There Is Always Someone [Lilias & Pinyon]
<h1 id="title">Elliquiy Role Playing Forums</h1>
		<h2 id="linktree">Play-By-Post: Bondage, D/s, S&amp;M =&gt; Bondage: Exotic Solos =&gt; Topic started by: Lilias on 10-04-2009, 00:10:27</h2>
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>10-04-2009, 00:10:27</strong>
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				It was hard to believe it was almost Midsummer in Thendara: it had been sleeting all night, and there was a light but very definite rime of frost on everything in the morning. It seemed like winter never ended here; it only took a breath and reasserted itself all over the planet, and the dim red sun could do little to stop it.<br><br>The Trade City, as usual, was all a-bustle early, whatever the weather. Horses, carts and people all went about their business in the cobbled streets, while, at the far end, Comyn Castle rose as if to match the shiny steel-and-glass constructs of the Terran spaceport, just across the Great Northern Road. Council season was at its height, and there were many more people going about than there would be at any other time of the year, what with all the nobles and their entourages.<br><br>The spaceport itself looked silent, but only because nobody could see how much activity took place within its featureless walls...
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				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>13-04-2009, 03:46:57</strong>
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				Nineteen year old Respin gathered his few belongings and made his way through crowd.&nbsp; He was of medium height, and his short dark hair was in need of a wash after being in such crowded conditions on the ship.&nbsp; His green eyes were wide with wonder, however, as he looked around at the unfamiliar surroundings.&nbsp; He was of slightly more than average height and, although no one would ever call him muscular, he tried to stay fit, and preferred to think of himself as lean, rather than skinny.&nbsp; He was aware, however, that there were many who may argue the point.<br><br>He turned to look at the ship that had brought him so far from home and thought about his decision, feeling pangs of homesickness for the first time.&nbsp; He was surprised at how easily he left his home.&nbsp; He really hadn't looked back.&nbsp; Now, he realized, it was because the Terran ship was still an extension of his home, at least in its familiarity.&nbsp; And now, as he realized that his home was about to leave him, he was having a hard time letting go.&nbsp; To make matters worse, the spaceflight had left him disoriented, which was contributing to his melancholy.<br><br>He watched the stream of passengers, most of them seasoned laborers who traveled back and forth regularly.&nbsp; They were easily recognized by their grizzled sense of purpose and their lack of awe of their surroundings.&nbsp; The latter was particularly evident when contrasted by the looks on the faces of the new colonists, like himself.&nbsp; They spent most of their first few moments wandering around with eyes wide, getting in someone's way, or holding up lines of traffic while they reviewed this or that piece of important paperwork.&nbsp; He knew the planetary light, so different from their own, contributed to much of the surreal feeling of the place.&nbsp; But either way, the sense of adventure was plain on their faces and it helped Respin remember why he had come.<br><br><em>There was nothing for you there Respin.&nbsp; Remember that and focus on building a real life for yourself here.&nbsp; This is your home now. . .</em> <br><br>He picked up his belongings and double-checked that he had his paperwork in hand.&nbsp; He looked down at the big "TBD" stamped in the blank labeled "Occupation" on his entry form.&nbsp; He had wanted to leave quickly, and choosing his own position would have required more time on the waiting lists than he was willing to spend.&nbsp; At the time, it had felt adventurous and spontaneous to throw his fates to the wind.&nbsp; Now, however, it felt a little intimidating.&nbsp; Looking at the long lines in front of the various administrative counters that were processing all the new arrivals, he couldn't help but reconsider the wisdom of his rashness.<br><br><em>You fool.&nbsp; You didn't cast your fates to the wind.&nbsp; You handed them over to the biggest and most uncaring bureaucracy in the galaxy.&nbsp; Now we'll see how that works out for you.</em><br><br>Unfortunately, there was nothing to be done about that now.&nbsp; Respin let out a small sigh and got in the line that matched his processing ID number and waited to see what his new life would be.
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				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>13-04-2009, 13:38:00</strong>
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				Peter Haldane, the Terran Legate, was in his office, on the 47th floor of the headquarters. He personally interviewed any new arrivals without references or other credentials; after all, this world was only slightly less closed now than when he used to work for Intel himself.<br><br>He smiled at the young man who entered, only moments after the intercom had announced his presence. 'Welcome on Cottman IV,' he said affably, offering a handshake. 'Although I wouldn't call it that, if I were you, anywhere out of the spaceport.'<br><br>He sat back behind his desk, motioning Respin to take a seat as well. 'I assume you have been briefed on the basics, considering we have only just acquired dominion status and a lot of things still operate as if we were a closed world. All Terrans are still required to live on spaceport quarters, although contact with natives in the Trade City is easier than it used to be. Do you have any idea what you want to do with your life here yet?'
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				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>13-04-2009, 16:19:38</strong>
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				"Hello Mr. Haldane," he said, trying to hide his nerves as he shook the Legate's hand.&nbsp; <em>Well, at least he seems friendly enough ...</em><br><br>Although he had been briefed on the basics, he had been surprised just how basic the basics had been.&nbsp; It had been mostly focused on preparations for the spaceflight and the requirements to make his transition as smooth as possible within the bureaucracy.&nbsp; It had included shockingly little on what he should expect regarding the culture or his life on the new planet.&nbsp; He did, however, understand something of the tension between the Terrans and the native Darkovans regarding the status of their planet, and he smiled knowingly at the warning to indicate that to the man that he understood.<br><br>He raised his eyebrows at the last question.&nbsp; "You mean I have a choice?&nbsp; To be honest, I just thought my duties would be assigned upon arrival, so I'm a little surprised."&nbsp; He looked around, already feeling a bit stifled by the familiarity of the Terran presence here on the new world.&nbsp; The institutional familiarity reminded him too much of his time spent in the medical facilities back on his home planet.&nbsp; That experience had been one of the main reasons he had wanted to leave.<br><br>"Well, I've spent some time studying anthropology back at home, you see, and I would love an opportunity to learn more of the native culture here.&nbsp; Do you have any local offices that function as cultural or diplomatic liaisons with the native people?&nbsp; I know I'm new here, and can hardly expect to be the next ambassador," he laughed a bit, self-deprecatingly, "but if you have any openings such as these that I could begin to learn the ropes, I think it would suit me well."&nbsp; He added, a bit hastily, "If you'll look at my application, I have a fair amount of customer service experience, and I recently completed an internship with the Office of Intergalactic Diplomacy through the Rudolph Foundation's Cultural Outreach Fellowship Program."<br><br>He doubted the man had ever heard of the program, but he hoped that it may, at least, sound impressive.
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				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>13-04-2009, 19:00:41</strong>
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				Haldane noticed the young man - he had to keep reminding himself not to say, or even think, <em>boy</em> - getting increasingly fidgety, his pupils shrinking. 'Well then,' he said smoothly, with a pleasant smile, 'since you plan not only to stay but also to mingle with the local population, you could start getting used to some of the peculiarities of the place.' He flipped a switch beneath his desk and the lights of the room dimmed to simulate the sun outside.<br><br>'All quarters on the spaceport are fitted with multiple lighting options, so you can maintain yours for yellow sunlight, if you prefer,' continued Haldane. 'I personally find the red far more relaxing, but I have spent virtually all my life here... So, you want to act as a liaison with the locals. I understand the allure very well; the position is much easier now that we can do it openly instead of beneath the aegis of Intelligence, as it used to be.<br><br>'The outreach network is spreading slowly, although it involves mainly women, due to certain cultural aspects that are quite unique to this world. It is, in fact, coordinated by someone you might be familiar with, through your studies.' He tapped a couple of times on a keypad on his desk. 'Bethany, please send a message to Ms Lorne to come over. We may have someone for her department.'
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				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>13-04-2009, 22:00:49</strong>
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				Respin detected a shift in attitude on the part of Haldane, although he couldn't tell what it was or even if it had been real.&nbsp; Maybe it had just been the shift in lighting, which had taken him off guard.<br><br><em>Was that the intention?</em> He eyed Haldane a little closer, thinking for the first time that he may merit slightly more attention than a random faceless bureaucrat.&nbsp; <em>You're probably just overtired,</em>he thought to himself.&nbsp; <em>Why would this guy care in the slightest who you are?</em><br><br>Whether it was all in his head or not, the feeling served to remind Respin to be alert.&nbsp; He was in a very new place with no friends or support.&nbsp; It would do him well to remember that.&nbsp; He nodded in acknowledgement of the information and then waited to meet Ms Lorne, hoping he would soon learn more about his future.
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				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>13-04-2009, 23:33:36</strong>
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				Ms Lorne was not in the spaceport; she would be coming in from the Trade City, and she was not expected to drop everything to come over instantly either, so Respin might as well get settled in the meantime. At least that was what Bethany Kane, who turned out to be not a secretary at all but Ms Lorne's (whom she insisted on calling Magda) second-in-department, told him while escorting him to his assigned quarters.<br><br>The little apartment was not featureless at all, if he had feared so. There were soft, rich-coloured draperies, which he was informed he could exchange immediately, if he preferred different colours or styles, and a view towards the Trade City, with Comyn Castle towering, grey and imposing, against the sky, and another strange building further away, a fine white gleaming spire. The emotion that last created to the viewer could be called no less than fascination. Or perhaps it was just for Respin, since Bethany didn't pause at all.
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				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>14-04-2009, 17:13:15</strong>
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				<em>This spaceflight has me too jumpy -- I must need some rest,</em> he thought to himself as he realized that the Legate was nothing to be concerned about.&nbsp; Thanking the man for his time, he followed Ms. Kane to his new home.<br><br>"Thanks, but the drapes are fine, for now" he told her.&nbsp; He was pleased with the warmth of the place -- he found it comforting amongst so much newness.&nbsp; He looked out the window, fascinated by the city and the imposing castle.&nbsp; His eyes wandered a minute and then froze when they spied the distant tower.<br><br>********<br><br>A young Respin was walking, teddy bear in hand, down a forest lane on his home planet in the middle of the night.&nbsp; He had left his bed with a strange sense of wanderlust, sneaking past his parents room to avoid disturbing them, and then left the house to walk his Dad's favorite trail that led from their back yard.&nbsp; He strolled along comfortably, surprisingly unconcerned for a boy his age who was out alone in the wilderness at night.&nbsp; After a time, he came to a small rise and spied a white tower set on a hill, not to far in the distance.&nbsp; His curiosity was immediately peaked, and he stood, wondering why he never saw it during the day, and admiring its form.<br><br>As he did so, he heard some kind of bestial growling noise behind him, and he turned to see dark shapes approaching along the trail.&nbsp; Panicked, he ran further into the woods, hoping that he could find help at the tower.&nbsp; The shapes -- were they wolves, dogs, or some unknown beast? -- bound after him in pursuit, nipping at his heels as he ran.&nbsp; He ran down into the small valley, and then ascended the hill, crying and calling for help. As he got to the top, however, he realized with dismay that the tower was still one hill over, and he kept running hard.&nbsp; This cycle continued, with Respin running up hill after hill only to realize that the tower was not where he expected and always remained just out of reach.&nbsp; The dark forms pursued relentlessly.<br><br>Panic, and finally, exhaustion, overtook him, and he had to stop.&nbsp; Turning, he saw the lead beast coming up the hill.&nbsp; He stood, immobilized with fear, and all he could do was watch as it left the ground in a leap that was aimed directly for his young throat.<br><br>It was at this point that he would always wake, sweating and crying until his parents came in to calm him. <br><br>**********<br><br>While he hadn't had the dream nearly as often as he got older, and even though the tower didn't look exactly the same, the symbolism, and the similarity, hit Respin like a bucket of icewater.&nbsp; He felt the goosebumps form on his arm and a small bead of sweat trickle down the middle of his back.<br><br>Not taking his eyes off the tower, he fought to make his voice conversational as he asked Ms. Kane, "That tower -- it's quite impressive -- what is it?"<br>&nbsp;
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				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>14-04-2009, 22:54:25</strong>
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				'That?' Bethany followed his gaze. 'That is the old Hali Tower. It's amazing how close it looks, isn't it? But in fact it's quite far away; beyond the Trade City there's the Old City, and the Tower is even beyond that, on the shores of Lake Hali. The strangest lake you have ever seen, full of clouds instead of water. The Tower is the oldest on Darkover, and it's not active now; in fact, it was destroyed several years ago, and rebuilt in order to keep housing the <em>rhu fead</em>. Mrs Lorne will be able to tell you more, if you are interested. She is quite the authority, like her parents.'<br><br>And then it clicked - the name, and why Haldane had mentioned his studies. The Lornes were required study for anthropologists. Christopher had been a linguist who had codified the three formal languages spoken on Darkover. His wife Elizabeth had been a musicologist who had recorded and transcribed hundreds of songs from all over the planet. And Magda was their daughter, who was credited with as much influence in the reaffiliation of Darkover as any federal mediators. And Respin was about to meet her.
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				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>14-04-2009, 23:01:59</strong>
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				He looked on as she told him of the tower, fascinated by the idea of Lake Hali.&nbsp; <em>Sounds beautiful, to me,</em> he thought to himself.&nbsp; The memory of the Lornes brought him out of his contemplation of the tower and back into the present.&nbsp; His old professor at the University would have kicked him for not recognizing the name sooner.<br><br>"Oh, right, Ms. Lorne!&nbsp; Do you expect her to arrive soon?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>14-04-2009, 23:37:04</strong>
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				It was just then, as if on cue, that the door opened and Magda Lorne walked in, a sturdy-looking woman in her mid-forties, with short dark hair shot with grey, dressed in what was obviously local costume - shirt, jerkin and breeches of woven wool, her cloak slung over her arm. She smiled genuinely, like Haldane had, shook hands with Respin and sent Bethany away, before motioning him to sit down with her, in the little breakfast area near the main room window.<br><br>'The Legate told me you are interested in joining the outreach program,' she said, her tone surprisingly soft for one of her influence. 'There is still a lot of work to be done in this department, work of all sorts. Do you have anything precise in mind so far, or is there something that piques your curiosity?'
