Log Date: 11/16/98, 11/22/98, 11/28/98 Log Cast: Tance Vokrim, Rosa Scardino, Quinn Maloret, Katya Reynar Log Intro: Following an attempt to leave Ballybran before his still-shaky symbiont can allow it, Tance has been sedated and returned to the Infirmary, and once more sent into the Ranges with a young Singer to supervise him. This time, however, it's Rosa and Bear who are escorting the addled green adapt, and Rosa feels the loss of Kesya almost as keenly as Tance does. The little redheaded Singer does her best to offer her dazed charge what comfort and compassion she can, puts some food down him, and puts him to bed on their first night in the Ranges. A night in the Ranges, however, inevitably leads to a _morning_ in the Ranges... [Continued from rosa-escort-2.txt.] ---------- Rosa's sled Various lights around the sled illuminate the interior quite nicely. Pale sea-foam gray walls have been stripped and washed, while the cleaning solution used providing the inside compartments with a soft fresh scent of flowers. Shining slightly, the previous layers of polish have been removed from the floor, and a new coat evenly applied. Various pieces of equipment show small touches here and there as well. The computer screens, though dark at the moment, still manage to reflect the light. The large forward window also sparkles, though a few small streaks across its surface can be noticed. On the other hand, the personal area of the sled looks clean, but cluttered. Items left behind by the Singer have been dutifully cleaned, and left in neat piles on the counters and bed. This is a 2 person capacity sled. There is room in this sled for 8 cartons, 2 have been checked out. One of the special new engines has been installed, allowing for greater speeds. The console is on. The speaker is off. The auto-scanner is on. A small metal plate is fastened to the upper left corner, you can just make out "Bunny" scratched into the surface. The weather is fine. A good day for flying. ( Type 'sled help' to see available commands. ) Contents: Rosa Rosa With shining coppery curls, golden highlights glinting among them, and a dusting of freckles across the bridge of her nose, red is one of the first things one notices about this petite young woman. Standing barely 150cm, her trim body seems to exude energy. Rosa's straight stance and direct look note her self-confidence, and the occasional flash of her green-flecked amber eyes gives a hint to her temper. Rosa's long, coppery tresses are pulled back away from her face and into a braid, which swings across her back as she walks. She is wearing a dark blue jumpsuit, with paler blue threads worked through. On her left breast is emblazoned the Heptite Guild dodecahedron. On Rosa's feet are sturdy, well cared-for boots with reinforced soles, of the type Singers wear when in the Ranges. Around Rosa's neck is a simple gold chain, suspended from which is a delicately crafted pendant, fashioned in the shape of an eight-pointed star. Set into the center of this is an emerald, its rich green highlighted as light reflects from its facets. The slight twinkle in Rosa's eyes, and the hint of pink in her cheeks seems to indicate that Rosa is in a good mood. Tance(#3209POQce) This man stands at about 5'10" in height, though the way he seems prone to slouching over often disguises how tall he actually is. His height is further confused by the state of his undernourished frame; from the look of him, he probably hasn't eaten decently in several days. Despite a deep coppery tan to his weathered skin, there's an unhealthy pallor beneath it, suggesting recent illness or injury, and the brown eyes within that face meet the galaxy with a wild, disoriented, and frequently anguished gaze. Tance's hair has grown out into a shaggy unkempt mop, that at one time might have been a dark shade of brown. Now it's shot through with grey, and lightened into paler yellowish streaks as well from exposure to sunlight. He's had a beard and mustache grow in, equally unkempt, showing that he hasn't been near a razor in weeks. He's wearing a simple standard-issue jumpsuit, the kind the Guild Infirmary hands out to Singers who come in with their own clothing destroyed beyond re-use, and a battered pair of workboots. If you happen to be very close to Tance, the fine hairs on your arms stand on end, but Tance doesn't appear to notice anything. A Crystal Singer's sled is as soundproofed as Heptite Guild technicians can make it -- for a Singer never knows when she'll have to try to outrun a mach storm to bring her payload safely in from the Ranges. But for all the soundproofing on Rosa's bright pink sled, still, Tance Vokrim's dreams are uneasy, carrying a steady undercurrent of the noise of the ocean outside. _I like sailing,_ he hears himself telling his young escort, and bits and pieces of memory reinforce that hesitatant declaration. He can see a green-skinned figure beside him, her long equally green tresses blowing free in salt-laden wind, blue eyes alive with delight... _Jade!_ he hears himself calling, his voice lightened with laughter for once, almost boyish... Rosa herself is sleeping quietly, lulled into restful repose by the sound of the waves hitting the rocks. She's curled up on her side, Bear resting in the crook of her arm. For all it appears, she's simply sleeping deeply, a peaceful, dreamless sleep. The ocean surges in the back of his mind. And the green-skinned girl turns a curious face to him, asking, _Do you regret becoming a Singer, Tance?_ How can he, even with his memory fragile and fragmented, when it brought this girl to rescue him from the brink of oblivion? As he takes her hand in his, the waves murmur again in the background of his mind, accompanied by a distant ringing crystalline music... and he and Jade trek together through the wilderness of Verron IV, never happier than when alone together in one another's arms. They ford rivers, explore the depths of remote caverns... and climb up mountains. His body might be nearly two centuries old, but with Jade at his side as they climb the cliff, her voice sailing through the air towards him makes him feel young again. _I'm gonna catch up with you, Tance!_ she calls, and he hollers back playfully, _Old karkers ain't supposed to be in the lead, girlie, get a move on!_ And the man who sleeps huddled in the bunk frowns to himself, beginning to toss and turn as that distant crystalline music begins to build somewhere outside the sled. Meanwhile Rosa sleeps on peacefully, the sounds starting outside the sled eginning to impinge on her dreamless state. She begins shifting in her sleep, moving from one side to the other, murmuring wordlessly to herself. Within his mind, Tance pauses to rest upon a slender ledge once he's checked the stakes he's driven into the rock... but he doesn't notice how the taut climbing ropes that he's secured to the stakes are beginning to quiver oddly. He notices nothing save Kesya's call from below: _Haul me up, Tance!_ And he moves to obey her, manning his end of the ropes while the young Singer below scrambles deftly up the cliffside in his wake, not noticing either how her rope is beginning to fray between the bottommost stake and her climbing harness. The man who dreams can almost see it, though, and he groans aloud, dreading what even his own shattered memory can sense comes next. To the ongoing drama unfolding itself in Tance's dream, Rosa is oblivious. Indeed, it seems as if she is completely oblivious - in the deepest of sleeps. _Snap._ With chilling suddenness, the rope gives way, leaving the younger Singer only enough time to shriek _TANCE!_ before she plummets down, down, down towards the far too distant bottom of the mountain, down towards the blue ribbon of a river at its base. The man on the ledge is thrown backwards as the rope goes slack in his hands; then, he hurls himself towards the edge of the ledge, just in time to see a green speck growing smaller, smaller, smaller. _Jade,_ he croaks. And then he screams, _JADE!_, as terror makes a lunge for him. _JADE!