| Logs |
2010 December 13
| Neverneverwhere |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
| Realms: Taps Logs |
In the Dark
On the third night of her engagement with Bringer, the manitou arrives at the door of 'Chana's wagon and taps politely. He clears his throat and says, "It's Jerome." He's mindful of the scolding.
Sulochana laughs, calling to him, "Fantine is almost done with me, dear!" Shortly thereafter Fantine opens the door, turning pink with embarrassment as she notices the manitou, still holding a drink from Sabrina, leaning against the tiny porch's railing. The little loogaroo squeaks a nervous, "Pardon, m'sieu!" before she sidles past him and zips around the wagon out of sight.
Sulochana steps into the doorway and laughs softly again, calling, "Fantine, dear, I'm sure he's not angry!" She's already cloaked this time, although the fur-lined hood is flung back, and Bradley can see the shimmering silken sari beneath the cloak's draping. There's also a large, padded case hung over her shoulder under the cloak which is the right size for a small harp's carrier. The Hetaera turns towards the Manitou, her wine-red lips curling into a lovely smile, her large and kohl-enhanced eyes bright with pleasure, and her bindi glittering distractingly in the dancing firelight, "Good evening again, Jerome. I'm ready to go if you are also?"
Bradley smiles and chuckles as Fantine skitters off. "I didn't mean to frighten the poor thing. I just didn't fancy another scolding for intruding." He kisses Sulochana on the cheek and reaches into his pocket, coming out with a small pouch, "Lest I get caught up and forget, I brought your payment."
Sulochana smiles, tilting her head for his kiss as she murmurs, "Fantine is fierce about the things she cares about, I think." She glances after the little loogaroo, adding a bit sadly, "When it comes to herself, though, I've not been able to convince her yet of her own self worth." She laughs softly as he hands her the pouch, "Ah, thank you, dear!" She sets it on a little fold-down desk just inside the wagon, then pulls the door closed. As she tucks a hand into Jerome's, she grins mischievously, "I should certainly hope you get all caught up while with me!"
Bradley chuckles and slides an arm around her shoulders instead, wanting to have her as close against himself as possible. "I have no doubt. We will have dinner and then, if it is not unseemly haste, I thought we would retire upstairs for music."
'Chana smiles with lazy pleasure, purring, "Sounds lovely, dear." Her eyes twinkle with mischief again as she adds with mock remorse, "I so pray your cook has forgiven me!"
Bradley laughs quietly, "Actually, he asked me if I'd like to have him bring dinner up to the bedroom tonight."
Sulochana blinks at that, then laughs softly as she slides an arm about the manitou's waist and leans against him a bit once they're off the wagon and walking towards the shadows. "How thoughtful!" She giggles, adding, "Or is he just curious to see a Hetaera?"
Bradley smiles quietly and kisses the top of her head, "Thoughtful, I think. He is not nosy. Which is part of why he is still employed."
'Chana smiles, hitching the harp case firmly up onto her shoulder before she pulls the cloak warmly closed with her free hand -- it may be early spring, but up in the mountains there's still snow on the ground in sheltered places. She murmurs quietly, "Do they all know what you are, dear?" She looks around with unmitigated enjoyment, preparing for them to be soon flickering through the shadows -- that's a pleasure she doesn't think will get old any time soon!
Bradley chuckles and says, "Yes. They do. They could not be very effective servants to me or to Diana without understanding our peculiar needs." He wraps his arms around her and moves towards the first of the deep shadows at the edge of the camp.
Sulochana murmurs curiously, "What special needs does Diana have, if you don't mind my asking?"
Bradley steps into the first deep shadow and they make that exhilarating, breathless trip to his home, "She has two unique parents. Nothing has manifested yet, but I don't doubt that it will."
'Chana chuckles quietly, reaching up to gently run her fingers along the curve of Bradley's cheek, caressing down the strong, clean lines of his throat, "Let me guess... around the time of puberty? Well, at least she'll be with you, and thus in capable and caring hands. With luck I'll have more information for you by then as well."
Bradley smiles and turns to kiss her fingertips, "Yes, around then." Then he adds, "Did you want to dine in the dining room?"
Sulochana considers as they flicker through the shadows, then smiles as she leans her head against the manitou. Relaxedly she murmurs, "Which would you prefer? For me, I am happy with either..." she grins with soft excitement as she adds, "as long as we get to enjoy the music together?"
Bradley doesn't even stop to think. "Upstairs. Where it is more intimate."
'Chana chuckles with quiet pleasure, "Sounds lovely!"
Bradley steps into the dining room and murmurs to the footman to have the dinner brought up to his room, then escorts Suraksha up the stairs toward his quarters, "I meant to ask you last night. What would you like for me to wear next time we are together?"
Sulochana glances with a bit of surprise at Bradley, then smiles. Usually her clients ask her what to wear to look their best, not to please her. She considers thoughtfully, mentally measuring how far up the mountain the caravan is, then says slowly, "I do not think we will be past your boulder by tomorrow night, although it may be close. If it is to be our last night together for a while... what would please you?" She grins suddenly, her eyes sparkling as she adds, "I should ask you the same, shouldn't I?" She adds a bit shyly, "You... looked quite comfortable the first time I met you...?"