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				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>15-04-2009, 02:52:49</strong>
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				Respin's nervousness decreased slightly at her friendly tone, but he was still in a bit of shock at how unexpected the events had been since he arrived.&nbsp; First, the tower, and now he was being interviewed by Magda Lorne.<br><br>"I have to admit, Ms. Lorne, how much I appreciate your time," he told her sincerely.&nbsp; "To be honest, I expected to put in some kind of dead-end custodial position, or something equally undesirable.&nbsp; And so you'll have to excuse me if I'm a little surprised to be talking to you directly!"&nbsp; He paused, for a moment, looking out the window at the distant structures.&nbsp; "Since you ask, however, I have to say that I'm extremely interested in the local culture and political structure.&nbsp; I have heard, as has everyone, bits of information here and there about the anomalously high incidence of telepathy here, and it fascinates me how the local people deal with that dichotomy in the population.&nbsp; It makes me wonder -- does a caste system exist, similar to some of the ancient cultures back home?&nbsp; And if so, what do the telepathic powers, and the cultural norms that have developed here as a result, mean for the future coexistence of our two populations?"<br><br>It was true that he was interested in these questions from an academic perspective.&nbsp; She didn't have to know that he also had personal reasons.&nbsp; The dream about the tower wasn't the first time in his life that visions of his had been found to have some connection to real world events.&nbsp; It had happened a few times in his life, to the point that it had caused him some discomfort.&nbsp; His desire to learn more about what these visions might mean had, in fact, been the reason for his seeking treatment by various doctors and psychiatrists back home.&nbsp; Instead of helping him interpret them, however, they had largely tried to convince him that these visions were typically the products of some past trauma that.&nbsp; Which was fine, except none of these typical traumas had ever happened to him.&nbsp; The rumors of telepathy on this planet had been the reason that he chose to transfer here in the first place.&nbsp; It never occurred to him that he had any special powers, but if he could just learn more about what might be affecting him, it would at least give him something to build upon.<br><br>"I know I'm hardly qualified to be any kind of important liaison or handle any delicate matters.&nbsp; But, if you had any openings in your department where I could begin to learn my way around and expose myself to the local culture, I would be extremely grateful for the opportunity."&nbsp; He paused, and then decided to continue on.&nbsp; "Also, as a bit of an aside, Ms. Kane mentioned that you may be able to enlighten me about the Hali Tower.&nbsp; It's an amazing structure and looks to be, or at least to have been, a place of significant importance?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>15-04-2009, 12:42:36</strong>
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				Magda sat back and steepled her fingers in thought, looking at him as if she could read more into his words than he was actually saying. It took a long, almost awkward moment for her to reply.<br><br>'What we do know about the telepathic gifts of native Darkovans is so intertwined with legend that it will probably take generations to verify, if at all. You may have noticed also the high percentage of other recessive genetic traits, like red hair and left-handedness. We believe that they are connected, but scientists are still trying to work out just how that can happen.<br><br>'The Comyn - the hereditary Darkovan nobility - are supposed to have divine ancestry, which is how their gifts originated. The accounts of what such gifted people could do with the power of their minds alone can be quite amazing. If they are accurate, there is no wonder that material technology has not progressed. However, since there is proof that the original settlers were the passengers of a 'lost ship', we have a massive gap there to cover.<br><br>'We do know that there was an intensive genetic engineering program, ages ago, that fixed different kinds of abilities in each of the noble houses, but it had side effects that ended up weakening both the abilities themselves and the mundane clout of the Comyn over time. The Towers are places where such abilities can be practised in safety, although people are still reluctant to talk about them. Some of the Ages of Chaos activity has not been forgiven yet.<br><br>'Hali Tower is more a monument than anything else now - the closest that Darkover has to a sacred place, and that is a closely guarded secret, I'm afraid. Lake Hali is a fascinating place as well; it is a concentration of some kind of cloud that makes it possible to walk in but not swim. It seems to affect the mind as well, though - people have 'drowned' there by simply staying long enough to forget to breathe. Keep that in mind if you plan to visit...'
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				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>15-04-2009, 15:00:52</strong>
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				Respin listened intently, fascinated by the setting of the Darkovan world.&nbsp; It seemed so exciting compared to his own hyper-regulated and sanitized upbringing.&nbsp; He was surprised at her last comment.<br><br>"I was wondering about that, actually.&nbsp; So, as a new colonist, am I free to leave the spaceport, to visit Trade City and the Tower?"
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				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>15-04-2009, 18:36:45</strong>
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				Magda chuckled softly. 'While we were still a closed world, Terrans were not allowed beyond the Trade City, but this is no longer the case. You can go wherever you want, as long as you don't create unnecessary culture clash. Most Terrans and other off-worlders prefer to stay close, mainly for linguistic reasons. Do you happen to understand <em>casta</em> or <em>cahuenga</em>? They are necessary in the department... I will arrange for a couple of hypno-imprinting sessions that would allow you to have at least a basic grasp of the languages virtually overnight. We have a contingent of native women training as nurses on our medbay, but apart from those and most Trade City merchants, you will not find many natives who speak Standard.<br><br>'However, if it is just Hali you want to visit, I can simply issue you with a tracking device that will allow you to find your way there and back. Tonight, if you want, since we should start your training tomorrow. As long as you observe the Compact - ranged weapons of any kind are banned anywhere on the planet - you can come and go as you please.'
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				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>15-04-2009, 20:00:23</strong>
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				Respin was a bit embarrassed to admit that he had forgotten about the language barrier.&nbsp; "No, I don't, actually.&nbsp; Any training you could arrange would be a magnificent help, thank you.&nbsp; Maybe I should save the city for a bit later, but, I will take you up on the offer for the tracking device for a visit to the Tower.&nbsp; Between the newness of everything and the confines of the spaceflight, I'm finding myself quite restless.&nbsp; I think a bit of time exploring would do wonders for me."<br><br>At least, he realized, that it sounded like she was interested in having him join her department.&nbsp; Maybe his life here wouldn't be as mundane as he had feared.&nbsp; "And, Ms. Lorne, I just want to say thank you very much for the opportunity.&nbsp; I will do my best to become a valuable addition to your team."<br><br>He rifled though his bag a grabbed a few belongings to take with him, although he realized he had no real idea of what might be useful here.&nbsp; At least some water and some snacks, some indentification and some money, although he wasn't sure if any of the locals would care about the last two.<br><br>"OK, I'm ready to go whenever it is convenient for you."
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				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>15-04-2009, 22:15:09</strong>
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			<dd class="postbody">
				Magda led through the surprisingly well signposted corridors to the offices of the outreach program, which was interestingly called <em>Penta Cori'yo</em> - Bridge Society. It could be mistaken for a gaming club, if someone didn't know what it was about. The device, which looked much like a communicator badge with an earpiece for the instructions, was relatively quick and hassle-free to obtain, and soon Respin would be at the gates of the spaceport, with the soft voice in his ear, which sounded a lot like a more featureless version of Magda, whispering instructions to cross the road and head into the Trade City.<br><br>If the Great Northern Road was practically empty, unlike any other freeway in any other world, the city was all in a bustle, and at times it was hard to either dodge the traffic, wheeled or animal, or fend off the hawkers without the guiding voice being drowned out. So it was true, people here dressed much like Terrans during the Middle Ages. Given the harsh climate, their heavy robes and cloaks made sense.<br><br>The Old City was much more quiet, as if the shadow of Comyn Castle forced it to behave. The few people out, as dusk was beginning to fall, were in some sort of uniform, at least judging from the emblems on their jackets. Probably affiliated with the nobility. The sun had almost set and the first two moons, a huge violet one and a tiny white one, were hanging low in the darkening sky when the final buildings were left behind and the shores of Lake Hali appeared in the distance, with the gleaming white spire of the Tower by its side.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>16-04-2009, 02:14:55</strong>
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				He approached the lake, stopping at the shore to admire its foreign beauty and mysticism.&nbsp; He watched as his breath in the frosty air put out delicate puffs that almost matched the 'waters' of the lake.&nbsp; His earlier restlessness, much to his surprise, had been growing rather than diminishing now that he was on his own.&nbsp; He supposed it had something to do with his being anxious to learn more of the tower, and he decided to sit at the shore for a bit and admire it in the purplish light of the two moons.&nbsp; The scene, as he noted before, was different from the one in his dream, but there was a similarity in the feel of the place, in the atmosphere of the lake.&nbsp; He had no doubt that his dreams were tied to this world, if not this place, in some way.&nbsp; The more he thought about it, the more overwhelmed he felt, however, so he decided it was time for his visit.<br><br>He strolled slowly around the lake.&nbsp; Although, logically, he had no real expectations of any strange happenings, a part of him was growing concerned of what he might find here.&nbsp; <em>There are no dark forms chasing me tonight, at least.&nbsp; I just need to relax.</em>&nbsp; As he approached the tower, his sense of awe began to take over as he admired its form and architecture, looking almost ethereal in the moonlight.&nbsp; The fact that such buildings were constructed without any modern equipment astonished him.&nbsp; He began to truly appreciate the art and grace of his new home, especially when he thought back to the practical, efficient, and even institutional styles that had been so popular on Terran.&nbsp; Finally, he decided to walk up to the tower to see if anyone was around, and hoping that it might be open so that he could see the inside.
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			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>16-04-2009, 12:39:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Up close, the Tower seemed to be made of some kind of iridescent white stone, its blocks dovetailing neatly without any visible mortar. Certainly a wonder of architecture and construction, no matter the age. The windows, high up, were dark, apart from an eerie bluish glow, almost too faint to notice. The door was closed, and although there was no visible lock, there was a definite feeling about it that it would not just open to anyone.<br><br><em>Not until you're ready and worthy.</em><br><br>After all, Magda had said, this was a sacred place, and a monument of times past. Respin would have to study more for that. A third, greenish moon was rising, and the stronger light only made everything look more surreal.<br><br>The clouds in the lake rolled softly, whispering. That was the only way to put it. They were calling out, not in words, but clearly. How could people have lived here, with that calling in their ears all the time, without going out and surrendering to the pull of that eldritch place?<br><br>Unless... unless not everyone could hear that call, that seemed to bring out pain forgotten or scabbed over.<br><br>Was there someone standing on the edge, over there? A figure in a red wrap, with pale hair rippling in the breeze... Then it was gone again.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>16-04-2009, 15:16:59</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Although he had been disappointed at first to find the tower closed, as Respin looked out at the lake, something clicked in his mind.&nbsp; His restlessness was overcome, and, although he was still nervous, a strange sense of calm took over.&nbsp; <em>The Tower isn't why I felt the need to come here.&nbsp; It's the lake.&nbsp; The Tower was just the beacon in my visions, but there is something special about this lake. </em> <br><br>He was mindful of Magda's warnings, but the tug on his consciousness was becoming too much to bear.&nbsp; Between that and the connection to his childhood dream, he realized that he would not be able to leave here tonight without trying to figure out what was happening to him.&nbsp; Then he briefly spied the figure.&nbsp; Surprised, he looked harder in the soft moonglow, but then he lost track.&nbsp; He couldn't tell if it had walked away or had even been a figment of his imagination, but he decided to try to find out.&nbsp; He walked over to the shoreline, where he thought he had spied the figure, and called out softly.<br><br>"Hello?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>16-04-2009, 17:29:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				There was no answer, at least not in words. But the calling inside his head intensified. Like something was whispering right into his mind, reminding him of all the troubles he had been in and urging him to walk into oblivion and away from it all.<br><br>The cloud-waves swirled and reached out, beckoning. Were there really more of those blue and golden flowers growing along the shoreline? And he was definitely not alone, despite not seeing a single living thing around. Of course, the world was becoming a blur, and it was hard to make out anything unless it was right against him...