_ And still, the little redheaded Singer and her Bear remain completely unaware of this disturbing dream, of what Tance is reliving. Instead, they sleep on, peacefully. "J-Jade..." comes a hoarse moan from the other bunk. Tance now writhes beneath the blanket, conscious only of that terror and unable to hide within the refuge of forgetfulness from its cause. _She can't be gone,_ his sleeping mind wails desperately, nearly drowned by the rising crystalline chords. _I need... I-I need..._ That moan does somehow come through Rosa's deep sleep. It seems that she does hear it, her head moving to one side, a soft murmur coming from her lips as she comes closer to waking. The bunk is wrong. It doesn't have the right scent... it doesn't have _her_ scent. She isn't _here_. Groaning again, Tance fights blindly with the blanket that's entwined itself around his limbs even as he struggles with the dream still sinking tooth and claw into his thoughts. He has to find her! Unseeing, he writhes still more, and tumbles right off the side of the bunk. Her sleep already light, Rosa hears the sound of Tance falling off of the bed. Blinking the sleep out of her eyes, she squints over toward the other bed, momentarily disoriented. "You okay?" she mutters. "Jade," is the only response, as Tance tries to wriggle free of the blanket, his face turned unconsciously towards the sled door. He tries, too, to scramble in that direction, quivering all over, unable to make it to his feet. _Gotta find her... I need... I need..._ Rosa blinks again, furiously, and sits up. Through the darkness inside the sled, she can make out Tance's form. Kicking the covers aside, she slips to her feet. "Tance," she says softly, "Tance, wake up." Letting out a noise that sounds uncomfortably like a whimper, Tance rolls to his side, trying to untangle himself from the blanket. His head snaps up at Rosa's voice, though, and he mumbles tinily, pleadingly, "J-Jade...?" Rosa takes a deep breath, running a hand through her loose long hair. "No," she says softly, "it's not Jade. She's not here, Tance. She's gone." THe little Singer approaches the other bed, kneeling down. "Think, Tance. Rememer where you are?" "G-gone?" comes the strangled warble of a reply. "N-nooooOooo... need 'er. Can't..." Rosa reaches out toward Tance, the gesture one of comfort. "I know it's hard to accept," she says quietly. "But she's gone, Tance." His huddled form shifts in the dimness, as the older Singer tries to sit up. "Need 'er," he insists, desperation and panic turning Tance almost unintelligible. "C-crystal... hear it. N-n-_need_ 'er..." And he finally gets a leg free of the tangled blanket, enough that he can try to stand. "Yes," Rosa says softly, "we're out in the Ranges, Tance. Of course you can hear the crystal." She reaches toward him, to touch his shoulder. "But Jade's not here, Tance. She's not here, no matter how much we all need her." His shoulder, touched even briefly, can be felt to quiver violently -- in sync, perhaps, with the chiming rumble just on the edge of hearing, somewhere outside. And as soon as the little redheaded Singer's fingers brush against him, Tance whirls around in startlement, bumping into the edge of the bunk. The darkness in the little craft might veil his expression, but fright is apparent enough in his motions... and in his voice as he lets out another low whimper, trying to deny his companion's gentle assertion. Rosa remains still for now, kneeling at the edge of the bunk. "Tance," she murmurs, "it's me, Rosa. You came out here with me and Bear to cut and soak up some resonance, remember?" She sighs quietly. "You've been very ill, and we're worried for you. But Jade...." Her voice breaks off into what sound ssuspiciously like a sob, "...Jade isn't here. You've got to get yourself better, Tance. It's what she'd want." "B-b-but... crystal... I, I hear..." Tance gestures with an unsteady, shaking hand in the direction of the hatch. And then after a moment, he mumbles abashedly, "D... don't cry..." Rosa dashes the tears from her eyes with the back of her hand, sniffling quietly. "I know," she says softly, eyes down. "I hear the crystal too, Tance. And we'll go out and cut the face today. But Jade....won't be here." _Jade is gone,_ the back of Tance's mind tells him with brutal clarity, punctuating Rosa's words. Guilt is already eating away at him for that, and now, a newer, smaller guilt joins it, as the older Singer is thrown off guard by the sound of the younger's tears. _My fault,_ is all he's able to think, and he repeats entreatingly, "Don't cry..." Rosa says "I'm sorry," Rosa says, voice muffled, as she looks up at Tance. She sniffles again, and manages a tremulous smile. "Me blabbering on is the last thing that you need right now. But remember this, Tance - I care for Kesya too, very much. You and she are my friends. I'll do whatever I can to help you." "Y-you don't... hafta cry," mumbles Tance uneasily, edging sideways, now thinking only that this is his fault, and he should make amends. "Go away, I-I should go... outside, I-I'll go... don't cry..." Rosa shakes her head. "No, Tance, I don't think you should go out there by yourself." She wipes at her face. "Remember, we're on an island. In the middle of the sea? I don't want you to hurt yourself. I'm sorry for crying like this. It's just that...I miss her too.." "But... I..." Tance pauses, his jumbled thoughts torn between fleeing -- and thus perhaps relieving this youngster before him of the need to weep? -- and staying, a thought that seems frightening, dangerous. He can feel crystal beginning to slide along his nerves, and his body thirstily soaks in the sensations even as they make it harder for him to focus, to choose what he should do. Conscience, at last, makes him kneel awkwardly not far away. And a memory of this little Singer offering him comfort the night before makes him reach hesitantly for her shoulder, patting it once in a heavy, clumsy little motion. "Don't cry, girlie," he whispers. Rosa, her head ducked, wipes her sleeve against her face, and takes a deep breath, straightening her shoulders. She feels the caress of the crystal as well, her body fairly buzzing with it. About to speak, she is silenced momentarily at the touch to her shoulder. "I'll be okay, Tance," she says with a tiny smile. "Don't worry about me, I'm a survivor. You're the one I'm worried about at this moment." Tance's hand comes up off Rosa's shoulder a moment after he's touched it, and the hand stays there, quivering. He stares at it bemusedly, and then rasps, "S-sorry... I... no, I..." Slowly, Rosa places her hand atop Tance's, patting it comfortingly. "Hey," she says, "we're friends. You don't need to apologize, Tance. We're both upset aout...what happened. But we'll both make it through this." His hand freezes... and so does the rest of him. It takes a significant pause before he croaks, his voice turned odd, "O-outside... I-I should go..." But he seems unable to move. Rosa shakes her head. "No, Tance," she says, slowly slipping away from the hand and rising unsteadily to her feet. "You should stay in here for now. Curl back up in your bed." She takes a breath. "I'll go outside. Until the song is over." A small groan escapes him again, but whether it's due to disappointment or relief is anyone's guess. Tance then manages to utter a single strained word -- "Okay" -- before he turns where he kneels, his body huddling in on itself, his head bowing. With a last backward glance, Rosa smiles. "Take care, Tance," she murmurs befre palming open the sled's hatch and jumping outside. ...An hour or so later... Rosa tentatively raps on the door of the sled. "Tance?" she calls through the closed door. "Tance, can you hear me?" If you remain motionless, you can just detect some crystal resonance in your bones. There is no immediate answer from within; it takes several long moments before, at last, the sled hatch is hauled open. Tance Vokrim, looking pale and shaken, stands there staring out at the younger Singer. His eyes are a little wide, but there's flickers of comprehension there. His face is flushed, a little wet; water has darkened his greying hair, too, slicked back away from his features. Still he offers no answer to the greeting, only swallowing hard at the sight of the young woman, stricken, shy. The little redheaded Singer isn't exactly looking her best either. Long red tresses are mussed about her pale face; her eyes are bloodshot. She blinks several times as the door opens, focusing on the older Singer's face. Taking a breath, she manages a tentative smile. "How are you doing?" she asks. "Feel like a little breakfast?" "Food," mutters Tance, almost musingly, as if the concept startles him. A trace of humor lights up Rosa's face. "Got some milk and cereal," she says. "And coffee, too." "Should... eat," mutters the older Singer, glancing restlessly away, stepping back from the hatch so that Rosa can enter the sled. "Before cutting..." "That's right," Rosa says, with a smile, "we'll need to keep our strength up. Gotta jump to the other island, y'know." She steps into the sled and walks toward the catering unit. "How do you feel this morning?" Tance lets the little redheaded woman move past him, giving her clearance by edging off towards the front of the sled so that she can approach the back without coming into contact with him. His gaze is pointed outside through the viewport, and it stays there as Rosa begins her quest for sustenance. He pauses a beat, and then mutters roughly, "'Mokay..." Brushing her hair back, Rosa ties it with a spare piece of cloth. She rummages in the catering supply cabinet and sets water to boil. "I always like a nice big breakfast," she says. "Especially out here. It's a little unnerving, the morning song." She glances toward Tance. "For me, at least." A husky "aye" is all Tance says in reply, and that barely audibly. The man simply stands there near the front of the craft, and as Rosa glances his way, he can be seen to bow his head a little. The set of his shoulders and back fairly radiates uneasiness. "Hey, Tance," Rosa says, stirring up the cereal and adding a bit of milk to it, "d'you wanna use the sanitary unit while I'm cooking up breakfast? This'll take a little bit." That makes his head turn a bit, though not enough that his gaze comes round to meet that of his escort. "Did already," Tance mutters. "I... I did..." The little redhead's cheeks flush. "Oh!" she exclaims, ducking her head. "I'm sorry, Tance. In that case, would you mind stirring the cereal while I pop in for a quick shower? Shouldn't take too long." Tance quickly lowers his gaze to his boots, and turns to edge towards Rosa and the food she's preparing, not looking up once. His shaggy head bobs a single