| Logs |
2010 December 18
| Neverneverwhere |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
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| Realms: Taps Logs |
Venom in Denim
Sulochana stares in astonishment at the man, "You... you have poisoned me so I will do your bidding in getting rid of the king?!" Her laugh is short, sharp, and humorless, "So I get to choose between either taking the rap for you... or dying? Have you no one else you could trust, instead of trying to basely murder an innocent bystander?!" Her thoughts are racing. She's pretty sure the venom will not harm her, considering her family connections... but she's going to need to ask Sna'thaid for verification very, very soon. Maybe... maybe Chanticleer would be willing to take a note to her?
Renoir's rather too intense smile gets more intense and he says, "I give you the choice to be favored by the new administration or to give your life for a man you don't even like and who has no respect for you."
Sulochana's eyebrows go up. Her voice is icy, "That latter description works very well for you. Have you considered that?" The Hetaera clasps her hands tightly in front of her, so she's sure they're not shaking with fury.
Chanticleer inwardly is fuming. [So this is what it feels like], he thinks, [to be on the receiving end of a gossip of poison-tongues. Always knew there was a reason I wasn't fond of their games.] "What makes you think," he says quietly, "that the chirugeon won't find an antidote?" He is resisting the urge to hurt this one. If Sulochana but tells him to, there won't be a body left when he's through.
Sulochana ferociously yanks her distracted thoughts together, and as she glances around the room her eyes flash scarlet for an instant. By the time she's looking back at Renoir she has herself under control again. "Enough. Mr. Laurent, I would know your plan and who backs you, so I know if this is worth risking my life for." She's carefully watching the man's chakras for truth -- she's betting her very life on this reading! Chanticleer's eye twitches. He knows, with Roy's ill-advised test, the Hetaera wouldn't betray the king. But it's still disconcerting. That brings up another thought, though. Surely Renoir would know a Hetaera would not betray her client? He suspects very little experience with Hetaerae in Mr. Laurent's past... and even less experience with them in the future.
Renoir's return smile is equally devoid of affection but gleams with the zeal of a true believer -- which is sometimes the most terrifying thing possible. He takes a drink from a server who seems to just be passing; if they weren't watching, it would not have seemed choreographed. Sulochana remains calmly expressionless as she waits for her answer -- although internally her tiger is very close to the surface, and she's having to fight a snarl. Chanticleer can tell it's the same server, however. Apparently Travis has not taken him into custody yet. Chanticleer narrows his eyes. Why isn't Travis back? Did... blast. Did Renoir do something to him? He thinks for a moment. Coral snake venom... surely Pierce has antivenin for it? Could the sidhe get away with rounding up all five of this bastard's people right here, right now? But that would get them nothing -- and there's no guarantee Pierce has coral snake antivenin.
The man hands Sulochana the flute of champagne, explaining she only needs to give Roy the drink. It holds the same poison, "Pierce does not have the antivenin. His stores are well known to the medical staff. The sooner you take care of the king, the sooner you get your only hope of life." Renoir is either drugged, supremely calm, or supremely stupid. It's possible he's more than one of those things.
Sulochana accepts the flute and smiles sweetly at Renoir, "I will have an answer to my other question as well before I do anything for you, Mr. Laurent." She continues in the same sweetly pleasant tone, "And if you do not answer, I shall tell Chanticleer to kill you here and now... as I scream that you just tried to kill me."
Chanticleer says quite politely, "Please, do deign not to answer."
Renoir thinks for a moment and says, "Myself, of course and the servant you have seen already." He goes on and names four others besides -- three of whom were intently watching Roy and Sulochana earlier, through the argument and the public reconciliation. Chanticleer looks mildly disappointed, but remains in place. Inwardly, though, he is anything but disappointed.
Sulochana murmurs quietly, "Chanticleer, are any of them the type to go back on their words?" She rests one hand on Chanticleer's arm, squeezing once. She hopes he's clever... and figures out the signaling quickly. In the room people move and dance and chat and drink as if it were just any other party -- and not one which could prove deadly for a king. It is almost eerie: the normalcy of it. Sulochana nods thoughtfully to Renoir, adding, "That is all of them?" She waits for Chanti's reply, still intently watching the crazy man.
