| Logs |
2010 October 04
| Neverneverwhere |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
| Realms: Taps Logs |
Riding the Tiger
Suraksha unintentionally ends up soon thereafter with both the maids in her room, helping her dress and primp for the party -- the two women are shyly delighted at getting to help, and to see the famous Hetaera's lovely things! It's much easier for Sulochana to get ready once she has slightly more experienced hands to aid her. Relatively quickly the petticoats and bustle are pulled on; 'Chana's face is artfully made up, along with her hair being elegantly wound and piled up on her head; her few pieces of jewelry are slipped on, while her gloves and fan are lying ready on the dressing table. Then the beautiful dress is carefully lifted over her head, settled onto all the underthings, and buttoned into place.
Sulochana thanks the maids and tips them for their kind efforts, then settles at the dressing table to wait for Roy -- and, truth be told, to calm herself a little bit. She ends up quietly singing to herself, staring into the mirror and idly running her fingers through a few last stray curls of her dark hair. The old love song is sweet and slow on her lips,
"Moonlight and love songs
Never out of date.
Hearts full of passion
Jealousy and hate.
Woman needs man
And man must have his mate
That no one can deny...
The world will always welcome lovers...
As time goes by..."
Roy takes, as he expected, much less time to get dressed. He's a little distracted by all the people who need to talk to him before the party, though, and so he forgets to knock on the lady's door as he opens it. When he raises his head to let her know he's done, he's stunned by how gorgeous she looks in the deep blue gown, with ebony curls piled atop her head and trailing down the sides of her graceful neck. Never one to miss an opportunity, he lets himself just enjoy the sight of her and her presence in his home before he says, "You're gonna be the belle o' the ball."
Suraksha jumps slightly when Roy speaks and she realizes she's being observed -- then she laughs breathlessly, "Roy, you startled me!" She smiles, her gaze warming as she rises and pulls on the long gloves, "Charmer." She picks up her fan and slips the cord about her wrist, then takes a moment to pirouette a full circle in front of Roy. Gathering her skirts, she sinks into a graceful curtsey -- which just happens to flash quite a lovely amount of cleavage -- and murmurs teasingly, "Does it meet with His Majesty's approval?"
Roy grins down at her, knowing she's showing off her charms on purpose, "It most certainly does -- and it's likely to keep the young man with Geraldine quite off balance... which I find that I can endure with amazing fortitude." For a moment his eyes go serious, "I'm sorry Moynahan tried to use yer family against me." He shakes his head, "This is why I ain't really got anybody close."
Suraksha chuckles as she rises, gently poking at Roy's side with her folded fan, "You never asked what he wanted. Are you so sure it's all about you, hmmm?" She grins impishly as she holds out a hand, adding, "The problem isn't having someone close to you -- it's making sure you have enough family that they can all help defend each other!"
Roy smiles at her insistence, "Just seems too damn much like a coincidence, him takin' her the same day there's a hit on me." He offers his elbow for her to take, "And sometimes even families turn on one another."
Suraksha tilts her head a bit as she admires her consort for the night. She murmurs approvingly, "Very nice!" In the formal black jacket and trousers, his crisp and snow-white shirt nearly glows, while the deep blue brocade vest matches her dress too perfectly for it to be a fortuitous accident. She can't help a small smile, remembering Gramma Marcie and she talking long and thoughtfully with Roy's tailor about this party. She slides gracefully up next to him, tucking her gloved fingers lightly into the crook of his arm. With an arch glance up at him she murmurs, "Oh, well, if you want it all perfect... where's the challenge in that?" She chuckles, then adds more seriously, "Do be sure to point out, ahh... Geraldine to me before we're introduced, please. Also," she looks up at Roy searchingly; for a moment her perfect mask slips, and the pain she's holding in shows in her golden eyes, "I just wanted to reiterate, Roy, please. Tonight, during the mission? I need your unconditional trust. Please?"
Roy smiles his crooked, charming smile at her and says, "I ain't good at it, but I'll give my all." He pats her arm where it rests on his elbow, "I'll point out Geraldine when we get in the room, then we'll do some minglin' before dinner an' dancin'. Then we'll talk business. Give her plenty of time to fume over you."
Suraksha laughs softly, opening her fan with a graceful flick of her wrist and fluttering her eyelashes at him. Her purr is teasing, "Oooh, you certainly know how to show a girl a good time!"
They have picked up a contingent of bodyguards on the wall to the grand ballroom: Jacko and Alan are dressed in sparkling armor and the finest silk livery. They're also quite seriously armed. They pause at the big double doors, waiting for the right moment to enter, and Roy grins down at her, "I show you all sorts of good times, lovely. Now, when do I get my present, mmm?" He leans in a little bit, giving her just the smallest moment of being delightfully loomed over.
Suraksha smiles demurely up at Roy, her tilted golden eyes sparkling with mischief. She rises up onto her tiptoes as the herald takes a breath and prepares to open the door, and whispers softly in Roy's ear, "I'm not wearing any panties." She settles back, a wicked grin on her lush lips as she winks at him -- and then she looks mock-primly forward, ready to promenade in as the door is swung open and their respective names cried forth by the waiting herald.
Roy looks down at her, blinking and caught completely off guard by the comment. He's also caught with a sudden surge of hungry arousal that is showing clearly on his face when the doors swing open and they are announced to the ballroom. Not one to get caught with his pants down for long, Roy turns his beaming grin to the room and escorts the lady in, saying through his perfect, gleaming smile, "I ought turn you over my knee."
Suraksha dimples mischievously, murmuring decorously right back, "Promises, promises!"
Roy makes a little growling sound low in his throat, but then he's swinging into the crowd, mingling and greeting people with his jocular and roguish face firmly on. He points out Geraldine before they get to her. She's a tall and regal woman perhaps twenty years Roy's senior, with silver-threaded chestnut hair and the kind of bone structure that will ensure she's lovely all her life. With her is a simply beautiful young man of about twenty-two with wavy dark-blond hair and nicely groomed mustache and goatee. Objectively he's just as nice-looking as Roy, but there's something empty about him.
Suraksha knows precisely how to be charming, alluring arm-candy, and she does her job beautifully. She quickly realizes she's getting small trickles of sensual interest and pleasure from many of the men present, and she uses that energy volume to gauge nicely just how much to turn up or damp down her sex appeal. Roy knew from the beginning that part of what he wanted from Sulochana was to do just this very thing. As he's said many times through their acquaintance, he could have a pretty bit of fluff any time he wanted it; he values the Hetaera for her social expertise as well as her beauty. As much as the young men are eyeing Sulochana, the young women are whispering behind their fans and giggling over how handsome the king looks. There are more than a few of them with daydreams of being swept off to be queen of Baton Rouge, and Roy knows just how to use his charm to play off those looks.
Just as they're meeting Geraldine, Sulochana swings around a bit on Roy's arm, lips parted to ask a laughing question -- and she gracefully and "accidentally" drops her fan right in front of the young man. She giggles, "Oops!" and stoops to retrieve it... a careful fraction of a second after the young man gallantly crouches to do so. He is murmuring, "Here you go, my lady..." and his head comes up as she's leaning down -- so he gets an excellent view of her laughing face and her magnificent decolletage! The two of them freeze for a heartbeat, she staring at him and he staring at her breasts -- then she hastily snatches the fan from his hand and straightens, stepping back against Roy. A bit breathlessly she murmurs, "Er, thank you so much..."
