| Logs |
2011 April 23
| Neverneverwhere |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
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| Realms: Taps Logs |
The Calm After the Storm
Sulochana asks Fantine to bring her a fresh change of clothes when possible, and hugs the slight woman when Fantine almost fiercely insists nothing will keep her away. The Hetaera grins but knows better than to say anything when she notices Alg seems to be missing... she suspects he'll be surreptitiously close for quite some time, considering how upset he was at hearing of the kidnapping attempt. Several other caravaneers hug her as well, and some (who know or can tell how the relationship between the king and the Hetaera is progressing) quietly ask Eacharn to take good care of her.
Eacharn escorts 'Chana back to his carriage and makes sure she's comfortable before giving the coachman orders to take them back to the Goldenrod. He's not about to argue if his Lady Edana wants to spend time with him before going back to the other king. The coachman very carefully keeps his eyes forward as he drives and makes no sign that he can hear anything going on behind him. On the short trip back to the Goldenrod, Sulochana cuddles up relaxedly against Eacharn again, if he does not seem to mind. The St. Louis king doesn't mind a bit; he wraps one arm around her and pulls her close against his side. The scent of him is unmistakable to the Hetaera, as are the scents of most people she knows with any degree of intimacy. After a moment he says, "Your people love you very much."
Sulochana sighs happily, starting to get almost limply relaxed at the prospect of a deliciously hot bath, and her voice is throaty with a sort of pleasurable weariness as she murmurs a lazy, "Mmm? Well... they know I love them all quite, umm... fiercely. Why do you say that, though?" The Hetaera grins faintly to herself as she realizes Baton Rouge now makes her feel calm enough... that she just had to resist the urge to flicker her tongue out to taste-scent her current companion! That, she suspects, would be a bit much. The poor man's just recently discovered she's a tiger shifter, after all; no need to add to his shocks.
Eacharn nuzzles into her hair, breathing her scent and luxuriating in the warmth of her nestled against his side. He may be submissive in some ways, but he is still a stallion and still feels great pride and protectiveness, "So many of them made a point of speaking to me and charging me with your safety."
Sulochana is slowly rubbing her cheek against Eacharn's chest in a sort of contented 'return-nuzzle,' but she pauses and blinks a bit startledly at his comment, "They did? Er... they were polite, yes? No one was, um... threatening or anything, were they?"
Eacharn laughs quietly at her surprise, "No. They weren't threatening, just concerned. Somewhat like parents charging their daughter's beau with her safety."
The Hetaera blinks again -- then laughs with that same throatily tired purr in her voice. "Oh, my! They must think you're all right, then." She grins teasingly up at Eacharn, her almond-shaped eyes sparkling, "Well! It would appear you've metaphorically 'arrived,' at least as far as my traveling family is concerned!" She giggles, lightly patting his thigh as she adds, "That's nice. I trust their opinion."
Eacharn has a burst of pride and protectiveness and, without even thinking about it, pulls 'Chana into his lap so he can get both arms around her and hold her against his chest. The Hetaera blinks again, and a small, startled sound escapes her lips. She tilts her head a bit, considering... then decides this is all right, and wriggles enough that she's comfortable. The king says almost fiercely, "Then I'll do my best to keep you safe." He smiles wryly, "Not that you need much protecting."
Sulochana sighs, then murmurs very softly, "You'd be surprised, I fear." She doesn't want the driver to hear, so she leans her head against Eacharn's chest to continue, "If I am not discreet... I could cause trouble for those I care about. We don't need fearful rumors of horrific monsters or rabid wild animals roaming about, after all." A bit sheepishly she adds, "Plus... my caravan family knows my propensity for pushing myself until I fall over."
Eacharn can tell His Lady is enjoying the cuddling and caresses and so he keeps them up. He nods at her explanation, "Much the same reason my true nature isn't known. It's safer that way." The Hetaera nods in rueful agreement at that.
The coachmen pulls them up to the private dock at which the Goldenrod sits. 'Chana slides carefully off Eacharn's lap once the cabriolet has halted, and accepts his hand down, then tucks her small hand cozily into his arm as they stroll on board. Her soft sigh is very quiet, pitched just for Eacharn's sharp ears, as she adds, "I am so looking forward to a nice, hot, steamy bath!"
