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Realms: Taps Logs

No Need for the Rein

In her usual room, Sulochana paces and swears angrily, venting her fury at the king of St. Louis. Fantine, wide-eyed, and Alg, sleepy-eyed, watch her silently, safely out of the way on the bed. It doesn't take long for 'Chana to work off her anger and start planning, of course... but now her anger is a cold, hard thing instead of a fiery passion. Objectively studying the few facts of the matter, it sure looks to the Hetaera as if Eacharn set her and Roy up from the very beginning. That means he was faithless even before leaving his own city! That makes her... very unhappy with him.

Elsewhere, though he can't admit or show it in public, Roy is incredibly irate at Eacharn's request -- no. Demand. In this situation, it is a demand. Without the help of St. Louis' army, Roy's city will suffer, if not fall. Both kings are quite good at covering up their true emotions with a public face, though, and both of them do so until people begin to drift away. Then Roy offers, and Eacharn accepts, an invitation to withdraw and continue with the private negotiations.

Roy and Eacharn get most of the way to Roy's chambers before Roy says, voice quiet, "I gotta say I ain't happy here." In most men it would sound like a reasonable voice. In Roy, it means his anger has surpassed the shouting and gesticulating phase and gone to cold rage. "Feels an awful lot like yer tryin' an end run here."

Eacharn's voice is blasé, "I have no idea what you mean. I simply chose the most lovely woman in the room, that I was certain was a courtesan of some sort." Inside he's prancing eagerly, however. In this circumstance he's sure he will be able to impress the lovely lady. She reminds him in some ways of his former mistress, the Queen that made St. Louis what it is today.

Roy pauses outside the door to his apartments and says, "Eacharn, I need ya to know that this woman ain't just a courtesan t' me. She's special. An' I know yer reputation. She's t' be treated like a proper lady. Get it?"

The other king says in a cool, detached voice that belies his inner heat, "It is crystal clear. And I assure you I will not... harm her." He smirks a little, letting Roy think on that one as the pair of them enter the royal chambers.

The Hetaera ends up changing her clothes and 'look' before she's summoned. When she walks into the room where the two kings await, her outfit is more what she wears at home: a long tunic over loose trousers, both beautifully embroidered over the brilliant silk. Tiny gold toe-rings and sensually dangling earrings twinkle and shimmer with every movement, while her make-up is negligible and her dark hair is braided prosaically down her back, swaying in alluring counterpoint with her hips as she walks. She figures looking less like a Hetaera and more like a well-dressed Lady may help in discouraging the king of St. Louis. She has no way of knowing, of course, that to him she now looks more like a rider.

When Suraksha enters the room she finds Roy's usual breakfast table set with wine and nibblies. In fact, it's set with several of her favorites, since the king had anticipated a long and luxurious night with his beloved. Eacharn and Roy are facing one another across it, and they both stand as she enters. Roy, despite his anger, smiles and his shoulders relax as his lady enters. He's spent time with her on the caravan and worked by her side; her clothes remind him of that time and give him happy memories of laughingly acrobatic lovemaking in her wagon. To Eacharn, however, she looks like a master equestrian and he feels himself go flushed and almost painfully aroused. He blesses the fact that the table is between him and her as the men stand.

Sulochana smiles warmly in spite of herself; she loves how Roy seems to brighten when she walks into a room! It makes her feel special, cherished. The messenger introduces her very properly, "The Lady Hetaera Sulochana," then bows and withdraws. 'Chana also very correctly curtsies to first the visiting king -- although without actually looking at his face -- then at Roy. She dimples slightly mischievously at him as she straightens. "Your majesties."

Roy steps around the table and offers his hand, "Ma cherie." Sulochana beams as she pads over to him, her bare feet silent on the thick, luxurious rug, and he pulls her close into an embrace, leaning his head down for a 'hello' kiss. It is not the same heated, hungry kiss he had planned for their first of the visit, but it does speak his feelings quite clearly. 'Chana sighs happily at the hug and kiss, returning them with pleasure -- although she too is a bit more restrained than she'd originally planned to greet him. She ends up standing next to Roy with his arm draped protectively about her, facing the king of St. Louis. For the first time she meets his eyes, smiling politely, "King Eacharn. I do hope you've had time to reconsider?" The three chairs set around the circular table are spaced evenly apart -- even Roy isn't so jealous or stupid as to be too possessive of his lover. Still, he's quite careful to stand with his arm definitely around her shoulder.

