| Logs |
2011 February 13
| Neverneverwhere |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
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| Realms: Taps Logs |
Alarums and Negotiations
Jenny leans on her shovel and peers at Cullen thoughtfully. Then she spits on the earth in front of herself, "You don't burn. We let wagons through." She nods toward the damp spot and Cullen nods, "That would be the deal. I'm not leader back there, though. I can't make a compact with you." Stephen steps forward and says, "That's right, he can't!"
Suraksha is 'accidentally' seated near the dwarf. She smiles charmingly up at him and Cullen, listening as the two trading post fae argue in front of the suspicious wild fae. She murmurs amusedly, "Stephen, do you really want to be... effectively isolating yourself so -- as the cause of the problems everyone is having?"
Chanticleer narrows his eyes. "Then who can?" he says calmly. Suraksha nods to Chanti -- an excellent point. Chanticleer continues, "Because to be honest, the Lady is right. Besides, if you work with them you won't have to clear-cut the forest around the outpost."
Cullen says, "We have to take a vote. I figure it'll go fine now that we know what's up." He gives Stephen the sort of look one gives a silly younger sibling, "Better to have eyes out here than to have scorched earth."
Suraksha leans back on her hands, looking very relaxed as she murmurs, "So... what sort of nonsense were you trying to avoid, Stefan, by taking to this sort of thing?"
Stephen grumps, "Stephen. Not Stefan. I haven't gone by Stefan in many years!"
Suraksha says, "Why?"
The dwarf blows out an irritable breath and Cullen says, "Because Stefan was a warrior-prince and Stephen is a trader. Because Stefan never did like glamour and magicks and Stephen moved out to the wild places where things are just normal." There's teasing in Cullen's voice.
The stoat has dropped to all four feet and has slunk up to stand behind Jenny, peeking around her legs mistrustfully, "We don't likes it. We don't likes the dwarf-man."
Chanticleer blinks and scratches his head. The subtle nuance between 'Stefan' and 'Stephen' is somewhat lost to him. Suraksha raises an interested eyebrow at Cullen's comment, "Really now." She smiles at the stoat, "Well, I don't really care for him either... but that doesn't mean we can't try working together, right?"
Stephen scowls at Cullen, "That's not your story to tell, Cullen."
Cullen shrugs and says, "It's not a secret to anyone who cares to look for a bit, Stephen. Now come, let's go talk to the rest of the outpost." To Jenny and the stoat he says, "We'll see you at the gate in two hours' time, perhaps? For an answer?"
Suraksha nods to the fae, "We're good with that. If it would help, my caravan is happy to serve as go-between, as well." She rises, dusting off her small derriere, then smiles at the wild fae, "Nice to meet you both. I'm Suraksha Sesha, this is Alg, and that's Chanticleer." Chanticleer smiles quietly, inclining his head in greeting. Suraksha adds cheerfully to JennyJenJen, "Regardless of how this turns out, I would be very pleased to talk later to Regina, if she's willing!" She grins, "Since she might have a, er... great-niece? For... some large number of greats."
Jenny nods and says, "They call me Jenny and this is Lloyd." She says the stoat's name with a sort of splooshy, breathy sound to the first bit. "We'll meet in two hours. I will try to bring Regina with us. She would like to hear of family." With that the two wild fae seem to disappear into nothing.
Stephen looks around distrustfully, but Cullen seems pleased, "Let's go have a chat with everyone."
Suraksha beams and waves to the stoat as well as Jenny, then follows the trading post fae into the fort. Almost chattily she adds to Cullen, "So, did you know they were around? Do you think the folks in the fort will want to ally with them? Any idea why the wild fae are so shy of allying?"
The horse-fae says, "Well, let us say that I am not surprised to find they are here. There is enough wilderness around that they would be much at home." Suraksha nods inquiringly, an expectant look on her face as she waits for further answers. Alg bounds along nearby, sniffing interestedly at the curious trails left behind. Cullen says, "As for why they're so shy of allies, you might as well ask why a hare does not trust a fox. They see us as predators."
Stephen snorts again, stumping along with them, "Funny, that. A stoat and a bog woman."
Suraksha looks puzzled, "Why would they feel that way about you?" She tilts her head, studying the slender horse-sidhe, then smiles, "You don't, um... strike me as the predatory type?"
Cullen grins with his broad, square teeth, "I'm not, so much. But they are not tame. They mistrust everyone from habit." Stephen says, "They see humans and dwarves and anyone that doesn't want to live covered in moss and twigs as dangerously civilized and likely a liar." The irony of that seems to have escaped him.
