| Logs |
2022 March 04
| Neverneverwhere |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
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| Realms: Taps Logs |
My Shawl Wrapped Around You
Sura wakes up the next morning feeling warm and relaxed, and nicely cuddled up with her sweetheart. She yawns lazily, then glances around with sleepy eyes. Rattler is there with her -- as he should be -- and they're both still wrapped in the pelts and jewelry, but they are definitely human beneath it. And definitely nude. And they both seem to realize as they nuzzle and kiss good morning that they still smell right to one another. Neither of them has a particularly acute sense of smell in human form, but this morning it seems to be turned up several notches. The vardo smells of the little family, down to the lingering scents of Suraksha's perfumes and Roy's favorite bay rum cologne. It's... surprisingly lovely and delicious feeling!
Rattler blinks and presses his face right in against Sura's throat, breathing in deeply before rumbling softly, "Smell like home, you." She purrs contentedly, her fingers trailing with pleasure through the little hair he has on his head, drawing him in close to her. That seems to make him happy and excited in several ways and he proceeds to make very good on his intentions to make love to her -- a pleasure she blissfully returns after he's concluded helping her to feel very, very good indeed. It doesn't occur to either of them to take off the pelts; it feels very right -- not simply making love, but an even deeper bonding. If the season had been just a little different last night, the pair of them might have felt even more compelled to this, despite Sura not being able to have children anymore.
Once they've finished losing themselves thoroughly, joyously, and carnally in one another, they finally remember to take off the pelts and jewelry. Rattler helps fold them up carefully and whistles slowly, "Amazin', dat. Can see why ever'body here wanna be wolf-hearted, me." He strokes the fur of the enormous pelts and looks up at Suraksha with a crooked, roguish little smile, "Somehow feel like b'long even more t' one 'nudder now, us."
Suraksha nods relaxedly where she's half-sprawled across one of the folded pelts, "Was like that for me every time I changed before. Problem was that it was still you, not Malachai, that was ringing my bell." She grins lazily, reaching out to trail a fingertip along Rattler's cheek and down along the strong line of his chin, "Like we were made for each other, mm, sweetheart? You fit... you fit all the needs in my soul... if that makes sense?"
Rattler nods and turns his head to catch her fingertip with his teeth for a moment, eyes closing as he breathes in her scent again, "Jes' like dat. Doan madder who in de bed. It you in here..." He guides her hand to his chest, "Feel even more real dis mornin'." He snorts a little and says, "Doan hit me, you, but it like it even more real den sharin' de girls. Or dat this add a whole new layer to dat. T'ink mebbe you feel it bedder, bein' what you are. Jes' a human, me. Know what I feel, but cain't sense de connection like dis before."
Sura rolls over to draw Rattler into a long, relaxed hug. She murmurs against his neck, "It is kind of like this always for me... so I'm really happy you got a chance to experience it too, sweet man. Hope you feel it's a really good feeling too... 'cause I sure do. Sometimes it makes me want to roll around and purr like a big, silly cat in heat -- on account of feeling so good!" She laughs softly, her breath warm against his skin... and then she sighs reluctantly and smiles, "But... much though I'd love to stay in bed all day, we should return these. They're the town's treasures, after all." She sits up and pushes her dark, heavy mane of hair back with both hands, smiling down at Rattler, "Want to come with, dear heart? We could take the girls along if we go after breakfast?" She pauses in the midst of plaiting her hair to add thoughtfully, "I wonder how Freya's doing too. I would surely love to have her bless the other Taps as well, after all!" She laughs, "Oh! Plus the meat has to be taken into town too, right! This is turning into a bit of an expedition!" She grins mischievously, leaning down to brush a light kiss on the end of Rattler's nose -- then bounces to her feet to dress.
Rattler doesn't get up immediately. It's entirely too fun for him to watch Suraksha getting dressed. He even lays back with his hands crossed behind his head, "Cher, know I'm in love, me, when it jes' as nice to watch you puttin' clothes on as takin' em off." In truth, a large part of it is her exuberance in the morning. He takes a little longer to get dressed, but it's simply out of the sort of langour that comes when you're feeling exceptionally happy with your place in the world. "Goan talk to Freya firs', you, or get Li'l Joe an' Dom firs'?" He's carefully tucking his shirt into his jeans, partially to keep his hands off his still delectable-smelling mate.
Sura gathers up the pelts after she's tidied up a bit and dressed herself, "I think Freya first, sweetheart. I want to be sure she actually has the energy before I bring the boys over. Oh, also I want to give the townies the meat too." She smiles as she pauses before heading out the door, her arms full of pelt, "I'll probably go as the tiger so I can carry half a moose easily." She grins, standing on tiptoes to kiss the tip of Rattler's nose -- then giggles and darts out the door!
Outside Sura sees that it snowed last night after the wolves all settled for the night -- it's a gloriously beautiful morning! Sunlight sparkles off the snow that smoothly blankets the fields and trees. The large cookfire in the center of the inner circle of the wagons is keeping the area warm enough that water is not icing up on the tarps overhead, but there's a glittering fringe of icicles on the outer edges of the wagons and vardos. The early risers beam and wave to Sura, and she's handed a steaming hot cup of sweetened coffee. At her query, someone goes searching for a backpack for the tiger so she can carry her clothing and the pelts to the town, and Buddy brings in the half-frozen half-a-butchered-moose all neatly bound up in a canvas for her to carry -- as well as a large bowl of honey-sweetened hot porridge with liberal lashings of crumbled bacon bits mixed in.
Roy wanders after her and drinks his own coffee, which he drinks "black as night, sweet as sin." Buddy shoves a bowl of porridge at him also, of course. Alg, Rachel, and Rufus come galloping up, all ruffled up and breathless with excitement as they return from guard duty by the stream... and at hearing that Sura will be heading to town, the werewolves whine excitedly to go along, pleasepleaseplease? Alg simply cackles and bounces around happily -- he's going! Sura laughs and agrees that they can all come along with her.
Rattler looks at the group of people set to go into town and asks in his lazy drawling voice if he should go with them. He knows sometimes that animal-shaped folks simply want to be with other animal-shaped folks to frolic. He found that out very viscerally the night before. Sura grins and hugs him warmly, "You're welcome to come if you want, sweetheart... though I suspect we'll be back relatively quickly to bring the other Taps over if Freya's up for it. I'm thinking that time around, though, the girls and you might like to come over? And if Freya's still not feeling good enough, then you and they won't have gotten cold and wet and snowy, yes?"
The roustabout king smiles lazily and nods, "Make sense, dat." He motions toward the wagons where Joe and Dom normally sleep, though the two scouts are already up and doing their daily chores. "Wan' take dem to her, us? Or bring her to dem?" As if mentioning them summoned them, Rohana and Rishima seem to come out of nowhere and attach themselves each to their parents' legs, one girl to each parent. Rattler pretends to sway and grunt, "Hol' on dere, 'tites feroces! Doan wanna get café spilt on ya!" He scoops Rohana up once he's set his mug aside and turns to Sura, "True dat 'bout wan' keep dese two dry 'n warm, me." Rohanna is already chattering about last night and how very nice the 'really bright pretty lady' was to all the children.
Suraksha laughs, setting her mug aside too so she can scoop up her youngest, "Ferocious! Goodness, have you two been taking lessons from Fearsome Great-gramma?!" She teases the child with little grrr!ing sounds and nibbly nuzzles that leave Rishi giggling and squirmy. When the little girl wraps her arms tightly about her mother for a hug, though, Sura laughs again, stroking Rishima's hair gently as she smiles at Rattler, "I'll ask her what she prefers, sweet man." To the two girls she adds, "Would you two like to help Daddy Rattler while I go deliver half a cow to the town, mes doux bébés? And if you're good maybe he'll take you to see the Bright Lady again, oui?" Both girls agree that this would be acceptable and Rishima wriggles down so she can take Rattler's hand, beaming up at her mother. Sura gives them all hugs and kisses, feeling a warm surge of pride in her beautiful little immediate family!
