Log Date: 1/13/97, 1/14/97 Log Cast: Kesya, Tance Log Intro: Kesya and Tance have returned to the Ranges to finish off her last black claim -- but in the process have begun to finally realize that they're deeply attracted to one another. After a playful chase through the snow leads them into an ardent kiss -- and gets them both soaked to the skin -- Kesya finally coaxes her companion back into the warmth of the sled. ---------- Kesya climbs into the sled, shivering, and immediately goes to the sled's small catering unit to serve us both up mugs of hot cocoa. As the unit dispenses the steaming drink, she pulls blankets down from the upper storage units and piles them on the bed. "I s'pose we shouldn't have sat in the snow so long," she says sheepishly, though the gaze she casts you tells you she's not actually thinking that at all. Nothing wrong with snow, not when there's someone like Tance in it too. Blankets are a good idea. Good enough that they'd occurred to Tance, too, and his hands bump into yours as you move to fetch them. He chuckles huskily, grins widely, and steps back just enough to let you get them. "We're all wet," he agrees. Kesya's fingers pause as they touch yours, and she nervously withdraws to busy herself with the blankets. As you point out her state of attire though, she chuckles softly, seeming almost giddy as she does so. "I almost hadn't noticed." She blinks as the catering unit finally finishes serving up the drinks, and points out needlessly, "Umm.. Hot chocolate's done though." "Great," pipes Tance, and he reaches for the two cups, at the catering unit in one quick stride... Kesya manages to stiffle a giggle even as she steps out of your way, a brow arching teasingly. "One might think you love hot chocolate as much as peach ice cream." "Dunno, but it sure smells good..." Meeting your gaze, Tance gives you yet another in a series of lopsided smiles he's been broadcasting all throughout the walk back to the sled. And, still smiling, he offers you one of the cups. Kesya drapes one of the blankets over your shoulders, and takes the cup with a grateful smile. "Thanks." She perches on the edge of the bed, taking a sip before casting you another one of those soulful glances. For one who's normally so chatty, Kesya is amazingly quiet today. Tance settles down gingerly beside you, cupping the cocoa mug between his hands, and inhaling a bit as the heat from the container begins to warm his palms. "Kinda wish we had a fireplace," he observes, then blinks at his own words, quizzically. Kesya's slow smile reflects her surprise, and she puts one arm on your back, fingers playing with the strands of hair at the nape of your neck. "A fireplace? Shards, I haven't seen one of those since... since I visited Floridian." Eyes shining, she begins to describe the lodge there, with marvellous wood walls and floors, and the biggest fireplace you ever saw. "And then on the veranda, they had this amazingly hot whirlpool... what a vacation that was." Tance's eyes light, first at the touch; his hair is quite damp still, and the blanket has absorbed a bit of meltoff from what bits of snow still cling there. His gaze lights further at the description of the lodge, and he says, awkwardly but eagerly, as if finding it simultaneously difficult, vitally important, and joyously pleasing to do so, "It, it sounds real nice, I wish I could remember if I've been there....!" Kesya giggles softly, leaning into you to give you a warm hug. Her damp hair brushes your chin as she does so, and you can hear her musical voice, muffled. "Well, that was about all there was to see. Except lots of skiing, and skating. Winter sports." Straightening, she trails a finger down your sleeve. "You're soaked," she points out. Nevermind she's just the same. "We should get you dry." He bobs his head at you, looking randomly about till he finds somewhere to set the cocoa mug down, then he turns back to you, looks down at his wet clothing, and blushes a little. "I, um, I guess I did get pretty damp...." "Soaked," the green-skinned woman points out helpfully. "I guess we should fix that before we both end up with Krellin sticking tubes in us again." Tance blinkblinks, brow furrowing. "I... remember something about that..." He doesn't specify what, but whatever the recollection is, it spurs him to start disrobing, while trying to keep the blanket on at the same time. As he does, he glances at you, and seems torn between blushing and grinning, as well. Kesya giggles softly, and, realizing you're feeling self-concious, teases you by making an act of trying to peer around the blanket. Tance sheepishly laughs back, and murmurs, "Um. I, uh, remember somethin' about this, too," he mentions, as his boots make their way to the floor, followed by his wet jumpsuit and leaving him in reasonably dry underclothes and the