| Logs |
2012 March 13
| Neverneverwhere |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
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| Realms: Taps Logs |
It's All About Love & Family
Before either Malachai or Rattler can start the argument they're both clearly aching to have, Suraksha's entire tiny wagon creaks and sways slightly as someone very heavy steps onto the back porch. Rattler looks amused, Malachai looks startled -- he's not used to a floor that tilts and rolls! Suraksha laughs tiredly and calls, "Open!" as there's a firm knock on the door. A second later the lever turns... and Malachai is looking up at the tallest man he's ever met.
Buddy looks grim, ducking his head and turning sideways to step through the little doorway -- though he's glamoured, he still must take care with his horns, after all. He's carrying a basket, which he thumps firmly down and starts unpacking. The rich, mouth-watering scent of hot food starts to fill the little wagon as he deliberately fills a large bowl with steaming chili, jabs in a spoon, then shoves it at Suraksha and glowers at her, growling, "You eat that up -- every bite, girl! Swear you d'serve a spankin' fer over-exertin' yerself and dodgin' dinner like that."
Suraksha laughs sheepishly, ducking her head a little as she accepts the bowl, "Guilty as charged, I guess. I'm sorry, Buddy. You do know I don't mean it, right?" The glamoured minotaur straightens, folding his arms and continuing to glower down at the diminutive woman as she sniffs rapturously at the chili, then has a large spoonful, chewing happily.
Malachai is looking in stunned disbelief at the enormous man and then at 'Chana, expecting some sort of reproof or reprimand. When there is none, he looks at Rattler, wondering if the insolent man will put the other in his place. Rattler murmurs, "Tole you he 'us gonna put you over his knee you di'n't eat sumpin'." He leans forward and opens his mouth, grinning and chomping happily as Suraksha feeds him a spoonful of the hearty chili. She giggles as she shares, still busily chewing her own mouthful -- Buddy's chili is legendary!
Malachai shakes his head in something close to horror, then turns to Buddy, standing up to his full height -- which doesn't come near matching the glamoured minotaur's. "Watch your mouth when speaking to your alpha! Don't you have any decency?"
There's a moment of utter silence in the wagon as all three caravaneers turn to stare at Malachai. Roy isn't laughing, but it's a close thing. Buddy looks unimpressed and indifferent; Suraksha looks puzzled. She finishes chewing and swallows, then asks with almost idle curiosity asks, "How should he watch his mouth, then?" She has another mouthful of chili, happily murfling through it to the minotaur, "Vif if ekfewent!"
Malachai can't find words for a moment -- this is not something that often has to be verbally taught here in Friendsville; it is simply a fact of life. Slowly, however, he manages to explain that if she is the alpha, people need to treat her with respect and deference -- to understand their place in the pack. Buddy snorts in dismissive amusement, and his interest shifts from Malachai to Suraksha, whom he watches with a firm stare -- as if he's going to personally make sure she eats the entire bowl of chili. Suraksha blinks slowly at Malachai while she continues to steadily and neatly devour the chili -- as if she can't quite believe what she's hearing. She's happy to share spoonfuls with Rattler, however, when he whispers a teasing request for another bite. The rogue king eats the occasional bites of shared chili and keeps his thoughts to himself; he knows Malachai is digging a bit of a hole here, and Roy intends to let the werewolf dig as deeply as he wants. Roy himself knows there are people that must be checked and held in place to keep from making trouble. But there is no one in the caravan, not at the moment, that really needs that.
Suraksha finally hands her empty bowl to Buddy, who pragmatically starts refilling the bowl -- he knows Sura exerted herself quite a bit tonight, and Rattler's not yet eaten enough either. Sura's voice is gentle as she says to the town elder, "Malachai, I am a tiger-shifter, not a wolf. Tigers don't have packs and hierarchy like wolves do." She pauses, considering for a moment, then curiously adds, "Do you feel the caravan's reactions so far have been 'off' at all? For example, were they all happy and courteous at your town's lovely Celebration? Did they seem worried and restless during my silly hierarchy duel with Meshek, or did they seem to have calm faith in me? Did their response to the storm indicate contentious issues within our extended family group, or was it more that of a smoothly functioning team?"
Malachai's scowl softens a little, but doesn't disappear completely, "Your people do seem to work well together, I admit. But they are visitors. I cannot say if this is their idea of best behavior or not." He's clearly trying to explain things so they fit into his own worldview, rather than changing his worldview to fit the facts.