Eacharn's own anger and jealousy are stoked by Roy's display -- he strongly feels that is no way to greet someone as precious and regal as this lady, if she's your lover! However, the king of St. Louis only says, "I have considered quite carefully, lady. My choice was to request the pleasure of the company of the most lovely woman in the room."

Sulochana sighs softly, her smile getting a touch wry, "I am flattered, your majesty... but I must ask: what would you have done if the most lovely woman in the room was someone's wife?"

Eacharn asks, "Are you someone's wife?" He tips his head in a way that is more equine than he realizes, then says, "I chose knowing your profession as Hetaera, lady."

'Chana is well-trained enough not to roll her eyes as the king completely dodges her question, "Mmhmm." Instead she simply murmurs dryly, "Indeed. So you knew I was a Hetaera, and you intended to ask for me... so why did you say nothing about this on the trip downriver?"

Eacharn says with simple honesty, "I didn't know Roy was going to make the offer he did."

Sulochana finds that very hard to believe; she instantly checks his chakras to see if that's actually true. She's not above leaning a bit against Roy as she does so, too. If the man has the sensitivity of roadkill, he'll see she's very much not interested in... actually, thinking about it... she sighs internally. Someone who wouldn't take 'not interested' for an answer during the 450 mile trip downriver is far too arrogantly self-centered to care about her body language, she suspects. After checking Eacharn's chakras the Hetaera doesn't raise an eyebrow, but she is faintly surprised. He doesn't seem to be lying, though she can read his sexual interest very clearly -- no surprise there. Further, he has something about him which hints he isn't entirely human. That concerns her.

Eacharn waits for her next question. He knows he should be more forward here, but the obvious self-possession and power of her has him reacting to her as if she were already his rider, waiting for her signals. Sulochana considers for a bit, then shrugs slightly. "All right." Roy isn't exactly clutching at her, but he is holding her firmly. She smiles up at him, patting his hand gently, then slips out from under his arm to the table -- she needs to get them both to sit and relax a bit, so she can sit too... and getting them to eat will hopefully calm them both somewhat. She reaches for the tray, "May I offer you both some repast?"

Roy shakes his head, "Oh, no you don't, cherie. My house. Sit yerself down, botha ya."

'Chana blinks at Roy -- then laughs softly, "Aww, you're sweet, lo- your majesty. Thank you!" She hopes he's calling a footman; he definitely shouldn't serve Eacharn, she thinks! Roy doesn't call a footman; he calls one of his personal maids instead. Many assume he makes rather free with the handful of young women and girls that do for him, but in truth he treats them much like little sisters. Sulochana neatly tucks her small feet under her, unwittingly hiding the distractingly twinkling toe rings, and smiles without enthusiasm at the St. Louis king. "Well, then. From your reactions I'm guessing you've not previously been with a Hetaera, and I know there are many misconceptions about us."

Eacharn accepts the food and drink graciously and is quite nice to the cheerful young girl serving them. This, he thinks, is more on Roy's level: a docile little thing who won't challenge the Baton Rouge king in any way. So why does he insist on being possessive of a woman who is obviously very much her own powerful person? Sulochana calmly gives her usual spiel, giving both kings time to settle, eat, and relax a bit; she only takes a glass of orange juice. She's watching both men with surreptitious care as she talks, trying to carefully balance Roy's simmering anger, and Eacharn's increasing smugness. She wants to be sure Roy gets what he wants and needs, after all, so when she's done speaking she sweetly adds to the foreign king, "That presumes, of course, that I accept your petition. As I said previously, I am not one of the Baton Rouge fancy girls... which means there is still the issue of the reason you are here, no?"

Eacharn doesn't answer immediately. Finally he says, "In this room or in this city?"

When Roy settles back into the chair he was using, he scoots it just a bit so it is nearer Sulochana's chair -- close enough he can reach out and caress her under the table, but not so close as to make it an 'us against him' arrangement. Sulochana smiles in spite of herself as she feels her beloved's light caress, turning a hand under the table so she can perhaps twine her fingers through Roy's -- that makes her feel lovely. Her pleasure lights up her demeanor; she doesn't realize it looks like she's responding to Eacharn's question. Instead she smiles amusedly at the visiting king, though it doesn't reach her eyes, "Unless I am much mistaken, you both know quite well Baton Rouge is calling on her longtime ally St. Louis for aid against Houston's increasing militarism." She raises an inquiring eyebrow at Eacharn; surely he won't be so foolish or naive as to seem surprised at that?