blanket. Kesya finally relents, standing to give you a gentle kiss on those soft lips of yours. "You /can/ use the shower chamber to change in. Even warm up in the shower while you're at it." She giggles at your words, nodding. Then her gaze drops to your chest and arms, and she stands back, expression thoughtful. "You know, you mentioned earlier you felt stronger. You look it, too. You've got more muscle tone than last time." With a shivver, she begins disrobing as well, making a face as she peels off the arm of the shipsuit. Bemused by your observation, Tance glances down at himself again; from what you can see of him, indeed, he looks fitter than when you'd shepherded him. "Guess you lettin' me eat out of your caterer helps," he says, then. He doesn't move for the shower chamber, though, and his gaze lifts to you when he realizes you're undressing, too. Kesya pauses as she feels your eyes on her, and she casts you a beligerant look, now equally self-concious. "What?" Stubbornly refusing to be affected by you -- and failing, of course -- she strips off the sodden jumpsuit, tossing it to one side as she rummages for another. Tance begins, "You're...", trails off, then manages to continue, "... you... look nice, even wet...." Kesya straightens, looking at you over her shoulder before she smiles self-conciously. She takes the step over to you, her hands sliding around you in a tentative hug. "Thank you," she says quietly, "So do you." Looking both astonished and thrilled, Tance grins up at you, then says, "I... owe you that. I mean... I-I look like a civilized human being again..." Kesya laughs, arching a brow at you as she withdraws enough to look into your face. "As opposed to what, the brother of that Ranges monster everyone's always yammering about? Nah, you just needed the right clothes and hairdo, is all." She ruffles her fingers through your damp locks, then blushes and steps to wrap a blanket around herself too, passing you your hot chocolate again. "I like the way you look now." Tance takes the cup in one hand, the other extended towards you, and he blurts, "And... I-I'm thinking straight again. Well, almost... Jade... thank you..." Kesya shifts the blanket around you, and at the tone in your voice, takes your hand. "No thanks needed Tance," she says gently, her blue eyes warm. "You've done just as much for me." A low, husky chuckle follows. "I mean, it's been a long time... well, forever, really... since someone's come up and tossed my life on its rear end like you have." She looks up at you, that smile on her face once more. "I didn't realize before how much I needed it." Kesya snugs the blanket tighter around her, her gaze softening as she glances over at you. "So... let's call it even, 'k? I s'pose we could say I have a vested interest in your welfare." And she winks, lifting her mug to her lips. Tance smiles again, crookedly. "Okay," he agrees. Oh. Right. The cocoa. He gulps down a mouthful of it himself, then glances back at you. "So, um..." Kesya looks up at you curiously, finishing off her drink. "Um? Oh..." She blinks, glancing outside. "I s'pose we're done here. I saw a promising looking spot last time we were out... we could fly by there on the way back, see if there's anything to it?" Kesya adds with a wry smile, "And.. maybe make plans for Syrene while we're flying? If you still want to go there, that is." Tance's features soften into a gentler expression, though his brow crinkles nervously as he admits, "I'm... kinda scared about the idea, Jade. But... I think I oughtta go. I've been looking through my old files trying to find out what I know -- knew -- about my own homeworld..." Tance's words come out of him in a tumble. Kesya smiles gently, casting off her blanket as she moves to take your hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "Scary... but exciting too, don't you think?" She pads softly to the console, flicking switches and making preparations for flight. "Did you find anything interesting in the files?" Tance offers, sounding uncertain, "I... I think my mother died when I was small..." Kesya pauses, glancing over her shoulder as she slowly takes a seat in one of the console chairs. "Oh?" Tance nods slowly, brown eyes turning thoughtful. "He... I mean, I, younger I... talked about her like she was gone..." Kesya's lips purse together thoughtfully, her gaze still on yours. "Not like she was just far away? Did you ever mention, in those logs, more about 'what she told you'?" Still somewhat absent of eye, Tance frowns vaguely, trying to think. "I don't... lemme try to remember..." Tance finally goes on, "Not... not in the stuff I've read so far. No. Not yet." Tance rubs the back of one hand across his eyes, as though he suddenly has a headache. Kesya nods at your answer, piloting the sled over the claim and towards the spot she had thought