Synopsis: Tsoran's visiting the Palace, and for the most part, Tyree's been avoiding him. But this time, the pair cross paths, and Tsoran gets inside Tyree's head a bit. Players: Tyree (logger), Tsoran, Aroree. Logged February 20, 1999. -------------------------------------- Second Level This wide corridor sports myriad tiny ripples and swirls in its walls andfloor, as if once it might have been rife with damage; now, these patterns seem only to add to the ethereal feel of the place, giving your surroundings a flowing, airy look. The air is full of a barely palpable tingle,a sense of welcome, a stronger sense of magic. At one end of the corridor you can see the stairs that wind back down into the lower level of this place; at the opposite end, a tall doorway thatglimmers golden in the faint light. Contents: Tsoran Sleeping Furs Obvious exits: Scroll Chamber Winding Stairway Type 'palace help' for commands you may use here. Tsoran comes up the stairwell from below. Tsoran floats up, declining the use of the stair. -------> Tsoran looked at you <------- Tyree's up in the hallway, looking as though he's just come out of the scroll chamber. It's been a place he's gone to sometimes to just be by himself. Tsoran hovers half a length over the floor, and regards the other elf thoughtfully. "Well." Tyree floats in the air as well, though not as high up as Tsoran does. He's only a few inches off the floor. Blinking at Tsoran, he floats back a length or two. ** You. ** He'd been taking care to avoid Tsoran since the Chosen got here. Tsoran floats down until he is nearly at Tyree's level. "It constantly amazes me how fleeting childhood is. Last I was here, you were still in your mothers arms." Tyree doesn't remember a whole lot of that, but something did stand out. ** You hurt me then. That wasn't very nice. ** Tsoran's one of those bad Gliders, the kind that make others fear Tyree because of what he has and what he might be. Tsoran says "And it would not have been necessary, had your parents acceeded to my reasonable request. Alas, their pride was more important to them than your pain." Tyree doesn't buy that one, no way. ** You didn't have to do anything to /me/ because of whatever happened. ** The tone of his sending is guarded and displeased. Tsoran smiles faintly. "Is that what they told you?" Tyree's head shakes back and forth in answer to the question. Tsoran says "I hardly think you were of an age to comprehend what happened. But that can be mended, soon enough." Tyree lets himself settle with boots on the floor, still watching Tsoran with those dark eyes of his. ** What are you talking about? ** Tsoran follows suit, setting feet soundlessly to the floor, though still towering over the younger elf. "I failed to encounter either of your parents when I arrived here. How could that be, I wonder?" ** You'd have to ask them yourself. ** Tyree answers back crisply, his arms folding over his chest as he has to look up at Tsoran, being shorter than the older Glider. Tsoran bends down a little, reaching to tug at a lock of Tyree's hair. "You seem to favor your mother. Apart from the skin, of course. Tell me, doyou consider yourself a glider?" Tyree's lips tug into a frown at Tsoran's inspections of him, but he doesn't flinch nor budge. ** Yes. ** That faint smile appears briefly again, then Tsoran asks. "Do you know what it means to be a glider, young one?" ** If I was a Glider living in your big mountain with Winnowill controlling everyone, I'd be as good as dead because there's no life in there, andeveryone in there is afraid of her. ** Tyree claims, arms still folded over his chest. ** But outside of that place, everyone's still afraid of us because of the ones like you. ** Tsoran locksends ** How would you know what life in the Mountain is like?