From lhansen@cts.com Fri Feb 17 10:27:32 1995 Return-Path: Received: from crash.cts.com by mail4.netcom.com (8.6.9/Netcom) id KAA01848; Fri, 17 Feb 1995 10:26:57 -0800 Received: by crash.cts.com (Smail3.1.28.1 #18) id m0rfXOF-0000yiC; Fri, 17 Feb 95 10:26 PST Message-Id: Subject: LOG: Berni's Triumphant Return To: a-angelk@microsoft.com (Angela 'Anna'), dewshine@netcom.com (Sh'k'anna Korra'ti) Date: Fri, 17 Feb 1995 10:26:50 -0800 (PST) From: "Lori Hansen" X-Mailer: ELM [version 2.4 PL23] Content-Type: text Content-Length: 22613 Status: O [ Bernadette has recently returned from close to three months off planet, after suffering a bit of an emotional breakdown and being 'talked' into returning by CS Michael Turlough. Upon her return, she heads straight for the suite that she shares with Kevlan Sharr, only to find it empty. Deciding that that is okay, and she wasn't really ready to talk to Kevlan just yet, she changes clothes and heads out to the ranges to check on her yellow claim, only to find it's been repainted with someone else's paintmark. Annoyed, she scours the surrounding area for another workable claim, finds a deep rose, and proceeds to cut again after an absence of approximately 8 months. She manages to avoid Thrall and brings her cut back in, finds their suite still empty, cleans up and rests a bit, then decides she'd ought to do something useful with her time rather than brooding. She grabs a parcel she received some months earlier and heads down to the tailor shop... ] Lift Area - 4 One of the many accommodation levels in the JPF, this level houses the support technicians. It could well be said that the guild would not function without these specialized workers. Sparkling strips of brown, red, and other colors radiate outward. 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 4. There is a button set into the wall, you may summon a 'lift.' Contents: Lift 1 Obvious exits: Administration Personnel Technicians Agricultural Personnel Caterers Suppliers You turn to go into the lounge area for suppliers. Supplier's Lounge This softly carpeted hall has doors and passages leading off to the rooms of the Supply staff's apartments. Fine tracings of dark ocher and pine wind through the carpet's pattern giving the same sense of depth to the eyes as the thick pile does for the feet. Obvious exits: Tailor Lift You knock on Tailor. >From Tailor Shop, Joran calls out "Yeah, yeah, come on in.". (To respond: '+answer Tailor=') You enter the tailor shop. Tailor Shop This is a largish room, but it is so cluttered and filled that it feels rather small. The room is painted white in the places you can see the walls. However, most of the wall space is taken by shelving and cubicles containing thread, needles, scissors, bolts of cloth, and other odds and ends. The back wall has several racks with completed outfits, either ready to be delivered or picked out and bought. In the middle of this wall is a small door. In the middle of the room is a big table, its top covered by a grid, where there is sure to be some sort of clothing being worked upon at any time. The right wall has several machines against it. One is a glorified sewing machine, capable of being either manually or computer operated. Another machine is a computer controlled laser pattern cutter to cut out perfect patterns of fabric entered into the computer. On the left wall is a privacy partition to change behind and a large mirror. In the nearer corner on that side is a small table with a data unit where orders may be entered. Contents: Joran Sign Data Screen Obvious exits: Out Small Door Bernadette steps in hesitantly, hovering near the doorway. *** Joran just looked at you. ** Bernadette(#3980PQce) 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 eyes diffused with flecks of light green and yellow light brown hair, and a small, oval cherubish face. Her hair has been recently 'bobbed' and is very short: a stark contrast to the long tresses she usually sports. The light brown, golden and red strands are now in a very easy-to-care-for style, and looks quite full, framing her oval face. Her petite frame is clothed in a striking royal blue coverall, a vibrant purple sash tied around her middle. Black, ankle high boots complete her ensemble. Bernadette seems to be more her normal self, although she does experience periods of melancholy. She's put back on some of the weight she lost, but she still looks a little thin. You unconsciously shiver at the look on Bernadette's face. Carrying: Bernadette's Crystal Cutter Satchel(#3979IM) Pendant (worn)(#5016) DataPad(#3214Os) Small black crystal ring (worn)(#6431) Joran smiles, standing as you enter. "Hello there. Welcome to my shop. Is there anything I can do for you?" Bernadette shifts the small parcel under her arm and smiles a bit, walking farther into the room as your address. "Hello...um, yeah, I think so..." Joran hmmmms, "Well, do speak up, then." He smiles softly. Bernadette blinkblinks and nods quickly. "Yes...sorry, you