Logs

Logs Home

2010 August 28

2010 August 30

2010 September 01

2010 November 08

2010 December 26

2010 December 27

2011 January 03

2011 January 10

2013 May 17

2012 March 05

2010 August 16

2010 September 03

2010 September 08

2010 September 09

2010 September 12

2010 September 29

2010 October 06

2010 October 19

2010 October 20

2010 October 27

2010 November 03

2010 November 10

2010 November 23

2010 November 30

2010 December 07

2010 December 15

2010 December 18

2010 December 22

2010 December 28

2011 January 04

2011 January 12

2011 January 18

2011 January 26

2011 February 11

2011 March 09

2011 March 16

2011 March 20

2010 October 04

2010 October 04

2010 October 04

2010 October 04

2010 August 29

2010 September 13

2010 October 18

2010 November 01

2010 November 15

2010 November 21

2010 November 22

2010 November 24

2010 November 24

2010 December 13

2010 December 18

2010 December 18

2010 November 22

2010 December 13

2010 December 24

2011 January 03

2011 January 16

2011 January 23

2011 February 13

2011 February 20

2010 October 04

2010 October 04

2010 October 04

2010 October 04

2010 November 15

2011 February 25

2011 February 26

2011 February 27

2011 February 28

2011 March 07

2011 March 07

2011 April 10

2013 May 15

2011 April 24

2011 May 08

2011 May 24

2012 March 05

2012 March 05

2011 January 25

2011 January 22

2011 January 24

2011 February 06

2011 February 07

2011 February 09

2011 February 12

2011 February 15

2011 February 20

2011 March 01

2011 March 01

2011 March 04

2011 March 05

2011 March 07

2011 March 13

2011 March 14

2011 March 18

2011 March 26

2011 March 28

2011 April 05

2011 April 09

2011 July 13

2011 July 15

2011 July 30

2011 July 30

2011 April 23

2011 April 21

2011 October 31

2011 March 22

2011 March 31

2011 April 05

2011 May 04

2011 May 11

2011 May 19

2011 May 26

2011 May 30

2011 June 01

2011 April 30

2011 October 31

2013 May 15

2013 May 15

2013 May 15

2013 May 15

2011 June 02

2012 January 22

2012 January 26

2011 October 31

2011 November 15

2011 November 29

2011 November 11

2011 December 11

2011 December 16

2012 January 05

2011 December 25

2011 December 30

2012 January 22

2012 February 08

2012 February 18

2012 February 20

2012 March 05

2012 March 09

2012 March 13

2012 March 25

2012 April 02

2012 April 02

2012 April 05

2012 April 13

2012 April 19

2012 October 08

2013 June 09

2013 July 09

2013 July 20

2013 July 31

2013 July 31

2013 August 07

2013 August 18

2013 August 28

2013 November 07

2013 November 07

2014 January 01

2014 March 08

2014 March 08

2014 March 19

2014 March 26

2014 June 05

2014 June 12

2014 June 20

2022 March 04

2022 March 04

2022 March 04

2022 March 04

2022 March 04

2022 March 04

2022 March 04

2022 March 04

Neverneverwhere

Neverneverwhere Home

Game Background

Mechanics

Maps

Dramatis Personae

Game Logs

Realms

Realms Home

Dishonored

Goblin Town

Neverneverwhere

The Whole of the Law

Waking Dreams

When The Bough Breaks


One-Shot

Retired

Birthright

Burning Man

Cosmic Guardians

DNAnimals/Tamashii

Fukusei Crystals

Heartwood

Hunter

Idlewild

Indigo

Inizii

Morning Rain

NachtMusik

Oloth

Paradon

Scarred Lands

Shattered Stars

Starfall

Weston


Style Test

Reality Fault

Home

Player

Character

Referee

Programmer

Administrator

Operations


Search RealityFault:

General Info

Glossary

Realms

Events

Credits

Help Files

Help Files (old)


Reality Fault

Realms: Taps Logs

In the Hall of a River King

Once they've been divested of the tack and are in Eacharn's quarters on the Goldenrod , Sulochana says, "I'm going to guess you'll want a nice hot bath. If you wish, I'm happy to stay in the front room while you do so? I can talk to you through the door without looking, if you're happier that way." She adds a bit ruefully, "I... confess I'm not quite sure what your comfort levels are when you're not a client -- or a horse!"

