From owner-CRYSTAL@duke.poly.edu Tue Apr 18 11:12:41 1995 Return-Path: Received: from duke.poly.edu by netcom23.netcom.com (8.6.12/Netcom) id LAA08646; Tue, 18 Apr 1995 11:12:38 -0700 Received: from localhost by duke.poly.edu (8.6.9/1.34-032891-Polytechnic University) id OAA22770; Tue, 18 Apr 1995 14:08:29 -0400 Received: by duke.poly.edu (8.6.9/1.34-032891-Polytechnic University) id OAA22725; Tue, 18 Apr 1995 14:08:17 -0400 Message-Id: Date: Tue, 18 Apr 1995 14:08:16 -0400 (EDT) Sender: owner-CRYSTAL@duke.poly.edu From: Elliot Smorodinsky To: crystal@duke.poly.edu Subject: (Resend) LOG: Orynn Sharr Arrives (fwd) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII X-Listprocessor-Version: 7.1 -- ListProcessor by CREN Status: RO Archive-Name: Orynn_Sharr [ After leaving her brother, intent on heading back to Ballybran and Kevlan's side, Bernadette bumps into another surprise visitor... ] You step out into the lobby. Lobby of Shankill Station(#0RJs) This is the small lobby area on Shankill, one of the three moons of Ballybran. There are five irised exits leading off into the rest of the moon station, and an archway which leads to the shuttle area. The arch has an opaque force screen below it which occasionally dilates to let people through. This is a central spot on the moon base and there seems to always be someone walking swiftly through the small area, intent upon their business. Contents: Orynn Obvious exits: Shuttle Area Meeting Hall Administration Transients' hostel Catering Foyer Guild Hall This tall, sturdily built man has a look of earth and work about him. His features are weathered by time and elements, carrying a tan that suggests time frequently spent under a sun's radiance. Mostly grey, but with an occasional streak of sandy brownish-blond, his hair is cut short, but is nevertheless thick despite his obvious years. His eyes are a smoky shade of blue, fringed by dark lashes. When he speaks, it is with a thick drawling accent, and his manners are modest but direct. He is clad in simple clothes that seem almost quaint compared to the usual garb of a galactic traveler: his shirt, breeches, and boots are all cut in the manner of a working man, and are clearly old, if well-cared for. Orynn hoists a battered carisak over his shoulder, and squints consideringly at his surroundings as the other passengers off the latest shuttle disperse across the space station. Bernadette walks out of the guild hall and tries to push her way through the crowd of shuttle travelers. She frowns a bit as she's jostled. "Watch it.." she says a bit irritably and is promptly forced aside. She bumps into the tall gentleman in the simple clothes and looks up, briefly, muttering an apology. Orynn says automatically, "'Scuse me, missy," as he steps aside to let her pass. Bernadette halts as the familiarity of the accented voice catches her attention and she turns around to stare at the back of the man she's just bumped into. Orynn then blinks, and takes a better look at the small, delicately built young lady. He pauses for a moment, rummaging through a pocket before he produces a small 2-d holo. Bernadette frowns slightly as she looks at the traveler, ignoring the people still bumping into her as they move through the lobby. Orynn squints at this, and then looks up again, trying to see if the person who bumped into him is still in immediate sight. Bernadette stands a few paces away, slightly obscured by the remaining passengers who still throng about. Orynn drawls in a bass rumble to someone, "'Scuse me," before he peers around and gets a clear sight for several meters around him. His blue eyes seek out the one he's looking for, and he hails her with, "'lo, missy, Ah'd like t' speak with you, please?" Bernadette raises her eyebrows and looks around herself momentarily before returning her gaze to the man who's apparently addressed her. She points to herself. "Me?" The lobby has emptied considerably. Only a few random arrivals mill about. Orynn strides closer, still occasionally squinting at the holo in his hand and then up at you, suggesting possible nearsightedness although he is wearing no corrective lenses that you can see. "Ah b'lieve Ah have reason t' know you, missy... would you be Bern'dette Marshall?" Orynn presents the holo in his big, work-roughened hand. Orynn's face begins to take on a look of relief and hope; now that he is closer, you can tell that the man looks worried. Bernadette blinkblinks and peers up at the tall stranger in surprise, then looks at the holo, her surprise registering even greater. "That's me!" She breathes as she looks at the holo, then looks back up at the gentleman holding it. "Yes, I'm Bernadette...." She looks confused. "Do I know you?" Orynn visibly brightens, murmuring fervently, "Lady Bright, thankee... " More loudly, and with an expression that's trying very hard to be a smile despite the worry in the crinkled eyes, he answers, "We ain't had th' honor o' meetin', missy, but mah boy's been writin' home 'bout you." Bernadette continues to stare at you in confusion before your words finally register in Berni's tired mind. Her eyes widen and her mouth takes on a little 'O' shape, and she promptly offers her hand. "You're Kevlan's father." Orynn gives an honest smile, at that. Pocketing the holo, he clasps the offered hand in both of his, and agrees gruffly, "That's right, an' Ah'm heah t' see mah boy. Ah'm right thankful Ah done run intah you, Ah been combin' this place evah since