| Logs |
2010 December 26
| Neverneverwhere |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
| Realms: Taps Logs |
The Show Must Go On
Once Suraksha is healed up, Little Joe starts showing her the ropes in earnest. The gangly young Storm Tap is already welcomed by most of the caravan as family when he comes around with messages or just to help with set-up or tear-down of the night's encampment. He introduces the newest caravaneer to several of the regular travelers. Suraksha very much wishes to be thought well of by the caravan, and to be trusted by the caravan's management. She does her best to be cheerful and polite and helpful, to remember names and faces, and to help whenever possible. She also keeps a close eye on Little Joe: if he's well-thought of, then she'll definitely imitate him!
There are some acrobats that have just started traveling with them: the Amazing Flying Sokoloffs. The mother of the two small children is a dark-haired, laughing woman with a musical accent whom people call Mama Minta; the cheery mustachioed father is referred to as Papa Sokoloff. Many of the other caravan members are human as well, but an even larger percentage than normal of them are not. Little Joe passes this information on in little snippets, being as discreet as he can. Suraksha is always careful to thank Joe equally discreetly when she's given such information. She is, admittedly, finding she's not bad at picking out supernaturals, but she sure doesn't mind verification of her interested suspicions.
Working with a caravan turns out to be just that: work! If Suraksha's parents, grandmother, and godsmother had not insisted on training her martially, she would have had a lot more trouble with all the scrambling, climbing, ducking, and sliding required of a runner for a moving caravan. Suraksha makes a small mental note one late evening: fervently thank the family for busting her chops before allowing her out on her own! She grins to herself as she sits by the fire, sharing a blanket and some stew with Little Joe -- tired though she is, she's really enjoying this! She's glad she came.
Little Joe quite obviously has a little crush on Suraksha and is happy to share the blanket and the stew and laugh with her over the day's events. He's describing the expression on Corbett's face as he, Joe, had come sliding off the top of one of the supply wagons and into the driver's seat with him, when Sabrina comes over and settles with her own supper, "You seem to be getting along pretty well, young lady."
Suraksha looks up at Sabrina and beams as she hands the bowl off to Joe again, "Thanks, Sabrina! Trying-" she has to pause for a yawn, then adds with a small laugh, "Trying to!"
Sabrina chuckles and says, "We'll be stopping in town tomorrow. There's some trading to be done, but mostly we'll be doing entertainment. Stories. Acrobat acts. Singing. Dancing. I wanted to ask you if you wished to participate."
Suraksha thinks a bit, then shakes her head, "I don't know. Do you need someone in particular to entertain?" She tries to explain better, "Er, I mean do you need someone of a particular skill set?"
Sabrina looks her over carefully as she says with consideration, "A dancer, actually. But before I ask you to do that, I wonder if you mind me asking if you're over fifteen?"
Suraksha says cheerfully, "Oh, I know some dances! Do you mean couples dancing, country circle dances, or something else?"
Little Joe is blushing a bit. He has an idea what sort of dancing Sabrina means. The older woman laughs and tosses her dark curls, "Something a little more provocative, actually. Belly dancing."
Suraksha raises a curious eyebrow, "I... know some belly dancing, but I'm not sure from your reaction we're talking about the same dance?"
Sabrina smiles, "This is the sort where you wear a lot of silky gauze and chains of silver coins to tinkle as you dance."
Suraksha listens, thinks, and nods, "That sounds close. It's a sacred dance, right? Er, sacred but not christian, though. A sacred sensuality, I mean." She adds a bit wistfully, "I don't have my belled anklets with me, though, sorry."
Sabrina nods "That's it, yes. I have some belled anklets, but I still have to ask, child -- and you're welcome not to answer -- are you over fifteen?"
Suraksha looks curious, "What must you ask, then?" She smiles and nods, "I know I look young for my age, but I am over fifteen. Why? Is that important?" She has another bite of stew, cheerfully stealing the spoonful which Joe has paused halfway between bowl and mouth as he listens.
Sabrina grins, "In the next town you must be over fifteen to be considered an adult... and if you dance that sort of dance, they insist that you be adult." She watches as Suraksha steals Joe's stew and the boy glowers at her in a friendly way. Suraksha giggles as she chews and swallows, then wrinkles her nose in cutely teasing at Joe, "Sorry! I'll go get more if you want?" She adds as an aside to Sabrina, "Weird... you're not an adult there if you're 13 or 14, then? Why would anyone want to live there?"
