| Logs |
2010 November 21
| Neverneverwhere |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
| Realms: Taps Logs |
After the Party's Over
The manitou clears his throat, "It's true. You have been quite gracious. I apologize for my pressuring." Suraksha nods once, silently, and continues coolly studying him. Bradley continues, apologizing and asking her forgiveness several times. He does seem genuinely remorseful. When she continues to simply watch him, he ventures a question: he has heard that she is a Hetaera. Is that true? They are fairly rare, after all, and the name had finally clicked with him.
Suraksha is somewhat mollified by his apparent remorse, although she's tired and irritated enough by the situation with the townies that she doesn't say anything conciliatory. At his query she raises an eyebrow, wondering what he's heard about her. "Yes, Mr. Bradley, I am a Hetaera." She raises a hand immediately, before he can say anything else, and continues, "However, I am currently extremely busy, and consequently not interested in either donating blood to, or having as a client... a manitou." She tilts her head thoughtfully, adding, "What exactly did the name click to, if I may ask?"
Bradley looks puzzled, "It clicked in my memory where I'd heard it before." He makes a face that shows clear frustration and then leans forward, elbows on his knees, "May I come back to see you after the girls have been taken safely home? Just to speak." Chanticleer arches a brow; he is passing by the central part of the encampment on his way to the other side to make sure no townies (particularly that young lad Zachariah, who was gazing a bit longingly at one of the caravaneers) are sneaking back around the long way. The sidhe checks he has the concoction suggested to keep manitou at bay; he wonders why Bradley wants to come back? He remembers it was Fantine whom Zachariah was gazing longingly and besmittenly at. He chuckles inwardly; he's pretty sure the townie wouldn't approach her, and she'd probably die of embarrassment if he did. Best to preserve them both from being put in an unhappy situation.
Suraksha sighs tiredly at the manitou's request, but finally nods once, "Very well, if I am still outside my wagon -- and if you are very quiet and do not disturb anyone else... then yes, you may speak with me then." She tilts her head again as she adds, "I'm sorry I cannot promise you more, but it has been a very long day for me already, sir." With faint amusement she adds, "Pardon my lack of clarity; I was wondering where you'd heard my name before."
Bradley nods, "Thank you." He explains he's heard the name here and there from travelers and wagoneers passing through. Corbett himself was a well-known caravan leader and anyone that does shipping starts to gather that sort of information. After that he stands and gives her a small bow, "I'll go join my daughter now." Suraksha nods in understanding, and politely thanks the manitou. Once he heads for the little girls, she heads tiredly off to her wagon -- she has cleaning up to do before she can sleep.
Dominic gets a signal from one of the female caretakers, and regretfully has to say good bye to his new fans, as they have to go back home. He absently wonders, even hopes maybe the stories were inspiring as much as they were entertaining. He also makes a point of counting all the girls... just in case one of them gets the bright idea to stow away. That could be problematic. He does give Diana a hug, though, complete with bristly beard rubbing her cheek. "Happy birthday, darlin'." Diana blushes and hugs Dominic back, thanking him for the stories. The two female caretakers also thank him, the younger one reaching to shake his hand with a little smile. Dominic shakes it firmly. "I'm just glad everything turned out okay," he assures the ladies, putting his hat back on. He smiles when he feels the Lady's hand on her shoulder, and his chest swells. Well. That was different -- and it actually worked out okay.
Once the children are all safely shepherded off, the caravan slowly settles for the night. The tired lady quietly passes on her thanks to those whose hard work made tonight such a success for the caravan's business: the various actors, Buddy, the Amazing Flying Sokoloffs, the Amazon shield-sisters (even though they did not actually perform, they were ready to do so), the guards (including Chanticleer), and Dominic. Ohkwari gives Suraksha a reassuring hug and heads off to bed, and Sura cleans up the mess in her wagon with Fantine's help.
Peace falls across the grassy sward as torches and lanterns are extinguished, and Sura settles tiredly on her little back porch, wrapped in a blanket and not much else, next to Alg curled up on his cushion. She reassures Fantine and her godsmother that she's fine -- the 'commanding' didn't take too much out of her. She's going to go to bed soon and not stay up waiting on the manitou; she just wants to relax and enjoy the night for a bit.
Silence falls over the peaceful caravan; Alg catnaps. The softly lit globular paper lantern hanging to one side of Suraksha's wagon is no more than a dim candle's worth of light; it doesn't bother her night-sight as she leans back and enjoys the brilliant, shimmering Milky Way. Her skin is warm ivory in the moonlight and her hair is a shining sable cloak spilling over the furred blanket wrapped about her... and then, walking silently over the grass with his hands in his pockets, admiring the beautiful woman in the moonlit night... comes the manitou.
Alg's eyes flick open, glowing slightly in the dim light. He doesn't move, but he's watching the approaching man with wary alertness. Suraksha is half reclining sleepily against her wagon, on the tiny porch, and she smiles faintly as she too notices Bradley's approach. She appreciates that he didn't try to sneak up, but she thinks maybe she doesn't want him too close... so at about 15' or 20' away she speaks. Her voice is low and throaty with tiredness, although he can hear her smile as well, "Good evening, Mr. Bradley. I confess, you piqued my curiosity. So... what is it you wished to speak with me of?"
Bradley's voice is deep, deeper than it had been earlier. It's a voice that a human throat could not make. "Did you see me or smell me, Miss Sesha."
Sura covers a small, tired yawn, then says in faint perplexity, "When are you asking about, Mr. Bradley? Just now? Yes." She smiles as she adds, "I'm looking at you now, in fact."
Bradley takes a step or two closer, shaking his head. "You knew I was here before you spoke. And you were able to command Moses before."
Sura straightens where she sits, slightly uncomfortable with how close the manitou is getting. Her voice is quiet, "Should I apologize? I believe that is close enough, Mr. Bradley, if you please."
The manitou stops, standing with his hands in his pockets. It's a relaxed pose for a human. "I stop because it is polite." The cadence of his voice has changed, as if he is using the syntax or rhythm of a different language. "No, no apology is needed. Moses was out of line; he sometimes has a very narrow definition of danger to my person." He tips his head to one side and then the other, "But a simple human could not have commanded him. Elliott can only because I have decreed it so."
Sura is abruptly quite disturbed by Bradley's words, and she comes up to her feet with swift grace. Her voice is no longer throaty as she says, "Only because it is polite? Should I take that as an implied threat?" Alg snarls quietly, rolling through the bars of the wagon's porch and under the wagon itself. He sniffs around under the wagon; he has a bag of the modified and ground salt, and he's carefully and surreptitiously circling Sura's wagon with it.
Bradley says, "No, of course not. It is polite to stop. It is also polite of me to let you know it is not a compulsion. Much the way the old ships would greet each other with gun ports open to show their armaments." The man's head tips again, "Salt. And sage. Cedar, too. You are frightened or feel this place is impure?"
Sura is staring at the man bemusedly, but at his words she blinks startledly at him, "What? But we didn't-" She looks around, noticing Alg is missing and mutters, "Oh, blast!" then, "excuse me a moment, please?"
Bradley says, "Of course." He stands and waits much like the night waits: impassive and unhurried.
