| Logs |
2010 November 15
| Neverneverwhere |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
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| Realms: Taps Logs |
Speaking With A Voice of Thunder
In Sabrina's wagon, Dominic is doing his level best right now to capture the imaginations and attention of the girls gathered around him... skipping over some slower bits of Lady Sulochana's tale, and getting to the bit where she and her companions did battle with some unruly dockworkers thinking them easy pickings -- and actually making the fight far more exciting than it was, since on the whole it was a rather neat and tidy affair -- at least as he remembers hearing it.
Outside, where the townies are clustered, Chanticleer positions himself near Suraksha -- or rather, Goodwife Sulochana, looking about as dour and stony as possible while still remaining animate. Suraksha is a tiny woman, but her virtuous mental armor almost bristles, "Thank you, your honor. You are too kind." She nods once to them, then adds, chin high, "To be far from your families and homes at this hour, you must have pressing reason. How might we assist you tonight?" She resembles nothing so much as the disapproving schoolmarm, wondering what these children are doing out so late on a school night.
Mr. Elliott has risen to his feet as well. Bradley smiles, the expression somewhat wry as the mayor says, "It is we who wish to assist you, Goody. I wish my town to have a savory reputation and I wanted to assure you that not all of my townspeople are so unseemly as to insist on their dealings being at night."
Suraksha's lips purse slightly in disapproval, although she does not look directly at Bradley. She nods with a hint more graciousness, however, to the mayor, "Thank you, sir; your good intentions do you credit. Fortunately we are not without resources ourselves as well..." her glance flickers past both Ohkwa and Chanti, then back to the mayor as she continues, "and we have had the pleasure of doing business with several of Roseville's finest already." With clear pride she adds, "We do not lollygag about, to be sure! We shall depart precisely on the third day, before our pass has expired." She adds a touch sharply, "Idle hands are the devil's playground, after all," as she glares at the youngest townie again, who is once more staring a bit longingly at Fantine.
Chanticleer is attentive, though from his stony expression it's hard to tell he's listening. Fantine is doing a wonderful job of being herself, which means she's nervously peeking back at the boy from time to time. The peeking gives the feeling she's trying to not show interest, when it's really just that she doesn't like being watched and wishes he would stop! Mayor Aurelias nods and looks at Bradley, "Indeed they are, Goody. Indeed they are. That is why we have the anti-vagrancy laws we have. To prevent layabouts from taking over our fair city."
Bradley smiles a bit, the expression not reaching his eyes, "Indeed. It is hard to see bad elements undermining good work." The comment itself is something the mayor can't possibly find fault with.
Suraksha pointedly clears her throat, then says firmly, "Excellent. In that case, Mayor Aurelias, I bid you a safe and blessed goodnight. If you need, I will send someone with you to light the way back to the path to town. I assure you there will be no vagrancy allowed around this caravan!" Her expression is dour as she glances at Bradley, adding, "Our business will be concluded soon enough, as it is." She murmurs to Chanticleer, "A lantern for the gentlemen, Chanticleer, if you please?"
Chanticleer doesn't even nod or acknowledge he heard the order, simply moves to retrieve said lantern as if this is his sole important duty. He goes to Fantine, who, as planned, can produce one immediately -- the better to get these people out and away. Suraksha nods again, stepping forward and extending her hand in a business-like fashion to the mayor, "Your honor, a pleasure."
Fantine hands Chanticleer the lantern, keeping her eyes averted. The little loogaroo has never liked strangers, and these are particularly unpleasant ones. The mayor is looking suspiciously at Bradley, but there's not a way for him to extend this visit without seeming to be imposing on a god-fearing woman. He does seem a little unsure of what to do when she offers her hand. He doesn't take it; instead he bows to her, "Goodwife. Please feel free to come to me and my people if you have any trouble while in town." To Bradley he says, "Mr. Bradley, if you can come by my office some day this week I would greatly appreciate it."
