Taps -- Logs

The next morning, well before dawn, Suraksha asks Fantine to tell Dominic and Little Joe she'd like to see them as soon as they're up and dressed, please. Dominic appears before too long, with one of his work shirts on, suspenders, and a plain brown pair of pants -- and his ever-present hat. He's absently thinking about looking into some nicer clothes, though... Sura's never needed him to dress nice before, but he wonders if maybe he should. Something to go with Diana's handkerchief. He's ready to knock on her door politely, yawning.

Suraksha is already standing on the tiny porch of her wagon, chatting quietly with Buddy and Joe. The big bull man hands Dominic a hot mug of coffee, nods amiably, and strides off. Joe and Sura are already sipping their steaming drinks, and Sura smiles at the two men, "I have a special mission for both of you this morning." She sets her mug on the railing, then produces a small map tube. She opens it, very carefully spreading out what is clearly an old map, "This is a gift from Bradley. He says there's a little side road off the main route which we can take in order to avoid any issues with the mayor as we leave." She glances up at the two men, adding, "I need the two of you to go ride its entire length before we leave. This may be a perfectly nice route, but Bradley doesn't know how much space a caravan needs, or how solid the ground needs to be -- especially after spring rains."

Sura glances between the two men, then nods firmly, "Little Joe, you've said there are no storms coming for the next day, so you can carry the map, make sure the path is wide enough, and keep an eye on Dominic as he checks the path. Dommie, I want you to check the earth down the entire route, all right?" She smiles at the two men, "Sound good?" as she hands the map and tube to Joe.

Chanticleer has been awake all night, eager to keep up appearances in the caravan and ensuring there's nothing untoward. He plans to take a nap midmorning shortly after they depart, in Sabrina's bunk-wagon where he normally sleeps. Chanticleer's scouts report back there has been some activity in the woods around where the caravan is camped. Nothing too close, but whoever made the trail -- or trails -- were not exactly expert woodsmen. Chanticleer rubs his forehead. He strongly suspects it's Zachariah, but there's nothing definite pointing to that one poking around the area. He heads to Suraksha, coming in on the tail end of her briefing, and waits till she's done before letting her know what the scouts have found.

Suraksha nods to Chanti to let him know she's seen him, then waits for the two scouts. Dominic nods perfunctorily, "Sounds easy enou'. We'll get it done." He'd had to do similar things before, so he's got the measurements in his head for what the caravan needs. He drinks the coffee gratefully... some mornings, you just need it.

Suraksha adds quietly to Dominic, "Also, Dommie, are you available to drive my wagon tomorrow? I'm taking Bradley on as a client. Since he's a manitou of the night, and can apparently move us both swiftly through space, I'll likely be up all night, and need to sleep during the day." She sips her coffee slowly -- it's pale with cream, the way she likes it -- and smiles at Chanti, inviting him over with a tilt of her head.

Dominic seems... a little surprised -- as much as one can read on his face, anyway. He was under the impression the Lady didn't care much for the fellow, even if they were helping him. But he nods. "Your will be done," he assures firmly. "I can take the lead." He speaks confidently, though he is a little... worried, inside. While he's driven the wagon before, he's usually had the Lady by his side. But he doesn't speak of that concern. Surely he can handle anything that would come up.

Joe carefully accepts the map, lightly slapping Dominic's shoulder and murmuring that he'll saddle up a horse for each of them, before he heads swiftly off. Suraksha smiles quietly at Dominic, "Dear, it's not a lead or anything -- my wagon can stay in the middle of the caravan like usual. I just need someone to keep an eye on Amanda, so she doesn't stop and graze and hold up everyone behind her."

Dominic relaxes a little. This is true. "I'll take care of things," he assures.

Suraksha says, "Del and her big boys will be in the lead, like usual. Likely it will be quite dull, like usual." She pats his arm reassuringly, smiling, "Thank you, dear! Go run help Joe now, all right?"

Dominic nods. "Yes, ma'am!" He goes to join Joe, putting his hat back on as he trots off purposefully.

Suraksha turns to Chanti, sipping her coffee again and giving him an inquiring glance. She smiles and nods at the next person waiting for her time, to let them know she's aware they're waiting, then looks back at the sidhe. Chanticleer nods to Suraksha. "Lady, the scouts said someone was wandering around in the woods last night. Whoever they were, they were no woodsman... I suspect a townie."

Suraksha rolls her eyes amusedly, then grins at Chanticleer, "Anyone with exceptional scenting able to identify? Was it... what was his name, Zachariah?" She sighs, smiling and shaking her head, "Poor Fantine found him rather... alarming."

Chanticleer shakes his head, "Nobody I checked was familiar with the scent... but there were a lot of strange people around the caravan the night before." He adds dryly, "But yes, I noticed the look he gave Fantine -- and her reaction. I'd rather spare them both any embarrassment."

Suraksha nods thoughtfully, cupping the mug in her hands to warm them as she stares towards the strange little town. "All right. Keep the wide guard on during the next few nights then, please, Chanti? We don't want any townies spotting something... unusual before we're safe out of their reach."

Chanticleer nods cheerfully, "It will be done, Lady." He blinks. "Why 'alarmed'?"

Suraksha has a sip of her coffee, then chuckles quietly at Chanticleer's question, "Dear, she's a loogaroo, yes? And he's... christian." She murmurs dryly, "Very... christian."

Chanticleer makes a quiet sound, nodding. "Yes, they were," he says, equally dryly. "We'll make sure we aren't sneaked up upon. I would recommend for at least one night that we maintain something like the facade we did near the town -- just in case one of them is getting the idea of running off with apparently a surprisingly well-behaved caravan."

Suraksha nods approvingly, "Excellent idea, Chanti. Pass that around if you would, please?"

Dominic is a little annoyed that the area through the pass is recalcitrant to give up its secrets... just not very talkative today. Then again, what do you expect from earth and rock. Still, for the most part everything looks like it should be okay. The road is wide enough, the entrance is obscure, but he'll be sure to give good directions to the lead wagons... there are some places where careful maneuvering will be needed, though. He takes notes of landmarks where needed... and where there's no distinguishing features, he gets out trusty chalk and makes marks they can read from the wagons. Joe is cheerful about his own findings, noting that the weather is apparently going to be excellent for several days out -- which is going to be an enormous help if they're going to get up into the pass with no problems. He also notes after looking carefully at the path that it seems like it was concealed on purpose. He grins at Dominic, "Like a smugglers' way."

Dominic considers. "Well, let's hope no one sees us going in then. After all this work we've put in to being 'good people' for the mayor and all, it wouldn't do at all for them to see a smuggler's pass, and come to unfortunate conclusions," he drawls. He gees up his mount, Shadow. "Right, let's report back, then."