Sura slips quickly off the porch, crouching next to the wagon so she can keep an eye on Bradley as well as peek under her wagon. She sighs amusedly as she spots Alg, and carefully holds out a hand from the blanket she's holding wrapped about her. "Alg, sweetie, come out, please? You're not supposed to do that except as a last resort, and he's being polite still, yes?"
The goblin snorts, finishing the circle he's laying as he growls firmly, "Alg helping!" Then he scampers out from under the wagon and back up onto the porch to his cushion, baring his teeth defiantly at the manitou, "Stop scaring pretty lady!"
Sura affectionately mumbles something under her breath about 'friends like these' as she steps back onto the porch after Alg... although she's also careful not to damage Alg's circle, so he's not upset. She doesn't sit back down, though, unsure as to how the manitou will react, "I beg your pardon; Alg truly means well." She thinks a bit, then adds, "I, er... hope you can take this as a... as a form of open gun ports?"
Bradley says, "He holds your safety as a sacred duty. Much in the way Moses holds mine. I do not take offense." He shifts and folds and is suddenly sitting tailor-fashion on the ground, "You have not yet answered my first question."
Suraksha looks relieved at that. She sinks down slowly to re-settle on the tiny porch, absently rubbing Alg's ears as he scoots over and curls up against her, his teeth no longer bared but still glaring at Bradley. The woman is silent for some time, carefully going over the conversation in her head before she says quietly, "Actually I did, Mr. Bradley. I told you yes, I did sense you." She frowns thoughtfully, "The only other question I recall is whether I was frightened or thought this place was impure. I'd think Alg's response answered that one adequately." She tilts her head, studying the man sitting before her as she adds softly, "You asked specifically to speak with me tonight, Mr. Bradley. I do not wish to be rude, but I really do need my sleep, and -- since I am not at all familiar with your type of manitou, and I have an entire family of caravan here to protect -- I find you somewhat alarming. What exactly is it you want of me, please?"
Bradley nods once. It's not an abrupt motion, but it is quick and precise, "I want to know what you are. I smell the sidhe, and I saw Bear with you when the townsmen were here. But any human might travel in such company. Not just any human can command a golem made of my earth to stop in what he saw as the pursuit of his sacred trust. If I am to consider you an ally, as I wish to do, I must know what you are."
Sura goes still at that, her eyes widening a bit in alarm as she unwittingly leans away slightly from Bradley. Carefully she says, "I would have thought our behavior would be, ah... sign enough of my good intentions? Is this... going to be a deal-breaker for you?"
Bradley asks, "You knew I was not human. Would you have done business with me had I refused to give you the information about myself? I assure you Elliott would not have told you without my consent. My people are loyal."
Sura sighs softly, slumping a bit as she realizes the fairness of his words. She's silent for a while, stroking Alg's ears as if it comforts her, while she thinks. The manitou continues to wait, head tipped up as if scenting the air, or possibly just watching the stars. Finally the small woman says slowly, almost reluctantly, "I... am a shape-shifter. I was able to stop Moses only because I feared he would harm Alg." She takes a deep breath, then adds carefully, "I would prefer not to say more, please."
"A predator, then." There's a hint of humor as he adds, "The world is not awash in were-squirrels. And good at camouflage. The very definition of a successful merchant." He unfolds himself from the ground, "And uninterested in having a manitou as a lover, even on a professional basis. It is too bad."
Suraksha laughs startledly at the comment about were-squirrels, her eyes sparkling in the moonlight. She relaxes a bit as he seems amused, although her gaze is quietly alert as she watches him stand again. She smiles, "Actually, those were not my precise words, Mr. Bradley. I said only I was not interested in being a Hetaera for a manitou just now. As in: tonight." She hesitates, then can't resist curiously asking, "What, ah... I mean, do manitou -- like yourself, I mean: one of the conceptually large ones -- do you... feel emotions like a human, then?" She ruefully adds, "Drat, that likely came out wrong. I don't mean to be rude; I apologize."
Bradley's voice is still amused, "I am a human emotion. But yes, I feel emotions. I love my daughter. I am loyal to my people. Darkness does not cause things to cease existing. It simply changes how they are seen. Or not seen."
Sura hmms thoughtfully, "Hunger... is that really an emotion, though? Or is it more... an indicator of a need, like pain or thirst are? It's not like it's unique to humans, after all...?" She hesitates, considering before she says with slow care, "Are you... hm. Do you simply jest, or are you indeed interested in a Hetaera? I ask because I would like to ask you a few more questions, and for a few assurances... but I don't wish to be rude?"
Bradley says, "I do not jest about that. Hunger is in more than the belly."
Suraksha nods slowly, her mien still sort of warily thoughtful as she strokes Alg's ears and stays curled up under her blanket. Finally she says carefully, "I realize this will likely seem... lopsided -- my wishing not to talk about myself, but wanting to ask you more questions -- and for that I apologize, but quite frankly you are such an unknown that you make me nervous. I'm trying to defeat that, since I suspect it isn't fair to you." She takes a deep breath, then adds more firmly, "Mr. Elliott described you as a manitou of night and hunger, and said you fed on blood only from willing donors. Is that correct, or is there more you are a manitou of?"
Bradley considers that carefully before he answers, "Hunger and darkness are broad. It is not so simple. Once my line were holy beings. We taught hunters to be silent and unseen. We spoke to the people of needs: the hunger for food. For love. For knowledge. The things that drive them. It is easy to twist hunger."
Sura's eyes widen with a bit of worry -- if she lets him get too emotionally or spiritually close to her, will he recognize her? Her people too, after all, are holy beings. She takes a slow breath, but says only, "How do you mean, to twist hunger, please? Is this a twisting that is affecting you?"
Bradley's voice is wry, "I am only a little twisted. I am old and my land has been through much. I am not a wendigo."
Sura nods silently; she knows his words are true since she can, as Ohkwa pointed out, feel the health of the land around them. She considers a moment, then gives voice to her next worry, "With all due respect, I remain uninterested in being a blood donor. Is that a requirement for you, if you are having sex with someone?"
Bradley says, "I prefer the blood of someone connected to my land... just as your loogaroo prefers the blood of her family." As if trying to divert the conversation, he asks, "You were worried I was a wendigo? Or might be becoming one?"
Suraksha looks relieved at that, then perplexed, "Blood must be connected to your territory, but sex does not?" She blinks, wondering if she's somehow missing the point, and he actually considers her somehow connected to his land already. She blinks again, then says gently, "She is her own person, Mr. Bradley -- not property." After that she simply waits for him to reply.
"Of course she is not property. You are not a slaver. But she is yours as surely as the goblin is, or the sidhe. Just as much as you belong to them."
Sura nods slowly, reassured by that, and answers his question, "No, the land feels far too healthy for you to be anywhere near being a wendigo. I was more concerned as to expectations. It is something Hetaera are trained to be aware of, so we do not unwittingly end up disappointing our clients." She thinks a moment, then adds, "I suppose the questions become more straightforward then. Sex with someone unconnected with the land is sufficient for you? How does one become connected to your land, so I know how to avoid doing so even accidentally? If they are connected to your land, will you refrain from taking blood when they tell you no?" She frowns consideringly, then adds slowly, "Also... do you have trouble holding your shape in moments of high emotion?"
