Log Date: 7/22/97 Log Cast: Morganna, Shenneret Veery, Paul Nighman Log Intro: On board the _Hawk's Wing_, Shenner and Paul have arrived on Caspar, in search of Paul's colleague Marcus Crowley and news of Paul's missing ship. Shenner and Paul have met the man, but to Shenner's general bemusement, it is clear that Marcus Crowley is utterly astonished to find Paul with someone like her... and Shenner can sense, as well, that Marcus's reaction to her makes Paul quite uncomfortable. Dismayed and confused, Shenner has retreated to keeping a low profile for a while on Jace Raven's loaned ship, but she has been worried about Paul as well, surreptitiously watching him immerse himself in the work of upkeep on the _Wing_, research, and frequent meetings with his colleague. Eventually, though, after a snapped exchange between them, Shen goes in search of Paul, into Plaxton City.... ---------- Morganna is sitting on the beach near Paul. Armed with a black suede flute bag slung over her right shoulder, a young woman with short tousled red hair comes ambling out onto the stretch of sand, looking around consideringly. Green eyes take in the sight of the ocean with distinct pleasure, before that gaze comes round to the tall lanky Corellian, and a crooked smile crosses the young redhead's face. Her eyebrows crinkle when she sees he is not alone, but she lopes towards him, nevertheless. Morganna A glowing green robotic eye stares out coldly and without emotion from the hideously scarred, left side of this human woman's face. The trio of scars appear to be claw marks that trace their path from her eyebrow to her chin. Her other eye is a grey-blue colour and shimmers brightly with cold intelligence and alertness and occasionally a flash of emotion. She appears to be quite physically fit, almost stocky in build, and she stands at just over five and a half feet in height. Her reddish brown hair is cropped short, it falls just over her ears and her bangs fall over her forehead in a manner that gives her a slightly disshelved appearance. She is currently wearing a neat pair of black spacer pants, with dark green patches on the inner thighs and knees, and boots with a similar colouration. The shirt she is wearing is a slate grey, sleeveless shirt. As her jacket is draped lazily over a shoulder, hideous scarring in her arms is as plain as the scars on her face. A simple utility belt adorns her waist with small pouches, some of which appear to have _something_ in them, and a holster for a blaster, which is slung casually over her right hip. Morganna sits realtively quietly, her green eye glowing eerily in the darkness. Paul doesn't notice the girl striding toward him, his head cast down to his hands once again. "Where are you from that you can find no music?" he wonders softly, knowing that even when he wasn't making it himself, it was always a part of his life. In fact, he'd never realized until now just how prevalent it was, having been more of a "silent" partner all these years. His fingers, in response, begin to pick out a bright, cheerful melody, casting aside the previously poignant playing. Morganna sighs sadly to Paul and shakes her head, "A place with no laughter or music..." her voice is quite rouch, although her tone is calm, "I didn't discover music... real music.. until a little over a year ago..." she scratches her cheek as she listens to the new tune, a smile creeping over hr previously expressionless face. Shenner comes into earshot, then. Reluctant to interrupt the man with the guitar by speaking out, she simply stops a short distance away, and slings the black sheath off her shoulder. From within it, a silver flute is pulled, and the redhead interjects her presence into the music after a few measures. Her instrument isn't warmed up, but that doesn't seem to be too much of a problem, as she slides held-out notes in among the guitar chords, to make basic harmony. Morganna perks up and turns around, glancing at the girl with the flute, she tucks her knees to her chest and hugs them, resting her chin on her knees and closing her organic eye, her left eye still glowing fiercely. Morganna looks at you for a moment. That, of course, catches Paul's attention abruptly, and his face darkens slightly in response, his eyes flying up and then back down in something akin to discomfort. However, his gaze lifts again and a regretful smile curls his lips as he considers the girl thoughtfully. The flutist's mouth quirks slightly over the blowhole of her instrument, her dark eyebrows lifting a bit as she takes in Morganna's appearance. But neither that nor the looks directed her way seem to disrupt her ability to make her flute produce soft notes. She simply bobs her head, both to Morganna and to Paul, and settles down on the sand, interweaving breathy tones with the slow rhythm of the waves. Morganna appears to be lost in the music as it flows around her, her right eye remaining tightly sut as she just listens silently, rocking slightly to the rhythm. The discomfort begins to drain, and although Marcus's words still echo in his mind, Paul cannot deny the link between them through music. Turning slightly so he can see Shen and she can see his hands, he pushes the envelope, increasing the tempo and complexity of the piece. The realization of how long it's been since they've played together ... and ironically how short a period of time it's been, combine to rock the Corellian unexpectedly. Morganna opens her eye and looks between Paul and Shenner in awe and amazement, she