Eacharn tips his head in a very equine gesture, "Why would I wish you not in the room with me, My Lady? It's not as if you have not seen me bare." He steps to the door and calls for a bath for himself, then adds, "Besides, I would not have you have to raise your voice."

Sulochana smiles, sitting relaxedly on the side of his bed, her demeanor composed, "All right, then. Thank you, Eacharn." She hesitates, then says quietly while they're still alone, "So... about the halter. I realize you asked me to leave it on... but I... well, it worries me?" She sounds a little uncertain, "I... find myself wondering if you asked me to leave it on because the haltering itself, by its very nature, sort of pushes or compels you to do so... and so I was, ahh... well, I'd like to take it off you, if you don't mind -- give you five minutes free -- and then if you want me to put it back on you, I'll gladly do so." She takes a deep breath, giving him a small smile, "And if you no longer wish it, I'll completely understand." She thinks, but does not say, that she simply cannot ride him ever again if he declines the halter -- she doesn't want to drown!

Eacharn hesitates. What if she decides not to re-halter him? He feels himself panicking a little, but then takes a deep breath or two. If he wants to woo his Lady properly, he will need to give her assurances. Though it pains him to do so, he lowers his head toward her, "If you wish, My Lady."

Sulochana sighs and relaxes a bit, realizing only now she'd been holding her breath in worry. She starts to pat the bed next to her -- then abruptly remembers if she's truly going to do this right she mustn't influence Eacharn at all one way or another until she's sure he's decided. Pushing him into 'bottom' space is therefore out of the question. She rises, stepping over to stand before Eacharn. Moving slowly enough that she's not likely to startle even the equine parts of him, she raises her hands and carefully unties the sash tie... then pulls the silky thing gently from his throat. She's watching him closely the entire time, wondering if he'll suddenly shy away from her like a released horse once he's free.

Eacharn slides to his knees when the halter is taken off him and he kneels, trembling for several moments before he looks up at 'Chana. He searches her face for a hint about her feelings. Does she simply want to be free of him? Or does she doubt him? Kneeling there, he makes up his mind to woo her. Sulochana looks worried as she crouches before him, neatly tucking the back panel of her long tunic under herself before she reaches out and lightly brushes her fingers through his forelock so she can see his face better, "Eacharn, dear, are you all right?"

Eacharn reaches up and takes the hand that was smoothing his forelock, bringing it to his lips to kiss her fingertips. Deep brown eyes are very serious as he says, "It is not merely the halter speaking."

Sulochana's worried expression eases markedly at that. She relaxes with a sigh of relief, then smiles ruefully at Eacharn, "You have no idea how much better that makes me feel, pretty pony! I was starting to wonder if I was... was unwittingly contributing to a form of slavery." She rises gracefully, wrapping the silken tie neatly about her hand as she glances away, still smiling ruefully, "You're not the first entity who has, ahh... accidentally given themselves over to me. While I'm happy to be a protector in that sense, I have managed so far to avoid being a... a rapacious predator of those who cannot defend themselves against me." Quietly she adds, "I certainly did not wish to start with you, either."

Eacharn's eyes follow the halter; not only does he wish to have a true and capable rider once more, but the plan he came up with of staying haltered so as not to be captured again is a good one. At her comment about slavery he smiles and reaches up to slide a hand along her hip, "If I am a slave, it is a willing one, My Lady."

Sulochana shakes her head, her tilted and golden-eyed gaze serious, "Perhaps, pretty pony... but I have no wish to be a slaver. I will accept that from you if you gift it to me -- but I strongly believe I have no right to demand it." She smiles more sincerely as she adds, "Let's give it five minutes, and then I'll put back the halter if you wish." She starts to say something more, then abruptly pauses, her gaze considering and one finger brushing lightly over her lower lip. Finally she grins, her eyes lighting up, "I know! Eacharn, do you have... hmm, something small and pretty. Something like a bolo tie clasp? Something I can bind about my tie cords? If I'm going to replace it on you, we might as well make it attractive this time instead of hastily bound, yes?" She grins cheerfully, "Would you like that?"

Eacharn rises to his feet as he says, "I'm certain I have something which will serve." He moves to a small chest at the foot of his bed and opens it, revealing some small and valuable pieces of jewelry. The thing he brings out is actually a sash pin such as royalty sometimes wear on state occasions. It is a complex knotwork of running horses with a large sapphire in the center.