Bradley has not budged from the spot she asked him to stop on, "You are not connected and likely never will be. This is not your home. That is what it takes. And I did not say it had to be from someone connected. Just that I prefer it. Sex or blood or food from any healthy source would be sufficient. But I am not a ravener. Wendigo happen when hunger is not controlled -- and I am very controlled. You would not find yourself bedding anything you did not expect."
Suraksha relaxes a bit at that, and gives Bradley a small smile, "Thank you. I think... in that case, I think if I have had enough rest -- since we are on the road and I doubt the current town fathers would be pleased at having a Hetaera wandering through -- that I would be tentatively willing to listen to your suit, were you interested in a Hetaera." She yawns again, then sighs softly as she leans her head tiredly back against the wagon and relaxes. She's unwittingly flashing warm ivory skin along her upper chest and throat as she adds quietly, "Thank you also for your patience with my nervousness, Mr. Bradley. I hope it wasn't too tedious." Oddly, she sounds quite sincere; it's not just a platitude.
Bradley says, again with some dry humor, "I have a small child. I am used to questions." He inclines his head, "Until then, Miss Sesha."
Suraksha laughs softly at that -- she doesn't mind being referred to as a child, especially since she knows she is, to immortals. She dimples mischievously, her eyes sparkling in the moonlight as she tilts her head at the manitou, "Until when, Mr. Bradley?" She wonders suddenly how Diana came to be -- was her mother married or mated to the manitou, or is Diana adopted? She decides those questions can wait until later, however.
Bradley smiles, "Until we both have time. Good night."
Sura chuckles, pulling herself tiredly to her feet, "Indeed." She's already thinking unwittingly in terms of a Hetaera, and so her turn toward her door is fluidly graceful, and as she reaches for the handle her blanket slides a bit, baring one smooth shoulder. She glances sideways and down, rather like an elegantly poised lady in a slightly risqué painting, as she murmurs to the man behind her, "A good evening to you also, Mr. Bradley," then slips silently inside.
The next morning is the day for loading goods into the caravan, and they end up with rather a lot of things to load. As contracted, the group they are taking delivery from let Suraksha and her people inspect the goods to make sure all is as promised. Suraksha is not surprised to see everything is as advertised, of course. She seals boxes in place with her official seal, and past that she helps Ohkwa, the packmaster, however she can. There's a lot of work to do, so people keep incredibly busy preparing to depart at dawn the next morning. Mr. Elliott meets them about mid-day -- with Moses, of course -- and checks in to make sure they are finding everything satisfactory. He also brings a small package, "For Miss Sesha," he explains.
Suraksha is sweaty and hot, since she's been working as hard as everyone else. She gives the man a faintly puzzled smile as she rubs the back of her forearm over her forehead, then pulls off her leather gloves and tucks them into her belt. She pushes back a few wisps of her hair, and as she accepts the package she murmurs curiously, "Who is this from, please?"
Mr. Elliott smiles slightly, "Diana, actually. She is being raised to be very conscious of her manners." Indeed, the ribbon on the package is tied in a fanciful bow such as little girls are quite fond of, "She was nearly impossible to get to sleep last night."
Suraksha admires the bow for a moment, her face softening into a smile. She looks a bit worriedly at the factor, though, as she gently pulls the ribbon off the little package, "Impossible? I hope that was due to enjoying herself, and not... for fear or anything else?"
Mr. Elliott laughs with affection, "No, she and her girlfriends were simply too excited and busy playing tumblers to go to sleep. Thankfully, there was only one bump on the head."
Suraksha laughs softly at that, her eyes sparkling, "Oh, good!" She's beaming as she neatly opens the package, "Please tell Miss Diana, then, that the Sokoloffs were quite gratified by how appreciative an audience they had?" Inside the box is a small embroidered cushion, perhaps two inches square. There is a medicine wheel stitched on it and it smells of pine and balsam. Suraksha blinks down at the little present -- then her face lights up, and she delicately traces the medicine wheel with a gentle finger, "Oh, my! Mr. Elliott, did she make this herself?"
Mr. Elliott smiles, "Indeed. Embroidery is one of the arts she is learning. Mr. Bradley wishes her to become a proper townswoman as well as be able to step into his shoes if she shows the aptitude."
Suraksha carefully picks up the small pincushion, inhaling the scent with pleasure as she smiles at the factor. "Would you please convey my thanks to her, then? This is both lovely and useful, and I am quite touched." The tiger-woman does not herself sew, but she knows Fantine -- as an example -- will greatly appreciate it, in caring for Sulochana's more delicate wardrobe. Having a compulsion to count anything scattered and fallen is not always a blessing, and a pincushion will help the little loogaroo tremendously, Sura suspects. Plus a gift with a blessing effectively woven into it, like this one has, is always appreciated.
Mr. Elliott smiles and says, "I will tell her so. She sent this as well." He reaches into his pocket and holds up a folded handkerchief. It is a men's style and has a tiny heart embroidered in the corner. His eyes are actually twinkling, "It is for your Dominic. She is quite enchanted."
Suraksha laughs delightedly as she studies it, "Oh, how sweet! Would you like to deliver it in person, or shall I?"
Mr. Elliott clears his throat, "I would appreciate it if you would."
Suraksha chuckles and carefully tucks the little hankie away for Dominic. "Please tell her..." she thinks a bit, then grins, her eyes twinkling, "that he was quite touched, and turned quite pink at the gift!" She knows that's likely how Dominic will react, after all.
Mr. Elliott smiles a bit and says, "I will tell her so. She is a sweet child and easily infatuated."
Suraksha smiles quietly, "Quite all right. Dominic is a good young man too." She's still laughing softly as she sees the two men off, thanking them for their time and business. Suraksha lets Fantine know about the lovely little pincushion, and she happily tells the Sokoloffs how very appreciated they were! The acrobats are quite pleased with Diana's enthusiasm. As Papa Sokoloff points out, if they come back this way sometime when the town isn't so locked down, they could get some good customers from such an enthusiastic audience! Suraksha laughs and gives him a cheerful hug, promising they will indeed stop by when they return -- after all, two or more years is enough time for a mayor to fall from power. Then she goes looking for Dominic.
Dominic is back to being his usual self, directing the workers, taciturn, efficient, getting his hands dirty when needed. He looks up when Sura approaches, and straightens, taking his hat off. "Everything is going smoothly, Lady," he assures. "Anything I need to know?"
Suraksha smiles and holds out the small, white, embroidered handkerchief to Dominic, "It would seem you made quite an impression, dear."
Dominic takes the handkerchief instinctively and peers at it, his brow knitting, his expression a little unreadable through his beard. "I'm sorry, lady? Do I have something on my face?"
Suraksha grins at his confusion, "It's a gift from Diana Bradley." She pats his arm gently, adding, "Sabrina said she was quite impressed, last night, with how well you handled the children. I think you have a real talent for storytelling there, Dommie."
Dominic looks bemused -- and then his bushy eyebrows raise as he puts two and two together... you can almost see the equation floating above his head, "...oh. Oh." He hrms, fingering the fabric and seeing the little heart. "She's a good child. I, uh... I'm glad I did okay by them. Never told stories before. Guess I picked up something from home in that vein." He folds the cloth back up reverently. "Tell Diana... I'll treasure it," he murmurs self-consciously.
