| Logs |
2013 November 07
| Neverneverwhere |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
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| Realms: Taps Logs |
Who Let the Dogs Out
When his eyes sweep the crowd again and find 'Chana looking angry, James actually relaxes slightly. She's well within hailing distance, but damn if she doesn't look extremely pissed off! He continues his meander, circling around through the crowd and "pardonnez-moi"-ing past people who are in his way. He's working his way close enough to be on hand, but not beelining and not bulling in.
The music speeds up, and so do the dancers -- which means that while James is aware and lightfooted enough to avoid the couples, they do not seem to be quite so agile. The smooth, circular sweep of the dancers starts clumping up awkwardly as first one, then another, then more, either have to abruptly dodge or bump him or other dancers. Voices are starting to be raised in irritation; there's an angry shriek from a woman, and she's close enough that for a moment it's hard to tell if it's 'Chana or someone else.
Abruptly, several things happen all at once: James can see 'Chana furiously berating the drunken fop as she struggles with him -- he's grabbed one of her wrists and is holding it high in the air while simultaneously apparently tearing at her bodice. At the same time the crowd swirls between James and his charge, and a woman trips over him and falls -- causing her dance partner to start yelling angrily at James for being a clumsy sot. Then a heavy hand lands on his shoulder, yanking him back to face yet another man -- just in time to receive the contents of his glass flung directly into James' face. The entire environment seems to be close and crowded, voices raised, irritation flaring with adrenaline -- a flashpoint of messy potential.
Roy's nerves are getting wound more and more tightly and when he's yanked around and has the drink flung in his face, the flinger has a moment of wondering if they're about to get their nose broken -- or maybe a jaw -- as the king-in-exile's eyes go flat with fury. Roy has to clench his fists tightly to stop himself slugging the guy with the drink. When he speaks, though, his voice is very calm and there is almost no accent, "I'm sorry, sir, you seem to have spilled your drink. I suggest you watch it more closely next time." He spins on his heel and begins pushing his way through the crowd, not pausing to excuse himself now and paying no attention to anything but his target: 'Chana and the drunk. He gives no warning, not knowing who he's actually facing. Instead, he simply drops and sweeps his foot out, knocking the fop's legs out from beneath him.
The fop goes down, unsurprisingly. Unfortunately he seems to get tangled in 'Chana's dress as he does so -- and so he lands on her, with an, "oof!" Voices are raised in alarm, and people start shoving between James and his charge. A stout, angry man has, in fact, latched onto James' arm as he portentiously lectures the taller man about uppity servants. Another is trying to lift 'Chana, who seems to have been knocked unconscious -- she's limp in the man's arms. James can see women and men fluttering around her, and the fop dramatically relaying how he and his lady were just dancing, when this crazed servant attacked! There are many "oooh!"s and gasps and sympathy for the poor fop -- who is once more taking 'Chana into his arms -- and dark glances thrown James' way.
James steps into the personal space of the man who has just manhandled him, forcing him to either have the shaved-headed man nose-to-nose with him or back up, "You will unhand me. Now. So that I may assist with taking my employer to a place of recovery." He puts every ounce of kingliness into his words, knowing that this is the place to pull out the "presence" card. He then turns, ignoring the portly man, and puts his hand on the fop's shoulder. Getting his mouth very close to the man's ear, he murmurs, "I will allow you to carry her to one of the quiet parlors, after which you will leave or I will break your arms. Vous comprenez, m'sieu?"
The portly man is taken aback -- and so he calls for someone else to detain this fellow! The fop carefully collects 'Chana into his arms as James whispers to him. He just tilts his head so he can grin maliciously at James without anyone else seeing -- then jerks away with a gasp of apparent fright, crying out to the others there, "Dear heavens! This blackguard just threatened me! Quick, detain him before he assaults the lady once more!" There's an increasingly unfriendly rumble of reaction from the crowd; ladies are shocked and urging their gentlemen on, while the gentlemen are either hovering nervously in the way or actually stepping forward to separate James from 'Chana and the fop holding her. The fop himself is trying to duck behind others in order to slip away, as well.
Roy, having been to quite a few parties, knows one thing: the host or hostess will be well-aware of 'Chana's nature and of James' relationship to her. So he simply stands his ground and keeps a hand on the fop's shoulder, "M'sieu, if you insist on playing this way we shall wait for the house's guards, oui?" By keeping his voice calm and his demeanor relaxed -- other than the hand on the fop's shoulder -- he knows he is presenting a very unthreatening front for those being egged on to attack him. He also knows that high society manners will inhibit any attack because of that.
