| Logs |
2011 March 31
| Neverneverwhere |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
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| Realms: Taps Logs |
Out of the Frying Pan
Suraksha says, "We'll need something of Nuadha's with his scent on it, then. Any information you have about nightmares. Camping gear... better outdoor clothes for me. A crossbow for me; Chanti will want a good bow. Can we hunt, or can someone bring us food? A month is a very long time to subsist on dried rations." She shakes her head slowly, considering: the poor flyer must have been extremely drunk to believe he could avoid a flying nightmare -- for an entire month! "We'll need mounts -- hopefully well-trained flying ones, please. Also, having a means of tracking Nuadha, and of communication between us all, would be extremely helpful."
When Morganna simply nods, Suraksha muses for a bit, sipping her wine. Finally she murmurs, "If there is any way you might... lean on Guaire to either... amend or violate the precepts of the bet -- that, of course, would be enormously helpful. Barring that, having the precise wording of the bet could be quite useful too." She glances at Chanticleer, "Can you summon Chevre to you?"
Chanticleer considers, "Perhaps not at this distance, but I can try." He looks to Morganna. "I will... er, need a guide to the entrance to your la- demesne, Your Majesty."
Morganna shifts slightly where she sits and mmms, "Mounts can be taken care of. Flighted ones might be more of an issue. My flighted mounts are almost universally gryphons, and they are part lion."
Suraksha gives the queen a puzzled glance, "Lions are an issue?"
Morganna mmms again, "Chevre? What sort of creature is it?" To Suraksha she says, "It is my understanding that different species of large cat do not always get along well -- and you are, at least part of the time, a very large cat."
Suraksha smiles, "If it is part lion, I will simply establish myself as the dominant pack member." More dryly she adds, "It will not be the first, and likely not the last, time that I've needed to do something like this." She corrects herself, "Pardon me, pride -- not pack."
Chanticleer pauses, then says, "He is a fey stag, Your Majesty. He has been with me for a very long time." [How much to reveal about him and thus me? Does Morganna have spies in the Seelie Court? Oh, don't be silly -- it's not if she has spies, it's what integer percentage of the courtiers are her spies.]
Suraksha adds amusedly to Chanticleer, "Maybe not Chevre, dear, if we'll be using griffons, mm?"
Chanticleer nods to Suraksha, "That may be called for, Lady; yes. I'm sure he'll forgive me."
Suraksha chuckles. "I promise to tell him it was my fault, then -- and get him a treat."
Morganna laughs, a rich sound that somehow evokes chocolate and sweet smoke, "I think perhaps leaving him where he is may be better, seeing as how the gryphons may well see him as food." She stands, her skirt settling with the sleek heaviness of silk, "Speaking of food, hunting should not be a problem -- at least, I would suppose not. Chanticleer, have you experience of hunting in Faerie?" Suraksha looks over hopefully; she has not, and has absolutely no desire to harm a sapient, let alone eat it!
Chanticleer considers carefully. "Some; yes, Your Majesty. I should be able to pass. It was a common pastime amongst the nobility, though most often for sport than survival." [There. Let her think I was a dandy in court. So many of them, you can't throw a stone without hitting half a dozen and getting half a hundred more gossiping about it.]
Suraksha raises an eyebrow over her wineglass, "'Pass'? I was more worried about someone being able to make sure I didn't try to eat a sapient, dear." She sighs softly, deliberately re-crossing her legs so she can subtly re-arrange her corseted torso. She makes an amused mental note: next time bring her corset, if she's going to court!
Chanticleer nods to Suraksha, "That was part of hunting, Lady, yes. There won't be any worries about that."
Morganna nods, "The sapient creatures are not hard to pick out. They are distinguished in various ways. Eat nothing pure white nor anything pure black. Those with minds to think will look unearthly to you, I believe. The others are much as the ones in the human lands. A deer is a deer; a rabbit, a rabbit. You would not have mistaken Jongleur for something you could eat, would you?"
Suraksha shakes her head and smiles, "No, I'd not have pounced on him... but I might have tracked him for a while until I saw him, under the mistaken assumption he could be dinner -- and thus unwittingly frightened him."
Morganna is pacing again, heels click-clacking on the stone floor, "I have things with Nuadha's scent on them, if that will be useful."