Bradley laughs quietly, "In my knockabout trousers and farmer's shirt?" He opens the door to his bedroom for her, one hand on the small of her back to usher her in. 'Chana tilts her head to smile up at Bradley as she enters. She puts up her hands to lower the hood of her cloak, wondering thoughtfully what her most comfortable clothing is. Oddly... she thinks maybe it's the belly dancing clothing. She feels very powerful and feminine in it -- but it's also easy to move in and wear, unlike many of the other 'girl' clothes she has. The manitou ushers her to the little sitting area and moves to shrug out of his suit jacket, moving around behind a screen to do so, "If you like, I'll wear that. I admit I have been wearing my courting clothes."
'Chana thinks someone who's comfortable and relaxed in their own body is rather delightfully sensual... but if he thinks that type of clothing is unsuitable, she's not going to ask him to wear something he doesn't like. She looks a bit startled at his courting comment, thinking for a heartbeat or three before she carefully replies, "You mean what you wore to court your wife, yes?" She remembers him saying he did not wish to court a new woman; she hopes that hasn't changed!
Bradley chuckles and says, "Yes. Though what we are doing is not courting; it is simply what I was taught a man of this time and place wears to show a woman he respects her." The jacket is tossed over the top of the screen, "But you liked the other clothes better?"
Sulochana sighs softly in relief to herself, then smiles and replies, "I appreciate the gesture, Bringer, and thank you." She considers, then replies with the truth, her voice thoughtful, "It is not so much that I like the other clothes better... as that when I saw you, you looked... well, very comfortable, very 'there' in your body?" She frowns slightly, then ruefully asks, "Er... does that make sense?"
There's another quiet laugh and the suit pants are also thrown over the top of the screen, "Yes, I understand." When he walks around the screen again he's wearing a pair of work pants that fit him like he's been wearing them for years, and a simple blue and white striped shirt that fits likewise, with the sleeves rolled up over his forearms. He is wearing braces to keep the pants up and his feet are bare.
Sulochana turns from laying her cloak over the back of a chair, and her eyebrows go up -- then she smiles slowly and tilts her head, taking a moment to really look and appreciate. She carefully shrugs off the shoulder strap of the harp case, setting it gently into the chair without looking away from her consideration of the manitou... then she smiles slowly again, murmuring, "Yes, I think you do!" She casually slips off her light slippers and pads forward, her anklets chiming melodically, to give the manitou a comfortable, warm, full body hug.
Just as Bradley is bending his head to kiss her quite seriously, there is the deep bonging sound of a bell. 'Chana blinks, pausing and tilting her head at the abrupt noise. She grins confusedly at the manitou, "Dinner?"
Bradley's brows draw together, "No. That's the front door." He looks torn for a moment, then says, "I must go see who it is. Your people know you're here, yes?"
'Chana smiles, "Of course they do." She politely steps back, hesitates, then curiously adds, "Why do you ask?"
Bradley smiles slightly, "I was wondering if they might have sent someone for you... but we haven't been here long enough for that..." He reaches for a jacket that's not as dressy as his suit jacket, but enough for meeting visitors at the door, "I must go see what that is."
Sulochana looks faintly worried at the thought, "They... shouldn't need me? There were no outstanding concerns when I left, and the caravan made a good ten miles today..." She hesitates again, then adds, "Ahh... do you want me to stay hidden, or may I come see who it is as well? Just in case it is my people?"
Bradley is already starting out the door, "Please, come down in case it is one of your people."
Sulochana sighs in relief again, "Thank you, Bringer!" She pads swiftly after him, her anklets jingling as she trots down the stairs. She wishes the door had windows in it or something, so she could see the visitor's silhouette and know if it was one of her people.
The housekeeper is already answering the door. She's still dressed in a crisp apron and looks quite as fresh as if it were the middle of the day instead of getting into evening. As Bringer and Sulochana come down the stairway, she's speaking to the person there, who is saying, "My uncle sent me to speak with Mr. Bradley." Sulochana abruptly stops partway down the stairs -- she does not want any of the townsfolk knowing the so-called widow that runs the eminently respectable wagon train is hanging around the town's current 'bad boy.' She hastily steps to the wall, pulling the loosely draping part of her sari up over her head and shoulders, then raising the end with slender fingertips to cover all of her face but her almond-shaped golden eyes. She shifts her stance slightly so all of her body but her delicate, be-ringed toes are covered too -- then she grins a bit as she thinks of the perfect body language disguise: Fantine! Her lovely eyes widen a bit in timid fright as she puts her free hand back against the wall and stares at the door.
The housekeeper is looking a bit disapproving, but Bradley strides toward the door, "It's OK, Nina. The mayor knows I keep odd hours." He motions the housekeeper away and says, "Come in, young... Zachariah, isn't it? What does your uncle want?" Sulochana sighs internally -- Zachariah is the nephew of the mayor? Bright Lady, that explains why he was with the group the other night. Definitely don't want him knowing it's her. She glances around, checking where she might duck out of sight for the moment -- then she grins and slides into the drawing room with the harpsichord. If it's just a message, that likely won't take long? She can wait for Bringer there... she grins to herself -- and watch the nice way his body moves under those clothes!
