Log Cast: Rayek, Ktai
Log Date: 3/16/98
Log Intro: Rayek has finally been released from Blue Mountain. Now free of the
 clutches of the Mountain's Dark Lord, Winnowill, he has returned home to find
 everything where he left it.. but quite changed despite that.   But, out of 
everything that has happened, one thing served to startle him the most - the
 fact that his lovemate, Ktai, was alive, and not dead as he had been told. 
 Releasing her from the wrapstuff that kept her in endless limbo, the two lovers
 were finally reunited.. With a price.  Ktai confessed to Rayek that she had
 Recognized another, and now bore a child. Startled, shocked, Rayek withdrew and
 the two have not spoken since..

Underground Dwelling(#7227RAFJ)

A bizarre chamber to be found underground, particularly in the World's Spine
 Mountains, this place is completely incongruous with the stark terrain outside.
 Clearly too regular to be a natural cave, it has been snugly shaped by some
 loving hand, from the small fountain bubbling up from the middle of the floor,
 to the niches in the walls where at night crude candles cast pale glows, to the
 delicate and fanciful shapes that adorn the walls. On the northern wall is a
 larger niche where sleepfurs have been piled, perhaps big enough for an elf or
 three to rest.
The only way out appears to be a stairwell that spirals prettily up through the 
stone.
Contents:
Ktai
Obvious exits:
Stairs<Up>  

Sounds of scuffling and light noises of someone moving objects and searching can
 be heard from the room below, mixed in with the trickling water of the
 fountain. A muffled oath follows the sound of something being dropped, and the
 voice is clearly Ktai's. She sounds tired and worn, yet the noises continue.

His footsteps are silent upon the stairs and pause at the sound of something
 hitting the floor. The airwalker holds his pause, then continues his descent,
 hesitating once more on the very last step, golden eyes flickering about the
 room until they find her form. "Ktai..?"

She is by the sleeping ledge, stuffing something unruly into a bag when eyes
 first fall upon her. At his voice, she stops, head lowering slightly as she
 gathers herself to ask in a quietly subdued voice. "Yes... Rayek?"

"What.." Rayek steps off the last step, his bare feet falling softly on to the
 ground, his eyebrows knitting together as his hands move out before him.
 "..What are you doing?"

[Ktai]
	An elf of an undeterminable age is before you, not quite looking your way.
 Her long and loose hair lightly dusts her ankles. Dark eyes of a softly tired
 black regard you from under long black lashes, and as she tilts her head to
 look to you, a single gold necklace reflects the light, carrying to the gold
 trim of her clothing.
	She wears long loose light yellow robes, billowing and full. They are
 caught up at the waist by a thin cord, tied about her twice. The yellow is
 almost something of an afterthought of colour on this otherwise oddly greyish
 elf... even though her hair is flawlessly black, it gives the appearance of
 being an inexplicable shade of deep grey. 
	Her slender pale fingers attribute to the fact that Ktai has spent over
 two hands of turns in the walls of the Mountain, and this may reflect in the
 sad eyes that look to you.

She looks back for a moment, hair obscuring most of her face, but her eyes might
 have at touch of dampness to them. "I'm... packing... well, not exactly. I'm
 not .leaving. ... just..." She sighs softly, stuffing the white fabric into the
 bag. "I've been pregnant before... and I don't sleep well... I tend to get
 ill... and it's not pleasant. I'd rather not put you or Ekuar through that."
 Her back remains tense, motions flurried with the appearance of purpose.

He stands there awkwardly, his hands moving back slowly to him, then his fingers
 intertwining in an odd arrangement, folding together in front of him. His eyes
 then shadow and glance away, his lips thinning, then his voice, quieter but not
 softer, speaks out, "You.. do not have to do that, Ktai. I'm sure Ekuar would
 not mind."

She doesn't turn, only pauses again, shoulder slumping defeatedly. "I know."

His golden-amber gaze rests on her, darkened noticeably since he first freed her
 from the wrapstuff, then moves to study the wall beside her. He wants to say
 something else - that much is evident in his voice, taking on weight in tone -
 but he says instead, "I'm sure we.. Ekuar.. ah.. would think of something to..
 assist you through this."

She turns now, cheeks stained with tears, eyes holding tears yet unshed. She has
 been crying since she told him, and it has worn her already hard-beaten frame
 down. Her voice is whispery, threatening to shatter into silence. "And what of
 you? What of us?"

