| Logs |
2011 February 09
| Neverneverwhere |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
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| Realms: Taps Logs |
And She Comes to His Hand
The Hetaera covers her mouth in sudden shock, "Oh, no! I wasn't supposed to say that!" She looks anxious, then pleadingly adds to the young woman, "Promise you won't tell anyone!" She doesn't know any better way to make sure the information spreads than to ask that it not be gossiped about, after all. The young woman, whose name Suraksha never caught, promises solemnly she won't breathe a single word! Which is a neat way of saying she'll be whispering all of it soon enough.
It takes a little asking around to find the smelling salts, and by the time they have been produced, other people are already gathering around to congratulate the happy couple. The engagement is a fait accompli. By that point, too, Sulochana has happily thanked the slightly groggy Mrs. Madison-Williams for her excellent advice, then headed up to the front of the room.
The Hetaera gives the couple a hug and mischievous wink each, and Abigail receives a kiss on the cheek. "Be good, children -- or be good at it!" She giggles, then hugs and thanks Roy too before she returns to Eacharn's side. Standing next to him, her small hand tucked into the crook of his arm, she's beamingly happy! She whispers to him, when no one is near, "I'll get that gift bag to you later tonight, all right? We need to stop by the caravan on the way to your boat; I'll pick it up then."
The Hetaera wonders suddenly what sort of man Eacharn is... is he completely, thoughtlessly under the thumb of his chosen Lady? Or is he the type to be charming as well? She smiles faintly -- how the little gift is presented will tell her a lot about the St. Louis king: whether it's precisely as she gave it to him, or whether he adds something nice to it.
Eacharn is in awe of the carefully orchestrated plan and the way it has gone off. It's as if the woman has set up the entire night to demonstrate just what excellent ruling material she is! "Of course. I will make sure it gets to the happy couple as soon as I can." He is absently tapping one foot as the band starts up again with a cheerful, celebratory number.
Sulochana grins when she spots his tapping, tilting her head almost teasingly at him, "Well?"
Eacharn beams down at her and says, "My Lady, would you consider dancing with me in celebration of the engagement?"
'Chana laughs delightedly, her eyes sparkling, "I'd love to! Thank you!" She's rather looking forward to lots and lots of dancing tonight, in fact -- there should be three or four sets to go still, and considering how wonderfully the evening started, she's determined to be in an excellent mood by the time she's done!
Abby and Trav are dancing together, staring with open adoration into one another's faces as they are carried by the music. Mrs. Madison-Williams is livid, but is covering it up fairly well. After all, it would be tres gauche to decry this outrage after both kings have given their blessing. After that first dance, Roy swoops in to dance with Abby, while Travis asks Suraksha to dance, leaving Eacharn to dance with other girls of the court. 'Chana makes sure, with subtle taps and whispers, that Eacharn gets an appropriate partner before she heads off to dance with Travis. She beams up at the young guardsman as they dance, "Well, congratulations, dear man! How're you both doing?" Travis is almost dumfounded with happiness and excitement about actually pulling it off!
Eacharn is good on his word and does an excellent job of dancing with several eligible girls and several mothers of eligible girls. Roy is his normal charming self to all and sundry and manages to sneak in several dances with his lady-love while the visiting king is gathering admirers. The ball goes well into the night and it's past midnight before the crowd has cleared noticeably at all. Sulochana sighs happily, standing between the two kings as they make an impromptu reception line for people departing who wish to speak to them first. This has been a truly lovely ball, she thinks! She dimples, reaching out to pat the arms of both men in the pause between receiving people, and whispers, "You both did simply wonderfully tonight!" There is an unwitting moment of camaraderie between the two men as they both beam down at her.
Soon it's late enough that it wouldn't be rude for Eacharn to leave; he is nearly champing at the bit to be away. Sulochana takes a moment to smile and thank Roy again for his very kind treat for her -- she absolutely adored the beautiful harping! She gives him a hug and a light goodnight kiss on the cheek, then heads off with the foreign king towards her room in the mansion. She needs to pick up some of her things from there, and she'd like to ask Alg and Fantine to return Amanda to the caravan if they've not done so already. After that she'll be ready to go!