The Hetaera raises an eyebrow, "It's beautiful... but is that something you'll be comfortable wearing all the time, sweetie?" She grins as she holds up one hand, demonstrating size by holding her thumb and index finger about an inch or two apart, "I was thinking tiny and light, you know?"

Eacharn considers the weight of the brooch and then nods, putting it away. The thing he brings out next is more like the pin a gentleman would wear on a necktie in some parts of the continent. Sulochana brightens as she studies the tiny thing, "Oh, that's nice! Yes, that'll do beautifully." She holds up the silken sash, studying first it and then Eacharn with a thoughtful expression. After a moment she grins wickedly, "Pity you can't make a bit disappear in human form!" She laughs, then gets a slightly perplexed grin, "Er... can you? I don't really know how this works, after all...?"

Eacharn swallows hard at the mention of a bit, but then shakes his head regretfully, "No, My Lady, I'm afraid I can't. Though I will make sure to have a bit available for you if we are again together."

Sulochana's eyes twinkle as she grins teasingly up at him, "I think you'd better! Otherwise I might have to punish you for a lamentable lack of foresight again." She giggles softly, then brightens at another thought. She goes into the drawer she knows holds several types of rope, "Do you have anything colorful, like thread or fine silk, that I could wrap as well? I want this to look quite handsome on you -- just like a pretty decorative halter I saw once on someone's fine breeding stallion."

Eacharn swallows hard again, "I am sure there is some silk thread for mending clothing somewhere on the Goldenrod. Ah... speaking of breeding. Those people that asked about having me stand to stud..."

Sulochana looks up from the drawer and laughs delightedly, "Goodness gracious, Eacharn, are you telling me Tybalt's fertile and willing?" She grins teasingly at him again as she turns and heads for the door, her hips swaying with her relaxed walk. She asks the servant there if she might have some scarlet, blue, and gold silk thread, please? Then she turns back to Eacharn, smiling as she paces back toward him.

Eacharn watches her walk away with a decidedly hungry expression -- which he swiftly masks when she turns back toward him, "I am fertile as far as I know, My Lady, but I was going to say that it might be an unfortunate idea to have Tybalt stand to stud. The children would like as not be pooka."

Sulochana chuckles quietly, nodding as she moves past him. One hand trails relaxedly along his side as she does so... then she sits on the edge of the bed. Eacharn leans into the caress and sighs happily as she moves on past him. The Hetaera says, "It's been my experience supernaturals are fertile but not, umm... not often." She smiles as she adds, "I thought much the same, but wanted to check first with you. That's fine; now we're both clear."

Eacharn nods and says, "Thank you, My Lady." The pooka will not mention how eagerly proud he was at her saying she was too fond of him to sell him.

Sulochana settles comfortably cross-legged on Eacharn's bed, the bits and pieces she's going to use for the halter laid out in front of her. Eacharn settles at her feet as she works on the halter. He leans in and breathes a little, nose wrinkling as he catches scent of the other king. The stallion in him still doesn't like it when his rider smells like another man. "So, can you explain how you change, Eacharn? Clearly you retain some things when you shift, like the rings or the halter... but not others, from what I've been told by a sidhe companion." She looks down at him and smiles, "Is it just what you want to retain that stays? Or something else?" She pauses as there's a knock on the door, and waits silently as the tub and the hot water is brought in for the king. Once the last servant has been shoo'd firmly out by Eacharn, the Hetaera smiles again, raising an inquiring eyebrow.

The pooka says, "Wounds stay. Things stay on me -- which is why I must strip before changing or I'd ruin my clothes. Things you put on me will change with my form, but not drastically."

Sulochana nods thoughtfully, "That's good to know," as she continues working on the light, decorative halter she plans -- the servants brought in the requested thread as well as the king's bath. She smiles down at him, "Aren't you going to take your bath, dear? We can talk while you get clean for dinner." She muses silently as she figures out how to wrap the silken cord so it does what she wants.

Eacharn is still a bit muddy and bloody and he sighs, getting up and going over to sink into the tub, "Will you wash as well, My Lady?" He hisses just a bit as hot water hits his wounds, "I must say that Keynes and Pierce did an excellent job, though I felt a bit put-out that you left me alone with them." There's a very slight hint of reproach in his voice.

