel... one particular cat would be all right, I suppose...!"
Jareth follows along a bit leisurely, grinning at the view from this angle, "I'll grab some clothes and then we can bathe. I rather suspect he liked you in this state, lover. I certainly do." As they get deeper into the camp, there's more hubbub and whisper, rakshasa quickly cleaning up their armor and changing into what are obviously ceremonial clothes.
Mikal skips off happily, "All right -- thank you!" She settles by the stream a moment later, glancing around to make sure she's alone before she shrugs out of the shirt. She's soon humming in quiet pleasure to herself as she splashes contentedly in the little streamlet, cleaning up.
Jareth joins her later with the cleanest and nicest of what clothes they had packed. After a moment, he joins her in cleaning up.
Mikal's bright smile flashes more now than it used to years ago. It flashes again as her beloved joins her, and she's soon happily running her hands over his back, helping him get clean as much as she's enjoying the simple pleasure of touch.
Jareth is very, very careful to concentrate on the task rather than the loveliness of it. Otherwise, they would likely be much more delayed in getting cleaned and dressed.
Mikal says softly to him, "I wish we had a bit more jewelry -- I know that's important in this culture. But flowers are too, so I figured we could each make a nice flower wreath for the other. Is that all right with you, mon chat?"
Jareth chuckles and says, "If we can find flowers, you can show me how."
After a moment's thought, he adds, "I could try to create some for us, but that seems to be your specialty."
Mikal giggles, pointing towards some nearby trees, "There are some really lovely purple and white ones in there, if those are the species I think they are... and those bushes over there will hopefully still have open blossoms on the inside, where it's still cool." She grins, kissing him gently on the cheek, "Let's not use any creative energy we don't have to just now, if you don't mind? I'm still a bit short, I'm afraid, from the prayer dance last night."
Jareth nods and pushes himself to his feet, wriggling into his pants since hsi skin is still a little damp, "I'll go get the flowers."
Mikal beams, impulsively hugging Jareth before she lets go, "All right! I'm going to try and wring out my hair and wipe off some of the water, so I don't cause another staring contest." Her voice is wry, "One is enough, I think -- I don't like to think of big hungry predators being quite that interested in me, you know?" She giggles, then settles on the mossy little bank and starts combing her damp hair out with her fingers.
Jareth mutters to himself in amusement that he doesn't think they mean her harm when they stare like that, and then he's off to gather the flowers.
Mikal giggles in spite of herself at that! Soon thereafter she too is dressed, contentedly demonstrating the delicate intricacies of weaving flower wreathes. Unsurprisingly, the one she crafts for him is tidier and more elegant than his, but she crowns him happily, and wears the one he made for her with evident pride.
She stands gracefully, smoothing down the front of the priestess's pleated linen and then smiling at Raphael, "Yes, I made one for you too, big brother! Look, we can weave it about your throat here, so you won't have it tickling your ears." She giggles at his patient eye-roll at her, "Hey, I remembered what you complained last time!" A few moments later she beams at Jareth, standing with one hand resting lightly on the raptor wolf's heavy -- and now flower decorated -- ruff, "Well? Do we look presentable now, Jair?"
Mikal's hair is uncharacteristically piled up and pinned into place in front with the headdress she manifested as Ninshubur, with loose curls tumbling down her back. The armband/bracelet from Ravana decorates one arm, and her decorated wrist cuffs gleam as brightly as the anklet and the woven belt about her waist, which clasps closed the high-slit, armless linen garment she wears. Border embroidery and the decorative brooches at each shoulder complete her outfit, and her bow and arrows peek out from behind her shoulders like wooden frills or wings.
Jareth smiles and bows with an elegant flourish over her hand, "My love, you take my breath." He's dressed more simply and his only decoration is the flower wreath atop his head.
Mikal beams delightedly up at Jareth, flushing with pleasure at the compliment! She studies him for a moment, then says shyly, "I, um... w-would you l-like to wear the bracelet Ravana gave me, as a g-gift from me?"
Jareth blinks at that and then smiles. This gift he understands better than the pelt! He nods and kisses Mikal's knuckles, "I'd be honored."
Mikal blushes again, then happily slips it onto Jareth's wrist. It's large for him too -- Ravana is definitely a big man! -but not quite as swimmingly oversized on the young man as it is on Mikal.
Jareth pushes it up on his forearm and slides his arm around Mikal's shoulder, "Let's go."
Mikal beams delightedly again, standing on tiptoe to give Jareth a gentle kiss on the cheek before she nods and takes his hand. As they head for the tall pavilion she whispers to her packmates, "They're sure taking a long time in there, don't you think?"
Jareth is starting to say something as they come up on the gathering of rakshasa. They find that they are let through the crowd rather easily to be near the front, perhaps out of deference to their height or lack thereof. When they get to the front, they see that Ravana is just starting to emerge from his own tent.
Mikal smiles a bit puzzledly, wondering what the rakshasa have been up to. Have they all been washing up too, the same as she and Jareth were? She must have gotten the wrong impression -- she thought they were all in the tactical tent!
