| Logs |
2010 October 04
| Neverneverwhere |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
| Realms: Taps Logs |
Tiger by the Tail
By the time Roy's laying Sulochana down on the bed she groans softly and her eyes flutter open. She gives Roy a puzzled look, then glances around her. She looks more confused, "Er... how did we get here, Roy? Did someone... hit me?" Alg is staring worriedly at her from the foot of the bed, and he looks immensely relieved when her eyes open again. "Pretty lady fall down!" Suraksha blinks in surprise, cautiously touching her forehead, "I... did I faint?" Even more cautiously she tries touching the back of her head, then checks her fingers, murmuring softly to herself, "No blood, good..."
Roy smirks and brushes her hair back from her face, "Yeah. Pretty lady fall down. Ya fainted. Got my surgeon on th' way to check ya out." He leaves out the part about carrying her from the conference room to his quarters, "I'm startin' ta think you ain't gonna be in any shape for the party tonight."
Suraksha looks surprised, then smiles faintly, "If you'd be so kind as to dismiss the doctor, and order a nice and very large rare steak, I suspect I'll be in fine fettle tonight."
Roy scowls, but then thinks it over a moment, "Guess you might not check out like a human, huh?" He steps over to the door and belays his order to bring the surgeon. "Keep the brandy comin', though, and get Theophile to cook up a couple big rib eyes. Rare. Other'n that, nobody gets in 'less it's life 'n death. Got it?"
Suraksha starts to sit up -- winces and decides to lie down again. She takes a slow breath, then murmurs, "Could I trouble you for a glass of water, Roy? I'm sorry to be such a bother." She amends amusedly, "A big glass, please." She smiles tiredly at Alg, adding, "I hope I didn't worry you." Alg snorts, then curls up relaxedly at the foot of the bed.
After delivering his food orders, Roy asks, "Should I send for that ole hen that you sometimes got hoverin'?" He pours the water from a pitcher on the small bar in the room; it's not much, just what he keeps to tip into his whiskey. He brings the glass over, perching on the edge of the bed, "Got more comin' with the brandy and the steak."
Suraksha blinks at Roy confusedly -- then laughs aloud! "You mean Gramma Marcie? Oh, she'll be by later. She's going to help me dress for tonight." Her eyes twinkle as she adds, "Didn't you know all ladies have dressers, dear?" At sight of the glass of water she starts to very cautiously lever herself upright again.
Roy puts a hand on her chest and gently pushes her back against the pillows, "Oh, no, you don't. You don't gotta sit up all that far to drink a li'l bitta water."
Suraksha blinks in surprise at Roy, then laughs softly, "I really don't want to be wearing the water, though. Um..." She glances down at the pillows, then smiles at Roy, "Could you help me fluff the pillows up a bit, please?" The king relents a little and scoops his arm under her shoulders, lifting her enough so she'll not have water all down her front.
Suraksha smiles her thanks, and is soon thirstily drinking the water. She's holding the glass with both hands, but drinking it down quite assiduously! She asks for another before she finally sighs and relaxes. "That's better. Hope the steak arrives soon -- hungry!" She leans her head against Roy's shoulder and murmurs in tired teasing, "So, you don't get to evade my question just because pretty lady fall down! Did I deliver the goods, even though I'm not a lie-detector Tap?" She adds softly, after a heartbeat of thought, "I'm glad you trust me. It would be much harder to help you if you didn't."
Roy says, "Yeah, you delivered the goods. Damn near got yerself fried doin' it, too. So, you want the cash or you want the trade?" There's a tap at the door and Jacko lets in the two maids Sulochana knows do most of Roy's fetching and so forth. They keep their eyes away from the bed as they bring in and set up a small table with the steaks, brandy, and water.
Suraksha beams with pleasure -- she does like fulfilling her bargains as negotiated. She sighs in relief at sight of the food, quietly thanking the maids. She watches them with curiosity, though, wondering why they won't look at her. As she does so she murmurs to Roy, "Considering how much money you initially offered, how about we split? Half in cash, half in trade? That way you won't be dipping into your reserves for the city, hopefully -- and my curiosity will be appeased!" She's already determinedly sitting up enough to reach for the food; she's very hungry!
The maids both curtsy and murmur that it was no trouble, and then they're out of the room, leaving Roy, Sulochana, and Alg alone. Both of them only glance at the bed briefly at first, then realize everyone is clothed and meet Sulochana's eyes. Suraksha laughs softly as she realizes: they were assuming she'd be nude or something! She grins at Roy, her mood improving as she starts to feel more like herself. Roy thinks about it, considering the suggestion, and says, "Sounds good to me." He doesn't make her stay prone for eating, but he does make her stay in the bed, helping her tuck pillows behind her back and setting her up with a tray.
Suraksha uses her utensils and eats tidily. She also devours the steak like she's ravenous, which she is. She finishes the first one, asks for more water, eats the few veggies included, and is well on the way through the next steak shortly thereafter. Roy perches on the edge of the bed and watches. He's obviously impressed, almost awed, at just how fast such a tiny woman can put away so much meat. He'd thought of eating the second steak himself, but figures if she needs it she can have it. About halfway through the second ribeye he says, "Damn, darlin', where you puttin' all that? You got a hollow leg?" There's teasing in his voice.
Suraksha blinks up at Roy, pausing with a forkful of meat halfway to her mouth -- and blushes! That's an extraordinarily rare event; ordinarily a blush from her is deliberate. A second later she blinks, looking around at Roy's bedroom, and puzzledly asks, "Wait... how did we get here? We were in the conference room, last I recall...?"
Roy says, "Well, there was the little incident with that asshole shooting at you with the Tap gun, and then you passed out on me. Had ya brought in here."
Suraksha blinks at Roy, the pretty flush fading from her cheeks as she considers that. Finally she murmurs a bit uncomfortably, "Who..." She doesn't want to seem ungrateful, but she's a little creeped out at the thought of strangers touching her while she's not able to defend herself. She slowly chews on the piece of meat as she tries to figure out how to ask the question without sounding rude.
The king watches her eat, smiling slightly. "Who what?" With a little smirk he goes on, "When? Where? Why?"
Suraksha snorts amusedly, giving a gentle poke with her empty fork at Roy's ribs, "Silly man." She hesitates, then says carefully, "I do not wish to be rude. Might I ask who you had carry me in here, please?"
Roy chuckles and ducks away from the fork, "Hey, watch it. That's a silk shirt." He considers fibbing to her for a moment, feeling oddly reluctant to tell her he did it himself. But when she seems concerned about it, he says, "I did. You don't weigh much, and I was right there when you passed out." What he does not add is that he wouldn't have let anyone else do it.
