Log cast: Rayek, Eveshka Log date: 1/28, 1/29, 2/11/99 Log intro: The growing tension between Shenshen and Rayek finally comes to a head when the former confesses something more than affection for the latter. Surprised and overwhelmed by the sudden unveiling, the airwalker left in a flurry of cloak and foul words, forbidding anyone to follow him. At the same time, Eveshka left as well, informing Ekuar that she was going to the Mountain. Now, as the pair move towards their seperate destinations... ----- On The Savannah You are surrounded by a sea of damp prairie. Endless waves of tall grasses brush your knees and legs with the soft wetness of light rains. You can see the distant peaks of the Spines north over the grass, while the deep green of the jungles lies deep south. You can see the waterhole is swollen with the new rains, bringing new life and greater hunting to the area. Cut grasses show what might be a trail movoing to the south and to the north, but you can see it's seldom used. You can feel the very light touch of the rains. The skies are of the brightest blues but you can smell the scent of rain. Animals seem to be scattered all over the great area, which seems to be as far as the eye can see. And the very waterhole is once again filled with the lifegiving waters. Contents: Eveshka Herd of savanah animals Obvious exits: North South A black and white figure can be made out against the light brown of the plainsgrass. Walking, not gliding, Rayek winds his way through the tall grasses, his cloak tightly wrapped around him to keep out the scratches of weeds and burrs. In the distance, a faintly greyish figure can be seen walking slowly, not truly watching where she is going. Rayek's thoughts are as clouded as his eyes, which are dark indeed, almost orange in comparison to their natural yellow-gold. He uses the dagger he has with him always to cut down the particularly stubborn grasses in his way, shredding them and clearing a path through the prairie. It has been thus since he stormed out of the Palace, except for brief snatches of sleep here and there, more out of reflex than real need. The airwalker is unaware of any other in the savannah, the grasses so tall they make it difficult for even him to see over their edges -- until something snares him by the cloak and he, cursing loud enough for all the prairie to hear, darts up into the air to escape it rather than waste time cutting himself free. The sound gives the other cause to look up and freeze in what might perhaps be panic. Oh no. Not this. Not here. Not... this wasn't supposed to work out like this! Oh, feathers. The airwalker glares balefully at the insulting piece of bush that dared to try and snare him. "Stupid piece of.." he mutters to himself, giving it a swift kick with a booted foot for good measure before continuing on his way. He glides this time, so as not to be snared. And for a while, it seems as if the other might go unnoticed.. until he stops, midair. She didn't -mean- to be there. Really. And she looks it, too. Indeed. Is it her? Did she follow him? Hm. The black-haired elf frowns, golden eyes narrowing as his hunter's vision comes into play, trying to pick her out. Is it..? Yes. "Eveshka," he mutters to himself, jaw tightening. [Eveshka] A figure cloaked in shadow, this fragile glider stands uneasily. Shrouded in a grey cloak covering dark pants and tight bodice, Eveshka is far removed from the striking figure she once was. Her long white hair is pulled up into a bun similar to that of the Chosen, but a few strands fall into her face. As a result, Eveshka has affected a downward tilt to her head, and when she looks up, only tilts her head up when she must. If eyes must meet, hers are a flat and almost lifeless grey - the same shade as her gown. Black satin slippers adorn her feet, and they look well scuffed. Her skin is pale indeed - her cheekbones more pronounced. She brings her arms protectively around her and bites her lower lip, as if silently imploring you to look away. Carrying: Leather Pouch She sighs quietly. His sending, directed towards her, closes the distance between them more efficiently than gliding or walking. ** I told you not to follow me. ** Snapping her head up, she sends seemingly without effort or emotion. ** I didn't follow you. I wasn't watching where I was going. ** Sending doesn't lie, and the utter truthfulness of it brings a frown to Rayek's face. ** Oh. Well. ** Feeling slightly off-balance, he wavers, then lowers himself back