From owner-CRYSTAL@duke.poly.edu Tue Apr 18 11:12:41 1995 Return-Path: Received: from duke.poly.edu by mail4.netcom.com (8.6.12/Netcom) id LAA12023; Tue, 18 Apr 1995 11:12:22 -0700 Received: from localhost by duke.poly.edu (8.6.9/1.34-032891-Polytechnic University) id OAA22757; Tue, 18 Apr 1995 14:08:24 -0400 Received: by duke.poly.edu (8.6.9/1.34-032891-Polytechnic University) id OAA22716; Tue, 18 Apr 1995 14:07:40 -0400 Message-Id: Date: Tue, 18 Apr 1995 14:07:40 -0400 (EDT) Sender: owner-CRYSTAL@duke.poly.edu From: Elliot Smorodinsky To: crystal@duke.poly.edu Subject: PROSE: Letters to/from Home (fwd) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII X-Listprocessor-Version: 7.1 -- ListProcessor by CREN Status: RO Transmission sent from Andros Marshall on Shankill Station to All That Glitters Ranch on Chanuuk: archive-name: andros.letter-1 [Andros Marshall has traveled to Shankill in search of his sister Berni. He had not seen her for two years and both he and his mother had been worried about her fate. After finally tracking her down, Andros fulfils his promise to his mother but sending her a communication to let her know he and his sister are alright.] Dearest mother, I am sending you this message via my own communications terminal back on the farm. Stephan has instructions to pass it on to you. I have found Bernadette and you will be pleased to know she is healthy and happy here. She has become one of the crystal singers of the Heptite Guild. It seems she is capable of 'mining' the various shades of crystal that are so important to everyone's life. You would not believe how different she looks from when we both last saw her. Both stronger and healthier, it seems as though her new life here agrees with her. She is still the Berni we both know, though, She's lost none of her spark and her smile is exactly the way I remembered it. Unfortunately she is unable to return with me at this time. It seems her fiancee, Kevlan, was involved in some sort of accident and she has to stay by his side. However, she did promise that both he and she would visit you sometime soon. From the people I have spoken to, this Kevaln person seems to be a kind and gentle man who is very much in love with Berni, as she is with him. I have left instructions with Stephan as to the day to day runnings of my farm, as I intend to stay here a little longer. Please don't fret, I'll be back soon, I just do not think father would welcome me back just yet. If you need to get in touch with me, or wish to pass a message onto Bernadette, send it from my terminal at the farm to Shakill station. Stephan can show you how. I'll be sure to receive it that way. How are things back home? Are you keeping well. If you need me to return at any time I shall, but as I said, I do not think father would welcome me. To be truthful, and please do not tell father I said this, I too am happier away from the farm, just for a while. I do hope Simon and father are not making things difficult for you. I feel as though I might have left you to deal with them alone. On the other hand I would like to spend at least a little more time with Berni, at least until her fiancee has recovered. I can try to be that much of a family for her. If there is anything you need let either myself or Stephan know. Your loving son, Andros. Transmission sent from All That Glitters Ranch on Chanuuk to Andros Marshall on Shankill Station: Dear Andy, I can't tell you how glad I was when Stephan came to Golden Acres the other day with your transmission! Sometimes your father makes me so angry...but you know I'll never do anything about it! I'm very relieved to hear that Berni is doing well, and that she's found a good man in Kevlan. Did you happen to get a holo of her that you can send home? Your father is very upset that you're not on your farm. I haven't told him where you've gone, but I'm sure he suspects it and that irks him even more. Things are difficult, but don't you worry about it. I'll keep your father and brother at bay. As it is, Simon has been very busy with his own family, so I haven't seen him very much lately. Seems like all of my children have flown the coop, so to speak. And Caldren...well, he's Caldren. I'm very grateful to you and Stephan for showing me how to use this terminal contraption. Would you please tell Berni that I miss her and that I'd really like for her to come home? She's a miner? What kind of work is that for a delicate girl like her? Andy, you have to bring her home, son. Bring this Kevlan with you, too. They can make their living on her farm...I'm sure I can persuade Father to give it back to her. It's safer than mining crystal. And, Andy, you have to come home, too, dear. Please. Enough of my ramblings, but do please try to get Bernadette home. She belongs here...as do you. Take care of yourself, son. Hurry home. Love, Mother