[Intro] Between constant companionship to the disoriented Kevlan, and now, subtle looking after of the increasingly impatient Bernadette, Tamber al-Acorrin is growing exhausted with his impromptu role of babysitter. He has been receiving less than adequate sleep ever since Kevlan was captured - indeed, he'd spent much of the Passover on stimulants trying to find his young friend. Now, the lack of rest is finally starting to catch up with the Sorter - and his usual flawless work is beginning to suffer for it, as he paid less than his usual scrupulous attention to a sort of black for CS Gyles. This ragged work by Tamber has not gone unnoticed - the junior Sorter Zynthce has spotted discrepancies in Tamber's recorded work, and she has reported her concerns to their superior, Aria. Worried about one of her best Sorter's apparent slip in attention, Aria summons Tamber for a meeting.... ---------- Main Sorting The moment you walk in you are assailed by a kaleidoscope of sight and sound. People are running to and fro at an exhausting pace. Sorters run to the shed to fill in crystal segments, handlers bring cargo in from storage, and Singers come raging in from the cargo bay. The sorters seem hard pressed to deal with Singer anger, as well as their jobs, yet they move with a calmness and care when handling crystal. Obvious exits: Processing Hangar Observation Cargo Storage The Shed 3rd Table 2nd Table 1st Table Tamber, shortly after you summon him, arrives on the sorting floor. His usual impeccable garb is somewhat rumpled - and even his hair is a little mussed. He looks rather as if he's just been jarred out of a nap. Aria turns and nods curtly at Tamber as he arrives, her voice is controlled as she says, "Sorter Tamber, may I have a word?" Aria is a slim young woman with silvery-white hair and light green eyes, which stand out from her pale skin. Her face is normally creased in a slight smile. Something seems to be hiding under her hair and you can occasionally hear a faint mew from her direction. Sometimes when she blinks, you can see the red lenses which mark her as having the supersensitive vision of a Sorter. She is wearing a soft silvery-grey top and black skin-tight trousers with a subtle pattern. Crystal earrings and a crystal necklace are dazzling as they reflect and refract the ambient light. She is looking very angry, her eyes glinting with rage. You hope that it isn't you who has incurred her wrath. Tamber blinks, and looks somewhat troubled, though he inclines his head with a shade of his usual mannerly politeness. "Of course, madam... " Aria directs Tamber towards an unobtrusive door in the corner.. Tamber follows, beginning to look slightly nervous. Aria leaves the sorting floor through an unobtrusive door. Aria has left. You step into a private elevator and are whisked off to the Head Sorter's Quarters. Aria's Suite This room seems appropriate to its distance underground, a spectacular, continually changing hologram hangs mid air. The holoscreens are switched on giving the room the appearance of a cave. Beautiful shawls are visible, stalactites and stalagmites appear to protrude from the ceiling and floor at the edges of the room. The walls glow dimly, the room is dark and quiet. Contents: Aria Storage Carton - Amberle Label: 2 octaves yellow don't sort Catering Unit Radiant Bath Obvious exits: out Tamber pads in guardedly in your wake, and his reddish eyebrows draw together. More than sensitive enough to be aware that something is wrong, he simply waits for you to speak, taking his cues from you. Aria is pacing the room, she turns as Tamber enters and takes a breath, "How much sorting have you been doing recently Tamber?" Tamber blinks at this, but answers readily, "I have sorted when called to the bay, of course... I did duty during the last few storms.... " Aria nods, "You were off-planet a fair bit recently though were you not?" Tamber, not having been directed to sit, simply stands in the center of the room, his stance tense. He nods gravely. Tamber does start to look slightly surprised, as well, and worried. An evident question begins to form behind his green gaze, but the look on his superior's face strongly suggests he'd better remain quiet, for now... Aria nods and runs her fingers through her hair, a tired frown on her face, "Have you been doing any sorting while you were too tired? The computer records are showing at least one instance where your sorting was...shall we say not