Suraksha is extremely pleased at the news, thanking both beaming men. She has Dommie and Joe lead the caravan up and onto the narrow, near-hidden trail, although she asks Del and Dominic to stay at the path's entrance with her once the first wagon is moving down the trail, led by Joe. Sura and the other two stand by, making sure everyone gets safely onto the path and lending a hand where needed. Sura also keeps a careful eye up and down the regular path -- she certainly doesn't want to lead any of the current town fathers along after them! Dominic looks back towards the town with mixed feelings. On the one hand, he's not sorry to be away from an unfriendly place -- and then he remembers the handkerchief tucked away in a special place among his things, and his heart melts a little. Once the last of the wagons are on the trail Sura, Dominic, and Del do their best to camouflage the caravan's path, so it fades out on the main trail and doesn't point out the little hidden one.

Sura tries to conserve her strength after that, since she knows she'll be up all night. She also plans ahead, having Fantine lay out her clothing for the night, and pack for her... and when the caravan pauses for the night she lets Dominic wrangle her wagon while she and Fantine hastily collect enough water and heat it a little, so she can take a swift bath. She knows she's likely not going to be completely ready before Bradley arrives, but she also knows he seems to thrive on hungers. Letting him wait and anticipate a little seems oddly polite, in that situation!

Suraksha decides, after discussion and suggestions from Fantine and Sna'tha, to dress as a San Francisco lady of quality. Not only will that be easy for her to do, but it will also hopefully enhance her femininity to the manitou... and provide a nice change of pace from the excessively, Puritanically modest female attire currently the norm in Roseville. Sulochana's pretty sure she won't be promenading down the main thoroughfare with Bradley, after all -- so the high bustled, low-cut dresses currently in vogue in San Francisco shouldn't get her into trouble at all.

It is barely sundown before the youngest Sokoloff boy comes running up to Sulochana's wagon, tapping on the door and calling, "He's here! He showed up at the edge of camp! And he's wearing a suit!" There's a slightly teasing note in his voice. Many of the caravaneers tease Sulochana about her clients as if they were beaux.

Sulochana laughs delightedly at that, calling the boy in and leaning to give him a quick hug before he giggles and escapes -- and causing Fantine to make a small, amusedly exasperated noise as her work on Sulochana's hair has to pause for a moment. Sulochana has done this before, of course -- there's a drink and a chair waiting for Bradley outside her wagon, and a light screen to keep him from seeing into the wagon until she's ready. She calls cheerfully as she hears one of the girls showing the manitou to his seat, "Mr. Bradley! Forgive me, please; I am almost ready!"

Bradley calls back, "Not at all, my dear. Please, take your time. I will enjoy the lovely night and the drink... and the anticipation." There's the light rustle of cloth as he settles himself into the chair.

Sulochana chuckles quietly, pleased to hear he seems pleased with her efforts to draw out the hunger a bit for him. She murmurs quietly with Sna'tha and Fantine as the loogaroo finishes sweeping up and pinning her hair into place, then rises and turns before her two dressing assistants, carefully smoothing down her skirts as she does so, "There. Acceptable?" Fantine is still holding some pins in her mouth; she frowns a bit, reaching to fluff one of the ruffles of the skirt before pronouncing herself satisfied. She hands Sulochana her fan and reminds her of the small etui packed for her and waiting by the door.

Sulochana beams and gives both women a quick thank you hug, then scoops up her little bag and takes a breath before the door. Sna'tha and Fantine can see her almost literally pulling on her mental attire: her back straightens and her shoulders go back, her chest lifts and her already small stomach flattens even more; her head raises proudly, and her expression slips into cool, mild interest. She steps forward into what Fantine once named the Queen's Walk -- that slow, proud strut that proclaims to all who can see: this is a dramatic, powerful, and beautiful woman who demands attention and admiration! 'Chana pushes her aura towards 'splendidness,' and paces carefully down the wagon steps towards Bradley.

When the rustle of silk and linen announces Sulochana is exiting her wagon, Bradley sets down his glass and stands. He looks distinguished, dressed in a style of suit that would be considered passé in San Francisco, but which suits the build and coloration of the man. The puff of the silk ascot at his throat is pinned in place with a diamond pin, and the same gems glint at his wrists. He watches Sulochana approach with clear admiration; the way he lets his eyes slip over her would be considered forward in some circles, but in others it would simply proclaim he was showing proper appreciation for the effort it took to make her look so breathtaking, "Miss Sesha, you look magnificent."

Sulochana smiles with the supreme confidence of a woman utterly assured of her own worth and beauty, offering one small, gloved hand, "Mr. Bradley, you are too kind. Shall we?"

Bradley kisses her hand -- and this time he does flick his eyes upward to meet hers, "I have flowers for you, but they are waiting at my home." He rises and moves to step up behind her, "Let's." The bustle rather effectively keeps him from pressing against her back the way he did the night before, but his grip on her is firm and confident as he guides her to walk.

Sulochana rests her hands lightly on his, leaning against him again as she walks. She's very well pleased with her entrance! She'd hoped to fire up his hunger a bit -- but apparently she has accomplished her goal so effectively that he's forgotten himself -- to the point of publicly displaying his manitou abilities! She laughs in soft delight as they flicker through shadow and light. She's looking forward to this evening; it should be interesting to be able to let her own hungers show as well, instead of always hiding them in order to place more focus on the desires of her client.

The trip with Bradley takes longer this time, the exhilarating flight and flicker from shadow to shadow extending out for several minutes. Sulochana lets herself relax into his arms, faintly surprised at how long they're taking. The sense of the manitou's presence gets stronger as they move, as if he is exerting himself more. When they finally come to a stop it is beneath the bower in his garden. 'Chana's eyes are sparkling in the moonlight, and as she glances up at the manitou she grins delightedly, "Is that as much fun for you as it is for me?" She laughs, stepping forward and spreading her arms, spinning with elegantly careful grace, "How could you travel any other way, when you have such a delightful mode of flight?"

Bradley watches her with an indulgent smile as she spins under the fragrant arches of the bower, "Because it disconcerts people to have me apparently appear from nowhere. Or to have me disappear. Though I admit I travel that way most of the time when people cannot see me. I also admit we may have taken something of an indirect path."

Sulochana pauses and glances over her shoulder at Bradley, dimpling mischievously at him -- she knows she looks lovely and alluring in that pose -- and murmurs teasingly, "Mmhmm! And yet you were willing to disconcert my entire caravan, yes? And an indirect path as well! Why might that be, hmm?"