into the grass, his black and white form barely visible amongst the pale brown. ** ..... ** Drawing the cloak around her with a simple flicker of her magic, she turns. ** I apologize for interrupting. If you have no need for me, I will resume my travels to Blue Mountain. ** Again, the send has little effort or emotion to it. There is a pause. Then: ** ...what? The Mountain? ** ** Yes. The Mountain. ** A glimmer of gold can be seen over the top of the grasses. ** You're mad, ** the send accuses. ** They'll never let you out. Why? ** ** It's the only place that I might belong. ** ** Dung chips. ** Mouthy today, isn't he? First the bush, now the Glider. ** You belong at the Palace. All elves belong at the Palace. Just because I left.. ** The send is an echo. ** If you send it often enough, you might just start to believe it. ** He winces, but she can't see it. His jaw clenches, teeth gritted, and he sends back with more fire than he means to, ** What is that supposed to mean! ** She hasn't turned back, hasn't yet put feeling into it. ** It means whatever you want it to. ** The distance between them seems to be smaller; his sending is growing faintly louder, bearing more clarity. ** You're avoiding the question. ** Unspoken: Just like a Glider. ** It means, Rayek, whatever you chose to read into it. ** Still there is nothing in her send that could be mistaken for emotion, ** Why are you acting like this? ** ** Acting like what? Leaving the Palace? Looking for somewhere else to be? Don't ask me. Ask yourself first. ** And now she starts to move away. The grasses part suddenly and there he is. Rayek's hand darts out as he tries to snare her by the arm, golden eyes flaring with anger. ** You have no right to judge me, ** he snaps. She's snagged easily, not seeing the movement. Stopped and slightly spun around, she looks at him, eyes a dulled grey. ** Yet you have the right to judge me? I see. Then judge me harshly and let me go. I'm not worth your time. ** Her reply catches him by surprise, stinging him. Stunned, he releases her, but doesn't back away, his mind spinning for a reply. Is he so hypocritical? ** I have the right to judge you when my own actions seem to be the cause of your actions, ** he finally mutters sourly. ** Then do so and be done with it. ** Rayek scowls and demands again, ** Why are you acting like this? ** The hood shifts as she looks down. ** Because it's what I am. What I'm good at. ** Suddenly, the send turns sour and bitter for a moment. ** I'm a Glider. ** ** Is that why you're going back to the Mountain? ** His demanding tone refuses to waver, his yellow-gold eyes angry. ** To be a Glider? ** The send is empty and bleak. ** It's what I am. ** ** Is that all that you are?! ** Rayek's scowl turns darker still and he whirls about, his side facing her. His arms fold over his chest. ** Curse it, Eveshka! Of all the times...! ** She doesn't look up. ** What? ** ** We've been through this before! Why do you have to choose /now/ to revert back to this? ** Eveshka sends openly ** Tell me what else I have? ** ** Your mother! Your brother! Your sister! ** Eveshka sends openly ** Tyree will be fine with mother and Daia. They've lived without me this long... ** ** Dung chips. ** The airwalker scowls at the offending ground, daring a beetle or worm to crawl into view so that he can grind his foot into them. Without really meaning to, he blurts angrily, ** This about me! You never would have left if I did. ** She's silent. The silence seems to egg him on more than any retort could have. He turns again to face her, glaring. ** Am I wrong? ** Her eyes are still dull. ** Not entirely. I am still looking for where I belong. ** The airwalker's upper brow seems to twitch ever so slightly. His sending seems to lose all of its heat, its anger. Like the desert after the Daystar has set, his sending becomes frigidly cold. ** And you think you belong in a place where they steal children, lock elves in cages, keep humans as pets, and steal any kind of identity you have away from you. ** ** It wouldn't hurt. ** It's a simple statement. Blink. His golden eyes round out, then narrow again to thin yellow slits. ** Fine. ** And he turns, back facing her. With a determined gesture, he pulls his hood back over his head and starts to move back the way he came. ** I give up. Nothing I say has any effect on anyone, so I give up. Go. ** ** If that is your wish. ** She starts to move away again. ** I doubt what I 'wish' has anything to do with