The noise and furor seems to churn and build around the two men and the unconscious woman, with many willing hands trying to assist. Some seem to want to grab James, others to just separate him and the fop. There are even a few who seem to wish to leave the two men together while removing 'Chana entirely. However, it becomes very obvious that James has no fear of the house guards coming to where they are; the only thing he does is to intercept anyone trying to remove 'Chana from the scene. His shoulders are back and square, his chin up and his mouth set, though he is otherwise calm. Granted, no one that didn't known him would realize that this very calmness is a sign that they should perhaps watch themselves very closely around the shaven-headed body servant.
The fop, realizing that he's not going to be able to incite what he wanted and get clean away with the unconscious woman, drops 'Chana and uses the moments of confusion -- while James picks her up from the floor -- to start slipping away. James, however, raises his voice enough to be heard, "The guard should have a chance to hear his side of the story." What James does not do is try to follow the fop as he tries to escape. His duty is to the apparently-unconscious Sulochana. He shifts her and leans over to look closely at her face as he stands his ground and waits on the house guard.
It looks like people are more focused on 'Chana than on the fop -- he flashes another malicious grin over his shoulder at James as he slips between two people and vanishes. However, when James makes no effort to track him down, instead sticking with 'Chana, there's a moment of people fussing around the unconscious woman -- and then someone claps their hands sharply once, "Okay, we're good!"
People immediately straighten, laughing and cheering and crowding around Roy and 'Chana. Her eyes flick open and she grins up at her sweetheart, sliding an arm about his neck and leaning in for a kiss. That causes more laughter and applause, of course. Roy is more than happy to lean down and kiss 'Chana thoroughly, lovingly and heatedly, holding her close against himself and murmuring, "Di'n't break nobody's arm -- ain't you proud?" There's teasing in his voice as his posture relaxes.
The Hetaera giggles against Roy's lips, wriggling a little closer for a moment -- just as the fop comes strutting up again... with Sna'thaid's face. "All right, enough rewards there! Time for debriefing, Rattler, 'Chana! You can party afterward." Alan is behind Sna'tha, faint amusement in his normally laconic expression as he claps Roy on the back and murmurs, "Didn't know y' had it in ya!"
Roy laughs and, rather than putting 'Chana down, shifts her so that he's carrying her over his shoulder and salutes Sna'tha, "Yes'm, lead the way!" He winks at Alan and says, "Remind me to punch m'self inna nose next time I try to slip away from you'n Jacko, yeah?"
Alan sighs lugubriously, shaking his head, "There is no justice. Jacko's never gonna believe you ever said that."
Suraksha snorts amusedly, tapping Roy's shoulder, "Little more dignity please in this dress, lover -- if you mess up the panniers, Fantine will take it out of your hide."
Around them there's a general cheer as Sna'tha adds to the crowd, "Carry on! Just remember, we want some party left for us when we come back out!"
Roy rumbles, "Yes'm," and shifts 'Chana so that she's hanging more down his back and he has his arm over her thighs rather than her rump, meaning the panniers are behind his shoulder. He's grinning, knowing this is not what she meant. Suraksha sighs amusedly and does an easy wriggle and squirm to work herself free, rolling over and back up to her feet behind him. She's shaking out her skirts again, and pushing back her hair out of her face as, indeed, Fantine rushes up, nearly burbling with indignant French as she berates Roy and tchs over her lady's dress! Roy looks over his shoulder and winks at Fantine, putting an extra little swagger in his walk since 'Chana is now behind him and he knows how she appreciates it. 'Chana giggles as Fantine snorts and shakes a warning finger at him, then huffs and goes back to straightening the rumpled dress.
The debriefing isn't too awful. Roy got marked down for bumping into 'Chana, losing sight of her, not being alert enough to dodge the tossed drink -- those are an excellent means of blinding someone, after all -- and not following the drift of the crowd well enough that he didn't cause anyone to stumble. On the other hand, as Alan dryly notes, all those come with training. The biggest win was the simple fact that Roy didn't lose his temper -- at all! Roy listens to what he got marked down for quite calmly, not even protesting that this crowd was less a simple flow and more "see if we can trip Roy up" movement. He says, "Who was your accomplice in foppery, Sna'tha? Might want to ask him about the threat I made."
There's a quiet laugh, and from the shadowed corner steps Chanticleer -- the other fop. He bows gracefully, "I confess, your majesty, I rather enjoyed the assignment!" There's a twinkle in his alien-looking eyes as he speaks.