He swallows quietly. Rayek's eyes do not lift from the place on the wall. His
 jaw tightens slightly. "What of us?" he answers with maddening cool, as if
 nothing in the world were wrong.

Her expression turns so sad, the light that remained in her eyes fading
 completely as tears long shed freeze and are caught within, unable to escape.
 Something crystaline slips out of her hand, resting on the bed and she lets it
 go. "Then it is over?" She asks in a hollow whisper.

Rayek's upper lip curls slightly and a pain takes his gut. His eyes narrow, as
 if to close, but don't, his expression strained and frozen as a heartbeats pass
 in unending slow until he answers, his voice hoarse in protest, "I did not say
 that."

Once, she had the fire and fury to throw something at you when presented a
 situation like this. But now, the fire is missing, chilled by fear perhaps. So
 now she simply looks to you, emotions either unreadable or missing from her
 eyes and face. "I love you, Rayek. Don't ever doubt that. I made my choice to
 stay here and I will."

[Rayek]
Tall, graceful, but sort of gangly in a way you can't quite tell. His obsidian
 hair, occasionally flashing an indigo highlight or two, cascades over his
 shoulders and settles somewhere just above the small of his back. His eyes are
 slanted, almost serpentine, with long lashes framing golden-amber irises, a
 down-tilted nose set evenly between them. His face is finely chiseled and
 perhaps a little long, wisps of black hair curling slightly to frame his face,
 his skin a smooth, milk chocolate tone. A pair of upward sloping ears peek out
 from beneath his obsidian mane, elegant points on each tip.
His clothing is as light and graceful as his body seems to be, flowing materials
 as airy as clouds and, to those that would recognise them, of obvious Glider
 design. Shades of dark yellow to set off the amber-gold of his eyes, as well as 
darker colors, the clothing is bunched and tied unceremoniously, as if a point 
across to its makers. Though its wearer will stand proud and tall as needed, the
 insult forced upon the delicate fabrics is there nonetheless.
His mood is clouded, brooding as if in thought constantly, his expression
 occasionally distracted and his voice often short.

Rayek tears his eyes from the wall to look to Ktai, moistening his lips. His
 voice is as hollow as hers was before, but perhaps lined with strain,
 uncertainty. "I.. I know, Ktai.." His voice nears a whisper, soft. "..I know.."

She lifts her hands, and her pale arms seem almost porcelain in colour as the
 yellow sleeves slip back. "Then why all this? Can't we just accept... and be a
 family...?" Her eyes seem to ask the question her voice and send cannot.

"I don't.." Rayek trails off, sentence unfinished as he moves back a few steps
 and takes a seat upon the stairway, his arms folded over his knees. After a
 moment, he shakes his head, answering numbly, "You Recognized someone else,
 Ktai. It is not.. -my- family."

Her whisper is faint. "I had thought... you wouldn't need blood ties. Ekuar is
 of no blood to me... or you... but still he is family. Isn't he?" Her hands
 clasp over her stomach quickly as her voice unwillingly goes up to a mild 
hiccup at the end of her question.

"He is.." Rayek murmurs softly in reply, studying the ground at his feet, then
 lifting his head at the hiccup, eyebrows coming together.

Ktai stands there, hands clasped over her stomach, then one flies to her mouth
 as she hiccups again. Wordless, sendless, she sits abruptly and closes her eyes
 firmly, willing herself calm.

Rayek's eyes widen some, darkened amber as he stands. "Ktai?" he blinks
 worriedly. "Are you..?"

"Ill?" comes a feeble whisper from behind her hand. She only nods once as she
 hiccups a third time, this one a bit more... promising in a most intersting
 manner.

Rayek's eyes widen further and he moves to his feet, moving forward in a single,
 fluid motion. "Ktai..!" he repeats, concern flashing across his face. "Do
 you..? Shall I..?" He glances to the Stairway, then to her, uneasy. . o O (Oh..
 no..!)

Ktai swallows hard, then opens her eyes to look at you. Her send is largely
 broken, possibly why she hasn't sent all that much. ** Just... go on... I'll
 clean up after... ** A thin sheen of perspiration breaks across her forehead
 and cheeks.