this, does it, Eveshka? ** Eveshka sends openly ** Doesn't it? ** He stops. ** You tell me. ** The send is quiet. ** You are my father. What you say, I do. I will not be ... safe at the Palace. ** ** .... ** Swallowing his pride, he looks back, his frown bitter, but uneasy. ** Of course you will, ** he answers, yellow-gold eyes studying the maiden's gray figure. She doesn't move. ** No. I won't. Shenshen... ** His sending echoes a bitter laugh, dry and cracking like old wood. ** I doubt you have much to fear from her. ** But his sending wavers ever so slightly, for he remembers their conversation before, and it is not Eveshka he worries about. Eveshka sends openly ** Then who? What was that all about? ** It comes out sharper than intended. ** None of your business. ** She steps away. ** Fine. ** Rayek winces inwardly, but doesn't even flinch outwardly. ** Eveshka.. ** he starts to send, then stops, frowning. He repeats her, ** Fine, ** and turns his back to her again. His arms arrange themselves over his chest. She moves quietly along the rushes, stumbling silently once, then perhaps twice. But she keeps going. The airwalker moves away as well, his blade drawn and slashing a path through the grass once more. Except, perhaps there is more vehemence to the cuts, and maybe he stomps flat the cut weeds a little too hard. But his black and white form soon vanishes amongst the brown. Eveshka locksends ** Goodbye... ** The rustling in the grasses the black-haired hunter disappeared into stops briefly. He casts a golden-eyed glance over his shoulder, a frown pulling at the edges of his lips. ** ..... ** You locksend ** ...Eveshka? ** to Eveshka. Eveshka locksends ** Yes? ** ** I... ** The airwalker is touched with a sudden moment of hesitation. Why does it feel like so much rests on this one moment? His teeth grit, his golden eyes searching for some hint of grey amongst the yellow -brown of the plainsgrass. ** .... ** His fingers curl slightly tighter around the knife. ** I don't want you to go to the Mountain, Eveshka. I'm afraid of what might happen to you there. ** Eveshka locksends ** I am too. ** ** Then.. Then.. Why? ** Eveshka locksends ** Where else can I go? ** His golden eyes seem to be watching her through the grass. ** Why must you leave? ** Eveshka locksends ** You told me to. ** ** What? ** Blink. ** I did no such thing! ** Eveshka locksends ** Not to harm Shenshen... ** Rayek's lips form a silent oh, then flatten into a frown. ** Can't you trust yourself even to do that, Eveshka? ** It's a strange blend of concern and scorn. Eveshka locksends ** Father, if I had the slightest thought that someone had hurt you, I would return it in kind. And I have a suspicion that she has. ** The airwalker is silent, studying the path he just came through out of the corners of his eyes. And so she waits. His response comes flatly. ** She did not mean to. And ..... I think I overreacted. ** Eveshka sends openly ** Then why don't you go home? ** Again, silence. But he ends it of his own accord. ** Because I want to be alone, Eveshka. To deal with this. ** A touch of bitterness weaves into his sending. ** And I can't do it in a place where there is some uppity dirtdigger or clothmaker at every corner. ** Eveshka locksends ** Papa.. why not hide in the cave with mother again? ** He blinks. ** What? ** The send is almost from everywhere, as she is not in sight. ** Mother told me there was a time when the Palace was... unaccessable, and you lived near it. ** Rayek blinks slowly, his eyes shifting around in an effort to find the sending that seems to come from all around him. Disconcerting, that.. How does she do it? ** Oh.. Yes. Well. ** He pauses, but only briefly, shaking his head though he's certain she can't see it. ** Suntop is staying there. He wanted to be alone... ** It must be a vague talent related to hypnosis. ** I see. There's another cave. I lived there for a while. ** ** No. ** His sending is firm, as if putting a stop to the offers of shelter. ** Too close. Too.. close. I want to be alone. /Away/ from the Palace. ** ** So what are you truly trying to escape? ** His mouth falls open. ** ...... ** And she's right -there-. As in, nearly on top of him, breathing almost the same air he is. How the blazes did she do that? ** Well? ** The airwalker stumbles back despite himself, unused to being snuck up on like that. For the briefest moments, his face pales, his golden eyes grow wide -- then, with a huge inward breath, it vanishes, leaving only