Log Date: 8/27/96 Log Cast: Tamber, Sorter Kayalina, Recruit Rhianna, Singer Krellin, Medic Cee, Sorter Log Intro: As on any other day in the Heptite Guild, this one is a hectic one. Jerrik Rawn Deegan, senior sledtech, oversees the recovery of the wounded Rhianna Turlough from her latest claim in the Ranges... knowing her personally, he is happy to help out a friend. Rhianna's temper is as foul as can be expected of any Singer just in off the Ranges -- and as would be expected, her first concern is for her crystal. Attempting aid, Jerrik summons a recruit and a medic to the Hangar, while his other friend, Tamber, is on duty in the Sorting bay; of this, Jerrik assures Rhianna as well, knowing that Tamber is her preferred Sorter. As for Tamber, this is a day like any other for him, as well -- at least, recently. For these days, a day means for him that he works a few extra hours on his shift rather than return to empty quarters, or try to make social arrangements with his favorite Singers, troubled as he is by the transience of such relationships. There is not even Galahad with whom he might sing, for his young friend Kevlan Sharr is still vacationing offworld. But these days, also, a day for Tamber al-Acorrin, unbeknowst to him, means that his coworker Cee is keeping an eye on him.... ---------- Tamber(#1213PIOQce) Something about this youthful-looking man catches the eye, and when you look closer, you realize what: the red-gold shade of his hair is a hue very rarely seen anywhere in the FSP. That hair is cut in an economically short style, brushed neatly back from a fine-boned, pale-skinned face. His eyes, under expressively mobile eyebrows, are vividly green; his gaze, alert and wry, with a knowing glint that suggests he's either much older or much more experienced than he looks. Of an extremely slender build, he moves with feline casualness, and speaks and sings in a clear ringing tenor. He is clad in an impeccably cut worksuit of a rich forest green shade that, unsurprisingly, perfectly matches his eyes; up and down the suit's lengths are a number of buttoned pockets. On his feet he wears knee-high light grey suede boots. 1st Table Area The line here is long, giving plenty of opportunity for scrutiny of your surroundings. The table here as well as the computer is nondescript. Around you Singers and handlers wait their turns for the sorter's attention. After what seems an eternity the sorter turns toward you and reaches for the cartons. Contents: Sorting Table Obvious exits: Out You hear a quiet tone on your wrist unit, and then a voice says, "A message to all on Ballybran from Jerrik: Medic and recruits to the Hangar, medic and recruits to the Hangar. Incoming Singer with crystal needs medical attention.". Kayalina joins the queue at the table. Kayalina has arrived. Kayalina sets the carton down with care. Kayalina runs back to get more of Rhianna's cartons Kayalina walks away from the table to the middle of the sorting area Kayalina has left. Kayalina joins the queue at the table. Kayalina has arrived. Kayalina sets the carton down with care. Tamber looks up and smiles warmly. "Ah, thank you, my dear." Kayalina smiles quickly back, "My pleasure" before running ot get more. Kayalina walks away from the table to the middle of the sorting area Kayalina has left. [Tamber begins unpacking Rhianna's crystals -- medium blue cylinders, some flawed, of assorted sizes, while Kayalina brings more of them...] Rhianna joins the queue at the table. Rhianna has arrived. Tamber carefully lifts each of the 5 crystals out. He arranges them reverently on the sorting table. Kayalina smiles and whips her hand, "That's it." Kayalina nods politly to the singer and runs off. Kayalina walks away from the table to the middle of the sorting area Kayalina has left. Rhianna is lost in her own little world as she sees the crystals set out on the table. Tamber looks up to identify the Singer, and says warmly, "Ah, Rhianna, my dear. Let me attend to these quickly, for you..." As Tamber speaks, he begins to arrange his first choices among the crystals. Rhianna nods and flashes Tamber a worried smile, "They're only blues, Tamber, but most of my creds got eaten up by my...trip...to Michael's homeworld." Tamber nods in profound