| Logs |
2014 March 08
| Neverneverwhere |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
| Realms: Taps Logs |
Your Body Like A Searchlight
Suraksha starts studying the crowd more consideringly as the Sokoloffs begin the ending flourish of their modified show. The questions she has in her head are rather worrying her: how does this woman collect such people? Humans aren't usually quite this... casually acquisitive about members of their own family, and there's no clear marker of caste here either -- no absurd "dark skin: bad, white skin: good," for example. So... are there any non-humans here causing this strangeness, perhaps? Or any magic visible to Sura's eyes, maybe? She will, if she can do so smoothly, get another surreptitious glance at Doris' chakras... and those of anyone else who seems to be in command. There must be at least one more, perhaps?
There's not a lot of blatantly visible Tapping going on -- which doesn't mean there's not any, only that it's not blatant. Doris waves over one of the subtly-liveried footmen that are sort of hanging about in a deliberately casual sort of way. She murmurs something to him, inclining her head toward 'Chana and Rattler. The footman nods and disappears into the house, and Suraksha fervently hopes the footman is going after payment. She really wants to get her friends safely back to the caravan... and the caravan safely on the road and away from the now-peculiar town of Naugatuck. The only person likely to be able to shatter their carefully-crafted illusion is the former sheriff. Sura's rather hoping he's not here tonight, in fact.
As the show is wrapping up, another woman comes out of the house. She looks like Doris, but perhaps twenty years younger -- and if this is what Doris looked like in her youth, she must have had suitors left, right, and center. Everything about the girl is almost perfect, but with those little flourishes that turn someone from simply pretty to jaw-droppingly stunning: a tiny beauty mark just below her right eye. A mouth that's just a smidge wider than it "should" be -- but she smiles out over the crowd and that "too wide" mouth shows off a dazzling smile.
Doris' chakras are flaring around Will and Synthesis as 'Chana looks. Indeed, they're bright enough that she's got to be channeling something. The young woman that just arrived has her hand on Doris' shoulder and is smiling out over the tableau with a relaxed grace. Suraksha's face goes still as she realizes: Rattler may think there's not much in the way of Taps bred into the Boston Brahmins... but this woman's solar plexus and third eye respectively are both really flaring! Sura gets the feeling that Doris must be thinking hard about putting something into motion here... she might even be drawing on a leyline! The slight girl does the surreptitious hand gesture that lets Papa Sokoloff know it's time to smoothly close things down, then checks the way-too-pretty woman as well. Is she feeding energy to Doris, or something?
The young woman next to Doris does indeed seem to be funneling energy to the older woman: her chakras are all lit up like small suns. Suraksha draws a slow, worried breath, then checks for what Doris is looking at. Sura's guess is that's where the effect is intended to go, after all. Doris' eyes seem to be slowly sweeping the scene before her, not staying on anyone or one place too long. When she catches Sura looking, however, she smiles, inclines her head, and motions the young woman to come to her.
Suraksha turns on her "young girl" mental state again: she blinks startledly, glances behind herself, looks uncertainly back at Doris with a 'who, me?' gesture... and at the faintly amused nod Sura looks worriedly behind herself again, as if checking for whether she'll be needed by the Sokoloffs. They are, fortunately, finishing up their last set of tumbles and tricks -- that gives Sura a moment of relief -- so she beckons Rattler over and leans to whisper to him as she gestures towards the various tools and other paraphernalia. To an observer it would appear she's most likely directing him to take care of all this stuff until she returns. What he actually hears is: "There's one hell of a spell going on, sweet man -- gather everyone up and get them out of here as quickly and smoothly as possible, please? I'll be back as soon as I can."
Rattler nods and murmurs back, "Don' let her touch den, you." Under his breath he mutters, "Fuck!" in a soft but very heart-felt way, then adds, "an' take someone up dere wid you..." He stands up and starts motioning over the other roustabouts to get everything cleaned up and packed. Papa Sokoloff is smiling and bowing with the others, but his eyes are sharp as they look out at the crowd.
Suraksha gives Rattler a wry glance, "Everyone's needed here! I'll just stay well back. Keep an eye on me, and call me over if necessary -- that should be sufficient, I hope." Rattler nods and limps off to help out with the packing up while 'Chana goes into the den of the spider.
Suraksha steps with light feet and a child's nervous friendliness towards the older woman, "Yes, ma'am?" Hopefully she adds, "Do you have our payment, please?"
Doris chuckles indulgently, "Of course, child." The young woman with her laughs warmly and says, "I brought it out for Mama." She takes her hand off Doris' shoulder and removes a small leather purse from the chatelaine belt at her waist, "You've made the pages very happy." Her hands are strong but slender, and look as smooth as marble.
Suraksha beams and drops a slightly awkward curtsey, "Thank you so much, ladies!" She starts to reach for the purse -- but then pauses, looking at her hand in chagrin. There's a dusty smudge on it, and her fingernails have dirt under them. She blushes as she glances at the pristine cleanliness of the two women, then hastily holds out a fold of her skirt so the purse can be dropped into it.
