| Logs |
2011 April 21
| Neverneverwhere |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
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| Realms: Taps Logs |
Fighting Fire with Fire
The party Roy is throwing is one of the more casual sort: people are dressed to impress, but they are not in the ballgowns and tuxedos that would accompany a more formal get-together. There's music, but the musicians are changing as the night goes on, cycling in and out as various folk arrive with their instruments and others leave for one reason or another. The guest list is eclectic and ranges through several layers of Baton Rouge society, giving the folks that do the actual work in the city a chance to rub elbows with those whose job it is to look good. One thing all the guests have in common is that they are all people Roy actually enjoys being around. Eacharn is currently absent, not because he would not have been welcome, but because he is invited to a dinner party being held by Miz Olivia and several other of the more conservative families of the city.
Sulochana was delighted at the opportunity to invite all her caravan-folk, and quite touched at Roy's suggestion that she do so. She's dressed with the same sort of casual elegance as everyone else, and bubbly with excitement -- she's going to get to both dance and play some of the music tonight! Chanticleer can somewhat get the idea behind the party -- Roy wants to relax, and not go through another 'party' where everyone is fawning or backstabbing. He can understand it fully, actually -- it's the sort of function that many a sidhe knight would have dearly loved, except there would be no end of complaints if the courtiers couldn't come, and if they came then their games of society would command the entire gathering. No wonder most of the knights he knew preferred to go to battle rather than to a party.
Suraksha is not quite bouncing on her toes as she mingles with Roy and waits for the caravaneers to arrive with her instruments. She cannot carry either a full-sized harp or a harpsichord around with her on her traveling, but she can certainly transport her lovely rich-toned guitar and her beloved lap harp! Sna'thaid has promised to carefully bring them both to the party. Roy has had a glass or two of bourbon already and he's feeling a bit mellow as he mingles. There are guards present, but the king has insisted they not simply stand around the walls looking stiff. Jacko is on the dance floor and Travis is with Abigail. Guy is feeling a bit nervous, as his own dealings with the fae Courts have taught him to mistrust parties as well. The werewolf is still new enough that he's not privy to Suraksha's actual identity; he thinks of her as he first saw her: at the ball following the premiere of La Kitsune.
Chanticleer is quite content at the moment, nursing a drink and feeling possibly much how Roy is feeling. He can't fault Roy for surrounding himself with competent people -- who aren't backstabbers, or who use gossip like some sort of weapon of social destruction. These are good people here, and he feels comfortable relaxing somewhat. Elsewhere, Sulochana beams fondly as she watches Jacko and Sabrina dancing. She murmurs to Roy with a smile, "Don't Sabrina and Jacko look happy together? I bet at some point she retires here... don't you think?"
Roy has his arm around Sulochana's waist as he watches his guard captain and Sabrina dancing, "I'd be surprised if Sabrina retires at all, cherie. She seems to love travelin'. She'd be welcome if she did wanna settle in, though." Guy is hovering nearby, just out of earshot of the king. His sense of smell isn't as good in this form, but his nostrils flare anyway, trying to catch anything out of the ordinary.
The Hetaera laughs softly, her voice teasing as she glances up at Roy, "Oh, so she should try seducing your Guard Captain away instead, mmm?" She is dressed with (for Baton Rouge) exotic beauty: a shimmering silken sari in deepest flaming red, richly embroidered along the edges in gold, citrine, and sparkling jet beads. Her long dark hair is in a thick braid that hangs below her hips, plaited with matching ribbons and decorations of gold, scarlet, and fiery orange. Intricate golden earrings sway, as eye-catching as the tiny golden toe-rings she also wears. The multiple bracelets on each wrist shimmer with glittering, heated colors as well. The small woman's kohl-enhanced eyes are bright with pleasure, and her wine-red lips curve into a nearly constant smile of delight. Fantine outdid herself tonight in making sure her lady looked marvelous for the stage, glimmering like a flame.
Roy smirks down at Sulochana and kisses her temple, "I'll not be surprised if she manages it. She's definitely charming."