The moment they're on-board the boat Eacharn sends servants scurrying to get water heating for a bath, and asks his Lady, "Do you need food or drink?"
Sulochana is about to politely decline, but then she pauses and considers for a moment. Her eyes light up hopefully as she glances up at Eacharn, "Ahh... I don't suppose there's a small bit of... maybe... steak aboard?" The Hetaera is quite willing to accept freely gifted energy, especially when she's still somewhat low.
Eacharn laughs and calls after the servants to bring up a pair of rare steaks. He lowers his voice and says, "Too much at once, and tongues will wag." Once they're in his stateroom, Eacharn leads 'Chana to the big and comfortable chair and helps her get settled in it. There's a footstool with the chair, both of which are bolted down -- this being a boat and all.
Sulochana relaxes back into the chair with a pleased sigh, wriggling slightly to get comfortable. Her voice is definitely lower and throatier now, "Thank you, sweet pony. I am looking forward to this with great pleasure." Eacharn settles himself down on the footstool and carefully removes her shoes and stockings. Once her feet are bare, he kisses the top of each of them and then takes one in his hands to carefully massage. He's got large hands to go with his size, but he knows how to be delicate with them. Suraksha sighs softly again, and lets the toes of her free foot stroke slowly and pleasantly along the top of Eacharn's muscular thigh. "Mmm, sweet pony, I think I'd rather see more of you."
Eacharn swallows as the small foot moves along his thigh, the muscle clenching a little in reaction. It takes a breath or two for him to be able to say, "As you wish, My Lady." He sets her feet down carefully and stands up. He stays right in front of her, fully in her sight as he shrugs out of his jacket and lets it fall to the floor. After that he works at untying his tie and unbuttoning his shirt. The pooka has enough experience in undressing for someone else's pleasure to know how to go about it. The only thing missing is sensual music.
Sulochana stretches with unwittingly sensuous pleasure, her half-closed eyes lighting up as she purrs and admires. "Oooh, very nice! While you're doing nice things for me, I would like you to sit so I can reach you too, please, pretty pony." She doesn't consciously register it, but she finds touch enormously grounding and reassuring. Just like horses and tigers, she takes great comfort in closeness when she's feeling tired, insecure, or worried about those she cares for.
Eacharn pulls the tail of his shirt out of the waist of his slacks and shrugs it off, letting it slide down his arms to join the jacket on the floor. That leaves the only thing against his torso being his halter. "Anything My Lady wants," he says in a husky voice and moves to pull off his boots. For a moment he considers leaving on his trousers, but he has a dressing gown in the room for when the servants come with food and bathwater.
With that thought, he unbuckles his belt and slowly skins out of the pants, breath speeding up a little as he steps out of them and walks over to her, bare except for his halter. This time, rather than sitting on the footstool he kneels up close to the chair, close enough that she can reach any part of him she wants with her hands, using very little effort. He takes one small foot between his hands again and looks up at her with his liquid almost-equine eyes, "I am yours to command, Lady."
Suraksha's purr gets a little louder at that, and her eyes light up a bit; she's clearly pleased at that response. She strokes her slender fingers pleasantly through Eacharn's hair as he gently massages her feet, sighing contentedly as his strong hands work out any remaining tension. The Hetaera adores feeling the sensual pleasure of her clients, and Eacharn is particularly energetically effusive, especially when she has him perform for her once the hot tub and the food arrive. For the next two hours, in fact, Sulochana plans to do her best to keep Eacharn blissfully out of his head through service to his Lady Edana, as she has her dinner and bath. Eacharn melts into what seems more and more like his real self as he follows his Lady Edana's orders and serves her; he is at least much more relaxed, and seems happier, when he's in this role.
During dinner, while he's kneeling and massaging warm oil into 'Chana's feet and calves, making the skin glisten in a lovely way, Fantine comes in. She knocks three times in a little rhythm to let 'Chana know it's her, but then she simply comes in carrying clothes and other toiletries. Eacharn startles as she enters, flushing and starting to pull back and look for something to cover his nude (and aroused) self. Fantine is a practical little creature; she has seen Sulochana with more than one client, so doesn't pause in her work.