Rayek's eyes widen until they threaten to take up the majority of his face,
 golden fading to serpentine yellow. ** We need to get you outside! ** he sends
 in protest, his hands moving towards her, taking them should he succeed in an
 effort to pull her towards the stairway. ** You..! **

She moves, unresisting, as if perhaps her magic has been called up from slumber,
 and yet she seems to withdraw upon herself as she does so. She is silent now,
 only holding her mouth and stomach.

Rayek hesitates as she suddenly comes freely, then moves to pull her up the
 stairway, his steps slowly a bit, glancing back to her, his expression
 uncharacteristic in its unease and guilt.

She is withdrawn, seeming far more thin and gaunt than before as she focuses
 purely on flight and not being ill. Beyond that, she is unresponsive as he
 pulls her up.

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 sun is high in the cool autumn skies.
Obvious exits:
Sheltered Doorway<Down>  Pass<E>  

Ktai has arrived.

Rayek continues to pull her along, then stops a few strides from the doorway,
 swallowing, then glancing around, his twisted expression almost childlike in
 its frantic air. ** You.. you need a place to.. ** He does not even finish it,
 his nostrils flaring a bit.

Now, she drifts a bit on her own, a quiet send touching. ** I've done this
 before. I'll handle it. Just go on with what you want to. ** She begins to slip
 from grasp, rising slightly and pulling away.

"No.." is the uneasy answer, his hand recoiling back as her hand slips from his
 grasp, trailing after her on foot. "You.. you need help.. Ktai, you should be
 resting.."

She drifts towards a rock that she can hide behind, slowly and carefully so as
 not to upset herself more. ** I'll live, Rayek... I have thus far. ** She lands
 behind the rock, almost completely vanishing from sight.

Rayek hesitates, placing a hand upon the rock, but not following, instead
 turning on his heels and reclining against it, his arms folded over his chest
 as he regards the sky, then the dust at his feet. ** Ktai.. **

** Yes? ** comes her send, accompanied by a soft gasp.

** I.. ** For a moment, the shield breaks.. then, just as quickly, it rises up
 again. ** ..Nothing. **

It goes silent for a time, then the silence is shattered by a strange sound of
 sobbing and a whimper of pain followed by a send that perhaps shouldn't be loud
 enough to be heard. ** Come on, you idiot. You've been through worse. You'll
 make this. ** Then silence falls again.

Rayek's eyes flicker up, turning his head slightly in an effort to peer over at
 Ktai. ** Are you all right? ** he sends, worried despite himself.

She sits, leaning against the rock, pale and drawn. Her skin is grey and her
 eyes are closed. She doesn't answer.

He approaches, silently, his hand tracing his path around the rock as he finds
 her and pauses upon taking in her appearance. He sucks in his breath like a
 fish out of water, then holds it, glancing away as he tries again, ** Ktai.. **

"Yes?" Her voice is like a faint whisper.

He studies the ground at his feet. ** Ktai, I.. I.. ** Great Sun, why can't he
 spit it out?

Ktai just rests against the rock, her age suddenly clearly etched along the
 lines of her jaw and eyes.

Rayek struggles silently for a long moment, then sends, ** I.. I don't mean to
 hurt you.. Ktai.. ** Close enough? He hopes so.

Perhaps it isn't. All she offers in a reply is: "I know."

A sigh escapes him, perhaps realizing that it was not. Rayek's lips thin, then
 he turns his head, sending quietly, ** Do you? **

"You tell me."

He flinches and a dry smile crosses his face, tilting his head up to regard the
 sky above. "I deserved that," he states after a moment, then shakes his head.
 "Ktai, I did not.. I.. I did not mean to hurt you," he repeats after a handful
 of moments. "I.. came back.. everything's so.. changed.. and when I found
 out.." He trails off, letting the sentence drift about unfinished. His jaw
 still hangs agape, as if to finish or say more, but he slowly closes it with a
 click of teeth.

Ktai says "It was..." she offers, "a shock."

Rayek smiles faintly, regarding his hands. "That's one way of putting it," he
 answers, almost amusedly.

Ktai says "Think how I felt."

Rayek falls silent at that, his eyes dimming, but still resting on his hands.
 "Ktai.." he tries for the third time tonight and lets out a soft sigh, as if
 letting go of something. His voice is cracked, almost strained, as he says
 softly, "Ktai, I.. I'm sorry."

Her eyes open slowly, and she looks over to him by way of rolling her head
 weakly against the rock. She licks at her lips with a dry tongue, then
 whispers: "I'm sorry too."

