| Logs |
2013 November 07
| Neverneverwhere |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
| Realms: Taps Logs |
So What if I Like Pretty Lies
Just a few days after Roy's first test drive as manservant, the caravan rolls into a mid-sized town. It's the sort of place that has pretensions of mediocrity, but Suraksha remembers when it was barely a wide place in the road. It has been growing, thanks to sitting as it does on a natural quartz vein -- drawing both Taps and those that make Tapping devices. Suraksha wonders idly when it will get large enough to have someone who can afford a Hetaera. Well, for now it's still a nice place to spend the night. The folks are generally eager for news and enjoy a party.
The biggest change since the last time the caravan was through is that what used to be just a fairly nice house that the mayor lived in has been expanded until it can almost be called a mansion. In fact, there's more work being done on it at the moment. Suraksha raises a curious eyebrow, murmuring to the Sokoloff family member that she's walking next to, "Well, that's different! Is the mayor getting pretensions of grandeur, or are we seeing a schism between the classes?"
Another is that there is a gate with guards at the entrance to the town, which were never there before. Suraksha raises another eyebrow at the gate; she's liking this less and less. Nevertheless she'll step forward and politely say, "Good evening. We are Corbett's Cross-Continental Caravan, and would like to spend the night. These, er... barricades are new. Is the town still open to trade?"
The young men at the gate look rather uncomfortable in their obviously spanking-new uniforms. The elder of the two -- by perhaps two years -- steps forward, "The town is still open to trade, but we need you to declare the members of your caravan and if there are any Taps among you."
Suraksha tilts her head thoughtfully, then smiles, "Really? Why is that?"
The young man shifts, obviously uncomfortable, "It's law. The quartz vein draws a lot of Taps and there have been some... incidents."
Suraksha murmurs quietly, "...incidents?" and waits for the uncomfortable young man to start talking nervously to fill in the silence she'll leave him. Little Joe and Ohkwa have both moved up behind 'Chana as this conversation is going on. Word is quietly being passed back that things are looking a little out of whack and the sidhe are glamouring themselves and those of the non-human persuasion that cannot glamour themselves.
The younger of the two guards is glowering at his companion; he snaps stiffly, "Violence. Misuse of Tapping abilities. It was decided it'd be best if we knew who could do what in town."
Suraksha tchs sadly, "Terrible to hear. You'd think those with Tapping abilities would recognize it was a gift -- and act accordingly!" She shakes her head, then smiles at the young men and adds with a hint of pride in her voice, "Well, not to worry -- we of Corbett's Cross-Continental Caravan take our jobs very seriously! There shall be no violence from our people, and we're happy to declare ourselves. Unfortunately we don't have any Taps to declare, however. Will that be a problem?" She's going to admit to unusual folks in her caravan about as soon as she's going to strip and dance naked down Main Street at noon, of course. She's seen far too many townie gangs that attempted to shanghai the unusual for her to put her people into that position.
Suraksha suspects there may be an attempt by unscrupulous local Taps to take advantage of the caravaneers, but she'll just put the word out. She nods pleasantly to Little Joe, adding, "Joe, can you head back and let folks know the news about the town having trouble with its Taps?"
The older of the two guards seems ready to accept this, but the younger one steps up, eyes narrowed, and says, "Y'all were here a couple years back. You had some damn peculiar folks with you then. Fairies and such."
Suraksha laughs! -then beams at the young man, "Why thank you! I'll have to tell our actors how good they were! We're always delighted to hear that our acts are convincing." She smiles relaxedly at the bristling guard, and runs a scan of his chakras. What is wrong with this town? Has someone unscrupulous moved in and gotten everyone up in arms or something?
The younger man -- boy, really -- seems to have almost all of his energy centered in the lower half of his chakras. Will, root and sexual chakra are all flared, the others are damped down almost as if it's been done on purpose. He glares at Suraksha and says, "We're gonna have to vet your people before you come in. No one's slipping past on our watch."