him staring at her like he would a phantom. But instead of answering, he says, "Great Sun, Eveshka! I almost jumped out of my skin!" "So I see." His nose wrinkles faintly, then the expression erases with a blink of two golden eyes. And he says lowly, "I'm not running from anything, Eveshka. I just... I have too many things on my mind." Eveshka sends openly ** And so you try to leave one behind in the Palace. ** At first, the airwalker doesn't understand. That seems to happen all too often when he talks to her. He frowns: ** What? ** Eveshka sends openly ** You're leaving the Palace because you might be able to leave some worries there. ** Now it's his turn to be silent, his yellow-gold eyes looking at her, as if trying to discern something from her pale face. Seconds tick by, then moments. "No," Rayek finally says after a while, the shadows cast by his hood making his golden eyes seem all the more brighter. "That's not it." ** Then why do you speak? ** Strange. She's right there, but her sending isn't quite. It brings a frown and an instant edge: ** You doubt my sincerity? ** ** Only to yourself. It's easy, far too easy to lie to yourself. I know. I do it every day. ** Rayek's frown deepens, and he looks away, the setting sun putting his profile in silhouette. ** Why? ** he sends impulsively, his eyes turned away from her, yet still seem to be watching her. And then she isn't there again. ** It's the only way I can make it through a day. ** But where..? His head turns to face where she was, then he starts to turn himself, looking around. Frustrated, a little bewildered, the airwalker sends, ** Where did you go? ** The send is calm. ** Over here. ** And there she is, sitting among some rushes. How does she do that? The airwalker frowns in her direction, looking slightly uneasy. It's disconcerting having someone randomly disappear from sight. But Rayek continues to avoid her question, instead asking quietly, ** If I went back, would you still go to the Mountain? ** Eveshka sends openly ** Why would you go back? ** Rayek answers, ** Why would you go to the Mountain? ** Eveshka smiles faintly, the totally true reason coming clear: ** To keep Winnowill busy while you weren't protected. ** And now it's clear: Her seeming to vanish and reappear is answered by her next. She glides with near terrifying speed and accuracy right to you, but there is no breeze to betray her. Of all the reasons, that one was the least expected. ** Oh.. I.. Wha! ** Instinctively, the airwalker jumps back a step, his eyes widening and heart pounding in his throat as the pale maiden suddenly appears by him. Eveshka simply smiles faintly. Rayek lifts a hand, palm flat against his chest. His eyes go from wide to narrow, blinking rapidly. ** Why.. Why did you do that?! ** Eveshka sends openly ** You were wondering how I did it, weren't you? You can learn too. ** His eyes widen again, then seem to narrow faintly, his head tilting slightly to one side. Despite himself, Rayek is curious. A faint frown plays across his lips as he sends, ** Yes...? ** Eveshka shrugs, drifting away some. ** It's useful when hunting leapers. ** ** I'd... imagine so. ** Eveshka shrugs again. ** Are you going to stay out? ** The answer is swift and short, offered reflexively: ** Yes. ** Eveshka sends openly ** Then I must go to the Mountain. If She finds you out and unprotected... ** He can't help it. ** I'm not helpless, Eveshka. ** ** Neither is She. ** ** Point taken, ** he answers with a slightly wry grin, then shakes his head, moving forward. He reaches out a hand. ** But, Eveshka.. It's been turns and turns since I last felt her presence. Maybe she's forgotten. ** It's a vain hope, but he clings to it when he's feeling optimistic. Eveshka shakes her head. ** There's a reason you haven't felt Her. ** Eveshka locksends ** Mother has the same. ** Rayek looks at Eveshka, and his eyes widen at the scars laid bare. His mouth drops open, a fish gasping for air on a dry bank, and closes slowly, only to open again. ** Wha... ** His eyes squeeze shut for a moment, then open again. ** She.. did that? ** Eveshka sends openly ** Winnowill, yes. ** ** And you think she would do the same to me? ** ** Worse. She wants you to be part of her. She'd force Recognition. ** He winces noticeably. A memory long thought forgotten is pricked, images spilling out.. The airwalker's jaw tightens slightly, his eyes fluttering to a brief close. ** No.. ** Rayek sends, though it seems to be something of an effort to