Roy grins at Chanti and inclines his head in recognition, "Merci. T'ough I am shocked you'd have de vulgarity in your soul to talk 'bout 'Chana like dat."
Chanticleer has the grace to look abashed, "I... fear I had to memorize the line precisely." He nods gracefully to 'Chana, looking at her even as he firmly adds, "I was promised it would never be repeated!" Sna'thaid covers a snicker at that.
Roy arches a brow, eyes twinkling with mischief, "I never promised dat!" Chanticleer knows the king well enough to laugh, knowing he is honorable enough to keep the promise anyway. Roy thanks everyone again for their comments on the party and offers his arm to 'Chana. "Your godsmomma mussed up dat bodice a bit, cherie. Wanna change real quick before we go party?"
'Chana laughs, running a hand down the front of the bodice -- and the extra panel neatly pulls away, "Sometimes it's good to be able to look more, ahh... assaulted than one really was, sweet man!" She dimples at him as she takes his arm and murmurs, "Thought you'd never ask!"
Roy grins as the dress looks good as new, murmuring, "Good to know, ma cher." He slides his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close against his side as they make their way back to the party. There's a cheer of greeting and several people move up to shake Roy's hand or to apologize for being particularly troublesome. Alex especially takes time to make sure everything is square with him and Roy -- who very solemnly tells the young man, "Son, if you didn't stare at what she offered for view, I'd have worried about you. I'm lucky to keep m'tongue in m' mout' sometime!" This causes laughter from the people that hear it; then the band strikes up a lively song, getting everyone dancing again.
Roy doesn't waste the chance to squire 'Chana onto the dancefloor and show her with every move, every caress and every smoldering glance, that he also appreciates what's on display in that dress. 'Chana enjoys herself tremendously now she's not onstage... and that night she's happy to show her sweetheart how much she appreciates both his new job with her -- and his self-restraint!
'Chana and Roy's dance routine rehearsals have been gathering a small crowd of onlookers at night, since they're doing it after most of the chores have been done. In fact, it becomes something of a regular thing for several of the caravaneers to come watch, as do almost all of the folk from Friendsville. One night after the practice is done, Rachel comes up to 'Chana and says almost in awe, "I wanted to apologize to you."
Other folks are dancing too now, or pulling out other instruments to play just for the fun of it. The mood is lighthearted and relaxed between towns. Suraksha is happily sipping her drink and fanning herself -- even past the extra showmanship and athleticism, dancing with her sweetheart can get a bit steamy sometimes! She grins a bit confusedly at Rachel, "All right, sweetie, but what for?"
Rachel blushes and ducks her head, actually scuffing her foot in the dirt, "Not on my behalf, but on behalf of the town. There's no way anyone could think your mate was anyone but that man after watching you two together like that." She's not aware of Bringer, after all.
Suraksha blinks perplexedly at the young woman -- then laughs and sweeps Rachel up into a hug. She's still smiling as she says to the startled girl, "Oh, Rachel, sweetie, don't worry about it! It's my job as a Hetaera to not show that, after all, right? So what you're saying is I did my job well!" She chuckles, "That's a compliment, trust me."
Rachel smiles, though she doesn't look completely sure, "R-really?" Then she relaxes a little and says, "It's been interesting watching everyone here. I was used to the people in Accident, but they're not so diverse as the people here." She giggles and leans close enough to murmur, "A couple of the girls are scandalized at the Sokoloff's stories of pick-pocketing."
Suraksha laughs again at that, her eyes sparkling, "Really! -and yes, you might want to make sure everyone knows how to prevent pickpocketing -- it's not like towns are charmingly free of them!" She smiles more relaxedly after another sip of her cool drink, then gets a slightly mischievous look as she drawls almost innocently, "So... any nibbles on babies yet, mmm?"
Rachel laughs and glances over at her fellow townies; the Friendsville folk have become less and less insular as the days have gone by, "Well, I'm still trying with Chanticleer when I can find any time with him. I think Hepzibah has a crush on your Rattler, but he's only got eyes for you...." She hesitates, a question that has come up occurring to her, "Do you think if one of the caravan ladies caught pregnant by Rufus or Hezekiah, they'd be willing to come back to town?"
Suraksha smiles and shakes her head, "That is entirely up to them, Rachel. I will say that most women who really love the trail will take herbal possets so as to not get pregnant -- and if they do become 'in the family way,'" she grins as she makes scare quotes with her fingers, then continues, "then they tend to either simply continue on with their families, or sit out someplace safe for a few months while the caravan continues on, and pick up with it again as we circle on by again." She chuckles ruefully as she adds, "Tell young Hepzibah that she should wait until I have a Hetaera gig where I don't require a bodyguard, and try then. I'll drop a word in Rattler's ear also, and regardless of whether or not he feels the need, I'm sure he'll treat her like a lady."