Suraksha says determinedly, "Well, we shall just have to be careful to sight-hunt as much as possible, right, Chanti?" She nods to the Lady, "Yes, very much so. Do you have any magical means we might locate him as well? That would be better, if possible. Also a means of communication between us all, please?"
The queen continues on, answering questions, "Communication may be more troublesome... I can send with you a few of my ravens. They can carry messages back to me. I am afraid there is no way I can offer of locating him with magick that would not require my presence. The weapons will be supplied by my armorer. She will also be the one to supply any other equipment you need. I trust her implicitly."
Suraksha nods slowly, thoughtfully licking her lips as she listens, and admires the wine's rich color in the firelight. "Is Guaire likely to send minions who might attack your ravens, or should they be safe with us?"
The Unseelie Queen's smile is chilling, "If he dares to interfere with my ravens, he will see the unpleasant side of me." Morganna pauses in her pacing, "There are many kinds of nightmares. The one Guaire has summoned is a hunter spirit of sorts. It will plague one person incessantly, sending them the same terrible dream of being chased over and over again. Normally it would simply feed on the terror of that dream, drinking it like we would drink wine until the subject had no more terror to give. Then it might move on to the next mind. My husband has bound it with magic, however, and it will not simply feed on my Nuadha. It is quite possible to kill someone from terror. The heart gives out."
Suraksha sighs slowly and softly, glancing up at the comment about killing someone from terror. For an instant in the firelight her normally golden eyes flash scarlet -- she does not like seeing small weak things tortured. Her voice is a quiet growl, "We'll do our best, Lady." She takes a deep breath, then adds in a more normal tone, "The nightmare: how would one ordinarily dispel or deflect it? What does it look like outside of a dream? Is there anything which harms it, or which it will shy away from -- like cold iron to the Celtic fae?"
Morganna says, "It will shy away from sunlight, as all nightmares do. Knowing my Guaire, he will have bound it into the shape of a horse or of some other four-legged creature. A stag or even possibly a hound. It will be black. The eyes will be either red or the glowing blue of a will-o-wisp."
Suraksha nods thoughtfully, "Will a bright enough fire keep it back?"
Morganna nods, "A large enough one. It is one of the reasons bonfires are lit: to keep back seekers-in-the-dark. It is difficult for a single person to tend a fire large enough to keep it at bay, however."
Suraksha says, "Hmm... so if Nuadha sleeps during the day he'd be safe? The nightmare cannot harm him if he stays awake all night?"
Chanticleer has, for the most part, managed to keep himself from being distracted by both Morganna and -- much more importantly -- Suraksha. While he often speaks ill of the Courts, he does admit the court finery can be quite alluring, and in many ways, the Unseelie much more than the Seelie. He finds it significantly disconcerting to see how well Suraksha pulls it off. As talk turns to confronting the nightmare, he forces himself to focus. "And we are not to harm it, either," he says thoughtfully. "An excellent idea, Lady!"
Suraksha says, "And Guaire cannot send anyone else after the flyer, correct?" She smiles at Chanticleer, absently bouncing her lifted foot so the glassy-looking high-heel shimmers in the firelight, "I hope so, dear. Remember, though, Guaire can still send people after us... and they could always claim their making a lot of noise near the flyer was just happenstance."
Morganna says, "Simply sleeping during the day will not stop it pursuing him. It is not coming after him merely in dreams. It is coming after him bodily as well. Guaire would not be above sending someone to help out his creature -- as I am not above sending someone to thwart it."
Chanticleer's gaze is caught by the shimmering heel -- then he mentally slaps himself across the face. [Focus!] "I see. So we face not only the nightmare, but the nightmare's... shepherds?"
Morganna seems untroubled by this, "As the nightmare faces not only my sweet Nuadha but his protectors."
Suraksha ahhs softly, her gaze going far-away as she considers. She'd already figured out she and Chanti would be under attack; she'd not realized the nightmare could attack outside of dreams, however. "So... will arrows harm the creature? Does it need sleep? Can it eat anything else, or has it been so bound that the only thing it can pause for is to eat from Nuadha's dreams?" That, she thinks, could be useful -- as the nightmare gets hungrier, it will also become less cautious.
