Date: Tue, 9 May 95 15:40:34 PDT From: "Angela 'Anna' Korra'ti (EDP)" To: crystal@duke.poly.edu Subject: LOG: Kevlan Goes into the Ranges, Part 1 Message-ID: <9505092255.AA25632@netmail2.microsoft.com> Archive-Name: kev-ranges-1.log [Introduction]: Upon her return from Shankill Station, Bernadette encounters Rykos in the Guild Family Den - and there, hears startling news from him. In the meantime, Tamber, needing another break from babysitting Kevlan, leaves the young man in Jerrik's care and ventures out in search of a Yarran and sympathetic companionship. He finds Bernadette, Rykos, and Rykos's news.... ---------- You saunter into the main lounge for Guild members. Guild Family Den The main lounge is a very comfortable place. You can almost always find Guild members relaxing in here. Scattered groupings of chairs and sofas create conversational areas. There is a catering unit off to one side and a holovid screen for entertainment. Overhead a crystal chandelier twists and sings almost hypnotically. The walls are painted a shimmering light blue, and a darker blue carpet muffles the sounds of footsteps. There are a few plants scattered about that are cared for by Guild members with a green thumb. Contents: Tamber, just standing there Feyr, sitting at one of the tables Bernadette, just standing there Rykos, sitting on one of the soft couches Catering Unit DataPad Vendor Obvious Commands ("." for list): .wander .look .wait .pace .couch .pillows .table .catering unit Obvious Exits: Lift Rykos whispers even softer. "I..I found b..black. F..for M..master Kevlan." Feyr looks up from the table and nods. Tamber blinks back a tired expression, immediately replacing it with an alert one, as he scans the room. Feyr Feyr is not a tall woman, but she moves with a spring in her stride. Feyr is not a tall woman, but she moves with a certain amount of coiled energy. Her black hair is let out loose for once, flowing over her shoulders in soft, shiny waves. Down the side of her left cheekbone, you can see the remains of a thin, purplish, puckered scar, quite old. A deep russet jumpsuit with flecks of grey through it covers her bony figure. Fastened about her middle is a green-swirled belt. Feyr appears alternately concerned and happy. An odd mix. Bernadette appears to have not noticed Tamber's entrance and stares at Rykos. "For Kevlan?" She shudders again. Tamber blinks at Feyr as if attempting to place her, and then inclines his head smoothly to her as he pulls up the memory he wants, bidding her a polite good-evening. Feyr looks at you for a moment. Rykos nods, experimentally putting a finger in the hot chocolate. Feyr smiles at Tamber, responding in kind. One hand half-covers her block of wood. Bernadette frowns. "Why would you do that?" Tamber shoves a hand through what would probably be better-combed hair if he were on-duty, then pads over to Bernadette and Rykos and inquires, "If Kevlan is being discussed, may I join you?" Bernadette jumps and blinks up at the Sorter. "Tamber!" she squeaks and then nods, as she scoots over closer to Rykos on the couch, making room for him. Rykos looks blanky at his finger as he pulls it out of the drink, red and a little burned. He doesn't seem to notice. "He needs it." is all he says. Feyr's eyes follow Tamber across the room, once more settling on Rykos in an almost sisterly manner. Tamber smiles wearily to Bernadette, as he turns his gaze to Rykos, folding his lean frame onto the couch. "Kevlan needs many things, to be sure, and crystal is one of them. May I be briefed, please, as to what is being discussed?" Bernadette frowns and furrows her brow. "Rykos said...he found black for Kevlan." Tamber's eyebrows quirk, and he nods gravely. To Rykos he says, "What do you propose, dear boy?" Feyr waits until the three's attention is once more engrossed on the topic of Kevlan before pulling out a small knife. Rykos looks blankly up at Tamber. He frowns for a moment trying to remember something. He turns away again. "M..master Kevlan h..has to go to th..the black. H..His song might b..be there." The movement doesn't escape Berni's peripheral vision, and she looks over sharply at the glinting blade, stiffening. She blinks between the blade and Feyr. Feyr's eyes widen at Berni's sudden movement and she hastily tucks the blade away, and the block of wood, colour rising in her