Suraksha blinks at Roy again, her golden-green eyes widening -- then she hastily looks down at the remains of her steak, a faint flush sliding up her cheeks again. She smiles slightly at the steak; she knows Roy was just being nice to someone who'd just helped him... but she's quietly pleased he didn't just casually hand her off to someone else. She quickly has another bite of steak, still smiling fondly. She remembers her manners a moment later and murmurs, "Thank you. I..." She tries to say it politely, "I prefer not being touched by strangers, so I appreciate your doing so." A bit embarrassedly she adds, "I, um, hope it wasn't too much of a bother, though..."
Roy smiles and says, "Yeah. It was a huge bother carryin' your sweet little body." Suraksha grins shyly at Roy, oddly complimented! He adds, "You sure you're gonna be up for any party tonight? I am the king. I can tell 'em all t' fuck off for the night." The party, Sulochana knows, is in honor of one of Roy's cronies that is getting married in a month.
Sulochana grins more normally at his next question, cheerfully poking at him with the fork again, "Are you just trying to get out of this party, Roy? I'm quite fine, truly." Curiously she adds, "Didn't you say something about some kind of bargaining or -- or something, I'm not recalling now -- that was supposed to go on there too? I thought you wanted me there deliberately, no?"
Roy rolls his eyes, "Yeah. Besides all the toastin' and wishin' the couple a good life and eighty-seven healthy boy-children, the mayor of Kansas City is gonna be there. Me an' her gotta sorta odd relationship and I wanna make sure she ain't tryin' to fuck me over in this trade agreement we're talkin' about."
Suraksha giggles as she adds, "And yes, I know it's a silk shirt -- you look very nice in it. Brings out the color of your eyes."
Roy snorts and says, "Guess I'll wear the waistcoat that's this color, then. You got anything blue you can wrap around yourself?"
Suraksha smiles demurely up at Roy from beneath her eyelashes, "But of course." She has a thoughtful bite of steak, then adds puzzledly, "Why would they want only boys? That's no way to carry on a lineage." She tilts her head consideringly at Roy, and murmurs, "Also, how odd a relationship are we talking with the mayor? Did you do something naughty to her or her daughter, that I should know about?"
Roy smirks and says, "There was a time she an' I did a lotta naughty stuff to one another. But that was a long time ago, when I was a whole lot younger and a helluva lot stupider, an' I outgrew her."
Suraksha eyes Roy almost warily as she chews another bite of steak. After she swallows she says diplomatically, "Does she know that? ...and I trust you did not use that precise phrase with her?" Her internal amusement grows; Roy may not like the results if he unwittingly has a jealous trade partner on his hands -- and he brings another woman to the party!
The king snorts and stands up, shrugging out of his vest, "No. She thinks I left to make my fortune. Which I guess I did, but mostly I realized that she wanted a boytoy. And I wa'n't so much a boy any more."
Suraksha looks relieved, "Oh, good. All right, that's fine. What would you like me to look for or do?"
Roy says, "I want to you look for any possibility that she might be tryin' to screw me over. They got good beef up there and we got rice down here. I don't wanna give away the whole damn farm if I don't have to."
Suraksha frowns thoughtfully, nodding as she finishes off the last vegetables on the plate -- the steak is just a tasty memory at this point. When she's done she murmurs, "All right. Would you be so kind as to make sure I am present during some discussion of the proposed agreement, please? I'll need to be able to watch her." She grins as she adds, "I take it from her preferring boytoys that I won't be needed to provide a distraction during the negotiating, though?"
Roy grins, "Actually, you sorta will. She's got her current boytoy with her. But he's got just the tiniest bit of a rovin' eye, and she can be powerful jealous."
Suraksha raises an interested eyebrow, then giggles! She covers her mouth, still smiling, and nods, "All right, I can do that." Her grin is wicked as she adds, "Don't forget, after the party you've promised me a lovely time, too!"
Roy tosses the vest into a basket he uses for dirty clothes and starts to peel out of the shirt as well, "She thinks I'm the jealous type, too. I useta be kind of a hot-head. Got into a few scraps with fellas that were flirtin' with her." He grins over his shoulder at her and says, "Well, I believe you might be right about that. I seem to remember sayin' something of the sort."
Suraksha looks thoughtful at the news of Roy's past, gently brushing her fingertip along her lower lip, "Really now. Hmm... how can we turn this to benefit?" She's silent for a bit, then looks up at Roy again, "Would you be willing to appear somewhat distracted by me also, during negotiations? That should accentuate the distraction for her, I believe -- she's not making you jealous of her boytoy, and if I can swing it, the boytoy will be interested in me also?" Suraksha grins suddenly as something registers. Her eyes sparkle with teasing delight, even as she looks properly demure -- and just a touch shocked, "You, Roy? A hot-head? Surely not!" She gasps melodramatically, fanning herself with one hand.
Roy chuckles, "You make it sound like I might have a choice about bein' distracted. I've seen you dressed up before, remember? Let's hope we can keep her off-balance without just outright pissin' her off." The teasing comment makes him laugh, "OK. More of a hot-head. I really was just a kid."
Suraksha laughs again, bouncing lightly out of the bed and over to give him a quick hug, "I'm sure you were a terror to mamas everywhere!" She grins cheerfully up at Roy, then glances at the door a bit puzzledly, "I wonder what's keeping Gramma Marcie? Usually she's here and fussing amiably about baths and hair and things by now." She glances at Alg, adding, "Could you wait by the door, dear, so she knows I'm in here, please? Hm... I should get bath water started for us both too..."
The king hugs her back, relieved to see she's regained some of her energy after fainting, "It was the daddies I had more trouble with, actually." Sulochana laughs aloud at that! He goes on, "If you want some privacy, you can go on back to your own room. There's likely to be halfa Louisiana in an' outta here before the party starts. Keep Alg with you, though. There's still a passel o' folks I ain't talked to yet."
Suraksha smiles and nods, "That's fine; I don't want to get in your way. I'll have them bring your bath in here then, all right?" She heads for the door, contentedly humming a slow ballad as she does so. She doesn't realize it's As Time Goes By.
As she's headed for the door, there's a small ruckus outside and Jacko's voice booms, "I don't care if you feel like you need to speak with Jah himself, I don't know you and you aren't getting in to the king's rooms."
Suraksha cautiously and curiously opens the door, peeking outside with Alg at her side. Roy strides across the room, pulling Suraksha back from the doorway, "Whoa. Hold on there." Outside the door Jacko and Alan are doing a good job of getting in Ohkwari's way. The big man is looking ruffled up and battered. His nose looks the wrong shape and one eye is swollen shut.
Suraksha's eyes widen, and she wriggles free of Roy like a snake, "Ohkwa! Ohkwari, what's wrong?!" She darts under the arms of the guards, anxiously reaching her hands out to the big man. She hastily adds, "He's my Packmaster -- please, stand down!" Jacko and Alan look at Roy, who gives them a slight nod. They let go of the enormous man and step back to their posts beside the door.