The generals are in the first rank of the gathered rakshasa. They are all waiting and some are frowning in impatience as their lord emerges. Ravana has apparently been cleaning himself up and getting ready for the announcement. He is resplendent in bright scarlets and golds, mankolams and swastikas decorating the fabrics as symbols of life and well-being. His face is set in an expression of mischief, joy and anticipation. Jareth's guess that he wanted to be dramatic is already seeming correct.
Mikal's eyebrows go up a bit -- the rakshasa lord looks quite resplendent! She smiles, quite understanding he wants to show off a bit; in the face of such news she might feel the same. If he meets her gaze she grins and winks at him -- she's delighted to see him having such a good time, and she's quite sure the other rakshasa will be just as delighted soon too.
In front of his pavillion, Ravana has gathered several long, slender branches from the surrounding jungle and they are laid together side-by-side and in some cases end-to-end to create a small pallet between where he stands and where the rest of the rakshasa are gathered.
Mikal stands between the seated Raphael and Jareth, her arm about his waist. She leans slightly against him, enjoying the warm closeness of his arm about her shoulder. This time she's more relaxed -- she's wearing more, and it's not sticking to her from dampness. She smiles with lazy pleasure; this is the sort of celebration she loves. Good news shared always increases.
When he's sure everyone that's able is there, Ravana raises his voice, "My brothers and sisters! We have been blessed! These mortals that not only brought us the opportunity to eradicate Azrael but helped us to capture Moroniel have been the conduit of a great gift."
Mikal blinks, then smiles with shy pleasure -- that's nice of Ravana to credit them all as well! She gently squeezes Jareth close, beaming up at him with pride, then glances curiously around at the rakshasa, wondering what they think.
The rakshasa are glancing at Mikal and Jareth as Ravana continues to speak, "I will show you this gift." With that, he begins to strip off the ceremonial clothes and jewelry, one piece at a time, laying them aside until all he is wearing is a very simple cotton loincloth. Once he is that bare, he kneels beside the stretcher/pallet and murmurs a prayer. Mikal and Jareth, along with the first rank, can hear that he mentions Brahma, Krishna, Shakti and even Shiva. "Watch, my brothers and sisters..." And then he first puts one hand on the pallet, drawing a gasp of caution from the crowd that turns into silent awe as he shows no pain. And then he stretches himself out on the wood.
Mikal shakes her head amusedly, wondering what it is about rakshasa that they credit women so rarely! Well, considering their leader seems to struggle occasionally with lust, she supposes it's only logical. Her smile warms with pride in Ravana's courage at the display -- there's probably some small part of him that still 'knows' he's allergic to wood, that's having an internal hissy fit right now!
Only those closest can tell that Ravana is just a little stiff as he lays himself out on the bare wood, skin exposed. Through the crowd, there is first a murmur and then a cry followed by a welter of questions.
Mikal's grin broadens and she glances around happily at the rakshasa. She whispers softly to Jareth, "Think they're happy, sweet chat?"
Jareth is grinning broadly as he looks around at the expressions of awe. The doubtful expressions have morphed for the most part into amazement.
Though Ravana has made it obvious that this miracle comes through the mortals, the rakshasa are used to looking to him for answers. He lets them call out questions for a few moments as he continues to lie on the bed of wood, and then he stands, showing them that his back is as unmarked as it is possible to be after laying on tree limbs. Only then does he begin to answer their questions, giving them the new rules.
He makes it clear that it is Ninshubur's lady who gifted them such and that, on Ninshubur's request, they are to find and install a statue of Lady Radha in the temple beside Krishna.
Mikal steps forward, suddenly moved to assist -- she knows with his jewelry and sacred accoutrements on, the rakshasa will no longer be 'naked' in the eyes of he and his people. She's not entirely sure why, but it seems meet to her that he speak to his people while clothed in dignity.
Mikal has a bit of trouble with the pieces that go over his head and shoulders, but she can at least put on the bracelets and the string of beads about his waist.
Ravana rumbles quiet thanks as Mikal helps to dress him. Soon, with the pair of them working, he is once again splendidly dressed and laughing with joy as his people talk excitedly amongst themselves. There is already talk of a battle with the angels in an encampment so deep into the jungle that it would be impossible to get to without risking exposure to wood.
Mikal smiles up at the big rakshasa's thanks, getting him to lean down for the pieces where she simply can't reach that high. Once he's dressed, she waits a bit until the infectious excitement catches him up again -- then she quietly slips back to return to Jareth.
As small as Mikal is, she has no problem slipping through the rakshasa to Jareth's side.
Mikal grins quietly up at him, whispering, "Shall we slip away? I suspect it will be a while before they notice we're gone, after all, let alone start asking what sort of thank you Radha wants." Raphael snorts amusedly at that, turning to slide with surprising grace through the excited crowd.
Jareth nods and chuckles. Ravana's people are already converging upon him and the wooden bed, some of them eager to try to repeat the experiment.
Mikal strolls relaxedly through the encampment with Raphael and Jareth, occasionally sighing happily and leaning her head against Jareth's shoulder. "That was nice, wasn't it?"
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