Suraksha smiles in quiet amusement; she has no need to argue to prove her point, especially when her discussion partner doesn't really want to hear it. "Well, then I shall not worry about Buddy's, er, mouthiness..." she grins almost impishly up at the minotaur, who amusedly rolls his eyes at her, "and you will not worry about the caravan, aye?" She happily accepts the second bowl of chili, and for a while there's no conversation as she continues eating and sharing with Rattler. The minotaur, seeing Suraksha obediently eating and Rattler getting fed too, glances darkly at Malachai, growling in his rumbling basso voice, "Y' et yet? Got 'nuff here fer you too, if y' want."
Malachai peers up at Buddy, trying to decide if the man is impudent or merely ignorant. Since Suraksha seems to be fond of the enormous cook, Malachai decides that it is ignorance on Buddy's part -- since to accept food like that, after Rattler has eaten, would be to place himself below the dark-haired man in the hierarchy. Malachai is already feeling out-of-sorts and doesn't want to tip the balance further; the old alpha shakes his head, "No. I have eaten sufficiently." He tries not to visibly fret about 'Chana possibly not recognizing impertinent behavior from his own pack. It is wolf nature, after all, to nudge and push and challenge. It's almost reassuring to be shown where they belong in the pack.
Buddy simply shrugs at Malachai, turning his dark-eyed gaze back onto Suraksha. When she finally finishes, offering the bowl back to the minotaur with a happy sigh, the big minotaur's expression softens for a moment. He sets aside the bowl, then steps forward and leans to give his tiny lady a gentle hug, one huge hand caressing delicately over her soft hair. She returns the hug tightly, resting her cheek against his chest as she murmurs a heartfelt thank you. Malachai watches all of this with some puzzlement; some of the people in the caravan treat 'Chana more like their cub than their alpha.
Neither Buddy nor Suraksha seem to notice Malachai's slight reaction. The minotaur simply turns to repack his basket, while Suraksha settles sleepily back into Rattler's arms. Buddy heads off with a grunted goodnight, closing the door gently behind himself and departing with a final squeak and jounce from the wagon. Suraksha smiles tiredly up at Rattler, then yawns hugely. After that she blinks, shaking her head once, then smiles wearily at Malachai, "Well. I'm happy to either loan you a water-resistant cloak, or you can leave your clothes here and go home as a wolf -- whichever you prefer. I'm willing to return to the village tomorrow to either pick up or drop off the appropriate clothing."
Rattler drawls, "Hold on now, chere. We need ta get dis all hashed out. Gotta put ever't'in' in its place." He's holding 'Chana warmly and nuzzling his cheek against the top of her head as he adds, "An' we all here."
Malachai watches the two of them with narrowed eyes -- then musters his will and manages a smile. It's a little strained, but it is polite, "No. It has been a long day and an unexpectedly exciting evening. I will say thank you for the cloak and be happy to see you in the morning when you come to retrieve it."
Rattler looks at Malachai narrowly. The old wolf doesn't strike him as someone to take the easy road and this seems far too easy, but he doesn't push. It will be nice to have the Friendsville elder on his way and out of the caravan. Suraksha looks relieved -- she hadn't been looking forward to an argument on a confused subject with a volatile client while she was exhausted. "Excellent! Let me get you one." She pulls herself upright and pulls her hooded, heavy wool cloak off the peg, offering it to Malachai with a smile, "There you go. Take care in the rain, yes?"
Malachai leans over to kiss 'Chana on the cheek and wraps the cloak around himself and pulls up the hood. "Tomorrow, then." He steps out the door and pauses, raising the fabric of the cloak to his nose and inhaling, smiling to himself as he realizes the scent is hers. She will definitely want to come retrieve it herself, he is sure. He sets off into the rain, plans forming in his mind as he goes. He has not lived for nearly a century, and been alpha of this pack for most of those decades, because he is stupid.
Suraksha waves politely, then closes the door on the stormy night. For an instant she leans her forehead against the door... then she gives a bone-deep sigh of relief as she pushes away, turning back to Rattler with a small smile, "Thank goodness -- alone at last." A tiredly mischievous glint lights her eyes as she innocently adds, "Still willing to cuddle with such a clueless alpha, sweetheart?"
Rattler is already leaning back on the bed when she turns around. He gives her his own mischievous grin as he says, "Cuddle? Dayum, here I was hopin' no bebes meant sumpin' a li'l more strenuous." Suraksha laughs aloud at that, blowing out the tiny lantern before flowing delightedly into his arms.
Roy is up early the next morning, leaving Sura with a kiss and a caress and admonishing her to get some rest. He knows it's not likely to do any good, but he does feel he has to try. Del has rousted him to help with the animals today, since they're restless after the storm of the night before. Suraksha yawns as she returns the kiss, smiling sleepily at her beloved. She watches him dress and depart, reclining with languid pleasure in their warmly rumpled bed... but after that she gets up herself too -- there's work to do and errands to be run!