Suraksha raises an eyebrow, but does not push; she simply folds her hands together again and nods once more as she steps back. "Our thanks for the blessing of your protection, your honor. The shield of justice is righteous armament in our lord's cause." She frowns at the youngest townie then, snapping her fingers sharply at him and glaring when his startled gaze flicks to her. He flushes hotly again, looking flustered.
Chanticleer has brought the lantern back and is standing by Suraksha, holding it aloft as if he were designed to do so. At the mayor's invitation he raises one brow quite, quite high, not quite looking disapproving -- more concerned. The mayor and Bradley look at one another for a long moment. Bradley manages to keep his expression neutral, but Aurelias can't quite keep from frowning a little. When Suraksha snaps her fingers, he looks at the young man and snaps, "Zachariah!" The young townie flushes and looks as hard as he can at the ground.
Suraksha is still frowning at the youngest townie as she murmurs to the sidhe, "Chanticleer, be so good as to see the mayor and his men safely to the path to town, please." She nods to the eight men, murmuring graciously, "Good night to you all, goodmen." Chanticleer nods his head to Suraksha, then looks at the townies -- not pointedly, but as if he expects them to start walking under their own power momentarily. They turn to leave; it's very much as if they were waiting for a man to make it official that it was time to go.
Chanticleer walks with the mayor's delegation to approximately where he first met them, and then lets them continue on, with a polite, "Good night to you, gentlemen, and may the Lord's blessing be with you." The townies relight their torches using a flint and steel one of them has in his pocket, then take their leave of Chanticleer. There is something about their body language that says they really aren't quite sure what just happened. Chanticleer doesn't show it, but the showman in him -- and what fey isn't a showman at heart? -is pleased at the state the townies leave in. It means a job well-done.
The Roseville town fathers have finally departed, with tall, sternly ascetic-looking Chanticleer 'escorting' them to be sure they're gone. When he returns and reports the 'all clear,' Suraksha sighs in relief and relaxes -- then swiftly unpins her tightly bound braid, unbuttons the high starched collar, and tucks the cross out of sight. After that she sits in the chair and pulls off the high-laced boots, then stretches her feet and wiggles her toes with another sigh of relief. She looks up at the three businessmen and smiles ruefully, "Your pardon; protective camouflage is not always comfortable to wear. So, shall we continue with our negotiations?"
Moses is, as always, utterly blank-faced. Bradley looks faintly amused, while old Mr. Elliott looks like he's trying not to be scandalized. He settles back into his seat, as does Bradley. The later shakes his head and smirks, "No, it's not comfortable at all most of the time."
Suraksha gives Bradley a rueful grin and a nod. Her grin widens -- not unkindly -- at Elliott's hastily hidden expression. To give the factor a moment to recover she leans and murmurs to Chanticleer, "Chanti, would you be so kind as to let the Sokoloffs know they can return? And then go to Sabrina's wagon and let Dominic know he can bring back the girls and their guardians?" She smiles, her tone affectionate, "Be sure you don't interrupt the story he's telling, though, please? He needs to realize he's best when he's just being himself, rather than trying to run everything for everyone." She glances over to Bradley, adding, "Do you want them to stay for the pony acrobats too, or will that be too much excitement for the night?"
All around them, the caravaneers are relaxing and returning to their preferred way of being. Fantine trots through collecting the bibles and crosses, Little Joe pulls out his guitar and strums lazily, various people put away their props and sprawl comfortably, chatting with each other. Suraksha waits for Bradley's decision re the entertainment before continuing negotiations.
Bradley settles back into his sprawl and says, "I suspect it might be best if we take the girls home after the tumblers are done. They will have had enough excitement, I believe."
Suraksha interlocks her fingers and stretches them over her head as well, her slender body shifting with unselfconscious grace. When she's done she sighs, removing the cross pendant and handing it to Fantine with a small, amused grimace... then she neatly tucks her small feet under her in the chair, nodding to the manitou, "That's fine."