Joe harumphs and wriggles out of the blanket, taking the bowl, "I'll get us some more." He moves off, and Sabrina chuckles at the way he peeks back at Suraksha and blushes a bit. "They voted it into law. Of course, those that voted were mostly older folk. Hard ages on being an adult don't make much sense to me. And you really are over fifteen?"
Suraksha calls a happy thanks to Joe, "I'll keep the blanket warm too, promise!" She grins, wrapping Joe's side around her so it does indeed stay warm, and nods to Sabrina, pragmatically adding, "Can't prove it though. Does that matter?" She pauses, then adds cautiously, "I... would want to see what sort of dancing you actually have in mind too, please, before I committed?"
Sabrina shakes her head, "Not in the least. We'll vouch for you if you promise you're telling the truth." She watches Little Joe go and comments off-handedly, "You know he's got feelings for you, yes?"
Suraksha nods calmly in response to Sabrina's question, glancing around to make sure no one else is close before she murmurs very softly, "That's why I'm being very careful to treat him like an older brother. Um... is that all right? I don't want to hurt anyone."
Sabrina smiles and says, "It's probably good if you do that. Because Joe is a good boy. He's like a son to some of us."
Suraksha nods quietly, "I can see that. I would like to fit in, but not as his lover, I'm afraid."
Sabrina smiles gently and says, "That's good. I don't think he's had a lover before and I know you wouldn't want to hurt him. And of course you would want to see the dancing." The woman stands up and shrugs out of her cloak, "Joe would be playing for us."
Suraksha nods silently as she watches, warmly wrapped up in the blanket. "He drums too, then? Is there a woodwinds player with the caravan, or some sort of violinist or something?"
Sabrina grins and says, "Corbett plays squeezebox, actually, and Little Joe has a guitar." She's dressed in a billowy skirt and a clingy silk top with a heavy belt of coins and strings of bells at her wrists and ankles, "I'll show you the dancing."
Suraksha nods thoughtfully as she eyes the clothing, "They'll be playing for you now?"
Sabrina is Caucasian and human, but she has the come-hither eyes and the figure to distract men of various sorts from that and make them think just about the dance as she starts to dance, "Yes. They have been playing for me for a few stops now." The clothing isn't sheer, but is light and almost ethereal. It seems to show more than it actually does. Suraksha frowns slightly, not really sure she wants to do this. The clothing is a little... light for what she's used to dancing in like this. She loves belly dancing, but she's not willing to do so wearing clothes that make her feel disempowered. Sabrina pauses in the dance and says, "Something vexes you."
Suraksha considers... maybe she could play one of the instruments instead? She blinks as her train of thought is interrupted, and looks up at Sabrina. Polite -- she must be polite! "Er... I was thinking this is not quite what I thought it was, Sabrina, so I was trying to figure out some other way I might be useful." Apologetically she adds, "I am sorry. I should have been paying closer attention to you."
Sabrina laughs warmly and says, "Tell me what you were thinking. This is the most... inviting of the costumes I have."
Suraksha nods in agreement, "I agree. Um... may I speak freely? I do not wish to give offense?"
Sabrina perches back on the seat she was using, "Of course, Suraksha."
Suraksha looks relieved, then cheerfully describes the outfits she's used to: velvet tops which, even with bare midriffs and backs and scooped fronts, do not... suggest exposing quite so much; loose cotton pantaloons to the ankle with a black skirt over them that has nearly six yards of material so it flutters and flows beautifully in the turns, and all kinds of sashes and tassels and other decorations hung over it; a turban on the head so flowers and gems can be stuck in it and the hair tumbles alluringly down the back; anklets and bracelets and necklaces that are large and colorful and often glittery as well; and the makeup which goes along with the style of dress.
Suraksha adds a bit sheepishly, "Of course, I didn't bring anything like that with me. I didn't think there'd be any need for it, and the jewelry would just be an advertisement to try robbing me, you know?" She hesitates, then adds slowly, "I... am not sure..." She pauses as Joe returns, opening the blanket out for him and holding the bowl of hot stew as he tucks himself back in again, "I'm not sure I'd be comfortable in an outfit like you're wearing, Sabrina. It's beautiful, and you look amazing in it... but I think it works better for you than I. So... could I help with... maybe the drumming, perhaps?" She smiles and thanks Joe when he's settled, handing the bowl back to him, "You go first, since I stole your last bite, okay?"
Sabrina looks thoughtful about that, "There are clothes similar to that to be had in the caravan. We can put it together for you if you want. But if you would rather drum, that's also fine." Joe settles back into the blanket and takes a couple of comically big bites.
Suraksha giggles at Joe, then looks back at Sabrina and smiles, "Well, if we could cobble something together... which do you need more: drummers or dancers?"