understanding. "Credits, like memories to crystal, are consumed all too quickly for one's peace of mind. Nevertheless" -- and he bows, before going on -- "I shall honor your blues as you honor Michael's memory." Crystals in current grouping, scale is G major: do: G large medium blue cylinder perfect re: A very large medium blue cylinder perfect mi: B large medium blue cylinder perfect fa: C very large medium blue cylinder perfect so: D large medium blue cylinder perfect la: ( unassigned: must be E or F flat ) ti: ( unassigned: must be F sharp or G flat ) dx: ( unassigned: must be G or nuttin' ) A pleasant voice from the computer says "Evaluating, please wait..." The display on the computer lights up, showing the value 700. Debug Values: Pattern: 10, Shape: 20, Color: 9, Shade: 12, Clarity: 18, Size: 18, Demand: 100 Krellin joins the queue at the table. Krellin has arrived. Tamber considers that result, and nods firmly to himself, setting the sequence of five aside. Rhianna ducks her head at the mention of memories, but quickly regains her composure. Tamber begins working on the next grouping of crystal, adroitly. Krellin glances around and his eyes stop on Rhianna. A pleasant voice from the computer says "Evaluating, please wait..." The display on the computer lights up, showing the value 191. Debug Values: Pattern: 7, Shape: 20, Color: 9, Shade: 12, Clarity: 18, Size: 7, Demand: 100 Crystals in current grouping, scale is G major: do: ( unassigned: must be G or nuttin' ) re: ( unassigned: must be A or nuttin' ) mi: ( unassigned: must be B or C flat ) fa: ( unassigned: must be C or B sharp ) so: D medium small medium blue cylinder perfect la: E medium medium blue cylinder perfect ti: F sharp medium medium blue cylinder perfect dx: G medium medium blue cylinder perfect Rhianna fidgets as Tamber works, her arm limply hanging at her side. Tamber labels this group of crystals and sets it aside. Total value now: 891. Krellin sighs and says quite matter of factly, "If you don't come down soon that elbow will be so bad that I will have to amputate your arm. And it will take some time to grow back." Now, Tamber adjusts the scale of the computer before he works on the next group. Then, he assembles the next arrangement... A pleasant voice from the computer says "Evaluating, please wait..." The display on the computer lights up, showing the value 85. Debug Values: Pattern: 8, Shape: 20, Color: 9, Shade: 12, Clarity: 7, Size: 7, Demand: 100 Tamber labels this group of crystals and sets it aside. Total value now: 976. [A sequence of three...] A pleasant voice from the computer says "Evaluating, please wait..." The display on the computer lights up, showing the value 78. Debug Values: Pattern: 4, Shape: 20, Color: 9, Shade: 12, Clarity: 18, Size: 5, Demand: 100 Rhianna looks up from the table and scowls a bit, "When the cut is sold and not before." She shrugs and winces a bit, "I've had worse." Tamber labels this group of crystals and sets it aside. Total value now: 1054. Tamber glances up. "If this tally is acceptable to you, my dear...?" Krellin shrugs, "Up to you. I don't mind taking the arm off. Makes it easier for me. But you won't be cutting for quite some time if I do." Rhianna sighs a bit, "I know you've gotten me the best value...go ahead and sell." Tamber inclines his head to the medic, sliding him a look that suggests that the Sorter is working as quickly as he is out of respect for that man's job as well as his own. Then he nods to Rhianna, and punches in the order. The voice from the computer says "One moment please..." Total value of crystals is: 1054. Taking into consideration the 30 Guild tithe, 737 will be credited to Rhianna's account. The crystal is quickly packed and removed by Heptite Guild workers, as the computer voice says "Transaction complete. Sorting computer reset." You tap a few keys on the computer and deposit 737 credits to Rhianna's account for the crystal in grouping 841121023. A wage of 105 credits has been deposited to your account. Tamber bows to you both. "It is good to see you cutting again, Rhianna, and I do hope you heal quickly. Yield to this good medic's request, now, and I pledge I shall attend your next cut personally." Krellin gives Tamber a quick, but appreciative nod. Rhianna nods to