Soon thereafter the Hetaera has her small bag and is waiting outside the mansion-palace with Eacharn for his carriage. She'd thought about changing clothes... but she thinks he rather likes this outfit. She'll stick with it for now. She sighs happily, then shivers once, "Goodness! It's a bit chilly out tonight." She leans slightly against the taller man, trying to keep warm against him. Eacharn doesn't even hesitate; the moment she hints she's cold, he sweeps off his own overcoat and wraps it carefully around her shoulders. When she leans in against him, his chin goes up and he stands a little taller. His Lady needs warmth and protection -- he shall provide!
Sulochana is faintly relieved as she courteously thanks her companion; she'd been starting to wonder if he'd do anything without being directed to do so first! Still, he has followed her directions wonderfully well, and not seemed at all growly at Roy, or possessive, when she danced with others. Objectively, Eacharn did a better job of not being jealous than Roy, but even the rash river-rat king managed to keep it under control. Sulochana waits until they're in the carriage together to thank Eacharn again -- this time praising him for doing such a marvelous job during the night's festivities. She was quite pleased, and greatly enjoyed herself!
Once in the carriage Eacharn moves again to put his arm around his lady, then leans his head down to nuzzle her hair, "I'm glad you were pleased, My Lady Edana."
Sulochana curls up against Eacharn and sighs contentedly, relaxing a bit, "I was. It was a truly lovely evening, too." She sighs happily, her eyes shining in the darkness as she dreamily murmurs, "Getting to harp so wonderfully was... magical! Plus we got to help Travis and Abigail be happy together, and there was an enormous amount of dancing! Quite delicious." Thoughtfully she adds, "You said earlier... you enjoyed the harping, yes?" She hesitates, then carefully asks, "Would... more harping interest you at all?"
"You are quite delicious, My Lady." He breathes in the scent of her and the tip of his tongue brushes the top curve of her ear. In the carriage, in the dark, he finds himself feeling bolder and more like a stallion, "I very much enjoyed it. I could tell how ecstatic it was for you, and you have a way of making others feel what you do." Since he is feeling so bold, he adds, "It's one of the many reasons you would make a magnificent queen."
Sulochana smiles slowly at the light touch on her ear, remembering she's not done for the night. All right; must be a good top for this gentleman! She starts mentally pulling that mask on, instead of the mask of charming arm candy. At his comment regarding queens she laughs, low and throaty, "Indeed? And why do you say that, my pretty pony?" Internally she's suddenly worried -- could he have possibly overheard her faux complaints to Missus Livy? Surely not; there was an entire, crowded ballroom between them! That would mean he's not just teasing her about that... but the alternative is worse: that he's truly looking for a queen! She gives a small, rueful grimace; is she actually going to have to put Olivia's advice into practice?
Eacharn shivers at the sobriquet and nuzzles his way down to kiss the bare side of her neck, his body moving close against hers, "Because you could enrapture your people. They would love you as well as respect you. They would follow you to hell's door."
Sulochana chuckles, reaching up to take his forelock in one hand and gently pull his head back upright, "Patience, my pony; all in good time. We have two public stops to make before we're alone and you can relax."
Eacharn doesn't quite groan as he's pulled away from her skin. "I swore an oath to My Lady Queen. I have been patient for years now. A few hours more are but a small price to pay."
She adds calmly, "I like to think my caravan feels that way about me already. I don't need more; I'm not greedy about that." She smiles as she adds, "Perhaps they feel that way because they know I would do the same for them? I don't know."
Eacharn's voice is passionate, "They recognize you for what you are, Lady. I am not a king by nature."
Sulochana laughs softly, "You are not? Now I'm curious -- what is your nature, then? And what is this oath you swore?"
Eacharn laughs and starts to lean into her again, wanting to get his face into the hollow of her shoulder and breathe in her scent, "My nature is more wild than that -- more free. But I swore to My Lady Queen that I would guide her city well until I found someone to take my place."
Sulochana blinks at that, sitting up abruptly, "Wait -- come again, please?" Her voice is right on the edge of sharply worried; there's no seductive throatiness to it at all now.
