Log Date: 11/26/95 Log Intro: Rayek has not taken well to his own promise to Lursa to return the Palace to the Go-Backs, should he ever succeed in flying it again. He has continued to brood in the Palace's halls, paying the task of its repairing only a halfhearted mind. He has been unaware, too, of other developments involving the Gliders that have as of late taken shelter at the Palace, and unaware that the other elves there are growing impatient with his continuing languor. Only when a sending reaches him from Azeure does he rouse out of his moody contemplation.... ---------- Rayek floats down the stairs, frowning, as his amber gaze sweeps the hall. Azeure Azeure stands before you at his full Gliderlike height. His presence looming like a dark thought in the back of your mind. Lightweight black robes seem to swirl around him, trailing behind him in their rich texture. The hood of the robe completely obscures his face as tendrils of his once free flowing silver hair falls neatly in two braids onto his chest. The robes are completely devoid of decoration or color, lending more omniscience to the wearer. Perhaps a glimpse of his well designed boots can be seen as he moves, but nothing more. No characteristic feathers or else can be seen upon his form. Each movement one of grace and fluidity. Each motion as if carefully thought and planned with the ease of one unbound by clumsy weight. This dark angels heart seems as bleak as the clothing he wears. Deadly precise he calculates you in a matter of moments. Carrying: brightmetal dagger Azeure moves in through the doorway, seeming to nod as he sees Rayek "Rayek.. I need to speak with you" Rayek lands, and his gaze narrows slightly. "So you sent." WolfFlame is sitting on a step, her fingers roaming over a crack as they glow slightly and the crack slowly begins to mend Azeure says "Is there any way we can prevent Winnowill's sendings here?" Rayek blinks -- first at WolfFlame and then at Azeure -- before his black brows draw together. "Why?" WolfFlame smiles brightly as the crack disappears the the glow fades Azeure says flatly "she has resumed her trechery.. she has made contact with many of the elves who came with me.. Is there any way to stop her?" Rayek frowns, turning away slightly. "There is no way to stop anyone from sending here, Glider, save taking the Palace into another time -- and that I cannot do." Azeure puts a hand to his shadowed chin "Why not?" Azeure says "Did not the palace once know nothing of time and place?" Azeure says "Isn't that what you showed us the first night here with the scrolls?" Rayek's frown tightens. "That was truth." Azeure says "Teach me." Rayek scowls, and barks out, "Did you not hear what I said? I _cannot_ do it!" WolfFlame looks up and sighs softly as she listens to you argue Azeure nods "I heard that.. but I don't believe it.. Here.. we can only be limited by what limits we place on ourselves.. WE -=CAN=- do it.. it will just take time to learn." Rayek turns away, stance tight and tense. "I cannot teach you what I myself do not know. If Winnowill is sending to your folk -- perhaps find a healer. Leetah could shield against her." Azeure says "This Leetah is not here.. you are.. how long have you searched the scrolls alone Rayek?" Rayek clenches his fists, well aware that Leetah is not here -- nor ever likely to be. But this he does not voice. Azeure says "Rayek.. teach me.. perhaps together we can find the answers you've been searching for." WolfFlame says "What about Delenbae? He's here" Rayek flicks a black glance over his shoulder. "We've moved rather quickly from shielding against Winnowill to my teaching you." Azeure says "Yes.. I am rather interested to find out if instead of meerly can't.. perhaps it is.. you _won't_ help us." Azeure turns "Or even in doing so.. help yourself." Azeure says "Are you content not to know Rayek?" Azeure says "I am not." Rayek whirls. Plainly infuriated, he stares hotly up at the taller elf, and when he speaks, his voice has taken on a harsh, rough edge. "I cannot move the Palace. And if I did, I would have already returned it to the Go-Backs." Azeure turns, dropping his hood to look to Rayek with calculating eyes "Honestly Rayek.. do you look no further than the frozen wastes?.. The savages?.. Why not to the stars?.. Why not to the time in which we were meant to come?" Azeure says "If you seek only to make the palace fly.. why not call upon the spirits of my fallen kindred?.. Will their power not aid you as the High Ones once effortlessly cast themeselves among the stars?" Rayek sends, harshly, ** You know _nothing_ of where I look, Glider. Do not presume to think you know where I _look_. Curse you, I pledged to return the Palace to those from whom I took it! And I will hold to that pledge! ** With that, he whirls again, and stalks out. [Rayek moves outside, to....] You move away from the huge stone structure, stepping around the