Bradley is standing with his hands in his pockets, his posture deliberately casual, "Ahh. I had assumed your people were well aware of my nature. Did you wish it to be hidden? And I took a longer path because you seemed so to enjoy it last night. And, I admit, because I wanted to have my arms around you for longer."

Sulochana laughs softly, stepping back to slip her small gloved hand into the crook of his arm, "No, I do not care if you hide your nature or not; my family is good at keeping secrets. I was simply amused because Elliott wanted to be sure the information did not go out to more than the handful of people who were there when he confessed your nature to me." Her eyes are twinkling as she glances up at him, "Believe me, I am touched at the implied trust!" She pauses a moment, then smiles as she slides his arm, if he'll let her, more familiarly about her waist, "Yes, I did enjoy it greatly... and if you would like, we can walk with our arms about each other."

The manitou adds after a moment or two, "I don't know if it is so much fun as it is... fulfilling. It feels as if I am doing exactly as I am meant to."

Sulochana nods with soft enjoyment as they walk, "Doing as we are meant to do... yes. That is indeed a deeply satisfying sensation." She gets a thoughtful look as she walks with the manitou... is she actually doing as she is meant to do? She thinks so, in a way -- she is learning about a wonderful new type of manitou, she is making money to care for her adopted traveling family, she is fulfilling her blood family's training and faith in her, and she is taking great and sensual joy in life! That last makes her laugh softly and with pleasure.

Bradley slides his arm around Sulochana's shoulders and leans his head down to breathe in the scent of her hair, "I would like that very much." He moves, heading toward the house, "There is a lovely dinner awaiting us. I do apologize the fare is not more exotic, but it is all local and very fresh. And there is wine. Which is not local and is quite old."

Sulochana smiles as she tilts her head to glance sideways up at Bradley without pulling away from him, and murmurs, "Please don't apologize! It sounds lovely." She's feeling a quiet glow of inner happiness as they walk -- it's always so nice to know one is deeply appreciated -- and almost lightheartedly she murmurs, "So... how do we increase your territorial reach, then?"

Bradley smiles, "I don't know that it is possible at the present time. People are more territorial than they were in the past. Claiming more area would require someone else to give up their emotional claim on a place." As they wend their way up toward the house, Sulochana can see there are a lot more lights on this time.

Sulochana tilts her head thoughtfully as she walks with Bradley, her gaze on the house as she considers. Finally she says slowly, "But couldn't you... effectively protect and share? I consider the caravan mine, even though it is not my possession, after all."

The manitou shakes his head slowly, "It doesn't work quite that way." When they reach the back door, it is opened by Moses. He's dressed in livery and looking, as always, stolid and serious. He steps aside to let them in as Bradley continues, "It was different in the days when the tribal peoples all shared territory." Sulochana nods quietly at Bradley's words, although she's a little sad to hear what he says. Will his territory keep shrinking as more people move into the area? She doesn't understand completely, but she also doesn't want to bring the evening's mood down... so she simply smiles and nods politely to Moses as she walks in with the manitou. She looks around with quick, fascinated interest, very curious as to what the house is like.

Moses closes the door behind them and moves to walk ahead of them. They have entered through what seems to be a back hallway and Bradley says, "I apologize that we aren't coming in through the grand foyer, but I promise to show you more of the house later." He leads her through another door into an enormous formal dining room. It's not as huge as the one in Roy's mansion palace, but it would easily hold twenty people at the large table. There are only two places set -- one at the head of the table and one at the right hand of the head seat. The decor is richly colored in burgundies, greens, and golds, and the carpeting underfoot is thick and opulent enough to feel a little springy.

Sulochana smiles as she looks up at Bradley, tapping him lightly with her fan, "Weren't we going to stop apologizing? You have a lovely house, and this is quite nice."

He laughs as she taps him with the fan and says, "I apologize for saying I'm sorry." He manages to say that last with a completely straight face.

Sulochana laughs aloud at that, her eyes sparkling! She grins and shakes her head amusedly at him -- then, still smiling, she looks around the room. An interested eyebrow goes up as she murmurs, "Goodness! Your family must have had some truly wonderful parties." Relaxedly she adds, "This is indeed lovely. Thank you for having me over."

Bradley smiles, "We do still have magnificent parties from time to time." He leads her around to the chair at the right of the table and pulls out her seat for her, leaning down to speak close to her ear, "Please do not feel you have to stand on ceremony as we eat. I have this feeling you will be quite wonderful to watch if you enjoy your food."

Sulochana laughs softly at that, seating herself carefully -- a train and bustle do require some management, after all -- then smiles as she watches Bradley step around to his chair. Her voice is gently teasing, "I will do my best, then... perhaps even without apology!"

Bradley laughs and motions to Moses. The golem inclines his head and steps out the door. A moment later dinner begins. The first course is a selection of local cheeses and light crispbreads with a fruity wine that seems almost to evaporate directly off the tongue to the nose. The cheeses vary from a mild and creamy goat cheese with a tang of chives, to a sharp and crumbly cheddar. Sulochana eats lightly, guessing there will be several courses and wanting to be able to appreciate them all. She starts with slow care, keeping half an eye on her client to see how he seems to be enjoying the moment shared with her. Since Bradley's made it clear her pleasure directly impacts his, she doesn't rush at all; she savors the various cheeses one by one, rolling the flavors and textures on her tongue; and she delights in the delicious wine, sipping it only after admiring its clear color and tangy bouquet.

Bradley himself sips the wine and watches Sulochana's face as she nibbles the cheeses, smiling in the flickering candlelight as she takes obvious pleasure in the textures and flavors. When she seems to be satisfied, he gestures and the table is cleared; the next course brought out. There are several courses, as Sulochana expected. A creamy soup of some sort follows the cheeses, and after the soup is a flaky, delicate fish cooked with herbs and white wine. It is obvious from the manitou's expression that he is taking a lot of enjoyment in watching her savor the meal. He himself eats lightly, concentrating mostly on the girl.

Once she realizes just how much her pleasure/ hunger/ enjoyment seems to... fascinate? feed? -whatever -- the manitou, Sulochana slowly relaxes and really dedicates herself to practically basking in the deliciousness of a truly exquisite meal. She explores a little as well, extending her enjoyment by asking him about the foods: where the cheese came from, if the wine is from his personal vineyards, who caught the fish, where his chef was taught... 'Chana will explore yet further if he seems really to enjoy this, by starting to talk about 'larger-picture' things as well. Literature or religion or politics or philosophy... she adores wonderfully challenging conversations; if he's comfortable meeting her on those topics, he'll have a delightedly fascinated dinner-and-conversational partner.