Chanticleer takes the opportunity, once he's back and before he goes to tell the Sokoloffs to come back, to glamour himself out of this really obtrusive and stifling-looking robe. After that he moves off to alert the Sokoloffs, then also heads over to Sabrina's wagon. He waits until Dominic is well finished telling his story, before letting them know they can return to the ring. The story, of course, is involved from the way it was told to him, but Dom does eventually get to a pausing point, and looks at Chanti from where he's lurking to one side. "All clear? Or should I keep entertaining the girls?" he queries. The little girls seem quite taken with Dominic's storytelling, gathering around and sitting close to him, bouncing and squealing delightedly at the tense parts, and clapping for the heroes. Sabrina is watching with a quiet, fond smile.
As people are starting to relax and unbend a little from the roles they were just playing, there is a screeching and thumping that starts up from one of the nearby wagons. Fantine looks nervously at it. Suraksha jerks startledly upright, then looks rueful, "Oh, dear." She bounces lightly to her feet, hastily gabbling to the three men, "So sorry, just one moment, be right back, please!" She grabs up the heavy, long, dark skirt and whirls, running towards the wagon. Her small feet gleam pale in the lamplight, flashing swiftly.
In Sabrina's wagon, Dominic jerks to life. That's not a natural sound, and quite disturbing. "Don't worry, girls, it's under control," he assures, looking sharply at Chanti. "Check it out," he suggests, "I got the girls covered." His club is within reach.
Chanticleer blinks, looking to the wagon and wincing. "Oh, dear. Alg's unhappy again..."
Just as everyone is starting to turn toward the wagon... Suraksha's wagon, actually... there's a loud crash from inside, followed by several sharp words in a liquid and almost musical language. Liquid and musical or not, whomever's speaking is most obviously swearing. Bradley, Elliott ,and Moses are all on their feet as well. The screeching continues and the door on the wagon is yanked open to release a dark blur of fur that comes rocketing out directly at Suraksha -- who gives a startled squeak, ducking and throwing her arms up protectively.
The dark blur, which is indeed Alg, seems to spin and stop almost in mid-air to keep from barreling directly into Suraksha. The goblin has been in the wagon with Sna'thaid running glamour on him for quite a while now and he is quite unhappy about it. Suraksha whews, straightening carefully as she watches Alg fly past her as he lands -- then whirl and bound back to her in one long, smooth leap. He grabs a handful of Sura's heavy skirt as she straightens, half-snarling and half-panting as he looks back at the wagon he just violently exited. His voice is defiant, "Alg stay with pretty lady!"
Sna'thaid, in her Gramma Marcie glamour, steps to the open door and says, "Yes, well, pretty lady can bloody well clean up the mess you made, then, Alg!" She is clearly Not Happy with the black-furred goblin, who is already swinging around to bare his teeth at the strangers, just to make sure they know he means business, before turning back to glare at the sidhe woman again.
Outside Sabrina's wagon, Chanticleer blinks. He would normally consider all of the ladies in the caravan to be 'pretty.' The girls are clustered around Dominic and looking worried. Diana is holding tightly to one of this hands and most of the others are gathered behind him, peeking around his sides to see what's going on, eyes wide. Dominic is maybe a little worried about the girls seeing... but then he realizes there's an easy explanation. "Don't worry girls... it's just Alg! You remember Alg." Hey, the storytelling was actually useful! The girls relax a little as Dom explains what the creature is. They whisper between themselves excitedly. Stories are coming to life right around them! This is really exciting!
Suraksha laughs, crouching to hug Alg reassuringly, "Oh, dear. I'm sorry, Gramma -- don't worry, I'll take care of it, promise." Alg rubs himself absently against Sura, like a cat, and she adds, "No, Fantine, please -- it's my fault. I'll get it later, all right?" To the goblin she murmurs with a smile, "Alg, dear, you do know Gramma's just trying to help, yes?" The little loogaroo looks torn -- she really wants to go tidy up! She hesitates, then sidles surreptitiously out of sight between two wagons.
