"My dear Bernadette,

I cannot express my disappointment that Kevlan and I did not receive your 
  message before the Passover. Circumstances beyond our control prevented us 
  from receiving your message until only a few days ago. Be assured that we are 
  on our way back to Ballybran this instant - thank the gods I am on a vessel 
  that has stopped at a port with a reasonable communication facility!

My dear, I must warn you that Kevlan is not himself. I have not spoken to him 
  of receiving this message; in his current condition, I doubt that he is 
  capable of handling such information. Meet us on Shankill if you will, dear 
  girl, but please, if you love him, go softly with your reunion. I shall 
  explain all at the proper time.

Tamber"


"Guildmaster Maxwell:

It is with great disappointment and a heavy heart that I return to Shankill
  Station, with Kevlan Sharr and the crystal. The Singer will need all
  the medical skill our staff can muster, sir. I pray you will have it
  waiting for our arrival.

Respectfully,

Tamber al-Acorrin"

	- High-priority transmissions sent to Ballybran from the
	  starcruiser _Annachie's Triumph_

----------
Heptite Guild Common Lounge - Shankill
This is a wonderful, airy room, bright with gentle but brilliant shades of 
  green and blue. Screens hang on the wall to provide the illusion of 
  landscapes, and hanging and potted plants thrive around the room, softening 
  the boxy corners. A number of table stand near the catering unit, and more 
  inviting pillowed loungers and chairs have been arranged in several 
  conversation pits. The loud chatter of the afternoon has mellowed slightly, 
  mostly people are just sitting in groups talking and laughing quietly, or 
  eating a nice dinner.
Contents:
  Tamber, standing between the conversation pit and the tables.
  Catering Unit
Obvious Commands ("." for list):
  .wait .pit .tables .catering unit
Obvious Exits:
Guild Members Quarters Training Rooms Guest Rooms

Tamber walks over to the catering unit.

Linanna steps in from the corridor where the Guild Members reside.
Linanna has arrived.

Tamber, looking tired and worn, dials himself up a drink.

Linanna nods to the stranger and walks up to the catering unit.

You transfer 6 credit(s) from your account to Catering Unit.

The liquid in the decanter is almost clear, with only a slight yellowish 
  tinge. You reach into the delivery slot to retrieve the wine and the two 
  glasses provided.

Linanna spins the menufax around to display the beer selections.

Tamber smiles tiredly, inclines his head in graceful politeness, and lowers 
  himself stiffly into a nearby chair. "Good evening, young lady."

Linanna peruses the selection of beer, and orders a Kalgoorlie Four'x.
Linanna takes her own drink and walks slowly to a chair, settling into it. 
  "Evenin'. Have I seen you around?"
Linanna looks at you for a moment.

You say "Mayhaps; I am Tamber al-Acorrin, Sorter, at your service."

Tamber gives a little bow of his head, over his wineglass.

Linanna blinks tiredly and nods. "Linanna Chaln...Singer."

Tamber nods serenely, despite the worn lines in his face. "I noted your 
  presence on recent Guild rosters. Well met."

Linanna leans back in her chair and blows some of the foam off her beer. "I 
  think .. maybe .. we have already met. You sorted some crystal for me or 
  something? I dunno....you seem a little familiar...."
Linanna sips her beer, frowning and leaning deeply back into her chair.

Tamber smiles wearily, one elegant eyebrow arched. "Met in passing, here on 
  the station, as I recall."

Linanna says "Oh. Don't tell me my memories are already fading?"

Tamber shakes his head casually, and gives an assuring smile. "More things 
  besides crystal song can chip away at one's recollection, my dear; do not 
  worry yourself."

Linanna smiles softly. "I thank you... "
Linanna leans back and sips reflectively at her beer.

Tamber inclines his head, and murmurs a kind-sounding acknowledgement as he 
  drinks down some of his own beverage. He casts a glance off in the direction 
  of the infirmary briefly, then pinches the bridge of his nose between two 
  fingers, as if wrestling with a headache.

Linanna follows your glance to the infirmary, and sighs. "You too?"

Tamber smiles halfheartedly. "Not I, good Singer, but a friend. I left him 
  soaking in the radiant tanks."

Linanna looks down at her beer, sadly. "Remy....for me. Someone you care 
  about?"
Linanna nods.
Linanna says "I probably ought to soak....but not while Remy needs me."

Tamber blinks a little, recognizing the name mentioned, but answers 
  earnestly, "I care deeply about this young friend of mine, yes." He 
  considers, and then adds, "Do not exhaust yourself, good lady; you will not 
  be able to attend him well if you yourself are depleted of strength."