Sulochana simply closes her fist in Eacharn's hair, not letting him pull away, and lays down her fork to smile at the little loogaroo, "Hello, Fantine. Thank you so much for taking time out to bring my clothing to the Goldenrod." She tilts her fist, gently clenched in Eacharn's hair, so he has to look up at her. Her throaty voice is so quiet that it's intimate -- just for him -- as she murmurs, "Pony, I'm disappointed! No pausing, please. Did you really think I'd let you come to harm?"
Eacharn looks up at 'Chana with dilated pupils and a racing heart. His voice is a little hoarse as he says, "No'm... I mean: no, My Lady..."
Sulochana smiles slowly at that, releasing his hair enough to trail her fingers slowly along one cheek, brushing the long hair out of his face. She's purring with relaxation by now, "Goood boy." For another heartbeat or two he has her undivided attention, golden eyes shining as she gazes at him and strokes back his forelock... then she glances up at Fantine and smiles hopefully, "Fantine, dear, did you happen to bring any bath oils?"
Fantine bustles wonderfully; it's one of her many talents. She starts explaining which oils she brought, and then she turns to Eacharn and begins giving him directions. She's not ordering him to do things, but she is giving him useful instructions about how much sandalwood oil to use and exactly how 'Chana likes having her hair and make-up done. Eacharn is stunned by all of this, but relaxing and seems to be quite happy. Sulochana laughs softly, patting Eacharn on the shoulder before she picks up her fork again. "Go listen to my Fantine if you need, dear. For the past two decades, she's the real reason I always look stunning when on the job as a Hetaera." With a small, happy sigh, she continues eating. She's feeling very well cherished and cared for, and it's helping tremendously both with her relaxation and her energy levels.
Eacharn hesitates for a moment, not wanting to leave 'Chana's side, but then he goes with Fantine. He can tell his Lady Edana is enjoying this, and he wants her to enjoy herself to the largest extent possible. He gets some very good information from the little loogaroo and spends the rest of 'Chana's stay being very careful to do everything right. When Sulochana finally leaves, he's heavily asleep in his bed, having been quite worn out. Before he sleeps, however, he calls for one of the servants to make sure that 'Chana makes it back to the palace safely. Sulochana is purringly content by the time she leaves, and she pauses long enough before leaving to give her sweet pony a gentle kiss on the cheek and whispered praise and thanks. After that she heads happily back to the palace as promised, where she knows Roy and Mary await her.
Roy and Mary are indeed waiting on her. Mary is dressed for bed and wearing her dressing gown as she and her Papa play Old Maid at the table in Roy's sitting room. He has made no bones about the fact that he's been enjoying spoiling Mary, and he sometimes treats her a bit like a living doll when it comes to buying her beautiful clothes and little baubles. When 'Chana arrives, Mary almost flings herself into her foster-mother's arms.
Suraksha happily catches Mary up, "How's my girl then? Have you been keeping your Papa busy and out of mischief?" She grins mischievously at Roy over Mary's head, winking at him as she adds in mock-confidential tones to the girl, so Roy can hear too, "He needs an awful lot of that, doesn't he, honeybunch?"
Mary nods solemnly, "We've been waiting on you. Papa said I could wait up until you got here, and we've been playing cards. He's not very good at them, but he plays anyway." In point of fact, Roy is rather too good at cards. It's another relic of his past, but he usually uses his skills for good -- or at least to let Mary win.
Suraksha raises an amused eyebrow at Roy as she gently settles Mary to her feet again, "Not very good, eh? Hmm... maybe you're playing the wrong game with him, sweetie. From what I've heard, he can be quite the shark sometimes!" She grins teasingly at Roy as she heads to the table hand in hand with Mary, pausing to give Roy a tight hug and a kiss and whisper amusedly to him, "Are you spoiling her again, sweet man? I thought we talked about that already, mm?"
Roy laughs and kisses Suraksha back, patting her rump familiarly, "We did -- and I only spoil her a l'il bit. Jest enough so she knows I love 'er." He offers his knee as a place for 'Chana to sit, "Once we're done with this game, though, it's bedtime for the little miss."