Bradley is more than happy to answer her questions, perhaps sensing learning is an important hunger for her. He turns out to be quite knowledgeable about the foods and their origins. The hard cheeses are some of the cargo Suraksha's caravan will be carrying; he offers to show her the cave where the cheesemaker ages them. When the conversation moves on to literature, Bradley turns out to be quite happy to discuss it. He says, "I do have a small library. Well, it's large by today's standards, but there used to be entire buildings devoted to books."

Sulochana brightens noticeably, "You do! Oh, may I see it later? Please?" She laughs, brushing back an errant curl a bit self-consciously as she adds, "I do love reading and books." She adds a bit doubtfully, "I... have heard Fearsome Grandmother mention entire buildings dedicated only to books... but she only laughs when I ask if they were very small buildings." She studies Bradley for a moment, wondering in faint amusement if he'll laugh too... and then she suddenly and amusedly wonders if she perhaps should not have mentioned that about her relative's apparent age.

Bradley says, "I would love to show the library to you. I try to keep an eye out for books I can add to it. I want my Diana to have as much knowledge as possible." He smiles broadly, "Perhaps you'll read to me tonight, then? If it's a passion of yours..." He lets the words trail off and his eyelids are growing heavy, "I must say, you do throw yourself into enjoyment with your whole heart."

Sulochana chuckles unselfconsciously at that, helping herself to a sweet grape before she smiles and murmurs, "I am a Hetaera; part of our training is to be keenly aware of our... surroundings, as well as to appreciate both fine things, and beauty -- however fleeting it might be." She has another grape as she ponders, then slowly adds, "I am not sure, but I believe some of my senses are slightly better than human norm, as well. I suspect that adds to the sensory pleasures for me... I think?" She pauses, then turns her head slowly so the full impact of her sensuality: her silky dark hair with sparkling jeweled pins holding it up, her graceful and full-lipped smile, her alluringly tilted golden-green eyes -- can register all at once, as she purrs languidly, "I would be delighted to read to you, Mr. Bradley."

Bradley takes a slow, deep breath and is obviously savoring the moment before he speaks, "Your grandmother... she must be quite knowledgeable or quite old." The manitou doesn't ask about the epithet for the grandmother -- after all, the girl is a shapeshifter.

Sulochana smiles and nods once, "Indeed." She returns her gaze to the dinner table, beaming as she adds, "I am quite agog with anticipation as to what you have planned for dessert, I must say!"

Bradley smiles and says, "And are you enjoying the anticipation, Miss Sesha?" His voice is slightly throaty as he asks, as if he knows the answer already and quite likes it.

Sulochana laughs softly, her half-lidded eyes bright with amusement, "Pleasurable anticipation is always a joy!" As she speaks she brushes another errant curl behind one ear, and her slender fingers trail slowly down the line of her throat, falling lower to brush lightly over the soft swell of one breast before her hand returns to the table. She's very much enjoying this game of tease and savor and anticipation, especially since her client seems to enjoy it even more so!

Bradley watches her fingers, following their trail just as he was meant to. He lets his own hunger show in his face and there's a tickle of it at the edges of Sulochana's awareness, like a brush of silk against her thoughts. Sulochana raises an interested eyebrow at that, wondering if that light, hungry touch is a good sign. She smiles, her head tilting slightly as she thoughtfully watches him back while she waits for the dishes to be cleared away for the next course. She studies his face, wondering curiously what made him choose this one... these particular planes across the cheeks, that particular eye color, the way the lips quirk and move. Bradley catches her regard and chuckles warmly, "I have not dealt with a Hetaera before. Are they all as charming as you?" It doesn't seem to be a flirtatious question, but a truly curious one, "You seem very comfortable with yourself."

Sulochana considers for a moment, still smiling, then glances back to Bradley, "I presume most of us are, yes. It would be difficult, I would think, to be charming and self-aware... without also being at least relatively comfortable in one's own body." She grins mischievously sideways at him as she adds, "Especially if it occasionally changes shape!" She adds pragmatically, "Also, we speak art and desire with our bodies. We'd better know them well in order to do so effectively and sensuously." Her expression grows more introspective as she slowly adds, "I suspect the majority of us are not the classic christian either. To live a religion that disavows the body means you must eventually split your consciousness. I believe that is a harmful process, myself. I do not care for the sacrificed Kristos and his perennially angry Father, myself."

Bradley smiles slightly, "No. I am not entirely happy with that religion myself. It urges people to ignore this gorgeous world around them in favor of pie in the sky when they die... and speaking of pie..." He leans back a bit so they are not quite so intimate, as the dessert is brought in. It is chocolate, which is quite rare and expensive in this day and age: a rich, thick mousse with a drizzle of some tart and sweet berry puree.

Sulochana's eyes widen in astonished delight, and she laughs and claps her hands, "Oh, my! Such an extravagance!" She turns to Bradley, her eyes dancing and not quite bouncing in her seat as she adds, "You're quite spoiling me, you know!"

Bradley laughs his warm and sensuous laugh, "I intend to have you quite drunk on sensual enjoyment. It will be ever so much more delicious that way if we make love tonight."

Sulochana laughs delightedly again at that, turning back to the dessert, "Then I shall simply have to enjoy this to the fullest right now -- because it would be a crime to waste such an extraordinary culinary delight!" She is as good as her word once she's served. She admires the lovely mousse's colors and scent, then gets a wicked grin and tests it gently with a finger for the tactile experience. She laughs softly at the cool 'give' of the mousse, then brings her finger to her lips. That's quite a little display in and of itself -- Hetaera are quite capable of making just about anything sensual, and licking a finger clean is highly suggestive in and of itself!

Bradley's breathing gets very slow and very deep as he watches her enjoy the chocolate. The fact that she knows how to savor the food and not simply devour it is quite wonderful to him. When she begins licking her finger clean, he actually widens his eyes to make sure they don't simply slip closed with the lovely sensuality of it. Sulochana is utterly charmed at how appreciative her audience is! She draws dessert out, nearly basking in both the sweet deliciousness of the chocolate as well as the heat of his avid regard. Each forkful is relished, and in between each bite she pauses for a sip of wine or to speak with him. She's extraordinarily deliberately sensual, however, knowing he savors it: when speaking to him she trails a languid fingertip about her wine goblet's rim, or she licks her lips with slow ecstasy after a sip of wine. By the time she's had enough, she's starting to breath quite deeply herself as well, and her smiling, knowing gaze is intensely steamy.

When the last tidbit of the mousse has been savored, Bradley leans back in his chair and smiles a languid little smile, letting his eyes slide closed for a moment as he breathes deep and slowly. After a moment he says, "Would you like to see the rest of the house?" His smile is almost teasing, as if he knows that's not the question she was expecting to be asked.