Suraksha blinks interestedly at the chakras, then smiles at the bristling boy guard. Her voice is deceptively gentle, "Young man, this is the second time you've been pointlessly rude to people who mean no harm and wish only to have a quiet place to spend the night. Let us not go for three, shall we?" She studies him silently for a moment, her amber eyes calm, then adds serenely, "We will declare ourselves as per your original demand, which you said was unfortunately law here. We are not animals, however, and respectfully decline your 'vetting.' Now," she raises an eyebrow and includes both men in her inquiring glance, "do you want us to come in and share news and trade? Or not?"
The younger man looks like he's going to get in Suraksha's face, but his older companion puts a hand on his shoulder, "Cal, stand down. This caravan's been coming here as long as either of us has been alive. I think we can let them in." He says, "Ma'am, can you make your mark that you attest there are no Taps?" He reaches into a small pouch at his belt and takes out a small leather-bound book. He handles it like it's made of gold.
Suraksha studies the book with interest, "Ooh, what a lovely book!" Then she smiles ruefully at the young guard, "I apologize, since you are being so kind... but I'm afraid I cannot promise there are absolutely no Taps in my caravan. If one is hiding their ability, there's no way I would know. However!" She holds up a finger, "I can and will gladly attest that none of my people wish any harm or theft to you or your township. Will that do?" She adds a touch grimly, "And should I find one has violated my promise, I assure you... we will definitely police our own."
As this discussion is happening the door on the nearby guardhouse opens and another guard appears. This one is older than the boys by at least a decade and wears his authority like it's natural. In fact, Sura has encountered the third guard on her previous visits to the town -- but at that time he was simply the town sheriff. Suraksha brightens and waves as the third man emerges, "Sheriff Pawling! How goes? Seem to be quite a few changes in your town, yes?" By now, also, Sna'tha has been quietly summoned and is wearing her genteel old lady glamour. Suraksha smiles at "Gramma Marcie," her tone solicitous, "How're you feeling, Gramma? We're almost ready to camp -- just a little bit of paperwork to settle here."
Sna'tha looks sort of grumpy in that way of older women -- the type of look almost guaranteed to make young men squirm, "I was hoping we'd have some rest. My old bones have been jostled for days."
The erstwhile sheriff approaches and says, "Why, Miss Suraksha! Glad to see you, but I'm afraid it's captain now." He almost grimaces at his own title, then adds, "Lads, what's going on here?"
Suraksha looks surprised, then beams, "Oh, a promotion? Congratulations then, sir!" To Gramma Marcie she adds -- with the same sort of anxiousness she suspects the young men will soon be feeling, "We will, Gramma, real soon now. Please don't get upset, all right? Almost done!"
The elder of the young men starts explaining, only to have his cohort thrust himself forward and say, "Sir! They refused to sign that there are no Taps in their caravan! This woman is being awfully shifty-" The captain makes a 'calm down' gesture with his hand, "Son, this caravan has been trading in this town since before you were a twinkle in your daddy's eye. They're coming through. Now." He moves to open the gate himself, "Ma'am, if your gramma wants to go settle back down in her wagon, I'll lead y'all to the camping grounds myself."
Suraksha sighs in relief, "Oh, thank you, Captain!" She beams sunnily at Gramma Marcie, "See? No problems at all, Gramma!" As she turns to escort the elderly woman she gives the captain a commiserative grin and roll of the eyes; sort of a 'Cranky elders -- what can you do?' look. Sliding a hand under the muttering old lady's elbow, she makes soothing noises as she first waves on the lead wagon, then helps Gramma Marcie back to her spot in the caravan. The Captain stays with Suraksha and Sna'tha until the young woman has the elder one settled. He nods here and there to people he recognizes. Suraksha grins and winks at Natasha Sokoloff's small giggle, several wagons back. They all know this routine well by now, of course.
Suraksha sighs in relief once Gramma is settled, then companionably slides her hand into the captain's arm as they head back to the front of the caravan to lead it on in. Quietly she murmurs to the older-seeming man, "If it's not too forward of me to ask, captain, what's happened here? A gate, you a captain instead of the sheriff... a boy who thinks honesty is shifty..." She sighs quietly, then smiles with a hint of rue up at the man, "Naugatuck used to be such a nice little town. Has someone moved in and become a local big-man or something?"