Suraksha laughs softly, her eyes sparkling, "I will do so! Thank you, dear." She pats his arm again before she heads off -- there's a huge amount of work to see to still, before they can be ready for departure at dawn on the morrow.
Dominic watches Sura go, but doesn't go back to work immediately. He stares at the little cloth a bit. "Darnit, how can I sully this pretty thing with my sweat and all. I should go put this some place where I can keep it safe." He tucks it away carefully.
That night as darkness descends, one of the outrunners comes to Sura's wagon and knocks on the door. Suraksha casually calls out, "Door's open!" from where she's perusing a map with Ohkwa.
The outrunner -- Alexander, actually -- opens the door and peeks in, "Sura, that guy we're doing the hauling for is here."
Suraksha looks up startledly, "He is? Mr. Bradley? Where?" She straightens, murmuring, "Thanks, Ohkwa -- I think your plan's good." She's tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she adds in perplexity to Alexander, "Did they forget something they wanted shipped?" She follows the young outrunner out of her wagon, glancing around puzzledly and stepping aside so Ohkwari, carefully rolling up the map, can exit as well. She gives the big bear-man a quick hug before he heads off to finish the packing, then turns back to Alexander.
Alexander says, "Out by the road. He said he wanted to make sure he wasn't intruding. Asked after Alg and then wanted to know if I could bring you to see him."
Suraksha looks down at herself with a rueful sigh, "Lady, I'm a mess. Well... he didn't make an appointment, so I guess he doesn't mind a bit of honest sweat." Curiously she adds, as she follows Alexander, "What about Alg, then?" She's absently combing her hair back with her fingers and straightening her clothing a bit, slapping some dust off as she walks. She smiles faintly as she murmurs half to herself, "Hope he's not scandalized by ladies in pants."
Alexander draws his brows together, "He said to give his regards to Alg and asked if he had been taking good care of you."
Suraksha pauses, looking slightly worried. She glances around, searching for the goblin man or some sign of the pack. Alg is there, but he has been working with the pack all day and has been persuaded to let Suraksha go about her work without him. The goblin is romping with the dogs, having a happy wrestle with Tonnerre. Suraksha looks relieved at that, smiling as she watches for a moment... then she turns to Alexander, "All right, let's go find him. Thank you, Alexander."
Alexander leads Sura to the edge of the caravan's circle, on the side near the woods and away from the road. Bradley is waiting there and gives the impression he could wait like this for hours. Suraksha murmurs quiet thanks to the young man as she walks over to where the manitou silently waits. She pauses a polite distance away and murmurs, "Mr. Bradley? Was anything forgotten, or unacceptable, concerning your shipments?"
Bradley straightens up and smiles his warm smile. He's got his public manners back on and the strange cadence of his speech from the night before is gone, "Oh, everything is excellent regarding the shipments. I simply wanted to make sure you had everything you needed -- and to bring you this." He holds up a small scroll case, "It's a map. Rather old, actually. The main route out of Roseville is marked, as is a small side road that isn't easily found. It might cut down on your interactions with His Honor's people were you to take it."
Suraksha raises an eyebrow at that, then quietly thanks Alexander again, sending him back to his regular job. She waits until the young outrunner has trotted off before she paces slowly and deliberately forward to stand before the manitou. She tilts her head, looking up into the man's calm, shadowed eyes for a moment before she says, "Thank you, Mr. Bradley; that's very considerate of you. Is there aught you wish in return for such a thoughtful gift?" Suraksha's tone is quiet and musing. She's very curious as to why the manitou is being so helpful... and rather pleased he seems to wish to ally with them.
Bradley holds the scroll case out to her, "If I said no, I would probably be lying. True altruism is very rare. We do nice things for people we like, or for gain. I rather like you and your people. Besides, even licit shipments can be delayed if the mayor is feeling unhappy with the shipper."
Suraksha accepts the scroll case with a smile, murmuring, "True, alas," as she carefully tucks it into her belt. This recent interchange has, oddly enough, made her willing to get within touching distance of the manitou, and to not feel she should keep her eyes warily on him all the time. She looks up at him once more, once the map is safe, still smiling, "Thank you again, Mr. Bradley." She hesitates a moment, then adds with a courteous gesture, "Would you care to walk a bit with me? It is a lovely night."
Bradley's head tips to the side as he realizes she looked away from him. When she looks back, he's still smiling, "It is a lovely night. But I do not wish to keep you from your work or your people. You have given me plenty of your time for the moment. Oh." He reaches into his pocket and brings out a small leather pouch, "Some payment for your people. I do not know the going rate for the acrobats, but I wish to give them a token of appreciation."
Suraksha blinks at the little bag, clearly hesitating. She had not intended to charge for that -- but she knows they would deeply appreciate such munificence. That decides her; she nods and smiles as she accepts the pouch, "Thank you, Mr. Bradley. I will make sure they know it is specifically from you." The little pouch she tucks carefully and unselfconsciously into her shirt -- it is quite heavy, in fact -- then she looks up at him again and smiles a touch more genuinely, "I am actually caught up for the moment. I would prefer not to stay out too late, but... you have been very kind. If you'd like to walk and talk for a bit, I'd be happy to."
Bradley nods and offers his elbow, "In that case, let us walk. Do you prefer the woods or a path?"
Suraksha smiles as she tucks her hand into his arm, "As long as you keep in mind that you likely see in the dark better than I do, Mr. Bradley, I'm happy to wander wherever you think would be lovely." She's quietly happy -- the Sokoloffs will be thrilled! She laughs softly, adding, "The tumbling family will greatly appreciate this... and they're likely going to ask me where you've been for this last decade or so?" She grins, clearly teasing.
Bradley laughs -- a cultured and appreciative laugh, "Oh, here. For more than that many years." He leads her through the forest, giving her information on where to step and when to duck as they go, "It has been my home, my family's home, for a very long time." Bradley moves through the forest easily and almost silently aside from his quiet words, "I am not used to having to temper myself. I have always been sugar instead of cream, you might say."
Suraksha's startled, delighted laughter ripples through the darkness at that, and she grins up at the manitou as she replies, "Ah, I'd wondered if you caught that little jest."
When they emerge from the tree cover it is into a small clearing, a little dimple in the heart of the forest. Perhaps ten feet across, the ground is soft and mossy, and there are some small boulders. He leads her over to sit on one, "Oh, I did, but I was feeling less than amenable to humor."
Suraksha finds herself relaxing as she follows the manitou and he remains perfectly polite. She settles on the boulder and smiles at the man, "I apologize if it was annoying. Mostly I was just trying to lighten the mood a bit. Between Moses' wooden expression, Mr. Elliott's growing fe- ah, concern -- and your face looking like thunder!" She chuckles, adding, "No matter now. It turned out well enough." She looks around with quiet appreciation at the little clearing, adding softly, "This is very peaceful. Thank you for showing it to me."
Bradley nods and settles on the ground, folding into that same tailor-fashion seat as the night before, resting his hands on his knees. He gives her plenty of room, "You are quite welcome. You said someplace lovely. This is a lovely place. Especially if you are able to be still and quiet enough to watch the moon rise."