must be awful busy..." she pulls the package out from her arm and puts on a nearby table. "Um, that there is the dress my mother wore when she was married..." she points at the package. "I, well, I _think_ I'm still getting married," she mutters this, then louder, "I was wondering if you could update it a bit and alter it to fit me?" Joran smiles, "Ahhh, yes. Weddings are such a joyful event. Let me see it and see what I have to work with." He reaches out for the package. Inside the parcel is a rather plain, white floor length dress. Very little adornment is on the bodice or elsewhere. The color is slightly yellowed from age and the dress looks to be one or two sizes too large for Bernadette. Bernadette stands quietly, fidgeting a bit as you open the parcel and inspect the garment. Joran nods and hmmms, "Yes..." He lays it carefully across the table. He feels the cloth and lace gently before stepping back a little from the dress, just staring at it for a few moments. Joran smiles softly, "OK, the yellowness can be fixed easily enough. Sizing is a little more tricky, but not impossible, of course. But, do you have any ideas of what you would like it to look like? The esthetic alterations?" Bernadette blinks and mutters "They couldn't afford much..." She shrugs. "Don't even know why I'm bothering..." Bernadette looks up at you and shakes her head a little. "No, I was just hoping to make it pretty...I'm a white Singer...marrying a black Singer, if that gives you any ideas..." There's hesitation in her voice and visible in her eyes, as if she's not _quite_ sure she's really marrying or not. Joran chuckles, "Sounds rather symbolic. Well, yes, I can do something with this. When is the date set for?" Bernadette looks surprised at the question and uncertain. "Um, well, we had tentatively planned on it happening with the grand opening of the Western White whatchamacallit...but we haven't discussed it lately." The crystal resonance in your body is growing louder and harder for you to ignore. Joran nods, "And any ideas when the sea area may be opening? I've no idea, myself. We will need to keep measuring you up to the exact date, making sure the dress fits perfectly and flatteringly." Bernadette thinks. "I would assume after Passover sometime..." She looks down at herself as you mention constant measurements and nods. "That's probably a good idea...my weight tends to fluctuate a lot..." Joran nods, "Yes, that's one reason for the periodic measurements... Let's start with the first set." He turns from you slightly, pointing at the floor. "Please step into that circle." And as you look where he's pointing, you do see a faint circle on the floor, about a meter in diameter. For a bride-to-be, Bernadette doesn't look particularly excited. "I wish I had a more definitive date to supply you with, but..." she shrugs and walks to the indicated circle. Bernadette stands slightly slouched within the circle. Joran smiles, "Well, as long as it is not tomorrow, we should survive just fine." He chuckles softly, leaning over and tapping out a couple sequences on his data unit. Joran looks back over at you. "Now, do stand straight and pround... as if you were at the altar right now." That comment elicits a small smile from Bernadette. "No, definitely not tomrrow." Bernadette blinks and nods, standing straight, her shoulders back. Joran nods, looking satisfied, pressing one last button. A violet light blinks on around you for an instant, then is gone. "Thank you. Now I've your measurements to the last micron." Bernadette glances about her as the purple light surrounds her and blinks as it vanishes, looking rather amazed. She comments "Nifty..." Bernadette steps away from the circle looking up at the ceiling for the source of the light. Joran shrugs, "Just a rathre useful application of laser holographic imaging. Basically, I just took a hologram of you. The rays are tuned to ignore everything but flesh, passing through your clothes to get your exact measurements. Of course, tight clothes will alter your form, but it's good enough to start with. Bernadette looks away from the ceiling at you and smiles, nodding. "What do you need from me now?" she asks mildly, having no idea how this whole tailoring thing works. Joran smiles, "Now? Nothing. It will be a couple days before the dress is cleaned and sized close to your frame. When its been altered, I'll send you a note and have you show up for more exact sizing. By the way, what is your name?" Bernadette blinks. "Oh, I'm Berni...Bernadette Marshall..." she supplies, smiling awkwardly. She asks tentatively "How often do you need me to come in for sizing..?" she glances back at the circle, raising her eyes to the ceiling again, before returning her gaze to you. Joran enters your name into the data base, along with your measurements. "Oh, once every couple weeks should be fine. We'll see how things go. And make sure you wear loose clothes. No girdles or shape slimming devices, unless you intend