th' shuttle landed." Bernadette blinks, frowning just a little, as she pumps your hands. "Pleased to meet you, Mr. Sharr...." She frowns a little more and asks "You're here to see Kevlan?" Occasionally, your thoughts turn to Ballybran. Non-singers around you see: Bernadette seems to be elsewhere occasionally. Orynn shifts slightly from foot to foot, the look of a man who's restless and trying to relax. "C'n we talk sommeres, missy?" Bernadette glances at the shuttle area, at her chrono, then back at you with a little shrug. "Sure...sure. Have you eaten lately?" She links her arm through yours and begins to guide you towards the catering lounge. Orynn allows a look of relief, and lets you guide him through the admittedly daunting warren of corridors in this place. "Ah'm peckish 'nuff. Newfangled shuttle crews don' feed a man proper... " Orynn mutters gruffly under his breath as he follows you into the lounge. Bernadette smiles to herself as she steers you through the corridors. Orynn strides up the short steps to the catering area. Orynn has left. You stride up the short steps to the catering area. Catering Foyer The catering area is divided into several sections by waist high walls lined with potted plants. The end nearest the entrance is taken by business cubicles and stalls, some screened for privacy, and a comfortable bar area. The walls surrounding the central dining area are lined with service slots and bright-orange menu panels. After dialing up a meal from the considerable selection available, diners can seat themselves at one of the many tables or booths. Cleaning 'bots whir unobtrusively through the room, removing used dishes and wiping tables. Contents: Orynn Catering Unit Obvious exits: Catering Offices Lobby Bernadette ushers you to a table. "Have a seat, Mr. Sharr. What can I get for you?" Her manner is very polite. Orynn squints about the foyer, and looks visibly disappointed at the clearly automated nature of the place. His mouth curls in an uncomfortable look as he regards all the catering machinery, but he sits down readily enough. Bernadette moves away toward the catering unit and looks at you expectantly. Orynn peers at the nearest caterer, and mutters something about wondering where the freg a man's supposed to pay a machine anyhow. Then he looks up again, and ahems, somewhat sheepishly. Bernadette smiles. "Please, let me treat you...anything on the menu that appeals?" She spins the menu around for you. Orynn says "You prob'ly know these devices better'n' me, missy, so iffin you c'n git me a sandwitch an' ale Ah'd be right grateful." Orynn looks for a moment as if he might protest the offer of a treat, but then he subsides, glancing relievedly at the caterer as if he's not quite sure how to work the thing. Bernadette nods and replies "Yessir..." and sets about dialing up a large roast beef sandwich with a side of fried potatoes and a salad and a beaker of Yarran. She removes your order and carries the tray to the table. "You can call me Berni, if you'd like..." she says softly, as she places the tray in front of you and sits across the table from you. Orynn seems to relax a little more, and he tells you, "Well, Berni missy, you git yourse'f somethin', too, Ah don' wanna stuff mah face in front o' you." Bernadette blinks and smiles as she gets to her feet with another "Yessir.." She dials herself up a Yarran and a serving of popcorn, carrying the tray back to the table and resuming her seat. Bernadette mutters apologetically "I haven't been very hungry lately..." and pops a few kernels of the buttered corn in her mouth. Orynn says wisely, "Times o' stress, missy, 'r' when it's all the more'm 'portant t' eat proper. Even if the food tastes jes' like dirt... " He sips the ale, though, and looks surprised, continuing, "Though Ah'll hafta credit this stuff tastes better'n' the dredge on th' shuttle." Orynn then suddenly catches himself, and blushes, and grins. "You'll hafta pardon me. Ah'm natterin'." Bernadette smiles. "That's okay...I like the way you talk." Her smile fades just a little. "Your son sounds a lot like you." Orynn gives a sad sort of smile, and fixes you with a steady blue gaze. "Ah got a message from that Guildmaster feller you an' Kev work fer. He tol' me mah boy's hurt." Bernadette looks down at her popcorn and nods. "Yes, he is," she says sadly. She picks through the popcorn but doesn't eat any. Instead, she takes a drink from the yarran. Orynn sighs, makes some progress on the food, and then swallows briskly and continues, "Ah set out soon's Ah heard. You wan' tell me how bad? That Farantine feller didn't say much past some no-counts roughin' up mah boy someplace." Bernadette frowns and looks up, meeting your gaze with a sigh. "From what I understand, Kevlan was on an installation assignment and was taken by some people who didn't want him to carry out the installation. I'm guessing they kept him heavily drugged and didn't care for him properly." She looks down again. "He was badly undernourished...starved...and had a few bruises when he was returned. He's healing, though. Physically, at least." She falls silent. Orynn frowns, a rough note in his voice as he entreats, "G'on... " Bernadette jumps a little as she's prompted and continues in a small voice. "He has bad dreams now, Mr. Sharr. And he can't talk very well." Her frown deepens and she looks forlorn as she says "He says he can't sing." Bernadette mumbles quietly "He's afraid of everything, too." Orynn stares at you a