Log Date: 9/18/96 Log Cast: Ember, Ktai, Rayek Log Credit: This log was contributed by Ktai. Log Intro: Following a conflict between Leetah and Winnowill over Ktai -- and Rayek -- in the Palace's entry hall, the various visitors to the Palace have retreated to their various resting places to gain what rest there is. Rayek has collapsed in his chamber, having helped Ktai there with Ekuar; at Ekuar's gentle suggestion, they have invited the overwhelmed Ember to rest there as well. And as the four elves curled up to sleep, Ember and Ktai revealed to one another that they were both in love with Rayek. And now.... ---------- Rayek's Chamber(#7481RAFL) Smaller than many of the other 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. Ekuar's deft and ancient touch is everywhere you look, in softly smoothed stone and gently curving walls. Shaped torch-holders bathe the chamber with a warm glow when the tapers are lit. The old rockshaper has crafted this place to be restful for the spirit, radiating the care he feels for his Brownskin. Contents: Ember Obvious exits: Corridor Entirely too many scents; somewhat confusing to waken to, especially after days of too little sleep. Rayek. Yes. That scent is familiar. And Ekuar. Both so well-known, from the Long Walk. And the third.../who/? No scent of wolf. Ember stirs, groggily, pushing her head away from the furs to stare through tangled curls and mostly closed eyes. Glider. Oh yes. Ktai. Blearily, she studies the other woman, more through scent and sound of breath than through still sleepy eyes. The female sleeps quietly, her breath soft and light - as though she only half-sleeps, yet by sight she seems entirely lost to it. Sometime in the night, she has shifted, turning slightly and pulling in on herself, so as not to disturb the others asleep. A noticable distance is between her and the rest... almost as if she unconscioiusly moved away. Ember, in contrast, is--not bundled, but not far from either of her old friends, still half buried in the scent and warmth of them. ** Roll 'ver... ** she sends fuzzily. ** Y'get cold. ** Ktai lifts her head instantly awake at that, and clear of eye and mind sends ** Sorry? ** Ember lifts her own head more at your sudden wakefulness, nearly going defensive, blue eyes bright behind the falling red curls. ** You wake up fast, ** she comments, and then, again, ** Roll over. You'll get cold way over there. ** Ktai blinks, then moves closer, but only a touch. It almost looks like she's not certain she belongs so close. To your first, she shrugs. ** I... learned to. ** ** Make a good hunter. ** Ember's sending is lazy, approving. She eyes the distance between you and the larger pile of elf that is Rayek, Ekuar, and herself. After a while, she adds, ** I don't bite. ** At that, Ktai moves closer, though nearing you and Ekuar more than Rayek. She smiles uncertainly, and it is obvious she is at a loss. Companionship is new to her... and this - pile of elf... even newer. Ember's eyes drift partly shut again. ** How old are you, Ktai? ** A pause. ** Roughly. ** Ktai seems to think that over for a very long time. When she answers, she is not certain you are awake for the answer. ** Almost... seven thousand turns. ** Ember rises slowly out of the pile again, to look at you wide-eyed. "High Ones," she breathes, very softly, trying to work her mind around that age, and then, to the point of the question, ** When was the last time you treed with more than one elf? ** Ktai frowns slightly, then shakes her head. ** Never. ** The answer is quiet, and she puts her head down, dark eyes gazing at the fur beneath her. Ember's sending is not at all directed at you; in fact, you might think so much as that it's sent towards Winnowill, but openly: ** And my .daughter. is growing up in that place? ** There's frustration, perhaps disgust, in the tone, and then she extracts an arm from under or around an elf, and holds her hand towards you. The responce is quiet, almost wistful... yet not. ** I haven't lived in that cold place for over - two thoudand turns. ** Her head lifts, and dark eyes blink once before her hand reaches hesitantly out to touch. Ember unwraps a bit more from the other two, dark fingers clasping Ktai's paler ones, and she gives the taller elf's hand a small tug, of welcome. Rayek lies almost as though all life and strength had been drained out of his limbs, for he's barely stirred in the last several hours. But for all his rock-heavy slumber, he