Suraksha's eyes light up a bit, "You don't mind that? Oh, I'd love to." She stretches out unselfconsciously on the big boulder after that, so she can see the sky easily, and adds softly, "If you wish, you are welcome to sit here too." After that -- though she wonders if he'll shift to sit next to her -- she goes silent, letting the night speak to her senses and calm her spirit. Bradley watches her settle and then, quietly and unobtrusively, moves to sit on the ground by the boulder, head tipped back to watch the sky.
Bradley is quieter than almost any being Suraksha has ever encountered. He is truly content to sit and watch and listen; he has said this is his land and he is a spirit of darkness. When the edge of the moon slips into view through the gap in the trees, he breathes a long and contented sigh. Suraksha herself is enchanted by the beauty of the night; she's almost in a trance by the time the moon rises. Her senses feel like they're extending outwards around her, savoring the soft trill of the night-birds, the quietly surreptitious rustling of the breeze through the leafy undergrowth, the comforting remaining warmth in the sturdy boulder beneath her... the cool ivory edge of the moon rising through the trees gives her a rush of emotional joy, and she has to blink back tears for a heartbeat. As a Hetaera, Sulochana is keenly aware of the transience of beauty... such that when she has the opportunity to profoundly experience it, she is often deeply moved.
Bradley smiles a bit, hearing the change in Sulochana's breathing. He doesn't speak, however, not wanting to break the moment. His own breathing is low and quiet and he makes almost no noise at all. The moon seems to hang immobile at the peak of its arch over the clearing, her light glowing down on the two figures. Bradley, however, seems to still remain in shadow.
Suraksha sighs finally with languid pleasure, sitting up and pulling up one knee, then wrapping an arm about it. She loosens her hair by running her fingers through it as she hums a soft prayer to the Lady Moon, effectively bathing in the moonlight. She's in no rush; as long as Bradley doesn't seem to be in a hurry she's quite willing to savor this quiet moment where no one needs anything from her. In the soft moonlight her night-dark hair gleams with running rivulets of silvery motion, and she sighs with serene contentment once she's done. Bradley turns to watch her halfway through the process, still smiling quietly. When she's done he finally speaks; his voice is quiet, as if not wanting to disturb the air too much, "Thank you."
Suraksha tilts her head to look down at the manitou, smiling back as she murmurs, "Was just thinking I should thank you, actually. You're welcome; why did you thank me?"
The manitou says, "For being someone that can appreciate this place and this time without having to chatter about it."
Suraksha chuckles quietly and nods in understanding. She sighs with soft pleasure again, glancing around them and wishing for a moment she dared shift into tiger form here -- she'd love to go running through this lovely night, with the cool spring air rushing through her whiskers and fur! She sighs quietly again, her smile a touch rueful, then looks at Bradley again, "Thank you for trusting me."
Bradley nods once and says, "Perhaps you will return the trust one day." He moves to stand, and it is an odd movement -- as if there is no motion between sitting and being on his feet. He offers her his hand, "I'll take you back if you'd like."
Suraksha smiles ruefully again as she accepts his hand and rises with careful grace. She'd been a bit... startled by that abrupt, um... 'standingness' effect, and she takes a slow breath to center herself, then murmurs, "Little by little, please. Working on it." Sternly she reminds herself: he is a manitou. Of course he does some things a little oddly! She's rather relieved she didn't squeak or twitch away from him. That would have been rude of her.
Once she accepts his hand, he bends his head over it and kisses her knuckles. It's a very formal gesture; he keeps his eyes lowered, not turned up as he would were he flirting seriously, "I am willing to accept one step at a time."
Suraksha draws a slow breath again, startled by how curiously arousing his behavior is! Once she's sure her voice won't betray her, she murmurs softly, "Thank you, Mr. Bradley."
The manitou releases her hand and looks at her face for just an instant too long to be completely polite before he says, "I thought we had already said thank you?"
Suraksha raises a curious eyebrow at his regard. At his comment she laughs quietly, stepping forward to tuck her hand into his and murmuring, "What, I can't appreciate more than one of your actions tonight?"
Bradley chuckles and squeezes her hand gently, as if he has had a number of accidents and is being very careful not to hurt her. He starts back toward the caravan, "Well, I suppose that is allowed. Do you need to be in bed soon?"
Suraksha glances assessingly up at the moon, then back at the man walking next to her. "I can probably manage an hour or two until then. Why do you ask?"
Bradley says, "I wanted to know how quickly I needed to get you back. I can do so quite quickly if you'd like."
Suraksha tilts her head curiously at the manitou, "Indeed? How so, if you do not mind my asking?"
Bradley can't help smiling a little more cheerfully, "Would you rather I told you or showed you? I assure you the method is not dangerous."
Suraksha blinks thoughtfully -- then grins, "Well, while I don't need to be back just yet, I am curious! Sure, why not?" She pauses in her walking, not sure what comes next.
Bradley nods and smiles broadly, eyes taking on an eager gleam. "I have to touch you." He moves to do so, carefully sliding his arm around her waist and saying softly, "And now... walk..." He takes a step, using his arm to guide her along. Suraksha gives him a slightly perplexed sideways glance, but simply nods once and steps forward with careful light-footedness, unsure what to expect.
What happens is nothing she could have expected. The forest is dense, but there are pools and patches of darker shadow alternating with patches of light. What Bradley does is move them from shadow to shadow to shadow. In three quick steps they are at the edge of the forest, standing in deep shade. The trip is a blur of light, shadow, washed-out color. Suraksha gives a small, startled hiss, her eyes widening and her hands tightly closed on Bradley's wrist and arm. She crouches reflexively, glancing around quickly... then when she sees they've stopped she slowly straightens, blinks, and looks around again. Finally she speaks: a low, awed, "Whooaaaa... that was awesome!" She laughs quietly, glancing up at Bradley with her eyes sparkling with delight, "How very cool! Is that easy for you to do?" She giggles in spite of herself, bouncing lightly once on her toes, "And if it is -- can we do it again?! I've never done anything like that before!"
Bradley's eyes are crinkled in a nearly paternal smile. It's clear he very much enjoyed showing her that particular talent, "It is second nature to me. Or perhaps first." Her enthusiasm sparks something in him, but he is well-acquainted with desire and knows how to tamp his down, "Of course. Where shall we go?"
Suraksha thinks a bit, then grins excitedly up at him again, "You pick! You know the area better than I, after all. Let's go!"
Bradley nods and moves to put his arm around her again, "It does work better if I'm touching you more closely. I don't have to think about it as much." Suraksha nods cheerfully and leans against Bradley a bit in an effort to assist, keeping a hand closed on his wrist where he's wrapped an arm about her. The second trip is longer and there are more impressions of light and shadow: different shapes and impressions, a less wild feel -- and when they come to a stop, they are standing beneath a broad-spreading tree across a wide lawn from a large house.
Sulochana looks around as they flash through the night, her eyes wide and fascinated as they go, her lips parted in delight. Bradley enjoys the way she holds onto him and doesn't press the contact longer than she seems to wish. She's laughing when they come to a stop, and she impulsively hugs Bradley and crows, "That was wonderful -- thank you so much!" She bounces back lightly, looking around excitedly, "So where is thi- oh! Is this your home?"