Morganna pauses behind Chanticleer, resting her hands on his shoulders as she speaks to Suraksha, "It is bound to hunt him. It is unlikely that it will be able to take time to feed off another sleeper. Arrows will cause it pain but not kill it. As far as I am aware, holy water and sunlight combined can kill the mara -- not much else. They can be trapped, bound, or dispelled, however. Even if they are dispelled, they can return if precautions are not taken. I will give you webs that will prevent it entering your dreams. Nuadha agreed not to use such tricks as part of the bet." She clucks her tongue, "So brash."
Chanticleer almost but does not quite jump out of his chair when the queen puts her hands on his shoulders. He tries hard to remind himself this is Morganna, Lady of Winter, Unseelie Queen, Siren of Silence. "Ah... but we still ought not do more than harm it to chase it off."
Suraksha nods immediately at Morganna's words, saying with satisfaction, "Ah, excellent! Have you someone who can speak with us about how to bind, trap, and dispel them, please? We do not wish to waste your time, after all, Lady." She smiles at Chanticleer, "No, that's not quite what she said. The Lady Morganna asked us to please try not to kill it." Internally she thinks, [Careful, Chanti -- don't make this harder than it is, dear!] She also makes a mental note to salt Chanti's shoulders later. She'll work for the fey queen... but that doesn't mean she actually trusts Morganna.
Morganna's thumb strokes Chanticleer's neck absently, "Or misdirect it. I will do what I can to find out the wording of the bet, but I cannot guarantee I will be able to get the information to you."
Suraksha nods briskly, setting her wine goblet aside and rising to her full, high-heeled height, "Excellent again. Thank you, Lady, for sharing so much of your time with us, although-" she glances at the ornate clock on the mantelpiece, "we should delay no further in gathering together our gear and talking with your people, yes?"
The queen smiles and says, "I will send someone with you on the first part of the journey to give you the information you require. As it is, we must hurry to get you to the place it will all begin."
Suraksha nods again, glancing around, "Very good. Come along, Chanti -- I'm depending on you to pick suitable mounts from those the Lady has available, please. You'll have to pick your own bow too, I think, yes?"
Chanticleer swallows a bit, trying to keep himself from looking too eager to "come along" when said in that tone. He nods, focusing on the task. "Ah... yes, mounts. I will pick the best I can, certainly -- and I can pick a bow, yes."
Morganna says, "I will call someone to take you to Aurora. While we wait, I will get something with Nuadha's scent on it." She sways over to a bell pull and gives it a tug before disappearing into the closet where Suraksha found her clothing earlier.
Suraksha calls quietly, "The fresher the better, please, Lady!" She raises an inquiring eyebrow at Chanticleer, as to whether he's all right. She's slightly worried at how wide his eyes currently are.
Chanticleer glances over to her -- keeping his eyes above the neckline, thanks -- and nods. "I'll be fine, Lady, honest," he says, smiling quietly. [As soon as we are on the trail and wearing more pragmatic clothing. This is why my brother always teased me when we went to Court, I'm sure.] Suraksha looks relieved as she nods slightly once, then turns her gaze to the closet, folding her arms under her breasts. She's going to be relieved to be out of this not-quite-fitting-right clothing.
In the few minutes Morganna is gone, Jongleur reappears in the room. It doesn't seem to come in a door or window -- it's just... there. The small woman glances over at the little creature and smiles, "Hello, Jongleur. How're you doing?" She glances around curiously for the ravens, wondering if they'll just appear too.
Jongleur doesn't stay in one place for more than a moment or two at a time, scampering around the room here and there. Upon being addressed it pauses, sitting up on its hind legs and tipping its head, "Lady called for Jongleur. Jongleur came! Yesyesyes!" Jongleur seems somewhat more articulate than Alg, but also much more frenetic.
Suraksha laughs softly, crouching down a bit in the tall heels and carefully tucking the short dress under her derriere, "Does Jongleur like having his ears rubbed?" Jongleur's already-enormous eyes widen further and it bounds over, offering up the tufted ears for said rubbing. Suraksha smiles and gently rubs her slender fingers through the fur behind the round, furry little ears.
As this is happening, Morganna returns with what appears to be a scrap of silk, "I supposed the entire bed sheet would be too bulky, so I brought a part which would be strong with his scent..." She quirks a brow as she catches sight of the little creature. Chanticleer blinks and coughs silently as Suraksha crouches down, looking quickly away and thinking of cold waterfalls. The awkwardness just grows when he sees Morganna enter.