Young Zachariah glances past Bradley and his eyes widen as he catches sight of the draped and bashful form slipping away behind the older man. The younger man keeps his eyes on her as he stammers out that the mayor was wanting to see if Bradley had had a chance to review and sign some papers that had been sent over. The manitou's voice is slow, "I did review them... along with my factor, and I did not sign them. I have some questions and additions for your uncle. I have the copy with the questions and revisions if you'd like to take that back to him." The boy clears his throat and says, "I... I guess that'll do for now, Mr. Bradley." The manitou replies, "I'll just be a moment while I get them from my study."
Sulochana leans to peek around the door frame, still carefully shielding her face with the sari. When she notices Zachariah staring her way she gives a soft squeak and hastily pulls back out of sight. Zachariah's eyes are very wide as he watches the girl disappear. He's fairly certain that's the young woman that caught his eye so alluringly at the caravan the other night. But she wasn't dressed so... so provocatively! Could Bradley be holding her against her will? When the manitou moves into his study, Zachariah moves quickly and quietly over to the drawing room door. 'Chana blinks and squeaks softly in alarm again, as the door is suddenly filled with young man she doesn't want anywhere close! She hastily backs up a few steps, her anklets chiming, and carefully keeps her face covered. Her soft whisper is breathless, "Wh-what do you want, m'sieu?!"
The young man's beard is still somewhat downy and his hair is shorn very close to his head. He holds his broad-brimmed hat in both hands as he asks in an urgent whisper, "I'm sorry, miss, but I don't know your name. And... are... are you OK? I thought your people had left already. He... Bradley isn't doing anything... improper, is he?"
Sulochana simply stares in amazement at the young man -- then she abruptly has to turn away so she doesn't giggle! She glances sideways with her head slightly ducked the way Fantine does, her voice shocked but still soft, "M'sieu, what you suggest? It is... tout à fait indécent!" With soft fierceness she adds, "Stay back or I shall scream -- I am not that kind of girl!"
Zachariah seems flustered and concerned as well as entranced. Those twinkling toe-rings are making his blood rush through his veins like a river at spring thaw, "No! Please don't scream, miss. May... may I know your name?"
Sulochana draws away, her hands under the sari pulling it in close against her body as she glances past Zachariah through the door he's blocking. If he'd just step in a little so she could dart past him -- or if Bringer would turn up...! She lets her voice get a little frantic, "Stay back, or...!"
Zachariah is flustered in the extreme. He's doing his very best to be a gentleman and offer aid to the lady, but she's so confusing... and so alluring! He wavers in the door and says, "Just your name, miss, please. I promise I'm not here to harm you."
Sulochana ducks back to put a chair between them, letting her voice quaver, "S-stay back! Let me go!" Internally she's both amused and exasperated, thinking, [Come on, Bringer! Turn up, please, before this poor boy decides he wants to shake my hand or otherwise touch me to reassure me!] The quaver in her voice makes the boy move back a half-step... right smack into Bradley's chest. The older man's face is thunderous. The younger one looks panicked. Sulochana darts around the chair again, her toe-rings twinkling and her anklets chiming as she gasps in relief, "Mon dieu, M'sieu Bradley -- thank goodness you return!" She's yet to turn her face full on towards young Zachariah, her sideways glances all tentative and shadowed by her sari.
Bradley's eyes are dark and forbidding and Zachariah is stammering, trying to explain that he was just trying to introduce himself to the young lady. Perhaps Bradley would be willing to make a formal introduction? The manitou's voice holds all the disapproval and menace of a man with a young daughter, and the experience to know what boys are thinking, "I think perhaps she doesn't want to be introduced." He holds out an accordion file to Zachariah, "Take these back to your uncle." Sulochana sidles nervously around young Zachariah, staying out of reach, then ducks neatly behind Bradley. The manitou can feel one of her small hands resting on his hip as she leans to peek shyly out from behind him at Zachariah -- then hastily duck back again as she realizes the young man is still staring at her. She also realizes she has a terrible urge to burst out into the giggles!
The body language meant to discourage the young man only intrigues him further. He flushes bright red and claps his hat back onto his head, hugging the file to his chest, "I... just... Mr. Bradley, sir, I'd very much like to meet the young lady at some point. But I understand that I've made a bad impression... and... and... I know my uncle has been very... unpleasant to you."
There's a small squeak from behind Bradley at that whopper! Bradley is continuing to scowl and his arms are crossed over his chest. He's removed the jacket and his forearms looks particularly muscular in that pose, "Why, yes, you have -- and yes, he has. I think I'd appreciate it if you just went on home now, Zachariah."
The young man looks desperate for a moment and there's a gleam in his eyes as if he's about to do something rash -- but then he says, "I... yes. I... I'll go." What he does then isn't exactly a scuttle, but it's close.
Sulochana whispers a breathlessly nervous, "Merci for rescuing me, M'sieu Bradley!" as the young man heads for the door.
Bradley stands right where he is and watches the young man until the door is closed safely behind him -- then he turns around and worriedly puts his hands on Sulochana's shoulders, "Are you going to be okay, lovely?"
Sulochana's eyes are a-brim with laughter, and her lips are parted in delight as she lets the sari's folds slide silkily back from her head as soon as she's sure the young man is well departed, "Oh, that was so wicked of me -- I shall feel ever so remorseful later!" She giggles, throwing her arms around the manitou's neck and hugging him, "And you were magnificent, Bringer! Mmmm, so deliciously forbidding!" She can't help giggling again at that, leaning into him and inhaling the lovely warm male scent of him. She chuckles as she leans her head against his chest, adding in explanation, "I thought it best if he not know the ever-so-proper widow was here. I hope you do not mind?"