to wear them under your dress at the wedding." Bernadette widens her eyes at the thought and chuckles, "Oh, no...I don't think I need a girdle or anything." Joran smiles, "Haven't seen a Ballybranner that has... Mostly I'd say they need padding if anything." Bernadette smiles and starts backing towards the door. "Thank you, Mr....?" Joran takes the dress and carefully wraps it in a garment bag, hanging it up. Joran nods, "Joran. Joran al-Samir. I'll be in touch, singer Marshall." Bernadette smiles again and nods. "Very well, thank you Joran." She waves and slips out the door, barely opening it wider than her small frame. You step out of the shop. [ Bernadette then heads to the Guild Den, in search of food...and possibly a glimpse of Kevlan... ] 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 1 Obvious exits: Main Lounge Gymnasium Game Room Auditorium 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: Bernadette, just standing there Gyles, just standing there Catering Unit DataPad Vendor Obvious Commands ("." for list): .wander .look .wait .pace .couch .pillows .table .catering unit Obvious Exits: Lift Bernadette offers Gyles a small smile as she enters the room and heads for the catering unit. Bernadette walks over to the catering unit. Gyles looks up from his mail pad and nods politely. Bernadette sighs and inspects the menu. You transfer 12 credit(s) from your account to Catering Unit. A shallow platter arrives in the catering unit containing a hefty serving of Ruskan Meat Pie. This filling meal is made up of large chunks of tender, white Ruskan lamb mixed with a variety of mild vegetables and covered with a rich, creamy white gravy that is lightly seasoned with pepper. The delectable mixture is sealed into a shell of flaky, buttery pastry. You transfer 3 credit(s) from your account to Catering Unit. A tall glass of chilled, amber liquid appears in the slot, the rich odour of brewed grains reaching your nose. White foam spills over the top of the glass, onto a conveniently placed napkin. Beads of moisture have formed on the glass even in the short time you've been looking. Bernadette takes her meal and drink to a table. She looks over at you again. "Um, care to join me?" Bernadette sits down at one of the tables. Gyles looks up from his pad, smiles slightly, and dials up a beer of his own. Gyles treads over to the catering unit. Gyles spins the menufax around to display the beer selections. Gyles peruses the selection of beer, and orders a Kartiss Nut Brown Porter. Gyles sits down at one of the tables. Gyles sips his beer. "Cutting well?" *** Gyles just looked at you. ** Bernadette looks at the Ruskan pie before her and samples a bit of it. She chews, swallows and looks up at you again, offering another small smile. "Bernadette Marshall..." she extends a hand across the table towards you. Bernadette contemplates your question and replies "Well, I've done better, but I currently have a slew of deep rose down in sorting..." She shrugs. "How about you?" Gyles chuckles softly and shakes hands. "Gyles Lee. I don't think we ever been formally introduced, but I've seen you around the place." You feel the constant buzz of crystal in your body. Bernadette smiles a little more and nods. "Yes, I've seen you around, too. I've been rather....unsociable anyway." Gyles shrugs. "Nothing real exciting at the moment." A sudden glint in his eye, and he smiles. "I do have a worthless blue claim that'd be just perfect for breaking in a new singer, though." Bernadette chuckles, then a look of annoyance flashes across her face. "I _had_ a yellow claim....I went to check on it a few days ago and found someone _else's_ horrible configuration of paint all over it." She frowns and mutters to herself. Gyles chuckles. "You seemed pretty sociable with that other young singer, Kevlan I think it was." At the mention of new paint, he frowns. "They jumped your claim, you mean? Or did the pain wear off? I've seen longer-lasting paint in a child's watercolor kit." Bernadette's frown deepens at the mention of Kevlan, and deepens again at the mention of claim jumping. "It's possible my paint wore off..I'd been in a sled accident and was inactive for a long time..." she mutters and shrugs. She takes another bite of her pie, chews it contemplatively, then adds, "Kevlan is...was...my partner and fiance.." she says quietly, taking a sip of her brew. Bernadette asks, trying to be nonchalant, "You, uh...you haven't seen Kevlan about lately, have you?" Gyles shakes his head. "No, in fact, I haven't. I've been soaking off a trip for the past few days and pretty much stayed in my suite the whole time." Bernadette nods and takes another draught from her beer. "So how about you? Do you sing duet?" Gyles sips his porter. "No, not yet, anyway. Lhovrik wants to team up, though we haven't actually flown out yet. He's much more of a nightowl than I." Gyles looks thoughtful. "That'd be an experience, though. Quite a character." He sips his beer slowly. "He