Tamber, "I guess I should go now." She turns to leave, "Come visit me? I don't see too many faces I know any more." You say "I shall be at your side the moment the medics permit." Tamber inclines his head, gracefully. Rhianna smiles gratefully and, for once, meekly follows the medic out." Krellin smiles at Tamber and turns to go to the infirmary. Krellin walks away from the table to the middle of the sorting area Krellin has left. Rhianna walks away from the table to the middle of the sorting area Rhianna has left. [With that, Tamber returns to work... but does not notice, at least not immediately, that another of the Sorters on duty is watching him....] A curious form stops near the table for a moment, one brow arched, grey eyes watching; after that moment, it shrugs and moves away, muttering something about "Nothin' but th'crystal." Tamber glances up at the murmur near by, quirks an eyebrow, and replies to the murmur, "When I am on duty, assuredly." Cee joins the queue at the table. Cee has arrived. Tamber, at his terminal, looks up, green eyes glinting. Returning with something somewhere past a frown, headed towards grin, Cee pauses near the table again, carton underarm once more. "Hm hm. You 'ave a duty roster? I'd like t'see it." "It is posted alongside your own, my dear girl, as well as that of the rest of the Sorting personnel," replies Tamber easily, even as his slim fingers type in a flurry of clicks over his keyboard. Cee shrugs. "Don't pay any attention, m'self. Spend more time down 'ere 'an I better ought, anyhow. Probably all the time posted plus." She tilts her head at the clatter of keys. "Y'ever take up secretarial?" Tamber gives a rippling laugh. "I have been informed that I have talents in that area, but they are not what pay my salary." Cee shakes her head with a crooked grin. "Aye." She shifts a bit, then queries, "Yer visitors bring y'anything nice?" Tamber smiles a bit. "Rhianna Turlough cut medium blue cylinders; I fear she was injured, however, so her ability to cut was brought short. She has been escorted down to Medical." His eyes are slightly sad, though, contradicting his light tone. "Uh humm." The other Sorter considers that, greyly observing her peer. "One o' the insistent ones, 'ad t'see 'er pets off, mm?" Tamber quirks a wistful smile at you. "Very few Singers, I find, are comforted enough to allow themselves to be attended until their crystals are sold; Galahad himself has stood before me half-fainting, till I have seen his cuts safely packed." Grey eyes glitter in sternness. "If more of 'em would give first thought t'the people that worry 'bout 'em, they'd d'better f'themselves." She sighs. "'eard Andi was in a crash. Probably didn't come in at all; looked like a recruit left 'er partner's haul f'r someone else t'clean up." She sighs and looks you over once more and, finally, lets out, "C'mon, Tam. What's th'reason I can't even get a scowl t'day? Where's y'head?" Tamber pauses in his typing, and blinks. "I beg your pardon?" With a short sigh, Cee repeats, "Where's y'head? What's on you?" Tamber fixes his green gaze on the younger Sorter, and asks in an infuriatingly mild tone, "I am giving some sign that my head is elsewhere than here?" She can't help but grin. "Aye, lad. Y'don't seem irritated by me yet, and y'aven't 'ad a snit and stalked out or told me that I'm forgettin' why I'm 'ere, and y'aven't said "d'vine" yet or whined about th'only whites for a'while as far as I see bein' mine, or nothin.'" She shakes her head. "Either somethin's extra wrong or somethin's finally right, and I don't trust either w'you." Cee nods firmly. Tamber's eyes turn somewhat veiled, but his tone is still quite congenial as he answers, "Dear girl, I have sorted both white and black in the last two weeks; as for divinity, alas, but Galahad's shoulders, along with the rest of him, are vacationing on Maxim's. What sport lies in speaking of it when he is not here to be made to blush, hmm?" Cee throws up the hand she has free to do so with, and replies, "I don't mean y'r Galahad and I don't mean y'r crystal, Tam, I mean y're bleedin' talk and y're calm. I've never known you t'act up so sweet and calm f'very long before tryin' somethin', or leavin' on a flit, or havin' 'alf a collapse o'er whatever's