time, his only answer. Reaching out to touch Tance's arm for a moment, Rosa smiles. "I appreciate it," she says. "It'll just be a moment. Oh, and just ask Bear to stop singing if it bothers you." WIth another smile, she slips into the sanitary unit and closes the door. It's subtle -- but Tance flinches at the contact, and practically teleports to the catering unit as soon as the fleeting touch occurs. He offers absolutely no commentary upon Bear and any noise Bear might happen to make, and instead, rivets his attention on the cereal being heated, taking up the spoon that had been gotten out, and clumsily stirring it. While splashes and such sounds can be heard from the closed door of the sanitary unit, the little pink Bear watches on, his gaze apparently benevolent as it touches on Tance and the catering unit. When you stop to relax you can feel a pleasant humming in your body. _I'm... okay,_ Tance insists to himself as stubbornly as he can. He has to be -- no choice in the matter. The morning song only served to remind him acutely of Jade's absence, and it is with shame and horror that the man has realized that as long as the crystal rumble was singing along his nerves, he'd have willingly, unthinkingly gone right into the arms of the redheaded girlie who's brought him out here... the girl whose name he struggles to keep in his memory, but identifying her without a name is easy enough regardless. She isn't Jade. And the thought that he might be weak enough to yield to crystal's demands when Jade is in trouble, when she needs him, brings a hot flush of embarrassment to his weathered face. Only after a moment does scattered memory add the recollection that Jade is _gone_... and Tance unseeingly drops the spoon into the cereal, hands flailing out blindly for the nearest support as his entire body starts to tremble at the remembrance. And it's at this point that Rosa comes out of the shower. Hair slightly damp and freshly braided, face scrubbed and shining. She pauses to give Tance a look, frowning. "Hey," she says quietly, "what's wrong? What's the matter?" Tance visibly starts, barking out hoarsely, "I'm... I'm okay, I'm okay..." "No," Rosa says softly, "I don't think you are. It'll take us all time to realize that she's...gone." SHe sighs. "But we've got to go on, Tance. And today, the two of us are going to go cut a little." She pickes up the spoon and gives the cereal a little stir. "This is about ready. D'you like sweetener in your cereal?" "Don't remember," mutters the older Singer, hastily skittering out of Rosa's way as she takes over at the heating unit. "Don't remember. I-I'm okay..." "Hey," Rosa says, "with me and Bear around, of course you will be." She winks, then dishes up the cereal and the coffee, setting a bowl of sugar and a cream pitcher on the table as well. "Why don't we eat up, and then go have a look at the vein site?" Seizing upon the idea of cutting a claim -- physical labor sounds almost like a godsend of an idea, at the moment -- Tance nods gruffly, risking a peek at the table, and Rosa's hands, as she sets food down there for their consumption. He waits until after the younger Singer has started on her own food before approaching his own, and he doesn't sit down; indeed, Tance takes up the bowl of hot cereal in his big scarred hands, evidently too restless to sit down while he's trying to eat. "Now," Rosa says as she pauses in her eating to take a drink of her coffee, "I hope you jump well." She chuckles a bit. "WHile we landed on this island, the vein's on the other one. Only way across is to jump. It's not too hard, though." "I'll do it," mutters Tance, more or less in the direction of his bowl as he swiftly inhales its contents. The coffee is seized with as much alacrity, as the older Singer gulps it down in the vague hope that it'll help clear his head. "Would you like more?" Rosa asks, as she finishes her bowl of cereal. "There's certainly more coffee." SHe smiles crookedly. "I'd sure like another mug of coffee. Gotta wake up completely." It doesn't take long before Tance has wolfed down the food he's been provided. "Don't want any more," he mutters gruffly, turning away again, awkwardly moving the dishes he'd used to the recyc unit. And he just as restlessly skitters off to where his cutter has been racked, his back to the smaller, younger Singer. "You do, I... I'll wait..." If you listen hard, you can hear crystal resonance rushing dimly between your ears. Rosa smiles, and gulps down her coffee. "Hey," she says, "if you're ready to go, Tance, then let's be on our way. D'you want to carry a carton over too?" She gathers up the dishes and puts them into the bin of dirties. Tance risks another brief glance in Rosa's direction, then only nods again, some of his dampened hair escaping his attempt at slicking it back from his brow and coming forward to spill across it as he unracks his cutter. "Yeah," he rasps hoarsely. Rosa scrounges around the inside of the sled and takes down one of the empty cartons. Goldenrod Carton - Rosa has left. Rosa picks up the carton, holding it carelessly. You scrounge around the inside of the sled and take down one of the empty cartons. Sky-Blue Carton - Tance is unloaded from the airsled. You pick up the carton. It feels so light that you are sure it is empty. Rosa frowns as she unloads the carton. "Yellow?" she mutters. "Why'd I get a yellow carton?" She shakes her head. "Gotta ask about that when I get back." She unracks her cutter and slings it over her shoulder. "Well. Shall we?" Tance keeps his gaze down, but yet again he nods, looking stoic... and nervous... as he exits the sled. You step out from the cramped interior of the sled "Bunny." Island Mesa Twin peaks of black basalt thrust up out of the foaming sea, glistening with water. The jagged rocks gleam like huge teeth, inhospitable as all Ballybran. The top of the southern rock looks like it has been lopped off with a giant's knife. The resulting platform, though slanted, is big enough to land a sled on. The sled takes up most of the platform, and the wet basalt is slippery, making the footing precarious at best. The second peak, rising just to the north, is where you thought you detected crystal... but how would you get there? A shallow 'chimney' on the northern side of the rock looks like it's the only way down. You can barely make out the traces of a pink rabbit with floppy ears. Contents: Rosa's sled Obvious exits: Chimney Rosa steps out from the cramped interior of the airsled "Bunny" carrying a carton of crystal. Rosa has arrived. Rosa emerges from her sled and takes a deep breath. "Well," she says, "it looks like it'll be a good day to cut." She hefts the carton and walks toward the chimney. "Ready, Tance?" Outside. Outside is good, even though Tance has to brace himself for the sight of the ocean surrounding their landing spot. He draws in several gulps of air, then croaks out an affirmative as he follows his young shepherd. Rosa turns to smile encouragingly to Tance. "It'll be fine," she says. "You'll see." She then disappears down the chimney. Rosa disappears down the chimney. Rosa has left. A natural stairway worn into the chimney's sides by water makes descent rather easy. Northern Beach Twin peaks of black basalt thrust up out of the foaming sea, glistening with water. The jagged rocks gleam like huge teeth, inhospitable as all Ballybran. The top of the southern rock looks like it has been lopped off with a giant's knife. The resulting platform, though slanted, is big enough to land a sled on. The waters of the sea hiss and roar as they stream through the narrow six-foot-wide channel between the two rocks. Pebbles shift under your feet, and you are hard-pressed to keep your balance. A narrow ledge leads west: perhaps there there is a way to get onto the northern island? You can barely make out the traces of a pink rabbit with floppy ears. Contents: Rosa Obvious exits: Narrow Ledge Mesa Rosa walks carefully along the path. "Do watch your step," she says, before stopping at a point where the island is about two meters from the other one. "Now comes the tricky part. You've got to jump over to the other island. Ready to try?" "Yeah," comes Tance's low, hoarse reply from behind the little Singer. He's apparently, from the sound of him, focusing hard on coming down the naturally shaped stairway, his old boots making hardly any noise save for when he occasionally slips. Rosa offers up another encouraging smile. "Then let's give it a go, shall we? I'll jump first." Taking a breath, she steps a couple of times and then jumps. Rosa leaps over the channel. Rosa has left. You run a step or two and soar over the narrow channel, landing on the other side. Base of Cliff on Northern Island Twin peaks of black basalt thrust up out of the foaming sea, glistening with water. The jagged rocks gleam like huge teeth, inhospitable as all Ballybran. The top of the southern rock looks like it has been lopped off with a giant's knife. The resulting platform, though slanted, is big enough to land a sled on. You glance around with pain-fogged eyes. The narrow ledge you are on leads to the west... and there is no room here for a running start to jump back, even assuming you were in a condition to make the leap. A sheer cliff rises up above you. The howling of the wind between the rocks sounds like mocking laughter. You can barely make out the traces of a pink rabbit with