Geraldine's lovely and smiling face creases into the briefest of scowls as her escort crouches down to retrieve the other woman's fan. Roy covers a grin with a slight cough. The venom in the older woman's voice is coated in the sweetest of candy coatings as she murmurs, "Jeffrey, dear, it's not seemly to do such a thing for an escorted lady. That should have been a job for Roy."
Suraksha stares at the attractive young man with wide, almost fascinated eyes for just a heartbeat longer than she properly should -- then she blinks at the older woman, a flush rising in her cheeks, and hastily turns her gaze back to Roy, "What, um... er, I'm sorry, Your Majesty, what were you saying?" She looks very appealing, girlishly flustered as she glances back at the other couple... or really, mostly at Jeffrey. It's just for a heartbeat, and then she's quickly turned her face back to Roy again. She's carefully holding onto his arm, prepping to use a small burst of energy if necessary, in order to read the woman's chakras when Roy asks her any question about negotiating.
Roy chuckles warmly, giving Sulochana an affectionately remonstrative look, "I was sayin' that you were quite free to do whatever you wanted." He pats her hand and smiles at Geraldine, "She's a flighty one, is our Sulochana." There is about him something of an indulgent father-figure as he says it, a man perfectly confident and at-home with himself and the lovely woman on his arm.
Jeffrey drops the briefest of winks as Suraksha glances back at him after their little moment. She blinks and doesn't meet Jeffrey's eyes again; she's busy laughing and remonstrating with Roy, "Oh, please, Your Majesty, you know that's not fair!" She smiles and curtseys gracefully when introduced to the mayor, murmuring, "Your honor," and she nods politely with eyes downcast when introduced to Jeffrey. Her hands stay loosely looped about Roy's arm, however, instead of offering one to Jeffrey in greeting.
Geraldine's face is a mask, but not a very good one. Her chestnut eyes are snapping with irritation as she says, "How very liberal of you, Roy. I seem to remember a little more possessiveness in you when you were a fiery young thing. But then she isn't actually yours, is she?" There's a definite barb in there; then the woman turns to Jeffrey, "I want to speak with the happy couple before dinner and dancing turn their heads right around, dear." Jeffrey says, "Of course, of course." He gives a small bow to the king and his escort, "Lovely meetin' ya'll."
Roy nods and murmurs pleasantries to the two as they walk off. He tips his head to the side and chuckles, speaking sotto voce to Suraksha, "I do declare, I think I can see steam comin' out her ears."
Suraksha giggles for anyone listening, and taps Roy's arm lightly with her fan, murmuring back, "La, you charmer! You say the nicest things." She grins up at Roy, adding very softly -- and more wryly, "Is it just me, or does he feel completely empty inside to you too?"
Roy laughs, grinning at her with his eyes crinkling up with crows feet at the corners. "Honey, that boy has about as much brains as a jackrabbit in ruttin' season. But that just means there's less for her to have to squash." Suraksha laughs, her eyes bright with amusement.
After that, they finish up their meet-and-greet time and head for dinner. There are several round tables set up, and one long head table for the bride and groom to-be and visiting dignitaries. Suraksha knows how to be a good hostess for her companions, and she's happy to fulfill that role for Roy. She makes sure the guests seated near her have a lovely time and are entertained, and she's sparklingly witty -- when Roy isn't talking. She's careful not to shine too brightly when near him.
Roy has arranged the seating quite deliberately so Jeffrey is next to Suraksha during dinner, giving the boy plenty of time to get completely besotted with her. Suraksha is polite to Jeffrey but giving off good-girl "not interested" vibes; she's quite aware many men strongly seek that which is denied them. She lets Geraldine's catty comments slide off her -- she really doesn't care -- but she lets her demeanor slowly start showing mild distress as Jeffrey continues to be charming to her. Her worried gaze flicks frequently to Geraldine, as if she doesn't know how to tell Jeffrey to back off, since he's with another woman.
Geraldine can't exactly tell Jeffrey to back off, either -- not without being exceedingly impolite and sounding very much like a shrew. It's obvious, however, that it sticks in her craw that it's her companion that's pushing the conversation on Suraksha, and not the other way around. The fact that the dark-haired woman and Roy seem quite happy together, leaning their heads close to murmur and laugh with one another from time to time, has Geraldine stewing. Suraksha is careful to always be laughing and with eyes sparkling when she's facing Roy. She's not above occasionally whispering requests to Roy as well, such as giving her a minute to be distracted by Jeffrey -- and then Roy putting his arm about her shoulders and drawing her to him, away from Jeffrey.
Geraldine can't actually be openly bitchy about Suraksha being a Hetaera, but there are a few artfully veiled comments through the conversation -- although nothing that could cause a scandal. There are toasts and congratulations for the happy couple-of-honor as well, and Geraldine presents a gift she brought for them: an exquisite cuckoo clock created by a master craftsman.
Once dinner is cleared, the dancing starts. The party has been organized as a formal ball, and so the dancing is very much in the style of the Old South and of the European courts of the time. Strings and woodwinds provide the music, rather than Roy's own preference of jazz and zydeco. Suraksha is light-footed and graceful in Roy's arms, clearly enjoying herself. It's an easy role to play for her; she adores dancing, and Roy is a generous partner, giving her many opportunities to shine. She's happy to whisper sweet, naughty nothings to him as well -- promises for later tonight, teasing commentary on how delicious he currently looks -- and to run her fingers in delicately ticklish patterns along the softer skin of his neck when he's not expecting it. She grins at Roy's quiet grumbling just to her about the style of dancing, whispering back, "Well, you'll just have to teach me this zydeco, then -- and we'll dance it together later!"
Roy, for his part, threatens spanking at least twice more and threatens something much nicer much more often. He knows how to dance these sorts of things right, even if he prefers something more energetic, and he knows how to use his body as a foil for his lovely and graceful partner. "Honeychile, you learn to dance zydeco and every man here'd be fallin' over his own tongue for a chance to dance with you."
Suraksha laughs in quiet pleasure at Roy's compliments, her eyes bright with happiness. This being a social occasion, Roy has to fulfill a certain obligation to the ladies of the court and dance with several of them as well. He knows this is going to be the time that anyone wanting to make a subtle (or not-so-subtle) proposition to Suraksha will do so. She smiles and winks subtly to Roy as he pauses at the end of one of their shared dances, murmuring to him, "I'm going to try to keep it light still; we want herself stewing but not enraged, yes?"
Roy nods and murmurs, "Oh, yeah."
Suraksha chuckles, fanning herself as she waves him off. Her voice is cheerful and light for any passers-by, "Go be majestic, please! I need a breather." Roy winks at her quite brazenly and goes to sweep one of the court ladies into dance, sure to leave the woman laughing and flushed by the end. Suraksha will, after a few moments of fanning, fold her hands in her lap and look around with bright-eyed pleasure, precisely like a girl who's hoping to be asked to dance. [Hook baited and cast], she thinks in amusement to herself.
While Roy sweeps Geraldine off for a waltz in the next dance, Jeffrey saunters up and smiles down at her, "Ma'am, would you honor me with this dance?" He's grinning cheekily, but it just doesn't have the same oomph as the flamboyant, feisty king.
Suraksha blinks a bit uncertainly at Jeffrey, looking around once as she hesitantly holds out her hand. Then she takes a deep breath, rising and clearly bracing herself to be a good hostess. "Thank you, good sir; I'd love a dance."