The younger woman laughs and says, "Oh, a little dirt never hurt anybody!" She reaches with her free hand for 'Chana's wrist and moves to drop the purse into the fold of skirt.
Suraksha neatly curtsies again so she avoids the grab for her wrist, then deliberately fumbles a bit so the purse slides around in her skirt's fold, as if it were about to fall out. "Oh no!" She also manages to stumble back a few steps -- but that causes the purse to fall onto the ground between them. She makes an embarrassed, exasperated cluck of her tongue, one hand darting forward to quickly grab at the little leather bag.
The younger Brahmin woman moves to help 'Chana with getting the purse, laughing warmly and not all in a derogatory way, "I'm the same way! I'd drop my head if it weren't screwed on tightly." She barely misses touching the apparently awkward and embarrassed Sulochana, and when she straightens she seems not at all put out, "We've got some food prepared inside if you and your people would care to have some? I remember what it was like traveling here. Food wasn't exactly gourmet on the road, was it, Mama?" Doris smiles indulgently at the younger woman, "No, Elise, it wasn't."
Suraksha beams breathlessly at the two women, brushing her messily flyaway hair out of her face, "Wow, thank you so much, ladies! I'll tell everyone back at camp." She's still beaming as she drops another awkward curtsey, then turns and skips off with the purse carefully clutched in her hands. She makes sure she's seen excitedly showing the purse to Papa Sokoloff, who beams and nods to the two ladies, then carefully tucks the purse into his shirt -- as if the younger girl isn't quite trusted not to lose it on the way back to camp. Indeed, Papa nods and actually pats 'Chana on the head before they finish packing up and moving out.
The two women on the veranda are murmuring quietly together, but don't seem overly tense. Rattler has been very deliberately not watching the interaction -- because he has absolutely no illusions about his ability to not appear far too concerned about someone that should just be his boss. Aleksander, however, moves to meet 'Chana: he slides an arm around her waist in a way that's much more familiar and hints very broadly that there might be a relationship between them. He murmurs through his smile, "Thought I'd come meet you halfway. Rattler's about to twang, he's wound so tight."
Suraksha giggles up at Aleksander, blushing girlishly -- even as she murmurs amusedly, "That's the truth! Poor sweetie." She pitches in and helps break things down... and the little group is soon trooping happily back to the caravan, chattering excitedly together as if they hadn't a care in the world! Suraksha has a lot of questions for the performers, but she'll wait until they're safely back in the caravan. She also is feeling exceedingly distrustful by this point, so she quietly murmurs to Papa Sokoloff that she wants to scan the money for any weirdness before anyone touches it.
Once everyone is back at the caravan, Sura gives all the Sokoloffs -- especially Papa and Aleksander -- a warm hug and many thanks for being so helpful. She also passes on the information to everyone there regarding the odd chakras effect she spotted, and the warning to try to not be touched by either of the two women. She also asks everyone to go into the buddy system, like usual in potentially hostile towns... and then she and her godsmother get a wide, shallow pan of salt water ready before they open the little leather pouch. Often something like that will nicely ground any floating oddnesses still attached to objects, after all.
When they empty the pouch into the pan of salt water they find a couple of small gems, but it's mostly metal. Silver and gold for the most part, though there is something that looks like it could be aluminum, which has become more and more rare. None of it is very large, though it's a generous -- though not overly-so -- amount for second-rate acrobats. Suraksha is quietly relieved there's nothing too strange there -- this can all be bartered relatively easily on the road! She's careful to push it all into the salt water before anyone touches it, however... and then, once that's done, she cheerfully splits it up in the usual caravan trade percentages. "There we go! Thanks so much, Sokoloff family, for your help with this!" She sighs in relief, pushing back her mane of hair as she thinks, then gravely adds, "I think we leave at dawn tomorrow, people. I'd like to get out of here before we attract any more attention."
That's when Ohkwa, who has quietly arrived, clears his throat and makes a face, "Unfortunately, that's not gonna happen."
Suraksha gives him a grim look, "Go on."
Ohkwa shakes his head and sighs, "Apparently, we've got two busted axles. Wouldn't be so bad if one of 'em wa'n't the chuckwagon. The other one is yours."
Suraksha's eyes narrow in anger, and her voice is flat, "That... is impossible. They were fine earlier -- we are damn careful about stuff like that!" She closes her eyes and takes a slow, deep breath, letting it out in a long sigh... then she opens her eyes and says, "All right, I think we can assume enemy action here. Let's hop to it, people -- anyone with ability needs to be either figuring out how to jury-rig the axles so we can limp out of here, or working to block any more of this sort of crap."
Ohkwa nods, "Indeed, child. They happened almost in the same instant." Rattler's face is set into the dangerously calm expression that 'Chana knows means he's about two heartbeats away from being exceptionally dangerous to someone.