At the quirked brow the smaller woman murmurs inquiringly, "You did not summon him?" She doesn't shift very much -- but she is now subtly in a position to grab the little entity if necessary.
Morganna says, "Oh yes, I did. I am simply always amazed at how trusting it is. Jongleur, pay attention for a moment, please." The little creature blinks and skitters over to look adoringly up at Morganna as she gives it directions to take them to see Aurora. The queen is careful to repeat the instructions several times and be very clear they are to go straight to the armory.
Suraksha looks relieved as she stands up again, subtly straightening her dress a bit under the corset. She'd have been quite... upset were someone else already so aware of the Lady's doings that they could send in a spy so quickly, and in such a trusted position. She glances over at Chanticleer at that thought, murmuring softly to the sidhe, "Might want to be careful regarding trying to always see through glamour while we're out doing this, Chanti." Chanticleer arches a brow to Suraksha, then nods soberly.
Finally Morganna seems satisfied Jongleur has the instructions down, and she offers the piece of ragged silk to Suraksha. The smaller woman smiles faintly at Chanti's reaction, then steps over toward the Lady, her heels clicking with clear, precise chimes on the stone parts of the floor, "Thank you, Lady." She's careful to touch only the edges of the cloth, and she folds it oddly -- so as little as possible of the central part is left exposed. Once that's done she hands it to Chanticleer, "Keep that on you at all times, please. If you can, wrap it in something like a handkerchief before you put it in a belt pouch, and touch it as little as possible." Chanticleer was briefly mesmerized by the heels, then snaps back to paying attention as soon as Suraksha addresses him. He nods, tucking the scrap of silk away in a pocket that has had the least contact with his own scent.
Morganna says, "Of course. The ravens will be with Aurora." She glances at the clock, "I must leave you now."
Suraksha does a graceful bow of the head to the Lady, "By your leave, Lady; we depart," then tilts her head at Chanticleer in a 'time to go' sort of gesture. She smiles down at Jongleur, "Lead us to the armory, please, and to Aurora?"
Jongleur chitters, "Armory! This way, this way!" It skitters out what seems to be the same doorway through which they entered. It is not, however, the same hallway -- it is a much narrower one, and less well-lit. Suraksha strides swiftly after the little entity, her hips swinging with lithely rhythmic grace to compensate for the tall shoes. The regular chiming of the heels is precise and sharp -- almost aggressive sounding -- and by the set of Sura's shoulders (if Chanti's looking that high) it can be seen she's shifting mentally into hunting-mode. Chanticleer manages to stay a little bit behind her stride, if only to keep following that cadence she makes. He tries quite, quite hard to keep his attention on those shoulders, but each click of heels makes his eyes drop bit... by... bit... until he has to snap them back up again.
Jongleur leads them through the maze of corridors, which look like they've been taken from several structures: all large, all stone, all ornate. It's as if they are navigating the dream of a castle, rather than an actual edifice. They go lower and lower down several sets of stairs, and even once down a spiraling, ramp-like construction which takes concentration for Suraksha to navigate in the heels. She says softly over her shoulder after that, "I'm going to ask for full cooking and camping gear, Chanti. Is there anything special you want or need?"
Chanticleer, meanwhile, finds his eyes again following the rhythmic swing of Suraksha's hair as she walks swayingly. Her question almost makes him answer oddly -- before he mentally slaps himself again and gets out, "I'm... not sure. Nothing I can think of. But of course I'll be thinking of it right after we get on the road." The lady laughs softly, and continues following Jongleur.
At some point they become aware of the ring of hammer and anvil; then they come to a room which can be nothing other than an armory. It's a well-stocked and well-organized room with several people at work repairing armor and weapons. There is a sense of purposeful bustle, and overseeing it all is perhaps the brawniest female sidhe either of them has ever seen. The woman has short, shaggy brown hair with round, shaggy ears peeking out of it from high on her skull. Her skin is the reddened tan of someone who is around a forge much of the time, while her eyes are small and intent.
Suraksha glances around thoughtfully, then murmurs to Jongleur, "This lady here is Aurora?" She is guessing Aurora is not a pureblood sidhe. That would make the small woman guess Aurora is also extremely loyal, since halfblood sidhe are not well regarded -- 'despised' would be a more apt term. A dependable home with Morganna was probably a goddess-send for this one. Suraksha reminds herself, [Also, Morganna did say she trusted the woman implicitly. That makes sense.] Chanticleer blinks, his entrancement with Suraksha's swaying walk for the moment forgotten. He's seen some dismounted knights who weren't as herculean as Aurora.