Many other caravaneers are wandering through the crowd as well, dressed in their finest and -- like Chanticleer -- enjoying a party where they aren't supposed to entertain. Ohkwari, standing off by the tall French windows and smoking his pipe, is listening with solemn calm to little Princess Mary's excited description of helping her Mama get ready. Fantine is wide-eyed and nervous, almost clinging to Buddy's muscular arm as she glances around. The big minotaur is tossing his head and laughing at a joke made by the Baton Rougian he's talking to... 'Chana thinks it might be Theophile? Del is glowering politely (for her) as she's introduced to a wide-eyed and clearly interested Elijah by an amused Sna'tha, while Little Joe is dancing gracefully with Ruby Bascom, whose eyes are shining at his quiet compliments... people seem to be enjoying themselves, and Sulochana sighs contentedly, pleased to see her family is happy.
Guy's eyes slide around the room and come to rest on Chanticleer. He's smelled Sulochana's guard before and knows the man isn't human. Stealthily he makes his way around until he's near the sidhe, waiting until there's a little space around him to step close and say hello. Chanticleer glances over to Guy and smiles quietly; he's not too familiar with Guy either. "Good evening," he says companionably enough. "You were at Madame de Cygne's ball, weren't you?"
Guy nods, eyes flicking around nervously, "I was, yes. With His Majesty." He looks Chanti over, "I don't remember seeing you there, but then everyone was in masks and there were a lot of people there."
Chanticleer smiles quietly, with fond remembrance. "Oh! Yes, I was there. Lots of masks, and many people."
Across the room, Sulochana leans her head against Roy's arm for a moment, smiling with quiet bliss... then brightens as the tempo of the music picks up a bit, "Ooh -- a polka!" She beams up at the king, bouncing lightly on her toes, "Dance with me, handsome man?"
Roy laughs and finishes off his drink, putting the glass down on a nearby surface, "Anything for you, beautiful." He takes 'Chana out on the dance floor, swinging into the lively dance. Guy watches them and says, "You're one of her people?"
The polka is a lively, galloping dance, and with the wide sweep and sway of her sari's skirts and the sash thrown over her shoulder, Sulochana nearly shimmers with vibrant color in Roy's arms -- as if he were dancing with a joyous, living flame. The resemblance doesn't escape Guy and his jaw tenses slightly. He's not been with Roy long, but he takes his job seriously. "She was there, too." The tip of his head toward Sulochana indicates who he means, "Very comfortable at an Unseelie ball, she was."
Chanticleer arches a brow a bit, glancing to Guy. "Seelie or Unseelie or otherwise, it went well. No harm was done to any mortals there. Or even any guests, for that matter." He does a bit more math. "Actually... if I recall, Jacko and Roy are human; they wouldn't have gotten invitations." He arches a brow to Guy. "Not fond of the Unseelie Court?"
Guy shifts his stance a little, "Not fond of either one, actually -- and wanting to keep His Majesty out of the way of both of them."
Chanticleer nods and deadpans, "Not a bad idea, all in all. I try to avoid them both myself." He smiles a little. "Though I can't say the ball was at all awful." [And perhaps someday there'll be another there.]
Guy doesn't quite get the humor in Chanticleer's comments, "The problem is... well... her." He nods toward the place where Roy and 'Chana are dancing. Roy is grinning like a kid and swinging 'Chana easily around the dance floor. The Hetaera is laughing delightedly, her eyes shining as she beams up at Roy.
Chanticleer blinks and looks over. "What... what about her?"
Guy takes a deep breath, "I know you used to work here. Word has it you helped save Roy's life before. So I wanted to just... well... Sulochana. She seemed just a little too comfortable with the Unseelie. I wanted to make sure you knew to look out for her. Elementals... they can be dangerous."