Suraksha murmurs in soft fascination, "Bog woman... interesting!" She knows technically she herself, as a shapeshifter, is 'fae'... but she also knows that's a more sidhe-based use of the word. Indeed, there are likely fae who would huffily deny any lineage or connection with 'her type,' she knows! She grins quietly at the dwarf, "You know... not even all dwarves want to live like you do, Stephen." She studies the dwarf curiously -- he's the first fae she's met who's more into civilization than even the humans are!
Dominic has been busy back at the fort, caught up in negotiations and arrangements with Amelia. With Ohkwari's help, the young man seems pleased about the mutually beneficial decisions made about what can be offered for the goods the settlement needs. When he's informed the hunting party is returning, though, he comes up to the battlements to get a better look with the others. His senses stretched out, trying to be wary of a trap like before... but using the unguent unless it seems clear there's a need. When it seems clear the natives of the fort are satisfied with what's about, he relaxes and goes down to join the Lady and Chanti to get caught up.
Cullen calls out to the guards on the gate when they approach the settlement again, then says, still grinning good-naturedly, "They're wild things, Stephen. Like deer and hares and lions and tigers and chipmunks and squirrels. Skittish and close to the earth. Not all civilized."
Suraksha murmurs amusedly under her breath -- she knows Cullen will hear, of course, "Or like horse sidhe..." She grins mischievously at Cullen.
Cullen laughs and shrugs, "I can't deny it, lady. I am considered quite uncouth to most sidhe."
Suraksha smiles relaxedly at the sidhe, "A shame... they appear to be slighting themselves on excellent company." He leads them all into the settlement when the gate opens for them, calling out a few names. He wants to get negotiations done with as quickly as possible. Sura grins and winks at Sabrina as she enters the fort in Cullen's wake -- she thinks the sidhe's a fine person for her dear friend to be interested in for a romantic evening or three! She quietly adds to Cullen, "Shall we stay out of your way while you of the trading post have your discussion?"
Cullen agrees with Sura, as he moves off with Stephen, that it might be best if they gave the settlers and traders a moment or two; they talk with the handful of folk that came over at Cullen's halloa. Even from a distance, the expressions of surprise are clear -- and so are the ones of relief. Chanticleer is by now well relaxed and comfortable with the outcome of their visit, though he keeps a discreet eye on Stefan, or Stephen, or whatever his name is. The sidhe doesn't particularly care what the dwarf's background is (just as he hopes nobody in the outpost is particularly concerned with his), but he is concerned that Stefan might do something unwise.
Suraksha smiles and gives Chanti and Alg a hug, thanking them both, then heads off towards the caravan with Ohkwari, Joe, and Buddy. As usually happens, she's rapidly approached and starts cheerfully dealing with the various financial issues, small children, logistics questions, stock arguments, and all the other various minutiae of running a caravan. Dominic approaches Chanti, gesturing him aside, and once they've got some space the young man looks his compatriot up and down. "You look okay, and so does everyone else. Does this mean things went okay out there?" he queries hopefully.
Chanticleer nods, "It went pretty well, yes. I'm more concerned about the outpost at this point." He explains what they learned, in particular about what Stephen had planned and how the local wild fey were... not happy.
Dominic listens with interest, his brow dipping lower the more he learns. By the end of it he's rubbing his temples. "Oy," he asserts.
Chanticleer smiles a little humorlessly. "That's about the sum of it, yes."
Two hours later there's some commotion at the gate, the two trading-post denizens who were on watch at the guardpost shouting in startlement -- apparently some folks have materialized out of nowhere at the gate. Suraksha is already waiting on the high catwalks behind the walls, right by the gates -- she's curious to see the wild fae. Ohkwari sits with her, peacefully smoking a pipe. Alg is bouncing and rolling around for the pleasure of it, with a few of the caravan dogs. When the commotion starts, Cullen and Abigail head toward the gate. Stephen starts to come with them, but is sent back by the solemn-faced woman.
Suraksha leans on her hands, staring interestedly out and down at the wild fae who have appeared. She smiles and waves if any of them look up. Chanticleer perks up at the commotion, half-reaching for his bow, then stops himself. "They wouldn't have let themselves be seen if they were attacking," he says carefully. Dominic stands with Chanti, similarly waiting. The things he was involved in earlier are more or less situated for now... and this is where all the drama is taking place.
Suraksha nods amusedly at the sidhe, adding, "Plus they said they'd do this. Most fae are quite, er... tenacious about keeping their word." She straightens suddenly, "Oh! I have to go down and meet Regina, after all the trading post folk are done chatting with them." She pauses, then smiles, "I'll stay out of their way until it's completed." She glances over her shoulder, adding so softly only someone nearby might hear, "...and keep an eye on Stephen..."