long while, at this news. But what he asks at last is, "Howd'ya mean, he cain't sing?" Orynn says "Did these no-counts hurt mah boy's throat?" Bernadette shrugs helplessly. "I don't know. He's afraid to sing." She shakes her head quickly. "No, sir. Not that the medical reports showed." Thoughts of your claims pass through your head every once in awhile. Non-singers around you see: Bernadette seems to be elsewhere occasionally. Orynn scowls troubledly, eating for a bit, and considering. Finally he says tiredly, testing your name as if still trying it on for size, "Berni... Kevlan tol' me y'all pledged. Then you oughtta unnerstand... that voice o' his come straight from th' Lady herse'f. You tellin' me, some... " Bernadette nods as you speak, confirming she and Kevlan pledged, and waits for you to finish Orynn pauses, looking for words, and finally just shakes his head irritably. "Somebody hurt mah son so badly he's 'fraid o' doin' what th' Lady put him in this life t' do?" Bernadette looks at you sadly. "I'm afraid so, Mr. Sharr. And it's not just that he's afraid to sing, sir." She ducks her head as her eyes begin to glimmer suspiciously. "He's afraid to hear music..or anyone singing." Orynn frowns into his Yarran for a long moment, and then studies you gravely. He finally simply says, "Ah wanna see mah boy." Bernadette doesn't look up, but her faces reddens as she blushes and speaks quietly. "I wish I could take you to him, sir, but I can't." Orynn makes a gruff sort of rumbling sound, as he waves a hand in dismissal. "Ah know that planet o' yourn's all wrapped up in rules 'n' sech. You jes' tell me if Ah c'n talk t' that Guildmaster feller." Bernadette glances up, her head still slightly bowed. "I don't see why you couldn't, sir...." Terfase enters from the lobby area. Terfase has arrived. Terfase says "Hi all" *** Terfase just looked at you. ** 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. Bernadette glances up from her Yarran at the new arrival and nods politely. Orynn glances up over his meal at the new arrival, and drawls deeply, "'lo theah." tall young man, medium build with a kind smile Bernadette checks her chrono again and polishes off her Yarran, leaving most, if not all, of her popcorn untouched. She looks at the older man sitting across from her who will one day, hopefully, be her father-in-law. Clearing her throat, she ventures "I'll tell Guildmaster Maxwell that you'd like to speak him, Mr. Sharr." She shrugs her shoulders helplessly. "I wish there was more I could do." Terfase spins the menufax around to display the selections. Terfase spins the menufax around to display the drink selections. Terfase peruses the selection of drinks, and orders a glass of water. Orynn turns back to his companion and says levelly, "Ah'd 'ppreciate that, Bern'dette. Ah cain't say I know much 'bout this heah Guild o' yours, an' a man needs t' know what he's doin' in a new place like this'un." Terfase refreshed and ready for more excersise, moves on Terfase leaves the dining room to return to the main corridors of the base. Terfase has left. Bernadette nods. "Understandable, Mr. Sharr." She glances again at her chrono the looks at Orynn apologetically. "If you think you'll be alright here, sir, I'd like to return to Kevlan..." She adds quickly. "I've been gone kind of long...my brother also decided to pay a visit." She shrugs. Orynn asks, his blue gaze firm, "D'you think mah boy c'n stand a call?" Bernadette blinks and considers this. "On the terminal?" Orynn's bushy eyebrows quirk. "Less'n you know some othah way o' callin' him?" Bernadette blushes and looks down at her lap. "No, sir...I mean, I thought you meant an in-person call, sir...." She speaks quickly and looks up, still beet red. "I can ask him when I get there, sir, and call you?" Bernadette hesitates a moment then adds, "But, Mr. Sharr...he doesn't talk much right now...I...I don't want you to be disappointed if he doesn't talk...even to you." She frowns worriedly. Orynn sighs, finishing off his food, and then faces you again. His rough face saddens a bit, seems to gentle. "He's... really tore up, ain't he?" Bernadette looks down again and nods. "I'm afraid so. He doesn't talk much to me. And I don't know how to help him very well." She sounds ashamed as she admits this last. Orynn considers, then says gruffly, "You... c'n go down on that thar planet... Ah cain't. You bettah git down theah. But iffin you c'n put in a word with your boss that Ah'd like to see 'em, Ah'd be raht grateful." Bernadette nods and stands up. "I will, Mr. Sharr." She meets your eyes again. "I'll call you when I get home...one way or the other." She fidgets for a moment then offers her hand again. "It was a pleasure meeting you, sir...I wish it were under better circumstances, but..." she shrugs again. Orynn rises as well, clasping your small hand in his. "You tell mah boy Ah'm heah. Even if he cain't talk too good. Boy needs his daddy iffin he's hurt. Maybe it'll he'p 'him t' know, anyhow." Orynn then smiles, crookedly, in a way that clearly suggests where his son got that lopsided smile. "Ah'm pleased t' fin'lly see Kevlan's pledged, too, Bern'dette." Bernadette manages a little smile and nods once more. "I will, sir." Her smile becomes a bit more earnest and she blushes. "I, umm..I'm glad he pledged with me, too." She withdraws her hand and with another little smile, walks to the door. Orynn escorts you to that door, and with that, bids you farewell. [ End of log.]