Eacharn says, "Of course. I know that's why I'm in the city. But I did not expect my trip to take the turn it has. I apologize if I'm... incorrect... in my approach. I have never dealt with a Hetaera in this capacity before. I hope I am able to put myself more at your service." It's a polite thing to say, but there's a hint of flirtation in those words.

Sulochana nods once, not really responding to the flirtation as she murmurs, "Ah, excellent; there was a moment of concern for me regarding your motivations in being here. So, has that been taken care of? I would hate to interrupt court business with personal business, after all."

Eacharn says, "Those negotiations are set to take place tomorrow."

Roy nods, "Yeah. Din't wanna bum's-rush 'im on his first day in town. That's why I made the offer I did: a little food, a little rest, a little pleasant companionship..." What he doesn't say is, 'A little softening Eacharn up for the negotiations.'

Sulochana considers for a bit, then smiles politely again. Internally she's not pleased -- she doesn't like going into situations like this without the contractual agreement being hammered out ahead of time. Still... Roy's negotiations are his own; she can't make them for him without making him look weaker, and she doesn't want to do that at all. She doesn't show her internal flash of frustration and anger at Eacharn, though; she just thinks a bit on how to clearly hand the perceived power in this meeting back to Roy. Finally she murmurs to Roy, "So it is you, not he, with whom I should be negotiating? That's fine; we can talk privately later, yes?" About Eacharn she simply thinks, [Take that, you smug bastard!] She's not looking forward to having to ask Roy to leave, but that is the correct way to manage this new client, unfortunately.

Roy's smirk gets tense, and his hand tightens on hers as he has a flash of heated anger at the idea of paying his lover to sleep with another man. "If you decide you wanna do this, cherie. I made the offer, after all." He's not quite grinding his teeth.

Sulochana gently strokes Roy's fingers; she has no intention whatsoever of asking him to pay her! She's just observing proper form in front of this annoying foreign king. She smiles reassuringly at her beloved, then leans to kiss his cheek before she says, "Sweet man, negotiations should be between Hetaera and client, I'm afraid. May I have a bit of time with King Eacharn, please, to find out if I'll be accepting his suit?"

Roy stiffens, but then nods, "'Course, 'course." He takes several breaths. One thing he cannot do is act an ass about another man -- not after the debacle with George in Chicago. Instead he rises and kisses 'Chana's hand, "I'll leave ya to it. Alan's jest outside when yer done. Let 'im know and I'll mosey on back." Again left unsaid are thoughts such as, '-back to my own rooms where an asshole has been trying to seduce my woman!'

Sulochana rises with Roy, smiling sweetly over her shoulder at Eacharn, "I'm sure King Eacharn won't mind us taking a private moment to arrange when our negotiations will be." She can't quite hide the twinkle of mischief in her eyes as she curtsies to the visiting king, one hand carefully still holding on to Roy's -- she desperately wants a moment to hug and reassure him! The thought of him leaving, hurting and possibly angry with her, makes her heart ache.

Eacharn looks like he'll definitely mind, but he's not rude or stupid enough to say so in Roy's own chambers. Instead he rises as Roy says, "Pardon us, Eacharn. The lady will be right back." The Baton Rouge king moves to his bedroom door to usher her in.

Sulochana paces out with Roy, making sure the door is firmly closed before she turns to Roy. The mischief at effectively dumping Eacharn alone for a bit is gone; there's just worry and hurt in her eyes. She stands on tiptoe, resting her hands on his arms as she whispers to him, "Sweet man, surely you know I wouldn't ask you to pay me for this, yes?"

Roy looks shamefaced, "I wouldn't ask ya ta do this, ma cherie. If you wanna say no, say no. I'll deal with the bullshit that comes after." He's almost humming with tension. This deal going sour could mean the death of his city -- and that could mean his own death.

Sulochana sighs in relief, relaxing a bit... then she reaches up with one hand to gently cup his cheek, "Let me try, please? I know you're not asking me to. You know I... may have to say no if he's an ass. But please, first let me give it my best shot?"

Roy takes a deep breath and says in the deadly quiet voice she knows means he'll do just what he says, "If he hurts you I'll kill 'im dead, cherie."

'Chana hugs Roy tightly, leaning her head against his chest. Her heart always flutters happily so when Roy gets protective, even though he knows he doesn't need to! She smiles as she murmurs reassuringly, "He won't hurt me, lover. You know what I am and what I can do. Don't worry about me, please? Worry about your city and your people -- right now it's they who need you most."