Outside the gate are three figures. Two are familiar: Jenny and the enormous stoat stand together, the stoat on all four feet as it eyes the gateway mistrustfully. Jenny seems relaxed and once again leaning on her shovel. The third figure is just over five feet tall and dark of hair and skin. Her build is solid without being at all blocky and she's sort of dressed in smears and whirls and daubs of earth. Chanticleer blinks, and peers closer at the third figure. "Is that... is that woad?" he murmurs. A Pict or Gaelic fey? Here?
Dominic too blinks at the figures. "Now there's something you don't see every day." He peers. "Huh. That really is a giant stoat, id'nit," he says to no one in particular. Then he gives a closer look at the strange, earthy female. "Th' heck?"
Suraksha taps Chanti's arm, murmuring, "No, she's the earth spirit Jenny spoke of. Can you see Stephan from here? Can you fire an arrow without killing someone?"
Chanticleer frowns, looking around as he takes up his bow. "I don't know if I'm that good. Why? Has he disappeared?"
Suraksha keeps her whisper very low, "Your eyesight is better than mine... and if he turns up with a torch in hand, I want you to shoot his hand, all right?"
Chanticleer nods, unsure. "I'll try."
Suraksha smiles and pats Chanti's arm, "You'll do fine." She turns so she's keeping more of an eye on the inside of the trading post, with occasional glances outward. She figures Cullen and the woman will negotiate for the trading post folk; it's Stephen who is the current loose cannon. To Dominic she smiles and murmurs, "That is, I'd guess, your fae equivalent, Dom -- an earth spirit."
Dominic blinks, and ohs! "So that's the one that was doing all that clever earth-moving. Interesting. Hope she stays friendly, then."
Chanticleer murmurs amusedly, "Does that mean the stoat is my equivalent? I really am more of a feather person than fur...." Suraksha giggles at Chanticleer! Dominic blinks at Chanti bemusedly, clearly not getting his point.
The gate below them opens to let Cullen and Abigail out. From their vantage point, the three caravaneers can't quite hear the conversation above a few words that drift their way on errant winds. From the tones of the voices, though, the parley is going well. Further, if it weren't for having quite sharp eyes, Sura and Chanti would have missed the skulking dwarf. He's near the gate and looks like he's straining to hear what's going on. Chanticleer murmurs, "He doesn't look like he's up to much no good, at least."
Suraksha smiles in relief at sight of Stephen. She grins at Chanticleer, "Maybe, but he also doesn't look like he's going to try burning anything either! That's good." She adds happily, "Sounds like the parley is off to a good start, too! Excellent." Down in the road the conversation is still going on. The stoat is looking restless and starting to slink around behind the two women, almost as if he's pacing.
Dominic blinks. "Wait. Was that a concern? Why would he burn anything?" Then something clicks in his head. "Oh, wait. Right. Burning. That's what started this whole mess, isn't it." He finds himself more and more curious about the Earth spirit... and he decides to open his Tap senses to her, very interested to see if he can 'see' her.
Suraksha smiles and nods to Dominic. At sight of the stoat's reaction, however, she grins and murmurs to Chanti, "No, the stoat's equivalent is more likely Alg, I'm thinking!" She glances back, keeping watch over Stephen. She blinks at a sudden thought: that must be how Bradley was able to craft an earth golem -- his earth-based wife taught him! She smiles, hoping Regina will be willing to go visit her possible great-great-something-niece. That should please Bringer immensely!
The parley down below seems to end well and there is an exchange much like the one before. Cullen and the woman from the traders spit on the ground, as do the female fae. Jenny uses her foot to smear the wet spots together into one splotch. Inside the gate, Stephen looks like he could chew nails and split tacks; he stalks off across the trading post's open center to slam into one of the buildings. Suraksha tilts her head thoughtfully, watching the dwarf stomp off, then murmurs quietly, "Alg, sweetie, would you keep an eye on Stephen while you're playing with the dogs? If he turns up with any kind of weapon or fire, make a huge fuss and don't get hurt, all right?" The goblin glances up at her, then grins his fang-filled grin and bounds down the wooden stairs to the interior of the fort, dogs galloping gleefully after him. Suraksha smiles at her remaining companions, "Shall we go say hello to the wild fae now?" She heads relaxedly down the stairs after the goblin and the pack of dogs.
Chanticleer frowns a little. "I'm a little concerned about where Stephen is off to. We should tell Cullen what's happened; maybe he'll know what's in that building."
Dominic follows after. "Always happy to meet new, friendly people," he agrees -- and of course, if hostilities happen to break out, he'll be right there.