Sulochana gives a delicate, lady-like snort of amusement, but settles relaxedly on his lap to watch the remains of the game. As the two players gather up their hands again she adds amusedly, "Eacharn's asleep, but I have some excellent news. He said he's going to talk to his generals and give them new instructions after this last nonsense from Houston. Looks like he's quite firmly on our side now!"
Roy grins ruefully, "Well, well... an ill wind an' all that." The game wraps up and Roy sends Mary to bed with a kiss on the nose and instructions to her governess to not read more than one story. He considers and adds, "Two at the very most." Suraksha gives Mary a hug and a kiss too, and she and Lizbet share an amused grin at how easily the fond papa is twirled around his little girl's little finger! Once Lizbet and Mary are gone, the king settles in to kiss 'Chana properly.
Suraksha sighs happily some time later, cuddled up against Roy and still feeling slightly steamy from the kiss. Roy pets 'Chana rather like a particularly beloved cat as he talks, "Honestly, I'm sorta glad I don't gotta wheedle or blackmail the guy. I wouldn't like doin' it, but..."
Sulochana chuckles quietly, nuzzling contentedly against Roy and sounding only slightly smug, "Did I do a good job or what, sweet man, mmm?"
Roy smirks and kisses 'Chana's temple, "You did a terrific job, cherie. Question is, what do we do next. Houston's gonna know eventually that the whole kidnappin' thing got spoiled. He'll have his back up."
Sulochana still sounds faintly smug, "We aren't going to do anything! There are no witnesses, no kidnappers, no nothing. You told your people not to talk, and mine don't. Sam's going to end up looking like one of the Amazon men, at this rate -- he'll have vanished just as much as the other men! My guess is Houston is going to lose sleep over this, which makes me happy -- the little shit!" For an instant her teeth are bared and her eyes blaze -- and then she smiles demurely as she continues speaking, as soft and relaxed in Roy's lap as a housecat, "He'll fear we found him out and killed them all... but as time passes and he hears nothing from you or anyone else, I suspect he'll hope the kidnappers just fled his reach."
Roy chuckles quietly and continues with his stroking of 'Chana's hair and back. The chuckle is tired and not as careless as his normal laugh, "Amazons, huh? Poly and Pippa got their hands on 'im?" Suraksha chuckles and nods, but before she can answer he adds, "Lettin' Houston wonder 'bout his men suits me. Been thinkin', though, that I might need to hire a couple folks to keep a closer eye on Mary. She's still not got great control, an' I hadn't thought much 'bout her bein' a target."
Sura nods quietly again at Roy's worries over Mary, her voice grave, "I would pull them from your trained personal guard rather than hire new, but yes, that might be wise. How is her martial training coming along?"
Roy smiles fondly at the thought, "Pretty well, actually. The boys get a kick out of showin' her how to kick some ass. The biggest trouble is gettin' her to keep hush 'bout it. I want it to be a secret. She'd still not be match for most adults, though."
Sulochana nods slowly, "Yes, secrecy is important." She leans back enough to study Roy's face, "Sweetheart, I know you know this is truly important. Can you persuade her to not speak of it? Sna'tha will not be happy if this is casually bandied about, after all."
Roy uses a fingertip to brush stray hair off 'Chana's face, "She gets secrecy, cherie... for the most part. What I'm workin' on is not talkin' about it anywhere but in the trainin' room. She knows who she can talk to. It's where I worry about."
The Hetaera looks relieved at that, "Ah! All right. I will stay out of the way and let you deal with that, then. I misunderstood; I thought she was perhaps chattering about it." She leans against Roy again, sighing contentedly as she adds, "So... do you think Eacharn's help will be sufficient with your forces, or are you making overtures to other local rulers as well?" She adds in a gentle tease, "It was my intention to spend the next week here, to reassure Mary, before heading back toward St. Louis with Eacharn's entourage... if you can put up with me for that long?"
The king laughs, then kisses 'Chana quite thoroughly -- to show how he can put up with her! When he finally pulls back for a breath he adds, still half-smiling, "Got some talks with Geraldine and with some of the folks up Memphis way. The folks up that way and back toward the mountains can be mighty feisty... and Houston would just move on up the river from here."
