Log Date: 11/4/95 Log Intro: At the Festival of Flood and Flower in Sorrow's End, Rayek has had his wounded ankle healed by Brightfire, and has gained, from her, some measure of relief from his profound exhaustion. But as of yet, he has not summoned the courage to join his erstwhile tribe in celebration... and Ekuar, concerned, goes to try to coax him out. But Ekuar's news that Leetah has arrived in the village doesn't quite accomplish that goal.... ---------- Ekuar has arrived. Ekuar hobbles in, more slowly than usual, a piece of fruit tucked between his arm and his body. Rayek leans against the wall near the Little Palace, eyes closed, face grave. Ekuar settles carefully near Rayek, putting the staff down (with a faint jingle of bells? There appears to be a string of bells tied to the sturdy wood...). The piece of fruit rolls into his lap. Rayek starts, and looks up at the ringing. He smiles wanly. "Ekuar." Ekuar blinks, and smiles apologetically. "Eh, dear one... I didn't mean to disturb you. It's just that I was dancing, you see." He gives a familiar chuckle, but his manner seems a bit subdued. He lifts the rosy-skinned fruit and offers it on his aged palm, inquiringly. Rayek halfheartedly smiles. "I... you could not disturb me, Ekuar. You..." He peers at the fruit. "For me?" Ekuar nods his bare head, saying quietly, "I thought you'd be hungry, eh? After the little lass fixed your foot." He smiles a bit. "To help you get your strength back." His dark eyes are kind, but there is an undeniable worry in their depths... whether worry for Rayek's physical condition, or for something larger, it is not clear. Rayek with uncharacteristic shyness admits, "I... have thought a little about food, aye." Gratefully, he accepts the offered fruit, and rubs it a bit against his ragged clothing before nibbling at it. ** Thank you. ** Ekuar pats softly at your leg. "You're welcome, Brownskin, always." His gentle smile is fading, his manner growing more constrained. He never was good at keeping secrets. Rayek eats, slowly, hand shaking a little. He chews the fruit with great deliberation, almost as if he were much hungrier than he lets on, and trying to force himself to take his time. Ekuar waits for Rayek to eat-- or, rather, manages to wait until the dark-skinned elf has eaten most of the fruit. Then he stirs, and says quietly, "The Festival is certainly filling up the village with faces. My, yes. I've spent the day--eh, meeting new friends, such lovely young ones... And seeing old friends again." He pauses, then resolutely continues. "Little Ember, for instance. And, eh, the archer Strongbow. I suppose many from Lostholt came down together, eh?" One more pause, enough for a breath: "And with them, Cutter... and Leetah." Rayek freezes, with his hand halfway to his mouth. And he coughs, then swallows the mouthful he'd been chewing. Does he go pale? ** I... see... I suppose I... could not be surprised... ** Ekuar peers at you with gentle gravity. "My dear... Perhaps I shouldn't, but I'll tell you this. Suntop tells me that-- eh-- Leetah can never stay angry at you for long. You mustn't be so worried. Hm?" His hand stirs, as if to take yours, but he doesn't. Instead, he leans forward a bit, earnestly. "She does love you, you know. Even still." Rayek eyes the fruit as if he's suddenly lost all hint of an appetite. He sets down the rind -- somewhere away from the Little Palace -- and he says gruffly, "My... relationship with her... has changed in ways you do not know, Ekuar...." Ekuar drops his gaze, aknowledging the years he spent away from his pupil, but unwilling to let the matter drop. "But little Suntop, he knows his mother well. And he has a wisdom that only increases each day. He told me something of Leetah's feelings... Eh, Brownskin, I have reason to believe there is less here to fear than you think." His large eyes turn to the Little Palace, thoughtful. Rayek does not answer; his head is lowered, and his eyes close, tensely. Ekuar sits quietly for a time, but finally his concern overrides his instinct to let Rayek think in silence. He turns back to the slender elf, and his eyes are full of sadness. "Oh, please... Dear Brownskin... Perhaps I oughtn't to have told you any of this. But I-- eh, my old head, I don't know. I just can't stand to see you so unhappy." He lifts his hand, helplessly, and drops it. "And I know that one thing you need is the pretty Healer. Mm, your oldest friend." He bows his head. "I'm sorry. Forgive your old foolish Ekuar, if I've done wrong." Rayek looks up, gaze pained, oddly defenseless. "You... don't understand, Ekuar... I... do not know what to... say to her, anymore...." Ekuar scoots closer, reaching out without thought to take your hand in his. His eyes are earnest. "You and I, we've known each other quite a time, haven't we? And you and I don't always know what to say to each other. Yet the friendship, it remains... Dear me, you and Leetah knew each other long before I ever poked my head up out of the pit. Eh... trust her, Brownskin. Trust her to want to help you. To try not to hurt you." He holds your hand lightly, gingerly, as if afraid of pressing too hard against your defenses. "You don't-- eh, you don't need to know what to say," he offers mildly. "It will come." Rayek says lowly, bitterly, "I hoped that... when we were here, before. But... it happened, regardless. We quarreled." Ekuar gives a faint but encouraging smile. "Don't friends ever quarrel? Mm-- of course they do. You and she especially, I think..." He chuckles. "Two fiery tempers, brought together, eh, they blaze even higher." His smile remains, curving up hopefully. "But give it another chance?" Rayek looks up, paling. Ekuar strokes your hand, very lightly. His eyes glow in their depths with understanding. "At least-- ah-- think about it?" Rayek frowns a little, tightly. Think about it...? He's done nothing _but_, for hours on end, ever since he entered the village.... Ekuar's face seems to sag on the ancient skull. "Please... Don't leave it like this? It won't get any better, you know it won't, dear one." His voice is gentle, and weary. Rayek swallows. Then sends. You locksend ** I... could not bear... if she turned me away, again. ** to Ekuar. Ekuar nods slightly, almost imperceptibly. Ekuar locksends ** Then let me go to her. To, eh... speak on your behalf? I'd gladly do that, Brownskin. ** Rayek trembles, visibly... You locksend ** No... I... I should... ** to Ekuar. You sense in a locksend, Ekuar's mind is open... waiting with simple, kind acceptance. ** I'll stand with you, if you need me. I'll speak for you, if you need that. Eh... anything, anything, Brownskin. How can I help? ** [End log.]