Suraksha sighs and thanks Ohkwa for the news, then asks him to get a team together to also check over every other wagon. After that... she sits and thinks for a while, then gets Fantine, Ohkwa, and Sna'tha together with her for a quick consultation: is the next town friendly, and how far away is it? How good/bad are the roads? Can the weight from the chuck wagon and her wagon be temporarily off-loaded onto other wagons? Rattler hesitates over whether to stay or go, then realizes he seriously needs to work off some anger, so he excuses himself to go do some of the needed heavy lifting. The de facto logistics team of the caravan starts figuring out how to redistribute as much of the load from those two wagons. Unfortunately the caravan does not travel with a lot of wasted or extra space; if it's possible at all to shift that much cargo around, it's not going to be easy.
Suraksha frowns thoughtfully as she considers what allies, if any, they might have in this town right now, as well. If everyone works all night long, and the sheriff was willing to help by getting them a new axle... then they might be able to swap out one of the axles -- preferably the chuckwagon, since it's heavier and critical -- but it'd be jury-rigged until the next town, where they'd need to take a week or so to repair things properly.
Suraksha also quietly lets the logistics planners know that if necessary, she will shift shape and carry as much as possible in a saddlebag... but they are leaving at dawn, even if they have to abandon shit. This is just too dangerous. She decides she's also going to pay a visit to the sheriff tonight. They need to know if he's aware of this or not. Hmm, what else... ah. Suraksha makes sure Little Joe knows to warn all passing caravans to avoid Naugatuck like the plague from now on! She doesn't want anyone else trapped by this unpleasantly conniving woman. She also has Fantine make a note that will be passed on to all the Hetaerae community as well. Suraksha's eyes are flashing with anger, though her voice is calm and modulated as she adds, "If she wants to play dirty... well, two can play this game. All right, is there anything we can do that will slow things down in town for anyone attempting pursuit?"
Sna'tha says, "There are a few things, but one of the most effective ones may out your man as to who and what he is."
Suraksha smiles grimly, "What is it? Frankly, I'm thinking if every healthy horse in town managed to slip away, that'd keep folks pretty darned busy in there. But tell me your thought, please."
Sna'thaid pulls over one of Little Joe's maps and traces some faint blue lines, "There are several small bridges on the main road. None of them are more than about a hundred feet, but some of them cross some pretty deep little ravines. If two or three of them washed out behind us, it would effectively stop pursuit."
Suraksha nods thoughtfully as she studies the map, "They don't have to be washed out, either... one of them could have a serious crack in it..." her glance back at Sna'tha is grimly amused, "just like our axles, in fact. Seems a bit of poetic justice in that, don't you think?" Sna'thaid purses her lips and taps one that, according to the topographic marks, goes over a ravine that goes down very steeply for a couple hundred feet.
Suraksha nods in agreement, "All right -- that's the one, then. Let's keep folks working as much as we can -- if worst comes to worst, we'll double-hitch my wagon to another, then leave the chuckwagon behind with all the meaner looking men made up to be less attractive -- they can slowly shepherd it along after us." She looks around, checking how things are going, then calls over two more fey: Chanti and Moira. With Sna'tha, they'll be the folks slipping silently through town and releasing horses. Either Ohkwa or Buddy will be the ones to subtly damage the bridge so it looks like a natural crack, and if necessary she'll help in tiger form. Right now, though, she thinks she needs to go find the sheriff and have a talk with him... especially since she's faintly surprised no one from the town has come by to visit and scout out the caravaneers. "Everyone on guard keep a very wary eye out, and watch the dogs as well, please! They'll sense weird happenings well before most of us do, after all."
The caravan folk scatter to their tasks, leaving 'Chana alone for a moment -- and that's when Rattler arrives with Alg. Suraksha is mentally planning out the safest way to approach the sheriff, but her worried face warms when she spots her lover. She holds out an arm to Alg as well, and the goblin bounds up to rub against her legs, then flop next to where she's seated. She grins as she strokes his tufty head fur, then beams up at Rattler, "Hello, sweetheart! What's up?"
Rattler's face is set and he's still wearing his disguise from the performance. Why becomes quickly evident: "Alg say dere been movement 'round de edges of de camp, him. Whoever out dere movin' pretty stealt'y."
Suraksha says, "Aha. I'm guessing you've warned everyone on the way here already, too. Well then, they know we're aware of the axles, and are working to fix things." She's silent for a moment as she thinks... then smiles a slow, cold smile, "I wonder how they'd react if one of them were caught in the act, as it were." She turns her emerald eyes to Alg and says softly, "Alg, sweetie... do you suppose you and the wolves could spook one of the stealthy watchers in towards the circle, so we can see what they are -- and maybe talk to them?"