Ohkwari wraps his arms around Suraksha as she rushes forward, hugging her tightly -- as if he didn't expect to find her safe. Suraksha's eyes are huge as she hugs him back. A moment later, though, she reaches up a hand to delicately touch her friend's battered face, "Bright Lady of Serpents! What happened to you, dear?" She glances worriedly over to Roy, still clinging to Ohkwari, "May I impose on you for a chirugeon, please?"
Ohkwari looks down at her and says, "Can we speak in private?" Roy nods to the request and gives Alan a look. The gaunt bodyguard heads down the hallway in search of a chirugeon.
Suraksha nods tightly, her anxious words tumbling over themselves, "Of course, of course -- come, let's get you looked at. Thank you, Roy; we'll stay out of your way in the room you loan me. Alg, could you make sure the chirugeon knows what room to come to, please?" She's gently tugging Ohkwari by the hands into the other room, although it's clear she wouldn't be able to move him if he didn't want her to.
Ohkwari lets himself be tugged into the room. Once they're alone, he hugs her tightly again and growls, "Didn't think I'd find you safe, Suraksha. I was bringing Sna'tha to help you get ready and we were jumped."
Suraksha hugs back reassuringly, but at his news she goes pale, her hands tightening on him. "S-sna'thaid? Is she..." She can't quite bring herself to ask if the woman she's known since she was a child is dead.
Ohkwari says, "Breathing last I saw, but out cold. They jumped us from an alley or they'd not have gotten away." He hesitates and then admits, "I thought it might have been Roy's men."
Suraksha falters, "Why... why did..." Her voice trails off as she thinks furiously -- then she shakes her head, straightening. Her eyes are getting cold as she says more crisply, "No, this was not by Roy's command. Why did you think it was Roy's men?" She turns and starts pacing the room, like a tiger in too small a cage, "We have to get her safely back, of course. Tell me everything you remember, please?"
Ohkwari shakes his head, "I'm sorry. I'm not being very coherent... I'm worried. I thought it was his men at first, but once they'd spirited Sna'tha away, one of them stayed and gave me this to give you." He pulls a piece of heavy paper, folded into an envelope and sealed with red wax. The seal is a four-leafed clover created from four elaborate M's.
Suraksha looks puzzledly at the sigil, "Who is this?" She cracks the seal without waiting for an answer, muttering heatedly, "What sort of asshole attacks old women and hands out engraved invitations at the same time?!" She scans the note quickly, then spits out a word as if it tastes bad, "Moynahan." The letter is written in a lovely hand and says,
Dear lady. I trust we have your attention. If you wish to have your elderly companion returned to you alive, I suggest that you make your way with all discretion to meet me. My agent will await you at the corner of Royal Boulevard and Fifth Avenue. You may bring a companion, so long as they are a member of your own caravan. Yours sincerely, A. W. Moynahan
Suraksha snarls irritably, and it rolls and echoes in the room for a moment before she realizes she's letting the tiger slip through. She clenches her teeth, then looks searchingly up at Ohkwari. Finally she shakes her head, "He wants to meet with me; I'm assuming he's planning blackmail. I can't take you with me in this condition, though." She frowns thoughtfully, then nods, "All right, how's this: let's get you patched up here, then we'll go meet. Doable?" She adds thoughtfully, "If I'm remembering correctly, when night falls you can shift to bear form, and that will heal you too, yes?"
Ohkwari nods. He's not pacing -- pacing is not his style -- but he is watching Suraksha very closely. He knows just how much Sna'thaid means to his caravan leader, "I'll be just fine once I can take my other form, yes. You didn't seriously think I'd let you leave me behind, did you?"
Suraksha grins in sudden relief, darting forward to give him a quick hug again. At the knock on the door she releases, whirling with a reflexive snarl -- but she hastily catches herself before answering the door. "You're the chirugeon? Oh, good! Come in, please!" She urges the young man in, staying by the door and thinking carefully while Ohkwari is tended to.
Meanwhile, across the hall, Roy has started a few wheels rolling. He's met Ohkwari before, and he wants to know who or what could have put such a hurting on the big man. Here and there across the city, people are questioned and rumours are gathered.
The chirurgeon goes to work on Ohkwari, clucking over the wounds and using something that seems to sting pretty badly to clean up the cuts and the bruises. The bear-man roars and actually sits on his hands to keep from popping the young physician one when he straightens Ohkwari's broken nose. Suraksha winces in sympathy, her face tight with worry. When the chirugeon is finally packing up, Suraksha murmurs to her Packmaster, "Ready?" He nods grimly.
Sulochana changes clothes and composes her face, then steps outside and smiles with artful artlessness at Jacko and Alan. "Could I ask a favor of you boys, please? If His Majesty should ask for me, would you tell him I'll be back in just a bit? I'm afraid Gramma Marcie is not feeling herself tonight, and I need to pick up a few things before I can prepare properly for the party tonight." She sighs, looking a bit crestfallen as she adds, "Also, I want to be sure Ohkwari gets back to the caravan without getting into another fight." She dimples charmingly at them, then shakes her head in amusement, "Boys will be boys, I suppose!"
As Ohkwari paces deliberately out of the room she smiles up at him, "Shall we? Come along, Alg, please?" and swiftly heads down the hallway -- she doesn't want any questions. Suraksha has the incriminating note carefully tucked into her belt, along with the broken bits of the wax seal. Jacko and Alan, who had been told to expect her to leave, nod and say they'll let His Majesty know. Alg is not good at seeming nonchalant and he's snarling a little bit as he follows along.
Suraksha keeps the serene smile on her face as she moves through the palace. It's not until they're outside that her face darkens with anger. She stalks swiftly through the city to the assigned street corner, her eyes as cold as a hunting tiger's, flanked by the vicious little goblin and the hulking bear-man. She glances around impatiently for their contact, arms folded and tapping her foot.
When they arrive at the appointed corner, a man approaches them. He stays a few feet away, out of easy grabbing range, "The letter said one companion. Either the goblin goes or the big guy goes. Take your pick." His accent is rolling and musical and definitely not American.
Suraksha snaps, "There you are. Let's get a move on. I don't have all day."
The contact smiles coolly, "Certainly. When you decide which one of your companions is staying behind."
Suraksha shakes her head, "No. He-" she points at Ohkwari, "is my companion. He-" she points at Alg, "is my bodyguard. Now. Let's get going... or do you want to be the one to tell Moynahan you refused to fulfill your assigned duty?"
The man smiles the chilly smile, "I'll be glad to let Mr. Moynahan know that you tried to step around his request if you'd like." He tips his hat, a bowler, to her and turns to leave.