rubble that litters its immediate vicinity. Wide Pass Through World's Spine Mountains This wide pass is nearly an entire days' ride from one side to the other, from what you can tell. The sun is still hard and heavy here, but the looming presence of the mountains to either side seem to lessen the drain of the barren waste. Contents: Nightfeather(#2638IJMae) ShootingStar(#3911IJMUaep) Cloudripper OOC SIGN: Palace visitors, read me! (Last Updated: 11/23/95)(#10156) Desert Tent(#6879IJaes) Palace(#500Jae) Obvious exits: Northwest South Near the Palace, Azeure carefully pushes open the door from inside the Palace and joins you. Near the Palace, Azeure has arrived. Near the Palace, Azeure has left. Azeure moves away from the huge stone structure nearby. Azeure has arrived. Azeure frowns "Rayek.. If I know so little.. help me to see.." Rayek has gone out and away from the Palace some distance, and now sits atop a boulder, back to the Palace. When you move into earshot, he gives no sign of acknowledging your presence. Azeure locksends ** Curse you.. answer me.. there is so much more.. all they want is a petty trophy.. but this.. the palace.. the home of our ancestors long before.. formed from the very stone that makes up our true home.. is that a trophy?.. Look inside yourself.. you know in your soul that even the palace itself cries for home.. for it's brethren.. it lives.. can you not feel it? ** You locksend ** You. Do. NOT. Know. What. I. FEEL. Out of my mind. _Now_. ** to Azeure. Azeure locksends ** Then teach me.. I want to help.. I want to make it better for all the High One's children.. that was Voll's dream.. son of the High Ones.. hear me.. We are all of one mind.. one soul in the end.. all of the children.. we are lost.. you can take us home.. ** Rayek looks over his shoulder. His eyes have gone completely dead, as has his voice, as he says tonelessly, "No. I can't." You sense in a locksend, Azeure sends, almost purposefully intruesive with the force of the send, almost angry, but knowing and forgiving all at once ** You can't?.. Or you -=Won't=-? ** You locksend to Azeure, Rayek slams mental shields shut, his mind going opaque. Rayek stares impassively now at the Glider who's pursued him. "Believe what you wish," he mutters, then turns away again to stare out into the desert. "There is nothing I can do or say that will make the Palace obey me." You sense in a locksend, Azeure uses the nearby palace, urging it's tinglings to you as his mind seems to prod at your barriers with the gentleness of a brother's loving embrace ** Then perhaps my dear friend.. it will obey -=us=- ** Rayek says lifelessly, "I have pledged, Azeure. If you wish to fly the Palace anywhere else besides back to the Go-Backs -- take it up with Lursa." He does not look at the other elf. Azeure locksends ** So it is only a trophy to you?.. How sad.. I thought you were more than a caretaker to something so meaningless. ** You locksend ** ** to Azeure. Azeure locksends ** You know it is more.. you can feel it in your soul of souls.. in that very same place that makes you fierce with love and lonliness... ** Rayek says lowly, still not looking back, "My opinions no longer signify." You sense in a locksend, Azeure teach me.. let me learn.. perhaps we, together can give all of us.. the savage Go-Backs.. your beautiful Sun-Folk.. my rich and knowledgeble people.. the Tainted Wolfriders.. even those who live on the water and plain.. all of the High Ones children.. give them what they were destined by their forparents foreparents.. take us home.. Rayek gives no reply, save for a tightening of his shoulders, and a slight bowing of his head. Azeure locksends ** You know we can succeed.. ** Azeure locksends ** In your soul of souls you know it.. that we have to.. we owe them all no less.. ** Still no reply; still Rayek remains where he is, looking out and away from the other elf, face turned towards the desert. Azeure locksends ** You are not a failure Rayek.. you are a mentor.. to all of us.. Listen to what I say.. listen to what you have taught me.. these aren't my words Rayek.. these are your own.. spoken only slightly differently from your beautiful lips.. you have not failed a soul... yet. ** Azeure locksends ** The desert does not hold the answers.. the palace does.. if we only search with our soul.. not simply reflect on our pained past.. remember when you first started searching the scrolls.. all that was more than you had ever hoped? ** Azeure locksends ** Can it pain us meerly to give them something they have always hoped for? ** Rayek does not lift his head, nor does he look back at the other elf. He does finally speak, though, his words low and toneless, barely audible. "You overestimate my ability." Azeure places a gentle hand on your shoulder "I do not believe it is I who is overestimating my dear friend.. I think it is you who underestimate your destiny." Rayek sighs heavily. And at last send-whispers, ** My...