As we play, occasionally we'll close a thread and open a new one to keep the size of threads (and relative complexity) down to a dull roar. Here's where we store the closed posts from the history of Errant Road.
[OOC: OK, finally back in touch after lots of travel, and lots of reading to catch up. I must say, you're really raised the barfor repartee in my absence! /OOC:]
Sister Rose caught the movement of Lillith's eyes, and interpreted it correctly, of course; this was exactly the kind of situation that Special Ops people were there for, not so much performing feats of magical derring-do as much as plain old ... observation.
However, there were limits to what she could do here. Even the clan chief's wife shouldn't be caught overtly using magic, although Rose was developing a feeling, really nothing more than a hunch, that some of the women of Goriel might have a bit more magical ability than they let on. Nothing overt should be observed ... but mind-speech was about as undetectable, and secure, as any form of magic Rose or even Argus knew of.
<"I see her,"> she said in Lillith's mind. <"And I sense your worry and feel some of it myself. But why? She's too small to be an elf, if that's what you were worried about."> Elven disguise-illusions were good, but not so good that a magically adept (not to mention suspicious) observer couldn't recognize a six-foot-tall elven woman trying to look like that.
Another thought struck her that she passed on. <"Dark skin is interesting, she's not from around here. One of the Farrelite assassins' guilds, maybe?"> She settled back to watch proceedings, using her "husband's" imposingly august form as cover.
Because old is wise, does good, and above all, kicks ass.
Still unsure she'd caught the hang of it, Lillith attempted to reply to Rose in kind. <"Those are possible. But I'm more worried about what she might learn. She expects to service the important member or members of the clan. But which of our men would do it? If her suspicions are aroused she may learn far too much...">
Again, Lillith's eyes carefully observed the small, dark woman from under her eyelashes.
Argus bowed exactly the same depth that Vladimir had done. "It was I who was honored by your Lord's offer of hospitality. Truly, I am among friends here. Please, allow me to make a gesture of my own." With a gesture from him, Desiree stepped forward demurely. "This is Desiree. Is she not beautiful? And skilled, as well. She has served me well, and I hope she brings as much happiness to you as she has to me."
"Indeed, my Lord," replied Vladimir, "She is a vision of loveliness and will brighten our House for so long as she stays, both with her own beauty and accomplishments, and as a reminder of this gesture of friendship from your own noble House."
Stepping aside, with a gesture, he invited Desiree to take her place amidst the armed escorts. These were showing some discipline in that they were eyeballing on the sly instead of ogling her openly -- or perhaps they were recognizing reality, that none of them rated a night with a getera unless they accomplished some stupendously heroic act against the enemies of Clan Duravsky. And that this was exceeding unlikely, since no one dared to be enemies with Clan Duravsky just now.
There were various other protestations of friendship and hospitality and vows of service between Vladimir and Argus, as they took their leave of each other, and the Duravsky party prepared to return home with Argus' half of the precious exchange. (With whom they had not exchanged a single word.)
It took Sister Rose a few seconds to figure out what Lillith was saying, but then, all became clear.
She's right. Furthermore, she's right in ways I'd completely overlooked. It's not so much that there is some deep, dark secret about us that this woman will winkle out. In fact, the whole problem is that there is not such a thing for her to snoop around and learn -- except that "Clan Cleiviein" consists of barely more than half a dozen people. The moment these power vultures figure that out, we're at risk of being squashed like bugs, never mind how magically powerful each of us may be, compared to most Gorielites.
Then she had a brainstorm.
<"I know just the member of our group for her to service,"> she thought back at Lillith. "<He is very senior, very powerful, very much to be honored, and he has preceded us here. Unfortunately, he is unavailable for this ceremonial function, and in fact, we fear that his -- prior business in Goriel has caused something to happen to him.">
Just in case that hint wasn't clear enough, she waited a tempo before continuing the mind-talk.
<"Blaise.">
----------------
Meanwhile, in a very well-concealed house just outside Goriel, two women were meeting, although onlookers, had there been any, would have been convinced that what had just walked into the house were not women, but men.
"Welcome, in the Name of the Five Great Mothers," the dark-haired woman (whose name was Gabrielle, and who wore a disguise similar to the red-haired woman's) told Therese.
"And may the Five Great Mothers bless you," Therese answered in kind. Then they got down to business. "My first mission was successful. The young Dubinin woman is on her way to a new home, and freedom."
A quiet smile greeted this news. "Bless you, Sister. I was worried that that one wasn't going to go well."
Therese shuddered. "So was I. Her -- master" (she almost spat the word) "sent attack dogs after her, but I was able to take care of them. Maybe he'll finally get the message."
Gabrielle snorted. "Not likely. Those pigs will never learn. Anyway, anything else to tell the Sisterhood yet?"
Therese thought a minute. "I've only been in town for two days so far on this tour of duty. That is barely enough time to establish my cover, let alone find new rescue candidates."
The dark woman nodded. "Okay. Well, one bit of good news is more than enough. I'll need to be heading back with that one trophy, and by the time Regina replaces you, I'm sure you'll have more to -- yes?"
Therese had quietly raised a hand to stop her colleague, and now she chose her words carefully. "There was, however, one very curious event at the airship terminal yesterday, that I would like to ask you to inform the Sisterhood about ..."