Jeffrey bows over her hand in a very courtly manner and then escorts her out to the dancefloor. He smiles at her as they get set to join the other dancers, "You seem nervous, ma'am. I promise you're in no danger." He obviously means it to be witty and flirtatious. Sulochana smiles uncertainly, letting her gaze drop as she steps very correctly into position, offering her other hand as well. It is her intention to let herself be shyly enchanted by Jeffrey during this dance -- just enough that he's eager to try again. She makes sure, as Roy sweeps Geraldine past them during the dance, that she's also giggling and blushing at something Jeffrey's said!
It's clear Jeffrey has learned somewhere to be charming. If she were less perceptive than she is, it might even work. But she can tell this child is nothing but a bantam rooster. He does know just how far he can push things and still be proper, and as she warms to him through the dance, his eyes gleam. Suraksha can feel, deep inside herself, the boy is an untrained, rather greedily empty attempt at a male Hetaera. She feels a bit sorry for the kid; he doesn't seem to realize it's not his looks that will bring clients to him time after time. She doesn't feel sorry enough, though, to give him any pointers. Instead she dances perfectly correctly, and occasionally looks a bit breathlessly wide-eyed as he pushes the parameters of gentlemanly behavior.
When the dance ends Jeffrey glances over to find Geraldine watching him with flint-hard eyes, despite the smile she's wearing as she talks with the guests of honor. He chuckles and kisses Surakha's hand, attempting a sultry look up at her as he's bend over her knuckles, "As much as I have enjoyed this dance -- and I have enjoyed it very much -- I did come as someone's escort. Perhaps I will have a chance to speak with you again later?"
Suraksha hastily flicks her fan open, nearly hiding behind it and peeking at him over the lacy edge. Breathlessly she says, "Ah, I, um... m-maybe?" She looks around, noticing Roy is heading their way but not close enough to hear. She swiftly and softly adds, "That -- I w-would like that thank you for the dance I must go!" before she flees quickly to Roy's side. She chatters cheerfully to him, and it's a few heartbeats before she throws a quick, almost guilty glance over her shoulder towards Jeffrey. He's standing beside the seated Geraldine, just behind her shoulder, and he winks quite brazenly at Sulochana when she flicks that guilty gaze his way. She looks quickly back at Roy, still sparkling at him as she whispers softly, "Do something politely possessive, please? A long kiss or something?"
Roy chuckles and slides a hand around her back to rest it between her shoulder blades. He leans in close enough that his breath tickles her ear as he speaks to her, "A kiss might be overdoing it, but what if I just tell you that I've been thinkin' about slippin' out with you long enough for you to prove you're tellin' the truth 'bout my gift?"
Suraksha's face lights up and she leans in to Roy with her eyes shining. Passers-by can tell she's clearly entranced by Roy's well-known charm as she holds his arm, bounces lightly on her toes, and excitedly squeals, "Oooh, promise?" She can't help the giggle that follows, her eyes sparkling as she whispers, "How's herself? Steam yet? And is my fish hooked?"
Roy grins down at her and it's like looking at a masterpiece after watching an apprentice work, "Oh, she is just about ready to feed him his own liver." He offers his elbow and murmurs, "Let's go get you a breath of fresh air..."
Suraksha beams up at Roy's face, her step light and just barely not bouncing as she loops her fingers about his arm. She's almost glowing with excitement, her eyes just for him. She murmurs softly through her delighted smile, "Truth be told, how can she want him after time spent with someone real like you?"
Roy laughs quietly and escorts Sulochana out onto the patio and then to the garden adjoining the ballroom. The garden is a Louisiana version of an English formal garden: lots of paths and nooks and crannies. Roy seems to know it well and guides her to a little out-of-the-way alcove with a small, semicircular bench she can sit on, "Because someone real is much more likely to twig to her controlling tendencies, and object."
Suraksha glances around to make sure they're alone before she lets the mask of almost greedy delight slip from her face. Softly she murmurs, "Poor woman. How are you doing, dear?"
Roy grins down at her and lets his own dashing and devil-may-care mask slip away so she can see there is some very real desire there, "Doin' a whole lot better now..." He ends the comment with a very long, very hungry, and just slightly possessive kiss, arms wrapping tightly around her.
Suraksha sighs contentedly and relaxes into Roy's arms, gladly returning the kiss. When they finally pause for a breath of air she leans her head against him, smiling and almost purring, "Me too..." She's watching his face from where she leans against him. Almost dreamily she reaches out with gentle fingertips, lightly brushing Roy's face and murmuring, "Do you hold the mask of the rogue for everyone but me, or do you have anyone else you can relax with too, dear?"
Roy turns his head to catch her fingertip with his teeth, letting the tip of his tongue flick against the pad of her finger before letting it go, "We're back to targets on my back when we get in that territory..." One hand is sliding down her back, starting to gather up the expanse of skirt, "And I still want some proof about my present."
Suraksha laughs softly, a delicious shiver traveling down her finger and giving her tingles in heated places. Her grin gets wicked as she murmurs, "Do you always just lift the skirts of girls you meet? Or shall I lift them for you, hmm?"
Roy purrs, "Aww, sugar, it's more fun to do it myself..."
Sulochana glances around to see who's nearby -- then remembers they still have a job to do. She half-laughs, half-sighs as she adds, "You know, Roy, tempting though you are, we do still have some negotiations to attend, yes?" There's no one that can see; the little cul-de-sac is quite well-hidden. Sulochana knows gardens are sometimes built with such spots for a private rendezvous.
Roy's other hand joins the first, and she can hear his breathing speeding up, "Just one l'il peek before we go back an' finish up the dancin' and start talking business."
Sulochana grins wickedly, leaning back against Roy and reaching an arm up and back about his neck, "Mmm, lovely naughty man." She turns her head sideways and slowly trails her tongue along his throat, up towards his ear. His arousal and pleasure is almost intoxicating, and she sighs warm air against the damp trail she's left, then closes her teeth on his ear lobe, purring. She feels like she's lapping up energy shimmering off his heated skin, drinking down his gift to her like sweet wine.
Roy growls quietly at the feel of her tongue and then her teeth. His hands gather up the dress far enough to slide a hand beneath all the underpinnings, lace and satin, and rest against the bare and delectable curve of her behind, "Ohhh... you definitely are a very wicked woman." One squeeze and a couple of little pats and he lets the skirt drop back into place, "Once Miz Marcie's safe, me an' you are gonna have a nice, long talk."
Suraksha's laugh is softly hissing between her teeth, and she releases only enough to murmur quietly next to Roy's ear, "I try to always keep my promises, dear." She wriggles her rear a bit and giggles softly, "One very wicked woman: coming up!" then adds with a nearly blissful smile, "I look forward to it. You taste delicious." She is speaking as much of Roy's generous sensual energy as of his physical taste, but it doesn't occur to her to differentiate.
Roy grins and says, "We'll discuss who's delicious later." He kisses her briefly and then takes a step back, giving himself room to take a breath and rein in his need, "Shall we go negotiate, lovely?"
Suraksha grins and sighs as she sits up a bit, "I think we better. I'm actually starting to wonder how long we can stay out here before we're missed." She shakes her head amusedly, taking a moment to pat her skirts back into place and check her hair before she smiles, offering Roy her hand, "Shall we go be oh-so-decorous?" She adds softly, "I may lean against you unexpectedly if I get dizzy while watching Geraldine during negotiations. I'll try to be subtle if I need to, though." She's pretty sure she will not need to -- she's been recovering her energy steadily for a while now, and she wants to conserve it for later that night -- but she thinks it's only smart to warn Roy of the potential worst case scenario.
Roy nods and grins, "Oh, how horrible: havin' my lovely lady lean against me." He is being quite solicitous as he leads her back toward the party, "What time'd you wanna head out to get Miz Marcie back?"