Suraksha sighs, stepping so she can lean against Ohkwari if necessary, and says, "Wait." She waits for the man to turn around, already drawing on her just-recharged energy. Her focus narrows as she concentrates on her training. Her mother and grandmother can mesmerize with a glance; it takes her much more effort to get that freezingly persuasive serpentine stare -- but she's going to try her best.
The man turns back when she calls after him. He hesitates at the diamond-ice in her stare and says, "Yes?"
Suraksha keeps her gaze locked on his; her voice is gentle and soothing, "Everything is fine. Moynahan wants to see me, that's all. You want to take me to Moynahan right now! Everything is fine. Let's go!"
The man hesitates and then looks over the two men. Ohkwari is still showing signs of the beating he took. Alg is looking murderous, but goblins rarely look anything but. He nods and says, "Guess it can't hurt. You'll be the one paying the price. Follow me."
Suraksha sighs imperceptibly at her efforts working, and when the man turns away again she sags against Ohkwari, almost falling until she grabs onto his arm. She takes a deep breath, straightening -- she cannot collapse now! Ohkwari catches her, concern creasing his dear, broad face. "You all right? I know that's hard on you, but it's not usually that hard..." Alg is trembling with being held back. The goblin obviously wants to make a meal of the lackey.
Suraksha silently shushes the big man, smiling wearily at him and whispering, "Just... just help me stay upright, all right? Got to get Sna'thaid back safe." She adds even more softly to Alg, "Patience, please, Alg. Not now. Later, I promise." Then she abruptly realizes she'll look less potentially scary if she's apparently wounded -- and she has an excuse with the attacks today. She leans on Ohkwari, grateful for the assistance.
Alg grunts but settles back, letting Ohkwari and Suraksha lead while following Moynahan's man. The way they take is twisting and full of little back roads and alleyways. Finally they come to a very old brick building and climb up a rickety iron staircase. Suraksha groans, pressing a hand to her forehead at the top of the stairs. She's got a thundering headache by now. She takes a deep breath, straightening and continuing on after the guide and Ohkwari, tailed by Alg. Ohkwari supports most of Suraksha's weight when she lets him.
The outside of the building looks dilapidated and almost abandoned. Inside, it's lushly appointed. The man leads them through an anteroom with tiled floors and mirrored walls and into something that looks like a rich man's study. The walls are lined with heavy oak bookshelves. There are quite a few books on them, but mostly they hold bric-a-brac -- very expensive bric-a-brac. In the center is an elaborately carved and obviously very old wooden desk with a marble top. Sitting behind the desk is a pale-skinned man with carroty red hair and thick, curly sideburns. The suit he wears is perfectly tailored and expensive, but even expensive tailoring can't make him look handsome in it.
Suraksha has been leaning heavily on Ohkwari as they walk, but before entering the room she straightens herself up a bit so only her hand is resting on her tall companion's arm. She looks every inch a lady -- if a rather tired and frightened lady. She raises an eyebrow at the man, murmuring coldly, "Moynahan, I presume?"
The man pushes himself up from his chair, pinstripe waistcoat snug across his gut, a gold chain gleaming in loops across his stomach. He smiles with teeth that have obviously rarely, if ever, been cleaned, "Indeed, ma'am. Aloysius Moynahan, at your service." He comes around the desk and reaches to take her hand.
Suraksha turns gracefully so her hand is out of reach, and says coolly, "If you are truly at my service, then I would like my woman back, please. Now."
Moynahan's beady eyes narrow and he takes his own hand back, "All business, I see." He smiles a contemptuous smile, "But then, I had heard that about you." He motions to a couple of chairs in front of his desk, "You're here to discuss the terms under which I will return your maid."
Suraksha remains standing, "At least I am honest, and do not harm the innocent. What do you want." Her head stays high, despite her pain and weariness. Without a twinge of irony, she plays the part of a frightened, helpless, and exhausted woman working hard to remain proud in the face of danger.
Moynahan settles into his chair and says, "Honest, perhaps, but you don't follow directions very well. I said one companion. I count two there with you."
Suraksha sighs tiredly, then patiently explains again, "This is my companion, who is helping me due to injury I received because of your men. That is my bodyguard, without whom I am not to be found, on Roy's orders." She gives Moynahan a wry glance, "Unless you wanted me to be led here with four or five of Roy's guards surreptitiously tailing me. Somehow I found that hard to believe. Now, can we get on with this? I am sure there is something you want in exchange for my woman." Her tone is flat with weariness, even though she keeps her chin up, "What is it."
Moynahan snorts and reaches for a small box on his desk. He extracts a cigar from it and goes through the little ritual of snipping off the tip and lighting it before he says, "It's a simple exchange, really. A life for a life. You want your maid alive. I want Roy dead."
Suraksha stares at the irritating little man for a while, then finally shakes her head. Her voice is amused, "I have spent years working out beneficial trade arrangements for my caravan with that man -- and you want me to wipe all those out on a whim? Please. We are both-" she pauses, then dryly continues, "well, I am assuming you are a businessman. So let's lay down our cards here." She steps forward and sits in one of the chairs, her back straight and her hands composedly folded in her lap, "You want Roy. I want my woman back safe and sound, and I want you to swear to re-instate all the same agreements with me and my caravan as we currently have with Roy." She holds up a finger, adding, "I also want to see and speak to Gramma Marcie before any agreement is concluded."
Suraksha glances thoughtfully around the room. If she can get Sna'tha here, in the same room as Moynahan... could she just kill him and be done with it? She checks for how many guards are present, musing... then sighs internally and decides not. She's exhausted enough that she's not sure she can safely change shape, and Ohkwari is wounded -- he'll need to wait until night to change. Even if Sna'thaid is fine, that's still just her and Alg against the good dozen or so men lounging around the room. They're the type that look lazily dangerous, and most of them are leering at her in amusement. Moynahan's leer is the most intense of all, "Of course. You take out Roy, and you and I will keep all of the current arrangements in place. I'm well aware just how convenient it will be to have a caravan such as yours working for me." There's rough laughter around the room at that.
Suraksha nods once, then adds firmly, "I want to see Gramma Marcie now." She can feel cold rage tightening her insides; Moynahan hasn't even asked what the agreements were. He has no intention of observing them. She'd guess he has no intention of releasing her or Marcie once Roy is dead, either. Her eyes narrow a bit; just as well, considering she intends to kill them all.
Moynahan grins with his tobacco-stained teeth and says, "Oh, of course. Wouldn't expect you to trade for a pig in a poke, as they say around here." He waves a hand imperiously and one man opens a door, motioning. Another man comes through the door, holding Gramma Marcie by the arm and sneering. If he's gotten that close to her, he knows she's not simply human.
Suraksha's eyes widen in worry, and she rises hastily. She has to catch herself on the back of the chair when her head throbs painfully, but she moves swiftly over to Gramma Marcie, her hands extended. Tears well up in her eyes as she whispers, "Marcie, dear! Are you all right?!" She adds wretchedly, "I'm so sorry!" then bites back on saying anything more in front of the ruffians.