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>16-04-2009, 18:01:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It was becoming very difficult for Respin to think clearly.&nbsp; Magda's warnings about people 'drowning' in the lake had retreated to a distant corner of his mind.&nbsp; He was dimly aware that the lake was potentially dangerous -- he would have almost said malicious if he could be convinced that a lake could be sentient -- or even fatal.&nbsp; However, the beckoning pull had grasped his curiosity, fueled by his long frustrations of not knowing why he was different.<br><br>Past visions flashed into his mind with startling clarity.&nbsp; There had been the time that he had known, somehow, that his mother's new boyfriend meant her harm.&nbsp; He had used all the powers of guilt that a son could wield over his single mother to make her stay home with him that night.&nbsp; They found out the next day that her boyfriend had been arrested for raping a different woman.&nbsp; Then he was remembering the time that he had spontaneously grabbed his friend's boot, just as he was about to put it on, and smashed it against the wall.&nbsp; One of the rare but deadly venomous Terran scorpions had been inside.<br><br>And finally, he was facing the most recent scene.&nbsp; It was the one that he avoided the most in his head because it was the most disturbing and difficult to reconcile.&nbsp; He had been hiking with his sister, enjoying the sound of her laughter, behind him on the trail, when he heard her call out.&nbsp; She had been climbing up a small outcrop and, as he turned, he saw her toppling off the side towards some jagged rocks below.&nbsp; In a blind panic he had called out and reached for her, knowing that he was too far.&nbsp; And in that instant, if he was honest with herself, her trajectory <em>curved</em>.&nbsp; She missed the rocks and fell relatively uninjured on a soft mossy spot nearby.&nbsp; He still remembered the shaking he felt afterwards, barely unable to think clearly enough to go over and check on her.&nbsp; Later, she had sworn it was the wind -- she said she had felt the blast that pushed her.&nbsp; But he knew there had been no gust of wind.&nbsp; He had no idea how, but he knew, deep down, that he had done it.&nbsp; It was easier for him that she believed it had been the wind, and so he kept it that way.<br><br><em>Now, however, I feel this place must be related.&nbsp; I can not leave here and pretend like it doesn't exist, without at least trying to learn the answers.</em>&nbsp; Aware that it went against any logical judgement, he took a deep breath and stepped into the misty 'waters' of the lake.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>16-04-2009, 22:20:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				It felt exactly like going through a patch of mist, only less cold and clammy. The swirls spiralled around him, almost caressing him in welcome, then seemed to enter his mind, wrapping like cotton wool around it, blurring thought, fading emotion, taking words clean away...<br><br>He was not alone, but there was nobody else in the lake. Only on the shores, he knew now there were dozens, no hundreds, spots... unmarked graves housing spirits in slumber, lulled by the lapping of the cloud waves.<br><br>Then even that thought, together with his self, faded away.<br><br>*****<br><br>'He will come round soon. Margali, there's no option here. He <em>must</em> come with me.'<br><br>'<em>Domna</em>, this is going to bring up a lot of questions...' Magda's voice sounded genuinely troubled.<br><br>'Neither of us has a choice, Margali.' The other voice was softer, incredibly musical, as if with several overlays. 'The boy cannot change what he is any more than I can. But he can find somewhere to belong... eventually.'
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>16-04-2009, 23:01:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				After the brief vision, he came back to his senses with ragged breath, standing back on the shoreline.&nbsp; He had no recollection of leaving the lake, and couldn't even say whether he had done it himself.&nbsp; He stood in the moonlight, looking around, trying to shake the cobwebs out of his head.<br><br><em>Why did I hear Magda??</em> She had been unexpected, although he couldn't say what he <em>had</em> been expecting.&nbsp; <em>And who is Domna?</em>&nbsp; At the mention of the other entity, he remembered her voice.&nbsp; He had been mesmerized by the sound, almost angelic in its beauty.&nbsp; He looked out over the lake a bit longer, pondering the turn of events.&nbsp; He was not as unsettled about the fact that he had a vision as he usually was.&nbsp; Between his anticipation and the electric atmosphere of the place, he would have been surprised to walk into the lake and have nothing happen.&nbsp; But he was disconcerted about the content of the vision.&nbsp; Up to this point in his life, he had only had feelings, or premonitions, when people close to him had been in danger.&nbsp; But this had been very clear, and very foreign.&nbsp; He shook his head again, looking around one last time for the figure he had seen before.<br><br><em>So I wasn't completely crazy, back there at the spaceport.&nbsp; There may be quite a bit more to Magda, at least, than what I see on the surface.&nbsp; I must be more careful.</em><br><br>He looked up at the moons, trying to judge how much night had passed, and then realizing that he didn't know how long it took them to traverse the sky, so he gave up.&nbsp; Either way, he supposed it was time to get some rest, if he was to start training tomorrow.&nbsp; Releasing a deep breath to calm his nerves, he started up the tracking device and turned to begin the walk home.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>16-04-2009, 23:28:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The walk back felt completely normal, if rather woozy, and the rest of the night was filled with dreamless sleep. The first hint that things were not exactly like that was when he woke up - in the medical centre instead of his quarters.<br><br>Magda was not there, but walked in as soon as his vision had cleared, as if on cue. She looked troubled, although not angry. 'Don't get up yet, Respin,' she said. 'You gave us a bit of a scare... Are you feeling alright? What happened out there?'
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>17-04-2009, 00:59:43</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>What the hell??</em>&nbsp; He tried to clear his groggy head after waking so quickfully from a deep sleep.&nbsp; <em>Something's not right, here... </em> He eyed Magda warily when she entered.&nbsp; He couldn't help but be suspicious of her involvement in whatever was going on after his experience the previous night.<br><br>"What, uh ... huh?&nbsp; What are you talking about?&nbsp; Nothing happened.&nbsp; I enjoyed a nice walk to the tower to clear my head after all the travel.&nbsp; I stayed for a while, walked back, and went to sleep in my quarters.&nbsp; I feel fine!&nbsp; What am I doing in here??"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>17-04-2009, 01:17:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Magda rested one hand on his forehead for a brief moment, her eyes still troubled, then she sat on the edge of his bed and studied his face silently.<br><br>'You walked into the lake, didn't you?' she asked mildly. 'You very nearly died there, Respin. Falling asleep in there is lethal. I told you you would forget to breathe, didn't I? Only...' She hesitated for a moment. 'Only you were heard, and help arrived just in time. From Comyn Castle and the Tower there.'<br><br>She let it sink in for a long moment, then went on. 'Someone wants to see you there, and you will be escorted over when you feel up to it. Don't feel pressured into anything you don't want to do.'
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>17-04-2009, 02:20:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Look, I'm sorry.&nbsp; I remember your warning, but ... something was happening.&nbsp; I mean, that's not what happened... I didn't fall asleep.&nbsp; I clearly remember walking home.&nbsp; Something else is going on."&nbsp; He could tell by the look on her face that she didn't believe him, and that he would get nowhere trying to convince her.&nbsp; <em>Besides, am I really sure myself?&nbsp; God, so much for making a good first impression.</em>&nbsp; For the first time, his confidence wavered and he found himself wondering what really had happened.<br><br>His own brow remained furrowed in thought, clearly advertising his dissatisfaction with her explanation.&nbsp; Something still didn't feel right.&nbsp; And now, he was to go to the Castle?&nbsp; What in the world did that have to do with anything?&nbsp; <em>Only one way to find out.</em>&nbsp; He rested a bit longer, eating some of the offered breakfast, and once he couldn't stand the wait any longer, he informed them he was ready to go.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>17-04-2009, 10:58:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The someone who was sent to escort Respin turned out to be a boy even younger than himself, in a livery of crimson and grey, with a pattern of a feathered crest on the back of his doublet, very much like a stylised coat of arms. Incongruous as it seemed, in present times, he was obviously a page of one of the great Darkovan noble houses, although probably few Terrans around the spaceport would know which one.<br><br>The boy nodded at Respin and motioned him to follow, clearly informed that he did not speak the local language. Through the cobbled streets they went again, into the Old City, and straight up to Comyn Castle, through a side entrance, with a nod and a couple of words to the guard.<br><br>The castle was an enormous, sprawling structure and felt immensely old. It was said that its construction, closely followed by the rise of the city around it, was the landmark event that marked the end of the Ages of Chaos. It had taken several decades of civil unrest for the Domains to consolidate, but the castle had stood through it all.<br><br>The page led the way up to a south-facing apartment, still shadowed so early in the day, the jewel colours of the draperies and tapestries muted, and left him alone.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>17-04-2009, 15:05:27</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He nodded his thanks to the page, wishing he had at least gotten the hypno-training for the local language before he had gone and bunged up his situation here on Darkovan.&nbsp; He felt nervous, having no idea what to expect or why he was here, but he was also fascinated with his surroundings.&nbsp; <br><br><em>Stepping out of the spaceport is literally like stepping into a novel,</em> he thought.&nbsp; The boundares were almost as crisp, and the contrasts were definitely as stark.&nbsp; He had known that Darkovan was a feudal society, but actually walking the streets, smelling the smells, and hearing the sounds, made it truly sink in.&nbsp; It seemed almost timeless, in a way, with everything apparently unchanged for centuries.&nbsp; Compared to his home world, where everything was manufactured for convenience, efficiency, and modular replacement, as opposed to durability, it felt so ... solid.&nbsp; So real.<br><br>He stared out the window into the eerie, muted daylight.&nbsp; Looking out over the Old City, he waited as patiently as he could to see what was in store.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>17-04-2009, 23:19:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				A door towards the far end of the room opened and closed, making hardly any sound, and the newcomer leaned against it to observe the young man as he was absorbed by the view from the window. <br><br>It was hard to tell at first sight if the crimson-robed stranger was a man or a woman; as tall as Respin but willowy, with a narrow face, high forehead, prominent cheekbones and a pointy chin. A second glance would decide on the latter, perhaps aided by the silver-white hair that was coiled at the nape of her neck, held with a butterfly clasp. She could be called beautiful, in a blankly perfect way, but definitely not human - her cloudy grey eyes, without any whites at all, made that very clear.<br><br>After a few long moments of observing Respin, while he was oblivious of her presence, she cleared her throat softly to attract his attention.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>17-04-2009, 23:48:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Respin couldn't help but jump slightly at the noise behind him.&nbsp; He turned his head quickly to see her standing there, and was even more surprised by her presence.&nbsp; He may have fooled himself into thinking he was beginning to grow accustomed to having such foreign surroundings, but he found the prospect of such foreign inhabitants to downright unsettling.&nbsp; Not that he found her grotesque, or threatening, per se -- in fact he was quite stricken, perhaps even a bit mesmerized, by her beautiful features and perfect form.&nbsp; But there was no doubt that she represented something he had never encountered before.<br><br>He found himself staring at her eyes, and then, embarrassed with himself for doing so, he turned completely to face her.&nbsp; Realizing that he didn't even know a proper greeting in the local language, he nodded his head respectfully and simply said, lamely, "Hello."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>18-04-2009, 00:43:46</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				She looked at him for a moment without as much as smiling, then motioned him to sit in a carved high-back armchair close to the window, herself sitting in another facing him. There was a little table inlaid with what looked quite similar to a chessboard between them.<br><br>She folded her slender six-fingered hands in her lap and studied his face in the brightening daylight before speaking. 'What is your name, boy?' The movement of her lips seemed out of synch with the words, as if she was in fact speaking her own language but he heard his own.<br><br>Whatever the words, anyway, and however delivered, it was instantly clear that hers was the melodious, almost polyphonic, voice he had heard conversing with Magda just before he had woken up.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>18-04-2009, 01:10:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				At first, the effect of her voice was as disquieting as her eyes, almost like watching the badly synced holographic projections that resulted from disrupted transmissions.&nbsp; One he heard the voice, though, his eyes widened slightly.&nbsp; He was surprised to recognize the voice, but he was even more taken by the sound.&nbsp; Hearing it through his vision had not done it justice, that much was clear.&nbsp; Hearing it in person, the dynamics and complexities of the sound were almost hypnotizing.&nbsp; He did, however bristle slightly at being called 'boy.'<br><em><br>Although, from her perspective, that's probably not an insult</em>, he thought to himself.&nbsp; <em>She looks to be as timeless as this castle in which we sit.</em>&nbsp; He met her gray eyes as he answered, "My name is Respin.&nbsp; I apologize for my language skills, but I've only just arrived here."&nbsp; Even though he thought it might be a bit brash, he then smiled at her and added, "And you must be Domna?" 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>18-04-2009, 01:55:42</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The corners of the woman's lips lifted just a fraction, in something that could have been a hint of a smile.<br><br>'No need to apologise, Respin. Your linguistic skills will improve very soon, and they are not the reason you were called here anyway. <em>Domna</em> is a title - I believe your people say 'lady' instead? My name is Daiera, and I'm Keeper of Corandolis Tower.' <br><br>She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the chessboard and lacing her fingers lightly. From so close, her eyes looked even stranger; almost iridescent in the slanting sunlight. 'What happened to you, Respin?' she asked simply, and it was clear she didn't just mean the night before.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>18-04-2009, 16:03:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>Well, so much for being clever,</em> he thought, embarrassed by the fact that he had mistaken her title for her name.<br><br>He found himself frozen again, if only briefly, by her eyes. <em> They really are magnificent...<br></em><br>He recovered quickly, though, and pursed his lips as he considered his response.&nbsp; He knew he wasn't giving her the answer she was looking for, but he really had no reason to -- at least not yet.&nbsp; He still knew nothing about her, or why she wanted to see him.&nbsp; And Magda, though he didn't know what to think of her, either, had seemed genuinely concerned that he had been called here.&nbsp; "I arrived at the spaceport yesterday as a new colonist.&nbsp; After the travel, I needed some time alone so I visited the tower and the lake last night."&nbsp; He paused briefly, and then decided that it was probably pointless to lie.&nbsp; "I entered the lake briefly.&nbsp; If this was a trespass, then I sincerely apologize.&nbsp; However, at the time, it seemed ... important ... to do.&nbsp; Regardless, I clearly remember walking home and going to sleep in my quarters.&nbsp; But I woke up in the medical bay and was told that I had almost died, and probably would have had it not been for the assistance of someone from this castle.&nbsp; If that is so, then someone here deserves my deepest thanks.&nbsp; However, something still tells me that there is more to the story than that, although I have no idea what it is."&nbsp; He looked intently into the subtly shifting textures of her eyes.&nbsp; "So, Daiera, I suppose I would pose the same question to you.&nbsp; Do <em>you</em> know what happened to me?&nbsp; Or at least why I have been brought here?