"I shouldn't have.." Rayek trails off, then makes a movement as to step forward, 
his hands offered in front of him. He struggles for words for a moment, then
 manages feebly, "I spent so long in There.. all I wanted was to be out.. and
 when I was.."

Ktai raises her hands and he might notice they are now dirty and one is slightly
 bleeding. But still she says nothing.

Rayek does indeed notice and his eyes widen, the yellow flashing metallic and
 once more golden, stepping forward, eyeing her both warily and worriedly.
 "You're hurt.."

Ktai says "I... had to dig..."

Rayek's lips thin, then purse, approaching her until he stands before her unless
 she shies away, reaching out a hand towards one of her hurt pair. His brow is
 heavy with concern and disapproval. "You should have let me.."

She doesn't shy away, simply looks to you quietly.

Rayek touches the injured hand gently, looking up at her, then lets his hand
 drop back to his side, uneasy with her silence. He glances away, then back up
 to her, his lips thinning into a line. "I have said I am sorry," he says
 tersely after a moment. "What else can I do to ease this between us?"

Ktai's eyes fill with tears again. She can't help it and she doesn't even try.

Eren soulsends ** <It's simple, nad everything she has left> I... I don't want
 to lose you. **

Rayek's eyes drop at the send, exhaling a slow breath even he wasn't aware that
 he had been holding. ** Nor I you, ** he offers in quiet reply.

Ktai says "Forgive me...?"

Rayek chuckles, but softly, tilting his head as his golden eyes seem to ease
 from their metallic freeze. "Will you forgive me?" he answers with a slightly
 crooked smile.

A glimmer flickers into her eyes, and she looks to you as if to make certain she
 is seeing clearly. ** Yes... oh, yes... **

** Then I forgive you, ** he sends softly in reply, then offers his hands
 towards her, the gold of his eyes melting to turn liquid, churning about his
 irises, almost alive themselves. Then, genuinely, with a fluid ease that he
 lacked before, ** I'm sorry. **

Ktai steps forwards, a smile breaking the ages on her face, her eyes softening.
 ** Oh Rayek... ** Her touch turns warm, her fingers lacing yours. She can't
 send anything else but her happiness and love, so she does so without words.

Rayek smiles in turn and is that a blush on his cheeks? Indeed, the airwalker's
 cheeks are lightly dusted with pink. His fingers, weaving gently, aware of the
 scratches that dot her slender hands. Then, awkwardly, his sending flicks out
 to touch minds with her, echoing her sentiments and strengthening them as they
 are returned.

Long distance to Ktai: Rayek eyes his C.D. player warily. "And suddenly 'Closer
 to your Heart' by Clannad comes on."

Ktai sends softly, yet with a smile. ** It's not going to be easy... **

** No, it won't, ** Rayek answers evenly, rolling his shoulders back as a line
 appears in his brow, then it smoothens out as he sends a moment later, ** But
 I.. -we-.. will try. **

Ktai brightens more, almost as giddy as a child given a new toy. ** How long I
 have waited to see you... and now... it's like a dream come finally true. **

"Hmf." Rayek looks almost amused, regarding his feet thoughtfully as he
 remembers his initial comparison to releasing Ktai from the wrapstuff like a
 dream.. then lifts his chin, still holding his smile, though its slightly off
-center - crooked. ** .... She told me you were dead. For so long, I thought I
 had.. ** He trails off, quiet, then his eyes flicker with a touch of amber. **
 But you're not. You're alive. ** His eyes crinkle a bit around the edges, his
 smile broadening. ** More than a dream come true.. too wonderful, even for
 that? **

It's almost too much, she strives so hard to swear to herself it is real. ** I'm
 right here... and yours forever. ** She pauses, the slight edge of laughter
 creeping up. ** I must look such a mess... **

Rayek blinks, not expecting -that- comment to arise. "You look fine," he offers
 mildly, then smiles a bit. ** Simply lovely. You know that. **

Ktai blushes, sniffling somewhat. ** Ekuar will be so pleased... **

Ekuar? Oh, right. Rock-shaper. Soul-father. Mentor. Abode to Rayek, Brain
 calling. He shakes his head quickly to clear the cobwebs and grins faintly. **
 Ekuar? Oh, yes.. he will. **

Ktai sends openly ** We should go to Sorrow's End and tell them all. Savah will
 be so pleased! You're happy... at last. **
The last part of her send is gentle, and filled with love.