she might have seen something promising. The two talk during the brief flight, outlining plans for the trip. Once his cocoa is downed and he's something like dry again, Tance gets into the passenger seat, mostly quiet as you fly. His face remains pensive, introspective, though he answers readily enough to what casual comments you levy at him while the sled is aloft. After a decent amount of time in the air, the sled slows over a patch of uninteresting looking terrain, harsh and rocky. But all the same, Kesya insists this is it. "I know it doesn't /look/ good... but I've got this feeling..." It takes her quite a while to find a landing spot, and she settles the sled down at last. Looking to you, her brows arch. "I'm feeling a little zingy, so let's see if there's anything worth cutting here and then head back, okay?" "Something... something I gotta remember... " Tance seems to barely hear you, until he senses the sled going down. He blinks, then looks out the viewscreen and ohs. For a moment his brow does furrow at the unimpressive landscape, but he nods trustingly enough. "Okay, Jade.... I'm... maybe I better not cut much, I gotta remember something..." Kesya nods, chatting with you as she stands from the seat to pull her belt pouch from a back compartment. "Well... what does it /feel/ like?" Tance moves with you, but distractedly, still caught up in whatever recollection he is struggling to grasp. "Something about my mother... but... I don't remember her." He frowns to himself as his arms move of their own volition to get his cutter. Kesya's movements pause, one arm sliding around your waist to offer you encouragement. "It's possible that with all that looking through old files, some old memories would be stirred up." She quiets then, waiting to see if her silence helps you to concentrate on grasping the elusive memory. You say "There's.... something, and... it's important." His cutter slung now onto his shoulder, Tance absently lifts a hand towards his throat, and his hand closes for a moment as if to take hold of something, but it then drops again. "Blast. Not gettin' it." Kesya presses her lips together, concerned at the look of frustration on your face. "Well," she offers helpfully, "When I can't remember something, I do something else and then it comes to me later. If you like I can remind you about it later, and maybe it'll be easier to think of." Tance asks dolefully, "After cuttin' crystal?" Then he sighs, indeed frustratedly. "It's gonna hafta wait anyhow. You wanna duo with me, I gotta do my share." Kesya pokes you in the ribs, brows furrowed. "Hey. We're duoing, and that means we look out for one another. We don't need to cut today, and if you want to talk about this, we can do that too." She rubs at the back of her neck for a moment, "'Sides, I'm almost thinking we /shouldn't/ cut today, anyway." Kesya adds wryly, "I just want to see what's here, if anything." Tance allows, half-worried, and half strangely eager, "It'll go right outta my head if it's green...." For a moment or two his gaze goes noticeably distant. Kesya's expression turns wary. "Tance... I don't think you should cut green. Not... for a while, anyway." Tance blinks. His head jerks a little as though he is rousing from a dream... or thrall. "What?" he asks, blankly. Kesya repeats firmly. "I said, I don't think you should cut green for a while." Tance stares at you uncomprehendingly; then, slowly, the import of your words seems to reach him. "'Cause... it'll fry my head the most, won't it...." Kesya smiles softly, nodding. "Right... and... I don't want that." Kesya says carefully, "So if it /is/ green... we won't cut it. 'K?" She adds hurriedly, "But I've only ever found green once, and that was the claim we went to. So... I doubt this would be green." Tance grimaces... perhaps in longing, and perhaps in fright. "I d... don't wanna be like I was before, Jade," he whispers roughly. "I don't... you, you hafta keep me away if it's green, I-I dunno if I can stay away by myself..." Kesya nods reassuringly, sliding her arms around you in a tight embrace, head nestled against your shoulder. "Don't worry Tance. I won't let anything happen to you. Let's just see if there's anything /here/ first, shall we?" For all that the fear in his voice makes him sound far younger than his years, there's nothing childlike in the fierceness of his return hug. "'Kay," he answers huskily. "Trust you." Kesya tightens her grasp around you for one second, and withdraws to take your hand. "I trust you too. Now... " She gets an impish gleam to her eyes, "Let's explore!" With that, she leads you out of the sled. Kesya has left. You step out from the cramped interior of the sled "Twilight's Ambition." North End of Cliff Base In the flat, virtually featureless plains of Ballybran, the crystal ranges extend down into the