Suraksha's fingers tighten for an instant on Roy's arm, but then she's back in control, her sweet smile unfaltering, "I asked Oh- an ally to meet me outside your palace between one and two in the morning. I imagine the party will go to about midnight, and then everyone will expect you and I will be having sex for a while. How does that sound?" She adds softly, "Please tell me you do have some good thick leather clothing that can function as armor for you?"
Roy grins, "Darlin', you're worryin' more than you need to about that. I'll be safe. Promise." He chuckles and murmurs, "What are we really gonna be doin' with that hour or so?"
Suraksha's smile gets almost cat-smug as she glances up at Roy, "Mmm, I can think of a few things we might try to pass the time?" She chuckles ruefully as she glances around the room and adds, "Although... if we have guests who want to stay late, we may be busy." Her smile is quiet as she glances back at Roy, adding, "I do want to see what you have before we go, too, please? I don't want you to get hurt at all."
Roy's grin is positively predatory, "Sugar, I can make sure we have a little time to ourselves. But now, let's go have a little talk with Miss Geraldine and her boytoy." Jeffrey was actually whispering something to Geraldine as they moved up.
Suraksha nods to Roy, smiling up at him as they approach the other couple. She is carefully, shyly avoiding meeting Jeffrey's eyes, and she'll scan the woman's chakras as Roy and Geraldine talk. Geraldine's chakras are a little muddled; perhaps from all the people around, perhaps from all the warring emotions. All that can really be read is that her Will chakra is pulsing almost angrily and her root chakra is strong. Suraksha sighs softly to herself, trying to open up a bit for over-all perceptions. She's watching for the flare of energy that tells her someone is lying -- hopefully she can do at least that for Roy.
The negotiations are faux-cheerful; it's obvious both leaders want to give away as little as possible. At one point Geraldine sadly shakes her head and says, "I just really can't spare that much, Roy darling." There's a definite flare of the lie as she says it. Suraksha squeezes Roy's arm lightly to draw his attention. She's playing with her fan and not looking at his face at all, but she shakes her head slightly once as she studies the delicate item.
Roy leans across the table, giving Geraldine the full wattage of his scoundrel smile, "We both know you're fudgin' a li'l bit there, cher. Remember, I spent a lotta time with you once 'pon a time..." He lets his eyes linger on her throat and lets her see just the tip of his tongue before he leans back, "No reason to get all stingy on me just because you got another love." Suraksha giggles deliberately at that, flicking open her fan and peeking at Jeffrey over it for a moment before she glances away again to Roy. She figures if she can keep the mayor distracted by trying to keep an eye on Jeffrey, she'll be helping a bit more.
Geraldine finds her attention pulled in two different directions. It's clear by the way her eyes flash at that hint of flirtation from the king that she has very fond memories of him, but she is not at all pleased with Jeffrey's attention to Suraksha, "Wellll... maybe I could spare a little more than that, but I really am going to need a promise of at least three safe crossings each half of the year."
Roy grins, "I think that can be arranged." Suraksha remains quiet, only glancing in shy interest at Jeffrey whenever Geraldine's attention seems to be focusing too much on Roy. She keeps an eye out for lies as well; past that she breaths slow and deeply to both keep herself centered and not dizzy -- and also because it does wonderful things for her cleavage! The rest of the negotiations go in a similar vein, with Suraksha's guidance and Roy's charm. Eventually Roy checks his pocket watch, "Well, cher, it has been a pleasure doin' business with you again. But I have a very early appointment in the mornin', and I need my beauty sleep. Ain't as young as I used to be." Suraksha giggles at that too, her shyly mischievous grin apparently putting the lie to his stated need for more sleep!
Roy rises, reaching to take Geraldine's hand. He kisses it in a very courtly fashion before shaking Jeffrey's hand, telling the young man quite insincerely what a huge pleasure it was to meet him. Then he smiles down at Suraksha, not bothering to hide the heat there, "Shall we retire, lovely?"
Suraksha beams up at Roy, not hiding her excitement and pleasure, "Oh! Yes, please?" She beams at the other couple, dropping a quick curtsey as she adds, "Pleasure to meet you, your honor!"
With one last nod of his head, Roy escorts his lovely lady out, moving swiftly to get into the more private areas of the palace; it will seem as if they have just disappeared. Once they're out of earshot, he crows laughter, "Darlin', that was masterful!"
Suraksha grins with tired pleasure up at Roy, "We did good, then? You're happy?"
Roy grins down at her, "Honey, that trade agreement is gonna keep my people fed for ten years if it holds. I'm well pleased. You might deserve a present yourself for that."
Suraksha sighs happily, leaning her head against Roy and sliding an arm about his waist to support herself as she murmurs, "I'm so glad. She's going to be quite possessive tonight in bed." Ruefully she adds, "Jeffrey may come nosing about later; fair warning on that, dear."
Roy grins, "And if he does, I'll set 'im straight, sugar. He's a child."
Suraksha sighs happily again, her eyes half-closed as she lets Roy lead her, "Oh, that'd be nice -- to not have to worry about him. Thank you, dear."
The king purrs, "Oh, you are very welcome, cherie." Suraksha's tired smile up at Roy is sweet with affection, and she hugs him tightly as they walk. She knows on some level she's apparently told Roy he can 'claim' her. Oddly, the thought of him being possessive -- especially around someone like Jeffrey -- does not bother her the way it ordinarily would with different clients.
Roy escorts her to the door of the suite she uses -- the one right across from his apartments -- and smiles down at her, "I'm gonna do somethin' shockin' here an' be a gentleman. You want some time t' yerself?" His eyes are a little heavy-lidded, "What I'd like to do is sweep you into my room an' work out some of this frustration."
Suraksha looks a bit surprised -- then laughs softly and stands on tiptoe to cup her palm lightly against Roy's cheek, "You are a dear man. Actually, I would absolutely adore some company if you feel up to it. Sex or sleep would both be wonderful, and I'll ask Alg to tap on the door at one in the morning, all right?" She smiles a bit ruefully as she adds, "Ordinarily in emergencies in the caravan we all cuddle together for company and reassurance. They all have each other tonight -- my traveling family of the heart, I mean. If you do not mind, I'd like to do so with you?"
Roy smiles and says, "Sounds good to me." He turns to his own door and escorts her in, calling over his shoulder that they're not to be disturbed until Alg comes for them.
Suraksha sighs in soft relief as Roy agrees to her company. As he closes the door she's removing her gloves and bracelets, and her voice is teasing as she murmurs, "You need to promote Jacko to your new head guardsman or something, dear... or I'll try and hire him away myself!" She grins, eyes twinkling, "His chakras are quite lovely!" She's quite tired; otherwise she wouldn't use terms she knows he's likely to not know.
Roy mms and watches her walk ahead of him into the room, chuckling, "Not again, you don't. Yeah. He deserves it. An' he'll get it once this bullshit is all settled."
Suraksha glances coyly over her shoulder and winks at Roy, covering a giggle, "'Not again'? What if it's you I set my cap for, instead of just your personal guard? You could bring them all along!" She laughs at that; she's just teasing and they both know it. She wonders, though, if he can see something like chakras too. She's faintly relieved, thinking of things Roy doesn't know and might be curious about, that he's not asked her about her two remaining names. While her birth name is no problem, she's a touch worried at what conclusions he might draw from the translation of her family name.