Sulochana sighs and smiles ruefully, "I confess that bothered me too... but I didn't want to insult Keynes to the point that he refused to deal with me at all." Gently she adds, "It would appear I made the right decision, no? That is what I do for my people -- take good care of them. While you were injured on my behalf I absolutely considered you one of mine." Pragmatically she adds, "Had I not finagled for you, Pierce would not have been there. Which reminds me: I really would love a promise from you, please, that you will not mention knowing either Roy or Pierce are Taps."

Eacharn is bathing as she speaks and he sighs, having to admit to himself she is right. "I do see why you had to do it. Though I must ask why Pierce would want a butterfly case. What is it exactly?" At her request he mmms thoughtfully, "It's interesting information, but yes, I promise that I will keep it to myself -- as long as Roy keeps his realization about me to himself. That Keynes fellow isn't entirely human either, you know. He reminds me a bit of the brownies one used to find in the old country." His accent thickens on "old," turning it into something closer to "auld."

There's the faintest hint of steel in Sulochana's voice as she adds, "Roy gave his word; he will not betray you. I should think you would want to behave the same, no?" She laughs softly after that, explaining: "Pierce collects butterflies, and I think he displays them in glass cases. They are apparently both strong and fragile." It does not occur to Sulochana to mention the butterfly cases are also expensive; she made the deal to keep her horse safe, after all. It is her responsibility, not Eacharn's. She's carefully and neatly wrapping the cords the way she wants them, and she smiles as she adds, "Keynes, eh? That explains the lack of age differential then. I wonder if Geraldine Pumphrey is somewhat non-human also?" She looks up in sudden interest at Eacharn, "Oh! That's why he said you were so unusual -- I wonder if he recognized you too?"

Eacharn smiles wryly and pours water over his own head, "I don't doubt he knows I'm not a normal horse. I don't know if he'd know what I am. As for Geraldine... many of the humans that have taken places of power have something unusual about them."

The Hetaera tilts her head curiously, "Really now... hm. They do seem to be popping up all over like fleas nowadays. I wonder how the true humans feel about that?" Curiously she adds, "Any idea what's different about the mayor?" 'Chana finishes working on the light silk-string halter, laying it out neatly on the bed, then rises from the bed. She glances around, taking a large, fat pillow and setting it on the carpeted floor by the foot end of Eacharn's metal tub, then settling comfortably on it. She crosses her arms on the edge of the tub and rests her cheek on them.

Eacharn chuckles and shrugs, "She certainly smelled human to me. But then so do Roy and Pierce. As for Pierce's butterfly case, don't worry yourself about it. It was me he tended to. I will pay for his gift."

The Hetaera murmurs, "Interesting. I don't have an amazing sense of smell in this form, unfortunately." At Eacharn's following words, however, she blinks, raising her head and giving Eacharn a level stare, "I... do not think so; I do not discard those who care for me and I shall not be starting now. Thank you regardless."

Eacharn looks carefully at her and swallows. She has a palpable air of command about her, "If you insist, My Lady."

Sulochana rests her chin on one fist, adding consideringly, "Actually, that brings up something else I've wished to discuss with you. What precisely, Eacharn, are you looking for in regards to a relationship with me, please?"

He sighs at her question. It is not an easy one and he had hoped to simply skirt it, "We have discussed your haltering me. That would mean you have command of me. I think I would like that to be... quite limited. I promised Eloise I would rule until I found someone else that could. If you do not wish to be queen, that means I must make the decisions for my city. Other than that, I would like to ply my suit as a client."

Sulochana relaxes a bit again, resting her cheek on her arms again where they're crossed on the edge of the tub. "That makes sense to me. All right. You do realize it will be a while before I can accept your suit this time, however, yes? I may well need to get my caravan safely off the road and into St. Louis before I can do so. This is acceptable?"

Eacharn manages to keep the eagerness and need out of his voice, "Yes, My Lady... though I did wish to engage the caravan for my return trip, if it would not interfere with your normal routes." He hesitates a bit before saying, "You'll be spending the rest of your time here with Roy, I suppose?" His voice seems nothing more than curious.

Sulochana smiles fondly, her eyes far away, "Oh, yes! We've not seen each other for quite some time, after all." She focuses and turns her smile on Eacharn as she adds, "Yes, I think we'd already agreed regarding the return trip, although we'd not negotiated price yet."