Suraksha is a little tired still, considering she's been on the go for something like three days and two nights now, but she figures it's best to retrieve her cloak while she's in town to check on the progress of the wagon wheels. She considers for a moment... then smiles quietly to herself, deciding to take some children with her. If anything will keep the disturbingly amorous Malachai at a distance, she suspects it'd be children. It's not hard to talk the children into going into town with her. Rohana doesn't want to be separated from her mother for too long just now and the rest are just happy for an adventure.
The rest of the Friendsville folk made their way home last night after the storm abated a bit -- all except Rachel, who stayed the night with Chanticleer. Suraksha laughs softly as she sees Chanticleer and Rachel emerge together, waving cheerfully to them from where she's eating breakfast. She's seated on the edge of Buddy's sturdy drop-counter, swinging her small feet. "Hey, you two! Want to go into town with me? I'll be taking some of the kids with me while I run a few errands."
Rachel smiles shyly and waves back. She's still braiding her blonde hair as she emerges with Chanticleer, "I should be getting back. I have work to do today."
Suraksha says, "Excellent! Have a bite to eat first, though, or Buddy will glower." She giggles up at the big minotaur -- who snorts forbiddingly -- then grins at the sidhe and the Friendsville girl as she solemnly adds, "We can't disappoint Buddy, after all, or he'll stomp all over the place all day!"
Chanticleer smiles warmly to Rachael, squeezing her hand. "I understand. I've work to do as well. It takes a lot to keep a caravan running, even when not on the road." He pauses. "Rachael... I very much enjoyed the time with you. All the time, not just the lovemaking. I know you hope for a child, as do I... but I also hope you enjoyed yourself as well."
Suraksha tilts her head, smiling slightly as she listens. She thinks the two are very sweet together. Rachel's cheeks are rosy and she nods, "I did. Very much. And..." She clears her throat and leans in close, one hand on Chanti's shoulder as she murmurs, "Tonight, after dinner, would I be welcome back here?" Suraksha's smile grows broader as she discreetly turns to murmur to Buddy.
Chanticleer smiles and nods. "You would be, yes. Er, will be, I mean."
Shortly thereafter a small and cheerfully enthusiastic group heads for the little town. Suraksha is singing along with the children in a simple walking song, swinging her hands with the children skipping along with her. Rachel is delightedly flushed, her eyes shining as she too holds hands -- with Chanticleer as well as a small child. A few dogs are bouncing along, barking and tail-wagging as they accompany the little group to the edge of the caravan's territory, at which point the three adults and four children continue on to the town.
Townsfolk wave to the arriving group. The caravan children, according to their natures, wave shyly or enthusiastically at the townsfolk. Uncharacteristically, Rohana is sticking quite close to her mother today. The town's children aren't around, and Rachel comments that most of the younger ones will be at Malachai's for instruction at this time of day. In fact, that's where Rachel herself is headed.
Suraksha grins at Chanti and Rachel, calling to them, "Well, then let's all head to Malachai's first, and get that over with. Got a cloak to pick up that I loaned him last night." She figures the more folks she has around her while around the overly-attentive alpha, the better. Chanticleer nods to Suraksha, offering his arm to Rachael. He wishes, though, that he'd thought to bring his sword. He's unhappy that the thing with Malachai hasn't been sorted yet, and he doesn't want this to become any worse than it already is.
By the time they reach Malachai's house they find the old alpha and all the townie children on the porch. The little ones are all lined up from shortest to tallest, and Malachai is walking along behind the line, carefully tying colored bandanas around their eyes as he talks, "It is important to use all your senses, my cubs. We cannot always expect to be able to see, and even if you are not a shifting soul, you can use your ears and your nose and your hands and even your tongue to let you experience the world." He glances up as he hears the approach of the caravan folk and Rachel. The white-haired elder smiles warmly, not showing his teeth, "Ah! We have some visitors this morning." Internally Malachai is rejoicing: this is turning out better than he'd expected -- he'd half-expected Rattler to show up with 'Chana. The children and the guardsman, however, Malachai feels he can deal with.
Suraksha blinks slowly, a smile crossing her face -- this brings back some good memories of training with her godsmother. She hesitates, then says carefully, "Well, we actually were pausing to pick up my cloak while running an errand. We don't wish to disturb you...?" The four children clustered around Chanti and Suraksha stare in wide-eyed interest.
Malachai says, "You aren't disturbing us at all! Would your little ones like to join us? I promise it is education and not play. Well, not entirely. Also I would be glad to give you back your cloak when we're done. Truth be told, I could use a hand." Rachel looks questioningly at her Nonnu and Malachai shakes his head fractionally.