floppy ears. Contents: Rosa Obvious exits: Narrow Path Rosa brushes some dust from her trousers. "So far so good," she says with a smile. "The going's a little easier now. We just head along this path." Rosa hobbles up the narrow path. Rosa has left. You head up the path, feet skidding on stones. Narrow Path Twin peaks of black basalt thrust up out of the foaming sea, glistening with water. The jagged rocks gleam like huge teeth, inhospitable as all Ballybran. The top of the southern rock looks like it has been lopped off with a giant's knife. The resulting platform, though slanted, is big enough to land a sled on. The narrow ledge climbs steeply, skewing over to wind up above the southern island's shore. Hopping down ought to lead you back to your sled, but there appears to be nowhere else to go... except perhaps this crevasse in the rock? You can barely make out the traces of a pink rabbit with floppy ears. Contents: Rosa Obvious exits: Crevasse South Island Ledge Base of Cliff Rosa looks at you for a moment. Tance keeps up steadily enough, though his features are grimly set as he sets himself to following the younger Singer. "The vein's just inside this cave," Rosa says, pausing. "It's a nice enough yellow." Tance halts, trying to hide his labored breathing -- perhaps, just perhaps, the jump was a little rough on the older Singer. Clinging to the carton tucked under one arm, he nods just a touch shakily. Occasionally, you hear the slightest hint of crystal resonance coursing through your body. Rosa turns to regard Tance. "Hey, you all right? Ready to go on?" "Yeah," he answers, huskily, straightening up again as soon as Rosa's eyes are upon him. Rosa smiles. 'Okay. Let's go see the vein, then." Rosa disappears into the crevasse, the darkness swallowing her body. Rosa has left. You squeeze your body into the crevasse. Crevasse Twin peaks of black basalt thrust up out of the foaming sea, glistening with water. The jagged rocks gleam like huge teeth, inhospitable as all Ballybran. The top of the southern rock looks like it has been lopped off with a giant's knife. The resulting platform, though slanted, is big enough to land a sled on. You stand within a narrow crevasse in the rock. The roar of the surf outside echoes deafeningly in the confined space, and all exposed surfaces glisten with moisture.There is a narrow passage leading deeper in.... You can barely make out the traces of a pink rabbit with floppy ears. Contents: Rosa Obvious exits: Forward Back to the Ledge Rosa disappears into the darkened passage. Rosa has left. You make your way carefully into the narrow passage, emerging into.... The Sunlit Cave Sunlight floods this huge cave, streaming through a hole in the ceiling. Stalactites and stalagmites, dripping with moisture, throw back the light in thousands of bright, shining shards. Even if there is no crystal to be found here, it still was worth the trip to see this. You can barely make out the traces of a pink rabbit with floppy ears. Contents: Rosa Crystal Vein Obvious exits: Crevasse Every fiber of your being is tingling, this must be the place you've been drawn to. Tance trudges through the passage in Rosa's wake, and when he finally emerges, he can't help but catch his breath. When he does, he winces -- for hanging subliminally in the air is a subtle sourness that sets his teeth on edge. He slows, trying to adjust his senses to the feel of nearby... storm-damaged?... crystal, and then trying to simply soak in the feel of crystal in general. "S-storm," he mumbles. Rosa pauses a moment to listen, then makes a face. "Yes,' she mutters. "It sure sounds like storm damage. Hopefully, there'll be something underneath worth cutting." She looks about the cave and gives a little smile. "Let's go take a look." Rosa has left. Rosa clambers into the entrance of a crystal vein site. Crystal Vein You can barely make out the traces of a pink rabbit with floppy ears. The vein subtly sings to you in a scale of F. You catch a sparkling glimmer of very pale yellow. The vein vibrates with a sourness from some storm damage, but you sense that if it was cut away, some pure crystal may lie beneath. Contents: Rosa Outside the vein, Tance clambers into the entrance of a crystal vein site. This time, Tance's sigh is unmistakable -- though it comes out of him half a whimper, too. He swallows hard at the sight of the pale glimmers of broken rock visible here in the cavern, and his expression is odd, half pain and half longing. The empty carton slips down out of his grasp. You toss the carton carelessly down. Rosa sets her carton down, and carefully walks toward the vein, brushing the accumulated mud away with reverent fingers. "Storm damaged or not," she murmurs, "it's lovely." Tance lowers his cutter off his shoulder, but does not activate it; instead, he stands there with that strange pained gaze of his, staring at the dirt-streaked crystal face, before he creeps towards it, propelled by a surge of need from his resonance-starved symbiont. A little shuddering groan escapes him. "That's right," Rosa says, looking to Tance after tearing her gaze away from the yellow. "Reach out and feel it. Feel the vibrations." He lifts a hand, then presses it clumsily against a mud-darkened, rough facet of yellow. Tance's eyes dropped closed, and that odd mix of discomfort and yearning twists his features again as the sound of his own breathing seems to set off little jangling discords in the air. Rosa settles back to a seat in the sunlit cave, her hand caressing the muddy face. "So beautiful," she whispers, closing her eyes, and relaxing against the wall. Already restless, Tance starts anew at Rosa's murmur; it, too, sets off little discordances from the cracked, flawed face before them. "Gonna... cut it?" he manages to ask, his voice strained and hoarse. Rosa slowly opens her eyes. "I...I think we should try," she says softly. "Would you like to go first, Tance? Try to clear away some of the damage?" If you listen hard, you can hear crystal resonance rushing dimly between your ears. The sound of his name seems to galvanize him somehow; Tance blinks a few times, then jerks his hand back from the crystal face, rubbing it across his eyes instead. "Wh... what shape?" he croaks. Rosa pauses to think a bit. "Shape?" she asks. "We could try for octagons," she says. "If you think we could get them out of that storm-damaged mess." Tance's mouth works silently for a moment; perhaps he's afraid to breathe around the flawed crystal. "Try it," he mumbles. Then, swallowing hard, he fires up his cutter. You turn on the cutter, bracing your body against the power that surges through the handle. You set the cutter to F. You sing a pure F. You hold the note and while the crystal sings in return, you use your cutter to extract a octagon from the vein. The storm damaged crystal shatters and is destroyed. "Aaah--" This, a sharp exhalation, as Tance's cutter strikes and whines off flawed yellow rock. He skitters back a few steps, dodging flying shards, breathing sped up. Rosa ducks quickly as the shards fly. "You all right?" she asks, looking concernedly toward Tance. "Hit a granite intrusion?" Tance pants, "Fl... flawed. Just... I'm... I'm okay, girlie..." Is he speaking in deeper tones, this morning? That childlike warble with which he'd been addressing the younger Singer the night before has apparently vanished, his voice dropped down towards a baritone register. Rosa grins crookedly. "Okay, okay. And flaw we can deal with. Wanna keep cutting through the damage?" Tance nods his shaggy head, still apparently unwilling to turn and look Rosa in the eye. Sucking in another breath, he lifts his cutter, and lets that breath out on an F.... You hold the note and while the crystal sings in return, you use your cutter to extract a octagon from the vein. The storm damaged crystal shatters and is destroyed. More crystal whines... a few more slivers go flying. And Tance, his features still grimly set, tries again. You hold the note and while the crystal sings in return, you use your cutter to extract a octagon from the vein. The storm damaged crystal shatters and is destroyed. You hold the note and while the crystal sings in return, you use your cutter to extract a octagon from the vein. The crystal is small in size and is very slightly flawed. Finally... a whole crystal, though the small octagon that Tance finally cuts free of the face has the smallest of flaws within it. He catches it just before it hits the ground, and stands there with his cutter whirring in his hand, gazing darkly at the crystal he's produced. Rosa watches Tance for some time, head tilted to one side. She finally speaks, quietly. "Well done," is her comment. Tance can be seen to swallow with as much effort as if he had a crystal lodged in his throat. "P... pack," he finally mumbles, turning woodenly towards the nearest carton. "Pack it..." The crystal vibrates slightly in your hands. You carefully store the crystal into a carton, making sure it's packed securely. Rosa finally pushes off of the wall she's been leaning against. "You're cutting well, Tance," she says with an approving smile. "How do you feel?" "Clearer," is the older Singer's gruff reply. The crystal safely lodged within its protective webbing, Tance stands there with his cutter cradled in one hand, his posture still stiff, his gaze directed elsewhere. "A... little clearer." A wide smile