He hugs her in return when she turns around, and there's a note of definite pride in his voice as he says, "It is." The building is stone and brick and heavy timbers, and yet it doesn't seem overdone or clunky. Instead it looks homey -- for something which looks like it could house most of the caravan. Most of the lights are out, save for one over the front door and a couple in the upper floors.
Suraksha studies the house silently for a moment... then she looks over her shoulder at Bradley and smiles, "It's nice. Did you build it for your wife, or has it been there longer than that?"
Bradley says, "It was built by Diana's great-great-grandfather. Her grandfather gifted it to us on my wedding to her mother."
Suraksha nods silently, clasping her hands behind her back and continuing to study the building. Finally she glances back at Bradley, her voice quiet, "I'm sorry she died. You must have loved her intensely." She does not move towards the building, although she's quite curious. It's Bradley's home; it is he who should introduce her to it, if at all.
Bradley's voice is soft, "I would offer a tour, but it is late for my household as well and I would not wake them. But now you know I can get you back to your caravan easily."
Suraksha nods politely, and smiles ruefully without looking at Bradley. She's not really surprised he didn't reply to her comment. "Indeed; I would not wish to discommode them." She glances at him then, a quiet tease in her smile, "Is that simply reassurance, or a gentle hint that you'd like to see me again?"
Bradley raises both eyebrows and asks with every evidence of surprise, "I cannot do both?"
Suraksha laughs at that, her eyes sparkling in the moonlight dappling through the leaves of the tree they stand under. She grins up at him, holding out a hand, "Let's walk a bit, shall we? If you are indeed interested in me as a Hetaera, I want to find out what you want, and if I can give it to you... and make sure you know what to expect of me."
Bradley takes her hand again; his hand is really quite large, although not as large as Ohkwa's... quite. He moves to walk with her around the edge of the lawn, heading toward the back of the house, "There are quite a few hungers I am not able to indulge as much as I would like. Roseville is a small city and even before it became puritanical in nature, the social mores have been somewhat conservative. I have no wish to have another wife, and taking a local woman as a lover is not a true possibility."
Suraksha nods in silent understanding; she gets that a lot. She strolls with the manitou, talking quietly with him of what he can expect of a Hetaera, and checking further to see what he's desiring. She doesn't want him to be surprised by cost -- although from the weight of the little pouch she's carrying for the Sokoloffs, she doubts that will be an issue -- and she herself doesn't want to be unpleasantly surprised by his wants and needs. She will also check very carefully at some point, making sure he's willing to promise not to take blood from her. She is calmly non-judgmental as she gently encourages the wary manitou to hopefully open up a little bit, at least on the subject of his desires, to her.
Bradley leads her around the back of the house and carefully opens a sturdy wooden gate on well-oiled, wrought-iron hinges. He ushers her through it. The manitou is not shy about his physical desires, but neither is he crass. "I would also like to occasionally have a companion with which to share dinner. Wine. Dancing. As I said, a lover amongst the townswomen is not an option I wish to pursue, and there are none that would be able to share such pursuits with a male without taking it as an offer of courtship."
Suraksha smiles as she walks along with the manitou, murmuring quietly, "It sounds rather nice, actually. Certainly, I'd be quite pleased to do so with you." She tilts her head at the house, then glances back at Bradley, "Is there some... accepted explanation I should know, should your daughter see us together?" She blinks, looking around slowly... he has led her into a garden. It is not as expansive as some she has seen, but it is exquisitely laid out with geometrical flower beds and beautifully maintained topiaries. The broad path is carefully covered in raked pea-gravel. Sulochana smiles again, although this time it's pure pleasure on her face, "Oh, my... a real garden!" She moves forward as silently as she can on the crunchy gravel, kneeling carefully by the closest flower bed to see what the manitou has planted. She wonders in quiet amusement -- will they all be night bloomers? She sniffs the air curiously, wondering if she can catch any flowering scents.
There are several night-blooming plants, and she can smell night-blooming jasmine wafting on the air. Bradley says, "Yes. Diana's mother loved it very much and Diana herself is quite the budding gardener." He manages to say that with a perfectly straight face and not a hint of teasing in his voice. "I understand your services as Hetaera will not be instantly or constantly available."
Suraksha gently cups close a burst of sweet-scented flowers with both hands, closing her eyes and inhaling with pleasure. There's a sudden, achy-pleasurable pang of nostalgia inside her -- she misses home! Her grandmother has a lovely, Oriental-style garden as well, created for her by the Venerable Ying. There's also the herb gardens, and the cherry trees... Sulochana sighs softly, wishing passionately for a moment that she could move to and from her home just as Bradley does here. She doesn't immediately answer the man, since he has given no impression of needing instant feedback all the time, just swallowing the momentary lump in her throat. Finally she twists to look up at Bradley from where she's still kneeling by the flowers, her voice a touch husky, "Yes. That is true."
Bradley tips his head to one side in that oddly inhuman way she has seen earlier. He says, "I don't wish to intrude, but you are wanting something very badly right now."
Suraksha smiles faintly, rising and dusting off her jeans to give herself a moment. When she straightens she glances back at the flowers, "Fearsome Grandmother has a very beautiful garden also. This... reminded me powerfully of home for a moment." She looks back at the manitou, her eyes glimmering in the moonlight, "I was homesick. Your pardon; I hope my emotions don't cause you problems."
Bradley shakes his head and says, "Of course not. Emotions are, in many cases, hungers. Hunger for affection. Hunger for attention. Hunger for an object of some kind."
Suraksha tilts her head curiously at Bradley, distracted quite willingly from her homesickness. Her curiosity is piqued, and she murmurs, "If... I hunger... does that somehow aid you? Or is it not... helpful?"
Bradley tips his head in the other direction and says, "I do not know that I can explain how it makes me feel. It draws me to you. Makes me curious about you. I can feel those hungers and it makes me feel connected. To you. To the earth. To the things you hunger for."
Suraksha considers that thoughtfully for a moment... then grins at the manitou, "All right, I won't worry about suppressing them, then." She turns and looks out over the night-dark garden, then smiles back at Bradley, holding out a hand, "Show me the parts here you like best?" She adds quietly, "And as we walk, you can tell me when you'd like to spend some time with me. I think your only constraints are that it must be nighttime, yes? -and you have to be able to reach the caravan."
Bradley smiles and reaches for her hand, "Come. I'll show you." There is something about him that seems less human here, as if he feels safer letting his mask drop slightly, "Yes. It must be night-time. And I can travel through shadows only within my own territory."
Suraksha adds simultaneously, "Hmm... can you travel that marvelous..." she waves a hand, searching for words, "through-the-shadows thing -- ah, all right." She grins as he answers her question before she even finished it, pacing along next to him with interest. She'd like to learn more about his less... human-like side. She finds that side of him strange and curious, and she suspects he has to keep it chained close most of the time. Will he consider freeing it too dangerous, or is he willing to try carefully to do so with her?