** He continues, stressing the word slightly sardonically, ** ... 'destiny' has come and gone, Glider. The Palace no longer obeys me; I cannot teach what I no longer master. You would do better to study it yourself, or to focus on protecting your folk from Winnowill, if she is attempting mischief. ** Still not looking up, he finishes lowly, ** I cannot help you. ** Azeure sighs softly ** Curse your sun baked bones Rayek.. you send such deceptions.. are you so afraid of failure?.. Even when you fail all the more by not trying? ** Rayek is silent for a very long while. Then, abruptly, he sends, a series of images and memories: ** ** Rayek, his mind still heavy and lifeless as stone, finishes that sudden flurry with: ** I have already failed, Glider. There is nothing left for me but to try to mend what I have broken. ** Azeure shakes his head "They would still respond.. if you remembered how to ask for their aid.." Rayek does not look up at the other elf, even now. ** I no longer _deserve_ their aid. ** Azeure says "If I asked.. would you share with me.. through the scrolls.. all that happened when you first took the palace.. everything.. It may be as close as we will get to understanding with your stubbornness and self pity." You say "I have told you what was important." Azeure shakes his head "Yes.. but you have tought me nothing aside from the fact you blame yourself for failing when you have tought me so much already.. and then now when faced with what must be done you simply give up?" Azeure says "I don't want to hear it from your lips.. I want to feel it from your soul.. curse you.. how do you expect even me.. who is not limited by such blindness to learn anything aside from what a failure noone but you believe yourself to be." Rayek says tonelessly, "You should have a few words with the Go-Backs and the Wolfriders. They do not share your opinion of my... deeds." Azeure says "So prove them wrong." You say "That choice is no longer mine to make." Azeure says "Is that not what I have been telling you?" Azeure says "Your choice was made when first you became master of the palace.. Now the sooner you stop blaming yourself for learning.. the sooner you can see an ends to all the effort you have made to make all of these things possible once again." Azeure says "It's time to move on.. You have not failed.. yet" Rayek says flatly, still not looking up, "Have you not been listening, Glider? I have pledged to return the Palace to the Go-Backs. I am not in the habit of going back on my word." Near the Palace, Telia carefully pushes open the door from inside the Palace and joins you. Near the Palace, Telia has arrived. Near the Palace, Telia has left. Telia moves away from the huge stone structure nearby. Telia has arrived. Delenbae has connected. Azeure stands, his hood down and a hand gently on Rayek's shoulder Telia walks determindly out of the Palace, ** Azeure, there you are. ** Rayek is perched on a boulder, head bowed, not looking at Azeure behind him. Azeure turns and offers a thoughtfully inclined brow ** Telia?.. Is something the matter? ** Telia sighs, ** I've been thinking, and I think it would be better if I left. ** Azeure shakes his head ** No.. we are all leaving ** Azeure turns back to Rayek ** Isn't that right Rayek? ** Telia tilts her head to one side, ** What? ** Rayek says without turning, "Come or go as you wish." His tone is still quite listless. Delenbae shakes his head. ** A waste. Once again, this place is going to be wasted on Go-Backs and trolls. ** Azeure nods ** Perhaps someday Rayek.. but shouldn't we be taking things slower than this? ** Delenbae sends openly ** Instead of being here, where we can study and protect it.. perhaps someday, to take us home.. but no. ** Rayek, unresponsive, does not alter his position. Delenbae shrugs. ** But, of course.. the Master of the Palace has those who have no buisness deciding the fate of such magic rule his mind. ** Azeure smiles "Presicely Delenbae.. Not if this one remains as stubborn than a stone to one without power to move it." Delenbae sends openly ** Instead of those who understand such things.. Ekuar, Savah.. and those of us here now. ** Delenbae sends openly ** If the Go-Backs want to be with the Palace, let them come here. ** Telia frowns, having no idea what this conversations is about. Rayek says, voice low and remote, "Then, Glider, you and I are on the same level. I have no power to move it either." With that, he rises, and walks back into the Palace, head bowed. [Rayek passes WolfFlame in the entry hall as he returns to...] Rayek's Chamber(#7481RFL) Spare of design, but smaller than many of the rest of the chambers of the Palace of the High Ones, this quiet nook is the place Rayek has appropriated for what passes as his rest. Like the rest of the Palace, it is a room of oddly rippling walls and ceiling and floor, a room where a