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>20-04-2009, 13:05:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Daiera sat back again, widening the distance between them, and studied his face, as if trying to determine how much of what he said was ignorance, misdirection or outright lying.<br><br>'I know a few things, and I can surmise a few more,' she said. 'Yes, you could have died last night in the lake, like so many others before you have. I was the one who sent help to you, all the way from here.' She let the implications sink in for a moment before continuing. 'Which brings us to the big question, I suppose. Why was I able to sense you out there? I feel that you know, or at least suspect the answer to that... Especially if Margali has told you a few things about what we of the Towers do.'<br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>20-04-2009, 17:40:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"So ... it was you.&nbsp; Then I do owe you a great deal of thanks."&nbsp; He added, smiling and nodding respectfully at her.&nbsp; He paused, thinking again about his situation.&nbsp; "At the least, I suppose, I could answer the question that you are asking.&nbsp; Please forgive me.&nbsp; My past has taught me that it is better to hide these things.&nbsp; Maybe -- hopefully -- that is not true here."<br><br>He leaned forward and looked at her intently, a hopeful expression clearly painted on his face.&nbsp; "Occasionally, I have ... visions ... for lack of a better word.&nbsp; It doesn't happen often, but when it does they come with frightening suddenness and clarity.&nbsp; The first time it happened, I didn't doubt for a second whether it was true.&nbsp; I simply knew I needed to act on it.&nbsp; Each time, they have given me insight into troubles faced by those I care about."&nbsp; He added, hesitantly, "sometimes, they were troubles of which I would have absolutely no means of knowing or even guessing on my own."<br><br>He looked out the windows, at the view of the distant Tower.&nbsp; "The 'doctors' on my planet were unable to help in any way.&nbsp; I quickly learned that it was better to keep my mouth shut than to seek help.&nbsp; They only wanted to 'fix' me.&nbsp; However, here, I understand that many of your people here have somewhat similar abilities, and that your Towers represent a place of focus, and of practice.&nbsp; I can only surmise that the powers of your people are in some way similar or connected to what happens to me.&nbsp; Otherwise, I don't know why I would be drawn to the lake,&nbsp; or why you would be alerted to me."&nbsp; He leaned back in his chair, letting out a long sigh, both from relief for talking to someone about this, and the difficult of opening old wounds again.&nbsp; "However, since I'm not Comyn, I have absolutely no logical explanation for why that would be."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>20-04-2009, 23:10:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Daiera nodded slowly, the sunlight gleaming over her silvery hair, as if his words confirmed what she had thought, then she started speaking again, more slowly, as if to give him time to digest what he heard, without the disconcerting effect of her voice.<br><br>'What we call <em>laran</em> is much more than telepathy, Respin. There are several different gifts - yes, gifts, though Terran science seems to consider them abnormalities that need curing. I don't understand what society would allow the head-blind to lead the seeing, but that is not the point here.<br><br>'The Comyn did not spring up with <em>laran</em> fully developed, you know. There are still those who might stone you if you remind them they descend from Terran colonists, but that doesn't change the fact. My people <em>remember</em> the first who were caught in the Ghost Wind and had their minds unlocked.'<br><br>She leaned forward again and reached out a fingertip as if to tap his temple, although she stopped just shy of actually touching him. 'It's here, and it's trying to eat its way out. You need to control it, or it will control you. What will it be?'
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>21-04-2009, 01:02:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>Your people?</em> he thought as he looked at her.&nbsp; Although it was obvious she wasn't exactly human, her comment brought the fact more to the forefront of his mind.&nbsp; <em>What people is that, exactly?</em>&nbsp; Unable to think of a way to ask the question with any degree of respect, however, he let it lie for now.<br><br>"I suspected that more than just telepathy was involved.&nbsp; Other things have ... happened to me as well."&nbsp; He looked at her again, becoming unable to remain passive and keep the shaking from his voice.&nbsp; For so long he had held this inside, afraid what others might think or do if they were to find out.&nbsp; But now, he was in a new world, with different rules and different players.&nbsp; Maybe -- <em>maybe</em> -- he would find what he had been seeking.&nbsp; He ignored the comment about his society, as his thoughts were only on finding an answer to what has plagued him for so long now.<br><br>"I already fear that the control has been slipping away from me, so I'm afraid I no longer have a choice."&nbsp; He paused for just a moment, feeling as if he were taking a blind step out onto a very shaky limb.&nbsp; "Will you help me?&nbsp; Please?" 
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>21-04-2009, 12:55:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Daiera's lips curled up a bit more, although it was hard to tell if she was being reassuring or predatory. After all, she had demanded that Magda hand Respin over to her, and now things seemed to go her way whatever the other woman's reservations...<br><br>'An untrained telepath is a threat to himself and others,' she said, 'and a Tower is the only safe place for such. Have you been feeling ill at the times of your visions, as well? Dizzy, disoriented, nauseous? The gifts are mental, but they have to manifest physically, and even among us, too many don't have the resilience to cope with that...<br><br>'Your people believe they are not supposed to have <em>laran</em>, but the fact disproves the supposition. I have already told Margali I would take you to Corandolis and train you. Now that you want it too, she cannot stop it.'
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>21-04-2009, 15:20:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>Wait a minute.&nbsp; What am I agreeing to?</em>&nbsp; He had been caught up in his own desires to learn more about himself, and so had rushed to tell her what he could, in hopes that she could help him.&nbsp; But was there something else?&nbsp; Would he have done that to anyone in her position?&nbsp; Or was it something about her?&nbsp; <em>She is fascinating . . .</em> he thought, and he had to admit that her grace and beauty drew him out more than if he had been speaking with someone less, well, <em>striking</em>.<br><br>However, now he couldn't help but pause and think about what he was doing.&nbsp; "I suppose disorientation is the best description.&nbsp; I often have a few minutes, at least, afterwards, were I feel as if I have woken up from a dream, or from being unconscious."&nbsp; He decided not to tell her about the mental 'push' he had given his sister recently, until he could learn more.<br><br>"But Daiera, what exactly are we talking about here?&nbsp; I work for the spaceport -- what do you mean <em>take</em> me to Corandolis?&nbsp; Where is that?&nbsp; And why would Magda want to stop it from happening?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>21-04-2009, 22:11:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				'In the old times, every child found to have <em>laran</em> would have to serve half a year in a Tower, in exchange for training their gift.' Something in the tone of her words made her seem positively ancient.<br><br>'Margali is thinking of the... implications of openly acknowledging off-worlders with <em>laran</em>. There have been a few Terrans, but they all somehow had Darkovan ties already. You are, for all I know, the first completely unrelated person who seems to have a trainable gift. Margali won't have much use for you if you start breaking down under the strain. Corandolis is a very secluded place, so perhaps the safest for you in the Domains.<br><br>'In fact, we might as well go for the traditional formal testing,' she added as an afterthought, and produced a blue jewel from somewhere among the folds of her crimson robe. She held it up before Respin, at eye level, and pointed at the row of candles along the main table. 'Look into the stone, think of fire, and light them.'
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>22-04-2009, 03:02:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Respin nodded as he listened to her explanation, and it made sense.&nbsp; At least, it fit in with his own experiences when Terran doctors tried to 'help.'&nbsp; He raised his eyebrows at her estimation of his uniqueness, however, wondering if she could possibly be correct.&nbsp; Although he felt like the thought should be flattering, he actually found it a bit stifling, even suffocating.&nbsp; <em>What is so special about me?</em> he wondered to himself.&nbsp; It made him feel as if here were involved with something that had more importance than he desired.<br><br>He was completely taken off guard when she proposed the testing.&nbsp; He stared at her for a moment and then, when he realized she was completely serious, he leaned back in his chair, resting his head in one hand.&nbsp; "Look, Daiera ... I'm sorry if I gave you the wrong impression, regarding me abilities.&nbsp; Or, for that matter, if I gave you the impression that I have any <em>ability</em> at all.&nbsp; The truth is, it doesn't work that way.&nbsp; I can't turn it on like a switch.&nbsp; It only comes to me unexpectedly -- I haven't the slightest idea of how it works."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>22-04-2009, 10:06:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Daiera leaned back in her seat as well. She still held the jewel in delicate fingers, but her air had changed to one of authority, even sternness. She held Respin's gaze with those inhuman iridescent eyes and spoke softly, but firmly.<br><br>'Which part of "control it or be controlled by it" don't you understand, <em>chiyu</em>? You come looking for answers, and you find them. Too bad if they are not the answers you hoped for, but you will have to deal with them. Help, as well - help is available, but you will need to commit to it, and better do it while the choice is still your own.<br><br>'I could tell you a few things that <em>laran</em> properly trained can do, but right now you would not believe me. As for how much ability you do have, well, we are about to find out, the way every single child has, since the Ages of Chaos.' She reached forward and dropped the jewel into his palm. 'Here's your magnifying glass. Focus through it, and light those candles.'
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>22-04-2009, 16:42:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Chiyu?? <em>What the hell is</em> chiyu<em>??</em>&nbsp; To Respin, it sounded a bit too much like <em>child</em>, especially coupled with her slightly scolding tone.&nbsp; He found himself bristling at her presumption that he would accept to be ordered around by a stranger, no matter her authority.<br><br>"I understand perfectly what you meant.&nbsp; Apparently it's <em>you</em> who are not listening to <em>me</em>."&nbsp; Her unwavering gaze made it clear, however, that she did not agree.&nbsp; <em>OK, you don't believe me that I have no ability to call upon?&nbsp; Just wait until I amaze you with how little ability I have!</em><br><br>"Fine.&nbsp; If you won't believe what I'm telling you, maybe you'll believe what I show you."&nbsp; He held looked down at the jewel briefly, noticing that it seemed to feel abnormally heavy in his palm, for its size.&nbsp; &nbsp;Mostly, however, he was too wrapped up in his petty rebellion against her to pay it much attention.&nbsp; He closed his hand around the jewel and stared hard at the candles, thinking of ... <em>What the hell am I supposed to think of?&nbsp; Maybe I am supposed to command them?&nbsp; &nbsp;OK, candles ... LIGHT!&nbsp; Uh... CATCH ON FIRE!</em>&nbsp; He wasn't shocked to find that nothing was happening.&nbsp; Tentatively, smiling inwardly at himself, he tried <em>ABRA CADABRA!</em> Still nothing.&nbsp; <em>This is ridiculous...</em><br><br>"There, you see, are you happy now?&nbsp; I told you..."&nbsp; He trailed off as he felt something tingling in his palm, and he looked down at the gem.&nbsp; Looking more closely, it almost appeared as if the color was not a static hue, but a swirling mix of many shades of blue, some deeper and richer than the others.&nbsp; As he watched the swirling, his frustrations melted away enough for him to focus on the jewel, and he was beginning to feel like there was ... <em>something</em> ... there if he could just figure out how to grasp it.&nbsp; He looked up at Dairea, calm and composed as ever, into those mysterious eyes.&nbsp; He couldn't help comparing the subtly dynamic texture of their color to that of the jewel.&nbsp; He found himself shrinking a bit under her ageless authority, his anger subsiding quickly.&nbsp; <em>At least she is trying to help me</em>, he reminded himself.<br><br>"I ... I'm sorry, Dairea.&nbsp; I'll try again."&nbsp; This time, he held his palm open, gazing at the jewel, letting it relax his mind.&nbsp; As he did so, he conjured an image of the candles, but lit, in his mind.&nbsp; The more he gazed at the jewel, the easier he found it to focus on the image, until finally...<br><br>There was a surge in his palm, coupled with a bright flash in his mind's eye that made him jump with surprise.&nbsp; It took him a second to recover from the start, and then he looked over at the candles to see that they were now, indeed, lit.<br><br>"Oh ... shit," he muttered, to no one in particular.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>22-04-2009, 17:46:00</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Daiera smiled, although her lips didn't even twitch. It was all in those ever-changing, mercurial eyes. She didn't make haste to respond to Respin, letting the nuances of what had just happened sink in. Eventually, when the silence started to grow hard to bear, she broke it softly.<br><br>'One thing to remember, Respin: I will not ever tell you to do anything that I don't believe you can do. Whether you will manage it or not is another thing, but if it is beyond your strength, I will not ask for it. And I will not let you do it either, even if it is something you want, no matter how badly.'<br><br>She gestured to the jewel, which was still alive with swirling and twinkling lights. 'That is a starstone, or matrix stone. All <em>laran</em>-wielders bear one, to focus their power through it. It is keyed to you now. Keep it on you at all times, covered, and don't let anyone else touch it.' She pulled out a little pouch that hung around her neck beneath her robe; the bluish sheen was visible even through the material.<br><br>'You can go back to the spaceport for tonight, talk to Margali if you wish. But I expect you to be back here tomorrow morning. The Council can do fine without me, and it is Corandolis where we have to be.'
