| Logs |
2011 March 26
| Neverneverwhere |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
| Realms: Taps Logs |
Don't Forget Who's Taking You Home
Once the dance ends, Pierce offers his arm to escort 'Chana back over to Roy, "I fear that I would make any lady rather a bad mate." He smiles wryly, "I am, as they say around here, a confirmed bachelor." Roy is chatting with Abigail and Travis, both of whom are looking smitten at one another.
Sulochana's sideways-slanted grin up at Pierce in return is quite mischievous as she drawls disbelievingly, "Oh, ree-ally now? Never been at all attracted to a nice lady? Never tried sharing your hobby with her? Or did it not occur to you to try, dear man?" She laughs softly, adding, "I'd find that far easier to believe, actually!"
Pierce clears his throat and lowers his voice even further, "To be truthful, Sulochana, no. I have not." He flushes slightly and says, "My interests lie in a different direction."
The Hetaera looks interested, "Indeed? May I ask as to that direction, if it is not too... forward of me to do so?" She's already wondering if he actually prefers men, and sorting through the nice young gentlemen she knows of in Baton Rouge.
Pierce's smile is a little tight, but he says, "Being a Hetaera, you would not likely care, I suppose." Still it takes a moment for him to muster up the ability to say, "I prefer other men."
Sulochana pauses so she's not talking about something Pierce clearly finds a little difficult to discuss -- as they walk up to other people. She tilts her head curiously as she studies Pierce, "I would not care about what?" She glances around thoughtfully as she adds half under her breath, "Hmm, nice young men who prefer men... we can do that!"
Pierce flushes slightly deeper and lays his hand on hers, "I meant that you would not be shocked at my preference. Please. Very few at court are aware of this. Roy knows and does not care, but I prefer it to be private."
Sulochana smiles up at Pierce as warmly as she can, taking his hand in both of hers, "No, I am not shocked. Why would I be? It's personal preference, after all. But I do have to ask: why do you hide this part of yourself? How will you find a beloved if you never try?" Her thoughts shift and flow swiftly even as she speaks: if he prefers men, why did Pierce react so marvelously to her, umm... flashing her decolletage at him for a moment? Ah, of course -- he must feel strongly for Roy! That being the case, it's entirely possible what Roy truly loves will also attract Pierce's attention. She nods thoughtfully to herself -- that makes sense. It's possible too that Pierce prefers men, but can be somewhat interested in women as well. Roy's willing to dance with some of the more, ahh... gracefully androgynous young men in his court when they ask him to, after all -- but Sulochana knows from his reactions to her that Roy prefers women.
Pierce shows a rare sign of nervousness, licking his lips briefly, "My job requires me to be very close to a good number of young men. Young men tend to be insecure about such things, and I don't want to discomfit my charges. Roy would not allow any harassment, but..."
The Hetaera wonders suddenly if Roy knows how Pierce feels regarding Roy himself -- and then the full implications of her realization really hit her. She breathes softly, "Oh... I understand. It's Roy, isn't it? At least partly? That's why you're hiding it, no?"
He wilts as she speaks, "Yes. It is. That part he does not know. Please, keep it between us." There is pleading in his eyes.
Sulochana shakes her head slowly, stepping forward to hug the distraught man, "Oh, Pierce, how could I betray such a confidence? It's not my secret, nor my place to do so." Softly she adds, "But... why don't you let him know? Surely he's confident enough in himself, I should think, to realize emotion is not a demand for action?"
Pierce lets out a gusty sigh of relief and actually hugs her back tightly for a moment before pulling his more austere demeanor back on, "I'm sure he is. Roy has been known to flirt with men as well as women, but only to flirt... and I don't wish to put any pressure on him at all. He is perhaps my dearest friend. One day, maybe, I will speak with him about it."
Sulochana smiles up at Pierce as she tucks her hand back into his arm, her eyes warm with understanding, "I can't blame you for that at all. He's definitely worth the knowing, isn't he?"
Pierce nods, having pulled himself back together, "Yes. He is. Which is why I am glad he has found someone to adore again." He starts back with her toward Roy and the young couple.