Marcie wraps her arms around Suraksha and says, "I'm fine, dear. Fine." There's a thread of tension and nervousness in her voice. Around them there are several viciously amused chuckles and smiles. Earlier, Sna'tha had been on her knees, making a very convincing pretense of begging them not to out her to her "lady" about being other than a normal human. She pats the younger woman's back awkwardly, "No, no, m'lady! I'm sorry to put you through this... I should have been more careful."
Suraksha sighs in relief, hugging Marcie tightly before she straightens a bit and smiles shakily, still holding the older woman's hands. "It wasn't your fault at all, believe me." She takes a deep breath, then smiles more bravely, "I need you to hang on just a little longer, please, all right? If I'm going to do this, I have to do it at night when he's unsuspecting." A little anxiously she adds, "You understand I have to do it this way, yes? Is there anything I can bring you, or that you'll need when I come back for you later tonight?" Her voice is shaking a bit, but her eyes are bright and cold and alert; she knows Marcie will understand her true meaning. "It will be quite late -- well after the party, I'm afraid."
Marcie smiles, looking for all the world like a woman putting on a brave face through terror, "I... have everything I need, m'lady." She takes the shawl from around her shoulders. It's very old handmade lace, delicate black threads woven and stitched into flowers and delicate scallops, "Take this shawl. For luck." Moynahan leans back in his chair, watching indulgently as the two women fuss over one another.
Suraksha accepts the shawl reverently, folding it carefully -- and, incidentally, so the side which had been resting against Marcie's body is kept pristine. It will be great for scent-tracking Marcie, should she be moved during the day. Sulochana smiles a bit tremulously at the older woman, then steps forward and hugs her tightly again. Her voice is muffled, "I'll be back, Marcie, as soon as I dare -- I promise." Then she steps back, wiping her eyes once before she carefully hands the shawl to Ohkwari and turns to Moynahan, "Very well, I agree: I will take care of Roy, and you will give me Gramma Marcie unharmed, and maintain the trade agreements." She turns to Ohkwari, swaying for a moment before she catches herself and says, "Time to go."
Moynahan clears his throat and stands, "Pardon me, Miz Sulochana. I have a few details I'd like to discuss with you before you leave here." Moynahan's men have moved to block the doorway.
Suraksha frowns, one hand resting on the big bear-man's arm for balance. "What is left to discuss?"
Moynahan swaggers over toward Suraksha, still leering, "You needn't think that I'm simply going to take your word that our dear river-rat king is dead, girl. I'll want proof. And..." He steps very close to her and reaches up to stroke one finger down her finely-shaped cheekbone, licking his lips as he leans close, "I am well aware of all the agreements you have with Roy. I expect you to keep to all of them. Every. Last. One." He leans in, breath hot with garlic and tobacco smoke as his fingertip trails down the side of her neck and onto the flat of her chest.
Suraksha watches Moynahan coldly, unmoving and silent -- she even swallows her ordinary antipathy for being touched by strangers. However, when he leans in so close, her eyes narrow, and almost reflexively her hand whips up. The sharp crack of her palm striking across Moynahan's cheek is startling -- but before anyone can say anything she snaps crisply, "Wait your turn." She turns and strides away, her head high -- then pauses and turns on all her charm as she glances over her shoulder. Her eyes are smoky as she purrs, "Tonight. After Roy is... dealt with. Then we'll... celebrate." She slowly licks her lips, a small smile on her face as she looks Moynahan up and then down like a tasty treat... then she grins at Alg and waves him on, "Lead us out, Alg." She heads briskly for the door behind the fierce little goblin.
Moynahan growls as he's slapped, obviously on the edge of something precipitous -- then she makes her promise, and Moynahan's eyes light up. "Oh, yes, we will, lovely. Yes, we will." He waves the men away from the door and they let her pass with her two male companions, watching her walk away with lecherous amusement.
Suraksha stalks through town, running on not much more than adrenaline. By the time they reach the palace she's leaning hard on patient Ohkwari again. She sighs, reaching up to pat the big man's cheek, and says quietly, "Go back to the caravan. Keep the shawl safe and uncontaminated, please. Return here about... let's say between one and two in the morning. Be a bear. Stay well hidden -- I don't want anyone seeing you in that form, here." Grimly she murmurs, "We'll have our people back and we'll clean out that nest of vermin." Ohkwari just nods, hugs Sura tightly, and slips back to the caravan to rest and let them know what's happening. They are a family, after all.
Suraksha takes a deep, tired breath... then heads on into the palace, walking slowly but very erect, in order to hide her exhaustion. She finds someone she knows, and asks them politely for three rare steaks and a hot bath to be delivered to her room. No one tries to bar her way or stop her as she marches through the palace and back to her room. Once she gets there she'll leave Alg on guard outside, strip her clothes off but for a light wrap, and sag tiredly onto her bed.
She's not been back very long when there's a confident rap on her door. Suraksha sighs and calls, "Enter!" She rises, untying her sash and hoping it's the bathwater; she doesn't smell steak yet, alas. As the door opens she waves a hand without looking, "Just pour it in over there," and starts setting up a folding screen. Alg wouldn't let in anyone untrustworthy.
Roy's voice is amused as he leans in the doorway, "Not sure just one bottle'd fill that whole tub, lovely. But if you really want a red-wine bath, I'm sure we can arrange it."
Suraksha's hoping the steaks arrive soon when she hears Roy's voice, and she throws a startled glance over her shoulder. "Oh!" She smiles a touch grimly, shaking her head, "No, no need to waste good wine." She stands still for a moment, thinking, her eyebrows drawing down in cold anger, then shakes her head once. "Well. Come in and close the door, please, Roy; I don't intend to share my bath with everyone marching down that hallway."
Roy chuckles and steps in, pulling the door closed. Casually he asks, "Did you get everything you needed from the caravan?"
Suraksha's hands are shaking slightly with a cold mix of exhaustion and tightly-reined-in anger as she starts laying out on the bed the clothing she'll be wearing that night. At Roy's query, however, a sudden surge of fury wells up in her, and she fumbles the jewelry she's pulling out, spilling it on the bed with a growl, "Rrrrrrrgh!" She catches herself, going still and taking a few deep breaths before she turns her bright, cold glare on Roy. Her strained voice is low and tight, "Roy, I don't want to tell you how to run your city, and I hope I don't put a crimp in your plans, but..." she takes a breath, then snarls in sudden, bright rage, "-but tonight is going to be Moynahan's last!"
Roy's face was set in his public smirk -- the charming, empty one that the women frequenting the court want to have turned on them; the one that is almost always false. He doesn't move to help her with the clothes, but when she snarls out Moynahan's death warrant, his eyes and teeth flash in a truly excited grin, "Well then, I'll have to make sure I've got my ass-kickin' boots set out before we go down for the party."