Sabrina settles back into her seat, cloak spread out over her, "It would probably be better if we built an outfit for your own. A drummer could be wonderful."
Suraksha blinks, then grins, "That... I'm not sure still which you need more of?"
Sabrina laughs quietly, "I didn't answer clearly. Either would be good, but since you aren't fully comfortable with the dancing, I would ask you to drum."
Suraksha laughs at that, her face lighting up, "Oh, no -- I love the dancing!" She wriggles neatly out of the blanket, tucking it around Joe as she flashes a grin at Sabrina, "Do you have an extra pair of zills?" Sabrina fishes into a pouch at her waist and takes out extras, tossing them to the girl with a bright grin. Suraksha swipes them casually one-handed out of the air as she turns from tucking in Joe. She holds them between her teeth as she shrugs out of her jacket and boots, setting them neatly by Joe, then unbraids her hair and shakes it out. Her demeanor has lightened -- despite her tiredness she spoke the truth when she said she loved the dancing! Hopefully she asks, "Was Corbett going to bring his squeezebox over?" as she slips on the zills. She chimes them together a few times, considering the harmonies, then looks up again at Sabrina.
Sabrina says, "I was going to ask you if you wanted to dance before someone came over to play for us. Would you like me to call him over?"
Suraksha beams, bouncing lightly on her toes, "Yes, please! Will you dance with me?"
Sabrina nods and Little Joe sighs dramatically before wriggling out of the blanket again and trotting off, calling for Corbett to bring his squeezebox over. The calling for music starts people gathering around and Sabrina rolls her eyes, "Sometimes he's not the most discreet of boys."
Suraksha laughs, already rolling her shoulders and wrists and ankles, "Aww, he means well! He's a sweetheart, really -- and I bet you feel the same, yes?" She happily adds, "Shall I follow your lead then?"
Sabrina says, "Show me what you know and I'll follow your lead instead." Corbett strides over with his instrument and settles in and Little Joe returns with a guitar to play a lively tune for Suraksha.
Suraksha looks a bit surprised, then smiles and gives a small, courteous nod of acknowledgement to Sabrina. She smiles at the two men, murmuring her thanks, then simply listens for a moment. Once she has the beat and their playing rhythms down she starts the swift 5-beat of the zills. As the tiny metal cymbals chime she seems to come alive: her shoulders go back, her arms arch out gracefully, her head is proudly raised, and her eyes sparkle with delight. She starts a simple hip sway, grinning with excited pleasure at Sabrina, and when the other woman follows, Suraksha does a gradual traveling step full of enthusiastic bounce in her hips and sinuously swaying arms. She gives the signals she was taught for being the dance lead, curious as to whether Sabrina knows them also, as she swirls around the fire in dance.
Sabrina picks up on the leads and follows them, an older and more lush-bodied complement to the girl's youth and slimness of body. The tinkling of the bells at her wrists and ankles twines in with the music and adds a soft undertone to it. People are settling in around the fire, and a couple of drums are brought out. Suraksha brightens with delight when she realizes both that Sabrina knows this particular dance language, and that others are getting into it as well! She throws herself wholeheartedly into the music at that, dancing her heart out as joyously and exuberantly as she can. To a truly accomplished dancer it would be clear there are elements of American Tribal as well as Indian temple dancing mixed in together oddly in the young woman's dancing. To Suraksha it is simply a means of speaking with her body, sharing and creating beauty and joy with a fellow enthusiast. She does not dance for the crowd; she dances for herself, for Sabrina, and for her Goddess.
Bit by bit other women join the dance; Mama Minta of the acrobatic Sokoloffs steps in. She doesn't know the particular dance language, but she has no problem adding her own flavor to the movements. Here and there, other instruments join into the music. It's a very organic and joyful sort of thing -- an ad hoc family celebrating for no other reason than life being good. Suraksha is utterly delighted to see the women dancing -- to her, this is all about empowering women, letting them express their sacred sensuality in the most beautiful of ways, in thanks to the Goddess herself, as the men provide a wondrous, excited, and inspiring backdrop of music for them.
Suraksha whirls and dances through the circling women, laughing and lithe as a dark-haired sprite, swaying with smoothly serpentine grace, encouraging all her caravan sisters to enjoy themselves to the fullest. She loses track of time; there's only the deep, throbbing voices of the drums pounding up through her bare feet, and the sweet wailing of strings and wind harmonizing with the lush sway of hips and shimmer of loose hair.