Bradley relaxes a little and chuckles, wrapping his arms around her rather hungrily, "I don't mind. I figured you were pretending to be the bashful Miss Fantine. Unfortunately, I think our young Zach is rather taken with her."
Sulochana nods ruefully, "He is, I believe -- which is certainly a doomed interest, as she's terrified of christians. Apparently a group of them were responsible for the death of her sister loogaroos and the bokor who captured her and made her one of them. She missed out on dying also only by virtue of being late to attend him that night." She's silent a moment, then takes a deep breath, straightening and smiling up at Bradley, "But enough of that. Do you have paperwork you must attend to, or might I have a bit of your attention?" A bit hopefully she adds, "I believe there was mention of dinner and music...?"
Bradley shakes his head ruefully, "No. I was hoping that would wait until a night or two later. The honorable mayor Aurelius is pressing me to sign some contracts that would limit me rather badly and effectively force me to convert to their religion... I would much rather share dinner and music with you." There is still about him an aura of protective menace.
The Hetaera smiles and sways slowly against Bradley's body, rather pleasantly aroused by that! She purrs lazily, "No, you have no paperwork to deal with now? Or no, I may not have your attention, lovely man?"
Bradley chuckles and leans down, very deliberately kissing her. He doesn't let the full force of his hunger seep through, but she gets a taste of it, "No. I have no paperwork. Yes, you may have my attention. I apologize for the interruption, lovely."
Sulochana stands on tiptoes, reaching up to very eagerly return the kiss! While she's quite capable of defending herself, having someone kind and thoughtful step in -- so she didn't have to -- makes her feel pleasantly cared for and cherished. She shivers happily at the delicate brush of his hunger, letting her own desire for him roll through her as well. When he draws back enough to speak she sighs blissfully, eyes still half closed, and lets her head tilt back down until her forehead is resting against his chest. Her lips brush his skin as she murmurs, "Mmm, don't apologize... just take me upstairs, please?"
Bradley's voice is a little rough around the edges, "Shall I carry you or escort you, lovely?"
Sulochana laughs softly, her golden-eyed gaze dreamy and inviting when she looks back up at him. She loops an arm about his neck, brushing the fingers of her free hand lightly along his throat and up the jawline to his ear. Her voice is smoky and sensuously purring, "What would you like, lovely strong man, mmm?" Bradley's eyes are gleaming, hinting at the glints of gold in the eyes of his native form as he scoops her up, one arm behind her shoulders and the other beneath her thighs as he starts toward the stairway. Sulochana gasps softly, her eyes sparkling with delight as he easily scoops her up -- then she wriggles up against him, leaning her head forward to delicately tease with her tongue and lips at the edge of one ear. Her voice is a soft, purring breath, "Mmm... I think I like what you'd like, lovely man!"
Bringer can feel that, almost taste it, and his heart is pounding in his chest as he carries her up the stairs and into his bedroom. He kicks the door closed behind them and turns his head to find her mouth, kissing her passionately as he leans back against it. Sulochana growls happily, wrapping both arms about his neck and trusting him to hold her as she returns the kiss with fervent passion! Unless he asks for harp music, or the cook is there with dinner laid out for them, she quite intends to do her best to share how much she appreciates his being all sweet and manly for her downstairs.
The cook, unfortunately, chooses just that time to rap sharply on the door. Bringer makes an impatient sound, but then breaks the kiss, taking a couple of deep and gasping breaths, "One moment!" He murmurs to her, "Dinner. Music. You. That's what I'm hungry for tonight."
Sulochana is breathing a bit deeply herself too, but she manages to smile and nod once... although her eyes flash for an instant, hinting at her desires for the evening as well. She releases a bit reluctantly, laughing softly as she murmurs, "Guess you can't answer the door with me as necklace, mm?"
Bradley carefully sets her down and laughs, voice throaty, "No... more's the pity." 'Chana giggles, stepping back and smoothing her sari a bit -- and giving herself a moment to assert control over herself again. She feels deliciously steamy; this is going to be a lovely night, she thinks!
The manitou makes sure he's presentable and then opens the door. The footman and the cook are there with the trays containing dinner. The cook peeks at her as they set things out, but doesn't stare outright. He's a very dark-skinned man of middle years and heavy paunch. He moves surprisingly lightly, however, and the dinner is laid out quick as a flash; then the manitou is left alone with his lady caller. Sulochana is decorously seated in the nearby chair, idly running her fingers through her hair to tidy it as dinner is laid out. Of course, once the door is closed, her gaze gets far less innocently demure!
The dinner is no less scrumptious than the nights before, the spices no less masterful, the dessert no less decadent. Bringer stands behind her as she eats, stroking her hair and breathing in slowly. The first night he'd wanted to hold off for as long as possible. Perhaps he's more impatient now, or perhaps she has seen just how to stoke his hungers, but he doesn't encourage her to slow down. Oddly, having her hair stroked and her enjoyment savored so makes 'Chana feel intoxicatingly appreciated. She's breathing deeply herself by the time she has finished dinner, even with several pauses to turn her head and brush delicate kisses over Bringer's fingers in her glossy hair.