She grins a bit more mischievously as she adds, "Gosh, I wonder if his feelings would be hurt if he found out you'd been hiding yourself away all this time... for fear of bothering him! Maybe he might even suggest you might have let him know, so he could decide what his reaction was to be?" She knows Pierce knows Roy much better than she -- but she also knows Roy cares deeply about his old friends. She suspects Pierce is emotionally barricading himself away because he's decided Roy would be bothered... without letting Roy give his own reactions.
Pierce smirks at that, "Let us leave that for another time."
Sulochana laughs delightedly, patting Pierce's arm as she walks with him. She beams at the threesome they've approached, "Hello there! Isn't this a lovely informal party?" She's relieved Miss Ruby is keeping King Eacharn happy... it means she gets another dance or three with Roy, perhaps!
Roy turns as Pierce and Sulochana come back, a smile spreading over his face, "There y'are!" He kisses her on the cheek and slides an arm around her waist. She beams and hugs Roy enthusiastically, then leans happily against him, her own arm about his waist as well. Travis and Abigail both agree they're enjoying themselves; Travis adds, "Even if I'm officially on duty and all."
Sulochana gives a lady-like snort at Travis' words, "Good heavens, Roy, tell this poor boy he's off duty -- so he can dance with his lady-love and not feel guilty about not being able to see anything but her tonight!" She leans her head back against Roy's chest to look up at him, grinning, "He's going to be useless as a guard for at least another day or so, after all -- and again during his marriage and honeymoon, I'm willing to bet!"
The king laughs and waves Travis and Abigail off, "G'wan. Dance with yer wife-to-be. Yer off-duty fer the night. I'll send fer someone else to cover yer post."
Sulochana giggles at Travis' blushing, goofy grin, and beams at Abigail's delightedly stammered thanks, waving them both off as well, "Shoo! Go have fun, the both of you!" She watches them drift off onto the dance floor together, already lost in each other's eyes, and sighs happily, "Isn't love wonderful?"
Roy is looking down at Sulochana and not at the couple at all. Pierce has faded back into the crowd already. The ruler of Baton Rouge rumbles, "Yeah. It certainly is." Sulochana glances curiously up at Roy at the slightly odd tone to the king's voice -- then flushes with pleasure, her eyes shining. She doesn't mean to be quite so forward... but it's remarkably easy to turn just enough that she's leaning against Roy's chest, on her tiptoes, as she smiles up at him, her lips parted... Roy, for his part, isn't bothered at all and leans down to kiss her quite happily, one hand on her waist and one on her hair. He does at least keep the kiss brief -- mostly because he doesn't trust himself to keep it polite for too long.
Sulochana's sultry golden eyes go half-closed as they kiss, and she makes a small, unwitting sound of protest as Roy straightens. Her smoky gaze is heated, and she takes a few deep, slow breaths to pull herself together again. Roy smiles down at his lady-love and starts to say something, leaning close to her ear.
That, of course, is when they are interrupted: Mrs. Madison-Williams clears her throat in what is considered to be a decorous manner. When they look over, she is looking less-than-pleased. It takes rather a lot of guff to look at the king that way, but she manages. The Hetaera has to cover her grin, turning her head so she's facing away from the lady as she whispers to Roy -- with repressed laughter in her voice, "Oh, this one's yours to handle, my dear!" She straightens decorously regardless, taking half a step back from the king and smoothing down her long embroidered silk tunic.
Roy turns to Mrs. Madison-Williams and puts on his most brilliant and charming smile, "Ma'am, may I say just how lovely yer lookin' t'night? Havin' an engaged daughter must agree with you." There's a slightly choked sound from Sulochana, who is hastily digging through her tiny reticule on her wrist. The Hetaera is firmly repeating internally to herself: [Must not burst out laughing! Not not not!]
The matron smiles rather woodenly, "Well, I have to say I was rather surprised at the suddenness of my Abigail's engagement -- and at the fact that the young man did not first ask her father or myself for her hand."
Roy nods and says, "Oh? Well, I'll have a word with my men about etiquette fer the next time it happens."
Sulochana bites her lip at the innocence of Roy's voice, still struggling with laughter. She glances around hastily for someone to dance with -- she simply must not offend one of Roy's court ladies, no matter how hilarious the occasion! She brightens at a possible distraction, murmuring, "Oh, I haven't had one of those drinks yet! Your majesty, Missus Livy, if you'd excuse me, please?" She heads off a bit hastily, one hand still over her up-curving lips and mischief dancing in her eyes.