Roy chuckles and shrugs out of his jacket, draping it over the back of a chair. He steps up close behind her and kisses the nape of her neck. With all the cloth and the bustle in the way, he can't press directly against her, but he is as close as he can get. His voice is warm, "You set your cap for me and you get a city along with it, cherie."
Suraksha laughs softly, turning in place to reach up and twine her bare arms about his neck. She sighs contentedly, relaxing a bit against Roy... then murmurs teasingly, "Hm... we'll need bigger wagons!" She cannot believe he's doing anything but teasing her; for all he knows she's just a traveling Hetaera -- and he's the king of Baton Rouge. She deliberately keeps her tone light, so he doesn't have to warn her off because she's mistaken his teasing for seriousness.
Roy laughs and kisses her quite seriously. It starts out hungry and just gets more intense from there. As it goes on, he starts walking her back toward his bed, hands fumbling at the line of tiny pearl buttons along her back. Suraksha mmms just as hungrily into the kiss, her arms tightening about his neck. When he starts walking her backwards she simply lifts one leg at a time to wrap them about his waist, clinging needily to him. His passion tastes so wonderful! She snugs up warmly against him, feeling as if she could drink the energy through every inch of her skin.
Roy growls impatiently into her mouth and simply cups his hands under her until he can get her on the bed, muttering, "Hell with it..." He pushes up all the layers of skirt and crinoline beneath, sliding eager hands along bare legs. After that, he spends a very flattering amount of time returning the delicious attention from before the party. At one point he grins up over the piles of cloth at her, eyes twinkling, "Reminds me o' bein' a young buck."
Suraksha giggles breathlessly, the fingers of one hand twined in the sheets, and the other tangled eagerly in his hair, "I don't think I make a very good doe just now, dear!" She is feeling much, much better. Roy's assiduous interest in her is both gratifying, and energetically fantastic! She's pretty sure she'll be able to face the rigors of the night now. She takes a quick breath, murmuring a small internal prayer that Roy will be able to understand the need for her plan, and to forgive her for it afterward.
Roy laughs and says, "Not timid enough, cher?" He is a little breathless as well as he stands up to strip out of his waistcoat and shirt, "I know that dress had to cost you a bundle, so I ain't gonna cut you out of it, but I really wannit gone."
Suraksha laughs softly, her eyes sparkling with mischief as she rolls upright and starts flipping buttons with the ease of long practice, "You paid for it, sweet man -- you said on my last trip through here, several months ago, that I should get something suitable for the party, remember?" She grins delightedly as she gets enough of it open that she can wriggle it up and over her head. Her hair has already fallen free of the restraining pins in long, shining loops and curls, and with a few gracefully alluring wriggles and a kick, she manages to drop all the petticoats and toss them aside. She smiles slowly, using both arms behind her head to raise her hair so the nape of her neck is bare, and turns her back to Roy, purring, "A little help, please?" She's wearing the corset and sheer silk stockings at this point; not a stitch more.
Roy laughs, "Still, you look too delicious in it to mess it up." He leaves his trousers on and purrs, "Oh, gladly, cherie." The line of the corset and the stockings frame her derriere quite irresistibly. He doesn't actually move to help with the corset; instead he wraps his arms about her from behind and kisses the nape of her neck again. It's another long while before he gets around to actually helping her out of the corset, a time during which his own trousers get discarded.
Suraksha is purring heatedly, her dark, bedroom eyes smoky with genuine pleasure and desire, and she does her best to make sure Roy is enjoying himself at least as much as she. Sulochana is too busy to think it coherently, but she strongly agrees the two of them are, as Roy put it, damned good allies. She uses her body and her training to share that personal belief as convincingly as she knows how.
It's far too short a time later that Alg raps on the door. Roy had been quite involved in explaining to Suraksha just what was so appealing about her breasts, complete with manual demonstrations. He chuckles wryly, "You feel up to this, lovely?"
Suraksha calls, "Thank you, Alg! We'll be right there!" then gives Roy a sultry smile, "Feel up to it? That's so obvious a ploy for a naughty joke that I'm simply not going to bother!" She grins as she adds, "And you, wicked man, distracted me from checking to make sure you have appropriate clothing. Show me now, please, while I get tidied up?" She rolls out of the bed with an elegant flash of legs, striding over to her thin silk wrap. She ties it on, then runs a brush hastily through her hair and plaits it. She doesn't bother tying off the end, since anything she adds to her hair will be lost when she shifts shape. Slipping on light sandals, she looks inquiringly over at Roy.
Curiously, while Suraksha is feeling pretty calm about herself, her insides are starting to tighten up with worry at the prospect of Roy coming along -- and maybe getting hurt. She hesitates for a moment, watching her lover from behind... then she straightens with determination, stepping over to lay a hand lightly on his arm. "Roy? Last chance. I do believe you should stay here and stay safe, for your people. Can I talk you into not coming along?"
Roy laughs and moves to his washstand, rinsing some of her smell off of himself before he starts to get suited up. He's chosen well-fitting thick denim trousers with heavy leather patches sewn at thighs and calves. He has eschewed his normally loose and draping shirts for a snug cotton shirt with a leather overshirt that has overlapping scales of metal sewn onto it. Over that he wears another heavy cotton shirt that disguises it. The boots he pulls on look heavy and very serious. They also have a sort of leather covering over the sole, "Cherie, I been in a fight or two. I ain't some green boy."
Suraksha sighs softly. Her expression is rueful, but she's starting to get more anxious. "Well... all right. At least bring along a big bandanna so you can hide your face. I don't want some excited lackey deciding shooting you himself, outside Moynahan's place, will net him some gain."
Roy turns around and gives Suraksha a very serious expression, "I'll hide my face 'till we get there, but I ain't hidin' it once we're there. Want that sonova bitch to know it's definitely me." Roy is strapping a heavy belt around his waist with several pouches hanging from it. He grabs a hat and stuffs his hair up under it in the back, letting it hang low over his forehead in front. It makes it hard to recognize him.
Suraksha says, "We are damned good allies, I think, just as you said, and..." She watches him silently for a moment while his back is to her again, and for an instant her face is tight with worry. She seriously considers simply knocking him out and leaving him here... then sighs and tosses that idea. She'd never forgive him if he did that to her; she can hardly expect him to forgive her in the same situation. Softly she finishes her sentence -- so softly it's possible he didn't hear her, "I... don't want to lose this."
Roy is glad his back is to Suraksha as he says, "I don't wanna lose it either, cherie. It's... a good thing. I think." The last layer of clothing is a heavy leather jacket. His brow is a little furrowed. Truth be told, he's anxious about tonight as well. The alpha male in him wants to stand between what seems to be a delicate young woman and a mobster, but he's seen today there is much more to her than that.
Suraksha takes a slow, deep breath, pulling herself together. She deliberately makes her voice teasing, "You think? I see. Well, let me know when you decide, all right?" She grins, adding, "Also, you promised to follow my orders, remember? So, first please let me do the removing of your mask for maximum effect at Moynahan's. Second, I need you to lead Alg and myself out of your palace so we don't run into any guards." Her voice gets rueful as she murmurs, "Me in nothing but a slip, and you in fighting togs, might raise a few eyebrows, after all."
Roy chuckles and raises his brows, "Why... oh. Wait. Gonna change, right? What about when we get there? Gonna go in bare-ass or as a tiger?" He straps a large bowie knife to his thigh and says, "Still, I promised. You can do the big reveal if you wanna, and I can get us outta here without nobody knowin'... but I need your word again. Not even my guards know about this route we'll be takin'."