Dinner is only the beginning of the entertainments. When the exquisite meal is concluded, Sulochana offers with a smile to sit on the ottoman, next to his chair, while playing the harp. Bradley smiles down at her, eyes heavy and the golden glints still showing through, "Yes, please. Play for me... play me the music that makes your heart sing, Sulochana of the dancing eyes."
'Chana is already starting to feel the small internal flutter of excitement and delight she gets when she can share something she adores with someone she truly likes, who will also appreciate it. She grins a touch shyly, nodding once as she settles herself against him, pulling out her small harp with gentle reverence. She takes her time greeting it, running her slender fingers over the smooth, cool wood and brushing the strings, tightening and tuning with slow enjoyment. When she's done she caresses the strings one more time, calling forth a sweet ripple of chords. Bradley closes his eyes and lets his head drop back against his chair as she tunes the instrument, feeling her delight and passion in the music and the sharing of it.
Sulochana lifts her head to smile at the manitou, her eyes already shining with pleasure -- then she silently looks back at the small instrument for an instant. What to play to properly express her current near ecstatic state? She laughs, tossing her head back -- how appropriate a word choice! -then coaxes forth Scriabin's sophisticated and flamboyant Poem of Ecstasy. By the climax she is completely lost in the music, her fingers swift and sure as they drift across the vibrating strings, the music a darkly passionate composition to its rapt and beautiful priestess.
Bringer feels his heart leap and his own passion and joy rising to meet hers as it flows and expands on the notes of the music. By the time the last note echoes into silence, he's trembling. Sulochana's eyes are closed too, her upturned face exalted. To her, music is one of the most highly evolved forms of human expression... and ecstasy is definitely the most highly evolved human emotion. Scriabin's attempted combination of these two aesthetic truths takes effort and concentration to play, combining wildly passionate inspiration with deeply sensual, dreamy interludes... she always feels as if her body has ceased to exist by the end.
Bringer looks down at the Hetaera with awe and longing on his face, not daring to touch her just yet. She's swaying slightly from the effort of pouring out her heart into the music... she draws a long, deep breath, as if she's slowly returning to her body once more, then carefully sets her precious harp aside. Almost with trepidation she turns to face the manitou, slowly raising her eyes to see if he could feel it too; if he shared the ecstasy with her. The manitou takes her face carefully in both hands and whispers, "Such a passion. And you have not shared it properly in so long. Such a royal gift."
Relief floods through Sulochana, and she laughs shakily, her eyes lighting up with joy, "You... you can feel it too?" She reaches out to him, feeling fragile and beautiful and vulnerable... he's quite correct; she has not shared with such ecstasy in a very long time.
Bringer murmurs to her, "This is how you worship." The manitou leans down and whispers, "Let me show you how this felt to me." He kisses her and lets all the ecstasy and passion and soaring beauty of her playing pour back into her with the touch of his lips. He lets her feel the trembling of his own heart and the surge of his blood. With her shields and defenses down, it floods into her as if it would fill every fiber of her body and being. She feels like molten earth: bubbling up to the surface slowly, it builds new land; bursting up through a weak place, it wreaks destruction. She can feel how hunger could sweep one away, but she also feels the centuries of discipline wrapped around Bringer's being and his passions; the channeling of the passion and the slow, simmering desires that percolate just beneath the surface. There is a flash, just a spark of thought: that she has never wanted anything or anyone more than she wants this man in this instant.
Sulochana twists around with serpentine grace to face the manitou, her body still vibrating with exaltation as she slides smoothly up onto him where he sits in the chair. She knows it's not love, but rather desire -- but she also can feel how divine a gift her exultant desire is to her lover. She pours that magnificent bliss out for him as completely and selflessly as she poured out her music, sharing herself both physically and energetically with utter abandon.
Bradley opens his arms to her and welcomes her hunger to blend with his; they don't make it to the bed for a very long time. His hands, his mouth: they move over every inch of her body that she will let him touch. The passion grows stronger and intensifies; he knows she is a shifter, but the manitou is desperate to know more about her. Sulochana is panting and moaning softly with eagerness, twining herself lithely about him and gladly sharing her sensuousness, both physical and emotional. They've shed all their clothing by the time they reach the bed, although her jewelry still twinkles and shimmers in the dimming light, enhancing her warm beauty. Once they have stumbled to the bed, he slides his body over her and into her, growling softly next to her ear, "Stay with me... stay..."
Her small hands are tangled in his hair, and her legs wrapped about him, as 'Chana draws him down into her heated desire, sharing her passion with him. Almost curiously, though, she knows immediately what he means; there is no confusion in her at his request, although there is a hint of regret that she must put limits on their time together. She replies with breathless hunger, "For the nights we are in your territory, lover: yes, gladly!"
Bradley growls softly and nuzzles into the warm hollow of her throat, "No... always... please..." He feels as if he is drowning in the heat and scent and pure abandon of her beauty and her unselfish giving, trembling almost uncontrollably. The beat of her pulse is so close to the surface. So close... and perhaps if he tasted her, he would know what she is -- and perhaps she would share his hunger....