Alg's smile spreads out, and he nods emphatically, "Sneaky-sneak." A goblin grin is not a reassuring sight to someone who isn't on the good side of said goblinQ He seems put out -- near indignant as he adds, "Alg almost miss!" Indeed, someone getting past a goblin is a major feat, to say the least. Suraksha giggles at that, then gives him a quick hug before Alg lopes off, howling to gather in some of the dogs and wolf hybrids. The worried woman also quietly asks Rattler to follow up on that -- make sure the right folks are available to scoop up their intruder! -- then heads for her wagon. Fantine can help her dress for the night, she suspects.
Rattler's smile isn't a great deal more reassuring than Alg's, "Oh, be happy to help wid dat, me." The caravan sidhe are busy making sure everything looks as unremarkable as possible. No one is in their true face, unless it is an unremarkable human face. Those that are attractive have been smudged and dirtied and rag-tagged up.
Suraksha nods to Rattler, "I'm guessing you'll have results within the quarter hour, but if it's before that feel free to come tap on my door, please. Until then, I'm going to get unprettified too." She chuckles... though it's not really a nice one, as she heads off.
The work of getting the loads of the two wagons redistributed is going on apace, since Ohkwa doesn't dare have people pretend to be inefficient or clumsy with that job -- not with it being as important as it is. The predicted quarter-hour goes past and drags out into first a half hour, then an hour, without Alg and the dogs managing to spook a watcher into the circle. Suraksha raises a mental eyebrow at the end of the hour, and goes to track down Rattler. She keeps her voice low as she murmurs, "I've got to go talk to the sheriff before it gets too late. Can you and Sna'tha handle the watcher?"
Rattler nods, mouth set. "Don't know now if we goan be able catch 'em, me. Whoever it is, dey stealt'y as hell an' 'pparently not easy spooked. Alg caught scent of dem an' did his very best crazy goblin impression, but dey just fade back."
Suraksha nods calmly, "Okay, surprise is gone. Just catch the fucker now."
Rattler nods and says, "Yeah. Dat de current plan. Take someone wid you, my love. Please." Please is not one of those words Rattler is good at using.
Suraksha raises an eyebrow, "Hmm. Who do you suggest? Big and menacing, or more discreetly dangerous?"
Rattler smirks, "I suggest me, but goan stay here an' be a good boy, me. Since it ain't goan be me, t'inkin' Alan. He can look scary, but he also got whole lotta quick... an' you can provide de real muscle if you gotta."
Suraksha nods thoughtfully, "If he's willing to come along, I'd be happy to have his company. If I actually have to provide the real muscle, after all, we're all in a scary-awful amount of trouble."
Rattler says, "Yeah. Dat what I'm 'fraid of." He pauses a moment and then takes 'Chana in his arms and kisses her very thoroughly, trusting to the surrounding caravan to shield them from any prying eyes. But he doesn't want to let her leave the caravan without that kiss. Unsurprisingly, Suraksha returns the kiss and hug with interest!
Shortly thereafter Alan has been asked to accompany Sura, and the issue of the watcher has been explained to him. Before she leaves, Sura murmurs quietly to Rattler, "Ask my godsmama about the watcher -- she'll know whether anything needs to just die or not."
Rattler nods and says, "Oh, yeah -- 'm trustin' her judgement on de need fer dat." He's still very calm -- that too-calm calm that makes so many people underestimate his level of anger. Suraksha is quite thoroughly calm-appearing herself as well, right now. This amount of unprovoked guerilla action against her people has her seethingly angry inside! She heads off soon after with Alan, both of them carefully cloaked and hooded, and Alan heavily armed under his cloak. Sura also times the departure such that her friends can, if possible, catch the watcher watching her depart, as well.
Just as they reach the perimeter of the caravan something short and violent-sounding happens not far from where they are -- followed by a cackle that can only be Alg. Suraksha sighs in quiet relief, "Finally. If there's anything to be learned from the watcher, godsmama will be the one to find it." She smiles faintly up at Alan, "They'll do their jobs... let's do ours." With that she heads swiftly into town, Alan on her heels. She's carefully and surreptitiously moving through the night, and checking their backtrail as well -- she knows it's quite possible there was more than one watcher, after all.
Alan catches her looking back and smirks, "You keep your eyes forward. I'm watching the backtrail, and you know this town. I don't. Remember, we had the same trainer, lady."
Suraksha gives Alan a startled glance -- then laughs softly, "Good point! I apologize, Alan -- I'm still learning how to do teamwork with you and Rattler." She doesn't worry about it any more, though she does let her nose tell her if there's anything peculiar she should be aware of. She finds herself wishing for a moment that her Tybalt were here to ride into town -- Eacharn's senses in horse form are superlative! She grins ruefully as she thinks for a moment what it would be like with both Rattler and Tybalt in the caravan, shaking her head once at herself... then continues slipping quietly and surreptitiously through the shadows towards where the jail used to be. A small part of her amusedly wonders if it too has been made over... maybe in a tacky bordello theme? That makes her giggle internally.