Linanna shifts her injured arm. "maybe not...but I cannot bear to just lie 
  there..."

Tamber answers gravely, "Rest near him, then, if it is rest you need; the 
  nearness provides some consolation. Both for yourself, and for the one whom 
  you hope to console." His green eyes are a little sad, but knowing, as he 
  speaks.

Linanna sips reflectively at her beer.
Linanna looks down at her feet. "Maybe so....but his need right now is for 
  _her_, not for me. _She_ is his true love...I am simply his duo partner." She 
  puts her beer down on a table, and looks at herself. "I don't really blame 
  him, either. He doesn't need to be reminded of the Ranges all the time."
Linanna brushes idly at her ranges-shredded clothing, which seems to have 
  been worn for days.

The hairs on your arm stand on end and a chill goes up your spine. You notice 
  a strange expression on Linanna's face.

Tamber lifts his perfectly matched eyebrows, as if surprised at this 
  outpouring of feeling, but his expression reflects only honest concern. He 
  says simply, "If he cannot accept you as lover, dear lady, will you let this 
  keep him from accepting you as friend?"

Linanna sighs and leans back, folding her arms in front of her. "/he/ accepts 
  me. My fear is that /she/ will not....and will cause us to go through all 
  this again." She closes her eyes, and her expression tightens.

Tamber says succintly, "Your ability to be a friend to someone should not 
  depend upon a third party, by my thought."

Linanna does not look up. "My ability to be a friend....maybe not. But when 
  he thought she'd left....and she did because I had been there......"

Tamber sighs softly, and drains his glass, then sets it aside. He leans over 
  slightly from his seat, his gaze direct and solemnly earnest. "Dear lady, I 
  cannot help but feel for your plight. I know that it will be difficult for 
  you to make such a choice, but if the best way for you to see your beloved 
  happy is to step aside for him to choose another, then so must it be. Were it 
  me, I would offer friendship to both of them, and willingness to avoid 
  interference. I have done such, before." He smiles a little. "The ache of 
  love denied cannot be entirely soothed by simple friendship, but 
  nevertheless, it is never a thing I would scorn."

Linanna looks up, finally, and smiles weakly at you. "You really think so? I 
  hope so...."
Linanna lifts a hand and wipes at her cheek. "I just feel so helpless....to 
  make things right between them."

Tamber essays a slightly more vivid smile, and says, "There is a certain pair 
  of divine shoulders whose owner I would like nothing better to call lover... 
  but as it happens, I am honored to call him friend. I have done my part to 
  make him happy in his love of another; I have more work to do in that 
  respect, even yet."

Linanna looks into your eyes, and nods. "I see.....thank you..."

Tamber nods peacefully to you. "I pray that I will have been of service."

Linanna says "He's the one who's resting in the baths?"
Linanna picks up her beer again, seeming a little more at peace.

Tamber nods quietly, casting another slightly darkened glance towards the 
  infirmary. "One of the station medics is keeping an eye on the lad. The 
  radiant tank room is, sadly, less than amenable to those of us who have no 
  need to soak."

Linanna smiles softly. "I think we're a little embarassed by our need, 
  actually. Is he happy..your friend?"

Tamber lets out a reflective sigh, and says rather sharply, "He has been in 
  happier states." Tamber's green eyes abruptly harden, giving him a 
  surprisingly fierce and protective look, for all the fine lines of his 
  features.

Linanna leans forward and reaches for your hand. "I am sorry..."

Tamber gives another dark-eyed glance in the Infirmary's direction, then looks 
  back at his companion with gratitude for the sentiment. "It is truly no fault 
  for which you should apologize, but nevertheless... I thank you."

Linanna leaves her hand reaching for you, and shrugs.

Bernadette steps in from the corridor where the Guild Members reside.
Bernadette has arrived.

Tamber glances at the hand, smiles regretfully - realizing his manners have 
  indeed dulled with weariness - and clasps it firmly.

Bernadette strides into view, just slightly slower than a jog and glances 
  around the room quickly, spots the Sorter and blurts "Tamber!"

Linanna looks up as Bernadette enters, sitting near Tamber.

Tamber starts, and looks up at the new arrival with a sudden look of combined 
  exhaustion and relief. He immediately rises, and strides to Bernadette.
You say "My dear Bernadette, I am unutterably pleased to find you here..."

Bernadette smiles slightly at Linanna and starts forward again, hands out in 
  front of her to meet Tamber.