Renoir sips at his own drink, smiling his chillingly zealous smile, "That is all of them."
Chanticleer racks his brain. A small part of him is disappointed the lady who had flirted with him is one of the conspirators, but he already suspected that. [Someone who would stoop to poison], he thinks, [is not one whom I would take at their mere word, at least, without being backed by a great deal of blood. Those he named are not known for loyalty -- though neither are they known for murder. Clearly they are expanding their horizons.] He notices the Hetaera's squeeze, pursing his lips and taking that as a sign to lie and play along with Renoir, since surely she would know the same thing? He lifts his head a little. "Only five of you, plus the server? Not six?" He glances to Sulochana. "They are... reliable enough."
Renoir adds, "And they are all very sympathetic to you. They all know how it is to be taken for granted by a man who is far above his natural station."
Sulochana adds with quiet fierceness to the man, "I think I will call over someone else I know will follow my orders... and he will stay with you until I am done. I do not want you vanishing on me." She glances to Chanti, "Would you go get... John D'Amato, please, to stand guard over Laurent? Then you can come with me, so I'm sure none of his... associates will try anything." She prays silently D'Amato will play along, instead of insisting he can't go near her tonight. Chanticleer nods to Sulochana, turning and moving before Renoir can say anything, without it becoming unseemly and garnering notice. Sulochana stands silently with Renoir, holding the flute and apparently just smiling as she studies the room. She has nothing to say to the man, but she wants to be sure he's successfully taken into custody -- just as soon as she's verified this is not another goddamned test!
John is speaking quietly with a serving maid as Chanti comes over to him. He raises his brows curiously, but doesn't seem alarmed. Chanticleer murmurs to John, "Something is happening. I need you to keep watch over a guest. I can't say much more than that at the moment, but it's important you don't let him out of your sight, let him leave, or let... or let harm come to him." [As much as it pains me to say that. Still, that, I hope, will be my job.]
John looks Chanticleer's face over carefully -- then his face registers mild surprise for a moment before he smooths his features over, "Is the guest in danger or is someone else in danger from the guest?"
Chanticleer makes a sound. [He's sure as hell in danger from me -- and Roy is in danger from him.] "We're not sure yet. Possibly a little bit of both. Do you trust Sulochana after that test?"
John takes that in and considers it carefully, "Yes, I do."
Chanticleer nods, "All right. Please, trust her now. She knows what she's doing." He starts to show John back to where she and Renoir stand.
Sulochana turns so she'll be facing D'Amato and Chanticleer when they return, and so Laurent cannot see her full face. As the two guards return she takes a deep breath and prays Chanticleer cued the other guard... then she smiles sweetly and says, "John, thank you for helping out earlier than we'd planned. I need you to keep watch over Mr. Laurent here while Chanti helps me with something. Laurent is not to leave before I do, nor slip off to speak privately with anyone else, yes?" She drops a quiet wink at D'Amato on the side of her face further away from Laurent, that the poisoner cannot see... then tucks her free hand into Chanti's arm and waits with what appears to be perfect calm for the reply.
John D'Amato clasps his hands apparently casually behind himself and says without missing a beat, "It is no trouble at all, ma'am." He gives Laurent his blankest and most noncommittal smile, "I'm sure we'll have a lovely time until you return."
Sulochana is smiling and pleasant-faced as she thanks D'Amato, then turns and strolls relaxedly away with Chanticleer. Her words are soft and breathless with worry, though, "Chanti, I need you to do something very important -- I need you to run find my godsmother, Gramma Marcie, just as fast as you can. When you find her, ask her this, please: ask her if I am also immune to ingested coral snake venom. If she says no, come find me immediately, please?" Her face as she looks up at Chanti is, for a fraction of a second, very frightened... then she takes a breath and smiles sweetly again as she adds with every appearance of flirtatiousness, "If she says yes, then would you be so kind as to go and surreptitiously prepare to collect up all the conspirators, just as soon as I determine this is not another damn test? I'll stall until I see you return to the room after talking to Gramma Marcie, all right?" The Hetaera is surreptitiously but carefully scanning the room, searching for Elmore and the king. She's walking apparently casually, but she wants to run into Elmore before Roy, if at all possible.