It's clear the king isn't about to let the party be spoiled by Mrs. Madison-Williams' disapproval. He smirks at Sulochana as she heads off, mouthing 'Coward!' at her playfully before turning back. A choked giggle manages to escape the Hetaera, which she hastily turns into a cough. She grins back at the two, waving a hand vaguely towards her throat, "Thirsty!" After that, though, she walks quickly towards the little bar, getting far enough away that she can finally let the giggles out!
Miss Ruby and Eacharn are still on the dance floor, so it's one of the other courtiers who asks 'Chana for a dance. He's a polite young man and good at the sort of small talk one is supposed to use to fill up the quiet spaces in a dance. He's not all that interesting, however. Sulochana is charming and delightful -- it lets her release the urge to laugh without offending anyone! -and by dance's end the young man is quite happy. Roy spends the entire dance talking with Miz Olivia. The king keeps a smile on his face the whole time even as the matron scowls -- then hastily excuses himself from Mrs. Olivia as the song is ending, to swoop over to take 'Chana back out on the dance floor again. His tone is mock-chastising as he murmurs to her, "That wa'n't nice a'tall! Leavin' me all alone like that."
Sulochana giggles delightedly up at Roy, "Oh, the horror! I suspect my laughing at her commentary would have been even less nice though, hmm?" She beams, clearly not truly concerned, and cheerfully adds, "So can we have more of these informal dances while I'm here? I don't want to get in the way of the necessary schmoozing you need to do with your court... but I sure do like getting to dance bunches with you, sweetheart!" She adds in cheerful curiosity, "So just what are these big funny looking drinks, too?"
Roy grins down at her and laughs, "Ennythang you want, cherie! -'n yer probably right that the laughin' woulda gone over bad. Those big funny-lookin' drinks are Hurricanes. They're also sorta deadly. One's usually enough to get you schnockered, two'll put most folks unner the table."
Sulochana blinks at the drinks, "Goodness! Er... are you trying to get Eacharn drunk then?" She grins bemusedly up at Roy as they dance, "I'd think that works better just before negotiations, rather than the night before?" She adds amusedly, "Don't people worry about drinking something quite that, ahh... lividly colored?"
Roy grins and shakes his head, "Naw. It's sorta a tradition 'round here. Been around since b'fore the Dyin' Off. I ain't so much tryin'a get 'im drunk as t' get 'im distracted. Don' want me bein' all jealous at 'im, do ya?" He keeps 'Chana on the dance floor for the next several dances, not wanting to give anyone a chance to interrupt them again.
Sulochana laughs a bit confusedly, "Jealous at him? But why would you feel that way, sweet man?"
Roy swings her through a couple of complex steps, laughing, "Because he's tryin' awful hard to keep yer attention, lover." Miss Ruby has actually been keeping Eacharn occupied, but the visiting king is looking often and thoughtfully over toward Roy and 'Chana. It's quite obvious they are comfortable together. The foreign king further revises his thoughts on how to court her.
Emotions flit across Sulochana's face at Roy's comment: surprise, interest, puzzlement... finally she says slowly, "That's... odd. I did tell him I'd be unavailable as a Hetaera for the rest of our visit here. I wonder what he hopes to accomplish?" Then she giggles, "Maybe he's trying to do, to you, what you're trying to do with a Hurricane drink to him?"
Roy chuckles and sweeps the Hetaera through a dip and a twirl, pulling her back close against him, "Might be. Yeah..." Sulochana wheee!s delightedly through the swift, athletic dance steps, and her eyes are sparkling with delight when Roy pulls her gracefully in again. He rests his hands on her hips, eyes twinkling down at her, "Thinkin' of sweepin' you on outta here, though. It's informal an' all. I don't gotta stay the whole night."
With breathless delight she says, "Okay! Can we just finish this dance first? This is fun!" The Hetaera hasn't been able to be quite so unrestrainedly joyous with her beloved since... since the time they danced at Froid Jacques' place! She'd have gladly danced like this with Roy on the barge ride back to Baton Rouge, from Chicago, but they'd been so excited at finally having some time alone that there hadn't been much dancing.
