Log Date: 11/25/96 Log Cast: Kytek, Ktai, Azeure, Rayek, Petalwing, Kiralee Log Intro: As Rayek continues in his surly resentment of Neela's presence in the Palace, Ktai continues in her increasingly strained worry that she threatens Rayek's safety by remaining in the Palace. Azeure's presence hasn't quite alleviated that concern, either.... [NOTE: This log was contributed by Ktai.] ---------- ** Eren. ** the familiar mind calls to you. Ktai sits up from a near-dead sleep, her eyes wide and shocked. Azeure raises a brow ** Ktai? ** You locksend ** I... am here... ** to Kytek. Ktai sends openly ** Kytek... again... ** Azeure shakes his head ** Ah.. you'll have to introduce me to this.. Kytek sometime.. ** Kytek locksends ** Eren... I... I miss you. ** You locksend ** No... you can't... ** to Kytek. Ktai shakes her head. ** No... you don't want to meet him... ** Azeure raises a brow ** Oh? ** Kytek locksends ** Why c.. I.. I'm sorry. ** You locksend ** ** to Kytek. Kytek locksends ** Eren.. my dear friend.. Will we ever re-find the friendship we once had? ** You locksend ** Was that friendship? ** to Kytek. Kytek locksends ** ...I thought it was.. You showed me somethings about me.. I was ignorant at the time of noticing it.. But you showed me it. ** You locksend ** And I've done it again... ** to Kytek. Kytek locksends ** Dear Eren... I am willing to put the past behind me.. to be your friend again. **. You locksend ** ** to Kytek. Among the Mountains This rocky nook among the peaks of the World's Spine mountains gives a breathtaking view of the pass below. The air here is pure, clear, and clean; sound carries with very little effort, and often the sounds of winds and distant hunting birds ring across this expanse of stone. Oddly, for all its starkness, the place doesn't seem nearly as forbidding as it should... the ground bears an obvious trail, and in more than one spot, rocks appear to have a strangely smooth and restful shape, almost as if one could climb onto them and be quite comfortable. The twin stars of Timmorn's Eyes begin to come out as the dimming red light of sunset fills the chill winter skies. Azeure Sheltered Doorway Pass Kytek locksends ** Eren, my dear.. Thank you. ** Ktai sighs softly, standing wearily and moving back towards the Palace. You locksend ** ** to Kytek. You descend the trail into the pass. Wide Pass Through World's Spine Mountains(#356RJ) Keeper(#539IJaeops) Nightfeather(#2638IJMeq) Humbugger(#9936Jao) Silvie's tent(#8012JLe) Palace(#500Jae) Mountains Northwest South Palace(#500Jae) Doorway You approach the huge battered stone structure. Type 'palace help' for commands you may use here. You step through the doorway into... You move away from the huge stone structure, stepping around the rubble that litters its immediate vicinity. Entry Hall(#8823RAF) Bright Green Tent(#9206JOes) Type 'palace help' for commands you may use here. Kytek locksends ** ...You need me to come, Ktai? ** You locksend ** No... I'll be fine. ** to Kytek. Side Corridor(#6192RFL) Rayek's Chamber Entry Hall Type 'palace help' for commands you may use here. Ktai walks in quietly, almost wearily. She raises her head from the bundle of leather in hand, and looks to the curtain. Lights, curtain... Kytek locksends ** Oh... ** Rayek's Chamber(#7481RAFJL) Rayek Ktai steps softly in, smiling faintly as she looks about. You locksend ** Please... I'll be fine. ** to Kytek. Rayek sits on his sleepfurs, with the Preserver perched on his shoulder. He is, of all things, mending a sandal, and he glances up as you enter the chamber, one eyebrow quirked. Ktai sends openly ** I've brought some things from the stores in the cave... if you're hungry? ** Kytek locksends ** ... You once asked me to come back, Eren.. ** You locksend ** Then let me ask you something more... something that will benefit all... stop Winnowill before she destroys me. ** to Kytek. Kytek locksends ** .. It shall be done, Eren. I will find the mountain.. ** Petalwing trills a greeting, flittering up to zip in a circle about the tall maiden. /Flyhighthing come give sharpdark highthing nummies?/ Rayek's expression, on any other elf, might almost be called a smile. He nods once, less tersely than he has in a while, to Ktai. "Thank you." Ktai smiles, and though her eyes are edged with something unidentifiable, she laughs slightly. "And some for you too, bug." The tone is affectionate, and she opens the bag, tossing up something before handing the rest of the bag to Rayek. "You're welcome, Rayek." Petalwing beams, scarfing up the treat and chattering something about a nice juiceberry, then flitters over across the room and alights somewhere to nibble at it. Rayek almost-smiles once more, and allows, "Ekuar and Ember both will doubtless scold if I do not eat something." [Note: The Preserver just ate a Dreamberry.] Ktai nods quietly, smiling again as she sits on the floor. Rayek lifts his other eyebrow and glances into the air for a moment, then his expression closes off. Ktai frowns slightly. ** Rayek? ** Rayek returns his amber regard to the sandal he's mending, scowls slightly, and resumes working on it, with the same fiery intensity he uses on almost everything he does. Ktai sighs softly, closing her eyes, sending out, openly casting her mind... You locksend ** What are you doing? ** to Azeure. Azeure locksends ** Trying to figure out what Neela was after.. ** You locksend ** If you lose yourself to them, you'll be useless when She attacks. ** to