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>22-04-2009, 21:36:54</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Respin sat silently, staring at the candles in disbelief for some indeterminate amount of time, largely oblivious to anything else going on in the world.&nbsp; Daiera's voice made him start, and he turned to look at her.&nbsp; For now, he could only nod dumbly in reply to what she said, unable to focus entirely.&nbsp; Finally, he said, weakly, "OK, fair enough.&nbsp; I understand."<br><br>He took the stone and placed it reverently inside one of his pockets, his attitude towards it now completely changed.&nbsp; <em>I need to get myself one of those</em>, he thought to himself when he saw her pouch, not liking the need to trust the pockets of his garments.&nbsp; He stood when she mentioned the spaceport, aware that he had kept her for a while and that their time together for the day was done.&nbsp; It was fine with him, as he had much to contemplate and was having difficulty paying attention any longer.&nbsp; Somewhere, in the back of his mind, he was aware that if he returned tomorrow, he was committing himself to a very uncertain future.&nbsp; He looked down at her again, however, admiring her beauty with a new appreciation in his eyes, and realized he didn't care.&nbsp; <em>She is remarkable.&nbsp; And she is the first person I have met that may truly be able to help me...</em><br><br>He bowed to her awkwardly, in gratitude, although he immediately felt ridiculous for doing so, since he'd never bowed to anyone in his life.&nbsp; It had, for whatever fleeting reason, seemed appropriate, though.&nbsp; "I owe you my thanks again, <em>Domna</em>," he said, and hoped it had not been a presumption to use the title, and that he had done so correctly.&nbsp; "I have ... much to think over.&nbsp; But I will return in the morning."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>22-04-2009, 23:24:11</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				'I will be looking forward to it,' said Daiera, standing up. She was almost as tall as Respin himself, but her willowy figure, even beneath the heavy robes, gave an impression of towering over everything. <br><br>'One last thing: you might feel physically unwell in the next hours; dizzy or feverish, or even hallucinating. That is normal with untrained <em>laran</em>. A couple of drops of this would help in such a case.' She held out to him a tiny glass vial with what seemed to be a dropper cap. 'There is not enough in there to harm you, even if you down it all in one go, although it would not be pleasant. Take care, Respin, and I will see you tomorrow.'<br><br>The page entered again as soon as Daiera had glided out of the room, and escorted him back, as far as the Great North Road. It was barely lunchtime, and there were several hours to fill yet, with not enough things.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>23-04-2009, 02:46:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He followed the page, hardly paying the slightest attention, which was fine since he couldn't speak to the man anyway.&nbsp; His gaze lingered on the Tower, wondering what he had gotten himself into, and how his new life would be.&nbsp; <em>I guess I'll find out soon enough.</em>&nbsp; When the page left him, he looked at the spaceport, and he knew he would have to speak with Magda and tell her what he had decided.&nbsp; He <em>wanted</em> to speak to her, actually.&nbsp; He was quite curious to see what her response would be.&nbsp; He just wasn't ready to do it, yet.&nbsp; So he turned back to the Trade City, hoping he could spend a few anonymous hours and clear his head.<br><br>He wandered along the main road, and spying a market down a side street, turned to enter it.&nbsp; The riot of colors and commotion of all the vendors hawking their goods was a bit overwhelming, especially compared to the sterile shopping environments at home.&nbsp; But he found the energy of the place infectious, and the effort on the part of the vendors was certainly admirable.&nbsp; He was able, for a few minutes, at least, to think of other things.&nbsp; He was even able to find a merchant who spoke enough standard, combined with Respin's ridiculous hand gestures, that he was able to purchase some lunch.&nbsp; He sat on the edge of the market, eating and watching the crowds mill through the streets.<br><br>Feeling better at having some food in his stomach, at least, he decided it was time to talk to Magda before she might be gone for the day.&nbsp; Sighing, he gathered his things, retraced his steps through the market, and walked back toward the spaceport.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>23-04-2009, 14:38:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				As luck would have it, he didn't even need to get there a second time. What chances were there to meet someone he knew in the Trade City? And yet, just around the corner from the market square, there was Magda, together with another woman, taller and older, whose faded gingery hair betrayed her Comyn ancestry. In their local outfits and cloaks, there was no telling that one of them had not spent her entire life on Darkover.<br><br>Magda spotted him first and waved. 'Respin, good to see you! I'd left you a message in your quarters to come see me at the office. I'm glad neither of us had to move again.' She smiled, but there was a worried look in the back of her eyes. 'We need to talk, don't we? Come with us, then. This is Camilla, Guild Mother of the local Renunciate chapter,' she indicated her companion, who simply nodded, assessing Respin with grey eyes almost as piercing as Daiera's. 'The Guild House is very close, we can talk in the Strangers Room. Come on.'
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>23-04-2009, 23:29:41</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He was taken off guard by her, being so focused on how he would find her in the spaceport and what he would say once he did.&nbsp; He waved in return and walked over to join the two women.&nbsp; <em>Well, best to get this over with.</em><br><br>He returned Camilla's nod, unsure of what to think of her.&nbsp; He raised his eyebrows at Magda's invitation to the Guild House, not being entirely comfortable with being in yet <em>another</em> unfamiliar place, but there was little he could politely say, so he acquiesced.&nbsp; "The Strangers Room, huh?&nbsp; Well, by all means, lead the way."<br><br>As they walked, he asked, mostly to break what he perceived to be an uncomfortable silence, but also since he was curious where he was being taken, "So, if you don't mind my asking, what exactly is the Renunciate's Guild?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>24-04-2009, 13:21:07</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Magda seemed to hesitate for a moment, but Camilla nodded and said, in halting but accurate Standard: 'I'll tell the lad, Margali. After all, from what you said, he's not likely to see many of us where he'll be going.'<br><br>By that time they had reached what seemed to be the Guild House. The front door opened as they reached it; behind it was a girl no older than sixteen, who smiled and hugged Magda and Camilla and looked at Respin with curiosity before the three moved away. In a matter of moments, they were in a room facing the back garden, which looked like the meeting room in Comyn Castle, only much simpler in its furnishings.<br><br>'The Guild of Renunciates,' Camilla explained as they sat down, 'is a place for women to belong for what we are - not for which family's name we carry, nor for what abilities we have. A woman with no inclination for marriage or the Towers can join us and make her own way in the world, without answering to anyone apart from her charter. We do have to renounce some things, however, hence our name... we have to lay down our ties to family, clan and heritage - resign the rights as well as the obligations. It's not an easy decision to make.' Her grey eyes looked knowingly at Respin. 'As hard as yours, methinks.'
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>24-04-2009, 16:34:12</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He nodded respectfully at Camilla.&nbsp; It had never occurred to him that he may have been asking something of such a private nature, and he appreciated her candor.&nbsp; "Perhaps you are right, though I certainly can't claim to understand difficulty from the perspective of a woman.&nbsp; Though we claim to have made great strides on my home planet, the tenacity of the old prejudices is, impressive, to say the least."&nbsp; He wondered about what it might be like on Darkover, where, he guessed, the view of women may very well be as conservative as the rest of their society.&nbsp; "It is noble work you do, and, I should think, that the women of your guild are much better off as a result."<br><br>He looked at her a moment longer, wondering whether he should speak in front of her, then realized that she wouldn't have made such a comment if she wasn't already aware of the situation surrounding him.&nbsp; "Regarding my decision, however, the more I think of it the more I'm realizing that it's not that difficult."&nbsp; He turned to Magda to face her.&nbsp; "Magda, I have to say I've decided to accept Dairea's assistance.&nbsp; I can't claim to be comfortable with the idea, or even unafraid.&nbsp; But I fear I can't continue moving through my life without addressing ... who I am.&nbsp; My only other reservation, however, is you, frankly.&nbsp; Firstly, you have shown me unexpected care since I arrived, and I appreciate that.&nbsp; Secondly, and possibly more importantly, you seem don't seem to be particularly excited about the prospect of my leaving for Corandolis.&nbsp; Is there something I should know, Magda?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>24-04-2009, 23:48:17</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				'He's a smart one, Margali, just as you said,' chuckled Camilla, then stood. 'I'll go make sure everything is ready for training session,' she added and strode out of the room.<br><br>Magda took a long moment to speak again. 'It's not a matter of commitment on your part, Respin,' she said finally. 'You have not signed any contracts, so you are free to go wherever you choose. I just... hoped we would get an off-worlder with <em>laran</em> on the team, to start strengthening the Bridge. Yes, I knew about it, and so did Camilla.' She brought her hand to her throat, where something bulged slightly beneath her tunic, perhaps the same spot where Daiera was carrying her matrix. 'There used to be a project, a few years ago, that ended in disaster on both sides...' She shook her head, as if willing memories away.<br><br>'I don't know the Keeper of Corandolis well at all. Her people were not sociable even in the Ages of Chaos; now they are hardly to be seen at all. And Corandolis is a terribly isolated place, with very little contact with the outside world. You do need training, but I hoped for somewhere more accepting and accessible, like Neskaya. You are vulnerable right now; aren't I right to be concerned about you being cut off completely from anything you find even remotely familiar here?'
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>26-04-2009, 19:11:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He thought for a moment before replying.&nbsp; "I never meant to insinuate that you were wrong for showing concern.&nbsp; I merely hoped to understand why."&nbsp; He looked at her a moment longer, and his trepidation seemed to melt away a bit in his frustration.&nbsp; "You speak of these alternatives -- Neskaya, or staying on the 'team' -- as if they clearly exist.&nbsp; But if they do, I'm unaware of the fact.&nbsp; Magda .... Dairea is the first person who has shown the slightest understanding of my abilities, let alone any desire or ability to assist me with them.&nbsp; Are you surprised that I would jump at the chance?&nbsp; I can't just start working at the spaceport on my own, and make this up as I go.&nbsp; I don't understand any of it.&nbsp; I have spent years now trying to figure it out on my own and it has led only to more questions and more frustration."&nbsp; He thought about her comment that she knew of his <em>laran</em>.&nbsp; Is that why he had sped through the bureaucracy so quickly and easily, finding himself being personally interviewed by Magda instead of mopping floors?&nbsp; If so, why hadn't she been open with him?&nbsp; If she had other plans for him, why hadn't she explained what his options were?&nbsp; The questions made the balance of his trust tilt even further from Magda and closer to Dairea.&nbsp; <em>She may be strange and unknown, but at least she seems to be honest and direct with me...</em><br><br>He looked around the room for a minute to collect his thoughts, finding some refuge in the comfortable surroundings.&nbsp; "As I said, already -- from my perspective, there are no other alternatives, so there really is no choice to be made.&nbsp; Unless there are options of which I'm unaware.&nbsp; Is that what you are saying, Magda?&nbsp; Are there other means by which I may obtain the training I need?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>27-04-2009, 10:44:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Magda sighed. 'No, not immediately. My own skill is limited; I could be able to help you control what you already have, but not teach you how to expand your abilities. I could talk the Keeper of Neskaya into taking you in, but that would take time, and you seem to want answers now.' She patted his hand briefly, almost absently. 'I can't say I blame you. Life with <em>laran</em> can be hard. But I had to make sure you knew what you were signing up for.'<br><br>She stood slowly, indicating that the conversation was over. 'If you trust <em>Domna</em> Daiera that much, then follow her. I hope to get good news from you by this time next year. Good luck.'
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>27-04-2009, 20:04:04</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				<em>Maybe I was being a bit harsh on her.&nbsp; She does seem to be genuinely concerned... Either way, it apparently no longer matters.</em><br><br>Her quick dismissal surprised him a bit, and made his departure for Corandolis much more real in his mind.&nbsp; He felt his nerves rise a bit, disorienting him and turning his stomach slightly, at the thought of committing himself to an entirely unknown future.<br><br>"Thank you," he responded.&nbsp; "For what it's worth, I hope I can come back and assist the outreach efforts properly.&nbsp; Please thank Camilla for her hospitality."&nbsp; He bid her farewell, feeling a bit worse by the minute, and decided it was probably best to spend the remainder of the afternoon resting in his quarters after such a trying couple of days.&nbsp; As he left the Guild House to return to the Spaceport, he realised that it wasn't just his nerves that were bothering him.&nbsp; Remembering Dairea's warning about the use of <em>laran</em>, he stopped under a nearby awning and felt for the small vial in his pocket.&nbsp; He looked at it a bit dubiously, but realized that if he was going to trust her with his life for the near future, he would probably have to trust her in this as well.&nbsp; Cautiously, he placed a couple drops on his tongue and swallowed them.&nbsp; The effect was slightly anticlimactic, however, as there was really no taste or noticeable effect, and he replaced the vial in his pocket.&nbsp; <em>Well, I hope it takes effect sooner rather than later.&nbsp; It's too chilly today to sit here and wait to see what happens.</em>&nbsp; Exhausted, he turned to finish his walk to the Spaceport.<br><br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>27-04-2009, 22:52:20</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The drug, whatever it was, took a few moments to act, but the effect was instant. Between one step and the next, the nudging in the back of his head subsided. No more suggestions of senses beyond the mundane five. Everything seemed clear and... somehow superficial. Without subtext. Was that the way the head-blind perceived the world?<br><br>It was almost dark by the time Respin reached the spaceport, and it was beginning to sleet again. The place was all aglow with lights of different colours - yellow Earth sunlight, red Darkovan sunlight, and a few others altogether. But still, even without deeper sight and in the distance, the lights of the city, especially Comyn Castle and Hali Tower, glowed more inviting. <br><br>Daiera had not said what time to return in the morning, but the impression suggested sooner than later. It was going to be a long night.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>28-04-2009, 20:25:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				When he felt the effects, he had to stop and look around.&nbsp; The relief was truly a blessing, and he welcomed it eagerly.&nbsp; But he couldn't help to notice the difference in his perception.&nbsp; It made him a bit uncomfortable, at first, but he reminded himself that it was only temporary (at least he hoped) and he became fascinated with the shift in the world around him.&nbsp; <em>It's almost like closing one eye</em>, he mused.&nbsp; <em>The focus is sharp, but the depth is lacking</em>.&nbsp; He hadn't realized how much information his <em>laran</em> supplied him until now, and he realized he might actually be lucky to have it, which was an extremely new concept for him.&nbsp; After a couple minutes, however, of observing his new senses, he decided it was time to return and rest, and so he made his way back to his quarters.<br><br>After getting through the initial disorientation of hearing the alarm the next morning, coupled with the muted predawn light from outside, Respin was at least glad to see that he had managed to spend a night in his own bed and wake up there the next morning.&nbsp; He looked around his quarters and found himself a little wistful at the thought of leaving.&nbsp; It certainly wasn't because he was attached to his new quarters, specifically -- he had hardly spent any time there at all.&nbsp; But they represented some semblance of comfort and familiarity, particularly compared to where he was going.&nbsp; He sighed, collected his few possessions and left the room.&nbsp; Stopping for a quick bite to eat, he wondered briefly if he should inquire about an escort, although he decided that he knew his way, and would rather be alone this morning anyway.<br><br>He made the journey relatively easy, with the Trade City and the Road being at least a little less busy in the early morning hour, and soon found himself approaching the Old City.&nbsp; He looked at the monstrous castle, it's highest points already hit by the rising sun, and couldn't help to feel a bit of a thrill begin to replace his trepidation.&nbsp; <em>This is it.&nbsp; If nothing else, I finally get to learn what I am, and how to make the best of it.</em>&nbsp; He thought of Dairea's exquisite features as they sat in the room yesterday, and found himself looking forward to seeing her again as he approached the main gate.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>29-04-2009, 11:49:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The guard at the side gate seemed to recognise Respin. He gestured for him to wait and called another page, in a black and silver livery, who seemed to be close. The two conversed for a few moments, in what sounded like <em>casta</em>, the language favoured in the mountain regions, and then the page motioned for Respin to follow, up to the same suite as the day before.<br><br>Daiera was already there this time, once more in her crimson robes, and a flash of approval crossed her silvery eyes on seeing Respin so early. 'An early morning riser, that's good,' she mused. 'Are you ready, Respin? Have you settled any affairs you had here? Because you won't be able to return for a long time, and time in a Tower changes you anyway...'