Roy throws back his head in laughter at Sulochana's undisguised delight in the dance."Like I said, cherie, ennythang you want!" He's more than happy to indulge her in the dancing, and he's unabashed about keeping her to himself for so many dances in a row. This isn't about anything but celebration, so he doesn't have to make sure he dances with the court ladies -- and he doesn't have to share her unless she wants to be shared. He spends a lot of time murmuring close to her ear about how lovely she looks and how much he's missed her, and he's careful to make sure his breath and his whiskers tickle her skin when he leans in to speak to her, relishing every little almost-imperceptible shiver.
Sulochana is joyously aglow, more than happy to celebrate with her beloved! She dances exuberantly with him, shares with him her hunger for him as well, sighs blissfully at his lovely whispers, and has a truly wonderful time. At some point she starts losing track of what's going on around them, although it doesn't occur to her that she and Roy are looking very much as lost in each other as are Travis and Abigail. It's on one of the slower dances, in fact, that she's leaning against Roy, savoring his warmth and with her arms looped about his neck, that she realizes she's sated on dancing. She leans her head back, her golden-eyed gaze smoky, and whispers huskily to him, "Take me to bed, lovely man!"
Roy quite seriously considers tossing her over his shoulder and taking off with her -- but he's tapped on the shoulder before he can. He blinks, having to readjust his thinking to include the fact of other people, and looks over to see Eacharn there. The visiting king is smiling in a conciliatory way, "I'm sorry to interrupt, but I will be leaving for the Goldenrod soon; I wanted to ask the favor of just one more dance with the lovely Sulochana before I go."
For just a fraction of an instant Eacharn can see the completely unshielded, utterly unreserved sensuality of love in the Hetaera's hungry gaze. The king of St. Louis is hit squarely by the desire in Sulochana's eyes and posture -- he almost stumbles from the intensity of it. During their time together he saw arousal on her face, and enjoyment -- but this is an entirely different level. This, he realizes, is what happens when Sulochana is both in love and in lust -- and it reaffirms his desire to have her look at him like that. The Hetaera recovers herself quickly, smoothing her expression into a more socially acceptable demeanor before she smiles politely at Eacharn, "Gracious, you startled me." She glances at Roy, raising an inquiring eyebrow: does he mind?
Roy has a moment where his rational brain is bypassed and his hormones are talking when he considers telling Eacharn to fuck off, in exactly those words, but he gets himself under control enough to say, "'Course I don' mind." It rings a little false, because he truly just wants to get his lady-love alone and skin-bare, but he does try to be gracious, "We're gonna be leavin' ourselves right soon."
Sulochana nods to Roy, absently stroking both hands down his front as she steps back -- she so wants to get alone with him! She takes a deep breath, then smiles determinedly at Eacharn as she holds out a hand, "One dance should be all right. Your majesty." Thinking about it, the Hetaera realizes Eacharn must have heard her whisper. Still, the timing from her statement to his tap on Roy's shoulder would indicate it was just an unfortunate juxtaposition of events -- rather than Eacharn butting in deliberately to keep her from leaving. She smiles at Eacharn and murmurs amusedly to him, "I guess you heard me... so we should keep this carefully polite, mm?" She's still feeling exceedingly tingly inside -- and working carefully to not do something as inappropriate as rub herself against people like a cat in heat!
Eacharn nods, smiling and offering his arm in the best courtier fashion, "I am sorry I interrupted at such an inopportune time, My Lady, but I did want the chance of just a little more time with you before losing you for the night." Roy, meantime, is stalking off toward the bar for a bourbon to cool himself off with.
Sulochana chuckles quietly as she accepts Eacharn's arm, then sighs in soft amusement, "Well, it happens, I suppose." As they swing into the dance she smiles at the St. Louis king, adding, "I hope this was a nice night for you -- do you like the zydeco? Did you have a chance to try a Hurricane?" She grins, adding, "I think I'll avoid them, from what I've heard. At my size, it'd likely knock me right off my feet!"
Eacharn chuckles, relaxing now he's with his Lady Edana, "I did have one, and decided that even with my metabolism, one is likely enough for anyone." He smiles playfully down at her, "I do enjoy the zydeco... and Miss Ruby is an attentive instructor." Indeed, he is much improved from his first attempt.
While Roy is sipping his bourbon, Mrs. Madison-Williams approaches him again. The king doesn't actually roll his eyes, but it takes rather a lot of effort. "Missus Olivia, what a pleasure to see you again."