Suraksha nods silently at the query regarding shifting shape. She looks a bit surprised to hear Roy has an actual secret passage kind of way out of the palace; then she chuckles -- of course he does! He's a sneaky sort. She smiles and says, "You have my word I will tell no one of this route. I do not think Alg is the chatty type about things like this either." She grins mischievously as she adds, "I think I know now why you always dress yourself, without a gentleman's valet, too! He'd have absconded with these ruffian's clothes." She eyes the large man carefully, tilting her head as she considers, then nods. She can carry him in tiger form, even if it slows her down a little.
Roy chuckles and shrugs, "Never had a valet. Never really saw much of a need fer one. Once in a while I'll get someone to help me with somethin' I can't reach. But just th' idea of somebody else dressin' me... it don't feel right. 'Less, of course, it's flirtin'. That's different." He leads her and Alg through the apartments into the washroom. There's a three-way mirror in a little nook and he pushes and twists at a particular tile (which one exactly it is he hides with his body), and the back mirror swings outward like a door.
Suraksha blinks in fascination, watching silently with a hand resting on Alg's shoulder. She can't help the almost infectiously delighted grin as she slips into the tunnel he reveals, whispering to him, "You are such a marvelous rogue!" Her golden eyes widen reflexively as she studies the darkness ahead of them, dilating and giving her night vision. She murmurs amusedly, "Not that I wish to be a spoilsport, but please tell me this is a dry path, dear?"
Roy snorts, "Yes. It's a dry path... right on till it puts us out in the swamp, but we can get out b'fore then." C'mon. He takes a shielded lantern off a small shelf and lights it, "I'll walk behind. Keep from spoilin' yer night vision."
Suraksha murmurs a soft thanks and heads on into the darkness, Alg bounding eagerly ahead. She adds over her shoulder to Roy, "We need to pause by the big crossroads just before your palace, please. We have another ally awaiting us there."
Roy's voice is low because anything else echoes like crazy in the stone passageway, "Hey, you're leadin' the way once we're outta here. We stop where you say." The trek out of the palace takes a good fifteen minutes and brings them out on the backside of the main wall, facing onto a patch of forest.
Suraksha is a bit turned around, not knowing the outside of the palace that well, but with whispered instructions to Alg, the little threesome are soon at the small, cobbled crossroads. Sulochana has Roy wait at the side of the road with Alg, under a Spanish moss-draped old oak. She warns Roy to stay there, and not to be startled at their ally... then she steps silently out into the middle of the crossing. She stands there in the moonlight like a fey thing: all ebony shadows and moon-drenched ivory skin draped with sheerest cobwebs -- and she listens.
The night is nearly silent, the moon low and most of the night creatures already slipped away. There's the occasional faint coughing roar of the hunting bull alligator, or the soft monotone chirring of cicadas... a whispering breeze that causes the silken wrap to billow and silhouette the girl quite daringly... a faint tapping as of two branches clicking together... Sulochana turns and walks towards the sound, half vanishing into shadow as she stops and murmurs very quietly. A moment later she turns and heads back towards Roy and Alg. For a heartbeat it looks like the black shadows beneath the thick, overhanging trees have broken free and are stalking her -- and then the tricksy moonlight shimmers and ripples over the heavy, thick pelt of an enormous monster or animal rolling silently after her. Roy left the lantern back in his hidey-hole and so is having to rely on moonlight and starlight to see. He tenses as she comes back with the enormous form behind her; his hand goes quite instinctively to his knife.
Suraksha rests a small hand on the huge bear's muzzle -- a muzzle large enough to encompass her entire head -- and whispers softly to Roy, "This is... Bear. He is an ally, and he is going to be your bodyguard tonight, just as Alg is mine." The huge bear sits down, his head and muscle-humped shoulders rising even above Roy's head -- just barely. Sulochana takes an oilskin-wrapped item from the bear's mouth, her absolute calm near the monster either inspiring or terminally foolish, and unwraps it to reveal something black and lacy. "This is Gramma Marcie's shawl. Roy, I will need you to carry both it, and my wrap while I'm in tiger form." She looks up at Roy's face searchingly, her eyes huge in the moonlight, "You and I will be going in as human form. I need you and Bear to hold the door -- you can let people in, but no one must leave. Do you understand?" The huge bear sniffs at the man, then chuffs quietly. Sulochana sighs and murmurs, "He insisted. I tried to talk him out of it, believe me."
Roy smirks and says, "Sounds good to me. Holding a door's pretty easy when you got someone cain't quite fit through it." He's standing well back from Bear, but he takes the shawl without comment, wrapping it around one forearm like a bandage.
The bear grunts at Sulochana's explanation, turning the big head towards Roy and sighing gustily. Suraksha catches Roy before he does that, "No! No, please -- be very careful with this. It's got Marcie's scent on it. Don't get yours on it too, all right? I'm the best tracker, but I'm no bloodhound. We need every bit of help we can get here."
Roy unwraps it again and says, "Alrighty, then. How'm I supposed to carry it and not have it smell like me?"
Suraksha steps out of her sandals and shrugs out of the robe, wrapping them both up and handing them to Roy too. "Keep it in the oilskin, please. Tuck it into your belt or something? You'll be riding me, so you'll need your hands free." Suraksha steps back a bit so she has a little room, then closes her eyes and takes a few deep breaths. The bear makes a grumbling sound that manages to seem worried, holding out one enormous clawed paw as if to catch her if she falls. She smiles with her eyes still closed, murmuring softly, "I've done the best I can, Bear. Roy helped with the energy; he did his best too." The bear sighs softly, grumbling again -- and in the seconds it takes for him to do so, there's a long, lean, shadow-striped tiger before him.
Instinct takes over and the king takes a step or two back as his monkey brain realizes he's in the dark with a goblin, a tiger, and a bear -- and then he comes back to his senses and tucks what he can into his belt. To Alg, he asks, "You think she was serious 'bout ridin' her?" The goblin snickers and capers up, stroking the big cat's sides and leering at Roy. Alg thinks this is all funny.
The tiger turns her head, glancing over her shoulder and snorting in quiet amusement. She leans her head down and rubs her chin affectionately against the goblin several times. Alg nearly purrs, arching cat-like against her as well, then springing to her back as she steps silently over to the huge bear. She rears up to an astonishing height in the deceptive moonlight, and the two great beasts exchange a surprisingly affectionate hug and head rub. Then the tiger drops heavily and silently to all fours again, padding over to bump her side against Roy's waist. The goblin slides down her back to grab the end of her tail, baring his many teeth in an excited grin. The oddest part is how silent the huge monsters are in the night -- as if they were but bits of shadow, and not really real.
Suraksha glances expectantly over her shoulder at Roy again. Roy moves over carefully, laying his hand on her shoulder as he murmurs, "Alrighty, this ain't gonna be a damn thing like ridin' a horse, I'm sure..." Still, he swings himself onto her back as if he were getting into the saddle of one of his prized purebreds.
Suraksha chuffs a chuckle, then carefully enunciates, "Hlaay fwhhhaat."
Roy takes a moment to figure out she's telling him to flatten himself out. He leans down, taking two big handfuls of her fur. This close to the tiger, even a human can smell the wildness of her, and it makes his adrenaline surge, "Let's get this party started, lovely."
Suraksha purrs and shakes lazily, like a horse ridding itself of a fly, to make sure Roy is secure. She starts padding forward slowly, then quickly gains speed. The surreal little cavalcade whooshes through the city, giving Roy a near-magical view of Baton Rouge he has likely never seen before. Swift-rushing feet carry the tiger at a gallop, swerving and weaving like orange-striped lightning through the shadowed streets. The goblin bouncing elatedly along in long bounds behind her, clinging to her tail in order to keep up, and the armored man on her back, slow her down enough that the huge huffing bear can keep up behind them.