do so. ** If she was going to do that, why didn't she while I was inside the Mountain? ** Eveshka sends openly ** She likes to play with them first... ** ** She hasn't done it before! ** It's more a plea for confirmation than a real statement. Eveshka looks away. ** I believe she did with Alorn and Azeure. ** For this, he has no response. He only looks at her, swallowing his distaste. Somewhat numbly, the golden-eyed hunter lowers himself into a sitting position on a nearby dry patch of grass. Eveshka sends openly ** They did not care for each other, indeed they said nothing to each other though they were both Chosen. Then, one day after meeting with Winnowill, they vanished together. Two turns after that, Zichri was born. ** The oath is whispered and barely audible, threadbare if it were cloth. "Spirit of Orolin.." Eveshka sends openly ** Now do you understand? She's far more dangerous than we think. ** "I did not.. She wouldn't.." The memories sting the edges of his mind, ones he has forced back these last few years. He loved her once. And it's easy to say to himself that he does so no longer. The hunter plucks a blade of grass and tears it between his fingers. Eveshka watches quietly. "She would. She did." ** But ... She wouldn't risk involving herself. It was different with two others... ** Eveshka sends openly ** She's risked herself in other things countless times. Why not one more? She's a healer, Rayek. Think of Two-Edge! ** ** This is different! ** Rayek argues, looking up sharply. ** We're talking about Recognition! ** Eveshka shakes her head. ** Rayek, if she can have a child by a troll... why should she /need/ Recognition? ** Rayek sighs and lowers his head again to his hands, slowing brushing the hair back from his face. ** But why, Eveshka? ** he sends haggardly. ** It's so.. so /stupid/. I escaped her before.. ** Eveshka sends openly ** So did I. But I never really did until lately. And even still she tries me. She won't give up, no matter how hard she has to fight. She knows there will come a time when you won't expect it, won't be ready for it. That's why she vanishes like she does. ** The airwalker asks bitterly, but almost rhetorically, ** Doesn't she have better things to do with her time?... ** Eveshka smiles faintly. ** Reflect on the stagnation in the Mountian. In which, probably not. ** Rayek mutters a word he shouldn't. ** This is wonderful. I can't even take a few days alone without worrying about Her breathing down my neck. ** Eveshka looks away, without answering. He is silent for a while, taking this in, letting it digest. His eyes close, head shaking, and he sends with a good amount of frustration, ** Well. I suppose I don't have much choice then, do I. ** Eveshka sends openly ** Unless I go keep Her occupied. ** ** No. ** ** Then I'm truly out of things to suggest, father. I'm sorry. ** Rayek doesn't reply, accepting it with a nod. He sighs as he stands, cloak rustling slightly before he clenches one end of it in his hand, knotting the black material. Eveshka simply stands there, facing out to the direction of the Mountain. ** And you? ** he sends without really looking at her. Eveshka sends openly ** And I what? ** ** Where are you going? ** ** I... don't know. ** He frowns and turns again, letting the bunched cloak fall back into place with a faint shift. ** What? Why not? ** Eveshka sends openly ** I still have this... thing against Shenshen. ** ** You're as bad as I am. ** It's almost a joke. Eveshka's send takes on a strange tone... she almost sounds... older. ** She should listen to her elders. ** Rayek's expression turns odd as he looks at the gray maiden, studying her. He replies carefully, ** In my experience, Shenshen ..... tends to think that she knows best. ** Eveshka sends openly ** I see. ** ** No, you don't, ** he replies, though your words were in sending. Rayek pauses and sighs, a hand over his eyes briefly. ** And I don't think I do either. ** Eveshka sends openly ** I used to think the same way. When I was with Alorn and Azeure. So, I do see her mind. ** Rayek prompts, ** And...? ** Eveshka sends openly ** And that's also why I do not like her. ** A soft snort. ** Because she reminds you of yourself? ** He's skeptical. She might be blushing. ** You never saw me in the Mountain. I... threw myself at someone much like she throws herself at you. ** The tips of his ears might be red. ** I see, ** he sends only. Eveshka sends openly ** Only... I do not know if she ever cared for you. That