lights up Rosa's face. "That's wonderful to hear," she says, nodding. "Feel up to cutting a little more?" She sets her carton down. Rosa tosses the carton carelessly down. "Aye," mutters Tance in husky tones; he misses the smile, though, for he's avoiding his young shepherd's eyes as he pulls long slow breaths into his lungs, as if he might pull in crystal resonance along with the air. "I can do more." No doubt about it, his voice is coming out in deeper registers, though it's still edged and hoarse. Watching Tance silently for some time, Rosa nods. "Never doubted it for a second," she says. "You're looking more yourself...sounding it too." She squats down near the carton. "I'll pack if you like." That he seems to be regaining something of what passes for his normal behavior out here amongst the crystal doesn't seem entirely pleasant to the older Singer. Tance only uncomfortably nods, mutters, "Okay, girlie," and edges back towards the rock face while wearing a pained and strained expression. The A he sounds to cut the next octagon he needs comes out with hardly any volume at all, though it's more than enough to send echoes chiming through the air. You set the cutter to A. You sing a pure A. You hold the note and while the crystal sings in return, you use your cutter to extract a octagon from the vein. The crystal is small in size and is perfect. Crystal resonance is humming pleasantly in your body. "Lovely," Rosa says softly, looking raptly at the small octagon. "It's lovely. And perfectly cut." She reaches for the crystal and carefully packs it away, after a noticeable hesitation. A small, very pale yellow, octagon crystal has left. Rosa picks up the crystal with careful hands. Rosa carefully stores a crystal into a carton, making sure it's packed securely. "Lovely," echoes Tance a trifle absently, seeming to shudder a little as the ethereal yellow echoes continue to fill the air. He can be heard to gasp slightly before he manages to hit a C, the sounds seeming to combine to strike him with painful sweetness if his expression is any judge. Cutter is set once more to rock face.... You set the cutter to C. You sing a pure C. You hold the note and while the crystal sings in return, you use your cutter to extract a octagon from the vein. The crystal is small in size and is perfect. Rosa now has to steel herself as she looks more longingly at the yellow, holding her breath as the cutter makes contact with the vein. Rather shakily, she reaches out to take the crystal once it's been excised, caressing it with her fingers prior to packing it away. A small, very pale yellow, octagon crystal has left. Rosa picks up the crystal with careful hands. Rosa carefully stores a crystal into a carton, making sure it's packed securely. You set the cutter to F. You sing a pure F. You hold the note and while the crystal sings in return, you use your cutter to extract a octagon from the vein. The crystal is small in size and is slightly flawed. "Wonderful, Tance, just wonderful," Rosa murmurs as she takes the next crystal, pointedly not looking closely at it before she settles it into the protective webbing. A small, very pale yellow, octagon crystal has left. Rosa picks up the crystal with careful hands. Rosa carefully stores a crystal into a carton, making sure it's packed securely. He might be two centuries old, but Tance's hands are steady enough on the cutter... though in fact his hands remain steady while his shoulders seem to quiver just a bit, while his features twist at the chords striking his blood now, soaking into his resonance-starved frame. Once the fourth crystal comes free he grimaces at it faintly, perhaps annoyed by the flaw, before Rosa squirrels it away for safekeeping. "More?" he rasps at her. Once the crystal is safely away, Rosa relaxes some - even though there's a faraway look in her eyes. "More?" she repeats, uncomprehending for a moment. Then, giving herself a little shake, she nods. "We might as well cut out the vein. Can you cut more?" He sucks in another long breath of air, trying to steady himself, and only now does he turn a glance over to the redheaded young woman. "Don't... let me cut too long," he requests hoarsely. You set the cutter to E. You sing a pure E. Nodding, Rosa actually manages to give a little smile to Tance, her eyes going to the rock face and the crystal vein. You hold the note and while the crystal sings in return, you use your cutter to extract a octagon from the vein. The crystal is small in size and is very slightly flawed. "Gotta try to fill the octave," Tance mumbles. "Hittin' flaw... kark it..." He shivers at the renewal of the echoes of yellowsong in the air, but manages to hold the E... and to modulate down to a G as he readjusts his cutter. You set the cutter to G. You sing a pure G. A small, very pale yellow, octagon crystal has left. Rosa picks up the crystal with careful hands. You hold the note and while the crystal sings in return, you use your cutter to extract a octagon from the vein. The crystal is small in size and is perfect. Rosa carefully stores a crystal into a carton, making sure it's packed securely. You set the cutter to B. Rosa carefully packs the crystal, watching Tance as he cuts. A small, very pale yellow, octagon crystal has left. Rosa picks up the crystal with careful hands. Rosa carefully stores a crystal into a carton, making sure it's packed securely. Odd... seemingly caught between disorientation and a sharper, more alert demeanor, Tance pauses, frowning at his hands on the cutter's controls and muttering to himself, "No... wrong note... A sharp... A sharp..." And he hits it, once more seeming somehow pained even as his voice seems to gain strength from the exercise. You set the cutter to A sharp. You sing a fine, ringing A sharp. You hold the note and while the crystal sings in return, you use your cutter to extract a octagon from the vein. The crystal is small in size and is slightly flawed. You set the cutter to D. You sing a pure D. You hold the note and while the crystal sings in return, you use your cutter to extract a octagon from the vein. The crystal is small in size and is perfect. Rosa holds up her hand. "Hang on a minute," she says. "Carton's full. I'll go get another one." She picks up one of the full cartons. "Will you be all right on your own here?" Goldenrod Carton - Rosa has left. Rosa picks up the carton, holding it securely to her chest. Tance starts, whipping around even as Rosa scoops up the carton. "L... leave... you gonna leave me here, girlie?" Rosa smiles encouragingly. "Just to go get another carton, Tance. D'you want to take the other full and come with me? If you do, that's fine." Tance turns his attention to the crystals lying nearby, and his brown eyes go a bit glazed. "Pack," he whispers, reaching for one of the little octagons. The crystal vibrates slightly in your hands. You carefully store the crystal into a carton, making sure it's packed securely. The crystal vibrates slightly in your hands. Rosa pauses a moment. "Is there room left in the other carton?" she asks. "Ah. So then we can pack more. Okay." She sets her carton down. "I thought they were both full." Packing the first crystal seems to go in slow motion for the older Singer, and as he takes up the second, he slows even more... and then stops, the little octagon still somehow striking him as warm in his palm, somehow still humming with the resonances his hoarsely sung notes have summoned out into the air. His brown gaze falls on the crystal and stays there, his expression beginning to go blank. He doesn't answer his companion. "Tance," Rosa says, softly. "Tance, remember. You've got to pack. Pack the crystal." She walks toward the older Singer, her expression worried. He barely hears Rosa's anxious adminition, what with the increasingly fascinating little octagon glimmering palely in his hand, like a patch of sunlight on a spring morning... though what sun on what world might cast light of such a color, his checkered memory does not provide. Some of the care and lines in Tance's face seem to ease, as he murmurs throatily, "It's... pretty. Forgot how pretty..." By now, Rosa has moved closer to Tance, her expression one of worry as she looks on the other Singer. "Yes," she says, quietly, "it's very pretty. Very pretty indeed. But you must pack, Tance. You've got to pack right away. Put the crystal in the carton now." If you pay attention to it, the crystal resonance can be heard coursing through your body at all times. It is perhaps simply because that crystal is so small, its color so delicate and pale, that Tance slowly drags his half-absent gaze round to the little Singer who's come to his side. Memory strikes a discordant jangle within his mind... surely, any female standing beside him in the Ranges should be close to his height, her eyes blue, her skin and hair green? But no, this is not Jade, this is the girl with the stuffed bear, this is... "Rosa," he abruptly croaks. Rosa blinks a couple of times, and looks up at Tance, curious. "Yes, Tance?" she asks. "What is it? D'you need help packing the yellow? We've got to get it safely into the carton. Now." Tance's dark gaze fix upon the small young woman, and although there's pleading there in his grizzled face, there's something else wrestling with it that adds a force to his regard that hadn't been there before: cognizance and perhaps even a touch of shame. "Help