A newcomer to the Underworld (TM log) Logfile from Vorel (December 16, 2000) Location: Underworld Characters: Vorel, Cirksa, Belynrath Summary: Vorel (newly arrived glider) and Cirksa (scary underworlder) meet for the first time and have an interroga^h^h chat about their respective homes that Belynrath walks in on. River Cavern - Underworld This cavern is even larger than the Glittering Cavern. it is kept alight by phospherecense and some odd fungi that casts a green glimmer over the area. In the center of the cavern is a river, actually just a large stream, that is crossed by several bridges of rock. Pillars of natural stone support the high ceiling, and between them, on can see the entrances to various dwellings for many of the tribe. Stalactites and stalagmites rise to embrace, though some have been shaped into furniture. The river winds from an impassable opening to the north, southwards to a cliff. Next to the river, between two of the bridges is a low wall made of stone, which has been lade together not shaped. A large chasm has opened up in a large section of the floor of the cavern. Obvious exits: West (W) Downstream (S) Upstream (N) Northeast (NE) Contents: Cirksa Cirksa is perched atop a tumbled stone, back resting against a larger one behind as she industriously pares down her fingernails with a small, shiney knife. Her every motion and pose indicates casual repose... though her gaze flickers up often to survey her suroundings with interest. Vorel walks in, at the slow pace of a sightseer in unfamiliar and not entirely reassuring territory. Eventually, he notices the dark shape atop the stone, and pauses to greet politely. ** Greetings, friend. ** [Cirksa] Yellow eyes, thier gaze flickering about to catch any detail, meet yours just briefly from amid a pale, delicately feminine face before finding a new target. Dark clothing, she prefers, to blend with dark places, cut for ease of movement not style. On her feet the thinest of slippers offer little protection from cold stone, but provide silence for her pacing. Her frost white hair is carefully plaited into a double crown, not a single whisp escapes control. Likewise her movements are controlled, carefully rehearsed casual seeming stance. She wears no house sign or insignia, and no weapon is easily visible, but only a fool would assume she is unarmed. Cirksa's eyes, accustomed to this darkness, no doubt noted your presence quite earlier than you noted hers, however she makes no obvious indication of this. Waiting for your greeting before sending a cool ** Darkness, stranger. ** She tilts her head to one side thoughtfully, indulging in a rather thorough inspection before practicedly blank features allow a slight smile ** one of the pure blooded surface dwellers... what a pleasant suprise, what brings you here below, tall one? ** [Vorel] Glider-tall and pale, Vorel has light grey eyes that show just a touch of lavender in daylight, and white hair that curls down to barely brush his shoulders. His narrow-featured face shows very faint lines around the eyes, that crinkle slightly when he smiles. His usual flowery clothing has been replaced with what a glider would probably consider a plain grey one. It is tightfitting and in geometric patterns that are grey-on-grey. His motions and demeanor are calm and peaceful, and his voice pitched quite low. Carrying: Moss Vorel moves closer, still with care. ** My name is Vorel. I am of Blue Mountain, as you surmise. And I come as a friend. ** He smiles. Cirksa chuckles lightly, soft musical sound echoing in the still cavern ** Do not fear, Vorel of Blue Mountain, the cavern won't collapse around you, there's no need to be so careful. ** a flick of her wrist and the glint of her knife disappears into dark folds of fabric. ** I am Cirksa, well met. I trust your House and Lord fare well? ** Vorel considers this, then smiles again. ** The darkness here seems to be of a different quality than that of my home. It is somewhat uncomfortable, but no doubt I will get used to it in time. Lord Winnowill fares quite well, as far as I am any judge. ** He adds, after another deliberation. ** I do not think I have a House, in the way you use the word. ** Cirksa shrugs slightly ** Your... what do they call it on the surface... people? tribe? ** a slight sense of distaste at the term ** how fare your folk no matter what you call them? It is similar enough to a House. ** Vorel adjusts his sleeves. ** Perhaps you are right. The gliders prosper, as they have ever. ** He looks gravely at Cirksa. ** I hope to learn more about these Houses. To which do you belong? ** Cirksa dips into a slight bow ** The greatest one, of course. ** straightening she ammends ** though most underworlders would say the same even if they belonged to a lesser House. It is a small matter of pride, you see. ** she stretches her arms and then hops off of her stone perch, stretching up to her full height to peer up at you. hrmf. yes no mistaking which band of surface dwellers you are from, Cirksa is not short for an underworlder and still you are taller than she. ** Which House shelters you? ** Vorel gives a slightly puzzled blink. ** Should I know which one is the greatest? If so, forgive my ignorance, I intend no insult in my lack of knowledge.