** You locksend ** From others who have been there. ** to Tsoran. Tsoran locksends ** I will tell you this, Tyree: Those who leave the Mountain are the ones who do not like it. Those who like it stay, of course. Now, where do the most gliders live? ** You locksend to Tsoran, Tyree doesn't really agree with that one. ** I think the ones who stay are afraid of leaving your Winnowill. ** The rest is left unanswered. Tsoran says softly. "Are you afraid, Tyree?" Tyree sends openly ** Of what? ** Tsoran says "Of Winnowill? Of Blue Mountain? Of... truth?" ** Of Winnowill? ..yes. ** Tyree admits. Sure, he's afraid of her. ** The Mountain? Maybe..and what truth? ** Tsoran says "Truth is different for us all, Tyree. Ktai's truth is my lie. You will only know what *your* truth is... if you learn for yourself." The words make enough sense to the young fledgling, enough to result in a slight nod, a slow one. ** I'm learning as I grow up. ** Tsoran says "Are you, Tyree? Or are you being shaped into what your parents want you to be? Allow me to show you something, young one." He indicates the stairs down, and adds slightly sardonically. "Unless you are afraid." Tyree might've balked at the initial offer out of..disinterest, perhaps, but he bristles at the last sentence. ** I'm not afraid of going downstairs, and nobody's shaping me into anything. ** Tsoran sends openly ** If you are not afraid, then follow. ** Tsoran vanishes down the stairs. You make your way down the staircase. Entry Hall [Desc snipped] Tsoran steps through the doorway outside. You step out through the doorway, leaving the entry hall behind. Palace [Desc snipped] Contents: Tsoran Aroree DarkWing Obvious exits: Doorway You approach the huge battered stone structure. Type 'palace help' for commands you may use here. Aroree is making friends with DarkWing, nice bird, pretty bird. Tsoran walks out of the Palace, coming to a halt as he spots the other glider. Tyree floats along behind Tsoran, intending to show the Chosen he's not afraid of simply being shown something. He, too, pauses at the sight of Aroree, but more importantly DarkWing. Tsoran resumes walking over to Darkwing, and greets Aroree with restraint. "Aroree." Aroree of course is not so surprised to see Tsoran, after all this is his birdie. DarkWing rustles. Aroree says "Greetings." Tyree remains where he is, content to observe from there. -------> Aroree looked at you <------- Tsoran says "I suppose I should not be surprised. The Palace seems to draw... misguided gliders." Aroree says "Ah, is that why you are here then? seeking direction?" ** Misguided because they don't want to live in your Mountain, afraid of Winnowill? ** Tyree questions, bright for his age. Tsoran answers smoothly. "Offering it, my dear. Showing the way home to those who have lost it." He glances at Tyree. "Or have never known it." Tsoran says "Are you afraid of Lord Winnowill, Aroree?" Aroree says "Yes I am. Afraid of what she has done to our people, what she continues to do." Tyree almost laughs, if the situation weren't so serious. ** See? ** Tsoran says "But are you afraid for yourself, Aroree? Or do you think you are helping those who remain by leaving?" Tyree, also, doesn't yet reply to Tsoran's talk of showing the way 'home.' Far as he's concerned, he's already home. Aroree shakes her head, he just doesn't get it does he? "I cannot live in Blue Mountain, I did try" Aroree regards Darkwing "What amazes me is that you can live there, caged and chained." Tsoran says "That is something entirely different. You see, young Tyree here has tried to convince me the gliders only stay in the Mountain out offear of Lord Winnowill." Tsoran says "Yet now, you tell me they leave the Mountain for fear. Which is it, then?" DarkWing tends his feathers, disregarding the elves. Aroree says "People respond to fear in different ways." Tyree pipes up again, speaking for once. How long has it been? "I think they stay because she makes them afraid of her, and she controls them." He's not too sure he knows Aroree..pointing at her, he says, "She probably left because she was able to." Tsoran says "And some do not fear at all." Tsoran says "But, I did come here to show Tyree something. And I'm sure you'll be happy to confirm the truth of what I am saying, Aroree. For my little skeptical friend." Aroree says "I'm inclined to believe that those who stay do so more out of inertia than fear..." Aroree arches a brow, this should be interesting "And what great truth do you seek to prove this day, Chosen?" "I'm not your friend," Tyree objects to Tsoran's choice of words. Tsoran pats DarkWing's neck affectionately. "Tyree is a trusting soul. He believes all he is told about the Mountain, though he has no first hand knowledge of it. And still, he believes himself able to tell truth from lie, unaffected by his upbringing by a rebel family." Tsoran says "I suggested he see the Mountain himself, to learn the real truth, but he prefers to... how did you put it, little one? Learn as you grow up?" [Starting around this