Suraksha smiles up over her shoulder at Chanti, "Of course. Perhaps you, as a fellow sidhe, would be willing to quietly warn him so?" Chanticleer nods thoughtfully to Suraksha. He will let Cullen know as soon as he has a moment. The small woman slips through the gates, which are a bit ajar, and waves, "Hello! Are your negotiations concluded? May we come pay respects also?" The three wild fae startle a bit when Suraksha calls out, but then Jenny recognizes her and murmurs to the other two, who relax marginally. Suraksha politely greets Jenny and Lloyd, then smiles at the earth woman, "You can call me Suraksha Sesha, and these are Chanticleer and Dominic. Are you Regina, the fae who had a sister go over the mountain there some time ago? If so, I think I may have met a relative of yours."
Dominic tips his hat to all three in turn, though he does not immediately say anything besides a friendly word of greeting. Chanticleer nods pleasantly and smiles to the fey, letting Suraksha speak; he does not want to say anything amiss, especially if questions are asked about where he comes from. The new woman, the one dressed in mud and earth, nods warily, "They call me Regina. My sister went away over the mountains to the place with the earthshakes."
Dominic blinks, and then fades back slightly to query Chanti. "Place with earthshakes?" he murmurs.
Suraksha brightens at Regina's comment, "Excellent! There is a man called Jerome Bradley who lives on the far side of the mountains in a town called Roseville. He married a woman who, he told me, could move through the earth as if it were water -- and who loved gardening, but whose matriline had forgotten the name for themselves. They had a daughter, and the woman died in childbirth. Now the girl is ten years old, and Mr. Bradley would dearly love to talk to anyone who might be able to help him help his daughter through her coming of age, when she comes into her powers. Would you be willing to speak with him?"
Regina considers that carefully and says, "We have forgotten what we once called ourselves. Jenny calls me an earth nymph, but that is like saying she is a water nymph: it is a description, but not our true name. My sister did dearly love to see what grew from her earth. Perhaps it is she. But... it should not have been so easy for her to die. We are sturdy."
Suraksha says quietly, "I do not know if Bradley's wife was your sister, Regina, but it is my hope she was at least related to your sister." She thinks a moment, then adds, "We will return this way in a year or two. If you would like to travel there with us, I would be glad to have you along as well."
Regina considers it carefully, "If I have not grown bored of this place and left, perhaps I will go with you. Perhaps this girl-child is family. Family is important. They are foundations."
Suraksha beams at the earth spirit, "Thank you so much! It will make me very happy to see Mr. Bradley relieved. Or you could go there on your own? I am sure Bradley would be thrilled to meet you. Tell him Xopuchmata sent you."
Regina says, "I will think on that as well. Bradley. Uopuchmata." She does not quite get the name right even though she's sounding it out.
Suraksha grins and gives her name again, slow and careful. Then she pauses, thinking, before adding, "Do you have glamour? If not, please be aware there are many humans in the town who are not used to fae. Bradley hides what he is, for example." She smiles, reaching to place a hand on Dominic's shoulder, "Also, Dominic here is an Earth Tap. I know he would very much love to talk with you, if you are willing, and would gladly learn anything you might be willing to teach him while we are here." She pats Dominic's shoulder encouragingly, beaming at him, "Maybe Regina can show you how to move earth! I know you were talking about that."
Dominic blinks as Sura puts a hand on him and brings him into the conversation. "I, uh..." He's a little on the spot now, and finds himself taking off his hat, putting it to his chest. "Well, I mean... I suppose we're quite a bit different, aren't we, ma'am?" he addresses Regina. "But the Lady is right... I was most impressed with your, uh... formidableness."
Suraksha pats Dominic's arm again, smiling before she fades back a bit. She glances at Chanti, tilting her head slightly towards Cullen with an inquiring glance. Chanticleer nods to Suraksha, then moves to Cullen, speaking softly. "Cullen... we saw Stephen stalking to a particular building. What's in there?" He describes the building for the horse sidhe, trying not to let his worry show.
Cullen furrows his brow a little, "That's his house, actually. Maybe he's gone off to sulk?"
Chanticleer frowns a little. "Maybe. I... don't want to tell you what to do. You know him better than we do."
Regina looks Dominic over carefully and says, "We are not so much different, I do not think. You are human, I am not. What we feel is similar, however. Perhaps you have this ability because you have some earth-blood in you."
Suraksha smiles at that, wondering interestedly if that's where all the Tapping came from. Fascinating possibility! Dominic blinks, his growing interest overcoming his shyness. "What does that mean exactly? People always told me that I had an enormous gift, when really it just seemed so simple to me. It's like some people have an affinity for animals... I have an affinity for earth. It likes to talk to me. But you... you're more like, the earth is your family. Very helpful; it seems eager to help you out. I'd never seen such a working of that sort before."
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