Date: Mon, 9 Oct 1995 20:29:39 -0400 From: Eveshka Subject: Sar, Liri, and other unexpected twists. Sar ponders. Where to, now? Eveshka sighs softly. ** Sar? Take me home... ** Sar says "Are you certain?" Eveshka nods. ** I am. ** Sky over the Hoan g'Tay Sho Village(#3796RL) Obvious exits: West(W) Sky Over Blue Mountain Village Square Sky Above Blue Mountain(#415RL) You are near the top of Blue Mountain. From here, the opening into the Aerie is barely visible. Below you is the meadows surrounding the Mountain, and a short distance away the huts of the Hoan village. You might also be able to land on the side of the mountain. Obvious exits: Hoan Village Aerie You fly down to the Aerie. Aerie At the very summit of the Mountain you find the clearest signs of the transformation initiated by the Dreaming gliders at Winnowills bidding. The rocky surface is still shaped in intricate loops and whirls, echoing the wonder of the great Egg. Half familiar shapes can be sensed as much as felt among the twisting and folding surfaces..some utterly alien, other of a disturbing familiarity. Pain cries from the walls, but so do joy, and wonder, and the dizzying echoes of the long gone Dreams. The gargantuan latticework forms a dome to crown the Mountain with shapes that from afar might seem to be the roots of some twisted tree. Even here, the tiny cracks can be seen criss-crossing all surfaces. The loops and folds open out to the open sky in unexpected places, and ways. Though none of the openings are larger than the armspan of a glider, and most much smaller, there are still few places left shadowed. The light of the sun and the moons weaves intricate shadows, that changes in fascinating ways as time passes. In some nooks and crevices there have been placed furs or pillows, telltale traces of the gliders spending hours and days in dreamy contemplation of the sky. Obvious exits: Sky Hall of the Chosen Eight <8> Nesting Ledge Into The Catacombs Stairs Sar has left. Sar offers you a hand down. Eveshka takes it. Eveshka sends openly ** Lord Winnowill and I spoke... ** Sar folds his arms over his chest. "And what did she say?" Eveshka sends openly ** She said I could stay... ** Sar says "Well, then. The problem is solved." Eveshka sends openly ** ... that I would end up giving myself the punishment I deserve... ** Eveshka looks at the floor. Sar notes dryly. "Our lord is wise. And what of Milani and Neela?" Eveshka looks up, her eyes as pale as her face. ** I do not know... but surely they cannot over-step Lord Winnowill... ** Sar looks faintly amused. "I should think not. Do not worry yourself, Eveshka." Talon moves up to the nesting ledge. Talon has left. Sar sends Talon off, and muses. "I am glad our Lord has decided to take an interest, once more." Eveshka watches the bondbird silently. Eveshka's back is turned, as she turned slightly to watch Talon. She shakes slightly. Eveshka turns back to you, her eyes damp with tears. Sar says "Crying again, Eveshka? Even if you are back?" Eveshka almost angrily swipes at her eyes. You locksend ** I love you. I don't know if you feel anything in return, but I wish it had been -I- who Recognised you. ** to Sar. Eveshka doesn't look away. Sar leans against the nearest shaped wall, regarding you. And finally answers. "As do I, Eveshka. As do I." Eveshka pauses, then stares incredulously up at you. Liri comes out of the Hall of the Chosen Eight. Liri has arrived. Liri comes gliding out. Sort of. Wobbling, more like, in the air, and High Ones, does she look grouchy. Eveshka stands, the picture-image of one stunned. You locksend ** To which are you replying? ** to Sar. Sar raises an eyebrow at Eveshka. "Surprised?" Liri scowls hugely at both of you, especially Sar. "Shhhh." Sar says "You your last statemen..Liri, are you all right?" Sar looks over at his uncommonly wobbly daughter. Liri whimpers. "Not so loud." Eveshka blinks, and swallows, looking over at Liri. Sar frowns faintly, beconing Liri. "Come here, Liri." You locksend ** Surprised? Yes. ** to Sar. Liri lands, and staggers towards Sar. No. This isn't working. She rises up a little tiny bit again, because that way her feet don't jar on the floor. Eveshka frowns, worried. You locksend ** Dreamberries? ** to Sar. Liri whimpers, "Huuuurrrts..." Liri sits down, or maybe collapses, a foot or two away from Sar, holding her head in both hands. Eveshka steps softly closer to Liri. She offers a small leaf. Liri stares at it suspiciously. "What izzit?" Eveshka whispers. "It helped Zichri when he ate too many dreamberries..." Liri looks highly offended. "I didn' eat any dreamberries!" Liri whimpers as her voice makes her head throb, and she begins to curl up. Reevol leaves the nesting ledge. Reevol has arrived. Sar kneels by Liri. And inconspicuously, or