Chanticleer murmurs, "It will be done, yes," and with that, as soon as there is an intervening gaggle of courtiers between them and Renoir, he goes off. Once out of the hall he runs, much as he ran earlier that day over rooftops with graceful and hurried leaps. Sulochana sighs in quiet relief -- one thing absolutely taken care of! She trusts Chanticleer with her life, though she'd not thought to prove it to him quite so quickly or dramatically. She smiles and continues her casual stroll, nodding politely to those who smile at her, still heading slowly around the room towards Elmore. It is he Sulochana finds first; she figures if she must stall, she might as well accomplish the one goal the king gave her. Not only will it distract her from fright or worry, but it will allow her to prove herself to Roy. She slows her walk down and lets her aura flare proudly, so Elmore has plenty of time to notice and admire her. She makes her smile warm and her eyes inviting as she sways alluringly towards him.
When Chanticleer gets out of the room, things are quieter than normal in the palace; most everyone, after all, is at the party. He finds the woman, the sidhe, that was sent after Sulochana in the infirmary with Alg. Chanticleer wastes no time, but instead as soon as he sees 'Marcie,' the strange sidhe, he approaches her, crouching down and murmuring quietly, "Sulochana wants me to ask you if she is also immune to ingested coral snake venom." His body is like a tightly-wound spring, ready to leap out as soon as he has her answer.
The woman stiffens and starts up from her seat with a swiftness that fits oddly with her elderly glamour, "Yes, she is. What prompted that question."
Chanticleer smiles then. "Someone tried to poison her. Someone who will soon be having a very bad evening." He starts to move, then blinks. "'Also'?" he asks, then blinks again and shakes his head, realizing he's become privy to something rather important. He inclines his head. "None other will know I asked this," he says quickly -- then he is out of the room, but heading for where he expects the nearest group of guards to be outside of the hall.
In the ballroom, Elmore blinks and then smiles appreciatively at the approaching Hetaera, unconsciously puffing up. Sulochana slows even more as she nears Elmore, and purrs, "Gracious, good sir, you do know how to make a lady feel appreciated with just a glance!" Her warm golden-green gaze travels along the gentleman, and then she smiles again, "Your ascot is a truly lovely shade of blue as well. Fine indigo silk, no?"
The merchant chuckles somewhat lugubriously and says, "You are a ray of light in an otherwise gloomy room." He's drunk enough to be somewhat expansive, though not sloppy. There's a laugh as she mentions his ascot, which he strokes proudly.
Sulochana tilts her head in puzzlement, "Gloomy?" She casually tucks her hand into his arm as she smiles warmly again, "Surely it is not so bad? Or- oh, have you received some bad news? I do apologize, if so, for intruding on your thoughts."
Elmore laughs warmly and makes a sweeping gesture, "The whole night is gloomy in the shadow of your beauty. And yes, it is indeed indigo silk. Locally dyed."
Sulochana's laugh is a delighted ripple of music, and her eyes sparkle as she turns on her sensuality, "Oh! You are a charmer, Mr. -- oh, dear! You must think me terribly forward, as I do not even know your name!" She is appealingly flustered, starting to untuck her hand from his arm with apologies.
Elmore encourages her to keep her hand in place, "No, no. It is no problem, ma'am." He gives her his name, adding, "I deal, perhaps unsurprisingly, in silk. I have been told you are paying the king the honor of your favor. Perhaps you and I could discuss similar terms?"
The closest group of guards not in the hall is at the palace entrance. There are three or four on the front door, still standing sentry to make sure only invited guests get in. Chanticleer grimaces inwardly. He'd hoped for more. Still, three or four should be able to secure the doors to the room and begin apprehending the conspirators. He approaches them. "There is a plot against the King," he says simply. "It is possible there are conspirators within the castle staff, but we need to apprehend the conspirators. There are six of them," he didn't believe Renoir when he said there were only five, "and they must be caught en masse -- or at least surreptitiously, without the others knowing." The guards respond immediately to Chanticleer's call.