Eacharn shifts as she sits up so shortly. He carefully repeats the last couple of things he just said for her, wondering which one has displeased her. Surely she likes being complimented? Sulochana nods absently as she listens, then sits silently thinking for a bit as the carriage rolls and bumps along. Finally she says carefully, "Correct me if I am wrong, please... but are you suggesting it is I you see replacing you on the throne of St. Louis?"
Eacharn is a little slow in responding, trying to feel his way around what has displeased her, "I had thoughts in that direction when first I met you. You seemed so sure of yourself and relaxed -- and tonight... you have shown over and over what a wonderful ruler you would make."
Sulochana smiles guardedly, "I see." She takes Eacharn's hand, resting their clasped hands on his thigh, "Pretty pony, I don't want to disappoint you... but being a queen is not something I aspire to." She glances around as the carriage comes to a halt, smiling as she murmurs, "One moment, please; I'll be right back." She slips out of the carriage, leaving her small bag there on the seat. She needs to get the promised 'dowry gift' for her young friends back at the palace, but she's also going to get her beloved harp, in the hopes she'll get to play it a bit more! Eacharn struggles for a moment, but then reins in his urge to try to convince her of her destined place. Instead, he follows her from the carriage. He's well-familiar with the caravan, but has an urge to see how her people react to her return.
It is quite late at night, and Sulochana is still in her Hetaera gear, with her companion for the night present as well. Further, he's the man who effectively used blackmail on Roy and she, to get her to spend the night with him. The handful of caravaneers who are still up and about keep their distance from Eacharn, but as Sulochana walks swiftly to her wagon several people come up and offer her hugs and reassurance. The more human whisper comfort to her; the more supernatural are warier of being overheard and stick to either tactile communication, or offer her things they know she often needs: food or drink, warmth, or to run any messages for her. One or two check to be sure she's all right: he hasn't tried anything... rough with her, has he? She sighs and relaxes a bit at the warmth and caring, and to those who are worried she smiles in reassurance.
Eacharn doesn't try to follow her into the midst of her people, but his ears are sharp and he catches the gist of much of the conversation. He has known for a while there are several non-humans in the caravan, but he hasn't figured all of them out. Tonight he gets a slightly better idea on one or two of them, but he's not alert enough -- or the light is not good enough -- for him to see through most glamour. Soon thereafter Sulochana has the small bag of goodies, and her harp slung over her shoulder as she turns -- to see Eacharn waiting. She smiles ruefully, stepping forward to take his arm, "Time to go, my dear." She wants to get him off the caravan's temporary territory as swiftly as possible.
Sulochana bundles Eacharn into the carriage as quickly as she can, waving the coachman on -- only a short ride now to the riverboat queen, and she can get busy with making sure Eacharn really wants to help Roy! After that... she sighs softly internally, and smiles -- she'll be done with Eacharn, and can spend the rest of the visit with her beloved Roy. Eacharn gets back into the carriage without a fuss and murmurs, "Your people have heard the rumors as well? They seemed nervous about me."
Sulochana murmurs puzzledly, "Which rumors, please?" She thinks, but does not say, that 'nervous' is not precisely the word she'd have chosen for how her people feel about Eacharn -- more like 'disapproving' or, oh... 'aggressive'! She covers a smile at that thought.
Eacharn smiles wryly, "The pervert king. Several of them gave me worried looks as they were fussing over you." He shifts close to her again, sliding his arm around her, "That looks like a harp case."
Sulochana laughs softly, relieved that's all he thinks is bothering the caravaneers. "Oh, they know I can take care of myself." She smiles, gently setting the padded case on her lap. There's a hint of pride in her voice as she says, "It is, yes. I thought if you-" she catches herself, thinking furiously. She's more used to being a partner than a leader; she needs to change how she thinks for Eacharn. Picking her words carefully, she says, "I thought... that I might like to play a bit more tonight... in between putting you through your paces." She swiftly changes the subject, handing a small leather bag to Eacharn, "This is for the new couple. Thank you for giving it to them." She adds curiously, "So... when you were congratulating Abigail and Travis, you mentioned a true-love pairing was a great gift. Have you had one, if it is not too personal of me to ask?"
