Log Date: 7/12/96 Log Cast: Rayek, Ktai Log Intro: Rayek has been allowed to return to the Palace by Tilia, who has finally uneasily realized that the Palace is at the moment a rather lonely place, and who has set off on a journey to see Leetah. Left to nap by the doting Ekuar in the Scroll of Colors' chamber, Rayek soaks in his renewed rapport with the Palace, watched over by Petalwing... ---------- Scroll Chamber This smallish chamber is sparsely furnished, bearing only a single empty chair which faces a platform; on this platform are the holders for the two halves of the Scroll of Colors. Around you, the pale walls seem to ripple in places, but perhaps that is a physical sensation, a trick of the light; what cannot be a light-trick is the sense of *presence* in the chamber, of welcome, and of magic. Contents: Petalwing(#3061Zpq) Scroll of Colors Obvious exits: Out Ktai locksends ** ** You locksend to Ktai, Rayek's mind stirs a little, peacefully, with a sense as though he might have just sighed. Ktai arrives from the corridor outside. Ktai has arrived. Ktai steps in quietly and her dark eyes take in the scene before her. Petalwing flutters up happily from where Rayek is curled under a blanket on the floor, his dark head nestled on another fur someone -- Ekuar, most likely -- has brought him. /Hellohello highthing!/ Ktai smiles softly, but brings a finger to her lips. "Shhh." Petalwing bobs its head, and confides, /Petalwing take good care of sharpdark highthing while moverock highthing look for sparklewaters!/ Ktai nods again, shushing softly. In a whisper, "Let him sleep." Rayek stirs a little, perhaps sensing the voices, or perhaps simply sensing a dream. The lambent light here falls kindly on him, as well as on the taller elf and the Preserver, as Petalwing nodnodnodnods. Rayek sends, muzzily, ** .....? ** ** Shh, gentle one. I did not mean to wake you. I am sorry for disturbing. Rest, I shall not disturb again. ** The soft sound of slippered feet, then a slight *clink*, and then more slippered feet. Rayek stirs a little more, frowning slightly, but not too disturbedly. "No' gentle," he mutters. ** Quite gentle. ** Her send is soft, and the slippery sound nears the door. Rayek opens his eyes, drowsily. Ktai is beside the door, having brought in her own water skin and left it by you. Her dark eyes are smiling softly as she glances back your way. Rayek says vaguely, "How... long have I been asleep?" Ktai shrugs. She does not know when you went to sleep, so she cannot know. ** As long as you've needed to be. ** Rayek rolls onto his back, slowly, and stares up first at the delicately patterned ceiling, then at the graceful Scroll. His gaze is as full as the last time Ktai was with him, but this time, perhaps, with joy rather than grief. Equally slowly, he moves to push himself into sitting up. She watches now, quiet near the doorway. Petalwing zips down and faces Rayek, telling him cheerfully, /Sharpdark highthing back in Homeplace! Is good!/ Ktai smiles at this, but a small smile, in truth, meant only for herself. Is Rayek actually... smiling? He murmurs to the Preserver, "Yes... good." His gaze lingers on the Scroll, then shifts to the other elf in the chamber. "I... had forgotten. High Ones, how could I have forgotten...?" She watches quietly, offering no answer... best to let him ponder it. Where did this shine in his face come from? He breathes, in wonder, "I can sense it again..." A reflection of his smile curls onto hers. She knows well what he feels... and how badly he needed to -feel-. The Preserver giggles, and claims a spot on Rayek's shoulder, while the airwalker slowly gets to his feet. He says slowly to Ktai, "She told me not to move it..." Ktai nods. ** If she's bringing Leetah... you wouldn't want them to get lost... ** Her dark eyes seem softer than before as she watches Rayek from the archway of the door. Rayek says, a trifle dazedly, "Leetah cannot leave Cutter... no, he needs her..." He reverently approaches the Scroll of Colors, then, and touches it with his fingertips. "But Tilia needs the Palace... so it will wait for her. I shall guard it." The smile keeps playing about the edges of his mouth. "An apology... the most I'd get out of her, I expect, but...." Her smile trembles for a moment, but she keeps her laughter well-hidden. Petalwing giggles softly, muttering something about sharpdark highthing mumblemuch. Ktai breaks