Eacharn feels his heart clench as she looks so besotted over Roy. [One day], he thinks, [perhaps she'll be so eager to see me.] Instead of saying anything about it, he asks, "You don't mind Roy's past with Geraldine? Or his reputation as a philanderer? There are... diseases..." He flushes, realizing as he speaks that it is perhaps the wrong thing to say.

The Hetaera's eyes widen, her lips parting at Eacharn's comment. For an instant she looks like she's not sure whether to explode or not -- and then her tilted golden eyes light up and she tosses her head back in a peal of laughter! Eacharn sinks down until his chin is barely above the water, flushing. Sulochana laughs hard enough that it takes her a moment to recover, and when she finally does she has to struggle with the occasional giggle. "Eacharn, dear... have you forgotten I'm a Hetaera? Surely if one of us has a reason to be offended by past loves, it would be he more than I?"

Eacharn clears his throat and says, "I suppose, My Lady. But I have never heard of a Hetaera being..." he waffles, looking for a word, "bothered by such things. I had supposed they had remedies of some sort."

Sulochana's humor tamps down into just a sympathetic smile as she realizes Eacharn is likely offended. She reaches out a hand to pat his shoulder reassuringly, "I'm sorry, sweetie; I don't mean to hurt your feelings." She looks faintly perplexed as she considers for a moment, then adds curiously, "Surely Queen Eloise did not keep you all to herself? Was she the jealous type?"

Eacharn is still sunk down in the water and he looks away as he says, "I did not wish other assignations. Before she discovered my nature she had other dalliances."

Sulochana sighs softly, the last of her amusement wisping away, "None at all, pretty pony? Oh, dear... I suspect I shall be rather the disappointment to you, then, in that department." She considers for a moment, then carefully picks her words, "Have you... used a safeword before, Eacharn?"

Eacharn blinks at her and then laughs himself, "I am not a total innocent, My Lady. I have indeed used a safeword, though I have rarely had need of it. Eloise had a gift for knowing just when to stop. The others I have been with have mostly been unable to challenge my limits."

Sulochana looks relieved, "Oh, good -- I was starting to wonder, since you'd not mentioned one at all." She adds thoughtfully, "Others... hmm. Did Eloise share you, then? Or were these after her time, while you search for a replacement?" She politely does not assume she is the replacement.

The pooka smiles wryly, "She and I did have occasional guests in our play. But the others have mostly been since. Or before."

Sulochana looks interested, "So you've enjoyed being topped before Eloise then? Oh, even better." She smiles, patting his shoulder again under the warm water, "I'm glad to hear it; that helps me in being a better Hetaera for you later." She tilts her head as she sees the pale, curling scar on his shoulder again, and adds, "May I be simply a bit nosy as well? Were you attacked by a big cat there? Is that why you didn't enjoy Roy's menagerie?" She deliberately changes the subject; she's getting the distinct feeling Eacharn is uncomfortable in talking about his sexual preferences, oddly enough. She sighs internally and makes a mental note: must integrate finding out about what Eacharn likes through sex play -- getting him to tell her as part of being topped, perhaps.

Eacharn relaxes at the pat, but then he shivers at a memory, "Yes. I was. I believe it was what they call a puma. Far west of here. In the mountains. Not long after the Dying Off. Shortly after I had remembered myself."

The Hetaera raises an interested eyebrow, "So you're quite old then, yes? Interesting. Were you in the Rockies then? Or further West?" She knows most people who do not travel much aren't very well versed in current geography, but surely someone who remembers the times before the Great Dying Off will know what she's talking about?

Eacharn says, "The Rockies, yes. The lower reaches. I was hiding myself in a small herd of mustangs."

Sulochana starts to smile, then blinks startledly, "With... wait. Did you have any offspring, do you know?" She wonders if a pooka can sire a Sileni -- since that's the area where she found Del!

Eacharn clears his throat, flushing again, "It's possible. At the time I was not so... discerning... as I am now about mating, and a mare in season does smell quite tempting to a stallion."

Sulochana nods slowly, "All right, I'll be sure Del knows to keep an eye on any of our mares that go into heat." She hesitates, then adds carefully, "Do you know... if your offspring would be pookas as well? Or could they be some other horse and human type?" She smiles ruefully as she adds, "I'm guessing you're quite unfond of big cats too, eh?"