Eacharn actually shivers, a sudden image of himself bound and kneeling in rapture before his new Lady as she plays flickering through his mind. The question brings him out of his reverie, "It... is not a question I can answer."
Sulochana gives him a puzzled look, then smiles, "Not quite the answer I expected, but very well; I will not push." She watches long enough to make sure he tucks the little bag safely away -- considering its precious contents, she doesn't want him misplacing it -- before she relaxes.
Eacharn looks down at the bag and says, "May I look, My Lady?" The carriage is moving swiftly, for a carriage. They'll be at the riverboat soon.
Sulochana smiles, murmuring, "Of course, pretty pony -- since you ask so nicely." As he opens it she explains, "I'm giving them my earnings for two or three nights as a Hetaera. That should be a nice dowry for the two of them to start with." Eacharn looks a bit startled at the amount in the bag, but he covers it quickly. Were he not already falling into submissive mindset with his Lady Edana, she'd never have seen the flash of emotion. Sulochana tilts her head curiously, smiling, "What is it?"
Eacharn considers lying, but instead says, just as the carriage pulls up to the docks, "It is a queenly sum, My Lady." He closes the bag and steps out of the carriage, moving to offer her his assistance.
Sulochana accepts his handing down from the carriage, her lips curved in a small, amused smile. She waits until they're in private, however, and she has set down the precious harp, before she puts her hands on her hips and raises an eyebrow. "Are you telling me you had no idea what a Hetaera charges for her companionship?!" She's watching his chakras closely -- she's going to 'punish' him for this, if he answers the way she's expecting he will.
Eacharn is again slow to answer, and it is worded carefully, "It is one thing to know something. It is another altogether to have it illustrated." His chakras are fluttering and flaring in a way that indicates excitement and nerves, but not a lie. He hadn't thought, at the time, of the money it was going to cost Roy to fulfill his demand. There's a tinge of guilt now.
Sulochana's eyes narrow, and she says firmly, "You didn't think this through, did you?" She reaches up and grabs his braided ponytail, turning and nearly marching towards his bedroom, with perfect confidence that he'll keep up with her, "That was quite irresponsible of you -- and I intend to have satisfaction for the slight!" The king of St. Louis finds he's very glad his hair is as long as it is, as he's quick-marched through the sitting room to the bedroom of his stateroom suite. His heart is racing and he is trying to think of a way to make this better, but then she mentions punishment. He finds himself dizzy at the thought.
The Hetaera closes the bedroom door behind them, then yanks lightly on the ponytail, "Kneel and strip -- I want everything you put on yourself off. You don't get to wear anything I've not put on you." She turns and surveys the walls of his room thoughtfully; some of the drawers he'd opened were clearly of the hidden type. Best to just ask, so she doesn't fumble: "Tell me where the private pony gear is kept, as well."
Those are two different orders, Eacharn realizes. He considers playing the middle ground and leaving on the parts of his clothing that he let his valet help with. Instead, he opts for caution. "Behind the main closet. Slide the rod forward and the back panel will open." Sulochana nods and steps over to open up the hidden compartment -- and to see what she has to work with. She's curious as to what the former queen and the current king found most arousing, and to see if it helps her in her work tonight. It doesn't take much time at all for the king to be bare except for the rope harness which has been hugging his body through the whole night. The karada kept him honest, in a way: he couldn't be too flirtatious with anyone without it being found out.
Within the closet there is a gorgeous leather harness which looks much like a show-pony rig for humans. It has been oiled and shined to a high polish. There are several different whips and other toys to cause sensations, from slight discomfort to true pain. Others of them are obviously for teasing: rabbit fur and silk are in evidence along with leather. Sulochana thoughtfully studies the entire panoply... then starts laying out a few things she intends to use -- as well as a few she has no plans for, but suspects will cause Eacharn's excitement to increase when he sees them. After that she does her best to play with Eacharn's mind as pleasurably for him as she can. She does not rush, and throughout the night she carefully reads and analyzes his reactions, his chakras, and the amount of sensual energy she's receiving from him.