In the ballroom, Sulochana hesitates, glancing a touch uncertainly at the gentleman, "You... do not think ill of me for -- for being quite so forward, then?"
Elmore smiles indulgently, "No, not at all. I rather enjoy it."
Sulochana brightens, her eyes sparkling again, "Oh, thank you!" She leans toward him, her tone conspiratorial, "Perhaps you could help me, then? But you must promise to not mention this to anyone, if you please?" Her gaze is soulful -- just enough to tug on the heartstrings, but not maudlin. She knows the inebriated are tricky to deal with, and she's being careful.
Elmore is quite taken in by Sulochana's charm. He takes a drink from a passing tray and offers her one as well. The merchant says, "I swear on my life, dear lady."
Sulochana dimples as she accepts the flute, casually dropping her other hand back a bit so it's not clear she has two. She tips the 'clean' champagne in smiling salute to the man, having a sip before she glances around and murmurs, "It's... this dress. It's... lace! All lace... and all stark white. Not even cream! The king meant well, I'm sure, in having it made for me, but," she giggles as she leans her head close to Elmore's, "it makes me feel like a wedding cake!" She sighs and smiles as she straightens, adding wistfully, "As a silk merchant, might you know a good source of silk, Mr. Elmore, where I might find something more... flattering to my colors?" With an inviting smile she adds, "I might even be persuaded to buy in bulk, for transshipment in my caravan, were I to find the right business partner. Are you the only silk merchant in town?" She tilts her head with a hopeful smile, and reads his chakras at the same time -- then she grins mischievously as she adds, "Or at least the best?"
The merchant is being quite truthful as he boasts, "I am not the only one, but I am the only one that matters this season," sweeping his hand expansively.
Sulochana laughs delightedly, dropping a quick curtsey, "Congratulations, then!" Her smile is merry as she adds, "Why only this season, though?"
Elmore chuckles and says, "Sadly, the silk market goes by seasons. I have it cornered for now. Next season it may be someone else. I doubt it, though. I have the right connections."
Sulochana looks enormously pleased, tilting her champagne glass in a toast to him once more, "That is fabulous news, Mr. Elmore! May I call on you tomorrow, then, to discuss business?"
Elmore grins broadly, "Yes. Of many sorts." He is not so drunk as to impose on her if she tries to leave. Sulochana has yet to spot Chanticleer, though, so she simply picks out where the king is, then chats lightly with the pleasant gentleman. She wishes idly she could dance -- but that would endanger the two flutes of champagne she carries. She consoles herself with the thought that the sidhe has not come running up to her yet -- that's a good sign so far! She carefully doesn't think about that any more, not wishing to get flustered with nervousness.
Elsewhere, Chanticleer suddenly inwardly curses as he realizes: he did not warn John not to accept a drink from Renoir! Shit! He has to hope John won't be foolish enough to do that, but this does add urgency. Two of the guards go to find a couple of more folks to help catch the co-conspirators. It is only a few minutes before they return with enough hands to capture all the conspirators quietly. Chanticleer lets out a breath, and nods. "I will take care of Renoir myself. Pierre, signal me when all five of the other conspirators are ready to be taken into custody, please?" The other guard nods, and Chanti adds. "I'll get into position. Let's go."
The sidhe does not enter the hall the way he left; rather he enters through a side passage, which should get him to behind Renoir if that one is watching Sulochana. The guards have worked together for years and work like a well-oiled machine to get into position. When they can, they quietly inform other guards of the plan.
It takes some little time, which feels like an eternity to those trying to put the plan into action. Chanticleer is trying to stay out of Renoir's sight, preferably behind him so that when things go down he's in place to apprehend Renoir quickly. Chanti's maneuvering is not as easy as he would hope, but it's successful. During that time, Roy makes his way over to Sulochana, and the guards get into place. When Sulochana sees Roy approaching she smiles in invitation but stays where she is, wondering if Elmore will depart; the courteous gentleman does indeed absent himself from the conversation when the king arrives. Sulochana thanks the silk merchant for his time, her eyes sparkling with relieved happiness -- although he does not know the real reason for her pleasure.