The Captain smirks a bit and keeps his voice low, "Things are different here, sure enough. It's a big woman rather than a big man, though her husband certainly thinks he runs the place."
Suraksha raises an eyebrow, "Interesting. Would you recommend we avoid the town, then? We surely don't want any trouble with these, er... apparently rather combative new Taps you have, after all."
Captain Pawling snorts and looks around, making sure his inferiors are at their posts and simply letting the caravan through, "Any combativeness on the part of the Taps was bought and paid for. Further, I do seem to remember a Tap or two in your caravan, but I'm going to forget that information so long as they keep safe."
Suraksha gently pats the man's arm, "You are a treasure, Captain Pawling. I'll reiterate what I've said to you before: we surely could use a good and discreet man such as yourself on the trail, if you ever get bored here!" She watches the wagons rolling in, the tired dray beasts pulling more eagerly as they sense dinner coming soon. Her voice is quiet as she adds, "So what happened to the mayor? Or did the big woman marry him? Is she one of the Taps or something?"
Captain Pawling snorts, "I can't leave this town. I love the people here too much. That's the only reason I decided to accept this post as captain of the guard. I figure I can watch out for folks better if I'm inside the machine, y'know?" He nods to people they pass along the way, greeting them by name, then comes back to 'Chana's question, "The big woman married him, indeed. She's from Boston. Wants our little town to be a 'center of commerce' -- which I take to mean she wants to crack down on anyone using the quartz so she can mine it and sell it away north."
Suraksha's face goes expressionlessly calm for a moment as she hears the word 'Boston' -- then she sighs quietly and murmurs, "Boston again. I don't know what they think they're doing, but they sure are making waves all up and down the Big Muddy. Must be some kind of business monopoly or something. Have you heard anything about it here?"
Captain Pawling smiles wryly, "Officially? I don't know a thing. Unofficially? Some big hoohaw up there is trying to become something like a president... only more like a king."
Suraksha nods a little sadly, "About what I was guessing too. Pity... that usually means more taxes and less freedom... especially for us folk of the trail. Ah, well." She smiles up at the man, adding, "Would you like to come to supper with us, Captain Pawling? Or are you on duty or something?" She figures he'll be required to maintain distance by his new station... but there's no harm in getting the captain of the guard to spend a little pleasant time with them if she can. She wonders suddenly, too, if there'll be any attempts to hire away the supposed fairies or Taps in her caravan. That should be interesting to see, if so. It'll say a lot about what the town's big woman wants.
Captain Pawling grins at her. It's the same good-natured grin that made him so likable as sheriff of the little town, "'Fraid I can't. I just wanted to give you a head's up, is all. By now that little shit down at the gate will have passed word that there's a caravan in town. He's the big woman's nephew. Her name is Doris, by the way. I'd expect a visit."
Suraksha grins delightedly back at the captain -- he's one of the reasons she enjoys this town, after all! She snorts softly and rolls her eyes at the news, but then nods and pats his arm lightly again, "Well, I appreciate the heads-up, Captain. Hopefully she won't be too aghast at us smelly old trail drifters!" She giggles, then adds with a touch of regret, "Getting the distinct feeling from you, though, that here's not the place to stay for a festival day any more, right?"
Captain Pawling is keeping his voice low, "Let's just say that it might be best if you got whatever business you needed doing done and moved on before Doris can get too interested." He smiles wryly, "You may end up doing a command performance, though. She's always moaning about how proviiiiincial we are."
Suraksha raises an amused eyebrow, "Command performance? I'm going to guess you don't mean a Hetaera!" She giggles, then nods more seriously, "All right. Many thanks for your kindness, Captain, and do please let us know if there's anything we can do to help you out, yes? I'll pass the word to everyone that we're keeping our heads down and moving on tomorrow." She thanks the captain again -- she's quite sincere, after all, that she'd hire him in a red-letter second -- then heads off to help set up camp and quietly pass the word. She's not sure she wants any command performances, really... so she quietly suggests folks play more the slow provincial type than not.