Eventually there are more than a half-dozen of the women of the caravan dancing. This is the sort of sisterhood Suraksha was taught to seek out. The dancing women wear everything from jeans to Sabrina's dancing outfit to simple traveling shifts, and they are each beautiful in their own way and their own right. Sabrina's provocative clothes seem quite right on her and she is obvious relishing the way they make her feel, using the sounds and motions of the cloth in her movements. Suraksha is in her long embroidered cotton tunic and her sturdy jeans, her night-dark hair tumbling loose down her back to below her hips. She's nearly rapturous as she dances with her sisters, her golden-green eyes bright with happiness, and she promises herself to do her best to find the right type of clothing, if she can, to dance like this tomorrow as well.
When the impromptu dancers start bowing out, settling with breathless laughter, and the musicians finally start slowing down, Suraksha dances with Sabrina for as long as she can. It's when the musicians stop that she finally sways to a halt, laughing and brushing her hair out of her face as she exuberantly thanks each one with a quick hug. Most of them hug her back. Papa Sokoloff, who has a curious little stringed instrument, kisses her on both cheeks and says something affectionate to her in the language all of the Sokoloffs speak amongst themselves. When Suraksha comes to Corbett, the man pats her on the back and rumbles, "Startin' t' feel like this ole caravan's home yet, girlie?"
Suraksha giggles at that, her eyes shining as she gives a quick, happy nod. She asks shyly, "Do I feel like family to the caravan yet?"
The gruff older man says, "Well, cain't say for anyone else, but I'd say hell yeah." There's some laughter and calling voices agreeing with them. Sabrina laughs and hugs her tightly, "That was fun. You've definitely done that before!"
Suraksha beams delightedly and hugs Sabrina back just as enthusiastically, "Oh, yes! I love the dancing. But it's not often that it really catches fire in the heart like it did tonight -- thank you all so much!" She laughs again, shaking her dark hair back out of her face again as she happily adds, "If I can find the right outfit, may I dance tomorrow too, Sabrina?"
Sabrina beams and hugs her again, "I'd love it if you would dance with me! I thought you'd make a good counterpoint. You're so graceful and slim, and I'm all hips!" She pats one of her nicely-padded hips affectionately. There are several offers to help gather up the right clothes for Suraksha to be able to join in the dance.
Suraksha laughs and nods in agreement with Sabrina, "Yup, you've got all that lovely curviness I don't have yet, unfortunately -- although I do have high hopes of growing into it eventually." She's touched at the offers of help, and gleefully starts working right away on putting together an outfit for the morrow.
Over the next few hours and the next morning, people drop by with pieces for the costume Suraksha described. With a scarf from here, a skirt from there, it's not too difficult to obtain something quite close. Suraksha is delighted to piece together a dancing outfit so; she excitedly works with Sabrina and Mama Minta to make sure it works, and to stitch together what doesn't yet. When they're finally done she's quite pleased -- it's not perfect, but it's something she's not embarrassed to wear either; she thinks the Goddess would approve!
Due to the need to gather up the costume, Suraksha doesn't do her normal runner's job in the last few hours as they come up to the town. Instead, Joe works hard as he can to cover for both of them. He seems happy enough to do it, and appears almost triumphant any time he's sent back to Suraksha and Sabrina with another costume piece. Suraksha hugs Joe in fervent thanks, and promises to make it up to him later by covering some of his running duties too.
It's not long after noon when they come to the outskirts of the town. By now they've gone through a couple already, so Suraksha knows the drill. Those who will be performing shift to the front of the caravan so they can enter town in a triumphant parade of noise, glitter, and excitement. Joe and some of the other youngsters have already run ahead, putting up handbills where they can in shops and on fences to draw townsfolk out to where the music and dancing will be that night. The normal M.O. is to move down the main street of town, giving the townies a chance to see what entertainments and enticements await them at the caravan's camp. Corbett's caravan is familiar to many towns, having been active for many years now.
Sabrina and Suraksha are some of the first of the entertainers and they both have tambourines to make music for themselves; later, when they're at the campsite, they will have accompanists. Suraksha is dressed to the nines in her borrowed finery, a flower tucked into her turban and her kohl-enhanced eyes bright with excitement. This is the first time she's been one of the performers for the caravan -- rather than one of the handbillers -- and she's looking forward to experiencing something fun and new! People stop and stare and there is happy laughter and the shouting of little children when they realize there is a carnival in the offing. Suraksha enjoys herself tremendously, nearly dancing already as she follows Sabrina's lead in front of the caravan.