Rufus and Rachel bound up accompanied by a gleefully hooting Alg. Rachel has spent a lot of her time in wolf form since her unexpected change to a wolf-hearted. Rufus has always seemed to prefer it, though he's quite a pleasing and cheerful young man in his human form and he's happy to change to that when an extra pair of hands is needed. The two Friendsville wolves are dancing around and play-bowing in the snow as they wait for the trek back to town. Sura laughs and hugs them both too -- then gets Rattler to help her by packing her clothes into the saddlebags she's gotten to carry into town. She strips quickly and shifts even more swiftly -- it's cold this early in the morning! Soon thereafter Rattler and Buddy are carefully and securely fastening on the saddlebags and the canvas full of butchered meat to the back of the big tiger... who is chuffing with amusement as her girls each want to give their tiger Momma a hug and a kiss on the big, broad nose pad!
Once everything is settled on Sura-tiger's back, and Rattler's gathered up both girls to wave bye-bye as their mother heads off, the little cavalcade heads for the town. Due to the quiet, heavy snow last night, Suraksha is breaking trail for her companions. However, Alg, Rachel, and Rufus are still feeling their oats on this briskly chilly morning! They plunge madly through the snow and roll each other over with fake pounces just as much as they bounce gleefully along behind Sura! The big tiger snorts quiet laughter in a plume of condensation from her jaws as she forges steadily along, a lightness in her spirit as well.
Unbeknownst to her, there are a few folk in town who are awake already and watching her approach. In the crystal-clear air the weak sunlight shines down and makes something magical of the snowy scene: ice glitters and sparkles across the soft mounds of snow, and all the hard edges are rounded and beautifully smoothed. The tiger nearly glows orange-gold in the morning light, while flanking her are two equally richly colored, panting wolves: one warm red and the other bright gold. Even scruffy Alg picks up a bit of the day's beauty, as the snow sticking to his coat adds a silvery sheen to the happily hooting goblin.
The townies that see this group coming toward them smile and take a moment to watch with joy and happy laughter. The frolicking wolves and goblin remind them pleasantly of their own childhoods -- each of them over the age of puberty has memories of that selfsame joy in being free of human constraints. The tiger, however, is something else entirely. The titanic beast forging through the snow is amazing with her blaze of flame-and-shadow color against the serene paleness of the snow. The Friendsville folk love bright colors, as Suraksha saw at the festival the first time they were through here, and seeing the magnificent cat with the flashes of gold and red at either side reminds them wonderfully of the previous night's bonfire.
One of the townsfolk breaks away to meet the little group where the snow has been shoveled away from the perimeter of the town on the edge near the caravan. The Friendsville folks still like to keep the rune-carved cairns clear. The person is so bundled up that it's impossible to tell at first if they're male or female -- but then a voice calls out, and Sura recognizes it as the deep rumble of Samson the blacksmith. He's apparently out doing some of the digging out of the stones. The big tiger chuffs a greeting back, her breath steaming, and turns his way -- perhaps he can tell her where to take the meat and the pelts?
Samson smiles and motions toward the town, "Vashti keeps the pelts at the church. She's there now with Freya. As for the meat, I think she'd know better on that. We don't have what you might call a central pantry. Each house has their own stores, but they are shared around when it's needed. No one here goes hungry if someone else has extra." Sura nods, pleased to hear that. She thanks Samson, then turns and bounds lightly along the shoveled areas towards the church. The wolves and the goblin dash excitedly after her, their panting breaths steaming before them.
At the church Sura pauses and lightly slaps her paw against the door in a low, booming knock -- then gently hooks a claw around the door handle to open it so her smaller friends can slip inside before her. She's careful to close the door behind her once she's inside too... and then she turns around and pads up one of the central aisle, glancing around with interest. "Hello-oo?"
The church is not like what most other towns might call a church, except for the fact that there are rows of seats arranged in three rows, creating two aisles instead of one down the middle. The inside is immaculately white-washed and the stone floors are covered in various kinds of rugs. Some of them look years and years old. Some look like they were made just last week. The windows are tall and broad and would let in a lot of light, except that most of them are shuttered against the snow. Instead, the room is lit by candles set high up on the walls in mirrored sconces to keep the light bright and far-reaching. At the front, where many Christian churches have a pulpit, is something that looks like raised rows of semicircular blanket-and-cushion-heaped bleachers with an empty space at the bottom in the middle. There are more cushions there and it's where Vashti and Freya sit. Around them, some of the wolf-hearted are heaped in attitudes of sleepy contentment. Most of the children are here, too. Perhaps this is where they get their lessons now that Malachai's house no longer stands.
Sura chuffs in quiet laughter as her nose and eyes tell her just how many are in the church currently. She rumbles a polite, "Goo'dh mornin'gh, Brigh'dh Lady," then glances around and grins, "Hello, all!" To Vashti she adds cheerfully, "I haf broug'dh the pel'dhs and the mea'dh from las'dh nigh'dh. Samson said I gh'coul'dh fin'dh you here!" To Freya she smiles -- rather odd looking on a tiger's broad muzzle -- and says, "How are you feelin'gh this lofely mornin'gh, Lady?"
Vashti gives one of those very happy but close-mouthed smiles that are so common here. It's a little less odd after a while because the smiles definitely go to their eyes, "Good morning, Suraksha!" She stands up and moves over to the tiger to accept the precious pelts, "Thank you for bringing everything. I think we'll divide the meat up and give it to the families that have little ones. That's who we brought it home for in the first place, yes?" Sura nods, shaking off the saddlebags once Alg has unbuckled them. "If you nee'dh a han'dh with the mea'dh, le'dh me know. I'dh's s'dhill half frozen in the gh'an'fhass there."
Freya watches this exchange with her lovely brows furrowed and asks Vashti, "Can you translate? The English is getting easier, but the teeth..." She makes a motion at her own mouth that makes the children giggle and several of the wolves, Rufus and Rachel included, loll their tongues out happily -- even Sura chuffs laughter at that! The town's alpha says, "She says Samson said she could find me here and then she asked how you are feeling this lovely morning, Lady." Freya's face lights up in a smile, "I am doing very well! I slept in the house of a very sweet young man who is a widower." Vashti puts her hand over her mouth, eyes twinkling, because she can't quite stop herself showing her teeth with the grin at that.
Sura chuckles quietly, then rumbles slowly and as clearly as she can, "Do you fh'eel u'bh for my Dh'a'bhs this mornin'gh, Lady? We gh'an go dh'o them or I gh'an brin'gh them here -- whi'ghefer you wish?"
Freya turns to Vashti again who smiles and says, "I think she asked if you were up to Taps? I'm not certain what she means..." Sura nods, grinning; Freya ahhs and also nods, clapping her hands together, "Yes! I am ready for that! Please! Bring them here into town! I feel I need to stay here so the people can come to me if they need to." At Vashti's curious, puzzled look, the goddess says, "When I offered her assistance, she asked it for the Taps in her caravan. A strengthening. Your man, he was happy with it, then?"
Sura nods cheerfully, "Yah, he iz!" Then she rumbles, "I brin'gh them soon. You bh'ee here?" She's intrigued: it would appear that sex with a human is a fine way for the goddess to regain energy! That's an excellent thing for the Friendsville folks -- they'll be able to keep Freya strong just as much as she'll be able to help them!
Vashti murmurs the translation again and Freya nods, "Yes! I will be here!" The goddess seems very chipper and happy this morning. Perhaps it is being surrounded by children that does it because she's lazily stroking the very blonde hair of a small girl that has fallen asleep beside her. "I look forward to meeting these others."