The jail isn't so much made over as not where it used to be. The small, two-cell building with the sheriff's quarters over it has been completely demolished. Where it stood is a high board fence with a temporary canvas roof, of the sort often used in this day and age to cover any new building project that is still sensitive to the elements. Suraksha sighs and shakes her head, then simply starts searching carefully for any indication of what this building is, and/or if anyone is present. If she's blessed currently, the sheriff -- wait, she must remember to call him Captain now, that's right. Still, hopefully he isn't off eating at the feast Doris is holding. A bit grimly Sura wonders if the food too is charmed.
From what she can smell, all that's in there right now is fresh wood and cement of some sort. The fact that they're using cement is notable, since it's not easily come by any more. Other than that, the only scents are of the workmen and their tools, which aren't present at the moment and only leave the barest of traces. Alan has ghosted up to the fence and is checking to see if there's any way to see through it. When he can't find any unblocked knotholes or significant cracks, he moves back to Sura's side, murmuring, "Not what you expected to find here?" The guardsman is alert but relaxed in the way that Sna'thaid taught them to patrol when there are unknowns in the situation.
Suraksha shakes her head slowly, a perplexed look on her face, "This used to be Sheriff Pawling's little courthouse and office, with the jail behind it. Not... entirely sure what it is now, though... except that it appears no one is here now." She sighs, tilting the hood of her cloak slightly with slender fingers, so she can glance around. "Well, let's see. If there's a barracks, he's out of reach -- because there will be soldiers there. Hmm... I wonder if he'd be at home instead..." She absently traces her lower lip with the tip of her tongue... then nods once, her soft whisper decisive, "All right, we'll try that next. Let's go -- this way, please."
Alan nods and smiles wryly, "I could always try to get myself arrested to see where they take me, but that would leave you seeming unprotected, and we don't want that. These people put a lot of store in appearances."
Suraksha shakes her head firmly, her voice amused, "Ah, no. No, let's not get separated." She pads nearly silently along through the shadows, heading for where she last knew the sheriff to live.
This, at least, is much the same: Pawling's house is still there -- though it is considerably spruced up. There's new paint and ornamental plants as well as what looks like a new addition on the back side of the building. Suraksha blinks as she studies the building for a moment... then she curiously ghosts around to the back, wondering what the addition is. It seems to be a new parlor and dining room. Could he be now married? But... he'd not worn a ring, nor mentioned anything... could this not be his house any more, perhaps? Last time she was here, the sheriff had been quite happy with his cozy eat-in kitchen arrangement and a tiny parlor.
Suraksha stares in silent fascination, studying the rooms... then she slowly and carefully circles the house. She's peering in and looking for any sign of the sheri- er, captain's presence: a hat, his gunbelt, anything characteristically his. As she ghosts around one corner of the house, she hears Pawling's voice coming from the window into the kitchen. He's singing quietly to himself -- an old ballad -- and there's the smell of onions sizzling in bacon fat. The man is apparently at home and cooking himself a dinner, rather than feasting at the big house. Suraksha shakes her head again -- this is very odd! Well, might as well be polite. She glances at Alan, whispering, "Coming in or staying out?" before she steps up to the back door.
Alan says, "Staying here for the moment; gonna run the perimeter. Whistle if you need me." He ghosts away, neatly disappearing from view. Pawling continues singing to himself.
Suraksha taps lightly on the door, her voice soft, "Captain Pawling?"
The singing stops and there's a moment or two before the door is opened just enough to show Pawling's face and a narrow strip of his body, his right side hidden by the doorjamb. He looks surprised for a moment and then steps back from the door, opening it wider. His voice is concerned, "Get in here, girl. What are you doing wandering around at night like this?"
Suraksha grins up at him as she patters lightly up the steps and slips into the house, "Like what, sher- er, captain?" She sniffs as she undoes the cloak's clasp and lays it over a chair, then grins again as she heads into the kitchen, "Your onions are going to burn if you're not careful!" She looks up at him as he follows her in -- after locking the door -- and the humor is wiped from her face as she murmurs softly, "May we talk privately, please, sir?"
Pawling looks around the yard before closing and locking the door. That's when it's revealed that his right hand is holding a large meat cleaver, which he lays back on a butcher-block counter, shaking his head, "By yourself. When you know Doris has her eyes on you? Are you trying to get caught up in this town?"
Suraksha says even more quietly, "No. We're trying to leave, sheriff. But it's hard to do so when you discover first that there are watchers sneaky enough to almost avoid a goblin... and then that two axles on two different wagons, which were fine the last town over... tonight are cracked." She waits silently, watching the sheriff and studying his chakras to see how he takes this news. She very, very much hopes he's still his own man! Simultaneously, her heart aches for him -- even his very home is being altered! She's seen this sort of thing before, where someone takes over a town and all the good folks end up eventually having to either leave, be suborned, or die. She prays silently to the Lady of Serpents that the good sheriff will choose to leave... maybe even with the caravan, though anyone safe would do, to Sura's way of seeing things.