missin' from y'life." She wraps both arms over her carton, holding it against her belly as if to protect it from her quiet, harsh tone. "It's like y'ain't been Singer-sick for weeks, and that ain't much like y'tall." Tamber's hands have paused over his keyboard, and his eyebrows draw together over the bridge of his slender nose. "You would prefer," he asks dryly, "that I work myself into insensibility?" That halts her, and she is quiet, expression shading slowly from blank to something almost like guilt. "No," she murmurs, finally. "I wouldn't." Tamber's eyes darken, every so slightly, but he then nods, and punches a sequence on the keyboard. While studying the screen, he tells you, "Good, for I have done that once too often, and do not care to repeat the experience." Cee looks down at the carton in her arms and slips it back into the crook of one elbow, running her freed hand over her head, spikes of hair popping back into place behind her palm. "Aye," she assents, voice cracking once in the word. Abruptly, she adds, "See ye," and slinks back to her own table. Cee walks away from the table to the middle of the sorting area Cee has left. [Cee's departure -- or, more properly, the nature of their exchange -- troubles Tamber. His sense of honor niggles at him in the back of his head, and at last drives him up out of his station to go after her.....] 3rd Table Area This area seems less crowded then the closer two. The line is short and you only wait a few minutes before the sorter is ready to help you. They look at you with almost a fearful sigh, and you notice their eyes are not normal, they are large..too large. The symbiont must have altered their sight patterns. Contents: Storage Carton - Scorpion Label: T stuff Cee Sorting Table Obvious exits: Out Tamber's arrival is signaled by his lightfooted tread, and he pauses, crossing his arms, waiting for his coworker to spy him. Cee stares darkly at a selection of whites, their light reflecting into her unlensed eyes and creating within them an unnatural shade of grey paler than that their own. After a few moments, she steps back a bit and puts her elbows on the edge of the table, resting her chin in her hands; she looks up at the far wall, crystals forgotten and, in doing so, catches sight of her coworker. "Hi," she states, as if unattached from her voice. Tamber's expression is somewhat uncertain; his face is set of line, but his gaze strangely liquid. "I must offer an apology, my dear," he says, tone subdued. Cee's gaze snaps to the present and focuses upon red locks, then the strange expression, of the elder Sorter. "Eh?" Tamber releases a soft exhale. "I apologize," he says, enunciating clearly, "for rebuffing you; it was... crude of me." Cee's brows knit and she stands straight, lifting a hand to rub over her hair once more. "Oh," she murmurs, thinking. "No...it's a'right. Y're right, that's all." Tamber rolls his shoulders in a shrug, and says baldly, "My dear girl, I am... unaccustomed to inquiries about my welfare; call it a risk of the profession, if you will." Something in his gaze suggests other than that, but he does not elaborate. "I do thank you for your concern. Truth be told, I am... distracted." A brow lifts; she hadn't expected this. "Oh?" She moves back another step, moving her voice away from the table. Trying to amend the obvious curiousity in her one syllable of reply, she adds, "I'm sorry?" "Distracted," replies Tamber, slightly more loudly, slightly more ruefully. He glances from side to side, as if afraid someone might overhear. A short laugh. "No, I mean, I'm sorry if that's bad," Cee amends. She thinks on it a minute. "Somethin' y'want t'keep from someone?" She glances at the crystals on the table, guessing that was too bold. Tamber dismissively flutters a hand. But his eyes are still slightly dark, slightly sad, as he answers, "It is... personal. But since you asked, I thought that I should at least say that." "Thank...you..." She manages to bite off the lift in voice, the question in the gratitude left unasked. "I'm sorry for skippin' out, then, I guess. Elena came down yester' an' almost read me th'riot act about bein' all my time down 'ere." She sighs, and, with a wry grin, states, "Never thought th'day'd come when it's me who