Roy's heart is racing and he actually has to fight not to whoop out a cry of elation and excitement. He's also very glad he jammed his hat down tightly -- and amused that Sulochana might think people would be looking at him when there's a tiger and a bear sliding through the shadows. He suspects there will be quite a few panicked accounts of this in the morning.
Occasionally they slow at crossings or crossroads, slinking through the shadows while the big tiger sniffs around -- then they burst into speed again. Finally they stop, pressed against the side of a ramshackle building. All three are looking up at the top floor of the building across the road from them, and Roy can see the flash of their bared teeth. The goblin even growls softly, before hastily clapping a hand over his mouth. Sulochana swings her head around to Roy and breaths, "Ohff. Ss-haww'."
The king slides off the tiger's back and takes out the packet with the shawl and the wrap in it. His eyes are wide, pupils dilated, and all three of the other beings with him can smell the adrenaline in his sweat; Roy has that mixture of fear and eagerness that makes for a very good fighter. After he hands off the packet he bends down to strip the leather coverings off his heavy boots.
The tiger takes a long, slow snuff of the shawl while the goblin bounces lightly onto her back. A moment later she blends into the night shadows... and Roy is alone with the bear. Bear sits up again, reaching out a paw to delicately tap Roy on the shoulder with a claw, then wave the paw to beckon Roy deeper into the shadows with him. Roy tenses when he's tapped and there's a jolt of alarm, then he grins up at the big bear, "You're awful polite for a bear." He actually manages to swagger back out of sight, but his heart is still racing.
The bear's soft rumble sounds disapproving, one big paw coming up as if to cover Roy's mouth. He goes back to listening carefully, his head turning back and forth and his wet nose snuffing the lazy breeze. It's very quiet, and there's no sign of Sulochana.
On the once-over around the warehouse, Sulochana can tell there has been a great deal of coming and going, but Marcie's scent doesn't seem to have left the warehouse. Moynahan's did, but it has also come back. The building still seems quiet and deserted from the outside.
The big tiger seems to simply appear out of shadow next to the bear. She sits, rubbing her nose with a huge, velvety paw as Alg rolls relaxedly off her back and crouches in front of them all, keeping an alert watch around them. The big tiger sighs softly, taking another deep breath -- and then Sulochana is there. She staggers slightly, and the bear's massive arm whips out, wrapping protectively around her and drawing her in next to Roy. The king moves without thinking to try and help steady Sulochana; he's not even aware he gives Bear an unhappy look when the bear gets to her first. To compensate, he asks in a low voice, "You want yer wrap, lovely? You sure you're up to alla this?"
Suraksha leans her forehead against Roy's armored chest for a moment, breathing deeply. When she looks up at Roy her shadowed expression is hard to read, but her soft whisper is determined, "My people trust me implicitly because they know I will always come through for them. I'm not going to stop now just because of a bit of a headache." She sighs and adds, "Yes. Clothes, please." Roy nods once, holding out her wrap for her. He works hard at resisting the urge to wrap her up in his arms and try to take her back to the palace -- then storm this place with loyal guards.
Suraksha slides into the wrap with sinuous care, tying it firmly off at her waist. She slips the sandals on too, then re-wraps the shawl and has Roy tuck it away someplace protected -- in a pouch, if she can get him to do so. After that she gives soft, last minute instructions: "Roy and Bear, remember: you're holding the door closed against anyone leaving. Stick together; you are each other's back-up. Bear, don't let Roy get hurt if you can. Roy, Bear is very well armored except around the face -- keep that in mind if you feel the need to leap to his defense. Alg, you're going to lead us all in, and I want you to stay between me and anyone who wants to approach, until I'm in tiger form. Once I'm in tiger form, you can make all the kills and take all the treats you want." She looks at them all, silent for a moment, then adds, "Any questions?"
Roy chuckles and says, "Are we gonna go on jawin', or are we goin' in?"
Suraksha gives Roy an exasperated glance, then nods at the soft sounds of assent from the other two. She lowers her head for a moment... then looks up at Roy and gently touches his cheek with her fingertips. Before he can say anything, though, she's whirled and darted away, Alg bouncing along in front of her and up the stairs. The king's eyelids lower slightly at the light touch, but she's gone before he can make a sentimental fool of himself. The small woman waits to make sure the others are behind her, and that the bear can carefully work his bulk up the narrow staircase; Alg bounces up to the door at the top of the steps and hammers on it. Roy's body language is a little different now: he's rolled his shoulders slightly forward and his walk is more of a slouch. It's easy to tell he's had some practice at not being recognized.
The door cracks open and a rheumy blue eye looks out at them, then one half of a smirking mouth becomes visible, "Already dressed for takin' up your new role with the boss, eh?" Roy hears that and his brows crease in the middle.
Suraksha calls sharply up the stairs, "Get Moynahan. Tell him I have come with my proof and I want Marcie." Roy is starting to tense up a little bit. It could just be pre-battle jitters, but he's not liking the phrasing being used here. He dips his hands into the pockets of his jacket, sliding his fingers into the pair of iron knuckle-dusters he's got there. Alg shoves the door open; he was told to lead the way and he's going to. Suraksha follows quickly after, her head high and her stride sure. She pauses only to glance back when the enormous bear casually cracks the doorframe, then squirms on through.
There's a lot of swearing as Bear literally shoulders his way through the door into the study after making his way through the anteroom. Roy hangs back slightly and keeps his head down. His jaw is visibly tight. He recognizes some of the men already. Some, however, are a surprise to him -- in particular, one man lounging near the fireplace that works in the palace kitchens. Roy has the bandanna on his face, which might seem odd, but these are not the most straightforward of men. They can understand a desire for anonymity.
Suraksha makes sure everyone sticks together and stays in order: Alg, her, Roy, and Bear tailgating so no one gets picked off. She glances over contemptuously at the swearing, saying nothing to them. Bear settles into a comfortable seated position with his backside against the closed door -- no one is going to be able to use it unless he chooses to move! He makes sure Roy is close on one side, and he bares his teeth over Roy's head at the closest man -- causing the ruffian to swear again and back away a few steps from Roy.
Moynahan is in the room and he's in his chair. He rises as he sees Suraksha, eyes sliding over Roy as an irrelevance and resting on the bear briefly. "Pushing the limits, lady. First you bring two when I say one. Then you bring three, and one of them is a giant bear. I really don't approve of animals in the house. Makes the place stink." He's leering at her, staring at her chest rather than her face as he speaks, "But I think we can look past it this time. As long as you've completed our deal."
Suraksha steps forward proudly; despite her lack of attire she moves with supreme confidence, as if it is everyone else who is overdressed, and not she who is under-dressed. She stops in front of the desk, hands on her hips, and raises her chin, "You better believe I have, buster. Bring in Marcie." Alg is alert and nearly panting with excitement. His eyes glitter and he has way too many teeth as he sidles back and forth between Sulochana and the nearest men.
Roy's hands clench slightly in his pockets as he watches Suraksha sway forward. His eyes are snapping, anger starting to rise. If asked, he would say it's Moynahan's presence irritating him so. In truth, he does not like having Sulochana be so close to bare before this man he despises. It is, in fact, a little bit of jealousy. Moynahan lets his eyes slide downward, admiring the curves as he says, "Bring the old bat in." The moment he says it, he holds up a hand, "Actually, wait." He smirks and settles back into his chair, "I want my proof first."