In truth, it is barely ten minutes before the Hetaera spots the sidhe. She is enormously relieved when she spots Chanticleer -- because he's not working his way hastily over to her! Her whole demeanor lightens a bit, and her smile becomes more genuine. Sulochana has to take a few deep breaths to ground herself so she doesn't do something hysterical in relief... then she smiles up at Roy as he arrives, "Good evening, your majesty. It would seem you scared off my conversational partner there!" She's grinning slightly as she has a sip of the undoctored champagne. She reminds herself firmly -- must find out if this is another damn test or not first!
Roy grins and bows over her hand, kissing it with a small and impish wink, "You don't seem too disappointed." Sulochana has to hastily put down one of the champagne glasses as Roy reaches for her hand. Chanti sees Renoir get much more intent as Roy arrives on the scene. John doesn't seem to have a drink and doesn't seem worried about it. The king tucks Sulochana's hand into his elbow and escorts her away from the small group, "So, what did you find out from Mr. Elmore?"
The Hetaera keeps a very careful eye on the flute of champagne she set momentarily aside, and picks it up to hand it to Roy before she'll walk with him. Her voice is quietly dry, "He'd like to hire me as a Hetaera, and I'd like to do shipping business with him. Are the two of you at loggerheads? I'd recommend you try working him around to your side, if so?"
Roy chuckles and shakes his head. "He ain't my best friend, but he ain't hard to bribe. I can get 'im on my side quick enough." He takes the flute of champagne without thinking and starts to raise it to knock it back. He holds his alcohol better than Elmore and is swaggering but steady.
Sulochana puts a hand on Roy's arm before he can raise the flute to his lips and adds with quiet intensity, her eyes flashing with anger again, "I'd like to ask a favor, also -- I'd like you to stop testing me, dammit! Once is enough!"
The king pauses in mid-drink and looks at her with one eyebrow raised, "The test's been over for a couple hours now, cherie. I ain't about t' take 'nother tongue-lashin' like the first." Renoir is almost trembling with eagerness as he watches the interaction between Sulochana and Roy. He seems to assume her apparent anger is a prelude to the assassination. Chanticleer takes in a silent breath as he sees Roy raise the glass, then relaxes a little. He starts to move up behind Renoir, casually but as silently as possible -- not quite within reaching distance yet. He glances around; are the other guards ready to apprehend the other conspirators -- including the server?
Sulochana tilts her head thoughtfully at the king, shifting her body slightly so Roy's hand holding the flute isn't visible to Renoir. "You promise? No more trying to get me to poison you?" She's studying his chakras intently as she speaks.
The guards are definitely in place and ready to move. Chanticleer has his complete attention on Sulochana, one heartbeat away from grabbing Renoir just as soon as she looks like she's relieved or signals him... Roy is looking intently down at Sulochana and says, "Already said naw." There's nothing in his chakras to indicate he's lying. Mostly he seems confused and tries to raise the drink again.
With careful subtlety and using her body to block the view, Sulochana reaches forward to apparently tap the edge of her flute against his -- and at the same time with her free hand she deftly flicks Roy's champagne glass out of his fingers, replacing it with hers, "Then may I suggest a toast, your majesty?" Roy looks utterly confused and does nearly fumble his drink, but from Renoir's point of view it only looks like the king being clumsy. The expression on Roy's face is confused and looks from a distance like he's just realized something horrible. Sulochana smiles, although her eyes flicker in surreptitious worry around the room as she whispers, "The one you have is all right -- trust me, please?" She straightens and raises her glass, adding, "A toast... to a long, pleasant, and profitable relationship, yes?" If she can just get him to drink the un-doctored one while she nods to Chanti... then the conspirators will be relaxed and unsuspecting.
Roy's face betrays his confusion, but he just went through a powerful large amount of trouble to ensure he could trust her. He tips back the glass of champagne, draining it in one draught. Sulochana's face is alight with relief as Roy drinks. She glances past him and smiles with cold triumph, nodding once to Chanticleer -- who is behind Renoir, who must believe that nod is for him! Once Roy is finished she murmurs to the king, "Excellent. Now, would you have Pierce summoned, please? I believe the flute I'm holding has some sort of tablet or something with poison in it." She grins delightedly as she softly adds to the confused king, "You should congratulate Chanticleer too! He's gathering up all the conspirators even as we speak!"