Sulochana sighs softly -- she wants to make beautiful passions with her manitou lover right now, not argue with him. She feels suffused with hunger, longing, joy; intensely and spiritually emotional rather than thoughtful. Breathlessly she murmurs, "Later, please? Just this, now!" and then tugs gently on his hair, turning her head to try and capture his lips with hers in a fiercely needy kiss. The manitou can feel his hunger and eagerness for her trying to overwhelm him. It would be so easy to unwrap all those centuries of discipline and consume her -- he wants her very badly, and he wants to feed from her. When she kisses him, he moans into her mouth and takes her hands, pushing them up over her head and into the pillows, holding her there -- and then he breaks the kiss, tearing his mouth away to catch his breath. He will not force her. He will not devour her. He is not a wendigo!
Sulochana can feel his internal struggle, and can even guess a bit at its source. She doesn't know why, but she finds herself strangely unafraid -- perhaps she's so aroused she's not thinking clearly. She doesn't struggle, though, even though she's stretched out and pinned under his weight, and the room is utterly dark with his desire. Instead she just smiles and licks her lips, rolling her hips as she encourages him to find sensual sexual release within her. Her voice is a hungry purr, "Come with me, lover... let me see you?"
The darkness lifts and she is able to watch his face as it transforms to his native form. Sulochana gasps, her eyes widening as she watches him change form, and she presses up against him; were her hands not pinned she'd be delightedly running her fingers through his soft feathers. The golden eyes glint in the low light and his wings spread with a whisper of sound, flapping twice with powerful beats as he reaches that ecstatic release, screaming out with the cry of the great horned owl. His seed floods into her body as his hungers surge and ebb. Her soft, ecstatic pleasure-laughter morphs almost without break into her own cries of joyous release, mingling with his own, and her back arches up with her roaring internal thunder of orgasm. She shakes her head, tossing and writhing with shivering release against him, her slender throat and body stretched out pale and defenseless against him. She's never felt such agonizingly delicious abandon, and she revels gloriously in it -- for both of them.
His hands release hers, wanting to allow her the freedom to express the pleasure she's feeling; his enormous nocturnal hunter's wings flap and flutter, stirring the air powerfully and yet barely making a sound. Sulochana's hands reach immediately for him, her fingers working through his feathers and clinging tightly to him as the last few aftershocks of delicious release rip and shudder through her. It takes a few more heartbeats of wonderfully exalted sensation, but finally she's limp and blissful beneath him, lips slightly parted in a dreamy smile and her eyes heavy and contented with afterglow. Bringer slowly relaxes over her, wings carefully folding down his back and the weight of his body coming to rest atop her. With careful nips of his beak he preens her hair, hooting and trilling softly. There is about him an aura of contentment and satiation that has not, as far as she can remember, been about him before.
The Hetaera's softly breathless laugh as he preens her is affectionate, as is her gentle stroking of the feathers framing his owl's face. It takes her a little bit to remember words, and that dreamy contentment still lingers as she finally purrs lazily, "Such beautiful eyes you have, lover..." It takes her a while longer to remember him telling her, when they first negotiated, that he had the self-control to not change while in bed. A hint of worry drifts into her demeanor as she quietly adds, "You... are all right? This is a good change?" The fingers of one hand continue gently stroking through his feathers even as she speaks, as if she can't quite get enough of him in this form.
Carefully and slowly he changes himself back to human so he can speak to her. Even as he does so, he sighs warmly and says, "Mmm... you asked to see me. At the time I thought you wished to see the true me."
Sulochana sighs happily, impulsively hugging him about the neck as she murmurs, "Mmmhmm... was lovely, sweet man!" She's still feeling utterly delicious, and she doesn't bring up his earlier request.
Bringer kisses her on each temple and murmurs, "It was indeed, lovely. It was. I have not felt so sated and content in a long, long time."
Sulochana is still purring with bliss, and she simply cuddles up against him; she feels oddly, warmly protected with him laying over and within her like this. "Mmmgoood..." A moment later, with a hint of curiosity, she adds, "Does anything special happen when you get really well fed?" She giggles in sudden delight as she remembers how he enjoyed her playing for him, and gives him another quick, impulsive hug, "You liked my harping -- you really liked it! That's so... so amazingly wonderful!"
The manitou shifts his body so his full weight isn't resting on her, and strokes her hair, "It has been a long time. I don't remember anything particularly special. But I will have more strength for a while. And your playing was amazing, lovely."
The Hetaera sighs happily, nuzzling up against him as she murmurs, "Oh, good." She just relaxes for a bit then, letting her breathing and heartbeat even out again. She suspects he'll bring up the subject of his earlier query eventually, but she's not going to rush him. This feels almost as nice as being with Roy, in different ways -- he loved her harp playing, yay! -and she's savoring the moment... especially since it will likely be another six to eight months before she can be with Roy again. She smiles lazily, wondering idly when it will hit Roy that he loves her... no matter. Some men bolt when they figure that out, and she doesn't want to lose Roy -- so she's not going to mention it at all. In some ways that makes being with Bringer of Night and Passion much less complicated, too: he doesn't love her. Oh, he may love the concept of her -- the lovely Hetaera who feeds him so deliciously -- but she does not get the sense that she herself, her own small joys and triumphs and pains and such, entrances him... not the way she feels it from Roy, at least.
The manitou nuzzles into her hair lazily and slowly rolls his hips, reminding himself of her heat and welcoming presence. "And being allowed to protect you. It is intoxicating for some men. I fear I am one of them."