Rachel nods but also blinks, as if the idea of contraception is completely alien to her, "But... why would you... why would anyone not want a baby?"
Suraksha smiles and tilts her head at Rachel, "Some women don't want to be mothers, Rachel, any more than some men want to be fathers. I know you've never seen it in Friendsville, but there are places where unmarried mothers and their children are considered abomination. There are also men who enjoy the sex for as long as it lasts, then abandon the woman once she's pregnant and needs his help." She sighs quietly, adding, "Further, even in Friendsville: have you never had any malformed babies born?"
Rachel looks positively stunned at this thought. She comes from a place, after all, where having a baby is to be celebrated because so few live. "We have seen misborn, yes. It happens with us, even though they are rarely born alive." She scuffs her foot again, looking abashed, "Things are more different than I thought."
Suraksha nods and gently pats Rachel's arm, "There are some towns, dear -- and there may be some on the way to New Boston -- where if you or any of the other Friendsville girls are pregnant, we'll assign you a 'husband'... so the more zealous townsfolk don't think it'd be fun to chase us all out of town with torches and pitchforks as immoral traffickers in young women." She smiles and gives the young girl a gentle hug, "Now. Why don't you go make sure all the other girls know from the Sokoloff kids to at least make sure they're not pickpocketed themselves, hmm?"
Rachel hugs 'Chana and nods, taking a deep breath, "I'll let them know all of this." Her eyes get a little impish as she says, "I'm going to enjoy watching Hepzibah going pink when I tell her that Rattler might be willing to give it a try." Roy walks up behind 'Chana as Rachel trots off, wrapping his arms around her, "What was that about?"
Suraksha laughs aloud, leaning comfortably back against her sweetheart. Her voice is teasing, "Just Rachel being sweet, and learning an unexpected bit more about the big bad world out there, and some of the Friendsville girls being shocked, and me checking on who lights their fire." Her eyes twinkle as she looks directly up at Rattler standing behind her, "I'm guessing you're going to be asked sometime soon if you want to try making babies again, too!"
Rattler arches a brow and rumbles, "I might have to turn 'em down, if for no odder reason den, y'know, de whole king-in-exile t'ing which they dunno 'bout."
Suraksha chuckles, turning in Rattler's arms so she can stand on tiptoe and sneak a kiss from her lover. "Mmm... how about we go someplace a little quieter to talk about this, yes?" It's clear talk is not all that's on her mind, of course... though once the two of them slide into the wagon, still laughing and trading kisses as they slam the door behind them, 'Chana murmurs softly, "Drat, didn't think of that, lover -- mea culpa! Ah, well, I did warn her that it was entirely up to you."
Rattler chuckles and sits down, pulling 'Chana into his lap as he does, "I'll be gentle wid her, cher. Promise. I actually was kinda hopin' one of 'em might meet Guy, but we'd hafta get back to Baton Rouge for dat."
Suraksha nods ruefully as she cuddles up in Roy's lap, "I was wishing he'd come along with you too, for a bit." She sighs, "It was the right decision, though -- the poor boy is still terribly twitchy around Sna'tha and myself, and full moons in a town would have been horrible for him." She tilts her head thoughtfully at Rattler after another kiss -- then grins mischievously, "Well, maybe one of the girls will get the traveling itch? It wouldn't be the first time an apparent homebody ran off with the circus, after all!" She giggles; she's quite aware that describes herself, after all!
Rattler laughs and mms, "Well, we can always hope..." His hands are beginning to wander rather liberally, which drags his mind along with them. He finally raises his head to take a breath and murmurs, "Well, mebbe someday I can be a daddy again... wanna help me practice?"
Suraksha smiles faintly at that, but can't help wondering how she'd feel about Rattler having a child with another woman. It's not until much later that night, when they're both curled up comfortably replete with each other, that it hits her: isn't that precisely what she did with Bringer? She sighs and squirms in a bit of embarrassment at that thought... and at Rattler's softly inquiring, "Mmm?" she whispers, "Just... suddenly had... well, a bit more empathy on how difficult it must've been for you, lover... being with me over the years."
Rattler shifts slightly so he can look at her and murmurs, "How you mean, cher? You bein' gone so much?" He reaches out instinctively to pet her hair, a soothing gesture.