Chanticleer, as soon as Sulochana nods to him, makes a signal to the other guards. With a tight expression he comes up behind Renoir. "Mr. Laurent...."
Roy blinks several more times and then looks around the room in stunned silence. Renoir turns to Chanticleer with a look of triumph on his face and says, "Of course. The antidote..." John blinks in surprise and asks, "Antidote?"
Chanticleer smiles politely. "Of a sort. More like, the antidote for your brazen smugness." Then he hits the assassin.
Sulochana laughs happily at that! Then she tucks her arm through Roy's, "Come along then, your majesty -- don't cause a scene!" She heads for the nearest servant, smiling as she asks, "Could you have Pierce summoned posthaste, please?" Laurent looks almost comically stunned as Chanticleer's fist connects with his jaw -- and shortly thereafter his well-tailored ass hits the ground. There's a gasp of surprise all around the room that quickly turns into a true hullabaloo as several other courtiers are taken into custody by the guards. The other party-goers are trying very hard to distance themselves from the perpetrators, even though they don't know what's gone down. It's best not to be associated with people who are apprehended in such a way.
Roy is looking around, saying in bemusement, "I suppose this will be explained soon..." He adds to the servant that Pierce should be fetched to a nearby anteroom, which is the closest private place.
Sulochana dimples up at the king, then adds to the servant, "If you'd be so kind as to let Chanticleer know to bring his, er... capture to the anteroom as well, I'd be ever so grateful?" She adds to the king, after the servant has scurried off, "Shall we repair to that very anteroom now, your majesty, for the explanation?"
Chanticleer winces as he rubs his hand a little; punching someone in the face hurts. "Renoir Laurent," he says rather clearly, "you are charged with treason against the Crown of Baton Rouge and conspiring to assassinate the King." He picks up Laurent bodily, pinning his arms behind his back. "Oh," he adds more conversationally, "you were wrong earlier. The King has noticed you. In fact, shortly you're about to have his complete and undivided attention."
Roy nods to Sulochana and says, "Yeah... let's do that. I'd like t'know what's goin' on." Sulochana giggles, not quite skipping as she follows Roy's lead -- although she's extremely careful not to slosh the champagne glass she's still carefully carrying.
Once they're in the anteroom, slightly before Chanti and Laurent and well before Pierce, the Hetaera seats herself and cheerfully explains: "It's really quite simple, Ro- your majesty! Laurent used the same gambit your John did, to bribe me into poisoning you... but I think he was for real. The glass I'm holding is the doctored one, and I'd like Pierce to check it." She beams happily up at the bemused king, swinging her feet gleefully back and forth as she adds, "Got it?"
Roy sits down carefully and says, "I... what the hell yer talkin' 'bout, I have no idea. I'm hopin' it ain't terminal, though. An' it really ain't a test." He watches in amazement as all the co-conspirators are brought in, accompanied by a pair of guards apiece. Travis is one of the guards, looking abashed at having been distracted by the young woman with whom he's walking. Chanticleer can sympathize with Travis; the woman he's bringing in is the same one who was flirting with him earlier.
Sulochana smiles and gently pats Roy's arm, murmuring softly, "It's all right, sweetie -- just relax. You have good people taking care of you." She straightens up as people start entering, her sharp-eyed gaze flicking thoughtfully from face to face. She's really most interested in Pierce's arrival -- she hopes he comes in soon. The Hetaera nods firmly, rising as the last conspirator enters. "Chanticleer, thank you so much. As soon as Pierce arrives we'll have him test the champagne." She's careful to stay a long lunge away from all the conspirators as she adds, "Until then... best to keep this lot isolated, yes?" She adds in explanation to the other guards, "These people are being held on suspicion of conspiracy to poison the king."