might be the only difference. ** ** She claims to. She sent it... ** Rayek pauses and sighs again, lowering himself once more to a sitting position. ** She is so much her sister, and so much not. I don't know if it is her loneliness or if she really does care for me. She means well, she is not hurtful, not very anyway, but I... ** The airwalker hesitates. ** I do not want her! ** Eveshka sends openly ** Then tell her and let it be. It upsets mother too... ** But she doesn't go further. Rayek flushes. ** I do not want to hurt her, either. ** Eveshka doesn't reply. He shifts his weight imperceptively, looking away. The airwalker seems to study a group of leapers nearby as they navigate gracefully through the plainsgrass. He shifts his weight imperceptively, looking away. The airwalker seems to study a group of leapers nearby as they navigate gracefully through the plainsgrass. Eveshka sighs softly, moving just a bit towards the Mountain. He looks back. ** Eveshka.. You don't have to go there to avoid her. ** Eveshka sends openly ** Where else can I go? ** ** We've already had this conversation. ** Eveshka turns, a strangely quiet look on her face for the words issued. ** Father, if she throws herself at you one more time, I'm afraid I'll have to take her out back and have a serious discussion with her. ** He can't help but bristle. ** Eveshka, I'm not a child, ** Rayek sends harshly, though compared to her, he might as well be. ** I'm perfectly capable of handling myself. Great Sun, I left just so I could figure out what's to be done with her... and the problem might well be moot by the time I return anyway! ** Eveshka sighs, drawing in upon herself. ** As you wish, father. ** Golden eyes watch her steadily. ** So? ** ** I will do as you wish. ** ** And? ** he presses. It's as simple as that. If you bid her return to the Palace, she will do so. If you bid her to ignore Shenshen... as much as she night not like it, she will do so. And still he watches her, studies her, waiting. The airwalker is not a manipulater by nature, not truly, but he would never forgive himself if she vanished into the Mountain and never returned. She stands there, hands clasped, head bowed. She's waiting. ** Will you come back with me to the Palace? ...please? ** The cloak hood settles some behind her. ** If that is what you wish. ** He nods ever so slightly. Relieved. ** It is. ** Eveshka sends openly ** Very well, then. ** Rayek nods again, lifting his own hood over his head. ** All right then. ** He hesitates, glancing towards the sky, noting the darkness. ** We leave tomorrow morning then. ** Eveshka sends openly ** It's better... to travel at night. Less dangerous to sleep in the day ** She says this as if she does not need sleep herself. He glances at her and snorts. ** I suppose it would be, if both of us were traveling by night. But I have been walking all day. ** Eveshka sends openly ** I could carry... ** She doesn't complete that thought. Oh my. Is Rayek blushing? ** It's only for a night. We can start early tomorrow. ** ** Very well. ** Rayek offers her the faintest of smiles, then looks around, fingers flexing. ** Now where... ** He curses himself softly, for not thinking of such things before storming off. She looks up, waiting and watching. Rayek is silent for a while, looking around. Eventually, a lone tree reaches towards the sky, catching his attention. He points: ** There? ** Eveshka sends openly ** For what? ** He seems bemused. ** For sleep. ** Oh. That. ** I... suppose. Do you sleep in trees often? ** ** No.. I'm not a Wolfrider. ** It's a failed attempt at humor. ** I thought, perhaps underneath it... At least, if it rains, we won't get wet.. ** Eveshka sends openly ** Ah. Yes, I see. ** ** Will it work? ** Eveshka sends openly ** I suppose. I don't... sleep. ** Oddly, he doesn't find that strange. Perhaps becaause, for a long time, neither did he. ** Why not? ** he asks simply. Eveshka sends openly ** I dream. ** Rayek blinks. Slowly. ** I thought one went along with the other, ** he replies carefully, starting to move in the direction of the tree. Eveshka drifts along behind. ** I would prefer not to dream. I remember in those dreams. ** He ahs softly and nods, looking ahead again. The airwalker debates his reply as the distance between the pair and the lone tree grows shorter, and finally decides that silence is the safest route. A wave of sympathy and understanding flickers quietly, but little more. She falls into what might pass