sighs sadly and rests her chin on her knees again, a single tear falls down her cheek. The girl with the flute smiles a little more as she plays. Undaunted by the increase in speed or complexity, she sends trills of notes sailing up the scale as the guitar descends, holds out long tones when the guitar's strings lay down a smattering of sharp fast chords, and sends out her own rainshower-swift dabblings of notes when the guitar plays slower in response. Morganna sighs and stares up at the stars before standing up, her face once again emotionless, but her organic eye exhibiting a great deal of lonliness and sadness, she glances at the two musicians again and shivers, stuffinfg her hands in her pockets and staring at her feet as she steps slowly away from them, she snuffles a little. The dance is on, guitar chords and flickering notes intertwining and spiralling with birdsong spirals and dizzy chases. An unbeckoned smile winds it's way onto Paul's face, his body moving in time with the ever changing tempo, his hair dropping forward over his brow to obscure one eye. A sharp flic of his head tosses it out of the way again. The motion, however, as well as the soft sniffing sounds, distracts him, his hands almost losing a riff, but catching it just in the nick. He turns his gaze toward the departing woman, a touch of regret on his face for the nameless and obviously deprived soul. Morganna plods away sadly, starign at her feet and then back up at the stars before shaking her head and rubbing her temples, she snufs and mumurs to herself, "Why, why can't I find happiness...?" and she violently kicks a tree, emitting a loud a growl as she strides up the path, limping slightly afterwards. Shenner's green gaze flicks around to the retreating figure, even as she keeps up playing, modulating the melody to match the guitar once more. Morganna finally leaves the beach, well out of earshot of the music, limping slightly as she goes. Morganna leaves the beach behind and heads back into the city. Morganna has left. The regret slips into bafflement, and then resignation. Raising his gaze to Shen's, he finds the moment gone. His hands slow, bringing the song to a premature finish, punctuated by a sigh. Shen returns her attention to Paul, lowering the flute, smiling a bit. "Hiya," she murmurs. "Hi Shen," is his mumbled reply, voice soft and husky, eyes weary and bright. _Apologize, ya dolt!_ he thinks to himself, but the words that leave his lips instead are, "So, what have you been up to today?" "Checkin' the city out, mostly," she answers, her fingertips still on the silver flute's holes. "Buskin'. Standard Shen stuff." Her mouth quirks a little. "Shen stuff .... huh?" A wry grin comes and goes at that simple description. Paul slowly rises, slipping the guitar on it's strap so that it is pressed against his back. The light shirt is no protection from the very cold wind whipping off the water, and a small shiver marks that realization. "Need my coat," he mumbles almost plaintively. The young woman rises as well, observing simply, "You left it on the 'Wing, pal." "Figures," he mumbles, drawing closer to the redhead. "You ready to go back?" Another shiver has him moving again before even hearing her reply, the alcohol in his bloodstream intensifying the chill now that the initial warmth has long since died down. Shen simply bobs her head and falls into step beside her tall companion, slinging the flute bag back to its accustomed place on her shoulder. She is not wearing a jacket either -- simply her usual battered flight vest -- but she doesn't look particularly troubled, at least not by the cold. Paul_Nighman leaves the beach behind and heads back into the city. Paul_Nighman has left. You leave the beach behind and go back towards the city. West Blake St. - Plaxton City Lined with meticulously groomed Vilnias Shade Trees, Blake Street unrolls towards the coast. Park-style benches sit under the trees, making this area seem like an ongoing extension of Fountain Square. The Pula trees creeping from the beach have been allowed to occupy a few spots on the sidewalks, and few buildings of prominence have disturbed the natural look of this district. Occupying the skyline, however, is The Oceanside, with its entertainment centers and resort-like hotel accomodations, topped with the famed Club Infinity. The night sky above is clear. -=-=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=-=- => Paul_Nighman => SQUAD: Caspar Guards - 6799 -=-=-=-=-=<>=-=-=-=-=- est leads to Hideaway Beach - Plaxton City. orth leads to Entertainment Center - The Oceanside. ast leads to Fountain Square - Plaxton City. As they emerge from the beach, the wind is reduced by the dunes and the shelter of the buildings. His eyes catching the sign for The Oceanside, Paul frowns slightly, as that is where he and Marcus had their discussion. Casting a glance down at his chrono, he notes that it is not all that late. "Have you eaten?" he mumbles, remembering how he was -going- to pick her up, but how things with Marcus changed that game plan. "I can get you something at The Oceanside ..." _How ironic, this is a switch ... me making sure that -she- is well fed?" Shen shakes her head, and again gives that slightly sheepish little grin. "Nah. Been lookin' around too much and lost track of time, I guess... if you'd like to get somethin', sure..." "Well, then it's my turn to feed you for a change," he rumbles, striking out for the entranceway. He pauses, looking back to Shen and offering an arm. [End log.]