flicker out of the corner of your eye might be a shadow -- or perhaps a lingering spirit. But there is little to relieve the starkness of the room save for a gathering of sleepfurs on the floor, and the perfectly prosaic light of torches in their shaped holders on the walls. Obvious exits: Corridor Delenbae locksends ** What has happened to you?! ** Someone nearby sendshouts ** Rayek!.. Curse you come out here.. Do you hide from everything?.. Even yourself? ** You sense in a locksend, Delenbae's presence is added.. out in the cooridor. You locksend, to Azeure, Delenbae: ** ** Azeure locksends ** Come now.. you give up so easily? ** Out in the corridor, Telia takes a deep breath, ** I've been thinking. And I think that maybe it would be better if I struck out on my own. ** Out in the corridor, Delenbae whispers in a piercing manner, towards Rayek's chamber. "Coward.. speak to us. You are too important to sulk like a child. You are master of this place.. a place that we all need, if we are to free ourselves of this world." Out in the corridor, Azeure shakes his head ** No.. Telia.. What of the child? ** Out in the corridor, Telia sighs, ** It is because of the child that I'm leaving. I can't take the chance that 'she' will get her hands on it. ** Out in the corridor, Azeure shakes his head ** She won't.. I swear it ** Out in the corridor, Delenbae continues after a moment of no response. "Come out here, Rayek, or I will come in after you." Out in the corridor, Telia closes her eyes briefly, ** I can't take that chance. If constancily move from place to place she won't know where to find me. And I won't involve the rest of you. ** Out in the corridor, Azeure shakes his head "Telia.. please.. all will be explained soon enough.. we will be safe here" Out in the corridor, Telia looks around, ** What is going to be explained? ** Out in the corridor, Delenbae looks into the opening, stepping forward, but not entering Rayek's chamber yet. Out in the corridor, Azeure moves to Telia and places a hand on his shoulder "Telia.. trust me.. we will all be safe from her soon" Out in the corridor, Delenbae waits, still no response. He moves forward. Out in the corridor, Delenbae has left. Delenbae has arrived. Out in the corridor, Telia frowns, ** And what about now? ** Delenbae looks at you for a moment. Rayek is moving about the chamber when you enter, picking up what few belongings he owns, and thrusting them into a pouch. Delenbae points at you. ** Stop. Speak to me. ** Rayek looks up, gaze dead. "It sounds as if you're doing all the speaking that needs to be done." Delenbae shakes his head. ** No.. there is something wrong. What is it? ** Delenbae sends openly ** WHo has broken your spirit? ** Out in the corridor, Telia quirks her lip, ** I suppose, but still want to know how we're going to be safe. ** Delenbae sends openly ** Why? ** Out in the corridor, Azeure shakes his head ** Simply because she will have to deal with more than me ** Delenbae sends openly ** Have you finally given up, after all this time? After all the sacrifices that brought you here? ** Out in the corridor, Telia sighs, ** Please, explain to me. ** Rayek does stop, at that, eyes narrowing in startlement before he begins to turn away, saying heavily, "What difference does it make?" Delenbae frowns a bit more.. ** It makes all the difference in the world.. You are the only one who has enough willpower and drive to control this place, and keep anyone from taking it from you. ** Out in the corridor, Azeure nods ** She will have to face herself first.. an opponent she cannot hope to defeat ** Delenbae sends openly ** We _need_ you .. but we need this place to stay here. ** Rayek kneels, stuffing an old cloak into the pouch. As he'd said earlier to Azeure, he says tonelessly, "You overestimate my ability." Delenbae shakes his head. ** Not in the least. ** Delenbae sends openly ** Rayek.. what do you want from this place? Did you not have grand dreams? ** Rayek rises and turns, staring at you impassively. "My wants no longer signify." Delenbae sends openly ** Has not your entire life been leading you to the moment when you would find this place? ** Azeure locksends ** Are you coming out or are you just going to hide from your destiny forever? ** Delenbae shakes his head. ** If you surrender now, perhaps not.. but if you will not do this for yourself, do it for all of us. ** Delenbae sends openly ** The Palace will take us home, one day.. but we must study it, and p[rotect it, until that day. ** Delenbae sends openly ** But for that.. we need you. ** Rayek says, still in that same lifeless tone, "The Palace no longer answers me. Nor do the spirits that dwell within it." Out in the corridor, Telia rolls her eyes and looks confused, sliding down the wall to sit on the floor. Delenbae sends openly ** And is that not because you have closed yourself off from it, for some reason I seem not capable of