Jongleur scrambles up onto Suraksha's shoulder and points to the brawny woman, "Yesyesyes! Bear lady Aurora!" It jumps from Sura's shoulder to a rack of spears to a tall case holding camping equipment and finally to a tall table by the enormous armorer's side, covered in parchment and pieces of half-finished or damaged armor. Aurora turns slowly and smiles, "Jongleur! I was told to expect you." From the cheerful little entity, her gaze moves to the two strangers, "And you are the help Her Majesty sent for, I would suppose." Her voice is deep and rumbly -- almost furry sounding.
Suraksha tilts her head slightly, smiling, "Bear? Oh, how nice to meet you! One of my most trusted people is a bear manitou." She nods, "That would be us, aye. We should ask you for the equipment we need, then?" She glances around as she adds quietly, "You trust all here implicitly?" She doesn't want to give any further information until she's sure it will go no further.
Aurora is dressed in functional clothes; she pulls a kerchief from her back pocket to wipe her hands. Her nails are black and heavy, like claws, "Aye. Come with me, if you please." She motions them to follow and leads the way through the tables and workstations of the armory into a room which looks as if it were meant to be an office. It doesn't appear much used, but there are some bundles sitting on the table. Suraksha moves with the easy calm of someone well used to being around such enormous entities, as she follows the big woman.
As they walk, Chanticleer looks around, impressed. This is a well-run forge and armory -- and, he notes to himself wryly as he spots the damaged armor, it looks like there's more than a bit of work done here. The armor needing repair runs a range from old pieces that are simply worn from use, to pieces which have obviously been damaged in some battle or another, to things which simply look like inferior work. There is very little of this last, and it looks different from the rest -- as if it was crafted by someone else. Chanticleer is intrigued by the damage to the armor. Apparently not all is as sanguine between or within the two courts as the nobles of both would like to believe. Then again, he thinks, considering how he came to be on the road in the mortal world, is he really surprised?
The chair at the table is sized for Aurora, but she doesn't sit in it. Her voice is lowered, "I trust my people not to betray the court, but if you live at court, you live with intrigue. I feel it best to speak with you in here."
Suraksha nods in understanding, "Thank you, lady Aurora. I will be concise then: I hight Sura; this is Chanti. Have you been alerted as to our needs, or would you like us to reiterate?"
Aurora is opening the bundles as Jongleur chitters and sings little nonsense songs and peeks here and there amongst the shelves and drawers of the little office. "The Lady sent word of what you were likely to need." She eyes Suraksha, "You don't mean to set out like that, surely?" Chanticleer stifles a boyish grin at Aurora's question. Inwardly he hopes the lady doesn't set out like that, either. Doesn't he? No -- that is, yes, he hopes she doesn't. It's already made him distractible.
Suraksha snorts in amusement, "Goddess, no! This is all borrowed from the Lady, and I look forward to being able to return it." She casually rubs Jongleur's ears as the small entity scampers by at one point -- Jongleur wiggles happily before it goes on to explore further -- and grins at its reaction as she continues with the brisk certainty of the competent, "Excellent, I'm glad the Lady notified you ahead of time. All right then: a really good bow and arrows for Chanti, a sturdy crossbow and quarrels sized for me. Gryphon mounts and tack for them. Camping gear for hunting, cooking, sleeping -- all the usual stuff for a month's worth of living off the land. More suitable clothes for me." She frowns, thinking, then holds up a finger, "Ah! There were supposed to be ravens here for us?"
Aurora nods, "I'll get you some clothes that make more sense. The Lady is wise and powerful, but not usually pragmatic as to clothes." Suraksha grins as the bear-sidhe opens the door and calls over one of the workers: a slender creature with pale green skin and rather bulbous eyes as well as a sort of fin folded down along the curve of its skull. The bear-woman gives instructions for clothes to be brought and the underling moves off with a quick efficiency of movement.