Sura leaves the meat and pelts with Vashti, but shoulders the saddlebags again before heading out, since they still contain her clothes. She nods politely to the goddess -- but doesn't try any more mangled English at her -- then bounds lightly out of the church with Alg and her two lupine companions. It's almost eerie how silently the giant beast moves, and how peculiarly... alien she momentarily appears in the rather civilized-looking church... and then they're outside again, happily leaping and bouncing through the snow on the return to the caravan. Cheerful howls and hoots and chuffing coughs accompany them, such that the caravaneers are grinning and watching their return. Several of the wolf-hearted bound out after them to play and tussle in the snow. That turns into a wonderful, playful free-for-all for a bit, with snow flying, furry bodies pouncing and burrowing under the snow and bursting excitedly out in sprays of snow and laughter... it actually takes a bit to get back to the caravan simply due to the fun they're all having!
Consequently it's rather a cheerful storm of bodies that shows back up at the caravan. Rattler turns up, of course, and Sura rumbles happily, "She sai'dh yah! Where are Li'l Ch'oe, Suze, and Dh'om? I brin'gh 'em to her now! Gh'irls wanna gh'ome t'hoo?" The girls are already with their Daddy and they're bundled up so much they look like stuffed dolls -- which makes Sura purr happily at them! Rattler turns and whistles sharply, which gets Joe's attention a dozen or so feet away. After that the storm Tap, Dom, and Suze are all together. Suze is demurring a bit, insisting that she's not a Tap, just a healer and midwife. Sura cheerfully insists, "Then i'dh won' do anythin'gh -- bu'dh i'dh can'dh hur'dh dh'oo dh'ry!" She gently chivvies the healer along with them with the casual added comment that Suraksha will need a translator too, since Freya doesn't really understand 'English through a mouthful of teeth' at all well! Suze agrees in her somewhat gruff way. She's got very tender hands, but she is utterly no-nonsense.
Rattler snorts, "Cher, t'ink of changin' back to human, you? I mean, once't we back to de town?" He's put both girls up on top of their tiger-mommy so they don't have to waddle through the heavily drifted snow. Sura grins up at Rattler, murmuring, "Hush! Wan'dh Suze dh'o gh'ome alon'gh!" She airily flicks her tail, knocking a drift of snow over onto Rattler's boots, then gives a rumbling tiger laugh as she bounds easily along, carrying her daughters back towards the church. By now, with a tiger and a pack of wolves having broken trail -- or perhaps more accurately, play-mangled trail! -- it's not too difficult for the adult human Taps to follow.
Suraksha leads the entire little cavalcade back to the church: the gamboling pack of wolves and cackling goblin, the handful of Taps, and the tiger-mounted children! She snickers quietly as she holds the door open for everyone to process in -- it's quite the little parade! Rishima and Rohana, accompanied by Alg and the snow-fluffed wolves, happily scamper down one of the aisles towards the waiting goddess, children and the remaining wolves. Sura pads more sedately in that direction, the Taps walking along with her as she calls, "Hello again! Broug'dh Dh'a'bhs. There a place in ba'gh where I gh'an change clothes?"
The Taps stomp snow off their boots at the door of the church and start unbundling as they walk with Suraksha toward the front of the church. They're all looking around curiously at this odd yet welcoming church. Vashti smiles at Sura's question and motions to a door off to the side, "If you follow that down the hall it comes to a room that is sometimes used for brides that are changing into their finery." Sura nods and chuffs thanks as she silently pads that way... though not without an amused glance over her shoulder!
Freya is standing and smiling. One of the children braided her hair while Sura was going back to the caravan; it's obvious it was a child simply because of the unevenness of the plaiting. Still, the goddess seems quite pleased with it. She holds out her arms and says, "It is so very good to see you all!" Rattler steps forward and scoops the goddess up in an enthusiastic hug that might have seemed blasphemous in someone else. In the flamboyant king, it just comes off happy and thankful. Freya reacts with a laugh and hugs the dark-complected man back as he says, "Lady, the gift you give me more'n I ever coulda asked for." The goddess laughs and kisses the Creole king on the mouth, though it is a friendly kiss rather than an inviting one, "You are welcome! Your people have done much for me. Vashti has been talking to me about you all."
Sura flicks her tail in cheerful greeting before slipping through the doorway for a quick change. She comes back a few heartbeats later, still fastening the belt about her tunic, and with her boots still in the saddlebags that are slung about her now-human shoulders. She grins as she sees her daughters nearly swarming the goddess, excitedly chattering about their morning and how much they enjoyed the night before and riding Maman-tiger in the snow is so much fun and she should try it! Suraksha laughs at that, dropping the saddlebags and boots nearby before she steps onto the multiply carpeted area near the altar and pads over to settle near everyone else. She's swiftly plaiting her dark hair as she does so, and she says, "Thank you so much, Bright Lady, for your very kind offer of help to my caravan family!" She wonders if a blessing of creativity would help everyone in the caravan -- something general prayed over all of them rather than specific touch-based efforts. It'd probably make all the entertainers happy -- creativity is central to what they do, in a way, isn't it? That'd be her guess, at least.
Rattler wanders over and takes Sura's hair out of her hands and starts doing the braid himself. He's been living with three females with long hair for months now -- not to mention that he used to wear his own hair in a braid before it was all shorn off for a disguise -- so he's gotten pretty good at this. Sura actually loves having her sweetheart do her hair for her, though they usually don't have time for hers, what with having two little girls. Consequently Rattler receives a meltingly blissful beaming smile from Suraksha when he takes the time to pamper her a little bit like this!
Freya smiles and moves over to hug Suraksha, who returns the hug warmly as the goddess says, "You are very welcome. You led me back here with my people. It is the least I can do." She turns to the other Taps with her bright, brilliant smile, "And you are the other Taps?" Again, Suze demurs and Freya walks over and lays a finger over Suze's lips, "Shhh. Peace, child. You have abilities you simply did not realize you were using." Sura grins quietly at that -- she'd suspected that was the case! She remains silent, though, her golden eyes bright with excitement. She's quite thrilled to see these four hardworking folks get such a lovely gift and blessing! That's the way she is, really: when asked what she needs while on the road, she thinks of her dearly loved caravan family first.
Freya lays her hand over Suze's heart and leans in to murmur into the woman's ear. She doesn't feel the need to ask if the healer is OK with women's magic. After all, Suze is a woman. This is her birthright in Freya's mind. As the goddess is whispering to her, Suze's eyes widen and she begins to sway. Without saying a thing, Dom steps up immediately to steady his friend. When the goddess steps back from the healing Tap, her white-blue eyes are soft and maternal. Suze's own eyes overflow with tears and she puts her hands over her face as she sobs in relief and joy. Sura too steps quietly up and rests a steadying hand on Suze's shoulder, murmuring soft, calming nothings to the overwhelmed woman... and gently offering a hankie when Suze's hands come down from her face. The smaller woman beams at her old friend, "Is it wonderful, dear?"
Suze takes the hanky and smiles a watery smile at Sura, "It's... amazing, actually. It... I... " She reaches out a hand and lays it on her long-time friend's shoulder, "I feel like I can see everything about your body."
Sura laughs at that, her grin mischievous, "Well, keep it a secret! Hetaerae do best when their weak points aren't outed!" She giggles, hugging Suze tightly as she adds in congratulations, "I knew you had it in you, dear!"