not, sniffs her breath. "Wine, perhaps?" Eveshka nods. Still whispering, "Did I say you had? This will help the pain." Reevol comes down from the nesting ledge and takes in the scene silently. Liri's curled up on the floor, whimpering, and peers up at Eveshka through her fingers. Then she lifts her hand, oh, two maybe three inches upwards, reaching for the leaf. Eveshka hands Liri the leaf quietly. Sar looks puzzled. Reevol advances, nods to Sar. "Chosen..." Reevol approaches and looks down at Liri. Reevol says "An injury? An illness?" Liri takes the leaf, sniffs at it, then sticks it in her mouth and chews. "My head huuuuuurrrrrts!" Eveshka looks up, whispering. "Shhh..." Sar glances up at Reevol, nodding. "Reevol." He looks down at Liri again, with a flicker of concern. Reevol looks baffled. Sar touches Liri's cheek, looking at her sternly. "Liri, have you eaten or drunk anything unusual?" Eveshka gently brushes some of Liri's hair out of the pained one's face. Liri chews for a while. Swallows. It's all very loud. "Nooooo." Whimper. "Honest." Reevol exchanges glances with Sar. Liri sits up suddenly. Liri says "It's gone." Liri touches her head, then pokes at it. Eveshka smiles faintly. Reevol rubs his jaw thoughtfully. Liri, as an afterthought, spits the leaf out, and pokes at her head again. Sar raises an eyebrow, glancing at the leaf. "Effective, that. Can you stand?" Reevol says "The pain may return. Eveshka, I hope you brought an ample supply of those." Liri says "It wasn't the leaf. I don't think." Reevol grunts. Liri stands up, peering at the remains of the leaf, and touching her head. Liri frowns, and looks out of the aerie. Eveshka sends openly ** If it was, I have plenty. ** Reevol says "Did it seem to be an... attack, perhaps?" Liri shakes her head absently, and her expression goes still. Sar considers his daughter very carefully, then slowly shakes his head. "I do not think it was a game. I do not like this. Do you have a thought, daughter?" Reevol closes his eyes and remains very still for a moment... Liri, from her expression, has not a thought at -all- in her head, as she stares blankly out of the aerie. Reevol locksends, to Eveshka, Liri, Sar: ** (a brief gray mind-touch) ** You locksend ** ** to Reevol. Eveshka looks at Sar. Reevol says "I... do not sense anybody unfamiliar close to the Mountain..." You locksend ** Liri? ** to Liri. To any sendings, Liri's mind is all but closed, focused sheerly on some indefindable point. Sar looks over at Reevol briefly. Reevol glances first at Eveshka, then at Liri, finally at Sar... You locksend ** She doesn't answer my sends.... her mind is focused elsewhere - Oh no... could it be Recognition? ** to Sar. Eveshka turns shocked eyes to Sar. Reevol says "Eveshka? Could it be Alorn, or another of the... exiles... at work?" Eveshka's eyes unfocus. Eveshka blinks, and shakes her head. ** No... they are too far away... ** Sar scowls at the present elves on general principles, and strides over to grab Liri by the shoulders. "Liri!" Reevol nods, and looks to Sar. You locksend ** Liri? ** to Liri. You sense in a locksend, Liri's mind virtually reflects your sending back at you, no reply from Liri at all. Reevol watches, puzzled. Liri's head snaps back a bit as she's grabbed, but her eyes do not change at all, except perhaps a sudden light of triumph. Eveshka takes Sar's arm gently. ** She can't hear you... and you don't want to hurt her... she is focused somewhere... ** Eveshka looks back at Liri. Reevol says "Perhaps Winnowill could aid her - but..." Reevol looks sardonic. "I, for one, have no idea where our Lord is." Eveshka sends openly ** She is in Her rooms, and not wishing to be disturbed..... ** Sar glowers at Eveshka, but heeds her words and releases Liri again. He looks around angrily, searching for some cause to this odd behavior. Eveshka absently caresses Sar's arm while she looks to Liri. Reevol snorts at Eveshka's report, then, "Has she been in the Mountain all day?" Eveshka sends openly ** Indeed. ** Liri blinks suddenly, and leans forward, but her expression remains blank. Reevol says "Hmmm." You locksend ** Liri? Can you hear me? Can I help? ** to Liri. Reevol says "Her mind remains - she has not gone 'out', I don't think, but..." Reevol shrugs. Eveshka frowns slightly, guaging the distance from the edge of the Aerie to Liri. Reevol says "I am scarcely an expert in sending out the spirit." You locksend ** Liri? Send to me... ** to Liri. Eveshka shakes her head silently. Reevol looks to Sar. "Perhaps she should be taken to her chambers..." You sense in a locksend, Liri's mind, or a very tiny part of it, responds, with an image of Reevol says "Lord Winnowill may eventually be prevailed upon to attend her." Sar draws a deep breath, expression returning