Once the door is closed behind the other entity, Suraksha continues: "A few specialized items, please: extra water, a pound of salt, flint and steel for me -- Chanti will use his usual firestarter. There should also be someone here who will go with us for the first part of this expedition, who can give us the particulars concerning nightmares or mara -- how to trap, bind, and dispel them. Two anti-mara nets so we can sleep in peace." She glances over at Chanticleer, "Did I miss anything, Chanti? Oh! Yes, I did -- the person with us should be able to give at least me some quick and dirty riding lessons with gryphons." Suraksha glances inquiringly at Chanticleer, "Have you ridden a gryphon before, or will you need a bit of training too?"
A heartbeat later Suraksha gets a faintly disgusted look, "Darnit! I forgot to ask herself to make sure Nuadha knew we could b-" She cuts off, frowning a bit as she thinks... then slowly shakes her head, "No, he's better off not knowing we can be trusted... in case someone with really good glamour tries to replicate us." She glances at the bear woman as she adds quietly, "Any advice you might have, as someone more in-the-know than most, would be gratefully accepted as well, of course."
Aurora nods and opens the bundles, showing various accoutrements needed for living off the land. "The gryphons will be in the stables. I'll take you to them once we get everything packed up for you." In amongst the bundles are several different knapsacks and saddlebags, variously sized. Aurora quickly and competently fits the pair of them with appropriate packs and starts putting things away in them. The flint and steel are there, carefully wrapped in leather. There are water skins and salt as well, as if these are simply part of what one takes to go adventuring in Faerie. "As to someone coming with you, I will send Sova. She is the best of my people at magical defense. That was her I sent for your clothes. She can also show you how not to piss off the gryphons."
Suraksha laughs softly at that, and Chanticleer says a touch wryly, "That's a good thing to know."
The bear-sidhe goes on, "It's likely the ravens will be at the stables as well; they don't usually venture down here. Birds are not comfortable around all the noise and I prefer not to have raven shit all over my worktables and my work." Suraksha laughs again at that! Aurora soon has all the equipment packed away in knapsacks and saddlebags. She herself hefts the saddlebags and says, "This whole thing is ridiculous, if you ask me. Guaire is going to push too hard and too much one day and find out that Morganna's amusement only goes so far."
Suraksha nods quietly at Aurora's comment, her golden-eyed gaze bright and faintly rueful. "Until then, though... I suspect it's all still just a game to them, no?"
Aurora nods, moving easily through the maze of the armory toward another doorway, "For now, yes -- though this game is more serious than many others. Morganna is quite fond of Nuadha and Guaire has become jealous. Jealousy of Her Majesty is not wise. She will not be owned or ordered. She is a queen -- and queens are not used to giving way."
Suraksha snorts amusedly again, muttering under her breath, "There's a Truth that bears remembering..." She hopes the other entity -- Sova, was it? -arrives soon. She does not think returning borrowed clothing in a dirty and stable-worn condition would be courteous!
The door Aurora takes them to opens onto a stone-flagged courtyard and Sova is seen to be coming toward them, moving in quick, darting motions. Seen from afar, the balancing tail is visible. She meets them halfway across the courtyard, carrying a bundle of clothing. Her voice is quick and sibilant as she explains she found what she could that would seem to fit Suraksha. Breeches, a long tunic, sturdy boots, and heavily padded leather vest are there, along with linen undergarments and a belt.
Suraksha smiles as she accepts the little bundle, "Bless you! What a relief. Is there a good steel blade as well, by any chance?" Chanticleer is inwardly grateful for the clothing for Suraksha. Practical, what she is wearing now most certainly is not. Still, it did show much of why she is so desirable as a Hetaera. He wonders parenthetically how much devastation she would wreak at a fey gathering -- or at, heavens forfend, a Court.
The little group continues across the courtyard to another building where weapons are arrayed, though these seem to be simply stored rather than being made, repaired, or maintained. Aurora says, "There will be a good blade in here for you. Bows too." Her small, dark eyes move over both of them, "You can choose for yourselves, I think. You both move like you know how to use weapons."
Suraksha smiles with cheerful insouciance up at the tall bear-sidhe woman, "Why, thank you!" She adds as an aside to Chanticleer, "Would you be so kind as to vet anything I bring you, Chanti?" She doesn't bother adding the rest of that thought, [since you're far better than I at this, being an actual warrior?] Chanticleer nods to Suraksha, hoping that of all his knightly skills, "weapons quality evaluation" is not one of those so rusty as to be unrecognizable. The small woman adds softly to Aurora, "Can you shut the door here for just a moment, so I might swiftly change?" Sova closes the door just after Jongleur squirts through.