f'gets myself and you who's gone beyond th'tables." Tamber turns away slightly, as though considering returning to his own station, but he does not. He half-smiles. "Thank whatever gods you call your own that you have someone to harangue you thusly, my dear," he murmurs. Cee chuckles. "Aye, I do, thank you..." She fades off and arches a brow at the turned shoulder presented to her table, thinking about what he said. "Hey, don't get funny 'ere. Not allowed." Tamber blinks, then quirks an elegant brow. "Funny?" he echoes, then he chuckles very slightly, ironically. "I do not think you mean funny-amusing, and I have been somewhat strange, I admit..." Cee shakes her head with a grin. "No, I meant, funny-smartass." She winks, stepping back to her table, feeling a bit like she's got the edge, or enough of one, back. "And y've always been strange, Tamber. If this is a strange f'the better, good. Y'can always 'ave yer snits at me if y'need to." "I have not," says Tamber reflectively, "felt much of the energy needed for a.... 'snit.'" His mouth quirks, perhaps attempting a smile. Cee nods with a chuckle. "Y'know what I mean. A chat, a nag, whate'er. Far from me t'say you _ever_ 'ave snits." Tamber quirks his head slightly, gaze still slightly absent, but now wondering. "A chat," he murmurs, half to himself. Cee grins. "Aye, y'know, where y'talk t'someone, friendly, w'out worryin' much about it." "Ah," drawls Tamber, "a conversation." He does almost smile, then. Greyly glittering, the younger Sorter's gaze drops to the crystals. "Aye, minus stress, maybe." She reaches out to touch a shard, shaking her head. "Let me know, eh?" Tamber says softly, "I... shall do that." Cee looks up with an oddly gentle grin. "'d be nice. Good t'talk somethin' other than crystal." Tamber murmurs, mostly to himself, "Truly, it would..." Cee chuckles softly and looks at the crystals on the table. "Perhaps after my shift," murmurs Tamber, then. Cee looks up with a grin. "P'raps so. Come check in on me if y'think so." Tamber inclines his head, once.. then slips back to his table. [Bemused, but not unpleasantly so, Tamber returns to duty... and, as he pledged, comes back once his time at his station is done for the evening.] Tamber steps in after some time, his tread no less quiet than before. Busified sweeping crystal dust from her clothes and hands, taking an odd care in making sure to be free of all remnants, Cee doesn't notice the arrival of her coworker until she turns toward him as she checkslf in the light for any remaining shards. "Oh," she grins. "Hello." Cee adds, "Again," grin easing to a smirk. Tamber inclines his head smoothly. "It is the end of my shift," he observes. "And I've run out of work," she replies, running a hand over her hair and searching her palm for any crystal dust that may have strayed down from Tuning. "Would y'like t'find somewhere to sit, maybe eat?" Cee tilts her head a bit, considering. "Maybe somethin' t'drink?" Tamber, attention mostly directed inward from the look of his slanted green eyes, smiles faintly. "Few are our options for such things, but I am open to recommendation." Chuckling softly, Cee considers out loud. "Elena 'n'I go to th'beach, but it's been w'people there a lot as late. Nothin' but fish and wine, too. There's th'main lounge if unexpected company doesn't bother y'sometimes, and th'Singer lounge if y're bold. I've a little baby bar in m'room; there's th'usual unit with it an' we keep a little few extras in the 'fridge." She turns a bit ruddy. "I'se used t'avin' friends over where I was b'fore, and I missed it, so when I 'ad th'money, I 'ad this place set up..." Tamber gives his little half-bow. "I should be honored," he says, "and at any rate, the Guild has yet to serve a decent vintage in the catering units. I really must bestir myself to amend that, one day...." Cee chuckles. "Y'd 'ave a 'ard time at the prices they run. What's y'pleasure, y'taste? Wine, I think, hm, kind an' color?" She steps closer, making to lead onward with a murmured afterthought, "That a'right?" Tamber falls into step beside you, saying marvellingly, "White, Scartine vintage..." And he names a pressing 70 years old. Cee moves away from the table and walks into the thick of the Sorting Area. Cee has left. Moving away from the table you become aware of the rest of the area. 