time, Aroree experienced connection troubles. That's why in some spots, it looks like she's just being quiet.] Tyree's lips tug into another frown. "I don't want to go there anyway. That's not my home." But..what really is his home? Even at the Palace, he's found it hard to fit in with the SunFolk now sharing it. Tsoran says "So, my little demonstration is this: That once shaped by your upbringing, the truths you learn will be different ones. Take Darkwing,my bond. Hatched of an egg laid by another bird, but raised by me." Tsoran says "I fed him, I guarded him, I kept him warm. And I taught him to obey me, unquestioning. He will do whatever I ask. If I tell him you are my enemy... well, I'm sure you can imagine the consequences." Tsoran looks mildly at Tyree. "You too were raised by another than the one who was your real parents. Just like Darkwing. And now you are being guarded and raised by another. Is that not so?" Tyree eyes DarkWing somewhat uncomfortably at Tsoran's words, talking about enemies and such. "Ktai's my mother, and Rayek's taken care of me like I was his own." Tsoran strokes Darkwing's neck. "I've taken care of him as if he were my own. Had his real sire appeared, I could order Darkwing to kill him. And he would." You say "So you brainwashed him, like Winnowill brainwashed you?" Tsoran asks Tyree. "If your sire appeared, and Rayek told you he was an enemy... would you believe him?" Tyree shakes his head, immediately disagreeing. "No..I'd try to find out for myself." Tsoran smiles slowly. "Exactly." Tyree glances from Tsoran to Aroree, then back to the Chosen asking the questions. "What?" Aroree says "Is either truth more so? The one who bore you is your mother, the one who raised you is also." Aroree says "And the truth also remains that no elf should be another's enemy, were that it really were so." Tsoran says "You would find out the truth for yourself, if your 'father' declared another your enemy. Even though he has raised you, and tried to shape you for his own. Well, I am the one your parents have declared your enemy. Will you accept that, or learn the truth on your own?" Tsoran nods politely to Aroree. "Thank you, my dear." Aroree sighs "We all are born to a world of illusions, truth is more illusive than water in the desert." Aroree isn't bitter, no. Tyree finds himself agreeing with the last part of Aroree's words, even more than the first. Then, he eyes Tsoran again, unsure to a certain extent. "I already know you're bad, because you hurt me that one time." Tsoran says "As Aroree just said, no elf should be the enemy of another." Tsoran locksends ** Would you feel better if you hurt me? ** Tyree asks, "Then why do you do things to make someone treat you like an enemy?" You locksend to Tsoran, Tyree is confused. ** Why would hurting someone else make me feel better? ** Aroree smiles, just a little "Though would you eat poisoned berries to prove they are not so?" Aroree says "Some mysteries cost more to solve than they are worth." Aroree eyes Tsoran, picking on children again are we? Tsoran says "Do I, Tyree? Or have you been told that I do?" Tyree points a finger at Tsoran, a scowl forming. "You wouldn't have hurt me when I was younger if you were good!" Tsoran locksends ** You call me an enemy, a bad elf, and worse. And yet you seem confused at the suggestion of hurting me. Do you not see the contradiction? ** Tsoran says "Mhm. Tell me, Tyree, have you ever hurt another living being? Elf or other? For any reason?" You locksend to Tsoran, Tyree's young still, and though more advanced than most his age, things still confuse him. This does. ** Stay out of my head. ** Tsoran locksends ** I am already there, child. Nobody can remove the questions now, except yourself. ** Tyree shakes his head. "I don't think so..but it doesn't count when you hunt for food." Tsoran says "Somehow, I think the rabbits would disagree." Tyree isn't so sure about that. "Aren't they here to be hunted? That's what they're for." You locksend to Tsoran, Tyree doesn't answer that one. He can't, really. Tsoran says "And who says it is so? Is that something you have found out on your own, or been told?" Tsoran says "Did you ever really talk to a rabbit?" Tyree's having a bit of trouble keeping up with all the questions, now. "That's just..how it is." He shakes his head. Who can talk to a ravvit? Tsoran goes back to Tyree, and pokes his chest with a finger. "You are