Sulochana nods amusedly, "The Appalachians are renown for producing, er... 'feisty' folk, yes. We think it's the wild fae back in that area who occasionally lure unwary travelers away from caravans, in fact."
In some ways, Sulochana thinks, it's odd how swiftly they all fall back into comfortable, well-known roles after the attempted kidnapping. In other ways she's not surprised at all; having lived through a few deaths and disasters on the road with the caravan, she knows quite well how important it is to reconnect to your beloveds -- both through known roles and through touch and cuddling and mutual reassurance -- after such things.
So she'd not said anything when Eacharn had been much... much needier, much touchier than she'd expected: hugging her closely once she was human again, helping out with energy, worrying about her and wishing to stay near. She suspects, had Roy not been worried as well, that he might have been a bit more unhappy about this. However, right now the king of Baton Rouge has his hands full, what with Mary's neediness of her parents too, the revisions of the city guard and king's watch in order to safeguard the royal family from any new such kidnapping attempt, and preparations for war.
Sulochana had done her best to handle both Eacharn and Mary during the day, so Roy could deal with all the new things on his plate. They'd all stayed physically close, though, with meetings held on the patio so Mary could play with 'Chana and still see her father. Eacharn had been surprisingly sweet and helpful as well... and now, closer to evening, Mary was asleep with her head in Roy's lap, where the river-rat king leaned against a tree next to where they'd all been seated for a picnic dinner. After a small whispered conversation with Roy, 'Chana's beloved had nodded in slightly wary agreement -- and now Sulochana strolls with Eacharn through the trees in the pretty, half-wild little park surrounding the palace-mansion. Ostensibly it's so Mary can sleep; 'Chana suspects Eacharn doesn't mind the time alone with her, though, even though it's periodically in sight of Roy.
Eacharn is walking quite closely, with his free hand resting over 'Chana's where it rests on his elbow, as they stroll through the little park. Coming near losing her earlier has him not wanting her to so much as leave his sight, though he has reined in his more clingy tendencies enough to get through the day. When they've walked in silence for a while he says, "You seem quite calm. That strength is unusual."
Sulochana smiles thoughtfully, tilting her head as she considers. Finally she murmurs, "Well, the emergency is over now. Do you find it that unusual to relax afterward?"
Eacharn smiles back, the response automatic, "I am normally around women who would wring every ounce of drama out of such an event. It is wonderful to be around one who simply does what needs to be done."
Sulochana blinks, then laughs aloud at that! Her relief at being safe with all her beloveds flows through her liquidly, and her normal lovely, throaty laugh is a little shaky with the release of tension. Then she grins sideways up at Eacharn, her golden-eyed gaze mischievous. Her voice is artfully casual, "Oh, I don't know... I may feel... faint!" She puts the back of one small wrist to her forehead, murmuring, "Dear me, shall I swoon?"
Eacharn chuckles and shifts, sliding an arm around her waist and swooping her into a dip as if they were dancing, eyes twinkling down at her, "I would catch you if you did."
Sulochana makes a small startled squeak as she's dipped, one hand tightening on him -- then laughs warmly and relaxes in his arms as she realizes she's being dipped, rather than dropped! She teases right back, grinning, "Oh, but how would I attractively arrange myself across the closest chaise lounge -- if you caught me immediately? Who would chafe my wrists and flutter fans in my face and sputter anxiously for the smelling salts?" The effect of her languid tones is somewhat ruined by the following giggle -- and then she reaches up and lightly taps his nose, grinning, "You're fun!"
Eacharn wrinkles his nose and smiles, leaning down to press a kiss to her mouth; she blinks a bit startledly at the kiss, although she doesn't pull away. He continues, "If I ever see you swooning like that, My Lady, I will assume you are putting on a show for someone. You do not seem the fainting type." He holds her in position for a moment or two longer, not even trembling with the effort, before bringing her back upright.
Sulochana laughs softly at his comment, realizing with some internal surprise she isn't at all worried at her current position: she trusts Eacharn not to either drop her, or pressure her unduly. That makes her start wondering why he's still so... well, so interested-seeming in her. If she didn't know better, she'd think he was effectively still courting her! She smiles and, once he's set her on her feet again, smoothes down her long silk tunic as she murmurs, "Well... not the swooning type. As you saw after the kidnapping attempt, when I pull too hard on my energy I will occasionally, um..." she sounds a touch embarrassed, "-fall over afterward."