Sulochana laughs softly at that, neatly wiping her fingers and mouth with the napkin before answering, her tone almost coy, "I... could be persuaded!" There's a teasing twinkle in her eye as she glances at him, and then she grins, "I'd love to. Amma always said I was nosy as a kitten." She adds in more normal tones, "Ah... that is, if it will not disturb the rest of the household?"

Bradley smiles and stands, offering her his hand, "My Diana is staying with a friend tonight. I thought it wisest for this first visit."

Sulochana nods and relaxes a bit as she accepts his hand and rises, "Oh, good. Thank you; she's a lovely child and I'd rather not shock her." She sighs happily as she steps in easily against him, not quite leaning on him (in a way that invites equal familiarity from him in return) as they walk, "It is a lovely house, too."

Bradley chuckles quietly and steps close to her, sliding his arm around her shoulders again, "Especially as she is quite young and not actually used to thinking of her father as a person." He turns and breathes in the sandalwood-and-musk scent of Sulochana again, his arm tightening unwittingly as he leads her into the next room. "The rest of the household is aware this is one of my at-home nights. They are well-used to occasionally having a long night."

Sulochana smiles in quiet pleasure as she notes Bradley's small (and perhaps unwitting) signals of his enjoyment of the evening and the Hetaera. She chuckles at his comment regarding Diana, then curiously asks, "At-home? Do you usually spend your evenings elsewhere?"

Bradley leads her into what can only really be called a drawing room, "I am usually home until Diana is in bed -- and then I often spend my evenings conducting business or seeing to other concerns."

Sulochana tilts her head in sudden curiosity, "What do you do during the day?" She pauses, realizing that might be personal, and adds, "Pardon me. If you don't mind my asking?" She grins as she adds, "I confess to a great deal of curiosity, though, as to where the night goes during the day?" She will, if Bradley does not seem to mind, prowl with quick interest around the drawing room, curiously looking at (but politely not touching) all the various pieces of furniture and drapery and pictures and bric-a-brac.

Bradley smiles down at her as he turns to close the door behind them, "It moves across the world. But I don't move with it. I stay indoors and downstairs. I don't actually sleep." He watches her examining the room. It's more delicately decorated than the dining room, more traditionally feminine. In one corner is a small but very well maintained harpsichord, along with a pair of chairs and music stands.

Sulochana gives a soft, startled sound, heading almost instantly to the harpsichord once she notices it. "Oh, Je- ah, Mr. Bradley! A harpsichord? Do you play?" There's a clear hunger in her eyes and the gentle caress of her fingertips across the highly polished and lacquered, inlaid wood as she admires it, then glances hopefully up at him.

Bradley follows her and says -- almost purrs, "Please. Jerome is fine, my dear." He smiles as she strokes the instrument, breathing in the hunger as she touches and examines it, "No. But Diana is having lessons. Harpsichord. Violin. Flute and... unfortunately... guitar. She does very well on flute and harpsichord."

Sulochana hesitates, then grins with excited anticipation at him, waving a hand towards the small, delicate, and lovely instrument, "May I?"

He chuckles, thrilled at her almost childlike excitement, "Please. I take it you do play, then?"

Sulochana laughs with soft happiness, her eyes shining as she runs her small hands in swift, gentle caresses over the gleaming wood, lifting and bracing open the top, "Indeed. All Hetaera are taught a minimum of three instruments: one so we may play it perfectly and passionately, one we play with excellence and skill, and one on which we may at least accompany with talent and without embarrassment." She dimples excitedly at him as she adds, "The harpsichord is my excellent instrument!" She turns back to the harpsichord, happily asking, "Why unfortunately guitar?" Her musing voice is almost dreamy as she ceremoniously opens the key protector, "Flute and harpsichord... we used to play so beautifully together at home! Perhaps when I come back this way your daughter and I might try a few duets?"

Bradley chuckles, "Because she is, unfortunately, quite horrid at it. And she insists on trying to play old ballads that require rather a lot of skill. She may yet improve..." He moves to pull out the bench for the harpsichord, much as he did her chair at dinner, "It will be wonderful to hear it used for something other than scales and 'Twinkle, Twinkle.'"

Sulochana settles herself carefully on the bench, fluffing the bustle comfortably over the back, then beams up at Bradley, "Thank you!" She looks back at the keys and adds softly, "Haven't had a chance to play harpsichord in a while, though... I might be a bit rusty." She brushes her fingertips delicately over the ivory keys, not yet pressing them at all -- simply savoring their cool beauty, and the elegantly stylized little harpsichord itself... then she laughs, looking up at Bradley again with delight, "I think I might be able to pick out something other than 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star'!" She giggles, then adds, "Forgive me a scale or two, though, please, to warm up?" She interlocks her slender fingers, stretching them before her -- then she sighs happily, lowering her hands to the keys... and carefully picks out a slow, rippling scale, her head tilted to listen carefully. She looks up in relief a moment later, "Oh, you keep it tuned! Marvelous..."

Bradley takes a seat in one of the two chairs and smiles as she trails her fingers over the keys and ripples out the lovely scale. His smile warms, "Of course I keep it tuned. I would not have my Diana learning on anything out of tune. It would inhibit her learning and her love of the instrument." He keeps his eyes on her face, wanting to watch her expression. Hungers long-denied are often the most delicious when they are given let.

Sulochana nods absently, the lovely lure of the delicate little instrument already starting to draw her in. She smiles with languid pleasure as she checks to make sure her small hands span both keyboards easily, then checks the music on the stand. She chuckles -- no, she won't be playing 'Mary Had A Little Lamb' -- and runs one more scale to be sure she's warmed up... then she sighs, her face alight with happiness as she folds her hands in her lap for just a moment. She studies the lovely harpsichord, 'listening' to feel what would be the right piece of music to play for this moment in time... then she smiles slowly, her quietly excited joy making her almost glow, and raises her hands over the keyboards. A deep, slow breath to center herself... and she lowers her hands to the keys again and begins to play.

The bittersweet strains of music flow beautifully from the little harpsichord. There is a joyous sort of melding between a talented musician and a well-crafted and -maintained instrument, and Sulochana is nearly ecstatic at the opportunity to play so passionately and well. She has chosen the 'Overture' to Tchaikovsky's ballet Romeo & Juliet, and it's clear she adores the music. By the time she's reached the languid, lilting 'Love Theme' her dreamy golden eyes are closed, and her expression is unselfconsciously rapt. She's deeply moved by the much-beloved, passionate music as her small, slender fingers nimbly call forth the sweetly melancholy strains. Transported to an ecstatically rapturous state, she loses her surroundings as she plays. Bradley watches her face at first, but soon he realizes she doesn't just show her enjoyment there. Her joy throbs in every note of the music, and he lets his eyes slide closed and his head lean back as he drinks in the melodies drifting on the air. It has been a long time since he has been able to feed his hunger for beauty in quite this way. There are competent musicians in Roseville, of course, but very few real artists.