a rabbit. I am a Chosen, hunting for Blue Mountain. If you get hurt, well, that's just how it is." Tyree frowns yet again (sensing a trend here?) at the poke, the words. Glancing back towards the Palace, he thinks it might be a bit safer in there, and he backs up a couple steps. Tsoran's eyes glitter with amusement. "Either that, or I can try to talk to the rabbit. Do you think it will listen?" "I'm nothing like a ravvit," Tyree protests, a bit deflated. Tsoran says "If you are an elf, a true elf, you have no enemies. If you are not shaped by your 'father' as Darkwing is shaped by me, you will have the courage to learn the truth for yourself. Either that, or you can bolt for your hutch, little rabbit." Tsoran points to the Palace. Aroree says "Should he prove himself wise by allowing himself to be bullied into doing as you wish?" Tsoran spreads his hands. "I merely question, Aroree. He must make up his own mind. If he has one." Tyree wouldn't have any problems 'bolting back to his hutch like a little ravvit,' with the badgering and pressuring by Tsoran. "I'm not afraid to find anything out by myself. I just don't want to go anywhere with you, or go to the mountain." Yet. Aroree says "If you seek my advice young one, there is naught in Blue Mountain worth the dangers." Aroree eyes Tsoran "After all, you would need to rely on the good Chosen to bring you out again." Tsoran eyes Aroree right back. "If you're worried about that, why don't you take him there?" Tsoran locksends ** It took me two years to mold Darkwing completely to my will. How many years have Rayek and Ktai worked on you already? ** Aroree says "It is not a place I care to travel to." Tyree looks to Aroree at her advice, nodding. Then he speaks again to Tsoran. "She doesn't want to go there, mother doesn't want to go there, and neither does my sister. Why should I?" Tsoran says "If it is a bad place, should you not help those who remain? If it is not, why fear it?" Tsoran looks back to Tyree. "Because they are all trying so hard to prevent you. There is something there that they don't want you to learn about." You locksend to Tsoran, Tyree either ignores you, or just doesn't have anything to say. Who knows? Aroree says "Yes there is, your good lord's gentle ways." Tyree folds his arms over his chest again, scuffing a boot-tip on the ground. ** If the Mountain is so good for us, then why did they leave it? Why don't you tell me what's so good about it? ** Tsoran sends openly ** Because you would not believe me. ** Aroree sighs, growing tired of this back and forth. "It is a wonder, our people created an entire world in miniature inside that mountain, though it could not compare to the High One's skills." ** Why do you think so? Why should I believe you when three others say it's a bad place? ** Tyree sends. Tsoran sends openly ** I don't expect you to believe me. You will have to make up your own mind, child. As Aroree says, it is indeed a wonderful place. ** Tsoran sends openly ** But as long as you stay here, and only ever speak to those who are opposed to the Mountain...their truth is all you will ever know. ** Aroree says "Beautiful and full of wonders, but I would live happily never returning to those halls and the sorrow they hold." Tyree sends openly ** I don't mind knowing another truth if it means I don't have to go to where Winnowill lives. ** Tsoran sends openly ** Lord Winnowill is the greatest wonder of all. Your life will be lacking until you meet her. ** Aroree blinks at Tsoran, what drugs HAS he been taking? "Yes, lacking in pain." Tsoran says "I don't expect you to believe me, child. I said as much. Some day, you *will* see for yourself. Now, run along to your hutch." ** I don't mind 'lacking' that part of my life. ** Tyree..heh, rolls his eyes at Tsoran, and lifts into the air again, starting to float back towards the Palace. ** I was going, anyway. ** Tsoran says smoothly. "Of course you were." Tsoran locksends ** Ask Rayek about Winnowill, some time. Ask him to *show* her to you. ** You locksend to Tsoran, Tyree, as usual towards the end, doesn't answer that. Tsoran turns his attention on Aroree as Tyree leaves. Tyree waves slightly towards Aroree, giving her a faint smile after Tsoran turns his back on him. That done, he disappears back into the Palace, where it's quite a bit safer for young fledglings like him, even if it doesn't truly feel like home sometimes. [end log]