[OOC] Rayek says, "Little did they know.."
[OOC] Ktai says, "Amen!"

Rayek ehs? again, blinking once, then twice. ** Sorrow's End. Savah. Oh! ** he
 repeats all, then looks flustered, lifting a hand to his forehead. ** Savah..
 and Suntop! I had.. I had forgotten to inform them that I was.. was Out. They
 must be so worried.. **

Ktai raises an eyebrow. The Mountain did change him. ** Then we should go and
 tell them. **

Rayek looks perhaps more flustered than he should be, frusterated at his own
 forgetfulness. It takes a moment for Ktai's sending to sink in and when it
 does, his head lifts, eyes blinking to clear themselves of the clouds that had
 risen. "Eh?" ** Oh! Yes, we should.. better in person than from afar.. ** He
 mulls, glancing down at himself with a light frown. And another reason, of
 course, to go there in person is quite evident.

Ktai sends openly ** When shall we leave? **

Impulsively, Rayek sends, ** Immediately? **

Ktai opens her mouth, closes it, then sends softly. ** Can I clean up... and
 pack? **

Rayek blinks, perhaps surprised that she should ask, perhaps surprised at
 himself for not noticing. ** Of course, ** he sends in reply, a touch more
 reserved than before.

Ktai smiles fondly to you. ** Join me...? **

Rayek returns the smile, reaching a hand to scratch the back of his neck,
 sending with a touch more at ease as well this time, repeating mildly, ** Of
 course. **

She leans in, kissing lightly. ** Truly... it won't take long... I had wanted to
 get new clothing anyway in Sorrow's End. **

Rayek hmfs softly, eyes lightening perhaps at the touch, but fading as he
 glances down to his own attire. ** As would I. **

Ktai eyes the Glider clothing with mild distaste. ** Savah will love your
 height... **

A light smirk touches upon Rayek's face. ** I wouldn't doubt it, ** he sends,
 though mildly, in reply. Absently, he plucks a bit at the flimsy silk. ** I
 wonder how Suntop.. and the other Villagers.. will react. **

Ktai laughs softly. ** It will be shocking, to say the least. Come... let me at
 least wash my face... **

Rayek snorts softly, then lifts his gaze from the Glider fabric to Ktai and
 nods, perhaps sheepishly, stepping to the side slightly with a sweep of his
 hand. ** After you, ** he sends with a shadow of smile.

Ktai giggles, taking his hand and lightly drifting to the stairs, then down
 them.
Ktai has left.

Underground Dwelling(#7227RAFJ)
A bizarre chamber to be found underground, particularly in the World's Spine
 Mountains, this place is completely incongruous with the stark terrain outside.
 Clearly too regular to be a natural cave, it has been snugly shaped by some
 loving hand, from the small fountain bubbling up from the middle of the floor,
 to the niches in the walls where at night crude candles cast pale glows, to the
 delicate and fanciful shapes that adorn the walls. On the northern wall is a
 larger niche where sleepfurs have been piled, perhaps big enough for an elf or
 three to rest.
The only way out appears to be a stairwell that spirals prettily up through the
 stone.
Contents:
Ktai
Obvious exits:
Stairs<Up>  

Rayek allows himself to be pulled along, smiling absently to himself, golden
 eyes thoughtful, then rekindling in their awareness as the Glider maiden and
 Airwalker descend into the Dwelling.

Ktai moves to the fountain, releasing your hand to plunge both of hers into the
 water.

Rayek moves slightly to the side as Ktai's hand slips from his and disappears
 into the water of the fountain. He smiles quietly, folding his arms over his
 chest and shifting his weight to one foot, his eyes tracing her movements like
 a child would curiously do with happening upon some strange new wonder it has
 never seen before.

She begins to wash her face, streakmarks vanishing to reveal that so pale glider
 toned skin. Gone is her old and lovely tan... yet she still moves with that
 combination of the sad slow grace of a Glider and the sleek trim movements of a
 wolfrider.

The pair of serpentine yellow, yet somehow still goldenly amber, eyes watch and
 narrow slightly at the pale of her skin. Tilting his head slightly, Rayek
 reaches out a hand unbidden, index finger crooked so only the bend of it
 touches, towards her cheek. ** You've changed, ** he sends suddenly, solemnly;
 one gets the idea his thoughts dwell not only on the outer part of her. Or is
 it only that he has spent so many years inside that Mountain, it is his memory
 that is flawed?