Suraksha gives a sigh of relief as the borrowed corset comes off. Chanticleer blinks as Suraksha divests herself of the corset, and immediately turns so as not to watch. As much as he would otherwise like to -- and he would still have no issues with her being caravan leader even if he saw her starkers -- there are just some things ingrained into you when you're a knight of the Court... one of those being to never let yourself get caught watching someone undress. The courtiers will talk about it for decades! The small woman changes swiftly but also with casual ease; she's soon clothed and lightly stamping her feet, making sure the boots, as well as everything else, fit comfortably. She nods and folds up the borrowed clothing, then looks down at Jongleur, "Sweetie, can you deliver this package to the Lady's bedroom?"
Jongleur seems transported with joy to be asked to help out. It holds out its little arms for the bundle of clothes, which would be far too big for it to carry that way. Suraksha smiles down at the little entity, repeating carefully, "Take this to the Lady's bedroom, please, yes?" as she rolls up the clothes tightly and hands him the now-smaller bundle. Jongleur nods emphatically and takes the clothes, staggering off cheerfully with them once someone opens the door for it. Sova watches Jongleur go with her head tipped to one side and an air of amusement.
Aurora points out to them where crossbows and bows can be found, as well as small blades. Suraksha is already carefully checking for sizing on the crossbows, making sure she picks one that suits her smaller arm-length. When she's found one she thinks will work, she hands it to Chanti to check over, and goes to thoughtfully examine the blades as well. She'll end up selecting three slender throwing blades, a very sharp and double-edged eating knife, and one heavy single-edged dagger -- almost a tiny machete in her hands. Those too she hands to Chanticleer, then busies herself making sure the various scabbards are either fastened to her belt or tucked away in unobtrusive places. She warns Chanti quietly as to which of the blades are cold iron before she hands them to him; by now it's a teaching deeply ingrained in her by her godsmother.
Chanticleer nods a little absently to Suraksha; he'd expected cold iron weapons at some point. He's handled them (cautiously) before, though his own sword isn't made from the stuff. He also checks over the crossbow, intending to vet Suraksha's weapons first before choosing his own. He has his sword with him, of course, but a bow would be welcome. Aurora checks over each piece as well, making sure it is suitable for leaving her armory; she obviously takes pride in her work. Suraksha smiles in silent pleasure at that, pleased to see Aurora feels somewhat invested in this as well. At a sudden thought, though, she glances over at Sova, murmuring quietly, "Two heavy cloaks too, please? If the flyer's affinity is snow, we'll need some protection -- and gloves." Sova nods and leaves the room, moving with that same darting grace.
There is an enormous range of metals and materials in the weaponry. It's obvious Aurora's armory is built to service many different types of fae. The bear-sidhe is quiet as the pair choose what to take with them, only making a suggestion here or there. Once the pair is well-armed, she leads them out into the courtyard again and off toward what is obviously a stable, noting that Sova will catch up with them. Suraksha nods at Aurora, glancing around curiously for ravens as they go -- and spotting several aloft over the stable. "Will Sova have all the information we need regarding riding gryphons, and about mara?" Her voice is very soft, pitched just to her companions' heightened senses.
Aurora nods, "Sova knows much about many things. She is also quite loyal to Her Majesty. Sova works with me because she can handle the steel, unlike many in the courts, but she is a scholar by vocation."
Suraksha relaxes slightly, "Excellent. You have our gratitude, Aurora." She's not sure if there are any fae here who are hinky about either blessings or thanks, so she's careful with her phrasing. She makes a mental note to be more cautious with the blessings too. While hers came from the goddess rather than the fae-hostile christian god, an observer wouldn't necessarily realize Suraksha had not committed a small offense against the thus-blessed entity.
Chanticleer nods soberly to Aurora and quietly thanks her -- a knight who doesn't properly thank their armorer quickly finds themselves wearing armor that's surprisingly permeable, or swords that don't quite cut through butter. Actually, that's exaggerating; he never heard of an armorer who did that. But it was drilled into him to be courteous to the people hammering away on your armor and weapons. Besides, he's genuinely grateful to Aurora for all the help she gave. She could have just pointed them in the direction of 'STUFF' -- but she didn't.
Aurora nods and says, "We're grateful you're helping out. Nuadha is a gentle creature, and Guaire is a pouting bully."
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