When the 'Overture' finally concludes, 'Chana's eyes are still closed and her hands rest lightly on the keyboard. She's breathing deeply to keep from weeping with empathy for the tragic story's star-crossed lovers. The first thing outside herself and the music to come to her is the brush of fingers across one cheekbone -- and then, just as warm and passionate as the night before, Jerome Bradley's lips pressing to hers and letting the hunger that has been slowly building over the last hours wrap around and infuse her.

Sulochana shivers, her eyes still closed as she tilts her head back to meet the kiss. She can feel ecstatic tears welling up as she trails her hands along the manitou's body to wrap her arms about his neck and lean into him. She does not often get to feed this particular pleasure: to create a breathtaking beauty not just for its own sake, but also for a truly appreciative audience. There is a simple, almost innocent purity to her current euphoria, and her fervently returned kiss is an attempt to thank Jerome for his willingness to allow her that emotional expression.

The manitou lets her be the one holding onto him at first, reveling in the kiss and the heat of her lips, but then his arms slowly wrap around her and he stands, scooping her up with him until she's completely held off the ground by him. He has said hunger is just another word for anticipation; he has been doing much to feed that for both of them tonight. Kissing him just now is like being consumed and reborn at the same moment, like a star burning through the darkness. When he finally pulls away from the kiss, every light in the room has been extinguished and the only illumination is from the moon through the tall windows.

Sulochana wriggles slightly until she's comfortable in his arms, her own arms warm about his neck and her soft lips heated with increasing desire. When he finally pulls back he can see a tear roll down her cheek like glittering diamond in the moonlight, although she's also smiling a bit tremulously, her eyes glimmering. Huskily she purrs, "Thank you, Jerome. That was..." she sighs, closing her eyes again and tilting her head back with almost luxurious enjoyment, feeling quite safe in his arms, "amazing!"

Bradley watches her tip her head back, baring her throat in a wonderfully vulnerable way. His voice is husky and has slid back into the odd cadence of his first language, "You do me great honor." The last word is a breath across her skin as his lips graze the hollow of her throat, followed by a hint of teeth, letting her feel them before he raises his head again. He hopes she understands what the gesture means, but does not speak of the effort it took to raise his mouth from her.

Sulochana shivers slowly, her skin feeling tinglingly alive where she's touched -- she could practically float away on sensation at this point! She raises her head again, tilting it down to rest her forehead against him, her eyes still blissfully closed as she struggles to deal with the delicious surfeit of sensation. The erotic brush of Jerome's lips over the soft skin of her throat has her breathing deeply and slowly; the hint of teeth caused her to unwittingly tighten her fingers on him -- were she in her tiger form, her claws would have come nervously out. That he did not bite, though, gives her an almost liquid internal rush of arousal and pleasure. He knows she doesn't want to feed him her blood, and now she knows he respects her desires in this matter. Her breath is a warm caress across his skin as she opens her eyes and smiles, murmuring throatily, "Jerome, my dear, if you wish to... prolong the anticipation much more," her small laugh is a bit breathless, "you had better distract me fairly quickly!"

Bradley laughs as well and nuzzles into her hair, not loosening his grip on her, "I do not wish to prolong it. Not for this night..." He's already moving with her toward the door of the drawing room.

Sulochana sighs with a mix of relief and pleasure, purring a quiet, "Oh, good..." She leans in again, this time brushing light kisses along his jawline and down the softer skin of his throat, slow and languidly savoring... Bradley isn't moving from shadow to shadow as he could, so he may not have been telling the complete truth about not wanting to prolong the anticipation. As they move through the house and toward the staircase, they pass his study. The large double doors are open and Sulochana can see his desk and the shelf behind it that contains his library.

Bradley can feel the instant reaction. Sulochana's languid gaze drifts across the doorway as she's brushing another kiss against his skin -- and then with a gasp she jolts upright in his arms, staring over his shoulder, "Oh! Your library!" She says the word with the reverence many people reserve for the sacred -- then she blinks, biting her lip and grinning shyly as she gives him a half-embarrassed, half-hopeful glance, "I, umm... don't suppose we could pause for, ah, just a moment...?" She giggles, ducking her head as she adds amusedly, "I -- I'm sorry, Jerome! That's so incredibly rude of me; we don't have to stop if you'd rather not." She can't resist a quick peek over his shoulder again, though -- can she spot any of the titles, maybe...?

The manitou can feel the reaction in several ways. This... this is a truly profound hunger and it sends him into another space in his mind for a moment. Most humans would be unable to feel hungers like these and keep from being twisted by them. The fact that this woman can is intriguing to him and makes him even more curious. He laughs and sets her very gently to her feet, "I would not deny you this. Please... after you..."

Sulochana brightens, laughing softly as she stands on tiptoe to give him a quick peck on the cheek, "Oh, thank you!" She then picks up her skirts and almost scampers delightedly into the room, pausing in the center with a happy sigh, dropping her skirts and turning a slow circle so she can see everything.

The word 'library' has changed over the years. Books are quite rare and are carefully preserved by those who revere them; the most exquisite library in the world encompasses a little over two hundred books and is kept under constant guard. Most people will never own one old book, while having more than two is considered a personal library. The fact that there are ten on Jerome Bradley's shelf speaks quite highly of his regard for knowledge. The majority of them are religious in nature: the Bible, the Qu'ran, the Bhagavad Gita, and the Torah are all there. Three are medical texts of some sort. One is called Where the Sidewalk Ends, one is The Decline and Fall of Western Civilization, and one -- the thickest -- is The Complete Works of William Shakespeare.

Sulochana's family has a library of over 20 volumes, collected over the past two or three hundred years, and she knows that's an amazing -- and expensive! -feat. She is, nevertheless, thrilled to see Bradley's extensive collection, and she claps her hands delightedly, "Ten books! Beautiful condition, too! Oh, my -- Jerome, this is amazing! You are so fortu-" she blinks, her eyes abruptly almost riveted to the fat burgundy spine and gold embossing of that last book, and her voice trails off as she heads straight for it, "-nate... oooh!" She reaches out carefully, her fingers brushing the old leather reverently, and breaths, "Beautiful... the 'Complete Works of William Shakespeare'! Oh, Jerome..." She looks back at him over her shoulder, her eyes afire with delight and laughter on her lips, "I am so envious! All his plays and sonnets?! I've only been able to read a handful of his plays!"

Sulochana wistfully strokes the book's spine again, although she remembers her manners and doesn't pull out someone else's treasure. Instead she straightens, taking a deep breath, then smiles in mischievous challenge at the manitou, "So... have you read it all? Perhaps performed in some of the plays?"