cheeks." "Bernadette, my dear, be at ease," Tamber tells her evenly, without missing a beat, not even glancing away from Rykos, whose words he considers quietly. Bernadette blinks and looks up at Tamber, blushes, mutters an apology to Feyr, and looks down at the empty glass clutched in her hands. Tamber adds forthrightly, "I would like nothing better than to convince Kevlan that he should go to live crystal, dear Rykos; however, that is a hurdle as daunting as any mach storm." Bernadette nods absently, still staring at the glass. "He won't talk about Singing." Tamber glances at Feyr, and smiles serenely, going on, "Pray do not let us disturb your hobby. It must surely be a pleasant way to pass the time." Rykos shakes his head. "H..he doesn't have t..to sing. J..just hear it first. Th..then the song c..comes back." Feyr bites her lower lip and slowly pulls out the block of wood again. Tamber asks mildly, "You speak from personal experience?" A bit of a gentle smile plays across the Sorter's mouth. Rykos nods quietly, still not meeting anyone's eyes. He says almost sadly. "I..I can sing now." Bernadette glances out of the corners of her eyes at Rykos...then at Tamber, and turns her head to look at the Sorter. "Maybe..maybe he should come talk to Kevlan?" Feyr smiles at Rykos' last words. Feyr pulls out her knife, and with slow movements, begins to cut strips off the block. Tamber considers this for a time, and says softly, "It is worth an effort." Bernadette turns to Rykos and grasps his wrist...a little harder than she intended, but stil not hard enough to cause pain. "Will you come talk to Kevlan?" Tamber leans back, studying Bernadette's movements critically, though he says nothing. Feyr soon collects a small pile of shavings before her on the table. Rykos looks up slowly, first at Bernadette's hand and then at Bernadette herself. "N..need to help M..master Kevlan." Bernadette seems very edgy and looks as if she has heard something frightening. She growls at bystanders and looks rather pale. Rykos doesn't respond as you try to get his attention, a faraway look in his eyes. Tamber stands, and touches both Singers, one hand on each of their shoulders. "I left him in Jerrik's care, but if you both wish to come see him, I will buzz Jerrik." Rykos looks away and towards Feyr. "Need to help them." Feyr wonders at the plural, her hands still for a moment. Tamber, looking again briefly tired and wistful, half-bows elegantly to Feyr. "If you will excuse us, my dear - I trust I will see you on the Sorting floor, when I return to duty." Bernadette looks up at Tamber, but doesn't release her grip on Rykos's wrist. She nods and stands up, as well, pulling Rykos with her. Feyr smiles, "Undoubtedly. The cartons even now are piling up." She watches you all leave, concern evident in her eyes. Tamber smiles - almost embarrassedly, for Tamber al-Acorrin - and murmurs, "I shall be happy to sort them, when I am awake." And with that, he strides out. Rykos allows himself to be pulled up and 'dragged' towards the door. You walk back out to the main lift area. Lift Area - 3 The main entertainment level allows every guild member, no matter what rank, to socialize in comfort and style. The auditorium serves as a meeting place for various functions within the guild. The most prevalent are movies from past Passover storms. This well carpeted area circumscribes a circle with the center being filled by a shiny lift tube. On the doors to the tube is the number 3. There is a button set into the wall, you may summon a 'lift.' Contents: Lift 3 Obvious exits: Main Lounge Gymnasium Game Room Auditorium Bernadette steps out of the Main Lounge. Bernadette has arrived. Rykos steps out of the Main Lounge. Rykos has arrived. Bernadette enters lift 3. Bernadette has left. Rykos enters lift 3. Lift 3 The smooth metallic walls surround you. You notice to your right is a control panel which contains a row of darkened buttons indicating the levels of the Guild complex. Just 'press' the desired level number and you'll be on your way. Contents: Rykos Bernadette Control Panel You enter the lift. You say "If you will, Bernadette dear..." Tamber gestures at the control panel. Bernadette nods and punches the button with her free hand...the other still curled around Rykos's wrist. The lift doors slide shut and you feel the slight *pop* of air pressure changes. A