Suze laughs again and shakes her head, "There's not a thing unhealthy about you. There's nothing for me to out." She pats Dom's hand, "I'm not going to fall over anymore, but I think I'd like to sit down." She starts toward the pews only to have Freya guide her toward the padded seats at the front. After that the goddess turns to Dominic and smiles, reaching out to take his face between her hands. She looks at him carefully and says, "This is women's magic. Are you satisfied with women's magic?" Stolid, dependable, earthy Dominic says, "Course I am, ma'am. Women are awfully strong." That makes both Sura and Freya smile, and the goddess leans in to murmur in Dom's ear while pressing a hand to his heart. Unlike Suze, Dom doesn't sway. In fact, he seems to stand even more securely in his place as his dear, serious eyes open wide in awe. Sura watches with warm affection, one hand covering her mouth -- she so loves seeing this happen to those who are dear to her!
Freya steps back and smiles to him, "You would have gotten along well with Fjorgyn. You love the earth just as much as she did." Dom is still looking a little poleaxed and the Bright Lady laughs, turning to Rattler, "I think he may need some help finding a seat." Rattler laughs and leads his friend over to the padded benches where the others are. Dom is speaking quietly to the water Tap, looking stunned.
Joe steps forward and says, "I'm fine with women's magic, Lady." He smiles brightly, "I'd take it as an honor to be allowed women's magic." This seems to endear him immediately to Freya. She hugs him tightly and kisses him squarely on the mouth, "You are a good and wise man!" Sura nods silently, very moved as she watches. Freya leans in to whisper with him and Joe shivers, the small hairs on his body standing up all over his body. Even the hair atop his head lifts slightly. After a moment, he breathes out a shaky smile and the goddess steps back, holding both of Joe's hands. "The Thunderer was silly about women's things. It is good to know that his children are not."
Sura laughs quietly at that, moving forward to give Little Joe -- her oldest and most long-standing friend in the caravan! -- a warmly delighted hug once Freya has released him. "Oh, Joe -- all of you! I'm so happy you all got to receive this blessing -- and thank you so much, Freya, for giving them this!"
Freya smiles and turns to Suraksha, "Are these the only that could use blessings?"
Suraksha thinks about that for a moment before she replies a bit hesitantly, "I... would not wish to wear you out, Bright Lady... but if you wished, I don't doubt all the entertainers in the caravan would be thrilled by a... like a general blessing over all of them? If that sort of thing is even possible?"
Freya laughs warmly again and says, "I will need rest between, but Vashti tells me you are wintering here? There is no rush?"
Sura looks relieved, "It is not too greedy of me to ask this for my people, then? If that's the case then you are correct, Lady: we will be here for likely about another month." She beams as she adds, "And thank you again, Freya, from the bottom of my heart for this kindness!" She almost hopes Freya doesn't ask if she-Suraksha wants anything... because honestly Sura has just about everything she most loves all together in her life right now! She would not ask Roy to give up his beloved city to continue traveling with her, after all -- no more than he'd ask her to give up the caravan to be his queen! Plus she doubts Freya can free Bringer from his geographically fixed home territory... and even if that was possible, again, Sura would not ask that of the manitou, for fear it would break his heart.
About the only thing she can think of is if Freya knows any other powerful entities such as Herself who would enjoy and appreciate the worship of a priestess and Hetaera... well, and Suraksha would gladly ask the Lady to extend Her patronship to all the area about Friendsville so as to help keep the tiny little town safe and amongst friends. Though... ok, so that's not for she herself either. Still... since the Boston issues were dealt with, life has been very sweet for the Naga. Suraksha smiles as she adds, "Also, please feel free to let us know if there's anything we can do to help, again."
Freya smiles and holds her hands out to take Sura's hands in her own, "I will be happy to offer blessings. I may need my own sacrifices, but the kind I ask are usually easy for people to give." Her eyes twinkle, "Such as the young man who extended his hospitality to me last night."
Suraksha laughs softly as she accepts Freya's hands, "I suspected as much! That's fine, then. I suspect you can tell just fine which of my people would not mind aiding you in that, after all." She's also quite sure that Freya wouldn't do anything so crass as ask a happily mated or married pair to lend only one of them to the sacrifice... which is why she's not worried at her statement. Instead she adds, "In that case I have a few errands and messages from my caravan for the townsfolk. If you will excuse me, please?" She isn't worried at all about leaving her children here -- the town is as careful of its children as is the caravan, after all. Plus the adults will come or go as they please anyway. So she gives first Freya, then all her dear Tap friends & lover a warm hug before she heads back to work.
Rattler smiles and hugs Freya again and says, "Goan go wid... I'm going to go with her, Lady." He raises her hands and kisses the knuckles. Freya laughs warmly, "Be safe." Sura stands up from pulling on her soft boots, and her face lights up with happiness at Rattler's declaration! She slings the saddlebags over her shoulder, takes Rattler's hand as she beams joyously up at him, and almost skips out of the church with him at her side! She's delighted to have every opportunity to spend time with him right now, after all -- she knows it will be very hard for her to leave Baton Rouge this time, when he'll be staying there.
Roy takes the saddlebags from Sura if she'll let him. He knows she's perfectly capable of taking care of herself, but he likes doing little old-fashioned, gentlemanly things for her. It makes him feel pleasantly protective -- and it makes her nearly dimple at him for being so sweet! He clears his throat, then murmurs to her as they stroll along, "T'ink Suze goan have shaky coupla days, me. Not bad-shaky, jes' keep geddin' overwhelmed, ouais?"
Sura nods thoughtfully at that, "All right, I'll quietly let folks know to keep an eye on her. Thanks for the heads-up, sweetheart." She doesn't actually have a lot of errands and messages, but she figured while she was here she might as well be useful for the caravan and check in on the handful of jobs contracted out to the Friendsville folks -- especially Samson, who is crafting some new collapsible poles for the Sokoloffs' aerial act. Those are coming along nicely; thus it doesn't take the couple more than an hour or so before they're done. They turn their leisurely stroll back towards the church, chatting desultorilly together and enjoying the chilly but beautiful day... in the manner of old, happily married couples across time.
As they are walking Sura feels... something... pulling at her. Something stirring. Something wakening. It's at the back of her mind. She glances over at Rattler with a smile, assuming it's him, "Mmm?"
Rattler looks puzzled, "Doan say nuttin', me. Jes' look at de snow. I mean, seen it b'fo', but doan get snow down in Baton Rouge, us. Wha's up?"
Suraksha looks a bit puzzled as well, but simply nods to him... then takes a moment to try to 'feel out' the tugging in her mind. As she does so she murmurs to her lover, "Getting the oddest... tugging feeling in my head? Like... like someone's trying to talk to me. Moment, please?" Rattler nods. He knows the 'tug.' He feels it from water sometimes. Cautiously Sura murmurs internally, 'Hello? Who're you?' Could this be some newly-manifesting ability of Bringer's? She's pretty sure it's not from her matriline, after all. The sensation she gets is of something immense. Either the creature is large or what they represent is. Hmm... that could be Bringer...? She waits for a clearer communication, projecting calm inquiry as best she can.
The sense of tugging comes from almost due north of where they are, which puzzles Sura again -- that can't be Bringer! But if not he... then who is this reaching out to her? The sense is of deep silence and of long, long pain. There's not a lot of real thought in it. It's either a sleeping mind or one that does not have speech. Images: the sun, a sword, a one-eyed face. They are all wrapped up in the pain. Despite the images of the sun, there's a sense of darkness.
Sura abruptly feels a surge of pity for this entity, though she doesn't recognize any of the images. Darkness is a comfortable place for the chthonic, such as snakes... but it's not usually coupled with pain for them. The Naga tries to keep the details of the imagery clear in her head so she can try describing them to Freya -- perhaps this is another of her people? Sura knows there are several of them, after all. Wasn't one of them a Trickster? From the stories Sura's heard, Tricksters are often hurt by their own pranks... could this be that one?