Eacharn rubs the curling scars, "They spook me a bit, yes. Mostly because many of them see horses as quite viable food sources." He mulls over her other question as he rises from the bath, water trickling down his body, "Usually they would be a pooka, I think -- at least that's what I remember being told as a wee lad. Why would you have Dell keep an eye on your mares? I have somewhat more self-control when I'm in this form."

Sulochana sits back on the cushion and smiles as Eacharn rises, "A courtesy, of course. Should you happen to be in horse form to go swimming or something while we're heading upriver with you; that sort of thing." She wraps her arms loosely about her knees as she grins at him, "All right, I'll make a note: no playing in Roy's menagerie for you. So, do you want to present the dowry gift at dinner tonight, dear?" She's curious as to whether Eacharn will think to add to the dowry or not; his behavior will tell her a bit of just how much free will he feels he currently has. She's distracted, however, by a scrabbling at the window and shouts from out on the deck.

The pooka replies, "Yes. The gift you arranged and a little something besides."

The Hetaera glances over at the window, rising and putting the big cushion back on the bed so no water slops onto it. "Are your people celebrating or planning something, Eacharn?"

Eacharn wraps his thick bathrobe around himself and frowns, "No. I can't think what might be going on..." Even as Eacharn speaks there's a small, shadowy form visible through the tiny, wavery leaded-glass window, hanging from the top lintel and clearly working at the latch. Sulochana frowns at it for an instant -- then laughs in recognition as the window clasp suddenly pops open and one of the tall panes starts to swing inwards. At the same time the shouting gets louder, and there's a hammering on the inside door of Eacharn's quarters, with more shouting. Eacharn swears as the window swings open, wheeling toward the door to let his people in. He's a king. People coming in through the windows are usually not good.

Sulochana's eyes widen as she hears the soft thwip of a crossbow quarrel zipping past outside, even as someone there yells, "No shooting! Don't shoot, idiots -- you might hit the king!" The Hetaera steps forward towards the window, holding her arms out in welcome, "Eacharn, it's all right! It's Alg -- one of mine!" The goblin drops hastily into the room, bounding over the bed to wrap himself around Sulochana. He's chattering with worry, and the Hetaera has to hug and sooth him for a moment before she can understand him. Eacharn lets his people in, but immediately tells them to stand down. He sends one of them out to stop the other guards outside on the boat from coming in through the window as well.

Sulochana finally gets Alg calm enough to understand he's anxiously asking her if she's all right. She sits on the bed and hugs him, reassuring him, "I'm quite fine, dear, truly. What's wrong?"

Alg sighs and relaxes noticeably at that -- then glances over at the other people in the room, all warily surrounding Eacharn, "Horse good too?"

Sulochana smiles, "Oh, yes... my horse was very good indeed. Let me guess, you heard about the bear on the hunt and were worried?"

The goblin nods emphatically, his fangs starting to lessen and his rough hackles settling a bit. He's snarling softly as he adds angrily, "Bad dogs! Bad, bad dogs. Need Alg's dogs -- not let lady get hurt!" He hisses at the guards, then adds with a hint of pride, "Horse neither!" He's not let go of Sulochana yet, glaring at the restless, upset humans.

Eacharn is smooth and quick to calm his people. Since he doesn't seem upset or agitated, they believe him, and he's able to send them away again except for the usual guards at the doors. Once the supernaturals are alone again he smirks a bit, "It's not the dogs' fault I got hurt. I attacked of my own will."

Alg is willing to release Sulochana once the guards are expelled and the window closed again. The goblin wanders in restless wariness through the rooms, sniffing intently and making sure his lady is safe. At Eacharn's comment he looks torn for a moment, then pats the king's leg as he trots by, muttering gruffly, "Good horse. Keep pretty lady safe. Can stay." Sulochana has to hastily cover a giggle at that, her eyes dancing.

Eacharn's brows go up at that and he looks to 'Chana, "Does he insist upon following you everywhere?"

Sulochana smiles sweetly at the king, "No. Sometimes he doesn't insist at all -- he just follows. Why do you ask?" Alg gives a small, righteous 'huff!' as he trots busily by.

Eacharn flushes again, realizing this means Alg may well have seen their earlier play. "I am not sure... that is... what about privacy?"