Dominic is ready to assure the girls that everything's well. "Alg is just a bit antsy, ladies. It's no big deal. He was sent to his room, and he didn't like that." He points at Sura. "She'll make everything right," he insists. The girls all nod and whisper together. They know being sent to your room is no fun at all! The Sokoloffs, unfazed by goblin antics, are already busily setting up the ring again. Slender young Alexander grins and winks at the girls, and Natalya snorts amusedly at her brother, poking him in the side. The three men -- Bradley, Elliott, and Moses -- are all watching this rather carefully. Moses has moved at some point to stand between Bradley and Suraksha.
Alg isn't quite sticking his tongue out at Gramma Marcie. Quite. He sniffs and says, "Alg protect lady! Can't protect in wagon!" He's looking suspiciously around him.
Suraksha grins with affection at the goblin, clearly struggling not to laugh. She strokes his ears gently before she stands and offers him her hand, "Yes, but it's just some nice gentlemen here now, and it was just humans before, dear. Come -- you can sit with me until you get bored, if you'd like?"
Alg stomps his foot and takes Suraksha's hand, obviously not mollified as he stumps along next to her. "Lady need Alg now!" He glowers at the three men and points at Bradley with one claw-tipped finger, "Smell like blood! Eat people!" He points at Moses and sniffs disdainfully, "Smell like dirt!" Suraksha raises her head and blinks at Moses, sudden understanding lighting her face. Elliott is staring wide-eyed at Alg and Bradley has straightened up to his full height. In that instant, the laconic and near-silent Moses has started moving -- with surprising speed, actually, and heading directly for Suraksha with a look of stolid determination on his face.
Alg is already between Moses and Sura, snarling excitedly. Suraksha blinks at the man charging her and Alg -- then abruptly draws herself up to her full height, her eyes flashing with fierce anger as she throws out one hand with her palm towards the on-rushing man. Her voice rings through the air with power as she cries out, "STOP!"
Moses stops -- just as suddenly as he began moving. In fact, he almost falls down with the suddenness of his stopping; he drops into a low, balanced crouch for a moment, all four limbs touching the ground. Before anyone else can react, Bradley snaps, "Moses! Stand down!" The crouching man stands and turns back, moving to sit woodenly down in his chair.
Dominic doesn't understand, clearly. But he's a little worried by Alg's growing ire. He wants to step in... but he has to think of the children. Even before thinking of the Lady, who can surely take care of herself... and Chanti's there too, and others. He has to keep things in perspective. So he stays there, a barrier between the goblin and the girls.
Everyone has paused for a moment, in fact, staring in surprise or consternation at the small woman and the stiff man. Suraksha stands quite still as well, watching and leaning on Alg's shoulder. Once Moses is re-seated, Sura murmurs quietly, "Alg, my dear... remember how we talked about private and public information? When you detect someone is not human, that's information for you to tell me privately, right?" The goblin hesitates, then nods a bit sheepishly, and Suraksha gently pats his shoulder before she says politely, "Your golem, I presume, Mr. Bradley?" She sits herself gracefully -- and a bit wearily -- back into her chair as she speaks, with Alg settled in and firmly pressed up against her legs, throwing a defiantly wary glance around himself.
Chanticleer rebukes himself almost immediately -- he hadn't even thought that one of their 'guests' might react in such a manner. He resolves to be a lot more alert and ready the next time strange people are in the encampment. Dominic blinks as the Lady gives voice to what he was only beginning to suspect; as he realizes what he was getting from Moses. How interesting. He files this sensation, of how a golem resonates to his senses. It only makes sense: golems are made of earth, and his power is all about the earth. "She's amazing," he says to the clustered girls, who are surely all focused on Suraksha in wonder, right now.