As she walks Sura looks up at Rattler and smiles, "Well, don't know who or what the tugger is, but I got a few images. I think I'll share them with Freya when we get back there." She goes silent for a moment as she walks next to him... then curiously asks, "Do you know of any one-eyed faces that are iconic, sweet man?"
Rattler thinks on that... he's starting to speak -- when the tug comes with bowling-her-over intense imagery: WOLFLONELYPACKDARK. Her hand tightens on Rattler's and she says without thinking, "I'm sorry! Where's your pack?!" Then she blinks, shaking her head and saying bemusedly, "Whoa. Okay, that... was intense!" Roy moves to brace Suraksha, face showing concern, "Pack, cher?"
She nods slowly, "Yes... it's a Wolf, I think -- a really big one either physically or conceptually -- you know, like Bringer is conceptually huge? But... it's alone." There's pity and worry in her voice, "It's all alone... and in pain." Rattler's face shows worry and he keeps holding onto her, "Never feel dis before, you?" She shakes her head, still a little shocked by the immensity of emotion. He stops walking and turns Suraksha to face him, hands on the sides of her face, "Mebbe somet'in' t' do widda ritual?"
Sura shakes her head again, "I... don't know, sweetheart? But... maybe Freya would know?" Bemusedly she adds, "Did she say if any of those other gods were wolves too?"
Rattler thinks on that and starts to turn Suraksha back toward the church. He seems a little concerned that she might be a little wobbly. Or maybe it's just that he's protective. In either case, he shakes his head, "Naw, but mention sumpin' 'bout dose pelts we use, her."
Sura doesn't mind Rattler's care of her -- she's actually a little leery of tripping or something if another mind-yell like that last one hits her at an inopportune time! She nods thoughtfully, "All right, let's go check with her. Maybe the spirit of one of those wolves is trying to talk to me or something? Though..." she considers that, then shivers slightly, "that'd be... a little creepy. Never heard of wolf ghosts before." She leans slightly into Rattler as she walks, enjoying his solid, sturdy, dependable presence as she adds, "Whoever or whatever it is... it feels like they're due north of here -- so that means I'm sure it's not Bringer."
Rattler puts his arm around his beloved and nuzzles the top of her hair with a murmur, "Naw. Ain't a wolf, him. Say he a bird, ouais?" He steers them toward the church and looks around as he opens the door. Freya is there still, but it's Abishai instead of Vashti with her. The goddess stands up, concern in every line of her body, "Something is wrong?"
Sura murmurs absently, "An owl, yes," then calls to Freya, "Not wrong, Lady, so much as... I think -- I'm not sure, but I think one of your fellow, um, deities is trying to talk to me in my head?" Her small smile is distracted -- this is rather like having someone shout unexpectedly next to her ear -- but she asks politely enough, "So which of them are wolves, please? Apparently there is a very lonely one that is in the dark almost directly due north, who remembers a sword, the sun, and a bearded man with only one eye?" She heads up the aisle with Rattler, and sinks down with relief into the cushions by the altar. Both little girls cuddle up worriedly next to her, and she hugs them and murmurs quiet reassurance to them both... then smiles in relief up at Rattler. "Sit with us, sweet man?"
Roy not only sits with them but sits behind Sura with his legs around her and guides her to lean back against his chest -- which causes her to sigh contentedly and relax back against him. The girls get smiles and head-touslings from their Papa Rattler. Freya sits and listens. Her pale brows draw together as Sura explains what she felt/saw. The goddess' voice is musing as she says, "The one-eyed man is Odinn, the AllFather. He had wolves, Freki and Geri. Their names meant The Hungry Ones." She motions to Abishai and then to Sura and Rattler, "These are their descendents. The pelts you wore were theirs. The teeth on the jewelry is theirs. But... the sword." She shifts uncomfortably, "That would be the Fenrir... but he has been chained to try to prevent Ragnarok. He will eat the sun and plunge us all into the dark."
Sura says slowly, "What did he do that was so horrible, then? He's been alone and in pain in the dark for a very long time now, from the feel of it?" She glances curiously at Abishai, "Have any of your people who wore the pelts heard this... Fen-rear in their heads as well?"
Abishai shakes his head slowly, "I don't believe so, but I have not asked. Not many have worn the new pelts. We haven't had many children come of age since last you were here." He turns to Freya to let her answer the other questions. She's chewing on her bottom lip, "It is not what he has done but what he will do, you see? He will destroy the world, or so the prophecy says. He is the child of Loki... Fire and Mischief. Loki's children were all monsters."
Suraksha gives Freya a long, confused look. Finally she says, "Didn't we already have the world destroy itself? Wasn't that the Great Dying Off? But I do not think your Fenrear was unchained then, was he? And saying he was a monster... why is this wolf a monster, but the wolves called the Hungry Ones weren't?" She waves a hand around the church, "You don't call these wolves monsters, do you? Yet there are places that would. So... who's to say the Fenrear wolf is really a monster? For that matter... who said the prophecy? Was it an enemy of Loki and his children, or a friend? I'd trust the words of a friend before those of an enemy, after all. Wouldn't you?" She falls silent then, her arms about her children (who are of the Naga line -- and does that make them monsters to this woman goddess?) and leaning back against her beloved Chosen... who is also a Tap -- and there are those who think that monstrous too. Rohana squirms a little as her anxious mother's arms tighten a bit.
Freya looks thoughtful and glances around; she has not been here on earth. "Part of what I have been doing is learning what has happened since last I was in Midgard. Most of the world has died, I understand -- most of the simple mortals, at least. And it is Fenrir. He is the size of a horse." She says the word carefully, the inflection and the sounds just a little different than how Suraksha has been saying it. "These ones are not monsters, no." She shivers a little, "Loki's children were frightening and angry. Fenrir was chained to help protect the world... but if Ragnarok happened and he did not eat the sun..."
Suraksha nods, saying the word carefully so she gets it right: "Fen... rir. Fenrir. I have it now, I think." She pauses, listening to the rest of what Freya says... then says quietly, "Was Odinn frightening when angry? Was Loki? Did the Trickster not care for his children? I can see how they might become angry if they were effectively abandoned by their parents... and I'm very curious as to who said the prophecy too. Was it... Odinn? Did he have something against the Trickster's children? It would not be the first time I have heard of terrifying creatures who were terrifying in self-defense, if so." She waves a hand around the church, adding, "Friendsville chose to hide. But what if they had not been able to do so? Abishai, you would fight to defend your home and your pack, would you not?" At his silent nod she nods gravely in return, "So would I. I do not doubt -- I know! -- the first time Friendsville saw me shift shape there were those who were terrified and thought me a monster." Abishai has the good grace to sheepishly duck his head in a smiling nod. Suraksha smiles back at him... then turns to Freya and says with quiet intensity, "Were they truly evil, Freya? Or was everyone expecting them to be?" She sighs, adding, "And even if they were, which I am beginning to doubt... how long must they suffer for their actions committed hundreds -- if not more -- years ago?"
Freya listens to this and looks distressed and worried, "No. It was not Odinn that spoke the prophecy, but the Norns. They are the speakers of fate. And I did not say they were evil. Dangerous is not the same as evil. Loki's other two children, Jormungandr and Hel were sent to other realms. Jormungandr is under the sea. He encircles Midgard... he was supposed to..." She falters and breathes out with wide eyes, "Poison the sky. He was meant to kill Midgard." The goddess lays a hand over her heart, "Ragnarok has happened..." She shakes her head and takes a deep breath, "The other, Hel, rules part of the underworld. Those that die of old age or of disease go to her." The goddess stands up suddenly and looks around, "You said you felt him? Where did you find him? He should not be in Midgard."
Suraksha tilts her head thoughtfully at Freya, "The sensation seemed to be coming from due north, Lady. However... if you say Ragnarok has already happened then perhaps it is time to finally release the poor thing and let him... well, heal?"