Once they reach the far side of town the caravaneers park their wagons and double back, but on the return trip they move along the sidewalks and mix with the townsfolk, to further encourage them to come see the entertainments that night. It's on this return trip that Sabrina and Suraksha get separated. Suraksha glances around, wondering where her dance partner got off to. She knows the other caravaneers are within shouting distance, though, so she's not worried about getting lost. She doesn't lose her smile, but she does pause, swaying in a small circle as she plays the tambourine so she can take a careful look all around her. Where is Sabrina? This isn't like her. It's standard practice amongst the caravaneers to keep each other in sight, after all.
As she realizes she can't see Sabrina any more, one of the young men of the town approaches Suraksha, walking with that boyish swagger that says he feels he's quite the cock-o'-the-walk. Suraksha smiles roguishly at him, although she's still finishing her carefully searching glance around. The young man grins down at her and says, "You're going to be dancing tonight?" He's wearing a hat like she's seen the cattle herders wearing when they drive the animals into The City to be sold and butchered. She vaguely recalls they're called cowpeople or cowboys or something.
Back up the road the way they came from, Suraksha spots a couple of men looking nervous and furtive near an alleyway. The young man is between her and them. Suraksha smiles up at him and nods, "Indeed! Do you know those men?" She points out the couple of men who look suspicious to her, already glancing around herself for caravaneers she can get to help check the alleyway for Sabrina's unconscious body being carted off. She doesn't doubt the other woman would have already screamed a 'hey rube!' if she could, after all.
The boy glances over his shoulder and shrugs negligently, "Nah. Don't know 'em. But I'd like to know you. Did you say you'd be dancing out at the campground tonight?"
There are a few townies milling about, and from the way things are set up Suraksha is guessing it's a market day. Unfortunately while there are several folks buying provisions, none of the ones close to her are caravaneers. She bites her lip uncertainly, her gaze still on the two men -- then as they turn towards the alleyway she makes up her mind. Her smile is bright as she turns her gaze back to the young man, "You would? Let's go for a walk then, yes?" She giggles and scampers off towards the alleyway, glancing invitingly over her shoulder to see if he follows. Having even just one other witness -- and a strong young man besides -- along with her is better than no-one, she decides.
The young man starts to follow her, only to pale and pause, stammering, "I think I'll... ah... maybe I'll see you later." He turns quickly and starts walking the other way. Suraksha looks perplexed, then turns to keep hustling towards the alleyway. What scared him so?
What scared him so wasn't back at the alleyway -- seemingly out of nowhere, Corbett is there. He's not quite tall enough to really loom, but he's glaring back after the would-be suitor as he growls in a laconic way to Suraksha, "Was he bothering you, girlie?"
Suraksha is still hustling towards the alleyway -- she's afraid there may be no time to lose! She almost runs smack-dab into Corbett's chest, squeaking startledly and grabbing his arm to catch her balance. She looks up at him, then gasps with clear relief, "Oh, Corbett! Thank goodness!" She's already tugging on his sleeve, hastily urging him along with her, "No he's just a kid come quick please Sabrina's missing I think they grabbed her too many people for me to, uh -- to change clothes, you know? Hurry please?"
Corbett's eyes, which were already wearing a dangerous sort of 'You're bothering my daughter' glint, flare into anger and he turns with her toward the alleyway. He's not tall and he's not the broadest man through the shoulders, but he sure manages to convey a world of menace as he calls out toward the men at the mouth of the alleyway, "Hey, fellers, don't suppose you've seen my friend. Good lookin' lady with dark hair..." Suraksha is already hurrying to the alleyway, her skirts being hastily tucked up into her wide hip sash as she patters that way -- she has no intention of waiting!
The two men don't exactly panic, but they do dart into the alleyway in a big hurry. As they do, Corbett calls out, "Hey Rube! What's your hurry?" Suraksha gasps at that -- she knows that means every caravaneer in hearing will be converging here, and that Corbett now thinks this is an emergency! She pelts after the two men in a whirl of skirts and a skirl of bells, thanking her goddess she'd insisted on wearing clothing she can move easily in.
Corbett's call brings a good dozen people slipping through the crowds toward the sound of his voice. Suraksha is closest and gets to the mouth of the alley in time to see the two men disappearing into a door in one of the brick walls of the buildings on either side. She's unwinding a sash as she continues to run as swiftly down the alleyway as she can. She'll drop the sash by the door, in case Corbett doesn't see her entering through it -- for now she does her best to yank the door open and get through it posthaste!
The door clicks closed just as Suraksha gets there -- and when she yanks on the knob she finds it is quite solidly locked. The door itself is a heavy oaken one and the fittings are all of heavy iron; just the sort often used on bank doors. Just as it clicks closed she hears what sounds like a cut-off scream from inside.
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