Pawling isn't acting like they've got company and his chakras are damped down a bit, as if he's keeping himself to himself with every fiber of his being. His mouth is pressed tight as he moves back to the stove and gets the onions off the heat before they burn like 'Chana mentioned, "Damn. You've caught her eye, then. Thought that might happen. She's not usually fooled by people trying to dress down. It's like she's got some sort of inner eye for beauty."
Suraksha nods relaxedly, "She does some sort of Tapping thing, yes. Also she uses her daughter as a battery. So... are we the first she's done this to, or is this fairly common? Also, have you any idea who or what the watcher is?" She pauses, then says gently, "I do apologize, sheriff. I have not been fair to you. I have come to you for help in freeing my caravan... but first I must ask: is this something you can do without risk to yourself? Or should I simply leave quietly, and none the wiser concerning my visit tonight?"
Pawling shakes his head, "I knew she was a Tap, but I hadn't worked Elise into it. I'm not surprised, though. That woman doesn't much have any sort of sentimentality to her." He leans back against the kitchen counter and crosses his arms over his chest, "I can try to delay the search if it's sent. As for the watchers, I'm guessing it's some of the men and women she brought down from Boston. Do you know their feelings on Taps up there? The Brahmins, I mean?"
Suraksha shakes her head, "Past that they'd like to breed Tapping into their bluebloods, no. Why?" She's quietly relieved the sheriff is willing to help -- sounds like he's not yet fallen to Doris' sway.
Pawling nods and says, "Exactly. It's... I didn't realize just how cold-blooded these people are until it was just about too late. They've got some very good Taps in the guard."
Suraksha sighs and shakes her head, "So they really are pulling in all the Taps they can find, I take it." Her emerald eyes are steady as she regards the captain, and her voice is gentle again, "I'm so sorry, captain, that this has happened to your town."
Pawling's lips press together, "At least one of them has an ability like I've heard some of the sidhe have: bending light."
Suraksha takes a deep breath, "Whoa. That's seriously not good." She thinks a moment, then steps forward, holding her hands out, "Feel free to check, captain, that it's really me... and I will, if you do not mind, do the same?"
Pawling nods and holds out his hands to 'Chana, "You see now why I was so careful about checking who was outside my door at this time of night?"
Suraksha says, "Oh, yes." She checks carefully, despite his willingness to let her touch him, and does not object to his touching her as well. Only once she's sure will she murmur a little sadly, "So many changes. Your office and jail, your title, your position, your clothing... even your home now. When will the town have changed so much that it is no longer yours, sheriff Pawling? Or should I say captain?" She sighs, "Which do you prefer, sir?"
Pawling smiles sadly, "Let's go with Erik, shall we?" He turns to a cabinet and takes out an amber glass bottle and a couple of small glasses, "I'm staying on to protect the people here that are still just good people trying to make a life."
Suraksha's eyes widen -- she's quietly touched that this man is willing to let her so far into his private life! She lightly presses her fingertips to her lips for a moment, suppressing the sudden urge to weep for the loss of a good man... then she takes a deep breath and squares her shoulders. "Then please, you should call me Sura... Erik." She gently takes the bottle and glasses from him, murmuring, "See to your dinner, dear man," then settles at the little oilcloth-covered table near the tiny stove before she pours a small amount for them both. She nudges one glass over closer to him, then takes her own in hand and sighs softly as she appreciatively breathes the scent. Her voice is thoughtful, "With all due respect, si- er, Erik, I've seen this sort of takeover before... disturbingly often, in fact."
The young-looking woman grimaces slightly, "Houston was a particularly egregious example of the same principle at work. To my knowledge there are very few outcomes: the newcomer is somehow violently evicted or slain, or the newcomer conquers through suborning or slaying all dissenters who choose to remain." She studies the sturdy, plain-spoken man for a few seconds, then softly adds, "You've been a friend for over a decade now, Erik. I do not want to lose you. None of us do... no one has so many friends they can simply afford to carelessly give up on them." She sighs, then adds, "Will you die here, then? -or..." she glances around the house, taking note of the additions. Her voice is slightly choked as she rubs her face, then adds, "or will you realize when the real you has finally been closed down entirely, dear man?"
Erik goes back to the stove and puts the pan back on the heat, tossing in some chunks of dried carrot and apple to cook with the onions, "I am watching very closely over my heart and my mind. When it comes to the point that I am giving more than I can and still keep myself... well, keep myself me... then I'll pack up and leave with as many of the people as will go."
Suraksha nods slowly, "All right. I wish I could talk you into leaving with us -- you're so closed in now, as if you expect to be taken advantage of!" She smiles ruefully as she shakes her head, "But... pressuring you isn't the answer. We'll be leaving at dawn tomorrow, even if we have to abandon one of the wagons... and we shall not be returning. Having to fight through the town like this is too expensive." She hesitates, then adds almost apologetically, "I... am sorry, Erik... but in good conscience we will also be warning all the caravans we meet to avoid Naugatuck, and why... and the Hetaerae will be so informed also. I... thought you might want to know..."