Chanticleer blinks and almost, almost asks, 'She's an elemental?!' Then he realizes that might be giving away more about Sulochana than he would want to give away. "Well," he says, "I've seen her with the caravan for a long time -- since I left Roy's service. She can be dangerous, yes... but only to people who threaten those she cares about." He nods to Roy. "She cares about Roy. If anything, I'd look out for anyone threatening Roy. You might not get enough back to question, let alone put on trial."
Guy's nose twitches and he wishes, not for the first time, that his sense of smell were better in this form, "Is she Unseelie?" It's a blunt question, but that's part of why Guy never really liked the Courts.
Chanticleer shakes his head. "She's not of either court. Never seen her do court, actually." He purses his lips, "Well... that is, she has been to court -- just that she's not a courtier. If that makes sense."
Guy nods slowly, thinking, and finally asks, "What about you?"
Chanticleer shakes his head. "I've not been..." Welcome? In attendance? Owing fealty? Sucking up? "-at the Seelie Court for many years. I'm vanishingly unlikely to go, as well. To either court."
The werewolf guard is nervous, "How long has it been?"
Chanticleer tries to think. "You know... it's been a very long time. I can't even really remember how long. At least a decade, I think."
Out in the ballroom, the musicians are swapping out again, and Sulochana is excitedly chatting with Sna'tha as the sidhe pulls out two carefully armored and padded, black, instrument-carrying-cases. Roy is smiling indulgently as the delighted Hetaera tries to select which instrument to play first. Guy tenses for all the world like a hound scenting prey when he sees the two cases, starting to move that way, "What has she brought?"
Chanticleer blinks and peers over. "Some musical instruments, I think." He glances to Guy. "I'm pretty sure only human gangsters put crossbows in violin cases." Sulochana is waffling happily -- harp or guitar? She hands one case to Roy to hold while she opens it, cheerfully talking over her shoulder to the slender sidhe woman as 'Chana reaches for the clasps.
Guy actually blushes as Chanticleer guesses his thoughts, "Why'd you leave the Courts, then?" he asks, in an attempt to cover his embarrassment.
The Hetaera flips open the lid of the guitar case and carefully draws out... a guitar. She shows it to one of the musicians on the stage, who makes appreciative noises as he carefully receives it from her. Roy glances down into the case, then raises an eyebrow and grins as he says something to Sna'tha... who smirks and pats 'Chana's shoulder approvingly.
Chanticleer bites his lip a little. He doesn't want to give everything away; there may be still people looking for him, and while he's pretty sure Guy doesn't care that much that he'd run back to court, the sidhe would rather not a loose word slip unwittingly. "There was a difference of opinion between two lords," he says mostly truthfully. "I got caught in between," he adds, just as truthfully. "It wouldn't be a good idea for me to go back, I think," which is the understatement of the decade. Then he glances at Guy, not expecting much more than that level of detail but asking out of curiosity. "And yourself?"
Guy mms and smiles wryly, relaxing a little bit even though his eyes are still on Roy and the two women over by the musicians. "Warring Lords. It seems that's a constant no matter where one goes, eh? Even here. Though here, one isn't as likely to be drawn and quartered for not wanting to sacrifice oneself for some stupid social slight." The werewolf adds, "It's not much different than yours. Except... well, I'm considered a deserter. I refused to go to war over an insult to my lord's wife."
Chanticleer makes a quiet sound, "I can't say I blame you one bit. I haven't heard of lords in the Seelie court who do drawing and quartering, but that doesn't mean they're less capricious." He adds a touch bitterly, "Or less quick to label any and all standing against them as traitors worthy only to blood the swords of those who cut them down."
Guy is rapidly relaxing, "You can see, perhaps, why I'm worried about His Majesty, then. He was insistent about going to that ball -- and then she was there." He tips his head toward Sulochana again, "And now they seem so close..." Almost as if on cue the king hands the case to Sna'thaid, then loops his arms about the bubbly Hetaera's waist -- who laughs and stands on tiptoe to wrap her arms about his neck before giving him a long and passionate kiss.
Chanticleer nods, "Well, for what it's worth she's not affiliated with the Courts -- and like I said: I'd be more worried about someone who tried to pull something with King Roy. Remember Moynahan?"