Sulochana shivers with sensual pleasure at his slow movements, her arms still wrapped around him. She brings up one small foot to trail her toes lightly along the back of one of his muscular calves, and her voice is a bit absent, "Mmm? How -- oh, Zachariah?" She laughs, low and throaty and gently amused, "I'm sure he's a nice enough boy. I just didn't want him close enough to recognize me." She smiles as she adds with lazy pleasure, "Thank you for not minding my playing that part, though. I appreciate that."
Bringer actually growls slightly and says, "Zachariah is a stupid young man who lets his uncle lead him around by the nose -- when he's not leading him around by the balls." He clears his throat immediately, "Pardon me. That was unkind."
'Chana laughs softly, lazily stroking Bringer's hair as she murmurs, "Zachariah, poor lad, is not as fortunate as you and I... as he is not here. Let's not bring him here mentally either, mmm?" Her eyes are twinkling with amusement as she gently teases the manitou.
Bringer laughs and rolls over slowly so she's laying across his body, "Agreed."
Sulochana gasps and shivers in startled pleasure as the manitou's movement draws him deliciously across her still-sensitized skin. She clings to him and laughs a bit shakily, nuzzling against him as her silky hair ripples and pours like water over his chest. Breathlessly she murmurs, "Y-you... mmmm, feel absolutely lovely, sweet man."
Bringer hugs her tightly, "And you feel like a breath of life, lovely." He goes quiet for a while then, simply stroking her hair.
Sulochana flushes with warm pleasure, "Ahh... thank you so much, dear one!" She rests her head on his chest, adding contentedly, "That's incredibly nice to hear." One small hand strokes slowly, almost dreamily over his skin, and she smiles lazily at the pleasant feel of his strong chest and his breathing under her. "Makes me feel useful, mmm..."
The manitou chuckles and keeps his arms warmly around her, "You are more than useful. Useful is so... utilitarian. You are wonderful."
'Chana giggles softly, feeling warm and cuddled, "Such delicious flattery! You're going to spoil me, good sir!"
Bringer caresses thoughtfully along the inside of her arm, fingertips trailing over the crook of her elbow, "If I spoil you sufficiently, would you consider staying?"
'Chana's body is lazily sprawled across Bradley's, and he can both feel and see inside the crook of her left arm, where it's draped casually over his chest. There are two neat, slightly reddish but healing punctures there. She chuckles throatily, nearly purring with relaxation and contentment as she smiles and murmurs, "I don't think anyone could spoil me that much."
Bradley's pulse spikes slightly and he feels his breath catch as he notices the small wounds on the inside of her elbow. She is so sweetly and apparently artlessly sprawled across him, and the vulnerability of it aches in him. He trails his fingertips along her skin and finds himself dwelling on the idea of who gets to sip that essence from her -- and becoming restless and hungry again, "I would try, sweet soul. I would sincerely try. I am a good provider." His voice has gone husky.
Sulochana smiles in quiet affection, delicately stroking his chest with her small fingers, "You do me great honor, dear man... but I would not put you out so, especially since traveling is one of my great loves." The manitou feels the tug of a hunger that could easily become overwhelming. He buries his face in her hair; his pulse is still racing and he struggles within himself to master it. The Hetaera can hear his heartbeat increasing, although she isn't aware of why. She continues gently stroking his chest, making no effort to conceal her inner elbow since she doesn't know it's an issue. Her voice is soft, "May I continue to visit you when my caravan passes through Roseville, sweetheart -- even though I cannot stay?"
Bradley is able, after several very deep breaths, to carefully reach to fold her arm, hiding away the punctures, "If you cannot stay, I believe I would mourn for years were you to stay away."
Sulochana curls her fingers through his as he does so, though she does not realize his motivation. He can feel her cheek curving as she smiles slowly and nuzzles against his chest, "Thank you, dear. I'm truly relieved to hear you do want me to return." She grins lazily as she adds, "Give me several hundred years, mm? I might be bored with traveling by then, and if you're still interested in my company at that time... maybe settling down then would be lovely." Her soft sigh is warm against his skin, and she's still smiling quietly as she wonders about the men in her life. Roy cares for her, but he can't seem to admit it to himself... Bringer apparently really wants her to stay, but she gets the feeling it's more because he loves what she can do for him, rather than who she truly is. Her grin turns rueful. Well... maybe someday she'll find the man she loves, who can admit to loving her back.
Bradley shudders gently and murmurs, "It is strangely heartening to think you could be living then... though most shapeshifters I know are not that long-lived."
'Chana blinks, then backtracks a bit, "Ahhh... well, I'm guessing?" She grins, admitting, "True, it's not like my life isn't full of occasionally dangerous incidents!" She adds with a touch of worry, "Are you shivering because you're cold? I can pull a blanket up if you'd like?"
The manitou's voice has remained husky, "I find myself hungering for things I should not take from you. I... feel it would be taking advantage."
Sulochana is still relaxed and calm; she doesn't know the manitou well enough to worry yet. She smiles, "Like what, please? Ah, if you do not mind my asking." She grins, adding, "Some things I'm willing to share, after all."
Again his fingers trail along her arm, brushing the crease of skin where he has folded it to hide Fantine's bite, "The wounds on your arm... they make me think of blood-sharing."