me," he mumbles entreatingly. Tilting her head up slightly, Rosa looks into Tance's eyes, her expression gentle. "Hey," she says with a smile, reaching out to touch the hand that's holding the crystal, "that's what I'm here for. Here to help you out in the Ranges." Her hand exerts a subtle pressure, attempting to angle the crystal twoard the carton. "Let's just pack this away, shall we?" His cutter is still humming quiescently in his other hand, but the hand that holds the crystal is guided easily enough down towards the carton. Tance stares bemusedly at the small fingers directing his own, before he seems to grasp that he needs to participate in this little action. He stoops, just enough to reach the still-open box, but as the crystal is placed within he lets out the tiniest of groans. You carefully store the crystal into a carton, making sure it's packed securely. Rosa smiles and her little fingers pat Tance's after the crystal is released. "See?" she says. "That wasn't so hard, now was it? You're doing super out here, Tance. I'm really impressed." She winks. "Hey, how's your cutter? Is it still on?" He starts, gray-brown bangs flicking across his brow as his gaze shoots to the device he holds. "Oh," he mutters. It is, indeed, still on, and it is with a seemingly dazed hand that Tance reaches to deactivate it. You carefully turn the crystal cutter off and relax your stance. The little redhead cracks a grin. "I do that too," she says. "A lot. Heats up my cutter something fierce, and the 'techs are always after me about it, but it's just habit." "I keep breakin' it," Tance observes distractedly, his brow furrowed. Rosa rolls her eyes. "Me too...well, depending on what you mean by 'break'. Things are so darned sensitive. Shards, my cutter gets more delicate treatment than Bear does." She shakes her head. Bear again. Tance frowns in ever so slight disconcertment, peering once more at his young escort, troubled in a way he can't quite lay a finger upon by her treatment of the toy. "You... um... are we done, girlie?" he asks roughly. "Well," Rosa says with a smile, "it looks like there's a little more left in the vein. We're nearly done, but we might as well cut the vein out. There any room in that carton of yours?" Tance can be seen to swallow as he peers down at the still-open sky-blue carton, and after a long moment he mutters, "A... little... maybe... I-I... ain't sure I should cut anymore..." Rosa frowns, worried. "You're not sure?" she asks. "Worried about thrall? I could cut a couple if you'd feel better about it." "Tuggin' on me," is Tance's only reply, lowly muttered as the rest of his words have been. "Okay," Rosa says quietly, unslinging her cutter. "If you'd like to rest a little near the cartons, I could cut a few. You okay staying in the vein, Tance?" If you pay attention to it, the crystal resonance can be heard coursing through your body at all times. Tance bows his head, traces of that same abashed expression still lingering about him. "I'll... wait," he murmurs, his deactivated cutter still hanging in his hand. Rosa smiles encouragingly. "All right," she says. "You've done wonderfully out here. Won't take but a moment." Rosa then turns toward the vein, and takes a deep breath. He has no answer for that except a nod, and he edges slowly away from the younger Singer and what's left of the rock face, as if reluctant to intrude upon her. Rosa braces her body for the power surge and turns her crystal cutter on. Rosa sets her crystal cutter to F. Rosa sings a pure F. Rosa holds the note strongly and while the crystal sings in return, uses her cutter to extract a octagon from the vein. The crystal song lessens. Rosa carefully turns her crystal cutter off and relaxes her stance. A small, very pale yellow, octagon crystal has left. Rosa picks up the crystal with careful hands. Rosa carefully stores a crystal into a carton, making sure it's packed securely. Rosa cuts quickly and efficiently, packing as soon as the octagon has been excised. She takes a quick breath and cuts once more. Rosa braces her body for the power surge and turns her crystal cutter on. Rosa sets her crystal cutter to A. Rosa sings a pure A. Rosa holds the note strongly and while the crystal sings in return, uses her cutter to extract a octagon from the vein. It is getting harder to find a good cut in this vein. Rosa carefully turns her crystal cutter off and relaxes her stance. A small, very pale yellow, octagon crystal has left. Rosa picks up the crystal with careful hands. Rosa carefully stores a crystal into a carton, making sure it's packed securely. Rosa braces her body for the power surge and turns her crystal cutter on. Rosa sets her crystal cutter to C. Rosa sings a pure C. Tance keeps his distance, his eyes closing as Rosa's voice calls sound out of the crystal now, his free arm wrapping about himself as he waits for her to finish. Rosa holds the note strongly and while the crystal sings in return, uses her cutter to extract a octagon from the vein. The crystal song lessens. Rosa carefully turns her crystal cutter off and relaxes her stance. A tiny, very pale yellow, octagon crystal has left. Rosa picks up the crystal with careful hands. Rosa breaths softly. "It's empty," she murmurs, still looking down at the tiny octagon in her hand. "Think the cartons are full, though." Tance lifts his head, starting. "No more room?" he blurts. Rosa purses her lips and shakes her head. "Doesn't look that way," she mutters. "No room for a sharding tiny crystal, even." She makes a face. "Should prolly go and get another carton." "Just... go back to the sled, if we're done, girlie," rumbles Tance, venturing uncomfortably closer. The last word rises a little towards the tone of a question, though it doesn't quite make it. Slinging her cutter over her shoulder, Rosa carefully slips the tiny crystal into a pocket. "Hope it won't get blurred by this." She gives a little smile. "Okay. Let's get to the sled. You take one carton and I'll take the other?" Tance nods slowly and uneasily, slinging his cutter onto his bony shoulder, before crouching to take up the carton still resting on the shard-littered ground. You pick up the carton. Feeling the weight of the carton, you hold onto it securely, protecting the precious cargo. Rosa manages a little smile. "So, we ready to head back?" she asks. "You all right, Tance?" He doesn't quite look it; the man is clearly shaken, though his countenance has taken on something resembling a healthier color from the physical exertion, and something resembling clarity is still lurking within his eyes. "Let's go," Tance mutters, hoisting the carton into a better position. "Good," Rosa says with a sigh. "I could really use a hot meal and a soak. C'mon, Tance, let's get back to the sled." Head high, she walks out of the cave. [Back, then, to the sled the two Singers go...] Rosa continues on out, her gait purposeful. Tance trudges in his companion's wake, blinking owlishly as he follows Rosa into the open air, and still clinging doggedly to the carton grasped in both his arms. Pausing as she reaches the ledge, Rosa takes several deep breaths, inhaling the fresh salt air. "Okay," she says after a few moments, "now comes the tricky part. We need to jump over to the other island. Without dropping the cartons. Want me to go first?" The question seems to stymy Tance somehow. He peers down at the little Singer, and then across the way with a dubious sort of glance. "'Kay," he finally relents, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. Rosa cracks a grin. "It's not that hard, Tance. Really. Just take a step and jump." Which she does. Rosa disappears over the edge. Rosa has left. You slide off the overhang, hanging on with your fingertips, and drop onto the ledge. Your legs protest this action. Narrow Ledge Contents: Rosa Obvious exits: Back to Northern Beach Tance follows after Rosa in short order, landing with a grunt as his feet impact with the rock. He sways a moment before catching his balance, looking not unsurprised to find that he's made the jump without mishap. Rosa stamps her feet a couple of times, shaking them out. "Not quite as smooth as it looks," she mutters, wrinkling her nose. "You did good, though," she says to Tance. Winking, she turns and strolls toward the beach. Rosa walks back to the beach. Rosa has left. You walk back to the beach. Northern Beach Contents: Rosa Obvious exits: Narrow Ledge Mesa Rosa climbs back up to the sled. Rosa has left. The chimney is considerably harder to climb than it is to descend, but you manage. Island Mesa Contents: Rosa Rosa's sled Obvious exits: Chimney Rosa heaves a sigh of relief. "We made it," she says, looking gratefully toward her sled. "Time to get aboard and stow this crystal away." She smiles proudly over at Tance. "You've done a great job out here." It is at last that the older Singer trudges exhaustedly to the sled in Rosa's wake, and as he is complimented, he peers at her in a kind of shy bemusement. "Didn't break anything," he mutters, sounding surprised. "Hey," Rosa says, "neither did I. Least Quinn won't be yelling at us for that. Thankfully. I hate having to go get yelled at when I've broken stuff." If you pay attention to it, the crystal resonance can be heard coursing through your body at all times. Another slow and bemused nod -- from the look of him, Tance Vokrim is not at all accustomed to an injury-free