Guy shakes his head, "I don't, actually. He was before my tenure here, but I've heard the stories..." He trails off, eyes widening, "She had something to do with that?"
Chanticleer lifts up his shoulders slowly and a bit expressively. "You did have concerns she was dangerous. All I'm saying is she's dangerous only to people who threaten those she cares about."
Guy nods slowly and thoughtfully. He shifts nervously again, then says carefully, "There's really no reason either of them need to know about... well... this..." He makes a gesture between himself and Chanticleer. It's one of those vague but expressive gestures that could mean any number of things: 'that we spoke,' 'that I insinuated she wasn't to be trusted,' 'that we had a torrid fling.' Context is everything.
Chanticleer smiles quietly. "Of course!"
The sun will be going coming up soon, but that's just par for the course when it came to court fetes in Baton Rouge. Truth be told, it's pretty much par for the course for any party thrown in the area. The people take celebration seriously around Roy's little kingdom. When the original Queen City had drowned, the culture simply migrated upriver with the displaced people, and things are still often done to glorious excess.
Being the monarch -- and in no small measure a hedonist -- Roy usually stays until the last guest has either left or been discreetly tucked away by the palace staff. Tonight, Sulochana is present, and that just gives him further incentive to stay. He had quite shamelessly danced more than three-quarters of the dances with her. Only the fact that he'd spent too long creating his network of courtiers kept him from utterly ignoring anyone else. Now they're the only two left in the throne room which had served double-duty as a ballroom. There actually is an official ballroom, but this had been a smaller gathering than would have necessitated its use.
At the moment, the couple is standing behind the throne itself. 'Chana is looking up at the ornate scepter with its scarlet shaft, gold wire wrapping, and the pristine and expensive quartz crystal at its tip. The common thought is that Roy has some small Tapping ability and uses Le Baton Rouge to work his quite literal magic with the river that had once been called the Mississippi. The Hetaera at his side knows better by now, of course. The former River Rat king is a Water Tap of enormous power. His Lady, as he calls the river, responds not to the wand named for the city, but to Roy's own call.
As the closest thing to crown jewels that the little city-kingdom possesses, Le Baton is guarded carefully, and touched only by the king himself -- Le Roi Roy, as Chanti is wont to call him when in a teasing mood.
"Beautiful piece of work, her," Roy rumbles. "De shaft made of jasper an' bloodstone widda couple li'l ole rubies set in rose gold. De quartz cos' mos' as much as the nor'dh wing de palace all on it own." His lips quirk beneath the mustache, "Take years to fin' one dat nice, me." The sometimes quite un-royal king tips his head down to press a kiss to the hair of the dusky-skinned woman in his arms, "But we bo'dh know can be damn persistent when dere sumpin' really want, me."
'Chana laughs and steps forward out of her lover's arms, reaching up one jewel-and-henna-bedecked hand to brush her fingertips over the intricate stonework. It truly is a work of art -- and a very effective piece of camouflage! It is sometimes good to be underestimated -- basic battle tactics, really -- and Roy had been a mercenary and soldier before he'd been a king. In a moment of playful mischief, the Hetaera turns to the king she has Chosen, as her fingers curl around Le Baton Rouge and caress it in a manner calculated to re-route most of Roy's blood supply south of his belt buckle. With her sweetest and most guileless voice she murmurs, "Oooh, it's so big! ...does it get even bigger if I pet it?" The laughing glints in her eyes are anything but naive, of course!
Roy's lips twitch -- then he throws his head back with a hoot of laughter before stepping forward to gather the petite woman into his arms and grin down at her, "Non, cher. But got one dat does, me, if y' wanna head on back to my room an' experiment some!"
Sulochana giggles as she leans back against her beloved Chosen, reaching up with a small hand to caress his cheek and murmur, "Oooh, bet you say that to all the girls!" His heavy 5 o'clock shadow is a bit raspy under her fingers, and her eyes twinkle as she winks at Roy.
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