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. Contents: Cee Aria Obvious exits: Aria's Office Processing Hangar Observation Cargo Storage The Shed 3rd Table 2nd Table 1st Table The room is still in flux as you return to the center of the area. Aria is looking at her datapad she looks up and nods as the Sorters move away from the table. Cee laughs softly, striding alongside and slightly alead of Tamber. "Ah hm. Let's see what I 'ave. I've got some ancients, but I don't know 'ow much I figured anyone 'ere would drink f'reminiscence." Tamber smiles absently to Aria in passing, as he follows Cee off the floor. Cee walks out toward the Observation lounge. Cee has left. [The pair of Sorters leave the bay, and head out to take the lift down to Level 2, where their quadrant lies....] The doors *whoosh* open. You leave lift 1. Lift Area - 2 Level 2 is an accommodation level. The quadrants are marked off by synchronized crystalline indicators which stroke you curiously. The soft carpet absorbs all sound except that which is sub-vocal: resonance. 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 2. There is a speaker grill set into the wall, please ask for a 'lift.' Contents: Cee Lift 1 Obvious exits: MediTechs II Met Personnel MediTechs I Sorting Personnel Hangar Personnel Trainers Cee strolls along toward the Sorting corridor, chatting, "We got a full suite up here because, what with Elena's moving around and all, we figured it was better to stick with my stable quarters." Cee heads east into the Sorter's quadrant. Cee has left. You head east into the sorter's quadrant. Sorter's Quadrant The sorting personnel have their personal suites in this wing. A light rose strip winds its way through the corridor to the mural at the end of the corridor. Tasteful carpet softens the boot steps of the working members of the guild. The mural shows a starscape, with a beautiful spiral galaxy glowing against the black starry background. Contents: Cee Obvious exits: Deaton's Suite Chestra's Suite Cailte's Suite Kalere's Suite Aric's Suite R'Chael's Suite Ashcryn's Suite Shauri's Suite Brenna's Suite Klastilo Haven Cee and Elena's Suite Kiriki's Suite Mia's Suite Geoffrey's Suite Segundo's Suite Mario's Suite Zynthce's Suite Rill's Suite Temple Feyr's Room Sean's Suite Tamber's Suite Aria's Suite Lifts Tamber's eyes glint a bit at the familiar territory, as he strides beside you, pace as fluid as his speech. Cee steps up to her door and opens it, apparently feeling no need to make use of the locks. She slips in and activates the lighting system, then turns to hold the door. Cee steps inside the door leading to Cee's rooms. Cee has left. The door slides open, and you step inside. Cee's Suite As you enter the room, the curving back of the burgundy leather couch is in front of you. The lighting is usually dimmed, with downlights focused on the lead crystal glasses on the shelving against the far wall. Your adapted eyes can see a few wooden end tables and two large, plush burgundy chairs between the couch and the back wall. There are special lights focused on the myriad trees and shrubs grouped around the edge of the room. Some of these are in flower and lightly scent the room. Use +view to see details on this room. Contents: Cee Obvious exits: Closed Door Out Tamber steps in quietly after you, looking about with the inevitable air of a guest in new territory, a sort of 'Can I be comfortable here?' air. Cee lets the door close itself and turns to look over the room with a bit of pride. "A bit big for th'two of us," she sighs. "But I would miss if it wasn't 'ere, y'know?" She steps over to one of the plants and looks over its leaves, which have developed some white spots, and shakes her head with an air of 'Whatever, I don't understand plants.' She turns around and advises, "Go ahead an' 'ave a seat if y'want...tell me if th'light's too dim. I keep it down, I 'ave enough of th'bright when I'm in th'alls." Perhaps almost shyly for Tamber al-Acorrin, he nods, and flows -- that is the only word for it -- into one of the burgundy chairs. "It is... soothing," he murmurs. [The hour grew late for both Tamber's typist and Cee's... thus, we ended the scene. To be continued....]