"The Burden of the Past" Log Date: 12/2/95 Log Cast: Sar, Telia, Liri, Winnowill Log Intro: (Note: First part of log lost to reboot. Scene starts in the Palace, with Sar facing Telia.) Ever since it became known to the elfin tribes of the Outside, the Glider tribe's each and every interaction with the Outsiders-- especially the Wolfriders--has been fraught with turmoil. Particularly frenetic has been the Recognition of the Chosen Sar with Ember, daughter of no less than Cutter himself, whose tribe of Wolfriders turned life as the Gliders knew it on its ear. Twin girls have arisen from that union, but even the presence of his daughter Liri at his side in Blue Mountain has not kept Sar from agonizing over the conflict between his duties to his Lord--and the pull of his soul to the Wolfrider who bore his children. It is perhaps that very conflict that has driven Sar to doggedly pursue another of his tribe who has Recognized an outsider, so that he may return her to the fold: Telia. And it is that inner agony that motivates him to present himself to Winnowill for an act of magic that he hopes will relieve him of his turmoil once and for all.... ---------- Entry Hall High-ceilinged, airy, this chamber widens out from the doorway that serves as its entrance from outside to an expansive room, filled with little more than strangely ornate walls and the occasional column, rising up to the ceiling far overhead. Closer inspection of the walls reveals patterns shaped into their surfaces, sometimes of wings, or flowers, or the lithe forms of elves -- and sometimes of images that defy description. The air is full of a subliminal shimmer that plays at the edge of elfin senses, a tingle that feels welcoming even in its eldritch oddness. A long winding stairway twines its way up out of this chamber and into the upper heights of this place; you might be able to find other ways out of here, but the only other exit in immediate sight is the archway and doors that lead outside. Contents: Telia Obvious exits: Corridor Winding Stairway Doorway Sar floats closer as you hover above the stairs. "Time to come home." Telia shakes her head, "I have no home." Sar says calmly, extending a hand to you. "Blue Mountain is home to all Gliders. Our Lord is merciful, and has offered an amnesty to all who left." Telia quirks a lip, "How very generous of her, but I think I will decline." Sar says "And do what, Telia? Bear your child alone, without help, out in the wilderness? The Palace will not be a sanctuary for much longer." Telia says "When the time is right, I will return to Sorrow's End and bear the child there. I have so promised Terlis this." Sar's eyes grow colder. "A promise to one of those barbarians has no value. Your child will be a glider. And belongs in the Mountain, even if you choose otherwise. Your first duty is to your people, not your dubious Recognized." ***Telia looked at you*** Tall and slender as all gliders, Sar seems deceptively fragile. He moves with a self-assurance that borders on arrogance and there is a sense of contained strength about him. He wears the functional and feather-patterned outfit of one of Blue Mountain's Chosen, complete with helmet and talon-whip. Slanted eyes, of a blue dark enough to seem black, regard his surroundings with a calm expression. Telia stiffens, "My first duty is to my child. And I choose not to expose it to the poisons in the Mountain." Sar floats closer, his hand snaking out to catch your wrist. "The choice is not yours to make. If you persist in this foolishness, our Lord will see to it herself that you will be unable, and unwilling, to prevent the child from being raised as a glider should." Telia tries to free her wrist from your grasp, "It is no ones choice but mine to make. Not yours, and not Winnowills." Sar is strong. Stronger than he looks. Catching the other wrist, he holds you pinned as he studies your eyes. "Do not try to fool yourself, Telia. We all belong to Lord Winnowill. You only have one choice: Come peacefully, and raise your child in the Mountain yourself. Or fight me.. and have it ripped from your body before you yourself are thrown out." Telia struggles, but since she's floating she doesn't have much leverage. Her eyes narrow, "That is no choice." Sar murmurs. "Then make it easy for both of us. Come with me, now." Telia kicks out with her feet, "No!" Sar dodges the kicks, never releasing your wrists. His gaze is cold as he tells you. "This is the last time I offer you the choice, Telia. Come peacefully, or face the consequences." Telia's answer is to continue struggling. In her struggles her talon whip, comes loose and falls to the floor. Telia doesn't notice though as she blasts you with a send filled with all her pent-up anger. Sar's mind is as closed and cold as his face. At the mental attack, he releases one wrist..to take his own talonwhip with his free hand. Using the blunt end as a club, he cracks it against the side of your head, with cool precision. (Taking the unconcious Telia back to his bondbird, Sar returns to Blue Mountain.) You fly down to the Aerie. Contents: Liri Obvious exits: Sky Hall of the Chosen Eight <8> Nesting Ledge Sar pulls a semi-conscious Telia from Talon's back. Liri Tall, as gliders are, and whipcord thin, like her mother, Liri is still young, barely a child by the standards of the mountain in which she lives, but an adult in her wolfrider heritage. Thick flame-red hair is pulled back in a delicately braided bun, a determined tendril or two dropping to frame sea-blue eyes in a face pale brown, the coloring vastly darker than the