Roy is with the roustabouts, keeping well to the middle of the caravan as word gets passed that they're moving on unexpectedly. He stops the Sokoloff that gave him this information and asks why. When he gets just a shrug in answer, he goes looking for his lover. Suraksha works next to Rattler for a while so she can quietly share the interesting news which Captain Pawling was kind enough to pass on to her. When she's done she gives her sweetheart a worried look, "So, any idea who this Doris is, or if she might recognize you?"
Rattler's eyes go flat as he gets new of what's going on, "She might have when I had my hair and beard. She was powerful shallow. Shallow enough she makes a puddle look deep. You know the kind."
Suraksha nods thoughtfully as she ties down the rope he's holding. When she straightens she says bluntly, "Could she have fooled you, though? You don't send an idiot to hold down a major profit center, after all? I'm a bit worried too about this... sudden desire for Taps. I'm wondering if they're putting together some kind of army or something. If there's a captain of the guard, after all... who is the general?" She adds consideringly, "Odd that she'd bring family here too."
Rattler brushes off his hands and stretches, putting his hands on the small of his back when he does so, "Oh, she ain't stupid. But she's shallow about looks. She used to refuse to have anyone work for her that wasn't good looking. Once fired a maid of all work because the girl got scarred up bad after the pox." He shakes his head, "Naw, the brahmins are all tight-knit -- clannish, like. If she brought family, they're planning on settling down." He adds, "She might be a Tap herself. There are a few mixed in the brahmin bloodlines."
Suraksha sighs quietly, folding her arms as she frowns towards the town. "Dammit! I liked this place. We all did." She gives Rattler a rueful smile, "So if we mess up the Boston plans for Baton Rouge, you think maybe they'll abandon here too? Or am I just dreaming, considering it's on a quartz vein?"
Rattler thinks, "Messing up their plans here might be easier, but I think it would tip our hand." He looks torn, "Dammit."
Suraksha smiles and shakes her head, "Not this time through. Maybe on the way home. If we're lucky and a chance arises." She gives Rattler a quick hug, "Until then, though, keep out of sight, please, sweetheart! I've got to run -- lots to do still!" Rattler hugs back, and is still glowering a little when she scampers off. Suraksha giggles quietly to herself -- she knows her naturally flamboyant lover isn't wild about discretion!
The caravan gets settled into the camping grounds pretty easily, but Suraksha can see that they're in what Little Joe calls the "Get the hell outta Dodge" formation. Suraksha laughs quietly at that, thanking Little Joe for his prescience when she next passes him while running the myriad errands of setting up. Indeed, Captain Pawling's prediction comes true perhaps two hours later. A sedan chair being carried by several young men in the new town livery is carried to the edge of the campground, and a boy that's obviously a page of some sort comes trotting up the first wagon asking to speak to the leader.
Suraksha raises a very amused eyebrow as she watches -- a palanquin?! Good heavens, could this woman be more pretentious?! She snorts in quiet amusement, then smiles and waves as the roustabout being talked to turns and calls her name. She strolls on over, pushing her hair back out of her face, "Hello there, young man! What can we do for you tonight?"
The boy is nothing short of beautiful: blue eyes and very dark lashes with black curly hair. He's been scrubbed and polished to perfection, and he says, "M'lady wants to meet with the leader of the caravan. Is Mister Corbin available?"
Suraksha smiles and shakes her head, ruffling the ears of the big, wolfish dog that comes trotting up and lolls his tongue companionably at the boy, "I'm afraid I'm the leader of the caravan, child. Will I do?"
The page blinks at 'Chana and says, "You are?" He seems amazed and delighted, "Yes! You'll do! Come with me, please!" As he trots back toward the sedan chair, 'Chana gets a look at the eight young men carrying it. Every one, as Rattler said, is lovely in a different way -- as if this woman has collected them as a set.