soft chime sounds and a computer-generated voice announces: "Eleventh Level(Senior Singer Level: White Quadrant)." The doors *whoosh* open. You leave the lift. Lift Area - 11 Muted lighting fills the area, giving a soft, comforting glow. The light accents the brilliant white stripe that leads off to the white quadrant. The stripe is not merely white, but rather a composition of all the colors of the spectrum. Situated on this floor are the quarters for the senior singers of the Heptite Guild. This well carpeted area circumscribes a circle with the center being filled by a shiny lift tube. On the doors to the tube is the number 11. There is a button set into the wall, you may summon a 'lift.' Contents: Lift 3 Obvious exits: Common Lounge Ocher Quadrant Amethyst Quadrant White Quadrant Bernadette emerges from the efficient lift. Bernadette has arrived. Rykos emerges from the efficient lift. Rykos has arrived. You walk through the White Quadrant exit. White Quadrant This gleaming white strip blazes in rainbow patterns: not the absence of color, but the presence of all colors in the spectrum. The intensity of the whiteness does not hurt your adapted vision but soothes it in a subliminal manner. Several recessed doorways indicate the quarters of some singers. Obvious exits: Turlough Suite Sharr/Marshall Suite Elissa's Suite Diamond's Suite Phil's Homebase Lifts Bernadette walks through the White Quadrant exit. Bernadette has arrived. Rykos walks through the White Quadrant exit. Rykos has arrived. Tamber thumbs the Sharr/Marshall door, to alert those inside that he is coming in... The door slides open, and you step inside. Kevlan's Suite(#3986RJ) These spacious Singer's quarters are sparsely but pleasantly furnished. Offsetting the pale cream hue of the walls and the darker beige color of the carpet, the three chairs here - one an upholstered desk chair near the computer terminal, the other two amorphous and baglike of shape, perhaps intended to be simply curled up on - and the pillows and linens scattered over the bed are all of various harmoniously tasteful shades of blue and green. Along the back wall stands a bookcase, and in the center of the floor lies a fluffy, intricately patterned and multi-hued 'rug'. The wall screen over the computer terminal has been set to display an Estenari mountain sunset, for the evening hours. The primary door here leads out into the corridor; a smaller one back by the bookcase leads into the bathing chamber. Contents: Jerrik(#4174Pp) Kevlan(#1982POace) Gitar(#2097) Carisak(#2166I) Catering Unit Obvious exits: Sleeping Nook Bathing Room Out Tamber steps in from the hall. Tamber has arrived. Bernadette steps in from the hall. Bernadette has arrived. Rykos steps in from the hall. Rykos has arrived. Bernadette enters the room, her hand around Rykos's wrist as she pulls him in after her. Kevlan as you all enter is sitting with one leg tucked under him on the floor, very earnestly trying to play solitaire as Jerrik watches dryly over his shoulder. As Tamber enters first, Kevlan immediately looks up.... Tamber says gently, "You have a visitor, Kevlan lad." Jerrik blinks and looks up, and grins crookedly at the sight of Rykos. Rykos is being led in by Bernadette, her hand still wrapped around his wrist. Kevlan blinks once, and cries, "Ber... R-Rykos...!" He clambers clumsily to his feet, scattering cards. Bernadette blinkblinks at Kevlan's reaction and draws Rykos forward before her. "He came to see you, Kevlan." She says dumbly. Rykos looks at Kevlan uncertainly, then smiles weakly. "Ma..master K..Kevlan. I..I found th..the song again." Kevlan smiles hesitantly, shyly, and approaches with surprising willingness, gazing wonderingly at the other young Singer. Kevlan furrows his brow, and automatically blushes a bit, "Ain't no master," he mutters. Then blinks again. Kevlan repeats blankly, "S... song?" Rykos stands, a little lost, in the centre of the room. He nods slowly to Kevlan. "Y..yes, th..the music and m..my song. I..I can sing again." He looks around at everyone else in the room. "W..wanted to help." Bernadette stands near the door still, swaying ever so slightly, blinking dazedly at the excange. Jerrik sits up, studying Rykos earnestly, and nodding with a hopeful look in his black eyes. Tamber says to Kevlan, his gaze encouraging, "Will you listen to your