** He looks back in the direction he came. ** I currently dwell there - Garado, I believe? ** Cirksa sends openly ** there are four or five that claim to be the greatest, no, I don't expect you to know. ** a slight chuckle again and she looks away, glancing about the chamber ** Ah Garado is one of that number, by the way... they have all sorts of visitors... how fares that House would you say? ** Vorel sends openly ** I fear I have met none beyond the one who brought me here. But they do indeed have quite a few visitors, and others. Trolls are quite different than I had imagined. ** Cirksa only has ** They have thier uses ** on the subject of trolls, much more interested in finding out ** Who was that, then, who brought you here? ** You locksend ** At least, she is the one who admitted us to this realm. ** to Cirksa. Cirksa nods, storing that bit of information away for later use. ** I wonder why she brought you here... I don't supose you've any useful skills? ** Vorel spreads his hands apologetically. ** I am neither a shaper nor a healer, nor can I admit to any extraordinary skills in the higher arts. Has Zasia not spoken to you in advance, then? ** Cirksa offers an artful little sigh ** No, she hasn't... I rather wonder if she holds a low opinion of me, she so rarely seems interested in talking. I've a great fondness for exchanging information, you see. Something of a weakness as well, I supose, insatiable curiousity... tell me of your House, your Mountain as you call it. ** Vorel smiles warmly. ** It is a wonderful place, perhaps not so different from this one in appearance. Though there is less in the way of... gems and such, I suppose. And no trolls. Perhaps I will be able to show it to you, some day. ** Cirksa sends openly ** I am told it is one of the more civilized portions of the surface world... why did you leave it? ** Vorel looks down at Cirksa, and sends simply. ** My Lord commanded it. ** There is, perhaps, the faintest twinge of regret. Cirksa quirks a brow ** And gave you no reason. Ah, is a common lament of servants... ours is not to know all the reasons, and thank the high ones for that. I'd rather have less to worry about. She did not give you any instructions at all? ** Vorel sends openly ** Her request was made by one of the Chosen. If she told him her reasons, he did not share them with me. Are you a servant too, then? ** Cirksa nods ** We are all servants, aren't we? We all serve lords, and those who are lords serve thier Houses. I'll admit it's a simplistic view, but one I enjoy. You aren't the least bit curious about why? No guesses as to the reasons? Perhaps they wished to send you away so that they may change something without your knowledge. ** Vorel smiles vaguely. ** I am certain she has her reasons. I do not mind the change, though I do miss my family somewhat. Do you have children, Cirksa? ** Cirksa sends openly ** I've managed to sucessfully avoid recognizing anyone so far ** and there's the oddest coloring of emotion to that casually sent response, a sense of relief at the fact. Strange considering most elves long for children, but she is an underworlder and the hint of emotion is quickly repressed with practiced facility and it is as if it were never there. ** You've left children behind you then? In the gentle care of your Lord. ** Vorel hesitates, for whatever reason, then sends confirmation. ** Yes. Aeika and our daughter Isme. I was reassured they would be taken good care of. ** Cirksa walks a few paces away to another standing stone and turns to lean her back against it ** Interesting, you referred to children, the plural... yet you only name one daughter. ** Vorel tugs at a sleeve, giving it due attention. ** Aeika... is not much more than a child herself. And her upbringing was not all it could have been. I fear Isme is the one better suited to take care of herself. ** Cirksa sends openly ** I've heard tell that parents wish for thier children to suceed where they do not, assuming this is so your mate must be pleased at her daughter, hmm? ** Vorel looks decidedly uneasy now. ** Isme is a good child. She would make any parent proud. ** Cirksa smiles now, a small bit of delight at your unease? surely not. ** And you are proud of her. She isn't what you pictured your child to be when thoughts of recognition first passed through your mind, is she? ** Vorel looks slightly puzzled. That does seem to be a habitual expression on him. ** Isme? Oh, I didn't actually think much about that during... when... Well, I had other things on my mind. ** He smiles proudly. ** She looks like me, they say. And I think she has some of her mothers gift. ** Cirksa sends openly ** A close and loving family, with no disappointments or regrets? My word, you are fortunate, surface dweller. ** Belynrath wanders into the caver from upstream... looking up as he senses other in the area... taking a few moments to see who is out and about this day [Belynrath] The elf before you has reached that stage in his life where he is struggeling to change from an elfin child into an elfin man. His silver hair is swept back from his eyes by a silver band bearing a simple flowing design on it... with his house crest worked into the center of it. As you look down you find his round blue eyes regarding you... they rarely seem to rest as they try to take in all of the world around him, but pause long enough to regard you as you look at him. You see his wiry frame is covered by a mottled grey and greenish shirt that extends down over the top of the greyish pants he is wearing. After a moment you notice what it is that strikes you as odd about his outfit... it's the fact that at first glance he would almost blend in with any natural cave you might find around, you wonder if this is by accident or design. On his feet he wears a pair of low top boots, common to the elves of the underworld and dark in color. The only thing that stands out in his clothing is the black overcoat he wears over it all. It's a uniform black and as dark as any shadow. You realize this is a top side radding coat... and wonder where this young one came about it. You get the feeling this is an elf that bears watching in the years to come.... Cirksa is having a polite little interoga... er... chat with Vorel ;) Belynrath raises a brow as the words 'surface dweller' roll past in the send Vorel sends openly ** I am? I really would have thought that would be the normal state. Well, except for gliders, since the only families made these days seem to be with outsiders, which can be... difficult. I suppose I was fortunate in Recognizing a glider. ** Vorel fails to realize Belynrath is nearby in the gloom, it seems. Belynrath moves closer... silently... without really realizing he moves so, his mothers traning apparent in that... he is very close when he sends openly *You are from the world above?