fathoming? ** Delenbae points at you. ** What has happened to you!? ** Out in the corridor, Azeure sighs softly ** Telia.. Trust me ** Delenbae sends openly ** This cannot be Lursa's doing. ** Out in the corridor, Telia lifts her head, ** I'll try. How soon? ** Rayek gives just a ghost of a scowl, and then glances away, eyes closing. Delenbae sends openly ** Rayek.. speak to me. I will help you, if I can.. ** Delenbae sends openly ** Why have you suddenly allowed Lursa to rule you? ** Out in the corridor, Telia rests her head on her pulled up knees. Rayek does not look up. "Lursa has only reminded me of debts I owe." Azeure locksends ** Can you not answer my sends now either? ** Delenbae sends openly ** Do you not owe more of a debt, to all of us? ** Delenbae sends openly ** Lursa should be proud that she is even allowed to remain here... ** Rayek mutters, whirling away, "How many times must I say this? The Palace no longer responds to my will." Delenbae sends openly ** Any debt you owe her will be repaid endlessly, when we all free ourselves from this world. ** Delenbae shakes his head again. ** Why? Why does it not respond? ** Rayek rolls his shoulders by way of a shrug. Delenbae frowns again.. ** Why, Rayek?! ** Delenbae sendshouts ** WHY? ** Out in the corridor, Telia looks up with a start. Rayek lowers his gaze, the very image of the broken spirit you've sensed. Still he does not respond. Delenbae calms himself. ** Why, Rayek? We need you.. you may have decided to run away, but you may not. You owe us this. ** Delenbae sends openly ** You have been chosen to be Master of this place.. and be it you shall. ** Out in the corridor, Azeure sighs and moves into the chambers Out in the corridor, Azeure has left. Azeure has arrived. Out in the corridor, Telia stands and curious follows. Azeure moves in quietly, settling near Rayek raising a curious brow. Out in the corridor, Telia has left. Telia has arrived. Rayek mutters, "I am no longer worthy of such a position, Delenbae." Delenbae sends openly ** On the contrary.. but even if you are not, you are in such a position, and ever shalll be. ** Telia peeks into the room, curious. Delenbae sends openly ** You have been chosen... you will fulfill your obligation. ** Telia sighs, ** Why don't you just leave him alone? ** Telia sends openly ** If he wants to mope let him. ** Rayek says without looking up, "My obligation is to mend what I have broken." Delenbae looks over to Telia. ** Because he is too important.. he has not the luxury of moping. ** Delenbae turns back to Rayek. ** Mend yourself first, then this place, then all of us.. so we might be one people again, and return home. ** Out in the corridor, Suntop has arrived. Suntop locksends ** Rayek? ** Azeure sighs softly ** Rayek.. come.. even he sees what we are capable of.. the only one binding the entire process with petty fear of failure.. can't you see you fail everyone without making the effort.. you fail even yourself.. you know this as well as I.. All you need do then is admit such to yourself ** Telia shakes her head, ** Who needs him, who needs the palace, who needs anything? Just let him be. ** Rayek suddenly sucks in a breath and slumps against the nearest wall, eyes clamping tightly shut. Spirit of Orolin, will they not leave him be? You locksend ** Here. ** to Suntop. Delenbae shakes his head as well.. ** I refuse to allow you to doom us all to an eternity on this world, merely because he feels pity for himself. ** Azeure turns to Telia ** We all need him.. ** Out in the corridor, Suntop has left. Suntop has arrived. Azeure sighs and shakes his head ** If only he remembered that he needed himself ** Suntop walks in, and glances around curiously. Rayek is slumped against one of the walls, not looking at anyone, his head lowered. Delenbae turns, and spies Suntop. ** Perhaps _you_ can speak some sense into his head? ** Suntop arches a brow curiously at Azeure and Delenbae, giving a pointed look at Rayek. "What have you done to him?" Suntop moves over to Rayek's side as he sends this, kneeling slowly. Delenbae shakes his head. ** HE has done this to himself.. he and Lursa. ** Azeure looks to Suntop and shakes his head ** It seems if he cannot reason at least with himself we are assured failure ** Suntop places a hand gently on Rayek's shoulder, shaking him lightly, trying to get a reaction. "What are you two talking about? I'd heard that Rayek and Lursa had talked.. but I know Lursa doesn't have anything strong enough to do THIS to Rayek!" Rayek does not speak a single word, nor does he look up, save for a slight sideways glance at Leetah's son. Delenbae sends openly ** Ekuar was saying that the Palace was to return to the Whitecold. Rayek has mentioned somethijng of 'debts he owes'. ** Delenbae sends openly ** SOmething has broken the Master's spirit.. perhaps himself? ** Rayek's mouth tightens, becoming a taut line in his dark face. Telia