other elves of Blue Mountain. She wears a beautifully woven outfit of dark blues, whites, and greys, the blues merging up the outer thighs and ribs of the snugly fitting suit. Greys and whites pattern into feathers down the center and over the shoulders and outer arms of the outfit, small wings rising up from the shoulders. The cut of the neck plunges down to the bottom of her breastbone, dark skin setting off the pale colors, and rises up to frame her chin with a feather-touch. At her hip is the talon-whip of the Chosen. Carrying: talon whip Wolfhead pin Telia's got a big bump on her head. Sar holds Telia firmly by the arm. "It's the Cage for you, until Lord Winnowill decides on your fate." Liri is tending to Firstspan, apparently planning on going out, but she stops, startled, at her father's arrival. "What -- ?" Sar turns slightly, looking at Liri. "Yet another rebel returning to the Mountain. And a most special one, this time." He asks Telia, "How long has it been?" Telia is still not very aware of what's going on, "Huh?" Liri's eyebrows arch. "Special? Howso, Father?" Sar tells Liri curtly. "There were two glider Recognitions during the Festival. Telia was one." Liri's eyes dance with amusement for a moment. "Festival is a good time for Recognitions." Sar pulls Telia closer, still having a secure grip on her dazed self. He carefully avoids responding to Liri's statement. (Too good memory on that child). "Unfortunately, Telia's stay outside has left her somewhat.. confused about her priorities. Our Lord will see to that." Liri smiles. "Excellent." Sar says "Now then, the Cage. Liri, I need to have a word with you. After..securing Telia." Liri nods. "I will be here." She turns back to tending Firstspan. (Sar drags Telia to the Cage and throws her in, telling her "We will not meet again". He then returns to the Aerie, and Liri.) Liri is no longer tending the bird; instead, she hovers at the edge of the aerie, watching the world Outside. Sar floats over, landing quietly behind you. You can all but feel his eyes on you. Liri sends openly ** Yes, Father? ** Sar reaches out, hesitates, then places a hand on your shoulder. "There will be a change, Liri." Liri turns to look at you, eyebrows lifting. "A change?" Sar lowers his hand again, his expression calm. "I have been unable to resolve this strange disquiet in me. The bonds that prevent even the finding of the Palace from lifting my spirits. Too many memories... too much time." He looks at you, and continues more quietly. "I have asked Lord Winnowill to free me of the burden of my past." Liri, for several moments, simply studies you, not so much not understanding as disbelieving. "You ... wish to forget?" Sar's dark eyes are troubled, but his stance is determined. "Yes. All that has gone before. To wipe the slate clean and start over. As.. someone else." You paged Liri with 'Insert proper metafor for non-writing species.'. From afar, Liri laughs. Liri's sending is simple. ** I do not like this. ** Sar says "You are old enough, now, to be on your own." He looks over your shoulder, at the opening to the Outside worlds. "I thought I had found my peace, with Eveshka. but now.." He shakes his head slightly, and looks at you again. "It is for the best." Liri locksends ** I wish that you would not, Father. I wish that you would... ** You sense in a locksend, Liri's sending is half blurted; ** I wish that you would talk to mother, first. ** Sar's expression softens, and he touches a hand gently to your cheek. You locksend ** I am sorry, as well. For causing you distress. And your mother... is one memory that tears me apart. I could not do it. ** to Liri. Liri swallows, and turns away. "Will you even know me?" Her voice is thin. Sar makes as if to reach for you again.. but stops himself, clenching his hand into a fist. There must be a parting. And it cannot be delayed much longer. "I..do not know, Liri. Lord Winnowill will leave the memories I need to function as a Chosen, still. I..will most likely know you. Even if I do not remember.." Sar's voice fades at the last. You locksend ** Whether I remember you or not, know that I love you. Always. ** to Liri. Liri turns again, to face you, eyes deep green with sorrow, and her sending is a plea. ** Father. Please. Do not do this. We are meant to remember, we purebloods. Memories fade in time, but they are meant to be kept. It is the wolfriders who are made not to remember. All my life you have told me that I am not a wolfrider. Do not choose to be like them yourself, then. ** Sar's calm fascade crumbles, showing the pain that washes through his sent reply. ** I cannot go on, Liri. For every time of joy, there comes a time of new pain, a new arrow to my heart. It must end, somehow. ** Liri sends openly ** Then -sleep-, Father. Find a preserver and let your dreams sort themselves out in the protection of wrapstuff. Do .not. do this, I beg you. ** Liri's smile turns bitter, and she lifts a hand to you. ** Life is pain, Father. Anyone who tells you differently is trying to sell you something. ** >From afar, Liri ahems and changes *that* to something a little more IC. :) Liri pages: The 'trying to sell you something'. I think elves barter. :) Sar touches your hand, and sends quietly. ** Too hardened. Too soon. Perhaps I was wrong to bring you here, and not to .. the other one. ** Liri takes your hand, shaking her head. ** I am what I am, Father. I have no regrets. _Must_ you do this? ** Sar sends openly ** The preservers can only postpone. Not change. ** Sar sighs deeply, and pulls you into a hug. A fierce one, not at all