Freya looks fretful and nods. Her face turns north and she closes her eyes, lifting her chin as if trying to sense what Suraksha has been sensing. Delicate hands are wrung as she tries to pick it up. "I... cannot feel him. But that does not mean he isn't there." She turns to Abishai, "Can you feel him?"
The Friendsville beta, tips his head and closes his eyes, breathing slowly. His brows draw together, "I feel... like there's something missing."
Suraksha says quietly, "Perhaps what is missing is our understanding that worlds end... but they always continue after that. If your Ragnarok is like the worlds ending which are told of by my people, then there has been more than one... and there will be more in the future. Worlds ending are simply part of the natural cycle of life: things are born, they live and thrive and breed, and eventually they die. But their offspring continue. Just so did the world before the Great Dying Off come to an end -- and if even half of what I have heard about it is true, it was a world that needed to finally die. Its death rattle is supposed to have taken centuries and slain numberless entities." She smiles faintly as she adds, "And like always: many died, but others lived... and here we are today. Is that such a terrible burden to bear, Freya?"
Freya nods and says, "The ghost of the wise woman Völuspa told Odinn this same thing about the cycles of the world." She smiles a little tiredly, as if something has taken a great deal of energy from her, "But I believe that he wanted it to not be true. He was arrogant... may still be arrogant." She brightens a moment, "But if the world has ended, perhaps Baldur can be brought back?"
Suraksha shakes her head, "I don't know the names of your people; I apologize. Is he or she important to you?"
Freya smiles, "I am sorry. I am simply used to everyone knowing of the sweetness and beauty of Baldur. He was killed by a nasty trick of Loki's, but he is supposed to be reborn in the new world."
"Perhaps he will turn up now that you are present, Lady." Suraksha studies Freya silently for several seconds... then she says softly, "You... are like the manitou, aren't you. Extraordinarily powerful within your field of... of expertise, of conceptualization, but past that... you are simply powerful and possibly immortal entities. Am I right?"
Freya's smile is still tired, "I think you are right in that. I am just who I am... and we are not completely immortal. We age -- just very, very slowly -- unless we partake of Iđunn's apples. It would be a real blessing if we were to have Baldur again. I am not so certain that we need Odinn and Loki again." She makes a face. The more Suraksha talks to her, the more she gets the idea that Freya may be wise, but may not be overly intelligent.
Sura looks surprised, "Apples? Not the worship of your followers? How interesting! Hmm." She thinks for a bit more, then smiles, "Well, how should we recognize Baldur, should we see him? Or can he too be called somehow?"
Freya leans back into some cushions and that seems to remind Roy that he's holding Sura, making him nuzzle her hair with a happy sigh for a moment. The goddess says, "Baldur is... beautiful. More beautiful than any man. Even more beautiful than your pretty. He is the god of the sun and of joy."
Sura blinks, "My... pretty?" then grins, leaning her head back to look up at her beloved Rattler. Her voice is teasing, "Are you my pretty, sweet man?" Rattler himself blinks and then laughs, saying, "Well, am damn beautiful, me." His dark eyes twinkle as he says this. Sura nods gravely, though her eyes too are dancing as she murmurs, "True. Plus you certainly couldn't be my humble one!" She giggles, trailing teasing fingers along his arms!
Freya laughs as well, "Yes. Him. Your pretty man. I am not used to ones so dark, so he is intriguing to me." The goddess thinks again and says, "Death is also in my domain, but I do not have the ability to go to Hel's realm to see if Baldur has yet come to her table."
Sura turns her attention back to Freya, still smiling, "I'm afraid I have no desire to go there myself, Freya, but I am happy to keep an eye out for a remarkably beautiful and golden man during our travels. If he turns up, shall I send him this way?"
Freya's eyes smile and she settles a little more into the cushions, "You will not see him until Summer if he is back. He is the summer sun." She shifts and reaches out, laying a hand gently on the head of one of the children playing nearby, "But for Fenrir, you will need someone powerful and fearless to free him. Wolves will bite even the hand that frees them if they are in pain."
Sura nods relaxedly, "I figured as much. Tigers are the same." She cannot leave the caravan for this -- they need her as much as she needs them -- but she fully intends, when she's up this way again a few years from now, to see if she can track down this poor, lonely entity. If she can... she intends to do her best to free him, Freya or no.
Freya smiles softly, "If Ragnarok has happened and Odinn is no longer in the world, there is no reason for the poor thing to be chained anymore. It may be hard to break the fetter, but I do not doubt your people will find a way." Sura just smiles; she isn't going to share plans she doesn't yet have, after all. The goddess yawns and looks drowsy, "I believe I shall need some rest, but find me tomorrow and we will speak more of the blessings for your people." She begins to stand and waves Abishai off when he moves to escort her, "I am going to be resting in Vashti's house. I know the way."
Once the goddess is gone, Abishai turns to Suraksha and gives one of those close-lipped smiles, "She is... odd, but wonderful in a way. She tells me that there will be at least a half-dozen new children in nine or ten months just from last night." He laughs joyfully, "It will be a lot of little ones all at once, but none of us will naysay it."
Sura raises an eyebrow, "Gracious! Plus you have the coming children of the traveling girls you sent with us. You're all going to be quite busy!" She grins relaxedly, adding, "Blessings on you and your people, Abishai. It looks like Freya will be good for your town. I'm glad we could bring her over for you all." She too yawns and smiles, "I think it's time for us to head back to the caravan, though. It's Rishima's nap time soon, after all." Left unsaid is her desire to check on Suze as well -- she hopes the sturdily pragmatic healer is handling her new Tap-awareness well! The children are gathered up, as are the Taps, and the little group ambles relaxedly back towards their home. Now that the sun has been up for a few hours the snow isn't quite so... aggressive a boundary!
Suze is at the caravan, sitting at the fire with a mug of warm chamomile tea. Sabrina is with her and chatting. Every once in a while the healer will try to stand -- even though she looks unsteady -- and Sabrina will firmly sit her back down. Suze's eyes light up when she sees Suraksha and she gets to her feet again. Even Sabrina's urging won't make her sit back down, "It works! It really works! You know the broken wrist that little Vanya has been nursing? I healed it! I actually healed it!" She looks utterly intoxicated.
Suraksha laughs delightedly as she gives her old friend a tight hug, "Of course you did, sweetie! I knew you had it in you. Why do you think I got you the healing quartz last year? You're more amazing than you realize!"
Suze hugs Suraksha and smiles again, "I will go and thank the Lady myself later. Sabrina says I'm not to leave the caravan for a day or so." She laughs and says, "Dom has been playing a bit, too."
Sura pats Suze's shoulder and smiles, "Take your time, dear. We're in no rush, and neither is Freya." At Suze's last comment Sura looks intrigued, "Oh? What's he done?"
It's Sabrina that answers, "He's been building up and tearing down earthworks. Walls and ditches. He says he knows that we don't often need to fortify the caravan, but it's nice to know he can. He also formed a little den for Rufus and Rachel to curl up in." The former debutante laughs warmly, "It's really rather adorable."
Sura too giggles at that, then grins, "That's wonderful news! Hmm..." she glances around, checking to see if she's needed before she adds, "Maybe I'll go see how he and Little Joe are doing...!"
Rattler is starting to herd the girls off for naptime. Rishima bounces and reaches for her Momma, wanting hugs and kisses before laying down to sleep -- which Sura is happy to give her! Usually Sura rests with her, but Roy has assured the girl that Daddy is just as good a snuggler as Momma... and Momma laughingly concurs. No one seems to need her immediately other than that, so Suraksha heads off in the direction Sabrina points her to find Dominic... and maybe Little Joe too? She's actually a bit concerned about him -- his ability is to a rather... flighty element, after all.