Roy's lips thin into a white line, but then he nods and takes a deep breath... then he leans over her and gives her the kiss he wanted to give her earlier. If she may be spending the night with Eacharn, Roy wants to give her a reminder of how much he adores her. His hands slip to cup her trim and lovely rump and scoop her upward so he can cover her mouth with his, growling just a little against her lips. Two seconds in he's already forgotten the nonsense about giving her something to remember, and simply drinking in the beloved, intoxicating taste and feel of her. Sulochana laughs softly, with genuine warmth and delight, as she gladly wraps her arms and legs about her beloved. She returns the kiss passionately -- this is what she wanted; what she'd been looking forward to!

Alan looks away like the good guard he is... until he hears Roy's breathing start to get just a little too heavy; that's when Alan clears his throat. It takes Sulochana a moment to realize what's happening, mostly because she really wants to lose herself in Roy too. She finally leans back a bit in Roy's arms and sighs wistfully, smiling. "All right... uh, where were we... right. Better put me down, sweetheart -- still got to talk to Eacharn." She gives Roy a quick, careful hug, murmuring, "Miss you already, lover. If this goes well, see you tomorrow, yes, please?"

Roy tears himself out of the kiss with effort and puts her down very reluctantly. She may be able to smooth her clothes, but the aftermath of the kiss will show in her hair and the flush of her cheeks, "Yes. Tomorrow night is all yours, lover." 'Chana's eyes are shining with happiness as she beams up at her chosen beloved -- then she sighs ruefully and takes a moment to straighten her clothing and make sure her hair isn't mussed.

When the Hetaera re-enters the room shortly thereafter, her smile at Eacharn is unwittingly soft and intimate, and her eyes still dreamy with pleasure. The supernatural king can easily tell she's aroused, both by her flush and her scent -- and he can also tell (as it quickly fades) that her arousal is not for him. She murmurs graceful apologies for making him wait, seating herself neatly and having a sip of her orange juice to give herself a moment to calm down. She has no idea if Eacharn could hear the entire conversation, but she doesn't care. She was careful to say nothing she wouldn't want overheard, after all.

Eacharn rises as the lady returns; now they're alone he is able to offer himself properly. Two steps closer to her and he goes to one knee, head down, "Lady, you look enchanting." His voice is a little hoarse, and his arousal is very real, even if hers is fading.

Sulochana freezes in utter shock for an instant, her eyes widening -- he's kneeling to her, what the hell...?! She has to take two or three careful, deep breaths to combat the sudden rush of adrenaline; for an instant she'd thought he was attacking her! She thinks furiously as she breathes, frantically trying to figure out what is going on -- clearly the king is trying to tell her something, even though she's not yet sure what. When she's got her voice under control again she carefully tests her initial suspicion of what the foreign king may be looking for: she murmurs calmly, "Thank you. Be seated, please." Her demeanor is languid, but internally she's almost quiveringly alert, her focus intense as she watches and waits for the king's reaction to her apparently assuming command of the situation.

Earcharn feels his heart leap. He recognizes that calm, powerful demeanor, "Thank you, Lady. I will." He moves to sit where he was before, hands crossed very carefully in his lap, "Have you decided to accept my suit, Lady?" There is a subtle emphasis on the last word.

Sulochana takes another slow, deep breath, incredibly relieved. So this is what the gossips meant by Eacharn being a pervert! She has another sip of orange juice, both to make him wait and to be sure she's choosing her words with care. Then she says in almost negligent tones, "That depends on you, actually. You must give me more information on your needs before I will make my choice."

Eacharn settles into his seat and keeps his eyes down, "My needs, Lady, are for a firm hand and for discipline. I have... accoutrements in my cabin on my boat that will assist if you accept."

Sulochana feels an almost liquid surge of releasing tension -- this, she can do! She's had training as a Hetaera for this eventuality. She bites down on the relieved laughter that wants to bubble up inside her, sternly reminding herself: Roy's life may depend on her! That sobers her up instantly and she tilts her head as she regards the man before her for a long moment. His chakras say he's telling her the truth -- and that he almost desperately wants this! She sighs musingly, letting his tension grow for a bit before she finally nods once. Her voice is calm and sure as she murmurs, "Very well; I accept your suit. We have a dinner party and a ball in your honor to attend tonight. I expect you will be unflaggingly courteous to all, of course; after that we will return to your ship for the night. Do you accept?"

Earcharn nearly melts with relief -- she understands! He is almost jubilant with it. When he is letting his true nature peek through, he is actually rather appealing, "Of course, Lady. I understand and will obey."

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

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