ground, though occasionally peaks or ridges such as the two looming above you break the skyline. Ragged and rocky, they conceal behind their dual looming faces a steep cliff and stream bed and perhaps a wealth of crystal. At night the land is bathed in a silky blackness. Stars to the east are partially blocked by the large peaks, but other directions reveal an open sky. As the moons of Ballybran are framed in the saddle of the peaks, each casts it's own distinct shade on the land below. Between large boulders piled at the base of the steep cliff and the fast moving stream is a narrow strip of land. At the northern end, a large bow in the stream bending outwards leaves ample space for a sled before veering back towards the cliff and making walking north a wet and irritating process. Small rustles of night creatures can be heard moving through the brush and trees. All about you can see freshly painted a large green circle, crossed in the center with a jet-black X. Contents: Kesya Kesya's sled Obvious exits: Edge of Stream Bed Steep Escarpment Tance comes out after you, looking around intently. Kesya looks around, your hand still in hers. "Blech." "Am I cracked, Jade, or do I keep running into water around you?" Tance glances at you sidelong, then half-grins at you. Kesya giggles softly, her eyes following the stream bed. "Maybe it's the water we're attracted to, and not the crystal." Glancing about, she peers upwards. "Well, where would you like to start?" Tance snickers, then glances in the two promising directions he can make out from here. "Well, you said you had a feelin'...." Kesya sighs, nodding. "Well sure, but not in any of the directions it seems we can go... " She squeezes your hand, "You pick, and I'll follow." Kesya is obviously trying to get you to be more adventurous, and she waits with an amused gleam to her eyes. Along the edge of the stream a reasonably flat strip of land encourages walking south. Looking up the steep escarpment, you can discern a path up the hill leading first around several enormous boulders. Tance glances down the stream, then up into the rocks, and grins crookedly. "Guess it's a choice between gettin' our feet wet and a good climb, Jade..." But he gestures off to the escarpment, perhaps wanting to try to get the better exercise by scrambling up the rocks. First rounding several enormous boulders at the base of the cliff, you make your way up the steep cliff. Steep Escarpment In the flat, virtually featureless plains of Ballybran, the crystal ranges extend down into the ground, though occasionally peaks or ridges such as the two looming above you break the skyline. Ragged and rocky, they conceal behind their dual looming faces a steep cliff and stream bed and perhaps a wealth of crystal. At night the land is bathed in a silky blackness. Stars to the east are partially blocked by the large peaks, but other directions reveal an open sky. As the moons of Ballybran are framed in the saddle of the peaks, each casts it's own distinct shade on the land below. Dropping from the base of the two peaks is a long, high, steep face of rock. Large boulders serve to anchor stunted trees and other vegetation hugs the slope, partially stabilizing the cliff. Without the light of the sun, these boulders with their stunted trees look rather ominous and almost alive. All about you can see freshly painted a large green circle, crossed in the center with a jet-black X. Obvious exits: Boulder Scree Narrow Rocky Path Base of Twin Peaks Kesya emerges through a few stunted trees from the northern route to the stream bed. Kesya has arrived. Tance makes his way slowly, but steadily enough, pausing only once to catch his breath. About halfway down the steep cliff there appears to be only two clear paths to the stream. The southern path is strewn with rocks, from enormous sled-sized boulders to a fine slippery gravel. It looks dangerous yet not quite impossible to the fully adapted Crystal Singer. Looking up the slope towards the twin peaks, you can discern several ways to scramble up the cliff to the base of the towers. Tance, paused, turns slowly to get his bearings. "Where's it hidin'...." About halfway down the steep cliff there appears to be only two clear paths to the stream. The northern path looks rocky and gravel strewn but nevertheless the easier of the two. Kesya's breathing is deep and just a little more hurried as she makes it to the top after you, and she brushes her hands off as she catches up. Looking around, she seems to have forgotten the lure of crystal nearby, seemingly having fun just traipsing after you. She could probably point out the feel of the crystal nearby, but she doesn't, just watching you with fond eyes. Kesya stuffs her hands in her pockets, looking upwards towards the peak before gazing back in your direction. "Can you feel it?" Perhaps