to its normal, neutral state. You locksend to Liri, Eveshka's mind hovers gently. ** Can I help? ** Eveshka very gently touches Liri's cheek. Eveshka sends openly ** She's still here.... let me see if I can help her.... ** Reevol watches silently. Liri, for the briefest moment, breaks concentration on what she's doing, and bellows, ** GO AWAY!!! ** Then her eyes blank again, and she returns to concentrating. Eveshka's eyes widen, and she winces. Reevol flinches slightly as the mental wash passes... Sar takes a step back, startled. Eveshka steps closer to Liri. Reevol says "Perhaps this... focusing is something she is doing of her own will." Reevol speaks quietly. You locksend ** I offer you my help... combined, your task will be easier. ** to Liri. Eveshka nods absently. ** It is. ** Reevol frowns, rubs his jaw. You locksend ** I hurt you once, now please let me help.... ** to Liri. You locksend to Liri, Eveshka's mind tries to sense where yours is strongly focused. Sar's eyes darken. Reevol says "If this is voluntary, I see no reason to have concern." Eveshka's right hand caresses Sar's arm quietly. Reevol says "She will return to normal eventually." You meet a mental wall, one that is growing angrier with your intrusion by the moment. Sharrill makes it to the top of the long, wide stairs. Sharrill has arrived. Reevol stands regarding Liri, apart from the other two, dark-clad and brooding. Eveshka draws back with a deep breath. Her eyes close. You locksend to Liri, Eveshka's mind turns, leaving as softly as it came. Eveshka opens her eyes. ** She is growing angrier... ** Sharrill walks quietly up the stairs, stopping at the landing. You are looked at by Sharrill. Eveshka sighs. Looking at Sar, she sends openly. ** She is focused on something, of her own choice. She wants no help... ** Sar clenches his hands, stating loudly. "So help me Liri, this had better be trouble, or you will get it." Sharrill slowly regards the assembly Eveshka sends openly ** Perhaps it is her sister... you yourself stated that Liri wanted to find her... ** Liri doesn't react at all to Sar's threat, still staring blankly out the aerie. Reevol says "Perhaps she is not going 'out' herself, but is hearing another who is 'out'..." [Call waited... returned to find that Liri had been sending to Minx, her wolf-blooded sister.] Sar gapes at Liri for a moment. Then his own temper flares. "You have no sister. You are a glider. These are fantasies, most likely from your sickness." Liri's eyes go huge, and she freezes completely, staring at Sar. ** Send that, ** she snarls. Eveshka frowns slightly at Sar. Liri's sending is outraged. ** You can't. You can't send it. Because it's not -true-! ** You locksend ** My love? You told me Liri had a sister.... ** to Sar. Sar glares at Liri. "You are my daughter. Nothing else matters. Noone else." Eveshka rests both hands on Sar's arm, looking at him concerned. Liri sends openly ** That isn't what you -used- to say. ** Sar locksends ** It should not have been. Not like that. Only grief to come from it. ** Liri's sending is mocking, furious. ** Wolves forget, father, not us. Did you ask Winnowill to wipe her from your mind? Are they gone, then? ** Reevol says "What are the two of you talking about? Liri, what is all this?" Reevol says "Do you not consider yourself a Glider, young one?" [If I were the GM, I'd give Liri 20 experience points for that one!] Liri snarls, ** Of -course- I'm a Glider. But I have family Outside, as well, and they are not Gliders. ** You locksend ** You told me that pain and grief are part of our lives.... ** to Sar. Reevol sends openly ** (suddenly grim) Do not loose your venom on ME, youngling... ** Reevol sends openly ** I do not merit your anger. ** Liri acidly suggests, ** Don't interrupt, then. ** Reevol narrows his eyes. Sar goes quite stiff. "Liri, you will show respect to your elders." Sar locksends ** Ever more so. ** Reevol says "No... no, it's all right. She is angry now, and anger makes one rash." Liri sends openly ** I'll show respect when my elders /deserve/ it. ** You locksend ** As there is breath in my body, I will help you, my love... ** to Sar. Reevol glances sidelong at Liri. Liri's comment, clearly, is directed at Sar, and no one else. Sar stares at Liri. And says, with apparent calm. "Perhaps I was wrong." Liri sends openly ** _I_ am a Glider. I can accept my heritage, for what it is. Why can you not accept your Recognition? ** Reevol blinks, glancing between Sar and Liri. Eveshka slips one of her hands down Sar's arm, taking his hand in hers. You are looked at by Liri. Desc: Once again, Eveshka is wearing a bodysuit, but this one is of a light blue as soft as the Whitecold sky. A white skirt splits at the waist, and floats about her soft white leather boots. Her