Little Joe is with Dominic and both of them are sitting atop what looks like a stone bench of some sort. It's put together with barely a hair's breadth between each individual rock and looks as if it's plenty sturdy enough to hold both men. The earth around the two of them seems undisturbed. Perhaps a little too undisturbed to be natural. Sura smiles as she sees that, waving and calling, "Hello, boys! May I join you or is this a private party?"
Dominic hops up and brushes off the bench as if there were something on it, "No'm! C'mon and sit with us. I just been... uhm..." He reddens. The earth Tap is a very serious man, "Well, playin'." That makes Joe laugh, "He's like a kid in a mudhole."
Sura almost dimples at Dominic, she's so amused! She thinks he's adorable. As she settles onto the bench between the two men she murmurs, "Playing is an excellent way to figure out one's capabilities, don't you agree?" She grins and gently nudges Joe as she cheerfully adds, "So why aren't you playing too, sweetie?"
Joe smiles and gives Suraksha a one-armed hug, "Have been. But mine's a little diff'rent, y'know? I've been reachin' out. I can feel storms miles and miles away now. Figure we're probably gonna have more snow in about a day and a half."
Sura leans companionably against her oldest caravan friend, "That's amazing, sweetie!" She teases gently, "So have you tried pulling or pushing at all? Cautiously, of course?"
The question makes Joe smile wryly, "I was afraid to pull. I didn't want to bring the snow down on us faster. I pushed a little and it felt like it moved away from us a little, but it took a lot out of me. Like pushing against a brick wall." He just shakes his head, "That I could do it at all is damned amazing."
Sura smiles and hugs Joe, "That is amazing, dear, but don't wear yourself out, all right? Maybe next time there's a rainstorm you can try redirecting lightning or something -- I don't know much about storms but that hopefully doesn't sound like it would require shifting entire air systems to work, you know?" She grins at Dominic as she adds, "Don't wear yourself out either, dear!"
Dominic grins at her, "I'm not a bit tired! I feel like I'm the most energetic I've ever been!" The two Taps hug Suraksha and thank her for thinking of this blessing from the goddess.
The next couple of days go fairly normally with people doing winter repairs and taking the downtime to get around to all the little things that go by the wayside when the caravan is on the road. Patching of clothes gets done. When it's found out that one of the folks in town is a cobbler, several people take their shoes and boots to be repaired or resoled. Likewise, when Nebuchadnezzar -- who insisted he preferred being called Neb -- turned out to be a tinker, Buddy took a pile of pots, pans, and utensils to be repaired.
In return, the caravan helped with winter chores around the town, bringing in more firewood and helping to chop it. Suze worked with anyone that was ill or who got injured. Dominic found work in helping with brick-making and Rattler helped with curing wood for the rebuilding in the spring. Little Joe's talent came in handy several times. It was a rough winter and having the 36 hour warning meant the little town was able to batten down well ahead of time.
Reciprocally, the Sokoloffs taught several of the townies tumbling tricks that would be useful in going out in the world and Del started helping with hints on training horses to be around predatory types without spooking. The Sileni also gave the townies some hints on what to look for and what to avoid in buying horses and an idea of what a fair trade would be. The townsfolk also got lessons in "outside" manners, sometimes from the girls that had been traveling with the caravan. Chanticleer and Sna'thaid worked with the locals on self-defense, since the human-hearted weren't very martial at all, and most of the wolf-hearted knew fighting in lupine but not bipedal form.
Suraksha is asked, a bit shyly, by Vashti to help with some of the lessons a Hetaera would learn for the females of the town. It's not just the sexual things they want to learn. They're asking for -- for lack of a better word -- charm lessons. After all, if they're going to be breeding out they'll need to know what outside men find appealing. Likewise, the men ask for advice on what women find appealing. Some of the men of the caravan are tapped to assist the naga with that. Rattler is presented as an example of the playful rogue, Chanticleer as a courtly suitor, and Dominic as a polite and gentlemanly swain.
Two or three days after the conversation about Fenrir, Freya comes to the caravan with two of the town girls. One of the girls carries some of the winter-stored apples and the other carries little posies of dried flowers. The goddess has been spending her time with the townies and has quite shamelessly and frankly taken several of the unattached males to her bed. It was surprising to her that monogamy was widely practiced except in cases of infertility, but she had not pushed herself on men that were attached. She had also flirted with several of the caravaneers when they came into town. Friendsville had set her up in a small cottage that was empty due to it having belonged to one of the elders that had passed just the month before; she seemed thrilled to have a space of her own. The goddess seeks out Suraksha as the leader of Corbett's and asks, "Is now a good time for the blessings on the creative ones?"
Suraksha straightens from where she'd been examining the side of a wagon with Ohkwa, pushing back her untidy hair and glancing around thoughtfully. Everything looks pretty calm to her... so she grins as she looks back at Freya, "I think it'd be lovely, dear! I've already talked to folks about this possibility, and everyone was interested... so let's do it! What do you need us to do, please?"
Freya's bright smile widens and she motions toward the center area of the caravan that serves as a general gathering place. Many of the caravaneers use that space to sit and do their daily tasks so they can chat together. "If you could have them gather there, we can start."
Sura nods and cups her hands to her mouth, calling out, "General meeting, all!" She heads that way herself as well, strolling relaxedly with Ohkwa, Freya, and the two little girls. "Is it all right if the Taps are present too?"
"Of course it is! All of your people are welcome, not just the ones that wish a blessing," Freya assures Sura before she looks around for somewhere to sit. The eldest Sokoloff boy -- Alexander -- who was mending one of the nets used for highwire and trapeze work, vacates his comfortable camp chair for the goddess. Freya smiles at him and kisses his cheek, making the young man blush despite the fact that he's quite grown and a widower to boot. Suraksha covers her smile, wondering how long it will be before Alexander too is one of Freya's lovers. She thinks that would be good for the young man -- since the accidental death of his wife after the birth of his little boy Aloysha, he's been rather subdued. Maybe now his previous exuberance will re-express itself and he'll become the teasing, dashing flirt he once was.
The caravaneers gather around, trickling in from different parts of the camp. It happens to be one of the days when no one is off in town or doing any sort of gathering in the woods. Sura too settles onto one of the sawn-off stumps that are scattered around the large fire ring, smiling as Rishima crawls into her lap and Rattler settles down next to her. Rohana also darts in with several of her young friends -- Loshya among them -- and they gather interestedly around Freya like flowers to the sun.
Freya smiles down at all the children and each and every one seems to get some caress or gentle touch. After everyone has settled, Freya raises her head and looks around the circle, "There are so many of you!" This is said with happiness and a cheerful little clap of her hands together. "I offered blessings to your leader and she asked for a blessing of creativity for those that wish it. I can also offer a blessing of fertility to any who wish it, though I understand that you do not have the same issues as my people." Already she seems to have adopted the town -- which Suraksha finds internally quite reassuring! She'd been worried that there would soon be birth defects appearing due to the town's extensive in-breeding... and she knows how tragic those can be for all involved.
The caravaneers all smile and nod or wave or whatever their inclination is. No one currently steps forward for a fertility blessing, though everyone present seems to think a blessing of creativity would be a good idea. They wait with calm cheer for her to direct them in what to do... though a few have secretly tucked some of their own luck charms into their pockets. Never hurts to refresh a charm, they believe! Freya smiles and nods, "I can also offer, if any of you are with child, a blessing of health on the mother and the babe." She spreads her delicate-yet-strong hands, "For any of these blessings, all you need do is ask," one hand rests on the basket of apples, the other on the dried flowers, "and take one of these tokens to carry with you for a cycle of the moon. That gives it time to take root."