Suraksha stares almost blankly at Roy for several heartbeats; she can't believe her ears! Just as she's parting her lips to speak, though, her head goes suddenly up and her eyes widen. She inhales deeply, and simultaneously with her purr of, "Fooood!" her stomach growls loudly. She gives her middle an exasperated look, and there's a quiet knock on the door. She eagerly calls, "Enter!" as she whirls for the little table by the big bathtub -- then she sways and nearly collapses, clutching at the bed frame with a startled look on her face. "Whoa...!"
Roy steps across the room in a couple of strides and gets his arm around her shoulders, "Oh, no, you don't." He's still grinning as the maids bring in the bath water and the steaks. From the outside, it looks like Roy and 'Chana were caught in a passionate embrace. The girls set about getting the bath ready and setting out the steaks. The food is arranged at the small table on three different plates, as if three people will be eating it. The bathwater is steaming hot and one of them pours oil in it that smells of sandalwood.
Suraksha grabs Roy's arm reflexively, frightened of fainting again -- she can't lose any time in a faint right now! She closes her eyes and breaths deeply and slowly, leaning her head against Roy's nice, sturdy, solid chest... then when the door closes behind the maids again her lips quirk in a faint smile. Without opening her eyes she murmurs tiredly, "Roy, dear, I am so hungry that if you don't get me over to those steaks soonest, I am going to be sorely tempted to nibble on you instead!"
Roy murmurs, "Well, I do normally enjoy your nibbling, but I've seen the way you get a steak down yerself, so I think I'll just help you over to the table." He has to shift to put the unopened bottle of wine aside before he scoops her up again to carry her over to the table.
Suraksha gives a startled squeak as she's lifted off her feet, grabbing hastily at his shirt, "Wha- no, wait, I -- eep!" She blinks as she's easily carried, and when Roy doesn't seem likely to drop her, her head droops to rest against Roy's shoulder. She sighs with bone-deep weariness, murmuring, "'S nice..." She sniffs a bit, her eyes closed as she goes limp in Roy's arms, and murmurs, "Sandalwood? Oh, so love that scent..." She blinks again, opening her eyes and puzzledly adding, "I didn't -- did you order the sandalwood, Roy? Did you know it's my favorite?"
The king settles down in one of the chairs with Suraksha across his lap, then reaches around her with one arm to pull the closest plate near enough to let her eat off of it, "Mmm? Oh, that. I noticed you wear it sometimes."
Suraksha blinks up at Roy bemusedly, startled and touched at his thoughtfulness -- then looks at the plate. Her eyes widen and she gives a small, unwitting growl at the steak; her hands flash out and seize the utensils, swiftly carving the steak into bite-sized pieces. She stuffs the first one in her mouth, chewing like she's starving, and then continues slicing up her food. As soon as one mouthful is finished she has another; it's clear she's so ravenous that she's barely tasting the food. She eats like a tidy piranha -- the steak is gone in a matter of moments. She sighs in relief, then shoves the plate aside and grabs the next one, starting on that steak as well.
Roy is smirking a little at the efficiency of Suraksha's destruction of the steaks. Unwittingly he's also stroking her stomach as she eats, as if soothing it, "You want to tell me why it is you want Moynahan's head on a pike? Last I heard, you never met the guy."
Suraksha growls around the mouthful of steak, her eyes flashing with anger, and for her next bite she raises the steak on the fork and violently rips off a piece with her teeth. She chews hard, her body tense with anger, then swallows and growls, "He has Marcie." She devours another bite, then shudders convulsively, "He touched me! That -- that abhorrent dysfunctional verminous toad touched me -- I need to wash after this." She angrily devours the rest of the steak, her teeth bared for each sharp, snapping bite.
Roy makes quiet shushing sounds, "Calm down, lovely. You'll ruin your digestion if you rant like that while you eat." He doesn't make a big deal out of the fact that he's touching her rather a lot at the moment, "Mmm... we'll have to go get her back, then. You know where she's at?"
Suraksha leans to grab the last plate, although not with quite her initial urgency. Her voice is grim, "Head on a pike... think I like the sound of that." She starts cutting up the last steak; her chewing isn't quite so fiercely violent now, and in between bites she adds, "If he's smart he'll move her. But she gave me her shawl, so I have fresh scent to track her." Her voice is tight with a mix of anxiety and fierceness when she adds, "Me -- not you. You're not going!"
Roy mmhmms. He knew Moynahan had Marcie, of course, or at least suspected who it was from the descriptions of her captors his people were able to get, "Oh, I'm afraid you're wrong there, sugar. I'm definitely goin'."
Suraksha raises an eyebrow, twisting in his lap to look up at his face. Her voice is cool, although her eyes are still bright with heated emotion, "Indeed? And how do you intend to accomplish that, pray tell, Your Majesty?"
Roy says, "By not lettin' you out of my sight. Hell, I'll leash you if I gotta, but I am goin' along. She's your friend, but it's my city." He's still stroking her stomach slowly as he talks, and his voice is level.
Suraksha's eyes widen in shock -- then she sort of folds in an oddly boneless manner to slide down and out of his lap. "Don't you dare, Roy!"
Roy grabs at her robe, but she slips out of his lap, leaving him with just a handful of sash, "I damned well will dare if you try an' give me the slip."
Suraksha rises fluidly to her feet on the other side of the table and snaps fiercely, "First, I just did. Second, you don't own me, Roy -- you do not get to cage me! We have a business agreement -- don't make me regret this!" Her eyes are afire with tightly restrained anger as she almost hisses, "I trusted you, Roy. You do not want to threaten me just now." Sulochana is a tiny slip of a woman, her silk robe hanging loosely open, her dark mane a disheveled riot tumbling down her back. Despite that, her words and demeanor are imbued with strength and sincerity.
Roy rises up, hands flat on the table and eyes flashing, "And you don't get to go be a goddamned vigilante in my city, Sulochana. He's got Marcie -- and he's gonna regret that right along with regrettin' that he turned some of my men against me -- and I am fuckin' well gonna be there when it happens!" He actually slams his fist on the table, then takes a step back from the table, jaws clenched as he tries to get himself under control.
As Roy steps back, Sulochana darts forward enough to grab the last plate of chopped-up steak and a fork. She whips back again, hungrily and hastily feeding herself as fast as she can while still keeping her eyes fixed on Roy. She mumbles through the steak, "How'vit any div'rent if you vere? Ztill vigilanneivm."
Roy takes several more deep breaths, getting himself under control. Finally he says, "It's different if I'm there because it's my city. I'm the ruler here." Carefully, he settles back into the chair, shooting his cuffs and tugging them into place as something to do with his hands, "I've made myself top o' the legal food chain."