Azeure. Ktai sighs, opening her eyes. ** I'm sorry... ** Ktai picks absently at her skirt, trying to keep herself - occupied. After a time, she grows tired of picking at her skirt and glances your way. Rayek doesn't say anything, until: "Azeure has returned to the Palace." It is not a question. Ktai nods once. ** He came to take Neela away... now he claims to be looking for what Neela wants. ** Rayek smirks, and mutters, "I should have expected such, though I'll believe it out of them when I see it. Azeure is in her hand once more, and I doubt either of them truly wish to remove her from power." Ktai nods quietly, shifting weight from her legs to the floor. As she does so, she winces softly, then gives in to rising from the ground to settle her skirt under her before landing seated. Rayek glances sidelong at you. "You're alright?" Up on its perch, Petalwing nibbles down the last of its berry, and beams to itself, wings flittering. Ktai's voice is soft. "Rayek... please don't ask me that. I can't lie to you." You locksend ** ** to Azeure. Rayek frowns, setting down the sandal and looking at you fully. "Tell me," he requests, voice rough. You sense in a locksend, Azeure sends a soft love, and warmth ** Ask him if he'll hold you to sleep... ** Ktai almost can't bring her eyes to yours, but when she finally does, they hold depths of age, and it is obvious how tired she has become... always one flea-hop from exhaustion.> Rayek sighs, quietly, and reaches over to offer you an arm, to try to draw you near him. Ktai moves closer, her eyes closing in what can only be a self-turned anger. Rayek wraps an arm around you, and silently cradles your head against his shoulder, stroking your hair. The gesture seems to have become more comfortable for him -- he doesn't hesitate at it. Ktai shivers softly, her send spilling quietly about. ** I tried... so hard not to fail you, Rayek... I'm sorry... ** Rayek frowns, unseen, over your hair. ** What are you talking about? ** Kiralee pauses near the entrance, looking in to see if Rayek is about. Ktai sends, unknowing of Rayek's frown. ** I tried so hard not to let her close... and not to fall to my body... not to become tired... ** Rayek is, indeed, sitting on his sleepfurs with an arm around an apparently troubled-seeming Ktai; as Kiralee enters, he snaps an amber look up at her. For an instant, his expression might almost seem to be soft, as long as it's directed at Ktai; the instant his attention diverts, his brown features resettle to their more accustomed reserve. "Yes?" Petalwing, looking slightly distracted, flitters at the arrival of the new highthing. /Hellohello!/ It flits off the spur of crystalline wall on which it had been alit, and does slow spirals in the air. Kiralee speaks quietly. "I didn't mean to intrude. I hadn't had a chance to speak with you since the trouble with Winnowill. I wanted to make certain you were all right." Rayek replies neutrally, "As well as I ever am." His amber gaze drops slightly to the tall elf maiden huddled against his shoulder, and he frowns somewhat, perhaps rather more concerned for this other than any condition of his own. Kiralee just looked at me! Ktai just sighs, growing quiet as she registers the presence of another in the room. Rayek says gruffly into Ktai's hair, "It is Kiralee, one of the ones who helped us against Winnnowill's last... mischief, Ktai." You soulsend ** ** to Rayek. Ktai shivers softly in Rayek's arms. Rayek locksends ** Kiralee.... asks if there is anything she can do to help. Ktai... you need rest as much as I do. ** You locksend ** Rayek... I... I don't care what happens to me. I just want you safe... ** to Rayek. Rayek locksends ** I'm as safe as I can be.... and you will be better able to watch, if you allow yourself rest. Will you... let the healer examine you? ** Rayek gives Ktai's dark hair a strangely gentle pat, and over her head, regards Ktai gravely, his expression searching. You locksend ** Yes... ** to Rayek. Rayek nods once, perhaps to himself, perhaps Ktai; then, aloud, he asks the one by the door, "Can you help Ktai to sleep?" Kiralee nods. "If she will let me." Rayek turns slightly, so that Ktai might better see the other elf, and keeps his shoulder near to be leaned on, if wanted or needed. Ktai doesn't open her eyes. It really won't help. She doesn't like Healers. But she doesn't offer a fight. Come to think of it, she probably can't. Kiralee moves over closer, walking in to kneel near Ktai. Rayek locksends ** I will stay with you; it is my turn to watch and guard. ** Kiralee locksends ** Don't worry...I'm not Winnowill. I won't hurt you. ** You locksend ** ** to Kiralee. You locksend ** ** to Rayek. Kiralee touches Ktai, gently, and closes her eyes, slipping into healers trance with practiced ease, a slight light about her hands as she reaches out with her power to try and ease Ktai into sleep. Rayek locksends ** Hush, now. None of us are inexhaustible; you and Ekuar and Ember tell me that often enough. Shhh.... ** Rayek lifts his other hand to draw brown fingertips along Ktai's own tanned brow; he does not speak, simply watches, eyes slightly aglimmer. Ktai is an easy target, her body and mind slipping into sleep as two sends urge. She goes softly limp against Rayek, and her breathing settles. You locksend ** ** to Rayek. As Ktai drifts off, Rayek watches her do so, solemnly. Kiralee opens her eyes slowly as she eases herself back out of her trance, and stands. [End log.]