The girls are all nodding and Diana whispers, "Moses doesn't listen to anybody! Well, except for Papa and Mr. Elliott. He doesn't even listen to me usually!"
Dominic squeezes Diana's hand. "She's special, very special. Maybe one day you'll be like her," he says seriously, encouragingly.
Bradley's eyes are narrowed as he looks closely at the woman and the goblin pressed close against her legs. When he speaks, his voice is different than it has been, rolling through the night like distant thunder, "You're... quite good... Miss Sesha."
Ohkwa looks up alertly at that, his eyes narrowed as well. Sura, however, merely murmurs tiredly, "Thank you, Mr. Bradley." She glances over at Dominic and the girls with a faint smile, then adds, "Perhaps you might reassure the young ladies all is well?" Alg is staring with wide-eyed interest at the wide-eyed girls staring at him. He's still got one hand tangled tightly in Sura's heavy skirt.
Bradley turns and smiles at the girls, "It's OK, ladies. Everyone just got a little scared and nervous. We're all friends, though, see?" He smiles his paternal smile at the girls. They, and their older female guardians, relax.
Dominic tips his hat and glances towards Alg. Hmm, best not take chances. "Come along, ladies. Sulochana has work to do, and I'm not done telling you all about her!" he encourages, turning and urging the clustered girls back to their seats.
Suraksha's tired smile quirks slightly at the corners... although she's far too well-bred to point out Mr. Bradley is 'quite good' also! She smiles as she murmurs softly to Elliott, "Shall we continue while the young ladies are entertained by the Sokoloffs and my invaluable assistant Dominic?" Dominic is pausing as he's closing the wagon door, and hears that. Thank goodness the beard hides his sudden flush at the Lady's praise.
The Sokoloffs are quickly getting set back up to continue their show for the girls as Elliott settles back in to finish up the negotiations with Suraksha on Bradley's behalf. Chanticleer retrieves his blue embroidered coat, which is far more comfortable and attractive, and ensures the rest of the evening goes uninterrupted by any further guests. He remains available in between checking on the guards, in case he is needed, and is not planning on sleeping until after their guests leave and the next guard shift starts. Moses watches Chanticleer, as if he has determined this man is someone that might pose a threat, but he doesn't make any aggressive moves.
Suraksha is deeply relieved everyone is so calmly and quietly competent -- it means she can focus on Elliott and Bradley. She continues running through the negotiations with Elliott, but it's mostly formalities at this point. Only a few minutes later Elliott proclaims himself satisfied, and Bradley signs. Sura is wearily pleased -- the caravan is making a metaphorical killing on these shipments! She neatly tucks the paperwork away, murmuring, "Gentlemen, my thanks for your time and patience tonight. It has been a pleasure doing business with you." She glances sideways at Bradley, a bit perplexed as to why he's watching her so intently -- but she's not the sort to be shaken off her negotiating game by that. She shrugs mentally, and smiles sweetly at him.
Things are made easier on Dom's storytelling when he has the assistance of the Amazing Flying Sokoloffs to make the girls gleefully squeal at all the antics. The young man does a running commentary as the acrobats flip and tumble and do the performance they are so very good at, mentioning various exciting performances they've done for notable people and adding his own brand of flavor to the excitement -- and, to his surprise, finding this particular duty singularly enjoyable.
The girls are all competing, in their very polite little-girl ways, to be the ones to sit next to Dominic as he does his commentary. Diana doesn't budge an inch and keeps her seat next to him. She's the birthday girl, after all! Dominic doesn't notice for several minutes of the very polite competition going on, what with being distracted by his thoughts. He's never talked this much in his life, and is thankful there's still some lemonade around to whet his whistle. In fact, it's because one of the girls taps him on the shoulder and offers him a glass of the sweet beverage, and then smugly takes her rightful place at his side, that he even realizes there's something going on. He still doesn't get it, of course, but he makes a point to ask someone about it later.