yet remains a warm presence in the nexus of the sleepfurs. Someone -- no doubt Ekuar, who is no longer present unless y'all have posed otherwise -- has gently bundled another fur under his dark head, and Rayek's face is now slightly turned sideways. Ember and Ktai have determined there is a pile of soundly sleeping Ekuar and Rayek, in fact; the old rockshaper is comfortably buried in furs as much as the others are. Ktai smiles faintly, and at the tug, draws a bit closer. She looks to Rayek for a moment, then shakes her head slowly before settling. Ember tilts her head, a vague sense of questioning spilling out, at the shake of Ktai's head. If allowed, she settles Ktai comfortably into the cuddle, an arm flung companionably around, or over, her. Ktai doesn't resist... but she seems a slight bit tense to touch. A musing send follows, almost to Ember... almost to herself. ** Two thousand years of defenses... how can they shatter so easily? ** Ever so slightly, Rayek's head turns, though he shows no other signs of movement. Perhaps because of hours of sorely needed slumber, the lines of strain have begun to slip away from his features, making him look younger. Dark eyes again are drawn to Rayek's face, tracing every line and curve. A small smile touches Ktai's lips as she almost memorizes him. Ember sinks deeper back into the furs, eyes half shut, though she glances Rayek's way through those lids, as well. ** Love, ** she sends simply, whether Ktai was looking for an answer or not. Cheeks suddenly burning red, Ktai buries her face into the fur. Ember's eyebrows go up, and she looks a trifle startled at Ktai. ** Ktai? ** Ktai's half-buried head only shakes, as if she is saying "No." Her send, however, asks the opposite. ** Yes? ** Again, Rayek shifts ever so slightly; black eyelashes flicker a moment over austerely defined cheekbones. Ember tightens that arm around Ktai, briefly, not in a confining movement, but in hopes of comforting. ** It's all right to love him. ** >From the other, there is silence now... then finally a very quiet send. ** Is it? I'm... not sure that it's what he wants... ** Ember lets out a small snort of laughter, eyes looking towards the pale colored ceiling of the room. ** What he wants can hardly stop you from loving him. I love him. I'm .not. what he wants. ** Ktai's reply is even quieter. ** If I am not what he wants... then I should not be here. ** Ember sends openly ** Why not? ** >From the fur comes a soft sigh. ** I would not wish to cause him pain. ** ** Love, ** Ember's send comes, after a while, ** is a better pain than not loving. And I think Rayek needs people who love him. He asks too much of himself. ** She glances at the darker elf fondly. Ktai looks up slowly, and turns to face Ember. ** I know... ** Ember smiles crookedly towards Ktai. ** Stay with him. I can't. ** Ktai blinks. ** Will he... let me, do you think? ** Ember's eyebrows go up. ** How would he stop you? ** Her send is almost tinged with bleakness. ** By shutting me out. ** A brief sigh slips out of Rayek; perhaps he hears the sendings exchanged over him, perhaps he does not, but at any rate, his eyes half-open, amber gaze muted, sleepy... then close again. ** Stay. ** Ember's send is firm. ** I hunted with him for six turns of the season. I don't think that I know him /well/, but I do know him. Don't give up on him. ** Ktai blinks dark eyes at Ember, then she nods mutely. Ember yawns softly, glancing at Rayek again. ** He needs people who love him, ** she repeats quietly. Ktai looks back over to Rayek. ** I love him. ** Eyes opening slightly again, Rayek blinks heavily, then gives a low recalcitrant moan. Asleep? He's been asleep... wasn't there a reason he shouldn't have... Ktai looks to Rayek, raising an eyebrow. Ember glances towards the airwalker, smiling. ** Hello, sleepy, ** she sends, very softly. Ember. He blinks, processing that. ** ..... ** Try again. ** Ember. Asleep... how long? ** Ember thinks about that, and, uncertainly, sends, ** A night, maybe a little more. A long time. You needed it. ** Ktai remains quiet now, watching and listening to the exchange. Rayek lifts a heavy hand to his head, scowling vaguely. ** Yes, ** he sends, send flavored with recollection, relayings of too many nights spent in restless not-quite-slumber, on guard against... ** Had to... ** Ktai glances to Ember silently, then lowers her chin back to the furs, closing her eyes. Ember lifts a lazy finger to twirl it in Rayek's