Eacharn laughs, keeping his arm around her waist as they continue to walk, "That is different. That is dropping in the traces, not passing out because you insisted your lady's maid lace your corset an inch tighter to impress someone." He turns his head and nuzzles her hair, breathing in her scent. His voice is warm and intimate.
The Hetaera chuckles at that, bringing her outside arm up to rest her hand on his, where it curves about her slender waist. Amusedly she murmurs, "Don't tell anyone -- my Hetaera instructors would be aghast if they knew I admitted this -- but I cannot abide corsets! I don't wear them any time I can get away with not doing so." She grins, strolling silently with the St. Louis king for a bit as she watches some of the big half-wild deer that roam the little park. They tend to catch her scent and move off, watching her warily until she has passed by. She considers for a moment, then finally turns her golden gaze up to thoughtfully study the man with her. "Eacharn... may I ask a possibly personal question? I am... somewhat confused: why do you still wish to court me, even though you know I am not interested in being a queen?"
Eacharn considers as they walk, gaze distant, "Besides the fact that you are a lovely, intelligent, and graceful woman?" He smiles down at her affectionately, then continues on, "You know my secrets -- most of them, anyway -- and you are not disgusted by them. And...." He hesitates slightly, formulating the words, "I find that I have a hunger for you. A desire to be near you."
Sulochana smiles at the compliment, but then looks surprised, "Disgusted? Heavens no. Why would your being a pooka be disgusting, though? Oh -- or... are you referring to wishing to be topped?" She stops walking, turning to face Eacharn, and rests her small hands lightly on his shoulders so he'll meet her gaze. Her voice is firm and gentle, "Eacharn, dear... if anyone told you your sexual desires were disgusting, that is their shortcoming. Not yours. Do you believe me, dear?"
Eacharn lays his hand against the side of her face and smiles down at her, "It doesn't matter whose shortcoming it is. What matters is that it is difficult for me to find someone who understands and seems to enjoy it. A reluctant lover is... less than appealing." His nostrils flare as he breathes in deeply, relishing her scent mingling with the earthy scent of trees and plants all around them, "I find I want more of that. I want more of you."
Sulochana nods slowly -- she completely understands what a killer of desire it is to have someone merely performing, rather than truly loving. She considers Eacharn's words, then shakes her head with a touch of confusion, "But... you know I'm a -- that one of my shapes is a tiger. I thought... I thought you said you didn't like big cats at all?"
Eacharn shrugs, "Most big cats aren't also beautiful, strong women. Mostly they're hunters that see horses and their kin as a lovely dinner." Looking off into the distance, he continues, "Rejecting you because you are sometimes a tiger would be as bad as you rejecting me because I am sometimes a horse and you are not a good rider."
Sulochana considers that, then nods slowly again -- although her eyes light up with quiet warmth. "I'm afraid you're right, though. I'm, er... rather an awful rider, I fear. My foster daughters have teasingly told me they've seen more graceful sacks of potatoes in the saddle." She grins up at Eacharn as she adds with teasing reassurance, "You'd probably be all lean and stringy anyway!" She can't help the giggle after that.
Eacharn lays the back of one wrist against his forehead and throws his head back in a dramatic pose, "All those years of work to keep myself in shape and I get accused of being stringy! What must a fellow do to make his Lady's mouth water?!" He drops to his knees and clasps his hands together, holding them up to her pleadingly, "Please tell me I am not that unappetizing?!"
Sulochana blinks -- then bursts out laughing again! This time her laughter is freer, more sincerely delighted. It takes her a moment before she's just giggling again, and she grabs his hands in hers and hauls lightly to get him to come to his feet, "Gracious, and people accuse me of being silly!" She grins as she adds, "Come on, you -- let's keep walking before I'm also accused of some dire attack on your royal person!"
The king lets himself be pulled to his feet, smiling a relaxed and genuine smile. Her laughter makes him happy, and he puts his arm around her shoulders as they continue their walking, "Pookas are playful by nature. I just haven't had anyone to play with -- and who would accuse you of such an attack?"