Her expression is tight and disapproving as the lady says, "I wanted to have a word with you, Your Majesty. I know my Abigail is currently promised to that Travis boy, but I thought I might give you some friendly advice."
Sulochana finds herself relaxing a bit as she dances with Eacharn -- he is indeed, after all, an excellent dancer! She laughs as he swings her briskly out to full arm's extension, then back again, and as they're swaying together she nods, "Ruby's a sweetie -- she taught me the steps when I first came out here."
Eacharn chuckles and murmurs, "I do believe she's been angling for an invitation back to the Goldenrod as well. I am afraid I'm going to have to disappoint her."
Sulochana laughs softly at that, reaching up to pat Eacharn's shoulder, "Ah, sweetie, you should see other ladies too! Don't hide yourself away completely, you know?"
Roy arches his brows at Mrs. Madison-Williams and puts on his polite smile again, "'Course, ma'am. What advice izzat?" He reminds himself that in just a few minutes, he will be off in private with his beloved -- he can endure Miz Livy for a few minutes longer.
Olivia raises her chin as she says, "You are still a young man, I know, and wish to sow your wild oats -- but it is high time you stopped playing with your pretty prostitute and found a nice girl to settle with! You have a daughter that needs a real mother and a city that needs a queen!"
Roy's eyes go from the 'polite interest' mask to dead flat in the space of a heartbeat. His voice, when he speaks, has lost all of his false jollity, "Miz Olivia, I'm afraid I gotta stop you right the hell there." His voice is calm, expressionless almost, "I will put up with a lotta bullshit for the sake o' my beloved Baton Rouge. But you say one more thang like that 'bout ma cherie an' I will have you thrown outta the palace. Possibly fer good. An' ta hell with yer opinions."
The Hetaera is not in a position to see how anger shimmers almost visibly over Roy; she's still dancing with Eacharn. She grins and lightly pats the expensive necklace Eacharn gifted to her with her free hand, "If you're in the habit of making such lovely gifts as this, I expect you're quite popular with the ladies! Further, you strike me as the type to be able to detect insincerity; I doubt you'd be tripped up by just any old fortune hunter." She smiles, patting his cheek lightly, "Go have fun, dear. Why not invite Miss Ruby over for an after-party drink?"
Eacharn considers for a moment before he says, "Mmm... I suppose you're right. She is actually rather a nice woman." He touches 'Chana's cheek lightly and smiles, "I will, then." The Hetaera beams up at Eacharn, some of her earlier sultriness returning as it hits her that she'll soon be with Roy -- and now she needn't worry about Eacharn or jealousy! She's immensely pleased; perhaps this will be the first step in the foreign king becoming fascinated with someone else!
Miz Olivia has her hand over her heart, open-mouthed as Roy puts down his bourbon with more force than is strictly necessary, "Yer daughter's in love. An' she's gonna marry Travis. My li'l girl's got a Maman, an' my city is all the Queen I need." Miz Livy's eyes blaze up; she opens her mouth to speak again and Roy snaps, "Not another damn word. Not one. You step in my way or your daughter's way again, an' you'll find out just how pissed off I can git."
Eacharn can't help picking up on some of the heat as he moves with 'Chana through the dance. Years as a consort have given him the ability to pick such things up with ease. He swings her through several twirls that end up with her against his body, and grins down at her, "Perhaps Miss Ruby will even turn out to be another... disciplinarian."
Elsewhere, Roy takes a deep breath, smoothing his hair and tugging his shirt straight, "Ma cherie has given more for this city than you ever have. Now, I suggest you take yer hatefulness an' go on home. I'll send Miss Abby home with an escort. Ain't you 'er no one else gonna spoil this night. Now go on. Git." Miz Olivia stutters and stammers as she tries to talk, and catches the danger in Roy's gaze. She turns on her heel and storms away.
Sulochana relaxes a bit now she's sure Eacharn's not going to try coaxing her into leaving with him, and have to be politely refused. Her hips sway with easy grace through the light-footed steps, her body whirls swiftly into Eacharn's arms, and as they swing pressed close together she giggles up at Eacharn's comment, her eyes shining, "I don't know -- but if she is, wouldn't that be wonderful for you?"
Eacharn grins down at her and chuckles, "If she's not, I'm sure we'll have a lovely time nonetheless..."