The two adult women are also smiling warmly at Dominic and seem quite approving of his dealings with the girls. The younger of the two adults smiles at him every time he glances her way. Dominic smiles back, friendly enough though he's still bemused. He's never had so much attention directed at him in his life, and it's a skosh embarrassing. But he's not going to be unfriendly -- not after he's worked so very hard at all this, and seemingly achieved such positive results. He absently wonders if it would be wrong to offer the birthday girl a piggyback ride. Kids still do that, right? Or maybe she's too old...
Once all the negotiations are done, Bradley says, "Moses, Elliott, why don't you go watch the tumblers with the girls? You've both done wonderfully at your jobs tonight."
Suraksha sighs in quiet relief that the negotiations are completed. She rises to her feet, leaning a bit on the table, and nods to them all, "A very good evening to you all, gentlemen." Alg shifts slightly, glancing a bit worriedly at Sura -- he can tell she's extremely tired, and covering it by moving slowly and deliberately.
Once his retainers have moved off, Bradley lowers his voice and asks, "May I have a moment of your time, Miss Sesha?"
Suraksha pauses as she's turning towards her wagon, her expression a little wistful while she's facing away from Bradley -- she so wants to go fall down in bed! She takes a slow breath and tilts her head thoughtfully, looking around. It should be all right. Chanti is close, Alg is next to her, her family are all around... and she can't believe Bradley would be violent in front of his daughter, even though the girls are all facing away just now. She settles back into her chair with a small sigh, so tired that she falls back on formal training: she nods graciously and murmurs, "How might I be of assistance, Mr. Bradley?"
Bradley's quiet voice is serious and even, "Once my people are home and safe, might I call on you again tonight?" He's making sure to keep his voice low enough not to be overheard by anyone except the glowering Alg.
Suraksha's eyebrows go up. Her reply is perfectly courteous, however, "Mr. Bradley, I -- like almost everyone else in this caravan -- need to sleep at night!" Her small smile is rueful, "Unlike you?"
Bradley considers this and then nods before asking, "Then perhaps I can bring Diana and the girls back tomorrow to see the pony acrobats you mentioned earlier?"
Suraksha's smile deepens with amusement, "Actually, Mr. Bradley, I'm afraid the caravan will be leaving the dawn of the day after tomorrow. The pass issued us by the current town fathers is for precisely three days and no more... and I doubt they'll be interested in extending it." She sighs tiredly, brushing back a curling strand of her hair as she adds, "Also, at that point no one will have the time or energy for performances, unfortunately." Her smile is mischievous as she adds, "Unless you'd like to arrange for an extension on our pass?"
Bradley looks a little frustrated at that point, and not at all happy as he recalls the mayor's visit, "I don't think His Honor would want to grant me such a favor. But you did promise Diana both of the acts, you know..."
Suraksha's golden eyes flash in the firelight, her expression suddenly icy. Her words are quiet but also sharply clipped as she counts her points off on her slender fingers, "In the first place, Mr. Bradley, any entertainment at all has been a kindhearted bonus from my people, since it was a last-minute request from Elliott to me, and not to them! In the second place, the request was to entertain Diana -- not six young girls, two bodyguards, and two nannies! Thirdly, we of the caravan could have simply let you handle your difficulties with the current town fathers on your own -- instead of generously helping you out as we did!" She glares at the manitou, her eyes flashing scarlet in the firelight for an instant as she snaps, "and finally -- I do not respond well to pressure instead of simple courtesy, sirrah!" She folds her hands in her lap and stares coldly at Bradley when she's done... rather like a schoolmarm offered an apple with a worm in it by a student. Bradley doesn't exactly backpedal, but he does throw up his hands and apologize profusely for that particular tactical error. Suraksha continues staring silently and coldly at him.
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