Suraksha turns to call out an innocuous code phrase to the rest of the camp -- it basically means to seem lumpish and dirty and slow. She murmurs almost silently to the werewolf, "Hang around relaxedly -- and if I give the signal, come trotting over like you smelled something really nice -- and be all drooly and shaggy and panting, yes?" The young wolf lolls his tongue and wags his tail. No one with an ounce of real common sense would mistake him for just a dog, but he suspects the lady in the sedan chair doesn't have that sort of sense.
After that Suraksha heads for the sedan chair. Standing next to it, she rubs her hands once down her pants legs, then beams, "Howdy! So who're you, please, lady?" A small part of her wants to snort disdainfully -- these people call themselves brahmins?! Gracious, they wouldn't know a true Brahmin if they were bitten in the ass by one! That thought makes her giggle.
The door to the sedan chair is opened to reveal a woman in perhaps her early forties. She is more handsome than beautiful, but she is magnificently coiffed and dressed, "I am Doris DuLange, wife of the mayor in town. And who are you, dear?"
Suraksha cheerfully thrusts out her hand to shake, "Suraksha, that's me! I keep the caravan's logistics rolling. What can we do for you, ma'am?" She is quietly impressed with the sheer, staggering amount of effort that must have gone into keeping this woman so... so well preserved! Considering Sura herself looks to be about 16 or 17, and is considered by those not in the know to be dancing dangerously close to spinsterhood... this woman's 40ish is astonishing!
The woman is looking at 'Chana in a positively acquisitive way, "Really, child? You keep that great mass of humanity in line?" She seems impressed by this, "Do you also handle engagements for entertainment?" The woman's chakras are strong, but the heart is somewhat dim. She's lacking in compassion, but she's passionate.
Suraksha blinks as her hand is ignored -- then pauses to think about the woman's query, scratching her head, "Well, umm... we do street fairs, y'know?" She smiles cheerfully, "Why?"
Doris smiles and says, "I was led to understand that you did somewhat more elaborate entertainments as well. My husband waxed almost rhapsodic about a play that was put on the last time you came through... unless there is another Corbett's caravan?"
Suraksha says, "Oh, that one!" She laughs and nods, "Yes, that was a good one. We were sorry to see that family go."
Doris' meticulously plucked brows rise, "Oh? The actors are no longer with your caravan?" There's a hint of both disappointment and disbelief in her voice, "Well then, what sort of entertainments does your caravan offer at your... street fairs...?"
The boy that is Doris' page pipes up hopefully, "Jugglers?"
Suraksha quietly gestures behind her back for Rufus, apparently thinking carefully, "Well, umm... we've got some... tumblers, and some Amazons, and some belly dancers, and a fortune teller!" Wryly she adds, "Just between you and me, ma'am, her fortunes aren't so good."
Rufus lollops over and immediately jumps on the page, getting his immaculate tunic filthy. He slurps the boy's face, making the page laugh. Doris, however, snaps, "Gerald! Get away from that animal! Look at you!" The boy is immediately abashed, but Rufus trots over and puts his front paws on the floor of the sedan chair as if he's going to jump in, making the woman recoil and snap, "Control that beast!"
Suraksha gasps, "Rufie! Oh, ma'am, I am so sorry!" She makes a grab for the werewolf's scruff -- just as he turns and heads for the sedan chair! Fortunately he pauses for a heartbeat before leaping in, which gives Sura just enough time to throw her arms around his neck, "No, Rufie, bad dog! Naughty, naughty boy!" She's clearly struggling with the big dog, considering he weighs nearly as much as she does, and she barely manages to back him off and keep her hands buried in his neck fur. She alternates between obviously ineffectual scolding of the dog, and apologies to the woman, tugging Rufus slowly back.
Doris' lips have thinned, making her look much more her age, "I think..." -- and then her page pipes up, "Ma'am, if there are jugglers...?" He looks longingly toward the caravan, which makes Doris sigh, "Fine. You." She jerks her chin at 'Chana, "Send whatever passes for your best performers to the mayoral mansion tonight around sundown. They'll be paid handsomely." Her eyes narrow, "But keep that dog away."