Meanwhile, Miz Olivia stops in her storming and comes back, shaking in her own anger as she says, "You may throw me out if you like, but I will point out that your 'cherie' is currently flirting with another man!"
Roy's eyes blaze up again and he steps close to Miz Livy, towering over her and glaring down into her face, "She is dancin' with another king. An' I double-dog dare you to dance a zydeco and not look like yer flirtin'. She ain't my damn property, lady." He doesn't turn his head as he motions one of the guards over and says, "Elijah, will you please see the Missus home. I think she's gotten a little overwhelmed."
The Hetaera glances over towards her beloved, her face alight with happiness. She's internally impatient to be with him -- and Eacharn can catch the sudden tension in her body. Without taking her worried gaze from Roy she murmurs softly to Eacharn, "Something's wrong, sweetie. Can we dance over towards Roy, please?"
Eacharn is a little disappointed at the request, but he says, "Of course, My Lady." He starts to steer the dance in that direction. Roy is stepping back from the matron while the guard Elijah is politely starting to escort her out of the room.
Sulochana smiles ruefully up at Eacharn, reaching up to gently rest her hand on his cheek for a moment, "I'm sorry, dear, and I do appreciate your patience with me. I'll try to make it up to you later, all right?" Then she looks worriedly back at Roy. With Eacharn's kind escort it takes her little time to get to Roy's side, and she glances back and forth at the people there before lightly touching Roy's arm, "Sweetheart? What's wrong? Can I help?"
Miz Olivia has hectic patches of color on her cheeks, but she is finally remembering her manners and allowing herself to be led off by the guard. Roy's lips are set in a tight line; he actually jumps a little when 'Chana touches him, then relaxes. He sighs and wraps Sulochana up in a hug, uncaring of the other king's presence, "Miz Livy was jest bein' an interferin' old busybody."
Sulochana sighs and relaxes a bit in Roy's arms, leaning her head against his chest as she hugs him back just as warmly and tightly. Her voice is a bit muffled as she murmurs, "Oh dear... was she trying to get poor Abby freed up or something?" She frowns slightly, musing aloud, "No... that wouldn't make you this angry..." She's absently stroking Roy's back as she tries to reassure him with her closeness. Eacharn clears his throat and excuses himself, sensing this is not the right place for him to be.
Roy takes a deep breath and kisses the top of her head, reassuring himself with her scent and closeness, "Know what? Let's talk about it on the way back t' my rooms, alright?"
Sulochana smiles, relaxing more as Roy seems to relax as well, "Sounds lovely, sweet man. Give me just a moment, please?" She turns and smiles to Eacharn, offering him her hand, "Your majesty, I apologize for interrupting the dance with you. Perhaps we can have another dance tomorrow? Or maybe during that boat ride you and his majesty here are planning. Until then, may I wish you sweet dreams," she grins mischievously at him, her eyes smoldering without meaning to, "and good luck with Miss Ruby?" She giggles in spite of herself, one arm still about Roy's waist as she speaks.
Eacharn takes her hand and kisses the back of it in a courtly manner, not giving his eyes the upward tilt that would make it flirtatious, "Of course, Lady; and may your dreams be sweet as well."
The Hetaera beams at Eacharn, then turns to Roy, who also smiles a bit and waits for Eacharn to walk off before he starts leading Sulochana away. She sighs in soft relief, murmuring to Roy, "He's going to take my advice and respond to Miss Ruby's interest. Thank goodness." Then her demeanor shifts to a curious mix of deeply aroused and remaining concern for him, "Shall we, sweetheart? What happened?"
Roy rests a hand on Sulochana's where it's tucked into his arm, as he growls quietly, "Miz Livy just put her oar in where it wa'n't wanted er needed. Felt she needed t' tell me how t' run my life an' my city."
Sulochana nods thoughtfully, listening... then glances consideringly up at him, "Is that it? Interesting. I wouldn't have thought you would be so angry unless she was rude about Mary or Baton Rouge."
Roy takes a deep breath and pauses outside the doors of the small ballroom to look down at Sulochana, "Truth be told, she said a couple things 'bout you I jest couldn't let stand. So I told 'er to get the hell out."
Sulochana gives Roy a dismayed look, "Oh, no! Oh, sweetheart, I'm so sorry!" She frowns worriedly, considering, then says slowly, "Oh, dear. Is... am I costing you the support of your people, lov- Roy?" She is a little surprised, honestly. She'd have thought the folk of Baton Rouge would still consider her presence a good thing -- considering she coaxed the foreign king to ally with their home town against Houston.