Suraksha sighs and ducks her head a bit, where she rests against his chest, "Well, no. More like... like your getting news of my having a child with another man..." Her voice is pained as she quietly adds, "Right after I'd told you I couldn't, too."
Rattler smiles crookedly, "Yeah, dat was a li'l bit of a shock, I gotta say. I was actually pretty damned pissed for the first li'l bit dere. But when I got my head back about me I realized you wouldn't'a lied to me, so it musta been hella shock fer you too."
Suraksha's soft laugh is rueful, though she's slowly stroking her lover's side now -- she feels rather bad at how awful he must have felt. "Oh, yes. I actually accused poor Bringer of lying to me so he'd have more time with me." She shakes her head a bit in embarrassed remembrance... then closes her eyes, "I'm so sorry, beloved. Truly I would not have hurt you so, even accidentally."
Roy kisses her forehead and murmurs, "What brings this up, cher?" He snuggles her up against himself. In her native form she dwarfs him; in this one he enjoys snuggling her up and being able to be big enough for her to nestle into.
Suraksha squirms slightly in deep embarrassment... but she can't bring herself to lie to her Chosen. "I, ah... felt a small pang of... something... which possibly might have been, er... jealousy. Maybe. When you mentioned being a daddy again, I mean." She sighs gustily, tightly hugging Rattler, "Oh... blast! This is so embarrassing!"
Rattler laughs warmly and hugs her close, kissing the top of her head gently, "Yeah, it ain't no fun bein' jealous, an' I damn sure oughta know. Took me time to get my ass unknotted."
Suraksha smiles with relief in spite of herself, closing her eyes and cuddling warmly up against Rattler as she murmurs softly, "Mmm... glad I was able to help a little, then. Be a waste of a mighty fine ass otherwise!" Rattler snorts and hugs her warmly, drifting into real sleep.
The caravan travels at its normal speed up the route toward New Boston. Along the way Rattler and 'Chana perform their dance routine in the towns where it would be accepted; it is a hit every time, earning the caravan quite a bit in tips. It also lets Rattler get out amongst the towns and listening to gossip. In the places where 'Chana has the possibility of a Hetaera contract, his James persona comes out and he does indeed get better with practice, though there's only one place that 'Chana calls him over -- and even then, it is mostly as a show of force rather than any actual need for violence.
The Friendsville folk begin to move out of their little insular knots more and more often, mixing with the caravaneers. It's a few weeks out of Friendsville, in fact, when the youngest of the townie girls announces joyfully that she's missed her normal cycle. Suraksha laughs delightedly at the news, "Oh, wonderful! Who's the proud father, dear?"
The girl, Hazel by name, flushes and says, "I... am not sure." She hangs her head a little as if she's embarassed by this, "Being out of town, we don't have to keep such close records." Rachel is with her and puts an arm around her shoulders, smiling, "No one is mad, little love."
Suraksha hugs the girl delightedly, "Indeed, I asked only because I know he would want to celebrate with you, dear -- and perhaps the record keepers in Friendsville would want to know!" She looks around at the people gathering around the campfire for dinner and cheerfully announces, "This calls for -- a party!" She knows that will make everyone feel good, and hopefully encourage everyone involved as well. Hazel takes a deep breath, realizing no one's angry at her for not keeping records. Indeed, she has been quite happily enjoying herself with several of the caravan males, while some of the other townies have been exclusively looking for lovers in the towns.
The Friendsville townies come to 'Chana asking if Hazel can be put on light duty -- they are, after all, used to women in pregnancy having to be very careful for the first half of it. Suraksha is a bit surprised at that, since she's far more familiar with both the determination of women on the trail, and hybrid vigor. She thinks a bit, then compromises: Hazel will be given the option to do what she feels comfortable doing. It is Suraksha's expectation, after all, that a major part of the Friendsville delicacy during pregnancy is simply dangerously interbred genetics. Hazel finally makes the decision that she will work, but at something less strenuous than the help she's been doing with the livestock. Buddy is happy to have her help him and his staff in the chuckwagon.
Rachel has taken to riding with the Amazon girls and their 'husband,' though they're all quick to let it be known that their culture doesn't have such primitive titles. Indeed, when she first started riding with the Amazons, Rachel was shocked to find out that the sling that Pippa wore across her front was actually not supplies but was to carry her infant daughter. She was further surprised to find out that Pippa did full duty through almost her entire pregnancy. The young woman actually laughs at the idea of not working simply because you're growing a baby; both Poly and Pippa are stunned to find out that the Friendsville women have such a hard time carrying babies.