Pierce arrives fairly quickly. He has already changed back into his uniform and wears it much more comfortably than the finery of earlier. Roy's eyes flash. He at least knows he's supposed to be looking menacing, which he does well. Chanticleer remains behind the conspirators, pacing slowly. At this point he isn't hoping that any of the conspirators try something. Sulochana looks relieved when Pierce finally arrives, "Oh, thank goodness! Chirugeon, would you be so kind as to test this champagne for either some sort of... of tablet or... or coral snake venom, please?" She is, again, careful to keep her distance from the conspirators. This is their only sample, after all. She wonders with faint amusement how long it will take the conspirators to accuse her of setting all this up. Thank goodness Chanticleer was there with her!
Pierce looks surprised, but calls for some chemicals from his lab. Once he has the champagne, Sulochana smiles at John D'Amato, adding quietly, "Thank you kindly, sir, for playing along with my efforts so Chanticleer could set up the ambush of the other conspirators." She wonders a bit perplexedly when Roy will get up and take command -- he is the king, after all!
There's a hubbub from the conspirators, various declarations of innocence -- all of them worried and some of them doing their best to look confused and offended. As they are waiting for the testing apparatus to arrive, Renoir is trembling like a very small, nervous dog in the presence of a wolf. Roy surges to his feet and snarls at Renoir, "Poison? You tried to poison me?" His voice is fiery and furious. It causes the courtier to break and start screaming back.
Sulochana watches with interest as Laurent yells, listening carefully -- she wants to know what would cause a man to be willing to kill an innocent bystander in order to murder someone else. Roy moves to wrap a protective arm around the Hetaera as Renoir begins to laugh maniacally, announcing it doesn't matter as the king and his whore will soon die anyway! He is well beyond reason at this point, and the other possible traitors are pulling away as if physical distance will dissociate them. Chanticleer grimaces as he steps up behind Renoir. He says in the same tone of voice he used before, "Mr. Laurent...."
Sulochana sighs softly, pity on her face as she watches Laurent. Her voice is quiet, "Renoir... your poison only works if it is actually ingested. I didn't give the doctored champagne to the king. You'll see, when Pierce returns." She looks up at Roy, leaning against him as she adds, "Chanticleer was there with me when Laurent fingered the others in his conspiracy."
Pierce comes back from the testing with a scowl on his face and a glass of vividly green champagne, "Tests positive for venom, alright. Miss Sesha, can you tell us how this came to be?"
Sulochana explains quickly and succinctly what Laurent did and said to her. At one point, while everyone is staring at the crazed man, she looks at Chanticleer and gives him a surreptitious wink -- then returns to her story, explaining Laurent's poison couldn't work if the tablet wasn't taken; there's a subtle implication that she herself did not take the poison either. She's also rather clearly proud of Chanticleer's fast work, and she makes sure Roy knows who swept up all the conspirators. She's starting to get tired, though, and unwittingly leaning against the king more; he's very comfortingly solid. Roy snaps, "Take 'em away. Find cells for 'em. I'll decide inna mornin' what's t' be done of this." He asks Chanticleer to stay and stays standing, looking as much like an oncoming storm as a mere mortal is truly capable of. Laurent is dragged from the room screaming about Roy taking another innocent life and cackling that Sulochana will at least die for her part in the whole thing.
Sulochana shakes her head in pity as the last of the conspirators is dragged away. She quietly thanks Pierce before he leaves, too. Chanticleer frowns a little, wondering... [Nobody gets that crazed without reason. 'Another innocent life'? What's that all about?] Sulochana waits until it's only herself and Chanti, Roy and Pierce, before she says softly, "May I ask a question? Why does Laurent hate you so, your majesty?"
Roy slowly sits down, exhaling with a puff. Pierce is the one who tells the tale, "We had a friend once -- well-born, wealthy. She aided Roy when he really needed someone to back him up." The king takes up the narrative, explaining how the woman's death occurred during a desperate battle and how the family's fortunes and estates were taken by the adversary. The woman was Laurent's cousin, with whom he was infatuated; the two men suspect that of being the root of this vendetta. Roy shakes his head sadly, then blinks, "Hold on... what did he mean 'bout you dyin', cherie?"