Bradley leads her deeper into the garden and under a shaded bower, the inner walls of which are thick with the night-blooming jasmine she smelled earlier. The ground beneath their feet is rich with moss and there is a soft sound of trickling water that turns out to be an intricate fountain made of stones that protrude from the wall, creating a wide fall of water. Suraksha draws her breath in quiet awe, struck by how beautiful the area is. She suspects it's absolutely stunning in the day as well, and she wonders with pleasure if the waterfall pulls rainbows from the light. She blinks, tilting her head to study the water -- can one have moonlit rainbows? Surely not... or would they be colorless? She grins at that thought, then strolls slowly under the night jasmine with the manitou, her heart light and her eyes shining at the sheer sensual pleasure of the moment. Bradley murmurs, "I can feel that hunger as well. You drink in the scents and the sounds. This is a place of sensual, lovely darkness."
Suraksha glances up at Bradley with a small, lazy smile, "Indeed? Can you read this too?" She stops and faces him, her face still upturned to study his shadowed expression... and she remembers with enjoyment the last sweet-scented bower she walked through. There had been a kiss shared there with the gentleman client, and though the man himself was not mentally impressive, the memory of that moment had stayed with her: the dappling sunlight, the rich sweet scent, the strong and careful hands holding her fingers, the height bending carefully down to her and the desire in the soft eyes... followed by the sweet delicacy of gentle lips against hers.
Bradley turns to face her and his eyelids grow heavy as she purposely yearns toward that moment. He breathes in through his nose and then reaches up to take her face between his hands, tipping it carefully before bringing his mouth down to hers... and then he shows her the other half of his nature: he lets his own hunger pour through the kiss into her mouth and down along her body. She can feel how enormous it is -- as large as the night itself, but so carefully constrained.
Suraksha's eyes fly open at that, and her hands come up to grab his wrists -- she's not trying to pull away, but rather to keep her balance when she's startled. It evokes her own hungers, the ones that are natural to her: the desire to know, the need to travel and see things, the physical hungers for food and drink, and sensual pleasures of all sorts. But then he carefully breaks the kiss and she feels them ebb again. It was not an unpleasant sensation, but perhaps slightly overwhelming. She did not feel deprived of those things, but rather the eager, anticipatory desire for them. Suraksha shudders with dazed shock and pants for a moment, wide-eyed and still clinging carefully to his wrists. Finally she takes a deep breath, centering and composing herself again before she checks she's steady on her own feet... then cautiously releases her tight hold on him. She clears her throat once, then murmurs a bit huskily, "That was... different." She laughs softly, shaking her head slightly, then looks up at Bradley with curiosity, "Is that... kind of how you always feel, then? That... sort of eager hunger?"
Bradley waits until he's sure she's steady on her feet before he lowers his hands. He nods once, that quick but not abrupt motion from the night before, "It is. And it takes most fully human women much more strongly. This is another reason it is not possible for me to take a lover here."
Suraksha draws another long, slow breath, then smiles thoughtfully, "Explain 'takes' a bit more, please? Do you mean it... hm... overwhelms them or something?"
Bradley nods and keeps his hands carefully at his sides, "Yes. It can. And if they are not good at controlling their hungers, it can... be bad for their minds."
Suraksha nods thoughtfully again, casually tucking her hand into his arm once more so they can continue strolling through the lovely garden, "So your wife was not completely human then?"
Bradley shakes his head, "No. Diana's mother was not completely human. Her mother-line comes from earth-beings. I don't know the name for them. They have lost the name for themselves."
Suraksha considers for a moment, utterly fascinated, then grins delightedly at Bradley, "Kobolds, maybe? What pantheon were they from, do you know?"
Bradley shakes his head, "She did not know. Nor did her mother. They are not, sadly, as long-lived as my family. But she loved the earth and growing things. She could become one with the earth. Sink into it as others sink into water. Slide through stone as if it were air. She was a solid woman."
Suraksha hmms quietly, considering as they walk. Finally she says, "I will be far from my home for at least two years. However, if you were willing to tell me some of what you know about your wife's species, when I return home I'd be happy to ask the older members of my family if they have any relevant information?" She smiles as she adds, "No hurry, though, if you wish to consider this offer carefully... since home is San Francisco, and I'll be passing through here again before I get there." She suspects if anyone knows, it would be either her well-traveled godsmother or her knowledge-acquiring grandmother!
Bradley's carefully controlled expression changes for a moment and Suraksha sees hope there -- a hunger for this knowledge, "I would be very grateful. Diana's mother died before she could pass on the knowledge of her mother-line to our daughter."
Suraksha smiles at Bradley with deep understanding -- she also is intensely curious about the world around her! "I'd be happy to." She grins as she adds, "Can I ask you some questions too? Like... how'd you know about the great ships, when you live here so far from the ocean? Did you used to not be territorial? What language was that lilting tone from, when you were talking to me about the great ships?" The questions tumble excitedly out -- she's delighted she has something she can try to find out for him as well, since she has so many questions of her own!
Bradley smiles as the questions come pouring from her in her excitement, "Because my people's territory was much larger once. And the stories excited me when I was young. The language is Kulanapan. But it is nearly dead."
Suraksha nods interestedly, her eyes shining. "What's Kulanapan? Where is it located?"
Bradley says, "It is the language of the people that were here before the pale people came. The Whites, we say now." He smiles a bit, "The face I wear looks very white, but that is because the people here are now that color, in large part. My people were dark, like your Ohkwari's."
Suraksha nods in understanding, "Yes. My family is dusky skinned too." She grins as she adds, "As a child I thought it was normal, and the others were wearing makeup for some reason." She tilts her head to study Bradley's face, her fingers reaching up to lightly touch his cheek if he'll let her, "Jerome Bradley... it is a White name, isn't it. You've been here since before the Dying Off, I guess. Why not change back to be more like your original people, now?"
Bradley says, "Because the people that are of this land now are White. And I am as much a part of this land as it is a part of me. I cannot make the people not be White. But I can try to make them respect and love this place."
Suraksha looks slightly confused, but simply nods slowly, "So... you are more tied to the land, then... I guess? -than you are tied to your original people who worshiped you?"
Bradley says, "I do not know the whole truth of it. The language is the oldest I know. My first one."
Suraksha nods slowly again, and continues curiously touching him if he lets her -- she checks his hair to feel if it's more like Ohkwa's or more like, say, one of the Sokoloffs. "Do you know how old you are?"
Bradley leans his head down to let her touch it; it feels more like Ohkwa's than the Sokoloffs' hair. He makes a sound of contentment at the touch, "I don't count any more. There were more of my people, both the human and non, a long time ago. As I said, we once stretched out to the big wa... the ocean. I remember seeing the ocean as a young one."
Suraksha smiles with quiet happiness when the manitou doesn't seem to mind being touched -- seems to enjoy it, in fact. He reminds her of Ohkwa more and more, in some ways: the deliberate way he moves around her, as if he's being careful with her much more fragile form; his sometimes confusing mindset and way of speaking; his wonderfully fascinating supernatural nature... she chuckles softly, murmuring, "I was mostly just being nosy, wondering if you knew the world well before the Dying Off." She gently runs her fingers through his hair just for the pleasure of it -- she knows how blissfully sensuous she feels when someone brushes her hair for her, after all -- and asks thoughtfully, "When you first came to visit us, a few nights ago... why did you so carefully keep your left hand in your pocket? Did you have something special there, like an artifact charm or weapon?"
Bradley smiles at the question, but doesn't pull away. "I carried a charm. One to help me make darkness if someone brought a light so close that the shadows fled."