friend, Kevlan?" Rykos looks back to Kevlan. "C..can I..I help?" Bernadette winces a little and her gazes turns sorrowful as she looks away from Kevlan and Rykos. Kevlan blinks several times, then looks shyly back to Rykos, a strange expression flooding his face: part yearning, and part... shame? "Ah-Ah-Ah... c-cain't..... Ah-Ah-Ah shouldn't sing... " Tamber immediately and firmly shakes his head. "Galahad, dear boy, that is nonsense. Come now, listen to Rykos." Kevlan swallows, starting to shake a little, and he flashes an anxious blue gaze to Bernadette. Rykos nods understandingly and moves a little closer to Kevlan. "Y..you sh..should. I..it's not b..bad." He hangs his head. "I..I thought s..so too." Bernadette lifts her eyes to Kevlan's, hopefully, and she says softly "You're a wonderful Singer, Kevlan. Better than me." Rykos looks up and asks hesitantly. "I..I d..dindn't want t..to sing. D..Do y..you?" Kevlan, caught between the two hopeful gazes, blanches. For several long moments he is silent, though visibly struggling to speak, and finally he blurts out roughly, "Y-y'all don't _see_... Ah-Ah-Ah-Ah _failed_, Ah c-cain't d-d-do it, ever'body says so... " He starts to pace, fretfully. Tamber pulls in a tired sigh, shaking his head very quickly and very briefly as if exhausted and trying not to show it. Jerrik catches his look, though, and silently slips up to grab the Sorter and propel him over to sit down. Rykos sinks to the floor quietly. "S..so d..did I," he whispers. Bernadette frowns and steps in close to Kevlan, finally, and holds onto his arms, stilling him to look up at him. "Kevlan, no one said you failed. No one said you can't sing. No one!" She looks imploringly up at him. "Why do you say this?" Rykos stares at the rug, near where he's sitting, almost mesmerised by it. "E..every time I..I sang s..some one h..hurt." Kevlan seems to be distracted. Kevlan freezes at the word 'hurt', his eyes going dark. Rykos looks up at Bernadette. "C..cause th..thats how he f..feels. I..I know." Bernadette shakes her head, perplexed. "But..WHY, Kevlan?" Kevlan abruptly clenches his teeth, clamps his eyes shut, and jerks his face to one side as if struck. He starts trembling violently. Rykos glances at Kevlan then turns back to the rug. Bernadette hastily lets go of Kevlan with a gasp and says quickly "I'm sorry!" She looks wildly around at Tamber, her expression reading clearly 'What'd I do??' Tamber blinks, murmuring, "Kevlan?" and looking up. Jerrik stills him, making him keep sitting, and letting the Singers handle this. Kevlan, the moment he's let go, stumbles backwards unseeingly, muttering, "Don' wanna 'member....!" Tamber nods Bernadette towards Kevlan, firmly, trying very hard not to look like he's about to fall over himself. Jerrik moves, to catch one of Kevlan's arms and to get him sitting down before he trips over something. Kevlan winds up huddled on the floor with his back against the side of the bed. Rykos looks up at Kevlan and speaks softly. "You have to sometimes. Wh..when it hurts, th..then you have t..to sing." Bernadette blinks at Tamber, then looks at Kevlan, her brow furrowing with what appears to be a flare of anger. She reaches forward and grabs hold of Kevlan's arms again and pulls him towards her with a little shake. "Enough of this, Kevlan." She says gruffly. "You have to remember. You have to heal, dammit." Rykos looks startled at Bernadette's reaction and moves to the couple's side. "N..no, y..you can't hurt him. H..he n..needs you t..to help." Kevlan, looking wide-eyed and dazed, shoots a panicked look around the circle of faces, settling on Jerrik at last as the tech nudges him and asks calmly, "What'd you see, kid, just now?" Bernadette snaps her head to the side to glare at Rykos. "I'm not hurting him, Rykos. He's been helpless long enoug. He has to face up to this." She turns her face back to Kevlan, surprisingly alert for once. Kevlan then snaps his gaze up to Bernadette - and suddenly seems to wilt. Rykos shakes his head. "N..no, not th..this way." He moves back a little and whispers, "H..he'll think y..you hate him." Kevlan stares pleadingly at Bernadette, and whispers frightenedly, "B-Berni?" Tamber speaks up quietly, "Please, my dear Bernadette... gently... " Rykos slides back from the couple, obviously distressed but not hearing much of what's happening anymore. Bernadette