Tamber without halting strides straight to the small woman, and embraces her in 
  a fierce hug rather unlike his usual refined manner.

Linanna smiles softly and releases Tamber's hand.

Bernadette clings to Tamber. "Of course I came...I've been going out of my mind 
  looking for you two!"

You feel a rather strong needling on your skin when you pass close to 
  Bernadette.
The hairs on your arm stand on end and a chill goes up your spine. You notice a 
  strange expression on Linanna's face.

Linanna leans back and watches, sipping at her empty beer mug.

Tamber, rather surprisingly, actually trembles a little, and pulls Bernadette 
  over to the nearest seats. "Had I been able, I-I would have sent a message 
  long before this... "

Bernadette plops rather gracelessly into the chair and shakes her head, 
  fumbling for words "Wha...wh...are you okay? Where's Kevlan? You said he 
  wasn't himself?" The words, once they get past her lips, come tumbling out in 
  a rush, as she clasps Tamber's hands tightly.

Tamber sighs, shoves a hand through his disheveled red hair, and says slightly 
  roughly, "He is soaking at the moment, my dear, under a medic's watchful eye. 
  But he is here on the station, with me, until the next shuttle down to the 
  planet." He smiles thinly. "As for me, there is little wrong with me that 
  proper rest will not cure."

Linanna looks at Bernadette, then to Tamber, then looks away.

Seeming to have totally forgotten Linanna's presence, Bernadette leans forward 
  again and hugs Tamber again impulsively, before leaning back in her seat, 
  stealing a glance towards the infirmary, then back at the Sorter. "What 
  happened? Where were you? Telandra said she saw Kevlan on Hesperia and no one 
  would tell me where you two went...." Again, the words steamroll out of her 
  mouth.

Linanna grips at her beer mug.

Tamber grips Bernadette's hands firmly, as if gathering solace in her presence. 
  His eyes, though, and the set of his mouth, are oddly hard. He considers... 
  and says at last, "I expect that the Guildmaster will have no objections to 
  my speaking of this. We were indeed on Hesperia." Tamber's well-modulated 
  tones take on an audible edge at the naming of the world.

Bernadette blinkblinks, not taking her eyes off of Tamber's own. "I was booked 
  on the next flight to Hesperia when I got your transmission," she says a 
  little breathlessly. "What happened? Why were you gone so long?"

Tamber, for a moment, looks as if someone had shoved a blade into his gut, and 
  twisted it round violently. But he continues, "We were to do an installation, 
  my dear, of black crystal. It... went badly."

Bernadette frowns and pales, tensing and crouching on the edge of her seat as 
  if she's about to bolt towards the infirmary at any second. "The crystal 
  didn't shatter, did it? Is he hurt?" Her voice has taken on an edge of panic.

Linanna presses her lips together and looks at Tamber.

Tamber sighs, and lowers his gaze. "The crystal is sound. Kevlan... is less 
  so." His features tighten into a scowl, though his eyes are now sorrowful, as 
  he thinks about exactly how much he should say, here.

Bernadette draws her brows together and shakes her head again, taking a deep 
  breath to try and calm herself down, before speaking. Her eyes dart toward 
  the infirmary again before coming back to rest on Tamber's face. "Can you 
  talk about it?" she says in a quiet tone.

Linanna puts her mug down again, and looks at Tamber sympathetically.

Tamber looks rather abruptly more weary, and finally says bitterly, "I expect 
  that it will harm nothing, now, to speak of it here." He fixes Bernadette 
  with a steely look, as he goes on, "Kevlan was... taken, my dear. By parties 
  who did not wish us to install the crystal."

Bernadette's head snaps back a bit and once again she shakes her head a bit. 
  "Taken?"

Linanna stands up suddenly and walks towards Tamber.

Tamber, with the look of a man relaying an event for which he finds himself at 
  fault, says roughly, "Taken. Abducted... whatever word you wish to use for 
  it. All that I know is that they did not wish him to install the 
  dodecahedrons in their alloted places, and that they did not care about the 
  wrath of the Galaxy's most _powerful_ Guild for damage done to a _valuable_ 
  Singer." He enunciates the words with surprising sarcasm.

Bernadette blinks and looks a little startled as Linanna moves, but then looks 
  at Tamber as he speaks.

Linanna stands beside Tamber, frowning and reaching toward him .. comforting.

Tamber shoves both hands through his hair, now. "We did not recover him, I 
  fear, until after the Passover."

Bernadette pales further at the mention of damage done to a Singer and swallows 
  reflexively. She reachs out to find Tamber's hands again and gives them a 
  squeeze gently, the light cast around her right hindering her movement just a 
  little. "But...but you're both okay, right?"