trip to the Ranges. He pauses, though, before he reaches the sled, gruffly waiting for the younger Singer to precede him. As she steps up to her sled's door, the little redhead grins impishly up at Tance. "Why thank you," she says as she palms the hatch open. "That's very sweet of you." Rosa steps into the airsled "Bunny." Rosa has left. Rosa's sled The weather is fine. A good day for flying. ( Type 'sled help' to see available commands. ) Contents: Rosa Tance, stepping into the sled behind the young woman, keeps his head ducked down -- but not quite down enough to conceal the flush that darkens his features at that impish grin and the compliment. He doesn't offer any vocal reply, as he blinks tiredly about and then moves instinctively for the carton racks, to unload his precious burden. Sky-Blue Carton - Tance is loaded in to the sled. You set the carton down with care. Carefully stowing her cutter away, Rosa then moves toward the storage area to secure the full carton and grab another. "Gotta remember to pack the tiny away. Last thing I want is a crystal explosion. THose're messy. And expensive." Rosa sets the carton down with care. Rosa scrounges around the inside of the sled and takes down one of the empty cartons. Carton 1 - Rosa has left. Rosa picks up the carton, holding it carelessly. Rosa carefully stores a crystal into a carton, making sure it's packed securely. Tance skitters back from the rack to give Rosa room to approach it, and then turns his tired attention to closing the sled hatch. Still he does not speak. Rosa packs away her crystal and secures that carton as well. She straightens up and rubs her hands on her trousers. "So...we did it," she says. "Care for something ot drink or would you like to go back?" This question, too, seems to stymy him. "Go back," Tance repeats, the concept seeming to strike him very badly. A flash of fear crosses his face. Nodding, Rosa heads to the pilot's seat and sits down. "Okay," she says. "Now it'll be a fairly short trip. Would you mind terribly holding Bear on the trip? He wants to make sure you're all right." She pauses a moment, looking at the pink creature. "And he says he won't let the medics bug you." Tance eyes the bear askance, but he silently and gingerly accepts the little creature, and just as uncomfortably settles himself down into the other seat. With Bear in his lap, he fumbles for the safety harness's buckles, and only when he is secured there does he seem to slump, the day's exertions catching up with him once he's sitting down. After strapping herself in, Rosa look toward the pair in the other seat. "You all right over there? I'll make it a short trip home. Shouldn't take long at all." "I'm okay," mutters Tance, but in a rather mechanical tone. Bear sits there in his lap, held only by an unthinkingly laid curl of the man's arm. Rosa arches a brow. "You sure about that, Tance? Is there anything I can do for you before we get underway?" The weathered, graying head only shakes, as Tance's dark gaze drifts out through the viewport. "'Mokay," he repeats hoarsely. Rosa reaches out to pat Tance's arm. "Okay," she says with a smile. "Then let's get back to the JPF." SHe smiles and starts flipping switches. Rosa nudges the control bar, speeding the sled up. Tance doesn't smile, though he does glance briefly at Rosa at that proferred pat. His gaze, however, flicks quickly away out the viewport and stays there as the sled takes off and goes about its course under her direction. Rosa brings the sled to a halt. Rosa flips a switch, activating the autopilot system. A bland voice announces an estimated travel time of 1 minute. Rosa flips another switch and relaxes in her chair. "That's the autopilot," she says. "It'll bring us in right above the hangar." A buzzer goes off and the autopilot light shows green, indicating that the specified coordinates have been reached. The older Singer's gaze shifts in the direction of the indicated control, though yet again, Tance offers no reply. Only the flicker of acknowledgement that crosses his expression shows that he even heard and understood Rosa's observation. Shortly thereafter, as the sled closes it on the JPF, that flicker is extinguished in palpable nervousness. You can detect some crystal resonance in your bones. Rosa brings the sled to a halt. "Well," Rosa says with a smile. "Here we are...hey, what's the matter?" she asks. "Worried about something?" There is a noticeable pause before Tance confesses huskily, "I... dunno what to do now, girlie..." "Well," Rosa says, "we gotta unpack the cartons. Then, I imagine I should pop down to the infirmary with you. Since it was they that wanted me to take you out, they likely would want to see you when you return, if only to check your resonance." Tance seems to consider this in somber gravity, and then at last turns to proffer Bear to his Singer, his expression troubled. Rosa grins. "Hey, gotta land first. Mind holding onto him for a little longer?" She then flips a switch and the sled begins its descent. Tance nods silently, once more glancing out through the viewport, though his gaze flicks across Bear with a touch of doubtfulness. Perhaps Bear makes him uncomfortable? Rosa brings the sled to a halt. Rosa brings the sled to a gentle landing. Poor Bear would just be crushed if he knew that. As Rosa lands the sled, she takes the little pink fellow and gives him a hug, kissing the top of his head. "Well, here we are. Let's get this crystal unloaded and pop down to med to get ourselves cleared, shall we?" Yet another silent nod as Tance hauls himself stiffly and tiredly up out of the chair, uncomplaining although the physical exertion must have been quite the change from the days he's spent cooped up in the Infirmary as of late. He retrieves his cutter again, slinging it over his shoulder, and then ventures to fetch one of the cartons, once more waiting for Rosa to precede him. Sky-Blue Carton - Tance is unloaded from the airsled. You pick up the carton. Feeling the weight of the carton, you hold onto it securely, protecting the precious cargo. Rosa picks up the carton with the single crystal inside and walks to the door. "okay. Let's get this stuff unpacked." She palms the hatch open. Rosa has left. You step out from the cramped interior of the sled "Bunny." Hangar Floor The immense cavern that serves the guild faces the eastern sky. The blue sky merges with the harsh browns of the long plain of the Joslin Plataeu far to the east. The smoothly tiled floor is scarred by myriad gashes and scratches caused by wind-tossed sleds. The northern and southern walls contain over-large double doors while the western wall is set with observation windows. Looking around (+view), you notice several signs posted. The shadows are complete on the hangar floor as Scoria has passed her zenith. The blocks of the guild complex cast sharp shadows on the great plain. Contents: Tance, over by the wall. Rosa, over by the wall. Rosa's sled Inanna's sled Vyana's sled Xyvarra's sled Reaka's sled Hannah's sled Scorpion's sled Telandra's sled Sled Model Sled Tech Desk Repair Bay 1 Radar Corbin Hangar Terminal A large map, for instructional purposes Sled rack Obvious Commands ("." for list): .wait .sleds .desk .radar .map .hangar door .sit Obvious Exits: Workshop Processing WWSF Transport Met Transport Equipment Room Simulators Catwalk Sorting Ready Room Rosa smiles to Tance as he exits her sled, then heading toward the processing room. Rosa enters the processing room as the automatic door swings open for her. Rosa has left. The automatic door swings open before you as you enter the crystal processing room. Processing This small room contains a collection of cartons that are to be processed by Heptite Crystal Tuners. Groups of cartons are scattered about the floor, deposited haphazardly by weary singers and frazzled sorters. One exit leads northwest into the bedlam of the hangar, the other west into the relative quiet of the cargo storage room. There is a sign on the wall that says, "+LHELP available." Contents: Rosa Repacking Table Sign - Singers and Recruits please read! (Updated Tue Apr 14 1998) Obvious exits: Shed Conveyer Cargo Conveyer Cargo Storage Hangar Rosa sets the carton down with care. Tance trudges along after his companion, clearly nervous at the bustle of activity in the Hangar, and flinching every so often when curious glances are directed at him or at Rosa. Still, he hangs on to her carton, and brings it over quietly to set down beside her first. You set the carton down with care. Rosa smiles warmly to Tance. "Thanks," she says. "Could you go get the last carton? I'll pack 'em up." Rosa opens Sky-Blue Carton - Tance and looks inside. Rosa carefully lifts each of the 5 crystals out. She arranges them reverently on the repacking table. Sky-Blue Carton - Tance has left. Tance bobs his disheveled head, and wanders off without a word. [And shortly, he returns...] Having already unpacked the other cartons, Rosa reaches for the one Tance brings in. She smiles. "Thanks," she murmurs before proceeding to unpack the yellows. Rosa opens Goldenrod Carton - Rosa and looks inside. Rosa carefully lifts each of the 5 crystals out. She arranges them reverently on the repacking table. Goldenrod Carton - Rosa has left. "Welcome," he can be heard to mutter, still low, still gruff. Tance hovers not far away, not drawing near the table... or Rosa herself. Rosa