Log Date: 12/13/96 Log Cast: Kevlan, Maxwell Log Intro: Kevlan Sharr has more or less settled back down into the routine of a Singer's life, now that he and his wife have returned to Ballybran from their vacation on Maxim's Planet. But it's been a routine somewhat more strained than it should be, for Bernadette still refuses to acknowledge the problems she's been having with nightmares haunting her sleep, and her growing dependence on sleep medications to keep the nightmares at bay. Kevlan has been forced to go into the Ranges alone, for Bernadette has refused to accompany him -- and in fact, these days, rarely leaves their quarters. But one evening, during a rare incident of Berni getting some rest, Kevlan is keeping watch over his wife when he gets a message.... ---------- The computer in your room flicks on, and you see the Guildmaster's image cross the screen. "CS Sharr, report to my office at your earliest convenience please." Then the screen flickers dark again. [Stunned by the summons from the Guildmaster, Kevlan makes his way up to Level Five....] 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: "Fifth Level (Administration Research Control Marketing)." You leave lift 1. Lift Area - 5 Plush red carpet speckled with gold fibers absorbs your footsteps. The names of the executive areas are inlaid in white crystal. They resonate, and you wonder what they are transmitting. 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 5. There is a button set into the wall, you may summon a 'lift.' Contents: Lift 1 Obvious exits: Administration Research Control Marketing You have a business with the administration. Administration Foyer Plush red carpet speckled with gold fibers runs from wall to wall, muffling the sound of footsteps to a dull thud for the most enthusiastic stepper. A crystal chandelier lights the room with a soft incandescent glow, soothing to the eyes and more relaxing than the harsh glare of fluorescent bulbs. The walls have been tinted a soft ivory which shades toward cream. The soft color also lends to the comforting atmosphere of the room. A circle of low-slung armchairs ring a round coffee table in one corner, giving the sense that the Guild conducts business out here on occasion. A wing of offices leads off to the north while in the east is the Guild Master's Office. Directly opposite the Guild Master's office, to the west, is the lift area. Obvious exits: GuildMaster Office Wing Lift You go through the set of glass double doors towards the Guildmaster's Office. Assistant's Area A subtle motif of brown and beige saturates the room, making everything seem calmer and more relaxing. Hanging from the ceiling is a crystal chandelier, crafted by the Guild artisans. Soft luminescence radiates from the chandelier, causing the crystals to wink and dance hypnotically. Deep red carpet, flecked with rich gold fibers runs from wall to wall, muffling any heavy sounds. However, the chandelier seems to pick up the slightest echo and re-direct the sound toward a desk situated near the back-center of the room. The desk is composed of a rich, dark mahogany that upon closer inspection is revealed to be synthetic. To one side of the desk is a computer terminal. A comfortable chair on rollers sits behind the desk, allowing easy access to the computer as well as a phone and intercom system. Obvious exits: Deputy Guildmaster Foyer Outside Guildmaster, Kevlan tentatively raps on the door, after a time, and calls out in a hesitant drawl, "Um..... 'lo theah?". From Guildmaster's Office, Maxwell calls out "Come in.". You enter the realm of the guildmaster. Guildmaster's Office Soft luminescent lighting, the sort that is soothing to the eyes, rather than harsh fluorescence shines down from the ceiling. The walls have been tinted an ivory, almost cream color. Situated near the back of the room, centered near the middle of the back wall, is an expansive desk with a console at one end and piles of papers, disks, and pens scattered across the rest. Three chairs, upholstered in deep reddish-brown material, reminiscent of leather, have been placed in front of the desk. Behind the desk is a large chair, upholstered in the same material. Large armrests extend from the back of the chair which sits on a slight tilt. The chair also looks as if it was one rollers so that its occupant can easily reach either end of the extensive desk. Contents: Maxwell Heptite Guild Laws - Guildmaster's Copy Activity Screen Computer Monitor Obvious exits: Door Kevlan, blue eyes rather wide, clearly broadcasting anxiety from their depths, inches into the room. He's not quite wringing his hands, but this is only because he's got the left jammed into a pocket, and the right is frenetically tapping out a nervous rhythm against his thigh. "Um, you.... " Breathe easy, Galahad. Breathe. "You wanted t' see me, suh?" Maxwell looks up from his desk, and stands as he deftly flicks off the computer screen he was looking over. "Ah, Kevlan. Glad you could come so quickly." His manner is polite, but professional. "Have a seat." Kevlan swallows. "Ah weren't doin' nothin' much," he says, then bobs his head a few times and slips gingerly into the appropriate chair. Maxwell's gaze rests on you thoughtfully for a few long moments, not exactly the sort of behaviour that would calm the nervous singer down. "I'll get right to the reason I asked you in here, singer." He leans against his desk, arms crossed over his chest as he speaks. "I'm sure you know that my various aides have been taking over assistant guildmaster duties the past few months." Kevlan blinks. Now that he's sitting, he gets his hands under control, but his left foot picks up the duty of twitching restlessly where his right hand left off. His brow furrows under his forelock, and he hazards, "Ah... Ah-Ah guess Ah heard somethin' from Tamber, suh..." Maxwell's keen gaze fixes on you once more. "Well, the time has come where I need more than my aides to take over for Vyana until we have her