* Cirksa's quick eyes note Belynrath's approach, she is after all, meticulous when it comes to keeping track of the comings and goings of others. One of the reasons she's lived so long, eh? ** Indeed, young Jaersendo. Darkness to you and your House. ** the slightest pause before the 'and your House', subtle insult... or perhaps just an oversight. Vorel is startled, floating upward in a rather instinctive response. With a somewhat embarrased smile he glides down again, nodding to the newcomer. ** I am, indeed. My name is Vorel, I am of Blue Mountain. ** Belynrath turns and regards Cirksa taking a moment before he sends open **Darkness to you and your house as well.** whatever else he might have said is lost as he becomes distracted by the upworlder... You locksend ** Perhaps you can save me some embarrasment. What exactly is Cirksa's House? ** to Belynrath. Belynrath turns to Vorel and sends open **how did you come to the underword?** he seems rather curious about vorel Belynrath locksends ** shes is of juraido last i knew ** You locksend ** Thank you...Jaersendo, was it? ** to Belynrath. Belynrath locksends ** Yes, that is the house i am from... and you are welcome ** Vorel tells Belynrath gravely. ** On a bondbird, at least most of the way. ** Belynrath quirks his head to side slightly sending openly ** what is a bondbird like?** his curiosity seems to outweigh his caution... after all it is not every day he gets to converse with someone from topside... You sense in a locksend, Cirksa watches young Belynrath with a touch of amusement, and sends to you privately ** I should like to speak with you again, Vorel of Blue Mountain, if only to satisfy my curiousity... but I think I shall leave you to the young one for now. ** Vorel makes a vague motion with his hands, then sends openly an image of Kureel's bond, as last seen in Sorrow's End. ** Something like that. ** You locksend ** Likewise, Cirksa of Juraido. ** to Cirksa. Belynrath nods to himself, mentaly turning over the image for several long moments... Cirksa steps away from the stone she had been leaning against and dips into a graceful little bow, shallower than she'd offer a full Lord, naturally, but still quite respectful. Not that Vorel would know the difference. ** Clear tunnels to you both, I've... something to attend to. ** Long distance to Cirksa: Vorel grins. Next time. Vorel sends openly ** And to you, Cirksa. ** Vorel bows politely. Belynrath returns the bow to Cirksa sending openly ** And to you as well** his send almost overlaping Vorel's Cirksa frowns slightly to something sent... but the expression soon fades as does the wearer, pacing off to join the shadows once more. Cirksa has disconnected. Belynrath watches Cirksa depart... seeming to ponder something.... then he shrugs slightly to himself and turns back to you **How did you come to be in the underworld?** Vorel sends openly ** It was a... request of my Lord. Do you have a name beside that of your family, child? ** Belynrath chuckels softly ** That i do** he pauses a moment before ye says **I am called Belynrath** Vorel gives Belynrath a polite bow, too. ** I am pleased to meet you, Belynrath. It is an experience to see how the underworld lives. ** Belynrath nods his head and smiles **It is an unexpected pleasure to meet you as well. And one might say living under the earth is an experience. But at the same time we would say it would be an experience to live as you do. And if that awful ball of fire is up and burning, we would say it would be a very bad experience** Vorel's eyes crinkle as he smiles. ** The sun? I have limited knowledge of that, as well. We do live within a Mountain, ourselves, though I suppose that would theoretically be above the ground, as such. ** Belynrath quirks his head to the side **you live under the rock as we do?** Vorel sends openly ** Within it, rather. The first gliders chose to shelter there. ** Belynrath ponders the words for a few moments before he askes ** how do you ride your birds inside the mountain?** Vorel sends openly ** Oh, dear me, we don't! I do not ride the bondbirds at all, that is for the Chosen alone. The Chosen are our protectors and providers, and they use the birds for their hunting outside. ** Belynrath looks confused now as he openly sends ** but if you do not ride the bondbirds, then how was it to be that you rode one here?** Vorel sends openly ** One of the Chosen brought me, on his bird. ** Belynrath nods slowly, begining to understand now. He sends openly **So why were you sent to visit us?** He seems more curious thand untrusting... and odd thing for the elves of the underworld... Vorel has met very few of the UW elves yet, so has no basis for comparison. ** It was the wish of my Lord that I should come here. ** He stifles a yawn. ** Oh, do excuse me. It has been a long day. Or possibly night. ** Belynrath nods and sends openly **by all means. Do you have a place to take your rest?** Vorel sends openly ** Oh, yes. I am currently the guest of.. Garado, I believe the name was. I do hope to speak with you more extensively at a later time, Belynrath. ** Belynrath nods and bows **It has been a unique pleasure to talk with you as well Vorel. I look forward to the next time we get such a chance. we do not get many visitors here.** Vorel smiles warmly. ** Likewise. ** He bows politely to the other, then glides off back towards the Garado caves. You walk in to the shadowy archway, passing in to the light of the Garado Caverns. [End log]