From owner-CRYSTAL@duke.poly.edu Sun Apr 23 11:17:44 1995 Return-Path: Received: from duke.poly.edu by netcom16.netcom.com (8.6.12/Netcom) id LAA09926; Sun, 23 Apr 1995 11:17:42 -0700 Received: from localhost by duke.poly.edu (8.6.9/1.34-032891-Polytechnic University) id OAA08103; Sun, 23 Apr 1995 14:12:20 -0400 Received: from crash.cts.com by duke.poly.edu (8.6.9/1.34-032891-Polytechnic University) id OAA08079; Sun, 23 Apr 1995 14:11:04 -0400 Received: by crash.cts.com (Smail3.1.28.1 #23) id m0s36Al-0001ynC; Sun, 23 Apr 95 11:14 PDT Message-Id: Date: Sun, 23 Apr 1995 11:14:19 -0700 (PDT) Sender: owner-CRYSTAL@duke.poly.edu From: "Lori Hansen" To: crystal@duke.poly.edu (Crystal) Subject: LOG: Kevlan Hears Music Again Content-Type: text X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL23] X-Listprocessor-Version: 7.1 -- ListProcessor by CREN Status: RO [ This log takes place the morning after Bernadette and Tamber sing to a sleeping Kevlan, hopinh to impress upon his subconscious mind that he can indeed still hear music, and, eventually, make music. ] It's quiet in the suite as the computer begins to raise the light levels slowly - the wall screen, responding to its programming, lightens with an ethereal, gentle hue of color, like new sunlight through a near-black forest. Tamber and Jerrik, both stretched out on piles of blankets on the floor, sleep deeply. Kevlan stirs slightly, drowsily cuddling Bernadette's small form to him. Bernadette slumbers, still sitting upright for the most part, arms still around Kevlan; her head is tipped awkwardly to the side. As the suite lightens, she makes a little noise and squeezes her eyes shut tighter. The light doesn't brighten too much - not at this hour. It remains at an unobtrusive level, but enough to suggest to farm-bred senses that it's early morning. Bernadette stirs as Kevlan cuddles her and opens her eyes slowly, blinking blearily. She picks her head up with a little wince as her neck protests her movement. Occasionally, your thoughts turn to Ballybran. Non-singers around you see: You feel something is wrong as you gaze upon the pale face of Bernadette. Kevlan lies with his head pillowed more or less on your shoulder, one arm draped across you. His face has remained relaxed during the night. Bernadette rolls her head from side to side, loosening her neck muscles up, then sits quietly, watching the men sleeping in the suite on and around her. She watches the holoscreens, as well. It's a familiar program playing across the wall screen... a very simple image, of just enough color to suggest early morning sunlight through branches, or perhaps through the curtains of a window. It had been Kevlan's idea, but Jerrik's programming - to try to compensate for the lack of a real window this deep in the Guild complex. Tamber shifts slightly in his sleep, turning his face away from the wan glow of the 'sunlight'. Bernadette continues watching the display for a few moments, listening to the sounds of the Three Musketeers' breathing before her body alerts her that she has some business to attend to. Regretfully, she tries to slip as carefully as possible out from underneath Kevlan. Kevlan stirs just a bit, his fingers trying to maintain their contact with you. Bernadette gently plucks your hands away and lies them carefully on the mattress. She pads quietly into the bathing room. Jerrik sleeps the sleep of the just, blissfully unaware of any sound around him. Fortunately, none of the men snore - a balm to Singer hearing. Several minutes later, Bernadette emerges again, looking visibly relieved and much tidier. She wanders around the suite, putting things away and, in general, cleaning up. Kevlan has rolled over onto his back, and his mouth moves slightly as he sleeps, as if he's trying to talk. Bernadette picks up a book she'd acquired somewhere...an actual book, with pages...and settles herself in a chair near the bed to finally try reading it. She pauses when she sees your lips moving and watches you quietly for a moment, trying to make out the words. The slight motion of his mouth can't really be deciphered... until you see his eyebrows knit together, and hear him mutter quite clearly, "Ain't no good... cain't sing... " Kevlan's head tosses a little. Bernadette frowns and sits back upon hearing this and glances over at the sleeping Sorter. She checks the chrono to see just how long it has been since they fell asleep, then experimentally clears her throat, finding it still raspy from her hours-long performance. She glances at the gitars against the wall. Thoughts of your claims pass through your head every once in awhile. Non-singers around you see: Bernadette seems to be elsewhere occasionally. The chronometer reports six hours of slumber. Bernadette hmmms to herself. Six hours is enough sleep for her...but she's hesitant of disturbing the others, so she opens the book, her brow creased in a small frown. Her eyes, however, are not on the pages in front her...in fact she'd holding the book upside down...instead she watches Kevlan. Kevlan turns restlessly on his side, mumbling, "T-too quiet... " Bernadette's frown deepens a bit and she looks at Tamber again before returning her gaze to Kevlan. She clears her throat again and pitches her voice very low to be heard by a Singer's sensitive ears, but possibly none others (if she's done it properly), and starts humming familiar tunes. Kevlan starts to jerk... then stops, making a low yearning sound. Bernadette