'Chana looks down at her folded arm, smiling faintly, "Ah, I understand. Forgive me, please, but that is something it would make me uneasy to share just now." She brushes gentle fingertips over his chest caressingly again, adding softly, "I'm sorry, sweet man. Is that why you folded my arm, before -- so they wouldn't show? If so, I apologize for the unintended tease." Bringer shivers and nods, eyes gleaming as he struggles against the hunger. He could push it. He could force it. He could even make her want it... and that is what a Wendigo might do. 'Chana frowns as the manitou shivers again, and her voice is concerned, "Are you all right, sweet man? Is there something I can do or get for you?"
Bringer slowly starts to untangle himself again, "Play your harp for me again, sweet soul? And tell me a story? Distract my mind."
Sulochana brightens -- that she can do easily! She grins, "All right! Moment..." as she bounces lightly off the bed to fetch her harp. A little later she's seated next to him, curled up comfortably nude against his side with her night-dark hair a silky tumble down her bare back. She uses the harp for storytelling emphasis, "Let me think... what sort of story would you like? Are you interested in, say... the wild, fierce riders of the Great Plains, or... or the brash and brawling young city of Baton Rouge, or, ahh... the wicked lady that is the city of San Francisco? Maybe... maybe something about the fabled far eastern seaboard, or some other place you've always wondered about?"
Bringer closes his eyes and smiles, stroking her hair and letting other hungers overtake the one that almost frightens him, "Tell me of your childhood. What made such a lovely Hetaera?"
Sulochana looks a bit taken aback -- then she laughs! "Goodness, not a very interesting subject!" She grins, playing a simple children's tune on the harp as she considers a moment, then murmurs, "Well, let's see. I suppose I'm fortunate in having healthy and physically attractive parents, and being gently raised... and having a wealthy grandmother who was willing to indulge me, and a godsmother who didn't let me get away with anything." She chuckles quietly, her golden-green gaze faraway as she thinks back on her childhood.
Bringer picks up on the wariness and says, "What stories did this child love? What did she ask to hear before bed?"
Sulochana grins ruefully, her faint wariness at talking about her childhood unabated -- considering how integral her family's history and species were to her upbringing, she doesn't really want to drop a lot of hints about that time. "Um... well, she liked hearing of the adventures of her family. They were all only in one city though. Surely you'd rather hear of something more interesting, something on the far side of the Great Rocky Mountains instead of all crowded in on the western seaboard? Something that's not either in or a neighbor to your territory?"
The manitou laughs, "Talk to me about the eastern mountains. I hear they are far different than here."
Sulochana brightens, strumming her harp as she grins, "Oh, that's a very interesting place!" She half tells, half sings to him of the ancient, mystical Appalachians, of the many and varied folk that live there that she's met -- both human and strangely, marvelously other. She lights up as she describes some of the local dances, picking out a lilting tune on her harp that makes one itch to kick up their feet. She speaks of the half-fey-seeming Tap engineers and their curiously focused little communities, and for just a little bit her deeply abiding love of travel, of learning wonderful new things, comes shining through very clearly. Bringer wraps an arm around her and listens, teasing his fingers along her skin as she gets the dreamy-lost sound in her voice of someone enjoying telling a story.
Sulochana describes the reactions of the engineers to the caravan bringing the great quartz crystal safely from San Francisco to them... and from there the story segues naturally into telling of the trip over the great, wild continent to the tiny Eastern town. The harp becomes almost an extension of 'Chana, singing sweetly of calm starry nights, thrilling staccato notes of danger, rippling laughter of friends, or the swelling harmonic beauty of the great and sprawling river of grass which bisects the continent.
Unless Bringer interrupts the Hetaera, or requests a change of subject matter, 'Chana will gladly share musical and verbal snapshots of the gorgeous places she's been and the wonderful people she's met. Bringer listens avidly, caressing her stomach and thighs in gentle teasing as she loses herself in the telling of tales. It is a little too absorbing, in fact, as the manitou is too enraptured to recognize the earliest signs of dawn's approach. When the awareness of the sun's imminent rising intrudes upon him, his head comes up sharply and he swears softly under his breath; he doesn't even seem to realize he's done it. Sulochana doesn't immediately notice, caught up in her enthusiastic description of the huge roving herds of bison-cows on the Great Plains. She finishes, then blinks as she notices him shifting abruptly, "I'm sorry, sweet man -- I hope I've not gotten boring?"
Bringer smiles wryly as he rolls to his feet and moves to start jerking on his clothes, "On the contrary. We must hurry if I am to get you back to your caravan. Dawn is dangerously close."
Sulochana is still for a heartbeat -- then she rolls smoothly off the bed to pack the harp first, as the most precious thing she has there at that moment. She's faintly relieved they spent most of their time here in his room -- she'd be hard-pressed to remember everything if she had to run up and down stairs to collect her things! Once the harp is securely packed, she swiftly whips together her sari and shoes and cloak. "Bringer, if I've kept you too long, don't risk it, please! I can, ahh... I can get back safely on my own, I promise."
He whirls around after getting his shirt on and scoops his arms around her, darting wordlessly toward the nearest shadow. Before they are halfway there he knows he has made a mistake, but he refuses to hesitate -- instead he pushes on harder. 'Chana gives a startled squeak as he grabs her up, her arms tightening around the precious harp as she holds very still; she doesn't want him to fumble at all! Hesitantly she adds, "Bringer? Please, I don't want to lose you -- I can get home on my own, I- oh!" Hitting the shadow makes her catch her breath with worry, going silent and wide-eyed as she wonders what will happen.
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