of the highest quality.." Tamber frowns blankly. "Have... Singers lodged complaints against my work, ma'am?" Tamber actually blushes, just a bit, the barest hint of color across his lean cheeks. Aria shakes her head, "I don't think the singer is aware no, but I check the records occasionally, and when you were sorting Gyles' black, some strange groupings were happening." Aria looks across at Tamber, "You are checking the market regularly aren't you?" Tamber blinks again - visibly taken aback, a strange expression for him. He begins hastily, "I... I consulted it, when CS Gyles requested I handle his crystal... " Aria nods and peers at Tamber, realising rather abruptly that he doesn't look quite as together as normal, "Are you alright?" Aria looks at you for a moment. Tamber stammers - Tamber al-Acorrin? Stammering?! - "I-I admit I have received a... less than adequate amount of sleep as of late... " Palpably uneasy now, he fails to quite properly meet your gaze. Aria sighs and rests her head in her hands, "I hope things don't happen in threes...cause I couldn't take any more today..", she raises her head, "Sit down Tamber before you fall down." Tamber blinks once more, and stiffly sinks into the nearest chair. He fails, also, to hide the brief flash of gratitude that moves across his face. Tamber attempts to settle himself as comfortably and as smartly as possible, his usual proud-peacock mannerisms struggling valiantly to maintain themselves. Aria collapses into a seat opposite you, "I think you've been trying to take on too much recently Tamber...What with Kevlan and everything else that's been happening...I'm not so out of touch as all that as to miss what's been happening to one of our best Singers...I think it's possibly been disrupting your concentration." Tamber presses the back of one hand to his eyes for a moment, and then confesses huskily, "That... would not be unlikely, good lady... " Aria sighs and relaxes back into her seat, "I know that half the medics..well the half that haven't been busy with the new class have been looking at Kevlan and Rykos...but have you been to see one yourself?" Tamber blinks at you yet again - a couple of times, actually, giving him a rather suspicious look that suggests he's trying to focus his eyes properly. "I... have had no time... and there has not seemed to be a need... " Tamber finishes, plaintively, "Kevlan has needed my help," as if that explains everything. Aria leans forward in her seat and looks levelly at Tamber, "You frankly look tired and worn out...You can't do Kevlan much good if you're starting to come apart yourself...And you certainly can't concentrate on sorting crystal when you're that tired...We've hit a lull in the Sorting...So we can cope for a while if you take some time off, Which I strongly suggest you do." Aria continues, "I also suggest, very strongly that you check with a medic yourself..Perhaps someone from psych could help...I know if I was in your situation I'd go crazy if I didn't talk to someone...At the very least get some sleep." Tamber _must_ be exhausted, for his unguarded gaze turns abruptly, liquidly mournful. Obviously trying to sound serene, he shakes his head a little and protests, "You... are more than justified... and more than kind... to be concerned... but... I-I cannot spare the time, Kevlan needs me, he cannot bear to be alone... " Aria looks puzzled, "Isn't Berni with him? Perhaps someone could come to you?" Tamber frowns, at that, and looks down at his hands. "Bernadette," he confesses in a low voice, "is growing... impatient - not her fault, mind you, she is simply losing resonance more quickly than Galahad - but... they both need me, I am sure... " Aria nods slowly, "I see, Well...at least try and get some sleep...You can consider yourself off-duty until I get a report from a medic saying you're fit for work again..", she sighs and her face is full of compassion, "Hopefully they won't need you too much longer..I think I've kept you long enough, I'll see you later Tamber...Give my best wishes to Berni and Kevlan,", she smiles and her last few words are spokens slowly and intensely, "And Get. some. sleep." Tamber blinks slowly, as it registers with him that he is dismissed. "Yes, good lady... I... shall report to a medic at the earliest opportunity... " Tamber rises, and bows to you as smoothly as he can manage without making his head spin when he straightens up again. Tamber, with that, departs. [End log.]