was my shepherd, in fact." Bernadette raises her eyebrows and nods. "Lhovrik...sheesh, I haven't seen him hardly at all since we adapted..." she seems grateful for a change of subject. "He and I were in the same class," she explains. Bernadette chuckles a little. "He was always passing out these little candies to everyone..." She grins. "Strange little confections..." Gyles grins. "You were classmates? How interesting!" He chuckles. "He still does pass those things out." Bernadette resumes eating her meal, seeming a little more relaxed. She chuckles, "I wonder where he gets his supply?" Gyles shrugs. "I have no idea. Could be he makes them himself." Bernadette nods between mouthfuls and concedes. "Most likely..." Gyles sips his beer quietly. Bernadette finishes the pie and leans back in her seat to sip at her drink. She idly looks at the black crystal ring around her finger and frowns again. Looking at you, now, she asks "Do you know when the White Western Sea Facility is supposed to be opening?" Gyles shakes his head. "No idea at all. It looks nearly complete from the air, though, I've overflown it on search a few times. Bernadette nods and polishes off her brew. Gyles sips the remaining bit of his porter and plops the empty glass on the table. Bernadette gathers her dishes up. "Well, Gyles, it was a pleasure, but I think I'm going to go soak now..." she smiles and adds quietly, "If you see Kevlan about, will you let me know?" The crystal resonance coursing through your body is constant and distracting. Bernadette stands up from her table. 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.' Obvious exits: Main Lounge Gymnasium Game Room Auditorium 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 step onto the lift. 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)." At your destination, you step off the quiet lift. [ Berni now heads to the Hangar, keeping her eyes open for any sign of her love, and also to see if her sled has been cleaned yet... ] You head purposefully through the doors to the floor. Hangar Floor The immense cavern that serves the guild faces the eastern sky. The blue sky merges with the harsh browns of the long plain of the Joslin Plataeu far to the east. The smoothly tiled floor is scarred by myriad gashes and scratches caused by wind-tossed sleds. The northern and southern walls contain over-large double doors while the western wall is set with observation windows. The shadows are complete on the hangar floor as Scoria has passed her zenith. The blocks of the guild complex cast sharp shadows on the great plain. Contents: Bernadette, over by the wall. Sasryn, over by the wall. Azaria, standing by the sled rack. Sasryn's sled Sled Tech Desk Radar Corbin Hangar Terminal A large map, for instructional purposes Sled rack Obvious Commands ("." for list): .wait .sleds .desk .radar .map .hangar door .floor Obvious Exits: Met Transport Equipment Room Simulators Catwalk Cargo Storage Sorting Ready Room Azaria shrugs at Sasryn. "You're welcome, for now. You won't be so welcome when you bring it back scratched up." Sasryn smiles at the Singer. Bernadette strides into the hangar and looks around. She smiles back at Sasryn, then looks towards the sled rack, nodding satisfactorily, and mumbling "Good, someone did clean it.." Bernadette's attention is captured by the brand new sled sitting in the middle of the hangar and chuckles. "New singer?" Sasryn smiles widely. "Yes. Just adapted." Bernadette approaches the new Singer and smiles. "Well, welcome to the wonderful of Crystal Singers," her voice has a slightly sarcastic ring to it. She sticks out her hand "Bernadette Marshall." Sasryn chuckles and takes the hand in her own. "Sasryn Mancina." Bernadette grins and says, after taking a deep breath, "Well, be careful out there. Good luck and all that..." She chuckles a little humorlessly and quotes "Sing well and profitably." Sasryn smiles sincerely. "You too, Singer Bernadette." Bernadette grins. "Berni's fine, after all we're both Singers now." She winks and waves, nodding to the sledtech, and retracing her steps the way she came. Azaria nods to the Singer. Sasryn smiles again and waves, her eyes returning to her sled. You escape the swirling wind of the hangar. Hangar Observation Area The hangar ready room functions as an observation area for the hangar activities. Several ergonomic chairs ring a display console which debriefs the pilots before they leave the Joslin Plateau Facility. Activity in the hangar diminishes as the light from Scoria fades and blocky shadows grow longer and longer outside the complex. Guild members are settling in for the evening. You may view the activity of the hangar floor by asking the computer to relay the activity to you. Type or . Contents: Datapaad Obvious exits: Hangar Floor Lifts [ At this point, Berni decides to go back to hers and Kevlan's suite and have a soak in the radiant tub, disappointed that she didn't see Kevlan, but at the same time, a bit relieved.... ]