Suraksha is enjoying the simple sensuality of stroking another for pleasure, so unless he asks her to, she does not stop. She does check, though, "Too much light, even in the night, is bad for you? Hmm... no worries. I do not think we have anything like that in the caravan that might accidentally harm you." She sighs after a moment, adding with a touch of rue, "However, that does remind me that I should get some sleep tonight. May I have a lift back to my caravan home, please?"
Bradley carefully shakes his head, so as not to dislodge the stroking hand, "I wished to be able to travel away quickly if I could. But yes, too much light of the wrong sort can be painful. Light that banishes all shadow." Suraksha nods thoughtfully, considering that. She has no idea how such a charm would work, so she can't attempt to replicate or protect from it for him if necessary. She won't worry about it, she decides... although she does amusedly hope he caught her last query as well. Bradley carefully straightens and says, "I will take you back to your caravan. I did promise, after all." He moves to stand close behind her, arms sliding around her body. It's less deferential this time, more like an embrace as he says, "Take a deep breath and... walk!" Suraksha smiles and rests her hands on his where they are clasped about her waist. She does as he asks, breathing and stepping forward with him. She finds she rather likes the warmth and presence of him at her back, and she grins at herself -- she's definitely thinking of him as a client already.
Either he is reluctant to take her back or he's trying deliberately to prolong the trip for some reason, but it takes a few seconds more to get back to that same forest edge near the caravan. He doesn't immediately let go of her, either. Suraksha smiles again, leaning back against him so she can tilt her head back far enough to look up at him. Her grin gets mischievous as he doesn't immediately release, and she murmurs, "So... I can expect you tomorrow night shortly after sunset?"
Bradley says, "If you would welcome me, then yes. My territory extends far enough that I can come to you, even if you are beyond the city by then."
Suraksha laughs softly at how he has to tilt his head as well to look down at her. She shifts, turning carefully within his arms so she can face him. Looking up this way is easier on her neck, after all, even if it's not as cute to some men. She leans relaxedly against him, his arms clasped about her waist and her loose hair a cool caress over his hands. Her palms rest against his chest between them, her face upturned to watch him as she says with a smile, "Yes, please. I would like that." She grins as she teasingly adds, "I can be sure to have had a bath by then, too!"
Bradley smiles and leans down, offering another kiss as he says, "I don't mind the scent and taste of a woman that's been active and healthy." Suraksha blinks, finding that statement rather arousing! She shivers with lazy enjoyment, smiling as she returns the slow kiss, prolonging it deliciously for the sweet heat of anticipation of the morrow. Bradley is restraining himself more strongly this time and the rush of hunger just barely brushes the edges of the kiss before it breaks and he says, "Dusk."
And then he is gone.
Suraksha sways slightly as the person she was leaning on vanishes, then laughs softly. She's pleased, guessing that means he is quite interested in spending time with her -- not only does it feel flattering, but she's finding she's quite interested in spending time with him as well. As she turns and heads relaxedly back into camp, ruffling the ears of the dogs that come bounding up and frisking about her, her step is light and she's humming contentedly to herself. So far, at least, he seems quite nice! A pity he's stuck in one place. She sighs in quiet amusement at herself -- what is it with her being attracted to men who don't travel?!
Suraksha goes first to let Sna'tha, Ohkwari, Del, and Fantine know of her plans for the next evening. She'll need to make sure someone is free to drive her wagon the day after tomorrow, when she'll likely need to sleep most of the day. She also wants them all to know as much as she can describe to them of the manitou's house -- she does not expect trouble, but they should know where to find her in case of emergency. She tells Del and Ohkwari about the new potential route out of town, but assures them she'll have Little Joe and Dommie ride the route first thing in the morning as soon as they've woken up, so the caravan won't be wandering into completely unknown territory. As Ohkwa amusedly agrees, territorial manitou may know of alternate paths, but that doesn't necessarily mean the path is clear enough, or solidly grounded enough, to take the passage of an entire caravan!
Suraksha gives her dear friends a hug as they head out, but asks her godsmother to walk with her. As they head for the Sokoloffs, Sura quietly tells the well-traveled sidhe woman of what little Bradley told her of his wife, then asks, "Do you know what species that might be, Sna'tha?"
Sna'tha thinks on that for several minutes, "It might be a species of kobold. Do you know what part of the world they came from?"
Suraksha shakes her head, "No, only what I've told you of what Bradley said. I asked what pantheon they were from, and all he could tell me was they themselves didn't know." She adds thoughtfully, "I know a Water Tap can harden the water, but I didn't know an Earth Tap could similarly soften the earth."
Sna'tha shakes her head, "I have never heard of a human able to do such a thing with earth. They might be some species of troll, though. Or some other thing. A gnome, perhaps."
Suraksha nods thoughtfully again, "All right, I'll ask if he's familiar with them." She grins after that, adding quietly, "The Sokoloffs are going to be thrilled -- Bradley also gave me a small, heavy pouch for them!" She waves as she spots the matriarch of the tumbling family, "Mama Minta! Got a moment? Our client from yesterday gave me something for you all!" The next few minutes are taken up with Minta accepting the pouch as payment and opening it, her eyes widening. The payment isn't in coin, which can be hard to spend, but in two nuggets of gold and several of what looks to be pure silver. It is a princely payment for the performance. Suraksha ooohs happily for their good fortune as she too peeks, curious to see what was in the pouch. She laughs and hugs the acrobat delightedly, congratulating her!
Suraksha promises to thank Mr. Bradley for them, and give him their sincerest best wishes and happiness to perform for he or his daughter again. She hugs the slightly stunned Minta again, as well as the rest of the excited family -- they'd gathered quite quickly at the startled squeal from their mother -- then heads off with Sna'tha once more. She grins at her godsmother, "Well! Let's hope this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship with the manitou, then, yes?" She can't help a small internal chuckle as she remembers using that same phrase with Roy. The memory makes her sigh softly, smiling as she remembers him. He'd been so incredibly sweet -- and helpful! -in getting Sna'tha back safe and sound. She's looking forward to seeing him again in about eight or nine months. She hums quietly to herself, smiling when she realizes it's "As Time Goes By."
Sna'tha is thoughtful as they move on, "That is... perhaps overgenerous of him. He did not seem worried about giving you the payment for them?"
Suraksha blinks at Sna'tha's comment, then considers. "No... not worried, really. He said he didn't know what the going rate was, and he wanted to offer them some compensation. Why?"
Sna'tha nods and continues walking, hands clasped behind her back. She has been nervous about turning their backs on Roseville, though she wanted to be clear of the town, "I believe he may have been trying to apologize for the behavior of the townspeople by that. He is no official, but he feels very proprietary, I believe."
Suraksha says, "Ah, I understand." She smiles, "Well, no worries then. The Sokoloffs are good about sharing -- they understand how everyone participates in creating the 'feel' of the evening." Then she curiously asks, "What disturbs you, godsmother? Is it just the dogmatically damaging version of the religion these people tout?"
Sna'thaid shakes her head, "That is only a part of it, Jyotsana. They could cause it to be difficult to travel. For us and for others."
Suraksha hugs Sna'tha, murmuring quietly, "Well, people like you and I, and maybe even Bradley, will continue doing our best to prevent that from happening." She bids her godsmother goodnight, heading off to her own wagon.
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