They also make Rachel blush, as the little group canters easily along together, by offering to have her join them and their male lover to try and get her in the family way. It's this distraction and an unexpected snake startling her horse that gets Rachel thrown during their scouting expedition. The Amazons react swiftly and predictably: one of the women heads off to catch Rachel's spooking horse, while the other drops off next to Rachel to check her over. Bronco stays astride his pony, keeping an eye out.
Rufus sometimes runs with them, as it makes him feel useful and he has something of an unrequited crush on Rachel. They are too closely related for them to be a couple according to the Friendsville geneaologists, but that doesn't stop him adoring her. The wolf-hearted lopes over, whining worriedly. Poly puts a hand out, murmuring, "Easy, wolf-brother. Let me check her first." She goes to one knee next to Rachel, calling the girl's name softly as she pulls her water flask from her belt.
Rachel's eyes flutter and don't want to open at first. It takes a couple times having her name called for her to open her eyes and look at Poly. The girl has hit her head and there is a gash in her scalp as well as some nasty scrapes on her hands and a tear in her jeans that shows red underneath.
Being well familiar with riding accidents, Poly checks the girl's head first. That one's bad enough that she tchs, calling out to the other two riders in her native tongue. They both nod, turning and cantering off in opposite directions: Pippa to continue scouting and Bronco to go fetch Suze and transportation help from the caravan. After that messy a head injury, everyone knows both to call the healer first, and not jostle the wounded at all.
Rachel tries to sit up, groggily assuring them that she's going to be fine. She reaches out to pat Rufus reassuringly and misses him by a good six inches. Poly is already working carefully with a rag and some water to clean the back of Rachel's head; the vague swipe at the wolf makes her chuckle. "Nay, little sister, I am thinking your wolf-brother also will agree with me that we wait, ya?" To the wolf she adds, "Can you carefully check her palms? Also make sure the thigh is not bleeding in spurts -- just seeping is fine."
Rufus whines and nuzzles at Rachel's hands carefully, finding them badly scraped but her fingers are all moving the way they should. He noses his way down to her thigh and finds the wound there bleeding steadily, but not spurting. He whines again and instinctively licks at the wound to clean it. Poly glances over and smiles, "Not too bad? Good, good. Stay calm, little sister -- Suze will have you back in the saddle in no time!"
She finishes cleaning the back of Rachel's head as best she can, muttering the occasional apology when the younger girl winces, then settles a bandage there and instructs Rachel to hold it in place. After that she checks the thigh wound, gently pushing Rufus out of the way, "Let me, Rufus -- you keep watch and lead the others to us, ya?" Rufus is unhappy about leaving Rachel, but he simply laps at her face a couple of times, making the dizzy young woman laugh and then wince when the laughing makes her head hurt. Then he lopes off to wait for Suze and whoever she's brought to get Rachel back to the caravan. He stays by Rachel's side the whole time other than that.
Suze tchs comfortably and uses the crystal on Rachel's head -- since that type of injury is no joking matter even when they're not on a muddy, rutted trail. Rachel's hands are washed clean and lightly bandaged so they can heal on their own, but the thigh Suze examines and pronounces in need of stitches. That, she wants to do back at the caravan, so they can provide cleaner surroundings. Ohkwa simply lifts Rachel's makeshift stretcher up onto one shoulder and strides slowly and smoothly back to the caravan. It's only a few hours later, in fact, that Rachel is cleaned, stitched up, and tucked into Sabrina's wagon with a bowl of hot soup so she can recuperate.
Rachel is taken off even light duty while she recuperates, since head wounds are not to be messed about with. Rufus, unusually for him, takes human form so that he can volunteer with Suze to be one of the folks watching out for Rachel as she heals. The girl is abashed that she had such a stupid accident. Suze gently teases Rufus about his attentiveness, mostly because she's so relieved that the wound appears pretty smoothly healed. She sure does love having that nifty little crystal that Suraksha insisted they buy for the caravan!
The three Amazons crowd cheerfully into the wagon to bring her some flowers, a bit of a sweet they coaxed from Buddy for the invalid, and the news that her pony awaits when she's ready to ride again. They all laugh cheerfully at hearing of Rachel's embarrassment, and to cheer her up they relate their own silly stories of embarrassing falls while riding. "No, really! The silly pony took one step forward -- and I flew right over him and into the mud!"
Rachel relaxes a little when the best riders in the caravan assure her there is no rider ever in the history of riding who didn't have at least one silly and embarassing accident on a horse. Pippa is also sure to remind her that their offer stands! "Bronco makes very pretty babies! And he's fun!" Rufus ducks and turns away at that because he's blushing as well, realizing what they're offering Rachel. Bronco also blushes a bit; he's relieved it's mostly hidden behind his beard. He's happy to help if he can, considering he's doing his best to learn to be a proper Amazon man. Still... sometimes it catches him unawares.