Ktai looks up, eyelashes dusting her cheeks as she blinks, then meets his eyes.
 A faint half-smile touches her lips. ** To me... it has not been so long that I
 was broken and bleeding on the floor of the Cage, unable to send to you and
 unable to cry for help. I know it has been at least two turns of the season
 since I closed my eyes to the Preserver... but before that... the days are like
 a haze to remember. My skin, yes... the daystar's kiss is gone, and I will feel
 the burn again. But my spirit... ** She sighs softly. ** I will be fine. You've
 changed too, my love. **

Rayek hmfs softly again and tilts his head, a few strands of midnight's hair 
falling over his eyes. ** I know, ** he answers, matching her soft tone. ** I..
 know. I.. have no idea how many seasons have turned since I was.. I was in
 There. Its been a long time.. ** His eyes shadow, his black eyebrows weaving
 together, lines forming about them, then smoothening as he lets out a soft
 sighing breath. ** But I'm out now. We both are, ** he finishes up, trying for
 a lighter note as he glances back to her.

She's waiting for him, and splashes him lightly. ** Yes, we are. So let's make
 what we can of it! ** As she sends, she giggles lightly... a sound that would
 no doubt floor both her daughters.

Rayek's eyes widen, the water spraying in his face snapping him out of his
 brooding. "Ah!" he splutters - it was a light splash, but this airwalker didn't
 exactly expect its coming! "You.. you.." He splutters, the strands of ebony
 hair that had fallen over his face dripping slowly, adding to the befuddled
 expression of the airwalker. Then he grins, an expression that wipes away all
 trace of stress from his face, and his hand in turn dips into the water and
 flicks a spray of water at her. "Hah!"

"Aiee!" She laughs, completely caught off guard, droplets falling from her long 
eyelashes as she blinks at him with laughter in her eyes. "Really? You think?" A
 small amount of water lifts from the fountain, held by her magic...

Rayek's eyes widen further, golden discs surrounded by white. His hands move up
 as if to shield himself from apparent onslaught of water. "Ah..!"

*flif* Goes the water, some on each ear.

Flif? Well, that wasn't quite what Rayek expected. He blinks, hands lowering
 slightly, then rising to touch his ears. Then his eyes spark and his own
 handful of water rises from the fountain, an unsteady blob of liquid hovering
 there for a moment as the airwalker grins at Ktai daringly.

*Floosh!* goes the remainder of the water in his face as she laughs delightedly.

"Gack!" Rayek stumbles back, dripping wet, but uses the remainder of his
 concentration to fling the hovering handful of water at Ktai.

Ktai yelps as the water hits her, dripping and laughing with helpless mirth. **
 I feel like a child again...! ** She sends as she leans against the fountain.

"Hrmf!" Rayek grins at her, pushing back the soaked hair from his face, his grin
 shifting a good-natured smirk. ** I wish -I- had water to throw at the pretty
 maidens when I was a child.. ** he sends amusedly, his head ducking slightly.
 ** All we had was sand. Don't suppose you would want me to throw a handful of
 sand at you? **

Ktai blushes faintly at the implied comment, but shakes her head. ** Water is
 much better... and more fun... ** She lifts drenched hair, tucking it behind
 her ears, fingering at the length, as if missing something.

Rayek chuckles softly, shaking his head a bit, water droplets flying, then
 reaching up a hand to brush it away from his face. He catches her glance and
 tilts his head. ** What is it? **

Ktai sends openly ** The clasp you gave me... for my hair. I lost it in the
 Mountain. I still miss it. **
She lets her hair fall back, the ends lightly dusting her ankles once again.

Rayek inclines his head in a slight nod, watching the length of her hair fall
 back down, then looking up at her, sending mildly, ** When we go to the Sun
 Village, I'll have one of the craft-makers make you a new one. **

Ktai smiles softly. ** I would like that. ** She reaches out to you, caressing
 your cheek lightly with her fingertips.

Rayek reaches a hand up to touch the hand upon his cheek, however light the
 touch, and confesses softly, "I.. missed your touch, Ktai."

Ktai's eyes soften. ** I missed yours as well, Rayek... **

Rayek smiles quietly, then his eyes darken and he pulls away a bit from her, an
 expression both wistful and.. something else he manages to hide, his eyes
 clouded, but briefly, blinking. ** We.. We should pack. **

Ktai reaches up and unclasps the robes, allowing them to fall as she reaches out
 and plucks a much thinner and smaller blue-green bundle from the air. As she
 does so, she sends. ** What is it, Rayek? **
As she dresses in the scant bodysuit, she eyes her legs. She's going to burn so
 badly... hope Mender's nearby...