like him. Liri's arms crush around you, and her sending is one final plea. Liri locksends ** Father...please. I need you. Don't...do this... ** Sar holds you very close, his send gentle and sad. You locksend ** I will be here for you, Liri. Nothing can change that. And if I do not remember you.. remember me as I should have been. I love you. ** to Liri. Sar draws a deep breath, stepping back, and all but runs from the aerie. If he was to turn back.. No. (Sar seeks Winnowill, finding her on her Throne.) Sar is pale and shaken, but pulls himself together as he lands in front of the Throne. "Lord." Winnowill nods, her face a disspassionate mask. Sar draws a deep breath. "I have told the Mountain. There is no reason to wait further." Winnowill nods and extends her hands, "Perhaps Sar, if you could give specific memories that I could soften, such a brutal proceedure need not be necessary." Sar floats even closer, within reach of those hands. "There are..too many, Lord. Too complex. Let me forget the past, and what has gone before." He hesitates, considering.. Sar whispers, closing his eyes. "Let me remember only what I must." Winnowill arches an eyebrow at your hesitation, "Is there nothing of the past you would keep with you? No cherished touch of a recognized's paw to sustain you on cold nights?" Sar stiffens, pain flashing in his eyes. Sar whispers hoarsely. "No. Lord." Winnowill nods, "Then gaze deeply into my eyes." Sar's eyes meet Winnowills. Winnowill The Lord of Blue Mountain, Winnowill, commands attention and an uneasy respect for her position and power with a dark, unruly glare from shimmering, crystalline eyes of blue. Neatly brushed and trimmed raven black hair, parted in the center and adorned with a crown over her forehead, falls down in a neat cascade against her back and shoulders. Her lithe, nimble and tall body is regal and elegant, masked with a constant sinister and dry smirk. Bonny in a flowing skirt slashed up to her waist, the deep purple dye of the fine leathers adds hue to her otherwise pale skin. Her arms are sleeved to the wrist; her blouse providing a high collar though revealing an open space at her stomach. Her shoulders are slightly slouched down in an elegant feminine form, supporting a deep purple cape, trimmed with white, leopard spotted fur. From her ankles to toes, her feet are well supported for walking with black ankle boots. Black ankle boots are firmly laced against her slender feet and ankles, adorned with decorations made from feathers affixed to small pieces of metal. Her crown, sitting firmly on her head, has similar articles at her temples and several more hanging from her ears. Lord Winnowill holds herself with a cold certainty. Her face is as smooth as glass - just as sharp, just as precise. Winnowill takes your hair firmly in her hands, fixing your gaze. You feel her will boring on your own. Sar draws a deep breath.. then deliberately lets his mental defences fall, subjecting himself to it. You locksend ** ** to Winnowill. Winnowill weaves a web arround your memories. Tying up all the past pains, .. and joys. Sar slowly relaxes, his gaze still locked with yours. Calm returns to his expression, as the web is woven. Winnowill delicately probes each remaining memory for use, making certain that what remains is functional. Sar is quiet and relaxed, what remains of his mind fully in your grip, still. There is memory of the duties of the Chosen..enough to keep him useful. Winnowill finally withdraws, "I will see how this works, other modifications can be made." Sar trembles, suddenly back on his own. He closes his eyes, then opens them to look at you with faint puzzlement. Sar says, uncertainly. "Lord..?" (Winnowill disconnects. Presumably Sar was dismissed.) Sar Newfound calm surrounds this glider, a calm touched, perhaps, with puzzlement, as if the millenia have slipped away, leaving him with little more experience than a child. Tall, and slender, as all gliders are, Sar's eyes are quiet, curious about the world, color dampened somewhat. His hair is grown long, pulled back loosely from his pale, high-cheekboned face. He wears the outfit of a Chosen, the dark blues and blacks of the cloth fit closely to his body. The collar is low, adorned with soft feathers, and diamond patterns reaching up his sides and down narrow legs. Boots are on his feet, knee high and feathered as well, and at his hip is a talon whip, weapon of the Chosen Eight. (Walking slowly through the Mountain, looking at his surroundings with wonder, Sar at last returns to the Aerie.) --- Aerie Contents: Talon Liri Obvious exits: Sky Hall of the Chosen Eight <8> Nesting Ledge Sar walks, this time. Slowly, looking around with a look of faint wonder. Liri turns slowly, having not moved from where she was when you left. Should you remember such a thing. "Father," she says, uncertainly. Sar stops, at that, tilting his head slightly as if listening to a distant voice. Then walks slowly closer to Liri, his oddly innocent eyes taking in her appearance..studying her face. Sar speaks slowly, as if searching for each word and putting them together to find meaning in them as he does. "You are Liri." Liri's voice is quiet, unhappy. "Yes." Sar smiles at that, pleased to find that he found the right name. The smile brightens his face, reflecting in his eyes with undisguised joy. Liri's eyes close briefly, then she steps in to hug you, quickly. ** I love you, Father. ** (Liri's net falls down go boom. Sar finds his chambers. And proceeds to brighten the gloomy room by lighting candles on every surface. End of scene.)