Erik actually seems to relax a little bit at that, "That will be good. It's easier to warn people when they're outside the town." The scents of onion and apple mix in the kitchen as the man takes the small glass of whiskey, sipping at it.
Suraksha has a sip of the whiskey herself, then closes her eyes, tilts her head, and smiles faintly as the smoky-rich scent and flavor swirls up in her mouth and burns smoothly down her throat. "Mmm..." She swallows, then looks curiously at the sheriff, "You... feel the town being isolated is better? Or am I misunderstanding?"
Erik turns to look at her, "I feel that if this town is isolated they won't want it any more -- and then maybe they'll move the hell on and take their too-perfect people somewhere else."
There's almost a hint of pity in Sura's emerald eyes as she studies Erik... then she swiftly looks down at her glass and murmurs, "Ah. Yes... perhaps so." She doesn't have the heart to tell the poor man what she's seen, any further -- not when he so clearly wishes it to be otherwise. She feels a small internal pang again; in some ways Erik reminds her painfully of Malachai. That causes her to feel slightly choked up again, and she surreptitiously brushes her fingers across her lashes to wipe away the tears that want to fall. She takes a deep breath and firmly reminds herself: they're not coming back here for at least a generation... so she won't have to see Erik either twisted somehow, or dead. She can remember him like she knew him... because she suspects Doris isn't going to allow a group of townsfolk to simply leave. Instead she says softly, "It sometimes feels there are fewer and fewer truly good folk left in the world any more..." She sighs and has another sip of her whiskey.
Erik says, "There are old books from before the Dying Off that talk about people that wanted to create a race of perfect people. They started disappearing people and killing them, but there were folk who stayed and pretended to go along with it to work against them. Those folks hid people -- built new rooms onto their houses and created hiding places for them."
Suraksha sighs, leaning her head on one fist, "The war across the world? Fearsome Grandmother was taught of that time. She said it took the entire world to stop the madmen... and two generations of good people died in the process. But I will pray for your success, Erik..." She thinks, but does not say, [and your escape or death before your soul's surrender.] Suraksha sighs again as she watches the broad-shouldered man deftly pouring his pan's contents onto a plate, then settle at the table with her. She waits to see if he prays, and only after he has had a bite or two does she murmur, "Can you help me find an axle, Erik? Or is that too much to ask?"
Erik does pray, but it is silent and short and he doesn't make a big deal of it. Suraksha smiles faintly to herself, and as he prays she does too: to the Lady of Serpents, to assist this man in remaining sneakily hidden even in plain sight -- just as the Mother Herself can do. After his mouthful the former sheriff looks across at Sura, "What size axles do you need?" Studying him, she can see he is very determined. She can also see, upon looking a little more closely at the room, that there are sacks of rice and flour and beans that are far too large for a man living on his own.
Sura's smile warms, becoming both sincere and relieved. "One for a chuckwagon, so we needn't abandon it tomorrow morning. If necessary, I'll have Buddy come fetch it tonight." She adds with quiet casualness, "We could trade a few bags of dried goods for the axle, if you wanted -- beans or flour or rice, perhaps?" then grins ruefully, "I'd love an axle for my little wagon too, but there's no need for me to be greedy tonight."
Erik smiles a little, glad she's taken the hints he's trying to give her, "Well, I might know where to find an axle for a teamster's wagon. They're built to haul heavy loads. As for your little vardo, could you double-haul it? Take off the bad axle and hook it to one of the sturdier wagons?"
Suraksha nods and smiles reassuringly, "That was actually the plan, unless it suddenly started raining axles. The chuckwagon, though... Buddy would be grumpy for months if we had to abandon his preferred wagon, you know?" She laughs softly, reaching out to gently pat Erik's free hand, "You're a good man, dear. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart! Is there anything else we can do for you, and to help make sure you're not at all implicated in this?"
Erik nods and nibbles at his simple dinner, "Cornmeal would be wonderful. And beans. I'd ask for salt, but that's far too precious for what I'm offering." He takes her hand and squeezes it gently, "Well, the axle is behind the wheelwright's shop. It might not fit Buddy's wagon perfectly, but it should do you fine to get out of town. The wheelwright is... a friend. A like-minded fella, you might say." He gets up and rifles through his cabinets, finally finding a small clay token, "Leave this in place of the axle. He'll understand."
Suraksha nods silently as she accepts the token. It bears a simple pictogram like a ladder, perhaps: two lines further apart at the bottom than at the top and with parallel lines between them. She studies it for a long moment... then very carefully tucks it away in her clothing. After that she impulsively gives Erik a quick, tight hug. Her eyes are very bright, but she keeps her voice upbeat and cheerful, "You are both good men, and I am honored to know you, Erik. Now I will get out of your house and hopefully you will not see any of us again until better times. Bright blessings on you both!"