Suraksha smiles quietly at that -- she's guessing no one is knowingly with child right now. Winter is a really bad time to be struggling with pregnancies, usually. The caravan had been quite generous in their helping Friendsville by taking on ten girls who were going to try their best to get pregnant! But Sura knew Friendsville was pretty desperate for new blood by that point... and she didn't have the heart to deny them. Frankly, at that point she'd still been struggling with deep-seated frustration and anger at both Malachai and Meshek -- and feeling guilty about Malachai's death.
No one comes forward as being with child, which isn't a surprise -- people don't keep that sort of thing secret on the road. Several people come forward for the other blessings, however. Sabrina is the first and she actually offers something in return for the apple she takes: a small hand-woven choker necklace. She learned bead-weaving from the Amazon shield sisters and sometimes sells her wares. Freya seems delighted with the gift, especially that the colors are yellows and oranges. The goddess touches her own throat and says, "I do not have my torc. This will be lovely."
One by one, other artisans and creatives come forward to accept the blessing of the bright Lady. Sometimes they have something to give her, but she doesn't seem upset when someone doesn't have a gift for her. The first one that doesn't stutters an apology and Freya puts her finger over the boy's lips, "Shh. You are not buying this. A blessing freely given is more powerful than one deliberately bartered for. Any gift freely given is as sweet as honey -- for a true gift carries with it some of the love of the giver."
Sura smiles quietly as she watches; she's very pleased her people are receiving such good blessings! When Rohana comes over to take Rishima's hand so they can both go get their blessings too, Sura chuckles and gently urges the girls to both go. As they patter off together to join the other children, Sura leans to murmur with a smile to Rattler, "Going to get a blessing too, sweet man? Can't hurt to be creative in, mmm... regaining one's property without upset or damage?" She doesn't want to say more than that aloud, since she doesn't know how good Freya's hearing is... or if there are any wolf-hearted around.
Rattler smiles at his beloved and murmurs, "Doan t'ink it goan be a problem, me. Pierce an' de boys take good care o' my city, dem. 'Specially once de news get on down dat way dat Crowninshield ain't no mo'." Along the way, Rattler has been quietly picking up correspondence from home in towns along the caravan's normal route. The city has been secure and Pierce has stayed on the throne. Still, the king kisses Suraksha on the nose and stands to go to the goddess. He goes to one knee in front of her and speaks quietly with her. Freya murmurs back and hands him one of the little posies of dried flowers. When he returns, he smiles, "Bedder safe den sorry, ouais? Goan ask one fo' yo'self, you?"
Suraksha beams, very pleased to see how careful and thorough her sweetheart is being with his beloved Queen City! At his question she shakes her head, then gets a puzzled look, "I'd not planned to... but now I'm trying to figure out why." She's silent for a moment, thinking hard... and then she slowly nods, "Ah... that's it. Bringing Freya over was a truly momentous, life- and world-changing event -- for both Friendsville and for her. To ask for a little blessing, especially one I don't really need, seems... almost to cheapen the originating event, if that makes sense? Something that stupendous can't be paid for... and it surely is something I don't feel I can ask for. That would be mean-spirited, I think -- as if the gift weren't really and truly offered from the heart." She considers that for a few seconds more, then nods once in satisfaction that her odd reluctance is explained... then she smiles a bit ruefully at Rattler, "Though... I don't know if that will make sense to anyone else?"
The former river rat smiles and kisses Suraksha on the forehead, "Cher, a gift freely given is de mos' powerful kin'. It speak of a strong an' givin' spirit. Dat make sense to me." That makes Sura close her eyes and smile, relaxing into her sweetheart's arms. [Figures he'd get it... lovely man that he is], she thinks with slightly dreamy pleasure.
Freya lays her hands on each of the children and they all get the dried flowers, which makes Rattler chuckle and murmur, "Bet do it dat way, her, so doan eat de apples, dem." Sura laughs softly, nodding in agreement. By this point she's feeling very nice indeed -- she's with her beloved, her immediate and extended families are both doing very well, and it looks like she's going to leave Friendsville thriving -- instead of grieving, like they were the last time she left here. Plus the threat to her Chosen's beloved city has been... dealt with, they're all safe and warm for the winter... yes, she decides with languid pleasure, life is very good!
Once everyone that seems to want a blessing has come to the goddess, Freya stands and walks over to Suraksha. She smiles down at the naga and her sweetheart, "You have a good heart. That is a blessing in itself. You will lead your people well, I think."
Sura smiles with lazy relaxation up at Freya, "Thank you, dear -- that's very kind of you to say." She waves a hand towards the happy people clustered around the bonfire, chatting together and comparing their little blessing items, "Thank you also for your generosity in blessing them, Lady. We all appreciate it."
Freya smiles, strange blue eyes gleaming, "I can tell. They are all very sweet." Upon closer inspection her eyes are actually glowing.
Sura studies the sort-of goddess/manitou thoughtfully, then smiles again, "I take it blessings which are joyfully received are good for you too? It would appear your eyes are glowing." She can't imagine Freya would waste energy trying to impress her, after all.
Freya smiles and touches her cheek, "Yes. When someone takes a blessing with real thanks, it is... it is good for both of us." She makes a motion that indicates a circle going between two people. The goddess doesn't know the term 'feedback loop.'
Suraksha nods, "Actually, I think I completely understand that. I have a similarly wonderful reaction as Hetaera with a good client -- we both win, so to speak." She smiles, adding, "I'm glad it's working so well for you here, Freya. Friendsville will thrive with you, I believe."
The goddess laughs happily, "And I will thrive here. These people never converted to the Kristos. They have names from that book, but they have never been his followers. The names are good. They have meaning. It is good to have a name that means something. It can shape you." She turns to Rattler and says, "Though yours seems odd for someone that is so friendly and obviously gentle with his family." Turning back to Sura, she says, "I do not know the meaning of yours."
Sura chuckles relaxedly, "His name is an alias for the road. Many of my caravan family use them." She's silent for a moment, then adds with quiet pride, "Suraksha is my caravan name. It means 'Protection.'" Rattler grins his roguish grin and says, keeping his accent clear for the goddess again, "I used to have a lot more bite, but I'll always warn you off before I use it."
Freya seems quite pleased with that and actually claps her hands, "It means what you are! A tiger and a wolf and a priestess. It is a good thing." Freya looks at the two townie girls that came with her, "We are going back to town. Today is Wednesday. Two days from now is my day. We are having a feast! Your people are invited. I would be very pleased if you could come. Vashti tells me we will be using the church so it is not a true hall, but it will hold everyone."
Sura grins lazily, "Well, we're not actually wolves -- the pelts were borrowed. But certainly: we'd love to come celebrate your day! We'll bring some good things to eat too."
Freya claps again. She is not a bit shy about expressing delight in things. "Good! We will see you then!" The two townie girls join her and they start to move off toward town. Rattler watches and murmurs, "T'ink dat woman love ever't'in', me. Abishai tell me also a goddess of war, her."
Sura raises an intrigued eyebrow, "Really? Unusual combination... unless perhaps she's more the goddess of defensive war? That'd explain her delight with my name." She glances over at the various caravaneers and smiles, "Hope her blessings do well by folks."
Rattler says, "Doanno... sometime life and deat', dey mix all up togedder. Some'a de lwa like dat." He keeps his arms around Sura and rests his chin atop her head, "Dey goan take real well, I t'ink. She mean 'em. Ever'body accept 'em. Dat the onlies' way, know blessin's really take, me. T'row it away an' it woan try to stay. Nobody here goan t'row it away." Suraksha nods thoughtfully... then snuggles in a little closer to Rattler. She's going to miss her sweetheart tremendously after Baton Rouge... but her perspective on life is to not worry about that right now. Instead she's going to do her best to savor every sweet moment of his time that she has!
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