Suraksha considers that, glancing down at the children with her. The town's children smile shyly, and the ones still without bandannas wave to the caravan children. The foursome from the caravan give Suraksha hopeful looks; it's not often they get to play with friendly outsider children. She laughs, raising an inquiring eyebrow at Chanticleer: would he be bothered by this or no? Chanticleer shakes his head, smiling to Suraksha. Unless Malachai is going to be sicc'ing all the children on them all of a sudden -- which he can't see happening -- it couldn't hurt, and it might help soothe some ruffled hackles.
Suraksha laughs again at that, then grins down at her children, waving both hands out toward the town children, "Well, go on then!" There's a small cheer from the kids -- both town and caravan -- as three of the four new arrivals scamper over. Rohana pauses long enough to tug urgently on Chanticleer's arm, standing on tiptoe to whisper to him. Chanticleer leans down to listen to Rohana, looking concerned. "What's wrong?" he murmurs to her. He'll pick her up since she appears to want that, though he wonders if he should be doing that in case he needs to suddenly fight. Malachai is telling the other caravan children how to line up and playfully pretending to misjudge their height, making them giggle. It's obvious the alpha is more relaxed around children, and they seem fond of him.
The small child knows how keen sidhe hearing is, so her soft whisper is pitched just for him, "Chanti, promise me please you won't let the big wolf steal Mommy away?" She clings to him with both hands and stares worriedly at him, her dark eyes wide. Suraksha is laughing relaxedly with Rachel as the two of them watch the town elder teasing little JosieAnna.
Chanticleer smiles warmly to Rohana. "I promise," he whispers back. "But more importantly, your mother won't let that happen. Hasn't she told you that the big wolf won't take her away?"
Rohana's face brightens with relief at Chanticleer's promise. She thinks about his words for a bit, then leans to whisper confidingly to the tall sidhe, "Well... well, it's like, you know, back-up? Like scary Auntie Sna'tha says we always need?" Chanticleer laughs quietly, hugging Rohana, though internally he's worried; if Rohana is still concerned about Malachai, then there's still the unfortunate risk that Malachai will do something untoward. The child beams at Chanti, giving him an impetuous hug -- then chirps, "Thank yooou!" as she wriggles down and scampers off for the line, calling, "Okay, I'm ready now!" Suraksha gives Chanticleer a slightly bemused grin, raising an eyebrow: is everything all right? He nods to her, though he lets his expression be briefly grave to convey his own concern: everything is all right, but that could change; he hopes to be ready for it.
Suraksha smiles and nods surreptitiously; she got the 'be wary' message. To the children and Malachai she says, "Well, how can we help? Or should we let you all go play?"
Malachai says, "Rachel, why don't you take your young gentleman through to the kitchen and offer him something to drink. I believe there's some lemonade."
Rachel nods and says, "Yes, Nonnu. Thank you." She beams up at Chanti, "They'll be busy with the children a while yet. Please, come on back."
Suraksha brightens at that, "Oh, lemonade? I'd love some too!" Chanticleer nods and smiles to Rachael, then pauses at Suraksha's suggestion. He tries to gauge how Rachael and Malachai both feel about that -- their reactions -- before reacting himself.
Rohana tenses up at that, her voice sharp with worry, "Wait, Mommy has to come with us!"
Suraksha, who knew how her daughter would react, appears to think a moment, then smiles, "All right, baby. Tell you what -- maybe Rachel can bring us some drinks, please, while Chanti and I help with this enormous passel of children?" That causes several of the kids to giggle. Suraksha glances at Chanticleer, tilting her head the slightest bit to suggest he come along, please?
There are somewhat over a dozen children with the caravan kids added in. Rachel glances at Malachai, whose brows have drawn together slightly. The alpha smoothes out his expression and smiles, "That works. The more the merrier, right my cubs?" The children agree -- besides, new people are exciting. Rachel nods and scampers up the porch steps and into the house.
Chanticleer nods, then smiles. "Well, it is a large group of children. Do you mind, Rachel?" he asks, just after he realizes she's scampered off. He gets Suraksha's subtle hint: he should not leave her alone with Malachai, at least for the time being.
Suraksha is faintly relieved at Chanticleer's assistance; her smile at him is unwittingly brilliant with relief before she turns and gaily calls out, "And we're the merriest, yes?" There is a happy chorus of childish agreement. Chanticleer smiles a touch reassuringly to Suraksha; at this point he's mentally in a bodyguard state of mind. It would take a great deal to get him away from Suraksha now. He hopes.
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