Suraksha nods wide-eyed, both hands still barely holding back the tail-wagging, happily bouncing dog. He barks, then pants at the page, and Sura grins, "I think he likes you!" The page giggles -- then catches A Look from Doris. He tries to look serious.
Doris says, "Come, let's get you cleaned up. You are a disgrace, child." The page climbs into the sedan chair, careful not to brush against the fine lady, and pulls the door closed behind him.
Suraksha waves with one hand as she calls, "Bye-bye!" but then has to lunge for Rufus again, almost falling on him as he tries to dart forward. She's laughing softly, her face buried in his ruff, as the sedan chair hastily departs -- and when it's gone she gets back to her feet, dusts off the knees of her jeans, and gives the werewolf a hug and a high-five as they both laugh again. "Brilliant, Rufus! You were wonderful." She grins as she turns back towards camp with her friend, "So, what shall we send to entertain her ladyship?"
Rufus ruffs and lolls his tongue, doing his best to look brainless. Sura laughs again and sweeps a graceful bow -- which Rufus delightedly imitates -- at the chuckles and quiet applause from the caravaneers. He romps with the other dogs when they get back to camp, though Sna'tha is looking grim, "I think we tread a thin line with that one. Send anyone too inept and there will be repercussions. Send anyone too brilliant and she will suss out that you're lying."
Suraksha nods relaxedly, "So, let's explain our predicament to Papa Sokoloff and Mama Minta, and see what they suggest. If anyone could pull off calculated awkwardness, it would be them, after all. They're practiced enough to do more than just perform -- they can pull off humor too, you know?" She heads for the Sokoloff wagon with her godsmother, explaining their current situation to the family. Can they put together something suitable? She adds reassuringly, "If you want, I'll go with you -- as the manager or haggler or whatever, all right? She seemed to like the way I looked, so I suspect I can distract her somewhat."
Rattler wanders up while 'Chana is talking to the Sokoloffs, face set, "See what I meant about the pretty people?" He's obviously irritated. Mama Minta smiles and says, "Oh, we can put something together. You want us to be... how do they say... just good enough not to be bad."
Suraksha grins and winks at Rattler, "Honey, in your hometown we are the pretty people!" She laughs, clearly teasing him, then grins and gives Mama Minta a hug, "Perfect, Mama! I knew you'd know what to do."
Rattler says, "Hon, if you go wid dem, I'd like to go too."
Suraksha raises a curious eyebrow, "Whyever would you want to flaunt yourself in front of one of the Boston brahmins, sweet man?"
Rattler says, "I just want to see who's here, lover. It worries me dat she's here herself. Dat boy looked like he belonged to her sister."
Suraksha studies him for a long moment, then nods slowly, "You want to see if your disguise will hold too, don't you." She thinks a moment, then looks at the Sokoloffs, "Could you use another roustabout in your show? Someone to carry the gear?"
Mama Minta looks Rattler over and says, "We shall rough you up a little. You too are too pretty." She calls over one of her descendents, "Take Rattler. Scar him up good."
Suraksha laughs and stands on tiptoe to give Rattler a quick peck on the cheek, then say in a mock-mournful Baton Rouge accent, "All mah pretties -- dey goan 'way!"
Rattler snorts and kisses 'Chana on the forehead, "If I thought for a second dey was goan really scar me up, I'd be bitchin'..." He's led off to have stage makeup applied and disguises chosen for him, leaving 'Chana with Minta, who says, "Are you going to not pretty up, child?"
Suraksha considers thoughtfully, "If I do, her attention will be mostly on me rather than your show -- it's the boy that most wanted the entertainers. If I don't, there'll be more attention on you. Hmm... which do you think would be wisest, Mama?"
Mama Minta taps her lower lip, "I think, child, that it would be best if you went -- but have Fantine dress you like a bumpkin. Like a girl that does not know how to make herself look lovely."
Suraksha nods and grins, "We can do that, certainly!" She chuckles, adding, "If Captain Pawling is present, he's going to laugh!"
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