Bradley walks up close behind her; were it not for the bustle they would be pressed quite intimately together. He leans so his voice is next to her ear as he reaches past her for the book, reciting in resonant tones:

"O, she doth teach the torches to burn bright!
It seems she hangs upon the cheek of night
Like a rich jewel in an Ethiope's ear;
Beauty too rich for use, for earth too dear!
So shows a snowy dove trooping with crows,
As yonder lady o'er her fellows shows...."

He reaches around her with both arms and opens the book carefully to that exact passage -- it opens there as if it has been opened there often. "Romeo and Juliet. Hunger."

Sulochana shivers with sudden hunger herself: a shockingly alive and intoxicating cocktail of sheer sensual desire and ecstatic lust for learning and sharing. She leans back against him with a small, blissful smile for a moment... then laughs huskily, her fingers gently brushing the delicate old paper. She can't help the purr in her voice as she murmurs, "You are too kind... let me give you something delicious in return, please..." She has to close her eyes and draw a few deep breaths to center herself enough to concentrate -- but then she tilts her head back, thinking... then smiles and speaks with slow, clear enunciation,

"When that the poor have cried, Caesar hath wept:
Ambition should be made of sterner stuff:
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;
And Brutus is an honorable man.
You all did see that on the Lupercal
I thrice presented him a kingly crown,
Which he did thrice refuse: was this ambition?
Yet Brutus says he was ambitious;
And, sure, he is an honorable man...?"

She waits, her dancing eyes afire with aroused delight to see if he knows it, and Bradley smiles and straightens, to have the breath to speak with a voice like rolling, passionate thunder:

"I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke,
But here I am to speak what I do know.
You all did love him once, not without cause:
What cause withholds you then, to mourn for him?
O judgment! thou are fled to brutish beasts,
And men have lost their reason. Bear with me;
My heart is in the coffin there with Caesar,
And I must pause till it come back to me."

He pronounces the name of the ancient ruler as the Romans would have done, not as the English did.

Sulochana draws a slow, deep breath, her eyes closing again for a moment. To hear the ancient words spoken so beautifully is almost erotic to that part of her soul which hungers always for learning, for wisdom, for knowledge. She laughs huskily again, turning to excitedly grab his hands, "Oh, Jerome, that was simply heart-stopping!" She puts a hand to her heart and laughs again, this time a bit self-consciously, "Pardon, I simply adored Shakespeare all through my teachings... oh!" She brightens, "Have you one for me? Please?" She beams up at him, her eyes alight with exhilaration -- it's clear she'll gladly share her joy in this with Bradley if he wishes.

Bradley can feel that in her and he sets the book carefully aside, dark eyes dancing as he takes a deep breath and proclaims,

"He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbors,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispian.'
Then he will strip his sleeve and show his scars
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispian's day.'
Old men forget; yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember, with advantages
What feats he did that day. Then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words-"

He waits, eyes alight, to see if she will be able to pick up where he leaves off, and Sulochana draws a quick, delighted breath, her eyes sparkling, "Henry the Fifth!" She pauses a moment, holding up one hand and thinking hard. She starts carefully and slowly, "Harry the king, Bedford and... and Exeter, yes! Then who, umm... a W... Warwick! Yes, Warwick and Tol- no, Talbot, that's it... and... and Salisbury and Gloucester!" She giggles delightedly, bouncing on her toes once before she beams, then straightens and begins to actually fill the role, stretching out a hand as she passionately intones,

"-Salisbury and Gloucester
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by-"

She draws another breath, her eyes shining as she gets to her favorite part,

"From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day!"

She laughs again, clapping her hands, "Oh, I remembered! I wasn't sure I'd remember that middle bit -- oh, this is wonderful!"

She has barely finished speaking before Bradley's arms are around her again and he is kissing her with a passion and hunger that matches the thunder of his orating voice. It is good the book has been set carefully aside, because the manitou is paying no attention to anything but the woman in his arms and the hungers that have been flowing back and forth between them through the night. He isn't attacking her, but he does bear her to the ground with his weight, the world slipping sideways with the magnitude of desire emanating from him... and the shadows gather.

Sulochana is quite, quite ready for him, her soft, purring welcome almost a growl. She pushes hungrily up against him pressing her downwards, her hands and her lips insistent and needy. To her the dark has always been a warm and welcoming place, magnolia-scented and velvety. This darkness is both welcoming in an entirely different way -- and terrifyingly wonderful, like religious ecstasy. She already knew the manitou was one of the holy ones, and she's actually brought along the tobacco -- she'd just not had a chance yet to gift it to him. This, though, is another form of worship, and one she's far better equipped and knowledgeable in offering to him. As the daughter of holy ones from another land, she is more than willing to share, to offer reverence, to gift what she can to help strengthen this native-born holy one, and there is an almost blissfully creative insanity in the sheer ecstasy with which she throws herself into doing so.

The manitou's hunger is an elemental thing and it has been many, many years since someone was able to feed it in such a way. As a Hetaera, Sulochana has had many clients who appreciated her -- she even has a lover who loves her -- but she has not served as both Hetaera and priestess before... as she is doing at this moment for this being of creativity and desire. She is the daughter of holy ones, of holy women -- and this force that has embodied itself in a form that calls itself Jerome Bradley is the foil to that. This is the male energy to match that female creation; the spark that meets the tinder, as father meets mother to create a child. It is easy to see how this being has persisted even in the face of Puritans and plague.

On a purely physical level he caresses and kisses and enters her, joining with her in ecstatic hunger and paying her worship back with joy and desire. Touch and scent and sound blend together into climax after climax, and it is impossible to tell which are simply in the mind or soul and which are in the body. There is no light. The enveloping dark forces them to rely on things other than prejudicial sight and revel only in the more visceral senses. At the crescendo it is as if 'Chana hears the cry of a hunting owl echoing inside her mind -- and then he is holding her, curled around her like a blanket.

As she lies in the curve of his body... where did their clothing go? ...'Chana can feel the spark growing inside her. There have been very few partners who could show her something new; as she basks with him she realizes he has shown her something, helped her know something. She already knew how to use the ecstatic energy of a lover to heal herself, but the manitou has shown her how to create a cycle of it. Sulochana draws her breath in sudden awe and gratitude -- what an amazing gift! She doesn't know if the manitou gave it himself, or if his love-making with his venerating priestess caused her to realize this personal revelation... but either way she feels vibrantly, exultantly alive. She leans her head back against him a bit, shifting for the tactile pleasure of his skin against hers, and mumbles in quiet bliss, "Thank you... does not seem strong enough..."