Roy smirks, "Well, there was some bullshit in there 'bout Mary needin' a maman and the city needin' a queen." He considers whether to pass on the actual words, "Told 'er my daughter already got a Maman and the city 'erself is alla Queen I need." He smiles down at 'Chana, "No! No, ma cherie. Miz Livy's an innerferin' ole bat whose pissed off I din't marry her daughter an' that Abby slipped out from under her thumb."
The Hetaera nods slowly at Roy's words, her face troubled as she tucks her hand into Roy's arm again. Slowly, almost unwillingly, she murmurs, "Roy... is there a grain of truth in her words? I mean, little Mary is a joy to me, but... doesn't she deserve a mother who's actually there for her? Not just a visitor once or twice a year?" Uncertainly she adds, "Does Baton Rouge need a queen? I mean, I don't know...?"
Roy sighs, "Ma cherie, Mary loves you dearly, an' I got it on good authority that yer a hero ta most a' the city right now. I don't need a wife unless you change yer mind, and Baton Rouge'll have a queen when Mary's growed up and took my place. Put it outta yer lovely haid."
Sulochana walks silently next to Roy for a bit, thinking carefully. Finally she glances up at Roy and smiles, albeit a bit worriedly, "All right, sweetheart. I mean, you know what's going on here better than I do, after all." She hesitates, then adds, "But... please, if things ever change for you, and you decide Missus Livy was right? Tell me first, please, before you do anything?" She bites her lip a bit nervously, then smiles up at Roy again, adding, "I... you're the person I bonded with, you know? I... I know it wasn't the, um, the smoothest of bondings, but..." Her voice trails off uncertainly -- despite her extensive training in sensuality, she's still not entirely comfortable with simply saying how this makes her feel. Finally she just blurts out softly, "Y-you're still the one I want to have my b-baby girl with, you know?"
Roy stops in his tracks and takes Sulochana by the shoulders, turning her so he can look into her face, "Cherie, listen t' what I'm sayin'. Miz Livy don' know what she's blatherin' 'bout. Baton Rouge don' got a queen cause I ain't 'bout to marry ennybody that ain't you." His eyes are as soft and gentle as they usually only are in private, "When it's time, you'n me'll have the loveliest little girl inna world an' Mary'll love 'er little sister. You'n her are my family."
Sulochana doesn't resist Roy's directions at all, staring worriedly up into his face. At his words, though, her eyes fill with tears and she gets a shaky smile on her lips, "Oh... Roy!" She throws her arms around him, burying her face against his chest as she hugs him very tightly. "I... I love you too, beautiful man!" She sniffles, then looks up at him without stepping away at all, her tear-streaked face soft with relieved joy, "C-can we go to bed now, p-please?"
Roy breathes a sigh of relief and laughs at her question. He crouches and scoops her up, tossing her over his shoulder like he had been tempted to do earlier, "Hell, yes. Before ennybody else has a chance ta innerrupt!"
Sulochana gives a startled squeak -- then laughs shakily, her voice a mix of delight and indignant as she lightly thumps his back, "Roy Lee Beauregard Beauchamp! You put me down this instant! This is not dignified, mister!"
Roy laughs and pats her bottom, "Nope, it ain't -- an' who gives a good goddamn?" He also doesn't put her down, carrying her that way all the way back to his rooms, setting her down only when he has to open the door.
Sulochana is breathless and laughing, her hair disheveled and her eyes shining brightly by the time they reach his room. Once her feet are on the ground again she grabs Roy's lapels and pulls his head down to give him an emphatic kiss, laughter bubbling up even as she does so. When she's done she adds with mock-firmness, "Showed you, buster!" before she gleefully hauls him into the room with her, kicking shut the door behind them both.
The moment Roy tosses Sulochana over his shoulder is when Eacharn finally stops following. Despite his joking with the Hetaera, he couldn't bring himself to invite Ruby back to the Goldenrod; an uninspired assignation is not what he wants to have come after his time with his new Lady. If she really does love Roy as much as it seems, he will have to woo her very carefully. Quietly the pooka slips back toward the party to gather his retinue and leave.
[Previous Log] [Index] [Next Log]