carefully repacks 11 crystal(s) into a storage carton to be repacked at another time. Rosa says "Be right back." She picks up the carton and grins. "I'll just pop this over to storage." Storage Carton - Tance Label: VPY octs, F maj. Grab bag (ty1) has left. Rosa picks up the carton, holding it securely to her chest. Rosa heads into the relative quiet of cargo storage. Rosa has left. Rosa walks through the door from the quiet cargo storage room. Rosa has arrived. And indeed, Rosa is back momentarily, a wide smile on her face. "So. Here we are. Ready to face the medics?" "Not really," Tance admits, but he draws as close to Rosa as he dares, nevertheless. Rosa smiles encouragingly. "He's not that bad," she says. "And he is good at his work. Knows what he's doing. Let me just com him and see if he's on duty." Rosa speaks softly into her wrist comm. You can just make out "Quinn?... duty?..." Rosa meanwhile winks saucily. "Maybe we'll luck out and he'll be asleep or something." If you pay attention to it, the crystal resonance can be heard coursing through your body at all times. Tance makes a strangled little noise by way of reply, and nervously shoves a hand through his hair, trying to push it once more out of his face. This gives a brief view of his eyes -- and his gaze is definitely sharper than it had been when the younger Singer had taken him out. Rosa falls silent for a time, absently patting Bear's head. She looks up at Tance and smiles. "You look a lot better, you know," she says softly. "I'm very glad. It was a pleasure having your company out in the Ranges." "Let's... get to the Infirmary," mutters Tance uncomfortably, pointing more or less out towards the hangar bay entrance. "Okay," Rosa says. "Let's go. Could use a Yarran and they've got a unit down in the infirmary." She smiles. Rosa heads through the automatic door into the chaos of the Hangar. Rosa has left. [And, very shortly...] You leave lift 2. Lift Area - 12 The colors are dimmer here, even to your enhanced eyes. The air filters cannot completely mask the scent of medicine and sickness here, though. This well carpeted area circumscribes a circle with the center being filled by a shiny lift tube. On the doors to the tube is the number 12. There is a button set into the wall, you may summon a 'lift.' Contents: Rosa Lift 2 Lift 1 Obvious exits: Infirmary New Arrivals Trauma Center Radiant Tubs A uniformed man takes your cutter to the service rack for temporary storage. Rosa walks into the clinic of the infirmary. Rosa has left. Tance remains silent as he takes the lift down with the younger Singer, his hands jamming into his pockets as he is relieved of his cutter. "Careful," he requests plaintively as the attendant carries it off. You walk into the clinic of the infirmary. Infirmary(#403RAM) The main infirmary is a bustling place with medics, orderlies and patients constantly moving about. The floor is covered with a sterile-looking white tile, the walls painted with stripes of various colours. A velvet black stripe leads past several medical offices to Long Term Care, while a dark red stripe leads off in the direction of Short Term facilities. At the nearest end to the lifts, a large administration area has been set up, complete with monitors and computer equipment lining the walls behind the long counter. Towards the other end of the room, several examination tables sit quietly amongst movable privacy screens and sterile cabinets. Since the infirmary is so buried so far underground, only the strongest Passover storms produce any sub-vocal resonances. The ever-present smell of medicines and antispetics hangs in the air. The lighting on this level has been set to a muted glow for the evening hours. Contents: Rosa Dr. Bear Catering Unit Obvious exits: Medic Shuttle Private Door Long Term Care Short Term Care Lift Tance remains silent as he takes the lift down with the younger Singer, his hands jamming into his pockets as he is relieved of his cutter. "Careful," he requests plaintively as the attendant carries it off. And then, finally, he edges into the main infirmary just behind the redheaded young woman. Grinning a greeting to Dr. Bear, Rosa smiles to Tance as he comes in after her. "Gee," she says quietly, "looks like they're busy." She leans against one of the biobeds. "What do you want to do now? Wait a little?" Tance glances around uneasily, muttering, "Don't see any medics... I gotta talk to one...?" He turns back to Rosa then, his gaze asking for her confirmation. Rosa bites her lower lip. "I think so," she says. "You were really in bad shape when I came and got you down here. They'll at least want to check to make sure your symbiont is working okay. Just a general examination." Shoving his other hand through his hair this time, and then once more jamming his hands into his jumpsuit pockets, Tance peers disconcertedly around the room. "Guess I better wait," he mumbles. Quinn walks softly from the lift area. Quinn has arrived. Quinn enters, head bent over a datapad. Rosa gives a little smile. "Mind if I wait along with you?" she asks. "We want to make sure you're all right too....hey there, Quinn!" Rosa smiles toward the medic, more warmly than she usually does. "Tance and I just returned from our little trip. Thought we should check in down here." Startled, Tance pivots around at Rosa's hail of the medic, fixing his brown gaze on the younger man. "She, uh, told me I needed to be here," he ventures in low gruff tones. Quinn puts his datapad in his pocket, turning to look at the pair. "She was right. How are you feeling, Tance?" Quinn absently brushes the hairs on his arm down. The graying, grizzled Singer still looks uneasy, but his regard on Quinn is clearer than it had been the last time the medic had examined him. "Little straighter in the head," is his rough reply. More than that he doesn't offer, but his expression is stoic, something strained about his eyes. Quinn nods slowly. "I'm glad to see it, Tance. You gave us a right bad scare." "He did wonderfully cutting," Rosa adds, with a smile. "We had a good time out on the site. I was glad to be able to help." Tance pulls in a breath, standing a little straighter, the stoic lines of his bearded face not easing. "Can't stay here," he abruptly announces. "Can I go?" Quinn nods. "You can go." Something is clearly troubling him, but he hasn't said anything. Rosa frowns slightly as she looks at Quinn. "Something wrong?" "To Verron IV," the Singer persists, taking a step towards Quinn, his throat flexing with a hard swallow. "The shuttles, they're... gonna let me go?" Quinn sighs. "It wouldn't be of any use, Tance." He glances briefly at Rosa, and then clears his throat. "They found her. But..." He pauses another long moment. "I'm sorry, Tance. I'm afraid she didn't make it." "Oh, no," Rosa says in a soft whisper, her eyes filling with tears. She abruptly buries her face against the soft fur of the little pink Bear she's carrying. Tance freezes, the color that had been brought into his visage by the exercise under Rosa's guidance draining out of it entirely. "What?" he rasps, almost as if he hasn't comprehended what Quinn has told him. The crystal resonance is zinging through your body. All evidence of emotion empties out of Quinn's face. He licks his lips twice, and then he says, clearing his throat, "Kesya As'shoriah didn't survive Verron IV." Rosa doesn't say anything. She simply sobs quietly, her shoulders shaking. Her face is still obscured by the bulk of the teddy bear. _Those_ words strike Tance visibly, like a blow. He half-turns away, before turning right back to Quinn. "I wanna see 'er," he blurts, his voice a strangled croak. Katya walks softly from the lift area. Katya has arrived. Katya spins the menufax around to display the beverage selections. Katya peruses the selection of drinks, and orders a glass of water. Katya heads toward the lift area. Katya has left. Quinn takes a breath. "Tance, I'm afraid I can't do that. Her will didn't give the option, and..." Here he pauses, and adds, "I'm afraid she wouldn't look much like you remember her, Tance." Tance merely stares at Quinn, his gaze going hollow in his white face, a muscle quivering in his weathered cheek. He's silent for a long moment after the medic's refusfal of his request, and then, at last, all he says is, "S... symbiont... gave out on 'er?" Quinn just crouches so that he can look at Tance in the eyes. He doesn't respond in words, but just lifts his shoulders in a shrug. The Singer doesn't seem to mark Quinn's attempt to meet his gaze; his own has turned numb, bleak, and he stands there with about as much animation as if he'd been turned to stone. Quinn just says, quietly, "I'm sorry, Tance. There wasn't much we could do." You feel resonance tingling in your bones. "Yeah," croaks Tance, entirely without inflection, only enough to acknowledge that he even heard the younger man speak. Without warning, he abruptly staggers to the door, looking neither at Quinn, nor at Rosa, nor at anything or anyone else in the room. Quinn straightens up, and nods towards another intern. That intern leaves what he's doing to follow after Tance - at a distance - to make sure he's all right. [Thunderstruck by the news he has been given, Tance returns robotically to his quarters, shadowed by the intern and never spotting him once... for every ounce of his being is shocked by Quinn's solemn report. End log.]