Bradley slides a hand slowly down her side, sighing in satisfaction at the very female feel of her under his hand. "No, it doesn't. But I think I'll say it anyway." He kisses the curve of her shoulder and rumbles, "Thank you, Sulochana. That felt as it once did with my original people."

'Chana blinks -- then laughs softly, carefully rolling over and twining her arms about his neck in the darkness. She rests her forehead against his and smiles, her voice almost shy as she repeats his own words back to him, "You do me great honor. I... am not sure I deserve it, but thank you, dear." She pauses, thinking as she traces the planes of his shadow-hidden face with light fingertips, delicately brushing over his lips. "Jerome... seems somewhat inadequate as a name for you... especially after what we just shared. By what name do you think of yourself?"

The manitou closes his eyes as she strokes her fingertips over his face. In the dark the styling of his hair and the shade of his skin are not so much a factor, and she can feel the lines of a profile that speaks of non-White stock: the cheekbones are high, the brows powerful. He breathes quietly as he considers offering her this piece of information. Finally he says, "I will share this with you. But only if you do the same for me, Sulochana."

Sulochana pauses for a moment, then says slowly, "From your response... have I asked for something... something of power to you? I am not sure exactly what you're asking me for, since Sulochana is indeed one of my names...?"

Bradley brushes his lips over her forehead, "It is a thing of power to know one's name, yes. I thought it was this way with all cultures. It is why the Whites have so many names sometimes, I thought."

Sulochana ahs and nods, "Then I will gladly give you my full name, certes. It is an expression of my personal growth within my lineage." Wryly she adds, "I've no idea why Whites have so many names, though."

Bradley smiles and says, "My people called me 'Bringer of Night and Passion.'" He leans down so he's whispering directly into her ear to purr a long string of syllables, "That is how they said it." There's something about the sound of the words in that old language that seems to curl around her sacral chakra and send tendrils up along her spine.

Sulochana shivers as she presses close against the manitou for a moment, arousal and desire thrilling deliciously through her. When she's a bit more contained again she smiles, dreamy-eyed, and leans so her lips brush against his ear as she whispers to him, "These are all the names I have yet earned in my life, though I pray I shall be gifted with many more worthy epithets. Know me, please, revered one: I am Sulochana Jyotsana Suraksha Sesha, the beautiful-eyed, radiant-like-flames protector, of the serpent who symbolizes time."

The manitou listens and breathes a long, warm sigh against her hair, large hands moving along her back. One of them comes to rest on the curve of her behind, pulling her close against his body in a hug, "And how does your caravan family call you? Bright-eyed one?"

Sulochana chuckles softly, shifting her body in a languid movement that nearly massages her partner's form, "They call me Protection, honored one. Woman with Beautiful Eyes is my Hetaera name."

Bradley kisses the bridge of her nose and smiles, "So small a body to hold so great a soul." He rolls with her until her body is atop his and he can caress her back and hair.

Sulochana's cheek curves in a smile where her head rests against his skin, as her silky hair cascades in a cool caress over her back and down across his hands and chest. Her light-fingered exploration of her partner's body in the darkness traces and teases gently along his skin, and she purrs softly, "Truly, I am grateful for your teaching, Bringer. I did not even know it was possible!"

The manitou sounds surprised, "Of what do you speak? Protector?"

Sulochana says, "The, ahh... I'm not sure what to call it. The energetic feedback loop?" She blinks, her head coming up suddenly, "Oh! The time -- can you sense the approach of dawn, or do we need to be more aware of the time?" She adds with sudden curiosity, her palm stroking down his front, "And... what happened to our clothes?" She giggles then, in the comfortably warm darkness, "I'm sorry -- this is very new to me still, and quite fascinating! I'll hush and let you talk now." She lays her head back down on his chest, smiling and stroking her hand with savoring pleasure along his heated skin.

He sighs again and says, "Dawn is close. You will have to explain this gift another night." The darkness is starting to slip away. He laughs at the question about the clothes, "They are here. I took them off you..."

'Chana lifts her head, resting her chin on her clasped hands over his chest so she can glance around them with interest. She's curious as to both where they are, and what condition their clothing is in. The two of them are on the floor of his study and their clothes are in several untidy piles around them. Sulochana grins, sitting up with her hands braced on him, and murmurs teasingly, "Does this mean you'd like me to return, then?"

The man beneath her is the one she has seen several times before, but the planes of his body look younger and stronger than his face and hair would have suggested. Broad palms rest on her hips as he says, "Please. While I am able to reach you at night."

'Chana tilts her head curiously, stroking her hands lightly along his body as she explores him visually, "I would be delighted, believe me, and thank you for the honor, Bringer." She hesitates, then slowly adds, "Are you... is your form getting younger?" She brightens, "Oh! That must be part of the reason I learned of the feedback loop?"

He looks down along his own body as she asks, then laughs, "No, Sulochana. This is the form I keep. I enjoy having it be strong, and it is easily hidden by clothes."

'Chana grins shyly, her dark hair falling forward like a sweet-scented curtain to shadow her face, "All right." She looks at their clothing, then back at him, "How are we for time? Should I start re-dressing?"

"With those clothes, it would be wise..." The manitou sighs dramatically, "Though it is a shame."

Sulochana laughs, tossing her head back so her hair ripples down her back like shadowy water, then grins delightedly at Jerome, "You are sweet like honey on the soul, Bringer!" She chuckles, leaning forward with her palms flat on his chest, unwittingly just like a cat about to lap up cream, and whispers, "I'll wear something you can stand close to, tomorrow night, then." She brushes a soft kiss over his lips, smiling and with her golden eyes glowing with promise.

The manitou's eyes flash with appreciation and his hands tighten on her hips, pulling her close against his own hips for a moment. "That would be lovely."

Bradley lets her rise with obvious reluctance, staying on his back a moment to watch her gather her clothes together. When she is partially dressed he too rises and begins to pull on his trousers. It is still quite dark outside, but the scent of morning is in the air when he leads her outside and into the garden again. 'Chana carefully scoops up her train and brushes the bustle aside, making it as easy as possible for the manitou to stand close. She smiles up at him in invitation when she's ready, murmuring, "As long as it is just the two of us, may I call you Bringer of Night and Passion? You have been incredibly kind to me tonight."

He steps as close as he can behind her and says, "You may, Sulochana. I would be honored." With that he takes her home. He does not dawdle this time, having drawn the night out as long as he could. He leaves her at her wagon with a kiss and a promise to return. 'Chana returns the kiss with languid pleasure, savoring the physical delight as well as the spiritual joy as much as she can, to share it with him... then she smiles and waves as he departs.

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Last modified: 2010-Aug-28 20:29:49

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