Erik hesitates and then hugs her back tightly, speaking into her hair, "I may send someone... or a couple someones to your caravan tonight. Will you take them with you?"
Suraksha smiles up at him, "Absolutely, dear man. How shall we know them?"
Erik steps back a bit, saying, "They'll bear those same tokens."
Suraksha nods gravely, "We'll do our best for them... and for you, if we can." She smiles a bit wistfully at him, then turns and swiftly slips into the other room, pulling on her cloak and putting up the hood. "We'll be off, then. Be well, old friend!"
Erik nods and inclines his head, "Be safe, lady."
Suraksha smiles and blows him a kiss, then slips out the door. She pauses there, looking around warily for Alan. She's going to have to check him tactilely, she suspects; she hopes the poor man isn't too scandalized! Alan ghosts out of the darkness and whispers, "Lady, your friend may be keeping prisoners..."
Suraksha smiles at Alan, beckoning him away from the house, "Talk in a moment, Alan! First some distance and shadow." She does just that, then reaches out to draw Alan closer so she can whisper to him... and to check if he tries to stay out of her reach. From what he said she's pretty sure he's really Alan -- but they both need to be sure.
Alan leans closer so 'Chana can whisper to him, but he jerks back when she starts sliding her hands over him, "Lady!"
Suraksha's voice is rueful, "Calm down, Alan. The other side has someone who can do glamour." She beckons him closer again -- she won't chase the poor guy -- and whispers to him as she makes sure he really is the height and weight he looks to be. "You're going to need to check and be sure I'm who I look like too. Also, the supposed prisoners? I think they're folks the sheriff is trying to help escape Doris. I suspect they're going to turn up at the caravan to escape with us. I'll tell you the signal later." She silently blesses Rattler for sending someone as thin as a rail with her -- that's a body type that's hard to match easily!
Alan stands still for the pat-down, then pats 'Chana down as well -- in a very businesslike manner. He nods and says, "The signs I saw point to a good half-dozen folks, maybe. Or perhaps they've been purposely obscured. Did he have some help for us?"
Suraksha sighs in relief as Alan turns out to be who he looks like. "Excellent! Yes, I believe so. Come, let's hurry -- there's a lot of work to do tonight, and when we return to the caravan I'm going to ask you and Rufus to help keep Buddy hidden when he goes for the axle." She heads back to the caravan, carefully keeping to shadows still as she adds in another whisper to Alan, "I want to find out what Alg and everyone caught, too!"
The trip back to the caravan goes faster because Alan has an idea of the town's layout in his head now and doesn't feel as much need to move slowly and carefully. They're challenged at the border of the caravan with the caravan's call-and-response password, and Suraksha waits until she's back within the protective circle before she quietly gathers a few folks and fills them in, so that everyone will get the news. Buddy gets handed the little clay token, and everyone is shown it so they know what to look for in possible refugees arriving tonight. Sura also asks Buddy for three bags of dry goods he can spare -- preferably cornmeal, beans, or salt -- as she wishes to gift them to the sheriff in thanks; he'll know who most needs them.
People are also warned about the glamour and the Tapping, and told to check their buddies periodically, especially if they lose sight of each other for any reason. Next people start scurrying around on various errands: prepping the chuckwagon for the new axle, emptying out Sura's wagon so it can be jury-rigged to be dragged by another wagon, warning the various guards and checking them for glamour differences, and setting up who will be on which team going into town... and that's when Sura asks who or what Alg caught.
None of the caravaneers tries to fill her in on that information until she's done. When the news about the glamour gets around, the night's call-and-response gets changed to one that is rarely used and has not been used in this town at all. It will be a second line of defense against Doris' people. Sna'thaid and Alg are still with the prisoner, as is Rattler. Little Joe says, "We might not have to worry about the glamour, unless whoever it is has the ability to throw it like some of the sidhe."
Suraksha walks along with Little Joe as they head towards where the prisoner is being kept. She pauses to crouch and hug Alg when the very smug goblin comes bouncing up to her, murmuring quiet praise and thanks to him for his cleverness and watchfulness. When he goes galloping off again -- almost hooting softly to himself in pride -- she turns to Little Joe and says quietly, "I sure hope they're not one of the higher nobility among the sidhe... but this is just the sort of long-term, scarily soulless design plan I'd expect from one of them, you know?" She adds even more quietly, "I'm worried for the sheriff... but I couldn't persuade him to come with us."
Joe nods and says, "Thing is... it's not a sidhe. It's a human, far as we can tell."
Suraksha nods, then steps lightly up onto the wagon where the prisoner is being interrogated. She pauses to add to her old friend, "Let me know if any of the refugees turn up, would you, please, Joe? And... even though we won't be passing through here again... in the future, if you ever hear any gossip or stories about Sheriff Pawling in nearby towns, do please let me know?"
Little Joe nods, "'Course. Go on and talk with our visitor." He slips off to go pass word of what she's told him.
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