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>29-04-2009, 17:49:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Respin couldn't help but smile when he saw Dairea again.&nbsp; With most women, it was his memories that added a sort of otherworldly, fantastical quality to his impression of their beauty.&nbsp; <em>But not with her,</em> he realized now.&nbsp; <em>That is how she truly is.</em>&nbsp; He found himself very pleased to have earned her compliment.<br><br>He hadn't really had any affairs to settle, or if he had, he had ignored them without much care.&nbsp; He registered her warning, but he was fully decided and not interested in reconsidering now.&nbsp; "I am as ready as I will ever be, <em>Domna</em>."&nbsp; He smiled shyly at her.&nbsp; "I am committed to seeing this through, so as of now, I put myself completely at your mercy."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>29-04-2009, 22:07:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				'Remember those words,' said Daiera softly, as if to herself. 'Remember that you uttered them freely, whenever the need to abide by them arises.' There was an almost ritual cadence in the words, something suggesting a real binding, but it stopped there. There was no ritual gesture, and she didn't even attempt to touch him.<br><br>'We should be getting ready to go,' she continued, seemingly gliding over the floor towards the door and gesturing to him to follow. 'It is a kind of journeying you have never experienced, so it can feel rather disconcerting. I take it you have your starstone with you? You're going to need it.'<br><br>The way she led took them up a winding flight of stairs to the turret that topped the eastern wing of the castle. 'This is where Comyn Tower operates, when enough of the <em>leroni</em> are gathered here. We will cross to Corandolis through the matrix grid. Otherwise, the journey would take weeks, over some of the worst terrain on Darkover. Without the relays, we would be completely cut off from the rest of the world.'<br><br>They passed under an open archway covered with what looked like a shimmering rainbow and felt like a curtain of cobwebs. 'I'll tell you later what that is,' Daiera cut off any questions Respin might have. 'For now, take a moment to focus on your starstone. We have to be in synch for this.'
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>30-04-2009, 15:17:52</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He was surprised that he was being called upon so soon to use <em>laran</em>, especially for something as important as a difficult journey.&nbsp; Lighting candles was one thing.&nbsp; Hurtling your body through space and ensuring it arrived safely and in the correct configuration was quite another...<br><br>He nodded, however, hardly willing to balk at one of her requests so soon after making his promise.&nbsp; He reached into his pocket, pulled out his starstone, and looked at it, focusing again on the swirling hues, trying to let his mind relax as he had before.&nbsp; His nerves seemed to be getting in the way more than the last time, however.&nbsp; With the candles, failure had been entirely expected, and seemed to entail no real consequences.&nbsp; This time, that was hardly the case, and he tried to ignore the pressure that it caused.&nbsp; The stone's swirling continued ceaselessly, however, unconcerned for his fears, and he found the sight comforting,&nbsp; Before too long, he felt relatively focused, and he felt himself relax into a more meditative mindset.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>30-04-2009, 16:55:02</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Daiera watched with approval as Respin wrestled his consciousness into channeling, then brought one hand up to where her own matrix rested, beneath her robe. She didn't have to take it out to link with it. Then her mind made a move, as if she had reached to take his hand and ease him into step with her. It would feel mildly intrusive, at least at first, but the two stones would soon be pulsing in synchronicity, just like the breaths and pulses of their holders.<br><br>It was only then that Daiera actually, physically moved. The room had not disappeared around them; on the contrary, they were both quite aware of the six other people in there, sitting around a brass circle inlaid on the floor, one in crimson robes like Daiera, three in blue, two in green - and a seventh, in white, outside the circle, watching them all.<br><br>Daiera took Respin's hand and pulled him with her into the circle, which flared up and closed around them. The next moment they were suspended in grey nothingness, and the next they were standing inside a similar circle, in a smaller, darker, colder room, with only four other people.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>01-05-2009, 22:33:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Respin stood, breathing hard, as the meaning of what he had just experienced slowly sank in.&nbsp; He looked around the room, assuming the circles represented some kind of ... gateway, for lack of a better word ... to whatever power or system they had just used to travel.&nbsp; Regardless, the effect was quite disorienting, and he was glad for the touch of Dairea's hand to offer him some kind of physical grounding to the real world.&nbsp; He looked down at the starstone, realizing he had it in a white-knuckled grip.&nbsp; <em>I hope I didn't do that to her hand... God, I feel like a overwhelmed boy on his first day of school.</em><br><br>He glanced down, happy at least to see that all of his various appendages had also come along for the ride, and appeared to still be attached in the same places as before.&nbsp; He glanced around at the other figures, unsure of what to think of them.&nbsp; Finally, he looked over at Dairea and tried to put on a bit of a smile.&nbsp; "So, are we there?&nbsp; Because I think one of those trips is enough for me, today."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>04-05-2009, 17:44:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Daiera had let go of his hand as soon as they had found themselves solidly within the circle, so his grip couldn't have been that hard. She nodded at him, as the others around them stirred and looked up at the newcomers. 'There won't be another trip like this for a long time, Respin. We will go back to the overworld a lot, but jumping through the relays is not something to indulge in. We would be coming by road, if there <em>were</em> any roads around here.'<br><br>'It was an effort to bring you both over, but it was worth it, for a new addition,' said a youngish woman with black hair like spun glass, in blue robes trimmed with red. She sized Respin up before smiling a little. 'A risk that will probably pay off, Lady Keeper.'<br><br>Daiera smiled back. 'Let me worry about that for now, Melora. Respin, this is our chief technician, Melora Aillard. We don't have a big circle, as you see. These are our mechanics, Damon Leynier and Regis Delleray,' she added, gesturing towards the two men in green, one a lanky ginger, the other dark, bearded, almost hulking. 'And last but not least, our monitor, Veradis Castamir, whom we hope you will be replacing soon, allowing her to advance her training.' The monitor, a delicate-looking blonde girl in white robes, around Respin's age, brightened up considerably at the prospect.<br><br>'You take a break and refresh yourselves,' Daiera continued. 'Respin is going to be my personal responsibility. Come, <em>chiyu</em>, time to start settling in.' She paused for a moment, then added, 'You can put your starstone away, now. You don't want to hurt anyone else with it.'
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>05-05-2009, 17:46:06</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Well, I'm glad to hear that, at least."&nbsp; He smiled at her, relieved that they wouldn't be traveling in such a manner again any time soon.&nbsp; He raised his eyes at Melora's comment, wondering what gave her the impression.&nbsp; His nerves were working overtime, after the journey and now finding himself on display and being sized up so soon.&nbsp; He took a couple deep breaths, calming himself, as he listened to Daiera.<br><br>He nodded at each of them as he was introduced.&nbsp; "Thank you all for your assistance, it's good to meet you and to be here."&nbsp; He glanced down at the starstone, putting it away in his pocket.&nbsp; <em>Hmmm, good point.&nbsp; That would be quite the first impression ...</em>&nbsp; He nodded at everyone in the room again smiled, following behind her.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>06-05-2009, 11:39:47</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The matrix chamber was at the top of the Tower, and had no windows. Nothing to distract the circle at work. The lower level, to which Daiera led down a winding stone staircase, looked much more mundane. This Tower seemed to be built out of sturdy grey stone, more like a keep than the ornamental thing Hali was. The doors were festooned with coloured sashes that matched each member's robes; a discreet way to display who was where without mentioning names.<br><br>Daiera's rooms were at the end of the hall, facing the stairs. On one side was Veradis' white-hung door, and on the other, a more bare door with a dark grey ribbon curl fastened to it. That seemed to be Respin's designated room; the higher one was in the Tower hierarchy, the further away from the Keeper they appeared to go. As if she wanted to keep the inexperienced ones close.<br><br>She opened his door herself, to reveal a spare but comfortable room, carpeted and tapestried against the chill of the snow-capped mountains visible through the windows. 'Matrix work is very draining, as you will soon find out,' she said. 'I need some rest, as do the others. Veradis will be down soon, to show you around the rest of the place. Until later,' she nodded and disappeared behind her own crimson-decorated door.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>08-05-2009, 16:58:10</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Respin nodded his thanks, looking around his room, finding himself surprisingly pleased and comfortable in the cozy surroundings.&nbsp; He looked out the window, admiring the majesty of the mountains.&nbsp; <em>My god.&nbsp; It certainly has quite the view...</em>&nbsp; As he stood there, the appearance of the place made him realize just how far they had journeyed and just how isolated he was.&nbsp; He thought about what that meant, to be unable to leave easily, for an indeterminate amount of time, with his fate and happiness tied so closely to such a small number of strangers.&nbsp; He felt a bit of panic rise within him and the trapped sensation that goes along with it.&nbsp; The splendor of the mountains, however, coupled with the comfort of his chamber, helped to calm him again.&nbsp; <em>Besides, if this is where I can properly train myself, then there really is no place I would rather be.</em><br><br>He looked at his wall, thinking of the fact that Daiera was just on the other side, and he found himself wondering what she was doing.&nbsp; Even though he had no idea what it might be, the feeling of being so close to her most private chamber made him feel a surprisingly intimate connection to her, and he thought of her vividly.&nbsp; <em>She's so calm and graceful in her beauty in front of others,</em> he thought.&nbsp; <em>Is that because of her race, or her position?&nbsp; I wonder, when she is alone, how does she appear?</em>&nbsp; He imagined her in her chamber, easing comfortably into a chair, propping her legs over the side, glad that she could drop her formality now that she was alone.&nbsp; In truth, it was hard to picture.&nbsp; Her bearing seemed more a natural part of her than an unwanted facade required of her position.&nbsp; <em>Which, truth be told, makes her even more fascinating.&nbsp; I mean, is she ALWAYS like that?</em>&nbsp; He imagined her coming to him, dropping her crimson robe off of her graceful slender frame, wearing that confident, authoritative smile on her face...&nbsp; The image was surprisingly powerful, and he flushed slightly at the thought before trying to hurriedly put it out of his mind as a new thought suddenly occurred to him.&nbsp; <em>God, she's probably over there reading my thoughts... Won't she be impressed?</em><br><br>Trying to distract himself, he began looking around the room.&nbsp; He was starting to feel a bit ridiculous still wearing his Terran uniform from the spaceport, and was wondering if he might find some robes already in his room.&nbsp; He thought of his door, almost embarrassingly plain, and smiled to himself.&nbsp; <em>Well, I supposed I am looking for something gray...</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>11-05-2009, 15:56:36</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				There was a change of clothes laid out on the seat next to the bed; a linen shirt, breeches and an overtunic like those the pages at Comyn Castle had worn, and a pair of fur-lined indoor boots. Clearly, he was not expected to go outside, at least right away. The clothes were alright in length, only a bit too wide, but nothing that would require alterations. And, sure enough, there was a dark grey robe hanging in the wardrobe, apparently the sign of the apprentice. A token of tentative acceptance into the working circle.<br><br>The view out of the windows was simply breathtaking. Corandolis was apparently situated in the wooded foothills of the Hellers, the mountain range that marked one side of the small habitable part of Darkover. The mountains towering towards the right of the vista would easily dwarf the Himalayas; towards the left, the hills sloped more gently, disappearing into the mist towards the Valeron plains. There was no sign of civilisation as far as the eye could see.<br><br>There was a knock on the door, which then opened a crack and Veradis' face peeked in. 'Do I disturb?' she asked, in stilted but understandable Standard.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>12-05-2009, 16:27:01</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"No, not at all," he smiled at her.&nbsp; "Please come in.&nbsp; I was just trying on my new clothes."&nbsp; He held his arms out and spun in an exaggerated display of his new fashion.&nbsp; "How do I look?&nbsp; Although, I suppose you are probably glad to have the days of wearing this color behind you, no?"&nbsp; He watched her as she entered, finding himself pleased to have her company.&nbsp; Something about her seeming innocence and their similar ages made him feel more comfortable around her, and he could use something comfortable.&nbsp; <em>Besides</em>, he thought, as he glanced at her and smiled inwardly while she entered, <em>she's much easier on the eyes than getting stuck with one of those mechanics...</em><br><br>He extended his hand, not knowing whether this was the proper greeting here, but figuring that making a lame effort at being friendly was better than making no effort at all.&nbsp; "Veradis, is it?&nbsp; It's nice to meet you.&nbsp; I'm Respin.&nbsp; And thanks," he added, smiling at her.&nbsp; "I appreciate the company."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>13-05-2009, 13:59:32</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Veradis smiled and walked in, closing the door behind her, then took the offered hand and pressed it lightly before letting go. Her manner suggested that it was not exactly the most common way of greeting, but she had spent time among Terrans, enough to pick up some cultural niceties as well as the language.<br><br>'Yes, they...' She struggled to find the right word, then gave up. 'You look good. No need to wear the robe always, only for work. Although it's a... habit.' She herself had shed her white robe in favour of a light blue dress that really brought out her colouring. '<em>Domna</em> Daiera said I should show you the rest of the Tower. Do you want to go now?'