it's long-trained instinct moving him, now; Tance's bearing has gotten surer, and his brown gaze sweeps critically across the terrain. "Ain't gettin' nothin' yet, girlie," he tells you, but his regard lingers higher on the peaks. Tance mutters, "Get a better look from higher up..." and begins climbing further up the slope. Kesya looks up, following your gaze. "You're really into climbing today, aren't you?" You pick your way around large boulders, and using the occasional tree branch to steady your progress, you climb up to the base of the twin peaks. Twin Peaks Ridge In the flat, virtually featureless plains of Ballybran, the crystal ranges extend down into the ground, though occasionally peaks or ridges such as the two looming above you break the skyline. Ragged and rocky, they conceal behind their dual looming faces a steep cliff and stream bed and perhaps a wealth of crystal. At night the land is bathed in a silky blackness. Stars to the east are partially blocked by the large peaks, but other directions reveal an open sky. As the moons of Ballybran are framed in the saddle of the peaks, each casts it's own distinct shade on the land below. The peaks crouch above you, dominating the sky to the east. At their base is a narrow ledge, unfortunately not big enough for a sled but sizable enough to allow you to comfortably stand and regard the view. From here, several potential paths can be discerned leading up the southern peak or down towards the base of the steep slope at your feet. The narrow ledge is a dangerous place to spend the night, however, for it is really to small to accommodate your sleeping form and the drop off the steep escarpment is forbidding indeed. All about you can see freshly painted a large green circle, crossed in the center with a jet-black X. Obvious exits: Steep Escarpment Southern Peak Kesya uses a tree branch to lever herself up the last portion of the steep escarpment. Kesya has arrived. By the time he reaches the top of the ridge Tance is looking more winded, but he grins at you as you catch up with him. "What, I thought _I_ was the old one, Jade!" he tells you archly. At your feet is a very steep and slippery-looking slope down towards the stream bed. While difficult, it looks possible to climb the southern most peak. Kesya's tone sounds amused, and she gestures to the peak to the south as she comes up behind you. "With my luck you'll want to climb /that/ monster.... hey!" At your words she laughs, giving your back a light slap. "You're more fit than you know, Tance Vokrim!" And with that, she heads up the final peak without waiting for you. Hrmph! Kesya apparently decides to tackle the forbidding southern peak in order to secure a better view. Kesya has left. You begin to climb the southern of the two towering ridges of stone. Traversing across the rough face, scrambling over large boulders, you make a slow tortured progress to a jut at the top of the peak. Southern Peak In the flat, virtually featureless plains of Ballybran, the crystal ranges extend down into the ground, though occasionally peaks or ridges such as the two looming above you break the skyline. Ragged and rocky, they conceal behind their dual looming faces a steep cliff and stream bed and perhaps a wealth of crystal. At night the land is bathed in a silky blackness. Stars to the east are partially blocked by the large peaks, but other directions reveal an open sky. As the moons of Ballybran are framed in the saddle of the peaks, each casts it's own distinct shade on the land below. Up on the top of the southern of the two peaks, the view is truly astounding. So little rises above the surface level on Ballybran that to be this high has a sensual pleasure all its own. You can see for hundreds of klicks on a clear day and are truly convinced that the long difficult climb was well worth the effort. At night, however, the wind whistles fiercely here on this high perch. Tonight you pay for the view with the severe chill that no jumpsuit or parka can quite block. Yet.... the moonlight casts the plains of Ballybran into dark shadowed shades of pale blue and lavender. Getting down in the dark, however, is something to be dreaded. Even full symbiont adaptation will not fix a broken neck. You shiver as you cast your face up to the fast moving moons. All about you can see freshly painted a large green circle, crossed in the center with a jet-black X. Contents: Kesya Obvious exits: Base of Twin Peaks Kesya's breath leaves her in a whoosh at the amazing view, and she doesn't even glance at you as you follow her up. "Wow Tance, you can see everything from up here." Tance laughs breathlessly as he clambers up at you, then lets out a long, astonished whistle. "Wow...." Up here on the high peak the whistle carries down the night air, echoing a little. Kesya moves against you to help protect