Linanna puts a hand on Tamber's shoulder, gently.

Tamber smiles wanly. "I am as well as a Sorter can be who spent three-fourths 
  of the Passover on stimulants." He shares the smile briefly with Linanna, and 
  then it fades as he faces Bernadette. "But Kevlan... he is... "
Tamber, for once, seems failed by his accustomed glibness of tongue.

A rather strong needling pricks your skin when you pass close by Bernadette.
If you happen to be near Linanna, the hair on your arm stands on end.

Bernadette frowns again, that panicked look returning to her eyes, "K..Kevlan's 
  what?" she whispers.

Tamber abruptly rises, clasping Bernadette's arm. "Perhaps it is for the best 
  that you see for yourself, my dear... but I pray you, go softly. Come."

[Bernadette follows Tamber to... ]

Radiant Tub Room
This large room is dominated by the collection of radiant tubs along the walls, 
  each a different color. A soothing pastel green colors the walls, and the 
  floor is carpeted in a deep forest green. Holos are strategically placed to 
  occupy the idle minds of any singers who are spending long hours here, either 
  voluntarily or under medical orders. A collection of potted plants fill the 
  corners, all of imported varieties. 
Contents:
Kevlan(#1982POace)
Chocolate Bath
Maple Bath
Butterscotch Bath
Beige Bath
Obvious exits:
Dressing Room  Infirmary  

Bernadette walks through the archway into the radiant tub alcove.
Bernadette has arrived.
Bernadette, keeping Tamber's warning in mind, nearly tiptoes into the room.

Kevlan, rather shakily, is helped out of the beige bath by a worried-eyed 
  medic. He looks dazedly in all directions, as he mumbles plaintively, 
  "Ah-Ah-Ah wan' Tam... "

The medic murmurs assurances, as he helps the clearly unsteady Singer into a 
  robe. The tech sees Tamber and Bernadette before Kevlan does, and looks up 
  abruptly.

Kevlan(#1982POace)
From the tanned and lean look of him, and the way his actions seem to speak of 
  preternaturally acute senses, this tall and rangy young man can't be anything 
  but a Crystal Singer... and with his lazy, liquid drawl and half-shy, 
  half-forthright manner, he can't be any Singer but Kevlan 'Galahad' Sharr. 
  Kevlan's light brown hair is cut pragmatically short in the back but long in 
  the front, with random strands often getting in his smoky blue, dark-lashed 
  eyes. He frequently fidgets restlessly, drumming his fingers on any available 
  surface, or tapping his feet. 

 Clearly, he must have just stepped out of a radiant bath, for there's a subtle 
  sheen to his skin that gives it more color than usual. His hair is slightly 
  disheveled, and his feet are bare; he is clad only in a soft, thick 
  terrycloth robe belted about his waist. The robe is dyed in various rippling 
  shades of blue that give off a look of flowing water whenever Kevlan moves. 

 Kevlan is very pale, his skin being nearly transparent and his blue veins 
  showing vividly under the pasty white pallor. His eyes are sunken and seems 
  to not want to focus right... His left eye even seems to turn inward a bit 
  further, making his gaze rather unsettling right now. Kevlan's clothing 
  litterally 'hangs' from his gaunt frame, each bone can be seen in his hands 
  and face. There is a touch of color to his pallor but nothing terribly 
  noticable. ( It is as if his body has been refused 'life' for a significant 
  amount of time.)

Tamber strides forward quickly, saying softly, "Kevlan, dear boy, I'm right 
  here, I promise you."

Bernadette gasps softly as she claps both hands to her mouth while she takes in 
  Kevlan's appearance. A choked little sound catches in her throat and her eyes 
  well up with tears as she instinctively takes one little step towards her 
  beloved.

Tamber strides forward quickly, saying softly, "Kevlan, dear boy, I'm right 
  here, I promise you."

The medic and the Sorter exchange glances; the meditech says quietly, "I'll be 
  just outside," and slips out. Tamber slips a supporting arm about Kevlan... 
  and the young man clutches at it in apparent panic.

Bernadette looks at Tamber, then at Kevlan, then at Tamber again, halted in 
  midstride statue-like, as if waiting for permission to speak to act.

Kevlan, seeming terrified, sways in Tamber's support, mumbling, "Don' leave me 
  'lone... please... "

Bernadette winces at Kevlan's words, the tears spilling over her lower lids, 
  silent.