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>13-05-2009, 22:18:57</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Really?&nbsp; Great!"&nbsp; Respin quickly removed the robe and chucked it on the bed.&nbsp; Although he knew it wouldn't raise any eyebrows in the Tower, he still felt a bit strange in it and so he was happy to leave it behind.&nbsp; However, after a second thought, he picked it up and hung it a little more respectfully in the wardrobe.&nbsp; <em>Probably best not to act like I'm some kind of University student.&nbsp; Although,</em> he thought, as he looked around, <em>I suppose in a way I am...</em>&nbsp; At least the breeches and the tunic felt a bit more familiar in terms of style, and he had to admit the boots couldn't be cozier against the stone floor.&nbsp; He was already in love with those, no matter how ridiculous his friends at home might think him if they were to see him now.<br><br>"And yes, I would love to get a look around the Tower, seeing as how it is my home for the foreseeable future."&nbsp; He added, quickly, "as long as now is a good time for you, of course."&nbsp; Suddenly, he realized he was talking quickly in Standard, and he wasn't quite sure how easy it was for Veradis to follow.&nbsp; He hated the thought of being the brash newcomer that wouldn't learn the local ways.&nbsp; "Veradis, is there a means here of learning the language?&nbsp; I was supposed to be trained at the Spaceport, but, uh," he furrowed his brow and added, "well, things didn't quite work out that way."&nbsp; He had completely forgotten Magda's offer for the hypnotraining, and he sincerely wished he had received it before coming here.&nbsp; <em>Not that I can do much about that now, I suppose.</em><br><br>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>14-05-2009, 11:30:58</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Veradis nodded, leading the way down the stairs to the lower level of the Tower. 'I expect <em>domna</em> Daiera will teach you that too,' she said. 'Probably plant the core in your mind and let it grow and pick up the rest. We will all help,' she added, with a little smile. 'Not much need for books, but enough work.'<br><br>On the lower floor, which was still one up from the ground, there were the Tower's common rooms. The study, with shelves of old-fashioned richly bound books and scrolls, and no mundane projector or hologram chamber to be seen; the dining room with its carved oval table; the parlour, looking incredibly cozy with its overstuffed seats and the tall harp standing in the corner. Veradis pointed at the instrument. 'Melora's,' she said. 'She is very good, she could have become a lyric performer. She will play again on Midsummer festival. Have you been in one?'
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>14-05-2009, 21:20:25</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"Thank you," he said to her and smiled in response to her offer to help.&nbsp; "That would be most welcome."<br><br>He found himself looking around the Tower as they walked, letting himself sink into the feel of the place, and he couldn't deny his attraction to it.&nbsp; There was such an atmosphere and feel of solidity, even timelessness, around him, that he never experienced at home.&nbsp; There, it seemed like all anyone ever did was worry about the future.&nbsp; How it would be different, what it might bring, and other pointless concerns that no one could forsee or change.&nbsp; Here, it seemed so much easier to just focus on, and be content with, the present.&nbsp; As if the pace of change was slower, so there was less concern for what unknowns may lie just over the horizon.&nbsp; He had no idea if the perception was valid, of course, but he found it comforting for the time being.<br><br>He admired the harp, and smiled slightly at the sight of the forward speaking technician at the graceful instrument.&nbsp; It wasn't a combination he would have predicted, at least based on his very brief meeting with her.&nbsp; Still, looking at the instrument, he realized he looked forward to hearing it being played by skilled hands.&nbsp; He turned back to Veradis.&nbsp; "No, I haven't.&nbsp; Actually, I only just arrived on the planet, ah," he wrinkled his brow in thought and then raised his eyebrows, "two days ago, I think?"&nbsp; He shook his head slightly.&nbsp; "It's been a busy couple days...&nbsp; But the Festival sounds exciting.&nbsp; I hope I have the opportunity to attend.&nbsp; Is it held here?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>15-05-2009, 15:07:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				'Two days ago?' Veradis' blue eyes opened wide with surprise. 'You must be very talented, if <em>domna</em> Daiera was able to find you and arrange to bring you here in so little time.' She looked at him more closely, more curiously now. 'I had heard about <em>Terranan</em> with <em>laran</em>, but never met one.'<br><br>Then she led the way down yet another flight of stairs, to the ground floor, informing him that the kitchens and utility rooms were there, and that a family who lived in an adjacent cottage kept house for the Tower's occupants. There didn't seem to be anything of interest there, however, until she turned into a little corridor and opened a door into the largest conservatory Respin could have imagined.<br><br>There were huge pots in the corners holding grown fruit trees, and smaller ones with shrubs and flowers, arranged to create paths and privacy areas with cushioned benches. One glass wall was covered in a creeper that had extended from the Tower's stone walls, but the other two allowed a full view of the wooded hills and far mountains, only slightly less majestic than from higher up.<br><br>'Midsummer and Midwinter are celebrated everywhere,' said Veradis. 'If we had more of us, we would dance.' Her tone betrayed she missed it. 'But there will be a feast, and music, and stories, here.'
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>17-05-2009, 02:39:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He grimaced slightly at the irony of her compliment.&nbsp; "Well, I'm not sure that 'talent' is the right word," he said, ruefully.&nbsp; "I think it was more my stupidity that attracted her notice."&nbsp; He looked at her, deciding there was no need to embarrass himself and elaborate.&nbsp; "Never mind," he finished and laughed slightly.&nbsp; "You wouldn't be impressed."<br><br>He whistled softly at the sight of the conservatory.&nbsp; "This is amazing!&nbsp; Whomever is responsible for this has quite a way with plants!"&nbsp; He trailed his hand over a couple glossy leaves, then realized that he had little clue as to what any of these plants were and even less knowledge about their qualities and dangers.&nbsp; He spotted at a trailing vine with long cup-shaped blossoms hanging low to the ground, and wondered if it was one of the carnivorous plants he had heard of but never before seen.&nbsp; <em>Probably best to keep my hands to myself. </em><br><br>"No dancing, huh?&nbsp; That's a shame -- you have the look of a dancer about you."&nbsp; He considered her for a moment, before smiling and adding, "I'm sure you could leave me far behind, at any rate."&nbsp; He glanced around again at the abundant life of the conservatory.&nbsp; "I have to say, though, Veradis -- the Tower seems quite amazing.&nbsp; If you don't mind me asking, do you like living here?"
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>17-05-2009, 14:16:18</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				'The previous chief technician, Diotima Montray, worked here a lot,' said Veradis. 'That was long before my time, of course... before <em>domna</em> Daiera came here and the Tower became fully operational. It is a small place, though - nowhere near Arilinn or Neskaya, or even Dalereuth. We are far behind the world.' <br><br>She looked out at the mountains and sighed a little. 'It can get lonely out here, but I know that it will not be forever. I have probably one more year before my father calls me back home to Castamir and to my wedding, and I know I will miss it when the time comes.' She shrugged, then her smile returned. 'At least the bathhouse we have here is as good as any. It is well needed in the cold season. Come see.'<br><br>The door to the bathhouse itself was at the other end of the little corridor. The main room, its walls left rougher, unfinished, to create an almost cave-like impression, was wreathed in steam from the bubbling central pool, that seemed to sit above natural hot springs. The only light came in through the glass domed ceiling, although there were sconces on the walls as well. 'There is another tub in the side room,' pointed Veradis, 'but normally there is not even need to share the pool, unless we want to.'
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>22-05-2009, 21:49:14</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The bath certainly looked inviting, as Respin watched the tendrils of steam curl up from the warm placid water to disappear into the air.&nbsp; He imagined how good it would feel to blissfully sink into the waters and ease his worries for a few minutes.&nbsp; Even now, in the summer, he could feel the chill of the Tower's stones, and he could only guess at how much more enticing the baths would become in the winter.<br><br>"Actually, I could go for one of those about now," he said, thinking of the stress of the last few days, and now with the added fatigue of his effort at traveling starting to sink in.&nbsp; "Are we free to use them any time?"&nbsp; At her mention of sharing the bath, he couldn't help but to blush slightly at the thought, as well as become slightly aroused as he considered the possibility.&nbsp; It had been a long spaceflight, and in the quiet of the Tower, alone here with Veradis, he was having trouble ignoring her already.&nbsp; The thought of sharing a bath with her did little to calm his mood.<br><br>"Sharing, huh?"&nbsp; He laughed shyly.&nbsp; "For some reason -- although I don't know why, except that it is such a small group -- but I assumed that would be frowned upon..."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>28-05-2009, 23:34:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Veradis nodded, a little smile playing around her lips. 'Any time. Although, of course, if we walk in on someone else, we need to ask if they care to share, and if they don't want company, we need to move to the other tub. A little understanding and organisation saves embarrassment.'<br><br>She paused for a moment, the barest of blushes spreading over her face. 'Frown, why? We are few, and far from our families and friends, so we take care of one another. But we do need permission from <em>domna</em> Daiera, because our work must not suffer.' She glanced towards the door. 'She will call for you as soon as she is rested, and you must be ready.'
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>02-06-2009, 02:38:26</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				He blushed a bit at her frank description of their situation, but at the same time he appreciated the perspective, and was glad to know it was common.&nbsp; He boldly thought, if only for a moment, of inviting Veradis to join him, but decided that it was probably not a good idea.&nbsp; Now would not be the right time to complicate things when he wasn't even sure what his role here would be.&nbsp; He smiled at her.<br><br>"You're probably right."&nbsp; Almost on cue, he had to stifle a yawn as he felt the effects of using <em>laran</em> begin to take root more deeply.&nbsp; "As inviting as it looks, I would probably be wise to use what time I have to rest as much as possible."&nbsp; He glanced longingly at the bath once again, then led the way out of the rooms, trying his best to retrace their steps to the rooms.&nbsp; The thought of his cozy bed in the chill mountain Tower began to sound almost as enticing as the bath with Veradis.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>04-06-2009, 13:06:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Veradis nodded, either oblivious to his thoughts, or taking them as a matter of course. 'You will find soon that it is hungry work as well; it is important to eat something just after coming out of work. The circle is only as strong as its weakest member, and we can't afford to let anyone go faint or ill. Making sure of that is largely the monitor's task, but <em>domna</em> Daiera will tell you more in time.'<br><br>Retracing their steps wasn't hard; the Tower was a straightforward structure, unlike the maze of suites that was Comyn Castle. Negotiating the stairs while feeling increasingly sleepy was not an easy task, though. Veradis wished him a good rest before his door, then disappeared behind her own.<br><br>The bed was rather hard, but surprisingly comfortable, and with enough bedding to keep even the softest southerner warm. A couple of doors were heard opening and closing before Respin dropped off - Damon and Regis heading off somewhere. No sound from any of the women, but still Daiera's presence on the other side of the wall hovered very close, as if she could watch over his dreams like his waking hours.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>10-02-2010, 19:01:13</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Respin lay in the warm comfort of his bed, with noises from the hallway barely registering as they drifted through his sleepy conscience. Before drifting off, he thought of Veradis' warning about food, and he felt the emptiness growing in his stomach.&nbsp; He wondered briefly if he should search out some food to replenish himself before giving over to slumber, but he found the thought of moving from his bed too disturbing to contemplate for long.&nbsp; He decided he would have to worry about food after rest.<br><br>His sleep was the deep, dreamless, disorienting sleep of the overly exhausted.&nbsp; Which is why, some time later, when he found himself awake in his room, he knew he had been awaken by something, but he could not hope to know what it was.&nbsp; He lay there, afraid at first, not knowing where he was.&nbsp; His sleep had been so deep, and his life in such transition lately, that the memories of all that had happened were slow in returning.&nbsp; Gradually, however, he relaxed, and he turned his concentration towards figuring out what had woke him, as well as trying to judge how much time had passed.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>15-02-2010, 16:01:38</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The sunshine had faded, obscured by light, hazy clouds, although the light itself had not lessened. It was probably around midday, then. Not much looked different about the room; the fireplace in the corner was still unlit - and Daiera was sitting in the armchair next to it.<br><br>She had changed out of her heavy red robes and into a peacock blue dress that draped around her willowy figure in soft folds, completely unlike the image she had presented to Respin so far. Her hair was still coiled up and secured with the butterfly clasp, drawing attention to her elfin features, and she smiled to see him awake.<br><br>'I take it you have rested well,' she said softly. 'Some training before going down to dinner would not go amiss, if you are up for it.'