silvery-blue hair is pinned back with a single gold and emerald comb. White fur lines the neck of the bodysuit, and it ruffles in the cool breeze, warming her neck. Her eyes, normally grey, have taken on a light blue haze, and they almost seem as clear as glass. Sar leans closer, staring right into Liri's eyes. "Your heritage if of the Mountain. You are pure. A glider. Forget what was, as I should have." Liri lifts her chin. "I cannot forget a soulbond, father." Liri's sending hisses: ** And /neither/ can /you/! ** Sar winces. Reevol says "If the fledgling has kin outside the Mountain, what harm in a brief visit?" Eveshka gasps slightly. Reevol says "After all, Sar - if you don't supervise one, she'll just slip away alone." You locksend ** ** to Sar. Reevol speaks with dry humor and pointed logic. Sar closes his hand on the wolfshead pin he always carries..and tears it away, throwing it at Liri's feet. Sar sends, darkly. ** This is what you wanted. Now you have it. Go and learn for yourself, the pain that is Outside. ** Liri's jaw drops momentarily, and her eyes go from Sar to the discarded pin, then back to her father. Reevol eyes the decoration with a total lack of comprehension. Liri stares at Sar once more, briefly, and then in one quick movement, bends to scoop up the pin, and then darts up into the air, out of the aerie, out of the Mountain. Liri flies up into the sky. Liri has left. Reevol glances after her. Eveshka looks to Sar, concerned for him. Reevol looks to Sar. "I would not see her damaged..." Reevol turns and glides swiftly into the Catacombs. Reevol heads towards Into The Catacombs Reevol has left. Eveshka takes both your hands in hers. ** Sar? ** Sar stares blindly after Liri. Sar says, stunned. "She left." Eveshka caresses your cheek. ** She'll be back... she is young... ** Eveshka continues her thought. ** ...and I am not nearly as concerned for her as I am for you... ** Sar blinks slowly, looking down at Eveshka. Eveshka pulls you close to her, holding you gently. Sar groans, letting himself be pulled. "She is only a child. I should not.." Eveshka sends firmly. ** She is to be Chosen.has to prove herself to herself. ** Sar sits down on a nearby shaped something or other, closing his eyes. "But not like this. Never like this." Eveshka sits beside you. ** No one is prepared when the time comes.... but I won't leave you, my love... ** You locksend ** ** to Sar. Eveshka gently holds you. You sense Sar closes his hand on yours, assuming you are still holding it. You paged Sar with 'Yep... still am!'. Sar locksends ** She must learn. There will never be peace, otherwise. But she is so young.. ** Eveshka kisses your cheek gently. You locksend ** Age may not matter for us... and she has all of your strength... ** to Sar. Sar smiles faintly, though it does not touch his eyes. "And her mothers. And stubborness from the both of us." Eveshka kisses you again. ** You are stubborn... ** She smiles, and her smile does reach her eyes. ** ...and I love you for it. ** Sar sighs, and touches your face. "Thank you, Eveshka. It is still foolish, but.." He shakes his head tiredly. "And as for your first question, I meant it. I do wish you had been the one I Recognized." Eveshka smiles sadly. ** That is past now. I am here for you.... and if it is foolish, then perhaps it is time we had a little fun. I love you. Foolish or no, it is as it is. And I send it. ** Sar rubs at his brow. "Perhaps you are right.. I feel very old, Eveshka. And tired. Perhaps things will be better in the morning." Eveshka stands, pulling you to your feet. Eveshka sends openly ** Come with me... ** Sar stands, letting you guide him. Eveshka sends openly ** To my room? ** Sar locksends ** Yes.Yes, that is for the best. ** Eveshka kisses your cheek, and glides down the stairs, your hands in hers. Eveshka smiles. [Eveshka leads Sar to her room, noting he moves slower than normal.] You push a curtain back, and quietly slip into Eveshka's room. Letting go of the curtain, you look around. Eveshka's Chambers(#9563RL) Obvious exits: Sky Western Hall The curtain makes no sound as it falls back over the door behind you. Sar enters the room from the Western Hall. Sar has arrived. Eveshka pulls you close. ** The private room may offer some shelter... ** You slip through a small tunnel into the private chambers. Private Chambers(#9280RUa) Contents: Sleeping ledge(#8871ae) Obvious exits: Back to hambers From the main room, Sar slips through a small tunnel and vanishes. From the main room, Sar has left. Sar has arrived. Eveshka hugs you close. You locksend ** I love you... I will be here for you... rest now... ** to Sar. Sar lets himself down on the sleeping flat, wearily. "Yes..stay." He rests, close to you. Eveshka pulls you close. ** Rest, love... **