Sulochana dimples demurely at Roy, "Did you think you were the only one who could swap a drink?" She scans the chakras of both men regarding the story... but she's not surprised when she sees they're both telling the truth as they know it.
Roy looks utterly relieved, "You still got that one, too? More evidence I got, the easier all this bullshit's gonna be."
Sulochana looks apologetic, "I'm sorry, Roy, I don't. That glass got cleared away." Chanticleer blinks and opens his mouth... then closes it. ['Also immune.' Curiouser and curiouser.] He remains silent.
Roy nods and sighs, kissing the top of her head, "Well, this evenin' wasn't near as fun as I'd hoped -- and I don't have high hopes for big parties ennyway."
Sulochana looks disappointed, although she's happy to lean against him when he pulls her into his lap for the kiss, "You weren't pleased at catching the conspirators, and finding out that information you wanted? The dancing was at least nice... and there's the carnival tomorrow?"
Roy laughs and says, "Well, when ya put it like that..."
She grins and teases coaxingly, "Surely if you just plan your parties a bit differently, they'd be more fun? More dancing and flirting -- less assassination?"
Roy roars with laughter and grins, kissing her soundly and hugging her in a way that's quite genuine, "Sounds like a plan to me, cherie. Maybe we can get in a last dance before people scatter back home to gossip."
Sulochana dimples delightedly at Roy, and eagerly agrees to another dance. As Pierce and Chanticleer head off, the Hetaera slips her arm through Roy's, smiling up at him as she murmurs, "I owe you an apology -- I was about ready to throw that second glass in your face again!" She walks with Roy as they head back towards the ballroom, coming to some decision. She looks up at Roy again, "You know... how you run your household is really none of my business, is it. I retract the unsupportable demand regarding your chamberlain, and I apologize."
Roy grins down at her and lifts her hand to his mouth to kiss it again, "He's a pain inna ass ennyway. We'll retrain 'im. Was 'bout time."
The Hetaera blinks -- then giggles in spite of herself! "Oh, my! You mean he was a bother to you too? How foolish of him!" She sighs happily as she adds fondly to the disreputable -- and yet surprisingly charming -- rogue-king, "I'm glad you talked me into staying. Thank you."
Roy smiles, his genuine grin, and says, "Oh, no; thank you."
Sulochana chuckles, wrapping an arm about Roy's waist and hugging gently, "You're fun. So, just to be sure I was clear: Elmore does indeed believe he's cornered the silk market this season, and he's confident with his contacts he can do so again in the future. That's why I suggested you try subverting him to your cause... especially since I'd like to do business with him too. Silk is a good product to carry." She thinks a moment, then adds curiously, "So aside from having my people listen during the carnival, is there anything else you want to accomplish tomorrow?"
The king considers and says, "I wanna come to the carnival and watch dancers and eat food that's bad fer me. An' mebbe try to spend a day not havin' someone tryin' ta kill me. You gonna have to leave early inna mornin' to help set up?" He says the last as if he's hoping she'll say no.
Sulochana's grin is mischievous, "Wellll... I suppose I could be talked out of it... if I could send a message via Gramma Marcie to the caravan tonight?" She considers, then adds solemnly, "Nope, don't think I could be talked out of it, actually. Might be able to be danced out of it, though?" She grins up at him, her eyes sparkling.
Roy laughs again and says, "Always was better with my body than m' mouth."
Sulochana purrs lazily, "Oh, I beg to differ, majesty!"
Roy grins even more broadly and says, "Why, thank you again, cherie."
Sulochana makes sure she has a moment alone at some point with Gramma Marcie, in order to send the message to the caravan... although in actuality she simply wants to let her godsmother know what happened, and reassure her -- as well as let her know what an excellent idea it was of hers to persuade Chanticleer to join them! By then they're back in the ballroom and the musicians are hurriedly striking up a lively dance. The king doesn't completely ignore courtly etiquette, but he does dance the rest of the dances with the Hetaera. His relief makes him a little giddy and he whispers playfully naughty things into her ears as they whirl through the music. Just after midnight -- surprisingly early for a court party -- he sweeps her off to his private quarters, where they have a lively and entertaining time exploring one another's oral... and other... skills.
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