Suraksha swallows the last of the steak and sighs, eyeing the empty plates a bit regretfully. She sidles forward enough to stay out of Roy's grabbing reach but still set the plate on the table, then darts lightly back again. She stands there for a long moment, studying Roy unhappily... then she simply shakes her head and turns to shift one of the folding screens so it is between the tub and the little table. Her voice is low and tight, "Great. Now I have a choice: blackmail from Moynahan with the life of a dear friend and family member hanging in the balance... or blackmail from you with my freedom hanging in the balance -- especially if you get hurt." She pauses for a moment, leaning on the screen, and chokes back tears enough to huskily add, "I... I trusted you, Roy. I let you close enough to really touch me. Why are you doing this?"
Roy's voice has a rough edge of anger to it, but he's trying very hard to keep it calm, "You can't seriously expect me to just sit back while you do this, lovely?" He closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, "Forget what I said about leashin' you. I was just tryin' to get across how serious I am about goin' along. If I get hurt, you ain't the one goin' down for it -- and I ain't some bitty little helpless boy, woman!"
Suraksha continues setting up the screen, blocking view of her bath. This is new for her; she knows Roy ordinarily likes watching her bathe. Her voice is back under control now, but it's still tight and cool, "Yes, Roy, I can. You are the king -- you don't just get to run off and endanger your life for fun!" Her eyes flash for a moment as she heads behind the screen, angrily tossing over her shoulder, "Nor should they threaten allies with imprisonment when they don't get their way!" The robe is flipped up to hang over the top of the screen, and there's an emphatic splashing noise.
Roy sighs and his head hangs back so he's staring at the ceiling, "Oh, really? An' why not? Only pretty little princesses get to have any fun?" He blows out his breath in exasperation.
There's a smaller splash, as if something were dropped, and Sulochana's startled voice says, "Who told you- ahhh..." A moment of silence, then a firm, "You're teasing me. You know I'm right." She scrubs her face and chest fiercely where Moynahan touched her, adding grumpily, "You owe me an apology. And a promise."
Roy pushes himself up from the chair and moves around the room, standing just on the other side of the screen but with his back to it, "I'll apologize willingly enough. I shouldn't've said what I did, and I really am sorry for that. But dammit, woman, I became king so I could play by my own fuckin' rules!"
For a few heartbeats there's silence but for the soft splashings of someone washing. Finally Sulochana says quietly, "Apology accepted, and thank you. I still want a promise from you, though, and I want you to mean it. Can you swear in absolute honesty that you won't ever, ever try to cage me?" With a curious emphasis she softly adds, "On your life, Roy?"
Roy is quiet for several minutes; there's not even a sound of him shifting his weight. Finally he says, "Lady, I promise that I will never hold you against your will unless I thought you would seriously harm yourself if I didn't. That acceptable?"
Suraksha can feel the internal ache caused by Roy's apparent willingness to sacrifice her to get his way, like a dull knife jabbed into her unprepared body. It frightens her; she'd not realized just how emotionally close she'd let the brash, flamboyant King of Baton Rouge get to her. His thoughtful response causes her to take a quick gasp of air -- she'd been unconsciously holding her breath. She closes her eyes tightly against the sudden upwelling of tears, exhaustion and relief warring inside her, and whispers, "Yes."
Roy's voice is soft, a little edge of playfulness in it, "Now, can I come around this screen or are you still pissed at me?"
Suraksha lays her arm along the side of the tub, resting her head on it, and just sags for a moment. It's suddenly all too much -- too much anger, too many shapeshifts (and more to come), too much responsibility, too much fear for her family... she sniffles, tears running down her face, and mumbles, "N-not pissed now, no..." She rubs her face with the back of one hand, hiccuping in an effort to not just burst into tears and bawl.
Roy comes around the screen and perches on the edge of the tub, reaching down to stroke her hair gently, "Shh, cherie, shhh. It's gonna be all right. We'll get 'er back." It's clear he's not very comfortable with the crying, but he's doing his best. Suraksha struggles fiercely to control the tears, much though she'd like to let them all out. As a Hetaera her training is pushing her hard to not make her client uncomfortable; as a woman she really wants to crawl into Roy's lap and have a good cry.
Roy leans down and kisses her forehead, "It's OK, sweetheart. Shhh." It's the first time he's called her that particular term of endearment. Suraksha blinks up in teary-eyed astonishment at Roy -- then wraps her wet arms tightly about his neck, buries her face against his chest, and bursts into a veritable storm of tears! A small part of her is horrified -- this is no way to treat a client! -but another part of her is just reacting naturally to the simple, affectionate endearment. It's such a relief to not have to worry about being the cool, calm leader for a bit -- to be able to really let go!
Roy's face crumples into an expression that he's glad she can't see. Crying women have never been his forte. He was almost more comfortable when she was yelling, but he's not about to let her feel unsupported. Arms wrap around her and he pats her back softly, rocking his body a little bit, "We'll get 'er back, lovely. Don't worry." Inside, he is imagining just how much Moynahan is going to regret this whole day.
Suraksha cries herself out, taking small, hiccuping gasps as the tears finally slow, then stop flowing. She feels a little numb, but also very relieved in a way, and she just stays curled against Roy for a moment as she pulls herself together mentally. She finally sniffles and rubs her nose, mumbling, "'M sorry, Roy... didn't mean to get you all wet." She leans back a bit and brushes ineffectually at the large teary spot on his shirt... then blinks as she realizes he's sopping wet from her bathwater! Her bright golden eyes rise to meet his, her lashes still damp with tears as she stumbles over her words in chagrin, "I -- oh, dear! I g-got you s-soaked -- I'm so sorry, Roy!"
Roy chuckles and says, "'S just a shirt, lovely." To demonstrate, he shrugs out of it and tosses the whole thing into the tub. It's one of his custom-made silk shirts; the water is certainly going to ruin it. "Now, let's get you cleaned up and feelin' better, hm? Lemme grab you some water, first... 'less you'd rather have somethin' stronger?" He does a creditable job of not wincing at the ruination of one of his favorite shirts.
Suraksha gasps in shock, "Roy! Oh, don't-! Oooh... men!" She snatches the shirt out of the water, shaking it gently out and snapping, "I'd spank you if I didn't think you'd just laugh!"
Her reaction floods the man with relief, and he grins, "Probably true on that. Leave it, beautiful."
Suraksha hmfs at that, stepping out of the tub to carefully lay the shirt to dry on a towel as she murmurs, "Won't take but a moment..." She glances over at Roy, adding more ruefully, "I certainly wouldn't mind some water, though; yes, please? I'm afraid more than a small glass of alcohol just now wouldn't be wise, especially since we'll be having several toasts at the party." She finishes with the shirt, then steps back into the lukecool water to do a quick rinse-off, adding anxiously, "How are we doing for time, please? I'm going to have to do all my own dressing this time, and I'm not as adept at it as Gramma Marcie -- I don't want to make you late."