back. I wanted to give you time to get back from your vacationing, and get settled in again..." And here he looks askance at you, "But I would like you to take over her duties, in a temporary capacity." Moving from his leaning position, he turns to face you once more. "Do you think you can handle that?" The Singer doesn't exactly fall out of his chair. But he _does_ rear back against it, eyes going round. "Wh... Ah-Ah-Ah'm sorry, Guildmastah, did you say... you want me t'.... stand in f'r th' Deputy?" Maxwell nods briskly, his form unmoving except for that one small motion. "That is indeed what I said." He adds, brows arching impassively, "I do belive you have the experience and requirements that would facilitate that." Kevlan starts turning a noticeable shade of crimson, and a look that might be fear flickers across his blue eyes. "B-beggin' your pardon, suh, but..." He swallows hard, and when he speaks again, his voice is husky. "Ah-Ah-Ah don't know a thang 'bout what Dep'ty Guildmastahs do." Kevlan's hands, now, apparently decide to rejoin his left foot in unconscious nervous fretting. Kevlan adds, struggling hard to keep the stammer out of his voice, "Ah-Ah... Ah'm jes' a Singer." Maxwell waves a hand dismissively in the air. "Ah, but you have the respect of the Guild, and you're well-known. You also interact well with everyone here, despite the habits of some unlucky singers to dislike adapts such as yours for their good fortune." He says simply, "The rest you can learn. I have an aide who is very clear, and can help you muddle through." "Ah... didn't 'xactly do all that grand th' last time th' Guild needed me, suh," Kevlan drawls slowly, sadly. His face switches from blushing to going white, set. Maxwell gives you a long, thoughtful look, and again his hand waves dismissively in the air, as though to say, 'no matter'. "Through no fault of your own. And I *will* point out that you bring in the crystal we need for high-profile installations more consistantly than anyone in the Guild." He pauses, "Especially after the responsabilities the othesr have taken on." Shaking his head, he gets back on topic. "However, you do have the essential qualities I need in this role." Kevlan grabs one hand in the other, as if bodily forcing himself to keep them both still. "You... mean jes' 'cause Ah-Ah try t' be nice t' folks?" The question doesn't sound quite as guileless as the words might indicate; it's more wary than anything, from Galahad's tone. Maxwell shakes his head, brows creasing for just a pico in what might be annoyance. "No no, not only that. That is only a part of the quality that I need in this job. You are efficient, organized, and reliable." He arches his brows, glancing over at you expectantly. "You really don't expect me to list off all your redeeming traits, do you?" Kevlan turns abruptly scarlet, mumbling something that might be, "Nawsuh..." Maxwell smiles finally, a soft expression that flickers across his lips. "Putting aside the 'whys' of it all... I need to know if you will accept this temporary position." He adds, "I do not care to 'assign' you to it, but I will say that I do hope you accept." If he were twelve years younger, Kevlan Sharr might actually bite his lip; as it happens, he simply studies the older man, half-wary, half-baffled. And something of the blush does creep, a bit, out of his features. "It'd mean... Ah don't go in th' Ranges for a l'il while, Guildmastah?" Maxwell shakes his head. "Consider it a vacation from the Ranges. Of course, depending on how long this extends, you may be able to duck out for a few days here and there." He frowns vaguely to himself, "Rather the way Vyana did, and the way the two heads of training do now." A soft mutter follows. "Must get those two in the ranges /more/, actually..." He turns to you, clearing his throat. "Would that be a problem?" Again sounding as though he's trying extremely hard not to stammer, Kevlan answers earnestly, "Well... Ah... been kinda cuttin' without Berni f'r a while." Something flickers across his eyes; for all that the lad is trying to keep control of his composure, he still can't veil that expressive gaze, and something about his wife clearly troubles him. "She, uh, she might actually be a... l'il less fretful if A-Ah don't hafta go out an' break arms an' such t' work..." Maxwell's thoughtful gaze never leaves you this time. He says softly, "She might even appreciate how accessible you'd be, working in the facility." Kevlan nods, a trifle shakily. "C'n.... C'n Ah talk it ovah with 'er, suh?" Maxwell nods briskly, shifting his weight to slide smoothly into his chair behind his desk. "Of course." His dark eyes glance at his computer screen for a moment. "Can you let me know tomorrow?" Kevlan nods once more, more steadily this time. "Yessir," he murmurs, not very loudly. Maxwell casts you a professional smile. "Well then, I'll leave you to it. If you want to learn more about the job," He taps a few keys on his terminal, "I've just left a few files waiting on your personal computer. I'll expect to hear from you tomorrow then." Kevlan, knowing a dismissal when he hears one, nods gingerly and gets to his feet, rangy frame unfolding from the chair. "Ah'll look 'em over, suh," he promises. And doesn't slouch, for once -- perhaps remembering someone's advice. No doubt that of his Sorter friend. And after a beat, he blurts, "Thank you..." Maxwell smiles, this time the gesture reaching his eyes. "You're welcome. I do hope you accept the position, Kevlan. I think you're a good candidate for it." Kevlan blushes again, swallows, and murmurs, "Ah... hope Ah-Ah won't let th' Guild down..." The 'again' doesn't get voiced, but it's written all over his face nevertheless. With that, he sidles backwards from the desk, and towards the door; the fact that the room computer is on its toes and slides the door open at his proximity keeps him from stumbling into it. "Thank you 'gain, suh..." Then, the young Singer is gone. [End log.]