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>18-02-2010, 23:12:39</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Respin could not contain a very brief, yet very undignified, shout at the sight of Daiera in his room.&nbsp; He tried to recover as well as he could afterward, though he knew it was too late.&nbsp; His first thoughts were wondering how she had gotten into his room without him being aware, although these thoughts were quickly brushed aside as he took in her appearance.<br><br>He had amused himself as he fell asleep with fantasies of Veradis, remembering the glances of her delicate blonde features he had stolen during their tour of the tower.&nbsp; Yet it was amazing how quickly those were forgotten upon being reminded of Daiera's exotic presence and overpowering beauty.&nbsp; He felt his stomach lurch slightly as he spied the soft informality of her blue dress and it was all he could do to keep his eyes from lingering.<br><br>He swallowed, trying to find his voice.&nbsp; "Ah, hello, Domna .... Forgive me, please.&nbsp; I was sleeping deeply and did not expect to have company..." He managed a sheepish smile, having no idea if she found the situation amusing.&nbsp; "As for training, certainly, Domna.&nbsp; Whatever you think best."&nbsp; He couldn't help wincing inside slightly as he said it, however.&nbsp; The hunger pains that everyone had promised him had arrived in full force while he was sleeping and the thought of trying to use <em>laran</em> in his present state made his head spin.&nbsp; But something gave him the impression that she wasn't really asking for his consent, so he didn't see refusal as an option.&nbsp; <em>I guess we wll see if I am, indeed, up for it...</em>
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>20-02-2010, 00:42:15</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Daiera nodded, then stood slowly, the folds of her dress rearranging themselves like so many waves, and moved to sit on the edge of Respin's bed. The sturdy mattress and heavy coverlet barely registered her weight. She was holding something in one hand, that she offered to him: what looked like a granola bar - nuts and seeds stuck together with honey, resting on a large, fine green leaf that apparently was wrapping it.<br><br>'Eat this now, to ground yourself,' she said. 'We all keep stashes of these; the kitchen makes them every day, and it's the best thing to have immediately after coming out of circle. A full meal can shut down <em>laran</em> for a while, or at least make it erratic, but an empty stomach makes it equally impossible to concentrate.' She studied his face for a long moment, then went on, more slowly:<br><br>'The first thing you need to learn in order to fit in here is the language. I've heard that, at the spaceport, one can have practice implanted directly into their minds while asleep. What we do is not very different; only you will be awake, and cooperating.'
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>25-02-2010, 21:53:49</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Respin let out a small sigh of relief at the sight of the food.&nbsp; He tried to stifle a small rumbling in his stomach as he took it from her and began to eat it.&nbsp; He listened intently to her advice, nodding to let her know he understood. <em>I will have to visit the kitchen later and grab some of these for myself</em>, he thought.<br><br>"Yes, Domna.&nbsp; Learning the language would be a very valuable skill, thank you.&nbsp; You are correct -- in fact, we had discussed the training at the spaceport although I never got a chance to participate given my short stay there," he added with a smile.&nbsp; He felt somewhat nervous about the process, having no idea what to expect, but he tried to hide it from Daiera.&nbsp; He finished the food she had brought him, and was surprised at how quickly his strength returned and his mind cleared.&nbsp; He certainly wasn't back to normal, but he at least felt as if he could participate without collapsing onto the floor.&nbsp; He took a deep breath to calm himself.&nbsp; "I am ready.&nbsp; Just tell me what you need me to do."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>03-03-2010, 14:39:30</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Daiera reached out and ran her fingers lightly across Respin's forehead, then her hand dropped onto the quilt and closed around his. Her touch was light, almost insubstantial, but felt somehow more intimate than any simple hand-holding had the right to be. Not in a way of violating personal space, but in a way of bringing down boundaries that had no business being there anyway.<br><br>'You need to listen,' she said, 'and accept to be led. I'm going to take you back and put images together with words into your mind, and it would be better and easier for both of us if you didn't try to push me out.' She smiled, equally reassuring and teasing. 'I won't look where I shouldn't.' She gave his hand a light squeeze, then settled back and started, that sing-song cadence always lurking in her voice intensifying:<br><br>'The <em>chieri</em> lived on Darkover since before time had any meaning. But one day, the Terrans came, and nothing was the same again.' The image in Respin's mind, of towering snow-capped mountains and deep slashes of valleys thick with star-shaped blue flowers with heavy golden hearts beneath the dim red sun, was shattered. Now there was a spaceship crashing down, and people struggling to deal with their new surroundings, speaking English and Gaelic and Spanish instead of Standard. Out into the valleys they went, and then the wind began to blow, and one by one they forgot who they were and fell to coupling madly among the flowers, or fighting just as madly, or fleeing into more secret places, where the <em>chieri</em> dwelled undisturbed...<br><br>'The Ghost Wind woke up their minds,' continued Daiera's voice, like a whisper on that wind itself. 'And there was no going back.' The wreck of the spaceship exploded again, and what was left was guttend and scavenged, and small villages sprang up, further and further afield, and more children appeared, several with the pale faces and silver hair and six-fingered hands of the <em>chieri</em>. The wind still blew, and madness followed every time, though less and less often, and there were blue flickering crystals in people's hands now, and their speech had blended the original languages into a musical whole that could be still heard in those old ballads that Magda's mother compiled.<br><br>'That's how it all started,' Daiera finished, and Respin was back in his room, his hand still in hers. 'With that handful of survivors. How are you feeling?'
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>04-03-2010, 00:26:51</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Respin felt a warm tingling on his skin at Daiera's touch, though he didn't know whether it was pleasure, trepidation, or a litte bit of both.&nbsp; Her smile both reassured him and surprised him, however.&nbsp; He hadn't seen Daiera make many attempts at humor, and he enjoyed the intimate feel that it lent to the experience.&nbsp; Her voice, and particularly the vividness of the images in his mind made him forget such things, however, and he tried to relax and absorb what she was offering.<br><br>When it was over, he let out a big sigh, realizing he had been holding his breath occaisonally and nowhere near as relaxed as he intended.&nbsp; <em>I'm going to have to work on that</em>, he thought.&nbsp; But mostly he was focused on what he had seen in the images.&nbsp; He had heard the story of the settlement, of course.&nbsp; Everyone at home had.&nbsp; And though he knew that the Terran retelling of it was sure to be biased in their favor to some degree, he never knew how much.&nbsp; He realized now that the common themes of the version he had learned -- how the Terrans had helped civilize a primitive world through the import of knowledge and technology -- were not accurate.&nbsp; Not even by a long shot.&nbsp; And he had heard rumors of the awakening, but he now realized how much of the carnal nature of the whole affair had been sanitized in the version he learned in school.<br><br>"Surprised," he conceded.&nbsp; "You probably won't be shocked to hear that the version I learned is not quite the same as what you have shown me."&nbsp; He smiled, and then shrugged.&nbsp; "But, I guess that's what you get when you trust a people to write their own history.&nbsp; I'm glad you have shown me, though.&nbsp; If I am to be a part of this world, it is good to know the truth."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>08-03-2010, 18:05:37</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Daiera nodded slowly, the light coming in through the window behind her creating an almost imperceptible misty halo around her head. 'I'm not surprised. The Comyn themselves refused for a long time to believe they were the descendants of <em>Terranan</em> colonists who found themselves here by blind bad luck. <em>Laran</em> could only mean something divine in them.' She chuckled mirthlessly. 'They forgot a lot of the tyranny that fixed their gifts in their bloodlines. The <em>chieri</em> remember, because we had no reason not to. There is none alive now who was at the original landing, though there are some who remember the Ages of Chaos.'<br><br>Pausing, she tilted her head slightly to the side and studied Respin's face. There seemed to be less of a discrepancy between the movement of her lips and the sounds that appeared to pass through them. 'The Ghost Wind doesn't blow anymore. The <em>kireseth</em> flowers no longer grow in the wild, except in remote places where nobody seems to go. We grow them, and get out of them the drugs that make life a bit easier for the <em>laran</em>-gifted.' Her long, limber fingers brushed Respin's hand. 'You were agitated when you found out about the Ghost Wind. Why?'
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>11-03-2010, 22:31:22</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				"I, uh... Well, you see--" Respin sputtered lamely and tried to supress the heat he felt rising in his neck and ears.&nbsp; It was a trait he had always hated.&nbsp; He always considered it quite unfair that someone who was easily embarrassed also had to advertsie the fact with a glowing red signal that made the entire experience that much more uncomfortable.<br><br>He sighed again.&nbsp; "I'm sorry, Domna.&nbsp; My family wasn't the most, shall I say, open-minded.&nbsp; As I said, I had heard of the awakening, but most people I knew believed the Ghost Wind to be a myth.&nbsp; So I was suprised to see how true it was, and how powerfully it affected the colonists.&nbsp; And I guess the vividness of the images surprised me.&nbsp; I didn't realize that the whole process had been so..." he paused again and felt his cheeks redden further, "... carnal."&nbsp; <em>God, I must sound like a child to her...</em>&nbsp; He gulped, but managed to look up and meet her eyes before he embarrassed himself completely.&nbsp; "Forgive me, but I'm not used to discussing or experiencing such things so openly.&nbsp; It is a failing, I admit, and one that I must learn to overcome."
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>17-03-2010, 23:56:24</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Unexpectedly, Daiera laughed. Not mockingly, not even condescendingly, but in genuine amusement, if a little mischievous. She didn't look like the kind who would laugh often, but the expression didn't look out of place at all, even on her eerily patrician features.<br><br>'Don't worry too much, Respin,' she said reassuringly, giving his hand a brief squeeze. 'The way you feel is the way you feel, and trying to suppress that can only derail your <em>laran</em>. You will get used to our alien ways. And, unlike the world out there, which is still hard and run by need, here none will force you into anything you don't really want to do. None would say you can't sleep with Veradis, if both of you wanted it, although it would not be advisable before you have learned to contain your own <em>laran</em>, to avoid losing yourself or overwhelming her.'<br><br>Before he had time to blush this time, she let go of his hand, her tone growing more serious. 'Psychotropic drugs can't bring out anything that is not there already. The Ghost Wind tore down the barriers people build around the parts of themselves that scare them most. For most, what was set free was their sexuality. For others, it was the killer within. Some were so damaged that they never recovered. One way or another, the aim was to make people whole.' She stood slowly and smiled down at him again. 'But history lies heavy on the empty stomach. Dinner will be served soon. Get ready, and come down.' And with a soft swish of her full skirts against the floor, she was gone, as lightly as she had come.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Pinyon</strong> on <strong>25-03-2010, 00:29:44</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				Respin sat quietly on his bed, wondering what had just happened.&nbsp; <em>Did she just say what I think she said? About Veradis and me?</em> He chewed lightly on his lips, thinking.&nbsp; There was obviously no reason to get upset about it, but talking so openly of such things was so contrary to his nature that he couldn't simply forget about it.&nbsp; And then there was the more disconcerting thought.&nbsp; If she was able to discern that, what else did she know?&nbsp; Was it a lucky guess, or did she have some more direct ability to gauge his thoughts and feelings?&nbsp; If so, what did she know about his thoughts of her?&nbsp; Well, whatever she knew, she obviously didn't seem bothered by it.&nbsp; But he wasn't use to being on display, and he couldn't help being embarrassed by it.<br><br>However, he was starving, and she had requested that he come down, so he could hardly sit up here in his room and avoid everyone.&nbsp; That would certainly make things much more awkward than they just had been.&nbsp; So, eventually, he readied himself, tidied his room, and left, closing the door behind him.&nbsp; He walked slowly, enjoying a chance to take in the feel of the tower alone, without worrying about anyone else around.&nbsp; He was proud of himself for remembering the way, and he found that the quiet strength of the old tower walls helped calm his mind and he was able to forget most of his uncomfortableness from before.&nbsp; Finally, reaching nearing the dining area, the smell of food provided the last bit of encouragement that he needed to enter the room and join the others for his first meal in the tower.
			</dd>
			<dt class="postheader">
				Title: <strong>Re: There Is Always Someone [Lilias &amp; Pinyon]</strong><br>
				Post by: <strong>Lilias</strong> on <strong>31-03-2010, 14:43:56</strong>
			</dt>
			<dd class="postbody">
				The others were already gathered around the oval table. The food had been brought in, the housekeepers had departed, and Melora, on Daiera's right, was standing up, evidently ready to start serving. She shot Respin a rather chastising glance as he came in, but didn't comment on his lateness, dipping the ladle into a glazed crock tureen the size of a small cauldron, that stood at the centre of the table. The others greeted him with nods and smiles, Damon nodding towards the empty place, between himself and Veradis.<br><br>The food was a kind of meat stew with root vegetables, white, yellow and orange. Unfamiliar as it was, it smelled absolutely delicious, and the portions that Melora ladled out were more than generous. Veradis, in the meantime, had sliced up a couple of loaves of heavy yellowish bread, still warm from the oven. Settling back in her place, she pointed at the plates before them. 'It's chervine,' she said, referring to the vaguely ox-like native beasts that were used mostly as pack animals on the rough northern trails. 'You'll like it. I'm impatient for rabbithorn, but it's still early in the year.'<br><br>Perhaps surprisingly, there was not much ceremony over the meal, and as soon as everyone was served, they tucked in, chatting easily, like any working team on their lunch break. They made an effort to speak Standard and include Respin as well, although even their <em>casta</em> was more easily understandable. Daiera's session must have worked well. The Keeper herself didn't talk much, but she seemed to enjoy her meal while observing her circle with bright, even amused eyes.
			</dd>
		</dl>
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