The putting on of the leather harness over the karada is a small ritual and Eacharn is drawn further and deeper into a pleasurably sensual mindset with each buckle and strap. None of the gear goes around his head or neck like a bridle, however; he has been careful of that. Sulochana is faintly surprised there's no head restraints -- she would have thought a pony-play outfit would have had that more than almost any other part. She doesn't quibble, though; she's busy doing her best to give her client exactly what he needs -- even if he doesn't yet realize he needs it.
Initially Sulochana simply chastises Eacharn for the slight of 'trading' for her companionship, without being aware of what he was actually receiving. He is blindfolded, scolded, and then carefully flogged, slowly and thoroughly. The first flogging of the evening has him arching and panting, though not quite crying out. It's as if he has been trained to stay quiet, even after his face has broken out in a sweat. After the first few strokes he starts to relax: this is right. A good rider knows when to discipline her mount, and His Lady Edana seems to know just how far to take it. She keeps him on the floor and makes him wait on her pleasure, deliberately setting tasks for him which she knows he will not quite be able to fulfill -- so she has reason to punish him again.
Eacharn is quite obviously having a wonderful time. He responds with great enthusiasm to being put through his paces and responds best to the pleasurable sensations for doing well. He also gets less talkative the longer they play. The king does get fractious, however, once he is well and truly aroused; Sulochana finds then that a small crop seems to work best, a lick along his flank or a tap on his shoulder recalling him to his duties.
Once Sulochana has worked out the worst of her quiet internal irritation with the foreign king for pretty much blackmailing her and Roy, she takes a mental breather. Eacharn is put on his knees and bound, and the blindfold removed. She searches for something to gag him -- and that's when she realizes, with a touch of surprise, that there is nothing of that sort available. No pony bits or headstalls, no gags or collars that would fit someone of his size... no head restraints whatsoever! She stares down into the drawer she's standing in front of, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully... then decides it doesn't matter just now. Instead she turns and smiles slowly at her pretty pony. "Good boy. Stay. We're going to take a breather now."
The Hetaera takes her time disrobing, shedding the outer skirts and petticoats until all she stands in is her corset, high-heeled boots, and stockings. She makes sure her hips swing nicely every time she walks past him, and that her caressing fingers and long hair trail with absent but absolutely confident possession over his skin and head as she moves around the room. Once she's more comfortably dressed -- flogging does heat a body up, after all -- she fetches her harp and settles so Eacharn has a perfectly gorgeous view... which is just out of reach. Then she spends the next ten minutes or so simply indulging herself: stretching her tired body a bit, idly brushing her booted toes against his bound body, and blissfully playing her harp.
The sight of her so arrayed, so tempting and so out of reach, is amazingly arousing to the bound king. He leans toward her until she makes it clear he's moved too close -- and then he stays right at the edge of his allowed space. Sulochana is firm about being obeyed, and quite willing to drive him to distraction. Once she's feeling more relaxed and pleasantly dreamy from her enjoyment of the harp, she carefully sets it aside -- then goes to work with a will on Eacharn. She teases him with touch and voice, allows him to service her with his mouth and tongue and nuzzling, uses sensuously enticing textures on his skin -- but does not allow him any release whatsoever.
Eacharn is ecstatic to be able to service his Lady Edana in any way she asks; he seems to take joy in her praise, and satisfaction in the punishments. She is firm without being cruel, and mischievous in the most delicious of ways. Being mentally restrained as well as physically seems almost to soothe the king, and he is a happily panting, trembling pile of excitement when she finally releases him from all her restrictions and rules. His physical release is powerful and he gasps out thanks for it over and over. Sulochana smiles and praises him both verbally and with gentle stroking... then curls up tiredly in the bed, letting him cuddle up blissfully next to her. She falls asleep quickly; it's been a long and exhausting day for her, after all. She's relieved Eacharn seems deeply pleased. She's done her best for Roy; now it's up to him.
Once his Lady Edana is asleep, Eacharn allows himself a small private celebration: he slips from the bed and struts around the room, not quite dancing, and his head tosses, hair falling around his shoulders. She really will be a perfect queen -- as soon as he convinces her it's what she wants. This calls for a swim! Carefully he checks to see if she's breathing deeply and evenly before wrapping himself in a robe and creeping out.
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