shakes her head. Azeure shakes his head ** No.. denying ones dreams.. denying onesself of his destiny.. and consequently.. robbing us of ours might do that to him ** Suntop nods to Delenbae, then looks to Rayek. Suntop locksends ** Rayek.. What's going on? ** Delenbae shrugs, and waits. You locksend ** They do not understand, Suntop. I cannot make them understand... the Palace is no longer mine to command, if indeed it ever was... ** to Suntop. Suntop arches a brow, looking rather doubtful about something. Telia watches everyone, a unreadable expression on her face. Suntop locksends ** Are you kidding? You're the one with the knowledge and the ability..the sheer drive to make the home of the High Ones to fly again! ** Azeure looks to Rayek accusingly You locksend ** No. It was always with Tilia... ** to Suntop. Suntop locksends ** You're wrong, my friend. Tilia provided the magical guidance.. Can you not _feel_ that? I knew it when Brindle lept onto her wrapstuffed body. Hers was the guidance.. but you were the one with the power to tell her where to go. You know every inch of this wondrous place. Why do you doubt yourself? Even when you and father fought..I don't think you ever truly doubted yourself.. ** Suntop shakes his head, murmuring softly, "I don't understand." Azeure looks to Suntop "That is because it isn't yours to understand.. I'm not even sure the only one who can understand it.. does.. or at least will admit to it" Suntop looks up at Azeure for a moment, and shakes his head slowly, "You might be surprised.." He looks back to Rayek, speculatively, as though awaiting a response. Delenbae seems amused. ** If anyone can undersrtand another elf's mind.. it is Suntop. ** You locksend ** Lad, I... I cannot make it fly. It doe snot answer me, anymore... justly so... ** to Suntop. Suntop looks taken aback, then closes his eyes, as though reaching out to his surroundings, _sensing_ the Palace for a moment. [Is the airwalker right? The Palace still hums with the feel of its resident spirits... and the other live elves in the Palace are bright, too, to Suntop's magic feeling. Rayek, though, seems a faltering flame wreathed in a void. There is a sundered link there, indeed.]'. Delenbae contiues to wait quietly. Suntop seems to decide something, muttering to himself about pride and foolishness.. Azeure sighs softly and turns ** Suit yourself.. and fail all of us Rayek.. ** Suntop looks directly at Rayek, though his eyes seem to look straight through him..Even to those with the smallest amount of MagicFeeling will know that his current send is almost crackling with energy, due to the effort, not the strength, of his send.. Azeure pulls the hood of his cloak above his head and steps out. Azeure steps out into the corridor. Azeure has left. Out in the corridor, Azeure steps out from Rayek's chamber. Out in the corridor, Azeure has arrived. You sense in a locksend, Suntop locks your mind with his, and shows you the Palace as it is..shows you, through his 'eyes' what it COULD be, renewed once more. ** You CAN control the Palace, Rayek.. You just have to reach out. From what I can feel of you, you are scared to find out if you DO still have the right to be Master. I'm telling you now: TRY. Just reach out! ** Azeure locksends ** When you open your eyes finally Rayek... will we all be dead. ** You locksend ** For what purpose, Suntop...? Are you, too, going to tell me I should try to fly the Palace out of this time and place again? After what pain and harm I caused your mother the first time? ** to Suntop. Suntop smiles warmly and shakes his head slowly. You locksend ** Besides... I have pledged. If the Palace flies at my command again, I must return it to the Go-Backs. ** to Suntop. Suntop locksends ** Peace, Rayek..I will not tell you to do anything..other than to regain your pride, strong one. You've got the power and the ability..Must I get Savah's help with this? She and I care for you, dear friend. I do not want to see you fall so low. I won't allow it easily. Fly the Palace? Certainly, if you so choose. But that isn't necessary, right away. The GoBacks can wait..you can keep your promise. Just not _right_ away. ** Telia turns and silently glides out. Telia steps out into the corridor. Telia has left. Out in the corridor, Telia steps out from Rayek's chamber. Out in the corridor, Telia has arrived. Out in the corridor, Telia has left. Rayek's arms wrap about himself, as if he's uncertain of his own substantiality. He has yet to look at anyone in the room. Suntop locksends ** Remember this, when you keep your promise to the GoBacks..The Palace belongs to no one tribe.. no single elf. This home is everyone's home by right. The GoBacks are wrong to demand its return for them to 'safeguard'..it's not theirs to command anymore so than it is mine or Savah's or Father's. The one who has the right is the one who loves it more dearly than life itself, sometimes. And