as a companionable silence. Eveshka sends openly ** What abotu mother did you fall in love with? ** Okay, so it's a sudden and totally out of the blue question. She's good at that. The tree and its shadow soon come into view, washing over the two travelers. Rayek reaches to undo his cloak, and glances around sharply at the question. He blinks, eyes wide, then resuming their normal widths. ** She didn't give up. ** She drifts into the air, hanging there with seemingly no effort. ** I see. ** Rayek gives Eveshka a slight smile as he finds a place by the tree's roots, folding his cloak into a semblance of a pillow. ** I did not know what to make of her at first... I don't even think I was very receptive to her at first. But she was patient, and she did not give up.. ** He pauses. ** Even after I was kept captive in the Mountain, she waited for me. ** Eveshka's send is quiet, walking more recent memory. ** I remember how afraid she was that you didn't care for her. She wouldn't admit it, but I could see it. I think everyone could. ** ** Yes, ** the airwalker sends simply, placing the folded cloak on the room, then settling his head against it. ** When I returned? ...Yes. The circumstances were different, but when she said she was Recognized, I could only think of how long I'd waited, wondering if she was doing the same.. And Leetah... ** Eveshka almost laughs dryly. ** Daia and I had to literally threaten her. She was going to choose death over Recognition. ** He blinks, lifting his head to frown at Eveshka, perplexed. Something that he had not heard about, it seems. ** What? Really? ** Eveshka nods. ** Yes. She didn't want him, didn't want Recognition. She already had two children... and yet, it answered an old question. But she was ready to die. ** ** I... didn't know.... ** Eveshka sends openly ** She didn't want you to. ** Rayek frowns deeply as he lowers his head again, arranging his arms over his chest as he looks up through the tree's boughs. ** I wish she had told me, though. High Ones.. perhaps I wouldn't have.. ** Eveshka tilts her head slowly. ** Wouldn't have what? ** ** .... acted as I did ..... ** Eveshka sends openly ** She loved you. She would have waited until the High Ones came back. ** ** I know, but... ** He trails off. ** ...I don't. Know, that is. What came over me. ** His eyes close as he tries to still the tremble of chaotic thought screaming in his head. ** Why do you ask? ** Eveshka sends openly ** It just came to thought, that's all. ** ** I.. see. ** Eveshka sends openly ** I didn't mean any harm. If you want, I can forget that we spoke. ** ** It's alright, Eveshka. ** She nods, still hanging in the air. Rayek sighs and closes his eyes. Perhaps to sleep, perhaps not. ** Are you certain you will not sleep tonight? ** Eveshka sends openly ** If I sleep, I will yet be awake. ** ** A riddle. I'm too tired for riddles, daughter. ** Eveshka smiles faintly. ** If I ever do sleep, it is only my body that does so. My mind remains awake, lest I dream. ** ** Oh. ** The airwalker considers this. ** Do you rest then, when only your body sleeps? ** Eveshka sends openly ** No... I can rest almost any time I need. ** ** Then rest. ** Eveshka smiles faintly. ** I have today. Did you find food today? I could hunt... the hunts go well at night. ** ** I.. ** His eyes crack open again, narrow slits of gold considering her uncertainly. ** ..am not hungry, but.. It couldn't hurt. I didn't pack any provisions... ** Ah, Black-Hair. He didn't seem to be thinking at all when he stormed off. Something lands nearby, her travel pack. ** There's food and water in there. I'll spend a few hours collecting food then. ** Rayek looks at it, then at her. ** Be careful... ** There's a strange glimmer in her eyes, perhaps the same kind that Rayek himself has been known to use while hunting. ** Don't worry. ** "Don't worry, I will," Rayek murmurs to himself, watching her. He offers a crooked smile by way of reply and only nods, sitting up and floating the pack to him with a slight gesture. Eveshka seems to dissappear in the sky, but perhaps it is only that she has drawn her cloak about her. Rayek watches her retreating form until he can no longer make it out. Then he looks through the pack, finding the water and taking a sip of it. The airwalker tries to wait for her return, but the stress of the past few days - or is it weeks? - catches up with him. Sleep claims him, and Rayek slips quietly, if somewhat uncertainly, into unconsciousness. [end log]