Log Date: 9/22/96 Log Cast: Cutter, Winnowill, Zirek Log Intro: Following their confrontation over Ktai in the Entry Hall of the Palace, Cutter, Leetah, Winnowill, Rayek, and the various elves with them have retreated to individual resting places. Rayek has, to his surprise, dealt with a request of Ember's to join with her and Ktai; in the meantime, however, Sar has been having sparrings of his own, with Ember over the wiping of his memory, with Leetah over the Palace and whether 'false' elves belong there, and lastly, with Zirek and Skef, over their own reasons for being in the Palace. Zirek has actually grown drawn to Sar, and now, as Cutter and Winnowill have a less than friendly meeting, Zirek walks in on them.... ---------- Winnowill steps down the stairs and smiles darkly as her eyes fall to you. Cutter sits, by the doorway, back against the wall behind him, supporting him, knees bent and feet flat on the floor on either side. His head is tilted back, and his eyes are closed, as if he might be at rest. But he doesn't stay that way for long. Nostrils flare, and he sends, without otherwise moving. Yet. ** Winnowill. ** Winnowill sends smoothly. ** Cutter. ** Winnowill sits regally on the last step, crossing her ankles in front of her and regarding her slippers with a critical eye. Scuffed. Pity. Blue eyes open, and he tips his chin down, to fix you with a steady gaze. ** Had enough yet? ** Her dark eyes raise from her slippers to meet yours. ** Had enough of what? ** Cutter almost grins. "Games," he says, speaking aloud. "Claiming whatever it is you think belongs to you, here. Aren't you worried the elves you left in the mountain won't be there, when you go back?" Winnowill sends openly ** Not particularly. Are you worried that your tribe won't be where you left them? It is time that Ktai came home. I simply chose to make it easier for her and come to her. ** Cutter says "I don't rule by fear, Winnowill. I don't need to worry." Cutter adds, on the heels of the statement, "What if Ktai doesn't want to go with you?" Winnowill sighs, almost annoyed. ** She will return. Rayek doesn't love her. ** Cutter arches a pale eyebrow. "You're so sure?" Now, he does grin. "You're jealous." Winnowill's lips curl darkly. "Perhaps. But she is a Glider, and therefore one of mine." "Every elf is his own elf, Winnowill. Glider or wolfrider," comes the answer. Winnowill laughs, a short harsh sound. ** She is a Glider. She belongs in the Mountain. ** Zirek steps in from outside. Zirek moves away from the huge stone structure nearby. Zirek has arrived. Cutter grins again. "Why? If she chooses to be here, with him, why not let her live as she chooses? Of her own free will." Zirek walks in, looking around, "Hey, Cutter, have you seen Em...?" He trails off. Whoops. Winnowill sends openly ** Because she causes her daughter grief, Cutter. ** Winnowill arches an eyebrow at the intrusion. Zirek hangs by the doorway, falling silent. Cutter glances over at Zirek, at Winnowill, then back again. "She's probably with the airwalker, Zirek." His attention returns to the Mountain's Lord. "She must have had a reason for leaving, in the first place, Winnowill. Other than being mind-sick. Too many of your elves are mind-sick, in your eyes." Zirek locksends ** <> ** Zirek nods, still hanging back. Winnowill's lips curl slightly. ** She had - acted out. So I insisted she live as she acted until she learned how to behave. ** Winnowill pauses, raising the second eyebrow and regarding the new arrival. Zirek is nearly staring at Winnowill, grey eyes rapt. Cutter chuckles. "You threw a tribemate out, and you expect her to go back with you, now? Maybe you're the mindsick elf, Winnowill." You locksend ** /Like a velvet caress./ Can I... help you? ** to Zirek. Zirek locksends ** ... Maybe. <> ** Winnowill tsks softly, her attention returning to Cutter. ** Now, now... I have held to Rayek's demands with the Palace walls. Your mate and I have reached peace... why must you ruffle it? ** You locksend ** /The caress is soft and velvety-dark./ What can I do for you? ** to Zirek. Zirek locksends ** Skef... have you met him? ** You locksend ** I have... in passing. ** to Zirek. Zirek locksends ** <> Skef... he needs to be healed. Leetah couldn't do it. Maybe you could? ** You locksend ** /Like the gentlest of breezes comes the send./ Perhaps... ** to Zirek. Cutter's grin disappears. ** Because I don't trust you, ** he sends, in all honesty. Zirek locksends ** <> Sar says healing has a price.... ** Zirek lowers his eyes, kinda startled back to reality by the open send. Winnowill's lips press together, then curl again into a smile. ** I am not surprised. Regardless, I have made my peace. Can you make yours? ** You locksend ** /The caress seems to trail deeper.../ Indeed... and what is your offer? ** to Zirek. Zirek locksends ** <> What do you want? <> ** Cutter's shoulders rise and fall. "I'm not fighting a war. There's no peace to make." You locksend ** /The caress soothes/ What do you offer...? ** to Zirek. Zirek's fists clench slightly. Winnowill smiles faintly. ** I am not fighting you, Cutter wolfblood. ** Zirek locksends ** <> What would you have... Lord? ** Again the pale eyebrow arches. "Am I fighting you, glider?" Winnowill looks slyly to Zirek before looking back to Cutter. ** Are you? ** You locksend ** Perhaps you... ** to Zirek. Zirek locksends ** <> I'm goback. ** You locksend ** I can fix that too... ** to Zirek. Cutter's eyes narrow, following the look. "Are you threatening me, or those I protect?" Zirek locksends ** <> It's not something to be fixed... ** Winnowill laughs softly, darkly. ** Oh little wolf-chief... it is amazing how you ever make it through a day without getting yourself killed for fear of others trying to do you harm. ** You locksend ** Then why did you think it would be a problem? ** to Zirek. Zirek locksends ** (like a child, wondering) Why do you want me? ** You locksend ** /Soft and velvety/ Who wouldn't? ** to Zirek. Zirek locksends ** <> ** Zirek leans against the doorway. You locksend ** /She accepts you with a velvet caress./ ** to Zirek. Winnowill simply smiles. Zirek locksends ** <. ** Zirek locksends ** <> Help Skef... please. ** Cutter's eyes do not round again, though his shoulders tighten. "If, one day, my concern for another elf means that I have to die, then I'll die. I wouldn't trade a moment of fear or happiness or pride, for the life you lead, blacksnake." As suddenly as it came, the tension leaves him. "A life that you can control, and predict, isn't a life at all." You locksend ** /It seems a sendril extends over you, caressing and soothing you./ Of course I shall help him. ** to Zirek. Winnowill's smile darkens. ** If I controlled my life... you wouldn't be here. Lucky thing for you, hm? ** Zirek locksends ** <> ** You locksend ** /The caress spreads over you./ Meet me in my tent? ** to Zirek. Cutter grins again. Ferally. "I'll always be here, Winnowill. One way or another." Zirek blushes hotly, turning away. Winnowill smiles darkly. ** Good, little wolf-chief. That means I'll never be bored. ** Zirek locksends ** <> ** Cutter laughs out loud. Winnowill smiles to herself. Winnowill rises. ** Think on it, wolf-chief. If it doesn't hurt too much. ** Winnowill steps across the hall, and out the door. [End log.]