Tamber looks over Kevlan's bowed shoulder at Bernadette, and gestures to her 
  quickly, as he murmurs to Kevlan, "It is alright. Look, Kevlan, look... we 
  won't leave you alone, neither Berni nor I will leave you... "

Linanna walks through the archway into the radiant tub alcove.
Linanna has arrived.

Kevlan blinks. "B... Berni?" He turns a disoriented gaze in Bernadette's 
  direction.

Bernadette bolts as quickly and quietly as she can towards Kevlan and Tamber, 
  trying not to startle him. "I'm here, Kevlan...I'm here..." she says softly, 
  controlling her voice though her body and her hands, which she's hesitantly 
  placed gently on Kevlan's arm, tremble almost violently.

Linanna blinks as she enters and sees Kevlan, and stands next to the doorway, 
  glancing to Tamber.

Tamber helps Kevlan nearer to Bernadette, carefully.

Linanna looks at Tamber, sympathy in her eyes.

Kevlan's haggard face floods over with a tangle of raw emotions, and he stares 
  at Bernadette. His lower lip trembles... and in the same instant, his eyes 
  are brimming over with tears.

Bernadette breathes "Oh, Kevlan, I'm so sorry..." as she gently wraps her arms 
  around his bone-thin frame.

Kevlan lurches... and nearly falls as he clutches at Bernadette in a gesture 
  that might have been a fierce hug, if it had any strength to it.

Tamber lets the younger man step away from him reluctantly, keeping his hands 
  only centimeters away should Bernadette fail to support Kevlan by herself.

Bernadette easily supports his weight, the tables being turned this time with 
  her being healthy for once, as she holds him as tightly as she dares, and 
  whispers soothingly "Yes, I'm real, love...I'm here...I'll never _ever_ leave 
  you again..." Her voice cracks with every other word, but she keeps herself 
  together.

Linanna turns her head, granting them privacy.

Tamber murmurs awkwardly, "We must needs get him to the planet, Bernadette. The 
  sooner he is in his own surroundings, the better."

Linanna turns away and walks out.
Linanna walks out through the archway into the infirmary.
Linanna has left.

Bernadette nods at Tamber, not relinquishing her hold on Kevlan at all. 
  "Yes...we need to get him home..."

Kevlan sobs into Bernadette's shoulder, tiny choked sounds.

Tamber nods, recovering some of his usual briskness with the task at hand. "I 
  have sent our possessions plantside already... come."

[Tamber with his usual efficiency escorts the disoriented Kevlan, along
  with Bernadette, down to the planet's surface. As discreetly as possible,
  they get Kevlan into the quarters he shares with Bernadette, though
  neither of them have been in that suite for some time... ]

Kevlan's Suite(#3986RJ)
<Desc deleted, as Kevlan's typist needs to redecorate. :)>  
Contents:
Catering Unit
Obvious exits:
Bathing Room  Out  

Kevlan has arrived.

Bernadette has arrived.

Time passes... as the dazed Singer is escorted as discreetly as possible to his 
  own quarters. Kevlan clings to Bernadette all the way, making hoarse little 
  whimpering noises.

Bernadette continues to be as soothing as she can, her composure long since 
  recovered since her initial shock at seeing Kevlan in such a state. "It'll be 
  okay, honey, the symbiont'll heal you right up..." Unconsciously, she speaks 
  the words in the same manner as Kevlan has to her many, many times before.

Tamber turns to secure the privacy lock on the door, then murmurs to 
  Bernadette, "I shall not be far away, my dear... "

Kevlan blurts out frantically, "Don' go, Tam...!"

A brief look of hurt crosses Berni's face, but she says quietly as she 
  continues to hold Kevlan "Maybe you should stay, Tamber..."

Tamber returns to Kevlan's side, brushing lank hair out of his face, and says 
  gently, "I will not be far away, Galahad. I promise you. Berni will take care 
  of you."

Kevlan blinks, looking as lost and bereft as an orphaned child, and looks up 
  Bernadette again as if still not quite believing she's actually here. "Berni?"

Bernadette elevates herself on her tiptoes and kisses Kevlan softly on his 
  gaunt cheek. She nods, "Yes, Kev...it's really me, love..." She hugs him 
  again as tightly as she dares, trying to reassure him of her pressence.

Tamber helps the younger man down into his bed, gathering some of the quilts to 
  bundle round him. "Stay with Bernadette, dear boy. I will come right back. I 
  promise you."
Tamber, with that, clasps Bernadette's shoulder, and quietly slips out.

[Bernadette begins to soothe Kevlan into sleep.]