Sulochana leans slightly into the arm, smiling up at her companion, "Are they? That would explain why you've played so nicely with me while you're in horse form -- even though I kept worrying I was either hurting your mouth or back with all my graceless jouncing around!" Her grin is rueful as she adds, "Someday -- or rather, some months, I suppose -- and if you're incredibly bored, I suspect my daughters would dearly love to see me learn to ride properly." She grins teasingly back up at Eacharn, adding cheerfully, "Oh, I'm sure there's someone among your entourage who worries for your safety more than is absolutely necessary, no?"
Eacharn rolls his eyes and snorts, "One or two, yes. I suspect the only thing keeping my guards from following us is the fact that you're a petite woman." Out amongst the trees there's rustling as more of the park's deer bound off, away from the scent of a predator amongst them, "As for jouncing around, I have had many worse riders on my back. I'd be delighted to help you learn to ride more gracefully." He teases playfully, "Though if I were your mount, you'd not have to learn to ride another horse. My magic would keep you safe and seated."
Sulochana watches the underbrush shaking from the hastily departing deer -- or maybe it's some of the big, wolf-like dogs? Not all of them are comfortable around her either, after all. She smiles demurely up at Eacharn, murmuring, "If your guards believe my size prevents me from being able to knock someone down even in human form... I highly suggest you get better guards, my dear!" Her smile is more sincere as she adds, "Safe and seated is good, yes -- but not getting left behind on a jump -- and consequently not jabbing you in the mouth with the bit -- is good too!"
Eacharn's tongue flicks at out at the corners of his mouth, "Okay, yes, that would be preferable. It makes it uncomfortable to kiss if the corners of my mouth are sore." They've wandered far enough that the trees are shielding them from sight of Roy and Mary, along with the guards, and the pooka slows to a halt, "Does it bother you that I wish to court you?"
Sulochana looks mortified! "Oh, Eacharn -- I'm so sorry! I tried very hard to keep my hands loose on the reins." She reaches up cautiously, her fingertips cool and very careful as she touches one corner of his mouth, "Did I... oh, dear. How bad was I?"
Eacharn's eyes twinkle as he catches her fingertip with his lips and flicks his tongue against it, "I'm teasing, My Lady. You weren't that bad. I've had much worse handling in my life."
Sulochana givess a worried glance up at Eacharn's eyes -- then relaxes a bit as she realizes he's being honest, "Truly? That's a relief." She blinks, then adds with a touch of embarrassment, "Well, no, not that you were hurt, pardon me -- but that I didn't hurt you... well... excessively, I guess? During the hunt, I mean." She hesitates, then adds a bit shyly, "It... was very nice. Riding you to hunt, I mean. Er... if you don't mind my putting it that way?" She gives Eacharn a slightly confused smile, "I... don't know how to talk to you about this, sometimes. Is there a... a more polite or correct way to refer to riding another sapient being under tack?"
Eacharn can't help a laugh at her confusion. One fingertip strokes the line of her jaw, "I don't know about formal terms. My Lady Queen always just spoke of it as she would any other mount. If it makes you feel better, you can use another term than riding -- and you're welcome to do so any time we can find the chance."
Sulochana is silent for a moment, unwittingly turning her head slightly into the light caress. Her gaze is faraway as she thinks... then those bright gold eyes flick back to his, "All right, riding it is, then... and yes, I think I'd enjoy that... too?" She adds a questioning note to her sentence, as if she's not entirely sure whether Eacharn also enjoys being ridden. "Do you prefer tack or no tack, then?" She considers -- when they're alone and it's just them, she realizes she enjoys the freedom of simply clinging to his mane like a small and joyous burr. Amongst other people, though... she thinks she prefers having saddle and bridle and crop, so she can give better and clearer signals to him when necessary -- and so she feels a little more in control of what's going on.
Eacharn mmms, liking the way she moves under his touch and feeling himself starting to wonder how much longer they can be gone without arousing too much suspicion, "I prefer bareback, though it's normally best to have tack if others are going to see us. Just to explain how you're guiding me -- or appearing to guide me."