into a soft giggle herself, the Preserver's comment a bit too much. "I wonder if this is what it feels like to be drunk..." Rayek suddenly grins, looking at the taller elf, though his eyes still have that dreamy, slightly unfocused look. "Ktai, I can _feel_ it again, the Palace's very heart...!" Ktai's smile turns into a grin. ** Good, gentle love. Very good. ** Rayek abruptly actually chuckles, sounding slightly embarrassed, but apparently his spirits have risen so dramatically that he can't be embarrassed much. "You sound like Ekuar... spirit of Orolin, I never thought anybody would call me gentle...!" Petalwing puts in wisely, /Sharpdark highthing all pricklegrr! Petalwing knows! Petalwing say so!/ Ktai blushes softly. Ktai smirks at the Preserver. "Look, bug" There is affection in her voice. "Is he all prickegrr now?" It's Rayek's turn to blush, then -- yes, that _is_ a bit of red over his brown cheeks. "The bug speaks truth -- it knows me... and Ekuar knows me. Tilia does, too..." He trails off, and adds more softly, "I'd forgotten that, too..." Petalwing says sagely, /Sharpdark highthing all sparkleglow, but get pricklegrr again!/ It giggles, removing bite from the words. Her smile returns. ** Well, call me a fool-headed Glider.. but I think you're gentle. ** Rayek waves a hand vaguely at the Preserver, still half-grinning. "Tilia knows my foul temper... but it was right that I did not fight her, I've still much to put right...." Again he trails off, turning his brightened amber gaze to his companion. Her laughter softens to a giggle and she just smiles at you. Slowly, Ktai raises her hand palm up towards you, as in offering her hand. No words are said, nothing sent. Rayek begins, awkwardly, "Have... you... opened yourself, to this place?" He looks at the offered hand, then, grasps it, and shifts to sending. ** Sensed the spirits of those gone? ** Her hands tightens gently on yours, then oddly, she shakes her head. ** No... I have been afraid to. ** Petalwing flitflits, then giggles mischievously to itself, and scurries off. His fingers are different than the last time: stronger, with resumed practice at the spear. His grasp, though light, is sure. ** I will show you, ** he offers, the sending carrying with it that frenetic energy that seems to mark him for what he is, but here and now, it shines without waving, clear and heady. ** If you wish it...! ** She nods slowly. ** I still fear it... ** Rayek turns slightly, staring into the air, and he sends, ** The spirits of all our dead are here... countless spirits...! It is they who bring this place its welcome... and if you could have seen the Living High One... ** Her eyes are strangely troubled now... as if she has had a singularly disturbing thought. ** All those... that die.... do they all come here? ** Rayek inclines his head, softly, gaze still gently scanning the air before it comes at last back to you. ** All those save the wolf-blooded ones -- who go where they will. So spake Timmain... though some of the wolf-blooded ones have come here, too, I sense it. ** Ktai pales now, seeming distressed. Rayek looks up at you, dark head quirking slightly. ** I did not mean to cause pain, ** he begins, quickly, eyebrows drawing together. Ktai sends very quietly. ** I had a child once... I have lived since her disappearance, not knowing if she lives, or died. I do not know if I wish to know after so long. ** Astonishingly, Rayek's eyes turn limpid. "A child," he mumbles. She nods once, sending a name she has not allowed herself to think for more than 2000 years. ** Daia. ** Solemnly, he nods, confessing, ** I too had a child, once. ** Ktai's eyes meet yours, quiet and old pain evident. She doesn't say anything, just holds your hand and stands there. Rayek sighs. ** Or so Ekuar thought. ** He lowers his gaze. ** Kahvi said I was not the sire, but who is to say, really? ** She moves quietly to hug you, her send carrying understanding and love, but in feelings, not words. Her hug is gentle, and unsure... for she does not know if she has the right to hug you, but she will try. She has a feeling you need it. Rayek allows the arm to be circled about him, offers one of his own. ** I... have never looked for her spirit, either. ** Ktai nods slowly, still hugging. ** It is a hard thought... either way... ** [And a thought which, at least, makes the two elves realize they have something else in common. Eng log.]