that one is YOU. ** Suntop reaches out to lightly touch Rayek's shoulder, still kneeling uncomfortably. You locksend ** Do you think I have not constantly striven to fly the Palace again, in the last two eights of years? Do you think that I did not throw every ounce of my power into attempting to prevent its crash? ** to Suntop. Suntop suddenly sobers, sending insistently, ** _THAT_ was NOT your fault. ** Rayek says hoarsely, "Was it not? It was because of me that the Go-Backs came looking to begin with." Delenbae sends openly ** You have done us all a great service, by bringing the Palace here.. so we might study it more. ** Suntop snorts softly. ** The GoBacks have only themselves to blame for concentrating so very hard on fighting and surviving. Theirs is a world that is far more violent and deadly than even the Wolfriders'. Though I have a lot of respect for the GoBacks for having survived as they have.. I DO NOT accept that the Palace's disappearance is the source of all their problems as it has been made to seem. ** Delenbae sends openly ** Again,. if they wish to follow the Palace, let them come here. ** Rayek says without inflection to Delenbae, "If they come here, I must leave." Delenbae sends openly ** Why? ** Rayek does not answer that, but gets a strangely wistful look on his face. Suntop frowns a bit, looking at Rayek for a long moment. Delenbae sends openly ** Why?! ** Delenbae sends openly ** They could be quite useful.. they can help defend the Palace from the Gliders. ** Rayek, oddly, gives a wraith of a smile, though he's still not looking at any one. "I expect Kahvi would order them to put their spears through my heart." Delenbae shakes his head. ** She would not. ** You sense in a locksend, Suntop tries a new approach, locksending his impression of you, the tall dark and mysterious one..the engimatic one..who always tries to be a part of the world..but knows his own place. ** Why can you not be yourself? I may not know you as Mother might.. but even Mother would insist that you come out of yourself..and LIVE..instead of wallowing in doubt and fear. You are STRONG, Rayek. Recgonize this in yourself.. That strange smile remains on Rayek's lips as he begins to Delenbae, "Perhaps it would restore me to the High Ones' grace --" He cuts off, then, color draining completely from his face. Suntop looks at Rayek intently, measuring his reaction carefully. Rayek begins trembling, visibly, as he growls at Suntop, "She wants nothing to do with me." Delenbae shakes his head. ** If anythuing, they should thnak you,. from delivering them from their barbaric exsistance. ** Suntop smiles faintly.. ** Now it is YOU who does not understand, I think, Rayek. ** Suntop locksends ** Mother DOES care a lot about you, Rayek. Whether she shows it or not..Sound familiar? The same has often been said of you.. Do you not care enough to be strong in yourself.. if not for you..then for Mother..or Savah..or even me? ** You locksend ** She fled from me at the Festival. Cutter would not relay my apologies. It seems to me that there is little to misunderstand. ** to Suntop. Rayek presses a shaking hand to the stone wall beside him, as if perhaps wishing that it would open and swallow him up. Suntop locksends ** Father is stubborn, Rayek..Mother is not unforgiving..By now, she is sure to have forgotten..and she DOES care. ** Rayek is still shuddering, tautly, one brown cheek pressed against the stone. Rayek murmurs, pained, "It is another debt... I will stay out of her life..." Suntop locksends ** First things first, Rayek. You MUST pull yourself together. ** Delenbae sighs a bit. Suntop looks terribly frustrated at this point.. Rayek mutters without looking up, "For what purpose, Suntop? To do as this healer and the Glider have demanded -- take our kind off this world? I have already tried. I took the Palace from tribe to tribe -- none would go with me. And the High Ones at last have turned their faces away from me. Even Timmain has left. I am not the master the Palace seeks." Delenbae sends openly ** You are. You are the only one. ** In an open send, Suntop sends, obviously putting a clamp on a twinge of annoyance. ** You still don't see? I'm telling you, Rayek.. FORGET everyone else and their demands on you. You have to fight for yourself. What others want or desire can wait until you are ready to deal with them. The Palace itself BEGS you to regain yourself. Can you not FEEL that? Delenbae sends openly ** And you shall be, evermore. ** Delenbae sends openly ** Our people are not ready yet.. but they can be, in time. ** Rayek says tonelessly, but with just a hint of roughness on the edge of his tone, "No, Suntop, I...." His voice lowers, and he finishes on a low, abashed growl, ".... can't." Suntop looks at you for a moment. Delenbae shrugs. ** You must. ** Suntop stands and in one fluid movement, lifts Rayek up by his tunic, though not _roughly_..