looks at Rykos again and frowns as she protests. "I don't. I don't hate him at all..." She looks up at Kevlan, no longer angry, but pleadingly. "Please, Kevlan..I love you. I need you!" She lets go of his arms long enough to wrap her arms around his waist and press her face against his chest. "I want to marry you, Kevlan...We're pledged? Remember?" She starts crying. Kevlan for a moment shoots a glance to Rykos - a heartsick look that suggests he's fearing exactly what he'd suggested, but as Bernadette throws herself at him he blinks, and stares down at the top of her head. "You... y-y-you still wanna... " Bernadette weeps rather uncontrollably and nods her head, shivering. Jerrik breathes, "Great Mother Dragon." Behind him, Tamber, who has gotten to his feet despite his friend's suggestion, comes padding silently over, watching the pair of crumpled Singers. Kevlan mumbles disbelievingly, "Ah... Ah heard... y-y-you were theah... Ah..." Awkwardly, as if he's half-forgotten how, he curls an arm around his beloved. Rykos looks up at Bernadette and Kevlan for a moment. His eyes focus on them and he smiles but with a sense of pain and sadness. Slowly he turns away and moves towards the door. Bernadette continues weeping, muttering "Please Kevlan...you have to sing...I..I can't last much longer...you have to.." Tamber looks up quickly, as if surprised that Rykos is choosing to go, without even having said what he wanted.... Kevlan blinks, and stares oddly at Bernadette. "You.... you're sick? Ber-Berni honey?" Tamber looks over quickly, and something - an idea? - crosses his gaze as he tells Kevlan solemnly, "She needs the crystal, my lad. She has gone without it for you." Bernadette doesn't answer. She keeps her face pressed against Kevlan's chest, and muttering "..can't take it much longer..." Rykos stops at the door and speaks softly, not facing any of the room's occupants. "G..go to the b..black. Th..the song w..wil be th..there." Kevlan looks up, startled, at Rykos. "Black?" he breathes. Bernadette shudders violently in Kevlan's arms, still snuffling. Tamber kneels beside Kevlan and Bernadette, glancing hopefully at Rykos as he tells him, "Kevlan, Rykos knows where black crystal is. You need to go there, both you and Bernadette." Rykos looks down, still facing the door. "Y..you have t..to go K..Kevlan. and B..berni. P..please..." Kevlan frowns - for once, a decidely clear expression on his too-thin face. "Ah.... don' wan' Berni t' be sick.... " Tamber urges him swiftly, "Then take her to the black, Galahad." Rykos turns hesitantly to Tamber. "I..I gave y..you th..the c..co-ordinates?" Bernadette simply sniffles as she continues clinging to Kevlan. Kevlan blinks blankly between the other Singer and the Sorter as Tamber nods quietly. You start to get worried as you see Kevlan pace and get more and more agitated. Kevlan mumbles, "Fly... gotta fly Berni.... " Jerrik puts in promptly, "The _Teesa Narie_ _did_ pass her last diagnostic run." Tamber touches a hand to Kevlan's shoulder. "Can you fly, dear boy?" Kevlan, shaking, looks mightily uncertain. Rykos nods and whispers "G..good" He lets himself out quietly. "I...I'll ch..check the hangar." Bernadette Before you, you see a small, petite young woman, who, when wearing boots, stands at a whopping 4'11" tall. She has a slight build and appears almost fragile, but she has an attitude about her that suggests quite the opposite. Berni has light brown hair, light brown eyes and a small, oval cherubish face. Her light brown hair has grown out to just a little longer than shoulder length and is worn straight, her bangs brushed back from her face, for the most part, except one errant locks fall into her eyes. She's clad in a pair of rich, charcoal grey slacks, a vibrant pink silk blouse and soft, black leather shoes. Black, ankle high boots complete her ensemble. A handmade pendant, constructed of an unevenly shaped rock with swirls of white and black over its surface with two, tiny white feathers and black tips hangs from a red cord around her neck. Berni appears to be haggard and drawn...her face is gaunt. Her eyes seems to have sunk into her skull a few centimeters, but on closer look, they just appear this way due to the dark gray rings circling her eyes. She also seems to be losing the battle with her weight maintenance, as well, and looks to be a few