[OOC: Gabrielle and Regina aren't going to play any role in what goes forward from here, unless things go very strangely indeed. I just felt like giving them names, rather than having them be generic NPCs, to do a little more establishing of Therese's character, since she very definitely is going to be playing more of a role here, and maybe soon ...]
Because old is wise, does good, and above all, kicks ass.
"This is Desiree. Is she not beautiful? And skilled, as well. She has served me well, and I hope she brings as much happiness to you as she has to me."
"Indeed, my Lord," replied Vladimir, "She is a vision of loveliness and will brighten our House for so long as she stays, both with her own beauty and accomplishments, and as a reminder of this gesture of friendship from your own noble House."
Stepping aside, with a gesture, he invited Desiree to take her place amidst the armed escorts.
On cue, I walk to the spot he indicated. I notice the eyes of the guards on me - always nice to be appreciated. And anyway, it is clearly an asthetic not possessive look. I'm not for them, and they are fully aware of that fact. Comforting.
There were various other protestations of friendship and hospitality and vows of service between Vladimir and Argus, as they took their leave of each other, and the Duravsky party prepared to return home with Argus' half of the precious exchange.
When Vladimir turns to go, I follow after him, a bit behind and to the side. I imagine an invisible leash connecting us. I say nothing, waiting patiently and politely. If and when he addresses me, only then will I speak.
-- Desiree
OOC: Edited to remove the carriage. Sorry, I assumed there'd be one.
Also - couldn't Argus et al just have their Getera perform massages and other non-sexual tasks? Desiree had the concern about Argus et al not wanting to have sex with her before, but Boris seemed to indicate that other tasks were equally acceptable.
Last edited by Drusia on May 22nd, 2012, 6:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Escaping the undertow of meaningless verbiage, Vladimir and the escorts walked off with Desiree, leaving Kirassia in place, awaiting some kind of instructions as to where to stand or go. Neither Argus nor any of his companions knew a socially acceptable way to ask, "How do you work this thing...?" The petite getera looked up at her "lord" for instruction.
Desiree's escorts took her through the streets, seeming confident, and commanding a wide berth. Her patient politeness was rewarded with silence -- which some might find unnerving, but then again, in this country, there were far worse things all around. The city was more closely-packed and far less clean than Snamish or even Umbertiel, this despite the fact that she saw no horses (riding did take place, as she'd later learn, but mostly outside of town, as a strictly male activity). At some distance, Desiree caught a glimpse of a street fight, a couple of boys hammering each other bloody while their mates looked on and shouted. No parents emerged to enforce discipline, but they ran from the warriors around her, doubtless to continue the fray elsewhere. The sight drew not a comment from the men around her.
They came to a less crowded area, with broader streets and less street life, near a hill with a citadel on top. Covering much of the base of this hill was a walled compound, more imposing than beautiful on the outside, and it was to the open gates of this that her escort led her silently. Armed men and silent women went about their business or endless talk here and there - but it seemed Desiree was expected, for her escorts led her straight towards a couple of well-dressed women standing off to one side. Stepping aside, Vladimir spoke at last. "Go with Irina," he said. "You'll be presented this evening."
Irina Duravsky -- tall, golden-haired, quite buxom -- was in the lead, and seemed friendly: "Welcome! Yes, do come along with us, we've been dying to meet you and have to get you ready for tonight - and there's time for a bite and a bit of rest too..." -- so saying, she took Desiree by the right arm led her away. As Desiree had probably guessed and would certainly learn, Irina was senior among the Duravsky geteroi. That carried very little formal authority -- each girl was immediately subject to whichever man she'd been assigned to, and was assigned by Lord Duravsky or his chamberlain -- but as Desiree had come to know, "pecking orders" of one kind or another seemed to spring up wherever people were found, and such as there was here, Irina was on top. Her shyer companion, Anfisa, was also of the Duravsky, and walked by Desiree's left hand, looking her over and complimenting her charms and dress as they made their way to the better wing of the kept women's quarters.
As Desiree soon would learn, the geteroi lived on a semi-nocturnal schedule, in the evenings being expected to attend their assigned "lords" and share their bedchambers. It was considered unmanly for a man to spend his whole day with a lover, as if besotted with her, so they had much time to themselves during the day, and spent much of it in this place - as it kept them out of the way of the men, the wives, and the lower-ranked kept women, all of whom had different reasons for feeling awkward around them.
The House of Duravsky, being supreme in wealth and status, maintained many women, including five geteroi. Three of these were on loan to other families, with the exchanges staying here. Dina, the girl from Clan Gibazov, was easy to spot by her ruby choker -- the Gibazov were quite proud of their newfound wealth, and eager to display it in the ruling House. Valentina Yurkashev, had the broadest shoulders and strongest muscles of the four - and as Desiree would learn, a great endurance for dancing. All, at least to start with, were friendly, eager to coo over the new arrival and pepper her with questions and answers. (Desiree, being sensitive to these things, noted that Anfisa was the most eager to touch her and her clothes, and that her looks of admiration bespoke a warmer kind of desire.)
[OOC: Had to stop for time's sake for the moment. Desiree's in a good position to ask about whatever she's of a mind to.]