Sulochana nods and smiles in relief, "Oh, good; I was just thinking that too!" She takes a deep breath, suddenly aware of how close his face is to hers, and turns so she's facing the decorative trail again. Tucking her hand into his arm as she steps forward, she murmurs, "Shall we continue walking? I do have a question for you, actually: why did you not believe me when I told you Roy would not speak of your... abilities?" She gives him another sideways glance, puzzledly adding, "Is it that horrible to you that he knows?"
Eacharn takes a deep breath and lets her lead him into walking on, "I was seeing him as a rival and a possible danger -- and being part of any court makes you see knowledge as currency. I don't know Roy as a person. Or didn't. I feel I have a better grasp on who he is now."
Sulochana smiles more relaxedly at Eacharn, "He's a good man. I wouldn't have fallen in love with him if he were not. I mean, I love all my long-term clients... but he's the only one I'm in love with... if that makes sense?" A little worriedly she adds, "Do you still see him as a rival?" She sighs, adding, "Please don't be jealous. I am so tired of that in men."
That comment causes a little stab in Eacharn's chest, but he's had years of covering his reactions, "I think if you are in love with him, you have to see something other than a womanizing braggart... which is what I thought he was before this trip." Taking a deep breath, he says, "I promise not to behave like a jealous little boy."
Sulochana sighs again -- this time in relief -- and her smile is dazzling with happiness as she beams up at him and gently squeezes his arm, "Truly? Thank you so much, sweetie!" Ruefully she adds as she walks along, "Jealousy is the first danger sign for a Hetaera. We usually simply cut things off cleanly if the gentleman in question cannot overcome it."
Eacharn shakes his head, "You are unlike court ladies. Most of them provoke jealousy on purpose. It feeds their self-worth somehow to have beaux fight over them."
Sulochana shakes her head strongly once, "Not for me, thanks all the same. Jealousy, as far as I can tell, is the first sign that they think they own you." Her voice is deceptively calm, but her eyes flash scarlet for a heartbeat as she adds firmly, "No one owns me." She walks silently for a few heartbeats... then tilts her head thoughtfully as she glances back up at Eacharn, adding, "May I ask one more question, if you do not mind?" She hesitates, then says carefully, "You... had a slightly odd reaction, I thought, back at the oxbow when I made my comment about married couples touching. What, ahh... what were you thinking of then, please?"
Eacharn tips his head to look down at her from the corner of his eye, "Odd how, My Lady? So much has happened between now and then..."
Sulochana considers thoughtfully, then murmurs, "Not odd so much as... as if it seemed I'd made you think of something... something that was, I don't know... important? -painful? -wonderful to you?" She looks up at him again and smiles faintly, "If it was painful, I don't want to ask you to dwell on it. If not, though, and you're willing to share... I'd love to hear what it made you think of?"
Eacharn stops walking again, gathering his thoughts, "It made me think of how horses are when in a herd. There is a lot of touching and nuzzling, because they know they belong." He smiles a little crookedly, "My Lady Queen liked to touch me a lot as well. I think it gave her comfort. Like I was a touchstone."
Sulochana looks a bit surprised, "She did? I thought -- pardon me; I'd gotten the impression you were not familiar with just casual petting, from the way you reacted to me that first night. Was I wrong?" She looks suddenly embarrassed, "Oh! Wait, do you mean touchstone like an inanimate object? Not like being caressed?"
Eacharn nods, "Yes. Something solid to ground her. Not something to pet like..." he chuckles, "like a pet. What you do is much sweeter. More comforting."
Sulochana smiles quietly up at Eacharn, stroking his arm with her free hand as she murmurs, "You do not mind? I am... well, I am touchy with family, and those I care about." She's relieved he's not upset with her characterization of his former lover, the queen. Part of her, though, firmly thinks she'd have wanted to smack Eloise for treating this poor man like a tool! She adds softly, "No... I do not think I mind your courting me... as long as you understand it may be a very long courtship." There's a hint of teasing twinkle in her eyes as she grins up at him.
Eacharn laughs quietly, "I believe I have the time, My Lady -- and I definitely do not mind being touched by you." He takes her hand and kisses the fingertips gently, "We should get back, I think." He shifts to put her hand back in the crook of his elbow, touching her face gently for a moment before heading back to Roy and Mary.
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