The Hetaera giggles again, then smiles and adds reassuringly, "He used to work for Roy, and so he frequently hangs around the palace while I'm there. Usually when I'm being a Hetaera, however, he stays at the caravan." She rises, pacing over to stand in front of Eacharn and smiling up at him, "To be fair, it was you who told him you were my horse just now." She adds, as the goblin pauses for a moment to rub against her like a big cat, "I trust Alg implicitly; he's saved my life more than once, Eacharn. I think he's earned the right to go where he wishes... and he's as discreet as I."

Eacharn doesn't quite huff himself. He purses his lips and says, "And he's here now because he heard there was a problem with the hunt? Does Roy not object to the goblin being there?"

'Chana giggles as she looks back up at Eacharn, "Dear, he usually hangs out with the guards outside Roy's door. Did you think he perches on the end of the bed like a vulture or something?" She reaches up with one slender finger and taps the king lightly on the nose, her eyes dancing, "Relax, Eacharn. Everything is fine. Trust me."

Eacharn is still quite red with embarrassment or some other emotion. He clears his throat and says, "Of course I trust you, My Lady." He looks at the goblin and thinks for a moment how nice it must be to be so free with one's affection.

Sulochana smiles thoughtfully at Eacharn's expression, then calls without turning away from the king, "Alg, sweetie... could you stand guard outside the bedroom door, please, like you do when I'm at Roy's? I need to talk to Eacharn a bit, if that's all right?" The goblin snorts briskly, glancing around in a final check that the room is safe -- then lopes relaxedly out the door, closing it behind him. The Hetaera reaches up and puts her hands lightly on Eacharn's skin, cupping his face as she says softly, "All right, what's bothering you, pretty pony? Tell me, please?"

Eacharn looks down at her, smiling crookedly, "I suppose it's partly that I keep getting surprised. But I am starting to suspect I will need to get used to that if I wish to associate with you." Sulochana smiles and nods serenely, still listening carefully as he continues, "The other... you haven't mentioned the halter again. It's been far more than five minutes." There's a little note of nervous longing in his voice.

The Hetaera oh!s and turns to the bed, "Yes! I apologize -- I got distracted." Eacharn feels his muscles unknotting as she picks up the delicate and carefully constructed halter. She turns around with the delicate little thing in her hands, and smiles, "Would you like to shift into a small pony, so I can be sure to get the halter right? That shouldn't be too much for the floor, right?"

The king laughs and says, "Oh, I can be quite a sizable pony without harming the floor..." The one he turns into, however, is the small and shaggy one she first encountered. She pauses long enough to give the pooka a reassuring hug; then she sits on the bed and beckons him over.

Sulochana is very careful, as she puts on the halter, to not restrain Eacharn/Tybalt at all -- if he has a change of heart and wishes to yank back, he's completely free to do so. The little pony stands tremblingly still as his Lady Edana halters him again. She also takes her time, although that's mostly because it's a pleasure to play with the little black pony's now-soft fur.

The silken strings are slipped about his nose and looped behind his small ears, with an extra strand which goes behind the ears as well, but is drawn forward on each side to meet between the eyes on the broad forehead. The pretty little golden charm goes there, holding the strings together with its tiny padlock, and the different colors of silken thread have been used to bind the various string parts of the halter securely and attractively. The halter is clearly more decorative than restraint, and once she's done Sulochana says proudly, "There we go! You look simply lovely, dear. Look!" She gently pushes his nose so he can look at the tall mirror with her, "Don't you look nice, sweetie?"

The delicately-woven halter shows brilliantly against his shaggy black coat and lays light as air upon him. When she turns the pony's head to look at himself in the mirror, Tybalt arches his neck happily and his tail swishes as he poses prettily for his Lady. Sulochana laughs in quiet pleasure, "You like it, then? Wonderful!" She loops an arm about his neck, adding cheerfully, "It'll be easy to slip the cheek strands into a bit's rings too, if we want. So, change back and let's see how it looks on you as Eacharn, all right?"

Eacharn waits for her to step away a bit before he changes back to his human form. The halter is still there, but now it looks like a simple silken tie with the tie-pin adorning it. The Hetaera murmurs admiringly, "Oh, very nice!"

[Previous Log] [Index] [Next Log]





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

All material on this site is
Copyright © 2010-2024 Reality Fault
unless specifically indicated on each document.
All Rights Reserved.
Administrated by Reality Fault Webmaster