"Hmn..?" Rayek glances over his shoulder towards her. "Nothing," he quickly
 gives in reply, turning his head back to where it faced before. "Idle worries..
 that is all." His voice has stiffened slightly, but he's not telling untruths,
 that much can be seen. He simply brushes it off as easily as he hopes she will.

Her light touch on his shoulder. ** Rayek... share them with me? **

Golden-amber eyes flick to their corners. "Nothing," he repeats, sterner, but
 not unkindly. "I just.. wonder.. about what I have missed."

Ktai kisses his neck lightly. ** No matter what we've missed... I'm certain
 they'll tell us fifteen times over and with too many dreamberries for every
 word. **

Rayek manages a grin at that, chuckling softly and inclining his head, eyes
 lightening to a paler tone, his expression amused as well as agreeable. "Aye.
 Hmf."

Ktai pats lightly, then catches her bag from the air. As an afterthought, the
 crystal sculpture begins drifting towards her outstretched hand.

[Sculpture]
This is a portrait, three dimensionally carved out of greyish stone veined with
 white quartz. It is a strong face, lovingly carved with texture and precision.
 A strange, otherworldly beauty can be seen in that face - in the strength of
 the proud jaw, the raised chin, the high cheekbones, the almost stern
 expression in the eyes. And yet... there is something else too. Something warm,
 buried deep within. Almost, you can detect a glitter in the carved quartz eyes.
 Something so very close to alive that it matters not whether it is real or no.

Rayek's eyes drift to the sculpture as Ktai allows it into her hand, goldenly 
amber gaze regarding it thoughtfully, then allowing his attention to drift up to
 her, eyebrows slightly arched. ** Bringing that? ** he sends, the roll of the
 words almost sounding as if they ask something different.

Ktai looks to it as she catches it, then blushes deeply. ** It... was... all I
 had of you for so long... ** The tinge colours not just her cheeks, but rises
 up her ears as well, the very tips brightening as the red deepens.
Her fingers cradle the sculpture in an old motion, as if on thier own
 remembering the nights spent holding it close

Rayek's gaze once more drifts down to the sculpture, eyeing it both thoughtfully
 and critically. Then he smirks faintly, hmf!ing softly to himself as if amused
 and shakes his head, one corner of his lips still quirked. His gaze lowered
 with the expression, he does not catch her reverent hold on the object. ** I..
 see. **

Her send is soft and uneasy. ** Would you rather I left it behind...? **

An eyebrow is arched, his gaze lifting and softening slightly, emotion hidden
 behind the amber wall of his eyes. ** Eh? Ah.. no. You may take it if you
 like.. **

She moves slightly to him, empty hand reaching out, then catching back. **
 Rayek... I... when they caught me by that room... and you called out to me...
 when you told me that you loved me... I didn't know if I would ever see you
 again... I wondered if She would kill you for that. **

Rayek's eyes regard her curiously, almost wonderingly, then lets his brows
 furrow. ** I.. I.. ** he sends, uncharacteristically without words to speak,
 then shakes his head, sorting his thoughts. ** I am not angry with you, Ktai,
 ** he sends after a moment. ** You.. I need no explanation for.. ** He pauses,
 then flicks a hand in gesture to the sculpture. ** ..to this. **

Her hand falls on the sculpture, now cupping it both from top and bottom. **
 Then... what is wrong? **

Still, his eyes regard her, almost quizzically, then a shadow of a smile tilts
 his lips, invisible brushes painting the faintest dusting of color over his
 cheeks. ** Nothing.. except perhaps.. ** A hand lifts from where it hangs by
 its side to rest on his hip. ** ..perhaps I am.. embarrassed? **

Ktai brightens with a giggle. ** You? The proud and firm Airwalker of Sorrow's
 End? Embarrassed? Never! **

Oh, but that doesn't help at all, his paled, but still darkened skin coloring
 darker. Rayek fehs softly and flicks a smirk in her direction. ** You are -so-
 supportive, Ktai, ** he sends, looking like a rooster whose been outstrutted.

Ktai giggles, floating over to embrace him. ** But I do love you, Rayek... **