hums on, still trying to keep the volume low enough to not disturb Tamber's sleep...and hopefully ease Kevlan's. The Sorter remains in slumber... but Kevlan turns his head toward the low sound. His eyes shiver open. Bernadette falters a moment as she realizes Kevlan's eyes are open, but resumes the humming resolutely, watching him closely. Kevlan mumbles pleadingly, "B-Berni....?" Bernadette raise her eyebrows at Kevlan and stops humming long enough to say "Yes, Kevlan?" then resume her quiet humming. Kevlan stares at you with a visible longing, every bit of his attention on the humming. Bernadette smiles and begins singing now, still pitched low, her voice still a little scratchy. You're so young and beautiful Kevlan scoots closer to you, his gaze still fixed on your face in utmost attention. And I love you soooo... She puts down her book and slides off the chair, closer to the bed, singing earnestly to you. Your lips so rare... Your eyes that shine.... Shame the stars that glow Bernadette stands up and holds her arms out as she continues. So fill these lonely arms of mine... Kevlan, as you sing, continues to wear that yearning look. He doesn't once interrupt or even make a sound, save for a tiny little cry as he grabs at your hands awkwardly. Bernadette's voice is a little stronger now, and she may have inadvertantly raised the volume a bit too much, but she grasps your hands and continues. And kiss me tenderly Then you'll be forever young And beautiful to me Tamber lifts his head very slightly and peers over Jerrik's sleeping form. His eyes suddenly glint, and he gives the tiniest of smiles before lowering his head and pretending to continue to sleep. You're so young and beautiful You're everything I love... You realise that all of the resonance is now gone from your blood! Non-singers around you see: You notice that the thoughts of Bernadette seem to wander every now and again. Bernadette draws one of your arms around the back of her waist and perches lightly on your knee. Your angel smile, your gentle touch She traces a finger delicately across your mouth, down your chin to your throat. Are all I'm dreaming of... Kevlan swallows at that contact; his eyes glimmer damply. But he continues to regard you, his gaze very full. Bernadette keeps her hand lightly on your throat in hopes of 'healing' it so you can sing again as she continues. So take this heart I offer you... There are very tight muscles under the skin of Kevlan's throat, you can feel, as if it's closed up full of whatever has kept him like this ever since his return to the planet. Bernadette uses her free hand to press the hand you don't have around her waist on her chest above her heart. You can feel the rhythm of its beating beneath your fingertips. And never set me free... Kevlan's hand trembles in yours, but he continues to watch you, to listen. Bernadette's brown eyes meet your blue as she concludes. Then you'll be forever young And beautiful to-ooo...me-eeeee She lets the note linger and then smiles at you. Kevlan breathes in wonderment, "S-s-s-singin'... " Bernadette nods, still smiling. "It doesn't have to be quiet, Kevlan.." Kevlan says "Ah-Ah-Ah h... heard that....!" Kevlan seems stunned by this realization, his eyes wide and astonished. Bernadette nods again, enthusiastically. "And it didn't go away, honey...listen..." And she starts humming a few bars again. "See? No silence." Kevlan's eyes are visibly wet now, and he's trembling, but he seems to drink in the sound. "Ah-Ah-Ah... dreamed... but... " Bernadette takes her hand off your throat to cup the side of your face gently. "You dreamed about it last night?" Kevlan says "I-i-i-inna tree. H-heard singin'." Bernadette smiles and nods. "Yes, you went to your tree last night, love...then Tamber and I sang to you..." She blinks as she remembers again that they're not alone in the room and turns to look over her shoulder at the sorter. To all intents and appearances, Tamber is quite peacefully asleep on the other side of Jerrik's exhausted, slumbering form. Bernadette turns back to face Kevlan. You force yourself to listen and sigh, all of the resonance is gone from your body. Non-singers around you see: Bernadette seems to be elsewhere occasionally. Kevlan says "I-i-it was r-r-real?" Bernadette nods affirmatively. "As real as you or me, love." Kevlan tries to absorb this, still shaking a little, seeming dazed. Bernadette repeasts softly "It doesn't have to be silent, Kevlan. The music won't go away." Kevlan gazes at you plaintively, a slightly worried frown curling his lips. "Ah-Ah... lost it," he mumbles. Bernadette leans forward to gently kiss away the frown and asks "Lost what, honey?" Kevlan says "Th-th-th-th'... m-music... lef' me...." Bernadette smiles again with a nearly imperceptable shake of her head. "It's in there somewhere..." She lightly taps your chest with a finger. "We just have to find it again." Kevlan's eyes turn more forlorn as he hangs his head, mumbling something that soundslike, "A-ain't good sanger." Bernadette hugs you and says soothingly "You're a marvelous singer, love. We've sung together so often, I should know...we just have to help you find the music again, sweetie, that's all." Kevlan doesn't argue, but it's clear he's distressed. He hides his face in your hair. Bernadette holds you close and continues murmuring "We'll find it, you'll see. We have time, honey.." Kevlan huddles into your arms, and eventually settles down..... [ end log ]