Suraksha also visits, gently patting Rachel's hand and assuring her that Suze reports Rachel should be fine as long as she rests up and lets herself heal properly. It's rather nice for the poor invalid, in fact, as to how many folks visit her -- she'd not realized how much her gumption had impressed folks there! After that it's just a matter of taking it easy for a day or two as the caravan continues traveling. It doesn't really occur to anyone to be surprised how well Rachel is healing. Rachel herself doesn't have any idea how bad an injury she had and Suze has assumed that it's mostly the crystal's doing.
With her healing going so well, Rufus reluctantly takes his leave of Rachel on the night of the full moon. He's normally fairly content to stay in the caravan, but on this night he's going to want to run and hunt along with any of the caravan pack that will go with him. Rachel assures him she'll be fine and Chanticleer promises to watch over her. Rufus, knowing that Rachel is trying her best to have a child with Chanti, trusts the sidhe to watch her as he heads off to change back to his four-legged form. Rachel has been feeling restless the whole day, but avoids the petulance some folks exhibit when they're restless and confined.
Suraksha gives Rufus a quick hug around his furry neck, then cheerfully urges him to go off and run with Alg and the off-duty dogs -- the goblin is always careful to keep his little pack away from nearby villages, after all. Maybe she'll join them later tonight! Right now, however, she is busy with the usual million things entailed in settling a large caravan safely for the night in the middle of wilderness. Not for the first nor the last time, she amusedly wishes Bringer could travel with her -- the ability to move through shadows would be so very helpful!
As the sun sets, Rachel gets more and more restless -- to the point that she wants to get out of bed and move around. She gets insistent enough that Chanti calls for Suze, worried that perhaps the girl is showing some signs of the confusion that can come from hidden problems of a head wound. However, before Suze can make it to the caravan where Rachel is resting, the girl stars to cry out, thrashing in the bunk as muscles begin to cramp and rearrange, bones shifting inside her body. The magical transformation all Friendsville folk undergo on their rite of passage is eased by the herbal drug and the wolf-hearted know to expect the strangeness of change, but Rachel -- caught entirely unawares -- is terrified.
Chanti, having seen transformations before, recognizes what's happening and calls for the Suze to hurry -- and also calls for the closest of the Friendsville folks. That happens to be Hazel and the twins. None of them are wolf-hearted, but they have dealt with the wolf-hearted their whole lives. The fact that Rachel is changing without the herbs and without a skin is a subject of awe and shock to them -- for them, this is along the lines of a miracle. Hazel gasps, "Get Rufus! She'll need someone to be with her!" Chanti also calls for the only other person he knows that actually changes shape, as well: Suraksha. The tiger-shape ought to be big enough to help control the terrified wolf.
Suraksha comes at a run, utterly confused by the message she received but convinced of the emergency. She darts into the wagon, panting as she glances around -- then blinks, straightening as she realizes: Rachel is shifting! A moment later she snaps, "Chanti, grab her up in a blanket -- be careful there are no scratches or bites! Bring her outside, where she has space and won't hurt anything. Hurry!" She firmly shoo's everyone else out of the wagon, and moves to grab Rachel's wrists while Chanti's bundling her up. Sura's voice is calm and reassuring, "Rachel. Rachel, sweetie, it's all right. You're going to be fine, dear. Deep breaths and try to relax, all right?"
Rachel's eyes are halfway between human and wolf and she's looking at Suraksha with fear and pain. She has a hard time forming the words, "I... dying?" Her eyes are wet as if she's about to cry. All she knows is that she was badly injured and now something's happening.
Suraksha smiles, gently brushing Rachel's sweaty bangs out of her face, "No, dear. You're changing -- this is shapeshifting for your people. Don't worry; we'll see you through it safely -- I promise. All right, Chanti's going to move you outside now. Stay calm and breath deeply. I'll be right here next to you, see?" She continues holding Rachel's hand as the deceptively strong, slender sidhe raises the bundled-up girl in his arms, "We'll get you outside and then we'll go for a run together, all right?"