long hair. ** You're allowed sleep, Brownskin. Mother's here. She can hold Winnowill away long enough for you to sleep whenever you need. ** She glances back at Ktai, an eyebrow rising. You locksend ** I'm still here. ** to Ember. You sense in a locksend, Ember grins abruptly. ** Good. ** Ktai's dark eyes flicker open again, glance Ember's way, then close. For an instant, Rayek seems pained, eyes reflecting half regret, half relief. "Away," he mumbles huskily. "Yes." Then he scowls again, worriedly, and demands, ** Is she still here? ** He starts to sit up. Ember blinks. Leetah, or Winnowill? Either way, ** Yes. ** Ember pushes idly at one of his shoulders. "Lie back down. Nobody's going anywhere." The movement gives cause for Ktai to open her eyes and look to Rayek quietly and thoughtfully. Rayek's body is apparently still weighted with weariness, for he slumps back with no resistance. But his brow is still furrowed, his eyes still dark. ** The others ... PaleMoon must be found... ** Ember sends, firmly: ** We .will. find her. You're no good to .anyone., least of all yourself, when you're exhausted. Foolish airwalker. <> Don't worry. ** Rest. It is still a tantalizing concept, and Rayek groans faintly. ** If I _can_ rest, ** he send-mutters. Ember's grin is slow, lazy. ** If you're not body-tired enough to sleep right now, Rayek, I'm sure Ktai and I can wear you out a little more. ** Ktai's eyes widen, and her face threatens to drain of all colour. _That_ makes Rayek's eyes fly open. ** ... ** Ember looks between Ktai's expression and Rayek's, and giggles. Ktai buries her face in the furs. It's a dream. Yup. She'll wake up any time now and Winnowill will have manufactured it. Perhaps, if one were to look at Ktai, they would notice the deep blush of her ears. Then again, perhaps no-one looks... Ember looks between both of you again, and assumes a mock offended expression. ** I didn't think it was .that. awful an idea. ** You locksend ** I... er... it's been... almost three thousand turns...since... oh, bother... ** to Ember. Odd. Rayek isn't _usually_ that shade around his cheekbones. A small, but wry, smile flickers at the edges of his mouth. ** No, huntress, merely... surprising... ** A slight shifting of Ktai's head, and one dark eye opens startledly to look over to Rayek. Ember turns her head briefly to gape at Ktai, a hard guess to say which is larger, eyes or mouth, but Rayek's send proves a distraction at which she grins. ** Two Gliders, ** she sends, suddenly thoughtful, eyes sparkling, ** Now .that. could be fun. ** Ktai swallows, hard, then buries her face in the fur again. Ember locksends ** <> You need a tumble more than .he. does. And here I thought eight turns was a long time... ** ** Fun, ** echoes Rayek, wonderingly. The idea seems almost foreign to him. You locksend ** I... wouldn't know what to do... ** to Ember. Ember locksends ** <> You'll remember. /Trust/ me. ** Ktai lifts her head to look at Ember with wide eyes. Ember is grinning. Gleefully. She can't help it. ** Fun, ** she repeats, impishly. ** Nothing wrong with that. ** This time, it's Ktai's turn to ponder the word. Dark eyes look from Ember to Rayek, then flicker to the furs. Her send is quiet and filled with just a touch of humor. ** So... do we wake him... or just move him over? ** Ember giggles. ** Doesn't seem fair to just let him /sleep/, does it? ** Ktai shakes her head slowly, still more than slightly unable to believe what she's allowing herself to get drawn into. Still lying there between you both, Rayek smirks slightly. ** It is not... one of my more... honed skills, ** he tells you dryly. His gaze then flicks to Ekuar, and he blinks, then, face softening with concern. Levity leaves his sending as he adds, this time in remorse, ** I... PaleMoon, he will be frantic... ** Ember reaches out, briefly, to touch Rayek's face. ** You think too much, Rayek. Let it go for another hour. Join with us. ** The sending is as gentle as the touch. Rayek stares bemusedly up at Ember... then shifts his gaze slightly to Ktai, remorse still in his face, warring with lingering drowsiness. Ktai blinks upon hearing it, and swallows. Her dark eyes look quietly back to Rayek, and it is clear that she is in an awkward moment. For all she loves him, she never considered anything would come of it. You soulsend ** If... you'll have me... ** to Rayek. Ember looks from one to the other, and her send is a mutter: ** You -both- think too much. ** [End log.]