her from the chill wind up here, though her gaze sweeps over the nighttime-shaded blue and lavender plains below. "Maybe this place isn't so 'blech' after all." Tance readily takes you into his arms, as he murmurs into your nearer ear, "It's... wow." Kesya smiles pleasedly at your embrace, her hair, no longer tied back, fluttering around her shoulders in the wind. "Must be nice in the daytime, too," she observes. "But it's chilly. Hot chocolate would make it nicer." She peers around, trying to spot other areas of the claim to see where crystal may be hidden. "Ain't sure I'd wanna tote it all the way up here....." Tance trails off, then leans back from you a little again, and lets out another whistle -- this one louder, longer. When he stops, there lingers another echo in the air at least for a moment or three, and he says, "Hear that?" Kesya nods excitedly, her head tilting back a bit as she lets out a strong, clear F that echos along the hills... but more specifically, from a spot directly to the north. Tance whoops. "You were right!" For some reason it looks significantly more difficult to go down then it was to climb up. The slope is steep and the path tortuous as it winds up the side of the peak to your high perch. Kesya's gaze meets yours as she arches a brow, grinning. "Well, should be easy to find now." Kesya nudges you in the side. "Let's go find it, before I freeze!" Tance grins back, teeth flashing white in the darkness, and starts making his way northward. Clearly you can not stay up here forever and after glancing once more at the astounding view, you begin the tortuous climb down to the base of the peak. As difficult as it looked from the peak, you do not arrive at the base without picking up a number of minor scrapes and bruises that fortunately symbiont adaptation will remedy in little time. Twin Peaks Ridge Obvious exits: Steep Escarpment Southern Peak Kesya slips down the last few feet of slope from the southern peak, looking a bit worse for wear. Kesya has arrived. Taking a deep breath and checking your tool belt to make sure all is secure, you carefully begin your descent towards the stream down the rock strewn cliff. Steep Escarpment Obvious exits: Boulder Scree Narrow Rocky Path Base of Twin Peaks Kesya scrambles somewhat awkwardly down the slope from the base of the peaks. Kesya has arrived. "This way!" Tance yells, as the two of you make your way down. Choosing the more difficult path, you carefully work your way down the boulder strewn scree to the stream bed below. South End of Cliff Base In the flat, virtually featureless plains of Ballybran, the crystal ranges extend down into the ground, though occasionally peaks or ridges such as the two looming above you break the skyline. Ragged and rocky, they conceal behind their dual looming faces a steep cliff and stream bed and perhaps a wealth of crystal. At night the land is bathed in a silky blackness. Stars to the east are partially blocked by the large peaks, but other directions reveal an open sky. As the moons of Ballybran are framed in the saddle of the peaks, each casts it's own distinct shade on the land below. Between large boulders piled at the base of the steep cliff and the fast moving stream is a narrow strip of land. The southern end is strewn with debris from the boulder slide, exposing the inner workings of the cliff face. In fact, a rock slide, tumbling enormous chunks of earth and stone, blocks further progress south. Not a comfortable place to linger at night, large rocks making the ground not only treacherous to walk on, but also exceedingly uncomfortable for sleeping. All about you can see freshly painted a large green circle, crossed in the center with a jet-black X. Obvious exits: Edge of Stream Bed Steep Escarpment Faint crystal song sings softly in your ear. All about you can see freshly painted a large green circle, crossed in the center with a jet-black X. The vein subtly sings to you in a scale of F. You catch a sparkling glimmer of pure black. The crystal rings with a sweetness and purity of tone. It is clear from the debris that crystals have been mined here in the past. From afar, Kesya laughs, hastening after you. Kesya slips down the last of the gravel of the slippery path leading up the steep escarpment. Kesya has arrived. Tance skids to a stop. "Here," he yelps. Kesya's breath catches as crystal sparkle catches her gaze, and she lets out a thrilled sigh as she walks slowly towards it. "Not... green," she manages to say. Tance pads after you, looking rather stunned, but grinning. "That's a helluva feeling you had if you picked it up from the air...!" Kesya grins, not bothering to glance back at you... her gaze is on the crystal. "I didn't say my feelings were always /right/... but sometimes... sometimes I'm lucky." Now she does look at you, blue eyes bright. "We're