** You MUST stand for yourself, Rayek..You won't do yourself or anyone else any good as a lump against a wall! ** Rayek, grabbed, is a bit easier to lift for the young elf than he should be, if Suntop is able to notice such things. He exhales briefly, but only briefly, andat last meets the golden-haired youth's eyes with the same dead gaze he has been giving everyone else. You sense in a locksend, Suntop sends insistently. ** For the love of the High Ones..for the love of this Palace, WAKE UP, Rayek! You're letting your soul fall asleep..and you will die of loneliness, unnecessarily! You _have_ friends who believe in you..I'm one of them..But you're starting to frustrate me a lot more than I thought possible! You locksend ** ** to Suntop. Rayek, still caught up in Suntop's grasp, abruptly gets several odd emotions playing across his face at once; his amber eyes glimmer uncertainly. Suntop's eyes fill with tears as he shudders from the pain-filled send he receives, unexpectedly.. but he does not release Rayek..rather, he pulls Rayek into a familiar and warm hug. Suntop locksends ** Rayek, I told you once..I tell you again: I am your friend. I will always be your friend. Ekuar feels just as I do..Lursa pushed you harder than she had a right to..You did not nearly kill Tilia.. BRINDLE did..and /I/ am more to blame for that than you..Mother forgives you more easily than you forgive yourself.. ah, my friend..Be strong. The future is bright and full of promise. What's been done is done. You've GOT to believe that you can make a change for the future! Even Timmain may return, if you start to believe in yourself more.. ** ** Suntop's send to Rayek once more fills the room with an emotional charge..the strongest feeling emanating from the energy is simple acceptance. Rayek, shaking, seems torn between continuing to meet Suntop's forthright and honest gaze, and yanking his own away. You locksend to Suntop, Rayek, with that shield cracked, mentally reels. Old pain intermingles with new in his thoughts, a snarled tangle that even as you contact it makes him shy away instinctively from you. Fear? From _Rayek_? You sense in a locksend, Suntop senses that, and probes the old wound very carefully, curiously. ** What is it, Rayek.. Why do you STILL hide from yourself? ** Rayek lowers his gaze, and croaks out, features twisted, "Please... I..." Delenbae keeps quiet, watching. You locksend ** Please, Suntop... I... I-I cannot... do... what you ask of me... ** to Suntop. You sense in a locksend, Suntop responds with an insistent: ** Yes you can, my friend.. Search in yourself..ask the spirits of the High Ones. Even they can see the good in you. ** Suntop smiles faintly at his stubborn friend. You locksend ** They... will not talk to me.... ** to Suntop. Rayek, face gone hollow with strain, mumbles to Suntop, "Please... no more... please..." Suntop locksends ** ** Suntop nods after a moment. "You need to sleep..perhaps you will be able to think more clearly after some rest, Rayek.." Rayek does not meet Suntop's eyes; his black-haired head remains bowed, as he fumbles backwards, wanting to sit down, to hide, to vanish into the stone, anything for the cursedly sensitive lad to stop reminding him.... His mouth curls, tautly. Delenbae backs up, quietly.. and turns to go. Suntop moves over to Rayek, and lifts him again, only this time, picking him up, off the ground, grunting softly at his own efforts. "If you can not make it to your own bed..then I will put you there.." Suntop A slender elf stands before you, seeming to be interested in everything around him. The first thing that you would probably notice about him is that his hair is a brilliant yellow-blond, thus giving him the name of Suntop. He has blue eyes which, when are focused on you, seem to convey the feeling of a powerful mind. There is nothing that is particularly threatening about him, however. He wears a tunic made of a red and yellow silk-like material which appears greenish in tint, when the sun reflects off it. His leggings are suitable for travel or lounging, and are robin-egg blue in color. On his feet are a pair of moccasins which are well worn from moving back and forth between Lostholt and Sorrow's End. Over his shoulder is the pack, which he uses to carry his few belongings and necessary items for travel. Rayek frowns vaguely, stumbling as he is hauled, but he gives no protest as Suntop moves him. As long as he leaves... Delenbae steps out into the corridor. Delenbae has left. Out in the corridor, Delenbae steps out from Rayek's chamber. Out in the corridor, Delenbae has arrived. Suntop moves over to the bed, and lays Rayek down on the bed, with a soft command of ** Now REST..and I will speak with you later, perhaps.. Pleasant dreams, old friend.. ** Rayek rolls towards the wall. And doesn't answer. Perhaps because he is still grieving... and perhaps, simply, because he is already asleep. [End log.]