Suraksha gasps and laughs breathlessly at the cool water rinsing her off, then adds firmly, "Also, at some point we really need to have a talk about the responsibilities of rulership, Roy!" She frowns at that thought; the question of Roy coming along is still up in the air, and she's not sure how to settle it. She finds herself singularly reluctant simultaneously to either risk Roy... or to argue again with him.
Roy says, "We can chat about it all you like, gorgeous. But it'll have to be after tonight." He slips back around the screen and returns with a large glass full of water for Suraksha.
Suraksha looks up with a touch of surprise at Roy as he heads around the screen. He's been calling her the nicest names! She's smiling with quiet happiness when he returns. She thanks him and drinks the glass down thirstily, then gives a relieved gasp, "Ah, much better! So, how are we doing on time?" She sets the glass aside and grabs up a towel to start quickly drying herself, eyeing the bed thoughtfully -- does she have everything ready? She's analytically assessing her preparations, and she murmurs without thinking about it, "Wish we had time for a quickie... that'd taste wonderful just now!"
Roy calls from the other side of the screen, "Sugar, I'm a man. There's always time for a quick fuck." There's definitely amusement there as well as a low purr of interest.
Suraksha blinks startledly at that -- then has to stifle a giggle before she grins and calls back, "You're not helping me make sure you won't be late, you know!" She looks up towards the ceiling, her eyes half-lidded as she savors the slight, sweet hint of interest. Lazily she purrs, "Wish I could persuade you to feel like this throughout the entire-" Her voice abruptly cuts off at a marvelous thought, and she turns the idea around a few times in her mind, checking it for feasibility.
Roy comes back around the screen, "I'll help you if you show me what to do. It's easier for us guys. Ya'll got all those laces an' stockin's and stuff." He's still shirtless and quite happy to let his eyes linger on her as he brings a towel.
Suraksha takes a long, slow breath, feeling unaccountably happy as she admires her shirtless companion. For the first time she's starting to believe this will work; that lifts her spirits. She tilts her head so she can smile up at Roy, brushing back her hair just a bit and purring, "I accept..." She takes Roy's hand, leading him back around the screen to sit him in one of the chairs. "You stay here just a bit, please?" Her warm coffee-and-cream skin is gleaming and still damp, and she slides almost bonelessly to the thick rug, gently pressing his knees apart. Unlacing his pants, her grin is wicked as she adds, "Believe me, your help is going to be very nice, too!"
Suraksha takes her time, letting her talented tongue and her eager touch arouse her companion in slowly surging waves. When he finally releases ecstatically she's careful to be tidy and keep him in her mouth -- they do have a party to go to soon, after all -- and then she slithers fluidly into his lap, still smiling that cat-satisfied smile, "Mmm, nice?" She wraps her arms about his neck, both astride his lap and leaning against him, and lays slow, seductive strings of kisses, licks, and nibbles about his strong throat. She wants to keep him at a low, simmering boil of arousal, if possible, so before he starts grabbing needily at her, she intends to slide off his lap again to dress. She's practically lapping up the wonderfully energizing passion flowing off Roy's skin, nearly giddy with relief and pleasure at how deliciously renewing it feels.
Roy's eyes stay on her face the entire time. His hands stroke her hair and shoulders and he's practically glowing with satisfaction when she climbs into his lap. Those same hands curl around her hips as she works him back up to a slow simmer, the gradual tightening of his fingers serving as a fine gauge of when it's time to make her request.
Suraksha is running her hands with lazy pleasure along Roy's heated skin, rolling her hips slowly as she purrs, "If you can keep up a feeling like this during most of the party, you'll do me a world of good!" She grins mischievously, adding, "I'll even give you a little present to help you feel that way, just before we go in!" Her laugh is low and rippling as she nuzzles the soft skin behind his ear. She whispers, "Will you make one agreement with me, though? This is your city, and you get to call the shots here... but we'll be going on a mission to rescue my family. I'll take you along without argument if you'll agree to follow my lead during the mission -- without argument, please?"
Just at that moment Roy is soaking up the endorphins and his hands are caressing the small of her back, "Mmm... she is your family, so I'll agree to that -- but I wanna get at least one good lick in." He demonstrates by flickering his tongue against her earlobe.
Suraksha laughs softly, shivering slightly with pleasure, and murmurs, "Done. I'm the leader during the mission; you get a good lick in." She relaxes a bit after that, her main concern alleviated. Shortly after that she realizes she'd better move or she'll have excited Roy too much. She slides gracefully off his lap, laughing and giving him a light kiss on the forehead when he makes a disappointed noise and tries to hold her hips for a moment longer, "I have to get dressed, Roy, or we'll be late. You sit here and watch until I need help with my corset and hair and the dress, all right?"
Roy leans back in his seat, picking up a glass of wine to watch her get dressed, "It's almost as fun as watchin' you strip down." Just as he can seem comfortable wherever he is, he's just as happy to be naked as the day he was born, as he is to be clothed. There's no body shyness about him.
Suraksha laughs delightedly, her eyes sparkling at the compliment. She deliberately puts on a bit of a show for Roy after that: she draws on her stockings slowly, making sure to raise her legs and point her toes as she pulls the sheer silk slowly up each thigh. She makes a small production of the garter belt and checking the stockings are straight, giving him several nice views of her small derriere as she leans over. Her hair is brushed out with lazily sultry glances -- and a bit of lip licking -- through the shining, shadowy strands; she shimmies into the corset so her breasts shift nicely, then turns her back to Roy as she takes a firm hold of the bedpost. In laughing tones she says, "All right, I don't doubt you know how to unlace one -- but do you know how to lace up a corset properly?"
Roy chuckles and says, "Oh, darlin', I've had more experience at this than y'd think." He stands up, not bothering to hide his arousal, steps over, and starts snugging the laces on the corset, "At least with this part. The dresses, I ain't so good with."
Suraksha laughs at that -- a bit breathlessly when he tugs on the laces -- and can't resist teasing, "I'm shocked! You're not good at getting dresses off? Who are you, and what have you done with Roy?"
Roy grins impishly and steps up close behind her, hands still holding the laces and using them to pull her back against his stomach, "I don't have a lot of experience puttin' dresses on." He kisses her bare shoulder and steps back, finishing the lacing of the corset, "I think it might be best if I go put on my own clothes. You want me to send one of the girls in to help with the dress?"
Suraksha leans back easily against Roy, raising one hand to gently cup his cheek as she smiles up at him, "Am I being too much? Certainly, that's fine, sweetie. You're sure you won't mind my borrowing one of your girls?"
Roy chuckles and kisses her cheek, "Too much? Naw. But I do need to at least get my britches on. I'll send Melinda in to help you out with the dress and I'll come on back when I've got m'self squared away."
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