Rachel's terror turns to awe as she whispers through a mouth decreasingly able to form speech, "I... wolf?" She stops thrashing, through she does spasm and the sound that comes from her throat as that happens is more a wolf's howl than a person's cry. Chanticleer gets her outside into the moonlight and the change accelerates as the light touches the girl's skin. Suraksha hastily has Chanti help her get the girl out of her clothes, tossing them to the awed Friendsville girls. She also taps Ohkwa to go roar for Alg to return, bringing his pack with him -- and Rufus -- and then she starts to quickly strip herself as well. Suze runs up and gets the condensed version of what's happening -- and of course instantly wants to check Rachel over.
Rachel's change is growing more and more rapid and the howls are becoming less and less fearful and more and more triumphant. The girl has always envied the wolf-hearted. There was a great hope that she would be one of them, being in Malahchai's direct line; she has always mourned that she was "just human." Indeed, it's practically impossible for Suze to check Rachel over during the change, and the beautiful golden-furred wolf is wiggling excitedly once the change is complete -- she wants to run!
Suraksha shifts easily into tiger shape, sprawling out comfortably while she waits for the process to finish for Rachel. She growls in rumbling amusement, "Down! Soozee che'ghk firs'... then we run wi' pa'ghk." Rachel makes the closest sound to a bark that would ever cross a wolf's lips and bounces stiff-legged and excited. She stands as still as she can, though there's an enormous sense of energy about her as Suze checks her over. Rachel even licks the healer once or twice out of sheer exhuberence.
Suraksha's jaw drops in a chuffing laugh as she watches the bouncy, gleeful little wolf-girl. As Suze checks Rachel over, Sura tilts her head around to listen to Ohkwa, who verifies the pack is running off to the northwest and Alg has screeched a few times to verify that he's coming back.
Suze is happily stunned to find the wounds are gone -- there's not even a sign of scar tissue on the head wound. Rachel licks Suze's hands and face quite thoroughly when she hears this and bounces around again, nipping joyfully at the legs of those around her. Suraksha rumbles sternly to Rachel, "No! No nippin'gh. Rude!" She is, however, deeply amused by Rachel's delight; she doesn't know why it happened but she really strongly hopes now to talk the young girl into at least one trip down to Baton Rouge. As far as the lamia sees it, either the two young wolves will hate or adore each other!
The stitches that Suze put in are in otherwise unbroken skin. "I'll have to cut these out...." She laughs as her face is slurped, "Buuuut I doubt she'll hold still long enough tonight." Rachel's head ducks and she tucks her tail as she's fussed at. She licks the places she nipped and looks up at those that got such treatement with worried, hopeful eyes. This gets several affectionate laughs; she's really like an over-exuberant puppy right now.
Suraksha rises to her huge paws and shakes once, settling her fur for the run, then pads over and settles a gentle but firm paw on Rachel, bearing the young wolf to the ground. Her low rumble is sort of warningly affectionate as she establishes that she is to lead in this! To Suze the big tiger growls, "Do now. Otherwise may tear in run." She grins broadly at Rachel, then chuckles as her nosepad is excitedly slurped. She thinks the girl is simply adorable! The more time she can stall, too, the closer the girl's only wolf-compatriot, Rufus, will be.
Suze chuckles as Rachel wiggles over onto her back, going obediently belly-up to the much-bigger tiger -- 'Chana is definitely the alpha of this strange little pack! The healter's deft fingers get the stitches out with a few careful snips. The fact that the skin has healed around them does make Rachel whine a little. Thankfully, the process gives the pack time to get back to the caravan. Suraksha leans down to gently groom the small wolf's cheek fur with a few quick licks. As she hears the pack returning she raises her head to look, lifting her paw and rumbling, "Gh'o! Ou'dhside wagon ring. I follow."
Rachel squirms up onto her feet and lopes happily out toward where her newly-keen senses tell her the rest of the pack is. Suraksha figures all the excitement of the initial greeting and sniffing and establishment of rank should take place well outside where the caravaneers and their livestock are. She pads relaxedly after the swiftly darting, excitedly panting little wolf bitch, chuckling quietly to herself. Over her shoulder she rumbles, "Ba'ghk by dawn!"
When 'Chana arrives, the rest of the pack are indeed sniffling and licking and roughly playing with Rachel. Rufus is bouncing excitedly, happy for his new packmate. He keeps bumping shoulders with her and she does so back. It's quite clear the young wolf bitch is low wolf on the totem pole for the moment, but Rachel is too ecstatic to care. Suraksha will gently growl or bat aside anyone that's too pushy, though she suspects that won't happen -- Alg may be a goblin but he well understands not allowing his pack to injure each other! After a bit of play, though, the big tiger gives a chuffing snort -- time to go hunt! She pads off after Alg, who delightedly bounces on and off her large, heavy form a few times before he too turns his attention to the serious business of food.
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