Suraksha tosses her head back and laughs! Her voice rings with confidence, "All you men, all you so-clever men... couldn't do what I can do." She spins around flamboyantly, one arm upraised to point at the bear -- and both shaggy, powerful arms whip out, wrapping securely about Roy and pinning him to the beast's thick hide. Bear is careful to pinion Roy both at shoulder and at wrist, and one heavy hind leg comes around to tangle up his booted feet as well. Sulochana steps over, reaching up and yanking down the bandanna as she crows triumphantly, "I... have delivered Roy!" She smirks at the gaping men around the room, then tosses her head proudly and looks at Moynahan. "Now. You have what you want. Give me Marcie."
Roy, being who he is, was ready to launch into a fight, and being grabbed by Ohkwari triggers off that instinct. He struggles in the arms of the big creature, snarling and swearing in a thick, almost incomprehensible patois. It isn't hard to understand the underlying feeling, however: 'You traitorous bitch!' Suraksha keeps her back to Roy; her stance is wide and her fists still on her hips. Her full lips are curved into a triumphant, almost challenging smile at Moynahan.
Moynahan roars laughter and his piggish eyes gleam as he stands up, "Oh, this is even better. Even better! I get to see his face when he knows I've won." He turns his gaze back to Suraksha and licks his lips, "Think I might even keep him alive long enough to see that I've taken it all from him..." He starts around the desk, smirking as Sulochana demands Marcie. He motions to his men and they open the door, bringing the woman in.
Roy's eyes are blazing with anger and, though he does a really good job of hiding it, pain. He keeps up his struggling. Something he does not do well is give up, even when he's overwhelmed; he is one man that will not go down without a fight. As they're bringing in Gramma Marcie, Moynahan swaggers over to where Roy's being held and smirks at him, "Well, river-rat. I told you once that I'd see you back in the mud. Tonight's that night. I think maybe I'll feed you to that stupid leopard you keep after you're dead."
Suraksha's eyes widen at sight of Marcie, and she takes an anxious step forward before she catches herself. "Marcie! Are you all right?" She blinks at the amount of furious roaring behind her, whirling to snap, "Oh, for pity's sake, Roy -- have some dignity!" She steps forward enough that Alg leaps between her and Moynahan, snarling at him -- and incidentally keeping the man back from Roy -- and adds fiercely, "My people all trust me implicitly... because they know I will always come through for them!" She stares coldly directly into Roy's eyes for a long heartbeat... then turns imperiously back to Moynahan, extending a hand, "Move back, please. I want you to get the full effect." Her gaze flashes to Marcie for a second, checking for a response.
Sna'thaid is holding herself like a weary old woman, but Suraksha can see the eager, deadly gleam in her eyes. "I'm fine, m'lady. Glad to see you here." Roy's lip curls, showing his teeth in a very wolfish snarl, but he stops the swearing. He doesn't stop the fighting.
Suraksha takes a deep breath, then lets it out in a slow sigh of relief. Her gaze flicks back to Moynahan, and her gaze is dark and sultry as she deliberately steps out of the sandals. She does not look at anyone else; all her family of the heart either know her well or have already gotten their orders. The small, beautiful woman tosses her head to shake her dark hair back, her golden-green gaze steady on Moynahan, and unbelts her wrap... then lets it slide sinuously into a loose, silken puddle at her feet. She takes another deep breath -- it does wonderful things to her breasts -- and says clearly, "But for us and Roy... no one leaves this room alive." In that same heartbeat of an instant there is no more Sulochana -- there is a huge, snarling tiger already lunging enraged at Moynahan, clawed paws extended.
Roy would not, for the world, admit how his heart is breaking as Sulochana's robe slides to puddle around her feet -- and then his heart freezes in his chest at her words. A bluff. She had just bluffed Moynahan. The moment is perfect, frozen in the king's mind as the crime lord's face goes from lecherous eagerness to apoplectic anger-
And then things get very blurred and very bloody.
In Marcie's place is a shimmering dream of a being, transparent wings folded down her back, all six of her limbs flying in deadly precision to put down the two men that were holding what they thought was still a frail old woman... even if she did have four arms. Bear releases Roy and gets down to the business of breaking the bones of anyone trying to get past himself and the king. The whole room is filled with shouting and moving bodies and the splash and sticky-coppery smell of blood.
Moynahan is right in front of Suraksha and he has just enough time to spit out orders for them to be killed before the tiger is on him. He stumbles backward, ruining Suraksha's deadly leap so she takes down the hapless and gaping guard behind them. Suraksha smashes the guard out of her way with a casual swipe of one claw-fringed paw, snarling as she turns coldly furious eyes on the crime boss and lunges for him again. Alg too is having some problems, mostly because Moynahan's men are scattering like pigeons in front of the gleefully screeching goblin. In all the chaos, even the gorgeous and deadly Sna'thaid misses her intended strike. The room is so full of screaming, struggling people and giant animals that it's hard to pick one out of the mess.
Roy's arms are still a little tangled and it takes him a moment to get his hands back into his pockets and into the iron fists that are going to help him. He has to duck at least one flying fist on the way and he grins maniacally, "Oh, chile, try that weak-ass shit again..."
As Suraksha finds Moynahan again, the man is on his feet and swinging his enormous chair at her catlike head, snarling at her in heavily accented English, "Oh, you are going to regret that for days, bitch!" Suraksha casually bats the chair aside, stalking the man with deliberate malice. Two of the men manage to duck under Marcie's guard and back her into a corner with iron in their hands, actually knocking her off-balance enough to stumble. She makes a chittering, hissing noise of irritation.
Alg keeps missing people because they're moving with the desperate speed of people about to become goblin-treats. The others facing Bear and Roy are having a harder time of it. Moynahan's men are trying to get past the king and the enormous fuzzy ursine, and Roy is swearing continually under his breath. It's been a while since he's fought and it's taking him a moment to get his street-fighter legs beneath him -- and that is exactly how he fights: no elegant swords or practiced detentes. Roy fights like a man that has had to use his fists and his feet to survive. Those boots he was so careful to keep covered are hobnailed, and his scarred knuckles are protected by iron knuckle-dusters that look like they were forged very particularly for him.
Suraksha pounces lightly on the hapless Moynahan, pinning the enraged, swearing man to the ground. She studies him for a moment, then snarls contemptuously into his face, "Neh-fer! T-housh me. Haa-gain!" After that she reaches down with her jaws, taking a good hold of the screaming Moynahan's right arm -- the one he used to touch her. The heavy muscles in her shoulders and powerful neck bunch and roll, and with a jerk and twist she deliberately rips off the arm. She leaves the dying man lying there and bleeding out, the limb still in her jaws in unwittingly horrific gruesomeness as she looks around for her companions.
It's as if that one gesture is all that's needed to turn the tide of the fight. Perhaps it's because Moynahan's men are horrified at their boss' death, but they get desperate. Sulochana's companions get their confidence under them and it is a slaughter from there. Roy's fists start to connect and those iron-shod boots do a lot of painful damage. One of the roaring guards even gets the king's forehead solidly to the bridge of his nose before he goes down under a flurry of kicks. Sna'tha howls bainsidhe-like laughter and bronze needle-like knives spray out from her many hands in an explosion of death. Alg is almost nothing but a blur, rocketing through the room screeching and howling happily, "Treatstreatstreats!" The goblin hasn't been this happy or enthusiastic about anything in a very, very long time.
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