lucky." Tance blinks, then snorts, but his grin doesn't go away. "Ain't never had this kinda luck on my own, sweetheart. Head's cracked, but I can remember _that_!" Kesya claps pleasedly, giddy now with the proximity of her crystal. "You had luck, it was just different. I've never found green the way you have." She pauses, and pulls a small paint canister from her pouch, handing it to you. Withdrawing one of her own, she says more seriously, "We should mark it though. Green circle, black X, remember?" Tance again blinks, then beams hugely at you. "Paintmark!" He struggles a moment with the words, then adds brightly, "_Our_ paintmark? Ours!" Kesya nods blithely, smiling innocently at you. "Of course! We found it together, didn't we? It's ours." Tance impulsively grabs you again, and swings you around in a merry circle. "Yeehooo!" Kesya yelps as she's swung about, her arms wrapping about your shoulders. Laughing aloud, she hangs on until you set her down, and even then keeps an arm on you while she regains her balance. "Why so surprised?" she asks giddily. "This is what we made our paintmark /for/!" Tance cries laughingly, "It's _black_, I don't find black, girlie! It's..." He cuts off then as he sets you down, but he keeps holding you, regardless. And his expression dramatically softens. "We ain't... we ain't found a claim before, I mean, _together_.... right?" Kesya shakes her head at you, eyes wide as she tries to figure out what you're thinking. "No, this is the first time." Tance's mouth works without him for a moment, before he finally gets out, ".... _special_, the first claim...!" Kesya bursts into laughter, her arms grasping at yours as she finally subdues enough to reach up to give you a quick kiss. "I guess it is, at that! It hadn't occurred to me." Tance happily, shyly, eagerly returns the kiss, then asks, "You wanna stay?" Kesya glances over her shoulder at the crystal, and sighs indecisively. "We shouldn't. I mean, we've got black to get sorted now... and I'm /really/ starting to get buzzy." She looks at you curiously, "Unless you want to..." Tance meets your gaze and says, still sounding awkwardly bashful, "I want... I wanna be with you, Jade." He smiles. "Too dark anyhow..." Kesya says carelessly, "Andi taught me how to cut... so I don't really have a problem cutting in the dark. I mean, she's blind after all." But she starts heading out, pausing at a nearby rock to gesture to your paint can. "You do the circles, and I'll follow and do the X's." Tance calls after you teasingly, "Some of us crazy old karkers'll trip across our own feet, though, kid....!" He grins, though, moving off to do as you ask, to produce with a 'woosh' of sprayed paint the green circles. The green circle wavers as Kesya sneaks up, ducking in front of you to wrap her arms around your neck as she plants a kiss firmly on your lips. "Who're you calling 'kid'?" she asks in a mischievous whisper. Tance cuts off the spray just in time, and grins devilishly. "Old enough to be your... um.... your great-grandfather, girlie!" he parries. Kesya withdraws, putting on a false air of indignation. "Fine," she says, slashing a black X inside the circle you painted, before moving on to the next rock. "In that case, you wouldn't be interested in a babe like me..." Her voice trails off, as she begins painting another rock. She does though, make an effort not to look back at you, seeming as serene as a still pond. Tance steps after you, and protests, "Didn't say _that_!" Kesya whistles lightly to herself, putting extra care and attention into the X she's painting. Tance harumphs and grabs you, to spin you around and kiss you solidly! Tance then pulls back and says gruffly, "Am so interested in a babe like you." Kesya blinks in surprise, not expecting such a reaction from her teasing. But after the shock has a chance to wear off, her silver-blue eyes flash with amusement... and something else. She arches a brow teasingly, "You're sure? After all," she points out archly, "You could be my great-grandfather." Her lips curve in a smile, her hands resting on your chest. "You can remind me to look up whether I had any kids when we go to Syrine," Tance replies, gaze turned ardent, head leaning in till he is a breath away from you. Kesya's voice turns archly coy, but she certainly doesn't remain unaffected as you lean so close to her. Her voice is a mere whisper as she manages, "I... somehow don't think we're related," she stammers. "Something about my being green..." "Very green," Tance assents, as his lips brush your own. "Very, very green...." Kesya's eyes close for a fraction of a second, lips parting as she feels your breath on her face. One shuddering breath and she manages, "You certainly don't /act/ old, Tance Vokrim..." And with that she leans into you, kissing you as ardently as if crystal-roused. [End log.]