pounds underweight once again. She's easily distracted and is having trouble concentrating. Bernadette looks both sad to leave, but yearning to go. Carrying: guitar Carisak Small black crystal ring (worn) Rykos slips out quietly, trying to hide the tears forming in his eyes. Rykos steps out into the hallway. Rykos has left. Bernadette lets go of Kevlan with one hand to wipe at her eyes...and goes rigid with a sharp intake of breath and a whimper, teeth clenched as she's wracked suddenly with a painful convulsion. Kevlan cries, "Berni!" Tamber swears, and quickly checks Bernadette over as he catches Jerrik's attention and demands, "Get to the hangar. Unrack Kevlan's sled. Now! Her grip loosens on Kevlan at the spasm subsides and she crumples to the floor breathing raggedly. Bernadette starts crying again, whimpering "What's happening to me..." Kevlan stares in shock at Bernadette as Tamber tells her, "You need crystal, dear girl, and you need it now." He faces Kevlan. "You have to take her, Kevlan. There is no other way." Bernadette doesn't look up from the floor, where she's propped herself up on her elbow, still trying to catch her breath. Kevlan trembles, clearly frightened... but at last he nods, and tries to get up. 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. His sandy brown hair is quite shaggy, obscuring his eyes most of the time, and he often reflexively shoves it out of the way. In back, it brushes his shoulders. He is clad in a simply designed wraparound tunic, belted at the waist with braided strands of fabric, all of a pale creamy brown, with dark earth-toned breeches and calf-high suede boots the color of shade-dappled sand. You start to get worried as you see Kevlan pace and get more and more agitated. Kevlan is still rather pale, though his pallor is far less noticeable now. His eyes remain a tad unfocused, but they do seem to be much better, his left eye having regained the ability to stay focused with the right. His clothing still virtually drapes from his thin frame, though he is not nearly so gaunt as he was a few weeks ago; there is more substance to his frame and he seems far less a walking skeleton than he had. His usual expression, though, suggests that there is still much amiss with him; he is still frequently distractable, and his countenance is often that of a confused, bereft child. Kevlan tugs at Bernadette gently. "Berni... B-berni honey... c'mon... " Bernadette pushes herself up so that she's sitting finally and, whimpering still, allows Kevlan to tug her to her feet, standing unsteadily. Tamber takes one of Bernadette's arms, and gets Kevlan to take the other. The two escort Bernadette out of the suite, while Tamber calls to the room computer, "Door!" It slides obligingly open. You step out into the hallway. White Quadrant This gleaming white strip blazes in rainbow patterns: not the absence of color, but the presence of all colors in the spectrum. The intensity of the whiteness does not hurt your adapted vision but soothes it in a subliminal manner. Several recessed doorways indicate the quarters of some singers. Obvious exits: Turlough Suite Sharr/Marshall Suite Elissa's Suite Diamond's Suite Phil's Homebase Lifts [Tamber and Kevlan hurry Bernadette to the lifts... ] Lift 1 arrives with a soft *whoosh*. Lift 1 has arrived. Lift 1 The smooth metallic walls surround you. You notice to your right is a control panel which contains a row of darkened buttons indicating the levels of the Guild complex. Just 'press' the desired level number and you'll be on your way. Contents: Control Panel You enter lift 1. Tamber enters lift 1 after the doors *whoosh* open. Tamber has arrived. Bernadette enters lift 1 after the doors *whoosh* open. Bernadette has arrived. Kevlan has gone tense and rigid of stance, shaking in his efforts to hide his apparent fear. Tamber presses the button, saying soothingly to Bernadette, "We're sending you to the crystal, dear girl...." Bernadette gasps "Crystal..." and cries out as another wave of spasms make her double over. The lift doors slide shut and you feel the slight *pop* of air pressure changes. A soft chime sounds and a computer-generated voice announces: "Ground Level (Hangar Sorting Main Reception Area)." The doors *whoosh* open. [And with that, the Sorter and the two Singers hurry onto the Hangar floor. Continued in Part 2... ]